tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46251218677708017592024-03-06T19:34:25.345-08:00The Teacher's LoopShasta Looperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302372431331055141noreply@blogger.comBlogger169125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4625121867770801759.post-82895829880855517762018-02-19T19:27:00.004-08:002018-02-19T19:32:24.024-08:00I Don't Have the Answers...<br />
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It's taken me all weekend to begin to process what happened in Parkland, Florida. I put it aside and compartmentalized it until I was ready to deal with it. I still don't think I'm ready. On and off all weekend when I have been by myself, I've shed tears over the precious lives that were taken. I've shed tears over the tragedy that struck 17 families. I've shed tears over the teachers, coaches, custodians, and more who chose to put their lives in harm's way.<br />
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My tears have been over the loss. They have been over the pain. But more than anything, they have been shed over this as a reality for educators and students.<br />
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20 years ago when I made the decision to become an educator, school shootings were not the norm. No one was asking if I would be willing to stand in front of my students and die to protect them.<br />
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I remember where I was when Columbine happened. We were living in Juneau, Alaska and I was subbing in a kindergarten class for the week. The day after Columbine, our elementary school had a fire drill. I never thought I would have to tell students that it wasn't a shooting, just a fire drill.<br />
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When I taught in Louisiana, we had an active shooter drill that required law enforcement to come into the school as intruders. Gunfire is not a sound that should be heard in a school. Even knowing it was a drill, I was terrified.<br />
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Even writing about it causes me anxiety.<br />
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After every school shooting in recent years, I've returned to my classroom, but I find myself thinking about exit strategies, ways to hide students, ways to stay safe. It's not natural.<br />
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There is no way to hide 28 5th graders in a room with no closets or bathroom.<br />
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Would I sacrifice my life for one of a student. Yes.<br />
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I can't imagine the educators who are moms and dads. The struggle they have knowing that one day they may have to choose between their own children and those of another.<br />
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Would they sacrifice their life for a student. Yes.<br />
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But, when did it become okay to expect this of educators? I'm asking myself this question as much as anyone else. When did it become okay to accept school shootings as the norm and to train people for this situation?<br />
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I don't know what the answers are. I know it's a complex issue. I know there are many different sides and opinions...some we may share and some we may not.<br />
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But, kids are being killed. Kids with a future that won't be lived. Kids with dreams and with plans. Teachers are being killed. Teachers with families.<br />
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I don't know what the next steps are, but I know that I can't be silent about what school should be.<br />
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School should be a place of learning.<br />
School should be where kids learn to engage socially with friends.<br />
School should be a space where we learn to treat one another.<br />
School should be a place where everyone is respected.<br />
School should be a space where teachers encourage and inspire.<br />
School should be a place where we come together to challenge and empower.<br />
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School should be safe.<br />
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<br />Shasta Looperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302372431331055141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4625121867770801759.post-11343623764907837792018-01-09T06:49:00.000-08:002018-01-09T06:49:05.017-08:00The Greatest Showman's Greatest LessonsOver the last couple of weeks, we have had extreme winter weather - well, extreme for South Carolina. Temps in the single digits in the morning and not rising too far above freezing for the remainder of the day. All I have wanted to do is eat cinnamon rolls and nap. Not a good combination.<div>
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Sunday, I decided it was high time that I get out of the house and do something - even if it wasn't necessarily productive. For the last week, I've heard lots of friends talking about how great "The Greatest Showman" is. Hugh Jackman devoted 7 years of preparation and his earnings from the Wolverine movies to commit to this project. That alone told me that it must be worth it. I've always been a fan of Hugh. I knew that it was not something Cheney would go and see - he's not a fan of musicals - but, that it also needed to be seen in a theater to get the full experience. In my winter hibernation, I had see clips and videos of powerful songs that spoke to me, even without the costuming and sets. I knew it was something that I had to see soon.</div>
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So, I got out of my flannel pajamas and made myself public worthy for a movie. </div>
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From the opening notes, I was hooked. I watched the movie with chill bumps on my arms from the amazing talent that was displayed. It was a movie that made me want to jump up and clap and sing. The message that was portrayed through the elaborate costumes, set designs, and more made it captivating. As I left the theater, I couldn't help but to reflect on some of the lessons that stood out among the story. </div>
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1. Leaders have a vision or dream that is birthed from deep within them. PT Barnum knew long before the circus was successful that he was destined for greatness and that he wanted to do something big. </div>
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2. Leaders take responsibility for their actions whether there are good or bad consequences. When PT Barnum made Claire laugh during her finishing lessons, he owned that and accepted the consequences of his actions. He did the same thing later in the movie (no spoilers here).</div>
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3. Leaders surround themselves with likeminded people. PT had a spouse who supported him 100%. He looked for partners who were also risk takers and dreamers. </div>
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4. Leaders have a responsibility to empower those around them. When PT gathered his crew of acts, he empowered them and brought them out of the shadows. He saw something in them and spoke to it.</div>
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5. Leaders make no apologies for chasing their dreams. Unapologetically, PT pursued his dream, despite what the critics said or the setbacks that he endured.</div>
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This movie is probably in my top 5 now. I walked away with so much more than entertainment. Each song spoke to dream chasing, being me, and pursuing greatness no matter what others say. </div>
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If you haven't, go see it! It is well worth the price. I'll just be over here downloading the soundtrack!</div>
Shasta Looperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302372431331055141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4625121867770801759.post-48340909834257845912018-01-03T20:14:00.003-08:002018-01-03T20:14:41.983-08:00One Word 2018 I gave up on making resolutions years ago. Partly because I quit them by the end of January and partly because I was making the same ones year after year with the same result. I think it was 5 years ago or so that I ran across a blog post about choosing one word to focus on for the year. That idea seemed less daunting to me and decided to embrace that change. <br />
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Over the years I've chosen words like <i>Intentional, Health, </i>and <i>Balance. </i>I've placed a reminder somewhere - a planner, a chalkboard, an email signature - that kept it in front of me consistently. I like the idea of focusing. Having a resolution list always seemed to send the message that I had done the previous year incorrectly. Some may think I have, but for me, I felt like resolutions were setting me up for failure. So, the one word came to be.<br />
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This year, I struggled with a word. If truth were told, I probably could have used <i>Intentional</i> again. I was more intentional in 2017, but I could have been more. I could have been more intentional in the way I spent my down time at home. Instead of getting sucked into the hole that is Facebook, I could have been more intentional in cleaning my home, or cooking supper, or even in my relationship with my husband, family, and friends. But, that word did not speak to me for 2018.<br />
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This year, my word is <b><i>MOVE.</i></b><br />
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This covers all areas of my life from my profession to my health. <br />
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I want to MOVE more in my pursuit of being physically healthy. That means that during the day, I will need to make sure I'm getting away from my desk to walk the halls. I need to move my body to build strength. Yes, I'll be signing up for a group fitness class to help me do that.<br />
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I want to MOVE professionally. This is my 18th year in education. It's been a beautiful journey. There have been bumps, valleys, and mountains. Some of those valleys were long and hurtful. But, I wouldn't trade them for the world. They taught me about myself and about others. I need to MOVE outward in my profession from my small world of influence to a greater one. I need to claim new territory. I aspire to MOVE into administration. This was a long time coming and something I fought against for years - and I'm paying the price for that now - but I have something to offer students and teachers. That means moving out of my comfort zone into the uncomfortable, but that is where the magic happens.<br />
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I want to MOVE in my business. My side gig is producing, but I want to move forward each day by consistently completing activities that will move the needle forward. <br />
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But, lastly, I want to MOVE others to greatness. One of my favorite things is to watch students succeed and to celebrate each milestone whether it is small or large. I want the same thing for teachers, business partners, family members, and friends. I want to help them find their path to success and dreams. I want to move them to reach further and achieve more.<br />
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So, this year, my plan is to <i>MOVE.</i>Shasta Looperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302372431331055141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4625121867770801759.post-20718900819249061612017-12-15T05:19:00.002-08:002017-12-15T05:19:47.592-08:005 yearsit's been 5 years since Sandy Hook...I wrote the blogpost below after trying to wrap my mind around what had happened.<br />
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these words still ring true...<br />
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<b><i>No Words</i></b><br />
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<i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">It's been awhile since I've been here. Labor Day to be exact. Throughout my life I've used words to express my feelings in times of victory, disappointment, surprise, and the mundane every day life. But, I often feel more compelled to write when tragedy strikes. In honor of the recent tragedy in Newton, Connecticut, my teacher blog will be silent for the next few days. But, I feel like I could not go any longer without putting pen to paper, or fingerstrokes to keys. </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">I've taught for 13 years now and my job has become increasingly more difficult each year. The number of tasks that the typical teacher completes in any given day is astounding. From receipting field trip money, recording attendence, cleaning up vomit, calling the nurse, making sure a child has clean clothes, lunch money in a student account, one on one instruction, reteaching simple concepts until you can't teach them any longer, drying the tears of a child who has been physically hurt on the playground, or wrapping your arms around the ones who have been emotionally hurt by those they love.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">There are many days where the thought of going to the bathroom doesn't even occur until after school and I sit for the very first time of the day. Once my children arrive in the morning, it is almost like we have entered a time warp and the outside world disappears. Our classroom becomes our world. </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">Each year, I am BLESSED with a new crop in my classroom. With that comes a new crop of parents, a new crop of personalities, challenges, victories, and love. I haven't been blessed with children of my own, but I have been chosen to care for those of others.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">Each morning, parents drop their children off at school thinking they are safe and will remain that way until those little faces return to the warmth of the car or the arms of a parent/grandparent/caretaker. Those children are given to me to nurture, care for, love, and educate. A pretty tall order.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">There are days where life isn't easy in our classroom. Days where we need to a new start. And then there are days that are beautiful symphonies of learning. </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">I spend countless hours planning for learning in my classroom, but more than that, I spend countless hours investing in the future of my students. I invest in their lives by attending sporting events, sharing their interests, writing them notes - pouring positivity into their little minds in the hopes that when life doesn't work out the way that they had planned in their future, they will remember that there was someone else in their lives who believed in them and LOVED them as if they were her own.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">The teachers and staff of Sandy Hook Elementary did the very same thing.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">When I stop to think of the innocent children that were hurt yesterday, I cannot help but to think of the 22 beautiful children that I see every day. The 312 children that I have taught over the last 13 years. The smiles, the dreams, the excitement of life, the opportunities that are waiting for each of them. That was all stolen from those at Sandy Hook Elementary. </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">I've tried to wrap my mind around what happened in Newton, but it is impossible. I've experienced lockdown drills and mock shootings to "train" me for a reality that I hope I never face. I hope I'm never faced with a situation where I am unable to protect the children in my care. I hope I never have to find hiding places or calm students who are very aware of the nightmarish reality that is occurring. </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">But, I would. If it meant sacrificing my life for those of my students, there would be no decision to make. I would make that decision for the children who have parents who love me. I would make it for the children whose parents disagree with me. I would make it for those children who misbehave and disrespect and love me. I would make that decision for each child I've had the opportunity to teach this year and every year before - those in my classroom or outside of it.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">There were heroes in yesterday's tragedy. Those heroes were teachers. The teachers who read Christmas stories to keep their students calm. The teachers who held each child's hand. The teachers who muffled the cries of those huddled in their midst. The teachers who hid students and then lost their own lives. </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">When you enter your child's school this week, remember there were heroes in each classroom of Sandy Hook and there are heroes in classrooms today.</span></i>Shasta Looperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302372431331055141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4625121867770801759.post-15169153221203539052017-10-25T10:49:00.000-07:002017-10-25T10:49:03.811-07:00How do I create Responsive Readers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If you are friends with me on Facebook, you have seen several posts over the last few weeks about reading and are aware that I'm pretty passionate about helping kids to love reading. I'm an avid reader, but I haven't always been, so I know for some students, they just aren't there YET. As I've been reading <u>Disruptive Thinking </u>by Beers and Probst, I've been stepping up on that soapbox frequently. It's a place that I've shied away professionally in my past because I didn't want to burn any bridges, but now, 18 years in, there are some bridges that need to be burned, and one of them is killing the love of reading for our students.</div>
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I've been fortunate to teach students from 2nd grade to middle school and one thing I have personally witnessed is the disconnect that occurs between students and reading the older they get. It has often caused me to question what do we as educators do to perpetuate this disparity. </div>
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Sometimes the love of reading gets lost in the skills of reading. I started thinking about my own practice and asked myself the following questions in reflection:</div>
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<li>How many opportunities do/did I offer students to read without completing a task?</li>
<li>How many opportunities do/did I offer students to choose their own books?</li>
<li>How do/did I foster a love of reading in my students?</li>
<li>How do/did I help students choose books that were for them, instead of ones I wanted them to read?</li>
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If all I was asking students to do was paraphrase, summarize, write about what they had read, or more, than I wasn't really helping to create a love for reading. </div>
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The moments I let go and let my kids read for enjoyment and talk about what moved them, challenged them, made them angry, made them sad, etc. those were the moments that reading became authentic and my students saw it as more than a task, but something that was important. </div>
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In the words of Beers and Probst, "The text won't matter to them unless it touches them emotionally or intellectually." And that is my goal....connecting every student to a text that makes them angry or makes them cry. A text that challenges what they know and makes them question the world around them.</div>
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Shasta Looperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302372431331055141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4625121867770801759.post-47802174259219728822017-10-10T11:37:00.002-07:002017-10-10T11:37:37.143-07:00Am I Extracting or Transacting?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I began reading Kylene Beers and Bob Probst's text <u>Disrupting Thinking</u> this afternoon as a part of our district's department chair book study. As an avid reader, I was excited to get my hands on this text to see what it may confirm or challenge in my own reading instruction. I hope that I am a teacher that teaches students to fall in love with reading, but I know there were many times where the love of the book was secondary to that state assessment that was looming over my head. I struggled with maintaining the balance of skill instruction in preparation for assessments and closing the door and allowing my students to become immersed in a text that would truly change them as readers.<br />
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In chapter 1 of the text, Beers and Probst listed out a list of typical assignments that had been observed while visiting classrooms...there were many listed that I kept in my toolbox of instruction.<br />
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<li>write a summary</li>
<li>retell the story</li>
<li>compare and contrast two characters</li>
<li>list the steps</li>
<li>create a timeline</li>
<li>draw the parts of a cell</li>
<li>outline the chapter</li>
<li>cite the evidence</li>
<li>explain the main idea and supporting details</li>
<li>answer the questions</li>
<li>complete the plot structure template</li>
<li>define the vocabulary words</li>
<li>discuss the causes and effects</li>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-567d54e4-0789-28bc-76f2-af9b9e398af6"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Beers, G. Kylene, and Robert E. Probst. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Disrupting Thinking: Why How We Read Matters</span><span style="font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Scholastic Inc., 2017.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">When I look at the list above, I don't think there is anything necessarily wrong with giving these types of assignments, but I wonder what harm is done to developing readers if this is ALL we do. Are we only teaching students to EXTRACT something from the text each time they read? Do my students only know to EXTRACT evidence to support their answer when we read in class? Is the focus on EXTRACTION activities killing the love of reading with students?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">I'm looking carefully at my own practice to see how much of my conversation with teachers is spent discussing EXTRACTING vs. TRANSACTING. Transacting with a text is more than pulling information. It is about interacting with a text in a meaningful way, finding out how books change us and move us. I'm curious to know how we can make reading more about TRANSACTING than EXTRACTING?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Needless to say, my brain is working through all of this and I'm being challenged to reflect. </span></span></div>
Shasta Looperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302372431331055141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4625121867770801759.post-54765493895807010642017-08-30T18:48:00.000-07:002017-08-30T18:48:27.145-07:00Why do you stay?This is year 18 for me. 15 years of classrooms and 2 of coaching teachers. Every May or June I was excited to leave for summer vacation, but July 1st always found me preparing for the next year...not because I had to, but because I wanted to do so. I loved every single thing about getting a new classroom ready for a new group of families. <br />
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Inevitably, as the year progressed, there were days where I was 100% confident that I had chosen the right path. Then there were days I left in tears questioning why I was a teacher in the first place. If you are an educator, those days could happen in the same week, sometimes in the same 8 hours. I have been successful, and I've been a failure. You know exactly how I felt.<br />
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I've seen programs and initiatives come and go and come around again. I've watched districts change focus time after time after time. I've watched the latest and greatest strategies, gurus, methods, and more be shared with educators. I've watched recess time shrink, lunch time become silent, and the pile of paperwork on my desk grow to unattainable heights. I've been a part of schools that had effective evaluation systems, schools that didn't have evaluation systems, and schools that "tweaked" evaluation to make it say what they wanted it to say. I've witnessed the increase of testing and the decrease of authentic learning experiences (depending on where I've been over the last 18 years). I've been in schools with curriculum, with suggestions, and nothing. I've taught in schools where teachers were driven by the textbooks and schools where teachers were driven by the standards.<br />
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To say the least, I've seen a lot in my career. But, I've always come back every single fall.<br />
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That isn't the case for some. For some, all of the "stuff" gets to them and they choose to leave the profession, sometimes for good.<br />
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Tomorrow I have the opportunity to be a part of an important conversation in the state of South Carolina. I'm joining a group of public school advocates, state superintendents, college professors, and others to talk about how can South Carolina attract quality teachers, but also, how can we retain them. I'm excited to be a part of this conversation as we brainstorm solutions to a growing teacher shortage problem. It's not unique to my state. If you look around the country, teachers are leaving the field at an alarming pace. If a teacher makes it past year 5, the likelihood of staying for the long haul is good. But, somewhere in that 3-5 year mark, teachers are fleeing. <br />
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It got me thinking about my own path...why do I stay when the job becomes impossible.<br />
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I thought it was a simple answer...but it isn't, and honestly, I can't craft it into words that will make sense to anyone. But, when I think about leaving, it physically hurts. I can't imagine not being a teacher. It is so much a part of who I am. I don't do it for the pay, or the perks. I don't do it for the recognition or the accolades.<br />
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But there is a multitude of faces over my 18 years that flash in my memory. Faces of students over the years...the Kaeli's, Kacey's, Jesse's, and Christian's of that first year (there are so many more), the Hunter's, Caleb's, and Trevor's, the Tanner's, Tony's, Skye's, and Peyton's, the Stefani's, Will's, and Avery's, the Nathan's, Corey's, and Chloe's, the Elliott's, Emily's, Maceon's, Andy's, Nate's, Mary Grace's, Zach's, and Charlie's....(I know I forgot a ton). <br />
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I plan to spend the next few weeks really reflecting on why I do stay...something that I can share with others, that may inspire them to join the education world or inspire them to stay.<br />
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But, I really want to know why you stay...what is it that keeps you in the classroom year after year. I'll be sharing them with a real audience of people who genuinely want to know why teachers remain. I'll keep you posted on what becomes of this conversation...I can't wait to see for myself! Shasta Looperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302372431331055141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4625121867770801759.post-72411027721189546892017-07-30T19:48:00.000-07:002017-08-01T11:36:42.714-07:00#TeacherCompliments<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Disney World...let's be honest, they know how to make people feel good about their Disney experience. From the moment you enter the park, cast members go out of their way to help you enjoy the parks to the fullest. </div>
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I hadn't been to Disney since I was seven until a few years ago. I took a group of 5th graders there on a field trip (I know, brave soul)! I was excited to experience the "new" park and all that it had to offer. I mean, I wasn't able to ride Space Mountain when I was 7, so that was the entire goal. I also took one for my team when I made a deal with my 5th graders that resulted with me riding Tower of Terror. After I returned home and recovered a bit, I realized that our trip to Disney ended up being one of the best field trips I've ever taken, and part of that was because of the Disney crew. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtazCu63wgEvSep3Mi3U7UHwKsYz95w9IF6RGRAgCroz-JmLMYl7AOq7_Qqunha028fVy43uX_hFHguZjZDldYhbleNL4YgqKnUc9u7un8zkqB5z110_dFQzK837ni_sRHkNEqFFgtdNs/s1600/disney+castle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtazCu63wgEvSep3Mi3U7UHwKsYz95w9IF6RGRAgCroz-JmLMYl7AOq7_Qqunha028fVy43uX_hFHguZjZDldYhbleNL4YgqKnUc9u7un8zkqB5z110_dFQzK837ni_sRHkNEqFFgtdNs/s320/disney+castle.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Disney is all about presentation and leaving a lasting impression. The parks are immaculately groomed and there isn't a piece of trash to be found anywhere that it isn't supposed to be. Every interaction with a Disney cast mate left any other customer experience in the dust. To say that I was impressed is an understatement.</div>
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Well, leave it to Disney to have a a professional development leg of their empire. I just recently discovered this treasure trove on Facebook and I'm already impressed. Tonight, as I was reading posts, this <a href="http://bit.ly/2ts8XJZ" target="_blank">one</a> showed up in my News Feed. It struck a chord with me and I immediately began thinking about how this could impact the teaching profession.<br />
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What would our profession look like if we made a conscious effort to compliment teachers publicly?</h3>
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We could talk all day about how the education profession is not "professionalized" because of low salaries, long hours, disrespected by our society, and more, but instead of focusing on all of the things that are hindrances to our profession, what if we started celebrating what is right with it?</div>
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I'm just a simple teacher blogger, but if Disney can use social media to celebrate specific cast members and how they are going above and beyond in their job, why can't education do the same?<br />
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Once school starts, my newsfeed will be sprinkled with complaints about the ridiculous supply requests, homework policies, and more. To be honest, I'm the wrong audience to share that with, as are most of you. I don't want to hear the negativity about my profession, the one I willingly entered into and lovingly remain. Each year there are thousands of teachers, instructional coaches, interventionist, and administrators that lace up our teaching shoes and choose to return to a new year. Yes, our job is hard, and there are many days that even experienced teachers struggle to keep all of the balls in the air, but it is so rewarding.</div>
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So, in an effort to do a little bit to bring positivity back to education, I'd love to share a hashtag with you: #TeacherCompliments<br />
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<img alt="Image result for compliment" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NmmYJ2s5UcM/V3ntJPc2WsI/AAAAAAAAAZA/qIVmeSD0iIAjqxKaDn5gU2anYeIQpa-XwCLcB/s640/Compliments-PC8806.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://kristalleeannzarczynski.blogspot.com/2016/07/compliment-vs-complement.html" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
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Disney uses the hashtag #CastCompliment to celebrate their cast members. Anyone can post using the hashtag. Posts are made on Instagram, Twitter, and even Facebook. When Disney sees that a specific member has been celebrated, they share the tweet personally and take a photo. Stop and think about how powerful that is for the one cast member. </div>
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Now, think about how powerful that could be for one teacher. I know that any time I received a positive letter or thank you note from a student or parent, it often brought me to tears. Why? Well, it didn't happen often. Teachers receive loads of communication from parents, administrators, and students, but very little of it is in sincere celebration of something that was done. I want to change that.</div>
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So, let's start posting using the #teachercompliment hashtag. Any time you have something positive to share about a teacher, use the hashtag. Share it on Instagram if you have a photo, Twitter, or Facebook. Let's sprinkle this world with uplifting messages about what the teachers in our nation are doing for our students. </div>
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I'm starting tomorrow...what about you??</div>
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Shasta Looperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302372431331055141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4625121867770801759.post-66419314861731497422016-08-16T17:21:00.002-07:002016-08-16T17:21:49.632-07:00Heartbroken for Denham SpringsIt appears that the last time that I came to this blog to write, I wrote about the turmoil that was happening around my home state of Louisiana, and yet, here I am again with heartbreak over my hometown of Denham Springs.<br />
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You may not have heard about the devastating floods that have swept through and decimated entire cities and parishes. What started out as a normal Friday for many, has turned into a living nightmare that they can't wake.<br />
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Summer rainstorms are nothing new for South Louisiana, but Friday's storm would be one for the record books. I was unaware of what was happening until my sister-in-law texted me Friday morning to tell me her parents were picking up their furniture and water was at the slab of their house. A house that had never flooded - ever.<br />
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My brother packed his family up from the beach vacation they had been waiting on for so long to begin the drive home in terrible storms and flash flooding. He is a nursing home administrator and needed to get to work because things were turning into a state of emergency.<br />
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Her family evacuated and stayed at their home Friday night, but on Saturday morning, I received a text saying they were evacuating from their home because the water was getting to close and they didn't know if they would be able to get out. So, again they traveled with precious possessions to my parents home.<br />
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Saturday my Facebook feed was flooded with texts of people needing rescuing by boat. Images of rising water vividly showed how quickly the situation was deteriorating. One by one, friends began posting they were evacuating if possible, or getting rescued by boat, or waiting for help to arrive. Life quickly began to look very similar to Hurricane Katrina. Pictures like these began appearing (Photo credit: Jeff Morgan)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2RtaPGJytxTHNKl5JcBkGrb5OPxQpidd2DebbrS5faidiMubi33pFabIVSkKMOc7FI0SniuXoa1MYmE8tBnmGiC-cCsHkNwIlgMc_vq0t9z-4nP-R58nc1Vw9rtfJnu4ANkvhODLwg38/s1600/boat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2RtaPGJytxTHNKl5JcBkGrb5OPxQpidd2DebbrS5faidiMubi33pFabIVSkKMOc7FI0SniuXoa1MYmE8tBnmGiC-cCsHkNwIlgMc_vq0t9z-4nP-R58nc1Vw9rtfJnu4ANkvhODLwg38/s400/boat.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqePRhgvCRPlK-aQoRh5M9VgeKND5lrLx7BJOo-66XjEcIuzqamWfXlZ0Piie2c45g0kKSAWYikm0W0kFRyQDsH82_agIAtgat4ZpksqZcbGBOOd2s8Qs4B1xGab5l58OuMYyIRY24FgE/s1600/roof.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqePRhgvCRPlK-aQoRh5M9VgeKND5lrLx7BJOo-66XjEcIuzqamWfXlZ0Piie2c45g0kKSAWYikm0W0kFRyQDsH82_agIAtgat4ZpksqZcbGBOOd2s8Qs4B1xGab5l58OuMYyIRY24FgE/s400/roof.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLNrMO-oWP8M2qaE5Abkmr-6FUPpvjtKVi0zCmfhAt6-3oZFCN6OrkYHZHYlTtEbwCVboftKR3XhKFojva51E-YYVFu9ksQvNPyoWfR2hJ2sTP74VSHiZhxpCDoaGs1X9A58au7o0q104/s1600/woman+boat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLNrMO-oWP8M2qaE5Abkmr-6FUPpvjtKVi0zCmfhAt6-3oZFCN6OrkYHZHYlTtEbwCVboftKR3XhKFojva51E-YYVFu9ksQvNPyoWfR2hJ2sTP74VSHiZhxpCDoaGs1X9A58au7o0q104/s400/woman+boat.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And then, you see one like this, and it rattles you to your core. The wife of a friend, anxiously awaiting the birth of her baby, but is now wading out with a few possessions on her back.<br />
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This wasn't a normal storm, or even a normal flood. My hometown has been wiped off the map. My immediate family thankfully are in the 10% of homes that weren't flooded, but my friends' list on Facebook is full of people who have lost their possessions and must start over in their homes. Most have lost at least one vehicle. Most have lost their source of income because 75% of businesses were also affected. Schools have been closed until further notice.</div>
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In 2005, I was in Louisiana for the arrival of Hurricane Katrina. Denham Springs and Baton Rouge opened their arms wide and took the people of New Orleans into our homes, businesses, classrooms, and lives. Now, the people of Denham Springs and Baton Rouge are seeking the same.</div>
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But, in the midst of the despair, there was pride. My friends and family took to deploying the Cajun Navy, a fleet of good people with boats, to go door to door to rescue people and pets. Neighbors took in neighbors. There was no consideration of race or socio-economic status. People simply helped people. </div>
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There was no waiting for someone else to lead the charge. The people of Louisiana stood together and came in droves to lend a helping hand. </div>
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This girl was proud, prouder than she ever has been of her state, of her people. </div>
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<br />Shasta Looperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302372431331055141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4625121867770801759.post-20544903426774507582016-07-08T08:49:00.000-07:002016-07-08T08:49:05.437-07:00I've been in Baton Rouge this week and what was supposed to be an enjoyable week of visiting my old stomping grounds, has turned into a week of heaviness and weariness. The television has been on since Tuesday and I've seen videos replay hundreds of times. More incidents have occurred that have left my heart hurting for the world in which I live, but breaking for the students that I teach.<br />
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Over the last two nights I've had a running image of the students I have taught and I have loved over the last 16 years. The beautiful faces of dark eyes and dark skin looking to me for guidance and examples. The tender hearts when they question the actions of those around them. The tears when they feel hurt or excluded. I've stood in the hallway and talked through their frustration, hurt, and anger. I've listened to the stories of their childhood and cried with them. I've hugged their necks when they had no words.<br />
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I worry about the students who walk the halls of my schools and what their future really holds. I want them all to know that I stand with them and want to wrap my arms around them and their families. You are loved and you are prayed for daily!<br />
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As teachers, we tell all of our students that they have the power to change the world, but after this week, I don't know if I have equipped them enough to do so.<br />
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Teachers have a tall order in helping to change the dialogue in our country, but it is critical that we do. We need to stop ignoring the issues and allow our classrooms to be a space where students can talk about their fears and their worries without judgment. We need to recognize what our minority students bring to the table and how things really are different for them. <br />
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I don't know what the next steps are, but I know that we need to join hands and commit to talking about the uncomfortable. <br />
<br />Shasta Looperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302372431331055141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4625121867770801759.post-42779730052751947312016-05-31T18:24:00.001-07:002016-05-31T18:24:32.320-07:00He is MY Success StoryOn Friday evening, I had the honor of being a special guest at a former student's high school graduation. While that may seem mundane and an every day occurrence for many, this invitation meant more to me than words could adequately express. While this student was not loved or liked more than the others, he definitely had a hand in making me the teacher I am today. So often, as a teacher, I focus on the success of my students, and rightly so, but this student completely transformed what I knew about teaching, shifted my mindset, and set me on a path that could not be ignored.<br />
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It was no surprise that this young man would be placed in my classroom that year. At our little school, students were placed into classrooms based on learning styles. Some students found themselves placed in analytical classrooms where every detail was important, routines were well established, and there were clearly defined expectations for assignments, projects, and any other activities that took place throughout the year. Some students found themselves in a global classroom where the teacher painted big picture ideas first, allowed things to occur organically, and looked quite a bit different from that analytic room. And others may have found themselves placed in a flexible room that incorporated elements of both styles. That also meant that teachers were assigned classes based on their learning style or teaching style as well. I often fell on the analytical end of the spectrum, but was sometimes given a flexible classroom depending on need. This particular year, I believe I was the flexible teacher, but leaned toward analytical tendencies. He needed routines, no surprises, clearly defined outcomes and boundaries.<br />
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Before school began, I met with mom and she came into my classroom with a giant binder that provided a very clear picture of this young man as a student. We talked about strengths and weaknesses, areas of growth that were in progress, areas to push further, triggers that would result in shutting down, and strategies that had worked in the past. At the end of our meeting we both agreed that he needed to be pushed to try new things and to offer no excuses. I felt prepared and knowledgeable to enter the school year with success. But, little did I know that this 5th grader would teach me what it truly meant to be a teacher.<br />
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Up until this point, I had approached teaching with creativity, but honestly with a binder full of lessons that I knew had been successful, but didn't really reflect the learning styles or needs of my classroom of students. Differentiation was just starting to be the buzz word across schools and districts. Books were being read on the topic, discussions being had, but the year this child was present was when I truly saw the value of tailoring my instruction for individual students and where they were on the learning continuum. <br />
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Early in the year, we developed a mantra so to speak that we used when he needed to consider an alternative. That mantra was "I'm adaptable." It was hokey and a catchphrase, but we wanted to get the full 5th grade experience - from tasting new foods, learning new social skills, and trying new things. <br />
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He came to me with very clear expectations of where he would sit and that he couldn't use a cubby that was near anyone. So, we developed a plan. His desk would be by mine to begin with, but the goal was to move it closer to a table in hopes that he would work with a group before the end of the year. His chair had a yellow dot placed on it so it was easily identifiable to others. They weren't allowed to touch it. His books were kept in a cabinet instead of near others. When I needed him to talk to a group, I prepared him ahead of time and we role played the conversation and we chanted "I'm adaptable."<br />
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Each time I cooked for Social Studies, we checked the ingredients to make sure that they were within his dietary requirements and then tasted a spoonful - and he was allowed to spit it out if he wanted. At recess time, he was allowed a certain amount of time talking to the teachers and then was sent to socialize with others with predetermined topics.<br />
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He questioned me, challenged me, gave me feedback. It wasn't uncommon for him to ask for my resources or ask why we were spending so much time on a topic when there was only going to be one question on the PASS test. I became comfortable with saying, "I don't know." I began to ask for feedback not just from him, but from other students on lessons that I planned. I shifted from being the one to create the expectations and requirements of a project to a teacher that created them with student input. I began planning lessons with my students in mind, not me. <br />
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Fast forward 6 years and I find an email in my inbox asking if I would be his mentor on his senior project - not just any project, but a book that provided his perspective of life with autism. Of course, I said yes. We worked all year sharing drafts and feedback. Reading stories of how autism affected him in different settings. Discussing the challenges that were present, what successes and opportunities were there and what his path would be after graduation. <br />
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I received my signed copy this week and cried like a baby when I read it again in its final form. While he has had extreme success as a student, my success has been linked to his in so many ways. If I would not have had him as a student, I wouldn't have made a shift in my teaching. <br />
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As I sat in the audience of his graduation Friday night, I could not have been more proud of him and the journey he has traveled. As I stood to celebrate his accomplishments, I was so thankful for the opportunity I had as his teacher. He helped me to learn what was best for students, to be comfortable with letting my students be the teacher once in awhile, and to never settle for what has always been done, even if it has been successful. <br />
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Thank you, EC, for being MY success story.Shasta Looperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302372431331055141noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4625121867770801759.post-84183440444214438352016-05-16T20:08:00.000-07:002016-05-16T20:08:02.205-07:00Unlocking the MagicThis past week, I had the opportunity to hear Katie Stover, literacy guru, speak at Furman University. Normally, at events that have a Keynote speaker, especially over dinner, I have found that I have a difficult time focusing on the content of the message. Nothing against the speaker, but it is rare that I ever find myself sitting down much during the day, and when I do, it doesn't take much for me to get so relaxed that I want to doze. It's strange, I know, but I'm on the go so much that I really only stop to sleep or veg out for a few minutes before moving onto the next thing. That is why movies are never a good idea at the end of a long school week. I can't tell you how many times I've been to the movies with my husband and I've fallen asleep during them. Any way, Katie's talk was refreshing. She spoke about her own journey as a reader and the moments that the magic was unlocked for her. I found myself drifting in my thoughts, not out of distraction, but reflection. I began to trace the words of my reading journey and how the simplicity of books at a young age stimulated my passion for reading and writing with my students.<br />
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I guess my journey starts way before I was ever in existence - with my mother. She was a writer, not so much a reader, but a writer of journals and scrapbooks that documented her thoughts and highlights. She tucked these items away into a cedar chest that would become a treasure chest to me in my childhood. In it,she carefully hid away her 16 year old thoughts, love letters, and a pregnancy journal. When I arrived in her arms when she was just 18 years old, she probably didn't know how powerful those tucked away items would be to me and she surely hadn't read the current research on how to instill a love for reading.<br />
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In her young, new Momma self, she purchased Little Golden Books like <u>The Pokey Little Puppy</u> to show me. We would climb on her bed multiple times a day. The giant king-sized bed with puffy pillows and settle in for what ultimately would become an afternoon nap. We would start with the pictures, looking at the cover and pointing out little details that if you read too fast you may miss. As she turned each page, she asked questions about what I saw on the page, what did I think would happen next, and so on and so forth. <br />
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My first memory of reading isn't necessarily the act of reading, but a memory about a book that scared the wits out of me. <u>Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs</u> was a text I owned, but wouldn't dare go to sleep with it in the room. The wicked witch frightened me, yet, I still read it, as long as when it was time for lights out, it was locked safely away in mom and dad's room. As I grew older, a little brother came along and with it brought the first book that I distinctly remember reading. P.D. Eastman's <u>The Best Nest</u> can even now be recited from memory. My brother wanted to read it EVERY night. Despite the simplicity of the text and how many times my mom had already read it, she crafted a unique rhythm and cadence to the familiar song of Mr. Bird, "I love my house, I love my nest. In all the world, my nest is best." I remember vividly the night that we read it one too many times and I declared that, "If we read that book one more time...I'm leaving." And that was the end of reading aloud to me. I packed my stack of books up and went to my bedroom, climbed in the bed and picked up a book and have been doing so most nights for the last 35 years. <br />
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As time progressed from Momma's bed and through Richard Scarry's <u>Best Ever Word Book</u>, reading came alive for me. Summers were spent with the Sweet Pickle's Gang and Amelia Bedelia. Visits to the library were just as good as a summer vacation to me. The teensy one room house that had shelves and shelves of books always smelled like a new adventure. Momma always helped pick out books and she read every one that I did. We logged our books on a tracker from the public library and turned it in at the end of the summer to get a prize. It wasn't an iPad or an electronic device, usually, it was a book. My parents never denied me a book when I asked. They may have denied a new toy, but never a book.<br />
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I don't have many memories of reading in school and that breaks this teacher's heart. I do remember being in a reading group in 2nd grade in Mrs. LeDoux's class. Our reading book was entitled Moonbeams and we met at the picnic table at the back of the room. Other than that...I don't remember learning how to read. I know the class next door was fully immersed in phonics and had a phonics book and workbook, but we didn't. I went home crying one day because I so wanted to learn phonics and my Momma said, "But you already know them." In elementary school, there were times where the treasured hope chest was opened and the beloved scrapbooks came out for me to touch and feel and read. The movie ticket stubs, the notes, the cards that my Momma collected to document a life. This was the reading I most enjoyed. I can still see the pages and pages of memories that helped me to know her more as a person, not just a Momma. <br />
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In 5th grade, I remember Mrs. Thomas reading <u>The Cajun Night Before Christmas</u> to the class in her heavy South Louisiana accent - something that I still do each year with my own class. Mrs. Foster assigning us our first novel to read at school, but there weren't many memories of true reading and stepping into a world beyond myself. Not until I <u>To Kill A Mockingbird</u> was given to me my junior year of high school. This book, along with <u>Of Mice and Men</u> changed reading for me. Now, instead of reading fluff, I was reading deep themes that crossed controversial subjects. I witnessed how authors made sense of the worlds around them by writing about the things that terrified them, the things that they didn't understand, the things that broke their heart and their psyche. My eyes were unveiled to reveal a world where I could visibly see how writing and reading helped someone make sense of the insensible. These books became late night reading that kept me up because I just had to know what was going to happen next. They are the books that fostered in a magical place that I could escape and learn more about the world beyond Denham Springs, Louisiana. There are so many more books that transported me from my little bedroom to New York City at the turn of the century or the English countryside, but there isn't time to document my reading history.<br />
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Now as a teacher, I want those same experiences for my students, but the reality is that many of them don't have the same opportunities to curl up with a book that I did. I want them to experience the unlocking of the magical worlds that exist beyond the pages and into the depths of their imaginations. I want them to read what scares them, what inspires them, what angers them. I want them to move beyond the author they love and the genre that is familiar. Some years, it has been easy, and others difficult. But, it can be done as a teacher and a parent. It is never too late.<br />
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1. Turn the technology off for a time. Even as a 40 year old, I've found that when I am reading in a room with a television, computer, or my phone on, I'm less likely to be focused on what I'm reading. There is nothing that cannot wait for 30 minutes. More often than not, I find myself reading for much longer than 30 minutes. In order to develop readers, there must be space in the schedule to do so.<br />
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2. Give Choice. One of the things my Momma did was let me choose the books - all the books. She never made a suggestion that I can remember, but allowed me to be in complete control of what I was reading. If it was all Dr. Seuss, then it was all Dr. Seuss. Reading was reading in her eyes.<br />
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3. Visit the library. I truly think this is one of the lost pleasures of a world so inundated with technology. I still visit once a week and check out a stack of books. If you have younger children, take them often and stay for story hour. This is where I discovered many of my favorites.<br />
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4. Ask questions. I'm not saying to give a student a worksheet with comprehension questions listed on them, but what I am saying is to have a conversation about a book. Ask questions like, "What is your favorite part so far? Who is your favorite character and why? Have you experienced anything similar?" Having an open dialogue about a book just for enjoyment is something many students haven't experienced. Too often, the tasks in a classroom are all graded and there isn't room to just talk books. <br />
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5. Notice the illustrations. In picture books especially, spend time studying the images, pointing out details, playing I Spy. Not only will this help to hone observational skills, but it will help a young reader begin to make connections between the illustrations and the text. If reading a novel with a young child, stop and talk about the images that were created when you read specific sections. This helps students to visualize the story as it is unfolding.<br />
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Reading is the door to unlocking a lifetime of magic whether it be fictional stories or informational facts. Donalyn Miller says it way better than I could ever when she states, "Reading changes your life. Reading unlocks worlds unknown or forgotten, taking travelers around the world and through time. Reading helps you escape the confines of school and pursue your own education. Through characters - the saints and the sinners, real or imagined, reading shows you how to be a better human being."<br />
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<br />Shasta Looperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302372431331055141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4625121867770801759.post-84177189761954887952016-04-30T14:01:00.001-07:002016-04-30T14:01:08.564-07:00It's been awhile, friends, and I hate that the reason that I'm writing won't be as uplifting or useful, but this little space has been my spot to process what teaching has taught me, lessons that have gone well or not, or just lessons that I've learned along the way as an educator. Writing has always been a cathartic exercise for me, so when things happen that I don't quite understand, it is where I turn.<br />
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Wednesday morning I woke early and was preparing to tackle my day. I had already put into motion my usual routine - make coffee, take a shower, get ready, and log-in to facebook to check in with friends who were having birthdays, conduct a little Rodan and Fields business, and generally see what everyone was up to for the day. While I was perusing, I ran across a post from a former student that really set me on a hunt for information. The status was simple, "For all of you struggling with the news of Chloe Allison Duncan..." I don't even think I read the rest of the status before I sent a message and began to investigate what had happened.<br />
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Chloe was a student in my 5th grade classroom at Tigerville 9 years ago. I remember her clearly as a long-legged, beauty with glasses who would rather play soccer with the boys at recess than sit and make daisy chains on the hillside with the girls. She was more comfortable in her own skin at 10 years old than I was in my mid-30s. She was quiet and didn't mind where she sat because nothing really bothered her much. She had a laid back approach to anything, but at the same time, held herself to a high standard. She was constantly asking how she could do better or for extra help if she needed. The boys in the class always tried to get her attention by telling jokes or asking her if they could sit by her at lunch,etc. She would often shrug her shoulders and say, "Sure." Chloe was a friend to everyone, even those who weren't the first choice of others. She had a genuine heart and noticed when someone needed a friend. <br />
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That year we started a Girls on the Run club and Chloe was one of the first to sign up. She attended every practice and at the end, we ran a 5K at Furman University. My goal in that race was simply not to be last. I wasn't, but Chloe had already finished the race and ran back to finish with me. It was a simple gesture, but one that showed exactly what kind of person she would grow up to be. <br />
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Middle school arrived and Chloe went on, but she often came back to see me over the years. She always had a hug and would rest her head on my shoulder. She didn't need to say anything. <br />
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Fast forward to Tuesday morning...when I finally found out what had happened, I felt like I had been punched in the stomach. Chloe had been killed in a drunk driving accident. She was riding on the back of a motorcycle with a friend and the drunk driver hit them from behind. I got in the car to go get my haircut and could not stop crying. I've never experienced the death of a student and nothing prepared me for it. I'm still trying to process what has happened. <br />
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She was 19, a freshman in college, and recently engaged. She was making plans and they were immediately halted, not just for her, but her family and friends. <br />
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Gone too quickly for sure.<br />
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Chloe, you will be missed, but more importantly, you will be forever remembered.Shasta Looperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302372431331055141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4625121867770801759.post-44137068156866222322016-02-02T05:21:00.000-08:002016-02-02T05:21:02.552-08:00February CurrentlyLet's just take a minute and applaud the fact that I showed up today. It has been a journey and one I'm coming to terms with - a new position, finding myself in that position, and realizing that I still have things to share.<br />
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But, another day, because today is time for Currently with Farley. If you aren't quite sure what it is all about, head over to her blog <a href="http://ohboy3rdgrade.blogspot.com/2016/02/currently-february-2016.html" target="_blank">Oh Boy, It's Farley</a>! She just got a new blog design, and ya'll it is precious!<br />
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Listening: We don't have cable, so my background noise is ETV classics. I've learned a lot in the last few weeks.</div>
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Loving: Since moving at the first of the year, I decreased my daily commute from an hour and 25 minutes - yes, you read that right - to 25 minutes. I have gained 2 hours of my life back :) Partner that with a position that allows me to walk out of school at a decent hour and I have almost 4 hours back to my day.</div>
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Thinking: We moved into a new to us house and it is painted with a lot of different shades of yellow - every room is different. Throw in green and I need a new paint scheme. I wanted to go all white because it is a farmhouse after all. But, I can't decide white, or neutrals. </div>
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Wanting: Could be needing as well. A new pair of jeans because I have outgrown the old ones. I just need to get in gear and take better care of myself and then I'll have about 5 pairs of barely worn jeans at my disposal.</div>
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Needing: Sewing is not my gift, so I need to find someone who can teach me the basics. I need curtains desperately and boy are they expensive to purchase. </div>
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Swooning: Our 1895 farmhouse is my love and swoon today. The gingerbread trim and the leaded glass windows. A claw foot tub and sun porch....oh, it is perfect!</div>
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~Shasta</div>
<br />Shasta Looperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302372431331055141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4625121867770801759.post-17846749549717332212015-08-30T17:47:00.001-07:002015-08-30T17:47:50.824-07:00Dear Hailey...Dear Hailey,<br />
It's been 10 years since I've seen your sweet face, but it is one that I will never forget. We met under tragic circumstances. Hurricane Katrina had wreaked havoc in New Orleans and Baton Rouge was in chaos. I was a 3rd grade teacher who would be forever changed by my interaction with you.<br />
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About 2 weeks after Katrina left her mark, my principal opened the door and introduced me to you. You were a precious little 3rd grader with fear in her eyes. I didn't know the circumstances around your move into the area, other than you had been uprooted because of the storm. I knelt down to look you in the eye and took your hand to welcome you into my classroom. A classroom that didn't have a desk, books, or supplies for you. But it was a classroom that had a room full of kids who had opened their door to family members and friends who had also been uprooted. Zachary had 10 extra people living in his house, so we didn't question whether you would stay or find another room with more space. <br />
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You were quiet. I don't think you said very much in the short time that you were with us. That first day was a blur. I don't remember much other than your arrival. After school, I was told your story. You lived in Slidell and your home had been destroyed, as well as your school. You were living in a shelter in the area and your mom wanted you to start school to keep some sort of normalcy in your life. You had lost it all and were trying to make sense of the world again. You were wearing clothes that were donated to you at the shelter, eating meals with people you didn't know, clinging to your momma at night because you were terrified.<br />
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The next day, as school began, I was called to the office. You didn't want to come inside for the day. You were clinging to your momma. You were both crying and I started shortly after. With help from the secretary, we peeled you off of your momma, assured her I would take extra good care of you, and brought you inside with you clinging to my side.<br />
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That day, I had a substitute teacher in the room so I could do reading assessments down the hall in the empty classroom. I had everything set up for the class and let the sub know that I was just a short distance away in case she needed me. It didn't take long for an SOS to come with the next student I needed to read to me. I walked down the hallway and heard you sobbing. As soon as I entered the room, you left your seat and attached yourself to me. You spent the rest of the day with me reading quietly.<br />
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The rest of your time with me was similar. You began to quietly talk to some of the other girls, but you didn't say much. At recess, you played within my sight. Each morning, I met you on the sidewalk and we did the same peel and hug maneuver.<br />
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After a week, you came in late one morning with flowers and a gift for me. It was your last day. Inside the wrapped present was a beautiful silver heart and a handwritten note thanking me for taking care of you. The thoughtful words brought me to tears. You gave me one of the fiercest hugs I've ever received. It still sticks with me. And with that, you walked out of my classroom 10 years ago.<br />
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I don't know where you are or what path your life has taken, but here I am 10 years later still thinking about you and the impact you made on me. In a world that had been turned upside down, you taught me an important lesson that I still haven't forgotten. That lesson was simple, students need to feel loved and cared for first.<br />
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There was no way that I could have taught you anything other than feeling safe that week. You weren't ready and that was okay.<br />
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Thank you for trusting me while you were a guest. I hope that you have found your place and you are changing your world.<br />
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Love,<br />
Mrs. LooperShasta Looperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302372431331055141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4625121867770801759.post-18042168287292347332015-08-02T09:04:00.001-07:002015-08-02T09:04:56.804-07:00Assess Me Linky Week 2I've broken the number one rule of blogging - one post a day, but...<br />
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Rachel over at <a href="http://www.thetattooedteacher.com/2015/08/assess-me-linky-week-2-this-or-that/" target="_blank">The Tattooed Teacher</a> is hosting week 2 of the Assess Me Linky. I had to think about this one!<br />
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Let me admit something right off, I can't figure out how to change the color of a shape outline in Keynote. So, if someone can help me out, I'd love you forever!<br />
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I am a casual girl. All summer long I've worn came shorts, tank tops, and Birkenstocks - EVERY DAY! Yes, I washed them, but that has been the uniform of choice. My husband is spontaneous - not unrealistic for us to go to a wedding and then end up in the woods driving around looking for deer. I told him yesterday I need to keep a bag of possibilities in the car at all times just in case I need to change shoes, wear long pants, etc. But, if given the choice, jeans, shirt, and Birkenstocks are my choice. That goes for jewelry too. Nothing too fussy! Earrings are the most important accessory, but if the necklace is too fussy, I get frustrated. I've tried, honestly.<br />
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Rachel, I had no clue what Big Pimpin' was, so I had to watch both. Unfortunately, I'm not a fan of either. Boo! But, you did introduce me to Thriftshop years ago and I loved it. So, there's that.<br />
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I'm a country girl now. I was raised in the suburbs, but my husband has transformed me to the country life. I like the quiet, the solitude, and the animals. Give me a porch rocker and a sunset and I'm good.<br />
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Coffee is a necessity - all day! This summer I've been known to drink a pot by myself. I leave my house extremely early for school - 5:30 am and drink a cup before the hour commute, during the commute, and a cup at school. <br />
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I'm a night owl. Give me school that starts at 11:00 am and goes until 5 or 6 and I'm good. I get a 2nd wind and love to stay up late. I get my best work done in the wee hours of the morning.<br />
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When Cheney and I got married we took a honeymoon on Amtrak across the country. I loved it. We had a sleeping car and turn down service, all of our meals in the dining car. Loved every minute. Would love to do it again, but in Europe. I'm a nervous flyer, but appreciate the technology and use that as my go to for travel.<br />
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I love Central Air, but love Central Park!<br />
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Head on over to Rachel's to get the 4-1-1 on everyone else!<br />
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<br />Shasta Looperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302372431331055141noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4625121867770801759.post-18318804080036027552015-08-02T07:56:00.002-07:002015-08-02T07:56:57.656-07:00It's August!!! Oh my! It is already August! Hard to believe that summer is pretty much gone. Short post today as I link up with Farley over at <a href="http://ohboy3rdgrade.blogspot.com/2015/08/currently-august-2015.html" target="_blank">Oh Boy! 4th Grade</a>! I love that she hosts this link up every month. It's one of my faves!<br />
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I had a hard time finding things to binge watch on Netflix this summer - hard to believe right? But, I landed on <i>Freaks and Geeks</i> this week - 2 weeks before school starts. So far so good.<br />
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My dear husband knows the way to my heart is shoes. Every year that we have been married, he has purchased me shoes for my birthday. This year he hit it out of the park with my new Birkenstocks. Hippie shoes, yes. But, oh my word they are comfortable. I've worn them every single day this summer. My poor feet will not know what to do when school starts. I always hate that adjustment.<br />
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I am taking a new position this year and so I don't have a classroom to get ready for students. Honestly, I don't know what my space will look like because I am a coach. So, I'm getting my office ready at home. With that is a huge list of things to purchase - shelves, paint, rug, you know the drill. <br />
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I've taught summer school ALL summer, so there has been no vacation for me. We are taking a quick day trip down to Charleston next week for a blogger meet up and then a flying run up the coast to Myrtle Beach to meet our great nephew for a few hours. That is a lot of driving for a day trip. Hopefully, when we have a few days in October we will be able to get away for a few days.<br />
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As a coach this year, I know it will be important to praise teachers for the amazingness I see in their classrooms. So, I plan on making that a focus this year. I know I'd appreciate it.Shasta Looperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302372431331055141noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4625121867770801759.post-18486476237756439262015-07-26T15:18:00.003-07:002015-07-26T15:18:21.725-07:00Assess Me! A Link Up with Tattooed TeacherLinking up with my friend, Rachel, over at the <a href="http://www.thetattooedteacher.com/" target="_blank">Tattooed Teacher</a> today for her Assess Me! Hoping to hang out with her in real life at our Carolina bloggers meet up soon!<br />
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So, a few I have to be honest with before I close out this post.<br />
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Showering - Sunday is my LAZY day, I'll be honest. If you stopped by my house on a Sunday, I'll have been in pajamas most of the day, sitting on the couch watching Netflix. More than likely I will not even have my hair combed until my husband decides to go get something to eat. It's what we do.<br />
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Glasses - I have a beautiful pair of Dolce & Gabbana glasses that I got a few years ago. I still love them, but I don't wear them often. However, I've hit 40 and have noticed a change in my eyesight, so I'm sure they will be getting used frequently this year.<br />
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<a href="http://www.thetattooedteacher.com/" target="_blank">Rachel,</a> thanks for this great Assessment! I love it! Head on over to see what others have said on this week's assessment!<br />
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<br />Shasta Looperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302372431331055141noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4625121867770801759.post-77272151432635596722015-07-19T08:32:00.004-07:002015-07-19T08:32:40.815-07:00What'cha Reading?This summer has definitely been the summer of reading for me. I've read 25 adult fiction/nonfiction books, 3 professional books, and I'm working my way through a box of 55 Scholastic chapter books for the upcoming school year.<br />
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So, I've read a lot of must-reads and a lot of not-so-great reads. I've learned over 16 years of teaching that sometimes the books that I choose for my kids that I absolutely love, may not have the reaction I was hoping for. Hope at <a href="http://www.elementaryshenanigans.com/" target="_blank">Elementary Shenanigans </a>did a great Periscope about this on Saturday. I jumped on the <u>Wonder</u> train at the beginning of the school year and thought it would be an amazing book for my 5th graders. While some thoroughly enjoyed it and couldn't wait to tackle the text, most were very indifferent. So, I went back to the drawing board. I want my kids excited about reading just as much as I am. <br />
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Here are some of my TOP reads from the year.<br />
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We started the year with this book and my students fell in love with it. It is told by 6 different narrators and was a little complex, but after getting used to the format, my students loved it. The story focuses on the relationship of teacher and students. Previously, the group of characters proved to be quite the handful, but Mr. Terupt has a way of impacting their lives forever. <br />
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Most appropriate for 4th-5th grades.<br />
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My class chose this one as their all time favorite of the year. We used it as a mentor text during our unit on Social Justice. My kids connected to Ivan and shed tears over his confinement in a local carnival display. It lead to great discussion about the treatment of animals and allowed us to stage classroom debates. <br />
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Most appropriate for grades 3rd-5th.<br />
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My top reading group loved this one. Anything with a little mystery got their goat. This was a group of all boys and they couldn't wait until reading group time so they could devour the book. This is book one in a series, so throughout the year, I saw multiple kiddos finishing up the set.<br />
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Most appropriate for grades 4th-6th.<br />
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I've read a few this summer that were amazing! It was nice to see Elementary Shenanigans include some of them on her list as well.<br />
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All I can say is WOW! This book was amazing! It gave a great perspective of life from a child with cerebral palsy who was unable to talk. I read it very quickly and added it immediately to my must read aloud to my students. I'm always looking for books that help to build empathy.</div>
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This has always been one of my favorite movies, but I didn't sit down and read the book until this summer. I loved it! It was light, positive, and comical. I can't wait to share it with my kiddos.</div>
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Now, this book, this is my book of the summer. Jacqueline Woodson did a bang up job of sharing her family history. I had a special connection with this text. It is set in the city that I teach - Greenville, SC. The book is set during the civil rights movement and Woodson uses free verse poetry to tell her story. It's powerful and moving. I plan to pair it with our civil rights non-fiction texts, <u>The Watson's Go to Birmingham, </u> and <u>Bud, Not Buddy.</u></div>
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I would love for you to share your top reads for your class below.</div>
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<!-- end InLinkz script -->Shasta Looperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302372431331055141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4625121867770801759.post-22772800460789970102015-07-14T19:48:00.001-07:002015-07-14T19:48:07.740-07:00Are You Scopin'?While I was living vicariously through my teacher blog friends in Vegas, I somehow became a part of a huge teacher takeover in the social media world. I don't think Twitter's Periscope knew what was coming when teachers took over their live streaming app.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwDMH0GhSnAIE9oQGIO9sNL4gvlLM9B-PJ7SPwKeH45LgJS9ymEX7NXYladOAAuZ6pejF0gcfKYkhjK7aNctHOJLc0gFz0TL_m0xpje4dRLk6OaI2eHBGMVcvQ8eW3P5NDOTjy9iCbiZw/s1600/scopin+teacher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwDMH0GhSnAIE9oQGIO9sNL4gvlLM9B-PJ7SPwKeH45LgJS9ymEX7NXYladOAAuZ6pejF0gcfKYkhjK7aNctHOJLc0gFz0TL_m0xpje4dRLk6OaI2eHBGMVcvQ8eW3P5NDOTjy9iCbiZw/s400/scopin+teacher.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Periscope is an amazing tool that has endless possibilities in the educational world. I'm brand new...so, I don't know everything there is to know yet, but here's the basics that I've discovered so far.<br />
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1. Periscope is live time. That means you can interact with an audience immediately. When you begin your stream, your "followers" can log into your stream and see what is happening in your world.<br />
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2. Immediate feedback is given! Viewers can interact and post questions, comments, anything while you are streaming. **This is really interesting and very tempting to comment on during your stream, but don't forget, your followers are trying to listen and if you are distracted, your content is compromised.<br />
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3. Streams can be viewed for 24 hours. If your viewers miss it, they can still access it on the app for 24 hours. <br />
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You can save your broadcasts to your camera roll on your phone for access later.<br />
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Right now, teachers are experimenting with the uses of Periscope. So far, I've seen short snippets of book talks, professional development, introductions, classroom set up, etc. Many teachers are using it to somewhat replace a blog. Instead of writing about a post, how cool is it that you can just talk to people. <br />
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Is it scary? Yes, I jumped in with both feet and was a nervous wreck. <strike>But, here's my first introduction scope </strike>as a part of the #periscopeteacherchallenge and the #sundayscopinchallenge<br />
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Well, I didn't know you couldn't access it from the servers. Broadcasts are only stored for 24 hours.<br />
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How do I plan to use it?<br />
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1. Showcase my student presentations. I want to provide real audiences this year with my students. So, if you follow me, look for our presentations.<br />
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2. Book Talks - I'll be sharing a book talk about my new finds for 5th grade this week. I plan to continue to do this all year.<br />
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I'm sure there are ENDLESS opportunities and I can't wait to discover them all with you. Here's my details, follow me and let's learn together.<br />
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<br />Shasta Looperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302372431331055141noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4625121867770801759.post-18752565808123240632015-07-09T15:18:00.001-07:002015-07-09T15:18:29.810-07:00Tech Thursday: FlipGridI spent this week at the Upstate Technology Conference and walked away with some fabulous new tools and a few tricks to help me be more efficient with my favorites. <br />
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One that I learned about last year and I dropped the ball with using was <a href="http://flipgrid.com/" target="_blank">FlipGrid</a>. It is AMAZING!<br />
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A strategy that I use quite often is the traditional Exit Ticket. Students reflect at the end of a lesson on a post-it note, index card, etc. Then they stick it up on the wall or the door and I read responses. Well, FlipGrid will transform your Exit Tickets. <br />
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It is VIDEO! Kind of like a confessional booth. Students record short videos in response to a question. <br />
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Your role is to create a grid of questions, share the link, and students respond. The fun part is watching the videos. How much easier would it be to watch your exit tickets instead of gathering all of those sticky notes that inevitably get stuck where they shouldn't?<br />
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Here's the creator of FlipGrid sharing his thoughts.<br />
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/WF1fUt3WG7o/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WF1fUt3WG7o?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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Just a few FYI...<br />
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1. You are not limited on the amount of questions or responses.<br />
2. It does cost, but the educator rate is only $65 per year. You get 10 grids.<br />
3. No accounts are needed to record responses. You just send out a link.<br />
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Head over to <a href="http://teachingtrio.blogspot.com/2015/07/using-arcademics-to-build-skills.html" target="_blank">Teaching Trio</a> to see the other entries in the Tech Thursday linky!<br />
<br />Shasta Looperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302372431331055141noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4625121867770801759.post-82437250907726407982015-07-06T20:30:00.002-07:002015-07-06T20:30:15.696-07:00Monday Made It: July 6Warning...I wasn't very productive this week. But, I'm still linking up what I was able to accomplish. I'm linking up with 4th Grade Frolics again this week. I'm in the process of a major classroom redo. It's all centered on the decor, but some of it is time intensive.<br />
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Our district requires all elementary teachers to have a word wall posted in the classroom that is easily visible. This year I created new letter headings using the Cricut. My theme is a Superhero theme, but I wanted longevity for my headings that would allow me to use them for several more years. So, this is what I came up with so far. For the last 4 years I've bought the exact same pad of scrapbook paper and used it for various ideas. I'm loving my new letter headings.</div>
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In addition to new word wall headings, I redid my group signs. This was done on the Cricut as well. My thoughts were to make these look somewhat like a bat signal. I'll hang these over each group. This helps me stay organized with materials each day. I sort papers by groups and have stacks ready at the beginning of the day. It also helps me send groups to bathrooms, library, etc. </div>
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Not a whole lot accomplished, but I'm getting there. I start summer school next week and will work right up until the start of school. Here's to hoping that I am more motivated. </div>
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Head on over to<a href="http://4thgradefrolics.blogspot.com/2015/07/monday-made-it-july-6.html" target="_blank"> 4th Grade Frolics</a></div>
Shasta Looperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302372431331055141noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4625121867770801759.post-13768276088774697332015-07-02T09:04:00.003-07:002015-07-02T09:04:32.448-07:00July CurrentlySay it isn't so!!! There's no way that it can be July already! That means that I only have one week before I begin teaching summer school and that lasts until the week before school starts! I'm not ready!!<br />
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The start of a new month means Farley is back with Currently! I don't know about you all, but the daily and monthly link ups are a way to keep me accountable to this little space. I'm forever grateful to the creative geniuses that thought up all of these great little things. Now, if I could just think of one too!<br />
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Anyway, without further adieu...<br />
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<u>Listening:</u> Hubs and I stayed up all night last night reading and watching movies. I know, wild and crazy right! That's the best thing about summer. Well, it's noon and he and the puppin are still sound asleep. No television is on and the A/C just kicked on for the day. Thankfully we have had mild temps around these parts and it has been quite pleasant. </div>
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<u>Loving: </u>I am a voracious reader! I mean it! It's nothing for me to crank out 100 or more books a year. This year I challenged myself to read 100 in the summer. Well, I'm on about 20 I believe, so I probably won't hit that goal. If I was reading books for my classroom, then I could, but these are adult fiction. Best one so far, <u>Invention of Wings</u> by Sue Monk Kidd. Seriously, go get it now!</div>
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<u>Thinking</u> I turned 40 this week and all of a sudden all of those doctor appointments and conversations start - mammogram, weight gain, etc. Not liking it one little bit!</div>
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<u>Needing: </u> I need more time! Summer school starts in 2 weeks and then I start school after that. I've spent the summer working, which I've enjoyed, but I still need more lazy days. Better tackle that to do list soon.</div>
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<u>All-Star: </u>I could have gone with the easy answer - using technology, but I dug deep for this one. I love to create a snowball effect in conversations. For example, a few weeks ago, I was writing curriculum for our engineering units for the upcoming school year with a group of teachers. One teacher was stuck on an idea so we just starting ping-ponging ideas and the conversation led to an amazing unit for our 4th graders. A few years back I was introduced to Design Thinking and we had to use "and" instead of "but" when we were brainstorming ideas for a birthday party. That one little exercise blew me away and I've tried to do that when planning anything or trying to think of alternative solutions. It's amazing. Try it - with your students!</div>
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Go to <a href="http://ohboy3rdgrade.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Farley's</a> and check out all of the other Currently posts! It's my favorite time of the month!</div>
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<br />Shasta Looperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302372431331055141noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4625121867770801759.post-11921329491399082312015-07-01T13:15:00.000-07:002015-07-01T13:15:00.884-07:00Crash Course: Chapter 2 Creating MagicIf you have never had the opportunity to visit the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, Georgia, you truly are missing out on a magical experience. Every where you look, you experience truly sensational and stimulating experiences that engage all of your senses. From the Red Button in Ron's math class to the full size Volkswagen Beetle in Kim's Language Arts room to Alice's legs hanging out of the ceiling in Hope's room - there's is always something interesting to rest your eyes upon. But, the teachers at RCA not only have rooms that are magical, they create magical experiences for their students. <br />
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Students never know what is coming so they are always sitting in great anticipation of what is behind the door - kind of like Let's Make a Deal! Walking into Kim's class one day, it could be set up like a Chinese restaurant or Hope's could be a spy lab. <br />
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In <u>Crash Course, </u>Kim shares how important it is to create magical experiences for our students. Magical can be over the top and require hours redecorating your room or it could be turning a boring worksheet into an interactive game that addresses the content, but requires students to move, dance, sing, and get out of their seats. <br />
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Over the last 6-7 years of my career, I've been blessed to work with partners who believed in creating the magic. From costumes to simulations to souvenirs, we worked to make the learning memorable and rigorous for our students. There were a few ways that we did that below that I hope are helpful to you.<br />
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1. Start with your content - Regardless of your magical experience, content should be the driving force behind what you are doing. Don't compromise rigor for experience. They go hand in hand. When we were planning our Ellis Island Immigration Day, we started with the standards students needed to know and then planned around them. For example, each teacher took a role and addressed a piece of the standards through a character. I became Addie, a young lady immigrating from Ireland due to famine. I researched her story, created a dialogue, and then embraced her as myself for the entire day. Everything I did was through Addie's eyes.<br />
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2. Give Students a Role - When students are engaged in the experience, the learning becomes more concrete. It's one thing to become a character and give a monologue in your class, but it's a completely different level to have your students put your character in the Hot Seat and ask questions that were developed in a previous lesson with the expectation that there would be a real special guest. For our Hooverville simulation, students dressed in hobo costumes and brought a vegetable to contribute to the community soup pot. Each student created a back story to share with partners as they hopped trains to the city :)<br />
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3. Build in Assessments - They don't have to be traditional! Really listen to student conversations, use stop and jots, have students tweet a reflection, take a selfie and caption it based on the lesson, create a video reflection. <br />
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4. Reflect! - Have students reflect on their learning through the experience. I like to use a summary journal for this piece, especially if I am in costume and character. I usually have my students write me a letter about the special guest since I wasn't there. The day following the experience, I completely play dumb about the "guest in the classroom. My kids get a kick out of it and so do I.<br />
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I modified a lesson I did with 2nd grade after visiting the Ron Clark Academy and we conducted surgery on passages based on skills we had learned previously.</div>
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When studying the Roaring 20s, I was a visiting flapper, Claire. We learned the Charleston, redesigned women's fashions, and created poetry based on jazz music rhythms.<br />
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Susan B. Anthony came to teach for the day and taught about the Women's Suffrage Movement. My students said she was mean :)<br />
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Rosie the Riveter stopped in for a few days and encouraged everyone to work. Groups created war propaganda posters to encourage different groups to become involved in the war effort. <br />
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When studying the Space Race, a NASA astronaut joined us and taught about space engineering on satellites. Students were then tasked to design a better satellite.<br />
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When your classroom becomes a magical place, there's no way students can keep from learning. Even the most difficult students get involved. When I was conducting the Emergency Room simulation, I had one student who wanted to become a behavior problem. But, in character, an isolation operating room was created so he could practice his skills independently before joining a team of surgeons. He mastered them very quickly :)<br />
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What magic are you bringing into your classroom this year?<br />
<br />Shasta Looperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302372431331055141noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4625121867770801759.post-37033049054473143612015-06-29T09:33:00.003-07:002015-06-29T09:33:39.786-07:00Camp Go Noodle!When I taught in Tennessee, I stumbled across my favorite teacher lifesaver! <a href="https://www.gonoodle.com/" target="_blank">Go Noodle</a>! If you've dreaded indoor recess since you began teaching, then GoNoodle is definitely for you! It provides the perfect activity and physical movement for your kiddos - and even yourself at times. <br />
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My 5th graders LOVED it and often begged for it after a test or a difficult assignment. Of course, I honored that.<br />
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With students spending more time on technology at home than outside, it was an easy way to get my kids up and moving. <br />
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Well, this summer, <a href="http://campgonoodle.com/" target="_blank">Camp GoNoodle</a> has started! You can now join this summer and be active at home. Even I need motivation to get off of the sofa in the summer. If you are a teacher and use your school account at home, you need to go to the Camp Go Noodle link to get notifications for Camp. <br />
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The best part about Go Noodle, it is FREE! It is a wonderful resource that I know you will get a lot of use out of, especially when your weather calls for a week of rain :) <br />
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<a href="http://www.mrsehleskindergartenconnections.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Kindergarten Connections</a> is hosting a Go Noodle link this week to kick off camp. Head over to her blog to check things out!<br />
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