Hang in there!

I love knowing that I'm not the only one who is dealing with behavior, stress over testing, and stress over not enough days to get just one more thing crammed into the students heads.  I was beginning to get especially wound up about my OAKS scores because I didn't have more passing.

Then I took a step back and thought about all of the things we have covered in the book this year.  You know, not once did the book say that a champion technique to improve student learning had anything to do with testing.  :-)  That's a relief!! So I sat down with my data and really looked at what was going on and I realized I have so much to celebrate with each and every one of my students.  They have all made gains this year, some huge gains, some small.  Some of the gains weren't on tests or homework but were in lessons on how to behave, be a friend, ask respectfully, trust the teacher and all those lessons that will help them be successful in life.  We talked last night about how hard it is to be a teacher right now because we have to parent as well as teach.  It is frustrating to have to lose time with the content because we have to teach the social skills.  And yet, those are the lessons that they will remember.  I have students who believe that school is a safe place and that the adults at school can be trusted.  What a gift that is!  So I'm going to grateful instead of frustrated.  I get the privilege of being a safe harbor for a student.  If they are only at school once a week then once a week I am there for them.  If they never turn in a single piece of homework I will still encourage them and try to teach them responsibility.  I will be consistent and kind.  If they never pass a single state test I will celebrate each and every accomplishment that they do achieve.  They will leave my classroom at the end of the year knowing that I believed in them.  This doesn't mean I won't want to tear my hair out in frustration but it will help me keep things in perspective.  :-)

I want to address Lori's questions about how to add kinesthetic learning to the classroom.  I have added things like music, art, and readers theater more this year.  We did a writing piece that had them listening to the voice in a song performed by 4 different artists.  They were learning about voice and how each one of us has a different way of looking at the world.  The kids loved it and really "got" the idea behind voice in writing.
I use a lot of Kim Sutton strategies while teaching math drills.  I use music in math as well in any way I can.
I have done lots of hands on projects in science - made a bedsheet into the rock cycle and had the kids take a "walk" through the rock cycle.  I found great "rap" science songs on YouTube. 
I use Yoga in my classroom to get the kids stretching and breathing so they can settle into an activity.
I use the website writingfix.com and there a ton of activity based writing lessons. 
I love to learn while doing activity so I try to think of how I would have liked to learn to write or read.  I have to do it to retain it.  I think most of my fourth graders are the same way.
Sometimes the classroom can feel a bit chaotic but the kids are having fun.  If you can stand the noise and constant activity at least once in awhile I think you will reap the benefits.

End of the year!

Wow, the end of the year feels like it will be here tomorrow and I am just not ready.  I feel like there are so many things to accomplish and I can get very overwhelmed.  When I sit down though, and reflect on the last few months I can see the tremendous growth my students have made.
Today my kids began their speaking work samples.  We have been working on a month long biography project that has included a poem, an illustration, a timeline, and a research report and speech.  The kids are doing an amazing job of organizing their work, speaking with confidence,  and answering hard questions.  I am so proud of them. 
My mentor teacher happened to be in the classroom when the speeches were happening and she was very impressed by what they were able to do. 
I guess I need to spend more time reflecting on where these kids have come from at the beginning of the year.  I need to reflect on their gains, large or small.  I need to remember the hard work that has happened and that where I will go from here is the icing on the cake.  I have some fun things planned in science and a fun book project for their last book report.  I hope to wind the year down with learning but almost as important - celebration.

Teach like a Champion....

Hmmm.....

Right now, I think that means....

Finish the race, keep it up through the end, don't shed your ideals, your ethics and your identity as a professional because of fatigue or stress or any other cause that sprouts up from a myriad of reasons.

Teach like a CHAMPION who WILLwin, because they KNOW they can, they have VISUALIZED it, they have PLANNED for it, they have put their blood, sweat and tears into completing the task at hand.

Our kids deserve it, we deserve it..... so go forth and finish well.

Nearing the End

So as we get nearer to the end of the school year, I am certain that my students also realize that the end is near. :) We've had lots of behaviors popping up that hadn't been an issue before. I went back to last months chapter and reviewed a little to remind myself that those techniques do work. Now, the time and staff to implement them...

I have a little girl that I had to send home last week due to her hitting, spitting, screaming, and blatant refusal to follow any sort of directions. Her mom called me at 6:37 this morning on my cell phone and said that she had a great weekend...until she put her on the bus this morning. So, I prepped for the worst. And it happened. :( She came in screaming, hitting, and stomping on other children. I happened to have one student absent today, so I took that time to work with this one student one on one. I rearranged my schedule and my staffs so that I could always be in the room with her. Focusing on having her "do it again" and giving "no warnings" I was able to have her in class and not disrupting other students for a full three hours (and then I took my break) I was very consistent with her and every time she yelled "poop" or "shut up" or walked by and hit a staff member, we tried again. I'm hoping that we'll be able to continue being so strict with her and see some improvements in behavior by the end of the school year. It's very difficult when I don't have the staff to pull her out every time though. :(

Kinesthetic Engaging Learning Activities

During our wonderful March class night at Bings, many of you had super creative ways to engage kids in kinesthetic learning activities. I remember asking where do all those ideas come from. They were from your ingenious brains of course. Unfortunately, my brain isn't very creative in that area. I was more of a bookworm kind of learner and moving around made me uncomfortable. However, as a teacher, I see the need for it, and want more hands on engaging activities. Can you guys please post an example of a kinesthetic learning activity you do in your room or let me know of any books or websites that also list these types of activities. (I currently teach 4th grade reading, writing, and social studies, but in my future career will also teach math and science again I am sure, so any ideas are welcome.)

Getting Ready for the End!

Believe it or not...

There are less than 35 days left in the school year.....

There are only full, five day, weeks until the furlough day before Memorial Day weekend.....

The weather is getting nicer and students are getting antsy.....

And so are the teachers!

I don't remind you of all these things to discourage you, but rather to inspire you to use more of the strategies that will help engage students and combat the forces that would strive to derail us from our endeavors.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is this....
Engage yourself, engage your students, finish this marathon with grace and aplomb!

And then, tell us how you did it!