Mrs. Rayburn's Word Wall.....The Root of Learning

Mrs. Rayburn explains best how this word wall works:

Students had been studying Greek and Latin roots as part of a building vocabulary unit. After participating in an interactive Smartboard lesson and working in groups completing vocabulary enrichment activities, their culminating task was to illustrate the definition of their chosen root word. They wrote their roots and then used the word to help them illustrate the definition. For example, when students illustrated the root 'dem', which means people, they turned each letter into a person. Students were still talking about the lesson,which correlated with a social studies unit on Greece, and were able to see several cross-curricular connections!

Included in the October 19th edition of the Friday Focus is a fun bonus vocabulary activity that helps students understand the root meaning or new words.

WORD WALLS AROUND THE COUNTY

Word walls come in all sorts of shapes and sizes across our county.

Tier I words (words we use naturally in conversations) are part of all successful elementary classrooms.

Tier II and Tier III words can be built into separate word walls as used in units and class conversation.

Middle and High School classrooms will build their word walls around Tier II and Tier III words.

This is a student-created poster all about vocabulary and its meaning.

Owl Pellet Fun!!

Mrs. Baldwin took hands-on learning to a whole new level when she provided owl pellets for her science students to break apart and study.  "Hoo" knew owl pellets could be so much fun!!!

This class was having a hoot of a time!

M & M Lab in WCHS Algebra II Classroom

Rhonda's students were actively engaged in her lesson on systems of equations as they used M & Ms and scales to bring their problems to life.

In The Doghouse!! A Cute Homework Idea!

Mrs. Arms, a Prichard Elementary teacher, has taken creativity to a whole new level!

Two paper boxes, a small piece of black artificial grass, and some paint was all Mrs. Arms needed to construct a perfect place for her students to turn in their homework.................

unless a dog eats it on the way to school, of course!

Thank you, Mrs. Arms, for making something like "turning in homework" so much fun!

High School Teachers Demonstrating The Strategy of Using Tableau in the Classroom

Today during the East Carter High School teacher academy, teachers read part of an article entitled, "Driving Your Boss Crazy," and then practiced the art of using tableau as an after-reading activity.

Look at their interpretations of the various points in the story.

Tableau is a great technique for active engagement in the classroom.

Students read a passage and then choose a scene from the passage to capture as a frozen snapshot.

This strategy helps students increase their ability to visualize while reading.

It also encourages creativity and teamwork.

Taking pictures of your students as they share their group representations of selected passages is a great way to add evidence to your school's program review too!

SHARE YOUR FAVORITE WEBSITES WITH US!

We love to receive emails about websites and resources that have helped you in your classroom!

If you run across a particular website, book, or Smartboard activity that you would like us to link to the blog, please send us an email!

Have a great Monday!

Erica and Tammy

Writing Your Mission Statement

Sometimes events in life cause you to stop and ask questions such as, "Why am I here?  What am I doing with my life?  What really matters?"

After losing our 13-year old son Nick to cancer four years ago, I found myself asking all of those questions quite regularly.

As I have muddled through my grief, I have had to do some real soul-searching.  If your life has had its own share of highs and lows, I'm thinking you've done some soul-searching along the way too.

A couple of years ago, I found this book by Laurie Beth Jones entitled, The Path:  Creating Your Mission Statement for Work and for Life.  I decided that if I had to get out of bed every morning and face the world, I needed to know why and how I was going to do it successfully.

When we were challenged recently at work to write a mission statement, I remembered reading this book.

I dug through my nightstand this morning and found it, because I wanted to share a few things I learned from this book that might help you as you write yours.

First, a mission statement should be no more than a single sentence long. 

 (Note: This says "should" not "must."  The reality is that the longer your statement becomes, the more easily you will forget what it says.)

Second, a mission statement should be easily understood by a twelve-year old.

Third, a mission statement should be able to be recited by memory.

As I was reading Laurie's book, I underlined several sentences.  One that really struck me was this:  People cannot find their missions until they know themselves.  I truly believe that if we take the time to look in the mirror and really ask the question, "Why am I here?"  we will uncover things about ourselves that make us understand why we do what we do.  

Here are some more quotes from the book that might help you:

Ask yourself:

What most excites you in or about the world?

What most angers you in or about the world?

How can you use what excites you to affect what angers you?

Every mission statement requires action, and action words are verbs.

A good mission statement will be inspiring, exciting, clear, and engaging.

She shares this example from a music teacher:

My mission is to enliven, encourage, and reinspire the love of music for children in public schools.

She also encourages you to think about both your personal and your work life.  How can your mission statement move you forward in both?
I believe that outside of work, we still want to have full, meaningful lives.

I like to think of my mission statement beginning with the words, "I exist to............."

This way of thinking helps me remember why it's worth it to face the world every day even when it's hard.

Here's mine:

I exist to equip, empower, and energize those around me so that their lives can be used to their full potential.

When I think of life like this, it helps me become a better wife, a better mom, a better friend, and ultimately a better employee.

I wanted to take a couple of minutes on this Friday morning to write a few words that I hope will help all of you as you think about your career, your personal life, and your future.

If you want to borrow my book, just send me an email. 

Mr. Withrow Steals the Show!

Mr. Withrow entertained the preschool students at Heritage Elementary when he showed up dressed as Johnny Appleseed last week!

Using drama in the classroom makes creates special memories for students and teachers alike.

Thank you, Mr. Withrow, for taking your teaching to a whole new level when you placed a pan on your head and entered a classroom as someone famous from the past!

How the Internet Can Help You!

Mrs. Varney, Upper Tygart Elementary teacher, has found all kinds of cute ideas on Pinterest and Teachers Pay Teachers.

If you're looking for some creative ideas for your classroom, 

you might want to check out these two sites!

Does your brain ever need a break?

Google "brain breaks," and see what all you can find! 

Need pre-made "I can" statements to go with your lesson plans?

Teachers Pay Teachers has just what you need!

Teachers love to have special responsibilities in the classroom.

This is a cute way to assign roles and easily change student roles from week to week!