The Bow Tie Teacher

D.E.A.R time disaster

My school is doing DEAR (Drop everything and read) this week. I'd much rather us do it everyday, but it's not in the culture of the school.

So today I set up each pod of students with 12 books of random interest and kinds. We started Dear at 2 pm, by 2:08 EVERYSTUDENTCLAIMEDTHEYHADREADEVERYBOOK! This starts the flood of questions. It was very frustrating, because I'm tryng to read, too. I ended up being a Dear Police office rather than enjoying 20 minutes of reading. I know it's a learned habit, but what can I do to get them to want to read one or two books well over scanning 12 in .005 seconds? Help?  

Getting ready for Seuss week

We're gearing up for a week of fun in the name of Dr. Seuss. Don't think my students are ready.

A day in the life

So I have this huge crate with papers to sort and arrange. The Teacher of the Week, Jason said "carry this stuff home and tackle this pile." The Dad of the Year, Jason said, "my foot. This work has been here and will be here whenever I decide to tackle it. I'm going to spend time with my family this weekend" Dad of the Year wins again. 

Went in and bought my students the audio book "Nate the Great". Don't think that qualifies for teacher of the week, but certainly Teach of the Friday. The kids loved the reader and his inflections. 

Saw this on Pinterest (aka Teacher crack dealer). My kids love that I tell them to tell The Tattle Toolbox, but now it's got personality. My unique kiddo now goes to the corner and has full out right conversations with the toolbox. Not sure if I should be happy he's found someone to listen to him or worried. 

Didn't have any Starbucks today so that's either a good thing or a very bad thing. Hahahaha

Just realized that Dr. Seuss's birthday is next week. Can't wait! I really like Seuss books! 

 

Working hard

Somebody ate their Wheaties today. Someone had. 5 hour energy and a Flintstone vitamin chased down with a triple venti double shot. And that person wasn't me. The kids beat me up. They were VERY antsy today. They talked at levels that even made their most talkative day pale in comparison.

I use old sports bottles to hold dice. I can't stand when kids drop the die on the floor because it becomes a shrum to dive on the floor and catch it. So this way the dice don't fall on the floor. Surprisingly only 1 opened their bottle. They did to the sound of them losing a class dojo point. 

The kids like the math sliders much more than they liked my janky tape job of the base ten blocks. They got the point and that's all that mattered. 

Not sure who told me to do this, but it was jank-tastic!

Rapper grade blingage

I'm not sure why student isn't paying attention in class. Maybe its because he has rapper grade blingage! I just LOVE these kids.

Then I have another giant of fashion who's rocking a new pair of adidas. I told him I liked them. He also has a nice three strip track jacket. He told me I could wear it. I love these kids!

Learning and budgeting

Actually they didn't learn to budget, but if my students get good at making grocery lists they certainly could handle a budget. Had a lot of fun "buying" things from a mock supermarket and electronics store. This will take a lot of practice. They'll see it again in a center.

Speaking of centers. I gave each a pack of Centers Subs for days that we're not able to get to centers like we plan. I was able to grab these great Matho, Reado and Write bingo boards from Pinterest. Whenever we're crunched for time and not able to do the full center deal I'll just have them grab their centers sub from the class work bench area. They can select whatever activity they want to do. I'm sure that the first couple of times will consume their easy tasks. Then I'll be able to sew what they've really learned and are able to reproduce. Should be fun. 

What do you have to prove?

 

I like, no I really, really like UFC. This weekend I had the chance to watch a classic fight. During the interview one fighter said "I'm going to prove to myself that I'm the best fighter there is." What a powerful statement. I don't have to prove anything to anyone except to myself. And I'm pretty much convinced that I'm the best thing going. I have a vision of myself being a spectacular teacher. This week I'm going to prove to myself what I already know, that I'm really brilliant. Here...we...Go!  

Besides I want to knock out a crossfit WOD this week. I did great yesterday pulling my first #425 deadlift. By the summer I plan on pulling the first 500 lbs deadlift. Not sure anyone in the gym has picked that up yet. Even if they have I'm going to prove to myself that I can. 

Educational technology: From pencil pads to iPads

I had to grab this one from another blog. How education has changed. How it's stayed the exact same over the years. 

Resting and prepping for a long haul

Getting some well needed rest over the next couple of days. Spending some needed relax time with the wife. In the mean time this image is for those that think that "Teachers get enough breaks". I grabbed this from Pinterest. 

One part I'd like to specially address is that Teachers spend A LOT of their time working off the clock. It's really amazing how much time we do off the clock. Anyway, enjoy your rest time!

I also want to point out that I left initially at my 5th year. However after taking some time reflecting and finding the REASON I was teaching and coming to grips with that, I'M BACK!

Ready for a strong showing today. The better I'm prepared for the day the better I feel about my lessons.