Managing your Class

Classroom management is the foundation of an effective classroom and teacher. It is the process of ensuring that classroom lessons run smoothly despite disruptive behavior by students in the class.  Classroom management can make or break a teacher. If you do not have your class under your control, then the students will tear the class room apart doing any and everything they can do.

Here is video on classroom management------> http://bit.ly/TBJ1gU\

 Reasons why classroom management is extremely important:

1.  It helps create a productive learning environment.
2.   It provides students with structure and achievable goals
3. It helps form responsible individuals.
4.  It allows for various activities to occur during the day, with a minimum of wasted time and confusion
5. Students know what is expected of them.
6.   It increases on task time and reduces classroom disruptions.

Peaks and Valleys

I just started reading the new IRead program book, Peaks and Valleys by Spencer Johnson.  Not too often do I actually take time out and sit down and read a book but this book is required for me to read in several of my classes this semester. As soon as I opened the book it grasped my attention and I could not put it down.  The book tells a story about a man who lives in a valley and wants to get to the peak but on his way up there he meets an old man who gives him advice on the peaks and valleys of life.

Peaks and Valleys can be used in our everyday life. As I was reading the book it made me realize that shifting our thinking about the ups and downs in our lives can change how long we dwell in the personal valleys or savor the personal peaks of life.

If you have not read this book you really should. There are tons of quotes and inspiration sayings for you think about and apply in your everyday life.

This is one of my favorite quotes from the book. 

Vote!

Today is the last day you can register to vote in this year’s election! No one cares about whom you’re voting for as long as you’re registered and exercising your right to vote. You may not think voting is very IMPORTANT but it is!  

Your vote is your voice. When we vote, we are actually telling elected officials and lawmakers how we feel about education, public safety, social security, health care, and other important issues.

EVERY vote counts and there is power in numbers. When we vote and get our family members to vote, and even our friends, we can truly make a difference. If you don’t vote for what you believe in, others will and you may not like the outcome.

 Voting changes the community.  When you look around in your neighborhood, do you ever wonder why it gets passed over for things it needs, while another seems to get it all? One big reason is VOTING! When we vote, we can get results that we can actually see. Voting is our chance to make a difference in our own lives and within the world.

So are you going to register and let your voice be heard?

Reading!

I have always known that reading was VERY important but I never really took the time to recognize just how important that it is for children in elementary school. Since I started taking my reading classes for my degree plan I have seen teaching reading and the importance of reading in a whole new way. Reading is the first stepping stone in a child's life. If you cannot read you will struggle with writing and even speaking. As a future educator, I feel the need to encourage children to pick up a book once or twice a day and READ! You don’t even have to be a book. They can read magazines, comics, highlights, anything that will get their mind stimulated and word flowing out their mouth. Any type of reading is beneficial to the child.

Available via creative commons license at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dolmansaxlil/4569110493/

Reading programs in school are also very important. Every school should have at least one program promoting reading. If children see that others are interested in reading they are more likely to become avid readers. So ENCOURAGE any child you see to READ! 

Here are some reasons why you should read to your child.