Teacher, Now Student

I think it's a great practice for teachers to experience how it feels not to know how to do something. To remember how it feels to be unsure and vulnerable. For me, it helps to remind me what my students are feeling and experiencing on a daily basis. Today, I stepped into the role of student... And it was wonderful. It was, as I expected, difficult and frustrating, but the pride that came with the challenge was worth the work. I (drumroll, please...) wrote in Hebrew for the very first time!

I am astonished by my students, they're so good at it and I'm so... well, not. My first graders are practicing Hebrew names for clothing and I wanted to provide them reinforcement during library centers (yes, I finally started doing centers. I love them! But, more on that in a later post). I created some felt "paper" dolls (again, check back for another post on my felt fashion creations), and the Hebrew clothing labels, the center gives them time to match the two together. Instead of asking a Hebrew teacher to create the labels for me, I did it myself! One of the Hebrew teachers quickly jotted the correct letters down on a scrap of paper and then I did the rest. Check it out, I'm pretty proud of myself!

Just a Little More Tu B'Shevat

Okay, I promise this is the last Tu B'Shevat-insipred post, but I just couldn't resist sharing the piece de resistance! And I won't say much, because I think it speaks for itself...

The tree is made of recycled brown paper bags, the leaves are pages from an old book (cut into heart shapes and painted with green tempera paint), the wording is made from twigs picked up off of the school playground, and the moss is from Hobby Lobby (it would have taken waaaaay too long to dry moss from outside--this is Seattle, after all).

 Also, I had to share the transformation the library took on Tu B'Shevat when we welcomed other Jewish day schools from around the city. Our head of school created this beautiful (and lovely smelling) space...

More Tu B'Shevat Decor

It's interesting that a month ago I had never heard of Tu B'Shevat and now, it is quickly becoming one of my favorite Jewish holidays. It certainly provides ample opportunities to decorate the library. And I will take any excuse I can get in order to decorate. Needless to say, when I saw Dena's beautiful line-drawn trees over at Chai & Home, I knew I had to try to create some garland of my own.

First and foremost, I will never claim to be an artist. I can trace like a madman, but anything beyond that usually turns out to be a disappointment. So, when Dena said that the trees were "dead easy to draw even if you never, ever, ever draw," I thought I was good to go. Well, you be the judge. I think some are adorable and others are, well... a little lopsided-rainbow-ish looking.

Regardless, once they were hung in the library (from a distance) they added a nice, rustic touch and I loved the look of the recycled brown paper bag and cotton string. I just adore the little clothespins (granted, I have to adore them, I think I drove 30+ miles to get them). And the best part, because the school is settled in a beautiful forest-y area, I think the garland might stay up in the window for the foreseeable future.

Tu B'Shevat Decor

My first year at a Jewish school has been a wonderful learning experience. I am especially excited to be introduced to all of the holidays and I am incredibly lucky to have such patient and supportive co-workers (and students) who are eager to slowly explain (and re-explain) holidays, traditions, food, religious practices, the list goes on and on.

One holiday I am anxious to start decorating for is Tu B'Shevat (unsure of what that is? Check out this great resource for a basic explanation). I love that the holiday celebrates trees and the environment. I was thrilled to be able to display my dear (and tremendously) talented friend, Luke Robertson's artwork.

If you look closely, you will see that he used the branches to spell the following: "Write to be Understood, Speak to be Heard, Read to Grow." This quote comes from legendary UCLA librarian, Lawrence Clark Powell. As a tribute, Luke carved Powell's name into the trunk of the tree.

I wanted to create a fun background for the piece and used Eric Carle (again, I know, but I LOVE him!) as an inspiration... I painted white tissue paper with various greens, let them dry and attached them to the bulletin board before hanging the tree. I am incredibly pleased with how it looks, I am thrilled for others to see it!

*I am currently working on a giant tree made out of recycled materials and tree-themed garland, check back later to see if they come to fruition!