Tuesday, 14 August 2012

Making Teaching Less Stressful: Tip # 1

I always wondered iif it was possible to make teaching less stressful.  Well I am on this mission to prove to myself that I can.  I started downloading powerpoints and worksheets for each topic in Reading because I teach Reading a lot and it is in the mornings.  So I would rather be prepared the first teaching period instead of scrambling around to be prepared the night before or that morning.  The good thing about doing this is that I can print the information on transparency paper if I only have an overhead projector.  Also I can use the information as a reference for me so I will know what to teach or what to write on the board.  In addition, I can simply make copies for the students.  Or just use the lcd projector when I have one. The point is , if you create a teaching file for those subjects that take up most of your time  before hand, when its time to teach you wont be stressed out looking for resources.

Tuesday, 7 August 2012

Two More Cool Ideas

Part 2 - More cool ideas

   

Things teachers will love.

Well, I am back on my hunt for looking at teacher ideas and the internet and the blogs do not fail me.  I mean from Pinterest to Youtube the possibilities are endless of all the things you can find out there to make your life better as a teacher.  Check these out!

I visited www.kidblog.org and let me tell you it is so easy to set up a caveman could do it.  It allows you to have your students share their writing.  Other students can comment on it, the things you can do are many.  I signed up today but I will have to wait for my class list to add the students to it.  It is safe too, no funny business you know- that's important cause you can monitor the students' entries etc.


I am strongly considering the Daily 5 or some components of it- I think it brings structure to the reading period.  I often feel like I need a structured way to teach during the literacy period in the morning and I am currently loving this Daily 5 thing.  I love how it encourages students to be independent so that it frees you up to work in small groups or one on one with students who need intervention.

In grade 6 we learn about different cultures so I was thinking of linking up with teachers from those parts of the world via their blogs or emails to see how I make the topics more engaging when it comes to learning about their culture.  I have linked up with a teacher from Australia.

Work on Writing Component of the Daily 5 - These topic journals would be good to use when its time for the work on writing period.  Instead of each students having a journal, there will be topic journals which students can choose from each day.  Journal writing wont be boring.  I love that the Daily 5 gives students a chance to work on writing each day.  Students need continuous practice to become better writers.