I have the best group of kiddos that I can imagine. They aren't perfect - but they are absolutely perfect! :)
I have so enjoyed getting to know them - learning who they are and how the interact. They are kind and sweet and a little immature. They are everything that 4th graders should be and used to be.
They make me happy to be their teacher. I feel honored to be their teacher.
That is the best Christmas present that I could receive!!
I don't really have anything to say - instead I'm just musing on the way the year is going. It makes me happy to be their friend and their teacher.
A night on the town
Those of us that went to Orlando last week met for supper and to trade info from the workshops we went to. It was so interesting to hear what the highlights were.
It made me wish the administrators would see this in action. Here we are on a vacation day meeting voluntarily to talk about what we learned. That means this is much more important than just a quick trip to Florida.
Anyway - one of the ah ha moments for me was... so many of the suggestions given for teaching a foreign language totally apply to teaching anything. For example, Susie shared a bunch of activities to get kids talking. One of them is for each student to write a question on a piece of paper - then the music starts and kids trade papers with as many people as they can. When the music ends - they have to answer that question.
What a great way to review for an topic!!
It makes me wonder why we get so tangled up in the time spent for teaching a language - I mean, if kids are using their brains and applying what they are learning -isn't that what we want. In Elementary school -does the content really matter that much? I wonder...
It sounds like our Arabic days are numbered...nothing official, but.
I guess we'll wait and see...
It made me wish the administrators would see this in action. Here we are on a vacation day meeting voluntarily to talk about what we learned. That means this is much more important than just a quick trip to Florida.
Anyway - one of the ah ha moments for me was... so many of the suggestions given for teaching a foreign language totally apply to teaching anything. For example, Susie shared a bunch of activities to get kids talking. One of them is for each student to write a question on a piece of paper - then the music starts and kids trade papers with as many people as they can. When the music ends - they have to answer that question.
What a great way to review for an topic!!
It makes me wonder why we get so tangled up in the time spent for teaching a language - I mean, if kids are using their brains and applying what they are learning -isn't that what we want. In Elementary school -does the content really matter that much? I wonder...
It sounds like our Arabic days are numbered...nothing official, but.
I guess we'll wait and see...
Our First Tech Club!
Last night was the first time the KE Tech Club met. What a great experience. There are 28 eager 4th and 5th graders who want to be a part of the club. We have divided them into two groups because 28 is just too many to handle. So, last night the first 14 met. We had invited them to bring their own digital cameras if they had one and their flash drives.
Phyllis shared what it takes to make a good picture - she talked about composition, rule of three and angle. Then we turned them loose in pairs and invited them to roam the rooms and take pics. They had so much fun!!
Of course there were techie problems - one of the digital cameras would not connect to the computer and didn't have a memory card or instructions. We had to apologize and let this sweet little girl know that there was nothing we could do - and she and her partner took another turn with one of our cameras.
After a bit of time we called them back to the computer lab and taught them how to download their pics to the computers in iPhoto. I showed them how to crop, get rid of red eye, adjust the lighting and play around with some of the effects. They got really involved in that and suddenly the hour and a half was gone and it was time to show them how to save their pics to their flashdrives and get ready to go home.
Today I had lunch with 4 girls from my class and one of them was sharing what we did in Tech Club. She was so excited one of the other girls (not in the club) asked if she could join. I tried to keep her interested and understand that she could join next year!
We have 6 sessions with each group this year - and hope to start much earlier next year. We don't even have all the equipment yet -we are still hassling over the video camera. But, I played with the new camera tonight. I have a lot to learn!!
Phyllis shared what it takes to make a good picture - she talked about composition, rule of three and angle. Then we turned them loose in pairs and invited them to roam the rooms and take pics. They had so much fun!!
Of course there were techie problems - one of the digital cameras would not connect to the computer and didn't have a memory card or instructions. We had to apologize and let this sweet little girl know that there was nothing we could do - and she and her partner took another turn with one of our cameras.
After a bit of time we called them back to the computer lab and taught them how to download their pics to the computers in iPhoto. I showed them how to crop, get rid of red eye, adjust the lighting and play around with some of the effects. They got really involved in that and suddenly the hour and a half was gone and it was time to show them how to save their pics to their flashdrives and get ready to go home.
Today I had lunch with 4 girls from my class and one of them was sharing what we did in Tech Club. She was so excited one of the other girls (not in the club) asked if she could join. I tried to keep her interested and understand that she could join next year!
We have 6 sessions with each group this year - and hope to start much earlier next year. We don't even have all the equipment yet -we are still hassling over the video camera. But, I played with the new camera tonight. I have a lot to learn!!
Snow Day
What could be better than the amazing gift of snow!
We have had the best winter...in my world that is... I know that many - ok most people are sick to death of all the white stuff. But, me...NEVER! I could have it snow each and every day and not get tired of it. I don't even need it to actually be a snow day... what I really want is a blanket of white that wraps us in November and lifts in March...
But, Iowa has changed from the weather of my youth. (Grief that sounds nostalgic!)
Anyway, I remember digging tunnels in snow banks behind the our old farm house. Long cool tunnel where my brother and I would make shelves, and compartments. We would play from the time we got home on the bus until after the milking was done and it was time for supper. I remember the cold seeping into my boots and the crisp crunch of the snow beneath my feet. Sitting in the igloo tunnel and hearing the quiet bliss of absolutely nothing.
My girls don't have those kind of memories. They hardly know what a snow bank is. And certainly don't know what it's like to play and play outside until you can't feel your toes, but really don't want to stop. Growing up in town with not a hill in site - there aren't snowdrifts and chores to be done. They don't even have to shovel the driveway... that is my job or my husbands. What will they remember from Iowa winters???
That is what happens when I have time to sit and remember. That's what snow days are for. I see them as a moment of pause in the midst of the busy life of a teacher. Anything you get done on this day is a gift - because you didn't expect to have the time off. So - if you get absolutely nothing done...oh well! :)
So - snow days are my favorite - I don't really care how late we go to school in June. Instead we get the luxury of memories and moments.
So -as I sit at my table watching old movies and looking out at my snow encrusted screens on the screen porch. I know that this is what makes me love winter and Iowa and SNOW DAYS!!
We have had the best winter...in my world that is... I know that many - ok most people are sick to death of all the white stuff. But, me...NEVER! I could have it snow each and every day and not get tired of it. I don't even need it to actually be a snow day... what I really want is a blanket of white that wraps us in November and lifts in March...
But, Iowa has changed from the weather of my youth. (Grief that sounds nostalgic!)
Anyway, I remember digging tunnels in snow banks behind the our old farm house. Long cool tunnel where my brother and I would make shelves, and compartments. We would play from the time we got home on the bus until after the milking was done and it was time for supper. I remember the cold seeping into my boots and the crisp crunch of the snow beneath my feet. Sitting in the igloo tunnel and hearing the quiet bliss of absolutely nothing.
My girls don't have those kind of memories. They hardly know what a snow bank is. And certainly don't know what it's like to play and play outside until you can't feel your toes, but really don't want to stop. Growing up in town with not a hill in site - there aren't snowdrifts and chores to be done. They don't even have to shovel the driveway... that is my job or my husbands. What will they remember from Iowa winters???
That is what happens when I have time to sit and remember. That's what snow days are for. I see them as a moment of pause in the midst of the busy life of a teacher. Anything you get done on this day is a gift - because you didn't expect to have the time off. So - if you get absolutely nothing done...oh well! :)
So - snow days are my favorite - I don't really care how late we go to school in June. Instead we get the luxury of memories and moments.
So -as I sit at my table watching old movies and looking out at my snow encrusted screens on the screen porch. I know that this is what makes me love winter and Iowa and SNOW DAYS!!
I'm Trying...
I'm working on changing too many things in my world right now. It's driving be a bit crazy...ok - completely crazy!
I am working on 3 different major elements at the same time... I am co-creator and teacher for a new Tech Club which we hope to get up and running in 2 weeks. I am working on an application for Grad. school which is due next week. I am rewriting my entire SS curriculum for the rest of the year.
WHY!!!
That was my husband shaking his head and wondering out loud...
To that I answer...because I can.
I love new things. That is one of the most appealing parts of teaching. I love to create new ways of presenting the same old facts. New techniques for reaching my students. New approaches to the same old problem. I love that.
But, I have all these ideas and I need someone else to help me carry them out. Or, I need a deadline to force me to carry them out. Or I need a moment to plan how to carry them out. See a theme here?
Really, it's not that big a deal until I line them all up at the same time and realize that there is a reason I feel a little crazy!
So, I create my lists. I steal moments at night. And I ignore the problems and write. Each of these helps my sanity a little bit. And then I tackle the issue.
I usually realize that the anticipating the creating is so much harder than the actual project. I often have much of the unit or process in my head before I ever put my hands on a keyboard.
So, I can check things off my list. And add new ones in it's place.
That' what teaching is for me. I am a work in progress just like my kids learning is. I love to learn along with them! Maybe that 's really the secret!
Anywal, it's time to tackle my list!!
I am working on 3 different major elements at the same time... I am co-creator and teacher for a new Tech Club which we hope to get up and running in 2 weeks. I am working on an application for Grad. school which is due next week. I am rewriting my entire SS curriculum for the rest of the year.
WHY!!!
That was my husband shaking his head and wondering out loud...
To that I answer...because I can.
I love new things. That is one of the most appealing parts of teaching. I love to create new ways of presenting the same old facts. New techniques for reaching my students. New approaches to the same old problem. I love that.
But, I have all these ideas and I need someone else to help me carry them out. Or, I need a deadline to force me to carry them out. Or I need a moment to plan how to carry them out. See a theme here?
Really, it's not that big a deal until I line them all up at the same time and realize that there is a reason I feel a little crazy!
So, I create my lists. I steal moments at night. And I ignore the problems and write. Each of these helps my sanity a little bit. And then I tackle the issue.
I usually realize that the anticipating the creating is so much harder than the actual project. I often have much of the unit or process in my head before I ever put my hands on a keyboard.
So, I can check things off my list. And add new ones in it's place.
That' what teaching is for me. I am a work in progress just like my kids learning is. I love to learn along with them! Maybe that 's really the secret!
Anywal, it's time to tackle my list!!