tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49021648211644699892024-03-12T22:24:32.392-07:00Teaching in Sixth GradeNeffer1982http://www.blogger.com/profile/09196709515118425479noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902164821164469989.post-4432845010283391102012-06-26T09:43:00.003-07:002012-06-26T09:43:56.278-07:00Classroom Makeover - Part OneWell...It has started! <br />
Classroom Makeover - 2012<br />
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After last year, and feeling rather burned out...I wanted to make sure I had a fresh start for the upcoming school year. Enter ~ Classroom Makeover 2012. <br />
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Here are some <strike>before</strike> just started pictures.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP3sqehW6Q-XyrAAFu_Dx9oXZEnR1ADx7-6devAr3LRvuEg3lE9pH7B6ouO3pDrb5Tc0KHuiZZ2H8FfH4mydmWp7tq9WDpIx9JuhCSYNWq-IfUaKWhEGVVbmsxjMYB8u4bvQwTLHaEsrk/s1600/room+before.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP3sqehW6Q-XyrAAFu_Dx9oXZEnR1ADx7-6devAr3LRvuEg3lE9pH7B6ouO3pDrb5Tc0KHuiZZ2H8FfH4mydmWp7tq9WDpIx9JuhCSYNWq-IfUaKWhEGVVbmsxjMYB8u4bvQwTLHaEsrk/s320/room+before.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP3sqehW6Q-XyrAAFu_Dx9oXZEnR1ADx7-6devAr3LRvuEg3lE9pH7B6ouO3pDrb5Tc0KHuiZZ2H8FfH4mydmWp7tq9WDpIx9JuhCSYNWq-IfUaKWhEGVVbmsxjMYB8u4bvQwTLHaEsrk/s1600/room+before.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBOslahO4V2LgLoGyDS_2Ly2iEFd5HjopTnZ5egG7hTEylm0wRGB3i4MMddyo-2buITwYfI2eZsz-GoCiaLm1t4tku_BgxvxWzoo9GwicPo7WaxK1Yl_58Ja1Q0Nsp8vv4LZXA616867o/s1600/book+case+before.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBOslahO4V2LgLoGyDS_2Ly2iEFd5HjopTnZ5egG7hTEylm0wRGB3i4MMddyo-2buITwYfI2eZsz-GoCiaLm1t4tku_BgxvxWzoo9GwicPo7WaxK1Yl_58Ja1Q0Nsp8vv4LZXA616867o/s200/book+case+before.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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Kinda crazy - right?! Busy, messy, uncoordinated. I knew that whatever I did, I wanted everything to go together and match, I wanted simple, cheerful, and CLEAN! </div>
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I searched quite a bit online and on Pinterest for great ideas and found Melanie over at <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1977893211">www.schoolgirlstyle.com</a> and immediately fell in <i style="font-weight: bold;">love</i> with her Classroom Couture lines. I went to her <a href="http://www.teachersnotebook.com/shop/schoolgirlstyle">Teachers Notebook Store</a> and purchased her set titles, Sugar and Spice. </div>
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It was totally me - pink, lime green, teal, a little bit of black! Just like my blog! </div>
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What I especially love about Melanie is that she coordinates her designs with the colors of the Fadeless brand paper and Bordette borders! It is so simple! She has great tips for classroom organization and decoration. </div>
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So yesterday I corralled my parents and made them come up and<strike> be my slaves </strike> help me out. Shout out to great parents!!! Dad painted bookshelves (he still has more to do, but it looks <i>so much better!</i>) Mom helped with the boards and started making curtains to cover the clutter. Every bulletin board got covered. </div>
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I'm waiting on the laminator to be set up in the office so that I can laminate all of the bulletin board pieces from Melanie's kit. That will be part two. For now, enjoy these photos of the fresh new paper and boards.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu8iYHsZor-DWkrl52O0MaxGAYWQq_xit_M2hVZL_VLjlGjpzmpFYDYYL_wtpwqhyhEelApzDH4ILJE2htsPLce9rb7QRcwgcqMm6t7oeOIvwEyzF_-_Hf-oXuMQXwPRYZEmSSJlgzjJM/s1600/room+after.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu8iYHsZor-DWkrl52O0MaxGAYWQq_xit_M2hVZL_VLjlGjpzmpFYDYYL_wtpwqhyhEelApzDH4ILJE2htsPLce9rb7QRcwgcqMm6t7oeOIvwEyzF_-_Hf-oXuMQXwPRYZEmSSJlgzjJM/s320/room+after.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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SO MUCH BETTER - RIGHT!!!</div>
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There is still de-cluttering to do. I am also getting new book baskets from Really Good Stuff from my principal. (LOVE HER!) What colors? Pink, Lime Green and Teal! WOO HOO!</div>
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And Now For a LINKY!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNdb2vaFow7FrMBJGS9MY9p0I6aX-A-jPzSljE_sHBx9RnmSOt01Dg3khjoyjnJe4h107X4E9ogbRmWlg3qFu1kYJLdFU3UUe0Bzty0gvuebXGEWrvEQ25oZHmtsNKEhO0Mjt3X1gqn08/s1600/frames+before.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNdb2vaFow7FrMBJGS9MY9p0I6aX-A-jPzSljE_sHBx9RnmSOt01Dg3khjoyjnJe4h107X4E9ogbRmWlg3qFu1kYJLdFU3UUe0Bzty0gvuebXGEWrvEQ25oZHmtsNKEhO0Mjt3X1gqn08/s200/frames+before.JPG" width="200" /></a>The final project I completed was a set of really cute frames for our class principles. I got them at Michaels, with a coupon, so it was a great steal. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7RpW2U-P6WA3fwhyzEhQKbjY2RrnHXFNRXpeLAfpttGiWCcArReV73AhaoHB9xyOsvzelkDbd2riAgHw6z5ZQNumOC-0w9bTkVaMVomPVSMHRjd8ILDFITJcMD8X7m4BPF4jg1DOfTXI/s1600/frames+painted.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7RpW2U-P6WA3fwhyzEhQKbjY2RrnHXFNRXpeLAfpttGiWCcArReV73AhaoHB9xyOsvzelkDbd2riAgHw6z5ZQNumOC-0w9bTkVaMVomPVSMHRjd8ILDFITJcMD8X7m4BPF4jg1DOfTXI/s200/frames+painted.JPG" width="200" /></a>They were just plain, but cute, balsa wood frames. I spray painted them in my room colors and they became this.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivOlxA-YGAGo2xMufMLFVvNrA_D1uLqov6oU0_fHdCPK1bvcgUoKo06cr4atxG8wmG0CeN81eFZ5Hafu0ioIJHHh57Dia_BL5D1P2DrdRy8eHgoaELkQMvjtmW11BdZfpdM21ln9Brago/s1600/frames+hung.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivOlxA-YGAGo2xMufMLFVvNrA_D1uLqov6oU0_fHdCPK1bvcgUoKo06cr4atxG8wmG0CeN81eFZ5Hafu0ioIJHHh57Dia_BL5D1P2DrdRy8eHgoaELkQMvjtmW11BdZfpdM21ln9Brago/s1600/frames+hung.JPG" /></a>Next I printed out my class principals in a cute font, enlarged them and then taped them into the frames. I hung them with clear push-pins and TA-DA!</div>
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<a href="http://media-cache-ec9.pinterest.com/upload/250301691759477093_FByLy2st_f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="classroom" border="0" height="133" src="http://media-cache-ec9.pinterest.com/upload/250301691759477093_FByLy2st_f.jpg" width="200" /></a>This was inspired by an idea from Pinterest ~ originally from <a href="http://twogirlzstuff.blogspot.com/">http://twogirlzstuff.blogspot.com/</a></div>
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<a href="http://4thgradefrolics.blogspot.com/"><img height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit6y3JR4A5yhyphenhyphenwVsaOLUIDxdw1Xc-ZcAN0FhNwtNMoRYlBkfUDRaGVBQ-R-B3BcnfamZILFkIZzCBAkcJPe_Vbwd0KjGeTIT2AXk_GrRvp334n9gxwjxlJoL2kFen9xhZbnmjDcM9rviFx/s200/mondaymadeit2_240x240.png" width="200" /></a>
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I know I am a little late to this link-up party - but this is my first Monday of Summer - so that's my excuse and I am sticking with it! I am so excited to join <a href="http://4thgradefrolics.blogspot.com/">4th Grade Frolics</a> and share what I made on Monday! This is going to be a great, crafty summer! </div>
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Stay Cool Everyone!</div>
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<img align="left" src="http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g447/eschaff/Teaching%20in%206th/sgn1.png" style="background-color: white;" /></div>Neffer1982http://www.blogger.com/profile/09196709515118425479noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902164821164469989.post-31343003821560452132012-06-18T14:01:00.001-07:002012-06-21T03:58:58.232-07:00Dropped Off the Face of the Earth...<div style="text-align: center;">
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See the Earth? Do you see me on it? Nope! </h2>
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T<span style="background-color: white;">hat's cause I dropped of the face of the blogging planet! </span></h2>
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<span style="background-color: white;">These last few months have been a virtual hailstorm of "stuff" in school, at home, in life...and blogging fell off my radar. But with the end of school, I wanted to write a quick hello and hope that you hadn't given up on me.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN6rnEhn1CZTnbUcHA5QSwTuAvOIWVgiA3S8iezFDG-rFTj7ocMwIcDbSVfoI0GxuBi4j9AK4iIFe1s-yng_k_MFBU1o7luC3eJPav7JF08rWWbrMMrmDwFsgRJPrfCspnYzIr7fcgIok/s1600/yearbook.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN6rnEhn1CZTnbUcHA5QSwTuAvOIWVgiA3S8iezFDG-rFTj7ocMwIcDbSVfoI0GxuBi4j9AK4iIFe1s-yng_k_MFBU1o7luC3eJPav7JF08rWWbrMMrmDwFsgRJPrfCspnYzIr7fcgIok/s200/yearbook.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXIEXpogaUkULAgoV7o_3yIwmU3Y3ESDhVGXUK2F3dYIeapBa4OaB53LfEXEHMDrdjthDCl4Phje-xt_Di-1N-hX5VnMtUCrj0mGy7SC_KWvTDV3SzPeGu7zd1_qxnj_qJTL6ojoG7PQc/s1600/waterbottle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXIEXpogaUkULAgoV7o_3yIwmU3Y3ESDhVGXUK2F3dYIeapBa4OaB53LfEXEHMDrdjthDCl4Phje-xt_Di-1N-hX5VnMtUCrj0mGy7SC_KWvTDV3SzPeGu7zd1_qxnj_qJTL6ojoG7PQc/s200/waterbottle.JPG" width="150" /></a><span style="background-color: white;">Today was our sixth graders' promotion ceremony, and it was really lovely. The parents did a great job decorating the gym - making it special, but recognizing that it is, truly, only sixth grade. It was both appropriate and celebratory. Our kids received yearbooks, class t-shirts, and water bottles that say "Class of 2018!" It took some of my kids longer than others to realize <i>why</i> the water bottles said 2018, when it is only 2012! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">They even included a page for the drama club that I run! Pictures of both shows I have done with this class! I was really touched that my club has been included in the yearbook - we're in the BIG TIME now!</span></div>
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Tomorrow is out last day of school with the kids, always a bittersweet day. In sixth grade we play a teachers vs. sixth graders softball game. Each class gets one inning (there are six classes) and it is a ton of fun. As far as I know, the kids have always lost, but every year they claim this will be their year. I don't contribute much to the team, but I cheer really loudly and am usually good for at least one base hit.</div>
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I made my class little gifts for tomorrow - just a little something to let my kids know I will miss them. Take a peek:</div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"> I am going to upload the JPEG versions of my tags...I think you will be able to copy and paste them right from the blog if you like them...then just sign your name and you are off to a perfect end of the year treat - although it might be a little late for most of you lucky teachers who have already started your summer. FYI - the font is called "cinnamon cake" and I downloaded it from </span><a href="http://dafont.com/" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">dafont.com</a><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"> and the images are from </span><a href="http://www.teachersnotebook.com/shop/kpmdoodles" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">KPM Doodles</a><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"> - a shop on Teachers Notebook. She makes the most amazing downloadable clip art and I adore it! So hopefully, you all can just copy and paste these and use them next year. I have uploaded these into my <a href="http://www.teachersnotebook.com/shop/neffer">Teachers Notebook Shop</a> as a freebie - so help yourself!</span></div>
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One final thing to share...I made these cute "thank you" cards for my students. I just open them up, add a text box and print...Easy Right?! These images come from <a href="http://www.teachersnotebook.com/shop/fancydogstudio/products">Fancy Dog Studios</a>, also a shop at Teachers Notebook. These are also available at<a href="http://www.teachersnotebook.com/shop/neffer"> my TN shop! </a>Hope you can use them! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs_RAV4P-Y-_WiklWy_HE1ocEnxrOj4mnsY9U0lSfOUqJTdBO8hYBBJmDakKUMfQzpvoEO9dt4XKDqrMtBheZc0hix07wuVPjephsRnJ4qUgydyi6hehP-gk4yG7YgLpFzV7eV-a39PB4/s1600/Thank+You.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="507" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs_RAV4P-Y-_WiklWy_HE1ocEnxrOj4mnsY9U0lSfOUqJTdBO8hYBBJmDakKUMfQzpvoEO9dt4XKDqrMtBheZc0hix07wuVPjephsRnJ4qUgydyi6hehP-gk4yG7YgLpFzV7eV-a39PB4/s640/Thank+You.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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So...now that I am back on the blog-o-sphere...what's next? <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>The Great Room Make-Over 2012</i></b></span></div>
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Stay tuned to see what I have in store...I think next year is going to be a fresh start and my room will reflect that! The new room is going to be pretty similar in color and theme to this blog...so it should be cute! Next week...you'll see some before pictures, and hopefully a few afters, once I tackle some projects! </div>
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Happy Summer! </div>
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<img align="left" src="http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g447/eschaff/Teaching%20in%206th/sgn1.png" />Neffer1982http://www.blogger.com/profile/09196709515118425479noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902164821164469989.post-37806370853009386342012-05-01T10:58:00.000-07:002012-05-01T11:05:45.045-07:00And the Winner Is...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Happy May Day Friends! </span></b></div>
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I can't believe I have now reached 30 followers! Crazy! Only 9 of you signed up for the giveaway - so your chances were pretty good! The winner was #4 - Kim from <a href="http://joyin6th.blogspot.com/">Finding JOY in 6th Grade</a>. I loved seeing all of my new followers from 6th grade classrooms. We all know how crazy things can get. Kim - your gift card is on the way, I hope you buy yourself something fun!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEWjaFAuoEk1dtvWD2l3DIDWNSz2W6wDNm4v31WZOWEVL6oPFKyvdKvDirOn0utBFajRlZ1XHtHd067ver4-3Nk9DmdMyMc5a2ig6M_jwhX-r3Q6-MtRmxE5N3MY8XkmYJbgG9LUT3vwk/s1600/random+giveaway.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEWjaFAuoEk1dtvWD2l3DIDWNSz2W6wDNm4v31WZOWEVL6oPFKyvdKvDirOn0utBFajRlZ1XHtHd067ver4-3Nk9DmdMyMc5a2ig6M_jwhX-r3Q6-MtRmxE5N3MY8XkmYJbgG9LUT3vwk/s200/random+giveaway.JPG" width="163" /></a></div>
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For May Day this year my kids made paper cones and we filled them with candy and secretly (yea, right?!) passed them out all over the building. Do you all celebrate May Day with your students? Any creative ideas for May Day baskets? </div>
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<i>(Here is one of my tables making the paper cones...yes, it was messy!)</i></div>
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I grew up in Iowa and we always made each other May Day baskets and got up early on May 1st to pass them out. You would ring your friend's doorbell, leave the basket and run. If they caught you, you had to give them an additional treat. It was always tons of fun and a great way to welcome in Spring.<br />
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And there is even more <a href="http://3-6freeresources.blogspot.com/2012/05/mayday-giveaway.html">3-6 Free Resources is having a May Day Giveaway</a> that makes mine look like chump change! Head on over there and check it out...there are plenty of ways to win! </div>
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<img align="left" src="http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g447/eschaff/Teaching%20in%206th/sgn1.png" />Neffer1982http://www.blogger.com/profile/09196709515118425479noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902164821164469989.post-4054685862372617312012-04-30T15:10:00.001-07:002012-04-30T15:10:54.959-07:00Don't Forget the Great Giveaway...Tomorrow!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://teachinginsixth.blogspot.com/2012/04/its-great-giveaway.html"><img border="0" height="483" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhClnyVIykz5sRh1welgvC2EvgaVRjMjxIWkdDef80vRRu_xO-aK8-m8hDwhyphenhyphenfl8YoEHQ0O4BRzQWl9IXEodcp-CCM7r0kh7dR1DQDjdxpdw4D_b-b3aRwdMVRUWGz0zvuUkALGX517OAE/s640/giveway.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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WOW! I can't believe it! I have 29 followers right now...and to think I despaired of ever getting followed at all! :) If you are a follower, or if you want to be, click the picture/link above to be taken to my post about my Great Giveaway - I am sending one lucky winner a $10 gift card to amazon.com! WOO HOO! Just leave a comment on that post and you will be entered to win the giveaway. <br />
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On a side note, I am currently working on a huge unit for a sixth grade common core standard -<br />
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<i>"CC.6.R.L.7 - Compare and contrast the experience of reading a story, drama, or poem to listening to or viewing an audio, video, or live version of the text; including contrasting what they 'see' and 'hear' when reading the text to what they perceive when they watch or listen."</i></div>
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That's certainly one mouthful of a standard! I decided we would start working on this using multiple texts dealing with one of my favorites - <i>Winnie the Pooh</i>. Today we thought of our previous experience with Winnie and then read a poem called "Us Too" by AA Milne that is told from Christopher Robin's perspective. Tomorrow we will read a non-fiction article I cobbled together from a few different sources. I'm also working on reading a short story with them, listening to the theme song from the movie, and of course I found some clips from the various TV shows. </div>
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One of my goals is to figure out how to put all of this together into an actual, downloadable unit that I can share here, and in my Teachers Notebook store. Is there some kind of trick to sharing SMARTboard lessons? I don't think I can share those through Google Docs - so any advice would be much appreciated. </div>
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I am trying to finish teaching this unit in 10 days, so it may be a little while before the product is ready to go...but I am excited. Once we work through Winnie the Pooh, I think I will have them choose a topic on their own and find/read/interact with multiple texts with some sort of finished product. </div>
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I hope you all had a great Monday! (Mine was touch and go...I am back to teaching since my student teacher finished takeover and is slowly giving me back my classroom - happy and sad all at the same time.) </div>
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Here's a little Pooh-Bear wisdom from me to you:</div>
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<img align="left" src="http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g447/eschaff/Teaching%20in%206th/sgn1.png" />Neffer1982http://www.blogger.com/profile/09196709515118425479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902164821164469989.post-23027367767595639462012-04-26T13:51:00.001-07:002012-04-26T13:51:30.792-07:00Pinteresting Exchange!It Came!!! I was so excited to go to my mailbox and see my gift from the wonderful Katherine from <a href="http://thirdgradeteacherfiles.blogspot.com/">Third Grade Teacher Files</a> that see made me while participating in the Pinterest Exchange Linky hosted by <a href="http://teacherbloggerexchange.blogspot.com/">Teacher Blogger Exchange</a>. I was a much needed pick-me-up after a long day! Something about the weather, combined with coming back from April Break, and looking forward to Nature's Classroom just has my kids off the walls! So, Katherine - THANK YOU FOR MAKING MY DAY!!!<br />
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Here's a few pictures of the wonderful items she made, just for me!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAkFqne6tjIfSUCKOrw_NY83Ba_4C7xYeyQv3TPlaXii9QY9seieJZEWCWOch_PdLumpQ8LtUmb84bWZK3Ynri7LIRAK2lnV545vqWA7065hbcODU1CSaNEN8lbdTGJbOa8snDSnp72A4/s1600/back+clipboard.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAkFqne6tjIfSUCKOrw_NY83Ba_4C7xYeyQv3TPlaXii9QY9seieJZEWCWOch_PdLumpQ8LtUmb84bWZK3Ynri7LIRAK2lnV545vqWA7065hbcODU1CSaNEN8lbdTGJbOa8snDSnp72A4/s200/back+clipboard.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-CRTEiHZVzcgh708zWSAjNiYj8441kErYYnGQnGUmAPvVCESpiXGt4Ufwan594aWIHK_bIADNJl7-IMV1Kd_r7NrPAauWTx6YvLgh3S2Lagqqvn4Qm6lLeQjggkjXd82T_Fe0fv3YmrU/s1600/front+clipboard.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-CRTEiHZVzcgh708zWSAjNiYj8441kErYYnGQnGUmAPvVCESpiXGt4Ufwan594aWIHK_bIADNJl7-IMV1Kd_r7NrPAauWTx6YvLgh3S2Lagqqvn4Qm6lLeQjggkjXd82T_Fe0fv3YmrU/s200/front+clipboard.JPG" width="156" /></a></div>
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See the adorable clipboard with my name in pink! It has dots, and stripes, and everything I love, including a fluff of ribbon! Katherine also included some sparkly gel pens - which always make grading papers much happier!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Y41VudMg01Eo2x-UrfFOVgCIwgAmHKOsrwx6PPdlVHJw132zpm1Vgc2ojL1reVYZWlsctqLf-Pqm72dCenuja4SBQJ6lKwR7oYBPHoaQg4FU2wK_riftiA0yuiuq25ooiPDACWCsLIs/s1600/back+notebook.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Y41VudMg01Eo2x-UrfFOVgCIwgAmHKOsrwx6PPdlVHJw132zpm1Vgc2ojL1reVYZWlsctqLf-Pqm72dCenuja4SBQJ6lKwR7oYBPHoaQg4FU2wK_riftiA0yuiuq25ooiPDACWCsLIs/s1600/back+notebook.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_MBV7MWxmFdR4BOm21p7lMBxm_hHdQSgkotpjahBoehOtC51pyuiTJmWd81HitJWO60xrFwHRccHVNK4mZTFKKBtaXbo0dTTzGBjPiPPoTceO4-zlqnr16d3oEmNYr4d6x2iywbqfAY/s1600/front+notebook.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_MBV7MWxmFdR4BOm21p7lMBxm_hHdQSgkotpjahBoehOtC51pyuiTJmWd81HitJWO60xrFwHRccHVNK4mZTFKKBtaXbo0dTTzGBjPiPPoTceO4-zlqnr16d3oEmNYr4d6x2iywbqfAY/s1600/front+notebook.JPG" /></a></div>
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Additionally, she personalized a fabulous little journal to match, with my initial on it! This will be perfect for jotting down quick notes. It is going in my purse right away!</div>
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Would you like to see what I made? Here's a picture, but I won't give away the recipient, since she has yet to post about it. </div>
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These are clay pots that I painted in her favorite colors. I then added the polka dots on the rim. The bottoms of the pots I painted with chalkboard paint, so she can label them and change up their labels however she wants. She does a lot of crafting with her kiddos in the classroom, so I know she will put these to great use!</div>
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Thanks so much to <a href="http://teacherbloggerexchange.blogspot.com/">Teacher Blogger Exchange</a> for hosting this fun! I cannot wait to participate in your next exchange!</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Also - don't forget about my giveaway...once you follow my blog, post a comment on my giveaway blog post to be entered into a giveaway for a $10 gift certificate to amazon.com - my favorite store! </b></span></i></div>
<img align="left" src="http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g447/eschaff/Teaching%20in%206th/sgn1.png" />Neffer1982http://www.blogger.com/profile/09196709515118425479noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902164821164469989.post-36026913821218387262012-04-25T09:25:00.000-07:002012-04-25T09:25:45.368-07:00It's the Great Give~Away!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yup...That's right! I figure when I hit 25 followers I will be giving away a $10 gift certificate to my favorite online store, Amazon.com! Woo Hoo! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">How do you enter? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">~ Easy ~</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">1. If you don't already f</span><span style="font-size: large;">ollow my blog, sign up and then leave a comment below telling me you've done so. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">2. If you're already a follower, just leave a comment saying so. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I will hold the drawing on Tuesday, May 1st, which should be a nice little May Day present to the winner. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thanks so much for following my blog and supporting me in this new endeavor. I promise to be a more faithful blogger and to share some really great ideas about teaching</span></div>
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<img align="left" src="http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g447/eschaff/Teaching%20in%206th/sgn1.png" />Neffer1982http://www.blogger.com/profile/09196709515118425479noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902164821164469989.post-34847965396494117942012-04-25T07:36:00.000-07:002012-04-25T07:36:24.232-07:00Planning for Nature's Classroom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hi All,<br />
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I am back from April Break and enjoyed a week off, relaxing and hanging out...which was just what the doctor ordered. My student teacher is still in full take-over this week...so I am keeping busy prepping for our annual trip to Nature's Classroom. Do any of you take this trip with your students?<br />
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We take about 140 6th graders away from three days and two nights to a site in Ivoryton, CT where they get to interact with nature, and with some <strike>earthy-crunchy-granola</strike> passionate teachers who are really cool. They go one field group hikes, where they learn all sorts of cool things about nature, animals, plants, etc. They also get to take classes hosted by those same teachers covering topics from dissection of animals like sharks or frogs to using items found in nature to making your own spa products. They make rope bridges and hunt for different kinds of rocks. It is <strike>always</strike> usually a great trip. <br />
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Since I have a problem letting other people be in control and a problem saying no when asked to do something, I have been heading up this trip for the last three years. Right now I am in the thick of planning, determining dorms, room numbers, and where students go in each dorm. Then there are field groups and table assignments to arrange, not to mention a variety of medical issues to cover. Thank goodness for excel and all of its cool tricks! <br />
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The hardest part of the trip for me is the chaperones - finding enough teachers to cover the trip is always a challenge, especially since the majority of my sixth grade team mates have young children at home. Plus - with 80+ boys and only 1 male teacher on staff...we usually end up hiring chaperones from NC - which can be a challenge.<br />
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It is a lot to keep in my brain, all of the elements of this trip, but the looks on the students' faces make it worthwhile. Students that struggle in the traditional classroom setting, tend to excel at Nature's Classroom - keeping active all day and getting their hands dirty (literally and figuratively). While we teachers are exhausted at the end of the three days - I believe the trip is worth every bit of worry and stress. <br />
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This is the only field trip we go on in sixth grade. Do you all have any great field trips you take your class on? I would love to hear some great ideas!<br />
<img align="left" src="http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g447/eschaff/Teaching%20in%206th/sgn1.png" />Neffer1982http://www.blogger.com/profile/09196709515118425479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902164821164469989.post-56334608040346193722012-04-13T12:57:00.001-07:002012-04-13T12:57:04.587-07:00I'm back!I seem to have dropped off the face of the planet these past two weeks. Life at home has been crazy, plus stuff at work really picked up steam. My student teacher is in full takeover, and yet I still find every day filled to the brim! I am currently in rehearsals for a show called "1959 Pink Thunderbird" in which I play a character, as the script describes her, "A big-haired Southern gossip, Baptist to her teeth." Needless to say, I am having a lot of fun perfecting my Southern Belle twang with a touch of sass! In addition to that I am prepping for an audition for a summer internship in cabaret performance. I have to put together a 3-5 song demo CD showcasing my range...crazy! <br />
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So, with that being said...what's been going on in my classroom? We've been working on combining our knowledge of historical fiction as readers with our work writing our own historical fiction short story pieces. This is always so hard for the students since their knowledge of history is limited and this is our first narrative piece all year. My student teacher has been doing a great job helping them make connections between their work in Reading and Writing Workshops! <br />
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We just finished up our work on the rock cycle and took our quiz on the chapter. I created a pretty cool Rock Cycle project where my students had to create their own version of the cycle using titles and arrows I provided. (I really enjoyed that I was able to use my love of fonts for this activity!) The students really had to plan to figure out how all the pieces worked together and it was fascinating to see what they came up with. Here's a picture of one of my student's Rock Cycles - I was pretty impressed with her planning. <br />
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After we all struggled through this project, I made some changes to it and am posting it in my Teachers Notebook Store. Be sure to check it out, just click on the store button on my blog! I am also putting up pictures of the three pages of the project on here. Once this is done it is off to SPRING BREAK! WOO HOO! <br />
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Hope you all have enjoyed your spring break, or that you have some great plans for this coming week!</div>
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<br />Neffer1982http://www.blogger.com/profile/09196709515118425479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902164821164469989.post-55509657438353507982012-04-02T09:31:00.001-07:002012-04-02T09:31:11.899-07:00Currently...More blogging to come later...plus pics of our <i>Hunger Games</i> extravaganza...but for now, just a little update!<br />
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By the way...I love Farley over at <a href="http://ohboy3rdgrade.blogspot.com/">Oh' Boy 4th Grade</a>...and her monthly linky! Hop on over to check in with some other bloggers!</div>
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Happy Monday!</div>
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<img align="left" src="http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g447/eschaff/Teaching%20in%206th/sgn1.png" />Neffer1982http://www.blogger.com/profile/09196709515118425479noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902164821164469989.post-78274370267634715382012-04-01T11:15:00.002-07:002012-04-01T12:24:28.045-07:00Blog MakeoverWell...what do you think? I love my new blog makeover! Thank you, Erika and Misty from <a href="http://honeybunchblogdesign.blogspot.com/">The Honey Bunch Blog Design</a>! Misty and Erika worked crazy hours to find just the right design for my blog. I asked for whimsical, but not cutesy, polka dots and banners and I got it! Even better than I could have imagined. Aren't the buttons adorable, the flowers sweet...and the BANNERS! PERFECT!<br />
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I'm a total font snob and they were great about my picky attitudes. Everyone at school makes fun of me because I will re-type something just to get it in the perfect font...but I think it is worth it, and I think my students notice. Right?!<br />
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If you are looking to get a great blog design, for a really reasonable price, contact Misty and Erika...you won't be disappointed! <br />
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On a different note, Friday night my student teacher and I took our students to see <i>Hunger Games</i> in the theatres. Anyone who wanted could attend, as long as their parents were chaperoning them. My dad even drove an hour to see the movie with us...I made him read the book this fall! We had about 60 people show up. (WOW!) We offered to make t-shirts for our students and they were super excited. We downloaded the Hunger Games Font (dafont.com) for free and made t-shirts with last names on them, District 12, the Mockingjay pin, and the quote..."May the Odds Be Ever In Your Favor!" using iron-on transfers. My iron got more work on Friday doing the t-shirts than it has in the whole last year! The kids were so excited, very well behaved, and the theatre gave us all free posters! My student teacher is working with the students to re-do our hallway bulletin board comparing and contrasting the book and movie...so keep your eyes out for pictures as soon as she is done.<br />
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Did you like the movie or the book better?<br />
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Remember: If you like my blog design, check out <a href="http://thinkwonderteach.blogspot.com/">Misty's blog</a> and <a href="http://2bhoneybunch.blogspot.com/">Erika's blog</a> or order <a href="http://honeybunchblogdesign.blogspot.com/">your own blog makeover</a>! You won't be sorry!<br />
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PS - I am thinking about having a giveaway for my first 25 followers...any suggestions? <br />
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<img align="left" src="http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g447/eschaff/Teaching%20in%206th/sgn1.png" />Neffer1982http://www.blogger.com/profile/09196709515118425479noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902164821164469989.post-43109913486991031402012-03-27T07:18:00.002-07:002012-03-27T07:18:16.871-07:00Survey Says Linky<br />
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<span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">I am linking up with my friend at <a href="http://5thgraderocks5thgraderules.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">5th Grade Rocks, 5th Grade Rules</a> to share a little more about myself and to learn about all of you all out there in blog world. Join us and share some fun info about yourself. All you do is copy the questions off of my post, paste them onto your blog and then <b>add a new question</b> for your blog. Don't forget to link up at <a href="http://5thgraderocks5thgraderules.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">5th Grade Rocks, 5th Grade Rules</a> to share your post with everyone else! </span><br />
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<a href="http://5thgraderocks5thgraderules.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="5thGradeRocks, 5thGradeRules" border="0" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7182/6936907133_d8937ee111_m.jpg" style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-center;" title="5thGradeRocks, 5thGradeRules" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Here goes...</span><br style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" /><br style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" /><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><b>1. Are you married, do you have a bf, or are you flying free as a single lady/man?</b></span><br style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Flying free...do you know any cute, red-haired, male teachers who also happen to play the guitar, live in CT, love musical theatre and want to take me out on the town? No? Didn't think so!</span></span><br style="background-color: #fff9ee; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" /><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><b>2. Where did you grow up?</b></span><br />
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Ames, Iowa till 8th grade and then East Lyme, CT for high school...both a mid-western girl and a beach bum!</div>
<br style="background-color: #fff9ee; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" /><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><b>3. Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what is his/her name?</b></span><br style="background-color: #fff9ee; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" /><div style="background-color: #fff9ee; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">
One cat named Bella (not after <u>Twilight</u>) who I got from a former student. She is a total brat and a goofball...but I love her. She is obsessed with any type of bags and with feathers. She also loves to chase her tail, but only in the bathtub...weird right!? Here's a picture from last Christmas...yes, I dressed her up, No, she did not enjoy it!</div>
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<b style="background-color: transparent;">4. What is a favorite tv show you are embarrassed to admit to watching?</b></div>
<i>Toddlers and Tiaras</i> and <i>Dance Moms... </i>I know! I think because I grew up singing, dancing and performing and since I now run a drama club, I am intrigued by all of those stage moms. Right? Can I claim it as research?<br style="background-color: #fff9ee; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" /><br style="background-color: #fff9ee; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" /><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><b>5. Are you a saver or a spender?</b></span><br style="background-color: #fff9ee; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" />I'm a spender...cue music "<i>Hey, Big Spender</i>" ( I have a song for everything!) In fact, my resolution this year is to live on my budget! I feel so much more peace knowing that I am making smart choices!<br style="background-color: #fff9ee; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" /><br style="background-color: #fff9ee; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" /><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><b>6. What is your favorite children's book?</b></span><br style="background-color: #fff9ee; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">AHHHH! This is the worst question - because, do we mean picture books, chapter books, as a read aloud, my favorite to suggest to my students, my favorite from childhood...Grrrr! Ok - I guess if I had to pick a book for all of these categories it would be <u>Frindle</u> by Andrew Clements - I love a good teacher/student story! </span></span><br />
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<img alt="Frindle" height="200" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51SfLpuG7cL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" width="200" /> </div>
<span style="background-color: #fff9ee; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><b>7. Were you the class clown, teacher's pet, or neither?</b></span><br style="background-color: #fff9ee; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" />Totally a teacher's pet...I still am!<br />
<br style="background-color: #fff9ee;" /><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><b>8. Who is your favorite athletic team?</b></span><br style="background-color: #fff9ee; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" /><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Iowa Hawkeyes! Go Hawkeyes! </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fff9ee; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><b>9. Where did you go on your last REALLY fun vacation?</b></span><br style="background-color: #fff9ee; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" />Williamsbury, VA with my best friend and parents after college graduation. This summer I am heading to Disney World! WOO HOO!<br style="background-color: #fff9ee; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" /><br style="background-color: #fff9ee; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" /><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><b>10. Who is your favorite actor? Actress?</b></span><br style="background-color: #fff9ee; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" /><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Actor - Ryan Reynolds Actress - hmmm...Sandra Bullock </span><br style="background-color: #fff9ee; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" /><br style="background-color: #fff9ee; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" /><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><b>11. Tell about the last time you cried because you were happy.</b></span><br style="background-color: #fff9ee; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" />I was so happy when we went to see <i>Les Mis</i> a few weeks ago...I cried during it, I was sad about the plot, but SO HAPPY to be there! <br style="background-color: #fff9ee; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" /><br style="background-color: #fff9ee; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" /><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><b>12. What is your favorite season?</b></span><br style="background-color: #fff9ee; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" /><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Even though I love fall for football, spring is my favorite. I love flowers and seeing everything come back to life.</span><br style="background-color: #fff9ee; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" /><br style="background-color: #fff9ee; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" /><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><b>13. What is your biggest regret?</b></span><br style="background-color: #fff9ee; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" /><br />
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Probably getting a credit card in college, it sounds like a small thing, but it really has haunted me for years!</div>
<br style="background-color: #fff9ee; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" /><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><b>14. What food do you just NOT like at all?</b></span><br style="background-color: #fff9ee; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" />Blue Cheese and Blueberries - YUCKY!<br style="background-color: #fff9ee; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" /><br style="background-color: #fff9ee; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" /><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><b>15. Who was your most memorable teacher, and why?</b></span><br style="background-color: #fff9ee; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" />My first grade teacher, Mrs. Knox. She told us on day one that we could always come back to her for a hug and someone to listen. When I went to college, I did just that and it was magical. She was magical! <br style="background-color: #fff9ee; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" /><br /><b>And for my blog:</b><div>
<b><br />16. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?</b></div>
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Chocolate with a peanut butter swirl...PERFECTION!</div>
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<br style="background-color: #fff9ee;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">I can't wait to see all of your blog posts! Happy linking!<a name='more'></a></span></span></div>Neffer1982http://www.blogger.com/profile/09196709515118425479noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902164821164469989.post-8058562166916336442012-03-26T06:54:00.000-07:002012-03-26T06:54:43.030-07:00Linking Up to Share Some Anchor Charts!I am so excited to be linking up with Ladybug's Teacher Files to share some of my anchor charts. I had a student help me out with the photos, so they aren't perfect - but hopefully you can still get the ideas from the charts. I use Sharpie's Chart Paper markers for my charts because they don't fade and I love the bullet point tips. I also get them laminated to protect them while they are hanging up. (Which explains the shine in the pictures) I hope you enjoy them and find them useful in your classroom! And - it you want to pin them...feel free! It would really make my day!<br />
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<img height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAjVQRoAi1Mfsem250a1BYFNrY0MQIFlJhYTsfUuVrVwXCTNKR8bCTdh6KBb-eEtoFQQiwJSxbtVByMjUpZB6D7JHcr_AwWL1dAoT-pdDBWm3AnlMU3qRrTlngWze6hLWVyQb8LBZMUiSB/s320/Screen+shot+2012-03-13+at+1.40.11+PM.png" width="320" /></div>
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<a href="http://ladybugsteacherfiles.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://ladybugsteacherfiles.blogspot.com/</a> </div>
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The most important anchor chart in my classroom is my Class Constitution. We just re-wrote our constitution to get us back on track and this anchor chart features writing and art work by my lovely student teacher. I try to limit our expectations to under 5 - since any more than that gets complicated. We refer to this one on a daily basis, so it is hanging in a very prominent spot in our classroom.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAfebLkHVVGqJYfgg5vWog_fiyFDc1Iin2Lnm_0ZoVMYabmdV1LRdEpBL6QmZ1NX55GefCbX3eNFIdTVg5apo7Isrkt1lIEWKz8bEU3qU_S4YoDwKv2PAA7sZ8DmrlKAsMha9H0MLShL8/s1600/Class+Const.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAfebLkHVVGqJYfgg5vWog_fiyFDc1Iin2Lnm_0ZoVMYabmdV1LRdEpBL6QmZ1NX55GefCbX3eNFIdTVg5apo7Isrkt1lIEWKz8bEU3qU_S4YoDwKv2PAA7sZ8DmrlKAsMha9H0MLShL8/s200/Class+Const.JPG" width="161" /></a></div>
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In addition to our class constitution I have other anchor charts that have the expectations for various parts of our day posted. I write these with the students and then post them to be referred to during those time periods. These posters are based off of Fountas and Pinell's <u>Guiding Readers and Writers</u>, which provides the backbone to my reading and writing workshop.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkovvCN1tDQ3L2BO-TltuBSjxpcmlUDLwl3sXX54a1cP-0zQQd2-ZDGvb8T0O3SEb2aY8Z0dVbtWmVC-FnAnAqWybrrbvd_YadvTBI0CSRk1aiRi6rCvdwv-fBHI5K6-mNjl-cOD0TpwY/s1600/TM+Expectations.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkovvCN1tDQ3L2BO-TltuBSjxpcmlUDLwl3sXX54a1cP-0zQQd2-ZDGvb8T0O3SEb2aY8Z0dVbtWmVC-FnAnAqWybrrbvd_YadvTBI0CSRk1aiRi6rCvdwv-fBHI5K6-mNjl-cOD0TpwY/s200/TM+Expectations.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkovvCN1tDQ3L2BO-TltuBSjxpcmlUDLwl3sXX54a1cP-0zQQd2-ZDGvb8T0O3SEb2aY8Z0dVbtWmVC-FnAnAqWybrrbvd_YadvTBI0CSRk1aiRi6rCvdwv-fBHI5K6-mNjl-cOD0TpwY/s1600/TM+Expectations.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkovvCN1tDQ3L2BO-TltuBSjxpcmlUDLwl3sXX54a1cP-0zQQd2-ZDGvb8T0O3SEb2aY8Z0dVbtWmVC-FnAnAqWybrrbvd_YadvTBI0CSRk1aiRi6rCvdwv-fBHI5K6-mNjl-cOD0TpwY/s1600/TM+Expectations.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkovvCN1tDQ3L2BO-TltuBSjxpcmlUDLwl3sXX54a1cP-0zQQd2-ZDGvb8T0O3SEb2aY8Z0dVbtWmVC-FnAnAqWybrrbvd_YadvTBI0CSRk1aiRi6rCvdwv-fBHI5K6-mNjl-cOD0TpwY/s1600/TM+Expectations.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUqE4S5crGmtGBnu3cVP6MjH2IFDH52MRNWEUMd0IgM6mHd-Hy-vKL_p6S6cOw3-MIFt_odunZUBZ1KmxC9Iv9-ZGYKTvz9jagS-d5ugFxUPm9daIA1jT0P9KaU41Nhu5zD1v2ammMn-M/s1600/Write+Expec.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUqE4S5crGmtGBnu3cVP6MjH2IFDH52MRNWEUMd0IgM6mHd-Hy-vKL_p6S6cOw3-MIFt_odunZUBZ1KmxC9Iv9-ZGYKTvz9jagS-d5ugFxUPm9daIA1jT0P9KaU41Nhu5zD1v2ammMn-M/s200/Write+Expec.JPG" width="144" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizOaE66MSI32-RN53B7Mp-lb_q0HQ1XR7rPrjQvbAyCLW4CABPQKRT2MejWcygsDto5ipuVaF7LeSEfTJgmdQuSItdKy3FT7iyvGZcIR5LNmtjSwOswD2u8gtMoTLH9MzaGUhTI1WszDk/s1600/Reading+Expec.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizOaE66MSI32-RN53B7Mp-lb_q0HQ1XR7rPrjQvbAyCLW4CABPQKRT2MejWcygsDto5ipuVaF7LeSEfTJgmdQuSItdKy3FT7iyvGZcIR5LNmtjSwOswD2u8gtMoTLH9MzaGUhTI1WszDk/s200/Reading+Expec.JPG" width="141" /></a></div>
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Since I have a SMARTboard, I don't write up and anchor chart for each lesson - that information is usually on the board. However, I wanted to keep everything we have covered visible to my students. Thus I created the following board. At the top it says "Active Readers..." and below are sentence strips with the teaching points from our lessons throughout the year. My students are always amazed to see this board come to life over the course of the year. Right now it is pretty unorganized...just a listing of the skills and strategies we've worked on. However, thanks to Kristen over at <a href="http://ladybugsteacherfiles.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Ladybug's Teacher</a> I think I might be switching it up to her CRAFT board next year!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL7DxrloW4y83s-KDPWFtF9q90YYg_dKAllVgQ9C94O9R6MhoLZjdHGiCwFkdeHQ6klzBaIXhUuJ_MiID63LNBHbw1499DMVbEwEJwDbiNxmkosyGPWF882vjbNge5Hvqxm9sgN4Pfjfo/s1600/Active+Readers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL7DxrloW4y83s-KDPWFtF9q90YYg_dKAllVgQ9C94O9R6MhoLZjdHGiCwFkdeHQ6klzBaIXhUuJ_MiID63LNBHbw1499DMVbEwEJwDbiNxmkosyGPWF882vjbNge5Hvqxm9sgN4Pfjfo/s200/Active+Readers.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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I love laminating my anchor charts and writing on them with dry erase markers...this is especially useful for small group instruction (or when my SMARTboard is broken...always a sad, sad day!) I made this plot diagram to use with a small group. We read a short text and outlined the elements of the plot. Then they did it as a group without my help. For some reason...using dry erase markers always makes an activity more fun! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcdow5QEipMA_ZMDKfOnVdeeXdPYiDgXsFSruAsUHJ3aaS__u3y8yqKbHEFS8hg2zr7gM8EZG0MxMidgIWrkiD_kJBrDjdbW18gLwyh6ym_QGMJcgDRD8Y-McVNw94NDAC_tvepRoId30/s1600/Plot+Diagram.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcdow5QEipMA_ZMDKfOnVdeeXdPYiDgXsFSruAsUHJ3aaS__u3y8yqKbHEFS8hg2zr7gM8EZG0MxMidgIWrkiD_kJBrDjdbW18gLwyh6ym_QGMJcgDRD8Y-McVNw94NDAC_tvepRoId30/s200/Plot+Diagram.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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As for test prep, I tend to make a LOT of anchor charts during those times. My principal believes that if you have anchor charts posted for awhile they will get burned into students memories. Then, during the test they will look to see where they anchor charts used to be (we take them down during the test) and remember key information. I don't know if that is really true - but it can't hurt, right? So here are a few of my favorites from test prep...the beautiful handwriting is done by my student teacher.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcdow5QEipMA_ZMDKfOnVdeeXdPYiDgXsFSruAsUHJ3aaS__u3y8yqKbHEFS8hg2zr7gM8EZG0MxMidgIWrkiD_kJBrDjdbW18gLwyh6ym_QGMJcgDRD8Y-McVNw94NDAC_tvepRoId30/s1600/Plot+Diagram.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl8x3N1boWb_5NaSJtex7h4eKvTwW_SuyHROTSNTRRgyLJWzwr8h8g_7Guq6-6dQj06nb0eNrTEVltRcBq-6_WR9O1tvh8LZ-DpG-M2JoPE8zejgRA6Raq3kEt6hS36D1F7u9RAdX06BI/s1600/Open+Ended+Response.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl8x3N1boWb_5NaSJtex7h4eKvTwW_SuyHROTSNTRRgyLJWzwr8h8g_7Guq6-6dQj06nb0eNrTEVltRcBq-6_WR9O1tvh8LZ-DpG-M2JoPE8zejgRA6Raq3kEt6hS36D1F7u9RAdX06BI/s200/Open+Ended+Response.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRi5R_eRo33qsPc6UfrhQmiaw086De2czYAAcUfIJ8XJIGEhfSRkC5SrLBfFo4OfMaie4kQWOEjQeSuJ9YJBWKSKmsIyP9Go75cqAAX2ksEdhhJQGA4PFbsKMuY8C4ymR3dwgGd3uaD-4/s1600/Fact+Opinion.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRi5R_eRo33qsPc6UfrhQmiaw086De2czYAAcUfIJ8XJIGEhfSRkC5SrLBfFo4OfMaie4kQWOEjQeSuJ9YJBWKSKmsIyP9Go75cqAAX2ksEdhhJQGA4PFbsKMuY8C4ymR3dwgGd3uaD-4/s320/Fact+Opinion.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdYp3kBG66JJHX3JnurrLDzi-Ex98yRABDfA_76cWUYtSjyAu3xht5pwMf0IvnlnDPzW3G07u4CSWlyv0WIINxv6qjHNBGUyBRM2_D7Il81dVkMCbsjOs0t1TgsNXHaISWV-PAOnVUoOE/s1600/Author's+Purpose.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdYp3kBG66JJHX3JnurrLDzi-Ex98yRABDfA_76cWUYtSjyAu3xht5pwMf0IvnlnDPzW3G07u4CSWlyv0WIINxv6qjHNBGUyBRM2_D7Il81dVkMCbsjOs0t1TgsNXHaISWV-PAOnVUoOE/s200/Author's+Purpose.JPG" width="191" /></a></div>
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The final anchor charts I am sharing are from my unit on figurative language. This is a tie in unit between reading and writing. We both read and write historical fiction, so students are identifying and analyzing figurative language as they read, while also incorporating this into their writing. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq8qi96kpfx_x2gzQNmIADCBwr7LwIWDru3oNOU4J7BMsYCA3RP2QMh6ZS4d1y3OJeiaH6_S1BH6yr4UCi9Dir3Z3s-RFcz0-x0RBjmz0XBK6xljC7DOvS5AtW2egcHpkHL_j-VCXu4M8/s1600/Flashback.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq8qi96kpfx_x2gzQNmIADCBwr7LwIWDru3oNOU4J7BMsYCA3RP2QMh6ZS4d1y3OJeiaH6_S1BH6yr4UCi9Dir3Z3s-RFcz0-x0RBjmz0XBK6xljC7DOvS5AtW2egcHpkHL_j-VCXu4M8/s200/Flashback.JPG" width="200" /></a> For my flashback poster I always put the key work (flashback) in orange to focus my students. I like to include vocab hints to help them remember the meaning and the key phrases are essential in helping students identify and include this in their work. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDXm3gIf8CLkeWiQeV-P4NvVBKzi4xwLZLVjdB-e6Em6l86xsu3XYTw8GXaEDs6KA5J7XPn_EDf7IwmrRdn94Qb9G_l-KgfRChtk2btW5UoOFG0bEcbqH_iGI_edMza9NoUU1WiYlq4dM/s1600/Symbolism.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDXm3gIf8CLkeWiQeV-P4NvVBKzi4xwLZLVjdB-e6Em6l86xsu3XYTw8GXaEDs6KA5J7XPn_EDf7IwmrRdn94Qb9G_l-KgfRChtk2btW5UoOFG0bEcbqH_iGI_edMza9NoUU1WiYlq4dM/s200/Symbolism.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_KJwjPbaDoNHgUxQod5NdOfWG6yfUtNOrpOSrbeKb0tiMIo-g5anoTPXikhtmHs2K8DHUJzlp-UwiU8i_BX2Sr3RnP70JWvCyGDm2dBfdiyjICcrEz6uDcyjwV2JqMgXb0_Adf3-giDo/s1600/Example+of+Symbol.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_KJwjPbaDoNHgUxQod5NdOfWG6yfUtNOrpOSrbeKb0tiMIo-g5anoTPXikhtmHs2K8DHUJzlp-UwiU8i_BX2Sr3RnP70JWvCyGDm2dBfdiyjICcrEz6uDcyjwV2JqMgXb0_Adf3-giDo/s200/Example+of+Symbol.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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In working with students on symbolism, always a hard topic, I start with a definition and some examples that are universal to all of us...hearts, a red cross, and of course Harry Potter. Then students went back into their book groups and found examples from each historical fiction book they were reading. During independent reading each group added their example on to the anchor chart and we shared these out during the close of the lesson. Having all of these examples from their classmates really helped the students see symbolism in many different texts.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhItr52eIJck91sS5F2MNfK05Js1vOusSy9YWSkwPtWrTw4jfVu8QE8ifLSt-wu6q5JnGAC_mWRGgGC4lN-6Il6Ynbr5TdI10esx9X52naByoS3z_2vGHX14lxdnil2OF6C3hOq2_kx3Hs/s1600/Foreshadowing.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> Foreshadowing, Hyperbole and Irony are all great elements of figurative language. Here are my anchor charts for these!</span> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhItr52eIJck91sS5F2MNfK05Js1vOusSy9YWSkwPtWrTw4jfVu8QE8ifLSt-wu6q5JnGAC_mWRGgGC4lN-6Il6Ynbr5TdI10esx9X52naByoS3z_2vGHX14lxdnil2OF6C3hOq2_kx3Hs/s1600/Foreshadowing.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhItr52eIJck91sS5F2MNfK05Js1vOusSy9YWSkwPtWrTw4jfVu8QE8ifLSt-wu6q5JnGAC_mWRGgGC4lN-6Il6Ynbr5TdI10esx9X52naByoS3z_2vGHX14lxdnil2OF6C3hOq2_kx3Hs/s200/Foreshadowing.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX2nz95PS9-kUSIXYlzZ4tdsVzxeJz6J4RNud65brlBNzF9qsFrPV1OeMNhi9u6FhKroWPgxHomckTzTtuBIoKGdv4wESgNzpAeWLjH7c7rEj07XR8mkZVZbYdQjRYE-FEEka9g7cQYXs/s1600/Irony.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX2nz95PS9-kUSIXYlzZ4tdsVzxeJz6J4RNud65brlBNzF9qsFrPV1OeMNhi9u6FhKroWPgxHomckTzTtuBIoKGdv4wESgNzpAeWLjH7c7rEj07XR8mkZVZbYdQjRYE-FEEka9g7cQYXs/s200/Irony.JPG" width="197" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-aSuBFjdZXBnUY8phXo-_8VAtaSZOnoMN7VNCk0EWHRoRFnMvLmaNdBnKQqGh4vwYmP0Wk5BRwySBEwLwAOgATTOwZ0lCQ5Zr0kqK6pqbQkRMsXwp4GDfOTzPd4QJEbi_ZIBVVH1fAvs/s1600/Hyperbole.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-aSuBFjdZXBnUY8phXo-_8VAtaSZOnoMN7VNCk0EWHRoRFnMvLmaNdBnKQqGh4vwYmP0Wk5BRwySBEwLwAOgATTOwZ0lCQ5Zr0kqK6pqbQkRMsXwp4GDfOTzPd4QJEbi_ZIBVVH1fAvs/s200/Hyperbole.JPG" width="163" /></a></div>
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My final anchor charts are for Theme...duh, duh, duh! This is always a challenging topic to tackle. I have one anchor chart that defines Theme and gives students prompts to think about. The final anchor chart is a brainstorm of all sorts of possible themes to consider. This really helps students, because sometimes the hardest part is naming the theme. Once you put a name to it, it is easy to describe and support it. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3tVYo89CJfvgnxfr79goUtnK2_rJ8Kjm8MU7-xbdwfCn-mD8O0qPfHC807jMnonOY5UwTmn2uPriuKadov-uaHUTOLasXIDULSDvPV912fFdd0lqc8kTrK2DOaLPRIY3SqpjbBoovSJM/s1600/Theme.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3tVYo89CJfvgnxfr79goUtnK2_rJ8Kjm8MU7-xbdwfCn-mD8O0qPfHC807jMnonOY5UwTmn2uPriuKadov-uaHUTOLasXIDULSDvPV912fFdd0lqc8kTrK2DOaLPRIY3SqpjbBoovSJM/s200/Theme.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfnEYHFduM4Na6Xr8mZMK-0szsetYXYErTKOKcL-AxERm_ggBApEDkd8xTzrlO5WFEIvl_ZmJEam2c0DFN3X4JSmLMrhBt1DRaUsA8LPbvXLW1fIWUpEXXuMZqesWGDPC1vH5ZGp-LdiE/s1600/Theme+Examples.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfnEYHFduM4Na6Xr8mZMK-0szsetYXYErTKOKcL-AxERm_ggBApEDkd8xTzrlO5WFEIvl_ZmJEam2c0DFN3X4JSmLMrhBt1DRaUsA8LPbvXLW1fIWUpEXXuMZqesWGDPC1vH5ZGp-LdiE/s200/Theme+Examples.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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I hope you like these! I was super excited to share my charts and to link up to this great event. All the other teachers have shared so many excellent ideas...I am proud to add mine to the mix. <br />
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Happy Reading!<br />
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~ Jenny<br />
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<br /></div>Neffer1982http://www.blogger.com/profile/09196709515118425479noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902164821164469989.post-16414269446128793102012-03-21T14:33:00.000-07:002012-03-21T14:33:48.403-07:00The Power of August(us)<br />
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<span style="text-align: left;">Yep, I finally caved and bought/read both </span><u style="text-align: left;">Wonder</u><span style="text-align: left;"> by RJ Palacio and </span><u style="text-align: left;">The Fault in Our Stars</u><span style="text-align: left;"> by John Green. Ironically (?) both the main characters in these books share a common name...August and Augustus. Is there something in this name that makes the characters so powerful? I tend to resist reading highly recommended new books. This is why I put of reading </span><u style="text-align: left;">A Tree Grows in Brooklyn</u><span style="text-align: left;"> until a long, sleepless night in college. If only I had listened to my mother all those years ago! (She doesn't read my blog, so I am safe saying that she was right all along!) </span></div>
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So after reading all of the blog post commending these two books, I decided to purposefully <b>not</b> read them. I mean, I don't want to be like everyone else...right? WRONG! What is wrong with me! I finally caved on Sunday night and ordered them on my IPad. <br />
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I started off with <u>Wonder</u> and was immediately transfixed. I loved how Palacio keep switching narrators and bringing multiple points of view into Auggie's story. It wasn't too simple, too sweet, too anything! It was honest, fair and uplifting. In many ways it reminded me of Melody's story from <u>Out of My Mind</u>. I can't wait to share it with my students and I know it would move many of them. Plus, I love any story with a strong teacher-student relationship! Between the precepts and the graduation speech, I almost cried. I started the book Sunday night and finished it by the next evening. READ THIS BOOK! Don't be like me and resist it! Give in to the temptation! (only you should by a real copy for your classroom library...not the Kindle version, which I now cannot share with my students! grrrr!)<br />
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<img height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFeMkcnpGW2-qduiu2jyZ1Z6g3Nym07J6sDMDusI1Ag-fXl8Gk1HNbwmn62-eIHjj24m20JNd5NDBIpfb7pFVWs3BhyvgM4hnz2mpkHZTffyyG8Ogx274RHZtzlK6JL7fzxgtgwdRApsk/s200/The+Fault+in+Our+Stars.jpg" width="200" /> </div>
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After finishing <u>Wonder</u>, I couldn't sleep...so I started <u>The Fault in Our Stars</u>, thinking that would help me get ready for bed. Boy, was that a mistake! Every time I finished a chapter, I would think about putting down the IPad, and say to myself...just one more chapter! Yup...needless to say, it was <strike>late at night</strike> early this morning by the time I finished the book. It was worth it! I laughed and I cried...I mean I really cried. I'm not ready to post a literary analysis of this book, its themes...whatever! Here's what I know: I will re-read this book. I will share this book. I will laugh and cry with this book again. This book made my life better, this world is a better place because of <u>The Fault in Our Stars</u>. READ IT!<br />
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So...the moral of this story? When amazing bloggers recommend books, I need to listen! You all were right! It's okay with me if you say, "I told you so" because...you did!<br />
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Happy Reading!<br />
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JennyNeffer1982http://www.blogger.com/profile/09196709515118425479noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902164821164469989.post-32911295709892982092012-03-19T14:36:00.004-07:002012-03-19T14:37:00.565-07:00I did it!Yup - I'm back again! And this time I am so excited! Why, you ask? <br />
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Maybe I solved the behavior problems in my classroom, magically and perfectly? No!<br />
Maybe I know my students aced the TEST and I celebrated with them...Nope again!<br />
Maybe I won the lottery? I wish!<br />
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Actually...I set up <a href="http://teachersnotebook.com/shop/neffer" target="_blank">my own store </a>on teachersnotebook.com! WOO HOO!<br />
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Now, it isn't pretty yet, it isn't final, and I have so many more ideas to post and share...but I did it! And really, when we are as stressed as we are, it is important to celebrate the small victories in life!<br />
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So, what will you find in my store? <br />
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Well I posted a great Book Clubs packet I created that guides my students (and me) through the process. There is a place in there to store your thinking for each meeting, to record your thoughts after the meetings and to reflect on what you did well and what you need to work on. There are also places for reader response questions...ALL IN ONE PLACE! This way, it is hard for anyone (teacher or student) to lose their work. (Not that I ever lose anything!) :)<br />
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What else is there you might ask? Well I posted a SMARTboard lesson I use to guide students through the process of writing reader response letters. It is all encompassing and really breaks down and models the process for students. There is an exemplar response, a rubric, an outline and a suggestion sheet for response topics.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Best of All...THEY ARE FREE! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yup, that's right...FREE! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(No, I am not crazy...I am just not ready to charge anyone for my stuff...not till I get some feedback and see how ya'll like it) </span> </div>
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So...be a pal and head over to<a href="http://teachersnotebook.com/shop/neffer" target="_blank"> my store</a> and tell me how it is! I really need some feedback, since I am just flying by the seat of my pants with this whole thing! </div>
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In other news...my class is slowly coming back together as a team. The weather was so beautiful today that we went outside and did some team building activities. It was a great afternoon! My student teacher starts full take-over in two weeks and then I will have tons of time to figure out this blogging thing, my store and...well...life in general! (AS IF!) </div>
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Until then...I appreciate all the support!</div>
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Happy Reading,</div>
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Jenny</div>
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PS - I re-read <u>Huger Games</u> this weekend and am going to see the movie Friday night with a bunch of teachers from school! WOO HOO! I also started reading <u>Wonder</u> and am so absorbed in it! Finally this weekend I finished <u>Pandemonium</u> by Lauren Oliver and am once again frustrated that I will have to wait a year for the sequel! GRRR... That was my week in reading!</div>Neffer1982http://www.blogger.com/profile/09196709515118425479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902164821164469989.post-52254347633350025562012-03-14T14:56:00.003-07:002012-03-14T14:56:58.915-07:00Almost Done...Here we are...halfway through the last week of testing! Only two more math tests and a supplementary reading test left to go! Woo Hoo! <br />
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As I have shared before I am really struggling with the behavior of my students lately. Heck - who am I kidding! This group has been a challenge since day one! You know how you usually have the first week of school with everyone quiet and afraid to put even a toe out of line? Yea - that didn't happen with this group. Again - they are GREAT kids...so smart, empathetic, funny! However, from day one we were working on controlling blurt outs, demonstrating self control and reacting with respect. <br />
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I'm a Responsive Classroom trained teacher and I try very hard to use this approach in my teaching - but it just wasn't working! I felt lost, scared, frustrated...and basically...like a failure. So last week, we started over...we went right back to the first day of school where we wrote Hopes and Dreams for the school year. These are supposed to drive all of our work together and ours had fallen by the wayside. Each of us (students, teachers, student-teacher) did some self reflection and came up with three new goals - one academic, one social and one behavioral. We discussed these with a buddy and talked about why we made our choices and how they would be helpful. <br />
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My new goals are:<br />
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<li>Teach creative, meaningful and engaging lessons!</li>
<li>Make time to interact with my students as people!</li>
<li>Stop and Breath before reacting!</li>
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The point of this being that we <b>all</b> have something we can do to be better. I know I contributed to the issues and I took ownership and made a plan to get better. Each student did that and then we shared and reflected. Each student wrote these up and decorated a sheet of paper with their new goals and we will put them up in the classroom after testing is over and I can uncover my classroom displays. </div>
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I also made each student a laminated card they can take with them everywhere they go to remind themselves of their goals. The specialist teachers have really appreciated these! It gives them something concrete to latch on to when students are struggling with choices. I also laminated a copy of these cards onto student desks as another reminder. Again, everything the students did, I did too. I have a card on my desk and I put my other card on a string around my neck. When I need to stop and breath - I look at the card. </div>
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Today we sat down and reflected on how we were doing with our new goals. It was pretty hit or miss...and they knew that. Following the RC approach, we used our Hopes and Dreams to write a new classroom constitution. We brainstormed all the things we could do (from a positive stance) to help ourselves achieve our goals. We then simplified and compiled these into four overall classroom expectations. My student teacher wrote these up into a new classroom constitution, which we all signed. </div>
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Our new classroom constitution says:</div>
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We, the students of room 48, in order to form a more perfect classroom, establish the following expectations:</div>
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<li>Follow directions the first time.</li>
<li>Demonstrate self-control.</li>
<li>Be respectful to all people.</li>
<li>Do your best at all times.</li>
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(I'm having technical difficulties and for some reason my camera won't let me get the picture of my new constitution on the computer! AHHH! My student teacher did a beautiful job with it! I wish I could share!)<br />
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If you want more info on <a href="http://www.responsiveclassroom.org/" target="_blank">Responsive Classroom</a> just click the words! <br />
(look at what I learned how to do - a link!)</div>
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Additionally, I am reading <u>Teach Like a Champion</u> by Doug Lemov. It is a great teacher resource that provides concrete strategies you can use in your class the next day! I paid specific attention to chapter 6 - which is on "Setting and Maintaining High Behavioral Expectations". It was a well needed refresher. The first technique it discusses is <b>100% - </b>this may sound obvious...but the strategy states </div>
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"There's one acceptable percentage of students following a direction: 100 percent. Less, and your authority is subject to interpretation, situation, and motivation." (Lemov, p. 168).</div>
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Now, I know this sounds pretty hard-core, but as Lemov explains, your directions are not arbitrary, they are to help all students succeed and they need to be followed. In the two days since I finished the chapter, my management has gotten back on track and so has the student behavior. Whew! Is there a light at the end of this tunnel?!?!<br />
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After we live with our new class constitution for a week I will pass out a survey with descriptors for each element of our classroom constitution. Students will fill out the survey and then I will calculate some percentages and we will use our math knowledge to look for patterns and reflect.<br />
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It feels like after drowning in behaviors for the last few weeks, I finally have a plan to get us all back on track. If I can just make it through March (testing, parent conferences and report cards) I know we will be great! <br />
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Thanks for listing to my troubles and my plan! Ideas and suggestions are more than welcome here...I am always willing to learn! <br />
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Happy Teaching!<br />
Jenny</div>
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<br /></div>Neffer1982http://www.blogger.com/profile/09196709515118425479noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902164821164469989.post-22842170902186913732012-03-05T13:32:00.001-08:002012-03-05T13:32:06.956-08:00Currently...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
What a difference an afternoon makes...my post this morning was excited about all of my reading. This afternoon I am feeling a little down in the dumps. </div>
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My class is giving me a run for my money and I feel like I am out of strategies. I've asked my administrators to observe me and give feedback, to help me make a plan, and they were great. I've talked with my kids and we re-wrote our hopes and goals for the rest of the year, made a plan and we will re-do our class constitution. Yet, directly after this class meeting we had to re-do a transition <b>three</b> times to meet sixth grade expectations. Oh well...as Scarlet said...<i>Tomorrow is another day</i></div>
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PS - I am so excited to join this linky! I feel like all of you in blog-land may help me rediscover everything I love about teaching and learning. I need more positive, energetic and excited people in my life...Thanks!</div>
<br />Neffer1982http://www.blogger.com/profile/09196709515118425479noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902164821164469989.post-5326907563940079832012-03-05T11:00:00.000-08:002012-03-05T11:01:11.304-08:00It's Monday! What Are You Reading?<div style="text-align: center;">
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I am so excited! I think I may have figured this out! WOO HOO! This week I read some really great books and am starting some new ones too. <br />
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Last night I finished <u>Torment</u> by Lauren Kate, the second book in the <u>Fallen</u> series. I finished <u>Fallen</u> on Saturday - so it must have been a great book if I finished book 2 in a day! I reminded me quite a bit of <u>Twilight</u> in theme and character. Luce has some strong similarities to Bella and I am looking forward to suggesting this book to some of the Twi-hards in my class. <br />
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I also finished <u>Impulse</u> by Ellen Hopkins. This was a huge book, written in free-verse poetry about three teenagers who had all attempted to commit suicide. It was dark, raw and honest. While I was totally enthralled, I won't be suggesting this to my sixth graders - too dark and scary. <br />
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Today I started reading two books for my historical fiction book clubs in class. I am reading (and loving!) <u>Soldier X</u> by Don Wulffson. This is about a soldier from Germany in WW2, who gets injured and hides himself as a Russian soldier behind enemy lines. The author creates the most vivid pictures of the war, without being gory or gross. In the first 50 pages I was enthralled, surprised and saddened. I can't wait to discuss this book with my students - I know they will love it! <br />
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The second book I am leading in book clubs is <u>War Horse</u> by Michael Morpurgo. This book is pretty well known - having been re-created into a Tony nominated musical and an Oscar nominated movie. It is told from the point of view of the horse, Joey, as he travels through WW1. There are so many characters who move through Joey's life. So far I am really enjoying it - although I am not finding myself as captivated with Joey's voice as some of my former students were when they read it last year. <br />
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<img height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn5IP71BpN-S2yuzrYkQne_rPg79O_RULWjuTk-9ntWq-32i01YPJoZ8k8ilMoX7a_T5RBuMPgMjWu2ZhPw69fJ_IdUUikEAs6AXLFedI6ble6hrZdTQ6VAgEckXNE7AXLZhQYzTy09-rK/s200/war+horse+book.jpg" width="140" /> <img height="200" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1268869615l/6487308.jpg" width="124" /> <img height="200" src="http://laurenkatebooks.net/wp-content/themes/thestars/images//2010/03/TORMENT.jpg" width="132" /> <img height="200" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/54/Impulse(hopkins).jpg" width="143" /> <img height="200" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/68/Soldier_X_cover.JPG" width="124" /></div>
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As an adult independent reader I am reading Robyn Carr's new book, <u>Hidden Summit</u>. I love her romance novels - the perfect combination of romance, intrigue, kindness and humor. I was so excited when my mom bought it and lent it to me! <br />
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<img height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOPfSaszv8_FJH1X_Dcl43635p6ynXEbCt5vNNVudXM8ql5CB5IVzdK06oDrhoNnMK081JMPmw-dlqR4tjVHWS_5QBL5Tbzapke-oUnVhWaEWKJfTDs1buSwDezOKIqYVCKL_Afl-YQSA/s200/Hidden_Summit_Robyn_Carr.jpg" width="126" />
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In other news - we survived our first test this morning and no one cried, threw up or quit. I guess that qualifies as a success. All 50 of my students are participating in historical fiction book clubs - which is always an adventure. In addition to the books mentioned above we are reading:<br />
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<li><u>Yellow Star</u> - Jennifer Roy (MY FAVORITE!!!)</li>
<li><u>A Boy at War</u> - Harry Mazar</li>
<li><u>Code Talker</u> - Joseph Bruchac </li>
<li><u>Saving Zasha</u> - Randi Barrow</li>
<li><u>Milkweed</u> - Jerry Spinelli</li>
<li><u>Private Peaceful</u> - Michael Morpurgo</li>
<li><u>Number the Stars</u> - Louis Lowrey</li>
<li><u>The Watsons Go to Birmingham 1963</u> - Christopher Paul Curtis</li>
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Happy Reading!</div>
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Jenny</div>Neffer1982http://www.blogger.com/profile/09196709515118425479noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902164821164469989.post-37431102233979993272012-03-03T12:15:00.000-08:002012-03-03T12:15:05.564-08:00Duh, Duh, Duh....Testing Begins...Yup, that's right. Standardized testing begins on Monday with an Editing and Revising test. Over the last 8 years of my teaching career I have slowly fallen into that pattern of teaching to the test. Yes, I admit it, I do teach to the test. I swore up and down as a pre-service and beginning teacher that I would <b>never</b> teach to the test; that only (insert negative adjective here) teachers did that. It has always been my belief that if I was teaching quality, motivating, engaging and meaningful lessons to my students, they would of course succeed on the test. However, as the years have gone on, I have seen that my students need to be actively prepared for the assessment. <br />
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Basically - here's the gist of it. The test isn't really an authentic assessment of what I teach my students or of the amazing learning and growth the accomplish over the course of the year. Since the test doesn't accurately assess them, it's not fair for me to let them be blindsided by the questions. Therefore, I have to teach to the test for a short period of time. <br />
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And...I HATE it! There is nothing enjoyable about teaching students how to respond to an open-ended reading question. There is nothing authentic in that experience. As a passionate, adult reader I never answer questions like that in writing. I don't follow a response format. However, it must be done on the test. I do my best to make the learning fun, but as we get closer and closer to those tests, the pressure builds and I feel the weight of it on my shoulders, almost like Harry Potter seeing the Death Eaters or the black shadows that haunt Luce in <u>Fallen</u> by Lauren Kate. <br />
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I've decided two things:<br />
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1. I can't get rid of them...so I can only do my best to help my students beat them. How do I do that? I use a ton of resources written by the amazing...Nancy Boyles! Check them out...they are really clear, concise and easy to implement in the classroom.<br />
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<img height="200" src="http://books.google.com/books?id=VbIlfSG1nlcC&printsec=frontcover&img=1&zoom=1&edge=curl" width="155" /><img height="200" src="http://readingmatters.net/Uploads/Product/FullSize/1340.jpg" width="200" /><img height="200" src="http://readingmatters.net/Uploads/Product/Fullsize/1264.jpg" width="200" />
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2. I have to motivate my kids and bring a sense of fun to the whole thing. To that end I made my students little bags of peppermints with tags on them that say, "You were "mint" to succeed, so do your best on this test!" I am hoping these will help ease the tension and bring a smile to my kiddo's faces on Monday. <br />
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How do you prepare your kids for the standardized tests that plague our schools? Any great resources or strategies? I would love to hear them!<br />
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Happy Testing - Jenny<br />
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<br />Neffer1982http://www.blogger.com/profile/09196709515118425479noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902164821164469989.post-30437982083475774102012-03-01T12:11:00.000-08:002012-03-01T12:11:36.213-08:00Oh What A Day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It was quite a day! My student teacher has taken over the majority of the day, so I just taught a CMT review session and then watched her work...she was great. </div>
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Of course...then we had the incident that lead to this little injury.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEVanAJnvT8qqN4rGqp55ag9uECp1nIkOpckq7uLg8EPC9irxTuRZkSuv0AqehUvV52CeUMcbjLgtVH6zPNEuMfccTE6kc63k2V_wtTu-StqQZiPmfoIhLGNJPNK9BmUpfIYQ7twQKKNU/s1600/mikeupdated.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEVanAJnvT8qqN4rGqp55ag9uECp1nIkOpckq7uLg8EPC9irxTuRZkSuv0AqehUvV52CeUMcbjLgtVH6zPNEuMfccTE6kc63k2V_wtTu-StqQZiPmfoIhLGNJPNK9BmUpfIYQ7twQKKNU/s320/mikeupdated.JPG" width="236" /></a></div>
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Oh well...what can you do, right? He's a great kid and he has plenty of intelligence so a little cut won't hurt him too badly! Right?! Here's hoping we can avoid any more injuries and make it through CMTs unscathed!</div>
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<br /></div>Neffer1982http://www.blogger.com/profile/09196709515118425479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902164821164469989.post-2468604521060019012012-03-01T06:45:00.002-08:002012-03-01T06:47:24.646-08:00Mid-Week MadnessCrazy! We've been back from February Break for 2.5 days (we had an early dismissal day yesterday) and I am already feeling stressed about the upcoming Connecticut Mastery Testing. Isn't it funny how fast all that stress comes right back to you?<br />
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I dragged my (fabulous) student teacher out to the Dollar Tree yesterday in search of new book bins for our library and found the cutest bins! I am going to try and upload a picture. They didn't have enough for my entire library...I mean, I have almost 2000 books, so I need a LOT of bins. Did you know you can order from Dollar Tree online? You can buy entire crates of a product (still only $1!) and have them shipped to the store nearest you. I didn't find the same bins, but I did find some that were similar and I think I may order them. I think this discovery might be bad for my wallet! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv0zhLOPYia-IKBpTuPSnJKcB3zeUv-tMGeNbgNzgOCywiSVKsmlSJakZSwEXxEhtnb4ONs5UHLzFRikb2NML5XmXXbbIDrWwmg6RLkCT-IBTg-bKNfJPGTe6w3ZKkPGKgy__ErudCFBs/s1600/2012-03-01_08-52-34_873.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv0zhLOPYia-IKBpTuPSnJKcB3zeUv-tMGeNbgNzgOCywiSVKsmlSJakZSwEXxEhtnb4ONs5UHLzFRikb2NML5XmXXbbIDrWwmg6RLkCT-IBTg-bKNfJPGTe6w3ZKkPGKgy__ErudCFBs/s320/2012-03-01_08-52-34_873.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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In other news, I finished <u>Day-To-Day Assessment in the Reading Workshop</u> and was so glad I re-read it. There were so many fabulous ideas that I had forgotten about from five years ago when I first read the book. Right away Monday morning I started creating assessment webs for each of my students. I will post a copy here. Now that these are finished I feel so much more prepared for conferences at the end of this month!<br />
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(sorry...I can't figure out how to rotate it yet...I'm pretty proud I figured out how to upload at all!)</div>
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I also really love how the authors create "preview-packets" for books they are going to read-aloud to the class. These packs include the front cover of the book, the back blurb, any reviews or quotes that are included in the book, reviews from places like amazon.com or Horn Book, and the first few pages of the book. What a great way to get students to actively preview a book! I can't wait to try this when we start our next read-aloud! <br />
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My student teacher is getting ready to start our next round of Book Clubs - this time focused on Historical Fiction. Maybe I will suggest to her that each group should start with a preview packet, before they read their first chunk. Maybe she could also include some background information on each time-period so that the students had a starting point with the genre. Ooooohhhh! Ideas are just flowing out of my finger tips this morning! <br />
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I feel like maybe this blogging thing might really help me figure it out a lot about my teaching and I am so excited to share my thinking with you all!<br />
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Once our next round of book clubs start up I will post about how I structure those...this really is a huge component of reading instruction in 6th grade!<br />
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PS - Any suggestions about blog design? If I wanted to get a really cute blog designed for me...who should I check out? Thanks!Neffer1982http://www.blogger.com/profile/09196709515118425479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902164821164469989.post-92093145029472109492012-02-21T09:35:00.001-08:002012-02-21T09:36:10.838-08:00Re-reading an old favoriteSo, day two of February break brings me trying to read "Day to Day Assessment in Reading Workshop: Making informed instructional decisions in grades 3-6" which I skimmed a few years ago. I want to really focus my reading instruction and make sure that my teaching is purposeful. I have this fabulous student teacher and I want to make sure I am teaching her to be really focused. I hope that this book will refresh my drive, especially when it comes to reading instruction and assessment. This time of year I tend to get a little lazy, it must be spring fever! What other books do you return to year after year to re-inspire your teaching?
Happy reading!Neffer1982http://www.blogger.com/profile/09196709515118425479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902164821164469989.post-69202997806883372212012-02-20T11:32:00.001-08:002012-02-20T11:32:30.157-08:00Jumping In!Okay...here goes. I am on February break this week and have decided to jump into this blogging thing. There are So many ideas swirling around in my head...this might just be the place to figure it out. So, a little about me...I am a sixth grade teacher in CT who is still teaching in the elementary school. I teach mostly reading, writing and social studies and I love it! (most days!)
I just finished reading "Bystander" by James Preller and if your looking for a great middle grades read check it out! It covers bullying in a very honest, realistic way. I am thinking about adding it to my read aloud rotation very soon.
I am going to keep this short, so until I figure this all out...as I say to my kids, happy reading!Neffer1982http://www.blogger.com/profile/09196709515118425479noreply@blogger.com3