Whole Group Reading and SNOW!!

Well, like Crystal said in her last post........we got a lot of snow.  I know that we got 4 inches of snow where I live and then some freezing rain on top of it.  

But on Sunday, the sun poked out and melted enough for us to have school today.  

On another note, I was curious how others did whole group reading.  Some of our longer stories in our reading book we have done them whole group.  Sometimes we do popcorn reading where after a student reads, they popcorn another student to read.  They love doing popcorn reading.  I would love to hear how you have your students read the stories out of the reading books in a whole group.  Please let me know your ideas and thoughts of ways to have them whole group read.  

Have a great day!

The Not So Good News...

I'm finally getting around to blogging my Friday post. I have no good excuse for not posting earlier. Worked late last night, and then just plain didn't feel like it! And it has been snowing here most of the day so I have been enjoying some relaxation time.

On Wednesday, I mentioned that I spent Tuesday running my son around for doctor's appointments and tests on his knee. He injured it on Monday during his basketball game. I had hoped it was something minor, but Thursday we got the bad news.

Ruptured ACL.

Tears in the meniscus on both sides.

Just look at this face.

Surgery is scheduled and there will be a long rehab process ahead. He is actually getting around pretty good today...the swelling and fluid finally went down so he has more range of motion.

Prayers appreciated. 

This is one active kid--running and basketball. He's going to have a hard time being on the sidelines for the next 10-12 months. 

And just when I'd given up on the idea of a snow day this year...

It started last night. 

Snowed most of the day. 

Supposed to snow again tomorrow...

As for a snow day on Monday...who knows?

P.S. I strongly dislike winter. I feel that snow is only good if it results in an occasional snow day and I had decided it would be just fine to make it through the winter without one of those this year!

Wisdom for Wednesday - Forgiveness Frees

Happy Hump Day!

I was just happy to be back at work! Yesterday I spent the day taking my son to doctor's appointments and tests on his knee. He injured it Monday during a basketball game. We don't know anything yet, but I'm hoping it isn't anything too serious. For now he is wearing a brace and on crutches. Ugh! The errands and running around wore me out…I'll take teaching any day. :-)

Well, let's get to it, shall we?

I love, love, LOVE this quote! 

I know it is so true of all that we have heard before, but stated so simply it is just…well, convincing.

Many years ago, I studied forgiveness and the bitterness that comes from the lack of it. I was led to…because of things I saw. I don't want to get too personal here, so I will just say that I have seen unforgiveness and bitterness--up close and personal. It has touched the lives of many people that I love in a whole variety of ways. It has made me want to never hold onto something and allow it to take over my life…to steal my joy.

Here's just one of the verses that has stuck with me on this issue of unforgiveness and the resulting bitterness:

Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.

Hebrews 12:15 (emphasis mine)

I hope this is just a good reminder for you. But if you are struggling to forgive, maybe it can be an encouragement to "just do it." 

Have a blessed day!

Sight Word Olympics and Reader's Theatre

Today we had another award ceremony for those students who were able to pass their set of sight words.  We started Sight Word Olympics where the students get a list of sight words to practice.  They have 2 1/2 minutes to say the sight words without sounding them out.  If they can do it then they earn a reward and move on to the next set of sight words.  The awards are a blue ribbon, bronze medal, silver medal and gold medal.  It was so fun to see those today that earned an award because they got so excited and proud of their accomplishment!  Their smiles are just priceless!  One of them even told me today that he had never gotten an award before and he was going to hold on to that blue ribbon for the rest of his life!  LOL!  Here they are all proud:

It is so fun to see how kids can excited over some of the littlest things.  I had a couple of groups working on a readers theatre that I got at Dr. Young's Reading Room (I love this site because it has tons of reader's theatre scripts with how many parts the script has).  The groups practiced their parts and using expression during our MTSS groups and they got to perform it in front of the 6th graders.  They were so excited and very nervous!  It was fun to watch them because they stood up proud, used their expression and did a fantastic job!  Check them out:

Isn't it fun to see kiddos get excited about learning??

Hope you have a great day!

Read All Day? What? Yes, Please!!!

This is what my classroom looked like yesterday:

Here's what was going on inside those lovely forts:

Reading, reading, and more reading!

We are working toward a goal of 100,000 Book Adventure points. Book Adventure is a free website that has teacher-created comprehension tests for students to take and earn points. It is similar to AR…not near as user friendly…but hey, it's free!

I don't give individual goals. We just work as a class toward a float party at the end of the year. I set the goal of 100,000 thinking it would be no problem since I started at the beginning of the year. 

I was getting a little nervous and the reward seemed so far away for them, so I decided to have a little celebration for making it halfway. 

We wore pajamas, built forts, and read all day (except for recess, lunch, and specials). My para and I were right there with them reading* and taking tests for our class. I also bought them all a book from Scholastic and gave them a free pizza certificate. 

*We both read Esio Trot by Roald Dahl and were disappointed…seemed to promote lying and trickery with no consequences. It was in my pile for kids to pick their free book from, but after reading it I pulled it out. Anyone else have thoughts about it? I don't think I've read that author before...

One student said, "This is the best day of my life!" 

Hee hee! I just love to hear that about a day of reading. :-)

And I'm happy to report that after our day of reading, we are up to 58,000 points! My class usually earns about 5,000 points a week.

And since I have so many K-State fans in my class, I just had to sport my KU pajamas!

No comment on how many times my husband had to take this picture before I thought it was acceptable for public viewing. Ha!

 Have a great weekend!

Wisdom for Wednesday-Energy

Welcome to this week's:

I love this because I often find myself worrying about things.  I thought if every time instead of worrying about something, I believed...........wow, I would be quite the believer.  Just think how much energy and exhausting it is to worry.  If I used my energy on believing instead, I would have more energy and be a lot more happier!  

Matthew 6:34-Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Have a wonderful day!

A Day Off!

We had President's Day off of work and I was so very glad because my mom had shoulder surgery on Friday.  I took off Friday to be with her and was able to spend the weekend with her.  I was so glad that we had President's Day off because it gave me an extra day to spend with her and try to help her some.  

I don't know about you, but as a daughter, it is so hard for me to watch my mom be in pain.  It just brings tears to my eyes.  This weekend, I was just wishing that I could take the pain for her.  My mom has a very high tolerance for pain so when she is in pain, I know it must be really bad.  Just wish I could take it for her! 

I hope all of you had a restful day if you had President's Day off!  

Have a great day!