TPT Cyber Smile Sale

Don't miss out on the opportunity to buy some of those much needed (and wanted) items on your wishlist on sale from your favorite authors!!!

Happy Shopping!!

Do You Have A Data Room?

We all know how much data drives instruction in education today. I was asked at the beginning of the year to help set up the Data Room. Ours is very simple and a work in progress.

Every grade level has a section. Every child has a laminated magnetic tag. The tag has information about them and their levels on current testing. Then, students are sorted into tiers. Next, teachers take the tags to divide into intervention groups and make plans for them according to need.

We also plan on posting our praises and goals.

I would love to see and hear all of the great ideas you have. Let me hear them!

SHHHHHHHHH....BEWARE Live Monsters!!!

A few weeks ago I walked into one of my classrooms and was greeted by children telling me to watch out there were live monsters in the room. This teacher gave each child a monster. The monster was their writing buddy. Sometimes these monsters brought messages, made messes and kept us all on our toes. One day 3 were even sent to the monster hospital. The kids were so motivated to write! It was precious to hear their whisper conversations with their monsters. The writing was precious and brought great quality. These kids have now taken their monsters home but are still very motivated in writing. What a great idea and joy to see!

Red Ribbon Week Doors

This post is mainly for me to have as reference when I am looking for a good door decoration. So I snapped pictures of some cute doors from our campuses door decorating contest.

More Love for Back to School Bonus Sale!

Since we have our rooms organized and cute, we can now start thinking about materials for lessons. Here is one more chance to grab a few more back to school must haves from TPT.

Absolutely Clever Idea!!!

I love learning from fellow teachers!! I walked into a friend's classroom today and saw an absolutely clever idea. I might have gotten a "little" over excited.

She has large binder clips holding Dollar Tree tubs on her board ledge. Each student has their dry erase board, dry erase supplies in it. It is also their browsing box for their readers. Simply GENIUS! So practical, easy and a great use of space, not to mention it looks cute!

Thank you for sharing your clever and original idea!

Sneak Peek Into My Classroom

I have accepted a new job teaching ESL in a different district. I thought it would be fun to share a few before and after pictures. I am very lucky at the HUGE amount of supplies that I have access to.

BEFORE

AFTER

Hello! Come on in!

It's beginning to feel cozy and like home except I still miss my very sweet friend who I've shared a classroom with for two years. Hope you've enjoyed a quick peek inside!

Sometimes It's The Little Things in Life.....

Sometimes it"s the little things in life that mean so much. I am so lucky to have a .....

WINDOW!

I never knew how much I loved having windows in my room until I haven't had windows for the last 3 years. I am SO EXCITED to have windows this year!

Come again soon for a sneak peek!

Back To School Teachers Pay Teachers Sale

We have all been filling our carts and can't wait to grab a few items to make our lives a little easier. Plus who can turn down a good sale!

Happy Shopping!

Phenomenal Blogger and a Little Self Reflection

Math Coach's Corner is a must have blog for all teachers not just math teachers. If you do not follow her, I recommend that you begin. She is from the Houston area and has an immense amount of knowledge and to say the least she is phenomenal. As my amazing cohort says, "Donna is SPOT ON!". I could not say it any better!!! I would love to work with her.

Yesterday, she posted about Developing Fraction Number Sense. If you are in education, please go read her post. Especially, the part about WHAT DO WE DO. This part pertains to ALL subject areas and all of us in education. All of us need to look at these areas in ourselves and our practices with TRUE DEEP reflectiveness. Sadly, that is very difficult for us. Donna's most powerful statement was, "...it's essential that you understand the standards for your grade level. The standards for each grade level are perfectly aligned, like interlocking puzzle pieces, to develop deep understanding. If you don't teach your part, it's awfully hard to complete the puzzle." I know that is something I will be examining in myself because in the world of intervention I see it as one of our biggest issues in education. What happens when one person doesn't cover a concept to the true depth that is specified? How are students impacted? How long does the deficit exist?

I will get off my soapbox for today. Go read some great posts over at Math Coach's Corner and enjoy a beautiful afternoon with a swirl of self-reflection.

ALL STAAR Rehearsals for "STAAR -cessful" Students and Misc. STAAR Kick Off

If you have ever taught and helped grades who are held to standardized testing standards, you know the pressure for the students and the teachers. As I've listened to my sweet intervention kids since Spring Break, it has become my passion and mission to provide the best last minute possible lessons possible along with motivation and novelty. As much as testing is an academic race, it is also a stamina and emotional race. So the last 2 weeks before our BIG round of testing, we've transformed our room a little. It has become a Hollywood Theater with STAAR Rehearsals.

The last minute practice for reading has encountered some mind boggling skills. So we have began a 5 minute warm up activity. Each time they come for a visit, they have 5 minutes to do one of their poster activities. At the end of the week, we highlight and great answers and discuss the answers. The first day was filled with a few tears and anxiety. The days to follow were filled with excitement and knocking down the door to come in and try one.

Third Grade Gallery Walk Warm-Up (excuse the quick thrown together posters)

Fourth Grade Red Carpet Walk

The best part is that this simple little activity and decoration has been a blast for the kids, has created big smiles, created confidence and let them enjoy the last few days of practice.

Knock STAAR Out of the Park was the theme for our 5th graders before the big reading test. We had a baseball theme celebration with cookies and creating individualized STAAR trading cards.

Up this week is a small Reading Camp for Third and Fourth Grade for last minute practice along with the possibility of a Pep Rally. How do you motivate and encourage kids the last few weeks before standardized testing?