"If you are doing something in the classroom, and you're not getting data from it, you shouldn't be doing it." - Presenter on PLCs
I could not disagree with this statement more. For this blog, I am going to start off with a quote I am against, and end with a quote that will motivate me to Keep On Keeping On. Along with many teachers in this country, I am struggling with what I feel is right, and what I am being told I have to do. Unfortunately, I am losing sight of why I love teaching along the way. For some reason, we are becoming a data-obsessed country. There is such a thing as, Too Much Data. If I spend most of my time with students collecting data, and not enough time reflecting upon it and most importantly using it, what is the point? This is where I feel stuck. I have collected a HUGE assortment of data for Reading in the past few weeks and this weekend I am hoping to have an opportunity to look at the data and answer the question, What next?
The above quote has defined my school year this far and I need to either:
A. Accept it
B. Accept it, but make it tolerable
C. Don't do it
If I go with C (Don't do it), I will be in big trouble so I am going to pass on that one...
If I go with A (Accept it), I am giving up all my hopes of why I became a teacher AND I am being a disservice to my students. If I allow myself to be overtaken by data MOST of the time, how do I have time to form a bond with my students? How will I have time to understand what my students need? Data collection is not the answer to either of these questions. I became a teacher because I want to inspire students. I want to teach them to be passionate about learning something new. I want to see that excitement and joy in their eyes MOST of the school day. They are kids not robots, and they deserve more than what this country thinks is good for them.
Therefore, I am going with B (Accept it, but make it tolerable). I am a great teacher. I know what my students need. I love teaching my students. I love to to have fun with my students and laugh with them. I am not going to let data get in the way of my love for teaching. I am NOT going to let data get in the way of my student's love for learning. I am making a promise to myself that if I feel anything other than what I have just stated, I am slowing down. I am doing what I feel is necessary to be a Highly Effective Teacher.
I tell my students all the time that other people do not define you. I tell them that the most important part of life is feeling confident with who you are and doing what is best for you. It's time that I start following my own teaching.
Even though this year, so far, has been a struggle, I think it will make me an EVEN better teacher. This is the best way for me to reflect back on the past month, and I am ready to make a change for me and my students. Keep on, Keeping On!
"If there is not struggle, there is no progress."
How do you accomplish what you have to do, while still doing what you know is right? I welcome your thoughts.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Rewarding Positive Behavior
Second grade has been in session for 16 days and it has been quite a ride so far :) Along with learning procedures, rules, etc. I have been focusing much of my attention on the POSITIVE behavior displayed in my classroom. One of the ways I am doing this is by using the Clip Chart I explained in a past blog:
http://heatherowilson.blogspot.com/2011/08/goodbye-flip-chart-and-hellooo-clip.html
Another way I celebrate great behavior is with our Positive Marble Jar. This is for whole group behavior whereas the Clip Chart is more individual behavior. I add marbles for "BIG" moments in the classroom such as a fantastic Writer's Workshop which occurred today. I had a moment where I looked up and everyone was focused on their work. Some were Peer Editing/Revising with a quiet whisper voice, others were at their desks publishing a writing piece. It was so great! So, at the end I surprised the class with 5 marbles in the jar :)
On the jar there are 3 lines. Each time the marbles reach a line, there is a whole class reward to go along with it. I usually have the students suggest rewards and then I look at them and decide. This time the rewards are:
Line 1: No Homework Night
Line 2: Longer Morning Recess/3rd Recess
Line 3: Lunch in the classroom with a treat
Sometimes I even grab a handful of marbles when I am just blow away by behavior. It works great and is especially helpful when I have substitutes. The know all about the marbles and this helps them to remind each other of how our classroom runs whether I am there or not.
I would love to hear your version of rewarding positive group behavior or if you use something similar, how do you add your own twist to it?
http://heatherowilson.blogspot.com/2011/08/goodbye-flip-chart-and-hellooo-clip.html
Another way I celebrate great behavior is with our Positive Marble Jar. This is for whole group behavior whereas the Clip Chart is more individual behavior. I add marbles for "BIG" moments in the classroom such as a fantastic Writer's Workshop which occurred today. I had a moment where I looked up and everyone was focused on their work. Some were Peer Editing/Revising with a quiet whisper voice, others were at their desks publishing a writing piece. It was so great! So, at the end I surprised the class with 5 marbles in the jar :)
On the jar there are 3 lines. Each time the marbles reach a line, there is a whole class reward to go along with it. I usually have the students suggest rewards and then I look at them and decide. This time the rewards are:
Line 1: No Homework Night
Line 2: Longer Morning Recess/3rd Recess
Line 3: Lunch in the classroom with a treat
Sometimes I even grab a handful of marbles when I am just blow away by behavior. It works great and is especially helpful when I have substitutes. The know all about the marbles and this helps them to remind each other of how our classroom runs whether I am there or not.
I would love to hear your version of rewarding positive group behavior or if you use something similar, how do you add your own twist to it?
Monday, September 5, 2011
New Classroom, New Technology, New Year!
“I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning...” -Joseph Priestley
Tomorrow, I will start my fourth year of teaching and could not be more excited! This summer has been a wonderful learning period where I have discovered a wonderful PLN via Twitter, Pinterest and a variety of teaching blogs. I have gained so many wonderful ideas for my classroom which makes this year even more special than the last three. It is quite an amazing feeling to take ideas which you have spent weeks thinking about to see them in action. My anticipation for the 2011-2012 school year is growing just by talking about it!
Another exciting part of this year is not feeling like I have to start all over again. The first year of teaching, everything is new and it can be hard to keep up with it all. My second year I had a better understanding of the curriculum and I was able to concentrate more on adding more of my own zest to the classroom. The third year of teaching I switched grade levels AND moved classrooms THREE times between September and April. So, it was a combination of fun and crazy :) Now, I am teaching Second Grade for the second year. I know the curriculum, I feel confident about putting my own style into teaching AND I have a newly renovated classroom with BRAND NEW technology! It is going to be an AMAZING year to say the least. I wanted to share with all of you pics of my classroom in which you have ALL helped me to bring together this year. Thank you and I hope that I can return the favor by showing you something that perhaps you want to bring into your own classroom!
Have a great school year!
Tomorrow, I will start my fourth year of teaching and could not be more excited! This summer has been a wonderful learning period where I have discovered a wonderful PLN via Twitter, Pinterest and a variety of teaching blogs. I have gained so many wonderful ideas for my classroom which makes this year even more special than the last three. It is quite an amazing feeling to take ideas which you have spent weeks thinking about to see them in action. My anticipation for the 2011-2012 school year is growing just by talking about it!
Another exciting part of this year is not feeling like I have to start all over again. The first year of teaching, everything is new and it can be hard to keep up with it all. My second year I had a better understanding of the curriculum and I was able to concentrate more on adding more of my own zest to the classroom. The third year of teaching I switched grade levels AND moved classrooms THREE times between September and April. So, it was a combination of fun and crazy :) Now, I am teaching Second Grade for the second year. I know the curriculum, I feel confident about putting my own style into teaching AND I have a newly renovated classroom with BRAND NEW technology! It is going to be an AMAZING year to say the least. I wanted to share with all of you pics of my classroom in which you have ALL helped me to bring together this year. Thank you and I hope that I can return the favor by showing you something that perhaps you want to bring into your own classroom!
Have a great school year!
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Prezi for Daily 5
"Caution: Prezi has a learning curve" -Brad Wilson (@dreambition)
At the end of this past school year (2010-2011) I had my students make a video skit to show the next year's class how to do the Daily 5. I told them they were the "professionals" and they had to show someone completely new to Daily 5 how it would work. I divided them into groups and gave each group a Daily 5 Choice. Then, I taped them!
I reminded myself a few weeks ago that I had done this and thought, I need to make this a worthwhile tool! What came to mind? Prezi. Now, I have only used Prezi 3 times and am STILL learning. It can be frustrating, but the finished product is AWESOME!
I think it is wonderful as a classroom tool when you want to gather your thoughts, prepare for a future lesson and do something way better than powerpoint :) Here are two Prezis I have created and use in my classroom:
How to Create a Simile and Metaphor Poem Prezi
At the end of this past school year (2010-2011) I had my students make a video skit to show the next year's class how to do the Daily 5. I told them they were the "professionals" and they had to show someone completely new to Daily 5 how it would work. I divided them into groups and gave each group a Daily 5 Choice. Then, I taped them!
I reminded myself a few weeks ago that I had done this and thought, I need to make this a worthwhile tool! What came to mind? Prezi. Now, I have only used Prezi 3 times and am STILL learning. It can be frustrating, but the finished product is AWESOME!
I think it is wonderful as a classroom tool when you want to gather your thoughts, prepare for a future lesson and do something way better than powerpoint :) Here are two Prezis I have created and use in my classroom:
How to Create a Simile and Metaphor Poem Prezi
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Goodbye Flip Chart and Hellooo Clip Chart!
Discipline is teaching, not punishment.
—T. Berry Brazelton
How many of you use the Flip Chart Behavior System? Me too! Until, I came across this genius idea! Here is what my version looks like :
Now, I have not started the school year yet with this, so that will have to be a later blog post. But, I have to say that after reading the Ebook on this system I have a positive outlook on the whole adventure. Read on to find out about this genius idea:
Clip Chart Behavior System (Click on the link to download the Ebook and get the full explanation of how it works and how to successfully implement into your classroom)
As always I love to hear who uses this or who is excited to use this for the first time as well?
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