Have I Mentioned How Awesome Wonder Woman Is?

It was pretty clear that I thought the new Wonder Woman movie was great.  The message...the effects...and just how awesome it was to see a woman show us how it is done.  Just overall a great movie!

Wonder Woman has now been released on DVD and Blu-Ray.  Take a look...everyone thinks it is awesome! (FYI:  Henry Cavill is the "new" Superman...great to see super heroes supporting each other...just like we should support each other in this building).

https://batman-news.com/2017/09/21/henry-cavill-wonder-woman-blu-ray-gal-gadot/

Wonder Woman has evolved from the 1970's TV show starring Linda Carter (Which was great!  She would just spin and spin and BAM!  Outfit changed!).  When we look at it now, it seems cheesy, but this is what "worked" and "enticed" audiences at the time.  

Would Linda Carter's Wonder Woman be a hit today with our students?  Probably not.  Like everything else, Wonder Woman has had to adapt and change with the times.  Her armor had to get a little edgier.  Her weapons a little more advance.  She had to "play" to her audience.

Teaching is like that.  And here it goes...I am not sure HOW many times I have said this..."You can teach 20 years...you just can't teach the same year 20 times."  You have to adapt.  You have to change.  You have to change your lessons.  You have to remember you are teaching kids who are NOT the same kids we had 20 years ago...10 years ago...even last year.  YOU have to do something different to reach them.  Don't expect them to always adjust.  At times, we have to step outside our comfort zone and try to do something super to help them find success.

Below is a link to a blog about how teachers are like Wonder Woman.  I have been saving this one in my folder for the right time.  I think now that everyone can check out the movie is the right time.

https://www.weareteachers.com/teachers-are-superheroes/#.WVPEyYQrKUk

Keep being super my friends!

I'm So Excited!

Can we still call it back to school time?  I think we are past the "back" part and moving into the "settled" part.

The first few weeks are exciting...seeing everyone again...wearing your new clothes...using those new supplies.  But as we know...the newness wears off.  Pencils have become lost...crayons have lost that sharp tip...and you have a stain on your new white shirt from eating tacos this week.

There is plenty for us to still be excited about!  If you need some ideas, here is a list of things I am excited about:

-Bulletin boards...I love my new bulletin boards outside my office.  I have one where I change the quote each week.  I bought a light box and have changed the saying on there to match the quote of the week or what is happening in school.  Not everyone may seeing or read them, but if that motivation helps one student or staff member, it is worth the time.  I have observed teacher using their boards for exciting things...goals for the day, learning targets, student work display, etc.  Get out of your room and check out things in another room!

-This PBL project with LA and Science.  To see our kids working with each other...to see two teachers working so well together...and to see those who want to make teaching their passion enter this classroom to experience our school and students is exciting!  Next week Jeff and Kelsey will present at in-service to answer your question about the program, as well giving you an update on how it is going.

-Our school improvement committees.  I saw people excited about what they talked about and begin to problem solve how to go about change.  Not everything will work...not everyone will be happy...but giving it a try is what it is all about.

-The rose and thorn discussion from in-service.  I saw this as an opportunity to connect with each other.  Celebrate what is going on in your room.  Ask for help on the things you are struggling with.  We don't often get to see what is occurring in each other's rooms (which gives me a great idea for future in-service).  These groups give us that.  Sitting with your peers and being open allows us to use the experts in our building.  

-The lounge!  I am still excited about this!  I am super excited for after 3 months, the bottom to the last chair FINALLY arrived!  I also like the Lounge Board.  It allows us to peer into the other side of each of us a little more.  I have had fun trying to guess who wrote what.

I hope you can look past the dull pencils and wrinkled up notebooks to find what is exciting thus far for you.  Can't find something?  MAKE SOMETHING...DO SOMETHING...CREATE YOUR OWN EXCITEMENT IN YOUR CLASSROOM!