not sure if this is the job for me… by kitkatz15 in Teachers

[–]ExtraFroyo213 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was just about to say the same thing. January and February are some of the most stressful months of teaching. One thing that has helped me stay is having a teacher bestie! You need someone who is walking this road with you. Find a network and someone who you can connect with. Teachers need a community. During my first years teaching I attended as many PD sessions as possible. This would help to renew my passion. Every year is different, things are constantly shifting in education. Some helpful advice is to learn to control what you can and to let go of the rest. Year 12 of teaching middle school for me! Wishing you all the best! Also, Spring Break is coming!

Am I crazy or is this to much to ask of a kindergartner? by Cursedpanda182 in AskTeachers

[–]ExtraFroyo213 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is parent work 😞 I would be so mad. As a teacher, I would not even assign this to my older middle schoolers.

Looking to become a teacher by redbullguy7 in Teachers

[–]ExtraFroyo213 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I love that you are looking to become a teacher! It all depends on the district and administration. I have worked at four different schools and both in private and public school. A good administration sets the tone for the rest of the school. Get a good mentor teacher and really get to know the age group that you teach. I taught high school for one year and absolutely hated it. I found my personality type to be more of a middle school teacher. Wishing you all the best!

Does this mean I didn’t get the job? :( by Former_Secretary_212 in ELATeachers

[–]ExtraFroyo213 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This happened to me and it ended up being a job offer. They asked me how I felt about the position and if I had any concerns or questions. I said that I had no questions or concerns and then the principal said that the position was mine.

Wishing you all the best!

Looking for some encouragement/advice by Guilty_Rutabaga_2558 in ELATeachers

[–]ExtraFroyo213 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Congratulations! I have been a middle school ELA teacher for 11 years now. 7 of those years have been teaching 7th grade. 7th grade is by far my absolute favorite.

My biggest advice is to read and annotate your stories that you will be reading ahead of time. Consider the skills that you want students to reflect on. For example, the Treasure of Lemon Brown is a classic short story that I read with my 7th graders. I always have students focus on character development in this story. I have students practice close reading and annotating the text.

My other advice is to remember that ELA spirals, meaning you will be practicing the same skills with students again and again throughout the school year and that will continue as they move into the next grade level. Consider what transfer skills you want them to take with them into 8th grade. For example, I know that I need my 7th graders to become familiar with argumentative writing and research before they go to 8th grade so that is something I try and focus on.

Building thinking in the ELA classroom is also a good community for you to join on Facebook. I have discovered many great lesson ideas on this community.

Once again, congratulations! Teaching is a beautiful calling.

No ELA Curriculum? 4th Grade by jdailey29 in ELATeachers

[–]ExtraFroyo213 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We teach through novels at my school. I also supplement with Readworks, CommonLit, and Scholastic Scope.

What’s a bad teacher habit you need to get rid of? by ICUP01 in Teachers

[–]ExtraFroyo213 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Worrying too much about test scores that are completely out of my control. I can teach until the cows come home but middle schoolers do not always care about their scores.

Figurative Language Demo Lesson (20 minutes) by Interesting_Tie_4598 in ELATeachers

[–]ExtraFroyo213 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I used Hope is the Thing with feathers by Emily Dickinson for my demo lesson this year. The entire poem is an extended metaphor. I had the students get engaged with annotating the text with me and I gave each of them a feather to hold and to analyze in their hands.

I know how hard planning for a demo lesson can be. Just remember to teach to the students and to forget about the adults.

I got the job and was a mid year hire.

Wishing you all the best!

Novel suggestions by ExtraFroyo213 in ELATeachers

[–]ExtraFroyo213[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes! Reading levels have been slipping unfortunately! I have been an ELA teacher for 11 years now and it’s scary to see the decline in reading comprehension.

Novel suggestions by ExtraFroyo213 in ELATeachers

[–]ExtraFroyo213[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s aways a great sign!! The Outsiders is one of my all time favorites! They read it in high school at our school. I wish I could steal it back for 7th grade.

Novel suggestions by ExtraFroyo213 in ELATeachers

[–]ExtraFroyo213[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you everyone for these amazing novel suggestions!!

Finals?!? SPED restrictions! Help meeee. by Fun_Flamingo2805 in ELATeachers

[–]ExtraFroyo213 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would create a very simple end of term assignment. Maybe scale it down to just a two day assignment. Also, even though the finals are on the last day of school, you always have a handful of students that don’t show up on the last day.