Hearts and Bows and Flowers Floe and Ice Cream Castles in the Air

so thats why julia is leaving trails of glitter everywhere.
it still dosn't explain the toothpaste paintings on the wall.
those are some of the nicest valentines day boxes i have ever seen!!

"...but of course, lena, love is raining down in jewels, glitter and sequins....and of course, platic flowers. I should buy stock in Elmer's Glue!

Do the parents of all these students know that you are posting their pictures on teh internet with their names? Cause, I've gotta tell ya...I have a child in kindergartena nd if I found out his teacher was posting his photograph andname on the world wide web...I'd have her job. I think it's a lovely craft you're doing and your article and pictures certainly show that you're great at your job...but the lack of discretion is frightenning.

You have some real "Artiste's" there, but to be honest, Carolyn has a valid point.

Carolyn, all the parents signed released forms in September...the two that did not, their children do not appear in any photo essay on Gather. Thank you for your concern.

Donna, in September that is one of the forms the parents of my children are given. As a teacher of 39 years, I would be absolutely crazy to do so without permission from the parents. All the release forms are held in a file cabinet in the principal's office. Thank you for your concern.

And yes, Donna, the arts are viewed as an intricate part of our curriculum. I will be sure to tell the children today that you called them "artists"! They will smile!

Elizabeth,
Forgive my skepticism, but you have a form that says "I give permission to Mrs. ____ to post my child's name and image on the internet for personal use"? If I were a parent in North Carver, I would be mortified to even receive the form.

Granted, this is a lovely photo essay, but just think...if there is a pedophile out there who sees this, comes to your schoolyard, (how many can there be in your town?)and calls out a child by name,(someone who knows your name is instantly no "stranger") because he/she saw the pictures here, how would you feel? It fine, because you had "permission" ? Would the school board think so?

Sorry to be the voice of discontent, but its a freaky world out there, and you seem like an otherwise conscientious person.

What a cute photo essay! I so wish you would have been my son's kindergarten teacher. You teach so much in each lesson, and it is so obvious how much you care.

Hmmm... You know, I don't remember having NEARLY this much fun in school. But then again, we didn't have kindergarten in Baltimore County when I was a kid, either. I DO seem to remember paste, though. LOL!!!

You make me want to make a Valentine Box of my own. If I didn't have to study CPR and my court deposition, I'd be doing just that.

And posting a photo essay about it.

Great essay, Elizabeth! And its good you have the parent's permission to use the kid's photos...:)

Donna,

The form says:

Parental Conscent Form
Child's name:
Teacher's name

I hereby _________________consent
_________________do not consent
and authorize the XXXXXXXXXXXXXPrimary School to use and produce photographs and/or videotapes of my child(ren) and to circulate same for community awareness, and education and publicity purposes. Such uses may include the following: school functions and school presentations, classroom displays, newspaper releases, Internet website, class memory books, and class photographs.

Parent/Guardian Signature__________________________date

Donna,

Tonight when I get home I will give you a site on the Internet where classrooms all over the world literally share "what's going on in their classrooms". There's hundreds of sites. Many school systems also have their own website and teachers post about individual classrooms.

Great photos of a wonderful activity. I remember doing this when I was in grade school! I LOVED Valentine's Day. Getting to make our own little "mailbox" for our valentines. Picking out my very own valentines at the store to give out to all my classmates. Picking out the perfect one of the valentines for each person. Walking around the classroom to put them all in the proper box. It was great!

Thanks for posting this to "All Photo Essays Here" and for bringing back such wonderful memories for me!

Thanks Lisa for stopping by. The kids had a great time with this project. Creative juices were flowing.

They are all so creative and imaginative! These are beautiful projects!

Roy...for the most part "paste" is gone in classrooms today...Elmer's glue is in! I go through tons of it...but watching how the children apply it so liberally, you can understand why!

Ina...forget the court disposition and come on over in the Tardis...make sure Kevin comes too and both of you can make Valentine boxes!

hey wHAT ARE YOU DOING HOME?
DARN THAT CAPS lock button,always getting in the way of my giant fingers.

Elizabeth,
Thank you for the explanation. I suppose if the parents don't care that their kids names and pictures are used on a non-school supported website, its none of my business.
I guess I would be one of the non-signers. (And I thank God every day that my kids are grown..lol)

"The only thing to fear is fear itself." Lovely boxes and great title! Those were the days, my friend. Mmm...looks like I have nothing orginal to say. Well then...shut my mouth!

Imagine being a parent and getting to see the picture of your child first learning to read a book or maybe the moment that you see them interact with other kids and seeing that look of friendship in their eyes for the first time.

I would also appreciate this - either on bulletin boards in the classroom or maybe a private website or internet group. The person who mentioned the danger of having names and faces connected makes an excellent point. Does the world really need to see these moments along with the parents?

Bob, your article is a Feature in Wednesday Writing Essentials.

The kids did some beautiful work Bob. Great imaginations.

Bob, your article is a Feature in the Triple Name Club.

These children are so lucky to have you as their teacher.

The teachers that i remember most fondly from my childhood had a lot of your same qualities. Patience, encouragement, a creative teaching style.

Lot's of preparation. That's half the fun of it. Great pictures.

Bob, this is unique as a Valentine's Day photo essay. I thoroughly enjoyed it ... so much so that I am featuring this in the Chat & Connections Garden Cafe.

I was once a teacher and now am a grandparent ... little Emily just started pre-school yesterday. I would be thrilled if her teacher is a patch on you. I would have no qualms at all seeing her activities posted on the net. Indeed, I have proudly posted photos of her, here on Gather. Many other parents and grandparents have also posted here photos of their little ones.

The obsessive fear of some to the posting of photos of children I find rather sad ... would they lock their children inside their houses, not letting them be seen in public because they might be seen by a pedophile? Surely not!

By sharing our photos and experiences, we are teaching ourselves and others that the world hasn't completely gone to the mad dogs...that there is love and innocence still.

Lena, I wasn't home today. Though I don't usually go on Gather during school hours except when there's a photo essay up about the kids and I want to show them, today when I read first Carolyn's and then Donna's comments I thought it best to show the administration and of course I was told to post our consent form. Then once again we went over all the forms checking to make sure each child that was posted in the essay had a "positive"....then at noontime instead of lunch I posted my comments. Pretty starved when I got home tonight.

Bob, you've done the responsible teacher thing throughout your essays. Hopefully, those who doubted will be reassured,

Thank you all for dropping by today and leaving kind words that reaffirm my belief that childhood should be celebrated in song and dance and artistic endeavors.

Thanks Kathryn and magi for featuring the article.

I think that it is very sad that so many people SO limit the freedoms of their children based onnothing but irrational fear.

THINGS are statistically BETTER not WORSE for our children today... the reason people are so terrified has nothing to do with any increase in the number of bad people or things or any such thing...

the only difference, I think, is that now...with the technology available to us ...and to the media... we all hear about things all around the world much quicker. And we have given the media free reign to terrorize us...we buy their ~****~

Anyone that knows bob would know that she would never EVER do anything that would in any way harm a child... any child.

Maybe I'm just cranky tonight but I'm appalled that there would be even the slightest incling.... !!!!

Thanks flit....one more vote for humanity or at least the humanity I am apart of. Incredibly long day....a day of much contemplation and sadness.

Thanks Rose...with your poem in my head I'm heading upstairs. Sweet dreams and may angels find your pillow tonight.

And yours, elizabeth :)

Hooray for another Photo Essay!!!
I am blessed to have Mrs. E teaching my precious child all the wonderful things Kindergarten has to offer. Having a teacher that is willing to go well above and beyond the school hour days, so parents and others can see and learn about teaching and what actually goes on during the school day. It was difficult to let my child go off on the bus and not be able to see what was going on at school. However, I was given a gift, a teacher that is allowing me a peek at what my child is doing while away from her (smothering) Mom. I now have beautiful photos and stories to go along with them, many parents have no idea what may go on at their childs school, but thanks to Mrs.E I can be in Kindergarten, even if it is just a brief glimpse.(but the pictures are worth thousand words)
These articles have also given relatives from afar a peek at our little ones school experiences. I use the e-mail feature on the articles to send them to MD and even FL so eighty year old Great Grammy can see her precious little one!
Every one is impressed with them! Especially this extremely overprotective smothering mom! ( I am working on letting go)

So, Mrs.E THANK YOU THANK YOU and a million more!!!!(and that still wouldn't be enough)

I remember doing this in elementary school. Thank you for bringing back sweet memories.

Celebrations of the heart
Bring comfort and joy
To parents and relatives afar.

Thank you Bridget, Phyllis and Lena for reaffirming what I do. In the end, at the end of the day, it's your thoughts that matter...cause in the end...though I call them mine...they are really yours. Blessings.

Very nice photo essay of the school children making their Valentine's Day boxes!

They all did a fantastic job! I want to make one too! LOL

What dear children. The pictures were so precious. Thank you for being the kind of teacher we all want for our children.

Thanks Sue, Donna and Linda for dropping by. My goodness the kids are really excited about their boxes. Each day they can't wait for calendar time so they can "count down" to Valentine's Day.

I had to come back and check on the controversy that I was sure had been fired up. Your photo essays are always so endearing and captivating. Although many people brought up valid points about the danger, there's also a danger in becoming so paranoid that we can't enjoy, share and live our lives.

I hope you continue to allow us to step into the world of you and your little ones.

Sometimes you make me wish I had your job. I miss all the cooking classes I taught to children and I enjoy these articles of yours very much, elizabeth.

I wish that my grandkids could be in your kindergarten. I would love to be able to follow their activities through your photo essays.

I agree with flit and Ina. We shouldn't let paranoia overtake our lives. Kids have their pictures in the newspapers for all sorts of things - plays, sports, awards - with their first AND last names listed.

Through the pictures, Raven, I have thought to capture the spirit of creativity when the directions are not laid out step by step. In many cases art in school is "do it step by step and yours will come out like the model"...that isn't art. At circle time, I talk about the project...model several in front of them and then put the models away.

I love the look of concentration on their faces.

Ina..as yet I haven't figured out what I'm going to do except I did move to Beantown.

If you google kindergarten classrooms, the first site that comes up is a listing for hundreds of sites all across America and beyond the ocean to England, France, New Zealand and India that show kindergarten classrooms in action. So really I thought I was not doing anything out of the ordinary when I wrote articles about what happens in my classroom. Gather provided a site that allowed me to showcase what really takes place in a classroom today. All my parents seem to enjoy having access to the site. So, the whole controversy hit me like a bombshell. Under no circumstances would I ever want to put any of my children in harm's way...and I believe that is what I was being accused of. Have read and reread the comment strand and it appears that really only three people have major concerns. For the most part, all the other comments have been positive. I like Jan H's quote from Winston Churchill, "The only thing to fear is fear itself". That's where I'm leaning right now.

Madame Donna...long ago, in another age, we used to cook for all the "letters of the week"...then about 20 years ago, stoves were removed from the classroom because of "fear children might be burnt". This past month our town just got notified that we were at the top of the list for state funding to build a new school and guess what? Stoves will be in all kindergarten classrooms?! It's strange how the pendulum in education swings first to the right and then to the left just like American politics!

Paranoia, under Bush and Fox news, have captured the hearts of many in America, Wilma.

I love New Hampshire's motto on their license plates "Live free or Die"!

Another beautiful photo essay, Bob! Little hands busy creating such pretty boxes for a day that celebrates love.
I loved the boxes with neat little hearts and ribbons and sprinkles . I would love to have one of them, actually ;)
You are a wonderful, hands on teacher, Bob. I agree with some of the parents that through these articles of yours, they are able to enjoy the activities their kids engage in at school. Parents, grandparents and friends can share these pictures and see what education is...not a bookish knowledge, but an enjoyable activity under the creative and loving care of Mrs.E, as she is fondly called.

Minnie, have magi pick you up in the Tardis and both of you can come on over and make Valentine boxes!

Elizabeth, the photos are lovely.

The children are so engaged, so intent on their projects.

What a great testimony to the inspiring teacher!

This brought back so many memories of making MY valentine boxes many years ago! Lovely photos!!

I love these articles because somehow it makes me wish I were a student in your classroom - and had access to all that glue and glitter - this looks like so much fun and it's fun to watch and see what kind of beautiful things these kids come up with - amazing and so creative...thanks Bob - for being a good teacher - our future thanks you as do I. Salud.

It's nice to know valentine's day projects still exist in the internet age!

what a wonderful age group to teach...i still have to read about the name...i keep forgetting...but I still have you email...but i never read my email

Ellie...kindergarten is a wonderful age to teach...the conversations one hears keep you young at heart! Everything is so fresh...so new...so exciting...it just rubs you the right way.

Cecile, Valentine's Day and what it stands for continues to flourish in this day and age.

Thanks Peter for the lovely compliment. Bring out the glue, glitter, sequins...what kid wouldn't be involved?

Melinda, I'm glad it brought back sweet memories as it does me each year!

Oh Mariana, I would have loved to have you in my class as a kindergartener. I can just imagine the time we would had together. And your box...I can just imagine...like you it would be quite wonderful!

I'm back from the Dominican Republic and it's snowing here in Ontario. I wish I could be still lying around on the beach, by the pool or eating and drinking and taking photos.

A big THANK YOU for my sister Elaine for taking over the moderator duties of BEST ORIGINAL PHOTOS, ART AND WRITING and I thank YOU for posting your original work to this group.

Rose, I just saw your article, "The White Box"...what a beautiful tribute to Mrs. McClary.

Thanks Marilyn for stopping by....hope you had a wonderful vacation.

Very nice!

Thanks Amanda C. for dropping by.

Wonderful photo essay with great pics. The kids looked like they were having fun making their boxes.

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Gorgeous thoughts and photos, Bob. What lucky kids!!!!

I just noticed this article Elizabeth and wanted to post my 2 cents worth. In my opinion it is a great gift to any child to have a teacher like you.

To diminish this joy by coming on and dousing the light of love with words like unconsciounable is born of nothing else but a mean spirit and perhaps even a bit of jealousy for having a lovely support group and poorly veiled accusations of making points "off your kids".

I am glad your supporters came to the rescue before this turned into a witch hunt. I understand responsible postings and I understand the concern for the welfare of the children - but gee, even a blind person can see that this is totally misplaced in your case.

If you are so with it and concerned as far as the dangers that confront our children today - then, hello this is the Internet age - why do you not know that classroom activities are routinely posted on a daily basis by schools across the country.

Kids are out and about, their pictures are taken and their names are posted repeatedly in the local newspapers along with their achievements - outside of school environments.

It is really sad that you had to defend yourself and post the parental consent form.

It is beyond clear to me that you are a wise and responsible teacher and I love that you could respond not just with the consent form, but with the statement that you are so aware that you have two parents whom do not wish to participate and that you can say to the world - 'there are two children that never get photographed and their accomplishments are never included in my articles'.

Anyway - off my soap box. If I'd seen your article sooner I would have sent it on to a couple moms and grandmas to participate in the joy of creating a Valentine box - and I know at least one of them would have gotten out her crafts and glitter and glue sticks to play with the grandkids and another would have included it in her girl scout activities.

Great job Mrs. E. - loved the boxes - have to remember to vote, although I am not sure yet what that does.