What do the History Channel and a man named Draco from Switzerland have in common? Two really important things:
1. They both send us mail.
2. They are both awesome.
Not only is the History Channel flying me to Nashville to judge their most awesome PICK and TELL contest, but they also sent my students mail. Yeah, that's right every student in my class got a gift from the History Channel (and they even gave me a CIVIL WAR teaching kit....that is a double score!). So here is one SUPER-MEGA-TRON THANK YOU from ONE MAGIC CLASSROOM!
History Channel = Happiness
MAIL FROM SWITZERLAND:
DRACO STYLE!
This is for you Draco Szathmary. Since starting our blog only a few short months ago, we now have readers from over 30 countries, that's right 30! And we're not stopping there. We are dedicated to spreading happiness around the world, and we really love when people read and respond to our blog. Draco has not only commented on almost all of our blog posts, but he has also sent us mail on several different occasions. So here is another big thank you, for reminding my students that what they are doing is important and to YOU for taking the time to write us (p.s. tell your mom I said hi).
REALLY IMPORTANT QUESTIONS FOR YOU DRACO
The great thing about kids, is if you put a camera in front of their face, they'll turn boring into magical in about 2.3 seconds.
Colton insisted on making the "chipmunk" face. So there you have it (and yeah this totally cracks your teacher up Colton, especially since the postcard is upside down).
Even though e-mails are convenient, real mail is twenty million times more special and exciting. A hand written letter is a simple reminder of how wonderful it is to be YOU. For after all, you have your own unique handwriting, and your own special way of picking out just the right card.
"The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are."
I once wrote a children's book called The Wonder Box several years ago while in college. My professor thought I should try and publish it, and so began my many failed attempts at publishing it (rejection letters as they call it in the publishing world). Yet, as fate would have it this rejected book ended up in the hands of Mike Wolfe. Wolfe liked it so much that he thought we should do a book together. So here is another tribute to failures that will eventually lead somewhere. Do what you believe in, and somewhere along the way someone will believe in you. Yes Mike Wolfe, thank you for believing in me.
Can't say I ever thought I'd have an advantage growing up in my dad's eclectic (and yes, a bit disorganized) antique store La Belle Epoque in Galena, IL, where Mike Wolfe has frequented since I was a child (or lil' picker as he calls me). But, I've come to realize going to auctions and being stuck in the back of a rusty van filled with antiques my entire life has actually been one of the best blessings I could ask for. I love the hunt for finding something under a junk heap, and yeah Mike has the same fascination. So when he decided that he wanted to do a book about kids who also love "picking", why wouldn't he choose the third grade teacher who grew up in an antique store? Oh yeah, and who also loves collecting old bikes? That's what I thought. Good choice Mike.
So fast forward to the release of our book Kid Pickers, which just so happened to be in New York City; where I end up eating at fancy restaurants, of which I can't make sense of 90% of the menu items (I couldn't find "cheeseburger" anywhere!), hanging out with Billy Leroy from the show Baggage Battles (yeah, he's Awesome with a capital "A"), following Mike to Fox News where I ate a doughnut, and hanging out at the headquarters for the History Channel. The History Channel should be your favorite network, because they are now flying me out to Nashville to judge the Pick and Tell contest, and more importantly sending my class free stuff in the mail.
When our book was pitched to publishers, we got several rejections. But eventually Kid Pickers ended up in the hands of an awesome group of people who believed in us. Without the greatest publishing company of all time Feiwel and Friends (MacMillan), this entire journey would not have been possible. So being able to meet up with Jean, Liz, and my now New York bestie Molly "McAwesome" (yeah, we got some good pictures with the Abraham Lincoln statue, that's when I knew we were really going to be friends), was probably the best part of my trip. Why? Because YOU believed in our book.
THE GREATEST SPEECH OF ALL TIME
Here is Mike Wolfe giving the greatest speech of all time in a cab in New York City.
THE BEST GIFT
When I arrived back to my classroom on Friday morning, I got the best gift of all, a note from my students that said "We Love You Ms. Sprengelmeyer" and another note from Dylan that said "I missed you". This stuff really means a lot to me, and that's why I hang stuff like this on my fridge. To remind me that I am one very lucky teacher, with one very loving group of third graders.
SLEEPING ON FLOORS IN AIRPORTS
MY RETURN TRIP TO EAST DUBUQUE
After six hours of layovers at the airport in New York, I arrived at the Chicago O'Hare airport only to find that all the flights were delayed due to severe weather. I also came to find that they ran out of cots to sleep on, and that I would be sleeping on the floor. I decided that in situations like these you simply have to make the best of them, and when you do so, great things can happen. I ended up meeting some really wonderful people, and probably kept a few of them awake around me from my squeal laugh (sorry about that, but they woke us up at 4a.m. anyways). I couldn't help but think what kind of adventure I would have had if all of my third graders were with me. We could have made blanket forts and told ghost stories.
WHAT YOU LEARNED FROM TODAY'S LESSON:
1. You're never too old to have an adventure on the Chicago O'Hare airport floor.
2. Feiwel and Friends (MacMillan) make dreams happen.
3. The History Channel is the best television network of all time because they care about teachers.
4. It's really not a bad thing to grow up in an antique store.
5. My students are the greatest students of all time.
Let's take another magical visit back in time, when the only worries you had were whether or not you had enough blankets to build a fort. When your free time was spent dreaming, and creating fantasy forts with dinosaur books and colored sheets. When you would have contests to see who could stay up the latest, eating sour gummy worms in your ice-cream and telling ghost stories with a flashlight. Why does the fun have to end when you become an adult? I'm here to tell you it doesn't, and in the spirit of winning money to build a "reading fort" for my classroom, here's a blog dedicated to my love of forts.
Deep thoughts...where do we hang the next blanket?
Every few months or so, my students earn a party for their "class good behavior points". Rather than just having an extra recess, I thought we would get creative and build forts in our pajamas instead. So, give kids thirty minutes, some chairs, desks, blankets, books, and flashlights, and let the fort building begin! I'm hoping this was the inspirational seed that inspired my kids to want a "reading fort" in the class. I love that one dream can turn into another dream, that can lead you down a new path in life.
HAPPY FORT BUILDERS!
Adults, take note here. Sometimes you can be a little boring. You might think, "hey fort making is for kids". Well, I'm here to tell you that you're wrong. In fact, I have a newfound appreciation for fort building. Kids remind me to be SPONTANEOUS. They are not building forts to get a raise from their boss, or even to earn a grade. We are born curious observers of the world. We are born to create, and unfortunately somewhere along the way, most often an ADULT tells you to stop thinking creatively (yeah, no dreaming aloud), and to pay attention to practical ways of life. That's all fine and dandy if you want to work for Mr. Robot-man in an office someday (and that's okay if you do!), but if you're like us dreamers, begin your spontaneous journey today. Take a walk in the woods, and make your own path. You have the ability to reinvent yourself everyday.
This is the story of one small class, in one small community, with very big dreams. This is not a story of winning money, but more importantly of what can be achieved when we start believing in our little people. This is a story of twenty-five hand written letters, of grandparents, parents, friends, and my inspiring students that all came together in support of two small dreams. This my friends is community.
Footage of the winning moment! Thank you Nikki Hill for this video!
This is what happens when you hand third graders a wad of cash...pretty comical.
These kids are so charming, they should be selling cars....or something.
What began as a simple writing prompt of "My dream classroom..." has turned into essays of the inspired dreams of my students. Dreams that I felt deserved to be heard, and that could really be made into a reality, with the help of Art Gumbo (a source for local artists to get funding for their projects, yes Paula Newhouse and Megan Starr we love you for making this possible!). So what did my students come up with? A lot...and though I had to deny the "talking statue of Abraham Lincoln" and "a trap door for substitute teachers", I did end up choosing two projects that could only be completed with the help of Dubuque artists. So began the journey to fulfill two dreams of my students that I would eventually propose at Art Gumbo: a "puppet theater" and a "reading fort". Let's give the children a platform to write and direct the best plays you'll ever see (yes, purposeful activities), and more importantly create a classroom environment that values reading, by setting up our own magical reading fort!
Yes, we wrote HAND WRITTEN letters and Art Gumbo invitations to send in the REAL MAIL!
Max writing to his grandma Karen. I bet that made her day :)
Yes, I still believe in sending real mail. We weren't sure how many people would come to Art Gumbo, but a hand written letter from a third grader means you've got a pretty good chance that they just might say yes. We not only won first place that night, but we broke history and took home the most money ever raised at Art Gumbo. So yeah, did I mention yet that my third graders are awesome?
Grandparents. This is what made my night.
Seeing my students with not only their parents, but grandparents, family friends, and all the countless others that came out to support the arts truly made the night a success. Whether we won the money or not, we came out as winners because the community came together (the kleenex box is on my desk...ha). Yes, my East Dubuque community and all the wonderful people of Dubuque who support the arts. YOU ALL made the night a success for everyone involved.
My Two Cents on Vulnerability
I'm not going to lie, I maybe didn't sleep the night before I gave my presentation. Speaking in front of adults is quite different than speaking in front of eight and nine year-olds. Third graders have really important things on their mind, like what kind of sprinkles will be on top of their cake at lunch, or how far up the booger is in their nose (I'm just kidding...okay maybe not). The point is, they are a little less intimidating than those adults who could possibly give you an "evil eye" during your presentation. But once I walked in and saw the "microwave hat", pickle name tags, and students wearing fake mustaches, I realized this speech was going to be okay, and I was no longer nervous. Yes, no one has ever died giving a speech (Seth Godin taught me that) and if I can talk in front of kids every day, than I can surely talk in front of adults. So yes, be vulnerable, and know that you might fail.
One Last Thought
Marissa's mom approached me after Art Gumbo, and told me that Marissa made an "eyelash wish for our class the night before, that we would win". Well Marissa, I think your eyelash wish worked, and the next time an eyelash falls out, I'll think of you; and more importantly I'll remind myself to keep dreaming big.
What happens when two sisters, a harmonica, a banjo, and dancing students get together? A whole lot of super happy fun times! My sister Laurel Sprengelmeyer (a.k.a. the musician Little Scream) came to visit our classroom all the way from CANADA, for an afternoon of good old folk music and dancing. Why is my sister so awesome? Well, other than being a Sprengelmeyer, she's kinda like a Hallmark card; the kind that make you feel all warm and fuzzy when you open them up. I want to surround my students with feel good people (Hallmark card people you could say), who are not only inspiring, but also encouraging. My students totally loved her, so much so that they may have given her a visit from the HUG MONSTER! So Laurel, if you're reading this (and I expect that you are) come back and visit real soon. Siblings are magical. Kids are magical. Music is magical.
See! I told you they were happy :)
Here's a photo of my sister and I from a long time ago. I love old photos. In fact, go find one now and put it on your refrigerator. You will smile every time you go to get a cheese stick out of the fridge.
Awesome Siblings in History: The Wright Brothers
Orville Wright
Wilbur Wright
The Wright Brothers, a.k.a. Orville and Wilbur (which sounds like a popcorn company if you ask me), are a great example of the collaborative efforts of siblings, and ultimately the magic that can result. Born from a family of seven, the brothers made history by manning the world's first ever successful airplane (sustained flight with a pilot aboard). The brothers simply had a common dream in mind, and continued after repeated failed attempts. Yes, another lesson on the importance of failure! These brothers were not backed by wealth, or a prestigious background; they were however, backed with the mutual determination of fulfilling a dream, one that was set in place from the time they were given their first ever toy "helicopter" as children. That helicopter was loved so much, that they eventually broke it; only to rebuild it years later and truly fly. This my friends is dreaming big.
In honor of Dr. Seuss week at East Dubuque Elementary and the book Wacky Wednesday.
"On wacky Wednesday, a cheeseburger talked to me and my pants were on my head. My brother was a train and I took a bath in syrup!"
"On wacky Wednesday, my cookies were talking to me and I saw a flying hot dog."
"On wacky Wednesday, my hamster flew away when I went to feed it, and it started snowing in the middle of summer!"
In case you can't tell, it was wacky hair day at East Dubuque Elementary School. The entire week was dedicated to honoring one of the most popular children's book authors of all time, Theodore Seuss Geisel, a.k.a. DR. SEUSS and his book Wacky Wednesday, in which...you guessed it, lots of "wacky" stuff happens. So what better way to celebrate, then to have kids write about what would happen for their very own version of a wacky Wednesday. So the next time you see a flying hamster or hot dog in the sky, check to make sure you didn't wake up on Wacky Wednesday!
Here's a writing example, from one of my super creative students. I like this one because a giant booger is attacking the city.
MORE WACKY HAIR PHOTO FUN!
ALUMINUM FOIL!
BRAIDS!
RED HEAD!
ONE FINAL NOTE ON THE IMPORTANCE OF FAILURE
Dr. Seuss received 27 rejection letters before he got his first children's book published. I don't think we teach kids enough about the importance of failure, since often the people who succeed the most in life are those that continue in the face of rejection and turmoil. They possess a certain determination and resilience. So thank you Dr. Seuss for not giving up, even when others doubted you; for what a different place the world would be without your many magical books! Remind your kids that failure is not only a part of life, but a wonderful part of life. A part that allows for growth and the very understanding that NO ONE is perfect.
"Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly."
Shel Silverstein...My Most Favorite Bald Guy of ALL TIME!
Who
doesn't love Shel Silverstein? Not only did this guy write songs sung
by Johnny Cash and Loretta Lynn, but he also wrote such timeless
classics as The Giving Tree and A Light in the Attic (a collection of poems). I love reading his poetry with my students, because much like the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series,
it's full of humor that appeals to both kids and adults. I have a hard
time keeping a straight face while reading this stuff aloud with my
students, not to mention recording the totally awesome rap song sung by
the one and only DELI RAPPERS we created from one of Shel Silverstein's
poems, entitled "Peckin". Seriously, I dare you to keep a straight face
(if you can't tell, the kids kinda had a hard time too).
Welcome
to SUPER HAPPY TIMES library, the only library that's open 24 hours a
day, EXCEPT Casimir Pulaski Day (you'll get that joke if you're from
Illinois). Be prepared to be blown away by the acting skills in this
performance of "Overdues" and pay close attention to the inspirational
reading posters in the background. Oh, and in case you were wondering,
those totally awesome overalls and torn red shirt are curtesy of Ms.
Sprengelmeyer's closet circa 1996.
Here's
two examples of what my students think a "homework machine" would look
like, appropriately taken from Shel Silverstein's poem "The Homework
Machine" (in which the answers come out wrong). Note to reader: the
math problems on the right are mean't to be incorrect!
