The countdown is on! I hope you find some downtime in the next 10 days to relax and enjoy the season. Thanks to online shopping, I'm hoping to do just that!
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Here it comes...the day before Christmas break when we are unsure how to fill the time. We teeter between I'm done, they're done, let's just be done, and I'm a teacher, this is school, let's learn.
So, let's take the middle road.
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"Gratitude turns what we have into enough." Anonymous
Gratitude changes everything.
And, regardless of your current situation in life, we all have so much to be thankful for. While this can instantly change our own lives, it also has transformative power for our students.
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I am thankful it is the weekend, and I'm sure you are too! I also want to let you know how thankful I am for all of you and your support of the blog.
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I don’t know that there is much you can do in the classroom more powerful than building relationships..
We all know that, right?
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Well, maybe it isn't a secret. But, if you have been around the education block, you have learned, (probably the hard way) that there is a right way to give instructions. And, there are many wrong ways! These wrong ways suck up your time and usually end up causing you more work. Whenever I am consulting on classroom management, whether it is with student teachers or veterans, this is a high target area. Get this right, and you have given you and your students a gift!
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Welcome to another Your Minutes post that features YOU! Here you will see educators sharing how they spend their minutes doing what they do best.
This one is powerful- especially for those of you who don't have experience with depth and complexity. The first time I walked into Meghan Hornbecker's room and saw her putting the icons to use, I was captivated. I have been preaching the benefits of the icons for years, but seeing Megan bring them to life with her students was fascinating. Enjoy!
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How is it that we are halfway through October? I hope you are enjoying some cooler temps this weekend!
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"MOM!!!" pierces through the night and awakes you suddenly. You quickly make your way down to the hall to your child and before you even enter their door your mind is racing. "Who can I get to sub at the last minute?
Sound familiar?
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A picture is worth a thousand words.
And, we have all heard that quote a thousand times! But, there is no denying the power of a picture in a classroom. The New York Times provides a growing resource of engaging and sometimes mysterious photos that are stripped of captions, allowing students to share in the conversation regarding what they are viewing.
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Did I have you at paper airplane?
This is hands down one of my favorite strategies. In just a few simple steps it can become a new favorite for you and your students.
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Any time we have to talk to kids about tragic events we walk the line of informing vs. freaking them out. In today's world the regular news cycle displays an array of terrorism and tragedy. And, when the questions come, it helps to have thought through how to approach it with our students.
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I recently presented a workshop on the topic of exit tickets, so with my mind still flooded with thoughts on the topic, I thought I would share a few more ways to use exit tickets.
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Whether you are about to start back to school or you are already into the school year this is for you.
Have you ever taken time to sit in your students' desks?
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Well, the countdown is on! If you aren't already back to school, you soon will be! I know your time is very precious at this point, but if you have 6 spare minutes, check out some inspiration below.
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As you are plotting and planning for the upcoming school year (or laying by the pool and thinking about plotting and planning), I thought it might be a good time to talk exit tickets.
Have you used them?
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Welcome to another Your Minutes post that features YOU! Here you will see teachers and administrators sharing how they spend their minutes doing what they do best.
Please welcome my dear friend and talented educator, Stephanie Worcester. Stephanie has such depth of knowledge in so many areas. I'm thankful she agreed to share with us today, and I hope to have her back in the future.
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