What Time Is It?

My students are sweet, but they aren't always focused on what we, as a class, are doing at present. Friday we talked about how there is a time for everything - a time to listen, a time to clean up, etc.

I came up with a little poem that I'm going to teach the class this coming week. I actually got the idea from a wise man who wrote a different poem many years ago; I'll post his words at the end of this blog. I've called my poem, "What Time is It"?

What Time Is It?

A time to listen
And a time to speak

A time to work
And a time to eat

A time to rest
And a time to play

A time to give thanks
For a wonderful day

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Now for the poem from Ecclesiastes (3:1-8, NASB):

There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven--

A time to give birth and a time to die; A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted.

A time to kill and a time to heal; A time to tear down and a time to build up.

A time to weep and a time to laugh; A time to mourn and a time to dance.

A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones; A time to embrace and a time to shun embracing.

A time to search and a time to give up as lost; A time to keep and a time to throw away.

A time to tear apart and a time to sew together; A time to be silent and a time to speak.

A time to love and a time to hate; A time for war and a time for peace.

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Do you have any classroom management techniques you would like to share?

The Manna Principle

I've been recently challenged when reading through my One Year Bible. The other day I was thinking about how anxious, frustrated, and helpless I can be. I realized that as a Chrisitan I have access to God the Father's provision in the same way Jesus did. God showed me that I did not need to worry about the future - that when each day presents its own troubles, I can call on Him, and He will give me the grace I need for each situation (just as He provided daily manna for the wanderers in Exodus).

If the people of Israel tried to collect more than a day's worth of food (i.e. when they thought they might not get enough), the extra portion of manna would become full of maggots. What a creepy thought! So, I've decided that I want to live by what I'm calling "The Manna Principle." I want to learn to enjoy the privileges of being a child of God through my daily reliance on Him.

Travel Bug

One of things I love to do is travel. Once a person has caught the travel bug, there really isn't a cure. I've added the Currency Converter link to my blogspot for recent immigrants, temporary residents, and those of us who want to compare the US $ with other currency.

I like to joke that one of my travel goals is to visit all of the "I" countries I can. I've got a small start: Iceland, Israel, and the Ivory Coast of Africa. I would really love to experience Ireland, India, and Indonesia. How about you? I love travel stories; if you would have one, please tell me about it under the "comment" section of this blog.

Days of Discovery

I've been working with a teacher at Discovery Elementary in Waite Park, MN. We have a wonderful, eager group of students. I am very blessed to be a part of the action, but also very exhausted! Elementary teachers have to be very strong and resourceful. This is an example of where "persistence" comes in handy.

I know I'm exactly where I should be, and I am determined to make the best use of my days at Discovery. I am looking forward to learning from each student. (They've already tried to teach me the words for "cat" and "dog" in Spanish, Somali, Korean, and Vietnamese!)