Everyday Is a Learning Experience

I've always said I want to be a lifelong learner.  However, I did not mean that I wanted to learn the same lessons over and over again... :)  This is my 12th year teaching, that makes me a veteran teacher, right?  Why then do I feel like I'm (almost) starting over??  I taught first grade for 2 years, but it was however, 4 years ago, before Common Core, and at a different school.  So ultimately I'm in a new grade level, at a new school and facing Common Core for the first time.  I guess I need to give myself a break.  It's just that at year 12 and with my NBC, I did not expect to be feeling "green." 

Today's lesson: 
*Continuation of play, after lunch, does not work.
Let me explain.  Due to an extended hundreds chart lesson and activity, they had a shortened exploration/center time.  They were working very diligently and I was happy with what I was seeing and hearing.  I felt bad about interupting them and thought, "there's no reason they can't continue this after lunch, we'll just pick up where we left off."  Well, we go to recess right after lunch...  So after lunch and recess we returned to the room and attempted to pick up where we left off.  BAD IDEA!  There was no diligent work going on; great projects that had been begun were ripped up; the group of kids I was looking at was a completely different group of people than the students I saw this morning.

And thus, my duh moment.  I know this!  I know that it's nearly impossible to get anything constructive done after lunch...  But somehow I thought they would pick up where they left off, NO. 
Duuuhhh!  :D  Oh well, chalk it all up to learning experience.

No desks, no way...

Well, I've realized, for now anyway, that no desks is not the way for me :D

I haven't brought in the ficus yet, but it is amazing what the addition of two fancy throw pillows can do.  I look forward to continuing to dress up our reading nook.  I'm a plain jane kinda girl so dressing things up is new to me.  If it's simple, I'll do it :)

I also have added a stage and "puppet" show, drama type, area.  Two actually.  The first was so popular that I added a second space.  The stage is a trap table with the legs removed (and yes, I do let them stand on it:) and the puppet show part (name for it?) is a trap table turned on its side.  I'll have to add a pic! 
Some of the kids have been working together to build a "set"/background scene, they have been "writing" scripts, and acting out nursery rhymes like Red Riding Hood and Three Little Pigs and this is only day 2!  This may top my short list of favorite new additions, above the new computer table and the reading nook.  I've gotta post pix!!

Catch you tomorrow :D

Am I crazy? Don't answer that!

There are 8 school days left before school gets out for Christmas break.
I started sketching a new classroom layout.  I told myself I would not start moving furniture today or even this week... But once I have a new idea in my head, I just can't help myself.  So... I was at school until 7:00 rearranging furniture :p

Will it all be worth it?  Only time will tell I guess. 
I want to try having no students desks, but I'm afraid to go full throttle in that direction so I'm taking baby steps. 

I look forward to seeing my students' response :)  The best parts of my new design are the new computer table and the new reading nook.  I'm adding a ficus tree and some cute pillows. 

I know I'm crazy, but I'm me :D

1st Grade Fun with Hanukkah

Not my 1st Year TeAchIng about Hanukkah, but...

 

 

BUT, it was my favorite by far!!

 

Now that we are allowed to use YouTube in school, life has become oh so much more interesting, interactive, and fun. 

• We read Hanukkah stories
• Watched videos from Discovery Education
• But best of all was the music videos on YouTube!  Not only do kids love music, it also improves learning and retention :)

Here's some of the songs we enjoyed:

1. A new spin on an old classic, the Dreidel song (I made it out of sand, air, mud).  The kids loved this one and will burst into song with all the lyrics at any given time :p  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQL55Y2v5Ng
2. Another great idea, setting Hanukkah learning to modern tunes.  See "The Maccabeats" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSJCSR4MuhU set to the tune of top 10 hit "Dynamite"
3. One more, my kiddos recognized this top 10 hit right away too, the exclaimed "Justin Bieber?!"  But then we listen to the words and recognize vocabulary that we've been learning (Dreidel, Latkes, Menorah, Gelt), so fun!    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvY337zKttA



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