Getting SMARTer

Last week, I had the opportunity to go my first workshop as an employed teacher.  (eek!) Needless to say, I was pretty excited.  I have a few more workshops coming up this summer, but this particular one was on SMART Boards. (Now, do you see how "punny" my blog title was? Hey... My seventh graders think I'm funny!) For those of you who aren't familiar with SMART Boards, SMART is a brand of interactive whiteboard used in the classroom.  In my second field experience, I worked with a Promethean Board almost daily. (Promethean is another brand of interactive whiteboard.)  However, each brand of interactive whiteboard uses its own software, so my principal and I decided that it would be beneficial for me to go to a workshop so I'm ready to roll when I start school in August. (By the way, have I mentioned how lucky I am to have a SMART Board in my classroom? We have them in every classroom- Many teachers aren't so lucky! The school I'm heading to really does have a grasp on technology, which is awesome... but also probably requires its own blog post!) Anyway, the workshop lasted from 9 to 3:30 and was VERY content heavy. Here are a few of the things I learned that I found the most interesting/ useful.  Keep in mind that I'm going to be in a middle school language arts setting... there are tons of cool things to use in other contents/ grade levels, too.

1. There are TONS of premade activities in the SMART Notebook software just waiting for you to customize so it is relevent to your lesson! One of the activities that I think I will use the most is called Hot Spots- this is a matching game of sorts that can be used in a review lesson that actually gives students the opportunity to move items to their definitions, for example, and get instant feedback.  So cool, plus, it's always a good thing to get students out of their seats and actively participating in a lesson!

2. You are able to import Word documents right into the SMART  Notebook software.  So, one of the things I can see using the "whiteboard" aspect of the SMART Board daily for is Daily Oral Language; that way, students will be able to make corrections on the board as we go through the errors.   I was excited to find out that I can just import all of my already made DOL's instead of retyping them in the Notebook software.

3.  I love the Ink Aware part of the software.  You can use Ink Aware in Microsoft products (Word, Excel, etc).  One of the things that I love about Ink Aware is that you can turn handwriting right into text by just clicking a button! So, if I have students come and fill in the blanks during an activity, for example, I can click, recognize "word" , and it will change the handwriting into text.  I can then save that activity and it will be easier to read in the future (if it needs to be revisited in a later lesson or if a student was absent for the activity.)

4. You can use the SMART pens (also an Ink Aware feature) to write on any webpage or to instantly cut and paste from that webpage onto the Notebook software.  I LOVE this! So, since you can pretty much use your SMART Board as a projector, you can show students how to use websites by circling important links, drawing arrows to guide students in using the website, etc.  Very useful.

5. Fun! I think that student will get into being able to get up from their desk and actively participate in lessons.  Some of the items that will add to the "fun" part of using the SMART Board are: magic pen, invisible ink, reveal, and screen shade.  Each of these add to the interactivity of the whiteboard, which is what makes the SMART Board such a cool piece of technology...it gives students a little bit of "ownership" of their learning!

I know that I'm just beginning to scratch the surface with this whole SMART Board thing, and I'm excited to keep learning!  I've been doing a lot of researching online and found tons of great SMART resources! I'll include some of the most helpful in a future post! So, keep on the lookout for that!

Best,
Ms. M

"The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires."  William A. Ward

Lately

My teaching license came today! It's all getting so real!

Last week, I was able to go to my new school and observe for the day and was, once again, reassured that I'm about to become a part of a wonderful school.  The staff and students were so welcoming and kind; it makes me incredibly excited to be in a small town!  (There is just something about small-town Minnesotans.) During that day, the retiring English teacher showed me her curriculum map, walked me through the text books that she uses, and encouraged me to keep in touch with her in case I ever need any assistance.  I was also able to look at a few different places to live in town and settled on a cute, little, 2 bedroom apartment that is only about 2 blocks from the school!

Everything is falling into place and I couldn't be happier with the direction my life is taking! I am blessed to have been given this opportunity and I can't wait to dig in!

Next week, I am going to start my curriculum planning, so it's sure to be a busy time!

Best,
Ms. M

"So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable." -Christopher Reeve

Graduation

May 5th, 2012 - Graduation Commencement

I did it!

5 years of hard work and I'm finally able to continue on the pursuit of my dream! Without the love and encouragement I've received from those closest to me, I know I wouldn't be where I am today.  So, if you're one of those people, I can't say it enough: THANK YOU!

Best,

Ms. M

"I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder."   -G.K. Chesterton

My Last Day of Student Teaching in Photos

My last day of student teaching flew by! Before I knew it, it was 2:20 and the bell was ringing, putting an end to an absolutely amazing experience.  I was overwhelmed with the goodbyes I received. Over one hundred and twenty homemade cards/notes from students containing sentiments ranging from "Congrats" to "Good Luck" to "We'll Miss You!" were delivered to me throughout the day as well as little packages from Mrs. J and other teachers in the school.  I even had a student who was home sick send her mom in with a little gift for me! My heart melted... and remelted... throughout the entire day.  What a blessing! 

All of the gifts delivered throughout the day to me! Needless to say, it was an emotional day.



Below are some of the cards I received throughout the day.  Student's/ Teacher's names have been covered up. 

(Ms. Meltzer, we will all miss you very much!  You have been an amazing teacher, and you will be a wonderful teacher at your new school. Congradulations [sic] I am very happy for U.  Have a wonderful summer!!  PS: you will be an amazing teacher!)

 (Dear Ms. Meltzer, You are a totaly [sic] awesome teacher.  If I had to pick a teacher to teach all of my classes, it would be you.  Thank you for being patient with the chatter of the class. THANK YOU!!")

And of course, you can't forget about Spock! (If you can't read the caption, it says "good vulcan luck two [sic] you but I don't believe in luck but earthlings do so live long and prosper." So cute!

 And lastly, I came home to this little gift from my amazingly wonderful roommate! Some stickers, a sweet note, and a gift card to the local teaching supply store! So thoughtful!

Although I am still "digesting" the fact that I'm done student teaching, I am so excited for the journey that is to come and it starts tomorrow with graduation commencement! From here on out, everything will be an adventure and all I can say is, "Bring it on!"

Best,
Ms. M

"One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings. The curriculum is so much necessary raw material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child." ~Carl Jung 

The End... and The Beginning.

Here I sit,  2:20 pm on my last Friday as a student teacher. Looking around this empty classroom, my heart and mind are overwhelmed with emotion; sadness, excitement, and contentment are all appropriate ways to describe how I'm feeling.  All of the things that I expected student teaching to be, it was... and so much more. 

Early mornings, late nights spent grading, endless cups of coffee, and lesson plans galore.  These are the things that I expected my student teaching experience to be filled with- and, don't get me wrong, it was.  But, what I didn't expect was the joy, the countless laughs, or the amazing mentors I would be blessed with.  I find it hard to hold back my emotions when I think that this experience is about to be wrapped up in a neat little box and filed away in some vast compartment of my brain as one of those "Life Experiences."

I was placed in a 7th grade Language Arts classroom at a middle school in a suburban area for 17 weeks.... 17 weeks that felt like two.  I have dealt with cat fights, attitude problems, many many tears, and "I hate Miss Meltzer" written on desks (okay, that only happened once, but I'll never forget it!).  But, I have so many positive moments to cling to as well.  I have recieved multiple "Thank you, Ms. Meltzer" notes, drawings from budding artists, compliments on my hair or clothes, and the very best has been when I look out at my students and see excitement on their faces to be learning. 

I was placed in a wonderful Master Teacher's classroom.  Mrs. J is someone who I was able to recognize from day one as a teacher that I would love to be like.  The first day I observed her classroom, I was able to see how much the students liked and respected her, how passionate she was about education and what a great attitude she had about teaching and life in general.  She has been such an inspiration to me and I feel blessed to have had her as my mentor.  She has been very generous with praises and suggestions and really given me the opportunity to spread my wings and discover my own teaching style.

I'm leaving this experience so inspired, so determined to be the best teacher I can.  I have fallen head over heels in love with this career and feel so blessed that I get to do this for the rest of my life.  I have been touched in so many ways by each of these students and I will never forget how hearing them say, "Have a great weekend, Ms. Meltzer!" felt as they walked out the door today. 

This is truly the end of one chapter of my life... but the beginning of so much more.

I have accepted a middle school teaching position in a small Minnesotan town as a Langauge Arts teacher.  I will be moving in just over three months and "setting up shop," so to speak, in my new classroom.  I'm excited to share this journey with family and friends using Love, Inspire, Teach!

Best,
Ms. M

"The best teachers teach from the heart, not from the book." - Author Unknown