Thanks to An Apple for the Teacher for hosting this week! I am really enjoying this book, as well as then being able to participate in an online study!
My thoughts on chapter 3...
I feel like the past couple of years I have gotten away from reading aloud every single day. This has not been done intentionally, but simply has been a negative impact from things being piled (and piled and piled) onto our plates. When I began teaching it was something I loved doing each day, and while way back then, it wasn't always intentional, I knew the value in time spent sharing read alouds with my young students. I think that sometimes I get so caught up in ensuring that my lessons are 'mini' that I often felt that there wasn't time to dive into a read aloud along with each one. Reading this chapter has reaffirmed my belief in reading quality, carefully thought out, books to my students on a daily basis, and I will renew my goal of doing this every day.
I loved the section titled Does Whole-Class Mean Undifferentiated. I feel like this is sort of one of those pendulum swings that so often happen in education. Teaching used to be entirely while group instruction, and then there was a major swing away from whole-class teaching... almost making it a taboo thing! One of my favorite quote from the chapter was:
"Differentiated instruction means that each students strengths and needs are taken into consideration when the teacher is planning learning experiences, to ensure that each child is challenged and supported in that learning."
So true!
In addition, I really enjoyed Lisa's discussion about "accountable talk." I have long done 'turn and talk' and 'Think-Pair-Share' kinds of talk in my classroom. But this section reaffirmed the importance of these intentional, rich conversations.
Finally, I really liked the websites that Lisa shared. They seem like some really good suggestions! I have often toyed with the idea of having a class blog (or Facebook page, or Twitter, etc.) but have never taken the plunge... I may have to reconsider that this year!
I just love summer vacation for so many reasons. This week I spent Monday and Tuesday with my little love bug. We went to our first tumbling class, visited the library, played outside, and met daddy for lunch! Such wonderful things that we normally don't get to do. The rest of this week I am doing an independent study at school. Basically I'm earning credit for stuff I have to do anyway! It is fabulous!
Anyway, I spent a little bit of time today reading the next chapter in "100 Minutes: Making Every minute Count in the Literacy Block," and am now linking up for this great book study!
So this chapter was all about the Building Blocks. A lot in this chapter reminded me of the Daily 5, and what I am already doing. The main difference in Lisa's suggested literacy block is that reading and writing are intertwined throughout the 100 minutes. I do my best to integrate the two, because really you can't have one without the other... we obviously write during reading time, and read during writing time. However, I typically have a Reader's Workshop time, and a Writer's Workshop time and they each have their own focus. They tend to be separate workshop times in my schedule and I love the idea of intertwining them! Also, the intentionally sequenced tasks make perfect sense!
Finally, the section on choice really spoke to me. I know that research (both by the 'experts', and my own real life research) tells me that choice is imperative. This is something that I love about Daily 5. However, I often felt like students were choosing activities that had nothing to do with the mini-lesson I just taught, or the guided reading lesson they just participated in. I was never really sure how to remedy this. My favorite quote from the whole chapter was on page 23 where Lisa said, "the teacher chooses what the student is learning and the students choose how they are learning it." It helped me see that I can still incorporate choice, but that the students will "partner with the teacher" to make choices.
While I love the idea of sandwiching the two whole group lessons around independent work time. I find it somewhat odd to have a writing lesson, and then just end the literacy block. Are the kids going to remember what I taught them the next day it they don't have time to immediately practice a taught skill?
I'm sure more will be explained as I continue on. After all, this is only chapter 2!
Head over to AppleSlices to read some more thoughts!
Pardon me for a moment while I blow the dust off this old blog here!
Apparently I am just not going to be one of those regular bloggers. Especially during the school year! Last year I had said that I really wanted to keep up on my blogging... this year, I'm not even going to make that promise! However, it does feel good to be back in here sharing my thoughts with other teachers!
Today I am linking up for a book study. Yes, it is my first official day of summer vacation and I am already thinking/planning/preparing for next school year. But that is just the way we teacher are, isn't that right?!
Not that long ago I came across this book:
I honestly don't even remember where I first saw the title, but I jotted it down, and looked it up on Amazon. It sounded good, so I added it to my Wish List. Amazon had no reviews of the book and so I was having a hard time deciding if it would be worthwhile. I Googled the title, and came across a blog post by Beth at Thinking of Teaching! She was hosting a book study on this very book. I ordered it on the spot and am now ready to link up with Chapter 1!
Chapter 1
Let me start by saying that I love how there is space in the margins of this book! I read books like this with a highlighter and pen in hand, so having a little space to jot down ideas was fabulous!
So a little background: I LOVE Daily 5. I have been doing D5 in my classroom for about 7 years now. Reading the Daily 5 revolutionized my teaching. Before reading it, I felt a little like Lisa Donohue in her confessions at the beginning. I really didn't know what I was doing and wasn't sure how to fix it. Daily 5 gave me the framework to really fix my literacy block and do some serious differentiating. So I was a little hesitant to dive into a book that may change my Daily 5 views. However, I will admit that over the last 2 years I've started to feel like I could be doing more with my literacy block. Like Lisa discusses, there are so many new things piled onto our teaching plates all the time, finding ways to fit it all in can be challenging! Beth links to Linda Donohue's own blog where she has a post about Daily 5 and 100 Minutes... I will definitely be looking at that while I read this book! I'm excited for something new to complement what I'm already doing!
I really liked how Lisa Donohue talks about adding dimension to familiar routines. This is where I feel Daily 5 can sometimes get us in a rut. I like the idea of having a structure, but adding layers to it in order to facilitate more and more learning! The way she breaks the literacy block into 3 chunks of time makes perfect sense to me, but also throws me a little because it seems that there is more whole group time than I have now. With my D5 structure, I typically teach 2 or 3 whole group mini-lessons and the majority of the block is spent in small group and independent activities. I'm curious to keep reading and see what this might look.
In addition to the restructuring I mentioned above, I'm really curious to learn how the AWARD time functions. I wrote some questions in my margin about stamina building and accountability during this time. I'm hoping that she gets into the real 'nuts and bolts' of how to achieve what was described in the 100 Minutes in Action part.
In short, I'm really intrigued and excited to keep reading and learning!
I was so super excited to participate in this Blogger Exchange hosted by Covered in Glitter and Glue! I mean who doesn't love getting fun mail!
My buddy was Tamra from First Grade Buddies! Here are a few pictures of what she sent:
I got a lovely note, a pack of Post-Its, some super cute binder clips, a Starbucks gift card (yay!) and a really neat little notebook.
I love this thing! At first I thought it was just a pretty little notebook, but then I opened it up and it has 3 sections: To Buy, Remember, and To Do. You can write on each section and then pull it off! I will totally be using this as I am SUCH a list maker. I'm constantly writing myself sitcky notes! Now I can be even more organized in my list making!
I just posted my first product to Teachers Pay Teachers! I'm so excited, but a little nervous as well! I'm not 100% convinced that I'm cut out to be a TPT seller. There are so many fabulous blogger/seller teachers out there that I pretty much think of as teacher celebrities (like I'd probably get nervous if I saw them on the street!) and I have a hard time seeing myself potentially as one of them! My wonderful husband actually encouraged me to do this. I've mentioned it before, but never thought I would have the time or creativity, and what if I (gasp) use a copyrighted font or clipart!! Sooo... this first freebie item is actually a test. We'll see how it goes over, if people actually like this and download it and give me feedback... maybe, just maybe, I'll keep going.
Anyway, on to my FREEBIE! I've only used QR codes a time or two in the past, but have really gotten into them recently. Plus, my school just got a whole mobile cart of iPad Minis and I am beyond excited to get my hands on those babies! My freebie is a packet of audio sight word QR codes for my students to listen to. I will likely use these during Daily 5 as word work, but they could be placed around the room as a scavenger hunt type activity as well. There is one set of cards with just the QR code, and one set with a blank spot. The students can scan the code, listen to the word, and then record the word on the card (with a dry erase marker if laminated, or build it with letter tiles, etc.) or they can write it on one of the recording sheets provided.
I am super excited to use these in my own classroom, and hope that you can use them as well. If you like the product, and find it useful, I'd LOVE some positive feedback. If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions for improvement please let me know here in the comments, or by emailing me at mrsapplesandchalkdust@gmail.com.
Follow my store... just in case I create more! :-)
Wow, look at me... another post, and another linky! Really hoping to keep up on my blogging this year! Anyway, I thought this would be a good one to join because I always have random in my week!
First, I have really been doing my best to enjoy every moment of my summer with my little Bug. I was so fortunate to be able to work part time last year, but will be going back full time next month (gasp) and it makes this mama all kinds of sad! Today we went to the local discovery museum. I'm not sure if Bug or dad had more fun!
On a sad note, we had to make the very difficult decision to put our Suzy dog down this week. She started having kidney issues and despite everything we did, she just wasn't getting any better. It was so hard, but we are relieved that she isn't suffering anymore. We're doing our best to adjust, our remaining dog seemed confused and out of sorts at first, but is starting to come around as well.
I've always enjoyed a bargain and done my best to use coupons and shop sales etc. However, now with an enormous vet bill hanging over our heads, it is even more essential! So I cut coupons, looked at sales, got mobile coupons, and got everything pictured below for only $7.80 at Target! AND I didn't buy anything at the dollar spot! Phew, all these back to school sales are going to kill me!
When driving home from the above mentioned trip to Target (on Friday night, how cool am I?) I just had to pull over to take a picture of this sunset!
Thanks for reading! Feel free to follow me on Instagram and Bloglovin!
Wow, I was so surprised to see that Mary from Fit to be Fourth had nominated me for a Liebster Award! At first I thought it must be a mistake! My little blog is nothing special, and a far cry from the majority of the blogs I follow. However, after looking into the award, I realized it is an award for someone just like me! A Liebster Award is given to up and coming bloggers who have less than 200 followers. Yep, definitely me. The meaning: Liebster is German and means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome. Actually, after looking into what it was, it reminded me of those chain letters I did as a child... remember those!?
Anyway, here are the rules: 1. Link back to the blog that nominated you. 2. Nominate 5-11 blogs with fewer than 200 followers. 3. Answer the questions posted for you by your nominator. 4. Share 11 random facts about yourself. 5. Create 11 questions for your nominees. 6. Contact your nominees and let them know you nominated them. Here are my questions from Mary: 1. How did you come up with your blog name? I was given this book early on in my teaching career and the name came back to me when I was trying to come up with a blog name. I wanted something that wouldn't tie me to a specific grade.
2. What type of music do you like? I typically like just about all kinds of music! 3. What is your favorite sport to watch/play? I am not much of a sports player. I run, but not competitively anymore. However, I enjoy watching football (Go Broncos!) and baseball (Go Rockies!). 4. How many siblings do you have? I have one sister. 5. What is your favorite restaurant? Oh there is no way I could pick just one! 6. What do you enjoy doing most when you are on vacation? I actually have not been on an actual vacation in quite some time. Pretty much all of our trips lately have been to visit family in various locations. Not that family trips aren't fun, it just isn't a relaxing 'vacation'! Hopefully we'll go on a true vacation some year soon... and then I will look forward to eating great food and sleeping! 7. What do you enjoy most about teaching? Working with kids who are starting out behind, who are struggling with the basics, and those who need lots of extra help. I love working with the 'under dogs'! :-) 8. What are your hobbies? I enjoy reading, cooking (when I have time), and outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, running, etc. 9. What is your favorite children's book? Again, don't think there is any way I could pick just one! 10. What do you enjoy most about having a blog? I love being able to share ideas... granted, I'm still working on my blog, but I love the collaboration and sharing that is possible through blogging! 11. What do you like best about where you live? My family is here! We moved away for about 4 years, and being away from my family was difficult! Glad to be back! 11 random facts about me: 1. I would rather be 20 minutes early, than 20 seconds late. 2. I have run a marathon, and two half marathons. 3. I use exclamation points when I type! A lot! 4. I can't stand humidity... glad to be living where there really isn't any! 5. I may or may not have called my husband home from work to kill bugs. 6. I love race cars and racing, and wish I could be a professional race car driver. 7. I have never seen the movie Goonies. 8. I could watch House Hunters on HGTV all. day. long. 9. I love spicy food, and in fact I almost killed my husband (then boyfriend) the first time I made him my spicy chili! 10. My husband and I spent more time apart (in different countries and states) than we spent together before getting married. 11. I got married in Las Vegas... and would recommend it to anyone! My questions for my nominees: 1. What is your greatest accomplishment? 2. How long is your commute to work? 3. If you weren't a teacher, what job would you want to do? 4. What is your drink of choice? 5. What is your favorite ice cream? 6. What is your favorite season, and why? 7. If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? 8. What talents do you have? 9. What was the last movie you saw? Would you recommend it? 10. Where was the most interesting place you've traveled? 11. What is the last book you read? Blogs I am nominating are:
Okay, okay, I know I'm supposed to nominate more blogs but this is all I had time to find and my little one is waking up! I will look for more and update this post!!
Um... is it seriously the middle of July already!?? I can not believe how quickly the summer is going! Anyway, I've made a resolution to get better about my blogs (all 3 of them!). They've been neglected for the past year or two, mostly because I had other things to worry about (namely my cutie little 15 month old!). So I decided to join my first linky! SO excited!
My first Monday Made It is nothing new... but I thought I'd start simple!
I made the crate seats for my classroom almost 3 years ago. I have loved them every year since! I bought the crates from Wal-Mart and they have held up really well. Originally, I had used a fun alphabet fabric, and while I still like the fabric, I'm really looking to tone down my classroom colors this year.
So I found some awesome chevron fabric at Hobby Lobby and re-covered them! I really like how they came out.
I still have 2 crates at school, and I am not sure I'm ready to actually step foot in there yet! Those will have to wait at least a few more weeks!
I'm in love with some of the other fabric Hobby Lobby had! I have some pillows in my reading area that I'm thinking of making new covers for! Maybe I'll link up again next week!
I joined the recent teacher on Instagram craze! I only have a handful of pictures, but will hopefully have more once I get back into the school state of mind! It has been so much fun!
This week we are back over at Live, Love, Laugh discussing Chapter 3!
1. Establish a gathering place for brain and body breaks.
I have always left a large carpeted area in my room to be used as our gathering place. I have now been in 4 different classrooms since starting Daily 5, so my space seems to rarely stay the same from year to year. However, it is typically at the front of the room where the SmartBoard/Promethean is. I also have an easel with makers and chart paper. I think that even if I taught intermediate grades, I would still have them gather together on the rug. I don't have a fun name for our gathering space, I always call it the rug or the carpet! Maybe I should think of something clever!
2. Developing the concept of "good fit" books.
I do the shoe lesson like the Sisters describe in their book. I think it works well and helps the kids see how different shoes/books are good for some people, and not for others. However, the concept of 'good fit' books is so difficult for young kids to grasp. I find I am constantly coming back to reteach it throughout the year. I absolutely LOVE the video by Mrs. Saccoccio's class singing the IPICK song! I always show this to my kids and they love singing along! It helps them to learn the IPICK acronym and I can refer to it when helping them pick 'good fit' books!
There are also a few picture books that I've seen on Pinterest that I would love to get to help! Here are just a couple I've seen:
3. Create anchor charts with students.
Creating anchor charts is so important! We create one for each of the dailies! I make them pretty much the way the Sisters make them, in a sort of 'I-chart' form. We have a discussion and I guide them in deciding what should go on each one. I will keep the current anchor chart on the easel for easy reference, and eventually hang them up in the room for reference. I know I have seen cutsie pre-made anchor charts out there in blogland, however my opinion is that is is super important to make them WITH the kids!
If wall space is short, then one thing I have done is to take a picture of each anchor chart and then print them off for each child to keep in their book box for easy reference. Sometimes this is better anyway because then they can pull it out rather than having to look around the room, or get up if they can't see from their spot. One year I even made them on the SmartBoard. This way they could be up large for everyone to see when we were building stamina, but I could print smaller ones off when we were finished!
4. Short, repeated intervals of independent practice and setting up book boxes.
We keep track of our stamina using a graph. In the picture above, I used a graph for each of the dailies (this was the year I looped with my class, so stamina was built really fast, don't expect your graphs to look like these lol!). However, in the past couple years I have moved to just using one graph.
I have used several different options for book boxes over the years. I started out using shoe boxes, but those turned out not to be big enough. The white Ikea magazine boxes came next.
These were cheap, and the kids liked decorating them, but they barely held up all year. I had to tape them back together many times in the second half of the year. I did like that they could take them home at the end of the year and (hopefully) use them over the summer! Two years ago I purchased baskets from the Dollar Tree that I have been using ever since.
On the first day of school, I usually do not have anything in the book boxes. It is important to me that the kids understand what goes in there, and that they are involved in putting things in there in order to create a sense of ownership. I start out by having them pick just a few books of their own choosing to keep in the book box, but usually do not do this until several days into the D5 launching process.
5. Calm Signals and check in procedures.
I have an apple bell that I use for my signal. I love the fact that I do not have to say a word, just simply ring the bell and the kids (eventually) learn to automatically begin cleaning up and rejoining me on the rug. In fact, they get so attuned to the sound of the bell, that if I ever accidentally bump it or knock it over at another part of the day, they all immediately look up as to see if they should clean up! :-)
I use a check in form, similar to the one the Sisters use. I keep track of the students' choices each day. This allows me to see if someone is choosing the same thing over and over, or avoiding one of the choices all together.
6. Using the correct model/incorrect model approach for demonstrating appropriate behaviors.
Modeling the correct and incorrect ways of doing something is super powerful! I had never though of doing such a thing before reading the Daily 5. However, it truly does help! Plus the kids love being the model! I love how it gives those special little lovelies (you know who I mean!) the chance to be the center of attention, but also has them practicing the correct way as well!
1. Do you trust your students? How do you build this trust? Are you able to trust them and allow them to be independent throughout all aspects of your day? Are you going to be able to stay out of their way?
Trust is definitely built at the beginning of the year in my room. It is not an automatic thing, but rather a two way street. It is my job to guide my students' actions and teach them the basic expectations, and it is also my students' responsibility to take this trust seriously and show me that I can continue to release more and more to them. Daily 5 has really allowed me to work on releasing responsibility and trust to my students, even in kindergarten!
2. How much choice do you give your students throughout the day? Do you go over your daily schedule with your students or is it just 'posted' in the room?
I do have the schedule posted in my room, and the kids often refer to it. In fact, if I ever forget to change it, one of the first kids in the door will be sure to remind me! I do often go over the schedule in the morning, but can't say that I always do. The schedule usually is fairly set, however I do try to give the students choice within the schedule when possible and appropriate. Daily 5 is the part of the day where they have the most choice.
3. How are you going to create that sense of community where students will hold each other accountable?
As I mentioned in my previous post, we make a class set of promises to each other rather than a list of rules to be followed. I spend a lot of time at the beginning of the year building community and helping the students learn how important it is that we all work together. I have very high expectations for my students, and do everything I can to foster an environment where they can meet those expectations. The students are able to completely internalize this community feeling, and it helps them to hold each other accountable because it is truly important to them all.
4. Student ownership in learning? How do you instill this in every child?
I feel this is a little bit easier in kindergarten than in older grades because the majority of kindergartners inherently want to please their teacher! However, instilling ownership in their learning is still important! I really make a big deal about how important school is, and how much FUN learning is! In my experience, most kinder kids are so excited about learning how to read and write that they do not usually need a ton of motivation! Granted, this is not always the case with every kid! One thing I try to always do is to explain why we are doing something. I want the kids to know that we are doing something in order to learn, or become better readers, etc. and not simply doing it 'because my teacher told me to'!
5. Stamina! How are you going to build stamina with reading? independent work? Will you use a timer? Will you set goals?
Since I have done Daily 5 for five years now, I will give a little advice here. I build the stamina pretty much exactly how they say to in the book. In kindergarten, they may only make it 30 seconds the first day, but with continued practice, they can have just as much stamina as 1st or 2nd graders! I do time them, but not usually with a timer because I don't want it to feel stressful and I want them focusing on the reading and not the timer. Plus, I don't want the timer beeping when I start and stop it! I just look at the clock and keep track that way. I also use a graph and we keep track of our stamina each day. This is a big motivator for the kids, and a great visual reminder as well! I know there are lots of graphs out there (just Google 'Daily 5 Stamina graphs'). I personally only use one graph, rather than one for each of the Dailies.
I am so excited about participating in a Kindergarten Daily 5 book study! I love Daily 5!!
While I have done Daily 5 in kindergarten for 3 years, and kindergarten is where I first started Daily 5, it has been several years since I have taught K. This year I will be moving back to kindergarten after teaching 1st and 2nd for the past few years and I am so excited. This study will be a great refresher! I will actually be teaching part time kindergarten. Instead of the traditional half day K, my school does part time. So I will be teaching 2 full days and a half day. I have only ever taught full day, so I'm not 100% sure how half time will be, but I am so super excited about the opportunity because it will allow me to stay home part time with my new baby girl!
How do I teach new behaviors and expectations?
We all know how important teaching new behaviors is, especially in kindergarten! While kids in other grades typically come to us knowing at least a few basic school behaviors, my kindergartners often have little to no prior school experience, and at a minimum are new to our school. Therefore I really limit my expectations and start from scratch. Even something as basic as lining up to go somewhere can be a production! I like to think that I've always been pretty good at the whole model, practice, repeat thing and I feel I'm pretty explicit when teaching new routines. The Daily 5 has definitely changed how I introduce any new behavior though!
How do I monitor student behavior?
The main tangible element of my classroom management is a Clip Chart. I have used it for a couple years now and just love it! In addition to this, instead of coming up with a set of class rules at the beginning of the year, we make a list of promises to each other. I read a story about someone who made a promise and then didn't keep it. I usually read one of these books:
Then we have a discussion about how it feels when someone makes a promise and then doesn't keep it. We then make a list of promises... for example instead of making a rule that says 'Do not hit', we will write 'We promise to be kind.'
What do I do when a student is not exhibiting a desired behavior?
The beauty of the clip chart and promises, is that it really gives the kids ownership over their own behaviors. With the clip chart they can really see how the actions they choose impact where their clip is on the chart. The promises are also powerful, because we discuss how we are making promises to each other and to ourselves. The kids will even get upset when someone breaks a promise!
Whose classroom is it?
I really do try to instill in the kids that this is "our" classroom. However, I do have to have some control over the space. I have to teach the kids where things are kept, and try to instill in them pride in ownership for the different spaces so that they will keep things organized because they want them that way, not simply because the teacher says to. I remember reading somewhere that whoever has the stapler and tape dispenser, has the control! I now have several staplers and a tape dispenser that the kids have free access to!
Locus of control?
I do discuss this with my students quite a bit. I really have gotten away from giving prizes, stickers, treats etc. I really strive to give intrinsic awards, and think in the younger grades that is a little easier to do. Little kids (for the most part) are thrilled just to please their teacher, and are devastated to disappoint them and I try to play into that as much as possible and help them learn that they are in control of themselves and no one else!
Where are supplies stored?
I feel that my classroom is very organized. One of those 'a place for everything...' spaces. I spend a lot of time organizing materials so that my students have access to what they need. They know where things are kept, and the expectations for using those things. This frees me up from getting out supplies, sharpening pencils, getting more paper, etc. If I can give control of something to the students, then by all means I'm there!
Monday, June 11, 2012
Oh my goodness... well apparently I wasn't very good about keeping up with my blog this year! I really, truly had every intention of making regular blog posts! But to sum up the year, I moved to a new grade, at a new school, in a new district. My new school is working towards our IB authorization, so that was a whole lot of new stuff to learn! On top of all that, shortly after getting my new job I found out I was expecting and we bought a house and moved! So, I spent the school year getting more and more pregnant, and then went on maternity leave for the last 7 weeks of the school year. Phew! Makes me tired just typing it all! In fact I'm currently typing with my beautiful little on sound asleep on my shoulder! *LOVE*
Well, next year is bringing even more changes! I will be going back part time, and will be teaching part time kindergarten! I am so super excited! Instead of the traditional half day kinder, my school does half time. So, I will be teaching 2 1/2 days a week. I am so fortunate to have this opportunity! I'm not sure I could have gone back full time right away and put my precious baby in daycare all week long. :-( Definitely counting my blessings!
So, I really do have every intention to keep up on this blog now! Starting with participating in the kindergarten Daily 5 book study!
Well it is now official! I have a job and will be teaching 2nd grade this coming year! I am actually pretty excited about it. There will be lots of changes, and lots of things that are different about this job, but I am thrilled nonetheless! I am hoping to get into my classroom sometime next week (if possible!). I would love to get all those boxes out of my garage. Plus I will just feel much better if I can begin to wrap my brain around the space I have!
The school I will be teaching at is an IB PYP school. I am really excited to learn more about this type of school! So my new vision for this blog is to gear it towards Daily 5/ Cafe and IB. Of course I will still share pictures and ideas from my classroom. My new school also supposedly has a lot of technology. So I am excited about incorporating that whenever I can! Stay tuned for more updates!
I think I am finally recovered enough from moving halfway across the country to finally post about it! We had major U-Haul truck problems. Like I'm talking multiple problems with the same truck, in multiple states! They finally gave us a new truck, but that meant everything had to be unloaded from one truck into another! Let's just say that Uhaul is refunding a lot of our money, and we will never be renting from them again!
Anyway, the point of my post is that since my husband had already moved ahead of me, a large percentage of the truck was my classroom. If anyone ever thinks that schools don't need more money, or that teachers don't really need to be paid more, please send them over to my garage! It is absolutely amazing when I look at all my school stuff mounded up in one place, and I think about how much money I've spent over the years. Not to mention the hours upon hours I've spent scouring yard sales and thrift stores for cheap books, and driving from office supply store to office supply store because they will only sell me five 1 cent folders at a time!!
Easily 90% of that stuff belongs in my classroom!
Those shelves on the right are two deep!
Let's just hope that I get a teaching job quick so we can reclaim the garage before it snows!
A few weeks ago I saw a fabulous idea on the Sister's website about making Wordle gifts as end of the year presents for your kids. I LOVED this idea and immediately decided I was going to do it! We had been talking about Character Traits and so I decided to have the kids write character traits about each other. I printed a sheet of paper with each student's name at the top and 19 lines underneath. We then spread them out and spent time walking around to each paper and writing a positive character trait on the lines. I didn't tell the kids what this was ultimately for, just that we were practicing character traits and building each other up (in our social skills curriculum). I then took each sheet and typed the words into Wordle and created a PDF of each one which I sent to the drug store to be printed. I purchased inexpensive frames from Ikea and framed each one. I stayed late Thursday afternoon to assemble each one and display it on their tables. Here is how they turned out!
I am definitely going to do this again in the future!
So I bought Debbie Diller's Math Work Station book over Spring Break and immediately read the whole thing! I've been trying to figure out the best way of structuring my math block for a couple years now. I've been doing a sort of Daily 5 Math / 3 group rotation mix which I feel has been working fairly well so far. However, after reading Math Work Stations, I totally have decided to try this way out next year!
That being said, I currently do not know what grade I will be teaching next year, or even where I will be teaching for that matter! In less than 2 weeks I will be moving 1700 miles across the country! So, I'm still in the process of applying and interviewing for positions.
Anyway, I found a blog book study recently and am definitely going to be following it. I don't know that I will be able to fully participate (what with moving and all that goes with it!) but I will definitely be following along!
