Tag: engaging with students

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Is the Mess of Making Art Worth It?

This morning I woke up and came down to the kitchen to find my six year old and almost five year old happily painting and making sun catchers. There was paint all over the table, all over their hands, and other supplies scattered about. At first I was annoyed. I mean, waking up to a mess isn’t ideal, and it really wasn’t what I wanted to wake up and see first thing on a Monday morning. But… when I saw how happy and proud they were with their creations, I just couldn’t be be mad. And what’s more, when their little sister came down wanting to make one, and they happily worked together to help her do that, I really could’t be upset. It was a good reminder to me that messes are part of childhood and part of learning. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned as a mother and school teacher, it’s that messes can be cleaned up.

Hands-on experiences are crucial for developing minds and hands. It is so important for little hands to really get into what they are doing. Immersing themselves in the creative process allows kids to be more engaged and to learn from what they are doing. 

Think about a child playing with kinetic sand or play-doh. To get the full experience of playing with those things, a child needs to use their hands to manipulate and create. It’s not enough to just look at it. Creating art is, by nature, a hands-on experience, regardless of the medium being used. 

Creating not only inspires great thinking; it also helps develop a plethora of other skills. Coloring promotes proper pencil/crayon/marker holding. Painting helps develop hand control. Cutting with scissors and gluing small pieces are both great for helping refine fine motor skills. Thinking through the process of what to create and how to create it gives rise to creative thinking. If creating with other people, it allows for cooperative creation and learning. When the creating is finished, children can learn valuable clean up skills, and can learn the importance of picking up their messes and leaving their area clean and tidy. 

Another thing that stems from creating is a sense of pride and accomplishment. Upon finishing, kids are able to immediately see the results of their hard work. They can display their creations and can feel proud of themselves for what they’ve done. This feeling of accomplishment can help foster confidence that can carry over into other areas of their life. 

Creating art really is much more than just paper, scissors, markers, and glue. Sure, it entertains kids and is fun. But, really, it aids in so many other areas of development and life that it is a very valuable tool. 

So the next time your child asks you to let them create something, and you’re tempted to turn them down, take a minute and think about the benefits of creating, and maybe you’ll reconsider!

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How Distractions Distract from Learning

In my last two posts, I discussed some common problems teachers are seeing in their classrooms. Based on a poll conducted, many teachers say that their students struggle with lack of motivation, distractions, and access to technology, among others. Today I’m going to jump into the problem of distractions.

Distractions have been around since the beginning of time. It’s not a new problem. I do, however, believe that it has become a bigger problem in recent years. Many students have so much going on in their lives that focusing on school is becoming more and more difficult. I also think that technology is playing a role in this increase in lack of attention and focus. Kids become so used to having instant gratification from their screens that focusing on anything for too long becomes difficult. 

There also seems to be a recent increase in the number of kids who struggle with ADD or ADHD. By themselves, these attention disorders make it difficult for students who struggle with them to stay focused and not get distracted. Couple these disorders with any other amount of input from screens or other sensory involved activities, and it seems like the perfect recipe for distractions a plenty! 

Not only does technology play a role in distracting students, but so does every day life. If there are hardships at home, trouble with friends, sports, other academic pursuits, challenges, or deadlines looming, medical concerns, or other extra curricular activities going on, those things can be a cause for distraction. There are a myriad of things that can be the reason behind why a student is distracted. 

A third grade teacher commented, “Many of my students have a hard time maintaining, focus and get distracted by a variety of activities, toys, other students, daydreaming etc.”

Lack of attention and focus can become a big problem for teachers. It’s hard enough to get an entire room of students on task and listening. Add in any outside distractions, and that task becomes even more difficult. Teachers have limited time with their students, and any amount of time spent redirecting and refocusing their students takes away from precious instruction and learning time. Obviously, all teachers plan for some amount of redirection and repeating of instructions, but when it starts to take away from what needs to be happening in a classroom, it becomes a bigger issue. 

One second grade teacher said, “I have noticed a HUGE increase in the amount of redirection I am having to give throughout my day. I truly think most of my time is spent on management and trying to get their attention where I need it. I think this stems from their inability to pay attention (distractions) mixed with a lack of motivation.” 

I won’t sugar coat it and say that you will have 100% of your class focused and on task 100% of the time, because the reality of it is, is that you won’t. There will likely be at least one or two students who will be distracted at any given moment (even if they look like they are paying attention). I think it’s just human nature to get distracted— for some, it doesn’t happen often, and for others, it’s a constant battle. 

What then, are teachers doing to help combat this problem in their classrooms? Redirection is a good strategy to help students get back on track. Some teachers use reward systems such as classroom dollars, table points, reward jars, and so on. 

A grade 7-9 teacher said she tries to make her lessons and assignments as relevant as possible so that students are more likely to stay focused and interested in what they are learning. 

A third grade teacher said, “In our school we’ve been doing mindfulness minutes during our day. We’ve also added in a yoga and mindfulness specialty. We have a wellness center where students can take breaks. In my classroom, I have a take 5 chair for smaller regulation needs.” These small breaks could be useful in helping students re-focus and stay attentive during class. 

Distractions aren’t going to go anywhere anytime soon. They really are just part of life. It’s how we learn to deal with them and re-focus ourselves that matters most. Teachers who experience this problem in their classrooms with their students know just how challenging it can be. But as we try new methods and lean on others for suggestions, we’re bound to find something that will help our students have the best possible chance of learning!

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Lack of Motivation: A Common Struggle in Today’s Classrooms

In my last post, I introduced a poll I conducted, wherein I gathered information regarding common challenges students today are facing. As a reminder, eleven teachers were polled, and 100% of them indicated that lack of motivation was one of the top struggles they see their students face. 81% of them named both distractions and access to technology as other top problems. Teachers were asked to share how they see these problems present in their classrooms, and what they are doing to help their students combat the issues. 

Today, I’ll dive into the number one most common problem: lack of motivation. 

When I created the poll, I was expecting to have lack of motivation be a concern for secondary teachers. What I was surprised to learn, however, is that elementary teachers are experiencing the same problems with their students, too. 

One first grade teacher said, “There are so many students that don’t buy into learning, and they don’t care to learn what they are being taught. I find that this typically either comes because students struggle with a subject or because they are so good at it that they feel bored- even though there is usually still something they need to practice in the lessons.”

A second grade teacher described her experience: “I feel like a lot of students try to pick and choose what they want to care about. If it isn’t a fun activity, it is really hard to get them to participate and pay attention even if it is a necessary skill for them to learn and to be successful.”

Secondary students also struggle with being motivated. One teacher, who teaches grades 7, 8, and 9, remarked, “I see students that are coming to school to earn a grade, rather than coming to school to learn. Very few students see the purpose of learning to grow.”

What is causing this massive lack of motivation among students today? Perhaps many of these students are experiencing difficulties in other areas of their lives, and school has become something they dread rather than look forward to. Maybe students today are so used to getting instant gratification from their various devices that traditional methods of learning just aren’t as exciting for them anymore. Could it even be that students’ schedules are so full that school has become just one more thing on their “I don’t want to do this but have to do this” list? 

Lack of motivation could stem from any number of reasons. But one thing is for certain: motivation is something that students will need to use for the rest of their lives. They have to figure out what drives them and pushes them to learn and get things done… even if it’s doing something they don’t really want to do. I often tell my own children that, “sometimes we have to do things we don’t want to do, and that’s ok!”

As a teacher, having students who just aren’t motivated to learn and/or work can be very frustrating. You can’t force a student to learn, and external motivators and rewards will only get you so far. So what do you do, then, when a student loses their motivation? 

The teachers that were polled are doing great things to try and combat lack of motivation in their classrooms. One second grade teacher said, “I try to make my lessons as engaging as I can, but with all new curriculum that is very scripted, it is really hard! I try to talk to them in a more “adult” way and explain why they should care about a certain activity or how I am still using a certain skill in my life as an adult and how they would need it too. I have taken a class on gamification and I have also received my technology endorsement so I try to implement and utilize technology in a meaningful way that engages, but most importantly, helps teach and reinforce. I have a lot of different management tools I implement (class jars, class money, table points, secret students, etc.) to help them stay focused and on task.”

Another teacher, who teaches grades 10-12 shared, “I scaffold or model the tasks and encourage them to develop the skills to learn how to manage these issues for themselves.”

A sixth grade teacher explained, “With the… motivation issues, I push my kids hard and hold them to high expectations… If they choose to sit around at school and waste the time, the assignment doesn’t just disappear. I’m trying to help them see the satisfaction in finishing and doing a good job!”

These are all great ideas! While the ultimate solution has to come from within each student, teachers and other adults and help students see the value in a job well done. Teachers have an incredibly awesome opportunity to help students understand just how powerful their minds can be. Once a student makes up their mind to be motivated and can truly see the value of learning and trying, amazing things start to happen, and the whole world opens up!

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2024 Scholarship Recipient Spotlight: Thrisha Kalpatthi

Every year, we award five $10,000 scholarships to graduation seniors who have created and put into action a program of some kind to give back to and help their community. Our 2024 winners worked hard to do just that. You can check out our top winner here. We’d also like to take the opportunity to spotlight the other four winners! 

Today’s spotlight is on Thrisha Kalpatthi, who launched Pittsburgh Metro Math.

From her early grade school years, Thrisha has been involved in competitive math. As she got older, she noticed a lack of diversity in those competitions. She began to see that most competitions were geared toward students who had more experience and who had sharpened their math skills with the use of coaches and other prepatory materials. Students who did not have access to those extra resources often left competitions without awards and feeling discouraged. This outcome would sometimes lead to those students losing confidence and interest in math. Thrisha realized that it would be incredibly beneficial to create “an inclusive environment that would foster talent among all aspiring mathematicians.”

Using her own experience and knowledge about mathematic competitions and creative problem solving, Thrisha set out to find a way to help these aspiring mathematicians. Together with her sister, she designed, organized, and launched the Pittsburgh Metro Math Competition. In order to make this happen, she secured scholarships, created competition questions, and gathered volunteers. She held two competitions with great success, and even raised $1500 for the Brashear Association, a non-profit organization in her community. She is also working on launching weekly math classes, hoping to equip students with the knowledge needed to compete and excel in higher level competitions. 

Good work, Thrisha! I love this project and the positive impact it has had on students and the interest in mathematics that it has generated for students in her area. 

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Effective Lesson Planning

Lesson plans: the bane of many teachers’ careers. They can be tedious, time consuming, and honestly, a bit of a pain to prepare. A seasoned teacher may be able to go without a structured, written lesson plan, but for many not-so-seasoned teachers, this isn’t the case, and a written plan is very helpful. So, with that being said, what makes an effective lesson plan? There isn’t one right or wrong way to plan a lesson, but there are certain components that should remain fairly consistent from one lesson plan to the next: objective/goal, lesson materials, timeline, assessment, differentiation, and closure.

Objective or Goal

Every lesson should have some sort of end goal in mind. When we begin with the end in mind, it allows us to plan our activities, lessons, and assessments accordingly. When we know what goal we want to reach, we can more effectively plan how we are going to reach that goal. Most states have a set of core standards that teachers are to cover over the course of the school year. The objective or goal for the lesson is a great place to list the core concept(s) that will be covered in any given lesson, and to prepare lessons that will effectively meet the concept(s) being taught. 

Lesson Materials

It’s a great idea to list the materials you will need for a particular lesson. Some days, you will only need a textbook and copies of a worksheet. Others, you may need art supplies for students to use to complete their assignment. Whatever it is that you need, it’s very helpful to write down the things you need to gather. It serves as a great reminder, and even the act of writing it down can give your mind the reminder it needs. In the event that you have to unexpectedly leave your classroom, it will also help the substitute know what supplies they will need. 

TImeline

Creating a basic timeline of activities and information to be covered can help the lesson move smoothly. It’s a good idea to avoid jumping around from topic to topic; having an outline of events can greatly aid the continuity and overall smoothness of the lesson itself. Creating a timeline can also help you prioritize what you’d like to cover during the lesson. If it’s important to get a particular topic covered during the day, planning for that to be the first thing you teach can help ensure that happens. 

Assessment

Another very important part of lesson planning is to plan for assessments: how are you going to know that students “got it?” That may look like a formal assessment in the form of a test, quiz, or worksheet. It could also look like a question and answer time the end of the lesson, where you obtain verbal confirmation of knowledge from your students. It could be a quick walk through the room as they take notes or work on a project. The assessment portion of the lesson will vary from day to day, from lesson to lesson. It doesn’t need to be a big, grand assignment, but there should be some kind of way to make sure you know that your students got something out of the lesson. 

Differentiation

Not every student learns in the same way. What resonates with one student may not resonate with their classmate. It is also crucial to consider students who have IEPs, 504 plans, or other needs. Building this into the lesson plan will help remind teachers to take those students into consideration and to plan ahead for those needs that will arise. Everyone deserves a chance to learn, and some just need a little extra help and guidance… and that’s okay!

Closure

Every lesson has to come to an end, so there should be some form of closure. Having smooth transitions from one lesson to the next can help students better follow your instruction. Many times, the assessment is a good time to provide closure for the lesson. Having students fill out an “exit ticket” as they end the class is a great way to close the lesson and also get a quick idea of what they learned for the day. Doing a quick verbal review and a quick reminder of things to come is also a great way to close out a lesson. Smooth transitions and nice closure help students to move on to the next activity, assignment, lesson, or class.

While there really is not one set way to lesson plan, these few things are great elements that every plan ought to include. Planning out a lesson sets you up for a more successful lesson and helps to avoid potential chaos. Preparation is key, and can set a great example to your students!

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I Spy: Thanksgiving

Can you believe that Thanksgiving Day is less than two weeks away?! It’s hard to believe that the holiday season is already upon us. I’ve created a free printable activity for you to use in your classrooms or homes. Simply have your children or students write on the lines at the bottom of the page the amount of each item they find. Click on the “download” button below to save and print a copy (or two!) for the kids in your life. You can print one off and laminate it, then have your kids use dry erase markers to write the number of items they find. You can also print off several copies and use them as a counting activity in your classrooms. Whatever way you choose to use it, have fun! Please only use for personal or classroom use, and do not sell the file. Happy I-Spying!

Thanksgiving I SpyDownload
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Why Teaching is a Good Idea: Part 2

In my last post, I talked about five reasons it’s a good idea to become a teacher. You can find that post here. Today, I’ll talk about five more reasons and hopefully convince a few of you that teaching really is the coolest job on the planet!

Reason #6: Students aren’t the only ones learning

One of the unexpected parts of teaching is that the teacher isn’t always the one instructing. Students can impart so much knowledge and wisdom to their teachers as well as to their fellow classmates. The kids you teach can contribute when they do research projects, writing assignments, or any other number of tasks. Students can also help their teachers translate modern slang terms— a somewhat silly, but helpful way they can teach their teachers. Students can share their opinions and viewpoints, giving teachers new ways to think about things. I remember having my students write a journal about how they felt about writing, and one student responded with, “I love to write because I can say more with my pen than I ever could with my mouth.” What a powerful thought! It has stuck with me for over ten years and I think about it often about the power of writing. Students really do have a unique way of teaching their teachers.

Reason #7: The schedule is family friendly

For parents who are also teachers, the schedule offers great opportunities for family time. For the most part, holidays and other days that teachers have off will coincide with days that students have off. Even the day to day schedule often falls in line (or at least very closely) with when kids start and end school. Summers off also allow teachers to spend time with their families, and, for some families, that extra time greatly decreases the need for childcare during the summer months. Teachers don’t have to work graveyard shifts, and their contract time is consistent, making it easy to plan for appointments and other responsibilities. 

Reason #8: A creative outlet 

One of my favorite parts of teaching was getting to use my creativity. It was so much fun planning lessons and activities that I knew my students would love. I got to decorate my classroom how I wanted. Rather than following a set script, I was able to teach in my own way. Obviously, there was a core curriculum I needed to stick to and teach, but for the most part, how I taught that material was up to me. 

Reason #9: A chance for continual learning

Because an educator’s license isn’t good forever, teachers have the chance to attend workshops, conferences, and classes to acquire the needed points to keep their licenses up to date. While this might seem like a dreaded part of teaching to some, it’s really not all that terrible. As educators, aren’t we always promoting the importance of learning? Aren’t we trying to instill in our students the idea that learning is positive and powerful and can take you so far in life? So why wouldn’t we want the same opportunity? The chance to continue your learning is such a privilege. The fact that teachers are pretty much required to attend these extra classes and conferences is actually a really cool thing. The needs of our students change over time, so our teaching practices should change over time, and one of the best ways to stay up to date with teaching practices that are helpful for today’s children is by continuing to learn and research. 

Reason #10: Fun is encouraged

I don’t know of a single student who enjoys sitting through a day at school that isn’t engaging and fun in some way. Students crave fun. I think it would also be safe to say that teachers need fun in their classrooms, too. I think so often we assume that the “fun” lessons are mainly for elementary grades. Having many years of experience teaching junior high aged students, I can assure you that older students also enjoy having fun at school! Teachers can, and should, find ways to incorporate fun into their lessons and activities. That’s not to say that every day has to be an all out fun fest from start to finish, because I just don’t know if that’s feasible. But there should be some amount of fun in every school day. 

I realize that teaching isn’t for everyone. I don’t think there is a single job on this planet that is for everyone. And that’s ok! Everyone has different skills, talents, abilities, preferences, dislikes, and interests that make them who they are.

Teaching, for me, has always been more than just a job. Sure there are long days filled with grading, planning, and paper work. But overall, it’s a job that is rewarding and filled with so much fun and happiness. The rising generation needs good, solid, trusted adults to help and guide them, and teaching is an incredible way to provide those adults. To teach is to change lives, and that’s a pretty amazing opportunity!