Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
As my second year as a public school teacher approaches those final months
before state testing, I've decided to reflect
on the things that I believe have been most beneficial to my students and me.
For some teachers, it is so easy to get lost in the everyday routine,
overwhelming paperwork and lesson planning. For me,
however, the focus on the following three
components keep the joy in teaching: Building community,
incorporating movement, and discovering interests.
To build community in the classroom I work on forming meaningful
and lasting relationships. Each year,
this begins with a classroom promise written together.
I also have hallway displays that instill unity
and respect for each other.
I also give students time to appreciate each other with Thoughtful Thursdays.
they never know which class member's name they will receive.
The best part is watching their faces light up as they hear their name
and complement read aloud. The walk of pride that every student experiences
as they retrieve their card to place in their envelope makes my heart melt each time!
Movement can change a boring math lesson on patterns into an exercise routine.
My students love playing "Tree-Bridge-Log" so much
that it turned into a recess activity! Who ever said you have to sit in a desk to learn?
One of my favorite ways to incorporate music is called "Mingle to Music."
Basically, students carry their assignment around the room, and when the music stops,
they find someone close to them to complete their question. When the music starts again,
the mingling does too! It's such a great way to get the boring, practice work done.
After a nice long weekend I came back
to a classroom full of eager students! They wanted to know all about my weekend.
I came to realize that they have unique interests.
Just as I got excited about them asking about my weekend adventures
they too can benefit form me intentionally discovering their interests.
One particular situation they came about
was my students' interest in the Woolly Worm Festival. Instead of teaching to the lesson plan
that I had prepared,
I decided to use my technology and read more about this
peculiar creature. In doing so, I could see a larger growth than ever before!
It's amazing how wonderful teaching can be when you know your students
and let them guide the learning. I've learned a lot as a new teacher.
I've learned to appreciate the talents I've been given.
I've learned how influential I can be
in a child's life.
I know that the biggest influence I can have
is not on a child's academics, but on a child's character.