December 11, 2011

Here's to Mental Health

As all educators do, I have found myself beyond stressed out with a never ending to-do list.  I left school on Friday thinking about all the things I needed to do this weekend. On top of everything I needed to accomplish for school, I have not sent out Christmas cards (much less, finished Christmas shopping), my cousin had a beautiful baby on Friday, and I have a couple of events I need to be planning.


While everything weigh heavy on my mind, one of my best friends from college called and suggested a random road trip.  While very hesitant at first, she twisted my arm just enough to meet her half way between St. Petersburg and Jacksonville, where she lives.  So, we found ourselves in Ocala.  What is in Ocala, you ask?  Not much.

We got a cheap room, drank some wine and caught up.  I had no idea how much I needed to free my mind.  We slept in and then ventured around the downtown area.  The trip was simple, spontaneous, probably a bit irresponsible, but it was perfect.

In saying all this, my simple point is that sometimes, just sometimes, we have to leave work at work.  While I didn't get all the grading, planning and projects done that I was hoping to complete this weekend, I do feel beyond refreshed and ready for the kiddies tomorrow.

So teachers, take a break every once in a while.  Your students will probably thank you.


December 5, 2011

Simple Pleasures

As I approach the end of Chapter 3 with my sixth graders, I admittedly failed to plan an exciting way to review the chapter before their test tomorrow.  All I had, as they walked through the door, was a study guide and some awesome students.  I decided to give them the class period to work on the study guide in groups of three or four and give them the opportunity to ask me questions.  Lame, I know.  Please know that I usually have some sort of review game the day before the test, e.g. whiteboard quiz game, Jeopardy, etc.


As my students were working on the study guide, one of them asked me if they could borrow a dry-erase marker.  I reluctantly allowed him to use the marker.  As I moved on to answer another student's question, I heard the group of boys getting rowdy and laughing.  Naturally, my reaction was to direct them to "get busy" and "stay focused."  Again, lame.  I'm aware.  As I looked up, the students were getting rowdy about the study guide - hello!  The boys had made a game of the review questions all on their own.  They were using my nearly empty dry erase board in the back of the room to solve the problems and see who could answer them first.  I wanted to cry I was so happy.  As the rest of the students saw what was happening, they all wanted to join.  I, not so reluctantly this time, allowed the students to line up in the back of the room to solve the problems in a race.
My favorite part of their newly discovered review game: the conversations they were having about MATH...without me!  My students were teaching each other how to do the problems and helping each other along the way.  I wasn't doing anything, literally. Amazing, right?
You probably have to be an educator to understand why I was so thrilled.  In all seriousness, I don't know the last time I was so proud of my kiddies.  Just another reminder of why I love what I do :) #EduWin




It is a thousand times better to have common sense without education than to have education without common sense.  - Robert Green Ingersoll

November 30, 2011

Do we ever know where to begin?

Well, I have wanted to start blogging since I started teaching. Clearly that hasn't happened.  When I was student teaching in South Carolina, I kept a journal (for the first three months).  So, I figured I would give it another shot and hopefully keep it up.  Fingers crossed. 

As a new teacher, I am ALWAYS trying new things.  There are a lot of ideas built up in this noggin of mine, and I'm slowly but surely getting to implement them. 

For starts, this is my second year as a real-live teacher.  Last year, I taught 6th, 7th and 8th grade math for the drop-out prevention program at my school.  This year, I'm teaching 6th grade and 7.5 (students complete both 7th and 8th grade curriculum in their 7th grade year and then move to the 9th grade).  Last year was a mess.  I came in trying to be cool and nice and the students ate it right up.  I had some great lessons and some great moments, don't get me wrong, but when I'm old and retired and look back on my first year of teaching I'm still going to squirm.  This year, however, is 235234123 times better.  I came into the year strict and structured and I'm 235234123 times happier.

 People have always told me, "don't smile until Christmas."  I never believed them.  Whatever you do, BELIEVE THEM!!  Students need structure, they like structure.  They will never tell you that, but I promise, it works.  

So, here we are.  Almost half way through the year and I have some great things to write about.  Coming soon, of course...




“The difference between school and life? In school, you're taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you're given a test that teaches you a lesson." -Tom Bodett