Do you ever walk away from something for so long that it starts to get hard to go back? Like running or an organization project or blogging? I hear ya. I promise I will return, and have so much fun classroom stuff to share SOON, it's just been so far down the priority list.
For now, let me just share some cool resources that have been piling up, both of which are from ATP!
For timelines, check out Thinkport Tool, a really cool way to construct timelines electronically with equal intervals.
Also, we're moving into our careers unit soon and think this interest survey would be a neat way to start helping the students think of potential future careers. Although teaching was not my #1 recommendation... hmmm...
Hope you're doing well. I hope to be back blogging (and running for that matter) soon!
I just LOVE when parents get involved in student learning, don't you?!
How cute is this video a parent sent me!? They were working on studying for our Civil Rights unit test and it became a whole family affair! I guarantee this made the learning more memorable (and fun!)
One of our sweet librarians shared this resource with us last week and I am in LOVE!
Featured here is a teacher's dream: Authors Avi, Sharon Creech, Walter Dean Myers and Sarah Weeks perform their books and share insights and strategies for incorporating Reader's Theater into the classroom. A few of my writer hero's promoting reading in SUCH a unique way! I can't wait to show my students when we get into our poetry unit especially!
We're gearing up for a brand new Social Studies unit on.... Canada! That's right! I've never taught (or learned much, for that matter) about our neighbors to the north, but with the help of my colleagues, I'm starting to get excited for this unit.
To get you in the spirit of Canadian national pride, I thought I would share this lovely video of "Oh, Canada" along with all the sights and sounds. Enjoy!
I am excited to introduce Chelsea, my (semi-forced) guest blogger today. Chelsea is one of my sweet colleagues with awesome style, precise organization, and great ideas. And when she shares those ideas with me, sometimes I tell her, "You need to let me share this on my blog." And she says yes!
But before I share that great idea with you, let me tell you just a little bit more about how awesome she is... Chelsea is not only a sorority sister, but a soul sister and fellow goof ball. She is tons of fun to be around and would truly doing anything she could to help a friend out. In short, she rocks my socks. (Which, by the way, you should ask her about her husband's thing for colorful socks... He wore coral and blue ones to their super-fun wedding last summer! I digress...). I made a screen-casted revision mini
lesson on how to "explode" the important moments in a writing piece.
(I took an OWP class this past weekend that talked about revision and
some different strategies... this was one of those ideas.) I used Kizzy
Ann Stamps (by Jerri Watts) as the mentor text. This lesson could be posted for early finishers, too as a nice way to extend them.
Janelle over at Simply Love has the most adorable blog! Janelle and I went to college together, and I always appreciated her insights and style. And now I LOVE getting to keep up with her via cyberspace. Jump on over to Simply Love and check out out.
And in case you're not convinced yet, check out her post from last week called, "12 Things Happy People Do Differently" via Stephen Covey. I love it and think it's incredibly relevant for incredibly busy teachers (and others)!
12 things happy people do differently
1. Express Gratitude
When you appreciate what you have, what you have appreciates in value. If we aren’t thankful for what we already have, we will have a hard time ever being happy.
2. Cultivate optimism
People who think optimistically see the world as a place packed with endless opportunities, especially in trying times.
3. Avoid over-thinking and social comparison
Comparing yourself to someone else can be poisonous. The only person you should compare yourself to is the person you were yesterday.
4. Practice Acts of Kindness
Selflessly helping someone is a super powerful way to feel good inside.
5. Nurture Social Relationships
The happiest people are those who have deep, meaningful relationships.
6. Develop strategies for coping
It helps to have healthy strategies for coping with unexpected life changes.
7. Learn to forgive
Harboring feelings of hatred is horrible for your well-being.
8. Increase flow experiences
Flow is a state in which it feels like time stands still. It’s when you’re so focused on what you’re doing that nothing distracts or competes for your attention.
9. Savor life’s joys
Deep happiness cannot exist without slowing down to enjoy the joy. Rest. Be thankful to be alive and its experiences.
10. Commit to your goals
Persistence is key. Magical things happen when we commit ourselves to accomplish our goals.
11. Practice spirituality
When we practice spirituality, we recognize life is bigger than us. We surrender the silly idea that we are the mightiest lifeform ever.
12. Take care of your body
Nutrition and exercise: this is crucial to being well-balanced and the happiest person you can be.
Don't you love it when a kid says, "You should really watch this one [whatever weird thing is cool now] youtube video!"
I usually go, "Sure, email it to me and I'll watch it." And then they drop it, because that sounds like a lot of work to them.
Unless it's really a good video, and then they keep asking and asking and finally send it to you. And it happens to actually BE good.
Ever happened?
Anyway, here is a recent find a la one of my very persistent students. Maybe someone can use it for some figurative language practice. You know I love a good rap moment...
