Carter (I’m not using his real name) had some behavior issues today, but overall he’s been improving since the start of the year. Together, he and I have worked on strategies to help him stay in control. (Email me at smacdonald@smmsisters.org for the form that you see at the bottom of this post and I’ll send it to you!) Continue Reading
A Cheery Way to Manage Behavior
I love 123 Magic! I have modified this wonderful discipline technique a bit to fit my style of teaching. Here’s how I use it with my kids.
Using a Traffic Light theme, I assign my kids colors based on their behavior each day. Green represents good behavior, Yellow is a little naughty, and Red means it’s been a rough day. Continue Reading
New Roman Missal Lesson 1: “And with your spirit”
Catholic school teachers have been asked by the Peoria Diocese to prepare our students for the missal change beginning in Advent. How do you prepare 4-year-olds, I wondered. Impossible. They’re still fighting the urge to play in the holy water! (This photo is from our trip to the monastery. They loved our big hammered brass font … and wanted to play in it!!) Continue Reading
Happy Veterans Day!
We enjoyed a school-wide celebration and Mass with veterans. We thanked them for their selfless service and waved our flags with joy!!!!
Introducing a New Student
It’s always challenging to welcome a new child into a class that has been together for several weeks. Friends have been made. On top of that, the new child will miss his old friends. Well, after 15 years of teaching, I have a couple of strategies that usually work. (Father Greg’s play strategies help, too!) Continue Reading
In the Trenches with Preschool Parents
As anyone who teaches knows, parent-teacher conferences are a stressful time for everyone – teachers, parents and students alike!
Well, maybe not all kids stress over it. But I did. And I don’t want my kids to worry now. So here’s what I do. Continue Reading
Witches and Cookies and Ghosts, Oh My!
Nobody is cuter than a preschooler at Halloween … or more excited. We had a wonderful day. The students had come to school in costume, so when it was time to begin our party we didn’t have to get dressed.
How We Won a Pajama Day
Every year the students of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Academy help Alleman High School collect food for the Hunger Drive … and our 4-year-old preschoolers are no exception. This year I decided to up the ante: if my kids collected 100 cans, they would earn a Pajama Day. Ha! They worked like crazy to win! Continue Reading
The Joys – and Tears – of Grandparents’ Day at Our Lady of Grace
Yesterday was Grandparents’ Day at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Academy. The whole school was involved. While older students made rosaries, my little ones decorated pretty rosary boxes with colorful foam pieces. The rosaries and boxes will be given to Our Lady of Guadalupe Women’s Group to pass out to those in need. Continue Reading
Introducing Me!
I am Sister Stefanie MacDonald a Catholic Benedictine Sister of St. Mary Monastery in Rock Island, Illinois who teaches preschool at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Academy in East Moline. Before I became a Sister, I taught Kindergarten at St. Pius X School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. I love teaching … but almost didn’t become a teacher. Continue Reading
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