tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36481422554437366802023-12-13T04:31:49.986-08:00It's Grow Time~dani~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06382715430917240994noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3648142255443736680.post-6306142616257606992012-10-02T19:11:00.001-07:002012-10-02T19:21:58.330-07:00An Otherwise Employed TeacherI may have just made something up... I'm not sure I've heard the words, "An Otherwise Employed Teacher" together in a sentence before, but that is exactly what I am. I've been a little M.I.A. lately because, quite honestly, I've been a little sad.<br />
<br />
As you probably have figured out, I am not teaching elementary school this year. After moving back to Southern California, I was unable to secure full time employment in a classroom of my own. I was offered three different part-time positions and turned down all three. Now, you might be asking yourself,<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Why would you turn down a good job?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: lime; font-size: large;">It's hard to find teaching jobs in Southern California.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">You should be grateful for any work!</span></div>
<br />
And, you may be right. I asked myself the same questions and even talked for hours about those questions with my husband (who is incredibly logical in these scenarios...). In a time and place where a teacher's worth is undervalued, I chose to take a stand. I took a look at my work experience and resume and decided that with 6 years of business experience, a Masters degree from a prestigious university, and classroom experience, I am qualified to be more than an Instructional Aide. I deserve more than 70% pay for 100% work. I will not settle. I do not settle in my personal life and I will not settle in my professional life.<br />
<br />
Now you may be asking, "What about the kids?" Don't get me wrong, if there was an opportunity to have my own classroom full-time, I would be there in a heartbeat. But that wasn't the case. I love those little buggers and can't wait to get back in there, but the timing just wasn't right.<br />
<br />
So what am I doing with that amazing resume? Luckily, I have contacts at a company that I worked for previously and I am still teaching. Instead of sitting criss-cross applesauce on the floor, I am presenting in high rises and boardrooms. I have traded in my teacher uniform (cardigans, slacks, and flats) for some stilettos and am working with attorneys and paralegals. Upped that public school wage for something a little more substantial. And... I get to travel. What is awesome is that having gone through my credential program and spent last year in the classroom, I have a much better understanding of how to communicate with my students. My presentations and seminars are much more interactive and I am loving it!<br />
<br />
So, now that that's over with, I thought I would share some photos from the past few weeks. It is the least I can do for those of you that hung in there through this lengthy post!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGo7oeqHuXKuvAIB0srrYRHKW-ZHt7UHARjqp9NA5XIiDGBIbkxPPCt5uZvHOBnunWGYopCSkdFxyIEET8vpOu68UE1XfxeSgfy5o-VJU9cacZmyJeLizrGakoIFrYllkP4Fo6Nv73BK4/s1600/IMG_2294.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGo7oeqHuXKuvAIB0srrYRHKW-ZHt7UHARjqp9NA5XIiDGBIbkxPPCt5uZvHOBnunWGYopCSkdFxyIEET8vpOu68UE1XfxeSgfy5o-VJU9cacZmyJeLizrGakoIFrYllkP4Fo6Nv73BK4/s400/IMG_2294.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
One of my favorite work outfits. Those shoes are 5" tall!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6-0VB4K5VMqbK_MegDK9OxB78WLDIVw8YfiJMFhCXu9nfYTgFL9R_SPa_w_9WKH-6RUixNRueMCqg7hdy9TNNNGLG5SB1tCZC3ws5FHRFbDlBaw7OZjhA6mk3bHKhnqXBd8bcEOzYB5Y/s1600/IMG_2300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6-0VB4K5VMqbK_MegDK9OxB78WLDIVw8YfiJMFhCXu9nfYTgFL9R_SPa_w_9WKH-6RUixNRueMCqg7hdy9TNNNGLG5SB1tCZC3ws5FHRFbDlBaw7OZjhA6mk3bHKhnqXBd8bcEOzYB5Y/s400/IMG_2300.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My view from the train down to San Diego for a work trip.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFmob-pLuAdHQpYNWgqLRpD2Z_lA0xwJnsiQ192eLmVGQw6LDp1682qYKM69_fMgesFYUhiEDcp6eJKley0Eidd1cs04I8TOGcq5hlfawvLTjdaGI7zhxXieWY_kucPa-t2oscI_P0lqs/s1600/IMG_2309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFmob-pLuAdHQpYNWgqLRpD2Z_lA0xwJnsiQ192eLmVGQw6LDp1682qYKM69_fMgesFYUhiEDcp6eJKley0Eidd1cs04I8TOGcq5hlfawvLTjdaGI7zhxXieWY_kucPa-t2oscI_P0lqs/s400/IMG_2309.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My room at the W San Diego.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsscVYLXRN-BzqCdFP6vvFPXyXlRCF5b6-aYruBMN1342wHhfFRftalRdxq8hndg_U4DxOBwHpWLDTG5znAR8it2ruIna2ssaixeHAmZTsOdRs2IEVoMaooVoaxWZR5r-45QMN8MSSEPs/s1600/IMG_2314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsscVYLXRN-BzqCdFP6vvFPXyXlRCF5b6-aYruBMN1342wHhfFRftalRdxq8hndg_U4DxOBwHpWLDTG5znAR8it2ruIna2ssaixeHAmZTsOdRs2IEVoMaooVoaxWZR5r-45QMN8MSSEPs/s400/IMG_2314.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My view on the way home from San Diego.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6vWoXi97AkHYnZR0EiGeO51FV7AjG6AELn_ooQOut-7lZMnfM803d0X3HQqoE9NH6qOdrO9bKw2srtHDCK2Esrufz2ek1DlYtleOg9pbZms1NP3izJ2pm5yEv6H3pTF44TTJmTPrv_v8/s1600/IMG_2317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6vWoXi97AkHYnZR0EiGeO51FV7AjG6AELn_ooQOut-7lZMnfM803d0X3HQqoE9NH6qOdrO9bKw2srtHDCK2Esrufz2ek1DlYtleOg9pbZms1NP3izJ2pm5yEv6H3pTF44TTJmTPrv_v8/s400/IMG_2317.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is what happens when you lift weights at 5:00 in the morning.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqevUqtYNBOzbFxwhJ96Akb-NwfzVHVCi5wwVQou5aLPm_QU9aIkip95sXSo0nbZvcNRXsi6etMot2SdDXLACkcdZjq3t79nEKOuXmMnzOTPBrOGIX_Du-PY6Ua3J3S3Y8pNQCk0CMzxk/s1600/IMG_2332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqevUqtYNBOzbFxwhJ96Akb-NwfzVHVCi5wwVQou5aLPm_QU9aIkip95sXSo0nbZvcNRXsi6etMot2SdDXLACkcdZjq3t79nEKOuXmMnzOTPBrOGIX_Du-PY6Ua3J3S3Y8pNQCk0CMzxk/s400/IMG_2332.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is what happens when you lift weights at 5:00 in the morning for 4 months.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFmiCbcc3hz_shU2fuvnuKCCquLhFh3j3IejsgNciJjVNNYDzvWC16MI_05JR7sXqFTuqK2gpoP3rF98YmcIdqUPL07PkG5xIjEgF-tgKRU6EAy5ANMXRsrsTupEdJj-fjwszq4HX8l8Y/s1600/IMG_2345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFmiCbcc3hz_shU2fuvnuKCCquLhFh3j3IejsgNciJjVNNYDzvWC16MI_05JR7sXqFTuqK2gpoP3rF98YmcIdqUPL07PkG5xIjEgF-tgKRU6EAy5ANMXRsrsTupEdJj-fjwszq4HX8l8Y/s400/IMG_2345.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My view on the way to Las Vegas.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTavXh3oQ3xohNJMOAHnp1WNAyqPDbOCpbhhe1vZd-uk_khTvBhNhyphenhyphenvGzefkL1DpTDp4I5guhVOqPiv473VMLpzBtorxdxTPlDcWiGbxovRZCtCAauy69XzLrGqg83n102_JQcvZLeQnI/s1600/IMG_2346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTavXh3oQ3xohNJMOAHnp1WNAyqPDbOCpbhhe1vZd-uk_khTvBhNhyphenhyphenvGzefkL1DpTDp4I5guhVOqPiv473VMLpzBtorxdxTPlDcWiGbxovRZCtCAauy69XzLrGqg83n102_JQcvZLeQnI/s400/IMG_2346.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Palms Casino after the longest shuttle ride ever.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6uQGSd__kJh8mP5v1mBbsQZly-1LNcF2iZhLmlVvR_By2sYgF8O47Z2qpwU72E8LUL-RudUvCirIh6R95L_HYlAFNj35VP8xG7KsivO8kT7C-S6HMldNy8cjS5u4uLqjkPnla2jyizkI/s1600/IMG_2353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6uQGSd__kJh8mP5v1mBbsQZly-1LNcF2iZhLmlVvR_By2sYgF8O47Z2qpwU72E8LUL-RudUvCirIh6R95L_HYlAFNj35VP8xG7KsivO8kT7C-S6HMldNy8cjS5u4uLqjkPnla2jyizkI/s400/IMG_2353.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My upgraded suite at The Palms that I had all to myself. It was huge! And a little boring... I fell asleep watching Survivor at 8:30. The best part was that I took a bath in that amazing tub and the water came from the ceiling!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZRUuV7w2ggb5QtiZHJmkHSBUghiIVGPa0U2KQR8bDwqD3x_F_eeSpwWzKmm1PuG-ZX4x2cAWLkZzFktV2vuPnw1lNKblvS3pCc8czcGywguzDYTjGr2XVPgE0pfcs5q8Ha13P4-WoN80/s1600/IMG_2357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZRUuV7w2ggb5QtiZHJmkHSBUghiIVGPa0U2KQR8bDwqD3x_F_eeSpwWzKmm1PuG-ZX4x2cAWLkZzFktV2vuPnw1lNKblvS3pCc8czcGywguzDYTjGr2XVPgE0pfcs5q8Ha13P4-WoN80/s400/IMG_2357.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And finally, my view from the suite. I was on the 27th floor and it was breathtaking!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNxGjqpQa93VtH6EKpJc1EhUwVmUYA2BLH8LGXLxiZlNhEqLf4Q2UYS1SrEHNp2tDdZaegN_gtYiezcLoMAHsmTvl6InqKOal1GwntyA0_5Y5DmdK850xgs_MNxC1bmEAOCLVUGCw3T0I/s1600/Signature-green.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNxGjqpQa93VtH6EKpJc1EhUwVmUYA2BLH8LGXLxiZlNhEqLf4Q2UYS1SrEHNp2tDdZaegN_gtYiezcLoMAHsmTvl6InqKOal1GwntyA0_5Y5DmdK850xgs_MNxC1bmEAOCLVUGCw3T0I/s1600/Signature-green.png" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
p.s. I love Instagram. You can follow me @dd_aa_nn_ii!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
~dani~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06382715430917240994noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3648142255443736680.post-31372775543933395632012-08-22T18:55:00.003-07:002012-08-22T18:55:59.399-07:00Sitting. Waiting. Wishing.Holy cow, it's been over a month since the last time I sat down to write on this here blog... I wish I could say that I was on an amazing vacation here<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.bestsingletravel.com/images/Hawaii%20Hanauma%20Bay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://www.bestsingletravel.com/images/Hawaii%20Hanauma%20Bay.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
or here</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.caboluxurypenthouses.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/arch-cabo-san-lucas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.caboluxurypenthouses.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/arch-cabo-san-lucas.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
but the truth of the matter is, I've been working my tail off.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
But it's summer, right? Well, not for me. Because I left my teaching position in San Jose and the future was uncertain, I took a job with my old company working in litigation support. It has been really great to know that no matter what, I have a job, but the longer I stay, the more I miss being in the classroom. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br />While many of you are shopping and prepping for your kiddos, I'm waiting. <i>I always hear Jack Johnson sing, "I was sitting, waiting, wishing..." every time I think about that. </i>Where I live, school doesn't start until the first week of September and they usually don't hire until right before school starts, so here I am. Sitting. Waiting. Wishing.</div>
<br />
The district and school offices have started to open, and job postings are beginning to surface, which is a great thing. It is interview season, so wish me luck! I promise to keep you posted.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwhQX6QUxGC9YAQCrhvnRoXqz1r7lIfB39SysdYzRIHfk-Qy_L5XruiVK9gBqtp5EiCFEY_lG1DHrVQ-ONcFT53ikTIGo3-rrXEzk5n6Jp3QzgA_PZm_EV8zETIYdxxaiFXipIsNN0oeU/s1600/dani.livesig.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwhQX6QUxGC9YAQCrhvnRoXqz1r7lIfB39SysdYzRIHfk-Qy_L5XruiVK9gBqtp5EiCFEY_lG1DHrVQ-ONcFT53ikTIGo3-rrXEzk5n6Jp3QzgA_PZm_EV8zETIYdxxaiFXipIsNN0oeU/s1600/dani.livesig.png" /></a></div>
<br />~dani~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06382715430917240994noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3648142255443736680.post-86197817863866598162012-07-18T18:24:00.000-07:002012-07-18T18:24:18.884-07:00And the Winner Is...<div style="text-align: center;">
Thank you all for celebrating 100 followers with me and participating in</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv1uVD18v01_5smZ_G3gLYWm1opyNrnyU3Tx97UTlSzSWQC4FUCWCjbygqd2QyZSEzf6RZjdHNlmUlU0fTXfjW_N1yUGXbpyoovA8WuMIrd2fyhpzFnkWj-76cInCtFMxemkPxcJcrp_E/s1600/100follower.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv1uVD18v01_5smZ_G3gLYWm1opyNrnyU3Tx97UTlSzSWQC4FUCWCjbygqd2QyZSEzf6RZjdHNlmUlU0fTXfjW_N1yUGXbpyoovA8WuMIrd2fyhpzFnkWj-76cInCtFMxemkPxcJcrp_E/s320/100follower.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYG2lhY9qRidGlHu7Zpc31bsXX5V6eR30xDrggaboi4E7wyo7V3RCfVBVx7jnWRLEHcfHJ72F7XNdvWL5Ujud1jJmpxyPmFmKH1BdX-fgH6UJuev1ZXziwp1Xq-hPrKw0Nm0YYiA3FsiI/s1600/congrats.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYG2lhY9qRidGlHu7Zpc31bsXX5V6eR30xDrggaboi4E7wyo7V3RCfVBVx7jnWRLEHcfHJ72F7XNdvWL5Ujud1jJmpxyPmFmKH1BdX-fgH6UJuev1ZXziwp1Xq-hPrKw0Nm0YYiA3FsiI/s400/congrats.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
You are the winner of some amazing goodies from some of my favorite bloggers! Keep your eyes on your inbox because you have some outstanding resources are coming your way from the following bloggers:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<center><a href="http://firstgradeandfabulous.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z343/ladybugteacher/firstgradefabulousbutton.png" /></a></center><center><a href="http://www.lessonswithlaughter.blogspot.com/"><img alt="Lessons with Laughter" border="0" height="125" src="http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i366/dreamlikemagic/blogs/button-2316.png" width="125" /></a></center><center><a href="http://www.miss-kindergarten.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z343/ladybugteacher/misskindergartenbutton.png" /></a></center><center><a href="http://time4kindergarten.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="TIFFANI" border="0" src="http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l560/time4kindergarten/grabbutton2.jpg" /></a></center><center><a href="http://www.elementarymatters.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g447/eschaff/Elementary%20Matters/btn3.png" /></a></center><center><a href="http://bainbridgeclass.blogspot.com/"><img alt="Bunting Books and Bainbridge" border="0" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4sA3BeGmDLwcko0lb7L8KO20qoCYKcHi_Oidz47cUKIXqpdC6bDN14su-DXsQKe913r7qf5-sZSXrHgh28Zk9XQ4B1M-FOfsW2rO_Wlgqg03hyphenhyphen6oRy74hQSOB5sFj1D7EawLBKVlRYHo/s1600/button.png" width="125" /></a></center><center><a href="http://www.kentuckykindergartenkorner.blogspot.com/"><img alt="Kindergarten Korner" border="0" height="125" src="http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i366/dreamlikemagic/blogs/button-39.png" width="125" /></a></center><center><a href="http://www.mandys-tips-4-teachers.blogspot.com/"><img alt="Mandy's Tips for Teachers" border="0" height="125" src="http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i366/dreamlikemagic/blogs/button-341.png" width="125" /></a></center><center><a href="http://www.polkadotsnpencils.blogspot.com/"><img alt="Polkadots and Pencils" border="0" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAv9333t0a6B7YyIzTwpw139DaBCEpUTSiPl1p3hk4Xj8j-9_5RDvjMfOyOiEYVJGsoSeCnwDyjcXPxhYJY3wKT046IEPhN7ZcZ15kahptFkdiJsNC3zJUUJhHcsKdk5-QIy0UD30IaaI/s1600/button.png" width="125" /></a></center><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
</div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.mrsstanfordsclass.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="MrsStanfordsClass" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r-R9959OhLE/T7pWjQAdT9I/AAAAAAAAARc/4-LHyoZTXGI/s320/Blog+Button.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.dillydabbles.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" title="DillyDabbles"><img alt="DillyDabbles" src="http://i1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh553/DillyDabbles/button.png" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://fabulouslyfirst.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" title="Fabulously First"><img alt="Fabulously First" src="http://i48.tinypic.com/10y413l.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://teaching-with-style.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://teaching-withstyle.webs.com/button3.png" /></a><br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.inspiredbykindergarten.blogspot.com/" title="Inspired By Kindergarten"><img alt="Inspired By Kindergarten" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-vRnsGEROhOs/T_oM6hzHAQI/AAAAAAAABSI/JaAnLyAaWS8/s175/I%2520by%2520K%25202.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
<br />
<center><a href="http://teaching-with-style.blogspot.com/"></a><a href="http://www.justwildaboutteaching.blogspot.com/"><img alt="Just Wild About Teaching" border="0" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2wf73WEXETg-cJH4L5TV9jI1i3DP9GrJb_IcwRUxRYasekXrfKNcKt91eAMwXh_JnJuR-hz9fO9x8QlZE0Kz83ICXXSJu_34erJL2edx_nNV7FmWhsB48GNfdKe4TVsCs3zINk9KpmEUt/s1600/button.png" width="125" /></a></center></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Thank you all for playing! Hope the summer is treating you well.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwhQX6QUxGC9YAQCrhvnRoXqz1r7lIfB39SysdYzRIHfk-Qy_L5XruiVK9gBqtp5EiCFEY_lG1DHrVQ-ONcFT53ikTIGo3-rrXEzk5n6Jp3QzgA_PZm_EV8zETIYdxxaiFXipIsNN0oeU/s1600/dani.livesig.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwhQX6QUxGC9YAQCrhvnRoXqz1r7lIfB39SysdYzRIHfk-Qy_L5XruiVK9gBqtp5EiCFEY_lG1DHrVQ-ONcFT53ikTIGo3-rrXEzk5n6Jp3QzgA_PZm_EV8zETIYdxxaiFXipIsNN0oeU/s1600/dani.livesig.png" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />~dani~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06382715430917240994noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3648142255443736680.post-78929787360045318272012-07-13T20:49:00.000-07:002012-07-14T20:50:26.888-07:00100 Fabulous Followers and a Top Teacher GiveawayI can't believe it! We whizzed right by 100 followers here at It's Grow Time and it's time to<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34Q4e4vZ-LKfajLgMDNm_1LNM14Xq5UFB8m1PyCNw_TgdHHwMuwK-i5yFxtgqQqYsrib3xuk-ETnbCEI4L6jFJpYR1vOEwFbxhjLZjUFPhcOxReJa7GJR0f_N-aqIXSu3UI9vudTjrOI/s1600/celebrate.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34Q4e4vZ-LKfajLgMDNm_1LNM14Xq5UFB8m1PyCNw_TgdHHwMuwK-i5yFxtgqQqYsrib3xuk-ETnbCEI4L6jFJpYR1vOEwFbxhjLZjUFPhcOxReJa7GJR0f_N-aqIXSu3UI9vudTjrOI/s200/celebrate.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;">I can't even believe that there are 10 of you out there, but I guess my mom and a few of my friends would have gotten us past ten... But 100! Holy moly!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv1uVD18v01_5smZ_G3gLYWm1opyNrnyU3Tx97UTlSzSWQC4FUCWCjbygqd2QyZSEzf6RZjdHNlmUlU0fTXfjW_N1yUGXbpyoovA8WuMIrd2fyhpzFnkWj-76cInCtFMxemkPxcJcrp_E/s1600/100follower.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv1uVD18v01_5smZ_G3gLYWm1opyNrnyU3Tx97UTlSzSWQC4FUCWCjbygqd2QyZSEzf6RZjdHNlmUlU0fTXfjW_N1yUGXbpyoovA8WuMIrd2fyhpzFnkWj-76cInCtFMxemkPxcJcrp_E/s400/100follower.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Thank you so much for being a part of this fun little hobby. I am so lucky to have this amazing place to write and vent (my husband thanks you...) about the goings-on in my teaching life. To thank you for your wonderful support, I will be giving away a prize pack of wonderful products from some of my favorite teacher bloggers.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://firstgradeandfabulous.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z343/ladybugteacher/firstgradefabulousbutton.png" /></a></center>
<center><a href="http://www.lessonswithlaughter.blogspot.com/"><img alt="Lessons with Laughter" border="0" height="125" src="http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i366/dreamlikemagic/blogs/button-2316.png" width="125" /></a></center>
<center><a href="http://www.miss-kindergarten.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z343/ladybugteacher/misskindergartenbutton.png" /></a></center>
<center><a href="http://time4kindergarten.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="TIFFANI" border="0" src=" http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l560/time4kindergarten/grabbutton2.jpg" /></a></center>
<center><a href="http://www.elementarymatters.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g447/eschaff/Elementary%20Matters/btn3.png" /></a></center>
<center><a href="http://bainbridgeclass.blogspot.com/"><img alt="Bunting Books and Bainbridge" border="0" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4sA3BeGmDLwcko0lb7L8KO20qoCYKcHi_Oidz47cUKIXqpdC6bDN14su-DXsQKe913r7qf5-sZSXrHgh28Zk9XQ4B1M-FOfsW2rO_Wlgqg03hyphenhyphen6oRy74hQSOB5sFj1D7EawLBKVlRYHo/s1600/button.png" width="125" /></a></center>
<center><a href="http://www.kentuckykindergartenkorner.blogspot.com/"><img alt="Kindergarten Korner" border="0" height="125" src="http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i366/dreamlikemagic/blogs/button-39.png" width="125" /></a></center>
<center><a href="http://www.mandys-tips-4-teachers.blogspot.com/"><img alt="Mandy's Tips for Teachers" border="0" height="125" src="http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i366/dreamlikemagic/blogs/button-341.png" width="125" /></a></center>
<center><a href="http://www.polkadotsnpencils.blogspot.com/"><img alt="Polkadots and Pencils" border="0" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAv9333t0a6B7YyIzTwpw139DaBCEpUTSiPl1p3hk4Xj8j-9_5RDvjMfOyOiEYVJGsoSeCnwDyjcXPxhYJY3wKT046IEPhN7ZcZ15kahptFkdiJsNC3zJUUJhHcsKdk5-QIy0UD30IaaI/s1600/button.png" width="125" /></a></center>
<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.mrsstanfordsclass.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="MrsStanfordsClass" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r-R9959OhLE/T7pWjQAdT9I/AAAAAAAAARc/4-LHyoZTXGI/s320/Blog+Button.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.dillydabbles.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" title="DillyDabbles"><img alt="DillyDabbles" src="http://i1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh553/DillyDabbles/button.png" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://fabulouslyfirst.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" title="Fabulously First"><img alt="Fabulously First" src="http://i48.tinypic.com/10y413l.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://teaching-with-style.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://teaching-withstyle.webs.com/button3.png" />
</a><br />
<br />
<div align="center"><a href="http://www.inspiredbykindergarten.blogspot.com/" title="Inspired By Kindergarten"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-vRnsGEROhOs/T_oM6hzHAQI/AAAAAAAABSI/JaAnLyAaWS8/s175/I%2520by%2520K%25202.jpg
" alt="Inspired By Kindergarten" style="border:none;" /></a></div>
<center><a href="http://teaching-with-style.blogspot.com/"></a><a href="http://www.justwildaboutteaching.blogspot.com/"><img alt="Just Wild About Teaching" border="0" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2wf73WEXETg-cJH4L5TV9jI1i3DP9GrJb_IcwRUxRYasekXrfKNcKt91eAMwXh_JnJuR-hz9fO9x8QlZE0Kz83ICXXSJu_34erJL2edx_nNV7FmWhsB48GNfdKe4TVsCs3zINk9KpmEUt/s1600/button.png" width="125" /></a></center><center><br /></center><center><br /></center><center><br /></center></div>
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/a3781d0/" id="rc-a3781d0" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js">
</script><br />
<br />
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! And good luck!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNxGjqpQa93VtH6EKpJc1EhUwVmUYA2BLH8LGXLxiZlNhEqLf4Q2UYS1SrEHNp2tDdZaegN_gtYiezcLoMAHsmTvl6InqKOal1GwntyA0_5Y5DmdK850xgs_MNxC1bmEAOCLVUGCw3T0I/s1600/Signature-green.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNxGjqpQa93VtH6EKpJc1EhUwVmUYA2BLH8LGXLxiZlNhEqLf4Q2UYS1SrEHNp2tDdZaegN_gtYiezcLoMAHsmTvl6InqKOal1GwntyA0_5Y5DmdK850xgs_MNxC1bmEAOCLVUGCw3T0I/s1600/Signature-green.png" /></a></div>
<br />~dani~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06382715430917240994noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3648142255443736680.post-72864786984066055102012-07-06T19:33:00.001-07:002012-07-06T19:33:48.843-07:00Major Growing Pains Here...So I have been on "summer vacation" for just about three weeks now and I'm exhausted! Things have been going non-stop around here and I am definitely feeling some major growing pains. My husband and I both started work as soon as we got back to Southern California. We literally moved on Friday and were at work Monday morning. Because I don't have a teaching job lined up for this fall, I have returned to my previous job of sitting in front of a wonderful computer.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://btscommunications.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/bored-computer-user1.jpg?w=640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://btscommunications.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/bored-computer-user1.jpg?w=640" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Yup. That's pretty much what it looks like. But, I can't complain too much because it is good, steady work that pays really well. It's just not in the classroom. After my first year of teaching, I knew that I loved being in the classroom, but it wasn't until I began working my regular 9-5 again that I truly came to appreciate my time spent focused on little munchkins.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This week was my first week working two jobs. In addition to my 9-5, I am working as an aide/substitute for a summer school program at a local school district. I am working in a pre-kinder class as well as a Digital Photography class. Talk about worlds apart... But I am loving every minute of it. The more time I spend with the littles, the more excited I am about teaching primary grades. I would love to land in a kinder or 1st grade classroom this year. Working as an aide has it's advantages, especially for a newbie teacher. It's great to see other teachers' teaching styles, room set-ups, and it's been a great way to network with other teachers and administrators. I am hoping that the relationships I am building will help me come hiring time.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Needless to say, working two jobs, I am tired. But I am also happy. I love being back in Southern California (and so does my hubby)!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwhQX6QUxGC9YAQCrhvnRoXqz1r7lIfB39SysdYzRIHfk-Qy_L5XruiVK9gBqtp5EiCFEY_lG1DHrVQ-ONcFT53ikTIGo3-rrXEzk5n6Jp3QzgA_PZm_EV8zETIYdxxaiFXipIsNN0oeU/s1600/dani.livesig.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwhQX6QUxGC9YAQCrhvnRoXqz1r7lIfB39SysdYzRIHfk-Qy_L5XruiVK9gBqtp5EiCFEY_lG1DHrVQ-ONcFT53ikTIGo3-rrXEzk5n6Jp3QzgA_PZm_EV8zETIYdxxaiFXipIsNN0oeU/s1600/dani.livesig.png" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />~dani~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06382715430917240994noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3648142255443736680.post-91004925076776683662012-06-23T16:03:00.001-07:002012-06-23T16:03:39.592-07:00My First Last Day of SchoolMy last day of school was last Thursday, and I am just now getting to writing this down for you all (and myself...). It was a pretty emotional week, but I made it through. I wasn't sure that I would...<br />
<br />
I had an amazing year teaching third grade. I love every single one of those little buggers and all twenty nine of them have a special place in my heart. I had been saving my little secret that I was not going to be returning to their school next year until the very last second to avoid the sadness that may accompany such an announcement, but it made me a nervous wreck. I hated the idea of any of them being sad. I even contemplated not telling them at all, but after a long discussion with my husband, I came to the decision that they needed to hear it from me. These kids trusted me. All year I stressed the importance of honesty in our classroom and by not telling them, and being honest about the situation, I would be betraying them and their trust. Any work or ground that we made together as a class would have been disregarded. So, I was going to wait until the very end to spill the beans.<br />
<br />
We had a pretty fun day, but it went by in a flash. I was worried that the kids wouldn't have much to do, but I couldn't believe how quickly the day went. We started off the morning in the computer lab. They had their choice to either do <a href="http://www.mindresearch.net/cont/programs/prog_iis.php">Jiji Math</a> or <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing/">Dance Mat Typing</a>. They love when they have choices and I really love getting them started with keyboarding early (and FREE!).<br />
<br />
We have been counting down the last 20 days of school with hanging balloons and the kids really loved it.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCaHVjhqme-yCqybMvMzk8g2NsJeKf2a2lbqWN0H2ZqZGu3-Xofib5yCavPwk9tmazb3faSOb87KCG31ibQ2zgYZqD-fyY6sDt11rvziL67UXeMfMbn5VAR-FSPqXLHzWYfuJrICM60T8/s1600/IMG_1719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCaHVjhqme-yCqybMvMzk8g2NsJeKf2a2lbqWN0H2ZqZGu3-Xofib5yCavPwk9tmazb3faSOb87KCG31ibQ2zgYZqD-fyY6sDt11rvziL67UXeMfMbn5VAR-FSPqXLHzWYfuJrICM60T8/s400/IMG_1719.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All 20 balloons hanging for Open House.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The last day of school had a little piece of paper in it that said SCAVENGER HUNT and they literally cheered! But it wasn't your run-of-the-mill scavenger hunt that I had planned. We were using the <a href="http://teacherideafactory.blogspot.com/">Teacher Idea Factory</a> Keep 'em Moving Activity which actually took up the rest of the day. You can get yours here:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Student-Scavenger-Hunt-End-of-the-Year-Activity"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB1Bwc5qje_BTGEIVg1zCr93ocnH4Y2tB_Ybaa-OWwWPV-RQZeUrfQgiSJ-zbyOorkkNGgzGd__jzH6WT30xEys2JR-r5bPcdS1JJArEbOes-iu1L7rDVTLV1wmjCjrAOp5V6oC5TSJxXu/s400/Hunt1.jpg" width="308" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Activities included an obstacle course, solving math problems, making a Father's Day card, filling a bucket, and the most difficult, making a friendship bracelet for one person in our class. I had one parent helper to help navigate the friendship bracelets and the cards, but it was CRAY CRAY! My kids could not braid. Not even a little bit. Some of them confessed that they can't even tie their shoes (Really?), so many ended up twisting their strings to give to a friends and I made the 6 that didn't get made at lunch time.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After lunch was the big goodbye. I was so nervous. First off, my gift to each student was their favorite book from our classroom library. I had asked them a few weeks back what their favorite book was and, unbelievably, I only had 2 overlapping favorites. So here we were, sitting on the carpet ready to go. I told them that when they went to fourth grade next year, I would not be teaching at their school, and that I was so lucky to have each one of them in my very first class. They each would hold a special place in my heart and because I was so proud of what we built as a class, I wanted each one of them to have a piece of our classroom to take with them. There were a few aaawwws, and some sad faces, but overall, things were good. Then, I stupidly decided to read the poem that I had put in the front of each one of their books. You know the one. "I'm glad I was your teacher..." It makes me cry nearly every time I read it, so I'm not sure what made me think it was a good idea to read it aloud. Cue waterworks. Yeah. I made it all the way to the end and the floodgates opened. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After I read it, I got a few hugs and a few more aaawwws, and then one student said, "Can we go now?" and I laughed. That was it. I was all worried about telling them, and they just wanted to get the heck outta there. I don't blame them, but it really put things in perspective. I had been feeling guilty about leaving them and that school, but they were going to fourth grade with or without me, and God willing, I will have a new group of wonderful personalities to love each and every year for the rest of my career.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Since last Thursday, a lot has transpired, but considering this blog post has already gotten extra long, I'm going to save that for next time. Until then...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Happy Summer!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwhQX6QUxGC9YAQCrhvnRoXqz1r7lIfB39SysdYzRIHfk-Qy_L5XruiVK9gBqtp5EiCFEY_lG1DHrVQ-ONcFT53ikTIGo3-rrXEzk5n6Jp3QzgA_PZm_EV8zETIYdxxaiFXipIsNN0oeU/s1600/dani.livesig.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwhQX6QUxGC9YAQCrhvnRoXqz1r7lIfB39SysdYzRIHfk-Qy_L5XruiVK9gBqtp5EiCFEY_lG1DHrVQ-ONcFT53ikTIGo3-rrXEzk5n6Jp3QzgA_PZm_EV8zETIYdxxaiFXipIsNN0oeU/s1600/dani.livesig.png" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />~dani~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06382715430917240994noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3648142255443736680.post-1224031093718289432012-06-12T19:16:00.000-07:002012-06-12T19:16:02.014-07:00End of the Year Writing BookI'm not a parent yet, but I am almost positive that when I send home one sheet of writing that my kids complete, it hangs out on the fridge for a week or so then quietly makes it's way to the trash can. So I came up with a pretty good solution.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is my writing wall. I have laminated construction paper spaced out across the wall, and each student has their picture on a star laminated on the bottom left of their work. I use two large paper clips at the top to hold their work and their published pieces get changed out about once a month.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ18N5lbBOkPSxTIijQnLWKXNN3bzBaiD3IgQTjdALsRHuVZTebTelYjBDosV2NPg-9sKvs0UA0vp8xmr7Nj87uTVg4fmjTe_C4pIqOKkFkCMXW5GcmJ93yJTMZj2K56iotkuLPG5eYVs/s1600/IMG_0224+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ18N5lbBOkPSxTIijQnLWKXNN3bzBaiD3IgQTjdALsRHuVZTebTelYjBDosV2NPg-9sKvs0UA0vp8xmr7Nj87uTVg4fmjTe_C4pIqOKkFkCMXW5GcmJ93yJTMZj2K56iotkuLPG5eYVs/s400/IMG_0224+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Valentine's Day Heart Art</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxp9s92z-OjA16k7cPr4ZG3Gm3p3QjbSa9mxkiTV4I8xM6BWGco5U-au9trRrydOcWcS2Uer-FiyhXyYmGBWYAFYkvfNpdcIIAiiNQwj_IyVPrT4jnBCXry5xk_6uoRkxWuesQ7r-WnII/s1600/IMG_0225+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxp9s92z-OjA16k7cPr4ZG3Gm3p3QjbSa9mxkiTV4I8xM6BWGco5U-au9trRrydOcWcS2Uer-FiyhXyYmGBWYAFYkvfNpdcIIAiiNQwj_IyVPrT4jnBCXry5xk_6uoRkxWuesQ7r-WnII/s400/IMG_0225+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyP10tHoDCpOgZH98B_x639AaA5QIbkJhFom-3sOrhMA3ubrYkMNyS5swB9LnFIViO-SYPjRqtz236dI1OTSxfOez9dAofH3C4X_BD70KqwQLxQPAVBIZ37evfcyLmFOVHgA_o45oeby4/s1600/IMG_1068+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyP10tHoDCpOgZH98B_x639AaA5QIbkJhFom-3sOrhMA3ubrYkMNyS5swB9LnFIViO-SYPjRqtz236dI1OTSxfOez9dAofH3C4X_BD70KqwQLxQPAVBIZ37evfcyLmFOVHgA_o45oeby4/s400/IMG_1068+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bubble Gum Fun from <a href="http://theteacherwife.blogspot.com/2011/11/bubble-gum-fun-writing-and-math.html">The Teacher Wife</a> & <a href="http://mrsleeskinderkids.blogspot.com/2011/09/pink-day-cute-clipart-freebie.html">Mrs. Lee</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When I take them down, I fold them in half and file them away in each student's folder. I keep them in order in the folder and simply put the most recent writing in the very back. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then, at the end of the year, I have a date with this guy. </div>
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZtJFwi4SU4iC7tCdYeZ9RxtXpmIpG4gfC45LL37I2Tnkxc_TV3imSGlTzaLlCFthEStH_Peg5pCBxnAxXOAy63u-wevZdXvsgwSKIfgJC6gbvG15rmb1VPMg5gGpeGFTcJJMambM1xSA/s1600/IMG_1869+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZtJFwi4SU4iC7tCdYeZ9RxtXpmIpG4gfC45LL37I2Tnkxc_TV3imSGlTzaLlCFthEStH_Peg5pCBxnAxXOAy63u-wevZdXvsgwSKIfgJC6gbvG15rmb1VPMg5gGpeGFTcJJMambM1xSA/s400/IMG_1869+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It's really pretty easy. I file the covers in the front, backs in the back, and take the file folders to the binding machine. They're already in order and ready to go!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8rV48P-f9GrFQXKVE0Me0_7T4RP_-fPcks_vhF8TUYimOXtXADMbQmr2_PGaaYtMoa5AImdAlllM5gV3mKBnh7Dq7XkRF0mOF4nBwtCxhpz3oIDQkYxgWw3rWQlSaswr_m_i8O5NpLu4/s1600/IMG_1870+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8rV48P-f9GrFQXKVE0Me0_7T4RP_-fPcks_vhF8TUYimOXtXADMbQmr2_PGaaYtMoa5AImdAlllM5gV3mKBnh7Dq7XkRF0mOF4nBwtCxhpz3oIDQkYxgWw3rWQlSaswr_m_i8O5NpLu4/s400/IMG_1870+copy.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stars were purchase at Office Depot.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXi4ZXIG1j34egga4ot2Cv41t9LGCreBaQYIMVBKUUbioTYJ4Bqaf22ESklaDpZj7xar43e8AN8XyfQq5ZKixoHkxnSx5YOTP5aVoDdESkg41OwW2xkOBFZLJqQ59o_SERZMdNJBzgoq8/s1600/IMG_1871+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXi4ZXIG1j34egga4ot2Cv41t9LGCreBaQYIMVBKUUbioTYJ4Bqaf22ESklaDpZj7xar43e8AN8XyfQq5ZKixoHkxnSx5YOTP5aVoDdESkg41OwW2xkOBFZLJqQ59o_SERZMdNJBzgoq8/s400/IMG_1871+copy.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watercolor and white crayon. None of my students had ever done this before!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqxNMTHEIbG31vPMeK7JJxMgJmRKBa-RMifzz97ZT1YwzO0AMY5-KXFywPGKZDJ5D6UEFCBJ17Nupq2fhoP7o-DmVy6gRC38XZb8lxrYcEVQQocHquR1Eqo6-ZcIbvBmWBlb28e3l2NrE/s1600/IMG_1872+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqxNMTHEIbG31vPMeK7JJxMgJmRKBa-RMifzz97ZT1YwzO0AMY5-KXFywPGKZDJ5D6UEFCBJ17Nupq2fhoP7o-DmVy6gRC38XZb8lxrYcEVQQocHquR1Eqo6-ZcIbvBmWBlb28e3l2NrE/s400/IMG_1872+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Turkey-Trouble-Thanksgiving-Reading-and-Writing-Unit">Turkey Trouble by Nicole Shelby</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU2tXiK_8cZ5OVyZwXIvL8sDFRiL8PZO_qBZTIqcIwTRYxBzJ_xOm5fzxH-RZzcZY3oKiM_z75QlrGkWfqxKHu8Qmrod8lv32xDpucqIrcYqeffyfFXJus1v_1xPMpU-pCxsY2VdZYJEA/s1600/IMG_1873+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU2tXiK_8cZ5OVyZwXIvL8sDFRiL8PZO_qBZTIqcIwTRYxBzJ_xOm5fzxH-RZzcZY3oKiM_z75QlrGkWfqxKHu8Qmrod8lv32xDpucqIrcYqeffyfFXJus1v_1xPMpU-pCxsY2VdZYJEA/s400/IMG_1873+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBozbjS-iFU1d4xjk4is8Xib3ZofJv638xV3aXznd9pd_egU6tZLa2OR2PJp5rx1RGBCwnaKYOJZXlpp9e9KQWeKkkDObQQIzabk7iypHQ3Ywu29bcmnndfTjEjREnEn3gixPtZlo5Uhw/s1600/IMG_1874+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBozbjS-iFU1d4xjk4is8Xib3ZofJv638xV3aXznd9pd_egU6tZLa2OR2PJp5rx1RGBCwnaKYOJZXlpp9e9KQWeKkkDObQQIzabk7iypHQ3Ywu29bcmnndfTjEjREnEn3gixPtZlo5Uhw/s400/IMG_1874+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">President's Day.<br />I can't remember where I got this. Please let me know if you know1</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2TE1YZA-uwVoinL9DbrZ-ummtOW-4unuKdtFXZKYQ9Hl0oUHOJWkEZCuFeP_y_EvDjK2Zk0zhKH0r1lQqUrOhJQccMIc57lRBlKQ7e2cjYdNeTrP-kQXAcxxLiYMOyS1oc4PkdYjRiHA/s1600/IMG_1875+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2TE1YZA-uwVoinL9DbrZ-ummtOW-4unuKdtFXZKYQ9Hl0oUHOJWkEZCuFeP_y_EvDjK2Zk0zhKH0r1lQqUrOhJQccMIc57lRBlKQ7e2cjYdNeTrP-kQXAcxxLiYMOyS1oc4PkdYjRiHA/s400/IMG_1875+copy.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lorax by Mel D at <a href="http://seusstastic.blogspot.com/2012/04/earth-day-linky-party.html">Seusstastic</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOhy6VkCYsreXuO92soQBp-sxqdWbIXPrE3OlgJx4jS0AJ7VqxSDv5QiHatYLRjHpInqFf2nl8H3RGPufnDBhTYUwJnp-LS7GqomjoHYYBcE4r-0_Q5rTJzVcu_zNhvp_-UqqFxAk_bBA/s1600/IMG_1876+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOhy6VkCYsreXuO92soQBp-sxqdWbIXPrE3OlgJx4jS0AJ7VqxSDv5QiHatYLRjHpInqFf2nl8H3RGPufnDBhTYUwJnp-LS7GqomjoHYYBcE4r-0_Q5rTJzVcu_zNhvp_-UqqFxAk_bBA/s400/IMG_1876+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3rw6G95Pd_lC6xPkMUxXUluZdlmwIXJ3bUUkXtAYZIQCFK9SJQBt8M03EALo59EAZb-68WmXvhQS5MTGj8Mw_NW4tIu_81J6mbZ5iyAKDNWQ1kiAz4XYmG_ITmV38oqdHbbNpsY6IUuE/s1600/IMG_1877+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3rw6G95Pd_lC6xPkMUxXUluZdlmwIXJ3bUUkXtAYZIQCFK9SJQBt8M03EALo59EAZb-68WmXvhQS5MTGj8Mw_NW4tIu_81J6mbZ5iyAKDNWQ1kiAz4XYmG_ITmV38oqdHbbNpsY6IUuE/s400/IMG_1877+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Shapin-Up-A-Shape-Unit-with-2D-and-3D-Shapes">My Shape Monster</a> by Amy Lemons at Step Into Second.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
They came out really great, and I think the kiddos are really going to love them. I can't wait to pass them out tomorrow!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizrLG6Rm9DxBtDWBSp6-Cng7wB3AIo_c9tajMHbPtTrmXUMvVJFDWQJBcjzZNvkbRApIIsyVxd5g8qnSXWefhNYfvPgCLMkCAQqqU9qSnOcdnwXKbsWBMkqiGhb3D1MdK_HbZxBH6jJzU/s1600/IMG_1878+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizrLG6Rm9DxBtDWBSp6-Cng7wB3AIo_c9tajMHbPtTrmXUMvVJFDWQJBcjzZNvkbRApIIsyVxd5g8qnSXWefhNYfvPgCLMkCAQqqU9qSnOcdnwXKbsWBMkqiGhb3D1MdK_HbZxBH6jJzU/s400/IMG_1878+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Two more days!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwhQX6QUxGC9YAQCrhvnRoXqz1r7lIfB39SysdYzRIHfk-Qy_L5XruiVK9gBqtp5EiCFEY_lG1DHrVQ-ONcFT53ikTIGo3-rrXEzk5n6Jp3QzgA_PZm_EV8zETIYdxxaiFXipIsNN0oeU/s1600/dani.livesig.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwhQX6QUxGC9YAQCrhvnRoXqz1r7lIfB39SysdYzRIHfk-Qy_L5XruiVK9gBqtp5EiCFEY_lG1DHrVQ-ONcFT53ikTIGo3-rrXEzk5n6Jp3QzgA_PZm_EV8zETIYdxxaiFXipIsNN0oeU/s1600/dani.livesig.png" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />~dani~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06382715430917240994noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3648142255443736680.post-85234211847663836272012-06-04T18:28:00.002-07:002012-06-04T18:28:47.929-07:00June? Don't you mean March?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
June? Really? How'd we get here? I swear it was just August. Where did the year go? I can't even believe that the school year is almost over. Even stranger, is this little blog... It's been six months since I started putting my thoughts and feelings out there, and it's been a wonderful experience, but more on that after school is out.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Right now, I'm all about <a href="http://ohboy3rdgrade.blogspot.com/">Farley's</a> Currently link up. I love these... </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf6p2oer8SxsPg3ku2ntdgnrqeFzh7UphPKX1vYmkGHbcPG9FtrewCupwM-HZs4VM0BzQzCInPz-7G4dtN-kKS2z5GPuNDvCnocSwgLQ8UKBAa2vyZfcZM-4pa1PAB8FcXyXvyTu3hPdQ/s1600/currently+june.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf6p2oer8SxsPg3ku2ntdgnrqeFzh7UphPKX1vYmkGHbcPG9FtrewCupwM-HZs4VM0BzQzCInPz-7G4dtN-kKS2z5GPuNDvCnocSwgLQ8UKBAa2vyZfcZM-4pa1PAB8FcXyXvyTu3hPdQ/s640/currently+june.jpg" width="476" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I have many things to share about the last few weeks of school, but I am going to do a photo dump this weekend when things settle down a little bit. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Have an amazing week!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwhQX6QUxGC9YAQCrhvnRoXqz1r7lIfB39SysdYzRIHfk-Qy_L5XruiVK9gBqtp5EiCFEY_lG1DHrVQ-ONcFT53ikTIGo3-rrXEzk5n6Jp3QzgA_PZm_EV8zETIYdxxaiFXipIsNN0oeU/s1600/dani.livesig.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwhQX6QUxGC9YAQCrhvnRoXqz1r7lIfB39SysdYzRIHfk-Qy_L5XruiVK9gBqtp5EiCFEY_lG1DHrVQ-ONcFT53ikTIGo3-rrXEzk5n6Jp3QzgA_PZm_EV8zETIYdxxaiFXipIsNN0oeU/s1600/dani.livesig.png" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />~dani~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06382715430917240994noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3648142255443736680.post-1430179613572637752012-05-30T20:43:00.002-07:002012-05-30T20:43:28.757-07:00Holy Field Trip!Phew! What a day! Today, my class and I visited the wonderful <a href="http://www.calacademy.org/">California Academy of Sciences</a> in San Francisco and we had a blast. Although we had no blood, no casts, and no one lost, our morning was a little rocky. Here's how it went:<br />
<br />
First off, many of my students receive free/reduced lunches and when we go on a field trip, they have the option to order a sack lunch to take with us. Well, I turned in my class order along with 2 other classes' orders last week (21 kiddos total) and figured everything was honky-dory. Well, this morning, my colleague went to pick up our ordered lunches ten minutes before school started and they didn't have any of them. Not a one. Really? Now what? She said they didn't receive our list. I had no idea what to do. We didn't have enough money to pay for lunch for 21 kids. Luckily, I had my mom (thank God!) and another volunteer already in my room offer to go to the cafeteria to help the lunch lady put together lunches as fast as possible. They were amazing! They finished just before we needed to get on the bus, so it was perfect. Fire number one: extinguished.<br />
<br />
Speaking of busses... so, we get up to the front of the school, and we are expecting two 84-seaters. We had four third grade classes of 29 kiddos with 10 adults per class. That's 156 people. That's a lot of people, but not enough to fill two 84-seaters, so I thought we were good. But, they sent us one 84-seater and one 66-seater. That's only 150 seats. Now, I don't know about you, but I'm pretty sure that 156 people cannot fit in 150 seats. Again? Hadn't we already had enough stress for the day? And it's not like we were going down the street. We were driving from San Jose to San Francisco (about 45 miles each way). Once again, an amazing parent saved the day and offered to drive up 6 adults (and pay for parking!). Fire number two: extinguished.<br />
<br />
The entire bus ride there, I was a ball of nerves. I just knew something else was going to go wrong. Did I mention that I was in charge of orchestrating this field trip? I felt like nothing was going to go right. When we got there, I hopped off of the bus, and after 15 minutes of check-in, we were on our way in. I was smart enough to not give myself a group of students to take care of, so a few other teachers, my mom, and I went straight to the cafe to grab a much needed cup of coffee. I was finally able to unwind a little after the mornings' events.<br />
<br />
The rest of the day went off without a hitch and we had no blood, no casts, no puke, and each of my 29 students returned safely to school. Needless to say, I was exhausted and packed up and took off as soon as possible. What a day! Glad that one's over...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.calacademy.org/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=16852&g2_serialNumber=2" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://www.calacademy.org/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=16852&g2_serialNumber=2" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Claude the albino alligator.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.calacademy.org/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=16854&g2_serialNumber=2" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://www.calacademy.org/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=16854&g2_serialNumber=2" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Jackson's chameleon</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.calacademy.org/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=16856&g2_serialNumber=4" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.calacademy.org/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=16856&g2_serialNumber=4" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A chambered nautilus</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.calacademy.org/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=16864&g2_serialNumber=2" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://www.calacademy.org/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=16864&g2_serialNumber=2" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Panther chameleon</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.calacademy.org/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=16866&g2_serialNumber=2" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.calacademy.org/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=16866&g2_serialNumber=2" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.calacademy.org/academy/exhibits/rainforest/images/slideshow_rainforest_frog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://www.calacademy.org/academy/exhibits/rainforest/images/slideshow_rainforest_frog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Many lessons were learned today!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwhQX6QUxGC9YAQCrhvnRoXqz1r7lIfB39SysdYzRIHfk-Qy_L5XruiVK9gBqtp5EiCFEY_lG1DHrVQ-ONcFT53ikTIGo3-rrXEzk5n6Jp3QzgA_PZm_EV8zETIYdxxaiFXipIsNN0oeU/s1600/dani.livesig.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwhQX6QUxGC9YAQCrhvnRoXqz1r7lIfB39SysdYzRIHfk-Qy_L5XruiVK9gBqtp5EiCFEY_lG1DHrVQ-ONcFT53ikTIGo3-rrXEzk5n6Jp3QzgA_PZm_EV8zETIYdxxaiFXipIsNN0oeU/s1600/dani.livesig.png" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>~dani~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06382715430917240994noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3648142255443736680.post-48799894709180419572012-05-22T12:30:00.000-07:002012-05-22T12:30:00.764-07:00I'm so excited!I can't even tell you how excited I am to have a DIY project over at <a href="http://www.classroomdiy.com/">Classroom DIY</a>! You can find out how my kiddos and I made abaci together here.<br />
<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://www.classroomdiy.com/" mce_href="http://www.ClassroomDIY.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Classroom DIY" mce_src="http://theorganizedclassroomblog.com/images/stories/classroomdiy/ClassroomDIYButtonFeatured.png" src="http://theorganizedclassroomblog.com/images/stories/classroomdiy/ClassroomDIYButtonFeatured.png" /></a></center>
<br />
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
Enjoy!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwhQX6QUxGC9YAQCrhvnRoXqz1r7lIfB39SysdYzRIHfk-Qy_L5XruiVK9gBqtp5EiCFEY_lG1DHrVQ-ONcFT53ikTIGo3-rrXEzk5n6Jp3QzgA_PZm_EV8zETIYdxxaiFXipIsNN0oeU/s1600/dani.livesig.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwhQX6QUxGC9YAQCrhvnRoXqz1r7lIfB39SysdYzRIHfk-Qy_L5XruiVK9gBqtp5EiCFEY_lG1DHrVQ-ONcFT53ikTIGo3-rrXEzk5n6Jp3QzgA_PZm_EV8zETIYdxxaiFXipIsNN0oeU/s1600/dani.livesig.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />~dani~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06382715430917240994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3648142255443736680.post-38043510394939354252012-05-20T12:10:00.000-07:002012-05-20T14:42:01.086-07:00T-Minus 25 Days...I've been waiting a while to let the cat completely out of the bag, but there are going to be some HUGE changes 'round these parts. As many of you know, my hubby and I relocated from Southern California to the Bay Area so that I could take my teaching job at a fabulous school in San Jose. It has been an amazing first year in the classroom. I have learned so much about teaching, my students, myself, and my amazingly supportive husband. Our time here has been bittersweet. On one hand, I have had the most amazing experience at my school. My colleagues are great, the kids are hilarious, and I believe I have really made a difference in the lives of my students and their families. Because my school is so small, I have also been given leadership opportunities that I most likely would not have had at any other school. On the other hand, we miss Southern California. We miss our family and friends, the beaches, and the calm and comfort that comes from knowing your surroundings. We also miss date night. The cost of living in the Bay Area, especially where we are, is insane and we have had to give up a lot just to stay afloat. All of that said, after much thought and consideration, we have decided to move back to Southern California to be closer to family and the comforts of "home."<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
So in 25 days, we will be moving from here:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6c/4-_Vue_San_Jose.jpg/270px-4-_Vue_San_Jose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6c/4-_Vue_San_Jose.jpg/270px-4-_Vue_San_Jose.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
to here:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.velocityrealtygroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Huntington-Beach-Pier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.velocityrealtygroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Huntington-Beach-Pier.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Can you really blame us?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Not only will my surroundings be changing, but my classroom situation will be totally different. The whole thing really fell into place quite easily. Right when hubby and I made the decision to head back, I began job hunting through edjoin and craigslist. I know from experience that most public schools in Southern California do not hire until right before school begins in late August/September. I wasn't willing to wait that long, so I searched and found a wonderful position at a private school right down the street from where we are moving to. I will be teaching upper elementary math and I couldn't be more excited! Even better, I begin curriculum training (PAID!!) in July. The school I will be working at has developed their own math curriculum based on Singapore math with a strong emphasis on problem solving and conceptual understanding. This is exactly what I studied during my credential program and how I teach my math in my current class, so I am really looking forward to jumping in with both feet. Did I mention that I will be getting paid to study and learn their methods? Woohoo! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Needless to say, we are really excited to be headed HOME! There are a lot of wonderful things ahead...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
25 days and counting. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwhQX6QUxGC9YAQCrhvnRoXqz1r7lIfB39SysdYzRIHfk-Qy_L5XruiVK9gBqtp5EiCFEY_lG1DHrVQ-ONcFT53ikTIGo3-rrXEzk5n6Jp3QzgA_PZm_EV8zETIYdxxaiFXipIsNN0oeU/s1600/dani.livesig.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwhQX6QUxGC9YAQCrhvnRoXqz1r7lIfB39SysdYzRIHfk-Qy_L5XruiVK9gBqtp5EiCFEY_lG1DHrVQ-ONcFT53ikTIGo3-rrXEzk5n6Jp3QzgA_PZm_EV8zETIYdxxaiFXipIsNN0oeU/s1600/dani.livesig.png" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />~dani~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06382715430917240994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3648142255443736680.post-52209325769324608712012-04-30T15:25:00.000-07:002012-04-30T19:12:55.190-07:00Bieber Fail!I was so excited this morning to introduce my class to <a href="http://whattheteacherwants.blogspot.com/2012/04/ultimate-battle-bieber-vs-skywalker.html">The Ultimate Battle: Bieber vs. Skywalker</a> from the ladies over at What the Teacher Wants. I got the songs all cued up to get them fired up about choosing teams, but when it came time to get down to picking sides, we had one huge<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b>BIEBER FAIL</b></span></div>
Oh, my gosh. Only two of my kiddos were pumped about "the biebs" and I was in shock! I quickly had to take a poll to see what was cool... Am I really that out of it?!? Apparently so.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
So our options were:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
LMFAO</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl81JMlioB9FflA6YZCSTt30QcYwBdl-8MGn_lRpnMEugidYf9Z7YqBMO69fGXizOkMa9vkTXj5nJYXQ2K4Ce4ByW6T0wPAgRiiNJ87CS9UjAInz1Gy5Ui9h6FfJBJZll8N5OSacqp2dI/s1600/lmfao-101403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl81JMlioB9FflA6YZCSTt30QcYwBdl-8MGn_lRpnMEugidYf9Z7YqBMO69fGXizOkMa9vkTXj5nJYXQ2K4Ce4ByW6T0wPAgRiiNJ87CS9UjAInz1Gy5Ui9h6FfJBJZll8N5OSacqp2dI/s1600/lmfao-101403.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Um, NO.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Lady Gaga</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJfAAOeMb448aQFEdeMPMLT8L7QeRFS1ZJHyYxSXqLF1XTTvrNFw1dk7ufnnQszLO6FnwX0NpDteBJldb4U201KrFpqMdx6bIFq54hlfFasEz1hj2M827YaeeICxvux53VyJ1JeZmTxVo/s1600/Lady-Gaga-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJfAAOeMb448aQFEdeMPMLT8L7QeRFS1ZJHyYxSXqLF1XTTvrNFw1dk7ufnnQszLO6FnwX0NpDteBJldb4U201KrFpqMdx6bIFq54hlfFasEz1hj2M827YaeeICxvux53VyJ1JeZmTxVo/s320/Lady-Gaga-2.jpg" width="209" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Um, DOUBLE NO.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Wanted</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJ0AQG50229g8uQ7JGn8ktQ_rSln0Io-5u0GNg0PkDK4eus0dsYNb8GFvV1aAsnjN2W5Eea76esiWjeai-ULPx666zAzW2W1DP199Mo_8NVNCY-kksJw2QxFoicScl1Oh5X7WZpYYw_U/s1600/the-wanted-empire-state.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJ0AQG50229g8uQ7JGn8ktQ_rSln0Io-5u0GNg0PkDK4eus0dsYNb8GFvV1aAsnjN2W5Eea76esiWjeai-ULPx666zAzW2W1DP199Mo_8NVNCY-kksJw2QxFoicScl1Oh5X7WZpYYw_U/s1600/the-wanted-empire-state.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
CHA-CHING!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So, here's what we ended up with:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFFpbv5UvzE4jvQdtWvCqobCFg2eRTM7uD1imNMVbJKIfUeM9Osjqm3XEYpHrGUa10SVBqQnpaVKS4BJdJlH8dW6YMTs_UPt3vUK41UAWDP3L3vW2OwRUB__j0bxb9gJE6qNRSKA4miDo/s1600/biebs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFFpbv5UvzE4jvQdtWvCqobCFg2eRTM7uD1imNMVbJKIfUeM9Osjqm3XEYpHrGUa10SVBqQnpaVKS4BJdJlH8dW6YMTs_UPt3vUK41UAWDP3L3vW2OwRUB__j0bxb9gJE6qNRSKA4miDo/s400/biebs.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I actually crossed out Justin Bieber's face and at recess printed the replacement picture.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP8kbUZonZEkDwmFy2uGdOV463gZ6PSwZeI5-twgiY7bi53dXiYGle_LyppdYYufwIy7VCy2FNikmVReKx1qQNSrf5rjFtpmrH8FIuBE4tAJ53wB7LNsxhJjHq6y-72PAF6GpEx5x3olk/s1600/biebs+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP8kbUZonZEkDwmFy2uGdOV463gZ6PSwZeI5-twgiY7bi53dXiYGle_LyppdYYufwIy7VCy2FNikmVReKx1qQNSrf5rjFtpmrH8FIuBE4tAJ53wB7LNsxhJjHq6y-72PAF6GpEx5x3olk/s400/biebs+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
They also changed their team tags.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And it worked magically! Team Wanted actually won today and we had an amazingly fun dance party for the last three minutes of the day. Sorry, no photos. I was too busy dancing!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Happy Monday,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv0ZtE4uHKrWQDAwLmHDjMzajBUcqQQWWwKn0GH7GEq2g7Pz-N8jWblZIYgNUOS82J18f4gJtFfQL_eeS_kklsEeFGezEaAfQ-NMkkDHfv7LWh-utqxDTmOGevfBrFRir4dzFmLlO-WxU/s1600/Signature-green.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv0ZtE4uHKrWQDAwLmHDjMzajBUcqQQWWwKn0GH7GEq2g7Pz-N8jWblZIYgNUOS82J18f4gJtFfQL_eeS_kklsEeFGezEaAfQ-NMkkDHfv7LWh-utqxDTmOGevfBrFRir4dzFmLlO-WxU/s1600/Signature-green.png" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
UPDATE: Rachelle is amazing! She read my post and offered to send over a replacement sign and labels. WOW! Over the top service for a freebie.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>~dani~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06382715430917240994noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3648142255443736680.post-70857711749902910352012-04-28T19:03:00.000-07:002012-04-28T19:03:02.090-07:00Classroom Tour<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Alrighty... I know the year is almost over, but I figured it's better late than never. First off, I have a very oddly shaped room. I have lots of windows (which is great, but...), two sets of white boards, and built in cabinets, etc. that I can use which is great. I realized while writing this post that there aren't any pictures of my kiddos desks, but I'll take some next week.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTA7UNlfheHMyZ8k414r3CYzdaALElNgurmxbanW8weNZHaFbBzW3D9dxfEL7bodQ9zFP0RNuy3e2O0FTCRcV4FrOphhF0tZ5uryiY2w3vXsnn0ASFvytdmd2SqUq-uh2D4UQ6c7cMd1o/s1600/IMG_0224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTA7UNlfheHMyZ8k414r3CYzdaALElNgurmxbanW8weNZHaFbBzW3D9dxfEL7bodQ9zFP0RNuy3e2O0FTCRcV4FrOphhF0tZ5uryiY2w3vXsnn0ASFvytdmd2SqUq-uh2D4UQ6c7cMd1o/s400/IMG_0224.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is part of my writing wall. I have laminated construction paper stapled to the wall with each kid's picture on a star on the corner. I put two paper clips on the top of each sheet of paper to hold their projects. Each time we have a new published piece of writing, I replace their work. It's quick and easy to switch out, and I fold their papers in half and file them away for the end of the year. At the end of the year, I will bind all of their writing together to make a book and put their star pictures on the front. These are from our Valentine's Day writing activity where I had a variety of different hearts and they could create anything they wanted with them. They're so cute, right?</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivKzZfVOSaLqeGhxet89vhNxLiVnGS38fg1FRdzKgmp8BQH52TyQeId2UhLYggw5epxwnoSNIBCbhwqcrEAN574GWStmK6CWslgVER6seoqheY6_twVtZsyuHY51i7gmXKSPvOhpxvJA0/s1600/IMG_0225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivKzZfVOSaLqeGhxet89vhNxLiVnGS38fg1FRdzKgmp8BQH52TyQeId2UhLYggw5epxwnoSNIBCbhwqcrEAN574GWStmK6CWslgVER6seoqheY6_twVtZsyuHY51i7gmXKSPvOhpxvJA0/s400/IMG_0225.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The other part of our Writing Wall. Check out those monitors... Old School!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio8WQ75s4aswg_JPyn6gM-6qjo10ZwidS7gja06GZ_hUHaudzlm-iP4UYo8iSMA1bpUHTgk89eJW6QEjP1wNM_GnmMZqk8640jd9QZadzujVSNwOdRjk74u7WQJ0ky3qkVIFyP_UXRcTs/s1600/IMG_0226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio8WQ75s4aswg_JPyn6gM-6qjo10ZwidS7gja06GZ_hUHaudzlm-iP4UYo8iSMA1bpUHTgk89eJW6QEjP1wNM_GnmMZqk8640jd9QZadzujVSNwOdRjk74u7WQJ0ky3qkVIFyP_UXRcTs/s400/IMG_0226.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here is one set of our Daily 5 book bins and binder storage. With 29 kids, it's been great having their book bins spread out around the classroom so that when they go to get them, we have fewer traffic jams.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioZGIqad0ytHZFo4miOIgQ41Wf7z3mi8WKJ_dYRlVRpX6KyJnlfLLhxfaNl6UVDiuNF2s075Zm0jxWO7ajmsdV0tDsudP_z1mkYlgefrjjip8Kh8B01qGWHoXEZbf2H0Av_DQnVCwLl_A/s1600/IMG_0227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioZGIqad0ytHZFo4miOIgQ41Wf7z3mi8WKJ_dYRlVRpX6KyJnlfLLhxfaNl6UVDiuNF2s075Zm0jxWO7ajmsdV0tDsudP_z1mkYlgefrjjip8Kh8B01qGWHoXEZbf2H0Av_DQnVCwLl_A/s400/IMG_0227.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Clipboard storage is a corner with push-pins. Plus our camouflaged butterflies from our "Butterfly Hunt."</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw6mph8t5b7GqeXP8GTI4dh0H_ASuRJr5ypIWKw8eAEQxU1gmnNRhbB9puTzShS1mdetCtCG-IlTHPm8VBBs8jyW-JXFfd0nkplMvx1f8vxP6-a3QtWkoggSSShDc4o4sJTWE82dtSwH4/s1600/IMG_0229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw6mph8t5b7GqeXP8GTI4dh0H_ASuRJr5ypIWKw8eAEQxU1gmnNRhbB9puTzShS1mdetCtCG-IlTHPm8VBBs8jyW-JXFfd0nkplMvx1f8vxP6-a3QtWkoggSSShDc4o4sJTWE82dtSwH4/s400/IMG_0229.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is one set of white boards. It is used strictly for a district-mandated daily test prep strategy called Board Math. You can also see a glimpse of the rest of my math wall and my small group table.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPuDNOeEJ-1w3maj8UHtm_Wv5uvByM7lNwshUEz908fLfi0Q2AzWp_DelL1MJX3vscMH1DwI0bB1ULxJV92Ng4wB39XroYvzfyk33s7DF0P2XNhXaq8fHDlZp3SmbwIAHJkTHMjvP35JQ/s1600/IMG_0230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPuDNOeEJ-1w3maj8UHtm_Wv5uvByM7lNwshUEz908fLfi0Q2AzWp_DelL1MJX3vscMH1DwI0bB1ULxJV92Ng4wB39XroYvzfyk33s7DF0P2XNhXaq8fHDlZp3SmbwIAHJkTHMjvP35JQ/s400/IMG_0230.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
These are my reading group binders. I have so many levels of readers in my class that my groups meet every other day. I use this organizer to keep everything close to our meeting spot.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXTZrYXfwElvlnFM938socr3ydrr1yKcYHWuxJyPljBboCOGsZj43Q4bQ36CvCeOO81ea8fpTDl83nq-fb192YFyVYvI1Al-XPRDOvb9NFcehhy6GZYPziF2-NakxYW6nd5G-rb3i5IZQ/s1600/IMG_0241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXTZrYXfwElvlnFM938socr3ydrr1yKcYHWuxJyPljBboCOGsZj43Q4bQ36CvCeOO81ea8fpTDl83nq-fb192YFyVYvI1Al-XPRDOvb9NFcehhy6GZYPziF2-NakxYW6nd5G-rb3i5IZQ/s400/IMG_0241.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here is the view of my back wall. There's a lot goin' on!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEkmbeDzf2_iaikE-M9ytRqlLc3xm11NW7eYGWI6SlWfrREokGR10G7FmXxI9OdCkC7kS1WQ6Mp7CKHW5j8G3uRkygtOhQ7cDISbhF3ACWTtSgkki1esh9mYUzeTBfJWQ6-defafm0If4/s1600/IMG_0231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEkmbeDzf2_iaikE-M9ytRqlLc3xm11NW7eYGWI6SlWfrREokGR10G7FmXxI9OdCkC7kS1WQ6Mp7CKHW5j8G3uRkygtOhQ7cDISbhF3ACWTtSgkki1esh9mYUzeTBfJWQ6-defafm0If4/s400/IMG_0231.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is our classroom storage supply area. It's pretty simple, and I used my Cricut to cut out letters for the boxes.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipnoznx2AfaGVTUeNnLvjG9d7TVY2XKg8CtkqiB3xo94vxrsERRx2EdAyZZtpmKZDFsYfXHZ2q7RPb4AolNDBOcee0gRKMDco2sp30jA1sHDB7m-QokPDwD2UNocXlxYOZvrLksouJum8/s1600/IMG_0232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipnoznx2AfaGVTUeNnLvjG9d7TVY2XKg8CtkqiB3xo94vxrsERRx2EdAyZZtpmKZDFsYfXHZ2q7RPb4AolNDBOcee0gRKMDco2sp30jA1sHDB7m-QokPDwD2UNocXlxYOZvrLksouJum8/s400/IMG_0232.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Workbook and textbook storage in my built-ins. We don't use them much, so I like to keep them out of my kiddos hands. You can also see a small glimpse of my (dreadfully sad) library. I have wonderful books, but my organization is embarrassing. Year two will be much better, I promise.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgINN6A1TCXIW9O3ZUqwPPYFdkPrV21Ehm_7MiYWdD_1Z3ZvTW5BxqtgOTyIrCQCZfWM0KJVsXV4YihgLFe5UZLAkeh3h4B7tfQKYRwKBuElFJUlOgw2FRTjPsy12q9BZJc2BBWy0M6sRU/s1600/IMG_0233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgINN6A1TCXIW9O3ZUqwPPYFdkPrV21Ehm_7MiYWdD_1Z3ZvTW5BxqtgOTyIrCQCZfWM0KJVsXV4YihgLFe5UZLAkeh3h4B7tfQKYRwKBuElFJUlOgw2FRTjPsy12q9BZJc2BBWy0M6sRU/s400/IMG_0233.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Another grouping of book bins and binder storage above the textbook storage.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5XztwVkcIw4s7yxqA_tHM6p7SVQvT3Hnz_QpCHvVni2jihAHQH6XaBJO9c0p4pZgm2hkHMposqJacIDuXTU8XB26Q2ULH8mf2ErZbWsdwXWF9DW3FNUnDeaoJpa75Fq0FYG58qQ-Rlu0/s1600/IMG_0234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5XztwVkcIw4s7yxqA_tHM6p7SVQvT3Hnz_QpCHvVni2jihAHQH6XaBJO9c0p4pZgm2hkHMposqJacIDuXTU8XB26Q2ULH8mf2ErZbWsdwXWF9DW3FNUnDeaoJpa75Fq0FYG58qQ-Rlu0/s400/IMG_0234.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Our word wall. You can download the letters I made <a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B47nAmGx0Wf8RjEwWkV3TXBVdXc">here.</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtCt5A7VczcHnrFXyDa2GAldq6byUnCWA2HL4D4YBGNpEOEQV1dEN8otEDp1yS89HJTLEV6lqlToWTtVA2BoPSKjrft9GCQDS038P8SNKYH0X60AM1RuIIUlFp7ZMPIBJ7eegLpuQ1Unw/s1600/IMG_0239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtCt5A7VczcHnrFXyDa2GAldq6byUnCWA2HL4D4YBGNpEOEQV1dEN8otEDp1yS89HJTLEV6lqlToWTtVA2BoPSKjrft9GCQDS038P8SNKYH0X60AM1RuIIUlFp7ZMPIBJ7eegLpuQ1Unw/s400/IMG_0239.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is our Welcome Wall. I have our attendance chart, behavior chart, and class jobs all printed on vinyl (basically, giant stickers). I don't have a lot of kid-accessible wall space, so using the board this way worked out perfectly. Here's how we use it:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHDwGKt92bF4TS_7SsNrFlTNBye0dX5ehFbW1aKe9Wf0_UXDR-QWopiJaKZlYSzlFpvf3lnq6-sB8LWiWosNIPQ7Gy06VqL3EZNJjyZAFLtyr5sdKULwzTS7W16gnbsBNqaAZQpWJQkz0/s1600/CIMG0037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHDwGKt92bF4TS_7SsNrFlTNBye0dX5ehFbW1aKe9Wf0_UXDR-QWopiJaKZlYSzlFpvf3lnq6-sB8LWiWosNIPQ7Gy06VqL3EZNJjyZAFLtyr5sdKULwzTS7W16gnbsBNqaAZQpWJQkz0/s400/CIMG0037.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Attendance and question of the day. Names are all on magnets and super easy to use. Any leftover names are my kiddos that are absent. No calling names and we get to learn a little about one another.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCLkrFt9dmQPX959QXYnUaZ8jS25DVGfp69bqTNtSM_Pgo7r9Hvi5NbarTBd4GUeXpGbCDIS8JcBiADpg93lbXk-28X4Qwnc5iNgnTCsoCbu-BypURMKEkHCYbOEq5woLa3156lFLvp-Y/s1600/CIMG0042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCLkrFt9dmQPX959QXYnUaZ8jS25DVGfp69bqTNtSM_Pgo7r9Hvi5NbarTBd4GUeXpGbCDIS8JcBiADpg93lbXk-28X4Qwnc5iNgnTCsoCbu-BypURMKEkHCYbOEq5woLa3156lFLvp-Y/s400/CIMG0042.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Behavior chart. Stars are also on magnets and kid-friendly.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3fgulB6qvYA-_TuVNrNwVKC7YlgP8w1AnAKhPukA0ZjaEkVoLecWzNOp8xUYwfg6zUFvBib2xL0Da9FMMUFdaloNG1ihygDY3Z25brUSqRv-SCXR1HC6C4S3a_2eBf9ojwcFU2zk7tVQ/s1600/IMG_0235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3fgulB6qvYA-_TuVNrNwVKC7YlgP8w1AnAKhPukA0ZjaEkVoLecWzNOp8xUYwfg6zUFvBib2xL0Da9FMMUFdaloNG1ihygDY3Z25brUSqRv-SCXR1HC6C4S3a_2eBf9ojwcFU2zk7tVQ/s400/IMG_0235.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I love these schedule cards from Mrs. Carroll over at <a href="http://thefirstgradeparade.blogspot.com/2010/08/schedule-cards.html" target="_blank">The First Grade Parade</a>. I have them on magnets so that they're easy to move around and times are easy to change. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-EoalzrXLLFPqZL97rRuokpA0GqTisrIoEjcPAtEaFMndtVbm7u9kZrJWFaG4vRVV73sN8umHAURXeriULIH2VuvdZHm5LJzaTq3ClSDhc_PmmR_EuCkzocxJsKyoMe4Ev0zqAovLS58/s1600/IMG_0236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-EoalzrXLLFPqZL97rRuokpA0GqTisrIoEjcPAtEaFMndtVbm7u9kZrJWFaG4vRVV73sN8umHAURXeriULIH2VuvdZHm5LJzaTq3ClSDhc_PmmR_EuCkzocxJsKyoMe4Ev0zqAovLS58/s400/IMG_0236.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Class Jobs: numbers are on laminated construction paper and on magnets.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkI5GfOyuGVdXbGcSZpQPSq-YPBCGQiog4PslOjKJLUHgBLb9T8Hp9zOCbuHJBSvXGppmgllBfUrH8bzeUNPDpXd2lyxl1O9CnNec7AIlRuTBCXpK6zRcamoi-v4V-Pb55Atppjsr5PpE/s1600/IMG_0238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkI5GfOyuGVdXbGcSZpQPSq-YPBCGQiog4PslOjKJLUHgBLb9T8Hp9zOCbuHJBSvXGppmgllBfUrH8bzeUNPDpXd2lyxl1O9CnNec7AIlRuTBCXpK6zRcamoi-v4V-Pb55Atppjsr5PpE/s400/IMG_0238.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Our focus wall with labels from <a href="http://oneextradegree.blogspot.com/search/label/focus%20wall" target="_blank">One Extra Degree.</a> Those circle magnets are all from IKEA and they are AWESOME! I also use <a href="http://www.containerstore.com/shop?productId=10032188&N=&Ntt=magnets">Mighty Minis</a> from The Container Store that are wonderful and take up very little space.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfpW8MckYhw70qXFr8Dmx9FFTzD2FTn5wUYV7wCh4WTAY6YkPhfo2OasGLKe2FW8r5NJm5wpt46ra9b8cDC35vHeMgZrSc5Hl1IPHZoqg8wjk0jc8U4t4wFQnEEON6uTpdsm6qlp3u1kQ/s1600/IMG_0242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfpW8MckYhw70qXFr8Dmx9FFTzD2FTn5wUYV7wCh4WTAY6YkPhfo2OasGLKe2FW8r5NJm5wpt46ra9b8cDC35vHeMgZrSc5Hl1IPHZoqg8wjk0jc8U4t4wFQnEEON6uTpdsm6qlp3u1kQ/s400/IMG_0242.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My front wall. TaDa! It's a little busy, but it seems to work. And behind those boards and in the cabinets is all glorious storage! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My favorite item on the entire board is that orange on the middle board. It is a <a href="http://blog.learningtoday.com/blog/bid/23376/Blooming-Orange-Bloom-s-Taxonomy-Helpful-Verbs-Poster">Bloom's Taxonomy Helpful Verbs</a> poster. I LOVE IT. It is really helpful when I write my objectives and need a quick Bloom's refresher. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
If you're wondering what my desk is like, you can head over <a href="http://its-grow-time.blogspot.com/2012/02/check-out-my-desk.html">here</a> and check it out. Believe it or not, it stays like this! I am so proud of that fact.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hope you enjoyed my little tour!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv0ZtE4uHKrWQDAwLmHDjMzajBUcqQQWWwKn0GH7GEq2g7Pz-N8jWblZIYgNUOS82J18f4gJtFfQL_eeS_kklsEeFGezEaAfQ-NMkkDHfv7LWh-utqxDTmOGevfBrFRir4dzFmLlO-WxU/s1600/Signature-green.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv0ZtE4uHKrWQDAwLmHDjMzajBUcqQQWWwKn0GH7GEq2g7Pz-N8jWblZIYgNUOS82J18f4gJtFfQL_eeS_kklsEeFGezEaAfQ-NMkkDHfv7LWh-utqxDTmOGevfBrFRir4dzFmLlO-WxU/s1600/Signature-green.png" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />~dani~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06382715430917240994noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3648142255443736680.post-81337492012267057262012-04-28T07:35:00.001-07:002012-04-28T07:35:20.851-07:00I'm Sorry... and Baaaaack!Hello there, long, lost, blogger-friends! I would like to start this post with a big, giant APOLOGY.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I'M SORRY...</span></div>
The past few weeks/months have just flown by and I have been up to my eyeballs in everything from planning, to creating, to completing my Cycle of Inquiry for BTSA, and blogging just hadn't made it to the top of the list. So... I decided to give you a little bit of test prep stuff today and have some more posts in the works. Check back tomorrow and you'll (FINALLY) get a classroom tour!<br />
<br />
This is my first year with California STAR testing, so this whole prepping thing is new to me. I have a biweekly review planned into my regular Language Arts curriculum and we are continually spiraling in Math, so my kids are always practicing with skills that we have learned, but what I needed to do was to review things like parts of speech and testing vocabulary to really give them the tools they need to be successful. Luckily, I have all of you and your wonderful products to help me through. (On a side note, this is MY FAVORITE part of being a part of this blogger community. You all have such great ideas and are so generous with sharing photos and products, etc.!) We used the <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Vocabulary-Star-Reading-Test-Prep-Goodies" target="_blank">Vocabulary Star</a> packet from Amanda over at One Extra Degree and my kids loved playing "Musical Chairs." They didn't even realize that they were reviewing. I really liked this activity because it refreshed their memories to the academic vocabulary that they will be encountering on the tests next week.<br />
<br />
We played a few parts of speech spinner games from <a href="http://theteacherwife.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Teacher Wife</a>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-WN77FJ2YqIjhFaOboedHWS1LxTzJdJF9DHVj__g7766GBNsUaTBEAzwIDN4levWaTUeTqze9fjKKSEJywsKAJF1sWgcZa_r3xo1F_N-TL0K4fM16NWsfSaxMxa8CK_c7sHsupuOoZQ4/s1600/game.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-WN77FJ2YqIjhFaOboedHWS1LxTzJdJF9DHVj__g7766GBNsUaTBEAzwIDN4levWaTUeTqze9fjKKSEJywsKAJF1sWgcZa_r3xo1F_N-TL0K4fM16NWsfSaxMxa8CK_c7sHsupuOoZQ4/s320/game.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We also used Christie's <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Synonym-Rolls-Center-Activities#productrating" target="_blank">Synonym Roll </a>unit to review synonyms. I actually made cinnamon rolls at recess (we have an oven/stove in our pod) and the kids were ecstatic!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdirbRcN009KMCilCjwEnK82fBQQTwPWmW2LrCjdLu70wMVOw1ieiQoPQ6ffK9k_QTOT1Y2JLCC9hyNX0IWc2R9Gbd3VeEG48lhivupbM46twRU7tQ4cXKLb31LmZK9i06pS3LAraPcls/s1600/cinnamon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdirbRcN009KMCilCjwEnK82fBQQTwPWmW2LrCjdLu70wMVOw1ieiQoPQ6ffK9k_QTOT1Y2JLCC9hyNX0IWc2R9Gbd3VeEG48lhivupbM46twRU7tQ4cXKLb31LmZK9i06pS3LAraPcls/s320/cinnamon.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We did our version a little differently than suggested. I had students work in groups and each group had two words to list synonyms for. Each group had a thesaurus to use and had to list synonyms on a sticky and we shared out as a class and added additional words to our lists. </div>
<br />
We used a few foldables that I saw a picture of on pinterest, but I'm not sure which wonderful I found them. (If you know... please let me know so that I can give credit here.) You can download my version <a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B47nAmGx0Wf8UFVnci1TV0pKRkE" target="_blank">here</a>. I have one more day before our Language Arts test and I'll be blog-stalking and pinterest hunting this weekend to finish up strong.<br />
<br />
Well, I am off to help at an amazing event that has been organized by a fellow teacher at my school. We do not have any pull-outs at my school and the arts have been on the back burner for quite a long time. This event is to raise money for classes both during school and after school for our very worthy kids. Check out all of the fun things happening at the event by clicking on the picture.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://bbta.generationart.org/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid0jSyvwol2-kyyEaBBjqiyM7QOATZIJ8mtr7d5TwBQH3moik12or4om6c-VaqG9tivyEa6yA6AZzShRTHwOkuRtoVAoY8txc9E82c_51CSlql2nWkfIMyfqBBFgc1M-MCnHhKqIHRXFs/s640/bbta.gif" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Happy Saturday!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv0ZtE4uHKrWQDAwLmHDjMzajBUcqQQWWwKn0GH7GEq2g7Pz-N8jWblZIYgNUOS82J18f4gJtFfQL_eeS_kklsEeFGezEaAfQ-NMkkDHfv7LWh-utqxDTmOGevfBrFRir4dzFmLlO-WxU/s1600/Signature-green.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv0ZtE4uHKrWQDAwLmHDjMzajBUcqQQWWwKn0GH7GEq2g7Pz-N8jWblZIYgNUOS82J18f4gJtFfQL_eeS_kklsEeFGezEaAfQ-NMkkDHfv7LWh-utqxDTmOGevfBrFRir4dzFmLlO-WxU/s1600/Signature-green.png" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />~dani~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06382715430917240994noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3648142255443736680.post-76602663613398610352012-03-15T19:24:00.002-07:002012-03-15T19:24:24.975-07:00No Pink Slips!Hooray! I am super swamped with report cards and all that come along with them, so I'll be back sometime next week. Happy, happy!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lpie4wux5z1qh0wlwo1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lpie4wux5z1qh0wlwo1_500.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv0ZtE4uHKrWQDAwLmHDjMzajBUcqQQWWwKn0GH7GEq2g7Pz-N8jWblZIYgNUOS82J18f4gJtFfQL_eeS_kklsEeFGezEaAfQ-NMkkDHfv7LWh-utqxDTmOGevfBrFRir4dzFmLlO-WxU/s1600/Signature-green.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv0ZtE4uHKrWQDAwLmHDjMzajBUcqQQWWwKn0GH7GEq2g7Pz-N8jWblZIYgNUOS82J18f4gJtFfQL_eeS_kklsEeFGezEaAfQ-NMkkDHfv7LWh-utqxDTmOGevfBrFRir4dzFmLlO-WxU/s1600/Signature-green.png" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />~dani~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06382715430917240994noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3648142255443736680.post-13277521222082513302012-03-08T20:13:00.000-08:002012-03-08T20:13:17.891-08:00Building Background Knowledge - Charlotte's Web<div>
Earlier this week, my students participated in a Building Background Knowledge (BBK) activity for Charlotte's Web. I learned about this type of activity at the <a href="http://www.sccoe.k12.ca.us/" target="_blank">SCCOE </a>Curriculum Leadership Council seminars that I have been attending all year. The main purpose for this type of activity is to enable the students to be successful in reading more complex texts. This experience creates a natural and safe environment for students to use their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. This type of experience also provides multiple opportunities for students to interact with the new content knowledge. This is extremely important for my students (85% ELs) because it allows them to have different exposures to the content besides listening to me ramble.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Here is how it went...</div>
<div>
<br /><span style="font-size: large;">Step 1: Mystery Picture</span></div>
<div>
Each group is given one picture to get their juices flowing. They are to carefully look at the picture and discuss with their group what they think it might be.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnh9lGNBgWDwnzbINPeJ__Ovx8BtfLf95TZH8cZIdQ_FrP7QriTvbOjSQ2D87uz716rUNZ8EFw-mWL3qzh5O-tN5oBXHRtLceTp9HBJhE501Jt3wFrQLsE0oe7y4YEtwTnmstmMefj6QE/s1600/BBK01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnh9lGNBgWDwnzbINPeJ__Ovx8BtfLf95TZH8cZIdQ_FrP7QriTvbOjSQ2D87uz716rUNZ8EFw-mWL3qzh5O-tN5oBXHRtLceTp9HBJhE501Jt3wFrQLsE0oe7y4YEtwTnmstmMefj6QE/s320/BBK01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRlYC8NBTbMUrHbjw9f3imxqU1aF3jbYJPrpvuIh4KJSEek2uuBIldCNfnLxsU1esmac1ywF_77s_tZVu_RpTRs7xuVb-9-v8yHPYFMwh-cMudTYAwcSuoIeHt6rMZo0ByUpOl82_GpcQ/s1600/BBK02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRlYC8NBTbMUrHbjw9f3imxqU1aF3jbYJPrpvuIh4KJSEek2uuBIldCNfnLxsU1esmac1ywF_77s_tZVu_RpTRs7xuVb-9-v8yHPYFMwh-cMudTYAwcSuoIeHt6rMZo0ByUpOl82_GpcQ/s320/BBK02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpT24gRQHofzzPDjAaT3Sd64OZOkZLBF2BciCjihTi-gpxvH2C3GJqUGrFXeo2P3N6Rdl5chZN2dcsAPtK34DqnmoMuFKhkCWIlPWO9fI-UGAR6KEku92Y-P_2CUdceA15D00EetKoD8A/s1600/BBK03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpT24gRQHofzzPDjAaT3Sd64OZOkZLBF2BciCjihTi-gpxvH2C3GJqUGrFXeo2P3N6Rdl5chZN2dcsAPtK34DqnmoMuFKhkCWIlPWO9fI-UGAR6KEku92Y-P_2CUdceA15D00EetKoD8A/s320/BBK03.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI3m-jkEeRjKdi-T5dbi5BCNP9MEhnoXWo4BHnvBi_8VSfXEz7-9oBZmZpZgNtxbtSwkcQD13D89wCScNXxPqV3tnK91Jw8Esbf0uNPU0nGGvBlGpKLTLfYxwEWUYx2uSyBJBciWCI3Lo/s1600/BBK04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI3m-jkEeRjKdi-T5dbi5BCNP9MEhnoXWo4BHnvBi_8VSfXEz7-9oBZmZpZgNtxbtSwkcQD13D89wCScNXxPqV3tnK91Jw8Esbf0uNPU0nGGvBlGpKLTLfYxwEWUYx2uSyBJBciWCI3Lo/s320/BBK04.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I also included a spider glyph to get students' initial ideas about spiders. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSi2o6UBu64PcMIHz5m6TLzADkCGGXECyqHcSL1ZtI3eLNSPKqcyifKCUBYFsoQpUY4smGaPivmHT2iU6uUiIUaXFw36qcQfRbx6ZY419cV_XIczdyWoJngL_DHdg8VnSE__2urrdy_3A/s1600/BBK05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSi2o6UBu64PcMIHz5m6TLzADkCGGXECyqHcSL1ZtI3eLNSPKqcyifKCUBYFsoQpUY4smGaPivmHT2iU6uUiIUaXFw36qcQfRbx6ZY419cV_XIczdyWoJngL_DHdg8VnSE__2urrdy_3A/s320/BBK05.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQQYS7hh-qt_oGPvs4T72Dy8kKIPacXRRDknqguUkb32Kc_jobQtEC4lYOzuguUv8-nZnW2h9w66e0MXbfx6S6ibM2bNMt-0Cjlc9d00QuVscNEMtAWeM5JncFxiGxemLQZFlzTvgDo4/s1600/BBK07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQQYS7hh-qt_oGPvs4T72Dy8kKIPacXRRDknqguUkb32Kc_jobQtEC4lYOzuguUv8-nZnW2h9w66e0MXbfx6S6ibM2bNMt-0Cjlc9d00QuVscNEMtAWeM5JncFxiGxemLQZFlzTvgDo4/s320/BBK07.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Step 2: Collection of Artifacts</span><br />
For this step, I put together all types of artifacts including photos of farm animals, spiders, and friendship items, drawings, a farm animal matching game, a friendship spelling list, non-fiction pieces on spiders and farm animals. The students spread everything out and silently viewed all of the artifacts and wrote down any questions that they had about the artifacts. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5F82AbldtKPKj8Ya9751djrePIApYSeWQjCedHTclgJJScmTjkrVgAc-Sm6Ddh3I8DpqeOPnbJ_XAHiKyvFvBMKrrjJNyy59g3-lNdgfhhEBrIzyXTk4WqKwfTIGsOTWxIemoxhOlK-E/s1600/BBK08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5F82AbldtKPKj8Ya9751djrePIApYSeWQjCedHTclgJJScmTjkrVgAc-Sm6Ddh3I8DpqeOPnbJ_XAHiKyvFvBMKrrjJNyy59g3-lNdgfhhEBrIzyXTk4WqKwfTIGsOTWxIemoxhOlK-E/s320/BBK08.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhedGdYxXrzZbqm0ktCQVyFUDuFo4jESI3yfEXEc0k2WNbfal3k3h5BFVGAS6sTkp0ufiW0xM6AplkJs8zqg2g2CEma7Un_5D_2WNaDr800vCuD4RuU5Toijpli9V_7RkB-FWBHygDM2hk/s1600/BBK09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhedGdYxXrzZbqm0ktCQVyFUDuFo4jESI3yfEXEc0k2WNbfal3k3h5BFVGAS6sTkp0ufiW0xM6AplkJs8zqg2g2CEma7Un_5D_2WNaDr800vCuD4RuU5Toijpli9V_7RkB-FWBHygDM2hk/s320/BBK09.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfxoWvTO-7yFlWAnXLFJRZJNc3aiV2E7BJDf8JHgI-oVda2Yi6EiMmbFS4KjByUdjCZDYu_nrgAqJtFduUDOacOqGhiqMMpl6iiKuUZYoS4oCutL4ti_R36MJUa16-lmRkuJtslGwpZl4/s1600/BBK10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfxoWvTO-7yFlWAnXLFJRZJNc3aiV2E7BJDf8JHgI-oVda2Yi6EiMmbFS4KjByUdjCZDYu_nrgAqJtFduUDOacOqGhiqMMpl6iiKuUZYoS4oCutL4ti_R36MJUa16-lmRkuJtslGwpZl4/s320/BBK10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpvqXHrgGW0-Ddo_LT0QtDxbftDnPypj8d9YrovQxvudpKJziiBgCR99mLmuzjeNDofO7d7AcdV-ISB1u92Gh1Ylz3uvb_tKPMREqHCcutxBejHgA2IcQGjOBXybYAk07Qb6XZ7bqYeiY/s1600/BBK11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpvqXHrgGW0-Ddo_LT0QtDxbftDnPypj8d9YrovQxvudpKJziiBgCR99mLmuzjeNDofO7d7AcdV-ISB1u92Gh1Ylz3uvb_tKPMREqHCcutxBejHgA2IcQGjOBXybYAk07Qb6XZ7bqYeiY/s320/BBK11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Step 3: Common Text</span></div>
Each student received the same non-fiction text about spiders and insects. They all read the text on their own, answered 3 questions, and drew a picture of an insect and a spider and labeled each drawing.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-jnO-0lfDUvA2PdJ_agzFSympUBu_46t1Bgy9o-ijcthLoz67OW8x78qJHxTXhsMmf4xLb4RpJLlwqVKs3raQDRw31rUNtDSWv6up4r0fRfCoUegLCwhsYQoXrvWwGFFN3GlXW8I7VQc/s1600/BBK12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-jnO-0lfDUvA2PdJ_agzFSympUBu_46t1Bgy9o-ijcthLoz67OW8x78qJHxTXhsMmf4xLb4RpJLlwqVKs3raQDRw31rUNtDSWv6up4r0fRfCoUegLCwhsYQoXrvWwGFFN3GlXW8I7VQc/s320/BBK12.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVUfJC7VXjFrvqG-jxdJwzSa939J__sHInx7K-RFtMtPva0bT-j3hSIM4pQ351qKSC10p9WAtufWDboJ9pfFwylVNOgGm1yDpXFaZkRCjRcfqQfzpAXSOAaq9aNKnJT0A27NXmB6rbTE/s1600/BBK13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVUfJC7VXjFrvqG-jxdJwzSa939J__sHInx7K-RFtMtPva0bT-j3hSIM4pQ351qKSC10p9WAtufWDboJ9pfFwylVNOgGm1yDpXFaZkRCjRcfqQfzpAXSOAaq9aNKnJT0A27NXmB6rbTE/s320/BBK13.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBj-bByRVPM-f3boykRHPt78GaPFA-WZPDWW2140hskFqvA_RPHKq7rJuxiMdNV9xAxrQPvINCPMqQSz3RaY8PJmzFp9IMd56N9_M8haoNrBWR6FT7tMrZQLFgSN3QiLfxxaeXttRPXhg/s1600/BBK14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBj-bByRVPM-f3boykRHPt78GaPFA-WZPDWW2140hskFqvA_RPHKq7rJuxiMdNV9xAxrQPvINCPMqQSz3RaY8PJmzFp9IMd56N9_M8haoNrBWR6FT7tMrZQLFgSN3QiLfxxaeXttRPXhg/s320/BBK14.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPk_CeAqnagQbWAdFLWdwFnJFEb7iLDjm_wkzME7SeXVAI27HOhScG8tEfFIGpnQ-egPxgahik82qrHclereDlRtnC2ojsiyzUtrIIDfbz1BUOktdlc6k025JRt-t3uTpM1_tRJe2Qqpw/s1600/BBK15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPk_CeAqnagQbWAdFLWdwFnJFEb7iLDjm_wkzME7SeXVAI27HOhScG8tEfFIGpnQ-egPxgahik82qrHclereDlRtnC2ojsiyzUtrIIDfbz1BUOktdlc6k025JRt-t3uTpM1_tRJe2Qqpw/s320/BBK15.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfvCJUJ610C1_9X_OGYd8bw5a2IywFuplyqAuhyphenhyphencUW9OQo-HY652L9CR_wfvpnHBuTQ0W-lXGz2dQvCCWgjUkKgnFb1ALoBOSc7suyrW1NyoqoFzbeT91wA-xxUYiytaz_6Wd18M2_qA8/s1600/BBK16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfvCJUJ610C1_9X_OGYd8bw5a2IywFuplyqAuhyphenhyphencUW9OQo-HY652L9CR_wfvpnHBuTQ0W-lXGz2dQvCCWgjUkKgnFb1ALoBOSc7suyrW1NyoqoFzbeT91wA-xxUYiytaz_6Wd18M2_qA8/s320/BBK16.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMpU4CyLfoclLnGUN1I9XgLz0B06XLq1JPxYyHs9Y9zsp-UfZcm2D26CHEo3SbrVDuiM0P6nrcLghtDFjcj-b8pi7vr1hpt2D58A-wY2Sja0KzE2Uzf9R2RWv1tLvHnkmqRfK-pn9_now/s1600/BBK17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMpU4CyLfoclLnGUN1I9XgLz0B06XLq1JPxYyHs9Y9zsp-UfZcm2D26CHEo3SbrVDuiM0P6nrcLghtDFjcj-b8pi7vr1hpt2D58A-wY2Sja0KzE2Uzf9R2RWv1tLvHnkmqRfK-pn9_now/s320/BBK17.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Step 4: Expert Texts Jigsaw</span></div>
For this step, each student read a different texts to read on their own. I had four different levels in each group and they were each assigned a color prior to this step. They then shared out what they read with the rest of their group.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8bzHdv6Fwif8NbyB5mhNd34ixsjzYzKeIp3PJYYOIHvUt4K-mzUNZx4MvyMRBAULeH-44gP1EitXcBoCp4Z8-Lg6Xm-otrBzp-PRYDs2px0KmzZfYLfIOxfr1IUQ9EAJ8UsvmZ4OSnyo/s1600/BBK18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8bzHdv6Fwif8NbyB5mhNd34ixsjzYzKeIp3PJYYOIHvUt4K-mzUNZx4MvyMRBAULeH-44gP1EitXcBoCp4Z8-Lg6Xm-otrBzp-PRYDs2px0KmzZfYLfIOxfr1IUQ9EAJ8UsvmZ4OSnyo/s320/BBK18.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMnowxRnPwQqWc2bekN2EODoIAiaTeMG7V_UscdmLJkgwA_PyzzZOcLmHm2zu2oc9vpeWxylpQV4rH3y9dDnljvKWE4xBg7boEhCg7AK3QxZ-aPt0J_1vTaNN-OgL627An0LCqaNH-2ck/s1600/BBK19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMnowxRnPwQqWc2bekN2EODoIAiaTeMG7V_UscdmLJkgwA_PyzzZOcLmHm2zu2oc9vpeWxylpQV4rH3y9dDnljvKWE4xBg7boEhCg7AK3QxZ-aPt0J_1vTaNN-OgL627An0LCqaNH-2ck/s320/BBK19.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJIrqZA5uQSrEN8sl7K_7Nzk8U2mfEgugJBRSSsAoKMVgBewK9Kvn3DRDJPJ-q5G9nwsq8KNzmzucUUYsNoIAUchuNYIhMtTqOJJKIk0wsPFvzBKNuYTcis9Xai_JmsC5yZFY9rq-03b8/s1600/BBK20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJIrqZA5uQSrEN8sl7K_7Nzk8U2mfEgugJBRSSsAoKMVgBewK9Kvn3DRDJPJ-q5G9nwsq8KNzmzucUUYsNoIAUchuNYIhMtTqOJJKIk0wsPFvzBKNuYTcis9Xai_JmsC5yZFY9rq-03b8/s320/BBK20.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3PHOCu8irr7n8LZSvxugQ86Qp_xRozxX4dOKF7HYhX1qmmdEQXov8Tsg_1fkkRrQO_1BoSWWEUfjBkPoRxgsjOT9pR203ZAX9XT_shEkNndb2ugDnvbix0i_olET4AstHmUXls4e3_-8/s1600/BBK21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3PHOCu8irr7n8LZSvxugQ86Qp_xRozxX4dOKF7HYhX1qmmdEQXov8Tsg_1fkkRrQO_1BoSWWEUfjBkPoRxgsjOT9pR203ZAX9XT_shEkNndb2ugDnvbix0i_olET4AstHmUXls4e3_-8/s320/BBK21.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We then created a class chart of their ideas about what our subject or themes might be based on their BBK experience. They came up with farm life, spiders, and friendship. Pretty good, huh? It was exactly what they needed to build schema and to get them excited to read Charlotte's Web!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And I am so excited... tomorrow is Friday and I survived my first field trip! Yay!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNxGjqpQa93VtH6EKpJc1EhUwVmUYA2BLH8LGXLxiZlNhEqLf4Q2UYS1SrEHNp2tDdZaegN_gtYiezcLoMAHsmTvl6InqKOal1GwntyA0_5Y5DmdK850xgs_MNxC1bmEAOCLVUGCw3T0I/s1600/Signature-green.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNxGjqpQa93VtH6EKpJc1EhUwVmUYA2BLH8LGXLxiZlNhEqLf4Q2UYS1SrEHNp2tDdZaegN_gtYiezcLoMAHsmTvl6InqKOal1GwntyA0_5Y5DmdK850xgs_MNxC1bmEAOCLVUGCw3T0I/s1600/Signature-green.png" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<!--StartFragment-->
<div style="direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; mso-line-break-override: none; punctuation-wrap: hanging; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<!--EndFragment--></div>~dani~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06382715430917240994noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3648142255443736680.post-13353765165729861812012-03-05T20:00:00.003-08:002012-03-05T20:13:37.849-08:00Currently and BBKI love when Farley over at <a href="http://ohboy3rdgrade.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Oh' Boy 4th Grade</a> hosts her Currently linky party. It was one of my very first blog posts back in January. So here goes...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicPojdRNbhEIlRBJpbiUCf7-9P8F_KF8d9zfYaiKUVAh2MC3Ql6the56EtnN6IzZm5LzXXmpORgM12GG6maoF6WPXQLL_ORV9xAgPxslGyQRpqKntZtgSFBGngI1_MJP-L3XxsqIIn-bM/s1600/currentlymarch1+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicPojdRNbhEIlRBJpbiUCf7-9P8F_KF8d9zfYaiKUVAh2MC3Ql6the56EtnN6IzZm5LzXXmpORgM12GG6maoF6WPXQLL_ORV9xAgPxslGyQRpqKntZtgSFBGngI1_MJP-L3XxsqIIn-bM/s640/currentlymarch1+copy.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I am also working on a post about our Building Background Knowledge activity we did in my classroom today for Charlotte's Web. My kids had a blast and are super pumped about the book, but more on that tomorrow!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv0ZtE4uHKrWQDAwLmHDjMzajBUcqQQWWwKn0GH7GEq2g7Pz-N8jWblZIYgNUOS82J18f4gJtFfQL_eeS_kklsEeFGezEaAfQ-NMkkDHfv7LWh-utqxDTmOGevfBrFRir4dzFmLlO-WxU/s1600/Signature-green.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv0ZtE4uHKrWQDAwLmHDjMzajBUcqQQWWwKn0GH7GEq2g7Pz-N8jWblZIYgNUOS82J18f4gJtFfQL_eeS_kklsEeFGezEaAfQ-NMkkDHfv7LWh-utqxDTmOGevfBrFRir4dzFmLlO-WxU/s1600/Signature-green.png" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />~dani~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06382715430917240994noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3648142255443736680.post-34120428947874942512012-03-04T18:15:00.000-08:002012-03-04T18:15:28.070-08:00Two Awards and a Facebook link...I am so honored to have been chosen by two wonderful bloggers to receive the One Lovely Blog Award. Lots of love to <a href="http://lightafire3.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Julie at Lighting a Fire in Third Grade</a> and <a href="http://oneteacherstake.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Andrea at One Teacher's Take...</a> Thank you, thank you! I am loving the teacher blog community and the love and support that I have received over the past two months.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4BfxvlU2_E0eXFPDheTniyprgacJUgySemc4740jYXEJemkNq8KIAOASPKVwAcSj84sokKpE4F9r99fDGSDilM1LRP86xKuD_y3n8MMGjk_AmxX_QITq_VL1U2HWt_nFZR32yr2z9ecY/s1600/one-lovely-blog-award.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4BfxvlU2_E0eXFPDheTniyprgacJUgySemc4740jYXEJemkNq8KIAOASPKVwAcSj84sokKpE4F9r99fDGSDilM1LRP86xKuD_y3n8MMGjk_AmxX_QITq_VL1U2HWt_nFZR32yr2z9ecY/s200/one-lovely-blog-award.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The rules:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1. Link back to the blogger who gave it to you.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
2. Pass the award on to 15 other lovely bloggers.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
3. Follow the person (people) who sent it to you.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I have a hard time with rules, so I'm gonna break one of them... I'm only going to pass it on to 5. Two out of three isn't bad, right?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here goes:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Mary at <a href="http://mrsliretteslearningdetectives.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mrs. Lirette's Learning Detectives</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Ann Marie at <a href="http://innovativeconnections.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Innovative Connections</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Amy at <a href="http://theresourseroom.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Resource(ful) Room!</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Jeannie at <a href="http://www.kindergartenlifestyle.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Kindergarten Lifestyle</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Jen at <a href="http://rundesroom.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Runde's Room</a> (Check out her Math Journal Sunday posts... I LOVE THEM!)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I finally got my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/itsgrowtime" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> up and running, so if you have a chance, hit the like button on the right hand side of this page or follow the link and give me a like!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Happy Sunday,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNxGjqpQa93VtH6EKpJc1EhUwVmUYA2BLH8LGXLxiZlNhEqLf4Q2UYS1SrEHNp2tDdZaegN_gtYiezcLoMAHsmTvl6InqKOal1GwntyA0_5Y5DmdK850xgs_MNxC1bmEAOCLVUGCw3T0I/s1600/Signature-green.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNxGjqpQa93VtH6EKpJc1EhUwVmUYA2BLH8LGXLxiZlNhEqLf4Q2UYS1SrEHNp2tDdZaegN_gtYiezcLoMAHsmTvl6InqKOal1GwntyA0_5Y5DmdK850xgs_MNxC1bmEAOCLVUGCw3T0I/s1600/Signature-green.png" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>~dani~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06382715430917240994noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3648142255443736680.post-34454987536885930032012-03-03T16:00:00.001-08:002012-03-04T18:18:27.603-08:00DIY AbacusI love abaci (abacuses?). They can be used for so many things. My only problem with abaci is that they are pretty expensive, especially for a first-year teacher. I have five wooden abaci in my class and have tried to have the kids use them in groups and it just wasn't working. I had to figure out a way to get one in every students' hands. One trip to <a href="http://www.raft.net/" target="_blank">RAFT</a> later, I figured it out.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: center;">What you need:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
1 Sheet of Corrugated Plastic</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
10 Pipe Cleaners</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
10 Drink Stirrers</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
100 Pony Beads</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ARL0QGm9PHD2czDnNDOyI5M19ZmFX5BWUGR2VdD_QUPCJYoZgHLAfeDBims_HpdUsh0SLO-SD8XtvhNpmNBF2WG6azlq1hvOxDaKDU0jVhijRpEOsr8nbg16r_oqUD3yKMtnsH31QI0/s1600/Abacus+-+02+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ARL0QGm9PHD2czDnNDOyI5M19ZmFX5BWUGR2VdD_QUPCJYoZgHLAfeDBims_HpdUsh0SLO-SD8XtvhNpmNBF2WG6azlq1hvOxDaKDU0jVhijRpEOsr8nbg16r_oqUD3yKMtnsH31QI0/s400/Abacus+-+02+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Start off by putting the pipe cleaners in the middle of the drink stirrers.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6McPftS7VcidEr7_Evdm8mf0eZOsH0kgw_ITfUIVEHBBS83da05hhNJf9g7FCosSi1s6dBRnP7CbGuCyac4Pu3qHJJpIC-jOf26Z9wXHYmxMfQF0JRD0NOp6PgEcqycan4qqmTpXasOk/s1600/Abacus+-+01+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6McPftS7VcidEr7_Evdm8mf0eZOsH0kgw_ITfUIVEHBBS83da05hhNJf9g7FCosSi1s6dBRnP7CbGuCyac4Pu3qHJJpIC-jOf26Z9wXHYmxMfQF0JRD0NOp6PgEcqycan4qqmTpXasOk/s400/Abacus+-+01+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: center;"> Put one end of the stirrer/cleaner combo into the corrugated plastic and bend at a 90 degree angle.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBMoa7bzfR81BxQ6sP6Nu-Ag8OrHzuB1CcfIUX2D6NZkSdU_cajgu4qIg2i3K5RsL7KXBmEx16SCkYFiG_S3uAkXZJDMwCfyUnpiRRpn1dDBefgloDBOys3WaMT5nnR9-9oWhGf-CQYZ4/s1600/Abacus+-+03+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBMoa7bzfR81BxQ6sP6Nu-Ag8OrHzuB1CcfIUX2D6NZkSdU_cajgu4qIg2i3K5RsL7KXBmEx16SCkYFiG_S3uAkXZJDMwCfyUnpiRRpn1dDBefgloDBOys3WaMT5nnR9-9oWhGf-CQYZ4/s400/Abacus+-+03+copy.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Thread 10 beads on the drink stirrer and bend the other end.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2xJGkrZvVfb-Jz7tI1wTdfl9OEpogM3dDV9dzvp_OiVrSl5tVRO5eQ4AizS4K_6hWmxn7mTa-8Xnkv1S5xv4C3Ydwe2cM5BZxg_sIewvHcAz2dCBjXmyqgIJiyFFxhmtwd2SDVNORId8/s1600/Abacus+-+04+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2xJGkrZvVfb-Jz7tI1wTdfl9OEpogM3dDV9dzvp_OiVrSl5tVRO5eQ4AizS4K_6hWmxn7mTa-8Xnkv1S5xv4C3Ydwe2cM5BZxg_sIewvHcAz2dCBjXmyqgIJiyFFxhmtwd2SDVNORId8/s400/Abacus+-+04+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This part can be a little tricky, but put the other end of the pipe cleaner into the other side of the corrugated plastic. Make sure to hold the end that is already in and not to pull too hard.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8IrvW3Khgmg8eTcECYZPM17tiOMaD1abNtZP9XPHHENfMR9WmceHe7CE6q-6-1lwKl0B04jtKmH63kDNdYhpNYjvxVuzYfjUfMnDal0SOuz_46adegIuz3CYaOHyf20xsYyxFGcOddE/s1600/Abacus+-+05+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8IrvW3Khgmg8eTcECYZPM17tiOMaD1abNtZP9XPHHENfMR9WmceHe7CE6q-6-1lwKl0B04jtKmH63kDNdYhpNYjvxVuzYfjUfMnDal0SOuz_46adegIuz3CYaOHyf20xsYyxFGcOddE/s400/Abacus+-+05+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Front view. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl7-GaGfsxqSf4Y3bpG081zEIGbyyRtA8Ehg-NHgsYwpgsZatTfuhRZrzBg3HAJN-CZa-mxpGjhUys7eTBbzk5twQXA6Uec5hvsdiQMqMYaWcTEJeUKAdbt5yICHXEY2Igkc80YW90w4w/s1600/Abacus+-+06+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl7-GaGfsxqSf4Y3bpG081zEIGbyyRtA8Ehg-NHgsYwpgsZatTfuhRZrzBg3HAJN-CZa-mxpGjhUys7eTBbzk5twQXA6Uec5hvsdiQMqMYaWcTEJeUKAdbt5yICHXEY2Igkc80YW90w4w/s400/Abacus+-+06+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Side view.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYjV0vyTzKw5Jo54g8PMvu9ttlYqLfKqwhynUn6Sl0vSHjTt-4HC9UuBvnIv0sVjtEBIM59b-nIY7sfPoSu9mF1Fv4_3L3vd0JjOPmbrpld387tSdd2Ecf8GWPnCrE05zlcgzFe0PfLmU/s1600/Abacus+-+07+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYjV0vyTzKw5Jo54g8PMvu9ttlYqLfKqwhynUn6Sl0vSHjTt-4HC9UuBvnIv0sVjtEBIM59b-nIY7sfPoSu9mF1Fv4_3L3vd0JjOPmbrpld387tSdd2Ecf8GWPnCrE05zlcgzFe0PfLmU/s400/Abacus+-+07+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Repeat until you have 10 rows. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIhPqWSrF5n7UgjO1G6Y4uJODnaN0JeOy4UiYRfNbnCj0xBmUuO8iUuvTXcyxFDOP6Gd1TirKQ2vE8ehKd3RBxQgtQylo2AVLIq_SzBVj-gDN6dVDts12NofHEMk4WodnxYhVLY7YGNP0/s1600/Abacus+-+08+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIhPqWSrF5n7UgjO1G6Y4uJODnaN0JeOy4UiYRfNbnCj0xBmUuO8iUuvTXcyxFDOP6Gd1TirKQ2vE8ehKd3RBxQgtQylo2AVLIq_SzBVj-gDN6dVDts12NofHEMk4WodnxYhVLY7YGNP0/s400/Abacus+-+08+copy.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I made two different sizes:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqe9GbBN-HCwdE30TU8VFIgB3Awtz7qP7EZr2wtJTF-7QMvUvI1PaLzciWLvFAkscV0zxPZuGff41b9SD9Hhqj1kK2648IiI1FCloc2ICPvUQata26i0bN2jHAW17bO_xogqHHFe21iQs/s1600/Abacus+-+09+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqe9GbBN-HCwdE30TU8VFIgB3Awtz7qP7EZr2wtJTF-7QMvUvI1PaLzciWLvFAkscV0zxPZuGff41b9SD9Hhqj1kK2648IiI1FCloc2ICPvUQata26i0bN2jHAW17bO_xogqHHFe21iQs/s400/Abacus+-+09+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
5.75" x 7"</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJZ_vJnDkytBMLD0ieMYbMIi1kVKTpJg7ZMGnJ5R3gnRLrzVOH2H8KL1TKJy_M-Jl97yOwBQdPP12Z45ZPUafvF3A-TkD__6buzsO5nSPUbfJKuUQ6c6ob4JrO0e8opJmw2pElCSvY3K0/s1600/Abacus+-+10+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJZ_vJnDkytBMLD0ieMYbMIi1kVKTpJg7ZMGnJ5R3gnRLrzVOH2H8KL1TKJy_M-Jl97yOwBQdPP12Z45ZPUafvF3A-TkD__6buzsO5nSPUbfJKuUQ6c6ob4JrO0e8opJmw2pElCSvY3K0/s400/Abacus+-+10+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
5.75" x 3.5"</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I think I'm leaning towards the smaller version. What do you think?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv0ZtE4uHKrWQDAwLmHDjMzajBUcqQQWWwKn0GH7GEq2g7Pz-N8jWblZIYgNUOS82J18f4gJtFfQL_eeS_kklsEeFGezEaAfQ-NMkkDHfv7LWh-utqxDTmOGevfBrFRir4dzFmLlO-WxU/s1600/Signature-green.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv0ZtE4uHKrWQDAwLmHDjMzajBUcqQQWWwKn0GH7GEq2g7Pz-N8jWblZIYgNUOS82J18f4gJtFfQL_eeS_kklsEeFGezEaAfQ-NMkkDHfv7LWh-utqxDTmOGevfBrFRir4dzFmLlO-WxU/s1600/Signature-green.png" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Oh, and you all have my permission to pin anything from my site, as long as you provide a link. Thanks!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://pinterest.com/msquinn/teacher-time/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://www.lauracandler.com/images/pinRed.jpg" /></a></center>~dani~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06382715430917240994noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3648142255443736680.post-1854754005987047212012-03-02T20:20:00.001-08:002012-03-02T20:20:34.255-08:00WBT, Moustaches, Pokemon, & Party Rock!The first week back after vacation is always a little difficult, but this week was amazing! We had so much fun this week. So far, I love <a href="http://wholebrainteaching.com/" target="_blank">Whole Brain Teaching</a>! Last week, I decided to try out some new classroom management strategies (you can read about it <a href="http://its-grow-time.blogspot.com/2012/02/whole-brain-teaching.html" target="_blank">here</a>) and my kids have really responded to our new classroom rules, routines, and talk time. I love that we "rehearse" the rules each time the kids return into the class (it takes 30 seconds) and it is really great that I can remind an off-task student about our rules using a number and hand signal instead of calling them out in class. <a href="http://wholebrainteaching.com/Whole-Brain-Teching/Levels/Level-1-The-Scoreboard.html" target="_blank">Smilies and Frownies </a>have also been really successful for us so far. The fact that they all respond together even when they earn a Frownie gets them back on track and together as a group. I have especially noticed a huge difference with my students that were previously (and frequently) shouting out in class. I had two that were constantly yelling out to make sure they were heard and it was driving me BONKERS! The new classroom rules, my shortened talk-time (20-30 seconds at a time), and the simple statement, "If you know (the answer), blow it in your hand... (wait, wait, wait...) RELEASE!" has really transformed my classroom. I am thrilled that I came across the WBT website and look forward to continued progress with my kiddos.<br />
<br />
Now... for some fun stuff! Like many of you out there, I did many Dr. Seuss themed activities this week to celebrate the wonderful, wonderful man's birthday. I decided to focus my lessons on The Lorax. With the movie coming out today, and the fact that many of them will being going to see it this weekend, I wanted to make sure they experience the book before their little brains were full of movie images. Sometimes I hate that there are movies for all of the really great books. It seems to take some of the magic out of reading. The kids don't need to use their imaginations to create mental images and it irks me (can you tell??) But... back to The Lorax! We read the book together and charted the elements of the story including characters, setting, and plot. I totally forgot to take a picture of our chart, but I'll add it as soon as I take one. We talked about the events in the story and the kiddos identified nine events, put them on Truffula treetops, ordered them, and mounted them. (I used resources from <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Fourth-Grade-Emergency-Sub-Plans" target="_blank">Rachel at Sub Hub</a> and <a href="http://seusstastic.blogspot.com/2012/02/seusstastic-seuss-week-freebies-ideas.html" target="_blank">Mel D over at Seusstastic Classroom Inspiration.</a>) In math, we created Truffula treetop patterns and the kids had a blast.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4qK1P1O7Ze2ItPlIVC9tjcby-8WhFTsd7WXX_UWhuFycuOiTZPzlW9YGFuwGkjafE_a10rpb4VqRumUJtdArAZOZ_WDDSN886dOjUP9EtqxjDxvqS_2Fx4fiA_b3pNiF4jNQZO7Fc74/s1600/3.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4qK1P1O7Ze2ItPlIVC9tjcby-8WhFTsd7WXX_UWhuFycuOiTZPzlW9YGFuwGkjafE_a10rpb4VqRumUJtdArAZOZ_WDDSN886dOjUP9EtqxjDxvqS_2Fx4fiA_b3pNiF4jNQZO7Fc74/s400/3.22.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh3T5iNATw5zdWfs4e17Ywu_uD99t1ejg3SGU8GUHtWhe8uzReyx2Xd_ungf4x1deWh0eRQEM-e4Tv8_LKlJ8FQL6jMoqsBKxZ19dhYQlJBGeiTUguFgA7EEb8NC4G61Dw1AqKjpcKqL0/s1600/3.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh3T5iNATw5zdWfs4e17Ywu_uD99t1ejg3SGU8GUHtWhe8uzReyx2Xd_ungf4x1deWh0eRQEM-e4Tv8_LKlJ8FQL6jMoqsBKxZ19dhYQlJBGeiTUguFgA7EEb8NC4G61Dw1AqKjpcKqL0/s400/3.23.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3NuRB6r45diNon8sqJtcfS-RoWBW6aTbt5mUb9hS4zfTzPWjMWDf8ARI609TUxwUwaDHOsM-o1FKXowJT3X2GQ6kAWg8S4Q1_5CbIYZCmGWCETGq1FyemqU8tPFdOWIvtE_vyfuesYgM/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3NuRB6r45diNon8sqJtcfS-RoWBW6aTbt5mUb9hS4zfTzPWjMWDf8ARI609TUxwUwaDHOsM-o1FKXowJT3X2GQ6kAWg8S4Q1_5CbIYZCmGWCETGq1FyemqU8tPFdOWIvtE_vyfuesYgM/s400/3.jpg" width="308" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;">The kiddos each got their pictures taken with the wonderful moustache (also from Rachel at Sub Hub) and they turned out amazing!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi23tyspFQt2t2HK8Y4-ual_-3sJT13r7_ftnFC3NV4wAOMukeY89eI2x-rOCE9iS_ENQDutM1Ep4UlkQ4dpkBZVa76bvukNnuIM9GOnPcnv4VBBx_oHzKndUz8K4i0S_-L0ECiv0ErOdo/s1600/3.21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi23tyspFQt2t2HK8Y4-ual_-3sJT13r7_ftnFC3NV4wAOMukeY89eI2x-rOCE9iS_ENQDutM1Ep4UlkQ4dpkBZVa76bvukNnuIM9GOnPcnv4VBBx_oHzKndUz8K4i0S_-L0ECiv0ErOdo/s400/3.21.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
They did some marble art to be added to our writing assignment.</div>
<br />
Today we discussed the main idea of the book and what Dr. Seuss' purpose was in writing the book. We watched some BrainPop Jr. about conservation and the kiddos completed a writing assignment finishing the thought, "If I were The Lorax, I would help the Earth by..." They came up with some amazing ideas. I'll add some pictures when they are all put together.<br />
<br />
On another note, I work after school two days a week with a student that does not participate at all during class. He reads at a first and a half level and has a good conceptual grasp on math concepts and facts, but refuses to do things in class unless I am sitting right there with him. Today, he was really excited to show some students his new giant Pokemon card and I decided to harness that excitement into our after-school activity. I asked him if he would show me his cards and when he pulled all of his cards out of his backpack I was shocked. There were so many! I then asked him if we could sort the cards together and he wanted to sort by power type (??) so we did. We talked all about the points values and he decided he wanted to put them in order least to greatest. Sounded wonderful to me! He ran into a problem when some cards had the same value and I suggested he put them in alphabetical order after point value and he knew exactly what to do. Here is what he did:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG-fR4wH4q-gIQtFkJaMxeOcr-FIIrgL6rSwsDFgrbZWWNCYbnROWEBS7y9vw31XfXCPMTtfJ_5RkuZqN_tGjqy2W94HiQoJvsojKxIPECgNq1TG5P_HoKVIZe2EIY4QNGI1ylY9SuL50/s1600/3.26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG-fR4wH4q-gIQtFkJaMxeOcr-FIIrgL6rSwsDFgrbZWWNCYbnROWEBS7y9vw31XfXCPMTtfJ_5RkuZqN_tGjqy2W94HiQoJvsojKxIPECgNq1TG5P_HoKVIZe2EIY4QNGI1ylY9SuL50/s400/3.26.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
I was so proud of him that I nearly burst into tears. We spent 40 minutes sorting and ordering and he did an amazing job. During our time together today, he was able to talk me through exactly what he was doing and why he was placing certain cards where. I asked if he would share his thoughts with his guardian, but when she came to pick him up, he froze. He would barely speak a word, but with some careful questioning, he gave her the gist of what he was doing. I am working on building his confidence so that he can share his thinking and participate more in class. What would you do in my situation? Have you ever had one of these students?<br />
<br />
Oh my gosh, that was long! If you're still hangin' in there with me, you deserve this picture: <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHM3l0yh2EJifbxwwYHH9LuDcfVLhAEpuZdiUQ8Nz2fI9hwUEBiV9jqeoFWZq8KwuCYMEKgLuudR3vUqfqsu_IEJZ4Mai-MSfi7x84l2Xs5khQfPyKt0bZnYSkx2-P_kYp20GW9ZH0tY/s1600/3.27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHM3l0yh2EJifbxwwYHH9LuDcfVLhAEpuZdiUQ8Nz2fI9hwUEBiV9jqeoFWZq8KwuCYMEKgLuudR3vUqfqsu_IEJZ4Mai-MSfi7x84l2Xs5khQfPyKt0bZnYSkx2-P_kYp20GW9ZH0tY/s400/3.27.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I love this! Especially the box-head guy and the people shuffling on the cars! My kids are awesome.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Happy Friday!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv0ZtE4uHKrWQDAwLmHDjMzajBUcqQQWWwKn0GH7GEq2g7Pz-N8jWblZIYgNUOS82J18f4gJtFfQL_eeS_kklsEeFGezEaAfQ-NMkkDHfv7LWh-utqxDTmOGevfBrFRir4dzFmLlO-WxU/s1600/Signature-green.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv0ZtE4uHKrWQDAwLmHDjMzajBUcqQQWWwKn0GH7GEq2g7Pz-N8jWblZIYgNUOS82J18f4gJtFfQL_eeS_kklsEeFGezEaAfQ-NMkkDHfv7LWh-utqxDTmOGevfBrFRir4dzFmLlO-WxU/s1600/Signature-green.png" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>~dani~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06382715430917240994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3648142255443736680.post-19464782454331695152012-02-24T16:46:00.000-08:002012-03-05T20:01:13.213-08:00Whole Brain TeachingI've been on vacation this week and, like nearly every teacher I know, I have spent the past 7 days learning, reading, blog-hopping, pinning, planning, copying, laminating, and cutting. Well, that and watching ridiculous television shows like Jerseylicious and Real Housewives of Wherever. While pinning one evening, I came across this video:<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/aaweXw03kQI" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
I had not heard of <a href="http://wholebrainteaching.com/" target="_blank">Whole Brain Teaching</a> before, but I was superficially introduced to Chris Biffle's "Class-Yes" technique by my superintendent. As a new teacher, I am still trying to find classroom management routines that work for me. We use <a href="http://www.newmanagement.com/" target="_blank">Rick Morris'</a> classroom sign language, music transitions, a behavior star chart, and few attention-getters. After watching this video I was really excited. I love how the kids are "teaching" each other and are super engaged. After doing A LOT of reading (FREE on the website!) and watching many YouTube videos, I have decided that I am going to give a few of these techniques a try. We'll be starting out slow with "Class-Yes," "The Five Rules," and "Teach-OK."<br />
<br />
Have you heard of Whole Brain Teaching? Do you do anything similar?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv0ZtE4uHKrWQDAwLmHDjMzajBUcqQQWWwKn0GH7GEq2g7Pz-N8jWblZIYgNUOS82J18f4gJtFfQL_eeS_kklsEeFGezEaAfQ-NMkkDHfv7LWh-utqxDTmOGevfBrFRir4dzFmLlO-WxU/s1600/Signature-green.png" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
If you are interested, there is a live webcast that you can receive Online Professional Development Credit with a seminar on WBT's student motivator "The Hidden Powers of the Scoreboard!" Tuesday, February 28th 5 PM Western, 6 PM Mountain, 7 PM Central, 8 PM Eastern.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<br />
<br />~dani~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06382715430917240994noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3648142255443736680.post-67023031176902115602012-02-17T02:30:00.000-08:002012-02-17T02:30:01.861-08:00Dropbox is My HomieI use <a href="http://www.dropbox.com/" target="_blank">Dropbox</a> every single day. We are homies. We hang out at home, at school, sometimes even on my iPad. It has really become an invaluable tool for me. Dropbox is a "cloud" storage program that allows you to save your documents in a Dropbox folder. With an easy installation, you can access any file from any computer. The program keeps your files synced and accessible from any computer. All through grad school, I was saving to a thumb drive, emailing myself, and finally using Google Docs, but I always had multiple versions of files that were getting mixed up, then I found Dropbox. I put all of my "teaching files" into my folder and I can easily access any of them from my school desktop or laptop without having to use an external hard drive. I especially love that I can move freely between my home desktop (in the office) and my laptop (usually in front of the TV).<br />
<br />
As a new Dropbox user, you start with 2GB of free space. You can earn more space by inviting others (250MB for each invitee that downloads the program and they get extra space, too!) or purchase more space, but 2GB has been great for me so far. My grade level team and I have also started to use Dropbox and Shared Folders to share documents with one another and it has been wonderful. It's nice to know that we all have access to the most current version of important documents. <br />
<br />
Oh, and I almost forgot... Dropbox retains all previous versions of saved files for up to 30 days!<br />
<br />
Leave a comment if you would like an invite so we can both get the 250MB of extra space!<br />
<br />
Do you use Dropbox?<br />
<br />
~dani~<br />
<br />
p.s. This is not a paid endorsement for Dropbox. I just really, really love it. :)~dani~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06382715430917240994noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3648142255443736680.post-78772883529955887312012-02-15T19:45:00.000-08:002012-02-15T19:45:53.374-08:00I won! I won!I never win raffles of any kind. Competitions... I've won my fair share, but with things I cannot control, I have never actually won anything of any kind. Until today...<br />
<br />
I just won the Valentine Blog Hop over at Teach123!<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://teach123-school.blogspot.com/" title="Teach 123"><img alt="Teach 123" src="http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x403/teach123school/Screenshot2011-12-18at33154PM-1.png" style="border: none;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
As a winner, I got to choose 4 items from Michelle's wonderful <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Teach123/" target="_blank">TPT Store</a>. Here's what I chose:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Cool-Prepositions" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimVaLqtF2Tp_M0yZ4hGHB8eoiOxYzUVLY71q5NPwNfUlC7nnkiaR19fAcS8ZOtptjUhaIaFAV0me-zDhxGOoF5-gzw2yA2Trm-IuNSZyFQJ7SI5AW6ZPqZlwaB2iVo1k5Hnwe2bC7DR2U/s320/1.cool.prep.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Follow-the-Clues-to-Depth-and-Complexity" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2O8rPBoVT66XUgHqJJ1bDeg0elKRswVxgsJ3yvpNyZonw9M6zwvUM8Ylv7xiyOPYJypS0OdxlawMR2Bz7vtRXYsMSX5auyo1B8A6cYTUZ3yDGsVuaSHKPx3JfZupXupsWJ6ohRmPUR-U/s320/66.depth.cover.jpg" width="257" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/More-fun-with-Literature-Circles" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpACTOxpM1O7we7VE1B_opfyZGeTtQZf4-8Xml5WB9yNNuoR_RB_0rwaaTfC74FMVb_vKePWRrNSURay6X0l074puW9eMTglPO_2_i0x2EONdt9XcjGeNGHVPJ8kIPwDdeyun21oMIUyY/s320/1.lit.circle_Page_1.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Word-Work-Activities-for-Intermediate-Students" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMTzktRIt_qaCahyaFING6P-_fY__jmptHVFuQQO9mRPxMrBiOHO8BV_2J_I3_rAidv-yVUS-rUiUHqLQ_0vBAC5a-P0bdWacNPBuYP0ZlcFIZsi7UAr3nMZmxGltM7-UKAPfd5hJEthE/s320/1.inter.wd.wk..jpg" width="311" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I am so excited to use these resources in my class! I am also glad that I have next week off for President's Week so that I can do some umbrella planning for the rest of the year!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Thanks, Michelle!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv0ZtE4uHKrWQDAwLmHDjMzajBUcqQQWWwKn0GH7GEq2g7Pz-N8jWblZIYgNUOS82J18f4gJtFfQL_eeS_kklsEeFGezEaAfQ-NMkkDHfv7LWh-utqxDTmOGevfBrFRir4dzFmLlO-WxU/s1600/Signature-green.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv0ZtE4uHKrWQDAwLmHDjMzajBUcqQQWWwKn0GH7GEq2g7Pz-N8jWblZIYgNUOS82J18f4gJtFfQL_eeS_kklsEeFGezEaAfQ-NMkkDHfv7LWh-utqxDTmOGevfBrFRir4dzFmLlO-WxU/s1600/Signature-green.png" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>~dani~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06382715430917240994noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3648142255443736680.post-12231046009569728552012-02-12T04:30:00.000-08:002012-02-12T16:22:05.298-08:00Valentine's DayI have lots of fun activities planned for my class on Valentine's Day this year. I'm not sure why I'm so excited. Maybe it's because it's my first class Valentine's Day, or maybe it's because my husband hates Valentine's Day and we never do anything big to celebrate. Whatever my reasoning, I'm pretty sure it has a lot to do with the amazingly fun things I have found on Pinterest (love...) and on my fellow teacher-blogger websites. I love all of the amazing freebies and units that everyone is creating (I'm planning to start creating my own this summer... I've gotta survive year 1 first!) Here are some of the wonderful things that I will be using on Tuesday.<br />
<br />
These beauties are from <a href="http://theteacherwife.blogspot.com/2011/12/you-make-my-glow-v-day-freebie.html" target="_blank">The Teacher Wife</a> and I love the idea of at least one sugar-free treat! And I spent under $3 for the <b>ENTIRE CLASS!</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrgJlSRlFvuK2ul9ewHg5z0mbf9BhjzGF4zYwc304bNB052xD5z_NBYK-E8ltbSD_OUkpnmNbqoW6U-MR6RZsLGOGd_E2VVAC4d7NradvGRZ-Iym8Kg4tZ9UjGl6F8NnWwnpC1wqF59Sg/s1600/IMG_1397.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrgJlSRlFvuK2ul9ewHg5z0mbf9BhjzGF4zYwc304bNB052xD5z_NBYK-E8ltbSD_OUkpnmNbqoW6U-MR6RZsLGOGd_E2VVAC4d7NradvGRZ-Iym8Kg4tZ9UjGl6F8NnWwnpC1wqF59Sg/s400/IMG_1397.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLd0B-1jIv482275vC8xApQHp_-Ap3ayZFhvNKF94F6zaORUJSMlXAWWZSXPuB4zeJm27kV9ib51FPlyE7Ey-8EtU7QzjD7JLCbCLvbTAMgAYtYfMbAumlUn24Ci6pnSldFibR1YCcBx4/s1600/IMG_1399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLd0B-1jIv482275vC8xApQHp_-Ap3ayZFhvNKF94F6zaORUJSMlXAWWZSXPuB4zeJm27kV9ib51FPlyE7Ey-8EtU7QzjD7JLCbCLvbTAMgAYtYfMbAumlUn24Ci6pnSldFibR1YCcBx4/s400/IMG_1399.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
p.s. I love Instagram... </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The kiddos will be doing this morning work from <a href="http://madeintheshadeinsecondgrade.blogspot.com/2012/02/valentines-day-morning-work-freebie.html" target="_blank">Made In The Shade In 2nd Grade</a>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://madeintheshadeinsecondgrade.blogspot.com/2012/02/valentines-day-morning-work-freebie.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTCYXtjX859bVNbI9Nj8kEaupp0h3ulVMEBQlfUxZKEQupltzSUcS33ZS-UZSpymL1P6qo8DgZOj6pMgLFZ3U6BUH45_OqgSp5cDal6aREVX1qJoZktS9nftTRUge9scOpfEuMzME1ilg/s400/valentine_math_3.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
We will also be using this comprehension activity freebie from <a href="http://www.teachersnotebook.com/product/shawnadevoe/arthurs-valentine-by-marc-brown-activities" target="_blank">All-Things-Picture-Books</a> Teacher's Notebook Shop.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.teachersnotebook.com/product/shawnadevoe/arthurs-valentine-by-marc-brown-activities" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxev556DfhPxpg3VliB4rWBrb8chXu27Lk8DHXaGDJ_A9yDYKhtF4yIuVT47EYBdnc1gyXgjv5Q6xTf1MAhBguJLNPJyC80n_mG2-35mYQu6P-xbl77veDpS-ywNCt37-DHGDmW-5bwiI/s400/cover%2520page.jpeg" width="307" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We are also going to play Minute to Win It (Valentine's style) from <a href="http://stacyjulian.com/blog/?p=6710" target="_blank">stacy julian</a>. So fun!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://stacyjulian.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/CandyObstacleCourse.pdf" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="316" src="http://stacyjulian.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_6919.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">{Click picture to download the PDF)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here's what they have to do, in 60 seconds or less:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<ol>
<li>Bite the ends off the Red Vine</li>
<li>Open the Pixy Stix and dump the powder into the circle</li>
<li>Use the Red Vine straw to blow the powder out of the circle</li>
<li>Open the Hershey's Kiss with one hand and eat it</li>
<li>Arrange their M&Ms in the circle</li>
<li>Complete the "M&Ms Math" problem!</li>
</ol>
This is going to be insanity, I know... but we'll do it outside and the kids are going to love it!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We are also going to be doing a hearts-only art activity and writing project. I'll be sure to post pictures when they're done!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
What are you doing for Valentine's Day?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv0ZtE4uHKrWQDAwLmHDjMzajBUcqQQWWwKn0GH7GEq2g7Pz-N8jWblZIYgNUOS82J18f4gJtFfQL_eeS_kklsEeFGezEaAfQ-NMkkDHfv7LWh-utqxDTmOGevfBrFRir4dzFmLlO-WxU/s1600/Signature-green.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv0ZtE4uHKrWQDAwLmHDjMzajBUcqQQWWwKn0GH7GEq2g7Pz-N8jWblZIYgNUOS82J18f4gJtFfQL_eeS_kklsEeFGezEaAfQ-NMkkDHfv7LWh-utqxDTmOGevfBrFRir4dzFmLlO-WxU/s1600/Signature-green.png" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />~dani~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06382715430917240994noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3648142255443736680.post-2679810221411869862012-02-11T17:56:00.000-08:002012-02-12T06:43:24.009-08:00You know you're a teacher when...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRLX6KdzWXhoVuMOaUaGFHBamyl-QdMQFhfBakg_y6AuzXf33ZVPhMwr84b6WnFmqOvEloshcy26O3Q5YktOzP6Htzk05hwNmCLfi4LTZDrwrYlxfIO_9UmJ6Zf38CUBkqCDFQDirO_4s/s1600/you+know+you%27re+a+teacher+when.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRLX6KdzWXhoVuMOaUaGFHBamyl-QdMQFhfBakg_y6AuzXf33ZVPhMwr84b6WnFmqOvEloshcy26O3Q5YktOzP6Htzk05hwNmCLfi4LTZDrwrYlxfIO_9UmJ6Zf38CUBkqCDFQDirO_4s/s400/you+know+you%27re+a+teacher+when.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I love laminating. I hate the cutting afterward. But, I LOVE LAMINATING!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyaUmrdwUP_zNOdGJ9uqGL0tClz3VPG8ZLWoe4TbIz9T1vrKDGvL9Iw1jG0GIfdckR8onyyMf6lck4DAIZK6g9EZpYHKJuWeYBpZviEOJGatlOiOvtWWPLQHaN3aGSEH3lSEdAL-5qrx0/s1600/you+know2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyaUmrdwUP_zNOdGJ9uqGL0tClz3VPG8ZLWoe4TbIz9T1vrKDGvL9Iw1jG0GIfdckR8onyyMf6lck4DAIZK6g9EZpYHKJuWeYBpZviEOJGatlOiOvtWWPLQHaN3aGSEH3lSEdAL-5qrx0/s400/you+know2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
That's mine!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV3zUrySAnbKXdc6U22UpSX0roLFv9YBauEMHvEhvIltPnzJoP_e57Ban8pvw2wPfFECo2Bdga7XO6P-woiN1f6L-1EbfI2u4UOYpLLL7R19kTaR3vMYb9N2IkUYjLHUEOlEZhWj7aab4/s1600/You+know3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV3zUrySAnbKXdc6U22UpSX0roLFv9YBauEMHvEhvIltPnzJoP_e57Ban8pvw2wPfFECo2Bdga7XO6P-woiN1f6L-1EbfI2u4UOYpLLL7R19kTaR3vMYb9N2IkUYjLHUEOlEZhWj7aab4/s400/You+know3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
This is very evident when we gather... Comfort is key!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9-r69UZG3R3aShqH88481rHd-QQRTi5NbPRR6iCrtexC1G5cI6mL0ykwzCwxOrzo0xv_vXDqgo44ivYykjnh6L-EzdvlQvCVQA9hyphenhyphenEvPMF_rCN_GepI8gBh14y7KIOTQfRqC90zzwSlI/s1600/You+know4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9-r69UZG3R3aShqH88481rHd-QQRTi5NbPRR6iCrtexC1G5cI6mL0ykwzCwxOrzo0xv_vXDqgo44ivYykjnh6L-EzdvlQvCVQA9hyphenhyphenEvPMF_rCN_GepI8gBh14y7KIOTQfRqC90zzwSlI/s400/You+know4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
This is a really important test!<br />
<br />
~dani~<br />
<br />
<br />~dani~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06382715430917240994noreply@blogger.com3