Sometimes I feel like I have been teaching my whole life! Then I remember that I did spend a few years in college, and before that, I spent most of an eternity doing chores on a farm! The best years, however, were the ones I stayed home with my own little girls every day.
I have 25 years of teaching experience (3 of them were in SC, the rest in Florida). During that time, I have taught EELP (Early exceptional students), Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grades. I love first grade the most, I think, because the little ones come in ready to learn and ready to please. They are so sweet, for the most part, and there are so many "lightbulbs" going off all year long. They go from reciting the ABC's to decoding and chunking words like hippopotamus, and on to reading chapter books fluently.(Not to mention the tremendous amount of math they learn, as well as all of the other curriculum.) Another perk is that they are so darned complimentary. "You are the best drawer in the world." "Yeah, better than the art teacher." They bring you letters, pictures, and cards."You are the best teacher I ever had." "I hope you will be my teacher next year." "I love you so so so so much." They just keep my heart smiling!
Part of the key to teaching reading is to get children to love books. One way I do that is by doing author studies with related projects, such as the ones we will be offering on TPT. Another thing I have learned about teaching reading is to have children discover that they can be writers, and others will read their work.That just sets them on fire for reading.
My philosophy is to work hard all year, but have fun with the little ones while I am at it. Keep a developmental perspective, moving and squirming and singing and chanting when necessary. Accept all students at their level, then teach them all by differentiating instruction.Provide tons of direct, research based instruction, celebrate the milestones, practice, practice, practice, and encourage everyone to do their best. Surround children with books, help them where they need help, and they flourish and grow!
Shining teacher moments to me are when former students make a special effort to stop by for a hug and to catch me up on their lives. One young lady came running out of her own place of business with her new baby in her arms. She had seen me standing in line at a theater...recognized me from more than 20 years earlier, and asked if I remembered her, and said she really wanted me to meet her new daughter! That brought tears to my eyes, and joy to my soul. Of course I remembered her, as well as all the others who have paraded through my room over the years! I love it!
-Alma
This blog is dedicated to parents and teachers of "Hootie-Patooties." I'll share ideas, lesson plans, and graphic design resources for you to use at home or school. I'm a mom and homemaker first and foremost, so I'll also share my tips and ideas for creative crafts, and delicious and easy recipes!
Monday, September 26, 2011
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Happy Fall Everybody!
Welcome to the Hootie-Patootie Blog!
The coming of autumn motivated me to find a minute to finally take my little hootie for her three-year-old photo shoot, albeit about three months late. So, off to the lakefront we went on a very hot, very non-autumnal feeling morning here in sunny Florida. I can't believe what a big girl she is now, and moreover, how long it's taken me to pull out my camera.
The coming of autumn motivated me to find a minute to finally take my little hootie for her three-year-old photo shoot, albeit about three months late. So, off to the lakefront we went on a very hot, very non-autumnal feeling morning here in sunny Florida. I can't believe what a big girl she is now, and moreover, how long it's taken me to pull out my camera.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)