Positive Thinking Thursday

I am linking up with Mrs. Laffin's Laughings for 

Positive Thinking Thursday! 

Sometimes you have to be the optimistic one!

Positive Thinking Thursday

I am linking up with Mrs. Laffin's Laughings for 

Positive Thinking Thursday! 

Start your day off on the right foot!

I think it makes a big difference.

Positive Thinking Thursday

I am linking up with Mrs. Laffin's Laughings for 

Positive Thinking Thursday! 

Teaching is a lot of work, but so is learning.

I think this quote applies to both teachers and students!

Positive Thinking Thursday

I am linking up with Mrs. Laffin's Laughings for 

Positive Thinking Thursday! 

The power of a positive attitude!

Nobody wants to hang out with the Debbie Downer.

There's always something to complain about, but we can't dwell in our complaints.

Positive Thinking Thursday

I am linking up with Mrs. Laffin's Laughings for 

Positive Thinking Thursday! 

The Twits.

'Nuff said.

Positive Thinking Thursday

I am linking up with Mrs. Laffin's Laughings for 

Positive Thinking Thursday! 

Things are a-changin' in education, and some people are not getting onboard.

I get it - change is a toughie. 

But I think that some of the changes are positive. 

Like holding our students to higher standards and expecting more from them.

Some teachers I know complain a lot about the new curriculum we're using, and how maybe studying Ancient Greece is above second graders' heads, but when it clicks, it's pretty cool. My students are talking about Alexander the Great, Sparta, and cit-states...and I'm embracing the changes!

Positive Thinking Thursday

I am linking up with Mrs. Laffin's Laughings for 

Positive Thinking Thursday! 

Even after the worst day of teaching in the world, there had to have been one thing that went right.

A few years ago I had a bad day. I'm talking the worst. Like nightmare-inducing. I still tremble at the thought. Everything that could go wrong did go wrong. Later that night, I checked my email. A parent had written me an email explaining that her daughter (her lovely, fabulous, do no wrong daughter) had come home and talked about the day and how upset I had been because of some other naughty behaviors in the class. The mom offered her help, let me know that I'm doing a great job with her kid, and she'd be more than willing to volunteer her time in the school to help out with the class. It was so sweet, and now when I think about that bad day, I also think about the good.

Positive Thinking Thursday

I am linking up with Mrs. Laffin's Laughings for 

Positive Thinking Thursday! 

Our teacher meetings tend to get off topic quickly. 

Like, in the wrong, Debbie Downer, complaint-fest direction. 

We'd probably be a lot happier if we just shared happy moments with our students every once in a while!

Positive Thinking Thursday

I am linking up with Mrs. Laffin's Laughings for 

Positive Thinking Thursday! 

I think this is me every day. And I think it's the best analogy for teachers...

Positive Thinking Thursday

I am linking up with Mrs. Laffin's Laughings for 

Positive Thinking Thursday! 

It's better to push the envelope and try something new than wish you had!

In my classroom, we're really pushing the envelope recently. We're using the Listening and Learning domains from EngageNY.org and it's been a big challenge for the second graders, but they're also rising to the challenge. I'm impressed by their higher level discussions and interest in complex topics!

Positive Thinking Thursday

I am linking up with Mrs. Laffin's Laughings for 

Positive Thinking Thursday! 

As teachers, we probably plan for every situation, every worst possible situation, when thinking about our days. I know I do! But sometimes my kids surprise me in good ways, and sometimes I feel bad because it's not expected. A lot of times we expect things to go wrong, not right. Maybe I should spend more time raising my expectations of my second graders and they'll meet those expectations!

Positive Thinking Thursday

I am linking up with Mrs. Laffin's Laughings for 

Positive Thinking Thursday! 

The website TechnologyRocks has tons of free posters like these. I frame my favorites and hang them on the wall in my classroom. The funny thing is, when I taught fourth grade last year I was always referring to the posters and reminding kids of how they should behave. Now that I teach second grade, but kids are inherently good...they just haven't changed into the sassy kids I knew in fourth grade. Now when I reference these posters it's to praise my sweet little second graders for doing the right thing on their own!

Positive Thinking Thursday

I am linking up with Mrs. Laffin's Laughings for 

Positive Thinking Thursday! 

I did this outside of my classroom door and I think it screams positivity!

When parents and students walk into my classroom they are immediately greeted by the idea that this room is all of ours and that I am here for them. I pretty much love it.

Positive Thinking Thursday

I am linking up with Mrs. Laffin's Laughings for 

Positive Thinking Thursday! 

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Positive Thinking Thursday

Now that I'm teaching second grade, I feel like teaching kindness is even more important than ever. As a fourth grade teacher, sometimes I got the feeling like it was already too late...some kids were already kinda mean spirited at times, and purposefully so. Now, they are just so innocent! I feel like it's up to me to keep that sweetness alive.

Positive Thinking Thursday

I am linking up with Mrs. Laffin's Laughings for 

Positive Thinking Thursday! 

Hey...it happens!

The nice thing about second grade is that we start all over the next day!

Positive Thinking Thursday

I am linking up with Mrs. Laffin's Laughings for 

Positive Thinking Thursday! 

Roald Dahl...his books are some of my favorites, and some of my students' favorites!

Since it's the beginning of the year and I adore using Dahl's short novels to jumpstart my read aloud block, it seemed fitting to give Dahl a little spotlight!