Changes

Teachers all have a different philosophy on how they teach. They all have different techniques and ways they believe are the best to reach students. My sophomore year of college a lady came into one of my education course and talked about this thing called "power teaching". I was SO engaged! I had to learn more! I was so ready [or so I thought at the time] to use the techniques in classroom that very second! During my student teaching I used a couple of the concepts from what I had remembered back from the presentation my sophomore year. When I started structuring how I would teach this year I knew that I wanted to learn more about it, and practically use it in my classroom. I learned that the technical name for it is Whole Brain Teaching. I literally spend all last Saturday watching videos on YouTube and hopping from blog to blog of teachers using it in their classroom. I got so many practical ways to use it in my class. I printed out a few posters and tried the techniques in my class this week. I learned: MY KIDS LOVE IT! I have never seen my kids so engaged in my whole lessson. As much as I want to think that I am the best teacher that walked the planet and in no way would my kids ever get bored of my teaching, I know that's not the reality. I'm far from being "the best", as it should be! (It is only my first year!)

Their favorite part of whole brain teaching? The Mirror exercise, especially paired with talking. Mirror is when I clap two times and say "mirror". The students clap two times and say "mirror". Then I move my hands and head all around as I am giving directions of what they need to do. I often do this during transitions. This helps them to focus on me and what I am saying, instead of looking out the window, talking to a neighbor, fiddling with a pencil, etc. Their most favorite is when I say "Mirror, Talk". They have to not only mirror my actions, but they have to repeat what I say. I take this time to change my voice so that it is more memorable. They love repeating me when I talk with a deep voice, or a high pitch voice. The next thing I want to add is the scoreboard. I'll give you more on that once I use it in the class. :)
Another thing I added to my class is the what do we need checklist. I noticed that many of my students would ask me tons of questions on what they could use or what they needed to do with their paper when they were done when I gave them independent work. I found this list online and even got a free print of it from Pinterest! :) {pretty much my obsession right now!}

(If you click on the picture it will open it up a little bigger)

The students actually beg me to let them be the one to check or X! And look out if I don't do it before they start! They will let me know in 2.3 seconds! :)

One of my favorite additions to my classroom is my Boggle board! Of course I found it on Pintrest! :) During free time, they are allowed to read a book, or now, play boggle! I wasn't sure how they would react, but about 70% of my class LOVES IT! This is a win-win for me. Not only does it build their vocabulary, but they LOVE to do it so they WANT to do it! They beg for more Boggle time! I found a math one too, but it was for addition, so I have to see how I can work it for multiplication. Anyways, here was my inspiration:

And how my finished product came out:

 

 

In Cayman you have to get creative with what you have to put on the walls, because they are solid concrete for hurricane protection. This means all the stapling I'm used to is a no-go. So for my board I chose to use clothespins to attach the letters to. I love how it came out. Of course, if I was in the States I totally would have added some ribbon bows to the clothespins, but I worked with what I had, and I think it came out great!

 

I also made a new behavior chart {thanks to Pinterest!} but I haven't taken a picture of it yet, so I will post that later this week.

 

Happy Saturday!

 

Love and Hugs,

Mrs. Rodgers

That Girl

I'm totally going to be that girl. You know, the one that makes you want to throw up. Yep. Just giving you a fair warning....

Today as class is starting I begin to say,
"Good morning class."
"Good morning Mrs. Rodgers."
"Today is Tuesday, September 18th. OOH! Does anyone know what today is?!?!"
'K': "Tuesday?"
"Well yes, but something else..."
'S': "OH! I know! It's your.....what's that thing called....? Hmm...your wedding day..no...ANNIVERSARY!"
"Well, close! Anniversary is something you celebrate yearly, but since it's only been 1 month..we cant exactly say anniversary, so its a month-aversary."

Yes, folks. Today marks our 1 month-aversary! :)

I told you I was going to be that girl. :)

Some of my favorite pictures caught on camera by our friends and family:

 

At one point in the middle of our ceremony I see our ring bearer on the floor...he was using the pillow as a pillow! haha. Love this little man! 

 

Happy Month-aversary Husband! :)

 

Also, I am dddyyyyiiiiinnnggggggg to see our professional wedding pictures!! (hint, hint) :)

 

Happy Tuesday!

 

Love and Hugs,

Mrs. Rodgers

Day Makers

Best email you can receive:


Dear Melissa,


Thank you very much for the great work that you have been doing with the kids. I have seen a change for the better with my son, and I truly appreciate your efforts!!


Sincerely yours,

Sleepy Saturday

(Title credit goes out to my hubby..haha)

 

Benji and I got some quality snuggle time as Dad worked on homework all day. We're proud of you Kyle! :)

Love and Hugs,
Mrs. Rodgers

Crabs, Benji, Lime

Well this past few weeks has been one wild ride. School started full force; for both Kyle and I. I can now successfully say that I have completed my first week of my first year of teaching! What an experience it was! Of course I have been in a classroom before, and for 16 weeks I taught in someone else’s class, but there is nothing like having your classroom. Your very own classroom. Wow! Praise God for his many blessings.

My first week was full of students calling me “Mrs. Rodgers” (Still getting used to that one!) :), learning how to take control, and of course, a crab. Yes, a crab! And no, not that hermit crab you’re thinking of. I’m talking full on crab-that-just-came-out-of-the-ocean-that-has-claws-and-you-would-find-on-your-plate-at-Joe’s-Crab-Shack! Did I forget to mention that my student was so worried about his crab at snack break that he insisted he needed to feed it. Yes, it was quite an interesting week indeed!

For those of you know Kyle and I well, you know that we have a soft spot for dogs. And when I say soft spot I mean, cant-live-without-one-visit-the-pound-monthly-with-our-sister. Yeaaaa. :) So it won’t be a surprise to you when I announce….we got a dog!!! :) I think we officially made it about a week and a half before we broke down and just had to get one. He is one of the cutest small dogs I have ever seen. Literally. This is one of those proud Mom moments where I take the next paragraph to dote on how precious he is. :) We named him Benji, because he looks just like the dog from that movie. He is four years old and totally potty trained (PTL!). He LOVES walks! As soon as one of us reach for his leash he literally does a dance on his back two legs and gets so excited! I love it! He is a totally snuggle bug too. When Kyle and I are sitting on the couch he just has to jump up and snuggle in between us. We love him. :)

On an awesome note, we finally have internet at our apartment!!!! We have service from a company called Lime. Cayman is full of interesting names! :) In Kyle’s words, “It finally feels like our home.” Our home. I love the sound of that. :)

Prayer Requests:

Melissa: For homesickness…. :) For my relationship with my students. I am still trying to build rapport with them. They are still getting used to a new routine, and a new teacher, and I am still trying to get used to this whole I’m-the-teacher thing. Also, my students are required to memorize one bible verse a week. This is an area that I am weak in, so I have joined in on their challenge. :) This week’s verse: “For you are worthy our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and by your will they were created and have your being.” Revelation 4:11 (NIV) And yes, I just typed that from memory! I’m one day early on my challenge! :)

Kyle: School started this past week and I am still trying to back in the swing of things. It is such a blessing that we got internet this week! I have been going to a friend’s house to do my school work, so it’s definitely more convenient to have it at home! Also, for a job opportunity. I am pretty much looking into anything that is available, but of course would love to look into some kind of ministry ultimately.

Both: Our visas have still not been totally cleared. We have to jump through a lot of hoops, so just that we would have favor with the government, and get it cleared up as soon as possible.


Love and Hugs,
Mrs. Rodgers