FCS New Teacher Blog

I was reading through some of the questions and posts.  I would like to add that I really like Bernina sewing machines.  I too have been faced with the problem of more students than sewing machines.  Sometimes I give some seatwork they can do on their own and rotate students on seperate days doing the seatwork or sewing.  I also encourage 2 students to share if they can use the same color thread.  It is very easy for one student to sew a seam while another is pressing.

I also want to address another issue.  Make sure you have permission slips with you at all times when you go to meetings with the kids.  I faced a problem at the region IV meeting that we all hope we never have to face.  I had to call EMS when a student had a seisure.  The very first thing they asked was “Do you have a permission slip”.  I was also asked the same question when I got to the hospital with the student.  Fortunately I always make students give me their meds if they are taking perscriptions and I had those in my purse.  All is well that ends well and fortunately my student is fine, but it was a little scary and I am glad I did have the permission slips and the medications.

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I am a first year teacher this year.  We are adding PFD to our courses for next year and are looking into ordering sewing machines (we would eventually like to add apparel).  What types of sewing machines should we look into purchasing?  What all do you need to go with it? What things are the most beneficial?  Thanks for all of your help!

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As I mentioned in my last blog, I introduce some of my parenting/child development lessons with a children’s book. Here are some of my personal favorites! (do let me know if you’d like more titles or if you would like to share some!)

prenatal care:

Frazzle   by Stephen Cosgrove (Serendipity books)

adoption:

I Love You Like Crazycakes   by Rose Lewis

a mother’s love:

Mommy’s Best Kisses   by Margaret Anastas

Love Song for a Baby    by Marion Dane Bauer

The Kissing Hand            by Audrey Penn

What Mommies Do Best/What Daddies Do Best   by Laura Numeroff

and, right now,  for black history month:

Richard Wright and the Library Card   by William Miller

When Marian Sang  by Pam Munoz Ryan.

more later!

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Just wondering if there are any new/returning teachers in Region I who will be at the Region I FCCLA Leadership Conference coming up next week, February 21-22.  I would love to meet with any new teachers in the region and talk about the good things you are doing in your classes, or helping to address some of the needs you have.  Blog if you will be there, we will set a time and place to meet.

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I have always enjoyed children’s books. It seems that within the last ten years or so, I have really added to my collection.

In my child development classes I use children’s books to introduce lessons. The books I use are about everything from children’s care and concerns, to families and feelings. It is also in this way I am exposing my students to great books, the importance of literacy and reading to children.

My students are usually quite eager to hear the stories and look at the books I have read to them. I encourage them to go to both school and public libraries, read at home and read to their siblings.

 I also take my students on field trips to the public library to get their library cards. We enjoy visiting the children’s section!  Libraries have so much to offer!    

Examples of some of the books I use will be posted later!

Happy Reading!

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Some of you might be thinking, field trips? Where and why?

 I believe that a person’s education lies far beyond the classroom walls. I enjoy exposing my students to the world beyond those walls. The real world…

 Some places I have taken students from my Foods and Nutrition courses include:

First and foremost…we go downtown to the city/county health department to sign up and take id photographs for my students to obtain their food handlers’ cards. (Prior to this, I collect the $20.oo in cash and the necessary forms from each of my students and turn them in to the health dept. and secure the dates for the class.) I have been able to work with the health dept. and arrange for their course instructors to come to our high school to give the classes there.)

We then fill our days by visiting a number of businesses related to the foods courses. Some of the places we visit have included:

restaurants (all types-cafeterias, casual and fine dining establishments, private clubs, hotels, etc.)

restaurant supply companies and “kitchen stores”

local food companies

grocery stores (local, chain, health food, wholesale, etc.)

And, on the day of the field trips, we enjoy lunch at a nice restaurant! This also provides an excellent opportunity for my students to practice their etiquette! It is a great experience for all!

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One of the things that I have enjoyed doing since the beginning of my teaching career is taking my students on field trips every semester, for every course that I teach.

After having done so for almost 20 years, I think that I have it “down pat.”

Here are my pointers:

1. Obtain permission from your administrator (in writing and on the appropriate forms.)

2. Secure transportation (we have to do this 2 weeks in advance at our district.) This may include requesting sack lunches for some trips. 

3. Make necessary arrangements with personnel from the places you are visiting. Make sure to write down dates, phone numbers and contact persons. (Sometimes I give this responsibility to a student for a learning experience…sometimes I make the calls.)

4. Distribute permission slips to the students. Sometimes I get “I am 18, do I still need to sign the paper?” My response: “Do you live with a parent?” If they say “yes”, then I tell them they still need it signed by the parent.

5. The day before the event, we make reminder calls to the businesses.

6. The week of the  field trip I collect the permission slips, check for valid signatures and check student names off in my gradebook. (I just write p/s- for permission slip.) I always take my gradebook (a bible-of sorts) on trips with me!

7. This is a tough one for softies like me, but “no slip, no trip.” Our students have to learn responsibility!

8. Before boarding the bus I call out student names from the permission slips that I have clipped together with a clothespin. My students  get on the bus as I call their names aloud. This avoids confusion and “stow-aways!”

9. Once we are on the bus, I tell my students that we are all representing our school and school district. I tell them to show their best manners and to thank everyone.

10. We always take little thank you gifts for the businesses. We also take photographs and send the companies copies of the pictures and thank you letters. (I have students make all the necessary corrections on the thank you letters before I send them out!) This is important to avoid any misteaks. (That one was deliberate! hee hee!)

 Hope this helps! More later!

Angelina Bencomo

Canutillo High School

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Having a state FCCLA officer this year gave me the opportunity to attend the Region V FCCLA conference last weekend in Corpus Christi.  It was very gratifying to see seasoned teachers as well as some new teachers working with their FCCLA students during the STAR events.  Congratulations to those rookie teachers who chose to continue the tradition of FCCLA with their students.  STAR events and officer opportunities are great experiences for our students as well as for the teachers.  I look forward to seeing more teachers at the Region I FCCLA conference in Lubbock Feb 22-23 and Region II FCCLA conference in Wichita Falls March7-8, 2008

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