As I move to 5th grade, I have a lot of things to make... so keep checking back this summer for more goodies!!
I have neglected posting for a bit due to closing out the end of the school year. Phew! This is my 2nd day of summer vacation, and I cannot stop thinking about all I need to accomplish this summer. I am super excited about my new move and the new team I will be working with. :) My first summer creation are Questioning Cards - Depth of Knowledge, Bloom's & Marzano's Questioning Stems. This Word document was created to print these on 3x5 index cards. How do you print on index cards? Simply print all the pages, then tape an index card on each spot & feed back through OR print this template (made by me) several times & then attach the index cards with tape. Place them in the printer the appropriate way & click PRINT.
I have 1,199 followers... I will debut my new blog: Digital Doodle Designs, once we reach 1,200 followers!!! This is a way to earn just a little $, and still be able to keep my teacher printables FREE to you. Hope you will check it out. I will have very reasonable prices:)
Hebrew 12:2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Colossians 3:1-2 Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.
Romans 8:5 For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
Of Saul, after seeing the light from heaven in Acts 9:8 Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; and leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus.
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Ephesians 1:18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,
Matthew 17:8 And lifting up their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus Himself alone.
Here are a few other adaptions of Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus that you might enjoy:
Joining along with Farley again over at Oh' Boy 4th Grade for May's Currently:
Listening: Just about all I hear lately is her iPod...LOL. It is just a sweet reminder of the joys of childhood...
Loving: Yes, that is right... EIGHT (8) more days!!!! YAY!!! It has flown by, for sure. How many days are you at?
Thinking: I have a LOT of packing to do, a lot of standards to become familiar with, and a lot of creations to make this summer for my move to 5th. I am excited, but am sure it will be overwhelming at first, just like any other change. I chose 5th grade, as I love teaching reading and writing!!! I plan on painting my room, too - am I C.R.A.Z.Y. or what?
Wanting: We get so caught up in every day life, that we do not focus on what is most important... Our Lord and Savior and all God teaches us in the Bible. I am making a prayer notebook and going to focus on reading and studying my Bible, as I should. I love my Bible App, that I can take notes on and highlight my KJV verses... I do not like writing in my regular Bible...
Needing: I seriously need to get in shape. I talk and talk and talk about it... I need to JUST DO IT!! Motivation, where are you???????
Summer Bucket List:
Read all 5 of the 5th grade novels I will be teaching next year. I read the 1st one: Steal Away Home. Four more to go...
We have only 14 days of school left, so I figured my kiddos could do one of these pages each day (8 pages in total) during writing time. We finished our last unit a week ago, so we are just refining our writing skills right now. TRYING our best to follow ALL the star sentence parts... (O_o)
Not sure if you have heard of LearnZillion, but I ran across it yesterday and love it!
What is it? It is an online or APP tool that you can use as a teaching tool. There are over 2000 lessons that are specific to Common Core (Math & ELA). The lessons are PowerPoint presentations. You can assign specific students a lesson to view, so you can differentiate for the needs of all learners. I plan to experiment with it next year in 5th grade.
They have created the lessons, but they hope to make it to where you can create the lessons in the future.
Have you used LearnZillion? If so, let me know your thoughts about it.
Do you have Instagram? If not, you need it! It is a simple way to share photos:) I also have Instacollage, which is wonderful when you want to post multiple pics as a collage!
I am going to try an attempt at a Linky Party. Here goes... *crossing my fingers* that this goes right and that people will join along.
I call this the "Backward, Forward" Linky. Why? You will post about the most memorable times over this past school year (looking Backward), and you will talk about things that you are (looking Forward) to in the next school year - maybe there was something you wanted to do and didn't get to do it, or maybe you are changing grade levels or schools.
Just grab the image above to link back to this post AND submit your site below. Please, please, please respond to others' posts as well (2 backward, and 2 forward...haha). Looking forward to seeing your reflections on your year and what is exciting you for the next!! Thank you in advance for joining in. ~ Please pass the word along ~
(you are more than welcome to snatch my little forward and backward buttons, if you would like to use them)
This year has been an adventurous one! We have had 23-24 students all year long, which is a lot for what we typically have (17-18). I cannot complain, because I have had THE BEST paraprofessional/assistant EVER this year!!
Some things I will never forget about this year:
Having 23 students
One of my students (had some behavior problems) was hollering out and singing the Chipettes "I Whip my Tail Back & Forth," as she is standing in her chair actually shaking her bottom back and forth...LOL!
Had a female student that REALLY needed to go potty - so much that she was pulling her pants down before she made it into the restroom...LOL!
Trying to implement Common Core for the first time has been a roller coaster, to say the least!
Our Halloween morning games were a hit!
We had fun counting up to 50 and working with 50 objects, etc. on 50s Day:
We always enjoy our little Native Americans...
I will never forget the tragedy in Newtown & the changes our school has because of this (all doors locked at ALL times & a police officer at our school at ALL times)
Our silly elf, reindeer, and Santa photos were awesome!!!
WE had a blast creating 2- and 3-Dimensional figures
We flew kites, which was SOOO much fun for our "how to" writing unit.
I am SOOOOOO looking forward to next year - in 5th grade!!!! I should be teaching Reading, Writing, and Social Studies. I am slightly nervous, but have co-taught this grade level before. I have a LOT to learn, but this team I have to work with is wonderful!
I have never painted my classroom walls before, but with a fresh new start, I plan on painting this summer... what am I getting myself in to? Can any of you give me any helpful advice for 5th grade? I can take ALL I can get!! :)
I have seen a lot of research about the colors of classrooms and how students react to certain colors. I added some black this year, and I have noticed a difference in my students (was not a good thing). As I transition to 5th, I researched the best colors for my walls. After much looking around, I have decided on some light blues, light purples, and possibly light greens. Upper grades are calmed by these colors, plus the purples bring on creativity... which I want in their writing!
In addition to a color change, I needed to create some "I can statements" (student learning targets)posters to keep me focused and to refer to throughout teaching. I had created Kindergarten CC statements last year, so I decided to make some for 5th to match my color scheme. In addition, I am in the process of creating vocabulary cards as well.
These statements are detailed & broken down based upon the skills listed in the 5th grade Teacher Guidance document from the Georgia Standards website: Teacher Guidance Document
For your convenience, I have included my color versions and blank posters (you can print on any pretty paper of your choice).
Linking up with All Things Upper Elementary: Free 4 All :)
As I enter 5th grade, I really need to know what it is that 5th graders expect out of their teacher. Of course, I always strive to give my students what they need. This survey is a great way to really see what they are thinking and to see how they view how they learn best. Click the image below for the {free} resource:
I am a little late joining this link up, but better late than never... right?
The topic this week is to show off my 3 favorite places in my classroom (my home away from home). I am bittersweet, as I am leaving this room to head to 5th grade next year. The BEST spot is my window (as I get to see the front entry of the school and know what is going on at all times). Other than that, here are my faves:
My self that stores ALL my read alouds, where students cannot dig into them. I have them categorized, so that it is simple to find what I need!!!
Next, I am IN LOVE with my easel. Many folks do not care for the larger easels, but this one has been great for storage AND I have a place to write on charts & on the white board section at the same time - GREAT for setting criteria and transferring the information quickly! In addition, I can keep literacy on one side, and my Number Talk (math) on the other! No need to switch everything out each day.
I will have to find some NEW favorite spots next year when I move to 5th! :)
Had to fill in and do some CRCT testing this week. Was nice to have a change, but reading the tests aloud for accommodations is NOT fun when your ALLERGIES are acting crazy!!!
Okay, so I have to admit that we (at our school) do notice a difference when there is a full moon... ANYONE else??? My children were angels on Monday... the rest of the week was WILD. Our schedule has been a little off with testing, etc., so this may have contributed to it.
Really am very grateful for my teacher bible study group!! We really have each others' backs and are in constant prayer for one another. Our talks about being STUCK have really helped me put my focus on God and solely rely on HIM!
We meet every other week & it is truly a BLESSING!
Have to take a mommy moment and brag on my daughter!! She is in 1st grade and recently took the STAR Math and STAR Reading tests. She scored 3rd grade level in reading and middle of 2nd grade level in math. She has met her AR goal each quarter, as well. We are very proud of her::
We had a walking field trip today... was a beautiful day for it!! We visited our downtown community to learn about different careers:
Local Radio Station
Police Department
and the...
Library
We had a great day & thanks to my husband for joining us and keeping a few of my little fellows under control!!! :)
