I was interested in this book last year, but instead focused on family (no regrets). Since I'm changing grade levels this year, I decided it was a good time to download it. On the one hand, I do need to actually learn the curriculum. But on the other hand, I need to get excited about teaching first grade. My emotions aren't as intense as they were in May, but it's still overwhelming and the fact is this was not my choice. So my hopes is this book will help me feel energized again, and help me focus on all the ways I've made my favorite fourth grade lessons exciting, but this time think about those methods with the lens of a first grade teacher.
In the first chapter, Burgess tells us to note our passions. He categorizes them 3 ways, which I'll illustrate here.
1. Content passion: What subjects and topics do you love to teach the most?
Well, of course I can't answer that as a first grade teacher yet, so I have to go back to fourth for the moment.
- Immigration. Believe it or not, I don't love teaching this unit because my husband is one (although that did push it to the top of the list, hehe). I first learn about teaching immigration when I was an aide in a second grade classroom back in 2002. The teacher had a "Cultural Foods Event" to end/celebrate the unit, and I've been teaching it this way every year since I've had my own classroom.
- Long division. No joke. I actually get very passionate about long division. I tell my students that it is one of the toughest parts of fourth grade, but that we WILL get through it together. I tell them that when I was in fourth grade I would cry every night trying to do my math homework, but look how fast I can do it now! (I have them give me a 3 digit number and time me). I tell them how I used to be taught the DMSB method and kept guessing on the "D" step, so it took me ages just to solve one problem, and I remember missing recess because I couldn't finish on time. (And I tell them as long as they are really trying, I won't make them finish at recess. And that I'd rather they get the first 3 right than 15 wrong).
- Geometry. It's all visual. It's basically art during math class. I know, there's numbers in there too, but still. I was sad when our curriculum changed and lots of geometry was cut and we ended up with 2 weeks of geometry.
- Fractions. After reading The Teacher Studio's blog posts on how she teaches fractions, my eyes were opened to how to teach in a way that gets kids to find their own methods. She gave me even more ideas about using visuals and manipulatives in a directed discovery workshop. Fractions became my new favorite just as Geometry was falling by the wayside.
- U.S. Regions. This is our country, and I love that I get to show the kids what makes it great.
- Narrative Writing. Obviously, since I blog, I this is something I enjoy! Writing is critical, and I feel that this form is more accessible to elementary students. They all have a story to tell.
2. Professional passion
3. Personal passion
I think I'll address those in a separate post, since this one quickly became so text heavy. But I'm already noticing theme here. I love art. That's not a surprise to me; one of the first "silver linings" I determined when I learned I would be teaching first grade next year was, "At least I'll have more opportunities to do crafts." I know, I know, first graders don't sit around and color all day nowadays. I know they take tests too, and teaching/learning reading is no joke. However, I do think incorporating more visuals, manipulative, and yes, content related art and craft projects are more expected and encouraged in first grade than in fourth. This section reaffirmed this for me. In order to feel like a happy, confident first grade teacher, I have to find/make activities that incorporate art into the content standards.
What are your content passions? If you are still thinking about it and you haven't read this book yet, you can get Teach Like a Pirate with my affiliate link.
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