Rainbow Craftivity

I relish these weekends!  This is the first weekend since long before the holiday craziness that we haven't had a party, a sport, a holiday, or an event to prepare for.  Phew!  So does that mean we sat around all day relaxing and enjoying this beautiful spring day....

Nope!

Instead, we did this.

A big day for this little girl...we got her ears pierced!  She was such an amazing little trooper.  (I don't think she actually took a breath until they were done with both ears!)  A few tears flowed but then her excitement sparkled through and she was so proud.  She picked the same earrings her sister did when she got hers pierced.  Such a sweet moment shared between the girls.  Melt my heart.

Later, while they enjoyed the spring weather (finally!), I put the finishing touches on this cute craftivity and was able to upload it to my TPT store.  Get yours here.

I have to say I'm quite thrilled about how this activity turned out.  It started with just the idea of the rainbow and pot of gold and progressed from there.  What made it special for me was rather than doing it with my students step by step, almost all of them were able to read the directions I typed up for them and create this craftivity independently.  

We did read through the directions together and I had an almost completed example hanging (I don't usually do the writing as an example because I know most will copy or steal ;) my ideas and I want them to think of their own).  It was fantastic to see their creations and read their writing after they finished.  We hung ours from our ceiling clips but since there's nothing on the back, they could be hung on the bulletin board as well.  

Here are a few examples...my incomplete one and a couple student examples.

Since I'm still in rainbow mode...I'm working on an assortment of rainbow activities for a special kinder's art birthday party coming up.  I couldn't be more thrilled to be having this party for my little graphic designer.  It's been quite fun already brainstorming and pinning ideas.  

On top of all the birthday excitement, I've also been working on a couple new fonts to add to my collection.  These last few seem to all be dedicated to special people in my life.  I can't wait to finish and share them!!  Truly such a dream come true.  #totalteachernerd

And since all the littles are sleeping and the house is clean...I'm off to create!

Soooo true....at least for me!  ;)

Happy Spring Saturday!

PARCC time

For many teachers and kiddos around the states, tomorrow starts PARCC testing (or standardized testing of some form).  For many years, I was one of the many teachers whose job it was to prep those third graders for their first round of standardized testing.  Teaching everything from coloring in the bubbles to how I would sound reading the scripted directions to taking their first timed tests and on and on.  

I remember those days well.  Not fondly.  But well.

When I started teaching first grade and March rolled around, it took me a while to figure it out, but I kept feeling like I was missing something.  Or forgetting to do something.  It finally dawned on me that it was NOT having to prep the kids for testing after it being engraved in my head for so long.  

Now here I am after all these years and tomorrow my own baby will take her first of many standardized tests.  I am blessed to know she is in possibly the greatest hands with an amazing teacher that she truly adores and admires.  This gives me peace in knowing she will absolutely try her best and work to make her and her teacher proud.  What a sweet girl she is!  Of course, the mom in me can't help but be a little nervous for her.  Knowing what the old tests look like and the seriousness that looms in the room while administering them, I can't help but wonder how it will impact her to stay focused and try her best......

That being said, I'm working on making a few little things to help keep her going throughout the week.

Here's a silly little sign just for fun to help inspire her. (nothing fancy!)

For my teacher friends, I give you this.

So true.

And I know that many of you agree so rather than end on that note, remember this.

For some of those kids tomorrow and the weeks ahead, this may be all they need to know to help them get through this.  

You believe in them.  No matter what.

Good luck, testers!  I believe in you!

See, Hear, Do...Know!

On Friday at my presentation I shared this...

Border from Scrappin Doodles.  Fonts by KG Fonts and myself.

It is far from pretty and girly, if you will, but extremely purposeful.  

I am in no way a brain expert.  

(Although, I do like to tell my firsties I know A LOT about the brain!  Makes me sound more important than just telling them "I kinda, sorta know a little bit about the brain so you should maybe listen to my advice."  Doesn't sound very important...  Insert the sound of Charlie Brown's mumbling teacher here.)

Truth is, I have only some basic knowledge from workshops I been trained at, books I've read, and my own Googling obsession.  #teachernerd 

That being said I do know that the more we see something, 

the more we hear something,

and the more we do something,

the more we know or remember something.

I use that with my firsties (and way back when with my third graders, too)!  They can understand that.  It's a great way for them to let go of the cool factor and sometimes just be willing to do the silly with us, in order to help them remember what we are learning.  

Here's how that looks in my classroom.

Picture it.  We are getting ready to sing a song or do a chant or pretend we are growing like flowers using our bodies (helping us in the end to learn the parts of the flowers).  Little Joe Shmoe is sitting in the corner and doesn't want to be bothered because let's face it, he's wayyyy cooler than me.  (Ain't that the truth!)  

So in my classroom, I will continue to show everyone and PRAISE those kiddos who are doing it and giving it their Oscar performance.  You know the ones!  ;)

When I pause for a moment, I will say these words while pointing and gesturing the motions.  (My kiddos have heard these lines 459 times and so at this point they will chime in and help me.)

I say:

The more I see it,  (pointing to my eyes)

The more I hear it,  (pointing to my ears)

The more I do it,  (moving my arms as if running in place)

The more I know it!  (pointing to my brain)

From there I simply give a less than 30 second reminder about the brain and what I know.  I share how proud I am of all those friends willing to take a risk and look a little silly because I know they would rather know it, than care about looking silly.  If they are taking that risk with us by seeing, saying/hearing, and doing, then all that info is sticking.  When it comes time for a test or assessment, those students will be the ones who will have this little silly trick to help them remember the content.

With that, we continue on repeating and practicing the song/chant/gesture.  All with a happy smile on our face and welcoming Little Joe when he is ready...because one day he will be ready.  After all, Joe is now interested in these facts about the brain and I have now not only piqued his interest but he is learning the material I wanted him to learn in the first place.  Win.  Win.

I keep those simple words in my head (and up my sleeve) to help me when I want to remind students how important it is to put the words we are learning into action.  It's a great tool and device to share with your students.

I love the poem above because it not only reminds me of those words but also that the greatest teachers in the room are not necessarily the one standing there getting paid to teach.  It is my students teaching each other.  I do a lot of "turn and share with your neighbor" throughout the day.  Sometimes as a management tool.  Sometimes I use it as a state change.  More often than not though, I use it as a quick assessment to listen to my friends around the room to see if they understand the material being taught.  Can they understand?  Can they explain it to their friend?  Can they give examples?  Can they "teach" it to each other?  If not, that's my quick cue to go back and do some reteaching if not in the moment, then definitely the next day.  

The greatest thing about all of this see, hear, do, teach others stuff????

Less cramming for tests and need for lengthy study guides.  Students are more engaged and participating. They stay involved in the learning and are part of that teaching process.  When they become part of the process and are engaged and moving, they are able to show what they know on tests, assessments, on work tasks, and apply those skills into future learning.  Love when that happens!

Let's go, Monday!  We're ready!  ;)