What will be YOUR word for 2021?

Have you picked a word of the year before?

This will be my first year doing so, and I love the simplicity of choosing one word to help steer my goals for the year.  Instead of selecting multiple specific goals to try and achieve, I will be choosing one word that will be present at the forefront of my mind.  This word will be a word that is overarching, allowing smaller goals and accomplishments to fit within it.  

So....what is my word? 

I am selecting the word open.

I want my mind to be open to taking risks professionally.  I want to be open to trying new things and receiving advice.     

I want my heart to be open to forgiveness.  I want to move on from hurt and heartache, and push forward to a happier future.

I want to be open in every situation.  Be truly present.  Enjoy every moment without distraction. 

Need help selecting a word of the year? Check out this post from blogger Elizabeth McKnight.  She gives some great inspirational word examples and a more in-depth explanation on the benefits of choosing one word to guide your focus.   

What will be your word?  I would love if you would share!

Have a happy new year!  Stay safe and healthy!

8 Virtual Holiday Classroom Party Ideas

Tomorrow is the last day with kids (remotely) before we depart for our winter break.  Typically, when our learning mode is in-person, it is a day filled with Christmas caroling (other school's visit us), holiday sing-a-longs, festive art projects, seasonal games, yummy treats....ohhhh and a splash of learning (Ha!).  I sure am going to miss the sights, sounds and smells this year....

Since school began, we have been hitting the ground running.  When our district switched to fully remote, we didn't take our foot off the gas of academics.  We have been teaching, teaching, teaching......so I think it is high time I gave my students a little break.  Tomorrow I plan to spend some of our zoom times doing something a little merry!  

Check out the ideas below (that require little to no prep), if you want to plan something merry too! 

1. Directed Drawings: Share your screen and play a video that walks students (step by step) on how to draw seasonal sights.  Some of my favorite directed drawings are by Whimsy Workshop Teaching  and One Fab Teacher. 

2. Zoom in/Zoom Out Game: Create a Powerpoint or Google Slides presentation of various festive images.  Share your screen zoomed really far in on the image.  Gradually zoom out and have students guess what the image is. 

3. Charades: Send students a private message in Zoom, and have them act out a holiday item, movie or song!

4. Pictionary: Send students a private message in Zoom, and have them draw a holiday item, movie or song.  Students could use the whiteboard feature on zoom, or just grab a piece of paper and pencil!.

5. Read-A-Louds: Who doesn't love a good story read aloud to them?  Pick one of your favorite holiday books and share it with your class.  If you don't have any good holiday books on hand, check out Storyline Online which has celebrities read popular book titles.  There are some great holiday books on their website!  You can also find A LOT of read alouds on YouTube!

6. Christmas Movies:  Share your screen and play a quick Chirstmas cartoon or short movie!  There are lots of great options on multiple streaming sites.  Make sure to not violate any copyright laws! :) 

7. Holiday snack time:  Have students bring their favorite snack or drink to the zoom.  Or maybe you want it to be more specific, like a popcorn party.  Maybe a hot cocoa party?  Munching while working is always fun!

8. Scavenger Hunt: This idea is a bit more engaging and interactive, but also super easy!  Create a list of household items most students would have in their homes.  During your zoom class call or show an item on the screen to see who can find it the fastest.  You can show/say the items one at a time, or give them the whole list all at once. 

While I know these ideas aren't the holiday party we all want or are used to, they are still fun and memorable for the kids.  So enjoy your time and Merry Christmas! 

Classroom Christmas Gifts

Each year I get my kiddos a little something for Christmas. I keep it small and affordable--because, let's face it--buying gifts for 25+ kids can get expensive!

In past years I have made Rudolph suckers. They are adorable--and cheap!  If you want the full set of directions on how to make them, click here.  

I have also had a hot cocoa party with lots of toppings.  We sipped this delicious treat while we watched a Christmas movie.  

I know, I know....watching a movie in school is a big loss of instructional time...but it was tasty and fun! :)  If you are looking for a good hot cocoa recipe that can be made in a crock pot, click here. 

This year I am struggling with ideas, as we will more than likely be fully remote.  I was thinking of doing a dress up day (dress like an elf, in Christmas colors, ugly sweater, etc.).  Or perhaps, we will do a virtual sing along?!?

How do you plan to celebrate Christmas with you class this year if you are fully remote?  

All About Word Sorts Part 2: Types of Sorts

Welcome to post two in the All About Word Sorts series. :)  Today I will describe the many types of sorts you can have your students complete!  

But...before I get to that, if you are interested in the "why" behind using sorts, make sure you check out post one by clicking here.  

Below are 13 different sorts you can have your students complete with their list of words.  If you are unsure what words to include in a word sort, you can administer a spelling inventory to the student to determine what encoding level they are at.  Or, you could pair your word list with the phonics concept you are teaching to your class. Word lists don't have to be limited to a phonics skill--they could also be organized around vocabulary or grammar. 

1. Closed Sort (regular sort): Students sort their words by a specific spelling pattern determined by the teacher.  Words could also be sorted by meaning. 

2. Open Sort (alternate sort): Students sort their words any way they wish.  All options are open, as long as the student is able to explain they way he/she sorted.

3. Buddy Sort (partner sort): The student selects a partner.  Both partners work together to sort the words.  

4. Blind Sort: Students work with a partner.  Headers are placed at the top of the page.  Partner A picks up the word and reads the word aloud without showing it to Partner A.  Partner B points to the category in which the word belongs. 

5. Blind Sort (Writing): Students work with a partner.  Headers are placed at the top of the page.  Partner A picks up the word and reads the word aloud without showing it to Partner A.  Partner B writes the word in the correct category.  Partner A checks the spelling. 

6. Speed Sort (timed sort): Students will sort words as fast as they can.  For extra fun have students keep track of their time, and then try to sort faster a second time.  

7. Memory Sort: Lay words face down.  Flip up two words.  If they have the same pattern or concept, you have a match.  If you wend with odd cards, the game is over.

8. Sentence Sort: Write sentences using your words.

9. Magazine Sort: Use a magazine and find words that fit the pattern you are using.  Write them down using headings to organize the words.

10. Change Sort: Take words from your list and create a new word by changing one letter (ex. cat to hat) 

11. Concept Sort: Pictures and words are sorted by meaning and categories, instead of a spelling pattern.

12. Word Hunt: Use a book and find words that fit the pattern you are using.  Write them down using headings to organize the words.

13. Draw and Label: Take words from you list and draw pictures to match.  Write the word under the picture..

See.....So. Many. Things!  Isn't it great!!  

For post three, we will be talking about word sort instructional routines....so stay tuned!

If you would like to download the 13 activities listed above on a one-pager, just click the image below which will take you to Mind Sparks Teachers Pay Teacher's Store.  Once there, you will be able to download the description of the sort activities for free. 

TPT's Cyber Monday Sale

The black Friday and cyber sales are starting!!  What a great time to purchase gifts for your family, friends (and yourself!).  Teachers Pay Teacher's  two-day-only sale starts Monday, November 30th at 12:01am and runs until Tuesday, December 1st.   Most items are 20% off, but buyers can receive an additional 5% when they enter code "cyber20" at checkout.  

Many sellers have spent hours adapting their printable resources into something that can be used digitally.  Also many sellers have poured time and energy into creating resources perfect for remote/distance learning. Now is a perfect time to stock up and save on resources you have been eyeing!

I hope everyone has a chance to take advantage of the two-day-only sale!  

Happy shopping!

All About Word Sorts Part 1: Why Use Word Sorts?

How do you help students master spelling patterns? 

Current research tells us the drill and kill method of giving students a list of words on Monday and then testing on Friday, just doesn't cut it.  This traditional method doesn't help kids discover patterns in words or help them see the how the English language can be predictable. 

So what should teachers do instead?  The answer: Word study.

What is word study? 

According to this Reading Rockets article, word study provides students with opportunities to investigate an understand the patterns in words.  When students have a knowledge in word patterns, this means they won't have to spell words one at a time. 

Often times one of the main components of word study is word sorts.  Word sorts are typically organized around a phonics concept (short vowels, blends, digraphs, silent e, etc.).  Teachers provide direct instruction in the given phonics pattern and then let students "play" with the language through sorts.  There are SO MANY types of sorts you can do with students, along with a ton of extension activities.  The best part--when students are sorting the words they are training their brain to compare, contrast, categorize and find patterns in the words. 

Using word sorts will help students become better spellers AND better readers!  According to "Why America Can't Read" by  J. Richard Gentry published in Psychology Today there is unequivocal research that proves that spelling matters for reading.  Dr. Gentry cites research from cognitive psychologist Dan Willingham that states spelling is the spark that ignites reading circuity in our brains, and if teaching spelling is done effectively it will help solve America's reading problems. 

Have I piqued your interest in sorts yet?

Stay tuned to this blog series, where I will cover all you need to know about word sorts!

Post 1: Why Use Sorts

Post 2: Types of Sorts

Post 3: Word Sort Instructional Routines

Post 4: Assessment & The Spelling Inventory

Post 5: Word Sort Resources

Fall Craftivity & Creative Writing (Freebie)

Fall is my favorite season. 

I love the weather. The smells.  The colors. The FOOD!  The activities you get to do with your family.  I just love it all. :) 

There is just soooooooo much to be thankful for during this season of the year, which I love to highlight with my students when they do the Fall Favorite Things Craftivity. 

Not sure what a craftivity is?  Well.....it is a craft and activity combined into one...a craftivity!

For this craftivity, students take a leaf and divide it into multiple sections.  In each section they write something they are thankful for, or something they enjoy about fall. Then they draw a picture to represent each word.  See below for an example. :) 

If you want to extend this craftivity for more learning, you can have students write a paragraph describing their leaf and reasons why they chose the word they did.  The template below would be a great guide to help students organize their thoughts. 

If you are interested in completing this craftivity with your students, click here to download it for free!

Happy fall!

Nonsense Word Fluency Part 3: Instructional focus for each stage of word reading

Welcome to the final post in the three part series about nonsense word fluency!  Today we will spend time on the instructional focus for each stage of word reading. But....before we jump to that, lets remember two important things. 

1. We know that giving students a nonsense word fluency assessment is important!  If you don't know, then read part one in this series by clicking here. This will tell you all the reasons why nonsense word fluency assessments are crucial.

2. We know the three stages of word reading are sound by sound, partial blends and whole word reading. Want more information about that?  Then click here to check out part two of this blog series which defines the three stages.

So....what exactly should the instructional focus at each stage of word reading be?   

When students are in stage one: sound by sound reading, teachers should first make sure that students are accurate at the letter sound level.  Teachers can do this by doing a simple letter sound assessment. Download a free assessment from Reading Rockets by clicking here. If students are not accurate at the letter sound level, more instruction should be given to letters and sounds.  

If a student IS accurate with letters and sounds, instructional time should be spent on onset and rime.  For example in the word /cat/, students should first identify and say the rime /at/ and then add the onset /c/ to the rime.  

It is great practice to have students spot the vowel and then blend to the end.  For more ideas check out this blog series on stopping sound by sound reading.  

When students are in stage two: partial blends, teachers should make sure students are accurate with partial blends.  If students are not accurate, make sure they have a mastery of short vowels and all letter sounds and keep working on spotting the vowel and blending to the end. 

If students ARE accurate, instructional time should be spent on getting students to do rime reading inside their brain.  Ask students to silently blend the onset and rime and then produce the whole word aloud.  You may sound like a broken record, "Tony great job sounding out that rime and onset, but try doing it inside your brain on the next word."   

When students have achieved stage three: unitizing the whole word, it is imperative you make sure students are accurate at this level.  If students are inaccurate instruction should focus on accuracy with partial blends and rime/reading done in the reader's brain. 

If the student is accurate at this level his/her instructional focus should be on automaticity and fluency in connected text.  This means reading, reading, reading!

The PERFECT Halloween Costume for a Teacher

 Yup.....Halloween is next week.

Do you have your costume planned? OR.....are you like me and have waited until the last minute? EEEEEKKK!

If you want something easy, cheap and QUICK to make.....check out the notebook paper idea below.  I made it a few years back and still have it! 

Making it is pretty straight forward---you just need some sharpies, a white shirt and a ruler.  BUT....if you want more step by step directions click here. 

This year my school is going with a Sesame Street theme.....so yours truly will be Abby Cadabby.  

What will your costume be this year? 

Halloween Snack Ideas: cheap, easy and healthy!

Halloween is right around the corner, and I am ready for a spooooky good time!

Normally my school has a costume parade where kids proudly walk the halls, while parents line the perimeter and snap blurry photos. Ha!  Kids then return to their classrooms to get sugared up and play games.

Due to Covid safety precautions, Halloween celebrations will look differently at our school this year.  Our students will still be able to dress up, although no parade.  We will still have classroom parties, although no parents.  I know it won't be "the same"....and that is okay! I am so thankful my school district takes Covid seriouslyand does what it can to keep all staff and students safe.  Plus we have some amazingly creative and talented teachers and I know they will put on a fa-boo-lous time for their students!

For the past few years, I have passed out some healthier treats to the intervention students I see.  I figure they get enough sugary snacks during their parties, so why not give them something cute and healthy?!?

The two items I hand out are cheap and easy to make! :) One is a string cheese ghost and the other is a jack o' lantern made form mandarin oranges.   

To make the cheese ghosts and jack o' lantern you need a pack of string cheese, cups of mandarin oranges (peaches work too!) and a black sharpie.  Break apart the snacks and use the sharpie to color on eyes, mouth and a nose.  Super easy, right?  

I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday!   

Nonsense Word Fluency Part 2: Three Stages of Word Reading

Welcome to part two in the three part series about nonsense word fluency.  If you missed part one, make sure you check it out by clicking here.  Part one gives the reason why teachers should be assessing students on nonsense words. 

For this post we will be defining the three stages of word reading-- sound by sound, partial blends and whole word reading.  Using a nonsense word fluency assessment, a teacher is able to determine which of the three stages a reader is at.  It is important to note that all students progress through these stages on their journey to read accurately and fluently. Knowing which stage students are in will help teachers plan their instructional focus.   

The fist stage is sound by sound reading.  Sound by sound reading is exactly as it sounds, the student individually pronounces each phoneme and then blends the sounds together to form the word.  In some cases the child may not blend, or blend incorrectly.  This is the most basic, and very first stage in word reading.

The second stage is partial blends.  This is when students are able to blend the rime together and then blend the rime with the onset.  For example in the word cat the student would say /c/ /at/ and then blend the onset and rime and read cat. In some cases the student may blend the rime first /at/ and then blend the onset with the rime to say the whole word /cat/.   This stage is more advanced than sound by sound reading. 

The final stage of word reading is unitizing the word.  This is the most advanced stage of word reading, and the stage we want all kids to arrive at.  Unitizing is when the student sees the word in text, thinks the word and says the word.  The students brain is able to instantly see the letters, know their sounds and blend the sounds to read the word--their phonological and orthographic processor are working efficiently and simultaneously.

Below is an example of how I record my NWF assessments.  I place a line under each letter if the student is at stage 1: sound by sound.  I place a longer line under the rime and a short line under the onset if the student is at stage 2: partial blends.  I place a long line under the whole word if the student is at stage 3: unitizing.  This is a really easy way to track which stage your students are at.  

Now that we have an understanding of the three stages of word reading, the next logical question is what should the instructional focus be at each stage?

Well.....stay tuned my friends......that will be the third post in this three part series. :) 

Nonsense Word Fluency Part 1: Why Nonsense Words?

Many benchmark screeners and curriculums require teachers to administer nonsense word fluency (NWF) tests to their students.  I often hear, "Why do they have to read these silly words---I want them to be reading REAL words!"  Or kids will say, "I would do better if these words were real!"   I must admit...I WAS one of those teachers.  BUT, that was before I understood the purpose behind these assessments and what I could learn from the data. So, what exactly do these tests tell us, and why are they so important?

What do these tests tell us?

NWF tests measure a students ability to decode individual phonemes and then blend the phonemes together to read.  These assessments are a great indicator of a students progression with alphabetic principal, or the understanding that letters and spoken sounds have a systematic and predictable relationship.  Data from these assessments will give a teacher a window into where the student falls on the phonics continuum. 

Lets take the example below.  John is reading sound by sound (the dashes below each letter tell us this) and he is having difficulty with short vowels and letter reversals for b and d.  Specifically he is having trouble with short vowel a and e. 

NWF tests are particularly important because it will TRULY show you if a student has a phonics skill mastered and if they are able to apply it in word reading.  If we were to give students word reading assessments with real words, we may get a lot mastery "false positives" for phonics skills.  In real word assessments students may have already been exposed to the word or have it memorized.  

Additionally these tests tell us what stage of word reading students are at.  Are students reading sound by sound, partial blends or unitizing?  We will explore what each of these stages mean in a later blog post--so stay tuned!

What do I do with the data?

These assessments should pinpoint where a student needs instruction. In the example above, the teacher should work with John on b and d letter reversals and short vowels.

An NWF assessment may also prompt the teacher into giving a further diagnostic.  For example if the student does really poorly he or she will need letter sounds and naming (if using a cvc NWF).  If a student makes zero mistakes, maybe a harder NWF should be given, or a phonics screener to determine an area of focus.  

Once you have determined the starting place for the student (either though an additional diagnostic, or through information collected from the NWF) its time to plan your instruction.

Instruction should be direct, explicit and have many opportunities for the student to practice at the word, sentence and decodable passage level.  For ideas on direct and explicit instruction check out some of these blog posts below:

Mastering Short Vowels

At a Loss For Words

After the students have had sufficient practice administer another NWF test with the instructed upon skill to determine if they have reached mastery. 

There is lots more to explore with nonsense word fluency!  I will be exploring the following topics during this blog series......so come back for more learning!

Part 1: Why Nonsense Words? 

Part 2: The three stages of word reading

Post 3: The instructional focus for each stage of word reading

What's On Your Plate?

A few weeks ago I was preparing professional development for first and second year teachers in my school district.  New teachers not only need the basics of classroom management, routines, procedures and relationships....but this year they also need training on how to effectively be a remote educator.  

The first year of teaching is difficult under normal circumstances, but this is no normal year.  I feel for these first year teachers as so much extra is being added to their already overflowing plate.  

To acknowledge the amount of stress each new teacher is facing, I started with a What's On Your Plate? activity.   This is a great activity to use with any age (youth all the way to adults)! The purpose of the activity is for participants to honor all of the issues and tasks they have on their mind.

We have all heard the analogy, "My plate is really full." Which is a code phrase for, "My brain is so full, I literally can't fit any more in it!"  We have all been there.  We all know how stressful a full or overflowing plate can be.  

Whats On Your Plate? gives participants a chance to get all of those thoughts swimming around in their brains out on paper.  This activity acknowledges how many responsibilities and commitments everyone has, and then allows them to set those thoughts aside and be fully present for the meeting, class period, activity, etc.  See below for materials, instructions and plate example.

    

Bonus Sale!

This school year looks very different for all of us, but Teachers Pay Teachers is here to help! Starting tomorrow (Tuesday, September 15th) TPT is having a one-day-only sale until 11:59pm.  Most items are 20% off, but buyers can receive an additional 5% when they enter code "extrabonus" at checkout.  

TPT wants to make sure teachers have the resources they need to support students--including tons of digital items! 

Many sellers have spent hours turning their printable resources into something that can be used digitally.  I personally have made all of my resources available to be used digitally, which includes one of my most popular items: paragraph writing frames.

To use the writing frames digitally buyers simply choose the pages they want to use and add them to Google Classroom.  Students then answer the questions/complete the activity digitally.

Buyers also have the option to customize TPT digital activities for their students by adding additional annotations within the interactive layer of the resources.  Here is an example of what a student would see when completing a digital summary frame over a text they have read.  

I hope everyone has a chance to take advantage of the one-day-only sale!  

Happy shopping!

Enter to win 100 dollars from TPT!

Who loves a giveaway?  

I sure do!  

Enter for your chance to win a $100 dollar gift card to TPT!  Whoop Whoop!  The giveaway ends September 13th and is open worldwide.

a Rafflecopter giveaway This is a monthly contest hosted by An Apple for the Teacher (Kelly Malloy).  If you don't win this month, come back in October for another chance to win!  Best of luck!

If you are a teacher blogger or TPT seller who wants to participate in giveaways like these, click here.  This is a great way to help your business grow and join a totally awesome group of bloggers!

A Strong Foundation Creates a Successful School Year

The secret to success on the first few days, and for the remainder of school year, is having a plan! This plan should include laying a strong foundation.  A strong foundation includes preparations for building and maintaining relationships, creating classroom routines, behavior management, communication and organization of your classroom supplies. 

Much like a builder on a construction site, you classroom NEEDS a strong foundation in order to have a positive and strong impact for your students.  Laying the foundation starts on minute one of day one.  The first days will set the tone for the set the tone for the rest of the school year.  

Before you begin your first day it is important to reflect and see if you have plans in place for creating relationships, classroom routines, behavior management, communication and organization of your supplies.  Use the following graphic organizer and see if you can answer the following questions.  If you are finding yourself struggling with a particular area--reach out to you a colleague, your mentor or administration.  Schools are families--and I guarantee someone at your building would love to help you! 

Relationships

1. How will students get to know you?
2. How will you get to know your students?
3. How will your students get to know one another? 

Routines

1. What routines do your students need to know?
2. How will you teach them?
3. How will they practice the routines? 

Classroom Management

1. How will you prevent problem behavior? 
2. What are the student expectations?
3. What is your philosophy?
4. How will you co-construct the agreements/rules together?
5. How will you encourage positive behavior? 

Communication 

1. How will you promote all of the awesome things you are going to do this year?
2. Will you use social media?
3. How will you keep communication positive?  

Classroom Organization

1. How will you decorate your classroom?
2. Where will you put supplies?
3. What will be the best way to organize to keep your transitions efficient? 
4. How will students organize their supplies? 

Click the image below to download the above guiding questions and a graphic organizer to record your thoughts.  It's free! :) 

If you are looking for more information on classroom routines, I would highly recommend checking out Teachers Pay Teachers.  There are TONS of free checklists for routines and procedures for all grade levels.    

Additionally, check out "You Only Get One First Day,"  which is a great article from Edutopia.  

Starfish Story--You are making a difference!

Many teachers across the nation are preparing to head back to school in the upcoming weeks, while some have already began their year.  Depending on where you teach (state, county, school district) your first days, weeks and months may be 100% virtual, 100% in person or a blend of both.  

In a typical start to school, it is easy to get bogged down with never ending to-do lists, supplies to buy, curriculum to learn, and professional development to attend to.  However this year --we have So. Much. More added to our "back to school year plate." 

Therefore, it is of upmost importance that we spend some time reflecting on "why" we chose this profession.  Each year I elect to read (and keep posted in my classroom) a poem adapted from Loren Eiseley's work titled "The Starfish Story."  It is a perfect message for teachers to recall why we do what we do.  We are here to invest in youth.  Invest in our future. 

Often I present professional development to first and second year teachers, and I like to give them this poem as they leave training.  Attached to the poem, I glue a small plastic starfish to serve as a reminder  of our true purpose in education.  I know first year teachers will reach point in the school year when teaching seems too hard and they feel as if they are barely keeping their head above water.  My hope is that they will look at that little starfish,  and take a moment to refocus and realize the impact they are making. 

If you would like to share "The Starfish Story" with your colleagues, click the first image above or click below to download the poem for free.  If you are wanting to hand out little starfish--I purchased a 30 pack of of starfish from Amazon for under 10 dollars.  You can find the plastic starfish by clicking here.  

A Teacher's Hierarchy of Needs

I have spent a lot of time blogging about self care lately.  I suppose it is top of mind for me, as I know how stressful this upcoming school year is going to be.  Teaching, by nature, is normally stressful but this year teachers will have heightened and unprecedented amounts of stress placed on us.

We must give ourselves permission to do a mental self-check to make sure that we are doing alright. I loved the analogy the Distance Learning Playbook illustrated.  If we are on an airplane and it begins to go down without warning, we must first place an oxygen mask on ourselves before we attend to others.  This same analogy applies to this school year.  We have to make sure our oxygen mask is properly fitted to us, before we can help anyone else. 

Doing a self-check to see how we you are doing mentally is a great way to stay emotionally aware and in check.  A great tool to check in with yourself is Maslow's hierarchy of needs pyramid.  Maslow ordered human needs--starting with the most basic needs of humans (food, water, sleep) and progressing to deeper needs (do I feel connected to something greater than me?) In order to be able to get to the top (a healthier mental state), we must satisfy the needs in the previous steps of the pyramid.  If we, or students, are stuck on the lower steps our behavior can be impacted and we are not functioning at our best potential.     

On each level in Maslow's hierarchy ask yourself the reflective question to see if your needs are being met.  If you are unable to answer yes to the question, try some of the tips suggested. 

Level 1-- Physiological (Basic Needs)

These are your most basic necessities such as being fed, getting enough sleep and living in a safe environment.  

Reflection question: Are my basic needs met?

Tips: Drink more water to stay hydrated.  Try a meal delivery service.  Go for a walk outside or garden.  Set a specific bedtime and don't drink caffeine six hours before bed.  Remove electronics from the bedroom.    

Level 2-Safety and Protection needs

This stage is about safety--in a physical and material sense.  Do you feel secure with your finances, health and safety?

Reflection question: Do I feel safe?

Tips: Record your worries and fears in a journal.  Listen to calming music.  Talk to a banker or financial advisor.  Create a safety plan.  Try a meditation app.  Schedule a doctor's appointment.  Identify areas that lack order and develop a plan to organize them. 

Level 3--Love and social being

This stage is all about relationships.  First we must have a positive relationship with ourselves.  We must first accept who we are, however human nature is to search for other's support so we can create the best version of ourselves.  With this stage we need to have positive and healthy relationships, be it friends, family or colleagues.   Love, affection and acceptance are imperative to give us a sense of belonging. 

Reflection question: Do I feel like I belong?

Tips: Be present in the moment when you are with friends and family.  Put away your cell phone while having conversations.  Stay connected with colleagues by going to events you are invited to.  Give yourself permission to let go of toxic relationships.  Hide negative people on social media. 

Level 4--Esteem

This stage refers to desire to have esteem for oneself (feeling of achievement, mastery, dignity) and the desire to have respect from others (status, prestige, etc.)

Reflection question: Do I feel confident?

Tips: Recite self affirmations.  Tame and re frame it (look for the positive in something that could otherwise be seen as negative).  Make sure the goals you have set for yourself are realalisitc.  Check your thoughts--are they based off assumption or reality? 

Level 5--Self Actualization

This stage is the realization of a person's potential and peak experiences.  At this stage, one will desire to accomplish everything they can and become the most that one can be. Each person will have a different focus and goal. One may want to be an ideal parent while another may want to excel as a professional athlete.

Reflection question: Am I living my best life?

Tips:  Choose work that you love.  Know yourself and identify when your needs aren't being met.  Find the best time to get things done. 

Level 6--Transcendence 

This stage is being able to overcome the limits of yourself.  It is the idea that you have completely explored your own potential, and you are now focused on something that is bigger than you. 

Reflection question: Do I feel connected to something greater than myself? 

Tips: Write a thank you note.  Keep a gratitude journal.  Seek inspiration in books, movies, art, scripture, quotes, etc.   Share what you are grateful for.  

If you are interested in a deeper dive into Maslow's hierarchy of needs, I suggest the book Take Time For You by Tina H. Boogren, PhD.  Tina is a former classroom teacher, English department chair, instructional coach, professional developer, athletic coach, author and building level leader.  She wrote this book to provide teachers resources, strategies, self care surveys and reflective questions to guide them on a clear path to well being. 

Also, I have created a free reflection tool for teachers.  This resource includes guiding questions for each stage of Maslow's hierarchy, tips for each stage and a reflection graphic organizer. Click the image below to take you to TPT where the product can be downloaded for free.  This would be a great resource to provide teachers with during this back to school season, or several months/weeks into the school year. 

Furthermore, if you want to know about Maslow's needs and how it relates to students during this Covid crisis,  check out the recent article from ASCD titled Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and the Covid Crisis .

As always, if life gets to be too much and you begin to experience overwhelming anxiety, sadness or stress please seek professional help.  

Stay safe and healthy!

50 Self Care Ideas for Teachers

It wasn't until Covid-19 hit and we began "crisis teaching," that I realized the importance of self care.  I didn't take issue with others and their self-care routines, but I didn't do it myself....I just thought it was unnecessary.  In fact I probably would have called self care for myself a waste of time.  I mean...I didn't have time to paint my nails, read a book for pleasure or listen to my favorite podcast.  I had work to do.  I had a toddler to chase around. I had dinner to cook.  Laundry to fold......and the list goes on and on.  However, now I realize how essential self-care is.  

It isn't selfish to love yourself, take care of yourself and make your happiness a priority.  It's necessary. If you are constantly giving your all to everyone else or everything else, then you will eventually burn out.  Your cup will be empty and you will have nothing left to give. You aren't saying "me first," but rather "me too." 

 

For this upcoming school year it will be more important than ever to create a self-care plan.  The back to school season is normally full of stress, anxiety, lack of sleep and excitement....but through Covid-19 in the mix and.....yikes!  

So, please take a moment and read through the 50 self care actions you can take to nurture yourself.    Pick your favorites, or try all of them.  If it takes you scheduling self care on your calendar---then do it.  Make. Yourself. A. Priority.

If your school year will be remote or hybrid (both remote and in-person), make sure you check out an earlier post I had (Teacher Self Care) which gives tips on creating a plan to keep you mentally healthy during distance learning.

If life gets to be too much and you begin to experience overwhelming, anxiety, sadness or stress please seek professional help.  You aren't good to anyone else, unless you have taken care of yourself first. 

Feel free to click this link, where you can download the self care printable.  Perhaps share it with a colleague who you know needs some self care.  Maybe make it a challenge at your building this year--who can be the first to complete all 50?

Back to School Sale!

Mark your calendars for August 4th and 5th!  It is officially TPT's Back to School Sale!  Whoop Whoop!

Most sellers have set their ENTIRE stores set to 20% off, but you can receive an additional 5% discount if you enter code: BTS20 at checkout.  This is a wonderful time to get all the items on your wish list for a fraction of the cost!  I know I have my cart loaded up and ready to go for Tuesday!

All products in my store are 20%, including my three most popular sellers listed below!