Earlier this week, we had a guest custodian in the building covering for our regular night technician.  As he entered my room and introduced himself, he began to look around  soaking in the decor of the room. Gazing about, he then asked if this was the social studies room. I proudly said to him that it was actually first grade!  His response to me was "It's good to get them thinking early."  

I couldn't agree more!  Social studies is the key.  I can't imagine a day going by in my classroom without a conversation entering into geography and history.  

Space it a big thing to me.  It makes me happy to have my room filled with images that might spark a child's inquisitive nature. Why not fill their heads with stories of leaders, inventors, musicians, artists and those that opened doors for others to follow.  There are too many to count, but I plan on doing my fair share of door opening to the many stories we are all connected with!

I have had the incredible fortune to teach with some amazing, strong and innovative teachers in my career.  Several who have been mentors, cheerleaders and dear friends through thick and thin.  I am lucky!

However, I also have teaching soulmates, as you can see by the pic above, sent to me today on a teacher work day by my dear friend Jessica.  She and I can spend hours dreaming and planning lessons for our students around history.  We never get tired of it!  We love to think outside the box.  We also LOVE Teddy Roosevelt!  I don't know if we will ever be fortunate enough to teach in the same school, but the moments we can spend together dreaming of history lessons are grand!

The images to the right are from one of my former students and my other teaching soulmate, Lisa.  We met through a mutual friend and think SO much alike.  We are separated by thousands of miles from Colorado to Virginia.  Still, we love sharing our passion for teaching history and challenging our students.  Oddly, she teaches college freshmen and I teach first grade.  Last week she sent me a couple of vintage postcards of TR.  The one to the right is most unique and is going to require some more research (more to come on that).

Today, I received the more modern postcard from one of my students last year. Arianna's mom had text me last week inquiring for our address as Arianna wanted to write.  Her postcard made smile.  My kids learn a lot about TR in my class (they know he is my favorite).  I love that Arianna has background knowledge on TR and wants to share her new knowledge with me!  It only reaffirms for me that we need to start sharing history with students at a young age!

On a different note, I need to work on my winking skills!!