1. Gave a cup of various chocolate candies to a custodian
So the lead custodian during the day time at my school, really loves chocolate - of any kind in any type of way. She has seemed a little down lately, so I hope that his Halloween cup and treats will put a little more spook back in her step.
2. Gave a white memo message board to another teacher
So I overheard another teacher in my area say that he really wanted a simple memo board to have to hang on his class door. This way he can write saying if he is available to any student that wanted to see him - before the come into his room. This particular teacher works with those students who are on the list as drop outs, so sometimes he is out of his area making home visits or checking up on particular students while they are in class. I knew the exact place where I could easily buy him one of these items. I did and he was very thankful.
3. Held the door open for several students and adults at today's fire drill
The best thing about fire drills is the unpredictable predictability of the event. It is like, you know it is going to happen - but when? Anyway, as we were heading back into school - I just grabbed the one door and held it open for all to go back to regular class & work.
4. Held the door open for several students and adults within the cafeteria
I don't know if I felt like a doorman today - but this is something easy and simple to do for others - especially if they are carrying something or have food in their hands.
5. Brought in extra coffee cups and treats for a special visitor
Today we had a special visitor from Argentina, he is a principal for many schools in his area - Cordoba. I can speak only a limited amount of Spanish, but really wanted to make this educator feel welcome within our school. The best way I know how is by drink and food - or in my world coffee and pastries. He gets to visit our area for the next 3 weeks. What an amazing opportunity to both him and us!
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Saturday, July 2, 2011
100 Pennies recap
I've spent well more that $5.00 on my penny project - but it has been well worth it.
The best penny- taking family pictures for the woman at the hayride or the father at the baseball game.
Either one was nice because it was a bonding moment that they had on record with their kids.
The worst penny - getting yelled at the supermarket because I was bagging the food, but the other person swore that I was stealing. I haven't really bagged anyone's food since.
The most disgusting penny - cleaning the toilet seats
Need I say more? Eeeewwwww
Overall,
This anti-social person is fighting their way through this task at hand and learning about how other people operate. And just on 5 pennies a day.
5 Pennies - Day 100
1. Watched other children during service
The regular nursery attendant could make service today, so I just filled in temporary so that the other parents could focus and enjoy the service. The majority of the kids are normally really well behaved. Besides, I'm a teacher, I know how to handle this type of situation.
2. Listen to a student vent about their own school life
I really needed to get some church things done before leaving the worship building this morning. However, one of the students that I mentor at the church needed talk time more - so I stopped what I was doing and just listened to them. They really didn't ask for advice, but really just needed the vent time. I was glad that I could provide this for them.
Note: If someone needs to talk, completely stop everything that you are doing. Do not text on your phone, keep typing on the computer, have side conversations with someone. Give all of your respect and focus to them. They need and deserve it.
3. Helped a student in working through a problem
The church tv refused to work. So any other time, I would have simply shrugged and walked away. Like why should teenagers be watching tv at church anyway. Well, this particular student wanted to give a confirmation lesson that involved the tv - so I felt compared to help him. I mean, he was practicing on being a future teacher. This was also another student that I am mentoring.
4. Attended and watched my middle school kids' football game
Ok, so I will easily tell you that I have limited knowledge of football. So to try to help myself, I read some information about football and asked my students questions. They thought it was great that I knew nothing and wanted to learn - you have to think that I teach in farm land where football is more than just a past time game. Anyway, a couple of the boys asked if I would come and watch at least one game of theirs. So today was the day - and the best thing is that several of the cheerleaders were also my students too!
5. Payed for another parent to enter the football game too
Covered for the parent that was waiting in line behind me. Easy to do.
The regular nursery attendant could make service today, so I just filled in temporary so that the other parents could focus and enjoy the service. The majority of the kids are normally really well behaved. Besides, I'm a teacher, I know how to handle this type of situation.
2. Listen to a student vent about their own school life
I really needed to get some church things done before leaving the worship building this morning. However, one of the students that I mentor at the church needed talk time more - so I stopped what I was doing and just listened to them. They really didn't ask for advice, but really just needed the vent time. I was glad that I could provide this for them.
Note: If someone needs to talk, completely stop everything that you are doing. Do not text on your phone, keep typing on the computer, have side conversations with someone. Give all of your respect and focus to them. They need and deserve it.
3. Helped a student in working through a problem
The church tv refused to work. So any other time, I would have simply shrugged and walked away. Like why should teenagers be watching tv at church anyway. Well, this particular student wanted to give a confirmation lesson that involved the tv - so I felt compared to help him. I mean, he was practicing on being a future teacher. This was also another student that I am mentoring.
4. Attended and watched my middle school kids' football game
Ok, so I will easily tell you that I have limited knowledge of football. So to try to help myself, I read some information about football and asked my students questions. They thought it was great that I knew nothing and wanted to learn - you have to think that I teach in farm land where football is more than just a past time game. Anyway, a couple of the boys asked if I would come and watch at least one game of theirs. So today was the day - and the best thing is that several of the cheerleaders were also my students too!
5. Payed for another parent to enter the football game too
Covered for the parent that was waiting in line behind me. Easy to do.
5 Pennies - Day 99
1. Took pictures for other families at the pumpkin patch
So one of my favorite things to do every fall with my son is to go the the near pumpkin patch farm. There are 3 huge fields of pumpkins to choose from and another huge field of play equipment for the kids to play on of various ages. This is such a wonderful place to visit every year and my son enjoys it so much. There is even a really wonderful hayride that you can do in order to get to the far pumpkin field. So while we were riding this ride and of course sneezing all the way (fall allergies), I noticed there there was a mother near by taking pictures of her 4 kids. I simply went over and offered to take a picture of her entire family. She was so happy and jumped right in the middle of her kids. Afterwards, she told me that she rarely has any pictures of her with her kids - just basically her kids.
Note: If you are ever on an outing and notice the same thing, make the offer - mommies like to be in pictures too!
2. Let another customer go in front of me at the pumpkin check out line
They had a small child with them that was obviously getting tired and ready for their afternoon nap. I miss these days, not the cranky child - but the afternoon nap. I had some extra time and was happy to help.
3. Bought an elderly neighbor an Amish recipe book
So a near and dear wonderful neighbor loves to bake - but the good old fashion way. You know, with recipes of ingredients that don't exist anymore. And of course without anything that involves an electrical plug or outlet. So when I saw this book on sale at the pumpkin farm, I instantly thought of her.
4. Picked up a baby toy that was left on the sidewalk
So on my afternoon dog walk, we passed a house that a baby toy was accidentally left. I just simply picked it up and put in on the nearest porch. I hope that it got back to the right owners. If not, I hope that the new owners enjoy the new toy.
5. Picked up groceries that fell out of someone else's cart
I've done this a couple of times - where I am pushing a cart around the store and thinking that my groceries are staying put. Little did I know, they too were trying to escape. So when I got up to the register, what I thought was there really wasn't. So when I saw this starting to happen to another customer, I just simply put the groceries back in the cart. Ha,ha - they tried, but their plan was not successful!
So one of my favorite things to do every fall with my son is to go the the near pumpkin patch farm. There are 3 huge fields of pumpkins to choose from and another huge field of play equipment for the kids to play on of various ages. This is such a wonderful place to visit every year and my son enjoys it so much. There is even a really wonderful hayride that you can do in order to get to the far pumpkin field. So while we were riding this ride and of course sneezing all the way (fall allergies), I noticed there there was a mother near by taking pictures of her 4 kids. I simply went over and offered to take a picture of her entire family. She was so happy and jumped right in the middle of her kids. Afterwards, she told me that she rarely has any pictures of her with her kids - just basically her kids.
Note: If you are ever on an outing and notice the same thing, make the offer - mommies like to be in pictures too!
2. Let another customer go in front of me at the pumpkin check out line
They had a small child with them that was obviously getting tired and ready for their afternoon nap. I miss these days, not the cranky child - but the afternoon nap. I had some extra time and was happy to help.
3. Bought an elderly neighbor an Amish recipe book
So a near and dear wonderful neighbor loves to bake - but the good old fashion way. You know, with recipes of ingredients that don't exist anymore. And of course without anything that involves an electrical plug or outlet. So when I saw this book on sale at the pumpkin farm, I instantly thought of her.
4. Picked up a baby toy that was left on the sidewalk
So on my afternoon dog walk, we passed a house that a baby toy was accidentally left. I just simply picked it up and put in on the nearest porch. I hope that it got back to the right owners. If not, I hope that the new owners enjoy the new toy.
5. Picked up groceries that fell out of someone else's cart
I've done this a couple of times - where I am pushing a cart around the store and thinking that my groceries are staying put. Little did I know, they too were trying to escape. So when I got up to the register, what I thought was there really wasn't. So when I saw this starting to happen to another customer, I just simply put the groceries back in the cart. Ha,ha - they tried, but their plan was not successful!
5 Pennies - Day 98
1. Bought mother a pink reusable grocery bag to use for Breast Cancer Awareness Day
So the reusable grocery bags - whoever thought of this - I applaud you greatly. Not because it is a gimmicky way to save the Earth, but these bags can be used for everything. I personally carry extra clothes and toys, snacks, and other bits and pieces in one that I keep in my car. I have another one that I carry stuff back and forth to school with teacher stuff. And yet another one that I keep a lot of my craft stuff in it. Ok, so I use these reusable grocery bags for everything but actual groceries. However, my mother does use them for groceries! Anyway, today is National Breast Cancer Awareness Day - so when I saw a sale on these - I thought that she would like one.
2. Picked up some baby toys that were dropped in the food court area
So have you ever seen that mother that looks like she is trying to handle life on about 3 hrs. of sleep? She hasn't had 20 min. to herself yet in the day? She has barely touched her lunch? And just when she finally gets to sit down to take a bite, her kid decides to fling their toys in several different directions. Ok - so maybe you haven't seen this mom - but I was her and take empathy when I see those that are like that now. When you do happen to see this mother, simply help pick up the toys - it gives her some extra moments a kindness. Also, remember to smile.
3. Threw away trash and put back tray for another person
Sometimes it is easier in life to just be nice to someone you don't know. Warning, make sure that you ask the person if they are done before throwing away trash. If you throw away the trash too early - they can and often will get upset - just trust me on this personal experience. Also, don't wear Khakis and a blue/red shirt - people then start to think that you are a worker and start giving you their trays to automatically clean up.
4. Bought extra present for another child
So my son was invited to a birthday party. The thing that I feel the most disheartening is giving a present to the birthday child, while their sibling just stands there and watches. The face of the other child kills me - like, "What about me?" add the puppy dog eyes. Anyway, I got the birthday child a nice present and the other sibling a little something so that they would feel special too.
5. Gave a bag of candy to bank tellers
Just wanted to treat them with something nice. They stand on their feet all day. Touching and counting other people's money - eeewww gross, very germie - I'm ok, it's just my OCD. Anyway, I always had a fear that the first day that I was bank teller that is when a robbery would happen. So for these reasons, I applaud all bank tellers and especially mine with a bag of Hershey hugs. This is as close to touching that I will get with people.
So the reusable grocery bags - whoever thought of this - I applaud you greatly. Not because it is a gimmicky way to save the Earth, but these bags can be used for everything. I personally carry extra clothes and toys, snacks, and other bits and pieces in one that I keep in my car. I have another one that I carry stuff back and forth to school with teacher stuff. And yet another one that I keep a lot of my craft stuff in it. Ok, so I use these reusable grocery bags for everything but actual groceries. However, my mother does use them for groceries! Anyway, today is National Breast Cancer Awareness Day - so when I saw a sale on these - I thought that she would like one.
2. Picked up some baby toys that were dropped in the food court area
So have you ever seen that mother that looks like she is trying to handle life on about 3 hrs. of sleep? She hasn't had 20 min. to herself yet in the day? She has barely touched her lunch? And just when she finally gets to sit down to take a bite, her kid decides to fling their toys in several different directions. Ok - so maybe you haven't seen this mom - but I was her and take empathy when I see those that are like that now. When you do happen to see this mother, simply help pick up the toys - it gives her some extra moments a kindness. Also, remember to smile.
3. Threw away trash and put back tray for another person
Sometimes it is easier in life to just be nice to someone you don't know. Warning, make sure that you ask the person if they are done before throwing away trash. If you throw away the trash too early - they can and often will get upset - just trust me on this personal experience. Also, don't wear Khakis and a blue/red shirt - people then start to think that you are a worker and start giving you their trays to automatically clean up.
4. Bought extra present for another child
So my son was invited to a birthday party. The thing that I feel the most disheartening is giving a present to the birthday child, while their sibling just stands there and watches. The face of the other child kills me - like, "What about me?" add the puppy dog eyes. Anyway, I got the birthday child a nice present and the other sibling a little something so that they would feel special too.
5. Gave a bag of candy to bank tellers
Just wanted to treat them with something nice. They stand on their feet all day. Touching and counting other people's money - eeewww gross, very germie - I'm ok, it's just my OCD. Anyway, I always had a fear that the first day that I was bank teller that is when a robbery would happen. So for these reasons, I applaud all bank tellers and especially mine with a bag of Hershey hugs. This is as close to touching that I will get with people.
Friday, July 1, 2011
5 Pennies - Day 97
1. Gave a winter snowman decoration to another teacher
There is a fabulous ELA teacher in my building that does so much for my school. She heads the Foriegn Language Magnet program, the Spelling Bee for her grade, the after school Knowledge Master's club, and so much more. So when I dropped something off to her classroom the other day, I noticed that she was starting to put out her little snowmen figurines. I asked if it was too soon since it was only October, but she said no because the first frost was coming this week in our area. She was right - like normal. The first frost came that night and when I saw this little snowman decoration - I knew that his family was in her room waiting for him.
2. Gave another teacher extra hand lotion
So the wonderful art teacher that was able to have the artist in resident at my school is finishing up her clay activity soon with her students. She mention to me at a meeting earlier this morning that her hands are getting so dry and cracked because of the clay. I had an extra bottle of sample lotion that I couldn't use because it wasn't hypoallergenic - so I gave her it. She needed it more than it sitting on my desk anyway. I was happy to help.
3. Wrote a "Nice Job" note to the chorus teacher for a previous nights concert
So being a music teacher we have these annual "All County" concerts, where we select really top notch music students throughout the county to participate in a special concert. It takes a lot of extra time of our own that many people don't realize that we provide with limited pay - if any. So the All County Chorus concert was last night. It was really good to see so many of the students involved being from my school. I was proud of them, but really thankful for the chorus teacher for helping and providing them this opportunity.
4. Wrote a "Thank You" note to another teacher who helped me fix a broken instrument
So the other band teacher at my school is an amazing instrument repair person. I normally save a lot of money because he can fix a lot of simple problems. I know when an instrument is truly broken - he just shakes his head and gives me that 'it's bad' look. So he helped me earlier today fix a flute that the keys weren't covering the holes correctly. For me, it would have been a very long process - but for him he had it done in less than 10 minutes. Amazing!
5. Held the door open in the rain for other teachers
There is something about when it rains in the fall compared to when it rains in the spring. I know that rain is rain - but it seems to cooler and slow everything down in the fall. Anyway, I didn't want these teachers to have to wait outside in the rain before the door was able to buzz them in. It was an easy gesture to do.
There is a fabulous ELA teacher in my building that does so much for my school. She heads the Foriegn Language Magnet program, the Spelling Bee for her grade, the after school Knowledge Master's club, and so much more. So when I dropped something off to her classroom the other day, I noticed that she was starting to put out her little snowmen figurines. I asked if it was too soon since it was only October, but she said no because the first frost was coming this week in our area. She was right - like normal. The first frost came that night and when I saw this little snowman decoration - I knew that his family was in her room waiting for him.
2. Gave another teacher extra hand lotion
So the wonderful art teacher that was able to have the artist in resident at my school is finishing up her clay activity soon with her students. She mention to me at a meeting earlier this morning that her hands are getting so dry and cracked because of the clay. I had an extra bottle of sample lotion that I couldn't use because it wasn't hypoallergenic - so I gave her it. She needed it more than it sitting on my desk anyway. I was happy to help.
3. Wrote a "Nice Job" note to the chorus teacher for a previous nights concert
So being a music teacher we have these annual "All County" concerts, where we select really top notch music students throughout the county to participate in a special concert. It takes a lot of extra time of our own that many people don't realize that we provide with limited pay - if any. So the All County Chorus concert was last night. It was really good to see so many of the students involved being from my school. I was proud of them, but really thankful for the chorus teacher for helping and providing them this opportunity.
4. Wrote a "Thank You" note to another teacher who helped me fix a broken instrument
So the other band teacher at my school is an amazing instrument repair person. I normally save a lot of money because he can fix a lot of simple problems. I know when an instrument is truly broken - he just shakes his head and gives me that 'it's bad' look. So he helped me earlier today fix a flute that the keys weren't covering the holes correctly. For me, it would have been a very long process - but for him he had it done in less than 10 minutes. Amazing!
5. Held the door open in the rain for other teachers
There is something about when it rains in the fall compared to when it rains in the spring. I know that rain is rain - but it seems to cooler and slow everything down in the fall. Anyway, I didn't want these teachers to have to wait outside in the rain before the door was able to buzz them in. It was an easy gesture to do.
5 Pennies - Day 96
1. Gave a balloon to another teacher of his favorite football team
So there is a really nice Spanish teacher that works in my school. Not only does he know a lot about this culture, but he is also an Eagles football fanatic. Yesterday I joked with him about their recently football game loss. I don't know if he took things personally or if he sensed that I was joking, but when I saw this balloon hanging in the grocery story by the registers - I knew that it needed to belong to him.
2. Helped moved chairs around the room for another teacher
She was rearranging her room for a special activity with her students. Personally, I share my room with another teacher - so I rarely get to change the make up the seating arrangements. But I know that when I am setting the room up for the beginning of the year or setting & resetting the stage - moving chairs around can be both time consuming and physically exhausting if you have to do it several times. I just wanted to help someone else out.
3. Gave mine and extra coupons to the local teacher's store to another staff member
This other staff member was talking about visiting the store this up coming weekend because it will be closing soon. So knowing that she was already going - I was trying to find as many coupons for her to use as possible to help with the cost of the materials that she wanted to buy to use with her students. I hope that this helps!
4. Bought breakfast for another student
So one of my student helpers in the morning was talking about how tired he was from his soccer practice last night. He even told me that he was so tired that he slept in and missed breakfast. So knowing a teenage boy - if you are tired and hungry, you will not be productive in school. So I went and bought him a simple school breakfast as he lay down in my room to rest (with limited lighting). I later checked in on him at lunch time - he seemed to be better.
5. Picked up trash and straighten up school's library
The librarian had to leave early today for a meeting. The library itself wasn't trashed, but it had things out of sorts and I didn't want her to return tomorrow and have to spend time in straighten things up when she had classes to prepare for. So I just took an extra 10 minutes and when around and pushed the chairs in, picked up the bits and pieces on floor, returned books, reset up the books that were knocked over on the shelves,etc. Simple things that would make the library look nice and help her out.
So there is a really nice Spanish teacher that works in my school. Not only does he know a lot about this culture, but he is also an Eagles football fanatic. Yesterday I joked with him about their recently football game loss. I don't know if he took things personally or if he sensed that I was joking, but when I saw this balloon hanging in the grocery story by the registers - I knew that it needed to belong to him.
2. Helped moved chairs around the room for another teacher
She was rearranging her room for a special activity with her students. Personally, I share my room with another teacher - so I rarely get to change the make up the seating arrangements. But I know that when I am setting the room up for the beginning of the year or setting & resetting the stage - moving chairs around can be both time consuming and physically exhausting if you have to do it several times. I just wanted to help someone else out.
3. Gave mine and extra coupons to the local teacher's store to another staff member
This other staff member was talking about visiting the store this up coming weekend because it will be closing soon. So knowing that she was already going - I was trying to find as many coupons for her to use as possible to help with the cost of the materials that she wanted to buy to use with her students. I hope that this helps!
4. Bought breakfast for another student
So one of my student helpers in the morning was talking about how tired he was from his soccer practice last night. He even told me that he was so tired that he slept in and missed breakfast. So knowing a teenage boy - if you are tired and hungry, you will not be productive in school. So I went and bought him a simple school breakfast as he lay down in my room to rest (with limited lighting). I later checked in on him at lunch time - he seemed to be better.
5. Picked up trash and straighten up school's library
The librarian had to leave early today for a meeting. The library itself wasn't trashed, but it had things out of sorts and I didn't want her to return tomorrow and have to spend time in straighten things up when she had classes to prepare for. So I just took an extra 10 minutes and when around and pushed the chairs in, picked up the bits and pieces on floor, returned books, reset up the books that were knocked over on the shelves,etc. Simple things that would make the library look nice and help her out.
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