The Little (Positive) Things

I have realized how important it is to focus on the little positive things! Sometimes, it can be discouraging when a lesson doesn't go as planned, but sometimes I forget that the positive things far outweigh the negative ones. 

So what are the positive things?

• When my students see me in the hallway and shout 'OH!' and I shout 'IO!' (Anyone buckeye from OHIO should know the chant!)
• When my students get excited to participate in a game
• When I see my students using something that I taught them. There is no better feeling than seeing lightbulb moments go off in their mind! :)
• When I get to see my students' creativity and silliness. I usually try to encourage their silliness because hey, they are using English! 
• What did you eat during vacation? - I ate babies! 0_o
• What is a baby? -A mini-human.
• Where did you travel over vacation? -To Spain to see my family, the king and queen...
• What did you do last week? -I played with dolphins who vomitted rainbows!
• When students stay after class to talk to me
• When students say, ''Hello Miss!'' when I walk down the hallway
• When students try to explain Chilean culture to me in English. Several students have engaged in full-blown discussions about the regional dances of Chile, the cultural diversity, the geography....It's sweet that they want to share their culture with me!
• When the students give me little surprises, like candy or drawings.

Last, I want to share a drawing that one of my 7th grade students gave me. I have told the kids a little bit about Ohio, and one day I found a gift-wrapped paper under my door. It was a picture of all the things from Ohio! It is the best gift that I have gotten here...I still can't help but smile when I see it. Football, our state bird, buckeyes...I think he covered everything!