Tuesday Tidbit

New mantra: Tuesday will be my blogging day!

I wanted to share about a wonderful resource that I discovered last year. Anyone that uses the news show Channel One News in their classroom is already familiar with the lyrics of Flocabulary. Last year, a friend ushered me to the following site: www.flocabulary.com. It's an educational hip-hop site. There are free songs and videos you can access. If you like it enough, you can even enjoy a two week free trial (I used the free trial last year and got my school to purchase books and cds for me this year)! My kids LOVE learning the raps and I LOVE that they are learning about ancient history in the process.
I shall conclude today by sharing the words of wisdom I departed to my class of students who all want to be famous football players and the next pop sensation: "Don't become too famous!"
Crazy weird. I know. However, after sitting beside the star player of the Clemson football team at brunch on Sunday and getting super stinky service because he was in the building, I am stepping up on my soap box. Plus, he had football and posters (where they came from, I will never know) shoved in his face to sign along with being gawked at through the entire meal. I'm not mad at him and actually feel really sorry that he can't go anywhere without being BOLDLY stalked. Stepping down from soap box and reading for my TGC online class. The day never ends...

Tuesday Tidbit #1

Normally, I would never double post...who has the time?!?
Since Tuesday will be one of the "free" days during the year, I figured I would designate it as my day to blog. I'm sure that might fly out of the window once the kids come next week, but I'm gonna give it a solid try.
I was talking with a new teacher today and was asked a great question that got my wheels turning.
What do you know now, that you wish you had known when you first started teaching?

Here are my top the lessons learned/ pieces of advice for the new kids on the block:

1. The bookkeeper should be your best friend.
   I don't know how things work at other schools, but if my bookkeeper ever decided to leave, I'd head out the door with her. The woman single-handedly runs the school. OK, not literally, but seriously, we'd fall apart without her. The bookkeeper knows all the ins and outs and can even "suggest" ways for you to get the things you need with you can't afford them. My basic philosophy is to treat her right & sing her praises!
2. Lessons will fail.
   Every lesson will not go as planned. Be flexible and adapt it for later use. There is no need to beat yourself up when things go wrong. Learn from it. There is absolutely no point in dwelling on the negatives. Remember writing all of those reflections in college...yeah...
3. Find a friend.
   You must have at least one friend in your school building. When I moved a few years ago to my current school, I was beyond nervous to be the newbie. I most certainly didn't need to worry because from the moment I stepped onto the campus, I had two immediate friends/ team teachers take me under their wings.
   You need someone to collaborate with and to vent with. OK, if  nothing else, a venting partner will do. You can't do it all alone.
4. Don't forget about the rest of your life.
   Sometimes I feel that I give everything, including my "personal time," to my students/ job. As my friend say, "There are people in real life who want to talk to you." Be sure to plan time for yourself and time with the people you care about most. I can be easy to lose yourself and others in the mix.
5. Kids forgive and forget (even if you don't).
   I teach sixth graders and trust my, they do forgive and forget even faster. We're not perfect beings so we will screw up sometimes, but apologize and keep it moving. The kids won't hold it against you. I think it's good for them to see that sometimes (like once a year), we don't have it all together.

What is some advice you'd give a novice? I'd love to hear what you think.