Homework & Rewards

It was a dark and stormy night...oh wait, it wasn't, I just couldn't sleep and it was 3am and I figured why not check out Pinterest to see what's going on. And there it was...a fun solution to a homework predicament that I've been having.

Back Story: getting 6th graders to complete homework is sometimes the most challenging thing in the world. They think they know how to play the system (i.e. my computer didn't work last night, I didn't understand, I think my mom threw it away...yep). Unfortunately they don't realize that they were placed with a teacher who doesn't buy any of those excuses, especially when I give them multiple resources for continuing to work THROUGH the problem, not give up on it.

Anyway, for those students who need a little more motivation I don't mind giving positive rewards. Yes, I believe that students shouldn't expect a  physical reward as a motivator to do what's expected, but some students really do need them in order to build good habits. This year I am going to do this:

The idea came from this pin from The Nest Effect and she has some wonderful ideas. Vistaprint.com is a site that I've used before but never like this. It took me 10 minutes to create my cute owl cards. You will get 250 for free (assuming you don't mind the website promo on the back, I don't and the kids won't notice). You just pay the $6 for shipping. I want to spend some time looking at her behavior cards too, with a bit of rewording they could easily work for 6th graders.

A few initial thoughts: I'll need to spend time explaining the process and procedures for using/losing/turning in. I also want the students to brainstorm rewards options WITH me so that I know what will help encourage good routines for them. And finally, I need to order more scratch and sniff stickers..yep, that's right, love them!

I hope that your back to school planning is going well. Don't stress, it all falls into place. But I wouldn't hold off until the week before school (especially if you want to order these, it does take about 2 weeks to get them in). Happy planning everyone, and if you need some encouragement or specific ideas I'm happy to help. You can also check out my Classroom Pins from Pinterest if you'd like.

Setting Up - Something Different Every Year

Hello lovelies! Where I live we are experiencing some amazing weather, it is 52 degrees here this morning...in July..in late July. I could not be happier. Okay I probably could if there was football on :) I hope that this finds you well and eagerly looking towards the coming school year.

Yea football season!

I've been thinking a lot about my classroom set up for this year. I tend to have a difficult time sticking with one arrangement. I like change and I think it provides some excitement for the students too. One teacher I work with would have her students create a floor design that they wanted to see. The class would vote and the winning submission would be the classroom set up for the month. It worked so well for her! I tend to be a little more type-A with  my classroom arrangements because I need to know that all of the students can see the board, I can see them, and everyone is on task (as much as they are able to be).

This year I am starting with 25 students, that number is flexible at this point and will probably go up a little. I currently have hexagon tables in my classroom. They come apart in half but at the beginning of the year I keep them together to help build community. Fortunately I have 5 of those tables so I truly have enough seating for 30 students (God help me if my homeroom gets that big!). This is also good because I teach the advanced math class and that can range from 28-34 students.

Another consideration this year is my intern. He'll be needing his own teacher desk so I am considering the best place to accommodate his needs (computer plug, etc) as well as making him feel independent but keeping him close enough that we can chat as needed. Here is what I'm thinking so far:

I'll post pictures once I get into the room and really arrange furniture so stay tuned! When thinking about your classroom don't forget to think about the space they will need to move around (6th graders tend to need more space than 1st graders), what they can see from their seat (keep that easily distracted child away from windows!), and how you can best interact and monitor them. Pinterest has some great pins for teachers using standard desks. I am looking forward to updating you on this! Happy planning everyone, and don't forget to take some time to enjoy your break! We still have a few weeks to go :)

Frugal Teaching

Hi everyone! I hope that you are relaxing and have gotten a 'brain break' from the classroom. Sometimes we just need to unwind. I personally have been on a break and loving it. I didn't blog (sorry about that), think about the new year, think about my new students, think about my classroom...for a month! That's very unusual for me but I felt that I needed to really recharge after this last year. If you felt the same I hope that you were able to wind down.

Now that I'm back and eagerly anticipating the new school year I have been looking at my bills and going...ack! Where did all of that come from! I admit, like most of you I spend personal money on my students. Sometimes there just isn't enough in the classroom budget (or any at all) to go around, and by May and June it seems that the money is just gone.

My goal this year is to do things as frugally as possible, but in a nice way. Trust me, I've been on the receiving end of frugal gifts from people that look, well, cheap. I am trying to plan my classroom to utilize what already exists and incorporate a few homemade touches to keep it going.

A few ways that I have already considered:

1. I wanted white bulletin board borders (weird to say that aloud!) but didn't want to spend the money on white. I do however have a lovely collection of...well...less desirable patterns. I honestly have no idea what they were thinking when they designed them with creepy little cartoon kids on them. Anyway! Guess what color they are on the other side...I know, brilliant right? They are white! Saving money there.

2. I'm making a tree bulletin board inspired by this pin from createteachandshare.com

I ordered an inexpensive tree from amazon.com that can be adjusted to different sizes:

I made the LEARN letters on my own with construction paper, ribbon I had on hand, and printed out letters. I'm excited for the final product. You should check out her site, lots of great ideas!

3. I have an owl theme going (I love owls, but only the cute ones) and I found this wonderful site with inexpensive templates that you can download. Schoolgirlstyle.com has many themes, the prices range from $3.00 to more expensive full kits. Look around, it's certainly worth it!

Those are just a few ideas to get started. I'll be back with more updates soon (like my tardis door and other exciting events). Be well, take care of yourself, and take some time to read a good book!

Summer Time Bucket List

One of the activities that I have my students complete at the end of the year is the creation of a bucket list for the summer. If you haven't heard of a bucket list before it's simply a list of things you want to accomplish, if you go based on the original movie about it you make the list of things you want to do before you die. In the case of my students, summer is a perfect length of time to make some goals.

Their lists included things like:

• playing messy Twister
• hanging out with my best friend for an entire weekend without interruption
• reading a book every day
• going swimming at least once a week

We had a great time sharing some of our lists and they really found some great things to work on. I made my own bucket list for this summer (though it wasn't really shared with my kids!) because I like to keep occupied. Down time is great, but having a plan is also really encouraging, especially at the end of summer when you can look back at what you checked off of your list.

My list includes things like:

• running a 5k (did one, another is in a few weeks)
• reading at least 5 new books this summer
• getting a tattoo
• going to the aquarium with my daughter
• attend technology training classes for the district as often as possible to keep up with new information

I've accomplished a few of those already, I'll let you figure out which ones :) What do you plan for the summer? Do you just sit back and relax, or are you a planner? Either way, I hope that you take the time over the next few weeks to do something you love. When we go into the classroom in the fall with our own passions and hobbies, it's easy for the kids to see who we are and get to know us better. You never know, your one bucket list item might be that connection you'll have with the hard to reach kid!

Color Me Rad!

Alright, to start off this isn't a post about teaching. Unless you consider the fact that I ran the 5k with two of this year's interns (we call them interns, not student teachers, since they spend the entire year in our building..google Penn State PDS if you want more info).

Part of my way of dealing with the daily stress that comes with teaching (if anyone told you teaching is easy they lied) is to work out. Last year that meant weights, cardio, etc. at a bootcamp. Then I ran a 5k last July...and didn't run since unless it was at bootcamp! With the nice weather rolling in I felt inspired to start running again. Perfect timing since I just found out about a run called Color Me Rad. I registered for the Philadelphia run on Father's Day weekend and started to run. Okay, that sounds better than it was. I ran like once a week.

Anyway, my gym recently started their group training for the Arts Fest 5k so I jumped in on that and had to run, perfect timing! The girls and I met up in Philly for the run and it was amazing! My family was incredible, both those who woke up at 4am (eek!) and drove me down there from Shippensburg, and those who cheered me on in spirit and in text messages. We ran almost the entire thing without stopping (it was an easy pace, TONS of people) and had so much fun.

At the end of the run you get in a big group and everyone throws 'color bombs' up in the air. It was pitch black and unbelievably claustrophobic and the end result makes it look like a muppet threw up on you...which is kind of fun...and a good laugh! My DD wouldn't even touch me at first because I was so dirty.

However you are spending your summer, teaching summer school, taking computer classes, relaxing by the pool...I hope that you find some me time, a healthy habit that you can carry with you into the coming school year. Mine will be fair weather running (hey I'm a newbie okay!) and my gym workouts. What will you do?

Give a kid a pair of sunglasses and she'll give you a big hug :) Love this one! 

Reason to buy new running shoes? Nope, they washed out fine!

What started out as a white shirt...

My girls, DD on the left, me, Katherine, Madeline, Jackie (um...I'm short!)

Temporary tattoo - would you believe some people had this on their forehead? Mine took 4 days to fully come off!

Did I mention it was Father's Day? Two of my best guys right here, hubs and dad :)

End of the Year

Last day of school fun

It's been a bit since I've posted last. A lot has been happening at school and I'll post about some of our activities in more detail soon. I do, however, want to take some time to reflect on the adults that I work with at my school. They are outstanding people.

On our last inservice day of the year my building always holds a potluck luncheon. Everyone comes, it is the one time during the year that I see everyone in one place. We eat, laugh, reminisce  and say goodbye to many people.

This year was especially difficult because our team intern was a spectacular young lady who inspired us all. She'll be moving to northern Virginia to teach 5th grade in Prince William County. I pray that the teachers there welcome her with open arms and that she thrives (though I have very little doubt about the later!).

We also are losing two wonderful people from our building, one due to retirement and one due to a move. Our 8th grade science teacher is moving to Texas, there were stories, laughter, and even a song played on guitar. The tears were flowing. She will be missed tremendously.

The other, and most important person in the building  is our head custodian. I realize that some of you may not have a relationship at all with the custodians in your building, I would challenge you to get to know them. Our head custodian was working at the building before I came so next year without him will be very strange. He'd come down the 6th grade hall every Monday morning in the fall and talk football (he is a Steelers fan like me) and pick on our resident Cowboys fan. He'd whistle cheery tunes as he walked the halls, he'd say hello to all of the students, help them with lockers, help us with anything, write notes on his hands to get done later, and he loved his work. With his retirement we shared memories and laughs. And then the most profound message of the day happened when he spoke, I regret not recording it on my phone. This is the general idea:

Yesterday when I watched the students leave I thought to myself, there goes another year. Then I watched all of you who were out waving goodbye to the kids come back in, together. Individually you do great things, but together you are like a puzzle. Each piece works together to create something wonderful

What a message, and there was more but it's a bit fuzzy as I began to cry at about that point. It was an emotional day overall, and in addition to that we lost a few paraprofessionals due to budget cuts. Unfortunately they found out on the last day of school, or yesterday before inservice. Times are tough but losing members of our faculty/staff feels unfair.

I hope that you are already enjoying your summer, or just about ready to. If you haven't finished yet remember to cherish the last memories with your kids. Those of us who teach lower grades in the building will see our kids next year and the year after as they grow and mature. For those of you who teach the final year in your building - do something special, make it amazing!

Field Trip Friday!

I love field trips. Okay, to be honest I loved them a lot more when I was a kid and just got to go on them, because as a teacher they can be a pain to plan. However, I must say that yesterday's trip to Pittsburgh was amazing. I'm still exhausted (we had a kiddo get sick and had to be picked up, we were 2.5 hours from home..stressful!) so instead of writing a lengthy post, I shall provide images instead! Enjoy :)

Coming into Pittsburgh - we missed a turn but got to see some amazing views!

We are here! Our buses were parked and we were ready to unload, a little chaos but we figured it out. We will be much better prepared next time.

We thought each student needed a pass, not true (such a blessing!), we just had to make sure our chaperones were labeled. 

A little bus moment, we were fortunate to take Fullington buses, the kids were awesome on the way down. A little more chatty on the way back, but we watched 3 movies with them (Aladdin, Toy Story 3, and A Night At the Museum)

Ah! T-rex!

There were so many amazing displays, I especially enjoyed the dinosaurs (even if they did scare me a little) 

Sometimes the museum has special groups doing exhibits, this was a botanical group that was in when we visited earlier this year, they weren't there and it looked very empty when we went yesterday.

The Hall of Sculptures on the first floor - it has statues from Egypt, Greece, and Rome. As well as some other eras. Beautiful work, and a perfect fit for our social studies units.

The ceiling in the Hall of Sculptures was probably one of my favorites, it was glass tiles with the Cherokee alphabet on them. Gorgeous.

The first floor has an amazing section for geology. This geode is called The Fortress of Solitude - yes!! A Superman reference :) Amazing!

Um...it's a real tarantula...yuck!

The third floor contained an Ancient Egypt wing - since we studied that in social studies we had the docents give our kids the guided tour in that area. Wonderful information!

Gorgeous Pittsburgh (okay this was from the first visit, the trees all had leaves when we went yesterday)

The Museum.

Overall it was a wonderful trip. I'm so glad that we were able to connect some of our social studies lessons into this museum. If you haven't been I highly suggest a visit. http://www.carnegiemnh.org/