Un-Ruling Teaching: Recent Episodes
Gail
Come join me in my journey in teaching as I look at habits in teaching that could be... or should be...un-ruled...
It's the time of the year to plan what students need for the upcoming school year. How do you approach this challenging task? There is one request that could really be updated!
Relieved when that "one student" or "students" are not in class? Are there other options?
Throughout the year, especially after long breaks, and even just getting comfortable in the classroom, expectations and routines can get lost or less enforced. Is it worth it to go back and adjust? Or not?
It's Christmas Break! Are you busy watching the clock? The calendar for when it's time to go back to work? Does time seem to fly by? Maybe it's time to try something different. But actually try it. Guilt Free.
In this episode that I call an addendum to the previous episode, I expand my thoughts on working until we are forced to stop for whatever reason. Maybe the photocopier breaks down. Maybe we get so worn down physically that we need time off etc. Normal? Or not?
In this episode, I speak to feeling guilty about leaving school at a reasonable hour. I used to leave so late on a regular basis that it was often just the custodian left! Is that just part of the job? Or can we go home and enjoy the rich experiences of life without feeling guilty? Hmmmm....
In this episode, I discuss morning work and whether it has been helpful for my teaching practice or a hindrance.
As we start to prepare our classrooms for our new group of students, we are also looking at who we are getting. In this episode, I discuss the importance of giving students a fresh start, and how we should be interpreting previous observations about them from former teachers.
In this episode, I briefly discuss the practice of asking about summer vacation, in light of looking more deeply into trauma informed practices. This is something that I have been changing in my classroom the past few years, knowing that summer may not be the joyous occasion for all. So options may be good to have on hand!
After last year , when teaching was turned completely upside down, it's worth having a look to see if or how life will change on a personal level. Some have always been great at work- life balance, some of us have not! In this episode, I talk about what I've learned on a personal level and what I'm going to implement going forward.
In this episode I talk about the opinion that the 20/21 school year has been a complete disaster for the teaching profession. Has it really? I'm not sure this is a fair statement and discuss why!
In this episode, I talk about a writing experience with my students. We had started a story project on paper, and then switched over to the computer. I was surprised (not sure why) by the results!
In this episode I share some (hopefully) helpful tips on how to make Mondays easier for ourselves that do not depend on others (administration etc). We have more power than we think and it's important to see it as such. And to not feel guilty. And let what we do be enough.
What is with Mondays? Why do we hate them so? There are so many social media posts Sunday and Monday telling us to "push" through" and that "we can get through it!". The same can be said for Wednesdays and even Fridays in some sense. Is part of the issue how much we hear and internalize about certain days of the week ? So what to do?
Today I'm talking about doing what we want to do vs doing what we need to do, specifically in relation to weekends and extra long weekends. How many of us tell our students to get things done early? Just finish then you're free? Sounds great in principle but can be quite challenging in practice. To keep ourselves balanced as teachers we certainly can't work all the time, but cramming at the last minute, like in high school, can't be the best strategy (although I've done it, as have many others). When you have extra time at home and schoolwork to do, what are your strategies? I share a few but would love to know more!
This episode connects with the last one about standardized testing. In our classrooms, we are always assessing against a set of standards, but it's more under our control as the teacher. Should we be collaboring more with our grade partners as well as with the grades above and below? Does this help in having a more consistent measure across the board? Messaging to parents, students and even other staff as to what the expectations are? Have a listen and then let me know your thoughts!
In this episode, I'm starting a discussion about standardized testing. Is it useful? Is it helpful? When and/or if we should be using it? Is testing done in most districts? And if it is, how are the results used?
In this episode I talk about the "normal" student accommodations that are seen in a class, versus the so- called untraditional supports that we may use for students who require them. It is vital for fellow educators to understand that when a student receives "rewards" or other things for seemingly negative behaviour, that there would be specific reasons behind it as to why it is happening. It is just as vital for that particular classroom teacher to be confident in his/her decisions and to move forward, knowing that they are doing what is best for their student (s).
In this episode, I talk about the analogy of the SmartBoard burning out and this school year. We're waiting for things to get back to "normal" .. or waiting for the bulb to be replaced so we can go on. But it's April, and the bulb still isn't there, it's probably on back order or something. When we strip away all the clubs and activities from student life, are the students really missing out? Have we been dependent on those groups for entertainment? Or have the students gained in other areas? What about the online students? How have they been affected by the lack of clubs, groups and such? Would you want a full return? Partial return? Did you enjoy the simplicity? Or did you love the hustle and bustle of a busy school? Let me know!
This episode is about coming back to school after a break like Spring Break and our expectations about students. The chances are that if we are coming back not quite at 100%, the students might not be either. Are we expecting that they are rearing to go? Should we expect that? Something to think about!
In this episode I share my thoughts coming off of Teachers Convention and the incredible amount of information that we take in, and new things that we are often eager to start doing with our students. I explore two options when implementing new procedures or systems in our classrooms. Option A: giving enough time to have a new procedure take effect or hold. Option B: deciding when something isn't working and needs to be let go or changed.
In this episode, I take a look at Teachers Convention in terms of having it online vs fully in person. Is the in person model the one we want to go back to and keep? Do we want to go fully online? What about a hybrid? And does this also spill into PD in general? As we move forward through so many other changes in education, this is certainly an area that needs to be examined in closer detail.
In this episode, I talk about Pink Shirt Day, and being kind. We encourage and guide our students to use their words and express their feelings when something happens... but how often are we as teachers and other school professionals doing this ourselves amongst ourselves? Food for thought on what we're asking vs giving.
In this episode, I talk about cutting back (and not feeling bad!), mainly with curriculum, in order to give back more to ourselves and our students in terms of knowledge, time and reduced stress. It ends up being an overall win- win!
In this episode, I talk about homework and it's seeming disappearance from today's classroom. Is it something that we need to bring back? If so, why did the practice leave in the first place?
In this episode I talk about how not to be part of the Negative Nelly/Ned Club. Be solution based, not complaint based!
In this episode I talk about teacher workload and the need to let of old "we know what we are in for" thinking.
Hi everyone! My name is Gail and I have been teaching for about 12 years! I've started this podcast to look at the recent evolution in teaching with the likes of Covid, inclusion and more. I hope to look at the current, previous and new practices and see what "rules" still apply... and if they don't, what can we do? Without adding onto our already charged workday! Come join me in this ever changing journey we call education!