New Year's Resolutions in the Classroom

It's almost 2018, y'all! The school year is halfway over. I hope that everyone is enjoying their winter breaks. Our last day was December 22 (yes...you read that correctly). But the great thing about getting out so late in December is that we don't have to go back until January 8. Holla!!!

Before school let out for winter break, I asked my team if they had any activities that they use every year for New Year resolutions. They couldn't find the activity that they were looking for, so I took that as a challenge to create something fun for the grade level! When I looked online, I saw a lot of activities that were either too easy for my students or too difficult. My teacher friends said that they like New Year's activities that require students to write their resolution and write about HOW they are going to achieve that goal.

Click any picture below to grab a copy in my Teachers Pay Teachers store.

This activity is leveled so it can be easily differentiated. There are 6 graphic organizers, including 2 blank organizers. Each graphic organizer is different depending on the difficulty/learning level. These can be differentiated across grade levels or in one classroom. 

6 writing templates are included with different headers. Each writing template has 4 different versions with different line widths. Lined handwriting paper is also included! 

This product comes with New Year’s toppers. Students can choose from the 6 different toppers. I'm also going to give students the opportunity to create their own. Some of my students will probably turn the toppers that have glasses into sunglasses by coloring in the lenses black. So fun! I plan on displaying these in the hallway once they're all finished.

Why I Don't Ask Kids What They Want To Be When They Grow Up

I’m sorry that I’m been out of touch lately. The school year got off to a rocky start and I’m just now starting to catch-up. How is everyone’s school year going? Is yours as crazy as mine? I’ve been teaching for five years and this was the most unprepared I’ve been for school to begin…even compared to my first year of teaching. We had 1 week of professional development before school started instead of the standard two weeks, and I think that was the issue.

With all that being said, I love my class and my new students. I'm ready to take on my first year teaching third grade! My class is called the Learners, so our mascot is a light bulb. On the first day of school, I put a pair of sunglass on each student's desk with a note:

Then we had a class meeting about problems and issues that are going on in the world. Have you ever asked your students that? Their answers are seriously mind-blowing. Then I asked them, what problem do you want to solve in the world? That really made them stop and think. We can talk about problems all day long, but by asking them which one of the problems they want to solve one day, I'm putting the future in their hands. They now take ownership of that particular problem. And that right there is the reason why I don't ask kids what they want to be when they grow up. I ask them instead: What problem do you want to solve? I remember being asked what I want to be when I grew up, and I felt so much pressure in that question. I just don't think it's fair that I should have to decide what I want to be for the rest of my life. Talk about pressure! Y'all I am 29 years old, and I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up...and that is okay! I am an unfinished human being, and I'm fine with my "unfinishedness."

I think Daria puts it best. Wait...do you guys know who Daria is??? It might be one of the greatest American cartoons of all time:




Anyway, as Daria stated, "My goal is to not wake up at 40 with the bitter realization that I've wasted my life in a job I hate because I was forced to decide on a career in my teens." I mean, if you haven't seen an episode of Daria, I highly recommend it.

After I asked my kids to identify their problem, I had them write it down. Then I took pictures of all of them in shades because their future is so bright...get it? They loved the activity, and the parents loved them even more. It's a great way to get kids to start thinking about their role in society and thinking about what motivates them.

 

 

You can grab the "My Future is So Bright" writing activity for FREE by clicking the picture below!

Freebie Friday: Motivational Classroom Posters

So this is the second week that I've been back at school to setup my classroom. The first day I went back, I only stayed for an hour...that's all I could handle. Here's why:

There were 40 desks in my classroom!!! I have maybe 22 students, so I'm not sure where all of these came from.

My teacher desk area AKA hot mess

Do you see all the stuff in the back corner that's stacked up to the ceiling?!?!

Now do you understand why I could only stay for an hour? After I looked around my classroom, I decided that I needed an adult beverage. 🙈

The next day I went back and worked for a few hours. I think the hardest part was hanging the fabric on my bulletin board. Have you ever had to hang fabric? It's the worst! I just don't remember it being that difficult to put up. The bulletin boards alone took me about 2 days. Slowly, but surely it's all coming together. My husband is going to come help me put the finishing touches on it tomorrow. I have a list ready for him because when you ask your husband to help you in your classroom, he needs a list! When my husband is done with a task, I'll look over and he'll be watching The Office on his phone (BTW we LOVE The Office). But he will be VERY busy tomorrow.

So the freebie this Friday is a set of motivational posters that I made for my classroom. They turned out so great. I trimmed mine down, backed on colored paper, and laminated them so I can hang them in my room. The kids are going to love them!

 

 

 

Leave your email in the comments if you want a set of these motivational posters for FREE! I'll send these out to the first 10 people to comment below!