May

30

Finding a balance between work and play is crucial.

Filed Under Dealing With Stress, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Finding a balance between work and play is crucial. We all know that a balance between the two is necessary for our mental and physical well being, and yet we often struggle unsuccessfully to achieve it. When I say we, I mean teachers as well as students. How much time is there for play for teachers or students around report card time or during the last month of school?

During the last few weeks of school, our grade eight students do exit interviews. The students show us their portfolios that showcase their work and talk about their experiences during the past year. Yesterday, as part of the exit interview I asked a student

“If you could change one thing about school what would that be?”, I asked Ada (not her real name)

“Homework”, she said. “I wouldn’t let all the teachers give us all that work to do just before report cards. I know that teachers need marks for report cards, but it’s too much when they all give us all that work at the same time. It’s not that I don’t want to do homework, it’s just that it’s too much work at one time. That’s what I’d want to change.”

I hear where she’s coming from. I’m sure you do too. We’ve all felt the same way when the demands of work or school take over our lives. It’s definitely not good when all we’re doing is working. You know what they say about all work and no play.

I love this little video because it makes this point in a humorous way.

Watch more cool animation and creative cartoons at aniBoom

Just taking the time from work to watch this video and having a chuckle about it is a step in the right direction. :)

What do you do to try to achieve and maintain that balance between work and play that is so crucial to our physical and mental well being?

May

29

Keeping things in perspective

Filed Under Graphic Organizers, The Way I See It, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

Next week is the last week of regular classes before exams, and I'm dreading all the paper work that the end of the school year demands. I wouldn't say that I was exactly feeling sorry for myself-well maybe a teensy weensy bit. I know that there are lots of worse jobs than doing the end of school year paper work, but sometime I forget. What can I say. At times, I'm can be just as self centered as the next person. The cartoon provided a nice little reality check. I think I'll print it out and post it on my bulletin board above my desk, just above the piles of paperwork.

May

22

More great graphic organizers for you to use in the classroom

Filed Under Graphic Organizers, Uncategorized | 4 Comments

I love using graphic organizers in the classroom to teach and evaluate students understanding of a topic or concept. I’ve written about them here and here before. Even my most reluctant and/or struggling students find graphic organizers engaging. I’ve noticed that my students who display ADHD type symptoms seem to be able to focus better when creating graphic organizers.

A few days ago I came across a site www.classtools.net that has wonderful graphic organizers. The graphic organizers are interactive, a feature I really appreciate. I’ve posted a few examples to give you an idea are engaging they are. I intend to use them with my students.

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