Have you seen the commercial about Values? The elderly dad is lying in a hospital bed (presumably, dying) and the daughter comes to visit. It is apparent that this is the first she has seen her dad ill and as she is sitting by his bedside, she reminices about the things he has done for her (taught her to ride a bike, giving her away at her wedding, etc.).
They play it a lot on several stations...and every time they do, I cry. And I can't turn the TV channel...I have to watch it...everytime. Now obviously, it reminds me of my dad (which is why I cry...duh), but this is not the reason for this post, because I believe that it has another message...
What goes around, comes around.
I am a believer in this concept. I have seen it happen many times, through generations. People get what they give out. The commercial is a good reminder to always to the right thing...not the right thing for YOU, but the right thing period. This means letting go, losing, walking away, smiling when you feel like yelling, saying your sorry when it's not your fault. It also means standing up for others, fighting when you feel like walking away, loving when you want to hate, having faith when hope is all lost.
So the next time you are watching the TV and you see this commercial, look for the deeper message.
Live the deeper message. Do the right thing.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Day 8: How do you connect with your students?
I finally decided to skip Day 7...and move on to Day 8. I will eventually answer Day 7's question, but for right now it's kicking my butt and I need to spend (all summer) more time thinking about it.
So, how do I connect with my students? SENSE OF HUMOR!
I teach 8th grade. If you know anything about 8th graders is that they know everything and adults know nothing. As a parent, there is nothing more frustrating...as a teacher, there is nothing more FUN! The reality of the situation is...8th graders want to give the impression that they know everything, but their dirty little secret is (and they fully know it) is that they are scared and insecure as all get out.
So to connect with these drama queens and kings takes a bit of sarcasm, a whole lot of laughter, a ton of love and a willingness to put yourself out there and look stupid a time or two. And that is what I do. I sing, cheer, dance, tell a joke or two - just to get a point across in class, or move them along in the hallway. Whatever it takes.
Additionally to the above, I try very hard to get to know these kids outside of their school persona. I want to know what their interests are, what they are involved in and how they operate outside of my classroom. I also try to let them see that about me as well. I am very fortunate that I also live in the community that I teach. I go to church with many of my students. I play piano and cantor for Mass - it's very interesting the reaction that I get from students (and parents) when they see me in a completely different area of life.
We are who we teach!
Make it a great day!
So, how do I connect with my students? SENSE OF HUMOR!
I teach 8th grade. If you know anything about 8th graders is that they know everything and adults know nothing. As a parent, there is nothing more frustrating...as a teacher, there is nothing more FUN! The reality of the situation is...8th graders want to give the impression that they know everything, but their dirty little secret is (and they fully know it) is that they are scared and insecure as all get out.
So to connect with these drama queens and kings takes a bit of sarcasm, a whole lot of laughter, a ton of love and a willingness to put yourself out there and look stupid a time or two. And that is what I do. I sing, cheer, dance, tell a joke or two - just to get a point across in class, or move them along in the hallway. Whatever it takes.
Additionally to the above, I try very hard to get to know these kids outside of their school persona. I want to know what their interests are, what they are involved in and how they operate outside of my classroom. I also try to let them see that about me as well. I am very fortunate that I also live in the community that I teach. I go to church with many of my students. I play piano and cantor for Mass - it's very interesting the reaction that I get from students (and parents) when they see me in a completely different area of life.
We are who we teach!
Make it a great day!
Monday, June 13, 2011
Day 6: What have you observed of other teachers that might work in your own classroom?
Sorry, I've been slacking (read: I'm in summer mode) on this blog challenge. To continue...
I love going into other classrooms and seeing what other teachers are doing. I also ask other teachers what they are doing in their classrooms. My motto is "Beg, Borrow and Steal; why recreate the wheel?"
Here's a smattering of items and ideas I have borrowed from other teachers:
Learning from others is such an important step in teaching - why not continually improve in everything?
I love going into other classrooms and seeing what other teachers are doing. I also ask other teachers what they are doing in their classrooms. My motto is "Beg, Borrow and Steal; why recreate the wheel?"
Here's a smattering of items and ideas I have borrowed from other teachers:
- desk arrangements - how best to group for which lesson/activity you're doing
- wall organization - how to get the most out of the posters you've spent hard earned cash for
- lesson plans - from actual lessons to organization of those lessons
- how to turn in papers - student focused instead of teacher focused
- wiki ideas
- classroom management tools
- sub plans - how to organize, what information to include
- grading ideas - what gets graded, what doesn't get graded, how to provide good and meaningful feedback
- testing and assessment ideas
- organizing my own desk
Learning from others is such an important step in teaching - why not continually improve in everything?
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