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I am the president of an amazing group of teachers that support early career teachers and on-call teachers. We are the newest PSA and part of the BCTF.

Check out the latest newsletter from the BC Teachers' Federation's [BCTF] Provincial Specialist Association [PSA] the B.C. Early Career Teachers' Association [BCECTA]



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Never 'just a teacher'

I often say this to TTOCs who say they are "just a TTOC" - no, you are a TEACHER... be proud!
Happy Friday!

Bag of Tricks Brainstorm

This weekend at the BCTF New Teachers' Conference, I facilitated two workshops. One was "Reality 101; A Day in the Life of a TTOC"

Part of that workshop involves brainstorming ideas to include in your 'Bag of Tricks' and here is what the group came up with:

If they are tough to read, try clicking the photo to see the lager version.

Advice for New Teachers

Earlier this year I participated in in a twitter chat (#cdnedchat) discussing 'Advice for New Teachers'

You can read some of the highlights from that chat on this Storify Board:
http://storify.com/MsAmandaLong/advice-for-new-teachers

Here are some other basic tips:




Via: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/180636635027203901/

Presenting to Student Teachers: Perks of TTOCing

This week I am doing two presentations to student teacher groups. I love the energy and enthusiasm student teachers have coming out of their practicums, ready and eager to find jobs! The reality is, that many get hired, first, as a TTOC (Teacher-Teaching-On-Call) and my workshop looks at what life is like as a TTOC.

I also do workshops for the BCTF on Classroom Management for TTOCs, Work-Life Balance, Stress Management, Reality 101, and a few others. It is always a pleasure to present and today was no different!

Today's group had a lot of previous classroom experience as EAs or such and had some awesome ideas and knowledge to share. They just finished their SFU 405 practicum (Long practicum) and I spent the afternoon with them.

One part of my workshop looks at the benefits of being a TTOC.

We brainstormed some of the perks of being a TTOC and here are some of the things we came up with:

• Flexibility 
• Set schedule
• Variety (grades, subjects, areas)
• experiment with different instructional strategies
• develop professional connections, network
• no report cards
• minimal marking
• less "out of school day" work (prep, plan, mark, etc.)
• Gather ideas, resources, etc.
• try things out repeatedly

While teaching on call is often a stepping stone to contract teaching, many choose to teach on call because of the many perks it offers. Although sometimes unpredictable, many teachers enjoy the benefits of being a teacher-teaching-on-call.

What other perks are there to being a TTOC?

Healthy Festive Fun treats for Halloween

Looking for healthy treats for your Halloween party? These are fun, healthy and still festive

Source: fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net via Amanda on Pinterest

Another busy week of filling my teacher brain...

I spent a couple days in Williams Lake to present the New Teachers' SURT (School Union Rep Training) workshop to a group of new teachers' and TTOCs from Cariboo Chilcotin teachers.

It was awesome to talk about Professional Development, the History of the BCTF, Professional Relationships including the code of ethics and boundaries, Professional Autonomy, and the Collective Agreement. I found it so educational as the facilitator to learn some of the local language and how it differs from other locals I have presented in or my own local I work in.

Thank-you to the teachers' in Williams Lake as well as the BCTF and the CCTA for having me!

When I returned from Williams Lake I had a mentoring session with our district mentor team, where we went through some strategies and protocols to try with our own "mentees" or "prtoege" groups. I find these sessions so valuable as a mentor and hope to bring some of the strategies we practiced into our next TTOC Mentorship meeting.

Finally, on Friday, I joined the BCCLA PSA (BC Co-Operative Learning Provincial Specialist Association) at their annual conference. I am part of the new District Leadership Series and was excited to get a sampling of what we will be focusing on this year. We also had our CTA 1st VP, Chris King, as a keynote. Although I work with him often, it was incredible to listen to him speak on Safe Schools and SEL (Social Emotional Learning) and how important it is to have those connections and a safe environment so that students CAN learn.

Overall, this week was busy, but so educational! My brain felt so full at the end of each day, I am so glad I have my notebook to reflect in and return to, so that all these fabulous revelations do not get forgotten!

Secret Student

Fun behavior motivator! Great for a TTOC also!! Let the class know you are watching the secret student to see if they follow the rules, work hard and are on their best behaviour. Or don't tell them and make it a surprise!

Pick a student to reward. http://www.pinterest.com/pin/154881674658505690/

Educational Activities for Popcorn Month

October is popcorn month. I love popcorn, especially movie theatre popcorn.... but there are some amazing ways to use popcorn in the classroom. As a TTOC this is a sure way to be memorable (but still educational) Similarly, I have used candy hearts as BINGO markers on Valentines day and other food items for learning.

This awesome site posted this:

• Use kernels for an estimation activity.  FirstGradeParade posted this and included cute little autumn-themed, printable cards for students to estimate how many popcorn kernels will fit on it.  After they estimate, they count the kernels to see how close their guess was.
• Have students describe popcorn using as many adjectives that come to mind.  Here is Room-Mom101's take on BabblingAbby's adjective activity.
• Challenge students to create a box that holds the most popcorn.  Fawnnguyen did this activity for sixth-graders studying volume.
• Make a popcorn book club discussion.  This is also an idea from FirstGradeParade, complete with printable discussion-starters.  Students discuss their books and eat popcorn.
• Create popcorn writing by crumpling up popcorn-shaped papers with characters and settings written on them.  Students randomly choose the papers and write a story using the elements written on their papers.  This comes from ApplestoApplique and is similar to my Build-A-Story activity, but with a popcorn theme!

Writing Prompt: What Would the Theme Song to your life be?

 Have students write the song, lyrics, why they chose it. Could do a soundtrack also.

They could embed it on their web site/class website, make a word Cloud with the lyrics, write about it for language arts... endless ways to use this idea.

From classroomcollective.tumblr.com - I found on facebook.

#BCTF2013 Summer Conference

I just got home from an amazing few days in Kamloops, B.C. for the BCTF Summer Leadership Conference for teachers.

This is my 5th year attending and my 2nd as a facilitator.

I went up early for Facilitator's Institute Training where I had the opportunity to review TTOC workshops with new and experienced TTOC facilitators as well as share the NEW SURT (for New Teachers) with experienced SURT facilitators.

It was an amazing few days working with incredible teachers and then even more teachers arrived for Summer Conference.

We had Linda McQuaig as our opening plenary keynote speaker, 3 elective sessions for workshops of our choice (I presented during one of those electives) and closing plenary from Joel Bakan.

We also had core sessions where we worked with our own locals and others to discuss the keynote, strengthening our union, and brainstormed ideas to help meet our Leadership Priorities for the year. One I am most interested in is New teachers/member engagement. I am hoping many locals will book the New Teachers' SURT and get their new members involved to help build capacity in our union.

My most favourite activity was the Drum Cafe where all the teachers gathered in a room with drums. It was a fantastic way to wrap up the conference.

 I really enjoy Summer Conference because it allows me to have a slow start back to school. It's a great way to be inspired and motivated for the upcoming school year.

Speaking of the upcoming school year, I am still on the "recall" list, and haven't been given an assignment for September yet, but hopeful something will come soon.

Anti-Bullying Picture Books

I often talk to new teachers and TTOCs about the importance of their 'Bag of Tricks' (not just a physical bag of "stuff" but also ideas, games, activities in their head to pull out when needed)

One item that is a must-have... a good picture book. I love picture books for all ages and especially ones with issues important to the students. Here are some great anti-bullying picture books that would be great to have for classes you are in.

The Recess Queen

A fresh & original twist on the common issue of bullying. Kids will relate, & parents & teachers will appreciate the story’s deft handling of conflict resolution (which happens w/o adult intervention).

Enemy Pie

In this funny yet endearing story, one little boy learns an effective recipes for turning your best enemy into your best friend. Accompanied by charming illustrations, Enemy Pie serves up a sweet lesson in the difficulties and ultimate rewards of making new friends.

Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon

First-time author Patty Lovell’s message is clear and simple, and the theme is familiar enough to strike chords with every reader, young and old. David Catrow, illustrator of Take Me Out of the Bathtub and Other Silly Dilly Songs, Rotten Teeth, and other popular picture books, depicts a very weird-looking, very appealing little girl with warmth and cartoonish humor. Any child who is less than perfect will cheer with joy to meet Molly Lou Melon, a girl who doesn’t let anything–or anyone–shake her belief in herself.

Don’t Laugh At Me

For anyone who’s ever been bullied–or been a bully themselves–it’s time to change your tune. This is not a book for whiners, but a new language that will give you the words you need to take charge and stop the cycle of teasing. Filled with inspiration and celebration, Don’t Laugh at Me is the anthem for a new bully-free world. Read it, sing it, and cheer! A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to the Operation Respect “Don’t Laugh at Me” Project.

How To Lose All Your Friends

With exuberant pictures and a tongue-in-cheek sense of humor, the author of I Like Me! takes a light-hearted look at bratty behavior that will have children laughing in recognition while learning exactly how not to behave. Colored-pencil illustrations throughout.


Compiled by: http://www.edudemic.com/2013/06/5-powerful-anti-bullying-books-students-should-read/

Father's Day Paper Bag Craft

This is a fairly simple craft to do for Father's Day. I have seen the ties made as part of cards etc. but I like this idea because you can put stuff inside the bag as well.

Source: vippins.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Holy Onomatopoeia Batman!

Loved this lesson idea and had to share. Would be great for teachers doing figurative langauge or if a TTOC wanted to do a mini-lesson that was fun and creative.

 

 

Open with an introduction on onomatopoeia's by showing an old clip of Batman. Here is one from youtube:

 

 

Next show them the art project, some examples can be found at Splish Splash Splatter Art  

 

 Then students can pick out 3 different colors of construction paper. (one for their background, one for their "zig zag" design, and one for the onomatopoeia word) You will also need newspaper.

 

Here is a close up of one of the examples:

 

 

 There are a lot of different ways to create these, students will be able to use the paper to create their own onomatopoeia word designs!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Via: http://crouseallstars.blogspot.ca/2013/03/holy-onomatopoeia-batman.html

Inferencing with Photos

I use a lot of photos and picture books to do regular inferencing with my class and also as a TTOC it is a fun way to do a quiet write... show a photo, allow for some brainstorming or sharing and inferencing, then write..... a story, description, perspective, whatever.... for a photo.

This pintrest page has some great photos you could use to print, put on SMARTboard or projector and use in a variety of ways.

Here are two examples from the page....

Incentive Jar

 

Source: gingersnapstreatsforteachers.blogspot.com via Cynthia on Pinterest

As a TTOC you can easily draw this on the board and use for the day with a class. No materials really required.

GAME: Simon Dit - Simon Says (en francais)

The best thing to teach students is actions and body parts. Then you can play "Simon dit" (Simon Says) with them. Usually I have a little script / cheat sheet and let students take turns playing "Simon" (or Simone)

Fun game to play at the end of a French class if there is time. They love it! You could also have "bonbon" prize

Cool Door Decor

Source: craftysisters-nc.blogspot.com via mika on Pinterest

Poem for Teachers: Pushing My Buttons

Pushing My Buttons

I pushed the little button to summon the elevator
Since I was in a hurry, I needed it sooner, not later
I waited and waited and waited for the elevator to arrive
I pushed the button once, then twice—three times, four times, five
But it never did arrive, you see, and so I took the stairs
A better source of exercise for anyone who dares
And then I got to thinking of the students in my class
Pushing my buttons every day, pushing hard and fast
And there I go reacting and their “elevator” arrives
They’re riding up, they’re riding down, and I’m the one with hives!
I wonder if I stopped arriving, if they’d have to take the stairs
I could silence their conniving—the answer to my prayers!
And so I’ll start tomorrow; my buttons I will hide
And when they see I won’t react, another they’ll try to ride
So here’s advice to all of you—the teachers who react
Don’t let them know your buttons work. They’ll stop pushing—that’s a fact!


There is a great blog post about this poem here: http://eyeoneducation.com/Blog/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2873/How-One-Simple-Poem-Changed-a-Teacher39s-Life#.UWVxOVfZV8E

Giant Venn Diagrams - Hands on

I love this hands on idea for Venn Diagrams. What a fun way to do sort.

Source: lessonplansos.blogspot.com via Amanda on Pinterest