Boost Morale Among Your Coworkers!
I just recently started a “Brag Book” I will call it. In this book I wrote something encouraging to one teacher and dated he entry. The teacher that the book was passed to will write something nice about another teacher and so on. At the end of the year, the book will be filled with kind words. Teachers are always beaten down by how they don’t measure up. As if they are the only ones who caused their students to not achieve. Teachers do have something to do with student growth, BUT there are many other factors involved. If a child doesn’t achieve it isn’t always because of the teacher! Teachers aren’t responsible for every aspect of a child’s life and will never be able to replace parents who raises their child with work ethic and values. Take a deep breath teachers! All you can do is your best. After that go home with the peace of mind that you did your best. 🙂
So to continue the story of the Brag Book, I had this idea for a while and only recently put it together. I just began passing it around. Here’s to a more encouraging school year where we lift one another up…it is so easy to tear people down with our words when we get frustrated with the demands of work.
Below you sill see some photos of the Brag Book. You are welcome to copy this idea to boost morale in your own building.
When I made this I was going for quick and easy. I used silver duct tape and some other washi type tape for color decoration. If I was to do it again, I wouldn’t use silver duct tape since I found out it shows fingerprints and smudges. Duct tape did work nicely to cover well. It WAS quick AND easy.
I got these inspirational stickers at Hobby Lobby to stick all over the book. I really like the phrases that were inn them.
I look forward by the end of the year to have lots of encouragement inside one book!
5 Things I Wish I Had Known as a New Teacher Part 2
6. Do you stay late at school trying to make sure your lessons are engaging and that everything is ready. Almost EVERYONE is not working as hard as you. Go home. Keep things simple.
7. Pick one day and go home at contract hours. You may think this is hurting your students, but actually you will be more refreshed if you take some time to take care of your life and yourself. Your body and mind being refreshed will bring enthusiasm to your teaching because you are refreshed.
8. In my many years of teaching I can only remember my lesson plans being requested four times. That is it! Did you fret because you didn’t write the perfect lesson plan? Why? No one will be looking…in fact even if you don’t have one, no one will know but you. Now, I don’t recommend not having plans!! However, if something came up, and you didn’t have time to write one you will be okay. As long as you have an idea of what you are teaching, you will be fine. (Now the only exception to this may be if you are in a high needs school that is being looked at with a fine toothed comb.)
9. Even the nicest parent at the beginning of the year, can turn on you and go crazy at the end because of something that happened right before summer break. Having about one parent do this at the end is normal–most likely it wasn’t something you did.
10. Don’t depend on your school’s retirement plan as your only income when you retire. Put money into other investment opportunities such as a Roth IRA or maybe even rental property. Vanguard funds are great for both long and short term savings I learned about them from another teacher.
Set Up Your Cooperative Groups by Doing This
Each time I begin a year, we practice these expectations.
Number 1. We talk about how sharing materials could go badly–scattering materials, sharing germs, not everyone’s hand can fit in the container, etc.
Number 2. We practice saying all of these rules several times so that students get accustomed to saying these words and have this tool in their tool chest of ways to interact with peers.
Number 3. I let the students discuss how they will settle a disagreement. Most students arrive at Rock Paper Scissors as being the best way to solve disagreements. Students also say things like that they could talk out whose ideas was the best. I also mention who has the birthday closest to today, who is closer to the floor (shorter), closest to the ceiling (taller).
After we have talked over all of these rules, we practice saying them first thing in class for several class periods. Before long there are very few disagreements or problems among students.
I hope this helps your cooperative groups run more smoothly, too!
Who Doesn’t Love Giveaways?
I’m really looking forward to a new school year in which the restrictions are lessened! I think it will bring new joy to learning! In celebration of this new school year, let’s take part in a giveaway!
GIVEAWAY DETAILS:
Prize: $100 Teachers Pay Teachers Gift Card
Giveaway Organized by: Kelly Malloy (An Apple for the Teacher)
Co-hosts: An Apple for the Teacher, Mrs. Wennings Clasroom, Chocolate 4 Teachers, Simone, TheBeezyTeacher, Angelica’s Resources, The Homeschool Style-Katie Ring, Star Kids , Mickey’s Place, The Froggy Factory, Jackie Crews, Teaching Where You’re Called, Kamp Kindergarten, Mrs Hansens Helpfuls, Teaching Ideas for Those Who Love Teaching, In the Land of Teaching, Ms. K, Tried and True Teaching Tools, Teach Me T, and A Plus Kids.
Rules: Use the Rafflecopter to enter. Giveaway ends 8/13/21 and is open worldwide.
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a Rafflecopter giveaway7 Cents Will Buy You This!
Seven cents doesn’t buy you much anymore, but it will buy you this! Did you know that 7 cents a day is all it costs for a Super Teacher Worksheets membership? That’s right! For just $24.95 a year you get this amazing value. And LOOK at all the back to school worksheets there are to choose from!
Are You Scrambling for End of Year Resources?
I usually am. Well, don’t underestimate Super Teacher Worksheets wealth of resources. Did you know they have cute printable for saying goodby to your students OR super fun puzzles you can do to keep your children busy on those last few days when you are working on cleaning out your room. What about the “brain rot” that happens over the summer. Don’t you think your students’ parents might enjoy a summer fun packet? Look no further! Super Teacher Worksheets has all of this and more!
Two Fun Valentine’s Day Activities
I always love doing this in February with my students. Students measure their kiss.
And, what Valentine Party is complete without Valentine Bingo? This is always a great time filler to any class party! Play with candy conversation hearts or red hots for extra fun! Snag this one at Superteacherworksheets.com
Happy New Year!
Thank you to Littlenerdyteachers.com and P4 Kids Trioriginals for the beautiful clipart.
Quick and Easy Christmas Lesson!
Like any good teacher, I got some ideas from multiple places to adapt and make a quick and easy Christmas lesson. I used a worksheet from superteacherworksheets.com that had students brainstorm different ideas about Christmas. Superteacherworksheets.com is totally worth their subscription–such a great value! I didn’t use this sheet in its entirety, but I did use the brainstorm different Christmas movies list. Students enjoyed the opportunity to interact in our “much virtual” world. I had students brainstorm at least 15 different Christmas movies that weren’t sequels (like Part 1, Part 2 etc.) Then I also had students think of the characters in each of the movies. Students’ job was to think of the most creative characters in their list. This required them to think and to have constructive conversation–WIN WIN! Next I had them list their eight most creative characters from the Christmas movie list. Thanks to Ian Byrd over at byrdseed.com for his idea to create tournaments. (The byrdseed.tv subscription is totally worth it, too.)
Then students make a tournament like you would make for sports teams with their eight creative characters until they have a winner. Ian has a printable tournament page which is great for many ideas. (I do believe it is only available if you have the subscription, however.) With my students Kevin McCallister from Home Alone won two of the tournaments for most creative character from a Christmas movie. He is definitely one I had in mind!
Next time you get ready to teach a Christmas lesson, I hope this gives you a quick and easy lesson idea.
