That's right if I keep teaching like this I might as well prepare my acceptance speech.
What's that you say?
Oh, wait I have to have more than 5 good teaching days in a ROW to qualify?
Dang, a WHOLE year, you say, huh?
Wow. That's serious. Can I at least get Teacher of the 4th week in August? Thanks.
I guess I'll just be Teacher of the Year in my classroom. I'd be a shoe in for BOW TIED Teacher of the Year!
Anyway, this week's been outstanding. This group of kids are really special. I'm positive that they're going to change their family trees and re-shape their destinies. They make teaching fun and exciting.
To be totally honest this year has been exactly what I expected. My mind has been on the good, pleasing and perfect will of God for me and my family. Needless to say I've not been disappointed.
I will say that I've read the 7 habits of Successful People before. However, the kids version is serious. The simplicity of the truths really hit home in a new way. I will like I'm must more aware of when I'm being proactive as well as my goals. I know I could go a better job at goal setting, but I'll get better as the class keeps going over the Habits. The students are getting better. They've really embraced the Habits so we'll see when they've gone through all 7 a couple of times.
This is where I think I am as of today. I really wouldn't mind being a 5 in all areas, but all jokes aside I want to keep pushing myself as well as the kids to better results.
- My classroom procedures, work (4.5 bow ties)
- Classroom routines are pretty special (4 bow ties)
- My basic filing system is ok (3 bow ties)
- Storage is pretty swift (3 bow ties) I need more hangers
- Teaching is in the neighborhood (3.5 bow ties)
- Centers (3.5 bow ties) Not as consistent as I'd like
- Communications (2.5 bow ties)
- Meetings (NO TIE!)
- Lesson planning (3 bow ties)
- Planning sessions with the students (3.5 bow ties)
- Time management (3.5 bow ties)
- Teacher lead instruction vs. Student lead (3 bow ties)
- Having a system that is keeping me from wearing the same bow tie in the same week (5 bow ties)
This school year has been rocking along like a well oiled machine. The major things are under control. The little fine tuning issues will be dealt with on a daily basis, but the important things are under wraps.
Now, I'm not sure if my Libertarian brothers and sisters will accept me for this, but hey. I really like the Fresh Fruit and Veggie program our school is doing. Not sure if this is a part of FLOTUS initiative or what. Everyday our school gets a shipment of a fruit, veggies or both for our kids to taste. It's nothing super elaborate. The school serves it up as a mid-morning snack. Yesterday was a Pluots and Bok Chow. The day before strawberries and muscadines. Today they had kiwis. The kids LOVE it! My class at least has been very receptive to the snack choices and give everything a good tasting. I like the idea. Seems like they're more receptive after snack time than they were pre-snack. Might make some kind of game or lesson out of it if the schools keeps doing it. I hope so.
How's your year starting off? What do you do to communicate with parents who aren't as tech savy? You don't want to call after hours, because your time doesn't allow. So what do you do?