R.I.P. Teaching

I've decided from my experience with various age levels of male students that there is a very significant difference in their thinking as opposed to the female students. Let's write a simile. Boy's minds are like cars; they don't work unless they are in drive. I think most of these students want to be good students and listen to what the teacher says. But their mind's are not actively engaged unless they are active. On the other hand, a girl's mind is similarly like a car. Except that they seem to have the power to turn the key themselves; they can choose when to engage their mind without actively involving their body. Of course, there are exceptions to every rule. How do we differentiate teaching so that boys and girls are both engaged? Do we try to cater separately to boys and girls? Do we try to incorporate activities that stimulate both? Do we do both simultaneously?

I hate the thought that some student will always be bored in my class. Although most of this has to do with my actions:

Does my class Relate to the students' lives? I've struggled with this a lot. Obviously, there is a lot of lessons that my students will never use again in life, especially those not going to college. I can always give the generic answer of how math improves logic, problem-solving skills, critical thinking, etc etc. But who is that helping? Now, I've decided that the real question is, Do I relate to my students' lives? I had one student during my student teaching who told me the first day he was going to ask me when he would use this in real life every single day- and he did. Even on days I couldn't come up with a sufficient answer, I could persuade him to do it anyway because of my relationship with him. He held some sort of respect for me because we had talked- he told me about his band, he talked to me about his girl drama, he showed me videos of his paintball team- he knew I cared about his life. I think this is the number one thing my students need anyway- my attention, and knowing that I care about their life. I've been finding some really great projects and and ideas on how to relate more lessons to real life. I think that, combined with caring about the students themselves, is the best thing I can do.

Am I Interesting? Or am I teaching the same things over and over, using the same worksheets, the same style, the same everything? We all need variety.

Am I Passionate? Intense emotion always captures attention.


You looked, didn't you?

So when it comes to differentiated instruction my main approach, for now, is to differentiate the way I approach my students before I even think about my lesson plans.

I found a great article on the basics of differentiated instruction that really broke things down and made it practical. Check it.

Key to Ignition

Do you ever wish that you could gain insights on how to deal with your students? Just the right thing to do to touch each individual?

Do you want to come up with creative lesson plans that actually work - lessons the students enjoy and actually learn?

Do you want that uniqueness that sets you apart from other teachers and causes students to want to take your class?

Do you want students, parents, colleagues, and the administration to see something different in you?

Do you want to stand out, make a difference, and change the world?

Me too.

I think the answer to all these questions and more are completely available. I know there are thousands, probably millions of blogs out there. Thousands of education blogs. Hundreds of math blogs. Hundreds of high school math blogs. But how many out there are about Spirit-led high school math teachers? I believe the Holy Spirit has an entire realm of creativity for educators. It's available. I want to tap into it. Imagine, the whispers in your heart from the creator of the very children you are teaching. Who knows them better?

"A good teacher is like a candle - consuming itself to light the way for others." This is one of my favorite quotes. I was thinking about it's meaning...We are the candles but the students are the wick and the Lord is the flame. We surround the students and hold them up. We are their support and protection. But we must get out of the way in order for the students to burn. As the candle melts, the wick grows taller. But the Lord is the flame.

How can I ignite each student? It is the Lord that ignites. But since I am the candle, part of the process, I believe that the Lord gives me the key to ignition. The sooner they ignite, the longer they burn.

Where are your keys?

9 Tips For Your Classroom Traffic Jam

I love organizing! There is something about color coordinated things neatly labeled and appropriately stacked that brings a flutter of joy in my heart. Being a substitute does not bring the same flutter. But from my limited teaching experience, I have observed quite a few helpful tips. I have also worked in an office setting (filing, alphabetizing, and data entry, oh my!) and will also share some of the tips I've stolen learned. I will now attempt to neatly stack them in a very organized list where there might possibly be some color coordination. Yes, that is right.


I like to avoid traffic jams in and out of the classroom. (Random Fact #1) From what I observe, the traffic jam tends to be around the teacher's desk. Yes, just what I want. Your grubby, snotty hands coming into contact with everything that I touch and inhale within a 3 foot radius. Or not. So here is my award-winning advice to avoid the breaking of the personal space bubble.


Stop: Create a New Traffic Jam

1. Designate a specific table, counter, or cart that belongs to the students (complete with cute colored tubs, trays, holders, and more). This is the table where you put the Kleenex, lotion, antibacterial hand sanitizer (a must!), the wet ones, stapler, hole punch, scissors, etc. If space allows, this could be a good place to put calculators, extra pencils and paper, and extras the students can work on when they're done with class work.

2. Stackable bins. Not bins as in Benz (this isn't a parking lot!) but the ever-important "bins". Say it with reverence. Stackable bins. Labeled for each period. Colorful. Convenient. Pure ecstasy. Students know where to turn in papers and your desk stays clutter free.

3. File folders. Pick one for each period. Label it clearly. Staple at least two staples along the sides. Now attach these to the walls. (For the anal organizer, in two rows of three within arms length of the #1.) Each day as you pass out notes, worksheets, etc the leftovers go immediately to the folder for that period. Students who were absent can go straight to the folder and see what they missed. Now you don't have to lose extra copies for the missing student who you then go make new copies for only to return and find the original leftover copies. You can even color coordinate- the file folder for that period can match the corresponding bin.

All traffic is now diverted to a new neighborhood. Even the germs live there. And now back to our previously scheduled color coordinated journey.



Caution: Look Ahead

4. Post Assignments Whether it is by chalkboard, SMART board, or white board, there should be a consistent place where assignments are posted for each period. Some teachers post each day for a week and start over the next. Some update daily. Some post just the homework assignments. Some post mini lesson plans. You know your students well enough to know what will work best. If you don't know, try something. If it doesn't work, change it.


5.Photo Chart This is the new and improved seating chart. (Some online grading systems come with this option.) Using your handy dandy digital camera, take a picture of each class sitting in their assigned seats. This makes it a lot harder for students to get feisty with a substitute. You still need names but besides that, your hardest task is taking the picture when every student is actually there.


6.The Plastics Especially for math, you can store manipulatives or anything (pentaminoes, protractors, rulers, compasses, puzzle pieces, etc) that has a lot of pieces in ziplock bags. Clearly label. You can then hang a string or wire anywhere in your classroom and clothespin these up. This is a space and time saver. Students or substitutes can find things quickly, your supplies are handy, and hey, it's kind of a decoration for your classroom.



Green Light: Teacher's Sanity

7. Binders Label one binder per class. Each binder has all the papers needed for that particular chapter or unit. Personally, I use transparencies on a daily basis. I keep the transparency and a paper copy for each day's lesson in the front of the binder. In the back of the binder, I keep copies of quizzes and tests. Everything can be reused for multiple classes or for the next year. I can flip open to any section to copy for the class and my transparencies can be wiped off and used over and over. I store the materials for each chapter in a manila folder in a filing cabinet or desk drawer. When we get to the next chapter, the new material goes in the binder. I have a ton of resources at my fingertips and I can look at different quizzes or tests I've used in the past.

8. Bins. They're awesome my friend, I promise you. Keep a set of bins for each period. These are nifty for copies you make ahead of time or papers you need to hand back. Keep behind your desk or where students don't have easy access. Label clearly. Insert papers. Instant organization. (P.S. Everything you need to copy is already in the binder! Sigh. Satisfaction.)

9. Flash/External Hard Drive This is your digital paper trail. It's so easy to organize, it's almost magic. I like to create my own notes, homework assignments, quizzes, and tests. So before I ever print, copy, and file, the documents is created and saved to my flash drive. First, I make a folder for each class. Then within that folder I make three other folders: Guided Notes, Quizzes, and Tests. If necessary make another folder for homework, projects, etc. I do this for each class and so everything has its place and I can find it easily with a click of a button. It's also a great place to save e-mails from parents. Each student can have their own folder. Flash drives are now so inexpensive that you can even buy one flash drive per class! That could get a little messy trying to remember which one is which, but don't forget, there's always color coordinating! =)

Valentine Smile

10 Things Every Teacher Should Know

The top 10 things I've learned from being a substitute teacher.

10. You can always be more organized.

9. You can never be too detailed in your sub plans. Don't assume subs know anything. Seating charts, bathroom breaks, teachers they can ask for help, students who know what's going on, switching classes, phone and computer use, school rules, are just examples of things substitutes would love to know.

8. Having things in your room clearly labeled and all in their place makes life easier for the teacher, the students, and the substitute.

7. School secretaries are your best friends.

6. Subsitutes should leave notes of the students' behavior for the teacher: good or bad. I like to write something for each period and mention specific names if needed. Duh, teachers love feedback.

5. Posting common class procedures is a great first week of school idea but is also a lifesaver for the substitute who is clueless as to how you work.

4. Being flexible and creative is a vital characteristic for teaching. As a substitute, you have to make something out of nothing. You have to stretch things out to last longer, manipulate it to fit your personality, and yet it still all has to make sense to the kids.

3. Breaking the ice with students makes your life easier. If you ask students about activities going on at school, sports, what they're wearing, what's for lunch, or anything other than class the students immediately are more interested in what you have to say. In the school I'm subbing at, I generally know a lot of the student's parents, aunts, uncles, siblings, etc. Letting them know that sometimes makes them easier to handle.

2. School and students are unpredictable. You have to make split-second decisions constantly and not lose it when your plans get messed up. Go with the flow, be flexible, and make things work. Maintain order even if it's not your order.

And the number one thing...

...every teacher should know...

...and every substitute wants to share...

...is...

1. Never sub for Kindergarten teachers the day before Valentine's Day! Their job is no joke. Obviously, the academic material is not challenging. That's because if teachers had to deal with challenging academics and challenging behavior, they would die. Die. Combine this with a ton of candy, rub-on tattoos, cakes, cookies, Valentine's Day cards, toys, balloons, flowers, and tons of cellophane and you have a recipe for heart-shaped disaster!!!