tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51987602995749537892024-03-13T18:04:48.720-04:00Teaching with TWitte"Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement, nothing can be done without hope and confidence." - Helen KellerTeaching with TWittehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355129624102282645noreply@blogger.comBlogger73125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198760299574953789.post-24403614401769797462015-06-28T19:21:00.001-04:002015-06-28T19:21:27.857-04:00Dare To Dream #tptsellerchallenge Week 2<div style="text-align: center;">
Nothing like waiting until the last minute to share my post for the TPT Seller Challenge. Week 2 was to DrEaM bIg! </div>
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I actually started working on this post at the beginning of the week and things got crazy</div>
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<li>4th grade graduation on Wednesday</li>
<li>Last day of school on Thursday</li>
<li>Summer job began on Friday</li>
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So here it is...</div>
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<b>Inspire others: </b>I feel so inspired by all the amazing bloggers, TPTers, IGers that I follow and hope to someday be a part of inspiring others with my products/ideas. </div>
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<b>Pay off my student loans: </b>Because I HAD to attend a private college and LIVE there (its as only 15 minutes from my house) and then attend this same college for grad school, I have pretty hefty college loans. I wouldn't change my college experience though, everything about it was amazing! :o)</div>
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<b>Get my doctorate: </b>Someday...</div>
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<b>Travel: </b>I don't travel nearly as much as I would like to. I would love to go on another cruise, I have never been to Disney, I dream of visiting Hawaii...anywhere warm and sunny is on my list! </div>
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Thanks again to Amber, Ashley, Emily, and Jen for creating this super challenge! </div>
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Thanks for reading! </div>
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Teaching with TWittehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355129624102282645noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198760299574953789.post-14355622710616603722015-06-21T07:52:00.000-04:002015-06-21T07:52:00.652-04:00Makeover {MADNESS} #tptsellerchallenge Week 1<div style="text-align: center;">
I did it!</div>
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I took the jump and joined and the TPT Seller Challenge started by these amazing ladies:</div>
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<a href="http://sparklinginsecondgrade.blogspot.com/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t9_XORtLzvc/VXcR_V0BRHI/AAAAAAAABRo/c_gsju45F6s/s200/SparklinginSecondButton3_zps107416d1.png" height="200" width="200" /></a><a href="http://www.teachcreatemotivate.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xRifpjLV09I/VUmp4Nn5zpI/AAAAAAAAR-U/e53xi0BHORg/s1600/button3.fw.png" height="200" width="200" /></a><a href="http://www.peppyzestyteacherista.com/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-APs5x7XVjN0/VXcR_WdoInI/AAAAAAAABRg/LOAr7SHQ5Ms/s200/Button.png" height="200" width="200" /></a><a href="http://www.thirdinhollywood.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-03G_agS1AVw/VXcSCPI4b8I/AAAAAAAABR4/2yeQ3hM9C64/s200/1facebookpicture.png" height="200" width="200" /></a> </div>
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I was beginning to get nervous that I wasn't going to complete the first challenge (makeover a current TPT item) in time because I am still in school. Our last day is this coming Thursday. </div>
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But...I did it! </div>
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And I couldn't be more excited about it! </div>
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I cleaned up my Brag Tags and added a couple more sheets to the product! </div>
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I cannot wait to be out of school now so that I can work on updating the rest of my Brag Tags and adding to my to store! </div>
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Thanks for reading! </div>
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In Chapter 1: What is a Student-Led Classroom? Paul describes forward-thinking teachers as teachers who "want to encourage students to take on more responsibility and ownership over their learning." That's ME! I mean - I want this for my students, but I have yet to accomplish this fully. </div>
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In reading, I use a merged Guided Reading/Readers' Workshop model and I started Guided Math this year. In reflecting on these times, as well as writing and social studies, I find myself thinking that my students do a lot of small group, collaborative work, but I feel like they do not have complete ownership or responsibility over this work. </div>
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Paul mentions that student-led classrooms are classrooms where students are making decisions throughout the day without consulting the teacher, although they understand that the teacher does have the ultimate say. This does NOT typically happen in my classroom. In fact, it freaks me out <strike>just a little</strike> A LOT because I am a self-proclaimed CoNtRoL fReAk!! </div>
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I am so excited to continue reading Learn Like a Pirate, especially because Paul also describes student-led classrooms as having teacher-led instruction, through mini-lessons, in the middle of the lesson. Again, I stopped to reflect. I mean, I begin my lessons with a turn-and-talk about a question, or a quick initiating activity, but the "beginning" of my lesson is typically teacher-led. </div>
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Paul does not make it sound like this is just a wave-your-magic-wand classroom management strategy, he makes it perfectly clear that, as with just about anything, these skills need be modeled and practiced on a daily basis in order for them to become habits. </div>
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At the end of the chapter, Paul suggests that you begin building relationships with students before they even enter your classroom. We often talk at school about walking by students in the hallway in the morning and saying "hello" to them, only to receive silence in return. I will keep trying, keep saying my "hello" and "good morning" and compliments in the hallway! </div>
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Like what you've read? You'll love this book! The first chapter is quick and easy, you have can catch up in no time! Click on over to <a href="http://www.theprimarygal.com/">The Primary Gal</a> and link-up with the book study. I love reading everyone else's thoughts on this book! </div>
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Happy Reading! </div>
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Teaching with TWittehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355129624102282645noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198760299574953789.post-29699480796090784982015-03-28T09:06:00.001-04:002015-03-28T09:06:19.175-04:00Five for Friday-ish<div style="text-align: center;">
It has been a very long time since I have blogged and even longer since I linked up with Kacey at <a href="http://doodlebugsteaching.blogspot.com/2015/03/five-for-friday-linky-party-march-27th.html">Doodle Bugs Teaching</a> for Five for Friday. </div>
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I am trying to get back into blogging regularly and think this is the perfect way to start. </div>
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A couple of weeks ago I was inspired by one of my favorite IGers, Rachel at <a href="http://thirdgradecupcakes.blogspot.com/">Third Grade Cupcakes</a>. She posted the most adorable countdown to PARCC, so I borrowed and tweaked this idea to use as a countdown to MCAS. </div>
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Monday was 2 days to the test and the kiddos were able to choose their own seats. </div>
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Continuing with our MCAS countdown, one day before testing, kiddos were able to write with pen for the day! </div>
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Wednesday brought the first day of testing. And with the first day of testing came motivational letters from my students parents. Extra Special Teaching has a Parent Testing Letter freebie on TPT that I sent home with all of my students and the looks on their faces when they received their parents' letter were priceless! Click on the link below to check out the great resource! </div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Angelia-Extra-Special-Teaching/Category/Classroom-Behavior-Management"><img border="0" src="https://mcdn.teacherspayteachers.com/thumbuserhome/Angelia-Extra-Special-Teaching/292361.jpg" /></a></div>
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I could not believe how hard my kiddos worked this year on THE TEST! In 8 years, I have never had a group of kiddos that worked as long and as hard as these kiddos! These students earned themselves a little treat after testing on Thursday! </div>
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This treat contained a fancy mechanical pencil, scented Crayola marker (we are obsessed with all things smelly!) and a brag tag for Excellent Effort on ELA MCAS. I was able to use the adorable Valentine treat bags that I never used on Valentine's, too! :o)</div>
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Finally, it is <i>that</i> time of year in 4th grade when spring fever sets in. I have a handful of difficult boys in my class this year, and lately they are in serious need of taking more control over their behavior. In order to review how to have good character, we have been reviewing character traits with read alouds and finding evidence of these traits in our <u>Wonder</u> read aloud. </div>
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Thanks for reading! XoXo</div>
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Teaching with TWittehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355129624102282645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198760299574953789.post-20168032546008469302015-01-04T09:27:00.000-05:002015-01-04T09:27:37.529-05:00100 RAKs to 30<div style="text-align: center;">
In college we celebrated 100 Days to Graduation. </div>
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Over break I was thinking about New Year's resolutions and turning 30 in April. </div>
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Combine these memories and thoughts and you have my personal challenge: 100 RAKs to 30. Each day for the 100 days leading up to my 30th birthday, I will complete one Random Act of Kindness. </div>
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I started on New Year's day by scouring Pinterest for RAK ideas and compiled my own list of 100. </div>
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Yesterday was day 1 of 100. One of the DJs on our local station is running Boston to raise money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. My first RAK was my donation to Broadway's Boston Marathon team for St. Jude. You can check out his story <a href="http://www.country925.com/onair/broadway-50107/running-boston-for-st-jude-childrens-13055106/">here</a>. </div>
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I will be sharing my progress via <a href="http://instagram.com/teachingwithtwitte/">Instagram</a> in the hopes of holding myself more accountable and inspiring others to complete RAKs. </div>
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Finally, for day 2, I am sharing my list of 100 RAKs, to hopefully give others some ideas and share ways to Pay It Forward! </div>
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Thanks for reading. </div>
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Happy Sunday (it would be happier if we had a few more days of break)! </div>
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Teaching with TWittehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355129624102282645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198760299574953789.post-71472622212382583432014-12-31T17:24:00.000-05:002014-12-31T17:25:39.251-05:00Currently ** January 2015<div style="text-align: center;">
2015, seriously? Wasn't it just 2000?! In 2000 I was...</div>
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* A freshman in high school</div>
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* Turning 15</div>
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* Listening to 'N Sync, Christina Aguilera, Britney</div>
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* Watching Dawson's Creek, Gilmore Girls, ER, the final episodes of Boy Meets World and 90210</div>
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* Dancing on the first (and only) dance team at our high school</div>
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...oh my!! </div>
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Okay, enough of that lovely flashback, I will withhold sharing scary photos of this point in my life. </div>
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I am CURRENTLY wicked excited by making into Farley's linky in the first 30! That's a first! Woohoo!!</div>
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<< Insert happy dance here >></div>
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Listening - For anyone following me on Instagram, I just finished Parenthood and I didn't want to start anything new because I need to focus on planning for the next couple of weeks, so back to an oldie but goodie, it is! </div>
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Loving - A local college has an accelerated MBA program that puts student teachers in the classroom from January to the end of the school district's year (not the college's spring semester). So my student teacher, who is just about my age, will be gradually working up to a 2-week take-over, but will then stay with us a co-teacher for the rest of the school year. I am thinking that this could work out VERY well! I am so excited to plan for small groups and so much more with another teacher in the classroom! :o)</div>
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Thinking - January is going to be a busy month: Busy weekends - Patriots play-off tickets!, RETELL coming to an end and capstone project to complete, student teacher joining us. I would like to plan ahead, we'll see how this goes. Also, I cannot help but think about having about 9 weeks until testing starts...UGH!!</div>
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Wanting - For those of you who noticed in my little introduction, if I turned 15 in 2000, that means I turn 30 this April! Eeeeek!! I have very mixed feelings about this birthday. But I plan to make this year a fun and memorable one for sure! </div>
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Needing - RETELL to be all done! Two more classes and a capstone presentation...I think I can, I think I can...</div>
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Finally, </div>
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YES - I will run my first 5K for my school the day before my 30th birthday. </div>
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MAYBE - It has been 3 years since I completed my Master's program and it's time to start something new. I am just not sure what something new will be. Sometimes I think about Administration, sometimes I think about a Doctorate in Education. Maybe this is the year to make a decision. </div>
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I WISH - To expand my itty-bitty TPT store. This should be more than an I wish, but I just cannot find the time to sit down and create the way that I wish I could. Hopefully this turns out to be more and I become more accomplished on TPT, we'll see. </div>
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Have a safe and fun New Year's Eve and Happy 2015 Bloggy Friends!! </div>
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Teaching with TWittehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355129624102282645noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198760299574953789.post-52481510030141231062014-12-28T20:35:00.003-05:002014-12-28T20:35:42.769-05:00Sunday Scoop<div style="text-align: center;">
It has been so long since I last blogged, that I was unaware of the Sunday Scoop linky, from <a href="http://teachingtrio.blogspot.com/">Teaching Trio</a>. I discovered the linky through Lisa over at <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/frame?post=3989436247&group=0&frame_type=a&context=&context_ids=&blog=9159039&frame=1&click=0&user=0">Grade 4 Buzz</a> and fell in love with the blog Teaching Trio. The ladies, Kristen, Juliet, and Cassie, have the most adorable blog going on. I am so glad to have discovered this little treasure! :o) Click on the link below to check out this brilliant blog and linky for yourself! </div>
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Happy Sunday of Winter Break! Enjoy a free and careless Sunday night. Thanks for reading! </div>
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Teaching with TWittehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355129624102282645noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198760299574953789.post-4159117234353974612014-12-23T21:00:00.002-05:002014-12-23T21:01:13.780-05:00New Year's Resolution and Goals for 2015http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lWSy1uFy9r0/Ur9d0YHr2CI/AAAAAAAAPvs/Y2vC9Yhu6JA/s320/Slide2.JPG<div style="text-align: center;">
OMG, I have been MIA for much too long! I'm pretty my last 4 or 5 posts have all begun that way, but as you will all notice, 2015 WILL bring me back to blogging. I was really loving it when I got started and am looking forward to making the time to get back into it. </div>
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So what better place to start that by linking up with Jessica at Second Grade Nest to share my goals for 2015. </div>
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I would like to take a class or two to earn credits towards my Master's +15. I am debating about a second Master's (in administration), CAGS, etc., but it wouldn't hurt to take a class or two before I decide my next step for sure. </div>
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Blogosphere "profession" - I will blog at least twice a week, but hopefully 3 times a week! </div>
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Get in shape! Get the gym/run at least 3 times each week. Also, I have been wanting to run a 5K (not much, I know...it's a start) and our school has one in April - that will be my first. </div>
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I shouldn't even admit this, but I will be 30 in April and I don't cook. I can bake, I can handle apps, but dinners - YIKES!! I will learn to cook, and hopefully like it, this year! </div>
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At almost 30, I have never been to Disney. This is the place that I would like to visit this year. </div>
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Oh dear, I am not brave in trying new foods. If I'm trying to get in shape, I should try to eat healthier, so I'm going to say that I would like to try to improve my like for vegetables. </div>
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I would like to learn how to sew. </div>
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Craft. I love to be crafty, but I am always so busy that I don't do enough of it. I need to slow down and take more time to do the things I am pinning, instead of just pinning the pretty crafts! :o)</div>
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I already I mentioned that I want to run my school's 5K. I know this isn't huge, but I have never been much of a runner and I am pretty out of shape, so I think that my school's 5K, on the day before my 30th birthday, is the perfect place to start. </div>
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Now, click on the link below to head over to Jessica's blog, Second Grade Nest, and share your Resolutions and Goals! </div>
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<a href="http://www.firstgradenest.com/"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cHaCcaJt4kY/VJmPNa20OLI/AAAAAAAAbec/YsOkmyx_pbE/s1600/Slide1.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Teaching with TWittehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355129624102282645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198760299574953789.post-65468276865298417612014-09-01T11:11:00.000-04:002014-09-01T11:11:01.423-04:00Labor Day Link-Ups<div style="text-align: center;">
Happy Labor Day! Happy September! Happy Monday! Happy Back To School Week! </div>
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Why is it that in the summer I think, "I will finally have time to blog," and then in September I think, "Where did the summer go; why didn't I blog?" School starts this week, so it seems appropriate to kick-off school year blogging with <a href="http://ohboy3rdgrade.blogspot.com/2014/08/currently-september-2014.html">Farley's Currently</a> and <a href="http://mrslaffinslaughings.blogspot.com/2014/08/a-peek-at-my-week-8-17-14_17.html">Mrs. Laffin's A Peek at My Week</a>! </div>
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">LISTENING: </i>I have never watched Glee on TV, but as I working on all things school related a couple of weeks ago, I was looking for some Netflix background noise. OMG what I have been missing for the last few years?! Music, Broadway, movies - Glee is all of my favorite things rolled into one show. <3</div>
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">LOVING: </i>At my school we only have one week to set-up our classrooms. It stresses me out, but I managed to get MOST of it done this past week. There are still some little things that I will work on tomorrow and Wednesday, so hopefully Wednesday night I will be able to share some pics. I LOVE how it turned out this year! :o)</div>
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">THINKING: </i>About my To Do list...so many things that I still need to do before the kiddos come to school on Thursday. </div>
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">WANTING: </i>As excited as I am to meet my new 4th graders, I would love one more week. But we all know that teachers are never really "ready," there is always ONE MORE THING to do, so I'm sure that even with another week, I still wouldn't be "ready." </div>
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">NEEDING: </i>Along with one more week, I could also use a few more hours in the day. We haven't even really had our first week yet and I am already exhausted...oops! </div>
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">3 Trips: </i>Disney - Yes, you read that correctly, I am 29 years old and have never been to Disney. One of these days...</div>
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Nashville - My best friend lived in Nashville a couple of years ago and with her schedule and my school schedule, I never made it out there. She is a travel nurse and fell in love with Tennessee so hopefully she will return and I will get to visit this time. I sure do <3 my country music! </div>
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Vegas - I hate gambling would love to see and do everything else in Vegas! </div>
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Now for a Peek at My First Week back at school. </div>
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Last week we had 9 new 4th graders register for school, today I will prepare things for the 3 new kiddos that will be in my class as well as various other back to school tasks that I still need to finish. These tasks are being planned a family BBQ that I will most definitely be making time for today, too! </div>
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Tomorrow we will have our district convocation and then some time to work in our classrooms and first staff meeting of the year. </div>
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I am looking forward to some district PD on close reading. I have done my own reading on close reading, but I am looking forward to what our literacy coach has to share with us. </div>
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Day 1 with kiddos!! YAY!! </div>
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Day 2 with kiddos. Procedures and routines are the name of the game this week. My first chapter book read aloud will be "No Talking" by Andrew Clements. We will be doing some community building such as Saving Fred and some Toothpaste words. The kiddos will also need to take a couple of Math tests, placement test and end of the year benchmark to test to be used as a DDM. It will be a busy, but mostly fun, couple of days! </div>
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Thanks for reading! :o)</div>
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Teaching with TWittehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355129624102282645noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198760299574953789.post-45358397286243897582014-07-08T15:05:00.002-04:002014-07-08T15:05:51.405-04:00Back To School Goals<div style="text-align: center;">
Two weeks into summer vacation and I am linking up with <a href="http://iheartrecess.blogspot.com/2014/07/back-to-school-goalsreflect-set-new.html">Jess from I {heart} Recess</a> to reflect on last year's goals and set goals for the upcoming school year. </div>
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Last year's goals: </div>
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If you are interested, you can find my old post <a href="http://teachingwithtwitte.blogspot.com/search/label/Goals">here</a>. </div>
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Here's how I did:</div>
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<b><u>Personal</u></b>: My personal goal was not to stay late at school several nights a week and make more time for myself. Overall I would say I achieved this goal - I procrastinated less this year than usual and rarely stayed late at school (although I do get to school about 90 minutes early each day). For it being my first year in a new district and new grade level, planning and preparing was much less stressful than I expected it to be! :o)</div>
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<u style="font-weight: bold;">Organizational</u>: Not so successful here. My filing habits were better this year than in the past, so that made it al bit easier to make the mad dash two days before the evidence binder was due to locate the evidence that should have been in it. Oops! </div>
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<u style="font-weight: bold;">Planning</u>: A work in progress...that is not to say that my lessons weren't meaningful, but I am already looking at adjusting things, especially math, for next year. I do not dislike the math program that we use, but I'm not sure that it is always meaningful. </div>
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<u style="font-weight: bold;">Professional</u>: Success!!</div>
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<u style="font-weight: bold;">Students</u>: With the amount of tears shed at 4th grade graduation and on the last day of school I am pretty sure that my kiddos enjoyed their school year. </div>
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<u style="font-weight: bold;">Motto</u>: Nope! lol</div>
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Now for B2S14 Goals...</div>
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Head of over to I {heart} Recess to join in the B2S fun and share your goals! </div>
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<a href="http://iheartrecess.blogspot.com/2014/07/back-to-school-goalsreflect-set-new.html"><img border="0" src="http://i730.photobucket.com/albums/ww307/LeslieFLambert/Sweetie%20Babys%20Designs%202/recessbutton_zpsb234f513.png" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
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Thanks for reading! :o)</div>
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Teaching with TWittehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355129624102282645noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198760299574953789.post-54228041565838956462014-07-01T12:43:00.000-04:002014-07-01T12:43:33.149-04:00July Currently<div style="text-align: center;">
I can't believe it's Currently time again! I love F<a href="http://ohboy3rdgrade.blogspot.com/2014/06/july-currently.html">arley's Currently</a> linky, but it just reminds me of how fast time flies. Although this is a pleasant first of the month, it is also my first full week of vacation. And of course I use the term vacation very lightly, because I am still working this month; August will be my real vacation. </div>
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I think things are pretty self-explanatory this time around. I had jury duty for the very first time today - I am 29 years old and this was my first one! Luckily I was at one of the smaller courts in my area and we were all dismissed by 10:15. Yay! I am also very lucky that my amazing summer boss told me to enjoy the rest of my day when I called to tell her I was on my way to work! :o)</div>
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As for Toby Keith, one of our local country stations posted a link on Facebook yesterday to a 4th of July ticket sale. It said that lawn tickets were on sale, but when I tried to Toby Keith link I actually found some mid-pavillion tickets for $20 each! So exciting!! </div>
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Finally, I claimed an old, rather disheveled looking bookcase from school a couple of weeks ago. I was planning on purchasing one, so when I was this one looking for a new home I simply couldn't resist. Aside from being in dire need of a new paint job, it is in great shape. I also plan to bring home an old rocking chair from my gram's house that I will paint to match my bookcase. </div>
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<a href="http://ohboy3rdgrade.blogspot.com/2014/06/july-currently.html"><img border="0" src="http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt15/04fallingstar/Custom%20Blog%20Design/Meghan%20Farley/3am_MF_button2_zps7f6923d7.png" height="197" width="200" /></a></div>
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Thanks for reading! :o)</div>
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Teaching with TWittehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355129624102282645noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198760299574953789.post-71484751625757845582014-06-27T16:11:00.000-04:002014-06-27T16:11:13.744-04:00Five for *1st Day of Summer Vacation* Friday<div style="text-align: center;">
HAAAAAAAAAPY SUMMER FRIENDS!</div>
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I am linking up with <a href="http://doodlebugsteaching.blogspot.com/2003/06/five-for-friday-linky-party-june-27th.html">Doodle Bugs Five for Friday</a> to share some tidbits about my last week of school. Let's count down this time so that I can start with today. </div>
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I know most of you have been on vacation for quite awhile now, but today was my first official day of vacation. You will never guess how I spent it...AT SCHOOL! Well, sort of at school. This summer is will assisting the director of a summer reading clinic at my college. I will be helping to supervise 5 reading specialist student teachers. So I guess my real, official summer actually begins on August 2nd. Until then, this is a pretty good way to spend the next month! </div>
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Yesterday was our last day of school - half day for kiddos AND teachers! In my district, our elementary school goes to 4th grade and then the kiddos go to middle school for 5th grade. So this was the first time that I said goodbye to my kiddos, knowing that they wouldn't be passing me in the hallway next year. It was quite an emotional morning. Here are a few sweet words and great owl painting from one of my kiddos! </div>
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Wednesday was our kiddos' 4th Grade Graduation. Another first for me, and even more emotional than the last day of school. The kiddos sang "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)" and danced to "In My Life." It was such an overwhelming morning that I forgot to bring my phone/camera picture with me, therefore no pictures. :o(</div>
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Knowing that graduation would be hectic (parents can sign their kiddos at the end to take them out for the rest of the day) and that not all of my kiddos were coming to school on the last day, I gave them their end of the year treats on Tuesday. We also watched the DVD that I made them together and had some great laughs! </div>
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Finally, I will be participating in a book study with other teachers in my district this summer. We received our books on Monday. We will be reading <u>Writing About Reading</u> by Janet Angelillo. We will be meeting several times throughout the summer to chat about the book and prepare a couple of lessons that we can use next year. </div>
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I am not off to begin my reading! </div>
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Teaching with TWittehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355129624102282645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198760299574953789.post-64854723533983945992014-05-09T17:24:00.000-04:002014-05-09T17:24:12.232-04:00Five for Friday - May 9th<div style="text-align: center;">
O-M-G! I am linking up with <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/frame?post=2778630433&group=0&frame_type=b&blog=2714679&frame=1&click=0&user=0">Doodle Bugs' Five for Friday</a> on a FRIDAY!<br />
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This has been a pretty exciting week and I am looking forward to sharing...before I head out to our town-wide 4th, 5th, and 6th grade spelling bee. </div>
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First I want to share my teacher appreciation goodies. Between our wonderful PTO and my sweet kiddos, they took very good care of me this week. Here are some pictures of the ways we were honored this week:</div>
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This signed greeted us each and every morning on the outside. On Monday, there was a fabulous sidewalk-chalk red carpet leading up to the door with Hollywood stars for each and every one of us - of course I forgot to take a picture of that. </div>
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This is what we saw as soon as we entered the building. Such a special quote. :o)</div>
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These were the sweetest little notes of appreciation from our kiddos. This poster was hanging in our classrooms on Tuesday morning. They all wrote the sweetest things! </div>
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And finally, these are some of the sweet treats I received from my kiddos. They all know me so well - so much owl loot! The bottom left photo is a picture that one my little darlings made using oil pastels on leather in her art class - it will be framed, for sure! </div>
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I started my read aloud of Tuck Everlasting to teach theme (based on the CCSS model unit plan) on Monday. At first, the kiddos were complaining because they found the book confusing. We are nearly halfway through the book now and they are LOVING it! I never imagined that they would enjoy the book as much as they are, or that our conversations/their understanding would be as thoughtful and extensive as it is. I am so impressed! I will continue to share these lessons in a separate post though. </div>
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We finished our Mother's Day books. The kiddos got a kick out of the pictures we took with mustaches. It seems like Mother's Day snuck up on me this year...this project was a bit more rushed than usual, but we also plan on taking time to honor all of the moms at our upcoming poetry night with poems and tissue paper flowers. </div>
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We also finished our Student Treasures packets this week! Here they are, all bundled up and ready to go. One of my amazing teams will be mailing them all out this weekend. I cannot wait for the published books to come in! :o)</div>
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Finally, last night was the Excellence in Teaching banquet for all of the Teachers of the Year in our area. It was such a wonderful event and I am so glad that my amazing team was able to attend, along with my family. The neatest part was sharing this night with so many of my former teachers. Now that I am teaching in my hometown, it is like one great, big reunion! It was so special to share this night with the people who helped me to get to where I am today and to receive this award. I am so grateful to my family, former teachers, and especially my incredible 4th grade team! </div>
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Our 4th grade team - I love these girls! :o)</div>
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As always, thanks for reading! </div>
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Teaching with TWittehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355129624102282645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198760299574953789.post-57915918690858868862014-05-04T15:36:00.001-04:002014-05-04T15:38:39.536-04:00Currently - A Peek at my Week<div style="text-align: center;">
Today's post will be a linky 2-for-1! I am linking up with <a href="http://ohboy3rdgrade.blogspot.com/">Farley's Currently</a> *yay* and Jennifer's A Peek at my Week! </div>
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I am <b><u>LISTENING</u></b> to Army Wives on Netflix. This used to be one of my favorite shows, then when they changed the cast, I decided I wouldn't watch it. I caved and watched season 7 the other day, so now I had to start over from the beginning again. </div>
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I am <b><u>LOVING</u></b> our 10-day forecast! It finally looks and feels like spring here in Western Massachusetts! :o) My allergies are not thrilled, but I will deal; I love the springtime! Those are finally 60s and 70s that I see! </div>
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I am <b><u>THINKING</u></b> about the 39 days that we have left of school. Yes, you read that correctly...THIRTY-NINE days! We start school after Labor Day...teachers begin on Tuesday and students begin on that Thursday, therefore, we still have 39 days to go. Our last day is June 26th. </div>
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I am <b><u>WANTING</u></b> a day at the beach. I am pretty sure that if I were to look back at all of the currently's that I have posted in the last year, they would all have something about the beach in them. Hopefully Memorial Day weekend! </div>
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I am <b><u>NEEDING</u></b> to get organized for Mother's Day. I have shopping to do for Mom and Grandma...and with the test-prep, Poetry Night preparations, and Student Treasures publishing that we have been working on, I haven't started my Mother's Day project with my kiddos yet. I have lots to do this week. </div>
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<b><u>SURPRISE</u></b>, Theresa and Robyn! I adore <a href="http://pinkadotselementary.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Pinkadots Elementary</a>. These two ladies have outstanding ideas and are lots of fun to follow. If you don't know them, head over and check out their amazing blog. During this teacher appreciation week, I would like to thank you, Theresa and Robyn, for inspiring me to be a better teacher with your incredible ideas. :o)</div>
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<a href="http://pinkadotselementary.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://i901.photobucket.com/albums/ac215/firefleye7/pinkadot-elementary.png~original" /></a></div>
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Now, for a quick, peek at my week! Jennifer at <a href="http://mrslaffinslaughings.blogspot.com/">Mrs. Laffin's Laughings</a> hosts the weekly A Peek at my Week. This is going to be a pretty exciting teacher appreciation week! </div>
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Our state department of education has some new CCSS resources. One of these resources is a model unit for determining literary themes using Tuck Everlasting. I want to try out this unit, but I know that the majority of my kiddos will not be reading this text independently, so I am tweaking the lessons to use as Tuck Everlasting as a read aloud. We will begin this unit this week. You can find the link to the model unit <a href="http://www.doe.mass.edu/candi/model/units/ELAg4-TuckEverlasting.pdf">here.</a> </div>
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This our last week before our math MCAS. That means that this week we will be finessing up our final topic, which happens to be geometry and prepping for THE TEST! I cannot wait until testing is over for the year! </div>
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So much to do. I will be using my writing time this week to complete our Student Treasures book publishing work, the kiddos' Poetry Night presentation boards, and our Mother's Day projects. I completed these Mother's Day projects with my kiddos last year and they came out very cute. You can check them out in my <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Teaching-With-Twitte" target="_blank">itty-bitty TPT store</a> that is on sale for the teacher appreciation event! </div>
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Tomorrow is my final college class. That means I have lots of grading and grade inputting this week. I cannot believe how fast this class by, but I am looking forward to having the opportunity to teach another class in the future! </div>
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If you follow me on Instagram, I posted this little gem this weekend:</div>
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My family, 2 amazing teamies and I will be attending a reception on Thursday to celebrate all of the winners of the Excellence in Teaching Award! :o) </div>
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Thanks for sticking with me through this rather lengthy post. Happy Sunday and have a wonderful teacher appreciation week! </div>
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Teaching with TWittehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355129624102282645noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198760299574953789.post-21122748548521366102014-04-10T17:57:00.001-04:002014-04-10T17:57:46.145-04:00SpRiNg FeVeR ** 5 Days to Spring Break<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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O.M.G! Don't get me wrong, I adore my 4th grade kiddos...but this week - YIKES! Our spring break begins one week from today. If the last four days are any sign of what the next 5 days are going to bring, I think I might be taking an early vacation ;o) </div>
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Our grade level, as a whole, has been struggling with their behavior. We having been using our dear friend ClassDoJo all year, but this week I have had to dig deep into my bag of tricks to fix this silliness. </div>
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<b><u>ROUND 1</u></b>:</div>
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I introduced the bucket filling concept (actually, that was a little over a week ago, so the silliness has been brewing; it has just come to a full boil this week). We read the following books:</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Filled-Bucket-Today-Guide-Happiness/dp/0978507517/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1397161515&sr=8-1&keywords=bucket+filler" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51YoDVrYYuL.jpg" height="151" width="200" /></a> </div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/How-Full-Your-Bucket-Kids/dp/1595620273/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1397161562&sr=8-2&keywords=bucket+filler" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51fXOM3LEfL.jpg" height="197" width="200" /></a></div>
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If you haven't read these books before, you can click on each one to visit the Amazon link. </div>
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<u>Have You Filled a Bucket Today?</u> details the concept of everyone having an invisible that is filled up when people (including themselves) say and do nice things. Their buckets drip when someone dips from them by saying or doing mean things. </div>
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<u>How Full is Your Bucket? For Kids</u> follows the story a little boy and his sister being cared for by their grandfather. The grandfather explains the bucket filling concept to his grandson, who begins to take notice of others buckets and behaviors and actions fill and dip these buckets. </div>
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Even as fourth graders, my kiddos enjoyed these books and had great conversations about them. We made an anchor chart to detail bucket filling and bucket dipping behaviors and the kiddos were challenged to complete a bucket filling ticket daily to fill someone's bucket in the classroom. Many of the kids are pointing out bucket dipping behavior at this point, but there is a small handful of kiddos that are still having a hard time demonstrating bucket filling behaviors. </div>
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Of course, I never expected this be the magical behavior tool, but I was hoping for a somewhat better outcome at this point. </div>
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<b><u>ROUND 2</u></b>:</div>
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Yesterday, I had to try something else, because this "spring fever" is just getting the best of these kiddos. So I used my fabulous new mint green chevron bucket to hold all of their numbers (each kiddo is assigned a number for mailboxes, etc.). Each day, starting yesterday, I am choosing a number in the morning and if that "Mystery Student" has a stellar day, they are able to choose ANY incentive coupon that they would like. The kiddos typically have to redeem their DoJo points for these coupons. It has only been 2 days, we'll see how long this lasts. </div>
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<u style="font-weight: bold;">Potential ROUND 3</u>:</div>
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Coincidentally, our school adjustment counselor provided us with some information at a staff meeting this morning on Social Thinking. She shared some information with us that she uses such as Whole Body Listening. There were some great charts and great language to use with the kiddos. We would definitely like to implement this as a whole school plan in the future, but considering that we are in school until June 26th [insert huge sigh here], we might try some of these things as a team after spring break. </div>
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<a href="http://socialthinking.com/index.php" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://socialthinking.com/images/stories/virtuemart/product/Whole_Body_Liste_4e08eb997ff7c.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
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This picture will link you to the Social Thinking website, if you are as interested as we are! </div>
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Now that I haven vented...it is almost Friday...and there are ONLY 5 more days until our 10 day spring break! </div>
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Thanks for reading! </div>
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Teaching with TWittehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355129624102282645noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198760299574953789.post-49266693240917436672014-04-01T18:10:00.000-04:002014-04-01T18:10:08.629-04:00*APRIL* Currently<div style="text-align: center;">
My 1st bloggiversary is coming up quickly and looking back, my blogging has been very sporadic...especially since school began in September. I am going to seriously try to get to 2 blog posts a week. I haven't even been reading many blogs and I miss it...I just don't know where the last 7 months have gone. </div>
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It makes me excited that on the 1st of this month I am able to link up with <a href="http://ohboy3rdgrade.blogspot.com/2014/03/april-currently.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2Fjtmhg+%28Oh%27+Boy+4th+Grade%29" target="_blank">Farley</a>'s currently! :o)</div>
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<b>Listening</b>: Behind as usual, so I'm catching up on last week's Grey's. </div>
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<b>Loving</b>: Today it was about 55 and SUNNY!! Kiddos went outside for both recesses and P.E. and most of us didn't even need to wear coats! I truly think I suffer from that seasonal depression, because the sun and warmth make me instantly happier and more productive! Let's hope spring is finally here to stay. </div>
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<b>Thinking</b>: This is my first semester teaching a (mostly) graduate class at the college that I attended. Sadly, I found out today that a graduate student in this class passed away last night. Although I do not know her family, I have been thinking of them all day. Such sad news :o(</div>
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<b>Wanting</b>: I cannot wait for the beach! It is my happy place!</div>
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<b>Needing</b>: Ugh, these new teacher evaluations. Our evidence and summaries are due on May 1st...I need to get moving. </div>
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<b>Kiddos hours</b>: 8:55 - 3:25</div>
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<b>My hours</b>: 7:30 - 4:00</div>
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After reading many currentlys this afternoon, I am convinced that my district will be one of the last ones to get out of school this year...YIKES! And that was only with 4 snow days. </div>
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Thanks to Farley for giving us something to look forward to every month! :o)</div>
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<a href="http://ohboy3rdgrade.blogspot.com/2014/03/april-currently.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2Fjtmhg+%28Oh%27+Boy+4th+Grade%29" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt15/04fallingstar/Custom%20Blog%20Design/Meghan%20Farley/3am_MF_button2_zps7f6923d7.png" height="197" width="200" /></a></div>
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Teaching with TWittehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355129624102282645noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198760299574953789.post-50529319560107385532014-01-26T21:05:00.001-05:002014-01-26T21:05:19.524-05:00A Peek at My Week *1.26.14*<div style="text-align: center;">
I am linking up with <a href="http://mrslaffinslaughings.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Jennifer from Mrs. Laffin's Laughings</a> this evening for a Peek at My Week. I love this linky and didn't want to miss it, but is not going to be very long or school-centered. </div>
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Tomorrow night I will teach my very first college course {insert deep breaths here}. It will basically just be going over the syllabus, introductions, discussion of assignments, etc., but my excitement has changed to nervousness today. I'll be fine when I get there and hopefully my kiddos will keep my mind off of it during the day, but I'm sure I won't be getting much sleep tonight!! </div>
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As for school...</div>
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We will begin our poetry unit this week. </div>
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I introduced Kidblog to my kiddos on Friday and they are SO EXCITED about it! So we will be blogging this week. I have heard really great things about this site and I'll be sure to post more as I use it. If you haven't seen it/heard of it yet, you can check it out {<a href="http://kidblog.org/home/" target="_blank">here</a>}. </div>
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Kiddos will be working on 2-digit by 1-digit division this week *YIKES*! </div>
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And finally, I have mixed feelings about Thursday. It is the 4th grade team's turn for BAS testing which means we have substitutes in our classrooms while we sit in the hallway to test. For those of you that have been reading, you know how much I dislike being out of school - sitting outside of my door has both pro's and con's. I don't have to worry about behavior so much because the kids know that I will be poking my head in to call students out from time-to-time so they are on their toes. But by poking my head in and out, I am able to observe things not being done my way. I will stop complaining and be thankful that my district gives us subs for this testing and that I don't have to fit it into my day somewhere. </div>
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Have a great week, friends! Thanks for reading!</div>
Teaching with TWittehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355129624102282645noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198760299574953789.post-47978632502178561142014-01-23T14:18:00.000-05:002014-01-23T14:18:55.690-05:00Trending Topics Linky<div style="text-align: center;">
Not a snow day, but a sick day. This is my 7th year teaching and my 2nd sick day. Don't get me wrong, I love a day off as much as anyone, I just don't like my days off when the kiddos are in school. And to make matters worse, my horrible stomach pains this morning were nothing more than a UTI (TMI? I'm sorry!). The positive is that I will be ready to go tomorrow and I had our amazing "building sub" teaching my kiddos, so I know they were in GREAT hands! </div>
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Obviously I have spent the last few hours doing school work, because I am a teacher and that is what we do when we are out sick. And part of doing school work means catching up on my blog reading! :o) So I am posting now because I discovered Jessica's new-ish linky Trending Topics. Check out her blog <a href="http://literacyspark.blogspot.com/2014/01/trending-topics-linky-recess-anyone.html" target="_blank">Literacy Spark</a> to find out more about it. </div>
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This week's Trending Topic is recess. We have our recess scheduled for us. Our 4th graders have morning recess from 10:30 to 10:45. Each of us (teamies) is assigned one day per week for recess duty (I have Tuesday) and the paraprofessional in each grade level has this duty daily, so there are 2 adults assigned each day. We then have afternoon recess/lunch from 12:15 to 1:00. The kiddos have recess for about 20 minutes and then lunch for the rest of the time. This recess/lunch is supervised by lunch monitors, so teachers have this whole 45 minute block free for lunch, etc. This is one of the things I love about my new job. I think the morning recess is good for the kiddos and I love my 45 minute time in the afternoon - I actually have time to eat AND work instead of just inhaling my lunch in 7 minutes and then running to the copy machine like I used to! </div>
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I have also been researching Kidblog in my "sick time" today. I have found examples and testimonials, etc, but I would love to hear from any of your that are using/have used Kidblog in the past before I totally commit. I think it sounds like a great idea and we have access to Chromebooks to my kiddos would have the opportunity to blog at school pretty regularly. So please, share your thoughts! :o)</div>
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Thanks for reading!</div>
Teaching with TWittehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355129624102282645noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198760299574953789.post-978433390624499672014-01-20T19:28:00.001-05:002014-01-20T19:28:24.465-05:00Linky Catch-Up<div style="text-align: center;">
Happy Monday, Friends! I know you all agree, but I just have to mention how much I L-O-V-E 3 day weekends! :o) Not that I did anything out of the ordinary, it's just so nice to have one extra day! </div>
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For my first linky today, I will be linking up with Trina from <a href="http://www.ordinarytoextraordinaryclassroom.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Ordinary To Extraordinary Classroom</a> for her 2nd edition of Meet the Teacher Monday. This weeks theme is Three Things. </div>
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1. <b>Three Words to Describe Me</b>: <i>LOUD</i>, <i>stubborn</i>, and <i>determined</i></div>
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2. <b>Three Things on My Bucket List</b>: Visit <i>Disney</i> (I am 28 and have NEVER been), attend <i>Country Fest</i> in Nashville, and <i>write a children's book</i></div>
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3. <b>My favorite music genre and 3 favorite songs</b>: I will listen to just about anything and I love music that I can dance to, but I especially love <i>COUNTRY </i>music - favorite songs are tough, I have so many how am I supposed to narrow it down to 3? Right now 3 of my faves are: <i>Compass</i> (Lady Antebellum), <i>We Were Us</i> (Miranda Lambert and Keith Urban), and <i>Austin</i> (Blake Shelton - this is an oldie but goodie). </div>
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4. <b>The first 3 things I would buy first if I won the lottery</b>: <i>New cars</i> for Momma, Little Bro, and I</div>
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5. <b>My favorite movie genre and 3 favorite movies</b>: <i>Musicals</i>...is that a movie genre? I love them all. My #1 fave is <i>CATS</i>. I also love <i>The Sound of Music</i>. <i>Dirty Dancing</i> is another one of my favorites. (Can I stick in <i>Newsies</i> and <i>RENT</i>, too?!)</div>
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6. <b>Three Character Flaws</b>: I am terrible <i>procrastinator</i>, rather <i>judgemental</i>, and a bit too much of a <i>perfectionist</i>. </div>
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7. <b>Three Friendship Personality Dealbreakers</b>: The <i>User</i>, The <i>Whiner/Complainer</i>, The <i>One-Upper</i></div>
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8. <b>Three Things I Want More of</b>: <i>Hours in the day</i>, <i>Fish in the sea</i> (I guess I just need to meet more of them), and <i>Money</i> (of course)</div>
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Fun, right? Head over to Trina's blog and link up...</div>
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<a href="http://www.ordinarytoextraordinaryclassroom.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PjCQUvrGphM/Utn5hqyvRdI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/6OFOu82M6hg/s1600/MTTM.png" height="200" width="196" /></a></div>
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Okay, linky round 2. This one is a link up with <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/frame?post=2225380595&group=0&frame_type=a&blog=2902653&link=aHR0cDovL3RlYWNoZXJnb25lZGlnaXRhbC5ibG9nc3BvdC5jb20vMjAxNC8wMS9hLWRheS1vdXItd2F5LXNjaGVkdWxlLWxpbmt5LWFuZC1tbGsuaHRtbA&frame=1&click=0&user=0" target="_blank">Where the Wild Things Learn</a> for A Day Our Way. Here is my typical daily schedule:</div>
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Morning Work: We used the Envisions Math program, so for morning work each day my kiddos complete the Daily Common Core Review and if they have time left after that, the complete a daily journal write which is usually from the Lakeshore calendar. During this time I check notes, kiddos take the lunch count and check-in homework, and I take attendance. </div>
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Guided Reading/Literacy Centers/Reader's Workshop: Sadly I am usually unable to get started at 9:05 because we have kiddos that go to breakfast in the morning, so I don't usually get started until 9:15. I typically begin with a read aloud and lesson from 9:15-9:45. Then I meet with one reading group from 9:45 - 10:15/10:30. The kiddos who are not in the reading group are doing silent reading/skill work, word work, research (I have to try to fit Science and Social Studies into my Reading time). </div>
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Morning Recess: I have duty on Tuesday, my teamies and I are all assigned one day per week for morning recess. The other 4 days I barely make it to the bathroom and back in my 15 minutes! :o)</div>
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Math: As I stated, we use the Envision Math program. I try to follow the book (it's my 1st year in this district, I try to be a rule-follower), but sometimes we skip the book work and I teach the lesson my way. We typically start with a problem of the day and the kiddos discuss with their neighbors. We do the interactive learning lesson with the video (kiddos are not huge fans of the videos) and then I project the book pages on the whiteboard and the kiddos practice on their individual whiteboards. We end with the kiddos completing their workbook page and playing math games while I work with 1 or 2 small groups. </div>
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Afternoon Recess and Lunch: Kiddos have recess and lunch, teachers have lunch!</div>
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Specials: The kiddos have Phys. Ed. twice a week, Technology (Science) once, Art once, and Music once. </div>
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Writer's Workshop: Instruction varies but this is where I typically try to fit my spelling, grammar, vocabulary lessons and get the kiddos writing. We use mentor texts, writer's notebooks, and do lots of informational writing. </div>
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Intervention/Enrichment Block: The whole grade level gets separated into needs-based groups. There is an enrichment group, a couple of Lindamood Bell groups, and the 3 groups that my teamies and I have: one Reading group and two writing groups. </div>
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That's my day - although right now I am hoping for an early release tomorrow and a delay on Wednesday - depending which channel you watch they are predicting anywhere from 1-3 inches to 5-8 inches. One can *WISH* right?!</div>
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Teaching with TWittehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355129624102282645noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198760299574953789.post-82193372424271924922014-01-14T18:55:00.000-05:002014-01-14T18:55:30.625-05:00Meet the Teacher Monday Linky<div style="text-align: center;">
Happy Tuesday Friends! Today I am linking up with <a href="http://www.ordinarytoextraordinaryclassroom.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Trina: The Ordinary to Extraordinary Classroom</a> for her brand-spankin' new Meet the Teacher Monday linky party. I know I'm not linking up on Monday, but if you check out the introductory post, Trina says it's ok if you don't link up on Monday (see, I do know how to follow directions! :o)</div>
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So I am supposed to share my vision board: </div>
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I don't make any New Year's resolutions this year, as I never ever follow them...but I suppose I can handle having a vision for 2014 (I know, same-difference, but we'll see). </div>
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<b>1. Where did I win in 2013? </b>Hands-down, my new job! Everyday I am more grateful for this opportunity and so glad that I took the "plunge." I truly could not be happier :o)</div>
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<b>2. Where did I lose in 2013? </b>Finances for sure. Loans, loans, loans. I do love my job and I went to a great college, got a wonderful education, and had some amazing experiences...but I am so DONE with paying back my loans. It seems I just never get ahead. </div>
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<b>3. What did I learn? </b>To take chances. Changing jobs was one of the most stressful, nerve-wracking experiences, but I am so glad I did it. </div>
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<b>4. Where do I want to be this time next year? </b>I want to be looking back at some incredible memories from 2014 - hopefully one of those memories will be of running a 5K (I have got to start somewhere). Still loving my job, having a bigger TpT store, and hopefully a little extra "play" money. </div>
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Click on Trina's button to find out more about Meet the Teacher Monday and link up! </div>
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<a href="http://www.ordinarytoextraordinaryclassroom.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://i1153.photobucket.com/albums/p501/raspberryroaddesign/ordinary-button.png~original" /></a></div>
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Thanks for reading! </div>
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Teaching with TWittehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355129624102282645noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198760299574953789.post-36480855778218684922014-01-12T21:30:00.001-05:002014-01-12T21:30:54.105-05:00A Peek at My Week * 1.12.14<div style="text-align: center;">
It's time to give you A Peek at My Week - I am once again linking up with <a href="http://mrslaffinslaughings.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Jennifer from Mrs. Laffin's Laughings</a>. </div>
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<a href="http://mrslaffinslaughings.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x6pwudJJHiM/UtGwZlhKVRI/AAAAAAAACQw/4l60n_lPxKo/s1600/Slide1.PNG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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So for starters, I received a FAB email today from Bloglovin informing me that I had reached 150 followers! After my several-month-long blog hiatus, I was in no way expecting this. I was so excited about 100 followers several months back, and I hadn't even thought to see how many I was at just this past week. So thank you to all of you and I will have to get a little giveaway going later this week! </div>
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Speaking of milestones and giveaways - <a href="http://fittobefourth.blogspot.com/2014/01/a-peek-at-my-week-and-100-followers.html?showComment=1389578593759#c8724597753056887074" target="_blank">Mary over at Fit to be Fourth</a> is celebrating her 100 follower milestone with a great giveaway! If you don't follow her already head on over and check out her adorable blog! :o) Congratulations Mary! </div>
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<a href="http://fittobefourth.blogspot.com/2014/01/a-peek-at-my-week-and-100-followers.html?showComment=1389578593759#c8724597753056887074" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_DCAu2aJX0w/UdWKRzm-65I/AAAAAAAAAA0/TMqintmhWZY/s150/Button.png" /></a></div>
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Before I get to my week, I just have to mention how much I love Jennifer Lawrence...and her acceptance speech on the Golden Globes tonight just made me love her even more. She is just so "normal" still. </div>
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Non-school related: Hart of Dixie fans, raise your hands! It's back on Monday night! I have missed this show - one of my guilty pleasures. </div>
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I hate to even use this word, but I have to start thinking about MCAS...we take our ELA test in March. Last week we began talking about some test-taking strategies. This week we will be working on writing answers to open response questions in reading. A couple of years ago I attended a <a href="http://www.keystoliteracy.com/" target="_blank">Keys To Literacy</a> training on writing open response answers using the acronym ANSWER. It is my favorite! If you aren't familiar with it, you can check it out <a href="http://www.keystoliteracy.com/wp-content/pdfs/orc-writing/The%20ANSWER%20Key%20Routine%20for%20Extended%20Response.pdf" target="_blank">{here}</a>. </div>
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And in my intervention block (writing) we will be working on answering different types of writing prompts. I try to hard not to "teach to the test," but we do need to work on test-taking strategies. </div>
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We also have a planetarium assembly on Tuesday that should be fun! :o)</div>
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Again, non-educational - even more exciting than Hart of Dixie on Monday is NASHVILLE tonight! This one is my favorite, for sure!</div>
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Last week, with my intervention group, we worked on dialogue and punctuation using comics (thank you, Pinterest!). Today I will teach this lesson to my own kiddos during our writing block. Obviously I loved the lesson, I am using it again. The kiddos take a short comic and use the speech bubbles to write their own paragraph transforming them into dialogue within the paragraph. </div>
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Progress Reports go home with kiddos on Friday. **Progress Reports are due on Wednesday, and guess what...mine are ALL DONE! Woohoo! Yup, I'm ahead of schedule, no procrastinating for me!** </div>
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And this is not Friday, but Sunday...GO PATRIOTS! I was really hoping they would be playing the Chargers so that they Pats would get to play at home, but it is what it is. Look out Peyton, the Tom Brady is coming to Denver! </div>
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Thanks for reading and have a great week!</div>
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Teaching with TWittehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355129624102282645noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198760299574953789.post-59057164873405569992014-01-12T10:00:00.000-05:002014-01-12T10:00:02.936-05:00Classroom Tested/Teacher & Student ApprovedToday I am *FINALLY* posting about an awesome <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Homophone-Craftivity-Smartphones-includes-2-versions-for-differentiation-628400" target="_blank">Smart(homo)Phone Craftivity</a> that I received from the very creative Deb over at <a href="http://www.crafting-connections.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Crafting Connections</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KZufA4RMhw0/Uj-ThsXEdfI/AAAAAAAAAcA/wCisTsqaufc/s200/CT+logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KZufA4RMhw0/Uj-ThsXEdfI/AAAAAAAAAcA/wCisTsqaufc/s200/CT+logo.png" height="198" width="200" /></a></div>
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When Deb first contacted me about trying out one of her craftivities over the summer, I was just digging into my new 4th grade curriculum, so I chose homophones, knowing that it was a 4th grade standard AND tough for kiddos to master.<br />
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In my district we use Evan-Moore for spelling; so I began the year with the two homophone lessons that are included in the book, knowing that I would need to review and work on homophones for the majority of the year. After spending two weeks on our homophone lists, we worked on the Smart(homo)Phone craftivity.<br />
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Most importantly, the kiddos got a big kick out of it! They were hooked as soon as they realized that they were making "iPhones." My favorite part is that Deb included 2 separate sets of sentences to make differentiation very easy. I was able to give the majority of my 4th graders the more difficult set - some sentences were a bit more challenging than others, but they worked through it. I would prefer that they be challenged that whip right through something that is too easy for them.<br />
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The idea is that "your friend" needs help studying for a test and "texts" you a sent with an underlined homophone. You have to write a response sentence using the other homophone. One sentence that still stands out to me that the majority of the kiddos struggled with had two homophones (scent and flower) in it. Many of them had Grandma's who <u>sent</u> them <u>flour</u> to make cupcakes! Haha.<br />
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When the kiddos had finished writing their sentences, we stapled the smartphones together and they glued them on construction paper. I used these to make a bulletin board for a few weeks and then the kiddos were able to take their creations home to share with their families. They loved sharing and reading each others, as well!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a-Yy1kTXirI/UtIBXof9w7I/AAAAAAAAAo4/J73s1D8hJSk/s1600/IMG_1561.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a-Yy1kTXirI/UtIBXof9w7I/AAAAAAAAAo4/J73s1D8hJSk/s1600/IMG_1561.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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In conclusion, this was a great craftivity. I fully intend to use it again next year and for years to come with my 4th graders. I believe that it was very self-explanatory for teachers, as well as for the kiddos. I would highly recommend this as a great homophone review! Thanks so much Deb!<br />
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P.S. Note to self - take more photos next time.<br />
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Click on the button to head over to Deb's blog where she has a rafflecopter set-up to give this awesome craftivity away one of her lucky followers! :o) Good luck!<br />
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<a href="http://crafting-connections.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/u378/designbychristi/craftingconnections/Button500x500.png" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Thanks for reading! </div>
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Teaching with TWittehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355129624102282645noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198760299574953789.post-56959893607941373892014-01-05T17:58:00.000-05:002014-01-05T17:58:10.387-05:00A *Peek* at My Week - January 6, 2014<div style="text-align: center;">
Time for another one of my favorite linkies - <a href="http://mrslaffinslaughings.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mrs. Laffin's Laughings: A Peek at My Week</a>. </div>
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<a href="http://mrslaffinslaughings.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oMFiLBF-uPU/UsiSqKtNmXI/AAAAAAAACOU/G6-tEYswlio/s400/Slide1.PNG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Head on over to Jennifer's great blog to share a peak at your week. </div>
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So, we were supposed to go back to school last Thursday, but school was cancelled on Wednesday night for Thursday and Friday thanks to Hercules. I have never been much of a fan of snow days, but it was really nice to have 2 weeks off. I know I teach 4th grade, but I have a feeling that we are going to need to begin the week with some routine review...I feel like I have been out of school for a month, I can imagine how those kiddos feel.</div>
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<b><u>READING</u></b></div>
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I mentioned back in September that this year, as a district, we are using Comprehension Connections by Tanny McGregor to teach our comprehension skills. Well this week I will finally finish the lessons from this book. I will be introducing and working on synthesizing all week in Reader's Workshop. </div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Comprehension-Connections-Bridges-Strategic-Reading/dp/0325008876" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51ljufeArSL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
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Click on the book for the link to Amazon. I fully intend to do a blog post or two in the coming weeks about my lessons from this book. It is a quick, easy read and very beneficial...check it out!</div>
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<b><u>MATH</u></b></div>
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Before vacation I introduced 2-digit by 2-digit multiplication to the kiddos using arrays and tables. They L-O-V-E-D it and actually did quite well with it. This week we will be reviewing and working on expanded and standard algorithms. </div>
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<b><u>WRITING</u></b></div>
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This week in writing we will begin our biography unit. As I'm sure most of you know, it is often a struggle to fit Social Studies and Science into the day, so in order to incorporate our Social Studies U.S. Regions standards, we will be doing our biographies on famous people from the south. </div>
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I also hope to fit some fun New Year's writing in before we get too far into our biographies. These are the two activities I have planned. Both are great TPT freebies! </div>
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The first is <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/New-Years-Resolutions-Goals-FREE-1030611" target="_blank">New Year's Resolutions/Goals</a> found on TPT. Click on the name to find the item. <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Addie-Williams" target="_blank">Addie Williams</a> did a great job creating this little guy! (Click on Addie's name to link to her TPT store). I think my kiddos will love it! Or check out her blog below</div>
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<a href="http://teachertalk-addie.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/l530/Adria_Williams/AddieEducationBlogButton.jpg" /></a></div>
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The second is <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/New-Years-Resolution-Freebie-1013338" target="_blank">New Year's Resolution Freebie</a>, again click on the name for the link. This one is created by <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Judy-Wright" target="_blank">Judy Wright</a>. (Click on Judy's name to link to her TPT store). This one will be a bulletin board! </div>
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<b><u>WRITING INTERVENTION BLOCK</u></b></div>
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For the last three months, we have been working on the fundamentals of writing in our intervention block. Now, I hate to even utter this word, MCAS *eeek* is creeping into view. So this week, we are going to work on writing some good leads/hooks, because that seems to be what the kiddos struggle with the most. I love Melissa Forney writing printables - she has some great examples of "grabbers" to get the kiddos started. If you don't know her, check her out <a href="http://www.forneyeducational.com/free_handouts" target="_blank">{HERE}</a>. I especially love her Young Writers Survival Kit. </div>
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Hopefully, by week's end, we will get to how to respond to different types of writing prompts. </div>
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These are all skills that the kiddos learn/have learned in writing, but we have the time to do a bit more small*ish* group instruction in these areas for the kiddos in need. </div>
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Finally, I have a meeting with the Human Resources department on Tuesday after school at my college because...I am going to teach my very first undergraduate class this semester! I hope both very nervous and very excited about this new experience. Luckily class doesn't begin until January 27th...so I still have time to prepare myself! </div>
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Thanks for reading! </div>
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<br />Teaching with TWittehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355129624102282645noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198760299574953789.post-89590530421396488482014-01-04T19:16:00.001-05:002014-01-04T19:19:33.642-05:00Currently: January2 posts in one day after not posting for nearly 4 months, I think so!<br />
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Let's be honest here, it's not a true blog-comeback without linking up with <a href="http://ohboy3rdgrade.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Farley's Currently</a>.<br />
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Here it is:<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5BD578rXmj0/UsiaOyEhMlI/AAAAAAAAAmE/iR1BoBrLt18/s1600/Slide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5BD578rXmj0/UsiaOyEhMlI/AAAAAAAAAmE/iR1BoBrLt18/s1600/Slide1.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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I am currently obsessed with Britney Spears again. A friend from high school is one of Britney's dancers in Vegas - so cool! I have watched the new documentary a couple of times and have been finding videos on Youtube to watch...it is so exciting to find Sarah dancing away on stage with Britney. My theory is: If I danced with Sarah (high school dance team) and now Sarah is dancing with Britney Spears, in theory I have danced with Britney Spears! Hey, a girl can dream! </div>
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I got the cutest Alex and Ani Buddha ring for Christmas, it makes me happy to see it dangling away on my finger while I type. </div>
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After a full two weeks off (snow days on Thursday and Friday), I have pretty much lived in yoga pants. Work clothes, what are those? </div>
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One of my friends posted this on Facebook this week </div>
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<a href="https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1505223_10202796129447286_1894818631_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1505223_10202796129447286_1894818631_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Along with not blogging, I have always dropped the ball on my TPT endeavor. I must get back into creating (or attempting to create anyway). </div>
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And finally, my favorite Christmas tradition in my stocking. I love the goodies that <strike>my mom</strike> Santa always finds to put in my stocking...it is my favorite part! :o)</div>
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As always, thanks for reading! </div>
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<br />Teaching with TWittehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355129624102282645noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198760299574953789.post-80885976675297832052014-01-04T17:56:00.005-05:002014-01-04T17:56:54.068-05:00Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad BloggerYup, that's me! I have been a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad blogger. *Hangs head in shame*<br />
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<a href="http://www.roflzoo.com/pics/042010/ashamed-walrus-is-ashamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.roflzoo.com/pics/042010/ashamed-walrus-is-ashamed.jpg" height="200" width="149" /></a></div>
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For those of you that were following me over the summer, you know that I began working at a new school this year. Although this has been an overwhelming, whirlwind of an experience, I could not be happier! Looking back over the past few months, there so many things that I wish I had blogged about and shared with all of you.<br />
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I dislike New Year's Resolutions because I never keep them...I try for a few weeks and then it just doesn't happen.<br />
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But, I miss blogging, I miss all of my bloggy friends, I miss reading blogs (I haven't been reading them because I feel so guilty about not posting that I have been avoiding it altogether), and mostly I miss everyone's AMAZING, MOTIVATING, INSPIRING ideas.<br />
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For the next few weeks I am going to attempt to do my own little version of Throwback Thursday and post about the excitement of the first 4 months of the school year.<br />
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Also, please check back on Friday, as I will finally be posting my Craftivity Collaboration post to share with you Deb Hanson's Homophone Craftivity. In the meantime, check out Deb's incredible crafty blog, <a href="http://www.crafting-connections.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Crafting Connections</a>.<br />
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Thanks for reading, and thanks to those of your who are still loyal followers! I hope you all had wonderful holidays and Happy 2014!<br />
Teaching with TWittehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355129624102282645noreply@blogger.com1