tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53661537411538672072024-03-08T03:49:00.919-05:00A Peach for the TeachA Peach for the Teachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748495320026219735noreply@blogger.comBlogger97125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366153741153867207.post-38675473031850481792023-06-04T09:36:00.007-04:002023-06-04T09:43:33.143-04:00End of the Year Gifts for Students - Hope Your Summer is Fire<span face="Graphik, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOGjSUtxBsiNhNBLNbVxZCbt74AHX_m2wHoH-iUeTyF6RV4ueMUoAtwTcFtteEHuRhYRAXBrryCQq0Him5bQj_yIx08OZp4rh4o1qLEnBvAwThxqJ67aS4ii4bLN2-QDt62R_ayHdII3nz0iOGPLfTskbhZLY9JSvJ_Yr9qnXKx2iZlN6hYGu1l1Peew/s4024/fire%20preview%204.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2589" data-original-width="4024" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOGjSUtxBsiNhNBLNbVxZCbt74AHX_m2wHoH-iUeTyF6RV4ueMUoAtwTcFtteEHuRhYRAXBrryCQq0Him5bQj_yIx08OZp4rh4o1qLEnBvAwThxqJ67aS4ii4bLN2-QDt62R_ayHdII3nz0iOGPLfTskbhZLY9JSvJ_Yr9qnXKx2iZlN6hYGu1l1Peew/w400-h258/fire%20preview%204.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>If you've spent any time with students this year, you know pretty much everything is "fire" and that they are obsessed with Hot Takis and Hot Cheetos. I wanted to think of a trendy way to send my middle schoolers off for the summer. Enter these end of the school year student gifts.</span><div><span face="Graphik, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span face="Graphik, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;">I printed my end of the year gifts on <a href="https://amzn.to/3WOrFWI" target="_blank">sticker paper</a> so I could just cut them out and stick them on the bags. You could also print them on normal paper or cardstock and staple, tape, glue, or tie them on.</span></div><div><span face="Graphik, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="Graphik, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;">Here's the <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/End-of-Year-Gifts-for-Students-Hope-Your-Summer-is-Fire-9620716">link</a> to buy it from my TeachersPayTeachers store ($1.50):</span></div><div><span face="Graphik, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/End-of-Year-Gifts-for-Students-Hope-Your-Summer-is-Fire-9620716" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9pTIA-txspc7Zt-0Xi74nnBJ1uu_72vQ9shysRrl_aqshrjriylcErMxXDw7cFDThTsil3-dgx8Ct0GjKmVMJTV4gQLD0fytmryS8FFS-j2M2jClYa7gYIJEs10jyzdxTLJIZQQ4JHckEcB9MHGJsIDwd032AQsOs5GrHA-gsrBm0nI0SBEzOzeqWPw/s320/preview%20fire%200.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span face="Graphik, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/End-of-Year-Gifts-for-Students-Hope-Your-Summer-is-Fire-9620716" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJM0qbuGq3DO0T97zfpw9gzcTNXrWvDq8Fqs8c5wcz-TXe4gtBXWiDr1sov7AZCb-WKeIJOzOH59kn01cu082xdJN4tyRNJX6AYrbBTr0-95SsiHegQaDwL4cQtOsTnieYpizy04Ej66Ccsv0ZM-rascK2h9nY6PeSyjo6M5mMm91a1CBLuXfDMrCYBw/s320/preview%20fire%201.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><span face="Graphik, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="Graphik, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="Graphik, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="Graphik, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="Graphik, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="Graphik, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="Graphik, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="Graphik, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="Graphik, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="Graphik, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="Graphik, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="Graphik, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="Graphik, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">You can attach them to any spicy treat-- Hot Takis, Flamin' Hot Cheetos, Dentyne Fire or any other cinnamon gum, dragon's breath rock candy, Fire Balls, etc. I ordered Hot Takis and Dentyne Fire on Amazon Prime, and they were at my house within 1-2 days. </span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="Graphik, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="Graphik, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;">Here are links I found for the cheapest ones on Amazon (referral links):</span></span></div><div><span face="Graphik, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3WNb31o" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="569" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19YSaJMdzr8x3EARQD08heT8ntoIw3fGxsyCazYBx0o7wApdCs-wUJ5OWOfu1hkQy-IPjJY3ZMUp2vHUk5wB4MXwFmFbWwrgfv9mwYf_pbXI__A8KeJLFK29S_1Q7Kl-w_i2Z6-4ukM9VnZH57IcFPQCJXS1_kILOjyr9i8w-4RJb7wMvfAGYg9D1aQ/s320/Takis.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://amzn.to/3WNb31o" style="font-family: Graphik, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;" target="_blank">Hot Takis</a><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span face="Graphik, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"> (Amazon)</span></div><div><span face="Graphik, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="Graphik, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3NaMTuz" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="569" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfILIrmhy7iK3BD0HZsYLUPYDFYag5U2AxZGk0z_fOelYVQT1dkxG8NfM60soB_Payt5HkHto4tzxSHNRxcNta6H1u5ykSH2Ld6n4ZD-kJ-hEKJOEbIMnG-fZzoSFAaFmCgGJSKJfng__I1FY6bOOoNn3_3J8dQTbMKNJijxM0yCaWN_z7A86jNQgJAA/s320/Cheetos.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://amzn.to/3NaMTuz" style="font-size: 16px; text-align: left;" target="_blank">Flamin' Hot Cheetos</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"> (Amazon) </span></div></div><div><span face="Graphik, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="Graphik, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3oItgRn" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vfAx-6biVzZGUpQyTL5koIVVzmIDhAwSaFRhoWDLiqTULSVlLn4udiMwqBmGarSKooc9U_q0BtT0VOqEWk-vrX3y96hVxXFBUxwtApXtvD9EqCvBxmjlv3-vgvtm8_I4LABMXjZeqKVva2uTMJVmHGphtvCdB_ikoPxUbpEldQehC8x1GXvXw4SQVg/s1600/Dentyne.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://amzn.to/3oItgRn" style="font-size: 16px; text-align: left;" target="_blank">Dentyne Fire Gum</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"> (Amazon)</span></div></div><div><span face="Graphik, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3N9iRHM" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="603" data-original-width="466" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYYN8096W8sEB62TrKtdHtGAaKmWGEvgmwK6hEjczYwwA0iWJ4B4DciPdzugw32S2ppRiV17peyvyIL9PKPuCeizgX3fJZFOs4WrZHRNuH2986g1AyoAnK_tSVl3-y2xDYIEaJhOh7AJD0ZMEEaDDGxIbNumgKod9oOY_xjhcz7uHqEM6WiwTZRLMANA/s320/FireBalls.jpg" width="247" /><span face="Graphik, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"></span></a><span face="Graphik, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3N9iRHM" target="_blank">ATOMIC Fire Balls</a></span><span face="Graphik, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"> (Amazon)</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><span face="Graphik, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="Graphik, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="Graphik, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="Graphik, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="Graphik, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="Graphik, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="Graphik, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="Graphik, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="Graphik, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="Graphik, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="Graphik, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="Graphik, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="Graphik, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="Graphik, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="Graphik, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="Graphik, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="Graphik, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="Graphik, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="Graphik, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;">Hope your students (and you!) have a summer vacation that's lit.</span></div></div><div><span face="Graphik, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbbH5G5ZMN-CEnykiTSV4OyTS0KtFwpKz8tKgWeaf8rY5NEagnA2pPBeYTvL7OUDBPL1_yYaV9myXDkwTVpYGZLblPPzCKhBTz7o786JRmMtmYcXrzB7dGgL9uj99SnVlO8L_Obp6E2lfAk7Fdfa8LJm2sIZypy3_SBBRzJ93SfmKxH-b7-c_hslYN2Q/s36/peach.PNG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="36" data-original-width="36" height="36" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbbH5G5ZMN-CEnykiTSV4OyTS0KtFwpKz8tKgWeaf8rY5NEagnA2pPBeYTvL7OUDBPL1_yYaV9myXDkwTVpYGZLblPPzCKhBTz7o786JRmMtmYcXrzB7dGgL9uj99SnVlO8L_Obp6E2lfAk7Fdfa8LJm2sIZypy3_SBBRzJ93SfmKxH-b7-c_hslYN2Q/s1600/peach.PNG" width="36" /></a></div><span face="Graphik, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><br />A Peach for the Teach</span></div>A Peach for the Teachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748495320026219735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366153741153867207.post-80873354051028310752018-07-08T19:50:00.002-04:002018-07-08T19:50:40.866-04:00I'm baaaaack!Hey, peach pals!<br />
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I haven't blogged in two years... mega oops. I had a baby, if that explains things lol.<br />
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But I'm back and I have a few new blog post ideas up my sleeve. Stay tuned.<br />
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First, I thought I'd share my end of the year parent gifts. I put them on TPT (<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/End-of-Year-Parent-Appreciation-Gifts-3904718" target="_blank">here</a>) for $1 just in case anybody also wants to buy the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N9NVL6E/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B01N9NVL6E&linkCode=as2&tag=apeaforthetea-20&linkId=1a320e395505ff3e4fc7bc08b3cfce32" target="_blank">charms</a> ($4.99 on Amazon for SEVENTY of them... You read that right lol. I bought them and they're legit.) to keep it affordable. Because you know you're going to raid Target this summer for your classroom, no matter how much you try to resist.<br />
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Yeah, this waaaayyy too true.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGabImJ_nDLPFHd00Y4Ew96mSBysOR_LXCh49jer6mAd1pT9LOj-0GclMDE4oyKX9BGsKMabQejxEBUQBs7B26betnTVxNoytmUDlH7oO7G8nY4RlysQ5Z_6LO10rl9aR3nREHwQcRRKPb/s1600/maury.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="959" data-original-width="935" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGabImJ_nDLPFHd00Y4Ew96mSBysOR_LXCh49jer6mAd1pT9LOj-0GclMDE4oyKX9BGsKMabQejxEBUQBs7B26betnTVxNoytmUDlH7oO7G8nY4RlysQ5Z_6LO10rl9aR3nREHwQcRRKPb/s320/maury.jpg" width="311" /></a></div>
Meme Credit: <a href="http://digitaldivideandconquer.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Digital: Divide and Conquer</a><br />
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Sigh. Anyway, here's what the end of year gifts look like if you'd like to check them out. I also made one shaped like an apple and threw in one that has an apple printed on it in case you don't want to buy the charms.<br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/End-of-Year-Parent-Appreciation-Gifts-3904718" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="357" data-original-width="567" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Qn-7o0jxe90BLuqtcH8gF3kNjIil9F10JMVvupbINjN7zC8LMaqy1cGA59gTyuhbw6snUi-0L4lGXaqqMbjmWG5goDG98LTbOLuRBIulxrHN862zrrkQpk5ly5b83vzwBYWabm9RyBJ1/s320/gift.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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See what I did there, <b>Apple</b>gate? Tee hee hee. Figured I had to throw a mom joke in there since I'm a mom now.<br />
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Gotta run. Thanks for reading!<br />
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Be back soon,<br />
<br />
<img align="left" src="https://www.crayonboxlearning.com/images/brandi-signature.png" />A Peach for the Teachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748495320026219735noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366153741153867207.post-80375135959347208762016-08-16T12:18:00.003-04:002016-08-16T12:18:51.383-04:00Poetry Project<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Poetry. That dreaded word. It sends shivers down our students' spines. It even sends some teachers into cold sweats. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I remember thinking I hated poetry in school, until my teacher introduced me to Shel Silverstein. I fell in love with poetry, and I was determined to make my students do the same.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I decided to host a poetry slam and to make a fun poetry project that would get my class interacting with poems. I could just teach them the different types of poems, but would they remember them? I started off the unit with a bag of candy and told the class we'd be learning about how to write candy poems. That got their attention! We wrote odes to their favorite candies, and they were starting to come to the dark side, hehehe.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">I decided to create a whole poetry project with a component that teaches the types of poems and a forum that let students exercise their creativity and write each type of poem. </span><br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Poetry-Project-and-Craft-2734193" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oavkLZKEjqM/V7M2xsXRwsI/AAAAAAAABqE/vWXVdjLhumoih0fnqwt1iXw_Mhfl2u99ACEw/s400/pinterest3.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I bought a pack of <u><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0076ZYXUK/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=apeaforthetea-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B0076ZYXUK&linkId=44e3f0ea29356292ecd92fe62bda6c95" target="_blank">felt berets</a></u> and a pack of <u><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018HCH8VQ/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=apeaforthetea-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B018HCH8VQ&linkId=f8f67921d320d5a83a6037edbe0b0d09" target="_blank">sunglasses</a></u> from Amazon.</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Poetry-Project-and-Craft-2734193" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OxEesgwSXHA/V7M2xtJWhOI/AAAAAAAABqI/gDL1mHoLyXsErQhACYw--Ozs6X6F7f7twCEw/s640/pinterest2.png" width="452" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Guess what? THEY. LOVED. IT. I loved it. My entire class could tell me all the types of poems by the end of the projec</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">t.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; line-height: 16.003px;">Help your students develop a love for poetry with this fun poetry project and poet craft. </span></span></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; line-height: 16.003px;">First, teach the different types of poems using the "Types of Poetry" booklet and slides. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; line-height: 16.003px;">Next, have students create their own poems using the "Collection of Original Poetry" student poetry booklets. Each booklet has the necessary number of lines for each type of poem, which provides appropriate scaffolding and makes a great assessment. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; line-height: 16.003px;">Finally, students create a poet craft using their own faces. This craft gets attached to students' poetry booklets for a fun hallway display. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; line-height: 16.003px;">This is a great project for back to school, National Poetry Month, to accompany a poetry unit, or even for the last week of school.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; line-height: 16.003px;">Host a poetry slam as a culminating poetry project. Invite parents or another class to watch students perform their favorite poems. Bring in a stool, spotlight, berets, and sunglasses, and watch students' poems come to life!</span></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #202020; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 16.003px;"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Poetry-Project-and-Craft-2734193" target="_blank">Get it from my Teachers Pay Teachers store <u>HERE</u>.</a></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Do you have any fun things you do to teach poetry? I'd love to hear about it in the comments below!</span><br />
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<img align="left" src="http://www.crayonboxlearning.com/images/brandi-signature.png" />A Peach for the Teachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748495320026219735noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366153741153867207.post-23486800673026921012016-08-04T09:04:00.000-04:002016-08-04T09:12:04.613-04:00Classroom DecorShot out the all the teachers whose classrooms aren't exactly spacious. There are a lot of perks to small rooms, and they really force a teacher to get creative. (Please excuse blurry picture quality. I'm using my old computer, because I kinda' killed my new one... oops!)<br />
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<br />Empty Wall Space = DIY Bulletin Board</h3>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GorMJn2jCq4/V6M5NQ6phyI/AAAAAAAABo4/FPE4kp22V_YKyD4y0_C1Ayce8tjHREiCQCLcB/s1600/OUR%2BBEST%2BWORK.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="331" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GorMJn2jCq4/V6M5NQ6phyI/AAAAAAAABo4/FPE4kp22V_YKyD4y0_C1Ayce8tjHREiCQCLcB/s640/OUR%2BBEST%2BWORK.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I didn't have a very big bulletin board, but I did have a big empty wall space. I bought a cheap black bed sheet, cut it, and used a hot glue gun to stick it to the wall. I attached border with a glue gun, as well. I took on this project solo, so I glued the center first. That way, it wouldn't fall down while I tried putting it up.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SLX_WNBmgYo/V6M5qJ5s1II/AAAAAAAABpA/ga7eQhcomqo4ZPK2kP9VsC8ObdQw5T4qQCLcB/s1600/student%2Bwork%2Bdisplay%2Bsimple.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="435" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SLX_WNBmgYo/V6M5qJ5s1II/AAAAAAAABpA/ga7eQhcomqo4ZPK2kP9VsC8ObdQw5T4qQCLcB/s640/student%2Bwork%2Bdisplay%2Bsimple.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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To figure out how long to cut it, I counted the floor tiles along the wall. Then, I spread the sheet across that many floor tiles and cut it to size. Next, I counted the number of cinder blocks on the wall and divided by two to find the center block. I put hot glue on the center block, stuck the sheet up, and worked my way outward. I also glued the letters on starting with the middle letter.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wgBYRdnHEjw/V6M5dq5O5WI/AAAAAAAABo8/0GdcfJ47j6E5O-flwDCZPLKGqdmrY9XkgCLcB/s1600/out%2Bbest%2Bwork%2B2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="387" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wgBYRdnHEjw/V6M5dq5O5WI/AAAAAAAABo8/0GdcfJ47j6E5O-flwDCZPLKGqdmrY9XkgCLcB/s640/out%2Bbest%2Bwork%2B2.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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It's tough to see because the board is longer than my camera's view, but it says, "Our Best Work," with colorful clothespins. It makes it really easy to display student work throughout the year, because I can't use a stapler since it's not a real bulletin board, and we all know what happens when we try getting tape to stay on cinder block walls.<br />
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Filing Cabinet = Magnetic Board to Complement Classroom Door</h3>
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I turned my filing cabinet into a matching magnetic bulletin board by hot gluing the rest of the bed sheet, letters, and some border. I have my students develop our class rules on the first day of school. We write it and put it on chart paper, which I then attach to this bulletin board.<br />
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The <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Silly-Stars-FREE-Clip-Art-Line-Art-for-Teachers-234464" target="_blank">cute little stars from Graphics from the Pond</a> are what I use for my clip chart. When a student's clip gets to the top of the chart, the whole class cheers. Kids can clip each other up and earn clip-ups for noting the positive in one another-- including those who aren't their bffs. This really has helped the climate of my classroom, and we were able to phase the clip chart out by the end of the year because they were just motivated to be nice to each other because it felt good.<br />
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Our classroom door makes up the word "WELCOME," and it reads, "When you enter this little room, consider yourself one valued member of a team that enjoys learning together." The word "together" fell off, but you get the idea! #keepinitreal<br />
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Student Materials Storage</h3>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-86cdVz7TZy4/V6M50TFiDcI/AAAAAAAABpI/6NM3YOqQaVQfxOGTHoruQAMVCJfDQ8qfACEw/s1600/finished%2Bunfinished%2Bwork%2Bbins.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-86cdVz7TZy4/V6M50TFiDcI/AAAAAAAABpI/6NM3YOqQaVQfxOGTHoruQAMVCJfDQ8qfACEw/s640/finished%2Bunfinished%2Bwork%2Bbins.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is a simple little classroom organization technique that we build in with our procedures. Every morning, students get morning work from the unfinished bin, and all completed work goes into the finished bin. There's a sharp and unsharp pencil cup, so nobody ever sharpens pencils during class time. One student is in charge of making sure the pencil cup is filled and sharpened.<br />
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I also keep caddies between students' desks containing all needed materials (i.e., pencils, highlighters, crayons, colored pencils, dry erase markers, glue, scissors, and paint brushes). Kids know where we keep paper, and all manipulatives are stored in plastic cereal containers so I never have to pass them out or collect them.<br />
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Desk Pops</h3>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hmukZKq6u4E/V6M7X09UJbI/AAAAAAAABpg/Cji7q0OvfSU13x7OuYZjibXbe7h1PzJdgCLcB/s1600/wall%2Bpops%2Band%2Bdesk%2Bpops.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="473" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hmukZKq6u4E/V6M7X09UJbI/AAAAAAAABpg/Cji7q0OvfSU13x7OuYZjibXbe7h1PzJdgCLcB/s640/wall%2Bpops%2Band%2Bdesk%2Bpops.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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On students' desks, I put some <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002IRWOSE/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=apeaforthetea-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B002IRWOSE&linkId=775501033f1f75c76193ea6bf956c3a9" target="_blank">Wall Pops</a> (or, as I call them, Desk Pops!). We have a competition to see who can respect his or her space and keep the Pops in good condition. To keep kids competing with themselves instead of with each other, you can try to get them to beat their personal records for number of days left in good condition. Or, you could just buy a bunch of them and accept that some kids need to pick at them and go on with your day, haha! These are great for word work or math facts practice if kids finish their work early. My kids who like to write to learn love using them. I use them as incentive for reluctant learners to finish their work so they could draw on their pops. Sometimes I write encouraging notes, reminders, or lesson materials on their pops. They work well for Scoot games, as well.<br />
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Old Chalk Board = Magnetic, Interactive Word Wall and Focus Board</h3>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IP0yKNAD3FU/V6M52p5t7AI/AAAAAAAABpU/aFoQNTdp2qUpoUsx64QSl46WqXECgBQgwCEw/s1600/focus%2Bwall%2Bword%2Bwall%2Bmay%2Bdo%2Bmust%2Bdp.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IP0yKNAD3FU/V6M52p5t7AI/AAAAAAAABpU/aFoQNTdp2qUpoUsx64QSl46WqXECgBQgwCEw/s640/focus%2Bwall%2Bword%2Bwall%2Bmay%2Bdo%2Bmust%2Bdp.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm so fortunate to have a SMARTBoard-- so much so that I never use my chalkboard. I thought about having it taken down to free up some wall space, but then I thought- hey, why not use it as a magnetic word wall? It was easy to just write the words in with chalk. This year I'm going to try to make magnet-backed words so students can bring them to their seats to use while writing.<br />
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I also made a focus wall on the chalkboard. This goes along nicely with our <i>Reading Wonders: Wonder Works</i> curriculum. Last year, I wrote out my objectives each week as I went and wrote "Unit ___ Week ___ Day ___" on the back of each. During downtime (or the end of the year), we laminated them and filed them to use for next year. Should be really easy to just pull them out and stick them up! It's a nice spot for students to reference and for me to use for quick review.<br />
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I also have a "MUST DO" and "MAY DO" spot that I made with my <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002IRWOSE/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=apeaforthetea-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B002IRWOSE&linkId=775501033f1f75c76193ea6bf956c3a9" target="_blank">Wall Pops</a>. With dry erase marker, I write all of the assignments students need to complete in the top circle, and in the bottom I write everything early finishers can complete. You could also write incentives in the bottom circles to entice reluctant workers to complete their work.<br />
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<br />Fonts</h3>
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I used the font <a href="http://www.dafont.com/mtf-jumpin-jack.font" target="_blank">MTF Jumpin' Jack</a> for most of my classroom displays. Because I teach learning support and the original font has uppercase letters and some lowercase letters, I substituted some letters from Kimberly Geswein fonts. I love her easy-to-read <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/KG-Second-Chances-Font-Personal-Use-716428" target="_blank">KG Second Chances</a> font. I used my <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NAX7H78/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=apeaforthetea-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B00NAX7H78&linkId=f27eeb6a6893107d7df9a9898aa657f8" target="_blank">Silhouette Cameo</a> paper cutting machine to cut them out, but you could also print them in different colors and cut them out. I laminated the letters, but when I cut them out, I left some lamination between the letters so I ended up with whole words and not a ton of tiny letters floating all over the place.<br />
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Have any classroom decor ideas you love? I'd love to hear about them in the comments!<br />
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<img align="left" src="http://www.crayonboxlearning.com/images/brandi-signature.png" />A Peach for the Teachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748495320026219735noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366153741153867207.post-3499729875115185122016-07-31T15:30:00.001-04:002016-07-31T15:30:45.161-04:00Door DecorI always see the cutest ideas for classroom doors, but then I remember, "Oh, yeah. I'm not artsy." I pretty much look at something and decide it's a Pinterest fail waiting to happen.<br />
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Printing out cute clipart, though? Now, THAT I can do. Just print a couple pictures and a slogan in a nice font (or recruit a family member to hit up the die cut machine), and you're set.<br />
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This was a door I made that was soooo easy, thanks to clipart I bought from <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Scrappin-Doodles/Search:superhero" target="_blank">Scrappin' Doodles</a>. Print, cut, stick to door, done. I cut out a few black rectangles and a bunch of yellow squares for the windows and stuck 'em together. I used font from <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Graphics-From-The-Pond/Category/Fonts-7662" target="_blank">Graphics from the Pond</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y3uPwYnPlEo/V55RUaQCeQI/AAAAAAAABoA/BDsc94vplJwdDfEyzr-mEw3KeHQ9xTCnQCLcB/s1600/super%2Blearner%2Bheadquarters%2Bdoor.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y3uPwYnPlEo/V55RUaQCeQI/AAAAAAAABoA/BDsc94vplJwdDfEyzr-mEw3KeHQ9xTCnQCLcB/s640/super%2Blearner%2Bheadquarters%2Bdoor.PNG" width="422" /></a></div>
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I actually measured my door at school and then made the buildings at home while watching trashy television. Score! I can never get the spot where the doorknob goes to look like a grown-up cut it out, so I made a yellow star-ish shape with an X cut into it and popped it over the doorknob. Easy peasy!<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XlcPzI9pAsE/V55RVuQ749I/AAAAAAAABoE/WpVIWHV6YLwNXZl23P9hlrhdiJLQUkFnwCLcB/s1600/welcome%2Bclassroom%2Bdoor.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XlcPzI9pAsE/V55RVuQ749I/AAAAAAAABoE/WpVIWHV6YLwNXZl23P9hlrhdiJLQUkFnwCLcB/s640/welcome%2Bclassroom%2Bdoor.PNG" width="340" /></a></div>
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Here's another door I made using my <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NAX7H78/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=apeaforthetea-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B00NAX7H78&linkId=6c2e89fa6e06e9026f0e4453fc4a8c67" target="_blank">Silhouette Cameo</a>. If you're not familiar, it's a paper-cutting machine. It works like a printer, but instead of printing with ink on paper, it cuts paper. It's pricey, but I've used it so many times. I love it.<br />
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For this door, I used the font <a href="http://www.dafont.com/mtf-jumpin-jack.font" target="_blank">MTF Jumpin' Jack</a> and had my <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NAX7H78/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=apeaforthetea-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B00NAX7H78&linkId=6c2e89fa6e06e9026f0e4453fc4a8c67" target="_blank">Silhouette Cameo</a> cut out the shapes on different colored paper. You could probably do the same thing by printing the letters in color on paper and cutting them out.<br />
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I laminated the words at home, but when I cut them out, I left a tiny bit of lamination between each letter. That way, the letters stuck together and I only had to tape words to my door and not individual letters... Because, as Sweet Brown said, "Ain't nobody got time for that."<br />
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Have any door ideas you love? Share in the comments!<br />
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<img align="left" src="http://www.crayonboxlearning.com/images/brandi-signature.png" />A Peach for the Teachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748495320026219735noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366153741153867207.post-73131861397002936532016-04-30T10:22:00.001-04:002016-04-30T10:23:09.929-04:00You Lost Your Patience with a Student and Feel Terrible... Now What?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We've been getting asked a really similar version of the same question recently in our Emotional/Behavioral Support Crew Group, and I know most teachers have been there at some point, so that brings us to today's blog post.<br />
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<i>Christy asked, "Some days I feel like I handle situations well and other days I have an overwhelming feeling of guilt and disappointment with regard to how I handled a situation. I don't always handle a behavior in the best way. I know I am only human but it crushes me! Do you have things you do to build yourself back up? How do you cope with feelings of regret or left-over frustration with yourself?"</i><br />
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<i>Krista asked, "Do you ever lose your temper and then feel really bad about it afterward? I yelled at [some students] today and now I feel bad... And I had just had a proud moment with one of them the other day, and now another set back! Ugh!"</i><br />
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<b>You may not feel like it, but you're one of the good ones.</b><br />
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After losing your patience with a student, you're feeling guilty, sad, frustrated, the whole nine. You can replay it, lose sleep, and beat yourself up over it, but will that change what happened? Nope. My friend's grandma used to say, "Worry is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but it doesn't get you anywhere." Remind yourself of this: The fact that you asked this question, decided to read this blog post, or gave it a second thought-- that shows that you're one of the good ones. You care, and that's everything. Remind yourself that you're one of the good ones, and allow yourself permission to get off the rocking chair.<br />
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Looking back on a situation, it's pretty easy to see what we should've, could've, or would've done. It's easy to see how we should have responded to stimuli when we take the emotion and environmental factors out of the equation. In the moment we lost our cool, though, we were experiencing responses to emotional and environmental factors. We had a meeting and paperwork during lunch (low blood sugar), high pressures due to state testing and work demands (stress), lack of time needed to complete important tasks (anxiety), and a class of students who need us (passion). So look at this objectively-- Low blood sugar + stress + anxiety + passion = Ut-oh. We learned all about Maslow's Hierarchy of Need in our educational preparation, and guess what? That same stuff applies to adults, as well.<br />
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Behavioral caregivers and educators sometimes experience what is known as <a href="https://traumaawareschools.org/secondaryStress" target="_blank">secondary trauma</a>. It is under the umbrella of post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD. People who care for individuals who have experienced trauma may themselves experience traumatic responses. Self-care is incredibly important here. It is crucial to cut yourself a break. You are only human. It can be incredibly difficult to manage the demands of teaching and also experience daily emotional and/or physical aggression. Reach out to the teachers in your building who may teach students who have experienced significant trauma, and come to them with something positive. Often, teachers of students who have significant behavioral needs have several teachers come to their classrooms each day with "bad news," and that can be difficult, as well.<br />
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<b>But We Can't Make Excuses. We Must Make Amends.</b><br />
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Still, though, we can't make excuses. If we made those excuses every day and didn't work to modify our own behavior, we'd be as "highly effective" as Mr. Kimball, Madame Umbridge, Miss Trunchbull, Mr. Garrison, Ms. Halsey, any of Charlie Brown's teachers, Mr. Rooney, or Ferris' Bueller's economy teacher. So what can we do?<br />
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Channel the guilt into making yourself better. What will you change in the future? What will you do the next time you feel frustrated with this particular student-- or another? How will you take care of yourself? Maybe start walking or running, practicing yoga, buying an adult coloring book, meditating, taking up a hobby, therapy, whatever helps you. Write a behavior plan-- for the student, and then one for yourself. Tell yourself what you would tell your student, that it's okay to <i>feel </i>angry, but with self-control we don't have to <i>act </i>angry... angrily? Grammar fail. Keep track of how often you <i>do </i>keep your cool, and make that your new goal/habit. Maybe reward yourself when you keep up with your goal.<br />
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Remind yourself why you went into teaching. Be the teacher you'd like to have when you were a student. We can uplift or crush our students' spirits. Make it your mission to give this student some extra attention and praise this week. Make it your mission to uplift his or her spirits all day tomorrow.<br />
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As they say, often the students who need the most love may ask for it in the most unloving ways.<br />
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<b>Use it as a Teachable Moment</b><br />
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I remember being in school, and my teacher got really frustrated with us. Our whole class kept talking, and she had patiently asked us to stop about a bazillion times. It was a gorgeous spring day outside, and we just wanted to go out for recess. I had just learned how to whistle and started whistling, completely unaware that this was not something you should do in the classroom. I had done it at home, and everyone praised me, and at recess the day before I was the cat's pajamas. My teacher, in her deepest and angriest voice, whisper-yelled, "WHO is <i>WHISTLING</i>?" Then, one of the kids in my class yelled, and all the kids giggled, and my teacher slammed her hand on her books. We became dead-silent. Then she looked at us, giggled, and said, "Oops, I didn't mean to slam my hand that hard. I'm sorry I lost my temper." One of the kids in my class apologized for yelling, too.<br />
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We had a conversation about how even teachers lose their tempers sometimes and what it feels like to repeatedly ask someone to do something and have them not do it. She called a couple kids up to the front of the room to be the "teachers," and my teacher pretended to be a "student." The "teachers" had to call out a demand, but the "student" kept ignoring them, being silly, etc. Eventually, the "teachers" were yelling at her to listen. It was a lightheated way for her to get her message across, and all she'd have to say was, "Repeating myself is no fun," and we'd all behave. We felt respected, and we understood her.<br />
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Next time you lose your cool, just apologize and use it to model appropriate behavior. Teach kids how to treat you and each other in the calm moments, too. You lost your cool because you care. Your regret stems from love, and the kids will certainly pick up on that.<br />
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<b>When You're About to Yell, Try This Instead</b><br />
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Sometimes, if I am reaching my breaking-point and feel like yelling, I will whisper instead. Not in a creepy or she-may-have-a-screw-loose kind of way, but in a fun way. "If you can hear me [take out your book, grab a pencil, clean up, pat your head and rub your belly]." The kids who are listening will do it, and soon the rest of the class will wonder why everyone is doing it and will get on board. Other times, I'll tell them my throat hurts and that I don't want to have to talk over them. Sometimes I'll say I am starting to feel frustrated and would like to feel proud instead and ask if they can help me with that. Works like a charm. Empathy works wonders here. Occasionally, I'll use a pouty lip face. I channel my best inner Pout Pout Fish, puppy-dog eyes, and just look at my class. It quiets them instantly. Then I'll give them a big smile. Thankfully I teach elementary school, but you maybe could get away with this if you make it super obvious you're joking in the upper grades. Here and there, I'll pull the Hulk card and tell the class they wouldn't like me when I'm angry. I say it with a smile, of course. From time to time, I will clap a pattern for the kids and have them clap it back. I'll tell them I'm watching for kids who are [insert appropriate behavior] to high-five. A lighthearted, "Really?" with a headshake and a smile sometimes is more redirecting than a yell. Humor is a great de-escalator, because it lights up an entirely different part of the brain. When you want to yell, pull out a positive reinforcement strategy instead.<br />
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Replace, "Why doesn't anyone have their books out?!" with "I'm looking to see who has his or her book out and is ready to go."<br />
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Instead of, "Stop talking!" try, "I love how nice and quietly [so-and-so] is working." (Careful with upper grades- may embarrass students. Instead, "I see a few of you working quietly, and I really appreciate that/it will be reflected in your grade/etc.")<br />
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Rather than, "Sit down!" use, "Who is making me proud and sitting in his or her seat?"<br />
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Instead of, "We're not going to have time to get through this!" say, "Remember yesterday (or in September) when you were really quiet and worked hard on your paper? That was awesome. I appreciate when you do that. Let's do that again today!"<br />
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Replace, "You need to pay attention!" try, "What a difference it makes when you pay attention and put forth your best effort. If you keep that up, I see really big things for you/you'll probably earn an A on this assignment/your reading will improve so much."<br />
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When you want to yell, point out something they did well instead, and ask them to emulate it again. Caution-- when a child hasn't experienced success or doesn't believe in herself, this won't be motivating. Try first showing the child one small thing she did better today than she did yesterday, and tell her it was because of her hard work or how proud you are of her. Then, tell her that she can use that same effort again to do whatever task you ask of her next.<br />
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<b>The Pep Talk</b><br />
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We have a lot of stress, and sometimes even trauma, that we bring with us as we look out at all the little faces in our classrooms. Hindsight is 20/20; worry is a rocking chair; and you are human. It's okay to not be 100% all the time, as long as you keep working to be better than you were yesterday. Your regrets stem from love, and you reacted strongly because you care. You really, really care. That is evidenced by the fact that you've read this post, lost some sleep, or cringed at yourself. Guilt won't change what has happened, but you can channel that guilt into making a plan for the future. Cut yourself a break as you hold yourself accountable. Think of each guilty moment as the learning experience that brings you closer to being the teacher you want to be. Shower that kid with tons of positive attention moving forward. Learn from it. Forgive yourself. You are one of the good ones. You just had a day. Make tomorrow a better one.<br />
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Have you been there? Do you have any other ideas that help? Share in the comments below.<br />
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<img align="left" src="http://www.crayonboxlearning.com/images/brandi-signature.png" />A Peach for the Teachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748495320026219735noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366153741153867207.post-15461732636810505932015-10-12T00:40:00.002-04:002015-10-18T18:59:50.924-04:00New Product and New LookA big thank you goes out to Danielle at <a href="http://www.crayonboxlearning.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Crayonbox Learning</a> for our new blog design! Love it! She's such a hard worker. Check out her blog! <br />
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Along with our new look, we also (finally) have a <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Multiplication-Memorization-2144885" target="_blank">new product</a> listed.<br />
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Multiplication can be challenging for our students. Why not make it fun? This <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Multiplication-Memorization-2144885" target="_blank">set</a> gives teachers and students lots of different options for multiplication fact practice.<br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Multiplication-Fact-Memorization-Progress-Tracker-and-Motivator-2157449" target="_blank">FREEBIE</a></h4>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Multiplication-Fact-Memorization-Progress-Tracker-and-Motivator-2157449" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Multiplication-Fact-Memorization-Progress-Tracker-and-Motivator-2157449" border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9khMMqZZKrs/ViQkTeSYiVI/AAAAAAAABlA/PYwW2ZWCF1I/s640/Slide2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Multiplication-Fact-Memorization-Progress-Tracker-and-Motivator-2157449" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Multiplication-Fact-Memorization-Progress-Tracker-and-Motivator-2157449" border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GE9Jy6i69Y0/ViQcbo11hoI/AAAAAAAABkI/9KsvnJiteEE/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-10-18%2Bat%2B6.25.22%2BPM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here's a little <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Multiplication-Fact-Memorization-Progress-Tracker-and-Motivator-2157449" target="_blank">freebie</a> from the set-- our Multiplication Progress Tracker (or, as our kids called it, their Multiplication Sticker Charts). For some of my students, we filled in the squares when they mastered a fact. For others, we put stickers over the squares. It was so motivating! It also worked as a great assessment tool for me, a good self-assessment for students, and parents appreciated being able to see which facts they could help their child study at home.<br />
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Download the freebie <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Multiplication-Fact-Memorization-Progress-Tracker-and-Motivator-2157449" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Multiplication-Memorization-2144885" target="_blank">WHOLE SET </a></h4>
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The whole set contains 160+ pages of practice for facts 0x-12x. Here's what you can find in the <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Multiplication-Memorization-2144885" target="_blank">whole set</a>--<br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Multiplication-Memorization-2144885" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Multiplication-Memorization-2144885" border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3Pw1VBXkTDo/ViQWrN8Dc7I/AAAAAAAABjs/om7eifaxEes/s640/Slide1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Multiplication-Memorization-2144885" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Multiplication-Memorization-2144885" border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XE8UuA1VL6U/ViQWq2NMzhI/AAAAAAAABjo/BLwxkjuUWfo/s640/Slide2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Multiplication-Memorization-2144885" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Multiplication-Memorization-2144885" border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m_OEeRojR9A/ViQWrYmxDBI/AAAAAAAABjw/H2OSLcUfwM4/s640/Slide3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Set includes the following:<br />
Multiplication set includes the following:<br />
Multiplication Study Guides<br />
Multiplication Practice Circles<br />
Multiplication Matching<br />
Horizontal Multiplication Practice<br />
Vertical Multiplication Practice<br />
Multiplication Facts<br />
Hands-on cut and glue multiplication flaps<br />
Multiplication Mastered/Need to Study Self-assessments<br />
Multiplication club motivation system<br />
Multiplication prize ribbons for fact mastery<br />
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Check it out <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Multiplication-Memorization-2144885" target="_blank">here</a>:<br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Multiplication-Memorization-2144885"><img alt="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Multiplication-Memorization-2144885" border="0" height="295" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--2lx_zcSnU0/Vhs4mghfD3I/AAAAAAAABiI/Ktm6xP_DdE8/s400/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-10-12%2Bat%2B12.35.14%2BAM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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I love to teach this along with skip counting songs from Have Fun Teaching! The <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWxPKnLtnus" target="_blank">"Counting by Threes" video</a> is my favorite. I can even rap it solo now. My class laughs at me. #nerdyteacher<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/MWxPKnLtnus/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MWxPKnLtnus?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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Have fun! <br />
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<img align="left" src="http://www.crayonboxlearning.com/images/brandi-signature.png" />A Peach for the Teachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748495320026219735noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366153741153867207.post-7406620222969124762015-08-19T13:08:00.003-04:002015-08-19T13:08:59.463-04:00Sale!<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">
Did you hear TPT is having a one-day sale? We're <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/A-Peach-For-The-Teach" target="_blank">participating</a>. Stock up on some back-to-school resources, or yourself to something from your wish list!<br />
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Visit our store <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/A-Peach-For-The-Teach" target="_blank">here</a>!<br /> </div>
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<img align="left" src="http://www.crayonboxlearning.com/images/brandi-signature.png" />A Peach for the Teachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748495320026219735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366153741153867207.post-90223359658619547192015-08-17T16:11:00.000-04:002015-08-17T16:22:28.954-04:00Motivate Me Monday Hop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.frompond.blogspot.com/2015/08/motivate-me-monday-17th-august.html" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.frompond.blogspot.com/2015/08/motivate-me-monday-17th-august.html" border="0" height="183" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dizG2dAMFUY/VdI9T2XTIWI/AAAAAAAABhE/RYaFkCCHlUI/s320/MOTIVATIONAL%252BMONDAY-03.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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My positive, inspirational friend <a href="http://www.frompond.blogspot.com/2015/08/motivate-me-monday-17th-august.html" target="_blank">Mel over at From the Pond</a> is hosting a blog hop to spread some positivity and motivation. She's made a printable, motivational board for sticky notes to help remember the things that inspire us.<br />
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Here are this week's prompts:<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vWki4Bpeqd4/VdI-FQJv98I/AAAAAAAABhM/nA3WY17fOJY/s1600/MOTIVATIONAL-MONDAY-WEEK-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vWki4Bpeqd4/VdI-FQJv98I/AAAAAAAABhM/nA3WY17fOJY/s640/MOTIVATIONAL-MONDAY-WEEK-01.jpg" width="451" /></a></div>
Here's mine with my sticky notes:<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PnpTgmyW1WE/VdI4SRPlqQI/AAAAAAAABgw/n_YBDbPRn7U/s1600/motivatememondaybloghop.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PnpTgmyW1WE/VdI4SRPlqQI/AAAAAAAABgw/n_YBDbPRn7U/s640/motivatememondaybloghop.png" width="474" /></a></div>
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<b>Quote</b></div>
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First, I love this guy's last name. Second, this quote is amazing. I've been trying to rewire my brain to go from panic mode to excitement mode when faced with a new challenge.</div>
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<b>Friend </b></div>
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My grandfather has always been a great inspiration to me and my teaching, as well as to my life in general. He was an educator until he retired. Sadly, he passed away at age 69 (five years ago) during the week that I got furloughed from my dream teaching job, my first year teaching. I was devastated, and it took me a *long* time to get back into the swing. I dedicated my profession to his memory, and I've tried to bring his sense of humor to my classroom (except he was actually funny, and my humor is more of the dork-blend lol). This year I was offered a fifth grade resource room position, and I'm still inspired by him. He always said fifth was his favorite! I go out to dinner with my grandmother at least once a week, and she has just started telling me fun stories from his fifth grade days. I just learned he spent 5 minutes every day telling jokes while he sat on his desk.</div>
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<b>Inspirational Colleague</b></div>
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My colleague Jess is a hard worker, and her classroom decor is a Pinterest paradise. She is so positive toward our kiddos-- and our staff. When someone gets negative, she shares a positive story or changes the subject. She recommended the book <a href="http://amzn.to/1fllG55" target="_blank">Unshakeable by Angela Watson</a>, which really put the wind back in my sails.</div>
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<b>Song</b></div>
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Those lyrics are from Alanis Morissette-- simple but true. Problems seem so big when they happen, but whether it's five hours, five days, five months, or five years later, we're okay. That entire glass container of red juice that I dropped on my floor last week really didn't affect me at all today, you know?</div>
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<b>Smile</b></div>
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I am so happy to say there are so many things that make me smile.</div>
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<b>Looking Forward To</b></div>
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We just got back from our honeymoon, the big thing I was looking forward to. It was awesome. Now that it's over (wahhh lol), I'm excited for a bunch of fun things to come!</div>
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Want this motivational board for your own space? Grab it from Google Drive <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwNLh47Up8pHSy1TNDU0N3RGelU/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">HERE.</a></div>
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After you add your sticky notes, feel free to snap a picture, join us, and link up! Find the beginning over at <a href="http://www.frompond.blogspot.com/2015/08/motivate-me-monday-17th-august.html" target="_blank">From the Pond</a>:<br />
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<img align="left" src="http://www.crayonboxlearning.com/images/brandi-signature.png" />A Peach for the Teachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748495320026219735noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366153741153867207.post-68258913579923454172015-03-21T13:21:00.002-04:002015-03-22T20:35:31.477-04:00Curbing Anxiety with Validation, Humor, and a Plan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Have you ever woken up with that feeling that you're falling? Ever fall down the stairs, fall off your bike, or slip on the ice? Have you ever heard a fire alarm when it wasn't scheduled, smelled smoke, or had someone pop out and scare you? Has a car ever pulled out in front of you, cut you off, or ran a stop sign? Have you ever been really anxious, nervous, or scared about a big presentation coming up? That feeling in the pit of your stomach, it usually subsides after a while. But imagine living with that feeling on a regular basis or 24/7, or being a child who has not yet developed the coping skills to deal with it.<br />
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Imagine for a moment that you are woken up in the middle of the night by the sound of the glass breaking on your front door. You hear footsteps, breathing, and stumbles from downstairs. You hear things being thrown about, like someone is looking for something or someone. You are almost certain that someone has broken into your home. You begin to feel an adrenaline rush, and you are upset-- anxious, scared, angry, sad, etc.<br />
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Which response would you prefer to hear?<br />
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A. "It's not a big deal. Calm down."<br />
B. "I know this is terrifying. I have a plan to get us out of here safely. Let's figure out how we're going to make this better."<br />
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Me, I'd rather hear Option B. Feelings were acknowledged or validated, and a plan was made. Option A might make me want to smack someone upside the head. [angelic smile]<br />
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It's easy to use validation in a situation where everyone believes the problem truly is a big deal-- but what about when someone doesn't agree with the other person's feelings? Can validation still be utilized?<br />
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<h3>
Validation and agreement are not synonymous terms. </h3>
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<i>I repeat: Validation and agreement are not synonymous terms. Didja get that? Validation and agreement are not synonymous terms.</i><br />
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We've all seen the three-year-old screaming over a dropped cookie. The thing we have to remember is, the feeling of grief and disappointment are completely new feelings for this little guy-- or maybe it's a familiar feeling with which he has never learned to cope. Should we tell him not to worry about it, that it's no biggie, or that he's making a big deal out of nothing-- when to him in that moment it is devastating?<br />
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The other problem is that we don't want him to have a meltdown every time things don't go his way. We don't want to reinforce a "dramatic" response. This is why people will tell him to stop, ignore him, or try to comfort him by telling him it's not a big deal. But to him, it is a HUGE deal.<br />
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Let's try to help the little guy cope. Let's try validation and a plan. I don't agree with him that dropping a cookie is the end of the world, but I need to teach him how to cope with this. So I say, "It sounds like you're really mad and sad, because you dropped your cookie. Am I right?" He may yell or cry, "Yeah!" So I can say, "It's okay to feel like that. It can feel sad to drop a cookie. But here's what we can do when that happens." Then, give him a plan. Teach him what he should do instead of having a meltdown.<br />
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<h3>
Validation in Action</h3>
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Last week, I witnessed a girl-- let's call her Sally-- having a meltdown. Her friend-- let's call him Johnny-- was not feeling well, so he put his head on his desk until his parents came to pick him up from school. Sally had developed a little crush on Johnny, and he was her closest friend in school. When Johnny put his head down and did not answer her, she felt like he stopped liking her. In her mind, she had lost a friend. She would have to sit alone at lunch, and nobody would ever like her again. She was doomed-- sentenced to a life of loneliness and despair. She would never have any friends, and... You get the idea.<br />
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As adults, we've all been there, done that, and we're thinking, "You're gonna be over this by tomorrow, and the two of you will be besties again in no time." So, in an attempt to calm her, we tried telling her not to worry about it, or we try to soothe her with, "He still likes you. He's just sick."<br />
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But that's the same thing as telling someone that there isn't a burglar in their house. They believe there is a burglar in the house, and someone saying there isn't... is not helping.<br />
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So I thought about validation and acknowledgement, and I gave it a go.<br />
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I said, "It sounds like you're really upset that Johnny didn't answer you." (Note, I never said, "I agree you should be upset that Johnny didn't answer you." I didn't agree; I acknowledged.)<br />
Crying, she said, "Yes!"<br />
I continued, "And you're probably feeling left out, alone, or rejected. Did I get that right?"<br />
She stopped, looked at me, and said, "Yeah! I feel so alone!"<br />
"I hear you," I said. "I want you to know that I'm here with you while you are going through this." (Again, I didn't agree; I validated.)<br />
"Okay," she said, wiping her eyes.<br />
"When you're ready, I have a couple ideas for how we can make this better," I told her. "But first, let's get our brains in a better place."<br />
Then, I made a funny face, and I told her there's no laughing in school. We giggled for a minute or two, and then I talked to her about a fun breathing exercise I like to do, and I had her help me with it.<br />
I said, "You look like you're doing a great job taking control of your emotions. You've calmed your body and voice. Nice work." (Let's help her feel good for a second.)<br />
She half-smiled, and I said, "When you're ready, maybe we can try figuring out a plan together."<br />
"I'm ready," she said.<br />
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That's when I was able to help her come up with a better plan for addressing these feelings. I was able to teach her how to cope, how to recall other times she coped, etc. I also explained that it's okay to feel angry and upset, but it's not okay to hit/throw things to express that. A better way to express it is by... Yadda yadda yadda. But, hey, part of being a kid is making mistakes and learning from them. Now we're prepared. Next time this happens, we know that we'll be okay, because we were okay last time. We also have a plan for improvement. We talked about how sometimes people need their space. We used empathy and imagined the situation through Johnny's eyes. We came up with some times that we felt sick and wanted to be left alone. We discussed what we could do for the rest of the day.<br />
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<h3>
Use Validation, Humor, and a Plan.</h3>
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Kids who have anxiety disorders, reactive attachment disorders, or kids who simply have not yet learned appropriate coping skills, need tools to help them-- not another person telling them to calm down. If telling them to calm down worked, they would have calmed down already. Plus, we don't want them to feel like, "I'm completely out of control, which feels bad. Now I'm in trouble for being out of control, which feels bad. AND I am not doing a good job calming down, which feels bad."<br />
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Ever notice how something seems like a huge deal at night but doesn't seem so bad in the morning? We can bring kids to the same place by distracting them for a minute, laughing, engaging them intellectually, etc.-- finding some way to get their brain to take a quick vacation, release a feel-good hormone, and then go back to the problem in a more rational way.<br />
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My husband is a police officer, and he used this strategy to de-escalate two angry drivers at an intersection. I told him he should try it on me the next time I feel like I'm the only one who does any chores around here, lol. ;)<br />
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So, next time you're faced with a situation like this, try these steps:<br />
1. Acknowledge/validate the child's feelings.<br />
2. Get some feel-good hormones pumping-- laugh, distract, etc.<br />
3. Come up with a plan to make the situation better.<br />
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Do you have any similar experiences? Would you prefer to have your feelings validated? Share in the comments!<br />
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<img align="left" src="http://www.crayonboxlearning.com/images/brandi-signature.png" />A Peach for the Teachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748495320026219735noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366153741153867207.post-23864554050379483852014-10-14T07:16:00.001-04:002014-10-14T07:16:24.236-04:00I finally got around to fixing my problem!Teaching a multi-age classroom, I encounter all kinds of student needs. In every grade K-5, I have students who are performing on grade level, below grade level, and above grade level. Last week, I brought a dozen different spelling test papers, which I pulled from all over the place, to the copy machine. I also ran into problems with handwriting. I needed a test format with 20 lines, but I also needed it to have primary ruling. Ahh! On top of everything, some of my students argued over whose paper had which design, and it was just driving all of us batty (See what I did there with my October-esque pun? Har har.). A parent even was upset when I sent home spelling tests with half of the numbers crossed off for my kid who was performing below level. I needed something that looked the same but was differentiated.<br />
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I finally decided to make a spelling test format that met all of our needs. It has plain ruled and primary ruled line options for every test, and I created a test with 5 lines all the way through 20 lines. They all have a picture of an adorable bee (get it-- spelling bee?) thanks to Graphics from the Pond, perfect for early finishers to color and non-argument-inducing.<br />
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Differentiated-Spelling-Test-Papers-5-20-words-ruled-and-primary-ruled-options-1498178" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0fa8XZu3RwA/VD0F6skFhnI/AAAAAAAABdM/LgBoPL-4ZRs/s1600/spelling%2Btests%2Bcover.PNG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Differentiated-Spelling-Test-Papers-5-20-words-ruled-and-primary-ruled-options-1498178" target="_blank">Check it out here</a>!<br />
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<img align="left" src="http://www.crayonboxlearning.com/images/brandi-signature.png" />A Peach for the Teachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748495320026219735noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366153741153867207.post-52362563160853234982014-09-27T07:21:00.001-04:002014-09-27T07:21:14.225-04:00Sunshine Blogger Award<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fyfGSWCD8wo/VCadnnwiojI/AAAAAAAABck/vl0NyAGE9cA/s1600/sunshine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fyfGSWCD8wo/VCadnnwiojI/AAAAAAAABck/vl0NyAGE9cA/s1600/sunshine.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
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I’m so excited and thankful to announce that I was nominated by Kayla Shook from <a href="http://www.texasteachingfanatic.com/" target="_blank">Texas Teaching Fanatic</a> for the Sunshine Blogger Award. Big shout out to Kayla for thinking of me!<br />
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The rules for the Sunshine Blogger Award are:<br />
Post 11 random facts about yourself.<br />
Answer the 11 questions asked by the blogger who nominated you.<br />
Nominate 11 bloggers you think bring sunshine to the world.<br />
Make up 11 questions for your nominations to answer.<br />
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11 Random Facts about Me<br />
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1.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>This is my fifth year teaching, and I’m an elementary emotional support teacher (K-5).<br />
2.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I taught myself to play the ukulele.<br />
3.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I just got married three months ago. Our officiant announced us for the first time in public by the wrong names, lol! The good news, though, is that we look super happy in all of our pictures, because we were laughing so hard. All of our friends now call us Dodd, which isn’t even a real first name. Bahaha.<br />
4.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>My husband and I are looking for our first home. We think we may have found one, after almost a year of searching. Fingers crossed!<br />
5.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Chocolate. Me likey. Very (too?) much.<br />
6.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The sun makes me sneeze. Maybe this means I’m distantly related to Edward Cullen. Too bad I don’t sparkle. That’d be cool.<br />
7.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I love fall! I just bought a giant sweater, hot cocoa, and pumpkin spice to add to my coffee. Pumpkin patches, hayrides, scarves, boots, hats, pumpkin cookies, Thanksgiving, pumpkin pie, Dunkin pumpkin spiced lattes. I hope we can get into our home by Halloween so I could pass out candy to trick-or-treaters.<br />
8.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I’m thinking of applying to become a narrator for Audible or another similar company. People tell me all the time that I’m a fun reader.<br />
9.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I’m pretty awful at drawing (and it drives me nuts when people say “drawling”), but I can cut out realistic-looking patterns with scissors. If I have to make templates, I cut them out freehand from plain paper and then trace them onto a new paper to make a pattern. I lead a backwards kind of life.<br />
10.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I recently started some components of using Whole Brain Teaching (Mirror, Hands & Eyes, Teach-Okay, Rules, 10 finger woo), and it’s going well with my class!<br />
11.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I have dreams of becoming a professor or education consultant one day.<br />
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My Questions from Kayla<br />
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Where are you from? Pennsylvania. Did you think Georgia because of my blog name? Everybody does! Haha!<br />
What is your favorite animal? Pigs are adorable!<br />
What is your favorite thing about teaching? Turning around somebody’s day—or life. I live for the lightbulbs, a-ha moments, child’s laughter, and helping kids overcome obstacles.<br />
What is your favorite children’s book? Um, I have about a bajillion. Anything by Julia Cook, probably!<br />
Why do you blog? There really aren’t many blogs out there for emotional support classrooms, or for teachers who have students in emotional support programs. I hope to share my ideas to help challenged teachers reach the kids who likely need the most love.<br />
Who do you look up to? Rick Lavoie <33333333 lol He’s the special ed guru! Also, my parents and grandparents<br />
When did you become a teacher? 2010, two months after graduating college. My first year was in K-2 Learning Support, and it was truly my dream job.<br />
Would you rather: Have a side soup or a side salad? Hmmmm… depends on where I am. At a diner, give me a soup! At the Olive Garden, give me 700 plates of the salad!<br />
If you could click your heels together and be anywhere, where would it be? Oh, I have so many places! My first place would be back in time a bit so I could talk with my grandfather one last time. Second choice would be a bungalow in Bora-Bora, Tahiti! Third place would be in an airplane embarking on a trip around the world!<br />
What is your favorite quote? “This, too, shall pass.” It always helped me when things got tough. Things always tend to work out, and problems that seem so big in the moment don’t usually matter in five minutes, five days, five weeks, or five years.<br />
If you could read minds, whose mind would you love to read? The mind of a child who aggressively avoids work. I’d love to know the real reason why so that I could better help him.<br />
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My Questions<br />
1.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>What’s your educational background and teaching experience?<br />
2.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>What’s your favorite season?<br />
3.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>What do you like to do for fun?<br />
4.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>What made you want to be a teacher?<br />
5.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>What’s your best childhood memory?<br />
6.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Who was your favorite teacher, and why?<br />
7.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>How do you think your teaching has improved over the years?<br />
8.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Where would you like to travel?<br />
9.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>What is your favorite thing about teaching?<br />
10.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>What was your funniest student quote, moment, etc.?<br />
11.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>What would you do if you won the lottery?<br />
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<img align="left" src="http://www.crayonboxlearning.com/images/brandi-signature.png" />A Peach for the Teachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748495320026219735noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366153741153867207.post-16210115245781362802014-09-01T08:05:00.001-04:002014-09-04T06:14:46.138-04:00WANTED: Emotional/Behavioral Support Teachers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rrJgCrBWLzQ/VARll6YZ20I/AAAAAAAABcA/dluXZyNVBRQ/s1600/wanted.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rrJgCrBWLzQ/VARll6YZ20I/AAAAAAAABcA/dluXZyNVBRQ/s1600/wanted.PNG" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px;">We just started a small, private Facebook group for emotional/behavioral support teachers. It would be a place to bounce ideas off one another. We've got a couple dozen awesome teachers so far. We may eventually venture out into a collaborative blog, but for right now, we just want it to be a safe spot to chat, get and give advice, and share ideas that will help our kiddos. Please leave a comment below with your personal Facebook link (Facebook only lets me add friends to the group), or e-mail apeachfortheteach@gmail.com if you're interested.</span><br />
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<img align="left" src="http://www.crayonboxlearning.com/images/brandi-signature.png" />A Peach for the Teachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748495320026219735noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366153741153867207.post-39148365900631427892014-08-24T09:47:00.000-04:002014-08-24T14:11:52.354-04:00Invisible Disabilities<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vdq0v7ZlDOw/U_nvI1jFEoI/AAAAAAAABbw/Bltnrz_trw4/s1600/BLOGCOVER.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vdq0v7ZlDOw/U_nvI1jFEoI/AAAAAAAABbw/Bltnrz_trw4/s1600/BLOGCOVER.PNG" /></a></div>
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I just got back from the grocery store, and I had to share my experience.<br />
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An eight-year-old boy stood beside me, without looking at me, and talked to me at length about refrigerators. Yup, refrigerators. A few minutes later, I could hear the frantic cries from a couple calling their child. When his parents happened upon him, he immediately ran for the exit doors. His parents called for anyone to stop him. I hopped in front of the exit and asked him what he thought of stainless steel refrigerators. He stopped dead in his tracks and walked with me back to his parents, explaining that while stainless steel refrigerators are modern and visually pleasing, they are difficult to polish.<br />
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His mother, with tears in her eyes, reminded her son to use his words to express when he needed to exit a situation. His father shook my hand and asked if I knew someone with an autism spectrum disorder, and I explained that I'm an emotional support teacher and love several kiddos with ASD. The father shared that they have been working with a therapist to help their son reduce eloping (i.e., leaving a situation) in place of functional communication. He told me that people usually try to grab and scold his son when he bolts for the exits, which triggers a storm.<br />
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Then, a nearby man said to his wife, "If I ever acted like that in the store, my father would have kicked my ***. That's why I was never a brat." (Don't tell anyone, but I wanted to kick that man's you-know-what.) He said it a little too loudly, like he wanted us to hear him-- maybe to teach the parents a lesson? The parents had already tried that approach, along with many others, but their son had autism. He wasn't a brat.<br />
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There aren't physical characteristics associated with autism spectrum disorders, executive functioning needs, processing needs, dyslexia, dysgraphia, depression, mood disorders, or anxiety, so these can be considered invisible disabilities. These children may "appear" to have neuro-typical functioning, and thus, people expect them to behave in a neuro-typical manner.<br />
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Would you ever say, "Just walk already! It's not that hard!" to someone with paralysis? How 'bout, "Just look already! You can see if you try!" to someone with blindness? Would you punish someone for not being able to hear? Of course not. So why do we do it to kids with invisible disabilities?<br />
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Just sayin'. :)<br />
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<img align="left" src="http://www.crayonboxlearning.com/images/brandi-signature.png" />A Peach for the Teachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748495320026219735noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366153741153867207.post-55960934398101957222014-08-16T21:31:00.000-04:002014-08-16T21:31:02.369-04:00Introducing... Tissue Box CoversIt's been a while since I've uploaded a product to TpT! I'm excited to announce my newest creation, tissue box covers!<br />
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Jungle Theme:<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uX52JyxgbCo/U-_9woIMwoI/AAAAAAAABag/KtnVDPWRMg0/s1600/jungle.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uX52JyxgbCo/U-_9woIMwoI/AAAAAAAABag/KtnVDPWRMg0/s1600/jungle.PNG" height="466" width="640" /></a></div>
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Superhero Theme:<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BR1w7DMEwxo/U-_92wIbgZI/AAAAAAAABaw/HYfTfOF6xuk/s1600/superhero.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BR1w7DMEwxo/U-_92wIbgZI/AAAAAAAABaw/HYfTfOF6xuk/s1600/superhero.PNG" height="414" width="640" /></a><br />
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Owl Theme:<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jjfpGrM6-hk/U-_9vWpzwwI/AAAAAAAABaY/IGXcpd3Ajt0/s1600/owls.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jjfpGrM6-hk/U-_9vWpzwwI/AAAAAAAABaY/IGXcpd3Ajt0/s1600/owls.PNG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Fall Theme:<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6WlxlmhJwHU/U-_9wzIc-ZI/AAAAAAAABak/DtSrt3xB3iA/s1600/fall.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6WlxlmhJwHU/U-_9wzIc-ZI/AAAAAAAABak/DtSrt3xB3iA/s1600/fall.PNG" height="462" width="640" /></a><br />
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Each set has six different size options, so you're covered no matter what size you buy. I laminated mine for repeated use. The kiddos love them!<br />
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You can buy theme here for $1.50:<br />
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Printable-Tissue-Box-Covers-Superhero-Theme-includes-six-size-options-1390609" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zQTjLqzWz0Q/U_ABb-zgyZI/AAAAAAAABbU/L2Hiw8R_zFE/s1600/tptsuperhero.PNG" height="247" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Printable-Tissue-Box-Covers-Owl-Theme-includes-six-size-options-1390670" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f46O7MlLg4w/U_ABZpoP1tI/AAAAAAAABbE/D7jyEo7hQ5Q/s1600/tptowl.PNG" height="246" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Printable-Tissue-Box-Covers-Jungle-Chevron-includes-six-size-options-1390532" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Svj-AADJipc/U_ABYGBW8vI/AAAAAAAABa8/9oTxt3CLJ1k/s1600/tptjungle.PNG" height="246" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Printable-Tissue-Box-Covers-Fall-Theme-includes-six-size-options-1396661" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bUxoRxIVBGs/U_ABZqNVZkI/AAAAAAAABbI/PFl5ZH2FpRI/s1600/tptfall.PNG" height="248" width="320" /></a></div>
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I have plans to make all different covers to fit a variety of classroom themes. Have suggestions? Share in the comments below!<br />
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<img align="left" src="http://www.crayonboxlearning.com/images/brandi-signature.png" />A Peach for the Teachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748495320026219735noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366153741153867207.post-70524439332081168722014-08-16T10:00:00.000-04:002014-08-16T10:00:02.394-04:00Bright Ideas Blog Hop- Get Students to Close Markers and Glue!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'm linking up with the Bright Ideas Blog Hop for August, and here's my bright idea!</div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image clipart from <a href="http://www.digitalclassroomclipart.com/">www.digitalclassroomclipart.com</a></span></div>
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I think my class has set the record for the longest running set of markers and glue. Simply reminding kids never seems to be enough. I started singing songs to cue my students to close their glue and markers properly. By the time I've finished singing a verse, everything's shut!<br />
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I started having a contest to see which group of students can be the first to start singing the song when I cue everyone to clean up. I challenged them to see if their group could remember before I could. Someone always remembers to start singing the song (perfect if I forget) during clean-up time, and everyone's markers and glues are shut!<br />
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Here are the cheesy little songs that have made such a difference and have actually gotten my students to CLOSE their markers and glue.<br />
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<b>"Twist and Shut" for Twist-able Glue Bottles</b><br />
<i>Sung to the tune of "Twist and Shout" by The Beatles.</i><br />
Well, take your glue bottles now (take your glue bottles)<br />
Twist and shut (twist and shut)<br />
Come on, come on, come on, come on, students now (come on, students)<br />
Don't let them dry out (don't let them dry out)<br />
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<b>"Put the Cap on Your Marker" (or "Put the Cap on Your Glue Stick")</b><br />
<i>Sung to the tune of "If You're Happy and You Know It"</i><br />
Put the cap on your marker 'til it clicks (click, click)<br />
Put the cap on your marker 'til it clicks (click, click)<br />
Put the cap on your marker<br />
Put the cap on your marker<br />
Put the cap on your marker 'til it clicks (click, click)<br />
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Another fun challenge is to number the students' markers and glue, or write their names on them, and see who can keep his or hers the longest.<br />
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<img align="left" src="http://www.crayonboxlearning.com/images/brandi-signature.png" />A Peach for the Teachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748495320026219735noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366153741153867207.post-9407383127876008772014-08-10T08:00:00.000-04:002014-08-10T13:14:17.698-04:00Tips and Tools 4 Back 2 School Blog Hop<div style="direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-top: 0pt; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 18pt;">I'm so excited to join my PA blogger
buddies for Tips and Tools for Back-to-School!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 18pt;">To help you
with your back to school preparations, we each have a tip to share and a tool
for you to use when you return to your classroom.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 23.636363983154297px;">TRADE YOUR FIRST WEEK PLANS FOR PROCEDURES AND ROUTINES</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 23.636363983154297px;"><br />Ever find yourself starting sentences with, "How many times do I have to tell you..." in your classroom? Here's why...</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 23.636363983154297px;">When learning occurs, the brain builds connections (synapses) between nerve cells (neurons). It takes strong emotional responses and/or repeated exposure to information to form these synapses.<br /><br />That's why quickly telling students, or expecting them to know, about classroom procedures just doesn't work that well. <i>We need to rehearse each and every single procedure until it becomes routine. </i>Or until we're blue in the face. Whichever comes first. Hehe. </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 23.636363983154297px;">Think about it-- we have fire drills every month, because rehearsal works.</span><i style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 23.636363983154297px;"> </i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 23.636363983154297px;">Teach and rehearse 1-3 procedures per day. Show students the "wrong way" and "right way" to perform each procedure, and then have them critique you. Be silly or emotional when you show them the "wrong way." Make it engaging! Have students demonstrate and rehearse procedures, and respond to others as they rehearse them. Practice walking down the hall before you walk to specials. Take your class into the hallway again and again, and rehearse it repeatedly. Discuss, examine, and add all of Bloom's Taxonomy in there! When they're not following directions, say, "Looks like we haven't quite gotten this down yet. Let's rehearse again!" Or curb a behavior concern with, "Do we need to rehearse this again?" </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 23.636363983154297px;">We do have to let students know academics will be part of our routine, so break this up with community-building activities and social skills lessons with academic extensions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 23.636363983154297px;">We wouldn't expect a football team to skip practice, figure out the game as they go, only listen to their coach <i>during</i> games, and make it to the Super Bowl. We can't expect our students to never practice, figure out our procedures as they go, only listen to the teacher when things are getting chaotic, and make it to success.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 23.636363983154297px;">A teacher asked me how she could get through a year's worth of curriculum if she starts it a week late. Each time a teacher has to repeat herself, she's lost about 1-2 minutes of instruction time. If this happens every period, that's pretty close to about ten minutes lost per day. That's 1,800 minutes (30 hours) of instruction time lost per year! What?! Swap your first week of instruction for procedures/routines, and save your time (and sanity)! Beacuse... Repeating yourself? #aintnobodygottimeforthat.<br /><br />(If it helps-- I have a set of illustrated classroom routines and procedures posters that I use for the first week of school, for $3 <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Classroom-Routines-and-Procedures-Printable-Posters-for-Classroom-Management-832450" target="_blank">at my TpT store</a>)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 18pt;">Here's a free, editable copy of my <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BxMoYjJtD6EoSVFsa1BRR3BJbGc/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">first week of school plans</a>! It's not pretty or fancy with fonts or clip art, because I wanted it to be quickly editable for you if you wanted to copy it into your plan book. If you open it in Google Docs (by clicking on <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BxMoYjJtD6EoSVFsa1BRR3BJbGc/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">this link</a> or the photo below and selecting the "download," arrow from the top menu), you can click on the links included.</span><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BxMoYjJtD6EoSVFsa1BRR3BJbGc/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8IeKsoz2hiM/U-b1ggPW98I/AAAAAAAABZ0/RZ1LBDDabMo/s1600/plans2.PNG" height="342" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 18pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 18pt;">Thank you for stopping by my blog today!
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 18pt;">Don't stop reading here! We have more tips and tools for you. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 18pt;">Just follow the link below and visit my
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<img align="left" src="http://www.crayonboxlearning.com/images/brandi-signature.png" />A Peach for the Teachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748495320026219735noreply@blogger.com10Scranton, PA, USA41.408969 -75.662412241.21841 -75.9851357 41.599528 -75.339688700000011tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366153741153867207.post-88831457110019930412014-07-19T13:00:00.000-04:002014-07-19T13:00:00.825-04:00Bright Ideas Blog Hop: Help Students Keep Desks OrganizedI'm linking up with the super fun Bright Ideas Blog Hop again, and here's my bright idea-- Desk Maps!<br />
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<i>"Um, teacher? There's something growing in my desk. It's... squishy. It's hairy, too."</i><br />
<i>"I can't find my math book behind these papers."</i><br />
<i>"I had 60 pencils in here in September. Now I can't find one."</i><br />
<i>"Ow!!! My books keep falling out on my feet!"</i><br />
<i>"My desk won't... [jumps on desk] close!"</i><br />
<i>"Oh! Here's my homework from last month! [rip] Well, half of it!"</i><br />
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Sound like your students? Mine, too. That's why I started using Desk Maps! These are placed in students desks to show them exactly where all of their belongings should be stored. If it's not on the map, it stays in the backpack.<br />
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I made one for all of my students that I photocopied and laminated, but students could easily make their own if they have different desk setups.<br />
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To save ink, I made set student supplies on top of a sheet of paper and traced.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fmTNJ39VWq0/U8gbxcZUGhI/AAAAAAAABXM/Djlrzm7pZww/s1600/map6.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fmTNJ39VWq0/U8gbxcZUGhI/AAAAAAAABXM/Djlrzm7pZww/s1600/map6.PNG" height="260" width="320" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B0JG_NOUl2s/U8gb0_bYyXI/AAAAAAAABXc/slcjklG1R7I/s1600/map4.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B0JG_NOUl2s/U8gb0_bYyXI/AAAAAAAABXc/slcjklG1R7I/s1600/map4.PNG" height="320" width="230" /></a><br />
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For my more concrete-thinking and younger students, I took a picture of the items on the desk map and made a color copy enlarged to 8 x 11.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-INzff7sVllo/U8gb3CGAzAI/AAAAAAAABXk/A0o-i5zTQHw/s1600/map1.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-INzff7sVllo/U8gb3CGAzAI/AAAAAAAABXk/A0o-i5zTQHw/s1600/map1.PNG" height="320" width="241" /></a></div>
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Our desks have shelves, but for the desks that have opening lids, you could simply place the map on the underside of the lid, or on the bottom of the desk.<br />
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You could use small plastic bins from the dollar store to hold desk items. I've seen plastic drawer organizers used, too.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lBVfS650T40/U8gT9j3cwQI/AAAAAAAABWM/1R2RKmPnszg/s1600/bell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lBVfS650T40/U8gT9j3cwQI/AAAAAAAABWM/1R2RKmPnszg/s1600/bell.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">photo from amazon.com</span></div>
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At the end of the day, I ring a bell, and all the students have to arrange their desks to match their desk maps. I have a student check desks for me. They make sure a sharpened pencil awaits them in the morning.</div>
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Big time saver!<br />
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<img align="left" src="http://www.crayonboxlearning.com/images/brandi-signature.png" />A Peach for the Teachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748495320026219735noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366153741153867207.post-29917631514623043342014-07-16T08:26:00.005-04:002014-07-16T08:26:53.743-04:00Trade the flip outs for flip flops<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gGDxXpg80rU/U8ZvZ7Aez9I/AAAAAAAABV4/7onY-TzKvgw/s1600/summer1.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gGDxXpg80rU/U8ZvZ7Aez9I/AAAAAAAABV4/7onY-TzKvgw/s1600/summer1.PNG" height="297" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Font courtesy Graphics from the Pond</span></div>
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If your summer is a little less flip flops and a little more "flip outs," summer might not be all it's cracked up to be. Here are five tips for curbing the behavioral summer slide.<br />
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1. Structure, Routine, and Balance<br />
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Unstructured downtime is one of the most common antecedents to negative behavior. Routine and structure are key to reducing and preventing behavioral episodes. When you climb into a little one's brain, you'll find that summer is a natural upset of routines; all school year, we woke up at a specific time, got dressed, ate breakfast, brushed our teeth, and got on the bus, and then we would get to school, have homeroom, math, music, break, lunch, reading, recess, writing, phys ed, science, snack, social studies, go home, do homework, watch TV, play, take a bath, and go to bed. There was structure, routine, and predictability. We could make a list or a picture schedule to fill up an entire day.<br />
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It's hard to give our kids structure and routine during the summer, but it can be done without us having to be on top of them 24/7. Set up routines that are rehearsed and practiced until you no longer even need to be present for them to happen. Let your child know that today we are going to start something new. This can be an informal, unwritten schedule orchestrated by you or a sitter, or it could be written on a dry erase board that the child can cross out or wipe off when finished, or with removable pieces of Velcro (with pictures of clocks or the activity) that the child can pull off when finished. If your child can't tell time, the dollar store handheld timer or even the timer on the stove or microwave could help.<br />
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A summer routine schedule might look something like this<br />
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Wake up<br />
Eat breakfast<br />
Brush teeth<br />
Get dressed<br />
Chore or responsibility #1 (e.g., a basic chore, cleaning, making his/her lunch, summer reading, handwriting practice, school work, anything paper/pencil, etc.)<br />
Play time (alone or with friends)<br />
Wash hands<br />
Lunch<br />
Clean-up<br />
Play time<br />
Fun activity, or TV time<br />
Dinner<br />
Bath/shower<br />
Story time<br />
Bed<br />
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Often, kids have a tough time in school, because they are used to unstructured periods and lots of freedom, but when they get to school they are expected to follow schedules and carry out specific, structured responsibilities. Schedules teach kids to manage their time, end a preferred activity to begin a less preferred activity, and establish a sense of personal responsibility.<br />
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Conversely, don't over-schedule. Sometimes a schedule that is too jam-packed or overbooked is stressful. It's all about the balance. Summer should be a fun time to take it easy, have fun, and grow through play.<br />
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2. Quality Time<br />
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They say the keys to battling depression are having something to do, something or someone to love, and something to look forward to. Schedule time once a week to spend some quality time together with your children. This gives everybody something to look forward to doing together. These can be fun and inexpensive, like game night, an ice cream trip, bike riding, playing kickball, making s'mores, or going for a walk. This will give kids a time for positive attention and bonding.<br />
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3. Fun<br />
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I'm willing to bet that we've all heard our kids say, "I'm bored" during the summer. With your child, make a list of fun summer projects, and have them choose which one they want to try each day. You can make homemade play dough, build igloos out of sugar cubes, roll toilet paper rolls in glue and sand to make a giant sand castle, make a fort with sheets and old boxes, carve funny faces into apples with googly eyes and uncooked rice as teeth, dye and string noodle necklaces or art pieces, make smoothies or milkshakes, bake or cook something new (we love biscuits turned into pizzas), homemade board games, a rope tied to a tree for two-person double dutch, homemade books or CDs, etc. Check out Pinterest and spoonful.com for more ideas.<br />
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4. Check In<br />
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For some kids, sensory needs and the stress of the big change of summer can really take a toll. For kids who are constantly on the go, some time to check in is nice and settling. Take time to check in with your kids. Maybe it's eating breakfast or dinner together, or taking a drive. Just take time to talk with them and listen to them. You can troubleshoot problems and praise and reinforce specific positive behavior during this time. Plan a special day one-on-one with each of your kids. It's tough when you're so busy, but when you look back, these are the times you'll both remember.<br />
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5. "You" Time<br />
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Don't feel guilty when you take a little time for yourself. We typically feel like we have to give our kids 110%, and we can't do that if we're only feeling 50% there in our own minds. Take your own time to relax, regroup, and enjoy your time alone. This will help you get back to feeling your best, so you can give your best to your kids. It's healthy, and it's okay! Have a date night with your spouse, go to lunch with your girlfriends, or check out the spa solo. Whatever it is, do it, and enjoy it. You earned it!<br />
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What are some things that work well for you over the summer? Please share in the comments!<br />
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<img align="left" src="http://www.crayonboxlearning.com/images/brandi-signature.png" />A Peach for the Teachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748495320026219735noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366153741153867207.post-33529720732384347732014-07-09T08:28:00.002-04:002014-07-09T08:30:37.942-04:00Special Educator's Blog Hop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'm linking up with <a href="http://talesofacarolinagirl.blogspot.com/2014/07/special-educator-bloghop.html" target="_blank">Tales of a Carolina Girl for the Special Educator's blog hop</a>. She's another behavior support teacher! It's so tough to find other bloggers who do what we do, so I'm SO excited!</div>
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We fill out this adorable little questionnaire and link to an old post. I'm linking to my old post, <a href="http://apeachfortheteach.blogspot.com/p/the-behavior-bank.html" target="_blank">Behavior Bank</a>, which includes links to some of my behavior support posts.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AYOZxxs03Wk/U70xZc2MdgI/AAAAAAAABVY/SzN9d9Kgw6M/s1600/hop.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AYOZxxs03Wk/U70xZc2MdgI/AAAAAAAABVY/SzN9d9Kgw6M/s1600/hop.png" height="610" width="640" /></a></div>
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Hop on over to the <a href="http://talesofacarolinagirl.blogspot.com/2014/07/special-educator-bloghop.html" target="_blank">Special Educator Blog Hop</a>, and check out the other awesome blogs!<br />
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<a href="http://talesofacarolinagirl.blogspot.com/2014/07/special-educator-bloghop.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-erUZQqf4LtE/U701Tx2M5gI/AAAAAAAABVk/QMUdZECpE5Y/s1600/hop2.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<img align="left" src="http://www.crayonboxlearning.com/images/brandi-signature.png" />A Peach for the Teachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748495320026219735noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366153741153867207.post-48752553613113538812014-07-08T09:52:00.003-04:002014-07-08T10:20:16.604-04:00Product Review: Sit SpotsI don't get any money for this post; I just had to let you know about my favorite new product! Apparently, I've been living under a rock for the past five years of my teaching career. Who knew?<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JmJI4zRExZA/U7v7U609D9I/AAAAAAAABU0/heMqNPp9m7c/s1600/productreview2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JmJI4zRExZA/U7v7U609D9I/AAAAAAAABU0/heMqNPp9m7c/s1600/productreview2.PNG" /></a></div>
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Because my classroom is multi-age, I have the same students for many years. We get a few new additions, and many of our students no longer need resource room-- but for the most part, we have the same kiddos for a long time (just a little taller each year). If any student is retained, I could have a student for up to seven years. I have to keep it fresh and different, not only for my students, but also for myself and our instructional assistants. This year, I'm giving our classroom a makeover. I'm going from primary colors to a black-and-bright look. I ripped everything down, so there's no turning back now. I'll be crying when I start this project, but oh well!<br />
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I've been having problems with my carpet situation. I want my students to have designated spots on the carpet for whole group lessons and read-alouds. I also want my carpet to be pretty. Problem is, I only earn a teacher's salary (i.e., "diddly squat"), and pretty classroom carpets are $100-$500. Pffffft, can I get a big fat NO?! I settled for one of those interlocking puzzle piece carpets, but they always seem to end up dirty (even after weatherproofing), with scuff marks, scratch marks, pencil holes, and I have a couple of kiddos who <i>live </i>to pull them apart. It's one of those choose-your-battles classroom management kinds of things that's just not worth the effort in our emotional support program with kids who love the sensory input of pulling those squares apart, you know? I think that, to my class, my interlocking carpet was like lining the floor with donuts. Too much temptation.<br />
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But then... [cue "Hallelujah Chorus"] I came across <a href="http://sitspots.com/" target="_blank">Sit Spots</a>. Have you heard of these things? If not, you might want to sit down.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N9zYwF2JVMw/U7v9W11st8I/AAAAAAAABVM/ShtqdJ3CDHA/s1600/picwithpeach2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N9zYwF2JVMw/U7v9W11st8I/AAAAAAAABVM/ShtqdJ3CDHA/s1600/picwithpeach2.PNG" /></a></div>
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I bought my carpet at Walmart for $19, and my Sit Spots were $1.99 each. I bought fifteen, so they only cost $29 and change. My classroom carpet this year was only $50. That's $150 less expensive than the one I wanted! Granted, I have a small group of kids, so I didn't need many. Still, though, for a class of 30 kids, it's still way less expensive than its counterparts.<br />
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They don't stick to some carpets, so if you buy a throw rug, try to get one that feels the most like a standard carpet rug. I touched a couple until one felt like what I remembered sitting upon as a child.<br />
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These are the cat's pajamas, the bee's knees, the coolest thing since (cinnamon raisin) sliced bread (with icing)! They are basically tiny-but-mighty pieces of Velcro that attach to the carpet. I vacuumed over them, and they stay put. I mean it,<i> they. don't. move</i>. But if you stick them in the wrong spot and need to pull them up, it's easy. They come in a bunch of different colors and shapes. The kids won't pull them off, because they will be sitting on them. Sit Spots are pretty, cheap, temporary, and temptation-free? Is this real life?! I still have to get my yard stick out to measure them, but I just wanted to see if they worked.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VzjjhyjaXm8/U7v9UF3kNzI/AAAAAAAABVA/Vc7mHRtC654/s1600/picwithpeach1.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VzjjhyjaXm8/U7v9UF3kNzI/AAAAAAAABVA/Vc7mHRtC654/s1600/picwithpeach1.PNG" /></a></div>
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Now I have a pretty teacher carpet! I gleefully rolled all over it in my living room, and the Sit Spots didn't budge. My husband looked at me funny for about a second, but then he remembered who he married and continued looking in the fridge (unfortunately, he wasn't looking for butter to add to my cinnamon raisin bread).<br />
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Check them out! You can buy them at <a href="http://sitspots.com/">http://sitspots.com/</a><br />
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Have you used them in your classroom? What are your thoughts? Share in the comments below.<br />
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<img align="left" src="http://www.crayonboxlearning.com/images/brandi-signature.png" />A Peach for the Teachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748495320026219735noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366153741153867207.post-35148507924308506382014-06-17T18:16:00.003-04:002014-06-17T21:08:56.065-04:00Grow a Bean Plant in a Bag in a WindowWe just wrapped up a new science writing project, and the kiddos loved it! My instructional assistant told me that she grows lima bean plants in her window with a bag and some wet paper towels. I also learned that this can also be done with wet cotton balls. How cool!<br />
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<a href="http://amzn.to/1i96PMa" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nEgL4VtEevM/U6DmYSaBs9I/AAAAAAAABRU/0lHR-Ay3hqc/s1600/beans.PNG" /></a></div>
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I ordered some <a href="http://amzn.to/1i96PMa" target="_blank">cheap lima beans on Amazon</a> and decided to try it out with my kiddos. The plastic bags on my window sills didn't look cute, though, so I decided to have the kids help me spruce them up a bit. Check out what we did!<br />
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<a href="http://amzn.to/1kLQFmg" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0teMy5t_WAE/U6Dl-mmI1zI/AAAAAAAABRM/AWCYNVgQptI/s1600/one+bean.PNG" /></a></div>
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I read the class "One Bean" by Anne Rockwell, and we discussed it. We related it to prior knowledge about other things that grow, and we talked about what beans were. We passed around beans and looked at pictures of bean plants. Then, we "planted" our own lima beans in wet cotton balls. We used the scientific method organizer and writing paper/booklets contained in the pack below. The kids colored and cut out the paper watering cans, water droplets, and pots, and taped them to plastic baggies. The cut outs are also included in the pack below.<br />
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I made a complete set connected to the Scientific Method and made it into a How-To Writing assignment. You can buy that digital download for $4 <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Grow-a-Bean-in-a-Bag-Science-How-To-Writing-1280990" target="_blank">here</a>:<br />
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Grow-a-Bean-in-a-Bag-Science-How-To-Writing-1280990" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RqkaJZFM2iU/U6C9nWpKWjI/AAAAAAAABQ0/464vgBgmN5E/s1600/coverbean.PNG" height="301" width="400" /></a></div>
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<img align="left" src="http://www.crayonboxlearning.com/images/brandi-signature.png" />A Peach for the Teachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748495320026219735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366153741153867207.post-85156645628655077122014-06-17T08:23:00.001-04:002014-06-17T08:56:40.060-04:00How to Help Students Accept Mistakes<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HNungdNFoVc/U6A3AY3_u7I/AAAAAAAABQQ/oX_e-1em-uw/s1600/mistakes.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HNungdNFoVc/U6A3AY3_u7I/AAAAAAAABQQ/oX_e-1em-uw/s1600/mistakes.PNG" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Like most teachers, you
probably have a student in your class who avoids his work or who works nicely until he makes a mistake and then shuts down. Maybe you even have a
student who physically or verbally
aggresses when faced with a difficult task.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">What is an area in which you
do NOT excel? I mean, something you’re really, really terrible at doing—so much
so that it’s embarrassing to you? Maybe it’s dancing, singing, playing sports, or
public speaking? What’s the thing you would avoid with a ten-foot pole if
possible? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Now, imagine you have to
perform your area of not-so-expertise in front of a crowd of people who are
really good at whatever it is that is tough for you, and you’re going to be
graded on this. The people closest to you will also get a report on how you did
with it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Now, what if your area of
not-so-expertise was reading, writing, math, or socialization?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Welcome to school.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Okay, I’m your teacher, and I
understand that this area is really difficult for you. I get it. I’m going to
make this worth your while. If you do the thing that you do NOT feel confident
doing, I’ll give you a goldfish cracker! No? That’s not motivating enough?
Well, how ‘bout I’ll give you a sticker? Okay, okay, that must not be
reinforcing enough for you. You can earn a candy bar for this! I know you love
candy bars.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I don’t know about you, but
there are not enough stickers, candy bars, or even extra recesses to get me to
want to sing and dance in front of a group of professional singers and dancers.
I just do NOT want to do it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Also, I can’t lift a
250-pound refrigerator, not for all the goldfish crackers in the world. I simply
can’t do it. The child who truly can’t read yet simply won’t want to do it, not
for all the reinforcement in the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">There also isn’t enough
reinforcement that can alone get an “avoider” to <i>want</i> to do his work. Maybe, you can get him to just give in and do
it, but can you get him to <i>want</i> to do
it? Our job isn’t just to teach academics; it’s to teach children to love
learning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">But how?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We often say that the student
will do anything to avoid writing—but is he really avoiding writing, or is he
avoiding the embarrassment associated with writing? Is he avoiding reading, or
is he avoiding the feeling he gets when he makes a mistake while reading?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">For such a complicated
situation, there’s really an easy fix—confidence!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">But how do we help students
build confidence? I mean, don’t we compliment them all the time, point out the
great things they do, hang their work, and so on? Yes, we do, because we’re
awesome like that. It still isn’t changing the student’s behavior, though. We’d
better go deeper. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">One of my kiddos said to me,
“I’m bad at math,” and I told him he’s not. I pointed up to his work hanging on
the wall, a math assignment with a great big star! He said, “So what? Everybody
on that wall got a good grade.” Oh. Touche.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Suddenly, my focus shifted
from getting him to solve complicated math problems to getting him to learn how
to learn. He needed the tools, the detours around his difficulties, and the
confidence to proceed. He needed the hand truck to help him move his 250-pound refrigerator.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“Today, we’re going to try
something different.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I explained to him that today
we were going to try something different. I told him I noticed he doesn’t love
math, and I was going to help him with that. I asked him to tell me why. He
gave me a pretty long list of things he doesn’t like—most of them related to
his low confidence in the area. For students that won’t tell you what they don’t
like, you probably already have an idea of what they don’t like anyway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I explained to him that every
kid in his class makes mistakes and gets problems incorrect—even the smartest
kids. I told him about how most of the time kids raise their hands to answer
questions they know the answers to and keep their hands down for the ones about
which they are unsure. I explicitly taught him this “hidden” concept, that not
everyone is great at everything.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you’ve read my blog
before, I like to compare learning needs to road blocks. My students are NOT
allowed to blame something on a learning need or disability; they MUST find a
detour. We wouldn’t end our trip simply because a road was closed, so we won’t
end our educations—our most precious, important opportunity—over a mere
roadblock. We’ll find a detour, or, if we must, build one ourselves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Now, I aimed to help this
student find or build his detour. I told him that we would find ways around or
through each of the things he doesn’t love about math, together. I tried this
once with a younger student who would not tell me what he didn’t like about
math, but my telling him that was enough. He didn’t need to identify what he
didn’t like yet. He just needed to know that we would work through this temporary
feeling together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Our first objective would be
to learn how to accept mistakes. I had him help make a T-chart for me—“mistakes”
on one side, “corrections” on the other side. I told him that he was the only
kid in the class who knew about this ahead of time and to keep it a secret. I
put it on the board, and throughout the day, we tallied each mistake I made. I
made 27 mistakes (some on purpose, but they didn’t need to know that… shhhh).
They LOVED this, and we laughed all day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Over and over, I said, “Everybody
makes mistakes! Even teachers!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Next, I challenged him. Let’s
see who could accept the most mistakes. [evil laughter]. He used his own
T-chart on his desk, and I praised him each time he worked through a mistake.
He made a mistake and laughed. [cue “Hallelujah Chorus”]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The next day, I planned a
math game. Lately, I had been avoiding math board games. They had been going
well, up until he got a question incorrect or didn’t know an answer. Then, the
board game pieces would be thrown, or he would shut down completely. But that
day, I planned the board game. I had butterflies in my stomach, but I planned
it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“Do you know this, or is this
something I get to teach you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I let him know ahead of time
that today we would be doing something different. I told him that this game
would have easy questions and hard questions. The reason for this was so that I
could get an idea of what he already knows, that I don’t get to teach him, and
what he doesn’t know yet, that I get to teach him. “I love mistakes!” I told
him, “because those are the things I get to teach you, and I love teaching new
things!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This wasn’t quite strong
enough for my younger student the first time I tried this, so I had him take a bonus
turn each time me made a mistake but accepted it and tried again. Quickly, both
students learned that with a little extra effort, they could find the answer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This taught me something
important—Neither of these students had realized before that moment that
everyone doesn’t always know everything immediately. My older student told me
that the kids raise their hands and immediately know the answer. He didn’t
realize that they figured out the answer and THEN raised their hands. He
thought it was supposed to be instantaneous. I had to explicitly teach and show
him how much time a problem is supposed to take to work out, and how that varies
for everyone. Everyone’s brains work at different speeds, and it doesn’t matter
who gets there first; it only matters that we all get there. I related this
concept to video games—some take longer than others to load, but that doesn’t
change how the awesomeness of the game. We all will get there, at a pace that
is right for us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I spent the entire year
building this child’s confidence. I brought in activities that I knew he would
like and with which he would excel—and yes, some of it was a little bit below
what he could do. I wanted him to get a taste of success. He didn’t learn ALL
of the concepts as the other kids in the class, but I can assure you that he
learned more than he would have if he had hidden under his desk for the entire
school year. That’s for sure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Friday was our last day of
school, and I had them write their favorite memories of our school year. He
wrote “Math” for his. Needless to say, I got tears in my eyes. During the last
week, he made a mistake and said, “Who cares if you make mistakes?” I got tears
in my eyes again. Now he probably thinks I’m crazy, but I don’t care. He doesn't hate math anymore. He can make mistakes and accept them now. It took us a whole
school year to get there, but we got there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<img align="left" src="http://www.crayonboxlearning.com/images/brandi-signature.png" />A Peach for the Teachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748495320026219735noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366153741153867207.post-76571982787760124222014-06-15T10:42:00.001-04:002015-01-17T08:47:52.323-05:00Glow-in-the-dark Sand, My New BFF<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5URAJ1XqoDo/U52sPx3GTTI/AAAAAAAABPg/tAS1h2oW2n0/s1600/brightidea2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5URAJ1XqoDo/U52sPx3GTTI/AAAAAAAABPg/tAS1h2oW2n0/s1600/brightidea2.PNG" /></a></div>
<h4 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal; text-align: start;">Having a class of students with behavioral needs, writing or skill-and-drill practice is really challenging. I'm always looking for fun ways to get students excited to practice. My students loved practicing on our <a href="http://apeachfortheteach.blogspot.com/2013/09/fun-additions-to-my-classroom.html" target="_blank">DIY light table</a>, so I started thinking of other ways that I could make stuff glow. A colleague told me that she made glow paint by mixing paint with glow powder or the contents of a glow stick, which blew my mind (I'm easily amused, lol). </span>My class enjoys writing spelling words in sand, so I thought-- GLOW SAND! (Which apparently already exists-- </span><a href="http://amzn.to/1hXcjJv" style="font-weight: normal;" target="_blank">Crayola Glow Explosion Sand</a><span style="font-weight: normal;">... So much for going on <i>Shark Tank</i> with this idea. Womp womp.) </span></h4>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="268" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//giphy.com/embed/581WuZiyoxt5u?html5=true" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="480"></iframe></span></h4>
<div>
<span style="font-weight: normal; text-align: start;">Anyway-- My students absolutely </span><i style="font-weight: normal; text-align: start;">LOVED </i><span style="font-weight: normal; text-align: start;">this</span><span style="font-weight: normal; text-align: start;">, and so did I! </span><span style="font-weight: normal; text-align: start;">The pictures do it no justice. This stuff is bright, and it glows for a few hours.</span><span style="text-align: center;">Turn out the lights, and watch your students GLOW with excitement (har har, pun intended)! </span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
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<b>Some Fun Hands-on Learning Activities for Glow-in-the-Dark Sand</b></div>
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</div>
<ul>
<li>Handwriting practice</li>
<li>Cursive practice</li>
<li>Number writing</li>
<li>Missing number writing</li>
<li>Addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division practice</li>
<li>Write upper and lowercase letters</li>
<li>Spelling practice</li>
<li>Sight word identification</li>
<li>Name practice</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h4 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Some Ways to Make Glow-in-the-Dark Sand</div>
</h4>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Mix salt or sand with fluorescent/glow-in-the-dark paint</li>
<li>Mix salt or sand with glow powder</li>
<li>Mix salt or sand with the contents of a glow stick</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul>
</ul>
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How could you use glow-in-the-dark sand in your classroom? Please share in the comments below!<br />
<br /></div>
<img align="left" src="http://www.crayonboxlearning.com/images/brandi-signature.png" />A Peach for the Teachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748495320026219735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5366153741153867207.post-70702691170623235962014-05-17T10:00:00.000-04:002014-05-17T10:00:01.344-04:00Bright Ideas-- Shirt Stickers! Students won't forget homework, test signatures, or permission slips again!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-grtIuIOMdZY/U3SR8UU-ZBI/AAAAAAAABOM/0V5NSfY5zrI/s1600/BrightIdeasButton1+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-grtIuIOMdZY/U3SR8UU-ZBI/AAAAAAAABOM/0V5NSfY5zrI/s1600/BrightIdeasButton1+%25282%2529.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">I'm linking up with the Bright Ideas Blog Hop, and here's my idea-- </span></h4>
<h4 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;"><i>Shirt stickers for reminding students to complete homework, gets tests signed, bring back permission slips, etc.</i></span></h4>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-24n5cLVpABM/U3SkROLQzwI/AAAAAAAABOs/EQS_Vt9H1DU/s1600/tshirt+reminders.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-24n5cLVpABM/U3SkROLQzwI/AAAAAAAABOs/EQS_Vt9H1DU/s1600/tshirt+reminders.PNG" /></a></div>
<h4 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br />Simply write reminders on stickers or labels, stick 'em to students' shirts, and send them on their way! Teachers, paraprofessionals, students, group recorders, or class recorders can write their own messages or copy a teacher's from the board. They can also be used as fun brag badges!</h4>
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