Heart Choices: The Joy of Learning -->

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The Joy of Learning


There is a joy in learning.  I've always had a love for reading.  As a child, I vividly remember my mom reading to me.  I would sit with her for hours. I think these memories are so strong for me since I was sedentary the first seven years of my life due to a congenital heart defect.

But now I get to participate with three and four year old children as they are beginning to learn to read.  Each week, they have new sight words such as "the", "as", "see", etc.

The children get very excited as they learn new words and get to read to one another.  At the end of the week, they get to take their little books home and we ask them who they will read them to.  The replies include ...my dog, my mom, my baby sister.

When the children sit in a group, they are expected to sit "criss cross applesauce".  We often have to remind them of this.  Anika forgot and seems to be getting very relaxed here.  :)

During PE class, the children participated in a Jump Rope for Heart fundraiser.  It was kind of hard for our little ones to actually jump rope.  But we were so glad to get a little help from the fourth graders.  They teamed up with the children to show them how to jump rope.

It seems that every PE class has its pitfalls.  Inevitably, there's a boo boo involved.

But it's amazing how a Dora the Explorer band-aid helps make it all feel better.

I'm looking forward to this new week.  We are going to have a Snow Day.  In Scottsdale, this is challenging given our recent 70 degree temperatures.  But there's nothing like manufactured snow to play in! At the end of the week, we have Pajama Day.  I had to check my closet to find some PJ's that would be appropriate as the teachers get to wear them to school too. :)

Have I mentioned how much I love working at Rancho Solano?

#332  Eyes light up as the children learn more new words
#333  Observing the children read to one another
#334  Realizing how often the children imitate what Heidi and I say each day
#335  The excitement as the children applaud when good manners are being used
#336  Learning new motor skills such as jumping rope
#337  Watching the children learn early that exercise is important for heart health
#338  The smile on Olivia's face after a band-aid is applied
#339  Greg's mom is home from the hospital and doing much better
#340  Coming home to a meal prepared by my  husband Greg almost every day 
#341  So thankful that Greg is a great cook and very creative (no recipe)
#342  Amazing weather with temperatures in the mid to high 70's
#343  A wonderful verse by verse study of the Book of Revelation at church by Pastor George Stroh (yes Linda's husband)
#344  A wonderful working relationship with Heidi; we work so well as a team
#345  My dad called from Florida so excited when a friend from Sons of Norway came up to him and mentioned that she was Facebook friends with his daughter (me)
#346  Arranging a family reunion of some of the Sumstad's who are traveling through Arizona in February at the Farm at South Mountain

Photo Credit: The Farm at South Mountain

I'm linking up with Ann Voscamp of A Holy Experience as I continue to count my every day blessings.  Isn't it time you joined in?



Blessings and love,

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Debbie Petras
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8 comments:

  1. Oh, Debbie, had no idea about your congenital heart defect. I assume that you are okay now.

    My two Grans love to be read to and their CiCi loves to read to them. Clancy has heard Brown Bear so many times now that he can "read" (recite) it back to us. So cute!

    Yea, for your Hubby and cooking. My Hubby grills occasionally but the kitchen is not his forte. :o)

    Blessings for a wonderful week with the little ones.

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  2. This is why I teach! I am so grateful that we get the opportunity to work together and bask in the glow of children learning. This week should be extra fun :)
    Heidi

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  3. I haven't taught college students for 3 years - but I feel that way about teaching college students - just loving every detail, step, challenge of the way. I love it that my boys had teachers like you for each of their age groups who immersed themselves in the details of who they were and what they did. Your gifting uplifts me!

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  4. Good morning! I love coming here and hearing about your kids Debbie. Soo cute. I love their little faces. I don't remember getting read to much... : ( But I sure do remember reading to mine. They ALL loved to be read to even when they were older and could read for themselves. "Read it to me mom." I can hear it still. Good memories. Have a wonderful day. I always enjoy your thankful list. HUGS

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  5. I so enjoy reading your thanks list and the pictures of the children learning and playing. So sweet.

    Some of my favorite school memories are of teachers reading to us and then later going to the library and checking out those same books and reading them myself.

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  6. It must be such fun being with all those kiddos, watching them learn and grow. They are all so cute. The Lord sure put you in the right place to bless and be blessed!
    xo

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  7. There's no doubt that you will one day show up on those children's list of gratitudes! Devoted & loving teachers are not a common commodity, especially those that convey the love the God.

    It's amazing to see where you've been planted, and how much you've flourished in so short a time.

    Love you,
    Kathleen

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  8. Aww... they read to their dogs. How sweet is that!?! So glad to hear your husband's mom is doing well. My husband is a good cook too. Such a gift! :)

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