Each week Ruth Ayres extends an invitation to share and celebrate events, big or small, from our week.
Christmas is magical. For me as a parent, nothing was better than Christmas through the eyes of a 4 or 5 year old. While teaching 4th graders, Christmas became tricky because certain discussions were avoided. While teaching 6th graders, Christmas is altogether different. Seems there is little time for celebration and "fun stuff" as my students would put it.
But this year was different. My school held a door decorating contest, and I saw Chrstmas through the eyes of middle schoolers.
They were democratic as they nominated and voted on an idea. They were creative as they worked out a plan to accomplish the task. They worked as a team and delegated jobs.
But most of all, they had fun. They sneaked around to see what other classes were doing, and created rumors that classes would be eliminated because teachers helped them (it was to be student-led). They talked smack and strutted around bragging and believing they would be declared the winner. Just as middle schoolers do.
Unfortunately, none of these doors are mine, but I celebrate a great ending to our last week before break.
Wow! Love this idea and sending this post onto our principal. What a creative way to engage the students. Merry Christmas :)
ReplyDeleteWe did this at our school too! So fun!
ReplyDeleteAll special and unique to the groups. They must have loved this very much. Happy Holidays, Leigh Anne.
ReplyDeleteSuch fun! I think I will suggest this for next year at my school!
ReplyDeleteClearly fun to make and watch. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWe had a door decorating contest at our school too. Such a fun way to celebrate this season. I love your take on middle schoolers. You are right on! Merry Christmas, friend!
ReplyDeleteWe did this last year. Our middle schoolers LOVED it!
ReplyDeleteThat's a fun activity! It sounds like it was a great opportunity for your students to work together, problem solve, and be creative. Very cool.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun view of the middle school mind. I love this adventure. Our doors are exposed to the outside so I don't know if it would hold up in our environment. Even though we have warm(er) weather, wind and rain ended our week. Thank you for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteI love everything about this! And I must say, being in a K-8 building has really shown me how awesome middle schoolers really are. I adore their creative thinking and the way they embrace fun!
ReplyDeleteLeigh Anne, these doors are creative. What a fun way to celebrate joy prior to the holidays.
ReplyDeleteFun is important. :)
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