middle school teacher...

I haven't written about my classroom lately.  This is for many reasons.  This year has been overwhelming, and I find it so hard to even blog my updates on Everly, let alone talk about my work day, that seems to keep getting longer and longer.  However, today was a day that I want to remember.

It was a great day.  And for a very simple reason.  I had a really great day with my kids.  I teach two very different groups of students, one is an accelerated group of amazingly well behaved students, and then my other group is low socio-economic students who have been known to give their teacher's a run for their money.  My "challenging" group has a variety of needs, including 6th graders who are reading at a first grade level.  And guess what, when you cannot read, you typically are not the most attentive student in your middle school history class.

But I've been working hard with this group.  I want them to love history, or at least the history they learn with me.  They are my first group of the day, and I've got energy, and use a "whole body" approach when teaching.  You should see me acting out a hominid hunting scene, by myself, in front of thirty tweens.  Really, it has got to be a funny picture.  But hey, it keeps their attention, so you better believe I have my "man discovering how to make fire" act all lined up for tomorrow.  

Today we were learning about our second hominid group, and it was pretty classic history lesson model.  Read textbook, fill out our interactive notebooks.  We read together, I read a paragraph, and then everyone reads the next one with me.  So the kids who don't speak English aren't singled out, the kids who can't read aren't either, and the one who is having a hard time waking up, well, maybe the loud choral reading gets them what they need.  We were just having fun today.  I wasn't stressed about staying on schedule.  Today we learned about one hominid, and I'm okay with that.  They were engaged, participating, and enjoying the whole thing.  

At one point in the lesson we were circling important details in the photos in our interactive notebook when one student pointed out I had made a crazy smiley face with all of my circles.  And sure enough, I had.  We all laughed about it, and it seems like nothing now that I write about it, but it was something.  One student even said out-loud that "this is the best class ever".

So, what made this so magnificent?  It wasn't some ridiculous new teaching strategy.  It wasn't the fact that I used all of the current buzzwords in my classroom.  Instead, today was the day that I realized I have built a community in my second period.  This is the same group of kids who seems to always have a hard time on campus, never doing the "right thing", but they are enjoying each others company, and they seem to enjoy mine.  They are safe in my room.  They are excited to talk about whatever craziness I'm throwing at them.  They know that they can point out something as silly as a smiley face I accidentally had drawn on the board while being super serious with my hominid notes.  

Today was a good day.  That's it.

ten on ten [september 2013]

yesterday, I tried to write here on my little space

but all of the ideas I had

just couldn't come out quite right

my days have been long, and hard

and I am finding it very challenging to be a very good teacher

and mom, all at the same time
[and wife to a husband I rarely see]

last year, I did my job, but that was about it

this year,  I'm really trying to gain balance

and do everything well

but man, the days are long

today, I tried to find a little beauty

in these days where I am finding the need to prioritize even my minutes

so I picked up my iPhone

and caught this -

-organized purees makes a happy mama-


-ready to ride to work, had to wait a few minutes for the sun to come up-


-love walking in my room to find parent donations-


-someone eats breakfast at school, and it isn't me-


-we try to do this-


-she always steals a carrot out of my lunch-


-feeling very lucky to have acquired a retired teacher's library-

-this bike is going to get me my teen legs back, or maybe early 20's-

-trying to keep this classroom organized, since student teaching, I've struggled with my paper stacks-

-my newest vintage purchase, I bought it because my mom has an identical one-

-everly took a nice nap in her swing this afternoon, and I did this, 

maybe in 18 years I'll get some real "me time"-

joining the ten on ten project with Rebekah today!

p.s. I shared 11 photos, shhh, don't tell

working mom [it's all about mindset]

When I went back to work in March, I was NOT ready.  Due to some misinformation from HR, I was originally going to be out until April, and going back a month early just threw me for a loop.  I was emotional, upset, moody, and most of all, did not want to talk about it.  Summer could not come quick enough, and man, I have enjoyed being a stay at home mama.  At the beginning of summer I told the mr. that I wanted to spend every minute with Everly, like, every minute.  However, something strange happened a few weeks back.  I started to think about going back to work, and I didn't have the same reaction as the first time.  I began to realize that I was having a very hard time being a mom, all day long, every single minute.  Sure, the mr. was there in the evenings to help, but guess what, Everly will have her mommy moments, and just need me.  And lately it seemed like those times were happening way more frequently, and it was hard.  Even though Everly is such an amazing baby, I found myself feeling very overwhelmed by it all, and needed to do something else.  The other night I started sweeping outside, and the mr. offered to do it for me.  I politely told him no, I NEEDED to sweep right then, and I NEEDED him to hold Everly.  And so that's what we did.

Sure, there are so many things I am going to miss about being at home with Everly.  But here is the thing, I don't have the option to be a stay at home mom, and if I did, I would probably feel different about things.  But I have to work, so I better make the best of things.  Maybe that's what my brain is doing right now, tricking me, and I'm ok with that.  Your attitude when it comes to life makes such a big difference with everything, big or small.  This week I've been back in the classroom, and my kids come on Thursday.  We are getting back to our routine with Everly, and she is doing great.  Because this girl loves her daddy, and does so amazing with him, especially when it is just the two of them.  So I will share her.  I think if I was always at home he would never get to have the type of relationship with her that I so greatly want for them.  Not to mention, I really do love my career, and I think that is also key.  I will work hard this year to figure out my balance with home and class, be thankful that I am done with my masters, learn to cook healthy dinners for one and a half people, and hopefully get back to blogging some more of my classroom this year.  I really missed not having the passion for posting last school year, it just wasn't in me.  So we will see, I only make half promises.

And on a side note, I won this little treasure today at our professional development.  Thank you pinterest for giving this idea to our leadership team.  I think it may stay in tact on my desk for some time.  It is just TOO pretty!

saying goodbye to another school year [almost]

I can honestly say I am pretty shocked to be saying goodbye to my sixth year of teaching

today was our last friday of the year, and we only have two and a half days more

[I really wish today was the last day - that last days of school are tricky]

with all that has been going on lately, I have neglected to share something awesome

this is the first year, ever, that I have not been laid off

craziness

and even better, I get to stay at my current school site 

[thank goodness, because my commute is about five minutes!]

last week I had a student leave school early to spend the summer in the middle east

and as he said goodbye, he said

"see you next year Mrs. Lewis"

now, that doesn't seem like much, but to know that I have students that I will get to see

me again is pretty amazing

I almost got emotional, almost

so the walls are bare

and stacks of paper are needed to be given back to students

[and a ton of grading too, but we will ignore that for the moment]

and so this year comes to a close

and it has been a weird one to say the least

never before have I left my class for half a year

but having a baby will do that to you

and I really struggled to find my passion in teaching

which was hard, because I really felt like last year I was on an awesome

teaching roll

so I say goodbye to the year, thankful for many things

ready to spend so many hours with my everly

and will do it all over again, next year

ten on ten [may 2013]

ten pictures over ten hours on the tenth of each month

my ten hours were really spread over a very long friday

but hey, it's the weekend, and I'm alright with that

1. e sometimes helps me get ready for work in the morning  2. nothing better than a very clean classroom after open house last night  3. classroom color  4. so, yeah, nothing will keep my pencils in my classroom - I started with 65 pencils a week ago, this is what's left  5. my early mother's day present  6. succulents are doing well  7. decided I deserved an afternoon coffee frappuccino only to find out it was happy hour - double score  8. staff b.b.q. for teacher's appreciation this week [this place was kid heaven]  9. oh yeah, there were chickens there too, and a pony, you get the picture  10. beautiful night, and everly was quite the hit

happy ten on ten everyone

weird week in the classroom

This week I am covering four classes that are not my own regularly while my kids are at science camp.  I've been teaching in three different classrooms and never seem to have what I need. Pretty much chicken with head cut off scenario. But today, well it really takes the cake. I fell. Like pretty bad. In front of my entire class of 7th graders. The good news, at least if I have to make a dramatic fall in the classroom, at least it was in front of my own kids. 

My kids were working on a project and I decided I could get two more posters hung up for open house. Well, apparently not. As I was getting off the chair, I just fell. Went flying towards one of my students, grabbed their desk which I think saved me from actually breaking my ankle. 

Ever wonder how to silence a group of busy teens?  Well I wouldn't suggest this method but it sure did work.  I guess it is not every day you worry that your teacher may have just dropped dead, because from their angle I'm sure that's what it looked like. I squeezed out a shaky "I'm fine" and was thankful I had a few kids there to help me stand up.  So, needless to say I'm happy to be on the sofa with my feet up, because I am starting to realize I hurt just about everything but my head in the fall. Lesson learned, stay off chairs in the classroom, or at least pay attention to what you are doing while up there!  

And because thankfully no one caught this moment of awesomeness on their phone, I will just give you an adorable picture of Everly I caught on my phone over the weekend. Her smile makes me feel better. 

the argument of "too bad, so sad" [and the middle school classroom]

Lately I have really been grappling with the idea of "too bad, so sad" in the classroom.  Being prepared for class and caring are some of the biggest issues I believe in middle school.  Countless students walk into my room with nothing, absolutely nothing, and do not see the issue with it.  If I don't have my binder, you cannot make me turn in homework.  If I do not have my notebook, you cannot make me take notes.  And if I do not have a pencil, well, you pretty much can't get me to do anything.  Elementary school just doesn't have this problem to this magnitude, because, well, they have desks, and stay in one room all day long, etc.  But middle school.  I get you for less than an hour, and then you are off to someone else.  So for those fifty-five minutes, let's get some work done, shall we?  Well, we do for those who are prepared.  But for those who aren't, what do you do?

Before maternity leave, I had a container of sharpened pencils.  I would start the day with 12 or so, and end third period with none.  We tried a check out system, a "you take something, you leave something" system.  But ultimately, I would never be able to stay on top of those darn little yellow things, and they would surely disappear.  Not to mention, the pencil fairy hasn't visited my room lately, so going through 12 pencils a day isn't practical.  Lately, I tell the kids, if they don't have something to write with, they can use one of the old crayons I have out for them.  This works, until I have a project that I really don't want them using a broken, dull, magenta crayon on.  Yesterday, things just about boiled over in my class of 7th graders when, I am not exaggerating, half of my kids did not have a single pencil to use in class.  We are starting a big project that will be displayed for open house, so I was in a dilemma.  NO WAY were they getting to go to their locker to get that almighty pencil.  So I delved out a few shiny new pencils just to get something done.  Meanwhile, I am handing out these pencils right as my principal walks in to bust one of my kids for what I can only assume had something to do with his locker and illegal substances.  I know he had bigger fish to fry than my handing out of pencils, but I wonder what his stance is on the topic [or how it is handled site wide for that face, hmmm, staff meeting agenda item?!?].

But what SHOULD I have done.  Is middle school an acceptable age to start the "too bad, so sad" mentality?  No pencil, no work.  But then they get exactly what they want, to get out of work.  And hey, you would think a grade might persuade them to do something, but bottom line, it does not.  Middle school you fight not only the students perception of grades being important, and in my experience, you also fight the parents on occasion.  These two-three years are seen as complete throw away years by too many.  Kids know that these grades have little effect on their lives, and if they also hear that message from home, well, then there you go.

So, do I supply pencils?  Make extra copies of the handouts and notebooks when they do not bring theirs to class?  Or do I let them sit there, take the F, and call it a day?  Because they need to learn some how, some way, that the world is not always going to supply them for their unpreparedness, and is this the way to do it?  Last year, this issue was minimal, and I seemed able to put out the fires with ease.  But man, this group is killing me when it comes to being prepared, and even though it is the fourth quarter, I need to figure out my attack plan for the next seven or so weeks.

Thoughts?  Suggestions?  Or maybe this post will just turn into one big rhetorical rant, and I'm ok with that too.

[image from this ten on ten, when I had pencils in my classroom]

celebrating Dr. King with positive/negative art [out of the files]

it is no surprise that I do A LOT of art with my classrooms, and many times I re-use and tweak art lessons to fit any of my classrooms.  However, one of my favorite art projects of all time is one that I have only had the opportunity to do ONCE with my own students.  So, seeing as how it is that time of the year again [happy birthday Dr. King] and once again I have no chance to do this art project with my own students, I'm sharing it here so hopefully many kids out there will get to experience the awesomeness of the project!

I have shared this lesson on this blog twice now [here & here].  I have only taught this lesson with my 5th grade students, but I would say that it is very doable with 4th graders on up.  If you teach 2nd or 3rd and your students have been introduced to many art projects, are fairly proficient with scissors, then go for it.  When I taught my 2/3 combination I was really my students first introducer into the world of art, so we skipped this project for the year [they would have been able to do something of this level by the end of the year, so you just have to judge your own class].

Now yes, I know that it is the Friday before the holiday for Dr. King, but it is not too late to do something with your classes to celebrate his birthday.  In fact, a four day week sounds like a perfect time to fit in some Dr. King art and writing.  I am guilty of being an inspiration only teaching blog, and I'm not one to add linkable resources for the projects I do here [sorry, that's probably not going to change].  However, Nicole over at Teaching with Style is one of those awesome teacher bloggers who includes the goods with her posts!  So, Nicole was inspired by this lesson, did it with her 2nd graders, and linked up some freebies to do the lesson with your own kids.

If you haven't done positive/negative art before, I suggest looking at the Blick lesson plan to help you out [it was the only one that made sense to me, and Nicole used it too, so it must be helpful].  I would also make sure to make your own Dr. King example [probably a few to make sure you really have it]before starting this with your class, or disaster may strike!

This lesson will really challenge your kids with following directions, something that all our kids need practice with!  Also, I was lucky enough to have a document camera [ELMO] to use while doing this project with my kids.  It is a STEP BY STEP project.  Because you need ALL the paper you are cutting, having kids go off on their own can turn out problematic.  Also, make sure your kiddos have clean hands before starting this project because once you get glue stick, dirty ball wall hands, and white construction paper together you can kiss those squeeky clean projects goodbye!  I love baby wipes to get this done quick and easy by the way.

I paired this art with some "I Have a Dream" poetry writing with my kids, but you could really take the writing portion anywhere that works for your kids.  Good luck and if you try this project out, I would love to hear how it goes [and see a picture if possible].

ten on ten [october]

today was a challenging ten on ten for me

at 35 weeks pregnant - a work day is hard enough to get through

without trying to capture the beauty in that day

but hey, that's the point of the project after all

but still, it was a hard one

hopefully I'll be going out on maternity leave next week

because folks, I'm done

1. yes, it's wednesday, and I'm wearing flip-flops at work [I told you I was done]

2. post-its & polka dots

3. Spooky Stories done and hung up [and almost all graded]

4. writing options & giant eraser happiness

5. doctor office - trying to get written out earlier [now just paperwork logistics & I'm free]

6. trying to be productive - did find some new fall sweaters - now if it would get even cooler

7. homeward bound

8. new toy for Everly, figured E would need an Elephant, and it is SO soft

9. washing my latest Pyrex find from the weekend

10. time to put my feet up at last

ten on ten [september 2012]

oh mondays, especially mondays after a masters weekend

at least I had ten on ten to keep me going through the day

happy ten on ten everyone

tomorrow I'm off to an all-day district training

thankfully it means I get to sleep in a tad

but man, sub plans are exhausting

see all of september's ten on ten posts here

and my other ten on tens here

ten on ten [reminder]

well, I had a very different post planned for today

however, after being in class all weekend I'm not feeling motivated to do it

and the ironic thing is

the post was going to be how I'm battling with motivation this year in the classroom

so I guess it all makes sense

so instead I'll leave you with this

ten on ten is tomorrow

hope you join in too

see previous ten on ten posts here

expectations for art in the classroom

last year I realized that art in the classroom was kind of my thing

and when it came to teaching nothing but history

I realized how crucial these projects were going to be for our success

however, I know that doing a lot of art in the classroom is not always easy

 for teachers to begin

and one of the biggest complaints I hear from colleagues is that they hate doing art

because the projects never turn out how they want

so I've decided to share a few things I do, or expect, from my students 

when it comes to each and every project

so here they are - expectations presented to my students for each and every

art project we complete in class

and a few helpful hints to make art projects a happy experience for all

#1 a pencil plan [just pencil on final paper]

 must be complete before ANY art mediums are used

#2 no pencil is showing on final projects

#3 always give students a number of art mediums you expect them to use on the project

I start out with 2 different mediums and then move up from there as the year goes on

#4 NO highlighters may be used on final art pieces

#5 markers are for outlining, not coloring in large spaces

#6 suggest which coloring supplies are going to work for parts of the project

[small pieces need color pencils, not crayons, etc.]

#7 colored chalk can be your very best friend, and the kids love it because they can add SO much color to their piece in very little time, and you will love it because it looks awesome

just make sure to remind students to use the chalk on the side and don't be afraid to get their finger tips dirty from blending!

#8 ALWAYS show examples of finished projects - this may be hard because many times that means you the teacher have to take the time to make the example yourself, but it is SO worth it

#9 ALWAYS give students the grading rubric at the start of the project

I create my own rubrics for each project but it works pretty much like a check-list for students to remember the details for that particular project

 like how many symbols they need to use, how many art mediums, etc.

and when they see that they are actually given points on the project just for "neatness" it seems to help them slow down while working

and last but surely not least

#10 COMPLIMENT THE HECK OUT OF EACH AND EVERY PROJECT

monitoring while students are working on their art is crucial

find something, anything, that can be complimented

I know this seems obvious, but I'm telling you, it is the true key to success

you can see the kid literally light up as you find something special in their piece

and confidence with art will take them so far

want proof?

well here are some pictures from the very first art project I have done with my 

6th grade students this year:

all my history students completed this mandala project on the topic

"what makes history?"

just let me know if you are interested in seeing the worksheet I created to help them begin this project

and the best part, I already had some examples from last year 

when my 8th graders made mandalas for our unit on slavery

well there you go, hope this helps

sorry, it turned out to be a little wordier than I was hoping

also, thanks to meg from oh happy day for suggesting I write this post!

and so year 6 began today

well another first day of school is in the books

and all in all I would say it was a success

I think the funniest part for me going from 8th grade back down to 6th

and how little these guys seemed to me

I remember back in the day when I taught 6th grade the kids seemed so grown up

but, with that being said I was coming off of teaching kindergarten 

so just about anyone seemed giant

today I started off with the best way I know how to start the year off

talking about myself

I do this through a little True/False quiz with random facts about me

(and hearing their reasoning for their answers was pretty impressive)

as well as a "grab bag" of items that are special or personal to me

it seems key for me to have my kids quickly realize I am not a robot

and that they just might actually have something in common with me

whether it be sports, my love of harry potter, or maybe even being left-handed

so today was mostly about me

and tomorrow will mostly be about them

and then onto some "real" routines on monday

and yes, I am loving having school start on a Thursday

that was a change this year, and I hope we keep it around