Clap your hands!
About a week ago, I was feeling pretty frustrated with this whole teaching thing. I was worrying whether or not the way I was feeling physically, had to do with the stress of my job.
And then I received an email that put a huge smile on my face. Now, keep in mind, the thing that put a huge smile on my face is not something that everyone would get excited and happy about. Understand too, that I am VERY passionate about edtech!
The email stated that the district would begin implementing BYOD in April, and was I interested in being one of the teachers who pilot it? I would get a chrome notebook, Apple TV etc..., the rest was a blur. I had a grin on my face for the rest of the day. I was happy! :-) Yeah, I'm easy.
It made me think, what makes my students happy? I know they have no choice, they have to be there. But the year we spend together is so much more enjoyable when they're happy to be there. And no, every day is not going to be idyllic, but if a larger percent of it is, my job is so much easier.
And I mean, productive happy. You know, and I know, some of our students would be happy doing absolutely nothing all day. Or happy socializing. Or texting. And I definitely don't mean "running all over the teacher, do whatever I want" happy either.
What are some things that make my students happy?
- Morning Meeting sharing
- Brainpop jokes and Wonderopolis videos
- time on the computer
- Creating: videos, comic strips, animations,etc...
- blogging
- Mystery Skypes
- lunch with the teacher
- my laughter
- figuring out, and then getting, the right answer
- Dojo points
- pen pal letters
- tweeting
- Read Aloud
- connecting on Edmodo
photo credit: katerha via photopin cc
A spiritual principle teaches, "Seek first the Kingdom of Heaven" Now I'm not a religious guy, but I DO believe in proven scientific AND spiritual principles. The science part tells us that when we're happy, there is a biochemical rush through our body which then changes our electronic charge (yes, it really IS positive energy!) Like attracts like; happiness is contagious. Yes, INDEED! A happy class makes for a happy teacher!
ReplyDeleteThe spiritual part is just plain common sense, too. Think about it - if you were in heaven right now, how would you feel? Wouldn't you feel HAPPY? Then simple math tells us that Heaven = the State of Happiness.
Seek first the Kingdom of Heaven (aka Happiness) and all other things will be added! Simple!
All the best from Toronto,
Russ
I think that is a very important thing to think about. Students do not get the choice to not go to school or to learn about only the topics or do activities that they are interested in. They have to show up and learn whether they care or not and the teacher has to be the inspiration for them to learn. If a teacher can make a classroom more interesting and happy then their day will be easier as well.
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