Sewing World

As I prepare for my 7th grade lesson tomorrow and this week, I wonder how prepare my students are for this new world. There is a mass amount of information to share with them in order to set them up to construct their PJ pants.

Notches
Seam Allowance
Cutting Line
Right side
Wrong side
Crosswise
Lengthwise
Grading
and so much more.

Last year we covered several of the skills that will be transferred from making the drawstring backpack to constructing actual wearable clothing.

I've learned that in each world: the education world, the sports world, the culinary world, the parenting world, the kid world... there's vernacular that follows. You have to learn that vernacular to be successful. Monday...here goes nothing! I hope what I have planned for them helps them be successful & excited to sew.

It's a world that fading and in my opinion, it's sad. I cannot tell you how many times my mom has tried to teach me how to sew & this world but I couldn't (or wouldn't, if I'm being honest) learn it. It was frustrating to me. I try to keep that in mind as I teach middle schoolers to sew. The majority of what I know I had to teach myself. My college professor in FACS was wonderful. She taught me so much but the majority of what I teach I had to teach myself. Like all things, it comes back around. I hope that I can foster some excitement & contribute to bringing this craft back.

To you Monday... may you bring me students ready to focus & a well prepared lesson that will help students understand the sewing skills they need to construct some awesome PJ pants.

Mrs. T

2014-2015 First Day of School Reflection

What a great first day of school!! I am so excited to have so many familiar faces back in my classroom. In my 3 years of teaching I have never gotten to have that. I have always moved schools after a school year. I am so thankful to call LKMS my home. There are some unfamiliar faces. I am very excited to get to know those new students as well. I hope your first day of school or for the 6th graders- your first day of middle school was a successful one. Be ready for bumps in the road but it always works out. Perseverance is important in middle school.

I have prepared a letter for my new students who do not know me yet. I am looking forward to getting to know more students at LKMS as the year continues.

Dear New Students,

I am Mrs. Traughber your FACS teacher. This is my 4th year teaching and I think it will be my best one yet. This time last year I was barely holding on. I unexpectedly had my son 4 months early over the summer last year and when I started the school year last year he was barely hanging on. I think he may have been barely 2lbs. My son is my life now. I will share about him every chance I get. I hope you don't get bored of him because everything he does is precious to this 1st time mom.

Last year I didn't get to teach my classroom the way I wanted. I was out for 6 weeks when he came home & the students were transitioning between me and the long term sub & getting used to a new FACS teacher as the previous one had retired. This summer I had time to plan what we are going to do and make things my own so I am very excited about all we are going to do! I hope you are too.

There are some things you should know about me. Respect & communication is very important to me. I will always back you up & be there to support you. There is always a way around an obstetrical and I will be there for you to help you find a path. I love to experiment and try new ways of things. I want you to learn and I want others around you to learn as well. I work very hard for my students and will always try my hardest. I'm not perfect but I will try. I expect the same from my students.

Welcome to the FACS family and I am very excited to have you in my class. I hope you learn something and enjoy the class.

Mrs. T