Why is it we never question a football, basketball, or baseball coach?
They can yell, scream, kick things at us and we keep on working hard, harder, hardest! We never question them because it is an ultimate privilege to wear the uniform. There are plenty of students that will quit, give up and go home. Throwing up while running just isn't their idea of football practice. And yes, the coach will win. Forfeiting all the students that just didn't have enough get-up-in-go.
But the real questions are:
Is it fun? No.
Does it feel good? No
Do we ultimately know it will prepare us for the endurance test ahead? YES.
Winning feels good, wearing a jersey feels good. Being a part of something great and earning the title "I worked hard" feels great.
Why does that same principle not work for test prep?
Parents and students have accepted this idea that school should be fun. What the heck is fun about test prep? Now keep in mind, there are multitudes of strategies and ways to make it more interesting for the kids, but have we missed the point? Why has teaching turned into making everything fun? Students need to be engaged with highly engaging texts and responding with their peers, but does that mean they will be smiling the whole time? NO Please do not take this post as I don't think school should be fun. (I am a big fan of having meaningful fun in the classroom, enjoying read alouds, laughing, etc) School is a bazillion times more fun than when I was a child. I think we should consider the implications in not allowing our children to see tests as an opportunity but instead a beast that comes at the end of the year.
Am I the only disillusioned person to believe every waking minute of school work should be smile worn and laughing. I want kids to delve into texts and question the author, argue the better answer, defend their mistakes but accept the better choice. I believe multiple choice questions in the classroom can be a discussion spring board and the final test a battle of wits! (Please do not believe I am a teacher that teaches test prep all year. I do a little spiral review each week, but we work on project based learning, real world writing, emotional reading, real social studies and inquiry science) I just believe that the tests continue to hold students and teachers accountable. ( I would make my real money when we could figure out a way to hold the parents accountable, LOL) Testing has become a fixture in schools of all kinds. It's not going anywhere any time soon.
Is it fun?
Heck to the NO!
Do we need it?
Is it important to prepare the students to have better scores?
The answer is yes, students need to be better prepared to take standardized tests because that's how we are measured against other schools, states, and countries.
Should our curriculum reflect test prep all year?
Absolutely NOT! I think many people have had a tremendous amount of success using spiral review all throughout the year, fun culminating activities, and more.
Now take that same idea or principle and apply it to our students for test prep.
Is it fun? No.
Does it feel good? No
Do we ultimately know it will prepare us for the endurance test ahead? NO
We need to change this perception of end of grade testing. Teachers now are held to higher standards, as well as students. We should want to better prepare them for testing on those final days of 5th, 6th, 10th, whatever grade. I hope students will see that hard work of any magnitude will help them reach their goals in life. Here's to all the hardworking kiddos that will rock the world. Don't give up!
I would love to hear your test prep thoughts! I love my blogger friends!
TeachersPayTeachers BIG SALE!
On your mark, get set, GO!
Who's loves a great sale? I sure do and I know my shopping cart is sitting on go for checkout! Here is a link to my TPT store and don't forget to add the promo code TPT3! Are you ready, start shopping!
Also, don't forget if you are a follower of my store, I offer my products free for at least a day before they go on sale. So remember, follow and enjoy!
Also, don't forget if you are a follower of my store, I offer my products free for at least a day before they go on sale. So remember, follow and enjoy!
Cultural Diversity Frozen Song "Let it Go"
Wow, all I can say is AMAZING! Okay, I've done a little bit of research to figure out just who, what, where, this all took place. My girls absolutely loved Frozen, they loved this MORE!
Alex Boye' is a notable singer and songwriter that is up and coming. He is becoming quickly famous for adding an African Tribal twist to current popular pop music. He has collaborated with Bruno Mars and Lexi Walker (who is featured in this video). He has several remakes of popular music that is current now. His parents are from Nigeria, however, Alex was born and raised mostly in London, England. This is pretty amazing because his parents are from the continent Africa, raised in London, and now lives and a citizen of the United States of America. Anyone else seeing how our roots from Great Britain and Africa all merging to make the great Nation we live in today. Am I being a little cheesy?
I'm busy working on a connection activity for these videos... coming soon as a freebie!
This video is filmed in the Ice Castles in Midway Utah. Ummmm, Ya, who knew? I consider myself pretty knowledgable on most days. Ha
I'm definitely going to work on a Smiles for Life theme with my fifth graders! Love it!!
Alex Boye' is a notable singer and songwriter that is up and coming. He is becoming quickly famous for adding an African Tribal twist to current popular pop music. He has collaborated with Bruno Mars and Lexi Walker (who is featured in this video). He has several remakes of popular music that is current now. His parents are from Nigeria, however, Alex was born and raised mostly in London, England. This is pretty amazing because his parents are from the continent Africa, raised in London, and now lives and a citizen of the United States of America. Anyone else seeing how our roots from Great Britain and Africa all merging to make the great Nation we live in today. Am I being a little cheesy?
I'm busy working on a connection activity for these videos... coming soon as a freebie!
This video is filmed in the Ice Castles in Midway Utah. Ummmm, Ya, who knew? I consider myself pretty knowledgable on most days. Ha
I'm definitely going to work on a Smiles for Life theme with my fifth graders! Love it!!
Best Writing Video Ever!
Here is my mini Tuesday fun! Check out this amazing writing video... Love it!
~ Tara
~ Tara
One Large Man- A New Perspective
Judge me on my grammar and I will cut you!
Taking a short break from creating lessons I wandered into Southport. One to just take in the waterfront view, two to pick up stupid stuff from Wally world. Hair ties, bobby pins (thanks to Kayla wearing a cute do today), eye liner, blah, blah, blah..... On my way to see if they have size 4T khaki pants. A large... no LARGE man comes straight my way! Not large like big/fat, large like line-backer (football right???? Ha) LARGE! Not only did he come straight my way... at 10:29,59 but he hugged me! All up in my bad attitude, I don't want to be at Walmart, up in MY SPACE HUGGED ME! Then he looked straight at me and said 'Remember ME?'
In a matter of milliseconds (not sure if that's possible) I said yes and said his name! He was shocked I remembered his name. I will say it is extremely hard to recognize some kids after they mature into adulthood when I knew them back, way back inthe day. We laughed, smiled, and hugged some more. This time I was in his personal space(not in a call the law kindof way). The biggest, my whole heart kind of hug! The kind of hug that makes salt water squeeze out of your eyes kind of HUG!
As I checked out I was smiling like an idiot, straight up idiot!
Driving home I came to this conclusion. We are in each others' lives for brief moments of time. I had the honor of teaching HIM, along with numerous others over the years. My world of WALLS came down and I could for the very first time see how special every amazing teacher is to someone! T-ball coaches, boy scouts, pre-school, private, day cares, in home care, foster parents, grandparents taking the role of parents, PARENTS, friends that coach us through rough tough and sour parts of our lives, battleship teachers, sunday school teachers, aquarium teachers, high school teachers, middle, coaches, band directors, mahjong (I really want to learn how to play), doulas, fitness coaches, nannies, tutors, job training, dive instructors, even MEAN people have a role to play in teaching us. For a small moment of time I'm so happy with being a teacher.
Remembering all the amazing kids that parents have allowed and trusted me with their child for an entire year or longer. And while the child is eager for the end of the day to come, each and every day, I will remember them. I will etch in my mind a piece of them for years down the road. The sense of humor (or lack thereof), organizational skills (I still don't have that one down), smiles, giggles, endless talking, farting, sweet notes, sweet gestures, small little things that are so unique and individual to our personalities. They are embeded in our minds. Our paths may not cross for 10 or 20 years but a name will come to my mind because I will remember the awesome child they were that played an amazing role in my classroom community. I will remember them and just maybe... they will remember me.
Then I remembered something awesome I want to do tomorrow in history.... LOL. My overactive brain took me away from my thoughts however my heart is still singing and my face is still smiling.
With a happy heart- Good night!
~ Tara
Taking a short break from creating lessons I wandered into Southport. One to just take in the waterfront view, two to pick up stupid stuff from Wally world. Hair ties, bobby pins (thanks to Kayla wearing a cute do today), eye liner, blah, blah, blah..... On my way to see if they have size 4T khaki pants. A large... no LARGE man comes straight my way! Not large like big/fat, large like line-backer (football right???? Ha) LARGE! Not only did he come straight my way... at 10:29,59 but he hugged me! All up in my bad attitude, I don't want to be at Walmart, up in MY SPACE HUGGED ME! Then he looked straight at me and said 'Remember ME?'
In a matter of milliseconds (not sure if that's possible) I said yes and said his name! He was shocked I remembered his name. I will say it is extremely hard to recognize some kids after they mature into adulthood when I knew them back, way back inthe day. We laughed, smiled, and hugged some more. This time I was in his personal space(not in a call the law kindof way). The biggest, my whole heart kind of hug! The kind of hug that makes salt water squeeze out of your eyes kind of HUG!
As I checked out I was smiling like an idiot, straight up idiot!
Driving home I came to this conclusion. We are in each others' lives for brief moments of time. I had the honor of teaching HIM, along with numerous others over the years. My world of WALLS came down and I could for the very first time see how special every amazing teacher is to someone! T-ball coaches, boy scouts, pre-school, private, day cares, in home care, foster parents, grandparents taking the role of parents, PARENTS, friends that coach us through rough tough and sour parts of our lives, battleship teachers, sunday school teachers, aquarium teachers, high school teachers, middle, coaches, band directors, mahjong (I really want to learn how to play), doulas, fitness coaches, nannies, tutors, job training, dive instructors, even MEAN people have a role to play in teaching us. For a small moment of time I'm so happy with being a teacher.
Remembering all the amazing kids that parents have allowed and trusted me with their child for an entire year or longer. And while the child is eager for the end of the day to come, each and every day, I will remember them. I will etch in my mind a piece of them for years down the road. The sense of humor (or lack thereof), organizational skills (I still don't have that one down), smiles, giggles, endless talking, farting, sweet notes, sweet gestures, small little things that are so unique and individual to our personalities. They are embeded in our minds. Our paths may not cross for 10 or 20 years but a name will come to my mind because I will remember the awesome child they were that played an amazing role in my classroom community. I will remember them and just maybe... they will remember me.
Then I remembered something awesome I want to do tomorrow in history.... LOL. My overactive brain took me away from my thoughts however my heart is still singing and my face is still smiling.
With a happy heart- Good night!
~ Tara
Uncle Drew 1, 2, &3
Here we Go! I'm so excited to take a little amount of time to post youtube videos on my blog. There are several benefits I can see to using this method. (You know a list is coming! LOL)
1. You can show this in class without other videos popping up at the end. Just make sure you select no pop up selections after the video.
2. Students can view this after school, at home, in a safe environment, again... they don't have to scroll through 'other stuff' to get to the video you posted.
3. You can always find the video you wanted to show... always! Because it's on your blog! Wah- lah! Can't wait to post more motivational videos.
1. You can show this in class without other videos popping up at the end. Just make sure you select no pop up selections after the video.
2. Students can view this after school, at home, in a safe environment, again... they don't have to scroll through 'other stuff' to get to the video you posted.
3. You can always find the video you wanted to show... always! Because it's on your blog! Wah- lah! Can't wait to post more motivational videos.
My Brother and Sister in law introduced me to these awesome videos put out there by Pepsi. Gotta love some NBA Players! Your kiddos will love this media trickery. I feel a writing prompt coming up viewing these videos.... Hmmmmm.
~ Tara
How to add a HYPERLINK to your TPT Description
Snow, snow go away, come again..... NEVER! I live in FREAKING North Carolina, on the coast! Minutes from the BEACH! I don't want fluffy white snow. I want soft, crunchy, hot, scorching sand, salt water and SUN!
Okay, I will admit it was fun to enjoy my two girls excitement about making snow angels, sledding (in laundry baskets and boogie boards) down an otherwise dangerous hill.
That would be my fabulous husband, who gets the father of the year award. I get the photographer/ mother award. Hahaha No seriously, I guess I can handle a snow day or two. But we have been out of school all week, and I can't help but think we are going to have to make this all up on WARM DAYS. Oiiii.
I'm sure there are several tutorials out there. Apparently, it takes me a while to find the right one when I need to learn something. So I spend countless minutes searching until, oh joy, finally what I was searching for.
Here's how to create a hyperlink in your TPT file!
What you will need:
1. The title of the item you wish to link to in your store.
2. Copy and paste the web address to that item
Next, open a new window and travel to this amazing blog: Gordon's Blog.
He has this handy, dandy hyperlink generator. Fascinating I know.
Okay-
Paste the URL or web address to your store item in the URL box.
Then, type the title of your store item. (this is the pretty blue words that will ultimately send your beloved shopper to your other item)
Press the submit button!
And wah-lahhhhhh!
Copy and paste that long-butt code into your TPT description and you have a handy-dandy hyperlink that will take them to some other fabulous item in your store in a hink-pink click.
F to the Y to the Izzy Izzy EYE! You can also do this to insert a hyperlink for your blog when you leave sweet comments to other bloggers.
~ Tara
Okay, I will admit it was fun to enjoy my two girls excitement about making snow angels, sledding (in laundry baskets and boogie boards) down an otherwise dangerous hill.
This one makes me think of the fabulous movie FROZEN! Do you want to build a snowman?
HYPERLINK TUTORIAL FOR TPT OR BLOG
I'm sure there are several tutorials out there. Apparently, it takes me a while to find the right one when I need to learn something. So I spend countless minutes searching until, oh joy, finally what I was searching for.
Here's how to create a hyperlink in your TPT file!
What you will need:
1. The title of the item you wish to link to in your store.
2. Copy and paste the web address to that item
Next, open a new window and travel to this amazing blog: Gordon's Blog.
He has this handy, dandy hyperlink generator. Fascinating I know.
Okay-
Paste the URL or web address to your store item in the URL box.
Then, type the title of your store item. (this is the pretty blue words that will ultimately send your beloved shopper to your other item)
Press the submit button!
And wah-lahhhhhh!
Copy and paste that long-butt code into your TPT description and you have a handy-dandy hyperlink that will take them to some other fabulous item in your store in a hink-pink click.
F to the Y to the Izzy Izzy EYE! You can also do this to insert a hyperlink for your blog when you leave sweet comments to other bloggers.
~ Tara
Snow Day GO AWAY! FLASH FREEBIE
Another snow day and another tomorrow. Of course the safety of our children is so important, but I'm going stir crazy. At least today we had the opportunity to sled a little. Now granted it was on boogie boards and in laundry baskets. But nonetheless, we went sledding.
Here is a flash freebie you can get for the next week. It's an ecosystem total review. You can print the notes pages or you can print the student pages for them to fill in as they learn. Such flexibility. I would love to hear your positive feedback on this product. Many times I put stuff out there and it takes about 200 downloads before I hear anything. I guess that's the life of teachers pay teachers. I'm sorry I haven't looked into a drop box to load this document. If you follow my tpt store I usually offer great (wink, wink) discounts when I first post items.
Also, I tried to come up with a creative name for this set of study sheets. T.O.P.P Test Opportunity Prep & Pass!!!!! I know I want my kids to have a comprehensive study guide before big tests and could never find anything. So ultimately I would write or type my own study guide. Please let me know how you like this product or how I can make it better. Thanks.
You can click on the pictures or use this link.
Stay warm and safe. Is it too early to start a summer countdown?
~ Tara
Here is a flash freebie you can get for the next week. It's an ecosystem total review. You can print the notes pages or you can print the student pages for them to fill in as they learn. Such flexibility. I would love to hear your positive feedback on this product. Many times I put stuff out there and it takes about 200 downloads before I hear anything. I guess that's the life of teachers pay teachers. I'm sorry I haven't looked into a drop box to load this document. If you follow my tpt store I usually offer great (wink, wink) discounts when I first post items.
Also, I tried to come up with a creative name for this set of study sheets. T.O.P.P Test Opportunity Prep & Pass!!!!! I know I want my kids to have a comprehensive study guide before big tests and could never find anything. So ultimately I would write or type my own study guide. Please let me know how you like this product or how I can make it better. Thanks.
You can click on the pictures or use this link.
Stay warm and safe. Is it too early to start a summer countdown?
~ Tara
New Computer Desktop- I'm Lovin IT!
So I absolutely loved this beautiful picture on pinterest of a chevron background with beautiful pin boards for the desktop icons. Well, I went to actually go to the website (that's funny, because all I do is pin things.) Ha, don't judge me, you probably do it too. I mean you didn't think I actually looked up all 3,500 pins I have did ya? LOL
This is my before picture of my school computer! Horrible I know! I just find or make great stuff and save to my desktop and file later.... or not!)
Blah, blah, blah... short story shorter. It had me going here, downloading this and that (back of my mind is some hacker is going to steal all my information) purchase this, blah, blah, OH WAIT!
Learning how to do all the teacherspayteachers previews, pictures, and creative files. I remembered I could take a powerpoint slide and save as a jpeg and wa...lah! Change my desktop to fabulous! So here's how I changed my school and home desktops to look.
Well, here is my school desktop after.
Much better. Here's the scary part. My home desktop is even worse. My excuse is because my extra job of making teacher materials keeps me from overthinking things, depression, and worry. It puts me in a creative mood and allows me to be productive instead of CRAZY! I'm so serious. I get a lot of positive feedback and feel like I'm doing some good in this crazy world. Especially the crazy world of teaching! Ha.... right?!?!
So, drumroll please....
So, thank you for being so patient reading all this, here are the steps to creating a great digital background from a pc person. ( I can't wait to switch to mac, but honestly I'm scared)
First create a powerpoint slide with the background you want.
Insert digital frames where you like.
Insert text boxes to label your frames or not (preference).
Save file as ppt (just incase you need to make changes)
Save file as jpeg.
Go to your computer preferences and change the background of your display.
Super! You have a new background to help organize your life.
Have a super safe snowy week! I'm so ready for summer!!!!
Let me know if you would be interest in a couple designs for free on TPT!
~ Tara
This is my before picture of my school computer! Horrible I know! I just find or make great stuff and save to my desktop and file later.... or not!)
Blah, blah, blah... short story shorter. It had me going here, downloading this and that (back of my mind is some hacker is going to steal all my information) purchase this, blah, blah, OH WAIT!
Learning how to do all the teacherspayteachers previews, pictures, and creative files. I remembered I could take a powerpoint slide and save as a jpeg and wa...lah! Change my desktop to fabulous! So here's how I changed my school and home desktops to look.
Well, here is my school desktop after.
Much better. Here's the scary part. My home desktop is even worse. My excuse is because my extra job of making teacher materials keeps me from overthinking things, depression, and worry. It puts me in a creative mood and allows me to be productive instead of CRAZY! I'm so serious. I get a lot of positive feedback and feel like I'm doing some good in this crazy world. Especially the crazy world of teaching! Ha.... right?!?!
So, drumroll please....
First create a powerpoint slide with the background you want.
Insert digital frames where you like.
Insert text boxes to label your frames or not (preference).
Save file as ppt (just incase you need to make changes)
Save file as jpeg.
Go to your computer preferences and change the background of your display.
Super! You have a new background to help organize your life.
Have a super safe snowy week! I'm so ready for summer!!!!
Let me know if you would be interest in a couple designs for free on TPT!
~ Tara
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