Current Events Recap on the ITeachTVNetwork -Part 2

Are you wanting to use Current Events in your classroom? Trying to find ways to "make it fit" or "spice it up"? Here are some quick thoughts on how to do just that. This is part 2 of the Current Events segment on The ITeachTVNetwork so please make sure that you check out part one here to hear the whole story!

Also, be sure to check out this FUN and FREE newspaper clip website. :)

Asking & Answering Questions-Balloon Style

Pop! A balloon bursts in room 505. Whose birthday is it? What's the celebration? Will there be cupcakes?

These were the questions that I got from my sweet afternoon class of 5th graders when they heard about our balloon popping extravaganza with my morning class. It wasn't anyone's birthday and sadly there were no cupcakes(note to self...maybe I should add those next time!), but there sure was a lot of laughter and high engagement from my students.

Asking and Answering questions is an exciting skill and one that plays an important role in reading comprehension for our kiddos of all ages. When I heard about my sweet second grade teacher friend using balloons to strengthen this skill in her classroom, I kindly asked for permission to borrow this idea and adapt it to meet the needs of my fifth graders.

You can use this balloon idea for a million different activities, but my kiddos needed help with using a question to help them reword an answer. One word, incomplete responses are no-goes in my classroom and this activity was a fun way to help them answer a question by turning the question into a statement! 

Think this is something that you could incorporate into your classroom? If so...go have a popping good time, let loose, and pop those balloons!

ITeachTVNetwork Recap-Teaching Current Events

DO you teach about current events in your classroom? If not, I STRONGLY encourage you to do so. I am sharing the video from my segment on the ITeachTVNetwork below! :) Hope you find it helpful!

 

Be sure to check out the Panicked Teacher's blog for ideas and Rachel Lynette's TPT product to help you get started on your Current Events journey! 

ITeachTVNetwork and Teach Happy Membership

As I reflect on the teaching aspect of my life in 2015 and get ready to make 2016 awesome, I realize that so much of who I am in my teaching life is in thanks to my amazing kiddos, colleagues and the entire teaching/blogging/social media society.

Collaboration-both listening and sharing is such a huge part of who I am as a teacher so I wanted to share two of my favorite collaboration opportunities with you.

ITeachTVNetwork

Are you looking for quick tips, tricks, and ideas to incorporate in your classroom and personal life?  I am in awe of the talent, love, passion, knowledge that teachers share on the ITeachTVNetwork and am grateful for the opportunity to share on my own segment each Sunday night! 

Teachers have taken over Periscope and Blab.im to bring you weekly shows on the ITeachTVNetwork. If you have not already checked out this resource then I highly encourage you to do so and join me each Sunday night for our segment on how to Make Learning FUN! 

Teach Happy Membership-

I cannot say enough amazing things about Sheila Jane and the teaching community that she supports and encourages. For a small monthly price, you can join a network of supportive educators, participate in challenges and tasks that interest YOU, join book clubs, participate in grade level chats, learn how to BE HAPPY, and just find overall teaching and living happiness though the Teach Happy Membership and Community. 

Go explore the Teach Happy Membership and check out some of the freebies offered then JOIN the community with us! I promise that you will LOVE IT!

ITeachTVNetwork Recap- Hype Up Your Classroom in the New Year

Did you watch the show on Sunday over on the ITeachTVNetwork? No worries! Check it out below! This week, we talk about how to spice up your classroom's Back to School Spirit after Winter Break by throwing a party, tossing some confetti, and setting some class goals for the New Year. 

2016 Goals and Plans

Happy 2016! 2015 was my best year yet and I am grateful to look back at it and smile at the amazing accomplishments that were completed and the goals that were achieved. I got married, graduated with my Masters in Administration, went to Italy,  made new friends, changed grade levels, visited the Ron Clark Academy with some of my most favorite people, started Periscoping with the ITeachTVNetwork and began to really create my teaching/business brand.

It really really was a wonderful ride, and I cannot WAIT to see what 2016 has in store for all of us. I am joining Ashley and Angie for this month's #2getherwearebetter series to share with you my plans and goals for 2016!

My one little word that really embraces all of my goals, dreams, and plans for 2016 is ADVENTUROUS. I picked this word because it is a reminder to keep doing what I have been doing for the last year. Life is meant to be one crazy adventure! My personal and professional plans for 2016 are some of my biggest yet and I am picking "adventurous" as my #olw2016 to remind myself to embrace the journey, enjoy this year, dare to dream, achieve the impossible and just LOVE life! 

Adventure awaits for us in 2016. Are you ready?!?! 

Here are some of my professional goals and plans!

1). Continue to LOVE my job and be the best teacher that I can be for my current and future students. I want to create learning adventures for them that help them embrace content in a way that is relevant and meaningful to them.

This is my number one goal and plan for the new year(and always) because it is the essence of who I am. I AM an educator who loves her profession. I enjoy the struggles, smiles, tears, successes, failures, and everything in between that comes with being an educator. I am grateful to be a teacher, and I want to always feel that way! :)

2). Redesign my blog/website. 

I have blogged more since I moved to 5th grade so I have more traffic to my blog. I want to add a new section for presenting and professional development, get rid of the "junk" that is on it, add a newsletter, and make it easier to navigate and communicate.A Rocky Top Teacher is my brand so it deserves a makeover!

3). Create a business model

I hate to admit this, but I have neglected this aspect of my blogging business. I have not been very smart about this in the past two years, and it is time to set up a business model for A Rocky Top Teacher! I know that it will be crazy and hectic, but it will be worth it!

4). Motivate, Encourage, and Inspire Others

I don't wake up each morning thinking that today I am going to inspire others. I wake up every day wanting to take the world by storm, spread positivity, smile a lot, and be happy. My hope is that the way I live my life and approach the "adventure"  might motivate, encourage, and inspire my students and other educators. 

Cheers to a new year, new opportunities, new struggles, new successes, and one awesome adventure!

You all are incredible, you all are fabulous. I am inspired by you. Happy 2016!

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