I want to come home NOW

You know it's just a few weeks from Christmas holidays when the desire to flee one's job and return home to FREEZING temperatures is almost too much to endure.  I still can't over how crazy December is.  We've been running off our feet since the month started...LAST week!  I know, why am I complaining.  It's not that I'm complaining, it's that I'm just really tired and ready for the holiday.

I've decided that Winter Break will be just that...a break.  I won't be doing marathon trips across the province (though, as usual, I will likely find myself in PA and Regina at some point).  Part of the reason is that I don't entirely feel comfortable driving in that crazy weather that y'all have come to see as a normal part of the season.  Hee hee.  I know, once I return and start venturing out, I will feel more comfortable.  Until I shall remain in the comfort of my momma's house, snuggling by the fire with my kitty cat.  That doesn't sound like a bad way to spend the holidays.

Hopefully in the next week or so, I will have the official Christmas Letter composed and ready to publish.  I'm not sure there is a whole lot to talk about...I mean, it's been a fairly quiet year.  HA HA HA.  Be sure to check back in the next weeks to see the official letter.

In all the madness that has been these weeks, we've been doing something quite cool in 4th grade that I'd like to share with you.  As part of the IB PYP, students are encouraged to reflect regularly on the Learner Profile attributes and attitudes; traits such as appreciation, confidence, principled and balanced.  Throughout the last weeks, we've turned this reflection into a practical way to get into the merriment of the season.  Throughout the week, students take time to reflect on ways they demonstrate these special attributes and attitudes.  They reflect on how a peer demonstrates them.  They also reflect on a wish they  have for the world.  On the final day (only 4 days a week) students make a wish for another class.  The students hang their decorations on the Christmas tree outside our classroom.  We've run out of room, so we also make garland from which to hang the decorations.  It's been a neat activity for them!  As classes receive their email indicating their classroom has been put on our "wish list" we get a lot of great feedback!

And that brings us to yet another blog.  Will likely be in touch once or twice before the break begins.  Until then...