The Little Memories - Thanksgiving

My daughter skipped down the street wearing her Native American Paper Bag Vest and Feather Headdress made from oaktag.

While I wanted to battle about her wearing her jacket on a 45 degree drizzly day, was it worth it?

"Mommy!  I saw you!  I saw Grandma!  I saw my brother!  Did you like the show?  Did you hear my song?"  She was filled with joy as I answered her questions and told her how proud I was.

It's the little moments.

"I ate mashed potatoes with gravy!  It was good!"

It brings me back to my own childhood.  I remember my school teachers creating fun Feather Headdresses for us to wear.  I remember creating special projects for my parents and beaming with pride as I presented them.  I remember preparing for our yearly class productions.

Now I see that enthusiasm in my own child.

Some people might argue that those parties and productions take away from "class time", afterall, we have a test to teach to!  The kids need to know their academics!  Trust me, I see the importance of academics.  Learning isn't just about sitting in a class focusing on reading, writing and math!  Learning happens when we explore using all of our senses!  As a music teacher, this happened all the time in my classes!  We'd read about Mozart, looked at pictures, created our own, listened to his music, learned a rhythm pattern, played the rhythm pattern, use that rhythm pattern in a dance that went to a piece written by Mozart - ACTIVE LEARNING.

My daughter's Thanksgiving play - an ACTIVE LEARNING moment.  A long-lasting memory.

I am thankful that she has teachers that go the extra mile every single day.  They provide opportuntiies to learn and grew from fun and educational life experiences.  They do so much to make sure the children are safe and learn.  They teach from their heart.  Teachers that teach from the heart are true blessings.