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Classroom Kindness

In today's modern world there is so much hate and ugliness to go around, so how do we stop that from seeping into our classroom and our community? Here are some tips for teaching kindness to your classroom:

1. Model kindness- show your class HOW to be kind to others. Introduce the custodian and make sure you thank him/her for the work that is done around the school. If we treat others with respect and show kindness our children will be too
2. Teach empathy- one very important habit that helps students learn to be kind to others, especially when dealing with conflict, is “Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood.”  This helps students see each other through a kindness lens and appreciate what each other is feeling
3. Have classroom jobs- this may seem like a minor thing in the class, but given EVERY student  job in the classroom gives a sense of purpose and responsibility in the classroom
4. Emphasis friendship- create a classroom community that is based around friendship and teamwork. Talk about what being a friend looks like and how you can treat a friend in the classroom.
5. Build a real connection- your student's need to know that you genuinely care about them and want them to succeed. It is your responsibility to build relationships with each student and encourage classroom connections between other students as well. 
6. Share social stories- sharing social stories allow children to be problem solvers in their classroom. Have a class discussion about how the student would feel if they were in a situation like the story. This teaches empathy as well as problem-solving. 
7. BE THE ACTION- empower students to take initiative and show kindness throughout the school community. You don't have to stop there though. Show your children that kindness can be shown through community service projects. Teach your class to be "do-ers" because eventually, they will mold into critical thinkers who take initiative to be kind to anyone and everyone. 

Each school and state might tell you what you have to teach, but it is your job as an educator to choose to teach kindness in the classroom. Ultimately, it is kindness that will make a difference in your student's life. You never know how far a small gesture can go. No matter how you teach kindness, the world will be a better place because of it. 

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Master APPster

Hello readers!

If you are anything like me, then the word technology may scare you a tiny bit. I think it is very common in the classroom these days, but I am just not as familiar with using technology as I would like to be. The best I can usually do is writing a paper with Word, and sometimes even that gives me problems. I know I am young and I should be comfortable integrating technology into my classroom, right? WRONG. So with this being said, I am very thankful to have a teacher like Mrs. Weathers to teach me how to effectively use technology in my classroom. Through my "21st Century Teaching and Learning" class I have learned so many useful resources to better student learning with technology. One fun way that we learned more about using technology in the classroom is through APPS! Everyone was assigned a different app to research and become a pro at and then present it to the class. A lot of my fellow classmates had digital storytelling or classroom management apps, but I had one that was a little different. I had a fantasy based MATH game called Prodigy. I know what you are thinking, math and technology can't be turned into a game that is actually fun for students, but it has been done! I have attached a picture of everything you need to know about Prodigy and how to implement in your classroom!

I am very grateful that we did this project in class because I got 30+ apps and resources to use one day in my own classroom! I am still working on my technical knowledge but this was definitely a great starting point and I can't wait to keep growing from here! With apps like Educreations, Shadow Puppet, Seesaw, and so many others integreting technology can be a breeze.

Thanks for stopping by and dont forget to check out the Prodigy app! 😊

Integrating Arts 101

Hello everyone! I know it has been quite a while since I first posted, so I apologize BUT good news is that I am still surviving in the education program at Jacksonville State University!! I have already learned so much about being an educator in the modern classroom and I really just wanted to share one of my favorite projects that I made for my 21st Century Teaching and Learning class about how to integrate art into the classroom effectively. I really loved this project because it captures how different styles of teaching can really benefit your classroom. From putting on dramatic plays to using music to teach a lesson, integration of arts and hands on learning is so important to engaging students the modern day classroom! WHY DOES IT WORK??? Because it is FUN!
Below I am posting a link to the finished project that has so many creative ideas to incorporate arts into all areas of learning. I hope you enjoy!

CHECK THIS OUT

https://prezi.com/view/OTA0GeHKUW02iagXUFdV

Why I Chose to be an Educator

       When I was younger, I always wanted to be a teacher. My friends and I would play "classroom" and of course I always played the role of the teacher. As a child I loved school and I loved all my teachers. My teachers were absolutely amazing at what they did. They always went above and beyond their duties as a teacher. Not only did they care for my education, but they cared for me as a person and always pushed me to be better in all aspects of my life. I clearly remember wanting to be just like them when I grew up. Even though I knew from the beginning that I wanted to teach, I pushed it away and tried to pursue a new dream that, at the time, seemed better and more rewarding for me. 
      Before I finally accepted that I wanted to be an educator I was a Pre-health Biology major at JSU. My mother is a pharmacist, and I had big plans of following in her footsteps. I dreamed of attending Harrison's School of Pharmacy at Auburn University and eventually all the hard work would be worth it because I was going to be making some big bucks. All was going fine until I started working kids camps and cheer camps for children and it really made me wonder if I was in the right field of study. When I started working with kids, I remembered how my teachers shaped my life and I wanted to be that same kind of supportive, caring figure for someone else. It wasn't until my Sophomore year at JSU that I finally realized I was pursuing this made up dream for all the wrong reasons. I knew I was not going to be happy as a pharmacist, but I really just wanted the six figures that comes with the job and that kind of materialistic thinking is not who I am. Teaching children has always been my passion, but I think I was in a little bit of denial. I was worried about what my family might think of me giving up a profession that makes so much money for just teaching kids all day, but I knew that's exactly what I wanted to do.
       When I finally changed my major to Elementary Education, I knew that I was making the right choice for me. People always ask why I want to be a teacher and usually follow the question with all the reasons I shouldn't be one. My answer to that question is always pretty simple. It just makes me happy. I know I won't make six figures like I would as a pharmacist, but I know for a fact that a classroom of smiling faces with curious minds that are willing to learn is all the reward I will ever need. I get the privilege of being a role model and a friend to so many young kids. I am lucky enough to build a foundation and instill a love for learning for my students, just like my past teachers did for me. Yes, I am a teacher, but I am so much more than that.