So,I spent some time tonight looking, searching and perusing the education blogs. It has made me want to join in the conversation.... I think...
I love the thought of voicing my opinion - describing my slice of the world - inviting others to join in to my classroom in lovely rural Iowa. Because, as I read about the life of a NYC teacher... I realized that my job may require a completely different title. I mean - the way I spend my day and my energy is so vastly different than a teacher in a large city.
I went to watch my daughter's high school basketball games tonight. First it was the girls game. They really did a great job and won! I was impressed.
Then the boys played. They too did a great job and won. But to call both of the games the same name -basketball - seems a little false. The rudiments of the game are the same - but the speed, the intensity, the involvement are completely different.
That is the difference between my classroom and a large city school. We are both teaching, both following a curriculum, both employing the same basic movements - but the movement, the intensity the involvement is completely different.
I will happily keep my low intensity game any day! At least I think!
My class
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.
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!!
Days and Nights
This is one of those weeks that make you wonder.
Our report cards went home on Monday. That in itself isn't anything too much to wonder about... but they were moved to the computer for the first time. It's a great move - it's time for the change. But change does not come easy to those of us living in the elementary.
Added to that change we have parent teacher conferences. Now, these in and of themselves are no big deal. It's a great opportunity for parents and teachers to get together and chat. By 4th grade there are very few things that parent's have not already heard. So, if you have troubling things to share - it isn't new. If you have great things to share - that isn't new either.
Knowing all of this - why are so many teachers hanging by the edge of their teeth this week. I spoke to three different people today who said at some point during this week they were fighting the urge to huddle in a corner and cry their eyes out. These are seasoned teachers, of varying ages and family structures.
What is it about this week that reduces us to tears and sniffles?
I wish I knew.
I have tried to prepare for this week. I've made my lists, compiled my notes. But, that doesn't seem to matter. It's not the actual conferernce or the report cards that makes the days difficult.
Instead, I think it's that everything else in a teacher's already full life must continue on at the very same time. There are no pauses, no breaks, no down time.
I walked into school on Monday an emotional wreck. But, as a teacher, there is nothing I can do about that. I can't decide that I will hole up in my office and catch up on alone work... or schedule a comp day for all the extra hours of time I've dedicated to report card preparation.
Both of these are luxuries that teacher's don't have. Our students are there no matter what. And, vacation days are none existent in a teacher's life. There is no such thing as a comp day for all the time that report cards take. We are expected to use our after school and our home hours for things like that. There is a comp day for the actual conferences. That is a plus.. But we teach up until 3:30 and parents can start coming at 4:00 for their conferences.
I can spend lots of time complaining... does it change?
No.
So, what can I do to change the situation for me? How can I reshape my life to keep from melting down?
That is one of the perpetual questions of life as a teacher.
I love my job, I love almost every part of it.
Each day is a series of questions. What can I do to improve the learning of my students? How can those changes be made by me? How can I help? And how can I actually carry through?
So - where does that leave me?
It leaves me happy that day one is past and report cards are handed out and my sanity is slowly returning!!!
And to that I say - good night.
Our report cards went home on Monday. That in itself isn't anything too much to wonder about... but they were moved to the computer for the first time. It's a great move - it's time for the change. But change does not come easy to those of us living in the elementary.
Added to that change we have parent teacher conferences. Now, these in and of themselves are no big deal. It's a great opportunity for parents and teachers to get together and chat. By 4th grade there are very few things that parent's have not already heard. So, if you have troubling things to share - it isn't new. If you have great things to share - that isn't new either.
Knowing all of this - why are so many teachers hanging by the edge of their teeth this week. I spoke to three different people today who said at some point during this week they were fighting the urge to huddle in a corner and cry their eyes out. These are seasoned teachers, of varying ages and family structures.
What is it about this week that reduces us to tears and sniffles?
I wish I knew.
I have tried to prepare for this week. I've made my lists, compiled my notes. But, that doesn't seem to matter. It's not the actual conferernce or the report cards that makes the days difficult.
Instead, I think it's that everything else in a teacher's already full life must continue on at the very same time. There are no pauses, no breaks, no down time.
I walked into school on Monday an emotional wreck. But, as a teacher, there is nothing I can do about that. I can't decide that I will hole up in my office and catch up on alone work... or schedule a comp day for all the extra hours of time I've dedicated to report card preparation.
Both of these are luxuries that teacher's don't have. Our students are there no matter what. And, vacation days are none existent in a teacher's life. There is no such thing as a comp day for all the time that report cards take. We are expected to use our after school and our home hours for things like that. There is a comp day for the actual conferences. That is a plus.. But we teach up until 3:30 and parents can start coming at 4:00 for their conferences.
I can spend lots of time complaining... does it change?
No.
So, what can I do to change the situation for me? How can I reshape my life to keep from melting down?
That is one of the perpetual questions of life as a teacher.
I love my job, I love almost every part of it.
Each day is a series of questions. What can I do to improve the learning of my students? How can those changes be made by me? How can I help? And how can I actually carry through?
So - where does that leave me?
It leaves me happy that day one is past and report cards are handed out and my sanity is slowly returning!!!
And to that I say - good night.
Report cards
It's that time again...report cards. This is one of my least favorite moments in edcation. In one swoop what I have been working on in my classroom is reduced to a piece of paper. I want to explain and waver and justify. But when it's written in black and white that isn't possible. Instead my kids are transformed into into + and-.
As a parent I feel the same way. I look at my daughters report cards and I don't really know what is going on in their classrooms.
But, what is the alternative. As a teacher I can't write a narrative about each child in my room. There just isn't time. I can invite parents to join us in my room. But, even that is a contrived situation.
The truth is - school is a something different. It's the way kids spend their lives. But, it's so much more...
How do we share that with parents? How do we let them know the Ah ha moments with their children? How do we give them a bit of the discussion during the guidance bully lesson? That's what I struggle with.
As a first time teacher I was amazed and a little appalled at what parent's expected me, the teacher to know about their child. Who do they play with at recess? Do they have friends? Are they happy? That was the information they wanted - not what % did they get on their last math test. Now, as a parent and a veteran teacher, I understand. Not only do they want to know more - I want to give it to them.
It is such a privilege to be the teacher who gets to spend time with their child. It is also an awesome responsibility. The longer I teach the more I feel that responsibility.
In this era of testing and testing and testing, I understand that what I am really teaching them is not an isolated skill..there is almost nothing that I teach them in 4th grade that they don't get again and again in later grades. Instead, what I am teaching is a year long view of life through the mind and soul of me.That is a much larger responsibility than making sure they know how to divide and multiply.
And, that brings me back to the report cards. As I fill in the little squares. I know that it isn't enough..but, it is all that I have.
As a parent I feel the same way. I look at my daughters report cards and I don't really know what is going on in their classrooms.
But, what is the alternative. As a teacher I can't write a narrative about each child in my room. There just isn't time. I can invite parents to join us in my room. But, even that is a contrived situation.
The truth is - school is a something different. It's the way kids spend their lives. But, it's so much more...
How do we share that with parents? How do we let them know the Ah ha moments with their children? How do we give them a bit of the discussion during the guidance bully lesson? That's what I struggle with.
As a first time teacher I was amazed and a little appalled at what parent's expected me, the teacher to know about their child. Who do they play with at recess? Do they have friends? Are they happy? That was the information they wanted - not what % did they get on their last math test. Now, as a parent and a veteran teacher, I understand. Not only do they want to know more - I want to give it to them.
It is such a privilege to be the teacher who gets to spend time with their child. It is also an awesome responsibility. The longer I teach the more I feel that responsibility.
In this era of testing and testing and testing, I understand that what I am really teaching them is not an isolated skill..there is almost nothing that I teach them in 4th grade that they don't get again and again in later grades. Instead, what I am teaching is a year long view of life through the mind and soul of me.That is a much larger responsibility than making sure they know how to divide and multiply.
And, that brings me back to the report cards. As I fill in the little squares. I know that it isn't enough..but, it is all that I have.
Our First Workshop presentation
It happened this week. I and my techie cohort presented or first presentation at a state level conference.
This was a very big deal for us! We wanted things to go smoothly - and they really did...
But - we had the second to the last workshop spot on the last day. Our room was down a hallway - away from the main room. And the crowd wasn't all that large.
But, that didn't really matter. We did it! We shared what we knew and there was a group of people who seemed to want to learn from us. That is something....
Now, it's almost a week later and life hasn't changed at all for us.
That's not entirely true. I had an ah ha moment....
I've been involved with the background tech stuff at my school for almost 10 years. In that time I've worked hard to keep myself on top of some of the trends and software changes. I've spent many hours working on the machines and the tools in our building, ordering, repairing and maintaining. Now, we are making changes. That behind the scenes work is going to someone else. I've thought a lot about what that means for me. And most of my thoughts have not been very positive. I've liked being in the middle of the changes in our world. I've liked knowing what is going on and sharing the information with others. I've liked being stressed because it all felt exciting and important. Now, that I"m not involved I was a bit sad. It was hard to give all that up....
But - I'm learning.I thought it was tech that was helping me keep my sanity in the changing face of my classroom and the high stakes testing environment...it wasn't. What helped me keep my sanity was being involved in a project that was bigger than myself. It was helping my building move into a new place that made me excited. It just happened to be tech.
And I thought I would need to give that up. I'm now understanding what it means to have much more time. Now, I can actually help teachers use the tools we have and dream about the next step instead of worrying about keeping them all running. I can happily give that over to our tech director.
It may seem like a small change - but it's huge! I get to choose! I don't have to be tied to the computer lab on Saturdays like I used to be. Now I can surf the web and find out how to use Goolge Earth or some other app and use that in my own room with my kiddos.
I am learning to give up my ownership. It doesn't depend on me. I am only a tool.
Now, what does that have to do with our presentation? Well, I realized that I do have something to share. I hope to keep sharing that with others. I think that I do a good job of that.
So as my cohort and I look at the next step.... we wonder.
This was a very big deal for us! We wanted things to go smoothly - and they really did...
But - we had the second to the last workshop spot on the last day. Our room was down a hallway - away from the main room. And the crowd wasn't all that large.
But, that didn't really matter. We did it! We shared what we knew and there was a group of people who seemed to want to learn from us. That is something....
Now, it's almost a week later and life hasn't changed at all for us.
That's not entirely true. I had an ah ha moment....
I've been involved with the background tech stuff at my school for almost 10 years. In that time I've worked hard to keep myself on top of some of the trends and software changes. I've spent many hours working on the machines and the tools in our building, ordering, repairing and maintaining. Now, we are making changes. That behind the scenes work is going to someone else. I've thought a lot about what that means for me. And most of my thoughts have not been very positive. I've liked being in the middle of the changes in our world. I've liked knowing what is going on and sharing the information with others. I've liked being stressed because it all felt exciting and important. Now, that I"m not involved I was a bit sad. It was hard to give all that up....
But - I'm learning.I thought it was tech that was helping me keep my sanity in the changing face of my classroom and the high stakes testing environment...it wasn't. What helped me keep my sanity was being involved in a project that was bigger than myself. It was helping my building move into a new place that made me excited. It just happened to be tech.
And I thought I would need to give that up. I'm now understanding what it means to have much more time. Now, I can actually help teachers use the tools we have and dream about the next step instead of worrying about keeping them all running. I can happily give that over to our tech director.
It may seem like a small change - but it's huge! I get to choose! I don't have to be tied to the computer lab on Saturdays like I used to be. Now I can surf the web and find out how to use Goolge Earth or some other app and use that in my own room with my kiddos.
I am learning to give up my ownership. It doesn't depend on me. I am only a tool.
Now, what does that have to do with our presentation? Well, I realized that I do have something to share. I hope to keep sharing that with others. I think that I do a good job of that.
So as my cohort and I look at the next step.... we wonder.
It's Here...
I'm in the midst of 4th grade.
It's better than I could have imagined and more exhausting than I ever remember!
Yippee! For new attitudes, new students, new notebooks and new leaders.
Yippee! For old teachers, old routines, old curriculum and old film projectors.
That's the best thing about teaching - the blend of old and new creating and recreating each year. That is what keeps us alive and growing. I think!
It's better than I could have imagined and more exhausting than I ever remember!
Yippee! For new attitudes, new students, new notebooks and new leaders.
Yippee! For old teachers, old routines, old curriculum and old film projectors.
That's the best thing about teaching - the blend of old and new creating and recreating each year. That is what keeps us alive and growing. I think!
It's Coming...
I got my letter today. You know the one..inviting me back to a new school year. Giving me all the dates and moments that I need to be ready.
I have very mixed feelings. It's just been such a weird summer. A summer of unexpected sorrow and supportive friends. And when we return to school - Bill will not be there. His retirement at the end of last year was one thing, but his death was something else. Now, we have to decide how to make all the pieces fit together to make a new picture. I'm concerned that some of our pieces will not easily move into different places on the picture.
Ok - enough of a metaphor - I mourn the known and fear for the unknown. But, in the unknown there is also excitement and anticipation. So, I need to hang on to that. To remember that each fall brings a whole new set of possibilities. I think Bill would have wanted that. He would have wanted us to look for the best in each of us and to hold each other to the highest standards possible.
So, Bill I will try for that. I will try to show my students the respect and care you did.
We will miss you!!
I have very mixed feelings. It's just been such a weird summer. A summer of unexpected sorrow and supportive friends. And when we return to school - Bill will not be there. His retirement at the end of last year was one thing, but his death was something else. Now, we have to decide how to make all the pieces fit together to make a new picture. I'm concerned that some of our pieces will not easily move into different places on the picture.
Ok - enough of a metaphor - I mourn the known and fear for the unknown. But, in the unknown there is also excitement and anticipation. So, I need to hang on to that. To remember that each fall brings a whole new set of possibilities. I think Bill would have wanted that. He would have wanted us to look for the best in each of us and to hold each other to the highest standards possible.
So, Bill I will try for that. I will try to show my students the respect and care you did.
We will miss you!!
Christmas week
It's the week before Christmas and all through the school the stress of the teachers is quite palpable. The kids are not nestled snug in their desks - instead they are busily creating and decorating for the visitor to come. No - not Santa, but the grandparents on Grandparent's day. Our last day before Christmas break.
Yes we still have Christmas break - not winter holiday. And we sing Christmas carols and you will see Christmas decorations right beside menorahs in many classrooms.
I will have more than 40 grandparents visiting Thursday morning. We play multiplication BINGO - grandparents helping out their 4th graders. Some students will not have a grandparent coming - so they partner with other students. Grandparents stop in and then leave to be with another grandchild. There is much coming and going - so BINGO works very well. There are even some grandparents that will choose to play BINGO. Most just shake their heads because their grandchild doesn't know the facts as well as they did when they were 10. I keep hoping that feeling will make it's way home and parents will heed the notes encouraging them to practice with their children. Who knows!! Maybe grandparents will take up that task.
I love this day - we sing carols, mingle with the older generation, and party for a while in the afternoon. All these seem to bring the spirit of Christmas closer. It's a great way to usher in our break!!
So to all you you out there - Merry Christmas!!
Yes we still have Christmas break - not winter holiday. And we sing Christmas carols and you will see Christmas decorations right beside menorahs in many classrooms.
I will have more than 40 grandparents visiting Thursday morning. We play multiplication BINGO - grandparents helping out their 4th graders. Some students will not have a grandparent coming - so they partner with other students. Grandparents stop in and then leave to be with another grandchild. There is much coming and going - so BINGO works very well. There are even some grandparents that will choose to play BINGO. Most just shake their heads because their grandchild doesn't know the facts as well as they did when they were 10. I keep hoping that feeling will make it's way home and parents will heed the notes encouraging them to practice with their children. Who knows!! Maybe grandparents will take up that task.
I love this day - we sing carols, mingle with the older generation, and party for a while in the afternoon. All these seem to bring the spirit of Christmas closer. It's a great way to usher in our break!!
So to all you you out there - Merry Christmas!!
Wiki wonderings
I spent a bunch of time on the internet tonight learning more about podcasts. It's one of those things that the more you learn the more you realize you need to learn.
I started by listening to a podcast called Seedlings. It was about several conferences out and about. One that especially intrigued me was the K-12 Online Conference.
So, after I was finished with my walk and had heard the whole podcast I decided to check out the conference.
It is so cool! The moderators all have wiki's set up with notes from the confernce.
As I started listening to Bob Sprangle's presentation it connected me to podcast sites that connected me to something else and something else. And the next thing you know I've set up a wiki to try to get the Swantz's together to make a Christmas list. If this family of low tech usage can make sense of the wiki directions - I feel pretty pleased.
That's how the web works for me. I sat down here 2 hours ago and the time just flies. One of the people on the Seedlings podcast was talking about differing reactions to tech conferences. One listener walks away feeling drained and depressed because of all they don't know and the next walks away invigorated and excited because of all they don't know.
That's exactly how I feel. Each time I dip my toes into Web 2.0 I get chills as I imagine how this could transform education.
My personal problem is moving beyond the imagining and into the practical. I'm great at planning and dreaming - it's the nitty gritty that I struggle with.
So - that's my next step.
If my family can use a wiki - I think maybe my 4th graders can as well.
Now to find a blog site that doesn't contain the next blog button! :) I think that will be important for my 4th graders. I've discovered some places that I don't think they need to discover yet! :)
I started by listening to a podcast called Seedlings. It was about several conferences out and about. One that especially intrigued me was the K-12 Online Conference.
So, after I was finished with my walk and had heard the whole podcast I decided to check out the conference.
It is so cool! The moderators all have wiki's set up with notes from the confernce.
As I started listening to Bob Sprangle's presentation it connected me to podcast sites that connected me to something else and something else. And the next thing you know I've set up a wiki to try to get the Swantz's together to make a Christmas list. If this family of low tech usage can make sense of the wiki directions - I feel pretty pleased.
That's how the web works for me. I sat down here 2 hours ago and the time just flies. One of the people on the Seedlings podcast was talking about differing reactions to tech conferences. One listener walks away feeling drained and depressed because of all they don't know and the next walks away invigorated and excited because of all they don't know.
That's exactly how I feel. Each time I dip my toes into Web 2.0 I get chills as I imagine how this could transform education.
My personal problem is moving beyond the imagining and into the practical. I'm great at planning and dreaming - it's the nitty gritty that I struggle with.
So - that's my next step.
If my family can use a wiki - I think maybe my 4th graders can as well.
Now to find a blog site that doesn't contain the next blog button! :) I think that will be important for my 4th graders. I've discovered some places that I don't think they need to discover yet! :)
Standards, curriculum and Lounge talk
We had an interesting conversation in the lounge today about benchmarks, ITBS and reality.
Our school district doesn't have a curriculum director. Instead each teacher serves on a curriulum committee. Each committee is advised by one of the administrators. Each committee is responsible for choosing new curriclum, writing standards, benchmarks and educating the rest of the district on the ins and outs of using the curriculum. There is a 7 year cycle that each curricular area moves through. I am currently on 2 committees - Social Studies and Technology (not really a committee)
It is a demanding and frustrating job when your committee is choosing new curriculum. Last year it was reading. Our district was divided down elementary building lines between two curriculums. There were strong feelings against the curriculm we chose and those who supported it. Now, as we implement this curriculum we understand the strengths and the shortcomings even more.
Each curriculum group has also worked to create the standards and benchmarks for their area. These are in various stages of completion. We have had numerous meetings and opportunities to work on these - but there are so many different opinions and ways to address the benchmarks that concensus is very difficult.
Now - back to our conversation. As we hashed over the newest discrepencies between the realities of our classroom curriculum and ITBS someone made an interesting statement. The majority of the people making the rules about education seem to be men while the majority of the teachers in elementary buildings are women. I know that is a generalization - but I think it's a pretty accurate one.
As a woman I think my time is better spent trying to figure out how to make the rules that i have work rather than spending the energy to change those rules. I think that is one of the reasons we are in this situation. Our district is a great example...we have 5 administrators and all but 1 are men. Our 3 elementaries have 1 male teacher and 2 male principals. Our principals do a great job - i don't mean to say they don't. But, I know that men and women attack problems differently.
So - what does al this mean? I'm not sure. But, I think that we need to encourage more women to move into administrative roles by providing options that are family friendly. I also think that we need to encourage the people making the decisions to actually spend time in the places they are overseeing. I would love to have a legislature share the teaching responsibilities in my 4th grade.
But - the biggest thing is to remember that we are all working to solve the problem in our own ways. We can patiently wait for our students - encouraging them to make choices and nurturing them to the best choices - but we often forget that as soon as we work with adults.
Ok - I'm off my soapbox. Now back to the trenches on a Friday afternoon! :)
Our school district doesn't have a curriculum director. Instead each teacher serves on a curriulum committee. Each committee is advised by one of the administrators. Each committee is responsible for choosing new curriclum, writing standards, benchmarks and educating the rest of the district on the ins and outs of using the curriculum. There is a 7 year cycle that each curricular area moves through. I am currently on 2 committees - Social Studies and Technology (not really a committee)
It is a demanding and frustrating job when your committee is choosing new curriculum. Last year it was reading. Our district was divided down elementary building lines between two curriculums. There were strong feelings against the curriculm we chose and those who supported it. Now, as we implement this curriculum we understand the strengths and the shortcomings even more.
Each curriculum group has also worked to create the standards and benchmarks for their area. These are in various stages of completion. We have had numerous meetings and opportunities to work on these - but there are so many different opinions and ways to address the benchmarks that concensus is very difficult.
Now - back to our conversation. As we hashed over the newest discrepencies between the realities of our classroom curriculum and ITBS someone made an interesting statement. The majority of the people making the rules about education seem to be men while the majority of the teachers in elementary buildings are women. I know that is a generalization - but I think it's a pretty accurate one.
As a woman I think my time is better spent trying to figure out how to make the rules that i have work rather than spending the energy to change those rules. I think that is one of the reasons we are in this situation. Our district is a great example...we have 5 administrators and all but 1 are men. Our 3 elementaries have 1 male teacher and 2 male principals. Our principals do a great job - i don't mean to say they don't. But, I know that men and women attack problems differently.
So - what does al this mean? I'm not sure. But, I think that we need to encourage more women to move into administrative roles by providing options that are family friendly. I also think that we need to encourage the people making the decisions to actually spend time in the places they are overseeing. I would love to have a legislature share the teaching responsibilities in my 4th grade.
But - the biggest thing is to remember that we are all working to solve the problem in our own ways. We can patiently wait for our students - encouraging them to make choices and nurturing them to the best choices - but we often forget that as soon as we work with adults.
Ok - I'm off my soapbox. Now back to the trenches on a Friday afternoon! :)
Substitute Teachers
I truly believe there is a special place in heaven for subs! What a job - you never quite have your own way of things -always picking up where someone else left off. Never seeing the completion of a thing. Yet, we have incredible people subbing in our building.
Today was one of those days when every place you looked there was a sub. One was teaching on the other side of the curtain - the other 4th grade class. She was a retired Jr. High science teacher. Goodness junior high teaching and now this. I'm not sure which would be more impossible.
But, she was so excited. They were studying owl pellets. The nasty, hairy bits that owls regurgitate after eating an animal. These hairballs are filled with skeletons of the little critters they devour. She said in all her years of teaching she had never used owl pellets -and couldn't wait to help the 4th graders with these.
You know sometimes you just have to stand amazed at the way God puts things together. I can think of several subs that wouldn't have had quite the same reaction! :)
Anyway - I'm so thankful for those kind souls who want to step into my room and share my world for a day. I rest much easier knowing that my kids are in capable and encourging hands!
Thank you to all subs out there!!!
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Tomorrow is the first day of parent teacher conferences.
These make me a little crazy - ok a lot crazy. I want to make the right impression with my parents. i want to say the right things and make the right connections. But - do I? That's always the hard part.
Parents want to know what is going on in the classroom - and I want to tell them. We are working together and their children are always better for that. But - sometimes the things they want to know are not the things I know the most about. I spend time answering questions about their friendships or their recess activities. Not their math scores or the best books for them to be reading.
that always make me wonder - yet I'm a parent too...I want to know if my daughters have friends and if they get along with others. But is that the most important part of the teacher and parent contact? A very wise principal once told me that the most important thing a parent wants to know from their child's teacher is if the teacher likes their child.
So, what is my job really?
NCLB has tried very hard to make me believe that my job is to force feed facts and testing techniques down the throats of children. The only way to test the success of this method is to test and then test and then test again. All that does is make me a robot. My job has been transformed into a generic job that absolutely anyone could do. No longer can I create and dream and take my students to unknown places. Instead I must stay within the confines of the textbook.
That makes for cranky teachers and students. Especially when the test scores don't rise to the occasion.
Again, I ask - what really is my job?
I want to share my joy of reading and learning with students in whatever way I can. That is why I use technology in any way I possibly can. It makes me excited to try new and different tech ideas and I get to pass that on. I know the kids catch that excitement!!
And that brings me back to Parent teacher conferences. tomorrow night I make my first official contact. I hope to let these parents know that their children are in good hands - that I do care about them and that I am doing all I can to help them learn. That I can share my excitement with them!!