MIA and Whole Group Instruction

Summer is in full swing and going by w--a--y too fast! I mean, 3 weeks already!? Last week I was MIA but for a good reason. I took a girls trip with my mom, grandma, and second cousin on an Alaskan cruise!!! I definitely packed way too warm (did you hear about the heat wave). It was in the high 70's and made it to 80 two of the days we were there. So much for escaping the Texas heat for a week...although the humidity was nice to get away from for a few days! Here's a peek of last week!

 

 

I must admit, getting back to reality...rather quickly with a training this morning, was harder than I thought. I really did miss reading my blogs though (tear). Having a weeks worth of reading to catch up on is rough!

 

I'm starting off the week by linking up with The Applicious Teacher for her weekly summer linky party.

 

 

This week focuses on whole group teaching in your classroom. Here's a peek at how I teach whole group style!
 

 

 

 Calendar/Carpet: Our whole group meeting area is called "The Information Hut" or better known as the carpet. After announcements each morning, we meet in this area (I put duct tape on the floor to enclose this space so they have a "box" to sit in). This is where we do read alouds, shared reading, calendar time, Smartboard interactive lessons, etc. We also do a lot of graphing and making anchor charts in this area to record our learning. We spend the majority of the day in this area when we are learning new concepts.

 

 

Desk Groupings: I teach phonics daily and during this time students remain at their individual desks which stay in groups of 4-6. I like to make this whole group learning interactive.  They each get a sock and marker and we write words on our desks after I introduce our sound pattern for the week. I also call students up to share their work on the Smartboard at this time.

 

 

I also have a document camera (ELMO) that is on my desk and can project what is under it onto the Smartboard. I use this for whole group practice and for checking independent practice, normally with math and grammar worksheets.  They love to come up and see their hand writing...to them it's one of the coolest things!

 

Those are the 2 main places where the students or I am located when we are having whole group instructions.  Make sure to head over to The Applicious Teacher's linky to read about other whole group teaching areas through the eyes of other teacher bloggers...and go ahead, link up too!

 

 

What's Your Classroom Decor {Linky Party}

I don't know about you, but everyday I walk into my room I get a smile on my face!  I just adore the cuteness I created this year for my firsties and I.  There is just something about getting to decorate your own classroom that makes you happy! Enough of my random rambling and onto my classroom tour.  By the time you get through all the pictures you will probably notice 2 things: my favorite color is red and I am crazy about animal prints!

Here we go:

We'll start with my desk area, bookshelves, math manipulatives and awesome desk skirt my sweet mom made for me this summer!

 

Next up is my guided reading area where I meet with small groups for teaching reading strategies or doing tutorials. And I'm very lucky to have my window : )

 

Computer and Listen to Reading Centers.  New this year, I left a blank space on the wall to hang anchor charts for the kiddos to refer back to after new instruction is introduced.

 

On top is the Writer's Eye bulletin board with the writing process steps and punctuation station. 

On bottom is actually where the students will sit when they are working on their writing.  There are all different types of writing utensils (pens, markers, crayons, pencils, crazy scissors) and I will put out different paper once writing styles are introduced. Can't forget the crate seats I made with the help from my hubby!

 

 

My new and improved library for this year! I actually ended up moving it mid year due to having a Smartboard installed!!

 

Daily 5 book boxes (giving credit to the hubs again for building me shelves to store them on--love him)!

 

 

This may just be my favorite part of the room, our meeting area/calendar which I call the "Information Hut". I also moved this meeting area mid year because of the Smartboard also.

 

I've disguised my cabinets...on the left is where the kiddos will make their Daily 5 choices. On the right is where I display their good work, which I call the "Pride Board". I made their individual displays with scrapbook paper.

 

Word wall is a must.  We also make a class promise at the beginning of the year which I will write on the blank chart after we come up with it together.  I also have their cubbies as well as our specials schedule/school map/lunch menu right beside the door.

 

 Here is part of my behavior management system (clip chart). It also just got a new revamp. Check that post out {HERE}.

 

This is where I have the students turn in their work.  This year, to start off I am going to have them highlight their name because what 1st grader always remembers to put their name?  I also put a little reminder for them to check their work for capitals, periods, and finger spaces.

 

 Last but not least, is my happy birthday bulletin board and a space for the safari super star of the week!

  

I hope my classroom tour has given you some ideas for the future! Feel free to ask any questions you may have. Don't forget to stop by The Applelicious Teacher's Blog for this fun linky party that changes weekly!

 

 



But...I didn't do it! {Classroom Management}

I know we are in the heat (no pun intended) of summer and teachers don't really want to begin thinking about next year already...ok maybe some of us do...but being the "planner" that I am, I had to revamp my classroom management plan.

 

For the past 2 years, I have used a clip chart in my classroom for managing behavior. I implement it starting day 1.  I think it is SUPER important to explain and identify your classroom expectations and rules right away. This promotes consistency and lets the students know what they are held accountable for.

 

 Old to new!

 

On the first day of school, we read the story David Goes to School and afterwards make a list of things that David did that we wouldn't do in the classroom (do not) and the things that he did correctly (do).

 

Next, we brainstorm together as a class what the students think would be good rules for our classroom. Believe it or not, after seeing the outrageous things David did in the story, they come up with almost all rules that I have in mind for them to follow. We put together a classroom promise that includes these rules, and each student signs it.

 

 

After they know what is expected of them behavior wise, I introduce the clip chart to them.  We talk about what would happen if they broke one of the rules we created. They learn that they will move their clip down, and depending on the severity of the action, they will receive a consequence for their action. They also learn that they can do positive things in the classroom (helping others, being a model citizen, etc.) which would lead to them moving their clip up.

 

With all this in mind...here is how I implement the final product. Introducing....my *NEW* behavior management plan!!! It's available in a primary color scheme or bright color scheme.

 

 

 

Discipline: Each day, students begin on "Ready to Learn". Students move their clip down when a rule is broken. They receive a consequence depending on the rule broken. Behavior is communicated with the parent by a communication log that goes home in a daily folder for the parent to check and sign. Students will start over on "Ready to Learn" the next day. {If students continue to exhibit poor behavior, they may be asked to move their clip multiple times in one day}.

 

Positive Reinforcement: When students are seen doing something good in the classroom, they will be asked to move their clip up. How I manage this is explained below in the next 3 slides. These go with the "Roar About" packet. The directions for the "Hoot About" packet are the same with colors changed:

 

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I have uploaded this classroom management tool which includes the clip chart and coupon catalog with coupons and tickets to my TpT store for you to purchase if you feel it is something that would work for you!

 

 

 I would love to hear how you manage behavior, both positive and negative, in your classroom!

 

{And for sticking with me this far through this L-O-N-G post I will give this away to the first person who leaves a comment}

 

Theywill also be on sale this weekend only!

 

 

Surviving the Last Week!

Our school year came to an end this Thursday! It was a happy moment for us all...teachers and students. We did a lot of celebrating throughout the week. Here's a peek at some of the fun we had!

 

 

 We had our end of the year party and awards celebration on Monday. My much creative room mom made these precious snacks for us to eat after our awards presentation in the classroom. {If you look closely, the bear is in an inner tube!} They thought they were so cool!

 

These "Silly Awards" were to die for and a B-I-G hit with all of the kids and parents. A few of them had us really laughing! Check them out {here}. Along with a silly award, each students also got a gift from myself and their classmates. If you missed my post about EOY gifts check it out {HERE}.

 

 

I also wanted to keep the little wheels in their brains turning this summer. So I snatched up this "Ready Made for Second Grade" packet from A Year of Many Firsts for them to work on a little a time this summer.

 

 

We had a little LOT of fun with shaving cream on our desks. We watched a few movies, had some free draw time, held a dance party, and played games all day. What do you do to keep your kinds "under control" the last few days to survive??

 

I saved the best for last! My favorite part of the year ending is actually looking forward to the next year. After 2 years of not really having anyone my age and in the same stage of life as myself at school, I was SO excited to find out there is not only 1 but 2 amazing teachers joining our school next year! I was SUPER stoked and asked them to dinner. I prepared a little welcome gift for them. Here's what I put inside:

*Purple and Gold Bucket (our district's colors)

*A to-do list for a place to write down everything they have to do as a 1st year teacher

*A G2 pen (my favorite) for filling out their lists

*A nail file and polish for the days they need to go home and pamper themselves

*Apple Hand Sanitizer to stay away from all the germs they will encounter

 

As another year comes to an end, here is to summer and the 70 days of relaxation that wait ahead!

 

A Camping We Will GO!

Let me just start off by saying this...I have NO, None, Zippo desire to go camping. I hate bugs, humidity, not having electricity--pretty much everything that describes camping. I'm more of a "glamping" kind of person! So I was definitely excited to be camping inside the classroom last week!

 

To start things out, I bought myself this little packet {here}. If you haven't check it out, you should. Definitely a GREAT resource to have for the end of the year!

 

Since I have never been camping, I let the kiddos brainstorm what they thought they would need to go camping and some things they might do on a camping trip.

 

 

We made our camp nametags so that we would have a place to put the badges we earned along the way.

 

 

We talked about First Aid and different ways they may get hurt this summer.

 

Just in case they did get hurt with a little boo-boo here or there, we put together their very own First Aid Kit! {They LOVED this project}

 

 

Once Friday got here, we had our full fledged indoor campout! We built a fire (with our campfire rules we learned) and we set out to read with our pillows, blankets, and flashlights.

 

Our favorite part (mine included!) was definitely making s'mores! It was SO hilarious watching the kids eat these in their messy glory! I secretly think they were having a contest to see who could get the messiest face! After cleaning up, we wrote our last how-to paper for the year!

 I may just use the leftovers for my desserts after dinner this week...wait, I already did that last night! Oh well!

Currently in June

Can you believe it? A summer month is finally here and it even feels like summer already here in Texas! Can I get a *Hallelujah* {Even though we still have 4 more days}. As always, I'm linking up with Farley for her currently linky party...and you should too!

 

 

Listening: I always leave everything to do until the weekends (chores wise that is). So hence why I am listening to the washer and dryer!

 

Loving: Don't get me wrong...we have some amazing teachers at my school but the past 2 years I really haven't "connected" with anyone on a deep personal level. You know those teacher relationships you just couldn't do without? Yeah, I've been longing for one and I think my prayers have been answered. There are 2 new hires who are around my age and in the same stage of life where I am and I couldn't be more excited to get to know them!

 

Thinking: Last weekend, I was sick. I thought it had completely disappeared until this morning I woke up with a swollen feeling throat. Made my husband look at it and it wasn't good news. Our awards are tomorrow, so I have my fingers crossed that I will be better tomorrow and still have a voice!

 

Wanting: We went on a camping adventure this week in class and Friday we made s'mores. Of course, I've had them before, but I had no idea (or at least I didn't remember) they were that good! I brought the leftovers home and have been craving another ever since!

 

Needing: Refer back to listening....

 

3 Vacay Essentials: 1. Beach--I love to visit tropical places and just relax in the sun on a lounge chair listening to the waves crash...ahhh!  2. Alcohol--what is a vacation without a few adult beverages while you are on the beach!?  3. Good company--I think it is always much more fun to go on vacation with other people as it brings lots of memories to talk about for years!

 

This post made me realize just how excited I am about being on summer vacation in 4 days!!!!! Hope you are enjoying your countdown for those of you still in school and for those of you who are already off...lucky you!