Well That Was Fun...Not.

   I just finished two days (read 16 hours) of training over my summer break on a new reading supplemental program. My critical eye tells me that it could've been done in one, but they didn't ask me.  Oh well, I was paid for it, so I really shouldn't complain but I will anyways.  The program is called "Flying Start to Literacy" and it looks simple enough to implement. I can certainly see the potential for students, so I'm kinda excited about trying it out.  As the year progresses, I'll talk more about it and if anyone out there who is reading this blog has any comments, I'd love to hear your thoughts.  

On a different track of thought, at the training, I was introduced by a teacher buddy about a website called plickers.com. So I went home that first night and looked it up.  Now this website really got my brain cells ticking.  This is what I learned:

Pluckers is a site that allows you to print off QR codes for multiple choice questions ( a,b,c,d, yes/no, true/false) for each student.  The only "technology" you as a teacher need is your own smartphone or tablet.  You assign each student a different set of cards and when you want an informal assessment on a question, they hold up their card and you scan the room with your device. You get instant data that you can use to transform your teaching and it looks hella cool.  I personally can't wait to try this one out.  Once again, if anybody out there is currently using plickers in your classroom, please share your thoughts below in the comments.  

Track of thought derailment number two: speaking about technology, Bean has discovered the iPad. His current favorite is YouTube and to be more specific, the Mother Goose Club Playhouse channel.  He watches those videos like a whore watches her crack.  Crazy!  But he loves it, and who I to deny him educational tech while I can empty the dishwasher, start a load of laundry, and MAYBE make a glass of sweet iced tea.  This is my munchkin.

                                    

  What can I say? Edison by his side, sippy cup too,this kid is ready for the board room! 

As for my summer reading list, I'm still plodding along.  I'm on to the book "The Power of Our Words" and it is a powerful subject.  So powerful that when I'm done, I'll have a series of posts about how it is helping me rethink my speech in class.  I can't wait to share with you what I'm realizing.  Stay tuned for some major rethinking! Exciting stuff, I tell ya!

I'll sign off this evening with this adorable duo.  Can you spot Edison? 😉

What a cutie! 

Until tomorrow or whenever I get another free minute or two, 

Shauna

 

Experiments and Do-Overs

Well, a few weeks ago I posted that Edison and Bean found a new home on Weebly.com/ While that was all fine and dandy - I wasn't happy.  Sure it looks fancy and there are several pages to glance through - it still wan't what I was looking for.  So...we're back to blogspot and that's okay by my me.  So if you are a superfan of Edison and Bean, look no further - here we are and here we'll stay.

On a different note, there is a lot going on this summer.  First, I'm still plugging away at my summer reading list.  I have discovered the Northeast Foundation for Children and their "Responsive Classroom" approach to teaching.  So, after much deliberation and financial accounting, I decided to purchase several of their books.  7 books down, and now I've read through 5.  I like it.  I've watched their Youtube videos about a gazillion times and right before school got out for summer, I started to implement the "Morning Meeting" and use some "Interactive Modeling" techniques.  I thought to my self, "Self, what have you got to lose?"  The answer was "Nothing." So jump right in I did.  And I am so glad that I did.

Interactive modeling, is a way to model something to children and them ask them what they saw when you modeled it.  Then you choose a person or two to do what you did and again, you ask the children to explain what they saw.  Then they get to practice.  Simple.  I found that that by using this technique some of the problems that I had encountered throughout the year were disappearing.  So I continued to try it out.  My principal expressed a desire for students to know how to shake hands at our awards ceremony.  So, that was the goal of our morning meetings and interactive modeling for two weeks.  I'm proud to say, that by the end of the two weeks, every single students knew how to 1) look someone in the eye (super hard - even for me at times) 2) say "Good morning, so-and-so" and 3) shake hands with a firm but gentle handshake.  No limp shakes in Room 35A!  Yay!  With all this goodness coming out of a few minutes a day, it has given me confidence that I can use this technique in other aspects of my teaching to a degree of success.  We shall carry on next year with this and give updates on how the technique is progressing - warts and all.  Stay tuned for news on Responsive Classroom.  If you want to check it out for yourself, check out www.youtube.com/user/responsiveclassroom  I think it is also worth your time to check out their webpage at www.responsiveclassroom.org 

Here is my NFC library so far.  My summer reading list seems to grow longer each summer.  Who said summer was for relaxing?  Where are my cheesy romance books that I SHOULD be reading in this picture?

After reading all these books, I need a change of pace.  Everyday, I have been taking Little Bean to the YMCA pool for a little R&R.  He loves it.  He then comes home, and jumps in his little pool on the back patio, and there he will stay for an hour or more.  He gets out, dries off, gets dry clothes on, and heads right back into the pool.  Good gravy, kid!  How many pairs of shorts will you go through in one day?  That's okay - I finally got smart.  I strip him down to his birthday suit and let him loose.  Enjoy that cool water lapping against your baby man parts, kid.  

We have been trying (in vain, I'm afraid) to potty train him.  I don't think he's ready.  That's okay too. I did buy little boy underpants (superhero, of course) and I think that when he wears them, they are the cutest things on this planet.  Judge for yourselves - here I present exhibit A, B and C.  

On my last note of the day, we have decided to join in all the fun of Regal Cinema's Summer of Movies.  Last Tuesday, Graham Cracker and I took Bean to his first movie: "The Nut Job".  Hey, for a buck, could I go wrong?  NO.  He loved it.  BUT...we had to leave half way through.  He got bored.  A kid of mine BORED at the movies?!?  Obviously he's adopted.  Naw, he's just 2 1/2!  He did great!  I mean look at that smile!  (Methinks he was in love with his own soda and the little scamp stole my popcorn!) We'll be back next week for take number two.  I Can't Wait.  

Until the next nap time, 

Shauna