Tag: teachers

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Personal Growth for Teachers

Personal Growth for Teachers

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Teachers dedicate a great amount of time and energy into planning for and working with their students. Busy teachers often feel like they don’t have time to focus on personal interests. In this blog post, I will start talking about personal growth for teachers.

woman wearing white dress reading book
Photo by Min An on Pexels.com

What is Personal Growth?

In the blog post, “What is Personal Growth and Why Is It So Important?” (Vishen, Amy White, June 23, 2022), personal growth is described as follows:

“Personal growth is the improvement of our skills, knowledge, wisdom, habits, behavior, and personal qualities. Personal development allows you to reach your full potential, be your best self and live your happiest, most successful life.”

It also states the following: 

“It’s not just about learning — it’s about applying whatever you learn so it becomes part of who you are.” (https://blog.mindvalley.com/personal-growth/)

green leaves with raindrops

Read this Blog Post: Self-Care in Summer for the Tired Teacher

Personal Growth for Teachers?

As educators, we aim to meet our students where they are in their learning and help them grow from there. 

We help facilitate their learning so that they can grow their knowledge, develop social skills, become critical thinkers and communicators, and so much more. 

boy and girl doing painting
Photo by Yan Krukov on Pexels.com

We feel a deep sense of joy when we see our students’ progress from Point A to Point B. I personally feel proud of what my students and I accomplish together when I see just how much progress has occurred in our school year. I see how they continue to work hard and broaden their understanding.

Personal growth for the teacher is valuable and needed, too. 

woman holding a camera with outstretched arms in front of a mountain; personal growth for teachers

Perhaps you’re thinking of the following: 

“When in the world do I have time for personal growth? I barely have time to focus on me because I’m simply too busy with everything else!” 

Does this resonate with you?

If it does, then please keep reading. This is a necessary topic and one that I’m pleased you are also interested in just like me!

picture of free Summer Reflection Guide for Teachers by Minds to Grow

A Quick Little Challenge

Here’s a little challenge for you! 

Take out a pen and paper (or if preferred, get ready to type on a device of your choice). 

For the next 60 seconds, make a list of some work-related tasks that keep you super busy each day, throughout the school year, etc. 

And begin!

person writing on a notebook beside macbook; personal growth for teachers
Photo by Judit Peter on Pexels.com

What Prevents Teachers from Focusing More on Personal Growth?

So, what did you record on your list? Were you able to come up with only one or two items?

Chances are, your list was pretty long. You may have even felt like you needed extra time to create a more exhaustive list!

Did any of the following make your list, too?

  • Creating plans for your class (e.g., yearly overview, weekly and daily plans, etc.)
  • Development of IEP’s
  • Communicating with parents (e.g., via email, by phone, in person, etc.)
  • Marking
  • Planning for lessons throughout the day (e.g., organizing manipulatives, etc.)
  • Attending meetings and professional development
  • Assessment and evaluation
  • Writing report cards

woman sitting in front of macbook
Photo by energepic.com on Pexels.com

To answer the question personally, what has stopped me in the past from focusing more on personal growth is quite simply my busy schedule. 

There never seems to be enough time to do other “stuff”.

Well, for a while now, I adjusted my mindset on that because I realized that the other “stuff” is especially important and needed in my life. 

Let’s Daydream for a Moment…

Remove the Teacher Hat that we wear for a moment.

Think about a specific thing you’ve always been interested in doing, but haven’t found the time to do so yet.

side view photo of woman sitting on ground overlooking a hill
Photo by Luis Fernandes on Pexels.com

Can you imagine it? Something just for you. A goal you have personally been interested in working towards or an intention you wish to set for yourself. 

How would you feel to be engaged in making that happen for you? 

Would you feel a sense of joy, pride, accomplishment, growth? 

photo of woman standing on sunflower field; personal growth for teachers
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

If so, I sincerely encourage you to start thinking more about that one thing (or things) you have been dreaming of doing, but can’t find the time to start.

variety of flowers around a quote about personal growth for teachers

I’m thrilled you are here, Teacher friend, especially if you are on a journey, like myself, to focus more on personal growth with our busy schedules.

You are worth it and so am I. 

We need to do this for ourselves and starting it sooner than later can help us start, well, growing. 

Stay tuned to this blog category on Personal Growth, for more tips and words of encouragement to keep growing. 

I believe in you! Thanks for believing in me, too!

So, what are we waiting for?

3, 2, 1…let’s grow!

Stay Connected!

Let’s chat on social media! Stay connected with Minds to Grow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. You can also keep in touch with linktr.ee/mindstogrow.

fish tank art by Minds to Grow, an education website
Teaching

Quick Lesson Idea: Fish Tank Art

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Short on time and need a quick, yet lovely little activity for your Grade 1 or 2 students? Check out this fish tank art lesson!

Fish tank artwork
Fish Tank Art

Quick Description for Fish Tank Art

Using minimal materials, you can help your students create this cute fish tank art.

It would be helpful if students know how to do the following:

  • draw simple shapes (e.g., circles, ovals, triangles, etc.)
  • draw some organic shapes
  • draw some basic lines for design (e.g., wavy, zigzag, straight, etc.)
  • know the primary colours (red, yellow, blue) and secondary colours (purple, orange, and green)

Shapes for fish tank art: triangle, oval, etc.
Some simple shapes students can use to create their fish, plants, etc.

a book, summer reflection guide for teachers, on a table

Materials for Fish Tank Art

  • paper (e.g., lined or blank)
  • crayons and/or pencil crayons
  • black marker

*I used 8 1/2 x 11 lined paper as that’s what I had available when I taught this lesson online.

Learning Goal:

I will use a few different shapes and lines, as well as the primary and secondary colours, to create a picture.

Task Description:

Create a fish tank with six fish and scenery.

Success Criteria for this Task:

I know I am successful when I…

  • draw and colour one red fish, one blue fish, and one yellow fish
  • draw and colour one purple fish, one orange fish, and one green fish
  • add different lines to the tail and fins (e.g., zigzag, straight, etc.)
  • draw a wavy line to draw the ocean bed (e.g., sand)
  • draw and colour some plants
  • outline all of the above with a black marker (e.g., fish, plants, etc.)
  • draw some blue waves
  • colour the ocean bed brown and the rest of the background blue
  • add extra details such as bubbles, pebbles in the sand, etc.

plant in a planter; logo for Minds to Grow, an education website

My Example: Fish Tank Art

click for free weekly planning page template

Hashtag #fishtankart

If interested, please share a photo of some art samples for this task with the hashtag #fishtankart.

Stay Connected!

Let’s chat on social media! Stay connected with Minds to Grow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. You can also keep in touch with linktr.ee/mindstogrow.

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Teaching

9 Helpful Items to Use for Virtual Teaching

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By now, many educators can now add virtual teaching to their resumes. Whether you have taught your class online once or multiple times, I’m sure you have tried various things to help make it work. I will share the nine helpful items that I’ve used for virtual teaching during this pandemic.

Woman teaching students online from inside of a classroom.

Important Note

There are many ways to set-up for teaching online. I am sharing my own set-up in case it can be of help to someone who is looking for some ideas. I have enjoyed learning how other educators have prepared for teaching their classes virtually, too. However you choose to do so, I applaud you for making learning experiences happen for your students, despite any technological challenges that may occur along the way!

This post contains non-affiliate / unsponsored links. It includes items I have personally used and enjoy, as well as some that are of personal interest to me. 

Kris, minds to grow

a book, summer reflection guide for teachers, on a table

A Photo of My Set-Up

Before I share the specific items, take a look at the picture below to see my set-up. Yes, there are cords everywhere and materials. The picture was taken at the end of a school day teaching online. In that moment, I got the idea to snap the picture to help me remember the set-up in case I needed it again. Well, I definitely needed to set-up in the same way several times afterwards!

It’s also important to note that all of the following items were not purchased at one time. I acquired them piece by piece after carefully considering what could help make things more efficient for me.

My Set-Up for Teaching Online

click for free weekly planning page template

Main Items That I Use

1. Laptop

A laptop is the key tool that helps me with online teaching. I use it to organize and plan my lessons, connect with my class via the various platforms we use, etc.

You may note that there are two laptops pictured above. Let me explain. When I was learning about sharing my screen, I sometimes relied on a secondary laptop whenever necessary. Now that I’m more comfortable doing so, that second laptop is no longer needed.

Example Laptop: Lenova Ideapad 3, 14″ HD Laptop

2. Webcam

The quality of the built-in camera on my laptop wasn’t the greatest, so I opted to purchase one. This particular camera does not have an auto-zoom feature. I like the clarity of it for the price!

Webcam I Use: SAITOR 1080P HD Webcam with Microphone & Privacy Cover, Full HD Web Camera

3. Ring Light

You know when they say that lighting helps everything? It’s no joke! A Ring Light can surely help make things look more presentable online. There are many different sizes of Ring Lights available. There are small ones that clip onto a laptop. Some are tabletop lights on a stand. There are even larger lights that stand on the floor.

The one I use has 3 light modes. It’s ready to use after plugging it into the laptop.

Ring Light I Use: Neewer Selfie Ring Light for Laptop Computer, 10″ Dimmable Desktop LED Circle Light

4. iPad

Thankfully, I have access to a teacher-assigned iPad from school. My students used laptops, tablets, and even cellphones to learn online. The functions on a laptop are quite different to those on a tablet. I was able to use and show my iPad to help students understand how to access resources in our virtual classroom.

Example iPad: 2020 Apple iPad Air (10.9-inch, Wi-Fi, 64GB) – Green (4th Generation)

5. Extra Monitor

After learning about the benefits of having a dual monitor, I started looking around for one. Having a second monitor gives you the chance to share your screen with your class, and also have them visible on the other monitor at the same time.

Monitor I Use: LG 24BK400H-B 24 Inch Screen Full HD ‎1920 x 1080 60Hz LCD Monitor, Black

6. Microphone

A dedicated microphone was purchased to help with online teaching. I’m not an expert on microphones, so I chose this one based on the reviews and I am quite happy with it.

Microphone I Use: USB Microphone, Alvoxcon Unidirectional Condenser Mic for Computer, PC

Great for In-Person and Online Teaching!

7. Whiteboard, Marker, and Eraser

These items are instrumental in me modeling writing, completing math equations, etc. My students also have their own whiteboard, marker, and eraser. We use them daily during in-person learning, as well as when we were online.

Whiteboard Set I Use: Brite Tools Double Sided Dry Erase Boards, Ruled and Plain with Small Lined Lapboards, Dry Erase Markers, Erasers 

A Game Changer for Me!

8. Document Camera

Now this was a game changer for me! I saw so many beautiful document cameras being used by educators online and knew it was something that I wanted to use, too. However, when I saw the prices, I could not afford to buy one.

That is when I started thinking of making one myself. Not from the ground up, but using existing tools to create a version of one.

I decided to get the following items:

  1. Webcam Stand (one with a flexible arm that connects to my desk)
  2. A second webcam (one that attaches onto the stand)

Once these items are in place, I am able to put my whiteboard under the webcam, then write for my students. They are able to see me writing (or reading a book, or showing how to fold their paper) once I share the view from my second camera. Voila! A document camera at a fraction of the price, if you are open to being a little creative.

Webcam Stand I Use for Document Camera: Pipishell 25 Inch Webcam Stand – Flexible Desk Mount Clamp Gooseneck Stand

Webcam I Use for Document Camera: NexiGo N60 1080P Web Camera, HD Webcam with Microphone & Privacy Cover, USB Computer Camera

9. Wireless Mouse

There’s a mousepad built into my laptop, but I always feel more comfortable using a wireless mouse.

Wireless Mouse that I Use: Logitech M185 Wireless Mouse, 2.4GHz with USB Mini Receiver

Questions to Consider

Have you taught online before? If so, what items have helped you teach online?

What two items would you consider to be the most important for teaching online?

What advice would you share with another teacher about teaching online?

Stay Connected!

Let’s chat on social media! Stay connected with Minds to Grow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. You can also keep in touch with linktr.ee/mindstogrow.

peppermint tea on teacup
Self-Care and Wellbeing for Teachers

Self-Care for Teachers: My Favourite Beverages

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Self-care for teachers is important! As fulfilling as teaching can be, it is also very draining. As a result, my goal is to focus more on self-care each day. I’m sure many fellow educators can identify with the physical and mental exhaustion that often comes in our profession, and for that reason, I invite you to join me in meeting this goal, too!

a book, summer reflection guide for teachers, on a table

Past Thoughts on Self-Care

In the past, I viewed “self-care” as somewhat of a special event. A key example would be spending time at a spa. Sounds lovely, right? The problem with that is that it would be a rare event, not to mention, one that could potentially be quite costly.

Read This! “Why Teacher Self-Care Matters” by www.waterford.org

Present Thoughts on Self-Care

I’m thankful to see self-care in a different light now, but I must admit, I still need to work on taking better care of myself on a regular basis. That is why I have decided to purposely start sharing some of the ways I already practice self-care, as well as some things that I wish to try out.

Image shows a cup of tea with words above saying, Self-Care for Teachers - Favourite Beverages
Teachers, do you have a go-to beverage each day?

What does self-care for teachers look like to you?

Image shows a white ceramic mug with four colourful fall leaves, with words "So thankful" on it

Self-Care for Teachers: Enjoy your Favourite Beverage

I will be sharing some of my own personal favourite beverages. These special drinks can be comforting and warming, while others give me a taste of some favourite flavours. Read on to view some of my own go-to beverages (in no particular order).

click for free weekly planning page template

1. Herbal Tea

I personally enjoy drinking herbal tea and love the variety of flavours available. From peppermint tea to ginger lemon tea, I really like trying out various flavours across different tea brands.

The one that I recently discovered is an instant new favourite. It’s Spice Dragon Red Chai (Caffeine-Free) by Stash. This herbal tea is absolutely comforting to me. The ingredients include cinnamon, rooibos, ginger root, and clove. I use it without sugar and add a tiny amount of almond milk. Click on the images below for more details about this tea.

If you also enjoy herbal tea like myself, have you tried any of the following flavours? If not, give them a try.

2. Dandy Blend

This is an “instant herbal beverage with dandelion”. A friend of mine introduced this one to me a while back after I mentioned that I don’t drink coffee. I love the taste and scent of this beverage. I usually add some almond milk and a bit of honey for taste. It also makes a great iced drink, too!

3. Smoothies

Smoothies made at home are perhaps one of the easiest ways I can ensure that I grab breakfast in the morning. Making them at home helps me monitor the amount of sugar and types of ingredients in the smoothie. I love the versatility of smoothies and constantly try out different kinds. Some go-to ingredients for me include the following:

  • berries (e.g., frozen strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, etc.)
  • kale or spinach
  • almond milk
  • seeds (e.g., pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, flax seeds, etc.)
  • collagen powder
  • protein powder

Read this! Mango Spinach Smoothie Recipe by simplegreensmoothies.com

An inspiring, short video from Simple Green Smoothies

Closing Thoughts

Hot, warm, or cold, I am one that savours each sip from a beverage of choice each day. It can be that smoothie in the morning to get an energy boost, or that warm cup of herbal tea in the evening as I settle in at home after a day at work. Self-care in a cup (or mug, or glass, or whatever container it may be). That’s just one simple little way I practice self-care. It is like a a few moments of peace, a few moments to get energized or reset.

How do you practice self-care?

www.mindstogrow.ca

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Stay Connected!

Let’s chat on social media! Stay connected with Minds to Grow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. You can also keep in touch with linktr.ee/mindstogrow.

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Professional Growth for Teachers, Teaching

Shifting the Balance: Professional Reading for the Summer

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Shifting the Balance is a book that caught my attention recently because it focuses on a topic that I want to learn more about: the Science of Reading. While scrolling on Instagram just a few weeks ago, I noticed the term, the “Science of Reading” and it stopped me in my tracks. It was a term I had not seen or heard before and it instantly made me curious. For this reason, I started searching for resources to help me learn more about the Science of Reading. 

There is an image of a woman with long hair reading a book. There is also a photograph of the book, "Shifting the Balance: 6 Ways to Bring the Science of Reading Into the Balanced Literacy Classroom" by Jan Burkins and Kari Yates.

Shifting the Balance: My Own Summer Book Club?

I was so happy to come across the book, Shifting the Balance by Jan Burkins and Kari Yates (2021). After reading more about the resource, I decided that it was the best fit for me. I ordered the book and it is now my professional reading for the summer break! I have yet to start the book, but I’m excited to learn more about the Science of Reading through studying this resource.

click for free weekly planning page template

Shifting the Balance: Does Something Need to Be Shifted?

Upon looking at the cover, I see that this book is primarily suitable for teachers from Kindergarten to Grade 2. The subtitle for the book, Shifting the Balance is “6 Ways to Bring the Science of Reading into the Balanced Literacy Classroom”. 

Hmmm. A Balanced Literacy Classroom…that’s my classroom. That’s what I have learned about from so many workshops, professional resources, and more. The title of the book was calling out my name and I knew that it would be the book to help me understand what this shift is all about!

What is Balanced Literacy Any Way?

 The term, “balanced literacy” has been at the forefront of many language programs, especially in early primary classrooms (Kindergarten to Grade 2). In my opinion, it is a broad term that describes ways to help immerse students in different kinds of language activities (e.g., guided, shared, independent work) in order to help them become well-rounded readers and writers. 

Mission to Make a Way for Learning

I personally love helping my students grow and strengthen their language skills through reading, writing, oral communication, word play, etc. The focus on having a balanced literacy program has felt like the norm for the last little while. It has become a comfort zone, so to speak, in planning my language program, and I’m very happy with the success many students have achieved. However, there are sometimes some learners who may appear to have more difficulty grasping key language skills. As a teacher who constantly wants to problem-solve, such a situation puts me on a mission to find new strategies or ideas to help me try and reach those students in a different and better way.

Growth Mindset: Time to Learn Something In A Different Way!

In the same way I wish for my students to become lifelong learners, I, too, enjoy learning and “growing my brain”. Learning about the Science of Reading is an opportunity for me to learn something new, perhaps have a shift in mindset on the approach of teaching reading, and hopefully, make me a stronger reading teacher for my students, especially those that may be struggling. 

Is this book on your summer reading list, too? Click here to buy Shifting the Balance. *non-affiliate / unsponsored link*

This Blog Post Has Just Started, But It Will Already Be Continued!

Let me repeat: I have yet to start reading, Shifting the Balance! I just received it in the mail yesterday. In this blog, I will outline my initial thoughts on the resource. I look forward to sharing more about the book in future posts! Stay tuned.

This image has the words, "What's the Science of Reading?" Learn along with me! www.mindstogrow.ca/blog.

Initial Observations

Here are some interesting things that I noticed as I skimmed through the book for the first time:

  1. The title for the introduction is, “Embracing Science and Balance”. It sounds like a way to welcome me, the reader, into opening my mind to learning about the science of reading as well as a balanced reading approach. I’m anticipating that the introduction will describe the rationale for looking at the Science of Reading. 
  1. The book is broken down into the “6 Shifts”, as described on the cover (e.g., 6 Ways to Bring the Science of Reading into the Balanced Literacy Classroom).
  1. In the Contents section, I already like how each shift (chapter) has a similar pattern:
    • “Clearing Up Some Confusion”
    • Misunderstandings
    • Summary of the Science 
    • Recommendations for Making the Shift

This image has a bookshelf with many books on it. The words, "Growth Mindset Picture Books" and "www.mindstogrow.ca/blog" are underneath the picture. Clicking on the link will take you to the blog post on Minds to Grow's website.

I’m really excited to see the breakdown from the contents because it sounds like I will be learning a lot! As I skim through the list of “misunderstandings”, I immediately agree with some, yet realize that there are many that may cause a shift in my thinking as well. That’s good! There will be growth!

I’m also glad there is a summary of the Science of Reading as it relates to each “shift”. 

When I initially started researching about the Science of Reading online, it became a bit overwhelming to see some of the information out there, hence the reason why this book seemed like a great introduction for me! 

The “Recommendations for Making the Shift” makes me smile because I know there will be some practical ways to help me implement new learning with my students. I can’t wait to dive in!

How Do I Feel About It All?

I must admit, I am a bit nervous as I prepare to dive into this book. I’m super excited to start, nevertheless! This book may stretch me in a short time. It may cause me to change some approaches in how I teach reading. I’m ready for the new learning. I acknowledge that it may mean an overhaul of what I have done before. That’s more than okay if it can help produce even greater results and help for students! 

I’m ready to go beyond my comfort zone and learn the science so that I can help struggling students.

Flipping Through the Pages of the Book

I see lots of figures and tables included on the pages. Loving that already! I am a visual learner, so these types of tools are especially helpful and beneficial to me. The book is also colour-coded (e.g., each shift has a specific colour for easy reference, I believe). I also noticed some reflection questions at the end of each chapter. I will reflect on my learning at the end of each chapter and use it this year. 

This image shows a variety of school supplies like pencils, crayons, sharpeners on a wooden background. The words, "Get Ready for Back to School!" is in the middle of the items. Clicking on this image leads you to the Minds to Grow TPT store. This link shows a Back to School activity bundle at: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Back-To-School-Activities-First-Day-of-School-Quick-Simple-Grade-1-2-7063073

Time to Start Reading!

This book, Shifting the Balance, is a professional reading resource for Kindergarten to Grade 2 teachers. On the website for this book, https://thesixshifts.com, I noticed that there are some great free resources available there! I will surely look into them. There is also a podcast which can help me in my journey of learning more about the Science of Reading.

If you are interested in learning along with me, consider purchasing a copy of the book.  *non-affiliate / unsponsored link*

Looking forward to sharing some of my thoughts and new learning after reading the first chapter of Shift the Balance. Hope you will join me then!

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