My Teacher Always Says...

I am trying my first Linky Party!!! WOOO HOOO....

Jumping in.... can I swim?

This party is all about those tidbits that come out of our mouths on a regular basis. 

Here are mine!



 *Ducklings follow around their mommas. I don't like to have students follow me around the room.

* I enjoy questioning the kids so they have to stand up and own their answer. 

 I also expect evidence which leads them to their answers.

*Celebrate GREAT thinking!!

*(SOAPBOX ALERT) My weird way to answer kids who ask for extra credit or if they accidently did extra work.  I don't give extra work for extra credit.  There are times when there may be a extra credit on a test. However, if a student (parent) wants it so they can get a 4 instead of a 3 on the report card, I explain they earn their grades and I expect their best as they go.  The way our school grades are set up (Grading for Learning) an extra credit project would not change the grade enough to make the difference they want anyway.  If they need help on a concept, I will give it

 They want extra practice, they can do it.  Meanwhile, their brain would love them for the workout

and the next time the concept shows up they will do better.

(Normally, those asking for extra credit could have done it correctly the first time.)

Again, I LOVE this one, especially for my higher kiddos.  They think or have learned that as long as they do what will get the good grade, it is acceptable.  They find out quickly. I do not let them give the easy answer .  If I know they can provide deeper answers, I expect them.

* I truly believe in my students.  I wish those who lack self concept could see themselves as I see them.  Every child has talents and gifts to share with the class.

 

 *Personal responsibility is the basis of this mantra.  Actually, "Whose responsibility is that?" or "Can I learn for you?" would be two other sayings, which come out of my mouth 

fall into this category as well. 

Wow, I didn't realize how many one liners or questions I say almost everyday, all year long!

*I found that  I said this A LOT the last three weeks of school, as if things changed after 170 days.

(The two ways are the dictionary or try three then see me.)

*This is another one of the "take responsibility for your learning" sayings.  I teach (as we all do) that they have the resources or can find them.  I don't let them off the hook.  I am happy to help after they have exhausted those resources. (21st Century Education) I will help

use the resources, as needed.  But will not play into just giving them the answer

 because they asked.

 

Now it is your turn!

What are your mantras?

How do they demonstrate or exemplify what you want your students to learn or do?

 

~ Growing brain cells together through daily talk ~

Kim

 

Who are you?

What do you do well?  What makes your teaching style special?

   I love this first week back from our winter break.  The specialists are busy DIBELing, which means the interventions are suspended.  That provides an extra 25 minutes in the morning. YES!! What would you do with an extra 25 minutes?  Isn't that like gold for teachers!
   One of the sessions were taken up with a 5th grade District pre-assessment, but the other four were open for my imagination.  Two I have chosen to play review games.  The other two...we gathered on the floor and just talked.  MY FAVORITE TIME! Time to review expectations they set up for the start of the year.  Do they need tweaked?  What do we do well and what needs reinforcement?  We review what makes a Quality World (safety, fun, belonging, power through knowledge, and freedom).  As each is reviewed, I ask students to talk to a partner about what we do in our room that ensures these needs are being met.  It provides incrediable insights into what is sticking with the students, which activities they enjoyed. 
   What did I find out?  Everytime I catch them off guard by tap dancing, wearing a funny hat, taking them to the skate park, or making them move, move, move; they find those activities as fun and engaging. More importantly, content is remembered.  The power and freedom from choice through contracts, Daily 5, and team work is what they want.  Working in teams and morning warm up dances help them to feel like they belong to a special place where everyone in the room will show respect of their opinions. 
    What do your students think make their room the best place to be for five days a week, almost eight hours a day?   As teachers, we need pats on the back and we like to know what is keeping them excited to learn. Go for it....Ask them....then smile, because you are doing what you love and IT IS making a difference!