Our Christmas break begins next week. As any experienced teacher knows, this week before break can be a bit trying! The kids are so excited, the weather is always iffy, our schedule is disrupted by the holiday program... none of these make or exceptionally well behaved students.
But despite the difficulties of this week, I do always enjoy it. There is something wonderful about pulling out my "winter holidays" file and rediscovering the magic that children see in this time of the year. No matter how often I do the lessons, I always enjoy watching the kids use logic to figure out what order Santa's reindeer fly in and use math to figure out how to build the perfect snowman during the snowman construction lesson.
I have been teaching long enough now that I am beginning to lose track of how many times I have stood in the back of the gym holding unwanted hoodies or jackets, and watched a group of students preform. Inevitably, I flash big goofy grins at them in an effort to get them to smile. Every year we go though the exact same process, but every year it is special.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Christmas Literature
Every year as we move past Thanksgiving and into the Christmas season, I love rereading all my favorite Christmas books to my students.
I always find at least one group of students to read "The Polar Express" to. I am always amazed at how well they listen. It is one story I never have to interrupt with reminders of "body basics." It is an amazing story. I remember my own 2nd grade teacher reading it to me and I have loved the story ever since. I still get goose-bumps when I read the last lines about how he can still hear the bell ring.
Traditionally we read "A Christmas Carol" aloud to our 6th graders. Again - the kids love it. They never think they are going to but they always do. The language in it is pretty difficult but the kids get into it. They react and laugh and almost seem to make some discoveries about life and Christmas right along with Scrooge.
There are plenty more I share with students if I get the chance. "Yes Virginia there is a Santa Clause," "The Night Before Christmas" "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." I read these stories over and over but always enjoy them.
I always find at least one group of students to read "The Polar Express" to. I am always amazed at how well they listen. It is one story I never have to interrupt with reminders of "body basics." It is an amazing story. I remember my own 2nd grade teacher reading it to me and I have loved the story ever since. I still get goose-bumps when I read the last lines about how he can still hear the bell ring.
Traditionally we read "A Christmas Carol" aloud to our 6th graders. Again - the kids love it. They never think they are going to but they always do. The language in it is pretty difficult but the kids get into it. They react and laugh and almost seem to make some discoveries about life and Christmas right along with Scrooge.
There are plenty more I share with students if I get the chance. "Yes Virginia there is a Santa Clause," "The Night Before Christmas" "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." I read these stories over and over but always enjoy them.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Kid Language
I love listening to my students talk. There is something fascinating in the way they arrange words. Often they get it right, but sometimes in the process of translating from English to Spanish, the English comes out a little of of order. I love being able to understand it anyway.
As their teacher, I know exactly what Angela means when she says "the school with the bird red" (a neighboring school's mascot is the cardinal). I know that "the store with the star" is Macy's. I have learned that "poopy" means puppy and that /v/s and /b/s are pretty much interchangeable.
The same is true for their writing. Spelling and conventions can make it a challenge at times to understand but I find it so important. If my students can take the risk to communicate, I give every effort I can to try to be able to understand it. My favorite decoded writing sample ever was found in a story about a trip to the dentist. After some effort I realized that "lemeseyrteef" translated to "let me see your teeth"
Words and language are so amazing to me. I love that my students have their own unique and beautiful way of communicating.
As their teacher, I know exactly what Angela means when she says "the school with the bird red" (a neighboring school's mascot is the cardinal). I know that "the store with the star" is Macy's. I have learned that "poopy" means puppy and that /v/s and /b/s are pretty much interchangeable.
The same is true for their writing. Spelling and conventions can make it a challenge at times to understand but I find it so important. If my students can take the risk to communicate, I give every effort I can to try to be able to understand it. My favorite decoded writing sample ever was found in a story about a trip to the dentist. After some effort I realized that "lemeseyrteef" translated to "let me see your teeth"
Words and language are so amazing to me. I love that my students have their own unique and beautiful way of communicating.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Last Night of Summer
Just like the first night of summer is a wonderful night, the last night of summer is unique also. It is always hard to leave the summer behind. I definitely think about it as I drift off to sleep - it will be a long time before summer rolls around again.
But I also think of all the new beginnings the next day will bring. It is always unusual to see all the kids move up a grade. They never seem quite old enough yet somehow they are...! Every year I have new ideas, and new ways of doing things. That always adds some excitement.
It really is a nice opportunity to start fresh every year. New school years mean a clean slate - for teachers and kids. It always feels so fresh and promising!
But I also think of all the new beginnings the next day will bring. It is always unusual to see all the kids move up a grade. They never seem quite old enough yet somehow they are...! Every year I have new ideas, and new ways of doing things. That always adds some excitement.
It really is a nice opportunity to start fresh every year. New school years mean a clean slate - for teachers and kids. It always feels so fresh and promising!
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Summer School
While it is wonderful to take a break in the summer (and I do find time to do that) I usually find myself agreeing to teach summer school. We always sign kids up for summer school during Spring conference. A lot of our kids love school and are eager to come but a few take a little encouragement. I don't find it too hard to muster this encouragement as I actually kind of enjoy summer school myself.
Summer school is easy. It is test free. It is so much different to be able to teach without the constant nagging pressure of testing in the back of your mind.
In summer school, we really try to build life experiences. We take lots of field trips. The kids get longer recesses. In writing we write fun and imaginary stories. They research fun topics like space and make power point presentations of their findings. They use dice and playing cards to practice math skills.
I know summer school is, and should be, more relaxed than regular school. But when I see how enjoyable things are without the pressure of testing, I find my self wishing school during the regular year could be a little bit more like summer school.
Summer school is easy. It is test free. It is so much different to be able to teach without the constant nagging pressure of testing in the back of your mind.
In summer school, we really try to build life experiences. We take lots of field trips. The kids get longer recesses. In writing we write fun and imaginary stories. They research fun topics like space and make power point presentations of their findings. They use dice and playing cards to practice math skills.
I know summer school is, and should be, more relaxed than regular school. But when I see how enjoyable things are without the pressure of testing, I find my self wishing school during the regular year could be a little bit more like summer school.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
First Night of Summer
What I do for a living is amazing. I love the joys, challenges and passion that comes with teaching. It is something I can not imagine finding as fully in another career.
That being said though, there is something absolutely amazing about the first night of summer vacation. Even though summer school starts next week, I still relish in the freedom that comes right after the final bell of the school year rings.
As the summer stretches before me, long and welcoming, I imagine all that I will do. Lay by the pool and read (trying to make a dent in my 20 deep pile of books to be read). Take walks around the lake near my house. Grill, garden, travel, recharge...
I know very few people in the world aside from teachers are lucky enough to experience the glories of summer vacation. I am so thankful I am able to. I truly believe the time off - the time away from it all, makes me better at what I do.
Every June I am completely spent and eagerly await the start of break, but every August, I am ready to go back and do it all over again.
That being said though, there is something absolutely amazing about the first night of summer vacation. Even though summer school starts next week, I still relish in the freedom that comes right after the final bell of the school year rings.
As the summer stretches before me, long and welcoming, I imagine all that I will do. Lay by the pool and read (trying to make a dent in my 20 deep pile of books to be read). Take walks around the lake near my house. Grill, garden, travel, recharge...
I know very few people in the world aside from teachers are lucky enough to experience the glories of summer vacation. I am so thankful I am able to. I truly believe the time off - the time away from it all, makes me better at what I do.
Every June I am completely spent and eagerly await the start of break, but every August, I am ready to go back and do it all over again.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Loss
I got the sad news yesterday that one of my former students fell from a tree this weekend and died. I was so saddened by his loss. He was a wonderful boy. I had him in my 5th grade class 5 years ago. He had immigrated to the U.S. from El Salvador a year earlier and was still very quiet and shy when I had him. He was a very hard worker and so respectful and pleasant to be around. He moved to a new house part way though his 5th grade year and had to change schools. The entire class was sad to see him go. I saw him a few times after that - and various ESL functions. He always went out of his way to come great me.
The thing that keeps running though my mind is that he really was a good boy. The kids I work with have so many negative influences - gangs, drugs, teen pregnancy... those things never even came close to Jose. He played soccer and took boxing lessons. And on the night of his accident, he was at home, playing ball with the neighbors. He was one of our success stories. It is so hard to come to terms with the fact that his story has ended.
The thing that keeps running though my mind is that he really was a good boy. The kids I work with have so many negative influences - gangs, drugs, teen pregnancy... those things never even came close to Jose. He played soccer and took boxing lessons. And on the night of his accident, he was at home, playing ball with the neighbors. He was one of our success stories. It is so hard to come to terms with the fact that his story has ended.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Small Steps
One of my favorite things in the world is to watch a student take the first small steps towards reading. Often this happens in the fall, at the beginning of the year. But we recently got 2 new arrivals from Mexico. Despite the fact that we only have 2 weeks of school left, it is wonderful to have a few new faces and great to get them started on the road to learning English before the summer begins.
At the beginning of each class, we go clear though the alphabet and say each letter and the sound it makes ("Big A, little A /a/, /a/, /a/"). Then we begin working on our lowest level books. These books are very much a pattern and contain a few sight words, and some harder vocabulary words that can be guessed based on the picture. I pre-teach the vocabulary words, then sit back and watch as quiet utterances slowly turn into reading. I absolutely love it. It is so neat to see them make the connections between unknown words and the pictures. It is wonderful to hear "/p/..../p/... turn into "pencil". It is inspiring to see the pride on their faces as they see what they have accomplished.
At the beginning of each class, we go clear though the alphabet and say each letter and the sound it makes ("Big A, little A /a/, /a/, /a/"). Then we begin working on our lowest level books. These books are very much a pattern and contain a few sight words, and some harder vocabulary words that can be guessed based on the picture. I pre-teach the vocabulary words, then sit back and watch as quiet utterances slowly turn into reading. I absolutely love it. It is so neat to see them make the connections between unknown words and the pictures. It is wonderful to hear "/p/..../p/... turn into "pencil". It is inspiring to see the pride on their faces as they see what they have accomplished.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Decisions
I have a friend who I have worked with since my student teaching days. Since the beginning of her teaching career, she has felt a call to work in an inner city school, and has done an incredible job fulfiling that call. She is an incredible friend and a great teacher.
We spent many a Thursday night together while we were working towards our masters degrees. From these classes, I know that she puts everything she has into being a great teacher. She is an advocate for the district and out studnets. She defends both to any critics who complain about what we do or how we do it.
Teaching children is everything to her. If a child is struggling to learn, she does everything in her power to figure out why and to find a way to ease the struggle. She is one of the best teachers I have had the pleasure of knowing.
Our district, like many across the country, is at a time of financial difficulty. As a way to save money, they have decided to cut all the part time positions from the district for next year. This effects my friend since she has been working 1/2 while her children are small.
For 8 years she has poured her heart into teaching and given the district everything she has. She has bettered herself as a professional, created lasting bonds with students and touched countless lives. But to the district, she was simply a name on a pay check... a way to balance the budget.
Many questions came to mind when I heard the news. What is a district coming to when they have to cut teachers? Is there really no where else they can find to save money? Does the district know that by cutting all 1/2 time positions, they risk losing some incredibly qualified teachers?
My friend is trying to look at the positive - perhaps the decision is not yet final. If it is, perhaps it will lead to new opportunities that she loves just as much as teaching. I to, want to keep the mood of this blog as positive as possible. But sometimes, when you put so much into a profession, you expect a little bit more in return.
We spent many a Thursday night together while we were working towards our masters degrees. From these classes, I know that she puts everything she has into being a great teacher. She is an advocate for the district and out studnets. She defends both to any critics who complain about what we do or how we do it.
Teaching children is everything to her. If a child is struggling to learn, she does everything in her power to figure out why and to find a way to ease the struggle. She is one of the best teachers I have had the pleasure of knowing.
Our district, like many across the country, is at a time of financial difficulty. As a way to save money, they have decided to cut all the part time positions from the district for next year. This effects my friend since she has been working 1/2 while her children are small.
For 8 years she has poured her heart into teaching and given the district everything she has. She has bettered herself as a professional, created lasting bonds with students and touched countless lives. But to the district, she was simply a name on a pay check... a way to balance the budget.
Many questions came to mind when I heard the news. What is a district coming to when they have to cut teachers? Is there really no where else they can find to save money? Does the district know that by cutting all 1/2 time positions, they risk losing some incredibly qualified teachers?
My friend is trying to look at the positive - perhaps the decision is not yet final. If it is, perhaps it will lead to new opportunities that she loves just as much as teaching. I to, want to keep the mood of this blog as positive as possible. But sometimes, when you put so much into a profession, you expect a little bit more in return.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Reclaming the Playground
My classroom has some of the best windows in the school - we have a bird's eye view of the playground. It is always entertaining to peer out the window around lunch time and watch the kids at play. It is a sight that, until today, I hadn't seen since December.
Back in December, we had a huge snow storm. The snow was cleared from the sidewalks and parking-lots around the school. The problem with clearing the snow though, was that it had to go... somewhere. And this year, the somewhere for us was directly in the middle of the path to the playground. 13+ inches of cleared snow can make for a pretty large pile. I know the pile was close to 5 feet tall. I am going to guess it was about 15 feet wide. It was a large pile. Since the temperature has rarely passed 30 degrees in the last 3 months, the pile has not shrunk at all. We can hardly remember the last time the kids could go out to play on the playground.
Enter - our 6th grade teacher. She took a big problem and made an amazing, teachable moment from it. At her direction, the staff all volunteered their snow shovels and the 6th grade students went outside to attack the pile. It wasn't easy work - the pile was pretty much solid ice. But the kids worked very hard. They chipped away at it for close to 3 hours. There were "choppers" and "shovelers" and even a "brigade" of students to shuffle the larger chunks out of the way.
The project had so many positive benefits. Amazing things can be learned from hard work in the fresh air. As the younger grades gleefully rushed out to recess today, the 6th graders saw the amazing joy their hard work had created. They saw how much can be accomplished by working together. It is something they are very proud of - as they should be. I hope they remember for a long time the day the reclaimed the playground from the gods of winter.
Back in December, we had a huge snow storm. The snow was cleared from the sidewalks and parking-lots around the school. The problem with clearing the snow though, was that it had to go... somewhere. And this year, the somewhere for us was directly in the middle of the path to the playground. 13+ inches of cleared snow can make for a pretty large pile. I know the pile was close to 5 feet tall. I am going to guess it was about 15 feet wide. It was a large pile. Since the temperature has rarely passed 30 degrees in the last 3 months, the pile has not shrunk at all. We can hardly remember the last time the kids could go out to play on the playground.
Enter - our 6th grade teacher. She took a big problem and made an amazing, teachable moment from it. At her direction, the staff all volunteered their snow shovels and the 6th grade students went outside to attack the pile. It wasn't easy work - the pile was pretty much solid ice. But the kids worked very hard. They chipped away at it for close to 3 hours. There were "choppers" and "shovelers" and even a "brigade" of students to shuffle the larger chunks out of the way.
The project had so many positive benefits. Amazing things can be learned from hard work in the fresh air. As the younger grades gleefully rushed out to recess today, the 6th graders saw the amazing joy their hard work had created. They saw how much can be accomplished by working together. It is something they are very proud of - as they should be. I hope they remember for a long time the day the reclaimed the playground from the gods of winter.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Winter Blues
Every year it seems, late February and early March are especially trying times at school. I am not exactly sure what leads to the gloom... the weather... exhaustion... stress.... It's hard to say.
The glamor of a new year has long since worn off. The time when you can blame behavior issues on unknown routines is past. The tests that we work so hard to pass are upon us... accompanied by a nagging fear that we are not yet ready for them. We haven't gone outside for recess since before Christmas. Saturday school has begun as one more effort to pass all the tests so both staff and studnets are working 6 days a week. As I have said - it is a tough time of year.
I haven't found too much I can to to ward this feeling off, so I look for cures. Part of it is simply relying on past experience to know that it will get better. The test will get done, the snow will melt and, if all else fails, come August we get to start all over. Some of it is turning to friends and family - venting my frustrations seems to make them a little less. Misery loves company so fellow teachers are also a great source of strength for me - fellow teachers can understand my stress with very little explanation - they just get it.
Spring is coming - the gloom of winter never lasts as long as it seems it is going to. So on these last days of winter I need to focus on the coming spring. And if all else fails, Starburst jellybeans always reappear in stores at this time of year in preparation for Easter.
The glamor of a new year has long since worn off. The time when you can blame behavior issues on unknown routines is past. The tests that we work so hard to pass are upon us... accompanied by a nagging fear that we are not yet ready for them. We haven't gone outside for recess since before Christmas. Saturday school has begun as one more effort to pass all the tests so both staff and studnets are working 6 days a week. As I have said - it is a tough time of year.
I haven't found too much I can to to ward this feeling off, so I look for cures. Part of it is simply relying on past experience to know that it will get better. The test will get done, the snow will melt and, if all else fails, come August we get to start all over. Some of it is turning to friends and family - venting my frustrations seems to make them a little less. Misery loves company so fellow teachers are also a great source of strength for me - fellow teachers can understand my stress with very little explanation - they just get it.
Spring is coming - the gloom of winter never lasts as long as it seems it is going to. So on these last days of winter I need to focus on the coming spring. And if all else fails, Starburst jellybeans always reappear in stores at this time of year in preparation for Easter.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Candy
My top left desk drawer has become a bit of a school legend. I keep it well stocked with candy and am happy to share with anyone who is in need. It is a community effort really - anytime the supply gets low, someone gladly restocks.
Sometimes word spreads and the drawer gets a fist time visitor. A teacher will come to my room with a slightly panicked look in their eyes caused by a bit too much stress. They will whisper to me that they hear I have candy. I assure them that what they have head is true and open the drawer to reveal the choices. It really is impressive, I must admit (as the drawer has grown in fame, I have moved virtually everything else out of it. It currently holds some lotion, my toothbrush and candy). When the stock is t its fullest I have to squash it down a bit to make the drawer close and it all pops back up when the drawer is open. There is always chocolate - peanut MandMs being the favorite of most of us. Usually their are a few fruity choices also.
I have recently noticed that you can read the stress of the building by how fast the Peanut MandMs are consumed. In the stress free days of late August a single bag of MandMs might last for 3 or more weeks. But come February (with snow, and tests... meetings and deadlines) a bag is lucky to last a week.
We do have a stressful job - that is unlikely to change any time soon- but is is amazing what a little chocolate can do for your mood!
Sometimes word spreads and the drawer gets a fist time visitor. A teacher will come to my room with a slightly panicked look in their eyes caused by a bit too much stress. They will whisper to me that they hear I have candy. I assure them that what they have head is true and open the drawer to reveal the choices. It really is impressive, I must admit (as the drawer has grown in fame, I have moved virtually everything else out of it. It currently holds some lotion, my toothbrush and candy). When the stock is t its fullest I have to squash it down a bit to make the drawer close and it all pops back up when the drawer is open. There is always chocolate - peanut MandMs being the favorite of most of us. Usually their are a few fruity choices also.
I have recently noticed that you can read the stress of the building by how fast the Peanut MandMs are consumed. In the stress free days of late August a single bag of MandMs might last for 3 or more weeks. But come February (with snow, and tests... meetings and deadlines) a bag is lucky to last a week.
We do have a stressful job - that is unlikely to change any time soon- but is is amazing what a little chocolate can do for your mood!
Friday, February 5, 2010
Fun Quotes
Some fun things I read in my students writing papers:
"Next we put our pants on" (The previous paragraph describes how he was playing on a water slide - FYI)
"They din nint find me" (That is "didn't" spelled as two words... the student was consistent in his spelling of the word - it showed up 3 more times in the same paragraph..!)
"I didn't want to walk because it was 100% outside"
Overall I think the kids did a great job...! Hopefully the people who score their papers agree!
"Next we put our pants on" (The previous paragraph describes how he was playing on a water slide - FYI)
"They din nint find me" (That is "didn't" spelled as two words... the student was consistent in his spelling of the word - it showed up 3 more times in the same paragraph..!)
"I didn't want to walk because it was 100% outside"
Overall I think the kids did a great job...! Hopefully the people who score their papers agree!
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
High Stakes
Our 4th graders started a high stakes writing test today. On the surface it seems like a very simple test. The students each write a personal narrative story on a given topic. We collect their papers, send them to the state to be scored and wait anxiously for the results.
The tricky part... we have to have at least 63% of our kids score above the state cut score (which will not be determined until all the papers have been scored). If we don't reach that magic number, than the whole school automatically fails to pass AYP.
Knowing the stakes of this test we have been practicing for more than a year. Every day for 45 min. our 4th graders practice writing to a prompt. We teacher them exactly what to do. They learn how to fill in a story frame. They practice starting with a hook, including words from the prompt in their first paragraph, and looking up the spelling of unknown words. After so much practice, they know EXACTLY what to do.
But just in case that isn't enough - we add some lucky charms. We play Motzart while they write and provide them with an endless supply of "smart mints" (peppermint has been shown to stimulate brain growth).
Never the less, I was pretty nervous as I read the prompt to my students and watched them get to work. With the winter Olympics looming, I started to think of how a coach must feel as they watch their athlete preform. Months or years of practice, all for one moment in time. One chance. One performance. You do everything in your power to ensure that they are prepared but when the moment comes it is just them. You have to stand back and watch.
The test will continue tomorrow (they have 40 min. on 2 consecutive days to complete their story). Since I have snuck a peek at their work thus far, I will likely be slightly less nervous tomorrow but I am sure it will still be stressful to watch.
And if it is stressful for me to watch, I have to wonder what it is like for my students to actually be preforming.
The tricky part... we have to have at least 63% of our kids score above the state cut score (which will not be determined until all the papers have been scored). If we don't reach that magic number, than the whole school automatically fails to pass AYP.
Knowing the stakes of this test we have been practicing for more than a year. Every day for 45 min. our 4th graders practice writing to a prompt. We teacher them exactly what to do. They learn how to fill in a story frame. They practice starting with a hook, including words from the prompt in their first paragraph, and looking up the spelling of unknown words. After so much practice, they know EXACTLY what to do.
But just in case that isn't enough - we add some lucky charms. We play Motzart while they write and provide them with an endless supply of "smart mints" (peppermint has been shown to stimulate brain growth).
Never the less, I was pretty nervous as I read the prompt to my students and watched them get to work. With the winter Olympics looming, I started to think of how a coach must feel as they watch their athlete preform. Months or years of practice, all for one moment in time. One chance. One performance. You do everything in your power to ensure that they are prepared but when the moment comes it is just them. You have to stand back and watch.
The test will continue tomorrow (they have 40 min. on 2 consecutive days to complete their story). Since I have snuck a peek at their work thus far, I will likely be slightly less nervous tomorrow but I am sure it will still be stressful to watch.
And if it is stressful for me to watch, I have to wonder what it is like for my students to actually be preforming.
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