Putting it All Into Perspective

Tis' the season for hussle and bussle as the first semester comes to an end with grade cards turned in and happy little students leaving the building with homemade presents for their families in hand. 

You close the classroom door with exhaustion and a little frustration as you had high hopes of  completing the lesson plans and leaving the classroom ready to go for 2016.  But instead you turn off the lights to crumbs left from holiday snacks and a pile of items that need to be done before the students return for another year!

As you walk down the hall, you reassure yourselves, that it will get done.  You can come up after Christmas and the to do list from home is completed as it has been neglected since the school year begun.  Which unfortunately leads you to resent the holiday's festivities with thoughts like, if only I could skip that holiday party, or not wrap those presents then I would have time to get some real stuff done!" 

But instead you put on a smile and head to the party for Christmas cheer, where much to your surprise you realize this is just what your body needed a rejuvenating, time with family and friends full of laughs and good times.   It reminds you of what life is truly about and you realize. . .

Life can get pretty chaotic this time of the year and reminders like this really put things into perspective.  Yes, our jobs are hard, there is always a to do list, and one more thing to do.  But in what other profession do you get two weeks off to re-evaluation, restructure and rejuvenate your life before ringing in the new year. 

So with that thought in mind, I encourage you to take sometime for yourself throughout winter break.  

Whatever is on your to do lists is not as important YOU!  Believe me it can wait.  Your students need your whole body and soul to come back re-energized with the passion, and spirit you enter the profession with so many years ago!

If you need a few more quotes like these to gain prospective or get your positive energy flowing, feel free to print a few or all of these FREEBIES.  To be the positive light in your classroom, and school hang them by your desk, your mirror, your classroom door, the staff lounge, or even the staff bathroom:) 

Cheers to a job well done in 2015 and all that is to come in 2016!
-Lindy

A Fun Freebie to Ring in the New Year!

Greetings, Considerate Classroom Friends!

I finally bit the bullet. I am on Teachers Pay Teachers.  Thanks to the encouragement of Cathy Stevens and a few friends.  I am totally in awe of what is out there.  Cathy, as well as so many others, have so many great products.  

So here goes my first Teachers Pay Teachers Product: Toot your horn to review and learn new concepts!

All you need is some party blowers, velcro coins, an empty oatmeal or peanut canister, two pieces of construction paper, scissors, ziploc baggies and this printable. 

Print a set of cards for each student.  In my classroom, I print concepts that each student is currently working on. For instance for a student who is at the beginning stages of learning numbers with a number recognition IEP goal, I might print numbers 1 through 5 and then print a few color cards for them as a review so they can be successful with some cards automatically.  

Next I put a velcro dot on the back of each card and put it in a baggy with a party horn that has the opposite type of velcro dot.  

Normally I put rough velcro on the card and soft on the surface to prevent kids from rubbing up on the surface of a cabinet, shelf, etc and getting scratched.  But in this case, I change it up to maximize my velcro usage.  For example, for one student's review card set I will do rough velcro on the cards and soft on the horn and then for the next student's set I will do the opposite so I don't run out of one type of velcro before the other.  

Next I put together a canister for sorting correct and incorrect answers.  Mine is an oatmeal canister but any large canister will do.  

One side says, "Yay! You did it." 

The other says, "Maybe next time."

The inside of the container has a piece of folded card stock to separate correct answers from incorrect answers for data collection and for a try again method.  

Below is a video of how to play and the method of trying again in a nonjudgemental way to support errorless learning.  The idea is to play in a fun way and help students not feel badly about their incorrect answers but rather re-answer with the correct response before finishing the activity.  

Okay, so I know what you might be thinking... I am suppose to make a set of cards for each student?!?  How do I have the time or materials I need for that?  Well, I will give you a little motivation. By having a set for each student you can send them home as a homework activity.  Speaking from a mom's perspective, it is nice to have 'fun' homework. The kids and the parents will appreciate it.  Send it home in a baggy with this note so parents know how to play the game.

Another option is to store the set for students to do during one on one direct instruction with a para or teacher.   Note: You can really review any concepts in this manner: math facts, sight words, spelling words, thematic vocabulary, the list is endless.  It could be great in a speech or ot session as well!  You can use it to review concepts and work on strengthening oral motor control.  

So there you have it a New Year's Freebie and my first Teachers Pay Teachers product.  Be on the look out for others.  Hang on tight folks, it could be a bumpy ride. Remember I have the tech skills of a preschooler.  (Okay, so maybe that is giving me too much credit! I think my three year-old son has actually surpassed my technology skills.)  

Best wishes, 

Lindy