Do What You Love.

I'm feeling this.

Get your freebie here.

It has been a stressful month and a half of meetings, teaching, sick kiddos, school events, birthdays, more sick kiddos, doctor appointments, and going and going.  Luckily, we are now in the home stretch nearing the end of the year.  (24 days left to be exact!)  It really is my least favorite time of year.  

For a couple reasons...

It means another round of report cards.  ick!

It means I have to stop procrastinating and assemble those memory books I promise myself I will be so much better at staying on top of each year.  (I think my fingers were crossed with each promise!)

It means I have to pack up my room for summer cleaning.  #dreadingit

It means another round of end of the year assessments...and then grading them.  another ick!

Mostly, it means saying goodbye to the sweeties I've spent the last 9 months getting to know.

Yes, I am that sap that on the last day of school cannot, I mean CANNOT, control her emotions.  We're talking sunglasses inside outta control.  (The struggle is for sure r.e.a.l.)  It's not that I don't think they will be in good hands next year.  I absolutely KNOW they will.  But for nine months, they were mine.  With all their quirks, sillies, seriousness, velcro-peeling (that one snuck in there!), and growing...I got to watch them grow so much.  This is the beauty and downfall of first grade!

However, the blessings are...

I get some time to rejuvenate and spend more time with these sweeties instead.

  

I also get more time to create...for school. For fun. For others. For my home. For my kids.

Just the time will be nice...even if only for a short while.  

(I was blessed and honored to create this for a friend's little girl's first birthday!)

I will have time to finally get all my fonts together and possibly sell.  I now have quite the collection...and a growing collection of ideas.  #totalfontnerd

(How did doodling while on the phone in highschool turn into such a fantastically fun hobby later in life?  Who would have guessed?!)

Looking forward to some down time after the next 24 days.  Before that though, I have some reports calling my name, memory book pages to print, and workstations to prep.  Tonight?!??  Hmm.

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!  ;)

Goodbye February.

Hello, sad neglected blog. 

I've missed you.

Today is the last day of quite possibly the most insane, intense, emotional, stressful, fantastic, and overwhelming month I've ever had.  And although I could feel it coming way back in January as it grew near, it didn't make it any less chaotic.  So today I am taking some time to breathe.

I have been blessed this month with so many amazing opportunities and great teaching and mom moments but have had Z.E.R.O time to just hop on and blog or even create.  (insert weeping sounds here!)  I'm looking forward to getting back into it and sharing all the fab things we've been doing in class.  That being said for now I'll just take you on a partial picture walk of this past month.  Yikes!  There's a lot so beware!

Here we go...

We wrapped up January getting ready for the 100th day of school...at home.  While my first graders got to dress up as 100 year olds, my own girls sported their own creations.  The little one went with pom poms and was adamant that's what she wanted.  #girlknowswhatshewants  The older one wasn't sure what to do...but nothing a little bling couldn't solve.  She designed her bling in arrays of 10 (since she's been learning multiplication this year).  This was the easiest and most fun to do watching their little eyes beam from their efforts.  

two long sleeve tshirts + fabric glue + embellishments = happiness 

  

Two sad things this year about the 100th day...

1. I wasn't there to celebrate with my own girls or my school kiddos.

2.  My blinged out fashionista went home miserable and sick that day.

A coworker (aka great friend!) and our principal went to Florida for the National SAM Conference.  I received this picture (which I edited while there and sent back to her!) :) of my kinder's first 100th day!!

(Please do not count the amount of pom poms on the shirt...  I was told that one may have accidentally fallen in the toilet when she was doing her business.  :)  Too precious!!)

I had never attended a conference of this magnitude and it was incredible.  Not only being with a terrific travel mate but listening to the amazing presenters.  We got fabulous ideas that we were so excited to bring back to our school and even our classrooms.  It was enlightening to meet so many talented and dedicated administrators and hear about their schools.  While I've never considered leaving the classroom, it was definitely intriguing to be part of such an inspiring group.  

And the weather wasn't too bad either!!

Unfortunately, while there, everything back home was not so sunny and beachy.   

Ear infections, stomach flu, and a blizzard.  boo!

Somehow, someway, we made it home safely and on our expected flight...the cancellations were unreal.  And rightfully so. 

Many thanks and kudos to those amazing pilots that day!  

February was jammed packed from there....

dental health

presidents

fairy tales

Valentine's Day

presentation

music program.......

(More pics and activity specifics coming soon!)

For Lincoln's birthday we created these after learning about him.

Then we had to get some valentine holders ready.  This year we made large Valentine Monster bags.  Loved this!!!  I had a surplus of large paper grocery bags which inspired the idea and then it grew from there.  I made a fun label and monster sheet (not pictured) for the back where student's colored and wrote their names.  On the other side, they had to use all their creative juices to design whatever Valentine Monster they wanted.  It was so fun to hear the buzz around the room and watch them all come out so differently.  

Here was my example.  (Everything was cut and glued...nothing drawn.)

Here are a few of their examples.  <3

I wanted to do something a little different but still meaningful for them to take home to their parents so these heart arts were created.  I found large popsicle sticks at Wamart...again which inspired the idea.  Cut paper to match the square size and voila!  I was pretty happy with their little creations.

Our Daddy Daughter Dance hosted by the PTO was incredible, of course.  It is an event like no other!  This year's theme was "Let it Snow."  My kinder was set on wearing her flower girl dress (since it was white like snow) so that's what we went with.  Hard to disagree with that logic.  ;)  She was thrilled to be attending her first dance with Dad.  Her sister was heartbroken when she realized she couldn't go due to the fever and stomach flu she caught the day before.  :(  Dad still gave her a corsage and we took a few pics (but she would be mortified if I posted them....).  

Way too sweet!  "Dinner and a dance with just Dad.  I'm so excited," she said!  Awe!

This past week alone we had our first grade music program (so stinkin cute!).  Our class put on our 3rd Annual Fairy Tale Festival for the parents (amazing! More info later...stay tuned).  My house was hit with yet ANOTHER bug!!  UGH!!!  And I ended the week presenting at our district's Educator to Educator workshops.  It was a great experience and even though I was trying to will away my own stomach flu bug all day, I think it was a success.

Needless to say, I came home last night and completely crashed and thankful.  This month was a whirlwind of highs and lows.  Challenges and successes.  Roses and thorns.

Now I get a chance to breathe and spend more time with these ones...

my favorite mom moments from February

Goodbye February.  You will not be missed.

Motivating and Reinforcing with Apps

January in the midwest can sometimes be grueling.   Some days too cold to go out.  Some days too wet to have recess.  Some days too snowy to go to school.  It's often dreary and overcast.  Then the winter blues start to set in.  There's no longer the excitement of the holidays and the colors surrounding you seem muted and ho hum.  It's back to the daily grind.

This month the daily grind has been anything BUT normal.  In the last 9 1/2 days of school our daily schedule has rarely been consistent or routine...especially when you throw in data meetings and snow days.  So these last few weeks, what could have been grueling and ho hum, have turned into something more inspiring and motivating...for me anyway.

It all started with a data meeting.  (So many thoughts, so little time to share about this in it of itself.)  As I sat in the meeting and following it, I did a lot of reflecting about my teaching, my classroom dynamics and student needs this year, and about how to try to reach and/or challenge more of my students.  Therein started some much needed January motivation.  So I guess some good things do come out of those meetings.  

I've been on the hunt for a good guided reading app to assist me with groups...but I truly believe what I'm searching for doesn't exist except in my head.  That happen to anyone else??

Needless to say, I found some other goodies.  

This was one.

Montessori Crosswords which I found in the AppStore.  

I think it's great for all levels in the classroom.  So far I have only used it in the classroom with my students that are still practicing letters sounds and simple cvc patterns.  At home my kinder has used it to practice her word patterns as well.  I love it because there is an auditory piece that students are able to hear the sounds needed and then identify the letter.  There are pictures to accompany each word which is a great visual.  There are various levels of complexity from short to long vowels, digraphs, clusters, and more.  

How I've used it in the classroom:

During my "Morning Fun" time, my general class as a whole are working at their desks on some sort of review sheet or work from the previous day.  I have two additional iPads (much to my daughter's dismay...I have been "borrowing" them for my students) that I have been pulling my students to my kidney table during that time to work on word and letter skills.  They are engaged and excited when they make a word.  I let them practice the simpler cvc words first.  Then the last few minutes I switch to our weekly skill such as long i cvce words.  I know they may not be mastering this skill but I think the more exposure they have to what we are working on as a whole, the better.

Here's another great app I've been using for a while:

ABCYA.com has this fantastic game...Sight Word Bingo.

Again, it can be used for many levels within your classroom.  I have been using it since my third grader was a kinder.  She used to love playing it while sitting at the doctor's office waiting and waiting....or during meetings...or whenever.  There are several apps on that site that are great but this is one of my faves.

Here's how I've used it in the classroom:

After my students practice sounds and letters, I put them on this game at their level and let them find the sight words.  It's a great independent activity that I don't need to "monitor" the entire time.  Students can navigate through the app when finished to do some spelling practice as well.  Bonus!

And finally here's my newest app I've added and put to use...

K12 Timed Reading and Comprehension

I found it in the App Store also.  There is a Lite version but I splurged and bought the $3.99 one to be able to do the comprehension pieces with it.

(These are all snapshots from itunes so you can see what it looks like.)

My kiddos go to their name and click on the "Next" story.

I have them read out loud while a partner monitors their accuracy.  If they get stuck on a word, the partner can simply tell them the word but the reader has to try it first.  My only complaint with the app so far is that it does not track accuracy or words missed.  I think that would be helpful but knowing what it does have allows me to use it for extra practice and not simply an assessment tool.

Students reading at the first grade or above level are asked some comprehension questions following.  

All the students scores are saved and can be viewed for wpm (words per minute are averaged based on the amount of time taken to read the entire passage), comprehension accuracy, and levels.

I'm using it is my classroom to give students extra one-on-one practice reading a more standardized probe rather than pulling books at instructional levels.  This was just one more piece I decided to try to help meet the needs for my students at both higher and lower levels after reflecting on those scores from my data meetings.

So far I am seeing some great motivation within them to read (and of course, those who have not yet done it...we've only practiced it for the last 3 days...are now begging me to read).  ;)  I'm well aware that the excitement is more about sitting and reading with the iPad rather than the actual task at hand but who am I to complain either way.  It is exciting so I'm going to ride that wave as long as I can. he he

All of this has actually motivated and inspired me to want to write a grant for more iPads to use in my classroom...

some day...

Peace