A New Year... New in SO Many Ways

So, there is a million different places I could start this post. Personal...classroom...where to start? Ok, let's start with the school news:

Students started on Monday. This week is the first week and it is a FIVE DAY week for our little firsties. FIVE FULL DAYS. Ok, those that aren't teachers, I know you do that all the time. But, when you start a school year with six and seven-year-olds that are used to summer freedom and you confine them to a classroom for five days in a row plus you add in rules, waking up early, no non-stop snacks, yadda yadda yadda; it makes for a very long week. The best part, however, is that my class is so stinking cute. They smile! They giggle! They love to color! They even think I am funny! Whew - woohoo for me. I just love these little sweeties.

For all my readers that know me, you know I became a teacher because of my mom. She truly was the most amazing teacher. She retired seven years ago and continued to sub, volunteer in the classroom, and make games and activities for my students. She loved her freedom but always told me that she missed the classroom. She was known in our hometown as one of those AMAZING teachers that every student wanted and every parent prayed for. She loved every student that walked into her room and her pure joy for teaching and her optimistic spirit was inspiring. My goal in life was just to be half of the teacher she was because that would mean I was successful as a teacher. Well, my mom, my best friend, my mentor, passed away on August 13th of this year. Yes, two and a half weeks ago. Some of my final conversations included her mentioning school this year. My heart is truly broken and I am trying to be as good as her in the classroom because I now know she can see me teach all the time. Did you know how hard it is to find books for a classroom that won't make you sad about moms? Here's a hint: Say no to "Llama Llama Red Pajama" because the message of a mom never being far away (even if you can't see her) is so sweet but too hard.

On the second day of school my little first graders were being pulled out of the classroom to do some testing. Every time one of my kiddos left I said, "Don't forget to smile" because it made them feel a little better about leaving.  Later in the day we read "No, David!" Then, we were going over rules for the classroom and school. When I asked my class for rules for our classroom the first rule they came up with was "Don't forget to smile"! That is a rule my mom would have definitely had in her room. I couldn't help but smile. I am so thankful for my class.

Summer!

Ok, it is technically summer, but I haven't had any time off yet. That's ok, I mean I have had family time, vbs, more family stuff, ... HOWEVER, I am super excited about some time off. I had a great year and my students taught me A LOT. And, yes, we all know there are "those" students that teach us more than any other kiddo in the class.

Crazy enough, we have been out less than a month and I am already ready to go into my room and start re-organizing, getting stuff ready, ... you know - the FUN stuff that we all get so excited for when we actually have time to do them? I mean, I want to get my math manipulatives where I actually can use them this year. Wait, what? Organize my library books again so they are in themes? That is just crazy thoughts, right? I will do it!

I hope you all are enjoying your break, night, etc. Happy summer to everyone!

Just keep swimming...

Did you ever notice that most teacher posts always address the best of teaching? Well, let's be real. Sometimes we have a hard day. You plan awesome activities, you have engaging lessons, you are on top of your game and you have a little kiddo that isn't playing into it. It definitely happens. The best news is that it happens to all of us! And, we survive. Here is my take on it...no it is NOT fun. You will scream in your head "WHY?" but we all know, this is a little kiddo and something has happened that he or she is upset about. Take a deep breath and just keep swimming. Remind yourself that this will pass, the kiddo will come around at some point, and you have a classroom full of other kids that want to do the plan.

JUST KEEP SWIMMING! Don't let one kiddo ruin it for the rest. Take a deep breath and don't drown in your frustrations. You can do it! You can and you will!

Can you tell I might have had one of those days today? I wish that as a veteran teacher it got easier, but it doesn't. Sure, I might have a few more experiences to compare it to and to use for ideas but I can't stop them from happening. I took more than one deep breath today. I might have been very thankful when the last bell of the day rang. However, I still love my kiddos! All of them! Even the one that pushed me to the edge today. BUT, I won!! I left the day with a smile and so did my student. I still love teaching. I love my class. Chalk one up for me today. I might have had to wear some "floaties" to keep me swimming today, however, I survived and I am ready tomorrow. Bring on Friday!

Sunday Night Football - and Sunday Night Planning!

Yes! I am wearing my Denver Broncos shirt and watching my team beat the opponent! Woot Woot! Yes, that is a true sign that fall is upon us. The other sign? My lesson plan book is my snuggle buddy on the couch. I honestly feel like I do my best planning when I hear the crowd cheering on the tv. They are cheering ME on right...right? Ok, I know that isn't even close to being true but it makes me fell better.

Tomorrow we start two days of school-wide testing, therefore, my normal reading groups are non-existent. I had to find an activity that my entire class could do without any pull-outs, reading grouping, core curriculum... WOOHOO! This is means TWO DAYS that I can have a little bit of freedom to read aloud, incorporate the standards while creating fun activities, etc. Yes, it was harder than just opening up my teacher's manual. It definitely took more time to plan. However, it also made me excited to go to school in the morning, pull the kids over to my reading area, and tell them we are going to read "Princess Pigtoria and the Pea". You guessed it, we will be talking about the "p" sound at the beginning of words. We will also be discussing the beginning, the middle, and the end of the story. Watch out - we might even do predictions and summaries too! So yes, it took more time but I am so excited. I love reading fun books with my students. We have a great all around core program but the freedom for two days is pretty exciting!

Woot! Woot! We are now up 31-10 in the fourth quarter. My lesson plans are done! I think this has been a very successful Sunday Night!

The Human Number Line

Today, we started talking about the number line. I asked, "What is a number line?" We talked about it and I was so excited by the responses. Then, I asked, "Why is the number line important?" The best response was "So our numbers go in order and when we get to 100 we know we didn't miss any numbers and that we got them all right." Pretty good, huh?

My favorite part of the lesson came at the end. I handed out numbers to my students and we created a "HUMAN NUMBER LINE". Here is a picture of the end of the number line.

It was so revealing on which students truly understood the idea of number line, who knew their teens (because all my fellow primary teachers know how hard it is for kids between thirteen and thirty, fourteen and forty, etc.), and how well they work together. We did it a few times today and tomorrow we are going to time ourselves to see if we can beat our time. Something as simple as getting out of our seats and making a human number line was so fun. The kids were asking if they could do it again at the end of the day. It is right up there with a snowball fight. Ok, I lied, the snowball fight is loved much more but this was a close second. *I will post about a snowball fight soon - it is must-do activity!

I hope everyone is having a great week. One more day or how I like to call it "Happy Friday Eve"!

Whew - a litte patience is always a bonus...

Last year we used the book, "Teach Like a Champion" as a school-wide book study for the teachers. We implemented so many parts of it. We use STARS (Sit up tall, Track your speaker, be ready to Ask and Answer questions, Respect speakers, Smile) school-wide to get attention and explain it to the kids right away. Last year, my class had it down the first week. This year, what am I doing wrong? My kiddos just don't seem to be grasping it. Ok, let me clarify, some... a few... the talkative ones... ok a few boys seem to act like they don't even hear it. We have worked on it as a class. We have worked on it as a small group. I have praised them when they do it correctly. I point out when they could do better. It seems like no matter how I present it, this small handful does not seem to get it. AUGH! I feel so helpless. I love my kids but I want to be able to present them to the school as following rules. The specials teachers (Ok, for those that do not get specials, please do not be mad but we get specials for one hour every day!) even use STARS. What am I going to do?

I have the answer... scream into a pillow...give up...let someone else deal with it... PATIENCE! I joke with my own kiddos that my favorite word is patience. Deep breaths and consistency is going to be the hardest part but it has to help right? Please shake your head that this is going to work. It has to work. STARS! Did you do it? Try it? Think about it? Ok, tomorrow is a new day and I know they can do it. I think I am going to set up an individual plan for these boys. Something tangible they can hold. Yes, that is it! Maybe I will create something that is for individual behavior and/or working.  They are going to get it. I know it. Patience is the key. They CAN do it! I would love some teaching positive vibes sent my way. Any help any way I can get it.

Have a great night. Happy Wednesday!

Yes, we are going to make it!

We now have a solid two weeks under our belts and we have started week three. The kids are figuring out the rules, the schedule and I am getting to know the personalities. I absolutely adore my class. The kids are all different and bring so much to a discussion. We are getting tested this week for DIBELS and then will finally start reading groups next week. YAY! Actual reading groups. It has been fun having my kids all day, but going to reading is such an experience. I love it. I love the focus, the switch, the groups, etc. Yay for groups. How long does it take to get your students ready for reading groups? Do you ability group or stay in homeroom?

So, I made a new product this week. I always get inspired by what I am teaching. I figure out what I would like to have when I am teaching a product and that becomes what I create! I actually do use what I create. Here is my latest:

It is called "It's Tally Time" and includes different activities to learn, practice, and master tally marks. I always enjoy having poems and motions to help with songs and this one is no exception. I think the quick poems are my favorite. Oh yes, I love it!