Writing to Our Veterans

Each year my students have written a "Thank You" note to a veteran in honor of Veteran's Day.  Before writing I prepare a lesson to discuss the meaning of 'veteran' and 'service'.  (I use this interactive poster below to help the students build an understanding. Scroll your mouse over it -click if there is a red circle to go to a website or play the music & video. ) The letters thank these brave individuals for their service, sacrifice, bravery and courage. Very often my students get a response from their veteran.  Many of those who write back will explain about their time in the armed forces and the places they have been.  Many have stated how this is the "first thank you" they have received.  In this process the students end up learning more than just history and geography.


 

This year we have extended our writing by sending notes several times throughout the year to a local VA Hospital.  A local member of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) has been gracious enough to come in and speak with our fourth graders about how meaningful and important it is to recognize and thank our vets.  Mr. Frank tells the students how 'thrilled' the veterans are when they receive these cards and letters as many don't have family and therefore, don't receive mail.  He says that these notes are a highlight.

1st Infantry Division

I really didn't believe Mr. Frank until the other day when one of my students received a letter in the mail from one of the veterans in the hospital.  He mentioned in the note that he had undergone open heart surgery and was feeling particularly down.  He went on to say how the note my student sent "made his life!"  It gave him the strength to get better.  Also included in the note was a patch from the 1st Infantry Division which the gentleman had had since 1967!




We had to take our Thank You's even one step further.   I learned about this organization called, Honor Flight Network.  This non-profit organization flies World War II vets and terminally ill veterans to our nation's capital to see the memorials.  (My dad flew with them from Michigan to Washington, DC and had a most memorable trip!)  Recently, I learned there was an Honor Flight New England so I asked all the fourth grade students if they would be willing to write ONE more Thank You.  This time we researched the National World War II Memorial so we could weave in a fact or two with our thank you's.

The power of these notes is undeniable.  And not just for the veterans.  It truly gives my 10 year old students a chance to recognize the efforts of others while learning about our country's heroes.  Students are interested in what these folks did during their time in the service.  They really take such pride in their work because they know it is important work! It would please you to read these heartfelt letters of thanks and know that today's generation really does care!



More Resources:

Operation Gratitude:  Writing Letters & Sending Care Packages to Veterans

A Million Thanks - Year round campaign to show appreciation to Veterans, past, present & future.

Helping Kids Cope with Terrorism

View of Boston Skyline from Cambridge

Upon returning from a peaceful kayaking trip along the Charles River yesterday, I learned the news of the Boston Marathon bombings.  Of course I was glued to the coverage, which at the time, was a recounting of events:  "There were two explosions which resulted in horrific injuries." "Two dead, twenty injured" "People being treated in the Marathon Medical Tent." The television stayed on for hours and I fired up Twitter, as I tried to make sense of what happened. 

Being on Spring break my mind did not immediately go to that of my students...until this morning.  Several of the victims of this tragedy were children with an 8 year old boy losing his life! NOW, I'm thinking of my kiddos!  How do you explain this to them?  This is not a natural event that they can easily be 'reassured'.  This is something that robs children of their sense of security.

I watched this video taken by a news reporter's wife who was in the Grand Stand at the finish line.  What struck home for me was listening to the frightened cries of the children in the background; of the adults in the confusion hollering to 'stay together'.  Tears rolling down my cheeks, I think of my 10 year old students who might possibly have been in the crowd watching the 117th Boston Marathon and being a part of this terrifying experience.

View from Lennox Hotel (circa 2009 License: cc-by-sa/3.0)

What solace could I have given my fourth graders had we been in school today?  What can be said or done to reassure children of their safety? 

KidsHealth.org offers the following advice for children regarding Terrorism:

• Take a break from the TV (Adults - this might mean limiting your exposure until the kids are asleep)
• Talk about your feelings - (Adults - asking if kids have any questions or concerns may help the process - reassuring their feelings are normal helps the kids make sense)
• Help out & be with others - (Adults - involving students in making cards for others in the hospital or helping out neighbors, takes their mind of the tragedy while doing something good which may make them feel better.)

NYU Child Study Center: Advice from Robin F. Goodman, PhD. Talking to Kids About Terrorists offers information to parents: 

• Don't dismiss your child's fears. Find positive ways to reassure
• Take things one step at a time especially if you know someone involved in the tragedy.
• Avoid making generalizations. Find out what your child knows or wants to know.
• Fears don't go away after one discussion - it might be on going. 

United States Department of Veteran Affairs offers this information: Terrorist Attacks & Children: Information for Caregivers:

• Create a safe environment. Stick to routines
• Be honest about what happened. Provide true information.
• Tell the child what the police; government agencies & others are doing to help.
• Put the event in perspective to reassure that it is a rare occurrence. 

Parents:  Are you ready for the unexpected?  Do you have a plan in the event you and your family are caught in such a tragedy as this or in a natural disaster?  Take a look at this site from FEMA to learn facts; make a plan and build a kit to be prepared.  

Other Resources:
National Association of School Psychologist: A National Tragedy: Helping Children Cope

PBS Parents: Talking with Children About News

Common Sense Media: Explaining the News to Our Kids (arranged by age)

If you have other ideas to share that wold be helpful, please leave them in the comment section.  

My thoughts and prayers go out to those injured and affected by this tragedy.  A heartfelt thanks to those first responders; police, emt/paramedics, firefighters and BAA personnel who quickly sprung into action. 


 

DKG - Connecting Women Educators

Many years ago I would listen during lunch to my colleague and principal talk about attending a "DKG" meeting after school.  As they chatted I used to tease them by referring (lovingly) to their club as "The Old Ladies Club" (for which I would always be reprimanded).   That nickname stuck until about 10 years ago when they both decided to nominate ME as a member. (They probably figured that would stop the teasing!)

At the time of my induction, my friend, Peg, said that the Delta Kappa Gamma International Society would be a way that we would always stay connected even during retirement. She also said "there's something special and powerful about being in a room full of women educators." She was always promoting the efforts of women in society.

Fast forward...for eight years.  As a member I attended meetings sporadically, but never put much effort into being a 'true' member.  I didn't see what all the fuss was about.  I don't think I fully appreciated my friend's sentiment until recently.

Fast forward...two more years. During this time I have had the opportunity and honor to be more involved by becoming a Committee Member specifically working with Scholarships.   At a couple of the Chapter meetings I have offered to present topics involving Technology.  Being more involved has help me build some nice relationships.

Attending those Board and Chapter meetings has afforded me the circumstances to meet women educators from many different backgrounds. Some were teachers more than 50 years ago while some are currently teaching.  Some are administrators while others are music teachers.  Some have been members for 25 years while others have been members for two.  All of them making a difference in the lives of those they taught or continue to teach.  These women think of others when they create and distribute Literacy Bags to those less fortunate, make donations to the local Food Pantries and send gifts to the Shriners Hospital. Certainly a group of which to be proud.


Today, while racing after school to attend a Chapter Meeting at a nearby High School, I realized that the DKG has been connecting women long before Twitter started connecting educators.  I realized that there are people willing to collaborate and share their knowledge who are right in our own backyard.  I realized that there IS a special bond among these 'women educators'.  "There IS something special and powerful about being in a room full of women educators." 

Listen to the Delta Kappa Gamma International Society for Key Women Educator's Song HERE.  Surely, you can see we belong to an organization like no other.
 

What organizations do you belong to where you feel inspired?

Above graphic created with Pinwords

 

Genius Hour - For the Teacher!

"Quiet on the Set! We're ready to record! 3, 2 1 Action!" shouts the director.  The long wait was over...finally, the students were in front of the Green Screen, behind the camera and handling the teleprompter.

Last year a colleague and I wrote a grant for the "Green Screen Chroma Key Project"  The idea was to work with the kids to create a movie as a way to share something related to their learning.  Using a Green Screen background allows you to add whatever background you like in the editing process. It took quite a while just to order the "Green Screen," camera, and software.  When it finally arrived we were on our Winter break.   

The weeks passed and still I hadn't started the process with the students.  On Thursday of this week I decided to take the last hour of the day and have my own GENIUS HOUR.  I needed to take a chance, take a risk to figure out the whole "Green Screen" idea.  While students worked at their desks I began setting up for the video shoot.  It took more time than anticipated to set up the lights, lighting umbrella and camera.   After what seemed like an eternity, we were ready to begin.

The day before several students volunteered to write a brief script which they then quickly typed into the iPrompt Teleprompter app.  Waiting patiently and with anticipation the class watched as their volunteers started taking part in the process.  Camera people and teleprompter holders were selected and we were good to go.  After witnessing the process and first recording session  the remainder of students became interested in writing scripts.

A self-professed MAC girl, it wasn't easy getting used to the PC based Corel VideoStudio Pro X5.   After many failed attempts and spending a couple hours after school with a colleague we figured out the basics (which will be shared with the students at a later date).

When creating the student videos the day following the video-shoot, I asked each student to sit with me and choose their background pictures and music.  Text was added and then we uploaded the new video to Youtube. Unveiling the videos in class was worth the wait as the oohs & aahhs from the crowd affirmed this was going to be a project that would easily fit into many lessons.

Check out the first video and see for yourself the power of "The Green Screen Chroma Key Project!".



A True Genius Hour ends with Lessons Learned:

• Check out all equipment right after purchase.  Do not wait - some items may be missing or broken (in this case - the lightbulb sockets).
• Let the kids help - they are less fearful and more willing to take chances.  The students figured out some great features of the Teleprompter.
• Lighting in a project such as this is important. You should use more than one!
• Standing several feet in front of the screen works better than right against it.
• Student Holding Teleprompter should be close to EYE level for actor.
• Start with a small production (1 minute) which will be manageable & offer success.
• Save Often!
• Be patient.
• Enjoy the process!

Sometimes we need to give ourselves the time needed to learn and try new things as well.  It shows our students that we are life long learners as well!

Have you given yourself a Genius Hour lately?  Please share! 

Photos edited using: Befunky.com 

 

Civil War Traveling Trunk Inspires Learning

Traveling Trunk from Civil War Trust

There's nothing quite like engaging students in a lesson by building suspense. When our secretary came into the classroom wheeling behind her a 3' by 2' by 2' heavy plastic trunk you could hear a pin drop.  Immediately the questions started flying.  "What's in there?" "Where did it come from?" "Who sent it?"   "Is a blanket inside?" "Is it an animal?" "Are you going to open it now?"

Honestly, I wasn't sure where it was from or what was in the trunk either!   Checking out the label showed it was from the Civil War Trust.  I then remembered signing up during the summertime to receive the "Traveling Trunk"!

Opening the trunk with the students was so much fun!  The kids all gathered around as I popped it open.  The item sitting right on top was a replica uniform jacket made of wool with a matching hat.  Other items included a woman's apron and bonnet, a Union belt buckle, a container of real cotton, hardtack, replica bullets, confederate money, united states money, flags, a rag doll, and many other interesting items.

Dressing in Period Clothing

The most exciting and talked about artifact was the soldier's haversack.  Inside this antique backpack were replicas of contents carried by soldiers.  These included a comb, a wooden toothbrush, a prayerbook, a deck of cards, a tin cup & a fork, knife, spoon combined utensil.  There was a sewing kit, canteen and bowl as well as some coffee and sugar/salt.

Tin Cup & Salt from the Haversack

The Traveling Trunk also supplied a spiral bound curriculum for elementary, middle school and high school levels.  Included in the curriculum are objectives, lesson plans & worksheets.  Accompanying Powerpoints can be accessed from the Civil War Trust  (download here).  The elementary program is comprehensive and geared more for upper elementary. There are 9 lessons which are meant to be taught in 40-50 minute increments.  My class was able to get to about 3 of the lessons while the trunk was in our possession.  Fortunately, we can access the rest of them through the Trust at the above link.  

Haversack Replica

Using the contents of this trunk, my students have a greater understanding of the Civil War.  Hoping to sign up again next year (this time I'll know to allot more time for lessons!).

Thank you to the Civil War Trust for providing this fantastic resource!




 Pictures edited at Befunky.com