Sunday, September 15, 2013
Inspiration for the new school year from Kid President
Kid President is a wise, one-of-a-kind pint-sized inspiration. Sure to make you dance, his newest video urges us all to be awesome. Enjoy!
Increase Concentration with Opera in the Classroom...Fingers Crossed.
My students and I finished a book study on "Mr. Putter and Tabby Pour the Tea" by Cynthia Rylant. In the book, an older man adopts an older cat, and they become great friends while listening to Opera together. Opera! My kids were impressed. They tried their hand at singing their own style of Opera. They were sure that they knew what it was, but, they didn't remember ever hearing it.
One of my most rambunctious student's interest was piqued. During independent work time, I'd turn on my Baroque music, and he would request Opera. Hoping to bond with him and discover his interests, I told him I didn't have any on my I Pod, but I would definitely get some.
I'm no expert on this genre. I'd heard of Pavarotti and Madame Bovary, and I have seen the musical "The Phantom of the Opera" twice, but that is the limit of my experience. I searched on I Tunes for a popular compilation, and found one that was rated 5 stars by listeners, and was a steal for 66 songs at $7.
When I began writing this post, I turned on the beautiful Opera music, and I got the feeling that it would be a hit at school. I am interested in learning more about this once popular, now nearly foreign, form of music. It must be good for learning, right?
After a quick search, I found some interesting tidbits. Especially interesting is the effect of the music on gifted students with underlying disabilities, like ADHD. I found that this music helps to cancel out the excess noise in our minds, helps us to organize thoughts, and get the job done. It, like classical music, helps to build cognitive capacity, and stimulates different areas of the brain to help with concentration.
Here are two of the articles I read...
Why do students with learning disabilities excel in opera?
learn about opera to enhance your personal and professional life
This has got to be beneficial for the classroom. I will try it out this week, and let you know how it goes.
One of my most rambunctious student's interest was piqued. During independent work time, I'd turn on my Baroque music, and he would request Opera. Hoping to bond with him and discover his interests, I told him I didn't have any on my I Pod, but I would definitely get some.
I'm no expert on this genre. I'd heard of Pavarotti and Madame Bovary, and I have seen the musical "The Phantom of the Opera" twice, but that is the limit of my experience. I searched on I Tunes for a popular compilation, and found one that was rated 5 stars by listeners, and was a steal for 66 songs at $7.
When I began writing this post, I turned on the beautiful Opera music, and I got the feeling that it would be a hit at school. I am interested in learning more about this once popular, now nearly foreign, form of music. It must be good for learning, right?
After a quick search, I found some interesting tidbits. Especially interesting is the effect of the music on gifted students with underlying disabilities, like ADHD. I found that this music helps to cancel out the excess noise in our minds, helps us to organize thoughts, and get the job done. It, like classical music, helps to build cognitive capacity, and stimulates different areas of the brain to help with concentration.
Here are two of the articles I read...
Why do students with learning disabilities excel in opera?
learn about opera to enhance your personal and professional life
This has got to be beneficial for the classroom. I will try it out this week, and let you know how it goes.
Monday, September 9, 2013
Another Busy Day
It seems like there is never enough time to complete everything. And, it's true. There's not.
The important thing to remember is to have quality time with kids. There will never be enough quantity, so make the best out of the time you do have. Whether you are a parent finding time to read with your child each night, or a teacher squeezing every ounce of learning time available out of the day.
Remember to be present during the time that you do have. You may plan your day to the second, and there will always be a situation that destroys that plan. Be flexible...bend with the changes. Embrace them. Whatever you do, do not resist the changes. They are out of your control. The resistance to change will only cause misery for you and your kids.
Keep moving forward. When a plan does not work out, think on your feet. Decide a better course of action, and jump on it.
Most importantly, start each day fresh and new. Know that it is another chance to make an impression on learners, to mold a mind, to create an independent thinker. Remember what worked the day before and what failed miserably. Try new things, laugh, smile, have fun! Never give up trying until you find a plan that works for you and your kids. They are worth it!
The important thing to remember is to have quality time with kids. There will never be enough quantity, so make the best out of the time you do have. Whether you are a parent finding time to read with your child each night, or a teacher squeezing every ounce of learning time available out of the day.
Remember to be present during the time that you do have. You may plan your day to the second, and there will always be a situation that destroys that plan. Be flexible...bend with the changes. Embrace them. Whatever you do, do not resist the changes. They are out of your control. The resistance to change will only cause misery for you and your kids.
Keep moving forward. When a plan does not work out, think on your feet. Decide a better course of action, and jump on it.
Most importantly, start each day fresh and new. Know that it is another chance to make an impression on learners, to mold a mind, to create an independent thinker. Remember what worked the day before and what failed miserably. Try new things, laugh, smile, have fun! Never give up trying until you find a plan that works for you and your kids. They are worth it!
Saturday, September 7, 2013
International "Dot" Day is Upon Us!
Get ready to celebrate the beauty and importance that all of us can bring to life. International Dot Day is September 15th this year.
This is the first year my class will be celebrating "The Dot" by Peter H. Reynolds, and I am looking forward to it. The premise of the story is a great way to begin the year. It is about Vashti, who, like many of the students coming into second grade, is unsure that she can draw. I hope to teach my students that everyone can make their mark on the world in unique ways.
Many students and teachers will be connecting via skype in the classroom and the The Dot Club Website. If you are able, be sure to sign up and share with a class. The kids will never forget connecting with other students who share an appreciation of learning.
I am lucky enough to have an awesome parent volunteer who has promised to come on Friday to help us with art for the afternoon. I found some great ideas on pinterest, but haven't decided on which one would be best for my class. I am thinking that I will have the kids trace circles on their papers, and color them in different colors to make a modern art piece kinda like this one from
Mrs. Knight's Smartest Artists Blog...
Below are other Dot Day ideas from my board on pinterest....
I will post pictures from our Dot Day celebration next weekend, and I hope to hear how you plan to celebrate as well! Enjoy!
Welcome
Welcome to my new blog!
I am a second grade teacher, and mom to a preschooler. I've spent all of my life in a classroom, and I love learning. I'll post all things "education" that are on my mind. My passions are technology and education reform. I hope to hear from you as well so that we can keep the education conversation growing and changing. Thanks for listening and caring about teaching and learning.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)