My Teacher Hero

I think most teachers can look back and remember at least one teacher who led them to where they are today. Can you?

When I was in elementary school, I hated math. It was this series of random steps, it wasn’t creative, and I just plain had to work harder at it than any other subject.

Looking back, I wasn’t “bad” at math- but I thought I was.

In 7th grade, I started pre-algebra… and I was worried. To a math-hater, algebra is a scary word- and my teacher was pretty old-school.

We had timed tests to learn decimal equivalents of fractions. He taught mainly through lecture at the board. But Mr. Wall was more than that.

He pushed us to think and to see math as a puzzle. We weren’t following rote steps, but we were using what we knew and trying to problem solve. And it was okay if we weren’t getting it right so long as we were THINKING.

Maybe the best thing about Mr. Wall was that he knew us, and he made it clear he was there for us. If we were stuck or wanted help studying for a test, all we had to do was ask- and he would come early or stay late to help us study.

By the middle of the year, he had me- this previously math-shy kid who is NOT a morning person- arriving at school an hour early every Friday morning to work on math problems that felt near-impossible as part of MathCounts. I did it by CHOICE- because he’d made tackling a difficult problem and struggling through to get to an answer FUN.

The donuts (which I’m sure he bought with his own money) helped, too.  : )

He changed my view of math. I went on to learn math as high as calculus, and probably would’ve gone further if I had stayed a science major. And even better? I didn’t hate it anymore. I saw math completely differently- and I saw myself differently. I didn’t believe I was “bad at math” anymore, and learned that it was okay for something to feel difficult at first. And now when I teach math… I teach it so differently than I was taught.

And it’s all thanks to Mr. Wall.

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I had MANY great teachers as a child, and I firmly believe that TEACHERS ARE HEROES. Does it mean we’re all perfect, or even all good? No. But I’ve known many, many teachers- and the vast, vast majority give so much more than they’re given in return. If you’re reading this (a teacher blog, most likely on your own time)- you are one of those heroes who goes above and beyond for kids.

Thank you…

for giving hugs and encouragement and love to kids who might not otherwise get it.

for going in even when you’re sick because you don’t want to do sub plans.

for doing grading and planning on your weekends and snow days.

for thinking about your students when you’re off the clock.

for teaching so much more than academics.

for everything you do for the kids.

Someday, at least one of those students is going to remember you as their teacher hero. And even if they never write a blog post about you, you will be part of the reason they are who they are- and that, my friend, means you have absolutely made a difference.

THANK YOU.

TpT wants to thank you today- and I’m joining in. All items in my TeachersPayTeachers store Luckeyfrog  (including March’s Text Detectives Jr.) are 20% off.

You can save an extra 10% in any TpT store with the code HEROES.

It’s not enough- but I know this money usually comes out of your own pocket, and I hope this sale helps you pick out something to make your life a little easier!

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For a little more inspiration, read about some of my friends’ teacher heroes- and share the inspiration with your teacher friends who need a little reminder of how awesome they are!

An InLinkz Link-up

Luckey Birthday Giveaway- Day 1

Guess what? Last week was my birthday- AND I hit 1000 followers on TpT,  my best month ever, and I am veeery close to 100,000 pageviews on my blog.

You all are AMAZING- and this is absolutely, definitely cause for celebration & thanks- so, today starts A Very Luckey Birthday Giveaway!

Today’s prize is for LOCAL readers in and near Cincinnati- and it’s a celebration of two things I love- music and Pixar movies!

I can remember when I first saw Toy Story.  How could you NOT love a story like that? How could any kid not love to imagine their toys coming to life and having adventures?

In my head, I can’t think of Toy Story without thinking of Randy Newman’s drawling You’ve Got a Friend in Me, and the second movie wouldn’t have made me cry like a baby if not for Sarah McLachlan’s haunting When She Loved Me.

Similarly, when I think of The Incredibles, I can’t help but hear the score- jazzy, syncopated music with wailing trumpets and saxophones. It just wouldn’t have felt like the same movie without it!

Looking back at Pixar’s films- Monsters Inc., Brave, Finding Nemo, Cars, Up, and more… well, let’s just say they’re amazing, and the music is absolutely a huge part of what made them so touching and entertaining.

The Cincinnati Pops- right here where I live!- are presenting “Pixar in Concert” this upcoming weekend. Along with playing music from Pixar’s 13 films, they’ll be showing clips of the movies (perfect for keeping kids engaged during the concert!)

If you’ve never seen the Cincinnati Pops, they play in one of the most gorgeous buildings in the Midwest- Cincinnati Music Hall.

(Photo by Tom Hamilton on Flickr)

The inside of the building features ornate details, sparkling chandeliers, and a beautiful, buzzing atmosphere.

The Pops and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra do all kinds of amazing events, like last year’s outdoor concert Lumenocity, where they used the façade of the building as a giant projection screen for a light show timed to live music. They just announced they’ll be offering it again this summer, and I could not be more excited!

(My picture is blurry, but I promise- it was VERY, very cool!)

I’ve seen the Cincinnati Pops a number of times, and they are always entertaining. The Pixar concert this weekend (April 4-6) is sure to be entertaining for adults and kids alike! Here, you can listen to the conductor John Morris Russell and some of the musicians talk about the concert:

So, if you’re within driving distance of Cincinnati and would consider making the trip  for their shows this weekend (Friday evening, Saturday evening, or Sunday afternoon)… please enter below for a chance to win FOUR FREE TICKETS to Pixar in Concert with the Cincinnati Pops!

You’ll even be able to choose which date you’d prefer to attend! Please see the terms and conditions in the Rafflecopter. Giveaway winner will be chosen at midnight EST on Thursday, April 3rd! (So you really only have tonight and tomorrow to enter!)

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A special thanks to the Cincinnati Pops for sponsoring this giveaway!

Tickets to The Cincinnati Pops Present: Pixar in Concert are on sale this week!

Kids’ tickets are only $10, and CSO/ Pops are even offering special ticket deals for Reds Opening Day this week! You can purchase tickets here at their website or by calling 513.381.3300 to talk with ticket sales representatives.

Not a local reader? No worries! I’ll have two more giveaways over the next two days! (Including April’s Text Detectives pack : )

Two Stars And a Wish Linky Party!

Well, Spring Break sure does go by quickly. Friday already?!

I can’t believe it’s already time for the last quarter of school for us. This is the time of year where I start thinking about what’s working and what’s not in my classroom, and I’m sure I’m not alone.

In my class, we’ll often give each other feedback as “two stars and a wish”- two good things, and one to work on. Want to join me in giving yourself two stars for things going well this year, and one wish for next year?



(Special thanks to Ashley at The School Supply Addict for these great free graphics!)



This year, I switched to using a Daily 5-ish reading block with a CRAFT board and my reading journals! My kids get so much time to really read with 2-3 rounds each day, and the CRAFT board gives the students a place to reference the strategies we’ve learned, too. But the reading journals? They just might be my favorite part. I LOVE them. I posted about them last week.



My students have shown so much growth in responding to text and really showing their comprehension, and I am so glad I decided to change up my reading curriculum this year!



I love using data to track my students, but last year (my first in my own room), I didn’t keep up well with organizing the data so I could use it effectively. This year I feel like I’ve gotten a lot better at keeping individual data to show parents (like at parent-teacher conferences).



I have also worked on organizing my whole class data better in my teacher binder, which really helps when I’m building my small groups.





For next year, my wish is that I will figure out a better way to organize small groups, especially in math. Especially after our success in reading this year, I know that my kids would benefit from the same kind of authentic practice and targeted small groups in math. I don’t think it’s going to get all organized and going this year- but I’m excited to work something out for next year! (Suggestions welcome! :)

So, what about you?
Feel free to grab the graphics from above!

Thanks in advance! I love reading about what works for others, and hopefully we can help share some advice, too!

Are You Making Your Brain Stronger?

I think every teacher has one or two of those phrases they say constantly.

You know-
"Criss-cross applesauce!"
"Bubbles in your mouths!"
"You get what you get, and you don't get upset!"

Well, I have a teacher-ism I use all the time.

Click the picture to get your {free} copy!

At the beginning of the year, I pick up two pencils and start holding them like weights and curling my biceps. I tell the kids that I'm working out and I'm going to get super big muscles.

And of course, they start to laugh.

So I ask them why, and someone always tells me that my muscles won't get bigger when I'm picking up something so light. They insist that it won't work, even if I do it a lot.

I then tell them that their brain is the same way.

If you only do the things that are easy for you, even if you do them over and over- your brain won't get any stronger. You have to give your brain a challenge to make it grow.

I explain to them that, as their teacher, it's my job to make their brain stronger. That means I'm going to be trying to push them to try new things, and hard things- because if I only make them do things that are easy, their brains won't be stronger.

Sometimes, when I give them a big challenge, I call it a "Brain Workout." I tell them about when I started a new workout (Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred- whew. I am tired just thinking about it.) The first time I tried it, it was hard. I felt overwhelmed, my heart was pounding, I was doing terribly, and I just wanted to give up.

But the second time I did it, I was a little better.

And the next time, a little better.

Eventually, I got to where I could do it!- and I was pretty proud of myself.

And when it wasn't so hard anymore? I moved up to level 2, and made my body even stronger. And don't get me wrong, level 2 was just awful at first- but each time I did it, it got a little easier and I got a little stronger.

(... I decided that I probably didn't need to tell them what happens when you stop that workout program, but I suppose if you have kids that stop trying or stop doing their work, muscle atrophy might be a perfect analogy. )

This also works well when I have students who want to "help" others by giving them answers, or just telling their buddy reading partner the word. "Are you letting your partner's brain get stronger?"

Simply put... muscles are a great analogy for brains.

With my 3rd graders, I went on to explain how your brain actually has to make new pathways when you learn something new, and that's why it's so hard. Sending that first electrical impulse is much harder than doing it a 2nd time, or a 10th time, or a 100th time.

(Yes, I teach my 3rd graders about neural pathways and synapses. I am a complete nerd.)

So, I'm wondering... what do your kids hear EVERY day?
What's YOUR teacherism?

Hats for Kenton- Help a fellow blogger's family!

One of my favorite things about teacher blogging is that it builds a community. Somehow, even before we meet in person, we get to know each other, support each other, and care about each other.

Well, back when I first started blogging, one of my first followers was Deb from a blog called Oh My Little Classity Class. She would leave sweet comments on my posts when I thought no one was reading.

If you're not a follower of Deb's, you may not know that her beautiful family has been thrown a huge challenge.

Deb's son, Kenton, was just recently diagnosed
with AML Leukemia.

Deb has spent the last few weeks at the hospital alongside her son as he faces treatment, and he was just sent home after finishing the first round of chemo. You can read updates at Team Kenton on Facebook or at the Team Kenton Blog.

Here's where we come in.

Kenton is going through intense cancer treatments right now that are making his hair fall out. Deb posted a few days ago that he was worried what people would think about his hair.
 

I plan on sending Kenton a hat- and I'm hoping you will, too!

From Deb-

"Kenton LOVES country anything - farming, horses, animals, tractors (JOHN DEERE!!). . .he loves baseball and being outside. His favorite color is John Deere Green. He loves to draw and read and spend time with his family."


Here's how you can help:

• Send Kenton a hat. It can be a hat based on the things he likes, a hat you've made, a hat from your area of the country or world, a "cool" hat for a 10-year-old, a goofy hat to make him laugh, or even something else that you think will help him occupy his time in the hospital!

• Send his little sister McKayslin something little, like stickers, jewelry, chapstick, coloring books, etc. As Deb put it, she "didn't realize how much this diagnosis affects the entire family."

• Send letters and cards for the kids AND parents, too!

If you're not able to send something right now, that's okay!

You could still help Kenton or someone like him by giving blood, spreading the word about Hats for Kenton, posting some encouragement and well wishes on the Team Kenton pages, and of course- please keep Kenton and the whole Reynolds family in your thoughts and prayers.

Are you interested in helping? Fill out the Hats for Kenton form here, and please share the cause on your own blog by snagging the graphic below:


<center><a href="http://luckeyfrogslilypad.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v330/luckeyfrog/hats2.png"/></a></center>

Michelle from The 3AM Teacher was kind enough to design this custom graphic for us- isn't she wonderful?  (Please pop over to thank her, and let me know if my HTML isn't working- first time trying this!)

Thank you SO much for your help. As Deb told me... 

"We are really so blessed by all the love and support we're receiving. I don't know how people get through this without it! Thank you!"

Remember, if you would like to send a package, please fill out the Hats for Kenton form here!

Let's send Kenton and his family a LOT of love! 

GIVEAWAY TIME!

A few days ago, I found a list of summer blog goals.

200 followers by the end of June.
250 followers by the end of July.

Well, here I am, at the beginning of July, with over 265 followers already. Say what!? (Also, where the heck did June go?)

I had no idea that my lesson plan post, planning template freebie, and lesson plan customization tips would suddenly go crazy on Pinterest, but I am SO GLAD you are all here, and now that I have a break in my summer job, I want to celebrate!

Thank you to my generous donors! Please check out their blogs and products.

From Sara of Smiling in Second Grade...

Writing Journal Prompts
(one a day for the whole year, plus journal paper and monthly journal covers!)

From Mrs. Mc of Buzz Buzz Buzz...

 Time Bingo for Time to the Hour and Half Hour
(don't we ALL need more practice with this?)

 

From Jennifer of Delighted in Second...

Probability Fun with Pets! Math Unit
(how cute is this?)

From Tori of Tori's Teacher Tips...



Word Families Galore!
(This looks so practical- ready to print and go!)



From Mechele of Barrow's Hodgepodge...



Back to School Literacy Centers
(almost 50 pages of adorable centers perfect for the first few weeks of school!)

From Ashley of the Resource Room...

Reading and Language Arts Summer Packet

(So cute and bright!)

From Jackie of Third Grade's a Charm...


Scoot Combo Pack- Place Value Review and Rounding Robots!
(Because, seriously, is there a class in the world that doesn't love Scoot?)

 You can get it at TpT (click above) or at TN (click below).

From Denise at Yearn to Learn...

$5.00 credit towards anything in my store Talbott's Teaching Trove

(also known as Task Card Paradise!)

From Candace at Watkins Way...

Back to School Community Building Activities

(so perfect for while you get to know your kids that first week!)

And from Denise of Sunny Days in Second Grade...


Something I actually use in my classroom EVERY week of the year!
Second Grade Word Wizard and Math Magic (Set 1 of each!)

You could win all of this just as a THANK YOU for being a loyal follower! :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

One of the Rafflecopter items invites you to leave a ten-word summary of your blog (and a link) below.

Here's my example:

A new third grade teacher who loves science and frogs! 

Luckeyfrog's Lilypad

If you aren't sure how to leave a link in the comments, check out Kristen's terrific tutorial here.

This will help me make sure I've checked out my followers' blogs... but it will also help some of you find new blogs to follow (I hope!)

Happy July!