More!!...

Hello Everyone!
I had a wonderful surprise before spring break! I will tell you all about it next time, but some special visitors to our classroom, loaded with questions, inspired me to write a poem about what we do as educators of young children. One question was "After 36 years in the classroom, what keeps you coming back?" I think this poem sums it all up. 
We do so much more than teach kids how to read and add numbers. Those things are important, but we do so much more...

I hope you know that if you are a teacher, I appreciate you! If you are a perent , I appreciate you! We need to keep teaching kids MORE!!

If you would like this poem in printable form,

don't do anything else but CLICK HERE!!:)

I can't wait to share some exciting news with you!  Till then, have a wonder-filled day!

Find JOY in every second!

Joyfully!

Nancy

Heartstrings and Teaching Things

Hello Everyone,
Well, this past week has certainly been a mix of both emotional joy, and at the same time emotional devastation. We enjoyed a beautiful week of heartstring activities in class, while dealing with the tightening of the strings of so many friends, fellow teachers, and schools in the Houston area because of Hurricane Harvey. At the time of this post there are over 40,000 fellow Texans in shelters, with damaged or demolished homes. At times, all we wanted to do was go down and help, rescue, and provide. Our school has, of course, started a donation drive, our district is collecting school supplies, and there are many opportunities to donate financially. Right now, is a great opportunity to teach kids about sharing what we have with those who have lost everything, to be  examples in this hard time. I know they will feel the tugging on their own little heartstrings.  

Want a printable of this mini poster? CLICK HERE!!

Besides the impact of Harvey on our hearts and minds,  we've had a great start to our school year.  With our pirate theme in full gear, the kids have had fun getting to know each other and showing what they know.

Meet the Teacher Night Message in a Bottle!

This past week we set up our writer's workshop and focused on the inspirations around us.  We know that we write best about what we know!  For the past gazillion years, we have had the kids create a map of their heart.  I love using the book "Treasures of the Heart" by Alice Ann Miller.  In this sweet story, a little boy shows his mom what treasures are hiding under his bed and that each of the treasures has a story.

After reading the story, I show the kids a large jar of treasures from under my son's bed when he was little!

I have done this same lesson a few times in years past, but this year I challenged my kids to build a "jar" with treasures of their own heart.  I gave them each a plastic container and added a sticker.  We wrote a note about what to include in the jar and slipped it inside to take home.  The kids brought them back the next day with their treasures.  They were able to share the "stories" behind the treasures with their writing partners. Writing inspiration!!!

After sharing their treasures, we started work on our "Maps."

I loved how this extra step has already inspired my kids to write from their heart!

For the specifics on this lesson, I have a little unit I shared a while back, but here it is again!

CLICK HERE for the printable unit!

Thanks for stopping by our "Window on Wonder." These kids have already stolen my heart, and I'm excited for the year. I can't wait to share more with you! 

Stop by again soon!!

Till then, please consider making a donation to your local Harvey Recovery Donation site. This is going to take the proverbial village!!! Thanks in advance!

Joyfully!

Nancy

firstgradewow@gmail.com

"I'm just reading a story."

Hello Everyone!
Have you ever said it? "I'm just reading a story." I think I have, and I've probably written that on sub plans, or told a parent volunteer to just read.  Do you ever feel guilty when you sit down to "just read" to your kids? If you are a parent reading this, do you ever put off reading to your kiddo because you're too busy or tired?  I  am so guilty of that!! For me, Read-Alouds were always saved for the end of the day if we have time.  Of course I did read during reading, social studies, science, and even math time. One of my favorite things is helping kids make those important connections between literature and content area. 
I think I always knew that read-alouds were important, but one of my book studies this summer was "In Defense of Read-Aloud" by Steven Layne.

 In his book (got mine on Amazon) he puts the focus back on the value of read-alouds. The time spent on embracing and celebrating a good book, is priceless.  He supports this idea with research, revelations from his experiences, and blurbs from renowned authors and professors. He tells his readers that for some students, that good read-aloud might be his/her only exposure to various authors' craft, genre, style, information, and/or meaning. I loved this book so much!  It was so validating!

I made a list of some of the many "defenses" Mr. Layne includes in his book.

I know there are more "defenses," but this will get you started! No more feeling guilty when you turn in your lesson plans, or when the principal or a parent drops in and you are "just reading." 

If you want this little mini poster,

CLICK HERE!!! :)

Hope this helps to clarify your thoughts on read-aloud time. I have been reading the Magic Tree House series to my kids for YEEEEEEARS!  This year, at the suggestion of a few other teachers, I picked up the Goonie Bird Greene series.

This little gem is three books in one and written by acclaimed author Lois Lowry.  It's about a very confident, joy-filled second grade girl, but I think my firsties will still love it!!! Got my copy on Amazon, but I recently saw a couple copies at Half Price Books as well. Wish I would have looked there first!! :)  I am so looking forward to our new read-aloud!!!

Have you scheduled your read-aloud time?? 

Do you have a favorite book? Let me know!!!

Till then, have a wonderful week! Don't forget to choose joy!!! :)  

Thanks for stopping by!

Joyfully!

Nancy

firstgradewow@gmail.com