The following are quotes by Deborah Stipek, PhD, Dean of the School of Education, Stanford University-
"There's research showing the more children enjoy what they're doing, the better they learn, the longer they retain what they learn, and the deeper the understanding."
"...we put so much emphasis on performance, on 'getting it right,' as opposed to the joy of discovery."
"A happy classroom rewards children who want to learn."
"Classrooms where materials are easily accessible to students...help kids gain a feeling of responsibility for what they need to take care of."
From Edward Zigler, PhD, who was the first director of the Office of Child Development and started the Head Start program.
"I think my greatest contribution is the work that I've done with my own students."
"The greatest enemy of children today is poverty."
"Research shows that a good preschool program benefits [middle-class kids] as well."
"There are good times, and there are bad times. But you have to stay in the game."
"You need leadership to make people move, to get change enacted."
"Be totally committed to the optimal development of each child."
"You always have to keep a perspective on what you're trying to do."
"You have to be willing to persevere."
These are some AMAZING words from Inspirational people! I hope they motivate you to be the best educator you can be, as they have helped me!
Friday, May 25, 2012
Thursday, May 17, 2012
My Childhood Web
When I think back to my childhood, there are many people that I can say, helped to make me into the person that I am today. I had a great family and great neighbors so I will hopefully get everyone in here, even if it takes me a few posts.
1) My Mom- I know, everyone says Mom first, and they should. Your mom is your first teacher and your protector. My mom let this stubborn girl learn on her own (through gritted teeth) and was there to pick me up and put me back on my feet when I fell down. She was always there for a hug and for support and always said she loved me after I did something wrong or stupid.
2) My Dad- My dad also allowed me to be me and through even tighter gritted teeth, let me make my own choices and my own mistakes. He was usually good for an "I told you so" also. He made me learn the different types of trees and plants in our area and made sure that I learned how to drive a manual transmission. The latter I am more grateful for than ever, AND I will make sure that my girls learn as well. Even though we did not see eye to eye all of the time, he instilled me a love for books and would always take me to the book store with him.
3) My Grandma (Dad's Mom)- She instilled in me a love for singing, flowers, grapes, and homemade chocolate chip cookies. She is in her 80s and is still a very healthy individual. She raised 7 successful kids and did everything with a smile on her face, and still does.
4) My brother and sister- I am the baby of the family and they will tell you that I acted like it every minute of my young life. But they are always there when I need them. My brother is who I call first if I need anything. He is hardworking and dependable. My sister is the one who will always tell you like it is.... as in, her opinion, whether you like it or not. I can honestly say that there are more times than not when I don't like what she has to say. But she says it because she loves me and she wants the best for me.
5) Edna Binnie- I unfortunately do not have a picture of this amazing woman. She lived across the street from us and was one of my mother's and grandma's best friends. She and her daughters would babysit me when I my mom had errands to run. She was a stay at home mom who was always redecorating her house and planting in the garden. Their family had cows and horses and a huge farm (huge in my childhood eyes anyway). She was one of the healthiest people I know, always exercising and eating the food that she planted and grew in her own garden. We would always go visit her just to sit and talk over a cup of coffee. She lost a battle to cancer a few years ago but will always be remembered.
6) Darla Grabe- another amazing neighbor. The Grabes lived next door and all of us kids grew up playing in the dirt and trees together. She was always cooking and her door was always open, even if the kids weren't home. I don't remember ever seeing her sit down. She was always busy doing something. She was like another mom to me. Darla had a massive heart attack at the age of 42, when I was 19 years old. Her daughter Heather has many of the same qualities as she did. And we still get together when I am in my hometown for a visit.
7)My extended family- My dad was 1 of 7, and mom 1 of 5. We had huge family gatherings and they were all big parties when we were kids. I grew up playing with my cousins, going to grandparents for each holiday, and always having family around. We aren't so close now that we are all grown up and around the US, but we still love each other.
8)I am going to put many teachers that I had together. But they each had an impact on me for different reasons. Mrs. Kennedy- 1st grade- I remember helping her with some of the lower academic students. Mrs. Gammal- 2nd grade- loved to read. Mr. Cooper- 3rd grade- started my love of science. John Geist- he was the athletic trainer who taught me how to tape a "mean" ankle. I started my first profession because of him. And that started me on the way to who I am today. His wife, Diana, was the volleyball coach who taught me how to play, score, and ref the game. And many others. I would have to look through my yearbooks to remember all their names, but my memories of growing up are still vivid.
1) My Mom- I know, everyone says Mom first, and they should. Your mom is your first teacher and your protector. My mom let this stubborn girl learn on her own (through gritted teeth) and was there to pick me up and put me back on my feet when I fell down. She was always there for a hug and for support and always said she loved me after I did something wrong or stupid.
2) My Dad- My dad also allowed me to be me and through even tighter gritted teeth, let me make my own choices and my own mistakes. He was usually good for an "I told you so" also. He made me learn the different types of trees and plants in our area and made sure that I learned how to drive a manual transmission. The latter I am more grateful for than ever, AND I will make sure that my girls learn as well. Even though we did not see eye to eye all of the time, he instilled me a love for books and would always take me to the book store with him.
3) My Grandma (Dad's Mom)- She instilled in me a love for singing, flowers, grapes, and homemade chocolate chip cookies. She is in her 80s and is still a very healthy individual. She raised 7 successful kids and did everything with a smile on her face, and still does.
4) My brother and sister- I am the baby of the family and they will tell you that I acted like it every minute of my young life. But they are always there when I need them. My brother is who I call first if I need anything. He is hardworking and dependable. My sister is the one who will always tell you like it is.... as in, her opinion, whether you like it or not. I can honestly say that there are more times than not when I don't like what she has to say. But she says it because she loves me and she wants the best for me.
5) Edna Binnie- I unfortunately do not have a picture of this amazing woman. She lived across the street from us and was one of my mother's and grandma's best friends. She and her daughters would babysit me when I my mom had errands to run. She was a stay at home mom who was always redecorating her house and planting in the garden. Their family had cows and horses and a huge farm (huge in my childhood eyes anyway). She was one of the healthiest people I know, always exercising and eating the food that she planted and grew in her own garden. We would always go visit her just to sit and talk over a cup of coffee. She lost a battle to cancer a few years ago but will always be remembered.
6) Darla Grabe- another amazing neighbor. The Grabes lived next door and all of us kids grew up playing in the dirt and trees together. She was always cooking and her door was always open, even if the kids weren't home. I don't remember ever seeing her sit down. She was always busy doing something. She was like another mom to me. Darla had a massive heart attack at the age of 42, when I was 19 years old. Her daughter Heather has many of the same qualities as she did. And we still get together when I am in my hometown for a visit.
7)My extended family- My dad was 1 of 7, and mom 1 of 5. We had huge family gatherings and they were all big parties when we were kids. I grew up playing with my cousins, going to grandparents for each holiday, and always having family around. We aren't so close now that we are all grown up and around the US, but we still love each other.
8)I am going to put many teachers that I had together. But they each had an impact on me for different reasons. Mrs. Kennedy- 1st grade- I remember helping her with some of the lower academic students. Mrs. Gammal- 2nd grade- loved to read. Mr. Cooper- 3rd grade- started my love of science. John Geist- he was the athletic trainer who taught me how to tape a "mean" ankle. I started my first profession because of him. And that started me on the way to who I am today. His wife, Diana, was the volleyball coach who taught me how to play, score, and ref the game. And many others. I would have to look through my yearbooks to remember all their names, but my memories of growing up are still vivid.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Student Work
This is a display I made with cut art rain drops and tear art flowers to help teach the signs of spring.
Favorite books
This was one of the most difficult things to think about. What is my favorite children's book? There are so many to choose from! BUT if I have to narrow it down, I would pick:
1. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein - it is just a great book about growing up, faithfulness, generosity, etc. Many great lessons can be learned from this story. We use it every year as part of our Life Principle lessons that we teach as a Kindergarten unit.
and
2. the Skippyjon Jones books by Judy Schachner- this series of books is about a Siamese Cat who gets into mischief by pretending to be a Chiuaua. I love to read these books to my students with all the fun voices. I can also discuss with them about making good and bad choices. It is also great to see them think of what Skippyjon will do next. The students can also get into the rhythm of the chants that Skippyjon does throughout the stories, adding in a musical element as well.
1. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein - it is just a great book about growing up, faithfulness, generosity, etc. Many great lessons can be learned from this story. We use it every year as part of our Life Principle lessons that we teach as a Kindergarten unit.
and
2. the Skippyjon Jones books by Judy Schachner- this series of books is about a Siamese Cat who gets into mischief by pretending to be a Chiuaua. I love to read these books to my students with all the fun voices. I can also discuss with them about making good and bad choices. It is also great to see them think of what Skippyjon will do next. The students can also get into the rhythm of the chants that Skippyjon does throughout the stories, adding in a musical element as well.
Passion
It is amazing what a week can do! I've been reflecting on why I started teaching this week. And I've realized that I've been teaching since I was little. I remember my sister making fun of me for thinking that I knew everything and that I was smarter than everyone. I remember always being the one people would ask for help. I also remember, even in elementary school, being a teacher's helper. I think I was just always drawn to this profession but just chose the long "scenic" route to find it.
So I now find myself in LOVE with teaching kindergarten. I cannot see myself in any other grade level. I love seeing that light switch turn on and the reading begin. I love their faces when I tell them what a great job they just did on a paper or project. I love when I see them excited about reading. Passion for kids doesn't even begin to say how much I enjoy my job or why I love my job so much. Every day is a new day and everyday can bring a new surprise! My passion is to help the children of today be the best they can be for the future of our world.
So I now find myself in LOVE with teaching kindergarten. I cannot see myself in any other grade level. I love seeing that light switch turn on and the reading begin. I love their faces when I tell them what a great job they just did on a paper or project. I love when I see them excited about reading. Passion for kids doesn't even begin to say how much I enjoy my job or why I love my job so much. Every day is a new day and everyday can bring a new surprise! My passion is to help the children of today be the best they can be for the future of our world.
Friday, May 4, 2012
So, this is the first of many on my newest journey through a Masters of Education in Early Childhood Education. I am currently a Kindergarten Teacher with a Secondary Education Degree. I fell in love with Early Childhood while my daughters were young and I was in their classrooms as a volunteer. So 5 years later, here I am. Hoping to add the theory and developmental knowledge to my practices and classroom. I am looking forward to being the "nerd" that I am and learning more about my students so that I can serve them better. My blog is titled "Turning on the Light" because that is one of my favorite things about kindergarten: watching that light turn on when they finally get the concept that I am teaching. I hope you enjoy going on this journey with me as I post my thoughts and ideas throughout this program!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)