Happy Saturday!
I'm linkin' up with my sweet, sweet buddy, Joanne, at Head Over Heels for Teaching
It's break time. (YAY!)
Yesterday was an Early Release Day.
After school, I took a shower and went to the airport.
After two different flight delays, I finally made it to CA...
after bein' awake for 22 hours.
Makes you tired just readin' that doesn't it?...
especially thinkin' about how much teachers accomplish the week before break!
Zzzzzzzzz!
Want to know what I do to cut down on some of my responsibilities
and spark a little motivation in my students?
I ask my students for help.
Even though I have a little bit of an issue with control,
I've learned to let go just a little.
It took me a while, but I finally realized that life will go on...
even if something is not perfect.
Enter the laminator.
Let's face it. Who has time to sit in front of that thing?
Not me...not you!
We all have "big kids" at our school that are chompin' at the bit to help.
Let them!
Teach them the right way to do it.
Tell them and show them.
Let them go.
I draw the line at lettin' them cut out the pieces though.
That's just easier for me to organize and do myself.
If you involve the students in their learnin', it will make it more
meaningful for them. They will realize the time and effort you put
into plannin', creatin' or downloadin' from TpT, and printin' games/task cards/activities.
It WILL spark motivation for
them to work harder and smarter.
I have watched it happen.
Yes, there is a possibility they will waste a laminatin' sheet.
Yes, there is a possibility they will put it in the wrong way.
Yes, all these things could happen to YOU too.
Life's too short to sweat the small stuff.
Try it...it might surprise you!
*Disclaimer: These are personal laminatin' machines that
my pod besties and I have in our pod.
As Melissa mentioned in her comment below...
I am not allowed to touch my school laminator either.
Happy Saturday!
*Disclaimer: These are personal laminatin' machines that
my pod besties and I have in our pod.
As Melissa mentioned in her comment below...
I am not allowed to touch my school laminator either.
Happy Saturday!
Haha, it's funny that you have them do the laminating! At my school, there has been a stupid fuss over our laminator, and ONLY an approved list of staff are allowed to touch it (even though it's pretty basic to use). Best part: none of the teachers are on that approved list. Only aides.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your break in CA!
Don't Let the Teacher Stay Up Late
Follow me on Bloglovin!
I can totally relate! I used to be such a control freak and would stay late to do things such as stapling, sorting, etc. Students would ask to help and I never let them until this year. You are right, they love helping out! I get almost a full room of hands that go up when I tell my kids I need some volunteers to help out during their recess. I must they are great helpers. Don't know what I used to be so worried about! Have fun out here in California!
ReplyDeleteChelsea
Fifth Grade Wit and
Whimsy
My third graders are always happy to help and do a special job too! Have an amazing time in Cali with your family!
ReplyDeleteErin
Melissa is so right. At our school you must be on the approved list and NO teachers are on that list. It's gold I tell you.
ReplyDeleteGreat tips Rosie!
Miss you
I could not agree with you more---LET THEM!! To be a teacher, I believe it's a prerequisite to be a control freak. I don't know any teachers that aren't. But after many years of teaching, I learned to just give up some of that control. I started letting the kids do a lot of things for me, and let me tell you.....it was so FREEING!!! I had much more time for other things I HAD to do myself. Yes, maybe the papers weren't stapled as perfectly as I would do, but I never heard of a kid dying because the packet was stapled with a page or two askew. ; )
ReplyDeleteOne of the reasons I would never teach primary again is because I have my kids doing everything for me in my class. I have them all trained for many jobs I would normally do, and it. is. heaven. Let them eat cake! And let them BAKE the darn thing themselves! LOL!!!!!
Welcome back to Cali, Ali!
Ali
Teaching Powered by Caffeine
Love this. Letting go can be hard as a teacher, but putting the power in the kids hands can be so rewarding! Trust is key.
ReplyDeletematt
I have learned to let go a bit this year as well and let some of my students help with "teacher projects" around the room. It has been a god send and I wonder why I didn't do it sooner!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your time in CA -- I'm so jealous!!
Jennifer
Mrs. Laffin's Laughings
I agree, the kids love to help!
ReplyDeleteMy students are always asking me if I have anything for them to do. If I do, I let them!
Thanks for sharing!
Elizabeth
Hodges Herald
You may have convinced me to let go of the laminating....maybe! LOL!
ReplyDeleteA Tall Drink of Water
LOVE IT! I, too, am a control freak and want things just right, but after you assign a few jobs it gets easier! I had a trained laminating crew last year, I haven't trained anyone this year-it can be one of my New Year's Resolution! Great point about the students realizing how much work we do and they'll appreciate it and work harder! This will help many to release the control! Thanks for sharing and linking up and reminding me I need to assign more jobs!
ReplyDeleteJoanne
Head Over Heels For Teaching