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Fourth Grade Teachers Chatboard

Best Book about Differentiation

by curiositycat

May 8, 2012

Hi there!

I'm looking for a quality about differentiating instruction in the classroom (specifically upper elementary). I know Carol Ann Tomlinson is probably my go-to author, but she has SO many books on differentiation! Which one would be the best one to start with? Or is there something else out there that is even better? Thanks so muc...See More

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lack of recognition

by smiley

May 13, 2012

I am so sick of my coworkers taking credit for my work.

Does this happen a lot at your school? How do you stop it? It's gotten to the point where I don't want to share any of my ideas with anyone. This past week, a specials teacher tell the principal she was responsible for a long term project that I managed and planned. I'm tired of being...See More

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KK That is so frustrating when that happens! It is hard to find a professional way to say, "Hey, that was my idea" after someone steps on you like that.

A couple of ideas for next year: Do you have professional enrichment plans, where you set goals and implement special projects? If so, when you sit down with the principal to go over your pro...See MoreThat is so frustrating when that happens! It is hard to find a professional way to say, "Hey, that was my idea" after someone steps on you like that.

A couple of ideas for next year: Do you have professional enrichment plans, where you set goals and implement special projects? If so, when you sit down with the principal to go over your project, that's an opportunity to say, "in March, I managed a group of 50 kids after school who were doing x, and in April we included the parents to do y." This gives you an opportunity to track what you are doing and go over it with the principal.

Can you avoid working with people who will take credit like that? There have to be some more honorable people to collaborate with--they may have been burned by the same person with other projects.

Maybe you can make public relations a professional goal (whether you state it for the administration or not). That's not one of my inherent strengths--I tend to focus on planning things for students and modifying them so they work efficiently, and then I realize I haven't done a great job sharing all the great thinking and learning we're doing in our room with parents, colleagues, or administrators. Some possible ideas: Plan at least one event where you want to contact local media to feature your class or group of students. Create an I'm So Proud of Our Learning wall, with photos of students doing interesting things, and great quotes about their learning experiences, and examples of their work. Display this on your website and/or outside your classroom. Make an effort to get to know the parents, and include them in learning activities. Reach out to colleagues you admire and collaborate with them. When they realize what you have to offer, it's harder for other people to pretend your work was theirs.

Good luck!

On 5/13/12, Bob wrote: > This happens to me all the time. I remember a little saying, > "What goes around, comes around." There are some people who > know the ideas are yours and you know the ideas are yours, so > that's all that's important. One time I had a parent come up > to me and she told me she knew I was behind the idea even > though someone else was taking credit for it. So my advice > to you is to just keep quiet. The people taking credit will > eventually get their due... And keep thinking up the cool > ideas. The kids need you

May 14, 2012

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Emmy I've been in that spot before.

KK had some great ideas....especially about making PR a personal goal.

One thing you could do is when you come up with the idea for a big project, email the principal with your idea in a "giving you a heads-up" note.

I really like the picture idea also.

Do a newsletter and be th...See More

May 19, 2012

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weird happening

by Nik

May 14, 2012

Today a teacher came in to my room and demanded I write the supply list her way for next year since she was told she would be teaching fourth grade. I feel like that was unprofessional and I am insulted. What should I do?

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Nik On 5/14/12, KK wrote: > Smile and tell her that the fourth grade team will work on the > supply list together, and she's welcome to offer ideas. > > On 5/14/12, Nik wrote: >> Today a teacher came in to my room and demanded I write the >> supply list her way for next year since she was told she >> would be teaching four...See More

May 17, 2012

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KK Yuck--I'm sorry she did that.

I thought she was joining your team and trying to establish control early on. The good news is, you won't have to deal with her on your grade level team.

On 5/17/12, Nik wrote: > On 5/14/12, KK wrote: >> Smile and tell her that the fourth grade team will work on the >> supply list toge...See More

May 18, 2012

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Teacher Resources Garage Sale

by Bev-MIret.

May 16, 2012

Lots of items, books, and hands-on materials. All in good to new condition. Prices range from $1-5. Shipping is extra but I have been giving deals with extra books, notepads, pencils, etc. I need to clean house and it will be your gain! Email me for my list with grade levels and prices.

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Terri Hi Bev, I live in MI as well. I am teaching 4th grade. Do you still have anything left? If close by, I might drive to see your stuff. Thanks, Terri

On 5/16/12, Bev-MIret. wrote: > Lots of items, books, and hands-on materials. All in good > to new condition. Prices range from $1-5. Shipping is extra > but I have been giving deals w...See More

May 27, 2012

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B-MI Check your email. :)

On 5/27/12, Terri wrote: > Hi Bev, > I live in MI as well. I am teaching 4th grade. Do you still > have anything left? If close by, I might drive to see your > stuff. > Thanks, > Terri > > On 5/16/12, Bev-MIret. wrote: >> Lots of items, books, and hands-on materials. All in good >> t...See More

May 29, 2012

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need feedback on motivational story

by Randall

May 23, 2012

I wrote this motivational story. It touches on "Where will you live?" (you are building it now!). Any feedback greatly appreciated...I'm about to have my second story on bullying and self-esteem animated. Thanks, Randall [link removed]

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moving to 4th, what to expect?

by iTeach4th

May 29, 2012

I'm just finishing up my first year as a teacher. I taught math & science in 5th grade. I'm being moved to 4th next year to teach math/science/social studies. What can I expect from the kids? I keep hearing they're sweeter than the 5th graders (oh, the drama!) I'm kinda bummed that I'll have to learn a new curriculum and move teams and all. It ...See More

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LS On 5/29/12, iTeach4th wrote: > I'm just finishing up my first year as a teacher. I taught > math & science in 5th grade. I'm being moved to 4th next > year to teach math/science/social studies. What can I > expect from the kids? I keep hearing they're sweeter than > the 5th graders (oh, the drama!) I'm kinda bummed that I'll >...See More

Jun 10, 2012

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iTeach4th Thanks for the input!

On 6/10/12, LS wrote: > On 5/29/12, iTeach4th wrote: >> I'm just finishing up my first year as a teacher. I taught >> math & science in 5th grade. I'm being moved to 4th next >> year to teach math/science/social studies. What can I >> expect from the kids? I keep hearing they're sweeter...See More

Jun 12, 2012

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State Word Search Puzzles

by Jo

Jun 1, 2012

I just finished posting the last of the free printable state work search puzzles. They are available in easy and hard versions.

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English meaning

by Donna

Jun 10, 2012

Does anyone know the meaning of this sentence? I am a wet dog.

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Sara On 6/10/12, Donna wrote: > Does anyone know the meaning of this sentence? > I am a wet dog.

It means what it says but it's written in the voice of a dog speaking. Dogs can't speak so the sentence makes little real sense.

Jun 10, 2012

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Back to School Theme

by Debby

Jun 11, 2012

We've always had "back to school" themes--stars, frogs, ...this year is unusual-- "The Power of You!" I am not thrilled with this as we've been pushing cooperation and teamwork. We are ALL at a loss--please HELP!

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txteacher385 And depending on the grade level, you can really go to town with this one! The Incredibles for lower grades... The Avengers for upper grades....Great tie-ins.... Or you can take photos the first day and have students create their own superhero by gluing their face on a superhero's body, coloring it in, and writing about their super- power that's go...See More

Jun 16, 2012

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Debby Thanks for the ideas! Any more--always appreciated!

On 6/16/12, txteacher385 wrote: > And depending on the grade level, you can really go to town with > this one! The Incredibles for lower grades... The Avengers for upper > grades....Great tie-ins.... Or you can take photos the first day and > have students create their own su...See More

Jun 17, 2012

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Lesson ideas pack

by Tolo Taylor

Jun 12, 2012

A big thank you to all of you who downloaded my lessons ideas pack. This is just a quick note to say that (after many people asking me for one!!...) a second edition is now available should you want one - see teacheractivities.co.uk Many thanks again and wishing you a happy summer. Tolo

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