Wednesday- Links

Here are some things I have been reading. I got to catch up a little over Thanksgiving break.

1. 4 Things We Need to Always Remember in Education– I have recently come across George Couros’ blog. It is a great little boost. He is the author of the Innovator’s Mindset.
2. 20 Practical Ways to Use Google Forms in Class, School– Matt Millar at Ditch That Textbook always has some good posts.
3. 14 Awesome Things Teachers Can Say for Creating Better Learning– This post is from Global Digital Citizen- home of many good PBL ideas. This isn’t one, but it is good.
4. What Innovation is and Isn’t– Another good one from George Couros. I figured I needed one that was not a numbered list. 🙂 This is from his Innovator’s Mindset ‘newsletter- if you sign up, he introduces you to the idea of innovation in the classroom.

There you have it. I hope you read at least one. If you do, let me know which one and what you gleaned from it in the comments.

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Monday Morning Humor

It took me a few tries…AKA I had to look on another page to find the answer. 🙂

Monday Morning Humor- Report Cards

Wednesday Links: Classroom Management Edition

This week, we’ve got some links dealing with a few difficult classroom management issues.

How to Handle Student Defiance– This is a new site I found that seems to have a lot of helpful articles on dealing with many different difficult students. This article provides some ideas for the defiant student.

Reaching Difficult Students– Don’t give up on THAT kid.

Colorful Behavior Charts– I use one, but what are the drawbacks? The author poses the idea of ‘what if our boss managed us with colored cards’. Yikes!

I actually enjoy reading classroom ideas that seem to go against what I do. It forces me to look at what I’m doing to evaluate if it really is worth it to keep using it (sometimes it is), or perhaps looking at the need to change things. (Though I struggle with trying to change too many things at once, so we kind of have to pick our battles)

Monday Morning Humor

Why Do We Do This?

I don’t know about you, but every time I have seen an inspirational teacher movie…Stand and Deliver, Dead Poets Society, Dangerous Minds, Mr. Holland’s Opus or any number of others, I inevitably have a bad case of allergies. The music swells, the kids rally behind the unorthodox, caring teacher…and the tears flow. Well, the tears that others flow. Mine were from allergies.

Who am I kidding, I am often a weeping, sobbing mess…even more now that I have had children of my own and because I am a teacher. The reason I cry is twofold, now. One is I have had one or two of those teachers in my life that I owe something to.

They always gave the best worksheets, the best homework and the best lectures, they taught to the standards and helped me prepare for the state tests…said no student ever. No, it is because they cared. They showed interest in us, believed in us, and an often taboo word for teachers…They loved us. And interestingly enough, this is one of the reasons we do what we do (or it needs to be-hopefully more than not). We don’t teach just to give worksheets, just to teach standards, just to give homework and lectures. 

We can only keep going because we love it. We do it because we hold out hope that one day, we will be that teacher to many kids. The one who cared about them. The one who showed interest. The one who made school a safe place to grow.

In reality, we will not likely have some momentous occasion where we are honored like those in the movies. However, if we are doing it right, we will be remembered for changing a child in some way. We may never hear from them, but for at least one, the note above is the truth.

That is what carries me through some of those difficult times. I HAVE to be making a difference. Somewhere, somehow. Even just for one. If I ever stop trying to be THAT one, I need to get out of teaching right away.

Derrick

Wednesday- Links

Here are some blog posts of interest.

• 50 People and Hashtags you MUST Check Out on Twitter– It is just what it sounds like. A great list if you are new or old to Twitter. Twitter is a great way to extend your Professional Learning Community (PLC) to a global level.
• 10 Engaging Ways to Use Mobile Devices in the Classroom– Even if our students don’t have their own mobile devices, there are some ideas here that can work if you have an iPad or 2, or potentially using the CB.
• Improve Retention, Re-teach Less with This Learning Technique– Great thoughts. This works well with our processing time with our Kagan Structures at our school.
• Deep Learning with Google Tools: 20 Ideas– Since we are already using some of these tools (think Google Docs, Slides, Classroom), here are some ideas to step it up. DOK levels?
• Impact of Poverty on Students: All in Their Minds?– This article deals with the idea that having a growth mindset can help our lower SES students.