Where Oh Where Have I Been....

Last week was our first full week of school.  I came home EVERY afternoon and worked my fanny off to get things ready for each day.  I'm not back into the routine yet, hope to be soon!  Our first few days were amazing!  I have been blessed with 24 kids who are respectful, creative, and are excited to be at school.  I am thrilled to have had such a good start.  We spent our first week doing many team building activities.  One of my favorites is "Save Fred."  I wish that I could remember where I saw this idea, but I've been doing it for the last four years and I have no idea where the original idea came from.  I know it is not mine though.  This activity fits in perfectly with my school's approach to learning.  We are a problem based school (very different than project based learning) and focus on building fluent thinkers.  Our curriculum is engineering based and this was the perfect activity to begin building those thinking skills.

This year we decided to try a new behavior incentive in 4th grade.  Our inspiration was Harry Potter.  We sorted our students into scientific laboratories.  Students gathered around the wheel of fate and anxiously awaited their lab.  Throughout the year, students earn tokens for their labs for creative thinking, respect, random acts of kindness, etc.  The lab with the most tokens at the end of the year will have an elaborate banquet. 

We chose Thomas Edison's lab at Menlo Park, George Washington Carver's lab at Tuskegee University, and Edwin Armstrong's lab at Columbia University.  To give students knowledge about each lab, we built non-fiction reading into our guided reading last week.  Students were given a biographical sketch about each scientist.  We broke it down paragraph by paragraph and chose the most important word in each paragraph.  Each word was written on a post-it note.  After we wrote all of the words down, students then used the words to create a summary of the text.  These summaries were published in Notes using our iPads.

I'm also linking up with Farley over at Oh Boy 4th Grade today for her Currently feature.  I love this little post each month.  I do apologize for my sloppiness.  I am totally being lazy today and did not feel like grabbing my  MAC or getting the stylus for my iPad.  So, I used my finger to write and oh boy can you tell.  Sorry.

There is nothing better than having a lazy Monday to finish up a few last minute things.  I am a huge fan of One Tree Hill and enjoy watching the reruns.  When I work on the weekends I have it or 90210 going in the background.

I LOVE the laziness of a day off from school.  I went to breakfast with the hubs and we have just been chillaxin' on the couch.  Hubs is napping off the big breakfast and I am snuggled with little bit on the couch.

I have a TON to do as team leader this year - field trips to be booked, curriculum night presentations to write, iPad trainings to plan, etc.  I'm loving it, but my to do list is HUGE>

I want to plan the PERFECT getaway with my hubby soon.  We work like dogs and need a restful vacation, even if it is just to the beach.  We are talking about planning a wow vacation for our 15th anniversary next year.  I would love to go to Europe, but don't know if we can swing it. 

I went shopping this weekend - thanks, Cheney! - and racked up on great pants and tops, but I NEED a good, stylish pair of comfortable shoes.  I teach on the 3rd floor of our building - everything we travel to is on the first floor.  I walk up and down the stairs probably 30 times a day easily.  Here's to having rock solid glutes by the end of the year and losing a few pounds. But, until then, I need a good pair of shoes.  I wll not compromise comfort for style though.  They must be cute!

Favorite Things:
1.  My new navy pants - I found a great pair of Westbound pants at Dillards this weekend.  They are kind of stretchy, but have structure so they fall just right.  The best part - they were only $30.

2.  I discovered author Stephanie Bond this summer.  She writes in a style similar to Janet Evanovich.  I'm reading her series right now and I LOVE it.  The only thing that is frustrating is the fact that my library will not let me return the ebooks as I finish them.  I have to wait until my checkout period is over.  I finished one in 2 days and have to wait the full 7 until I can check out another.  Ugh!

3.  I'm loving The Beatles right now!  Friday afternoon I turned my Pandora channel on and ran it through the Promethean board speakers.  I was totally busted belting out "Hey Jude."  Hoping to get the Greatest Hits soon.

Whew!

Isn't it amazing that once kids become a part of the back to school equation, all resemblances of a normal blogging life cease to exist.  Kudos to those of you who are able to keep up the blogging the first week of school.  We had kids 3 days this week and I don't think I even stopped to breathe most of the time.  I know I didn't sit.  I have no extra chairs in my room and I don't have a teacher chair.  So, for 3 days I stood.  Not to mention, my classroom is on the 3rd floor of the building.  Let's guess how many times I went up and down the stairs.  I'm thinking somewhere around 100.  If I don't lose weight this year, there is something seriously wrong with me.

I dropped the ball last week for Teacher Week, so I'm here to catch up with you guys...

Therapeutic Thursday:

My prescription for therapy is simple: get a pedicure.  It is easily the best 20 bucks I spend every two weeks.  There is nothing in the world better than letting someone else rub my feet, massaging my legs, and then getting me all pretty for open toed shoes.  I haven't gone this week (boy do I need it), but will be making my appearance on pay day!

I also sleep to relieve stress.  However, this is the first year in 13 years of teaching that I haven't taken a nap every day of the first week.  Wowza!  I must have done something right!

Would love to tell you that running is my therapy as well, and at one time it was, but I haven't been in over a year.  That is getting ready to change though.  I'm bringing it back beginning this week.  3 days a week I plan on bringing my shoes and clothes to school and hitting the trail that runs beside my building.  There is beauty in working at a downtown school.  Hopefully, that beauty will be a few sizes smaller by Christmas.

Freebie Friday:

I don't have a freebie I've created, but I have a wonderful free tool that I am using this year.  If you haven't heard of Remind101, you must check it out.  This is a site that allows your parents to sign up for text messaging from you.  The beauty lies in the fact that you will not be providing your cell number.  It all originates from this address.  I know many times parents are more connected to cell phones instead of email, so this will be a great tool to use.  I've already had most of my parents sign up. Can't wait to use it!

Linking up with BlogHoppin!  Have a GREAT week!

Tuesday Tech Tip & Where I Teach Wednesday

School started today.  Let's all take a moment and take a deep breath.  My husband ordered pizza and my feet are up on the ottoman - throbbing by the way.  My dog is curled up beside me and I am ready to go to bed - at 6:55 pm.  I think I would sleep all night.

I am including two topics in today's blog hop because I was too busy yesterday to tend to Tuesday's Tech Tip.  Forgive me?

Tech Tip - Tuesday

This year my students were all given iPads.  Today it was like Christmas when I opened the cabinet to hand out each iPad.  It was clearly one of the best teaching moments ever.  The fact that I am just excited is even better. Moving into a 1:1 situation can be tricky if you are not prepared.  I spent all summer doing that, but there are still things that I do not know.  However, there are things that I do know as well.

1.  When at all possible, use a VGA cable to display your screen to your students when using the iPad. Hook it up to a projector or an interactive whiteboard.  It looks like this:

Source

2.  Break the technology task up into small chunks.  For example, teach a skill (opening and closing an app).  Then have students turn and talk to each other about how to complete the task.  Then have students do it with you.  Next, have students do it independently.  Finally, have students verbalize the procedure.  Do not expect children to complete more than 4 steps independently without practice!


Where I Teach - Wednesday

I just wrote about my classroom reveal on Monday, so here is a link to that post.  I am teaching at an Engineering Elementary school that focuses heavily on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math).  The school is fairly new and has great features.  This is only my 2nd year in the building, but so far I love it.

Join us for the blog hop over at Blog Hoppin'.  I hate to write and run, but this poor teacher needs a nap!

Blog Hopping: Teacher Week

I know that I am breaking a blogger cardinal rule for posting more than once in a day. I am so sorry for those of you who have a goal to clear out your RSS feeds and Google Readers. I'm one of those too, but I stumbled across this amazing Blog Hop at Blog Hoppin'.  Apparently, it is Teacher's Week!  It sure feels like it too.  I've started back to work and today started with a bang - Meet the Teacher today.  I met 24 precious families - my students, siblings, friends, grandparents, aunties, etc.  I love that everyone comes out to celebrate going back to school.  My room is cluttered with Rubbermaid containers full of supplies and now I have to find somewhere to store them - ALL of my cabinets are full! Eek!!

Today's topic is Must Haves...

It just would not be the start of school without these guys:

I LOVE Sharpie markers.  I think it is a mark of a teacher.  I remember liking them when I was in school.  I use them for EVERYTHING!

This year, I fully embraced the personal laminator craze that was going on on many teacher blogs.  I received one from a precious family last year, but didn't use it until this year.  I've burned through some serious laminating pouches this week.

One of the BEST purchases ever was my cordless hot glue gun!  I've had it for a few years, but it was well worth it.  I actually purchased it on accident.  My dear husband went to get one for me and just grabbed one.  When we arrived at the counter it was $20 and I freaked a little (money is precious at the beginning of school). But, after 2 years of use, it is still going strong.

It would not be school with a cup of this each morning.  So blessed to drive by it on the way to school.

Check out the other teacher must haves! Off to bed to prepare for another busy day before my kiddos arrive.

2012-13 Classroom Reveal

I know that I am not alone in feeling that my classroom is never completely finished.  Teachers spend countless hours - BEFORE - contracted time to make everything as close to perfect as possible before meeting students for the very first time.  I know that I spent close to 48 hours in my classroom setting things up, creating displays, organizing existing materials, etc.  That does not count the endless summer nights I spent cutting, laminating, and creating sitting on my counch watching television.

Today was our Meet the Teacher day, so I think I am close enough to done to show you a few pictures.  There are still a few details to be added, but none that will truly make a huge difference in the appearance of the room. 

My students should never question how to spell my name since it is posted on our doorway.   This is the door into the hallway.  My favorite craft from the summer is my pennant banner.  I LOVE it!

 My school has a school wide engineering focus, so our school behavior motto is to "Stay in Gear."  This is recited on the school news each morning and students are held accountable for it.

 I found these adorable chalkboard signs in the Target Dollar Spot.  I think I am going to attach a clothespin to it and add the Engineer of the Week's photograph.  I love the "Listen to your teacher" poster and Spud Behavior.

My steal of the summer is the gumball machine cookie jar.  Students will write their memories of 4th grade on slips of paper and put in the jar for the end of the year reveal.  Here is our Spud for spud behavior. Students earn a body part for each whole class compliment that is received.

 This is the only area that I am not really  happy with.  Right now it houses our folder box and math manipulatives. 

 For Meet the Teacher I set up my memory book from last school year, sign in sheets, guest book, and one of our iPads.

 I gave up my teacher desk years ago and cannot bring myself to go back.  However, I struggle every year with all of the things I have to keep out for observers.  This is where students will turn in their work - the drawer system will keep it neat.  I found this guy at Wal-Mart for $34.  The milk crate is where my lesson plan binder and portfolio will be kept.

 I don't start class jobs until the 2nd week of school when we have procedures in place, but I can't wait to use this tool this year.

 I'm fortunate to work in a school that has a "kitchenette" in the room.  I love the counter space.  The 3 paint cans are a part of our 4th grade incentive program.  Each child is sorted into a scientific lab - Menlo Park (Thomas Edison) and a few others.  A classroom can have an assortment of labs.  Students are given tokens when they are caught doing something good, win competitions, etc.  At the end of the year, the winning lab will have a huge celebration.  I'm a Harry Potter nut, so I like this idea.

 This is my teacher desk.  It doesn't have a lot of space for organization anyway, so it is kind of easy to give it away.  But, I turned it into a writing center for my kiddos.  I hot glued the curtain - my mother would be proud.  The fabric is beautiful in person.  I want something made out of it that I can wear.

 This is the book area.  I don't have a center because I feel like the entire room can be used.  I have 25 children and not a lot of nooks and crannies, so this has to work.

 Our book recommendation board.  I cannot wait to hear about all of the great reads from the summer.

 My brand-new, touch screen Promethean board!  Can't wait to use it!

 My small group area.  On the bulletin board I will place Calendar Math.  Waiting for all of that to arrive.

Student Work displays.

The Writing Process board and Editor's Checklist.

The one thing I forgot to take a picture of is my iPad board in the hallway.  I'll do that sometime this week and post it here.

I'm linking up with Brigid for her classroom tour linky.

Linking up with Teaching Blog Addict for Open House Week today!



3-2-1 Blast Off!

It's almost time for me to officially start work.  I've been in my classroom for the last 2 weeks and thought I would have pictures to share, but not yet.  Monday is Meet the Teacher and kids join me on Wednesday.  Time is ticking!  As the summer comes to a close, I'm joining up with 4321...Teach for a linky party.

3-2-1 Linky Party...

3 Favorite Summer Memories

2 Favorite Things About Back to School

1 Career you would like to try if not a teacher

3 Favorite Summer Memories

1. Hands down, the number one event would be my trip to Williamsburg, Virginia.  I stayed in a colonial house, ate colonial food, and immersed myself in all things Colonial America.  Loved EVERY minute of it.

2.  Girls Trip to Gatlinburg, TN - One long weekend + 3 high school girlfriends + 18 years of memories since we last had a slumber party = heaven!  It was so great to gather together with my girls for a Disconnected Weekend - no cell service, no television, no facebook or wireless was divine.  The weekend was MUCH needed and treasured!

3.  My iPad Classes - This summer I was given the opportunity to teach several iPad workshops for teachers in my district.  While it took my summer vacation, it was so worth it to gather with teachers who were there by choice and very excited to learn.  I can't wait to do it again if given the chance.

2 Back to School

1.  Setting up My classroom - I LOVE decorating my room for a new crop of kiddos each year.  I've kept some things the same over the last 6 or so years (black fabric on boards, bright colors, etc.) but I try to add new elements each year.  I have to make my room a happy place for me since I spend so much time there, but I always make the focus my kids.

*Just a preview - more to come this week!

2.  Back to School Shopping - school supplies and clothes are always fun to shop for!  I start early in the summer picking up school supplies.  The first thing I usually purchase are composition notebooks.  But, I can't resist a new pack of Sharpies or Dry Erase markers.  And, there is NOTHING in the world like a freshly opened box of crayons.

3. One Career

If I could choose an alternative career, it would have to be a travel writer for a magazine or website.  I would love to travel the world and write reviews for hotels, restaurants, etc.  Cheney and I love to travel  and I would love to experience the obscure out of the way places and get paid for it.

Back to School Jitters...

Today marks the last official day of my summer vacation.  Albeit, my summer vacation was only 2 weeks, but this is the last day of my freedom.  I've spent it in my pajamas so far drinking coffee and watching past episodes of Bunheads.  Thank you Pioneer Woman for turning me on to this show.  Love it!  Anywho, I have nothing for Monday Made It.  I've slacked in that department to be honest, other than printing out the necessary items for back to school.  So, I'm linking up with A Turn to Learn for the Back to School Jitters linky.