tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18484566983324204442024-03-05T01:00:11.504-07:00Teaching Isn't So BadTeaching Isn't So Badhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17364171218166417918noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848456698332420444.post-69111236878943507182014-02-25T19:31:00.000-07:002014-02-25T19:31:18.464-07:00No Prep Math GameHere's a lovely little game I learned a few years ago that has worked on students from 1st-6th grade. They all <i>love</i> it and it takes zero prep and can last as short or as long as needed, and all you need is your whiteboard and two erasers.<br />
<br />
So, if you have a few minutes of math time leftover and want a quick game, try this.<br />
<br />
<h3>
<b>Materials Needed:</b></h3>
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Whiteboard</li>
<li>2 Whiteboard erasers</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<h3>
Instructions:</h3>
<br />
<h4>
Step 1: <span style="font-weight: normal;">Write 10 or so numbers on the board like so:</span></h4>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvR9uiDN7KqnxjaJ-T6-Mydd0CjdaNg7zEuv9cGQV0FMxhl2JcN3tf7xEaWbBh8e_YpimqPcYQB-TCcbXptRflxbzSYSTYt77rV0Vx1RwqWUaxtP9k1rrFvgYhC8SFDdc9I4j0U4xMqLM/s1600/0_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvR9uiDN7KqnxjaJ-T6-Mydd0CjdaNg7zEuv9cGQV0FMxhl2JcN3tf7xEaWbBh8e_YpimqPcYQB-TCcbXptRflxbzSYSTYt77rV0Vx1RwqWUaxtP9k1rrFvgYhC8SFDdc9I4j0U4xMqLM/s1600/0_1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<h4>
<b>Step 2:</b> <span style="font-weight: normal;">Invite two students up to the board and give them each an eraser.</span></h4>
<br />
<h4>
Step 3: <span style="font-weight: normal;">Call out a math fact or problem with a corresponding answer on the board.</span></h4>
<br />
<h4>
Step 4: <span style="font-weight: normal;">Whoever erases the number first wins. The loser gives his eraser to the next student.</span></h4>
<br />
And that's it. It sounds just too simple, but I promise they'll love it. 6 year-olds and 12 year olds alike. It's been a great tool for me to use anytime I have a few minutes to fill.<br />
<br />
<br />Teaching Isn't So Badhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17364171218166417918noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848456698332420444.post-52881419182184013342014-01-21T18:22:00.002-07:002014-01-22T14:37:52.811-07:00Short Vowel GameI meant to post this a few months ago, but got side-tracked with the 7 Habits posts. Now's as good a time as ever, though, I suppose.<br />
<br />
So I mean, I guess when it comes down to it, it's time for another post about <a href="http://teachingisntsobad.blogspot.com/2013/09/teaching-short-and-long-vowels.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">short vowels</span></a>. Because as it turns out, that's pretty much all you teach first graders for the first month or so of school.<br />
<br />
I recently posted a <span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://teachingisntsobad.blogspot.com/2013/10/synonym-game.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">synonym and antonym game</span></a> </span>to help reinforce a new concept in a fun way, but unfortunately I can't use the game with all of my students. Some of them are barely sounding out CVC words and can't read the words in the game, so I came up with a matching game on their level.<br />
<br />
In this short vowel game the students match the short vowels with the CVC picture. I tested it on the kids and fine-tuned it a bit, and this is how I would recommend introducing and playing the game. Playing one way can make it a mindless game where they don't really learn anything, and playing it this way will turn it into a game that reinforces phonemic awareness and helps them learn to identify and isolate sounds and replace middle sounds in words. You'll hit a couple of the common core standards:<br />
<br />
<ul style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3a; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 0px; padding-left: 40px;">
<li style="line-height: 16px; list-style-image: url(http://www.corestandards.org/images/bullet.jpg); list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/RF/1/2/c/" style="color: #8a2003; text-decoration: none;">CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.1.2c</a> Isolate and pronounce initial, medial vowel, and final sounds (phonemes) in spoken single-syllable words.</li>
<li style="line-height: 16px; list-style-image: url(http://www.corestandards.org/images/bullet.jpg); list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/RF/K/2/e/" style="color: #8a2003; text-decoration: none;">CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.K.2e</a> Add or substitute individual sounds (phonemes) in simple, one-syllable words to make new words.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<h3>
1) Print & Cut Cards</h3>
<br />
Easy enough. But make sure you print the letters on one color of paper and the pictures on another color, or it will make for confusion later.<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUGo2Uq_8lPmvzwqMoxnMr-_U-CR8Y1Av8yolhVfRTmu9QxMdp-ET6cIchW4s3GC8W22VHPVqmdXxoBBlhk9j1ayZW3rPJiLsxGcCBH6HgG0s-Mp3jrWRk3-V1HVsFFAJXDTlPzakwITw/s1600/memoryletters.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUGo2Uq_8lPmvzwqMoxnMr-_U-CR8Y1Av8yolhVfRTmu9QxMdp-ET6cIchW4s3GC8W22VHPVqmdXxoBBlhk9j1ayZW3rPJiLsxGcCBH6HgG0s-Mp3jrWRk3-V1HVsFFAJXDTlPzakwITw/s1600/memoryletters.PNG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtgp3-fqqVxu1gmFlpyuX6o3BrpFSEpLIIi4lgvQ_Ai7xNAQijzbMxknNJ53pueCf5Zc_OlvnQGswP9gbPy_jBM5iwvKLQWdVkXu6lS7ivQwx951iPRn70R1ny_LMTHWCROZTrz7njh1U/s1600/memorypictures.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtgp3-fqqVxu1gmFlpyuX6o3BrpFSEpLIIi4lgvQ_Ai7xNAQijzbMxknNJ53pueCf5Zc_OlvnQGswP9gbPy_jBM5iwvKLQWdVkXu6lS7ivQwx951iPRn70R1ny_LMTHWCROZTrz7njh1U/s1600/memorypictures.PNG" height="320" width="241" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUGo2Uq_8lPmvzwqMoxnMr-_U-CR8Y1Av8yolhVfRTmu9QxMdp-ET6cIchW4s3GC8W22VHPVqmdXxoBBlhk9j1ayZW3rPJiLsxGcCBH6HgG0s-Mp3jrWRk3-V1HVsFFAJXDTlPzakwITw/s1600/memoryletters.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Free download here:<span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Free-Short-Vowel-Memory-Game-1072228" target="_blank"> <span style="color: blue;">http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Free-Short-Vowel-Memory-Game-1072228</span></a></span><br />
<br />
<h3>
2) Set Up Memory Game</h3>
<div>
Lay cards flat in rows. Make sure to mix up the two colors.</div>
<br />
<h3>
3) Pick Picture Card First</h3>
<br />
After the child had chosen a picture card (whichever color your picture cards are), Ask the child the following questions:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>"What sound is in the middle?" </li>
<li>"What letter makes that sound?"</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<h3>
4) Pick Letter Card</h3>
<br />
After a child has chosen a letter card ask them<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li> Is that the right sound? </li>
<li>(if answer is no) What would the word be if it had this sound in the middle? (example: if they chose a picture of a cat and flipped over the letter "u" the new word would be "cut"</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It's simple, but adding those questions will REALLY help with their phonological awareness. This also benefits kids who have an especially hard time remembering and differentiating vowel sounds. I've seen it help a lot with a few struggling students who innocently think they are just playing a game. But they should know by now that I'm always sneaking in some learning. The sneakier, the better.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />Teaching Isn't So Badhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17364171218166417918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848456698332420444.post-5855234977854672532013-10-21T20:38:00.000-06:002013-10-21T20:38:07.246-06:00Aren't Teaching Blogs Just the WORST?I mean, does it get any worse?<br />
<br />
But really, they can be unhealthy for me at times. I have a love/hate relationship with them. I love them because, hey, free stuff and creative ideas!<br />
<br />
I hate them because . . .<br />
<br />
Well, I think the best way to describe it is by this ecard I came across:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.someecards.com/usercards/nsviewcard/MjAxMy03YTg5ZWE5ZTRmYjM5MDI4"><img alt="someecards.com - May your life be as perfect as you make it seem on Facebook." src="http://static.someecards.com/someecards/usercards/MjAxMy03NzZmMTAzMTQ3Yjk0N2Fm.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Alls I need to do is tweak it a little bit and it becomes:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.someecards.com/usercards/nsviewcard/MjAxMy1kYjQwNTU2YWZiZTE0ZDJl"><img alt="someecards.com - May your classroom be as perfect as you make it seem on your blog." src="http://static.someecards.com/someecards/usercards/MjAxMy0yNzg4ZWQ4Y2VhMzk4Zjg1.png" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
And therein lies my problem with teaching blogs. They are just too darn perfect. I start out happily clicking through pages excited to try new ideas and I end by crying and typing up my resignation letter.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivnZQvXLzdRnZbnDhWuFHYS86T-4j2MMo1SAu-z1CjWg31NrCDtoP6a5bXfM9xxykaMS-HD2urDaOdgA6e8YouFGeZMatkKxESUhn2qp5HV3ExGSS3rsfcOZ-eNBJYX3DkZk0bv3OP1nk/s1600/resign.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivnZQvXLzdRnZbnDhWuFHYS86T-4j2MMo1SAu-z1CjWg31NrCDtoP6a5bXfM9xxykaMS-HD2urDaOdgA6e8YouFGeZMatkKxESUhn2qp5HV3ExGSS3rsfcOZ-eNBJYX3DkZk0bv3OP1nk/s400/resign.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I know the blogs aren't that accurate. I know those teachers' jobs aren't perfect and they have bad teaching days too. But I get fooled far too often. Look at all their creative lesson plans! And games! And look how cute their classroom is! And they made individual Easter baskets for each student! And, oh, they have a cooking blog too! And they just got a book published that they wrote in between changing the diapers of their newborn twins that I guess they somehow take care of!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlDhXfHIjVeEA8AhC7ES2aDU4ZCkCVnMCst7kgCzQpyGWShnIFKe-QMaiaYDTPGKAhNn655l4q8GxQ0Y0BmcbHTPvyWksOS8n5gJ-t2vGC-PF8MIlPl4mAzwrOKnHN2cLZXYLmIMMV9Dg/s1600/sunshine.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlDhXfHIjVeEA8AhC7ES2aDU4ZCkCVnMCst7kgCzQpyGWShnIFKe-QMaiaYDTPGKAhNn655l4q8GxQ0Y0BmcbHTPvyWksOS8n5gJ-t2vGC-PF8MIlPl4mAzwrOKnHN2cLZXYLmIMMV9Dg/s400/sunshine.png" width="355" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welcome to my classroom! The walls are made of gumdrops!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And what have I done? Oh, today I tried to teach that one math concept again that about three of the students understood. I was tired and got pretty frustrated with some of the students when I shouldn't have. My first thought this morning was, "Tomorrow's Friday!" </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
That was <i>my </i>day. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I don't think it's a bad thing to make an upbeat blog that focuses on the good parts of teaching. The problem is when the reader can't see that the blogs are only showing the good parts. These blogs are only showing a sliver of the whole picture. The good bits. The helpful bits.<br />
<br />
Even my blog is mostly showing the good parts. Not because I'm trying to hide the bad parts, but because the internet is a very public and permanent place and isn't always an appropriate place for rants and complaining.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmixKvVVrH1UfvCWqGj3qzjLEzyBhXNzyKBqMqj1d1_lDNOrTo6cwnQFdnHEKbJdNZuNDM5RTiJwVQOpucb8-fKim1bhcwPF0zNBe1Znqlo4l2pE5uw3H9lM8OrEIDgL2yKKRPB25d8Og/s1600/youtube.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmixKvVVrH1UfvCWqGj3qzjLEzyBhXNzyKBqMqj1d1_lDNOrTo6cwnQFdnHEKbJdNZuNDM5RTiJwVQOpucb8-fKim1bhcwPF0zNBe1Znqlo4l2pE5uw3H9lM8OrEIDgL2yKKRPB25d8Og/s320/youtube.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Someone should tell the people of Youtube.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
I don't write blog posts saying, "Well, today I taught short vowels for the 57th time and it was pretty boring. I was tired, so I left out the fun part and we mostly did rote memorization. I daydreamed about going home for most of math."<br />
<br />
I don't write that, but I could. Not most days, but many days. Lots of identical posts. But it would be so boring and unhelpful that even I wouldn't read it. Why prolong my monotonous ineffective day by writing about it? I'd rather write about my meaningful days, and the same goes for other teachers.<br />
<br />
When I get overwhelmed by how amazing all these teachers are, I try to remember a few things I've learned over the years.<br />
<br />
<h3>
1. Every Teacher Has a Weakness</h3>
<br />
It's true, you know. Not that you should go pointing out teachers' weaknesses once you find them, but it can be helpful to remember. Sometimes I'll see a teacher that I am convinced is PERFECT. They've got everything down! But if you watch any teacher, or anyone, long enough you start to notice something missing. There are gaps in what seems like a perfect exterior. Sometimes the gaps are huge. Maybe a teacher has incredible, fun, and creative lessons planned every day, but they have huge behavior issues in the classroom that render the lessons completely pointless. I know that has happened to me.<br />
<br />
Often when I see a teacher who I think is perfect and there's no way I could be as good as them, what I'm really doing is comparing my weaknesses as a teacher to their strengths as a teacher. It's not a fair comparison.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF2r7z60dYNrscdUaXfLnp9oBIAwB5foVp2XlJ3OrhZYsDwnxV0jTuENlIYwMg1AdwEAoucqmi58rgR226wcAe6SGT4n0eOkixjPqN5uX_-2_wM-gLD4rYzYRmdP1fO0FjY5Jg9mn6-DY/s1600/bee.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="347" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF2r7z60dYNrscdUaXfLnp9oBIAwB5foVp2XlJ3OrhZYsDwnxV0jTuENlIYwMg1AdwEAoucqmi58rgR226wcAe6SGT4n0eOkixjPqN5uX_-2_wM-gLD4rYzYRmdP1fO0FjY5Jg9mn6-DY/s400/bee.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maybe if you just give it your all!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<h3>
2. Teaching Isn't EVERYTHING</h3>
<div>
What? Yes it is! What about how all during my teaching program I kept hearing about how I'm going to change every child's life I meet? What about all those stories about inspiring people who credit their greatness to an elementary teacher? I'm CHANGING THE WORLD!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Calm down, I didn't say teaching wasn't important. I'm just saying it's not the only important thing. There are other important things in life too. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
All those things they tell you about teachers changing the world are encouraging during your teaching program, but they become nightmarish when you realize you aren't a perfect teacher each day. If you're not inspiring every child every day, well then logic says the only alternative is you're ruining them for life.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But you're not. Teaching is very important. And teaching is also not the only factor in a child's success in life. If you didn't teach a child fractions in the best way possible, they probably won't end up in jail later.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYHoPgELRV-zysZKTHJzRzhJnjflI-MXc1zkiEDY7JlUHDOxGVbqeekAikL7tUHCqcM5nk0yc9ysyR8VB5vbeSb8UmxN6BWos_g0yalkxiT4LPRZz8cjqhO2PUOEQ4zuqhnPcr50lPfX0/s1600/prison.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYHoPgELRV-zysZKTHJzRzhJnjflI-MXc1zkiEDY7JlUHDOxGVbqeekAikL7tUHCqcM5nk0yc9ysyR8VB5vbeSb8UmxN6BWos_g0yalkxiT4LPRZz8cjqhO2PUOEQ4zuqhnPcr50lPfX0/s640/prison.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Except this guy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
3. If You Give 100% to Teaching, Something Else Will Suffer</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Like I said, teaching isn't everything. We have other areas of our lives. If you devote 100% of your time and energy to becoming a great teacher, some area in your life will suffer. You can't live at the school 12 hours a day and come home and grade papers and design lessons for a couple more hours without some area of your life being affected. If you do this, the outcome probably won't be that you're the best teacher ever. The outcome will probably be that your health will decline, your relationships will suffer, and you will burn out and quit teaching in a couple of years, which isn't helpful to your future students at all.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Even if you do decide to devote 100% of your time to teaching, you will still find you can't give 100% to every area. You have to divide your time and energy between preparing lessons, communication with parents, collaborating with colleagues, and participating in various teacher teams. I don't know what the right balance is, but it's probably different for everyone. So when you see teacher X giving 100% to area 4, remember, some other area is suffering. Don't feel like you're a failure for not doing something that's impossible.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Well. Well, if I didn't just give a motivational speech, eh? Well I'll be. But I do hope it can help some struggling teacher at some point. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Gooooooooooood luck. Teaching isn't so bad!<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
P.S. You probably will change some lives, even if you feel ineffective. They weren't completely lying to you in your program.</div>
</div>
</div>
Teaching Isn't So Badhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17364171218166417918noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848456698332420444.post-20751975004238497072013-10-14T15:58:00.000-06:002013-10-14T16:07:05.979-06:00Synonym GameI suppose it's time for a synonym lesson plan. Synonyms are totally in right now.<br />
<br />
Here's a quick lesson plan and synonym game I use to introduce the concept with a little fun. This synonym lesson plan and game would be suitable for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade. You could use it to introduce the concept to older grades, but you would likely need higher-level words for the game.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Anticipatory Set:</h3>
<div>
Tell them this story, "I went outside and the trees were pretty. The grass was pretty. The sky was pretty. The lake was pretty. Everything was pretty. The end."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Ask if they liked the story and if not, ask them why. Explain that if you use a word over and over it can get kind of boring and doesn't make for a very good story. Change the story to this, "I went outside and the trees were pretty. The grass was beautiful. The sky was stunning. The lake was lovely. Everything was gorgeous."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
While this isn't exactly the best story, it still shows what synonyms are and why they are useful. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>Some problems you might run into:</i> </div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>You'll need to establish that synonyms are not and never will be cinnamon. Good luck. Once you get them actually saying synonym, half your battle is over.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>
Instruction:</h3>
<div>
Explain that synonyms are words that mean about the same thing. We use them because it makes our stories and our conversations more interesting. Cut out these cards (or write them on index cards) and present the cards one at a time. Model naming a synonym of the presented word, then have the students guess for the remaining words.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv8mjwG1ZfEPsdfpoiqqdE6gDcLxnKFVUkHDkCDnMl_ojvKE1NS3WQ8mQyvC8gwsV7KJH1fSbx7yRnH9raH-gbTTg9ZKmw9WYqom5ZHb1c0Oj9OQquxnlErMMlplQwZiQiWb8GTylEUSc/s1600/Synonyms2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv8mjwG1ZfEPsdfpoiqqdE6gDcLxnKFVUkHDkCDnMl_ojvKE1NS3WQ8mQyvC8gwsV7KJH1fSbx7yRnH9raH-gbTTg9ZKmw9WYqom5ZHb1c0Oj9OQquxnlErMMlplQwZiQiWb8GTylEUSc/s1600/Synonyms2.png" height="308" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiroihfRG64FPNSBNX6JoSZtFPSkdp-vgBNWWoQXAaoF_ar4xTlyfZm6_ALd9K_f5oYR1c1D8U-sxNBxWALPzGNiqEN4SSfF_Xbv6gODT3XUJSnpMfYEirDL2Q7ZNsXTzaokc4JN7aO7ro/s1600/Synonyms.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiroihfRG64FPNSBNX6JoSZtFPSkdp-vgBNWWoQXAaoF_ar4xTlyfZm6_ALd9K_f5oYR1c1D8U-sxNBxWALPzGNiqEN4SSfF_Xbv6gODT3XUJSnpMfYEirDL2Q7ZNsXTzaokc4JN7aO7ro/s1600/Synonyms.png" height="308" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Visit here for the download of the synonym and antonym matching game: <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Synonym-and-Antonym-Memory-Game-927175"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Synonym-and-Antonym-Memory-Game-927175</span></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>Some problems you might run into: </i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>A student might answer "hopping" for "hop" or they may just say a word they associate with hop, like, "bunny." A sentence prompt would help here. Give an example sentence saying, "I could say, 'he can hop so high.' or I could say, 'He can ____ so high. What would fit in the blank?" Try putting their guess in the blank and they will see why it doesn't work.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Other students might say, "pop" for the word, "hop". Explain that you're not working on rhyming words, you're working on words that mean the same thing. I've seen this several times. They mix up "sounds the same" with "mean the same." </li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
Reinforcement Activity:</h3>
<div>
Time for some fun! Now use the cards to play a memory game with the students. I split the sets into 12 cards (make sure each set has 6 pairs), because 24 seems to be too much for my students. I also make several sets and put the children into groups of 3-4 to play the game. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Demonstrate how to play the game by flipping over a card and looking for a match. Remind them you aren't looking for exact matches, you are looking for synonyms.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>Some problems you might run into:</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<ul>
<li>The first time I tried a game like this with my first graders it ended with several kids crying, lots of angry outbursts, and one kids proclaiming that it isn't fair if everyone doesn't win! We have to keep going until everyone wins! Oh, but how didn't I see this coming? First graders are not accustomed to losing and they are definitely aren't good at controlling emotions. But that doesn't mean you have to skip the game all together. <b>It's a good idea to go for cooperative games often, but it's also good for them to learn how to lose once in a while.</b> This is what I did before playing the synonym game this year, and we didn't have any problems:</li>
</ul>
<ol>
<li>Explain that someone is going to lose. <i>Most</i> people will lose, in fact. Start by saying, "We are going to play a game. Do you think everyone will win the game? No. One person will win, and the others will lose. We're going to work on being good sports whether we win or lose."</li>
<li>Brainstorm how to be a good sport if you lose and if you win. Suggest saying, "Good game." and not flaunting if you win.</li>
<li>Acknowledge that the kids might <i>feel</i> angry if they lose, but help them understand that they don't have to act on those feelings. I talk about this a lot with my students and it generally goes well. They might not be able to control how they feel, but they <i>can</i> control how they act.</li>
<li>Let them know that this is a trial run, and if they show they can be good sports you'll let them play games in the future. If they are poor sports, tell them you'll stop the game immediately and won't introduce games again until you feel they are more ready.</li>
</ol>
</div>
<div>
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Teaching Isn't So Badhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17364171218166417918noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848456698332420444.post-42257371221923866132013-09-21T11:07:00.001-06:002013-09-21T15:20:25.347-06:00Is it Going to Be Like This Forever?Every school year I find myself thinking something like, "I CAN'T DO THIS! THERE IS WAY TOO MUCH EXPECTED OF ME AND NO POSSIBLE WAY TO ACCOMPLISH IT ALL!"<br />
<br />
By the end of the year my thoughts are more like, "Wow. Things are running smoothly. My students could probably run the class themselves if I weren't here."<br />
<br />
And even though experience has proven time and again that things will, in fact, settle into a manageable routine, I still completely panic at the beginning of the new school year. This is true for a lot of areas of my life. Every single new semester in college when I would see the syllabus I would think, "Nope. Can't do it. No way to do it. I'm going to quit. Quitting right now." But then it would all work out and was never nearly as impossible as I thought it would be.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlcWfamLVZ4imh7MpaDzxXl1LIayQLgDseClaYrHTpqBVYaVyWYS_4g1UwTQwscE8GqHZdI1Ob1pce2OlndzV5edhLHLH42DHzYkGWYZPG7CvalWkqbUMlGX5adaR__EhGp1PeQwylaho/s1600/college.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlcWfamLVZ4imh7MpaDzxXl1LIayQLgDseClaYrHTpqBVYaVyWYS_4g1UwTQwscE8GqHZdI1Ob1pce2OlndzV5edhLHLH42DHzYkGWYZPG7CvalWkqbUMlGX5adaR__EhGp1PeQwylaho/s1600/college.png" height="209" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me every semester. I don't know how I graduated.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
Here's the problem. I look at what I am expected to accomplish in a large amount of time (A semester, or a school year, etc) and my brain thinks I need to do it all now. It's all like . . .<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPvyqbozEAVvZDPx8y2DwevzWJXEOcrWAmkGimkI0qC1sj9CJzsK0tZo_j4KFURT4rWysbGZG-vGDvpKP6M3aZhSjCTSaylOjd1eMktGW_MdY_XQaop5axNcRuRdQ6DURZN7AdqZfEItQ/s1600/brain.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPvyqbozEAVvZDPx8y2DwevzWJXEOcrWAmkGimkI0qC1sj9CJzsK0tZo_j4KFURT4rWysbGZG-vGDvpKP6M3aZhSjCTSaylOjd1eMktGW_MdY_XQaop5axNcRuRdQ6DURZN7AdqZfEItQ/s1600/brain.png" height="200" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'd talk back, but it's too darn cute.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
But this year is different. Here are a few tricks I've learned to deal with the stress of the new school year starting.<br />
<br />
<h3>
1) Don't Feed Your Feelings of Panic</h3>
<br />
Your feelings of panic probably aren't doing reality justice. It's not going to be as bad as it seems. Things will become routine and you'll be able to accomplish a lot more than you thought. If a future you from the end of the school year could come they would probably say, "Calm down. You're making it worse by freaking out." Maybe they'd slap you or something. Whatever would be most effective.<br />
<br />
The more you dwell on how panicked you are, the more panicked you will become. I'm finally learning how to use logic instead of emotion when looking at what is expected of me. It turns out my emotions really aren't very good at accurately portraying reality when I'm particularly stressed. Neither are yours.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMaRKfuTkPoXUERl3_5GA2RzPwqPhE159k0n9rdzBohPDH4wm6Zn3zprf9-QX9Yj8rcUkwNsjkgLt6yS1zGHBK-TO8K5nbOitGsmX2rqypJZ3gZI3f9ggH8agbrRwDJKU0bIwugXcloP0/s1600/rational.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMaRKfuTkPoXUERl3_5GA2RzPwqPhE159k0n9rdzBohPDH4wm6Zn3zprf9-QX9Yj8rcUkwNsjkgLt6yS1zGHBK-TO8K5nbOitGsmX2rqypJZ3gZI3f9ggH8agbrRwDJKU0bIwugXcloP0/s320/rational.png" height="320" width="257" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't know! That seems like pretty sound logic to me!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
The best way to crush your feelings of panic is to not try to crush them at all. Just let them come and pass and don't overreact to them. Recognize them for what they are, feelings. Not reality.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUzx22MjdOQnj9-KbceMLiWsu7OfpogPDUxPdXa9C3_EzAz-7VLAx-2jIxXZaWoWrXC5p22Pm3XGTT9EYEsxweJIub_44Jybg3DoP9QVPAgBBqa7mhgu3Ul2LqJ3sB5zdMzQdvBSGu5yk/s1600/Panic.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUzx22MjdOQnj9-KbceMLiWsu7OfpogPDUxPdXa9C3_EzAz-7VLAx-2jIxXZaWoWrXC5p22Pm3XGTT9EYEsxweJIub_44Jybg3DoP9QVPAgBBqa7mhgu3Ul2LqJ3sB5zdMzQdvBSGu5yk/s640/Panic.png" height="288" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It'll still come back, but won't stay as long if you don't focus on it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3>
2) Add Things Slowly</h3>
<div>
I'm a far more effective teacher by May than I ever am in August, but that's okay. There are plenty of routines and extras I want to work into my lessons, but I've found it's best to begin the year establishing the bare basics and then slowly add things as I'm ready and as my students are ready. I've tried to start EVERYTHING the first day before and it doesn't work. Then I panic and think I'm a horrible teacher because I'm not meeting every single requirement on day one, or week one, or month one. But years of teaching have shown that I'll be able to start adding on little routines and extra things to enhance my teaching and lessons, all in good time.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So my advice is to start with only the absolutely necessary parts of your lessons. Get the basics down and soon you'll find you have that time to add that extra bit before each lesson and before you know it you'll have added that part at the end. </div>
<div>
<br />
As an example, right now I want my students to write or a draw a quick summary of what they've learned after math in their journals. It's a good thing. Something that I'm supposed to be doing to help their learning. But we're not quite there yet. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It's not good to add a more complex routine like that when they are still trying to get the routine of remembering what a pencil is and how to keep it from falling off their desk within the first 3 minutes of class.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAEE4s93BIlln_mfP3YxQa5l4HTOycrPi57vaWWOGI4bT3f_2Pu5nWn01aRARr_tOy5iCNOI6EytiOb-ZHydZ-gXvSEHgrXdSS68QAfHHQhcsp0rsumCRkYfYI5wNkjkT3amvpW7pwbPM/s1600/pencil.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAEE4s93BIlln_mfP3YxQa5l4HTOycrPi57vaWWOGI4bT3f_2Pu5nWn01aRARr_tOy5iCNOI6EytiOb-ZHydZ-gXvSEHgrXdSS68QAfHHQhcsp0rsumCRkYfYI5wNkjkT3amvpW7pwbPM/s640/pencil.png" height="244" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pencils are hard.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<h3>
3) I Shouldn't Make Lists When There Are Only Two Points</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Because then I feel like I have to make a third one.</div>
Teaching Isn't So Badhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17364171218166417918noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848456698332420444.post-39352950439394438292013-09-10T16:56:00.003-06:002013-10-09T20:59:56.404-06:00Teaching Short and Long VowelsDid anyone else notice how school started again?<br />
<br />
Anyway, here's some tips on how to teach short and long vowels to students. I teach first graders and many of them need a lot of phonics instruction. <b>But don't tune out if you don't teach first graders </b>because there are plenty of 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders who need basic phonics help as well. Teachers tend to stop teaching phonics explicitly to students after 1st grade or so, but don't be one of them! Some students struggle for a very long time simply because they weren't taught phonics explicitly for long enough. The class moves on and teachers think they'll just pick up on phonetic rules, but some won't. Trust me. I've seen it in pretty much all of my students in special education who struggle with reading.<br />
<br />
Granted, many students <i>won't</i> need it to help them read fluently. They've already got it so you might think you're wasting your time focusing on the few who do need it. But the time is not wasted! Teaching phonics will help their spelling improve incredibly. Just because they can read the words fluently does not mean they can spell them, and when they can consciously explain phonics rules, their spelling will show it.<br />
<br />
This is a fun and effective way to teach what long and short vowels are, and how to decode CVC and CVCE words. And CVCCECVCE words, if those ever come up.<br />
<br />
Here's what you'll need:<br />
<br />
5 pencils<br />
5 strips of different colored card stock<br />
Tape<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
Step One: <span style="font-weight: normal;">Make Vowel Cards </span></h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH8ejXu-hwXyPfUeRmKXUHXvVZ7-TyG_00-6VuITWpdbwLuXSFMIK6_Qh5aUqocutzLgVDG3q5XQ_VU5mEomksPpQHG6wKfRCmxASbLgwlsshk8H0BxD_AWUqnrVEh0VplxChiio3xdFo/s1600/CAM00089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH8ejXu-hwXyPfUeRmKXUHXvVZ7-TyG_00-6VuITWpdbwLuXSFMIK6_Qh5aUqocutzLgVDG3q5XQ_VU5mEomksPpQHG6wKfRCmxASbLgwlsshk8H0BxD_AWUqnrVEh0VplxChiio3xdFo/s320/CAM00089.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretend there's some tape there too.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4CJ1Sbw8J6GkWFNuyVmkFaqtRMj1MOlyKfMDawB2lt9S0XTTl_0Fau3pKl-pv0-SskTxlEz5VZ6BDLui9M3FNOG3MiDpG_whiHY0EmlbMXRHqjM4pHTUXHMZJqWrvsHFazx42oxjxRz4/s1600/CAM00091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4CJ1Sbw8J6GkWFNuyVmkFaqtRMj1MOlyKfMDawB2lt9S0XTTl_0Fau3pKl-pv0-SskTxlEz5VZ6BDLui9M3FNOG3MiDpG_whiHY0EmlbMXRHqjM4pHTUXHMZJqWrvsHFazx42oxjxRz4/s320/CAM00091.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fold the rectangle and tape onto the pencil. Write the long vowel on <br />
one side and the short vowel on the other. Make one for each vowel.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3>
Step Two: <span style="font-weight: normal;">Practice Short and Long Vowels with Students</span></h3>
I start with the letter A. Teach them the short sound with the short vowel marking, and then teach them the long vowel with the long vowel marking. The fun part is reviewing it like this by rolling the pencil in your hand. When you stop, the students say either the short or long sound. As shown below:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwFfwlOU9LbJPS5dPHTHBgs_E58tuMwiLbLitxrHIS3ZhxuE6FgRBIpi2CUcQI-tdMr6EZ7prsIFH7TRdjcJQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<h3>
Step Three: <span style="font-weight: normal;">Demonstrate Short and Long Vowels in Words</span></h3>
To demonstrate short and long vowels in words, use CVC words that can become CVCE words. For instance hop and hope or mad and made. Practice as shown below:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw5FBRpD6ZGihKGSpFoG85B3LJq_1a2K6W50xG8xf0NAvzl5Z22uIELbwW9c-2E5wiUswCajTVEeJTt68LyGA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I don't know why it does that little animation at the end. It was late when I edited it. I promise I didn't do it on purpose.<br />
<br />
<br />
And here's a list of CVC words that can become CVCE words:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFMKCnYWcVZXsapDmhGUW7myFR7vSIVkajQpWiY7CsCKCbwfXmk-JPRFRDuFZyATa3ehAAvYhU-xUCo9KirGgHPgaimxSimkwV6qj4enlpw0jze2c5mosEElYWfB4jed7-R6faSW57uIA/s1600/CVC+CVCE+words.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="377" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFMKCnYWcVZXsapDmhGUW7myFR7vSIVkajQpWiY7CsCKCbwfXmk-JPRFRDuFZyATa3ehAAvYhU-xUCo9KirGgHPgaimxSimkwV6qj4enlpw0jze2c5mosEElYWfB4jed7-R6faSW57uIA/s640/CVC+CVCE+words.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
When your students are ready you can move onto CVC with blends that can become CVCE. Here a few that work: plan, strip, grip, trip, shin, grad . . . and that's all for now. I can't think of any more.<br />
<br />
Also, don't feel confined by using real words. It's always good to throw in some nonsense words to make sure they understand the rule and haven't just memorized the words.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />Teaching Isn't So Badhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17364171218166417918noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848456698332420444.post-22668152594279651832013-08-12T19:05:00.000-06:002013-08-12T19:05:13.570-06:00First Day IcebreakerSo, school is happening again.<br />
<br />
With that comes the first day, which always makes me a bit nervous, mostly because the students are so nervous. It's contagious. They are all so quiet and well-behaved and so different from how they'll be in a week or two. I'm always shocked when I realize just how much personality is packed into those shy little kids I meet the first day. And while you'd think I'd enjoy the quiet (because in a few weeks I'll be strategizing how to get them to be quiet again), really I just want them to feel comfortable and at ease. It helps us both.<br />
<br />
So here's a little first day of school icebreaker I do with my first graders that helps them ease up a little and helps me learn their names.<br />
<br />
It's simple and doesn't require any planning and I guess isn't terrible creative, but it's fun!<br />
<br />
When I switched to teaching younger kids, it took me a while to transition. The first day I had them stand up and introduce themselves. How very adult of me. It just made them nervous and really isn't a good idea for little kids, it turns out. I realized that about half way through the introductions, and switched to this.<br />
<br />
<h3>
<b>The Name Game</b></h3>
<br />
I ask each of the students their names then I close my eyes and while they're closed the students all move around and switch places. When I say stop, they freeze in place and I point to each student and guess their name. If I get their name right, they sit down in their seat. If I get their name wrong, they stay standing. I close my eyes and the remaining students switch places and I try to guess again. It usually takes a few rounds before I can get them all and the students love it for a few reasons.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>1) They get to run around while my eyes are closed!<br />2) They get to try to trick the teacher!<br />3) For some reason it's downright hilarious when a teacher can't remember their names!</b></blockquote>
<br />
I usually do this the first few days because one day just isn't enough for me to remember their names. You can also have a student close their eyes and try to guess everyone's names. If you do this, be sure to join in and have the student guess your name too. Kids always get it a kick out of having their teacher join in on little games like this, and it builds rapport and helps them feel comfortable in the classroom.<br />
<br />
I'm always up for more ideas, so please share.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Teaching Isn't So Badhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17364171218166417918noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848456698332420444.post-53223351466448340812013-07-31T13:10:00.001-06:002013-07-31T13:12:41.130-06:00Writing Detailed SentencesOne day I realized my students weren't good at writing detailed sentences and I also realized I had way too much of that infamous grayish-brown flimsy paper that I used as a child.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTg5BTTf3WClwOasnlh2z18PUq74iPywC0MOTcR0JQzizINniC3p-nVrAUoWwXl8zimjScx5BNQMzEIh-HeA2gpYlSfI4Q-PJ2HhTgMXyVcimK8bV196Byb503OQvaU9gysjkLBi19OHI/s1600/Photo+4b+after.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTg5BTTf3WClwOasnlh2z18PUq74iPywC0MOTcR0JQzizINniC3p-nVrAUoWwXl8zimjScx5BNQMzEIh-HeA2gpYlSfI4Q-PJ2HhTgMXyVcimK8bV196Byb503OQvaU9gysjkLBi19OHI/s320/Photo+4b+after.jpg" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's the one!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
What to do?<br />
<br />
From this conundrum came a fun lesson for teaching the young ones how to write more detailed sentences using said paper, scissors, and some crayons. Also tape.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Step One: Draw the Apple</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyFE6RicjxEUtfRgQMqrpgrFL11MliPRamcSYhe3m1cl8w5nGAv0GrVsEbKKmCkwzXj5XSZboNwZfx2ZCJb9yc_ujKTVZf3zwB1ex9PnPBKrGkbO6aGwDQ9e2efogDcRYiz8-6EG1OP8o/s1600/Appletop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyFE6RicjxEUtfRgQMqrpgrFL11MliPRamcSYhe3m1cl8w5nGAv0GrVsEbKKmCkwzXj5XSZboNwZfx2ZCJb9yc_ujKTVZf3zwB1ex9PnPBKrGkbO6aGwDQ9e2efogDcRYiz8-6EG1OP8o/s320/Appletop.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
Have the students draw an apple on the top of the paper. Not just any apple, mind you, a creative one. We don't want all the apples looking the same, or it ruins the lesson. Tell them to explore different sizes, shapes, and colors for their apples. Give students a chance to be creative and they surely will.<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
<b>Step Two: </b>Write A Description of Your Apple</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24RZ1tvjixov-yfYswHuuzslekFnX1ov3Dx69qyU9xVeYTgUVcRKquyC9VJ1J8Rd25231Ck7h-koeGM0l2ctukYt9mdxVpysA4eVxB_COQP4xe4ULU_ws0WcLnA_niU8D0cJ0l4Uw-Zg/s1600/Photo+3+after.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24RZ1tvjixov-yfYswHuuzslekFnX1ov3Dx69qyU9xVeYTgUVcRKquyC9VJ1J8Rd25231Ck7h-koeGM0l2ctukYt9mdxVpysA4eVxB_COQP4xe4ULU_ws0WcLnA_niU8D0cJ0l4Uw-Zg/s320/Photo+3+after.jpg" width="255" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
They'll need help. They really need to describe their apples in detail, or again the lesson won't work. If they're stumped tell them to write the color, size, and shape of their apple. Emphasize <i>complete</i> sentences. With capitals and end marks too!*</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
Step Three: Cut In Half</h3>
<div>
Depending on the age of your students, you may want to do this step yourself. Each paper needs to be cut slightly different, like a puzzle piece, so it can only fit with its other half. I just had the students give them to me and quickly cut them each a little differently.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGdtXsIEh9f9OmRw0oOzrEld-ofj_RBno-lCMJCLS6CQuoX9aVEiy-wpcRFaaR00IVPt2BaAeOpbdP5s0d0-BQzMY4lRdnYkcHYUd0HYXXCB53uIIq4spt3qR8hCXtckRs-ACl98hGCKI/s1600/Photo+2+c+after.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGdtXsIEh9f9OmRw0oOzrEld-ofj_RBno-lCMJCLS6CQuoX9aVEiy-wpcRFaaR00IVPt2BaAeOpbdP5s0d0-BQzMY4lRdnYkcHYUd0HYXXCB53uIIq4spt3qR8hCXtckRs-ACl98hGCKI/s320/Photo+2+c+after.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
Step Four: Tape the Pictures on the Board</h3>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoYhNl7iyZJ6-5BT6exHzQWMKac1hvKPNu9DnUBEIbRE8UJ_S7kdmvxgF-ngeB_RdKN15GJWQ5MmuzbhqPkLiFxxzSgrAckUYDBOfBTgCs7K-DX3PooLakZtvImRYC5mS0z0FNh-vNmtw/s1600/Photo+1+after.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoYhNl7iyZJ6-5BT6exHzQWMKac1hvKPNu9DnUBEIbRE8UJ_S7kdmvxgF-ngeB_RdKN15GJWQ5MmuzbhqPkLiFxxzSgrAckUYDBOfBTgCs7K-DX3PooLakZtvImRYC5mS0z0FNh-vNmtw/s320/Photo+1+after.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
Step Five: Match the Descriptions</h3>
Read a description and have the students guess which apple it's describing. When a student thinks they know, have them match the description with the picture and see if it fits.<br />
<br />
<br />
It's great fun. You'll have the students' attention the whole time with the drawing, cutting, and guessing. They'll be waiting to hear their description read, which also helps hold attention, and they'll be watching each time a student tries to match it to see if it fits.<br />
<br />
The bonus is that they also will learn how to write detailed sentences and they'll see why it's important to do so. You can show that the more detailed the sentences are, the easier it is to match them. If someone wrote, "My apple is cool," no one would know which apple they were talking about.<br />
<br />
So try it already!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">*I'm a hypocrite.</span>Teaching Isn't So Badhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17364171218166417918noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848456698332420444.post-9823216542129945332013-07-19T09:40:00.000-06:002013-07-19T09:40:23.934-06:00Story Elements: Problem/SolutionOne thing I go over again and again with students is how to find the basic elements of a story. It starts them on the road to analyzing and interpreting things they read, which is a vital skill to have in life. I start with the basics: characters, setting, problem, and solution.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">But how to make it fun?</span> </b>That's a question I have to ask myself before each lesson. Not just fun for them, fun for me too. Teachers get bored too.<br />
<br />
One way to get students interested is to focus on the <b>why</b><i>. </i>Why exactly <i>are</i> we learning this? What's the point?<br />
<br />
So before I teach them how to find the problem and solution, we focus on why stories typically have problems in the first place. Here's how it goes!<br />
<br />
I pick a student and put them in a story. (Side note: put students in your stories and lessons whenever possible. They <i>will</i> listen to the part of the lesson that involves them center stage, even if it's just a quick math problem. They can't <i>not </i>listen to find out their fate in the story/problem/lesson.)<br />
<br />
Back to the story. The story goes something like this, "John woke up and went to school. He had a great day and nothing went wrong. The end."<br />
<br />
You'll notice the kids' eyes get wide and they perk up the second you start a story of any sort. It's a crazy phenomenon with kids (and adults) and one to take advantage of. But you'll also notice that as the story comes to an abrupt boring ending, they'll look disappointed. That's what you're going for.<br />
<br />
Then I ask, "Did you like that story?"<br />
<br />
Not really, no, they didn't. This is when I explain that sometimes stories are boring if there isn't some sort of conflict or problem. Then I give another example.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>"John bought ten pieces of bubble gum at the store. He put one piece in and started chewing, then another, then another until ALL ten were in his mouth. He chewed and chewed and started to blow a big, big bubble. The bubble got bigger and bigger until it was bigger than his head. Just then Sarah walked in holding a sharp pin. She walked slowly over to John, who couldn't see her behind the big bubble and put the pin right in front of the bubble, then . . . she put the pin safely away and John's bubble slowly deflated. The end."</b></blockquote>
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicmIs1uWvMg44P01XiRilbcVdvk8_cmq_TvsRSTTWUQe3I48qvubI2qNVdKuRSzF6dykOwuVyDYyMlniok122oKJuPxQt9UMhb7KOhPisu4b5lkdVbif0a2u1AXtB0DhCmSs9db49MzOw/s1600/popbubble.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicmIs1uWvMg44P01XiRilbcVdvk8_cmq_TvsRSTTWUQe3I48qvubI2qNVdKuRSzF6dykOwuVyDYyMlniok122oKJuPxQt9UMhb7KOhPisu4b5lkdVbif0a2u1AXtB0DhCmSs9db49MzOw/s320/popbubble.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't worry, John. She doesn't do it. And she's <br />
probably teasing you because she likes you.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><br /></b>
<br />
Watching their disappointed faces is priceless. I then ask, "What did you <i>want</i> to happen in that story?"<br />
<br />
They all agree that they wanted Sarah to pop John's bubble. This is why many stories have problems or conflicts, I explain, it makes it more interesting. Then I ask for ideas of how they might have solved this problem had Sarah actually popped the bubble. They love getting creative and will be able to better find solutions in stories they read.<br />
<br />
But once they've had this story, one example isn't enough. They want another! So here's a couple more.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"<b>The class decided to make a big cake to surprise the teacher on her birthday. The cake was huge! It was chocolate with strawberry frosting and a candle on top. It was so heavy that Jenny and Ben had to carry it in together. They walked as carefully as they could, holding the three-tiered cake into the classroom. Just before they got to the table to set it down, Jacob accidentally dropped a bag of marbles right in front of their feet! Jenny lifted a foot up and almost stepped onto a marble . . . but noticed in time and avoided it. They safely put the cake down. The end."</b></blockquote>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoRN9tgEogfrh05ep_xSDydmmUkI-ARoW2XOD-COeMkDh94ke3GKdil5QgBKJZqE9tO5zPTBdELSaMhp3QiOkTlgCCPXXhPRWbFJHqeyRt_jX08T08hkusASVMAoIikGY9FwMsQcN7rtI/s1600/carryingcake.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoRN9tgEogfrh05ep_xSDydmmUkI-ARoW2XOD-COeMkDh94ke3GKdil5QgBKJZqE9tO5zPTBdELSaMhp3QiOkTlgCCPXXhPRWbFJHqeyRt_jX08T08hkusASVMAoIikGY9FwMsQcN7rtI/s320/carryingcake.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Again, ask the students what they wish would have happened. They want the conflict, they want the drama, and they'll begin to understand why so many stories have conflict and problems.<br />
<br />
And here's a third one. I typically teach lessons more than once to really drill it into their heads, so it's nice to have several stories so I don't repeat myself.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>"Michael was walking to school in a brand-new outfit for picture day. His mom told him whatever he did, don't get it dirty. He walked to school with Jim and Katie. The day before, it had rained and there was a big puddle. Jim and Katie already got their pictures taken, so they decided to jump in the puddle. They splashed around and had a lot of fun. They told Michael he should jump in too. Michael edged toward the puddle and lifted his foot to put it in . . . then he decided he shouldn't get dirty and went to school. The end."</b></blockquote>
<b><br /></b>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkvl2-Lwy4wBBPex7LUXHmm0-6Xu6uKptOctKkCLZzvWW4iLEbWzmGbc2i1ASRtCEPcRhHf-7cOv7aWTnf-mhl9ua4kJRyEpngMTsmcIcyKJ6RAqsLU6aTHURxdeVEeyJMwThS3u2t9vI/s1600/puddle.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkvl2-Lwy4wBBPex7LUXHmm0-6Xu6uKptOctKkCLZzvWW4iLEbWzmGbc2i1ASRtCEPcRhHf-7cOv7aWTnf-mhl9ua4kJRyEpngMTsmcIcyKJ6RAqsLU6aTHURxdeVEeyJMwThS3u2t9vI/s320/puddle.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
I'm trying to come up with some more, but can't think of any. Something bad has to happen, but something that isn't terrible, just comical. Any ideas?Teaching Isn't So Badhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17364171218166417918noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848456698332420444.post-9884838272941222742013-07-10T17:27:00.001-06:002013-07-16T17:00:12.031-06:00A Pet Peeve Turns into a Decent Lesson Plan<div>
<br />
Nah, I guess it's not really a pet peeve anymore.<br />
<br />
Sometimes people pair the word literally with idioms to emphasize their point, and though I suppose it used to bother me, now it's just fun to picture that they're serious about the literal part. I've accepted that it's okay for words to evolve, and I'm certainly guilty of butchering the English language at times. I often <a href="http://mixedidioms.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">accidentally combine idioms</span></a> and when it comes to those "she gave him her number" type sentences, there's little to no chance I'll get all of the pronouns right on my first shot.<br />
<br />
So, I've given up my annoying grammar Nazi ways. Besides there are much more important things to be angry about these days than grammar, like how come Apple Jacks don't taste like apples? And what's the deal with airline food?<br />
<br />
BUT! Before I accepted this I came up with a pretty fun lesson to teach my students about idioms and the meaning of literally. I don't want to toot my own hat, but this lesson is the cream of the cake!<br />
<br />
I begin the lesson by explaining what idioms are, then give an example idiom. They make a guess of what it means, and I show the picture illustrating its figurative meaning. Then I show them a picture of what it would mean if we meant it <i>literally. </i><br />
<br />
For example: I laughed my head off.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiutcK62BZ9yQod2z-roR1PkSuyMEkmU_NMb3fYkDV6ijbGoFQQnN50LKTrKo6NRsJWCI-AhgwK9R5lURpZA9j65G7uPMnkuuPPYXHwW82iehDQz83uYDDfEyBLBT3Si5mdkkQ-bhjCYEs/s1600/laughingheadofffinal.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiutcK62BZ9yQod2z-roR1PkSuyMEkmU_NMb3fYkDV6ijbGoFQQnN50LKTrKo6NRsJWCI-AhgwK9R5lURpZA9j65G7uPMnkuuPPYXHwW82iehDQz83uYDDfEyBLBT3Si5mdkkQ-bhjCYEs/s320/laughingheadofffinal.png" height="320" width="135" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
I <i>literally</i> laughed my head off.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ApplVyBe2VaNVcXAb8NUtqIo7kQpTi3jjg7jPDwI0YxmGjE4K7ZtDwpUq6ki-tyZKfNsz00KFnXi0Yt5ss2QKex8_QtYvXKLh-OecrKjiP0IpEk0t6hZZi0IcDGVW4biKK817iZA5Nk/s1600/laughingheadoff2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ApplVyBe2VaNVcXAb8NUtqIo7kQpTi3jjg7jPDwI0YxmGjE4K7ZtDwpUq6ki-tyZKfNsz00KFnXi0Yt5ss2QKex8_QtYvXKLh-OecrKjiP0IpEk0t6hZZi0IcDGVW4biKK817iZA5Nk/s400/laughingheadoff2.png" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<br />
<br />
It's raining cats and dogs!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ2ofdFf4S29qkWNrt5hptz91FsNZsGiR7Jptvd_HCPXKEnNTABREcgbiKMZbtp1r5cpR3IUx_kyDw-TDBpV9ysZaNTvbzVPraj3g7cDIQocqQkkjkG3cGBF5Knkq2eh-QBr0kkq8P08Q/s1600/rain.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ2ofdFf4S29qkWNrt5hptz91FsNZsGiR7Jptvd_HCPXKEnNTABREcgbiKMZbtp1r5cpR3IUx_kyDw-TDBpV9ysZaNTvbzVPraj3g7cDIQocqQkkjkG3cGBF5Knkq2eh-QBr0kkq8P08Q/s320/rain.png" height="320" width="193" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="text-align: center;">It's<i> literally</i> raining cats and dogs.</span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhatP4de2pPYPCLguvrAcpaXhvwUxDh0d6QENBS1gsUWuzhfsBDZvkVdw63-I8bQi0acsiJBxWQmL9t4LXGIdXqylfosHBPML4ddjnQ26-Tab_ruE-jaVrMNlX81Kt0rk1XK3e_Eya8vVQ/s1600/catsanddogs.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhatP4de2pPYPCLguvrAcpaXhvwUxDh0d6QENBS1gsUWuzhfsBDZvkVdw63-I8bQi0acsiJBxWQmL9t4LXGIdXqylfosHBPML4ddjnQ26-Tab_ruE-jaVrMNlX81Kt0rk1XK3e_Eya8vVQ/s320/catsanddogs.png" height="320" width="208" /></a></div>
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;">After we've gone through several, the students choose an idiom and illustrate the figurative and literal meaning on this idiom worksheet. It's literally a blast.</span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim4oWoD1iwo-_BuTa8ni5hctmbnm45RiRJE-vilVrDKvYCFMkFxR2FuLYID1sbhC9rXGjD_VeB4iKLOKlzWpCyMlWI1om2rz2Aj-NoVb1Ey7R74vggl9X-OkgvxhNSfVsrD5f68XQr2rg/s1600/literallypicture.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim4oWoD1iwo-_BuTa8ni5hctmbnm45RiRJE-vilVrDKvYCFMkFxR2FuLYID1sbhC9rXGjD_VeB4iKLOKlzWpCyMlWI1om2rz2Aj-NoVb1Ey7R74vggl9X-OkgvxhNSfVsrD5f68XQr2rg/s1600/literallypicture.png" height="310" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;">Here's the PowerPoint slideshow I use for the idiom lesson, though it's sped up a bit. It's great fun. And yes there is a goofy sound clip at the beginning, which I normally think is weird for PowerPoint presentations. But kids, they like those goofy sound clips.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxsvuQvnrw1Ni7dpZ3xktmoZzvGym0GqpqOA9y1jLUWlOsAwEOa4AWfpXfEWggM3fqiRXR6vqGgIrMFgL5yTQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
<br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;">I even have a version with cutesy sounds for every slide, but I've spared you. You're welcome.</span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;">Here's the link for the Idiom PowerPoint download. It's good for 2nd grade - 5th grade, I'd say. </span><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Idiom-PowerPoint-Idiom-Worksheet-Included-765705">http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Idiom-PowerPoint-Idiom-Worksheet-Included-765705</a></span><br />
<br />
Also, if you can think of any other idioms that could be represented by a drawing fairly easily (both figuratively and literally), let me know! I'd like to add more.</div>
Teaching Isn't So Badhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17364171218166417918noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848456698332420444.post-9490743399633552852013-07-03T09:58:00.000-06:002013-07-15T12:46:21.431-06:00"Be Good" and Other Ineffective Rules.Rules! There's got to be rules! But there don't have to be <i>so many</i>. And the ones you have could be much more effective if you follow a few. . . rules. Which leads me to a great subheading.<br />
<br />
<h3>
<b><u>Rules for Rules</u></b></h3>
<div>
Now that we've got that pun out of the way, let me give a little preface. You simply can't have a classroom without <span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://teachingisntsobad.blogspot.com/2013/05/dont-let-crazy-teacher-take-over.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">rules and positive and negative consequences</span></a>. </span>I've seen people try, and it does not go well. </div>
<div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqWZr8h6F1P6Hnwx4bMQO-L40N_ADhcUlGDooXs22sb-lIN1_H0bxfqicdL4n1we1pQKWmR5YuD07M6bF0cE0N_1sOPgfvzqfJ4f2aRHRFMWa_Uqmj3ZDgd6b-IC6nsYyMjDA2-lECIaI/s1600/teacher.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqWZr8h6F1P6Hnwx4bMQO-L40N_ADhcUlGDooXs22sb-lIN1_H0bxfqicdL4n1we1pQKWmR5YuD07M6bF0cE0N_1sOPgfvzqfJ4f2aRHRFMWa_Uqmj3ZDgd6b-IC6nsYyMjDA2-lECIaI/s400/teacher.png" width="370" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This is kind of like saying . . . </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZFAv94A7uNMadFoFPtQ5WM6xcEdknKfTf_NBMMwOIFdOLj5HjgVhyOnEIHMKlPHhuHPab2tqJrRJc4RUeEtLSOsfLuOE7bt5auTNtXwGq4eoTgJE7mE1NZLUxFQxNTTqGK-tX06Zs0Lg/s1600/boss.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZFAv94A7uNMadFoFPtQ5WM6xcEdknKfTf_NBMMwOIFdOLj5HjgVhyOnEIHMKlPHhuHPab2tqJrRJc4RUeEtLSOsfLuOE7bt5auTNtXwGq4eoTgJE7mE1NZLUxFQxNTTqGK-tX06Zs0Lg/s400/boss.png" width="372" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Being a good teacher/boss does go a long way, and it does help motivate them intrinsically, but it's not always enough. If there were no rules or guidelines to help me know what I was supposed to be doing at work, and I didn't know whether or not I was meeting those expectations, I'd be stressed and not terribly motivated. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But simply having rules and consequences isn't going to cut it either. I've seen a few pitfalls that come up time and again as teachers try to make rules in their classroom. So here are some things to do, and some things to avoid.<br />
<br />
<h3>
1. <b>Keep Them Short (3-5 rules)</b></h3>
</div>
<div>
How can you have so few rules, you ask, why I need 10 rules just to get them to line up properly! It's impossible, you say! No it's not. The rules I'm talking about now are the basic ones that govern the way your classroom runs, not the smaller guidelines and directions that show up during various activities.</div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
Your rules should be short and all of your students should know them by heart. If you go beyond 5 basic rules, you'll lose your students. There will be too much to remember, and they can't and won't remember them. I remember once seeing a classroom where the teacher had dozens of rules posted on the wall, so much so that she ran out of room on the wall and they wrapped around to the next. Too much. If you can't fit it on one wall, you've got too much.<br />
<br />
<b> Good Example: Bad Example:</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy4bWFhXpNbcPSHK9lIr9uHlGA6EpeC5hLsWC4y1VAxwVCawPBFpblJRzkhBYNZ7yDk25yEF90HhaQeq74rg3Uogs0HAUn7t-3fnO4J7qrB43xo4D4KQhZ0e2wUYc7L2HlddVgudzhHjA/s1600/teacher.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy4bWFhXpNbcPSHK9lIr9uHlGA6EpeC5hLsWC4y1VAxwVCawPBFpblJRzkhBYNZ7yDk25yEF90HhaQeq74rg3Uogs0HAUn7t-3fnO4J7qrB43xo4D4KQhZ0e2wUYc7L2HlddVgudzhHjA/s1600/teacher.png" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Honestly Jimmy, sometimes I wonder if you've even <br />
read the newly revised edition of the rule handbook."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaJXgDJCaGy3LTwBioxGAlXZ4FqgOBjDtycDGPd-I83IisQHI310RJKzikch_jg4SbievfCGNQ33vD3BJOe9Mz-NwY1BID3X7zlIrEPA11VuCleOdAVa6Ppewp2iGsZf-c_m3l_Hk5qPE/s1600/rules.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaJXgDJCaGy3LTwBioxGAlXZ4FqgOBjDtycDGPd-I83IisQHI310RJKzikch_jg4SbievfCGNQ33vD3BJOe9Mz-NwY1BID3X7zlIrEPA11VuCleOdAVa6Ppewp2iGsZf-c_m3l_Hk5qPE/s1600/rules.png" width="298" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
2. Use Concrete Language</h3>
</div>
"Be good" is not concrete language. Be good can mean a variety of things to a variety of people. It's true that you can't outline absolutely everything the students need to do and your rules will need to have some interpretation. But avoid overly broad rules that make it unclear whether the student is or is not following the rule.<br />
<br />
<b> Good Example Bad Example</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWDM6kSbEJ2-jWyfJ1gT6FLyM6f4sXtasLlpyugYjA46m1uOdJVrEMecCuklMIpQuc1MyucYRvIeSAopUscXZVv_j3uv0X6MCB-eEjSXouvqM85aJjRvbq1dPV2JIHyUhDZhmCJgaq2wM/s1600/rules3.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWDM6kSbEJ2-jWyfJ1gT6FLyM6f4sXtasLlpyugYjA46m1uOdJVrEMecCuklMIpQuc1MyucYRvIeSAopUscXZVv_j3uv0X6MCB-eEjSXouvqM85aJjRvbq1dPV2JIHyUhDZhmCJgaq2wM/s1600/rules3.png" width="298" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZlde03d4sQTgdEEDY1J00U-aSZ7Ydd0mYOQRz33556S2vVfMSD0M97AJOJD0JlMtIXyusczPFbYHSWLc6oERU_4n5soH9X4-U7-fBPJTm0yTxnSJQPro7Qbqg8UINjY5eEDNpEUG_7GA/s1600/rules2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZlde03d4sQTgdEEDY1J00U-aSZ7Ydd0mYOQRz33556S2vVfMSD0M97AJOJD0JlMtIXyusczPFbYHSWLc6oERU_4n5soH9X4-U7-fBPJTm0yTxnSJQPro7Qbqg8UINjY5eEDNpEUG_7GA/s1600/rules2.png" width="298" /></a> </div>
<br />
<h3>
3. . . . But Don't Get Too Specific</h3>
<div>
This is another problem teachers run into. They end up with rules like, "<b>Don't smack your gum</b>." and "<b>Don't unzip someone's backpack while you're waiting in line to go home, because stuff might fall out of it and that's super annoying.</b>" </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
You can address these issues as they come up, but don't create major rules around minor instances. If the students aren't returning their books to the proper place, remind them to do it. You could post a reminder next to the book shelves. But don't make a new rule. Rules should be concrete, but broad enough that they apply to multiple situations, not just one specific time.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
4. Don't let your Students Brainstorm Classroom Rules</h3>
<div>
Oh, it just doesn't work! I've seen this many times. I see why teachers want to do it. They gave good reasoning. They want the students to feel more accountable and create a sort of democracy within the classroom. But ultimately what happens is this:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Jb-gu13SHWW3pArkZ8NpwmYn-1DctQO2IjSUNCKuHI9HgZlV5PuDxNW7gY7KOiuIIjzMRaosyDlPnIS_6AARQ7ZHOhsVQxJ8Bua9FD5czRxOmtOT-pa7CLPqkgODqNh3v05c4gk7fIM/s1600/longrules.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Jb-gu13SHWW3pArkZ8NpwmYn-1DctQO2IjSUNCKuHI9HgZlV5PuDxNW7gY7KOiuIIjzMRaosyDlPnIS_6AARQ7ZHOhsVQxJ8Bua9FD5czRxOmtOT-pa7CLPqkgODqNh3v05c4gk7fIM/s1600/longrules.png" width="223" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
All the students want to come up with a rule and they don't want to stop coming up with rules. <b>"Jenny just suggested we don't say the word stupid? I'll suggest we don't say the word dumb!"</b> And on, and on.<br />
<br />
And their rules will break all of the rules I've just mentioned. You'll end up with a hundred rules that are oddly specific, or far too vague. No one will remember all of the rules and you won't have the heart to tell them that their idea for a rule wasn't a good one.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja2JR4UrrGiiUWOaYh20PLZ3x2ZdbSjR4I7QYF5RYyG5tbLb6odQvFsWwoyUEFrsih3-t2LzIB_NNl_bLKzRoGeqWESGsRq8GA0QAY0Y6lzkN8HsgZ6M4if1W5hYzoys3i9JMF0Ze764A/s1600/kidsrule.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja2JR4UrrGiiUWOaYh20PLZ3x2ZdbSjR4I7QYF5RYyG5tbLb6odQvFsWwoyUEFrsih3-t2LzIB_NNl_bLKzRoGeqWESGsRq8GA0QAY0Y6lzkN8HsgZ6M4if1W5hYzoys3i9JMF0Ze764A/s1600/kidsrule.png" title="You don't want to make little Suzy cry do you? " width="390" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Um . . . thanks, Suzy. So I guess I'll just put that on the rule chart, then."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div>
<h3>
5. Try to Use Positive Language</h3>
</div>
<div>
I've had this one beaten into my head many times too. The idea is to come with rules that tell them what they <i>should </i>do instead of what they <i>shouldn't</i> do. For instance, "Use materials correctly" instead of "Don't play with your materials."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But really, sometimes I think it's okay to use a "don't" every now and then, as seen in rules 3 and 4. Just make sure your rules aren't dominated by don'ts. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So there are the rules for rules that work for me, and probably will for you too.</div>
Teaching Isn't So Badhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17364171218166417918noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848456698332420444.post-67597972815221760592013-06-26T10:57:00.000-06:002013-06-26T11:05:00.313-06:00How to Make Your Own Font (For Free in About Ten Minutes)I'm so excited about this!<br />
<br />
Using the website<span style="color: blue;"> </span><a href="http://myscriptfont.com/"><span style="color: blue;">myscriptfont.com</span></a> you can create a font of your own handwriting for free in about 10 minutes and it actually works well.<br />
<br />
But what does this have to do with teaching? Nothing! I've decided teaching isn't too interesting, so I'm going to dedicate this blog to fonts now. Everything you could ever want to know about fonts! Fonts this and fonts that!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSw1Deg3UvUBGTbLNSsojXfFjVUlUSr5DMhvKnS9d-vXGZKVwckNmCJhx0V-mTIQHmNPa5srd4bn7EdwwKKsG_WV2K9BfKTVdoBbDXg7PSlRRFZ8mLlhDQtLsZzowexHP2hbKTt-PZpCc/s1600/Picture9.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="107" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSw1Deg3UvUBGTbLNSsojXfFjVUlUSr5DMhvKnS9d-vXGZKVwckNmCJhx0V-mTIQHmNPa5srd4bn7EdwwKKsG_WV2K9BfKTVdoBbDXg7PSlRRFZ8mLlhDQtLsZzowexHP2hbKTt-PZpCc/s1600/Picture9.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New blog title ?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Or rather, nope, this is still a teaching blog. So here's how it relates. For one, you can pretty quickly make a few fonts to use for worksheets and presentations besides the ol' <a href="http://teachingisntsobad.blogspot.com/2013/06/breaking-news-there-are-more-fonts-than.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Comic Sans</span></a> and Papyrus standbys. But also, you can use this as an incentive for your students to improve their handwriting.<br />
<br />
I think 99% of students could have better handwriting if they tried <i>just a little bit harder</i>. Just a itsy bit more. Or just a itsy bit at all. A lot of kids (especially boys) just don't care what their handwriting looks like, and I can't seem to motivate them.<br />
<br />
Now I finally have a good incentive to get them to improve. When a student shows improvement in their handwriting and you can tell they are actually trying, they get their handwriting turned into a font. Once a student improves their handwriting enough to get a font, you could showcase it to the class and use it throughout the day (if you have a projector). It's true I'm a little more fond of fonts than most people, but I still think this would have motivated me as a kid.<br />
<br />
Here's how it works.<br />
<br />
<b>1</b>. Go to<a href="http://myscriptfont.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"> www.myscriptfont.com</span></a> and download the template.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF2uXz2pDJUEN8cYXs-q0qp40gFC6EDjbM53sdkSYRzz_MGtNkMy_NTUIfvHKQwMiZcf-LXn147XqHUM28CBmlrHgNyC0xAQ96p5kGCrmSNosQGXR95xPm_BLhzOBRzv8LhhTHYFkPmgc/s1600/Picture1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF2uXz2pDJUEN8cYXs-q0qp40gFC6EDjbM53sdkSYRzz_MGtNkMy_NTUIfvHKQwMiZcf-LXn147XqHUM28CBmlrHgNyC0xAQ96p5kGCrmSNosQGXR95xPm_BLhzOBRzv8LhhTHYFkPmgc/s1600/Picture1.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>2.</b> Print and fill out the template with your handwriting. It's hard to tell from the picture, but there are faint marks to show you which letters go where.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv5N1MtMckc9nj-ygPEHrxjGBlDeGzDq-jsq6d1uhB4-A5W6uxnAbo8U3bDhBc00lHGEso9BWd9UMqpF6T5M0e7TSDXht4B35Nvkyt3-80n1AQmwR0LKEONVMMUgBo1YMQJYbSQvq2dis/s1600/Picture2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv5N1MtMckc9nj-ygPEHrxjGBlDeGzDq-jsq6d1uhB4-A5W6uxnAbo8U3bDhBc00lHGEso9BWd9UMqpF6T5M0e7TSDXht4B35Nvkyt3-80n1AQmwR0LKEONVMMUgBo1YMQJYbSQvq2dis/s1600/Picture2.png" width="297" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrRjIv4Agx6Bs8S4Xt3kZ13dpLYdoPlWLCliSK7H9agaXMAm1LLt19B1EW8eRJiY5tzQHuF4FQxyRNOqv9cEpvLiq5s-Evs0BvVbBqBJr5Es5IOjmzM3A0O-ahjbeJ_Os8qriqZT4jd3A/s1600/picture3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrRjIv4Agx6Bs8S4Xt3kZ13dpLYdoPlWLCliSK7H9agaXMAm1LLt19B1EW8eRJiY5tzQHuF4FQxyRNOqv9cEpvLiq5s-Evs0BvVbBqBJr5Es5IOjmzM3A0O-ahjbeJ_Os8qriqZT4jd3A/s1600/picture3.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>3. </b>Scan the file as grayscale with 300 dpi and save as a JPG, TIFF, or PNG.<br />
<br />
<b>4. </b>Upload the file on the website and give your font a name, and click send.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdOYbVKY1f3CKx_IvR23GY6O_rtA8BQGOH3re_1Yy5rjQl14DFp_Q7AeFvpvEF4IFHlEotjJZ71XFWjkLFC0VCAD6YTwnyfIjXtVpEGUdMA68X1Ewy04yPlaN5SmoZ2HeK1yyWP4Wk-04/s1600/Picture4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="357" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdOYbVKY1f3CKx_IvR23GY6O_rtA8BQGOH3re_1Yy5rjQl14DFp_Q7AeFvpvEF4IFHlEotjJZ71XFWjkLFC0VCAD6YTwnyfIjXtVpEGUdMA68X1Ewy04yPlaN5SmoZ2HeK1yyWP4Wk-04/s1600/Picture4.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
5. Wait for it . . . then click on the name of your font to download it. Don't accidentally hit that big green download button, it's for something else.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9NRYpJeXVQgYbQylE64_MpFU8OHoQrwXLFcPhm8WFs7DLA6fc0aRRWyYAfS6lK4Zc-rt9Gpm86uxiEhQTdlcIjLl-9HDdF8HGOcJbDuj24g85YeUDstkVbLaDaUXvWbA7AYzMXZ5j4E/s1600/Picture5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9NRYpJeXVQgYbQylE64_MpFU8OHoQrwXLFcPhm8WFs7DLA6fc0aRRWyYAfS6lK4Zc-rt9Gpm86uxiEhQTdlcIjLl-9HDdF8HGOcJbDuj24g85YeUDstkVbLaDaUXvWbA7AYzMXZ5j4E/s1600/Picture5.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>6. </b>Open the file and click install.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_yJ-ldr_PuWTGP4fkqIh8doV84SnCxK9ZmfMl6HPIMRhuu5ebAxEP_5RAqOwVEgGOOxBXgj0G22vrpbql-n_ToHmVoLO1fIWfII2nY2HM9ruIEGi6CI2SccSt-kFAHd9o2GAnz7isDbM/s1600/picture6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_yJ-ldr_PuWTGP4fkqIh8doV84SnCxK9ZmfMl6HPIMRhuu5ebAxEP_5RAqOwVEgGOOxBXgj0G22vrpbql-n_ToHmVoLO1fIWfII2nY2HM9ruIEGi6CI2SccSt-kFAHd9o2GAnz7isDbM/s1600/picture6.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
7. It should now appear as an option when choosing <span style="text-align: center;">a font.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBliBxONXC_vQeLiRxVStnt8r7HgAuXqteGTlvMrw9ZM90Ngtoyxkrlsvs8KVRzhcxDeQ07qvGpq_z0I0cG5p9uNQISdAPZiD5FKRivGB8hxb5pyo59SMR19HdAZxSDsp6E-Mv8RAOXAM/s1600/picture7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBliBxONXC_vQeLiRxVStnt8r7HgAuXqteGTlvMrw9ZM90Ngtoyxkrlsvs8KVRzhcxDeQ07qvGpq_z0I0cG5p9uNQISdAPZiD5FKRivGB8hxb5pyo59SMR19HdAZxSDsp6E-Mv8RAOXAM/s1600/picture7.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ZY8ElbviiK4kevR1pKJTM4lZemFiv5Am9W_H4GcxoRcAJjEsQeBqRvobgMdxtbbwSvwXQbYEe9tzoHI_-XUQZhzjPLN0tk6meS2c762Vo5EcLALGtB1KoUVD7Ad3Bgabb8kxlKv7Piw/s1600/Picture8.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ZY8ElbviiK4kevR1pKJTM4lZemFiv5Am9W_H4GcxoRcAJjEsQeBqRvobgMdxtbbwSvwXQbYEe9tzoHI_-XUQZhzjPLN0tk6meS2c762Vo5EcLALGtB1KoUVD7Ad3Bgabb8kxlKv7Piw/s1600/Picture8.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
So that's about all I have to say about that.Teaching Isn't So Badhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17364171218166417918noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848456698332420444.post-37989364820881700232013-06-18T08:46:00.000-06:002013-07-03T12:21:48.373-06:00Breaking News: There Are More Fonts Than Comic SansIf there's anything I've learned from my teaching experience, it's that there is a pervasive misunderstanding that if you teach elementary school you are required to use <a href="http://bancomicsans.com/main/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Comic Sans</span></a> for all your documents.<br />
<br />
After years of thorough research, I've concluded that kids can read documents written in Times New Roman just as easily as those written in Comic Sans.<br />
<br />
But I get it. Times New Roman is boring. And lots of fonts just don't seem "cute" or "fun" enough to give to your students. However, I do think we can expand a little. Just a little. Not <i>everything</i> has to be in Comic Sans. <i>Not all of it. Please. </i><br />
<i><br />
</i> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4VSW0QT0KAJs6e3dkwgSWCiYb0JPjcK1dY-XNc6z2TEfuumy-r0UCGnfhr7jaBqDPQophj7bXZTce_n3WIeJqpkLiXxQOMvWum2BF2-EY08t6NwjN0OOYE0hozaCgi8JLKFl97GnyZpw/s1600/comic-sans-logos.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="I can't figure out where this original image actually came from." border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4VSW0QT0KAJs6e3dkwgSWCiYb0JPjcK1dY-XNc6z2TEfuumy-r0UCGnfhr7jaBqDPQophj7bXZTce_n3WIeJqpkLiXxQOMvWum2BF2-EY08t6NwjN0OOYE0hozaCgi8JLKFl97GnyZpw/s1600/comic-sans-logos.png" title="I can't figure out where this original image actually came from." width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is this really what we want? It's a slippery slope, my friends.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i><br />
</i> <i><br />
</i><br />
So as it turns out there are tons of other "cute" free fonts out there. In fact, if you go to <a href="http://www.fontsquirrel.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Font Squirrel</span></a>, there is a category specifically labeled as <a href="http://www.fontsquirrel.com/fonts/list/category/Cute" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">cute</span></a>.<b> These fonts are all free, even for commercial use </b>(if you plan on selling worksheets you've made).<br />
<br />
Here are some examples of a few that I like.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI6Tvw_vxsINmFGOhiOF5d5QFzOlm8SliBW3j9BqPKlxYkDCX8oBqQeofHLF2sVRFK1Ddq0Fl9OHrD8r6jXFzygpJqWqzio5zt3nkQs4EqUAghmsbKPQjTA8YiJhMopvcDR4fIic1pzmI/s1600/Fonts.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI6Tvw_vxsINmFGOhiOF5d5QFzOlm8SliBW3j9BqPKlxYkDCX8oBqQeofHLF2sVRFK1Ddq0Fl9OHrD8r6jXFzygpJqWqzio5zt3nkQs4EqUAghmsbKPQjTA8YiJhMopvcDR4fIic1pzmI/s1600/Fonts.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="http://www.dafont.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Dafont</span></a> is also a good website for free fonts, although most of these are just for personal use. And if you still don't find one you like, you can also make a font of your own handwriting for free, pretty quickly and easily. But that's for<a href="http://teachingisntsobad.blogspot.com/2013/06/how-to-make-your-own-font-for-free-in.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"> another post</span></a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6SfuH9FNsXINkmAqfmimmXP6gGmAvjKJjcEddT_mNOLveybAu5xlaLL6Xa9fAduI_uLo0S4EtpkplGmxxMKU1ElnjdmtjROFaxS18J-UzZB0w7dG4clx__Wa2r9NuokA6St9_ZtolIGM/s1600/Fonts2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="117" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6SfuH9FNsXINkmAqfmimmXP6gGmAvjKJjcEddT_mNOLveybAu5xlaLL6Xa9fAduI_uLo0S4EtpkplGmxxMKU1ElnjdmtjROFaxS18J-UzZB0w7dG4clx__Wa2r9NuokA6St9_ZtolIGM/s1600/Fonts2.png" title="For all the things?" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgffrXRyWeQx3wXUoM8X1NfOslliGbOv44KiCmWMA45wrTcWLBHvsLCqKKtZ8egSttBP59cwb2NZ_ntYlaauWbzkJyoAz5OeonHAKssLSxNGtug7kPg5z7wKT7w8P3qIEJrhKJKBvBX5IY/s1600/no.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgffrXRyWeQx3wXUoM8X1NfOslliGbOv44KiCmWMA45wrTcWLBHvsLCqKKtZ8egSttBP59cwb2NZ_ntYlaauWbzkJyoAz5OeonHAKssLSxNGtug7kPg5z7wKT7w8P3qIEJrhKJKBvBX5IY/s1600/no.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Teaching Isn't So Badhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17364171218166417918noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848456698332420444.post-50405202547034041762013-06-11T09:59:00.000-06:002013-06-14T10:25:54.792-06:00Should You Quit Teaching?<div class="tr_bq">
A valid question. One that I'm sure every teacher comes to at some point, and possibly revisits frequently.</div>
<br />
So. Should you quit?<br />
<br />
Maybe, but probably not.<br />
<br />
I think it's natural for anyone, at some point, to wonder whether they should quit their career and start a new one. Jobs aren't always fun. I'm really skeptical of those people who "totally love every second of their job all the time it's the best wish I could work more hours!" I think it's human nature to not enjoy everything all the time, and that's okay. So while this post is about teaching, feel free to replace words like "students" and "lesson plans" with "clients" and "projects" and . . . synergy. Or something.<br />
<br />
Ahem.<br />
<br />
There are genuine reasons to quit teaching. If you never once liked it, you should probably quit. But for a lot of the other reasons, the answer might not be to quit, it might just be to rediscover why you started teaching and make some sort of change.<br />
<br />
Teaching really isn't so bad. I do love it a lot of the time, but sometimes it can feel like I'm just wading through each day, tired, frustrated and feeling ineffective. And then comes a moment (usually just in time) where I'm blown away by a sense of purpose and gratification from some small teaching moment.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGkTnTbEBceXMqEuF4qrAN82H3jT6VXWU0tLzlWIFseo0CapNK2jeSOlnRSqudqJpdeKzEMujDeeqOBZk8Gx7OU3sou8LamPD05iX7hJbJVif9d7UasoLHyAH7dEXMIKnxrw7KGfp2lwk/s1600/awfulawfulgreat.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGkTnTbEBceXMqEuF4qrAN82H3jT6VXWU0tLzlWIFseo0CapNK2jeSOlnRSqudqJpdeKzEMujDeeqOBZk8Gx7OU3sou8LamPD05iX7hJbJVif9d7UasoLHyAH7dEXMIKnxrw7KGfp2lwk/s640/awfulawfulgreat.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Holding onto these moments can keep me going through the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad days. Here are some I like to remember, and I'm sure you have similar ones.<br />
<br />
<h3>
1. </h3>
<blockquote>
<b>Preface: </b>I work with students who typically have a very difficult time learning. It's hard for them. And having to do something that doesn't come easily all day long is pretty rough for these kids.</blockquote>
<blockquote>
To sympathize, I like to picture someone forcing me to play baseball for 7 hours every day. I can't hit that dumb ball. I can't do it. Stop making me try. </blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWTziNDH8GlKSv7A38Cdkax5XZMea-cHp_g5j5OIT4TJymcWgoCTLMMeUw12EJgd63dJwRFsQWPs2m3FiB-JZlo4sJ5D_z1OywJdp9XvRs86-XCVqcHoSSfpbUbjkyrlRry2dgircfhgo/s1600/baseball.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWTziNDH8GlKSv7A38Cdkax5XZMea-cHp_g5j5OIT4TJymcWgoCTLMMeUw12EJgd63dJwRFsQWPs2m3FiB-JZlo4sJ5D_z1OywJdp9XvRs86-XCVqcHoSSfpbUbjkyrlRry2dgircfhgo/s320/baseball.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Please let me stop.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<blockquote>
By the time they've come to me, in resource, they can be pretty dejected and not very enthusiastic about learning. Would you be? So this moment, and similar ones, generally bring me to tears when it happens.</blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote>
<b>The Moment:</b> I finished teaching a multiplication lesson to some students who have had a notoriously difficult time in school, math, and specifically multiplication. They got it! They <i>got </i>it! They were very excited, and so was I. They finished their worksheet and earned a few minutes of free time at the end of class, so what did they choose to do with their free time? They all turned over their worksheet and created more multiplication problems to solve. I can't tell you how I felt. I got them excited about learning!</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
This is akin to me saying, "No, I don't want to eat chocolate, I'd rather play more baseball!" </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I submit that there are few better teaching moments than this.</blockquote>
<br />
<br />
<h3>
2. </h3>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Preface: </b>One thing that breaks my heart is watching students struggle with things that I just can't fix. Many students have trouble at home and it definitely comes out at school, in their performance and behavior. Unfortunately, some of the students that are most in need of love, can be the hardest to love. They might not have many friends, and teachers can get pretty frustrated with them. I know I'm guilty of getting frustrated with plenty o' students, but a few unusually difficult students have somehow worked their way into my heart. I can't tell you why, but I don't only care about them, I actually<i> like </i>them. And this might sound funny or mean, but for some of the students the fact that I like them seems to defy logic.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>The Moment:</b> When I can tell that this difficult student really knows I care about them, and I like them, even while I'm disciplining them. Realizing you are actually making a huge impact on a child's life is extremely fulfilling. This doesn't happen with all, or most, of my students. But with a few I can tell I actually made a difference. That keeps me teaching.</blockquote>
<h3>
3.</h3>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Preface:</b> A student is behind.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>The Moment: </b>The student makes progress! </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Yes, this is less powerful than the first two examples, but much more frequent and helps keep teachers going on a daily basis. Small moments of progress can sometimes brighten my whole day, or week. </blockquote>
<br />
<br />
But despite the fact that most teachers experience these rewarding moments fairly often, burnout is still incredibly high for teachers. I find this really sad, because generally these teachers really do like teaching. Or they did. And some of them are also very talented at what they do, and that talent is needed. It would be a shame for them to quit teaching all together. Here are a few more suggestions on how to avoid teacher burnout.<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li> <b>Change Schools</b>- Sometimes changing schools really is the best option. Some school environments are not good fits, for various reasons. Even if the school was a good fit, it can still be a good idea just to get some sort of change and start fresh. </li>
<li><b>Take Vacations- </b>Yes I know teachers get summer off and a few long breaks, but that doesn't mean you can't still use a few vacation days. If possible, I would recommend taking off at least one day each month. And don't feel guilty. It could be the difference between remaining a teacher for a long time, or burning out. If a few more teachers took some non-guilt-ridden vacation days, we'd probably have a lot more of experienced teachers.</li>
<li><b>Work at a Year-Round School</b>- Year-round schools provide breaks a lot more frequently than traditional schools. Typically a teacher will teach for 9 weeks then get 3 weeks off. It does eliminate the long summer break, but generally you'll still get close to a month off for summer.</li>
<li><b>Work Part Time for a While- </b>It might not seem possible to work part time as a teacher, but if you can handle it financially, it might be a good idea. Some schools offer 1/2 time positions where you share a class with another teacher. This can be split by one teacher working mornings and the other afternoons, or they alternate days. Another option is to work at a Learning Center, or to provide private tutoring. </li>
<li><b>Do Some FUN Lessons- </b>The internet is full of ideas for fun and creative lessons for just about any subject. It might take a little more prep time, but I've found when I do a really creative lesson it makes the whole day more fulfilling and enjoyable. </li>
<li><b>Take Breaks- </b>It's so hard to not feel guilty about it, but I think it's good to take a few 5-ish minute breaks throughout the day. Have your students read for a few minutes or draw. Really, it's okay, especially if it means you will be teaching more successfully after the break. You could teach at 50% effectiveness all day because you really need a break, or you could teach at 100% effectiveness most of the day, with a few breaks.</li>
<li><b>Realize You Can't Please Everyone- </b>Just kidding, I have no idea how to do this. I still get really stressed when parents or teachers get mad at me and want me to do things differently. I logically know I can't please everyone, because often two parents want me to do exact opposite things. But I still have trouble not getting stressed about this. If I ever figure it out, I'll let you know.</li>
</ul>
Teaching Isn't So Badhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17364171218166417918noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848456698332420444.post-1068999063686739962013-06-03T12:05:00.000-06:002013-06-03T12:35:44.932-06:00I Certainly Hope You're All Prepared: Writing PromptsIt's hard to just start writing about something. If someone gave you a blank paper and said, "Okay, write! Fill up the whole page!" your mind would probably go blank. The same thing happens to many students. They need a little nudging and a little direction, which is why many teachers will provide some sort of topic or writing prompt. But I've found that giving students topics like "summer vacations" and "favorite holiday" isn't all that helpful either. It can give them something to write about, I suppose, but nothing I really want to read. And if it's boring to read, it's probably boring for them to write.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCu8P_y1ny4-re7zxH_2u2TI_Axjr5n4EecrnJNx1GlTWM50NBVdc6-dcWR_Dan4xnURK7j_NZ5gnjNBrFhwJ3DCy2RlYra1Lw1kGvmK75p0WBMql-J6mDdxw8u003rk0D7chUrUxh98M/s1600/essay.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCu8P_y1ny4-re7zxH_2u2TI_Axjr5n4EecrnJNx1GlTWM50NBVdc6-dcWR_Dan4xnURK7j_NZ5gnjNBrFhwJ3DCy2RlYra1Lw1kGvmK75p0WBMql-J6mDdxw8u003rk0D7chUrUxh98M/s1600/essay.png" height="320" width="226" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who else did you play with? I'm hooked!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Writing about what you did for summer vacation can only be interesting so many times. Once. Once times.<br />
<br />
The problem with one-word topics is that they just don't spark much creativity. And kids are dying to be creative. Something that helps spark this creativity is a good writing prompt. Not just a one-word topic, but a scenario that can give them a chance to be creative and have fun. With the right prompt, you will be surprised by what your students can come up with. And the bonus is it's fun for you to read too!<br />
<br />
Here's one that I love to do. It's sure to spark some creativity, even in the most reluctant of students.<br />
<br />
When the students walk into class I post this on the board:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp8vqv_L4TE1ud7rug9LbaLFKEFaBrUpuTEJ0WMhBMetNuzGmiBWolXexJFfZQezJ0IkUoP8q1QCX2BZO0MKNw1tX3QJWlM91vscwHTVPZBAsrAOjdnNmd88cuH4zuUhY16R0pOZfXXWI/s1600/chalkboard.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp8vqv_L4TE1ud7rug9LbaLFKEFaBrUpuTEJ0WMhBMetNuzGmiBWolXexJFfZQezJ0IkUoP8q1QCX2BZO0MKNw1tX3QJWlM91vscwHTVPZBAsrAOjdnNmd88cuH4zuUhY16R0pOZfXXWI/s1600/chalkboard.png" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
After the students have finished writing their excuses, I have them walk out of class and pretend that they are just coming into class and realize they don't have their homework. I switch what's on the board to say this:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRPeoc1dsNCv-KNZ0jMGkEot41O5I9JwaYsSCI8bBrhpd8E0LTnZU9RY2tvnfBTndO3AubUnKl9SLnZL2Wjj96bXrv3GBVtaAyVJ_URSktjJNxf23iwO3xPCpOSFtvYpP8W1lh_4v7S5U/s1600/projectdue.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRPeoc1dsNCv-KNZ0jMGkEot41O5I9JwaYsSCI8bBrhpd8E0LTnZU9RY2tvnfBTndO3AubUnKl9SLnZL2Wjj96bXrv3GBVtaAyVJ_URSktjJNxf23iwO3xPCpOSFtvYpP8W1lh_4v7S5U/s1600/projectdue.png" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Some of the students get really into the acting part. It cracks me up. I get into my part as well and start out all chipper saying, "Welcome to class! I certainly hope you're all prepared!" Then they all put on their best guilty face and say they all forgot. I pretend to be shocked and annoyed and tell them I want to hear their excuses for why they forgot their homework.<br />
<br />
Then the presentations begin of why they forgot their homework. Sometimes I choose whose was best or most convincing, sometimes I have the students vote.<br />
<br />
Probably my favorite excuse came from a student who said he did his homework but on the way to school he had to help a cat who was stuck in an oil spill and the homework was ruined. It was funny and topical (right after the BP oil spill), and listening to all of their creative excuses made my day of teaching much more fun and fulfilling.<br />
<br />
Try it!<br />
<br />
And if you have any good writing prompt ideas, please, please give me some!<br />
<br />
<br />Teaching Isn't So Badhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17364171218166417918noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848456698332420444.post-79129354304117607192013-05-25T16:27:00.000-06:002013-07-03T10:38:51.110-06:00Don't Let Crazy Teacher Take OverI can't stress enough how vital a good classroom management system is to having an enjoyable teaching career. You can have the most amazing lesson plan, but without the right foundation it turns into this:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3BSPAoCnRDZbtVADMI3-28aapvhr29t2EuIuok5zaxjZYWC6jFdhwsG0-IaZZF2TNjWzbG70Yk_Bn0uFQeHf396V8PN_jxhNLltIAJKoH94mn_WiAa_MwAzHVnAGMgverrg-95o_dnio/s1600/kinopoisk.ru-Kindergarten-Cop-884206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3BSPAoCnRDZbtVADMI3-28aapvhr29t2EuIuok5zaxjZYWC6jFdhwsG0-IaZZF2TNjWzbG70Yk_Bn0uFQeHf396V8PN_jxhNLltIAJKoH94mn_WiAa_MwAzHVnAGMgverrg-95o_dnio/s320/kinopoisk.ru-Kindergarten-Cop-884206.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
And before you know it crazy teacher takes over and says something like . . .<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT30ow350mopF2kRea3vbsy1wzv8gDCCUi88jv4PV8MEp9KDW9iPSQtoEieWuey6yjGsNqQoSutSYxDAMwXBFJ8VcRpEVHOxHIRXF9kjZXXQuRsiojmDTVvb1XZucJ-xDONiPXuqaO888/s1600/kindycop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT30ow350mopF2kRea3vbsy1wzv8gDCCUi88jv4PV8MEp9KDW9iPSQtoEieWuey6yjGsNqQoSutSYxDAMwXBFJ8VcRpEVHOxHIRXF9kjZXXQuRsiojmDTVvb1XZucJ-xDONiPXuqaO888/s1600/kindycop.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh, it's happened to us all.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
When you get to this point, you've lost your students, you've lost your potentially great lesson plan, and you're close to losing your mind. But it needn't get to this point! And why don't people use the word needn't more often?<br />
<br />
After a few years of experience, and what research backs, I've found that classroom management boils down to two major points:<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<ul>
<li><b><span style="font-size: large;">Clear Expectations</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="font-size: large;">Consistent Positive and Negative Consequences</span></b></li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
The students need to know exactly what is expected of them and they need to know that when they follow the rules there will consistently be positive consequences and when they don't follow the rules there will consistently be negative consequences. <i>Every time.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
When my students seem to be extra rowdy*, the vast majority of the time I can pin it down to me either not giving them clear expectations, or not following through with consequences. The exceptions being the day before Christmas break and that awful, awful day after Halloween when no teacher should be held accountable for the way their class acts.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6PJZ1wuwwnUl3YfFQuWdtkODjfTRleEGSLu2zTiQwo5Q0MfWAEVMu4koCfJJv_1jb8TQHOZq4K8cPkZVOcQEcXL1dqAPvzpk6poypC_nJTNuHdZMrzN09xX0zqUFS4DcYAOieRyypUc4/s1600/Hyper+Kid.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6PJZ1wuwwnUl3YfFQuWdtkODjfTRleEGSLu2zTiQwo5Q0MfWAEVMu4koCfJJv_1jb8TQHOZq4K8cPkZVOcQEcXL1dqAPvzpk6poypC_nJTNuHdZMrzN09xX0zqUFS4DcYAOieRyypUc4/s320/Hyper+Kid.png" width="305" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I just had seven bowls of skittles for breakfast!<br />
Now try to teach me something! Go on, it'll be funny!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So here's what I do! It works for me wonderfully, but every teacher is different. This is just the basic system, and works for the majority of students. Some students require special additions and modifications to make it work for them.<br />
<br />
<br />
<h4>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Step 1: The Point Cards</span></b></h4>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKS9I5qll4fO6ywKFSbnVV1uPY-S7tz-qkeNgGTWExLUm4BdRnaiavj1M62BAJxr0Lvd6_5Gy8uWnbXRdphaNRQQ9yK6djPRqVUNbGjyEMJBsEtx-t70Css7CQnOppGVU7vA_USpJQ1ZQ/s1600/pointcard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKS9I5qll4fO6ywKFSbnVV1uPY-S7tz-qkeNgGTWExLUm4BdRnaiavj1M62BAJxr0Lvd6_5Gy8uWnbXRdphaNRQQ9yK6djPRqVUNbGjyEMJBsEtx-t70Css7CQnOppGVU7vA_USpJQ1ZQ/s320/pointcard.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one is actually in pretty decent shape. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
All my students have cards and a dry erase marker to keep track of the points they earn in my class. <i>You let your students keep track of their own points? Don't they cheat?</i> Yup. Yeah, they cheat. At first. But the good news is that kids are really, really bad at cheating and they are really, really good at tattling on each other.<br />
<br />
Either it's painfully obvious they've given themselves extra points . . .<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT37FKKK80FpmhwsU_VEttgNTYt6mIisLUfprbyaPt9NSKCd8FH_G2DUyHvG4CbhDKBVBZTfyUIhQyYLW6jKlQ74KroYHMslLCCGKeVTOIOSIXR-G_8PCksDDZwxQDTK9U2Vj2rRgTxuM/s1600/fakepointcard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT37FKKK80FpmhwsU_VEttgNTYt6mIisLUfprbyaPt9NSKCd8FH_G2DUyHvG4CbhDKBVBZTfyUIhQyYLW6jKlQ74KroYHMslLCCGKeVTOIOSIXR-G_8PCksDDZwxQDTK9U2Vj2rRgTxuM/s320/fakepointcard.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why, Garrett, I don't recall giving you all those points.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Or another kid is sure to let you know. If I catch them cheating, they lose all their points for the day and in general the cheating fades after a week. For me, it's well worth not having to keep track of all their points.<br />
<br />
At the end of each day, I record their points and erase their cards. They start fresh the next day.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Step 2: The Rules</span></b><br />
Keep them short and use concrete language**. Then review, review, review them the first couple of weeks, along with the consequences. Here are mine:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHtwad3z3nnL77Msfxmj2cAZ9sb4ThPSBw1uEuhBuKPetm_I4TLfj-rENRmbT2uLe00Fw4azmqxd2cAz4uMtxgVRoT4xp_ADeQxGGT01ccHOvid9g7Bf-bH9wZiUBqlhslWfiOuZVD0RM/s1600/Rules.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHtwad3z3nnL77Msfxmj2cAZ9sb4ThPSBw1uEuhBuKPetm_I4TLfj-rENRmbT2uLe00Fw4azmqxd2cAz4uMtxgVRoT4xp_ADeQxGGT01ccHOvid9g7Bf-bH9wZiUBqlhslWfiOuZVD0RM/s320/Rules.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Step 3: The Consequences</span></b><br />
Choose consequences that you are actually going to follow through with. Things you can and will actually do, every time. Mine are very simple and therefore I consistently do them. The first couple of weeks I choose a volunteer to be my misbehaving student, then we act out what the consequences will be for not following the rules until they know exactly what will happen. No surprises.<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Warning—</b><i>"Garrett, remember to raise your hand." </i> I remind them to follow the rules.</li>
<li><b>Flip Card—</b><i>"No seriously Garrett, raise your hand."</i> Next step is to flip their card. When the card is flipped they are ineligible for points. If I award the class a point and someone can't get one because their card is flipped, it's painful for them, and effective.</li>
<li><b>Take Card—</b><i>"GARRETT. RAISE YOUR HAND." </i> The next step is to take the card away. If I still have it at the end of class, they lose all of their points for that day. </li>
<li><b>Contact Parent—</b><i>"Your mother is going to be disappointed you didn't raise your hand."</i></li>
</ul>
<br />
Two important points about the consequences:<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>I never erase points and I never take away points they've earned from previous days. It just doesn't work, and it's not really fair. One bad day shouldn't erase a week's worth of good days.</li>
<li>They can always get their card back, or their card flipped back over by following the rules again. If taking their card away is final, they can lose motivation early on in the class.</li>
</ol>
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Step 4: The Store</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
It's not all negative! Those points actually mean something, though I suspect I might be able to just give them meaningless points for a few months and they wouldn't catch on. But these points are worth something.<br />
<br />
I give them school money for their points and every so often we have a class store day where they get to spend their money. The schedule depends on the age of the students. My store is mostly made of free things. Some great ideas:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Free Time</b></li>
<li><b>Teacher's Chair</b> (This means they get to sit in the teacher's chair for the day. Oh man, they go nuts for this.)</li>
<li><b>Homework Pass</b> (Usually so many points equals one problems off)</li>
<li><b>Teacher for the Day</b> (Not really the whole day, but I let them do something that normally I do. I can't believe they actually pay to let me have a break for a few minutes.)</li>
<li><b>Ask your students!</b> They will have plenty of ideas.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And there you have it! </div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">*Do people still use this word? I don't think I've heard it since the 90's. But it's the first one that popped into my head. Am I old? Is that why I used it? Am I getting old? Am I going to be complaining about all the rowdy kids on my lawn soon?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">**For a more thorough post on rules, go <a href="http://teachingisntsobad.blogspot.com/2013/07/be-good-and-other-ineffective-rules.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">here</span></a>.</span>Teaching Isn't So Badhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17364171218166417918noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848456698332420444.post-43930715463368504072013-05-10T12:59:00.000-06:002013-05-15T21:20:50.251-06:00Please Go. Anytime Now.<div class="tr_bq">
Little kids take . . . forever . . . to do <i>anything</i>, am I right?</div>
<br />
This was one of the things that caught me off-guard when I began teaching younger children. A child would be gone for about an hour and when asked where they went would say, "to get a drink." <i>A drink? For an hour? How could anyone ever take that long to do anything?</i> Oh, but they do. When they're six, they do.<br />
<br />
What was most maddening to me was to get them all to <i>go</i> somewhere. Announcing, "Everyone please line up at the door," would result in three or four kids meandering somewhat towards the door, with a few stops or side-projects along the way. Some might glance towards the door as though they really are considering going there sometime, maybe even today. The result certainly wasn't ever my students all lining up at the door.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvBqRYF5kwd1n_292EoaE9xdlEgTAHBmvBSIgSieL_L7EjHNndyVMZLauUEI56qBlPHu7A9DmYBKZvNGYLU1UVOGdJs5tem6QglfIKmXjz2zzS8ZDhSn7hPfY5ly0S_fzgG5kCTDB38cI/s1600/Katie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvBqRYF5kwd1n_292EoaE9xdlEgTAHBmvBSIgSieL_L7EjHNndyVMZLauUEI56qBlPHu7A9DmYBKZvNGYLU1UVOGdJs5tem6QglfIKmXjz2zzS8ZDhSn7hPfY5ly0S_fzgG5kCTDB38cI/s200/Katie.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical response from my students<br /> when asked to do something.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Yes, it takes them a long time to do things, but the upside is that you can pretty much convince them that anything is super fun if you present it in the right way. Which leads me to a couple tips on transitions that have worked for me.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1<b>) The Magic Word</b></span><br />
<b><br />
</b> It's so simple, but so...magical. Here's a sample dialogue of how it works.<br />
<br />
<blockquote>
<b>Teacher</b>: When I say "banana", everyone line up at the door. What will you do?<br />
<b>Students:</b> Line up at the door.<br />
<b>Teacher:</b> Ban...dana.<br />
(a few students stir)<br />
<b>Teacher:</b> Banono.<br />
(less students stir)<br />
<b>Teacher:</b> Banana<br />
(All students magically line up at the door at a fascinating speed)</blockquote>
My students <i>love</i> this. A variation is to let the students choose the word, which they love even more. I say, "Everyone line up as soon as I say. . ." then choose a volunteer to come up with the word. And one more variation is to let a student choose the word <i>and</i> say the word (while trying to trick the other students), but this depends on their ability level.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">2) I Don't Know What to Call This One</span></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
This involves physical activity and attentive listening, and also demonstrates their understanding of a subject. And they think they're having fun! I use this when we are done with a group activity or meeting and they need to go back to their seats.<br />
<br />
<blockquote>
<b>Teacher:</b> When I say go, start doing jumping jacks (or physical activity of your choice). When you hear the right answer to the problem, stop and return to your seats. The problem is 5 + 5. Think of the answer in your mind. Go!<br />
(Students begin jumping jacks, or other physical activity of your choice.)<br />
<b>Teacher:</b> 7. . . 8 . . . 3 . . . 10<br />
(Students stop jumping jacks and return to their seats.)</blockquote>
<br />
Again, works like a charm.<br />
<br />
What transition methods work for you? I'm always looking for new ideas.<br />
<br />
<br />Teaching Isn't So Badhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17364171218166417918noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848456698332420444.post-24440908262189277952013-05-03T15:09:00.000-06:002013-11-12T13:48:33.753-07:00Compound WordsAre you looking for an excellent detailed lesson plan about compound words with aesthetically pleasing worksheets? Sorry. I'm sorry, that's not what you're going to get. But if you're looking for a quick compound word worksheet that looks like someone made it in about 15 minutes using Word and some clip art, you're in luck!<br />
<br />
But, really, it's a fun worksheet. The students like it because it's like solving a puzzle and it helps solidify the concept of compound words as being two words that make a new word when squished together.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidFw4DXvgjCYjGh4nk2hOTAtgto7BxlP-0e83VngsyHBDoNrSXu8DoABFuKhzBBgRqFgDEv92vuWAW69BbWv5wlUJMEJKrbaPqpHEG01or41rewBOOnHeqkU7-1KzY7dlleAZq9Srkt_E/s1600/Compound+Words+Snip.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidFw4DXvgjCYjGh4nk2hOTAtgto7BxlP-0e83VngsyHBDoNrSXu8DoABFuKhzBBgRqFgDEv92vuWAW69BbWv5wlUJMEJKrbaPqpHEG01or41rewBOOnHeqkU7-1KzY7dlleAZq9Srkt_E/s1600/Compound+Words+Snip.JPG" width="246" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>Here are a couple tips for teaching it.</b><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>1) </b>Introduce the concept by holding up a yellow and blue crayon and asking what students think will happen when they put the colors together. Demonstrate that when we put two colors together it makes a new color and sometimes when we put two words together it makes a new word. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>2)</b> Tell the students they are going to be detectives and to get out their imaginary magnifying glasses. When you pass out the worksheet have them use their magnifying glasses to solve each compound word puzzle.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>3)</b> After they solve each clue ask, "What type of word is this?" Or they will quickly forget what a compound word is.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>4)</b> Have the students stretch their arms out and squish them together as they say, "compound word." Getting them to do something physical while saying the word always helps for recall later.</blockquote>
<br />
<br />
Soon, I plan to actually make that excellent detailed lesson plan with aesthetically pleasing worksheets. So, that link will show up here one of these days**. But for now, here's the link to the free download:<br />
<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Compound-Word-Picture-Puzzles">http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Compound-Word-Picture-Puzzles</a><br />
<br />
If you do end up using it, let me know of any other teaching tips to make it a more effective lesson!<br />
<br />
** Did it! <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Compound-Words-Packet-includes-scripted-lesson-plan-683296">http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Compound-Words-Packet-includes-scripted-lesson-plan-683296</a><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">*Pop quiz! How many compound words can you find in this post? The winner gets nothing. Not even a sense of pride.</span>Teaching Isn't So Badhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17364171218166417918noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848456698332420444.post-82294585201633055982013-04-23T16:46:00.002-06:002013-04-26T16:19:33.594-06:00I'ma Introduce MyselfWelcome!<br />
<br />
I guess I did it. I started a blog. So...that happened. Eventually, I even plan to post things!<br />
<br />
But this is more just an introduction. So here goes. I've been teaching for almost 7 years, both as a teacher and an aide, in the regular education setting and the special education setting, in charter schools, mainstream public schools and tutoring programs, and in elementary and high school (though elementary is by far my favorite).<br />
<br />
Despite the title of the blog, I really quite like teaching! And when done right, it's a passion for me. Sometimes I get in teaching slumps, however, and I've found one way to get out of them is to scour the internet for fun and creative ideas instead of relying solely on my own brain which has this nasty habit of not wanting to put in any more effort than is absolutely necessary. When I do go into this pilot mode of teaching, even though my brain thinks it's what I want, I am the least happy with my job.<br />
<br />
This is why I am forever grateful for people who have teaching blogs with tips and ideas that get me excited about teaching and remind me that it can be very rewarding and enjoyable. It usually gets me out of my teacher's block and back into creativity mode.<br />
<br />
And that rambling intro brings be to the reason why I finally caved and made a blog. It's a two-fold reason. I'd like to share some of my ideas with other teachers to help them with their slumps, and I think this will give me a bit more motivation to come up with creative ideas for my own students.<br />
<br />
That is all!<br />
<br />Teaching Isn't So Badhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17364171218166417918noreply@blogger.com0