 |
| Cover |
 |
| First page |
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Day 172: ABC Book Pictures
I posted last week about the ABC Book project I'm doing with my class. Here are some pictures of the final project from last year.
I plan to make the text larger this year and add more pictures for the items the students come up with this time. I'll let you know how it turns out.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Day 171: I'm Melting, I'm Melting!
Friday, May 27, was Day 171. The harbinger of things to come for these last two weeks of school.
Yep, you guessed it.
The HEAT.
Here was my temperature reading for most of the day:
In case you can't read it, the mercury was just under the 88-degree mark. This with the windows and door open to create cross ventilation and air flow. (Trust me, NOT having them open would have been much worse.)
Let's see. One teacher, 19 bodies, and 88-degree air temperature. (I didn't even get into the 90-plus humidity percentage!) Not a pretty picture. By the end of the day everyone was tired, sweaty, and lethargic. SO glad school is almost over!
The week of Memorial Day is supposed to have highs in the 90s all week, which means near 100 (or more) in my room. I'll keep a daily tab for you.
Until then, send cold thoughts our way, because "We're melting! We're melting!"
Yep, you guessed it.
The HEAT.
Here was my temperature reading for most of the day:
 |
| Can you read it? |
Let's see. One teacher, 19 bodies, and 88-degree air temperature. (I didn't even get into the 90-plus humidity percentage!) Not a pretty picture. By the end of the day everyone was tired, sweaty, and lethargic. SO glad school is almost over!
The week of Memorial Day is supposed to have highs in the 90s all week, which means near 100 (or more) in my room. I'll keep a daily tab for you.
Until then, send cold thoughts our way, because "We're melting! We're melting!"
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Day 170: Thinking Ahead
It's about that time. Time to start thinking ahead as to what is happening these last (gasp!) 9-1/2 days and beyond.
During the week before the last day of school, I like to wrap up all of my units and everything so I can get my grading done. My district sends home report cards with the students on the last day of school. My principal also likes to check them over a few days early, so I plan to have mine done. I'll be giving a final unit test in reading, an end-of-the-year math test, and an AIMS Web probe (to help determine math levels for next year).
In between, there will be an assembly about the local library's summer reading program and a "hero fair" put on by the fourth-grade classes. (The fourth grade studies the life of someone who made an impact on America and/or the world. My daughter studied Ruby Bridges for hers a few years ago. They create PowerPoint presentations and presentation boards, then they dress as their person and act as a living statue to tell about their lives. It's pretty neat to see who they study and how they bring it all together.)
In class, we will be starting the creation of an ABC book on what we've learned this year in second grade. I like to use the story The Things I Learned in Second Grade as a starter; it gets the students thinking about what they did this year. I break the children into groups and assign them a set of letters. They have to talk with their group and create a list of things we covered during the course of the year. They can use anything from stories we've read, favorite characters, authors, concepts, math skills, science experiments/vocabulary, social studies ideas, international days, and field trips. I tried this project for the first time last year and was amazed at how much the students remembered!
After the lists are written, I go through and choose three items for each letter of the alphabet. (X can be a little tricky, but you can make it work!) Then I type them into the computer to create a book. I also find pictures that correlate with one thing from the three listed and insert it with the letter. After that, I copy them and bind them. They are given out on the last day of school as keepsakes.
During the last week of school, I have the students clean out desks, I hand back old projects, we clean up the room and double-check puzzles and games, and sort through the class library. I also have the students write a letter to incoming second graders, telling them about the year they are going to have. We do an additional letter to perspective third-grade teachers, telling a bit about themselves. I hang on to both sets of letters and give them out at the beginning of the school year. Between all of those things, we have a class party, a board game day, and a grade-level talent show.
What about you all? What kinds of things do YOU do to end the school year? Leave them in a comment and I'll post them for sharing. I know you have some great ideas!
During the week before the last day of school, I like to wrap up all of my units and everything so I can get my grading done. My district sends home report cards with the students on the last day of school. My principal also likes to check them over a few days early, so I plan to have mine done. I'll be giving a final unit test in reading, an end-of-the-year math test, and an AIMS Web probe (to help determine math levels for next year).
In between, there will be an assembly about the local library's summer reading program and a "hero fair" put on by the fourth-grade classes. (The fourth grade studies the life of someone who made an impact on America and/or the world. My daughter studied Ruby Bridges for hers a few years ago. They create PowerPoint presentations and presentation boards, then they dress as their person and act as a living statue to tell about their lives. It's pretty neat to see who they study and how they bring it all together.)
In class, we will be starting the creation of an ABC book on what we've learned this year in second grade. I like to use the story The Things I Learned in Second Grade as a starter; it gets the students thinking about what they did this year. I break the children into groups and assign them a set of letters. They have to talk with their group and create a list of things we covered during the course of the year. They can use anything from stories we've read, favorite characters, authors, concepts, math skills, science experiments/vocabulary, social studies ideas, international days, and field trips. I tried this project for the first time last year and was amazed at how much the students remembered!
After the lists are written, I go through and choose three items for each letter of the alphabet. (X can be a little tricky, but you can make it work!) Then I type them into the computer to create a book. I also find pictures that correlate with one thing from the three listed and insert it with the letter. After that, I copy them and bind them. They are given out on the last day of school as keepsakes.
During the last week of school, I have the students clean out desks, I hand back old projects, we clean up the room and double-check puzzles and games, and sort through the class library. I also have the students write a letter to incoming second graders, telling them about the year they are going to have. We do an additional letter to perspective third-grade teachers, telling a bit about themselves. I hang on to both sets of letters and give them out at the beginning of the school year. Between all of those things, we have a class party, a board game day, and a grade-level talent show.
What about you all? What kinds of things do YOU do to end the school year? Leave them in a comment and I'll post them for sharing. I know you have some great ideas!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Day 169: Mirror, Mirror
Mirror, mirror on the wall,
Who's the fairest of them all?
No, I am not reading Snow White to my class. I am, however, reading Mirror, Mirror by Marilyn Singer for another Scholastic review. This review will not be on the Scholastic Facebook page, however. This review will actually appear in the Lucky book order forms this fall! Exciting!
And...
A little daunting.
The book was reviewed once by another Teacher Advisor for the Scholastic page. I guess they want a new perspective. Anyhow, I need to write a review that doesn't cover the same things the other teacher wrote.
We'll see what I come up with.
Anyone have a fairy godmother I can borrow?
Who's the fairest of them all?
No, I am not reading Snow White to my class. I am, however, reading Mirror, Mirror by Marilyn Singer for another Scholastic review. This review will not be on the Scholastic Facebook page, however. This review will actually appear in the Lucky book order forms this fall! Exciting!
And...
A little daunting.
The book was reviewed once by another Teacher Advisor for the Scholastic page. I guess they want a new perspective. Anyhow, I need to write a review that doesn't cover the same things the other teacher wrote.
We'll see what I come up with.
Anyone have a fairy godmother I can borrow?
Monday, May 23, 2011
Day 168: Field Day!
Today was Field Day, every elementary school student's favorite day in the spring. Really. Gym class activities for half a day, popsicles, and a chance to be silly with your friends? Who DOESN'T like Field Day?
Games were planned, volunteers were gathered, sunblock applied, and insect repellent sprayed on.
And.
Then.
It.
Rained.
When I arrived at school this morning, the weather was a fine mist of rain. This mist proceeded to get heavier and heavier as the time for student arrival loomed. Fields primed for the day were soggy and muddy.
Enter the announcement saying that Field Day would not be rescheduled because of the forecast. (We are supposed to have thunderstorms all week long.)
So what did we do? Volunteers were ready. Students were ready. Staff was ready (with a back-up plan, of course!).
Well...
...We had it inside.
"Inside!?!" you gasp.
"With 670-plus students?!?" you ask.
Yes.
Here's how we managed:
**Grades 3-5 had their activities in the morning while grades 1-2 watched a movie in the cafeteria. (Kindergarten had their own field day last week.) Stations were set up in various classrooms and common areas among the third-, fourth-, and fifth-grade hallways. Those classes rotated stations for an hour and a half, until the lunch rotations started.
**After the lunch rotations, the first- and second-grade classrooms became the scene of various activities, with the common area near the library serving as yet another station. The older grades watched the movie in the cafeteria.
**Each classroom hosted stations for the 11 classes to rotate through. We started in our own rooms and rotated to the left until we reached our own rooms again. (My classroom was turned into a throw/toss station. The children had three little stations where they had to make a basket, throw rings onto a moving target, and throw rings onto a giant inflatable dinosaur.)
**Some of the stations we visited: jump ropes, scooters, relay races, parachute games, volleyball, bowling for cones, memory relays, and two-person board walking. Our final station was a class picture.
In all we had a fun day with very few injuries, no sunburn, and no insect bites. (However, there were a few welts from jump ropes gone wild and one finger run over by a scooter. No worries; the children are fine.)
By the end of the day, the students were tired and ready for naps. So was I!
Games were planned, volunteers were gathered, sunblock applied, and insect repellent sprayed on.
And.
Then.
It.
Rained.
When I arrived at school this morning, the weather was a fine mist of rain. This mist proceeded to get heavier and heavier as the time for student arrival loomed. Fields primed for the day were soggy and muddy.
Enter the announcement saying that Field Day would not be rescheduled because of the forecast. (We are supposed to have thunderstorms all week long.)
So what did we do? Volunteers were ready. Students were ready. Staff was ready (with a back-up plan, of course!).
Well...
...We had it inside.
"Inside!?!" you gasp.
"With 670-plus students?!?" you ask.
Yes.
Here's how we managed:
**Grades 3-5 had their activities in the morning while grades 1-2 watched a movie in the cafeteria. (Kindergarten had their own field day last week.) Stations were set up in various classrooms and common areas among the third-, fourth-, and fifth-grade hallways. Those classes rotated stations for an hour and a half, until the lunch rotations started.
**After the lunch rotations, the first- and second-grade classrooms became the scene of various activities, with the common area near the library serving as yet another station. The older grades watched the movie in the cafeteria.
**Each classroom hosted stations for the 11 classes to rotate through. We started in our own rooms and rotated to the left until we reached our own rooms again. (My classroom was turned into a throw/toss station. The children had three little stations where they had to make a basket, throw rings onto a moving target, and throw rings onto a giant inflatable dinosaur.)
**Some of the stations we visited: jump ropes, scooters, relay races, parachute games, volleyball, bowling for cones, memory relays, and two-person board walking. Our final station was a class picture.
In all we had a fun day with very few injuries, no sunburn, and no insect bites. (However, there were a few welts from jump ropes gone wild and one finger run over by a scooter. No worries; the children are fine.)
By the end of the day, the students were tired and ready for naps. So was I!
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Day 167: A Visit From the Weatherman
Day 168 saw a visit from a local television weather forecaster. One of the science units in second grade focuses on weather. The students learn what a meteorologist is and does, what tools are used to forecast the weather, what the water cycle is and how it relates to weather, how seasons change, and what dangerous weather is. As an extra step, I also have my students do research reports on different types of dangerous weather. So to find out that an actual meteorologist from TV was coming to visit the school....! Well, that was just the highlight of the students' day!
When he visited, he started off with some weather-related jokes. One of the student favorites: "What is a tornado's favorite game? Twister!" After that, he had student volunteers come up to help demonstrate things like the four elements of weather (temperature, wind, air pressure, and humidity), the water cycle, how thunder is created, dangerous weather, and safety tips for dangerous weather. He also showed students some of the tools he uses and let them take a look and try them out. He also show them his "pet tornado," a device the creates a tornado in a jar at the flip of a switch. (I think everyone wants one now!) At the end, we took a group picture of the students with him and he broadcast it on the 5:00 newscast. So the students got a chance to meet a local celebrity, learn a bit, and be celebrities for a day themselves.
It was a good day.
When he visited, he started off with some weather-related jokes. One of the student favorites: "What is a tornado's favorite game? Twister!" After that, he had student volunteers come up to help demonstrate things like the four elements of weather (temperature, wind, air pressure, and humidity), the water cycle, how thunder is created, dangerous weather, and safety tips for dangerous weather. He also showed students some of the tools he uses and let them take a look and try them out. He also show them his "pet tornado," a device the creates a tornado in a jar at the flip of a switch. (I think everyone wants one now!) At the end, we took a group picture of the students with him and he broadcast it on the 5:00 newscast. So the students got a chance to meet a local celebrity, learn a bit, and be celebrities for a day themselves.
It was a good day.
Day 166: It Followed Him to School One Day...
You know how the song goes. The next line says, "It made the children laugh and play..."
Well, I can assure you that what followed my student (or rather, hitched a ride) to school on Thursday did NOT make the children laugh and play.
Thursday morning, Day 167, started out at any other school day. The children had come in and unpacked, and were beginning morning work. Toward the time of the ringing of the late bell, one my students yelled that there was something in his backpack. This as a colleague had come in to ask a question.
She was closest to my student at the time, as I was at my desk going through folders, so she stepped over to take a look. I put down the folder I was looking through and came over to see what the commotion was. (As you can imagine, by this time, any student who was in that area wanted to take a look.) We shooed the children to their seats (or the back carpet) and began to look for the creature. By this time, the late bell rang, so my colleague went back to her room and I proceeded to look for something out of the ordinary.
As I turned to tell the students who had come in during the commotion what to do about unpacking, the object/creature came out of one backpack and began to crawl on the backpack next to it. Of course, the student who had initially told me there was something there began yelling...which set off a chorus of "There it is!"
The "It" in question was a large hornet that somehow made its way into my student's backpack and managed to travel inside said backpack without being smashed.
Anyhow, it flew out of the backpack and buzzed angrily around the one side of the room. Which sent my second graders scurrying to the opposite side of the room, yelling and sounding like a herd of animals. At which point I held up my hands (while keeping an eye on the insect) and told them to calm down. I then told the students who normally sit by the coat rack to have a seat on the back carpet and work there. Then I opened the door and a window to try and coax the hornet out of the room. Eventually it left the room (I think!) and we began our day. I say I think it left because we didn't see or hear it past 9:05 or so, and we haven't seen it since.
My only hope is that it didn't hole up somewhere...
Well, I can assure you that what followed my student (or rather, hitched a ride) to school on Thursday did NOT make the children laugh and play.
Thursday morning, Day 167, started out at any other school day. The children had come in and unpacked, and were beginning morning work. Toward the time of the ringing of the late bell, one my students yelled that there was something in his backpack. This as a colleague had come in to ask a question.
She was closest to my student at the time, as I was at my desk going through folders, so she stepped over to take a look. I put down the folder I was looking through and came over to see what the commotion was. (As you can imagine, by this time, any student who was in that area wanted to take a look.) We shooed the children to their seats (or the back carpet) and began to look for the creature. By this time, the late bell rang, so my colleague went back to her room and I proceeded to look for something out of the ordinary.
As I turned to tell the students who had come in during the commotion what to do about unpacking, the object/creature came out of one backpack and began to crawl on the backpack next to it. Of course, the student who had initially told me there was something there began yelling...which set off a chorus of "There it is!"
The "It" in question was a large hornet that somehow made its way into my student's backpack and managed to travel inside said backpack without being smashed.
Anyhow, it flew out of the backpack and buzzed angrily around the one side of the room. Which sent my second graders scurrying to the opposite side of the room, yelling and sounding like a herd of animals. At which point I held up my hands (while keeping an eye on the insect) and told them to calm down. I then told the students who normally sit by the coat rack to have a seat on the back carpet and work there. Then I opened the door and a window to try and coax the hornet out of the room. Eventually it left the room (I think!) and we began our day. I say I think it left because we didn't see or hear it past 9:05 or so, and we haven't seen it since.
My only hope is that it didn't hole up somewhere...
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Day 165: More Beautiful Music
Wednesday, May 18, was Day 165. (No typo here; we had primary elections on Tuesday, so there was no school.)
On this day, the students were treated to the sounds of the fifth-grade chorus, orchestra, and band. (My school always splits them; otherwise the assembly would be way too long for the little ones.)
What a difference a year makes!
I think it is always interesting to hear the progress the students have made over time. Having a child who went through the same chorus and orchestra teachers (and who is still playing and singing in middle school), I know that progress can only be made through consistent practice and application. Anyone listening to the concert Wednesday could hear that these students "got it."
The music itself also lends to the growth of the students because of its complexity and layers. Whereas the fourth graders are still learning the notes and finger/bow placements, the fifth graders have moved past that point and are able to get into the "meat" of the music. They played rounds, two- and three-part harmonies, and varied their techniques.
Even my students were impressed!
On this day, the students were treated to the sounds of the fifth-grade chorus, orchestra, and band. (My school always splits them; otherwise the assembly would be way too long for the little ones.)
What a difference a year makes!
I think it is always interesting to hear the progress the students have made over time. Having a child who went through the same chorus and orchestra teachers (and who is still playing and singing in middle school), I know that progress can only be made through consistent practice and application. Anyone listening to the concert Wednesday could hear that these students "got it."
The music itself also lends to the growth of the students because of its complexity and layers. Whereas the fourth graders are still learning the notes and finger/bow placements, the fifth graders have moved past that point and are able to get into the "meat" of the music. They played rounds, two- and three-part harmonies, and varied their techniques.
Even my students were impressed!
Day 164: Decisions and Dilemmas
Monday, May 16, was Day 164. A day full of decisions and dilemmas. Why, you ask? What was going on?
Well, Scholastic decided to bring back the Advisors for the Lucky and Arrow book clubs for a few more meetings. This is not a usual practice, but there are some things they are still working on. Anyhow, I received an email saying they want us there June 13 through June 16. Wonderful! Except...
1. My last teacher day is June 13. (The students get out the 10th, but the teachers aren't.) I wasn't approved to take the day as a personal day as I was permitted to do back in February. So I will need to do my traveling after work.
2. I had two inservices (previously) scheduled for June 15 and June 16.
3. I had to figure out child care. Two days a week is one thing, but those two days turned into eight. Why? Because I had to reschedule my two inservices for the following week, which means I will have four inservice days in a row. (I had them previously scheduled for two days one week and two days the next.) Also, I had to schedule for the four days I will be traveling to and from New York, and the two days of meetings while I'm there.
So now I have everything figured out.
1. I will take the late train into New York on the 13th to be ready for meetings early on the 14th.
2. I was able (with my principal's permission) to cancel the inservices I had registered for and reschedule them for the following week.
3. My mother-in-law has agreed to watch my kiddos not only during my Scholastic trip, but also the days I have my inservices.
Disaster averted!
Well, Scholastic decided to bring back the Advisors for the Lucky and Arrow book clubs for a few more meetings. This is not a usual practice, but there are some things they are still working on. Anyhow, I received an email saying they want us there June 13 through June 16. Wonderful! Except...
1. My last teacher day is June 13. (The students get out the 10th, but the teachers aren't.) I wasn't approved to take the day as a personal day as I was permitted to do back in February. So I will need to do my traveling after work.
2. I had two inservices (previously) scheduled for June 15 and June 16.
3. I had to figure out child care. Two days a week is one thing, but those two days turned into eight. Why? Because I had to reschedule my two inservices for the following week, which means I will have four inservice days in a row. (I had them previously scheduled for two days one week and two days the next.) Also, I had to schedule for the four days I will be traveling to and from New York, and the two days of meetings while I'm there.
So now I have everything figured out.
1. I will take the late train into New York on the 13th to be ready for meetings early on the 14th.
2. I was able (with my principal's permission) to cancel the inservices I had registered for and reschedule them for the following week.
3. My mother-in-law has agreed to watch my kiddos not only during my Scholastic trip, but also the days I have my inservices.
Disaster averted!
Monday, May 16, 2011
Day 163: Talent Show!
Day 163 began the talent show season in my grade level. In our reading anthology, the final theme is called "Talent Show." Basically, the theme shows how people can have many different kinds of talents; not everyone who has a talent is a singer, dancer, or musician.
As a wrap-up to our reading anthology theme, my grade level puts on a talent show. The students are allowed to do traditional talent-show performances, but we also allow things like art displays, joke telling, dramatic/comedic readings and monologues, sports demonstrations, and acrobatics. In past years we have had everything from cheer leading, hula hooping, dancing, and singing to musical performances, jokes, photography displays, and magic tricks.
The students perform for our grade level only, and performance is optional. Parents and grandparents are invited to watch the show, and refreshments are served afterwards. The children really like the chance to show off talents they may not have been able to show otherwise.
Our show is not until June 8, during the last week of school. I'll let you know how it turns out!
As a wrap-up to our reading anthology theme, my grade level puts on a talent show. The students are allowed to do traditional talent-show performances, but we also allow things like art displays, joke telling, dramatic/comedic readings and monologues, sports demonstrations, and acrobatics. In past years we have had everything from cheer leading, hula hooping, dancing, and singing to musical performances, jokes, photography displays, and magic tricks.
The students perform for our grade level only, and performance is optional. Parents and grandparents are invited to watch the show, and refreshments are served afterwards. The children really like the chance to show off talents they may not have been able to show otherwise.
Our show is not until June 8, during the last week of school. I'll let you know how it turns out!
Day 162: Field Trip...Chaperone
While Day 162 was technically not spent in my own classroom, I was still part of an educational learning experience. What did I do? I spent the day as a chaperon on my sixth-grader's study trip. (A note to those of you who teach middle school: Kudos to you. I don't know how you do it!)
The trip was to a local nature center where the students learned about the function of wetlands on a hike, identified birds in the habitat, acted as naturalists for the day while searching for frogs, snakes, and evidence of other animals (like bats, snails, deer, and chipmunks/squirrels). The students also learned how pollution, erosion, and runoff affect watersheds; how to determine of water was "clean" by identifying live aquatic insects in samples of water from around the area; and how to identify trees by their leaves and bark. In all, it was an very informative trip, and the weather was cooperative.
While I was out in the park, my students spent the day with a substitute. They said they had fun and everything was covered. A good day on both ends.
The trip was to a local nature center where the students learned about the function of wetlands on a hike, identified birds in the habitat, acted as naturalists for the day while searching for frogs, snakes, and evidence of other animals (like bats, snails, deer, and chipmunks/squirrels). The students also learned how pollution, erosion, and runoff affect watersheds; how to determine of water was "clean" by identifying live aquatic insects in samples of water from around the area; and how to identify trees by their leaves and bark. In all, it was an very informative trip, and the weather was cooperative.
While I was out in the park, my students spent the day with a substitute. They said they had fun and everything was covered. A good day on both ends.
Day 161: Beautiful Music
Day 161 saw the arrival of the Spring Concert. If your school has any type of music program, you probably know all about the Spring Concert.
My school offers chorus, orchestra, and band for students in grades 4 and 5. Lessons for the instruments are given in small groups during school hours once a week; whole group weekly practices also occur. Each spring, each grade level group performs a dress rehearsal concert for the school before they perform for their parents in an evening concert.
Day 161 was the date of the fourth-grade spring concert. The lower grades were treated to the sounds of the band, then the chorus, then the choir. For many of my students, this was exciting because they have siblings or neighbors up on the stage performing.
Next week will be fifth grade's concert. Looking forward to it.
My school offers chorus, orchestra, and band for students in grades 4 and 5. Lessons for the instruments are given in small groups during school hours once a week; whole group weekly practices also occur. Each spring, each grade level group performs a dress rehearsal concert for the school before they perform for their parents in an evening concert.
Day 161 was the date of the fourth-grade spring concert. The lower grades were treated to the sounds of the band, then the chorus, then the choir. For many of my students, this was exciting because they have siblings or neighbors up on the stage performing.
Next week will be fifth grade's concert. Looking forward to it.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Day 160: 20 Days Left?!?!?
It seems so unreal. There are 20 days left in the school year, as of Tuesday, May 10. Wow.
If you are anything like me and your year is almost over, you are probably a little into hyper-drive mode, trying to wrap up all projects and loose ends before the children decide they aren't going to work anymore. I keep thinking of all the things that have yet to be done: One unit test in language arts, two science quizzes, a unit test in math and an end-of-the-year test in math, field day, report cards, and a talent show. I know, it's enough, right? Add in there the fact that the heat has returned, and it's enough to make you want to crack.
But...
I won't.
Things will get done and I will survive.
I just keep looking on the bright side...
20 days left!
If you are anything like me and your year is almost over, you are probably a little into hyper-drive mode, trying to wrap up all projects and loose ends before the children decide they aren't going to work anymore. I keep thinking of all the things that have yet to be done: One unit test in language arts, two science quizzes, a unit test in math and an end-of-the-year test in math, field day, report cards, and a talent show. I know, it's enough, right? Add in there the fact that the heat has returned, and it's enough to make you want to crack.
But...
I won't.
Things will get done and I will survive.
I just keep looking on the bright side...
20 days left!
Day 159: Another Half Day
Monday, May 9 was Day 159. For me, the day was a half day because of yet another appointment to the specialist for my knee. I am almost 100%, but I am still having trouble kneeling down (as if to tie my shoe). Try as I might, I just can't do it. I still also have some weakness in my knee, mostly if I were to lie on my back to do crunches or something; the weight of my calf and foot pulls on the joint and aches. Past that, I am doing much better than I was when I first started physical therapy. I am actually back on the treadmill! (In small--like five-minute--doses, but on nonetheless!) Yeah!
Friday, May 6, 2011
Day 158: Mother's Day
Today we worked on Mother's Day projects. I know some teachers do theirs a few days ahead, but I find that sometimes little ones have a hard time keeping a secret, so I do mine a day or two before the weekend.
I've done various projects through the years, but this year we made cluster pins for Mom. The students worked with me in stations to hot glue crystal beads onto pin backings. Why pins? I had the idea of "My mom's a jewel," and it was the easiest project to do with my kiddos. (And, I had a hard time finding the proper cording for the necklaces I had originally planned to do!)
Result? The students loved it! I provided a range of colored beads, ranging from clear to gold to champagne. Some of the beads also had an iridescent sheen on them. The students planned out the beads they wanted to use (one even painstakingly picked out only her mom's favorite colors), and I helped them glue their designs (and reglue escaped beads!).
While the beads were setting, we created our cards. Then we wrapped our pins in felt and tissue paper (a little cushion for the trip home!)
Here are some pictures of a final product:
I've done various projects through the years, but this year we made cluster pins for Mom. The students worked with me in stations to hot glue crystal beads onto pin backings. Why pins? I had the idea of "My mom's a jewel," and it was the easiest project to do with my kiddos. (And, I had a hard time finding the proper cording for the necklaces I had originally planned to do!)
Result? The students loved it! I provided a range of colored beads, ranging from clear to gold to champagne. Some of the beads also had an iridescent sheen on them. The students planned out the beads they wanted to use (one even painstakingly picked out only her mom's favorite colors), and I helped them glue their designs (and reglue escaped beads!).
While the beads were setting, we created our cards. Then we wrapped our pins in felt and tissue paper (a little cushion for the trip home!)
Here are some pictures of a final product:
 |
| Top view. Isn't it purty? |
 |
| Ooh. Sparkly. |
Day 157: Cinco de Mayo!
Day 157 was Cinco de Mayo. We did a few things to learn about the day. First, we viewed a short video on Brainpop Jr.. (For those of you not familiar, Brainpop Jr. is a website that provides short videos, quizzes, and activities on all topics for students in grades K-3. Brainpop (without the junior) is for upper grades. Check it out!)
Then we read a bit about Cinco de Mayo and made tissue paper flags. The flags are supposed to mimic the ones used in parades or fiesta celebrations. Seeing as I work with second graders, more intricate designs could be a bit hard for most of them. Anyhow, the students enjoy cutting the patterns (and it's a good review of symmetry as well!).
To make the flags, you take a sheet of tissue paper and fold it into quarters, lengthwise. Then you fold that length in half so the free edges touch. Then you cut the paper similar to the way you cut designs for a snowflake, being careful not to cut too close to the fold lines. Otherwise the flag will fall apart once it's opened. Open the flags and hang for decoration.
Then we read a bit about Cinco de Mayo and made tissue paper flags. The flags are supposed to mimic the ones used in parades or fiesta celebrations. Seeing as I work with second graders, more intricate designs could be a bit hard for most of them. Anyhow, the students enjoy cutting the patterns (and it's a good review of symmetry as well!).
To make the flags, you take a sheet of tissue paper and fold it into quarters, lengthwise. Then you fold that length in half so the free edges touch. Then you cut the paper similar to the way you cut designs for a snowflake, being careful not to cut too close to the fold lines. Otherwise the flag will fall apart once it's opened. Open the flags and hang for decoration.
Day 156: Halfway Through
Sorry to report that there is nothing much to say about Wednesday, May 4. The day went just as it should. Check back later! =)
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Day 155: Inspiration
A few months ago (and sometime last year) I was sent an e-mail called "What Teachers Make." I only recently found out the name of the author of this poem (which was actually published several years ago). If you've read it, you know how funny it is. If you've not, then you are in for a treat.
I was sent a link for a video of the author himself reading the poem at an inservice. Reading it online is one thing, but hearing it said by the author himself takes it to a whole new level. The author, Taylor Mali, is not only a teacher, but a comedian, performer, and slam poetry artist. That said...
Sit back and hold on to your hats.
Enjoy and be inspired!
I was sent a link for a video of the author himself reading the poem at an inservice. Reading it online is one thing, but hearing it said by the author himself takes it to a whole new level. The author, Taylor Mali, is not only a teacher, but a comedian, performer, and slam poetry artist. That said...
Sit back and hold on to your hats.
Enjoy and be inspired!
Monday, May 2, 2011
Day 154: Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!
To all of my fellow educators,
Thank you for all that you do every day, for every child. I know that sometimes it is a thankless job, that there are days you want to scream or cry (or have done both), your building may be run down, your administration may not seem to have a clue, your classroom is crammed tighter than a can of sardines, your team may be driving you crazy, you're on 15 committees on top of working 80 hours a week--and getting three hours of sleep, parents may be giving you a hard time, yet another test is taking you away from teaching the basics, budget cuts have left you with paperclips and two pencils, the class pet has died/had babies/escaped--again, and paperwork can look like Mount Everest.
But...
Little Johnny has finally mastered his addition and subtraction math facts, Sally has increased her reading fluency, someone has left you a hand-drawn picture that says "You're the Best Teacher Ever"--complete with hearts and smiley faces, your students are showing growth, everything you've taught all year is finally coming together, you get a good review from your principal, the class plants haven't died, one of your students gave you a high five/hug/ear-to-ear smile (because you are awesome)...
And you realize that you wouldn't have it any other way.
Enjoy your week!
Day 153: Half Days
Friday, April 29 was a half day--for me. (My district doesn't do half days; the only exception being the last day of school.) I took the morning so I could take my daughter to her follow up for her ankle. (All clear, by the way.)
I left my usual Friday routine out for the substitute. As best as I can tell, everything was done. There were Xs on the stuff I had marked, but no notes were left behind. Nor was the sub there when I got to the building. (On half days I come early so I can go over the morning, but no one was there. Oh well.)
I also learned that there was no library on Friday. Of course, that happened to be where my class was scheduled to be. So that means I had no planning time. So what do you do when you find out 20 minutes before you are to pick up the students from lunch that there is no special for them to go to after lunch? Panic? Cry? Beat your fists and yell? Noooooo. (You might want to, but those won't solve your problem.)
I decided to extend my insect unit in science by showing a 20-minute video on amazing insects and their life cycles, then have a discussion about it. (We are in the middle of our milkweed bug colony right now, and we have learned the difference between complete and incomplete metamorphosis, so it fit.) The students loved it, learned a few new things, and I got a chance to at least go over a few items for the afternoon.
Happy Friday!
I left my usual Friday routine out for the substitute. As best as I can tell, everything was done. There were Xs on the stuff I had marked, but no notes were left behind. Nor was the sub there when I got to the building. (On half days I come early so I can go over the morning, but no one was there. Oh well.)
I also learned that there was no library on Friday. Of course, that happened to be where my class was scheduled to be. So that means I had no planning time. So what do you do when you find out 20 minutes before you are to pick up the students from lunch that there is no special for them to go to after lunch? Panic? Cry? Beat your fists and yell? Noooooo. (You might want to, but those won't solve your problem.)
I decided to extend my insect unit in science by showing a 20-minute video on amazing insects and their life cycles, then have a discussion about it. (We are in the middle of our milkweed bug colony right now, and we have learned the difference between complete and incomplete metamorphosis, so it fit.) The students loved it, learned a few new things, and I got a chance to at least go over a few items for the afternoon.
Happy Friday!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)