Veterans + Heroes + Teachers = Gratitude {Humility}

NAEYC. Dallas. Mimi-FEST: Songs, Stories + Sharing

What do my nearly 80 year old mentor Mimi and Veterans Day have in common? Let me attempt to recount an amazing story that unfolded in Dallas at NAEYC during her annual concluding Share Fest. 

Every year Mim invites several of us songsters to share with the gathered teachers in attendance for some show-n-tell. Typically I have led everyone is a sign language rendition of my classic "You're Wonderful." This year I was asked to lead "Red, White and Blue" in honor of Veterans Day. I did as requested. The ballroom was filled with voices and sign language. I was enthralled at the response. I sat back down. 

Then master-kinder teacher Janis took the microphone. She told the story of a kindergarten student whose older brother perished while serving in Afghanistan. She went on to tell us that my song, "Red, White and Blue" was sung by the kindergarten students in honor of the big brother. 

I am completely humbled at the thought of a kindergarten teacher supporting a family in the midst of their deepest grief, by using a song that I've written. There are all sorts of heroes that walk in our midst. They shop next to us at the grocery store and sit next to us in the darkness of the local movie theater. 

Some heroes have collections of sharpies and Scentos. 

I just got this message on FB from another teacher-hero.

Hello Debbie!!
Today our school hosted Bring a Veteran to School Day and the response was overwhelming, to say the least! We held a school-wide flag ceremony and veterans were honored with thank you cards, poem readings, and art projects from the children. Our kindergarten class signed and sang your, "Red, White, and Blue!" The veterans in attendance choked back tears and signed along with us as my kiddos sang with all the gusto and earnest a group of five-year-old hearts could possibly muster! On behalf of my students, my colleagues, and the many veterans in attendance, thank you for this beautiful memory. On those rare days when I doubt the impact I can make on the world, I'm certain this memory will quickly remind me just how powerful we all are!
Most Sincerely,
Mr. Arlee Hall

Then there are the larger-than-life HEROES that have indeed served our country. Recently we were flying on Southwest and departing from our nation's capitol when an Honor Flight from Arizona was announced as arriving at a nearby gate. Nearly two dozen veterans arrived to cheers and waving flags. One gentleman was celebrating his 94th birthday, the recipient of SIX Purple Heart Awards, he was cheered and saluted. 

HONOR FLIGHT: AZ to DC 

"We can't all be heroes..... some of us get to stand on the curb + clap as they go by." ~~ Will Rogers 

Both the picture book version and the digital download of my song are available at TpT. 

Twitter Tuesday, Teachers PRACTICE Chat: Inspiring Learners

TONIGHT! Teachers TWEET and CHAT together in REAL time! 

What is a PRACTICE chat on Twitter? 

• The opportunity to connect with other professionals, around the country and AROUND THE GLOBE. 
• The opportunity to find teachers who are excited, enthusiastic and searching for the newest/greatest/latest ideas to super charge their classrooms!
• FREE Professional Development: IN YOUR JAMMIES! 
• An ever expanding PLN: Professional Learning Network! 
• Support. Encouragement. Camaraderie!
• A 24/7 link to your people! 
• Connections and the opportunity to visit with a genuine #GuestEduCelebrity!!!
• A new perspective!
• PRIZES! PRIZES! PRIZES! PRIZES!!!!! 

Tonight we welcome one of my dear, real life #TeacherFriends. 

That's Enrique Feldman above at my NAEYC booth some years back. 

Kind of fun to channel these old way-back photos, because I am in Dallas NOW awaiting the kick off of yet another NAEYC national convention! So much fun to get together with your #TeacherFriends in real life too! 

Come tonight to the hashtag #TeacherFriends. 

The only real 'RULE' is to use that hashtag in every single tweet within the chat. 

That way we can all "SEE" you and your contributions. 

As moderator of the evening, I will ask questions of all in attendance. 

You respond with: 

#TeacherFriends A1: Yada Yada Yada 

.........and we're all good!

Can you believe this line up from now till the end of the year? 

There are some amazing dignitaries joining us over the coming weeks!

I'm just as excited as you are! 

See you in the Twitter-verse!

Turkey Feathers of Gratitude! Piggyback Song!

Let the GRATITUDE Rain Down! 

Welcome to a new week! A new week to spill gratitude from beginning-to-end. Edge-to-edge. Top-to-bottom. Left-to-right! Yesterday was the conclusion of NAEYC. Very definitely the most  grueling longest triumphant 4 days in the calendar year. Now. On to the turkey! 

Before I get to spend this week with family from here-to-there, I thought I'd add a few final turkey-images. I realize that they are probably too late for your use this year, but perhaps you could pin some ideas for your thankfulness next year! One final bulletin board of turkey gratitude. You'll have to go back in time to see the RoundUP of several dozen Turkey/Gratitude/Thanksgiving/Pilgrim bulletin boards. 

These images are from my 'day-like-Oprah' in Alexandria just last week. I just about did a cartwheel when I saw this anchor chart with the "Turkey Poem." I used to lead this poem as a song -- at least three decades ago. A classic! I wonder who wrote the words? Think of it as a piggyback song and use the tune, "Pop Goes the Weasel." You know how I like BIG endings. This is so much fun with your littles...... with an ever louder crescendo of 'gobble, GobBle, GOBBLE.' 

You know that craft projects on paper plates are simple and always in style. 

The turkeys above feature kindergarten feathers of gratefulness. 

The turkeys below had cartoon bubbles of written gratitude.

Can you say turkey handprints? 

These use painted hands to create the tail feathers!!!

I LUV LUV LUV the personally 'drawn' turkey bodies!  

Here's the welcome 'bulletin board' that spells out the experience of the kinder-writers. 

The label even goes as far as to spell out the Common Core standards being used. 

 

Here's a few random shots in the classrooms. 

Just for fun! 

I know how you like to look over each other's shoulders for inspiration. 

We went directly from Ramsey Elementary to the downtown convention center in Washington DC. 

Time for NAEYC 2013. Welcome to the Exhibit Hall! 

Here's my sweet Sharon and her froggie friends -- from Frog Street Press. 

Then Thursday morning I got to pop in ever-so-briefly for a few hugs

at the Redleaf author reception. 

The final hug of the entire event was one of the most memorable: 

ELLA JENKINS! 

Moving is Learning!! NAEYC in Atlanta

One week from today! 

Are you coming to Atlanta? 

NAEYC bound? 

This is your personal invitation to come hear Connie Dow + moi present: 

"MOVING IS LEARNING!" 

In the meantime I'm headed to Montgomery Texas..... 

I have an all-day seminar to present tomorrow for the area ECE community. 

-- Debbie -- 

Who are You Becoming? DANCE!!

It's time for the dance of life to REALLY begin. 

Our car is packed from: 
'top to bottom, left to right, left to right.'

Don't get that reference? 
Need to see that YouTube video for explanation? 
From my Debbie's Ditties 6: The Handwriting Mix.

Seriously. Car is packed full.  

While you are appreciating this photographic sentiment, we are beginning our annual sojourn south. 

I counted and over the next seven weeks, I have opportunities in nine states: school visits, conferences, 
KEYNOTE for the state of ARKANSAS! 

NAEYC. YES! NAEYC!!
Let the dance begin! 
Connie Dow has invited me to co-present!
My name won't make the program. You'll just have to tell a friend. 
Atlanta. Friday 3:00. Find us! 
"Moving is Learning!"

RainbowsWithinReach Booth #1910 Atlanta NAEYC Convention

Two trips to Texas. 

Hugging all of our wonder-peeps. 

Yes. It's time for the dance of life. 

Have camera. Will travel. 

The moment has arrived. 

-- Debbie -- 

Last night the coolest thing happened! 
I have just gotten my Monster Spray Mp3 package uploaded to Teacher's Pay Teachers. 

It was purchased last night by a person who exercised the right to an additional license at half price!
The digital download at TpT is for one person's use in their classroom. 
BUT in the last week TpT has rolled out the option that if you purchase one product for yourself, that while shopping you can plan ahead and buy enough licenses -- for your entire team, or your ENTIRE building, at 50% off! 

WHAT A DEAL!