Lochness Monster, Big Bad Wolf, The Borg, and Space Mountain have nothing on the first year of teaching...

Often, first year teacher's experiences are described as a roller coaster. My journey as a first year high school special education teacher has been no exception. There were days in which I felt that if I never stepped foot back into the school building my life would be 100% better. There were also the days when I left with a huge smile on my face and feeling like I make a difference. Looking back on my experiences, I am aware that there were a number of influences which kept me going this year.

What helped me through the ups and downs of the year were the many teachers who offered advice or just sat and listened to me vent. I can remember in December when I was in one of my lowest moments, one of the second year teachers told me a story about her first year. She told me about the day in which she felt that she would never teach again. She used her story to help me see that things weren’t as bad as the seemed and that I would make it through. On another day, my co-teacher gave me the best advice. I will carry this advice with me for the remainder of my teaching career and my life. She said, “when those kids walk in the next day, you give them a clean slate”. She saw that I was holding onto a number of things. By holding on to the negatives, I was trapping myself into a slump. Her advice helped me turn around my outlook on a number of things in the classroom.

Another thing that kept me going, and possibly the most important influence was my students. My students had a way of reminding me that what I do is important to them. I can recall a few months back, and I was having one of the worst strings of weeks. There was the April child count coming up soon, my graduate class was winding down, and all of the students had “spring break fever”. To say it more simply, I was overwhelmed. It was a Monday afternoon and I was rushing out the door because I had a number of things to do before I made it home. As I was passing through the hallway, one of my students said to me, “hey Miss Crutcher, I’m not going to forget to study tonight. I remember what you said about how well I do when I study”. The conversation he was referring to occurred a few weeks prior. I was amazed that he still remembered what I said. At that point, I realized that my opinion mattered to that student, and that he respected the fact that I wanted him to do well. As frustrated as I felt, I knew that if I had never stepped back into the school, that student wouldn’t have had me there to say good job a few days later when he got his test score back. No matter how frustrated I was, I wouldn’t trade that opportunity for the world!

I can’t say that my first year has been a walk in the park; however, as I look back on the ups and downs I am able to appreciate the moments in which my passion for helping my students overcame the frustrations of teaching. If it were not for the support system that I have found within other teachers at my school and my students, I would have floundered. I would have given into the thoughts that my life would be better if I never came back to the school. I am fortunate to have the opportunity to work with such great co-workers and students.

The Trial of the Century

Over the past week, my students and I have been looking at differing character points of view. We read familiar stories like Cinderella and The Three Little Pigs, but wrote journal entries that expressed the feelings of the ugly stepsisters and the big bad wolf. To conclude our week, I organized a mock trial based around the Little Miss Muffet nursery rhyme.

The spider was our defendant, and he was on trial for injuring Ms. Muffet. The students got the chance to hear both the defendant and the victim state their cases, and reached a verdict based on the facts.

Before the conclusion of the case, I had the chance to talk with the children that were jury members. I discussed with them the importance of listen to both sides of the story, and not forming a bias opinion. I also asked the question, “Does anyone know what happens when half the jury think the defendant is guilty, and the half the jury think the defendant is innocent?” Without missing a beat, one of my students raised her hand and stated matter-of-factly, “Yeah, they rock-paper-scissors for it!”

If only things were that easy.

Post made by March 2009 writer, Hal Schwartz.

Add this to your List Oprah!

I have a confession to make … Over the past few nights, I have taken Rick Riordan’s The Lightning Thief home with me from school. Of course I asked my students if I could borrow it first.
In the beginning it stemmed from my inquisitiveness, but each page sucked me further and further into the journey. As my students dispersed around the room during independent reading time, I heard students discussing whose turn it was to read the book. Wow I thought to myself, students are actually arguing about whose turn it is to read this book. I made a vow right then and there to investigate what constitutes a piece of literature students would quarrel over.
I have to say, I did enjoy reading books when I was younger; however, the thought of me bickering with my best friend in fourth grade over whose turn it was to read the Berenstain Bear’s series or Clifford the Big Red Dog sounds irrational. Nothing against Mama Bear or Papa Bear, but I could never really find a book series that was truly gripping.
The Lightning Thief is exactly that series. Riordan has taken my love of Greek mythology and blended it with a modern day protagonist. When I talk with my students about Percy Jackson’s adventures, their eyes light up as they retell even the most minute detail. Character motivation, setting, and conflict/resolution are discussed between students without them even realizing their powerful thinking. I can’t wait to finish the first book so I can move on through the series.
In the meantime, I will cross my fingers and hope that I get cast in the movie version of the book (perhaps the chapter, “I Accidentally Vaporized My Pre-algebra Teacher”).

Post made by March 2009 writer, Hal Schwartz.

It's a Bird, It's a Plane ...

As a first year teacher, I am hoping to offer a male perspective on teaching in an elementary school environment.

Of all the interesting and exciting events that have happened in my young teaching career, I can think of one particular situation that reminds me why I love being a male elementary school teacher. It happened a few days ago, when I was out on the playground with my students. A young child came running up to me with a football. “Mr. Schwartz, can you throw the football as high as you can in the air please?” he asked. Without any hesitation, I wound up and heaved the ball straight up with all of my might. After the football returned safely to the ground, the little boy ran up to examine it. As he held the ball away from his body and up to his eyes, he looked bewildered and exhilarated. Being the slightly paranoid, concerned teacher that I am, I ran up to ask him if everything was all right. He looked me in the eye and responded genuinely, “Yeah, I was just wiping the clouds off the ball.”

Nothing makes a guy feel better than having a child marvel at his super human strength. The same child now monitors me on the playground to make sure I don’t throw the football when there are planes above.

Post made by Hal Schwartz, March 2009 blogger.

2-28-09

Would someone please tell me where the month of February went? :o) Sitting at home, reflecting on this past week, I sometimes cannot believe how quickly the days fly by. We went on our first field trip this past Monday, but Monday feels so long ago that it's hard to believe it just happened! My class along with our other first grade neighbors attended a story hour at the local library to learn more about Black History Month. The students all did so well listening and participating! Because the library is right next door to the school, we didn't have to take a bus. It's close enough to walk to! I had forgotten from last year how much work it is at my school even to simply get all the permission slips signed and turned in. However, in my room, thankfully there were no problems this time around, and everyone had permission on time to go!

It is still very new and very real knowing that I am officially a teacher. It is such a strong responsibility - in one year it is my job in partnership with their parents to get these beautiful children to the level they should be on to get to second grade. I always had this dream vision in my head of what it's like to be a teacher. Singing songs, laughing, having fun, doing lots of hands-on projects, and all the hugs - and although all of that is happening, it is my goal to find the time to sit back for a few minutes during the day and truly enjoy it. I feel such tremendous pressure to get everything done each day, and to get everything done this year, that at times I wonder where my day went. I made it my goal at the beginning of this year that I would sit with or talk to each one of my students at least once each day. It has made the biggest difference for me as a teacher. Morning Meeting really helps me and the rest of the class to get to know each other, but I want to be sure that each student knows how much I'm rooting for him or for her and how much I expect from them.

I've had some recent discussions about the current children of this world, and how they are coined to be the "entitlement generation." I'm trying to figure out how to help the little ones in my room escape that label. There are so many instances where I see others upping their standards but lowering their expectations. It is a struggle to find that balance between what you expect and what they are capable of. For me, I keep my expectations as high as I possibly can, and hope that I do enough to help them reach those expectations.

Many thanks are given to all the girls on my first grade team, and to all the other teachers at school! I have such a wonderful support group there, especially after finding the several individuals who share my outlook and insights and philosophy and goals. I would not have survived this far without their amazing help and shoulders to cry on. I am amazed at the strength and patience of my family and friends as well. They always seem to have the perfect words for me when I have a great day, and also when I have the not-so-great days. With such a dependable army of guidance and love behind me, I have a great amount of hope for the future. I pray for my past students, my present students, and future students each day. I wish them the world and hope to share a piece of it with them. But most of all, if they know how much I love each one of them and know that I stand behind them, that will be enough.

This is my favorite teaching quote...it's a bit of a cliche now, but I'm in love with it always!

When I am introduced as a teacher, I am usually asked what I teach. When I say, “First grade,” I generally hear a very flat, “Oh.” I have never been certain whether that is an expression of pity, disgust, or perhaps disinterest. Always I wish I had time to explain to them like this:

Yes, I teach first grade. Where else would a handsome and very young man put his arms and me and ask, “Do you know I love you?”
Where else could I see a fashion show daily and keep up on the latest trends for the very young?
Where else could my limited wardrobe be complimented or my earrings thought beautiful?
Where else could I eat a soiled piece of candy from a grimy little hand and not become ill?
Where else could I have the privilege of wiggling loose teeth and receive the promise that I may pull them when they’re loose enough?
Where else could I guide a chubby little hand that some day may write a book or an important document?
Where else could I walk around the room and have little warm hands reach up to touch me?
Where else could I forget my own aches and pains because of so many cut fingers, scratched knees, bumped heads, and broken hearts that need care? Where else could my mind stay so young as with a group whose attention span is so short that I must always keep a bag of tricks up my sleeve?
Where else could I feel so close to my Maker as I do each year because of something that I have done to help one of His little children learn and grow.

Yes, I teach first grade and I love it!
Source: Unknown

-Post made by January - February writer Brenna Logan

2-15-09

My main struggle in teaching first grade is definitely writing. I had NO CLUE what I was doing up until my second observation this year. I grew up in a family that immersed me in the English language – both reading and writing have always been strong for me. I’ve been slowly learning how to teach reading, and I feel like I am getting the hang of it (plus I really enjoy it), however, writing is one of my weaknesses. It is very difficult for me to break down writing into parts, because I see it as a whole. My students have our Writer’s Workshop routine down (as you can probably tell, I am ALL about routines and structure), but they were not showing the progress in their writing as I had hoped they would. One of my first grade teammates who is almost eligible for retirement opened her classroom door to me and allowed me to observe her teach a lesson. She was amazing with her students! They were writing creative stories in “books” that she had made for them (she staples 3 pieces of paper to make a book to help them discover how to write a story with a beginning, middle, and an end).

I took my observation and made some drastic changes in my writing lessons. I adopted the books, and almost immediately, even my students who really struggle with writing were amazingly already writing actual stories. I try now to put major emphasis on the books we read for Shared Reading, and try my best to have them tie into my mini lessons in Writer’s Workshop. We’ll see how things go from here! :o)

By the way, our kindergarten and first grade classrooms have the Lucy Calkins book sets. They are an amazing guide for teachers with relatable and scripted lessons for all aspects of writing all year. If you take them and make them your own, it is a tremendous resource!!

--Post made by January - February writer Brenna Logan

2-12-09

2-12-09
At the end of most days, after my students have lined up in their “bus line,” “van line,” and “car rider line” and headed off school grounds, I check my box in the office, say hello/cya later to the coworkers down the hall, and come back to my room. I have to keep one set of lights off because I discovered this year that I get sensory overload from the florescent lights. I usually turn off all the lights in my room when the day is done and I am alone in the room for the first time in 8 hours. With chairs up off the floor and the calendar board wiped clean by the Star Student, some days it’s hard to tell that students have even come and gone. It is so peaceful and relaxing to sit down at my desk and reflect on the day.

Today was a great day! I am in love with my students. I was blessed with a group that gets along (for the most part, most days), and that I can put into small groups or partners without having to worry about arguments or power struggles.

One of the teachers at Eastern, whom I adore and dream of one day being as wonderful a teacher as she is, lent a book to me this summer called “Morning Meeting.” The author describes a morning routine that is based upon problem solving, listening, teamwork, and other wonderful life skills that students seem to miss out on these days. I immediately adopted this routine into my classroom on Day One of this school year, and will use it until my teaching days are over.
Here’s my interpretation of it:
After the announcements are over and the tardy bell rings, I play a simple song on the CD player that signals the students to stop and turn in their morning work. They stand up, clear their desks, and sit down in a circle together at the front of our classroom. They are encouraged to sit next to someone different each day. On Mondays we introduce a new “Morning Greeting” such as Bonjour, Hola, Good Morning, Top of the Morning, Konnichiwa, etc. My favorite is “Namaste” which in a loose translation means “I see the good in you.” I like to have the Morning Greeting in a different language, so we point out the country on the map, talk about where the language is spoken, and what the word(s) mean. The Star Student (this is the helper of the day) starts Morning Greeting. S/he turns to the person beside him/her and shakes that person’s hand while saying the greeting (for instance, “Namaste, Ms.Logan). The two shake hands and the person says it back to the Star Student. Then the person turns to the next and they exchange the greeting with each other’s names until we get back around the circle to the Start Student (I hope that makes sense!!).
Next, we sing our good morning song with the help of our CD player. After the song, we have our share time. This is basically Show and Tell. Each student has a designated day to have his/her Share Time. There are three to four students per day. The students may bring in an object from home or share important news. The key to this Share Time is that you have to describe the object or news you are sharing. Meanwhile, the classmates listen to the details. When the person who is sharing is finished, s/he asks “Does anyone have any questions.” S/he then picks 3 people to ask a question. The question may not have a yes or no answer. It has to be a thoughtful question based on the information provided. Surprisingly, the entire Share Time only takes about 5 to 8 minutes everyday.
When we have time, we will do an activity after Share Time. The activity is a team building song or game. We started off the year introducing a new “Cheer” from Dr. Jean’s website (Kiss Your Brain, Lookin’ Good, “Round” of Applause, “Micro”wave, etc.). Now we do songs that have to do with student names or a word family.
I cannot express enough how much of a team builder this has been for my class. My favorite parts are the Morning Greeting and Share Time. It is so cute the way the students shake each other’s hands! We discussed what makes a “good” handshake (ie, a firm but gentle grip, looking each other in the eye, and speaking clearly with a smile). Also, during Share Time, their questions have become very in depth. There is almost a competition to have the best question! One day a student was talking about getting a toy from his grandmother. One of the questions asked was “did your grandmother give the toy because she was visiting or was it for a special day like Christmas?” Wow! :o)

--Post made by January - February writer Brenna Logan

2-2-09

February…here we go! A month of black history, dental health, Super Bowl ((GO STEELERS!)), Groundhog Day, Valentine’s Day, Presidents’ Day, Happy Birthday Mr. Lincoln, Happy Birthday Mr. Washington…I don’t know if I even need to say more!

I remember last year in first grade – I started teaching in January and had no earthly idea what February would bring. I am the type of teacher that wants to “do it all.” I think we’re all like that. I learned so much when I was in school, and now there are even more resources thanks to the Internet, so I want my 6 and 7 year-olds to get it all in while they are with me. Stepping back and telling myself, Brenna, you can’t do it in one year, proves to be very difficult. I’ve learned a lot even in one short year, but looking ahead to this month I’m back in “do it all” mode.

PS: I’m VERY disappointed that Mr. Punxswaney Phil saw his shadow – they are calling for snow next week…

I learned today that I cannot view or add to my blog from school (Pitt County Schools has blocked all “blogs”), which is where I spend most of my computer time (after school of course!), so I want to reflect at the end of the day a few days this month and transfer it over to home in order to post. Bare with me!




Here is a video that really helped me with Guided Reading and managing my centers this year:

http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=8b9e5ddcf83489018a5d


--Post made by January - February writer Brenna Logan

Love It!

This is a website geared towards mainly the primary grades...and is my favorite! If you visit it, look at the top and click on the link "click here for monthly activities." I love it because not only are there AwEsOmE ideas, but also because most of the activities have pictures to show you exactly what they mean! Awesome!

http://www.drjean.org/

...Pretty much the best thing since sliced bread for this teacher! :o)

Here is a picture of my favorite spot in my classroom.

It's where we meet on the carpet for Morning Meeting,

Calendar, Read Alouds, math sometimes, Social Studies,

Science, and Writing. (I just realized now that my students

are rarely at their desks...) Oh, and this picture was taken

back in October right after an experiment with pumpkins

so it normally looks a lot cleaner/neater than this! :o)

--Post made by January - February writer Brenna Logan

And all will be well, and all will be very well!

I counted three briefcase-sized bags tonight when I finally closed my books and packed up my crayons for tomorrow. There is always a bag in my room filled with books that have wonderful ideas and crafts I'd like to try someday. There is a bag in the back of my car containing the latest yard-sale purchases for my classroom. And last is the large quilted, pink elephant and paisley covered tote that is always glued to my side at the end of the day as I walk out of school and is still there in the morning when I'm seen walking back in!
Just to clear things up, my dad is a high school English teacher, and he passed down to me a passion for writing. I didn't say he passed down a skill of good writing, just a passion! :o)

A little about me... I graduated in December 2007 with my Bachelor's Degree from East Carolina University. I also have a K-12 reading license. I grew up in Greenville, NC, and am still here, but would love to move to at least one other state in the near future. I want to see the world and experience all it has to offer me! My family is very supportive of my career path - I mentioned before that my dad is a teacher; my mom was a preschool teacher for a few years when I was much younger as well. I like to read, be outside, and I love listening to music. I have a cat whose name is Hank - he likes to sit right on top of my computer when I'm trying to work.

I love and teach the first grade at Eastern Elementary in Greenville, NC. Currently there are 19 students in my class with several different nationalities, and they all add up to be a sweet, fun-loving group of 6 and 7 year-olds. We have survived the first half of the school year together, and it amazes me how much they have grown academically, physically, and emotionally!
First grade is a tough year because you are no longer in kindergarten where everything is new and simple and fresh, and you have to be prepared at the end for the fast pace of second grade. Finding a balance for my little ones has proven to be challenging as I am a very nurturing person. I want to give them the same amount of love and support they received from their kindergarten teachers while still pushing them full steam ahead.

I am very grateful to all the teachers around me at school. So many have given me supplies for my classroom (furniture, books, manipulatives, posters, boarders, files upon files of lessons and ideas, note pads, and most importantly chocolate!, and so many more have ideas to offer or projects to try. I have so many ideas myself, but the struggle I have is the fact that it's not possible to try them all this year. I have to be picky - and pick and choose the best for right now and try the rest in the years to come. Many teachers and friends tell me that your first year is all about surviving, but I don't like that saying. I feel that if I have that kind of an attitude towards this year, not only will I not enjoy it, but I will also be letting my students down. I don't want them to suffer academically or in any way just because this is my first time teaching. It's not fair to them. So I am slowly getting better at choosing activities and lessons that I like, but also keeping tabs on how much time to spend on them.

We are "Team Logan" in room 105, and we use music and partner/group work to help us learn. We use music to transition in the morning, to sing our Good Morning song, to sing about the days of the week and the vowels in the alphabet and the holidays...you name it, we have a song for it! Yes, surprisingly, the boys love it more than the girls! :o) Our favorite classroom tool is the stack of 10" square dry-erase boards that sit at the front of the room on the floor. We use these white boards to solve math problems, practice tough words, and we use them a lot in our reading groups for word work. Hand-held dry erase boards have definitely been a plus and a time/paper saver this year. They come highly recommended!

--Post made by January - February writer Brenna Logan