Great Teachers

I am currently reading, What Great Teachers do Differently, by Todd Whitaker. Here are some of the ideas that I have taken away so far. While some of them may be no-brainers...I felt that they were worthy of being noted.

Great teachers focus on expectations.
There is never an appropriate time or place to yell at students (unless it's because an oncoming car, etc.)
Respect parents and students - do it for my sake.
I am the variable.
My behavior is the only one that I can control in my classroom.
I can control my own performance.
The real challenge is to treat everyone with respect at all times.
The power of praise - it should be authentic, specific, immediate, clean, and private.
The teacher is the filter.

Some of these ideas may not make sense...so go ahead and ask me questions, I'll gladly expand. It talked about who are the top three most effective teachers in your school and then who praised people? Do they overlap? I had to say, they did when I was creating my list.

Great food for thought as I keep reading. It also is a great book to read, especially at the beginning of the year. I can choose my attitude every day and love my students!

Funnies

To start off our classroom theme of bees (you'd be surprised how much it can come in - queen bee, worker bees, teamwork, communication, etc.), we created a KWL today. While looking through some informational text about bees, a question of "What is this?" kept coming up with photos. Not only am I excited that I'll be able to do a quick focus lesson on reading captions, one student brought up the word pupa. At the same time, another student said larva...well, they combined and students thought they said parpa. Students kept repeating that the picture was that of a parpa...I had to write it down!

I'm Still Here...

I know I haven't posted lately, but please know that I've been racking my brain trying to figure out what to post. School has just started and I've been a little busy with that. I have to give props to my friends who are mothers because I have no idea how you do it. I take care of just myself and I get overwhelmed...my own dishes, laundry, bills, household chores, cooking, and still my work from school. Praying that those of you who read my blog on a regular basis find encouragement every now and again when you read this...know that all of the work you do that goes unseen is an amazing testimony to those who watch you and sometimes don't fully understand all of the sacrifices you make.

Calling on Ideas

I begin my year and most mornings with a meeting with my students. I gather them to the Hive by playing a song (currently The More We Get Together). I greet them, we talk, and then we often sing several songs together. Most of these songs go along with some text that I have either typed or the actual books. I am looking for new songs or just wanting to know what other songs teachers use. If you have any ideas, PLEASE jot me a comment. The More We Get Together is getting a little old...

Thanks!!!

A poem of my own...

Granted...I feel safe most days, but when sharing my writing, this can be one of the scariest times for me as a person. I think it comes from wanting people's approval. However, I am putting this out there because 1) I am proud of it, 2) I need to be able to talk with my students about my journey as a writer, and 3) I love the people that read my blog and wanted to share it with you.

Background knowledge - it's supposed to be a poem for two voices (not sure how the formatting will turn out...just and fyi) I am the text that is plain, God is italicized, and together we are bold.

Desires

Striving
to see who I am
You are a child of of the great I AM
Wanting
to know I'm loved
I have loved you with an everlasting love
Seeking
for approval
I have called you by name - you are mine.
Longing
for satisfaction
Be still and know that I am God
for you!

Movie Review...Writer Style

If you haven't seen the movie, WALL-E, then stop reading this...go watch it and then come back and read.

Okay, so if you're still reading one of three things has happened...1) you don't follow rules, 2) you've already seen the movie, or 3) you really don't care and are still going to keep reading.

I watched the movie WALL-E tonight and during it I felt like I had to keep my brain awake to remember the big themes that I saw. In fact, I heard the captain say something and I pulled a piece of paper out of my purse (in the middle of the movie) and started writing it down (in the dark, I don't even know if I wrote in a straight line). The following are many of the thoughts and the processing that goes along with them.

I was blown away by the progression of the weight gain of the people simply because they didn't stay active. I was wondering what people thought of this as they watched it. After having lost some weight...and still trying to work on being healthy, I don't know if I was more in tune with it. I felt bad for these people (in the movie) who weren't able to get around without the help of an aided machine. I also thanked God that even though I may not LOVE my thighs right now...I am able to move and run and get around without the help of others. It was a good reminder to me to stay active and keep pursuing the goal of being healthy and enjoying life.

With the thought of enjoying life...the people were surrounded by machines who displayed lovely distractions in front of them all of the time. When the distraction was taken away, they were finally able to notice what was around them...the pool, the stars, others. How many times am I distracted by things around me?

I loved the way that WALL-E took care of Eva. It was an unconditional love...and yes, I know they were robots and aren't real. When she was able to see how he cared for her, she was on a mission to save him. He pursued her...(can you tell it's the romantic side of me???). He longed for companionship...an ache that we all have. And it goes right along with the message that our pastor talked about today about the two greatest commandments and how we should love others. BTW...feel free to get the podcast - WCC - Unbreakable...

Finally...this is what started the entire writing down process (Ruth and Stacey, are you proud of me??? - I should show this notetaking to my class), the captain says, "I don't want to survive, I want to live." Ugh! What a great statement! I don't want to merely go through this life just existing, I want to leave a mark...I want to be something...I want to know that I matter and that I made a difference! Whew...I'm glad school is starting soon so I can start pouring this passion into my students and loving on my colleagues.

For those of you who watched the movie...what are your thoughts? And for those of you don't follow rules...do you feel like you want to see the movie now?

Trip to Buffalo Video

Here is a very short snapshot of some of my time in Buffalo. Enjoy!