Change Your Pose, Change Your Life

Today was one of those revolution-inspiring days (only because I was able to generate a sense of malaise that slipped into the arena of revolt). I've discussed. I've erupted verbally. I've stewed.

It's only made it worse...so, I am attempting to change my mental pose and change my life.

To do this, I am making a list of totally achievable things I can do to make my teaching world better.

*Read books slightly above the reading level of my students, record it on GarageBand, and put it onto one of the two iPods that have become obsolete since I developed (too close of) a relationship with my iPhone.
*Remember I have access to videos that show math concepts like fractions and rounding.
*Find those videos during my hours and hours of internet lookin.
*Give my students more compliments. On a side note, I told two fifth graders who have been having a hard time staying in compliment zone territory to remind me to give my forth graders compliments. Today, one did. I need to say thank you for that.
*I can find a book on meaningful reading instruction, read it and implement change in my classroom.


These are all things that I can do to make my classroom a better place. I cannot change some things (differentiated instruction within the general education environment, teachers who are willing to follow federal mandates, etc. etc.). But, I can make my students' experience more meaningful. And that is what it is all about.