How to Make Friends, According to Middle Schoolers

In my early 40's, I did something I didn't normally do...

Chalk Talk - Creative Things to do While Actively Monitoring

Ever wonder what it's like for a teacher during testing when he or she has to "actively monitor" students?


Today, we finally made it through another round of testing this year. At least for now.

Yesterday I wrote about a flaw of mine that students usually discover during testing season. Today, I want to share with you a post I wrote years ago about what I discovered about my students during testing, one day, while actively monitoring for over an hour!

You can read about it here.

Happy Friday. We made it!

Like a Rock Star

"Mrs. Cooke!!! Mrs. Cooke!!! Mrs. Cooke!!!"

There's no better greeting than when you run into your former students...

Chalk Talk - Teaching Principles

Throughout my teaching career, I've accumulated several "tools" for my teaching toolbox...tried-and-true principles that have worked for me.  I started to compile them this school year as a way to journal one of the most fulfilling careers I will ever have.

Here's a recap of my teaching tips so far (all in one post) if you'd like to see...

Tip #8 - Count Your Rainbows

The teacher who shares an adjoining room with me gave me a beautiful calendar, full of wisdom, for Christmas. And this month's inspirational words are very timely. Especially in this second semester of the school year.

So.  Here goes tip number 8 from a so-called veteran teacher...

Chalk Talk - Things That Make Me Go Hmmm...

So a student returned to school today after being absent for two days. He was visibly and extraordinarily tanned as he approached me with a pep in his step this morning. 

Our conversation went a little something like this...

Tip #5 - Plant a Seed

Now that we're well on our way into the fourth week of school, it's time to plant some seeds.  Not literally.  But metaphorically speaking.

Which brings me to tip #5 from a so-called veteran teacher.  Inspire your students...

A Peek Inside the "New" Summerour

My teammates and I met up this week for a tour of our new school. And I've been keeping my fingers crossed, that my new classroom, in my brand spanking new school, has at least one window...

Chalk Talk - What I'll Leave Behind

For as long as I could remember, I had always wanted to be a teacher. When I was a little girl, I would get all my stuffed animals and dolls to be my students, and I would pretend to be their teacher. I also had a fascination with chalkboards and loved writing on them. Too bad those became obsolete by the time I started teaching!

But.  For a long time, I put my dreams on hold...

Chalk Talk Thursday

Encouraging words to inspire the future.

The Best of the Worst

On this Chalk Talk Thursday, consider this. Where are you in life? Are you the best of the worst, or the worst of the best?

We had a parent conference this morning for one middle school student who is not doing his best.  He is barely passing his classes, does hardly any class work, is distracted by his peers, and goes home pretty much every night and tells his mom he has no homework. Every night.

Now you know if you have a kid in school who has "no homework," every night, something's gotta be wrong. Right? Right!

Anyway this mom was at the end of her rope, and wanted us team of teachers to fix the problem.  She complained she went to work at 9:30 a.m. and didn't get home til 8:30 at night, and she's too tired and doesn't want to fight with her son about homework when he doesn't even want to show her his notebooks and get this...he shuts her out of his room!  Really??? Who's the parent? Who makes the rules in that house? Seriously?

Well turns out mom needed a little schooling herself! I told her that there were teachers around this same table looking at her who get here at 7 a.m. and don't leave til 7 at night, and we're tired too! Each teacher sees her child for one hour everyday, we do the best we can with that one hour, and we need her to do her job as a parent and support what we do in the classroom...at home! I mean seriously!? When did it become a teacher's job to make sure students do their homework? Uhmmm...isn't that what parents are supposed to do?

Think she got the lesson straight? I sure hope so!

Now this same student mentioned to us that he did want to go to college and study to be a researcher. We tried to show him that he needed to put forth a lot more effort and pass all his classes if he wants to accomplish his goal. And since he was complacent with just a "passing" grade, one of the teachers on my team tried to drive home the point a little bit clearer by telling him about "the best of the worst, and the worst of the best."

What a great analogy!

And that's real talk on educating students and their parents!

So where are you in life? Are you the best of the worst, or the worst of the best?

I don't know about you, but I'm never okay with mediocrity and just being average!

Chalk Talk Thursday

How strange and changeful is life!

How small a thing is needed to make or ruin us.

...from the short story, "The Diamond Necklace" I'm reading with my kids this week.

Chalk Talk Tuesday

"I just want to clone you."

An AP told me that today.

I guess I'm doing something right.

Chalk Talk Thursday – The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

 

It's the most wonderful time of the year...the school year that is. Well almost. Aside from summer break, the holidays are the next best thing. And you can just feel it in the air, and you can see it on everyone's faces too. People just seem a lot nicer during the holidays...don't they? 

At my school, we’re counting down to our much needed holiday break of two weeks! And we have only two more days to go!

You can tell it's a time to celebrate around here. First, there's Mr. Potter who was singing in his usual boisterous tone this morning as he made his way down the hall to pick up his testing bin, "Two more days, we only have two more days..." 

Then there's Ms. Cooper.  She's the cutest elf at my school...not counting Buddy Roller of course. This week we're wearing our holiday best, and every year this little cutie outdoes everyone. For real. Love this teacher!

And no holiday around here would be complete without the annual visit from one Mr. Stensland. Although we don't see each other much during the school year, he always comes by to see me around this time of year to drop off a little something.  This year, like last, it was a bottle of lotion. A few years back, it was a Michael Buble Christmas CD that I still use to this day. And while I'm not the only teacher at school that he delivers treats to, it still makes me feel special.  

But this place has many special teachers. And that's what makes us Summerour. Hope you're having a wonderful Thursday, wherever you are!

Chalk Talk Tuesday - Because Sometimes You Have To Be Silly...

I just love the teacher across the hall from me! We've been hallway buddies for a number of years, and we just support each other throughout the school year with quick conversations between transitions, sweet treats in the form of KitKats and M&Ms, and we may even trade a student here or there if there's a need for a time-out.

On occasion we are each other's comic relief, and today was no different.  She decided to do something silly with her hair to see if the kids would notice, and I joined right in. We were having so much fun, we decided to do a new "do" between each class change.

First we had bangs. Then came the ponytails.

And then we did a high bun!

Who said the kids are the ones having all the fun!!!

Chalk Talk Tuesday - Real Talk

If you didn't already know this, kids can be really honest. Brutally honest at times. Especially middle school kids!

Sure, there are times when their honesty is well received and appreciated.  Like the many times they tell me how young I look when they find out I'm 40 years old. Yes it makes my already big head swell even more.

But then there are times when they tell it to me straight up, and it's not sugar-coated! Not at all. Know what I mean? But that's kids for you, and you know what? I just have to take it in stride because sometimes, not all the time, but sometimes they just may be telling the truth like they see it. And who says constructive criticism can't come from kids? And if I preach it, I have to be able to take it, right? Cause I do preach it every day.

So this week a student told me, in front of the whole class, that sometimes I talk too much.

Ouch!

Wow.

Hmmm.

And she wasn't being rude about it...at all. If I'm talking too much, then she and the other students aren't getting enough time to collaborate and talk about what they're learning.

Then there's the time when a male student... a very flamboyant male student who talks a lot with his hands...told me I needed to wear my hair in a different way instead of having it the same every day. He told me to consider putting it in a bun or a side ponytail.

And you know what? I took both their advice. I'm working on talking less, and I've even done the side ponytail thing a few times...which got me lots of compliments by the way.  The bun thing I have yet to try.

Kids have important things to say. They do. And I'm listening. I give them unsolicited advice all the time.  So why can't I listen to them for a change?

And that's real talk!

Chalk Talk Thursday - Cool Chicks

When you walk into the science classroom of one of the sweetest teacher's on my team, you can hear the sweet sound of baby chicks chirping. That's right! And that's because the science teachers on my team have decided to give students a real hands on approach to what they're learning.

You see, students are learning about cells, how they're formed and how they develop, and there's no better way to teach kids...than to show them! Now, I'm no science teacher, so I can't explain this process to you, but all I know is...this is some cool stuff.  Chicken eggs were brought in and placed in an incubator. A video camera was set up just to make sure every exciting moment could be captured should the chicks decide to get an early start and peck their way through their shells while teachers and students were away.

And sure enough, that's what they did! Teachers came to school both yesterday and this morning to find and hear new baby chicks just chirping away like they own the place. Just imagine the commotion these last two days!

Kids are learning in a fun way.  And that's real talk! Now the only problem is getting students to agree on the names for these chicks! That's going to take some heated debate.

Chalk Talk Tuesdays

I feel like a weight has been lifted!

I was just saying the other day that I have taken on more than I can handle.  Well today that problem sort of worked itself out. When I first signed up to take the ESOL graduate level course at my school, there were about 18 people in my class. Then that number quickly dwindled to about eight. And then there were three (including me)! Now the county has decided there aren't enough teachers left in the course to warrant an instructor coming to our school to teach us. In order to continue with the course, we would have to commute to another site.  So today, the remaining two teachers and I decided to drop the course. One of the main reasons we signed on to do the course was the convenience of having an instructor come to us.

I am content with the decision. It was getting difficult fitting a square peg in a round hole with the weekly requirements of the course plus all the other to do's. I don't view the last several weeks as time wasted.  Rather I see it as time well spent getting to know my colleagues and learning some invaluable lessons I can take with me on my teaching journey.

As I taught my students today to use a Venn diagram to organize their notes when comparing and contrasting two texts (they were all so eager to write on the white board!), I was happier knowing I didn't have to rush home to write yet another paper for that course. I felt more relaxed. One less thing on my plate. One less thing to keep me up late at night.

Later today, as a starving Buddy Roller and I were waiting for Chinese take-out, we did what we knew best to fill our time...we took selfies.

One less thing on my plate means more fun and more time with the ones I love. And that makes for a happier Tuesday!

Chalk Talk Thursdays - Fear Not

Today I and 30 other teacher leaders got to leave our classrooms and have a ton of FUN!

We met at Perimeter Church in Johns Creek and worked on some team building activities. It was a perfect day, and the weather was just right. 

After getting into three small groups, we had a chance to talk, and connect, and laugh! Once our group activities were over, the real fun began with a ropes course.

I was a little fearful this morning about our planned activities. I am not a thrill seeker by any means. There was talk of a zip line that was so high off the ground, it made me nervous! Luckily, there was no zip lining today, and by late morning I had worked up enough nerve to tackle this course. 

I was proud of myself.  I made it all the way to the top, and that's a big deal for me especially since I'm afraid of heights. That's the thing about fear. Sometimes by giving into our FEARS, we talk ourselves out of  opportunities we can grow from. 

The ride down was way easier.

The next time we do this...I will challenge myself and do the zip line! I really enjoyed today, and I'm even happier I didn't let my fears hold me back. I'm totally looking forward to doing this again!

Chalk Talk Thursdays: Cool

The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines cool (adj.) as of the very best kind. That very same word was used to describe me, yours truly, by one rambunctious former student.

As I was standing in the hallway this morning for my usual morning duty, he appeared out of nowhere. This is how the conversation went. I'll use the name Joe for privacy reasons.

Him: Hello Mrs. Cooke.

Me: Hi Joe, how are you?

Him: I'm doing well. I'm doing good this year. I got a 90 on my last test.

Me: That's great! Are you still a great writer? Last year I remember how good your writing was.

Him: Yes (this time smiling sheepishly).

Me: Who's your teacher this year?

Him: Ms. Lausier.

Me: How are things going with her?

Him: She's cool. I mean she's nice, but you are cooler.

Me: It's okay Joe if she's cooler, I won't mind.

Him: No Mrs. Cooke, you will always be my coolest teacher.

Me: Wow thank you Joe, that's so sweet of you. You made my day.

Him: (really smiling now) Okay Mrs. Cooke, have a good day.

Me: See you later Joe. Make sure you visit me later this year and let me know how you're doing.

Him: Okay Mrs. Cooke. Bye.

And then he walked away and disappeared into the sea of faces and middle school students on their way to homeroom.