New Year, New Room, New Team etc...

Hello Everyone!
Phew! Friday night, 10:00 P.M. I think I am finally ready for my new firsties. I had better be! They are coming on Monday!! 
 I was thrilled to meet them all last night at our "Meet the Teacher Night." I am so excited to work with them!  I took a few pics of our new space to share with you. I hope the kids will love it and feel comfortable! We've got a ton of learning to do and many hours to spend together, so it better be a space we all love.
My classroom has a western vibe as you can see, but our hallway is all bubblegum.  Enjoy!

Come On In, Y'all!

 

Books are stored in boxes with mini chalkboard labels

 

Our Math Thinking Tools

Use real clocks to show schedule. No batteries required!

 

Writing and Reading!

 

Birthday Boot! Will write kids' names on each month.

Kid sized Overall Valance.:) One of my favorite parts of the room.

 

Rub a dub dub...read a book in the tub!

 

Cowpoke CAFE - Menu Ingredients

Cowpoke CAFE Menu

 

Bubblegum Fun in the hall!

 

Kid's work will go on the gumballs!

Kids pics will go on the door! Yes, We stuck play balls on the door to look like gumballs!

 

A sweet treat for the kiddos at "Meet the Teacher Night!"

 

Stop by again for another peek into the wonder-filled world of First Grade!

 

We are ready to saddle up and go for a ride!!

 

Joyfully!

Nancy

 

 

I Can Shine If...

Hello Everyone!
So, bringing in groceries this morning, I caught my flip flop on the little step up from the garage, and fell hitting my head on the workbench! As I slowly got up, blood from a 2 inch gash above my eye was gushing everywhere! UGH! I am so clumsy!  Not sure if I need stitches yet, but I'm keeping an "eye" on it!!  (sorry-no pics!)
Are you wondering why I shared all that? Well, I'm taking it as God's little nudge telling me that I don't need to go up to school today.  I need to take a day and just sit on my couch!! :)  It gave me time to just enjoy some quiet time.  You know I'll be back up there tomorrow!!  I want to be totally organized and ready!!
During my quiet time, I redid my little classroom expectation sheet for both parents and the room.  Setting classroom expectations can be as simple or complicated as you want.  Mine is quite simple and self explanatory. Here's how I work it in my room for those of you who have asked!
My kids each have a little library pocket taped inside their cubby- very discreet. In the pocket, they have three reminder sticks, green yellow, and red. (You can pick up these colored sticks at WalMart. ) After introducing all of our expectations, kids will know that (after verbal warning), if poor choices continue, I will ask for the green reminder stick. If behaviors continue, the yellow and then the red. You can see on the chart the consequences.  Kids always have the opportunity to earn their reminder sticks back!  I don't sign folders until the end of the day.  We all make mistakes and should have the the chance to learn and grow and improve. Everyone gets all their sticks back to start a new day!

Click here for a free printable if you would like

Numbering the pockets and sticks with student numbers helps with organization (and knowing who's stick you have at the end of the day)

Mini poster to hang

Parent note

Hope this helps!

Now I think I'll head to the doctor!

No more flip flops for me!!

Joyfully!

Nancy

Math S.O.L.V.E. tubs

Hello Everyone!
You probably can tell by the majority of my posts and units that I am definitely more passionate about Language Arts.  Math has, for some reason, never been something that I wanted to spend much time researching, fine tuning. I just did what ever came next. That is until I picked up John Van de Walle's book, Teaching Student Centered Mathematics.  This book along with Debbie Diller's books has gotten me excited about letting my kids learn through more number sense and problem solving. Kids learn so much from each other and we need to give them the opportunity and confidence to express their thinking in many different ways. We can tell so much about their development and progress from how they go about solving problems.
I am so happy that my school district is supporting the increase in time spent on number sense, stretching math thinking and less time on rote memorization. 
For the past couple of years we have gotten into implementing "math tubs" but I wanted to give them a little more meat and make sure the kids had ample time to work together, talk, explore ideas, and express in many ways.  Van de Walle encourages teachers to let kids take the lead through problem solving, so I've decided to call my tubs "S.O.L.V.E." After math minilessons, kids will explore more thoroughly some of the different things we are working on using our S.O.L.V.E Tubs.  They will choose which strand they want to work on and working with other kids gain a deeper understanding of mathematical thinking. 
S- Strategy thinking
O- Organize and Think about Data
L- Logic Thinking
V- Visual Thinking
E- Extend and Explore Thinking

I've got my tubs set for the first (or probably second) week of school.

Stay tuned for a post on what I put in them for our first go! 

For your copy of SOLVE description, tub tags and student documentation chart, click here

19 pages

I made some jungle themed tub tags as well.  They are included in the unit! :)

I'm really excited about implementing my new tubs and discovering how far kids will take this new opportunity!

I'll let you know how it goes.  If you have any suggestions or comments, let me know!!  I'm catching that math bug!!

Joyfully!

Nancy

New Room and Bandana Verbs

Hello Everyone!
Thanks for stopping by and taking a peek!  Whew!  I finally feel like I'm getting somewhere in my new room.  There is still a ton of boxes unpacked, but I've got a handle on some of the comfy cozy things I like to do to create an inviting learning environment.  Everything is still a work in progress, but the vision is coming together.  One of my favorite things I like to do is surround my kiddos with verbs.  Yes, verbs.  For the past umpteen years, I have displayed motivational and learning outcome verbs on various things around the room, The past few years, because of my western theme, I've used bandanas.  I decided to use them again. 
I also made some fun western style signs for some of the different areas in the room.  My favorite thing about them? Chalk board paint!!  I can change what they say any time I need!! 
Well, I still have a ton more to do, but I think things are on their way!! Check back again soon to see more updates!!  Getting anxious for kids already!!

Bandana Verbs

For a 42 page printable of all my bandana verbs, click here!



Hats Off To Great Work

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Have a "Hats Off" kind of day!

Joyfully!

Nancy

Silent Signals

Hello Everyone!
I have just a quick post today, but before that, I want to say a very humble thank you for all the positive comments on my blog.  I am new to this venue, but love being able to share and take every opportunity to teach. I am about to begin my 30th year as an educator of young children,but am realizing that I can help other teachers as well. We are all in this together, and in this for our sweet students. If you can use any of these ideas to help a kiddo be successful and happy, I am thrilled! So thank you!!  Thank you for giving me the confidence and spurring me on to keep going!!

I've had a couple of questions about how I keep the kids from interrupting while I am testing or exploring a guided reading lesson with a group.  I have a lantern (goes along with my western themed room!) that I turn on during those important times.  I train the kids to know that when that lantern is on, there will be no interruptions, whether I am working individually with a student or working with a group. We work on building that stamina every day!!
This year I am going to introduce some "silent signals" for my kids to use, because it never fails that someone needs to use the restroom, get a drink, or get a new sharp pencil during testing or guided reading!  :)  I know many classes already use some similar signs, but I never implemented them.  I am excited for the kids to practice and get used to using and not abusing these silent signals!!

For your downloadable copy of our Silent Signal mini poster, click here! Shhhhhh! :)

Have a great day!!

Joyfully and Thankfully!!

Nancy

Sometimes It's the Little Things

Hello Everyone!
Just a quick post today about something small! A "Q" with a heart around it!  It always amazes me how something so small can make a difference in the quality of my kids' work.  At the beginning of the year we talk about the difference between work that is done with care (and with our personal best in mind) and work that is done carelessly. Work done with care will be quality work!  I have a little mini poster displayed that reminds the kids and me that "I Love Quality Work." I often will add that little symbol of a Q with a heart around it while checking written work. My kids love to see that!!! 
On Monday I am going to add another component to this idea.  I had some little red heartshaped gems left over from a Valentine activity. After adding a Q to each of them, I am going to keep some handy for passing out to kids who are showing quality work on something I may not be grading (draft book, math tubs, some daily 5 activities, etc.).  I think the kids are going to love it!!


I Love Quality Work!
click here for your mini poster printable

Kids love to see it on their work!

Tangible Quality Work Symbols

Sometime it is the little things that make a big difference!

Thanks for taking a peek today! 
Enjoy the little things!
Joyfully!
Nancy