Monday, April 30, 2012
Super Size Me
I am so excited about this new giveaway! It's so huge, you have to go visit The 3AM Teacher to believe it! Just follow the link below to see what is in store for you, but have to hurry because it ends soon. Let's just say there are totes and TONS of free graphics involved!!
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Gearing Up Next Year
Since it's almost the end of the year, I have been trying to get myself thinking about how I should prepare for next year. So many things have been floating through my mind that a list is going to made soon before I forget half of my ideas or ambitions.
Teaching with Poverty in Mind: What Being Poor Does to Kids' Brains and What Schools Can Do about It
One of things that I really want to do is do a better job reaching my students. There has been a huge culture shift at my school that seems to have happened overnight. One thing my school did as a whole is read Ruby Payne's Understanding Poverty to help us understand our children's culture a little better; however, I was not in that particular book study (I lead a different one). So I decided that I would get some books for me to read over the summer to help me make some plans while I have a break from graduate classes. Here are the books that I ordered (maybe you all can tell how well you liked them and how they helped you):
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
What I found on my desk
My first day back after my "vacation"/family emergency was an interesting one. The sub left a very interesting note about the happenings of my classroom. Students getting sent to the office everyday, the various strange objects that she collected, and other goodies. What in the world happened to my lovies?!?!
Anyway, they were so excited about having me back that I found this note on my desk when I returned:
Today and tomorrow are the last 2 days of our ARMT testing. YEAH!!!! Next week, we are going to start our weather unit. This means we get fill our brains with awesome weather knowledge and test it when our meterologist (James Spann) comes to speak at the end of our unit! They always have so much fun when he comes!!
Anyway, they were so excited about having me back that I found this note on my desk when I returned:
Today and tomorrow are the last 2 days of our ARMT testing. YEAH!!!! Next week, we are going to start our weather unit. This means we get fill our brains with awesome weather knowledge and test it when our meterologist (James Spann) comes to speak at the end of our unit! They always have so much fun when he comes!!
Friday, April 13, 2012
Ten Questions
I would like to thank Stacey from 3rd Grade Times for giving my Lovely blog Award! It was so sweet of you! Also, Summyr from The Teachacholic tagged me in "ten question" game...so here I go....
1. What's the last book you read aloud to your class?
A Hundred Dresses. My Kids loved this book! They really got into how people should be treated, and how they should treat other people.
2. Which field trip have you enjoyed most and why?
I would have to say that I have enjoyed Rufner Mountain. It's where the kids go on nature hikes and discover various plants, animals, and insects in nature. They also get to see some pretty awesome animals from the guides. They have so much fun, and I get to see them put their knowledge from the classroom to use!!
3. Which subject do you enjoy teaching most?
I enjoy teaching math the most. It's fun to teach a subject that gets such a bad rap in creative and fun ways. Before I know it, they are having a great time learning without realizing that they are learning.
4. What computer program(s) do you think is most effective for student achievement?
Our school likes to use Study Island, and it's wonderful!! It allows me, the teacher, change the settings for individual students to give them what they need. The students can play games after answer problems in reading and math correctly or the teacher can print off worksheets directly from the website. The best part is it lines up with the common core!!
5. What could you NOT teach without?
I don't think that I could teach without my electronics! I them every single day!!
6. What is the most memorable gift a student has given you?
Well there is one that is more memorable because it's comical; however, there is one gift the was just PRECIOUS! This year for about 4 months I was eating popcorn as a snack. So for Valentine's Day, one of my students brought me a bag of popcorn attached to my card even though I hadn't eaten any in MONTHS!
7. Which do you prefer, having students write down their homework or posting
the homework on a website?
Writing down their homework...it gets into their memories better
8. How often do you email/call parents?
On a weekly basis plus whenever important matters come up. I am in LOVE with group emails, ha ha ha.
9. How do you run literacy centers?
I do the daily 5.
10. Why did you begin blogging?
I just figured that someone might be interested in my ideas or my boring happenings as a teacher.
1. What's the last book you read aloud to your class?
A Hundred Dresses. My Kids loved this book! They really got into how people should be treated, and how they should treat other people.
2. Which field trip have you enjoyed most and why?
I would have to say that I have enjoyed Rufner Mountain. It's where the kids go on nature hikes and discover various plants, animals, and insects in nature. They also get to see some pretty awesome animals from the guides. They have so much fun, and I get to see them put their knowledge from the classroom to use!!
3. Which subject do you enjoy teaching most?
I enjoy teaching math the most. It's fun to teach a subject that gets such a bad rap in creative and fun ways. Before I know it, they are having a great time learning without realizing that they are learning.
4. What computer program(s) do you think is most effective for student achievement?
Our school likes to use Study Island, and it's wonderful!! It allows me, the teacher, change the settings for individual students to give them what they need. The students can play games after answer problems in reading and math correctly or the teacher can print off worksheets directly from the website. The best part is it lines up with the common core!!
5. What could you NOT teach without?
I don't think that I could teach without my electronics! I them every single day!!
6. What is the most memorable gift a student has given you?
Well there is one that is more memorable because it's comical; however, there is one gift the was just PRECIOUS! This year for about 4 months I was eating popcorn as a snack. So for Valentine's Day, one of my students brought me a bag of popcorn attached to my card even though I hadn't eaten any in MONTHS!
7. Which do you prefer, having students write down their homework or posting
the homework on a website?
Writing down their homework...it gets into their memories better
8. How often do you email/call parents?
On a weekly basis plus whenever important matters come up. I am in LOVE with group emails, ha ha ha.
9. How do you run literacy centers?
I do the daily 5.
10. Why did you begin blogging?
I just figured that someone might be interested in my ideas or my boring happenings as a teacher.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
High Test Scores = Teachers Get Pied
I think that it's been almost a month since my last post...such a LONG time ago! There has been so much going on that I just didn't think that I needed to carve out time to blog. With having to take care of my mother then deal with the loss of my father and try to get my school work done in between the craziness; blogging just wasn't the first thing on my mind.
The Lord has been taking care of my family during these difficult times in ways that I couldn't even describe. He has given my an amazing church family that is supporting me and my mother in this difficult season. I was so glad that I was able to take off a whole week of school during state testing week!! My lovely team took care of my kids while I was (well....still out until Monday) out so I didn't have to worry about anything. I have never lost anyone so close to me before and it's the most difficult thing that I have experienced in my life, and I know that it's worse for my mother. There has to be such a dependence upon the LORD to make it through these hard times.
I do love when I get emails from parents telling me that the sub is making their children miss me terribly. He he he. It warms my heart, I just can't help it.
Before testing I planed on giving everyone an update on our ARMT Spirit Day. It was a huge success!!! The children LOVED dressing up and it got pumped about taking the tests. I think the best part was the pep-rally. The students that exceeded the state's standards the previous year got to pie their teachers in the face. What kid wouldn't want to do that?!? They let us have it too! They took those "pies" (really just whipped cream) and smeared them in our faces or at least making sure that it got us really good in the face. I never have so much cool whip all over my body as on that day. It was dripping from the top of my head, I had to constantly wipe it from my eyes, and remove lots of it from down my shirt. The kids couldn't have had more fun.
I am hoping that this really got them motivated in wanting to do well this year. Also, I am hoping that my absences don't affect them either. I sent my parents an email explaining the situation, so maybe it will be alright.
The Lord has been taking care of my family during these difficult times in ways that I couldn't even describe. He has given my an amazing church family that is supporting me and my mother in this difficult season. I was so glad that I was able to take off a whole week of school during state testing week!! My lovely team took care of my kids while I was (well....still out until Monday) out so I didn't have to worry about anything. I have never lost anyone so close to me before and it's the most difficult thing that I have experienced in my life, and I know that it's worse for my mother. There has to be such a dependence upon the LORD to make it through these hard times.
I do love when I get emails from parents telling me that the sub is making their children miss me terribly. He he he. It warms my heart, I just can't help it.
Before testing I planed on giving everyone an update on our ARMT Spirit Day. It was a huge success!!! The children LOVED dressing up and it got pumped about taking the tests. I think the best part was the pep-rally. The students that exceeded the state's standards the previous year got to pie their teachers in the face. What kid wouldn't want to do that?!? They let us have it too! They took those "pies" (really just whipped cream) and smeared them in our faces or at least making sure that it got us really good in the face. I never have so much cool whip all over my body as on that day. It was dripping from the top of my head, I had to constantly wipe it from my eyes, and remove lots of it from down my shirt. The kids couldn't have had more fun.
I am hoping that this really got them motivated in wanting to do well this year. Also, I am hoping that my absences don't affect them either. I sent my parents an email explaining the situation, so maybe it will be alright.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Break's Over and ARMT Pep-Rally
I can't believe that my spring break is just about over. I have kept to my "no school" policy this week. It wasn't hard since I have been taking care of my stepfather in his battle against cancer. Next week, those smiling faces will be trampling through the halls with sleepy eyes and a fresh brain.
I love it when we come back from a break because they are more eager to learn than before. It makes my job a whole lot easier when they have their brains turned on ready to go! What I love most is that testing doesn't start for a couple of weeks. This gives us all time to get back into the swing of things and have some fun before those dreaded tests.
What I am really excited about is our 2nd annual ARMT (Alabama Reading and Math Test) pep-rally that the teachers hold for the testing grades. The teachers usually become the cheerleaders, doing all those great tricks/tumbles (well, maybe not this year since most of the teachers are pregnant). The grade levels have a cheer contest to see who has the best cheer/chant. The winner gets the spirit stick. Ahem, third grade won last year!! Leading up to the pep-rally, the kids get to participate in spirit week. They get to dress up that are paired with different slogans (Army day is--"attack the ARMT", nerd day--"outsmart the ARMT").
This year the kids with the highest scores get to pie their previous teachers in the face! OM MY GOODNESS!!! I will have pie all over my face in the next couple of weeks. Hopefully my group this year will be motivated to do well so they can pie me in the face next year. I know that there are several that would LOVE to do it. Ha ha ha!!
All before this, I am going to have a restful week or so with my students which will be nice. It's time for the 4:30 wake up calls, the dire need for caffeine, and random stories form my students. I love my job!
I love it when we come back from a break because they are more eager to learn than before. It makes my job a whole lot easier when they have their brains turned on ready to go! What I love most is that testing doesn't start for a couple of weeks. This gives us all time to get back into the swing of things and have some fun before those dreaded tests.
What I am really excited about is our 2nd annual ARMT (Alabama Reading and Math Test) pep-rally that the teachers hold for the testing grades. The teachers usually become the cheerleaders, doing all those great tricks/tumbles (well, maybe not this year since most of the teachers are pregnant). The grade levels have a cheer contest to see who has the best cheer/chant. The winner gets the spirit stick. Ahem, third grade won last year!! Leading up to the pep-rally, the kids get to participate in spirit week. They get to dress up that are paired with different slogans (Army day is--"attack the ARMT", nerd day--"outsmart the ARMT").
This year the kids with the highest scores get to pie their previous teachers in the face! OM MY GOODNESS!!! I will have pie all over my face in the next couple of weeks. Hopefully my group this year will be motivated to do well so they can pie me in the face next year. I know that there are several that would LOVE to do it. Ha ha ha!!
All before this, I am going to have a restful week or so with my students which will be nice. It's time for the 4:30 wake up calls, the dire need for caffeine, and random stories form my students. I love my job!
Monday, March 19, 2012
An Amazing Giveaway!!
Since I am on vacation (from the kiddos), I thought I would stalk some blogs. Well I came across an amazing giveaway!! Visit Primary Inspired to registrar! Here's what you can win:
Party Time Math Pack from Journey of a Substitute Teacher
Snack Literacy Center from Sunny Days in Second Grade
Slides & Ladders (Fry Words 101-200) from First Grade a la Carte
Common Core Cheat Sheets for YOUR Grade from Learning with Mrs. Parker
Candyland Compound Word Game from Seusstastic Classroom Inspirations
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