AUTUMN OR FALL SEPTEMBER 22

September 22nd officially ushers in fall and the approach of cooler and shorter days with the Autumnal Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere . The Southern Hemisphere gets ready for the joy and flowers of spring at the same time. Fall is truly a time of change for the whole world. This is also the start of the academic year for many countries. Do you ever wonder why we start planting seeds of learning at the start of the school year just as we enter the harvest season for real fruits and vegetables?

As we officially begin autumn in the northern hemisphere, the successful harvests at your local farmers’ market remind us that those seeds we plant in classrooms will grow with time and attention. After the first few weeks of school, we need to connect positively with parents, nourishing the seeds a bit. To learn how you can begin creating the life you want for yourself and your students, let's look into this theme for some guidance, ideas, suggestions, and other resources to help us learn this year. May you see some seeds sprouting and enjoy some local produce while learning and using this theme. We all enjoy the seasonal changes that happen during the fall.

These changes provide rich opportunities for students to practice observation, writing, and description skills. The activities in this autumn theme unit will help extend your students' experiences into other curriculum areas, such as language arts, math, science, arts and crafts, and many other areas. They also introduce the students to ways in which animals must adapt as the weather gets colder. Autumn is a visually rich time of the year because of all the changing colors of the leaves and all the imagery of the harvest season.


AUTUMN OR FALL FUN THEME UNIT RESOURCES AND OTHER AUTUMN HARVEST THEMES--http://geocities.com/mrsjacksonsclass/autumnfall.htm
SOURCE OF SOME OF THESE GREAT IDEAS--http://www.teachersfirst.com

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE SEPTEMBER 21

It was established by a United Nations resolution in 1981 and the International Day of Peace was first celebrated in September 1982. This day gives us the chance to help students look at their own role in world peace. It's a day worth remembering all year long. The International Day of Peace has a special significance in 2008 as it marks both the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 60th anniversary of UN peacekeeping. This year's Peace Day is themed Human Rights and Peacekeeping. Celebrate the United Nations' International Day of Peace on September 21st by joining the worldwide movement to create a global ceasefire and day of peace and nonviolence. This is a time to help students develop respect for diverse cultures. In a message commemorating the Day in 1995, Secretary-General Boutros-Ghali stated that “the world, once more, cries out for peace. And for the economic and social development that peace alone can assure... Let us keep our goal clear and simple... Let us work for peace.”

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world" - Nelson Mandela

You can find lesson plans, printables, references, and activities on a variety of peace-related resources, like Middle-Eastern conflict, dealing with war, classroom conflict, September 11, tolerance, discrimination, and more to educate your students.

May Peace Prevail On Earth!

Teaching Tip: 10 Things For Your Substitute Teacher Folder

By: Teachnology.com September and October teaching resources, teaching tips, and teacher tools can be found at http://www.teachnology.com:80/monthly/sept/ and http://www.teachnology.com:80/monthly/oct/ .

Put these 10 things into a folder and you can rest easy! Veteran teachers share their experience.
1. Class list(s).
2. A description of your routine.
3. School forms and passes.
4. 2-days of emergency lesson plans.
5. Related puzzles.
6. Review work.
7. Rewards.
8. School map/floor plans highlighting important locations.
9. Writing prompts and starters.
10. Seating charts.

Inspiring Quotes

“I am a teacher. A teacher is someone who leads. There is no magic here. I do not walk on water, I do not part the sea. I just love children.”
— Marva Collins

“The best way to cheer yourself up is to cheer everybody else up.”
— Mark Twain

“Teachers are those who use themselves as bridges, over which they invite their students to cross; then having facilitated their crossing, joyfully collapse, encouraging them to create bridges of their own.”
— Nikos Kazantzakis

Never Forget September 11th is Patriot Day

Patriot Day is celebrated September 11th which is the anniversary of the terrorist attacks of 2001. To mark the anniversary of the bombing of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon in 2001, President Bush proclaimed that September 11 be named Patriot Day. On this day, the proclamation asks that flags be flown at half-mast and that the day be marked by ceremonies, candlelight vigils, and other remembrance services. Patriot Day was established to honor the individuals who lost their lives as a result of terrorist attacks on 9/11. The tragedy of September 11th will never be forgotten. God Bless America!

Sites were created to help educators teach students about peace, tolerance, war, patriotism, geography, and other related issues about America. There are many sites that feature resources and tips to help adults and youths of all ages reflect and respond to the anniversary of the attacks. You can view photos of New York Harbor from Mrs. McGowan's First Grade site at http://www.mrsmcgowan.com/cc/nyc.htm . There are more sites that can be used to study American heroes and other patriotic themes over the course of a year. You can visit sites and pages for resources on patriotism, national holidays, symbols of the US, our 50 States, the Flag, the Pledge of Allegiance, heroes, and many other national holidays.

You can check out some of these sites by going to PATRIOT DAY SEPTEMBER 11.

Source: http://www.readwritethink.org/calendar/calendar_day.asp?id=291

NATIONAL GRANDPARENTS DAY

National Grandparent's Day is a day to honor your Grandparents and seniors because they are the key to your family history and their love and strength can guide you and strengthen the relationships between the generations. Grandparents Day is celebrated each year on the first Sunday after Labor Day. The specific date changes each year. National Grandparents Day was created in 1978 by a federal proclamation, passed by Congress and signed by President Jimmy Carter. National Grandparents Day was first celebrated on Sunday, September 9, 1979. The official song of National Grandparents Day is "A Song For Grandma And Grandpa" by Johnny Prill. The official flower is the forget-me-not. Marian McQuade of Oak Hill, W.V. is credited with lobbying for a national observance of Grandparents Day. Michael Goldgar of Atlanta, Georgia is given credit, also. The statute cites the day's purpose as: "... to honor grandparents, to give grandparents an opportunity to show love for their children's children, and to help children become aware of strength, information, and guidance older people can offer."

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Grandparents'_Day

For more info and resources, you can go to Mrs. Jackson's Class-National Grandparents Day.

Starting the Year Off Right

27 TIPS FOR STARTING THE YEAR OFF RIGHT! N.E.A.

1. Get organized. Organize your personal papers and classroom materials.

2. Establish the rules. With your students, set and post about five classroom rules.

3. Introduce yourself. Share an autobiographical sketch with your students.

4. Make a good impression. Let your students know that you are prepared.

5. Be clear. Tell your students exactly what you expect of them.

6. Learn their names. Learn your students' names as soon as you can.

7. Foster curiosity. Create an atmosphere that encourages and rewards curiosity.

8. Start slowly. Cover material slowly so everyone experiences success.

9. Find a shoulder. If you don't have a colleague who's a "buddy," find one.

10. Get parents involved. Identify ways you can include students' parents.

11. Call every parent early in the year to introduce yourself and to establish a line of communication.

12. Set class goals. Work toward goals you and your students set together.

13. Sound positive! Find opportunities to send positive notes home with each student.

14. Build spirit. Find something unique about your class -- something you and your students can be proud about -- and encourage it.

15. Get some class. Decorate your room to catch and keep students' attention.

16. Keep good records. Get advice from your colleagues to help find a system that works for keeping lists and communications.

17. Be prepared for special kids. Consult with your colleagues, district administrators, special educators, and specialists to learn about special needs students and plan how you will meet their needs.

18. Build relationships. Get involved in professional and school activities and get to know your colleagues.

19. Work out a sound system of supervision and consultation with paraeducators who may be working regularly in your classroom.

20. Be proud. Take pride in your accomplishments and those of your students.

21. Promote your image. You are the best PR there is for education.

22. Be fair. Respect your students, and manage your classroom in an even-handed manner.

23. Speak up. Don't hesitate to tell school critics that you and your colleagues are doing a good job.

24. Relax! Remember that you are only one person, and you are doing the best you can.

25. Know your rights. Read your local Association's negotiated Agreement, and find out what your education employee rights are.

26. Join the Association. Your membership protects you and strengthens your profession.

27. And finally, keep a sense of humor!

Source: N.E.A.

For more ways to start the year off right, go to:

MRS. JACKSON'S CLASS WEBSITE K-12 RESOURCES

BACK TO SCHOOL THEME UNIT AND RESOURCES


SEPTEMBER THEMES, UNITS, AND RESOURCES

AUGUST FUN CALENDAR OF THEMES, RESOURCES, AND ACTIVITIES

Labor Day Holiday

It's really uncertain whether it was Peter McGuire of the American Federation of Labor or Matthew Maguire of the Central Labor Union who founded Labor Day. Congress made it a federal holiday in 1894. In recognition of the day, here are some facts to help you appreciate the labor you do everyday and the things you have done in the past.

12-hour workdays, 7 days a week, were standard in America in the 1800s - and even children worked.
The National Labor Union began fighting for an 8-hour workday in 1866.
In 1938, the Fair Labor Standards Act set a minimum hourly wage of 25 cents.
(Source: History.com)

THE FIRST MONDAY OF SEPTEMBER IS LABOR DAY.

HOLIDAY THEME UNIT RESOURCES
LABOR DAY
HOLIDAY THEME UNIT RESOURCES-SEPTEMBER