Here is the AFTER THE PEN video for this week's lesson plans. Not sure what that is?

PLAN WITH ME: Decorating this week's lesson plans with AWESOME stickers!!
AFTER THE PEN: This is where you get to see inside my head as I plan out my lessons for the week!!

So...I'm pretty excited about how my first YouTube video came out!! I'm still learning how to edit and I realize that my AC is a little loud in the background. I'm working on getting a better set up...so bear with me!!

Each week I am going to try posting a video and a blog about the same topic. Plus, I will be starting to show my planning process as soon as my new planner comes in!!

​Enjoy!!

When I sat down for this weeks topic, I sat down and made a list of things that I have been doing that makes going to work more fun. But isn't being a teacher so much fun already? I have to say yes...but there are some days when it takes a lot for me to roll out of bed and step into my classroom. So, here are five things that I've been doing to make my teacher life better!!

Sounds kind of silly, right? Using stickers in your planner will make your teacher life better? Actually...yes!! I started using a Happy Planner this year for my lesson plans and I have totally gone down the rabbit hole of planning. If you haven't binge watched YouTube videos on people making their planner...where have you been? Trust me, look it up and go out and buy you some stickers!! Click on the picture to order your stickers today!!

Wait...are you telling me I should go and eat lunch with other teachers? I know you've read somewhere on some other blog that only the troll teachers eat in the lounge...but that's not true!! Some of my favorite friendships have come with eating in the lounge and talking to other teachers about just life in general. I have never been one to sit at my desk and eat because it makes me feel lonely and I don't want to work while I eat. Also, I just can't stand being in the same room all day!

So, I want to challenge you to eat at least two days this week in the teacher's lounge if you don't already. You never know...you may meet your next best friend in there!!

I know I'm not the only one who has never planned their outfits in advanced, but it is always a struggle in the morning because I'm running around the room trying to put something together that looks like I didn't just roll out of bed. Some days I nail it, but the majority of the time, I look a hot mess walking into my classroom. So...lately I've been planning my outfits ahead of time for the whole week and putting them in a different spot in my closet so I don't have to look through everything. It has made such a huge difference in my mood!!

Just the other day, I was having a horrible morning. My kids were awful to get up, get dressed, and get out the door. I WAS LATE to work, and I hate being LATE. Do you know what turned my awful morning into a good one? My Assistant Principal told me hello in the hallway and asked how my school year was going. Yep! That's all it took to make me smile for the rest of the day. I normally tell all of my colleagues hello in the hallway even if I don't know them that well. Just a simple smile and good morning makes a HUGE difference. So...start saying hello!!

I know how hard this one can be. I mean, you've got papers to grade, copies to make, and phone calls home. However...your sanity is more important and that phone call to Johnny's mom can wait. I remember when I first started teaching and I brought home stacks and stacks of papers to grade. My husband HATED it. So I started to stay late and my husband HATED that! It was really hurting my marriage to being my school work home and then it hurt when I wasn't going home to spend time with him. I finally decided that I just needed to manage my time better during the day and schedule time in for grading papers and calling home. Staying on that schedule and using my time more wisely (not spending my whole planning period talking to friends), that I was able to leave work on time and leave everything there. Maybe that even means getting to school 30 minutes earlier to be first in line at the copy machine!

Don't you hate it when you reach to find an EXPO marker and find nothing? Or you find one, but it's all dried out? This is the PERFECT solution to both of those problems!!

These mesh pouches are perfect for organizing book clubs, small manipulatives, and even your student's supplies. They also are small enough to fit about anywhere!

I LOVE a good border...but I hate storing them!! And any teacher knows how expensive borders are, This storage solution is great to keep them safe an secure when you aren't using them!

This is the perfect solution to keeping all of your calculators all in one place. Teach Middle or High School? Keep everyone's cell phones where you can see them!!

My biggest problem when teaching 4th grade was keeping all of my Guided Reading Groups organized. Not just the books, but ALL of the paperwork that goes along with it. This file organizer helped me keep everything together and I could easily take it home with me.

One of my biggest pet peeves is students getting up in the middle of a lesson to sharpen their pencils or to find a marker or scissors. With these handy caddies, I was able to keep all of the supplies they would need in one spot at their table. And for a case of 6 under $25...you can't beat that!!

These magnetic storage pockets are perfect for organizing centers in your classroom where the students would need to use the whiteboard. My favorite thing to use these for was the numbered magnets I used to keep track of who wanted to order something from the cafeteria or who brought their lunch!

I had several little games in my classroom that had so many small pieces. I also had things like batteries, rolls of tape, and rows of staples that I couldn't the box they came in. These mini storage boxes save my life when trying to keep them organized. I even had one for just my junk I didn't want to get rid of but couldn't find a home.  

I mean...come on....who doesn't need a little rainbow in their life? I love this caddy on my desk because not only is it cute, it's functional as well. You could buy one for your desk, or buy a few to put around the room to hold markers and scissors. It's so cute!!

I know when I taught elementary school, I had so many anchor charts I didn't know what to do with them! I didn't want to get rid of them because they took so long to make, but I didn't want to just throw them in a closet somewhere and it get wrinkled. This storage box is the best thing to keep your anchor charts organized and safe!

If you are like me, I have moved classrooms and schools a few times over the last few years. You pack up all of your things, move into your new classroom, and then are bombarded with a closet full of junk left over from the teacher before you. Instead of just going through it, you just add your own junk to the closet and close the door. 

Now, the harder thing to talk about...the mental junk stuck in your head that makes it hard to do your job. While in quarantine, I started to realize how often my head was full of ideas and lessons that I wanted to do, but would soon forget the next day. Then I would put in all of the dates and meetings I needed to remember. 

So now what? Resolve to open that closet up and clean out the crap you've been carrying around and haven't used all year!! That doesn't mean buying more to replace all of that junk you just trashed either.

When it comes to the mental junk...I bought a notebook and carry it with me so I can write it down. They also have apps on your phone where you can do that, but I'm old fashioned and like to physically write it down. What a HUGE difference it made! I can now go to sleep without a million things going on.

Even if you are already proficient in technology...it changes every day. Fifteen years ago I started doing something called Facebook and I had no idea it would grow into what it is today. Now...Facebook is considered the "old person" technology and newer apps have become more popular. I still refuse to use Snapchat!!

I have really been focusing on learning how to use Screencastify lately and I think my resolution for technology is to learn how to use more of the features in this extension and maybe try editing YouTube videos for my new channel.

Try and think of some technology that you have been wanting to learn how to use and make a resolution to figure it out this year.

Teaching is not a 9-5 job even if we want it to be. There have been days where I have wanted to leave fifteen minutes early to just sit in my car before heading home, but then I would be behind in grading and prepping for the next few days.

The last thing on your mind is attending a basketball game or choir performance when you've spent more time with your students then your own family...

However, showing up for your student's events outside of you classroom is SO IMPORTANT. I can not emphasize the importance of building SOLID relationships with your students and showing up to one their events is crucial to that.

I can not tell you how many baseball games, dance recitals, and FFA shows I have gone to over the past fifteen years of teaching....but they were so worth it. To see the excitement on their faces when I walk in and cheer them on...priceless.

Plus, you may be other person there shouting their names at the top of your lungs. They will remember that.

TIP: Find a game or recital where more than one of your students will be there to get as many of them in as you can. Be loud and proud for your students!!

Your students stop learning when you stop learning. It's that simple.

There are so many online workshops teachers can attend to help further their careers. I know of at least three virtual conferences I plan on attending this summer. A lot of the more pricier conferences I wanted to attend are cheaper because it is virtual, so I know that I will be going to a few of those too. i wish COVID was gone so I could travel in-person for these awesome conferences!!

Long gone are the teachers who are just happy with getting a bachelors and then not learn anything new. A lot has happened since 2006 when I graduated in college and I am so glad that I went back for my Masters degree. Currently, I'm working on my PhD, but I know that's not for everyone. If you've been thinking about going back to school...now may be the year you do!!

The most important thing I got out of COVID this past year has been self-care. When I picked up my family and moved a few years ago, I developed stress-induced psoriasis. My hands would break out into a flaky texture and have open wounds that would hurt so bad. When I was away from my classroom, my hands started clearing up and I've only had a few outbreaks since then.

So, what was I doing differently?

I started to get a massage once a month to just calm me down. I also started reading for enjoyment again!

Whether you like to go shopping, binge on Netflix, or fishing....make it a resolution to do more of what you love outside of your job.

I've had a lot of time to reflect back on my fourteen years of teaching. At the end of each school year, I ask myself what I could have done differently to help my students be successful. The best way, I have found, is to research experts who have gone before me and have created learning environments where their students have shown growth.

I went onto several different professional blogs and contacted a few professors. After several recommendations, I narrowed it down to a few that I then purchased on Amazon. Since we have been out of school, I've had a lot of time on my hands to read and reflect. 

Over the next few weeks, I am going to be sharing a few things that I found to be an "aha" moment if you will. I'm going to warn you; however, that some of these thoughts will really make a few people question a lot about themselves and their efforts in the classroom. Good! Isn't that what we should be looking for? 

Author Jim Knight writes about "The Four Pillars of Impact Schools" and I think it's something really important for all of us to look at. We will be taking a look over the next few weeks on what the pillars are, but for now, I wanted to share a few things from the opening of the book.

"Professional learning must embody respect for the professionalism of teachers, by involving teachers as true partners in their professional learning."

Wow! What a statement! Do you agree with what Knight says? I sure do. It is so important for administrators, school boards, and even the superintendent to see teachers as professionals. Knight believes that all professional development has an impact on teaching excellence, which in turn, impacts our students. If teachers are given the opportunity to attend professional development that inspires them, their students will also be inspired. Isn't that what we all want? So why is it that year-after-year teachers attend several trainings just to leave feeling even more overwhelmed than before?

"Professional learning should provide a clear focus for sustained growth, and teachers should be collaborators in writing their school improvement plan to ensure that everyone (a) understands, (b) agrees with, and (c) is committed to the improvement plan." 

Have you ever taught at a school that required an improvement plan? I have. It's not very fun. But, if teachers are included in writing this plan, the professional environment shifts to something more positive. Teachers will agree to help out their schools a lot more if they feel that their professional opinion matters.

Until school districts start treating teachers as the professionals they are, we won't be seeing the change we desperately need.

You've worked so hard to find the perfect books for your Book Clubs. You've given up almost all of your weekend writing the most perfect discussion questions for those perfect books. You even showed up an hour early to school to arrange your desks in the perfect spots to encourage a Socratic Method style of discussion your students are going to love. The best part about all of this is that you knew your students were going to nail this discussion question like a #boss that you even invited your principal to join in!

So why are you crouched over in the fetal position in the teachers lounge crying like a baby? What could have possibly gone wrong?

What really happened was that half of your students didn't do the chapter reading at home. Of the other half that did the reading, half of those students were not in the mood to have a meaningful conversation with their peers. The last half of students actually read the assigned chapter, but they didn't know how to even have a productive conversation and ended up yelling over each other.

How can all of this be avoided? Can your students actually have a productive conversation during your Book Clubs? The answer to that question is: yes.

First of all, students have completely lost what it means to have a conversation face-to-face with someone else. Texting has ruined that for everyone under the age of 25. Why actually look someone in the eyes when I can just type it into my phone and wait for their response? So, the first thing you should teach your students is how to have a conversation. Discuss the volume of their voice, making eye contact with whoever you are talking to, building onto a discussion by using words like: I agree...I politely disagree....I would like to add...Also, students need to understand that someone isn't always going to agree with you, and that's okay!!

Next, your students need to understand what they should talk about during their Book Talk discussions. Before they even enter the classroom, they should have notes written down or things highlighted in their text to share with the group. You can either have prepared questions for them to fill out, or you can do my favorite thing: Dialectical Journals. My students would each have their own spiral notebook. Inside they would divide the pages in half vertical. On the left was a quote they read that meant something to them. They may like the way the sentence was written, it may have evoked a feeling in them, or it helped answer a question that we had asked in a previous session. We would then all take turns sharing our quotes and others would comment about them.

Lastly, our students need to know when it's time to move on in a discussion. This is extremely important when the discussions start to get a little heated. It's great that your students are excited about reading, but there will be times when it can go a little too far. For example, my students had just read an article about a high school that banned hugging. Even like friend-to-friend hugging. I had some students that were perfectly fine with the no hugging policy, but then I had students who thought the world was ending. This discussion got so out of hand that I had to call parents. Some of my students didn't even get the opportunity to talk that day because it was dominated by two students who didn't see eye-to-eye. I never really discussed with them how to move on and continue with the discussion in a proper manner.

I love Book Clubs, but they aren't effective unless you have modeled what a Book Club should look or sound like. I've included this video because I think it would be something you could show your older students before your first Book Club meeting, This is not my video, but I think it's great!! Enjoy!!