On today's morning announcements, our very own Brooklyn got a huge shout out from Ms. Fagundes! During Calico, someone lost an iPod Touch in the staff lounge couch. Miss Brooklyn was sitting in there during the post-Calico meeting and found it. She knew it wasn't her's and did the right thing by turning it in so it could be reunited with it's owner. Great job Brooklyn! You showed trustworthiness and responsibility!
While I'm talking about Brooklyn, I have to share her comment to me from the other day. We were working away in the classroom and the class was silent ~ a little too silent ~ and I started "singing." Anyone who knows me, you know I'll NEVER be a singer, but today's singing was over-the-top horrible, high pitched (all done on purpose to break up the silence). Brooklyn, doesn't miss a beat, and says, "Are you on the internet? You should Google 'how to sing'." Hmm, this girl who shows such trustworthiness and responsibility earlier, where's the respect? Of course, I know she's full of respect, I love the sense of humor and having students in the class who can give me a hard time right back as I give it to them. I'm still laughing at her comment to me days later!
Have I mentioned how much fun I'm having with this group of kids? I don't think I'm going to let them advance to 3rd grade, I may just need to keep them in 2nd!
Friday, October 25, 2013
Monday, October 21, 2013
Calico Art Festival
I can't believe I didn't have my camera out at Calico yesterday! It's the first time in years I wasn't accused of being paparazzi :)
I had a late start on Calico as my two younger boys desperately needed naps before coming out. But, what an turn out we had! It seemed the silent auction and carnival areas were a little less full than usual; however, it didn't stop any of the fun! We had plenty of vendors to shop from, great food to eat (only time of the year I get a tri-tip sandwich!) and amazing baskets to bid on.
I am so excited about our class baskets! Donations were down all throughout the school ~ people just can't give like they used to; but, our room moms did an amazing job putting together our items. I'm not sure how they did it, but we were very successful at the silent auction. I don't have a definite number yet; but, from just the little I saw and quick math, I think our class raised around $600! This is amazing and I am so thankful to all those who donated to the baskets, placed bids and helped us reach this amount. The money we raise through this fundraiser helps provide your students with special extras we otherwise wouldn't have the chance to give the kids!
I had a late start on Calico as my two younger boys desperately needed naps before coming out. But, what an turn out we had! It seemed the silent auction and carnival areas were a little less full than usual; however, it didn't stop any of the fun! We had plenty of vendors to shop from, great food to eat (only time of the year I get a tri-tip sandwich!) and amazing baskets to bid on.
I am so excited about our class baskets! Donations were down all throughout the school ~ people just can't give like they used to; but, our room moms did an amazing job putting together our items. I'm not sure how they did it, but we were very successful at the silent auction. I don't have a definite number yet; but, from just the little I saw and quick math, I think our class raised around $600! This is amazing and I am so thankful to all those who donated to the baskets, placed bids and helped us reach this amount. The money we raise through this fundraiser helps provide your students with special extras we otherwise wouldn't have the chance to give the kids!
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Joey ~ Math Whiz Extraordinaire
Ahhh, with Calico taking over my house and taking my wife from me; I'm falling behind on our class blog while I run after my kids. But, I had to take time this morning to give a huge shout out to Joey! He amazed me with his math skills!
Background: We are currently working on our addition and subtraction skills. Obviously, with the common core standards taking over, we are not doing this as it has typically been done in the past and we are attacking problems in a very different way ~ focusing on the HOW and not the WHAT.
Yesterday students were given 2 story problems to do on their own after we did some whole class examples. While looking them over I learned quickly, we need to a do A LOT of practice! We went over them in class and for the most part I could see the thinking process in those who shared; but, Joey's was not clear to me. Well, it wasn't clear until we went over it in class and then I realized he wasn't confused, I was!
Joey attacked his word problem in a way I had never seen done before but made so much sense ~ I think it also helped the rest of the class understand the concept better! I had originally highlighted the "Show your work" portion of his instructions but then had to write him a note on his paper saying he was just too smart and even "out-thought" his teacher.
Of course, humble Joey just looked at me and told me that he just did as I had taught him! Go figure, I taught the kid to do something and then didn't understand it myself. He actually made a connection from our place value unit to our operations unit and I am very proud of him and his thinking skills!
Background: We are currently working on our addition and subtraction skills. Obviously, with the common core standards taking over, we are not doing this as it has typically been done in the past and we are attacking problems in a very different way ~ focusing on the HOW and not the WHAT.
Yesterday students were given 2 story problems to do on their own after we did some whole class examples. While looking them over I learned quickly, we need to a do A LOT of practice! We went over them in class and for the most part I could see the thinking process in those who shared; but, Joey's was not clear to me. Well, it wasn't clear until we went over it in class and then I realized he wasn't confused, I was!
Joey attacked his word problem in a way I had never seen done before but made so much sense ~ I think it also helped the rest of the class understand the concept better! I had originally highlighted the "Show your work" portion of his instructions but then had to write him a note on his paper saying he was just too smart and even "out-thought" his teacher.
Of course, humble Joey just looked at me and told me that he just did as I had taught him! Go figure, I taught the kid to do something and then didn't understand it myself. He actually made a connection from our place value unit to our operations unit and I am very proud of him and his thinking skills!
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Calico Around the Corner
With Calico just around the corner, the Parent Booster Club has announced a new contest! The top 3 classes with the most parent volunteers helping work Calico will win a pizza party!
I hope all of our parents are signed up to work a shift at Calico in one of the many areas available! Not only will it help earn our class a pizza party; but, the annual Calico Arts Festival is an amazing opportunity for our classroom and school to raise money needed to provide our students with many of the special things other schools do not receive. By working a couple hours on this day, you are making a HUGE impact for the school.
If you haven't signed up and need to know how to get connected, please contact me and I'll get you an extra copy of the volunteer form that was sent home a few weeks ago.
Also, remember, our class basket can't be a success with your help! Please have all donations in as soon as possible!
I hope all of our parents are signed up to work a shift at Calico in one of the many areas available! Not only will it help earn our class a pizza party; but, the annual Calico Arts Festival is an amazing opportunity for our classroom and school to raise money needed to provide our students with many of the special things other schools do not receive. By working a couple hours on this day, you are making a HUGE impact for the school.
If you haven't signed up and need to know how to get connected, please contact me and I'll get you an extra copy of the volunteer form that was sent home a few weeks ago.
Also, remember, our class basket can't be a success with your help! Please have all donations in as soon as possible!
Monday, September 23, 2013
Amazing Kids
Wow, this group of students continues to amaze me! It's not about who has mastered what standard or who will score the highest on the next test; it's about them growing as people and taking responsibility for their actions, and many did just that this morning!
Today was the first fire drill of the year. We worked through the procedure and reviewed what we were to do during the fire drill. As you can imagine, children are children and several did not do things the way we reviewed. When returning back to the classroom, we talked about the things I saw and heard that were not part of the drill (covering of ears, talking, running, etc. . .) When we make poor choices, we move our clips down on our clip chart. Two students stood out and were told to go move their clip down for their behaviors during the drill. I then asked 3 others if they were involved with the explosive talking that I heard, they all 3 admitted they were and went and moved their clips down. That honesty was enough to give me the pride I needed for the day ~ I love when students are honest. But, it didn't stop there! I made a blanket statement to the class stating if others were involved in that huge uproar, then I expect their clip to be moved as well and if anyone else needed to move then please do so. I had FIVE students walk to the clip chart and move their clip down!
Can I just say, WOW! Most people would be so irritated to have had half their class need to move their clip down during a fire drill; but, I had to focus on the positive. I have a class of students who know being honest about their actions is much more important than possibly getting in trouble!
My praising their honesty just wasn't enough, I called in Ms. Fagundes to report to her the "amazingness" of these students. She also praised their integrity ~ yes, she explained what that was :) But, I can't stop gushing over it, so I'm letting the world know how awesome these kids are! Yes, they make mistakes as we all do; but, the important thing is to own up to those mistakes when they are made!
In case you are wondering, all clips were moved back up due to their display of trustworthiness! Please join me in bragging on these kids and reinforce how proud we are of them for making the right choice to be responsible for their behavior ~ I may not like how they acted during the fire drill; but, I respect and admire their honesty and responsibility afterwards!
Today was the first fire drill of the year. We worked through the procedure and reviewed what we were to do during the fire drill. As you can imagine, children are children and several did not do things the way we reviewed. When returning back to the classroom, we talked about the things I saw and heard that were not part of the drill (covering of ears, talking, running, etc. . .) When we make poor choices, we move our clips down on our clip chart. Two students stood out and were told to go move their clip down for their behaviors during the drill. I then asked 3 others if they were involved with the explosive talking that I heard, they all 3 admitted they were and went and moved their clips down. That honesty was enough to give me the pride I needed for the day ~ I love when students are honest. But, it didn't stop there! I made a blanket statement to the class stating if others were involved in that huge uproar, then I expect their clip to be moved as well and if anyone else needed to move then please do so. I had FIVE students walk to the clip chart and move their clip down!
Can I just say, WOW! Most people would be so irritated to have had half their class need to move their clip down during a fire drill; but, I had to focus on the positive. I have a class of students who know being honest about their actions is much more important than possibly getting in trouble!
My praising their honesty just wasn't enough, I called in Ms. Fagundes to report to her the "amazingness" of these students. She also praised their integrity ~ yes, she explained what that was :) But, I can't stop gushing over it, so I'm letting the world know how awesome these kids are! Yes, they make mistakes as we all do; but, the important thing is to own up to those mistakes when they are made!
In case you are wondering, all clips were moved back up due to their display of trustworthiness! Please join me in bragging on these kids and reinforce how proud we are of them for making the right choice to be responsible for their behavior ~ I may not like how they acted during the fire drill; but, I respect and admire their honesty and responsibility afterwards!
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| Character Counts ~ My class showed trustworthiness & responsibility! |
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
So Proud
I am so proud of this group of students! I was out of the class today as the K-2 teachers had a planning day to prepare for our math units. The day was very productive for us; but, the best part of my day was coming back to the classroom and finding the note from the substitute. The note was a great reflection of the day they had and showed what a great group of kids we have in this class! I'm proud to say 2 group teams will be rewarded tomorrow having won a challenge the sub put before them and only 2 students will be sitting on the bench during recess ~ 2 out of 21 isn't a bad day in my book!
Great job students, you make me proud to be your teacher!
Great job students, you make me proud to be your teacher!
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Playdough Fun
Sometimes you just need some time in the day to sit back, relax and squeeze some good play dough! I am so thankful to the preschool teachers for sharing their recipe for the BEST play dough around. I picked up the ingredients and made my own play dough for the very first time and brought it in for the kids. I was amazed at the creations they made in just a short amount of time given.
My goal is to have a new batch of play dough every now and again for students to just mold in to whatever they can think of. Maybe next time, they'll create something and have to write a few sentences about it. I can always find an academic purpose for play :)
My goal is to have a new batch of play dough every now and again for students to just mold in to whatever they can think of. Maybe next time, they'll create something and have to write a few sentences about it. I can always find an academic purpose for play :)
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| Alicia created an amazing butterfly! |
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| Several students created snails. I believe this to be Jonna's work ~ check out the details of the feelers! |
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| Kaden and his snake! |
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| Gavin made a waffle that looks real enough to pop in my toaster! |
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| Joey showing off his bumblebee ~ amazing details not seen in the picture! |
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