Pennies for Patients

Had you walked into our first grade classroom two weeks ago, you'd think you were walking into a high school biology class. You would be surprised at the sophistication of first grade minds! I launched a service-learning project to teach my students about compassion and our responsibility to the world community. I wanted to incorporate technology into the project, so I decided to create a video as the product medium. It would be written and illustrated entirely by our class and I would manage the filming. In this process, I learned how to use iMovie, but more importantly I gleaned insight into the potential and brilliance of 6 and 7 year olds. The content that my students developed was much more impressive than my abilities with the flip camera. I taught a lesson on cells and the body (at a first grade level, of course), in which students used paper cutouts to "build" the stages of cell growth and cancer. That afternoon, I asked students to create a movie script according to pictures from the morning's lesson. I based our shared writing activity around the question "What happened to the body? What does this picture represent?" Within 30 minutes, and with very minimal prompting from me, our class had developed a rather elaborate explanation of cancer. This is proof that we don't need to dumb down our content. Set the bar high...they will reach it!! Now that my little friends have a basic understanding of cancer, they are ready to support the cause and collect Pennies for Patients!

Teaching with Love & Logic

Teaching with Love and Logic is an approach that I have always appreciated, ever since I learned about it as an undergrad student of education. A new teacher professional development meeting that I went to right before the winter break reminded me of some of the practices that are essential in implementing love and logic. I always aim to make sure all students in my class feel valued and respected in our classroom community. However, there are often ups and downs through the school year and as teachers and students we experience a "brick wall effect." The week right before a long break, I really focused on making sure to welcome every student into our classroom in the morning and to greet them individually. This small effort paid off greatly because I could feel positive energy radiate throughout the day, which also helped to dissipate some of the tension that many students experience before school breaks. I am officially a true follower of Love & Logic!

Learning Objectives

The power of our teaching is clearly evident when our students can relate back to us why they are learning what they are learning and the real-life relevance of what they are doing. One of my goals as a teacher is to enable my students at any given moment to articulate their learning to anyone who may enter the classroom. In order to attain this goal, I must deliberately plan and communicate my learning objectives for every lesson. One way to do this is to write our daily learning target on the board as a reference point for my students. I can explain these targets in the hooks at the beginning of my lessons. I can refer to the targets at the "catch-and-release" moments during student independent work, and we can discuss them during our debriefs at the end of the lessons. Additionally, I can make these objectives meaningful by using familiar vocabulary for my learners. I must make them clear and straight forward--something that my students can say back to me in their own words. If students don't know what I am asking them to do, I have not effectively communicated the goal of the lesson. Learning objectives not only focus my teaching, but they also guide student learning.

Hopes for the First Year of Teaching

The first year of teaching brings a slew of new challenges to the hands of teachers entering the classroom for the first time. I want to take my learning step by step. My main goal in this journey is to practice reflective teaching. As Henry Ford once said, "Failure is only the opportunity to begin again more intelligently." The great thing about teaching is that we get a chance to learn from mistakes and make changes the next time around. By being reflective, I can constantly work to improve in my teaching. I also hope to always do what is right for my students. My work is about kids, and I will try my best to keep them at them at the forefront of my decisions. Finally, I hope to finish the year as a better teacher than when I started. I recognize that it is unrealistic to want to be perfect in all aspects of teaching after the first year. In the classroom, this first time around, I am going to focus on classroom management and planning engaging lessons. Because I believe in establishing a balance between work and home life, I can also improve as a teacher by making time for me outside of the classroom. If I take care of myself, I can better take care of those around me. I am going to put everything I have into my teaching, then I will relax and take advantage of all that these Colorado mountains have to offer.

As I dive head first into this ring of fire, I fully expect to find stumbling blocks. I will have to keep in mind the words of my friend, Michael Johnston: "The depth of the challenges is outweighed by the power of the impact!"

Room Set-up

Setting up a room is an adventure in itself! Who knew that what kids see on their first day of school takes so much problem solving and brain strain from the teacher? I have been impressed, honestly, by the challenge of setting up a first grade classroom.

I began with my furniture. I needed to find the best position for tables, shelves, and chairs so as to be able to see all students at all times (which is not the easiest task with a half-wall that divides the classroom). Meanwhile, I had to consider the places in the room for my whole group lessons and my small group lessons. Quite the complication!

The next step for me was deciding what I was going to use my bulletin boards for and how I was going to format them. I knew I needed a Crew (or class community) board, a math board, and word walls. I also decided that I needed to establish a board that focuses on our small group lessons and goals. Walls indeed are an evolving entity in a classroom. It will be interesting to see what they become...

3 Take Aways from Rick Smith's Classroom Management

1. Hold your ground with students in a positive manner. Saying no is not always a bad thing. I can always say no by saying: "yes, when..." or "yes, as soon as..." or "yes, in/at (time)..."

2. Classroom management starts with prevention, but I need to have strategies for intervention when the prevention falls through.

3. Delay the answer to a why by having kids approach you with the "why" question once you get everyone started on their work.

First Thing's First

Hi, I'm Kelly Casber. I am about to embark on an adventure as a first year teacher. This will be my first time being in school in a non-student role. The most exciting part of teaching for me is helping students find new talents and interests. I also love the professional collaboration that transpires between teachers. I hope to find teaching a challenging and exciting career that leads me through many new doors.