I am one lucky girl! Warning- mushy post!

I have always considered myself a "people lover."  I love meeting, talking to, and being around people.  Just recently I have befriended an older lady which I tend to run into on the weekends.  One day she turned to me and said- "Danielle- do you know why I like you?"  I was a little on edge to hear her answer because she is one of those friends that you never know what is going to come out of her mouth!  I asked why.  She said- "You don't judge and talk to everyone and treat everyone equally regardless of community stature, race, age etc." She then told a story about how recently some people were being nasty to her at a birthday party telling her she shouldn't have been there because she wasn't in the same social class.  It made me sad to hear it!  It made me realize that I need to keep doing what I am doing to model friendliness to my little first grade students.  I also thought that it was BY FAR the nicest compliment that I have ever received!  Hopefully I can keep living up to how she views me.  :-). I tricked another one into thinking I'm nice!  :-)

This is a bit of a mushy post because I wanted to highlight some of the amazing people in my life.  

First up- my hubby.  This weekend will be our 6th wedding anniversary!  I cannot believe it has been that long!  He is amazing.  He like most men is a "fixer."  He can fix pipes, computer problems, and dinner.  He however can also can weld anything including fancy art sculptures and fix a car.  He is a VERY busy man with a ton of business ventures but still takes the time to help this anxious lady out!  He just spent 8 hours in my classroom putting together shelves, hanging things, stuffing folders etc.  I am very blessed to have him in my life.  

Here is a peak of some things he did (I forgot to take a lot of pictures!)

He worked on 3 more walls of my

classroom but I forgot to take those pictures!

Up next are my teammates-  one is returning from last year and another is new to the district.  I cannot tell you how much I rely on them both!  For personal advice, for thumb tacks, for sharing resources ,or copying duties.  I am very lucky to have them!  I still meet with my teammates from my former district and we started a Pinterest sharing session dates.  We gab, eat, and give each other Pinterest classroom things like "brag tags" that we made for each other.  I LOVE my teacher friends.  No one quite understands a teacher like a teacher!  

This is a lovely little treat that was made for me this year:

Then there are amazing friends that I don't get to see that often but we keep up by random text messages.  These are friends that are great even if you don't see each other much.  It might be once a year but no one ever gets upset.  I have happy hours and breakfasts planned with these friends because with our busy lives it is tough to stay in touch.  I am not morning person so those 6 am Friday breakfast meetings are a killer but TOTALLY worth it!  

Recently one of my super creative friends painted these inspirational quotes me for and my hubby hung them!  I am

NOT artsy.  So I am so thankful for her taking the time in AUGUST when she is a teacher herself to make them for me.  :-)

On the proud wall are "I met my

Goal today!  Ask me about it!" badges.  This is a stolen idea from my principal.  She gives out jeans stickers that say- "I'm dressed casual today because..."  Love that idea!

I cannot post about friends and leave out Rob and my very best friends.  They are amazing people.  The type like my friend from the beginning mentioned- "don't judge."  They are the definition of true friendship.  My best friend is super intelligent (come on she is a scientist!) and fun.  We spend every weekend together.  However they still cut out my lamination, hot glue thumb tacks to clothes pins and help me when things just get stressful.  They are the type of people that I won't ever have to ask for help-  they know when I am overwhelmed and just "do things" to help.  Rob and I are very lucky to have met such selfless and amazing friends.  We have only known them for 3 years-  but it is definitely a friendship that will last a lifetime.  

And... one more!  I am very lucky to have 4 siblings!  Unfortunately I only see some

of them every couple of years due to living across the country from each other.  But I  grateful for those that live close to me and their significant others, my in-laws (who are DREAM in-laws), my dad, aunts and uncles.  :-). They are there for hanging out, playing games (my guilty pleasure), helping me and giving advice.  :-).

Now you might ask (if you made it this far) why I took the time to post this.  

I had a tough year last year (perhaps you noticed a lack in posting!). However I  am bound and determined to keep my positive attitude and just focus on the amazing things in my life.  I encourage you to do the same.  It is too easy to dwell on "poor me."  I had a friend share a quote with me last year that I love- "Don't think less of yourself.  Just think of yourself less."  So I am determined to do just that and remember and think of others and the amazing things in my life.

It is easy to do because I am surrounded by amazing people which makes me a very lucky girl!  

Thanks for reading!  :-). 

And...  Wrote this on my phone again.  You know what that means.  Super sorry!  

Clip chart

There has been a lot of hype lately regarding the behavior clip chart.  I have always liked the move up and down chart but was wondering if there was something to this hype.  I have been reading blogs and articles and think there are some really valid points.  

The arguments seem to all have the same overall idea of disliking it because of the emotional well being of a child.  Some arguments include:

1- embarrassment of having to move their clip down.

2-children have a visual comparison of behavior.

3- ruining the day of a child by making them move their clip down.

I have gone back and forth all summer trying to decide-  "What am I going to do?  What is best for my students?"

I decided to keep doing what I've been doing for 5-6 years.  The clip chart with multiple colors where you can move your clip up for positive behaviors and down when you make mistakes.  In my opinion-  first grade is a perfect time to teach the lesson- "we all make mistakes-  the important part is to learn from them."  I believe this system mirrors this thinking.  

As I think about the articles and blog posts that I have read- I wonder if the clip chart systems that the articles mention are the "negative" color charts that only record and focus on downward movement.  If they are-  I personally have some of those same arguments listed above.  However with the "new management" charts by Rick Norris (like I use)- I think that I disagree with some of the arguments.  

The first argument is regarding embarrassment of moving your clip down.  I NEVER yell at a child in front of the entire class to move down their clip.  We always have a quiet discussion at my or their desk.  Usually if there has been an issue-  other students already have seen or heard the child do the action anyway.  So the class already knows about it even before I interfere.  I also only display the "positive" colors for students to see.  I hide the "negative" colors behind my desk.  Special cases there could be a child that is embarrassed of moving their clip down or even up.  Those students always receive other management devices.  How can I expect a child to learn if they don't feel safe and their emotional well being taken care of first?  

The next argument about students comparing their behavior to peers...  I don't know what to say about this one.  I don't want to hurt their feelings.  I do however try to have very specific criteria layed out for clip up and down moves so students know what I expect for either up or down move. (I have these signs on TPT.)  I often will make "special" criteria for some students to make it more

achievable. I love the quote floating around- "Fair is what each person needs to be successful."  That is completely true in a classroom.  Like I mentioned above- if the chart doesn't work for some students-  we find and use something that does.  There is never a "one size fits all" in teaching!  If there was-  it sure would eliminate a lot of my planning time!

For the third argument regarding "ruining" their day- I model and share stories of mistakes that I have made.  Usually the first 2-3 weeks of school it is tough on students if they have to move their clip down.  However they soon "get" the mistakes idea and only appear motivated to correct their mistake.  Overall-  I still think this is a  very valuable lesson for students to learn.   I don't want students full of anxiety all day of worrying that that might move their clip down.  I can't imagine coming to work with anxiety that the principal would catch me chatting with teachers during the work day.  (Let's be real-  sometimes a student does something amazing or says something hilarious and I just have to share!) However I am not on edge because 99% of the time I am following my plans and I know that my principal trusts me.  I think that the system is teaching the students that I believe in them and know they can fix the mistake.  

Upon reflecting after reading these articles- I decided to make a few changes.  One change I made after reflecting was taking away the token economy associated with behavior.  I now am making a giant economics unit where the students apply for classroom jobs and jobs earn different wages.  Therefore students have to make a choice to apply for a job that they really like but may not pay as much or a job that pays more.  Students have time sheets that are calculated every two weeks from our "accountants."  Then students are paid once a month before the class store from our "bank tellers."  I also am adding services that students can buy this year at the store.  Including, "Personal day off of work."  The money is now associated with their jobs (with a bonus structure too!) instead of behavior.

(I need to "pretty" these job items up and then will post it to TPT in the next month.). I am really excited for this change.

Another change is how I am

now choosing to reward individual behaviors.  For behavior I am now using the awesome classroom reward tickets.  My friend saw them on Pinterest and made me copies.  I need to find the original so I may give them credit!

I leveled these cards by the more

desired rewards.  Each is stored in a matching folder color.  

The "negative" colors have behavior homework pages.  The "top of the chart" (black) area also has reward certificates.

These are the rewards:

-Top of the chart= gemstone added to clip, certificate, prize tub and can choose any of the reward tickets

-yellow= prize tub, yellow reward tickets or below

-Orange= orange or pink reward ticket

-Pink= pink reward ticket

-Red= chance of earning a pink ticket

Student earns 1 spot to write their name on the 120 chart.  Each Friday I will draw a few numbers.  Those students will

erase their name and get to choose a pink reward ticket.  

I am grateful for the clip chart debate going on.  It forced me to think and reflect upon my current behavior management practice.  I think these changes will work well for my students and I am excited to see how well it works out this year. 

***. I LOVE the Blogger app since I can write and add pictures directly from my phone.  However there are plenty of autocorrect errors.  Please excuse any errors that I have made!  Once I'm near my Computer-  I will fix these errors!  :-)

Differentiated math centers- numbers

I have always tried to differentiate math centers and have students make goals.

In my district we were given the opportunity to observe teachers.  Of course I jumped on that opportunity!  I learned so much and stole many ideas.

One of the ideas comes from one of the most nurturing and sweet people that I have ever met.  If I had a child going into kindergarten-  I would beg for them to have her as their teacher.  

She has purchased dollar store tubs (I purchased Big Lots since they are more sturdy) to organize her centers.  Each tub only holds 1 center.  The child brings the entire tub back to his/ her spot.  This way things stay more tidy and way less little pieces come up missing.  :-)

I've decided to completely revamp my centers/ make new and organize it just like her!

Here is my first installment of centers:

Red= beginning level

Yellow= on level

Green= above level

These tubs are being created for each skill that we teach.  I'm almost finished with place value and measurent as well.  

Each of these is self checking

There are 3 different puzzles in here.

I really wanted a very beginning skill other than numbering a clock.  

A student clock will also be added.  

I also have one place value center finished:

I still have the more "hands on" centers but wanted to make sure that I had self checking examples for math goals as well.

I will be posting these in quarterly bundles on TPT.  

Q1- time, numbers, place value, measurement

Q2- graphing, addition, addition word problems

Q3- subtraction, subtraction word problems, fractions, shapes

Good luck for those of you setting up your rooms!  My hubby volunteered to come in and do the hanging/ putting together of things on Monday!  I'm delighted!  I hope to be finished Monday evening so I can have 6 days off before we start!  

Enjoy your week!  

I have learned the art of bartering!

Imagine walking into a color coordinated room, not a scrap of paper on the floor, nothing shoved inside a desk (that you can see), 25 first graders absolutely silent at 8 am, paper lanterns in the corner, mood lighting feet by a variety of colorful lamps, a reading cave with colorful pillows and flashlights, teacher desk with file folders, no "put this away later" baskets, jack Johnson playing soothing music and a slight air freshner scent traveling through the room.

That is the absolute opposite of my room!

(But not for long!!!)

I've learned over time that teachers often can be sorted into two different categories:

1.  Cutesy/ organizational genius/ room arrangement 

2.  Differentiation/ data/ scheduling/ computers/ technology

3.  Then sometimes there are those teachers that are both!!!!  I want to be them.   (My husband-  even though not a teacher definitely falls into this category.)

I totally fall in the second type of teacher category.  I feel like I'm in a world of my own because my type typically seems to be teachers in older grades.  I however teach delightful first grade students.  

I've worked at two different schools.  The same thing has happened at both-  I look to the left and to the right and see adorable hallway decorations.  As I sneak into their rooms I notice student work hanging, everything is color coordinated and has a place.  

Then I go back to my room.  I have what I. Consider "adorable" data tracking sheets, anchor charts, inspirational quotes.  Some organization but definitely not the "cute" factor like all of my colleagues.  :-(

Believe me-  I have tried for 8 years.  I can imagine it in my head-  but I hardly ever can make it happen.  Most times it takes me days to make something that will take those type 1 teachers an hour.

I always try to remember this when I teach students.  I always share my story too.  I love art-  but it doesn't come easy and I have to work really hard to be able to do it.  Then I tell them about two of my siblings that can free draw about anything!  

Back to my "aha" point of teacher bartering.  

So-  many of my friends are the total opposite of me.  So-  I started teacher bartering this summer.  :-)

Make daily 5 signs, customized word wall labels in exchange for a friend painting me inspirational paintings to hang in my classroom.  

Make differentiated kindergarten centers in exchange for them organizing my room!  

Make word work centers in exchange for an awesome Pinterest chevron cork board.  (Okay-  my teamy is just that nice that she did it out of the goodness of her heart!  How I love her!)

I feel like all of my bartering friends got the "short end of the stick."  I feel like I have won the lottery!  

Here are the unfinished centers for the K friend.  Everything was purchased at the dollar tree.  I had so much fun going up and down the aisles turning on my Dave Burgess brain and thinking- "How can I use this for independent centers?"

24 centers!  (More are from my chunk center and math centers that I have posted yet.). They need recording sheets yet and a few other items.  (Like tape that I happen to have ran out of at home!)

Why not?  They are in color!  Add sheet protectors and binders or folders.  :-)

Search and find bottles.  Need to add rice.  The words will be sorted into three different bottles.  If they are green, yellow, or red sight words.

These will be leveled.  Just have to add the sheets.  Red level will be choosing stickers and writing the initial or ending sound.  Yellow will write a story with stickers.  Green will write the name of the sticker.

Complete with a picture answer key:

I love this!  Action figures from comics/ movies.  Students have to copy the name down/ draw a picture.

I want to got glue the eyeballs on a Popsicle stick.  

This would be awesome to use with a bingo ball spinner!  Unfortunately I am fresh out of those!  

Just add flashcards!

Self explanatory.

That is it!  (Well out of items completed today!)

So my friends-  lesson learned:

1.  Barter away and take advantage of your friends' skills!  What is easy to you-  may not be for everyone!  Please remember that if you ever meet me and ask me to draw something like a dog.  I've been told my dogs, cats, cows, and horses all look exactly the same!  :-(

Have a great weekend!  :-)

New math implementations- pin it to win it!

It never fails-  once July starts- my teacher brain wheels start turning!

I'm working on things across the board.  Today I thought that I would post about math.  :-)

I teach math using a guided math format.  You can download free charts and read more about it here.

I have been working on differentiated skill based centers and still need a couple of weeks to finish for these.

I also am finishing my numbers and measurement unit to complete the units used for teaching math during the first quarter.

I have finished my take on an interactive notebook.  

My reasoning for making a different notebook when there are already AWESOME notebooks out there is so that students can use their notebooks to practice their skills during independent work or with a volunteer.  Most of the things involve tape so you can use a dry erase marker or pockets to sort cards.  If you click here, you can download the preview to see the sample.  

 Each skill has an "I Can" statement, a Monday sort, and a self reflection rubric.

 I also start out each week with a blind sort.  The students have to work together to figure out how to sort the cards.  The cards will lead to the topic that we will be learning for the week. Students have to reflect daily on how well they followed rules and how much they learned each day.  At the end of math we have a "reflection" time where students share what they are proud of (sometimes I tell them what to bring as a quick spontaneous check) and they also discuss how they did on goals and reflect on their chart.

 Each skill has a vocabulary page.

 Students will draw or write a way for them to remember the vocabulary word and this sheet gets glued right into their notebook.   I always use these vocabulary words as I teach but always had a tough time keeping up with a math word wall- so this is my hopefully simple solution!  

Each skill has an "interactive" component.

For this particular skill, students cut out and glue the number chart into their notebook.  Then they cut out and keep the small pieces in a pocket in the notebook. This way they can complete the puzzle multiple times.  The second sheet is covered with packing tape or a small piece of page protector is taped over it so that students can use a dry erase marker to trace over it.

The next item that I finished is by far my favorite!

The thing that I am the most excited about comes from an inspiration from the AMAZING Dave Burgess- author of Teach like a Pirate.  (If you haven't read his book-  seriously stop what you are doing right now and go read it!!!). You can read about my obsession with this blog post.

Well I have been thinking- "how do I make math more engaging?  What can we do to make math exciting enough that my students want to come to school even if they are sick?"

Then I had an AHA moment as I was doing charity work-  lol-  okay I was being lazy and watching Lifetime.  I thought about creating math challenges using the skills that they are learning.

I have been making every other week mystery math challenges.  

It all starts with a plain box and wrapping it up to make it look cute (I did my best- I'm sure ALL of you can make it look even better!)

Then I filled the box with some left over confetti like bag filler.  The weekly challenge (which is determined by skills that have already been introduced) is "hidden" in the box.

I press "play" on this fantastic song:
EYE OF THE TIGER

Then DRAMATICALLY have the students do stretches/ exercises to "warm-up" and finally pull out the challenge from the box.  (The warm-up cards are in the purple below.)

Then we discuss the challenge, determine if it should be individual, partners or a group challenge and they all have to fill out the "planning sheet."

  Then we discuss the challenge, determine if it should be individual, partners, or groups.  I have included "idea" sheets for each challenge but I want to get the input from the students so that they are directly involved in the planning to make the challenge.

If you want a jumping off point- you can download my quarter 1 challenges here. 

WANT THESE FOR FREE????

If you like either of these things- pin the TPT links- put the link below in the comments with your email- and I will send you a free copy.  You can also tweet about it too.  :)  (I am SLOWLY learning how to treat and I LOVE IT!)

This is good until the end of July.  :)

Have a great week!  :)

New money unit! Pin it/ tweet it to win it!

I feel fairly comfortable with my students' math skills.  A few are still working on skills but the majority have mastered all first grade math.

We have been spending a lot of our time on PBL projects but now we need to start working on second grade skills!

I taught money for 7 years in first grade and know how difficult that it was for the kiddos to grasp.  So I thought-  well that will be the skill that we will work on for the last few weeks of school.

I already had some money items but decided to make actual lesson plans.

Since I'm posting from my phone I can't add pictures-  so for a sneak peak click on this website and check out the preview.  :-)

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Money-Unit-Identifying-and-Counting-Coins-up-to-a-Dollar-1223489

If you like it- or are interested-  pin it/ tweet about it- to win it!

If you do-  just leave your information in the comments below!  

Side note-  I am kinda obsessed with Twitter!  I finally found something that I can keep up with!  @lasotadanielle   :-)  if you haven't-  jump on the bandwagon late like I did!  I seriously cannot stop!  :-)

Have a great week!  

Persuasive Commercials

What better way to motivate your kiddos to learn about opinion writing than writing their own persuasive commercials!  :)

I was completely hands off for this project and what my first grade students developed is amazing! 

We started out by reading the book, Have I Got a Book for You.

This book is about the character trying to sell the reader the book.  He tries almost every sales technique possible to sell the book.  My students love this book!  It is a little over their heads at points but they still enjoy listening to it.

 

Then we watched some persuasive commercials.  THANKS to the Blendspace user that created these!  I simply copied their "plans." 

http://blnds.co/1dQoO5f 

 

SIDE NOTE: If you haven't jumped on the Blendspace wagon yet-  do it!  :)  It is super easy to use and organize online materials for lessons.  :)

 

 

After that, the students formed groups based on similar interests.  Some wanted to make a "Save the Animals" commercial, while others wanted to persuade others to play Minecraft, buy a certain video game etc.

 

Then I gave the students blank script writing paper (coming soon in a TPT product.)  and set them loose! 

After about 2 days the students came to the carpet for a lesson on fluency expression.  Students were set loose again to work on their expression. 

 

Then, students worked on props to hold.  They also came up to me and we searched Google images to find a "setting" for their movie.  We took a screen shot and made a jpeg image with their setting.  Some students at this point decided on asking an "actor" to help them out by being a satisfied customer etc.  They were super creative!  :)

 

Finally, we discussed movements and how people can read body language to infer.  Students practiced their expression and also their movements.

 

Finally taping day arrive about 6 days after they received their blank script paperwork.  I bought wrinkle resistant green fabric.  Enlisted the help of some "prop" helpers to hold the fabric.  (Later I will attach Velcro!)  Then we taped in front of the green screen to create our commercials.  I learned the hard way to keep some "prop" clothing on hand too.  If the students had on a green shirt they became a floating head of arms!  It became a great learning experience because students said, "Maybe that is how they make the ghosts on real movies!"

Using iMovie you are able to insert the setting image and the video to make a real looking commercial. 

I shared all of the videos with parents using one of my new favorite tools, Dropbox.  Parents could view the videos by the link that I provided.  The link is not searchable therefore I didn't need to worry about privacy issues.  :)

I LOVE my techy friend that inspires me to do more each day!  Hopefully this activity inspired my kids to write more.  :)