I have been back to work for a little over a week. It was tough to leave my little boy all day, but he is doing well and is the school pet at his daycare.
Today I did a writing lesson that my students really enjoyed and was authentic. I get so tired of asking children to respond to stories (when is the last time you did that? College?) and fill-in silly sentence starters. I am always on the look-out for "real" reasons to write. Today was the perfect example. My students loved my sub (as did I) so I explained to the children that sometimes people are far away and we can stay in touch with them by writing. I shared the example of my Grammy who is very hard of hearing so she does not answer the phone, does not like computers, and lives 3 hours away. I write to her several times a year so that we can stay in touch. Each child wrote a letter to my sub today. They shared things that they missed about her, thanked her for teaching them various things and shared their overall sadness at her departure. It was so meaningful to them and I know she will love the letters as well. Forever keeping my eyes open for "real" writing opportunities. What do your kiddos write about?
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Super Teacher Moment 3
Yesterday was my first day back and I was shadowing my awesome long term sub. It really just made me miss my little man more, but next week I will be teaching and that should help.
With that said, I thought I would share a super teacher moment blast from the past.... This one was from when I was teaching 5th grade. It was my first year teaching, and I don't think I did a whole lot well at that point, but I did create this intensive social studies activity that the current 5th grade team still uses today!
We learned about different Indian tribes and as a culminating activity, each class took on one tribe to study in depth. Students were asked to choose an area that they were interested in learning more about to create a center to share with the other classes during our pow-wow. Students could create a dance, housing, food, children's games, or clothing for their tribe. They then created a display or activity for other classes to see/do. It was wonderful to see how excited the students became when they were able to choose a topic that interested them and were able to decide how they wanted to present the information. (yes, from the start I LOVED differentiation!) I love that this now "old" fifth grade tradition started with me (the now kindergarten teacher) when I was a first year teacher:)
With that said, I thought I would share a super teacher moment blast from the past.... This one was from when I was teaching 5th grade. It was my first year teaching, and I don't think I did a whole lot well at that point, but I did create this intensive social studies activity that the current 5th grade team still uses today!
We learned about different Indian tribes and as a culminating activity, each class took on one tribe to study in depth. Students were asked to choose an area that they were interested in learning more about to create a center to share with the other classes during our pow-wow. Students could create a dance, housing, food, children's games, or clothing for their tribe. They then created a display or activity for other classes to see/do. It was wonderful to see how excited the students became when they were able to choose a topic that interested them and were able to decide how they wanted to present the information. (yes, from the start I LOVED differentiation!) I love that this now "old" fifth grade tradition started with me (the now kindergarten teacher) when I was a first year teacher:)
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