Last year at this time I was anticipating my first class ever. Everything was new and I was just trying to keep my head above water and get the year started. This year, I know so much more - I know basically how things will run and I also know what I want to change from last year.
This is both good and bad. Good because reflection and improvements are a good thing - teachers should constantly engage in these practices in order to improve our instruction, our management, our organization, everything. This is probably good practice for MOST people, I would dare to say.
This is bad however because it means my mind is freed up from just surviving to all these ideas I want to implement. I am going to try out using Class Dojo, a web-based application, as my classroom behavior management system. I'll post a review of it after a week or two of use when I see how it is going. We are going to the Common Core Standards for reading and math (like many states this year), which means we essentially have an entirely new curriculum to learn because we also have new NC Essential Standards in both science and social studies. I want to implement a writer's notebook. I want to figure out how to use KidBlog more effectively. I went to training on both Edmodo and Voice Thread at the end of last year and want to use both. The other teachers in my grade are investigating using a classroom economy system, something I've always been interested in but I'm really unsure if I can handle do it THIS year. That is definitely something that might get pushed to next year. But I'd love to do it - I'm torn.
This list goes on and on and I keep mentally adding to it. I'm trying to balance out between doing what I consider the most important things that will enhance learning and instruction and doing too much where nothing is done well. This is difficult. Last night my head would not stop spinning. Luckily I had put meat in the crock pot to cook for fajitas for dinner so it was easy and as soon as I finished eating I was on my computer working on stuff. I had to be reminded what time it was to go to bed. The cat woke me up (as she is wont to do) at 3:30 AM and I didn't fall back asleep until 4:45 or so because my brain was still churning. If it had gotten to 5 am I was just going to get up and start working but luckily I did fall back asleep for about another hour and a half.
Too many ideas and not enough time. I'll figure out soon which ones are viable for this school year or at least the beginning of this school year and go from there.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Day 1
It's here - a new school year. I had a fabulous 2 1/2 weeks off and I was excited to show up at school this morning. Case in point: I normally get up at 6 am on weekdays and so our cat has gotten in the habit of eating at that hour. Subsequently, she meows for breakfast right around 6 am no matter what day of the week it is. Today, I didn't have to be at school until 8:30 so I was going to "sleep in" until 7 am. She meowed at 6:02, I stumbled into the guest bath to feed her and then planned on going back to sleep for another hour. Didn't happen. Usually I'm the queen of the snooze button but I laid awake until 6:30 thinking about everything I knew I was going to need to do and then finally just said forget it and got up.
You never really know what you're walking into on the first day of a new school year. Last year, I had no idea where my classroom even was when I walked in that first day. This year, I knew where it was and I had moved almost all of my stuff to my new "cottage" but I left it with extra furniture, plus a colleague's things whose new "cottage" wasn't ready yet. I had expected these things to be remedied before I got there today - furniture moved, stuff moved.
Yeah, that hadn't happened. The carpet cleaning that has been supposedly happening for the last 5 months hadn't happened yet either. But they had cleaned the floors, which meant all the stuff I had so neatly stacked was just everywhere. Ah, such is the life of a teacher - things never happen the way they're supposed to, especially in a public school.
So, after a morning cutting out letters for my new Boggle bulletin board (idea from here - she has a free printable download, which is fabulous) and helping a colleague re-do one of her bulletin boards we got to work moving furniture. There were at least 8-10 pieces of extra furniture in my room including several file cabinets, a large metal wardrobe, book shelves, and chairs that are too small for my students. It was hot - thank goodness we swiped the hand truck temporarily from the custodian's storage space (he didn't mind).
So, add a new title to my ever-growing list of ones as a teacher: furniture mover. Except for the big metal wardrobe because it was too heavy and large for me and my fellow teacher to move, it's all in the cottage next door which is currently being used as storage. I was then able to set up my desks, put up two bulletin boards (my CAFE board for the Daily 5 and the beginnings of the Boggle board), and generally just got stuff to where I think it wants to live. Compared to when I walked in at 8:30 this morning, it's 1000 times better. I have a long way to go but I know what needs to be done.
Have I mentioned I am rocking some good old-fashioned wood paneling in my new digs? It's very 1970s. I went to Home Depot after school to look for the shelving brackets that I need for one of my built-in bookshelves and they didn't carry it - too old! I'm considering a lava lamp to spice things up and just keep the whole retro feeling going.
So, day 1 was not what I had wanted but that's generally the way it goes. Tomorrow will be better, especially if I can get that last piece of furniture moved out and the reading table I need moved in. Oh, and get the computer tables I need. Thankfully, I am getting FIVE computers that are newish (from the media center because they're getting the ones from the computer lab, which is getting all new ones), which I am so thankful for. I had four last year, which was a stretch with 28 kids. I also need to get the mobile Smartboard from the media center and figure out how that's going to work. My previous classroom had a permanent one installed.
One last great thing that happened today: I, as of now, only have 23 students! It may not seem that different from my 28 lovelies last year but it's an entire group of desks. Five fewer of everything to grade. I don't need extra pockets on my huge pocket chart where the kids turn in work. I think I'm going to think people are missing for the first few weeks because I'm so used to 28.
You never really know what you're walking into on the first day of a new school year. Last year, I had no idea where my classroom even was when I walked in that first day. This year, I knew where it was and I had moved almost all of my stuff to my new "cottage" but I left it with extra furniture, plus a colleague's things whose new "cottage" wasn't ready yet. I had expected these things to be remedied before I got there today - furniture moved, stuff moved.
Yeah, that hadn't happened. The carpet cleaning that has been supposedly happening for the last 5 months hadn't happened yet either. But they had cleaned the floors, which meant all the stuff I had so neatly stacked was just everywhere. Ah, such is the life of a teacher - things never happen the way they're supposed to, especially in a public school.
So, after a morning cutting out letters for my new Boggle bulletin board (idea from here - she has a free printable download, which is fabulous) and helping a colleague re-do one of her bulletin boards we got to work moving furniture. There were at least 8-10 pieces of extra furniture in my room including several file cabinets, a large metal wardrobe, book shelves, and chairs that are too small for my students. It was hot - thank goodness we swiped the hand truck temporarily from the custodian's storage space (he didn't mind).
So, add a new title to my ever-growing list of ones as a teacher: furniture mover. Except for the big metal wardrobe because it was too heavy and large for me and my fellow teacher to move, it's all in the cottage next door which is currently being used as storage. I was then able to set up my desks, put up two bulletin boards (my CAFE board for the Daily 5 and the beginnings of the Boggle board), and generally just got stuff to where I think it wants to live. Compared to when I walked in at 8:30 this morning, it's 1000 times better. I have a long way to go but I know what needs to be done.
Have I mentioned I am rocking some good old-fashioned wood paneling in my new digs? It's very 1970s. I went to Home Depot after school to look for the shelving brackets that I need for one of my built-in bookshelves and they didn't carry it - too old! I'm considering a lava lamp to spice things up and just keep the whole retro feeling going.
So, day 1 was not what I had wanted but that's generally the way it goes. Tomorrow will be better, especially if I can get that last piece of furniture moved out and the reading table I need moved in. Oh, and get the computer tables I need. Thankfully, I am getting FIVE computers that are newish (from the media center because they're getting the ones from the computer lab, which is getting all new ones), which I am so thankful for. I had four last year, which was a stretch with 28 kids. I also need to get the mobile Smartboard from the media center and figure out how that's going to work. My previous classroom had a permanent one installed.
One last great thing that happened today: I, as of now, only have 23 students! It may not seem that different from my 28 lovelies last year but it's an entire group of desks. Five fewer of everything to grade. I don't need extra pockets on my huge pocket chart where the kids turn in work. I think I'm going to think people are missing for the first few weeks because I'm so used to 28.
Friday, July 13, 2012
Traditional vs. Year-Round Schools
I grew up in the same county where I now teach. That wasn't too long ago but year-round schools didn't exist until I was maybe in middle school? I think that's the first time I heard about one. So, naturally, I went to a school that used a traditional "start in late August, end in early June" calendar.
When I first started working after college, I actually worked in admissions for two independent schools both on traditional calendars. (side note: I've never actually encountered an independent school on any other calendar but I'm sure one must exist somewhere). I worked year-round but summers were still more relaxed, we worked fewer hours per day and got to rotate having Friday afternoons off. When I started teaching, I was a teacher assistant while I applied to graduate school and worked on a traditional calendar. Ditto for student teaching.
However, when I was applying for full-time classroom teaching jobs last summer year-round schools kept popping on my radar because at the time I was substituting full-time to make ends meet until I found a regular job and so during the summer, I was trekking out to all the year-round schools. The county I work in is a large one, the largest school system in the state. There are about 50 year-round schools, mostly elementary and middle with one modified-calendar high-school (don't ask - you should see the list of possible calendars on the county web site). Initially, the year-round calendar was introduced here to ease over-crowding during rapid growth. My county was adding thousands of new students each year (and did so right up until about 2007 or so when the recession started) and they kept up with that growth by using multi-track year-round schools. In these schools at any one time 1/4 of the students are "tracked-out" or not in school so the schools can hold about 20% more students than a traditional calendar.
To make a long explanation shorter, I ended up taking a job last summer at a year-round school, although my school is all on one track. I won't even begin to try and explain the reasons behind that because they're not that interesting. I am returning to that school and to 4th grade this year and I'll start my pre-school workdays next Thursday with school beginning on July 30th.
There are lots of people for and against year-round and traditional calendar schools. A friend and fellow teacher tweeted about this article about the arguments for and against year-round schools. Although where I work, they were introduced to ease overcrowding there have been some studies that show students benefit because they're never out of school for longer than a month. Other studies, cited in the article, don't show those same gains and still more studies found the gains in some students (particularly those with high-needs and disabilities) but not all.
Given how different children are from one another and schools are from one another, I think it's going to be difficult to compare schools even if they seems statistically similar. There are so many factors at play that isolating the one variable of school calendar is not easy and I suspect studies will continue to find mixed results.
So, here's my take as a teacher in a year-round school. As a first year teacher last year, it was ideal in many ways. I had breaks every nine weeks or so that let me recharge my own batteries (both mentally and physically) and let me catch up or even get ahead on what I needed to do. I was able to do a lot more in my first year than I think I would have on a traditional calendar because I had time to do things like write book club reading guides when I was tracked-out. From a student standpoint, I think they benefit as well. Just when we're all tired and cranky, there's a break. Everyone comes back refreshed and ready to learn but it hasn't been so long that all routines and knowledge have been forgotten. All of my parents seem to really like it as well - a schedule with breaks other than summertime allows for family vacations that might be difficult in the summer. For example, I had a family who was originally from the Middle East. They spent our winter break in the Middle East visiting their family, which is a lovely time of year there. July, on the other hand, is brutal. I should mention that our families all choose to be on a year-round calendar - even if you're assigned to a year-round school there is always a traditional calendar (and at least one magnet school) option. So, my parents liked it and many of them have had multiple children go through the school.
On the other hand, I also see some benefits to a traditional calendar from a personal standpoint. Frankly, there are a lot of great opportunities for teachers in terms of continuing education and travel that are only available during the summer. Many that I would like to participate in are longer than just a week (such as National Endowment for the Humanities summer study programs or Fulbright Teacher Scholarship). I also see now, after a year, that this summer track-out is the only one in which I've fully been able to disengage from school mentally. As a new teacher especially, I need that mental break. Teaching in intense and extremely complex. I love that about it - it was part of what drew me to the profession - but it also means my brain needs time to refuel. When this summer started, I realized my brain was sort of expecting that and didn't totally get it. I've done my best to avoid work during the past two weeks in order to give myself the break I know I need. Also, and this is an aside, the year-round schools are pretty far from where I live (and I love where I live so I'm not willing to move) and my commute is over an hour each day. So, would I consider transferring to a school closer to home with that most likely meaning a traditional calendar? Very possibly.
So, what most people ask is: are our test scores better? are they on traditional? I don't know. I imagine it's probably comparable. I think the most thing in any system is to assess what's best for children and families from all standpoints, not just test scores. People are always going to be divided in their opinions over what's best for their children and their family as a whole so it seems to me that having some options is not a bad thing. I know as a teacher it's nice to have some options as well. I know many teachers who swear they couldn't imagine being on a different calendar than they are now - who absolutely LOVE one or the other. For me, the jury is still out - I've committed to another year on year-round and we'll see where things take me after this.
When I first started working after college, I actually worked in admissions for two independent schools both on traditional calendars. (side note: I've never actually encountered an independent school on any other calendar but I'm sure one must exist somewhere). I worked year-round but summers were still more relaxed, we worked fewer hours per day and got to rotate having Friday afternoons off. When I started teaching, I was a teacher assistant while I applied to graduate school and worked on a traditional calendar. Ditto for student teaching.
However, when I was applying for full-time classroom teaching jobs last summer year-round schools kept popping on my radar because at the time I was substituting full-time to make ends meet until I found a regular job and so during the summer, I was trekking out to all the year-round schools. The county I work in is a large one, the largest school system in the state. There are about 50 year-round schools, mostly elementary and middle with one modified-calendar high-school (don't ask - you should see the list of possible calendars on the county web site). Initially, the year-round calendar was introduced here to ease over-crowding during rapid growth. My county was adding thousands of new students each year (and did so right up until about 2007 or so when the recession started) and they kept up with that growth by using multi-track year-round schools. In these schools at any one time 1/4 of the students are "tracked-out" or not in school so the schools can hold about 20% more students than a traditional calendar.
To make a long explanation shorter, I ended up taking a job last summer at a year-round school, although my school is all on one track. I won't even begin to try and explain the reasons behind that because they're not that interesting. I am returning to that school and to 4th grade this year and I'll start my pre-school workdays next Thursday with school beginning on July 30th.
There are lots of people for and against year-round and traditional calendar schools. A friend and fellow teacher tweeted about this article about the arguments for and against year-round schools. Although where I work, they were introduced to ease overcrowding there have been some studies that show students benefit because they're never out of school for longer than a month. Other studies, cited in the article, don't show those same gains and still more studies found the gains in some students (particularly those with high-needs and disabilities) but not all.
Given how different children are from one another and schools are from one another, I think it's going to be difficult to compare schools even if they seems statistically similar. There are so many factors at play that isolating the one variable of school calendar is not easy and I suspect studies will continue to find mixed results.
So, here's my take as a teacher in a year-round school. As a first year teacher last year, it was ideal in many ways. I had breaks every nine weeks or so that let me recharge my own batteries (both mentally and physically) and let me catch up or even get ahead on what I needed to do. I was able to do a lot more in my first year than I think I would have on a traditional calendar because I had time to do things like write book club reading guides when I was tracked-out. From a student standpoint, I think they benefit as well. Just when we're all tired and cranky, there's a break. Everyone comes back refreshed and ready to learn but it hasn't been so long that all routines and knowledge have been forgotten. All of my parents seem to really like it as well - a schedule with breaks other than summertime allows for family vacations that might be difficult in the summer. For example, I had a family who was originally from the Middle East. They spent our winter break in the Middle East visiting their family, which is a lovely time of year there. July, on the other hand, is brutal. I should mention that our families all choose to be on a year-round calendar - even if you're assigned to a year-round school there is always a traditional calendar (and at least one magnet school) option. So, my parents liked it and many of them have had multiple children go through the school.
On the other hand, I also see some benefits to a traditional calendar from a personal standpoint. Frankly, there are a lot of great opportunities for teachers in terms of continuing education and travel that are only available during the summer. Many that I would like to participate in are longer than just a week (such as National Endowment for the Humanities summer study programs or Fulbright Teacher Scholarship). I also see now, after a year, that this summer track-out is the only one in which I've fully been able to disengage from school mentally. As a new teacher especially, I need that mental break. Teaching in intense and extremely complex. I love that about it - it was part of what drew me to the profession - but it also means my brain needs time to refuel. When this summer started, I realized my brain was sort of expecting that and didn't totally get it. I've done my best to avoid work during the past two weeks in order to give myself the break I know I need. Also, and this is an aside, the year-round schools are pretty far from where I live (and I love where I live so I'm not willing to move) and my commute is over an hour each day. So, would I consider transferring to a school closer to home with that most likely meaning a traditional calendar? Very possibly.
So, what most people ask is: are our test scores better? are they on traditional? I don't know. I imagine it's probably comparable. I think the most thing in any system is to assess what's best for children and families from all standpoints, not just test scores. People are always going to be divided in their opinions over what's best for their children and their family as a whole so it seems to me that having some options is not a bad thing. I know as a teacher it's nice to have some options as well. I know many teachers who swear they couldn't imagine being on a different calendar than they are now - who absolutely LOVE one or the other. For me, the jury is still out - I've committed to another year on year-round and we'll see where things take me after this.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Summer break
One of the things about working in a year-round school that I'm still getting used to is the short summer. I have it better than some - Tracks 1, 2, and 3 are already back in session for a new school year. My track, 4, is the most like a traditional school calendar. We go through the end of June, then I have three weeks off, a week of workdays and the new school year will begin on July 30th.
I've got another week before I head back in and while part of my brain is already thinking ahead to my new classroom and the new school year, I'm not quite ready to let it take over just yet. I was moved out into a mobile unit for this upcoming year to make room for another section of 4th grade plus another section of 5th grade. Everyone seems to think I've taken one for the team so to speak but I'm really not concerned about it. It's about the same size as my former classroom, plus I will have my own air conditioning and heat controls and I'm getting one of the new Smartboards being purchased. I had a Smartboard for half of last year and that was really my only major issue - as long as I have that, I'm pretty sure I can teach anywhere. It really became like my right arm last year and I'm going to try hard to never have to teach without one.
The other thing on my mind is getting a new class of students. Last year was my first year so I've not yet had the experience of starting over with a new group of kids. I had a great class last year - smart, motivated and very few behavior issues. They got along well and worked as a team for the most part. I can't say I'm not nervous, a little, about getting a new group. I'm sure it will be fine and probably better because I feel like I have so much more of an idea of what I'm doing and how to start the year off well.
But for now, I have another week of summer freedom and my goal is to not think about school. I love my job and I also love the breaks - especially for a novice teacher they are much needed times to rest and recharge my batteries.
I've got another week before I head back in and while part of my brain is already thinking ahead to my new classroom and the new school year, I'm not quite ready to let it take over just yet. I was moved out into a mobile unit for this upcoming year to make room for another section of 4th grade plus another section of 5th grade. Everyone seems to think I've taken one for the team so to speak but I'm really not concerned about it. It's about the same size as my former classroom, plus I will have my own air conditioning and heat controls and I'm getting one of the new Smartboards being purchased. I had a Smartboard for half of last year and that was really my only major issue - as long as I have that, I'm pretty sure I can teach anywhere. It really became like my right arm last year and I'm going to try hard to never have to teach without one.
The other thing on my mind is getting a new class of students. Last year was my first year so I've not yet had the experience of starting over with a new group of kids. I had a great class last year - smart, motivated and very few behavior issues. They got along well and worked as a team for the most part. I can't say I'm not nervous, a little, about getting a new group. I'm sure it will be fine and probably better because I feel like I have so much more of an idea of what I'm doing and how to start the year off well.
But for now, I have another week of summer freedom and my goal is to not think about school. I love my job and I also love the breaks - especially for a novice teacher they are much needed times to rest and recharge my batteries.
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