Another Day of Training

I love the summers because I have all these ideas that I want to implement into my classroom, and the summers are a great time to change things around. I feel like the summer is slipping by and I haven't really started anything on my to do list. I am sitting in a training, teaching me how to fix my school's webpage. It is just a reminder on how much I want to get done this summer. The first thing I want to get done is split out the common core standards into 4 nine week chunks. Our school doesn't have standards based report cards, so this would be my way of showing parents how their students are progressing. It also narrows and clarifies what exactly is being taught. Does anyone know of anything on Teacher pay Teacher or Teacher's Notebook that has done something similar? I haven't found anything yet. I hate re-inventing the wheel if I don't have to.

Finally.. Some time to Blog !!

I had every good intention of blogging throughout the school year. The minute I walked into my classroom in Aug. to today I haven't been able to come up for air. I am so glad that I will have the next couple months to really dig into my curriculum, and create some new things for my classroom. We are getting a new reading series in the next month, which will take some time to get used to. We are switching to the Wonders Reading Program. Not only do we have a new reading program, we also need to complete our alignment to the Common Core. I am really excited to have the time to work on things, but I am feeling a little over-whelmed by all the work ahead of me. Anyone else feeling over-whelmed ?

Trying to use a Voki

Classroom Reveal

We started school a week or so ago, but with all the craziness that comes with Back to School I am not just posting my classroom photos. I thought I had enough time to get everything on my to do list done before Open House, but just like every year I was wrong. I was frantically making my cute little owls just hours before my students walked in the door. The kids really like my owl theme this year. Those bags that my mom and I had worked so hard on were in ripped into in 5 seconds flat. So glad I took the picture when I did !! I got my classroom ready for the first day, I just wanted to have more of my curriculum done by this point. We are in the process of converting to the Common Core standards, and there is a lot I would like to get done in addition to my normal routine. My students are great, the first couple of days were fill of fun activities which the kids really enjoy - but they wear a girl out. I am trying to have a more interactive classroom this year, which is a good goal. This goal does take a lot more of my time then just working in the student workbooks. I have noticed that my students are a lot more engaged and interactive with the assignments I have been giving them. They keep wondering when I am going to give them their workbooks. I think they are dreading them, I hope not to have to revert back to them at all this year. I will take some information out of them and make it into a flip-chart on my Activboard. That way it is still interactive and the students don't get lost in another boring worksheet.

Yes !! Yes !!

Yes !! Yes !! I had been wanting ipads for my classroom for a LONG time. I thought I would be proactive and write a couple of grants this summer. I received enough money to purchase 3 ipads for my classroom. Plus, I plan to purchase one for my own personal use. I went to a training that showed how to use the ipad in the classroom. There were so many amazing apps that I can't wait to get started. I don't dare purchase them before school starts because I wouldn't get anything else done. What are your favorite, can't leave without apps ??

Voki

While checking some of the teacher blogs I saw Technology Tailgators post about Voki. This seems like a great interactive way to get students involved in a whole new way. I like the idea that students that tend to be shy about speaking in front of the class, can now do it with their avatar. I have been noticing that the new common core standards do have a lot of areas where students need to work on their speaking skills. This would be a great introduction to that. I also thought if I had a sub this would be a cool way to give my students a message. Here is Techology Tailgaters site, she is amazing !!

Walmart - Back to School Shopping

I was just supposed to be grabbing a couple of things for camping at Walmart yesterday. When I walk in Walmart ( not my favorite store, but they have great prices) I see they have their back to school supplies out. I WAS just going to take a look. Yeah.. 35 minutes later I have half of a cart full of stuff. I got my new calendar and teacher binder, so cute !! I am doing an owl theme this year, and Walmart had tons of owl stuff. Who knew? This weekend my teacher girlfriend and I are doing a whole day of teacher shopping and bonding. I am so looking forward to it. I just hope I have some money when I return :) I am not letting myself take the bigger vehicle just in case :) Happy Shopping

Scootpad - Common Core Website

I just signed my class up for Scootpad. It was really easy and the best thing it is free. I love sites like this !!

Class Motto

I usually have my students recite a poem after the pledge to help with memorization and learing about poetry. This year I am thinking of having them read our class motto out loud after the pledge. I hope this will remind them what we are all about. I really hope they realize that we are a family. I spend more time with my students than my "real" family. I look at them like they are a part of my extended family. I teach multiple grades, so I have students for 3-4 years. You really get to know them. It is really hard when it is their time to graduate in the 8th grade. I will have my first student who I had as a 3rd grader graduate this year. I have seen so much growth from her that I am amazed. It just reaffirms why I teach everyday, and some days I need it !

It's an Owl Theme !!

I told myself, as well as many others, that I wasn't going to do a new theme this year. I have changed themes every year and I put a lot of work into the car theme last year and really liked it. But, then I saw the cutest owl theme stuff ever and had to go with an Owl theme this year. I have found a lot of other teacher with owl themes. I also have found some really cute clipart on Etsy today. Now I know where all their cute stuff came from. Can't wait to get started, just not the laminating :(

Getting Ready for Common Core !!

http://www.readworks.org/

So I have a couple of training sessions this summer to get ready for Common Core. Honestly, I really hope the trainings are good, because I am still a little lost. I am finding some great website that will help align those Common Core standards. I found this one and I really like it. I like that it shows books to go along with each standard.

Cool New App

I found this great new app that I might use in my classroom. It is called Classroom Organizer. Just the name sounds great. From what I can tell from using it just a few times, you scan the barcode on the back of the book and then check it out to a student. I tried it on a couple of my son's books that were lying around. Out of 3 books it only knew 1 of them. But, the other 2 I just inputed the name and it will know it for next time. Not sure if it is worth the time, but I also hate losing my books... Still a great app !! Maybe if we get ipads for the classroom this would work better :)

Classroom Economy System

Every year I try a new behavior management system. Last year I tried the clip system, and really liked it. So, this year I am just adding on to the system. I will reward the students that go up everyday with "Menoken Money". Those that don't behave that day will owe me money. I don't want this to be a lot of work for me, so I found an online program that will help.



Zefty is a FREE online account system. It was created by a Dad to help him keep track of his children's allowance. This site it designed for parents, but I think it will work great at keeping track of my student's money.

I am still working out the details to my new banking system, but what I really like is that it shows a detailed ledger, and students can individually log in and see their account. It also lets students write checks if they have a fine.

Fingers Crossed !!

Lakeshore Materials

I had ordered some Lakeshore Teaching Materials right at the end of the school year. It is like Teacher Christmas when Lakeshore sends materials. The only thing better is when Vistaprint has their Free Shipping Sale around the 4th of July. The UPS man came to my house every day, for weeks.

I have changed the way I do my homework every year. This year I am going to use the Lakeshore Reading Comprehension Home to School Folders. I will send them home on Friday with : next weeks spellings words, weekly update, math worksheet and their reading folder. The Homework Folder is due every Friday. This way if student's have something going on in the evening they can budget their time over the whole week.

I also purchased Writing Activity Pockets for my Reading Centers / Daily 5. I got both the Grade 2-3 and the Grade 4-5. Now I just need to decide if my 4th graders will be able to handle the 4th grade materials.

Anyone else have materials from Lakeshore that they love ??

Dreamlike Made My Blogger Dreams Come True !

One of my many goals for over the summer, was to create a teacher blog. It is only June and I have accomplished that goal. I have been looking at other teacher websites for years, and always wanted to start one, but always found other things more important. I also couldn't find a blogger template that was cute and fun like all the other teacher websites I found. Then I looked on Christina Bainbridge's blog and she used Dreamlike Designs. I fell in love with all of her designs. I think I spent more time trying to pick a template, than I did picking my children's names. So, Thanks Dreamlike Dreams I love it !!

Need to Get a New template