One and Done!

As {previously mentioned}, I've got some professional reading to tackle this summer.

This afternoon, I sat down with  Your School Rocks...So Tell People! with the intention of tackling a few chapters.

 

 Two hours later, in one sitting, I was done.  

It was a good, quick read that reaffirmed a lot of what I am already trying in the classroom.

My take-aways?

1) Continue to use class dojo to communicate with families about all the awesomeness that's happening in the classroom.

2) They aren't reading the paper newsletter.  Find a different (digital) way to communicate.  I like the idea of weekly podcasts.  I like the idea of them being limited to 2-3 minutes even more.  I'm hoping to figure out how to link them to Instagram instead of posting to Youtube.

3) Respect FERPA. Get permission before posting face pictures and don't use last names.  When in doubt, take artsy, behind the head shots.  It's hard to identify backs of heads & hands.
 
4) Create a classroom/teacher Instagram account.  I've got a personal one that I use and I'm already snapping pictures of class events for dojo, so why not?  In addition to this book being in favor of using social media, dozens of other respected educational articles back up this idea.

I didn't check with administration first, but created one that's totally separate from my personal account.  I shared a message on class dojo with last year's class and explained that families are welcome to follow me, but I won't follow back (thus ensuring their privacy).

One of the big "a ha" moments while reading was how often teens are on social media, so why not use that as a positive force.  One chapter focused on teachers/schools that were sending daily positive affirmations to help students start their days off right.  I have a teacher friend in Texas who has been doing this for years within the Discovery Educator Network (DEN) with massive success.  Why couldn't the same ideas be applied to the classroom?

I'm eager to see how this evolves, but I've got my branding hashtags ready (classroom specific, school specific, and the 50s pod specific). 

I stumbled upon this:

Which I plan to use.  I want the account to feel like a classroom account, so I will be sending students out with the iPads to take pictures.  I'll have them send to me and then I'll post from there. I also like the idea of them writing the captions and mini-blog posts.  Students tend to put forth a lot more effort when they have an authentic audience (meaning not just me the teacher). 

I've got two followers so far, one parent from last year and one teacher friend's professional account.  She used twitter last year and was my inspiration for the project (and who recommended the book to me), so it's nice to have someone to bounce ideas off of in the realm of technology.  Thanks Mrs. K!

Disappointment

As I previously shared, I am attending the Whole Brain Teaching (WBT) conference here in Las Vegas this week.

Today was day one and unfortunately, I left supremely disappointed.

First, I don't disagree in any way with the ideas behind WBT.  Activating different aspects of the brain to create long term recall is splendid.  

Incorporating movement? Fantastic, especially for my wiggly ones.  

A high energy classroom with a sense of urgency for learning? Absolutely. Embedding lessons on character that go beyond "be kind"? Yes, a thousand times yes.  My job is to help mold little humans to make the world a better place.

An emphasis on these simple rules? Sounds good!

 (Especially number 5!)

However, I unfortunately left with several major issues.  

1) Time management.  The presenter spent hours going through the different variations of teacher/student points.  I zoned out on level six.  He went through at least level 16.  

It's not that complicated.  Go over the ideas, give us a list of variations, and move on.  Again, hours.

2)  The idea of unknown rewards within WBT doesn't mesh well with me.  The uncertainty of unpredictable outcomes is quite enticing to the human brain (hence, gambling) but kids who have suffered traumatic events react quite differently to the unpredictable outcomes, often shutting down.  This isn't an environment I want to create in my classroom.

3) The nearly constant interruptions.  In fifth grade (and I'm assuming third), most of my students have longer than a 60 second attention span. I get the idea of introducing one new idea at a time for younger grades, but I feel like upper elementary can handle two steps at once.

4) The overemphasis on games as a classroom management strategy.  I was left wondering when the teaching actually occurs.  

5) The location.  The long drive didn't help and our seating options (for eight hours) were metal folding chairs or gym bleachers.  Neither was particularly desirable.

6) The tone of the presenters.  The high energy was overwhelming and I felt bombarded with directions all day.  I was told this teaching method takes some getting used to, but I felt like I was being treated as a child (and not a professional).  I'm not an auditory learner, so being talked to all day at such a fast pace was overwhelming and I wanted to shut down.  There wasn't time to ask questions, which was irksome.

We will be getting a PDF of the material that I will digest in smaller chunks. I'm willing to give parts of it a try, but I won't be returning for the remaining two days of training.  I've never really quit a conference before, but my summer time is valuable and I don't want to spend it feeling that frustrated.   


However, I did leave with some take-aways. 

1) I liked the emphasis on character education as a continuous, embedded aspect of teaching.  Those simple things of making eye contact when someone is speaking, saying good morning/afternoon, please, and thank you aren't always taught or expected.  I'd like to focus on that next year.

2) Call & Response formats and catchy sayings (high five-switch, mirrors, etc).  We are adopting the Ron Clark model for next year and I'd like to continue to look for ways to incorporate joy into the classroom.

 3) More continuous review throughout the lesson. 

 

Summer Goals

 

Summer 2017 Plans:

Professional Growth and Responsibilities

1. Attend a 3 day Whole Brain Teaching conference (6/12-6/14)

This, unfortunately, became a one day adventure.  Read more {here}.

2.  Renew my teaching license (done 6/14, along with a name change with the state DOE and HR for CCSD)

3. Set up my new classroom early.  We report back the 9th, but I'm picking up my keys on August 3rd.  With a new classroom and a new grade level, I'm treating myself like a new teacher next year. 

4. Clean out the Sunshine (social club) closet.  We're going to use left over funds to purchase some table cloths for future events (so we don't have to keep buying disposable plastic ones).  We also have the goal of buying a Keriug and setting up a cafe table in the teacher's lounge.  We'd have creamer in the fridge and charge a dollar a K-cup.  I'd like to do a teacher survey first to make sure there's an interest in it before we spend a few hundred dollars on a whim.

5. Finish Your School Rocks So Tell People (completed 6/13/17), Teach Like a Pirate, and Ron Clark's Essential 55

Home Improvements

1. Finally stain the cabinets for the master bathroom.  We ripped out the medicine cabinets and had a carpenter build custom shelving to fit inside the wall holes.  I just need to stain them to match the rest of the cabinets:

When we're done, it will look like this (above).  I've already stained the rest of the bathroom cabinets (below).

They've been sitting in the garage for months waiting for me to find the time to stain them.  My goal is by the time we leave for our honeymoon in July. 

2. Clean out our master closet and donate unused items to charity.

3. Create a new wreath for the front door.  A friend posted this on instagram:

 PC: Andi Hunt (Instagram)

It'd be fairly easy (and cheap) to recreate.  Plus our front doors are similar colors, so I already know it will be match.

4. Touch up paint in our master bedroom and hallway.  After living here for three years, there are some scuff marks.

Friends & Family  

1. Host B's graduation party (check! 6/10/17)

2. Take all 3 pets to the vet for their yearly check ups (Waffles is scheduled for this week, cats are early July)

3. Help plan a baby shower for his second cousin.  She's due early October, so we're thinking Labor Day weekend.  They're fairly certain it's a girl and I'm pretty positive I've only planned baby boy showers (three of them?).

4. Help Katie make her wedding favors. She's getting married the Sunday of Labor Day weekend and I'm her day of wedding coordinator.  

5. Finish my mom's wedding book (it's almost done I promise!) and order our wedding pictures to put into the album.

Side Job Goals

1. Finish the Dark Prophecy and create the matching TpT guides

2.  Finish the partially completed projects for TpT.  I'm currently at 216 products.  I'd like to be at 250 at the end of the summer. 

I also plan to nap, a lot.

It's Summer, Now What?

I'm still not done with the rather lengthy end of the year post, but I am officially on summer break.  After the delight of moving classrooms (NOT), I checked out of my (old) classroom at 10:38 on Friday morning.  

I went home, had a Blue Moon to celebrate, then took a nap.  I clearly know how to celebrate!  Later I went to Target and then met up with part of my (former) grade level for a celebratory dinner.  Since we'd already had a celebratory breakfast together at IHOP, it seemed like a pleasant way to end the day.

Now, you might think that I got to sleep in and relax for that first Saturday of the summer, but nope.

See, that lovely husband of mine graduated from college last weekend.  

So yesterday, the first day of break, I threw him a graduation party at his parents' house for 40 of his closest friends.  Truly, the timing couldn't have been worse with all the chaos and emotions from the end of the year, but I didn't want the event to go unnoticed.  We also have our niece's birthday, a baby shower, and father's day next weekend, so the 11th was truly my only option.

I had fun on pinterest looking up ideas, but ultimately most of the guests were in the garage playing beer pong.  At least the food was good (compliments of his parents) and the decor was festive (because that's my contribution).

Much to my mother's disappointment, I don't love baking (or being in the kitchen in general.  Sorry mom! I'm working on it.)  However, parties need some sort of dessert.  Since we'd already enjoyed a cookie cake with my family at his surprise grad party in May,

I wanted to do something similar.  I loved the idea of a cookie bar because now that he's a college grad, I can call him one smart cookie.

I went with University of Phoenix colors, which also happen to be the nearby high school's colors.  So, naturally, when I was buying party supplies, I was asked on several occasions if I was excited to graduate.  From high school. 

I had a hair appointment Saturday morning, but headed over afterwards to set up.  He had a lot of fun, which is what matters.  

We had his second cousin spend the night Saturday night on a whim.  She's sixteen and just needed some time away.  We've got a guest bedroom and she loves our puppy, so why not?

Today (Sunday) we had lunch with his aunt and uncle to simultaneously celebrate his graduation and their 40th wedding anniversary.  The afternoon consisted of a rather epic nap and getting ready for tomorrow's teaching conference.

Because yes, I thought it was a good idea to spend the first three days of summer break at a teacher conference.  

An unpaid conference.  From 8-5.  At a high school an hour away from my house.  For three days.

Again, 

I am cautiously optimistic it will be a wonderful educational event where I pick up some valuable tips for next year.  I have my planner, my notebook, and a book in case I'm bored.  Luckily four other colleagues from my school are attending, so I'll have a seat buddy. 


It's summer, yet a teacher's work is never done!

Appreciating Teachers

With summer in sight, the first part of May is dedicated to a week of celebrating teachers.  


As a fifth grade teacher, this week can bring out a bit of jealousy.  Watching the primary teachers (especially kindergarten teachers) be showered with gifts on a daily basis is a bit hard to watch.  See, in lower grades, there appears to be a lot more love and respect for teachers.  The little ones absolutely love their teachers (most of the time).  By fifth grade, school isn't a novelty anymore and the hormone/puberty beast is alive and well.

However, I did get some sweet gifts and cards from my students and their families:

(Not pictured: the delicious homemade lemon bars. They didn't last long enough to get a picture...)

Our PTA is amazing and fed us lunch every day.  Seriously, food is the way to our hearts!  Between Raisin' Canes, a taco truck, and make your own trail mix, we felt loved by our school.


So any parents reading this, please acknowledge your child's teachers.  Even with just a hand written note about how much you've meant to them will mean the world.

On a side note, chocolate is also almost always welcomed, especially at the end of the year as we are running on empty.

New product...in progress

As a pinterest-loving teacher, the idea of these doodles on the board every morning is inspiring...

...and for me, unrealistic.  I'd do this for maybe a week, then have an emergency meeting, forget to do this, and be sassed by the little ones.  

For those teachers that can manage to not only have a clean board space every morning, but create these elaborate doodles, hats off to you!  I am not this teacher.

Plus, the sheer amount of post-it's we'd go through if I did this weekly makes me cringe.

But, I love this idea.  I think it'd go a long way towards promoting a classroom culture where sharing is encouraged.  It'd be an easy way to get them writing in the morning because I plan to have a special journal just for these warm ups.  At my school, we serve universal breakfast, so this could be their activity while I call tables for food.  After I've gone through the class roster, they would have the opportunity to share their ideas with their tables.  Depending on time, I could also have class volunteers.

Not only would this get them thinking, talking, and sharing first thing in the morning, it would have the second benefit of encouraging on time attendance.  Tardy students would get to hear the conversations, but not participate if their journals aren't done first. 

So some time earlier this week, when I was having trouble sleeping, I decided to start this product.  I'm making a power point with daily prompts.  A ppt, created in advance, eliminates a majority of my time management issue with creating the prompts.  Furthermore, I can display this on my smartboard (which is always clean). 

I'm making this product for my classroom (upper elementary) and based on our school 
calendar (180 days).  Since it's a ppt, it will be completely editable for purchasers.  I'm through the middle of October (it's a labor of love), but here are some sneak peeks:

Stay tuned! I only have 140 days to go...

Secret Sale!

(No puppies were harmed during the filming of this image.  A puppy treat was most definitely involved!)

Weekend flash sale at {my store}.  20% off all my products, hoppy shopping!