Summer Reading

As a teacher, I generally like to spend the first part of my summer doing some light reading, and I'll be recommending a few good reads to my students as well.  

I recently came across a reading list on Twitter titled "50 Books All Kids Should Read Before They're 12". It's a pretty good list, and it even got me thinking about revisiting some of the books on the list myself.  I've decided this is a good idea because: 

1.  I would like something fun and simple to read as a start to my summer. 

2.  I never read a book the same way twice.  

You can find a link to the the list below.  It could be a good list to recommend to your students, or to look over with your own kids and read a book on the list together. 

Happy summer reading!

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/50-books-all-kids-should-read-before-theyre-12

Field Trips

Today was a great day!  Our Grade 4 class piggy-backed with the Grade 3 class and we went to a petting zoo for our field trip. It was great, and the kids could pick up and pet loads of animals. They had so much fun. They even had a chance to hold a snake around their necks if they wanted!  I got some great pictures. One of my students was cuddling on a goat while another goat was nibbling on her shirt. She was so oblivious-it was priceless. 

Recently at a staff meeting we found out the budget we had this year for field trips would not exist next year. There are lots of ways to raise funds for field trips, but unfortunately for some families there isn't a penny to spare. 

As far as I'm concerned, hands-on, experiential learning is best. When students can see, touch, hear, smell, maybe even taste, they are not only more interested, they retain information better.  But on those occasions when a field trip isn't a possibility, there are field trips of the virtual variety. 

Museums, factories, companies; there are more options for virtual tours than you might think. Many are interactive, and sometimes, there are even guided tours. They are worth taking a look at, and even if you can't get a hands on experience during your "trip" you might be able to supplement lessons befor or after with other sensory experiences. 

Below are some links for you to look through to see what's available for you if a virtual field trip is something you're interested in. 

http://www.eschoolnews.com/2013/04/07/ten-of-the-best-virtual-field-trips/

http://theteachersguide.bmobilized.com/?ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.ca%2F&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theteachersguide.com%2Fvirtualtours.html

Helping Students Succeed

One of the most interesting things I have learned is how important it can be for the success of students to have access to a variety of tools to support their learning. 

Sometimes, these tools are used as whole class supports to reinforce an idea, concept or strategy. One that immediately comes to mind are Base 10's. I love using these to help students visually understand concepts and deepen their understanding. Some perks of using these manipulatives has to be the happy faces I see when we use them, and the comments that follow the end of a class: "Woah!  It's lunchtime already?!".  Success!

Other times, tools might be designated for specific students. I use timers to help particular students stay focused. One strategy I have for a student is centred around using a one minute timer.  He must write or read for an entire minute. When the sand runs out, he can get up, walk across the room and touch the door. After that, he must turn and walk back to his seat, sit down, flip the timer and work for another minute. 

There are so many intelligent and creative teachers out there who have discovered or created ways to use tools to support learning that it really is worth spending a few minutes of your day popping in to a colleagues room to say, "Hi there!  So what would you do if..."  Thanking/bribing with chocolate never hurts. 

Below is a link that suggests other tools you could use support student learning. Hope you find it helpful!

http://www.theedadvocate.org/10-tools-to-help-teachers-develop-executive-functioning-classroom-skills/?utm_source=ReviveOldPost&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=ReviveOldPost

Classroom Space Matters

As I have spent a significant amount of time during the last half of this school year redesigning my space to accommodate my students individual needs, I appreciated running across the following article referencing a study done regarding the positive impact that unique classroom space can have on student learning as I scrolled through Twitter. 

Essentially, the article summarizes the study and explains what characteristics classrooms that impacted student learning the most had.  Naturalness (natural light, air quality and temperature) had the greatest impact overall. 

If you are teetering on the edge of making some major changes to your space, this might be just the article you need to read. There is also a link to the actual study in the article. 

Here's the link!

http://www.theedadvocate.org/study-finds-that-well-designed-classrooms-boost-student-success/?utm_source=ReviveOldPost&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=ReviveOldPost

Changing the Tools For Learning

It's late, and I'm tired, but I have to share this.

I apologize in advance for coming across as a lightweight in the technology department, but please stay with me. If you haven't heard of what I'm about to share, I'm happy to know I'm not the only green horn out there. 

Recently, I was given a link to a very interesting article regarding the inclusion of technology in the classroom.  The article was titled 10 Ways to Reach SAMR's Redefinition Level.  One of the suggestions to achieve this was to use a tool called Nearpod. Seriously, if I learned this way in school, I'd have thought I went to the coolest school ever. I probably would have sat down to learn anything. It is a very cool program that I sincerely hope I have the chance to try out. For a quick look at how Nearpod works,click on the link below to watch the video. 

Come on, commit to trying something new!  (There's still two weeks left!!)

http://youtu.be/oOhwDAC-aok

Hitting Education's Funny Bone

Tune into CBC tonight to watch the Winnipeg Comedy Festival.  Tonight's topic: Edumacation.  Gerry Dee is hosting.  It's funny 'cause it's true!

Thinking About Next Year...

I know you're all thinking I'm nuts, but hear me out.

Teachers have the great skill of planning ahead and being prepared, and even though the idea of thinking about next year before this year is over seems like cruel and unusual punishment, the reality is you probably have already been thinking about what you're going to do differently next year either in planning, or assessment, or management.

I've embarked on a major change this year by committing to reorganizing my classroom so that it's a better student-centered space.  But there is so much more that I need to do!

One of the big changes I plan on making for next year is making sure that I never have to use those ghastly fluorescent lights AT ALL!  (Well, not "at all"-they are useful when I need to energize my students with a body break, but that's the only time when I have them all on at one time anymore.)  I can promise that I don't have an unwarranted dislike for them.
 
In the first half of the year, we used all of the fluorescent lights all of the time.  I noticed that I was suffering from migraines, and after eliminating various possible triggers, I realized that it could very possibly be the lights that were causing me pain.  When I started to think about it more, I noticed I had the worst migraines after long weekends or holidays (situations when I came back to school after longer periods of time) and that many of my students were complaining of headaches too.  So we made a light switch (pun intended) for the better.  

There are 3 switches that control 3 separate banks of lights in our room.  Today, I would say that 90% of the time, we use light from the middle bank only, and keep the curtains to the window open.  Not only have headache complaints dwindled down to a minimum (including my own), I have noticed many positive changes in behavior as well.  Now I only turn on all the lights in order to re-energize the students.

Spring and summer clearly offer more natural light opportunities, but what about long, dark, dreary winter?  I have decided to incorporate lamps into my class for next year.  I'm thinking that I would like at least 10 for my new class next year.  But this is a significant financial commitment!  10 lamps at $10 or more per lamp?!?!  Seriously?  I can think of many more items to get for my class for $100 or more!  Fear not!!  I have a strategy!

Garage sales.

Seriously.  I picked up 4 lamps this past weekend for $20.  I also have a lamp at home that's been sitting in storage that will make a perfect addition to my class as well.  5 lamps for $20?  Ok!
I have to say I'm lucky to live in a community that love-Love-LOVES having garage sales, and I love shopping at them.

I would suggest beginning by making a list of all the great things you want to add to your classroom environment and keep that list on you at all times.  Put it in your purse, wallet, car, or in the back of your phone case (cause I know I can't leave home without that!).  Make sure you have $40 on you in cash for the weekends when the Garage Sale Extravaganzas begin and keep your eyes open!

Have fun!

When it's a Full Moon...

When it is this late in the year, we already know that things are not going to run as smoothly as they once did. It's the nature of the beast. But toss in a full moon, and there's no telling what craziness is going to ensue. I don't know what happens to people, but the effect a full moon has on a human psyche is real.  

Now I'm not sure about werewolves, but strange things start to happen before and during the full moon. Don't fret!  You can access the ultimate tool for your arsenal to help you survive:  Chocolate. 

Stock up, and use as needed!