Time Flies, But Humans Crawl

So once again, I am NOT dead.  I just have decreasing amounts of time that I can call my own.  Here's a quick update on all my doings since...well since the last time I was on this blasted thing.

TeachersPayTeachers:  Good news on this front - I have been hard at work creating several new products that hopefully will help someone out there with different aspects in their classrooms:

These little beauties were a lot of work!  But totally worth it if you're like me and LOVE math journals.  You can grab your own copy by clicking the link here!

I also have been busy with this little guy: he just came back from his JC Penney Pictures.  Check out the Chucks!
He turned 2 years old on November 17 and he is growing up so fast.  He has an attitude, a distinctive personality, and a temper.  He also swaggers when he walk.  A SWAGGER people!  He STRUTS.  S. T. R. U. T. S!!!

He runs away from me after a bath and I end up chasing his bare butt down the hall into the living room.  He loves a bowl of Fruit Loops and his inner Southern diva makes an appearance whenever there is sweet tea around.  I've got my hands full.  I wouldn't want it any other way.

School is school.  I've been informed that my new place of employment has an expectation that ALL of the teachers on a grade level MUST teach the same lesson, at the same time, and give the same assessment.  I'm struggling with this, I must admit.  These past few moths with this initiative have made me question my ability to teach and to teach well.  I AM  a good teacher.  I am creative, innovative, and I think outside the box.  Yet, with this new mandate, I feel that on one hand they crave for the kind of teacher that I am, yet they want all students to have the same opportunities (hence the same lesson/assessment/minutes) so they don't have to answer questions by parents asking "How come MY child didn't get...?"  I get it.  But I still struggle with the concept.  For years they have harped on and on about how each child learns in different ways and they have paid large sums to train teachers in differentiation (that's the "key" term educational-people like to use) and now this school wants robots.  Is it me or is there something amok here?  Sorry - it's my rant for the time being.  As I said - I'm struggling.  If you can spare the time, please pray for me.  I need strength.

And last but not least, I have fallen in love with CLOSE READING.  The way that I understand it is that a student reads a passage written at least 1 to 2 grade levels above their current level at least 3-4 different times.  Each time the student reads the passage, they are looking for something different.  The teacher directly teaches the student how to FIND EVIDENCE (using highlighters, numbering paragraphs, etc. ) how to CITE EVIDENCE (Underlining, circling, or squaring off) and how to use sentence frames when DISCUSSING EVIDENCE with a partner ("On line 3, it says....").  What a difference this teaching method can make for students!  Not only are they learning to look closely at a passage in order to ask and answer questions, they are working on reading fluency without even knowing it!  Holy ABC's Batman!  That's incredible! In honor of this newly found teaching directive, I am offering you, my loyal readers a freebie.  All you need is a copy of the book "Pumpkin Fiesta" by Caryn Yacowitz which you can find in any public library or at Amazon.com.  (Check out the cover above.)

If you want your copy of four days' worth of activities to go along with this wonderful book, just click the link below!  I am currently working on more so if you like these activities, please shoot me a  note and name a book that you are looking for and I'll try my best to create something for you.

Pumpkin Fiesta Close Read Activities

Until then,

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

Shauna

Well, Well, Look Who's Alive...

I know - I take a few weeks off from blogging and I suddenly feel as if the world has gone off and left me.  Serves me right.  Oh well.  I have been busy keeping up with my grade level (that's one huge bag of hot mess right there), learning my districts' new "Infinite Campus" computer system with all its idiosyncracies and grade book (yet one more hot mess - this one steaming), and most of all reminding myself of what's important in life - THE BEAN.

Speaking of my little bundle of joy (he's not so little anymore), here he is helping out Mom find the just the right cauldron for a sentence center.  I'll write about that next week - promise.

Until then, I wanted to check in and assure all that I am indeed alive and well and Bean is growing like the string that he is. Check out that ladykiller smile!  I'm going to have a problem on my hands in a few years.  Lord give me the strength.  

Shauna

Whew boy!

This is how I feel. Too bad I can't trade places with Bean!  It was a short week (thank you Labor Day and Staff Development) to give me a 3-day week. But still, OMG I'm pooped.

I have 26 students in a room that would be better equipped to handle 18, the AC was off today due to some sort of malfunction, and the outside temp was in the triple digits.  To think I wanted to live in Vegas! 

Things are plodding right along in Room 35a though. We start our quarterly assessments next week (always fun to hear 26 times about how Dad and Rob [pronounced like robe by seven year olds] went fishing.) I just can't wait. 

Here's a clincher: on Wednesday I was observed. OBSERVED! To be honest, I knew it was coming soon I just had no idea I was going to be first. Oh well.  Nothing bad to report: continue to use CHAMPS, blah blah blah. Same old same old.  

So today after school I spent 2 1/2 hours doing lesson plans, copies, and other good stuff done so I could concentrate on Bean for the entire weekend. That's good. I finally cleaned out a closet at school and was able to put the last remnants of my things away in one spot that's just for me. That's really good.  AND I left with my desk clear and my plans in plain sight. That's great. 

On that note I will leave you with my handsome son misbehaving in the Burger King. I have turned into one of those parents that I used scowl at and think "what is wrong with those people? Have they no manners? Don't they teach their children how to behave in public?"  Now people look at me and think the same thing.  My response: he's only little once and later when he's bigger, he'll act responsibly. Until then kiss off. 

Leave a comment about your questionable parenting skills below. 

Until I return, Have a great weekend. 

Shauna 

It's A Wrap!

The first week is over.  I've met my students, passed out endless notes from the office to parents, and even had a spelling test.  Whew!

In all, it wasn't so bad.  I mean we all have expectations that sometimes go just like we planned and other times they run off the track even before the engine starts up.  For me, I'd say it was a 60/40 split.  Certain things that I am used to are no longer there, and other things like having last hour prep is a blessing.  I still think that this year is going to be fun, but I have to have a disclaimer thrown in.  With 27 students in a room designed for 16-18 is a little tight.  Centers will have to be re-thought and however much I hate keeping students in their seats all day it is proving to be a must.  Thank heaven for GoNoodle.com!  Brain Breaks are a must!  If you don't know what GoNoddle is, you need to check it out posthaste!  (Hmmm three exclamation points in a row.  Note to self: you sound like a overexcited teenage girl at a One Direction concert.  TONE IT DOWN.)

What else happened this first week of school?  Birthday cupcakes, math assessment test 1&2, QSI assessment, 1minute reading fluency assessment, and a child who thinks mulling, whining, and talking back is sexy.  I told it wasn't and ignored him.. He'll learn.  (I hope.)

So…back in July I had to buy a new printer.  The old one just gave out.  No surprise.  Anywhoo… I took myself off down to Fry's Electronics SuperStore and talked to a salesman and told him what I needed.
*Low cost.  I'm a teacher, not friggin' Bill Gates.
*Low cost to replaced ink.  Once again, Warren Buffett I am not.
*Be able to print pictures as well as lesson plans.
I ended up buying an Epson WorkForce 3540 and for the most part I'm happy.  Yet, I sense a "but" in there.  There is.  I seem to run out of ink at an incredible speed.  Printing a t work is not a viable option because they are as reliable as Lindsey Lohan.  One day they are on top of everything you send them, and the next, they are spitting out printing jobs from two years ago by teachers who have since died.
I love my job. Sometimes.

Well, Bean is hungry, I am tired, and now I have to go to Target for more ink.  Crap.  Hope your first week went great and here's to your second week going even better.

Until I return (with more ink),

Shauna

Truck Driving Accident Leaves One (Mostly) Dead

Well the week before school begins is over.  Classrooms are ready, copies are made, and pencils are sharpened.  Fantastic.  I meet my new bunch of Superheroes on Friday night and they seem…little.  You forget how small they are when they step into your room fresh out of first grade.  But they all have sweet smiles minus a few teeth, and a look akin to fear in their eyes.  Fear? Why fear?  They have no idea who I am.  What is their classroom going to look like?  Where are they going to sit?  Are any of their friends in the class too?  Fear.  But, by the time I've asked their name, commented on their shirt/hair/and or missing teeth, the fear is replaced by hope.  A New Hope, for you Star War fans out there.  Yes, A New Hope.  A hope that she doesn't seem to be so bad.  A hope that she is as funny as she looks.  And a hope that this year is going to be AWESOME.

Their hope is totally warranted by the way.  I AM not as bad as I might sound.  I AM as funny as I look, and WE ARE going to have a totally rocking' year.

On another note - here's Bean.  Long story into short:
He was crying.  Mommy went to investigate. He ran over Edison with his truck.  Edison had lost the will to live.  He was unresponsive at the scene.  TeddyBear 911 was called.  Medics pronounced him DOA at the scene.  Mommy came.  Lifted said truck off Edison with her brute strength, kissed poor ole' Edison and he popped right back to life.  Mommy is a miracle worker.  Smiles were back within minutes and the truck driver was cited for reckless driving on the patio.  Was issued a ticket and a mandatory appearance in truck driving court.  Little Bugger failed to show.  Warrant issued.  Driver's license has since been revoked.  May be returned upon 1)proof of insurance  and 2)16th birthday.

Have relaxing weekend until you are (anyone in the Clark County School District) back to work on Monday.  If you are already back to work - enjoy your weekend!

Until I return, 

Shauna 

Stop! Collaborate and Listen...

So I was trolling Pintrest the other day and I came across these little beauties.  And I thought to myself, "Hey there self!  I have an idea!" So I downloaded these little guys and made some of my own. If you want both sets for yourself, just follow the links.

Courtesy of Rock & Teach Blog 

"Super" Choice Rewards 

Mine tell the students that are making "Super" Choices to redeem them for a prize at the end of the day.  I was thinking giving them Jolly Rancher or some other small piece of candy.  Nothing big, but hopefully I'll run out of my version and still have plenty of the Stop version.  We'll see what happens.

Well, it's Monday which means that on Wednesday, I report back to duty.  My summer is indeed over and in all, it's been good.  I spent some quality time with The Bean, got back to work doing this blog thing, which I must say in retrospect and hindsight, I have truly missed, and I have recharged my batteries and put some things that I have done in my past classrooms into perspective.   So, did I "GO"anywhere?  Did I "DO" anything?  In short, the answer is a resounding "NO."  Did I rest and relax?  Did I enjoy myself?  Did I grow?  Hell yes.  (Can I say hell on this thing?  Oh well, I just did. Sue me.) 

FIrst day back with students is Monday the 25th so I'll be back on this thing then.  Until then, If you haven't yet gone back, enjoy the last few remaining hours until your school year begins.  I know I will.

PS: I'm still waiting for folks to enter to win a set of my Voice Chips - what have you got to lose?  Enter today by leaving a comment, choosing to follow me on Blogger, or leaving your email in a comment below.  Time's running out!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Talk Like A…Voice Chips Freebie!

Want to make these fantastic little things? Voice Chips are here! (And they are ((mostly)) free!!)

Voice Chips add fun and laughter to a otherwise "boring" lesson.

Then this is what'll need: 

Avery FULL SHEET Mailing Labels Item #8165 is a MUST for this project!

Avery FULL SHEET shipping labels (found mine at Staples), package (or two or three) of 1 1/2 wooden discs from Michaels, and the download from me, which you can get here. 

This is what you do: 

Print out the voice chips on to the shipping labels and cut them out.  Apply them to the wooden discs.  Use.

Simple.  Fun.  Easy.

So how would I use them?  How about have a student pull one from a bag and read a poem to the class using whichever "voice" he chose?  Have each student pull one and read a line/paragraph from your reading selection?  Read the Word Wall during centers?  Review for a test?  Share a story wight eh class or share buddy?  The list is endless.  Imagine the fun your class could have using different voices during class?  

Tell how you might use these in your classroom in the comments below!  Leave your email address as well to enter to win set ready-made!  A winner will be chosen at the end of the week! Good luck!

Until I return,

Shauna