A Town that Cares Makes Kids Who Care

Whitehall, New York in the United States

       Deep in the Adirondack foothills lies a small town called, Whitehall, New York.  A community of around 4000 souls.  It's a quiet town.  The town's ethics are based on family, church, school, and community. Many families have lived here for generations. Whitehall is not a wealthy town, but what it lacks in riches, it makes up for in heart. 
    So, on April 25th and again on May 12th when the children in my classroom came to school and learned about the massive earthquakes in Nepal, they wanted to know more. We looked for the tiny country located between China and India on the world map.
    

Epicenter of the earthquakes in Nepal

     We reviewed what happens in the earth when an earthquake happens. An earthquake is what happens when two plates or large blocks of earth underground slip past each other. The underground focus point of an earthquake is called the hypocenter or sometimes ground zero. The location on the surface of earth is called the epicenter and this is where the fault line is. Next we looked at images of the earthquake in Nepal on our smartboard.

Safety procedure during an earthquake.

    When my students saw the students in Nepal going to class in tents, they wanted to drop everything, and help their peers across the world. They wanted to find a way to help the Nepalese children get new schools to cover them and supplies so that once again they had a place to hold on to.  They were amazed that children went to school right after this devastating earthquake so that there parents were free to help others. They worried about the kids who may have lost family members or been injured themselves. So, we all put on our thinking hats, and devised a plan. First we had to get approval from our Principal who gave us a resounding "yes"! Next, I contacted my friend, in Kathmandu, Nepal  to get the information of where to send our donation. He thanks our children everyday.

      Finally, we decided to use symbolism to represent our emotions and concern for the Nepalese children and build them a paper school which would represent the building of a new school life for them. How did we do this?

1)  We first made bricks from paper.

2)  Next we made posters, flyers, and sent letters home to our parents.

3) We made  morning announcements to tell everyone in the school about our efforts to raise funds by donations to help schools devastated by the earthquakes in Nepal.

4)  We set up a station to take donations during lunch.

5) Our classroom aide, Mrs. Faryniarz outlined our symbolic paper school on the wall outside of our classroom. Our art teacher, Miss Badger made a door, windows and a bell for our paper school. My students and I carefully lay the bricks every afternoon. It's fun watching the Nepalese School grow!

6) Finally, in our life skills/math lesson. We counted

our donations. The students had never put coins in wrappers before. They loved doing this!

7) Now we repeat step 3-7 everyday, hoping to fill-in and complete our symbolic paper school for Nepal. We are a bit worried because we only have two and one-half weeks before school is over! We however are not quitters and will find a way!

    There is a beautiful part to our saga. We visibly saw hearts grow! Our paper school started out slow, even though a donation was a personal choice of one cent or more! The kids  and teachers in our school wanted to know more. So we shared stories from Nepal and explained to those who didn't know where Nepal was, where it is. We saw hearts grow even bigger. Kids came from every corner in our 6th-12th grade school to make a donation. Teachers, aides, custodians, secretaries, administration, bus drivers and board members gave donations. Then we saw hearts grow again! A grandmother from town sent in $20.00 for a brick! Other towns people heard of our endeavor and sent in donations! Still, just when we thought our project couldn't gain any more supporters, it did! We gained support from friends in: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio,  and other towns in New York!  This is project based learning (PBL) at it's finest.

     Whitehall, New York is a town that cares. Our children are becoming global citizens. Children who want to help other children learn from the adults in their lives who help others everyday. We can't fix all of the damage from the earthquake in Nepal or fix broken hearts, but just maybe we can use our donation to Nepal as a kind of BIG HUG from the students, staff, townspeople, and friends of those  in Whitehall Jr. Sr. High School to say we care.

* The paper school is for symbolism as a visual for the students to see their efforts grow. The donation sent to Nepal will go for school system supplies but will only be a portion of what a new school costs.

* Our "thinking" hats are part of our WCSD group the "helping hats", which is from our work with the "Not Perfect Hat Club" and author, Jena Ball.

P.S.

Good-news We finished our paper school on our last day of school. Here we are quite proud of our efforts. We were very worried that we might not finish before the end of the school year! Thank you so much to our contributors from Whitehall and from far away! 

Life Skills with a Humanitarian Twist

Grocery shopping for our Autumn Feast

    Don't ask me why, but sometimes, the course name "Life Skills" is associated with a negative connotation. I don't know why exactly. I mean personally, I think most of us could have probably benefited from a life skills course in high school. I mean how many of us actually properly knew how to handle money, do laundry, cook, grocery shop, bargain shop, sew, coexist with others,...etc. when we first graduated from high school? My first frantic phone call from my daughter during her freshman year of college was, "Mom what buttons do I push on the washing machine? I don't want to ruin my clothes?" I took shear enjoyment in this. She didn't see the humor in her crisis but I was certainly relieved that this was the worst of her problems!  

    So then, why does the course, "Life Skills" bring up so many negative reactions? I think sometimes parents get upset because to be honest, these are the types of skills that parents can teach at home. In today's society though parents are so overwhelmed with their busy lives, some life skills have to go on the back burner! Students get upset because they look at Life Skills Courses as lower level courses which perhaps they are but they come with big benefits! Being prepared for life, allows new graduates to focus on career, technical school, the armed forces, or college. Knowing how to live independently gives the newly graduated the opportunity to devote their complete attention to the new roles they pursue as young adults. 
   So, I proposed an old course with a twist to my employer which I want to share. I am currently writing the course description and curriculum to begin teaching it in the 2015-2016 school year. I teach self-contained middle school children. The best career choice for me! I'm beyond excited to plan and teach this revamped course!
   Many students who have special needs, fall into a cycle of learned helplessness. A condition where two separate but related things can happen: 1) A person gets so used to others helping him/her that s/he no longer tries on his/her own. 2) A person gets so used to failing at controlling things in his/her life with no rewards that they no longer try. These people become dependent on others for most everything. I do not want any of my students to fall into the trap of learned helplessness! 
   So we will learn life skills in a very positive way, by helping others! It is said that those who help others, help themselves. I believe this to be true. When teaching others or helping others the skills being taught are driven home. 
     This year, my 7^th/8^th self-contained students got a taste of  helping others through the “Not Perfect Hat Club” and flourished. For a little while they had their spotlight in the sun! They designed, measured, cut, sewed, and sold not perfect hats to raise money for global literacy. They then taught others how to make hats through Skype. Look at all the life skills gained in just this one project!  This got me thinking, why can’t we do this all of the time? My kids need life skills. Organizations and regular people need help all of the time! It’s a win- win situation! Life Skills with real life purpose! 

Damien showing the Northeast Hamilton Students in Iowa how to sew a not perfect hat!

   

We are currently working on raising money to help those devastated by the earthquakes in Nepal to build new schools. We have connected with Sunny Thakral a teacher at The British School in Kathmandu. We are taking donations of any amount as low as a penny for paper bricks to build a paper school in our school! Each brick will bear the name of the contributor. The proceeds will be sent to Nepal. I can't wait until my students have to count the money and figure out the exchange for Nepalese Rupees! 

The outline of our paper school thank you to Miss Badger M. S. art teacher and Mrs. Faryniarz our classroom aide for your help!

Mrs. Aubin laying the second brick by the door!

   We have already lined up a Special Olympic project for the fall. We will lead the Icon sales Initiative for the Special Olympics. The Paper torches that we sell and the posters we make for the athletes will be hung at the Glens Falls, New York Civic Center for the October Games. I'm hoping that we'll be able to attend the games!
    The sky is the limit for teaching life skills and serving others at the same time. My students will be learning needed skills, helping others, gaining self-respect, and earning community service hours needed for graduation all at the same time. They will have the skills, achievement, and giving humanitarian heart that is needed to be a well rounded thriving adult. 

5/25/2015 Our paper school for Nepal is growing daily! We have a foundation! 

Why? (A poem)

Why you ask? 
Why? 
The answer is easy. 
Love and sensitivity. 
Caring and the ability to give back. 
The ability to find out why as if the human inside the human is living in his/her own world.
Why must everyone be the same I ask? 
Why must everyone need to participate in the world in the same way? 
Why must everyone be cared for in the same way?
Is there truly a right or wrong way to live?
Is there only one way to do each task?
If there is only one way to live...one way to do, one way to be....
         then there would only be one....
                One with different faces....?
                       One with different feelings.....?
So why is there only one instead of many?
Why?
The answer is easy.
There are many.
They are all different.
They all have different thoughts....
     different needs....
           different ways of being cared for
                  different ways of seeing their world....
                         different ways of being loved
                                different ways of accepting love.
This is why I do what I do, because to me the difference is clear, and the reason is Love.
         

High Stakes Testing Tips that Ease the Pain...Airline Method

 

   

 The hype over standardized testing has become so overwhelming all over the globe that no wonder kids fear them! Their teachers spend day after day drilling them and telling them that they must focus so that they do well on their "tests"! Day after day they learn new ways of computation in math and analyzing text that simply mind-boggles them! They go home and turn on their television and still can't get away from hearing about high stakes tests. The news commentators are talking about them, even comedians are talking about them! Then they hear their parents and guardians discussing "Do we 'opt out' or not!" Kids start to think that these tests must be awful if their parents who usually enforce the rule that they must do good in school and do all of their work are thinking about not letting them take these tests! So on testing day the kids who have to take the test timidly walk by the room where all of the "lucky" kids sit whose parents have opted them out! Those kids look like they are having fun, while the kids who have to take the test feel like they are walking into their doom!

 
    I had eight brave special education students bravely walk into my classroom on all six days of testing to face their biggest demon..."The state test!".  I'm pretty sure that my heart strings and those of my aides invisibly wrapped themselves around these kids to let them know that they were not alone and no matter what these tests would not hurt them. Did I lie to them? No! I told them straight up that these tests are hard but we will do our best with all of the skills that we know. We do know a lot, just not everything! We are not quitters so we will strive for perfection! I also told them that these tests can absolutely not hurt them. they will not affect their grades. They will absolutely go on to the next grade as long as their classroom grades are passing.To ease their fear and pain, these are my tips. They are not for everybody because different schools and states have different policies. 

Mitt Aubin's Tips for High Stake Testing:

1) Prepare: Preparing for the state tests eases the students pain.  To practice for the ELA test we read a lot and add lots of new vocabulary words. We also learn who to use a graphic organizer to organize text into essays. We use a very basic top down web adapted from "Keys to Literacy"  It's simple and easy to follow. 

   For my students, I make it one step simpler. I tell them to write a topic sentence using words from the question itself. this goes in the place of the main topic as they have a blank graphic organizer. Next I ask them to find three details that support their topic sentence from the text. These go into the main idea spots. In the sub-topic area they write corresponding ideas that add depth to their supporting details. Then on the bottom of their web, I have added a rectangle for their conclusion sentence. I ask them to write their conclusion sentence like their topic sentence using synonyms or closely related word. My 6th-8th graders read on various levels from pre-primer to 5th grade. They struggle, but using this method, they have learned to write a decent essay. This builds their confidence in high stakes test where the reading contains many words that they are unable to decode. Given the words they do know, they are able to kind of get the gist of the passages.

   Math is difficult. I have students who can barely add and subtract who must take their grade level state test. I of course want them to do well, but more importantly I want them to feel confident during the test and leave it feeling like they did okay. Two out of three days of testing they can use a calculator. So this year we learned how to use calculators! Throughout the year we have "Big Group Days" where I teach and reinforce the "BIG Skills" that will be on their state tests. I don't want them to get to the test and think, "What is that"!!! So everything on the test they have seen and practiced! They often can do it in class with guidance but on test day they get confused and struggle. However, since they have seen it before, they think "maybe I can do this." I also have skill building days in my math class where each child has his or her own folder to work on IEP goals, and on areas of weakness. I also usually give them a page or two of the "Big Skills" as review. This system seems to work out well. 

     I'd love high scores on the state tests as do all teachers. I however believe that the kids come first and keeping them interested and confident during difficult testing times is what I value most for them.

2) Feed them!:  Who wants to take a test on an empty belly! There will be "No Hungry Kids" in my class during state testing! The classroom aide and I feed them. Mrs. Faryniarz, a former baker, made homemade banana bread on day one, melt in your mouth cinnamon rolls on day two, and a cheesy, vegetable filled omelet on day three! Each day they had a choice of milk, apple juice, orange juice, or water. Delicious! 

 

With full, happy, bellies, my students were ready to rock and roll the state tests!

3) Testing Treat Bags: Included in the "Testing Treat Bags: are spearmint candies, gum, and smarties! Did you know that spearmint is known to help people think? Spearmint has manganese in it which promotes healthy brain function and energy! Plus, the action of chewing gum gets blood pumping to the head! Lastly Smarties! Everyone knows that Smarties make you smarter, right?

4) Materials:  Make sure that everyone has all of the materials needed to be successful during the test, especially #2 pencils and a sturdy eraser! Highlighters are beneficial too! For the math test, when allowed a calculator, ruler, and protractor may also be necessary! 

Our classroom aide, Mrs. Faryniraz. Doesn't she look at ease on our testing day?

There is nothing like a good working calculator and smiling kids right before the test!

5)  Finally clear directions:  Mrs. Faryniarz and I use the "airline method"! As the pilot, I carefully read all of the directions to my silent, engaged students. My classroom aide, Mrs. Faryniarz acts as the airline attendant by demonstrating each step. Our airline method engages our "passengers" and eases their anxiety. When I say "begin" without hesitation, they begin.

"No cell phones or electronic devices"

"You may use...

     Final word...students come to school tense and worried on "testing day" this is not optimal for top performance. The airline method is simple: Be prepared to avoid disaster, treat the students (passengers) with respect and kindness, the same way we all want to be treated, and since everyone all ready knows that testing is serious business, keep it lighthearted! I promise your students will do their very best work! Good-luck! #Globalsped 

The First Cry is Life Itself..Champion Kids With Hero Parents

   

     The last push and then stillness as a child is born. Anticipation of a hearty cry, a cry that signifies good health and vitality. Not every mother hears a hearty cry from their infant. When this happens, the cry comes from the mother deep from her soul itself due to the despair of broken dreams and helplessness. She knows intuitively that something is not right with her child. That cry whether from the infant or the mother symbolizes that they are one.

   Their are many cries after a delivery. The first cry, usually the infant's followed by it's parents and down the line as each family member and friend meets the child for the first time.  The first cry is life itself. When something goes wrong either during pregnancy or during delivery, parental affection does not end.  A parent's job from the moment of conception or adoption is to be that child's protector and guardian. Heartstrings are quickly attached, so strong that no one can sever them. From that last push to that baby's first cry the mother is bound by eternal love for her child. Healthy or not, that baby is a part of the mother and of course the father too. Parent's want what is best for their child.
        Parent's dream of idyllic children who effortlessly pass through each phase of life, filled with accomplishments and many friends. If you read Facebook or letters included in holiday cards, pages are filled with joy and accolades of how well the children and grandchildren have done and how beautiful they are. Every child is a gift to be cherished.
     However, in reality, at any stage in life, learning issues, illness or accidents can strike.  Then what? Are these children any less accomplished or lovely? Absolutely not. These children become champions who should be marveled for their for their strength, endurance, and tenacity. They are the ones who should be showcased for setting the standards that we should all follow. These kids are the ones with a strong work ethic because each day is a struggle and instead of giving up they forge ahead just to make through another day.  The parents who step up to the plate and stand by their child are heroes.  Having a sick or disabled child takes an enormous amount of energy. The whole world expects the parents to go on as usual when in reality their brains are racing trying to figure out the best way to help their child, while their stomachs churn from anxiety and their hearts are heavy and dark except for the one pink spot that is their child. Their child beats life into their tired hearts. It's a funny thing but no matter what else is happening in the world, when a parent sees their child, love takes over. Love is what makes that parent fight for answers. Love is

what gets the child through every day because s/he knows that at the end of it mom and dad are still going to be there to say "I love you," just like they have every day since that first cry.
   While all disabilities and illnesses test the human spirit, it's the invisible ones that come late in childhood or young adulthood that really test those heartstrings. When mental illnesses like: schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder,anorexia, bulimia, anxiety, depression with or without suicidal idealization...etc. take over the child's brain the heartstrings are really tugged on. Through no fault of their own these seemingly healthy children can become strangers. These hidden illnesses change them in ways that are out of their control. They may hurt themselves, physically or with drugs or alcohol in an attempt to soothe themselves. They may push those closest to them away. They may do things that make absolutely no sense to anybody but themselves. This is where friends and family walk away saying things to parents like, "Stop enabling", "S/he needs to knock it off, "S/he needs to grow-up," or "Let go before your life is ruined."   To these parents I say, "trust your heart and your instincts." Parents are their child's strongest advocate. They know their child better than anyone else. These parents are heroes who never stop believing in their child. They listen to the professionals but still trust their own instincts to get the best services for their child. These parents listen to their kids. These parents know that when their child's behavior changes it's not because the child is bad, it's because something is not right in the child's world. Instead of blaming the child, that parent will once again do the spectacular work that super parents do and find out why that child is behaving this way and will begin a crusade to get the child what s/he needs to bring stability to his/her world again. People forget that parents have known their children since that first cry.
     The first cry is life itself and there will hopefully be thousands more before the last. To all of the parents who advocate for their children through ever tear, this special educator cries "Thank you."


Also, Please check out my web page @ mittaubin.weebly.com
   

Old School Meets New School on Twitter Chat- Find Your PLN

    I love being an educator, old school or new school, I love it all! I even sort of appreciate paperwork, not because I like it really, but it keeps me in check making absolutely sure that I am doing everything I'm supposed to do to help my students achieve their goals. Back when I first started teaching special education, IEP's (Individual Education Plans) were still hand written! Computers were not yet in classrooms! I am old

school with a new school twist! I love being exactly what I am!

I love technology and I love new teachers because I need them so much! They are always kind and don't mind getting this almost oldie, but goody up and going with whatever technology question I have! I'm learning! I love being an oldie too, because in the back of my brain I have a repertoire of  bare bones educational games that work well in a pinch when the technology goes haywire and the planned lesson can't go as planned! The young teachers are sometimes amazed with the old school way, that make we teachers appear  seemingly flawless to our students, when we are really under pressure because our original lesson needs to be tweaked 24/7 due to a technological glitch. The students enjoy the old school activities as well as the new school strategies. Students like all activities that are creative and new, they don't necessarily care if they are high tech or not! 
     There is a place where old school meets new school..it's called Twitter chat! Eight short months ago discovered

Twitter and unknowingly changed my world and improved my teaching! I came upon something completely unexpected, a pln (personal learning network). I have made connections with educators, school administrators, university professors, authors, and experts in every field.

I have encountered amazing people in my network from around the globe. Many have become personal friends. They are from: Canada, Scotland, New Zealand, Nepal, Ireland, Germany, Australia, England, India, Africa, Asia...and America of course, nearly all fifty states! We share ideas and strategies, resources, and collaborate. We debate, discuss our unique educational issues, and exchange our global perspectives. We also, exchange photographs of our pets, our classrooms, our landscapes, and most recently our holiday dinners! I even received a virtual birthday cake from New Zealand and virtual birthday cards from Canada and the United States!  I have learned that each person in  my pln brings something new to the table even if it is a different perspective or a virtual casserole (Pun intended!)!
   My pln has energized me and helped me to become a modern educator! I know way more than I did a year ago about how to reach my students! I have even met students who have engaged ideas with my students through postal mail, Twitter, and Skype! Now, I'm on a one teacher mission to get other educators or those in related fields involved! As far as I know, I'm the only person in my district that takes part in Twitter "Ed-chats". I go to school each day bursting with excitement to share my latest discoveries in education with my colleagues. Mostly, they are overworked and tired and without ever experiencing an Ed-chat, it sounds too much like "more work"! It's not more work though. It almost creates less work because chats put our current teaching practices into focus and sometimes these current practices are enhanced or seen in a new way that in the end give value to us and our students! Ed-chats are like a social gathering with people who are like- minded and actually understand what you are saying. I come home from work every day and try to share a story that I think is amazing with my family. I love my family dearly, but often get an, "Uh-huh" or "sounds good", with an enthusiastic tail wag from my dog, who really just wants a belly rub! I can't blame them, teaching isn't their "thing", it's my thing! This is why Ed-chats are so important and fun! We get each other! We need each other! We are all on the same page!
    As for joining Ed-chats, be not afraid! Jump in! Everyone is always nice and always helpful. You can find a list of ed-chats at @http://bit.ly/officialchatlist.  There is a chat for everybody! I've joined chats that I'm not "certified" for and have always been asked to stay for my view on the topic! There is even a chat for new people: #Nt2T . I still frequent this chat because I consider myself a newbie.  I learn

something new every time I Ed-chat! One of the best pieces of advice I received was to add a "Tweet Deck" so I did! Then I needed help using my Tweet Deck! However, as much as I like the Tweet Deck, I usually still use my regular Twitter account and notifications to follow an Ed-chat! Remember we are all new at something often, so ask questions! Look at the Official Chat list for times and groups that interest you. To date, I've attended: #Nt2T, #sunchat #edchat #colchat #INZpirED #satchat #mschat #asiaed #txeduchat #lidchat #aussiechat #edtechchat!  This is my beginners list but there are so many more, six pages in fact! Oh, and do not let the (#) hashtag scare you. The hashtag is simply a label of sorts to help you to identify keywords, certain topics, or to help you aid your searchers. When you participate in a chat simply use a hashtag followed by the chat name so that you are automatically routed to that exact chat! The hashtag label can go before or after your comment. Oh and yes, of course I had to ask about this too when I participated in my first chat!
    After a while you will see familiar faces on various chats and before long you will have your own set of Ed-chat friends who will actually invite you to more Ed-chats! These great people will become a big part of your pln.


 

Special Education Students Soar to New Heights

   Miss Jenaia aka as Jena Ball, the author and creator of The Not Perfect Hat Club, inspires one child at a time in her unique, positive and supportive way. Every child is a star. Every child leaves her lessons a winner who internalizes his/her new found skills. Miss Jenaia has the perfect mix of art, mutts, and literature that reaches all learners young and old alike!   Name a child who doesn't love animals, or drawing, or listening to a book that teaches about, love, acceptance, and dogs!   I know not a one!

     In the introduction to Poco a Poco (little-by-little), she has stated, "I have come to believe that children who are given the chance to love and care for pets learn

empathy,understanding, and responsibility. This in turn, prepares them to become caring, respectful, and responsible adults. We need many of those kinds of adults as we can get, don't you agree?" Yes Miss Jena, this teacher agrees!

        I often let the people who have touched me in a positive way know that I am better from having known them. Thirteen of my perfectly not perfect special education students, five aides, and myself are better for having known Miss Jenaia (Jena Ball), her business partner, Marty Keltz, and her public relations expert, Karin Lippert, and of course Newton, Lance, and their friends! They brought us to new heights! We did the unimaginable and surprised a whole community with our worth!
     Today's blog is about honesty, kids, and triumph. Several student's writings will appear throughout this piece. To me, I am fortunate enough to teach the most amazing kids anywhere! I believe in them everyday, even on their worst days. When one of them has a meltdown, my insides melt too, while my exterior remains firm and fair. My insides melt right along with them because I want this kid to know what I know that "s/he can do it! That s/he has what it takes to be successful, and likable." My outside stays firm and fair because there are consequences for our actions and I'd much rather give out positive consequences than not! I have to be fair, yet firm to almost plead with this student to stop because s/he is better than whatever is causing this meltdown. We must get to the heart of the matter. We can get through anything as a team! Sometimes my pleas stop the meltdown and I am able to show the student just how great s/he is. Miss Jenaia helped us to bring out more of our strengths.

Oh No!
    Initially when Jena and Marty asked me to become an NPHC Educator, I was so excited, because it was the chance I wanted to show everyone what I see in my students. I see warm-hearted kids who work hard, and want to be noticed just like everyone else. Realistically, as perfect as I see my kids, the chances of them becoming valedictorian, sports stars, essay contest winners, or class officers is slim. Year after year they sit back with smiles and see  the accolades go to other students. They clap and congratulate them but what does this do to their heart? Why can't they be part of the hoopla? Through the "Not Perfect Hat Club" it was our time to shine! 
   Sorry, Miss Jena, and Mr. Keltz but our first round circle conversation about being part of the NPHC did not go quite as enthusiastically as I had planned. The one thing my kids don't want is to be looked upon as "different". I can't say I blame them. They worried that all of this hoopla would make them stand out and maybe they'd look silly or worse, teased! 

     So, I made a pact with them that we would not be teased, we would be stars! We would be the first classroom to join "The Not Perfect Hat Club". Others across the world would follow us. We would be the first to hear the first chapter in Jena Ball's new book, The Not Perfect Hat Club, read by her character Miss Jenaia over Skype! We would be taught to illustrate the main character, "Newton" just like Jena Ball does! Then, because we are  people who can make a difference, we will find a way to sponsor the NPHC to help enhance global literacy for other kids just like all of the kids in Whitehall! They said they'd try! I love them, they always try!

Found enthusiasm

   We Meet Miss Jena/Jenaia:

     January 20th, 2015, we Skyped with Miss Jenaia for the first time! We surprised her with our plan for earning funds for the NPHC Global program...we are all wearing "Not Perfect Hats" that we made ourselves! We came up with a game plan to make hats and have a hat day! I contacted my two favorite seamstresses: Aunt Linda and Teacher Barb!  They liked my plan and helped me to detail it! Our aide Mrs. Farynirarz also sews, so we went into action! I bought fleece, and thread, and yarn, and needles! We borrowed sewing machines! We taught all twelve kids how to make their own hat! Our Principal, Ms. McHugh approved our plan! Ms. Jenaia loved our plan! 

     Miss Jenaia read us the first chapter in her book, "The Not Perfect Hat Club". We drew Newton! We did great! We scheduled a second visit with Miss to teach her how to make a hat and how to make flyers for our hat day extravaganza!

The Process has Begun:

     Little did my class know it but thirteen leaders were about to be born.  Why thirteen? During the process one child moved on and another came aboard!  My students developed twelve steps to making a not perfect hat! We taught Miss Jenaia how to make hats. Then in our "free" time we made hundreds of hats and flyers for our hat sale and hat day! The best part is, Mitt Aubin's students are not slackers, they also completed their school work! 

Miss Jenaia in her Not Perfect Hat!

The Transformation is Complete:
    The WCSD Not Perfect Hat Club did what no one ever thought they would do! They:
1) Came up with a solid business plan.
2) Designed an unique product.
3) Measured, cut, sewed, and finished their fleece hats 
    almost flawlessly!
4) Determined a fair and affordable sales price for their 
     product.
5) Advertised their product with a bulletin board and flyers.
6) Planned a school wide event to sell hats for three days 
    during lunch, and have a "Not Perfect Hat Day" complete
    with prize categories and winners!
7) Designed their sales space and asked Mr. Reynold's their 
    technology teacher to make them a "hat tree" to match the 
    NPHC logo! He so kindly did!
8) Learned to handle the money during the hat sale and how
     to treat customers! We became a true sales team!
9)  Learned what "Mail order" is and sold Not Perfect Hats 
     through mail order by advertising on social media.
10) Did morning announcements in the front office to
       announce our Not Perfect Hat Events! Public speaking!
11) Created collection cans for the NPHD event. Price, 
    $1.00 to wear a "Not Perfect Hat " all day in school. Miss 
     Jena provided cool "Newton" stickers for the event.
12)  Collected money and handed out Newton stickers to 
       NPHD participants.
13)  Choose winners for the first annual "Not Perfect Hat 
       Day" Competition!
14)  We were interviewed for local newspapers
      and were on the news...two different  television stations! 
      WE DID IT!!!  WE WERE THE STARS!!!  Nobody 
       laughed at us! People congratulated us! It was so 
       awesome! We raised and donated nearly $800.00 for 
       the  global Not Perfect Hat Club. Best 
       yet, people loved our hats and came back for more!

Selling Hats!

Putting our hat tree away for the day!

CBS News 6

Teaching Other Students Nationally Through Skype:
     Our Latest achievement was to Skype with a third grade class in Iowa at the Northeast Hamilton School.  Mrs. Tammy Massman is their teacher. They will be making the hats that we taught them how to make and will be sponsoring their first "Not Perfect Hat Day" in their school. It is said that the best way to learn is by teaching. Thirteen kids at WCSD have become designers, public speakers, writers, illustrators, entrepreneurs, teachers, and our next feat is to mentor younger students who want to become a part of the "Not Perfect Hat Club," right here in the Whitehall Elementary School. We can't wait! 

Skyping with third graders in Iowa.

     Our NPHC journey is not ending here. Miss Jena is creating guidelines for us to become NPHC Ambassadors! I know we will be able to accomplish this goal! 
     In two short months, Miss Jena has taught us all that we can do and more. We can do amazing things that impact children around the world all from our small town in the Adirondack Mountains!  We all need to learn empathy, understanding, and responsibility. I, with thirteen children who want to learn and do more, will accomplish new things everyday with Jena Ball, Marty Keltz and the Not Perfect Hat Club cheering us on all of the way!