I am linking up Miss Kindergarten for her 10 Things I Have Learned From Teaching linky party!
1. The first thing I have learned {and it has never failed me} is that a lesson with some type of food will always get a better response. Whether that food is candy, cupcakes, fruit, or what have you kids always respond to food.
2. At least once a week someone will get their feelings hurt. What seems so small and petty to us, is a big deal to a 7 year old. This is why lots of hugs are required at the elementary level.
3. This is a biggie: The third thing I learned is no matter how long I spend planning a lesson I always at some point have to improvise. My improvising may be something as small as the way the groups were arranged or something big. No matter how I plan a lesson, afterwards I am always amazed at the ideas I come up with to do it better next time.
4. The fourth thing I have learned from teaching how to soothe hurt feelings, make a boo-boo feel better, and put a smile on a child’s face.
5. The fifth thing I have learned from teaching is to never get to comfortable with a reading or math series or the way paper work should be turned in. There will always be changes. The change may happen the following year or may a few down the road, but change is inevitable. A teacher has to be able to go with the flow!!!
6. The sixth thing I have learned is that teachers are irreplaceable. You don’t always know how much you can touch a child’s life. A few years ago I received a letter in my mailbox from a former student who was graduating college. In the letter she told me how much I had influenced her and how she would always remember her seventh grade teacher {I taught middle school before I switched to elementary}. That letter touched my heart, because I had know idea that she had felt that way. Needless to say I am hanging on to that letter for life!
7. The seventh thing teaching has taught me is to SMILE even when I am frustrated or feeling aggravated about something. Some of my classes have even told me in the past that I smile a lot. I just say it is because I am so happy all the time. I never let on it is my secret to staying calm. I find that if I seem ok with a situation then the kids will be ok to.
8. The eighth thing I have learned from teaching is to ask for help when needed. I have worked with some pretty awesome ladies and gentlemen in my 13 years of teaching. I have learned that two heads are better than one and that a team that works together stays together.
9. The ninth thing I have learned from teaching is to make some really awesome cootie catchers {or any crafts for that matter}. I call them cootie catchers but others call them fortune tellers. Kids have been making this little paper gadgets since paper was probably invented. I made them when I was in elementary school and every year I have students who try to sneak and make them in class. I have even seen them used to teach basic math problems. Who said kids ideas couldn’t be fun????
10. The last thing I have learned from teaching is Patience. I think this is the most important of all because not only have I learned this through teaching but it has carried over to my own kids. If I am calm and patient then my class will also be calm and patient. I believe patience is a virtue!!!!!
These are the top 10 things I have learned from teaching and I am sure the list could go on and on!!! That is what I love about teaching: not only am I teaching young children something new, but they teach me as well!!! Thanks for taking a peek! I can’t wait to read your top 10!!!
Great list! I love your number 3!
Thanks for stopping by – Number 3 is so true!!!
Jamie
Hi Jamie.
Thanks for stopping by.
I enjoyed reading your list. Yes and yes to number 5. Flexibility with series is key.
You look as though you are off to a great start with your blogging adventure.
Best of luck!
School Is a Happy Place
Thanks for stopping by!!!!
Jamie – Love your list. Food will get them every time. I use "cootie catchers" also. The only problem…once I show them how to make them, I cannot get them to stop!
Thanks for stopping by my blog http://spunkysprogs.blogspot.com/
I'm new to the blogging world, so it was fun to get your comment.
Happy "Back to School" – Felicia
Thanks – I hope you have a great start too!!!!
Jamie
my comments aren't staying here 🙁
Okay so now they are staying I will try again!
I totally agree with teachers being irreplaceable. I remember fondly my 7th grade teacher and she was hugely inspiring to me. My high school history teacher also made me see that I was/am way more capable than I gave myself credit for.
Erin
The E-Z Class
Thanks for stopping by!! I am so glad the comment thing worked itself out!!
Jamie
Love your blog design! I'm a daisy lover…so much I have 3 tattooed on my foot!
Food works for sure… UNTIL IT'S BANNED in school!!! GRRRR. but i don't follow all the rules…so i still use food…shhhhhhhh.
You are right about improvising!
Thank you for coming by my blog and I am now your newest follower!
"autumn"
I appreciate it so much. Thanks for taking the time to stop by.
Jamie
These are great responses Jamie and I agreed with ALL of them!
Alison
Rockin' and Lovin' Learnin'
Thanks for stopping by to check them out!!
Jamie
I just found your blog through your comment on Autumn's blog ^^^ and am your latest follower
This is all great advice! I really like the smile advice!
x Serena x
Magic Mistakes and Mayhem
Oh, thank you so much. You are so sweet. I will be sure to go and follow you blog. Thanks for stopping by.
Jamie
I love your list. I try to teach with food at least once a week- the kids love it. Also kids feelings getting hurt, is so up my alley with Kindergarteners. That's a mini lesson in its own to teach them how to work through those feelings. Keep sharing, love your blog
Even second graders need a lesson on feelings. I appreciate you stopping by!!!!
Jamie
Number one is absolutely true!!! Works every time! I love your list! The letters from old students mean so much to me and I will keep them forever! I hope you'll stop over and read my top Ten for a giggle!