LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

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Since 2004

Tag: jennifer miller

  • 1st grade teacher to her ‘Stay at Homies’ Thank you for believing in me

    1st grade teacher to her ‘Stay at Homies’ Thank you for believing in me

    by Jennifer Miller

    During this past year, I took on the challenge of teaching a remote section of first grade for Loveland Schools. To date, this has been the most difficult work situation that I have faced as a teacher during my twenty-three-year career. I started the school year with 38 first graders. Just that hurdle alone made this an imposing task from the start. I remember thinking to myself, “How will I ever be able to deliver meaningful instruction to that many six and seven-year-olds? How will I establish a relationship with each one of them? What if I let my students down?” 

    My remote teaching team and I immediately had to dig in and make this work for our students. I quickly figured out how to manage thirty-plus students on Zoom calls during the day and created a daily schedule. I did my best to find helpful answers to parent questions and concerns, even though I often didn’t have the answers because so much of what we were doing was new to us all. As the first few weeks turned into the first month of remote learning, I found my way and admitted to my parents that I may not have all the answers about all the new challenges of this unique school year, but what I do know about is the development of six and seven-year-olds. So I asked for their trust. And the rest, as they say, is history.

    After many afternoons and nights of stress and reinventing my practices to meet the needs of the situation, I pulled up my bootstraps and really dug into the school year. I had a job to do and my students deserved and needed my very best. I became the technology and wifi expert at my home, I figured out routines such as bi-weekly supply pick-ups; monthly drive-ups at my home for treats, crafts, and encouragement; and I came up with a working schedule that would not overwhelm our district’s young remote learners – or their parents or caretakers, with whom I recognized the need to partner with more than ever. As the year progressed, I had many students transition back to in-person school and from late winter to the end of the school year, I had eighteen students. 

    I can say with confidence that my students had a wonderful and meaningful learning experience this school year. My parents, students and I worked hard to create a caring and respectful online learning environment. On any given day on any given zoom call, my students and I could be found laughing and learning and being silly. We knew the names of each other’s pets, siblings, and other family members. We even knew what everyone had for lunch. Simply put, we were a learning community and, by extension, a family.

    I invited my families to drive by my home in Loveland every month of this past school year so that we could say “hi” in person. I usually had a small treat for them, and I collected a lot of notes, cards, and flowers through the windows of their cars. Those drive-thrus proved to be one of the highlights of our school year together. A few even left me in tears afterward as I realized how awesome we all had made a difficult situation. To be honest, it was a great relief and extra rewarding to find that we could still have such a strong, supportive, and caring learning community in the midst of a pandemic while doing remote school from home. We celebrated birthdays, holidays, and milestones together such as the 50th and 100th days of school. During the Spring we celebrated being reunited with family members and friends as vaccines became available. And on a daily basis, we celebrated each other’s reading, writing, and goals scored over the weekend at soccer. And of course, lost teeth and new haircuts.

    As I look back on our school year, I can safely say that we all had a wonderful school experience. Somewhere in between bad wifi connections and reminding them to “unmute,” all of our wrinkles and rough spots were smoothed over. My hope for my remote students is that when they look back on being a kid many years from now, that some of our memories will be there for them and spark joy. Maybe they will remember our renditions of the Gingerbread Man through reader’s theater. Or maybe the puppet shows put on with their siblings as they retold a story via video. Or maybe it was the simple joy of buddy-reading with a friend in a Zoom breakout room. I know for me, when I look back on this school year, I will remember the faces that greeted me each day with a smile during this pandemic and the trust they had in me all along. 

    To My Stay at Homies: Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for believing in yourselves. Thank you for always having a smile on your face even when you didn’t want to be on a Zoom Call. Thank you for letting me into your home each day. Thank you for sharing your funny stories and jokes with me. Thank you for finding humor in something each and every day. Thank you for laughing at how silly Frog and Toad were with me. Thank you for always asking how I was doing. Thank you for being my anchor during a tough and sometimes sad time. Thank you for being you.

    I love all of you and I can’t wait for more hugs and to see you at LPS in August. 

    Love,

    Ms. Miller

  • But here I am at school everyday with 24 children who truly do believe in the magic of Christmas and Hanukkah [w/Photo Album]

    But here I am at school everyday with 24 children who truly do believe in the magic of Christmas and Hanukkah [w/Photo Album]

    by Jennifer Miller

    As Thanksgiving  Break draws to a close I lay awake that Sunday and wonder how I will make it to Winter Break. You see, I am a first-grade teacher (13-year Kindergarten teacher before that) and December is EXHAUSTING. Can I survive? Can I keep my students in routine to keep “unwanted” behaviors at bay? Can I mix in just the right amount of fun?

    Jennifer Miller teaches 1st graders at Loveland Primary

    And that’s just at work. At home, I am overcome with the anxiety of being a good mom and partner to my significant other through December? Will I be able to make social outings with my friends? When will I shop for my own family? It’s all too much! And I have gone through this cycle for 22 years now. 

    I dig deep. We get back from Thanksgiving Break and we dig back into our learning. The first week back is too soon for Holiday stuff so whew, we all survive. But we can all feel it building. Then there is that dreaded middle week of school. Not the first week back when you are fresh and not the last week before break – the middle one. Routine, routine, routine at school. Keep them in routine. Sprinkle in the fun. Go to bed early. Go to bed early. Don’t worry about getting Christmas ready at home. Self-care. Self-care. Be an OK mom. Let your significant other take care of you. That is my mantra.

    And then, it’s here. The week before winter break. I dig deep. Really deep. I can do this! Keep my eyes on the prize! Eyes on the prize!

    Routine again at school as much as possible. Eat a good breakfast. Consume LOTS of coffee. Self-talk. Self-talk. Self-talk. Believe that I am enough at school for my students and at home for my family. Oh – and sprinkle in the fun at school. Holidays around the world, a Fantasy Field Trip to the North Pole writing assignment, assist 24 little ones in making a gift for their parent, and oh – keep the peace in the classroom and pick my battles. And then, Mother Nature teases us with a possible delay or snow day. But no, it’s just wet and cold enough to cause days worth of inside recess! Inside recess in December- oh come on! I’m definitely being tested. I trudge along. 

    And then I remember that year after year I get to spend December with an incredible age group who never let me forget what the holidays are all about.

    But then something always snaps in me and my brain settles a bit and the anxiety begins to disappear.  Perhaps it’s because I am getting older and my own child is 15 and the holidays look and feel a little different now. Gone are the days of sitting on Santa’s lap and getting up early on Christmas morning to see what Santa left. Gone are the days of having our own elf on a shelf at home. Christmas wish lists are full of makeup and clothes and gift cards instead of American Girl Dolls and Barbies.

    But here I am at school every day with 24 children who truly do believe in the magic of Christmas and Hanukkah. 24 children who think every minute of this last week is amazing and awesome. 24 children who think their classmates and their teachers are awesome.

    But here I am at school every day with 24 children who truly do believe in the magic of Christmas and Hanukkah. 24 children who think every minute of this last week is amazing and awesome. 24 children who think their classmates and their teachers are awesome. And then I remember that year after year I get to spend December with an incredible age group who never let me forget what the holidays are all about. I get to see December through the eyes of a child year after year. I begin to move slower through the week. Observing and listening as I go. I slow down at home too. And I take it all in. And to me, that makes me the luckiest person out there. Maybe even luckier than Santa. 

    PS – I have to say thank you to my incredible family. To Olivia, my daughter, thank you for letting me be just an OK mom during the last few weeks! Thank you for knowing that I give my all to school every day. 

    To my significant other, Kyle – thank you for loving and supporting “teacher me” each day, and understanding this time of year like no one else can. Thank you for feeding me and tucking me in at 9 PM. And to my mom, dad, and sister – thank you for understanding my job and that in December those little people come first. Thank you for supporting me so that I can love and support my students.

    The photos below were taken in Ms. Miller’s classroom the day before the last day of school before Winter Break. The children were making holiday crafts and thank you cards for their custodian, Dave Constant. They got a surprise visit from their Recess Monitor, Mike Scherbenberg and Amy Reiss the building’ English as Second Language teacher. Donna Miller, Ms. Miller’s mom volunteered to help the children wrap the presents they were going to take home.

    Click on any photo to view it full size and flip through the entire gallery…

  • Students Celebrate Earth Day at Goodwill and Loveland Magazine for annual writing lesson

    Students Celebrate Earth Day at Goodwill and Loveland Magazine for annual writing lesson

    “What better way to celebrate Earth Day than to walk to your local Goodwill store and to a local business to learn about reducing, reusing and recycling.” – Loveland first-grade teacher, Jennifer Miller.

     

    by Cassie Mattia

    Loveland, Ohio – On April 22nd billions of people around the world celebrated Earth Day. Loveland 1st grade teacher, Jennifer Miller, decided to celebrate the day by taking her class on a field trip to two Loveland businesses to learn about just why reducing, reusing, and recycling is so important. Loveland Magazine’s very own, David Miller, got the opportunity to be a part of the Earth Day-themed field trip, when Ms. Miller’s class stopped by to learn about composting, rechargeable batteries, and LED light bulbs. David Miller also showed the students how individuals, families, and businesses can lower their negative impact on the environment. The tour of our offices highlighted some of the many pieces of office equipment, furniture, and everyday items that were re-claimed, repurposed, and purchased at the Loveland Goodwill Store.

    For several years, the father and daughter duo have collaborated on practical writing lessons for the students, showing them how their writing can be published in their local newspaper.

    Axel said, “Earth Day is made of kindness.”

    When Ms. Miller was planning a field trip for her students, she wanted to be sure that everything the students did connect back to the importance of protecting our environment. The class began the field trip at The Loveland Goodwill Store where the students learned the importance of reusing and recycling clothing, household goods, books, and toys. The staff showed the students the donation center and explained why it is important to donate items you no longer use rather than throwing them away. Ms. Miller had each student bring an item from home to donate to the center in order to not only really understand the concept of reusing and recycling, but the satisfying feeling you get after doing it!

    Ms. Miller had each student bring an item from home to donate to the center in order to not only really understand the concept of reusing and recycling, but the satisfying feeling you get after doing it!

    After celebrating Earth Day at Loveland Goodwill, the class then walked to Loveland Magazine. Though the distance was short, Ms. Miller thought this activity would really get the students thinking about energy conservation. Once the students arrived at Loveland Magazine they enjoyed a snack, but of course, it was also Earth Day themed! She gave the students the option of eating an apple or cutie so that they could then later put the core or the peel into Loveland Magazine’s compost bin. They were told how composting yard waste, fallen leaves, and kitchen scraps at a business can lower business expenses because the compost is turned into the potting soil for spring plants. It was explained that by not purchasing potting soil, what is basically dirt, it didn’t have to be shipped around the country using fossil fuels which contribute to carbon in the atmosphere. Mr. Miller said, “It doesn’t make sense to transport things like dirt using fossil fuel driven vehicles, and businesses need to be aware of this kind of impact on the climate whenever they purchase goods.”

    After learning how to compost, Mr. Miller talked to the students about the importance of rechargeable batteries and LED light bulbs. He was able to get really interactive with the students by doing light bulb as well as battery demonstrations so that the students could visually see the importance of reusing, conserving energy, and recycling batteries instead of putting them into landfills.

    “What better way to celebrate Earth Day than to walk to your local Goodwill store and to a local business to learn about reducing, reusing and recycling,” said Ms. Miller.

    Ms. Miller followed the Earth Day presentation at Loveland Magazine by walking with her class back to school and straight into the classroom to write about the field trip! So just what did the students write? Let’s read some excerpts from the written reports!

    Natalia – “We should take care of our environment.”

    Samira –  “I learned about recycling batteries.”

    Hanna – “I learned that some kinds of light bulbs can be recycled and my favorite part of the trip was looking at the compost pile.”

    Dean – “I was happy to see the awards on the wall David Miller received for helping the earth. Earth Day is made of showing kindness and respect for our earth. We re-used and recycled. We celebrated in Loveland, Ohio. My favorite part was looking at the earth.”

    Charlotte – “We went on a field trip on Earth Day. We looked at the compost pile. Earth Day is made of showing kindness and respect for our earth. We re-used, reduced, and recycled. We’re celebrating Loveland. My favorite part was the compost pile.”

    Abdulloh – “We donated stuff that we don’t need.”

    Lillian – “I liked learning about how certain light bulbs can save on energy use, about recycling batteries, and that using rechargeable batteries can help the environment. My favorite part was going to the Goodwill store.”

    Tommy – “Walking to Goodwill was my favorite part.”

    Constance – “My favorite thing was learning.”

    Muhammadjon – “I noticed the toys and clothes at Goodwill that were there for recycling and reusing.”

    Dylan – “I liked taking the peels left from our cuties and apple cores and putting them in the compost bin after snack.

    Natalia –  “ I liked composting the food scraps.”

    Ben titled his report, “The Earth is my Friend” and said, “My favorite thing was visiting Loveland Magazine.”

    Ashlynn –  “My favorite part was the backyard at Loveland Magazine.”

    Avery –  “I learned to put food scraps in a compost bin.”

    Axel –  “Earth Day is made of kindness.”

     

    After reading the students Earth Day reports, Ms. Miller was pleased with the impact she and her father had on the students. “My students learned firsthand the importance of donating items that their families no longer needed – to a local organization that helps others. We also learned the importance of making small changes in our daily life at work and school such as using LED lightbulbs, rechargeable batteries, and how to have a compost pile in your own backyard.”

    Mr. Miller said he was really pleased that the students were so engaged in what might seem an adult topic because they are a long way from owning their own company or working in a business or corporation. “They did, however, most appreciate the compost bin and the contents –  perhaps it was the playing in the dirt looking for worms and microbes!” he commented. “I am extremely pleased that so many moms came along on the trip as well. It’s important the children are safe while walking the busy street and I want them to be safe while here at Loveland Magazine also. It helps too that the class was so well behaved and polite.” He also talked about the wonderful hospitality showed toward the students at the Loveland Goodwill Store.

    If you would like to experience the Earth Day field trip Mrs. Miller took her first graders on, watch the video below that Ms. Miller created! Also, take a look at the photos that her father took during the field trip.

    Not only did Ms. Miller’s class have fun, but they had fun learning! It’s never too early to start protecting the environment!

    Watch this video that Ms. Miller created for her students of their Earth Day activities.

     

     

  • Loveland Primary students write Veterans Day story at Loveland Magazine Offices

    Loveland Primary students write Veterans Day story at Loveland Magazine Offices

    by David Miller

    Loveland, Ohio – Students from Jennifer Miller’s 1st-grade class walked to Loveland Magazine’s offices on December 12 to learn about newspapers and write their own story. They had been studying about military Veterans.

    “There was a lot of excitement leading up to our trip to LM. Lots of questions – what does it look like? What does your dad do there? Are we stopping to get ice cream?” said Miller. “Upon our return and through a follow-up activity for our scrapbook about our trip – I was able to reiterate that writers write in all different kinds of spaces and places and for different reasons. And that this trip to LM will help our reports on Veteran’s Day reach all kinds of readers in our community.”

    Jennifer Miller grew up in Loveland and in 1993 graduated from Loveland High School. She is the daughter of Loveland Magazine Publisher, David Miller. She has an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from Miami University and a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Literacy. She has taught in the Loveland School District for 21-years.

    Miller, a teacher in the Loveland Primary School said she believes writing is important for first-graders because they can learn to express themselves through their words and pictures. Every day, her students write and read what they write to each other. Often, they will collaborate on a story in small groups. Miller said, “They watch me be a writer every day. They become confident during writing as well. Writing is a social experience for us.”

    During their visit to Loveland Magazine, the students learned about magazines, newspapers, news websites, and the purpose of writing news stories that people in their own community will want to read. They understand that teachers and parents will read what they write, but if their stories are published in newspapers people they don’t even know will learn what’s on their mind as well.

    Many parents came with the students and helped the smaller groups complete their writing assignment.

    The students work on a specific piece of writing during “Writer’s Workshop” every day. Before they write though, they practice yoga to get their bodies ready for a morning of learning. Miller said that Yoga helps first-graders focus and make good decisions about their behaviors. “Yoga allows us to move in a purposeful way before we have to sit still. That makes for fewer unexpected behaviors in our classroom and room for more meaningful learning,” said Miller.

    Students and parent-volunteers sprawl out on the floor to write their story about Veterans.

    Amy Reiss is the English as a Second Language teacher for the District, servicing grades 1-4. This is her 6th year teaching in Loveland and her 12th year of teaching. She services students who are bilingual, or who need support from exposure to another language. She sees students inside and outside of the classroom and provides them additional support in English Language Development. There are over 14 languages represented in the District. Reiss and Miller have co-taught for 5 years and work together teaching the Expanding Expressions Tool Writing sequence for the whole class. The languages represented in Miller’s first-grade class this year are Spanish, Uzbek, Tajik, Kyrgyz, and English.

    After yoga, Miller dives into the writing lesson. She said, “Some days there is a mini-lesson from me, some days there is time to share, and there is always time to write, or what we call a work session”. Amy Reiss (English as a Second Language teacher for grades 1-4) and I work together.” The students just finished pieces titled “My Thanksgiving” where they retold the facts from their Thanksgiving Holidays with their families. “They turned out wonderful. The children worked hard on including adjectives to describe pie and mashed potatoes. So much work went into this three-week writing project. We completed our pieces of writing with a fancy cover, class photo, and a ribbon. They knew their piece of writing was even more important when I took the time to pull it all together for them this way.”

    The languages represented in Miller’s first-grade class this year are Spanish, Uzbek, Tajik, Kyrgyz, and English. There are 26 students in the class and approximately twenty-five percent are “English Learners”.

    is one of the many tools Ms. Miller uses to teach her students to write.
    Upon return from Winter Break, the class will turn their focus to “small moments.” These personal narratives are also fun to write, according to Miller. For example, instead of writing about their Winter Break, a huge topic, a student might focus just on the moments of making cookies with their grandma while on winter break. “We will then move into a personal narrative about a snowy day which also serves as an assessment piece. And then, my favorite – opinion pieces,” said Miller.
    Miller’s first-grade classroom recently volunteered to pilot two new writing resources for the District so they will be working with those during January and February. Miller said, “We are excited to see what they have to offer to help us become even better writers. I will then share my thoughts and examples of my student’s writing with our writing team to help make a decision about which resource we will use in our District at the elementary level in the years to come. It’s going to be a lot of work, but worth it.”
    While at Loveland Magazine each group practiced reading what they wrote and were filmed for broadcast.

    Miller’s first-graders also work on writing in personal journals every day. This can be a challenge because they can sometimes see this as a job rather than a place they can express themselves. Miller says writing in the journals improves writing stamina. Miller said, “Each month the expectation increases to help them expand a topic that they have been writing about. They must stick to the prompt and really stretch their thinking during this time each day.” When they are done writing in their journal, they have to read it to a friend before turning it in. Reading what they wrote is an important skill for first graders, according to Miller. Their classmate then offers them some constructive criticism and usually, the student returns to their desk to improve their journal before turning it in. Miller said they also work on choosing a friend who will actually offer good advice and not just say, “It looks good.”

    While at Loveland Magazine each student wrote their own sentence describing Veterans to make their group’s story that they read on camera.

    “So much learning!” said Miller. Each child has a goal for their journals hanging on their desk. The students write their goal. Some want to make their writing more interesting or work on their illustrations. And some who are learning English want to better use their new vocabulary. “Goal setting has become a very important part of writing in our classroom,” said Miller.

    Publisher’s Note: I cannot thank the parents and Amy Reiss who accompanied the children – enough. Your help with the children’s field trip to our office is so very valuable, from ensuring they have a safe walk to and from their school, to each of you taking part in helping the small groups with their lesson.

    In sincere appreciation,

    David Miller

  • Loveland first-graders: Will Hillenbrand is happy when he draws

    Loveland first-graders: Will Hillenbrand is happy when he draws


     

     

    Collaborative story written by Jennifer Miller’s first-grade class at the Loveland Primary School,

    Will Hillenbrand visited Jen Miller’s 1st grade class to teach her students how he writes and illustrates his famous children’s books.

    Loveland, Ohio – Will Hillenbrand is an author and illustrator. Will is a story-teller. He draws and writes. Will draws what he dreams and imagines. He is happy when he draws.

    Will uses tape, his magic pencils, and glue to create. His studio is in Terrace Park, Ohio.

    Will’s art makes me happy.

    EDITOR’S NOTE ABOUT THIS STORY:

    Will Hillenbrand is a nationally acclaimed illustrator of children’s literature. After first-grade teacher, Ms. Miller found out Hillenbrand was coming to visit the Loveland Primary School to tell students how he writes and illustrates his famous children’s books, he was asked if he would make a special visit to her class and take part in their on-going writing collaborative with Loveland Magazine. The children used the time to write notes about the author – to use for writing their own story and also showed Hillenbrand how they are taught in the classroom to write stories.

    The class visited the office of Loveland Magazine later that month to jointly write a story about Hillenbrand. The story above is the culmination of the lesson plan on writing and how newspapers can be a tool for telling stories about events in the community.

     

    The photos below were taken while the students were at Loveland Magazine to work on the story they have published.

    Below those photos is the art the children created using the skills they learned from Hillenbrand to help tell their story.

     

    Wildflower House — where women & girls bloom!

  • Ms. Miller’s 1st-graders have a video message for Veterans

    Ms. Miller’s 1st-graders have a video message for Veterans

    by David Miller,

    Loveland, Ohio – Loveland Elementary School teacher, Jen Miller brought her 1st-graders to the Loveland Magazine offices on November 2 to continue their year-long series of visits to learn about newspapers and further their writing skills. This was their second visit of the school year. On this last visit, the students practiced both their writing and reading skills by first writing messages to Veterans and then reading what they wrote in front of a camera. It was a twofold class, to hone skills and to honor Veterans as Veterans Day approached.

    Miller said, “I want my students to know that we write for a variety of reasons. For enjoyment, to inform, and to honor others.”

    Loveland Magazine writer and photographer Sam Smith

    The photos below, many taken by Loveland Magazine photographer, Sam Smith are from both visits. Smith also spent time with the children telling them how he prepares photos for his stories. The students are learning how modern newspapers operate and that their stories can be read on a computer, tablet, and smart-phone. Loveland Magazine was the first newspaper in Ohio to be the first “on-line only” newspaper to be accepted into the Ohio Newspaper Association, now the Ohio News Media Association.

    “I want them to know that writing happens beyond the walls of our classroom. That’s why these trips to Loveland Magazine are priceless life experiences for my students, my parents, and for myself,” said Miller.

    Emma Dickman

    Miller always brings six or seven parent volunteers with the class who keep them safe on the walk and sit on the floor with the students and engage with the writing task.

    Senior Emma Dickman, a High School Ambassador from the Teaching Professional Academy at Loveland High School always accompanies the class as well.

    As the year progresses the 1st-graders will collaborate writing a story about their school, email their story with their photos to Loveland Magazine, and participate in publishing their news. They will also come to Loveland Magazine in the Spring to teach us here at Loveland Magazine how as first-grade students they are taught in the classroom to write stories.

    Fran Hendrick, PCC – coach, counselor, teacher

    Our daughters learn very early whether it’s safe to expose their feelings to us. Not just their sadness, fears and worries — but also their triumphs, because sharing one’s proud moments is actually the greater risk — [Continue reading: https://tinyurl.com/y9tehy2v]

    Be sure to Like http://www.facebook.com/franhendrick to stay up-to-date on posts and happenings at Wildflower House.

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