Mrs. McDuffee's TK Times

08/31/2022

Some great ideas.

How early-grade teachers tackled a chaotic year and helped the youngest learners acclimate to life in (actual) school. It’s work that's likely to continue this school year.

08/18/2022

Sometimes it is hard to remember that our littles (or teenagers for that matter) need time to reset and recharge too. It is tough to learn the rules and expectations of the new situation they are in. We all need to slow down and remember that mental health is as import as physical health.

"This kid right here hasn’t had the greatest start to the school year.

We’re only on week 2, and I’ve already conferenced with the teacher and principal. He’s done a few things wrong, and then had some backlash come his way that no 8-year-old boy on the planet deserves.

For the past 3 days, I’ve sat outside the school at 3:00 biting my nails and straining to see him walk out the door.

I wanna see what his face looks like, so I can gauge what the day has done to him.

When we got home yesterday I resumed my usual line of questioning...

'What happened today?'

'Did anyone say mean things?'

'Did you say mean things?'

'Did anyone play with you today?'

'How are you feeling? Are you okay?'

And at some point yesterday in the middle of bombarding him, I saw this look on his face that said, 'I need you to stop.'

And so, I did.

And then I decided that sometimes our little humans need the same things we need: they need space. And 20 minutes of silence. And their favorite snacks laid out next to a warm bath.

I think sometimes these are the things that speak love to our children louder than our voices.

He was calm for the rest of the night. And this morning when I dropped him off I looked him straight in the face and said, 'You got this.'

And he said, 'Yeah....but if I don’t, will you make me another bath tonight?'

And I said 'Always.'”



Shared with permission from Justifying Jane

03/05/2022

Truth. 👏

07/25/2021

What an amazing young lady!
https://www.ted.com/talks/molly_wright_how_every_child_can_thrive_by_five?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=tedspread&fbclid=IwAR2dDjpmsak_FPj6qtchMkYKBgTqr58NmBU9byyNU_Cigikar33EgFQi66c -118192

04/27/2021

Great information!

Play develops crucial life skills in ways other activities simply do not. But do you really know what qualifies as play?

04/24/2021

Art is essential to human expression. Do you agree? 💕

(via The Teacher Next Door)

04/23/2021

❤️

SUNCATCHER UMBRELLA 🌈 ☂️ Beautiful idea!
Photo credit: https://www.instagram.com/aplayfilledlife/

04/20/2021

Here is a great video to help understand some difficult math concepts. I am also posting it so I can find it later! :0)

Learn to compose numbers and decompose numbers with Scratch Garden's third episode of 'Mini Math Movies'. Watch this fun primary math lesson that teaches com...

04/19/2021

Fun way to spend some time outside on this beautiful day!

04/01/2021

Outdoor activities for this beautiful weather!