Small Successes

"You need to be aware of what others are doing, applaud their efforts, acknowledge their successes, and encourage them in their pursuits. When we all help one another, everybody wins."

 
-Jom Stovall 

This week was full of several small successes.  I had a great time subbing for my cooperating teacher while she was gone for the CUE convention in Palm Springs.  I acquired some great ideas from Pinterest and was able to use these ideas in the classroom for “Read Across America Week.”  I attended an IEP meeting and was able to confidently contribute meaningful observations and suggestions.  And I was able to introduce my cooperating teacher to Prezi which she utilized for a school wide community service learning project.

However, the success I was most excited about this week had to do with a science lesson I created and implemented in the classroom.  The lesson introduced different forces (push, pull and gravity) and Newton’s first law of motion to my second grade class.  I was not thrilled with the lesson provided by the students’ text book so I pulled some ideas from Montessori’s lower elementary science activities, a couple of resources that I found on Twitter and some shared presentations that I found on Promethean Planet.  My lesson included four hands on experiments for the students to conduct in teams of 3 or 4 and utilized basic materials such as pepper, liquid soap, magnets, water and paper.   The students were engaged, excited, and were able to explain (both verbally and in written form) the main concepts presented.  My supervising teacher, Dr. A, was there for an observation and she gave me some great feedback, both positive and constructive.

There are two reasons why this lesson stood out to me as a success:

One, I found the internet and the technological tools I am slowly learning to use to be extremely helpful instead of enormously overwhelming.  That’s a huge step for me!   I truly felt part of a community of educators wanting to help other educators, for no other reason but to make a positive difference.  I was inspired by the creativity and dedication that many teachers have toward their students and their willingness to share their creativity for the benefit of others, regardless if they are recognized for their ideas or not.  Just as Seth Godin said in Tribes, “There’s no record of Martin Luther King Jr. or Ghandi whining about credit.  Credit isn’t the point. Change is.”

Two, I found myself energized and appreciative of the positive feedback I received from Dr. A.  It reminded me of the importance and power of meaningful affirmations.  No matter how old or young you are, everybody appreciates encouragement, acknowledgement and specific compliments.  It reminded me to take time to observe my students, to recognize the hard work, the kindness, the creativity, etc. that they display, and to acknowledge them for it.