With Appreciation

Never do I get the chance to be on the computer while my littles are awake so the shear fact that I can post this during daylight hours, alone makes me appreciative.  

Which leads me to my purpose today....

appreciation.

In honor of today being September 11th I want to take a moment to appreciate 

all the special things in my life.

Heroes, survivors, family members, Americans effected by today...

I appreciate my talented and amazing friends stretching across the United States

(I'd insert pictures here but......too many to share!!)

XOXOX

I'm appreciating simple messages that speak to the core...

My Sweetest Inspirations creation

I appreciate my fabulous firsties, former firsties and third graders,
a dreamy classroom, fun coworkers, and a wonderful school that I get to be a part of...

And most importantly I'm taking the time to appreciate...my family 

(immediate and beyond!)

It's so cliche and so true that life goes too fast and things change quickly.  Taking the time every once in a while to hug a little longer, smooch on those littles a little harder, listen to all the stories a little more carefully, praise and celebrate great efforts, and acknowledge those that support, protect, believe in, love, and adore you seems like a great way to keep those blessings in your life present and growing.

Today I want everyone in my life, and those protecting my freedoms, to know...

I appreciate you!

Thank you!

A Day to Remember

September 11, 2001...

It was a beautiful morning.  Perfect weather outside.  Blue skies.  

I began teaching my first class the January before so I was truly in my first full year of teaching.  My great friend was getting married that weekend and several of my highschool girlfriends and I were flying out that Thursday to celebrate with her.  We were so excited and looking forward to some time together and being a part of my friend's big day.  

And then my principal knocked on my door and asked me to come into the hall.

When I got out there, his face told the story and seared into my brain a moment I will never forget.  It's probably what the generation before me feels when they talk about where they were when JFK was shot.  That's what I felt like.  

In that immediate moment, I didn't recognize the enormity and calamity of what had just happened.  

I went back in my classroom, pasted on a safe and happy smile, and taught my kiddos as if they were all that mattered to me in the world.  

Every year at this time, I feel the need to do the same thing.  Time has passed.  I can't say wounds have heeled.  Although I would like to imagine they have mended, I cannot imagine those people who were directly effected by the events that transpired that day will ever be the same.  My thoughts and prayers are certainly with them...always.

So with that, each year, I make a point in my classroom to pause on the core curriculum to honor and remember September 11th, now known as Patriot Day.  

Teaching third grade at the time allowed much more in depth conversations to be had about what had just happened.  It was relevant to the students because it was on tv and the internet and third graders had a greater understanding of it all...or at least what their parents had told them.  As the years have passed, and now teaching first grade, the activities I do and conversations I have with the littles, are very much centered around the idea of patriotism and honoring heroes rather than the events from that day.  

We listen to patriotic music (which everyone who hears my patriotic playlist laughs at me...but I'm ok with that) and learn the words to the National Anthem.  

We make a couple crafts like designing ribbons and people to show that while we are all different, 

we are still united.

We also create a mural using the lyrics of the National Anthem.

Students come to school wearing red, white, and blue and while they don't know it, all day long I flash back to that day years ago when I was called into the hall.  

Everyone may have their own political views and feelings about that day.  

For me, the message is simple.  

Honor those who worked so hard to save so many.

Remember those who lost their lives that day.

Empathize for those who lost someone they loved or knew that day.

Respect each other and take pride in our country.

Hug those in your life a little tighter.

I apologize for not posting sooner but if you're still in need for activities to do with your class tomorrow, check out my Patriot Day Mini Packet.

While it's an emotional day for many (myself included), I look forward to a day to celebrate our country with my firsties.  I'll be decked out in my patriotic colors, singing (off-key) the Star Spangled Banner, and wearing down my red, white, and blue crayons making some ribbons to honor the day.  

A Peek at my Week

My challenge (to myself) last week fell short of a day or two.  In all fairness though I should've counted out a Friday night post.  That's the one night I allow my brain to shut down and not think school...mostly just because I can't.  I can bank on falling asleep (passing out) on the couch either with kids or shortly after they go to bed.  Needless to say, I tried posting from my phone after waking up briefly but have yet to master that.  

So...here I am now.  Sunday night...prepping for this week.

Contrary to my usual posts, this one will be brief.  Still have more to do and a bed calling my name.  LOUDLY.

Later this week I'll be uploading some new products I've made to go along with several of our upcoming units and themes.   Here's a sneak peek of what's in store.

For our literature unit, I'm launching one of my favorite books.  

A couple years ago I read this for the first time to my first grade class and was astonished at the interest levels of my littles.  They loved it which in turn made me love it more.  Of course, there needed to be some thorough explanation of certain dated concepts in the story and also higher vocabulary but they never seemed to mind.  They asked some great higher order thinking questions and a lot of terrific conversations were had.  I'm excited to start our chapter book this week as we dive into some of our comprehension strategies.  More to come about that later this week.

In addition, we are wrapping up our Science unit about the 

Five Senses

We integrate all of our Science and Social Studies units into our Language Arts time.  Having an Early Childhood trained brain...I was programmed to think in themes and units.  I enjoy creating lessons based on a certain theme and developing Reading, Writing, Word Study, and even some Math lessons around the units.  This week I am finishing up my unit on the five senses.  You can snatch up some great five senses activities later this week, also.

And closer to my heart...this week we will be celebrating...

Patriot Day, September 11th.

As a proud American, and a teacher who had a class full of third graders that day, I feel the need each year to honor and remember the events of September 11th in an age-appropriate way with my students.  We focus on talking about America and doing activities to show our patriotism...

as well as teaching what patriotism is.  :)  

Tomorrow I will be sharing those activities with you if you are interested in using them in your classroom this week.  

And lastly...tomorrow I will also share our new daily calendar we will be starting.  Even though school has long been in session for us, we have not been able to do our daily calendar as has always been our routine.  This year our district adopted a new Math series and we have been asked to follow it in it's entirety without supplementing or modifying.  It's a pretty extensive daily lesson from start to finish and we are barely finding time to finish the whole activity each day.  

So, while I've never been a lover of calendar time (boo!  snore!), I know it's essential for students to know the days of the week and months of the year.  I've recreated my entire calendar time to be more time efficient and work into my morning routine.  My calendar time has always been student led will continue to be with even less interaction from me (besides the initial modeling and training).  

We are launching it tomorrow.  After my guinea pigs, er...I mean students, test it out tomorrow, I will make adjustments and changes where needed and then post.  

Phew...it's already shaping up to be a full week.  

Be sure to check back in for goodies throughout the week.

Happy almost Monday!

Day 3...Let's get motivated!

Back again for my daily post challenge.  Since my blog was so ignored and under-appreciated (by myself!) lately, I thought I'd challenge myself to post at least one picture each night this week.  So far I've managed to be successful at my goal and well...I couldn't quit tonight.  So here I am.

Yesterday I posted this pic.

Here's the backstory... (I'll try to be brief but honestly, that is not my strong suit.- and everyone who's reading this and knows me, is smiling and agreeing right now!!)

Years ago, in my former teacher life, when I taught third grade, our school took part in a reading challenge at the start of every basketball season for our community's high school.  Every time students read a certain number of minutes they were able to turn in a slip and earn a prize.  Over time students seemed less and less interested in earning some of the prizes our school was offering.  

As a motivator, I hung a small Nerf basketball hoop outside my classroom door.  On the paper "pole" holding it up, I had marked the 3 mile markers/minutes to read in order to earn our school incentive.  Each time a student brought in his/her slip, I let him/her shoot two baskets.  As they earned the minutes and shot their baskets, they would write their name on some small paper (such as a book cut out, basketball, or paw print cut out) and post it next to the amount of minutes he/she read.  It was a great incentive just in it of itself.  Kids LOVED shooting baskets and it became a real team builder.  It was a quick way to recognize students for doing something above and beyond that was intrinsically motivating (which is what I'm all about).

Each year, just as we do with our academic content, I added something to it to make it work for the new class or myself.  I wanted to continue to use it all year but wasn't quite sure how since it had become something special we did only for our yearly reading challenge.

When I moved to first, I felt the struggle of moving down two grades and having to alter my expectations.  Obviously, the hoop couldn't be used in the same way but I wanted to incorporate it somehow.  It took me a bit but I found it's place.

Now I use this hoop year-round as my homefun incentive.  Perfect!!

I have a weekly checklist that I use to check in homefun or assignments each week.  Throughout the week, I keep track of which students not only turn in work but also on time.  In first grade, homefun is all about reviewing concepts taught throughout the day.  One of my main purposes is to create and establish great homefun habits demonstrating responsibility....taking it home, doing the work, returning it the next day, and putting it in the right spot at school.  Those are typically new procedures and higher expectations for our firsties so I want to start them off on the best foot possible for years to come.

That being said...when a student turns in every assignment for the week AND on time, on Fridays he/she gets to shoot two baskets.  If a student misses one assignment, on Friday he/she can make only one shot.  If the student misses several assignments, he/she is not able to make any shots that Friday.  For every shot the student makes (which in first grade is rarer than you may think...even sometimes with help) the student gets to pick a prize from my prize drawer.  Each Monday we start over on a new list and everyone gets a fresh start.

It seems like a big to do, but again, I think it is important to establish those routines and habits while they are little and still eager to please.  I have had several students over the years that were much more into sports and athletics than school.  This played right into that for them.  They may not have wanted to do the work, but they sure did want to shoot the baskets.  For them, that was the only motivation for turning in homefun.  Which I am totally fine with...if that's what they need to buy in with, I'll take it.

Being so set on instilling intrinsic motivation into my students, the prizes in my drawer are a huge variety.  Everything from miscellaneous pencils left over from previous years to Happy Meal toys I've stolen (er...collected) from my own children (obviously both of those are more tangibly rewards but I believe in the balance of both) to coupons for things to do in the classroom (eventually I will post these...eventually!).  Kids who are not athletically motivated may just shoot for the prizes and that's okay, too.  

Again, the idea is to help create good habits...sometimes no matter how we get there.

One of my favorite things about this hoop system is that it is soooo gender neutral.  Both boys and girls LOVE shooting...even if for different reasons.  Anything I can do to appeal equally to both genders makes me feel like a winner inside.

So that's how I motivate in my classroom.  One way, at least.

And here's what motivates me at home...

This happy guy keeps me smiling. Keeps me running.  Keeps me on my toes.  Keeps me feeling complete.  #thankgoodnesshescute

This little love keeps me crafting.  Keep me hugging.  Keeps me laughing.  Keeps me remembering that karma does happen...my payback for me as a little love.  Oh heavens!  #sorrymom  #gottalovethatface

This awesome chica keeps me constantly thinking (always, always asking questions!).  Keeps me creating.  Keeps me proud.  Keeps me going.

And of course, the Mr.  

Keeps me thankful.  Keeps me happy.  

Keeps me grateful for some of the best blessings I have in my life.

To which I will add...I am grateful that tomorrow is Friday.  Although, it was a short week, it has definitely been a full one.  Looking forward to meeting my goal again tomorrow.

Hmmm....what will it be???

Stay tuned...

Woo Hoo...Day 2!

Hold the phones...it's well before midnight and I'm actually getting to fulfill my goal for the day...adding another post for this week.  Woo hoo!!

Of course, it goes without saying that my sub plans are not quite finalized for tomorrow, my house is   still a mess (for me!), and I still have a bag ready to burst at the seams with STUFF to go through.  But...I set a goal and gosh darn it, I'm gonna do it!  (insert smiles here)

My goal was to post at least one picture a day this week.  Why you ask?!?  Great question.  

The answer...why not??  

Sometimes I overwhelm myself with the plethora of lists and things to do.  Anyone else do that?  Every teacher (and mom) out there is screaming, "YES!" right now.  I can feel it.  

Okay, maybe not sometimes I overwhelm myself.  Maybe most of the time.  That being said, I wanted to take one insanely crazy week (although, really no different than most weeks when I compare) and set some attainable goals for myself to be able to check off at the end the day and feel good.  

And this blog was it.  

So...here is my daily picture (I actually have 4 because I really can't control myself when it comes to taking photos).

As I was leaving tonight and thinking about all the fun stuff I could write about, this seemed like the logical winner.  

Our Tooth Tree

After teaching third grade for 10 years, the occasional missing tooth never seemed to phase me very much.  Go to the nurse.  Get your tooth treasure box.  Moving on.

When I came to first grade, teeth looked SO AMAZINGLY DIFFERENT to me.  Probably because most were missing them!!  I had never sat in a classroom and taught to so many toothless faces.  It easily (and strange, I know!) became one of my most favorite things about teaching first grade.  

And just when I think I might be getting a little numb to all the missing teeth...enter the blood and wiggles.  Love it!  I'm not a squeamish person.  After all, I am a mom.  I was a nanny.  I am a teacher.  Every imaginable fluid and grossness has been on me at some point in my life so I'm not really phased or traumatized by the blood.  Am I numb to that?  Sure.  

However, when I see a 6 year old, missing all her front teeth within the last 48 hours, looking like a 90 year old man, I quickly realize, how do you ever go numb to this sort of cuteness?!?!  

All their words become lispy and they try desperately to figure out new placements for their tongue while speaking.  First grade favorite all over again.

Enter the tooth tree.  A couple years ago, I found these great fake trees at a garage sale.  While I like the greenery in my classroom, they also needed to serve a purpose.  I'm all about "Everything being on Purpose."  A tooth tree.  When a child loses his/her tooth, I give them a tooth cut out (found at most teacher stores).  The toothless wonder writes his/her name on the tooth in bold marker, adds a mini tooth sticker, and hangs it like an ornament on our tree.  Doesn't look like much at the beginning of the year...but by the end, holy smokes!!  We have lots and lots of teeth dangling from our branches. Each time a child loses a tooth, if they already have a tooth on the tree, they simply add a sticker.  I also give them a larger sticker to wear and a pencil for the first one of the year.  They love it and it's a quick easy way to recognize their big moment!  

From teeth to stars...

Last week, I was the "Star Student" of the week.  Here's a look at my star corner. 

(the wall portion anyway)

I brought in my treasures and shared my special week to model for kiddos what they would be doing each week.  I spent a lot of time (too much time) coloring and designing my poster in the hopes of inspiring them to do the same when it is their turn.  Minus the posters (which can be found at most teacher stores), everything I do is included in my You're A Star packet here. 

I always get so excited to see what students bring and to hear them present to their peers.  So sweet!

From teeth to stars to spots...

Next up on my picture hunt, I stepped outside my classroom to share this bulletin board.

Normally, I change up my bulletin boards yearly especially when I know I have siblings coming up.  However, I created this one last year and LOVED it so much I couldn't bear to take it down yet.  Last year, I happened to be in the Hobby Lobby clearance section and found a circle cutter.  #inheaven  Later that same day, I was splurging on my usual bulletin board border and found this border.

spots + dots = match made in heaven

Lo and behold...this bulletin board was created.  First Graders Have Been Spotted.  

The amount of time and fun I had cutting out these silly circles was definitely worth it.  The people on the board change every two months.  I have the students draw and color exactly what they look like on the first day of school.  I hang them up exactly as is.  After a couple months, I take them down, save them for end of the year memories (more on that later...much later), and then they create a new person matching them on that date.  I love these sort of keepsakes that show how students have changed and grown just as an artist throughout the year.  

This bulletin board also helped inspire one of my Smartboard Attendance pages.  

You can get yours here.  

Tomorrow I'm getting ready to AIM.  SHOOT.  SCORE.

Wanna know more??

Check in tomorrow to find out how I use this in my classroom........

Day 1...Goal Met!

My eyes are half-closed.  There is drool on my shirt (luckily, not my own!...although, is that better or worse?!?!).  And about 30 minutes ago...I was ready to throw in the towel.  Exhausted!

And...if it weren't for the goal I made myself...and posting about it (why on earth did I do that?!)...I would have easily given in.  However, I know me well enough to know that having put myself out there to all of you, I couldn't quit on day 1.  Not after having thought about it ALL. DAY. LONG.  Truly...I was thinking about it since 7:30 this morning all the fun stuff I could post tonight.  #notaquitter  

My goal was to post at least one picture.  Got it.

How about this handsome, precious, and smiling guy??

Yes, he is indeed holding a shark.  He LOOOVES sharks!

Be still my heart.  

One year ago at this time, this stubborn but cute little guy was just deciding to take his first steps.  (Had to wait until the first day of school when Mom was not around.  #stinker)  A year later here he is on is way to his first day of preschool (little guy preschool...not the grueling and task-oriented painting and ABCs learning preschool that my 5-year-old keeps thinking it is).  Love.

Still...it was a big day around here.  Maybe more for his sisters who were beside themselves at seeing this guy with a big boy backpack and dropping him off this morning.  Yes, there were actual tears.  From the 8-year-old.  That's right.  The 8-year old.  She was so tickled and happy for him.  Oh geez!  What will she do when he starts Kindergarten?  I better buy stock in Kleenex now.  Gotta love how much they love their siblings!!

Anyway, once at school, I had about 5 minutes before the kids came in to get ready.  Love those mornings.  Got the Smartboard up and running for morning attendance and headed off to make copies.

You can snag your attendance boards ready to be edited for your class here.

There are themes for the whole year plus two extra pages to use for general use...like the Spots above.  Many of these can be used from any grades Kindergarten through third.  I love it as just one more chance for students to interact on the Smartboard first thing in the morning.

Later on the in morning, I was sooooo excited to do some great word work with my kiddos from my new Super Spelling Packet.  However, time got away from me and our morning work took longer than usual.  #flexiblelikeanOlympicgymnast

After tweaking our plans, we worked on combining our new decoding skill...Eagle Eyes (more to come later about this skill)...with some word work.  We are practicing our classroom behavior during guided reading groups while being introduced to various stations whole group these last few weeks.  While students were working at their seats on a future word work station, I took the opportunity to pull some friends to "practice reading" together.  For me, this part was more about practicing those behaviors and routines of actually coming to the table and what is expected of the others.

Needless to say, they did awesome!  I was able to use my new and improved Dolch High Frequency Word List from my Super Spelling Packet to assess some kiddos.  Even though there are 220 words on the list, I found the cleanliness and simplicity of the page, allowed me more room to write notes about student observations and keep my focus on the task at hand.

The checklist and word cards are available in this packet.  (Even though sight words are not "Spelling Words" per say, I have included them in my packet because I think it is important to be able to know the word by sight but also exposure to spelling and making words is never a bad thing.)

After school, I found myself with zero meetings on the calendar.  WHAT?!?!?  I know, it's crazy!!  I'm like the meeting queen and time afterschool for me to actually prep for the next day is almost always impossible.  I find myself taking oodles and oodles home every night.  But today was a whole other story!  Today I got to actually do some much needed but quick organizing and hanging around the room.  Woo hoo!  Yippee!  Yeehaw!!  #thrilledladyhere

The first week of school my kiddos learned all about our brains and where we store our information...in our hippocampus.  That's where we keep it if we need it again long-term.  We now refer to gaining information as "stuffing our hippo."  I love it!  My kiddos feel so proud when they talk brain talk.  It's powerful.  We made Hippo Books to be able to learn the information and then store it in a written down, quick reference/resource spot.  Well, two weeks later, I finally found a space to hang them.  Can't wait for the kids to see them tomorrow!

More about the Hippo can be found in my store.

As for tonight...this hippo is stuffed and in need of some sleep.

It was a busy day all around.  Tomorrow I have more in store for y'all!  It was close though...I thought for sure my exhaustion would win tonight.  Glad it didn't.  #keptmyword

I'm proud that at least for tonight, I met my goal!  We'll see about the rest of the week.  

More pics tomorrow and another new goody...

New week, New goals

Last week was a sad, sad state for this poor little blog.  

It was neglected.  Ignored.  Surpassed.

But...not forgotten.

Most weeks I feel like a chicken with my head cut off.  Okay, maybe not that drastic.  But certainly overwhelmed and out of time most days.  Like millions of other teachers August through June.  Last week may have topped the charts for me though as I found myself at school 4 out of the 5 nights.  I was a parent attending my own girl's Parent Orientation on two different nights, presented for parents at my Orientation (more on that later this week), and then stayed after many nights to prep for subs the following days for meetings.  Somewhere in there I think I taught some great lessons.  Maybe.  It's all a blur now.   

Anyway, I would love to say that this week will be calmer and my little ol' blog will take priority, but I can't promise anything.  It's shaping up to be another crazy one.  Thank heavens for this 3-day weekend!  I got a little rest and a little time to create.  #yippee

Here's a look at what we've been doing and some new items in store for you now!

Our class participated in our annual Marshmallow Towers challenge.  In 15 years of doing this activity, this was the first time I overheard a student asking God for help!  As I gave the "time check" warning, one little boy shared with his team, "I hope God will help us."  #diedwithsmiles

Not sure that God is worrying about how tall we make our marshmallow towers...might have bigger things on his plate...but oh, how it made me smile!  

If you're interested in doing this fun teambuilder, check out the freebie!

Then we did our Chrysanthemum activity.  Absolutely one of my most favorite picture books to read!  Love the way Kevin Henkes writes.  After reading the story and having great conversations about Victoria not "speaking with good purpose," we moved to our seats to review some color tips before starting our next part.  Check out our poster here.

These crayons have been one of my favorite additions to our class this year.  We used these before starting our Chrysanthemum letters.  We talked briefly about the color wheel and opposite (complimentary) colors.

Find your own crayons here.  They are perfect for viewing across a large room without taking up too much space in your room.

Then students split up and moved around the room to create their own letters.  Priceless!

Get the entire Chrysanthemum activity here.

(If you've have already purchased and downloaded this product, please go back to my store and download it again.  I noticed and fixed a typo!  Oops!)

Since we've already been in school a couple weeks now, my brain is already thinking about guided reading and workstations.  I have started prepping my kiddos for some Word Study stations as I think those as some of the easiest to teach whole group and then gradually release them for independent practice.

I have oodles of games and activities I have done over the years.  Many of which have been done in both third and first grade.  #notreinventingthewheel

Last week we tried out a couple to get our feet wet for some of our first literacy workstations in the next few weeks.  I always like to start with something very hands on to help motivate learners and get them moving.  Sooo...we did Stamp Words.

Anyone who knows me would agree...I HEART FONTS!!  So it's a reasonable requirement that every time I go to Target, Walmart, Hobby Lobby, or Michael's I check out what alphabet stamps are in the clearance bins.  (I also heart sales!)  Over the years I've collected quite the assortment of stampers...all in various fonts.  (One of the many things my husband often wonders why I have so many of...like shoes, clothes, hair accessories...right!?!)  I love setting up each table with stamps and some ink pads and letting them go to town exploring words with stamps.    

It's also a terrific activity to model, model, model the expectations with the materials the first time.  This way when students go to stations independently you can be sure all your juicy ink pads won't be left open to dry out or stampers sprinkled around the room.

To get all of these super spelling activities, visit my store.  I love these activities!  After being taught, many can be used for small groups, partner review games, independent practice, or even for a substitute if needed.  I love leaving notes for a sub that says, "Students will know exactly what to do."  How responsible of them!  

This week I'll be doing more of these activities and posting some pictures for you to see them in use.  

Tomorrow starts a new school week.  New week...New goals...

My goal for this insane week ahead is to post at least 1 (or more!) picture each day of an activity we have done this week.  Check back in tomorrow to be sure I've met my goal.  (Although, it will have to be after bedtime for the kiddos.  Ain't nothin' happening 'round here when the littles are awake!  That is for sure! #lovethemadness...or do I??)  

Stay tuned...