We started our IN today. I'm not sure it is exactly what an IN would be(with the left side and the right side), but for now it is working in terms of organizing our notes and allowing them some creativity inside of the classroom. Some of my ladies were thrilled and actually said that my class was the best math class they had been in so far! YES! I'll take it!
We are focusing on positivity so today when one of my young male students called a female student slow, we talked out in the hall about classroom etiquette and how we have to be positive to get through math. I explained how for most students they come in to class with the idea that math is hard and boring and so they behave that way, refusing to do the work and having a poor attitude. It doesn't help when people make negative comments to others because that lowers their self esteem and then they dislike math even more because people made fun of them. I made him give me three positive statements he could have said instead of the negative one and asked him to apologize during break. I hope this encouragement really gets students to understand that math can be fun.
So far so good... and you know what.. I'll take it. :-)
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Monday, August 12, 2013
A New Classroom!
I cannot begin to describe the amount of time and effort it takes to put together a successful classroom. I need a fun, bright, vibrant, and organized classroom to function. I like to give my classroom visual appeal yet maintain order and function through bright colors and patterns. My focus on the room was mostly polka dots in different colors, but I really liked the neon green, yellow, and pink colors that tend to be dominate.
My objective board, with three classes to teach this year I needed to make sure that each class was separate. I'm not sure I like them separate yet, but I thought I'd give it a go and change it if needed.
I love my door. I don't know if you can see it but I have stars above the door on the window. They are really pretty and colorful from the hall. If you close the door I have some quotes about reaching for the stars. I haven't finished them yet, but I am working on curtains to go in that small window this year. It is polka-dot fabric that I thought was really cute.
Table for centers and various activities. Above the board I have the letters, Math is Fun. I'm not sure what I am going to do with the bulletin board yet, I thought about doing 3 separate calendars, or stringing some twine for papers that are awesome! Last year half of the board was dedicated to those students who received A's and B's on the 9 weeks grading report. Not sure yet, but I may let the kids decide.
My desk. I love the set up of my desk, seeing as how I don't sit there at all during the school day, it'll be a great quiet corner when the kids are gone. I love my little grading nook!
My computer all set up and ready to go!
That's all I got done in the room. I also have my cabinets sorted back out so I will probably post more pictures of that later. :-)
Life as a middle school teacher!
My objective board, with three classes to teach this year I needed to make sure that each class was separate. I'm not sure I like them separate yet, but I thought I'd give it a go and change it if needed.
I love my door. I don't know if you can see it but I have stars above the door on the window. They are really pretty and colorful from the hall. If you close the door I have some quotes about reaching for the stars. I haven't finished them yet, but I am working on curtains to go in that small window this year. It is polka-dot fabric that I thought was really cute.
Table for centers and various activities. Above the board I have the letters, Math is Fun. I'm not sure what I am going to do with the bulletin board yet, I thought about doing 3 separate calendars, or stringing some twine for papers that are awesome! Last year half of the board was dedicated to those students who received A's and B's on the 9 weeks grading report. Not sure yet, but I may let the kids decide.
My desk. I love the set up of my desk, seeing as how I don't sit there at all during the school day, it'll be a great quiet corner when the kids are gone. I love my little grading nook!
My computer all set up and ready to go!
That's all I got done in the room. I also have my cabinets sorted back out so I will probably post more pictures of that later. :-)
Life as a middle school teacher!
Thursday, August 1, 2013
New Year, New Goals, New Plans
After teaching 7th grade math for 5 years, I am now teaching 6th grade math in the same school. I am really excited about working with a different set of students this year, but not excited about having to plan three different sets of lessons. I am teaching a 6th grade class, a 6th grade advanced class, and a 7th grade class. I even get to move classrooms downstairs to the 6th grade hall. I don't know if I am excited about moving to the new classroom, but I am excited about working with a different set of teachers. I am saddened to change math teams though, because I worked really well with my math partner last year. I found out today though that I am working with the same Sped. Teacher from last year though and that worked really well too, so at least there is one constant.
I will post pictures of my classroom and storage units after I get everything set up. I cannot wait to see how it will turn out. I have lots of ideas, and cannot wait to see them in action!
Here's to a new blog about a new year, new goals, and new plans!
S. Mays <3
I will post pictures of my classroom and storage units after I get everything set up. I cannot wait to see how it will turn out. I have lots of ideas, and cannot wait to see them in action!
Here's to a new blog about a new year, new goals, and new plans!
S. Mays <3
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