Rock On!

So, we are currently working on our Rock On! unit of inquiry. The students are really excited about this unit, and I am, too! I think the changing of the Earth is incredible and the processes are astounding... volcanoes, earthquakes, weathering and erosion... wow!

Yesterday, our first day back at school - after our 4th and 5th days off this year due to extreme cold - we chose our research topics for our summative assessment. I paired the students using my popsicle sticks, and together they chose their topics. They got to choose from earthquakes, volcanoes, igneous rocks, sedimentary rocks, metamorphic rocks, gemstones, minerals, fossils, plate tectonics, precious metals, and crystals.

The summative assessment ties in with our writing unit, so the students will be working in pairs to research their topic and create a poster with everything they've learned. We have a lot of samples in the room, we've done some experiments, and we are really looking forward to seeing these posters develop over the next few weeks!

Here is a picture of the beginning of the process, and a really great Borax crystal a student brought in!

The Book Whisperer

What a fantastic week! I had the opportunity to attend two workshops given by the wonderful and hilarious Donalyn Miller!! The workshops were so wonderful. We talked about books, research, books, and ways to instill a love of reading into our students' lives.

There were many things Mrs. Miller discussed that made sense and made me think about what I have been doing in my class. She helped me really look at the readers in my life and how to look at my students as readers. Here are just a few thoughts:

• I haven't let my kids take books home because I am worried about them walking away. She said that the reason we have the books in our rooms in the first place is so kids will read them! She even said exactly what I was thinking... I bought the books and I don't want them to get lost! I know this might sound silly, that it took a workshop for me to think of it differently, but sometimes we aren't ready to hear things. 
• Let the students choose their own books. I already do this so I was happy to get some reassurance.
• Book Choice Frenzy - I haven't been able to find a great time to let my students choose their books. I've tried the first day, second, fourth... nothing seems right. Then, as I read Mrs. Miller's book, she did it the way I have been dreading to do it for years... let the kids have at it!! How fantastic!! I think I am going to try it this year.

Have you had any experience with Mrs. Miller, The Book Whisperer, a book frenzy or any wonderful PD?

Google Docs

Do you use Google Docs? Does your school/district?

I use it, and my district is using it more and more.  I think I have a love/hate relationship with it, to tell you the truth.  I mean, I think it's a wonderful tool!  I can save something at school and pull it up at home, at my in-laws' house, or at my sister's house.  Fantastic!

However, I am not yet in the habit of actually saving things to it at school! It sounds ridiculous, I know, but I really enjoy making my documents and I get so into it that I just save them on my computer. Then I get busy and forget to upload them. I've been thinking about setting aside time once or twice a week specifically to upload items, but I am not sure if that is ample time for everything, or if it's too much time.

What does everyone else do?

A Year Ago...

Almost a year ago I was writing blog posts, creating things to add to my classroom, and getting ready for school to start.

I am now here, after a crazy busy year full of field trips, performances and getting to know my amazing students, writing another post. I haven't been on here since last summer and I am sad about that. I love reading other teacher posts, learning from you and getting inspired by you!! That is why I started writing here.

I am going to try my best to post something new every week! {I completely wanted to say I'd post something every day, but I thought that was being too optimistic!}

So my new thing this week is that my school year ended yesterday and I am sad. My students were amazing!! They were happy, independent, hilarious, and full of wonder. We learned so much and everyone was sad to go yesterday. I am already planning for next year and getting things on my To-Do List for the summer.

I am so excited!!

I hope everyone had a wonderful year!!

Thirty-One

I am obsessed!!

I love to organize things and have little containers and bins for things so I would, of course, love the company Thirty-One. Have you heard of it? I got their Thermal Tote at the 2011 HPE Silent Auction. I love it so I decided to get a their Soft Wallet about a year ago. I love that too!! I've been toying with the idea of going into the Thirty-One business, but I am not a sales person so I am not sure how it would go!!

Anyway, I have been looking for a great bag for work and have been considering the Organizing Utility Tote.

I have seen MANY posts about this bag, but the three that really sold me on it are from Tiffany at The Nest Effect, Jen at i heart organizing, and Tiffany at Teaching 2 Many Diligently. These ladies, among others, talked of how they fell in love with this bag because of how useful and stylish it is.

I am also getting the All-In-One Organizer, the Mini Zipper Pouch, and the Wristlet Key Fob for school. I am planning on putting things in the Organizer for {parent} volunteers and will keep the Mini in it with pencils, highlighters, etc. I am SUPER excited to see these items in use and think it will help the {parent} volunteers when they come in.

The last item I am getting is the Littles Carry-All Caddy for home. I think we're going to try to hold our crazy amount of remotes in it, but I'm not sure! We'll figure something out!!

One of the best things about getting all of this, two of the items were Customer Specials for the month of July!! The Mini and Little were $5 each! Plus, I got a few of the items personalized for $5 each, another Customer Special! Oh my goodness, I am SO excited!!

Plan Books

I know this is silly, but I really enjoy planning and using my plan book. I've had a few during my career that I just can't get into and few I don't like because they're boring.

I really love my Erin Condren Life Planner and know she makes a teacher plan book, but it's expensive ($50) and I am hesitant to fork over that amount of money for something my school will give me for free (though the one they provide is really boring).

Seriously, how adorable is this?!

So, while reading other blogs, and searching for things on Pinterest and Etsy, I've been toying with the idea of making my own. I don't know if I should use a binder (I am in love with them) or if I should make my own and bind it. I already use binders for so much at school it seems like a no-brainer, but I also like the portability of a simple spiral bound planner.

What do you use? Did you make your own? What program(s) did you use? Do you have coupons for Erin Condren's stuff?!  :)

Summer Reading

I am taking a cue from Audrey, The Sweet Life of Third Grade, and compiling a summer reading list. I might have to join some of the book studies online, but I am excited to start reading!

The Book Whisperer

I have heard wonderful things about this book! I picked it up last year but it was at the end of the sumer and I get super busy with the beginning of the year errands and tasks.

The Daily 5 and Cafe Book

I read the Daily 5 last summer and fell in love! I want to do a quick read of that then pick up Cafe. I have already used parts of the Daily 5 in my class this year, but would really like to use more of it in the coming year.

Words Their Way
My district wants us to use WTW so I think it would be a great idea to read up on it!! I went to a workshop last fall, but I'll do a quick read as a refresher. I have also Pinned a bunch of WTW ideas, so I am super excited for word work this year!!

Math Work Stations
When I first started teaching 3rd grade, almost 8 years ago, my mentor gave me Literacy Work Stations and I found it really helpful and full of great ideas. Ideas I thought I could actually do and use!! Now that Debbie Diller wrote Math Work Stations, I am really excited to start creating and organizing.

Guided Math
Audrey is going to read this book. I hadn't heard of it but all of the reviews I've read say it's excellent. I am going to a couple of math workshops at the the end of the summer so I think I will save these last two until August.

I am also looking for a good book on morning meetings. Does anyone have one they love? A few of my friends have recommended these books...

P.S. Images are from Amazon.com

The End

The end of another school year is upon us. There is so much to do and so little time!!

I have to gather things for summer session (at another school), pack up my room for the summer, finish report cards, finish end of the year testing (really?!), and send notes to my kids. WHEN will I be able to do all of this by June 8th?! Arrgh!

Oh wait, I have amazing cabinets in my classroom that hold a bunch of my stuff. Packing shouldn't be too difficult and my parents have agreed to store my items for summer session until I need it (June 15th). The testing, report cards and notes for my kids can be finished during the next week, prep times and at night while watching reruns of Friends or How I Met Your Mother.

Come to think of it, the end of the year isn't looking too horrendous after all.  Now I just need to remember to take pictures of everything before I pack it away!!

Is there anything you do at the end of the year for your kids?

Pinterest and Teaching

Holy cats!  I haven't updated anything is ages and you are partly to blame!!  :)  You, my readers and the people I blog-stalk! You introduced me to Pinterest and I haven't been the same since. I am completely addicted and I have gotten some friends/coworkers addicted too! I just keep searching for things and get a gazillion pins to look through... it's awesome.

I really think Pinterest has changed my teaching habits, and for the better. I truly believe I am a good teacher. I believe my students understand the things I teach and enjoy learning about them too. However, there are posters/charts I have not thought of making even though I teach it! I mean, I print out the flipcharts I make for the Promethean and put it all in a binder (which I am currently updating/making adorable) for the kids to look through, but they aren't the same as a chart in the room. The only drawback is my limited space.

I've also gotten more ideas for manipulatives from the site too!

Every Friday after my teaching partner and I plan for the next week, I go into my room and look things up on Pinterest. I look to see if there is a neat/new take on a strategy we are teaching and I make it my own. I tweak ideas to the way I teach and I have never been happier.

When I started teaching people always said, "Why reinvent the wheel?" and Pinterest is the perfect resource for proving that I don't need to.

So thank you for introducing me to Pinterest!

Where It All Goes Down Wednesday... Kinda

Today is 'Where It All Goes Down Wednesday' at Blog Hoppin. Well, I don't have pictures of my finished room. I will post those at a later date. What I do have are pictures of things I've Pinned and my own projects. They will help set the tone for Where It All Goes Down!

Check for Understanding: Pinned Image from 4th Grade Frolics


Check for Understanding: My Project
I made mine in MS Excel and I love how they turned out! I printed them out onto colored cardstock, then laminated them. I am going to put one in each book container and then I'll have the students use another one as their bookmark in their 'Just for Fun' book.



Book Luggage Tag: Pinned Image from Beg, Borrow, Steal and 4th Grade Frolics has some too!


Book Luggage Tag: My Project
Again, I took the idea and made it my own. I knew Archiver's had a die cut of a tag. I took some paper I had laying around and punched a bunch out! Then I had the laminated so I could - hopefully - reuse them next year. Now, I haven't finished them completely yet. I am going to put a number on the back along with a label on the front with the corresponding name. I think it will look delightful!


That's all for now!

Teacher Talk Tuesday

Today is all about giving advice to new teachers at I'm Blog Hoppin'. Sometimes I feel like a new teacher, so this is going to be tough for me.

Take care of yourself.
Whether this is your first time spending all day every day with kids, or you've worked at a daycare in the past. You will get sick because there is NOTHING like having 25+ kids in your room sniffling. Ish! Take your vitamins, get a good nights' sleep and relax a bit on weekends!

Be flexible.
When I graduated from college, I didn't really want to be a kindergarten teacher. I had gotten a taste of 3rd grade and LOVED it. I secretly wanted to hold out for a 3rd grade position. However, that wasn't in the cards for me. I was offered a 4-Year-Old position and took it because it got my foot in the door. You have to start somewhere and why not accumulate seniority/tenure as soon as you can? I think you should also stay flexible because it's your first year... you learn the most once you're in the thick of things! Also, things don't always go as planned, so taking a lesson in a new direction on the spot is needed sometimes.

Rituals and Routines are KEY!
Establish those rituals and routines the first day and model a lot throughout the year. Things will become second nature for the kids and your days will run smoothly!

Communicate!
You need to communicate early and often with parents. Building a positive, honest relationship with them will be beneficial. You want parents to trust you! You also want to make sure that you communicate clearly with your students. Be explicit and tell them exactly what you want and what things are supposed to look like.

Collaborate
Not only do you learn while you actually teach, you learn a lot from those around you. Create things with your grade level team, share things, and don't be afraid to ask for things!

Remember the Golden Rule
Stay positive and polite. Making friends with many people, if not everyone, at your school will be beneficial. You never know when you might need help.

Have fun!!

Meet The Teacher Monday

I'm Blog Hoppin' is hosting Teacher Week 2011! I am really excited to get to know those who are inspiring me, and hope you will learn a bit a about me too!


Tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Teresa and am married to a wonderful man named Brian. We have a beautiful and curious little girl, Adelle, who is a year and a half. I sing, play the Wii, read, and watch movies too. I love to scrap, make cards, cook (and eat :) as well as getting outside to discover the world with my family. Everything looks brand new when you experience it through the eyes of a child.


You might not know...
When I was little, I wanted to follow in my Dad's footprints and be a barber. I wanted to own my Dad's barber shop. I wanted to go to work with him every day until it was time for him to retire with my Mom. Seeing how he made kids feel every time they stepped into his shop was awesome and I wanted to be a part of it. I wanted to be the next Children's Barber. Unfortunately, my Dad had to retire long before I was able to help him at the shop. He is one of the reasons I became a teacher though!!

What are you looking forward to this school year?
Besides meeting my students... everything! I've been reading about the Daily 5 and am excited to implement it into my routine. I have also been busy working on projects this summer; I am excited to use them as well! I have a student teacher this fall, my first one ever, and I am excited to just get back into the curriculum! Besides, I love the smell of new, sharp, pencils! :)

What do you need to improve?
While I welcome constructive criticism, I take it to heart. I would like to work on letting more things slide off my back. I am a great teacher, I don't need to be as critical of myself as I am!

Another thing I would like to improve, is documenting! I feel as though I assess students a lot. I don't always write things down like I should, this can become a problem when it comes time to report for RTI and PLCs! I have thought of a few strategies (in case one doesn't work)... we'll see how it goes!

What supplies can you *NOT* live without?
There are so many things I love...

My Elmo: Showing kids EXACTLY what you want or EXACTLY what something looks like is key. I love it!

Sharpies & Flairs: I use Sharpies and Flairs for everything! Charts, labels, notes, assessing... everything!

Sticky Notes: I use these for every subject. My students use them, I use them, we all love them!

My iPod: I have a bunch of music on my iPod specifically for my students. We listen to music throughout the day and I find the students are more attentive when it's on.

This is not a supply, but I can't live without my teaching partner! She is an amazing teacher and person. I have learned so much from her in the past few years and we work really well together. We do a lot together and I am looking forward to another year with her across the hall!!

Now it's YOUR turn! Answer the questions and link up!!

Vista Print & My Room

I ordered some things from Vista Print and they arrived yesterday!! I AM SO EXCITED TO USE THEM!! I have never used these items before, but I think it's a great idea. I got inspiration from Mrs. E at The Sweet Life of Third Grade and Tara at 4th Grade Frolics. Thanks Ladies!!





I was able to get into the building today. I wasn't, however, able to get a whole lot done. I had my little girl with me who was running around opening cabinets because none of the toys we brought were exciting enough for her. I also wasn't able to get a whole lot done because the room was disgusting! I had to wipe things down that were covered with a plastic table cloth too! I still haven't finished wiping things down, so I didn't take any after shots because they would look the same. I am really excited to get things put together!

#1. This is the view from my door looking to the right. You're looking at my desk in the back. The red bulletin board is the ONLY thing I was able to redo today (this is a before shot)!


#2. This is the view from my door looking straight into the room. I have 4 shades on windows that look out into a courtyard. Most rooms have 6 shades, but due to an addition they took those windows out. SO I use that space for my ginormous word wall!


#3. This is the view from my door to the left. Those cabinets were installed last year. I am SO very lucky! Oh, that is my beautiful daughter too!


#4. A view from the "back" of the room looking at the whiteboard directly in front, and the Promethean Board to the right.


#5. This is a picture from the "front" of the room, standing at the whiteboard, looking to the cabinets. The door is on the left along with a sink on the back wall to the left.


#6. My redone bulletin board. It's so small, I am going to use it this year for the calendar and birthday chart. I have brown fabric on the board as well as my stitches border.

Projects

I have been making a few projects while I've been watching my little girl. I first made some pointers for my students. I couldnt' find any I really liked, or any wooded pieces that I was thrilled about, or that matched the Dots on Turquoise things I had purchased. SO, I cut out some of the paisley shapes from one of the borders, laminated them, then hot glued them onto wooden dowels. I added bows to make them look cute.



THEN, I bought a few buckets for our "Bucket Filling" projects. They weren't too cute so I added a few ribbons to the handles. I still think they need something... labels or something, but I'm not sure what I want to do exactly for the label/sign so I haven't put anything together.



I also bought a basket for my clipboards. I wasn't sure what kind of container I wanted for my clipboards. I had a smaller rectangular box, but that didn't work. I love the look that Mrs. E from The Sweet Life of Third Grade made with this tub!


Seriously, how adorable is this?! I just couldn't find a cute tub like that (alright, in a color I wanted) for a price that was right. I did find this basket for a great price and I think it will be perfect for the clipboards. I just need to make a cute little sign for it - which I will be working on as soon as I'm done posting.


Then, I got some fabric to cover my bulletin boards, and to make little curtains for my two little cubbie holes. I really like the colors of the fabrics and I am really excited to make these curtains.



I have a few more projects to get done, but I am on my way!

ABC Book

Isn't this adorable?! Parents Magazine had this pictured as an idea on how to save summer memories.

I think it would be a perfect way to get to know the kids. I think I am going to make an interest survey for the kids to complete and a place to either put a picture or an illustration. Then we can discuss ABC order. After everyone has been added we could put it in the library for everyone to read!

Going to the store today!

Pinterest

I have been sucked into the Pinterest world.

I love it!!

I have had a to-do list in Word for a long time now. It has ideas that I want to try, tasks I need to complete, and some fun stuff to look at. Basically, Pinterest! Now I can put a pin in things and they don't have to use space on my hard drive!!

There is one problem, I can't remember where I a have gotten some of the things on my list. So I can't go back to them and put a pin in them :( That's ok, I'll just keep searching for things and Pin new ideas!

Also, I just (literally, JUST) got an email from my principal saying I could get into the building! I am so freaking excited!! Too bad I can't get int there on the weekends!

You all of have been so inspiring. I can't wait to get things into place!

Books

Upon reading MANY teaching blogs, I have learned of two books to use on the first day. I went to the bookstore with my little family and picked up, First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg and Have You Filled a Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud.I had never heard of either of these books - I love them!



Both of these books will fit nicely into my curriculum and in my 'ice breaker' plans for the day!

Thank you for the suggestions and examples of how to incorporate the books into our daily routines!!

Linky Party - What We Love

Well, this is the first time I have participated in a Linky Party. First Grade Blue Skies is hosting this class decor party and I have fallen in love with a LOT of great ideas! I want to redo my bulletin boards this year and I am just not sure what to do. I love these little owls from Carson-Dellosa, but the background is so light.
So I have been thinking of getting some of the items and creating (myself and with my students) these little owls from Meet the Dubiens. Seriously, they are adorable!

However, Mrs. E, over at The Sweet Life of Third Grade is working with black backgrounds and bright colors. Adorable! So I thought I would combine her use of black and bright colors with elements from Dots on Turquoise along with these SUPER cute library pockets!!
I could also still use those little owls made in bright colors, accented with paisley too!

I guess I am in love with paisley!! What are you in love with?