So much done!

First of all, I apologize for not posting yesterday.  It was a crazy afternoon!  It was a great day at school, just busy once I got home.  We have worked, worked, worked this week.  The students have almost all finished their first Writing piece.  They have worked so hard for the most part.  I am really proud of them!  In Reading, we have worked on setting and relationships mostly.  The students are doing a great job of recognizing the different types of relationships among characters.  In Math, we are working on long addition, long multiplication, and word problems.  The students are struggling, but trying really hard!  We went to Hands-On Math Lab today, which is always a fun day.  The students did very well for Mrs. Vance practicing calculator and division skills.  It really has been a great week, but I'm looking forward to the long weekend.  I have not felt well today (maybe a head-cold).  I am spending the weekend with family, and we have a fun day planned tomorrow, so I hope I feel better in the morning!  I couldn't ask for a better group of students this year.  Even with a headache two days this week, the students have been wonderful!  They have grown so much from last year!  I will post a pic of student of the week tomorrow, so be prepared!!!  While you wait, go learn something new!

Another great day!

So, as promised.... here is a very poor video with examples on the homework.  I promise to get better at this!
Today was another awesome day!  Great behavior, hard work, and determination from almost every student is really going to make this year awesome!  I hope the video helps.  Go learn something new!!!

Woo Hoo!

What an awesome day!!!  We had five new students in class today, and they did just great!  I was proud of the students who have been there for a week, as they helped the newbies learn the procedures and routines.  We didn't have a single conduct cut today!  Good behavior by the students always makes my day go well, even if I did have a pounding headache all afternoon.  We really do have the best class ever!!!
In Reading, we read our story "A Visit with Grandpa" about a boy who goes to stay with his grandpa for a week during the summer.  Justin (the boy in the story) quickly learns that washing dishes and making beds is not just "women's work", but that these chores take the same type of patience of riding fence to take  care of the cattle and a trapped deer.  Hard work of every kind is important, and spending time with family is priceless.  Then, in Writing we started writing about a special memory that we have with a special member of our family.  The students worked very hard.  I was proud, and look forward to seeing what else they do tomorrow.  In Math, we continued on with multi-step addition.  The students struggled, but are getting much better!!!
I am one very proud teacher!  I am truly blessed this year!  Go learn something new!

One whole Week!

We made it!  Our first full week down.  It's been the best first week I've ever had to be honest.  Knowing my students has really helped me feel good about what to expect in the first week.  I have had fun, but I'm always tired after a full week.  I know the students are too, which is why we had "Fun Friday".  We started the day off by sharing their five bag items from homework.  Most everybody did a great job of speaking out and explaining their items.  We still have a few shy babies, who have to kick the chicken out of their gut!  That will come, though.  :)
Then, we had the students write about one item from their bag that was most important.  All of the students did a really great job with this!  I love to see how hard the children are working on Writing already this year.  I honestly meant to take pictures and forgot.  I'm sorry!
For Math, we made a recipe for success.  The students (and the teachers) had a ball!  Plus, we had a tasty snack at the end of it!  We talked about character and what it takes to be successful.  Then we reviewed fractions and measurement because the only measuring cups I had were 1/2 cups or 1/4 cups. The students did awesome, so I'll let the pictures speak for themselves!

Success is SWEET!!!  Until Monday, learn something new!

Almost Friday!

Normally, I wouldn't be so looking forward to the weekend, but as much as I love this group.... I'm worn out today.  I didn't sleep well, I'm loosing my voice, and I am ready for things to be normal at school.
That honesty aside, today really was a good day, overall.  We had a new student :), which is always a good thing. Reading and Writing went really well.  The students are working so hard to write from their hearts.  The students and I learned a new method for addition.  This is one of the many benefits of having two teachers.  There are always two methods to everything we teach.  Ask your students about the "slash method".  We also "took out the tens." This was another new method for me... Thanks Mrs. Conway!  We reviewed touch math as well.  So we got a lot of new skills in Math today!
I'm really looking forward to seeing what the students bring in for homework tomorrow.  I love the beginning of the year getting to know you activities, so homework tonight is all about the student.  Each child has to bring in five things that fit in a paper bag to represent his or herself.  We decorated their bags today in class, and even that was enlightening.  I'm really looking forward to tomorrow.
Another reason I'm excited about tomorrow is we are making a recipe for success tomorrow.  I adore this activity, and it should be tasty! I'll post pics tomorrow.
Until then, go learn something new!

Third time's a charm!

Today we started the Workshop Model and the "First thirty day of School" curriculum.  The students did really well.  In Reading, they picked books from the library and read today, then reported out to the class in a "book talk" fashion.  Mrs. Conway had the students write poems about themselves, which turned out great!  Our children are so full of creativity!  In Math, we did centers for the first time today. I can tell that some of my previous students have been working this summer on their multiplication facts.  We played a game where they matched the array to a problem, one center the students built their own arrays, and at the last station they played dominoes.  Dominoes? Yes, they have to multiply the two numbers on the domino they play.  If they don't get the fact correct, they loose their turn!  The students love this because it's something they can do at home, too.  It is so important to practice those fats at home.  Flash cards work well.  You can also take a deck of cards, split them in half, and play with your child where each of you lays one card face up (kind of like in War), but the child has to multiply the numbers.  Anything that can be a game, and is review, is great for home!

That being said.... practice, practice, practice!!! Also, go learn something new!

Off to a great start

Two days down, one hundred seventy-eight to go (I think).  I absolutely love these students!  We had a great first day of official instruction.  Tomorrow we will be hitting the ground running because we will start the America's Choice first thirty days of school.  I'm glad to be getting into a normal routine.  It's good for me, it's good for the students.  The first few days are always sort of chaotic.  I couldn't ask for a better group.  We wrote our goals for the year today, and I am so proud of what each of my students hopes to accomplish.  I can see how some of you have been working over the summer because your reading and writing skills have improved.  We did inequalities in Math, and I was please to see most of the students were getting the hang of it by the end of the lesson.  It's a hard skill, and we will continue to work at it.  Overall, I couldn't be more pleased with how the year has started.

Remember parents, if you haven't returned all of the forms, please do so by tomorrow.  I only have a few papers I still need back.  Thanks so much for your cooperation.

Go learn something new!

First Day of School

I always think of this clip on the first day because I'm always like the excited kid.  Today was no different.  I started of the day right with a good breakfast and a treat from my momma.  She made me a really fun gift basket and a super cute candy bowl.  I played secretary during morning duty for about thirty minutes and quickly found out why I am in a classroom.  I am not organized enough to run the whole school.  A big thanks to the ladies who run our school!

This group of students is just awesome!!!  I am so excited about this year!  The children were so well behaved today, and they listened to me ramble on and on about all the boring rules, procedures, routines, and other stuff that has to be talked about.  I promise tomorrow will be better for them.  We are going to actually start some real lessons tomorrow :).

Thanks again (a little belated) to all of you who came to Meet the Teacher.  Mrs. Conway and I were so pleased to get to see all of you.  We look forward to working with each of our families this year.

Until tomorrow, get some rest, and learn something new!  (Is anybody as tired as me?)

Countdown to the BEGINNING

I'm so ready for Meet the Teacher tomorrow.  I'm even more ready for Monday!  I really can't wait!  I'm ready to see my little darlings.  I'm ready to see my parents, whom I adore.  I feel so ready, but at the same time, I know I have A LOT to do before tomorrow night.  School internet was down today, so the office couldn't print our student info packets out.  I hope they get the internet and the copiers connected by tomorrow so we can send home papers tomorrow night.  There is nothing like waiting until the last minute.  It's not anything that could be helped by our office, it's just crazy times!  I have a few things that need to be put away before parents arrive, but our classroom is pretty much ready.  I'm taking my camera tomorrow, so pics to come then.  Until then, hope to see you tomorrow.  Go learn something new!

Back to Reality

Today was teachers' first day back at school officially.  Inservice was not great (I get to say that because I presented).  I hate talking to my peers, it's not like talking to my students.  The rest of the day was pretty good.  It was after eleven last night when I quit cutting centers out of lamination, so I didn't post yesterday.  I didn't work for long in my room after inservice today, so I'm going to make this post short and sweet.

I spent the weekend cutting out some super cute stuff with a borrowed Cricket.  I had never played with one before.  I urge you, if you are crafty, and you get the opportunity to use or buy one, do it!

These are the journals that I had my friend at Home Depot cut for me.  I glued ribbon in for a bookmark.  I have two for each student.  One will be used for a daily Math journal, and the other will be used for "25 Book Campaign."

On a completely unrelated to school note, these are the cool earrings I made tonight.  I saw the girl, Dani, from "American Pickers" on the history channel wearing some, and had to make them.  My husband and I do enjoy shooting at the range on occasion, so I think they're pretty cool.  This was my "something learned new" today.  I have never worked with wire or made jewelry.

On another unrelated to school note, my husband and I went to get some new fishing gear tonight.  These are my new picks!  I love anything pink for the fish.  As I tell my husband, "The girl fish like something pretty.  They are the one's I want to catch because they are fatter so they can lay eggs!"  This was his "something learned new" today.  The part about them being attracted to pretty.

Well, I did learn some other important things today that actually matter.  Mrs. Green and Mrs. Newton did a great presentation on classroom management today.  This is one of the hardest things about teaching in my opinion.  I have found though, if you show the students respect, they tend to also GIVE respect more freely.  The only other major rule I have for myself is "Be consistent."  If I say something to a child, I will back it up if needed.  I don't believe in empty threats.  I try to remember every child is someone's baby.  I never talk to a child in a way that I would be offended if another adult said it to my own child.  I'm human, so I mess up.... but as the new year starts, please respect your students as a teacher.  If you are a parent reading this, discuss your concerns with me or your child's teacher.  We can't fix something we don't know we are doing wrong.  That's my soapbox for the night.

Only two more days until Open House!!!  I can't wait!  Until then, go learn something new!!!

so much accomplished

Today was pretty great!  I got to school at around eight thirty (only one more day left for me to stroll in so late).  I used actual tools to pull all of the hardware off of my filing cabinet.  I'm so handy!  I modge podged scrapbook paper to the front of my drawers.  I'm pretty pleased with the end result... It does look much better in person then my phone picture, but oh well!

While the glue was drying, Mrs. Conway and I went, and did home visits.  I always love getting to see my students in their element.  The few who we actually got to see were kinda shy.  I don't know what that's about!  I was really bummed that more students weren't home.  Several have moved, and the school doesn't have the new address (of course :( this is my luck).  I'm sure a few were home, but home alone, so instructed not to answer the door.  I was around fourth grade when my mom started letting me stay home by myself for short periods of time.  We saw only three babies today, but talked to three other families.  I know Friday morning is probably not the best time in the world to go, but it's the only time we could go!  I can't wait to see the rest at Meet-the-Teacher next Thursday night!

After visits, Mrs. Conway and I went to have lunch.  Then, I worked in the classroom until about five o'clock.  I got almost everything crossed off my to-do list.  I at least, don't plan of spending the weekend up there.  I can have everything finished in just a few hours on Monday, I'm sure.  Everything else is not necessary, just stuff I want to have done for my organized OCD personality.  

I went to Wal-Mart to get a few things on my way home, and apparently wasn't the only teacher who had worked all day.  I saw four fellow teachers (from other schools) while I was there.  I came home, cooked dinner, and mowed the back yard.  That is much harder than my husband makes it look!  The grass was higher than my waist, because my husband has been working so much, but good grief!  I think I'll pay somebody before it gets this bad again!  It was an experience, though. I definitely learned something new!  I hope you, at some point today, did too!

the "Home Stretch"

I haven't blogged in a few day because I've been gone.  My last "hooray" before school starts.  I went to my in-laws cabin for the weekend.  My grandparents (really my husband's grandparents) came up to meet us.  I went to see Granny's two sisters and two brothers in Mountain View, AR for the day.  Mountain View is such a neat little town.  If you like folksy art and Bluegrass, I definitely recommend that you visit.  Chad and his Grandpa fished their hearts out!  They left on Saturday, but then my other parents (aka my in-laws) came that night and stayed.  We then went back to North Little for lunch with the rest of Chad's family after church on Sunday.  We saw his other grandparents and his sister, her husband and my sweet nephew.  I love getting to see family.  I think family is pretty much the most important thing in the world, so I spend as much time with family as possible.

After the weekend, I had a workshop on Monday and Tuesday in Hope.  It was okay.  I liked the presenters, but I felt like the material was recycled.  It's always good to have a refresher, though.


Last night, I went and got my "back to school" haircut.  Let me just say, the red hair can officially be crossed off of my bucket list.  I don't hate it, but I won't keep it forever.  I'm anxious to see what my students will say.  Mrs. Conway and I are doing home visits on Friday, so I guess I'll find out before too long!


I worked from about nine this morning until six thirty this evening.  I got back to school packets ready.  I just need to proofread them again tomorrow with fresh eyes, and then make copies.  I finished my bulletin boards.  I talked to Mrs. Conway about the first day of school, and we started coming up with a plan.  I met with several other new teachers.  I'm really excited about our staff this year.  I'm pretty sure I did more than that, but since I left my camera at the cabin, I didn't take any pictures, and therefore I don't remember.

I did pick up Marco's pizza and breadsticks on the way home.  If you haven't tried them yet, you need to.  It's delicious!  Then, Chad (that's Mr. Watts) and I went fishing until dark.  My aunt lives on a little private pond, so we go catch and release when we can.  I didn't catch a single thing :(..... Well, I did catch one, and got him all the way to the dock, but not out of the water.  He doesn't count unless I get to kiss him goodbye.  Chad caught four bass.  He's a much braver and better fisherman than I am.  I pretty much stay on the dock on account of snakes.

Well, that's enough rambling for tonight.  I'll try to post some pics with my little camera tomorrow.  I'm excited to be in the "home stretch" of getting ready for school to start.  I can't wait to see my students on Friday.  I'm excited about home visits.  I hope everyone is home!  Have a good night, and learn something new!  And wish my baby nephew a happy first birthday!

Boards

First, let me apologize for the poor quality of the pics this week.  I keep forgetting to grab my camera since switching purses (I found a great deal on a new Fossil purse this weekend... my favorite brand, but it's small in comparison to my old one).

I finally got my bulletin boards changed out.  I know this doesn't look like much, but it took me at least three hours.  I still have to put up the rest of Mountain Language and I need to do something on the bottom of my big board.  I can't decide between AR point tracker type thing, writing tips, frequently changing Science/Social Studies board to go with our current theme, or something else completely.  I left the Word Wall alone for now, but we will be changing the words on there out more frequently this year.  What's up is what we ended the year with.  I just couldn't bare to have that much blank space.

I also modge podged two sets of plastic drawers with bright paper to add some cuteness and color today.  They weren't dry when I left, but I'll post pics tomorrow.

That's really all I got done today.  I was pleased to see my trash pile gone when I got to school.  I love our cleaning crew.  They work so hard.  It's amazing what a difference it makes in the "cute" factor when the room is clean!

I am off to eat with my hubby!  I'm famished, I haven't eaten all day.  Go learn something new!