You know you're a teacher when...

You know you're a teacher when...

• You repeat any direction 5 times in 3 different ways and then repeat it 13 more times over the course of an hour
• You get to school a 1/2 hour before anyone else so you can use the copy machine before it's broke for the day
• You ignore kids when they walk up to you and wait for them to sit back down
• You respond to multiple pronunciations of your name without correcting any of them
• You hate assemblies and school concerts because they put you behind the pacing chart
• You can cover the entire history of the War of 1812 in one 45 minute lesson
• You say no to anyone who asks to get a drink or go to the bathroom
• You ask if anyone has questions and then re-ask the kid you are about to call on if it is a question or a story
• You despise extra curricular activities that pull your students out of class while you are teaching
• You wake up and randomly count the days until the soonest break (Friday, MLK day, 1/2 day, etc.)
• You thoroughly love what you do and the students you teach but no one else can make you so annoyed or frustrated in such a short period of time

FREE technology

Here are some resources for free internet-based technology resources.

• International Children's Library (free books in a variety of languages)
• Goodreads (book reviews)
• Zunal (Make your own webquest or use someone elses')
• Google Earth/Sky/Moon (Explore space Google Style)
• Kerpoof Studios (Create movies, drawings, cards, pictures, tell a story...)
• Fed. Resources for Educational Excellence (free resources and lesson plans)

Semester #2

Hello Folks,

One thing you learn as you become a teacher is that you soon have little time for any type of communication outside of school. Thus, this blog has been neglected.

However, I think I need to revive it.

My lead teach starts on Tuesday. This means that I take over the entire classroom for 10 weeks (which is an entire marking period). I've been planning this for a while. And surprisingly, I am pretty well prepared. Our MSU classes started again today. This semester we have science and social studies. I'm looking forward to planning science lessons (after all, that is what I went to school for 5 years for).

I'm getting caught up on things I need for my portfolio and resume. I have joined the national science for teachers association, the national reading association, and the Michigan reading association. I have also signed up for a webinar on technology in the classroom and an MRA conference. Basically, I needed extra things on my resume to make me stand out in literacy.

Anyways, this is just a little boring update. I'm still here. I'm still alive. And I still like teaching :)

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.