Stars of the Week 1/28/11

It's that time again: it's time for star of the week. This week we have an entire class! That's right, there are twenty-three shining stars this week! I was so honored to be asked by a teacher to return to her classroom as her substitute. Tuesday I was back with the same fabulous fourth grade class in which I experienced my first elementary fire drill. Well, I thought these students were great before, but it seems as if these students are now even better. The teacher recently instituted giving points randomly to table groups as an incentive program for good behavior. The teacher instructed me to give out points to whichever groups whenever I wanted to. Because the students were so intent on getting points for their groups, they were pretty much silent the entire morning. Not that these kids don't know how to have fun! They were great at offereing suggestions and answering questions during our science discussion on water. I had such a great time giving points to "super chickens" (I'm not sure what that means, but that's whatthe teacher calls the points program). I hope I get the opportunity to visit these fourth graders again.
I also have two runner-ups for the week as well. Last Friday I subbed for an elementary drama teacher. I was so excited to see what an elementary drama class looks like. The teacher is currently teaching a dance unit and is teaching all her students how to tap dance. I was so disappointed I didn't know this and left my tap shoes at home. The teacher scheduled pairs of sixth grade students to come to each of her three classes for the day (grades K-2nd) and teach the dance lesson for the day. I am so impressed with the sixth grade students that taught with me. They did an excellent job explaining, showing, and helping the students master the different steps. My first two groups in particular were very patient and paced the class perfectly for such young learners.
My other runner-up is actually the teacher I'm working for today. He teaches high school social studies and left me the answer key to his current class's worksheet on democracy. Students were supposed to read through "democratic scenarios" and decide which democratic attribute the scenario failed to live up to. The teacher based each scenario on a real country or historical political system. My favorite answer was describing a democratic system that was used in order for a leader to become a dictator (based on Nazi Germany). The teacher also explained that many dictators have used democracy to come to power. His note said, "It (democracy being used to creat dictatorship) has happened many times, with Rome (Caesar), France (Napoleon), Hitler, and Chancellor Palpatine in Star Wars!" This totally made my day.
Thanks to my wonderful stars of the week and my equally fabulous runner-ups!