The Very First Post

So after debating for days while on Xmas break I have decided to take the plunge and start a blog. What will it mean for me? I'm not sure yet, I look at the amazing blogs I read each week and wonder if I can ever get to that point. Am I ready to put my practice out there for everyone to see? I'm not sure, but I won't know until I try it.

I teach at a rural school in Southern Ontario working for the Thames Valley District School Board, I am in my 4th year of teaching, teaching Grade 5/6, my third year in this grade, my first year as a contract. I would like to think the blog could be for my musings of a first year teacher but I have taught for several years before, now I can take comfort in knowing it is permanent.

So what should I talk about today? How about I tell you about all the things I have been saving and google searching online, I think that's a good place to start.

1. Teachers Pay Teachers

If you haven't checked it out, you should, I started subscribing to the website several years ago and find so many treasures it's ridiculous, the quality of work out there is amazing! Basically it's a place where teachers post work they have made, sometimes for free, sometimes for purchase, every year the company grows and I am in awe of many who sell on the website, especially the teachers in their first year, when do they have time? I have found some amazing stuff, my most recent major purchase was an Interactive Math Notebook involving foldables, created by Jen Runde. . .amazing :)

2. Lap Books

I have been carefully thinking about what I will change about my social studies program. I decided to take the leap this year and am teaching both Grade 5 and Grade 6 social studies, other years I have done the "stream" thing, although having faults the whole class is learning the same thing. This year I decided to get away from what I believe is a flawed system, what does this mean during social studies? It's a gong show. . .every day. . .because there is potentially 3 different groups doing different social studies work. Social studies is my favourite though and I do believe I sleep better knowing that everyone is learning what they supposed to be. Oops, back to lap books, I think of them as a cousin to foldables, I found some lovely resources to create for social studies but the First Nations lap book is giving me a little trouble, not as many resources on this topic, not to worry though, I will figure it out. It's definitely something I think could pique the interest of my students, still mulling it over, so we'll see.

3. Bloggers

As I launch my own blog I have been adding and subscribing to many others I come across, Canadian, American, my grade, others. . .anything that seems interesting or I could learn from. That being said, I have no concept of how to make mine pretty like many of the ones I follow. I like to think I am reflective in my practice, I can give much of that credit to my NTIP mentor and other unofficial mentors who have helped me realize, we can't become better teachers until we look at our own practices and see how we can improve.

I think that's all for now.

Kathleen

PS I am fully aware that I may have used the wrong version of practice....but it IS Christmas holidays and hopefully anyone reading this will let it slide :)