Here is a link to the post from last year!  A list of ideas to do during the last week before Christmas break!  Especially great for activities that your students could complete as gifts on a budget! 

I hope that you all are enjoying your days teaching FACS, because I sure do miss mine.  Remember to be thankful for these breaks in the teaching profession that allow you to regroup, recouperate and refocus your attention, skill and abilities on the things that matter most to you and to our FACS profession.  Other professions are lacking these benefits which is one thing that makes the teaching profession so great besides seeing the students achieve great things I look forward to hearing from you and have a wonderful week!

Just FACS!!!

The world is constantly changing and mainly due to technology.  Today, technology affects how we function on a daily basis.  Whether it is at home, work, or school, you better believe that technology is involved.  With this being said, no wonder there is such a push for technology to be integrated in your classroom on a regular basis.  Most teachers constantly find themselves in an uphill battle with students constantly attached to technology from cell phones, to IPods/mp3 players, to digital cameras.  Is it not about time we join the winning side and instead of prohibiting the use of technology in our classes, embrace the use of technology; however on our terms. 

 Students and teachers have been adamant in voicing their opinions on the benefits of integrating technology into the classroom.  Some of these benefits include:

•   Increases student’s experiences by allowing them more opportunities to learn
•  Increases student performance and student engagement within the class
•  Allows students to keep up with the necessary technical skills needed to succeed in their future
•  Increases students responsibility for their own learning
• And of course, makes learning more fun!

 Let’s face it teachers, learning should be interactive.  And it is this interaction that allows students to use and develop skills such as problem solving, critical thinking, communication and the creation of new knowledge and products.  All of this and more can be accomplished by integrating technology into your classroom regularly.

 So colleagues, it starts with you!  Below are some ways to get you familiar and somewhat comfortable with using technology.  Once you have a grasp of how to use it personally, then you may expand by integrating it into your classrooms in teaching inside and outside of the classroom.

 Blogs/Wikis/Websites

• Display student assignments/student’s work
• Create an interactive classroom
• Display class updates, newsletters, calendars, syllabus, and class presentations
• Allow students to submit assignments
• Use as a daily class journal with videos and pictures

 Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.)

• Use facebook and twitter pages so parents/students can follow and know what’s going on in your classroom
• Notification of upcoming school/club/class events

 Email/text messages

• Use to send newsletters/progress reports on a regularly scheduled basis
• Use to send alerts for when notes/report cards, and meetings are scheduled

 Skype

• Great for parent/teacher conferences (if parents have skype)

 If you haven’t noticed, these are all ways that teachers can use technology personally.  I have yet to cover how it can be used in the classroom, but don’t worry; we will get to that part next week.  I just wanted to get you to thinking about the start of technology integration in the FACS classroom.  In the upcoming weeks, we will explore the ways listed above in greater detail and more ways of integrating technology in the classroom.  So check back soon for updates!

 

 

Can you believe that it has been a year since I first created a post on Just FACS?  Well it has and today Just FACS turns 1! I remember when I decided to post my first lesson plan, only hoping that someone would find it useful.  I wanted to fill that huge void in the curriculum that many FACS teachers find themselves constantly seeking to overcome.  I am so delighted and grateful that you have allowed me to tackle this challenge for you and with you.  So I just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart to all of you for continuing to visit Just FACS!  THANK YOU!!!  Also, here is a brief update on what is going on.

 UPDATES

In July 2011 I moved to South Korea.  And even though I am not teaching FACS, I am a career counselor here helping Soldiers transition back into the Civilian world, so I still am promoting a portion of the FACS curriculum.  I plan on continuing to provide resources for FACS teachers, more now than ever.  I am currently awaiting my household goods which is why there has been a lack of posting, due to my lack of resources.  We should have received them in September; however, it looks as though they won’t get here until the beginning of December.  Can you imagine being without your personal things for 5 months?  CRAZY!!!  But that’s the life of a military wife.  Again, I just want to thank you all for being patient, understanding and continuing to use the site for the resources that are here. 

 FUTURE PLANS

• My future plans are to continue to update the website, but on a more regular basis.  
•   To get you all more involved on the website, Facebook, and Twitter.
•   To create new FACS resources and a lot more to include:  worksheets, projects, PowerPoint presentations, etc.!
•    New Online chats, seminars, videos and products!!!!!
•    Bigger and Better contests, give-a-ways, and prizes!
•    And a whole lot more fun!!!!!

 I am so excited for what the future holds for Just FACS and I just want to continue to help FACS teachers across the world in every way possible.  This is my passion and I want nothing more than to share my passion and excitement for this profession with you all.  And hopefully inspire and motivate you guys as well. 

 So as we move into another year together, don’t hesitate to send me an email, post a comment, ask a question or anything!  I also openly invite all feedback on the site and resources.  Your suggestions on any and everything is greatly appreciated and definitely needed.  I am here for you all and again sorry about the lack of postings and support, but I promise it’s about to get better, a whole lot better!  takeebie@justfacs.com

 Have a “FACS-TASTIC” week and I will talk to you all soon!

 

 

Teachers have to develop several relationships throughout the year.  They develop relationships with administration, colleagues, students and also of great importance, parents.  In most cases, the teacher-parent relationship can influence the overall school year.  Great parent-teacher relationships lead to better student behavior, more outside help, better resources, and in some instances improved networks.

            At my previous school, there would be one day out the month when parents would be invited to have lunch with their kids.  During this time, they could also visit their child’s teacher to find out how they were doing.  This really seemed to make the parents feel welcomed at the school.  I even remember from the past, parent-teacher conference days when students would be released from school early so that teachers would have time to meet with parents.  I think that there may be some schools that still do this, but I’m not sure.  So, however you choose to develop this relationship is up to you.  Below are some ideas for developing the parent-teacher relationship.

 1.       Regular communication

•  Don’t wait until students are causing problems or start failing to call parents, sometimes parents just want to hear good things about their kids
• This can be done through emails, text messages, letters, postcards, phone calls, etc.

2.      Social Media

• Create Facebook and Twitter pages so the parents can follow you and know what is going on in their child’s class.
• Make sure you get permission first   because some principals don’t approve of social media sites.

3.      Bring Your Parent to Class Day

4.      FACS Student Exhibition Day

• Have students set up examples of their best work and show their parents.  Also a great way to promote your program.

5.      Inviting Parents to Share/Demonstrate/Be Guest Speakers/Volunteer

• Invite parents to do cooking demonstrations, project demonstrations or just share what they do which may be of use to your students such as a banker  (Getting your first Checking Account
• Encourage them to volunteer for certain projects and/or events you may have going on

6.      Parent Appreciation Days

• Not just on Mother’s Day
• Can be breakfast, lunch, dinner, or just refreshments

7.      Monthly Newsletters

• Great student project or FCCLA members project to again highlight your program and what’s going on in your class
• Doesn’t always have to be printed and mailed; can be emailed or posted on social media site

8.      Blogs and Websites (to be covered in detail at a later date)

9.      Welcome letters

• Don’t just send home a packet of papers for the parents to sign, send home a little something about you and your program with nice colorful pictures

10.  Let your parents know that they are always welcome!!!

My goal for you is to communicate with your parents because it can make your school year go a whole lot smoother and definitely more interesting!  Have a great day!

 

Welcome to a new school year!  As you are making plans and setting goals for what you want to accomplish, I wanted to give you a refresher on the resources here for helping you get your thoughts together and provide you with a bit of relief.   The following links are only a starting place:

 

 

Classroom Management

•         Back to School forms
•         Behavior Management
•         Substitute teacher information
•         Hall passes

Teacher Resources

•          Organization Ideas
•          Bellringer ideas
•          Useful websites and more!

P. S. Sorry for my leave of absence this summer but I have moved to South Korea and will be here for a couple of years!  However, this site will still be up and running!