and living life one day- and book- at a time
When I was in college, I was often told: Don’t smile until after November. The reason behind this is that in order to have effective classroom management, your students need to know that you mean business. What they don’t tell you is that it’s difficult to do that when you cycle up with the students. …
When it comes to writing, students can be intimidated by it. Especially narrative writing and writing short stories. They stare at a blank page and have no clue what to write about or even where to start if they have an idea. To help with this, I reached into my file cabinet and pulled out …
This year I’ve been reminded that bullying is a terrible experience. I have students bullying me the same way that I was bullied in school growing up. I used to hate my last name because being called Miss Thirsty or being asked if I was Thirsty was plain torture. And leave it to my students …
I haven’t truly had the time to process this week the way that I really need to process this week. I’ve cried a lot. I’ve been bullied by students (that will be in a later post). I’ve received a diagnosis which made me realize that I wasn’t losing my mind. Let’s begin with the crying. …
I blinked, and August disappeared. I’m not sure what happened, but one day I was starting August, and the next, it was gone in a flash. Labor day is behind us, and I noticed that the leaves are in prep mode to change. I do apologize for not posting, but in my defense, school life …
Work emails are rolling in. Sign ups for beginning of the year PDs are being sent. Schedules for the first week is here. That first day of school is fast approaching. I. Am. Not. Ready. Our district is initiating the year-round school calendar. The drawback: Teachers return in July and students start August 1st. It …
Students tend to learn best from one another. Having a student reciprocate a lesson to another student can be more effective than having a teacher go over a lesson. Moving them out of nice neat rows and placing them in a circle with the intention of discussion can breathe life into your classroom. Because of …
As I was taking down my bulletin board, I came across a small laminated card that I was given at the beginning of the year. It was my reminder to Love my students first, and then teach them after that. Simple. Love first, teach second. Unfortunately that small reminder was buried under the important information, …
I know that sounds a little post-apocalyptic, but you teach, you know that there are multiple meanings behind that and each one feels real. We have 2 half days this week: Tuesday and Wednesday. No school on Monday. Am I personally hoping that no one shows those last 2 days? Yes! Will they show up? …
This week begins our state testing. Oh how I dread those standardized tests! Add to that mix the craziness that has overtaken these students as summer calls out to them. On Friday, our school had a testing pep rally. I get it. Motivate these students to do well. The only problem is that while the …