Animoto: All Smiles In September

We all know how much children love to be the star of the show.  This year, I have decided to make a monthly video, or two, that will allow my students the opportunity to be on display!  I plan to share these chronicles with their parents and families to increase parental involvement and hold students accountable for their daily routines.  I'm hopeful that this will motivate my students to stay on task and communicate their tasks and assignments more clearly with their families.  I'm also hoping that the parents will leave positive feedback on our classroom blog.  Do you think this is a good idea? I hope you enjoy the show!

The Amazing Words of a Sandy Hook Mother

Not many will disagree that the tragedy that faced Sandy Hook Elementary School was by far one of the worst nightmares in US history.  The resilience and grace spoken by a mother of a victim have left me touched and speechless.  If you need to remind yourself of why you are a teacher, this letter may do the trick.  Let's honor the victims and support the positive message by sharing this message with as many educators as possible.

Why I am Blogging

Many of my colleagues have asked WHY I am blogging.  I have shared that although this is part of a classroom assignment, I am trying something new to challenge myself.  By opening my mind, I am hoping that others in my building will be open to the possibilities of technology.  I may not be an expert blogger but I know this is true, a week, month, or year from now, I will be able to look back on this post and realize the growth that I have made.  I will certainly look back with a reflective eye and know that by challenging myself to something new, I have shown that I am capable of adapting and making the change education needs.  In the near future, I will invite my colleagues to share their thoughts and post comments on my blog.  Perhaps the blogging effect will become contagious and staff will trickle their enthusiasm onto the student body.  I have also shared with my peers that a blog like this takes up a mere 10 minutes of my day.  I am using it as a time to reflect on my teaching practices, passions, and lessons learned.  After a long day, it can prove challenging to get to this...it has proven to be a fast way to keep track of my thoughts though!

And so the year begins...

10 years in the game... I have finally reached a milestone that I never thought I'd get to.  In the beginning, some days felt like an eternity, while other days passed with the blink of an eye.  What have I learned in these 10 years?  A LOT!  

10 Things I've learned Along the Way 

1. Third graders can do wonders for your self esteem.  They compliment you when you look like fifty miles of bad road and still appreciate your sense of humor!
2. Establishing a family like community will help every group of students, from the most challenging to the best blended groups...trust me, it works! 
3. No matter how much you plan out a lesson, something will always go differently than how you planned...instead of panicking in moments like these, embrace this time and relax! Let the students see how you handle situations like this, set a good example.  
4. Even when you are having a bad day, smile and allow yourself to get distracted by the innocence and beauty of children...it will make you feel better from the inside out.  
5. Having colleagues that you can share life with is magical.  It is a gift that you not only share with each other, you share it with your students as well.  Children need to see you interact supportively and lovingly with your peers...it improves the school climate.
6. Appreciate the support staff you have.  Say thank you to the custodian, secretary, nurse, etc., as often as you can.  They are the behind the scene crew that rarely get the recognition they deserve.
7. Complaining is not going to fix the problems of the world.  Instead of complaining, try to thoughtfully approach the problem with a more positive outlook.
8. Communicate openly and often with parents.  You probably see their child more often than they do.  
9. Wait 24 hours before responding to an email that infuriates you...think your response over and ask a friend to proof it before you hit send.  
10. If you ever stop learning from your students and peers, it is probably time to seek a new profession!