TEACH

The beginning of the school year is always an exciting time.  New clothes, new classes, new teachers and a fresh start for many.  I am happy you are here!  If you are a second year intern, welcome back.

If you are here, you have decided you want to explore becoming a teacher.  Teaching is the profession from which all professions begin.  Teachers can change the world, one student at a time. Teaching is rewarding, exhausting and the most influential career you can choose.  I hope you stay with it!

You probably have many reasons why you want to be a teacher.  Here are a few that might resonate with you.

I have a big year planned for you.  There are some changes.  FEA (Future Educators Association) is now called Educators Rising.  Get involved and together we will see the world!

When you leave this class, you will be a better reader, writer and thinker.  I am SO looking forward to getting to know each of you this year. Thank you for wanting to explore education as a career! You are making a smart choice!

Thank you for a great year!

Hello everyone,

I hope the seniors enjoyed their last day as a Richland student.

Thank you for another great year as a teacher. The sweet gestures and words are what make teaching worthwhile. You all surprised me, and THAT is hard to do. I wasn't expecting the surprise party and your kind words on Wednesday afternoon. It is those kind of things that are rewarding.

I love the charm bracelet,  I will think of you all every time I wear it. You shouldn't have, but I love it.  The flowers, speeches, and fun gifts were the icing on the cake.  Thanks for making me feel special.

Juniors, I am looking forward to seeing you next year. We have a lot of unfinished business next year!

Seniors, you were a large rowdy group. Some of us have been together for a while. It is really hard for me to say goodbye to you, but at the same time, I am so proud of you and all you accomplished.  I can't wait to see what your future looks like. You were ambitious, smart and always on the move. I have laughed with you and cried with you. I hope you realize how much I truly do love you and respect you as young adults. Please stay in touch with me and come by, just knock on the window and someone will let you in. You always have a place in my classroom!

So long,

Susan Stevens

End of Year Video 2015

Teacher Appreciation

Email from President Obama: My fifth-grade teacher

This week is National Teacher Appreciation Week.  Click here and complete the form and thank a teacher.

During the next week, somewhere on your social media #thankateacher who has helped you or made you feel special.  Write a short blog thanking that teacher.  If the teacher is within this district I would like to forward your blog to the teacher.  Use your best spelling and grammar. Blog is due by Friday, May 8.

This is the 2015 National Teacher of the Year presentation.  Someday, I hope one of you will be the teacher standing next to the President!  You can do it!

The Smartest Kids in the World Part I

You should have completed the first part of the book study chapters one - four.  What did you think about what you read?

What was your opinion of the different types of schools in the three countries?  

Finland

South Korea

Poland

Which type of education model do you think would be best for the U.S.?

Click here and listen to an interview from NPR with Amanda Ripley

As always, use the rubric for best results.

Due - Monday April 27

Revolution or Evolution?

An Educational Revolution?

Using headphones, listen to this YouTube Video.

You should blog about your thoughts and ideas after listening to this video.  What do you think will revolutionize education?  In your opinion, what is the most important ingredient to the learning formula?  Is it the teacher, technology, class size, the student, the parents....

You must think in order to write this blog.  Think outside the box.  This blog should include your opinion, but it should be well thought out.  Remember the writing rubric.  It needs to hold the readers attention, be informative and reflective.

Blog is due on Monday, April 13 by the end of class.

Tribes

Please watch this short video from Teaching Channel.  It is called Tribes and is a classroom management strategy that helps build a classroom culture..  It has four main themes.  Click here to view a webpage that has good information about the Tribes method.  Read this article to learn about how the Tribes method builds character education.

In your post this week, address the following questions:  Refer to the rubric.  Your writing should reflect thought and your viewpoint.  DO NOT JUST ANSWER THE QUESTIONS 1. 2. 3.  What do you think about the Tribes method?  Would it work in your site classroom?  Would it work in this classroom?  Discuss your ideas about classroom management.  What role does character education play in a well managed classroom?

As always, follow the rubric for best results.  Blog is due on Friday, April 3.