Creating a Trust in Children

It is important, in order to create a classroom of investigative risk-takers in learning, that teacher work early to establish a trust factor in their children. As I blogged earlier, establishing respect is important and needed to create a safe structure; but connecting with our students relationally helps as well in creating a successful classroom.

First, to do this, I would love to send out a letter before school starts to the children in my class so they can feel that they already know me. Perhaps creating another blog for my classroom so students have the opportunity to connect to me early if they would like. On the first day of school, I plan to present a slideshow of me and things that I do and places I have traveled so that the kids can make an immediate connection. They will see that I am a real person; more than just their teacher.

Second, Be DRAMATIC. My family will tell you that I am the drama queen of the clan. I have learned the art of being a bit overzealous in different situations. Over the years, I have toned down and actually have turned into quite a serious person; but have I learned that my BIG facial expressions and sometimes silly ways to reach the kids when they least expect it, helps me to win some children over. One year, I believe I surprised the entire 3rd grade and staff when I broke out into a little rap about coin identification at a family math night. No one ever expected it and it ended up being requested again at the teacher staff meeting later. I guess I made quite a fun impression; but more importantly, I was able to connect to my students in a new way. Mrs. C. keeps them on their toes!

Finally, as children come in the first day I want to set very clear expectations by giving the "teacher" speech. I want children to know that my main objective is for them to learn and to give them the best education possible. I plan to give 100% and I expect them to give 100% as well. I want them to know how much I care and I will do whatever it takes for us to have a successful year.

Lighting a Fire!!

Last week, I posted in response to a meme commenting my thoughts on the famous quote of William Butler Yeats, "Education is simply not filling the pail, but lighting the fire."





Well I did it! The blogging left me on a heart search of how exactly I could reach my 10 yr. son. He is the sweetest kid with a tender spirit, but I had run into some walls in reaching him as far as homeschooling goes. He told me he hates school! What a blow to the teacher! We have actually butted heads since he was 4 years old. I, as a public school teacher, was determined to raise a child who loved learning, books, and school. But that romance ended early. I began to ask myself what I was doing wrong. But my 7 yr. daughter as taken an excited affinity toward school. She loves it and picks up her studies quickly.





This week I decided to change things up a bit and create a lapbook. I knew that Lily would love it, but I never anticipated that G-man would go for it. We spent our mornings and afternoons finding information on rainforests and coming up with creative ways to display our findings. I will have to admit that I found Evan-Moor's teacherfilebox very helpful.





G-man presented his rainforest book at co-op on Wednesday. In class, he went from a kid who sits back and watches to a whiz raising his hand with all the answers and new information about rainforests. He even became very passionate about the deforestation of rainforests and is looking for ways to make a difference. That also led us into a discussion of politics and the role of lobbyists.





I have been so psyched about our improvements and the real learning that has taken place this week. We are going to create another lapbook in celebration of President's Day in the next couple of weeks. I hope this spark spreads in our Quests4Hope!





Pictures of Rainforest Lapbook



G-man created an anaconda you see on the left. He wrote a report in first person as if the snake is telling about himself. Lily made the leaf-cutter ant and dictated what she learned. They also included various facts about the forest floor of the rainforest.









Both children wrote poetry about the vines in the rainforest and posted them on the leaves. They also studied the Kapok tree and included information under the pod they created. I believe the most fun was learning about the jaguar who is known as the "King of the Rainforest" as he is at the top of the food chain.

The children enjoyed making drawings. G-man included a deer in the powerful jaws of his jaguar.



The 5 Chaps have started a fire!

FRIDAY MEME

HEART OF THE MATTER FRIDAY'S MEME

"Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire."- William Butler Yeats

This has to be one of my most favorite quotes. I discovered it while reading on www.courageousbeings.com , a site that helps turn homeschooling from boring to being highly motivating. I have not participated in any of their EPIC units, but I do love their philosophy!

In a nutshell-- It is understood that there are dendrites in your brain that help "fire off" information and make connections, will reproduce themselves when a child is immersed in multisensory experiences. These type of experiences promote the best learning. That is why I love field trips so much.

It is not enough to sit at a table and do a worksheet--BORING! It has also been found that these dendrites begin to die after 4 days of boredom. Thus, when we stop looking at educating as completing a lesson or curriculum as success and begin to find ways to immerse our children into valuable learning experiences; the dendrites reproduce themselves and the brain is "firing" up!

For me, it has been a reminder that as an educator my main goal is to teach my children to become life long learners. If I can develop a spirit of inquiry in my children I have ultimately accomplished the main goal of education! Learning is not something that just stops at age 18 or 21. We all are continually learning. It is a necessity for survival, but it also makes a wonderful and rich life for the one who is learning and for those around him.

This quote has revitalized my outlook on homeschooling and education in general! I hope it sets all educators on fire as we attempt to to raise up a generation of motivated, inquiring, intellectual individuals.

What I would love to explore more is the how of turning a "bored" student into one who is excited about inquiry and learning. Any suggestions?

Make a postcard - it's easy!

Who says school has to be boring! Enjoy our January learning fun!