I have been thinking a lot about snowflakes lately, which is strange because I live in California and it is spring. However, my kindergartner is completely fascinated by snowflakes, mostly because each one is unique, like no other in the universe. And not to sound trite, but so are students. Unique. Like no other in the universe. Recently I spoke at a career panel and was asked by a sixth grade girl, “Why do you like teaching?” I stopped and thought about why I liked being a teacher. What did teaching mean to me? As I looked out over the sea of young women sitting there, I knew my answer. I like the puzzle of teaching to the unique. I thrive on figuring out how to make EVERY child learn what is just right for them. I gauge my success as a teacher upon how effectively I succeed at this. I believe that it is this constant need to advocate for every learner that makes this profession so very interesting. Let’s face it–it requires flexibility, creativity and plain old mental Olympics to achieve this in the classroom.
Posts Tagged ‘quick tips’
Differentiation: A model lesson
Tuesday, May 4th, 2010
Quick Teaching Tip: History Hunt
Tuesday, April 13th, 2010
- Image via Wikipedia
Today’s quick tip is in honor of the social studies and history teachers out there. While I have only blogged a bit about this area of education, it is actually my favorite to teach. I loved using this technique in my classroom when looking at a historical figure or event in more detail. This is a fabulous activity for any grade K-8 classroom with a tad bit of adjustment based on the age.
Did you know that April 13 is Thomas Jefferson’s birthday? In honor of the third president of the United States, we will be shaping our activity around his life. Here is what you do:
Quick Teaching Tip: “A Lot” of Hoopla
Wednesday, April 7th, 2010Perhaps it is the spring in the air or the sweet sounds of birds chirping. Perhaps I am grateful that my home/office has not been shaken into the Pacific Ocean. Or perhaps it is because my kindergartner is home from school for Spring Break and I have escaped for a few minutes of peace and serenity into my office under the guise of work. I’ll never tell. However, regardless of the motivation, I am feeling generous today and so will begin a serious of little gifts to my loyal blog readers. But first, a little about our philosophy on instructional seminars.