Skip to main content

Hello

I am back, I am sorry for not writing but life has been crazy. Many of you know, I am a teacher too and the months of May and June are always intense. It is the end of the year. There is always a big push to finish. We have testing, EOGs, performances, graduations and don't forget fun days with celebrations. I am sure those of you with kids have been going through the craziness, you might be going through it right now. 
I love this time of year because it makes me reflect on what I have accomplished within one year. In all of my 12 years of teaching this one has been my personal best. I received a $3,000 Bright Ideas Grant and bought 12 Orff instruments, 25 guitars and boomwhackers. Our fifth graders recorded "We Wish You Merry Christmas" and we were heard on the radio. Kindergarten through third grade played Orff Instruments, Fourth grade mastered recorder and Fifth grade learned guitar. The 6-8 grade band program doubled in instrumentation and in students. We had a total of eight performances K-12! I wrote two Donors Choose projects and both were completely funded. This was my first year at this school. It was also the first year my school had had a dedicated room for music. It was empty with only music text books and a big dream in August 2014. Now it is full! Not only with instruments and equipment, but student excitement and inspiration to share music with others.

Comments

Linda Walker saidā€¦
Hi Leah,
Sounds like you had a wonderful year! Congratulations on receiving the grant! Keep up the great work but do please enjoy your summer!!!!
Linda
mysewwhatblog
Jean saidā€¦
How exciting for you! Good work! Nothing like teaching a child an instrument/music to help them feel good about themselves.
Good for you!
Jean C.
djcogdill@q.com

Popular posts from this blog

Sweet Coin Purse Tutorial for Teacher Gifts

This time of year is so special to me because I get to show my gratitude for all of the hard work that goes into teaching my daughters. I love to make handmade gifts and this year is no exception. Since money does not grow on trees around here, I looked at my stash (I keep my scraps in hat boxes ) and tried to see what I had a lot of; small zippers, trims, Peltex strips ( from making iPad cases ), fabric scraps and some hardware for key fobs. So I set to work.  Materials: Plastic multipurpose 5" Zipper  Fabric Scraps Lightweight interfacing 808 Pellon Trims (We clipped  key fobs  with 1.5" swivel hooks onto our coin purses . There are tons of tutorials on making key fobs .) Step 1: Print out the Coin Purse Template  PDF.  Cut 2 main fabric, cut 2 lining and 2 interfacing using the template.  Optional: Cut a 2"X2" square of your choice main fabric or lining. This strip of fabric is used to clip a key fob to your coin purse later....

Fun in the Sun Mermaid Tutorial

Sewing Materials: 1/4 yard of Lycra or  5T or larger old swimsuit Thread Stretch Needle (helps) Sewing Machine and Sewing Notions Print the PDF patterns pieces out and tape them together. āœ„āœ„āœ„āœ„āœ„āœ„āœ„āœ„āœ„āœ„āœ„ āœ„āœ„āœ„āœ„ āœ„āœ„ Step 1: Cutting Layout-  Place the templates over the fabric and cut. āœ„āœ„āœ„āœ„āœ„āœ„āœ„āœ„āœ„āœ„āœ„ āœ„āœ„āœ„āœ„ āœ„āœ„ Step 2:   Fold the top edges of the mermaid tail and sew across. āœ„āœ„āœ„āœ„āœ„āœ„āœ„āœ„āœ„āœ„āœ„ āœ„āœ„āœ„āœ„ āœ„āœ„ Step 3: Place the mermaid tale pieces right sides together. Sew around the mermaid tail using the stretch stitch, it looks like a bolt of lighting. āœ„āœ„āœ„āœ„āœ„āœ„āœ„āœ„āœ„āœ„āœ„ āœ„āœ„āœ„āœ„ āœ„āœ„ Step 4: Flip the mermaid tail right side out using a chopstick.   Option: You can add Poly-fil to make the end of the tale puffy.   Set aside. āœ„āœ„āœ„āœ„āœ„āœ„āœ„āœ„āœ„āœ„āœ„ āœ„āœ„āœ„āœ„ āœ„āœ„ Bodice   Step 1: Cut a bodice measuring  4.5ā€ X1.5ā€ or use template. āœ„āœ„āœ„āœ„āœ„āœ„āœ„āœ„āœ„āœ„āœ„ āœ„āœ„āœ„āœ„ āœ„āœ„ Step 2: Fold the bodice right sides together and sew the  short ends making a loop. Use the e...

Cute as a Button Bookmark Tutorial

These are called Cute as a Button Bookmakers. They are cheap, easy to make and are wonderful gifts!  All you need is  Bookmarkers/ PaperClips Size 45 or 1 1/8" Button Covers and kit Glue Gun Pliers (which you won't need if you get the flat back buttons). Step 1: Make a few fabric covered buttons.  These are size 45 or 1 1/8" buttons. Step 2: If you use normal buttons you will need to take the loops off to make them flat. However you can buy flat back buttons and not have to worry about the loop. Step 3: Add a dab of hot glue to the top of the large paperclip pad and place your fabric button on top of the glue. Step 4: Let it cool and it's ready to use! Happy Crafting!