Discoveries of a Teacher

Valentine Bags and Book

2012-02-14T19:00:00.000-06:00

The kids did such a cute job making their bags for all their sweet Valentine cards, candy, tattoos, stickers, pencils, etc. They were really showered with each other's love!

AND, they were each KISSED today... by a frog! First, I read Froggy's First Kiss. Their response throughout the story was PRICELESS!! Then, I pulled out a stuffed animal frog that makes a long, loud smooching sound when you press the heart. They were hilarious!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Graduation

2011-12-18T11:46:00.000-06:00

My Hooding Ceremony

Yesterday I made my way across the stage at LU to receive my diploma for my Master of Arts in Teaching English Language Learners. YAY! :) I've been teaching ELLs on a waiver this school year, and it has been wonderful. I'm so glad to be finished with weekends in class and writing my Action Research paper. Wooh! I really feel like a master, too. I made a 96 on the paper and a 4.0 overall GPA! Booyah!!

Make It, Games!!

2011-11-06T18:41:00.000-06:00

ZAP! For this game, put any skill you are practicing on a stick, in this case letter names/sounds. Students take turns drawing a stick, if he/she gets the answer correct he/she keeps it. If not, he/she puts it back. If ZAP! is drawn, that child has to return all of his/her sticks.

Write letters on wooden cubes. Roll, put the vowel die in the middle, and read the CVC real or nonsense word. Great!!

Who let the letters out? /s/ /s/ /s/ /s/!! Glue a magnet to the tip of a puppy stuffed animal. Use magnetic letters and start the sing-along! (Dr. Jean told me about this one at a workshop)

I have bears covering uppercase and lowercase letters, shapes, and numbers. Whenever we have an extra few minutes, I just grab the bears. We sing to the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle"..."x bear, x, bear, what do you see? I see t bear looking me...." For some reason they love it! It's great for the ELs because of the repetition, so they can pick up the letter names they don't know and still sing along. (I got this idea from the Dr. Jean workshop, too!)

Handwriting

2011-11-06T18:28:00.003-06:00

First we teach "color in the lines." Not long after, we are teaching five-year-olds to write in the lines. I teach my class by comparing the lines to a two-story house. All adults (uppercase letters) and teens (tall lowercase letters) stand downstairs, but are allowed upstairs, too. Babies (lowercase letters) are not tall enough to go upstairs and have to stand downstairs. Then, there are five brave babies that aren't afraid to play in the basement (lowercase letters: g, j, p, q, y).

We also practice lowercase letters with a Dr. Jean song, which has slipped my mind, by doing something up high, in the middle, or down low when you say each letter of the alphabet.

Finally, I make shape-boxes around words to help the students notice words have a shape. Some catch on quickly, others... well, don't. ;)

TEAM

2011-09-11T20:30:00.003-05:00

This year, our school's theme is "All Aboard, Full Steam Ahead!" We love the theme, so we covered one of our hallway walls with our Kindergarten Express. I think it's frickin adorable. Making it through the year a success is a team effort - teachers, parents, children, and the community.

BUSY BEE!

2011-08-21T08:34:00.000-05:00

Whew! Made it through the first week of school! It has been a challenging year so far. Let me explain...

1. Of course, we have changed over to Common Core State Standards.
2. We have adopted a new math curriculum - AND we are still waiting on much of it to arrive. Also, it's not aligned with the new standards.
3. We have adopted a new writing curriculum, which requires five white pages stapled inside a piece of construction paper for every student every week.
4. We have a new evaluation cycle that just seems dreadful. Basically we have to be perfect robot-like teachers EVERY minute of every day. Sorry folks, sometimes we have to sleep, eat, pee, and handle behavior problems, etc.
5. We have a funky lesson plan template that we have to use and turn in - AND it cannot be exactly the same as the team's. What happened to PLC's?
6. I am doing what I've been working towards - teaching English Learners - 7 out of 15 students - and I'm realizing this is not going to be easy. It's like herding cats!
7. Speaking of English Learners, I received their separate literacy curriculum and their standards are out there somewhere I'm sure.
8. Kindergarten is now using Gradespeed, although no one knows how K is supposed to use it.
9. My school computer was replaced, and now I can't figure out how to make the sound work through my projector. Also, it has something wrong with it that I need the IT guy out to fix.
10. Last but not least, I'm still working on my Master's and attending class one weekend a month. This month it came right along with the first week of school. The good news is: November we do our final presentations and December we graduate! :)

YAWN! Sorry to be Debbie Downer... but C'MON! I have a life, too ya know? So off to church I go... to pray that I survive, don't lose my job, my kids learn everything... and to have lunch and discuss hosting Room in the Inn for the homeless this winter. Then later, I will clean my house, buy groceries, run errands, work on my lesson plans, work on my action research project, and whatever else I can squeeze in.

I promise the next post will be better... Pictures and ideas. :)

Progress

2011-08-01T10:49:00.000-05:00

10 more days until school starts! :)

Cubbies are now cleaned out. Whew!

Rules are ready. PBIS: Be Respectful. Be Responsible. Be Ready. And my class rules from Dr. Jean's Rules Rap. Oh, and since my a/c controller thingamadoo is in the pic, I'd like to point out that I have had NO a/c... yep 80+ degrees in there everyday since I've been back.

Room is beginning to take shape.

Back to School!

2011-07-22T22:57:00.000-05:00

Monday it will be time turn my room back into a classroom! I love this part. The pictures above show how I left it in June.

Western Day

2011-05-17T19:43:00.000-05:00

With a sing-a-long led by my stepdad, "Cowboy Steve"

The kids' top 5

1. Cowboy Steve's snake skin boots

2. Singing "You Are My Sunshine"

3. Riding around on the old fashioned "horse-head-on-a-stick"

4. Dressing up

5. Watching a real cowgirl on a Postcards from Buster video

Butterflies in the Sky!

2011-05-14T01:18:00.000-05:00

This year's butterflies! It was quite the science lesson discussing the stages of the life cycle and a math lesson as we discussed symmetry and made an ABC pattern to hang in the hall (caterpillar, chrysalis, and butterfly - sorry egg).

Disney Spectacular and Art Show

2011-05-14T01:14:00.000-05:00

My character was Mary Poppins!

Fiesta!

2011-05-14T01:07:00.001-05:00

We made maracas from leftover Easter eggs, dressed up, and danced like crazy. We even ate authentic Mexican food and busted a pinata!

Test Time!

2011-04-12T22:11:00.000-05:00

Kindergarten's Sight Word Challenge...

Each child has a personal goal to reach up to 220 words.

My class adopted a 3rd grade class to encourage them during TCAP, which begins tomorrow. We gave them this advice: Slash the Trash! We also made them cards and goody bags. I have parent volunteers bringing them snacks and pencils. Tomorrow we are going to play outside together after the first test. :)

I am amazed out how motivated our school is this year. We had 3 Saturday Scholar study sessions. Younger grades adopted third and fourth grade classes. Our art teacher painted our vision at the front entrance and all school staff signed it to show that we believe in our students. The kids seem pumped to show off what they know. Good luck test-takers!

Welcome Spring!

2011-04-11T16:43:00.001-05:00

Last week we concluded our in-depth study of plants. How do you like our door? We made the entire flower with our handprints. We are still studying living things - and our beans and marigolds are just beginning to sprout. :) This week's topic is insects, and our field trip to the zoo falls on Thursday. Next week's topic is the ocean, and the following week we'll go back in time to study dinosaurs. We are going to be experts on living things when it's all over and done!

St. Patty's

2011-03-23T22:45:00.000-05:00

Woops, I didn't realize I left out our fun St. Patrick's Day activities... Here are a couple:

Lucky Charm Graph

March Calendar Practice

Family Project: Make a Leprechaun Trap

The side of this hat read "Do Not Climb!" So sneaky. When he gets to the top, it caves in and is trapped. :)

I love how the outside of this trap is decorated! When it's open, it's propped up with a stick attached to a gold coin. When he takes the coin, the stick falls and traps him. Clever. :)

Rainbow Craft and Writing

2011-03-23T22:35:00.000-05:00

RTI

2011-02-24T17:59:00.000-06:00

RTI stands for Response to Intervention. Our entire school has RTI time from 9-9:30 everyday. Children switch classes to be with a group based on their needs according to DIBELS results in literacy. I see the "at-risk" students who are in intensive need of extra support. We just began a few weeks ago, and we love it. I've basically started from the beginning - letter names and sounds. Here is a picture of students tracking the alphabet as we say (not sing) it:

Each day I have about the same routine:

1. Challenge - 1 student a day tries to beat whatever challenge he/she is on. The first one is to just say the letters of the alphabet.

2. Phoneme Cards

3. PALS - something done by Vanderbilt University that teaches SO much (b/m/e sounds, blending, decoding, rhyming, syllables, etc.)

4. A Dr. Jean get up and dance song practicing letters/sounds

5. Starfall.com letters on the projector

Presidents Day 2011

2011-02-24T17:48:00.000-06:00

Love this: "Rocko Obama"

100th Day Activities

2011-02-24T17:43:00.001-06:00

100 piece puzzles: $100 bill, bald eagle, and some random Precious Moments puzzle.

At the computer center:

Just for fun:

Every celebration needs a crown!

Teamwork:

Hall Display: Hundred Items Project and activity Present/Future (100) activity

What I look like now verses what I will look like when I'm 100:

He gave his 100-year-old self a mohawk and said,"Are you ready to rock?"

He said he will also bake cookies. :)

Valentine's Activities

2011-02-24T17:28:00.000-06:00

Better posted late than never right?

I love to see kids thinking when they estimate. This picture was before got any candy.

11 was the actual amount.

Sort.

Graph and Compare.

Make heart-shaped Valentine's cards.

Valentine's

2011-02-09T18:19:00.001-06:00

I put out pink and purple hearts that I bought from Target in the sale bins. They use them to sort, pattern, and put on touch points large numbers (Touch Math).

Our Tracing Station has Valentine pictures as well.

Snowy Day Writing

2011-02-09T15:15:00.004-06:00

I can't wait for this super snowy winter to be over!!

However, today, before we were dismissed early due to snow, I braved getting out the shaving cream! We practiced writing ending sounds, sight words, real words, and nonsense words in the "snow."

Clean up is not so bad either.

To teach reading a word, real or nonsense, we use this basic method:

1. Sound it.

Say the sound of each letter or digraph or chunk as you point to it.

2. Sing it.

Blend the sounds together using a sing-song voice as you track the letters.

3. Say it.

Read the word as you run your finger under it quickly.

When writing a word, we sort of go backwards. Say the word. Then say the word s-l-o-w-l-y like you are stretching a piece of bubble gum out of your mouth or like "Stretchy Snake." Then try to identify each sound you said.

Dr. Jean

2011-02-01T22:42:00.000-06:00

I'm on the right, standing with the famous Dr. Jean Feldman in the middle and my teammate and mentor on the left.

I've already implemented so many ideas from her marvelous workshop. I'll have to take some pictures of things I've made that my kids love. It was perfect timing, because my school just started RTI. Every morning I see a group of 9 low-performing students to work on reading skills. I've been using Dr. Jean's letter songs and activities since the start.

An update on my Action Research Project: I think I'm now leaning towards conducting my research on the extent to which RTI benefits ELL students in something like oral blending, sound segmentation, or decoding. Six of my nine RTI group is in ELL.

Another update: This semester's school book club is discussing The Collaborative Teacher. Tonight we talked about the first section. Although I was so bored every time I picked up the book that I fell asleep, I do believe the conversation tonight was highly valuable. I look forward to some of the changes we might make at our school as a result of this book study.

Snowmageden

2011-01-14T13:41:00.000-06:00

Snow Day Week 2011 = 2nd winter break...

Fortunately, I have gotten a lot done.

First and foremost, I got to go to Dr. Jean's workshop on Wednesday. It was fun and gave me lots of good ideas. I bought some more of her CDs and look forward to playing them for my class. I'll have to post my picture of me with her later when I find my USB cable.

My husband and I moved into our friends' home. It has been great!

I've worked on paintings, and I've worked out.

I've worked on my Action Research Project some, too. It's going to be something on the lines of Morning Meeting and ELL children's oral language development, etc. Any thoughts?

To Teachers

2010-12-16T18:40:00.001-06:00

I found this on Proteacher from 2005! May this song make you smile.

(to the tune of Walkin' in a Winter Wonderland)

Children scream, they won't lis-in'

When they go, we won't miss em',

In all of this pain, we try to stay sane,

Workin' in an element'ry school.

Christmas comes, they're excited,

Though our nerves, they've ignited,

They're off of the walls, they run in the halls,

Workin' in an element'ry school.

In the lunchroom we can hear them yellin'

And we know that they are really wound.

Someone hits, the other says, "I'm tellin'"

And that is when our heads begin to pound.

Pretty soon we'll be restin'

Cause our nerves, they've been testin'

We're happy it's clear

It comes once a year

Christmas in an element'ry school!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

December

2010-12-16T18:01:00.000-06:00

November

2010-12-16T17:59:00.000-06:00

I'm way behind on posts! Here are some of the images from November.

Turkey headband

Thanksgiving Food Pyramid

I'm not a turkey...I'm a flower.

I'm not a turkey...I'm Santa!

Halloween

2010-10-31T17:46:00.000-05:00

We made cats after reading Millions of Cats by Wanda Ga'g.

We learned about parts of the pumpkin and felt the seeds and pulp of our class pumpkin before making this little book.

We made jack-o-lantern puppets and retold "Five Little Pumpkins."

This was art from across the hall that I enjoyed.

Jr./Vampire

2010-10-29T21:43:00.000-05:00

This was a conversation during small group the other day:

Me to boy: Ok, now write Jr. after your last name.

A different boy - D : Oh, I know that guy!! His name is Martin Junior King! I know him!

A girl: Yeah, I think he's a president.

D - Yeah, I think he's a president.

Made me laugh.

Me to class: What are you going to be for Halloween?

Boy - T: I'm going to be a vampire and I'm going to take these teeth back here out so I can suck blood.

... Later on the playground, I asked him to tell another teacher what he's going to do, and he responded the same way.

Me: Did you know that can buy plastic vampire teeth at the store?

T: Why didn't you tell me that?! Why didn't you buy me some?!

Haha!

Fun on the Farm 2

2010-10-29T21:28:00.001-05:00

My class did a fantabulous job on their barns and on their painted fall leaves, if I do say so myself. :)

Side Note: according to Spellcheck, fantabulous is a word...

Fun on the Farm

2010-10-18T19:01:00.000-05:00

We had a great day at a farm last week. We loved playing with grains, seeing farm animals, going through a corn maze and also a hay maze, going on a hayride, and picking pumpkins of our own.

My Classroom

2010-09-27T21:47:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow looks so busy, it's almost scary!

7:30-4 School (enhanced-option hours)
4 - 5? Faculty meeting
5-6 Grad school orientation
6-7 Parent meeting/Ice-Cream Social back at school

Followed by a Wednesday PTO board meeting, a "normal" school-day Thursday, and a busy Friday of school, Teacher Night at Science Center, and then over-night baby-sitting.

*Yawn*

But, I've been wanting to post photos of my classroom...

From the door.

From the back.

Side. The hexagon table is for "Learning Club."

Behind my teaching table.

Beside my teaching table - Word Wall with Sound Cards and real objects for the alphabet in baggies.

Joyful Moments

2010-09-21T16:43:00.000-05:00

1. During a lesson on writing A, I decided to call the horizontal line a belt. A kid said, "He's gonna whoop ya!"

2. During the same lesson, I asked the children why we practice handwriting. I explained if you don't write correctly, other people won't be able to read it. That statement was followed by a "You got that right!"

3. During a math lesson on position words, we were looking at a worksheet with animals that happened to include a pig and a wolf. One child said, "A wolf! The wolf eats the pig!" Another child responds with a motherly tone, "No. The wolf blows the pig's house down." She went on to retell the whole story of the Three Little Pigs.

4. While making our "All About Me" books, I explained that they could be anything they wanted to be when they grow up. One child sincerely and eagerly responded, "I want to be a snake!!" ...I tried to make myself clearer and explained that he couldn't be a snake. He just said, "Yes I can!!"

Rules Rap Video

2010-09-18T18:15:00.000-05:00

I hope you enjoy our first video!

Every morning after announcements, we listen to Dr. Jean's "Rules Rap." I have adopted the rules for my classroom... they're perfect and what a wonderful way to go over the rules every day.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom! 2

2010-09-07T17:33:00.000-05:00

Rainbow

2010-09-06T19:47:00.000-05:00

“Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue, and the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true.”

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom!

2010-09-06T19:42:00.000-05:00

We've had so much fun with the book Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. Here's a look at some of what we've done so far...

Chicka Tree - Students glued the pieces together and then put on the alphabet stickers of the letters that they can name (both upper and lowercase).

Chicka Snack - Celery, apples, cream cheese, grapes, and apples (When I said they could put three coconuts on their trees, one child explained to me, "These are grapes!")

Boom Boom Shakers - Filled with water, food coloring, confetti, and glitter and then decorated with alphabet stickers. Students shake them to the rhythm of the repeated phrases.

We've also watched the cartoon and sang to Dr. Jeans "Boom Chicka Boom." I love it!

Tooth Fairy Visit

2010-08-30T18:57:00.001-05:00

Ms. Mary Tooth Fairy is a real live tooth fairy!! At night she shrinks down real small and grows out great big wings. :P She visited us at school to teach us how to take care of our teeth so that the scary plaque monsters won't live in our mouths. She's wonderful!

Open House

2010-08-29T17:48:00.000-05:00

We had an extremely successful Open House on Thursday night. A record-breaking 400+ people showed up! The night began with our annual PTO meeting, followed by classroom visits. Then the party really began - a BBQ picnic with music and dance including a song the kids learned in music class.

Half my class showed up with lots of enthusiasm. Probably half my old students stopped by too! I'm so glad to be off to a good start with my families!

Few Sillies

2010-08-25T21:03:00.000-05:00

Boy, "I'm going to draw an alligator, because alligators are FEROCIOUS!!"

Girl, "Are you going to Open House?" Boy, "What are you saying?" Girl, "Are - you - going - to - Open - House?" Boy, "PUPPY HOUSE?!" Then the girl puts her head in hands.

Me talking to a boy in time out for continuously talking in the hall: "What does 'zone 0' mean?" (No talking.) Boy, "Breakfast is over." (?!)

I am laughing with my class and they are laughing at me all day long. I've been so exhausted that I can hardly think straight. In the last 7 days, I have dropped my bowl of cereal on myself and later busted my lip while moving a cat tree. In class I've bumped into tables and written the wrong day of the week on the board (the mistake was immediately pointed out by a student :). I'm hip-hop dancing to the Rules Rap, which I choreographed for my class. I'm doing a hand-jive (and getting laughed at all the times I mess up) to a song called "The Little Tree House." Good times...

But it has not been all fun and games...as you may remember from a previous post. I'm so busy and tired and have too many kids in a small room... I just need to get through tomorrow - Ms. Mary Tooth Fairy is coming in the afternoon, after school I have a parent conference, and then tomorrow night is Open House. I'm hoping that things will be more settled next week!!

In the Beginning...

2010-08-22T18:14:00.002-05:00

This picture was taken from the entrance to my classroom. It's a teensy little room! It only goes to the right about four more feet and diagonal. Also, the shape of the room is whacky because it used to be part of an open-school layout.

The day before school started we had a "preview day." I had about a third of my class show up with their families for our meet-and-greet. It's always interesting how they act... some are very shy while others jump right in and get into everything! The sheet in the middle was filled out by all parents either on preview day or on the first day of school for transportation and phone number notes. I put together the packet on the right that I give it to the parents along with an apple. It begins with a poem that I have no clue whom to credit:

Apples for the teacher

Are nothing really new,

Except when you remember

Parents are teachers too!

It follows with a letter from me to the parents. The pages following are a supply list, "ABCs of Kindergarten," and a good document about reading with your child. (One parent almost cried when she read the poem... a few days later her son brought me an apple! So sweet!!)

I don't leave the kids out. They get to take home a new pencil and fruit snacks.

Before they leave, I take a family portrait, which I hang outside my door.

On the first day of school I take a "first day" picture that I put in their "All About Me Books." I also take 2 pictures of each student playing in centers. I hang these pictures on our door.

Future blog entries:

- This year's theme

- My Centers

- The Kissing Hand activities

- Open House

- Using Quantum Learning

- Something YOU suggest (Who are my readers anyway? Tell me about you!)

Frustrations

2010-08-17T20:57:00.000-05:00

Tons has happened since my last post... everything from a review Quantum Learning workshop, ELL training, and a make-and-take centers workshop to two half days and one full day of kindergarten.

Although I strive to be positive, I just want to share my frustrations and hopefully feel better afterwards...

1. My school computer doesn't work. I can't take attendance on it. I can't show my beginning of the year power points and presentations. I can't check my e-mail throughout the day.

2. Our school has two copiers. One that our office assistants use and one that the teachers can use. The teachers' copier has been broken since the end of last year. The office copy room is being painted plus the every teacher and more need lots of things copied, so the office staff barely makes a dent in the endless pile. I can't make their home folders or anything else. It's sort of making me crazy.

3. My roster on our system now has 10 students. I've had 15 bodies in my room the last two days. I'm not sure how students can be at school without being in the system for one thing, and also the office continues to send new students to my room because they've though my numbers were low. (On the bright side, we have plenty of students to go around so my job seems more secure.)

4. Today a student on my roster that I had not met got on a bus to school. About 30 minutes into the school day, the office figured out his name (I'm still not sure how) and that he's on my roster. They brought him to me. He looked about 3 years old and acted about 1. He had zero communication skills and was tearing up my room whenever I wasn't holding him. Even then, he sometimes hit me. After an hour and half or so, I called our resource teacher. She contacted our speech therapist who was able to find out he has an IEP for autism. (On the bright side, he was removed from my room and placed in the CBIP classroom. Whew.)

5. Ants are invading the school and are a terrible distraction, especially considering we are on the floor so much. (On the bright side, my room was sprayed this afternoon.)

6. Yesterday our floor (3rd) smelled of natural gas, and the first floor smelled of a terrible sewage situation that was being worked on. Phew! (On the bright side, it didn't smell today!)

7. Out of 15 students, about 6 are very unruly and about 3 do not speak English. This makes for a challenging day. (On the bright side, that means 9 students are sweet.)

8. There are way more classes trying to use the restroom than there is time or space to do so. It's hard to be on time for lunch and specials!

I thought I'd go to 10, but really I feel out of things. ")

I'm still having a lot of fun with the beginning of the year activities, and I am beginning to love a whole new class. Everyone is so special and unique.

Looking forward to a wonderful Wednesday!!

Getting Geared Up!!

2010-08-04T09:47:00.000-05:00

I will get to meet many of my new students at Open House next Wednesday afternoon, and Thursday we're back to school! I'm very excited and curious.

I've been working on putting the pieces back in place in my room, and I've made many improvements.

This is my new word wall. I made it smaller (it used to take up two walls) and lower on the wall to help the children see it better. I decided this would be more of a reference word wall, and I would have a pocket chart on the board that contains just the 5 or so words we're really working on. I put only the first 20 words up + 2 that come up a lot (can and so) as to not overwhelm them.

As I've mentioned before, the pictures with the letters are sound cards. They are not pictures of things that begin with that letter. For example, A has two pictures. The short a is a picture of a boy pulling off a band-aid - he says "ah", and the long a is a picture of a boy shouting down the street to his friend - he says "aye." "B" is the sound the drummer makes. "K" is the sound the remote controls makes when the girl changes the channel... Each sound also has a motion that goes along with the action, like drumming.

The word wall shown first is on the wall to left of this area. This of course is my small group teaching table. It's still a bit unorganized.

This is the wall above my math center. The numbers are interesting to me, because of how they are done. I used a peeled crayon on its side to draw the letters. The colors change as the directions in the number rhymes change. Here are the rhymes:

Around you go to make zero. (red)

Down from sun makes one. (red)

A candy cane (red) and a shoe (blue) makes two.

Around a tree (red) and around a tree (blue) makes three.

Down (red) and a across (blue) and down some more (green) makes four.

Down (red) and around (blue) and put a hat on (green) and see what you have found - it's fat old five.

Down to a loop and six rolls a hoop. (red)

Across the sky (red) and down from heaven (blue) makes seven.

Make an S (red) but do not wait, go back and close the gate (blue) - eight.

A circle (red) and a line (blue) make nine.

It can go on to say a 1 a 0 makes 10...

Then I put sticker dots on the numbers to help the students with Touch Math. I don't have the dots exactly right, because I was not as familiar with Touch Math when I made these.

Then I have the shapes the students have to learn. They each have poems too. (Cindy Circle, Sammy Square...)

Time to Set-Up!!

2010-07-30T15:03:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was my first day back in my classroom. I was so excited about going back, that I could hardly sleep all night and work up pumped at 5:15 and I couldn't even get into the school until 9! :)

I worked again 9-2:45 today. I really enjoy setting the room up, especially after my summer reading that gets me inspired to try new things.

Pictures will come. Maybe tomorrow. We can go in from 9-1.

I took the MAT on Tuesday, and Monday I have an interview for grad school. Classes start October 7.

PortaPortal

2010-07-09T17:29:00.000-05:00

I'm loving my new PortaPortal (http://.portaportal.com guest access name is kteachers)!! It has really helped me get even more organized and feel better prepared to use technology in my classroom. I'm also hoping that the teachers on my team will find it useful too.

I've come across so many great sites in the last couple of days. The first is http://www.watchknow.org/, which was brought to my attention by Clemencia at http://storytime-storytime.blogspot.com/. The second is http://www.fcrr.org/curriculum/studentCenterActivities.shtm. I have spent tons of time on this website printing off reading centers, and then cutting and gluing them on colored index cards and cardstock.

I also have a PortaPortal of online learning games my students use: http://.portaportal.com guest access name is kfh). They love to use it in the computer lab, and they have access to it at home too.

Anyone else use portaportal? What kind of technology do you use?

Other news...

I'm still studying for the MAT, which is scheduled for July 27. I improved my score on my second practice test, so I'm a lot less stressed about it now.

Also, I forgot to mention in my last post, I turned 24 in May! I made Rice Krispy Treats and brought them to school to celebrate my and all other summer birthdays.

It's been a loonnng time!!!

2010-07-05T08:52:00.001-05:00

To catch everyone up... Here's what's happened:

1. I survived my second year teaching! Whahoo!! The end of the year was jammed pack! We had a fun luau and an award's day, cleaned and packed away my classroom, and then hugs, hugs, good-bye!

2. I went on a 2 week vacation visiting family in Kentucky and Michigan with my husband. We went to a handful of various bodies of water kayaking and having a great time.

3. I bought Microsoft Office for Mac and began working on power points for school, since at the end of the year our projectors were installed. I also attended a technology workshop and learned so much about clickers and ELMOS. I really want one of those! I also created a portaportal for kindergarten teachers.

4. I've been a reading machine. I'm currently reading Teaching With Love & Logic: Taking Control of the Classroom by Jim Fay & David Funk, so hopefully I won't have as an exhausting third year. So far, this book has been amazing, and I am so grateful to the man who ordered it for me.

5. A teacher was throwing out a small bookshelf, so I brought it home. I've sanded it, and bought red paint for it. Perhaps I'll get around to it today.

6. I've continued to work on my application process for grad school. I need to take the MAT, but I'm dreading it. I took a practice test and scored high enough to be accepted, but what if I mess up on the actual test!? I've been brushing up on my vocabulary and such.

7. I've done some volunteering, which really cheers me up. I've handed out water to flood victims, helped renovate a building that provides food and clothing to the needy, helped a teacher move some of her things to her new classroom, and pulled weeds and such for dear friends.

8. I've been playing a lot of Banagrams. I love it!

9. I have been coloring and cutting and glueing several new file folder centers. If only I had a laminator...

10. Because this list wouldn't be complete without a number ten... I'm feeling more and more refreshed every day and am looking forward to setting up my classroom, which will hopefully be in a few weeks.

What's everyone else been up to??

Summer Reading

2010-05-23T20:27:00.002-05:00

I have three and half days left with the kids! I'm pumped. It's been an exhausting year. I don't have much planned for the summer. My husband and I will visit family in Kentucky and Michigan. I will get back into regular workouts at the Y. I will sleep. I will watch So You Think You Can Dance. I will read. I bought my fourth Jodi Picoult book today - Harvesting the Heart. I couldn't help but to begin reading it already.

I'm trying to narrow down my Amazon wish list of teaching books...

What Great Teachers Do Differently: 14 Things That Matter Most
by Todd Whitaker

Teaching Outside the Box: How to Grab Your Students By Their Brains
by LouAnne Johnson

Creating Classrooms Where Teachers Love to Teach And Students Love to Learn
by Robert Sornson

Teaching With Love and Logic: Taking Control of the Classroom
by Jim Fay, David Funk

Teach with Your Strengths: How Great Teachers Inspire Their Students
by Rosanne Liesveld, Jo Ann Miller, and Jennifer Robison

Seven Simple Secrets: What the BEST Teachers Know and Do!
by Annette L. Breaux and Todd Whitaker

Failure Is Not an Option®: 6 Principles for Making Student Success the ONLY Option
by Alan M. Blankstein

REAL TEACHERS, REAL CHALLENGES, REAL SOLUTIONS
by Annette Breaux and Elizabeth Breau

The Courage to Teach: Exploring the Inner Landscape of a Teacher's Life
by Parker J. Palmer

Any recommendations?

Out in the Country

2010-05-18T21:22:00.002-05:00

I spent the weekend in Kentucky visiting some of my family.

This is my nephew Zachary... and my nephew Brett.

They are twins, and they are incredible. I'm so grateful that they now live about 17 hours closer.

My dad is on the left.

Simple post. I'm so worn out!

61/2 days...

Funnies for Friday

2010-05-14T17:34:00.000-05:00

Today during a reading of a Curious George book, one of my boy's said "That man with the yellow hat really needs to get a name!!" . . . Earlier this year I had laringytis, but I had to work. (I'm not a fan of having a sub.) The same student would not stop telling me to "Just go like this..." as he cleared his throat.

Yesterday on the playground I got a hug from a student I taught last year. I asked her if she was ready for 2nd grade. She looked at me puzzled and said, "When am I going to 2nd grade?!" like she had no idea. She's a silly girl. It reminded me of the first day of school this year when she showed up to my classroom. I thought she was just there to say hi, but she sat down on her old spot on the rug! When I told her that she wasn't in my class anymore, she was so confused. She didn't even know who her new teacher was!

I also enjoy a good laugh when a child takes something that is figurative literally. Last year I got on to one little fellow by telling him to "Cut it out!" and he said "huh?" as he picked up a pair of scissors. One day this year I told the class to "Stop farting around!" The reaction was priceless. Half the kids just lost it with laughter and others looked puzzled and amused at the same time. I imagined them to be picturing someone being launched around the room like a let-go-balloon from passing gas.

One of my coworkers mentioned something about picking something up from the drugstore. Then a child gasped and said, "They have stores for that?!"

The same coworker told me about a student who she can never turn her back to. One day the teacher stepped into the restroom while her class was busy in centers and when she opened the door, she was greeted by her class right outside the door shouting "Happy Birthday!!" Right there front and center and the loudest, was this little girl.

Yesterday the same teacher had to step out of her room for just a second, and she heard that little girl scream. The teacher threw open the door and saw everyone trying to hide under tables, etc. And who do you think organized this? Her teacher doesn't find it entertaining, but I think it's hilarious. Haha.

These stories may only be funny to teachers or they may be the kind that you just "have to be there" to appreciate, but his sort of thing cracks me up!!

2nd Anniversary

2010-05-12T20:37:00.000-05:00

My husband and I have been married for two years now (as of Monday)! I still love him to pieces. I made cupcakes from scratch for our wedding, and I have made the same recipe for both of our anniversaries now. I love traditions! <3 Plus, these cupcakes are delicious! Another tradition we have is to write down the big events of the past year in a special journal. I think reflection of the past is very dear.

Last year Brent gave me tons of art supplies... so much that I'm not out of paint or canvases yet! This is my latest painting, inspired by spring.

Now I can't help but post one of my favorite pictures of us...

Return from our 2nd Spring Break

2010-05-12T20:15:00.001-05:00

We planted marigolds for Mother's Day. My class took the plants home yesterday. I forgot to send them home on Monday, which was our first school day back since the flood the previous weekend. That's right, they were off an entire week! We even had to cancel our Mother's Day program. Sadly, I forgot to water them the Friday before the flood, because it was a crazy field day. The plants didn't look as nice as would have liked, but I'm glad they grew.

Aren't these paper flowers cute? My class made them for me in art class one day.

My class this year loves puzzles! These went along with our butterfly theme really well. My class last year did not enjoy puzzles much, which I think is the reason they lost 2 pieces to my caterpillar puzzle. :,-)

This week we've spent a lot of time discussing the flood and doing end-of-year assessments. It's also career week at our school. Yesterday our channel 5 meteorologist came and talked to our kindergarten and first graders. He did a wonderful job discussing his job as well as the weather in general. The kids had a lot of interesting questions about flooding especially. I learned that the 13 1/2 inches of rain we got in just two days would have been about 13 FEET of snow with the right temperature!!

Cinco de Mayo

2010-05-05T21:05:00.000-05:00

We didn't get to celebrate Cinco de Mayo this year, but I have a cute picture from last year. It was good times. Thanks to our music teacher, we had sombreros, ponchos, and Mexican music for a mini fiesta.

Nashville schools have been closed all week due to the flood. :( We still have thousands without power, a water shortage, roads closed, flood water, etc. It's estimated to more than a billion dollars of damage!

I went to school today to water our very thirsty Mother's Day plants. I ended up staying and getting a lot of work done. Tomorrow teachers have to report to school to prepare for the students return. We are expected to have students either Friday or Monday. We're not sure if these days will be forgiven or will have to be made up. I wouldn't be too shocked if they ask teachers to go ahead and bring our sleeping bags to the school.

Flood

2010-05-03T16:46:00.001-05:00

So Friday I enjoyed a gorgeous day outdoors for our field day. Friday night I went to a cook-out with more great weather. Then Saturday, I woke up to drenching thunderstorms. Nashville has now seen about 13 1/2 inches of rain just this month, causing ridiculous amounts of flooding. I've never seen anything like it...

Source unknown - I-24 with 150 stranded vehicles.

by Stacey Irvin - View of downtown Nashville and the Cumberland River from the pedestrian bridge - Suspected to crest tonight reaching something like 50 feet.

Source unknown - I'm in love with this city's spirit.

by Wriker Photo - Beautiful photo, beautiful city.

by Steve Anderson

by Erik Hollander

I've been home all weekend staying dry. I've been very fortunate to not have any damage to my apartment building or vehicles. The damage is inconceivable, with 6 lost lives in Nashville and 12 state-wide. Thousands have been evacuated, have damage to their homes/cars, and tons of roads are still closed... What a disaster!

Meanwhile, school's been out... I'm still home, trying to figure out how I can help.

Hungry Caterpillars and Beautiful Butterflies

2010-04-27T20:24:00.001-05:00

We read Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar, which is just a fabulous book on so many levels. We've had so much fun already this week, with more to come! Check it out...

First, I replaced our firefly lights, with fun colored butterflies. (I'm starting to think I need to find lights for every theme, because it's so much fun.)

Yesterday we did the first read of the book, making predictions and discussing cause and effect. To further integrate science, I taught them a new song (below). They also colored in a take-home version of the book and chorally read at the end of the day.

We read the book again today. We retold the story with the help of the free pictures (I think from childcareland.com.) Then they retold the story again to their partners. This was a good opportunity to integrate math (counting, graphs, days of the week, and growing patterns).

With our extra time today, I threw in an art project. We reviewed the cause and effect of mixing colors (which we just learned with the book Warthog's Paint: A Messy Color Book), symmetry, and the life cycle of a butterfly as we improved our fine motor skills.

From caterpillars to...

butterflies!

I even caught one child putting on a puppet show... (maybe it's a moth?)

The second-graders have been observing the whole butterfly cycle in their rooms. We are very excited to be invited to see the release outside soon.

Grad School

2010-04-26T20:56:00.000-05:00

I applied to grad school. From an optimistic standpoint, I'm kind of excited about it. I am interested in having my degree in teaching English-language-learners (ELL). Not that I'm necessarily fired up enough to want to begin any time soon, because I want to continue to work in my school of non-English-language-learners.

The program is very practical for Nashville anyway. The last couple of years our schools have had so many openings in ELL classrooms. Not being a tenured teacher yet - one year to go! - it seems a smart decision to make myself as useful as possible. Personally, I don't want to get out of the classroom to work in administration or even as a specialist or coach. I don't think special education is for me either, as I've been across the hall from the life skills class for two years and think it's too difficult and sad a job for me.

I'm nervous about starting school. The program I want to do consists of classes one weekend a month (Thursday night, Friday night, and all day Saturday) and one month of a summer for a total of 18 months. I think I can handle it, but I worry because I already feel so busy without any extra work.

It's going to be costly, especially with my husband in law school. The good news is, there are grants and scholarships that I can get if I commit to to teaching in a high-needs school for five years. I can complete the program for just under $6,000 at my alma-mater - which I believe is a wonderful school for educators. The downside to the commitment is that my husband and I want to begin our family when he finishes law school in three years. I really want to be a stay at home mom for a few years...

It will all work out in the end.

In other news... We are semi - hunting for a house. I would love to get out of this apartment - no a/c, no dishwasher, etc. etc. etc. BUT, it is the perfect location. I will forever miss this neighborhood when we move. (On Saturday I got to watch the Music City Marathon from my living room window. I didn't feel like putting on clothes to actually step outside. ;) )

It looks as though I'll begin in October.

For Fun

2010-04-25T08:38:00.002-05:00

It's almost our second anniversary. Last year, Brent got me all kinds of supplies to begin painting. I have really enjoyed playing with paint. Below are three paintings I have done. I began a fourth painting yesterday. Stay tuned!

Whew.

2010-04-19T21:29:00.000-05:00

After the afternoon I had, it's important to refocus...

"Fill the lungs to the utmost; drink in the sunshine; greet your friends with a smile, and put soul into every handclasp. Do not fear being misunderstood and do not waste a minute thinking about your enemies. Try to fix firmly in your mind what you would like to do; and then, without veering off direction, you will move straight to the goal... Thought is supreme. Preserve a right mental attitude--the attitude of courage, frankness, and good cheer. To think rightly is to create. All things come through desire and every sincere prayer is answered. We become like that on which our hearts are fixed. Carry your chin in and the crown of your head high. We are gods in the chrysalis." -Elbert Hubbard

credit

Shower for Ethan

2010-04-18T21:40:00.000-05:00

My dear friend Krissy is becoming a mommy this summer. I'm so very excited for her and her husband. Yesterday I helped her mother, cousin, and family friend throw her a baby shower. We had a lot of fun.

Carlotta made the cake and had the shower at her lovely house.

I was in charge of games and bringing some food (fruit salad and edamame to go with cucumber sandwiches, cheese, crackers, and a veggie tray). I made a packet of games and things in the shape of a bib (shown on the "baby" above) for each person. Below is what the packet actually consisted of.

J(...last name removed)

Production

Presents

New

2010 Edition

--------page break--------

The J... Production

Announcing: Ethan Michael J.

{address removed}

(Exceptional Model)

Designer & Engineer . . . . . Greg J.

Co-Artistic Director . . . . . Krissy J.

Model to be released

July 2010

Standard Equipment

Two Lung Power

Scream Line Body

Water Cooled Exhaust

Changeable Seat Covers

The Design Team assures the public that there will be

no new model next year!!!

--------page break--------

Ten little fingers, ten little toes

It’s amazing how fast a baby grows.

Still in the womb and out of our sight

Yet we know that he’s growing every day and at night.

We listen to progress and what Krissy’s going through

We offer our help, anything we can do.

While she hears a sound and Krissy feels him kick

She tries to explain it, but it is hard to mimic.

So we anxiously await for the day to draw near

When at last we’ll meet Ethan, so precious and dear.

Soon he will know what life’s all about

He will laugh, he will play; he will cry, there’s no doubt.

We will watch him start crawling and then start to walk

And more excitement will come as he learns how to talk.

But for now we must wait, it’s all we can do

Until the time comes when we hear his first coo.

Baby Ethan is on the way

Let’s start celebrating today!

We are glad you are here to share a few hours.

What fun we have at Krissy’s Baby Shower!

--------page break--------

Ethan Michael J...

Ethan

Origin: Hebrew, English

Meaning: strong and optimistic, solid and enduring

Michael

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: one who is like God

Family Name

--------page break--------

Baby Words

(Unscramble)

(This was actually two columns, and I can't figure out how to copy that correctly)

1. ciripafe ______________

2. pierda agb ______________

3. teltob ______________

4. ibrc ______________

5. natsbenis ______________

6. runsyer ______________

7. ballyul ______________

8. eonise ______________

9. ihhg ihrac ______________

10. lettra _______________

11. acr teas _______________

12. signurn _______________

--------page break--------

Baby Names

A Coin __________________

Happiness ___________________

Bird’s Beak ___________________

Precious Gem ___________________

A Small Cut ___________________

A Beam of Light ___________________

To Have a Lawsuit ___________________

A Flower ___________________

A Bird ___________________

A Christmas Carol ___________________

A Season ___________________

Male Cat ___________________

A Hair Style ___________________

To Allow a Privilege ___________________

A Month ___________________

--------page break--------

I'm sorry I couldn't be here,

but I'm not quite ready yet.

I'm painting my eyes, hair and cheeks

and soon I'll be all set.

I'm sending this little message

to convey to you this thought.

The stork will soon have left me

to use the gifts you've brought.

Thanks for the lovely welcome

you have given me today.

And when you see the stork fly by

you'll know I've come to stay.

I thank you from my tiny heart

for the lovely gifts you share.

Soon I'll be on my way home

to show you how much I care.

~Baby Ethan

There's Krissy in the green!

We also played "Dress Baby," during which two teams dressed a player as a baby using two rolls of toilet paper. Krissy got to sit out for this one and be the judge.

The one on the left won. I was amazed how well both teams did with this silly task. It was excellent!

Then everyone got to take a fresh cinnamon roll home as a party favor. (My mother and I made these, and we ate quite a few!)

Zoo

2010-04-17T22:25:00.000-05:00

A is for alligator.

I'm so grateful for the chaperones that came along. I think I had 8! That gave every chaperone just one or two kids to herd.

Fine creature, that giraffe!

A white tiger, too!

One of our favorite parts was seeing the ostrich egg. We could even see what looked like another egg about to be delivered!

Z is for zebra

Always a favorite.

Other fun things at the zoo...

The petting zoo - poor goats.

The unforgettable playground, which is so huge I can't see a single child in the picture. It looks like it's going to eat a chaperone! I've played on the playground myself, and I loved it. The best part is this big net to climb on. Very cool.

Our field trip was a success!

Last year we went to the zoo the week of TCAP testing and we wore red shirts. It seemed every child below 3rd grade was at the zoo that day, and they all had on red! It was a nightmare. This year we decided to wear green, wear visors, bring more chaperones, and go the week before testing. So instead of a couple of thousand students at the zoo, there was more like 600. It doesn't get much better than that...

Personal Fact Houses

2010-04-14T21:57:00.000-05:00

All year we have been "building" our personal fact houses. The idea is to promote learning of personal information that we just don't have the time to teach at school. When I assess them, I send a slip of paper home that tells the parents what fact to work on next. When they've mastered everything, they get a smiley face sun sticker on their page and a certificate.

Ideas for next year?

This isn't easy

2010-04-12T19:46:00.000-05:00

Yay for having a supportive principal! She really is great.

She had to rescue me from my little boy who's cry can be identified by anyone in the school, seriously.

On our way out to recess, I took my class in reverse line-order as I frequently do. That put him at the end. He couldn't handle that - he broke down. The rest of us continued on with our lives. A few children had to walk a couple of laps around the hard court for their time-out, as is always the "time-out" rule. They took full responsibility for their behavior, did their time, and then enjoyed the rest of recess.

Except, him. He stomped, screamed, etc. I tried to use his "calm-down strategy." We made it to step 3: take 3 deep breathes. He was so loud and wouldn't leave another teacher and I alone, so we had to walk away from him. His fit grew worse, but at least I had some space.

When I rang the bell to line-up, he was so very upset. Fortunately he willingly went inside with us. Once inside the 3rd grade hallway, his screaming was just too much. While my class got water from the fountain, he tried his best to drag me back outside so he could play (see picture below). I retrieved our Centerstone counselor who works with him. She got nowhere with him. She called our principal, who came right up and had to carry him kicking down the hall.

She called me a few minutes later to inform me his behavior became even worse once in her office, so she suspended him again. This time for two days. I sent his belongings to the office. Then his grandmother called me enraged. Oh dear...

She tried to make it my fault, then the principals, then a mysterious mental diagnosis. It's really unfortunate. He's maybe one day's suspension away from us having to have a hearing.

What a way to end a beautiful Monday. At least it was close to the end of the school day. :-P

Robin Eggs

2010-04-11T21:33:00.000-05:00

Spring may be my favorite season, except I have allergies. It has been a rough couple of weeks. Thank goodness nature is so pretty. I saw this robin's nest yesterday. See the new baby? Love it! <3

Seven weeks of school left! It's sort of bittersweet. I have a few favorite students (did I just say that out loud?!) that I am really going to miss. Like the kids, I'm so worn out. My patience is mostly gone... especially on these extra long days that I'm fighting allergies. Just a few more weeks of our added 30 minutes at the end of the school day. On the other hand, we found out that we will have to make up our missed professional development day (because of snow) with three 2-hour segments after school. Boooo!

Life is Beautiful.

2010-04-07T21:33:00.001-05:00

Yesterday after a long day at work, I enjoyed the wonderful company of two interesting people traveling from Miami to San Diego. My husband and I took them on a mini-tour of Nashville. I'm not sure Nashville has seen a better day. The weather was perfect and the life around us was just beautiful. First we went to Centennial Park to see the gardens and parthenon.

Then we went downtown to walk the streets of the city and see the view from the pedestrian bridge.

We finished the night with dinner and drinks at Boscos. It was most pleasant.

Spring Writing

2010-03-31T21:32:00.000-05:00

This is the "edited" versions of their spring writing assignment.

1. She said I'm the girl on the left.

2. I love how he likes to "discover" and how he labeled his magnifying glass!

3. I asked him why the people were naked, so he drew a line around the person on the left. :P I also like how he has a skate board with fire coming out the back, And he signals that he is going up the tree.

4. Jumbo skateboard with flames and a treehouse

Insects

2010-03-30T21:48:00.001-05:00

This was my bug center during student teaching a couple of years ago. The parts were Velcroed on, so they could label the bug themselves. They could dig for a bug (plastic), too. How fun, right? I created a worksheet that had them draw a picture of their insect, name it, and answer a couple of questions about it. Bug books and puzzles were there for any time leftover.

I made a similar center in my own classroom last year, but my insect wasn't quite as big (no room!). I did make it more accurate second time around though.

I taught three songs with my unit:
1. "The Ants Go Marching"
2. "Head, Thorax, Abdomen"
3. "Bugs, Bugs, Bugs"
They LOVE these songs.

Fireflies are flying around my door this year! We've begun our unit with the songs and some great books. The center will be open next week!

April 15, we're heading to the zoo! In May we'll begin our intensive unit study on butterflies, featuring The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Spring Flowers

2010-03-29T20:38:00.003-05:00

(Part of our Discover Center) Today we went on a nature walk to look for signs of spring. We collected several pretty weed flowers, seeds, nuts, clovers, and green onion. The daffodil was brought to me this morning by the school counselor to cheer me from my rough day Friday. So sweet!

When we came back inside, we watched "Peep Plants A Seed." I just discovered this show, and I love it!!

Future activity:

We also read The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle.

Something cute I found, but do not remember the source (sorry!)...

Of course we will also plant flower seeds, which will make a beautiful gift for Mother's Day, and we will observe bean seeds growing.

Easter Activities

2010-03-29T19:54:00.002-05:00

"My little yellow duck is really very funny.

For when I turn him over, he becomes the Easter bunny!"

Our Egg Hunt will be on Thursday. When I was student teaching, I picked up this perfect idea for having the best class egg hunt. Each student in the class has to bring in a candy-filled egg (no chocolate). Then we have parent volunteers number off each set of eggs with the number of students in the class. Then the eggs are scattered in a field (each class has their own section), and the kids have to hunt for eggs with their number on them. It makes the hunt last a while longer and it's fair to everyone.

"Out Like a Lion," and I don't mean the weather!

2010-03-28T14:37:00.002-05:00

Thursday
*A child read the crayon (Crayola.com), "Crayon.com?! Who wants to go to crayon.com?!"
*Which brings me to something a kid said last year while peeling the paper off the crayon... "It's getting naked!"
*S-Team meeting for child I mentioned in "March Madness"
*Final book club meeting for The Laughing Classroom, much needed after long and difficult day

Friday
*This was one of those days that I've heard about and hoped I'd never have - A day that I had to fight tears on my drive home at 6:30. I was exhausted. My little darling had another major emotional crisis after he a) refused to do any work, b) ran away from me, c) ran away from the counselor, d) disrupted story time, and d) put his hand in the cupcakes that he was not going to get. I had the class evacuate the room and let them eat their cupcakes in the hall, well all except for one of boys who spent the day sort of copying the attitude of the child in my room at this point spreading icing everywhere, charging into the classroom door that I sat in front of, screaming at the top of his lungs, and tearing things off the door. Of course, teachers were popping out left and right to see what in the world was going on, so I had one call the principal up. She came right up and had to chase him, restrain him, and carry him kicking and screaming down the hall. Evidently, he also tore up her office. After school, his mother and grandmother wanted to meet with myself, the principal, and the guidance counselor. I just wanted a break. I needed to do my lesson plans and put my room back in order. I did not feel like wasting anymore conversation with this family that gives in to his every desire. I had just spent an hour doing this the day before. But, I did it. And, the counselor gave them information for a mental co-op and the principal mentioned "This is very serious. There are alternative schools for this sort of behavior." He has been suspended for the fourth time. I will not see him until Tuesday, and this makes me sigh in relief. Isn't that awful of me?!

Saturday
*As part of the School Beautification Committee, I helped in the flower gardens for a couple of hours in beautiful weather
*Game night at my old boss' house - I had tons of fun and it was good to see her since her last round of chemo and all the radiation. She's doing great!

Dollhouse

2010-03-23T21:00:00.001-05:00

I need to add handmade dollhouses to my list of favorite things.

I love things that are miniature. I love antiques.

I'm so glad I met a little girl playing with this family heirloom...

so much prettier than plastic.

First Day of Spring

2010-03-21T12:24:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was a gorgeous spring day. We finally had warm enough weather to take down the blankets covering our windows and let in the sunlight. As shown above, Sadie has been trying to do this very thing for months now. Our front window is their second favorite place to be. (The first is their cat tree.)

My husband and I did our spring cleaning, which included everything I almost always do every weekend plus beating the rugs and doing a very thorough sweeping and dusting. We cleaned out pounds of cat hair and dust. We opened the windows and let in fresh air. Then we grilled out on the front porch with some friends. The last time we did this I was eaten alive by mosquitos and our food was attacked by flies. This time, no bugs and perfect weather. :-) Good times.

Today is rainy and cool. Tomorrow there is supposed to be a rain/snow mixture. :( I'm so over the cold. At least tomorrow I will get to see my kiddos again. We are learning about spring, seeds, and subtraction! Maybe we should do a study on "S" while we're at it. :-P

Easter in Centers

2010-03-19T20:47:00.002-05:00

Egg Sort

Addition with erasers

Easter Tracing Boards:
I have about 8 different pictures for them to choose from. They put a piece of tracing paper on top, and use the skinny markers to trace the picture. Then they color the picture in with colored pencils. If they have time leftover they can do the addition cards or Easter spiral art. (The trays are to the right on our "Home Living" center oven, which hardly gets to be used. :( )

Pom-poms and mini Easter baskets

Easter Egg flash cards: Count the stickers, check with the answer on the back. I also encourage the students to put the cards in order or sort them by color.

Number Word and Numeral Matching

Eggs to match uppercase and lowercase letters

Writing

2010-03-19T20:23:00.000-05:00

I do this writing process no more than once a week with small groups. We usually write on a particular theme that we have been studying or experiencing, etc. This assignment was done as a culminating activity of our unit on trees and wood. We brainstormed about what we know about trees, and I wrote them down on a small white board.

Then I had a student dictate a sentence to me, while the other few begin their illustrations. I scribbled what they said down on a piece of scratch paper, because they sometimes forget. Then I wrote a line for each word as I said the sentence with the child. The student wrote the sentence to the best of his/her ability on the lines.

From the sample above, I got a lot of information about what the student understands about writing. He understands concepts of print and that words are made up beginning, middle, and ending sounds. He knows the letters ow say /ow/. He does not completely understand capitalization rules. I go over the sentence with the child, discussing editing, and I write the sentence correctly. We read it together. Then I draw the lines again, and the student copies it.

This method helps the students feel at ease about writing, because they aren't afraid to make mistakes. They don't mind being corrected, because it's not negative red markings. They listen to the constructive criticism, and they often praise themselves for getting parts right. They love writing the sentence correctly afterward, and I always hang the work in the hall to show it off. :)

Also shown above:

1. Labeling of tree parts

2. First, next, last of an oak tree's life

Morning Meeting

2010-03-18T16:46:00.001-05:00

We're on Spring Break, but today I went to school to work on a few things (like report cards). This is my calendar/morning meeting stuff... Busy, huh? :)

The Star Student (changes daily) gets to stand and help, while everyone participates in singing, counting, etc. First I ask them the following questions: What is today? What comes before? What comes after? And we add the signs to "Yesterday was..."

Then we sing to the tune of "Are You Sleeping?" “Today is ____. Today is ___; All day long, All day long. Yesterday was ___. Tomorrow will be ___. Hip, Hip, Hooray! What a day!”

Then we go right into our next song, "Days of the Week," to the tune of the Addam's Family theme song. It goes like this: "Days of the week. ** Days of the week. ** Days of the week. Days of the week. Days of the week. ** There's Sunday and there's Monday. There's Tuesday and there's Wednesday. There's Thursday and there's Friday. And then there's Saturday. (Repeat intro.)

And, we sing “There are 7 Days...” to the tune of “Oh, My Darlin’.”

Next, we count. First we count the days up to today's date using ordinal numbers. The Star Student will point with a pointer to the days. Next, I write the date in two ways, and we say it together.

I really stress place value every day. I write the number sentence in two ways and we solve for the number of days we've been at school. We add a straw and count to see if we are right. I ask them if it's an even or odd number. I help them with this concept by counting the straws in the ones place by twos. If a straw is by itself, we say "Awww...odd, and if not, we say "Yes, it's even - everyone has a partner."

We also add 1 cent, 1 unit, and 1 tally. This gives us so much practice counting in different ways and seeing the same number represented differently. It's also a good review of coins, and a good introduction to place value. Once a week, we estimate how many whatever are in a jar, and then count it out to get the actual answer.

We talk about the seasons, and then we sing "What's the weather like today, like today, like today? What's the weather like today. Today is ____." The Star Student goes to the window and answers us with sunny, rainy, etc. We turn our weather dial, complete the weather sentence, and add to the month's weather graph. We discuss the graph using terms more than, less than, fewer, equal to, and we predict what the weather might be like tomorrow. We also refer to the thermometer and discuss the temperature and how that affects what we wear.

After all this, we usually go right into a Morning Message or a graphic organizer that relates to what we will be reading next. Sometimes we have a lot of wiggles though, and we have to stand up and sing and dance. We love "Macarena Math" on Dr. Jean's album. We also sing the months of the year to the same tune.

Spring Break

2010-03-17T15:27:00.002-05:00

Monday afternoon I drove up to Kentucky to visit my dad and little brother. I had to leave Tuesday afternoon, but I really enjoyed the time I had there. The top picture shows him when he was pretending to be a dog fetching the yellow bowl on his head. In the next picture I was reading to him and he got on the back of the couch and bent over me so I saw him upside down. He's so silly!! The last picture shows him playing with one of the best toys a child could have - an empty box! Is he a snail or a hermit crab? He's a smart and funny kid.

Today I baby-sat for a family that I have kind of grown a part of over the past 5 years. They had been doing some spring cleaning, so I have 3 bags full of books and things to take to my classroom. I feel so fortunate for everything this family has given me. We had a fun day of eating lunch out and beginning a painting project that we will finish on Friday. We also noticed that one of their parakeets, Blueberry, has laid 2 eggs! They look just like the Cadburry chocolate eggs that I love sooo much. We watched the birds for awhile, because Blueberry looked like she could lay another egg at any moment. When I was leaving their house, I could hear so many birds singing. I took a picture:

A Few Favorites

2010-03-13T21:30:00.003-06:00

Making Lists and Organizing.

Love.

Family.
BRENT. <3

Learning. Teaching.

Babies. Children.

Hammocks.

Foggy landscapes.

Sunny days with birds, butterflies, dragonflies, and flowers.

Cotton candy clouds.

Branches and vines. Weeping willows.

Dusk with fireflies. (Photo by Kate Pulley)

Rain and rainbows.

Umbrellas.

Snowfalls.

Strings of lights.

Stargazing.

Bonfires and s'mores.

Wind chimes.

The beautiful hues and crisp air of autumn.

Guitars. Pianos. Music. Singing. Dancing.

Cardigans.

Holding hands. Hugs. Kisses.

Drinking cool water.

Creativity. Painting. Mosaics. Doodles. Multi-Media.

Waterfalls, creeks, rivers, lakes, and beaches.

Chocolate. Brownies. Cookies.

Dresses, especially white. (Venus)

Wide open spaces.

Adventures. Climbing. Kayaking.

Popping stiff joints.

Laughter. Silliness.

Massages.

Holding a warm mug.

Cuddling and cozying up under blankets.

Quilts and antiques.

Reading novels.

Rice milk in cereal.

Optimism.

Photographs and memories.

Smoothies. Fruit.

Candles.

Movies and television.

Board games.

Introducing...

2010-03-13T16:51:00.001-06:00

The Power of the SMELLIES, aka chapstick

Imagine, you look at the clock and to see that you have less than 10 minutes to have your class lined up to go, and they are deeply involved in centers that need to be put away, have jackets to put on and zip, mittens, hats, bags to load with papers and library books, and on and on. It can be quite difficult for some. I have looked around to see children trying to write invitations and their phone numbers down to hand out, children thumbing through the pages of their library books, etc. seemingly without care that in just minutes the bell will ring. When I am on the verge of panic, I pick a power, such as Vanilla Cream, and dab a little onto the back of the hand of every child who is ready to go. It is so encouraging that the whole class can be ready in under five minutes!!

Brain Spray, aka water

Not only is it fun to squirt kids with water, but they love it! I pull this out when they are sleepy, unmotivated, or when they need a self-esteem boost. It goes right along with Dr. Jean's "Kiss Your Brain," song that I frequently play for my class.

What are your secret weapons?

March Madness

2010-03-09T21:07:00.001-06:00

It's time for March Madness! The letter that we sent home to parents...

March Madness

March Madness is the kindergarten’s sight word competition. Students are on mixed-level teams of three. We want the higher achievers to encourage and help the lower achievers learn the words. There are 220 sight words, however, this competition will only involve the first 80 words, and only the first 40 are on the kindergarten report card. Even if your child has completed the first and second Worm Word books, it’s important to continue reviewing for accuracy and speed.

Each student can score a maximum of 80 points, that’s one point per word. We will have a hallway display of three goals, each labeled with point values 75, 110, and 150. We will place each team’s basketball labeled with the points earned at the appropriate goal. Good luck!

The letter also included the teams, with their names like Team Outstanding and Team Bravo, and the sight words list.

To explain it even further, let me say that I just use the results of individual sight word assessments to give the students points. We aren't doing something like a Spelling Bee or Around the World. All year I have been assessing students weekly anyway, but this theme spruces things up a bit.

On Wednesday mornings, the students get with their teammates to practice. I have a school box of flash cards for each team. The game they are playing now goes like this: the team captain (the student who knows the most words - usually all 80) moderates while the other two children take turns picking up a card off the top of the deck. He/she keeps the the cards they read correctly. If they miss it, the captain gets to keep it. Then I assess students individually while the others are working on centers and handwriting.

We need a new goal up!

Other "March Madness," and this is Madness!!

* Due to all the snow, we are having to make-up 2 snow days by tacking on 30 extra minutes at the end of the day for almost 2 months. This is kind of a nightmare. Since our school is "enhanced," we already have school 45 minutes longer than the regular public schools in our district. Can you believe my kindergarteners arrive at school for breakfast at 7:30, begin class at 8, and aren't dismissed until 4:15?! So it's been two days of this extra, extra time. I'm wondering where does the time go?

* One of my students had yet another emotional crisis today. I am using every resource possible to support this little boy, and yet, he still can't pull himself together. To name a few of said resources, he has a Centerstone counselor, school counselor, and a behavior specialist; he has visual prompts, a picture schedule with if-then breaks, daily behavior charts to motivate his every 30 minutes to follow directions, etc., etc., etc.!!!! He has been referred to office probably something like 10 times by myself and others just since January. Today I had to send my class out to other classrooms (as I've explained in his Safety Plan) and then block the door so he couldn't make a run for it. The principal came to get him. He refused to comply, so she had to restrain him and carry him down the hall screaming and kicking. I felt sorry for her watching them go, but honestly!! She had his mother pick him up with a suspension note. That makes a total of 5 days of suspension in 2010! I won't see him until Thursday, which is the last day of school until March 22. March 25 we are having a second Support Team meeting. Since I didn't mention it yet, this little boy is smart and has a lot of friends. I'm just stunned that a 6 year old could be so upset with the world. He gets upset, and I mean crazy upset, for no reason.

Rainbows and Clovers

2010-03-06T18:42:00.001-06:00

Once a month kindergarten has "Creative Corner." Our school has a Family Resource Center, and the director kindly hosts this fun activity inviting parent volunteers. Each kindergarten class sends 4-5 students at a time for about 30 minutes each to intermingle with other children and do something that really seems like kindergarten. I'm so grateful for this occurrence, as we hardly have time with the standards so high to get many activities like these into our schedule. This month, they made the rainbow and pot of gold shown above. One of the parent volunteers even came back to my room and hung them from the ceiling! Very cute!!

I found this idea of cutting apart the clover cards and having the children find the matching numbers. I want to make this! Although I have A LOT of center activities right now, I think it's easy enough to make and the children will enjoy it.

http://abcand123learning.blogspot.com/search/label/St.%20Patrick%27s%20Day

I found out yesterday that my door was the kindergarten winner of the door decorating contest. The same parent mentioned a moment ago did my door as well! I'm very lucky to have her. Her son is amazing too. Last year my door tied for first place. I'm not sure how I've pulled this off. I have pictures on a recent post.

I didn't hear anything from the principal about changing grade-levels, so as long as they're aren't any cuts, I will keep my position!!

I hope to have pictures up next week of kindergarten's March Madness! :)

Good Day Sunshine!

2010-03-04T21:30:00.001-06:00

Today my closest coworker/mentor found out that her husband's tumor is benign!! I jumped for joy when she interrupted class to tell me the news. It's such a huge sigh of relief. It's things like this that remind me how to be really happy. AND today the sun was shining brightly, giving us the first bit of warmth of the year.

Tonight I watched our 3rd and 4th grade celebrate Black History Month with a program entitled "From Africa to America," led by our wonderful music teacher. I cannot even begin to describe it. I love, love, love hearing children sing. I was moved to tears as I listened to songs from Africa with beautiful solos. I was moved to the rhythm of the little girl who rapped like nobody's business. Besides singing, the children played instruments, acted, danced, and spoke about important people and events of black history. I give the program two thumbs way up!

In other news, I now know that my husband and I will not be moving this summer. Whew! I have my fingers crossed that although I'm the "low man on the totem pole," I get to keep my position at my school. By tomorrow the principal is supposed to be informing everyone of any grade-level changes. So far, I'm in the clear!

Laughter

2010-03-01T20:55:00.001-06:00

(Get yours on Amazon)

I am reading the above book, The Laughing Classroom, with the book club at school. In an effort to break up the "seriousness" of my kindergarten classroom, we took a few moments to share some "Knock, Knock" jokes.

Student 1: Knock, knock. Who's there? A tree. A tree who? A tree wearing pants!! hahahahahaha!!!

Student 2: Knock, knock. Who's there? Peas. Peas who? Peas that are wearing shorts! hahahaha!!

Student 3: Knock, knock. Who's there? A man. A man who? A man who's got pajamas on and sleeping at school! hahahahahaha!!! (This was my favorite because it was pajama day, and this student just thought it was hilarious. I could picture his surprise that morning when his mother told him to get dressed for school and handed him pajamas.)

Student 4: Knock, knock. Who's there? Big mama! Big mama who? Big mama got jam!! hahahahahahaha!!!!!

Kindergarteners really know how to tell a good joke! : P They had me rolling, because they were laughing so hard at the silliest stuff. They loved it and always ask for more.

Read Me Week Continued

2010-02-25T20:06:00.002-06:00

I fixed my door and added the book's character. :] "Oh how many feet you meet!"

Today was PAJAMA DAY, and tonight we had a family night AKA a PAJAMA PARTY!! The families had 3 places to visit on a rotation. I manned the "Sleepy Snakes" library. We had a hot chocolate, cookies, and a fabulous storyteller. The other 2 places were the "Pooped Penguins" FRC, where families heard from NPT about how to make reading fun, and the "Bedtime Bears" cafeteria, where families played literacy-related board games. Then the families had pizza and took home new books! We had a huge turn-out, and I think it went great!

I also must add a couple of other doors that turned out really cute... I'm sure I'll add more later.

Read Me Week

2010-02-22T18:53:00.001-06:00

It's "Read Me Week" at our school. One of the events involved is a door-decorating contest. Kindergarten chose to do a Dr. Seuss theme. My class read The Foot Book. I just realized that my parent volunteer spelled Seuss wrong! Haha, I'll have to remember to change that tomorrow...

"Left foot
Right foot
Wet foot
Dry foot
Slow feet
Quick feet
Up feet
Down feet
Small feet
Big feet
His feet
Her feet
Up in the air
Over the chair
Oh, how many feet you meet!"

(The last picture has everyone's feet up in the air in a circle. It's really cute!)

Last year, kindergarten went all out! We went beyond the door, and transformed the entire hallway! We each chose a book for an ocean theme. My class read A House for Hermit Crab by Eric Carle. Each child painted a new house for Hermit Crab and added something to it to make it better, just like in the story. Can you believe there are actually 4 doors in this picture?!

"I’m a little like that hermit crab I’m growing in my shell;

Soon enough I’ll move along saying goodbye to Kindergarten’s bell.
I’m a little like that hermit crab, I need the safety of my shell.
Yet every month I’m bigger, the length of my clothes will tell.
I’m a little like that hermit crab, this school is my ocean floor.
There are endless possibilities, so much world to be explored.
I’m a little like that hermit crab, I’m stepping out real soon.
Please applaud my courage, even small bells ring a tune.
I’m a little like that hermit crab, and though it’s sad to be parted;
I know the world awaits me- and I can’t wait to get started!" (Pat Ammons)

Word Walls

2010-02-17T19:22:00.003-06:00

This word wall takes up a huge corner of my room. My teaching table is located in front. The picture cards may not make sense. Take Xx for example. What does a cat clawing at a mouse have to do with anything that begins with x? Well, nothing! The picture represents the sound the letter makes: "The cat claws at the mouse. /ks/ /ks/ /ks/." The sound is also tied with the motion of clawing. I love sound cards!! We have many fun ways to review our words such as saying the words in different voices (monster voice is their favorite) or spelling the words with frog jumps.

This is more of a student-use interactive word wall at the writing center. The words are Velcroed on, and I encourage my students to take down the word they are using to copy it. If front of this mini-word wall, is a trifold poster of all the sound cards described above.

Each student keeps a Word Worm booklet inside their Home Folder. The first page is a worm with our first five sight words, he second page has the first ten, the third page the first 15... On Worm Word Wednesday the Worm Word Wizard shows up, which is just me wearing my wizard's hat. Each child has the opportunity to try to pass the page he/she is working on. The page shown above is actually the first page of our second book, which has all new words that they don't even have to know in kindergarten. My students love their worms, and so, more than half the class has already mastered the 40 kindergarten words (of which, they only technically have to learn 25). I even have a few who are looking for me to make a third book!

My students love to use our names word wall. Since the names are on a pocket chart, they can take a name to their seat to copy it and then put it back.

This is what our math word wall looks like right now. It's in our "Marvelous Math" center.

Doodle.

2010-02-16T16:25:00.001-06:00

We haven't had school this week.

Darn those slippery roads.

Presidents and Money

2010-02-15T10:34:00.006-06:00

President's Day is a federal holiday officially known as "Washington's Birthday," but always falls on the third Monday in February. Although we celebrate Lincoln's birthday this month as well, it is not a federally designated holiday.

We have all heard the story of young George Washington chopping down a cherry tree and telling his father the truth. Washington's biographer Mason Weems made this story up as a way to show Washington's honesty. It's a good lesson about the qualities good leaders have. The story can be found at http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/presidents-day/george-washington/short-stories/the-cherry-tree.html.

Abraham Lincoln was also known for his honesty and even nicknamed "Honest Abe." He teaches us that the truth is not worth sacrificing for any gain, no matter the size, and telling the truth is an essential lesson for all, no matter who you are or what you do.

Abe Lincoln's Cabin of Values from Moreofamom. com

In this month, we also celebrate Black History Month. "The remembrance was founded in 1926 by United States historian Carter G. Woodson as "Negro History Week".[1] Woodson chose the second week of February because it marked the birthdays of two Americans who greatly influenced the lives and social condition of African Americans: former President Abraham Lincoln and abolitionist and former slave Frederick Douglass." (Wikipedia, Black History Month)

And what better time to begin our unit on money as we are already in to a discussion on the presidents. Students are expected to learn the name of each coin and its value. They also need to be able to count easy combinations of money, like one nickel and three pennies. We do penny and quarter rubbings along with our Washington and Lincoln people that we put together. I love to use songs and rhymes to teach...

Money Song Dr. Jean - Is Everybody Happy?
(Tune: "Shortnin' Bread")

Chorus:
I like money to buy things at the store.
Money, money, money, I always want more!

A penny's worth one cent.
A nickel's worth five.
A dime's worth ten cents.
A quarter's twenty-five. Chorus

Lincoln's on one cent.
Jefferson's on five.
Roosevelt's on ten cents.
Washington's on twenty-five. Chorus

A building's on one cent.
A building's on five.
A torch is on ten cents.
An eagle's on twenty-five. Chorus

Penny, Penny (unknown)

Penny, penny, easily spent -
Copper brown and worth one cent.

Nickel, Nickel, thick and fat.
It’s worth 5 cents – I know that.

Dime, dime, little and thin.
I remember – you’re worth 10.

Quarter, quarter, big and bold.
It’s worth 25 – I am told.

I Got A Dollar (Inspired from Little Rascals)

I got a penny (3x). It's worth 1 cent.

I got a penny (3x). It's worth 1 cent!

I got a nickel (3x). It's worth 5 cents.

I got a nickel (3x). It's worth 5 cents!

I got a dime (3x). It's worth 10 cents.

I got a dime (3x). It's worth 10 cents!

I got a quarter (3x). It's 25 cents.

I got a quarter (3x). It 25 cents!

Our coin purse, or money bag project using a paper bag, hole punch, pipe cleaner, coin stamps/stickers...

Now that I think about it, it would make a cool wallet to fold the same way, but leave off the pipe cleaner. I encouraged the students to store some coins inside to practice with. To better encourage my class to learn the coins and values, I'm bribing them with getting to put a toy cash register in a center.

Love is all you need...

2010-02-14T16:29:00.002-06:00

JeremyHowardPhotography.com

I fell head over heels in love with Brent when I met him the summer of 2005. We held our sweet wedding ceremony on May 10, 2008. I'm still madly in love with him, and I feel like such a lucky girl.

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Valentine's

2010-02-11T19:48:00.002-06:00

We had a fun day full of Valentine's activities. Students made bags for a card and candy swap for tomorrow. Students reviewed sorting, counting, and graphing with Sweethearts. Students dictated five things they love about their mothers and/or fathers and colored the page. Parents will love this as they completed the same page for their children. I am going to read them to the class during our party tomorrow. Students also made heart-shaped cards for their parents.

100th Day

2010-02-11T19:39:00.002-06:00

Our 100th day of school was on February 10. It was pushed back for 5 snow days!! Finally we squeezed in our eventful celebration of 100 between Groundhog's Day and Valentine's Day.

It began as an exciting day doing all the calendar time transitions from 99 into 100 including straws in bundles, coins into a dollar, units and rods, tallies, etc. As a class, we used receipt paper to write 1-100 in alternating colors, or as they know it, an AB pattern. Then everyone filled in their own 100's chart. We also drew hilarious pictures of what we think we'll look like when we are 100 years old. Everyone also brought in 100 pennies, toothpicks, candies, etc. to count. And I almost forgot! The class made crowns the day before on which they glued school buses counting by tens to 100 around. They got to wear them for this special day.

On top of all that, it was a Wednesday. It is also known as "Word Problem Wednesday," during which the whole school completes a grade-level specific word problem, and "Word Worm Wednesday." The latter is a day that I created in which I wear a wizard hat and assess the students on sight words which are tiered in a book of worms from 5 sight words to 40. This has been a wonderful way to motivate students. Five of my students have already completed the first book of 40 words and are now working on a second book containing 40 new words, which aren't technically assessed until first grade. Three of those students have already mastered the second book as well!