tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12246875357116694642024-03-04T03:48:35.120-05:00Teaching in ProgressTeaching in Progress is written by veteran teacher and curriculum designer, Nikki Sabiston. She shares classroom management strategies, techniques, and ideas and creates teaching resources to enhance literacy, math, and behavior management in the elementary classroom.Nikki Sabistonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16310276917191243216noreply@blogger.comBlogger76125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-2280713183817906362019-05-04T16:44:00.001-04:002019-05-04T17:18:34.976-04:00Opting Out of Standardized Tests<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-eddfc41b-7fff-ebfc-254a-da8f1c7ae2b7"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Hp3tbgovlEjQn6go7zq7lp1gsqh6yVTaJF_iFKYjn62RoPD8VUHHLCDXBHWjV5HPT3-pmAPu-rrt1SOs-BXjmgbXy9drR0bhqFm9fgluNv_VOa_NabfgzTKjcHm656Jv4zMjodggy21V/s1600/opt+out+blog+post+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="824" data-original-width="1600" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Hp3tbgovlEjQn6go7zq7lp1gsqh6yVTaJF_iFKYjn62RoPD8VUHHLCDXBHWjV5HPT3-pmAPu-rrt1SOs-BXjmgbXy9drR0bhqFm9fgluNv_VOa_NabfgzTKjcHm656Jv4zMjodggy21V/s640/opt+out+blog+post+pic.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-eddfc41b-7fff-ebfc-254a-da8f1c7ae2b7"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Standardized testing scores have become increasingly important over the last several years as school accreditation and teacher evaluations are tied to passing test scores. The scores are so important that our curriculum has been narrowed to focus solely on tested information and classrooms have become increasingly test driven. Many hours of instruction have been replaced with test prep, practice testing, benchmarks, and test remediation.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-eddfc41b-7fff-ebfc-254a-da8f1c7ae2b7"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Teachers are heavily burdened with micromanaged lesson plans, data collection, data meetings, and the intense pressure of student pass rates for the teacher evaluation process.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Millions of dollars are stripped from our education budget every year to fund the test, testing prep materials, remediation materials, and the significant technology requirements.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The test itself is also problematic. The test is not only based on standards that are developmentally inappropriate, the questions are presented in developmentally inappropriate formats and there have been many concerns about the computer adaptive feature that has been added. The test is highly inappropriate for many special education students and English Language Learners. The test is culturally, racially, and socioeconomically biased, using the myth of the 'achievement gap' to further separate schools and students, raising considerable questions of equity. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And if all of this isn't enough reason to question the validity and function of standardized testing, there is also the consideration that every student has different needs and abilities. Standardized tests are often detrimental to students who have anxiety or do not test well, yet every student is required to test in the same way.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For these reasons and others, many parents choose to opt their children out of Virginia's Standards of Learning testing.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This article will explain how SOL assessments affect your student and how to ‘opt out.’</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Let’s start with the basics - a primer on Virginia’s Standards of Learning...</span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What are SOLs?</span></h3>
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<i><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Code of Virginia, the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, establishes the requirements for curriculum and instruction in our public schools. It states that “</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">each local school board shall develop and implement a program of instruction for grades kindergarten through 12 that is aligned to the Standards of Learning and meets or exceeds the requirements of the board.</span></i></blockquote>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title8/agency20/chapter131/section70/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title8/agency20/chapter131/section70/</span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">According to the Virginia Department of Education, </span></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Standards of Learning (SOL)</span><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> for Virginia Public Schools establish minimum expectations for what students should know</span><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and be able to do at the end of each grade or course in English, mathematics, science, history/social science and other subjects</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Instruction in Virginia's public schools is guided by the Standards of Learning. The standards describe the commonwealth's expectations for student learning and achievement in grades K-12.</span></i></blockquote>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Essentially, the Standards of Learning is a collection of all the information and skills to be taught in grades K-12 public school settings. This drives the curriculum, and aside from being somewhat developmentally inappropriate at most grade levels, Virginia’s standards are fairly... standard. Not a huge departure from other states’ standards or from Common Core standards.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You can read the Standards of Learning document at this link. </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/index.shtml" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/index.shtml</span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Click on the blue subject headings on the right hand side of the page, then scroll to the bottom of the page to find the actual standards. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This leads us to assessment because the standards are required to be assessed. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How are the SOLs assessed?</span></h3>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Code of Virginia </span><a href="http://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title8/agency20/chapter131/section30/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #be1f33; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">8VAC20-131-30</span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> states that:</span></div>
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<a href="https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title8/agency20/chapter131/section30/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title8/agency20/chapter131/section30/</span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> A. In kindergarten through eighth grade, where the administration of Virginia assessment program tests are required by the Board of Education, each student shall be expected to take the tests.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">E. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Each student in middle and secondary schools shall take all applicable end-of-course SOL tests following course instruction.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">According to VDOE, </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>SOL results inform parents and communities about whether students — as individuals and collectively — are meeting the commonwealth’s expectations for achievement in English, mathematics, science and history. SOL tests allow the state Board of Education to identify schools that need assistance and support. The assessments also provide an objective means for measuring achievement gaps between student subgroups and for determining the progress of schools, divisions and the state toward closing these gaps</i>.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">While all of that sounds perfectly appropriate in theory, the reality of these assessments is far from appropriate. The SOL tests are pedagogically unsound in many ways.</span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Why are SOL tests inappropriate forms of assessment?</span></h3>
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">The tests are developmentally inappropriate, requiring students to read far above the tested grade level. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">The tests are culturally biased with reading passage content, values, and test vocabulary favoring upper middle class white students. This contributes to disparities in test scores between more affluent and high poverty schools. “Low performing” schools become hyper-focused on increasing test scores which leads to fewer enrichment opportunities, more remediation, less recess, and more narrowed curriculum than “higher performing” schools.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">Citizens often believe the tests are needed to determine student achievement and drive instruction. Unfortunately, this is not true. The SOL tests are not valid indicators of student achievement, especially since so much instructional time is spent teaching students how to beat the test with strategy practice and tricks to determine answers.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">School accreditation and 40% of teacher evaluat</span><span style="font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ion are based on passing SOL test scores which have </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> led curriculum and instruction to be primarily test driven</span><span style="font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span><span style="font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The intense focus on these scores have created a ‘teach to the test’ mentality in most school districts in which teachers no longer have the autonomy to teach the curriculum as they see fit, but must follow a test driven plan filled with lessons that specifically teach test taking strategies and test question stems. The high stakes placed on these tests narrow the curriculum.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">The cost of practice testing, testing, remediation, and retakes is astronomical. Schools have purchased one to one chromebooks and laptops, upgraded servers, practice testing programs, and added resource teachers for remediation. Districts and the state pay an outrageous amount of money to Pearson, the company that produces the test, for testing, scoring, and retakes. And guess who creates the practice testing and remediation materials? Yep - Pearson.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">SOLs are inherently unfair to smaller, less affluent school districts. These schools are held to same standards as wealthy districts and they are dealing with tech inequity, as legislatures are not currently fully funding schools.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">Practice for the tests in some schools goes on all year. Many hours of instruction and enrichment time are lost as kids take predictor tests, practice tests, simulation tests, benchmarks throughout the year.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">The tests are steeped in secrecy. Students and teachers are not allowed to discuss any part of the tests, cannot see missed questions, and cut scores are often changed mid testing.</span></li>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What is OPT OUT?</span></h3>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">‘Opt Out” is the common term used when parents and students choose not to take the SOL test. Virginia law does not actually provide for students to 'opt out' of SOL tests, but it does allow parents to </span><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">refuse</span><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">participation</span><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in SOL testing for their children.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.doe.virginia.gov/administrators/superintendents_memos/2015/110-15.shtml" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://www.doe.virginia.gov/administrators/superintendents_memos/2015/110-15.shtml</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are different outcomes in elementary, middle, and high school, which will be explained below.</span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Why opt out?</span></h3>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Parents and students refuse testing for many reasons Some families opt out as social protest. There certainly will be no change in SOL testing laws and procedures until parents, students, and teachers speak up. When test refusal creates an impact, our legislators will be more attentive to our concerns. Additionally, parents do not want their children used to provide data to, or fill the pockets of, large corporations who profit greatly from our intense testing culture.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Many parents refuse testing because of the more direct impact of stress and worry on their children. Some children have intense anxiety surrounding tests, especially high stakes tests and </span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">parents see the impact the intense test stress and anxiety has on children’s mental health. </span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In most cases, a failing score on an SOL has significant negative impact on students and a fail is far worse than an opt out. Some families opt out to avoid the summer school, extensive remediation, and loss of electives in middle school that result from failed SOL tests.</span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Many parents of special education students refuse testing to prevent their child taking a test that is far above their present level of functioning and incredibly developmentally inappropriate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Often, English language learners are opted out because they are not yet proficient enough in English to be able to manage the language in the test.</span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Whatever the reason, parents do have the right to refuse testing and there are few, if any, consequences.</span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What are the consequences of opting out?</span></h3>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Elementary School</span></h4>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are no consequences for parental test refusal for elementary students. </span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">SOL scores can not be used as grades in elementary school. SOL scores can not be required to be admitted into special programs. The zero score resulting from a test refusal means nothing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are, however, many negative consequences for failing an SOL test. </span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Students are often placed into remediation groups based on failing SOL scores that preclude them from participating in enrichment activities, resources classes such as music and art, and recess. Failing scores can be used to require summer school attendance in reading and math, and scores can be used to help determine retention. Students who fail SOLs but come close to a passing score, are required to participate in intensive remediation, often for the entire day for many days, then retake the test to try to get a passing score.</span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If fifth graders fail SOLs, they may be required to take remediation reading and math classes in middle school instead of electives like music or art.</span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is much the same as elementary school - there are no consequences for parental test refusal, but there are consequences for failing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Students are often placed into remedial reading and math classes based on failing SOL scores that preclude them from participating in electives. Failing scores can be used to require summer school attendance in reading and math, and scores can be used to help determine retention. Students who fail SOLs but come close to a passing score, are required to participate in intensive remediation, then retake the test to try to get a passing score.</span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">High school students are required to have a certain number of verified credits earned from passing SOL scores to graduate. Middle school students can receive verified credits for graduation with passing SOL scores from high school level courses such as Algebra, Geometry, Earth Science, and World History.</span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are many opportunities to receive verified credits in high school so it is not necessary to take any SOLs in middle school unless the student chooses to do so.</span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Please keep in mind that middle schools can use SOL scores for report card grades, so an opt out may have an effect on a student’s grade. Often, a teacher or school will accommodate a test refusal by providing an alternate grade opportunity.</span></div>
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<span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Please note: </span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Students who take SOLs for verified credits in middle school and met the graduation requirement in a subject area, will often be told they must take additional tests in that subject area in high school. </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is not required for graduation!</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> It is only to meet federal accountability. Your child does </span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">NOT</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> have to take those tests again! Please read all of the details concerning this HERE.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.doe.virginia.gov/administrators/superintendents_memos/2018/327-18.docx" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://www.doe.virginia.gov/administrators/superintendents_memos/2018/327-18.docx</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Some passing SOL scores provide ‘verified credits’ which are required for graduation. Credits must be earned in math, science, reading, and history, as well as an additional credit chosen by the student. The laws recently changed so current sophomores, juniors, and seniors have different requirements than current and incoming freshman. Fortunately the number of required verified credits was reduced!</span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All graduation requirements are found here: </span><span style="color: #1155cc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.doe.virginia.gov/administrators/superintendents_memos/2018/327-18.docx" style="text-decoration-line: none;">http://www.doe.virginia.gov/administrators/superintendents_memos/2018/327-18.docx</a></span><br />
<a href="https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title8/agency20/chapter131/section50/">https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title8/agency20/chapter131/section50/</a><br />
<a href="https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title8/agency20/chapter131/section51/">https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title8/agency20/chapter131/section51/</a></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are provisions for students who fail a required SOL test. Districts can provide ‘locally-awarded verified credit” for students who score between 375-399. The specific requirements for this provision can be found here: </span><a href="http://www.doe.virginia.gov/administrators/superintendents_memos/2018/130-18.shtml" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://www.doe.virginia.gov/administrators/superintendents_memos/2018/130-18.shtml</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Students can opt out of any tests beyond those needed for graduation. Please keep in mind that high schools can use SOL scores for report card grades, so an opt out may have an effect on a student’s grade. Often, a teacher or school will accommodate a test refusal by providing an alternate grade opportunity. </span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How do parents opt out?</span></h3>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Write A Letter</span></h4>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The only requirement to opt your child out of testing is to notify the school, preferably in writing or email. Your letter does not have to explain why you are refusing testing. You should include:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">That you are “refusing participation”</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">The specific tests your child is refusing (tests given at different grades levels are found HERE.)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">The school year</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">Your signature</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I refuse participation for my child, John Doe, in the reading and math SOL tests for the 2018-2019 school year.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Parents can send in their refusal at any time before the test, even as late as the day of the test. Advance notification is not required. Parents can refuse one, some, or all tests.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Letters should be sent to the school principal, assistant principal(s), guidance counselor, classroom teacher, and special education teacher and case manager if that applies. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You should discuss with the school what your child will do when the class is testing. Some students spend time reading in the library or helping in another classroom. Some parents choose to keep children home on those days, (although, that may be an unexcused absence.) Some schools want to give opt out students a practice SOL test while the class is taking the actual test so be sure to specify your wishes.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Please note that you can also refuse participation in district level practice tests, simulation tests, benchmarks, SOL remediation groups, SOL test cramming homework, SOL pep rallies, etc.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You can send copies of the refusal letter to the superintendent, school board, board of supervisors or city council, legislators, etc. if you would like to share the message of harmful testing beyond the school level. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What happens when a parent refuses SOL testing?</span></h3>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Virginia Board of Education </span><a href="http://www.doe.virginia.gov/administrators/superintendents_memos/2013/142-13.shtml" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #be1f33; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">regulations</span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> state that the following procedures should be followed within school divisions when parents refuse participation:</span></div>
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<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">The parents should be informed that their student’s score report will reflect a score of “0” for any test that is refused.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">The school is strongly encouraged to request a written statement from parents indicating the specific test(s) the parents refuse to have their student complete. The document should be maintained in the student’s file as a record of the decision.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">To account for the student, a test record for the refused test(s) is to be submitted for scoring with a Testing Status 51 coded to indicate the parent refusal.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Common misconceptions about SOL testing</span></span></h3>
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">If they don’t test now, they won’t know how to tests in high school/sats/act, etc.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Students do not need six+ years of SOL tests to be prepared for a standardized tests. Students who are homeschooled, in private schools, or have opted out generally perform well on high school SOLs and college entrance exams.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">The tests are needed to determine student achievement and drive instruction.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">The SOL tests are not a true measure of what students learned. The test passages are above grade level (often 2+ grades) and culturally biased, students are explicitly taught every strategy and trick in the book to get questions correct even if they don’t know the answer, the questions are purposely ambiguous, the test vocabulary is tied to socioeconomic status, and the scoring is beyond understanding. We are lying to our children if we let them believe the test is valid in any way.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">SOLs show which schools are superior and which schools are failing</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">SOL scores are an indicator of socioeconomic status.</span></li>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ultimately, these tests are deceptive. Parents generally have the mindset that passing or scoring well on a test is an indicator that the child is doing well in school. Parents believe the SOL is an actual measure of success and have no idea that the tests are incredibly flawed on so many levels.</span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Please join the RVA Opt Out Facebook group to learn so much more and ask specific questions:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1155cc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/683466925027783/" style="text-decoration-line: none;">https://www.facebook.com/groups/683466925027783/</a></span></div>
Nikki Sabistonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16310276917191243216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-90163767009479719002017-07-27T22:52:00.002-04:002017-07-30T01:52:04.302-04:00If You Give A Teacher A Work Day...<div style="line-height: normal;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYtGP270l7C2Y432vh3TcVGv65DMMJ0z4mucwugOw2Coz_27egUJVdtyoii10ysHgfnGyoCs9Mkf49P1ccOqK2fyWzSDS_cz-sb9xm-I8nME3N3nB5kzN2DGrhvifrQ8Egr0MogdyJcSNW/s1600/20465077_10211629334722055_203472536_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="If you give a teacher a day to work in her classroom..." border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="1334" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYtGP270l7C2Y432vh3TcVGv65DMMJ0z4mucwugOw2Coz_27egUJVdtyoii10ysHgfnGyoCs9Mkf49P1ccOqK2fyWzSDS_cz-sb9xm-I8nME3N3nB5kzN2DGrhvifrQ8Egr0MogdyJcSNW/s400/20465077_10211629334722055_203472536_o.jpg" title="If you give a teacher a day to work in her classroom..." width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">If you give a teacher a day to work in her classroom, </span><span style="font-size: 16px;">she will probably be so startled by the amazingly shiny, waxed floors, she won't notice the that all the computers have been piled in the sink. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">As she gazes across the shiny floor, she'll become so excited that she'll probably </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">start unpacking the first box she gets her hands on, pulling out all the fun subitizing math centers with cute erasers from Dollar Tree.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">That will remind her of all the bags of stuff she brought with her today from Target Dollar Spot that she's been amassing all summer long and hiding from her husband under the guest room bed. She will start to go through all the bags, pulling out the alphabet cards, and felt fraction sets, and colorful clothespins, and some ceramic apple thing that she's not sure what to do with.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Then she'll </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">realize she can't put any of those things away yet since every single piece of furniture is piled precariously in the corner, so she'll start to move tables. And desks. And chairs. And shelves. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica";"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When she moves the shelves, she'll remember all the </span><span style="font-size: 16px;">categorized</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> book labels she printed and laminated for her classroom library and start searching for them in the giant stack of boxes, none of which she actually labeled in the frenzy to get out of this place last June. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">As she's shoving boxes around everywhere, she'll get distracted by the bright, neatly folded, clean curtains she took home and washed over the summer. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Since she can't find the curtain rods in any of the 37 boxes she has unpacked into the middle of the floor, she'll start putting up a bulletin board. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">While looking for the *good* stapler on her desk, she'll decide to try to put her desk in order and organize all her Sharpies, and Mr. Sketch markers, and Flair pens into color coordinated containers. She'll have to try every single color. Twice.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">Her team mate will come in and ask her to go to lunch. An actual meal out at a restaurant with colleagues that will last more than 7 minutes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">After lunch, she'll open the closet and discover the pocket charts, the birthday box, the easel charts, the curtain rods, and the word wall banner. She'll realize she needs a step ladder because the last time she stood on a chair there was an accident report involved, so she will head out to find the keeper of the tall step ladder, the head custodian.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">As she's searching all four million square feet of the building, always two steps behind the elusive custodian and the tall step ladder, she'll spot her teacher BFF's adorable classroom already set up and beautifully organized. She'll become instantly convinced that her classroom will not be even remotely ready by the end of the week and she'll start to run at a full sprint, in a panic, back to her hot mess of a classroom.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">It is now time to go home, every box is half unpacked, the room is destroyed, nothing is actually finished, and she'll need at least two more classroom work days to undo the damage.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Welcome Back to School!</span></div>
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Nikki Sabistonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16310276917191243216noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-21634670277346095712017-07-19T10:39:00.000-04:002017-07-20T08:59:29.778-04:00The Dark Side of Inspirational Quotes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ldYNFu-IU5cZ1JvYXWeaFqqkA_TD84CjnMj16nun1ZGvAxBWhQWEsSSPluvOtzKg91SKvw_TXz8c8Pd11D277QWQbwZiYaVnHFVge7bSpXmvxkvtCmpqPkMfuBX7SjeAOz0W15sgL0Mb/s1600/20226492_10211554972303041_1744179526_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Don't let the inspirational, uplifting quotes that tell us how amazing teaching is supposed to be, drag you to the dark side of cynicism and guilt." border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="1334" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ldYNFu-IU5cZ1JvYXWeaFqqkA_TD84CjnMj16nun1ZGvAxBWhQWEsSSPluvOtzKg91SKvw_TXz8c8Pd11D277QWQbwZiYaVnHFVge7bSpXmvxkvtCmpqPkMfuBX7SjeAOz0W15sgL0Mb/s320/20226492_10211554972303041_1744179526_o.jpg" title="Don't let the inspirational, uplifting quotes that tell us how amazing teaching is supposed to be, drag you to the dark side of cynicism and guilt." width="320" /></a></div>
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We have all seen them as we scroll through our FB, Instagram, and Twitter feeds. Those concise, inspirational zingers that get to the heart of a matter in 20 words or less. <br />
Some of them are cute, some are political, some are snarky. They are judgy, cliche, uplifting, or clever. They have the power to make us feel joy, have a moment of introspection, feel vindicated, or hang our head in shame. <br />
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But the teaching related quotes - oh the feels, the excitement, the shame, the guilt.<br />
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<span style="color: red;"><b>"Teaching is a work of heart!"</b></span><br />
<b><br /><span style="color: orange;">“It takes a big heart to help shape little minds.” </span><br /><br /><span style="color: #38761d;">“Teaching kids to count is fine, but teaching them what counts is best.”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #0b5394;">“The best teachers teach from the heart, not from the book.” </span><br /><br /><span style="color: #741b47;">"A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops." </span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">"A teacher takes a hand, opens a mind, and touches a heart."</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #351c75;">"Some teachers taught the curriculum today. Other teachers taught students today. And there's a big difference."</span></b><br />
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I know they are meant to be uplifting and inspiring, but they also can have a dark side - they can be stress and guilt inducing. It is so easy to fall into the trap of not feeling adequate when all you see is how teaching is the most heartwarming, altruistic, amazing experience on the planet and all you can think of is the massive workload, the endless data meetings, and the raw nerve endings from that kid that drove you completely insane today.</div>
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Yes, all of these quotes are true and of course, we take our professional purpose quite seriously. By nature, those who enter this profession care deeply about young people, their well being, and their future. We can't help ourselves, I mean we aren't just pushing papers around here, we're working with little humans and it is a colossal responsibility. </div>
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And so we become especially susceptible to allowing some of these quotes get to us. We see the perfection, the goal, the expectation, and when we don't feel we measure up, we allow our spirits to be bruised and our confidence to fade.<br />
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But you know what? Some days, I don't feel like I shaped a mind or affected eternity. Some days I gave busywork while I worked on endless data sheets. Some days I lost my patience and fussed at a kid. Some days I showed a video because I didn't have the strength to plan another freaking lesson last night. Some days I rolled my eyes at meetings, and complained with my colleagues, and sent a kid to another class because my nerves were shot. Some days I went home and cried.<br />
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Social media is certainly a remarkable platform and I love the connection, collaboration, the opportunity to see across the planet in an instant. But we need to remember that what comes across our feeds is generally carefully curated. We need to be cautious about how we integrate the messages that bombard us as we scroll.<br />
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I probably bristle more than most at some of these posts because I tend to be a little more snarky and cynical than the average human (if you need convincing, just check out my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/teachinginprogress/" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/teaching_in_progress/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> :) But even I get caught on the dark side of the inspirational quote. Heck, I've even written and shared some myself!<br />
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This post is just a reminder to us all that while yes, teaching is all about heart, and love, and rainbows, and unicorns, it is also about exhaustion, and aggravation, and snarkiness, and complaining. All of that is okay - we need balance to survive. Just don't get stuck in either place for too long!<br />
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So for every sweet, uplifting, selfless quote telling you how to be the Teacher of the Universe that you see scroll by on your feed like these...<br />
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...here are a few things to keep you balanced. You can live vicariously through my teacher fails, snarkiness, and hot mess moments. Some of these days are not my proudest moments, but they are the real moments.<br />
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Don't buy into the Hallmark version of teaching. Teaching is just too complicated, messy, and imperfect.<br />
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Nikki Sabistonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16310276917191243216noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-45692298205999277212017-05-18T01:09:00.000-04:002018-07-16T17:31:10.272-04:0025 Sensory Fidget Ideas<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Fidgets are small toys or items that can be used to provide sensory input in order to reduce distraction or anxiety. They help improve concentration or attention by allowing the brain to filter out the extra sensory information through the physical manipulation of the fidget toy.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Fidgets can be an invaluable tool for many students who have difficulty with sensory processing, attention and distraction, anxiety, etc.</span></span><br />
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Fortunately, there are plenty of great fidget items to help students calm anxiety or occupy their hands so they can focus. I have only highlighted 25 here but there are hundreds of options out there. The items listed below are linked to either a blog post or article that provides more information, or an affiliate link to the item.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">1. Sand timers</span></b> - simple, inexpensive, yet calming and quiet. </div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KQ6IF3W/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00KQ6IF3W&linkCode=as2&tag=teachinginpro-20&linkId=2146339053d44d2866e5e1206df4cd08" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=B00KQ6IF3W&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=teachinginpro-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=teachinginpro-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B00KQ6IF3W" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">2. Sensory bottles</span></b> - calming, easy to make at home, endless possibilities</div>
My friend Jamie at <a href="http://playtolearnpreschool.us/">Play to Learn Preschool</a> is a master at creating these bottles. Find out how <b><a href="http://playtolearnpreschool.us/calm-down-bottles-for-the-classroom/">HERE</a></b>.<br />
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<a href="http://playtolearnpreschool.us/calm-down-bottles-for-the-classroom/"><img height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCbYPMuv2XcmfLKFrKnvcQ-2pOeu7jaL7TkHf_h_HoiJfeKkmRjtl7NBfYD_z0Ris8sUwxIovCAFC5c9VWep7pmkuPNKamvk_iA0qIf1GSfE46qWcsjO-CUYzL4arbRczTAsmc1hILJKy_/s320/Calm+Down+Bottle+Side.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">3. Koosh Balls</span></b> - lightweight, soft, textured. And if they do happen to fly, they probably won't hurt ;)<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LWCRPB2/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B01LWCRPB2&linkCode=as2&tag=teachinginpro-20&linkId=f02bb3552da9ceaeca5c79ee3df2d846" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="267" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=B01LWCRPB2&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=teachinginpro-20" width="400" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=teachinginpro-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B01LWCRPB2" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">4. Play dough</span></b> - a classic and you can make it right in your own kitchen!</div>
Another link to <a href="http://playtolearnpreschool.us/best-play-dough-recipe/">Play to Learn Preschool</a> for a great <a href="http://playtolearnpreschool.us/best-play-dough-recipe/">recipe</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://playtolearnpreschool.us/best-play-dough-recipe/"><img src="http://playtolearnpreschool.us/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/0-Best-Play-Dough-Recipe1-1024x787.jpg" height="305" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">5. Tangles</span></b> - they twist and turn all sorts of ways and they are QUIET!<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000S0TOS6/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000S0TOS6&linkCode=as2&tag=teachinginpro-20&linkId=929a20a5f1fa4bcb5a1f62a85ad33bf9" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=B000S0TOS6&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=teachinginpro-20" /></a></div>
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<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=teachinginpro-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B000S0TOS6" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">6. Fidget Cubes</span></b> - Some of them make clicking noises, but they are small and inconspicuous.</div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01NAPMXLF/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B01NAPMXLF&linkCode=as2&tag=teachinginpro-20&linkId=ad1b21b85a4909b286fa0f818baf65c7" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=B01NAPMXLF&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=teachinginpro-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=teachinginpro-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B01NAPMXLF" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>7. Stress Balloons</b></span> - filled with flour, these are incredibly cheap to make at home and hold up really well. Here's a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbmAbL7BZ5g">TUTORIAL</a>.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">8. Pencil Top Fidgets</span></b> - small, quiet, always available</div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0042ST1EM/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0042ST1EM&linkCode=as2&tag=teachinginpro-20&linkId=8b6f37de6a251bf2e36fe614c0804639" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="271" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=B0042ST1EM&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=teachinginpro-20" width="400" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=teachinginpro-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B0042ST1EM" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">9. Silly Putty</span></b> - Another inexpensive classic!<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002HJ6BN2/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B002HJ6BN2&linkCode=as2&tag=teachinginpro-20&linkId=5f1347d2c29f3d28e9dd6553c8e2edac" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=B002HJ6BN2&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=teachinginpro-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=teachinginpro-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B002HJ6BN2" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">10. Stretchy Coil Keyring</span></b> - These are available just about everywhere and super cheap.</div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N02HMGQ/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B01N02HMGQ&linkCode=as2&tag=teachinginpro-20&linkId=6be787e46d7c010d0c879c07252a8654" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=B01N02HMGQ&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=teachinginpro-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=teachinginpro-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B01N02HMGQ" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">11. Sensory Ball</span></b> - A different sensory experience than the koosh ball</div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PI7P99M/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00PI7P99M&linkCode=as2&tag=teachinginpro-20&linkId=72644d739d04478250a1bc9a833d7b20" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=B00PI7P99M&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=teachinginpro-20" width="320" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=teachinginpro-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B00PI7P99M" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">12. Spinning Ring</span></b> - this would be a discreet fidget for older kids</div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018TPGJSO/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B018TPGJSO&linkCode=as2&tag=teachinginpro-20&linkId=608f75596c33c005168e03be3eb9afb0" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=B018TPGJSO&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=teachinginpro-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=teachinginpro-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B018TPGJSO" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>13. Bendeez</b></span> - Flexible, twisty, soft, and quiet</div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072KZLWPH/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B072KZLWPH&linkCode=as2&tag=teachinginpro-20&linkId=6964b9198aa8d01d1218a9739f02b2a4" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=B072KZLWPH&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=teachinginpro-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=teachinginpro-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B072KZLWPH" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">14. Plastic Chain</span></b> - articulated, plastic chain, lightweight, quiet</div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002XH7WYK/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B002XH7WYK&linkCode=as2&tag=teachinginpro-20&linkId=6e80b72a79b72a3ebe082ab59def7a2d" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=B002XH7WYK&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=teachinginpro-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=teachinginpro-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B002XH7WYK" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>15. Nuts and Bolts</b></span> - The plastic ones are probably quieter, but I love the texture of the wooded toys<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=teachinginpro-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B06XWCDVPF" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XWCDVPF/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B06XWCDVPF&linkCode=as2&tag=teachinginpro-20&linkId=92c9b1c123d3457179c1f36eb385cccb" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=B06XWCDVPF&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=teachinginpro-20" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001D86NN6/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B001D86NN6&linkCode=as2&tag=teachinginpro-20&linkId=c712b40a2d86338b9d01d410d79d0649" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="140" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=B001D86NN6&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=teachinginpro-20" width="320" /></a><br />
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<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=teachinginpro-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B001D86NN6" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">16. Wooden Cube Puzzle</span></b> - small, quiet, articulated wooden blocks</div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00YRZ5QTE/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00YRZ5QTE&linkCode=as2&tag=teachinginpro-20&linkId=7a279a78793f8cfdb2f581787fa5aa04" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=B00YRZ5QTE&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=teachinginpro-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=teachinginpro-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B00YRZ5QTE" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>17. Beanbags</b></span> - another great fidget to make at home for next to nothing.<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002RYVRH2/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B002RYVRH2&linkCode=as2&tag=teachinginpro-20&linkId=90bbc0aed9fed0b6158d3eb64712d352" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=B002RYVRH2&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=teachinginpro-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=teachinginpro-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B002RYVRH2" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">18. Monkey Fidgetz</span></b> - a marble inside a tube of plastic mesh</div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DE3C836/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B01DE3C836&linkCode=as2&tag=teachinginpro-20&linkId=175a871df49161aee7bdc0cbeb16f831" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="224" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=B01DE3C836&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=teachinginpro-20" width="320" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=teachinginpro-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B01DE3C836" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>19. Worry Stones</b></span> - Hard, smooth stones to turn over in your hands<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M7ZJ0W4/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B01M7ZJ0W4&linkCode=as2&tag=teachinginpro-20&linkId=89f343c4efe2c1f84b2c2515ac67b348" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="240" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=B01M7ZJ0W4&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=teachinginpro-20" width="320" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=teachinginpro-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B01M7ZJ0W4" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>20. Twiddle Cat </b></span>- This one is a bit pricey, but oh my gosh, this is amazing!<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BZZY910/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00BZZY910&linkCode=as2&tag=teachinginpro-20&linkId=3cca94e36a5cf2c8d7a652e5ccd7a19f" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="213" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=B00BZZY910&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=teachinginpro-20" width="320" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=teachinginpro-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B00BZZY910" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>21. Zipper Bracelet</b></span> - this one might make a little noise, but what a great idea!<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F8HX7A0/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00F8HX7A0&linkCode=as2&tag=teachinginpro-20&linkId=60e42de8aba4578d51ad988e574a84e1" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=B00F8HX7A0&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=teachinginpro-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=teachinginpro-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B00F8HX7A0" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">22. Slinky</span></b> - Even the plastic ones are a bit noisy, but they are small and inexpensive.</div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000U63CQS/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000U63CQS&linkCode=as2&tag=teachinginpro-20&linkId=959f22af36cf7170461b4dd412c8ce38" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=B000U63CQS&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=teachinginpro-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=teachinginpro-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B000U63CQS" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS2nb2fugGTG26RRhTIZrW8NPHhZG5eUKf__NRDHaAEXCcthwyILYb4x39K-Rc_tXqD4VbKQIBadt25ikg1fhxj2fYcFYs8RHC6JtqCW8t8XTWVwr5UtyzbmpY_0UauJzwJIN8MVSdfVc/s1600/fidget-toy-diy-handwriting.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><b><span style="font-size: large;">23. DIY Bead Fidget</span></b> - Easy to make, super inexpensive.<br />
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<a href="http://www.theottoolbox.com/2016/09/desk-fidget-tool-for-school.html"><img alt="Make this DIY fidget tool for use in the classroom or at home while writing and reading to help kids focus, attend, and perform tasks with tactile sensory input and movement they need to help with fidgeting." border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS2nb2fugGTG26RRhTIZrW8NPHhZG5eUKf__NRDHaAEXCcthwyILYb4x39K-Rc_tXqD4VbKQIBadt25ikg1fhxj2fYcFYs8RHC6JtqCW8t8XTWVwr5UtyzbmpY_0UauJzwJIN8MVSdfVc/s400/fidget-toy-diy-handwriting.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>24. Atom Ball</b></span> - Squishy, quiet, textured.<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0146RVKH4/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0146RVKH4&linkCode=as2&tag=teachinginpro-20&linkId=55072958666f023ac8b38265620745ab" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="177" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=B0146RVKH4&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=teachinginpro-20" width="640" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=teachinginpro-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B0146RVKH4" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">25. Spikey Bracelet</span></b> - Textured and soft. </div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01J98RSAS/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B01J98RSAS&linkCode=as2&tag=teachinginpro-20&linkId=1d58519012c03f50917a789808512e4a" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=B01J98RSAS&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=teachinginpro-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=teachinginpro-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B01J98RSAS" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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Nikki Sabistonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16310276917191243216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-59477667447899199592016-08-14T21:30:00.000-04:002016-08-22T21:12:21.252-04:00In Search of The Well Managed Classroom<div style="text-align: center;">
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We are all in search of that elusive teacher paradise. The joy, the bliss, the glory that is... The Well Managed Classroom.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFmEEBCWsOpWkrYx80zDJ5UIl3_Vi2RcpENV-DAMaSN3wfdfe4b_flhmvkRZAleIvcXcAYcW6Bql_p1Iqbj0EGCKGMWDTbJ0EgJaO9rmDBFwdKCHmzPavxbwerIpHRvPrgTasreA1U7x26/s1600/well+managed+class.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="We are all in search of that elusive teacher paradise. The joy, the bliss, the glory that is... The Well Managed Classroom." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFmEEBCWsOpWkrYx80zDJ5UIl3_Vi2RcpENV-DAMaSN3wfdfe4b_flhmvkRZAleIvcXcAYcW6Bql_p1Iqbj0EGCKGMWDTbJ0EgJaO9rmDBFwdKCHmzPavxbwerIpHRvPrgTasreA1U7x26/s1600/well+managed+class.png" title="We are all in search of that elusive teacher paradise. The joy, the bliss, the glory that is... The Well Managed Classroom." /></a></div>
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Unfortunately, there is no magic plan or program for this. And the same ideas and strategies won't work for every kid, classroom, or situation.</div>
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But there are universal truths that we can all build on to keep striving for that Teacher Promised Land where everyone listens, no one cries, and kindness abounds.<br />
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In an effort to find that peaceful place, I tend to organize my classroom management around the basics, the building blocks, the three R's -<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Routines, Relationships, and Reinforcement</span></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.teachinginprogress.com/2013/07/if-chaos-is-king-kingdom-will-fall.html" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt=" " border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW1CTwdaqtt1l0Ovmo0_RFHILJ3At-bMVd2AuoLbF4TV6C-E5BqCUhQY0mAJOQ7OswzJFipa3yEsd9WvTMlnFOWOqgEznwaXwzjzIWRUOMhYQ6pBFoPffwIgtShIi1s5-9izKu6rroEdWJ/s200/chaos.png" title="" width="198" /></a><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Routine:</span></b> Practice Makes Perfect! Or so they say:) But truly, procedures and routines are essential to keeping a classroom running smoothly. Kids should know procedures so well that they can run that place without me! That means the procedures should be <span style="color: #0b5394;">taught, modeled, and practiced</span> exactly as the teacher would like them to be followed. There should be no guesswork on the students' part as to what is expected. Honestly, when the children know what to do, how to do it, and when it is appropriate to do it, the day just flows like a river. I have so much more time and freedom because the responsibility for daily routines has been shifted to the children. One of the best gifts you can give your students is the gift of independence!<br />
(For more on effectively teaching routines and procedures, click the picture above!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWwxL-IgfyPo6iJrK7MfIKCHDK0fmb0Cumwl6Yak2EAzC3x510LqcR0dmrgNciXo-b4b1XOMB1iIpTSszyRKe7dBiuHeKBGc5YF34-WroN3gRCSou3eDbOMR0q-Zlmcvy2xbzQg2Nuq2Wg/s1600/5+ways+to+connect.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWwxL-IgfyPo6iJrK7MfIKCHDK0fmb0Cumwl6Yak2EAzC3x510LqcR0dmrgNciXo-b4b1XOMB1iIpTSszyRKe7dBiuHeKBGc5YF34-WroN3gRCSou3eDbOMR0q-Zlmcvy2xbzQg2Nuq2Wg/s200/5+ways+to+connect.png" width="200" /></a><b><span style="color: orange;">Relationships:</span></b> Building relationships. Gosh, that really is ALL OF IT, isn't it? Connecting to others. When our students feel loved and understood, they feel safe. Safe enough to take academic and social risks. Safe enough to try and fail. In a close knit, loving environment where everyone is invested in each other, failure is simply part of the process, not an embarrassment.<br />
When students feel connected to the teachers and students in their classrooms, they want to do the right thing because they care enough about themselves and others to WANT to do the right thing, not just follow the rules to avoid punishment. And punishing kids every time they break a classroom rule is a Trust Buster. Sure, consequences are often necessary, but seeking out the most <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: orange;"><b>logical and restorative</b></span></span> consequence will be a much more powerful motivator than walking laps or moving a clip.<br />
(For more on building relationships, click on the picture above.)<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">Reinforcement:</span></b> We have taught them the procedures and we've given them unconditional love. But love and lessons will never fit the bill <i>if the kids don't have the skills to access what we have provided. </i>We must give the kids the tools they need to manage themselves in our classrooms everyday.<br />
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In comes <b><span style="color: red;">emotional literacy</span></b> and <b><span style="color: red;">character building</span></b>! The superheroes of classroom management! <br />
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Providing the emotional and social tools kids will need to be able to find success is the key to making everything else work. Over the years, I have used <span style="color: red;">two</span> methods in my classroom that have really helped kids learn to maneuver the social arena.<br />
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<a href="http://www.teachinginprogress.com/2015/06/ive-given-up-color-chart-now-what.html" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO3DH2D-zPwimnIn7d6D9b69-VUqCHgYfjIMyfCgoQo9x97EuvX1q5cuzCCEvUAo5MR7yrmdR14XfGfji4D5z9qXHK1RqdBpkjG-KAfimWpsP6-mgDHtsEaXgSfmYLHBLGzc6g4Co15i9m/s200/no+more+behavior+cgart.png" width="200" /></a>The <b><span style="color: red;">FIRST</span></b> <span style="color: red;"><b>WAY</b></span> is by developing <b><span style="color: red;">emotional literacy</span></b>. Allowing kids to have time to regroup and reflect instead of receiving a consequence for every infraction of the rules or procedures. A <b>Take A Break</b> space is provided in the classroom where children can take a moment to decompress, take a breather, or think about making different choices. They learn to recognize and regulate their own emotions so they can spend less time disrupting and more time on task.<br />
You can read more about it <a href="http://www.teachinginprogress.com/2012/10/why-i-will-never-use-behavior-chart.html"><span id="goog_1608762069"></span>HERE<span id="goog_1608762070"></span></a> and <a href="http://www.teachinginprogress.com/2015/06/ive-given-up-color-chart-now-what.html"><span id="goog_1608762074"></span>HERE<span id="goog_1608762075"></span></a>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.teachinginprogress.com/2012/10/why-i-will-never-use-behavior-chart.html" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNF1a05nkLM_vKSu_Ur9gl1tqw_hoQc-x2UJMR94SZpQUkG8FxKBBB0eH0yaFciiebP7fmR17scESgKuwmr2QCgQTvEPQwSXCjuoowBpV7w1bJIW34Mh1sUx7szyMJhIJh8H_WMt7eb0fi/s320/never+use+chart+image+FB.png" width="320" /></a></div>
I use a set of materials to facilitate the students when they take a break that helps guide them through recognizing their feelings, the antecedents, and the possible solutions. I have have found them to be very powerful management tools that reduces anxiety in my room and frees me from constantly disciplining.<br />
There are two versions, one for younger students and one better suited for older kids.<br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Behavior-Management-and-Self-Regulation-Take-A-Break-678756" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkW6fGy7a2oNL5AdbKE7mAgOevE97xRKaYSF3IEYrJcKn3OZVyeGPSqnZjI6hEdLSd5d-2Eh9X3UkxzvAPozMR9U3uPwOZYskD6MrUqVLPWCczoZyjXMnkmAUZ9MbbpgFjXeTX1a2KYTQO/s320/Slide2.PNG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Behavior-Management-and-Self-Regulation-Take-A-Break-Upper-Grade-Edition-2729964" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHtK8c8VI4OCuZtbD8_n2T7B7_dT3AatU1_RqmfRRKp3xa6GAY1sbXF8B1sjjlYIcATbD6CbfDWkkHi9nLC_ySctWfOaEYlJSue1EXhmBfgpeDUOCxenVIzzZeRMvWjsVp3fsVoniJ7I5F/s320/take+a+break+big+kids.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The <b><span style="color: red;">SECOND TOOL</span></b> for giving kids the social tools they need to succeed is <span style="color: red;">c</span><b><span style="color: red;">haracter building</span></b>. If we want kids to use positive character traits, we need to explicitly teach the desired traits and praise the children in a vert deliberate way when they use them. <a href="http://www.sarahplumitallo.com/" target="_blank">Sarah Plumitallo</a> has an amazing way to help children develop character in the classroom. She flips the clip chart on its head and creates an amazing opportunity to help kids develop positive character traits, encourage their classmates, and make choices that come from the heart. </div>
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You can read her posts about it <a href="http://www.sarahplumitallo.com/2015/08/why-ill-never-get-rid-of-my-clip-char.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://www.sarahplumitallo.com/2015/08/all-of-your-questions-answered.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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<a href="http://www.sarahplumitallo.com/2015/08/why-ill-never-get-rid-of-my-clip-char.html" target="_blank"><img alt="I will NEVER get rid of my clip chart. EVER." src="http://i0.wp.com/www.sarahplumitallo.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Graphic-2.png?resize=602%2C315" height="166" width="320" /></a><a href="http://www.sarahplumitallo.com/2015/08/all-of-your-questions-answered.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1.wp.com/3.bp.blogspot.com/-aPhAbDgYOlM/VcUIZLflr2I/AAAAAAAACQI/6yl4vcsCPog/s1600/Strong%2BCharacter.png" height="166" width="320" /></a></div>
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So, as we all continue to search for classroom management perfection and seek out the connections and skills our kids need to succeed, keep in mind that punishment and consequences might seem like a quick fix, but it is just that - and often causes more damage in the end. I am not saying there isn't a time and place for consequences, just that most everyday behaviors can better be addressed by teaching rather than punishing.</div>
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I try to remember to to do my best to redirect in a way that preserves a child's dignity and helps him learn a new approach. I admit that I often fail miserably at this, but it is still my goal, and I will do my best to treat my students like I want teachers to treat my own sons.</div>
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<b>Even More Ways to Grow!</b></div>
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Another great way to improve our classroom management techniques is to learn from each other. Who better to give us advice or insight than colleagues who have found some measure of success? Even the most seasoned teachers need a fresh approach sometimes - I know I do!</div>
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Sarah and I have decide that we would love to be able to connect with other teachers in a more deliberate way when it comes to classroom management, so we have created a Facebook group dedicated to providing teachers a place to come together to share and discuss classroom and behavior management in a closed group. Our goal is to improve the management of all of our classrooms through our collective knowledge and experience! We would love to have you join and share your tips, tricks, and secrets:)</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you would like to join, click <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/930444027102136/" target="_blank">here</a>!</span></div>
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<br />Nikki Sabistonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16310276917191243216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-19519469115922555862016-07-11T13:54:00.003-04:002016-08-14T21:51:53.379-04:00How to Set up, Introduce, & Implement a Take A Break Station<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFVcgQng55c_2lcMPY8Q_MvbmYt1Xi7n45CReHIUFVrwUQui32snR0P_THIBvvZnidxLkeIAYnP4_iNeitIGBoj0EeHU9MVhxKYJfMd7U6yEpOU4ECxPXqPjEvYyuOIqVGxYsCYISsf_lv/s1600/set+up+take+a+break+pic.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="It is powerful when students discover how to manage their own behavior and emotions rather than having an adult direct it for them. " border="0" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFVcgQng55c_2lcMPY8Q_MvbmYt1Xi7n45CReHIUFVrwUQui32snR0P_THIBvvZnidxLkeIAYnP4_iNeitIGBoj0EeHU9MVhxKYJfMd7U6yEpOU4ECxPXqPjEvYyuOIqVGxYsCYISsf_lv/s400/set+up+take+a+break+pic.png" title="It is powerful when students discover how to manage their own behavior and emotions rather than having an adult direct it for them. " width="400"></a></div>
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<b>"Take A Break"</b> is a special space in the classroom where children can take a moment to decompress, take a breather, or think about making different choices. Typically, when students are talking, acting out, bothering others, unfocused, upset, or agitated, they don't always need a consequence, they just need a chance to reset and return. They also need to learn to do this on their own without much adult intervention. <br>
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<a href="http://www.teachinginprogress.com/2016/07/how-to-set-up-introduce-implement-take.html#more">Read more »</a>Nikki Sabistonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16310276917191243216noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-71742322667811264502016-02-13T18:54:00.000-05:002016-07-06T11:20:37.113-04:00Top Ten Days That Strike Fear into the Hearts of Teachers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZpgaZfufFmQesm1quYZSGXJcjwvv0O0dZUCqBSZNh8ukksFoZIMyH2PM7k78AUAyWGBBTtWrQTTgNnEB86JjtTk8oMVNl61x8NEywmvAxSnBYyILl4rd_xbMhCV5GBd7IQxQBpcSDcUy9/s1600/dread+in+hearts.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A humorous look at the school days that are just a bit harder than the others." border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZpgaZfufFmQesm1quYZSGXJcjwvv0O0dZUCqBSZNh8ukksFoZIMyH2PM7k78AUAyWGBBTtWrQTTgNnEB86JjtTk8oMVNl61x8NEywmvAxSnBYyILl4rd_xbMhCV5GBd7IQxQBpcSDcUy9/s400/dread+in+hearts.png" title="A humorous look at the school days that are just a bit harder than the others." width="391"></a></div>
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You know the days I'm talking about. They are special days that we look forward to, but we also carry just a little bit of dread in the recesses of our souls. Typically these days are associated with holidays or special celebrations, but there are a few others that get our teacher hearts fluttering just as much.<br>
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Here they are in no particular order. You can decide for yourselves the order of these days on a scale from "Indoor Recess" to "The 9th Ring of Teacher Hell"<br>
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<a href="http://www.teachinginprogress.com/2016/02/top-ten-days-that-strike-fear-into.html#more">Read more »</a>Nikki Sabistonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16310276917191243216noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-43536840030763010282015-11-25T15:30:00.000-05:002016-07-07T19:44:54.337-04:005 Simple Ways to Connect with Students and Build Relationships<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidwue3ngLc6noHnJ5shq1M1NQV7LdrTZ1q1Crto5UMZo8Toeu_Xi04mHIkV6hHfz7BR5CQ832x6K8fSvMOAdXrsQPl-gUBv2mhDP7TEJtHWz4IyyERvAT0C8Xp0EKF0lD4N03jM_6d3-lN/s1600/5+simple.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Being connected with students helps teachers maintain positive classroom management and behavior." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidwue3ngLc6noHnJ5shq1M1NQV7LdrTZ1q1Crto5UMZo8Toeu_Xi04mHIkV6hHfz7BR5CQ832x6K8fSvMOAdXrsQPl-gUBv2mhDP7TEJtHWz4IyyERvAT0C8Xp0EKF0lD4N03jM_6d3-lN/s1600/5+simple.png" title="Being connected with students helps teachers maintain positive classroom management and behavior."></a></div>
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Being a teacher these days is not even remotely easy. The nonsense we have to deal with from developmentally inappropriate standards to endless meetings and data to no lunch or bathroom breaks are nothing short of lunacy. Throw in an unruly class with some serious behavior problems and you have a recipe for early retirement.<br>
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The trick is to make what happens inside that classroom with those kids as joyful as possible so that the rest of the crazy in our profession will be easier to manage, We must try to shelter our students and ourselves from the stress and pressure. <br>
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We all know that achieving that classroom nirvana of peace and productivity requires an authentic connection with our students. When our students feel loved and understood, they feel safe. Safe enough to take academic and social risks. Safe enough to try and fail. In a close knit, loving environment, failure is part of the process, not an embarrassment.<br>
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But how do we form those genuine, loving relationships? There are many layers to that question, but I have complied a list of some of the ways I try to connect with kids in my class.<br>
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<a href="http://www.teachinginprogress.com/2015/11/5-simple-ways-to-connect-with-students.html#more">Read more »</a>Nikki Sabistonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16310276917191243216noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-32184213092340940302015-10-11T11:27:00.001-04:002016-07-06T11:21:08.048-04:00Teach All the Word Problems!<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
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The cornerstone of primary math is number sense - and primarily mastering the concept of addition and subtraction, hopefully even gaining automaticity with those addition and subtraction facts. Elementary teachers live and breathe addition and subtraction!</div>
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<a href="http://www.teachinginprogress.com/2015/10/teach-all-word-problems.html#more">Read more »</a>Nikki Sabistonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16310276917191243216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-27733257772026116422015-08-18T01:22:00.000-04:002016-07-06T11:29:01.026-04:005 Things Parents Should Not Send to School With Their ChildEach day as teachers, we must:<br>
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<li>roll through reading, phonics, writing, grammar, math, science, computer skills, and social studies;</li>
<li>make sure kids have a nutritious lunch, healthy snack, physical activity, a safe environment, and extra curricular opportunities; </li>
<li>provide instruction in good manners, getting along with others, disaster preparedness, personal safety, and citizenship;</li>
<li>and act as parent, nurse, social worker, psychologist, banker, referee, mediator, and mentor. </li>
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All this in about 7 hours a day.<br>
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So, competing with all sorts of distractions can mean not getting through all the stuff we really have to get through.<br>
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Because, well, pacing guide.<br>
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Now, some distractions are unavoidable - a thunderstorm, fire drill, lost tooth, cockroach in someone's desk... They can even create a nice little break once in a while.<br>
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But some distractions are NOT unavoidable. They have been created by well meaning, yet slightly uninformed parents who (possibly unknowingly) allow kids to come to school wearing or bringing things that create unnecessary distractions.<br>
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So, to ensure that we are able to take advantage of every precious second of the day, and to reduce time-sucking distractions, here are...<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifOE6Zs4ymkDTVtr5cAUoor6rL8M3TLI8Y1dnFiRHaIsg-22jB0TwlqFMP089lr7cNhtlDfVlFvGvY_3ZMk6UDxzmbl1PBFTcXuvBw6xhODp2sKiBMcekKyKQb0frkKU3hNpQWUlqHO2Ml/s1600/7+things.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A humorous look at the daily distractions in our classrooms!" border="0" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifOE6Zs4ymkDTVtr5cAUoor6rL8M3TLI8Y1dnFiRHaIsg-22jB0TwlqFMP089lr7cNhtlDfVlFvGvY_3ZMk6UDxzmbl1PBFTcXuvBw6xhODp2sKiBMcekKyKQb0frkKU3hNpQWUlqHO2Ml/s400/7+things.png" title="A humorous look at the daily distractions in our classrooms!" width="400"></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.teachinginprogress.com/2015/08/5-things-parents-should-not-send-to.html#more">Read more »</a>Nikki Sabistonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16310276917191243216noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-72861454248222049932015-08-09T12:20:00.003-04:002016-07-06T11:29:25.769-04:00VA Teacher Bloggers Meet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xQZOSOmqSs0/VcQpWroIomI/AAAAAAAACNY/ocajEwMqxuY/s1600/Header%2BImage.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Virginia Bloggers and TPT Sellers" border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xQZOSOmqSs0/VcQpWroIomI/AAAAAAAACNY/ocajEwMqxuY/s1600/Header%2BImage.png" title="Virginia Bloggers and TPT Sellers"></a></div>
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Last Friday a group of 30 fabulous Virginia teacher bloggers {including myself!} descended upon the <a href="http://www.jeffersonlakeside.com/" target="_blank">Jefferson Lakeside Country Club</a> for an afternoon of networking, laughs, food, drinks, and some incredible swag and prizes! It was an incredible time, and well worth all of the planning and logistics that went into it. I want to share some of the experience with you!</div>
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</div><a href="http://www.teachinginprogress.com/2015/08/va-teacher-bloggers-meet.html#more">Read more »</a>Nikki Sabistonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16310276917191243216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-15852660903516382342015-06-25T16:19:00.001-04:002016-07-08T10:21:23.709-04:00I've Given Up the Color Chart - Now What? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvmoPiS6CjIGyqYNae_u2ipkmhYIOL8KrAnB1lJbl7_agV-_ma05-1BOxGxIWyI6XLLHFmUhJE4aWkQTjckY-_Znna2rqfZwTiHSqaYyz3uQWghsoIm1b3-WoLxeqBGekk6tKFCG49k7Xn/s1600/no+more+behavior+cgart.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Now what do you do to keep the classroom running smoothly and behavior in check? Here are solutions and ideas!" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvmoPiS6CjIGyqYNae_u2ipkmhYIOL8KrAnB1lJbl7_agV-_ma05-1BOxGxIWyI6XLLHFmUhJE4aWkQTjckY-_Znna2rqfZwTiHSqaYyz3uQWghsoIm1b3-WoLxeqBGekk6tKFCG49k7Xn/s1600/no+more+behavior+cgart.png" title="Now what do you do to keep the classroom running smoothly and behavior in check? Here are solutions and ideas!"></a></div>
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The behavior chart has been taken out with yesterday's trash. But I still have to go back to school and face all those kids and all their BEHAVIORS!! Now what?!<br>
<a href="http://www.teachinginprogress.com/2015/06/ive-given-up-color-chart-now-what.html#more">Read more »</a>Nikki Sabistonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16310276917191243216noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-83414026305047375712015-05-16T12:14:00.000-04:002016-07-06T11:32:43.355-04:00How to Give A Standardized Test <br>
Just in case you haven't had the sheer pleasure of administering a standardized test in today's high stakes environment, I thought I would give you a peek inside the exhilarating experience. <br>
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At least the parts of the experience I am allowed to divulge per my Test Security Agreement. <br>
(Still have the band aid on the wound where I drew the blood to sign said agreement.)<br>
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Let's begin at the beginning:<br>
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<a href="http://www.teachinginprogress.com/2015/05/how-to-give-standardized-test.html#more">Read more »</a>Nikki Sabistonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16310276917191243216noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-81176652064345439102015-04-02T01:47:00.001-04:002016-07-06T11:40:45.337-04:00Launching Off With Educents<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://www.educents.com/teaching-in-progress#teachinginprogress" target="_blank"><img alt="Educents" border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn7qwCdzIMXgLk_7FY6IXvpIwrRTi3Yo1Pp9Ra1OhI5Vugzn1z2FtsP32_5iE8HyGWhNEmPKsKKRRg48N4tKTNEOq6ht9BM4CPcdJRG7owGxFrRMqcW1WvtjL_Q3jkSSJTaOfuvLUj4YYj/s1600/edulaunch.png" title="Educents" width="320"></a></div>
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Hooray! The Educents Marketplace is open for business!</div>
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Educents has always offered great daily and short term deals with amazing sale prices. And now Educents is offering permanant products and deals from seller stores in their new EDUCENTS MARKETPLACE.<br>
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To get this new venture off the ground, Marketplace sellers are launching you on Freebie trip though our blogs and stores. As you hop through cyberspace, you can grab a FREE product offered in our new store, as well as enter a giveaway for $50 worth of Educents Credits. You can buy a LOT of educational materials with that kind of money! And, there are several groups of bloggers who are joining the launch, which means multiple ways to enter!<br>
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<b>Here's what you can do:</b><br>
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<a href="http://www.teachinginprogress.com/2015/04/launching-off-with-educents.html#more">Read more »</a>Nikki Sabistonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16310276917191243216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-3344444375404661462015-03-06T17:36:00.003-05:002016-07-06T11:41:38.184-04:00Virginia is For Book Lovers<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Times;">
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<i style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><b>(SPECIAL NOTE TO VIRGINIA TEACHERS!</b> Make sure you check out </i></div>
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<i style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the info on the SOL FB pages at the very end of this post!)</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlwwTW6QG93GCrOyEJTugigTdYWRCt-zj9abJFQceripMOMOZWFzb3sKseY9LxEnYQzHeMy5cPQEuunfQvg8jTAy1epoA2Z0wGWmvdj_EKSCh-23MN_ejBY_skbwIcFHCWxbbcR7FfWrFD/s1600/Reading+Kids+-+Header.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlwwTW6QG93GCrOyEJTugigTdYWRCt-zj9abJFQceripMOMOZWFzb3sKseY9LxEnYQzHeMy5cPQEuunfQvg8jTAy1epoA2Z0wGWmvdj_EKSCh-23MN_ejBY_skbwIcFHCWxbbcR7FfWrFD/s1600/Reading+Kids+-+Header.png" width="640"></a></div>
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I am so fortunate to have formed some wonderful friendships with an amazing group of Virginia bloggers! And while we have come to know each other well and found lots of things we have in common, the one unifying interest and topic of conversation is what goes on in our classrooms. Every few months or so we like to come together to share what we love so this time around we choose our love of books.</div>
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Each of us will share a book and resource that we LOVE to use in the classroom for this very special hop. Not only that, but you'll find a book giveaway on each page of the hop, with a super huge giveaway at the end!<br>
<a href="http://www.teachinginprogress.com/2015/03/virginia-is-for-book-lovers-blog-hop.html#more">Read more »</a>Nikki Sabistonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16310276917191243216noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-7043397615946227782015-02-16T00:16:00.003-05:002016-07-06T11:42:25.976-04:00What Invented Spelling Can Teach Us About George Washington's BirthplaceMy own children wrote before they read. When they were 3 or 4 years old, they wanted to write their name or label a picture they had drawn or help with the grocery list. Since they already knew letters and most sounds, they used invented spelling to try to get a word on paper. All before they could read a word. <br>
Watching this unfold was a profound experience for me as a teacher.<br>
<a href="http://www.teachinginprogress.com/2015/02/what-invented-spelling-can-teach-us.html#more">Read more »</a>Nikki Sabistonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16310276917191243216noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-10948997342886608442015-01-04T02:04:00.001-05:002016-07-06T10:46:18.064-04:00Do you Understand? Umm, I think so...Our school is moving towards standards based report cards next year. I had no idea what a contentious and multi-faceted subject this was until I put a 'what are your thoughts on standards based reporting?' post on my FB page. <br />
Oh my gosh, there are a million ways to do standards based reporting! Some love it, some hate it, and some have, at least, come to accept it.<br />
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At any rate, I know I will have to go there next year and I am glad my school system shared with us in advance instead of springing it on us next August. (I know you've all been to one of THOSE meetings!)<br />
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One of the things they have told teachers to do in advance is to ready the kids for the change over. They want the students to understand and use the system before it starts, so we have been asked to begin using a common language based on the standards rubric. It is a 4 point scale ranging from 1 (no or little understanding) to 4 (mastery). We are to ask the kids to self assess after lessons using this scale.<br />
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I thought about how to make this whole thing work without spending a ton of time or causing even more confusion, so I decided my kids needed a visual of the rubric. I made a chart that serves both as a reminder of what the scale means and as a reminder for me to actually use it. <br />
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I must admit that it has been very helpful for the kids and for me. Sometimes I use it as an exit ticket and have the kids write their number of understanding and a quick sentence explaining why they chose it. Sometimes I just have kids hold up their fingers to show me their number. In any case, I get a quick overview of how the class feels about their understanding the concept or the lesson.<br />
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I also made small, quarter sheet copies for the kids to keep in their desks and to share at home. <span style="text-align: center;">If you would like a copy of the rubric (it is in both color and black and white), click on the picture:)</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">And if you have any advice to share to make our transition any easier - please leave a comment! I need all the help I can get!</span><br />
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<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0cRFOC7bMYwOFZKc0FIMVlmLUk/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank"><img alt="A free, visual self assessment rubric to help students communicate understanding." border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUOxNhRqyRD0CPUnsyaJSADhmy_Kw2yOU-sg9xu2f5w6VXjS8LhpDMTSsvtczm84fMU0QpRqk5QCh4K8o8JS5LXPdhnEv8i_60CtyMLgEPdNn_ejSfCPp8qL9TVE6x0GJqySkv7hzrkpOt/s1600/Slide1.PNG" title="A free, visual self assessment rubric to help students communicate understanding." width="494" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Clip art by http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Ron-Leishman-Digital-Toonage</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhPBxDP8wwwhij3Es8-YzqaaPpElKNuHXYz_2R9tAu0GPp1upfjxVlJOCB73_BkOmvy-b-NYM1k4cHWHN9xRbTxmCZZv-N_Tu8Dd56tN8X69hyphenhyphenQqIlPCpEfe8H-Bq9s79VbOTELs3AtmvL/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhPBxDP8wwwhij3Es8-YzqaaPpElKNuHXYz_2R9tAu0GPp1upfjxVlJOCB73_BkOmvy-b-NYM1k4cHWHN9xRbTxmCZZv-N_Tu8Dd56tN8X69hyphenhyphenQqIlPCpEfe8H-Bq9s79VbOTELs3AtmvL/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>
Nikki Sabistonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16310276917191243216noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-86456561857121395682014-10-16T21:15:00.000-04:002016-07-06T10:47:42.360-04:00Fall Fun with the Virginia Teacher Bloggers<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidhqLk6Mx_5mtkpf0e0Pzeq7j4nEM8zoMkES6BeFnYJTTnT_mLleHV1Rv9O75aSVMjtGg2MaR1BZovBFQvwvXQXC_J80Wr5Q_KEanIsStfMCQ4HB2vqInFPmx5xNA5MHtk-iMzA1nqO0Hb/s1600/Slide1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidhqLk6Mx_5mtkpf0e0Pzeq7j4nEM8zoMkES6BeFnYJTTnT_mLleHV1Rv9O75aSVMjtGg2MaR1BZovBFQvwvXQXC_J80Wr5Q_KEanIsStfMCQ4HB2vqInFPmx5xNA5MHtk-iMzA1nqO0Hb/s1600/Slide1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
As sad as I am to see summer go, I must admit that autumn in Virginia is beautiful. We are so fortunate to have four distinct seasons, each one with it's own beauty and benefits.<br />
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Autumn in central Virginia is usually still rather warm, with temps in the 70s and even the 80s some days. My children wear shorts right on into November most years. The nights cool down a bit and it's nice to sleep with the windows open. No AC and no heat, just nice breezes blowing through open windows, frogs and critters singing throughout the night.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxDxqPh6FCgIoC0E1TViUn1y5X4GFmgw2tiAw141lmaqe6ufhl9faFjzBLvWn1_wr4wso76dUPwgbO0Mxk49oj7Cfn0a1f3J-Z5-auXFUIvG0RiPFRLVOhQQdGe_G8EHkY2l3lD1ke8nP/s1600/334420_4338394871188_1670203611_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxDxqPh6FCgIoC0E1TViUn1y5X4GFmgw2tiAw141lmaqe6ufhl9faFjzBLvWn1_wr4wso76dUPwgbO0Mxk49oj7Cfn0a1f3J-Z5-auXFUIvG0RiPFRLVOhQQdGe_G8EHkY2l3lD1ke8nP/s1600/334420_4338394871188_1670203611_o.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
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This weekend, all my boys and I will hit the pumpkin patch and bring home our jack-o-lantern fixin's. Here are some pics from previous pumpkin trips:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMnBDokDwFCcwcgWt1aV6EkxBlPB8BhHw1dHK5xGr3FjdtzGKnKj43LUe5C3TxdYDJT0COEFnZKYKWgNNrGWm1AunpZNwOhrPPlZ35ODA0_uaiXTn8rTezUx2yn_eoTxRKZanFmOKjdGkd/s1600/1385521_10201552676571899_1587305781_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMnBDokDwFCcwcgWt1aV6EkxBlPB8BhHw1dHK5xGr3FjdtzGKnKj43LUe5C3TxdYDJT0COEFnZKYKWgNNrGWm1AunpZNwOhrPPlZ35ODA0_uaiXTn8rTezUx2yn_eoTxRKZanFmOKjdGkd/s1600/1385521_10201552676571899_1587305781_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="text-align: left;">*UPDATE*</span><br />
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We went to the pumpkin patch on Saturday morning! </div>
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Here is this year's pic:)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJzHnNte1ia93YRq1CDyRLcK10JXJC7fHjPjhu9cmFBGSB5gHXr457FQEv8N_YSHovF5pnX0eGBZRxCGqC3gYQ3hQE6dGzpDUQ1aKCSm0A62GYUaYBv2xjska6yQePN2dvQgfTywaHspdV/s1600/1506455_10204036670390192_5880480119759119463_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJzHnNte1ia93YRq1CDyRLcK10JXJC7fHjPjhu9cmFBGSB5gHXr457FQEv8N_YSHovF5pnX0eGBZRxCGqC3gYQ3hQE6dGzpDUQ1aKCSm0A62GYUaYBv2xjska6yQePN2dvQgfTywaHspdV/s1600/1506455_10204036670390192_5880480119759119463_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And now to share a little pumpkin fun!</div>
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Word problems are so important for our kids. They need to have daily opportunities to solve all different kinds of word problems. And not just any old problem we come up with on the fly. </div>
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Did you know there are four different types of word problems? </div>
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And 11 subsets? Take a look...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw41-IVIXz2ho0leUFTdewk9BxoXUnij7AhdsY7HmpC047Q_HmfS-7d2ntRhUTlPL1HgDGNAM7HtuNsZVRbYrmxTyMl6MVrK2IXtjn39E_2xkG0s4IhxyxPcm_YiUlG55iL3Udxe31j4t4/s1600/Slide4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw41-IVIXz2ho0leUFTdewk9BxoXUnij7AhdsY7HmpC047Q_HmfS-7d2ntRhUTlPL1HgDGNAM7HtuNsZVRbYrmxTyMl6MVrK2IXtjn39E_2xkG0s4IhxyxPcm_YiUlG55iL3Udxe31j4t4/s1600/Slide4.JPG" width="247" /></a></div>
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But who has time to come up with several new problems every day? And to make sure all the different problem types are covered? I do!! And I am sharing a part of the new October Daily Word Problem packet. I hope you can use it and if you like it, the whole 60 page packet is available on TpT <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Daily-Word-Problem-Practice-October-1504496" target="_blank">HERE</a>, as well as several other <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Teaching-In-Progress/Category/Daily-Word-Problem-Packs" target="_blank">Daily Word Problem Packs</a>.</div>
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Click the picture to get the freebie:)</div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Daily-Word-Problem-Practice-October-Freebie-Sampler-1503025"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieweKrAll4-wYMGCIqRvF6v0jsuYA4hux0W0W1p40mbZgmWTDAfDikXiPVYu8H4BP1iUJ5NrFzBk4fsNYOjbfJ7Y2QQ_bZGhm4iWaKc1-vkV8d35C6oP_redzYy1NgIQm-QXL5lEgDj_uY/s1600/October+Daily+Word+ProblemFREEBIE.png" width="247" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmA-FV_WqmuuuawvP5AzSdm32BGxy_x-lgCzRZiU8X2Sqh9gsUyBnF3a208_dEwiiwvin42l78dbxpYgzv_cOKMonR6DCHRe0P4aYXLSI39T3VekYXTIQACvapQHd-Y1xorJkSMmrCbxCz/s1600/oct1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLjjHlIQBObgqxog291PLspFygJyZtzNyL-HFxV6A9dVGkz1xC3v9AjJUZN7r9TZBrcG7WNoL81fESr5xc4Ti9HAzML84QgXuiZa8pxSvKbYM_dBs-3OuFGMnF0FnbalvUiXncSpQWgT5a/s1600/oct2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLjjHlIQBObgqxog291PLspFygJyZtzNyL-HFxV6A9dVGkz1xC3v9AjJUZN7r9TZBrcG7WNoL81fESr5xc4Ti9HAzML84QgXuiZa8pxSvKbYM_dBs-3OuFGMnF0FnbalvUiXncSpQWgT5a/s1600/oct2.png" width="155" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmA-FV_WqmuuuawvP5AzSdm32BGxy_x-lgCzRZiU8X2Sqh9gsUyBnF3a208_dEwiiwvin42l78dbxpYgzv_cOKMonR6DCHRe0P4aYXLSI39T3VekYXTIQACvapQHd-Y1xorJkSMmrCbxCz/s1600/oct1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmA-FV_WqmuuuawvP5AzSdm32BGxy_x-lgCzRZiU8X2Sqh9gsUyBnF3a208_dEwiiwvin42l78dbxpYgzv_cOKMonR6DCHRe0P4aYXLSI39T3VekYXTIQACvapQHd-Y1xorJkSMmrCbxCz/s1600/oct1.png" width="149" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA1Fc_3BIoe0cVQxU3pYPa1XS33fgyY7aqOEPjK1hpdVCQDpl6C3ihxRbOGyUY-hyFh_5g4yhuJTa3cV60fsGUo0gI8abQud2AAgo2Ob0refkjauDnDr5Gb5OC0NmmpHRkNPi4NRkI6XwZ/s1600/oct3.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA1Fc_3BIoe0cVQxU3pYPa1XS33fgyY7aqOEPjK1hpdVCQDpl6C3ihxRbOGyUY-hyFh_5g4yhuJTa3cV60fsGUo0gI8abQud2AAgo2Ob0refkjauDnDr5Gb5OC0NmmpHRkNPi4NRkI6XwZ/s1600/oct3.png" width="148" /></a></div>
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And now on to the next stop in the hop for another Fun Fun Treat:)</div>
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<a href="http://soltrainlearning.blogspot.com/2014/10/getting-festive-for-fall-with-virginia.html"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9JWEFoAY_Zro8-Pfc_9g_IGmgLS6i7A5ivySCPztA4Ya3mobduJjotDRVSjnLoZ5pAQ01POC5_W_QIjA6HymOg2_bEYzdloePJyHQpF_lNFX54dudCONkxT2x6NfVTPx-nzp-oo9_2HnQ/s1600/Next+Stop.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Nikki Sabistonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16310276917191243216noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-65419515276575457462014-09-26T00:09:00.000-04:002016-07-06T10:49:59.058-04:00Never Too Old For Paint And GlitterWhen I was moved from first grade to fourth grade this year, someone said, "Well, no more fun stuff for you!" All those fun games and crafts that we do in first grade replaced by study guides and test taking skills and note taking. Ugg.<br />
<br />
So, I decided early on that I could not survive that kind of boredom and I did not want to have that kind of classroom. I packed up all the paints and brushes and glitter and moved them to fourth grade!<br />
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And you know what I discovered? It is SO MUCH EASIER to use paint and glitter with fourth graders! They can follow directions and not make a gigantic mess! Then they clean everything up all by themselves at the end. It's amazingly easy!<br />
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So today we explored the parts of a flower and pollination with glitter:)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihNSVlRE9UlAwl4Afc0zfpZZwQK2TLPhjuxnpwO-TAhxz3ER5epV3bgJw4tNiAbUJE78ZBC2gMQMmTeQ45N8SgTlNIqcolC6scZU-DknFo2NI3NmC_Hc6V_kW8qPxThRRpZWFwz2zSdJln/s1600/photo+3+(10).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihNSVlRE9UlAwl4Afc0zfpZZwQK2TLPhjuxnpwO-TAhxz3ER5epV3bgJw4tNiAbUJE78ZBC2gMQMmTeQ45N8SgTlNIqcolC6scZU-DknFo2NI3NmC_Hc6V_kW8qPxThRRpZWFwz2zSdJln/s1600/photo+3+(10).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I used the<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Parts-of-a-flower-fold-learn-662569"> Parts of A Flower Fold and Learn</a> from <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Lita-Lita">Lita Lita</a>.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Parts-of-a-flower-fold-learn-662569"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkSvg1qGDxeArZEecNu2URRMRQ-EieSgRHVSklws3oW18JUyE0RhoTIYyCnQGAEkPQshXUIXKv1wGAv4RWBMPMN7eLKTmbFrhFUm2MhmAhYb2Kp_YH_jbO66I49zmC0klC6tmowhQ2LucO/s1600/original-662569-1.jpg" width="268" /></a></div>
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After we labeled the flower parts and put them all together, we added pollen (glitter) to the anthers. We noticed how the glitter got on our hands and we transferred it to our desks and faces and chairs and everywhere. We were pollinators!</div>
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We pollinated all the flowers and learned the parts of the flower in the process. </div>
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We had a great time and they even worked through indoor recess to finish it! The power of glitter. :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsD2iSFXPGAtmW1vATVzHbmRxTlfWnu-c0V2bPsn3temAf3stU8f6TMXlOfQtI8blstZ5OBppzAirA5yahLL2DUBpjTDBV5OS-wq2I6_KpiKQT1o10_QpTMG3bHE8wC0mAdmVC-5uKVjUR/s1600/photo+1+(11).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsD2iSFXPGAtmW1vATVzHbmRxTlfWnu-c0V2bPsn3temAf3stU8f6TMXlOfQtI8blstZ5OBppzAirA5yahLL2DUBpjTDBV5OS-wq2I6_KpiKQT1o10_QpTMG3bHE8wC0mAdmVC-5uKVjUR/s1600/photo+1+(11).JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Tomorrow - fractions and paper plates and stickers!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhPBxDP8wwwhij3Es8-YzqaaPpElKNuHXYz_2R9tAu0GPp1upfjxVlJOCB73_BkOmvy-b-NYM1k4cHWHN9xRbTxmCZZv-N_Tu8Dd56tN8X69hyphenhyphenQqIlPCpEfe8H-Bq9s79VbOTELs3AtmvL/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhPBxDP8wwwhij3Es8-YzqaaPpElKNuHXYz_2R9tAu0GPp1upfjxVlJOCB73_BkOmvy-b-NYM1k4cHWHN9xRbTxmCZZv-N_Tu8Dd56tN8X69hyphenhyphenQqIlPCpEfe8H-Bq9s79VbOTELs3AtmvL/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>
Nikki Sabistonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16310276917191243216noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-84242223002258981382014-08-24T15:47:00.002-04:002016-07-07T19:56:39.007-04:00Take A Number and Get in the Crazy Line<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuKH7TdecmTkhUOTZmRoE7rBH6cFRLBj4YNlNbIf3em0DCFxbf5LlGx167eL5Md3VUem1pc0cawZqNhLKVCPvOJevVqqKPmXRkc0WEEWazxB0CH1Hx6_ag0OTMAjv-i6B1qnQTFDPvuVoG/s1600/crazy+line.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="We can't deal with the academic stuff until we deal with the emotional stuff." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuKH7TdecmTkhUOTZmRoE7rBH6cFRLBj4YNlNbIf3em0DCFxbf5LlGx167eL5Md3VUem1pc0cawZqNhLKVCPvOJevVqqKPmXRkc0WEEWazxB0CH1Hx6_ag0OTMAjv-i6B1qnQTFDPvuVoG/s1600/crazy+line.png" title="We can't deal with the academic stuff until we deal with the emotional stuff." /></a></div>
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<b>Sunday morning. 10:05 am.</b> <br />
Mom and three handsome, smiling boys sitting nicely in the church pew, filled with the love of God and basking in the presence of the Holy Spirit.<br />
"The Lord be with you."<br />
"And also with you."<br />
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<b>Rewind 10 minutes.</b><br />
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<b>Sunday morning. 9:55 am. </b><br />
Mom and three disagreeable boys driving to church.<br />
(Dad is conveniently home sick:)<br />
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Stop touching your brother!<br />
No you may not take your iPod to church.<br />
Joe! That is not a church word!<br />
Did you even brush your hair?<br />
I said no name calling! God does not appreciate you calling your brother a butt face on the way to church!<br />
Leave him alone!<br />
<b>Oh. My. God! Stop that crap! We are about to enter the House of the LORD!!</b><br />
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It's like driving around a circus full of monkeys.<br />
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But we leave the crazy in the car and when we get to that church door - we take a deep breath, put on a smile, and enter ready for what we came here for in the first place. And at the end of the service, we are renewed and ready for the next battle.<br />
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Which will probably happen in the car on the way home.<br />
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I know you've been there. It may not have been church - it may have been a trip to Grandma's or to the supermarket or cub scouts or whatever. Inside the car, all the crazy in the universe descends upon your family and you start to wonder if the jail time would be worth duct taping them to the hood. <br />
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Then, you arrive, shout out the last threat of violence or loss of the xBox, leave the crazy in the car and everyone pulls it together. <br />
Ready to go.<br />
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As I reflected on all of this today, I realized two things.<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">1.</span></b> I do this everyday on the way to work. <br />
I let go of my crazy. (At least I try.)<br />
My son's last minute 7a.m. panic "I have to print my homework right now and the printer won't work!"<br />
Did I actually put food in Joe's lunchbox.<br />
I hope that insane administrator leaves me alone today. <br />
I swear if I have to fill out one more data sheet, I'm going to...<br />
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I need to leave it in the car, take a deep breath, put a smile on my face, and enter that classroom ready.<br />
My crazy will still be sitting there in the car waiting for me when I leave school.<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">2.</span></b> My students can't always do this.<br />
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Emotion rides in with my students every day - fear, worry, anger, hunger, aggravation, anxiety, excitement, silliness, confusion...<br />
Only they don't leave it in the car. They bring it in with them. <br />
In all it's glory and splendor.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPtul7fYc0fxKgzcmd8fP-cmEiFtW-weyorY770EHWVZf1FZvYDOTb_gqhouJnfvQKTXi6v7WXaVnSvmH3GyyH0u20Onxawan3VRIUoKOcMfTdSO3fcMhHcxdsqFdE9vEeEDZhPp20vZx8/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPtul7fYc0fxKgzcmd8fP-cmEiFtW-weyorY770EHWVZf1FZvYDOTb_gqhouJnfvQKTXi6v7WXaVnSvmH3GyyH0u20Onxawan3VRIUoKOcMfTdSO3fcMhHcxdsqFdE9vEeEDZhPp20vZx8/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div>
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I feel pressured by the pace of the day, the pace of the curriculum, the drive to meet assessment scores, the urgency to move on. <br />
Pressured to ignore all that emotion spilling out all over the place and get ready for that danged test!<br />
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I need to stop. <br />
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Stop. Take a deep breath.<br />
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Take the time to acknowledge the feelings, to help them work through it, to be ready.<br />
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Breathe.<br />
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And all you legislators and administrators and educational "experts" need to take a number and get in the crazy line. <br />
Your cut scores and NCLB and rigor will have to wait until I sweep these emotions up off the floor and help some kids deal with some stuff.<br />
My kids can't learn until they're ready. <br />
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And I am going to help them get ready.<br />
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Nikki Sabistonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16310276917191243216noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-30039527072716020082014-08-20T01:04:00.000-04:002016-07-06T10:50:47.652-04:00First Year Flashback<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin74WguWXCxuT4bGwkcp87ogDkdSwSxP0I6qbk9VBwN_WIfpLOhRGYAbWo3ECmMtpgfvAX4G90EH18AkofZx37npHUXsDIkTqwhjB_pJ0Apsb0URnOZsi97rjh-Qrmz5slT1AlvXT3dpzv/s1600/First+Year+Flashback+badge.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Do you remember your first year? Reflections of the best and worst." border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin74WguWXCxuT4bGwkcp87ogDkdSwSxP0I6qbk9VBwN_WIfpLOhRGYAbWo3ECmMtpgfvAX4G90EH18AkofZx37npHUXsDIkTqwhjB_pJ0Apsb0URnOZsi97rjh-Qrmz5slT1AlvXT3dpzv/s320/First+Year+Flashback+badge.png" title="Do you remember your first year? Reflections of the best and worst." width="320" /></a></div>
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I am linking up with my friend Laurah from <a href="http://publicschoolteachersodyssey.blogspot.com/"><b>The ESOL Odyssey</b></a> to take a look back at my very first year of teaching 20 years ago, and possibly pass along a few words of wisdom. <br />
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<b> What age group and subject were you teaching?</b><br />
I was teaching third grade at an inner city school right in the middle of the public housing projects. The kids were street wise, living in poverty, and immersed in a very violent and scary world. Driving to work, I would watch numerous drug deals in the neighborhood as the children walked to school. Shootings were so frequent, many children slept on the floor for safety, and I would have to put duct tape over the holes in the Plexiglas windows on some mornings. If we heard gunfire during the day, we would step away from the windows and keep on teaching. There were drugs, knives, used condoms, and all sorts of other fun things found on the playground. Parents sometimes would have physical fights in the school or on the sidewalk outside of school. The swat team was in my school on more than one occasion. When I started, I was the only white person in the entire building including students and staff. I was in absolute culture shock. But the community came to trust me and accept me (every single parent came to parent conferences that year!) and those teachers were wonderful to me – the young, fresh out of college, blonde haired white girl who had no business there. They took me under their wings and taught me to be the tough old bird I am today.<br />
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I am forever grateful for the five years of invaluable experience I received in that place and I carry those children in my prayers to this day. <br />
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<b> What was your first classroom like?</b><br />
My first classroom was not very big since the school was built in the 60’s – your basic cinderblock rectangle. The real story was under the classroom. The school was built on an old landfill so there was an issue with methane gas being released. There were vents outside the building but we also had methane detectors all over the building. We also had high levels of carbon dioxide. The school system’s grand solution to this problem? Open the windows.<br />
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<b> Were you given supplies or materials?</b><br />
I remember having most of what we needed. We had a computer lab which was a pretty big deal back then. In the classroom, I had an overhead projector, a dot matrix printer and an Apple IIc that had a big 'ol floppy disc drive. There were some textbooks and I made lots of games. I think I was in complete survival mode and managed with what we had. The children brought nothing and every student in the school received free lunch.<br />
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<b> What was the hardest part of your first year of teaching?</b><br />
The children. Their lives were absolutely dreadful. They knew about things they shouldn’t know about. They lived in fear and hunger and want. I remember buying dozens of mittens and hats when it got cold and even a few pairs of shoes for some kids. It was heartbreaking.<br />
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<b> What was the best part of your first year of teaching?</b><br />
Survival. For some reason, probably ignorant youth, I had no fear. I was determined to make it work in that place and that is what I did.<br />
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<b> What do you know now that you wish you knew that first year?</b><br />
I am glad I did not know then what I know now. At this stage in the game, I have come to know the ugly truth behind the power and politics of education. Even though I have the ever-present optimism of a teacher, I also have a twinge of cynicism that comes with age and experience.<br />
My teaching may not have been top of the line, but my younger self had only optimism and fearlessness. Hope and possibility. Not such a bad way to start out in this profession.<br />
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I just realized that I really have no magical words of wisdom to share with a new teacher. There is no right answer. Be grateful for the journey and lift up the children who are along for the ride. <br />
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<a href="http://publicschoolteachersodyssey.blogspot.com/2014/08/first-year-flashback-linky-party.html"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9dKj2bj3JCJCwaeqOc1uJnSy6uDCFhIdOCREG3knBnQdt6HWYuIu9L7YiHNFJmZPkeGwHyYITz5VqdCr-D8TCab5KBvWN7gKldkP_8cH-4q6v7sq94pPzRb2ox9897A-LH79-XwcYEQej/s1600/First+Year+Flashback+badge.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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If you would like to link up and share your first year memories, please click here!!</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">My thoughts today do not come from the teacher in me, they are mommy thoughts. Although, I'm sure many teachers will be able to relate.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">My youngest son is almost 5, so I was growing a bit nostalgic about the toddler years. Those cute baby faces with big, rosy, squeezable cheeks, the emerging independence, earth shattering excitement about a butterfly or a worm, and the sweet kisses freely given. Ahhh, the good 'ol days...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Yes, I also remember the terribleness of those toddler years, the tantrums and "No!" and the exasperating dawdling. But it was only a part of growing up. That part is over now.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Then, my oldest boy turned 13. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I know those of you who have teens, have raised teens, have taught teens, or even just seen teens in a mall are shaking your heads right now saying, "Bless your heart." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The moment my sweet, intelligent, thoughtful, helpful, respectful, responsible 12 year old boy turned 13, all his brains drained right out of his ears. Gone. They were replaced by hormones, clinical level distractability, questionable sanity, and something that smells funny. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Wait! What!? Where is my boy? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Oh, look. He's in there. He's just been possessed by a toddler. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Now, if your kids have not yet reached the teen years, I am sorry to have to tell you this, but toddlers and teenagers are exactly alike. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Yes, that's right. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
You're going to go through the "Terrible Twos" all over again. You have about a decade to get ready.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br />And if you're a middle school teacher, well... Bless Your Heart.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br />So since becoming a mother of a teenage boy, I have discovered several ways that teens and toddlers are alike:</span><b style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></b></span><br />
<ol><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguLLWN9F7_fj5ioPTzpOcT_3s3eYt9dNvuPeTofunoMySBfOToM2LFKLTS4jeDJsYX5QZFLGOE-BBkhqjKfzYpivZvSK2Qkz8Zwavfoeq_oFaRx9u1maXi6zKbd7xxSjcA5saMH9M7pQui/s1600/Picture2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="7 Ways Teens and Toddlers are Exactly Alike" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguLLWN9F7_fj5ioPTzpOcT_3s3eYt9dNvuPeTofunoMySBfOToM2LFKLTS4jeDJsYX5QZFLGOE-BBkhqjKfzYpivZvSK2Qkz8Zwavfoeq_oFaRx9u1maXi6zKbd7xxSjcA5saMH9M7pQui/s1600/Picture2.png" title="7 Ways Teens and Toddlers are Exactly Alike" width="191" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Temper
tantrums:</b></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b> </b> “But I want to wear the </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: italic;">blue </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">shirt!” A toddler might lay in the floor and kick,
while the teenager slams a door, but essentially it’s the same thing. Copious amounts of pouting, screaming and
crying all around.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Sleep:</b></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> They both sleep about 14 hours a day and get
really cranky when they don’t get enough sleep.
At least teenagers don’t wake up at the butt crack of dawn.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Talking:</b></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Most of what they say makes absolutely no
sense 80% of the time. The other 20% of
the time, they’re whining.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Demanding:</b></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> They both demand we meet their needs
immediately, and if we don’t – well - see #1 above.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Listening to Reason:</b></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> "Don't do that - you will get hurt!" falls on deaf ears for toddlers and teens. And teens even have the nerve to say, "Nuh uh. I know what I'm doing." </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Decision
Making:</b></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> No need for explanation
here. Actually, I would bet that toddler
decision making trumps teenage decision making.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>The
Mess:</b></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Seriously. The Mess.
And neither is very good at cleaning up.</span></li>
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I have two more boys who will serve their 'possessed by a toddler' teen years soon. But I'm ready this time. <br />No, I don't have to get out baby gates and the time out chair. This time around I'll need wifi passwords and phone privileges.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhPBxDP8wwwhij3Es8-YzqaaPpElKNuHXYz_2R9tAu0GPp1upfjxVlJOCB73_BkOmvy-b-NYM1k4cHWHN9xRbTxmCZZv-N_Tu8Dd56tN8X69hyphenhyphenQqIlPCpEfe8H-Bq9s79VbOTELs3AtmvL/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhPBxDP8wwwhij3Es8-YzqaaPpElKNuHXYz_2R9tAu0GPp1upfjxVlJOCB73_BkOmvy-b-NYM1k4cHWHN9xRbTxmCZZv-N_Tu8Dd56tN8X69hyphenhyphenQqIlPCpEfe8H-Bq9s79VbOTELs3AtmvL/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhPBxDP8wwwhij3Es8-YzqaaPpElKNuHXYz_2R9tAu0GPp1upfjxVlJOCB73_BkOmvy-b-NYM1k4cHWHN9xRbTxmCZZv-N_Tu8Dd56tN8X69hyphenhyphenQqIlPCpEfe8H-Bq9s79VbOTELs3AtmvL/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></a>
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<br />
1. I am still a bit flummoxed by Twitter. <br />
2. I LOVE Instagram<br />
<br />
Even though my 13 year old, steeped in social media, too cool for mom, son will not accept my request to follow him and will not follow me.<br />
<b>Me: </b> Why can't I follow you?<br />
<b>Son:</b> You just can't.<br />
<b>Me:</b> Are you posting stuff you don't want me to see?<br />
<b>Son:</b> Yes. I mean, no. Nothing inappropriate. It's just... Really, Mom. It's just not ok for your mom to follow you.<br />
<b>Me:</b> Okay, I get that. Why won't you follow me?<br />
<b>Son:</b> I don't know. I guess I could. I just...<br />
<b>Me: </b> You just don't want to see my teacher crap while you're looking at all the cool stuff your friends post.<br />
<b>Son:</b> Yes. No. I mean... You know, kids don't really say 'cool' anymore, Mom.<br />
<b>Me:</b> What do they say?<br />
<b>Son:</b> I don't know. Are we done?<br />
<br />
But, I digress into the mysterious and inexplicable world of a teenager. Back to Instagram.<br />
<br />
I love Instagram. It's like Facebook without the drama. Pictures everywhere to feed my short, summer attention span. Little peeks into other people's lives which either make me feel either incredibly inferior or greatly relieved when I look back into my own life. Another time sucking internet hole. I love instagram!<br />
<br />
So I thought I would do a photo-a-day challenge to sort of jump into Instagram and get my feet wet.<br />
But my 'cool' media specialist son says it's dumb and annoying I am a complete dork for doing it.<br />
<br />
Well, I don't care! I will revel in my dorkiness! And I will take pictures of odd, random stuff for a month! I will post it and hashtag it! And I will join in solidarity with all the other moms of teens in the time honored tradition of embarrassing our children by doing 'mom stuff!"<br />
<br />
#dorkymomoftheyearaward #sillystuffteachersdoinsummer #Iloveinstagram<br />
<br />
I join Kacie from <a href="http://managingandmotivatingmathminds.blogspot.com/">Managing and Motivating Math Minds</a> in her <a href="http://managingandmotivatingmathminds.blogspot.com/2014/06/teachers-of-summer-instagram-challenge.html">Teachers of Summer Instagram Challenge</a><br />
You can find Kacie here: <a href="http://www.instagram.com/mmmmkacietravis">@mmmmkacietravis</a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Check out my summer teachery photo stuff and join in!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://instagram.com/teaching_in_progress">http://instagram.com/teaching_in_progress</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And leave your instagram link in the comments so I can follow you!</div>
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<a href="http://instagram.com/teaching_in_progress"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS1wLAeGqE7NiT-FToe8uZ0W48YgT80J0EO8yEGxiH1uERVFvAlIjW7Oj5TH_El6DjwLK7ik8l_LmbGEuX2SLALmzAC0X-KTEI5AaTxhArJ88vbpq5YXZwd1UTUYSt8bbh8gZgjXrvRUbr/s1600/Instagram+Photo+Challenge.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Nikki Sabistonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16310276917191243216noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-80671194690410828162014-06-19T00:48:00.000-04:002016-07-06T10:51:45.536-04:00Farewell, First Grade...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikGIdQizBcR80bIxtWeKu_Jr_PPVRIkzB4zTLLUZIj4FvmrCGxnmigX_ghMjJPXAtstAr6jEctD7Y1zvN2wFcQ2cbMTLEBFYGpyRaNVBv4_g_xsyBsAukQOS3pu_1hBFq3484GLxr4vXJ5/s1600/farewell+first+grade+FB.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Have you ever had to make a huge grade level jump? Here is how one teacher handled the news." border="0" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikGIdQizBcR80bIxtWeKu_Jr_PPVRIkzB4zTLLUZIj4FvmrCGxnmigX_ghMjJPXAtstAr6jEctD7Y1zvN2wFcQ2cbMTLEBFYGpyRaNVBv4_g_xsyBsAukQOS3pu_1hBFq3484GLxr4vXJ5/s640/farewell+first+grade+FB.png" title="Have you ever had to make a huge grade level jump? Here is how one teacher handled the news." width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Fourth Grade.<br />
<br />
I am not a 4th grade teacher. I am a <b>first grade</b> teacher.<br />
<br />
I have been a first grade teacher for 16 years. It is in my blood and my brain and my bones. I can recite first grade standards off the top of my head even after a full moon-holiday-Friday-before a break-pajama day-some kid didn't have his meds-day. While I clean up spilled milk, tie a shoe, and write a clinic pass. I've got the developmental intricacies of the six year old child down pat. Dear sweet mother of short vowel sounds, if I were a tattooed person, I'd probably have <b>First grade</b> tattooed on my first grade teachin' behind. <br />
<br />
I am a first grade teacher, dang it!<br />
<br />
Except that now I am not. Now I am a first grade teacher who has been <strike>asked</strike> told to teach fourth grade.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Fourth freaking grade, people!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
I know many of you teach 4th grade, love 4th grade, and can't get enough of the fabulousness that is 4th grade. I have the utmost respect and admiration for each of you (especially the ones who taught my boys:)<br />
But I am not a fourth grade teacher. (Remember all that first grade-got it all down-tattooed butt stuff? First grade teacher right here, folks.)<br />
<br />
Now, I know what you're thinking. <br />
Stop whining, you big, first grade baby. At least you've got a job and you're certified for fourth grade so just suck it up, buttercup.<br />
<br />
And you are right.<br />
<br />
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<br /></div>
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But, you see, I have only progressed to the second Stage of Grief. Anger. </div>
<div>
(I quickly moved through stage one (denial) when I had to pack up sixteen years worth of first grade crap and drag it all home in cardboard liquor store boxes.)</div>
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<br /></div>
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Stage two is much more fun than stage one. I have pretty much wallowed in stage two and it's working for me right now.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
The third Stage of Grief is bargaining. Well, I can just skip right over that useless mess because there's no one with whom to bargain. The principal has spoken and that is that, apparently. </div>
<div>
I suppose I could bargain with God, but I kinda used up my three wishes on that full moon-holiday-Friday-before a break-pajama day-some kid didn't have his meds-day. And it's pretty darn clear that my Guardian Angel has also been reassigned. She's probably watching over some poor middle school teacher.</div>
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So anger it is for now.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Although, I did get glimpse of Stage Four today. Depression.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
When I was moving some of my stuff into the fourth grade classroom, I happened across a math book. A fourth grade math book. It had decimals it, people. DECIMALS! And multiplication. And long division. Good lord, I can barely type that without breaking into hives.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Clearly depression is on the horizon for me if I can ever break free of stage two.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Now, I have heard all the lovely, supportive, uplifting, motivating <strike>bunch of crap</strike> (there's stage two rearing it's ugly head, again) encouragement that has been sent my way lately.</div>
<br />
<ul>
<li>You might grow to love it:)</li>
<li>Your principal sees something in you that can't see.</li>
<li>Everything happens for a reason - it will all work out.</li>
<li>If you're a great teacher, it doesn't matter what grade you teach - you'll be great!</li>
</ul>
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<br /></div>
<div>
I sooo appreciate all the words of support and encouragement. I really do. </div>
<div>
I'll come back and read them again when I reach Stage Five - Acceptance. If I ever get there. </div>
<div>
That'll be the day that I am sprawled out in the tattoo parlor getting Maurice to figure out how to turn First Grade into a dragonfly fluttering across my backside.</div>
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Nikki Sabistonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16310276917191243216noreply@blogger.com59tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-17711634208151312142014-03-05T00:38:00.003-05:002016-08-11T12:59:52.038-04:00I Kind of Am In It For the Money...This is a bit of a rant, so be forewarned...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqgjiehfIqYhOigAThAhdpS9STmAjhamlp23qShv_fAXI511ksIJA0GVIz4jbK7yfGg7E1I1NsGsSGW4QOGyllOY1H6Y08rh9aZb7djnxrRyCsKy-GMYCDaNc2gaY2v1KNw5WlaJg2lyGB/s1600/in+it+for+money.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="I will not use making a difference in children's lives as an excuse to accept low wages." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqgjiehfIqYhOigAThAhdpS9STmAjhamlp23qShv_fAXI511ksIJA0GVIz4jbK7yfGg7E1I1NsGsSGW4QOGyllOY1H6Y08rh9aZb7djnxrRyCsKy-GMYCDaNc2gaY2v1KNw5WlaJg2lyGB/s1600/in+it+for+money.png" title="I will not use making a difference in children's lives as an excuse to accept low wages." /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
I am growing weary of seeing <b>cutesy teachery sayings</b> all over the internet that try to convince me my low pay for long hours is worth it.<br />
You know, because of the kids.<br />
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>We expect teachers to reach unattainable goals with inadequate resources. <br />The miracle is this: they often do.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #38761d; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I am a Teacher. Instead of Making Money, I Decided to Make A Difference</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="color: lime;"><br /></span><span style="color: orange;">Teaching: We are not in it for the income, we are in it for the Outcome.</span></span></b><br />
<br />
Well, I gotta tell ya - I kinda <i>am</i> in it for the income.<br />
<br />
I don't mean rock star money. <br />
<br />
I mean a well educated professional with a ridiculous level of responsibility money.<br />
I mean expected to keep children safe and possibly give up my own safety to do so money.<br />
<br />
I'm not asking for much. I have as much education as an attorney and at least as much responsibility. <br />
I'm not even asking for that much money.<br />
<br />
I'm just asking to make a living wage so I don't have to rob Peter to pay Paul every month.<br />
Just normal living expenses, nothing extravagant. You know, just food, shelter, basic clothing, possibly a little ice cream now and again.<br />
<br />
And don't make me feel guilty when you do give me a raise and make it look like I'm stealing candy from a baby!<br />
Don't tell me I shouldn't ask for more, because, <i>really</i>, it's for the <i>children</i>.<br />
<br />
Why do folks find it so reprehensible to pay teachers an adequate wage? <br />
<br />
Is it because there are so many of us? If so many people are able to do it, it must not be that special?<br />
<br />
Is it because everyone has been to school and it looks easy so it must be easy?<br />
<br />
Is it because we put up with it and continue to work crazy long hours and do loads of extra work without demanding compensation?<br />
<br />
Is it because simply screaming to the rooftops that we value children in our society doesn't really make it true?<br />
<br />
<br />
Now, don't get me wrong - I do love my kids! I take them home in my heart and in my head every single night. They make me laugh and cringe and wonder and weep. Helping kids learn is tons of fun and I will continue to teach because it is my career, my calling, my niche.<br />
I love my job.<br />
And my second job, which supplements the first job.<br />
<br />
<b>So, I will not accept that working 60+ hours while being paid for 40 is the expectation and an obligation. </b><br />
<b><br />I won't be pinning the cute little sign that tells the world I don't value my job enough not to expect to be properly compensated for it.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>I will not revel in the fact that I can work miracles with inadequate resources. </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>I will not use making a difference in children's lives as an excuse to accept low wages.</b><br />
<br />
Because it <i>is</i> about the children. Do we not value them enough to also value those who guide them, teach them, keep them safe?<br />
<br />
Screaming to the rooftops that we value children in our society doesn't really make it true.<br />
Sometimes you have to prove it.<br />
<br />
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Nikki Sabistonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16310276917191243216noreply@blogger.com33