A Teacher's Daze

        Use Audiobooks in the classroom to engage reluctant readers The power of using audiobooks in the classroom cannot be stressed enough.  As a classroom teacher, for 27 years, I can say, without a doubt, that an audio device, such as affordable iPods, shown in the picture, above, is one of the most affordable ways to purchase iPods for groups in your classroom.  I found refurbished iPods on amazon.com and found great deals, especially when purchasing the earlier generation iPods.  Next, choose exciting books that will capture your students attention, within the first few pages.  Soon, you will find that students will be asking when they can read in their “reading group.”  Students who have never read a “real” chapter book have found how much they enjoy reading.   Reading fluently reflects a student’s success, throughout school, as well as throughout their entire life!  I hope this post encourages you to use audiobooks in your c...

From the moment a teacher steps into the classroom and interacts with students, a choice is made.  Whether it is good or bad, a difference in a child’s life is made, with even the most mundane of actions. “Like a Superman” is the last thing most teachers feel.  However, that is exactly what you can be to a child who sits in your classroom, each day.  On the other hand, you can contribute to a child’s misery and low self-esteem and become more of “the Joker,” a nemesis of encouragement . Every teacher knows which role they play to each child.  Whether positive or negative, every thing a teacher does or says makes a long-lasting impression on the students they teach.

Peeking out from under tons of student papers and notes from here and there to do this and that, I can identify, completely, with this picture! I laughed out loud when I saw this pic on Pinterest.  Give the guy a little more hair, a feminine characteristic or two, and it's a perfect picture of what I feel like when I'm overwhelmed with paper-work.    Whenever I see teachers leaving at 3:30, I look at them in a sort of awe-struck stare.  After twenty-three years, it would seem I could develop some type of system to help me avoid days like this, but alas, I haven't reached that level of expertise, and quite frankly, given my personality and my extended history, it's not likely that I will ever receive a medal for ever really "catching up."  So, I've decided that "catching up" is highly over-rated.  If I "catch-up," what in the world would I do? I suspect if I ever got to that point, I would inadvertently make-up more things t...

"Moving on up...." "My 'Teacher's Space'" This is a simple canvas of city lights that I enhanced by using an old desk lamp with a bendable neck.  It's perfect to spotlight this scene! Growing up watching the sitcom, The Jeffersons, I couldn't help but think of this song when creating my "Big City View" or "Going Places" theme for my middle school classroom.  In fact, the theme song to this sitcom has been stuck in my head, for days.  :-D...  I find myself singing "Moving on up/ to the East side...... I finally got a piece of the pie...."  If you aren't familiar with the show, then it is hard to imagine why this song fits perfectly with the underlying idea behind this classroom theme. First, I have to admit something.  I didn't start out thinking, "Okay, I'm going to create a theme that shows big skyscrapers, bright city lights, and famous places across the world."  Actuall...

                                My Teacher's Space Motto:   "KEEP CALM and TEACH ON"                                                   "Get ready, get set....." Teachers spend weeks before school starts preparing because when the bell sounds and students start pouring into the classroom, there is no time to "get ready."  It's full speed ahead!     After spending the last two weeks of summer vacation, walking up and down two flights of stairs, carrying armloads of school supplies and decorations, as well as balancing a head full of ideas collected from Pinterest and teacher blogs over the summer, I'm certain it isn't a dream because surely I would have awakened by now, right? Getting back into the everyday routine of "back to school" is not only h...

During my family's recent vacation, I was browsing through a gallery of hundreds of posters when I came across the above picture.  My first reaction was to read the caption again, to make sure I read it correctly.  My second reaction was to smile at the irony of the words, especially considering the "dated" illustration chosen to accompany it, and "yes" I have to admit, my third reaction was to take a picture, so I could share it on my blog, as well with my students.   Now, please don't over react and assume I "agree" with this humorous statement.  Obviously, the suggestion of the mother is in direct contrast to what a mother would "normally" say to warn a child of danger.  The author of this illustration and caption combination is simply identifying with a harried mother of small children by using a gross exaggeration, to say the least.   I walked away with a wistful smile remembering days when I was a sleep-deprived mother...