Tag: teaching

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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!

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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?

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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).

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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?

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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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Teaching

Teacher Tip: Students Love Surveys!

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Students enjoy learning about each other with the use of surveys. It’s also an easy way to learn more about the young people I work with each day, too. In this blog post, I will share a few ways I use them in my primary classroom.

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Why Is This Important?

Surveys are part of my Math instruction during the school year (e.g., the math strand of Data Management ). Due to the often interactive nature of doing surveys, students enjoy using them in class at any given time. One of my students’ favourite thing to do is talk to their peers during class time. What they may not realize is that encouraging them to talk in such purposeful ways is integral to their learning! It’s a win-win!

Image shows a picture of several different simple surveys for young students to do in class.

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A Favourite and Helpful Video

Here’s a favourite video I love sharing with my students when we start learning about Data Management and collecting data. It’s by Scratch Garden on YouTube.

Skills Students Learn With Surveys

  1. Thinking of great questions to ask others (e.g., “What season do you prefer: Winter of Spring?”).
  2. Creating a variety of surveys (e.g., “I will create a T-chart or graph the responses with a pictograph.”).
  3. Collecting and sorting data (e.g., “I will use tally marks as I ask my friends the survey question.”).
  4. Reading data (e.g., “Five people said they prefer winter. Three people prefer Spring.”).
  5. Interpreting data (e.g., “More people prefer winter. I wonder why winter is the more popular season in my class?”).

Samples of Simple Surveys Used in My Classroom

image shows four simple surveys suitable for primary classroom
Four examples of simple surveys I use in my classroom.

How I Engage Students with Surveys in My Classroom

Whiteboard and Dry Erase Markers: When I ask my students to use these tools, any task becomes a more interesting one! My primary students enjoy drawing simple surveys (e.g., a T-Chart) and collecting data from their peers on their individual whiteboards.

Paper and Markers or Pencil Crayons: For my students who enjoy using various tools as they learn each day, having the choice to use markers or pencil crayons to do their math adds to the fun. I’ve noticed how some of my students even like using these tools to colour-code their data or design their surveys.

Clipboards: This has been a game-changer for me from a few years ago. When I hand a clipboard to each student, for some reason, they become like superstars and become engaged, excited to start working! They enjoy clipping their papers onto them, then moving around the room to speak to peers and record their answers. A clipboard for each student is a resource I love having in my classroom.

Click on the images below for more details on these helpful classroom resources! *non-affiliate / unsponsored links*

Using Surveys Outside of Math Instruction

Teaching my students how to use surveys in class helps them experience success in other areas of their learning, too. For example, once they know how to create a survey, students are ready to create them or use the skills to read one at any time.

Here are some other ways I use surveys in my primary classroom:

Science: When students are learning about animals, they enjoy making surveys on various animals. After learning about animal groups, I encourage them to create surveys for each animal group. Example: “What is your favourite type of mammal: a tiger or a fox?”

Homework Task: When my students are encouraged to create a survey, then use it at home with their family, it’s always great fun when they share their results the next day with their peers. It’s real-world information for them and a great discussion opener in class.

I’m done, now what? I’m sure you can think of at least one student in class who seems to finish assigned tasks in what may seem like a few moments. Here’s a great way to engage that student in a purposeful way and keep them occupied on a different task. I encourage that student to create their own survey template and keep it in their desk (e.g., folder, binder, etc.). They will be able to use it in class at a later time (e.g., ask their peers and record their responses).

Read the previous Teacher Tip: Try Something New: Phonemic Awareness Instruction

Questions to Consider

  1. How do you use surveys in your classroom?
  2. What types of surveys do your students enjoy creating the most?
  3. What part of data management is the most challenging for your students?

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

Try Something New: Phonemic Awareness Instruction

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In order to further assist my students as they learn to read, I am using the book, Shifting the Balance by Jan Burkins and Kari Yates, as a resource. I will share my learning about the importance of phonemic awareness instruction from the second chapter, “Shift 2: Recommitting to Phonemic Awareness Instruction” and reflect on some ways I intend to use it in my classroom. It has also inspired me to try something totally new and I can’t wait to see how it all works out over the year.

READ THIS: “Shifting the Balance: Professional Reading for the Summer”

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What is Phonemic Awareness Instruction?

In the opening of this chapter, there was a description of how certain terms like phonemic awareness, phonological awareness, and even phonics are often used as if they all mean the same thing. I have also been confused over the years with the terms. Reading this chapter has helped clarify it more for me, but I will surely revisit this chapter often to build upon and review my learning.

According to the text, Shifting the Balance, phonemic awareness “involves only spoken sounds, without letters attached” (page 38), while phonemic awareness instruction is “teaching children to notice, articulate, and manipulate the smallest sounds in words” (page 35).

READ THIS: “Talking Builds Comprehension: Create Opportunities to Talk”

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Phonemic Awareness Develops Naturally?

This was one of the topics of “misunderstanding” in this chapter, that “phonemic awareness develops naturally” (page 36). Learning to listen, learning to read, is a whole lot of work! It takes great time and effort to develop these key skills. For that reason, students need the time and regular practice to work on becoming stronger in these areas.

Reading through this chapter made me realize just how necessary it is to consistently and explicitly teach students about the sounds they hear, especially as they learn to read. It made me think about how I’m going to plan for phonemic awareness instruction in my daily routines. I definitely want to approach teaching phonemes differently this year.

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What are Phonemes?

Phonemes are the smallest sounds in words. These small, individual sounds (phonemes) are what I need to help my students learn more. There are 44 phonemes in the English language. Check out Jake Pool’s post, “44 Phonemes in English and Other Sound Blends” to see a nice breakdown of phonemes.

Here is a great video that models the 44 phonemes in English.

This Chapter is So Important!

This chapter is extremely important and I’m so glad that it’s part of this book. I have to admit, however, that it was overwhelming. There is so much helpful information packed into this chapter. It is why I will revisit the chapter many more times this year in order to try out different things!

A recommendation for making this shift calmed me down after wondering how I would be able to “do it all”. The authors suggest that educators “gather what you need for thoughtful phonemic awareness instruction” (page 50). Here are the four things they suggest teachers really need to do this:

  1. Instructional Routines
  2. Word Lists
  3. Multisensory Scaffolds
  4. Assessment Plan

WEBSITE: www.TheSixShifts.com

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A Routine I Will Use for Phonemic Awareness Instruction

One suggested routine is to help students learn to observe how sounds are made. The reasoning behind this routine is to give children the opportunity to see how their mouth, lips, etc. make different phonemes. I instantly loved the recommendation to have students look in a mirror to see what their mouths look like when they make certain sounds…then I remembered that it won’t work this year in class since we are wearing masks due to the pandemic.

That’s when I decided I needed to find another way to help this process start in the classroom, despite the fact that we cannot see our mouths as we manipulate sounds.

I decided that I will use a Sound Wall, one with images of mouth shapes connected to the sounds being made.

I searched through many resources online and finally selected one by Simply Kinder. Check out this awesome resource here!

I plan on instructing my students carefully and not simply placing the images on the wall before explicitly teaching them about a specific sound. I want to encourage them to use it as a reference.

letter blocks
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Other Routines I Will Try Out This Week!

  1. Blending – Students will listen to the individual sounds (phonemes) I make, then guess the word! I already know my students will enjoy the mystery of it all.
  2. Isolation and Discrimination – This routine will help students identify words that have the same beginning, middle or ending. For example, which words have the same sound at the beginning: down, dog, tag?

Closing Thoughts on this Chapter

I have learned that I truly need to be intentional about phonemic awareness instruction. If I consistently and explicitly help my students focus more on this, it is my hope that I can especially help those who may be struggling readers and writers.

How do you use phonemic awareness instruction to help students learn to read and write?

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

Teacher Tip: Celebrate Our Names

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During the first few weeks of school, one of the main things I aim to do is help my students learn each other’s names. In order for me to do this, I use a few different types of activities to help them celebrate our names. I also enjoy using some picture books to share the important message that our names are special and that we can show respect and care to others when we learn to say their names correctly.

Why Is This Important?

As teachers, we can help our students develop a positive view of themselves and others. We can help students learn that their names makes them special. We can help them learn to genuinely appreciate the names of other people, too.

Many years ago, I remember reading a new student’s name on the first day of school. I pronounced it as I saw it on the paper and naturally, students started calling her in the same way, too. Going forward, whenever we played name games, this student would pronounce her way in the same way as I had introduced her.

For months, I wondered why this student would often not respond when I called her name during the day. It wasn’t until the latter part of the school year, when this student very kindly and bravely said: “Why are you saying my name like that? That’s not my name. It’s _____________.” My mouth dropped open. I felt absolutely horrible! For such a long time, I mispronounced her name, her beautiful name! No wonder she didn’t respond. She didn’t recognize it as her name because it wasn’t how her name was pronounced! I immediately re-introduced her to the class and apologized for my great mistake.

I share this story because I have been on both sides of the fence when it comes to names! I have obviously, as outlined above, unfortunately mispronounced a student’s amazing name. I have also had my name mispronounced as well, even up to today as a grown-up!

It’s important for us to take the necessary time to listen carefully and learn how to pronounce the names of our students. It is equally as important to give our students the opportunity to practice saying the names of their peers. It’s also valuable to let each student know that it’s more than okay to politely correct others, whether it’s a fellow student or teacher, if their name is mispronounced. Yes, it may sometimes take some practice, but it’s extremely important. It shows respect and care.

Some Name Activities I Use in Class

  • Shout It Out: We go outdoors and stand in a circle. Each student says their name loudly and we say it back. This usually gets the students smiling when they hear the echo of their name. It’s a great way to practice pronouncing our names.
  • Name Tags: Students can wear their names (e.g., using stickers) in order to help others learn to read and say their names.
  • Popsicle Stick Names: In between lessons, I like to use these popsicle sticks to help students read and say the names they see. It’s a great way to celebrate our names.
  • Name Art: There are so many amazing ways to celebrate our names in the form of art! Students enjoy using markers, crayons, or pencil crayons, to design their name in different ways. In fact, this year, I have decided that we will do 2 – 3 variations of name art.
  • Guess Who: Using a student’s name, I create a riddle and give clues to the class to figure out the “mystery student”. Clues such as, “This student has 7 letters in their name. It starts with a letter a and ends with a y, etc.” Students love solving mysteries and so this game works well. They all wait for their turn to be the “mystery student” over the first month.
  • Name Discussion: Ask your students, “Why are names important? How do they help us? Why are they special?” Also ask them, “How do you feel when your name is said incorrectly? How do you help others learn your name? How do you feel when your name is pronounced the right way?”
This picture shows a resource by Minds to Grow called, "My Name is Super" on Teachers Pay Teachers.

Favourite Books to Celebrate Our Names

Here are my Top 3 favourite books that help me focus on the fact that names are special and important. Click on each book below for more details about the storyline!

*non-affiliate / unsponsored links*

PREVIOUS Teacher Tip: Introduce Your Virtual Classroom

Questions to Consider

  1. What name activities have you used in your classroom to help students learn and celebrate names?
  2. Have you had a similar experience as an educator where you mispronounced a student’s name? How did you deal with it?
  3. How long does it usually take you to learn the names of all of your students at the start of each new school year?
  4. Do you have a name that others mispronounce? How do you feel when that happens?
  5. Why is important to help students learn to say each others’ names correctly?

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

Teacher Tip: Share a Sunshine Note

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Spread Some Joy with a Sunshine Note!

A sunshine note is a happy little message from you to your students and their families. You can send it home on paper, with a quick message over the phone, online by email or even via your virtual classroom. This post will focus on the start of the school year, but you can send a sunshine note at any time of the year!

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Why Is This Important?

The start of the school year means the start of creating community, building trust, and engaging students and families. One way to show them that you are over the moon to work with them this year is by sending a sunshine note early on!

Click above to get a FREE Sunshine Note template!

How Do I Use Sunshine Notes in my Classroom?

Each year, I purposely send out a generic Sunshine Note at the end of the first week of school. Why generic? Simply because it helps me make sure that every child receives one at the start of the school year.

Once I start learning more about my students, I intentionally plan certain times in the year when I will send out sunshine notes for the whole class at the same time. I also plan and send out short, yet personalized sunshine notes when I wish to share observations, positive behaviours, growth in learning, etc.

Sometimes I send a few at the end of the week for a period of one month, until all students receive a quick, personalized sunshine note.

Sometimes I write the messages by hand, other times I send them in a short email. Last year, I started creating digital sunshine notes that were generic, uploaded them to an email for a parent, then typed a quick, personalized message.

Whether it is done on paper, online, or by phone, students and parents appreciate the gesture. It feels great to be a source of joy in this small way, too. Celebrating my students’ growth in learning and choices is a joy!

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Why is a Simple Sunshine Note or Message Powerful?

  1. It shows students and parents that you care!
  2. It puts a smile on the faces of your students. BONUS: Add a sticker to see an even bigger grin!
  3. It helps a parent learn about positive behaviour their child is showing in class.
  4. It can help a parent learn about strengths or improvements you have observed.

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Questions about Sunshine Notes

  1. Have you ever sent Sunshine Notes before to your students and families? If so, what was the response?
  2. How often do you send them? Do you send them on a regular basis or a few times during the year?
  3. Do you prefer to send them in writing, online, or with a phone call?

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.