A teacher's heart speaks on the first day of school

<p> My youngest has moved up into sixth grade. My how time flies. When I talked with him on Thursday about his week his first response was:</p> <blockquote><p>"I'm so happy. I think all my teachers seem to like me ok."</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;" caption="With no AC, I had class on the stage. My first day didn't go as planned in terms of location but was everything I'd hoped. I need to know their interests and they need to know I care. If we start there, we can go anywhere."><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd8qLlAaH6dAu2V-Tot2XKOnfqRY4NI-aYv-m9h69dDLliLMAZSF0Pmj3zjMQ3Xb7Kg4vQDLuU2qYE-Hw-xZTLza3RF2NQb-FNM8dotwwcosRNiewpzBol8cjchVPArYEhHsva5u2NulmQ/s1024/Photo%252520Aug%2525207%25252C%2525202013%25252C%2525205%25253A13%252520PM.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="373" id="blogsy-1376144408528.5042" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd8qLlAaH6dAu2V-Tot2XKOnfqRY4NI-aYv-m9h69dDLliLMAZSF0Pmj3zjMQ3Xb7Kg4vQDLuU2qYE-Hw-xZTLza3RF2NQb-FNM8dotwwcosRNiewpzBol8cjchVPArYEhHsva5u2NulmQ/s500/Photo%252520Aug%2525207%25252C%2525202013%25252C%2525205%25253A13%252520PM.jpg" width="500"></a></div></blockquote> <h3>Do students think you "like" them?</h3> <p>This seems odd but students really want to know if you <strong>like</strong> them. Are you going to be <strong>fair</strong>? Are you going to <strong>give them a chance?</strong> </p> <h3>They love you if you express an interest in something they love</h3> <p>Then, he said:</p> <blockquote><p>"I already have one teacher who loves me! I know it because she let me talk about Minecraft."</p></blockquote> <p>This teacher had the kids do their coat of arms and on the coat of arms, they put things they enjoyed and liked. (I do <a href="http://www.twitter.com/burgessdave">Dave Burgess</a>' Play dough activity from <em>Teach Like a Pirate</em> which does something similar.)</p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAZtTEzbgpKWZUVY80rCnWHQan5a3XCLMT1wAiJB33GiRo_U073hzjyt41gXH79taiUJVqGAM3TEAbioy2EGg6v6smrhwgJbloCkfUT_bfMSmGSlc7KFcabDQoA6nK2DeGZog33ncxr104/s1024/Photo%252520Aug%2525207%25252C%2525202013%25252C%2525205%25253A13%252520PM.jpg" target="_blank" style=" "><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="373" id="blogsy-1376144408580.1396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAZtTEzbgpKWZUVY80rCnWHQan5a3XCLMT1wAiJB33GiRo_U073hzjyt41gXH79taiUJVqGAM3TEAbioy2EGg6v6smrhwgJbloCkfUT_bfMSmGSlc7KFcabDQoA6nK2DeGZog33ncxr104/s500/Photo%252520Aug%2525207%25252C%2525202013%25252C%2525205%25253A13%252520PM.jpg" width="500"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Under the pirate bandanas were small jars of play dough. I do an activity from Dave Burgess' book "Teach Like a Pirate" to get to know the students on the first day</td></tr></tbody></table> <p>But when we say "talk" - after asking his teacher, it was a passing mention. But it was enough to trigger a powerful positive response from my son.</p> <p>When you fish, you try to predict the bait the fish will like. It is based upon what they like to eat anyway. </p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivkmWRN89COZZ8bc5qDl0A_LAqbq9vgroL1G1d4wgS3LzYlRnxEavLLvCuYQG2WXsAKtb09EFVpm3YT7GhpcumP8a26vU_zya3fHS__ttbQh2JxwWSSd25c5-GJYjgjUk5ohO8GmMcv-PA/s1024/Photo%252520Aug%2525208%25252C%2525202013%25252C%2525208%25253A17%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank" style=" "><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="669" id="blogsy-1376144408568.9807" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivkmWRN89COZZ8bc5qDl0A_LAqbq9vgroL1G1d4wgS3LzYlRnxEavLLvCuYQG2WXsAKtb09EFVpm3YT7GhpcumP8a26vU_zya3fHS__ttbQh2JxwWSSd25c5-GJYjgjUk5ohO8GmMcv-PA/s500/Photo%252520Aug%2525208%25252C%2525202013%25252C%2525208%25253A17%252520AM.jpg" width="500"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet reminder from our PTO. It made me smile.</td></tr></tbody></table> <p>When you teach, you learn from the kids about what will hook them into your learning. Every child is different. (This is why <strong>genius hour</strong> projects are so fantastic-- the hook is built in.)</p> <h3>Their like or dislike of your subject has a lot to do with their feelings about you</h3> <p>We're not teaching robots. We're working with humans. I've had students who say they aren't good with technology but have a <strong>good relationship with me</strong> and end up good with technology. It happens every year. </p> <p>Every child won't "love me" but I can promise you <strong>I'm going to do my best to love every child.</strong> I won't necessarily be the popular teacher but I will be <strong>memorable</strong> and <strong>one they thank</strong> when they come back. We will <strong>laugh</strong> and we will have fun. Their eyes will open wide with surprise when they realize <strong>how much they've learned.</strong></p> <h3>Back to School</h3> <p>It is the beginning of a new school year and a tough one for me (see my earlier posts) yet I believe in the first two days that my students know I'm interested in them and helping them reach their full potential. I've expressed an <strong>interest</strong> in their interests. I've shared with them <strong>how I teach</strong> and <strong>what I expect</strong> from them.</p> <p>I hope they feel about me like my son feels about his fine teachers in sixth grade. I hope they are <strong>open minded, excited,</strong> and that deep down they <strong>feel liked</strong> and perhaps even they already <strong>feel the love</strong> I have for them. I don't fake it - <em>I don't have to.</em> It is how I feel and how most good teachers feel about their kids.</p> <p>It is upon this feeling of mutual respect that we will build some powerful learning experiences. It is Saturday and except for my tiredness, I honestly wish it was Monday. <em>(I actually wish it was Tuesday because that is when my air conditioner is fixed, but that, my dear friends is another story.)</em></p> <h3>A teacher's heart speaks on the first day of school</h3> <blockquote><p>Back to school is always sweet<br>for the good, loving teachers you meet.<br>They stand at door with book in hand<br>welcoming kids to the learning land. </p><p>Hoping & planning that before they go,<br>more about this subject they'll know.<br>Giggling, talking, a happy sound<br>for a teacher whose purpose in life she's found. </p><p>This is a school and this is my time<br>to encourage, teach, and inspire the mind.<br>I am a teacher and I'll stick like glue<br>to learning & living until I reach you. </p><p>You precious children, I adore you all<br>As you sit in my classroom and traipse down the hall.<br>All will learn here to your own ability.<br>As we find talent, you'll find I'm quiet nobility. </p><p>I'm here to serve, I'm here to care<br>I'm here to help you learn to share.<br>I'm here to inspire, I'm here to reach<br>but most of all I'm here to teach!<br><a href="http://www.twitter.com/coolcatteacher">Vicki Davis</a> </p></blockquote> <p>Let's go!</p> <p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Written by Vicki Davis, author - Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds - Posted with Blogsy from my iPad" height="20" src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" />Written by Vicki Davis, author - Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds - Posted with Blogsy from my iPad</a></div>

EDUCATION Inspiration Teaching A teacher's heart speaks on the first day of school

My youngest has moved up into sixth grade. My how time flies. When I talked with him on Thursday about his week his first response was: &q...

Read more »