First Semester Update: Part 1

I can hardly believe that I've literally not blogged since August! Time certainly does fly...

In my defense, I spent most of August through October completing requirements for my website on global education. A few new things are going to be added to the site over the next couple of weeks as I prepare to present at the SC Middle School Conference in February. You can access it here: Wildcats Globalized

In the classroom, I've been focusing on a few things this year including the following: technology use (with purpose), vocabulary strategies, and map skills.
I'm fortunate to teach about a variety of cultures, belief systems, and governments in my World History class. This year, I have 4 "regular" classes and 2 "advanced." Much of my time has been focused on developing an "advanced" curriculum since this is the first year we've had this track at my school. It has definitely been a learning process.

My first few posts of the new year will be dedicated to sharing some of the work of my students and some techniques that have worked and some that have failed.

Much of the first semester was spent of developing map/ geography skills. Many of my students couldn't label the seven continents on a map and also had difficultly finding North America. I knew we'd have our work cut out for us.
Already, students have completed several mapping assignments. Most are drawn/ traced by hand and labelled according to a requirement sheet. Two maps we've done this year are pictured.

Jitters & Things...

What Stuck? & New Curtains

Today was the first day back at school with the students. This year has been interesting. We weren't allowed in our classrooms early due to renovations throughout the building. I had decided earlier in the summer not to go in early this year and I believe it was the best decision I could have made. Our administration was generous enough to give us ample time to prepare for registration last Saturday.
There have been quite a few changes to my room. Nothing spectacular, but different enough to spice things up for me! I moved my desk, added curtains, added a word wall, and updated my filing cabinets and storage unit. Of course, there are a few other things I'd like to do, but time is not on my side at the moment. Between revamping my interactive notebooking technique, designing an advanced course, finishing my Brazil project, planning inservice presentations, and incorporating global competencies in my curriculum, I'd say I'm slightly overwhelmed....but who's not???


Today marked the first day with my new kids. It took me FOREVER to fall asleep! I'm happy I was able to sleep well because upon arriving to school my computer crashed when I was supposed to go meet my homeroom! I was tardy(ish) picking up my kids, but eventually got computer to cooperate.


While You Were Out Board & Turn In Trays

It's so amazing how different each batch of kids is from one year to the next. I'm excited to see how the year unfolds! Today's group of kids completed an anchor chart on what they thought a great teacher should be. I got some very interesting and enlightened responses. We had a great discussion about their expectations of what teachers should and should not do. From the exercise, I was able to learn that my students wanted a teacher that genuinely cares about them and helps them learn. I didn't necessarily learn anything new, it sure does make a HUGE difference actually hearing it straight from the kiddos! Tomorrow's group will clue me in on aspects of a great student! I'm looking forward to an amazing year!!!!



Obsessed with my new The Hungry Caterpillar borde