Slavery

Making Time to READ!

As teachers, sometimes we think we have to be talking or in front of the room for kids to learn. I know we also think that we need proof of work from students to show they are doing what they say.
Well I am going out on a limb and have decided to go on the honor system. No proof, no daily logs, no responses. I came to this decision after two experiences I had with students in my class. Both are avid readers, there is never a time they are not reading. They both are excellent students. I was doing my weekly check on reading logs. I called one of my fabulous readers to come over. I asked for the log, he burst out in tears. I was taken off guard, I said "What is wrong?", he said "I forgot to log in everyday. I start reading and then I forget!" I found my self calming down one of my best students because he was upset he did not write down all the times and days he read. Yet, he could sit and discuss each and every book, and you can see his face light up when he tells you about what he is reading.
The next "Ah ha" moment, was when I read a sentence on one of the language tests I had given. One of my students had written a sentence for the word "automatic." The sentence stated, " I wish I had an automatic response writter, so I could read. Enough said right there!
Then I consulted the parent in me. I hate when my children were given busy work that meant nothing. I said to a teacher once, "I can keep my child busy on my own, he does not need homework to keep him busy." I also know people think that homework teaches responsiblity. Homework that one is learning from, yes! Homework to prove you are doing your homework, no! I know my own son had a log to fill in to prove he studied each night. I have to say, I signed it on Sunday night at 9:00pm, and my son studied when he needed. So while I realize being responsible is part of being a good student, I also believe that comes from giving responsibility to those students!
I have chosen to take this plunge and I believe I will see my students exceed my expectations!
Most students have welcomed the change with smiles, and "Can I find a place to read?"

Through the Eyes of Learning

Hi I am Mrs. Lehane. The first thing most people know about me is that I love teaching and baseball. Baseball because my own boys are baseball players, and I love watching them play. The other is that I love teaching.

I love teaching for many reasons. First of all, because I want kids to love to learn. I felt when I was growing up, school was anything but fun. That was probably why I did not like school. School was something I found difficult, and not at any time was it something I looked forward to. That was until I met Sr. Mary Agatha. Sr. Agatha was my Home Economics teacher in college. I was originally a Home Ec. major. I loved designing clothes and sewing. It was the one thing in life that I could really challenge my self to do and do well. At the time I did not realize what she had done for me, but now I see the impact she has had on my life. Sr. Agatha saw something in me, and nurtured it. I still love sewing to this day, but after having my own children my passion changed.

I made a vow that my kids would never feel the way I felt in school. No one likes feeling stupid, or should feel the panic of being embarrassed in class. That was a daily struggle for me each day.

My own children have done extremely well in school and I am thankful that they never had to struggle.

It was when I decided to go back to work, when my life took the turn to where I am now.

I knew from the first day of working in a classroom that this was where I was meant to be.

So, I went back to school which was not easy! Though it was scary to go back I knew I could do it now. I finally believed in myself the way Sr. Agatha believed in me. She may not know what she did for me and my life, but it was lifelong.

That is the impact that I want to have for students in my class. I want them to love to come to school. I want them to feel great while they are here, start to believe that anything is possible, and to work towards a goal.

This is what I will be working on in my class this year. Setting goals, and working towards them. I want students to be reading together, discussing books, and sharing with others what they have learned.

This is the journey that I will try to share each week with you on my blog. My students and I will share our triumphs as well as our struggles. This will be an adventure for all for us to learn together. Please join us as we embark on our adventure!