Chocolate for the Teacher: 2019

Chocolate 4 Teachers 2:56 PM No Comments

It's late when I get home. I had no inspiration before going to school so you might as well not hope for any last minute ideas. Everything is frozen. Even my brain. No tempting smells from the crockpot greet me as I walk through the door. Nothing. And I'm supposed to think of a meal that will be on the table in under an hour. Something healthy. Really?

So, what am I to do? I can't always be organized enough to plan ahead. My schedule catches up with me and before you know it, we're having take-out. Again. Besides, I get tired of fixing the same thing over and over.

Then I go for a doctor visit. I need to exercise more and eat healthier. When? How? Take time to exercise so that I will have more energy. Where do I find the energy to exercise? Regardless of knowing that eating healthier and exercising is good for me, I can't seem to get myself into a routine to consistently accomplish either one.

In the meantime, I'm run-down and susceptible to anything and everything. Even GermX can't protect me from the germs floating freely around the classroom. Remember they only kill about 99% of germs. Somehow that 1% finds me.

Taking care of yourself makes sense. It isn't easy. It may be in the form of a short walk one day, early bed time the next day, and eating fresh fruit with lunch. I've learned that it doesn't have to be radical. I can't do everything. I can only do so much. Instead of beating myself up and quitting, I try to incorporate one healthy thing per day. And that sure beats catching the flu.

And... it's that time again! See you in January!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

Prize: $100 Teachers Pay Teachers Gift Card

Giveaway Organized by: Kelly Malloy (An Apple for the Teacher)

Co-hosts: An Apple for the Teacher, Kindergarten Is Crazy, Pint Size Learners, Mickey's Place, Ms. K, 180 Days of Reading, Teacherof20, Star Kids, Mrs Wenning's Classroom, Learning Inspired, Peas in a Pod, Guide Teach Inspire, Chocolate 4 Teachers, Jackie Crews, A Plus Kids, Teaching in the Heart of Florida, Kamp Kindergarten, Believe to Achieve by Anne Rozell, TheBeezyTeacher, Globe Trottin' Kids, Resource Room Relevance, Teach Me T, and The Monkey Market.

Rules: Use the Rafflecopter to enter. Giveaway ends 12/13/19 and is open worldwide.

Are you a Teacher Blogger or Teachers pay Teachers seller who wants to participate in giveaways like these to grow your store and social media? Click here to find out how you can join our totally awesome group of bloggers!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And... it's also getting close to Christmas so.... I'll see you next year! Have a very Merry Christmas!!!

Need a Christmas resource?

Jolly Ole St. Nick

Interactive Fun!

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This blog does not share personal information with third parties nor do I store any information about your visit to this blog other than to analyze (this blog is run by blogger, a Google company so Google analytics are used to provide me with general statistics about my blog readership) and optimize your content and reading experience through the use of cookies. This blog is published on Facebook and Pinterest sites. This blog is not responsible for their use of cookies. If you wish to turn off the use of cookies you may do so at any time through your specific browser settings. If you sign up to receive the blog by email, your email will not be added to any other mailing list or sold. It is simply used to send the blog post to your inbox. No purchases may be made from this website. In order to purchase my resources you must visit the hosting website. I am not responsible for republished content from this blog on other blogs or websites without my permission. This privacy policy is subject to change without notice and was last updated on August 1, 2019. If you have any questions feel free to contact me directly at kimberlyfrencken@gmail.com

Chocolate 4 Teachers

Chocolate 4 Teachers 2:15 PM No Comments

Do you teach gratitude in the classroom? Isn't that something that parents should be teaching at home? Yes to both questions. We should teach gratitude in the classroom and parents should be teaching it at home. It is up to us to model and practice gratitude to all, but especially to those who don't live in 'thankful' environments.

There are days when I don't feel very grateful. I have more on my plate than humanly possible to complete and everything seems to be going wrong. I feel like I'm barely hanging on. That is when I stop and remember to be grateful in all things for this is God's will for me (1 Thessalonians 5:18) and to be content where I am. Not always easy to do, but it does make a difference.

Not all of our kids are living in good circumstances. Some of them are barely hanging on. If they watch how we deal with difficulties, they will have a positive role model to follow. But if they see us give up or lash out, they will learn how to negatively deal with problems. They are watching every move we make. Listening to every word we say (even if we don't think so).

Find something in each day to be grateful for: the air you breath, you are going home today, you accomplished one task, you're vertical... It doesn't have to be enormous. Being grateful for the little things in life, makes you more aware of the big things. A shift to a thankful heart can alter your outlook on the rest of your life.

Teaching gratitude to our students isn't a lesson taught, but a life lived. Gratefully.

Meet the man behind this beautiful classic poem.....

Merry Christmas!

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Chocolate 4 Teachers

Chocolate 4 Teachers 1:59 PM No Comments

I've heard teachers complaining about their students lack of excitement. And in the same breath, they admit that they don't blame them. Has a colleague ever shared that her students just weren't that interested in ______? Or maybe it was you? Maybe your kids have been less than enthused about a subject in your class.

Did you ever think that maybe it was you? Our enthusiasm, or lack of it, rubs off on our kids. I've been guilty of conveying my personal feelings about a subject or topic, and I've let my feelings show without much effort in covering them up.

The truth is.... some subjects are more fun to teach than others. At least for me. I plowed through diagramming sentences. It brought back too many painful memories from my school days. I put on a determined face and drug my students through the mud of placing the parts of speech on the correct line. Other teachers loved teaching sentence diagramming. They used colored markers and sentence strips. I still have boxes full of left over sentence strips and dried up markers. No matter how colorful I made it, the bottom line ... it was still boring to me. And because it was boring to me... That's right. It was boring to my students. I don't know who was happier, me or my students, when diagramming was finally (and not a minute too soon) deemed unnecessary.

In fact, writing in general has never been my thing. I spend lots of time second guessing myself and looking up rules- making sure I'm following them (or in the case of blogging- enjoying the freedom of not following them). Grading essays was sheer torture. I'm sure my students felt the same way writing them. I did try. Honest. I looked for ways that would make writing a narrative something that anyone would like to do. I tried every suggestion from experienced teachers. But the excitement was missing.

In retrospect, I realize that my lack of enthusiasm probably hurt a lot of my students. On the flip side, my enthusiasm probably engaged students that would rather sleep while the Civil War was fought. It all comes down to atmosphere. Remember the old saying, "If Momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy?" That goes for teachers too. If we are not excited about teaching, how can our students be excited about learning?

Looking for something that your students will enjoy? While they're learning?
I love picture books - even with older students!

Hop aboard!

Catch the magic of snowflakes!

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Chocolate 4 Teachers

Chocolate 4 Teachers 3:03 PM No Comments

Are we using too much technology in our classrooms? Some probably think we aren't using enough, but I wonder if we're missing interaction with our kids for the sake of using multiple devices in the classroom. Don't get me wrong, I think there is a time and place for everything, including technology. There are some outstanding programs in use. Programs that engage and teach students. But we can't lose sight of the importance of human interaction. Of teachers, teaching kids. Of listening and learning from the inflection in a voice what is really being said.

It's too easy to write and read emails. But we lose the nuances of communication on the written page. Now, that's rich coming from me. I actually prefer email in some cases. I think email provides a great paper trail. I think letters are a fantastic way of phrasing your words in just the right way. They let you erase the mistakes before they words have been said. A chance to correct. But teaching social interaction is equally as important.

I see so many using technology just to use technology. They have to incorporate it into the lesson so they stick in a video or chat link or digitized document. I've been there. And done that. And not been so proud of it. I was left wondering if there maybe wasn't a better way. Had I just been checking off a requirement? Or was I really using technology to enhance my lesson? In some cases, I'll never know. In others, I knew the minutes I observed my students interaction. Or lack of it. They were going through the motions, but not really diving in.

This doesn't mean that I'll abandon all uses of technology, but it does mean that I'll rethink how and when I use it.

For Now:

Nonfiction Task Card

For Later:

Santa's Helpers Boom Cards!

If you're not following my blog by email, you can catch it weekly by following my facebook page, Chocolate 4 Teachers or my Pinterest Blog Board.

Chocolate 4 Teachers

Chocolate 4 Teachers 2:12 PM No Comments

Your letter of resignation was accepted. You put the last items into a cardboard box and took one final look around the room. Your room. Your home away from home. You turned off the light and stepped into the hallway. You never imagined that the walk to your car would be so long. Or so lonely. Maybe you've been planning this day for years. Maybe you haven't. Maybe you've looked forward to your retirement years. Maybe you haven't. Regardless of the planning or yearning, the day has arrived and you are ending a chapter in your life.

Starting a new season of your life might not be easy. If you've always identified yourself as a teacher and you suddenly find yourself without a classroom, it might be a little hard to swallow. If you feel like you've vanished into thin air and no one notices you anymore, you might be struggling. If you offer suggestions to your teacher friends and they ignore you, the frustration can grow. You may not be in the classroom, but you still have something to say. Something to offer.

To be honest, I never gave this much thought until I observed how two dear people were treated by their former work places. They were older and retired. And forgotten. I observed first hand the hurt. They understood that time wasn't standing still for them. They knew there were new trends with which they were unfamiliar. They got it. But they still had excellent observations and suggestions. And no one was listening because no one took the time to hear them or see them.

It breaks my heart. And, it makes me mad. I see people that they've helped over the years, brush them off. I've heard them say that they don't matter any more because they don't have a purpose. No one needs them any more. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The young ones may have an inside track on the latest technology, the not-yet-ready-for-the-pasture crowd may still have an edge on the latest in education, and the up-and-coming may still have many years to rise, but they don't have it all or know it all. There is still a need to listen and respect the voice of experience.

Include retired friends in week-end or summer lunches. Call or text them. Ask them for suggestions, ideas, help. Don't let the resource of retired educators slip through your grasp. Utilize their knowledge and skills. Let them know that they made a difference. Let them know they are not forgotten.

Something for Thanksgiving...

Thanksgiving Mini Unit

Something from my Faith- based category...

Christmas Customs

It's time for another give-away!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

Prize: $100 Teachers Pay Teachers Gift Card

Giveaway Organized by: Kelly Malloy (An Apple for the Teacher)

Co-hosts: An Apple for the Teacher, The Fun Factory, The Monkey Market, Believe to Achieve by Anne Rozell, Pint Size Learners, A Plus Kids, TheBeezyTeacher, Mrs Wenning's Classroom, Chocolate 4 Teachers, Kamp Kindergarten, Kelly McCown, KinderMomma Learning, The Cozy Crafty Classroom, and Love Luck and Laughter.

Rules: Use the Rafflecopter to enter. Giveaway ends 11/13/19 and is open worldwide.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you're not following my blog by email, you can catch it weekly by following my facebook page, Chocolate 4 Teachers or my Pinterest Blog Board.

Chocolate 4 Teachers

Chocolate 4 Teachers 4:01 PM No Comments

Never thought I'd be subbing in a kindergarten room. Not in a million years. And, certainly, not loving it. Guess what they say about never saying never is right.

It's odd, really. You would think that I'd want to stay in familiar territory. Stay with the big kids. Middle school. Nope. That's where we'd both be wrong. I guess I had enough of hormones and smart mouths. I replaced them with high pitched voices that can't pronounce things right and grubby little fingers that love to hold your hand. And it was worth it.

I'm not saying there is a lot of difference between kindergarten and middle school. Not so much. But little kids can be fun. They make me laugh. They make a mistake and they laugh. They spill the entire contents of their art box? Oh, well. That's life. And a hundred little fingers reach out to help their buddy retrieve all of his colors. In fact, they think everything is funny. From farting to picking their nose.

Now, why would I think it's funny? It's really gross. And stinky. But their expressions are so priceless. And innocent. They say what they mean. They say what they are thinking. They live in the moment. Next year is too far away. They find wonder in everything. From an ant in the grass to someone's new hair bow. Snacks are the best thing that ever happened to anybody. And someone who's crying needs a hug.

Life is simple. There are few complications. Their world is big and bright and shiny. And if it isn't... then it's my job to put some polish on their gray world.

It's Turkey Time!!

Quick little nonfiction lesson

Great unit: before or after Thanksgiving!

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Chocolate 4 Teachers

Chocolate 4 Teachers 3:13 PM No Comments

I just read an article by someone I am sure is very nice and very well intentioned. Someone who thinks they know just what a teacher should do and just what makes a good teacher. But.... it made me angry. I get so tired of reading what makes a good teacher and what good teachers should or shouldn't do. By people that have never taught. Never spent one day in a classroom full of kids that need more than immediate feedback or candy rewards. By people that think having a child or being a child qualifies them to determine what makes a good teacher.

This article had three examples of teachers that shouldn't be teachers. I guarantee you that on any given day every teacher has found themselves in at least one of those scenarios.

Take for example the complaint that a good teacher will always give immediate written feedback on every lesson. Someone who doesn't provide this shouldn't be in the classroom. Really? So every assignment must be graded and have meaningful comments written on it? Yes, I'll agree that most assignments should have feedback. But in order for that to happen to every assignment some things are going to have to change. My class size can't soar past 20 students. The usual 32 isn't conducive to building relationships and spending time giving them, not only written feedback, but also verbal feedback. Having a minimum requirement of taking two (or preferably ) more grades per week will also have to disappear. In order for learning to take place, students have to practice. Then they have to have time to correct their mistakes. Learn from them. Parents might not see all of the rough drafts that a student did for practice. Just because you don't see a written comment on every lesson that doesn't mean that learning isn't taking place.

Ever have a bad day? Apparently the person writing the article doesn't. It's nice to know that there is someone out there that has never been frustrated with another human. Someone who has never said a harsh or unkind word to someone else. Someone who never loses their patience. That's awesome. But that's not how most of the world react. We have a splitting headache and the little darling tugging on our arm pushes us over the edge. We were up all night with a sick child and the loud, demanding student gets on our last nerve. We're human. It happens. We aren't proud of ourselves. In fact, we're harder on ourselves than the person who wrote the article.

What do you think of the last indicator of a bad teacher? Someone who gives kids an assignment then allows them to have free time if they finish it before class ends. Wow! That should be punishable by death. That should never happen. Quick! Get out the handcuffs. We've got to lock up this no-good teacher. You mean to tell me that you've never had a moment where you wrapped up a great lesson. Kids were engaged. They were on track. They mastered the content. So you did the 'unthinkable' and allowed them some down-time. A few free minutes to talk, draw, read...

Teachers do not manage numbers. They manage people. Kids. They're human. Most have families of their own. Or fur babies. There are some bad apples. Teachers who teach for the wrong reasons. Teachers that never have a kind word. Teachers that don't prepare any lessons or provide any feedback. But just because a teacher has a bad day it doesn't make them a bad teacher. Sometimes we could all use some understanding. And a little grace.

It's not too late....

Halloween flip books

It's not too early.....

Thanksgiving Nonfiction Lesson

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Chocolate 4 Teachers

Chocolate 4 Teachers 3:37 PM No Comments

Beware of the crazy season. It starts in mid-October and ends when school resumes in January. You'll easily recognize it by the pumpkins and poinsettia displays. Retailers call it Hallowthanksmas. I call it crazy. It happens between October and January, there is little time for catching your breath. Forget about finding your mind. School days go by in a blur of frenzied activities, parties, and hyper kids.

There seems to be little time for quality instruction with parties and concerts, and assemblies. Keeping focus and competing with costume comparisons is virtually impossible. Writing Christmas list becomes the writing lesson. Planning classroom parties takes precedence over lesson planning.

How do you survive and keep your kids engaged in quality lessons? Don't try to fight the system. It is what it is. There have always been holiday concerts and parties. There are always kids physically exhausted and mentally wired after Halloween. There always will be. Thanksgiving vacation will always cause a ripple of excitement. Kids will always be wide-eyed thinking about Christmas.

Make the best of the situation. Find resources (or create them) that play into the holiday spirit. Quality resources that provide review or reinforcement of skills. Limit how many new concepts/standards you teach (I know there isn't enough time). Focus on reinforcing skills you've previously taught.

Enjoy the holiday season. Count your blessings. Breath. It happens once a year. Every year. You survived last year. You'll survive this year. You've got this.

Keep learning going during the "crazy days" with these fun resources. Take a look!

Nonfiction Sunflower Folktales

Spooky Fiction Collection

16 nonfiction Task Cards!

Because life is crazy busy, I'll only be posting in a few groups each week. If you're not following my blog by email, you can catch it weekly by following my facebook page, Chocolate 4 Teachers or my Pinterest Blog Board.

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