So, 2009... it's been real. You gave me some pretty rad moments... but I'm so ready for 2010!!
In 2010, I will enter grad school. Yes... I will.
In 2010, my desk will stay clean. (I say this every year)
In 2010, I will have a brighter outlook on things.
and... in 2010... I will continue to do my best and be the best teacher I can be!!!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Saturday, December 26, 2009
American Education
Is there hope for the future of American Education? I know there is. Despite the constant obstacles that are thrown in our teachers' way, there still remains hope that there is a bright future for our children.
There are the best teachers in my child's school. They go out of their way to ensure that my child is getting the best education she deserves. I will never forget in the beginning of this school year, my child was feeling anxious about attending a new classroom with a new teacher. This teacher not only wrote us a letter over the summer, but also made several phone calls, and even invited us into her classroom! My daughter was able to meet her, and see the classroom, which lowered her anxiety level tenfold. She was also able to choose where she'd sit, and see which of her friends would be in the class with her.
It is because of teachers like this that I know there is hope for the future of American education.
This post is part of the MAT@USC Hope for the Holidays event. Did you have an experience or witness something in 2009 which gave you hope for the future of American Education? If so, please see this post for more information on how to share it.
There are the best teachers in my child's school. They go out of their way to ensure that my child is getting the best education she deserves. I will never forget in the beginning of this school year, my child was feeling anxious about attending a new classroom with a new teacher. This teacher not only wrote us a letter over the summer, but also made several phone calls, and even invited us into her classroom! My daughter was able to meet her, and see the classroom, which lowered her anxiety level tenfold. She was also able to choose where she'd sit, and see which of her friends would be in the class with her.
It is because of teachers like this that I know there is hope for the future of American education.
This post is part of the MAT@USC Hope for the Holidays event. Did you have an experience or witness something in 2009 which gave you hope for the future of American Education? If so, please see this post for more information on how to share it.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Grad School?
I have been contemplating going back to grad school... ?? ahh! The decision terrifies me. There are pros and cons, and I feel like laying them all out here will help with my decision.
Pros
*knowledge-- I will become much more knowledgable in what I do, and will keep me up to date with the latest in the educational scene.
*doors open-- I can't imagine coming out of the classroom, but you never know what the future holds. Perhaps later in life I will tire of the every day hassles of being a classroom teacher, and maybe I'll want to do something else, like guidance, administration, or supervision... Always helpful to have something to fall back on.
*money-- this one might be a joke lol... the difference between BA and MA pay is peanuts, but I guess every little bit helps
*networking-- I'll meet more educators. I'm sure, in my classes, and meeting other teachers always helps in getting more ideas.
Cons
*money-- why does this one show up on both? money is the root of all evil, I tell you. In this case, I'd have to shell out a lot of clams for a degree. Yes, I get some back from my district, but not until I've finished the course.
*time-- a lot of time that I have been spending with my family and on my current classroom duties will have to be sacrificed to do well in my classes.
Hm... are those really the only cons? Maybe my decision is already made for me... ?!
Pros
*knowledge-- I will become much more knowledgable in what I do, and will keep me up to date with the latest in the educational scene.
*doors open-- I can't imagine coming out of the classroom, but you never know what the future holds. Perhaps later in life I will tire of the every day hassles of being a classroom teacher, and maybe I'll want to do something else, like guidance, administration, or supervision... Always helpful to have something to fall back on.
*money-- this one might be a joke lol... the difference between BA and MA pay is peanuts, but I guess every little bit helps
*networking-- I'll meet more educators. I'm sure, in my classes, and meeting other teachers always helps in getting more ideas.
Cons
*money-- why does this one show up on both? money is the root of all evil, I tell you. In this case, I'd have to shell out a lot of clams for a degree. Yes, I get some back from my district, but not until I've finished the course.
*time-- a lot of time that I have been spending with my family and on my current classroom duties will have to be sacrificed to do well in my classes.
Hm... are those really the only cons? Maybe my decision is already made for me... ?!
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Volunteers
I'm curious about what other teachers do about parent volunteers?
I've always welcomed parents into my classroom. I figure I have nothing to hide, right? I also feel that my students' parents and I should work as a team towards our one common goal: helping their child work to their potential.
Many teachers have the opinion that this teamwork should work as follows: teacher takes charge during the school day, parents take over at home. Why not intertwine the two? Show the students that all of these people are working together and care about them... and that all we do is FOR them?
To all those educators out there who are skeptical, I say give it a try!! Don't let the parent intimidate you. YOU are the professional, and you know what you are doing! Accept the help. The parents AND your students will thank you!
I've always welcomed parents into my classroom. I figure I have nothing to hide, right? I also feel that my students' parents and I should work as a team towards our one common goal: helping their child work to their potential.
Many teachers have the opinion that this teamwork should work as follows: teacher takes charge during the school day, parents take over at home. Why not intertwine the two? Show the students that all of these people are working together and care about them... and that all we do is FOR them?
To all those educators out there who are skeptical, I say give it a try!! Don't let the parent intimidate you. YOU are the professional, and you know what you are doing! Accept the help. The parents AND your students will thank you!
Friday, November 20, 2009
Clickers
I am so excited that my district was able to purchase a set of Clickers for my school!! For those of you who do not know, Clickers is a program that allows students to answer questions projected onto the board through a remote control device. The program will save their answers for you to later review. It's so cool!
What's great, is that the kids think it's "so cool" too! It's bringing 21st century technology right into my classroom! What I also love about them is that rather than calling on one student to answer a question, this records EVERY students answer!
Another awesome function is the reports section. Under reports, you can get actual percentage grades for report cards among many other types of reports. Another function is that you can print out individualized study guides for each student based on questions that they got wrong.
This is such an exciting addition to my classroom!! I can't wait to use them more often!
What's great, is that the kids think it's "so cool" too! It's bringing 21st century technology right into my classroom! What I also love about them is that rather than calling on one student to answer a question, this records EVERY students answer!
Another awesome function is the reports section. Under reports, you can get actual percentage grades for report cards among many other types of reports. Another function is that you can print out individualized study guides for each student based on questions that they got wrong.
This is such an exciting addition to my classroom!! I can't wait to use them more often!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Website
How do you utilize your classroom website in the classroom?
I use my classroom website as an online classroom. I find it to be one of the best tools that I use to communicate with my students' parents. On it, I put homework assignments, book report assignments, as well as useful links to help students with the skills we are learning in spelling, math, reading, science, and and social studies.
I also put a parent resources page on my site, to help parents who may be struggling with their child. Whether it be with homework, learning or attention issues, or just tips to raising a good student-- they can find it there.
Finally, I wanted to make sure that I gave back. There is a teacher resources page where I share good websites and ideas that can maybe help other teachers out there.
I decided to use a teacherweb, but may decide to be more creative this summer when I have more time to look into it!
I use my classroom website as an online classroom. I find it to be one of the best tools that I use to communicate with my students' parents. On it, I put homework assignments, book report assignments, as well as useful links to help students with the skills we are learning in spelling, math, reading, science, and and social studies.
I also put a parent resources page on my site, to help parents who may be struggling with their child. Whether it be with homework, learning or attention issues, or just tips to raising a good student-- they can find it there.
Finally, I wanted to make sure that I gave back. There is a teacher resources page where I share good websites and ideas that can maybe help other teachers out there.
I decided to use a teacherweb, but may decide to be more creative this summer when I have more time to look into it!
Friday, October 30, 2009
Happy Halloween!
Happy Halloween, EduBloggers!!
Halloween is one of the biggest perks to teaching elementary school, don't you think? You get a chance to see all your little friends come dressed up in their fantasy worlds. Lots of clowns, power rangers, supermen, rockstars, and Obamas ready to parade in the infinite circle around the poop-ridden fields behind the school. Fun, yes?
I, this year, was a clown. Not so original, but I have never been a clown before- so it was a first for me!!
And, why is it, that Halloween is the only function that you will see EVERY SINGLE parent of the children in your class? Academic days... back to school night.. conferences... eh.. but-- HALLOWEEN??? SIGN ME UP!!!!!!!!!!!!
Halloween is one of the biggest perks to teaching elementary school, don't you think? You get a chance to see all your little friends come dressed up in their fantasy worlds. Lots of clowns, power rangers, supermen, rockstars, and Obamas ready to parade in the infinite circle around the poop-ridden fields behind the school. Fun, yes?
I, this year, was a clown. Not so original, but I have never been a clown before- so it was a first for me!!
And, why is it, that Halloween is the only function that you will see EVERY SINGLE parent of the children in your class? Academic days... back to school night.. conferences... eh.. but-- HALLOWEEN??? SIGN ME UP!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Website
Hello, fellow bloggers out there.
I wanted to share a new website with you-- www.starfall.com.
Check it out.. my students went on it today and had a blast.
I wanted to share a new website with you-- www.starfall.com.
Check it out.. my students went on it today and had a blast.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Computers
Teachers, I have learned something new today. In computers. YES, me. I am SO excited!!!
I dutifully took my students to computer class this morning. They immediately began typing away on their typing program. I started to make my rounds to make sure they were using those dear home-row keys, when the computer teacher called me over. She then showed me how to turn off the auto-format when making a table.
O---M---G!!!
Now, many of you may be thinking WHO CARES??!! And you may also be wondering why I think that this is blog-worthy... Well, my friends, I ask you-- have you ever found yourself cursing at the computer while typing your spelling words into a table... backspacing with every word to fix the auto-corrected capital letter?
Well-- if you have... let me make you just as excited as I am. It's a little trick called:
FORMAT--- CHANGE CASE...
Oh, how I love learning new things...
I dutifully took my students to computer class this morning. They immediately began typing away on their typing program. I started to make my rounds to make sure they were using those dear home-row keys, when the computer teacher called me over. She then showed me how to turn off the auto-format when making a table.
O---M---G!!!
Now, many of you may be thinking WHO CARES??!! And you may also be wondering why I think that this is blog-worthy... Well, my friends, I ask you-- have you ever found yourself cursing at the computer while typing your spelling words into a table... backspacing with every word to fix the auto-corrected capital letter?
Well-- if you have... let me make you just as excited as I am. It's a little trick called:
FORMAT--- CHANGE CASE...
Oh, how I love learning new things...
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Don't Rain on My Parade!!!
This has been such a terrible week for me. And it's only Wednesday. Did you ever just have someone come and rain on your parade?
A co-worker and I have been working really hard on a current fund-raiser for our school. It's going over REALLY well, and we have been super excited about it. Rightfully so, right? We have brought many learning resources into our school as well as a lot of much needed technology. To say that we were excited and proud of ourselves is an understatement.
Then comes the rain. And when it rains in my school-- it pours. There are certain teachers of the "older" generation who are so closed-minded. Why can't they be more receptive to new ideas. I understand that change is not easy-- but it's needed, ESPECIALLY in education, where trends change more than anywhere else in the world.
It's put such a sour taste in our mouths. We feel like we should stop doing anything extra for the school. Which is not what we want (nor what we will do...), because the children will be missing out-- and they are the ones that we are all there for, after all.
And it's only Wednesday.
A co-worker and I have been working really hard on a current fund-raiser for our school. It's going over REALLY well, and we have been super excited about it. Rightfully so, right? We have brought many learning resources into our school as well as a lot of much needed technology. To say that we were excited and proud of ourselves is an understatement.
Then comes the rain. And when it rains in my school-- it pours. There are certain teachers of the "older" generation who are so closed-minded. Why can't they be more receptive to new ideas. I understand that change is not easy-- but it's needed, ESPECIALLY in education, where trends change more than anywhere else in the world.
It's put such a sour taste in our mouths. We feel like we should stop doing anything extra for the school. Which is not what we want (nor what we will do...), because the children will be missing out-- and they are the ones that we are all there for, after all.
And it's only Wednesday.
Monday, September 7, 2009
First Day of School
The first day of school was FABULOUS. My little friends filed in as expected with their shiny new backpacks and perfect new hairdos. They angelically sat at their freshly made desks and dutifully listened to every word I said.
First day bliss.
But... would I be a terrible teacher if I said that I am not in love with them yet? I miss my old friends. I see them in other teachers' lines, and I want to yank them out and bring them back to mine. I miss their wiggling in the seats, their calling out, their laughter, their perfect handwriting-- I miss it all about them! The good and the bad!
It's normal, though. The mourning period will last a while... and my new shiny class will have a just as special spot in my heart.
First day bliss.
But... would I be a terrible teacher if I said that I am not in love with them yet? I miss my old friends. I see them in other teachers' lines, and I want to yank them out and bring them back to mine. I miss their wiggling in the seats, their calling out, their laughter, their perfect handwriting-- I miss it all about them! The good and the bad!
It's normal, though. The mourning period will last a while... and my new shiny class will have a just as special spot in my heart.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Happy New Year!!
Nothing beats the feeling of a new school year. Tom Hanks says it best in You've Got Mail when he talks about the fresh feeling of fall.. crisp leaves, chill in the air, new office supplies!!
Oh, office supplies, how I love thee... new pencils, new binders-- oh, I almost can't contain myself!! The new sharpies with the sharp tip at the end... the first page of a new notebook... the feel of a new Expo marker... these are a few of my favorite things!!!
And my new students... I can't wait to meet them and see how they will impact my teaching. I'm sure I will learn plenty from them. The first day of school is so fun-- learning all about each other and teaching them about our new home together in my classroom.
This next week will be full of educational "firsts"--- and I just love it!
Oh, office supplies, how I love thee... new pencils, new binders-- oh, I almost can't contain myself!! The new sharpies with the sharp tip at the end... the first page of a new notebook... the feel of a new Expo marker... these are a few of my favorite things!!!
And my new students... I can't wait to meet them and see how they will impact my teaching. I'm sure I will learn plenty from them. The first day of school is so fun-- learning all about each other and teaching them about our new home together in my classroom.
This next week will be full of educational "firsts"--- and I just love it!
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