Activities Wall

Fall Activities Wall: Band, Choir, Soccer, Football, Cheerleading, Cross Country, and Volleyball

I strongly believe that if you can show a child you care, you will earn their trust, and then they will do almost everything you ask them to do. Once students know you care about them as a person, not just another student in their grade book, they will start to respect you. One of the big way I get to know my students is by going to extracurricular activities. I just got back from my first sporting event of the year: 7th and 8th grade volleyball, and I had a blast. It was an away game at the school near my house and I know a lot of teachers and other people who work at the school. I was saying hi to a friend who was working in the ticket booth and when my girls walked around the corner and saw me I had to do a double take and make sure Justin Bieber wasn't standing behind me. They FREAKED OUT! They were so excited when I told them I was coming today and were even more surprised when they actually saw me there. They were SO cute, they kept waving at me while on the court and the 8th graders came up and sat with me during the 7th grade game and vice versa. The parents were also very impressed that I was there. I also talked to some parents who said their daughters couldn't stop talking about my class which is always a confidence booster.

Anyway, a way that I recognize those who are involved in sports or other activities at school is with my activities wall. Depending on the season I put the corresponding sports on the wall, and I have band and choir up all year. This lets other kids know who is in what and the kids LOVE that their name is on the wall. Plus it helps me keep everyone's activities straight. I look up at the wall all the time and ask those students how their games went or when their next one is. I think the kids really like and respect that I take the time to ask them about their activities, and while I could put more math posters up in my room, I think the activities wall is something different and really special for all the students.