Gleaning Facebook: The Things You Find In My Classroom

Here are some odds and ends from my classroom. As I pack away years of accumulated stuff I whipped out my iPhone camera. I had some red cloth so I set up a little backdrop so I could easily photograph them as I sorted through a collection of mementoes from 1969-2013. Totally random.

From the wall of my classroom. The shelf is mostly wonders kids brought me from their vacations.

A poster that appeared in my room on the last day of school.

Katelyn Storey's family actually owned the emu (or was it an ostrich?) that donated this feather.

How many bird's nests in zip locks did I receive since 1969, I wonder. I discouraged these -- I think it may be even illegal to take them -- but every year at least one comes in.

Assorted fossils and sharks' teeth.

Children often bring in real artifacts and "imagined" artifacts. I've had untold dnations of vaguely triangular rocks and shards of concrete proclaims to be arrowheads. Hear is an actual "beaver stick" and a likely imagined one.

I've forgotten who brought in the railway spike.

Belle Tanner  painted this butterfly in oils for me a few years ago.

Any doodad with a nature theme, especially if also reading or doing math, was a perfect gift for Mr. Shaw. I aways liked this fellow.

I have a large collection of students' portraits of me. This is a recent one. I wish my beard were so black. And my forehead so small. Notice my signature hightop hikers and the conspicuous carabiniere keyring hanging from my belt. I'm glad I don't have to button this many buttons daily.

And these notes can bring sunshine on the cloudiest day.

Ten-year-olds love bones...

The Knobbed Whelk, our Georgia State Seashell.

Beaver skull from the Oostanaula

A virtually complete bobcat skeleton donated by a student just last year.

A virtually complete bobcat skeleton donated by a student just last year.

Native American maize

King Cotton

Our class motto "There's a star in you; make it shine!" (several years ago I edited "let" to "make".

Color-coded popsicle sticks for choosing kids for recitation in my classes.
Red: Ms. Minshew
Blue: Ms. Payne
Green: Mr. Shaw

Sir George has been a fixture in our class for over a decade.

Sir George was rolled WHILE I was attending a funeral!

Lordy, look at the shoes not the dust. During the first few days of school my students always gave "Brown Bag Reports". I had them fill a small brown bag with artifacts from their lives and stand in the castle to present and explain their artifacts. My artifacts were all around the room and I could count on questions that would allow me to introduce myself. These are the spray-painted, Salvation-Army Thrift-Store shoes that were my costume shoes as a "pirate" in Peter Pan at RLT in 1991.

Alyssa C. brought in this pic of herself and the product of her 3rd grade cabbage seedling she started at school.

Ally B. gave me this little pic in a magnet-backed frame on the last day of school. Her Mom took the pic as we stood in the doorway to the dining hall at Nature's Classroom.

Mole Cricket

The kid that these hands belong to is brilliant and talented, and was having difficulty keeping school a priority in his life (above sly puns, impractical jokes, and off-topic socializing of any kind). He had a great Mom who one day sent him to school with this good-natured reminder. I, of course, had to record it for posterity. We got him into the program for the gifted and he became a key member of our quiz bowl team that year. School may have nudged a little higher on his priority list toward the end of the year. [Autumn McClure Baker: Haha I remember this!]

I was not, however, the greatest spelling teacher. 

More Show 'n' Tell...

This flint "tang" knife has corner notches that would have allowed it to be attached to a leather thong or other cord... .

..One source I read said women wore them around their necks for easy access in using for food preparation. Anyone else have good info on this kind of knife?
A great Show 'n' Tell...
Michael J. Burton: Way cool. First one I have seen.

Gleaning Facebook: Pepperell Reminisces

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My Dad had just been to Israel and came to talk with my kids about his trip. He brought lots of "Show 'n' Tell".

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The kids at PES went chess nuts for a while there. I wonder how many of these kids (now in their forties!) still pull out a chessboard every now and then?

Comments

Marshall Jones

still playing, sir. Actually have my kids playing too. We are building a board in the backyard in the lawn

Meleitha Ingle Fowler
I recognize the background:)

JodyandMichelle Mincey
Wow. Do not remember the club. Have not played in couple years but have played some w/ my kids.

Missy Osborn
Haven't played in years!!! Too funny. Thanks for sharing Mr. Shaw!

Dannell Wyson
This is so cool!!

Jill Brannon Vestal
Wow! I had forgotten it was the "Booze Creek" chess club! Lol! Thanks for sharing!

Todd Cargle
I have taught 2 out of 3 of my kids how to play...great picture! Thanks Marshall Jones

Lisa Astin Clements
Wow. I play but its rare.

Tracie Whaley
this is too funny,those were the days,I havent played in years,Thanks Mr. Shaw,i love it!!!

Kim Russell
Mr.Shaw I was in the chess club and didn't remember!!!!!

Dee Couch Busby
I had no idea that Binky ever played Chess.

Karen Tinsley Nelson
Angela, that could be Alex sitting there!!!

Marshall Jones
My son is pretty good now. Thinks he is Bobby Fisher. He challenges is in the house for money.

Mike Kelly
I like the look.

Angela Baldwin Smith
Oh my goodness - hilarious! I looked like a unabomber. I have not played chess in a few years, but have fond memories of learning to play in the club despite my absent smile in the photo. 

Thank you for sharing.

Bradley Sumner
I'm thinking more booze than chess....

Melissa Canup McCarley
I'm not in this pic!

Scott Leming
thanks for sharing,lord we are getting old

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At Pepperell Elementary 1979 - my first year as a teacher of the gifted. Wait -- I better check. This may be from the year before when I taught sixth grade at PES.
Comments

Raymond Atkins

A dashing young gent...

Terrell Shaw
Ain't it the truth.

Terrell Shaw
Sherri, I love you for that lovely lie. 

Howard Smith
dashing

Ralph Noble
Good times

Elise Ruddick Cornille
I love this photo of you! I wasn't 1979, but this took me back. I have always treasured your teaching and class - it was the only time I felt I belonged somewhere during elementary school. I remember fondly the jabberwocky (btw, recited it at a recent cocktail party in fact - somehow I remembered it from way back to 3rd grade thanks to you), the structure of your classes (trying to get to synthesis!) and classes outside on the rock in the creek by Pepperell Elementary). Honoring you today and many more days across my life since I left Lindale. Thanks Mr Shaw!

Terrell Shaw
OK Elise, you've turned my computer screen all blurry again. I have been blessed with wonderful students. Good ol' Bloom's Taxonomy, been striving for those higher levels for decades!
Ralph! One of my very accomplished student teachers. Can you believe the young fella in this picture, who watched you become a very talented teacher, is retired?

Ralph Noble
Hey, I am going one more year and then retiring myself, glad I still love it. 

Thank you for the good start.

Anita Stewart
Yes, I remember you when you looked like this.

Michelle Moriarty Smith
I remember that guy!

Keith Holloway
Those were the good ole days. Enjoy your retirement!

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Terrell Shaw
Jim Howell, I was hoping to see you and Joe Howell this week. Y'all need to come see me some time. Joe is one of those handful of kids who had me for 4th, 5th, and 6th grades --- half their school career at that point!

Rose McDonald Darby
I remember those days!

Robert Jordan
I remember this.

Joe Howell
Congrats on your retirement !! You are a great teacher .Im taking my 6 year old to Disney for vacation . Hope to see u when we return

Jane Nelson Risdon
Congratulations, Terrry, and best wishes for retirement! It seems that you've touched many lives!

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Dan Bevels

Mr. Shaw, congratulations (I suppose!) on your retirement. FCBOE lost one of its best when you walked out the door for the final time. You truly made an impact on my life and, I know, on the lives of so many others. May God bless you in the next stage of your journey.

Terrell Shaw

Thank you so much, Dan. You and that beautiful/brilliant wife of yours will always hold spots in my heart. --- I need to start a list of married couples among my former students. I think I have a good many. Y'all and Erskine & Stacy (Stephens) Thompson jump to mind.

Robyn Gary Lecroy

Congratulations Mr. Shaw!

Gleaning Facebook: Duane Parsons

Sheila and I were shocked and saddened by the loss of another friend this week. We only learned of Duane's death today, but he died on the same day that we lost Debby Brown and Jeff Barnette.

Sheila introduced me to Duane and Charlotte, who both worked with her at Universal Tax Systems here in Rome before it was sold and changed its name. They have been regular guests at out Fourth of July cookout for several years. Duane had a keen intellect and a large heart. He shared many of my political beliefs and often would add thoughtful and very carefully documented comments to my Facebook posts. I wish I had his patience and calm in response to my dearly loved but politically opposite family and friends.

Duane loved blues music and often attended concerts. Not too long ago he and Charlotte treated Sheila and me to a wonderful evening of blues in Decatur at Eddie's Attic.

We will miss you, Duane!

From Charlotte Parson's Facebook:

Duane Charles Parsons 

12/01/42 - 05/21/13

'Conscious of both life’s sweetness and death’s certainty'

This is the last picture taken of Duane at Red's on 4/14 - one of the last out the door at the end of Juke Joint Festival 2013.

He was a man of great presence. He loved life and was always ready to join the party. His children, music and motorcycles were his passion.

I will miss him everyday.

Charlotte

Gleaning Facebook: Retirement Roast

Stacy told me to "put it on Facebook", so I have:

Retirement reception "Roast" for Terrell Shaw

(And also Martha Henderson)

3:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Armuchee Elementary School

Everyone invited, but please RSVP to

stacyp@floydboe.net

so she'll know how many water balloons to fill.

Bring your best Idiot Terrell stories --

Brittany Lynn Smith do you remember the "peninsula" story?

Lord only knows what Anita Stewart will tell if she makes it. It is to be hoped that Charles Yates lives too far away... he could get me in lots of trouble. Liz McGinnis just had a heart attack, bless her mischievous little ticker. She and Rhonda Ingram Bramlette or Bill Fortenberry or April Wilson or Jeff Trese Bannister or .... could tell a tale or two, I know. Not to mention fellow teachers Kathy Wilson, Sylvia Garrett,...ten tags is the limit, I better quit with just these "old timers".

I'm trying to get rid of over forty years of junk from my packrat's nest, so no presents, please. But I would greatly enjoy your presence.

Comments

Keith M. Padgett Whattt? You're retiring?! Congrats 

Terrell Shaw I'd love to see you, Keith! Matthew too. Thanks.
Keith M. Padgett I'm all the way in Statesboro actually. About to finish up my Bachelors

I wish I could make it

Terrell Shaw Stop by and have a cuppa Joe after you graduate. I'd love to catch up with what my top reader is doing.
Keith M. Padgett Maybe I shall, I'm hoping to make a trip up this summer or possibly early fall
Barbara Jean Smith Count me in!
Martin Penland Teem Wish I could be there. Congratulations!
Terrell Shaw You & Faith oughta come to Rome and see us sometime, Marty! It was great seeing you and meeting your son that one time. It was surreal to realize how we picked up the conversation after over 40 years.
Kathy Wilson Will try to come by. Congrats on your retirement!
Terrell Shaw I'll miss seeing you, Brittany!
Bonny Askew Terrell, I won't be able to make your roast, but you have my best wishes on a long happy retirement.
Ruth Pinson I emailed Stacy a couple of weeks ago and told her that Marilyn and I would be there. You know I would never miss your retirement celebration!!!!
Terrell Shaw AND you know where the bodies are buried. I may be in trouble. 

Dale McConkey I doubt I will be able to attend, but thank you for the tremendous education you provided both of my kids and so many other children. Yours was obviously a labor of love. I don't want to turn this sentiment into a political point, but I always appreciated how hard you tried to fit in the non-measurable aspects of education (e.g., reading literature for the sake of the literature) into a school day alongside all the other required, assessment-based material.
Terrell Shaw Thank you Dale. I was far from a perfect teacher, but I have always believed school should be a rich experience. I tried to make it that. The teachers who made a difference in my own life are those that helped me find stuff to love - books, poems, puzzles, stories from history, the magic in the natural world around us.
Terrell Shaw I've been looking through old pics from the last 44 years, and thinking of folks I'd love to see. West Virginia students and teachers, that first sweet class at McHenry (April Wilson, Karen Terry, Roy Green, Justina Gordon's twin Justin, Terry Harcourt) Wayne Morgan from my second class has worked for me at odd jobs several times over the years. Darlene Cromer, Barry Davis, Chuck West and his sister Beth West Curles.
George Dean I am so sorry to have missed your retirement function, but my car's dead battery had other ideas, than coming to your shindig..... It is fixed now and running....but none the less you have our thanks and then some...
Terrell Shaw Thanks, George. I had a great time and was well roasted. But it'd have been even better with the Deans there! 

George Dean

Thanks I am sure that you well roasted and I look forward to sharing more years with you in the same political slog, that we both find ourselves in, yet thankful for the years that were better than others, because you and others like yourself, were compadres in the field of battle, for the mind of a child and even some adults...who wanted change, but did not know where to start to look for it... P.S. Christopher Dean, and I hope to have a kid's picture book out soon-(Buy the end of August of this year...) that is his take on growing up with Aspergers Syndrome, and how it is not the end of the world necessarily, for all concerned...that hopefully will serve as a calming and inspirational voice for those children and families with this problem....I will share other infor as time for release and time for fundraising for the book gets closer...just a heads up post on what we are doing these days...fyi.
Ruth Pinson Terrell, I had fun reminiscing and seeing folks at your reception today! I hope I wasn't too rough on you...my point was that your use of teachable moments truly does trump the paperwork, schedules, and piles of paperwork involved in the business of teaching. You set the bar high for future teachers. I only hope they know what big shoes they have to fill. Happy retirement, my friend!!!
George Dean Ms. Pinson reminded me of my manners... Happy Retirement, young man!!!
Rhonda Ingram Bramlette just checked in with FB for the first time in weeks and I see THIS!!!!! 

So disappointed! I was actually in Armuchee this afternoon doing some RN visits and would have been honored to share some of my most special memories of my absolute favorite teacher. I know you must hear it all of the time, but just know that you made a tremendous positive impact on my life that has carried on with me through the years. You are a true role model and an inspiration for all who have had the pleasure of knowing you. I am looking forward to seeing what you do with this next act!