All Kids Should Play

So, there's a short film about playground inclusion that's been circulating around lately

Some things I would do with this video:

Show it to my students

Have them talk about what they think is happening (especially in the first half)

Have them come up with ways to include everyone at recess

Have them share with the class when they follow through with some of those inclusion ideas.

In my opinion kids are often excellent at including others which is awesome because sometimes I'm sure kids don't want to spend their recess with their EA (Education Assistant)... it's like having to spend your recess following your teacher around.

But I'm not so naive as to think that all kids are excellent at doing this.

This video could help.

How would (or how have you) used this video in your classroom?

If you want to know more about the video or find some resources visit Respect Ability

Days like These

Found this here

Had a day like this recently where you were just flying by the seat of your pants?

Maybe you went in thinking you would be an English teacher and ended up being the phys-ed teacher or maybe you went in thinking it was grade 9 and it ended up being kindergarten.

Whatever it is, we've all been there (or at least I have).

You can read about some of my experiences here or here.

The Talk of the Hallways

Ah yes.

This will normally happen once you hit middle school/junior high.

One student pokes his or her head into the classroom sees you at the desk, beside the desk, under the desk, on the desk (ok, hopefully you aren't under or on the desk) instead of their teacher.  They ask if you are their substitute teacher (I'm assuming at this point you say that you are or you know you could come up with some hilarious made up story as to whom you are) and they run out of the room to spread the word to all their friends, friends friends, and even their biggest enemy.

Suddenly you became Ms (or Mr) popular.  

You are the talk of the hallways.

You are all that.

And a bag of potato chips.

ENJOY!

Wondering where I found the cartoon?  

click here

Come Prepared

This isn't a post about what I think you should bring substitute teaching (such as mad libs, stickers, a picture book, or a ball.

No, no, no

This is a post about knowing what you are getting yourself into.

I'll admit it.

I turn down jobs.

I've heard horror stories from certain schools of how the kids treat their substitutes and to be honest it terrifies me to go to those schools.

If I suspect that the school/class/grade will be difficult to teach I simply just do not accept the job.

Subbing can be a hard gig when the kids are having a good day... so I figure why set myself up for disaster.

Having said this there are also times when I full on know the class will be difficult (because I've been there before or because I am in the same class for multiple days).  Honestly, sometimes, in these cases, I just go in expecting my day to be terrible.  Then if it is the slightest bit good I come out not so sad/tired/frustrated.

There have also been times that I've gone in not knowing what to expect (mostly because they are high school) and been terrified of the unknown.  Likely, the only reason I've accepted this jobs is because I got requested for them (I do love being requested for jobs).  Thankfully, these days also turn out not nearly as horrible as I've imagined they would.

You can read about a couple of these days here and here.

SIDENOTE:  

Luckily, my financial situation has always been okay and if I absolutely did not want to work a day it was never going to put me in the red.  I know this is not the case for everyone and many substitute teachers have to take whatever jobs come their way.  If this is you then there are things you can bring to make your life (day) perhaps a little bit easier.  Remember at the top when I told you this was not a post about mad libs, stickers, picture books, or a ball?  Check out those links... hopefully you find some information and ideas that will help you when you are having a not so great day.

And finally, I found the cartoon at the top here

Teaching Certifcate

I'm sure this doesn't happen too often...

But can you believe it has happened to me?!?

The student in question wasn't quite so demanding... in fact he was just trying to figure out my first name.  What he did know was that I was required to carry my certificate (which is actually more like a card - think birth certificate) and that if asked to show it I was required to show it (although I'm pretty sure this doesn't apply to having show it to my students).  

Anywho, I showed it to the student.

Told him to see with his eyes and not with his hands

And covered up my name with my finger.

Also, I found the cartoon here