Quick and Easy No Prep Lessons for the end of the year

One of the mantras I hear throughout the school day is "I'm DONE!"  Whether this is the sentiment of teachers, students, or both, we can all use a break. 

That's why this is the perfect time to try out my Interactive Literacy System!  There is NO PREP for the teacher, and the students remain FULLY ENGAGED since they get to use the computers! All of the instruction is built into the system, so you can rest assured that the kiddos are receiving top quality instruction without you having to do a thing!

Download this product today, save it to a flash drive, and upload it onto your student computers. (Honestly, I have a student do the uploading.  It's a simple matter of copying the program off of the flashdrive and pasting it onto the desktop or the documents folder.)  Heck, you can even share it with other teachers in the building.  This is guaranteed to help the end of the year flow smoothly while keeping your students engaged.

This program, which utilizes the amazing technology in PowerPoint, is user friendly and has been tested with my own 7th graders.  Try it today.  You won't be disappointed!

*Can't get to the computer lab?  Each installment includes a Teacher's Guide, which contains the paper/pencil copy of the passage and questions, as well as an answer key, grading rubric, and explanation of the standards addressed.

**Click the pictures to go to each installment.

Why I Teach

I am tired.  The end of the year fatigue that courses through my body makes it difficult to climb out of bed and force myself to go to work.  All of the meetings, test prep, extra work, and stress has my weary bones aching for a break.  And yet, I still teach.

Based on the grades given by the state, my middle school isn't very good.  Apparently, it doesn't matter that we are a Title 1 school (because of the high poverty rate) and all that entails.  The research that shows the struggles of schools in rural and high poverty districts has no bearing on the grades assigned or the stigma attached to schools like mine.  My fellow teachers, administrators, and I work incredibly hard, and yet, we are made to feel like our best isn't good enough.  And still, we teach and lead.  Jobs, raises, and funding hang in the balance, all because of a score on a controversial test.  The injustice of it all is enough to make a person sick.  And yet, we continue to come to work each day.

Why?  Why would anyone stay in a job where they are made to feel like a failure?  We are all highly educated individuals how could make more money in other fields.  We would have less stress, and actually be finished working at the end of the day.  But we stay because of the children.  Some of these precious souls face unspeakable situations at home.  Some come to school only for a kind word or a quick hug.  Just like anyone else, our young people want to feel loved and appreciated.  They want to feel like they matter, and we as educators have the power to make that happen.  Recently, students wrote letters for Teacher Appreciate Day.  They shared messages from their hearts.  This glimpse into their minds affirmed that what we pour into the lives of our students is more important than any test score or grade given by the state.  We affect change on a daily basis, and this is why we teach.