How much fun I have had over the past couple of months exhausting my printer, following late-night rabbit trails online, and looking forward to the mailman's arrival with more books!!! And it is still eleven days until school starts! I have three stacks on the table in our living room, one for each student, and a long list of tasks to complete before those stacks and this teacher are ready to start the new school year.
And, as of today, this blog is back in gear, as well! My hope is that it's a place to share resources, ideas, and encouragement for moms and homeschoolers, for anybody in any section of the Venn diagram those two groups would make together.
Like every year, there is just no feeling for a teacher like the potential in the emptiness before a new school year starts. The sensation is the same with my own kids in our home school as it was when I prepared for my classes as a public school teacher. What will stick with them this year? Which of the activities I'm planning for will they truly click with? What will be the catalyst that sparks a new obsession in their learning?
This year, I'll be teaching fourth, sixth, and seventh grades. Here are some resources in no particular order I was excited to discover (just click on the description to go to the link):
Texas History curriculum guide from the San Jacinto Museum of History , based on grade 7 TEKS (what Texas calls their educational objectives for each grade for anyone reading from another state)
Tons of wonderful, free cursive handwriting practice sheets and sets to print at home
AbeBooks.com, my new go-to site for books that don't have to be new. Tons of books for $3.47 including shipping!!!!
A packet from Orange County Public Schools to help teachers develop a clearer understanding of how to positively guide students through the writing process. This one is geared toward an elementary class setting, but I have found information to help me be more concise, creative, and constructive in this area.
This is a selection of writing and reading graphic organizers from dailyteachingtools.com . You have to scroll down to the free download link, but I can see us really using these in the future. There are also other links for another free set as well as one to purchase the collection these are part of.
And perhaps my favorite find on Facebook today, from Critical Thinking, an offer for 6 free e-books when you join their mailing list. They offer a variety of quality products to encourage and develop critical thinking skills for all ages. Clicking on this description will bypass Facebook to go directly to the link on their web site.
As I wrap up the re-grand opening of this blog, I want to share this. There's a verse in Psalm 138, verse 8, that I am particularly struck by lately. My version of the Bible reads,
"The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever-- do not abandon the works of your hands."
I just love that and offer it here as an encouragement to us all as we strive to follow Christ. And, for those of us who truly view our teaching as a calling, as part of who we are--both we and the kids we love are works of His hands. He has a purpose for each of us. May we keep that truth in mind, the promise, the hope, and the design in it, and may we walk worthy and know we are loved!
No comments:
Post a Comment