Classroom Set Up-part 1

It's that time of year again....setting up the classroom! This is my first official time setting up a classroom that is MINE!! YES! IT'S ALLLL MINE!! I finally got a permanent job. I'll be teaching 4th and 5th grade science along with 5th grade language arts to my homeroom students at a Catholic school near to home. I've been going in at least 2 times a week since the end of July to figure things out. The room I inherited has LOTS of things in it, so I've spent most of my time in the room trying to organize it, and see exactly what I have.  Here are just a few pictures from my set up. My video and more pictures will be up by the beginning of September when it is FINALLY done!

Post of the Month-April-Professional Development

My most powerful source of ongoing PD is TWITTER! I know it seems like EVERYONE says Twitter is their go to PD place, but it really is an AWESOME resource for educators. Through Twitter I have grown in AWESOME ways within the past year and a half. I have met many new educators whom I've added into my PLN, I've found new conference opportunities, and I've become an executive board member of an AWESOME professional organization.

I will continue to promote Twitter to other educators until I am blue in the face. I can only imagine what Twitter will help me accomplish in the future.

Post of the Month-March-Educational Videos

The easiest way I've incorporated videos into my teaching, is through song. Huh? Well, let me explain.

During my 2 months as a "long term sub" for 6th grade science this school year, I found a youtube channel that produces educational songs--parodies of popular songs which include science related information. Mr.Parr's songs got my students engaged. By the end of a week, we ALL knew the words to the Moon Phases song, and understood why the lyrics were what they were. Check out that song below.

When we, as teachers, can find interesting and engaging videos for our students, they can enhance our learning experience. If only I could find some good songs on Ancient China....

Post of the Month-February-Creating a School Culture

       As a new teacher/substitute teacher, it's hard to create your own classroom culture, when your classroom changes every day. Most schools that I have been in portray a positive culture. Most classrooms are also positive. The one thing that has bothered me as a substitute teacher, is seeing teachers in the teacher's lounge, and seeing negative energy. Sometimes they are not welcoming to the new subs, and sometimes it is just hard to fit in. Other times, teachers are wonderful in making sure substitutes are welcomed into the culture of the school. 

       As a new teacher, I help contribute to the culture of the school by displaying a positive attitude in everything I do. From saying hello to janitorial staff to being enthusiastic about the learning the students are doing, every little thing helps. We change the culture by continuing to be positive and work towards the mission of the school. 

       I help foster a community of growth and learning in any classroom I am in by showing students that I am continuously learning too. I am always reading, writing, or looking into furthering my education. I help promote learning by being a learner. This is one of the few things I hope to bring into my own classroom. 

Post of the Month- January- Feedback

Feedback is the topic for January for the #blogamonth challenge. As a New Teacher (NT)/ Pre-Service Teacher (PST) and Substitute Teacher, I don't always receive constant feedback from my administrators. Very rarely, when I have been on an interview, do I receive feedback from those who have interviewed me. Feedback, as a NT, PST, and sub, is SO important. How am I going to land my first job, if I do not know where I "went wrong" in my last interview, or where my true weakness is when I am teaching? 

As a teacher, our students also need to receive feedback on their learning. This feedback comes, most easily, when we return assignments-homework that was collected, a project, a quiz or test. It can also come in our daily interactions with our students. If I saw one of the students I subbed for start to slip in their grades, I confronted the student. I would ask if they felt they needed extra help in that particular lesson, or if there were things going on at home. I would also send one grade reports, prior to progress reports or report cards. Not every family is going to have a computer with internet access, or they will not always sign up for the "parent portal", so sending the grades home is my way of trying to convey to parents, and students, how they are doing in my class. Emails, phone calls, and notes home are also good ways to give feedback to students. 

Feedback does not always have to be "negative". Positive feedback is more effective. I loved, during student teaching, when my 2nd graders would be able to move their clip up, especially if it was a student who rarely showed a specific behavior. As a teacher, I respond better to positive feedback than negative, however, I have gotten a lot better at accepting and listening to constructive criticism. 

During the rest of this academic school year, I am going to try my hardest to reflect more on my own practice to see if I can help myself improve. I will also not be afraid to ask others for guidance. My PLN grows more every day, and I know they are ready to help me when I need it. 

New Year's Resolutions and Goals for 2014

Everyone makes resolutions at the new year. Most of the time we make goals that are great in theory, and hard to follow through on. I am going to give it my best shot to accomplish all of my resolutions, even if it takes me an extra 30 minutes to get to bed at night. 

Here are just some of my professional goals.

1. Attend at least 3 Edcamps in 2014.

2. Gather the resources needed to present on a good topic and actually present at a conference of some sort. 

3. Reach out to new members of my PLN for advice and networking. 

4. Get involved in a professional organization in some way.

5. Write at least one blog post a month (aiming for 1 a week, though) 

I hope these goals will be met, and if they are not, then I hope I can realize the steps I'll need to take in 2015 to achieve these goals. 

Best of luck in your own goals for 2014.