I'm joining Em @Curious Firsties for her weekly linky party Wednesday Wow. Each week you can share something positive whether it is at home or school. Just a little positivity in the middle of the week. This linky party is one I really need, I have really been down with my job since school started. I feel overwhelmed with all of the extra things that we are having to do. I don't know if it is just my district or if all districts just keep piling on the "Must Dos". I have actually thought about looking for greener pastures next year. Still in teaching, just a different district.
Anyway, that is why I really need this linky party. I need to be reminded of the good things going on.
#1 I told my daughter I would stop staying up at school soo late this year. I hadn't really kept my promise until this week. we left at 5 yesterday and 4:30 today. Wow, it's amazing how much I can do at home when I go home early. : ) When I looked at what I was doing at school, it was mainly talking to other teachers or the principal. I like talking to them, but I really have enjoyed getting home early.
#2 Today as we were reading some of the poems in our poetry journals, I pointed out a few words that were in the poems that they were always wanting me to spell. I also reminded them that they could use the min word walls to find sight words they didn't know how to spell. My heart soared as I was reading them tonight. Some girls had looked up the word teacher and eat and a boy in class had found the word mountain. It was so cool to see them taking the initiative.
#3 We have been studying the human body the last couple of weeks. This week we are learning a song from
Scholastic's "101 Science Poems and Songs for young Learners" called "Bones". It is really cute and it has a lot of good info. It is to the tune of "Home on the Range". Today was only our second day to work on it and I thought the kids did fantastic. Several of them have already picked up most of the words. After we practiced the song a few times, we labeled the skull, rib cage, spine and hips on the skeleton that's on the song page. Later this week, we are going to make a skull puppet with an information page on the back. If you don't have the book from Scholastic, I highly recommend it.
My girls go to a daycare near our home (which is like 30 minutes from my school). This forces me to leave right after school each day so that I can get them at an okay time. That is helpful because I would be at school too long. Prior to kids, I remember staying until 8 or 9 on some nights!
ReplyDeleteEm
Curious Firsties
It's crazy isn't it? Since Delaney goes to school with me, it makes it easy to stay there late. I'm really trying to change my ways, but bad habits are the hardest ones to break. ;)
DeleteI think it's always a good idea to spend time time thinking about the good things going on. Last year was a bit of a rough year for me, and I tried to remind myself to write 3 good things on my planner every day. It sure helped when I felt like nothing was going right! Thanks for sharing your happy spots :)
ReplyDeleteSara
Sara, that's a good idea. This is two tough years in a row. I have been reminding myself to quit the negative talk...no one wants to hear it and it doesn't change anything for the better. Thanks!
DeleteI'm sorry you're feeling the weight of stuff being piled on you. Some of it probably feels just like "stuff" instead of things that actually improve teaching and learning. I hope the load lightens up soon!
ReplyDelete❀ Tammy
Forever in First
Tammy, as I have been reading blogs, I am finding out that not all districts have these ridiculous Pacing Guides that dictate every thing that is taught. It is frustrating when you see kids not getting a skill, but you don't have time to stop and reteach because the Pacing guide just keeps barreling right along. I think this is where the wise teachers would tell me to close my door and do what my kids need. ;) You know those signs, "Keep Calm and Pretend It Is on the Lesson Plan".
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