Tuscarora Teacher​Reaching for the  Stars
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Reach for the Stars

A few more decorating moments...

10/25/2021

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Decorating and Floral Arrangements!

10/25/2021

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September 14th, 2019

9/14/2019

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Another 5 days of working round the clock to set up a room before school starts. Lots of help and lots of ideas. the Before and After

Before

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After

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New Job, New Adventures The Before and After Room Prep in 4 Days!

1/20/2019

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Before

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After...50+ hours and eight wonderful people...

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Start Your School Year with Literacy

8/20/2018

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 ​Start the Year Off with Literacy
 
From the very first day of school, as you learn your students…you will see that some students finish their work quickly and efficiently while other students take more time with many variabilities in between. For the fast finishers: Quality is Key, Do it Nice or Do it Twice…etc. Hold them to high standards for accuracy, completeness and neatness…it will set the tone for the year and all new assignments. Getting Acquainted Activities are essential to begin with small non-threatening assignments that can be accomplished fairly quickly and help you learn your students while amassing great work to be posted in your room and shared at conferences with parents and saved as a work collection for the end of the year. (Students enjoy reminiscing about completing the work earlier in the year and will be amazed how much they have learned.) 
 
As your fast finishers complete a task, hand them a book…or quietly have them join you in the class library. Show them your procedure for checking out a book. Students will also need a bookmark because each time you reconvene the group, they will mark where they left off and then as they finish the next assignment, they already know the expectation is to read and they have a book calling to them. It is win-win for students and teachers. Not only are students learning class procedures, they are also ready to train other students in the class. Soon most students will have a book to read. Start out with something humorous, or a collection of many short stories that will meet many reading levels, keep it high interest and accessible. 
 
School’s In! is one of my favorites to get everyone reading…
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The List of Essentials When Packing for Europe

7/4/2018

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Let's Talk About Packing for Europe

7/4/2018

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 Let’s Talk About Packing for a Trip to Europe
I have been lucky enough to travel to Europe and I have packing for me down to an art. I might be a little obsessive about packing light for a trip that involves me lugging a suitcase around, I try to keep my bag under 24 lbs. Now a road trip is not a problem. Pop the case in the trunk and off you go. A trip without a car requires you to be the hauler. These tips should make it easy to pick what to take, so it easily fits in your bag and is lightweight and a breeze to plan what to wear at your destination. Easy Peasy
So here is how I do it. 

Clothes for Ladies
I pull out all clothes contenders and try on every piece and see what I can mix and match. Try to use what you have, then you will only need a few additional items. Unless you are going on a safari, do not get the zippered, pocketed safari like clothes, wear clothes that look smart and that are cool and comfortable.
I plan carefully what I need for the climate. Is it cool, warm, hot? 
For a spring/summer/fall trip to warm  climates I plan on: 
 
1 pair of jeans—I like these for the plane because they look great when you arrive, are casual for a simple night out and comfy for the hotel room, and they don’t need to be washed every time you wear them
1-2 pairs of slacks/capris—if you are anti capri, which pants can you roll up a bit to change the look?
3-4 skirts--lightweight to pack, look nice, cooler than pants
5-6 Tops to go with pants and skirts—some sleeveless (instantly looks long sleeved under a cardigan), short sleeved, maybe one long sleeved 
1-2 cardigans—always dresses up an outfit, can be tied around shoulders, can be opened or closed for a different look
Optional
1 dress—if I need to dress up, they are sometimes heavy—reversible might be an choice
Shorts—if you are going to be walking in hot sun with lots of climbing/hiking
Swimsuit, only if you plan to use it, question whether it is worth taking to use once
Scarf—buy at destination, fun to hunt for…make great packable gifts
*Love: Royal Robbins, Toad and Co., J Jill, NYDJ 
 
Unders
3-4 socks, athletic
1 heavier socks or compression socks for plane or cool evening
7 panties
2 bras
1 PJ
3 camis
*Love: JJill Essential Tank, ExOffico Unders dry in no time, wick perspiration
 
Clothes for Men
4 pairs of travel pants—fabric that dries quickly and folds well, lightweight
1 pair shorts if you are going to be walking in hot sun with lots of climbing/hiking
4-5 short sleeved shirts—quick drying
Swimsuit, only if you plan to use it, question whether it is worth taking to use once
1 pair nice slacks if needed
1 dress shirt if needed
1 lightweight sweater/fleece
*Love: Royal Robbins, Eddie Bauer
 
Unders
5 socks, athletic
1 heavier socks or compression socks for plane or cool evening
7 underwear
3-4 T-shirts
*Love: ExOffico Unders dry in no time, wick perspiration
 
Outerwear
Rain jacket
Lightweight Fleece—great on plane or cool morning/evening (optional)
Lightweight Packable Vest or Coat (optional)
Hat for sun
Umbrella—buy at destination if needed
 
Shoes—most important item you bring
Ladies
1 pair walking shoes/athletic—wear on the plane, should look ok with pants, capris, shorts maybe skirts, should be lightweight enough to fit in suitcase if needed
1-2 sandals—must be as comfy as walking shoes, the additional pair if you can fit them in the suitcase to switch out to give your feet a rest—must be as comfy as walking shoes, try one sandal with closed toes for a different look and varied uses
shower shoes—buy at destination if needed
Try all shoes all day in all walking conditions, if they are not comfortable do notbring them.
Men
1 pair walking shoes/athletic—wear on the plane—Ecco makes dressier looking shoes than athletic shoes
1 additional pair if you have room
shower shoes—buy at destination if needed
Try all shoes all day in all walking conditions, if they are not comfortable do not bring them. It is nice to have shoes you can wash off in the shower and they can dry. 
 
Jewelry
Bring a watch you will use it every day!
Bring a few earrings and maybe a chain, look for a pendant to go on the chain or earrings to remember the trip
Don’t bring anything you would be upset if you lost, including wedding rings.
*Earrings and small jewelry makes great gifts and take up little space to pack.
 
Packing
Use zippered packing cubes and roll 1-2-3 items together. It is easy to see what you have, a snap to put back after cleaning and super organized to pack. One could be used to hold dirty clothes. 
Use all the parts of your suitcase including under the lining, all zippered areas, separate items to ease locating and pull out; a hat or a jacket for instance. Always put things back in the place you took them from so you will always no where they are or if they are not packed.
 



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A few pieces...look for things to add to remember your trip. Bring a chain and find a pendant.
​Laundry
Use hotel laundry service for emergencies or items that won’t hold shape (or leave them at home)
Use hotel shampoo and shower: lay clothes in bottom of the shower, wet, rub some shampoo on your hands, let if fall on clothes, get a nice suds/lather, rub clothes around then rinse thoroughly. 
Wring out carefully, then shake to get all the wrinkles out. Hang inside the shower to let drip, on hangers or clothesline you bring. You can string around the bathroom, just put towels out to catch water.
You can take a drain stopper (flat and easy to pack) and use the sink for smaller items. Rinse thoroughly.
The idea is, each day, wash what you wore and hang it to dry. You will not have a ton to do, it will be done and mostly dry, you won’t have to deal with tons of wet clothes all over your room. I use a dry bag for clothes that are not quite dry, fold it in the top of my suitcase and hang clothes as soon as I get into the hotel room. Easy.
You might not be able to get stains out, with no washer, don’t bring anything extra delicate or that you are afraid to toss if it is not salvageable.
*Love: Rick Steves Clothes Lines (2 to hook together), Teamoy Travel Hanging Wet Dry Bag (24.7×18 inches) on Amazon.
 
Sewing Kit
Small amount of thread, needles, extra pull for zipper, buttons, scissors, safety pins.
 
Toiletries
Keep a thicker plastic shopping bag to keep your toiletry bag in so if there is a spill it stays inside the bag. This has happened…
Toothbrush, Paste, Floss (4 tubes last for 30 day trip, 2 floss)
A battery powered toothbrush for a good clean, too
Mirror (some hotels don’t have one, or tiny in bathroom only)
Makeup and Remover
Face Cream
Lotion
Cloth (some hotels don’t have one)
Swabs
Comb/Brush
Hair Ties, Etc.
Dryer, Flat Iron, Hair Products
Shampoo/Conditioner (some hotels don’t have one or both)
Deodorant & Baby Powder (powder for legs and back)
Razor and Soap (most hotels have soap…)
Nail Care, Tweezers
Glasses & Case
Contacts & Solution
Meds & OTC
Sunscreen
Chapstick
Vaseline (helps prevent blisters if you rub on your feet before putting on shoes)
Hand Sanitizer
Tissues
Stain Removers
Suction Hooks work well to hang bags out of the way—some bathrooms are tiny and there is no place to lay bag
*Love: I use Lewis and Clark Pill Organizer great for long trips, sort before you go…all set, Contents Toiletry Bag, Target Conair Travel Hair Dryer, Chi Air Compact Travel dual voltage flat iron, battery powered toothbrush, Rick Steves travel cloth--dries very quickly has a loop to hang, Interdesign hooks, magnified mirror
 
First Aid
Itch Cream/Bug Repellant (optional)
Band-aids, all sizes mostly for blisters and cuts
Antibiotic Cream
Mole Skin (even 1 sheet can be helpful)
Cold Meds/Allergy Meds
Antiseptic Wipes


​Purse
Nice to have when you need a few things, look like a local.
Wallet/Coinpurse (there are many coins in Europe, easier to deal with if not in wallet)
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Hand Sanitizer
Tissue
Gum, Snacks
Guidebook/Maps/Tickets/Passes/Metro Cards
Stain Remover Wipes
Small First Aid Kit
Chapstick
2-Sided Mirror for Ornate Ceilings and personal use
Tiny expandable shopping bag, you will look like a local
Measuring Tape
*Love: I am really partial to Baggalini, they can be wiped off, have a zipper pocket inside for your wallet’s safekeeping, not too heavy, versatile, over the shoulder or crossbody. Also, Lewis and Clark RFID lightweight wallet, taxi wallets, TJMaxx has the small, lightweight, foldable shopping bags 
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Black cross body Baggalini.
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A few essentials that are light to carry in a small purse.

​Daybag
These items you might bring on the plane. When preparing for outings think daily what you will need, pack the night before so you have all parts and can grab and go—not scramble to find items and be late and harried…
Wallet/Coinpurse
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Hand Sanitizer
Tissue
Gum, Snacks
Guidebook/Maps/Tickets/Passes/Metro Cards
Stain Remover Wipes
Small First Aid Kit
Chapstick
Tiny expandable shopping bag, you will look like a local
*Love: Eddie Bauer collapsible back pack, TJMaxx has the small, lightweight, foldable shopping bags, consider getting an over the door hook to hold backpacks (easy to pack for the day, out of the way)
 
Other
Ziplocs in varying sizes, roll up, put rubber bands around them, bands are useful too (you will be amazed all the ways both come in handy)
Zip ties
Flashlight
Ear Plugs, Sleep Mask/Travel Pillow/Compression Socks (keep in one bag for use on plane then store in the bottom of the suitcase)
Clock or use phone
iPad or Kindle, preload books, maps, podcasts, travel info, then clear unused apps and use it to load/post and edit photos
Adapters, multiplug to go in adapter so you can plug in multiple items—Target. Keep all wires, etc. in a mesh bag you can easily see if all are packed.
*Love: Lullies ear plugs, Rick Steves eye mask, Lewis and Clark neck rest (neck rest, socks, eye mask, ear plugs all fit in LC case)
Collapsible, multi-use, lightweight backpack.
Opened out, still needs filling.

​Luggage
Rolling Carry On
Backpack/Daypack
Purse/Wallet/Coin Purse
Extra Bag that is flat but allows you to expand what you bring back
Strap to strap carryon to your suitcase (optional)
Luggage Tag, 2 Locks (might lose one, can lock up backpack if leaving at hotel reception, use luggage tags that have a cover for your name)
2-3 Packing Cubes
Drybag for damp clothes
*Love: Rick Steves Travel Bag,Teamoy Travel Hanging Wet Dry Bag (24.7×18 inches) on Amazon, TJMaxx has collapsible athletic bags that are great for expansion
 
Money belt
Can be uncomfortable, consider silk it is more lightweight and dries more quickly
Pass Port, put in plastic bag because of perspiration
Credit Cards (test them, bring at least 2 with chip)
Local Currency/US $, put in plastic bag because of perspiration
Health Card
Driver’s License
Only carry the $ you need for the day in your wallet. Decide if you need a credit card. If not keep the rest in the money belt. You can go to the restroom to retrieve items if needed or a traveling companion can help you access the card or $.
Consider getting money at a time different than an outing, come back to your hotel and get organized.
Use the hotel safe if available and carry as little as possible on your person/bag.
 
Paperwork
Plane Tickets
Other Tickets
Reservations/Vouchers
Maps/Apps
Copies of Travel Documents
Copies of PP
Copies of CC
Credit Card Contact Info
Travel Insurance
List/Photos of Meds
Emergency Contact Info
Place for receipts, Things to keep
 
This list is good for five days or four weeks of travel.
​
Ready to go?
 
©Tuscarora Teacher Reaching for the Stars

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Teachers Turn Classrooms into Learning Environments

10/20/2017

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This is what a classroom looks like when it is packed up at the end of the year and again when teachers turn it into a learning environment before school begins for a new year. The remaining posters, number line, alphabet: all put up and often purchased by teachers.
​See my boards on Pinterest for some dazzling classroom tours.
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Tuscarora Teacher Time Saver Tip #1 Get Pro-Organized

10/8/2017

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​Tuscarora Teacher Time Saver Tip #1 First Weeks: Get Your Self Pro-Organized
Drawers & Cabinets
To get your year off to the best start, take everything out of your cabinets, drawers, etc. This may seem daunting, just take one drawer or shelf at a time and take things out and really look at what you have: are the items still useful, have you used them in the last two years, do they need to be updated or refreshed? Look for similar items or more of the same, you want to store all like items together. Then put back the things you plan to use in the order you will use them. For example bulletin board items: September on top then October, etc. When September is over, it goes to the bottom of the stack and will eventually find  its way back to the top in time for next year.  Next start a give-away table for teachers to share your unused materials. This will help you find lost items, see if pieces need to be added and keep your materials to a manageable amount and ready to go. You are working toward time saving.

For supplies: if possible put smaller items in bins and put logical things together in the same place, that way when you need pencils—you can easily direct a student to get the number needed. Label your items and if possible for smaller items see through boxes help to visually find and assess if you are running low on a certain supply. Try to use school materials rather than buying school supplies, there are plenty of other items you need to spend money on to keep yourself prepared.
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File Cabinets
File cabinets are another way to use/lose lots of time. Try one drawer at a time and make each drawer a category: Reading, Math, Science, etc. Have a separate drawer for your reading curriculum items so you can use this same strategy by units.
Within that file put all the files in alphabetical order, you can quickly see you have duplicate files. Also, when you have time take one file at a time and flip through…still good ideas? Don’t keep more than 2 copies, I know that is scary, unless you use it every year you will spend more time looking for the extra copies.
That being said, keep items you use at the beginning of each year, monthly activity sheets, fluency passages, assessments for instance that can be reused, but they are in a specific place every time so they can easily be found and used at a moments notice. The beginning of the year stuff, you can quickly count and make just the copies needed for the new school year. A volunteer can help with this by putting a post-it note of the quantity. (or even make copies for you at the end of the year for the fall).
 
More on filing cabinets: Type labels on address labels in a large, readable font and space them on the label so the words go to the top of the label so they are easily seen in the file cabinet. This is quicker than you think once you have your drawers in alpha order. Once you set up the template, you can delete the words on move on to a new drawer, the formatting will be the same. This is also a good volunteer job. If there are many pages or parts in the file, consider putting them in an expandable file folder, then the pages will stay neat and not flop down. You could also consider color coding folders, but I like to save those for special projects. If you use pages over and over throughout the week, consider putting 1 master in a page protector inside a binder so you can quickly grab it to make copies , that way the page stays protected. Keep 2 copies if this makes you less nervous. This will eliminate the crinkling and marks that eventually make it hard to get a good clean copy. Do any pages need to be refreshed, can two pages be combined for better use, do they still meet your needs? Take a good hard look, you want your students to be able to read the pages and eventually those pages will go home as well.
 
The old metal, vertical filers are great on top of a shelf to keep items you can easily grab at a moment’s notice, consider color coding these files, ie. field trip forms, money receipts, student labels, discipline forms, absent forms. Small binders will fit in as well for newsletters, discipline records, parent contact record and so on. Keep similar things together so it is logical to find items now and later.
 
Keeping your paperwork organized so you don’t spend time looking for things and can quickly grab what you need is a huge sanity and Time Saver.
 
I have saved many pins to Pinterest on how folks have organized their classrooms. Take a look so you can be Pro-organized. I never took photos of my organization, which received many positive comments, be pro-organized and photograph your room, organization, bulletin boards, and all you do to make your classroom inviting. Remember to do it during non contracted times so there are no students in your photos.

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Should Teachers Enjoy Extra Income for Curriculum They Develop?

6/6/2017

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​Should Teachers Earn Extra Income from the Curriculum they Develop?
 
With the dawn of online market places for teachers to share and sell the curriculum they develop to enhance teaching lessons, there is some controversy about whether or not teachers should earn income from these endeavors. Another point to ponder, are the demands of the job so great that teachers cannot continually develop material for every lesson, throughout the day, week, month or school year? Textbooks fall short on engagement and meeting the needs of the diverse learner. A curriculum director once said, “Won’t it be great when teachers won’t have to supplement anymore?” However, teachers are expected to meet the needs and levels of every student under their charge without school sponsored materials for support. Teachers have historically burned the midnight oil to develop or purchased materials out of pocket to meet the needs of their students. When some are saying teachers should not profit from creating materials, they are calling teacher professionalism into question.

Teacher Professionalism
“Teachers who represent the best in profession and set the highest standard for best practice.” Wise (1989) describes professional teachers as those who have a firm grasp of the subjects they teach and are true to the intellectual demands of their disciplines. They are able to analyze the needs of the students for whom they are responsible. They know the standards of practice of their profession. They know that they are accountable for meeting the needs of their students.
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Are the Common Core Standards driving teachers to seek materials from their colleagues? Are teachers skeptical that purchased programs will align to the standards as promised? Can textbook publishers meet the demands for rich resources now? A national survey quoted by Education Week Research Center showed educators are not sure all resources created by publishers align to the Common Core, they have more trust with fellow teacher created materials.

The Common Core outlines where students should be at the end of the year, but not the steps to get there. Teachers have the big picture and develop lessons to get to mastery. Some folks say, teachers need to collaborate so all students are learning the same material and with best practices. Many of the items online are free and there are lesson-sharing websites as well.
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Critics have said that it may be a legal issue if teachers are getting paid to teach—they shouldn’t also be getting compensated for producing lessons as part of their regular work, even if it is on their own time. Does the school or school district have a right to profits?  For too long teachers have been held to high expectations with no materials to support this superior teaching. Teachers are professionals and will get the job done to the best of their ability, but shouldn’t they be compensated for the above and beyond creative work that districts do not provide for students in the way of materials? When a teacher starts a new year they usually get a classroom, with maybe a few bookshelves, teacher desk and chair, student desks and chairs, a few tables, some technological equipment, texts some school/office supplies. That is it! Everything else, teachers make or buy usually with little or no compensation. Cute bulletin boards: teacher created! Classroom library: teacher purchase! Attractive curtains, comfy chairs, pillows or rug: teacher purchase and create! Supplies for kiddos who don’t bring any: teacher purchase! Bins and organizational systems: you guessed it, teacher purchase! The list goes on…teachers are taken for granted and most people do not even realize how much each teacher spends to support education. A parent visiting the classrooms for open house went into a new teacher’s room and said, “Is that it, are you ready for the school year?” (the teacher had worked very hard to make the room inviting and ready for learning). The parent then enters the classroom of a veteran teacher and says, ”This is more like it, this room looks great! How long did it take you to get your classroom to look like this?” The teacher replied, “About thirty-four years!” The news flash, this parent is a high school teacher!

​Many teachers have to get a second job to make ends meet because the teaching salary is low. Huffington Post reported Seattle Public Schools prohibits teachers selling materials created during work time. Teresa Wippel from Seattle Public Schools, was quoted to say that “teachers are prohibited from selling anything created on district time.” Since it is unclear if it was made during free time or work time, it could be up for dispute. Teachers do not have a lot of free time! When they are at school beyond contracted time or at home and still working on lessons and activities for school, they are not getting fairly compensated for this important work! 

​Furthermore, Robert Lowry, deputy director of the NY State Council of School Superintendents discussed the issue of the extent district resources were used to create the materials. Professional development may have helped a teacher create the lessons for sale. Two issues: who owns the lesson and should teachers help other teachers without making a profit? 

Teachers are working beyond contract hours to educate America. Let them use their education to create amazing lessons, and to carefully select superior lessons that meet their students’ needs from other professionals to engage today’s learners.




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Comparing Teacher and Administrator Perspectives on Multiple Dimensions of Teacher Professionalism

Teachers Become Entrepreneurs by Selling Classroom Materials Online

Teachers Make Money Selling Materials Online

Should Teachers Be Allowed to Sell Their Lesson Plans?

Teachers Make Money Selling Materials Online

Teachers Sell to Teachers





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    Teaching is my passion.  
    I love children and I want them to learn to their full potential. Learning should be fun!
    ​Be knowledgeable and then you can share your passion!

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