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Ice Cream for Homework

This week has been filled with ups and downs, but there is so much to celebrate! Monday would have been my Dad's 70th birthday. He passed away almost ten years ago. This year, I talked to my students about my dad and I told them about his birthday. We talked about remembering those we love and I decided to invite them to do some extra homework. The typical middle school moans and groans could be heard when I announced that, but they were immediately silenced when I told them their assignment...eat ice cream. 


Ice cream was Dad's favorite treat, Dairy Queen, to be exact...so I told them how every year on his birthday and important "Dad Days", I go to DQ and order my favorite blizzard.

The classroom exploded with excitement! Many students grabbed their agendas to record their homework and even more demanded I sign their agendas. "My parents won't believe me!" Here are a couple of agenda entries from my sixth, seventh, and eighth graders...



What happened next warms my heart! They ate ice cream. They talked to their parents. They told them about my dad and how he loved ice cream. Every story I heard ended with the parents saying, "Yes!" to ice cream. I received a couple of photos and one beautiful email from a parent.
 

I miss my dad every single day and to know that this week he was remembered because of his love of ice cream...he'd love that! I celebrate Dad! I celebrate ice cream! I celebrate carrying those we love with us forever! Oh, and if you're interested, it's never too late...go and get some ice cream or your favorite treat today. Indulge. Laugh...and remember my dad!

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Comments

  1. Carol VarsalonaDecember 3, 2016 at 9:55 AM

    Michelle, this is a touching celebration, indeed, both for your students and you. How special to have homework centered around family and celebrating joy!

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  2. KendraDecember 3, 2016 at 10:13 AM

    I love this joyous tribute to your dad! And the Limbacks' will be having ice cream later!

    ReplyDelete
  3. CarolDecember 3, 2016 at 10:21 AM

    Such a sweet celebration! My dad died in December, in 1993. I miss him every day too! Maybe I should eat lime sherbet in his honor!

    ReplyDelete
  4. MariaDecember 3, 2016 at 10:52 AM

    LOVE this homework! Celebration of family is so important! Thank you for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Carrie GelsonDecember 3, 2016 at 2:42 PM

    This is the best! What a celebration.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Diane AndersonDecember 3, 2016 at 3:45 PM

    Sitting here with tears in my eyes, thinking of my dad, gone over 40 years. I smile to remember the pictures of him as a young man- he was movie star handsome.

    ReplyDelete
  7. UnknownDecember 3, 2016 at 4:09 PM

    This is beautiful, Michelle. I love the way you unfolded the story and the way your dad continues to touch lives. It's important to keep the legacy alive of those we love the most. Thanks for telling the whole story here, as a celebration.
    Ruth

    ReplyDelete
  8. TaraDecember 3, 2016 at 8:15 PM

    Oh...what a beautiful post - and I adored the way your kiddos showed their love for you by eating ice cream. Such sweetness!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Terje December 4, 2016 at 11:57 AM

    What an awesome way to celebrate your dad!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Linda BDecember 4, 2016 at 5:08 PM

    I thought when I saw this on FB that it was an awesome idea. Not only did you all celebrate your dad, but you showed the students that caring comes in so many good ways.

    ReplyDelete
  11. LoraleeDecember 7, 2016 at 4:54 AM

    Oh my heart.
    So sweet.

    ReplyDelete

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