Push a Penny

As a 1st year teacher, I am trying to do all the things that I said I was going to do as a student.  I mean, as you learn to be a teacher throughout your education, you think, "I would never do that...", or "I'm going to change the world!"  I want to make sure that I am constantly reflecting on my teaching and my actions - I don't want to lose sight of the big dreams I had as a learning teacher.

With this in mind, one of the simplest things I wanted to do to reflect on my days (besides my blog of course!), is to take the time to write down the memorable things my little kiddos say!  Sometimes it seems impossible to take just one second to write down a clever remark from a student.  But, I have managed to finally write one down to help me remember (knowing me, all the thoughts are lost after the day is over anyways...)!  As I was teaching a segmenting lesson to my Kindergartners, I explained our next activity:

Mrs. Hardin: "Okay friends, we're going to play "Push a Penny."  For each sound we hear in the word, we will push forward a penny.  Then, we can see how many sounds it has!!" (I begin to pass out 5 pennies for each student.)

Kindergartner: "Mrs. Hardin, why can't we play "Push a Quarter?" (in the most sincere voice ever)

Mrs. Hardin: "Because I don't have that many quarters!"

The smallest things can make you smile as a teacher.  I want to always remember the things they say to brighten my day.  The most important thing we can remember as teachers is to never forget that we can learn from our students.  I learn something new from them everyday - whether it be a new approach to connecting them to the materials, or how important a smile or a simple "hello" is to a child in need.

I am hoping to start posting materials this week!

Meredith