Teachable Moment: Trip to the Veterinarian

Every moment can be a teachable moment. Even a simple trip to the veterinarian’s office can become a teaching moment. It doesn’t matter if you are a teacher or a parent, you can use a visit to the local vet as a way to teach your children simple, valuable, and educational lessons.

Responsibility

A trip to the veterinarian is a great time to teach your kids about being responsible. Pets take a lot of responsibility. They need to be feed. They need water. They need adequate shelter. Plus, as a pet owner, you need to make sure that your pet is well-cared for. It should be explained that once pets are sick that they need to be taken to the vet for treatment.

Life cycles

All things go through a life cycle. Pets are no exception. While you are visiting the veterinarian, you can talk to your child about the different stages of life. You can begin by discussing the stage of life that your pet is in. From there, you can begin discussing the other stages of life of your pet.

You don’t have to stop there. You can also begin to discuss the lifecycle of the other animals.

Germs and Parasites

Germs are everywhere. They are a part of an everyday life. And, your children should know they exist. Since Covid-19 came onto the scene, children are more aware of the dangers of virus. However, take the opportunity to discuss their existence along with parasites.  Explain how both can contribute to sickness and disease. You can take a book about bacteria, viruses, and parasites along with you to help you explain.

Writing Activities

Writing is always a great way to get students to better understand a topic. After your trip to the veterinarian’s office, you can have your child, or your students do some writing. Your child can write an expository essay explaining the importance of pet care. Your child can also explain proper pet care. Your child can also compose a narrative about taking his/her pet to the vet.

A trip to the vet can be a great opportunity to teach your child something new or reinforce older skills.  

Preparing for State Tests

The school year is moving rapidly along, and spring is on the horizon. With spring comes state tests. If you work in a public school, then you know the drama that goes along with this: sleepless nights, analyzing data, becoming a motivational speaker for your students, and  of course, planning, planning, and more planning.

This is when I like to do some reviewing with my kids. I like to hit the objectives hot and heavy.  I also make sure that I incorporate a lot of games because my middle school students get bored just talking about testing. I do vocabulary games, spelling games, and comprehension games. Making these games does take time, but I can often find text that I can use to create reading comprehension questions with. When I'm in a real crunch, I just purchase a few items from Teachers Pay Teachers and keep it moving.

Here are some to the games that me and my sensational six graders are using to get ready: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/I-Have-Who-HasVocabulary-Game-for-Middle-School-Students-Set-7-3661372?aref=ddn88ew6




https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Spelling-Scoot-for-Upper-Elementary-Middle-School-Students-Set-3-3024013



Here's games are quick and easy. Plus, they help me keep my kiddos from getting bored (Me, too!)



I know I don't teach 3rd grade. However, once I looked at the reading test that our state gives, I noticed some of the questions were very similar to the ones that are given my middle school students. So, I made this quick little reading comprehension set to help out the 3rd grade students and my middle school students. It works great. Plus, I get to use it as part of my social studies lesson since it is about pirates.

Back to School Preparations

Back to School Preparation

Sadly, Ladies and Gentlemen, school is getting ready to start again. I hope you are ready. I am not. However, here are some things that I am doing to get ready for the crazy back to school rush.

1.   I am creating and posting rules for my classroom.

2.   I am creating my rubrics for my classroom journals and homework.

3.   I have cleaned my room and began organizing my papers so that I can find them more easily.

4.   I have started getting my student journals ready.

5.   I have created my bellringers and printed them off for the first 2 weeks of school. (Bellringers are so time consuming! I make them early so that I am not so stressed later.)

6.   I have created my back to school brochure for Parent Night.

7.   I have created my spelling, vocabulary, and sight word list for the 1^st 9 weeks.

8.   I am trying to get my body back used to school hours.

9.   I am doing my rating on TpT so that I can have some extra money for the TpT back to school sale.

10.                I am posting products for the back to school sale.

 

 

So, what are you doing?

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.