tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684316.comments2024-02-18T10:34:56.951-05:00Middle School, day by day from a teacher's point of viewcossondrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11132453976247479697noreply@blogger.comBlogger337125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684316.post-20867082816127432072015-08-20T11:43:58.726-05:002015-08-20T11:43:58.726-05:00Amen, these tests prove nothing. "If you judg...Amen, these tests prove nothing. "If you judge a fish on it's ability to climb it will live its whole life believing it is stupid.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684316.post-91807713838978454992015-01-27T21:30:16.666-05:002015-01-27T21:30:16.666-05:00I am just like you! Halfway through summer, I'...I am just like you! Halfway through summer, I'm already eager to get back into my classroom to start preparing. village teacherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18194315095185204769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684316.post-51755330464635624022014-11-24T14:35:46.642-05:002014-11-24T14:35:46.642-05:00Thanks so much for this post! I really love your b...Thanks so much for this post! I really love your blog, keep up the great work here!new teacherhttp://www.eschoolview.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684316.post-317355691626139692014-09-18T14:28:32.112-05:002014-09-18T14:28:32.112-05:00I love the ideas you suggested! A lot of parents o...I love the ideas you suggested! A lot of parents overlook their local library for a place of enjoyment during the summer!Marissa Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18139668462063706735noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684316.post-11420024611743092602014-08-20T08:17:47.703-05:002014-08-20T08:17:47.703-05:00Just keep swimming. You are doing an amazing job b...Just keep swimming. You are doing an amazing job by being who you are, and your profession.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684316.post-43501051616865849112014-07-29T15:09:55.018-05:002014-07-29T15:09:55.018-05:00Middle school was the grounds for some of my fonde...Middle school was the grounds for some of my fondest childhood memories. There were dates, fights and all sorts of other adventures. Beyond the friendships, there was also a lot of learning and I will always appreciate my teachers for that.<br /><br />Davis Partridge | http://www.fmes.org/montessori/saint-francis-academy/Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15620908656059271167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684316.post-25211193959266876942014-06-29T01:30:45.017-05:002014-06-29T01:30:45.017-05:00Been there on more than one occasion - thankful t...Been there on more than one occasion - thankful that there are the good days when you connect and know you have made a lasting impact on a student!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684316.post-77545483576072587802014-05-15T14:27:35.741-05:002014-05-15T14:27:35.741-05:00I think you MUST teach in my school. This sounds l...I think you MUST teach in my school. This sounds like something that any one of my teachers could say. Preach it! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684316.post-47549818567689427242014-04-02T13:21:57.914-05:002014-04-02T13:21:57.914-05:00Hello Cossondra! I am a student teacher navigating...Hello Cossondra! I am a student teacher navigating this crazy world of middle school and I recently found your blog. I just want to thank you for the honest and inspiring reflections that you post. I am teaching 6th grade inclusion classes and find it quite overwhelming at times! Education has been my lifetime passion (I am 46 and have two teenagers!)but sometimes I feel really inadequate. I can tell that you are an incredible teacher and that you truly care about the kids! Thanks so much for sharing! Jackie Cissanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684316.post-65885540335454860772014-03-04T22:57:41.089-05:002014-03-04T22:57:41.089-05:00Love this post! So honest and trueLove this post! So honest and trueChrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08701570013984511697noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684316.post-18324685191282331482014-03-04T22:57:02.094-05:002014-03-04T22:57:02.094-05:00Great post. Nice to know I'm not alone :)Great post. Nice to know I'm not alone :) Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684316.post-89287864622954813912014-02-24T19:04:16.972-05:002014-02-24T19:04:16.972-05:00In an industrial model, the manufacturer controls ...In an industrial model, the manufacturer controls the nature and quality of the raw material as they know it will impact on the nature and quality of the finished product. Schools must work with whatever walks in the door.... Bob Finemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14568627551535044393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684316.post-11347989376063356142014-01-14T18:08:35.890-05:002014-01-14T18:08:35.890-05:00Keep plodding along! You are not alone! Kudos!Keep plodding along! You are not alone! Kudos!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01309379923588143226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684316.post-54189230656302111322014-01-14T18:05:44.380-05:002014-01-14T18:05:44.380-05:00I am an instant fan! Keep telling it like it is! I am an instant fan! Keep telling it like it is! Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01309379923588143226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684316.post-72798694469273594252013-11-13T14:25:02.211-05:002013-11-13T14:25:02.211-05:00Haha! Most teachers at our school have trouble wit...Haha! Most teachers at our school have trouble with the tech side of things. Congratulations with your succes. :Pnoahhttp://www.olsschool.org/roarnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684316.post-66991979723524670022013-10-19T14:45:24.556-05:002013-10-19T14:45:24.556-05:00I wonder if MEAP is anything like the MAP tests we...I wonder if MEAP is anything like the MAP tests we are suffering through - three times a year! I'm intrigued with the data, but hate the time it takes from instruction and how little attention the kids give the test. I don't blame them. It used to be one big test in April, now it's four tests through out the year. *sigh*Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684316.post-10932548759488512622013-10-02T23:52:05.779-05:002013-10-02T23:52:05.779-05:00I just read a post somewhat similar to this one......I just read a post somewhat similar to this one...it was about teaching students to say thank you. <br /><br />Absolutely the knowledge kids leave with after being in our classroom is important, but shouldn't they leave with some life skills as well?<br /><br />Shouldn't we also emphasize communication and cooperation skills, respect, decision making, compassion, etc?<br /><br />I don't ever want one of my students to leave thinking there isn't someone who cares about them and is willing to help.<br /><br />-Chelsea Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684316.post-40579398134036075192013-10-02T23:50:00.598-05:002013-10-02T23:50:00.598-05:00I just read a post somewhat similar to this one......I just read a post somewhat similar to this one...it was about teaching students to say thank you. <br /><br />Absolutely the knowledge kids leave with after being in our classroom is important, but shouldn't they leave with some life skills as well?<br /><br />Shouldn't we also emphasize communication and cooperation skills, respect, decision making, compassion, etc?<br /><br />I don't ever want one of my students to leave thinking there isn't someone who cares about them and is willing to help.<br /><br />-Chelsea Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684316.post-13467884289684629292013-07-24T22:02:59.452-05:002013-07-24T22:02:59.452-05:00I commend you not only on your candor relating you...I commend you not only on your candor relating your experiences as a middle school teacher, but how you've approached them as well. I am a K-8 licensed teacher in IL, and due to economic and political conditions it's been difficult to find a full-time job since I got my master's in 2010--so I've been subbing in the meantime. Subbing certainly has had it's ups and downs, but I've had the privilege of teaching all age levels and in a myriad of school environments. This past year, I realized how much I enjoyed working with middle school students! As a sub, I have the added pressures of being challenged by behavior and ensuring I execute the lessons to the best of my ability--especially in subject areas where I am less comfortable in, like math and science. Anyhow, my best experiences have been when I have engaged myself in conversation with them, learning about their interests and needs--I was surprised at how many kids were interested in talking to me! I also take pride in the classroom when facilitating and assisting students. Even though I may be in a class for 1 or a couple of days, I give attention to all students, help them the best I can, and give them a smile. I hope one day when I have my own classroom that I am able to positively influence students in the ways that you have. Thank you for letting me share my story.Rachel H.https://www.blogger.com/profile/15620807148517684444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684316.post-47820677053332798942013-07-24T22:02:43.097-05:002013-07-24T22:02:43.097-05:00I commend you not only on your candor relating you...I commend you not only on your candor relating your experiences as a middle school teacher, but how you've approached them as well. I am a K-8 licensed teacher in IL, and due to economic and political conditions it's been difficult to find a full-time job since I got my master's in 2010--so I've been subbing in the meantime. Subbing certainly has had it's ups and downs, but I've had the privilege of teaching all age levels and in a myriad of school environments. This past year, I realized how much I enjoyed working with middle school students! As a sub, I have the added pressures of being challenged by behavior and ensuring I execute the lessons to the best of my ability--especially in subject areas where I am less comfortable in, like math and science. Anyhow, my best experiences have been when I have engaged myself in conversation with them, learning about their interests and needs--I was surprised at how many kids were interested in talking to me! I also take pride in the classroom when facilitating and assisting students. Even though I may be in a class for 1 or a couple of days, I give attention to all students, help them the best I can, and give them a smile. I hope one day when I have my own classroom that I am able to positively influence students in the ways that you have. Thank you for letting me share my story.Rachel H.https://www.blogger.com/profile/15620807148517684444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684316.post-59913587955983260322013-06-04T20:32:19.327-05:002013-06-04T20:32:19.327-05:00I agree. Up and down year. Taught a new class for...I agree. Up and down year. Taught a new class for the first time this year as groups rotated in with me throughout the year. The last grading period has been the toughest because I think someone's trying to teach me patience with this group. Had them earlier in the year and they had a reputation. We had some teacher changes and I wound up with them again. They're draining me and it kills me to see some of them who I have known since elementary school just kick it on down the road and not care at this point. I have to keep reminding myself to care when they seem not to. It's tough but hopefully this summer I'll get to recharge and revamp. They'll go on to HS and hopefully begin a new journey and start it right.Lindseyhttp://www.caffeinatedimpressions.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684316.post-42597256676457735112013-05-07T15:50:22.317-05:002013-05-07T15:50:22.317-05:00Thanks, Erin! Keep babying them :D You will be rew...Thanks, Erin! Keep babying them :D You will be rewarded with their loyalty and hard work. When they know you believe in them, they want nothing more than to please you!cossondrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06720044849447817480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684316.post-81833571980718704902013-05-06T17:25:14.210-05:002013-05-06T17:25:14.210-05:00I agree with you. In the mainstream classroom, its...I agree with you. In the mainstream classroom, its so easy to be annoyed with the extra needs of these students instead of appreciating them for what they CAN bring to the classroom.<br /><br />My inclusion teacher ALWAYS marvels at how nice it is to finally work with a mainstream teacher who cares so much about the SPED kids. I love mine; they're my babies! Getting them invested in our learning makes my heart smile!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15118204814132341267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684316.post-52060319833077367602013-05-04T22:02:13.552-05:002013-05-04T22:02:13.552-05:00I stumbled on your blog through a search about mid...I stumbled on your blog through a search about middle schoolers and I cannot imagine what teachers go through and how their heart breaks. You do an amazing service to these kids. Just seeing a smiling face sometimes can make a huge difference so thank you.Extraordinary Ordinary Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01232777722945061624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684316.post-89430490249056628352013-05-03T06:33:29.298-05:002013-05-03T06:33:29.298-05:00Logistically, for me this year, it is pretty easy....Logistically, for me this year, it is pretty easy. Since I teach special ed, I have the same students more than one hour. I am doing the auction only with my 7th graders. I hand out tickets in math as well as guided study. The auction will be in guided study class.<br /><br />When I taught reg ed, it was trickier. I tried to tied it into something 'academic' - social studies or math are both easy. An auction is a lesson in supply and demand, especially if you play the prizes right :) <br /><br />I could see that doing it for 6 classes would be tough, but possible. You will probably be more limited by prizes for cost reasons, but you might be able to get donations from parents or local businesses.<br /><br />My favorite part of the auction are the mystery bags. I number them so I auction them off in the correct order. The first one usually doesn't command much interest, but when the student opens their purchase, they find something great - a can of soda and a full size candy bar or something else desirable. Mystery bag #2 - now the excitement is created. Bidding is more fervent. But alas, open it, and find a can of beets. #3, who knows!! I try to have quite of few mystery bags, most of which are something worthy, even if it is just a small treat, but the beet can is the BEST part of the auction.<br /><br />Try it on a smaller scale to keep your sanity. Only give out tickets to two classes this week, hold their auction. Then do another 2 classes next week. It doesn't have to be drawn out over a month. <br /><br />Hope that helps! Let us know how it goes!<br />cossondrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06720044849447817480noreply@blogger.com