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Showing posts with label sixth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sixth. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Monday, April 4, 2011
What are you waiting for?
I always tell my students that we need to read because it teaches you so much that you couldn't learn from a teacher or in the small town they live it. It opens you up to others worlds and allows you to experience a different life through text on a page. What one person can accomplish is truly amazing. If you haven't read Three Cups of Tea yet, it is basically about a man who while trying to climb the mountain K2, walks into a life he never imagined living, building schools in some of the most rural and dangerous parts of the world, especially for girls who wouldn't have been able to go to school otherwise. Combine this with the documentary Waiting for Superman I watched last weekend and my mind has been running. It's hard to wrap your head around the educational injustices going on in not just the world, but right here in the good ol' USA. It made me me want to yell. How does the educational system allow for all this crap to go on? The documentary if you haven't seen it explains a lot of this (if you haven't watched it I highly suggest it). However, I realized that yelling about it won't do a whole lot of good. By combining this amazing man I read about who was able to accomplish so much out of heart and determination, and the new information I've learned about the educational system I work for, I know I need to do something. But I'm not sure what to do next about my feelings towards the injustices in the world. I know the best thing I can do is act on them in a way that will benefit these kids. Now it's just time to put the thinking cap on and figure out what I can do to help make a change. Any suggestions? -Sixth
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Happiest Job in America
Yesterday I was at the gym on the treadmill watching Oprah (Check out my 5k page/tab to check out how I'm trying to keep myself accountable!). Her episode was all about happiness and what makes someone happier. One of the poll questions was:
11. Which of these is the happiest job in America?
Since I am a special education teacher it really caught my attention. And the answer is...
They all are! And, on average, not one of those jobs pays more than $50,000 per year, according to research by the University of Chicago.
Interesting. On the show the research expert said that these four jobs are rated happiest not necessarily because of the type of work they do, but because of their constant social interaction with others during their work hours. I 100% agree. I interact with people ALL DAY LONG. There usually isn't a moment I'm by myself. Even during my prep periods the teachers on my team and I usually sit and work together. I love the constant interaction. It makes the day go by fast. Talking and working with my students does make me happy (sometimes frustrated) but usually very happy! They are funny, kind, witty and caring young people who try very hard (most of the time) to be successful. My students show me determination and perseverance. They also make me appreciate the little things. It isn't a career a chose for the money (obviously), but I knew that I would love going to work. Happiest job in America is a bonus :)
11. Which of these is the happiest job in America?
- Travel agent
- Clergy
- Special education teacher
- Firefighter
Since I am a special education teacher it really caught my attention. And the answer is...
They all are! And, on average, not one of those jobs pays more than $50,000 per year, according to research by the University of Chicago.
Interesting. On the show the research expert said that these four jobs are rated happiest not necessarily because of the type of work they do, but because of their constant social interaction with others during their work hours. I 100% agree. I interact with people ALL DAY LONG. There usually isn't a moment I'm by myself. Even during my prep periods the teachers on my team and I usually sit and work together. I love the constant interaction. It makes the day go by fast. Talking and working with my students does make me happy (sometimes frustrated) but usually very happy! They are funny, kind, witty and caring young people who try very hard (most of the time) to be successful. My students show me determination and perseverance. They also make me appreciate the little things. It isn't a career a chose for the money (obviously), but I knew that I would love going to work. Happiest job in America is a bonus :)
Sunday, January 2, 2011
A New Year
I said hello to 2011 in NYC, a pretty good start. Tomorrow it will be back to work after a relaxing vacation. As stressful as work can sometimes be, I'm glad that I am excited to go back tomorrow. I can't wait to hear from my kids what they did over vacation and catch up with my coworkers. Four months ago I started a job completley unsure of myself, what I was doing and if I was doing it remotely right. It's hard to feel satisfied at the end of the day when you know that you're not reaching every student even with all of the hard work you put it; knowing that 5 of your kids may have passed that test, but two still struggled even with all the studying you did with them, when your student gets a 100 on their spelling test, but it's with third grade words. But at the end of the day I'm trying to rejoice in those little things. Yes two didn't pass the test, but the five that did went home feeling like a rockstar. Though the words he had on his test were coat and boat, those are two words he couldn't spell before and now he can. I feel confident going back. I may not have all the secrets yet, but I know if I keep trying I'll get there.
-Sixth
Friday, December 24, 2010
A Christmas Present
Student: Ms. Sixth, when's your birthday?
Ms. Sixth: Not until May why?
Student: Oh man, you really need a new pencil sharpener, so I was going to get you one, but I don't think I can wait that long.
Ms. Sixth: So if I lived back in the day with the Egyptians I would only have about 8 more years left before I died!
Student: OMG you're only 22?!
Ms. Sixth: (in my head... gosh these 12 year olds are too fast with their math fact fluency)
I have a "store" where my students can spend the "dollars" they earn in class at the end of the week...
Student: I only need two more dollars then I can get my dad's Christmas present!
*I'm glad I can provide families their 2010 Christmas presents hahaha. This was one of the cutest things ever I must say.
-Sixth
Ms. Sixth: Not until May why?
Student: Oh man, you really need a new pencil sharpener, so I was going to get you one, but I don't think I can wait that long.
Ms. Sixth: So if I lived back in the day with the Egyptians I would only have about 8 more years left before I died!
Student: OMG you're only 22?!
Ms. Sixth: (in my head... gosh these 12 year olds are too fast with their math fact fluency)
I have a "store" where my students can spend the "dollars" they earn in class at the end of the week...
Student: I only need two more dollars then I can get my dad's Christmas present!
*I'm glad I can provide families their 2010 Christmas presents hahaha. This was one of the cutest things ever I must say.
-Sixth
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Harry and Sixth
"It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." ~J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, 1999, spoken by the character Albus Dumbledore
Although I wasn't able to go see Deathly Hallows at the midnight premiere on Thursday (I have a real job now with an early wake up call), I did sneak it in this Saturday. I was not disappointed. After investing so many years into reading the books and watching the movies, I think next year after Part II comes out I will feel a little sadness.. and probably reread them all over again to fill the void. It makes me so happy that these are books that not only I love, but make my students not want to put their books down during AR reading time. Books that we can have lengthy discussions about and relate most class activities back to. These books allow my students to make connections to what they're reading and give them a desire to dive into a book head first. The quote I used above I always relate to my students, but I think it can relate to anyone really. The power of a book never ceases to amaze me. -Sixth
Although I wasn't able to go see Deathly Hallows at the midnight premiere on Thursday (I have a real job now with an early wake up call), I did sneak it in this Saturday. I was not disappointed. After investing so many years into reading the books and watching the movies, I think next year after Part II comes out I will feel a little sadness.. and probably reread them all over again to fill the void. It makes me so happy that these are books that not only I love, but make my students not want to put their books down during AR reading time. Books that we can have lengthy discussions about and relate most class activities back to. These books allow my students to make connections to what they're reading and give them a desire to dive into a book head first. The quote I used above I always relate to my students, but I think it can relate to anyone really. The power of a book never ceases to amaze me. -Sixth
Monday, September 20, 2010
You know you're a teacher when...
You know you're a teacher when... you add a 'books' category into your excel budget spreadsheet. (Also when you have an actual budget, sigh... real world.) Yes I just purchased 10 copies of The BFG through scholastic ($1 a piece, you can't beat it). The four newspapery scholastic pages were exciting to me as a child and still bring the same excitement today!
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Top Five
Sixth Here...
After surviving 6 days with my 6th graders and brinking on the start of my first full week, here are some reflections I have about teaching 6th grade special ed so far.
1. They aren't as big as I thought. In my mind I had towering giants with lots of hormonal attitude seeping out of their skin sitting in my classroom. In reality they are like my first graders from last year with a bigger vocabulary and more stories to tell. They're still worried about being late to class and if they'll be able to get to their locker without missing the bus.
2. It's okay to ask questions, and to ask them frequently. Something new comes up on an hourly basis that I either don't know the answer too (like how to direct a student to the band room) or that I don't know how to do (like use the 'cold' laminator *a laminator that doesn't heat up*.. I know right? I didn't know they existed either.) Someone in the near vicinity will usually know the answer or direct you to someone who does. You look sillier trying to shove your pretty new poster through the laminator for a half hour than just asking someone near you.
3. Fake it til you make it. My instructional assistant told me the other day that she had no idea I was a first year teacher. This gave me great ease and also taught me that my acting classes I took back in elementary school are paying off ten years later. I look young, especially compared to the other teachers on my team and feel like the newbie in the lunch room, but at least I look like I've got it together!
4. Most of the time I feel like I'm running around like a chicken with my head cut off just trying to get by, but on the outside it seems that I can keep my poker face on. Lady Gaga would be proud.
5. My take on my students has changed every day. As time passes I'm beginning to understand them better and see what will and won't work when teaching them. The honeymoon is starting to wind down but I'm ready for next 10 month journey!
After surviving 6 days with my 6th graders and brinking on the start of my first full week, here are some reflections I have about teaching 6th grade special ed so far.
1. They aren't as big as I thought. In my mind I had towering giants with lots of hormonal attitude seeping out of their skin sitting in my classroom. In reality they are like my first graders from last year with a bigger vocabulary and more stories to tell. They're still worried about being late to class and if they'll be able to get to their locker without missing the bus.
2. It's okay to ask questions, and to ask them frequently. Something new comes up on an hourly basis that I either don't know the answer too (like how to direct a student to the band room) or that I don't know how to do (like use the 'cold' laminator *a laminator that doesn't heat up*.. I know right? I didn't know they existed either.) Someone in the near vicinity will usually know the answer or direct you to someone who does. You look sillier trying to shove your pretty new poster through the laminator for a half hour than just asking someone near you.
3. Fake it til you make it. My instructional assistant told me the other day that she had no idea I was a first year teacher. This gave me great ease and also taught me that my acting classes I took back in elementary school are paying off ten years later. I look young, especially compared to the other teachers on my team and feel like the newbie in the lunch room, but at least I look like I've got it together!
4. Most of the time I feel like I'm running around like a chicken with my head cut off just trying to get by, but on the outside it seems that I can keep my poker face on. Lady Gaga would be proud.
5. My take on my students has changed every day. As time passes I'm beginning to understand them better and see what will and won't work when teaching them. The honeymoon is starting to wind down but I'm ready for next 10 month journey!
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