March 18

Let the Home Learning Begin! (aka School Closure)

On Friday, March 13, Logan Elm Schools began an extended school closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  A “state of emergency” has been declared in our state (Ohio) and all schools have been ordered to close.  Since the closure of schools, restaurants, movie theaters, bowling alleys, gyms, and many others have been forced to close their doors in order to reduce the spreading of the coronavirus.

In less than a week’s time, our lives have completely changed.  Schools and teachers are preparing for an extended closure, preparing virtual learning lessons and also determining how to meet the many other needs of our students.

There are so many questions that we all have.  And there are no answers at this point, as things seem to be changing on a daily basis.  One thing that I DO know…we will get through this!  As a community, we will rally together to help each other.  We will be there for each other in any way we can.  How do I know this?  Because I know that #McDowellStudentsarethebest  and we are all part of #BraveNation.

I’ve been so encouraged by the work that my students are already doing on their own.  Now, more than ever, is a time for students to take charge of their learning beyond classroom walls.  I just miss their faces tremendously, so I’m extremely grateful for the technology that we have that allows us to stay connected through these unprecedented events.

September 29

Has it really been 10 years?!

We’re taking part in the Student Blogging Challenge!

Has it really been 10 years since I first enrolled my class blog in the Student Blogging Challenge? Back then, I was teaching 5th grade Language Arts at Laurelville Elementary. I then taught two years of 5th grade Math at Laurelville before moving on to McDowell Middle School to teach 7th grade Language Arts. I am now in my ninth year of teaching at McDowell.

There has been a lot of personal change for me, as well, over those years. My husband and I are officially “empty nesters” since our daughters, Hannah and Molly, are now in college! Hannah is a senior at Miami University, majoring in Middle Childhood Education. Molly is a sophomore at Marietta College and is currently undecided on her major. We have grieved as our beloved dogs, Rambo, Hank, and Riley crossed the Rainbow Bridge and we now have two new dogs, Willy and Dodge.  And six years ago, the passing of my father rocked my world.

Although a lot has changed, some things have remained constant. I still love teaching, am proud to be a Brave, and I still am blessed with having the best students walk into my classroom each day. Connecting with my students and connecting with the world outside of my classroom is still a priority for me as a teacher. Because of this,  I am once again enrolling my class blog as well as my students’ blogs in the Blogging Challenge.

I hope you come back to see what we’ve been up to and as always, we welcome your comments!

September 24

And…we are BACK!

A new school year.  A new group of students.  An opportunity to reflect on things of the past and prepare for the future.  I love this time of year!

In my classroom,  we spend the first few weeks of school getting to know each other and establishing expectations and routines that will carry us through the year.  It doesn’t take long for 7th graders to realize how much they like being a student at our school and we have a discussion comparing life as a 7th grader to life of a 6th grader.

What makes 7th grade at McDowell so great?  Read the Padlet below to see what my Advanced Language Arts class had to say.  They’ve done a nice job explaining their thoughts.

Made with Padlet

I will have to add that these are just SOME of the things that are great about McDowell Exchange School.  There are many more, and the best thing about our school, in MY opinion, is that we have the best students.  #McDowellstudentsarethebest