I wrote an Instagram post yesterday and mentioned the math program we use, Life of Fred . I anticipated that I’d get questions about it, and sure enough, I did! In order to answer some of those questions, I put together this little blog post. I hope it helps you see the process we went through as
Hello beautiful! My name is Victoria and I teach women just like you how to become an elegant, classy woman. Today I want to tell you about the 10 things classy women don’t do.
Help your Grandkids navigate the ups and downs of life with advice, encouragement, and love. Here are things Grandmas want them to know about life.
Hi this is Jessica Zannini from Notes from the Portable and today I want to tell you about how I was able to increase my classroom ...
Hello beautiful! My name is Victoria and I teach women just like you how to become an elegant, classy woman. Today I want to tell you about the 10 things classy women don’t do.
Today I want to tell you five things to watch for your birth to be hard. These are things that can be fixed, but you need to be aware of them. Be SURE to read til’ #5 — because it’s the one you have the most control over! Yes, this post is talking about birth …
Have you ever wondered what your child's teacher REALLY wants to say? Read this list of 10 things every teacher wants you to know...but won't tell you.
Are you looking for a fabulous day trip from Barcelona? Would you like to find a quaint little Catalan town to stay in for a few days or forever? I want to tell you…
Get ready! This cute craft is perfect for kids; DIY easy cute origami cats that anyone can make, whatever their age, and decorate as well.
What are the best things to do and see in Bydgoszcz, Poland? Let's go for a walk, to see the best places in Bydgoszcz’s centre.
Visit the most beautiful villages of Dordogne - Perigord. Enjoy this region full of medieval villages, castles and troglodytes of France
Have you ever thought about using wordless videos in your speech therapy lessons? It increases engagement! Start with these videos...
As someone who teaches macros all day, it sounds crazy to say that knowing your perfect macros can be harmful in the long run... let’s dive in!
No matter how experienced the graphic designer, we can all always improve. I'm sharing four ways I've consistently used to get better at graphic design while learning new graphic design skills along the way!
Help your Grandkids navigate the ups and downs of life with advice, encouragement, and love. Here are things Grandmas want them to know about life.
How I use Google Drive to organize my business and my life. Here are 8 reasons why I started using Google Drive and how you can use it too.
It’s been an amazing week in both Santiago, Chile and Rio de Janeiro, but I’m finally back home and trying to remember all my amazing experiences to tell you all about it! I want to start with Santiago, especially because it was a big surprise for me. I ...
As your dad and I fade into the background of your life I want to tell you it has been a privilege to have you as our son.
When my kids came back from spring break this week, they were greeted with shampooed carpets, new collaboration desk clusters, fully stocked common desks, rotated book titles, and one less fish. I forgot to bring back Skittles, our classroom fish, who was still sitting on the entertainment center at home. It was very much a fresh start for everyone after the winter grind that brought long streaks of indoor recess, multiple rounds of state and district testing, and a consistent escalation of what my kids call "drama." I call it meanness. For the two weeks or so before spring break, there was a noticeable increase in student counseling , calls from concerned parents, and tears in the 6th grade. Student factions were constantly shifting their allegiances, leaving what were once friends, literally and figuratively standing out in the cold. The evidence and impact of rumor mongering, which causes emotional pain and hurt feelings, had increased. To me, the meanness was starting to erode away some of the classroom community that we had worked so hard to build together over the last eight months. Monday, as the kids began sleepily doing their morning work and listening to welcome back announcements, I started to clean the main whiteboard. The task got their attention, because it is something that they have never seen me do before. Tasks like those don't take place when kids are supposed to be learning. I removed all of the 'stuff' from what is normally our main board for instruction. All the magnets, signs, attendance sticks, etc were taken away or placed on the auxiliary board. I used the 'special' overpriced whiteboard spray and some rags to achieve a perfectly white surface. Nothing. Just before lunch I showed the kids a short video on how to subtly stand up for someone who is being treated mean or bullied. I tried to not sound old while offering them suggestions on how to verbalize a "stop it" message to someone choosing to be mean. The following morning I had written, just one word on the board. mean. I then shared some more videos on how bullying happens and how it continues. The lessons were short, focused and sometimes intense. I didn't want to lecture, I wanted to inform. I wanted the kids to make the connection between the words and actions they choose and how those choices impact others. Wednesday morning, as the kids entered the room, they immediately noticed that the big board was filled with meanness. Mean words, actions, and descriptors filled the space. I choose to write the words in black and blue, to symbolically represent the physical harm that meanness can rise too. After answering the most frequently asked question of "how long did that take you?", they began to notice the breadth of the words. Many of the words the kids didn't know, like avarice, scorn, and nefarious. However, when placed alongside more familiar words like mean, taunt, and pain, the variety of words helped them understand that there is more than one way to describe unkindness. On Thursday, even-though it took me over an hour to put the words up just the day before, I erased a bunch of them and created a space to write 'How do you want to be remembered?' smack dab in the middle of all the meanness. I shared my personal story of some events and people from my childhood that I still remembered. Life events that still bring me pain when I recall them. It was difficult at times to tell the stories, but I think my emotions helped land the message that the pain caused by others can last. Friday we were visiting the middle school that my 6th graders will be attending next year, and with it, a glimpse of another new start. Before we left we watched a powerful video of a young boy who was changing schools and was afraid that he would continue to be bullied and called names. The video message ends with him making a decision to keep fighting for who he is and a recognition that he matters. Once the video was complete, I silently walked to the board filled with mean words and characteristics, erased one of them, and replaced it with Love. I wanted to give them an opportunity to define themselves, while at the same time realize that they were in charge of their choices and legacy. I handed my marker to one of my students and asked them to help me erase meanness and replace it with a word of kindness or a word that they wanted to be remembered by. Over the next few minutes, as the rainbow of dry erase markers were passed around, the words on the board began to represent their aspirations. I was so proud of these young people and the respect that they were giving the process. They sat quietly and watched their classmates slowly transform the black and blue board into one of color and hope. It was an amazing and touching experience. We then headed off to their new school for a morning of tours and lunch. We had a blast seeing all of the resources and activities that will be part of of their academic lives in 7th and 8th grade. When we returned I shared the activity with my science and math sections. Powerful moments were created each time. We began to see how we can change the world with just a little kindness. Our world prism widened as we began to realize what we could become. During dismissal procedures, when my kids returned to gather their things and head home, they noticed that all of the harmful words weren't gone. Still visible were words such as envy and detest, but then a powerful observation was made. Yes there was meanness still present. Sadly, we can never get rid of it all, but kindness and caring can overwhelm the unkind. When we looked at the colored words of kindness that now represented our 6th grade, you barely noticed the words of pain. We literally "Erased Meanness" and replaced it with kindness. Update May 2013 : The reply I gave to a reader's request. Thanks for reading, I appreciate it. And yes it was an amazingly powerful lesson and one that I hope they never forget. I've never included the specific videos that I used in this post, because I picked them out specifically for my kids to address some of the things that I was seeing in my classroom. I guess I didn't want the lesson to be copied verbatim if another educator wanted to use the idea. I would rather have them tailor it to their classroom. I see know that that may have been shortsighted. I used a variety of sources and clips and have included them in my October Post "Charles Adler Show" here The word list I use to create the whiteboard is available here in this Google Doc Update August 23, 2014 - Launch of EraseMeanness.org ! I started a non-profit organization to spread the lesson of Erasing Meanness beyond this post. Kids really respond to this lesson and it is something that they remember. I like that. Join us by visiting our site. EraseMeanness.org Follow us on Twitter or https://twitter.com/EraseMeanness and Pinterest Update August 13th, 2015 - New materials for 2015's Worldwide Erase Meanness Day posted at http://www.erasemeanness.org/join-the-movement.html Join us and kids around the world as we try and make the world a kinder place. Follow me on Twitter @YourKidsTeacher
Upwork is one of the first places people turn. to find freelance jobs. But you may be wondering, is Upwork good for beginners? Read this post to find out.
So, I sat my son down and gave him my slightly unfiltered list of things I thought he should know about dating and relationships.
Tired of creating new content? Read this article to know about ways to repurpose content in different ways. Repurposing content is the art of using the same thing differently and uniquely. There are too many influences around you that you might clout your judgment and get sucked in the whirlpool and I want to tell you that it is all right. There is no harm in repurposing the same content as long as you know how to do it.
Lies are the biggest enemy of every relationship and you certainly don't want your partner to feel like they can't trust you. Every happy couple builds their relationship on trust because they know that this
In this sewing machine tension guide, I want to tell you everything I know about sewing machine tension and bobbin tension problems. Learn to make bobbin tension adjustments
I have 4 great vinegar tips for how to use it in the laundry room! Learn how to reshape shrunken clothes, whiten clothes, remove odors and remove stains!
{{ A Father's Day message to my father-in-law }} A daddy is so important to a girl… always… But a treasured father-in-law, I’m learning as I get older, is also indeed priceless. So this Father's Day I'm writing an open letter to my father-in-law... Thank you for your investment in my husband. Thank you for
Best things to do in Bergerac, the capital of the Purple Perigord. The medieval city, known for Cyrano de Bergerac and its famous wines.
If you suffer from ITBS or IT band pain, you might want to consider some rehab work. This simple routine will help you run better and feel great.
Malaga is an incredible destination in Spain because of its sunny weather and the great variety of things to do in the city and its surroundings - from lying on one of its beautiful beaches
Now that I'm about to take a break from my job as an elementary school teacher, I've been reflecting on my time in the classroom. Here's what I want you to know.
How to get those fancy fonts on your cookies even if you have terrible hand writing.
Tattling! Yuck! Tired of your students running up and telling you every little thing? Trouble with tattling? Do you have students that need a Band-Aid for a teeny-tiny speck? Teach your students the 5 B’s! The 5 B's is a classroom management tool meant to reduce off task "teacher telling" and tattling. The 5 B’s help your students know when it’s appropriate to go to the teacher and what things a teacher needs to know about. This is a great product to use at the beginning of the year but can be started at any time. When my students come up to me at recess, for example, I hold up my 5 fingers and ask if what they are about to say is one of the 5 B's. Most of the time, they just go back and play. Fabulous! The product includes: ★Individual posters of the 5 B's and tattling ★ An all in one poster ★Black and White posters so you can print on colored paper This resource is helpful for: ✸Classroom teachers needing to set guidelines for tattling ✸Resource teachers wanting to stop tattling ✸Whole schools needing help curbing tattling! Resource Testimonials from Teachers Like You: Ashley T. said: This product literally changed my life! My students can relate to this and this has helped reduce tattling so much in my classroom. THANKS A MILLION! Kimberly T. said: Love this! When they are headed my way I put up my hand and say, "Is it one of the 5 B's?" It usually isn't! :) Halley B. said: This is one of the best management resources I've found. It's simple and to the point. The students understand it, and it so easy to implement school wide! ************************************************************************ Other 5 B's Resources! • Reduce and Stop Tattling Resource: 5 B's (Green) • Reduce and Stop Tattling Resource: 5 B's (Red) • Reduce and Stop Tattling: 5 B's Related Products • Back to School Student Information Flip Book • Classroom Book Shelf Display: Keep Track of Your Read Alouds • Flexible Seating Rules: Editable! • Growth Mindset Big Bundle • Playground and Recess SAFETY Rules Posters _____________________________________________________ Connect with me at: Tech Crazy Teacher Blog _____________________________________________________ Having difficulty with a file? Visit the FAQs section, submit a help ticket, or ask a question on the Q& A tab before leaving feedback. _____________________________________________________ Copyright © Tech Crazy Teacher, Amy Wendel. Permission to copy for single classroom use only. Please purchase additional licenses if you intend to share this product.
Help your Grandkids navigate the ups and downs of life with advice, encouragement, and love. Here are things Grandmas want them to know about life.
Experience the best 10 days in The Netherlands itinerary and road trip to Amsterdam, Utrecht, Volendam, Giethoorn, and Rotterdam.
