December Happenings!

I can hardly believe we are already into the month of December!  To me it
feels as if it should only be the start of November (not that I’m willing to
turn back the clock or anything .
Since the start of the school year I’ve been lucky to blog once a month, so
I figure this may be it for this month hence the title of my blog!  Here’s
what we’ll be up to in 2nd grade:
For our school’s holiday program we will be reading “The Night Before
Christmas” and because I can’t stop there, my class will be performing a
reader’s theater to “The Nutcracker” .  We finished tryouts today and the
students highlighted their speaking parts.  Only 2 weeks left (AHHHH!) .
I’ve also decided to pick up the FREE gingerbread activity from Teaching
with love and Laughter!  My kiddos are going to L.O.V.E. it!
In math I am teaching 2 and 3-D shapes, line segments and so forth.  I am
considering using marshmallows and licorice rope to reinforce this unit. 
How fun to use marshmallows as points and the rope for
their “straight line”!?!  Then they can continue to use this to create 2-D
shapes (obviously not the same piece every day). If that was already
someone else's idea I am sorry, I just thought of this myself today.
I also want to complete a research project on Hanukkah and Kwanzaa for
our N.F. unit.
Lots to do and so little time … what a BLAST this will be!
Happy Holidays to you all!  I hope you have an enjoyable month with 
friends and family close by!

That’s My “Schedule” and I’m Sticking To It!! :)

As I stated a couple of posts ago, I’ve been working hard

on scheduling this year.  I finally came up with a plan and

the week after Thanksgiving our schedules were changed!

Go Figure!  Fortunately there was only a bit of switching

to do!  I told my principal that if it was changed again

(by pull-outs, lunch switches, or special schedules) I would

“hurt myself”!  LOL!

So, on to other news: I’ve found that I feel more

confident with my groupings!  I also like having the web-

site: spellingcity.com to work with.  It’s free and the

students are able to practice at school during workshop

and also from home.

I also want to thank those of you who contribute to

teacherspayteachers as I have found so many useful

resources!  Thank you so very much! 

Happy Thanksgiving

I love this time of year not only because of the season but also because this is the time of year when families gather together.  I am so thankful for many things in my life that I could sit for an hour typing each one.  I simply couldn't pass up this opportunity to share a few of my blessings with you. 

I am so lucky to have two beautiful little girls in my life.  They bring both my husband and I such joy and fulfillment. 

I am thankful for a caring, considerate, fun hubby who puts up with my quirkiness! 

I am grateful for our puppy who makes our family complete. 

I am grateful for my family and in-laws and their willingness to roll with the punches and forgive when things don't go as planned. 

I am grateful for my home and my job due to the security and peace both bring. 

Last but definitely not least, I am thankful to know that there is a forgiving God above who loves us all.

I wish you all a wonderful season of joy, laughter and love as you gather near family, friends and loved ones!

Checking In

The past month has been fun and busy in the classroom.  I used the pumpkin book report idea from Hope King.  Except instead of ding the entire report, we used this strictly to review our unit on characters.  The students gathered in groups and chose a Halloween book.  Each student chose a character and created their pumpkin to look the part.  At that time, we had also finished up our Fall small moment stories.  We (the students and I) chose to invite parents and families in to see what we had been working on.  We make candy corn mix and monster pudding (from pinterest).  We also decorated the cups and pop bottles to look like jack-o-lanterns. Everyone had a wonderful time!

I have also been focusing a LOT on my schedule.  At the beginning of the year I blogged about my math workshop and how I thought I was on track.  Well... I found that with ESL pull outs, our reading support of Project More, Title 1 and those on an IEP, I had lost too much time from my day.  Now, understand that I am NOT IN ANYWAY complaining, I know these students need additional support, however, it makes it tough to fit everything in.  So, after trying out schedule after schedule, I sat down with my principal for guidance.  

I know that I want to teach workshop style so I can differentiate the lessons.  It's just how do I do it all with the little time I have.  Well, I decided that 3 groups is the max and my time with each is between 10-30 minutes (math 30, reading 20 and word work 10).  I'm going to stick to this schedule and see how it works out.  I feel like a first year teacher all over again!  

Happy Holidays everyone!

GOOD NEWS!!!!

October is almost here!  I’m super excited to let the learning begin!!!  As I posted before, on paper I had myself off and running like the hare, but with children in the room and assessments to administer I was more like the tortoise! Now that all that is out of the way, we’ve been able to work on getting settled into the daily schedule (I’ve had to adjust a few things here and there). I am expecting the learning to begin! Actually there has been learning, but I’ve felt as if I’m barely moving.  

I want to thank  Naomi O’Brien (read like a rock star on TPT) for the animal writing activity which allowed me to see where the students are with writing skills while we focused on a known topic, animals.  I felt like I was killing two birds with one stone because animals and their habitats is a science topic we have to study.  So, it opened up the door to bring on more information!

Every child was able to fill out this GO chart and then (some with help) transferred it into a sloppy copy.  We then used the AlphaSmarts (like word processors) to type their stories.  We also did internet searches for pictures of the animals to add to our published book. Because it is their first writing their stories are very basic, but now we all have a beginning.  I explained to the students that for Octobers writing they will need to include longer sentences (word length of 7 or more) and more details (research).  We will also add more text features as we learn about habitats.

Our next information piece is from Hope King.  Her Biome Book will become our GO chart as we add information (are, animals, plants) on the back of each habitat craft.  The students will then create a 4 page report on 4 different habitats we’ve learned about.  I am also insisting that they include a reference page (this will be teacher guided). 

Most of the students were able to create and publish a small moments story.  For those that didn’t I am keeping their rough draft (sloppy copy) as a reminder of their growth through the next few months.  I am hoping that this coming month they will be able to complete both a report and story.

The tortoise or the hare?

Last week I was ready to hit the ground running with all the testing out of the way.  Then I looked at the Calendar and realized there were assemblies and activities that interrupted my schedule.  So, I told myself not to worry I would start the week normal on Wednesday and this week I'd hit the ground running.  WELL ... we have picture day on Thursday, meaning I have another interruption in my schedule! AHHHHHH!!!! 

Well, I may not be quick like the hare, but I'm going to keep on going like the turtle and eventually I'll get there!!!!

I hope you all have a great week! 

BOOKS, BOOKS, and MORE BOOKS!!!!!!

A few years back I was asked to help get a "book room" up and going for our K-2 teachers.  I agreed and soon found myself organizing the space for the entire K-6 building.  It took many long hours on weekends and after school, but I completed it.  I did my best with the resources I had and it seemed quite a few teachers were on board and happy about the resources available.  It was like one-stop shopping for guided reading books! 
Over the past 3 years the book room has undergone several changes, so many that I could barely keep up.  Last year I "gave up"!!!  It quickly became a "dumping ground" for unwanted books (whether or not there were multiple copies for guided reading).  The once organized copies of books became scattered about and lonely books were waiting to find their homes bags.  Teachers and administrators would often use the room to tutor or work with students so crayons, manuals, and random papers were also scattered about.
Well, look at it now!!!!!

With the expansion of our building we no longer need to make this a dual purpose room!   help of 2 other teachers, we quickly fixed up the book room in only a few short hours.  While the leveling and organization still needs to be tweaked (as everything usually does), it is orderly and easy to find books at all levels!  The check out system is back in place and I smile every time I walk past!!!

Math Workshop is aMAZing!

While reading Clutter-Free Classroom I was inspired by her post on Math Workshops.  I like how she had it organized.  I purchased her items on TPT with the thought that I would implement this on Fridays and eventually add a day at a time as I felt more comfortable.  Well, I made it to the 2nd lesson and decided that the whole group approach was not working for me.  I literally jumped into Workshop mode.  While we are still working on the rotations and expectations for each group I am glad I've made the change.  Being able to meet with each child and feel as if I know their strengths/weakness is priceless! 
I know you may have a program that already works for you, but if not, feel free to click on the above link to check out her approach.
I would post a picture of my workshop board but I haven't yet put it up.  My classroom is scheduled to be painted sometime this month and I don't want to hang more than I have to. 
Have a GREAT day!!!

Getting into the Swing of Things

Hello Everyone!  I hope you've been having fun teaching so far this year.  I know it's been crazy for me to try to set up routines and administer assessments, but we've still had time to work in some fun activities!  Here are a few pictures of a few projects we've accomplished:  Thank you to everyone who gave me these ideas!

 

Here we are working hard as we learn how to write retells to stories.  I love having the lap desks and so do the kids!!!

2 weeks down and "Must Haves"

I have recently found out that the pain I've been experiencing is most likely due to the strep that was in my body.  Evidently it can really cause problems if not caught soon enough, especially since it didn't show up as a sore throat like most do.  Anyway, enough of that.

On to the fun stuff!!!!  My students have been dilligently working on reading stamina and we're almost up to 15 min. uniterrupted time.  As a matter of fact I only have about 4 students who are distracted easily.  That will be my first guided reading lesson.  They like being able to graph their time and it's so much fun to watch them.

During writing we have been typing on the AlphaSmart Neo's (which I can't live without).  I have them type their final draft of their All About Me paper.  The students choose their color font and after it's printed they have cut apart each sentence and glued it onto a large sheet of construction paper.  I also allow them to use the Neo's to practice their spelling words.  I also have them use the lights as opposed to raising their hands for help.  When the light is on (like you see on an airplane) I know the child needs help!  They like them too!  I have been talking up independence as second graders.  It's so fun to see them step up to the plate!

AlphaSmart Neo - no internet connection



battery powered push light





Best of 2012-13

I can hardly believe my first week is over.  It has past by so quickly!  You all might think I am biased, but I swear to you that I have the BEST of the BEST in my class!  We spent the first three days leisurly getting to know each other and the routines.  I commented a LOT on how they are now 2nd graders and no longer need to cry out for help.  I talked up their ability to think back on their learning and make decisions on their own!  The students filled out the labels for their reading, writing, math and take-home folders (science and social studies will be added shortly).  Then, using clear contact paper, they stuck their labels on to each folder. I know this is still the honeymoon period, but these kids have been AMAZING!!!!!

We did Hope King's Things that make me "Reel" Happy writing prompt and activity, Created a glyph about ourselves by Bright Concepts 4 teachers and we are currently working on our "All About Me" posters from Mrs. C's Classroom . 

Here are a few pics from our reel!

 
 

These are my 2 daughters on their first day of school!  I can't believe they are both in school now (2nd and Kindergarten)!  WOW, how time flies!

Okay, now on to my update ... remeber how I blogged about having to visit the ER and then finding out I had Strep which showed up in my skin?!  Well, last week I repeated an ER visit and follow up with my doctor because I am so swollen in my ankles and wrists.  The pain is keeping me up at night!  (Just call me PUFF!).  I had blood cultures and tests for mono and arthritis which came back normal.  The docs are unsure of what is happening to me.  All I know is that this is exremely painful in my joints (knees, hands, feet, etc). 

The good news ...
When I am teaching I am able to fake most of the pain!  My students can make me laugh and give me reasons to smile!

AND my family is also AMAZING!  My hubby has picked up all the slack and is so helpful and kind.  While I was getting blood drawn, my little one said, "Mommy I love you"!  My older daughter chose to stay home from Cedar Point today just in case I was in need of something (she's only 7).  How did I get so lucky?!?  I feel like a wimp and a bad mother because of the pain, and yet, my family and students don't seem to care at all!

Classroom Sneak Peek!

Hello All!

I've been working like a mad-woman in my classroom since Thursday afternoon.  Today the students will come and choas will break loose the learning will begin! I would have posted pics earlier, but I haven't gotten home much earlier than 9 and by then I'm exhausted. 

Please remember that I am not done yet, but I did what I could.  I am also the Tech Rep for our building, which puts a little more on my plate (did I tell you that I like being able to help out where I can).

Here's the promised pictures:

The last time I showed you my building there was only 1 hallway, they have since added on this new addition!

This front section is the new entry way and the rooms are for Kindergarten (all day) and preschool.  The workers will be done the end of October/beg. of November which means next year we will be up and running completely!

The new hallway from the main enterance.  On the left is the new cafeteria.  Just before the bathrooms is the office and the new hallway.

Here is my room!  Outside the hall we have a bulletin board.  I forgot to take a pic of the display case(Oops)!

 Looking in from the front door.  On the other side of the windows is the new addition.  However, there will be green space in between and possibly some plants/flowers there too!

 This is the front of the room.  I have my rules/behavior chart, calendar and spelling words posted.

 This is a pic of the entry way.  The doors are for storage and the students coats/bookbags.  I have the alphabet posted in print and cursive. The colored squares are where students will hang work they are proud of. You can also see the back of the display case (on the left).  It is about as deep as it is wide.

The back wall.  I only have one bulletin board so I made do with command strips!  After they paint (sometime in September/October) I will hang up my math workshop signs.  I have to take everything down that you see on the beige walls (every wall).  On the bright side ... after the painting it will look better in my room!

A closer look at the back wall.  The mailboxes house the writing paper for rough drafts and final copies!

I want to thank you all for your inspiration and help in getting my room together.  These ideas are not all my own.  I love TPT and TN ... please don't stop sharing your ideas! 

Have a great day whether you are in your room setting up or teaching!  Remember that in the midst of trials is a blessing waiting to happen! 

Welcome Home and Blessings!

Okay there might be a little sarcasm in that title, but there is also some truth to it ...

The last few days of vacation I had a fever (chills, blankets piled on top of me just trying to get warm).  Then, Saturday I noticed red splotches by my eye and on my arms.  We got home late that night (around 9ish).  After unpacking the van, I decided to head to the ER to make sure I wasn't contagious or anything because the splotches were spreading quickly! 
I HAVE TO GET BACK TO WORK!!!! 
I headed in and two hours later discovered it was an allergic reaction probably to an antibiotic I was perscribed just before going on vacation. 
I finished up at the ER and returned home just before midnight.  My husband greeted me with "Bad News".  Our basement had flooded while we were away.  He had just discovered it not 5 min. before I returned.  We went downstairs and started to tidy up what we could.  We got the water pretty well cleaned up and moved boxes to the garage and unfinished areas of the basement.

Okay, now for the blessings:
1. I'm not contagious a light antibiotic should stop the problem.
2. The flooding was only a few inches ... could have been MUCH worse.
3. My family is safe and sound.
4. ServPro will be here in a few to help clean up.
5. I will be able to go to work at Central Administration tomorrow as planned.
6. We still have a home in which to live.
7. We have home insurance.
8. By the end of this week I WILL be allowed back in the building to work on my classroom.
9. Yummy Food always makes me feel better ;)



Hocus Pocus Buns

 Have you seen these on Pinterest lately?!?  They are super easy and I mean EEEEEEZEEEE  :) 
4 ingredients: crescent rolls, butter, cinamon sugar, marshmallows. YUMMM!
Heat the oven as directed by the crescent roll package, roll the marshmallows in butter, then in the cinamon sugar.  Finally, roll them in the crescent rolls and bake.  ENJOY!!!!!

Okay, I began this post on Sunday, Aug. 12 but I couldn't post it till today because our internet had to be unplugged due to the flooding.  I have since found out I have STREP!!  First time ever ... boy do I feel like I've been dragged through the mud and trampled on!!!!  YUCK!  Hopefully I'll feel better tomorrow because after a meeting for K-2 teachers I can actually get into my classroom!!!!!!!  I'll post pics. tomorrow.

What to do... What to do... Construction Blues

I am at a loss for what to write about lately.  I cannot get into
my room for another week and a few days (UHG)!  It's weird
because I usually take the summers completely off until
Aug. 1st when I head back in.  However, with the excitement
of the changes taking place, I have been so EAGER to get
back to school.  Maybe in part due to the fact that I simply
cannot get back in.  You know the feeling, like when you

start a diet and know you cannot have any cookies and all
the sudden you get the WORST CRAVING EVER!!!!!  Well
gals, it's just like that!  I want in SOOO badly!  Now that it's
August I'm really having a struggle because, dang it, I
SHOULD BE THERE! 

I have done so much to prepare, but all I have to show for it
are piles and bags stacked in the bedroom, basement and
on my dinning room table. 

Before we left for the summer, we were told we'd be able to
get back in (hopefully) on Aug. 17th.  Well, that's a Friday,
Monday is a professional development day and Tuesday is
teacher work day with a "meet the teacher" that evening! 
I'm already in a sort of panic thinking about it!!!

Anyway, good news is the construction is ahead of
schedule!  The AC is installed and ready (yes, we now have
airconditioning), the roof is done (definitely needed a new
one as our original was a flat roof), and the original hallway
(building) is just about done with updates.  The new section
is still rapidly coming along.  We are adding additional
classrooms for preschool too.  Crim used to have 1
kindergarten room (we are still 1/2 day) and 2 of each grade
K-6.  Last year 6th was taken to the middle school where
they seem to fit in very well.  After this construction, there
will be 3 classrooms for each grade level and ALL DAY
KINDERGARTEN will begin in 2013!  While I enjoyed the
quaintness of a smaller building, I am excited to see us
expand. 

We are scheduled for a walk through August 13, at which
time I will post the updated look! We were also told that we
may be able to get in before the 17th.  Cleaners are
scheduled to come in after the construction crew is
completely done with the original hallway.  So I'm hopefull
that I will be able to get in on Wed. or Thursday. 

In the meantime, my husband has planned a vacation
for us!  I will not be posting until I get back on the 13th! 
Perfect timing don't you think!!!  He's such a wonderful and
understanding man! 

New School Year’s Resolutions Linky

I am finally hooking up with Amanda at Teaching Maddeness.  I am glad she has opened up this

linky party because it is time to set goals for the school year.

1. Organization – I am the binder queen and try to stay organized, however planning, grading,

teaching life gets in the way and by the end of the week I have piles EVERYWHERE!  So, my goal

for this year is to clean off my desk table areas before going home each day.  I also want to have

the materials ready for the next day so I’m not coming to school rushing to copy papers and find

supplies.

2. Time Management – In the past, (prior to teaching Title 1 Reading) I would go home with stacks

of papers and materials to grade and plan.  This year, my goal is to complete work at school during

my planning time (meaning less socializing) so that when I come home I can spend quality time

with my girls and husband.  This will hopefully lead to a better nights sleep so I’m not so tired

rushed each morning.

3. Lights, Camera, Action! – Since I am a blogger now, I will need to remember to bring my camera

to school.  Then I will have to use it AND download the pictures!

With switching from Title 1 reading to 2nd grade there will be a lot that I will need to work on. 

We are implementing a new science program, I have to learn the common core, I also have to learn

the on-line grading system and familiarize myself with so much more!  It all seems

overwhelming ,but I am still SUPER EXCITED!  I love 2nd graders!!!!!

Thank you all for reading.  I will be anxious to hear how everyone is doing with their resolutions as

the year unfolds.

My First Monday Made It!!!

So, I’m not very crafty, luckily my oldest is!  So, when she gets a bit older I may

have to have her help me out with the cuteness in my classroom!

For attendance and lunch count, I used to use a calendar pocket chart.  I would

use index cards and put the child’s name at the top.  Then I cut colored

construction paper and assigned a lunch to each color.  For example, red=A

lunch choice, blue=B lunch, green=Zoom lunch (PB&J), and yellow=packers.

What I found was torn papers, papers on the floor and a messy looking chart by

the end of the year (YUCK!).  While it had its advantages I just didn’t want to use it

this coming year.  New position=change!!!!!

So, I purchased plastic counters (I think they were from the dollar store or

staples).  Then, I picked up some stickers to use for the numbers. I too am

assigning numbers to my students because so many come and go throughout the

year. However, I wasn’t sure exactly how I would use them.   I threw around the

idea of having students toss their counter into bins (each labeled with a lunch

choice).  I also thought of just having the lunch choices on my magnetic dry erase

board, but I think my space is limited to only 1 small board (I will use that for many

other purposes).  So, when I saw this…I knew it was a MUST!

Here’s my version …

   

The counters will be placed on the Absent board at the beginning of the day.  As

the students come in they will choose their lunch by moving their counter piece. 

This will be easy peasy for me to take attendance.  I usually have a student help

out with lunch count sheets for the cafeteria.

I also created the Pick Me Pot.

These ideas came from Teri

 

Thank you Teri for the inspiration!!!