tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58589285636760727222024-03-12T16:23:24.112-07:00MADE2shareElaine's snippets about lifeMade2sharehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02820268204246212370noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858928563676072722.post-8579500058754487712021-10-17T13:46:00.000-07:002021-10-17T13:46:10.396-07:00The Power of Positive relationship building<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Here’s an
interesting fact for you.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">During the
Great Plague of London in 1665, the students at Cambridge univrsity were sent
home to continue with their studies themselves as a means of reducing the
spread of that pandemic. Social distancing in 2021, nearly four hundred years
later, is not a new concept. The lack of contact with other people can be
positive or negative, depending on the situation that you find yourself in. For
some of our gifted students, the time to focus on their own interests is a
valuable commodity because it is the chance to think, work or rest without
being disturbed. As one of those students sent home, Isaac Newton was able to
set and follow his own goals for study and creativity and the results of his
work still are relevant in math, engineering and science today.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although relaxing and engaging in passive
experiences can be enjoyable, our best moments usually occur when our bodies or
minds are being stretched to attain something that involves challenge,
resulting in a feeling of accomplishment. The pandemic Lockdown has made it
hard for many because technology often makes us feel like we need to be
connected 24/7 and we want to spend more time around people but can’t.
Interesting people help us to learn new things and we miss the interaction. Being
alone is not the same as being lonely. Some are more resilient than others and
are content with the solitude, while others find it an impediment to maintaining
good mental health. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p>Where am I
going with this?</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Well… being
back in school is not going to be the same. What has been positive solitude for
some, has been loneliness and mental anguish for others. Teachers will be faced
with finding ways to help students manage stress and feelings of anxiety and
uncertainty in a time where they are facing the same issues for themselves. With
that in mind I would like to offer a handful of strategies to help (and it
wouldn’t hurt to put them into action in the staffroom as well) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“</span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy";">They
may forget what you said, but they will not forget how you made them feel.”</span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Create opportunities for students to build up
their relationships with others through having some activities that focus on
team building and taking advantage of each others’ skills and abilities. Start
with directed group discussions using random assignment of participants. (<a href="http://www.byrdseed.com/">byrdseed.com</a> has some great ideas)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto;">Or try one of my challenges to give
your students a workout for their critical thinking skills. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto;"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Chemistry-Escape-Room-Challenge-6737929">https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Chemistry-Escape-Room-Challenge-6737929</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto;"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Escape-Room-Psychology-Experiment-5320379">https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Escape-Room-Psychology-Experiment-5320379</a>
(Why not click on the follow me tab while you are visiting to be first to find
out about new products?)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvGw6dZreZ1zsEEEIbxHTWWhbtrKYox8htjTjSlZ6nh1lGzllN-BCO3dZ2SZHpJ2XQzC00NMj4Tb_bjfVv8xGBCTTID90IOVJu3UMg31b6_y1UTmd-99EkRDh8gBSqucLkfhaRKgNcXOvU/s960/Lit+units.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvGw6dZreZ1zsEEEIbxHTWWhbtrKYox8htjTjSlZ6nh1lGzllN-BCO3dZ2SZHpJ2XQzC00NMj4Tb_bjfVv8xGBCTTID90IOVJu3UMg31b6_y1UTmd-99EkRDh8gBSqucLkfhaRKgNcXOvU/s320/Lit+units.jpg" width="240" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8YJTWEtpSISAFulnoJ8aTcqZMjUmztiVnbUH7aXCwOu63U5er3C10Rbd-3dwqAStbUoXRAL32I7zHLvPzGJw4aRwo9tz4PKrTczmjEl3oRLdlybd1s0s8Nw7rJSQv-pGECy46Q1O-stNZ/s960/No+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8YJTWEtpSISAFulnoJ8aTcqZMjUmztiVnbUH7aXCwOu63U5er3C10Rbd-3dwqAStbUoXRAL32I7zHLvPzGJw4aRwo9tz4PKrTczmjEl3oRLdlybd1s0s8Nw7rJSQv-pGECy46Q1O-stNZ/s320/No+2.jpg" width="240" /></a><br /></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Cultivate positive thinking. Turn the focus on to
the positive things about being able to be back at school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is plenty of research to back up the
hypothesis that a positive outlook has important health benefits. Viewing
negative events as isolated incidents that are beyond your control teaches
students to start being more optimistic.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto;">(Develop a set of classroom affirmations together
and display them. Do something nice for a classmate without their knowing.
Focus on the job at hand. Be an example to others) <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto;">For a student who needs a bit more help then <a href="https://positivepsychology.com/">https://positivepsychology.com</a> offers
some simple exercises to do with students.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Cut some slack for both you and your students
and find opportunities to laugh more. Have each student create a smile a while
page with quotations and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>things that
make them smile. Share with others and make them smile too. Here is mine…</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5RK7TL2XbpfxvukIrH6j6W9qhQdsAerjDcdqwGH4O5mcaO1A06JautcxE7_nWylNkfAEBvCwt8NcSR7hUuPjo4lDXzt5LZx2MT8d404XdKaOs4pcE2GWUpBp4nAL4eO7SHoHzz8qFw0RT/s320/a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="212" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5RK7TL2XbpfxvukIrH6j6W9qhQdsAerjDcdqwGH4O5mcaO1A06JautcxE7_nWylNkfAEBvCwt8NcSR7hUuPjo4lDXzt5LZx2MT8d404XdKaOs4pcE2GWUpBp4nAL4eO7SHoHzz8qFw0RT/s0/a.jpg" width="212" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi57fRmJTiXK7z69MnlkvDeSrFtc2QSw0gSj2lPjV_PedkEm3KlBU1vx5C32c01Z5_PIbXmxdisikvrxoJXmMmjef9VFmEnvz-9eGoiWXcv6I5o8FgLM9QYI-bmCB29cToP12NyuIl-chUZ/s320/b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-indent: -18pt;"><img border="0" data-original-height="282" data-original-width="320" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi57fRmJTiXK7z69MnlkvDeSrFtc2QSw0gSj2lPjV_PedkEm3KlBU1vx5C32c01Z5_PIbXmxdisikvrxoJXmMmjef9VFmEnvz-9eGoiWXcv6I5o8FgLM9QYI-bmCB29cToP12NyuIl-chUZ/s0/b.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span>Map out a plan together. Set aside regular times
to allow students to reflect so that they can see where they are headed and be
proactive learners. Spend a few minutes at the end of each day before
dismissing the students, for the class to reflect on anything that has gone
well and record/ display them. This has the added advantage of providing<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>aims for the following day. Accept that for
some students, just coping one day at a time is fine if that is as much as they
can do, and work towards increasing the focus little by little. Accept that It
takes a while to break the habits that have built up over prolonged isolation,
and encourage others to give themselves credit for small advances. Better to
try and not succeed at first than to give up and not try at all!</p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Set out clear expectations. (Involve everyone in
setting this up so that there is student ‘buy in’ for compliance and clear,
realistic consequences for non compliance that will be acted on.) This can
result in some interesting discussions about how your students peceive fairness
and unfairness !</p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Provide choice wherever you can to make the
learning meaningful for each student. There are times when it is necessary to
assign particular work to your students because it will move them forward with
key concepts, but it is not helpful for advanced learners to do more of what
they already know. (or for any learners!) The goal of differentiation is not to
make individual lesson plans, but rather to set a balance between teacher
choice and student choice so that students learn about making wise choices
within a safe environment.</p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">SaSave yourself some precious teacher time</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">with these</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">activities for your literacy centre.</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto;"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/October-Literacy-Bundle-7290039">https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/October-Literacy-Bundle-7290039</a></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Set </span><span style="font-family: Courier New; text-indent: -18pt;">ro</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">utines and maintain them as far as
possible to reduce anxiety.</span> </p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Know that you are not alone!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto;">When the going gets tough, then seek help from your
colleagues. Everyone is <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in this
together. Wise words from the American novelist, Ann Lamott…<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘<span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy";">Almost everything will work again if
you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.’<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Made2sharehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02820268204246212370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858928563676072722.post-81002394318846430512021-08-25T15:04:00.003-07:002021-08-25T15:04:34.179-07:00Store newsIt seems to have ben a long while since I last posted but I have been developing products that challenge students and to save teachers time.<div>My store is <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com./store/Thinking-Challenges">www.teacherspayteachers.com./store/Thinking-Challenges</a></div><div><br /></div><div>If you are looking for resources then there is a free store catalog PowerPoint that you can download from my store and browse at leisure. While you are there, why not follow me to ensure that you hear about new resources as they are loaded? </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA_flA4qlNraDZnHfThighyphenhyphenMUktJBEpiiuZjuvUW7KFunZmpjb2aOU6x8CeQxt3PFY0uAxXTlg21fJVkGhXMM2-dmeYGLw_FEFAwkxjJw994tzW5SMXTF9PP3wibR3S7AbJcMcJmZjC2EQ/s960/Store.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA_flA4qlNraDZnHfThighyphenhyphenMUktJBEpiiuZjuvUW7KFunZmpjb2aOU6x8CeQxt3PFY0uAxXTlg21fJVkGhXMM2-dmeYGLw_FEFAwkxjJw994tzW5SMXTF9PP3wibR3S7AbJcMcJmZjC2EQ/s320/Store.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Made2sharehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02820268204246212370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858928563676072722.post-26301528278913475302021-04-19T21:42:00.001-07:002021-04-19T21:43:13.396-07:00Check out my web.<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAnQrG4fEKanKN7dW9rkcJdrjH5rkha2lCsYq___sSkPJsjCtxc-Oya-ulZgP2gFfO9bb_2BfI5kdOpnEdVDlUqwH58AuJ0g3wlxD9RlqqNCt2v4adfMDn8f7Ynp7bPum0139CkrdjeLtN/s1800/4D0ED6CA-8A69-4F1C-9EBA-EB8301CBA557.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAnQrG4fEKanKN7dW9rkcJdrjH5rkha2lCsYq___sSkPJsjCtxc-Oya-ulZgP2gFfO9bb_2BfI5kdOpnEdVDlUqwH58AuJ0g3wlxD9RlqqNCt2v4adfMDn8f7Ynp7bPum0139CkrdjeLtN/w240-h320/4D0ED6CA-8A69-4F1C-9EBA-EB8301CBA557.png" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https/Teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Thinking-Challenges">https/Teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Thinking-Challenges</a><p></p><div><br /></div>Made2sharehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02820268204246212370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858928563676072722.post-59582519620266314162016-10-05T17:08:00.004-07:002023-06-25T19:46:57.172-07:00Link to TPTDo you know about the Teachers pay Teachers (TPT) website?<br />
Visit me here <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Thinking-Challenges">https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Thinking-Challenges</a><br />
<img alt="Thinking Challenges" src="https://ecdn1.teacherspayteachers.com/thumbuserhome/Thinking-Challenges-1475623417/200311.jpg" />Made2sharehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02820268204246212370noreply@blogger.com0