Same Lesson, Two Different Methods for Teaching

          As mentioned in prior posts, the beginning of the year started out with a huge attendance of children in the Valiant class.  The average was from 12 to 16 students.  It seems like we were introducing ourselves every week as not everyone was acquainted with those who were either visiting or those who had recently come  back to church.

          Danny would generally give the lesson and I would be there to discipline.  When Danny wasn't there to teach, I would teach and ask someone else to sit in with me.  Often I would ask Roland, but when I did the lesson on creation this year, it was Danny's mom that sat in the class with me.

          I introduced the class to Sugardoodle's Passports by Melanie Day (found here) -  as I am currently unable to open the Sugardoodle sight, I am hopefully giving credit to the correct person.  I did not know how well this would appeal to the older children but knew that it might to the younger ones.  I used this knowing that we might separate and I would be teaching the five youngest Valiants

          Those willing to read took turns reading scriptures that explained the details of the creation found in Genesis 1, Moses 2 and Abraham 4 and 5.  I had each of the children fill out a journal page separated into four parts

          One was filling hers out so diligently that she ran out of space and I told her she could use the back.  Danny's mom had contributed a lot of thought and meaning into my lesson as well.  I thought it went well.  Better than the following week when I tried my hand at explaining the Garden of Eden and Fall with Jenna blocks as illustrated in this post. 

     

          I had set displays up on a table surrounded by 16 chairs. Jenna helped me with the Jenga and the chairs. I sent her to her own class but may have been better off keeping her. My good intentions contributed what I felt had been a disaster!  This has nothing to do with Darcee Pergler (the creator of the game) but rather my own lack of control and discipline over my students.

          I think I had 14 children in my class that day no other adult.  They all wanted to touch the Jenga pieces and either rebuilt the tower or continue playing.  I kept on asking different children to move to the vacant chair as Carly couldn't seem to keep her hands off of Casey.  Shannon will talk to Anne or Helen.  Thomas acts up no matter what.  I was not pleased with the results of their focus . . . the blocks themselves and the lesson subject hadn't mattered. 

          Carly decided that perhaps we could play a different game.  How about musical chairs?  Weren't we already sort of doing that?  I wasn't going to reward their ill behavior with games of any sort . .  let alone ones that had absolutely nothing to do with the gospel.  And I told them so.  I pushed the table out of their reach and told them that they needed to focus on the lesson please.  What was our purpose for being in primary?

https://www.becker.uk.com/

          Last week I divided the rooms. I set up a small table with 5 chairs in a circle and Danny's brother set up her room.  I had planned on introducing my class to the ribbon idea that was used in my seminary bowl days.  (see this post)

          I had looked for ribbon while we were at Big Lots in Roseburg, though I did not find what I was looking for .  I found instead a garland made from heart links

and thought it might be fun to use those with message scripture instead      - the first appropriately "A broken heart and a contrite spirit  . . ." as I had to break each heart in order to each on separately.

I had also decided to return to the passport lessons as it seemed to be more effective with the younger children who I would be teaching.  I also had created (based on others' ideas) a picture-ized Article of Faith page for us to memorize.

          Just before Sacrament meeting started, I was told that Danny would not make it to church however, and so I taught both groups.  It wasn't as big deal as there were only seven students.  And though I had enough material for the scriptures and article of faith for each student, I went a different direction and again related the account of why we have the Pearl of Great Price and why it is important part of scripture.

          My class was reverent while I was teaching, but once we got into sharing time/singing time, the volume and disrespect had gone up greatly.  Emily (who is in CTRs) sat in front of me.  She fiddled with her necklace.  Whoever was presenting sharing time asked her several times if she would put it under her chair.  She'd pretend to, but then she would start playing with it again.  I tapped her on the shoulder and asked if she would like to come sit with me.  Surprisingly, she not only said yes, but seemed excited about it.  She put everything on the floor under her chair without my having to tell her.

          Yesterday was the first day that Danny and I taught the kids separately.  I had three that attended my class and I think she said she ended up with only six.  I used the passport and gave them hearts and ribbons to wear and I introduced them to Enoch and some vocabulary words and then we attempted to memorize the 10th article of faith.

          Danny said she just reviewed. She still doesn't feel well.  I don't think 6 kids in that room may have given the same sensation of being claustrophobic as I believe 10 to 12 kids will.  I don't know if this separate class thing will last the duration of the year.  But I think I am having more success with Thomas being part of a smaller class.  I think that perhaps the younger ones may not feel so lost in the shuffle and hopefully will better learns.

         During Singing Time, Emily asked if she could sit with me.

I Think I'll Take a Snow Day

        We were told that snow in this part of Oregon is really rare, and yet we've seen it every year since we've been here.  Oh, nothing like Salt Lake, mind you.  It is only one or two days - and usually just on the trees and hills,  not on the roads.  Currently, it is on the road.

        The schools called to say that all schools in the district are closed.  They were supposed to take a field trip today.  Hopefully, it will get rescheduled.

        I actually have more ambition today than I did yesterday - or all week rather.  Not wanting to study.  Not wanting to post.  No desire.  No emotions.  And now I think I could.  And Jenna's home.  I would rather spend time with her.

        Yesterday I wrote this pathetic poem.  It sounds much better if you imagine a harmonica and sung in a blues style.  I wasn't really feeling blue, just blah.  It's been quite bizarre, actually.  But it has passed.  I'm feeling more lively now.  Perhaps not lively enough to go out and enjoy the snow like Jenna does.  I measured two inches of snowfall.

          I have no ambition

I'm in a funk

          I need some motivation

Or my grades are sunk

          I'm singing imaginary blues

Though I'm really not depressed

          I don't have any emotions

Don't feel happy, sad or stressed

          I need to snap out of

This unfeeling stage

          Replay to two discussions

And write another page

          Focus on my schooling and

Take a test, no two

          Aside from education

There is still so much to do

          I used to make up songs and poems

When I've been in funks before

          Often it worked out for me

But doesn't anymore.

          Still no ambition or even allowing

My mind to roam

          Still in a funk and

With a stupid poem.

         Jenna's had a cough for a couple of weeks now.  Would be nice if she could shake it off.

When Dreams Get Retired

          Roland has always wanted to have his own business. ALWAYS.  And I have made it absolutely no secret that business DOESN'T interest me.  We are both taking business courses, although my current classes are neither as tough or as boring or need to go into as much detail as his did.

          It seems the entire time we've lived here, his business plan has always had to do with senior daycare - a service that is desperately needed in our area.  He has done some amazing research.  He has felt excitement and he has felt defeat.

          There were six weeks where he had changed his plan from doing senior daycare to selling ice cream and if we opened under our own name (rather than a franchise) we would call it the Happy Hurricane. The idea of selling ice cream did not last for long as he was unable to get past the first hurdle of finding an ideal location for a finicky public.  Okay by me.  I really don't wish to deal with food - though we'd still have to deal with food in an adult day care setting, that would not be our primary focus of the business.

          Through research, Roland has learned that over 65% of all of those who live in Douglas County are over 65 years old. There are many who have moved back with their elderly parents or who have brought their elderly parents to live with them. Though there are some who have expressed excitement to the idea of adult day care, the majority of this community would have to be educated in what an adult daycare even is.

          Roland would like to build a corporation.  I just roll my eyes.  I don't even want to work for a corporation.  He has spent a ton of hours into research and had even sent letters out to use as a backup for starting a business.  I don't think anyone took the time to fill out the questionnaire - which I do understand.  It was quite lengthy.  Opening an adult day care does not seem promising financially.  Oh well. His passion is with graphic art and marketing. 

           My current assignment is on partnerships.  Though he would like to be able to expand the business, it is now in a fizzled out stage.  I have used his creation (but not his business plan itself) as an example to explain partnership - though he was hoping for something more.  I am so unmotivated this week and still have to turn in two assignments and take two assessments. I'm definitely not focused right now.  

Magic Hands

        I remember someone posting this cartoon to facebook. 

I laughed as I read it as I relate, both to having been the child and now the mother.  But it isn't just a relationship with mothers and children when this sort of magic happens.  It happens among husbands and wives as well - at least in our family.

        I remember many times mom would used to say to dad, "There is something wrong with the car"  and so he would take the problematic car to work and of course it would ride smoothly for him and give absolutely no indication of ever having any kind of behavior problem.  It seemed that way with all appliances - and it wasn't because my dad was mechanical minded.  I think electronics and mechanics just have a way of playing pranks on the female mind.

        Take my computer for instance - the pop-ups, the constant threats,

of course my computer is well behaved whenever Roland sits down to it.  After a month (or more) of not being able to pull up Yahoo on my PC, it appears just fine for him.  I didn't even need to give him the latest password that I had changed it too.  What????

        I am so not motivated to do any class work right now.  Frustrated that my husband and dad seem to have magic hands - unbeknownst to them.  I want magic hands!!!

Them Thar Hills

          Jenna loved the snow.  When she'd been spotlighted in her kindergarten class, I mentioned that winter was her favorite season.  It was at the time, but I don't know if it still is. Like me, she also likes the fall. She does love the snow, but she also became sick of it one year as there were tons of it dumped down on us;  it was so high and so long that we were glad when it finally came to an end. 

          Each time it snows in Oregon (which is NOT often in the area where we live) she has gotten more excited - which is kind of funny, because I think with each snowfall we've received, the amount that sticks has been more pathetic than the last (which is fine by me;  enough so it's pretty, but not so much that I have to drive in it)

          When we lived in Salt Lake, Roland would point out whatever mountain we were driving towards and ask Jenna, "What's the name of that mountain?" or "What is that mountain called?"  It became a game for them. She'd answer: "Candy Mountain"  "Carmel Mountain"  "Beautiful Mountain and So Forth"

          Yesterday it snowed.  Flurried off and on.  Moments of sunshine.  The snow hadn't stuck until this morning.  I expect it will be gone by this afternoon - except in the hills above us.  For the first time since we've been in Oregon, Roland pointed to the hill next to the towers and asked, "Jenna, what's the name of the mountain." 

         

          "I don't know."

          "I call it Tower Hill,"  I volunteered.

         

          "What's the name of the one next to it?"

          Jenna finally volunteers, "Dwight."  Made me laugh.  So now we have a new nickname for the hill next to Tower Hill.  We will call  it "Dwight"

It appears that Dwight has more snow than Towers.  LOL

Whatever Happened to My Collections?

        At the time  I was enrolled in seminary, there was a program for students who had the desire to participate in afterschool programs of challenging seminary students from other schools in what came to be known as "The Seminary Bowl"

        Seminary Bowl included a panel of students trained to answer questions relating to that year's gospel topic.  There was also the "scripture chase" on which team could find a certain scripture the quickest.  Each week (or however often we met) our instructors would give us ribbons featuring our school color.  On the ribbon was marked in letters that started each word of different scriptures;  one made up for a certain scripture that we should have memorized that week

        I had saved them all in a scrapbook.  I think it might have been the one that grandpa had given me; one that fell apart, one that I had attempted to recreate. I reminded myself of this as I was planning the lesson I'd be teaching yesterday.  I had planned on doing something similar for my class . . . but that will be for another post perhaps.

        None of my collections seemed to make it with us to Oregon.  I am sad that the ribbons had been left in the shed in West Valley along with my coin collection and a box of dolls that grandpa had given me when he and grandma would fly Western Airlines.  The ribbons themselves may have been in one of six boxes that Kayla had retrieved but eventually threw out, they had been thrown out by one of the boys - probably Randy as Tony seems to be even more of a pack rat then I am.  It doesn't matter now.  It is writing on the wall.

        I do wonder what may have come of my coins that had evolved into something that grandpa had introduced me to.  He had introduced coin collecting my brother, Patrick, and the neighbors across the street as well.  I remember dragging the collection out of the shed when we had introduced our boys to coin collecting.  And later Roland tried it with his two oldest girls.  Did not pan out well, I'm afraid.  Those actually made the move to Oregon, and now it is an activity that Roland and Jenna share.  I wish I could find mine to show to Jenna.  I know some of the coins have more value than others.  It would be interesting for me to know where they ended up.  I am certain that they still exist somewhere within the family - probably tucked away in a box in a closet. 

        I also had a box of identical looking dolls dressed in various costume to represent different countries from around the world.  The clothes couldn't be removed.  Probably not even worth anything except they all came from an airline that was eventually bought out by Delta.  It was more out of sentiment that I hung onto them.  And there was one I had actually designed clothes for.  Don't know what became of them either. 

       I also had some pins: Mary Tyler Moore and Coke Bottle/Olympic memorabilia.  Those I did purchase for the sake of collection believing someday they would be worth a lot more than what I paid.  Lost in the sauce, I'm afraid.

Dang!

Missing, Understanding and Appreciating Mom Even More

          I miss my mom.  I have missed her since before she passed.  

          As I start aging, there are more things that I appreciate or understand about mom that I may have taken for granted many times before.  I don’t have the exceptional hearing that my mom did, and my eyesight is no longer what it used to be.  I find that I am often blowing up the screen or font size – especially when I am trying to view two windows at once.  I will still do a spell check but am unsure if a suggested word is the one I really want to use;  I can’t see what is being suggested – not from a comfortable position anyway.

          I remember going to the pool with mom – who seemed to have worse eyesidht then than I do now.  She was literally blind without her glasses.  There wold be a clock right above the pool.  She could see the clock itself – but couldn’t determine where the hands were.  She would always ask what time it was.  I couldn’t understand why it was a problem for her.  Now I do.

          Jenna will often say things to her dad or me that we’ll ask her to repeat.  My hearing is better than Roland’s.  It used to be as great as Jenna’s.  At least I still have the ability to hear and see – just not small fonts or faint sounds.  I have lost my inability to smell and have written a few posts about that.  My mom’s smelling sense had been numbed when she was very young.  I don’t remember my mom ever being able to smell.  Every once in a while I can smell things faintly – but not often.  I still don’t know what skunk smells like, even though Roland has pointed it out.

          Mom would get frustrated with herself when she couldn’t remember the words she was searching for;  she would get even more upset if someone tried to help her out by suggesting words.  She would forget what it was that she was trying to say.  I have experienced that myself – though I don’t remember having dealt with it much this year.  Jenna has figured out that it annoys me.  Roland hasn’t though.

          The change of life.  We all grow old.  Sometimes we forget things.  Sometimes we lose our senses.  Why do so many age quickly while others don’t seem to age at all?  I don’t get it.

          I miss my mom.