Well, we made it through another week and Autumn is among us. I can't complain. I won't complain. For one reason, Autumn is my absolute favorite season of the year. I love brisk weather, football, the colors in nature changing, and feeling cozy in my hoodies, pajamas...you name it. Another reason I love this time of year is that my little 4th grade kiddos have been in my classroom for just over a month and seem to 'settle' in to the swing of the routine. We have gradually become our own little family-ish unit.
As I ponder what this week will hold, I have been reflecting on the past four weeks---specifically this last one. My reflections pertain to what my kiddos have learned and what I still need to do for them. I have thought of the routines and procedures we have established and what I need to focus on for another couple of weeks. My nights have been filled with blog reading, TpT surfing, and printing off items for independent and/or partner activities. In other words---busy.
I read the other day that the average teacher works 11 hours and 25 minutes a day. This includes the regularly scheduled day, after school, and at home. Do I believe this? I sure do. So does my family. And as my eldest pointed out, she wondered if weekends had been included in this study, because the computer sees me more than the 'fam' does. It is true that they often feel neglected, and I often feel guilty. I keep thinking one day I will be totally together and have more time to focus on them. Yet, as life would have it, they are getting older as I am hoping. So, I am trying to be somewhat more focused in what I do and rearranging priorities as I go.
Take for instance, right now. My eldest is taking her 'usual and required' nap, while the younger is at a friend's house. So there is not a whole lot of guilt factor. Could I be doing something else? Sure... but I NEED to protect my sanity somehow. I feel that a release through writing is one of the better ways to do this---and safer, too. LOL!
Well, well, well, for this week I am gathering up a few materials to have center-focused activities for my students. This is strictly for math, as I would really love to incorporate Daily 5 for Math, but have no extra brain capacity to piece it all together. So, I have decided to do a 3 group rotation. My lower group will work with me after my whole lesson. The intermediate group will work on an item strictly for what has been taught. My stronger group will work independently or with a partner on building fluency in basic skills. Then, my students will rotate. The last group I will see will be the advanced group. By the time everything is said and done, I will have reviewed everyone's work for the day, made decisions to target their needs, and begun to plan out for the next day's focus. Can you guess which area I feel growth is needed for MYSELF? Yup--math.
As for literacy, I feel like writing is not getting hit long and hard enough. This is something I will be thinking of this week in how to manage time for that specific area. I think I will save a 'writing' post for later, as my youngest has now graced me with her presence. And considering I am managing my priorities differently, you can guess which one now just became the focus.
Until my next post, I hope you find some normalcy at your family dinner table!
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Progress Reports---ALREADY???
Where, oh where, has the time gone? Tomorrow my little chickadees will be taking progress reports home. I cannot believe this. Five weeks in and I feel as if we are five MONTHS into the school year.
This year, as every year (so it seems), has brought on some changes. Instead of Frameworks, we are now teaching Common Core Standards. I really like The Standards, but like all things new, it is taking some time to get used to them. It seems that instead of being bombarded with one change at a time, it is several. This can become frustrating. Frustrating...because it is hard enough to learn ONE new thing, and like many teachers, you want it to be fully implemented TODAY.
Teachers are not given enough kudos and high-fives. Yes, I am a teacher (so you think I am biased), but I was first and foremost a parent. I only began teaching a couple of years ago, and late in my 30s at that. So technically, I can still make the call on 'teachers'. While everyone says teachers have the summers and holidays off, what people do not realize is that they are WORKING for the time they go back. Researching, professional development, reading professional texts, making powerpoints, and lessons, and work center materials, and...need I go on? In my house, the common statement is, "You bought/made that for your students?! What about me?" Yes, my OWN children feel ignored because of my occupation.
Now, don't get me wrong. I smile everyday. There is something worthy about the occupation of teaching, and I have students that have justified that feeling. That student who was 'headed down the wrong path' and had a list of behavior problems? Well, that child is now on the Leadership team. That child who never spoke in school? That child now speaks as if there had never been YEARS of not speaking. I'm not boasting, because frankly, it wasn't me. But it does make me proud that those students were in MY classroom, and it does make me feel as if I had reached that child and made a difference. Isn't that the point?
It is thrilling to hear of students immediately the following year. Yet, I know that there are children we will never know how we made a difference in their lives. With that in mind, teachers still strive to do the best by their students each and every day (I speak for my school). They take the unfortunate hits from parents, administration, and even government levels. But really...it's all for the children, right? So, we roll out of bed with teaching on the brain, and drive home with teaching on the brain. Even now as my bedtime nears, I have thought of a dozen or more things pertaining to my students, my duties, and the days ahead of me.
So, the next time you see a teacher, give them a thumbs up and thank them for trying to change the world...one child at a time.
~D~
This year, as every year (so it seems), has brought on some changes. Instead of Frameworks, we are now teaching Common Core Standards. I really like The Standards, but like all things new, it is taking some time to get used to them. It seems that instead of being bombarded with one change at a time, it is several. This can become frustrating. Frustrating...because it is hard enough to learn ONE new thing, and like many teachers, you want it to be fully implemented TODAY.
Teachers are not given enough kudos and high-fives. Yes, I am a teacher (so you think I am biased), but I was first and foremost a parent. I only began teaching a couple of years ago, and late in my 30s at that. So technically, I can still make the call on 'teachers'. While everyone says teachers have the summers and holidays off, what people do not realize is that they are WORKING for the time they go back. Researching, professional development, reading professional texts, making powerpoints, and lessons, and work center materials, and...need I go on? In my house, the common statement is, "You bought/made that for your students?! What about me?" Yes, my OWN children feel ignored because of my occupation.
Now, don't get me wrong. I smile everyday. There is something worthy about the occupation of teaching, and I have students that have justified that feeling. That student who was 'headed down the wrong path' and had a list of behavior problems? Well, that child is now on the Leadership team. That child who never spoke in school? That child now speaks as if there had never been YEARS of not speaking. I'm not boasting, because frankly, it wasn't me. But it does make me proud that those students were in MY classroom, and it does make me feel as if I had reached that child and made a difference. Isn't that the point?
It is thrilling to hear of students immediately the following year. Yet, I know that there are children we will never know how we made a difference in their lives. With that in mind, teachers still strive to do the best by their students each and every day (I speak for my school). They take the unfortunate hits from parents, administration, and even government levels. But really...it's all for the children, right? So, we roll out of bed with teaching on the brain, and drive home with teaching on the brain. Even now as my bedtime nears, I have thought of a dozen or more things pertaining to my students, my duties, and the days ahead of me.
So, the next time you see a teacher, give them a thumbs up and thank them for trying to change the world...one child at a time.
~D~
Monday, September 3, 2012
3 Day Weekend! Wahoo!
Well, I should be excited for a 3 day weekend, but I am reminded that I won't have another for several months. And I think I would rather have a 3 day weekend stuck somewhere amid the next several months, instead of immediately at the start of school. I am at least thankful for the extra day :)
This week wasn't exactly my greatest week. First, I caught the little germs that run crazy when so many kids show up in one place. My husband said if I wasn't a 'child recluse' during the summer, I would never get sick. Whatever. By Thursday, I know I had glittering eyes and a less than fantastic day of teaching. The area rug looked comforting, if you know what I mean.
Yet, we did get some learning in this week! My students were super-amped when we rolled out the iPads. A few minor glitches--and only one student hasn't been able to enroll hers, but I am sure it will be taken care of soon. A few things we did with the iPads. First, a 'get to know your iPad' tour. Students practiced and poked buttons. We did several basic walk-thrus of email and notes.
Then, I sent the students an 'iPad Obstacle'. An email was sent to each student with directions on what to do. It was a boys vs. girls event. Instructions were listed, along with reminders on how to send and forward emails. There were hints, too. I instructed (via email) for the teams to go to PHOTO BOOTH. They had to each take a picture of their group using a different photo mode (xray, thermal, swirly, etc.) All modes had to be used by the team. Then, each student had to send me his/her picture. After doing that, each student had to forward his/her picture to a member of the opposite team. Once each team member had completed all tasks, they had to shout 'Done!' and they were the winners. It was a learning experience, as the students would ask me questions on what/how to do such-and-such. My reply would be (and extremely hard for me), "It's in the email." Ultimately, some students were much more quick to pick up the skills required and would teach the others, or several would scroll through the email and read to the others the tasks (and they in turn would follow the directions being read). It was a team effort and it was a teaching tool for working together, following directions, and comprehending text.
The next day during our writing workshop, I asked students to write down three animals they found interesting. Then students used their iPads to find three facts about each animal. They were then instructed to find another student who had the same animal. They were to compare facts with that student. Those that had chosen more interesting creatures (lizards, butterflies, etc.) were to share with another student their facts, and vice versa. The conversation I heard often contained, "Which site did you find that on?" The facts they listed will be used as a resource in another writing lesson.
When students entered the classroom on Friday morning (I felt a smidge better), the SmartBoard had a message to follow morning routines, get their iPads out and open their email. We generally do math journal work first thing in the morning and I either have it on a slip of paper for each student, or their work is on the board. What I had done was deliver their morning work via email. I didn't see eyeballs for a good 15 minutes, as the students were SO focused on their work! I couldn't believe how 'into it' they were. As of this point, I am uncertain if I will do this every day, or use it a couple of times throughout the week. I certainly want it to be just as interesting as that first time! (In case you are wondering, students completed the work in their math journals and turned them in so that I could look over them.) In the future, there may be days I have them complete the work in their 'notes' and send it via email. In any case, it was definitely a great way to incorporate technology that morning.
Yesterday, I embarked on professional reading, with a little search on finer points of teaching for deeper understanding. I love blogs, I love TeachersPayTeachers, I love Pinterest, and I love the INTERNET! What did we ever do without them?
This week I am crossing fingers and hoping all my testing will be completed. The students are anxious to start 'Grand Conversations' (similar to Lit circles) and I am, too! Here's a link that explains Grand Conversations, if you are interested. Scholastic-Grand Conversations
In closing, I hope your week is filled with joy and a glimpse of normalcy. And if you like reading my blog (even a teeny tiny bit), be sure to add me. Comments are always welcome!
This week wasn't exactly my greatest week. First, I caught the little germs that run crazy when so many kids show up in one place. My husband said if I wasn't a 'child recluse' during the summer, I would never get sick. Whatever. By Thursday, I know I had glittering eyes and a less than fantastic day of teaching. The area rug looked comforting, if you know what I mean.
Yet, we did get some learning in this week! My students were super-amped when we rolled out the iPads. A few minor glitches--and only one student hasn't been able to enroll hers, but I am sure it will be taken care of soon. A few things we did with the iPads. First, a 'get to know your iPad' tour. Students practiced and poked buttons. We did several basic walk-thrus of email and notes.
Then, I sent the students an 'iPad Obstacle'. An email was sent to each student with directions on what to do. It was a boys vs. girls event. Instructions were listed, along with reminders on how to send and forward emails. There were hints, too. I instructed (via email) for the teams to go to PHOTO BOOTH. They had to each take a picture of their group using a different photo mode (xray, thermal, swirly, etc.) All modes had to be used by the team. Then, each student had to send me his/her picture. After doing that, each student had to forward his/her picture to a member of the opposite team. Once each team member had completed all tasks, they had to shout 'Done!' and they were the winners. It was a learning experience, as the students would ask me questions on what/how to do such-and-such. My reply would be (and extremely hard for me), "It's in the email." Ultimately, some students were much more quick to pick up the skills required and would teach the others, or several would scroll through the email and read to the others the tasks (and they in turn would follow the directions being read). It was a team effort and it was a teaching tool for working together, following directions, and comprehending text.
The next day during our writing workshop, I asked students to write down three animals they found interesting. Then students used their iPads to find three facts about each animal. They were then instructed to find another student who had the same animal. They were to compare facts with that student. Those that had chosen more interesting creatures (lizards, butterflies, etc.) were to share with another student their facts, and vice versa. The conversation I heard often contained, "Which site did you find that on?" The facts they listed will be used as a resource in another writing lesson.
When students entered the classroom on Friday morning (I felt a smidge better), the SmartBoard had a message to follow morning routines, get their iPads out and open their email. We generally do math journal work first thing in the morning and I either have it on a slip of paper for each student, or their work is on the board. What I had done was deliver their morning work via email. I didn't see eyeballs for a good 15 minutes, as the students were SO focused on their work! I couldn't believe how 'into it' they were. As of this point, I am uncertain if I will do this every day, or use it a couple of times throughout the week. I certainly want it to be just as interesting as that first time! (In case you are wondering, students completed the work in their math journals and turned them in so that I could look over them.) In the future, there may be days I have them complete the work in their 'notes' and send it via email. In any case, it was definitely a great way to incorporate technology that morning.
Yesterday, I embarked on professional reading, with a little search on finer points of teaching for deeper understanding. I love blogs, I love TeachersPayTeachers, I love Pinterest, and I love the INTERNET! What did we ever do without them?
This week I am crossing fingers and hoping all my testing will be completed. The students are anxious to start 'Grand Conversations' (similar to Lit circles) and I am, too! Here's a link that explains Grand Conversations, if you are interested. Scholastic-Grand Conversations
In closing, I hope your week is filled with joy and a glimpse of normalcy. And if you like reading my blog (even a teeny tiny bit), be sure to add me. Comments are always welcome!
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