Things I am Thankful For...

Thanksgiving Break is around the corner.  It's time to think about family, food, and gratitude. Last week we created a class book on foods we're thankful for- this is part of the work we have done around our community food drive.  Our school has a garden and the veggies it produces go to the food pantry in the spring, and we collect canned and dry goods around Thanksgiving.  Our class took a tour of the food pantry and helped make sandwiches to pass out to the homeless.

Afterwards, we talked about healthy foods we enjoy eating.  Each student wrote about their favorite healthy food and how they prepare it.  They illustrated it and we created the book.  I was impressed by their palates. Sweet potatoes, brussel sprouts with butter, salt and pepper, artichoke, broccoli, gnocchi, lentils, black beans and rice, mango, raspberries, apples and peanut butter, and chicken. One child wrote about "marshmallow vegetables." Every time I asked what they were, she said they were vegetables for people who don't like vegetables. They taste like marshmallows.  I am still trying to figure that one out!

Anyway, this made the think of all the things I am thankful for.  I thought I would list them below:

1. When the most difficult child in the class is absent (preferably with a flu that knocks him out for a week)
2. Vodka
3. Specials. Art, Music, PE, Computer Lab.  That half hour a day is beautiful.
4. Teacher's Discount Cards (Barnes and Noble, Joanne's, etc.)
5. Thanksgiving Break, Winter Break, Midwinter Break, Spring Break, Summer Vacation
6. Silent Reading
7. My enormous paycheck
8. Friday afternoons when the class has earned a movie... ah, peace!
9. Pencil skirts (not actual pencils, which pretty much drive me crazy with their constant need for sharpening)
10. The lovely little thank you notes and pictures that students leave on my desk. Makes the whole thing worth it!