and living life one day- and book- at a time
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 …
Twice this past week I have seen (and sent to myself to reread) articles regarding the use of balanced literacy or the science of reading in teaching students to read. As an ELA teacher with students who struggle to read and a grandmother of a Kindergartener who is struggling to read, I can sympathize with …
The professional development that I have sat through lately has been on writing curriculum. While writing curriculum is great, it doesn’t meet the needs that I currently have: the Covid bubble of students. When Covid struck and schools were shut down in 2020, we had entire groups of students who suddenly were moved along with …
While many have already had their Spring Break, others have not. Here in South Carolina, many of us have our spring break about the same time as the Masters Tournament. Others, around Easter. Either way, we are waiting for that break. This week, many students have begun to get antsy. They have also begun to …
With so many students walking around with cellphones at all ages, it is important that they understand what digital citizenship is all about. Digital Citizenship Digital Citizenship pertains to the acceptable and responsible use of technology. This could be in emails, social media, and in any online community in which the student is a member. …
At the beginning of each school year, I stand in front of my students and I state, “Homework is a bad word. We don’t use it in my classroom. However, if you end up with homework in my class, know that it was a choice you made when you chose to do other things instead …