MCC Friday Reflections

There are 25 students and two adults in Room 202.  That's a lot of people in a room for 6 hours a day.  Needless to say, there is a shortage of space.  It's hot.  It's stuffy. On the first day of school I told the kids, as I always tell my new students, to push in their chairs when they leave their desk.  I told them this is especially true this year since we have so many people. They listened.  Not only did they listen the first day of school, they kept pushing in their chairs day in and day out.  It may seem like a small thing, maybe even insignificant.  But it's more than a simple act of pushing in a chair...it speaks to the character of the class; and ultimately the character of the individual. A fourth grader has many things on their mind...least of which is to push in their chair when they get up.  They have to think about their school work, their friends, their family; who they are going to sit next to ...

The week comes to a close today. My 13th year of teaching is underway. I am fortunate; in many ways. Being able to work with children has afforded me the opportunity to reach into the future. The kids I taught 13 years ago are now in their early twenties. Some may be finished with college and seeking employment; some may be fully employed. Others may be furthering their educational endeavors by going for a higher degree, while still others may be seeking to start a family. As a teacher, it is strange to think of these scenarios when talking about my former students. You see, I still picture them as the nine and ten year olds that they were when they were with me. Placing them at a graduation ceremony, a job interview, or even a wedding seems to stretch my imagination. But I know they are there; living their lives probably in a manner consistent with their personalities that shone through in my classroom. In the end, I know in my heart that they are fine. And hopefully th...

One hundred. 100. The number of unsolicited compliments earned by this year's 4th graders in Room 202. 100. They set their goal at 81. 100. They had runs of several compliments in one day. 100. They had runs of one compliment a day for several days in a row. 100. They had dry spells; some lasting a week or two. 100. They encouraged each other to "do what it takes" to earn a compliment. 100. Many students earned a compliment for the class by getting an individual compliment. 100. They were just as excited for their first compliment as they were for their 100th. 100. Compliments were given by teachers, administrators, support staff, and parents. 100. Throughout each day opportunities presented themselves to earn a compliment. 100. They capitalized on (at least) 100 of these opportunities.  Often times more...which went unrecognized...but I saw them! 100. They earned them in t...

Charms indeed come in threes... For the past 12 years my students have set a class goal for themselves beginning on the first day of school.  We call it our "Unsolicited Compliments Goal".  When I introduce this idea to my new 4th graders they understand the concept of a "compliment" but aren't quite sure what "unsolicited" means.  The pursuit of the meaning of "unsolicited" becomes our first official lesson of the school year.  In the end, they understand that "unsolicited" means that  a request for something is not expressly made outright. Following par for the course in their endeavor to reach the goal set for themselves, the "unsolicited compliments" always roll in comparatively "heavy" during the first weeks of school.  Kids naturally are on their best behaviors when school commences in the Fall; they are just figuring out their new environment; they like to put their best foot forward;...

One of the advantages of teaching the same grade level for an  extended period of time (12 years and counting in my case) is that  one learns what works with kids and what doesn't.  One learns the  likely outcomes of certain practices.  One learns how to avoid  common pitfalls in lessons and projects which allows for maximum  learning opportunities for students. Science is a favorite subject among many students.  It is interesting, dynamic, and lends itself well to a variety of learning styles.  We  read, discuss, watch videos, create projects, and perform  experiments.  We allow the verbal, visual, auditory, and kinesthetic  learner to experience the concepts...each receiving the information suited to them. Currently we are studying the "Changing Earth".  The unit began exploring the different layers of the earth; their composition,  temperature, and...

Two subjects took precedence this week...Reading & Social Studies.  One theme wound through both of them.  This theme has been in the works for most of the year.  This theme is what I believe it means to "teach children".  This theme presents itself as a philosophy of teaching that I strive to fulfill each year. "Be a self-directed learner". By the time State Report time comes around the school year is almost at a close.  Routines and expectations have been clearly defined in terms of social and academic behaviors.  By this time the classroom ideally should "hum along" in harmony, thus opening the doors for learning to take place.  Learning can come in many forms, each form having its place within a school year, a school, a classroom, and each student.  There is rote memorization, modeling, guided practice, independent work, critical thinking, and abstract thought.  All of these are engaging to some degree, some more than other...

Trimester 3.  The last leg of the year.  The final few months that we have together.  My favorite trimester of the all.  Not because the end is in sight but quite the opposite...because we have spent about 6 months together and as we enter our 7th, 8th, and 9th months we have established a phenomenal students-teacher relationship.  Such relationship have been in the making and are based on mutual trust, respect, and good intentions.  It makes for a classroom that is a delight to teach in and hopefully, to learn in as well.  Trimester 3 is also my favorite trimester because we get to utilize much of what we learned in Trimesters 1 & 2.  We build on ideas, concepts, skills, and strategies.  We employ the knowledge we have gained and capitalize on the successes we have experienced.  We keep in mind the mistakes that have occurred; always learning from them.  It's almost as if Trimester 3 is a "culmination" of the p...