I Saw You Reading

October 27, 2013
by messerlyk
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You Are Not Alone

You, students, have no idea how many people care about you.  Yes, family members — both near and far — but also teachers and community members who want the best for you.

I read this recently:

“Last week my neighbor shared the pain she is feeling for her sister who has a son who is making some bad choices right now. She didn’t say what her nephew is doing. Probably partying or ditching school or breaking his mom’s heart in one way or another. She was really sad for her sister. She cried. And I almost cried. And I’m sure her sister, this mother of a wayward son, has cried. And I thought to myself, this boy has no idea. He has no idea how much people care about him. He has no idea that choices he makes could make his aunt cry. Do you know how often I think about my aunts? Almost never. And if I were about to do something dumb or crazy I would not think about them, for sure. And here we are on the other side of it caring so much about this kid and hoping the best for him.”  (Kacy Faulconer, Every Day I Write the Book)

Oftentimes you might feel that you are going it alone.  Don’t.  Whether you recognize it or not, many of your teachers are your greatest champions.  Like the aunt mentioned above, we are behind the scenes cheering you on and wishing the best for you, wanting to scream, “Can’t you see?!?”  “”Don’t you know how much we care?!”  We are disappointed when you make poor choices and rejoice when you make strides toward success.  Let us be in your corner.  Ask for help — help making decisions, help finding answers, help getting through the day.  We will help.  Take advantage of the people who have been placed in your life to help you get through it.

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“A little boy was having difficulty lifting a heavy stone.

His father came along just then.

Noting the boy’s failure, he asked, “Are you using all your strength?”

“Yes, I am,” the little boy said impatiently.

“No, you are not,” the father answered.

“I am right here just waiting, and you haven’t asked me to help you.”

– Anon

 

October 24, 2013
by messerlyk
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Non-Perishables

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Occasionally Second Harvest Food Bank has non-perishables to help local food banks.  We were able to unload tons of fresh fruit and 50 lb. bags of potatoes.  Great job, guys!

October 3, 2013
by messerlyk
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Just. Cool.

Half a Cup of Coffee

Half a Cup of Coffee

 

Check out more photos of THINGS CUT IN HALF here.  Enjoy (but there’s also a little bit of an ICK factor for some of them).

September 23, 2013
by messerlyk
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Reading in the Schools Day 2013

Everything that you do has a ripple effect—every word that you speak, every action that you make affects other people and the planet.  Today you all made an ENORMOUSLY positive impact on the lives of little children.  Thank you for sharing your voice, your enthusiasm, and your heart with the students of Rutherford County.  You created lots of smiles.

Austin Victor

Roman

Kris

Super Zach

Elizabeth

Dwayne

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September 12, 2013
by messerlyk
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Read Aloud Tips

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Here are a few tips to remember as you prepare to read to elementary students on Reading in the Schools Day:

  • Introduce yourself.  Speak briefly about how much you love to read.
  • Introduce your book with a hook.  Tell the title and author.
  • Read with fluency and expression.  Children need to hear changes in your voice to indicate when you are reading dialogue. Vary your pace, too. Slow down to build up suspense and speed up during exciting scenes.
  • Hold the books so all the children can see the illustrations.
  • Try to establish frequent eye contact with the class.   And smile!
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