Just Do YOU!

Just Do YOU!

I love and hate this time of the year. As we move into July and back to school mode, many of us spend time scrolling on Instagram, Pinterest, and spending too much money on Teachers Pay Teachers. I can feel my teacher brain slowly starting to wake up. Then, anxiety hits!

I am in awe of what I see on the internet. It is an amazing time to be a teacher. I remember in the long ago dark ages where the only place you could find a teacher resource or idea was to drive to a teacher supply store or look in a catalog. (Yes... I'm that old!) Now, anything and everything you could possibly need is a click or scroll away...hence the anxiety. Many of us wonder, "Am I doing enough?"

I love and appreciate everything the Teacher Tubers, Pinterest People and teachers of Instagram do!  But, it can bring about feelings of inadequacy. Even the most experienced teachers can sometimes feel as if they are not doing enough every time they scroll.

Well, I'm here to tell you... you are enough!  Just do you!

I'm especially directing this to new teachers. Use what you see as inspiration - not a goal.  Find new ideas, activities, tools, designs, etc. as a part of a process for growing and learning.  Be brave enough to figure out what works for you.

I remember when I saw a giant Kerplunk used as a classroom management tool on Instagram. I was so inspired and quickly navigated to Amazon and bought mine! I had a great classroom management system, but I loved this idea so much, I added it to my system.  I even surprised myself that I was willing to try something new. I found a way to incorporate it into my system.

Find a new idea and make it your own.

There are no perfect classrooms or teachers! It can be hard to remember that so much of what you see is photographed, filmed and edited, sometimes multiple times to show them at their best. We all want to shine!

Try to appreciate that everything you see is done in spirit of sharing not shaming.

We are so lucky to live in time where access to other amazing teachers is a click away.

Classroom Reveal 2018

Here is a look inside my classroom set up for 2018. I had so much fun redesigning elements and getting prepared for the new school year. 

Take a look around... 

File Folder Fun!

Many teachers need a few weeks to catch their breath at the close of the school year. Me - not so much. I need to get organized first! Then, I can relax.

It was a long, but exhilarating year in fourth grade. I had the most amazing class - ever! I was new to teaching fourth grade at my school, so suffice it to say, learning the curriculum was the most challenging part.

Now that I've completed a year, I was ready to sort, sift, and purge. I took over the classroom of someone who had been there for YEARS and who had kept everything.  I spent most of the year searching for items and I was determined to

reorganize this summer.

Much to my husband's dismay, I brought home every file from every drawer from every subject. (I wish I had taken a before photo but it was too traumatic.)  I promised him the floor would  reappear by summer's end.

First, I made one of my infamous "to do" lists. I sorted by subject and dove in.  Now that I know the curriculum, I quickly purged the unnecessary items. I scanned study guides and tests onto Google Drive (which I also reorganized - love that you can color code the folders!).

The most fun was the use of Avery File Folder Labels number 8366. I'd like to personally thank the Avery company for this invention. Every folder now has a color coded, same size, same font printed label. For the hanging folders, I used Aver Index Maker 5 tab labels so they could match as well. Yes, my organization obsession has reached a new high.

All packed up and ready to return to the classroom at the end of August!

I thought it would take all summer, but I accomplished this goal in a week.  Now, I can search Pinterest and blogs for ideas to supplement the curriculum.  By the way, I did all of this in my craft room which you can see in the back of the photo.

Happy organizing.

The 3Rs: Rituals, Routines and Rules

After three years as a library/media specialist, I was ready to return to my first love,

the classroom.  And, I was even more excited to return to teaching fourth grade.  With the New Year, I am reflecting on the first half of the school year.  So much has happened!

I'm totally in awe of the remarkable students with whom I spend each day. This inquisitive, thoughtful, delightful group approaches each day with eagerness and willingness.  They exceed my expectations in every way.  One of the reasons for this first half of the year success is the environment of our room.  Each day is based on rituals, routines and simple rules.

We spent time during the first few weeks establishing a culture of kindness. We have three rules: be kind, don't interrupt the learning of others and tone of voice.  These three cover almost any situation that arises.

Next, we learned about Growth Mindset. The students are surrounded by posters and

reminders to change your words, change your mindset. I read Carol Dweck's book, Growth Mindset and it had a significant impact on both my teaching and life.  I spent the summer reading and creating ways to help students develop this approach to learning. At parent-teacher conferences in November many parents shared with me the results they observed at home and it is contagious among the parents as well.

Finally, I created a black and white classroom.  I had always wanted to do this and I was eager to see if I could create a classroom that was warm, sleek and most importantly, encouraged calm and serenity. I had a vision of a space that was organized and free from

clutter.  

Once I arranged the physical space, I invested in all matching clear book baskets, book boxes and chose a font that would be consistent throughout the room.  I considered every detail

and set up the room that was aware of the traffic of everyone.  (The only thing missing is a rug -- I'm saving up for it.)  We keep the room so clean, that students don't seem to mind sitting on the floor. Students know how to line-up, move to retrieve items or supplies, visit their mailboxes, procedures for drinks, restrooms, lockers, turning in work, etc. It runs like clockwork!Visitors to our classroom are considerably impressed by the students' desks.  Each desk is organized and set up the same way.  This is accomplished by providing one small pencil box, colored folders for each subject and the all important WIP folder (Work In Progress where they keep items that need fixing or finishing).  All other supplies are kept in supply drawers, so there is no clutter or mess.  

When students need supplies, they know the procedure to move through the room.  While

this may sound regimented, it isn’t!  The students easily follow the procedures and rituals because it was practiced and consistent.  The time we spent on this in the beginning of the year paid off in a calm classroom.

Students know that at any moment during the day, I may say, "Desk check!" They quickly organize and straighten.  There's no reward; just a feeling of accomplishment.

The combination of organization, rituals, routines and simple rules has created a

place where learning happens not only calmly, but joyfully.  We laugh a lot and celebrate each moment of learning.

We take care of our space and each other.

(More photos of my classroom on  my pinterest page.)

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Fourth Grade Book Tasting

I have been reading about Book Tastings in libraries and classrooms for a while, and this year, I decided to give it a try.  I can’t even begin to list all of the blogs, tweets, and Pinterest pins that inspired me. Once I “sampled” all of the amazing book tastings of my PLN, I created my own. My gratitude to others for their inspiration is immeasurable.

My first step was to assemble my own menu for the event.  So many fellow librarians and teachers created a variety of menus and I incorporated many of their ideas to create my own.

Next, I used the idea of a list of adjectives for the students to use. I loved this idea to support the students written work and discussions. I copied it two sided and placed it in a clear frame so everyone at the table could view it.  I also created etiquette signs to remind them of what was expected.

Then, I very strategically chose five different genres for each table that I knew were not popular genres in the library.  I also made sure the levels were on a continuum of reading levels as well as reflecting Black History Month.  All of the books were arranged on a “silver platter.”  I purchased these at the party store – they looked really expensive, but they weren't. 

Each table was set with red and white checked tablecloths and battery operated candles.  This really helped build excitement when the students entered the café! I dressed in a chef’s hat, apron and red bow tie which also helped.  (I was in an especially crafty mood, so I stenciled the name of the café on the apron.)

The one thing that I did that I didn't see on other blogs was how to get this event started.  I created a power point slide show in Google drive to review genres, call numbers, reading book jackets/sleeves, and to set goals for the lesson.  Before we started tasting, we reviewed how to summarize, evaluate, and collaborate.  I shared with the students that I was more interested in them having meaningful discussions and I encouraged them not to focus on finishing. 

Once the students began, I was in awe of their enjoyment and attention to task.  My principal observed the lesson and here’s what he said:

“Every step of the restaurant was planned in detail--menus as activity and assessment, discussion as focus, books in different genres placed on tables that would entice the group of students at each table to explore across genres. The visuals, both on the table and on the Smartboard, and the rules listed in the room, clearly showed what each step was for the students. This allowed the students to focus on the books and not waste time confused about the structure of the activity.”'

I'm so glad I decided to do this! The students loved it, and most importantly, they were excited to try a new genre! 

Kids were excited about reading!
I couldn't ask for anything more!!

Here are just a few of the teachers/librarians who inspired me.

How to Host a Book Tasting with Jo Nase

http://elementarylibrarian.com/podcast14/ 

Fiction Book Tasting

http://mrsnthebookbug.blogspot.com/2014/02/fiction-book-tasting.html

Mrs. Lodge's Library: "Book Tasting"

The Unquiet Librarian: Book Tasting posts

Barrow Media Center "Book Tasting"

Miss Liberry Teacher "Book Tasting"

Tree Frog Blog Book Tasting