Monday, September 1, 2014

ARE YOU LABORING TODAY?

Although you should be celebrating the last day of summer today, I know many of you will be “laboring” over lesson plans and schoolwork. Check out my website (drjean.org) for a free download of “Grandparents’ Day.” Grandparents’ Day is officially September 7th.  (The person who chose this day was not a teacher because that's way too early in the school year to plan an event!)  I know many schools do plan a special day for grandparents at other times in the school year.  The good news is song Holly wrote can be used whenever and forever.  I guarantee it will give some proud grandmother or grandfather goose bumps! 

Grandparents’ Day - 1st Sunday after Labor Day
(Tune: “Simple Gifts”)
Grandma and Grandpa we just want to say
How much we love you on this special day.
With smiles and kisses and bear hugs, too
We want to say thanks for all that you do!
You make us feel like superstars!
You help us to see how wonderful we are.
The love and the time that you have shared
Will stay with us always and everywhere!
We play games together, we go for walks
We go out fishing or just sit and talk
We read books together and have so much fun!
Every moment with you is a special one.
You make us feel like superstars!
You help us to see how wonderful we are.
The love and the time that you have shared
Will stay with us always and everywhere!

I have some fantastic free downloads for monthly activity calendars, reading calendars, and family fun ideas that I hope you will take advantage of this year. The monthly activity calendars are a great alternative to homework for preK and K.  (One teacher suggested asking parents to do at least 10 and return it by the end of the month.)  Whether the parents choose to participate or not, you have to TRY! And if one parent sings a song, reads a book, or plays a game with their child because of you – that’s a good thing!!!

   
                           
P.S.  Someone emailed me recently asking if I thought you should reward children who returned the calendars.  This was my response:
No, I would never reward children who returned them.  It's not their fault either way.  When you do family activities, you have to provide parents with the opportunity and then "let it go."  At conference time you might say, "How are you enjoying the reading calendars?  Most of the children are so excited when they return them at the end of the month."  That's what I call a gentle hint!!!

September Song Store Sale
You'll find the first sale I've ever had on my song store this month.  "Totally Reading" and "Totally Math" will make standards TOTALLY more fun in your classroom this year!
http://www.drjean.org/html/songs/songStore3ColumnSeptSale.php