Teach Like a PIRATE- Chapter 4- Ask and Analyze

This summer thing with no schedule has really been bad for blogging! 

This chapter really changed my mind about the word creativity and the idea of being a creative person. In this chapter I have learned that when you tell someone that they are creative, and use that as an excuse to why you "aren't" it doesn't cut it. Dave says that, " Creative ideas don't come out of the blue,=; they come from engaging in the creative process. If you consistently ask questions that lead to creative and outside-the-box thinking, your mind will provide you with creative and outside-the-box answers. "
Dave also states that, "Creativity is rarely about natural brilliance or innate genius. Much more often creativity results from properly directed attention, laser-like focus, relentless effort, and hard work. "

I have always been the type to tell others how creative they are and how I wish ideas could just come to me. I never thought about all the hard work that those people I have said this to put into what they do. I really think I have taken it for granted. This goes for my crafter friends, as well as teacher friends and bloggers. I think that I need to put more work into the areas that I admire about my friends, because I am just plain lazy! Either that, or stop using Pinterest!!!

As for my classroom, I need to remember that all of my students are creative, and that I need to nurture that side of them, and bring it out in different ways.

For more blogs that are also reading this book click here!

Teach like a PIRATE - Chapter 3 Rapport

It is time for my 3rd installment ( ramblings ) of this book.....

 

 

 

 Why do I feel like every chapter I read is better than the last? I guess I should just say that the book keeps getting better and better!!!! Dave begins talking about how an engaged student is rarely a behavior problem, it is just finding out how to engage each student that is the problem. A teacher must find out what engages their students in order to plan an engaging lesson. This all starts with learning as much as you can about the students, from day 1, until day 180. Developing successful hooks is important as well. Finding out about your students is developing rapport with them. One way to develop rapport is to spend informal time with your students. I absolutely love this tip. I feel that the more that you talk with them and find out what makes them "tic", the more comfortable they will be with you, and if they are comfortable in class, they are more willing to take risks and allow themselves to fully immerse in the learning process. Trust is earned, and is key to rapport. Many children can't even trust their own parents, and you may be the first person they learn to trust.

 

I found it so shocking ( yet true ) when Dave mentions, " They ( the students ) don't believe that school respects and honors their individuality but instead uses it against them as a tool to force conformity." I don't see this as much being a primary teacher, however I totally see how this could be true with junior and high school. We need to work on praising each child for who they are, and it all starts with your relationship with them.

 

Stay tuned for Chapter 4!!! To visit other blogs participating in this book study, click here!

Teach like a PIRATE Chapter 2- Immersion

Wow did this chapter hit me like a brick! Immersion---completely surrendering yourself to your content and classroom.It is so easy to get carried away with to do lists, upcoming open house, data that is due to your principal ASAP, your child who is sick and the list could go on and on. As a teacher I need to be there mentally and physically with my students. The times when I feel most successful with my students is when I am immersed in small groups with them. I feel like all of the children are working on skills and having fun, and the group that I am working with I am totally involved in their learning and nothing else matters. ( well all the rest of the children do !!! but it feels good to see a groups progress and hear their conversations with each other ). I really feel that since I have moved to kinder I can immerse myself more and feel like I am making progress with my students. You have to immerse yourself like Dave says, as a swimmer in the water, in order to fully be "present" with your class and see them grow. If you aren't immersed, the kids, no matter what age, will be able to detect it. Click here to go visit other blogs in this book study!!!

Teach like a PIRATE Book Study Chapter 1

 

 

 

I decided to join a book study this summer which is reading the book Teach Like a Pirate, written by Dave Burgess. There are bunch of fun teacher blogs that are conducting the book study, with different blogs hosting different sections of the book. I really am excited to do this study because it is all about helping your motivation and passion about being an educator. I have gotten a lot out of the book already and I have only read chapter 1!

 

 

Chapter 1 is about passion! What a great chapter to start out with. Dave Burgess talks about three types of passion: content, personal, and professional!

Content Passion: What is your favorite subject to teach?

 

My favorite subject to teach is reading. This has changed since teaching 5th grade! When I taught 5th grade ( for 7 years ) my favorite area was science. Science is HUGE in 5th grade!! There is the periodic table, human and plant systems, solar system, and I could go on and on. However, now that I am in kindergarten, I LOVE LOVE LOVE teaching reading. It is such an amazing feeling to help these little ones dissect reading in its smallest form, and then start seeing lightbulbs go off when they start to get it. Reading for them is magical, and because it is one of my favorite things to do when I have free time, I love to see that passion ignite in others.

Professional Passion: What are you passionate about in your profession?

In my profession I am most passionate about relationships. I treasure the relationships I have with my little ones, their parents, and my coworkers. Being able to work alongside others that have the same passion is such a joy! My kindergarten team motivates me, and makes me feel that I am a good person, and challenges me to take risks. I think personally a goal I need to make though is to develop even better relationships with my team. I work 10 months with them!! :) I love that our rooms connect at my school, we are constantly helping each other and getting ideas mid-teaching even!

Personal Passion: What's your passion outside the profession?

 

Outside of my profession I am passionate about, well, my newest venture, Scentsy and Velata. Scentsy being wickless candles, and Velata being fondue warmers that are just like Scensty warmers! This business venture just started for me in March and has been really fun! I also am passionate about my family. I am so lucky to have a husband that stays home with my kids, and they love being outside. It is very rare for us to actually be home all day long. Even when I get home from work about 4 and kids go to bed at 7, we still have to go outside and do something as a family. We love being together and rarely are apart. For some families this is impossible, or just plain ol' not fun. However for us, we thrive off of it. I know that my time is limited because my kids won't be able to always spend time with us like this and have other things to do or places to be, so I am taking advantage now!

 

Head on over to this blog below for more insight on chapter 1!!!!

 

 

Hello, Monday !

This past holiday/birthday weekend was SO fun!!! I am now glad that I had Stetson on Memorial Day weekend because I am realizing we will always get a three day weekend around his birthday and it will probably always contain a bbq! That's super fun! 

So today, even though it is almost Tuesday, I am saying HELLO to Monday! 

Hello to it being the last week of school for my kindergarten class. We are moving to our newly modernized school, so everything has to be packed by Thursday our last day. Hence the poor empty room in the background. 

Here is an example of how we present our writing in my class! They all want to stand on their chair.

 A sample of what they were reading to each other. I love that this boy came into kinder not even speaking English! 

 Hello to my little brother graduating from Cal State Long Beach. So proud of him!!

 Hello to our talent show! I was floored by the talent! This is a first grader who ROCKED at the drums! And how cute is it that they are his size????

 Hello to sending every project in my room home! We made these, yes, the first day! Inside are all their pictures of me, their room, their friends, the school and so on. They got a kick out of how funny their writing and drawing looked! This project is from one of my favorite websites and sellers Miss Kindergarten at Teachers Pay Teachers. If you want to check it out click here.

 Hello to my little boy turning 3 yesterday!! Birthday post is coming tomorrow!

 Hello to going to the most awesome place, Pirates Dinner Adventure with my in laws to celebrate Stetson's birthday.

Have a GREAT week!!!!!!