my version of transparent, collaborative leadership...with a Teamann twist

Show some #teacherappreciation with these happy notes!

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happynotesI have posted before about how much I enjoy a happy note….so I made up a few more that may fit into your world!

As an educator, I can tell you that I LOVE receiving little notes of appreciation from my administrators and students every once in a while. Who doesn’t like to be told that s/he is doing something right and that work is not going unnoticed? Being an adult, let alone a child, can be really tough, so a little message to tell a person that s/he is an important part of your day can go a long way!

Need another reason? Writing thank-you notes can carry a more selfish incentive, studies find. When people list the things they’re grateful for, their overall mood improves and their depressive symptoms subside. You feel more at ease, less stressed, and more mindful of the things that make you happy — which, after writing the thank-you notes, can itself be added to the list.

To get my free 8 note set, simply subscribe to this blog via email!  (There’s a  link on the top right!) You won’t miss a post and I will email you the free .pdf that makes writing your notes that much easier! If you already subscribe, look for it in your (e)mailbox this week!

 

Make someone else day…and see if it doesn’t just make yours instead!

Amber

Resources for National Writing Day….errrr…Week!

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Happy Monday! We have some amazing learning specialists that work with our campus who are practically mind readers. I had a writing day post ready to go and then I received more resources so I’ve added hers below as well. (Thanks, Laura Moore!)

 

We all know writing is a life-long skill. Students are writing in all content areas and sharing their ideas through writing. As a former fourth grade writing teacher, I know the struggle to include as much writing as possible. Even if you’re not a writing teacher, you have the opportunity to add writing…as well as increase a students vocabulary. Take advantage of that academic vocabulary and get creative!

 

Here are some ideas to celebrate National Day on Writing:

  • Roll a story! During your literacy centers, have your students get creative with this writing freebie. It would be easy to turn this into a science or math center as well!
  • Create a writer’s checklist! As a class develop a checklist of all the attributes you want to see in each piece of writing. Have it available in a “writing center” with fun paper, colored pens, stickers, etc .
  • Let the “best” writers do a guest post on your classroom blog. Want to see some kids care about their writing? Give them a global audience.
  • Collaborative writing. Have a journal that can used for a class story…you begin with one sentence and then pass it around throughout the day and have the student create the story, line by line. Share at the end of the day!

 

 

http://twowritingteachers.wordpress.com/2014/10/18/happy-national-day-on-writing-2014/

 

 

write on!

Amber

How can we all keep the kindergarten spirit?

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Last week as I was walking through classrooms, I came across this kinder kid who was working feverishly on the carpet on a project. As I smiled and walked around the room, he waved me over and asked if I wanted to see his invention. “See this? I made it up, because I needed something that could go real fast. I didn’t have it, so I made it up. ” In addition to just being adorable, I was impressed with his creativity and that matter of fact attitude. It doesn’t occur to a kindergartener that you shouldn’t just make up what you need. 

Personality is encouraged. Scribbling is encouraged. Sharing is talked about daily.

Expectations for all are high. The ability to have FUN while working each day is natural. Forgiveness is second nature. Independence is being forged each and every day.

No one questions mistakes in kindergarten…they are expected, encouraged, and even enjoyed. There are new discoveries every day. The most basic of discoveries blow their mind.

They’re not too cool for anything. They love their teachers. Teachers are hugged and called mom, more than once. Kinder teachers present life lessons as smoothly as they do math, all with the patience of Jobe.

The natural chaos of “learning” is anticipated….and enjoyed.

What if every classroom was  like a kindergarten classrooms?

kinder loveN,

Amber

Social media & strategy

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It’s easy to get excited at this time of year. There’s all the back to school supplies, new back to school outfits, and all those fresh new faces! This also is the time new initiatives are rolled out on campuses state wide. From district ideas to campus thoughts…everyone’s excited in August!

I participated in #ptcamp this summer, which was both overwhelming and energizing. There were so many great thoughts share…and as usual, social media was discussed quite a bot. Even if it wasn’t directly referred to as “social media”, the words twitter, facebook, and instagram were talked about. Just like any other new initiative if you’re deciding to get serious with your social media presence, albeit for your classroom or your campus, I challenge you to BE INTENTIONAL.

Regardless of your own personal stance on using social media, you can’t deny the ever increasing use of it in our students lives. To not take advantage of a tool that your students and families are already utilizing is missing a huge opportunity to truly CONNECT. (<—My word for 2014-2015!) If your opinion is that what you’ve been doing is fine, and that you have no need for MORE connections with your students & community, call me. 😉

fad of internet

Building relationships is what we do! Utilizing some form of SM to help facilitate those relationships makes sense. You don’t have to do them all, pick one, that you’re comfortable with, and then BE INTENTIONAL.

Decide what you’re going to share. How often you’re going to share. When you’re going to share. The challenge, just like with any other form of communication, is to maintain your presence to help ensure the  validity of  your communications. Don’t do all the heavy lifting of getting your parents invested and then in October forget to post anything. It will be next to impossible to get them to commit to something else in the future.

Need some data to help back up my social media “claims”?

 

  • 72% of all internet users are now active on social media
  • 18-29 year olds have an 89% usage
  • The 30-49 bracket sits at 72%
  • 60 percent of 50 to 60 year olds are active on social media
  • In the 65 plus bracket, 43% are using social media
  • Time spent on Facebook per hour spent online by country. USA citizens get the top gong at 16% followed by the Aussies at 14 minutes and the Brits at 13 minutes.
  • 71% of users access social media from a mobile device.
active monthly usersRead more at http://www.jeffbullas.com/2014/01/17/20-social-media-facts-and-statistics-you-should-know-in-2014/#VKwcE6rkAmqai71U.99

 

As my buddies Joe Sanfelippo and Tony Sinanis share regularly, “Never give up the opportunity to say something great about your school”!  I will add that there’s too many FREE and easy places to say it!

 

 

 

Relationship building,

Amber