tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37671969158488242832024-03-13T14:30:28.431-05:00The Marvelous Middlesmuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00461511400182077007noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767196915848824283.post-17787780368836128612017-12-01T09:31:00.001-06:002017-12-01T16:04:53.732-06:005 Tips to Help Tired Teachers Survive Until Winter Break<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Winter break is in sight and the students all know it. This time of year can be the toughest for even the most seasoned of teachers. It's important to maintain control over your classroom yet still find the strength to enjoy the holidays with your students. Becoming a Scrooge or the Grinch isn't fun for anyone, including yourself. So here are my five tips for surviving until winter break. <br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">1. Resist the Urge to Ease Up on Expectations!</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">This time of year finds teachers struggling to stay sane and composed, especially when you have a classroom of students who know you are at the end of your rope. The perfect time for them to get away with doing things they don't normally get away with doing. Resist the urge to loosen your expectations and classroom rules. I promise you it will backfire! A lackadaisical teacher will only compound the chaos in the room. Students can smell a tired teacher from a mile away. Take a breath and a second to remind students of the rules and correct whenever necessary, every. single. time. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">2. Make a List and Prioritize! </span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Make a list of everything you need to get done in your classroom from now until break. Yes, you do have time to sit down and make a list! It takes a few minutes but it's worth it in the end. Now read through all that is on the list. If you are anything like me, there are things on that list that are non-negotiable. Find time for these in your teacher planner. Semester exams created and printed? Time to get grades done? Check. Christmas program practices? Check. Now that you know what you have to get done, you can schedule in a few (A FEW) fun activities for the holidays. One activity I always do in my classroom is put up a tree and ask my students to make ELA-related ornaments. It's a simple activity and takes less than a class period, while giving your students (and yourself) a chance to spread some holiday cheer. This free <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Reading-is-a-Gift-Tree-Ornament-2218489" target="_blank">"Reading is a Gift Ornament"</a> template can be found in my TpT store. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">My classroom tree from last year.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">3. Sleep, Eat, Drink, Move. Repeat.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Sleep: A tired teacher is an unhappy teacher. Taking care of yourself is a must, especially during the weeks before winter break. Resist staying up late each night, preparing for the next day. Loss of sleep makes it harder to think and worsens our (already short) patience. There is nothing wrong with a short catnap when you get home from school to get reinvigorated. </span></div>
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Eat: Even thought it's always easier to grab something on the run when we are busy and tired. Resist high carb, high fat meals. Not to mention the endless stream of sweets in the teacher's lounge. I'm not saying abstain...just keep it all in check. Extra pounds and a sloggy metabolism won't help you to keep your mood and energy up.</div>
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Drink: Dehydration can impact your mood and mental clarity in a very short time. Remember to take water with you to school and drink water often. Also, imbibe in small doses. A glass of wine at night can help everyone unwind from a day with students.</div>
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Move: Even five minutes of exercise can boost your mood. Head outside for a walk at lunch to clear your mind. The crisp air will wake up your senses and invigorate your body. Find time to exercise 30 minutes at least three times a week to help burn off negative energy.</div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">4. "Just For You" Time</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Take some time to do whatever makes you happy and relaxed. Get your nails done...walk the dog...shop for holiday gifts...get a massage...take a drive...go to dinner with friends. Do something to ease your stress and allow your brain to center itself. A frazzled teacher can run out of steam quickly, especially the few weeks (and days) before break.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">5. Prepare for January</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">It's always hard to get back into the swing of things when you return in January. Do your future-self a favor and get plans done for the first week back. Make copies that you will need, create new seating charts, take down holiday decorations. Anything you can do to make things easier on yourself in January will be appreciated by "future you". No one likes to come back to a mess or a long must-do lists. </span></div>
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When stress begins to rise, think about the well-deserved time off you will soon be enjoying. Use the break to rest, relax, and recharge. For tips on regaining your sanity during break, see my post titled <a href="https://the-marvelous-middle.blogspot.com/2016/12/12daysofdecember.html" target="_blank">"10 Ways to Regain Your Sanity During Christmas Break"</a> from last year's 12 Days of December.</div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><em>Remember there are two more teacher-authors that are included in today's blog hop: Cullom Corner and OC Beach Teacher. Be sure to head over to their blogs for more useful information.</em></span><br />
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<a href="https://sites.google.com/view/12daysofdecember/december-2nd?authuser=1" target="_blank"><img alt="12 Days of December Day Two Teacher-Authors" border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="271" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t8wrTXoRVw0/WiHPln2rS4I/AAAAAAAAAi8/_9EzqpLjFxQshBEAYKrVCVx4K-8N59cuACLcBGAs/s400/DAY%2B2.png" width="393" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><em>Come check out the other 10 days of teacher-authors for more chances to win some great prizes.</em></span></span></div>
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smuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00461511400182077007noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767196915848824283.post-72500768619878324012017-07-28T00:58:00.000-05:002017-07-28T01:04:48.118-05:0010 Classroom Procedures to Establish at Start of School Year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Every teacher wants a classroom that resembles <b>a well-oiled machine</b>. Students know what to do and how to do it. Students know the teacher's expectations of them. <b>Students are not left wondering and they can feel confident and ready to learn.</b> When students are anxious and confused about how the classroom operates, they aren't able to put their best foot forward. <b>In my classroom, there are 10 essential classroom procedures that I focus on the first week of school. </b>This allows me to get my students dialed in to my expectations quickly and the classroom runs more efficiently. Teachers, myself included, thrive on efficiency. </div>
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The procedures I focus on the first week of school are:</div>
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1. <b>Entering the classroom</b>--If your students are anything like mine, they wait until the last minute to rush into the classroom. This creates a problem when they are all trying to squeeze in the door at the same time and get to their seat before they get marked tardy. To keep this from happening, I establish a strict expectation for entering the classroom for my students. It's important to get this procedure started from day one of the school year. It's much tougher to break the habit of pre-class chaos than it is to bite the bullet and teach the procedure right away. Create a solid tardy policy and enforce it from the beginning. For example, my students are considered tardy if they are not in their seat and working on warm-up when the bell rings. We are a very small school and students do not have to go far to travel from class to class so this works for my classroom. Figure out what works for your classroom. I have always thought that most of the discipline issues at the start of class can be remedied with a solid, specific procedure for entering the classroom. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">2. <b>Warm-ups / bell ringers</b>--Warm-ups get students working immediately upon entering my classroom. They are effective because they take the first five to seven minutes of the class period to get students "warmed up" for whatever is being introduced, reviewed, or re-taught in class that day. In my classroom, I put the To-Do on the interactive whiteboard and the students know to check when they enter the room. Once this routine is established, students know they should be in their seats and working when the bell rings. T</span>his is essential to the flow of my classroom because it allows me time to take attendance or answer homework questions while the class is working on their warm-up. Once the time is up, we move on to the content for the day. </div>
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<span style="color: #0b0b0b; font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">3. <b>Cell phones</b>--It is policy at my school that students cannot have their cell phones out at all during class. Even though this is the policy, I always had students that tried to push the rule. Because of that, I made a place specifically for cell phones to go in my room. If you are in my room, your phone must be parked in the cell parking lot (picture below). That is the expectation. As soon as students enter my classroom, they know they are expected to place their cell phone (turned off) in the pocket that matches their number. When the bell rings at the end of class, students know to pick up their phone on the way out of class. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Again, this works in my classroom. This may or may not work in yours. As is the case with all procedures, you must figure out how your classroom will run. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">4. </span><b style="font-family: inherit;">Restroom</b><span style="font-family: inherit;">--Students need to know the appropriate time to use the restroom in your class. It is important to share your expectation with them. In my classroom, students can only leave to go to the restroom during individual work time. I understand that emergencies happen and I would never keep a student that was in distress away from the restroom. That being said, it is still crucial that my students understand the procedure for going to the restroom. In my school, students must have their planner filled out and teacher </span>signature<span style="font-family: inherit;"> before they can leave. This is why they can only leave to the restroom during individual work time. If this procedure was not in place, students would be interrupting class activities and discussions. Learning is still the priority and I explain this at the start of the school year. </span>I have seen many ways to deal with restroom breaks. Again, it depends on what you expect out of your students and your classroom.</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">5. <b>Turning in work</b>--Typically teachers have set aside a location in the classroom for students to turn in work. It is important that this location is labeled and the procedure explained. Do not assume because the location is labeled with their class name that students will know what it is for. Teach the procedure explicitly. Because my school is 1:1, most of the work is done and submitted in Google Classroom. Most of the time, there is no tangible paper to place in a basket or bin. There are times though that my students turn in something they have handwritten. It's especially important that I remind students often where to turn in work, especially because they don't use it often. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">6. <b>Agenda board</b>--It is important for students to always know what the plan is for the week. It helps them to stay on top of assignments and aware of what is happening in the class each day. Every Monday, students get out their planners and copy the information from the agenda board. I go around a check each planner as they are working. Students that have correct get a reward coupon. This is a procedure I teach at the start of the school year. Students know they can always refer to this agenda board and their planner to see what is planned for each day, especially handy if they are absent.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">7. </span><b>Leaving class</b>--It never fails...each year I have students who try to pack up five minutes early during those first few days of the school year. To stop this, I created a procedure that tells students exactly what they need to do to leave my classroom. I call it "The Two Minute Countdown" (poster example can be found below). I teach this procedure explicitly at the start if each school year and I have a sign up as a reminder. This has helped the "early packers" and gained me extra minutes of instruction.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">8. <b>Signal for attention</b>--There is nothing worse than waiting for the class to settle down enough so class can begin, begin again, and again...Some students (many students) like to talk with those around them and are many times unaware that a teacher is trying to get their attention. As a new teacher, I was bad about standing and waiting for my class to notice me. This took valuable class time away from content. Because of this, I created a procedure to get my students' attention. I flicker the lights off and on. I teach this procedure the first day of class and we practice it often. Choose a signal that works for you. I have seen teachers use sounds, music, lights, and hand gestures as signals. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">9. <b>Small groups</b>--Students know how to talk with each other, but they typically do not know how to work collaboratively. In my classroom, students sit three to four at a table. Collaborative activities happen every day in my classroom. I cannot assume that students know what this looks like. This needs to be taught explicitly during the first few days of the year. If your classroom does not tend to have a lot of collaborative activities, you can hold off on this procedure until later. Again, decide what works in your classroom.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">10. <b>Classroom library</b>--I teach this procedure on the second day of class no matter what. It is important to me that my students learn to enjoy reading. To do this, they have to have books in their hands from the start. Checking books in and out of my classroom library ensures there are records of the books students have read and keeps my books from disappearing. It's a win-win. I walk my students through the process as they check out their first books. It usually takes most students a few times to get the hang of this. It's important to repeat the explanation of this procedure often. In my classroom, I use <a href="https://classroom.booksource.com/default.aspx" target="_blank">Booksource's Classroom Organizer</a> to manage my classroom library. It's student friendly and easy to manage as a teacher. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">None of these procedures are a one-time explanation. They all require multiple times of explicit teaching. All of these procedures are included in the syllabus that I give to my students at the beginning of the class. I use a flipbook design that is glued into student interactive notebooks. This ensures that they don't get lost and are always at student fingertips. You can find this <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Editable-Flipbook-Syllabus-Template-2698145?utm_source=TMMBlog&utm_campaign=10Procedures" target="_blank">editable syllabus </a>at my Teachers Pay Teachers store.</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YrCRbP5HOFY/WXrQ2_zFdUI/AAAAAAAAAg8/ploy-WqeHdk1pqnuDu1Avzi2HgcsbdKnQCLcBGAs/s1600/Slide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="720" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YrCRbP5HOFY/WXrQ2_zFdUI/AAAAAAAAAg8/ploy-WqeHdk1pqnuDu1Avzi2HgcsbdKnQCLcBGAs/s200/Slide1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<b>Always remember the words of Harry and Rosemary Wong, <i>"Effective teachers have a classroom management plan with all the procedures necessary for a classroom to run consistently and smooth for learning to take place." </i></b>Have a great start of the school year!</div>
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smuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00461511400182077007noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767196915848824283.post-82421168469252851012016-12-28T20:30:00.001-06:002016-12-28T20:30:55.040-06:00Best of 2016 TpT Products<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As the year ends, I wanted to look back at my most popular products and show how I use each in my classroom. Each of the links below take you to the products in my TpT store. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Editable-Flipbook-Syllabus-Template-bestof2016sale-2698145" target="_blank">Editable Flipbook Syllabus Template</a></i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-This product was created out of sheer necessity. Every year, most of my students "misplaced" my syllabus and it was a constant struggle for students to remember all of the policies and procedures of my classroom. Knowing that my students never seemed to lose their interactive notebooks, I thought they were the perfect place to insert my syllabus. So I created a flipbook syllabus that fit perfectly within the dimensions of their composition notebooks. At the beginning of the school year, this is the first thing I give to my students. I pass them out and the students participate in a syllabus scavenger hunt to get acquainted with the information. They take the syllabus home and go over it with their parents (syllabus requires a signature of student and parent). The next class students put the flipbook together and glue into the front cover of their interactive notebooks.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. <i><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/New-Years-Puzzles-for-Grades-4-12-bestof2016sale-2283716" target="_blank">New Year's Puzzles for Grades 4-12</a></i>-The few days at the beginning of the 2nd semester (after Christmas break) are always a time for re-teaching policies and procedures and getting the students back into the swing of school. I use this product for one day activities that my students can work on during the class period. They are also great because they require no planning time to get them ready. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D9sqqmhs-vo/WGRt54vOmBI/AAAAAAAAAYY/4l5ECAC3uUM7iHMK1WdBy6uO0zLjx6nzACLcB/s1600/Slide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D9sqqmhs-vo/WGRt54vOmBI/AAAAAAAAAYY/4l5ECAC3uUM7iHMK1WdBy6uO0zLjx6nzACLcB/s320/Slide1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3. <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Westing-Game-Novel-Detective-Notes-bestof2016sale-545813" target="_blank"><i>The Westing Game Novel Detective Notes</i></a>-This product was created as a way for my students to keep all of the details of this mystery organized and in one place. This novel is chock full of characters and clues. My students were always getting confused and lost in the details. This product is the perfect tool to help my students be good organized detectives.</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gKJebSWKZwA/WGRwFBRDjcI/AAAAAAAAAYk/9fKwOc58WVsZuKhcVPOa8d1Ko1BEihKlQCLcB/s1600/preview.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gKJebSWKZwA/WGRwFBRDjcI/AAAAAAAAAYk/9fKwOc58WVsZuKhcVPOa8d1Ko1BEihKlQCLcB/s320/preview.png" width="259" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4. <i><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/WWII-and-Holocaust-Book-Reading-Response-Journal-bestof2016sale-257951" target="_blank">WWII and Holocaust Book Reading Journal</a></i>-Each school year, I do a Holocaust/WWII unit with my students. I have done the unit as literature circles with 5-6 books around this theme. I have also had each student read a different book. This product came from the first time I did this unit with each student reading a different book. I needed a way to keep each student accountable for their reading and their learning. This journal gives students a different theme related prompt for each day of reading. My students like the independent reading feeling of this product and by second semester, they have the skills and the responsibility to do this independently. We then discuss broad themes that are found in all of their books and learn more about the Holocaust & WWII.</span><br />
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kBhrUHY3zGI/WGRyoVpNfHI/AAAAAAAAAZE/TvfQe0Ug5kMRhOm6J_wNIUo2D-KNpbQ2wCLcB/s1600/Slide05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kBhrUHY3zGI/WGRyoVpNfHI/AAAAAAAAAZE/TvfQe0Ug5kMRhOm6J_wNIUo2D-KNpbQ2wCLcB/s200/Slide05.jpg" width="154" /></a><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i65zW3kV2s0/WGRyoXQvqMI/AAAAAAAAAZA/6pc50J5VJxQ_ykGd0ZkuWp6afBgpc5_vwCLcB/s1600/Slide07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i65zW3kV2s0/WGRyoXQvqMI/AAAAAAAAAZA/6pc50J5VJxQ_ykGd0ZkuWp6afBgpc5_vwCLcB/s200/Slide07.jpg" width="154" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">5. <i><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/WWII-Novel-Scrapbook-Project-bestof2016sale-257962" target="_blank">WWII Novel Scrapbook Project</a></i>-This product grew out of the same unit as the product before. I needed a way to assess my students at the end of the Holocaust/WWII unit. Since each student typically read a different book, I couldn't just give an exam over 20 different books. This product includes multiple intelligences and pushes students to use their higher order thinking skills. </span><br />
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<img src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ok3yeaT6q7w/VZWc3uGjrRI/AAAAAAAAACg/eezSMdvDuIU/s1600/blogsignature.png" />smuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00461511400182077007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767196915848824283.post-58192922324025581122016-12-06T00:00:00.000-06:002017-12-01T15:38:15.952-06:00Regaining Your Sanity During Christmas Break<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Teachers, it's time to start the countdown! Christmas break is almost here and it's important to begin thinking of how to recharge and rejuvenate while on break. Don't wait until break begins to start thinking of ways to stop, relax, and savor your time away from school. Remember that teaching is stressful and we all need this time to regain our sanity by recharging our batteries. I struggle with this as well so I thought of some ways that I can relax and regain my own sanity. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. <b>Get lots of sleep: </b>One thing we as teachers always seem to skimp on during the school week is sleep. Christmas break gives us the perfect opportunity to catch up on some sleep. I don't mean binging on sleep but a new routine will help your body respond to the increase in sleep. Go to bed at a reasonable time now that you won't need to stay up late grading and planning for school. Turn off your alarm clock. There is nothing better than switching off that alarm and allowing yourself to sleep in...even if your internal clock only allows you to sleep in an extra 30 minutes. Consistent, long night's of sleep will do refresh your body and mind. And those naps you never wanted to take as a child, take them all now!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. <b>Turn off your email:</b> We live in a 24/7 world and we all tend to check our email constantly during the school week. Be brave and turn on your away from office feature during break. If you feel that is too drastic, set specific times during break to check your school email. Remember you are allowed to enjoy your break and need to be taking things more slowly. Constantly checking your school email and voice mail requires you to remain in the school routine. Start as soon as break begins and follow through.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. <b>Create a relaxing environment:</b> If your home looks like mine, it's not always the relaxing place I need it to be. Weekends are spent cleaning the house, then it's Sunday and time for school again. It's hard to relax if their are cleaning and other house chores that need to get done. Take some time your first day and do a bit of cleaning. Yes, I know you are tired and cleaning takes energy, but it will result in you feeling much happier relaxing the rest of your break.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4. <b>Eat well: </b>Just like sleeping, teachers tend to slack on good eating habits when we get busy and overworked. Take the extra time to enjoy your meals. Spend time having meals with friends and family that you have missed seeing. Spending time with those we care about can boost our souls.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5. <b>Binge-watch something:</b> Break is the perfect time to catch up on shows that you never had time to enjoy during the school week. You have permission to binge-watch any show you choose. I myself am planning a Gilmore Girls marathon! The sheer joy of being able to do something unproductive for a few hours is bliss to the overworked, over-scheduled teacher. When in doubt, shout "On to the next episode!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">6. <b>Get some fresh air: </b>If your classroom is anything like mine, the air in my junior high classroom is really stale and usually stinky. Whether you live in a cold place or hot place, get outside and breathe in some fresh air. It's a great way to clear out the cobwebs and rejuvenate your body. Take the dog for a short walk, play with the kids, sit outside with a good book (if it's not a frozen tundra (teehee), and if you are feeling really motivated, take a fast walk or jog outside instead of hitting the gym.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">7. <b>Plan something to look forward to: </b><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">You might not have the time or the money for a week in a fancy beach resort, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have some treat time planned into your break. Simple things like meeting friends for lunch, going to the movies or theatre or having a well-deserved night out will help you to feel more relaxed and to enjoy your time off. Try to do something you don't have time to do during the regular school week. If your anything like me, I never have the energy or the time to go to an actual theater to watch a movie. I have already purchased tickets on Fandango to go see Passengers with a giant bag of popcorn in my lap.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">8. <b>Indulge yourself: </b><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">Look after and treat yourself. Extra-long baths, a manicure, a pedicure, a stroll through a bookstore, or even an afternoon at Starbucks surfing the Internet and taking in the scene are all things that might make you feel better. You know what works for you – the kind of activities that feel terribly indulgent are just what the doctor ordered when you’re recovering after the first half of the school year. Just do it!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">9. <b>Get inspired: </b>Take some time to inspire yourself and boost morale for the second half of the school year. Search Pinterest for motivational quotes and videos. Spend some time reading your favorite teaching books that you typically do not have time to read during the school year. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">10. <b>Allow yourself just one day for school work:</b> Typically t<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px;">here will be some work to be completed over the holidays: preparing lessons for the first week back or getting your classroom ready. You’re likely to worry about all that needs to be done until you take control of it. The easiest way to do this is to tackle it head on. Some people prefer just to get on and get everything done the first few days of the break and then relax. Others prefer to gear back up for school by working at the end of the holiday. Do what works best for you. My go-to activity for my class (and myself) to do the first day back is a <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Looking-Back-Looking-Forward-New-Years-Activity-2262043" target="_blank">Looking Back Looking Forward: New Year's Resolution Activity</a>. You can find it in my TpT store as a freebie.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One more tip to save your sanity! Remember there are 6 more days of great ideas, freebies and giveaways! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ok3yeaT6q7w/VZWc3uGjrRI/AAAAAAAAACg/eezSMdvDuIU/s1600/blogsignature.png" /></span>smuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00461511400182077007noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767196915848824283.post-83768514621097199582016-11-26T23:45:00.000-06:002016-11-26T23:47:32.765-06:00Laughing All the Way Secondary Blog Hop<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MPA7MG3c2K8/WDpf7APBSeI/AAAAAAAAATw/jnOzEVO3il0wqhinuuRW58p9_8HMDewJgCLcB/s1600/christmas%2Bblog%2Bhop%2B2016%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MPA7MG3c2K8/WDpf7APBSeI/AAAAAAAAATw/jnOzEVO3il0wqhinuuRW58p9_8HMDewJgCLcB/s320/christmas%2Bblog%2Bhop%2B2016%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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As teachers we know how trying the month of December can be for the best of classrooms. This year is going to be no different in my middle school ELA classroom. It's always difficult for my students to keep their heads in the game, instead of off in dreams of sleeping in and not having to come to school for two weeks of break. By this time, we could all use a break, even though it's just not possible. Even though the students think it's torture to ask them to think for the next 4 weeks until break...I often get the "Ms. U why can't we just watch movies and do easy stuff? It's almost Christmas. We should do stuff that's fun." So I tell them that we are going to do something REALLY fun...sing Christmas carols and decorate our classroom Christmas tree. Keeping to myself the rest of the details. Typically students try to size me up and call my bluff but I always keep my poker face on. Eventually curiosity gets the best of them and they go with it.<br />
"<b>Singing" Christmas Carols:</b> As a way to pull in the excitement of the holidays while still keeping my eye on common core, I use Christmas carols as text for close reading. By this time, my 7th graders are starting to get the hang of the process so I can push them a bit. I find that these songs are typically ones they can sing but have never thought about the meaning of the text they are singing. It's a perfect close read situation...they are familiar with the text but have not looked closely at it. For my close readings, I use a lesson structure that allows me to scaffold the questions, increasing their intensity and difficulty with each read. For example, I use the song "Deck the Halls." Using this text, I created three sets of questions:<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QaptMAkInRM/WDpofwmUPSI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/Iia71-yqVhY5SbFzkIzzzXdQXC1bdRYvACEw/s1600/IMG_3571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QaptMAkInRM/WDpofwmUPSI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/Iia71-yqVhY5SbFzkIzzzXdQXC1bdRYvACEw/s320/IMG_3571.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<li>One set for the first read that focuses on KEY IDEAS & DETAILS. These questions assess my students' ability to find the main idea, identify story elements, and determine key details of the passage. </li>
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<li>One set for the second read that focuses on CRAFT & STRUCTURE. These questions assess my students' ability to focus in on author's craft and word choices made by the writer. They analyze how the text is structured and why the author wrote the text the way he/she did. </li>
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<li>One set for the third read that focuses on INTEGRATION OF KNOWLEDGE & IDEAS. These questions require students to analyze the text further by using all that they have already discovered while also relating to other texts and media. </li>
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Each of the sets of questions can be done in various ways: partners, cooperative groups, individually. You know your class' ability best. Let that knowledge be your guide.<br />
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Looking for a way to implement this activity with no prep or hassle? You can purchase my exact set of questions along with the text in my TpT store by clicking on the link below.<br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Close-Reading-with-Christmas-Carols-2235861" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k0gL-1rp84s/WDpnY-ko5GI/AAAAAAAAAUI/nufMJNUFq_krZDIA3nyl5ketUBsSPhhEgCLcB/s200/Close%2BReading%2BChristmas%2BCarols%2BCover.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Close-Reading-with-Christmas-Carols-2235861" target="_blank">Close Reading with Christmas Carols</a></div>
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<b>Decorate the Class Christmas Tree:</b> It wouldn't be the holidays without a tree in the classroom. My students always love to see the tree show up and I can always get them excited to help trim the tree with their own work. Every year, I have the students choose their favorite book they have read so far in the school year and create an ornament book review. It's a great way to get them reflecting on their reading life and an awesome way to offer suggestions to other students who are looking for the next great book to read. To do this, I created a template for my students to use.</div>
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Students draw the cover of the book they chose and then write the feel the book is "a gift". Then they cut them out and fold them. I laminate them and add yarn or string. I then return the ornament to the students so they can trim the tree with them. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Student Example Using <i>The Seventh Wish</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Trimmed Tree in my Classroom</td></tr>
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<img src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ok3yeaT6q7w/VZWc3uGjrRI/AAAAAAAAACg/eezSMdvDuIU/s1600/blogsignature.png" />smuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00461511400182077007noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767196915848824283.post-25201131510048164342016-05-02T17:39:00.000-05:002016-05-02T17:40:52.353-05:00Teachers Pay Teachers Salehow <br />
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Happy Monday everyone!! I am so excited to share with you that TpT is having their annual Teacher Appreciation Sale May 3 - 4! That's tomorrow!! If your cart is anything like mine, it's FULL to the top with great products. My cart is full of products I want to use the end of this school year and during the upcoming school year.<br />
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Now is the time to open up your wishlist and add more to your cart. Look ahead to next year at your curriculum and / or buy products that you have had your eyes on for awhile. It's your time to be appreciated!!<br />
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I'm linking up with Jen from <a href="http://www.teachinginthetongass.com/2016/05/is-your-wishlist-or-cart-ready.html" target="_blank">Teaching in the Tongas</a> on a TpT Wishlist Linky. Be sure to check out her blog for most wish listed products from other sellers.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lfrot0-vdaA/VyfQmVh1IBI/AAAAAAAAAS4/MrXnLbIDezwkbC4kSKMcdIwMDRoCqzaeACLcB/s1600/Slide2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lfrot0-vdaA/VyfQmVh1IBI/AAAAAAAAAS4/MrXnLbIDezwkbC4kSKMcdIwMDRoCqzaeACLcB/s400/Slide2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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So here are my most wish listed products from my TpT store The Marvelous Middle. Click on each of the photos below to see the product in my store.</div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Westing-Game-Novel-Detective-Notes-545813" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Jw176zVTrxs/VyfRDEXSAXI/AAAAAAAAATA/Gyg5KBCpahA5aFFHJ6goWNNcKqBJtjVhgCKgB/s400/number1.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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This item is one that I currently is something that I created when I taught 6th grade. I love teaching mystery and The Westing Game was one of absolute favorites. My students always had so much fun trying to "out-sleuth" each other and be the one to figure out the "Who Dunnit?" Now that I teach 7th and 8th grade I still have readers who love to read this book independently. Sometimes if I have a reader struggling to keep all the clues straight, I print off this product for them to use as they read. They love having their own detective notes. </div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/WWII-and-Holocaust-Book-Reading-Response-Journal-257951" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m9lyt3Y0U7Y/VyfRDKfXJ0I/AAAAAAAAATE/49vUTdTgqSACTrW0RYbgXVZHUyHdNFDtgCKgB/s400/number2.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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My second most wish listed item is a product that I use every year with my class. Every year, we do a Holocaust unit and this response journal is what I use with my students while they read. I have used it for literature circles and I have used it for whole class novels. It works great either way. This product is a good way to assess your students' learning quickly. They also enjoy that the questions / activities change each day that they have reading to do in their novel. <br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/WWII-Novel-Scrapbook-Project-257962" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hg-vepGyU2s/VyfRDKb9pXI/AAAAAAAAATI/gZbVgWnGreIByI9ETqow4fYZvSaavCfLACKgB/s400/number3.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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The last item is one of my favorite projects that we do in my classroom each year. It is also done during my annual Holocaust unit. After the students read their novels, they create scrapbooks that require them to synthesize all the content from the novel. This project touches on plot, setting, characters, and theme. It requires them to write about their reading and construct something that the novel's main character would have kept in their own scrapbook. They must get into the shoes of the main character and think like they do. I have yet to have a class that does not love this end of novel project.<br />
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So what are some of the items on your wishlist? Please share them in the comments below. I am always on the lookout for engaging activities for my students.<br />
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<img src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ok3yeaT6q7w/VZWc3uGjrRI/AAAAAAAAACg/eezSMdvDuIU/s1600/blogsignature.png" />smuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00461511400182077007noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767196915848824283.post-63476881745814659712016-04-28T20:01:00.003-05:002016-04-28T20:01:33.979-05:00Book Spotlight: Beneath by Roland Smith<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Book Summary</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Patrick has idolized his big brother, Cooper, all of his life. The two brothers are close but are very different. Pat is scared of many things, including tight spaces. Coop, on the other hand, has a love of exploring dark and deep places. Coop decides to start digging in his back yard and soon digs a tunnel through the neighborhood. During the dig, Coop hits a gas line and there is an explosion that injures Pat. Coop is full of guilt and decides to move away without saying goodbye to Pat. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Fast forward a year...Pat receives a strange package from Coop. The package contains a voice recorder and a cryptic message. Coop never felt the need for technology, like most teenagers. Receiving a voice recorder from Coop shocks Pat but he follows his brother's directions and they begin communicating via recordings. Eventually Pat begins to worry about Coop and sets off on a mission to find him. In order to find Coop, Pat must overcome all of his fears...Can he do it??</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My Thoughts</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Beneath</i> is a fascinating account of Pat's search for Coop and what happens when he finds him. Through Pat's narration and Coop's recordings, the book is written in a diary and epistolary format. Both points of view are woven into the story, which I find could be problematic for struggling readers. Luckily, the text formatting also switches depending on the point of view. It's important that struggling readers understand the format before the story will make complete sense. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Pat is the true hero of this book. The reader sees him struggle to overcome his fears in order to save Coop at all costs. There is also a strong female character that goes on the journey with both boys. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Once I added this book to my library and did a short book talk, my students could not wait to get their hands on it. Always a good addition when there is a waiting list to read it as soon as it gets to my library! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">With a Lexile of 610, this is a perfect book for struggling middle school boy readers looking for a book that reads quickly and is full of adventure. It has enough adventure to keep them on their toes, while still presenting a character with strong traits. Pat's character develops steadily over the course of the book and would be excellent to graph his change from the start of the book to the end of the book.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My favorite thing about this book is as crazy as it's premise seems, there are many things in the story that are well within the realm of possibilities. I am already screaming for a sequel!! </span><br />
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<img src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ok3yeaT6q7w/VZWc3uGjrRI/AAAAAAAAACg/eezSMdvDuIU/s1600/blogsignature.png" />smuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00461511400182077007noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767196915848824283.post-57825769983969547442016-04-19T18:40:00.003-05:002016-04-19T18:41:31.027-05:00Middle School Mob $100 TpT Gift Card Giveaway<br />
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The Middle School Mob is coming together to celebrate our 500 Facebook followers! We are giving away a $100 TpT gift card to thank our followers for joining us in our Middle School Mob antics.<br />
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smuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00461511400182077007noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767196915848824283.post-19937481722077426292016-03-20T19:28:00.002-05:002016-03-20T19:29:00.508-05:00Plickers in the Classroom<div>
If you are anything like me, you are always looking for a fresh way to assess your students. Additionally, my assessment needs to be exciting and fast-paced to keep up with the attention span of my middle schoolers in the afternoon. I came across Plickers and it checked all the boxes. Formative assessment...check. Technology driven...check. Fast-paced...check. So I decided to test it out with my 8th grade class to see if 1. I could get it to work and 2. the kids enjoyed using it as an assessment.</div>
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<b><i>So what is Plickers?</i></b><br />
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It's a classroom polling system which can display results in real time. That's the key. As soon as the students respond, results are posted instantaneously. In my opinion, the immediate posting of results is essential in a classroom full of tweens and teens. They love the instant gratification and the game-like feel. And along the way, they lose sight of the fact that they are also learning. It's a win-win!<br />
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<b><i>How did I get started?</i></b><br />
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<li>I downloaded the Plickers app onto my phone. They have an app for iPhone and Android.</li>
<li>Go to <a href="http://plickers.com/">plickers.com</a> and sign up for the service. It's free and there are not hidden costs to use it. YAY! </li>
<li>Click on the Cards link in the toolbar. This will take you to the page to download the Plickers cards. They have multiple choices for cards. Choose the set that works best for you. Then just print them, cut them, and laminate them. Hint: If you don't have the time or you would rather have cards that are less likely to be destroyed by middle schoolers, you can purchase a set of 40 hard, laminated ones on Amazon for $20.00. I actually saw them on Amazon before realizing I could do them myself from the Plickers website. After getting the ones from Amazon, I'm pleased that I got them. They were high quality cards that were all ready for my classroom without all the hassle. </li>
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<li>Create a class on Plickers website and assign card numbers to your students.</li>
<li>Create your questions. </li>
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<b><i>Links to helpful resources I used</i></b></div>
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<li>A step-by-step <a href="https://plickers.box.com/s/7w6x5t4jlm5q55lx61fzd0x8zudc0k04" target="_blank">"Getting Started Guide"</a> which walks you through the entire process was what I used. There is also a webinar you can watch but I didn't need to after using the guide above.</li>
<li>A step-by-step <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xgz0c0s_w6A&ebc=ANyPxKrrV_3XLymaPJ4RJrshpWWE67DyjGeMO561INyQsQ19MwedPdTzJcTkOohrBLuduN9xh6yWa42SP9qutiP5F4vE1YX9ag" target="_blank">YouTube walkthrough</a> that helped me because I could follow along and do it as I watched the video. So easy to follow and helped this visual learner.</li>
<li>Another helpful <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bejiz2HzUz8" target="_blank">YouTube walkthrough</a> to see Plickers in action.</li>
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Once I had done those steps, I was ready to use it in my classroom. We had just completed a short review unit on figurative language so that's the content I used to create my questions. Simple eleven questions to get my feet wet.<br />
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The kids came in and I passed out the Plicker cards and there was instant interest. It was new and the shapes printed are the cards are funny looking so everyone was curious. I told them I wanted to try something new with them that day and they are usually good sports about being my guinea pigs. I explained how to use the cards (the correct letter of answer had to be up and they should keep their fingers along the edge so the shape could be read).</div>
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The first question was up on the board, my iPhone app was open, and I said a little prayer that it would work. They put up their cards and I scanned the room. I was shocked by how quickly the answers registered on my phone and on the screen. IT TOTALLY WORKED! And they totally loved it! Yes!! <insert fist pump here> </div>
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<b><i>What did the students like about Plickers?</i></b></div>
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<li>Technology was used.</li>
<li>They knew immediately if their answer was right or wrong.</li>
<li>No one could cheat off of them because no one could see their answer on the card.</li>
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<i><b> What did I like about Plickers?</b></i></div>
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<li>I know instantly if my students understand a concept. </li>
<li>My students get immediate feedback on their learning.</li>
<li>It's free to use and requires NO student technology.</li>
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<i><b>How can Plickers be used?</b></i></div>
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<li>Quickly take the pulse of the class: Ask your students "Do you get this?" or similar question and have them hold up their cards to answer yes or no. You can do this with a saved class or a demo class (if you want anonymous answers).</li>
<li>Create a review game: Create a group of questions in your saved class. To conduct the review, have students hold up their assigned cards to respond to each question. Every student responds at the same time and you see quickly the status of your class. The advantage to this over regular review games is that all students answer at same time. They can't wait for someone else to answer. They all are required to answer.</li>
<li>Take attendance using a question or just have them hold up their cards to check in. You will know those that are absent immediately. Note: In order to do this, students would need to be trained to get the correct card out quickly.</li>
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<i><b>Final Thoughts</b></i></div>
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Does it work 100% of the time? Probably not. Sometimes you may need to re-scan a student's card if it's not visible because of being hidden behind another student's card or head. If you project the results on a large screen, like a Promethean Board or Smartboard, then students can see if their answers have been recorded and lower or raise their card to be re-scanned. </div>
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If you decide to print, cut, and laminate the cards, there may be issues recognizing the codes due to overhead glare from indoor lighting. Lamination tends to create a glare. This can be adjusted in the way the cards are held.</div>
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With that being said, give Plickers a try in your classroom. If you are looking for a new and interesting way to assess in your classroom, it's worth a go. I'm glad I did and will be adding Plickers to my toolbox of assessment techniques. If you are interested in trying Plickers and / or have more questions, feel free to leave me a comment and I would be happy to help you through the process.</div>
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Happy Plicking!!</div>
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smuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00461511400182077007noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767196915848824283.post-28114995396954272832016-02-10T20:36:00.000-06:002016-02-10T20:36:15.658-06:00The Language of Love: Using Love Songs for Close Reading<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">February is the month of love and a great time to bring the language of love into your ELA classroom. To tie in with the month, I use love songs as close reading text. Love songs are full of imagery, figurative language, and emotion. Because of this, they are perfect to have students analyze using close reading. It's also a way to bring music into the classroom, which my students are always up for.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I typically begin this with my students the beginning of February and I scatter the poems throughout the month. I currently have 9 activities so I do a few every week. The students seem to like this much better than taking the whole week of Valentine's to do the songs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Close reading is something that must be practiced and used consistently for students to get comfortable with the process. I use a close reading process of three reads in my classroom. Here are the steps I use for this specific close reading activity:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">1. We listen to the song together so students can get the "feel" for the song and this allows them to get acquainted with the text in a way that doesn't seem scary. I do allow the students jot down notes in the margin as they listen. These notes typically include specific feelings or thoughts they had as they listened to the song or effects within the sound of the song they notice. I view this as a pre-reading warm-up and gets them excited about the text. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The First Read:</b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> The students then read the text of the song on their own or in small groups. The purpose of the first read is to read for understanding by determining key ideas and details. The activity typically has 1-3 questions for the student to answer during this first read. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Second Read:</b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> The students read the text on their own or with a partner. The purpose of the second read is analyzing the craft and structure of the text. This could include looking at figurative language, word choice, word meaning, or text structure. The second read is "the meat" of the analysis, in my opinion. This is not a time for "right there" questions. This is a time for deep thinking and analysis for the students, which is why, at least at the beginning, I allow them to work with a partner. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">4. <b>The Third Read:</b> This is the final read for students. They have read to determined the main idea of the text. They have broken the text up and dived into analyzing its parts and figured out how the parts add to the overall effect of the text. This third read is bringing it all back together and asking the students to integrate all of the information from the previous two reads and determine the overall effect of the text. They may look at the mood or tone of the text. They may look at how the title is related to the song. This is a time to decide if the author succeeded in their purpose for the text. And it's a great wrap-up of the process.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This process remains pretty close to what I do in my classroom during each close read activity, whether it's fiction or nonfiction...essay, speech or poem. This is the process that seems to work for my students and allows them to step through the text successfully. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">If you are interested in the songs and questions that I use, you can find them in my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Close-Reading-with-Love-Songs-2368586" target="_blank">here </a>in my TpT store. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Until next time...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><img src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ok3yeaT6q7w/VZWc3uGjrRI/AAAAAAAAACg/eezSMdvDuIU/s1600/blogsignature.png" /></span>smuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00461511400182077007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767196915848824283.post-79922952568096563012016-01-19T19:39:00.001-06:002016-01-19T19:39:55.678-06:00Start Your Year Inspired! TPT Sale!!One of my favorite things about Teachers Pay Teachers has been all the wonderful educators I have connected with throughout the world. It's been such a fantastic journey!<br />
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So I wanted to share with you some fabulous products! Teachers Pay Teachers is having a site wide sale beginning tomorrow (January 20th) and extending to January 21st. It's a wonderful time to stock up on products on your wish list.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sc8RtGjBcOc/Vp7lRkWtRoI/AAAAAAAAAM0/DlCk9XpSYyM/s1600/TpT%2BPromotion%2B1080%2Bby%2B1080.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sc8RtGjBcOc/Vp7lRkWtRoI/AAAAAAAAAM0/DlCk9XpSYyM/s320/TpT%2BPromotion%2B1080%2Bby%2B1080.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ok3yeaT6q7w/VZWc3uGjrRI/AAAAAAAAACg/eezSMdvDuIU/s1600/blogsignature.png" />smuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00461511400182077007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767196915848824283.post-58057631567437076582016-01-03T02:00:00.000-06:002016-01-03T02:00:15.337-06:00New Year's Ideas & Giveaway<span style="font-size: large;">Well, Christmas break is coming to a close and it's time to prepare for going back to the classroom. Most of my students have been spending their break sleeping in, playing video games, and hanging out with their friends. Very few (if any) have spent anytime looking back at the past year or looking forward to the year ahead of them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Goal setting is not an automatic skill with middle schoolers but it an essential life skill. Most students get overwhelmed with goal setting because they focus on the goal and it's overwhelming. It doesn't occur to them that breaking the goal down into steps makes it all less scary and easier to attain each step along the way. It's less stressful to be working toward the big goal by achieving the steps. This allows them success with long-term goals and showing the importance of short-term goals through the process. Students need to be taught the process of goal setting, including breaking the goal into smaller, manageable steps and creating a timeline to achieve the goal. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My students struggle with both goal setting and assessing progress towards those goals. So the start of a new year is the perfect chance to offer practice with these life skills. One way I do this is using my Looking Forward Looking Back activity. This activity does two things: </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">1. It prompts students to look back at the past year and reflect on their hits and their misses. They are asked to talk about their proudest moment and the best part of the past year. They are also asked to reflect on something they would change from the past year and talk about how they would change it for the better. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">2. It prompts students to look forward to the new year and practice goal setting. Some sections offer fun, creative ways to put down on paper things they would like to do during the upcoming year (places they would like to go, experiences they would like to have). But there are also in-depth, real life examples of the goal setting process that students must work through. They are asked to come up with two resolutions for the new year (one for home and one for school) and then they must take that resolution (goal) and break it into manageable steps. This not only lets them practice goal setting, which I feel is the easier portion of the process, but it pushes them to break down the long-term goal into smaller short-term goals (or steps) to help them work toward their goal. It is more likely that their long-term goals will be kept if they also create short-term goals that they can attain to keep them motivated to stay on track. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>You may download my Looking Forward Looking Back activity by clicking <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Looking-Back-Looking-Forward-New-Years-Activity-2262043" target="_blank">here</a>. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Feel free to look at my other New Year's products in my TpT store while you are there. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Happy New Year!!</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.inlinkz.com/new/view.php?id=590359" rel="nofollow" title="click to view in an external page."><span style="font-size: large;">An InLinkz Link-up</span></a></div>
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<!-- end InLinkz script -->smuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00461511400182077007noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767196915848824283.post-17079663692474284472016-01-01T23:42:00.002-06:002016-01-01T23:42:41.863-06:00Favorite Posts of 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hey all! As we close the books on 2015 and go forward into 2016, I'd like to share with you three of my favorite blog posts from 2015 by linking up with Sara @ <a href="http://yearsthataskquestions.blogspot.com/2015/12/my-favorite-posts-of-2015-linky.html" target="_blank">Years that Ask Questions</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://the-marvelous-middle.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Pairing Christmas and ELA </a></div>
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This post combined my two loves: Christmas and Reading. And it was a great moment in my classroom that allowed my students to reflect on that one favorite book they had read recently. </div>
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<a href="http://the-marvelous-middle.blogspot.com/2015/07/beliefs-to-action.html" target="_blank">Turn Your Beliefs Into Actions</a></div>
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I loved linking up with Whitney @ With Love From Texas. Whitney challenged us to put down in words our core teaching beliefs. It was a great way to get geared up for the upcoming school year. It gave me some time to reflect on my own beliefs and showed me that even though I knew what I believed in, it wasn't easy to get them down in words. Sometimes beliefs are in the heart and hard to pinpoint. This was a great lesson for me that it's always important to ground yourself in your core beliefs. These beliefs should always be your guiding force.</div>
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<a href="http://the-marvelous-middle.blogspot.com/2015/07/i-made-itfinally.html" target="_blank">I Made It...Finally</a></div>
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This was the blog post that started my journey. I was late to catch the blogging bug and I still struggle keeping it. I often struggle with things to say and roping the fine art of getting myself down in words (which shouldn't be all that hard for an English teacher). So this reminds me of where it all started and what my focus remains today.</div>
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Thanks for taking some time and stopping by to see my top posts of 2015. Happy New Year and enjoy the second half of your school year!<br />
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<img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ok3yeaT6q7w/VZWc3uGjrRI/AAAAAAAAACg/eezSMdvDuIU/s1600/blogsignature.png" />smuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00461511400182077007noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767196915848824283.post-48821758493624000792015-12-16T10:16:00.000-06:002015-12-16T10:16:14.933-06:00Pairing Christmas and ELA<br />
I have always believed in the importance of making my classroom feel warm, inviting, and homey. During the holiday season, a Christmas tree is essential. In the past, I have decorated the tree and not given the ornaments much thought. They matched my classroom decor and they were pretty. But this year, I wanted to try something different. I wanted to find a way to put my two loves together...Christmas and reading. So I created an ornament for my students to create that allowed them to suggest a book that they loved. The ornament included a student decorated book cover and a book recommendation / review on the back.<br />
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Here is one student's completed ornament:<br />
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Once students completed their ornaments, they placed them on our classroom tree. Here is our tree with all the student created ornaments.<br />
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Students will be able to take their ornaments home with them and place them on their family trees on the last day before Christmas break. Many of them have said they are excited to share them with their families.<br />
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If you are interested in doing this activity with your students, the free "Reading is a Gift" ornament can be found by clicking <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Reading-is-a-Gift-Tree-Ornament-2218489" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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Thanks everyone and breathe through the last few days before break!</div>
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<img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ok3yeaT6q7w/VZWc3uGjrRI/AAAAAAAAACg/eezSMdvDuIU/s1600/blogsignature.png" />smuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00461511400182077007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767196915848824283.post-65463352237196651252015-07-31T14:04:00.001-05:002015-07-31T23:09:44.850-05:00I Challenge You: Turn Your BELIEFS Into ACTION<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hey everyone! So my teacher friend Whitney Alexanderson from <a href="http://withlovefromtexasblog.blogspot.com/2015/07/i-challenge-you-turn-your-beliefs-into.html" target="_blank">With Love From Texas</a> gave a challenge to some Facebook friends to turn our core teaching beliefs into actions. In other words, strip away all your teacher layers and get to the core of what your teacher beliefs are. After reading her explanation, I knew this was something this veteran teacher needed to do...I pretty much couldn't shake the ideas that Whitney had shared with us from her preacher's Sunday sermon. Such a simple idea and such an idea that shook me to my core. So here's what happened...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whitney's preacher asked "Do you know what you believe in? And if so, do you live by those beliefs?" This resonated with Whitney and she challenged us to apply this message to our teaching beliefs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Simple idea, right? Ummmmm yeah it's easy to give a quick response. I had done this before in college so I pulled out and dusted off my Philosophy of Education. Then I read it. Some was still right on the money but a lot of it had changed in my 10+ years as an educator. But I still felt I knew what I believed.....but did I really? Nope. Until I sat down and took the time to look inside myself. To peel back those layers of me. To throw off the insulation and the walls and get down to my core teaching beliefs. And it was one of the hardest things I've ever done but that's what I did. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So with an open heart, I share with you what you would see in action if you came to visit my classroom.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So now it's your turn. Take the challenge. You just might be surprised what you peel back. Let me know in the comments below what you found when you peeled back. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then continue on the Beliefs to Actions blog hop by visiting my friend Whitney Parlin from At Whit's End by clicking <a href="http://www.atwhitsendblog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">here</a>. </span><br />
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smuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00461511400182077007noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767196915848824283.post-45239452315535810122015-07-13T06:00:00.000-05:002015-07-30T17:52:58.437-05:00Viva Las Vegas!! My First TpT Conference<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://theelementaryentourage.blogspot.com/2015/07/viva-las-vegas-tpt-conference-linky.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" Click to go back to Elementary Entourage LINKY Party" border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DxZPTTrssEw/VaM6pkAkXSI/AAAAAAAAAFY/fYn9tjBjZTU/s320/image.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px;">I survived my first TpT Conference in Las Vegas and I came home excited about developing my store. I have finally taken a moment to catch my breath and reflect on it all. The one thing that I felt to my core was this palpable vibe...a collective heartbeat that thrummed through all of the events. Amazing!! Teachers were generous with their advice and opened their toolboxes of success. I was in awe of them all.</span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px;">For this introvert, I was so nervous about going to this alone without knowing anyone. So completely out of my comfort zone, which is not a place I like to go. But the anxiety diminished once I found a few wonderful ladies that I connected with at the Cool Kids Meetup on Wednesday night. I am grateful to them and thankful that I found part of my tribe. Tiffany, Brandi, And Tamra!!!! </span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px;">One of the first products I purchased from Teachers Pay Teachers was from Erin Cobb at I'm Lovin' Lit and what a symbolic way to start off my conference by having her as my first session. The magnitude of advice this woman gave was a testimate to TpT. The one thing that stuck with me was "Take off your teacher hat and put on your business hat." This is not a hobby and I realized I had been treating it as such. Erin's success showed me where I could be in the not so far off future. She started selling on TpT because she was tired of never making ends meet.that resonated with me because I struggle with this every month. Again, it was time to see myse,f as a business owner and put on that business hat and work on my business.</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px;"><br /></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px;">New Seller Success School was the other session that blew me away. Lindsay Perro explained in detail TpT 101. It helped to have someone spell it out and speak about what it takes to be successful as a TpT seller. The one thing I kept hearing was be yourself when creating your products. Don't try to be something that you aren't just to try and replicate someone else's success. I must figure out what that niche is for me. </span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px;"><br /></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px;">In the Friday keynote, the speakers gave us a challenge. They pushed us to set a goal for ourselves and capture a moment during the conference. </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px;">My goal is to acknowledge that this is a business, not a hobby, and to start treating it that way. That's a difficult goal for me because over the years I have lost so much of my teaching confidence for many reasons.The on,y reason NOT being ability. I am a great teacher...I just have lost sight of that fact. Instead of looking for approval from other teachers, admins, parents, students, media, and everything else, I should look inside of myself. Not an easy thing for me to do but I will try every day.</span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px;">The one moment that I captured in my mind also happened during the Friday Keynote. I had a revelation. It was said that the room was filled with people who were making the largest contribution to education. That blew me away when I heard that. I never thought of TpT that way and I sure didn't think of myself that way. Being a teeny tiny seller, I never felt that I had much of a chance to make a difference but I was missing the most important thing...it's all about collaborating with my tribe. Like Aristotle says..."The whole is better than the sum of its parts." </span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px;">What are my take-aways from the 2015 Vegas Conference? Be yourself. Don't try to replicate someone else or their journey. I have my own journey to follow. Work hard, be authentic, and find your tribe</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px;"><br /></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px;">I will find my niche and go for it. I will see myself as a Teacherpreneur and I am not on an island alone. I have a great support system in TpTers. I will be proud of myself for traveling alone all the way to Vegas and putting my fears and social anxiety aside. It was terrifying but I did it!!</span><br />
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smuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00461511400182077007noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767196915848824283.post-82249013638435535322015-07-02T17:31:00.001-05:002015-07-02T17:31:11.021-05:00I Made It...Finally!!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Welcome to my new blog and my first blog post. It took some teaching this "old dog" some new techie tricks but I think I have started to get the hang of it (slightly). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My name is <span style="color: #cc0000;">Stephanie</span> but most who are close to me or think they are close to me call me <span style="color: #cc0000;">Steph</span>. I called my blog <span style="color: #cc0000;">The Marvelous Middle</span> because I am in the middle for a variety of reasons. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Most days being in the middle is pretty marvelous...but some days "bleh...not so much".</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <span style="color: #cc0000;"> 1. I'm a MIDDLE school ELA teacher and have been for over ten years.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> 2. I'm in the MIDDLE of the country (Illinois).</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> 3. I'm in the MIDDLE of my life...okay it's not that dramatic...I'm in my 40's!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I still love my job, even on the days where I have yelled, given detentions, and swore under my breath. I totally believe that if you can't love your job on those days, you are in the wrong place. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Many times over the last few years, the "I should start a blog" idea has popped in my head but like many teachers, I didn't think I had much to say. I knew I wanted to share my classroom with the world but...anyway I decided a year or so to begin sharing my classroom creations on Teachers Pay Teachers and that journey has led me here. It's still an experiment of some sort and I am jumping in with both feet. It's easy to do that in the summer because both feet tend to be in the same place recovering from the past school year. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So here it is and I hope you like it (and come back often). I've never been one to have a filter so this could be interesting. I look forward to sharing my teacher life and my personal life with you all...and I hope you too will see how marvelous the middle really can be.</span><br />
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