Day one of the school year was pretty decent – my job is to build up my students who think they are less than, cannot make it, or don’t see where they will fit into the world.
So I showed them a video of the Mars Curiosity landing.
Touchdown confirmed.
Everyone heard about this a few weeks ago, but it wasn’t until I read Brene Brown’s post and saw the video clip that I realized how perfectly it fit into my first day of school message. I don’t like to spend that day pouring over rules, syllabi and other boring stuff-I like to teach straight away.
I think at first my students thought I was crazy – perfectly fine with me. And then they got it.
Failure is not an option.
Touchdown confirmed.
Day 2 awaits.
Jennifer Wolfe
Jennifer Wolfe, a writer-teacher-mom, is dedicated to finding the extraordinary in the ordinary moments of life by thinking deeply, loving fiercely, and teaching audaciously. Jennifer is a Google Certified Educator, Hyperdoc fanatic, and a voracious reader. Read her stories on her blog, mamawolfe, and grab free copies of her teaching and parenting resources.
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Comments: 12
Rosann
August 25, 2012You must be a really cool teacher! The first day of school is always filled with a mix of nerves and excitement. 🙂
Jennifer Wolfe
August 26, 2012Rosann, I hope I’m a cool teacher! Getting the kids as excited as I am is half the battle in middle school!
Courtney G
August 25, 2012Yay for the nerds! It is just amazing what they accomplished. So cool that you featured this for your students!
Jennifer Wolfe
August 26, 2012Thanks, Courtney! I thought this was an amazing video, and the kids really connected with it. It was worth the 5 minutes of viewing time!
Heather Lynne
August 25, 2012My first day with kids is Monday! I can’t wait to see them but it is always trying to get them interesting in learning. I love your motto though-failure is not an option!
Jennifer Wolfe
August 26, 2012Good luck Heather! What grade do you teach? If you can capture their interest and build relationships at the start, the year goes much easier, doesn’t it?
mail4rosey
August 25, 2012I love your enthusiasm. 🙂 Kudos to all of the great teachers in the world!
Jennifer Wolfe
August 26, 2012Rosey, there are SO many great teachers out there! I’ve seen them all over the world, and they want nothing more than their students to follow their dreams.
The Detox Diva
August 25, 2012I am remembering my first days of school. If my teachers had been like you, I would have liked junior high and high school! Teach me something straight away….Get and keep my attention!
Jennifer Wolfe
August 26, 2012Thanks, Diva! I try to keep it interesting…sometimes I feel like I ‘have’ them, and sometimes I don’t!
My Inner Chick
August 24, 2012Mama W,
Happy Touchdown & Many More. Xxx
Jennifer Wolfe
August 25, 2012Thank you! I made it through the first week unscathed…glad to have a few days to regroup!