I quit my teaching job 2 years ago and a few of your videos have made me wish I could go back to the classroom. This video was one of them. Thanks for the vulnerability.
When you started discussing your issues with students, not raising hands, I’m in my car screaming yes yes yes. When I taught specials last year, the third and fourth grade students were the worst about wanting to just come up to me and ask questions. This year I teach autism support to K through two so I’m teaching them this vital skill. I just love watching your videos and I always get ideas and feel encouraged.
THIS IS SO TRUE BECAUSE WHY ARE WE ALL TALKING AT ONE TIME. Sometimes, it starts an argument because everybody is trying to answer a question the student asked me and they all end up wrong when I finally answer it.
I am totally playing ultimate tic tac toe with my students! Once I watched the video you linked it was easy to understand! Also 👏 on your reflection of your bad day. I find that oftentimes teachers blame the students for bad behavior rather than reflecting on what they can do differently as the teacher. That usually ends in more problems. By reflecting you become closer to solving the actual problem. I appreciate you sharing this! House days seem fun! I can’t wait to hear more about them throughout the year!
Totally agree with you on the students not raising their hand! I love that you were honest and open with your students! I think showing tough love is important because it holds all accountable! The post it notes are a nice touch! I remember when I was in 4th grade most of the kids didn’t raise their hands! My teacher was not the tough love type! I wish she was because she was incredible!
You apologize to your students? That's wonderful! That's what I have done whenever I fail to be my best self. Thanks for making me feel like it's okay to apologize to your students.
I’m an Assistant Principal and wanted to share an idea. A teacher at my school uses his LED lights to help with management (ex. Red - no talking, Blue - whisper, work with a partner, etc.). Maybe you could assign a color to a way for students to communicate with you (ex. Red - raises hands only, Blue - share answers out, Green - come up to the table). It works really well for the teacher on my campus.
Michelle, 1st, I really needed that Thermostat versus the Thermometer reminder today. Sometimes I need something like that to help relax me when I am anxious. 2nd, I used to speak up and miss the step of raising my hand to back when I was an autistic school student and I for one am saying that you are doing it right by reminding them without escalating them and even when it becomes frustrating to keep doing so, please keep doing it and tricking them into it because the students will come around to it eventually and in a way that you will end up thanking yourself in the end. Quality reteaching always wins the day in the end. Tip: You cannot spell the word "School" without the letter "S" as in Struggle. Those who endure their biggest challenges in life are those who end up receiving the biggest rewards in life. Hope that this helps you. Thank you for sharing Your House Day with us. - Dwight
It’s October, the honeymoon period is done. For both students and teachers. Getting enough sleep is vital but not always possible. We’ve all had, and will have again, those days. As you did, share that you too are human and that together as a group you’ll work towards a better day.
Hi, Michelle! I enjoyed hearing about your house day; it seems very beneficial for building community across the whole school. My school also uses a house system, but does not have a house day. I appreciate your video and I hope you enjoy your well-deserved weekend! 💜
I guarantee you that you spent more time concerned about not being your best teacher self than the kids did. So often when I have apologized. The kids were like,”Huh? What happened? Was I here?” Oh, honey, yes! You most definitely were here!
Hi! Could you share some of the activities that were on the list your school gave you? We do buddies at my school and I'm always looking for new ideas for them to do together!
Maybe instead of using words to ask your kids to return to their seat and raise their hands, you can create a signal or gesture for it, to redirect them? Using some simple sign language helped me address student needs (ie, bathroom requests, ect.) without breaking my stride in teaching.
So, when the houses break into small groups, is that by grade level? I couldn't quite catch that in the description. It seems that the K-2 kids wouldn't be able to do such complicated activities as the large Tic Tac Toe game. Do the small groups break into upper and lower elementary levels? I'm not familiar with how a House system works even though I watched your video discussing it. :-)
I think my nieces prek through 8th grade school uses the house system as well but i don't know if they do anything. I would think tjey would inform the parents about such things😊
