One of my goals for this school year is to do more class building activities. I do quite a bit of cooperative learning and decided that I should spend a little more time on class building activities that would make these cooperative learning lessons much more productive.

I took a Kagan Cooperative Learning workshop just before our first week of school and have used the following activity with a great deal of success during the first couple of weeks of school this year…

It’s called Mix-Pair-Share…

Here’s how it works…

1. Students walk and mix around the room while I play music. I do this for roughly 10-30 seconds depending on the size of the class.

2. As soon as the music stops, students pair up with the person standing closest to them by giving them a high five. Any students who are not paired up raise their hands to find each other.

3. Then I ask an open-ended question that has nothing to do with the content I am teaching. Student A then shares their response with Student B for roughly 30 seconds to 1 minute. Then they switch and Student B shares his own response.

**Important: While this can certainly be done with content related questions, the purpose of this activity was for me to build my classroom relationships, therefore, the questions I asked these past two weeks had nothing to do with content. For example, one question I asked was, “If you just won a million dollars what would you spend it on?” This type of open-ended question really allows the students to get to know one another.

4. After both students have shared their response, I randomly pick students to tell me what their partner’s response was…this way the whole class gets to know that student a little more as well. Plus, this holds the students accountable for listening to their partner.

What’s great about this activity is that it takes very little time…just a few minutes to complete the whole thing. Yet, it gets the students up and moving, and more importantly, it helps build relationships that will pay off in the long run. It’s real easy to do this a couple of times a week when school first starts, but it is also something teachers should continue throughout the year.

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For more information Kagan cooperative learning and other great classroom building activities, make sure to read:

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Here’s the last in the series by Marjan Glavac…

How To Stay Motivated In Teaching (Part V): Winning Strategies
by Marjan Glavac

It’s often been said that students (and teachers) really remember only two days of the school year–the first day and the last day. Here’s a Back To School idea that you can implement the very first week that will also cap off your school year on the very last day. It also has the effect of motivating students all year long by recording moments of the school year on video tape/DVD.

Time Capsule

Purpose: A lot of changes will occur between your first day of school in September (or August) and your last day of school in June. To see some of those changes, we will be making individualized “time capsules.”

Please supply a “time capsule” container (shoe box, plastic container, manila envelope etc.) to hold the following items:

· A headline from this week’s newspaper, radio or TV news.
· An article from the newspaper or from your favorite magazine.
· A list of your favorite things such as: TV shows, movies, recording artists, songs, books, subjects, colors, friends, foods, hobbies, etc.
· A flower or leaf wrapped in plastic wrap.
· An example of your handwriting.
· Your handprint on a piece of paper.
· Your footprint on a piece of paper.
· Your weight.
· A piece of string measuring your height.
· A paragraph (100-150) words describing your class and your teacher.
· A recent photograph.
· A list of 3 goals you want to accomplish by the end of the school year.

Be prepared to present your “Time Capsule” in front of the class for a videotaped presentation! (In addition to the videotaped Time Capsule presentation, I capture special moments on videotape all year long resulting in a video (now it has become a DVD) of about an hour long.)

Just before I “bury” the Time Capsules by putting them away until the last day of school, I write a positive personal note about each student and deposit it into the Time Capsule. I usually start each note with:

“Dear__________,

As I write this note, it is now September 15, 2008. By the time you read this, it will be June 24, 2009…”

The last days of school are sometimes very hectic and unfortunately, students are very excited and not on their best behaviour. When students see the video of themselves and their peers presenting their Time Capsules and when they open their Time Capsules and see the positive personal notes that you wrote about them, it ends the school year on a positive and uplifting note.
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I hope you enjoyed the 5-part How to Stay Motivated in Teaching series put togther by veteran teacher Marjan Glavac.

If you did find the information useful then I know you’re going to love his…

How to Thrive and Survive in Your Classroom

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“In one word, this course was practical!” B. Carriere, Grade 4/5 Teacher, Ontario

Audio recordings available now!
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How To Stay Motivated In Teaching (Part IV): How To Get Rid Of All Your And Your Students “I Cant’s”
by Marjan Glavac

Although this exercise is geared to students, it’s also for me the teacher. It deals with the topics of attittude and perspective, and overcoming obstacles. It’s a gentle reminder for me to examine my self-talk, my attitudes and perspective when teaching, not just during those good times, but especially during those frustrating times.

(Please note: You should supervise these plans for appropriateness depending on your class, administration and parents.)

The exercise is based on the story “Rest in Peace: The ‘I Can’t’ Funeral” written by teacher Chick Moorman for the first Chicken Soup book. It’s now been updated with a lesson plan, student activities and tips in the book “The Chicken Soup for the Soul in the Classroom Middle School Edition Grades 6-8″available at:

I hand out a piece of paper to students and tell them to write down all the things they “can’t” do. We’ll do this for 10 minutes or so, including me.

I take all the papers and put them into a galvanized pail. We go into the field and we cremate the excuses. I read this as part of our funeral ceremony:

“Boys and girls, please join hands and bow your heads.

“Friends, we gather today to honour the memory of ‘I Can’t’. While he was with us on earth, he touched the lives of everyone, some more than others. His name, unfortunately, has been spoken in every public building-schools, city halls, state capitals and yes even on Capitol Hill.

“We have provided ‘I Can’t’ with a final resting place. He is survived by his brothers and sister ‘I Can’, ‘I Will’, and ‘I’m Going To Do It Right Away.’ They are not as well known as their famous relative and are certainly not as strong and powerful yet. Perhaps some day, with your help, they will make an even bigger mark on the world.

“May ‘I Can’t’ rest in peace and may everyone present pick up their lives and move forward in his absence. Amen.”

Later we go back to class have a wake with cake and ice cream. I have a student draw a tombstone with the date when we buried our “I Can’ts. When students tell me they can’t do something, I point to the poster and remind students that we buried our “I cant’s”. Most days too, I find myself looking at that tombstone poster and reminding myself some of my own “I Can’ts”.
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Stay tuned next week for the final part of the How to Stay Motivated in Teaching series where Marjan Glavac gives you a winning strategy that you can use to motivate yourself and your students all year long.

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If you’ve enjoyed the How to Stay Motivated in Teaching series so far, then you’ll love…

Marjan Glavac’s How to Make a Difference

To learn how to make a difference in the lives of your students and inspire them to do their best for the rest of their lives with teacher tested techniques you can use immediately in your classroom…make sure to read How to Make a Difference @ www.howtomakeadifference.com

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How To Stay Motivated In Teaching (Part III): How To Avoid Burnout ~ The Power of Quotes
by Marjan Glavac

When I feel overwhelmed and drained, I find reading quotes energizes me. In 10 seconds or less you can re-energize your mind and stay motivated. It changes my state of mind almost instantly…

Here are some of my favourite quotes:

“Knowledge is like a candle. When you light your candle from mine, my light is not diminished. It is enhanced and a larger room is enlightened as a consequence.”
Thomas Jefferson

“Darkness cannot drive out the darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
Martin Luther King, Jr.

“The first and most important step toward success is the expectation that we can succeed.”
Nelson Boswell

“Attitude is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than what people do or say. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill.”
W. C. Fields

“Most ideas about teaching are not new, but not everyone knows the old ideas.”
Euclid, c. 300 BC

“Fall seven times, stand up eight.”
Japanese Proverb

“If you don’t know what your passion is, realize that one reason for your existence on earth is to find it.”
Oprah Winfrey

“Everyone has the power for greatness-not for fame but greatness, because greatness is determined by service.”
Dr. Martin Luther King

“If we do not rise to the challenge of our unique capacity to shape our lives, to seek the kinds of growth that we find individually fulfilling, then we can have no security: we will live in a world of sham, in which our selves are determined by the will of others, in which we will be constantly buffeted and increasingly isolated by the changes round us.”
Nena O’Neil

“Our purpose is the very essence of who you are. It’s what we want to be known for and is a part of the underlying motivation and driving force which guides our actions and brings us fulfillment. Our purpose is bigger than we are. Our purpose assists us in making a difference in our jobs, the lives of others, and the condition of everything around us.”
Bob Proctor

“Success demands focus. It is the hallmark of all truly great people. Your ability to get and remain focused or lack thereof is perhaps the key determinant of your success.
Gary Ryan Blair

“Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren’t used to an environment where excellence is expected.”
Steve Jobs

“No significant learning occurs without a significant relationship.”
Dr. James Comer

“I delight in learning so that I can teach.”
Seneca 4 BC - 65 AD
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Stay tuned next week for Part IV of the How to Stay Motivated in Teaching Series where Marjan Glavac shows how you can get rid of all your and your students “I Cant’s”.

******
If you’ve enjoyed the How to Stay Motivated in Teaching series so far, then you’ll love…

Marjan Glavac’s How to Make a Difference

To learn how to make a difference in the lives of your students and inspire them to do their best for the rest of their lives with teacher tested techniques you can use immediately in your classroom…make sure to read How to Make a Difference @ www.howtomakeadifference.com

*******

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Hope everyone enjoyed Part I of Marjan Glavac’s How to Stay Motivated in Teaching series.

I thought of a few of my own “movies that inspire”…

1. Dangerous Minds
2. Dead Poets Society
3. Remember the Titans

Feel free to send me yours…

Now here’s Part II…
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How To Stay Motivated In Teaching (Part II): How To Avoid Burnout
by Marjan Glavac

“Hard work, of course is critical. But you have to balance that with time for your family and friends. One-dimensional people are rarely successful over the long haul.” - G. Richard Thoman

If you’re feeling overwhelmed and burned out, putting in long hours without seeming to get ahead, becoming irritable with your students, then there are things that you need to do to take care of yourself:

· Enroll in a fun workshop, seminar or conference or personal, non-teaching interest.

· Change teaching grade assignments in the school.

· Change schools.

· Go into a different teaching role such as resource, administration.

· Take on a new task such as a school or district committee.

· Avoid the negative attitude of your colleagues. Be more positive.

· Cultivate a hobby.

· Take a leave of absence.

· Eat healthier.

· Get exercise.

· Enroll in a yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, aerobic course.

· Take up swimming, jogging, walking, rowing, cycling.

· Get a physical checkup.

· Get enough sleep.

· Use deep breathing, meditation techniques, music to relax.

· Attitude is a choice, choose your attitude.

· Pick your battles: your hill to “die” on.

· Keep things in perspective.

· Have realistic, attainable, and measurable goals.

· Cultivate allies among students, staff, and parents.

· Find friends outside of teaching.

· Go to out-of-town conferences.

· Give Pat On The Backs, and send thank-you notes, cards, and compliments to others. Why not send one to yourself.

· Send yourself some flowers.

· Develop positive self-talk, self-control, and self-confidence.

· Cultivate a sense of humor; laugh and smile more.

· Join a professional reading group.

· Participate in a noon hour walking club.

· Give yourself a gift of time to reflect, relax, and recharge.

· Define what success is for you, not for others.

· Believe in yourself.

· Practice random acts of kindness.

· Read motivational quotes, and stories.

· Collect and mount motivational posters in your classroom.

· Take a vacation, a week-end getaway, or go to a spa retreat.

· Find a significant other who can support you in good times and bad.

· Get involved with your professional teacher groups.

· Learn how to say no–you don’t have to do it all.

· Replace the words can’t, try, and problems with can, will, and challenges.

· Be flexible, or you’ll be permanently bent out of shape.

· Focus on the positive.

· Join a sports league or a charitable volunteer group.

· Get a pet (rabbit, cat, dog…).

· Do your best. Perfection is the enemy of excellence. There is a very wide range of good, acceptable, yet valuable work. “Perfect” teachers are a burden to everyone-even themselves.
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Stay tuned next week for Part III of the How to Stay Motivated in Teaching series, where Marjan shows you in 10 seconds or less how you can re-energize your mind and stay motivated!

******
If you’ve enjoyed the How to Stay Motivated in Teaching series so far, then you’ll love…

Marjan Glavac’s How to Make a Difference

To learn how to make a difference in the lives of your students and inspire them to do their best for the rest of their lives with teacher tested techniques you can use immediately in your classroom…make sure to read How to Make a Difference @ www.howtomakeadifference.com

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