Friday, September 12, 2014

Enjoy the Moment

As the third week of this school year comes to an end, I feel the need to do some reflecting. I truly believe that teachers need to reflect to make themselves better teachers and their students more successful learners.

The three weeks have flown by and I need to slow down. I have some students with whom I don't feel I've connected or reconnected. I haven't really stopped to enjoy them. I do love and enjoy my job but sometimes, I just get going to fast to enjoy the moment. I think that next week I will put that as one of my I Can statements. Seeing it daily will should remind me to do just that. Enjoy the moment of laughter, of learning, of enjoyment.

I've decided that I absolutely, without a doubt LOVE how I am teaching literacy this year. I felt renewed when I read Leslie Blauman's two books this summer: The Inside Guide to the Reading-Writing Classroom and Kid-Tested Writing Lessons for Grades 3-6. I knew that I needed a change but wasn't sure how to go about it. Leslie spoke to me on a level that made me know I wasn't crazy in my thinking and reassured me to do what I know is best for my kids. She gave advice and always said to make it my own. For the most part, I am following her plans and tweaking them very little. However, I am making notes on what worked and didn't so I can revamp next time. I will say that I ADORE her BLBs (Book Lover's Book) and we use them every day! My kids are still getting used to them, but I see great things in the future. I really struggle to teach writing and I feel that Leslie's lessons are helping me guide my thinking and planning to better reach all of my kids. Already, their vocabulary awareness is improving!

I also can't get enough of Donalyn Miller. Her two books, The Book Whisperer and Reading in the Wild, starting challenging me two years ago. Since then, I have put a sacred 30 minute time in my schedule every day for kids to read texts of their choice. I confer with them and I try to model that I too am wild about reading. I don't get as much reading done during class but I read a couple book every weekend so I can keep up with them. They are challenged to read 40 books this year. I am doing it too. Some of them are already ahead of me! We so love our read to self time that when we can't have it because of powers beyond my control, the kids are not happy. I can finagle at least 15 minutes on those days and it's not enough time for them. I love hearing them whine that they just got to the good part!

I feel very confident in how literacy is progressing, but math, science, and social studies are more of a challenge. Math is hard. Our state standards are tough, but I know my students will be successful. I need to make more time for them to ask for help. Not sure when I will magically find that time, but I will. I have science three days a week and I integrate it into literacy as I can. However, social studies needs to be more integrated because I only have that once a week as a separate class time. I feel confident right now that we are still meeting our social studies standards doing it this way. I may change my mind later in the year, but for now, I am happy. I need to get more comfortable with our new science expectations so I can teach better. Science is scary for me, so it's the hardest to teach. But, my kids love the hands-on stuff so I will work more on that.

Overall, I guess what I am saying is that I'm excited about this year. It's going fast but I will enjoy the time I have with my class. I will make time for us to enjoy literacy daily. I will make time for kids to read what they want to read every day. I will model a love and life long decision to be a wild reader. I will make time for more questions in math. I will find more hands-on activities for science so we are all excited about it. I will keep doing what I am doing in social studies. Most importantly, I will work on connecting with my kids so they know I really care about them--both inside our class and outside of school. After all, we do spend more time away from school than in it. They need to know I care about them as a human, not just a student.

How have your first weeks of school gone? Reflect with me. Give advice. Encourage. Enjoy the moment.

Monday, September 1, 2014

First Three Days

We started back to school last week and had students for only three days. They were the best first three days I've had in my fifteen years as a teacher! Why? Well, so many reasons.

I looped with my class. I had most of them last year, so starting this year was easy. They know my expectations. They know each other and me. My new students were welcomed and joined our class easily. I changed just enough to make the class feel somewhat different but kept enough that we were starting from scratch.

Our relationships as a class began where we left off in June. Our reading discussions felt like they never stopped. We were already making recommendations to each other. The new students look confused but they will get it. My students love to read, so on day one when I said it was read to self time, they all were easy and got upset when time ended. I can't wait to start in depth conferring!

I also let my class decide what rules, procedures, expectations, and jobs we will have this year. Yes, I guided them, but they came up with better ones than I dreamed of! I am adding in jobs based on Leslie Blauman's books. We started making our Book Lover Books which are a combination of ideas of Donalyn Miller, Kylene Beers, and Blauman. I can't wait to use them!

We were writing from day one too! I'm not a strong writer and struggle to teach writing. This summer, though, I was inspired to write by Kate Messner and Gae Polisner along with everyone who was part of Teachers Write. I want to carry that enthusiasm into my class and help my students enjoy writing. I want them to love writing as much as they love reading. To do that, I have to model my new love of writing.

This year, we are going to continue becoming more and more literate---in all areas of school so my students can see how important it is to be literate. We will have a wonderful year!

Monday, August 18, 2014

It's Monday! What are you Reading?


Today, August 18, I am in the middle of so many books that it is scaring me! I'm reading two professional books by Leslie Blauman. I'm listening to two adult books, one by myself and one with my husband. I'm also starting Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin.  I plan to read See you at Harry's by Jo Knowles this week and Smile by Raina Telgemeier, too. I need to get some books off of my TBR list because on August 26th, I have Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson, Sisters by Raina Telgemeier, 365 Days of Wonder: Mr. Browne's Book of Precepts by RJ Palacio, Legend of Ghost Dog by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel, and Amulet 6 by Kazu Kibuishi that will be added. The very next week I have Prairie Evers by Ellen Airgood and Island of Legends by Lisa McMann to add to my pile. Plus, I go back to work officially on Wednesday and students arrive next Wednesday.  Hmmm.  Should be interesting!

So, what are you reading?  Share with me please.  I can always add to by TBR pile!  :)

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Still working on it

I know that most teachers spend a ton of time getting classrooms ready for students.  I'm one of them. I spend hours and hours of arranging and rearranging furniture and wall "stuff."  I write letters to students. I make name tags, mailbox labels, hall displays, and door displays. I update my class library app so all of the new books I buy are in and ready for students to check out on the first day of school.  I meet with my teaching partners and bounce ideas off of them. I hang the calendar and make the class calendar. I go through bins and reorganize them, hopefully throwing out some things but in reality, not much goes away. I LOVE spending this time preparing for my class. I think about (and pray for) each of my students and the interactions we will have in the upcoming year. I know that isn't PC, but I do it because I know it helps me prepare even more for the time with them. It is a wonderful and yet stressful time because we don't have much time to do it.

This year, we weren't allowed in our building until last Thursday.  Today we got keys to our rooms and building. (We've had lots happening at our building so we weren't allowed in.)  I've been there for 3 days at about 4 hours a pop and was there today for 5 hours. My room is STILL trashed but it's coming along.  Below are some pictures of some of my room.  They aren't the best, but at least it's something. I'll add more as I get more done and I will add descriptions tomorrow.  I have 5 days left, including the weekend, to work before I start getting paid for being there.  I will get done; it always does.
Calendar Math Wall-not done. There is room for students to sit on the floor, on crates, etc while calendar math is taught. My homework board is here too. I also have a small table for small groups.
My Clay Matthews Wall-Reading lessons and class meetings will take place here
My door display (Chaulk's All-Stars), white board, and I can picture frames for daily objectives.
Messy bookcase. Indian Paintbrush nominees on top. Pink drawers will hold paper of different kinds. I LOVE my clock!
Reading area--the little nook will be for the class president to use for that week. There are pillows coming to making it more comfy.  My library is organized by genre, except picture books which are just there for now.
Another section of my library
More of my library, Bronco lights, social studies wall, and inspiring quotes.  I am going to use quotes as writing prompts and have my students find great quotes.  I will be using the new RJ Palacio book of precepts to help with this.
My new curtains and my teddy bear I've had since I was a baby. The jersey was a gift from a student.

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Why so negative?

The other day I was visiting with another teacher. She asked if I was ready for school to start.  Ecstatically, I replied, "Yes! I was in my room Friday for four hours and will be back on Monday to keep going!"

Her response made me take a step back. "Well, I'm in a different school and have to move all my stuff. But I'm not on contract until August 20th so they won't see me until then. I only have two years to go until retirement."

Really? Only 2 years? Not on contract? I just don't get it. I love my job! I love getting things ready and trying to see our classroom through my students' eyes. I love arranging and rearranging desks and books. I love making name tags, door displays, bulletin boards, display areas, and book boxes. I love getting plans ready for the first week, deciding on community building activities, looking through books, deciding on our first read aloud, and making changes in how I do things. I know there are teachers who don't like those things and who would rather spend every last minute of summer doing summer things. I understand that. I really do. This was the first summer that I haven't spend a little time every week in my classroom because they took our keys from us so we wouldn't come in while work was done in our school. It was a strange and yet exciting time. I was forced to do non-school things (or at least do school-things at home) and not focus on school. I feel rejuvenated and ready to get back to work. I am counting the days until I see my kids again--I looped to 6th grade with them. Spending another year with them will be amazing!

I know that I don't want to be around negative people, and I know students don't want to be in a class with a negative teacher. I've worked with people who are counting the days until they retire. They are so excited to be done with teaching that they have little to no energy left for their students. I never want to be that teacher. I want to focus my energy on my class and enjoy all the time I have with them. They feed off of my energy and I need them to be energized about learning.  How do teachers who are negative get their students excited to learn? I want to be the teacher that students around the building see and say, "Wow! That teacher sure is happy!" I want my smile to inspire others to smile. I want my positivity to be infectious. I want people to say, "Why so positive?"  I will tell them it's because I love my job.

Hope you have a positive day!

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Wow!  I am actually doing this!  I am starting a blog!  I hope I can do this!

This summer, I needed to refresh.  The school year wiped me out.  I broke my foot, sprained my ankle, had sinus surgery and a bad reaction to it, got married, and went on my honeymoon. I was beat by the time my students left on June 2nd. I love my class and I am grateful I will have them again this fall.  But, I needed to regroup and regain myself.  Anyone else know what I mean?

I have spent time this summer doing just that.  I work at a summer social skills program for for students with autism for 4 weeks. It helps me get perspective. I went camping, alone, in the mountains, in a tent, away from a campground.  It gave me peace and rejuvenation and allowed me to spend time talking with God. I am working on my writing through Teachers Write. It is helping me understand how my students feel when writing. I have spent a great deal of time reading and listening to books. It has reminded me that I need to take time every day to read, just like I tell my students. I've tried to get more familiar with Twitter; I'm doing better but still struggling. Most importantly, I have spent time with my husband who helps me love more and laugh daily.

I plan to use this blog to get out my thoughts and feelings about teaching.  I may include some funny stories about my class (names changed of course). I will definitely be telling about the books I am reading and listening to books...mostly children and young adult books.

I hope you will find some things that will help you, inspire you, and most importantly entertain you!