Library Pass Organizing, Oreos, and Journals....

Here are library card pockets that I hot glued to the back of my door - I stuck labels from Schoolgirl Style on them and put the kiddos library paddles inside. Easy for them to grab and a quick glance tells me who is out :)













Spent an hour or so at karate practice working on my data sheets. My friend Stacy over at Funky Fresh Firsties made these cuties for me.... my new melonhead is in the corner :)

We have been reading Magic School Bus Gets Lost in Space - I have been using their daily journals to gauge interest and as an informal assessment of sorts - see what they are learning - how much they are retaining.... but this one was for fun. And I love the responses they gave me! :)

One of my 'Race' math games from my tpt store. I redid this one and made it really basic ... with just some stars to race to. There were two boards .... 2-12 and 10-20 for those that need more of a challenge. They begged to stay in from recess to play - WIN!

Last - our culminating moon phases activity - an Oreo moon phases chart! :)

Hope y'all are having a great weekend!

There's High Tech... and Then There's Me...

Here is an example of a Low-Tech thing I implement in my classroom... Nothing quite like a notebook and a pen for me - call me old school! :) 

I put all examples onto one page, but this method can be used a million ways... 

I'm not saying this is the best way - but I am saying - this is MY way...

My Gradebook/Planbook:

After half an hour of searching online to see what the ‘real’ name of it is…. I use a Legal Notebook… I love these!

WHY?

1.If you are used to numbering the children – like I do – this is a great way to write down anecdotal notes… just write a sentence or two next to the child’s number that you are observing!

2.This keeps your observations and grades private! I always have a volunteer, parapro, student teacher… someone in my room!

3.In the age of accountability – this is a great way to note items to refer to later!

4.There is a handy little space at the top – write your CCSS or your state standard, and flip back anytime you work on that to see how the child progresses!  

Below is a snap of the same notebook being used for planning. 

I need everything in writing and mapped out. :/

This shows my group rotations and group names. We were the 'Wranglers'

last year - so I came up with  new names for my groups. :) 

Check back in a few days - I am working on a post about positive behavior rewards and positive praise - with a FREEBIE! :) 

It's The Final Countdown....

2 DAYS!

Today was great

unfortunately it was the last day with my kiddos... so my day was a little bittersweet. 

I got an amazing package of tea.

And a few origami love notes...

I got the ACCESS scores back and I was pretty pleased with them. 

(The ACCESS scores are from a test they took in February.)

I spent my day analyzing testing scores, making Excel spreadsheets, and organizing scores to go home. Who doesn't love a good Excel spreadsheet? 

{P.S. I am a dork}
:D

My kids really jumped in reading and comprehension 

(I'm thinking that is because of my literacy concentration...)

However - they weren't so strong with their speaking. 

I know I shouldn't be surprised, speaking in another language has always been THE WORST for me. I get so nervous that I will make mistakes - which I'm sure the kids are even more scared. 

The great thing - I feel like I have a place to concentrate my efforts next year. 

GOAL:

I need to keep my reading, writing, and comprehension practice as rigorous as this year, but add more speaking components to my lessons.