Hey wonderful teachers,
I have exciting news, this blog has moved over to my own site! Please head over and take a look. All future posts will be there so please follow me at the new location.
Wish me luck :)
Teaching Letter Writing
One of my favourite lessons to teach is letter writing. It really is great to get kids writing with a real purpose. I love that it can tied into other activities like researching the recipient and even a trip to the local post office. Writing with a purpose has been proven to encourage reluctant writers, and gives them a chance to put themselves into their work.
With this in mind here is my list of The best people to write letters to from your class.
1- The Royal Family
Writing to the royal family is a great way to teach children about the monarchy, and in many cases they will write back which is very exciting for the class.
2- Other children in different countries
Pen pals are still a strong tradition in man schools and connecting with children in different countries teaches many lessons about cultures and differences. Facebook groups and Twitter posts are an easy way to find other teachers who are interested on working on this with you.
3- Famous Authors
If children have a particular author they are interested in it can be a lot of fun to research them and then reach out and contact them. Many authors will take the time to reply or at least send autographs. Check out my collection of lessons on writing to children's authors here
4- Someone local in power
Learning about how local government works and is run is a very interesting topic to work on in class. Find out the address of local councillors and campaigners and ask them questions about how they are making changes in the local area is very engaging.
5- Family members
It can be nice to encourage children to write letters home. Parents often get frustrated with the lack of information children give them about classroom life, so a structured letter about the things they have been learning would be very appreciated.
There are of course many more people your class can write to, spending some times collecting ideas together is a great way to start this project.
What ever you decide to do, I hope you are all having a fantastic week!
1- The Royal Family
Writing to the royal family is a great way to teach children about the monarchy, and in many cases they will write back which is very exciting for the class.
2- Other children in different countries
Pen pals are still a strong tradition in man schools and connecting with children in different countries teaches many lessons about cultures and differences. Facebook groups and Twitter posts are an easy way to find other teachers who are interested on working on this with you.
3- Famous Authors
If children have a particular author they are interested in it can be a lot of fun to research them and then reach out and contact them. Many authors will take the time to reply or at least send autographs. Check out my collection of lessons on writing to children's authors here
4- Someone local in power
Learning about how local government works and is run is a very interesting topic to work on in class. Find out the address of local councillors and campaigners and ask them questions about how they are making changes in the local area is very engaging.
5- Family members
It can be nice to encourage children to write letters home. Parents often get frustrated with the lack of information children give them about classroom life, so a structured letter about the things they have been learning would be very appreciated.
There are of course many more people your class can write to, spending some times collecting ideas together is a great way to start this project.
What ever you decide to do, I hope you are all having a fantastic week!
Another Monday
Good Morning
If you are on half term this week i hope you started the day with a long lay in!
Today I am trying hard to work, I am really trying except it is hard to get into the zone this morning.
I thought it might help to give myself some advice on how to get back into the work frame of mind!
So here are my tips, they often help me I hope they help you guys too.
1 - Get some motivation
Everyone finds their motivation in different ways, for me I like to watch great people doing their 'thang' on Instagram stories. My favourite at the moment has to be Kayse Morris who is fabulous!
What ever makes you feel like you can go do it. Although this does come with a warning - A little motivation is great, if it is still an hour later and you are watching Nifty videos on how to turn your old books into bedside tables, you have gone too far!
2 - Go for a walk
Fresh air and change of scenery is great for focus. I need to follow this advice much more often. It can feel like stepping away from the computer is the last thing that will help get work done, but a break, just for a walk around the block, can do wonders.
3 - Eat
This tip is a tricky one as I know how easy it is to just munch, not only is it tasty but it gives you a legitimate reason to not get on with things. That said if I am hungry I cannot focus so make sure you have a full tummy!
4 - Drink
This goes along with the eating. Make sure you have a glass or bottle of water nearby when working. Just having it near you will remind you to keep hydrated! Our brains need hydrating to work!
5 - Know when to shift focus
If it really isn't working then it is time to shift gears. There are times when really nothing gets you into the right frame of mind and taking a break from it is the best thing. Go and do something more productive, clean out those cupboards do the ironing what ever takes you away from work but lets your mind wander.
I hope these tips help you, now to take my own advice!
If you are on half term this week i hope you started the day with a long lay in!
Today I am trying hard to work, I am really trying except it is hard to get into the zone this morning.
I thought it might help to give myself some advice on how to get back into the work frame of mind!
So here are my tips, they often help me I hope they help you guys too.
1 - Get some motivation
Everyone finds their motivation in different ways, for me I like to watch great people doing their 'thang' on Instagram stories. My favourite at the moment has to be Kayse Morris who is fabulous!
What ever makes you feel like you can go do it. Although this does come with a warning - A little motivation is great, if it is still an hour later and you are watching Nifty videos on how to turn your old books into bedside tables, you have gone too far!
2 - Go for a walk
Fresh air and change of scenery is great for focus. I need to follow this advice much more often. It can feel like stepping away from the computer is the last thing that will help get work done, but a break, just for a walk around the block, can do wonders.
3 - Eat
This tip is a tricky one as I know how easy it is to just munch, not only is it tasty but it gives you a legitimate reason to not get on with things. That said if I am hungry I cannot focus so make sure you have a full tummy!
4 - Drink
This goes along with the eating. Make sure you have a glass or bottle of water nearby when working. Just having it near you will remind you to keep hydrated! Our brains need hydrating to work!
5 - Know when to shift focus
If it really isn't working then it is time to shift gears. There are times when really nothing gets you into the right frame of mind and taking a break from it is the best thing. Go and do something more productive, clean out those cupboards do the ironing what ever takes you away from work but lets your mind wander.
I hope these tips help you, now to take my own advice!
Pinterest and Bullet Journals
I have to say I love Pinterest! It is my biggest time suck. I have Tailwind to post my own pins (and a tribe if anyone would like to join) but I can just open up Pinterest and suddenly it is an hour later and I'm looking at pictures of unusual avocado recipes!
(seriously who is making this stuff??)
One of the things I have really noticed I do with Pinterest is to collect pictures and ideas of things I will never do! My boards are like a crazy wish list of beautiful homes I will never live in, food I will never cook and lessons I will never get to teach... Sigh
All of this leads me to bullet journals. I love the way they look. I have a huge board full of great bullet journal ideas and I add to it constantly, the only trouble I have is actually making one. I buy the most beautiful notebooks and stationery, which would be perfect for a bullet journal, and then I tend to just kind of look at them....
(look it is just soooo pretty!)
I don't know why this is such an issue for me but I have started to investigate digital bullet journals and I think I have found the perfect combination for me! I am too messy to make a pretty handwritten journal but my lists, ideas, goals and plans can easily be put into a digital version. For a detailed explanation and great tips I can highly recommend this blog post over at lifeismessyandbrilliant.com
Let me know if you use bullet journal handwritten or digital, I always love pictures and tips!
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