I Symbaloo, Do You?

I have always heard people talk about it, but never really bothered to check it out.
Our presenter at a tech workshop, John Kuglin, introduced it to me, and I LOVE it!
Here's one that  I started. Still have a lot more sites to add to it!
I also have one that I embedded on my Class web page with the tech sites we use in the classroom. You can add videos, documents, forms, whatever your heart desires. AND, it's all in one place!
Imagine the possibilities!:)

Top Three Popular Posts of October 2012!

Top Three Popular Post from October 2012! Enjoy!

Ain't Too Proud to Beg? Parent/Teacher Communication!

I attend the same church as one of  my students' parents. I know her mom very well.  After service she made, I guess what she thought was a joke, and said, "I have never had a teacher email the parents as much as you do! I asked my mom if you have a life?"
I didn't think it was funny...

Morning Meeting Moments Create Critical Thinkers!

I use two sites that promote critical thinking: BrainPop andWonderopolis. 

Every morning we begin our day with Morning Meeting. I have really come to enjoy Morning Meeting, it gives me a chance to bond with my students...

Some "Truths" About Teaching!

Since I'm not at work because of Hurricane Sandy, it gave me some time to peruse Pinterest, and I came across this poster. I think it's funny.:)
It also made me think about some of the "truths" about teaching, especially if someone is choosing to go into this profession now. So, here are my "truths." ...

Hey AR,(Accelerated Reader):I Have A Bone to Pick With You!

Dear Accelerated Reader,

Can I call you AR?


I have a bone to pick with you!
I don't know about other schools, or classrooms, but you are sucking the joy out of reading in my classroom.
Ok, well, it's not really you, but it's what you stand for. It's also what others have made of you. So, I guess it's not all your fault.

I get it. You want our students to read, and you want them to read on their level. You want them to read so much that they become better readers. You do this by making them take a test, which then decides what books they are able to read. And once they read the book, they take a quiz.

In our school, they read to get points. They get points to get in a Club. When they get in the Club, they get recognized, and they get the chance to attend ice cream socials, parties, etc.... The class with the most points or the highest average wins a pizza party. Hey if it gets them to read, right?

Not really. You know what I have noticed year after year?  The same kids attend ice cream socials, parties, etc...  The same kids end up in the Platinum Club, or they get to be the ones to smash the pie in a teachers' face. Last year, my students said, "What's the use Mrs.M? We know K is going to win." Of course, I tried to change their minds, but you know who won last year.

And the worst part?
Student: Mrs. M, I need you to have a lady to lady talk with Ms.L.
Me: Why?
Student: She is not letting me go out to Recess until I am in an AR Club.
Come on! I know we all like to win, but making kids miss Recess so they can get in the club, and your class can win the pizza party? See what you've driven our teachers to?

Trust me, AR, my goal and yours are the same. We both want our children to read. We want our children to enjoy reading, we just have different methods. I prefer events like The Global Read Aloud, which embraces the joy of reading, but also connects students all over the world, who share that joy.

I also send home a notebook and ask my students to read at least 15 minutes a day, and respond in writing 3 days out of the week. Listening to some of them share their responses, I have seen how much they have grown, how they are relating to the books they are reading. How much they enjoy reading them.

Of course, if there is an AR quiz, they are allowed to take it. Win-win, right? :)

I'm sorry AR, I am not a big fan. One of my students has read three chapter books and somehow feels it was a waste of time. You know why? There wasn't a matching AR quiz for any of them. So, I ask you, is this any way to get kids to love  reading?

The Problem of the Week(POTW):It's Not Just Math!

He ran across the room and yelled, "I got it!
Poking at his head, he said, "I used my brain and I got it!"
What did he get?
He had just solved the Problem of the Week. :)

I decided to use the Problem of the Week (POTW) more diligently this year, and it's a decision I do not regret.  At least once or twice a week, my students form groups, (it changes between assigned and random), and they attempt to solve the POTW. Sometimes they get it, and sometimes they don't. But, that's not what matters.

What matters is what comes from the attempt to solve this problem.  Of course, the Math is important. It's not a bunch of numbers on a worksheet. It's a problem, with real world applications that they have to solve. You want to talk about rigor? There's lots of "brain hurt" going on in my classroom as my students attempt to solve the problem.They have to read, and understand, what the problem is asking them. They have to decide what mathematical skills they are going to use to solve the problem.  They have to work together, listen to, and respect, each other's ideas. They learn the meaning of the adage, "If at first you don't succeed...

I get great joy walking around my room and listening in on the conversations. I am serious, joy. It is wonderful to walk around, by the video chairs, at the back table, (the lucky person ensconced in the "teacher's" chair), the area by the sink and lockers, (I have carpet squares), and listen to them work on the problem. They have learned to use me as a guide, not the person with the answers. Their mission is to solve this problem, and they are serious!

Here's a little history about Problem of the week:(provided byJohn Galbraith)
POTW started in January 2011.  The Centre for Education in Mathematics
and Computing (CEMC) out of the Faculty of Mathematics at the University
of Waterloo has long been known for providing excellent contests and
supporting resources.  But there was a belief that we could involve more
students in regular problem solving (whether or not they participate in
of our contests).  So part of our mandate is to provide resources for
teachers and students that promote mathematics and problem solving.

The great part is that any student or teacher can subscribe to the Problem of the Week. Take advantage of this wonderfully, powerful, resource!

I receive an email once a week with two attached documents. One is the answer to the previous POTW. And one is the latest POTW. My colleagues and I have a good time trying to figure them out ourselves before the answers arrive.

That student I mentioned above, he is a kid with low self-esteem. He's bright, but was not working to potential.Somewhere along the way, he was allowed to believe that minimum effort is all that is required, and if it's hard, quit. Not in my room!:)

 The day he solved the POTW, he proclaimed his news to  teachers in the hallway, the lunchroom, the office, he was so proud!  The Problem of the Week, it's not just math.

Some "Truths" About Teaching!

Source: elementary-teacher-resources.com via TeachHUB.com on Pinterest

Since I'm not at work because of Hurricane Sandy, it gave me some time to peruse Pinterest, and I came across this poster. I think it's funny.:)
It also made me think about some of the "truths" about teaching, especially if someone is choosing to go into this profession now. So, here are my "truths."

• You can not go to the bathroom whenever you want. You will have to either hold it, or get someone to watch your class. Depending on how desperate you are, you will either run to the Teacher's bathroom, or use the student one. (I never use the student one unless there are no kids)
• You will be thrown into a classroom and told to teach. Nowadays though, you don't have to worry too much, because they tell you what to teach, how long to teach it ("I hate you pacing guide!"), and when to teach it. Oh, and lest I forget, what to say while you are teaching it. ("Script, please!")
• You will be unindated with paperwork. Tons and tons of paperwork. You will have to fill out attendance, field trip, DPAS, you name it, you fill it out. At least now, you fill it out electronically.
• You will be judged by a walkthrough (in my district, it's 5 minutes), and/or an observation by your principal. The 45 minutes they spend in your room will determine whether you can teach, or not. If they really think you're horrible, then they will be in your room constantly looking for what you are doing wrong. (And don't get on an improvement plan, I've heard those are nightmares!)
• You will attend endless, meaningless, workshops and staff meetings. We have a meeting every time I blink my eyes. PLC, Achievement Team, Curriculum Club, Committee, I can't go on. It's as if they think we will gather together and drink, instead of using that time to do something constructive in our classrooms.
• Lunch will be on the go, unless you are fortunate to be at a school where lunch is an hour. (I used to work at a school like that.) By the time you get the kids to the lunchroom, or get ready for the rest of the day, your lunch period is over, done, gone!
• Everyone is not going to like you. Parents, students, administration, or even other teachers. ("Que sera, sera.")
• Another "new" thing will be thrown at you at least once a month. And do not believe the hype, "It's something you already do." Really? Then why the need to hold me captive, at yet another workshop or meeting, to tell me about it if I am already doing it?
• Get ready to dig in your pocket. I always say I am not, but I always do. Every. single. year. I know I shouldn't, but....
• No one understands what you do, but another teacher.
• Some days you will just want to quit.

BUT... here are  positive "truths" about teaching!

• Every day is a new and exciting day! Each day brings its own rewards and I am never bored.
• You do make a difference. Even if it is one child, you have made a difference.
• Teaching  can make you laugh, cry, or just plain, infuriate you, but it will most definitely bring you many warm and fuzzy, moments.
• You get to see the look on a child's face when they "get it." ("Priceless!")
• You come into contact with some wonderful people. Whether it's students, parents, administration, or your local (or worldwide) PLN!(Professional Learning Network)
• Depending on  how you teach, it can be a lot of fun! 
• It is an honorable profession. A profession that, no matter how much I gripe, I am proud to be a part of! :)