Hi friends,
How are you? I hope you are all well. This week, I would like to tell you about a lesson that I learned the hard way. The more organized you are the better your class will go. There was one year when I was teaching that I wasn’t as organized or prepared as I should have been at the beginning of the school year. I don’t remember the circumstances, but the beginning of the school year crept up on me and I wasn’t prepared. Can anyone relate? I mean, I had the bare minimum done, but I wasn’t as organized as usual. It started to show in the behavior of my students. Have you ever been a substitute teacher and had the students kind of know that you don’t know the regular routine and aren’t really on top of things, so they took advantage of you and acted up more than they would for their regular teacher? If you haven’t experienced it before, you probably have heard about such an experience. Or, maybe you can remember back when you were a student and your class did that to a substitute teacher. Anyway, that is sort of how it felt for me, even as a regular teacher that year. At first, I wondered if I had just gotten a “tough” class that year. However, that wasn’t it. It was my lack of organization. I hadn’t taken time to set boundaries and expectations or to practice them. I hadn’t taken time to create expectations or routines for what to do if one finishes work ahead of others. There were no file folder games or anything other than books to do quietly when work was finished. And, I always seemed to be finishing my lesson plans and activities for the day or week at the very last minute. Does any of this sound familiar? One day, soon after this hectic and chaotic year began, I realized how unprepared I was and almost “started over” with the class. We sat down and had a chat. I explained that we needed to do things differently. I discussed rules and expectations. We practiced those rules and expectations. I also created file folder games and other things that students could do if their work was finished early. We practiced those and learned how to do them independently and in small groups. I rearranged how I did things and added an incentive system. We also learned to encourage each other more. With these new things in place, it ended up being one of my most favorite teaching years. I hope if you are having a tough year (besides the craziness of the pandemic), you can learn from my experience. Now, it is your turn. I am thankful you are here. I would like to hear about your difficult years and how you got through them. Please, leave me a comment or contact me. Let others learn from your experience as well. If you find value in the Education Blog by DUO Inspirations, please share it with friends and family. Also, if you haven’t already, please consider signing up to receive the Education Blog and other education content in your inbox. Thank you.
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 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. 
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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