A Teacher's Daze

A Teacher's Daze: .... and THEN there WAS a BEAR.... : This glorious summer day brought it's own special surprises-- and yes, it included a black bear!  The cabin owners said that we needed t...

This glorious summer day brought it's own special surprises-- and yes, it included a black bear!  The cabin owners said that we needed to make sure and put our garbage up, so that critters and "bears" wouldn't get into it.  I thought, "yea.. yea... "... maybe a few critters, some raccoons, etc.... but this afternoon while sitting on the porch with my Mom and sister-in-law, along with my six year old twin nieces, my Mom started a sort of pointing..... and she couldn't seem to get out what she was trying to say.  Finally, I turned around, and would you believe, a big BLACK Grizzly Bear was sauntering down the middle of the road right beside our cabin...... we were just a few yards from him.  It astonished us so much that we kind of froze, but then we started trying to take pics.  My husband actually got some of the best pics, but by that time the bear had veered from the road and started searching around a cabin across from us.  Amazing. We are still

A Teacher's Daze: I Can't Help It : It's sad, really, but I just can't help myself!   That is-  I can't help myself from thinking about "school," even whe...

A Teacher's Daze: Summer Daze.... : It's finally summer..... and "yes" I'm in a daze, that is- on most days.  My experience is by the time I get used to being...

            A Teacher's Daze: Using Quizlet in the Classroom : Using quizlet in the classroom is one of the most effective tools that I have used for students to study “on the go.”  Students move at a face pace, in our booming technology centered society, and they can navigate anything digital in no time.      It works for any subject and on any grade level, and as an added bonus, it can now connect directly with Google Classroom, and syncs students to a teacher’s Quizlet quizzes, with very little fuss.        A new feature added to quizlet.com last year was definitely a “hit” with my students.  It’s a game that promotes community building between groups in the classroom and the competitive nature makes it addictive to even the most reluctant student to join in the fun.       Last year, I used www.quizletlive.com and it opened up a whole new way of learning and interacting with quizlet.  

A Teacher's Daze: There's Just Something About.... : There's just something about traveling in the car with your WHOLE family going on vacation that makes getting to your vacation destinati...

It's sad, really, but I just can't help myself!   That is-  I can't help myself from thinking about "school," even when I'm in a theme park!  LOL... I found myself snapping pictures of potential ideas to use in my classroom during the coming school year.  I was particularly impressed with the various crafts that can be made with handprints.  So, what do I do?  You guessed it.  I took some pics to share with everyone.  :-).  My family had a blast today.  It's great to have some refreshing days before school begins!   A Whole Family..... Daddy, Mama, and babies! Awwwww..... "Libby's 5 1/2 (so says this pic I copied).... Aren't the penguins adorable? Interesting ...... I think this sheep is adorable!!! 

There's just something about traveling in the car with your WHOLE family going on vacation that makes getting to your vacation destination, even sweeter!  :-).... Finally, we are HERE enjoying the comfort of a nice cabin in the mountains.   The thing is a teacher never really goes on vacation, at least not a vacation away from teaching.  Today I found myself thinking about what I will be doing at the start of the new year and how I can't wait to share this or that idea with my colleagues.  I guess that's one way to know you have the best job in the world, when you take it with you on vacation and you actually enjoy the "company."

Using quizlet in the classroom is one of the most effective tools that I have used.  It works for any subject and on any grade level.  The picture below shows my students acting out their vocabulary list for the week.  After uploading the pictures to the site. the students could go to a computer or smartphone to study their weekly vocabulary test.  Using the students' ideas to act out the words made learning their vocabulary a cinch!   It's super easy to get started.  It literally takes minutes to post an entire list of words for students to access.  You don't have to use pictures, but if you want to, but don't have any of your own, quizlet has a variety of ones to choose.   If you haven't tried this, this is a MUST TRY!!! I've used it for two years, now, with both a senior English class and a middle school class.  It really works!!! Check it out!  

It's finally summer..... and "yes" I'm in a daze, that is- on most days.  My experience is by the time I get used to being at home, it's time to go back to school.  At the moment though, it's quite a while before those days are here.  So, I think I'll sit back and relax a little and enjoy the "daze."