Back to School 2009

It's back to school time! And I have been working hard to get my room prepared to invite my students into a wonderful learning environment. I have much more to do but, as I took these photos at the end of the day on Thursday I have tomorrow to finish up. My head is swimming with ideas, new literature, grammar programs, independent reading experiences,writing, journaling and so much more...

This is the beginning of our classroom library and resource center. It will be well used on a daily basis. The new books will fit well in the empty shelves. They'll be ready for my students to take adventures, learn of new cultures, visit places they've never been before, study a concept or topic of personal interest. The best part is I have the privilege of sharing in their discoveries.

My work space and our new elmo projector. This will allow us to do some really awesome interactive lessons.
This motivational bulletin board will be a place for students (11th graders) to set personal goals

in preparation for their ACT experience.

Our desks face each other. I find it allows for greater participation in all aspects of the learning process. I don't like traditional rows. There is much to do yet but tomorrow is another day!
My freshmen students will set personal goals every 41/2 weeks. They will be keep in the pockets on the bulletin board. We will work together to plan and put into practice what they need to do to be successful and meet their goals. Most importantly we will share the journey to achievement together!
"Who dares to teach must never cease to learn."
-John Cotton Dana

Please take a moment to visit my website at http://www.munschsmusings.synthasite.com

Tea in the garden...planning for the future.

Treasures can be found in the most unlikely places! Yesterday as I drove into the parking lot at our apartment I passed the alcove that houses our dumpster and to my amazement I spotted a complete set of outdoor furniture. I parked my car and immediately began carrying these very heavy pieces to our garage. My neighbor (an avid rummager( is that even a word?) took pity on me and sent her son out to help. He was kind enough to carry the heavy pieces.This is a close up of the scroll work. Pretty!
This shot will make a nice background for a scrapbook page.

And here is a look at the whole set. Can't you just see it in a garden!

Imagine if you will, tea, flowers, a warm breeze, and good conversation...Bliss.

Where's the strangest place you've found a treasure?

A Kindred Spirit

This is Christina Katerina she is a character created by author Patricia Lee Gauch and illustrated by Doris Burn. The story book title is Christina Katerina & THE BOX. If you have not read this delightful little story I highly recommend it! It is a story of a little girl, her love of junk, a big box, and a lot of imagination! She is definitely a gal after my own heart.
Here is the excerpt that describes this little darling.

The book cover itself was scribbled with crayon
when I found it but the title and illustration reminded me of my childhood and of my girls.
They had such fun as little one's using boxes and a lot of imagination.

I was literally sitting on the floor at the second hand store reading, which made me smile, giggle, and attract the attention of two small children who were shopping with their mother.
I asked if they could join me and we finished the story together. One of life's spontaneous moments!
I was able to clean of most of the crayon from the cover and will proudly display this little treasure to share with other little one's in the future.
This wonderful book can be found at http://www.amazon.com/ and at http://www.barnesandnobles.com/.

What do Doodles and Damaged Books Have in Common?

Doodles and damaged books, just how are they related? I have recently pulled out my scrap booking supplies and have felt a renewed sense of interest in creating some memory pages. It was spurred by a book I ordered a few weeks ago. It is called, The Doodle Formula by Adrienne Looman. It is a step by step guide to creating the perfect doodle.

Adrienne uses concepts like balance, shape, depth, and filler to achieve the perfect doodle which is then incorporated into scrap book design and collage. The above is my first doodle using her concepts.

I also doodled a few characters I hope you will enjoy!

Crazy bird...
An artist's companion...
The writer's muse...

Confused !

Where do I go from here...Oh! the damaged book connection!

Along with books I recently purchased for my classroom library I
came across a few damaged books. There were books with beautiful illustrations,

lovely type, and I just couldn't leave them there. Reuse, recycle, rejuvenate!

Although damaged their parts will work nicely in a collage and

the covers will become small portfolios for finished artwork.

I love the colors and broad strokes used to create the following illustrations I was able to salvage.

This will make an awesome background.

The next couple examples really appealed to me.

Here is Adriene's book. It can be purchased through Bluegrass

Publishing at http://www.bluegrasspublishing.com/ .

I promise to share my finished work very soon!

P.S. I thought you might like to see the pillows I made from that piece of fabric I picked up the other day.

Take a seat, relax, and leave me a comment!


I will leave you with this quote:

"Creative activity could be described as a type of learning process where the teacher and pupil are located in the same individual." Arthur Koestler

Why Read?

While shopping the other day I stopped in our local Salvation Army Store and

I was able to purchase 50 books for .10 a piece. I am still amazed at the price!

Each will open the door to an experience for young readers who struggle with the question,

Why read?

The act of choosing a book and reading it will help

many of my students realize the following benefits:

Reading provides an opportunity to think, reason, question, and formulate ideas, hence exercising brain power. Reading improves vocabulary, concentration, and focus.

It improves memory,discipline, and creativity. It allows the opportunity to have interesting topics of conversation and reduces overall boredom.

Reading is like having a personal travel guide always ready to provide opportunities to new places, to meet new people, and experience new cultures.

All of these benefits equate to a secure and promising future.

I encourage you to Read today, Encourage a child to read today, Share conversation about what you've read, and Make a positive difference in their future and your own.

Books are the quietest and most constant of friends: they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.
Charles W. Eliot

THE STONE: A Story of Friendship

A dear friend sent this to us and I couldn't resist sharing it with you.

THE STONE

TWO FRIENDS WERE WALKING THROUGH THE DESERT. DURING SOME POINT OF THE JOURNEY, THEY HAD AN ARGUMENT AND ONE FRIEND SLAPPED THE OTHER ONE IN THE FACE.
THE ONE WHO GOT SLAPPED WAS HURT, BUT WITHOUT SAYING ANYTHING, WROTE IN THE SAND, "TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SLAPPED ME IN THE FACE. "
THEY KEPT ON WALKING, UNTIL THEY FOUND AN OASIS, WHERE THEY DECIDED TO TAKE A BATH. THE ONE WHO HAD BEEN SLAPPED GOT STUCK IN THE MIRE AND STARTED DROWNING, BUT THE FRIEND SAVED HIM. AFTER HE RECOVERED FROM THE NEAR DROWNING, HE WROTE ON A STONE: 'TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SAVED MY LIFE'
THE FRIEND WHO HAD SLAPPED AND SAVED HIS BEST FRIEND ASKED HIM, 'AFTER I HURT YOU, YOU WROTE IN THE SAND AND NOW YOU WRITE ON A STONE, WHY?'
THE FRIEND REPLIED 'WHEN SOMEONE HURTS US WE SHOULD WRITE IT DOWN IN SAND, WHERE WINDS OF FORGIVENESS CAN ERASE IT AWAY. BUT, WHEN SOMEONE DOES SOMETHING GOOD FOR US, WE MUST ENGRAVE IT IN STONE WHERE NO WIND CAN EVER ERASE IT'
LEARN TO WRITE YOUR HURTS IN THE SAND AND TO CARVE YOUR BENEFITS IN STONE.
THEY SAY IT TAKES A MINUTE TO FIND A SPECIAL PERSON, AN HOUR TO APPRECIATE THEM, A DAY TO LOVE THEM, BUT THEN, AN ENTIRE LIFE TO FORGET THEM.

Treasure Hunting: Tickles My Creative Spirit

I spent about an hour at our local ST. Vincent DePaul and Savation Army Stores today. And I thought I'd share some of the treasures I found.

This little character is the most unique adaptation of a Bumble Bee I've ever seen.

I thought I might rework the doll to create a fairy but I'm not sure I want to take the risk to spoil this "too" cute little creature.
Hubby is constantly teasing me about the shoe collection I have amassed, so I couldn't resist this darling little vase. I plan to make it into a pincushion by placing velvet tubes filled with rice into it. That way I won't damage it by gluing the fabric in permanently.

I can't resist a cookbook especially this one. I have been doing the
Weight Watchers program about six weeks now and have lost 15lbs
so far. The recipes may help to add varity to the cuisine we have been enjoying.

I found an absolute Book Lover's, English Teacher's, Avid Reader's
passion. BOOKS for .10 cents per book.
I'll share more tomorrow as I haven't unloaded them
yet. I was able to buy 50 books for my classroom library for $5.00!
That deserves a WOW! don't you agree.

This is a close up of a beautiful piece of fabric that will become pillows for the livingroom.
(It was .50 cents!)

I think it will look really pretty with the other fabrics and upholstery.Creating, repurposing, and designing a home that is warm, inviting, and a place we look forward to coming back to each day is a labor of love. Home is the place we go to when we need to feel safe and I want our home to be an oasis. I want it to be a place we can honor God and each other.

"As for me and my home we shall serve the Lord."

Have a day filled with the joy of creating something wonderful for you and yours.