Resolution #5

Reach out beyond your classroom.

There is so much content to cover each year and so little time. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in what is happening in your own classroom that you forget about the rest of the school. Here are some simple ideas to take you and your students out and about:

• Here's an easy idea that kids love! Pair your kids up and have them interview the principal, office manager, custodian, cook and other teachers about their favorite children's books. During a visit to the school library, have your students track down the favorite books. Ask the librarian if your class can make a favorite books display in the library. Display the books and have the kids make little signs for each book telling which staff member liked the book and why. Invite staff members in to your classroom to read favorite paragraphs or show favorite illustrations. You'll find that the favorite books become the hot items for kids to check out. Kids can't wait to get their hands on the favorite books!
• Find a buddy class to meet with each week. Buddy time really brings out the best in the kids. It’s more fun for the children when the buddy class is a few grades older or younger than their grade. For example, I teach kindergarten and our buddies are in third grade. Buddy time is the highlight of the week for many students! It is wonderful to see the bonds that form between the kids. I love it when the third graders see me around school and stop me to ask how their buddies are doing that day. My buddy teacher and I alternate planning the buddy activity each week. We take turns going to each others classrooms, too. Here are some of our favorite things to do together:
• play an outdoor game
• play on each others’ playgrounds
• take a field trip
• write stories
• read to one another
• older students help younger students with math facts, letter sounds, tying shoes, etc.
• art projects
• eat lunch together
• sing
• big kids check out library books to read to their buddies
• do a science experiment

Resolution #6

Accept help when it’s offered.

Every teacher has a “to-do” list that is at least a mile long. Teaching is one of those jobs that never ends. There are always things that you could do that would make your classroom even more terrific. Don’t make yourself crazy trying to do it all. Take a deep breath and let go of perfection. Resolve to take people up on it when they offer to help.

Jot a quick list of all of the areas where you could use help. Gather any materials that are necessary for a helper to use as they work on your helper projects. Pop the materials in a box and tape the list on the side of the box. Whenever you have a parent or anyone asks if there is anything they can do, hand them your box.

Here’s my helper project list taped to the box in my room:

• organize classroom library
• repair books in classroom library
• make folders
• make journals
• prepare materials for upcoming projects and activities

Inside the box there is a sample of the folders and journals along with all of the supplies. Last year a parent used to pop in every Friday at dismissal time and take the box home for the weekend. She completed the projects and sent the box in with her child on Mondays.

There is a part of me that can be a control freak at times. It takes awhile to let go and let others help sometimes. What a treat it is to have some of the time consuming tasks taken care of by someone who really does want to help!

Here’s to a spectacular 2009!
Best wishes~
Sue Gruber
Barbara Gruber Online Courses for Teachers
www.bgrubercourses.com

Copyright 2008: Barbara Gruber Courses for Teachers

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