Tag: secondary

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Fun Time Fillers

One of the goals in teaching is to effectively use as much of the time as you are given. I remember one professor in college telling us to teach “bell to bell” and not waste a single minute in between. While I get the sentiment, I do think it’s okay to have some days where you do have some extra time after a lesson or in between activities. Some days extra minutes just happen— lessons go quicker than anticipated, technology problems happen and thwart your plans, or maybe the one student who is always making things take longer with disruptions is absent, so things go smoother and quicker. Whatever the reason, extra time happens, and it’s a good idea to have some time filler ideas tucked away, ready to be executed at any given time. Not sure what to do to fill time? Don’t worry! I’ve got you!

List-Maker, List-Maker, Make Me a List

Divide students into groups of 3-4. Make sure they have one piece of paper and one pen or pencil per group. Have each group designate a scribe (this position can rotate with each round). Choose a topic that is something that is familiar to everyone. Once you’ve chosen the topic, set a timer for one minute, and have groups think of as many things as they can that go with the topic. For example, if you choose “cereals” as a topic, groups would have one minute to list as many cereals as they can think of. At the end of the minute, whichever team has the most items listed wins the round. Repeat as many times as you have time for. 

Hot Potato

Have students sit on their desks or stand/sit in a circle. Choose a soft ball, stuffed animal, or wadded up piece of paper. Play a song and have students toss the object from one person to the next as quickly as possible. Stop the music at a random time, and whoever has the object when the music stops is out for the rest of the round. Continue until there is only one student left standing. Be sure to set up safety and fairness rules to ensure that everyone is playing kindly, safely, and fairly. 

Magic Words

Divide students into small groups (2-3 per group works best), and give each group a piece of paper and something to write with. Give the class a word, preferably a longer one, and set a timer for however long you want— the shorter the time, though, the more of a challenge it becomes. Students have the allotted time to use the letters of the given word to find other words. For example, say you give the class the word “watermelon”. They would then use the letters in that word to make new words, like water, melon, wait, neat, lemon, rate, etc. They must be real words, and must be spelled correctly. Whichever team has the most words by the end of the time wins the round.

A Letter and Some Categories

Again, divide the class into small groups. One the board, list five or so categories— things like countries, animals, fruits, cities, car makes, etc. Set a timer for a time of your choice, make sure each group has paper and something to write with, then give the class a letter of the alphabet. In the time given, groups must think of something for each category that begins with the letter they were given. For example, if you gave them the letter B and the categories listed above, one group’s response could look like Bolivia, bear, banana, Baltimore, and BMW. Repeat with different letters. 

Rhyme Time

As before, divide the class into small groups. Make sure each group has a piece of paper and something to write with. Set a timer, and give the class a word that can easily be rhymed with. In the given time, groups must generate a list of as many words as they can think of that rhyme with the word they were given. 

These ideas are all super simple, require no prep time, and can be done with any size of class. While some might see these games as a waste of time, all of them— with maybe the exception of Hot Potato— require students to think quickly, work together, and think about a specific category or set of rules. So really, they aren’t a waste of time, but rather a fun, engaging way to fill a few minutes while strengthening thinking and social skills. And that, my friends, is a win in my book!

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Don’t Underestimate the Power of Elective Classes

When I was a junior high and high school student, I remember feeling very limited in my options for my elective classes. As I look back, I probably felt this way because there really weren’t very many options to pick from. There were the traditional ones— art based classes, choir, band or orchestra, and some sort of home economics or foods classes— but classes that were extra “cool” or special weren’t options at the schools I attended. To be fair, I graduated 23 years ago, and the need for other kinds of electives just wasn’t what it is today.

Today’s secondary students seem to have a plethora of elective classes to pick from. Even the classes that count toward the required credits are more inviting. At the local high school where I live, students can choose from courses like American Sign Language, Sci-Fi Fantasy Lit., Japanese, Plant & Soil Science, Animal Science, Botany, Digital Business, Yoga, Guitar, Photo for Sports Media, Video Production, Accounting, Law Enforcement, Anthropology, Sports Psychology, and Coding, just to name a few. There are electives for every interest and ability. It’s amazing! 

With all of these options available, it might seem overwhelming. Wouldn’t it be so much easier for students to just stick to the general requirements needed for graduation? Probably. But if we did that, just think about all of the experience and learning that kids would miss out on. 

Elective courses are so much more than schedule and credit fillers. For one, they offer students the ability to have some amount of choice and control over their schedule. In a world where kids often don’t get a lot of choices, this is one opportunity for them to get to choose for themselves. Electives also give students a chance to dip their feet into several different areas. Kids can explore areas that they might not have the chance to otherwise. Perhaps they really want to try photography, but wouldn’t have access to the proper tools and instruction without taking a course at school. Students who are trying to figure out what kind of career they want to have can test out different courses to see what does and does not interest them. 

Taking courses in junior high or high school also offers the chance to take a class with lower stakes— once you’re in college, you’ve got to pay for those credit hours. In high school, you pretty much just have to cover any class fees. This way, if it turns out that Video Production just isn’t your thing, you haven’t lost out on a ton of money and precious college time. 

Elective classes can also give students a chance to take a break from the grind of core classes. Sometimes Math, Science, and English can get a bit monotonous, but electives can shake things up a bit and offer a bit of “fun” during the school day. This isn’t to say that all core classes are boring and terrible (I taught English— I know it can be a fun class!), but often times electives feel less heavy for students.

It’s great to live in a time when there are plenty of elective course options available. There are so many areas to explore and learn from, and it really opens up possibilities and options for today’s youth. 

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The Mid-Year Slump and Your Reasons for Teaching

The mid-year slump. You know what I’m talking about: motivation (for you and your students) seems to be declining, the weather is warming up and giving you a little tease of Spring Break, you’re tired of repeating the same instructions 50 times a day, and you’re getting really worn out from the incessant behavior problems that the same few students seem to bring with them. Some days it feels like you’re stuck in the movie Groundhog Day, on a never-ending repeat of the same shenanigans day after day. It’s exhausting. Some days you just want to quit and try again next year. 

I’ve been there. I get it. I know how frustrating it can be and how long the days start to feel. But I also know that there is light at the end of the tunnel, and there are things you can do now to avoid feeling blah about the rest of the school year. One of those is to remember your “why.” You know, the reason you decided to become a teacher in the first place! The reason you are doing what you’re doing. 

The “why” can and does vary from person to person. I don’t think many teachers will claim it’s the pay that made them want to be a teacher— it’s no secret just how underpaid and overworked teachers are! I also don’t think many teachers would say that it was all the red tape, policies, and micromanaging that got them into the profession. It also likely wouldn’t be because you enjoy being on your feet all day with minimal bathroom breaks and a super short lunch. No, those can’t be the reasons. There’s certainly got to be more to it. Knowing that the above listed are natural parts of the job of a teacher, there’s most definitely a driving force behind becoming an educator.

Perhaps you wanted to share your passion for your content area. You just love the quadratic formula and calculating probability, reading and writing, the process of photosynthesis, a particular method of painting, or the history of European nations, and you wanted to share that excitement with young people. Whatever your content area, you know that it’s the best, and you want to spend your career helping others learn about it. 

Maybe you became a teacher because you were greatly impacted by one of your former teachers, and they inspired you to teach. Certain teachers can leave a lasting impression on your heart and mind, and that impression can motivate you to emulate that teacher. It’s possible that you were a young person who desperately needed a positive adult role model, and that came in the form of a teacher, and you now want to be that teacher for someone else.

Another reason people teach is to help shape and inspire the rising generation. You saw the teachers in movies like Akeelah and the Bee, Freedom Writers, Dead Poets Society, or Dangerous Minds, and you could see yourself being that person. You could see yourself being the adult that these young kids could rely on and look up to. You wanted to be a positive influence in their lives, and wanted to teach them more than academic concepts. 

Perhaps you became a teacher because you think kids are awesome, and you love to learn from them every day. Let’s face it: kids and teens are the best (most of the time at least). They are funny, smart, and innovative. They know how to boost your mood and mindset. Their natural curiosity is inspiring. They are energetic and fun to be around. Their comments and view on life can be profound. 

Whatever your reason for becoming an educator, it’s crucial to hang on to that “why” for the days that are just plain tough, and for the weeks and months that seem to drag on and on. Remembering your “why” can pull you out of a slump and re-motivate you to put a smile back on your face and finish the year with gusto. Sometimes we lose sight of the reasons we love what we do, but we can always remember and can use it to propel us forward. Because after all, teaching really is the greatest profession on the planet.

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Homework?! Ugh! Is It Even Worth It?

I’ve seen a meme going around that says something along the lines of, “If you hated homework as a kid, you’ll hate it even more as a parent!” If you are a parent or caregiver of a school-aged kid, you may understand just how true that statement can be. You know what I’m talking about— the nagging your kid to get it done, the whining that ensues, the time management balancing act that happens. It can be a lot for some households. 

This struggle begs the question: is homework even worth it? If it is just one more thing to add to the list of things to do, is it even worth the time and energy it takes to get it done? Are students even benefitting from it?

The short answer is sometimes. The long answer is a bit more complicated and has a lot to do with what the assignment is and what skills a student is using or gaining by doing it. If the assignment is just filler work that doesn’t practice any skills learned beforehand in class, homework isn’t going to accomplish much, and will likely leave both the student and the parent frustrated. 

But… if the assigned homework truly is an extension of what was learned in class, employs useful skills, and isn’t just a time filler, homework can indeed have some benefits. Let’s explore some of them— and maybe I might convince a few nay-sayers that homework can be at least a little bit helpful.

Benefit #1: Additional Practice

Additional practice time can provide kids with the extra practice they need to really understand a concept. Sometimes all it takes for a kid to “get” it is a little additional time working on it. If they already understand a concept, extra practice never hurts, and can help solidify the knowledge in their mind. Reading homework is especially beneficial, as reading skills are something that will be used their entire lives and are always useful. It never hurts to improve!

Benefit #2: Less Stress

Doing work at home can often be less stressful for kids, as they are in their own environment where they (hopefully) feel safe. Usually at home, the time constraints aren’t as tight, thus providing kids with a less rushed experience. When they are able to slow down and really focus on what they are doing, they are able to work more effectively and, oftentimes, more accurately. For students who, for a myriad of reasons, don’t like to ask for help at school, doing work at home can help them to feel safer asking for help from a parent.

Benefit #3: Time management

Managing time can be a tricky skill for kids to learn. This can be especially true for younger kids, as their brains can’t quite comprehend time and scheduling things. They tend to look at the now rather than a few hours ahead, and don’t understand that if they do “fun” things first, they have to still fit in their homework, dinner time, and night time routine. 

Having homework can help them learn how to better manage their time. Parents can use it as a tool to teach their kids how to schedule their time effectively so that they have time to do all the things they want to do and need to do.

Benefit #4: Time with a parent or caregiver

Homework can open opportunities to allow kids and their adults to have time together. Sure, sometimes that time can be stressful, especially if homework is involved, but the time spent working one on one is never wasted. Oftentimes, parents know how to reach their kids better than the teachers do. This can help students to understand concepts in a new or different way. Parents can also provide useful tricks and tips that helped them in school. I still remember working with my mom and grandma to memorize all 50 state capitals in fourth grade— they came up with fun mnemonic devices to help me remember what I needed to— most of which I still remember today. They provided me with really helpful tools to accomplish what I needed to, and as an added bonus, I got extra time with my mom and grandma. It was a win all around!

While I know homework can be a divisive topic, with not everyone agreeing on its benefits, hopefully I’ve shed some light on the topic and have helped you see it in a different way, and maybe, just maybe, convinced you that homework isn’t totally useless!

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Non Fiction Doesn’t Have to Mean Boring

Finding engaging, interesting non fiction books for teenagers can be a bit tricky sometimes. They don’t want to be bored by a book that reads like an encyclopedia or text book, and they need a book that is written on their level. Imagine handing an eighth grader a book about the discovery of bacteria and other germs that is written with a bunch of medical terms and jargon— you’d probably end up with a room full of frustrated kids who can’t understand what they are reading. It just wouldn’t go over well. 

Thankfully non fiction books written for and geared toward teens are becoming more prevalent. I was always on the hunt for good informational texts to teach to my junior high classes. One of my favorite books to teach to my eighth graders was a book called Phineas Gage: A Gruesome but True Story About Brain Science by John Fleischman. 

The book recounts a fascinating true story of a man named Phineas Gage, who, by an unlucky turn of events, was the unfortunate recipient of a tamping iron being blasted through his head while working on a railroad construction site in 1848. The rod, measuring 1 1/4” in diameter and 3’7” long, weighing just over 13 pounds, entered through his open mouth, passed behind his left eye, and exited through the top of his head. The tamping iron continued airborne and was found around 80 feet away from where Phineas was struck. How the accident happened is riveting in its own right, but what’s even more amazing is that somehow, Phineas survived the ordeal, and lived another 12 years after the accident!

The book follows Phineas after his accident, describing the personality and mental changes he experienced as a result of his injury. It also describes the amazing amount of brain research that Phineas was part of, and how this research led to the discovery of new information about how the brain works and what certain parts of it control.

It really is a fascinating story. Gruesome, as the title warns, but fascinating. Eighth graders would eat it up. It had just the right amount of gross, cool, interesting, and relatable to keep them engaged as we read through the text. It lent itself to a great opportunity for cross-curricular instruction and gave students a chance to learn some really cool things about the brain. 

We always started the unit with a little background knowledge on the brain. I would show some real MRI scans and we’d map out and learn the different parts of the brain and what their functions are. We would learn about early beliefs about how the brain works and talk about how far our knowledge of the brain has come. 

During the unit, we would discuss personality, sleep, brain development, and decision making. I would show short videos talking about how crucial sleep is for proper brain development, and videos about the teenage brain. I had students complete their own personal “mind map” where they filled a head-shaped outline with words and drawings of things that made them who they are. We would dive into how surgical protocol and procedures have changed for the better over time; they were always amazed that medical procedures were performed under such non-sterile conditions (as was I!). 

We always ended our book study and unit with a research paper. Their topic was fairly open, as long as it was written about anything that had to do with the brain, its function, its science, etc. I would have papers turned in about dreams, the effects of music or art on the brain, learning deficits, speech disorders, cognitive and other disabilities, and so on. 

It truly was an engaging unit, filled with so many opportunities to learn new information as well as make connections to what they already knew. I loved that it was a unit that combined English and Science, and that students were given the chance to use many different methods of learning: reading, research, video/technology, art, and critical thinking. 

Even if you’re not in the market for a good non fiction book to teach to your class, keep it in mind for when you are or for when a student wants a recommendation for a good book to read. You can also add it to your own personal To-Be-Read list and watch as your mind becomes engrossed with this fascinating and true story! 

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Painting and The Writing Process

We’re in the process of repainting and redecorating our front living room. It’s been a process. It all started when I bought a rug to liven up the space. Then I decided we needed to paint. I underestimated how much of a to-do it would be to even choose a paint color. I bought two rounds of samples, for a total of eleven different paint colors. I wanted to make sure we had the perfect color, so I painted the samples on two different walls to see how they looked in different lights. For the last two weeks, we have had 22 little strips of paint painted onto our walls, reminding me that we just needed to decide already! 

Thankfully my sister is really good with interior design, and was so kind to offer her opinion and expertise. We finally chose a color over the weekend and headed to the hardware store to buy the paint before we could change our minds. 

The teacher in me is constantly relating things to education— I just can’t help it! As I’ve gone through this painting process, I’ve thought about how similar it is to the writing process. Painting and writing?! They aren’t even close to the same thing! Let me explain:

Picking a paint color is like picking a topic. You gather your ideas and feel them out. You test them and see which one is the right one. You might have to explore several before your figure it out. You might even have to run your ideas by someone else to get a clearer view of what you really want to do. 

Once you’ve nailed down the right color, you go buy the paint and supplies you will need. Once you’ve nailed down the right topic, you start to gather your ideas and your resources. 

Next, you need to do all the prep work: wiping the walls and baseboards down, patching holes and dents in the walls, sanding down the dried putty, taping off the paint area, and putting tarps down. The next step in the writing process is similar. You need to do all the prep work: outlining your ideas, making sense and order of your research, drafting your paper, and so on. This is the stage of the process that is often “ugly” because things are a mess, nothing looks finished or polished, and there are bits and pieces of stuff everywhere. 

Then, you finally get to paint! You get to jazz up the space by adding a fresh coat of paint. You might even have to do a few coats to ensure you’ve done a proper and neat job and covered all the parts of the wall you wanted to. Similarly, drafting your paper into its final stage is exciting. You get to make sense and order of all the mess and ugliness of the prep work stage. You might have to do a draft or two to get it how you want it, but it’s worth it to get it just right.

Finally, you get to peel off the tape and reveal your beautiful, crisp paint lines and freshly updated space. It’s such an exciting moment! You can hardly wait for guests to come by so that you can show them the results of your hard work. Doing one final read-through then submitting your paper is just like that paint tape peeling: you can sit back and admire your masterpiece, giving a sigh of relief as you turn it in. You take pride in your work and can’t wait to show it off to others. 

Doesn’t it all make sense now? Painting and writing really do have similarities! The next time you are writing a paper (or assigning your students to write one), rather than thinking about it as a long, boring process, reframe your thinking and remind yourself (or your students) that you are doing so much more than putting words on paper— you are creating a masterpiece for yourself and others to enjoy! 

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Children’s Valentine’s Day Books

Happy Valentine’s Day! It’s been so fun sharing Valentine’s themed activities for you to do with your students or children. Before the day ends, I wanted to share a few Valentine’s Day themed books that I thought were fun for kids of all ages!

Love Monster by Rachel Bright

This darling book follows a cute monster who feels like he doesn’t fit in where he lives. Everyone around him is cute and fluffy, and everyone seems to like cute and fluffy things, NOT hairy google-eyed monsters. He sets out on a quest to find someone who is just like him, but doesn’t have any luck. After searching high and low and everywhere in between, he finally decides to go back home, and is pleasantly surprised to find another monster just like him when he arrives!

Love From the Crayons written by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers

Another book from the Crayons series, this book talks about the different colors love can be. Sometimes love is pink because it is silly. Sometimes it is blue because it feels stormy. Other times, love is white because it’s hard to see. This sweet book teaches that love isn’t always perfect and it isn’t always sunshine and rainbows. Love can be many things!

I’ll Love You Till the Cows Come Home written by Kathryn Cristaldi, illustrated by Kristina Litten

This book gives a sweet reminder of just how long a grown up will love their child. It goes through several animals, describing fun adventures they might go on, and how the adult will love the child until all those adventures have ended. The illustrations are cute and fun and will catch your attention. The story itself is a perfect book to read at bedtime or any other time a child needs a reminder of how much they are loved.

Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatchwritten by Eileen Spinelli, illustrated by Paul Yalowitz

Mr. Hatch is a single man, living a very ordinary, very lonely, very predictable life until he receives a package one day. Inside the package, he finds a large heart shaped box filled with chocolates. Along with the package is a note that says, “Somebody loves you.” Mr. Hatch’s view on life completely changes. He starts to smile and laugh. He interacts with his neighbors and coworkers. He willingly helps people around him. People are astounded by this new person Mr. Hatch seems to be. They love it! One day a while later, the postman comes back to Mr. Hatch’s home to admit that he accidentally delivered the heart package to the wrong address. Mr. Hatch is saddened by this news, and returns to his old ways. The townspeople are confused and wonder what happened to Mr. Hatch. The postman explains the mix-up with the package and comes up with an idea to help Mr. Hatch feel loved again. Together, the town surprises Mr. Hatch with an unforgettable celebration and reminder that he really is loved.

Because Narwhals Can’t Kiss written by Catharine Day, illustrated by Lucy Pirogova

This heartwarming, adorable story teaches the different ways that love can be shown. Narwhals can’t kiss because of their tusks, so they find other ways to show their love for others– sharing, helping, playing together, hugging, and saying kind words. Children learn that love isn’t just hugs and kisses, and that love can be shown in so many ways.

What are your favorite Valentine’s Day books? Happy reading!