Thursday, December 29

Happy New Year

 I saw this linky party over at "A Teacher's Treasure, I decided to join!  It is my first attempt at joining a linky party, so here it goes:
I've learned in church that we should have "SMART" goals....Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely. Looking back at my goals from last year, I see I didn't accomplish not one... but I enter into this year with a renewed strength and passion that 2012 may be the year I accomplish the goal I set for myself as a young child... to become a wife! With that being said, here are my resolutions...

Personal:
1. Financial- I need to start saving for my wedding! No I'm not engaged, but my boyfriend and I have discussed being married by the end of 2012 so that gives me less than a year to get it together!

2. Spiritual- Spend at least an hour a day with God-whether I'm praying or reading my bible or just listening for God to speak to me.

3. Physical- I have to eat healthier and in turn, that should cause some weight loss, I've always been happy at a size 16 but I've also suffered from Hypertention for the last 9 years and that's not a good look!

4. Mental- read more! I received a Nook for Christmas and I'm already knee deep in reading new books!

5. Social- introduce myself to more members of my church (we have over 1,000) and continue to fellowship with the friends I've made.

Professional:
1. Survive! I transferred to a new school and I'm teaching a new
grade level, I'm in survival mode!

2. Stay out of the teacher's lounge!

3. Not stress out about state testing... this is my first year in a testing grade!

4. Do the best I can do... I didn't birth these children and I can't take them home, but I can do the best that I know how!

5. Create more of my own materials for 3rd grade, just like I did in 2nd grade.

What are your resolutions?

Wednesday, December 28

Reading Marathon

This is another idea taken from a 4th grade teacher at my previous school and I love it! It's called a "Reading Marathon" and the students love it!

Materials: (for each child)
-white paper, folded into 6 sections- plain printer paper or white construction paper will do
-leveled text
-crayons, colored pencils, pencil

Time: about 90 minutes

Pass out a book(should be the child's independent level) and a sheet of folded paper to each child. Students may use books that they are currently reading. Explain that they will be participating in a Reading Marathon. Students should  complete each section in the time alloted.

10 minutes: Section 1- Make a new cover for you book. Color the cover, be sure to include the title and author.

10 minutes: students reading silently.

10 minutes: Section 2- Write three important details about your favorite character. Draw and color a picture of the character.

10 minutes: students reading silently

10 minutes: Section 3- Write a quick summary of the book part you just read.

10 minutes: Section 4- Draw a visualization from the book. Write a sentence explaining your visualization.

10 minutes: students reading silently

10 minutes: Section 5- Write 3 questions you've had about the book so far.

10 minutes: Section 6- Draw a picture and write a sentence about your book's setting.

I've done this a couple of times and I've been impressed with the results. I will try and figure out a "nonfiction reading marathon."

Tuesday, December 27

Classroom Tour

Reading Strategies and Skills Posters- Hollywood Themed

Front of the room (student book boxes)

Birthday Poster and Bucket Filler reminders

Writing Materials

Reading Mini Lesson Area

F.A.C.E.S. of a Reader Strategy Board

Classroom Library

Pop Into a Good Book!

More books...


Books, bulletin boards and workstation storage.

Guided Reading and Strategy Group Materials

Wednesday, December 14

Christmas Ornaments

Have you ever made these acrylic paint glass ornaments? They are truly adorable!
Materials:
1 glass ball per child
assortment of acrylic paint (Plaid from Walmart)
assortment of matching ribbon
ornament hooks

Tilt ball and pour paint into top allowing it to run to the bottom of the ball.
I have the students choose two colors and then I always add white.
So for the ornament pictured I poured in pink, white, purple, pink, white, purple, white.
Then the student covers up the opening with a paper towel and shakes it until it is completely covered in the inside. 
I turn it upside down in the tray (writing their class # next to it).
I let it drain and dry for 2-3 days.
Affix topper, tie on coordinating ribbon, wrap in tissue paper and send home!

I hope you understood all that!


Monday, December 5

Winter Poems

The wonderful teachers on the Second Grade Teachers Club make up these fluency packets for just about every holiday/season and some academic concepts. Well I have a group of students whose reading goal is fluency with a focus on expression and I I thought it would be wonderful for them to read and recite these poems to practice reading with expression. These poems come from a variety of different places. What types of activities do you do with your students to practice reading with expression?

Winter Poems

Saturday, December 3

Five Days of Christmas!

Are you a fan of the Teaching Oasis on Facebook? If not click the link to the right! Starting Monday December 5th we will be giving away goodies everyday... stay tuned!

Thursday, December 1

Sunshine Award

Thanks to Doris at Third Grade Thinkers(http://thirdgradethinkers8.blogspot.com/) for this award. Since moving to 3rd Grade I check out her blog all the time since she's a 3rd teacher in Virginia and she teaches the exact same curriculum I do.


So I"m supposed to answer the following questions.

Favorite color...blue and pink
Favorite animal....puppies
Favorite number...7
Favorite drink... Pepsi
Facebook or Twitter....FB
Passion: Jesus Christ, I love to let my light "shine"! My friends and family and of course teaching.
Favorite Day: Saturdays... I get a break from the kiddies, I get to attend Corporate Prayer at my church and I get to spend time with friends and family.
Time to pass on the sunshine...

Sandy at http://secondgradelockerroom.blogspot.com/ Check out her Reading Workshop ideas, I absolutely love her Fiction and Nonfiction Walk and Talks!

Christina at http://bainbridgeclass.blogspot.com/ Everything she makes is AWESOME! I want to be like her when I grow up.