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I'm BAAA-AAACK!


#abetterversionofme2018
Not only am I back in HCMC, not only am I back to work, but I am also back in the classroom this academic year! 
Woop! Woop! 

I truly enjoyed my position as Elementary Lead Teacher throughout the last school year - I learned so so much, but, truth be told, I really really missed working with students on a day-to-day basis. 

This year, I get to experience the best of both worlds; I am continuing my position as Elementary Lead Teacher (0.5), but I am also back in the classroom teaching Grade 4 English (0.5). 

School began just over a week ago and though I am still getting familiar with my schedule and my students, I'm already loving everything (ok, well almost everything) about being back in the classroom.

Here are just a few of the things that I've implemented so far in an effort to make my class a more enjoyable place to learn...

-Decorating the classroom - Coming into this school year, I chose to keep things very simple; I wanted to decorate the classroom with the students' pictures and work so that they develop a sense of belonging.
The classroom on the first day of school
Students' pictures and work are slowly being added all around the room

-Morning and afternoon centers - I've chosen to start every day with 20 minutes of center time so that students begin their time in my class happy and engaged; "secretly" I also get them developing their social skills and work habits.
As soon as they enter the room, students are playing games like -
 HeadzUp, Jenga, Uno, Connect 4, Scrabble, Dominos, Chess...
-Mindfulness - we haven't done much of it yet, but I'm hoping to integrate more mindful practice as the year goes on.
First attempt at Mindfulness - we got lots of work to do!
-In-class house challenges - they may not have turned out exactly as expected so far, but in an effort to push the idea of teamwork, I'm setting up weekly house challenges every Friday afternoon.
First we did house cheers, then quilt-style banners
-Teaching vocabulary - I've been taking the time to teach new vocabulary words using a variety of strategies, such as translations, definitions, examples, pictures, songs, games and actions and I've already been super impressed with the results.
Can you guess the word he's acting out?
-Class Dojo - I've chosen to use ClassDojo to positively motivate the students to do well in class; I give away team house points as well as individual points every day which lead up to naming a Learner of the week as well as a House Team winner.
First Learner of the Week award for the 2018-2019 school year
holding a certificate and a JUMBO trophy
One last thing that I'm trying to do this year is to take the time to eat lunch with my students a few times a week. I'm hoping to build stronger relationships with the kids and to get to know them in another context outside of the classroom. 
So far, I've been LOVING it - and the kids have too!

There are no doubt some highs and some lows when it comes to teaching, but I'm doing everything I can this year to emphasize the good times and enjoy those special moments with the kids.

Stay tuned for future updates on what's happening in class 4.1!!! 


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