Ms. Rodriguez's Classroom

Every Monday we do highs and lows from the weekend. Students are never ready and always forget that I do it so they argue over who has to go first. I never go first, and it's almost a test to see if they remember that I, too, have a weekend and get to share my high and low! I had my first observation on a Monday and my observer noted that it seemed like a great way to build community. It is! I really do like it. However, I had a student say his high was crying and his low was crying. Clearly this was for attention but it got me thinking about what this child needs. It was a jumping off point for me to go chat with the counselor and see how we can better serve this child.

Eclipse it! Dad Joke Friday has been a staple in my classroom since my first year of teaching. It gives a fun start to each class and helps students focus their energy and build community. Starting at a new school this year I wanted to keep this going and include it in my SEL design plan. What? Telling a "dad" joke, or simple, clean, somewhat dumb joke and writing the question part on the board each Friday. To get students' attention I tell the joke and have students guess the punchline. When they're tired of guessing the punchline, I'll give it to them. I usually get some groans and forced fake laughs. So what? Doing something this trivial really does help build community. I have students guessing the punchline as soon as they walk in the door. I also think it helps build routine and eases students into the weekend. Now what? I was absent last Friday due to illness and my students told me they were sad they didn't have a joke! I'm going to ...

I am a fourth year history teacher at St. Paul Academy and Summit School in St. Paul Minnesota. This is a private prep school in the heart of the city down the street from St. Catherine's University. I am a strong ENTJ, activator, achiever, and competitor and big time Type-A personality and that shows in my teaching! I love to travel, cook, and swim, which manifests as I coach girls' swimming for SPA. The purpose of this blog is to manage and monitor my progress in MB6 community as I pursue my Masters' in Education. I will be posting weekly or twice per module.