Inside Bell's Brain

Back again for another inspirational thought this Friday.  Have you missed the others?  No worries...just click on the label "Friday Feels" on the right side of my blog.  You can catch up on the previous ones there. Encourage a classroom dynamic of collaboration and sharing. Synergy is essential in a twenty-first century classroom.  We must be willing to let go of the illusion that we are the keepers of all knowledge in our classrooms.  It's long overdue that we empower our future leaders with the skill sets they need to be successful and solve issues that have yet to even arise.  We must also model for them how to interact with others in such a way that the sum of the parts is greater than the whole.  What are you doing to encourage collaboration in your classroom?

I can't describe how excited I am to be a part of my first linky with a giveaway !  I'm joining my blogger friend Marissa at Inspired Owl's Corner to celebrate her birthday and a major milestone in her blogging career!  It just so happens that yours truly has a birthday coming up this week, so I couldn't resist joining in the fun!    So many wonderful things have happened this year that I feel all too blessed to be where I am with my students.  I've been reflecting on which moments this year put the MOST "spring in my step" to share with you.  Well, I posted on this previous month's Currently linky that I would be spending my Spring Break recovering from my surgery...so far, so good!  I'm feeling better, and I'm looking forward to getting back in my exercise groove and having more energy!  I was also excited that, at the weigh-in before my surgery, I calculated that I've lost about 20 pounds or so s...

So right now it's kind of hard to stay focused on the here and now.  I think many of us start feeling spring fever and thinking about what we " coulda , woulda , shoulda" done differently this year.  I think that's a completely normal part of teaching and a very healthy reflective attitude.  But, of course, we want to still be dedicated to our current students and stay focused on the tasks at hand.  That's just one reason why I am so glad I took the time to make my planner last year.  I still see some things I want to do differently...because, like you, I'm already planning for next year, so I am mentally designing my changes already.  But since it takes me quite a while to personalize and design each and every one, let me tell you why I have loved mine so much this year and why I think you need one too. 1.  It's SO cute!   Who doesn't enjoy planning in a planner that is personalized for their own needs and likes?  It makes me EXCITED ...

Well, my fellow teacher friends, I must say I've really been enjoying spectating in the blogging world. Also, if you know me, you know I've been a long-time fan of TPT (Teachers Pay Teachers). That being said, I have been receiving a lot of encouragement from my wonderful coworkers to really delve into my blog with more resources, advice, etc., and to take the leap into the TPT world as a seller! I'm really excited about the possibilities! But, as all teachers know, it's always a good idea to do a little formative assessment before launching any new unit or project. So here's where you become involved. I want the resources I create, the information I share, the research I post, etc., to be beneficial, practical, and useful for you. So what would you like to see most? What would you like to learn together? What resources do you need in your classroom? Please take this opportunity to comment and interact. Collaboration is one of the best resources we can of...