From Andrea: Rule #1: If you can make a kid's day, make a kid's day. Read on!

See below for a heartfelt message from Matt at Ditch That Textbook. The link after the message will bring you to a page with some pretty cool teaching ideas. If you don't already subscribe to this blog, you'll LOVE Matt and his inquiry/technology tools!

Confession time. I got to be a substitute teacher in my kids' school yesterday -- half day fifth grade, half day second grade.. The day started great. In less than 15 minutes, I scored some sweet Pokemon drawings by a fifth grade boy.  Later in the day, the students got into groups and played some math board games.  My Pokemon artist was the last one in line. Grabbed a game and walked over to me.  Looked up at me. He wanted to play with ME. I just didn't see it. I was focused on not messing up lesson plans. Had a teacher pop in the room that  distracted me. So what did I do? I assigned him to the one group that needed a fourth student. Blew it. Totally, totally blew it. He was in a group with a kid he didn't get along with.  Ten minutes later, tears ensued. I violated rule number one: If you can make a kid's day, make a kid's day. We had less than five minutes left in class, but we played a quick game together.  He left with a smile, and it was better than it could have been.  But I missed a golden opportunity. (Still fighting a lump in my throat writing this ...) Take it from my mistake yesterday. Make a kid's day.  Don't miss that golden opportunity. OK ... deep breath, swallow that lump, move on ... The end of the semester can be a tricky time when there are LOTS of  distractions like the ones I mentioned. It's also full of opportunity.  Today's post has some ideas for thriving - instead of surviving - the end of the semester. Click here to check it out. I hope it's useful!