A Different Classroom- by K.McCutcheon

  April 23, 2022     There is nothing more refreshing... than having the opportunity to reflect on one's craft.       This year I welcomed a student teacher into my classroom. It was an exciting experience to be able to share my class with someone else. A little nerve-racking at first because i wasn't sure how it was going to work out. But it was amazing to think of all the possibilities.      Needless to say, my student teacher ROCKED it. She really took the time to observe and reflect. She also took her observations and attempted anything she experienced with me. At the end of the day, I learned from her as well.      Once there are eyes in the classroom, it brings a new light to how things are done. I quickly realized where I was lacking and what was missing as we discussed ideas about the classroom. She inspired me to be the teacher I strived to be, but even better. If you are ever asked to have a student teacher in yo...

  April 7, 2022 One of my favorite things about teaching is encouraging others to think. It's the magic behind learning something new. I love how being a teacher allows you to encourage others to have thoughts and make connections to the world around them.  In a previous post ( To Think or Be Told What to Think ), I challenge many to think about how students are thinking within the classroom.  If students are being limited in thinking within the classroom, then try these steps to create a more thought promoting environment.  Consider: How do you create thoughts within your classroom?  Start here... Do you know what students are thinking? Are you giving them choices?   Find Open-ended question stems Easy one "What do you notice? What do you wonder?" Create a list or make some popsicle sticks with question stems on them Allow students to share their thoughts Let them talk. Check future post for more on this! Avoid this or that questions Don't limit the respon...

  April 6, 2022     My goal in life is to find ways to help and serve others. The amazing thing is as a teacher I have that opportunity on a daily. Now, I'm seeking ways to share, motivate, and inspire others.  I want to encourage others to always be brave enough to try something NEW.  Based on a prior post:  Thoughts on Behavior If you have a behavior chart with a classroom rule system, then I want to encourage you to try this... Consider : Are you using a behavior chart or consequence system? And why? Consider: What are your classroom rules? And why? Start here... T o focus on classroom characters, what values are important? Select 2-3 character traits  Consider age, group, and school values/struggles Then... What image could you pair with that value? Select an image to represent the values May select more than one image depending on values Post it in your classroom Finally... How could the value be discussed and communicated with students? Imagine t...

 March 19, 2022      Do you ever feel like you have a voice? Have you ever wanted to say something, but didn't? At what point, do we finally decide to speak?      This is the reason I started this blog. I noticed there are days that I have something to say. In many cases, I will call my mom, say it, and move on. Sometimes, I'll go talk to a fellow colleague. This usually leads to discussion or reflection. More than often, my thoughts float around in my head.      I'm a writer. I always have been, even that time in 7th grade when my teacher made my paper more red than white. I'm good at getting my thoughts down on paper better than I am at talking. Talking gets me in trouble. Can any one else relate?      I often wonder, how does this flow over into our classrooms. Who do our students talk to? What thoughts are floating in their heads? How can I get those thoughts out and give them time to speak in the classroom? I want the...

 .  March 12, 2022     What is your classroom theme? Do you have a classroom theme? It's funny how we dream about what our classroom will look like. Then, we are given that blank slate. Every now and then, we have regulations to follow from administration, district, or fire codes. For the most part, the space is yours!      New question: what is your classroom personality? I love thinking about the classroom personality. It changes from year to year. It connects everything within the classroom. The classroom personality bonds the students, the teacher, the teaching, the interactions, the connections, the conversations, the thoughts, the behavior, and even the writing. It's like magic. It's what makes students want to come to school everyday.      The classroom personality is what's created when you set up your room and invite students into it. After visiting RCA, I wanted to create an atmosphere in my room. I wanted to set the scene...

March 12, 2022      This is one of my favorite topics and one I think many fail to think about. Do you ever have those moments where students come up to you to tell you everything? When I say everything, I mean EVERYTHING! They want to tell you what happened at home. They want to tell you how they feel, what they want, and even random thoughts that cross their minds. This is the best one, they even want to tell you what everyone else is doing in the classroom. We typically call these the "tattle tells."      I do not believe in "tattle tells." In my classroom, I believe we are ALL teachers. I believe there are moments when everyone has an  opportunity to teach someone. This can be teaching them how to read or write numbers. It can also be teaching them how to do the RIGHT thing. Instead of running to the teacher to tell on a friend, I encourage my students to help their friend. If they see something is wrong, then they should be the friend to step up a...

March 12, 2022     I've done it right. I've done it wrong. Some people say that taking a test is wrong. Some people say taking a test is right. It's so easy to get wrapped up in the policies and procedures of it all. At the end of the day, a test is a test. It's how you use the test that determines the right versus the wrong.      Why do we give our students a test? Do we test students because it's a grade in the grade book? Wrong! Do we test our students because it's a measure of progress and monitors our teaching strategies? Right! If we are giving a test just to give the student a grade, then we are wasting our time. It's not about catching the student in confusion and showing how high or low they are performing.      I've started looking at test as a measure for me, the teacher!!! Students have so much test anxiety today. They get stressed about test, even in first grade. Y'all this should not be happening! I've started talking to my stud...