They got the practice...but failed the test!

One of the most discouraging things for a teacher is to give a test and have only a few kids pass it.  Somedays, I feel like this is the story of my life.  As I was venting to a friend about how the kids seem to get it during guided practice and even independent practice, yet can't do it on the test; the Holy Spirit spoke to me and said, "Amy, this is how I feel with you sometimes."  

Ouch!  But...let's be honest...it is true.  How many times as humans do we work with God to trust him, or to love our neighbors, and we "get it" during the practice?  We "get it" while we are at church and talking about it in Bible Study, but when the test comes, we fail! 

The cool part is that God understands how I feel in my classroom.  The more I thought about this, I realized God was using my frustrations to teach me how to handle the feelings.  He most definitely does not give up on me or take out His frustration on me.  In fact, He does just the opposite, He loves me even more.  So, the next time the kids "get it" in class, but don't show it on the quiz, I will work to pass MY test of loving, cherishing, and encouraging them.  That IS what I have been called to do.

Math Fluency

"This would be easier if you knew your facts!"  As teachers, this is a phrase that we know all too well! What can we do to improve their facts?  The iPad has multiple resources to help.  My kids ask multiple times each day if they can practice math fluency.  So what are they doing?

If not on their iPads, they are playing the game 24, or practicing flashcards, and eating up math fluency time!!

I am the five loaves and two fish...

WHAT A WHIRLWIND SEMESTER!!!  It was August...I blinked...and it's the middle of the November.

I cannot begin to describe the variety of emotions I have experienced with all the changes this school year has brought.  I have experienced excitement for new things, anxiety with change, negativity because of the negativity in education, discouragement with lack of engagement in my classroom, frustration with new iPad management program, stress in meeting deadlines, and exhaustion!  The excitement was short-lived and soon overtaken by the rest of the emotions.  

Last month, I decided to look at teaching in a different way; Christ was a teacher, surely He has something to show me about my career?!?  As I began reading Matthew I was overwhelmed (in a good way) with a refreshing insight of education and teaching.  

The biggest lesson I have learned comes from Matthew 14:13-21, "Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand."  

Many of you know this story I am sure.  Christ is given five loaves and two fish to feed five thousand people.  Talk about minimal resources-yet Christ was able to feed FIVE THOUSAND PEOPLE!  Can we say "SPREAD a little thin?"  As I studied this story, God brought it to my attention that I myself am like the five loaves and two fish.  I am one person "feeding" 26 young minds at 26 different levels.  I am "feeding" them math, reading, science, social studies, writing, life lessons, responsibility, and on and on!  One person feeding all those little people all those things is "spreading teachers thin!"  The beauty of Christ's story is every single person was fed and no one left hungry.   IF I trust Christ, He will take me, (the five loaves and two fish) bless me, and "feed" the "five thousand."  WOW!!!

HE WILL AND IS BIG ENOUGH TO TEACH/REACH each child in my classroom in every area they need!!  I now pray every morning, as I enter the "battlefield," that Christ will take the minimal resources and bless them so they reach ALL children.  That my friends is our hope as educators.  It is not humanly possible to meet all of our students' needs, but Christ will join forces and lead our class.  Will you let him?

A Little "LemonAid" Love this week!

We had a big week in my class.  My students wrote thank you's to the Lemons (the iPad donors) and invited them to visit our classroom so we could give the thank you's to them personally.  On Wednesday, Larry, Jen, and Caroline visited our classroom and watched 5 different presentations.  Each group created a presentation including; assigned speaking roles, a visual poster with written instructions, and visuals on the iPads.

1. The first task was Research.  The kids told the visitors what they used to research, how they took notes on their iPads, and then made presentations.  

2. The next group of kids showed how we use Nearpod.  They walked the visitors through what a presentation was like and even had Mr. Lemon take the quiz.

3. Students in the third group showed how to use the iPad in all stages of the writing process; from brainstorming to publishing.

4. The fourth group presented Edmodo and all the cool things it allows you to do.  One boy said, "it's like school at home." Edmodo Video They talked about how I put lessons online with follow-up quizzes.  They are able to stay up with their school work even when they are absent.

5. Last and not least, my kids showed the guests iMovie.  They described the steps of creating a movie, starting with assigning jobs in your group and ending with a movie.  The kids included how you can use notes to write a script and assign parts. 

The kids did a great job presenting the different things we do with iPads.  They really enjoyed showing off how they were using the awesome tech tools and showed much appreciation to the Mr. Lemon.  Everyone had a fantastic time!