Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Just Dance

I just loved a good old fashioned dance party...any time, any place. (Just ask my friends!).

Unfortunately, not all 10-year-olds embrace free stylin' like I do. Mostly, they just stare at me.
 
So, enter Just Dance from Youtube. It gets them up and moving. Perfect for the end of a Friday or just a needed brain break.

Check out these moves from our Friday Dance party!
 




Here are a few vids they're especially digging right now if you need some good suggestions:
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Sunday, January 26, 2014

New Art (of Teaching)



Last week all the ATPs and I had a fun team outing to Painting with a Twist.  It was a fun way to bond and just enjoy conversations that didn't have to revolve around students or teaching.
 


 
It was fun to see how each teacher's painting was unique, even though we were recieving the same instructions.  (A good reminder about the unique talents of each kiddo, too!). 
 
ATP with her masterpiece
ATP #3's lovely "impressionistic" work
 
 
I LOVE these painting studios!  They make art so accessible and low-pressure and FUN.  But it's also the third time I have gone to one.  And I can only hang so many of these in my house!  So the last time I went, one of my brilliant friends suggested "making it work" for my classroom.  Genius!
 
On that outing, I painted this cute owl and added a quote (with my own owly twist...and correct grammar, of course!) from The Help.
 
 
 
So for this tree guy I remembered one of my grandma's favorite poems by Joyce Kilmer:
 
I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the sweet earth's flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day,        
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain. 
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.


 
 
I painted the first two lines on my canvas, and boom: Poet-Tree!  (Get it?!  Sorry...my dad would love that one!)
My finished painting
 
So here it hangs in my classroom with other lovely student art work.  (And mentor sentences!)
 

 

Friday, January 24, 2014

It's an Official Crush...Kid President's Letter To A Person On Their First Day Here

I think my crush on Kid President is official.  He is just the biggest nugget.  I adore this video SO MUCH.



"Some days you'll get ice cream.  Some days you won't."

I think I want to institute 'brain pictures' in my classroom now.  Let's celebrate and appreciate every day! 

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

International Glasses Day


Last week I told my students it was International Glasses Day!! 

Was it?  No. 

Did it get two students who NEVER wear their glasses and SHOULD to wear them?  Yes. 

Mission accomplished.  Now if we can just keep this going...

Yes, I'm wearimg mine too!  Those that don't actually have glasses borrowed my "revision glasses" made from used 3D movie specs :)


The things we do for our students!

Monday, January 13, 2014

Honoring the Gifts

On Friday one of my sweet students brought me this...


That's right.  To the average eye this would be a misshapen, random knit "square."  But from this student, it was her first attempt at knitting, a gift she thought I would LOVE and specifically designed in a color chosen for me as a coaster for the water I am often drinking at school.


The temptation when we get these gifts in our crazy day is to say something like, "Oh that's nice" and go about doing the 500 other things that need to be accomplished right that moment.  But by slowing down and reacting with affection for the gift, we are honoring the gifts they bring.  And the people they are.  And the relationships we got into teaching to create.

Just some food for thought... I know I need to remind myself of these truths often!

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Tips for Student Teachers

Me and Erica before showing kids how it's done at laser tag
 
Not only is Sweet Student Teacher one of my all-time favs, she is today's guest blogger!  Erica was full of energy and enthusiasm and passion and has some wicked dance moves to boot!  I miss her already, especially when a kid says something wacko and I just want to look up and get a look of similar confusion from another adult.  She is a serious model of how to be a kick butt student teacher, so I especially wanted her to share her insights, not just for other student teachers, but also those of us who are preparing to host a student intern.  I wish her alllll the best!
 
It has been four weeks since my student teaching experience at Mason ended. I still think about the wonderful teachers and students that made my semester so special. When Amy asked me to write for her blog, I figured an advice piece for future student teachers would be a good way to reflect on all that I have learned from this experience. So for all of you college students preparing to start your professional internship, I hope this helps!
1)      Enter the school with an open mind. By the time you begin your student teaching, you have most likely spent several semesters in classrooms getting field experience. Every school is different and it is important to enter each new school with no expectations.
2)      Never be afraid to ask questions and be completely honest with your cooperating teacher. If you are ever confused about anything, don’t pretend that you understand. When I entered Mason, I had no idea that “review sheets” and “unit reviews” were different things. Instead of calling everything a review sheet, (which I would’ve done), I asked questions. The more questions you ask, the more confident you will be when giving instructions and assignments to the students.
3)      Always maintain a level of professionalism.  Keep in mind that you are making an impression on everyone around you. Student teaching is exhausting at times but you never want to let your appearance show it. Always show up to school looking nice and classy. Professionalism is also displayed in your behavior. About three weeks into the semester my cooperating teacher thanked me for never having my phone out. I was shocked to think that any student teacher would spend the day texting but it does happen. Do yourself a favor by keeping your phone away in your bag.
4)      Welcome any feedback you can get. Your cooperating teachers will give you constructive criticism but it’s because they care. Be open to any and all suggestions and don’t get offended by it. Sometimes it’s hard to hear that you need to work harder on something, but it will make you a much better teacher in the end.
5)      Last but not least, observe and take away. The best thing you can do is watch your cooperating teacher and take notes. I sometimes wrote down word for word how my teachers handled a situation or presented an assignment. The best thing you can do is take away ideas and strategies from veteran teachers. By the end of your semester, chances are you’ll want to be just like them.
GOOD LUCK AND HAVE FUN!
 

 

Monday, January 6, 2014

Uh Oh....

I just discovered something REALLY dangerous.  Read on only if you think you can handle it...






Esme Raji Codell, author of the hilarious first-year teacher memoir Educating Esme and children's books like Sahara Special and Fairly Fairy Tales (one of my fav read-alouds!) has a special recent blog post announcing her Pinterest page of book recommendations.  I want them all.

I'm especially eyeing a few of her nonfiction recommendations, including (synopsis info written by Ms. Codell):

Nonfiction, picture book.  Hoop Genius: How a Desperate Teacher and a Rowdy Gym Class Invented Basketball by John Coy and Joe Morse.  Necessity is the mother of invention, and a teacher is the father, setting up two peach baskets, a soccer ball and a place in history.  The endpapers with the original basketball rules are a bonus!  Recommended by The PlanetEsme Plan.

Hoop Genius: How a Desperate Teacher and a Rowdy Gym Class Invented Basketball by John Coy and Joe Morse. Necessity is the mother of invention, and a teacher is the father, setting up two peach baskets, a soccer ball and a place in history. The endpapers with the original basketball rules are a bonus!

Nonfiction, picture book.  Africa Is My Home: A Child of the Amistad by Monica Edinger and Robert Byrd.  An illustrated book for older children based on a true story, we follow the struggles of a young girl on board a slave ship, to her hard-won freedom and the return to her homeland, where she becomes a teacher.  Beautifully detailed art (and plenty of it) uses a palette that changes with the narrative mood.  A very special book and a very important story.  Recommended by The PlanetEsme Plan.


Africa Is My Home: A Child of the Amistad by Monica Edinger and Robert Byrd. An illustrated book for older children based on a true story, we follow the struggles of a young girl on board a slave ship, to her hard-won freedom and the return to her homeland, where she becomes a teacher. Beautifully detailed art (and plenty of it) uses a palette that changes with the narrative mood. A very special book and a very important story. 

Nonfiction.  Maps by Aleksandra Mizielinska and  Daniel Mizielinski.  Stunning oversized book to pore and dream over for hours.  Recommended by The PlanetEsme Plan.

Maps by Aleksandra Mizielinska and Daniel Mizielinski. Stunning oversized book to pore and dream over for hours.

And I do own (and love):

Nonfiction, picture book biography.  Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers' Strike of 1909 by Michelle Markel, illustrated by Melissa Sweet.  Girl power!  Union power!  History power!  A winning combination.  Recommended by The PlanetEsme Plan.

Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers' Strike of 1909 by Michelle Markel, illustrated by Melissa Sweet. Girl power! Union power! History power! A winning combination.

I warned you.

Thursday, January 2, 2014

How to Change the World

More from my favorite, Kid President!  He is just too much.


Makes me think of great applications for our Pay it Forward Project tied to Rules.  Read about it here.  Anyone else have great ideas for how to use KPOTUS in the classroom?  Besides marvelling at his cuteness?

It's going to be a great year, y'all!  (And not just because I'm up at school and we have NEW COPY MACHINES!!!)