Perspectives

I started thinking about some of the practices my students use today when cleaning up after centers. I have a few who wander around the room with basket or container in hand waiting for someone to put something in their basket all the while looking very busy. I have a couple who decide it is time to go to the bathroom. I have a few who just walk around aimlessly and several who really clean. My thoughts immediately think: They have been cleaning up all year, they should know what to do and how to do it. There is no way that child has to go to the bathroom every day at clean up time. Seriously? Carrying a basket is not cleaning!   Okay now take a breath, reflect, think.  This is not a problem that is these students. This is MY problem. If I really am honest with myself, this shows I did not do a good job of teaching what I expect my students to do during clean up time. I need to go back and simplify my expectations so that my students clearly understand what to do when the clea...

It has been over a year since my last post. I started on a journey a year ago this past fall that seems to have completely occupied my time and thoughts. I have been reflecting on my teaching practices, but not writing them down as much. As this journey is drawing to an end, I realized that I missed a golden opportunity to write my thoughts and experiences here and not just in the papers I'm writing for the classes I have been taking to achieve a Master's degree. Hopefully, I complete this journey in May. Until then my intentions are to start writing thoughts that I am pondering. This will help me think through questions and wonderings I have about teaching and learning.