Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds

Teaching the kids about Early Humans is something I have been anticipating. As I read through their history books and re-called projects my sixth grade teacher made us create, my wheels started to turn. A few years ago while I was in student teaching, I taught the kids about our body's bones. We created skeletons make out of different shaped pasta pieces. Who knew this idea would make it's way back in my mind.

Using pasta pieces, we re-created the famous Australopithecus, Lucy. This kids had a blast learning about this 3.4 million year Hominid and enjoyed building her skeleton. A successful lesson always makes for a happy Monday!

Learn Something New Everyday

Over the past three years, I have customarily taught in Vietnamese neighborhoods. Through this experience I have learned about Chinese New Year, traditional foods, soups, outfits and other celebrations that the Vietnamese celebrate. All of these celebrations have been fascinating and has made me realize how little culture I have in my family. Don't get me wrong, we have traditions and special foods we love, but no one dresses up in a beautiful Ao Dia and gets their hair done before school.

Currently, I am teaching in a pre-dominantly Hispanic neighborhood. With this change in culture, comes new traditions. The latest lesson I have learned is about the holiday, Dia De Reyes, or "Kings Day". A student brought in a "King Cake" or better known as Roscon De Reyes. This holiday celebrates the Three Wise Men and the birth of Jesus. Luckily for me, a student brought in a King Cake to share with our class. All of the kids were excited to eat the cake and hoped to get a baby Jesus doll in their piece. I learned, if your piece of cake has a baby Jesus inside, you are responsible for throwing your family a party on February 2nd. It is believed, the Light of Christ is presented to the world on this day. To our surprise, there was two plastic baby Jesus figures inside, looks like a lot of parties are going to be thrown on February 2nd!

I think the saying goes, "better late, than never!"

Clearly, it has been awhile since I have made a post, but that doesn't mean great things and ideas are not on my mind for the New Year! Before moving forward though, I must close the chapters I opened during November and December with my second graders. I also must announce that I have been hired to be a long-term substitute teacher for 6th grade!! Yes, that is correct, 6th grade and low and behold, they too have won my heart.

Without further ado, here is a cute Turkey we made during Thanksgiving. It's simple, sweet, and to the point. Most importantly, it is not an all day project. To enhance the academics of this project, the kids had to write what they are thankful for on each feather.

Another great idea, I got from friend is to make Indian Headdresses. The kids earn feathers for their headdress depending on different skills they can perform and information they know. For example, students earned feathers for being able to tie their shoes, say their telephone number, address, spell their name correctly, give answers to math problems, write a simple sentence...etc. It's all about re-teaching those life skills while meeting the standards :)

Now, moving onto December. On the second week of the month, I entered a room full of 30 6th graders. With changing hormones and plenty to talk about, the world of "little kids" was gone. Quickly adjusting my talk, discipline plan, and teaching style, my own thinking had to take a big leap into "how to teach upper grade". Within a few weeks, my lesson plans developed more challenging content and the grading increased x10. The time I have to now devote to planning has also increased. I have learned to embrace this challenge before me. From teaching them how to write a research report to finding the sales tax of an item, I have met my match! I am grateful and appreciative of this opportunity and loving their independence! I am anticipating the future and enjoying every minute of what 2011 has bring! So bring it on! Cheers to 2011 and a productive trimester ahead! Stay tuned :)