Pivotal moments in my first year of teaching

1.  When I struggled.  Week after week.

2.  When I was supported.

3.  When my students "got it" for the first week.

4.  When I was bragged on by a parent.

5.  When I had to fill out IEP and 504 forms.  To have to check boxes identifying with what a student struggles, but to not be able to annotate with details about the sweet note she wrote me, or the distraction from school because of his heartbreaking home life, is completely frustrating.  I expect I will feel a similar frustrations when my performance as a teacher will be summed up by my students' scores on a test at the end of the year.  What will not go on the record book will be that one student was up late the previous night night because of a crying little brother.  Another student was dealing with horrific flashbacks each time he sits still.

6.  When my babies were proud of themselves at the end of one of the toughest grades in elementary school.

What I'm Learning From My Students

I teach English language arts and social studies.

And table manners.

And problem solving.

And respect.

And empathy.

And self esteem.

And persistence. 

And positivity.

Guess which "lesson plans" are on my mind the most.

When I go home in the evenings, I'm not critiquing my interactive read aloud, close reads, or group projects as much as I'm reflecting on how I talked my students through conflicts and frustration.  In turn, I reflect on how I handle conflicts and frustration in my own life.  Am I setting the best example I can through my words as well as my actions?

Classroom Target Finds: Part 2

1. Cute student items! There were also tons of stickers and stamps that I might have to make a second trip for. 

2. Activities- workbooks, novels, dry erase maps. There were also lots of flash cards which, again, I might be going back for. 

3. Manipulatives- alphabet puzzle, emotions spinner, color and shape spinner, dry erase lined boards, and counters which would be great for counting, shapes, and colors. 

4. Decorations- large alphabet stickers, weather chart, Dr. Seuss posters. 

5. More decorations- "you rule" wooden box, hanging rules signs, and "smile" banner. These were all $3 each. 

Happy shopping!

The Many Hats that Teachers Wear

1. Teacher- Of course, that's what we're hired to do.  We must get information across to our students- both academic skills and life lessons.

2. Nurse- I am so thankful we have a school nurse!  It's an amazing comfort to know when there are emergencies, we have a professional that will be there in seconds to take care of things.  Not all schools are so blessed.  I could keep our nurse busy from 7:50 until 3:00 if I sent every student who has a headache, stomachache, paper cut, bruise, etc. to her office.  Fortunately, a sip of water or a Band-Aid can cure most of these ailments, whether real or imagined.

3. Counselor- If I could attend any professional development of my choice, it would be something in the psychology field.  Perhaps I'll get better at this as I gain more years of experience, but I would love to be able to read my students better.  Is she yearning for attention?  Is he crying because he's sorry for what he did, or because he doesn't want to get sent to the office?  What is the right way to get her mind off of her problems at home?

4. Interrogator-  This could also be referred to as "lie detector", and is another area I am not so good at yet.  I'm not great at cracking a student who I know is lying.  Thankfully, my coworkers have been doing this a whole lot longer than I have, and they graciously help me out in difficult situations with students.

5. Jury- Is the student guilty?

6. Judge- What is his or her punishment?

7. Secretary- I am so thankful for our school secretary.  She accepts phone calls from parents and relays messages to us.  We are responsible for information traveling the opposite way, from teacher to parents.  This communication could be because the student is in trouble, to brag on the student, to inform parents of unusual behavior.  I have also communicated with many of my students' doctors through paperwork.  Besides phone calls, there's the matter of making copies.  I can't imagine how much extra time I would spend at the copy machine if it weren't for our wonderful paras.  Many teachers do not have paras to rely on for things like this!

8. Dietician- When students complain of headaches or stomachaches, I normally start my questioning with what the student ate.  I also have several students who don't like the school lunches, but won't bring a lunch from home, either.  Coaxing them to get a school lunch plate and eat the roll, the fries, something, is not a rare occurrence.

9. Lawyer- I defend.  I defend my students when they are not getting along with their classmates.  Through paperwork, I argue a case for certain students who need testing accommodations.  I also must defend my decisions as a teacher to parents, and probably there will come a day when I must do this to administrators as well.

10. Cheerleader- Each and every day, I'm learning the importance of this "hat".  I must cheer on the students who are high-achieving and well-behaved.  I must also cheer on the students who are not.  After getting to know my group of kids this year, there are a few kids that I have a hard time believing they have an advocate at home cheering them on, giving affirmation, showing pride.  All children need their teachers to be cheerleaders, but those that I just mentioned especially need to be reminded of their worth and their abilities.

The purpose in posting this is certainly not to complain, but it's a realization just how intricate my job is.  I have a long way to grow in each of these areas, but I love what I'm doing!

TPT seller!

To my fellow teachers: Do you have loads of tests, study guides, or worksheets that you've typed up yourself?  Creating a seller account on Teachers Pay Teachers is super easy!  You can upload your files, and other teachers needing your resources can pay to download your files.  There is no complication of shipping!  I've uploaded the study guides I've made to go along with our reading book, and a few grammar tests.  I priced all of my uploads at $1.00, and each purchase brings in $0.30.  I know that isn't much, but when you're making these resources anyway for your classes, it literally takes less than a minute to upload them to the website.  Maybe over time, your profits will add up!  If you decide that you want to make a seller account, follow this link saying you were referred by me!  One of the great things about teaching- we don't mind sharing!

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Signup/referral:les032

The Dreaded Lice Outbreak

It happened this week.  Thirty students among the lower and upper schools were sent home for lice.  Yikes!  I think the teachers get a whole lot more nervous when you mention the "L" word than students do.  Here are a few preventative measures I've learned from our school nurse and other school staff that you can take in your classroom!

To avoid lice yourself:

• Wear your hair up instead of down.  There's less of a chance it will come in contact with lice.
• Wear hair products- gel, hairspray, oil, etc.  The lice can't grab onto your hair and stay there as easily.

To prevent them from spreading in your classroom:

• Don't allow students to share headbands, jackets, hats, or anything that could transport the lice.
• Spread backpacks out, don't pile them on top of each other.  This is another way they can be transported.
• In P.E., sanitize all equipment that students share.

GradeCam- Making teachers' lives easier!

GradeCam is all the rage at D'Arbonne Woods.  I've just signed up and loaded my classes.  I can't wait to give my kids a test this week to try it out!  

Here's how it works:

1. Add your classes.
2. Add your students with a personal number ID to each class.
3. Add an assignment, and choose how many questions are on the test.
4. Print out your answer sheet straight from the website.
5. Give your kids the test.
6. Hold up each answer document to a camera (your webcam, document camera.. anything that's hooked up to your computer from what I understand!)

GradeCam tells you which answers are incorrect, and then gives you data on most missed questions and average scores.  You just physically write the grade on each student's paper.  Other teachers have told me that it took about 30 seconds to grade a whole class' test.  What a huge time saver!  

The best part... It's free for 60 days!  You can earn credits by inviting other teachers, but after your free trial runs out, it's $15 a month.  I think that's totally worth it!  If you're interested, click the link below.

www.gradecam.com/signup?referrer=acowyk

Target Finds for my Classroom!

I love Target.  I love dollar stores.  When these two things combine, you get the Target bargain section.  Many a dollar of mine have been spent on their $1 items!  Here are a few ways I've used these bargains in my classroom.

These file folders are adorable.  They come in 3 packs for $1 each.  I have three set up as unfinished work folders- one for each class.  Students can go grab their work from that folder when they have a few extra minutes, and I can easily determine who isn't finished yet.

I also set up my makeup work station with these file folders.  I have them labeled Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Last Week.  These were two of my biggest struggles while student teaching and subbing, so I hope these two sections of my classroom will eliminate some headaches.

Each of these miniature buckets were $1.  As you can see, I'm storing office supplies in mine.  I prefer this to digging through drawers to find what I'm looking for!  In each bucket, I have Sharpies, highlighters, blue and black pens, colored pens, mechanical pencils, thumb tacks, binder clips, paper clips, and miscellaneous items (like staples and rubber bands).

Frustrated by papers with no names?  I'm going to hang up unidentified work here so students can claim their papers.  These little blue glittery clips came in a pack of 5 for $1, and the white and gold baker's twine was on a spool for $1.

This cute magnetic notepad is hanging on my filing cabinet.  I am such a list maker.  Some lists are just too long for a sticky note, so this was definitely a necessity!  

I'm in love with these packs of notecards!  8 cards and 8 envelopes are in a pack for $1 each.  Every time I go in Target, I look for more, but I haven't seen any in a while.  These are handy to keep around, especially if you're an elementary teacher, for when students bring you gifts!  You can write them a quick thank you note quickly so you won't forget.

My wonderful sister-in-law picked up all of these books for me!  Yes, $1 each!!!  They are all abridged versions of classics with super cool covers.  I am tickled over these.  One of my goals this year is to expose my fourth graders to some of these classic novels.  She got me The Story of Doctor Doolittle, The Secret Garden, Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, The Wind in the Willows, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Treasure Island, The Jungle Book, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and A Little Princess.  

Teaching Hint: Seating Charts

Use sticky notes to help with seating arrangements. You can easily move them around, and you won't have to erase! Color code based on ability or your different classes. 

After my first day, I already know that my original seating chart needs to change. :) I hope everyone is having a wonderful start to the school year!

Mrs. Baze's Classroom

Have a look around my room!  I have been truly blessed by friends, family, and coworkers who donated or let me borrow items for my room.  Without them, this learning space would be a lot more empty and a lot less colorful!  I can't wait to show you how the room evolves throughout the year.  Those empty spaces will soon be filled with work that make my students and me proud.

Snacks for the School Teacher!

Tomorrow is the big day! Back to school. I've been watching videos and doing research about healthy recipes and name brands, and I'm determined to incorporate these ideas into my daily life. I wanted to share a few things that I found at WalMart for snack and lunch at school!

Terra Sea Salt Sweet Potato Chips are non GMO and gluten free, as are the KIND Vanilla Blueberry Healthy Grains, which will be my sweet fix.  I also got Emerald Smoked Almonds, which are salty and not as healthy as plain ones, but they will be a good source of protein if I'm running on empty!  My favorite flavor of Chobani is Coconut with Dark Chocolate and Honey Roasted Salted Almonds. Whew! That's a mouthful. This can be a quick snack or breakfast. 

A couple of lunch options are pictured above. Sandwiches, nothing too thrilling. And not the lowest in calories. I'll have to do some improvement on my lunch, but for this week I wanted quick and simple. We've been buying the bakery bread instead of pre-packaged. It's cheap, and I think it's much tastier. This loaf of French bread was a dollar!  The downside is that I have to freeze most of the loaf, because the expiration date is usually just a couple of days after I buy it. 

Coming soon: breakfast ideas and a tour of my classroom!

Teacher Appreciation Week

By Friday of teacher appreciation week, I was fighting tears.

In case you aren't familiar with my role as a paraprofessional, let me tell you a little bit about it.  In the lower grades, each teacher has a para that is assigned solely to her classroom.  Upper elementary teachers share paras at DWCS.  As a fifth grade para, I mostly with struggling students in ELA.  When one of the fifth grade teachers is absent, I sub for her.  There are three groups of about five kids that I work with on a regular basis, but I have gotten to know pretty much all sixty-five of the fifth graders through my substituting, entering lunches into the system, and watching recess.  I don't spend nearly as much time or energy on most of these children as their teachers do.

But they treated me this week like I hung the moon.

Our PTO went above and beyond.  Each morning, fresh flowers and breakfast awaited us in the teachers' lounge.  There were donuts, muffins, granola bars, lemon water, homemade cookies, and more!  There were door prize drawings each day.  I'm pretty sure every staff member won a prize!  I got a bag of Mary Kay goodies for my feet!  Friday, lunch was catered.  Fried catfish, grilled shrimp, fried shrimp, hush puppies, fries, slaw, sweet tea.  It was heavenly!  And EVERY staff member received one of these adorable baskets with our school initials on them.

Below are some of the gifts my students and their parents gave me.  Their thoughtfulness truly overwhelmed me with emotion.  I hope every profession receives appreciation in some way or another.  Teachers are spoiled in that respect.  

This was from one of those students that I haven't spent a whole lot of time with.  Yet she and her mother still remembered me this week.  The notebook on the left was designed my this students' mother.  Isn't that awesome?  The gift at the top right contained marigold and pansy seeds.  I can't wait to plant them.

This hummingbird feeder and food is so special to me.  A little girl picked this out for me because she loved to sit and watch hummingbirds with her grandmother before she passed away.  How special for her to share that memory with her teachers.  I can't wait for the birds to start arriving.  She has been asking me if I have seen any yet.

This bookmark was handmade by one of my students.  She gave me a pretty flower, too!
I will find a perfect spot for it in my classroom next year.

I have never heard of this brand, but I love that this scent is named after a scripture.
I'll have to find out where I can get my hands on more of this.  What a perfect gift!

One of my sweet boys made me this card and bracelet in our school colors.
I have made this student angry with me quite a few times.  I have pushed him to put forth more effort many days, and he has left me with a frown on his face.  To know that he appreciates me makes the struggles between us all worth it.

One of my kiddos brought me a different gift each day of the week.  Monday, he was "berry" glad that I was his para, and he brought me chocolate covered strawberries.  Tuesday, he thanked me for helping him "grow", and brought me a beautiful pot of calla lilies.  Wednesday, he was "soda" lighted that I was his para, and brought me a Sonic drink with a favorite snack of mine-almonds.  Thursday he brought me a beach bag with a towel, flip flops, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a water bottle.  Friday, he brought me a gift card with a super sweet note from his mom.  She had sent me a Target gift card because she had remembered that I mentioned buying shelves from Target for my classroom next year.  Her sweet words of gratitude for working with her son this year made my heart fill so full.  We shared a teary smile of thankfulness that morning.  It is an indescribable feeling to know that someone has put forth so much effort to do something special for you.  She has helped me so much my first semester at DWCS!

Some days are hard to get through.  I struggle to motivate students, to get them to concentrate.  Some days I feel like I don't accomplish much of anything with my kids.  Every day, what time they are going to recess is more pressing than learning ELA.

Some days are far more rewarding.  Moral issues come up in conversation, and I can only hope that my words have some sort of impact on them.  Some days a student is feeling down about himself, and  I am given the opportunity to tell him that he is smart.  That he can do this.  

Working in this field comes with its own rewards.  Every hug, every smile is a student showing his or her appreciation.  But how special to have an entire week for parents and students to spoil us.  Thank you.

Bloom

Via http://susatalan.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/188-SAINT-FRANCIS-PLANTED.png

Pinterest has been showing me this saying quite often.  (Coincidence?  I'm not so sure.)  After being hired as a paraprofessional in December after applying for a teaching job, I must admit that I had mixed feelings.  Content that I had a job, that I had much less to get ready for over Christmas break, that I would have less responsibility than a teacher.  A tad disappointed that I wouldn't have the job that I earned a college degree in preparation for.  (And a lower pay.)  But that is where God had planted me for the time being; time to grow.

Via http://saff-rron.tumblr.com/post/65350890785

As we are nearing the end of the year, I have been reflecting on how so very grateful I am for where He planted me.  I have gotten to know some really great teachers.  DD, CM, and AR have taught me so much, perhaps without even knowing it.  Having the opportunity to observe how they solve conflicts with students, handle problems with parents, cure lack of motivation, and celebrate accomplishments with their precious fifth graders is impacting me as a future teacher.  I wouldn't trade these last few months as a para for anything in the world!

Via http://www.bobbiblogs.com/2013/03/free-spring-art-print.html

"Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have.  For He Himself hath said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'"
Hebrews 13:5

Graduation Day!

Louisiana Tech is probably the only university that has a graduation ceremony on November 16th.  That would be because of the quarter system (as opposed to semesters) that Tech goes by.  Thanks to A.P. credit from high school, and the fact that I never changed my major, I was able to graduate in 3 years and 1 quarter.  So many people celebrated with me over my accomplishments; I felt so loved!  Here are a few moments leading up to and on graduation day.  Enjoy!

On Thursday, the teacher that I student taught under, the other two 5th grade teachers, and fifty-six 5th graders celebrated my upcoming graduation with me.  They all signed a card, which I will cherish forever, and gave me cupcakes and tons of teacher supplies.  They even kept it a secret and surprised me!! I am going to miss those kids so much.  I fell in love with them!

On Friday, I came home from my very emotional last day of student teaching to a bouquet of beautiful flowers from Caleb, along with a very sweet note.  He sure knows how to make me smile!  They were my favorite flowers- lilies.

And then the big day was here...

I anxiously awaited 10:00 with my wonderful friend, Emily.  We have been in the same education classes for about two years, and have been placed in the same school or classroom several times!  She has helped me so much along the way, and I am so grateful for her friendship.  I hope you are having an awesome time in Disney World!!!

The moment finally came!  Before we walked out to our seats, I sneezed my cap off of my head.  Score!

Thank you, Dr. Guice!

See ya!

My lovely parents.  I will forever be grateful for their saving up to provide for my education.  

Rilo

Gran wore the right colors!

Aunt Jana and Uncle Steve left before daylight to attend my graduation!  Y'all made me so happy!!

My wonderful husband was so excited for me.  He has given me so much encouragement and support along the way!

My parents got me a beautiful necklace!  Along with gift cards so I can shop for teacher clothes ;)

Gran gave me some wonderfully sentimental gifts for this special occasion.  This doll was made by my great-grandmother, Mama Thel.  The brooch and scarf also belonged to her.

This Bible belonged to my Pawpaw.  On the inside of the front cover, he penned some different ways to bring up the subject of Jesus to someone that you want to witness to.  I will treasure these gifts forever!

If you are feeling discouraged in school and think the end is nowhere in sight, hang in there!  I promise, it will be worth it!  The good Lord has already provided me with a job that I start tomorrow.  Prayers would be greatly appreciated.  I will be substituting for a few weeks in 8th grade geometry and 6th grade computer applications.