Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Website Wednesday

I've taken a bit of a break over the summer but thought I'd start "Website Wednesday" for those of you that are teachers and would like to play on some neat websites. If you'd like an entire list click on the label below this post. Also, I'd love to hear of websites that you have or use in your classroom.

Today's website is: http://www.internet4classrooms.com/

This is a website that has LOTS (absolutely TONS) of activities based on standards. Granted they are not our particular state standards, but they are close and as teachers we know what we are to be teaching and what is "extra" so that's why I'd encourage you to test out the sites before introducing them to your class. If you have a SMART Board in your classroom, you'll see that most of the websites for addressing the standards are interactive.

Friday, May 15, 2009

This Summer. . . .

This summer, I wish my students would. . . .

* lose themselves in a good book- visit foreign places, meet interesting invididuals, learn unique facts

* become better at asking questions and become thinkers rather than just doers- I hope they ask why, where, when, how

* have conversations with folks older than them about values and dynamics of relationships or friendships

* be more conscious of how wonderful they are and how much they can contribute to our society (maybe recycling in the classroom has lit a spark at home)

* think about the world around them and become more in tune with the way things operate and reasons behind it

* visit a place unique and special- for whatever reason and with whatever method (via Discovery Channel or a book or even a family vacation)

* give and help others and find the joy and happiness that it can bring a person

This summer, I will miss my students and be thinking of them as I spend time refreshing with my own children and family. I will think of them and hope that they are experiencing joy, happiness and health that will help them start the school year with a refreshing, strong start!

Friday, May 8, 2009

Purpose of this Blog

In case you are new to the site or blog, I wanted to fill you in as well as start the very first post with an introduction as to the purpose of this blog. This blog is an effort to reach out, reflect, provoke discussions, and involve educators from every walk of life into a dialouge to make us better educators. The mission is to grow and become the best teachers we possibly know how- not necessarily the best teachers ever, winning awards that gather dust or tarnish over time, but to use our knowledge to the fullest and in the best interest of the children we are trusted with each day to provide a quality education.

This blog is for teachers that want to reflect on the most positive aspects of teaching and working in an educational environment. Though our intentions are to become better educators, it often is difficult to discern where a line is drawn as far as free speech and jeopardizing our jobs. While we are certainly entitled to our opinions as is anyone, it is also with understanding that we cannot also be brutally honest and thus must speak in hyperboles or metaphors at times so as to confuse the weak and empower those that need it! (Yes that was meant to be confusing!) Please understand that the most valiant of efforts will be made to make sure first of all, no confidentiality is betrayed nor any lines are "crossed". However, should this blog 'step on your toes', it should come to mind that possibly there is a bit of reflecting on your part and spinning in the wheels of your brain that just possibly might be taking others views into consideration as well. Please- do join in the conversation with the comment field and should you feel very strongly maybe you should suggest posting as an author on here as well.