Little Things that Make Your Day

Teaching is stressful, sometimes.... We KNOW that. Here are a few things you can do to lessen the stress without taking a lot of time. I know it is hard to find time during the day, but the truth is if you don't find an outlet you aren't an effective teacher.

1. Walk around the building OUTSIDE. Just one lap. Before lunch or before planning or ask your team if you can have two minutes during recess. Help each other out. :)
2. Put a mini Keurig in your room (buy one as a team even) and stock up with Chai Tea, Hot Chocolate, or Apple Cider. It takes 30 seconds to make and the smell will change your mood.
3. Have healthy snacks, that crunch, available. Granola bars, peppers, carrots, nutragrain bars, dried fruit packs, nuts. THIS IS A GREAT RECIPE: No Bake Energy Bites
4. Choose a 2 minute exercise for each day of the week. Try my chart below.
5. File your nails for 2 or 3 minutes. It will make you feel refreshed.
6. Get a short devotional and read one during lunch.
7. Start a journal listing one success a day. Use this template to get started.
8. Write a note or card to a coworker. Helping others smile will make you smile.
9. Send a letter or email to a friend you haven't talked to in a while. You'll feel more connected to the "real world."
10. Put on a happy tune and sing-a-long.

Academic Choice

What is academic choice and why am I a huge proponent? Let's explore!

We need to assist students in becoming decision makers. In this day and age, we are constantly faced with decisions big and small. From what to eat for breakfast to which major to choose in college. Students need to make decisions that will benefit their education and their life long term. Students also need to take ownership of their work.

Academic Choice is a great way for students to develop these lifelong skills. Currently, students in my language arts class are choosing their word study activities based on their particular learning styles. They are also choosing to complete projects based on Think Dot sheets. They even choose their reading activities (for silent reading and independent reading). Students are gaining independence and are learning to choose methods which meet their learning needs.

To learn more about academic choice click on the links below.

http://www.responsiveclassroom.org/sites/default/files/ac_intro.pdf 

Read an education article on the success and benefits of academic choice:   

http://www.originsonline.org/newsletters/fall-2011-rc/academic-choice-action

http://www.educationworld.com/a_issues/schools/schools017.shtml 

http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/responsiveclassroom/responsiveclassroom001.shtml

Here is a current Think Dot sheet I am using in my classroom as an enrichment activity:

 

Click here to download!

Team Building 101

What is one of the biggest challenges teachers face every year? Students forming clicks, students not wanting to work with each other, and someone being left out. Now, I will say that most students work well with each other and are willing to accept others into their "group." 

Every year we all do team building activities in our classroom:

• Keep the balloon off the ground while holding hands with your team.

• Freeze and/or switch dance (Play a song and start dancing, then stop and let a kiddo choose a move. Everyone must do the move for 15 seconds, then they choose someone else to model a move.. keep going for the duration of the song)

• Friend Scavenger Hunt - (download this in my store!)

• TEAM Puzzle - What does TEAM stand for? 

Together 

 Everyone 

 Achieves 

More! 

                Have students write on a puzzle piece how they will contribute to your class (or entire grade level). They should color the puzzle piece and then cut it out. Put all the puzzle pieces together on the wall with the TEAM poster 

- Download the poster for free here - you can blow it up or print it on regular 8 x 11 paper

- Download the printable puzzle piece!

My team did some awesome team building this year. 

• Hot Lava - Don't you remember playing this when you were a kid? I know I used my mom's "good pillows" for this game a few times. :)

• Hula Hoop Challenge - Your students need to be in a giant circle (you can split them into teams, but mix the classes if you can) and have the students hold hands. Put a hula hoop on the shoulder of one member and the students will have to get the hula hoop around the entire circle without dropping hands. This requires intense team work.

• Graffiti - Yes, you heard me right! Let students bring in sidewalk chalk and they can write positive graffiti all over the blacktop and sidewalks around school. Example: Always try your best! OR Team work rocks! - They were super creative with this one!