Run Through Open Doors of Opportunity

"An open door is very inviting! It always poses an opportunity in disguise. Once we take a step through a door, a new world is opened to us."

- Deb Austin Brown. Growing Character: 99 Successful Strategies for the Elementary Classroom.

Happy Monday Everyone!

Sorry I haven't been posting much here lately. I've been extremely busy with the radio show and the last week of school. I hope you've been well. Thanks for visiting!

2 Choices - React or Resolve

"You have two choices . . .  react or resolve."

- Zach, age 12

Taken from Deb Austin Brown's amazing book "Growing Character: 99 Successful Strategies for the Elementary School Classroom"

Happy Monday Everyone!

Warm it Up

"Optimists are people who take the cold water thrown at them, heat it with enthusiasm, and use the steam to push ahead."

- Author unknown.

This is one of "443 Character Quotes and Words of Wisdom" from Deb Austin Brown's excellent book, Growing Character: 99 Successful Strategies for the Elementary Classroom.


Happy Monday Everyone!

Real Strength is Not Fighting

"Fighting doesn't prove anything. Real strength comes from the heart."

- Sam, age 8

from Deb Austin Brown's Growing Character.

Think Positively

"Everything you think affects your attitude, your mind, and your spirit. So think positively!"

- author unknown.

Quoted in "443 Character Quotes and Words of Wisdom..."

from Growing Character by Deb Austin Brown

Happy Monday Everyone!

Learn From It!

"Failure is success if we learn from it."

- Malcolm S. Forbes

Another great quote to inspire you throughout the week.

I really like the collection of motivational quotes at the back of Deb Austin Brown's Growing Character. Every teacher should find this book. It is amazing.

Happy Monday Everyone!

Look For the Good in People!

"Look for the good in people and expect to find it."

- William Shakespeare as quoted in Growing Character by Deb Austin Brown.

Habits Make the Difference

"In truth, the only difference between those who have failed and those who have succeeded lies in the difference of their habits."

- Og Mandino

This is just one of the great quotes that Deb Austin Brown list in her "443 Character Quotes and Words of Wisdom" from her excellent book Growing Character: 99 Successful Strategies for the Elementary Classroom.

When Things go Wrong...

"When things go wrong, don't go with them."

- Anonymous 

(taken from 443 Character quotes and words of wisdom... compiled by Deb Austin Brown in Growing Character)

This is one book that every elementary school teacher should own. Not only does the author share with us 99 strategies to use in our classroom but she also ends the book with some amazing quotations.

Enjoy!

Happy Monday Everyone!

Find Another Way

"There will be times when things don't seem to be working out, but don't give up. Student attitudes may be less than positive and student achievement may be at an all-time low. There will be days when student apathy seems to be the prevailing mood and other times when your students seem to be making bad decisions about their studies and their behavior. All teachers run into ruts and slumps at some point during the school year. At these times we just need an extra push and motivation to spur us on.
. . .
So when you are faced with the challenges of day-to-day teaching and you students challenge you at every turn, remember the words of Satchel Paige and find another way. What will be the choice for the students in your life? Will you nag them or cheer them on?"

- Deb Austin Brown. Growing Character

This is an excellent book that every teacher should own. It is sub-titled "99 Successful Strategies for the Elementary Classroom."

My day today was a lot like the one she describes above. I thought I'd share this quote now to help remind me that we can have days like this. It is normal. Tomorrow will be a better day. I will try something new to reenergize us all and get us back on track.

Happy & Healthy By Thought

"Thinking positively and optimistically will not only make you happier, it will make you healthier."

- Michael A. Mitchell, taken from Deb Austin Brown's excellent book "Growing Character."

Happy Monday Everyone. Here's to 2009! All the best!

Listen More

"If we were supposed to talk more than we listen, we would have two mouths and one ear."

- Mark Twain (taken from Growing Character by Deb Austin Brown)

Don't Stop!

"He who stops being better stops being good."

- Oliver Cromwell - taken from Growing Character by Deb Austin Brown

Build Something on It

"Whatever your lot in life, build something on it."

- taken from "443 character quotes and words of wisdom" from Deb Austin Brown's Growing Character.

Happy Monday Everyone!

Be Right

“Be in the right place, at the right time, doing the right thing.”

I made a banner of this phrase and put it up at the front of the classroom. It has become the motto of my class. I think it is a great quotation that applies not only to people but also to things.

I got this quote from the excellent book Growing Character by Deb Austen Brown. I highly recommend this book to any teacher of any grade.