Imagine, if you will, this familiar scenario:
Teacher, holding up several Crayola markers without lids: "What happens when we don't put the lids on our markers?"
Class: "They dry out!"
Teacher, holding up the near empty cup where the Crayola markers go: "Where have all our class markers gone?"
Class: "They have dried out!"
Teacher: "Hmmmm...."

This is a daily conversation in the Kindergarten classroom - unless, of course, all of the markers have already dried out and it's only November and you are waiting for the New Year to try again, because you figure, "A new year; new markers; new goals." And, it's always a bit of an enigma because, clearly, the students demonstrate a knowledge that IF the lid is not put back on the marker, THEN it will dry out.

I was working with a boy who was colouring with markers and I noticed that many of the lids were at the bottom of the container and many were on but they had not been snapped shut. I watched him put the lids on, so I asked him if he knew about the "magic click". He shook his head so I demonstrated snapping the lid on all the way until we heard the 'click' sound. He definitely wanted to make those markers click, too, and he definitely tried to do it. He exerted all of his strength but there was no "magic click." He seemed disappointed so I suggested that he use the table top to help him, which worked. I remembered an article that I had recently happened upon (probably on Facebook) about youngsters coming to us in Kindergarten without fine motor strength, making them unready to hold pencils for proper letter formation, thus causing difficulty when they are writing and doing other fine motor activities, such as using scissors.

• The Guardian, Feb. 2018: www.theguardian.com/society/2018/feb/25/children-struggle-to-hold-pencils-due-to-too-much-tech-doctors-say

I realized that something similar was likely happening here... so, I studied the other children as they used Crayola markers, and sure enough, most of them were also putting the lids on (so they thought), but not achieving that "magic click." So, listen up Crayola! I get the purpose of the 'click', but children have changed, so this is now a design flaw. And, while you're at it, maybe make the markers triangular prism-shaped so they do not keep rolling off tables!

• Some hints from Today's Parent: https://www.todaysparent.com/kids/preschool/pencil-grip/
• And 3 TRICKS TO HELP KIDS LEARN TO HOLD THEIR PENCIL CORRECTLY from Mama OT: http://mamaot.com/3-tricks-to-help-kids-learn-to-hold-their-pencil-correctly/
• This video explains and gives some ideas to help your students develop these fine motor skills...

As a result of this observation and upon reflection, instead of shouting out, "I see markers without lids!" I will sit down at the creative table and do a mini-lesson to a small group, who can then act as the Marker Ambassadors to spread the word to the others.

All of the other kindergarten teachers whom I shared this epiphany with, said something to the effect of, "Oh, geez, I shout at them about that ALL the time!"  On behalf of all of us out there, I'd like to apologize to our dear students, who were indeed, to the best of their ability, putting those back on the Crayola markers... "We're sorry! And to make it up, we shall now play some games to strengthen those fine motor making muscles" (See above.)

The fact of the matter is that as an occasional teacher, you will likely find yourself covering for the French teacher, whether it be in a French Immersion classroom or as the Rotary French Teacher in an English-speaking school.  And, it's a scary prospect, if you have a less than basic knowledge of the French language, like, you took it as far as they made you (Grade 9)...

Here are some tips, gathered from personal experience, as well as from conversations with other supply teachers:

My instructions: Review, on the board, rounding numbers (to tens, hundreds, thousands)...

As the students were finishing up their silent, okay, silent-ish, reading, I approached each table and asked them if they had a favourite number.  Then I told each to put it up on the board, anywhere, in whatever colour.  A stir began to be created as the students noticed something happening... ooooh, I created a bit of a buzz, I did:)
Then I asked a series of questions to gather knowledge of what the students already knew and what some of them may need to review further:

• What's the smallest number?
• What's the biggest number?
• What's the longest number?

Next, I gave the instruction to group the numbers together...

• 1-digit, 2-digit, 3-digit, etc
• one with a decimal
• numbers ending in 0
• numbers already rounded
• numbers needing rounding

Then, I just randomly asked them to round certain numbers:

• What is _________ rounded to the nearest (ten/hundred/thousand)?
• How do you know?

We came up with the rules pictured in the top left of the picture:

• 5 or higer, round up
• 4 or lower, round down
• If rounding to the nearest ten, look at one's place
• If rounding to the nearest hundred, look at ten's place
• If rounding to the nearest thousand, look at hundred's place

I was able to ascertain that the students had a pretty firm understanding of the concept of rounding, which was further substantiated when I circulated around the room whilst the students were working on their task:

The Rounding Game (left by the classroom teacher):

• Roll 2 dice & round to the nearest 10; roll 3 dice & round to the nearest 100; roll 4 dice & round to the nearest 1000. 
• They were to do each 2 times, but I'm seeing how you could easily vary this, as some of the students told me they did (after having played in the last class).

Here's a brilliant website: ​http://studentvote.ca with lots of useful teacher resources!  We had a bit of a discussion about Canadian Political Parties... just let me say, that's interesting with a bunch of 4th graders!  Too bad we ran out of time before they had helped me who to decide who to vote for:(

WHAT IS STUDENT VOTE?
Student Vote is a parallel election for students under the voting age, coinciding with federal, provincial, territorial and municipal elections.

The purpose is to provide young Canadians with an opportunity to experience the voting process firsthand and build the habits of informed and engaged citizenship.

Since 2003, 26 Student Vote programs have been conducted across Canada. In the last federal election, 563,000 students cast ballots from 3,750 schools.
​

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
Voter turnout in Canada has been declining for decades at all levels elections, particularly among young people.

Studies have also shown that habits of voting and non-voting persist over time, so if young people don’t vote now, there is good reason to believe that they won’t become voters later in life.

By practicing the habits of informed and engaged citizenship at an early age, students will be more inclined and prepared to participate in our democracy when they graduate high school.

​All the artists at the time were painting in the Impressionist style.  But not, Henri Matisse.  He used brilliant colours and made art like nobody else.  In fact, everybody made fun of Matisse and called him weird, and he said, "Thank you."  He did not want to be just like everyone else! What a brilliant way to draw a connection between a time in history to the students in today's classroom.

Seriously, (despite the purposeful blur) these kids were super into their artwork.  Each one of them did something different; and even the ones who were less sure of themselves, the ones who started copying one of the modelled ideas, ended up with something truly their own... creativity abound!

When the students bring me their finished, or in-progress piece, I ask:
What do you call your piece? - the answer tells so much (hitting communication and literacy curriculum expectations).  Students who love to tell stories have a chance to shine:)

I'm making myself an E-Folio! That means I am transferring old content from a Semi-professional Blog I was using, as well as uploading current content.  Please bar with me:)

A Fun Warm-Up Game for Gym Class found on the Internet…. If somebody knows where this originated, please post below… I simply saved the screen capture for future use… and now, I will use it when I am next a Gym Teacher!

I gotta say, what’s very, VERY BAD for education in general, is very lucrative for supply teachers! – 87 unfilled elementary jobs in HWDSB on Friday… If nobody wants to come teach at your school, maybe you need to do something differently…

I feel bad for Liette and Steve… no wonder they are no longer involved; I’d run too:)  (I have no idea the story there, but, “Thank you for what you do, you two!”

No phone support for the vital service that hooks schools up with their support staff… Schools that are not getting these positions filled are probably noticing how vital we, the occasional teachers, really are in the smooth running of schools (a little tootin’ of thy own horn, every now and again, is healthy! – Do it!)

In all of yesterday’s sorting and tossing and organizing and recycling and re-piling and filing, I came across my collection of Art Lessons.  They were shouting, “Share! SHARE!” and since 1 of my 327 incomplete projects is to actually scan and archive my Art…

ENJOY:)

Here’s one inspired by Georgia O’Keeffe, a maverick woman artist at a time when women were quite less than welcome in the World of Professional (male) artists…

This lesson was done with a class of third-graders.  First, we read a biography about Ms. Okeeffe so we could learn a little about the time she lived in and about the art she made, as well as a little bit about her philosophy as an artist.  Then, the students tried blending their pastels on a practice paper.  Next, they got to pick from a variety of close-up photos of flowers.  Their goal was to emulate Georgia O’Keeffe’s style.

VARIATION… CUT INTO ENOUGH PIECES FOR THE CLASS A LARGE PHOTO OF A CLOSE-UP FLOWER (OR, USE SEVERAL PHOTOS).  GIVE EACH CHILD A PIECE…  AT THE END, REASSEMBLE THE ARTWORK AND PHOTOS.The lesson (as I see it) of this lesson, besides the artistic curriculum expectations met (see Ontario Curriculum documents, if you so desire), is this:

Take time to notice and tend to the little things in life… Maybe they aren’t so little? And, more than likely, each little thing is part of a bigger thing and its importance is often overlooked until the little thing is gone or broken.  And, then, the big thing doesn’t work as it should.  I am intentionally speaking in such broad things because it can be applied in most situations.

And, once we accept this, then we may see the importance of every little thing we do, from completing our part of a group project to doing our part to ensure a happy classroom environment; from noticing flowers to friends…

“Nobody sees a flower – really – it is so small it takes time – we haven’t time – and to see takes time, like to have a friend takes time.”
- Georgia O’Keeffe from Goodreads

Take time to tend to a friend and chat to a flower,
or is it, chat to a friend and smell a flower.

I am usually too over-whelmed on Twitter.  I mainly use it professionally, so my connections are either Educators or Local News & Events.  Still – I usually find it all too much all at once.  And by too much, I mean too much relevant information that has the potential to make me a better educator, and a better person, in general.  So, I mark some of it for for later, share some on Facebook,  or save inSpringpad… and then loose it… forever.

Not this time!  This time, I will share my Exploration into Twitter Chat Land.  I have pulled out some examples of Top Tweets (as determined by myself for myself, but also for others in a similar situation).  As well as some of the links to Blogs and other resources.  In a follow-up blog, I may include these to create The Compilation of Mega-Advice for Successful Job Interviews.  Of course, then…

I WILL LAND MY PERFECT FIT TEACHING JOB!I am a Twitter Newbie…. kind of.  I’ve been on it for over a year, but I am more of a passive user – for now –  I think I might try a chat one of these days, like the New Teacher Chat (#ntchat), moderated by Lisa Dabbs ‏@teachingwthsoul.  You can check out the Wiki here.

Also note that I did not notice this wonderful and extremely relevant chat until the end.  I scrolled through and was impressed by the succinct, yet helpful comments and links to informative blogs.

So, for all you other Twitter Chat Newbies out there, here’s what seems to happen…

The moderator will tweet the topic details, like this:
Lisa Dabbs Join me in 15min for New Teacher Chat ‪#ntchat‬ Today, Wed. 7/11 8et/5pt Topic:Tips for Performing Your Best at Your Next Interview‪#edchat‬.

Next, she introduces herself and the chat (just like if it were a f2f convo!):

Welcome, All!!  I’m the founder and moderator of ‪#ntchat‬ Join me for this time of learning and collaboration!!  To join the chat you may want to use Tweetdeck, tweetchat or other client that allows columns. Use the hashtag ‪#ntchat‬ to join the convo!  We are a small, but mighty chat…dedicated to being practitioner focused and supportive to new teachers! ‪ Before we get started…Let’s take a minute to introduce yourselves. Share who you are and where you’re from! Thanks… To be supportive we do a “structured chat” for first 20 min: Q1, Q2, Q3 with A1, A2, A3 to have everyone participate!

And, the chat begins:

QUESTION 1: WHAT’S THE FIRST THING (A NEW TEACHER) SHOULD DO TO PREPARE FOR AN INTERVIEW? LET’S SHARE IDEAS!Participants contribute to Q1:

A Teacher’s Life Have a clear educational philosophy that you can discuss in a few minutes & a prospective discipline plan for your classroom.

Jerry Blumengarten Prepare a portfolio preferably Digital http://tinyurl.com/4btmvrg Have an ed philosophy, Practice answering questions…Must show how you would differentiate learning but also they look for classroom management skills which are very important …

Karl LS Research the school they are interviewing with-the more specifics you can reference about the school the better.

Blanca E. Duarte Read about the community, visit and observe children at the library, the stores, the park. Know your community and it’s children.

Dave Burgess I think it is very important to be able to speak from a place of passion about why you want to be a teacher.  Also important to show you are a learner.Talk about what you have recently done to grow and a recent relevant book you have read.  One way I got my job (revealed to me later) is because they asked what I had read recently and I knocked it out of the park.

José Popoff The focus needs to be on what you can do for the school not other way around

QUESTION 2: HOW DO YOU PRACTICE FOR THE INTERVIEW TO BE SURE YOU SHARE WHAT’S IMPORTANT?‪Lisa Dabbs Schedule a day of introspection. Think about your career, your goals, and your past experiences. Organize your work samples!

RT @PrincipalDunlop: RT @cybraryman1: A2 Video your practice sessions and you will see/hear things you can work on.

RT @guster4lovers: ‪#ntchat‬ I’d say make yourself a website with as much work/info as possible. it’s how I got my last job

RT PrincipalDunlop: A1: ask a mentor about possible interview questions. Do a mock interview. Painful but so helpful!

Two Teacherz Make Top 5 List of key words that represent most important items; at end of ALL interviews you get floor. Use them!  Be able to express how you can reach, teach ALL learners (differentiated instruction).

QUESTION 3: HOW IMPORTANT DO YOU THINK IT IS TO MEMORIZE THE THINGS YOU WANT TO SAY, BUT STAY CONVERSATIONAL? COULD BE TRICKY?Sue Dunlop instead, organized experiences into themes: literacy, numeracy, assessment, classroom management, PLC’s etc Have a framework to organize your thouhgts, especially if you tend to ramble or if you get paralysed… had an art teacher bring in art pieces done by students. Fantastic!

Lisa Dabbs I think it’s important to have some strong talking points prepared. Then feel confident to go with the flow and SMILE!  Know what you want to emphasize but don’t memorize – you’ll have enough on you mind that day!  Stay focused on the interview question. Do not ramble. And it’s okay if you do not know the answer. Be honest!

Melissa Edwards Practice speaking slowly and distinctly without saying “ummm”. Know a few things you want to emphasize but don’t sound rehearsed.

Cheryl Morris Try to give a general principle followed by specific example: “I believe in x. In my classroom it looks like y.”  Bring water so u can pause to think/drink.  ALWAYS ask on the phone beforehand. then bring what they tell you to. if they say nothing, then listen to that.

QUESTION 4: WHAT KINDS OF PRESENTATION ITEMS DO YOU THINK ARE IMPORTANT TO BRING TO THE INTERVIEW?(WE MAY HAVE SHARED THIS, BUT…)‪RT @Miss_Doig: An iPad if you can so that you can refer to examples quickly. Make sure your digital portfolio is well organised.  (I KNEW I was right in proclaiming, “I need one!“

Lisa Dabbs I loved it when new teachers brought in actual artifacts of lessons worked on. Really impressive.  I also had a prospective interviewee, bring in a video she had done of herself teaching a class! It was great to see.

Billy Spicer My experiences on interview committees is that you have to embed your portfolio INTO your responses. I’ve interviewed candidates that created websites, infographic resumes (cool!), & @prezi to use in interviews. You MUST stand out.

Jimmy Casas If I were interviewing for job today I would ask permission 2 teach a class so they could see my skill set in the classroom w/kids.

QUESTION 5: HOW DO YOU DRESS FOR THE INTERVIEW?William Gabriel Suit and Tie. I try to wear a tie that matches the color of the school. Subliminal message. It was what my g-father taught in.

RT @dalehancock: Be confident with humility. Most of all, be yourself. That is who you’ll be your first day on the job.

Lastly, the moderator will close the chat with suggestions on “where to go from here” for follow-up:

Wow! Where did the time go!! A HUGH heart felt Thank You to all of you for stopping by tonight! Be sure to follow some of the new friends you met here, tonight at New Teacher Chat ‪#ntchat‬ to continue the convo!  Archives of New Teacher Chat will be on the wiki soon http://goo.gl/yLYf See you next week for our chat w/@KleinErin on Pinterest.   OK friends…remember we are here for you. If you need a mentor…you need to check out our group! (http://tinyurl.com/8ylavvm)  Be sure to check out & LIKE our New Teacher Chat Facebook page!http://goo.gl/kZCPv  Share it with your FB buddies!  I also have a list of interview questions that I will post to the wiki as soon as @evernote comes back on line!!

There it is, in a nutshell… Do check out the archives because there were many more super contributors.  Always remember:

Faige Meller Be true to yourself. Don’t try to impress. Share who you are and why you want to teach.

The clincher testimonial to convince one of Twitter’s potential…

Mary Bertram Hi! Cant stay for the chat today but just wanted to drop by & say all the weekly ‪#ntchat‬ convos helped me get my first job!

SUPER BONUS LINKS THAT I WILL BE DELVING DEEPER INTO:…and this is why teachers should have blogs - George Couros

10 Tips to Help You Break to the Front of the Interview Pack! - Randee Kallison

#MentoringMonday An Article a Day…Might Just Save Your Teaching Life – Lisa Dabbs

http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2012/07/how-to-ace-your-interview-for-teaching.html

http://www.edulang.com/blog/7-things-you-should-let-go-of-to-become-a-happier-teacher/

10 Mistakes to Avoid In Your “Hire Me” E-mail – Carrie Jackson

http://oregonstate.edu/instruct/ed416/Task4.html – This is an Educational Philosophy Task that is good for Newbie & Not-So-Newbie teachers alike!)

http://cybraryman.com/teacherinterviews.html

http://cybraryman.com/portfolios.html

http://cybraryman.com/chats.html