www.donorschoose.org/phobby

Please visit our page, and donate if you can! My first graders need tactile books, a mini laptop for centers, and bean bags!

I landed my first teaching job by being open to change

I landed my first teaching job by being open to change. I graduated in 1995, and the teaching market was flooded with new teachers. I went to a job fair at my college and interviewed with any city I was familiar with at all. My job came from a city where I used to go to the lake in high school. I didn't know anyone there, but I knew the area. I taught there for 2 years, and it was a great growing up experience for me.

Please visit my donorschoose webpage if you would like to see our class projects:
www.donorschoose.org/phobby

http://teachingjobsportal.com/blog/hire-me-the-quest-of-an-aspiring-teacher-blog-series-guidelines/
http://teachingjobsportal.com/

“How to land a Teacher Job” Blog Series Teacher Jobs Portal: "This post is part of the Teaching Jobs Portal: “How to land a Teacher Job”. What was your journey like to become a teacher? If you’d like to share your experience with other aspiring teachers please see this post for more information"

Differentiated Instruction

I have been trying to think of something to give my students who fidgit a lot. I read that pieces of ribbon are a good idea for young children, as they make no noise. Older kids can use stress balls, but my kids would not be able to focus on instruction with those.

Floor Puzzles Web Site Suggestions???

Does anyone know any great websites for floor puzzles that target first grade students and relate to reading and math curriculum? I have several ABC and number ones. I also have some specific ones (farm, community helpers, fire truck, ocean) that relate to stories we read.

Centers for reading and math

This year I have focused on creating more centers to use with my students. I have found many file folder games online that have helped build my collection. Focusing on the standards and targeting centers that enable my students to manipulate objects with their hands has made a difference in my classroom.

Beanbags - GREAT Idea

I recently purchased beanbags with letters on them. They are great for beginning, middle, and ending sounds in reading. My kids love to pick the correct letter and shoot it into a metal tub I have. After 15 years, I am still finding new things!

Spring Break

As we get closer and closer to Spring Break, my students get more and more wiggly. We will also be testing a week after we get back from break. I hope my students get all of there wiggles out over the break!

Student teachers

Wow, I am inspired by how positive the student teachers I talk to are, even though they know it will be hard to find a job this year. It is nice to see, and I enjoy their positive energy.

Lakeshore in Atlanta

Lakeshore has opened a bigger store in the Rome, Georgia area. It is wonderful. They had everything I was looking for, even a laminator. If you are looking for materials and you teach in Georgia, it is worth a visit.

Am I Open to Change?

My school system has built a new school, and several teaches will have to move from my school to the new one. I like to think I would be okay if I had to move. I enjoy teaching early intervention students, and hope that I will be able to continue to do that next year.

Fluency in first grade

I am trying to figure out new ways to focus on improving reading fluency (words read per minute) with my first grade students. My students are just learning to read simple books, but the required fluency rate by the end of first grade is 60 words per minute. Any ideas?

Bibb County, Macon, GA

What is happening with the Bibb County school system? I taught in this system for 7 years, and I can't believe all of the things that are happening. Problems with the superintendent, not reporting crime in schools, suspicions of testing violations, and questions about principals. Have all of these things been happening for years, and no one noticed until the can of worms was opened?

How to inspire others to pursue grants?

I'm having trouble convincing other teachers to pursue grant writing. I guess teacher's many times become overwhelmed with all of the paperwork required by the job alone, and they don't want to add to it. And, I guess lack of a guarantee of funding is a problem, too. I always think it's worth a try.

Grant Ideas

Do any teachers out there have any suggestions for great grants for early childhood teachers to apply for?

Doctoral Program

In my doctoral classes, my professors keep asking us what we want to do after we complete the program. Is staying in the classroom the wrong choice? Should I begin to think beyond the box of my school?

Dissertation Nerves

Anyone else working on or toward a dissertation in education? I am currently attempting to figure out what exactly I want to research. I am in a 3 year program, and almost finished with my first year. I am interested in what other teachers are researching. As an early intervention teacher, I would like to research how well these programs are designed in the state of Georgia. I've found very little when looking for previous research in this area.

Investigating Social Studies Standards for 1st grade

As I have researched social studies standards for first grade, I am amazed at the lack of specific national standards. Am I missing something? I can only find what students need to know by the end of 4th grade as far as the national standards are concerned. HELP!

Rural Education

I am currently working on a paper on issues in rural education. Any links or additional information anyone can provide would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Grants

Research grants on line, and apply for them. They can help you so much in these tight economic times. I realize that it is quite a bit of work, but well worth it when you get funding. I have applied for three recently, and been rewarded with great things for my students.

Bright Ideas - Tri-County Grant

I recently received a Bright Ideas grant in February. Thank you, thank you, thank you tri-county for providing my students with some great hands-on center activites.

Sonny Perdue friend or foe for Georgia Teachers

Pay for performance is being pushed through by certain legislators. As educators, we must let our legislators know we are against this. Remember, teachers can have powerful voices if we stand together in what we believe.

donorschoose.org on Facebook

You can link your donorschoose projects to your facebooks account. Also, don't forget to create a teacher page, it helps.