DonorsChoose.org

I wrote a proposal for DonorsChoose.org to get an interdisciplinary civic engagement project funded for my new gifted classroom! Check it out! : )

The below letter was written and formatted by DonorsChoose.org, but it is a good letter explaining what they do! : )

Dear friends,

I want my students to have as many great learning opportunities as possible, but sometimes I just can't get the funding I need. To address this issue, I turned to DonorsChoose.org.

Here's the scoop. At this nonprofit website, public school teachers (like me!) submit proposals for materials or experiences their students need to learn. These ideas become a reality when concerned individuals (like you!) choose projects to fund. Donors who complete project funding or give more than $100 receive photos and personal thank-you notes from the kids they helped. It's easy - and very rewarding.

The great news is that my project proposal, Change YOUR World, is now posted at DonorsChoose.org! Check it out at:http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/proposal.html?id=125860&utm_source=teachers&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=TeacherMarketing
Take a look. Also, please consider supporting my students and me by forwarding this message to others who may be interested in improving education.

Best regards,
Megan Rapp

Lyrics I'm Humming:

Soldia Boys Superman!

Lord, Thank You for the Sabbath

What a wonderful weekend!

Thank you Lord for breaks. You definitely knew what you were talking about when you commanded us to take a day of rest each week.

Friday night, I went to this cool jazz, hip-hop concert at the University of Miami. It was sensory overload, and it was awesome. Made me definitely miss life on a campus...

Saturday...went to the beach, got some sun, laughed.

Saturday night, I went out to Sleepless Night on South Beach. It was cool. Lots of people. Art. Music. Dancing.


Sunday, I helped with the kids Sunday School at Calvary and went to the late service. Lovely! Although...I was definitely the mean Sunday School teacher. I'm not sure how to transfer between Ms. Rapp and Miss Megan. I need to work on that for next week. Being a witch with Sunday School is different than being a strict teacher in the inner city.
...hmmm...I need to work on that role-differentiation.

Basically, the weekend was good!

Lyrics I'm Humming:

MIA Paper Planes

Musings on Honesty

"You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another."

Leviticus 19:11

This week I've been doing a lot of thinking about honesty and the importance of honesty with God, with family, in relationships, with yourself...



My Bible study that I'm doing with Calvary Chapel has been very convicting. This week our theme was honesty, and we spent each day on our own reading Biblical teachings on honesty. Then, at Bible study Monday night we hear everyone else's musings, and it is very challenging.

...Ephesians 4:25...

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor,

for we are all members of one body.

We affect other people when we speak dishonest words;

we affect other people when we omit truthful words and thoughts.

Even in the smallest details we must remain honest. For example: at school, sometimes I will take a few extra pencils, a few extra sheets of paper, a few extra whatevers people, well, no one will notice and everyone else is doing this.

However...NEWSFLASH!! If we cannot be honest and faithful in the small things, God will not entrust us with bigger things!

I was also thinking a lot about why I am dishonest or why I don't explain everything in it's utmost truth...

...here are some vunerable thoughts that come to mind...

~greed

~habit

~delusion that noone will notice

~selfishness

~fear of not disappointing other people

~pride

~lack of trust in God...lack of faith that He will provide ALL my needs



Especially right now, as I am being a leader in my classroom, I must be honest and truthful in every detail with my students.



**If you love someone, you won't lie to them. Lying is a form of self-preservation and self-interest. (words of wisdom from Mary from my Bible study)



I then took the study a little deeper and thought about my dishonestly with myself.

I've been really apathetic and really unmotivated to significantly impact my new gifted kids. Honestly, I just got so burned out from my last class, and I was so happy to be out of my weird-depression.

But, I relocated to Miami to teach and help people! I could have a meaningless job anywhere!

I need prayer that I will regain motivation and passion to challenge my new students and create a very differentiated, detailed curriculum to best meet EVERY student I work with.

And, those are my musings on honesty.

Lyrics I'm Humming

Beautiful by Bethany Dillon

Dog for Sale

My mom emailed me a dog in need of a home, and I thought I would see if any of you were interested.




Let me know if you want him!

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Subject: Dachshund needs a home

My neighbor has a puppy he's giving away (FREE!). It's a Dachshund, it's house broken, and it's great with kids. He's giving it away because his wife says the dog 'stares' at her when she is undressing, and that gives her the 'Heebie Jeebies'. I think she is just weird !

If you're interested, or know someone who is, let me know.

Here's a picture of the dog.

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Lyrics I'm Humming:

Elton John's Crocodile Rock

My Bio-Poem

This week, I am doing get-to-know-you and diagnostic stuff with my new gifted students!

One thing we're doing is writing our own Bio-Poems. I'm having the kids use a 13-line template where they write colorful, lively descriptions of themselves!

Then, we traced our face profiles (using dark rooms and flashlights) onto construction paper and the students rewrote their Bio-Poems with markers and drawings on their profile!

I tell the kids I'm looking for cReAtIvItY!!!!

Write your own bio-poem and leave it as a comment on my blog!!! : )

Line 1: Your first name
Line 2: Who is...(Descriptive words that describe you)
Line 3: Who is brother or sister of...
Line 4: Who loves...(three ideas or people)
Line 5: Who feels...(three ideas )
Line 6: Who needs...(three ideas)
Line 7: Who gives...(three ideas)
Line 8: Who fears...(three ideas)
Line 9: Who would like to see...
Line 10: Who shares...
Line 11: Who is...
Line 12: Who is a resident of...
Line 13: Your last name

Here is my Bio-Poem!

Megan Ann
Who is creative, optimistic, and encouraging.
Who is the sister of Allison Kathleen and Kelly Richard.
Who loves fresh flowers, getting mail, and costume parties.
Who feels calm when by the ocean, rejuvenated after laughing with friends, and joyful when skiing down a mountain.
Who needs people in her life to encourage her, hugs, and laughter.
Who gives smiles, energy, and prayer.
Who fears being alone, disappointing her parents, and missing out on an adventure.
Who would like to see a baby being born, a poor neighborhood restored, and a shark in the ocean.
Who shares ideas, time, and money.
Who is a dancer, a dreamer, and butterscotch lover.
Who is a resident of the world.
Rapp

My favorite thing was a student who wrote on line 12, "Who is God, smartt, and Ms Rapp" I was like, "sweetie, are you God? Are you Ms Rapp? You sure are smart though!" Haha! Funny times...He's very cute!

Lyrics I'm Humming:
Free the World by Mike Jackson