Welcome back to the new year! It's been a while since I've posted on here; but, today has already been an exceptional day and I am so impressed by this class!
We came back from vacation and I needed a new read aloud. I chose a book I haven't read in many years ~ The BFG by Roald Dahl. The book has been great to help students see how to check in and ask questions as they read. We are also working on our visualizing skills and creating a picture/movie in our head as we read. It takes quite a while to get through a chapter because we stop so much to create those pictures, make connections and check our vocabulary understanding.
As I was reading today's chapter there was no doubt these kids are paying attention to this book and creating their mental images! I never know if they are truly understanding; but, today the book was talking about soda bubbles and how they should travel. In Giant Country, the soda bubbles travel downward to keep from burping. My students were quick to see where this was going! If the bubble travel down instead of up, the air bubbles have to come out somewhere and they were already cracking up before I could even attempt to explain that one.
I am not one for "fart" humor; but, I love the way this book handles what the giant calls "whizzpopping." The descriptive language had the students busting up laughing and truly enjoying a great book! What amazes me the most is they got the point WITHOUT me having to spoon feed it. That's what I've been waiting for as their teacher, they day they begin being active in their learning and make connections on their own.
Have I mentioned how much I love teaching this class? They are an exceptional group of kids!
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
It's Been a While. . .
With the Thanksgiving holiday coming and going so quickly I realize it's been quite a while since anything has been posted ~ sorry for the lapse in updates :(
It was great talking to everyone during parent conferences! I think this was the smoothest year of conferences I've every had. We truly have a great bunch of students who work hard so they can play hard. I hope I was able to answer all questions and concerns during conferences; but, remember, at any time you can e-mail me any questions and I can clear anything up.
I just sent home a notice about our Calico fundraiser and how well we did! If you didn't receive that, please check your child's backpack to get that information as there are details on what I would like to do with the money if we can bring in a little more! So far we have brought in $656 through the Silent Auction ~ way to go parents!
Another fundraising opportunity has fell in to our laps and I'm jumping on it! Check out the attached flier below for more information; but, basically there's a parent bringing their store to the school cafeteria where you can shop for Christmas gifts and 30% of your sales will be donated to the class of your choice (of course I'm hoping you'll say Mr. Price in Room 14!) This is an amazing opportunity to fund raise for the class with shopping you would do anyway ~ no pain fundraising :) Be sure to print the flier out and post all over. Share with family and friends and make sure they remember to say my name so our class gets the credit!
I hope everyone is doing well and keep your eyes open for Christmas party information coming home later this week!
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Amazing Thinkers
I keep getting amazed at this class and what they are capable of accomplishing! We were taking a math benchmark test and a word problem came up that I really wanted to scream over. Here's the word problem:
Kate uses three pieces of wire for a project.
Kate uses three pieces of wire for a project.
- The blue wire is 34 inches long.
- The red wire is 15 inches shorter than the blue wire.
- The green wire is 7 inches longer than the red wire.
How long is the green wire?
Okay, most of us can figure this out no problem; however, the kids are a bunch of 2nd graders barely learning to add and subtract in simple one step problems and here we have a multiple step process that kids have to analyze out. I was ready to cry for them and as I read the question I saw the blank stares looking at me like I'd lost my mind!
But, the amazing thing, our of 22 students, 14 got the right answer! I didn't expect but maybe 1 or 2 to figure it out; yet, over half the class was able to figure this complex thinking problem out. Very impressed they broke the problem down and took the time to think it through.
Friday, October 25, 2013
Brooklyn
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!
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!
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!
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