After An Educator's Journey
Out of the classroom & into the universe
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Once upon a time, I taught 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders. Now I’m retired and working on new ventures.
Author: amybisson
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Tuesday was our first day of school with the kids. Unlike last year, I have not looped with these students. This year, everything starts at the beginning. And that is most definitely an overwhelming prospect when we teachers begin to think about what routines need to be taught. When I prepare for those first days,…
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When I first started teaching, I changed bulletin boards monthly – always with, what I perceived was a “cute” theme. Laminated cutouts, tracings from an overhead projector…. I diligently changed the boards in my classroom to reflect seasons and my own idea of what would make the classroom seem cute or homey. Oh boy, have…
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How do you define your classroom space? I like to call mine collaborative classroom design. As a follower of Responsive Classroom, I know how important it is for students to feel ownership and have a voice in designing the space we share. When I walk into my classroom space for the first time after a summer break, I…
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How do you start planning for a new school year? I begin with thinking about my daily schedule. At the beginning of my career, this was more problematic because teachers weren’t given all the contributing factors (like lunch, recess, and special schedules) until the day before the kids came. That made for a long night…
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This article by Catherine Gewertz and Lianna Heitin in Education Week caught my attention: Fourth Graders Struggle With Icons, Directions on Computer-Based Tests. Can we all let out a big DUH? The students surveyed, an admittedly small sampling, all claimed to have access to computers at home. The students knew some very basic functions, but…
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I hope you will not mind this personal post. Our lives have been consumed for the last three months with selling our home, the place we have spent the last 20 years. We bought this home in 1994. Built in 1931, its structure reminded both of us of our childhood; in fact I often referred…
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My fourth graders had a burning question all year long: How old are you? I’m not so much embarrassed by my age, as I am shocked at how quickly I got to this ripe spot in my timeline. However, having said that, I do not directly answer that question. Instead, I always give the students…
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Yesterday, after 360 days together, my students and I said good-bye. From here on, they are off to Middle School and, in all probability, we will not cross paths again. It was, for me, a bittersweet moment. And perhaps it was for some of them as well. We’ve had our share of challenges and our…
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The weather in this corner of the northeast has been a real challenge. Since January 1 we’ve accumulated 4 school snow day cancellations; thank goodness this week was a school vacation week or we’d be adding at least one more snow day to the list. Spending your vacation at home is not very exciting. Yes,…
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It wasn’t exactly where I had anticipated directing the discussion yesterday. And as it turns out, that was not only a moment of revelation, it was a glimpse into good things that can happen to mathematical discussions. Have you seen a problem that is something like this one? 31 students are going on a field…
After An Educator's Journey 