As I constantly try to improve Fun4theBrain, sometimes it can be difficult to figure how to best reach the kids and help the teachers and parents. Every now and then, I start to feel like the site really does not help very many and all the time and effort that I put into the games could be better spent elsewhere. But, of course, I do not listen to those little negative voices in my head. Helping kids have fun while learning is my passion. While I am not sure I have the patience to be in a classroom everyday, and trust me, I highly respect those of you who do, I know that I want to help learning reach every child through involvement and interaction.
I know the new school year has just started, but I wanted to send out some of the quotes that I have found truly encouraging and inspiring over the last year. So, if you are hearing those negative voices in your head, tell them to sit down and be quiet! And then enjoy these quotes to give you that happy smile that comes from knowing that what you do can make a big difference!
"Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." -- Benjamin Franklin
“To learn and never be filled, is wisdom; to teach and never be weary, is love.”
"The dream begins with a teacher who believes in you, who tugs and pushes and leads you to the next plateau, sometimes poking you with a sharp stick called "truth." ~Dan Rather
"The important this is not so much that every child should be taught, as that every child should be given the wish to learn." -- John Lubbock
"Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement, nothing can be done without hope and confidence." -- Helen Keller
"They may forget what you said but they will never forget how you made them feel." - Carol Buchner
"Don't limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe, you can achieve." -- Mary Kay Ash
"A very wise old teacher once said: "I consider a day's teaching wasted if we do not all have one hearty laugh." He meant that when people laugh together, they cease to be young and old, master and pupils, jailer and prisoners. They become a single group of human beings enjoying its existence." -- Gilbert Highet
"A hundred years from now, it will not matter what kind of car I drove, what kind of house I lived in, how much money I had in the bank...but the world may be a better place because I made a difference in the life of a child." -- Forest Witchcraft
And then here is one, it is a bit long, but worth it!
The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life.
One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He argued, "What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?"
He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers: "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach."
To stress his point he said to another guest; "You're a teacher, Bonnie. Be honest. What do you make?"
Bonnie replied, "You want to know what I make? (She paused for a second, and then began...)"Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could.
I make a C+ feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor.
I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can't make them sit for 5 without an I Pod, Game Cube or movie rental...
You want to know what I make?" (She paused again and looked at each and every person at the table.)
I make kids wonder.
I make them question.
I make them criticize.
I make them apologize and mean it.
I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions.
I teach them to write and then I make them write.
I make them read, read, read.
I make them show all their work in math.
I make my students from other countries learn everything they need to know in English while preserving their unique cultural identity.
I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe.
I make my students stand to say the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, because we live in the United States of America .
Finally, I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life.
(Bonnie paused one last time and then continued.) "Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, I can hold my head up high and pay no attention because they are ignorant. Do you want to know what I make?
I make a difference. What do you make?"
Teachers and Parents, keep going, you make a difference!
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Sunday, August 15, 2010
How to Draw: Arabella
I have tried to pick some of the monsters that are the simplest to draw. But, the time has come for the lessons to get a bit longer. The lessons will not be harder, just longer. I will still try to break down the drawings into simple steps. The first of these harder lessons is Arabella!
Arabella is an 18 inch monster. She is funny, creative, and everybody wants to be her friend. Her hobbies are cooking, swimming, and cuddling her stuffed bear. She is a very fast swimmer with all her arms and legs. Thanks Adrienne D, from Ontario, for this awesome monster!
How to Draw: Arabella PDF
Step 1: Draw Arabella's face shape.
Step 2: Add in her pointy ears.
Step 3: Draw the top of Arabella's hair.
Step 4: Add in her horns.
Step 5: Use two lines to draw the beginning of her neck.
Step 6: Draw the back of her hair.
Step 7: Draw her eyes, nose and smile.
Step 8: Add in the extras for her face by making her teeth and the curves by her eyes.
Step 9: Add in her necklace and the top of her shirt.
Step 10: Draw the lines for her sleeves.
Step 11: Finish her shirt and belt.
Step 12: Draw Arabella's hands with curved lines.
Step 13: Draw the lines for her legs.
Step 14: Add in the cuff for her pants.
Step 15: Draw her feet and claws.
Step 16: Add her 6 pockets by drawing squares on her pants.
Step 17: Add buttons to her pockets.
Step 18: Color Arabella. You can make a fun design on her shirt too! Have fun!
Arabella is an 18 inch monster. She is funny, creative, and everybody wants to be her friend. Her hobbies are cooking, swimming, and cuddling her stuffed bear. She is a very fast swimmer with all her arms and legs. Thanks Adrienne D, from Ontario, for this awesome monster!
How to Draw: Arabella PDF
Step 1: Draw Arabella's face shape.
Step 2: Add in her pointy ears.
Step 3: Draw the top of Arabella's hair.
Step 4: Add in her horns.
Step 5: Use two lines to draw the beginning of her neck.
Step 6: Draw the back of her hair.
Step 7: Draw her eyes, nose and smile.
Step 8: Add in the extras for her face by making her teeth and the curves by her eyes.
Step 9: Add in her necklace and the top of her shirt.
Step 10: Draw the lines for her sleeves.
Step 11: Finish her shirt and belt.
Step 12: Draw Arabella's hands with curved lines.
Step 13: Draw the lines for her legs.
Step 14: Add in the cuff for her pants.
Step 15: Draw her feet and claws.
Step 16: Add her 6 pockets by drawing squares on her pants.
Step 17: Add buttons to her pockets.
Step 18: Color Arabella. You can make a fun design on her shirt too! Have fun!
Monday, August 9, 2010
How To Draw: The Strawberry Monster
Welcome to the first drawing lesson of August! This week, we will be learning to draw The Strawberry Monster! The Strawberry Monster is a chatterbox. She loves heights and has a blue car. She has three tails too. She also has a cute bellybutton! Jenna W. from West Virginia sent in this fun talkative monster! You will be seeing The Strawberry Monster coming soon in Murb! Thanks Jenna!
How To Draw: The Strawberry Monster PDF
Step 1: Draw Strawberry's head.
Step 2: Add in her fun crown-shaped topper.
Step 3: Draw her face and bellybutton. She has a happy smile with two teeth showing and a cute little curve for her nose!
Step 4: Draw her 4 eyes. Don't forget her eyebrows!
Step 5: To draw her arms, simply draw two straight lines from each side.
Step 6: Each hand is made up of four curves. Connect them to her arm and add little lines for claws.
Step 7: Using straight lines draw her legs and the beginning of her feet.
Step 8: The Strawberry Monster only has 4 toes. Draw each one by drawing a little circle.
Step 9: Now add in Strawberry's fun curvy tails! She has three of them.
Step 10: Now color your Strawberry Monster!
Have fun drawing The Strawberry Monster. Make her tails any design you want and then send me a picture of your drawing! I would love to see it!
How To Draw: The Strawberry Monster PDF
Step 1: Draw Strawberry's head.
Step 2: Add in her fun crown-shaped topper.
Step 3: Draw her face and bellybutton. She has a happy smile with two teeth showing and a cute little curve for her nose!
Step 4: Draw her 4 eyes. Don't forget her eyebrows!
Step 5: To draw her arms, simply draw two straight lines from each side.
Step 6: Each hand is made up of four curves. Connect them to her arm and add little lines for claws.
Step 7: Using straight lines draw her legs and the beginning of her feet.
Step 8: The Strawberry Monster only has 4 toes. Draw each one by drawing a little circle.
Step 9: Now add in Strawberry's fun curvy tails! She has three of them.
Step 10: Now color your Strawberry Monster!
Have fun drawing The Strawberry Monster. Make her tails any design you want and then send me a picture of your drawing! I would love to see it!
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