Yes, she does exist and today I was her! This was a day I have been waiting years for! You see, Ms. H (not her real name or initial) was my daughters teacher and I fell in love with her the day I met her at the schools open house. For both of my children, there have only been two teachers in their lives that I was truly amazed at... their kindergarten teacher and Ms. H. Both of these teachers were the ones that inspired me to get a teaching degree, because there needs to be more teachers like them and I was determined to become that teacher! Today, I was able to!
When I walked in the room and began to read the lesson plans I was shocked at how much teaching I would be doing! I have gotten so used to the "easy" day of showing movies, do independent reading, give a test, etc.. But today and into next week, since I am subbing for her then too, I was starting new math units, digging into science kits to get them started, starting a new read-a-loud that I got to choose, and even doing all the correcting on the assignments! Granted, the fact that my daughter had her as a teacher made me know the curriculum and her style, but I was actually teaching!!
But, how was classroom management going to be? I quizzed my daughter the night before, asking her what Ms. H does to get the class' attention. "Nothing," she replied.
Nothing? How could that be?
"She would just start talking," added my daughter.
"She doesn't give a hand signal, or clap in a rhythm, or say FREEZE or 1-2-3 EYES ON ME?" I asked.
My daughter just shrugged. "Nope. Just say CLASS and continue talking in a normal voice"
So, when the class entered and they put coats and backpacks away, I stood there watching them, trying to get a sense of who was who and when the second bell rang, they all immediately went to their seats and looked at me.. quietly!! I introduced myself, we went through our morning routine and as they were working in teams, I casually said, "Class" and the magic happened.... they all stopped and looked at me!
What is it about a teacher that she has no classroom management "word"? Or what is her classroom management that she has such an incredible bunch of students? I can tell you in one word: RESPECT. She gives each and every student respect and they give it right back!
How does she do this? Well, she listens to everyone. She encourages them to raise their hands and give an answer at which she never tells a student they are wrong, only asks them to think deeper. She feels that anything a student has to say is important and she has times throughout the day when they can share something that is on their mind. She also believes in positive discipline. If a student is acting up, she never says, "Spencer. Please stop" drawing all the attention from the class on Spencer. Instead, she will say, "Thank-you Cecilia for waiting so patiently for my next instruction."
But she also is FUN! How?
1- when we were sharing the students journal writing on the best thing that happened this week in school, I got to give out Juicy Fruit gum if they used at least three "juicy" details! The gum could only be chewed during the writing block or placed in their backpack to bring home.
2- each student has a folder with "challenging extra credit work". Do at least three pages by Friday and you get a lollypop from the jar.
3- did a good deed for a fellow student. You'll be greeted with a cup of cocoa at your desk in the morning.
4- turned in your weekly homework pack a day or more before it was due and got it all right? Ms. H stands on your desk in her high heels and does a tap dance for you.
5- kept the entire room clean all day so that when it is time to pack up and go home we have extra time? Then students get to sit on the desks and play "Quiet Ball", where they throw a beach ball to one another in a game of catch. If you don't catch it, then both you and the player who threw it have to get off the table.
6- want to discuss the read-a-loud we just read? Throw a beach ball around and when you catch it you have to answer the question that is in front of you. Such as, "What is the title and the author?" "What was your favorite part of the book", "What is the setting?", "Who are the main characters"
I could go on and on. But, basically this teacher makes learning fun! She reminds me of a Ms. Frizzle, where you never know what exciting adventure you'll go on that day! Yet, it's the students who amaze me. She has never had a discipline issue and I do believe that this is because she respects these 9 year olds. She teaches to them, not at them and the students want to learn, because it is fun to write essays and do math problems and discuss current events because you never know what adventure it'll take you on!
When I walked in the room and began to read the lesson plans I was shocked at how much teaching I would be doing! I have gotten so used to the "easy" day of showing movies, do independent reading, give a test, etc.. But today and into next week, since I am subbing for her then too, I was starting new math units, digging into science kits to get them started, starting a new read-a-loud that I got to choose, and even doing all the correcting on the assignments! Granted, the fact that my daughter had her as a teacher made me know the curriculum and her style, but I was actually teaching!!
But, how was classroom management going to be? I quizzed my daughter the night before, asking her what Ms. H does to get the class' attention. "Nothing," she replied.
Nothing? How could that be?
"She would just start talking," added my daughter.
"She doesn't give a hand signal, or clap in a rhythm, or say FREEZE or 1-2-3 EYES ON ME?" I asked.
My daughter just shrugged. "Nope. Just say CLASS and continue talking in a normal voice"
So, when the class entered and they put coats and backpacks away, I stood there watching them, trying to get a sense of who was who and when the second bell rang, they all immediately went to their seats and looked at me.. quietly!! I introduced myself, we went through our morning routine and as they were working in teams, I casually said, "Class" and the magic happened.... they all stopped and looked at me!
What is it about a teacher that she has no classroom management "word"? Or what is her classroom management that she has such an incredible bunch of students? I can tell you in one word: RESPECT. She gives each and every student respect and they give it right back!
How does she do this? Well, she listens to everyone. She encourages them to raise their hands and give an answer at which she never tells a student they are wrong, only asks them to think deeper. She feels that anything a student has to say is important and she has times throughout the day when they can share something that is on their mind. She also believes in positive discipline. If a student is acting up, she never says, "Spencer. Please stop" drawing all the attention from the class on Spencer. Instead, she will say, "Thank-you Cecilia for waiting so patiently for my next instruction."
But she also is FUN! How?
1- when we were sharing the students journal writing on the best thing that happened this week in school, I got to give out Juicy Fruit gum if they used at least three "juicy" details! The gum could only be chewed during the writing block or placed in their backpack to bring home.
2- each student has a folder with "challenging extra credit work". Do at least three pages by Friday and you get a lollypop from the jar.
3- did a good deed for a fellow student. You'll be greeted with a cup of cocoa at your desk in the morning.
4- turned in your weekly homework pack a day or more before it was due and got it all right? Ms. H stands on your desk in her high heels and does a tap dance for you.
5- kept the entire room clean all day so that when it is time to pack up and go home we have extra time? Then students get to sit on the desks and play "Quiet Ball", where they throw a beach ball to one another in a game of catch. If you don't catch it, then both you and the player who threw it have to get off the table.
6- want to discuss the read-a-loud we just read? Throw a beach ball around and when you catch it you have to answer the question that is in front of you. Such as, "What is the title and the author?" "What was your favorite part of the book", "What is the setting?", "Who are the main characters"
I could go on and on. But, basically this teacher makes learning fun! She reminds me of a Ms. Frizzle, where you never know what exciting adventure you'll go on that day! Yet, it's the students who amaze me. She has never had a discipline issue and I do believe that this is because she respects these 9 year olds. She teaches to them, not at them and the students want to learn, because it is fun to write essays and do math problems and discuss current events because you never know what adventure it'll take you on!
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