Motivation

Teaching

Positive growth.

Motivation in learning is a huge component! I have high standards and expectations for all of my students. We work HARD and play HARD! I use each opportunity to motivate, encourage and excel my students. I celebrate as much as I can! I am blessed to work with a great Administration at my school! My students will work for fun treats! The Reach for the Stars Program is a gift certificate program, where if they obtain 20 stars they receive a ten dollar or less gift card of their choice. (Roblox game cards are a hit in my class).

Students receive a sticker for 80 percent or better and first attempt.

Teaching with the End in Mind

Spring break is over for us and it is time to get ready for SOL testing! My Fifth grade class will need about two days to come off of ”vacation mode” but we have no time for that! My focus will be maximizing my allotted time for each subject and giving my students that maximum time to practice the material. I have an amazing bunch of students! I have been extremely lucky to have gotten the opportunity to loop up with them from last year to this year. Covid learning took a toll on our learning trajectory and that is why it is so critical to maximize the opportunity to learn hands on. When I state I will teach with the end in mind. My first ”go to” in lesson planning besides looking at the time allotted for each standard of learning, will be what is it that I am wanting them to learn? The Learning Intention and Success Criteria is a huge component of the lesson planning piece. It is also important to review all the material that will be used for the lessons including Google slides, videos, practice material. To be honest, this is not something that I have always done before hand. I would start the lesson material and view it for the first time with my students. This often left me unprepared and scrambling for more information or practice material that aligned with it in case I had students who were more advanced and moved faster than their peers, or students who needed a little bit more practice.

If you have student notes to go along with the lesson plan, prepare them ahead of time for your students. I know that my students still need to practice taking notes, but I remain in control with the material and time allotted. If I did not control the time it would literally take them thirty minutes for one paragraph of notes, and that is not effective. What I will often do is create an Anchor chart and have them put that in their interactive composition notebook. I always have them use colored pencils during this time because ”color” brings life to the paper and to the brain for remembering.

Teaching & Time Management

There has been much debate as to whether we need to add more time onto the school day in regards to teaching students. Our school district has allotted to start school before Labor Day after many years of starting the school year the day after Labor Day. As a teacher of elementary school age students and a student enrolled in a Leadership course At Liberty University my position is that we do not need to add more time to the school day.

I have learned over the years that teaching curriculum with fidelity is a key to academic success. When my lesson is inadequately prepared, I can waste minutes or hourse of academic time allotments looking for things to cover, or researching material to go over with my students. Effective planning and preparation before the lesson leads to many valuable minutes and teaching opportunities added to my lesson time. I prepare student notes for my students, because I have learned that a lot of valuable time is spent having students copy notes that I can provide for effective study material. I do allow students to copy anchor charts and brief notes in their notebooks as we go, but the main core of note-taking is made before hand. I also share my students notes with their parents as well.

In terms of note taking, the Cornell method is an effective way for students to stay organized and the use of the bullet summary method works well for my Fifth grade students.

I do offer tutoring for my students during the school year. I offer intervention during one resource period for my tier three students and our elementary school is participating in an after school enrichment program. We also make this an opportunity to review criteria that student need help with after reviewing their data. Most of the intervention that takes place is in math and science.

Teaching is a ministry, and it is important for teachers to manage their time effectively outside of the classroom. It is imperative that our lessons are planned, but it is also important that we recognize time outside of the classroom is important for nurturing self-care to avoid teacher burnout.

Covid & Teaching

One thing that has changed since Covid 19 came on the scene in 2019 is Americans perception of Teachers. In a time that people should have come together, it became apparent that the value of teaching and teachers were devalued. During this time I spent an entire year teaching fourth graders virtually. During this time, I learned so much about so many different things. I learned that relationships with my students and their families were imperative. I learned about compassion and understanding. Teaching methods and differentiated lessons were critical in order to meet the needs of all my students. I learned the importance of relationships in terms of motivation and encouragement of my students. Last year I had upwards of thirty-four students. The relationships that I developed with my students went beyond the normal classroom teaching. I implemented new ways to learn and communicate with my students and their families. I became a master in Information Technology, taught students how to bake potatoes in microwaves for lunch, delivered goodie bags, pizza, and McDonalds for hard workings students. I also learned the value of friendships with my parents.

Titus 2:7-8 states that we should yourself in all respects to be a model of good works and in your teaching show integrity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.

Luke 6:40 states a disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. I am learning the importance of prayer. It is important to pray that I pray for my students and their families.

It is a New Year……..

I came across Word Press and realized that I have not written on my site in quite some time! Life has happened, Covid is still running crazy after two years and things just keep moving on! I am excited to say that I am back on my blog. My inspiration this year outside of family, teaching, genealogy and now crafting. I think I have been in the house for too long! I am planning on starting my book reviews again and product reviews to share with you all! Thank you for continuing to read my blog!

Loving Your Child Too Much Part One

One of the books that I am reading is about effective parenting. I often blog as I am reading as a way for me to take notes, and then have an opportunity to go back later to review and compare what I learned along the way. I am reading the book “Loving Your Child Too Much” by Dr. Tim Clinton and Dr. Gary Sibcy. (2006). In the first chapter, I have already had my toes stepped on, numerous times I may add! It talks about how we as parents may believe that we are simply loving our children, but in fact exhibit and replicate  overindulging, over protecting and over controlling our children. I have five children, and I can honestly say that I have and still continue to exhibit these behaviors in my day-to-day interactions. What occurs is even though I feel in my heart I love them, and want to protect them results in hurt feelings, anger, and frustration on both of our parts. This is something that I want to change. I can see myself being a “nag” and constantly repeating my requests to them, because I want to ensure that it gets done. I should in fact, say it one time, and then allow them to be responsible for their own actions and complete the task. The goal in this reading is for a healthy love relationship that is balanced and appreciated by all parties. I do not want to exhibit toxic love or in turn create another generation of ineffective relationship building and parenting. We tend to as people repeat what we know, but we have a responsibility once we know something is flawed to fix it so that it will flourish.  I love what the author says, “Embrace the boundless mercy and grace that God gives us. There is no condemnation under Christ Jesus, only a call to grow and show Christ like love to others especially our children.” I will share my notes with you as I read, better yet, get the book and read it with me so we can compare notes!

 

 

Using Your Resources

I love saving money! Although I am too lazy to clip and cut coupons, if I see a bargain, I am in Heaven. Here are some of my secrets that I wanted to share with you. I love getting new things, and one of my favorite things to do is sign up and host house parties to receive new products in exchange. Go to http://www.houseparty.com and sign up to host a party to receive the new products. It is free and fun.

I love nice clothes, and tend to wear a lot of designer clothing but I refuse to pay full price for them. Most of my clothes shopping is done at the local DAV. I tend to buy nice looking ladies clothes and have them  dry-cleaned to keep them professional and durable.

Another great website that I have signed up for is http://www.freecycle.org. This is an amazing email based program and here is how it works. After you join the Freecycle organization, you pick a local community near you to receive information about items being used. Most of the items are posted when people receive a newer item. (e. g washing machine, which usually does still work but the person jests wants it “out of the way.”

I love to read books, and love the new concept of online e-books on my IPad. A great website for books is http://www.amazon.com, here you can find any book imaginable, often for free!

 

 

 

Do You Ever Wonder?

Time changes your thought processes, as I age, I often find myself asking, “I wonder why God trusts me enough to allow me to be used as a vessel for Him.” What I mean is, I no longer question God as to why he allows me to go through the things that I do, but as to what message He wants me share with other people along the way.  I am honored and humbled now by the ability to share my life experiences with others. I am always looking for the purpose or “lesson”behind the situation. No matter what the experience, whether good or bad, I learned a long time ago, there is no embarrassment, or shame if it is a less than desirable experience, but as a true opportunity to help others down the road that they will travel. God does not bring a person through something, for that person to keep it all to themselves. Compassion and empathy are truly God’s greatest gifts that we can receive. It is revealed to me daily, as I receive his infinite gift of Grace and Mercy. God tells us that if and when we ask for wisdom, He will give it to us.

James 1: 5, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

So when you feel like you are in a stagnant place, sit quietly and pray for wisdom, but also that your purpose is revealed so that you can turn your circumstances into a solution for someone else’s problem.

 

 

We Remember

I have been thinking about the people that we come in contact with on daily basis, and how our interactions with them can change the way they view other people, life and different circumstances. In teaching, I see how teachers impact a child’s life daily. The true saying it takes a village could not be more true. Personally I have had five children of my own, but I can tell you I have dozens of surrogate children who I have love, mentored, and cherished throughout the years. A child’s ability to learn, think, love and grow is based on how they see themselves, and how they view others. A teacher can have a profound impact on their world view. I sat back tonight and thought about the four-year anniversary of Sandy Hook, and the impact on how that one school so tragically affected by an evil tragedy has we view the safety of our nation, the safety and greatest responsibility of not only educating our youth, but their physical well-being, and emotional growth. I recall stories of how the administration, the teachers, the students, the parents, and community evolved and grew that day. Tragedy will always bring growth, for it must occur for one to heal. I don’t want to think about the specific details of that day, for most of us will never know. I want to think about the awesome responsibility that we have to show our children that even through the horrors of the darkness, there is still light; a light that never can be extinguished because we have a God. God was there that day,  He gave the wisdom to the teachers that were at school that day, to hide them, protect them, comfort them, guide and keep them . We can all say we would have handled it differently, but until you have been in a classroom full of first graders, trying to get them to whisper is a heavy burden often impossible to accomplish.

God says if we ask him for wisdom, He will give it to us! ( James 1:5). Deep in my thoughts tonight, I just wanted to share my thoughts.

Gosh, I am so blessed, I came home from school today. My children came home from school today! Social media is putting out a PSA written from the survivors of Sandy Hook, I wanted to share the link here. It is deep, and personal, and I can honestly see I missed most all of the details the first time I watched it. See it, and tell me what you see! What we see could, no would save a life one day.

 

Faithfully,

 

Traci

 

 

 

Migration Patterns

This is another great article in case you run into a brick wall and wonder where your family members could have gone.

MIGRATION PATTERNS  

Since the first white settlers moved into Kentucky in the late eighteenth century, migration has been primarily responsible for the distribution of the state’s residents and has shaped the age-sex composition and social characteristics of the population. Migration patterns are indicators of economic conditions of the state and its regions. The movement of settlers into Kentucky began in the 1770s, when it was still a part of the state of Virginia. To settle the territory, Virginia initially issued land warrants to veterans of the French-Indian and Revolutionary wars but soon opened the territory to the general public. The general westward movement into Kentucky continued for the next several years. Most migrants came overland by way of the Wilderness Road, but increasing numbers traveled down the Ohio River. After 1820, when the Kentucky population exceeded half a million, the growth rate dropped well below that of the nation, indicating a loss of residents to other states. In 1850 the federal census began to collect data on places of birth of the population. A comparison of place of birth with place of current residence data reveals a rather slow change in the origin of Kentucky migrants, although in all decades most came from neighboring states. In 1860 Virginia was the origin of most migrants to Kentucky, followed in order by Tennessee, Ohio, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. By 1870 most migrants to Kentucky came from Tennessee. By 1970 most came from Ohio. Migrants from Indiana, Illinois, and West Virginia came to Kentucky in greater numbers during the twentieth century, while the numbers from North Carolina and Pennsylvania declined. The movements of Kentucky natives to other states show a significant shift from a movement west in the nineteenth century to a movement north by the mid-twentieth century. In 1850 Missouri, followed by Texas, was the leading destination of Kentucky migrants and remained so until 1910. Gradually the migrant streams shifted to the north and northwest; Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan became major destinations of migrating Kentuckians. The availability of land had been the major attraction for nineteenth century migrants, but the lure of industrial jobs was a stronger moving force in the twentieth century. Economic factors have exerted the greatest influence on the movements of people both into and out of Kentucky. Within sixty years after the first settlers moved in, the availability of good farmland farther west caused a net loss in population. The failure of Kentucky to develop major manufacturing industries to supplement agriculture and mining made it even more difficult for the state to retain its population in the years following World War II. The energy crisis of the 1970s produced simultaneously an industrial recession and a coal boom that temporarily reversed the direction of migration, creating Kentucky’s first gain in recent history. Since 1980, though, deteriorating economic conditions have sent migrants south and to the far West rather than to the industrial North. Compared with more urbanized states of the region, Kentucky has attracted relatively few foreign immigrants. In 1850 the first count of the foreign-born tallied 31,400 immigrants, or 4 percent of the state’s population. The highest percentage (6.4) of foreign-born persons in Kentucky was recorded in 1869 and the greatest number (63,400) in 1870. From 1860 until 1950 both numbers and percentages of the foreign-born decreased. Since 1950 there has been a slight increase, but the 34,562 foreign-born counted in 1980 constituted less than 1 percent of the total population. Many of these foreign nationals were university students rather than true immigrants, while others were refugees or spouses of service personnel who had been stationed abroad. See Howard W. Beers, Growth of Population in Kentucky 1860-1940 (Lexington, Ky., 1942) George A. Hillery, Jr., Population Growth in Kentucky, 1820-1960 (Lexington, Ky., 1966) Simon S. Kuznets, ed., Population Redistribution and Economic Growth: United States, 1870-1950 (Philadelphia 1957). THOMAS R. FORD Entry Author In the print edition this entry appears on pages 636 – 637

Content Copyright © 1993 The University Press of Kentucky Web Edition Copyright © 2000 The Institute for Regional Analysis and Public Policy & Camden-Carroll Library both at Morehead State University