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helps families connect & build bridges between home & school, by amy mascott

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learning from the journey

home / family life / parenting / learning from the journey
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A few days ago, when we were painting, Maddy decided she wanted to paint a cat.

This little orange tabby is her final product, the one she worked hardest on, her most proud painting accomplishment to date.

Her patient Aunt Mary walked her through the steps of creating a cat, after Maddy, who frustrates easily, tossed aside several attempts.

Instead of throwing away her “mess-ups” as she called them, I stuck them in a secret pile, and I made a book for her.

  • Maddy’s Cat Book: I wrote Maddy’s Cat Book on the cover, and I strung ribbon through holes for a binding. Here are the pages. . .

Maddy’s first cat.
She wasn’t happy with this one (see the ‘x’?).

Maddy’s cat numero dos.
This guy’s nose wasn’t right. . .

Maddy’s number three cat.
This one’s nose wasn’t quite right (he’s got an ‘x’, too). . .

Maddy’s numero quatro gato.
His triangle nose didn’t begin quite right. . .


But she tried and tried again, and she finally made one she was happy with!

For a little one who tends to be hard on herself and is always striving for perfection, I thought that putting these pieces together might show her–remind her–that hard work pays off, that we need to keep trying and trying again, and that sometimes we learn more through the journey. All of those super-important lessons that take so long to learn, I tried to shove into this tiny, simple book.

When I showed her the book a few days later, she wouldn’t stop smiling, and I told her that we were so proud of her for not giving up. It’s been on her nightstand ever since.

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About amy mascott

teacher, mother, dreamer. lover of literacy, fun learning, good food, and three crazy-cool kids. finder of four-leaf clovers | dc metro ยท http://about.me/amymascott
tweet with me: @teachmama

Previous Post:poem reading, rhyme writing
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UMD Womenโ€™s Basketball ROCKS!! โค๏ธ๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ–ค๐Ÿ€

We absolutely love watching you play, @terpswbb !

We love watching you perform, @marylandcheer !

And @mightysoundofmd we love your music and your hilarious signs! ๐Ÿ˜ฌ๐Ÿ˜ณ

See you in Greenville! 

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This is how we use the St. Patrickโ€™s Day Brain Teaser Scavenger Hunt! ๐Ÿ€

Super easyโ€”and makes kids work a little for their golden chocolates! ๐Ÿ˜‰

Grab them here: https://shop.teachmama.com/product/st-patricks-day-scavenger-hunt-4-pack/

<< Tag a pal who needs to know about this and would LOVE to use it with kids or students! >>

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and then there were six
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thank you @thewoobles for giving my mind, heart, and hands something fun to do during a really challenging few months. 

#crochet #thewoobles #brainbreak #teachersanitysaver #shescrafty
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With great sadness, I'm writing to share that my brother-in-law, Jeff Mascott passed away from pancreatic cancer earlier this week--at home, surrounded by family and friends. 

The family is very grateful for the community's immeasurable help, encouragement, and prayers over the past several months since Jeff's diagnosis. 

Jeff's obituary will run this weekend in the Post: 
https://www.collinsfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Jeff-Mascott?obId=27420280&fbclid=IwAR2YTRooCyaLTikfjLeqF4gM-GaB1amZI2OmVl1VtKLUOjWj3Wo4URD8lC8#/obituaryInfo
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Flowers and a basket of @traderjoes faves are salve for a tired and weepy soul. ๐ŸŒท

Thankful for great, longtime friends ๐Ÿ’š๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ’š๐Ÿ’›

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Almost 30 years of friendship!! I love these smart, beautiful, strong and creative women who walked with me through my early days of teaching. 

๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ’š๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ’š

Thank you, Wilde Lake High School, for bringing us together way back when. 

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Missed you, jigofjoy ๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ’š

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Today marks the 4th time in 3 weeks that I have had to hang new Kindness Reminders Tear-off Sheets! 

Makes my heart ๐Ÿฅฐ!! 

Some kids come by every day and give one to a new person. Others take a bunch for the week. One 2nd grade girl comes by evey morning to tell me who she gave hers to the day before. 

Every little bit helps, friend. And every interaction matters!

#kindnessrocks #adoormadeforme #teachersofinstagram #makeadifference
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Best crew for one of the best @terpswbb games weโ€™ve seen all season! 

And of course super job by @marylandcheer and @mightysoundofmd too! 

#terpswbb #terpsbasketball #familyfun #marylandcheer

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