#7 THE HEART OF A TEACHER

Life and teaching are full of surprises!  

Have you ever had a child pick up a book and say, "I can read!"  It's a little magic, isn't it?  

Have you ever had a child finally put the pieces of writing together and create something that touches your heart? 

Have you ever seen a "light bulb" go off in a child's head when you're introducing a new concept? 

Have you ever had a shy child finally join in with on a silly song?  

Have you ever seen an introverted child go out of their way to help a classmate?

Miracles happen every day, but they don't happen in the same way and in the same order.  One size doesn't fit all!  That's why it's so important to provide children with many different opportunities and materials to learn.  

Give them time.  

Don't judge too quickly!  

All children are GIFTED!

Some just open their gifts a little earlier than others.

THROWBACK

I CAN DO SOMETHING SPECIAL DAY! 

Plan a special day where each child is invited to sing, dance, tell a joke, make something, share a hobby, etc. Emphasize that there are many ways to be wonderful!!

Me Box
Spray paint a shoe box gold or silver. Write "ME" on the front with glue and sprinkle with glitter. Write a note similar to the one below and tape it to the inside lid of the box. Choose one child each day to take home the box. Let them share their treasures with classmates the following day.

Dear Parents,
Your child is bringing home the "ME" box today. Please help him/her find
special objects, photographs, or souvenirs to put in the box. Your child will
have the opportunity to share these things with classmates tomorrow, and
then we will return them to you.
Thanks for helping us "celebrate" your child!

*You could also use a gift bag for this activity.

#6 THE HEART OF A TEACHER

What are we doing?  What are we doing?  Will pushing academics, technology, and testing actually pay off in 20 years?  Will our children be more productive, happier, or better citizens in the future?

This list of skills that employers look for suggests we might need to adapt our teaching strategies and priorities.  Recess, show and tell, group projects, learning centers, singing and dancing - that's what it's all about!!!

THROWBACK

Buddy Sticks
It's great to have children work with a partner or a small group, and these BUDDY STICKS will make sure that every child feels included.  Put like stickers on the bottoms of two craft sticks. You will need as many sticks as there are children in your classroom. Place sticks in a plastic cup with stickers facing down. Children choose a stick and then find the person whose stick matches theirs. That is their partner.
Note! You can also use matching letters, shapes, numbers, etc. on the sticks.


*For small group work, put like stickers on four sticks. Remember, groups of two or four are more conducive to social interaction.

*When there is an odd number of students, let the last child chose whichever group she would like to be a part of.

#5 THE HEART OF A TEACHER

Yes, sometimes you just have to SHUT YOUR DOOR, follow your heart, and do what is best for your children.  (It also is easier to ask forgiveness than permission!)

Here is a sign that one teacher told me she put on her door.  I showed it at a workshop and a participant came up at the end and said, "Dr. Jean, I don't think my principal would like that."  Well, sometimes you just have to have a sense of humor!!!

P.S. One year I had an "issue" with an administrator. I happened to be teaching adults at the time and I was standing up for something I believed in. It broke my heart and my spirit, but I will never forget what a student said to me: "Dr. Jean, don't let them take away your joy!" I tell you that because NOBODY CAN EVER TAKE AWAY YOUR JOY IF YOU DON'T LET THEM!!!

THROWBACK

Let’s Look Important! 

Diane Ringer told me she taught her children how to "look important."  I think it would be perfect when you have an unexpected visitor walk into your room.

Would you like to know how to look important? 

Put your right hand over your heart like this. (Demonstrate)
Put your left hand across your chest and fold your arms like this. (Demonstrate)
Lift up your chin and smile importantly.
Now look at all my important people!

#4 THE HEART OF A TEACHER

Dear Friends,

It's Sunday and so I'm allowed to do a little "preaching" today.  

This is a thought by Max Lucado.  I'm not sure where I found it, but it makes me smile.  If only we could instill this unconditional LOVE in each child we teach!

Blessings to you always,

Jean

THROWBACK

Special Me (Tune: "Twinkle Little Star")
Special, special, special me (Point to self.)
I'm as special as can be. (Open and close fingers.)
There is no one quite like me. (Shake head.)
I'm as good as I can be.
Special, special, special me, (Point to self.)
I'm as special as can be. (Hug self.)

#3 THE HEART OF A TEACHER

DID YOU EVER HAVE A TEACHER THAT THOUGHT YOU WERE WONDERFUL?

DID YOU EVER HAVE A TEACHER THAT DIDN'T LIKE YOU?

I think we've all had teachers that we remember.  We recall the ones that made us feel special, and we also remember those that hurt our feelings or belittled us.  Those memories are far more significant than the content of what they taught us.  It's interesting that when I run into former students and ask what they remember about me, it never has anything to do with what I taught them.  It's always about personal memories, funny things I did or said, games or songs...

Think about your special memories from your school days.  Can you share them with your students this coming school year?

THROWBACK

Place a hand mirror in the bottom of a shoebox and put the lid on top. Explain that the most wonderful thing in the whole world is in the box. “It’s so special there’s only one like it in the world!” Watch children’s smiles as they open the box and see their faces! End by singing this song.



I Am Special (Tune: "Frere Jacques" - Children repeat each line.)
I am special. I am special.
Take a look. You will see.
Someone very special. Someone very special.
And it’s me! And it’s me!

*Do a language experience activity where each child completes this sentence:
I am special because ____________.

#2 THE HEART OF A TEACHER

Welcome to day #2 of my timeless tips for becoming a great teacher.

Wood Smethurst was one of my favorite professors at Emory University. His area of expertise was reading, but he didn't push phonics and skills. He focused on the LOVE of reading! For every child there is a topic or book that they are interested in, and the trick is to match up what the child is interested in with a book. Nope! Not a website or game - a HOLD IN YOUR HANDS AND TURN THE PAGE book.

As educators, you don't have a lot of choice in the curriculum your district/state chooses or the standards that guide instruction. Your challenge is to think of a "rabbit trap" that will interest your students and engage them in the learning process. All children are different and might be tempted by different "rabbit traps." That's why providing children with a wide range of learning opportunities (hands-on, games, partner projects, songs, etc.) is so critical. And that's why making those personal connections with each child and discovering what makes them "tick" is more important than any check list!

THROWBACK

There are tons of "rabbit traps" on my blog (drjeanandfriends.blogspot.com). This paper plate game is easy to make and can be adapted for any skill, such as letters, shapes, numbers, sight words, math facts, etc.


Directions: Do you remember the old game where you placed chairs in a circle and walked around until the music stopped? If you didn’t find a chair you were OUT! This is a similar game that can reinforce letters, words, colors, math facts, etc. Scatter the paper plates on the floor. Play some catchy music for the children to dance to. When the music stops each child finds a paper plate and picks it up. The teacher randomly points to a few children to identify the information on their plates. Have the children place the plates back on the floor and continue dancing.
*If the child is unsure about what is on their plate, invite them to “ask the audience.”



 

#1 THE HEART OF A TEACHER

After doing a daily blog for over 10 years I decided to do something a little different this month. I have some "words of wisdom" from over five decades as an educator and seven decades as a human being. Each day I will share one of my overheads (Remember what those are?) that I used in my workshops. My goal is to fill your heart, encourage you, and help you remember why you became a teacher.

I'll also do a daily "throw back" idea. What's that? It's some "antique" activity from my "old" workshops that should not be forgotten.

It makes me sad when I hear that they've taken blocks and housekeeping out of kindergarten. It makes me sad that teachers don't have time to sing and dance because they are so busy pushing skills. It makes me sad that children are tapping and swiping instead of doing puzzles or creating with play dough.

What are we doing? Children will have a lifetime to use technology, but they have one chance in a lifetime to play and hold hands and make a mess and giggle with their friends.

What was your favorite thing about school when you were young? Treasure those times and promise yourself to try and share those special memories with your children this coming school year.


THROWBACK

Read the book THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD. Explain that in our classroom everyone says "I CAN" like the little engine.

Hint! Remind the children that we are AmeriCANS and not Americant's!

I Think I Can (Tune: “If You’re Happy and You Know It”)
I think I can are words I like to say.
I think I can are words I like to say.
In time I’ll get it right if I try with all my might.
I think I can are words I like to say.



Hint! Cover a Pringle's can with paper and glue on googly eyes. Pass the “eye can” around and encourage the children to complete this sentence: I CAN________.