Glory to God

My pile of grading started to get higher and higher and I finally found the time to attack a good chunk of it. I began to read through the student's creative writing projects where they had been writing about what it would be like to live next door to a pet who could grant wishes. My student's creativity continues to blow me away and I smiled as I read their ideas about owls, deer, turtles, and cats that could give you candy, someone to do your homework for the rest of your life, or 10,000 free apps on your ipad.
As I filled out the grading rubric and began to add stickers to their papers I began to consider what it would be like to have stickers on all our accomplishments. Many people know that I love stickers. They add that special little touch on student papers or on a fun craft. But what if on all our accomplishments we received a sticker? And what if this sticker was one that pointed to where the credit was really due? What if this sticker said "Glory to God!", "Praise the Lord!", or "Rejoice!"?
I think it would remind us to keep our focus on where our true source of value comes from. The Lord has blessed us with many amazing abilities, interests, and gifts. So often I loose track of who deserves the praise. I can become self-absorbed or proud of my own accomplishments or successes when in fact, the Lord has truly given me the ability and the blessing to be able to do so much.
Sometimes I find that I need that sticker. I need that reminder that it's not about me. It's not about what I can do. It's about what the Lord can do through me. And when the success comes (or even if it doesn't) we must remember to give God the glory. Rejoice! Praise the Lord! He works in us and through us in amazing ways.  

 I think I'll keep using my cute little stickers. My hope is that it reminds my students to give praise to God for the creativity and the awesome gifts God has given them!

 

Theater Week!

There's a lot I could blog about because it's been a little while since I posted! So sorry!

I'll start by sharing with you about this past week which was Theater Week at our school. This means that each grade prepared a short play (or two!) to perform for the whole school. We spent the week practicing and then performed in front of the whole school on Friday.

In second grade we decided to have the German students work on a play in English and the English students work on a play in German. During our normal language arts and partner language time this week we worked on our lines, ideas for costumes, a few props, and how to be a great performer in our play. I worked with our German students on, "The Tortoise and the Hare." It was not easy to keep the students focused on the performance (especially the boys!), but I was proud of the students' success in the end. Working on the play was true to it's message, "slow and steady wins the race!"

Here are a few shots from our Theater Week and Friday performances.

Students dressed up like animals from the forest and excited for the play!

 

Our mouse and our cat!

 


Here are my students performing "The Tortoise and the Hare" on Friday.

 

Hare cannot believe that Tortoise wants to challenge him in a race!

 

The students congratulate Tortoise on the win.

 

The English students worked on the play, "Der Hase und der Igel" meaning "The Rabbit and the Hedgehog". It was such a cute play including some songs sung to traditional German tunes.

 


One of the students started crying right before the play (for various reasons) and so I went in the front with her and tried to act out her part. In the end she was able to say some of her lines. So sad!

 


The English students taking a bow!

 It is so rewarding to hear the students say their lines and perform the plays in their second language. It is amazing how far the students have come from the beginning of the year until now. The students learn so quickly and really try their best to speak in their non-native tongue. Working on a play together was a great way to build their confidence and practice speaking clearly for everyone to hear.

I took this picture for the beautiful view outside. What an awesome day!

 


The fourth grade German students did a play about a field trip to the farm.

 

The fourth grade English students did a shadow play. It was super creative and fun!

At the end of the two second grade plays (both were about races) we all recited Philippians 3:14 in German and English about running the race to the true goal, Jesus Christ. In these cold winter days it is a good reminder to me to keep my eyes focused heavenward. Christ has called me to continue to serve here in Germany with joy and gladness even when I am exhausted or may be missing aspects of a familiar place. I am thankful to have a few days off (this Monday and Tuesday) during the German holiday, in order to recuperate and get back on course when the race gets rocky and tough.
Paul writes:
"I press on to the goal to win the prize for which God has called me Heavenward in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 3:14.

And as Tortoise would say, "As you move from place to place, slow and steady wins the race!"