Summer School Fun

Summer School Super Fun Time

Okay. I know I said I won’t do it again, but I did. I worked summer school this year. I had an awesome time with the new 3^rd grade students. Here are some fun things that we did during the month of June.

I love watermelons. So, I had the kiddos design their own watermelon as part of a craft activity.

Next, they got to color a picture of a watermelon. Then, they had to write about their favorite summer food.

 

 

We also sailed into summer with this cute craft. We also wrote down some of the things we planned to do this summer.

 

We also did some math this summer. We did some rounding and multiplication.

These are in my TpT store:

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Reading-Problems-Rounding-for-Lower-Elementary-Students-Worksheets-2604175

I also have other worksheets that I created just for my summer school babies.

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Dinosaur-Themed-Word-Problems-Multiplication-Task-Cards-2622188

 

Stay tuned for more from our summer school adventures!!!

 

Bad Grades: Things Parents Shouldn't Do

Things NOT to Do When Your Child Has a Bad Grade

So, your child has a bad grade. Whether it is on a progress report or a report card, there is nothing like the sting of seeing that “D” or “F”. Just as there are a lot of things that you can do to help improve your child’s grade, there are some things that you DON’T DO if you want to help.

Negative Talk

The biggest mistake parents can make when their child has a bad grade is to talk negatively about the child’s teacher. It is so easy to become upset with the teacher and start mouthing off to friends, neighbors, co-workers, your child, and even other teachers who work with the offending teacher. However, this will not help the situation. In fact, it will only help to exacerbate the situation.

The truth is the teacher is not out to get your child. Chances are good that the teacher is also a parent~just like you. He/She is not childish enough to “give” your child a failing grade. Grades have to be record in grade books and turned in to the school office and the state department of education. So, instead of opening your mouth, try talking to the teacher to see what the problem is. Ask your child to explain to you why he/she received the failing mark. Check your child’s grades. And, let’s be honest. Your child’s teacher is human too. Your negative remarks will more than most likely reach his or her ears. Although the teacher won’t intentionally fail your child, he/she WILL NOT offer him or her any extra help or assistance.

Intimidation Doesn’t Work

Why…oh, why do so many parents feel obligated to get on social media and degrade the teacher? Parents, what you are doing is called slander. So, what if you know who the teacher is dating or where he or she hangs out after school hours? The teacher’s job is to educate your child. It is not to cater to your whims. Your threats and malicious gossip will only backfire in the long run. It will not help your child’s grades, and it can possibly land you in court if the teacher decides to pursue the issue. It also makes you look petty.

Do Not Support Your Child’s Bad Behavior

Okay, let’s face it. Most students who have bad grades are behavioral problems…not all but most. Why? Because when a student is confused or can’t keep up, he tends to act out. As a parent, make it a point to get the whole story. Don’t just assume Little Johnny is telling the truth. Find out what is going on in the classroom from the teacher, your child, the principal, and other teachers if possible. Get a clear view of the situation.

No one is perfect. Bad grades can happen to even the smartest students from time to time. What’s important is how you react to those grades as a parent. You are the key to your child’s success. You are also your child’s primary role model. So, instead of displaying negative behavior that can backfire in the long run, put your best foot forward. Work with your child’s teacher to improve his or her grades.

Relieving Mid-Year Teacher Stress

Relieving Mid-Year Teacher Stress:

Here we are again. School is in full swing, and if you are like me, you are feeling just a little stressed. Normal, right? Well, yes, it is normal. No, you can’t control your students’ lack of motivation, the number of state or district tests they take, but you can control you. You can control how you react to that stress and how you allow it to affect you. Here are some of my favorite tips on beating teacher stress.

Keep It Separate

          I know it’s hard, but keep your personal life and your school life separate. Sounds impossible I know. However, it can be done. How? Simple. Quit dragging that pile of work home. Pick 2 days out of the week that you are willing to give up to work on school things like grading papers, creating tests and/or games, and doing lesson planning. The other nights should be left open for your family and your sanity.

Go to Bed

          There is a time and a place for all things. One of those things is called sleep. Go to bed on time. Put those papers down. Put the book down. Turn off the television and go to sleep. Your body will thank you. Your students will thank you. Your spouse will thank you. Your brains cells need this time to recharge. You will also discover that you get few colds if you adhere to a set bed time. No, I don’t mean go to bed at midnight and get up at 4:00 A.M. I mean get those 7 to 8 hours of sleep. So, lights out.

Healthy Snacking

          Okay, I’m guilty. You need a boost of energy. So, you grab those chips or that carbonated soda. Next thing you know, you feel sluggish and you have put on 10 extra pounds. Was it worth it? No! That quick snack cost you. Dear Teacher, please try to have healthy snacks on hand. Stop grabbing those energy drinks and sodas. Instead, grab a healthy snack like nuts, cheese, or fruit. This will help to keep your blood sugar levels stable, your mood stable, and your waistline from bulging.

Know When to Say When

          You just have to grade one more set of papers. You need just a few more minutes to finish that report. That game is going to be so wonder when you finish it. And, you can’t leave the room in such a mess. You just need to finish tidying up before you head home. Stop right there!!! You are overloading your schedule. Stop it. Stop it. Walk away from those papers. Log off the computer. Walk away. Say when.That one more little thing will turn into 2 more little things, and then it will turn into 3 more little things. Stop and walk away. Those papers will be there tomorrow. The janitor is there to assist you. Save yourself some stress. Just walk away.

          Now, teacher, take a deep breath. Remember what I told you and de-stress!

Get Past the Sunday Blues

Sunday Blues

Okay, it’s Sunday again, and if you are like me, you are beginning to feel that push. You know the one where you start getting ready for Monday. You are rushing to eat Sunday dinner so you can start grading papers and posting grades. And, if you are honest, Sunday has become a regular school day for you. It is not only sad. It is depressing. As teachers, we tend to be workaholics. Well, to survive this profession, you almost have to be. But, there is hope.

I read an article today by Christi Wilson on avoiding teacher burnout. It is located at www.educationworld.com. It listed some great strategies on how to deal with the stresses of teaching. One of the strategies she suggested was to leave schoolwork at school over the weekend. Wilson suggests doing all you need to do on Friday BEFORE you leave for the weekend. If that isn’t possible, use some of the plans from you substitute folder. Wow! Sounds awesome. After reading this article, I made a pledge to do just that and stop working on schoolwork on my Sunday.

Here are somethings that I suggest:

Hire Help: Okay…okay. I know you don’t make a lot of money. However, I have found over the years that I am so much more effective when I don’t have to waste valuable time do mundane tasks like grading simple multiple choice papers. I hired an assistant who helps with grading my papers and organizing me classroom. The angels began to sing the first day that I did this, and they have continued to sing. This frees up more of my time for my family and other activities like Teachers Pay Teachers.

 

Give Up a Few Moments of Sleep: It has been proven that most of us do our best work during the earliest part of the day. So, why not get a few minutes earlier and complete those activities that you couldn’t finish earlier.

It also helps to start prepping for school early in the year. I mean like in the summer. I like to create substitute teacher folders, bell ringers, and etc. during the summer.

Be Realistic: Let reality set in. Stop dragging those same papers home and back to school. I know a teacher who gets to school early. She stays late. She lugs a bag full of papers in each day and the same bag of papers back home again each day. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not talking about her because I have been guilty of the same type of behavior. However, there comes a point when reality has to set in. There is only so much that we can accomplish in a day.

So, now finish grading those papers. And, promise yourself that this is the last Sunday that you drag all those papers home.

Surviving the Days before the Holiday

Surviving the Days before the Holidays

Part 1

Yep. It’s that time of the year. It is almost Thanksgiving, and some of you may or may not have had a Fall Break. (My school does not have one. Bummer!) Whether you have had a break are not, chances are good that you are plum wore out at this point. As teachers, we tend to let school become our center focus. We put our own families and lives on the backburner. We have too many things to do, too many papers to file out, and not enough time in the day. And, some of us sell products on TpT. Some of us have a second job. So, what can you do?  This is my first installment of teacher survival tips.

Just Walk Away

So, they want you to be the PTO secretary or they need you to help run the school newspaper on top of everything else you have to do. And, you hate to say “no”. Teachers are often guilty of trying to do too much. After teaching for 8 hours, we often come home and continue to work. Instead of spending this time with our families, we spend it doing lesson plans and grading papers. However, if we are to survive…if we are to be successful at our jobs and at being a “person” outside of work, we are going to have to learn how to just say “no”. That’s it. Just say “no” and walk away. Don’t feel guilty. Don’t wonder who they found to replace you. Don’t worry, and don’t wonder. You deserve to have some time to yourself.

I once had a principal who told me that he and his wife made it a rule to never bring work home. They don’t bring papers home. They don’t talk about unruly students. They don’t discuss school work at all. Their time at home is designated for time for their family.

Sounds it possible doesn’t it? But, it is doable. You just have to make a conscious effort to leave work at work.

Go to bed on time

Next, go to bed. That’s right. Go to bed, and go on time. A lack of sleep can make you feel both physically and mental exhausted. It can lower your immune system and lead to colds and other illnesses. Remember most people need 7-8 hours of sleep each night in order to perform at their best. So, no, those quick catnaps you take on the couch of 2-4 hours doesn’t count. Put those papers down, and go to sleep.

Teaching is a demanding job. In order to stay on top of your game, you have to take time for yourself. Stop taking piles of papers home. Stop taking on extra work. Go to bed on time.

Things to Plan for Your Classroom Now That Summer Is Here

 

Now That Summer Is Here

Now that summer is here, you may have decided to chunk your school books in the corner and relax. To be honest, I don’t blame you. No matter how much we love school, we all get tired. Now, take a deep breath and allow yourself to think about the upcoming school year. What are some things that you can do now that won’t make you even more exhausted, but that will help you make a smooth transition from summer break back to full school mode.

Word Walls

You can go ahead and begin designing your word wall for the upcoming year. Word walls are a great way to help increase your child’s vocabulary and help him or her become a better reader. Pick out words that you know you will use for the upcoming year. You can either design your own word wall or order one from places like Teachers Pay Teachers.

Back to School Activities

Plan your activities for the first day of school or if you’re feeling especially refreshed your first few weeks of school.  You can design fun games to help you get to know your students and help your students get to know you. Some simple games that you can use are Bingo and Scoot. Now is also a great time to create interest inventory quizzes and pre-tests for your subject area. You can even plan fun, age-appropriate craftivities for your students. All students no matter what age love to create things.

Rules and Regulations

No one wants to think about discipline especially in the summer. However, now is a great time to formulate your classroom rules. You may not know who your students are at this point, but you can create generic behavior charts. You can design homework check list sheets, create posters that display your classroom rules, and create behavior contracts.

Become Familiar with Objectives

Who has time during the school year to learn state objectives or standards? If you are like me, you may find yourself crunched for time. So, if you know the grade you will be teaching in the upcoming year, now is a great time to read over those state objectives or standards. Don’t spend all day every day reading them. Simply devote five or ten minutes per day looking over the objectives and familiarizing yourself with them.

Plan Activities

Once you have familiarized yourself with the standards, you can begin to plan activities. I am not suggesting that you do full-blown lesson plans. I am recommending that you take this time to think of the thematic units you want to teach or some ways to make learning those tedious objectives fun.

Schedule Me Time

Summer is definitely “Me Time”. Make sure that this is not the only time you get to spend with your family and yourself. Decide on the days or hours that will be reserved just for you during the school year. It doesn’t matter if it is the weekends, after 5:00 P.M. or Wednesday nights. Just carve out some time for yourself that is school work free. Once you have chosen your “Me Time”, do your best to keep it sacred.

Make the most your summer. Enjoy your time off. And, take advantage of your time away from your busy classroom. Do simple things that can help make your upcoming school year run more smoothly.

Creating Student Authors

Creating Student Authors in Your Classroom

As the school year draws to a close, I am pleased to say “I did it again”. What did I do? Simple. I inspired my students to write and love it. I am a writer. I have published several books on Amazon, and my students know this. I have talked about writing, and my love writing. I had my students write, but I didn’t turn it into a chore. And, guess what? This year, I have 4 girls who have started working on their own books. I have 2 that are actively working on writing poems. Hooray! Last year, I also turned several of my students into writers.

So, don’t give up hope. You can get your students to write and to love it. How? Model writing. Let your students see you writing. Talk about how much fun it is. Start a classroom blog. Work on a book together as a class. Praise what they write. Offer a little advice on their writing. I never criticize what they have written. I offer pointers, and let them go from there. Of course, if they are writing an essay for class, I grade it. But, if they are writing things on their own, I don’t grade. I only encourage.

Another important thing that I do with my students is introduce them to new vocabulary words. I use word walls. I play vocabulary games and vocabulary drills. I use the new vocabulary words often in class. I substitute common words for the new vocabulary words. I give away extra points to the students I catch using the new vocabulary words. These words eventually began to show up in their everyday conversations and in their writing.

To get my students excited about writing, I provide them with opportunities to have their work published. I send some of their best work to the local newspaper for publication. I submit their papers to writing contests. I even provide them with the submission pages and guidelines for teen magazines.

So, as I close this year out, I want to shout “Hooray!” My students are writing and loving it.

You can check out some of my writing journals at my Tpt store: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/2cute-Classrooms