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| A thought for this week and everyday! |
Recently I was asked to think of an experience that defined the way in which I teach or taught. I came to realize that there are many experiences in my career and life that have probably defined the way I teach or have taught, but one in particular stands out today as I write this. Years ago, probably about 22 or more years to be exact before the phrases Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Asperger's, Spectrum Disorder etc. were an integral part of a teacher’s vocabulary I pioneered an inclusion setting in my first grade classroom and worked with a special education teacher (you know who you are) full time to support those learners who needed a different approach to learning. I realized through my partner teacher that you need to have fun teaching, laugh a bit, enjoy each child for the unique individual that he or she is and celebrate the small milestones as well as the huge breakthroughs.
We started to co-plan lessons that met individual needs and differentiated instruction before it was a “buzz word.” We would think of each child and what was needed to encourage his or her growth as a learner. We had children who did not speak so if they said one tiny word, this was a personal celebration for that child and was what we needed to encourage creating more ways to support the individual needs of students in our class. We bounced balls to learn sight words, wrote sight words and letters on cards taped to the floor and jumped the words, played twisted the words with the game Twister, set timers for focus, had stations to support individual needs, buddy learning, Guided Reading, small group instruction, shared reading instruction, and created active learning opportunities for all aspects of the curriculum and much more! We did have fun coming up with the ideas trying to imagine what it was like to be a 6 or 7 year old and what they might need to stay actively engaged in a lesson or activity.
The realization that these ideas that were developed to support those children who had special needs also supported all children came to light. So, differentiation of learning did not just support children who learned a bit differently, but also supported all children because, as we realized, every child may learn differently and it is our job to figure out how they learn and give them exactly what they need to learn and grow!
As I participated in the walk for Autism this weekend, I realized just how important our job is and also just how difficult it can be. Yes, we as teachers are asked to do a difficult job and many people do not really understand just how difficult that is to do. As a teacher YOU need to remember that you can't change the world…but…if you just do your best, and remember that your best changes depending on your day, then you have done your job! With that being said, you can go home feeling blessed and knowing that you tried your best! Enjoy the Journey…it is yours…make the best of it because some day you will look back and realize you DID make a difference!
Okay...so I decided to remove all my shoes out of the closet to reorganize and see exactly what I had going on in there. After all, I am retired and isn't that something all retirees should do at some point during the fall when everyone is back teaching and you are sitting home? Of course the shoes were, and I emphasize were, in pairs, but it was a challenging job to get them all out so I thought...oh let me just remove them from the closet as quickly as I can and I can pair them up as I put them back in...well...when I turned around...this is what I found. Now...just to help you with this visual image (we tell our students to visualize as a a comprehension strategy. So...we probably should do the same) the pile was about 2 feet high and 5-6 feet wide with shoes in every which direction...I am thinking my infinite wisdom was a little off last night! Why did I decide to tackle this project at 9PM tonight? I am still trying to answer that question!
Now...I did get all the shoes minus a few pairs that made it into the trash back into the closet and there were 112 pairs of shoes...perhaps, as friends suggested...I am the Imelda Marcos of Springfield, but somehow I think there is someone out there who may have more shoes than I do...I know my friend Cleo did and she is up above tap dancing on the clouds with glee in her leopard stilettos I write this!!
If you are a teacher, you may already see where I am going with this and how this relates to teaching without the connection I am about to share. How many times did you think about reorganizing or throwing something out only to find that you were afraid you might need it somewhere down the road? Some of you probably thought this very thought before you left school or work today! So...here is my suggestion...scan it and save it on your thumb-drive, flash-drive or whatever you want to call it and toss the hard copy in the trash! This idea is more for the seasoned teacher than the youngin's because the "newbies" have been doing this before they became teachers and that is why their classrooms appear to be so much more organized. Of course we ALL start the year extremely organized, but then it happens...the kiddos come in and it is nonstop till June! So here comes suggestion 2: After each unit of study, before leaving school for the weekend, quickly go through what you REALLY need and toss the rest. Let's face the facts, even if you toss it, need it later and forget to save it, chances are someone will have it on their flash-drive and you WILL have it!
Some researchers feel that an organized classroom leads to better learning because children are less distracted. I have added some sites and books that you can browse to support organization in the classroom below!
The Organized Teacher
The Cornerstone
So...Let's get going!
Now...I did get all the shoes minus a few pairs that made it into the trash back into the closet and there were 112 pairs of shoes...perhaps, as friends suggested...I am the Imelda Marcos of Springfield, but somehow I think there is someone out there who may have more shoes than I do...I know my friend Cleo did and she is up above tap dancing on the clouds with glee in her leopard stilettos I write this!!
If you are a teacher, you may already see where I am going with this and how this relates to teaching without the connection I am about to share. How many times did you think about reorganizing or throwing something out only to find that you were afraid you might need it somewhere down the road? Some of you probably thought this very thought before you left school or work today! So...here is my suggestion...scan it and save it on your thumb-drive, flash-drive or whatever you want to call it and toss the hard copy in the trash! This idea is more for the seasoned teacher than the youngin's because the "newbies" have been doing this before they became teachers and that is why their classrooms appear to be so much more organized. Of course we ALL start the year extremely organized, but then it happens...the kiddos come in and it is nonstop till June! So here comes suggestion 2: After each unit of study, before leaving school for the weekend, quickly go through what you REALLY need and toss the rest. Let's face the facts, even if you toss it, need it later and forget to save it, chances are someone will have it on their flash-drive and you WILL have it!
Some researchers feel that an organized classroom leads to better learning because children are less distracted. I have added some sites and books that you can browse to support organization in the classroom below!
The Organized Teacher
The Cornerstone
So...Let's get going!
So, yes, I am very happy that I am in the video from the opening day, but more importantly, it shows just how important all teachers are not matter what you teach or have taught, teaching will always be apart of your soul forever...so...I pass the baton on to all of you. Make the best of each day you teach because you are SUPER!!! Wear your Superman shirt with dignity...you deserve it! (I just wish I had one!!! I guess I retired a year too soon..oh well...I have to bloom where I am. I will just have to settle for being a retired Superman!!)
Kathy
This video is also linked on my page...ENJOY!
http://vimeo.com/104542670
Today has been an interesting day for me. The teachers from my district (my former colleagues) had their first day back. I have to admit...it felt a bit strange not going back to school today so my friend, who also retired last year, and I decided to go to breakfast to celebrate our new found freedom. We chose to go to the Llanerch Diner and we were seated at the booth in which Bradley Cooper sat in when filming "Silver Lining Playbook." Well that in itself was a great way to start the morning. As we left, the owner said," Did you enjoy sitting in the same booth as Bradley Cooper?"...to which I replied, " Yes, but it would be a lot better if he were sitting with us!" Of course I was kidding...well sort of kidding. I mean it really would have been nice to sit with him, but that, I would say is pretty much a mute point.
So...my new journey begins and it begins with a quote from Joel Osteen, "Bloom where you are!"
Yes, my friend and I have to "bloom where we are" and do the best we can do in our new venture. But, all the teachers that are going back to school this week should also bloom where they are! They have been given the rewarding responsibility of some new smiling faces and yes, you...the teachers... are the ones who have to be their teacher, mother, psychologist, nurse, friend, listener, comforter just to name a few of the "hats" you will wear this year as a teacher. With this new beginning, feel fortunate to have the opportunity to make a difference in your kiddos' lives. "Bloom where you are," make the best of each day, bring back the fun in learning and have fun while you are teaching.
My Upper Floor team had a blast last year making the best of everyday and doing our best in all the roles we played. Some of us dressed as snowmen for Halloween, 100th Day old women for the 100th Day of School, dressed as an insect when teaching insects(and the children made insect headbands),
dressed as clouds when we taught clouds and even hugged a skunk! Yes, we did BLOOM and the children loved to come to school everyday to see what might happen next. Did they learn? YES. Did they have fun while learning? YES. Did we have fun teaching? YES WE DID!
So, I challenge every teacher and actually everyone to bloom where you are and enjoy the journey...there is only one! Kathy
So...my new journey begins and it begins with a quote from Joel Osteen, "Bloom where you are!"
Yes, my friend and I have to "bloom where we are" and do the best we can do in our new venture. But, all the teachers that are going back to school this week should also bloom where they are! They have been given the rewarding responsibility of some new smiling faces and yes, you...the teachers... are the ones who have to be their teacher, mother, psychologist, nurse, friend, listener, comforter just to name a few of the "hats" you will wear this year as a teacher. With this new beginning, feel fortunate to have the opportunity to make a difference in your kiddos' lives. "Bloom where you are," make the best of each day, bring back the fun in learning and have fun while you are teaching.
My Upper Floor team had a blast last year making the best of everyday and doing our best in all the roles we played. Some of us dressed as snowmen for Halloween, 100th Day old women for the 100th Day of School, dressed as an insect when teaching insects(and the children made insect headbands),
dressed as clouds when we taught clouds and even hugged a skunk! Yes, we did BLOOM and the children loved to come to school everyday to see what might happen next. Did they learn? YES. Did they have fun while learning? YES. Did we have fun teaching? YES WE DID!
So, I challenge every teacher and actually everyone to bloom where you are and enjoy the journey...there is only one! Kathy
Calendar with our Roar Into Learning Theme
Front of the Classroom
Writing Center with a Fancy Nancy Word Wall for using more colorful words.
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| Fancy Nancy Word Wall |
