21 Day Kindness Challenge

With the school year winding down and students winding up, I needed something quick and easy but still meaningful to help them stay on track and to continue to be kind to others.  So I implemented this 21 day challenge.  The best part?  All you need is a rubber band!  Which I already had in the classroom.  

When I was in college in one of my education classes I was assigned to read the book: A Complaint Free World by Will Bowen.  In the book Bowen talks all about how it takes 21 days to create a new habit.  He uses a wristband to help him form a habit of NOT complaining.  Every time he complains he switches his wristband to a new wrist.  The purpose of the wristband is to make himself more aware of when he complaining.  

I twisted it a little bit to make it more applicable to my student’s needs.  I gave each student a rubber band and challenged them to form the habit of always saying and thinking kind things.  Each time they say or do something unkind they move their rubber band to a different wrist.  It’s been really cool to watch them support each other this week!  

I keep a basket of extra rubber bands on my table….because 5th graders.  

So if you need an easy way to encourage your students try it out!  And if you haven’t read the book, I highly recommend it!  

Reading Through Multiple Lenses

Everyone has heard the saying to "walk in someone else's shoes".  This week, we read through multiple lenses!  This time of year it's always tough to keep students focused.  So why not spice things up a bit with some neon glasses?  

We are studying social issues in reading and many of the characters in the books we are reading do things that we don't necessarily agree with.  The lesson focused on seeing things from their point of view before reacting negatively to them.  The students worked with their reading partner and each student got a different color pair of glasses.  They discussed and answered the two questions: 

1. How would I feel if I were experiencing what the character is experiencing? 

2. What choices might I make in this situation?  

Then they switched glasses.  It was a quick and easy ways to get kids excited, talking, and laughing about books!  

Click the image to download the poster and glasses!  

To-Do Tags

I'm fortunate enough to have volunteers in my room every week and students who have paper-handling jobs.  They help me make copies, file, and prep things.  But I was SO sick of using all my sticky notes to label piles and give directions so I created some super easy To-Do Tags to use.  All I did was print them, laminate them, and used a glue dot to attach them to a clothespin.  I think if I used hot glue I could have attached them to a paper clip, but I was using what I had on hand!!  Please enjoy!!

 

Hello 2017!

Well I'm a little late to the party, but HELLLOOOO 2017!  I don't know where the time goes, but man it sure goes fast.  I'm excited for all of the things 2017 is going to bring and what I plan to accomplish (and not accomplish) this year.  These goals are mostly focused on all things Teach Jane Teach and in my classroom.  Do you have goals for your teaching life?  I'd love to hear them, so please share!  We can all hold each other accountable!  

People, I waste SO MUCH TIME!! Whether it's on pinterest or instagram or chatting with co-workers in the hall.  This year I want to get better at knowing exactly where my precious minutes are going.  And I want to be sure they are going exactly where I want them to go!  Any tips on this?  Help a sista out!  

I am the queen of starting projects and NEVER finishing them.  I started a project nearly two years ago...that is still unfinished.  Who does that?!  Me apparently.  So my goal is to finish all those projects that are sitting around on my computer or in my camera or on my desk.  Some of them are really cool too, so I will definitely be sharing them here!  

I am SO EXCITED about this.  I will be holding a poster session this summer at the ISTE conference in San Antonio.  I am presenting on integrating reading and STEM.  I also plan to share some of my thoughts and ideas here so be on the lookout. (This goes back to finishing my projects!  ha!)

Since I'm presenting at ISTE I thought I'd add this to my list.  I plan to invest in myself to further my educational practices.  I recently signed up for a restorative practices class through my district that starts the first of February and I will finish up a class on reading recovery in April.  #ilovelearning

My professional learning goal this school year is to focus on getting students engaged and keeping them engaged all while keeping the content rigorous.  I'm doing my second classroom transformation tomorrow, so I'll be sure to let you know how it goes!  I already have 3 more planned.  Try to keep things interesting! 

So there you have it!  I hope to stick to these and share my progress here!  Please let me know your goals!  

Make the Most of Your MInutes

We all know how fast the days fly by and how much we have to teach in just a few hours.  I'm here to give you a few quick and easy-to-implement tips for maximizing the time you have with your students during instruction!  

Transition time can eat away at your day in no time!  Teaching your students the expectations of transitions can help you add a few minutes to your instructional time.  Choose a signal.  I like to use music. I choose a new song every week.  I like to choose theme songs from TV shows because they are about one minute long.  By the time the song is over, students should have their things cleaned up and be in their spot ready for the next set of instructions.  I like to keep the same song for a week because it allows the students to become familiar with it and know when it is coming to an end.  

People, these make my stomach hurt or 2 reasons.  They are a management nightmare for me.  

"Stop talking."  

"No, you may not knock on the wall to the classroom behind you."

"Girls, hurry up in there!"

BUT HERE'S THE KICKER:

If you take 2 bathroom breaks during the day that last roughly 10 minutes each, that is 100 minutes every week.  Let's say your calendar allows for 6 hours of time with your students for 180 days....those bathroom breaks translate into SIX DAYS OF INSTRUCTION.  

So let them go when they have to go and teach on.  

You might call it something different at your school, but basically this is a place for students to write down a question or thought they have while you are working with a small group or individual.  When you are finished with your instruction, you answer the questions in the parking lot!  This can be something simple like a spot on the board and the students use a dry erase marker to write.  No supplies needed and no interruptions take place!  

THIS has saved my life.  I keep the step by step directions for an activity on the SMART board while the students are working, that way they can refer to them if they have a question.  You can also display the options for things they can do when they are finished to eliminate the "I'm done!  What can I do?!"

Maybe this should have been number one because it is SO important.  If you are spending your instructional time cutting out supplies and sorting materials, you are wasting precious moments.  I like to lay out my plans and materials I need for the next day in the afternoon before I leave.  Obviously life is not perfect and sometimes I'm downright TIRED, but it helps so much!  Then I don't have to stress about rushing to school in the morning to be the first person to the copier!  

I know these tips aren't rocket science, but I hope they help you make the most of your time with your learners!  

Happy Tuesday!!  I am sure many of you are already a couple of weeks into school like I am.  I remember being a new teacher and setting up my classroom and doing all of the things my school expected of me, I barely even had time to think about a big picture for my year, I was so focused on getting through those first blurry weeks!  Today I'm here to help out a bit.  I have 5 tips that I still use to help me stay on track and remember what's important.  

I put this one first for a reason: this is ESSENTIAL.  If you say you're going to do something, always make sure you follow through.  Whether it is for a student consequence or reward or when speaking to parents and colleagues.  Make sure you stick to what you say.  Your students will catch on really quickly if you say you will do something and you don't actually do it.  

Some students come from hard lives and they aren't given praise, these might be the students you have to really focus on giving them positive feedback because they will only know how to get negative attention.  And in a totally different area, find a colleague who will help you avoid negative talk.  Being a teacher is HARD work.  It's so easy to get sucked in to someone else's negativity.  Try, with all of your might, to avoid that kind of talk.  You will be so happy you do! 

As a teacher, you will have an infinite amount of things on your mind to distract you. Once you step into your classroom, set it all aside and focus on what's most important: your students.  I promise, they will notice and they will love you that much more.  

Keep lines of communication open with everyone you interact with: parents, students, administration, colleagues, and support staff.  Everyone working together makes for a smooth and effective team!  

This one is kind of silly but....I loathe piles.  They stress me out and give me anxiety.  Don't be a paper-piler!  If you use it, keep it, if you don't, get rid of it.  Once you're done with it, put it away.

That's all folks!  Wishing you a smooth year!

HAPPY TEACHING!! 

5 New Read Alouds for 2016

Hey there!  I know there are plenty of great books out there for the first days of school and I know we all have our favorites, but sometimes I need something new to spice things up a bit!  And I'm so excited to tell you about some of my new favorite books I found at Barnes and Noble today!  Most of them are geared toward primary grades, but in my opinion you're never too old for a fun read aloud!  

#1: The Book With No Pictures by B.J. Novak 

This is PERFECT to introduce reading to the younger kids and instill a love of books without pictures for those readers transitioning to higher levels.  It's also great to practice reading with expression, because the whole book is all about how the words make books fun even without pictures!  So when you set up your reading time, this is a fun one to add in!  

#2: Monsters Love School by Mike Austin

This one is just plain cute and the monsters look a little bit like the ones on GoNoodle so I thought the kids would enjoy it that much more!  

#3: The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires 

THIS BOOK IS AMAZING!!!!!!  It is all about a little girl who is trying to invent something magnificent.  It takes the reader through her journey and ends by her enjoying her perfectly, imperfect invention.  It gives you ALL THE FEELS!!!  If you do STEM or a Maker's Space in your classroom, this would be perfect for that!  

#4: Watch Your Tongue Cecily Beasley by Lane Frederickson 

Poor Cecily has the WORST manners.  But luckily in this book, she learns her lesson!  Perfect for introducing your rules and expected behaviors.  

#5: Journey by Aaron Becker 

This book has no words, but it is still amazing.  Sometimes I love to just show the pictures of a book and let the imaginations run wild.  It's all about the character's journey through a magical land.  It would be great for interactive story telling and for introducing expectations for students during read alouds to practice sitting quietly on the carpet.  You could also do PLENTY of crafts with this one!