We all need to be encouraged at different times, but this time of year seems to be the time that everyone has a case of 'school-itis' (or the flu). For some reason, the shortest month of the year, feels like the longest. February. Drags. By. Tempers get short and things that normally wouldn't bother you get on your last nerve. To keep from losing your cool try some of these suggestions. To have an even greater blessing, do it anonymously.
1. Smile. Just a simple smile will make someone's day. Smiles are contagious.
2. Write encouraging notes on sticky notes and place them on a colleague's desk or computer- anywhere they will find it the next morning. Write messages like: Thanks for being a good listener, Thanks for your encouragement, or I appreciate your positive attitude. Don't sign the note. Keep them guessing!
3. Buy a bag of mini candy bars and surprise your colleagues with a sweet treat!
4. Fix a pot of hot chocolate or a pitcher of tea in the teacher's lounge for a surprise pick-me-up. I stole this idea from my Librarian Friend who had a pitcher of tea and a box of chocolates in the library. It was a welcome respite from a hectic day.
5. Another stolen idea- place a rubber chicken ( or a stuffed animal) in an unsuspecting teacher's room. See how long it takes her to notice it. To spread the fun, notify staff to be on the lookout for the chicken. When a teacher sees the chicken in her room, she can pass it on to another unsuspecting teacher. Sounds simple and silly, but it will provide a funny diversion.
6. If you find a good idea or resource- share it! Soon, people will be sharing with you, easing the effort of lesson planning.
7. And, try to avoid negative conversations. The more you engage in negative conversations, the more negative you will become. Being positive will help to lighten your load and keep you healthier and happier.
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Take advantage of my sale on Teachers Pay Teachers from January, 30th- February 2nd. All February resources are on sale!
In May of 2014, I decided to leave public education after 21 years. It wasn't easy, but I was tired of "fighting the system". I love teaching. I love kids. But, I don't like politics, unnecessary meetings that take me away from my students or family, and unsupportive administrators that seem to be unqualified. I wanted the best for my students and I didn't think that some of the "best practices" that we were practicing were beneficial to my students. I just didn't feel like I was preparing my students for the 'real-world' or even high school. I had questions and concerns that centered around the well-being of my students. I don't care how up-to-date or state-of-the-art the school is- what I care about are the children that come to me expecting to learn. I even went as far as telling my superintendent that I didn't work for him, I worked for every child in my classroom and their parents. And I meant it.
So, at 50 years of age, I'm starting something different and something new. I can't say that it has been easy, but looking back I know that God moved me. He had a plan for me, which He revealed later the same day I turned in my resignation. I went to talk to a private institution and was hired that day. Next, some friends talked me into writing a blog and putting my teaching ideas on-line. Another friend suggested that I start a teacher Facebook page. So, I've jumped in with both feet and never looked back. My new job is a blessing. I look forward to going and come home happy. The readership of my blog is growing with each post. My teacher shops and Facebook page have been slowly growing which frustrates me. I don't do slow very well. But, I know that this is where God wants me. For now.
My goals: to give my students my best everyday; to write a blog that informs and encourages educators; to maintain a Facebook page designed to keep teachers up-to-date on issues, comfort, and provide some laughs; and to share practical, useful curriculum and ideas that will help to lighten the load of educators.
My hope: that my students succeed; that if you like my blog, you will like my Facebook page, Chocolate 4 Teachers to keep current on posts; and that you will visit one of my teacher stores-
Chocolate 4 Teachers, Coffee 4 Teachers, or Teacher Treats and share with friends to help my business grow. I would also love to hear your comments.
So, to celebrate new beginnings, I'm offering one of my February Daily Lesson books to the person that shares this post the most. I have two February books- one for 2nd grade and one for 3rd- possibly 4th grade.
5:30 AM temperature check. Normal. Not. Good. Maybe the thermometer is broken? Maybe not. Get up. Get ready for school. And by noon you feel like you've been run over by a 4 ton truck. You should have stayed at home. Taken a sick day. But. You. Feel. Guilty. So, you go to school and and everything that could go wrong, has gone wrong. You are tired and cranky and no one understands the lesson. Yep, you should have stayed at home.
Been there, done that. Deciding on whether or not to use a sick day can be one of the toughest decisions you will ever make. You rationalize: "I'll miss a day of instruction", "It is almost time for testing and I haven't taught all of my standards!", "What if my favorite sub is not available?", "What if the parent I need to talk to comes to school today?" "What if the PD is something that will help me as an educator?" (Okay, I've never actually thought that but.....)
The point is, we often talk ourselves out of using a sick day when we really need one. A few years ago a very wise principal put it into perspective for our staff. "Use your days wisely, but use them when you think you need to. If you think you need a mental health day, you probably do. You will be more effective when you return than if you try to push through the day. This place will still be here when you return. " I've remembered those words and taken them to heart. And yes, I still feel guilty when I call in sick, but he was right.
We feel guilty because we truly care about our students and about their progress. We take our responsibility seriously (sometime too seriously) and set high and lofty goals for ourselves. We are teachers. It is in our blood. So, how do we overcome those feelings of guilt?
First off, your district has provided sick days for your use. If they didn't want you to use them, they wouldn't be a part of your contract. Time has proven that teachers are exposed to every illness known to man, including stress. Stress is not something to brush aside. If you are stressed, your immune system is not functioning properly. You need time to de-stress. I call this prevention. Just like taking a vitamin C to ward off colds, rest can help to lessen stress.
Secondly, you know if you need to use one. Prepare your room and your resources. Tell a trusted colleague. Tell and email your administrator. Walk out the door with a clear conscience knowing that you have prepared to the best of your ability and you will come back refreshed and rested.
Thirdly, TAKE the sick day. I mean use it for the intended purpose- rest and recharge. Don't waste your time feeling guilty, checking email, or calling in. Trust in your preparation and use the day as you need. You may need to catch up on grading to feel unstressed. You may need to compose some parent letters in peace and quiet. Or you may need to read a novel or watch a movie.
Bottom line- don't feel guilty about taking a day to make yourself a better teacher. You and your students will benefit from your time off.
It is that time of year, cold and flu season, which will be shortly followed by "mental health season". We think that it is more trouble to be absent than it is to just make it through the day. We have the trouble of preparing for a sub, then we have to play catch-up when we return. Is it really worth it?
Sometimes it is worth it. You never know when something will happen to keep us from school (flu, family death, car accident), so it is best to be prepared in advance.
Years ago, I started keeping pocket folders in my desk. I prepared lessons for 5 days and they were labeled Substitute Lesson, Day One - Day Five. So in the event that something should happen to prevent me from preparing for a substitute, I could refer to these folders and specify which folder I wanted the substitute to use. I kept them updated with a current roster - just print enough copies for each folder. This may sound like work that you don't have time to do, but it pays off when you need them.
For starters, keep a generic set of class expectations/procedures. This would include a schedule, discipline policy, teachers (not students) to contact with questions, emergency procedures, where items are kept in the classroom, and what students can or cannot use in the classroom (centers, class library). Make a copy for each folder.
Next, a generic set of lesson plan directions. For example: provide a reading passage and an accompanying activity/handout. Your directions could read: Have students read the passage silently, and then read the passage aloud as a class. Ask students to volunteer to read or you can read the passage to them. After reading aloud, have the students complete the handout. After completing the handout, pair students ( a pairing suggestion sheet is included) and have them review their answers, citing which line, paragraph,or page in which they located the answer. If they have different answers, they should re-read the passage until they agree on an answer and can cite where they located it. Then students should turn in the handout. This lesson should take at least 30 minutes. (Feel free to use this set of directions.)
Make sure to leave enough copies of student handouts and answer keys for the substitute. Several subs are willing to grade student papers, as long as they know they are not stepping on anyone's toes. If you want your sub to grade the handouts, leave this in your instructions. Also, make sure that you leave more work than you would normally cover in a day. We all know how quickly our students work in our absence!
To direct the substitute to the folders, leave a note on the desk and a note in your office substitute folder.
Finding work for the folder is easier than ever. You can locate many resources on the internet, Facebook, or at your favorite teacher websites. However, it is best to leave copies and not depend on your substitute to access the internet. Some districts also have policies concerning substitute use of computers/internet.Several sites now provide substitute plans or lesson plans. Most sites have free or cheap lessons that you can use for a substitute. Teachwise just sent a notification to sellers to let us know that they are going to have a promotion day in the near future for substitute resources.
Teacher Sites Facebook Sites
TeacherspayTeachers Chocolate 4 Teachers
TeachersNotebook Teaching Ideas
Teachwise A Primary Teacher
ADVERTISEMENT- Substitute Plans for $1.00 each!!!
What do Christmas break, Thanksgiving break, Spring break, and President's Day all have in common? They are opportunities to sleep in!! I have found myself living for the week-end just so I have a chance to sleep in and not be in a rush to go somewhere. I live for those moments when I can savor that first cup of coffee instead of gulping it down on the way out the door.
I'm sure you've given some thought to the first day back after this extended break, and I'm sure that you are not looking forward to hearing the alarm. Neither am I. It is a fact that our bodies get adjusted to a routine and we've all messed with that routine over the past 14 days. So how do we survive hearing that alarm and not throw the clock against the farthest wall?
1. Prepare. You know you have to get up so prepare your mind for the inevitable. I hate getting up at 5 am (or earlier), but I don't mind 6 am so..... I set my clock one hour ahead. My first thought when the alarm goes off is..... "Oh, is it already 6?" I'm awake before my brain fully kicks in. I also set a second alarm in the bathroom so I have to get up to shut it off. Mission accomplished.
2. Rest. I want to be rested so I'll actually try to be in bed earlier than I've made it the past 2 weeks. And, before retiring I tell myself that I will not hate getting up, but I will be thankful for my job and the opportunity to return to work. In other words, I give myself a positive pep talk. I focus on the ones that I am looking forward to seeing so that we can catch up. I relax knowing that I have things prepared for the first day (or week) back and I am anxious to get "back in the swing of things".
3. After School. Have a easy evening lined up. Take time now to prepare a pot of chili or a casserole. Pop it in the freezer. Before you leave for school take it out of the freezer, put in fridge (or do this the night before) so when you come home all you will need to do is heat up or bake supper. Sounds like work now, but trust me, you're going to be tired and not feel like fixing a meal. If your children are involved in after-school activities that is even more reason to have supper just waiting to be warmed. It is also okay to eat off of paper plates/bowls. The point: make things as easy as possible, allowing for your "back to school fatigue".
4. Classroom activities. You know that your students will be excited to share about their break. And you know they will have forgotten everything you have spent the past 5 months teaching them. They need time to refocus and share and you need to keep moving because there is never enough time to teach everything on the standard list. Compromise. Lose a few minutes to gain quality time later. Or get sneaky! For younger children have them draw a picture of all of the things they did over the Christmas break. Then have them trade the papers and share with a partner. For those that have learned nouns and verbs: have students make a graphic organizer (t-chart works well) with nouns on one side and verbs on the other. Nouns are gifts they gave or received, or people they saw, etc. Verbs are things they did. Then have them share with a partner. Older students like to talk so have them work in pairs to create a collage of things that represent their Christmas break. Display the collages around the room. If you don't have magazines, check with the local library and school library for discards. Younger students might like to do a collage, but using glue and scissors the first day back may not be a good idea for little ones. You are the best judge of whether your students can handle this.
For everyone: put scrambled winter words on the board. Select ones that are age appropriate for your group and have them unscramble the word and use it in a sentence. For math, you can have them use the words in a word problem, then trade and let students solve each other's word problems. Find an age appropriate article and project on your board or make copies for each student. You can give groups of students different copies and form expert groups to share with the class what they have discovered. Have them read the article ( or a paragraph if the article is long) and answer who, what, where, when, why, and how questions ( or those questions that apply to the article). Find famous people that have January birthdays and do some research. Have students find examples of figurative language in poetry or paraphrase poetry. Something fun with poetry is have the student illustrate what they think the poem is about.
Here are some articles to use:
Winter Word List
How Snow is Made
How is Snow Formed?
How Snow Forms
Benjamin Franklin
George Washington Carver
Betsy Ross
Carl Sandburg
50 Winter Poems ( some are not age appropriate)
Poems for Kids ( this one even has teacher help sheets!)
In the meantime, enjoy the rest of your break!
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