Interactive Historian: Thanksgiving

I came across a website my friend posted on facebook. I'm definitely going to use it on Wednesday before the big T-day during our social studies time. It is an interactive website that tells both sides of the Thanksgiving Day story. It's got great teacher ideas and interactive templates for students to write about what they learned from the site.

Great resource! Check it out.
http://www.plimoth.org/media/olc/intro.html

3 Easy Ways to Motivate Students

#1-Let students know that they are valued, appreciated, and that you really do believe in them. Let them know that their effort in trying to tackle the difficult parts of learning is noticed. Let them know that it is human to face hard times in learning and that you are there to support them along the way.

#2- Give students a chance to express themselves. No matter what the form, students want to be able to share their thoughts. A math journal is a good way for students to tell you what they have learned or what questions they have regarding math. Giving students feedback after they have had the chance to express themselves lets them know that what they have to say is important and worth your time to hear (or read).

#3- Let students have fun with learning. This map fell off the wall and without purpose found it's place on the carpeting area floor. During our Halloween party, these boys had a great time traveling across the US. They were playing their own made up game with their own imaginary cars and having the best time ever. The whole time they were learning US geography-very unintentionally. If learning is fun, students will buy in to it, and that is what motivation is all about!

Making the most out of little spaces

Here are some ideas for ways to display classroom things on limited wall space.

Math word wall posted on closet door.

 Text Features. Posted on shades as they were taught in the classroom. 

Classroom news posted on poster-board outside of the classroom door. Lets parents, students and staff know what is going on in the classroom without many words.

Text features work displayed on the wall outside of the classroom. Some even on the lockers, door and behind the door. Although, not the best idea if you are not allowed to post things on the wall with tape (my teacher doesn't seem to mind or care).


Also, center's schedule is posted on the door. Saves room from posting on limited board space or bulletin space.

Recess

STOP TAKING AWAY RECESS AS A PUNISHMENT FOR DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR!!!

Thank you.
~friend of children who can't sit still.

Justice

So, I'm in a position right now where my mentor teacher may be moved to another building. If that is the case, I have three options. 1-stay with my mentor teacher,  2-move to another 3rd grade class in my building, or 3-stay with my kids and whatever teacher is placed in the room.

Here's the thing: I'm in a bilingual classroom. The district needs bilingual teachers in another building. My kids need their bilingual teacher. If my MT is taken away, the kids suffer. If both of us are taken away, they suffer even more. If the teacher that replaces my MT isn't an experienced teacher they suffer even more, and that's just not fair!

But, if I stay with my MT then I will be taught how to teach. If I stay with my MT I will get more experience across grade levels. If I stay with my MT then I'll have connections at more than one Detroit school. If I stay with my MT then I will for sure have a solid reference when I am looking for a job.

I can't stop thinking about the kids though. This is an injustice to them. It's not right. It's not right at all. And I have no idea what I should do, if I am given the option. Should I stay with my kids and make sure they are being taught? Or should I stay with my MT and make sure that I have a better chance at getting a job when I need to get one?

I just don't know. Either way I feel like it's lose-lose. LAME.