.....According to His Purpose

Our Five Minute Friday prompt this week is—PURPOSE.  We simply write for 5 minutes on a prompt and see what is created!  I've enjoyed doing these quick writings.  If you would like to give it a try, check out the Facebook page or this blog:  Kate Motaung’s site. 

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Purpose.  Romans 8:38 tells us that ALL THINGS work together for GOOD for those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose.  ALL THINGS.  Not just the happy, sweet moments of life, but the painful, gut-wrenching moments as well.  I've seen this over and over in my own life.
A small change of schedule resulting in a chance meeting to minister to another person, an opportunity denied, only to be presented with another that is more worthwhile.  Little things like this happen every day.  If I am looking, if I am aware, if I am TRUSTING that God has my back, then these "coincidences" of life are obviously God at work.
But it's not just in the little things that I've seen the hand of God....the purpose revealed.....
It's also in those things that are so life-changing that we will always know the day, the hour, where we were, who was with us, when it all went wrong. Not always easy to see the purpose there...but it is.
A job interview lost might give way to another opportunity yet to be revealed, a painful divorce transforming into a new life, the death of a son a path to reconciliation with my parents.
Yes, there IS a purpose.

Time is Flying in the Music Classroom!

WOW!  It's March already!  Spring is almost here!  It's a busy time of the year for music educators.....concerts, vocal and instrumental contests, preparing for graduation! 
We took time out from our concert preparations to help our community celebrate Music In Our Schools Month.
Martin Grade School has a tradition of decorating grocery sacks so watch for some artwork with your purchases in March!  Some classes have started decorating their sacks!  Of course, they all hope that their parents will be given THEIR sack when they check out of the grocery store!  As you can see below, there are some pretty crafty bags that will be filled with groceries in the coming weeks!

This month is full of celebrations!  March 3 is a special day for our nation.  March 3 is National Anthem Day.  On March 3, 1931, President Herbert Hoover signed into law “The Star-Spangled Banner” as the United States’ national anthem.  As we know, Francis Scott Key wrote the lyrics for the Star-Spangled Banner on September 14, 1914, during the Battle of Fort McHenry in the War of 1812. It was originally called “Defence of Fort McHenry”.   This was one of many patriotic songs, but grew on the American people.  America did not have an official national anthem a the time.  It was over 100 years before the Star-Spangled Banner was our official anthem.
We have several musical performances coming up.  Hope to see you there to help our students celebrate Music In Our Schools Month! 
Students and educators appreciate the support they receive from their families year-round!  Thank you for supporting the arts in your child’s school by attending concerts, encouraging him/her to practice an instrument and sing in the choir!

SLOW DOWN!

Our Five Minute Friday prompt this week is—SLOW.  We simply write for 5 minutes on a prompt and see what is created!  I've enjoyed doing these quick writings.  If you would like to give it a try, check out the Facebook page or this blog:  Kate Motaung’s site. 

Slow is not me.  I am quick.  I multi-task.  I make lists.  I complete my lists, before the due date.  I walk fast.  I pass people in the hallway.  My husband says I drive fast, but really, I just go the speed limit.  Most of the time.
So perhaps I need to SLOW DOWN.  
The upcoming season of Lent is a perfect time for me to SLOW my thinking, my pace, my soul.  

I will take time to slow down and walk WITH someone I approach in the hallway.  Not pass them up to quickly get to my all-so-important (not) destination.
I will take time to stop by church and pray awhile before I head home after school or after being in town.
I will slow down when I drive to take better notice of the beauty around me.
I've noticed that when I take the TIME to BE, that things DO get done in spite of it!  So I will probably still make those lists, but instead of letting the list control me, I will be the one in control of that list.  
I'll take the TIME to SLOW myself.  I will be aware of the path that perhaps God is calling me to....instead of zoom by it, not even noticing the option.  

For when I am WEAK, then I am STRONG

Our Five Minute Friday prompt this week is—WEAK.  We simply write for 5 minutes on a prompt and see what is created!  I've enjoyed doing these quick writings.  If you would like to give it a try, check out the Facebook page or this blog:  Kate Motaung’s site. 

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Weak.  It seems that no one likes to admit that they are "weak" in any area of life.  I am weak in my resistance to sweets.  I am weak in my resolve to pray the rosary every day.  I am weak in many areas of life.  Now, I'm not weak 24-7 in these areas.  There are days/hours that I am STRONG!  I resist that candy, I put prayer first in my agenda.  
Where does this strength come from?  Am I born with an inner reserve of strength for those times I need it?  Did my upbringing train me for resolve and strength in my endeavors?  Do the people around me encourage and therefore strengthen me as I journey through life?  
Yes, all of these are true....but.....
I know that my real inner strength comes from God.  When my children were very small, the very first bible verse I taught them was Philippians 4:13:  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  I firmly believe this....whether it's resisting a sweet, keeping my mouth shut and not gossiping, or making it through the sorrow of a death, my REAL strength lies in Jesus Christ.  For when I am weak, then I AM STRONG!

Just Breathe...

Our Five Minute Friday prompt this week is—BREATHE.  We simply write for 5 minutes on a prompt and see what is created!  I've enjoyed doing these quick writings.  If you would like to give it a try, check out the Facebook page or this blog:  Kate Motaung’s site. 

When I think of breathing, what comes to mind this morning is the sense of smell.  Our sense of smell is a precious gift!  Today I'm thankful for all of those smells in my life that manifest themselves in the many blessings I experience.

One of the most precious smells to me is the smell of a baby.  That precious life.  The sweet smell of a baby after a bath.  But also, the smell of a dirty diaper (all's working well with the digestion), or the smell of dried on food on clothing (solid food here we come!).  I treasure these smells...from my own children, from my grandchildren, and from any baby I see!

The smell of my husband.  Sometimes he asks me if he "smells"!  AKA, "Do I need to take a shower?? " Regardless of if he needs a shower, though, he has a smell unique to him.  That wonderful smell the stirs up my love for him when we are close.  The smell of love.

The smells of nature....totally worth stopping and breathing in....freshly mown grass....the air after a rain...flowers in bloom....the ocean (how I miss that smell!)....fish that have been caught...wet fur on a pet....even the manure of horses and cows.  One of my most treasured memories is of one of our granddaughters, Martha, commenting while we were on a road trip of the smell of manure as we drove by a feedlot of something (can't remember what it was)...she said, "AH, the smell of home!"  She obviously treasured that smell, and it meant more to her than messy, smelly cow poop!

What are your favorite smells?

Control....And Letting Go Of It

 Our Five Minute Friday prompt this week is—CONTROL.  We simply write for 5 minutes on a prompt and see what is created!  I've enjoyed doing these quick writings.  If you would like to give it a try, check out the Facebook page or this blog:  Kate Motaung’s site. 

Control.  It IS good to have self-control.  To think before I speak or act.  To maintain some sort of moderation in my actions.
However, to BE IN control, is not always as wise.  I love to be in control.  To know how many are coming for dinner, to have my plans ready for the next class, for students to behave and act in a manner that I expect.  Doesn't always happen.  And that's not all bad either.  Sometimes it's the serendipities in life that are the biggest blessings.  Although, it doesn't always seem that way.....
As a parent, it' not that I want to control every move of my childrens' lives, BUT there is part of me that wants very badly to take their hand and point the way that "I" think is the best choice.  But that isn't the way is goes.  I can suggest, guide, but in the end, they are all individuals with the freedom to choose.  
As a spouse, ideally my marriage is always peaceful, there are never money issues, and everything is peachy keen.  Nope, that doesn't happen either.  In fact, I've had a marriage end in divorce.  That situation in my life was I think the beginning of a journey of handing over control to God.  Control of both little and big things.  
Another life-altering event for me was the death of my youngest child, Timothy James.  I had tried my best to be there for him, to support him, to encourage him, to listen to him and his dreams.  And I DID do that, and he DID love me as much as I loved him.  BUT, he still had his own freedom to choose.  And he did.  I was not in control of that situation.  At all.  Only God is. 
I'm still not very good at it - this "letting go of control" thing.  BUT, I'm better at spotting situations where I need to step back and let God do His thing.  If I have a part in it, it will become apparent.  Otherwise, I am not in charge.
So, rather than "Keep calm and stay in control"  I think I like this quote better:

REFINE: 5 Minute Friday

 Our Five Minute Friday prompt this week is—REFINE.  We simply write for 5 minutes on a prompt and see what is created!  I've enjoyed doing these quick writings.  If you would like to give it a try, check out the Facebook page or this blog:  Kate Motaung’s site. 

When I think of the word refine, I think of doing something to come closer to pure, closer to ideal.  Most of the time, refining takes time, effort, sacrifice, and sometimes pain.  Pain not always physical (although sometimes it is!), but also emotional, spiritual pain.  The pain of letting go, and receiving blessings that come to fill the supposed void.
What do I need to refine in my own life?  Several things come to mind:
*A deeper relationship with God...daily, hourly, minute by minute
*Eating habits....wiser choices, a commitment to say NO when I need to
*Fortitude....taking time to search my soul before acting, searching for wisdom in a situation
*Possessions....the hardest for me I think.  Give away what I don't need....don't buy things that are just 'Things"....live minimally.

Scratching, Itching, Blogging, Singing and Dancing OH MY!

Scratching?  Itching?  In technology class?  No, we didn't walk through some poison ivy!  We have been coding!  So, what IS coding?  Coding is learning how to speak and think like a computer.  Coding provides an opportunity for students to improve problem-solving and thinking skills at a digital level.  Instead of being passive consumers of technology, students are transformed into active producers.  

Right now grades 4-6 are coding, younger students will be starting in a few weeks.  For several years, students have participated in activities developed by Code.org®.

Code.org® has a vision of every student in every school having the opportunity to explore computer science.  Each year new activities have been added, and students have learned new skills in the coding world.  As students are creating with Scratch or Itch they learn to think creatively, work collaboratively, and reason systematically. 

For a more in-depth article, please take a look at Why Teaching and Learning How to Code in Schools by EdTech Review.

Third Grade Students are blogging about the role that music plays in their life.  Blogging and social networking have become huge forums for discussions and the sharing of knowledge. As I work to prepare your child for their future, I want to give them as many authentic writing experiences as possible.

Each classroom blog is totally private to the students and teachers in that particular classroom.  These blogs are NOT public.  Their classroom teachers, Miss Amie, and myself are the only people who can see the blog besides the students themselves.
Kidblog (at kidblog.org) is designed specifically for teachers and students, and is completely secure.  I have set up a class network of blogs, where each child has their own, and they are all connected through me. In this way, we can communicate amongst each other, but our work will not be visible or accessible to the public at large. Your child has their own specific password, which will give them access to edit their own blog, as well as the ability to comment on other studentsʼ blogs. However, each and every post and comment will come to me first for approval. In this way I can monitor the conversations and ensure that everything is positive and appropriate. Ask your student to show you our classroom blog!  They can access it simply by going to my webpage.

First and Second grade students are working on typing skills using TTL4 as well as online games.  Using the Home Row is a must for whichever activity we are doing, ad well as awesome posture!  Kindergarten students have JUST learned what the Home Row is, and we have practiced finding it and placing our fingers there.  We are also continuing to work on navigation on the computer and mouse control.

Featured today are Kindergarteners!  We have been studying dance in the ABC Music and Me program.  We have learned about Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop and the jig too!  We've learned about the Treble Clef, how a violin sounds (we pretended with rhythm sticks we were playing violin), and most interesting of all, the fact that a male ballet dancer is a ballerino! 

Younger classes are working on rhythm reading readiness.  All classes will be exploring tempo and the Italian musical words associated with the different tempo.  A favorite new echo song, especially for Kindergarten and First Grade is "No More Pie!"  Here's a favorite video with Ella Jenkins singing.  We also use this song to differentiate between speaking and singing voices.  Our classroom version is a little different, and we'll soon be making up our own verses!

Even though temps have been in the freezer, we are thinking, "SPRING CONCERT" in the music room (as you can see in the graphic above!)  K-3 have a performance on March 16, which might seem a long ways away, especially in 0 degree weather!  Since March in Music In Our Schools Month, we are preparing fun songs and activities to share with our friends and families to celebrate MUSIC!

NOW: Five Minute Friday

Going to try something different today....just a bit of brainstorming for Five Minutes on words that catch the essence of living NOW...not in the past...not in the future:

N:  New, Not planned, nicer than expected, not in control, notice other people,
O:  over the top!, open to change, over disappointment, onward, observing details, ok with it,
W:  WOW!  Wonderful!  whimsical, with those around me, win, whispers to each other, winks, winter stillness, warm coffee

JOY: Five Minute Friday

Joy.  Where does joy originate in my life?  Not from external circumstances, not from my own efforts, but from the deep assurance that I have that God is in control of my life.  If I were to rely on myself or my environment to place that joy in my heart, I would come up empty many times.

For me, real joy is deep within me.  It might not always be evident at a passing glance, but I hope that upon deeper insight, my joy is reflected in how I live my life.  Joy is not something to hoard, but rather to be shared.  Joy is contagious, joy is comforting, joy is real when your life is focused on the very real Love that Jesus has for each one of us.  

Where do you find your joy?

CRAVE: 5 Minute Friday

When I think of the word "crave" my mind often goes to those intangible things in life.  I crave time with my family, hugs, kind words, opportunities to help others, peace, joy in my soul, an atmosphere of love.
When I crave something physical, like sweets, I go hunting for something usually in the kitchen.  What is the most likely place for me to find something sweet?  Not the laundry room, not the living room, but the kitchen.  If I spend my time searching in other rooms, I will come up empty-handed, and will have wasted precious time that could have been spent enjoying those cookies I made earlier that sit on the kitchen counter! My hunger would have been satisfied!
Where do I go when I am craving spiritual fulfillment?  Watching sitcoms on TV probably won't fill that craving.  Mindlessly cruising the Internet and buying more "stuff" won't do it either.  I need to focus in on the most likely place to satisfy this craving!  For me, it's spending time in prayer, reading Scripture, and both talking and LISTENING to what God has to say to me.  It's taking the time to be still, be silent, await the nourishment that will satisfy.

November....Thankful for Much

It's the last day of November, and our school district is having Snow Day #2 already!  Two days in a row the snow has fallen and the wind has blow it into drifts everywhere!  Sounds like a good time to write a blog!  November has flown by, as it always seems to do as we enter into the holiday season!  

Third Graders are preparing two songs on their recorders for their performance on December 13.  We have now learned five different note fingerings:  B-A-G-high C- and low E.  
Students did an activity that is part of the Candy Corn Music Puzzle Bundle by Tracy King on TPT.  The bundle includes puzzles for Dynamics, Notes and Rests and Recorders.  In this activity, students matched up note names, notes on the staff and the corresponding fingering on the recorder.  It was an enjoyable way to learn!

The highlight of our month was the entire school performing for our Veterans on Veterans Day.  We sang "Thankful for the USA" written by Teresa Jennings.  It's a fun, upbeat song, and we enjoyed learning it.  With the audience, we also sang "The Battle Hymn of the Republic", a song by American writer Julia Ward Howeusing, the music from the song "John Brown's Body".  Students sang three verses to this patriotic song, and from Kindergarten to Sixth grade, it was a favorite!  Students dressed up in their patriotic attire and proudly honored the veterans who were able to attend.  Many classes helped decorate the gym, with many many art projects.  It was great!

A special part of the day was that the Veterans stayed and shared lunch with the students.  Two of our grandchildren were happy to share some special time with Grandpa!

"I'm The Fastest Turkey" has to be students' all-time favorite musical game to play at Thanksgiving time!  The game is an echo game, with elements of Duck Duck Goose involved.  My beautiful turkey puppet is used as a prop.  Mr. Turkey gets lots of petting too!  For me, it gives me a chance to hear the students sing alone, to assess their singing voices in areas such as pitch, rhythm and dynamics.  I think that even high school students would play this game if given a chance!

Students in grades 4-6  in technology class have been blogging this month.  They are finishing up blogs on a favorite book they have read recently.  If you have one of these students in your family, ask them to share their blog with you!  Third graders will begin blogging.  Students are required to apply what they have been taught in other subject areas when they are writing....good grammar, correct spelling, appropriate sentence structure.  There are different specific requirements for each grade level, corresponding to what's required of them in their other classes.  

Integral to writing is the skill of proofreading.  Students not only proofread their own writing, but work together with a partner to proof each other's work.  It's always good to have another set of eyes look at your work!

The holidays provide a variety of games that not only work on computer skills such as mouse control, Internet navigation, typing etc. but also skills from other academic areas.  Kindergarten students reviewed counting by 1's, 5's and 10's while completing this turkey activity.  

Students in all grade levels continue to improve their speed and accuracy when keyboarding.  "Awesome posture" is something we visit about frequently as well!
Holiday Concerts are coming soon!  Hope to see many friends and family there to share the joy of making music with our students!