Share, share, share (and take turns). I find myself saying it to my students and my children all the time. Maybe it’s time I take my own advice!
Share Your Stuff
As we clean out our rooms and spaces for the end of the school year, we come across so many things: lessons, materials, books… Often I ask myself when faced with a poster I forgot about and lived without, “Do I really need to keep this??”
Last week I found this share your stuff site. It was tweeted by @whatedsaid, a teacher in my Twitter PLN. It is a page that the school set up to help teachers connect and share the stuff they no longer needed or stuff they were looking for. This would be a great idea to implement in any school – displaying things you no longer need and are ready to pass on: either online or on the gym floor!
Share Student Work
Sharing what your students have accomplished is a great way to share lesson ideas with your colleagues. This site shares the work of students who are steeped in 21 Century Learning. You can come away with some great inspiration for things to try. http://studentinnovation.wikispaces.com/
On this site, you can find a Flickr set of pictures that shares the work of students’ creations in class. Classroom Examples
Share Yourself
A post that was tweeted earlier this month, is titled “Give of Yourself” and tells some things students have said are the best gifts teachers have given them.
I would like to take it a step further. It’s wonderful to know that your gifts are apprecitate by your students, but isn’t it nice to know what you offer your school is appreciated too? Sharing with your colleagues is very powerful and rewarding whether it be a conversation, an idea or your time. You probably do it every day and if so, keep sharing yourself and your gifts!
Sharing is such a simple concept, but with our busy lifestyles and crazy end of the year, sometimes we forget. My goal is to not forget and to keep sharing, just like I tell my kids to do!
Related posts:
Elizabeth Peterson has devoted her life to education and to reaching out to other teachers who want to remain inspired. Mrs. Peterson teaches fourth grade in Amesbury, Massachusetts and is the host of www.theinspiredclassroom.com. She holds an M.Ed. in Education, “Arts and Learning” and is currently enrolled in a C.A.G.S. program through Plymouth State University with a focus in “Arts Leadership and Learning.” Elizabeth is author of Inspired by Listening, a teacher resource book that includes a method of music integration she has developed and implemented into her own teaching. She teaches workshops and courses on the integration of the arts into the curriculum, leads an arts integration PLC (PLaiC) and is adjunct faculty for PSU. Mrs. Peterson believes there is a love of active, integrated learning in all children and from their enthusiasm, teachers can shape great opportunities to learn. 
It is obvious you are a very caring and sharing person. Your post reminds me of the following: “The miracle is this — the more we share, the more we have.” ~ Leonard Nimoy
I just wish that more people would share as it would make our world a much better and friendlier place.
Thanks for linking to my post about gifts
For me the most incredibly sharing community is that of the educators on Twitter. I have made great connections and learned so much from teachers worldwide. One of them shared this link http://teachers.net/wong/NOV08/ about a great school. Among other things, it talks about the value of teachers working collaboratively, sharing knowledge and ideas. You’re spot on!
Jerry and Ed – The best part about an online PLN is the sharing that goes on 24/7. I am very fortunate to have you both in mine!