My classroom door for this year   So Positive!

Here we go again….

Today was the first day I enter my new classroom and start decorating. I am so happy that this year I have a spacious classroom perfect for my circle time routine.  

The first thing a teacher must do is figure out the seating arrangement in her classroom. I decided to start the seating arrangement in a U-Shape. There are so many benefits for a u-shaped classroom.

1. Group Discussion

   • For teachers instructing discussion-heavy classes like art, writing or literature, a U-shaped desk configuration can be ideal. The arrangement supports frequent whole-group conversations as students are all able to see each other and you at the same time. No one is able to hide in the back of the class and avoid participation, so even the most introverted students can be drawn in.

   Behavior Management

   • Since a U-shaped desk arrangement promotes eye contact and unobstructed passage for teachers, a U-shaped configuration can help improve classroom behavior. This arrangement helps the teacher keep an eye on everyone’s actions and quickly reach and resolve conflicts or discipline problems. As with classroom discussions, students do not feel hidden in this configuration, and that may encourage them to improve their behavior.

   Hands-On Demonstrations

   • In chemistry, art or other hands-on learning environments, a U-shaped desk configuration allows all students equal access to viewing demonstrations. Positioning the students so they can see the whiteboard and the front of the lab or workspace will allow the teacher to explain and demonstrate the day’s lesson without interruptions for rearranging or moving around the classroom. Similarly, this configuration creates a natural stage for student performances and presentations throughout the school year.

   Student Traffic

   • The U-shaped desk arrangement may take up more space in the classroom, but it will give a classroom many options to manage traffic-flow. For the teacher, nothing is obstructing a walk into the U to collect papers or answer questions. When introducing students to the new seating configuration, you can establish the room as a one-way street where students must always walk up clockwise around the room. For young students, this may be important in preventing traffic jams and conflicts with students. The open portion of the U also provides space for students to move around during breaks.

    Teachers! How’s your summer going? Did you start counting down? 2 weeks left until I go back to school and start preparing my new classroom. Now this Summer definitely ended in a glimpse! However, the most important activity I did this Summer was RELAX! I had a lot of time to rest, go to the beach, spend extra time with the family, go out with friends, and complete Feng Shui level 1 course which I think was my biggest achievement this summer.

    Usually by the end of the summer, I start organizing my daily schedule. For example, I sleep earlier to wake up early. This procedure applies to you parents and students as well. You need to get back to the school routine so that you won’t be feeling cranky on the first day of school. I am also looking forward to going back to the gym, organize my mealtimes, eat healthier food, and just….well…..work again .

      In the meantime, enjoy the last days of summer and make the most out of what’s left of it, meditate,  read a book, go jogging, go to the mountains, do your favorite activities, etc…You need your full energy to be productive throughout the school year. I hope this year will be a fruitful one to all of you teachers, parents, and students.

   In just a few days, I will start posting about back to school routines, day to day classroom setup and decoration, and classroom organization and preparations. Take care

The Bull’s Eye game is one of Whole Brain Teaching’s most potent resources for dealing with your most challenging students.  The game is designed expressly for students who are immune to punishment.
The core idea of the Bull’s Eye game is quite simple.  In a brief one on one session, student and teacher, without letting the other see, grade the student’s behavior in class that day on a 1 to 5 scale (with 5 being best).  If the student’s grade matches the teacher’s, then the student scores two points.  If the student’s grade misses the teacher’s by a point, then the student scores one point.  Points are accumulated over time for a small, agreed upon reward … anything from stickers to a soda.

The beauty of the Bull’s Game is that students are rewarded for seeing their behavior through the eyes of their teacher.  Sam had a very bad day.  He knows it and scores himself a 1.  The teacher agrees and also gives him a 1.  Sam wins!  Sam wins because he was able to objectively evaluate his own behavior.  That’s a skill rare even in adults.
When the Bull’s Eye game concludes, and it only takes a minute to play, teacher and student have an opportunity to discuss the student’s behavior … in a non-threatening, “game” context.  “Well, Sam.  Why did you get a 1 today?  How are things going at home?”  Simple questions like these can open up powerful opportunities for counseling.

http://www.wholebrainteaching.com

What is a vision board?

A vision board is a large board where you collect images from various magazines.

What’s the idea behind it?

Having a vision board in front of you is like surrounding yourself with these images of who you want to become, where you want to live, your ideal relationship, your ideal job, your dream vacation, money etc… These images add clarity to your desires.

Supplies that you need are:

- Magazines

- Glue

- Poster board

Before you begin with your vision board make sure you are sitting somewhere comfortable with soft music so it can help you focus on what you really want.

Start going through your magazines and tear out all the images you like. Have fun with it!

As you lay the images on the floor your board will start making sense on how you want to lay the images out. For instance, you might assign a theme to each corner of the board. Health, Job, Spirituality, Relationships, for instance. Or it may just be that the images want to go all over the place.

Glue them on the board and you can add some writing.

Leave space in the very center of the vision board for a fantastic photo of yourself where you look radiant and happy. Paste yourself in the center of your board.

Hang your vision board in a place where you will see it often.

Do this vision board if:

- You’re not sure what exactly you want

- You’ve been in a period of depression or grief

- You have a vision of what you want, but are uncertain about it in some way.

- You know you want change but don’t know how it’s possible.

-There is a specific thing you want to manifest in your life. (i.e. a new home, or starting a business.)

idea taken from: http://christinekane.com

Here are a few samples from: http://myluxmagazine.com

2 days ago I baked chocolate chip cookies with Oreo and Kinder chocolate filling very easy to prepare and bake, your child can help as well watch full video to follow the steps…

Daily life can be made happier. It is a matter of choice. Here are a few tips for increasing happiness in daily life.

In this video you will listen through some steps and guidelines in encouraging your kids do their homework. I hope you’ll find it useful.

Here I discuss ways you can read with your child and how to make reading more fun. Watch video to listen to the tips!