Priorities

Teachers,

Here is your weekly dose of “5-Point Friday. 

Priorities  —

My son came to me yesterday and showed me that he is getting an amazing award from his high school. He treated it as something that was not important. He is being awarded something that not many students get. Then in the same conversation, he talks about things that seem so important to him, but in a month will not make any difference to him because he is graduating. As I talked with him about these two different things I am reminded that as we go through the next month wrapping up our year, getting all the teaching and learning in that we can, we need to remember what our priorities are in teaching. Our question should be, “What is best for the student”. In each situation, we need to decide if what we are saying or doing will help this child grow and be positive for them. Students are doing out of the ordinary things during this time of sunshine and realization that the end of the year is near. Make your learning interactive and activity based. Less computer time and more activity, move around time, and learning activities will help students keep focused. There will be paper-pencil work to do. There will be teacher talk time. Mix it up a bit. Take an extra breath when your student that has done the same thing all year and it still gets on your nerves when they do it. It will be worth it to them and to you. The priority is the student. 

Quote I’m pondering —

“Life is like a straw, only you can make it suck.” – Travis Wood

What I am Watching —

The Amazing Race - Educator’s Version...

Gerry Brooks video. Need I say more?

Favorite Article This Week —

Google Forms Basics

Here are 7 steps to getting a google form made and out to your students. Any student can use them. It is all in how you put it together.

A Big Thank You —

Thank you for all your hard work with the dance. Jamie you need a big thank you for all you did for the dance festival. All the planning, all the work you did getting the school dance put together, all the posters, and just putting it all together. Thank you for all your hard work with music this year. Music is such an important part of the school. The arts give our students opportunities that help with academics. Jamie, Thank you. Teachers thank you for all your work getting ready for the festival. Thank you for all you do Thank you.

I appreciate all of you and your hard work. Have a wonderful weekend.

Control

Teachers,

Here is your weekly dose of “5-Point Friday. 

Control  —

At our Behavior Management training this week I read a saying that reminded me of what we need to remember as teachers. Pat Cross said, “If it weren’t for students impeding our progress in our race to the end of the term, we could certainly be sure of covering the material. The question, however, is not whether we, as teachers, can get t the end of the text of the end of the term, but whether our students are with us on that journey.” We control what happens in our classrooms. We control the environment and how engaging our lessons are. We control how we act and react to what students do each do. We control how we perceive the actions of others. We control us. We cannot control students. We do not control student behavior. If we try to we will end up in a  fight-or-flight situation for the student and the teacher. When a student misbehaves, we need to remember it is not a threat to us. We need to address the situation with the student and move on. We need to remember to answer the question, What is best for the student? Forcing the student to do something is trying to control them. We need to find a way to change their behavior by thinking it as a puzzle that needs to be solved, but not a threat to be removed. One of the reasons Kim challenged each of us to take on a child in our class is to alleviate some of these behavior issues. If we build a relationship with our students they will work with us. If we demand and control, they will end up worse then they already are. Let’s make their days better for being here. If we create excitement for them being here, they will do more of what we ask. Thank you for all you do. 

Quote I’m pondering —

“Enthusiasm is one of the most powerful engines of success. When you do a thing, do it with all your might. Put your whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic, be enthusiastic and faithful, and you will accomplish your object. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

What I am Watching —

Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset

This is a great video explaining what these are. We all need a Growth Mindset. It makes life less stressful.

Favorite Article This Week —

Fair Isn’t Always Equal – 3 Grading Malpractices

Grading is always a tough thing to do. That was the first major conundrum I ran into my first year of teaching. I am not a fan of grading elementary students. Labels an wait until high school.

A Big Thank You —

Thank you teachers and staff that helped during the Open House. We are in need of students at our school and We sure appreciate taking some time to walk around with the few parents that did come and help show off how wonderful our school is. Thank you for taking time out of your schedule and help promote our school. We appreciate your dedication and help. Thank you for all you do. Thank you.

I appreciate all of you and your hard work. Have a wonderful weekend.

Missed Opportunities

Teachers,

Here is your weekly dose of “5-Point Friday. 

Missed Opportunities  —

I have done a little teaching in a couple classrooms over the last couple of weeks and I recorded myself. It is hard to watch myself teach and look at all the missed opportunities. Annette Brinkman taught about missed opportunities in the classroom and how they can help us see the things we could be doing in our classroom to help students. A couple of the missed opportunities I saw in my recordings were stating and restating the Objective in my lessons. I did it in one, but not in another. I also need to Keep checking on each student to see their successes and where they need help. The little things in our lessons can turn into missed opportunities for students to learn and succeed. I have handed out a couple cell phone tripods to record yourselves teach. If you have not done so, please do and take a few minutes and set it up. No one else needs to see it. If you have questions about a missed opportunity in your video, ask Alma, myself, or Kim. We are always willing to coach and help you improve. If you would like to use a tripod to record yourself with your phone, ask and I will loan you one. Recording yourself should be used as an opportunity to see what you are doing and to find those misses opportunities that will help you be the best teacher you can be. You are an amazing family of teachers in an amazing school with the best students. 

Quote I’m pondering —

“Behavior change is the only real apology.” – Mel Robbins

What I am Watching —

LEARN HOW TO FOLD A WORLD-RECORD-SETTING PAPER AIRPLANE

Just in case you wanted to know. A pretty cool math measurement experiment.

Favorite Article This Week —

We Must Maslow Before We Bloom

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and Bloom's Taxonomy are important in education. Maslow must come first so we can Bloom.

A Big Thank You —

Thank you for all you did at Literacy Night for parents and students. As I walk around I was able to see the parent lessons going well and the fun activities for students were fun. Thank you for taking the time and teaching the parents that came to the literacy night. Thank you for taking the time to help with parents. Thank you for all you do. Thank you.

I appreciate all of you and your hard work. Have a wonderful weekend.