Teacher Tip: Forgive.

Chase Mielke, author of "A Letter to New Teachers", confesses that he’s spent too much time ruminating about students who were mean to him and to others, parents who made irrational demands, and colleagues who put him down. Finally he saw “that the only person suffering from my resentment was me” and started practicing meditation and forgiveness. And he forgave himself for his own mistakes.

Here are some ideas on how to survive the next 9 days!

Upcoming Professional development opportunities

• 01.07- Maximize the Power of Guided Reading- proven practices, innovative strategies, and practical ideas to help all students attain dramatic achievement gains
• 01.10- Guided Math: Practical Strategies to Differentiate Your Math Instruction Using Small Group Instruction and Math Learning Centers
• 01.13- What's NEW in Children's Books and Creative, Powerful Strategies to Use Them in Your Program
• 01.13- Shake Up Learning PLC- online book study and messaging with area educators
• 01.15- Keep Them on the Edge of Their Seats- learn strategies and engagement tools to take your learning to the next level (1/2 day AM)
• 01.23- Fitting It All In: Engaging Students in Social Studies Through the Inquiry Process
• 01.29- Technology Toolbox for Educators- learn about an array of tech tools
• 01.31- FISH! Catch the Energy. Release the Potential- improving the positive energy in daily interactions (1/2 day AM or PM)
• 02.05- Standards Based Grading is Really Not About Grading

strategies and skills

1. Check out these bookmarks that support questioning and academic vocabulary of each ELA standard! Kindergarten, first grade, second grade, third grade, fourth grade, fifth grade
2. Heart Word Magic- Really Great Reading calls high frequency words "heart words" since students should know them by heart. They created these short videos to help students learn to read and spell hard-to-decode heart words.
3. Although beneficial, it takes time to pass out manipulatives to each student during math instruction. These free virtual manipulatives make it less of a hassle. Have students use a Chromebook or use with your SmartBoard.

Helpful RESOURCES and Ideas

• IXL has a Google Classroom Share button to create assignments or posts directly from IXL to your Classroom. Log-in, click on a skill, find the green Google Classroom share button on the right hand side of the screen. Follow the on-screen prompts to post to Classroom.
• Japanese WWII pilots, board game creation, roadkill, and more! Check out this list of 2019 Orbis Pictus Nonfiction Book Winners.
• Wonka's "Golden Ticket" Writing Contest- creative story starters of 100 words or less, deadline is December 20th, only judging based on imagination
• A collection of books on Snowmen and Elves are available at Epic. If you're not already using Epic for student selected reading, check it out. It would make a great workstation.
• Biodiversity Field Trip Grant- Planning a science geared field trip that aligns with natural resources? I'd be happy to write this grant with your grade level. Contact me if interested.