Teaching a love of reading...

  I always have my students read when they have nothing to do. For example... when they come into the classroom after lunch, specials, or recess they are supposed to automatically get out a book and read. I do this because every time I would sub the students would always beg me to give them time to read. Since then I have always tried to give them as much time to read as I can!
  A little background for me is that, because of Accelerated Reader, I lost my love for reading in elementary school. I would spend all of my time reading books and because of my lack of comprehension skills I would fail the tests almost every time. I really would read the book and try my best to pass the test but I usually still failed the test. Ever since then it has been a struggle for me to want to read.
  That being said... One of my 4th grade girls is reading The Hunger Games right now and she is loving it. So yesterday she expressed how much better the book is and how many details the movie leaves out. Since I love the movie and am excited for the new movie this weekend I was instantly interested. Joe got the trilogy last Christmas and I have wanted to read them but never had the drive... until now. When I got home I started reading the first book and I have to say my 4th grader was right. There is so much internal dialogue that they show but don't explain in the movie! I am already on chapter 4 and for me that is a huge deal.
  My biggest lesson through this is that I am not only teaching my students to have a love of reading but they are teaching me to love it as well. I am so blessed to have students that can show me how to love reading again. That is such a wonderful thing!

It's that time of year again...

       Well, it's the beginning of August and I officially start teacher training this Friday and school begins next Friday. At first I was dreading it, because it is hard to give up a summer of being at home, but now I am actually looking forward to getting back to the classroom.
       I have spent so much time on pinterest lately and I am making several lists of new things that I want to implement in the classroom this year. I am just ready for a fresh start with new students and a clean and fresh school year. There are so many things that I want to be better at this year and I really hope to, above all else, stay positive as much as possible. I forget how much I love teaching until I have not done it for awhile. That is what summer is for though, to get refreshed so you can be a great teacher to new students. I just hope that this stays with me!

May Day... May Day...

Well it is that time of year... when testing is over and the students are anxious for summer vacation. They are beginning to act like they have never heard of the rules that we have had all year long and my patience is beginning to be stretched very thin. Though I am so ready for summer I am starting to realize that I am going to miss some of my kiddos a great deal.

Sure there are the ones that are so much work and I am constantly trying to get them back on task. But there are so many that I have a blast with and are able to be sarcastic with me. My high learners are so much fun to push and they really take responsibility for their actions. When I come back from summer they will no longer be my students but someone's and I will be starting the new year with an entirely new group.

I am so ready for a break and to be able to work in our house and get so many projects done. Yet, I am truly going to miss specific students that have helped form my teaching into so much more that I was before this school year. Here's to the end of the year... 16 more school days! :)

My little students...

     So... I have recently been stressed about my little ones and how they are going to do on the State tests that seem to be approaching so suddenly. Sometimes I even find myself getting frustrated at the students for not being able to keep quiet and stay on task for more than five seconds.
     Then I remember that most of my students have anything but normal home lives. Most of them have broken homes, custody fights, no homes, living from place to place, or parents that don't care. Now there are a few exceptions but for the most part... that is who I am teaching to. How can I expect them to learn and stay focused when there is nothing constant in their lives.
     Even though the year is half way over and sometimes I never want to hear my name again... I really do have the best and sweetest students. They cling to me because I am a constant in their life and somewhat of a parent for most of the school year. I just pray that God will give me the strength and patience everyday to be the constant that they need me to be.

The school year has started!

Well I made it through the first two days of school! So glad that it is Friday! :) I have to say that I love my class and love 4th grade! They are wonderful and so well behaved. Don't get me wrong... they have their moments and I did have to keep a few in from recess today for talking. But, compared to all the classes that I have subbed in the past, they were really wonderful!

It is also cool to see how much some have grown over the summer! Both physically and emotionally. Some of my students were horrible when I was a sub and they are so into the books and activities that we have been doing! It is so neat to see where certain students end up being interested in! I guess that is why I am a teacher! I love seeing their faces light up when we are reading and discussing a book! Or how they want to help you with everything in the classroom! All in all it was a wonderful first two days!

The last night of summer!

Twas the night before school, when all through the town all the teachers were stirring... That has most definitely been what has happened in my life ever since last Thursday! So much training and information to process... not to mention the paper work and actually getting your classroom ready for the students to come! I feel like I am ready for it just to happen! I want to meet my students and study them in every possible way so I can help them reach success! I want to be a teacher with compassion and love for kids that have none at home! I just pray that God will give me the wisdom to set up procedures and push my students to be the best that they can be! Here we go! :) 

Tune in for more fun times in the classroom!