If anyone is paying attention...you may notice I haven't been blogging consistently at all. I admit, I've considered stopping altogether. But...I do enjoy writing when an idea comes along or the mood strikes. I've just had to resolve myself to the fact that I'm not now or will probably ever be a big blogger.
Shortly after finding out I was pregnant, I didn't blog a lot because I was SO. EXHAUSTED. When my energy picked up a little, I'd tried to get back into blogging but my heart wasn't in it anymore. I couldn't keep up with the demand of having a successful blog. I had new priorities.
Now that a new school year has started, I'm busier than ever. I'm trying to stay on top of things at my job and do the best that I can there. I'm also trying to keep our apartment clean and cook dinner on a regular basis. I'm trying to do things to prepare for our baby's arrival. I'm trying to get back into a routine of spending time reading my Bible and praying. I'm getting back into one of my favorite hobbies-reading. Plus, I have to have some relaxing time. Most days...I don't care to try and write a blog post, promote a blog post, or read other people's blog post.
Working full time, being a wife, and preparing to be a mom is no joke. It's time consuming, energy consuming, and stressful. I can't do it all. I'm not superwoman. I have to give myself some slack in some areas. One of those areas I decided to back off on was blogging.
It's been a battle because I decided I didn't want to give it up completely; but if you're not consistent, you lose readers. I read the advice all the time that you need to blog several times a week and promote yourself on social media several times a day and you need to write engaging posts. I don't know how people do it! It's exhausting just to think about.
With my life changing, I know I don't want to be a mom blogger. There's nothing wrong with mom bloggers, it's just not the direction I personally want my blog to take. I also have decided that I want to keep some things private and guarded. I don't want to share all about my child on my blog. Again, I have no problem with people who do that...that's their choice. I, however, am choosing not to do that. So, I know that when our baby arrives, she'll consume much of my time. This leaves little time for blogging and I'll probably have little else to talk about in the beginning.
So, I've accepted the fact that my blog may not have the best posts, the most readers, and the most comments. I'm not writing my blog to build up an audience or have a business. I'm writing for me. I'm writing to share my thoughts and ideas when I have them. I'm writing because I do enjoy it and don't want to completely stop. I've noticed that in some bloggers "advice to bloggers" type posts, they make it sound like this is the wrong way to blog. Why does their have to be a "right" way? Why are their rules? Why shouldn't we be free to blog how and when we want to?
So, if you read this rambling post, thanks! If you still read this blog, thanks! I really do appreciate it.
What do you think? Do you think there is a certain or right way you should blog or should it be up to the individual person? What's your blogging philosophy?
Showing posts with label Teaching. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Teaching. Show all posts
Monday, August 4, 2014
Monday, July 28, 2014
Classroom Economy Using Tokens for Classroom Management
Last year, I decided to use Classroom Economy for my classroom management system. Well, this post isn't to explain how Classroom Economy works. Google it, search it on Pinterest. I LOVE it!
Because I teach at a year round school, my school year has already begun. This year, I wanted to keep my Classroom Economy, but make one change.
Last year, I had my students keep up with money earned and money lost in a little notebook. This proved to be a lot of work for me to be sure they were keeping up with it correctly. I also had a transaction sheet that the students filled out at the end of the day. Most students understood how to fill out this sheet, but you had a few who struggled. I ended up having to write down all the times they got money taken away so that I could check behind them to be sure they really fined themselves. Then on "payday" (which was every Friday), I had to spend a lot of time checking to be sure they'd added things up correctly.
It
was too much extra work. If you're a teacher, you know that you don't
want to give yourself extra work. So, this year I switched it up a
little bit. Another teacher gave me this hanging thing with pockets. I'm
not exactly sure what the original purpose of this one was. I know they
make jewelry holders that look like this.
Then, I bought mini white poker chips and mini red poker chips from Amazon. Although, I think regular size would work just as well. I was a little surprised at how mini these really were.
Whenever I have students exhibiting desirable behaviors or completing homework or assignment, I give them a white token. On the other hand, when students exhibit undesirable behaviors or don't complete their work, I give them a red token. They keep their tokens in the pouch that corresponds to their classroom number.
This relates to the Classroom Economy in that each white token is worth $10. Each red token is worth -$10. So, they earn money for having white tokens and lose money for having red. For example, if a student had 8 white tokens and 2 red tokens. I subtract the 2 red tokens from the 8 white and get 6. Then, I multiply 6 by $10, so that student earned $60 that day. I also factor in their "salary" for their classroom job.
The best part is that each individual student does not keep track of this. One of my classroom jobs is Accountant. The Accountant marks on a chart I made how many of each color tokens each student received each day. Then, they figure out how much money they earned each day. At the end of the week, the Accountant adds up their money earned with their weekly salary for their weekly total. This way only one student has to understand how to keep track and all I have to do is look at their total and quickly give them their money.
It is so much easier than what I was doing last year.
How do you keep track of students' behavior? Do you use classroom economy?
Because I teach at a year round school, my school year has already begun. This year, I wanted to keep my Classroom Economy, but make one change.
Last year, I had my students keep up with money earned and money lost in a little notebook. This proved to be a lot of work for me to be sure they were keeping up with it correctly. I also had a transaction sheet that the students filled out at the end of the day. Most students understood how to fill out this sheet, but you had a few who struggled. I ended up having to write down all the times they got money taken away so that I could check behind them to be sure they really fined themselves. Then on "payday" (which was every Friday), I had to spend a lot of time checking to be sure they'd added things up correctly.
Then, I bought mini white poker chips and mini red poker chips from Amazon. Although, I think regular size would work just as well. I was a little surprised at how mini these really were.
Whenever I have students exhibiting desirable behaviors or completing homework or assignment, I give them a white token. On the other hand, when students exhibit undesirable behaviors or don't complete their work, I give them a red token. They keep their tokens in the pouch that corresponds to their classroom number.
This relates to the Classroom Economy in that each white token is worth $10. Each red token is worth -$10. So, they earn money for having white tokens and lose money for having red. For example, if a student had 8 white tokens and 2 red tokens. I subtract the 2 red tokens from the 8 white and get 6. Then, I multiply 6 by $10, so that student earned $60 that day. I also factor in their "salary" for their classroom job.
The best part is that each individual student does not keep track of this. One of my classroom jobs is Accountant. The Accountant marks on a chart I made how many of each color tokens each student received each day. Then, they figure out how much money they earned each day. At the end of the week, the Accountant adds up their money earned with their weekly salary for their weekly total. This way only one student has to understand how to keep track and all I have to do is look at their total and quickly give them their money.
It is so much easier than what I was doing last year.
How do you keep track of students' behavior? Do you use classroom economy?
Monday, June 30, 2014
10 Ways to Keep Your Child Learning This Summer
One of the hardest things about being a teacher is knowing your time is limited with your students. With 20+ students in your class, your attention has to be split and unfortunately it's not split evenly. The high need students get more of your time and energy. You also have a limited time during the day and you only have one school year.
In my opinion, parents have the most important role in their child's education. What parents do at home can really make a difference. Parents also spend more time with their child than any teacher will. Unfortunately, summer can be a time when many students experience some regression in their learning. I believe this "summer slump" can be avoided with activities that won't feel too much like school.
Today, I want to share some tips with you that I hope can not only help you with your child(ren) during the summer; but many of them can be applied all year long.
1. Take "field trips."
Summer is a great time for visiting local museums, parks, festivals, etc. If you are able to, it's also a great time to visit nearby historical sites as well. Even a trip to the beach can become educational. If you're unable to travel or live in an area with limited places to visit, any trip can be made education. Talk to your child as you visit the bank or grocery store. Point out things as you drive down the road or take a walk around your neighborhood. It's important to give your child experiences so that they can form ample background knowledge.
2. Visit your local library.
Libraries are a great place to visit during the summer and all year long. Of course, there's the obvious reason that you can borrow books. Many libraries even have e-books that you can borrow now if your child has access to an e-reader. Most libraries also have summer reading programs that your child can participate in. Exposing your child to a variety of books doesn't have to cost you anything and it's so important!
3. Read together and interact with the text.
No matter what age your child is, they're not too old to read with you. Reading a book or book series together as a family can be a great way to make memories. It also allows you to model good reading to your child and it can allow them to be exposed to texts a little above their level which can improve their reading. Don't just read books, though, talk about them as well. Talk about the characters' feelings and motives. Talk about how the characters change and grow. Discuss alternative solutions characters could have taken. Really dig deep because that's what your child is being asked to do at school. It can also be fun to do an activity that relates to the book. If you read If You Give a Mouse a Cookie with your young one, bake cookies together. If you read Holes with your older child, watch the movie afterwards and compare the two. Be creative!
4. Let your child help you with math in real life.
Students often hate word problems, but word problems are realistic. If you're cooking, let your child figure out how many 1/4 cups it would take to make 1 cup or how many cups you'd need if you doubled the recipe. If you're eating out, let your child estimate how much your dinner will cost and if it fits in your budget. If you're grocery shopping, let your child help you figure out which pack of paper towels is the best value. Let them see how math is used in every day life. Let them help you figure out how to solve problems.
5. Research other cultures, current events, etc.
With the World Cup currently going on, it would be the perfect opportunity to pick a country that interests your child and learn more about it or maybe they want to learn about the origins of the World Cup itself. Does your child really like Chinese food? Take a week to learn more about Chinese culture. This can include reading about the culture, eating food of that culture, doing crafts from that culture; or if you're luck enough to live in an area where this is possible, attend festivals about that culture or visit with people of a different culture. As it's age appropriate, you can also discuss current events with your child. #6 will give you some suggestions of kid appropriate websites to learn about current events. The reasoning behind this is similar to #1. It will help your child if they have exposure to a variety of things.
6. Have productive computer time.
Every child loves to get on the computer, but there's better things they can be doing than playing games. The first site is one of my favorites. Kids are very curious and this website goes right along with that. Wonderopolis has a new "wonder" each day. There's always a video and an article to accompany it. There are also words to know from the article, suggestions of other things to do to learn more about this subject, and a link to more information. You can search the more than 500 wonders to find something that interests your child. Time for Kids is like an online newspaper for kids. It has current events, sports, pop culture, entertainment, etc. articles geared towards kids. Scholastic News is similar, but not as good as Time for Kinds, in my opinion. XtraMath is a research based intervention site where students can practice all 4 basic operations. You do have to sign up for a parent account, but it's completely free. Starfall is a great site for younger kids who are still learning how to read. Another useful site is Dance Mat Typing where students of all ages can practice the important skill of typing. Many of the sites your child uses in school should also still be available to them over the summer.
7. Use technology to communicate.
Technology is an important part of our daily lives. Think of how much that is only going to increase as your child grows up. They need to know how to use technology for more than watching videos and playing games. Are they trying to convince you they need a cell phone, video game system, dog, or anything else? Let them persuade you with a PowerPoint or Prezi. Do they have family or friends that live far away? If you're comfortable, let them start a blog that they can update with what's going on in their lives. You can even make the blog private where only the people you select can see it. Does your child like to make up stories? Encourage them to type their stories out and save them. Does someone have a birthday or other type of party coming up? Let your child create an invitation on the computer.
8. Let your child help you with reading in real life.
Think of all the things you read on a daily basis besides a book. While reading books can be a lot of fun, having good reading skills goes beyond book reading. When you go to a restaurant, let your child read the menu to decide what they want. If you get a new game, gadget, or something that needs putting together, let your child read the instructions and help. When you're driving, encourage them to help you read road signs to find your way. Let them see how you use reading in your every day life.
9. Play board games together.
Board games are great for teaching life skills like taking turns, working in teams, and being good winners or losers. They also can be great for a child's education. Most games require number sense. Many involve counting out and dealing with money. Games for younger children require them to know colors or shapes. Many games involve math skills, such as coordinate planes for playing Battleship. Trivia games will help your child's comprehension skills. Not only are games fun and educational, but it can be another great way to make memories as a family.
10. Turn off the TV, computer, and other electronic devices and PLAY!
This one may sound like it doesn't fit on this list, but I'm afraid that imaginative play is become a more and more scarce activity for children. Children of all ages need to use their imagination. Put on a play or puppet show. Build a tent or fort in the living room or back yard. Let your child play school, house, or doctor. Let them build a city for their action figures or Barbie dolls. We'd probably be amazed at how many life and educational skills a child can learn and use just by letting them play.
What are some things you do with your child to encourage their continued learning?
*Linking up at List It Tuesday*
In my opinion, parents have the most important role in their child's education. What parents do at home can really make a difference. Parents also spend more time with their child than any teacher will. Unfortunately, summer can be a time when many students experience some regression in their learning. I believe this "summer slump" can be avoided with activities that won't feel too much like school.
1. Take "field trips."
Summer is a great time for visiting local museums, parks, festivals, etc. If you are able to, it's also a great time to visit nearby historical sites as well. Even a trip to the beach can become educational. If you're unable to travel or live in an area with limited places to visit, any trip can be made education. Talk to your child as you visit the bank or grocery store. Point out things as you drive down the road or take a walk around your neighborhood. It's important to give your child experiences so that they can form ample background knowledge.
2. Visit your local library.
Libraries are a great place to visit during the summer and all year long. Of course, there's the obvious reason that you can borrow books. Many libraries even have e-books that you can borrow now if your child has access to an e-reader. Most libraries also have summer reading programs that your child can participate in. Exposing your child to a variety of books doesn't have to cost you anything and it's so important!
3. Read together and interact with the text.
No matter what age your child is, they're not too old to read with you. Reading a book or book series together as a family can be a great way to make memories. It also allows you to model good reading to your child and it can allow them to be exposed to texts a little above their level which can improve their reading. Don't just read books, though, talk about them as well. Talk about the characters' feelings and motives. Talk about how the characters change and grow. Discuss alternative solutions characters could have taken. Really dig deep because that's what your child is being asked to do at school. It can also be fun to do an activity that relates to the book. If you read If You Give a Mouse a Cookie with your young one, bake cookies together. If you read Holes with your older child, watch the movie afterwards and compare the two. Be creative!
4. Let your child help you with math in real life.
Students often hate word problems, but word problems are realistic. If you're cooking, let your child figure out how many 1/4 cups it would take to make 1 cup or how many cups you'd need if you doubled the recipe. If you're eating out, let your child estimate how much your dinner will cost and if it fits in your budget. If you're grocery shopping, let your child help you figure out which pack of paper towels is the best value. Let them see how math is used in every day life. Let them help you figure out how to solve problems.
5. Research other cultures, current events, etc.
With the World Cup currently going on, it would be the perfect opportunity to pick a country that interests your child and learn more about it or maybe they want to learn about the origins of the World Cup itself. Does your child really like Chinese food? Take a week to learn more about Chinese culture. This can include reading about the culture, eating food of that culture, doing crafts from that culture; or if you're luck enough to live in an area where this is possible, attend festivals about that culture or visit with people of a different culture. As it's age appropriate, you can also discuss current events with your child. #6 will give you some suggestions of kid appropriate websites to learn about current events. The reasoning behind this is similar to #1. It will help your child if they have exposure to a variety of things.
6. Have productive computer time.
Every child loves to get on the computer, but there's better things they can be doing than playing games. The first site is one of my favorites. Kids are very curious and this website goes right along with that. Wonderopolis has a new "wonder" each day. There's always a video and an article to accompany it. There are also words to know from the article, suggestions of other things to do to learn more about this subject, and a link to more information. You can search the more than 500 wonders to find something that interests your child. Time for Kids is like an online newspaper for kids. It has current events, sports, pop culture, entertainment, etc. articles geared towards kids. Scholastic News is similar, but not as good as Time for Kinds, in my opinion. XtraMath is a research based intervention site where students can practice all 4 basic operations. You do have to sign up for a parent account, but it's completely free. Starfall is a great site for younger kids who are still learning how to read. Another useful site is Dance Mat Typing where students of all ages can practice the important skill of typing. Many of the sites your child uses in school should also still be available to them over the summer.
7. Use technology to communicate.
Technology is an important part of our daily lives. Think of how much that is only going to increase as your child grows up. They need to know how to use technology for more than watching videos and playing games. Are they trying to convince you they need a cell phone, video game system, dog, or anything else? Let them persuade you with a PowerPoint or Prezi. Do they have family or friends that live far away? If you're comfortable, let them start a blog that they can update with what's going on in their lives. You can even make the blog private where only the people you select can see it. Does your child like to make up stories? Encourage them to type their stories out and save them. Does someone have a birthday or other type of party coming up? Let your child create an invitation on the computer.
8. Let your child help you with reading in real life.
Think of all the things you read on a daily basis besides a book. While reading books can be a lot of fun, having good reading skills goes beyond book reading. When you go to a restaurant, let your child read the menu to decide what they want. If you get a new game, gadget, or something that needs putting together, let your child read the instructions and help. When you're driving, encourage them to help you read road signs to find your way. Let them see how you use reading in your every day life.
9. Play board games together.
Board games are great for teaching life skills like taking turns, working in teams, and being good winners or losers. They also can be great for a child's education. Most games require number sense. Many involve counting out and dealing with money. Games for younger children require them to know colors or shapes. Many games involve math skills, such as coordinate planes for playing Battleship. Trivia games will help your child's comprehension skills. Not only are games fun and educational, but it can be another great way to make memories as a family.
10. Turn off the TV, computer, and other electronic devices and PLAY!
This one may sound like it doesn't fit on this list, but I'm afraid that imaginative play is become a more and more scarce activity for children. Children of all ages need to use their imagination. Put on a play or puppet show. Build a tent or fort in the living room or back yard. Let your child play school, house, or doctor. Let them build a city for their action figures or Barbie dolls. We'd probably be amazed at how many life and educational skills a child can learn and use just by letting them play.
*The idea for this post came from Personal Creations. They are trying to encourage parents to work with their children during the summer to keep them sharp.*
What are some things you do with your child to encourage their continued learning?
*Linking up at List It Tuesday*
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
My 9-5: A Total Social Link Up
So, I'm kind of late to this party, but I thought this was a really neat idea for a post and I didn't want to miss out.
I'm a 4th grade teacher at a year round school and I'm currently tracked out. So, I won't describe to you what I'm up to right now (a lot of reading, Pinteresting, and napping). Instead, I'll describe what a typical day is like when I'm at work.
We all went to school, so I'm sure most people think they know what a teacher does. First of all, school has changed a lot since I (and probably you) were in school. Secondly, there's a lot of behind the scenes stuff that takes place that we don't get to see as students or you might not see as a parent.
Before I tell you about my day, here are a few things to know about a multi track year round school:
-Things are constantly changing. People rotate in and out every 3 weeks.
-You don't stay in the same classroom all year long. So, most of us don't do much decorating and we have generic stuff that stays in each classroom.
-Specialist teachers (art, music, PE, etc.) and intervention teachers are sometimes on break or having work days while you're in school. If your specialist for that day is not there, you don't get a break!
A Typical Day:
7:30-8:45- I usually arrive anywhere between this time. It depends on what all I need to get done before school starts. If it's Tuesday, I'll be there by 7:45, because we have meetings every Tuesday morning. When I arrive, I may make copies, plan, prepare supplies, do paperwork, or attend a meeting (IEP, SST, 504, parent/teacher, grade level, etc.)
8:45-9:30- This is the time when the students start arriving. I'm supposed to stand at the door and greet them and I try to most days. Some days, I didn't manage to finish everything I needed to do and I'm still rushing around trying to prepare. The students work on morning work during this time and we have school wide announcements, pledge, and Boostfit to start our day. During this time, I try to check my email and take attendance.
9:30-10:45- We get our day started with math. We do our math lesson (although I often run over this time because there's so much to try and teach).
10:45-11:10- What we do during this time varies. Sometimes, we work on writing. Other times, I go ahead and do a short literacy lesson. On days when math is taking longer than usual, we may even finish our math lesson during this time.
11:10-11:40- I take my class outside for recess where I stand in boredom and watch them play unless it's a lucky day when another teacher is near me and we can talk a little while (we have different playgrounds that we rotate the use of each day).
11:40-12:10- I drop the students off at lunch (luckily we have teacher's assistants who watch our kids at lunch). Then, I rush around trying to refill my water bottle, make quick copies (if they're needed that afternoon and I didn't have time that morning to make them), grab my lunch and heat it up (if needed), and finally sit down and scarf down the lunch so I won't be late to pick up my class. I do get in a little bit of socializing time with the other 4th grade teachers since we all eat together.
12:10-12:45- I pick my class up, we make a pit stop at the restrooms, then we go back in the classroom where my class reads silently while I conference with different students about their reading.
12:45-1:00- During this time we might work on writing or do a literacy lesson or a read aloud.
1:00-2:00- This is reading centers time. The students rotate around to different literacy related activities while I meet with small groups of students.
2:00-2:45- Depending on what week it is this is either science or social studies time.
2:45-3:35- My students have about 5 minutes to pack up and clean the room. Then, the line up to go to one of 5 specials (art, music, PE, cultural enrichment, or computer lab). I take them to their special. Then, I often have a meeting to attend. If I don't have a meeting, I usually spend this time making copies (which pretty much takes the whole time) or meeting with my 4th grade team to discuss ideas.
3:35-4:15- I pick my students up from their special and we go back to the classroom where they sit quietly, eat their snack, work on homework, and wait for their dismissal. If I'm lucky, all students will be gone by 4:15 (it doesn't always happen that way). During dismissal, I usually try to get some papers graded or paperwork done.
I try not to stay after school unless I'm super swamped (such as at the beginning of the year or around report card time). I usually have plenty I could stay and do, but I'm too tired to do it. Several times a year, I have to stay late for PTA meetings, Math & Science Night, Literacy Night, Eagle Fun Fest (our school carnival), etc.
I'm trying to manage my time better so that I don't work at home, but too often my Sunday afternoons are spent planning and grading papers.
That's a glimpse of what my"9-5" looks like. What about you? Are you linking up?
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Book Review: Rules (A Must Read)
Twelve-year-old Catherine just wants a normal life. Which is near impossible when you have a brother with autism and a family that revolves around his disability. She's spent years trying to teach David the rules-from "a peach is not a funny-looking apple" to "keep your pants on in public"-in order to stop his embarrassing behaviors. But the summer Catherine meets Jason, a paraplegic boy, and Kristi, the next-door friend she's always wished for, it's her own shocking behavior that turns everything upside down and forces her to ask: What is normal?
Book description and image via Goodreads
My Review
Last year, I read a book called Wonder which I loved. I loved it so much I named it as one of my top 5 favorite books of the year. This book reminded me a lot of Wonder. Similarly, I think this is a book that everyone should read. Particularly if you have children over the age of 8- READ THIS BOOK TO THEM. I think you should read it to them because you can have some great discussion. I will probably read this aloud to my 4th grade class later in the year. I think it's so important for them to learn to have empathy for others. I also want to reiterate the point I've tried to make all year that people are people no matter how different they may seem. Kids need to hear this message. Kids can be so mean to one another and they need to be reminded that all people have feelings. All people just want to be treated with respect.
I sympathize with the main character, Catherine. When you're 12 years old, all that matters to you is what other people think of you. Her brother is embarrassing to her and her new friend, Jason, is embarrassing to her. Unfortunately, she learns that you can't have the best of both worlds. You can't be kind to those people who are embarrassing to you and keep it a secret. You have to make a choice.
I didn't mean for this review to turn into a preaching session. Basically, I don't have much to say other than read this book. Of course, it is a book geared towards tweens and teens, but I think adults can glean a valuable message from it as well.
I give it an A+
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
40 Book Challenge Halfway Update
At the beginning of the school year (which is July for me at year round school) I posted about how I wanted to use the 40 Book Challenge this year with my students.
I am now halfway through this school year, so I thought I'd share how it's going.
How did my students react?
My students really embraced the challenge. It's amazing how motivated students can be when you create a challenge. They want to add more books to their chart. They want to add more stickers to our class chart. We have a display in the hallway that they want to add to. They want to know that we've read more books than the other classes. I also always remind them that the only way to become better readers is to READ.
How are my students reading?
They have been doing great! We did have to have a discussion about them trying to read more on their level or slightly higher to challenge themselves instead of only reading books that were too easy. Every single one of my students has been reading whole books. They spend 20-30 minutes every day reading in our class. When they finish early or if we get interrupted, most of them pull out a book. When they had their midyear benchmark, all of their fluency and retell levels increased. I look forward to getting their quarterly benchmark test results to see if those improved as well. As a class, we've read over 500 books!
Any tips or changes?
*You, the teacher, be excited about reading! I would share with the class when I finished a book. Whenever we finished a book as a class, we added it to our list. I read to them all the time.
*Teach your students how to find books that are a good fit for them.
*I have a sign up sheet for my students when they finish a book or two so that they can tell me about the book before I sign off on it on their chart and give them their sticker for the class chart.
*Instead of doing 1 star sticker for each book, we change a certain number out for different color stars. This helps them with some math skills. Overall, there's nothing that I would change.
40 Book Challenge Celebration
Before our break, we had a day to celebrate how well they'd done. We spent some time reading independently. I read a book to them. We had a guest reader and we had food! I look forward to the end of the year when we're going to have an even bigger celebration.
I am now halfway through this school year, so I thought I'd share how it's going.
My students really embraced the challenge. It's amazing how motivated students can be when you create a challenge. They want to add more books to their chart. They want to add more stickers to our class chart. We have a display in the hallway that they want to add to. They want to know that we've read more books than the other classes. I also always remind them that the only way to become better readers is to READ.
They have been doing great! We did have to have a discussion about them trying to read more on their level or slightly higher to challenge themselves instead of only reading books that were too easy. Every single one of my students has been reading whole books. They spend 20-30 minutes every day reading in our class. When they finish early or if we get interrupted, most of them pull out a book. When they had their midyear benchmark, all of their fluency and retell levels increased. I look forward to getting their quarterly benchmark test results to see if those improved as well. As a class, we've read over 500 books!
*You, the teacher, be excited about reading! I would share with the class when I finished a book. Whenever we finished a book as a class, we added it to our list. I read to them all the time.
*Teach your students how to find books that are a good fit for them.
*I have a sign up sheet for my students when they finish a book or two so that they can tell me about the book before I sign off on it on their chart and give them their sticker for the class chart.
*Instead of doing 1 star sticker for each book, we change a certain number out for different color stars. This helps them with some math skills. Overall, there's nothing that I would change.
Before our break, we had a day to celebrate how well they'd done. We spent some time reading independently. I read a book to them. We had a guest reader and we had food! I look forward to the end of the year when we're going to have an even bigger celebration.
I'm well aware that cake decorating is not my talent. All that matters is that it tasted GOOD!
Sorry...I'm not sharing their cute little faces on my blog, but we each wrote how many books we've read and decorated it. I'm so proud of them!
If you're a teacher, how do you motivate your students to read? If you're a parent, how do you motivate your children to read? Were you motivated to read as a child?
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Grinch-y Classroom Management
Classroom management is key to being a successful teacher. Your classroom management strategies have to be constantly changing and evolving to fit the needs of each individual class. I have never had the exact same classroom management strategy from year to year. Many times, my management strategy also changes (sometimes completely, other times only slight adjustments) during a given school year.
With Christmas approaching, I want to share with you my fun, holiday classroom management strategy featuring....THE GRINCH!
First of all, let me say that I work at a school in a large city with a diverse population. So, "Christmas" is not allowed. I still use the Grinch. I don't say anything about Christmas. I just say that he's the Grinch and he likes to steal things. If you don't have the "Christmas is not allowed" problem at your school, you could incorporate reading the book or other Christmas-y things.
I tell my students that we are coming to the halfway point of their 4th grade year. (I'm at a year round school and we are off for most of December. This break marks our change from 1st semester to 2nd semester.) I tell them that I want to throw them a little celebration for being halfway through 4th grade. However, the Grinch wants to steal this party from them. (Again, if your school allows Christmas then you could call this a Christmas party.You could also use another reward if you don't want to or aren't allowed to have a party of any kind.)
How does he do that? By earning more points than the class. The Grinch likes things like students talking out of turn, students not doing their homework or classwork, students being too loud or too messy. Whenever my class does these and other undesirable behaviors, I give the Grinch a point. On the other hand, the class can earn a point for displaying desired behaviors: working quietly, completing assignments, lining up correctly, etc. In the end, whoever has the most points wins. The Grinch wins-no party. The class wins-party!
Christmas time can be a hectic time in the classroom as students are ready for a break and for all the fun holiday activities. So, I found this to be a simple strategy to help them remember and display correct behaviors. I would recommend there never being a huge gap between the points. If the Grinch gets too far ahead, the goal will seem unattainable and the students will stop trying. If the class gets too far ahead, they won't be as worried about the possibility of losing their party.
This worked for me last year and is working well so far this year. For me, I want the class to get the party in the end. That's not the point. The point is to keep your classroom managed and running smoothly for the purpose of learning right up until the holiday break.
What classroom management strategies do you use to keep your classroom running smoothly during those crazy holiday times?
With Christmas approaching, I want to share with you my fun, holiday classroom management strategy featuring....THE GRINCH!
I tell my students that we are coming to the halfway point of their 4th grade year. (I'm at a year round school and we are off for most of December. This break marks our change from 1st semester to 2nd semester.) I tell them that I want to throw them a little celebration for being halfway through 4th grade. However, the Grinch wants to steal this party from them. (Again, if your school allows Christmas then you could call this a Christmas party.You could also use another reward if you don't want to or aren't allowed to have a party of any kind.)
This worked for me last year and is working well so far this year. For me, I want the class to get the party in the end. That's not the point. The point is to keep your classroom managed and running smoothly for the purpose of learning right up until the holiday break.
What classroom management strategies do you use to keep your classroom running smoothly during those crazy holiday times?
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Classroom Management with Music
Last summer, I came across this article and decided I was going to give music a try in my classroom. I am so glad I did! It has helped my classroom management so much.
You've heard of Pavlov's Dog? That's what I feel like using music in my classroom. The children become trained to respond a certain way to a certain song. It's beautiful. It makes things run so smoothly. Plus, who doesn't love music?!?
Here's how I use music in my classroom on a daily basis:
Classical station on Pandora
Every morning, I turn on the classical station on Pandora as my students come in and work on their morning work. I believe that this helps them to come in calmer and quieter.
Morning Fun Song
After the morning announcement, I play a fun song. During this time, my students can get up out of their seats and talk to their friends. By the time the song is over, they are supposed to be back in their seat, quiet, with their morning work out ready to check it. This gives them time to get up and talk before the day gets started. It also gives me time to take attendance and do any last minute things. These songs can be anything fun that's child appropriate.
Lining Up Song
I play the Pink Panther TV theme to signal to my students that it's time to clean up and line up. This song is a minute long, so it's just enough time for them to clean up and get lined up. When the music is over, they should be in line correctly and quietly.
Center Transitions
When students are working in centers, it can get noisy. Instead of trying to yell over them to give directions, I play a song to signal to them that it's time to clean up and change to a new center. During reading centers, I play the theme from American Idol. During math centers, I play music from Pirates of the Caribbean.
Working Music
Depending on what the students are working on, I will sometimes play music. If I want them working quietly and independently, I play classical music. Otherwise, I might play some school appropriate music that they are more familiar with. I always ask them if they'd like to listen to music while they work to try and be respectful of their opinion of their working environment.
Packing Up Music
This is my favorite usage of music in my classroom. One of my least favorite times used to be the time that I was trying to get my students to pack up. They would take forever! At my school, the 4th graders have a specials class, such as art or music, at the end of the day. So, we pack up then line up to go to that class. Music solved this problem. About 5 minutes before their class, I play the James Bond theme. They have until the end of the song to pack up and line up. The first few times they do this, they're in shock because they're not used to packing up so fast. They get used to it, though, and it cuts packing up time WAY down. Plus, that song is just fun to rush around the room to.
Friday Dance Party
By Friday afternoons, the kids are done. To give them something to look forward to, I play music during dismissal on Fridays. They can get up, dance, and have fun while waiting for their bus.
As with any classroom management tool, you must let the students know what your expectations are from the beginning. Then, you have to be consistent and hold them to your expectations. Once you get them "trained," everything will run so much smoother.
Have you ever used music in your classroom? If not, I highly recommend it. It's one of the best things I've implemented in my classroom.
Linking up:
Inspiration in Progress
You've heard of Pavlov's Dog? That's what I feel like using music in my classroom. The children become trained to respond a certain way to a certain song. It's beautiful. It makes things run so smoothly. Plus, who doesn't love music?!?
Here's how I use music in my classroom on a daily basis:
Classical station on Pandora
Every morning, I turn on the classical station on Pandora as my students come in and work on their morning work. I believe that this helps them to come in calmer and quieter.
Morning Fun Song
After the morning announcement, I play a fun song. During this time, my students can get up out of their seats and talk to their friends. By the time the song is over, they are supposed to be back in their seat, quiet, with their morning work out ready to check it. This gives them time to get up and talk before the day gets started. It also gives me time to take attendance and do any last minute things. These songs can be anything fun that's child appropriate.
Lining Up Song
I play the Pink Panther TV theme to signal to my students that it's time to clean up and line up. This song is a minute long, so it's just enough time for them to clean up and get lined up. When the music is over, they should be in line correctly and quietly.
Center Transitions
When students are working in centers, it can get noisy. Instead of trying to yell over them to give directions, I play a song to signal to them that it's time to clean up and change to a new center. During reading centers, I play the theme from American Idol. During math centers, I play music from Pirates of the Caribbean.
Working Music
Depending on what the students are working on, I will sometimes play music. If I want them working quietly and independently, I play classical music. Otherwise, I might play some school appropriate music that they are more familiar with. I always ask them if they'd like to listen to music while they work to try and be respectful of their opinion of their working environment.
Packing Up Music
This is my favorite usage of music in my classroom. One of my least favorite times used to be the time that I was trying to get my students to pack up. They would take forever! At my school, the 4th graders have a specials class, such as art or music, at the end of the day. So, we pack up then line up to go to that class. Music solved this problem. About 5 minutes before their class, I play the James Bond theme. They have until the end of the song to pack up and line up. The first few times they do this, they're in shock because they're not used to packing up so fast. They get used to it, though, and it cuts packing up time WAY down. Plus, that song is just fun to rush around the room to.
Friday Dance Party
By Friday afternoons, the kids are done. To give them something to look forward to, I play music during dismissal on Fridays. They can get up, dance, and have fun while waiting for their bus.
As with any classroom management tool, you must let the students know what your expectations are from the beginning. Then, you have to be consistent and hold them to your expectations. Once you get them "trained," everything will run so much smoother.
Have you ever used music in your classroom? If not, I highly recommend it. It's one of the best things I've implemented in my classroom.
Linking up:
Inspiration in Progress
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
40 Book Challenge
My school year started this past week and this year I'm trying out the 40 Book Challenge which is an idea from The Book Whisperer by Donalyn Miller.
Why?
The idea really isn't that revolutionary. Basically, the best way teachers can help students become better readers is to give them plenty of opportunities to read. We should help foster a love of reading. Reading shouldn't be a chore that is done just because you're going to have to answer some questions about the book for a grade. I loved the idea of this challenge because I love to read. One reason I believe this is true for me is because I grew up with a mom who read all the time. I saw her reading daily. She also read to me and with me. We had plenty of books in our house plus we went to the public library regularly. I can't control what happens in my students' homes, but I can give them opportunities to fall in love with reading in my classroom.
Who?
I've issued this challenge to ALL of my students. The best part is it's differentiated for you because each student reads books that are "good fit" books for them. I'm also participating in the challenge along with my students.
What?
Each child is challenged to read 40 books during the school year. They can't just read any 40 books, though. They're also challenged to read books across many different genres. I chose genres that went along with things we study throughout the year plus a few more thrown in there for fun.
How?
Each student will keep a 40 Book Challenge log in their binder. As I conference with them throughout the year, I will discuss with them the books they've read and sign off on their log if I can tell they read the book and it was a good fit book.
After I sign off on their log, they can add a sticker to our class log. At the end of the year, I want us to be able to count up how many books our whole class read throughout the year.
We are spending the first few weeks going over the different genres and taking notes. The students will keep these notes in their binder as a reference throughout the year.
I also gave them a sheet to keep a list of books they're interested in reading. I hope to do weekly "book commercials" where my students can share books they've enjoyed with their classmates. I hope this will improve their ability to summarize, persuade, and speak publicly.
The main thing to remember is the point of this challenge is not to take a grade or to actually read 40 books. The point is to have students reading entire books and books across different genres. The hope is that they'll learn to love reading if they don't already. I plan to celebrate all of my student's achievements in this challenge.
If you'd like to know more, I'd encourage you to read The Book Whisperer. You can also check out my class website's 40 Book Challenge page. If you'd like to know more about what I plan to do or if you'd like a copy of any of my resources, let me know in the comment section (just be sure you're not a no-reply blogger or I can't respond to you).
Linking up here:
Inspire Me Tuesday, Take a Look Tuesday, Time to Sparkle, Terrific Tuesday,
On Display Monday
Why?
The idea really isn't that revolutionary. Basically, the best way teachers can help students become better readers is to give them plenty of opportunities to read. We should help foster a love of reading. Reading shouldn't be a chore that is done just because you're going to have to answer some questions about the book for a grade. I loved the idea of this challenge because I love to read. One reason I believe this is true for me is because I grew up with a mom who read all the time. I saw her reading daily. She also read to me and with me. We had plenty of books in our house plus we went to the public library regularly. I can't control what happens in my students' homes, but I can give them opportunities to fall in love with reading in my classroom.
Who?
I've issued this challenge to ALL of my students. The best part is it's differentiated for you because each student reads books that are "good fit" books for them. I'm also participating in the challenge along with my students.
What?
Each child is challenged to read 40 books during the school year. They can't just read any 40 books, though. They're also challenged to read books across many different genres. I chose genres that went along with things we study throughout the year plus a few more thrown in there for fun.
How?
Each student will keep a 40 Book Challenge log in their binder. As I conference with them throughout the year, I will discuss with them the books they've read and sign off on their log if I can tell they read the book and it was a good fit book.
If you'd like to know more, I'd encourage you to read The Book Whisperer. You can also check out my class website's 40 Book Challenge page. If you'd like to know more about what I plan to do or if you'd like a copy of any of my resources, let me know in the comment section (just be sure you're not a no-reply blogger or I can't respond to you).
Linking up here:
Inspire Me Tuesday, Take a Look Tuesday, Time to Sparkle, Terrific Tuesday,
On Display Monday
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
10 Things Teachers Need to Know
As the school year is coming to a close, I began to reflect on things that I think are important for teachers to know.
1. Wet paper towels, band-aids, and time heal all most wounds.
Teachers should have to minor in nursing. Kids always have complaints about something hurting. As a teacher, you have to determine when there really is something wrong with a child and when there's not. I can't tell you how many times I say "let's see how you feel in a little while" or "just get a wet paper towel and put on it."
2. Multitasking and management are essential skills.
Along with minoring in nursing, teachers should also minor in business. You have to manage 20+ people daily. You have to be able to differentiate and accommodate while being sure to cover all of your objectives. Don't even get me started on all the paperwork you have to do. Then, you have to also handle parent emails (or phone calls or stopping by), hurt children (see #1), bullying issues, and drama. You have to keep up with who's done what, who was out of the room when you assigned something, and who still has to turn in an assignment. On top of that, your name is constantly being called. It's exhausting!
3. You will often understand a child better after you meet their parent(s).
A child is going to be most influenced by their home life. Sometimes this influence is good. Most of the time, the children who make better grades have parents who give them a lot of life experiences. They also work with their children and talk with them about things that are going on in the world. On the other hand, children who don't follow rules or are disrespectful are often allowed to act like that at home.
4. "Winging it" and flexibility are essential skills.
No matter how many lesson plans they make you write out in explicit detail in college, you will still find yourself on some days staring at a blank plan book. Teachers have so many demands put on them that lesson planning is often not a priority. Often all you know is what you're supposed to be teaching and how to teach it comes to you as you're doing it. You are also working in a very unpredictable setting. You never know when your lesson will be interrupted or won't go as planned.
5. No matter how many supplies you have, they have a way of disappearing.
I don't know what kids do-eat them, but supplies don't last long. You will spend a lot of your own money or a lot of time begging parents for more supplies.
6. If a kid is ____________, you must be _____________er.
You must always be one step ahead of them. Think back and remember what it was like to be in their shoes. What were you or your classmates doing behind the teacher's back? What are all the ways you could possibly cheat? What could you try and sneak in your desk to play with when the teacher's not looking? When could you pass a note? You must be alert and observant at all times. So, fill in the blanks, whatever a kid is-you must be more.
You must always be one step ahead of them. Think back and remember what it was like to be in their shoes. What were you or your classmates doing behind the teacher's back? What are all the ways you could possibly cheat? What could you try and sneak in your desk to play with when the teacher's not looking? When could you pass a note? You must be alert and observant at all times. So, fill in the blanks, whatever a kid is-you must be more.
7. A look can say a lot.
This can be a good and bad thing. If you perfect your "you better stop right this second" look, you don't have to talk as much. On the other hand, teachers can often give looks to display their disgust with certain things and students will learn to read and interpret these looks. They often voice your thoughts for you.
8. Students love to be praised.
It's amazing how you can say "I love how Sally is reading her book quietly like I asked" and all of a sudden they're all looking at Sally and trying to mimic her. It can be so easy to criticize and say negative things, that it's important to remember to praise students as well.
9. Remember Pavlov's Dog you learned about in psychology? It can be applied to children.
Music, bells, chimes, vocal commands-whatever signals you need to use, you can "train" your students to respond. It's really amazing to watch. I personally use music to signal various transitions and it makes things run a lot smoother.
10. You want them to leave your classroom having learned more than just the required curriculum.
For about 10 months, you get to have a major influence on the lives of others. Many of your students don't have positive influences as home. Even for the ones who do, it's important that you teach them some life skills. These are the things your students will remember more than anything.
For about 10 months, you get to have a major influence on the lives of others. Many of your students don't have positive influences as home. Even for the ones who do, it's important that you teach them some life skills. These are the things your students will remember more than anything.
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
History Fair
We've all heard of science fairs, but what about a history fair? Recently, another 4th grade teacher and myself put together our school's first history fair.
In most (if not all) states, the 4th grade social studies curriculum calls for students to learn about their state's history. I love teaching North Carolina history! There are so many interesting things that have happened here.
We decided to give the history fair a try and the event was held this past Friday. It went really well. All the parents and staff seemed to really enjoy it. Of course, there are things we'd like to tweak and change for next year, but overall I'm thrilled with how it turned out.
Not only was this project a great way for the students to learn more about their state, but it was also a great experience for them. They were able to practice their speaking skills as well as differentiating their speaking depending on who they were talking to.
How to host your own history fair:
About 5 months before the event:
1. Create a rubric of what the students will be graded and judged on.
2. Create a list of possible topics to guide the students.
3. Decide on a date for the history fair.
4. Decide what classes will be participating.
About 3-4 months before the event:
1. Introduce the event to students.
2. Show them examples of types of projects.
3. Teach them how to cite sources if they haven't already learned this.
4. Send home a letter introducing the project to parents.
5. Have students pick a topic. (We had students turn in their top 3 choices for a topic and we assigned them a topic from there so that no two students in the same class had the same topic.)
6. Instruct students to begin the project and let them know when it is due.
*You can view this page to see the information we gave to our students.*
About a month before the event:
1. Have students sign up for a day to present their project to their class a week before the actual event.
2. Send out a letter/email to parents or ask businesses or the PTA for donations for prizes.
3. Decide on what prize categories you want to have.
4. Find judges to judge and score the projects.
5. Ask for parent volunteers to help with traffic control during the fair.
A week before the event:
1. Have students present their projects to their class. Let their classmates give feedback. Let the students know they can take the feedback and improve on their project if they'd like.
2. Send an invitation to your event to your students' parents and the school.
3. Make thank you cards for the judges.
4. Sort the prizes to decide what each winner gets.
5. Create a score sheet for the judges based on the rubric.
The day of the event:
1. Have clipboards and score sheets ready for the judges.
2. Set up projects.
3. Remind students of their expectations during the fair.
4. Stand back and watch your students shine.
Here are some photos from our event:
We gave the judges a cup full of brownies and they had a badge to wear. We dressed up for the sessions we did with the kids in the morning. I had the kids make Cherokee pottery.
We decided to give the history fair a try and the event was held this past Friday. It went really well. All the parents and staff seemed to really enjoy it. Of course, there are things we'd like to tweak and change for next year, but overall I'm thrilled with how it turned out.
Not only was this project a great way for the students to learn more about their state, but it was also a great experience for them. They were able to practice their speaking skills as well as differentiating their speaking depending on who they were talking to.
How to host your own history fair:
About 5 months before the event:
1. Create a rubric of what the students will be graded and judged on.
2. Create a list of possible topics to guide the students.
3. Decide on a date for the history fair.
4. Decide what classes will be participating.
About 3-4 months before the event:
1. Introduce the event to students.
2. Show them examples of types of projects.
3. Teach them how to cite sources if they haven't already learned this.
4. Send home a letter introducing the project to parents.
5. Have students pick a topic. (We had students turn in their top 3 choices for a topic and we assigned them a topic from there so that no two students in the same class had the same topic.)
6. Instruct students to begin the project and let them know when it is due.
*You can view this page to see the information we gave to our students.*
About a month before the event:
1. Have students sign up for a day to present their project to their class a week before the actual event.
2. Send out a letter/email to parents or ask businesses or the PTA for donations for prizes.
3. Decide on what prize categories you want to have.
4. Find judges to judge and score the projects.
5. Ask for parent volunteers to help with traffic control during the fair.
A week before the event:
1. Have students present their projects to their class. Let their classmates give feedback. Let the students know they can take the feedback and improve on their project if they'd like.
2. Send an invitation to your event to your students' parents and the school.
3. Make thank you cards for the judges.
4. Sort the prizes to decide what each winner gets.
5. Create a score sheet for the judges based on the rubric.
The day of the event:
1. Have clipboards and score sheets ready for the judges.
2. Set up projects.
3. Remind students of their expectations during the fair.
4. Stand back and watch your students shine.
Here are some photos from our event:
We gave the judges a cup full of brownies and they had a badge to wear. We dressed up for the sessions we did with the kids in the morning. I had the kids make Cherokee pottery.
Monday, September 17, 2012
Holes Activities #2 & FREEBIE
A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about the activities I'd been using in my class with the book Holes by Louis Sachar. To read that post, you can click here.
My students loved the book and they loved the activities we did along with it.
Before we began reading the book, I created a choice board activity that the students could complete after we finished reading. It has 9 activities and the students have to choose 3. The top row has character related activities. The middle row has plot related activities. The bottom row has setting related activities. The students had to pick one activity from each row.
I love to share, so I'm attaching the document I created. You can find it here.
One of the activities was to create a diorama of either Camp Green Lake where Stanley had to "serve time" or Green Lake, Texas where Katherine Barlow was a teacher. The students loved creating these dioramas. I wish we'd had more time and I had more money to have spent on supplies. Despite all that, I think they did a great job.
Before you see their visions of Camp Green Lake, here's an excerpt from the book that describes it:
"There is no lake at Camp Green Lake. There once was a very large lake here, the largest lake in Texas. That was over a hundred years ago. Now it is just a dry, flat wasteland......
The only trees are two old oaks on the eastern edge of the "lake." A hammock is stretched between the two trees, and a log cabin stands behind that."
Camp Green Lake is a juvenile corrections center where young boys are sent to dig holes in order to "build character."
Here are some examples of Camp Green Lake:
Green Lake, Texas is the town that was in the spot of Camp Green Lake a hundred years ago. Here's an excerpt from the book to describe it:
"One hundred and ten years ago, Green Lake was the largest lake in Texas. It was full of clear cool water, and it sparkled like a giant emerald in the sun. It was especially beautiful in the spring, when the peach trees, which lined the shore, bloomed with pink and rose-colored blossoms.....It was said that Green Lake was "heaven on earth"...."
Here are some examples of Green Lake, Texas:
Thursday, August 30, 2012
What is a Multi-Track Year Round School?
I've mentioned on here before that I work at a year round school.
When I say that to people, I usually get a reaction like "I could not go to school all year!" or "I would not like that!"
 |
| I feel that way too when they say that. |
Because....I love it!
I would have a hard time going back to traditional school.
I thought I would explain what year round school looks like and why I love it.
This is what our school calendar looks like.
Our school has 4 tracks. Each track is made up of 1 or 2 classes on each grade level. Each track has a different schedule. On the calendar, each track is represented by a different color. My track is red.
Basically, one track is coming back while another one is going on break every 3 weeks. So, in a year round school, you think of things in 3 week increments. On the calendar, each color represents when that track is in school. So, you will notice that there are always 3 colors in school and then the white is showing that that particular track is on break. Orange means a holiday and no one is in school.
Most of the time, teachers also have to pack up their room and move out because the teacher coming back will be moving into their room.
It's not as bad as it sounds. It keeps you from accumulating too much stuff. You have a rolling cabinet that moves with you, so most of your stuff has to fit in it. We also have things that the school provides that stay in each room.
I love my schedule because I work 9 weeks and then get 3 weeks off. When my break falls during a holiday, I get even more time off. For example, I have the whole month of December off! I love getting a break after every quarter. It helps me to reevaluate how things are going. It provides a time to plan and change things if I need to. I don't get nearly as burnt out as I did when I worked at a traditional school.
Plus research shows that children retain more of what they learn with this type of school schedule.
I know most teachers say they love their summers and couldn't give them up. It doesn't really bother me that much. I get bored if I am off too much. I like routine. My 3 week break is usually just enough to give me a break to destress and do some things I enjoy, but not too much for me to get bored.
So, while most traditional schools have just started in the past couple of weeks, I've been in school for 8 weeks now. Which means....I'm one week away from a break!!!
Can you tell I'm ready?
This is what our school calendar looks like.
 |
| Sorry if you can't see this too well. If you're interested in seeing the calendar better, you can click here. |
Our school has 4 tracks. Each track is made up of 1 or 2 classes on each grade level. Each track has a different schedule. On the calendar, each track is represented by a different color. My track is red.
 |
| It sounds more confusing than it is. |
Basically, one track is coming back while another one is going on break every 3 weeks. So, in a year round school, you think of things in 3 week increments. On the calendar, each color represents when that track is in school. So, you will notice that there are always 3 colors in school and then the white is showing that that particular track is on break. Orange means a holiday and no one is in school.
Most of the time, teachers also have to pack up their room and move out because the teacher coming back will be moving into their room.
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| Say what?!? |
I love my schedule because I work 9 weeks and then get 3 weeks off. When my break falls during a holiday, I get even more time off. For example, I have the whole month of December off! I love getting a break after every quarter. It helps me to reevaluate how things are going. It provides a time to plan and change things if I need to. I don't get nearly as burnt out as I did when I worked at a traditional school.
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| A burnt out teacher isn't good for anyone. |
Plus research shows that children retain more of what they learn with this type of school schedule.
I know most teachers say they love their summers and couldn't give them up. It doesn't really bother me that much. I get bored if I am off too much. I like routine. My 3 week break is usually just enough to give me a break to destress and do some things I enjoy, but not too much for me to get bored.
So, while most traditional schools have just started in the past couple of weeks, I've been in school for 8 weeks now. Which means....I'm one week away from a break!!!
Can you tell I'm ready?
Monday, August 27, 2012
Holes Classroom Activities #1
One of my favorite children's books is Holes by Louis Sachar.
I never read this book when I was a child. I actually saw the movie first. It's also a good movie-by the way.
Anyway...the first time I read this book was last year to my 4th grade class. I admit, I don't like to read books to my classes that they've made into movies. It's hard to discuss these types of books because the kids already know what's going to happen. I enjoy this book so much, though, that I read it anyway. And the kids love it!
This year, I decided to try some activities to go along with reading the book.
Holes has so many characters. So, I made a poster for each character and we filled it in with different descriptions of that character. This went right along with our standards for about 2 weeks where we were discussing different elements of characters.
We also discussed visualizing and making a mental image based off the description the author gives us. The author does a good job of describing things in this book. One of those things is the yellow spotted lizard. So, we used the description to draw a yellow spotted lizard. This class loves art so I try to incorporate it whenever possible.
We are almost finished reading this book. After we finish, we will be doing a choice board activity where the students will choose one activity to do with the setting, one to do with characters, and one to do with the plot. I will be updating with that project after they are finished. I am excited about it because it involves making a diorama of the setting.
What's your favorite children's book?
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