Geography used to be boring until now!

Geography used to be my least favorite subject in school. It just seemed to be the memorization of countries and capitols. However, when I reached 8th grade Mr. Rodiger taught me something different. We had been studying the capitals of the states and one day he took us outside. In the parking lot we had a huge drawing of the U.S. and he had each of us students go stand on a state. He then would yell out a capital and we would have to throw a ball to the person that was in that state. If you got it correct you could stay in the states but if you got it wrong you were deported as he would call it to another country. I found this game so fun and it actually help us learn and see where the capitals were. It is activites like this and things like box city that help students to not only learn but to have fun!

Sometimes kids are the teachers....

Tonight I was at work, which is a daycare by the way, and we have some boys that come from a Hispanic family. The two boys are 7 and 5 and are as cute at as can be. Well tonight we had a ton of kids as usual and they all try to find ways to play games and things to pass the time. Well the oldest boy of the two brothers who is 7 told everyone to gather round and they could play football. Well all the boys got excited and started calling out with NFL football team they wanted to be, but he just looked at them and laughed and said not that type of football, we are going to play my countries type of football. He then went on to explain about how it is just like soccer and that some of the rules are different. I found this interesting that a young child was teaching other children about his culture and how sports are different. All the kids had a blast playing football but its really soccer said one child....I think incorporating games and things like this in the classroom is a great idea and not only is students learning about another culture but they are learning it from a peer!

Critical Voice

When I read the article about teachers having a critical voice I found it very intriguing. It is so important that teachers learn to have a critical voice!! As teachers we are expected to follow the guidelines and the curriculum  that schools late out for us, but I also think it is important that if we have an issue with something that we make is known. Schools just lay out outlines and guidelines they think are good for all to follow, however, teachers are the ones who know their students and know how they learn. So it is important for them to voice a concern if they see a student is having an issue with something we are told to do. As a teacher I want to advocate for my students, it is my responsibility to teach each and every child and sometimes you just have to throw the rule book out the window!