Glitter-N-Gold Giveaway

Glitter-N-Gold Giveaway

And.............the winner is..........................Crystal Shepherd

Congratulations Crystal!!!!
Please email me at teachergoldmine@gmail.com with your school
address. I will send your gold bag of gifts as soon as I get your information.
I hope you enjoy your gifts of gold.

I used the random name picker at classtools.net for this giveaway.

Glitter-N-Gold Giveaway

Ok everybody! Here it is! I really got a little carried away with this giveaway (see contents below). I had so much fun looking for the items, and I am so excited to reveal the contents of the gold bag. I have to admit that I have just a teensy bit of hesitation doing this giveaway because I love, love, love me some gold. I am even changing the décor in my bathroom to gold, but I'm having some difficulty finding my gold shower curtains. Can anybody point me in the right direction? LOL I am so serious. Love that gold!

I will be using an online name generator to pick the winner. If you sent me a note, your name will be entered, and the winner will be revealed tomorrow. I wish you lots of luck. I honestly wish I had more of them to giveaway.

Glitter-N-Gold Giveaway Contents: Gold bag, gold headband, 4 piece eyebrow kit in a gold pouch, gold mini pad, golden body mist, 24K hydrating gold gel mask, gold shimmer lip gloss, gold hoop earrings, 2 bottles of gold nail polish, gold lipstick, mascara in a black and gold container. 

Affirmations for Teachers

Words have incredible power. They also have their own energy. I am such a huge believer in using affirmations. I use them on a daily basis, and they have helped me remain calm in many situations. You know how many different situations you encounter as a teacher.  Things are constantly happening in the classroom, in the hallway, on the playground, in the cafeteria, in the bus line, and in the library. You just can’t get away from situations. You probably just dealt with a situation.

Affirmations have been proven to have positive effects on your body and mind. The mental and physical changes that affirmations produce are due to the chemicals released when words are spoken. Just notice how you feel when you repeat certain words during the school day. Some words will produce feelings of happiness whereas others will cause you to get angry and upset. The language you use can alter your students’ feelings about themselves and help change their internal dialogue that can work against them and prevent academic success. Personally, I have witnessed the change in my students’ behavior when affirmations were used in the classroom. Affirmations helped change my classroom bully into one of my helpers. They work! Believe it!

Just as words have power, so do your unspoken thoughts. Be aware and fully conscious of your thoughts because as Dr. Joseph M. Carver states, your thoughts change your brain chemistry. The neurotransmitters in your brain changes throughout the day as your experiences and emotions change. Your most challenging student says something disrespectful and inappropriate to you and your face turns into a frown and your heart beats faster and faster. You are upset!  A little while later, one of your students gives you an unexpected hug and flashes the most beautiful smile and at that moment, your heart is filled with immense joy. Those are examples of two students. Now add about 19 more students to that equation. You experience a variety of emotions on a daily basis.

Affirmative phrases will help you get back to a place of calm and peace. If you are prone to having negative thoughts (and we all are), find a way to help you dismiss the thought quickly. Some people put a rubber band on their wrist and pop themselves when a negative thought arises. Others will simply pinch their wrist to return to a positive state. My favorite is to repeat the words, I return to place of love. Sometimes I will just whisper the words love, love, love. The most important thing is to find something that works for you. Your thoughts and words will have an impact on your students’ behavior, their academic success, and their perception of themselves. Here are a few affirmations you can use. Repeat them every day, all day and watch the magic happen. When you say the words, feel them with every fiber of your being. Feel the reality of the words. Whisper them to yourself as you walk in the hallway. Think about them as you wait for your class finish with their water and bathroom break. Take advantage of every opportunity. Remember...you have the power to set the tone for the day. Own your power! Walk in it!

Side Note: You really have to have fun with these words. Say each phrase with a different voice. Put a little two step dance to them as you recite them before your students arrive. Pair up with a teacher buddy. When your students come in, they will see you all happy and feeling real good. Now that’s the way to start your school day!

I choose peace and calm today.

I have the power to choose how I react.

I see success when I look at my students.

Something good is happening in my class today.

This is the best place to be-----right here.

Imagine...my classroom filled with joy & excitement.

We have some good attitudes in here today.

Success? We got it!

Good thoughts! Right actions!

Love energy is bouncing off these walls.

We are magnets for success.

Success just seems to follow my students wherever they go.

These brains are turned on today!

These brains are smokin’ hot today!

We are family! We get along.

My students were born to win and succeed.

My mind is filled with peace, happiness, joy, & success.

Joy, success, love (whisper & repeat 3x)

I am the chosen one to guide my students to success.

I feel good, real good.

These will help you have a super duper year.

Please leave a comment and let me know your experiences, thoughts, and ideas about affirmations.

 Visit again for the next post Affirmations for Children with a freebie for you.

 

Happy teaching!

10 Ways Teachers Can Rejuvenate and Reenergize

Part 2

In yesterday's post, I shared some ways you can keep yourself energized during the day. Here are five more things you an do to prevent the midday or afternoon slump.

6. Prayer/Mantra/Chant - This one would actually be at the top of my list. I pray throughout the day because it helps me stay calm, and when you're working with children all day you definitely want to have that state of mind. You can make up one yourself or use two of favorites.  (Feeling good, feeling fine, getting better all the time. Healthy body, healthy mind, feeling good, feeling fine.) When you repeat it, it's more effective if you can put some excitement in your voice which will make you feel even better.

7. Laugh - I love, love, love to laugh. In fact, I make it my business to find something funny every day. There are so many funny YouTube videos available. There are even joke websites that can help you get your laugh on. Laughter is a great stress reliever and it releases feel good chemicals in your body. So, stay calm and laugh.

8. Snack Pak - Food is your body's fuel, and you need to take care it by making sure you have enough nutrients throughout the day. It may help to have your own handy baggie filled with energy boosting foods that will keep you from feeling sluggish and drained. I kept healthy snacks in my room and often share them with my team. My favorites include fresh fruit, trail mix, whole grain crackers w/cheese or peanut butter crackers. Remember to drink lots of water to keep you hydrated.

9. Mini Retreat - You won't be able to leave the school, but you can still have a few minutes to yourself to unwind. Try eating lunch alone in your classroom sometimes. Turn on a lamp instead of the room lights or use some flameless candles. Enjoy your lunch with some soft music playing in the background. If there is still time left after eating, you can sit back, rest your head against the back of the chair, and close your eyes for a few peaceful moments.

10. Read - Take a break from the professional literature you read to stay current. Have something enjoyable to read during lunch like the Reader's Digest books that have been around for years. Inspirational reading materials will keep you motivated. It's like "food" for your mind.

Glitter -N- Gold Giveaway - One lucky follower of my TPT store will win my Glitter -N- Gold bag filled with lovely gifts.

You can follow me here for a chance to win this August 17, 2015 gift.

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Teachersgoldmine

 

          10 Ways Teachers Can Rejuvenate and Reenergize

           Welcome back to the hardest working segment of our population-----our teachers.
 Wishing you and your students an awesome year!

PART 1
After a long hiatus from blogging (actually, I barely got my feet wet), I decided my first post would focus on things you can do while at school to help you stay calm and keep teaching. During the past few years my family has endured some major, life-threatening illnesses like heart disease (mother & brother), Alzheimer's (dad), stroke / diabetes (brothers). I realize now more than ever the importance of good health.

Let's face it and be real! Teaching can be quite draining and demanding. Each day is different, and you never know what to expect. It's important for you to stay healthy for yourself,  your family, and your students. Ok.....so let's get to it. Here are ten ways you can rejuvenate and reenergize.

1. Affirmations - Words have incredible power, and so do affirmations. Affirmations are short, positive statements that affirm who you are, who you want to become, or what you want to experience. They can really inspire and motivate you. Memorize as many as possible so that when those challenging moments arise, you will have some readily available. This is one way you can speak into your own life whatever you want to manifest. The affirmations you choose must resonate with you. Here are a few of my favorites. I am looking forward to something wonderful happening today! My whole body is completely restored to health and harmony. I choose to experience peace and joy today. I'm feeling better and better every day.

2. Corner of Beauty - Having a small area on the wall for pictures was a saving grace for me. I could quickly glance at them if I was having one of those days. Designate a small section of your wall for some beauty, some joy, and some peace. Display beautiful pictures of flowers, the sunset, trees, or whatever strikes your fancy. You can also add posters with affirmations.

3. Music - I love music! I sing a lot (alone so no one can hear me)! A good song will perk you up and make you feel like you can do anything. Have your personal playlist readily available at your disposal because you just might need it. You can play your favorite songs before your students arrive or after school. 

4. Movement - Take a slow stroll or brisk walk and get some fresh air. Being out in nature does wonders for your body and mind. I would take walks around the track with my students. They interrupted my quiet time with their conversation, but I enjoyed it.

5. Mindfulness - When you are being mindful, you are focusing on the present moment. Nothing else matters except what is happening in the moment. Your thoughts are not on the papers that need to be graded or emails you need to respond to. You are just quiet and aware. A fun way to start a mindfulness practice is to take a piece of paper and doodle. Just start doodling lines, squiggles, and various shapes. Only focus on your doodles. It's fun! Try it!


What are some ways you stay rejuvenated during school? Please share! Your ideas are appreciated.

                   Look for part 2 tomorrow and information about my Gold and Glitter Giveaway.