Great Toys!

A great toy celebrates a child's imagination.  Not Pixar's, not Disney's, not Mattel's.  I developed curriculum from the book "Simplicity Parenting" by Kim John Payne last year.  I highly recommend the book.  There is so much great information in it to guide parents, especially as they foster play.  I often use this story to illustrate the difference between playing with a scripted toy and a non-scripted toy.  Emma has been coming to ECFE for years.  Emma loves dolls and enjoys checking them out of our toy lending library.  If Emma plays with a "Dora, the Explorer" doll, you will see Emma play the show.  Dora comes with a script and kids recreate the last episode they saw.  Emma loves one doll in particular in our library.  She has named her Marissa and she "adopts" her whenever she gets the chance.  Emma has created Marissa's story, where she lives, how old she is and her whole family history. Emma is the director of her own play. When a child is in charge of the story, you will find quality play that develops their imagination....a wonderful thing! What makes Marissa special is the fact that she has no show, no clothing line, no accessories.  She is a plain, beautiful, generic doll and Emma loves her!

Great Toys?

We spend a lot of time this time of year talking about toys in my classroom.  We talk about what is new and popular.  We talk about how many toys kids get these days.  We talk about how hard it is to resist getting kids what they want, even when the toys they want are too old for them, too expensive for us or just more clutter to cope with for all of us. This is Frankie, one of several dolls in the "Monster High, Dead Tired" collection.  Frankie is a zombie who packed her sewing kit (for her own face apparently), her iCoffin docking station and her diary for the slumber party.

I feel a great responsibility to small children. They play with toys, they sort their world with toys, and when a toy is great, they connect with them in very real ways. We talk about the value of toys that allow children to create the script, rather than the character toy that automatically comes with one. Frankie is recommended for children ages six and up, most likely because her hands fall off and could become a choking hazard (she is a zombie after all) for smaller children. Frankie lives at my house only because I don't have children living here. I bring her to my classes to begin a discussion about toys.  I don't think Frankie belongs in a home with small children, choking hazard or not!

ECFE Alumni

I took in the Monarch Fair on my way home last night.  It is always great to visit ECFE alumni at their elementary schools.  I saw lots of them at Jefferson Elementary! Emma was so excited to show me her video of the four seasons. She was such a professional with her presentation and obviously proud of her work. Her presentation included an apple tree and I was struck by how much Emma reflects her parents.  It is indeed true that this little apple did not fall far from the tree. Way to go Emma!

Mattie is a kindergartner.  She has written and illustrated a beautiful book about a butterfly friendship. The story reminded me of the great friendship between Mattie and Maggie. They have been friends since they were very small. Friends are one thing I am grateful for this Thanksgiving. Thanks for sharing your story with me Mattie!

Political Conference

My youngest and I have matching moccasins in honor of her 22nd birthday.  She told me that really cool people wear moccasins, always without socks.  It's true.  I had the privilege of teaching a class at Education Minnesota's Political Conference with Emma Olson, a moccasin wearer. When I saw that Emma and I were both sporting mocs, I wasn't nearly as nervous about teaching 95 teachers about taking a lead role in politics. Thanks Emma, I hope our paths cross again too!

Senator Klobuchar was not wearing mocs (she paid attention to the weather forecast) to the conference but told a lovely story about her mom, a teacher. Her mom taught a metamorphosis unit every year.  After teaching the lesson at school, Amy's mom would head to the grocery store still wearing the cape and the antennae to visit an alumni who worked there. Amy tells the story with so much love and pride for her mom that many of us in the audience were misty eyed when she finished.  Sentaor Klobuchar is a fierce supporter of public schools. Every time I see her, I thank her for that.

Happy American Education Week

Here in Winona, we celebrate American Education Week in grand style!  Teachers, school administrators, school board members and community members all put on their nicest duds and head to Signatures for a wonderful reception.  We like to celebrate schools and the community that supports us. The Winona Education Association honored Heather Casper from the Marine Art Museum, Josh and Josi Severson from Severson-Sinclair and our very own Superintendent, Dr. Scott Hannon for their commitment and caring that they demonstrate in support of public schools. The WEA also introduced Kelly Allington to the community as the Teacher of the Year.  It is a fantastic event that makes me feel so proud to be a part of such a vibrant education community here in Winona.

Testing for Email!

Happy Birthday Matt!

When my dear husband loves something, he holds on tight to it and never, never lets go. Happy Birthday to Matt who loves me almost as much as he loves his Chiefs sweatshirt.  His relationship with that sweatshirt has lasted more than 30 years, our marriage....only 29. For my 50th birthday, he vowed to never wear it in public as a gift to me.  As you can see, his definition of public is very different than mine. I was thinking that I would never see it outside of our home. He wears it if he is pretty sure he isn't going to see anyone he knows. It is probably a good thing for me that his policy is to never throw anything away as long as it is still useful. That sweatshirt, and his wife....still useful.