Signs of the Season

Due to Icepocalypse 2013, I've had some time on my hands! How did I spend it, you ask? Well, the first day of going nowhere consisted of the entire first season of Smash. And bacon. Nice!
Day 2,I woke up determined to have more to show for my time, so I got busy finishing up the Christmas decorating around here.

There's actually a Disney tree to show you, but that's another post for another day soon.
In other happenings, I was looking for a countdown for my classroom and stumbled upon some great ideas on Pinterest. After combing a few, I settled on this:

We're "Lighting Up the Classroom with Kindness"! There is an act of kindness on each bulb. Things like "Encourage Someone" or "Push in Someone Else's Chair". Every day, I take a bulb and put it on the wipe off board with the act of kindness showing. We talk about our goal for the day and the kids put a tally mark on the board whenever they do the act. It has been so much fun to channel their Christmas craziness into a greater good!

I love this time of year. I can't believe I only get 10 more days with my kids before Christmas! I hope the ice melts away and we get to have school tomorrow!

Posted with Blogsy

This Magic Moment...

For every teacher, there is a day or hour or moment in time when their class becomes "theirs". At least, I hope so! For me, it happened on day 12 this school year. We had just finished a read aloud and almost all 19 of my kids excitedly wanted to share a connection they had to the story and, wham! Just like that, they were "mine"!

So far, I've gone to 2 birthday parties, a softball game, a cheerleading show off, and have many more fun times on our class community calendar. It is shaping up to be a great year!

Next week is parent conferences and I am so excited to share all the progress and goals for these babies. I can't believe we're almost done with the first six weeks!

Posted with Blogsy

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Ah, fall! Sharpened pencils, new school clothes, fresh beginnings, and back to school!!! Ok...so, it's not quite fall, really. Not in Texas, anyway, but it IS back to school time and I am so excited...again!

I am blessed to be starting my 20th year of this adventure and since I'm going back to first grade after a four year stint serving in a specialist role, I am completely refreshed and ready to get started! Well, almost ready. We're never really completely ready. Teaching is always a work in progress. However, after spending the summer leisurely moving in and decorating, I'm ready to do a classroom tour!

Let's start with the "before":

Actually, my new teammates had been using it for storage, but they graciously cleaned it out, I cleaned out the cabinets with their help, and started moving in...in MAY! Yep, I had all summer and got to take my time. Teacher friends...can I get a WOO! ? :)

Drumroll, please....

The view as you walk in:

I chose red and white polka dot to accent my love of Disney and my theme, "Kersh's Kids"!!!

The Birthday Chair that my dad painted and I helped him polka dot:

Our math tubs with the most awesome Ikea rug:

The student cubbies, to the right of the door:

The bathroom door, where I am putting our guiding questions as a way of displaying our objectives:

The classroom library/reading center:

I organize these books by genre and interests. I do have leveled books by the small group table. I do a hybrid of Daily 5 and Debbie Diller's Workstations. It's all based on student choice and using evidence to show practice and learning...and it's FUN!!!

More centers:

The Workshop board:

My little corner with small group table. I kept my desk, but use the horseshoe table most of all during the day, as we do Reading, Math, and Writer's Workshops.

Each bin will hold materials for the reading groups. The green drawers under my desk will house math group materials.

My babies:

I was so excited to find the pennant banner in Canton. The black is chalkboard and I bought enough of each color that I can change the pattern if I want.

At the end of each group of desks, I've placed a shelf from Target with the students' browsing baskets to keep their leveled books from small group. The three drawer units hold more center supplies.

The front left corner:

One of my favorite things...the ceiling tiles I painted:

Our Share Chair! This doubles as the Big Books center:

Well, there you have it! I think I am in love with my sweet little corner room. Now all I need is some lesson plans and some sweet new babies!

Happy Back to School! Make it a great year!

 

Posted with Blogsy

Disney Days!

And now, for a picture recap of The Happiest Place on Earth, Volume No. 18:

First I got these:

And we got on a plane and went here:

The Boardwalk!!! Our DVC home away from home (aka: Heaven on Earth)

The lobby:

Our view:

We ate some wonderful meals:

Met up with great friends:

Saw the sights:

Rode our favorite rides:

Saw amazing fireworks:

And completely enjoyed ourselves!

Sigh...Disney days just don't come often enough!

 

 

Posted with Blogsy

To Clip or Not to Clip, That is the Question...

So, let's talk classroom management for a minute, please.

I have used a clip chart for years and years in my classroom. It's been the "traditional" kind, where students start at the top every day and clip down if there's a problem that a reminder or redirection couldn't resolve. I have not had kids "clip back up" because that seems a little wishy-washy to me and I think there should be some consequence for uncorrected behavior---and if you know me, you KNOW I emphasize the positive and usually redirect several times BEFORE going to the negative.

Also, I use sticker charts for positive behavior and "catching them being good". All kids can fill up their sticker charts all the time, regardless of where there clip is. This can help get them back on track and keeping their clip down allows me to track their behavior and easily communicate with parents. They color in the corresponding color daily for their parents to see to go with their clip and I write a quick note to let parents know if they clipped down and why. On Fridays, kids that filled up a sticker chart get to enjoy a Friday Reward ( usually 10-15 minutes of a game or toy of their choice or some other inexpensive fun that they choose). It may take some students a little longer to fill up their sticker chart, but they all have an equal chance. Staying at the top of the clip chart earns a sticker, too. Kids that are still working on filling up their sticker chart may choose to read, write, or even rest...no punishment! :)

As I'm writing this, I'm finding that I still think this is a good system, but I wonder about displaying the clip chart for all to see. Would it have the same impact if I hung the clip chart inside a cabinet? I want students to have some privacy and not be embarrassed or humiliated. But, even if the chart is inside a cabinet, the other students will still know when someone is moving their clip. The LAST thing I want to do is EVER hurt or shame one of my sweet babies. I believe in accountability, consequences, praise, modeling intrinsic motivation, and tapping into great behavior choices with extrinsic motivation, too.

I would love feedback from the teacher and parent perspective, please.

Teachers-if you DON'T use a similar system, how do you track behavior so that you accurately reflect that behavior on report cards and communicate effectively with parents?

Parents-what has your experience been with this type of system and what do you WISH you could see in your child's classroom? Do you think it motivates or harms your kids?

Please be gentle...I really do want what is best for kids and am looking for helpful, constructive feedback to help me reflect and prepare for a great year with my sweet, first graders!

Thanks!!! -Jill :)

 

Posted with Blogsy

What's On My Happy List...

O.K.---I know I need to post a Disney Days recap and I will, but I can't resist sharing this:

I've been working quite a bit in my new classroom and can't wait to post a before and after. I love blog stalking classroom set ups. It's exciting to get the honor of setting up a new room and using all the wonderful ideas I've collected over the years, so stay tuned! :)

Posted with Blogsy