 Hi friends,
How are you this week? I thought I would take a moment to give a special shout out to our teachers. Teachers often wear many hats and often go above and beyond in teaching and raising our children. Many of us don’t take the time to appreciate just how much many teachers do. There may be a mistaken notion that teachers merely work during the school day. However, that is not so. When I was teaching, I worked many hours above and beyond the school day. I planned lessons, corrected papers, created activities and displays, shopped for classroom supplies, attended meetings and professional development classes, as well as thought and prayed about my students. I also bought things like snacks, stickers, and other little rewards for the students. Most teachers are not just there for a job, but are there because they enjoy teaching and like making a difference in the lives of their students. Teaching is often a rewarding vocation, but often a thankless job as well. We thank our veterans for their service, as well we should. Service members spend countless hours sacrificing time away from family and friends to keep us safe and free. Yet, we under appreciate our teachers. Teachers, although often they do not put their life on the line, do spend countless hours teaching, caring, and raising our children into knowledgeable citizens. Often times, teachers spend more waking hours with our children than even parents are able to do. This is huge! This time, guidance, and care for our children deserves respect and appreciation as well. So, today, DUO Inspirations gives a big shout out to teachers. I appreciate what you do. I have taught and know the time and care that goes into teaching, not only while you are in the classroom with students, but in the prep work, learning, and other times as well. I am not in the classroom anymore, however, I am committed, through DUO Inspirations, to create educational resources that make it easier for teachers to teach and students to learn. Just tell me what I can do. If I can pray about it or create it, if I can help, I will. Teachers, I am here for you. I appreciate all you do for your students. Thank you. So, if you see a teacher, tell him or her that you appreciate their work. If you are a teacher, know that I appreciate you. I know that teachers spend valuable time with our children. For that, you will always be appreciated in my mind. Thank you. Now, it is your turn. Tell me how you feel. I would like to hear your views. Also, if you are a teacher, please let me know if you need anything. What resources or activities would be helpful for you? Feel free to contact me. Thank you. If you find value in what I write, feel free to share it with friends and family. Also, please consider signing up to receive the Education Blog by DUO Inspirations and other educational content in your inbox. Thank you.
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Hi friends. How are you today? I wanted to tell you that DUO Inspirations had a group on social media. It is called DUO Inspirations’ Education Chat. And, you can find it with the hashtag #DUOEdChat.
It will be a group where educators and parents can get together and speak about teaching and learning topics, such as lesson plans, teaching tips, resources, activities, struggles, successes, curricula, as well as educational products and services. I want it to be a place that allows parents and teachers and all those who value education to come together and learn from one another. I want it to be a place where people can get answers and give advice. Knowledge is important and people need a place where they can go with questions and answers. It seems like teachers and parents are overwhelmed with education right now. The pandemic doesn’t make teaching and learning any easier. Some teachers are finding it difficult to plan for both online learning and in class learning. Some parents question whether they should send their children to school and if they would be any good at homeschooling. I remember when I was teaching, there were times that I would think, “I wish there was an activity that would help me teach this topic to my students.” I knew what I wanted, but didn’t have time to create it. Teachers don’t always have the time to do everything they want to do. Parents may not know of resources that are out there to help them or their children, whether it is in support of homeschooling or public education. They may also want teaching and learning activities that would help their children. Or, maybe their children are struggling in learning one skill in one subject or many skills. DUO Inspirations’ Education Chat would be a place to share these struggles. We don’t want to forget the successes though. After all, it is everyone’s goal to have successes. Sometimes, we get so excited that we just want to share our successes with everyone and it is a bonus when our successes can help others reach their successes. Consider yourself invited. I am looking forward to you joining the conversation in DUO Inspirations’ Education Chat. I value you and what you have to share about education. ***Note: DUO Inspirations' Education Chat is a group ran by the DUO Inspirations Facebook page. (If you haven't "liked" the DUO Inspirations Facebook page, please feel free to do so.) #DUOEdChat is a hashtag used in Twitter and other social media conversations. Now, it is your turn. I would like to hear your thoughts. What would you like to see either here on the Education Blog by DUO Inspirations or in the DUO Inspirations' Education Chat? What are your education ideas, struggles, or successes? Also, if you are finding value in my posts, please consider sharing them with friends and family, as well as signing up to receive them in your inbox. Thank you. 
Hi friends, I hope you are well. Today, I would like to speak about transitions. Transitions are often a forgotten part of lesson planning and a source of much wasted time. However, it doesn’t have to be like that. Transitions can be just as productive and educational as planned learning time. Yes, you do a great job of planning lessons for all your classes? The activities are helpful and students are productive. Yet, transitions are chaotic, noisy, and wasted time. You aren’t sure why. I can tell you! You haven’t planned or taught a procedure for a smooth, educational, or productive transition. Transitions need to be treated just like an actual class. Learning time is being wasted, if you don’t. Yes. I know, you do enough planning with the classes and the students need down time anyway. I agree. However, they don’t have to be a free for all and chaotic time. Transitions need planning and procedures just like regular classes. They don’t need to be elaborate. Transition procedures can be as simple as clean up your space, put away your things, get ready for the next activity, jump up and down in place ten times, sit back down quietly, and whisper with your partner. Transitions can involve reciting the alphabet or multiplication facts (depending on age) as students are cleaning their space. You could put on some instrumental music and let students talk quietly until they hear the music stop. Another strategy I have used during transitions before is to say something like, “I want you to clean your area, put away your things, and line up before I count down from 20. It must be quiet until you have things picked up. If you finish before I do, you can either jump up and down in line or talk quietly with a friend next to you in line. Ready, 20, 19, 18… make sure you push in your chair… 17, 16, 15, it should be quiet still, 14, 13, 12… don’t forget to check under your desk and chair, 11, 10, 9… you are talking quietly with a friend or jumping up and down in line in a safe space if you are done, 8, 7, 6, we should be almost ready, 5, 4, 3… get in line… 2, 1, 0. We should be in line, quiet, and ready to go. And, we are. Thank you.” Transitions may be different for each class and each subject. The important thing is to have a planned procedure with clear expectations for transitions. Teach the procedures to students from the very beginning and make rules and participation count for those as well. As you are planning for transitions, you may want to have a “quiet” transition procedure and a “not so quiet” transition. That way, if something comes up and students need to be very quiet or you are busy and can’t count backwards or participate in the procedure, students still know what to do and what is expected. Also, if the lesson involves a “not so quiet” activity, you may want to have a “quiet” transition or vice versa. Just remember, that students do need both “quiet” time and “not so quiet” time. They can’t be expected to be quiet for the entire school day. So, it may take a little extra planning, but you will find that it will be well worth it. Your transitions will be smoother and more productive if they are well planned out and taught with high expectations. What are your transition plans, rules, and routines? I would like to see and learn from you. Thank you. Please note, if you would like to get the Education Blog by DUO Inspirations in your inbox, you are free to sign up below. You may also get exclusive information and resources from time to time. Thank you. |
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