The Best of Teacher Entrepreneurs III: #endoftheschoolyear

Monday, June 6, 2016

June Teacher Talk

Posted by Deann Marin of Socrates Lantern

It's June Teacher Talk time.....many of you are finished with school now and breathing a sigh of relief. Sit back, relax and read some informative blog posts from our veteran educators.

Have a well deserved summer vacation.

If you're interested in joining this unique group of teacher entrepreneurs, blogging buddies and/or our blog linky, sign up here....The Best of Teacher Entrepreneurs Marketing Cooperative. If you decide to join, be sure to mention one of our names.

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End of the Year Musings

By Deann Marin of Socrates Lantern

I always approach the end of the school year with mixed emotions, though I’m ecstatic to be out for summer vacation, I always feel a little sad saying good-bye. Many of my soon to be 7th graders hug me and leave with tears in their eyes, knowing that our little family will no longer be together. All the trials and tribulations, the challenges, the fun times and sad times will always be with us, but it will never be the same.

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A Portfolio to Remember - Part 2: Creating the Masks
By Retta London of Rainbow City Learning

How to make life cast masks with your students, and how to use the masks to decorate a keepsake writing portfolio.
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Summer Review Going Into Grade 2

By Alison Monk of The Literacy Garden

Avoid the summer slide with this NO PREP resource. The beachy themed pages include daily math and reading skill practice for children about to enter 2nd grade. Perfect for parents to use and teachers to give!

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But All You Do is Play!

By Susan Berkowitz of Susan Berkowitz

The work of young children is play! Playing is how young children interact with and learn from the world. Building language skills in children does, indeed, involve a lot of play.

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Get out of Post-it Purgatory

By Kerry Tracy of Kerry Tracy

Are you a TpT seller or just someone with a LOT on your to-do list? This free, online tool will change your life!

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More Than Just Art!

By Kathie Yonemura of Tried and True Teaching Tools

Mandalas are much more than just art! This simple geometry lesson not only creates beautiful classroom displays, but reinforces geometric concepts.

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End of the School Year Ideas!

By Lisa Robles of LisaTeachR's Classroom

Here are my top end of the school year ideas!

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Math, Monet & Measurement

By Tracy Willis of Wild Child Designs

Inspired by a visit to Monet's garden in Giverny, a teacher shares her experience and inspires an investigative math project. Students create centimeter, millimeter, and decimeter garden models while learning about Impressionism and Claude Monet. Inspired math!

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An InLinkz Link-up

Friday, June 3, 2016

End of the Year Musings

By Deann Marin of Socrates Lantern

I always approach the end of the school year with mixed emotions, though I’m ecstatic to be out for summer vacation, I always feel a little sad saying good-bye. Many of my soon to be 7th graders hug me and leave with tears in their eyes, knowing that our little family will no longer be together. All the trials and tribulations, the challenges, the fun times and sad times will always be with us, but it will never be the same.

Reflecting back to the beginning of the year, I remember how small they were when they first entered my room, some shy and nervous about their first few days, others acting cool trying to impress their peers., especially those they don’t know. The first hurdle over, they’ve opened their lockers. Simple process for some while others end up in tears because they can’t figure out how to do it. By the end of the year, they look back at this and laugh at themselves.

How strict I am the first few weeks, trying very hard not to crack a smile. This is the time to get them into shape. so that we all have a great year. They learn the rules and always test me. Finally, after awhile, I can let my hair down and be myself. I can crack jokes, they can joke around and we can all laugh together. This is when real learning takes place, and to see their “ah ha,” moments is what teaching is all about.

I love 6th graders, the majority are so willing to learn, that it makes teaching rewarding and enjoyable.. One of my favorite things is our morning discussions. Their backgrounds are quite diverse and I learn something new almost everyday. Many are knowledgeable about a lot of things and they’re eager to share. They can talk about whatever is on their mind, and they feel safe doing so. We are now, officially a family and I’ve become their surrogate parent.

As I say good-bye, each of my kids takes a part of me with them. I feel certain that I’ve given them the support, strength and confidence to move on to seventh grade. The time has come for them to spread their wings and fly..

When I close the door for the final time, I take comfort in knowing that soon I’ll have another bunch of little chickadees to bring up.

Please download my free, School Memories, you can use this for the last day of school.