Quote of the Week--January 29, 2017

"Kindness is always fashionable, and always welcome."

Amelia Barr

Have a good week,

Did I help someone today?

A little more than a year ago, I was taking a break from teaching and working retail.  Having this job change gave me perspective.

For those of you who haven't worked retail sales, this is another industry where someone else sets goals for you and every interaction is measured based on those goals.  

Did I greet the customer within 30 seconds?
Did I build rapport?
Did I start them in the section of the store with the most expensive items?
Did I sell them more than one item in the transaction?
Did I get them to sign up for store credit?
Did I get them to purchase the extended warranty?

I quickly became overwhelmed with all that I was supposed to remember in each conversation with a customer.  I wasn't meeting "my goals."

I talked with a more experienced salesperson who guided me to a simpler goal: Did I help someone today? I wasn't meeting other people's goals for me, but I could meet that one.

This week we are finishing first semester.  I am worrying about grades and goals alongside my students.  I am concerned about what their parents will think and how this process will reflect upon me with administration.

I need to go back to a simpler focus: Did I help someone today?

Quote of the Week--January 22, 2017

"Don't wait for people to be friendly, show them how."
Author Unknown

Have a good week,

Winter Poetry Printable

I love to teach a variety of poetry forms to my students.  I find that I can use these short pieces to teach a number of language standards including parts of speech, syllabication, and literary devices.

Here is a set of poems from Winter and Snow Poems for Poetry Notebooks.
To download this free Winter Poetry Printable, please click here.

 

Quote of the Week--January 15, 2017

"A warm smile is the universal language of kindness."

William Arthur Ward

Have a good week,

Save Me a Seat by Sarah Weeks & Gita Varadarajan

Save Me a Seat by Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan is a school story told from two points of view.  Joe and Ravi meet the first day of fifth grade.  Joe has always lived in his community, and Ravi has just moved from India.  Both are trying to find ways to fit in and struggle with the school bully.

I loved this book.  It is one I would recommend reading aloud to upper elementary students.

For an explanation of my rating scale, click here.
Find me at Goodreads.

Quote of the Week--January 8, 2017

"If you want to feel happy, do something for yourself.  If you want to feel fulfilled, do something for someone else."

Simon Sinek

Have a good week,

Next Week is Friday the Thirteenth

Next week is Friday the Thirteenth.  It is also the debut of A Series of Unfortunate Events on Netflix.  I plan to capitalize on this, by using my Friday the Thirteenth Activities available for free in Artistry of Education @Teachers Pay Teachers and Artistry of Education @Teachers Notebook. 

I have students study superstitions and write list poems about them.  (This is a good way to bring other cultures.)

The Series of Unfortunate Events has thirteen books in the series and thirteen chapters in each book.
Attached to my review of The Series of Unfortunate Events is a graphic organizer to find evidence to support an opinion.  I suggest "Count Olaf is evil" or "Mr. Poe is inept."

Quote of the Week--January 1, 2017

"Kindness is just love with its work boots on."

Author Unknown

 
This week is my birthday and to celebrate, I am putting everything in my stores 20% off.  Stop by Artistry of Education @Teachers Pay Teachers or Artistry of Education @Teachers Notebook January 1-4, 2017.


Happy New Year!