Movements toward New Beginnings

Works4Me presents weekly practical classroom tips from real experts -- your colleagues!

1. Movements toward New Beginnings

From Patrick D. Tavarez, a special education teacher at Eisenhower High School in Rialto, California:

"To break up concentrated, focused, and on task time, I have my class mirror my tai chi movements. A good friend's master teacher taught me the fundamentals. You have to start with the basics and work up slowly. Practice at home first; you'll feel better and be glad you did! When I see the students getting fidgety, I give them a 2-minute warning, put on the timer, and say, 'I think it's time to visit China.' After a few times they'll know what's coming. Some kids will moan, but most will welcome the time to become physically and spiritually enhanced!"
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2. New Beginnings

From Carol Cirtin, a third grade teacher at Otterbein Elementary School in Otterbein, Indiana:

"An annual poem I have my third graders memorize is a wonderful reminder for the whole year. I have students who tell me when they are graduating from high school that they recite it to remind them of important things.

New Beginnings
By: Helen Steiner Rice

How often we wish for another chance
to have a fresh beginning
A chance to blot out our mistakes
and change failure into winning.
It does not take a new year
to make a brand new start.
It only takes the deep desire
to try with all your heart.
To live a little better
and to always be forgiving
To add a little "sunshine"
to the world in which we are living.
So, never give up in despair
and think that you are through,
For there's always a tomorrow
and a chance to start anew.

My students memorize this poem every year and do it within a week. We also recite it on the morning announcements. I have students that stop by to recite it in 4th, 5th, and 6th grade and have even had it recited at graduations! What a wonderful way to start a healthy new year!"
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3. Question of the Week: Classroom Podcasting

From the NEA Today writers:

"Podcasting can be fun. It's inexpensive and invites a global audience into the classroom. How have you incorporated podcasts into your teaching and curriculum?"
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4. ESL Student

Heard Last Week in the Works4Me Lounge:

"This is my eighth year in teaching. I just found out that I'm getting a new student who speaks Spanish with very limited English. Her parents do not speak English at all. Our ESL teacher will spend only one hour per week with her. Oh, what to do? Any suggestions?"
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