A Kindergarten Smorgasboard of Successful Teaching

Happy Hump Day!  It's all down hill from here!!  I hope everyone is having a great week!  If you're in the path or have been in the path of this severe weather, I hope you're safe!  We were awaken at 3 a.m. last night by the tornado sirens but all is well at the Kindergarten Smorgasboard!

This morning I was checking my Facebook and came across a post with an article about what makes a successful teacher different from other teachers.  I was skeptical at first, but as I read the article I was very impressed.  Today I want to share some of those ideas and how well I do or do not follow these successful teaching techniques.

http://www.teachthought.com/teaching/25-things-successful-teachers-do-differently/


1.  Successful teachers have clear objectives.  Every morning as part of our monring meeting, we go over our goals for the day.  These are in simple kid friendly terms.  I read the goal (objective) and the monsters respond, "YES!" which means, YES WE CAN DO THAT!  At the end of the day, we go back over the goals and if we met the goal, the monsters yell "YES, CHECK!"  

I love having them know what the goals are for the day because it gives them (and Mr. Greg) a sense of purpose and keeps me focused.  I once heard that sharing the objective with students can increase learning 80%!  (This was during some workshop...so no clue about the source!)

6.  Successful teachers expect their students to succeed.  My monsters will tell you that Mr. Greg expects them to be the best.  Period.  End of discussion.  I accept nothing less than the best from every student.  I understand that each monster has their own personal best and that is what is expected.  If you set the bar high, they will grasp that bar!

8.  Successful teachers use praise smartly.  This is something I am working very hard to improve.  There is a lot of information about there about praise.  Keep it private.  Make it specific.  Don't use the words "I like."  It's so hard to not use "I like how...."  I try to use "I see 1 person doing this."  I will count how many people are doing what was asked until we reach the number of kids in the class.  And being specific is a challenge.  I am notorious for saying "Good job!"  I try to be aware of what I am praising for and let the monsters know.  "Thank you for that great bubble!"  It's a daily challenge.

9.  Successful teachers take risks.  I am always looking for new ideas, new strategies and new projects for my monsters.  If I find an idea I like, I do it.  If it bombs ( and boy have I had some nasty bombs) I tell the kids that Mr. Greg messed up and didn't do his work the best he could.  I learn from it and move on.  Risks are scary but also fun.  I tell the monsters you can't learn without making mistakes!  

23.  Successful teachers never stop learning.  This is why I blog.  This is why I surf Pinterest.  This is why I read, read, read.  I want to be the best teacher I can be.  I want to improve.  I want new ideas and I want to know all I can learn about my profession.   If I ever lose that desire to be better and that desire and thirst for knowledge, I will know it's time to move on.

24.  Successful teachers break out of the box.  Um, have you met me?!  I don't do anything normal.  Normal is boring.  My monsters deserve more than normal!  Take a risk.  Make a mistake and dare to be different!

I would love for you to read the article and share some of your thoughts.  

Now that I've been reflective, I want to share a funny from today!  We were using our Super Bowl centers and working on CVC words.  

If you want your students to have this fun center, check out my Super Bowl creation!

And get ready for February which is just TWO days away...can you believe that?!

And a groundhog freebie for you!!