Connected Educator - In Appreciation

I embarked on this journey
Early January of 2010
And I can't tell you what
A life changer it's been!

Educators were challenged
To start a blogging task
Was I ready for this? Could I commit?
Are some of the questions I asked.

Then I sent out a note
"What if I fail?" I really said it aloud
Then right away came a response
From a most amazing crowd!

"Try it for now...
There's no pressure you'll see"
That's how the Edubloggers
Thoroughly encouraged me!

I took their advice, their tips and suggestions
Then started to plan and started to write
Lo and behold Teaching is Elementary
Was born late that same night!

My very own blog
I was pleased and so thrilled.
Yet the thoughts remained
Did I have enough skill?

But as I continued
There was a new challenge to connect
With our novice fellow bloggers
Which left me feeling not sure what to expect.

But this is what happened
I tell you, it's true
My online friends and colleagues
Went to many from few!

Comments were left on his blog and hers
Good 'netiquette' had us respond
Conversations were started
In the process, a bond!

With many of those folks
I remain friendly to this day
We joined educators on Twitter
And we're here to stay!

We share our craft and our ideas
To make learning the best
Our students are the recipients
Of their teachers' quest

Being connected to one another
Means the world to us all
For expanding our knowledge
Surely flattens the classroom walls.

So if you think you might try it
Don't be afraid, just do
As you'll be surprised by the benefits
To your students and you!

A special thank you to:

• Karen Janowski for putting the idea of blogging in my brain during a course at Simmons College
  
• Cheryl Farley for inviting me to be a part of the Kick Start Your Blog Teacher Challenge
  
• Sue Waters, Edublogger, and her partners who created the challenge. They created more than a challenge - it has become a wonderful family of people sharing and continuing conversations!
• My #4thchat, #elemsci and Twitter PLN - so many wonderful people. I appreciate all your knowledge, kindness, openness and wisdom! You're the best!
  

My post: Bloggin' Kickin' Dreamin' explains further why I decided to try!

Hope you will too! Here is some advice to new bloggers from my PLN!



top photo credit: Jerrycharlotte via photo pin cc

Schoolmares! Teachers are Nervous Too!

Last night I had my first "Schoolmare" of the season. Usually in late August before the start of school I begin having night mares about school, hence my term "schoolmare". Last night the dream was about going into my school to prepare my classroom. When I arrived in my room there was a mess everywhere. My desk was piled high with dust. After leaving my room I met my principal near his office. He shook hands with me and wouldn't let go until I sat down.

When I sat down he started telling me the 'new' rules, and how we couldn't possibly participate in the National Geographic Geography Bee because there could be no time spent on anything other than book learning. I of course flew out of the room upset and bumped into one of the bright, young, cheerful teachers with whom I work. She was wearing this cute little tie die sundress with a skinny yellow belt and was trying to console me.

I awoke with a start and realized three things:
1. The bright young teacher moved out of state last year & would NEVER wear tie die....
2. The principal in my dreams was older & our principal is quite YOUNG!
3. These SCHOOLMARES are starting earlier and earlier .

Usually my Schoolmares happen during the last week in August, but
I'm thinking they started earlier this year because we are getting a new principal. As exciting as this is I'm a teensy bit nervous. Much like I imagine the students might feel who are coming to me this year. So thinking along those lines I know I will do everything I can to make my new students feel comfortable. So too, I envision my new principal will do for his staff.

Just so you know....Teachers are nervous too! And not just because they are getting a new principal. Here are some reasons I get butterflies in my stomach when school starts:

• I'm nervous the kids will be nervous.
• I'm worried I haven't gotten everything ready - my room, student name pieces, work plans, etc.
• I'm thinking about ALL the things that need to be accomplished (instead of breaking items into smaller more manageable chunks).
• I'm hoping that the kids will like being in fourth grade, and that I'll be able to expose them to many wonderful learning experiences.
• I'm trepidatious because I know families entrust their 'gold' to me, and I want to make sure they are treated respectfully and with kindness.

Often times the students come to school with mixed feelings of nervousness and excitement. They know that starting a new year brings different challenges. Usually after day one those feelings abate. These are some of the activities I will incorporate to help alleviate my students feel at ease.

• Getting to know one another - we will be doing all kinds of activities to get to know one another. I take time on the first day of school playing a name game so students and teacher learn each others names. We will learn about little facts about each other through a scavenger hunt. There will be more "getting to know you" activities throughout the week.
• Getting to know the classroom and school - Students will spend time doing a scavenger hunt around the room (and school)to become familiar with the layout. They will look for the class schedule, the pencil sharpener, their names in several places, the homework basket, the important paper file, the math manipulatives etc. Students will work together to create class rules and learn about Citizenship.
• Read Aloud - I usually read Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes, but this year I may want to read First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg which is about a teacher who is nervous and read Chrysanthemum on the second day. These will be used to introduce my Daily 5 reading mini-lessons. Yes, we start on the first day of school!
• Modeling and Practicing Routines: Establishing routines through modeling and practice gives the students a sense of structure which makes them feel safe and sets the tone for the year. These will occur during the above activities as well as others during the day.
• Start Learning Right Away: We will begin our lessons right away. The students will see that our class is a place of constant learning (which again sets the tone for the year).

My 'schoolmares' may not be over, but once I step foot in that classroom my attention and energy will be directed towards making my students feel comfortable which will re-direct my own anxious feelings. The first day of school is a new start for everyone!
First Day of School Resources:
Busy Bee Activity Page: This page contains activities and ideas for the first day and weeks of school.
I Love That Teaching Idea: Several activities to help with the start of school.
Lesson Plan Page: Back to school tips, lesson plans and resources (with grade levels)
AtoZTeacherStuff: A list of 33 sites that provide links to resources for the beginning of the school year.

top photo credit: bitzcelt via photo pin cc

New Blog Design!

For some time now I have been thinking about creating a new look for "Teaching is Elementary". Many of the teaching blogs I follow have cute designs and smashing colors. Still, I wasn't sure all those 'cutesy' designs were for me.

But one day I visited two of my favorite blogs, The Teaching Thief and Shepherd's Shining Stars, and noticed they each had a blog makeover. One has a cute little raccoon mascot and the other has stars! I noticed they both shared the same blog designer so I quickly decided to check her out at Designs by Christi and contacted her.

Old Design


New Design

Christi quickly answered my email and the process began. First, she sent me a questionnaire asking about color, font, theme and other preferences. Then she quickly assesses and sends some graphics for you to choose and then the backgrounds. Soon after, you approve the initial design and there is time for some final tweaking. Within a week I had a new design.

I just love everything from the little detectives on my banner to the cap on my signature! The colors are just right!

If you are looking for a blog makeover I strongly suggest contacting Christi - she is prompt, accommodating and talented (as you can see!).

Question for you: Can you guess why the Little Detectives are on Teaching is Elementary? Please leave me your thoughts in the comment section!

Citizen Scientist - It Could Be Your Student!

This tweet from @mbfxc the other day caught my attention for 3 reasons:

• It was sent by my twitter friend
• I know she and her son are spending the summer exploring
  
• I just love Jerry Pallotta, author of the Icky Bug Book and More!

So I clicked on the link and it took me to The Explorers Site, which Marialice created with her son, to keep track of their adventures. The post with amazing photos and a video about lobstering with Jerry is great, and I couldn't help but think of the wonderful summer Marialice and her son were having by making 'exploring' together a priority. Memories that will last a lifetime!

Then shortly thereafter, this tweet came into my feed from @dandanscienc

The word "Project" caught my attention (as it often does!). So I clicked on the link and discovered a wonderful blog called SciStarter, which had 10 amazing summer activities in which to participate. They included counting moths in your area, observing jellyfish, volunteering in parks and observing cloud types. I thought for a moment and sent this link off to Marialice in the hopes that she and her son might find some other science-related activities to try.

Then I reread the blog and wondered about the term "Citizen Science". Although I hadn't heard the term before I had a fairly good idea that it had something to do with the 'regular Joe' contributing/participating in some science related task. Read more about it HERE at How Stuff Works.

Hmmm...could this be something that my students might like/love? Could there be some 'projects' here where my students could be involved? I'm thinking - YES!

The SciStarter site includes a scroll of "Projects of the Day". Today one of the features is titled: Killer Whale Tracker. Basically, participants will monitor Orca sounds and measure noise levels (using software that must be downloaded to your computer). The purpose of the project is to learn more about the migration patterns of these creatures.

This activity is labeled for kids. While some of the activities are not meant for kids a good teacher knows how to adapt lessons to their students. These ideas could be used as a starting or jumping off point.

If the Killer Whale Tracker doesn't interest you, the site includes a "Project Finder" which has a drop down menu with all kinds of activities that could be done at home, at night, on line, in the snow or rain, on a walk/run and more. Or you could choose a topic: food, education, birds, animals, geology and earth science and more.

Making our students part of the "Citizen Science" world will not only engage and motivate students, but it will have them thinking about ways they can relate to and help their world.

What do you think of this site? Do you see other ways you could use it with your students/children? Would love for you to share in the comment section below!

More Citizen Science Resources:

Scientific American - Explains the term Citizen Scientist

Citizen Science Central - A site to find or create projects

Filiment Games: Citizen Science - Play a game that "teaches scientific inquiry and limnology" There is a lot of dialogue but looks interesting.

5 Apps that Encourage Kids to be Citizen Scientists by Hack Education

Citizen Science Can Renew a Child's Love of Nature: Article in Education.com by Mike Mueller.

Blog Award - Thank You!

The other day I received a surprise Blog

Award from Michelle White of Mrs. White's 5th Grade Class. While I'm not sure I'm deserving of any awards, it was sure nice to receive some positive feedback. So, many thanks Michelle! It came at a most appreciated time!

The awards comes with some rules and responsibilities which includes the following:

1. Follow the person who gave you the award.
2. Link back to the person who gave you the award.
3. Pass the award on to 15 bloggers.

The Versatile Blogger Award Rules:

1. Thank the blogger who nominated you.
2. Include a link to their site.
3. Include the award image in your post.
4. Give 7 random facts about yourself.
5. Nominate 15 other bloggers for the award.
6. When nominating, include a link to their site.

First, I did follow Michelle's blog as she shares all kinds of wonderful lessons and ideas. If you haven't already, please stop by and leave her a comment. Click on the Lady Bugs below.

It's time to nominate the award to the following blogs. Some of these I have been following & some are new to me:

Dare to Care

For the Love of Teaching

The Teaching Thief

Classroom Creations

Tech Talk for Teachers

TeachNLife

Teaching in Room 6

My Teaching Life: In Spurts of Real, Raw and Random Thoughts

Seven Random Facts about me:

1. Many years ago I went skydiving with my brother which ended up being the reason I got hired for my teaching job...I was considered a risk taker!

2. I secretly like to cook (sshhh...don't tell my husband!) and have started a new blog (One Dish Dining)

3. I love to watch the old "Black & White" movies! My favs: Pride & Prejudice & Wuthering Heights.

4. Love to listen to show tunes (and sing along) including My Fair Lady, Wicked, Momma Mia, Oklahoma, and so many more!

5. I just love all four season of New England! Nothing like sweltering heat or frigid blizzards or watching the Patriots in the Fall & Boston Bruins in the winter.

6. Should care about driving the gas guzzler - but I still love my Explorer after 10 years.

7. My family is everything to me!