These are a few of my favorite things

Sometimes you just have to go back to what makes you happy.

Last week I did a watercolor painting project with my students. I had done this project many years ago when I was teaching art for fun at Chester when Jeff was in sixth grade. The project came to my mind when I was thinking that I really needed to do something fun with my students.

Autumn and watercolor painting used to be two of my favorite things. BT. Before teaching.

This year I've tried to recapture my enjoyment of autumn. I decorated this year. I've also tried to squeeze in some time for watercolors. By the time I come home from work, I'm just wiped out. I thought about this project and decided to try it with my students. They did a fabulous job...much better than the sixth graders did many years ago. I realized that it was a direct reflection of my teaching. I now know how to chunk the instructions into small, doable pieces. After over a year of being in my classroom, these students also know how to listen for the most part, and follow directions. It was so fun to paint with them.

I was very pleased with the results and so were they. I can't wait to mount them with a sensory poem piece and get them on the wall just in time for conferences.

While in my art room, looking at these beautiful masterpieces all laid out on the bed, I had a nice conversation with my dear, long-suffering friend, Judi.

Lying on the windowsill, chatting with her, my two furry companions on the floor right by me, guarding me from who knows what, and my wonderful husband puttering around improving our home, I thought about how blessed I am.

I hope you are enjoying some of your favorite things this autumn.