tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48734016560907982772024-03-17T20:01:21.355-07:00Teaching Little MiraclesA blog for educators...focusing mostly on the primary grades.Teaching Little Miracleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15694650140067870645noreply@blogger.comBlogger875125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4873401656090798277.post-40346271564287234302020-03-24T06:32:00.000-07:002020-03-24T06:32:18.493-07:00This is Not Just an Egg <div class="separator" id="ssnoshadow" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Hey there, teacher friends (and parents)! Here's a little encouragement if you are in the middle of transitioning to a distance learning (called continuous learning here in Kansas)...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">About a month ago, I had a happy little accident with my breakfast. My eggs, which I used to cook hard or scrambled, were not quite done and I braved a whole new world (for me) and tasted the goodness of a runny yolk. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You may laugh, but I am completely serious. Up to this point in my life, everything had to be cooked well done. People tell me this is why I don't like steak...probably true. Too much chewing. But I even recently managed to finish a hamburger that was slightly pink. This is progress, people. You have no idea.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, since I learned that I actually like my eggs over easy, it has taken some breaking of habits and learning a new way of cooking to get that perfect egg. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the beginning, I would often accidentally break the yolk. Old habits die hard. It took several times to remind myself, "Don't break the yolk!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then I had to try some various cooking methods. I tried steaming by using a makeshift lid, but because I didn't have a real lid and was using an upside down pan I couldn't tell when they were done. Cooked too long. Not long enough. I consulted YouTube for help and found a few good videos. I practiced. And I'm happy to tell you that I'm pretty good at cooking my eggs over-easy now. It doesn't mean I don't have a broken yolk now and then. It doesn't mean I'm perfect.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As I sat down to eat my eggs this morning and was reflecting on our first planning day for "continuous learning," the Lord showed me that this whole thing is a lot like my eggs. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>First</b>, it was not a happy accident that put us where we are in teaching, but like or not, COVID-19 has made it necessary to venture into some unknown territory for teachers and parents (like me trying things that are not cooked well done).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Second</b>, old habits die hard. We are fighting for some sense of normalcy and control. Listening in on my teacher friends who are still in the general classroom, I understand their frustrations and concerns. They want to "control" the learning their students will get in these final weeks of the semester. It is our natural tendency. We feel responsible for their learning. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">However, in this situation we control very little. As teachers, we can attempt to give students and families the resources they need to continue their learning. We can do our best to attempt to meet the various needs of our families, but that is all we can do. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In all honesty, I feel for the parents and families right now. They are in the middle of uncertain times with any number of concerns (that do not have to do with school) and we are about to bombard them with expectations for their child's learning at home. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Teachers - It is okay. Make the best decisions you can for your students in this situation. Do your best.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Parents and Caregivers - It is okay. Be patient with teachers who really do just want to continue partnering with you for your child's education. Do your best.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Third</b>, this is a learning process for us all. Teachers--especially elementary--are really entering into the unknown. We feel badly that we haven't been able to teach and model how to use the apps and resources we are about to push out to families. We are learning new things. Trying new things. We are practicing. We will mess up (and break a yolk now and then).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">However, maybe we will find something we really like along the way. Some new way of teaching that we will continue even when we can report back to our classrooms. For me...I'm creating a Facebook group page and Google Classroom for the purpose of sharing resources. Now why didn't I think of that before?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Teachers - It is okay. Try new things. Make mistakes. Learn from them. Try the next thing. Find what works best for you.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Parents - It is okay. Try new things. Make mistakes. Be patient when we make mistakes. Try the next thing. Find what works best for your child, your family.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So remember...it's not just an egg. It's not just continuous (or distance) learning. It's a process. And as long as we are all trying our best to do what is best for our kids, it is all going to be okay! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Have a blessed day!</span></div>
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<br />Teaching Little Miracleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15694650140067870645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4873401656090798277.post-42541345533553531072020-03-06T04:10:00.000-08:002020-03-06T04:10:33.161-08:00There is no I in Teach(ing)<div class="separator" id="ssnoshadow" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Okay, you got me. There is an "i" in teaching. I also thought about titling this post "Teaching is a Team Sport," although it isn't really a sport either. But I think you get the idea...so let's get started.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">First, hello there! It's that time of year when it feels like there is so much to do and so little time left in the school year! I'm looking at data and evaluating my interventions (again) to see what else I can try to reach the littles who haven't quite made the progress I hoped for. I'm preparing for Literacy Night...super excited to try a theme this year and hoping to really promote family engagement. More on that in another post. I've been helping with a huge grant application that would help us start an awesome after-school program (among other things). I've also been attending meetings, workshops, and all the other "stuff" that seems to happen this time of year. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Okay, enough about me. Back to the main idea of this post. ;-)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Part of my master's program as a reading specialist included classes in instructional coaching, school leadership, and providing professional development. It sparked an interest in me on how to inspire, encourage, and motivate teachers so I can often be found reading, searching, or in this case, listening to things geared toward administrators. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br />Tammy at <a href="http://foreverin1st.blogspot.com/">Forever in First</a> posted on her Facebook about an <a href="https://www.brianmendler.com/the-story-drives-the-movement/?fbclid=IwAR3hvu0rxf-khQ9MyISiTAy2s5k6AUtFw3_rTgse0HLGAWZXjOLahk27llw">interview</a> with Joe Sanfelippo (2019 Superintendent of the Year). She summarized his district's professional development growth plan which allows teachers to choose a personal goal and then gives them 4 PD days a year to work on that goal. My interest was piqued, and then I saw this quote: "We make decisions based on our best people, and that's what our best people want to do." </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Silent cheering ensued. Yes! Amen! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I had to listen to this interview (and then promptly shared with a couple of administrators I know).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The professional development growth plan sounded just as amazing as I expected, and I certainly hope that it catches fire in my district. However, I don't make the professional development decisions in my district, so...there was something else that stuck with me even more.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Recognize, Acknowledge, and Extend.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Dr. Sanfelippo encourages those three words among the teachers and staff in his district. He wants everyone--not just administrators--to recognize when others are doing a good job. Teachers recognizing teachers. Notice what their colleagues are doing well. Then acknowledge it. Let them know you see them. Encourage them. And then, go tell someone else about it. Extend it by sharing it with others.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Can you imagine the atmosphere in those schools? Can you imagine the inspiration to be the best teacher you can be?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As I thought about this, I realized that I have tried to start this in my buildings in a way. I implemented some ideas from a pack of <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Staff-Morale-Boosters-EDITABLE-2118522" target="_blank">Staff Morale Boosters</a> this year. We have a jar where people can write in "shout outs" for staff members to be read at the monthly staff meeting. I leave little notes and "gifts" around the building. I was trying to do that part anonymously, but I was found out pretty quickly. It's a great pack if you're looking for some ideas to boost morale--which it seems is often needed this time of year. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Also, let me add here that I think it would be amazing to practice Recognize, Acknowledge, Extend all the time without having to use a "shout out" jar. And I plan to do better at this myself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A tale of two buildings...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I work in two different buildings and have set up these "positivity jars" in both locations. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Location A is completely into it. By the end of the month, the jar is overflowing. As soon as the shout outs are read, the jar has more in it the following day. No reminders needed. They are just "on it." </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Location B's jar sits empty for much of the month...until I send out a reminder to "spread the positivity." </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It is...interesting. I love the teachers and staff at both buildings. Both buildings are doing great things and would have plenty to "shout out" about. I don't want to speculate about why Building A seems to enjoy this more than Building B, but instead I want to think more generally when I look back over my 12 years of teaching in 2 different schools and districts. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some teachers are "team" players. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some teachers are not.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some teachers are competitive.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some teachers are "lone wolves."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some teachers are resistant to change.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some teachers are introverts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some teachers are extroverts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some teachers are confident.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some teachers lack confidence.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some teachers are overwhelmed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some teachers are busy (okay--that is all teachers--ha!).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think we could probably keep adding to that list. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The truth is that we are all different, and we bring different qualities to the profession. We all struggle. We all could improve an area of our instruction. But we are all also doing something well. I guarantee that. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So take time to look around you. Who do you see? What are they doing well? It's too easy to focus on the negative or identify someone's faults. It's more difficult to look for the positive. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Recognize, Acknowledge, Extend.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Be a team player. Spark inspiration in your building. </span></div>
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<br />Teaching Little Miracleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15694650140067870645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4873401656090798277.post-32466815278782598332020-03-01T17:06:00.000-08:002020-03-01T17:08:23.567-08:00Blast from the Past.....FUNNY!<div class="" id="ssnoshadow" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">So, I was going through my files and pictures and trying to organize them a little better. I came across these pictures from 2012 and it made me laugh. I laughed so hard that my stomach started to ache. Not sure if Crystal will find it funny, but I remember that day we both laughed a lot about it. Here are the pictures and after looking at the pictures, I will share the story behind it all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Taking in deep breaths before her attempt to blow up her first balloon!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After 15 minutes LOL! Here is what she had on her first balloon!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">WOW! 2 hours later!!! :-)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So here is the story behind it all:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We found this cool idea from Erin at First From Franklin.</span></div>
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<a href="http://firstwithfranklin.blogspot.com/2012/05/10-day-countdown-baby.html" style="color: #e5379c; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">http://firstwithfranklin.blogspot.com/2012/05/10-day-countdown-baby.html</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We came up with a list of fun things to do each day, typed them up, printed it and stuck it in the balloon. If the student didn't have to move his/her clip down throughout the day, then they got to participate in what it said in the balloon the next day. The kids were so excited about popping a balloon every day and wanted to make sure that they were following our rules so that they could do whatever was inside the balloon. The following is what we decided to put in our balloons:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">May</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">9<sup>th</sup> – Gum-we gave them gum to chew all day long</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">10<sup>th</sup> – Sunglasses-this was the day that we went to the zoo for our field trip, so we gave them sunglasses to wear to the zoo</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">13<sup>th</sup> – ink pens-they will get to write with pens all day</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">14<sup>th</sup> – lunch in the room with the teacher</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">16<sup>th</sup> – move desks-they get to arrange the room the way they want to for the day</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">17<sup>th</sup> – mystery readers (other 1<sup>st</sup> grade class)-they get to read with the other 1st graders</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">21<sup>st</sup> – nature walk-they will go outside and take a walk and do a scavenger hunt</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">22<sup>nd</sup> – Movie Day</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The best part about all of this is that I learned something about Crystal this year when we did this activity. We were in my room after school and started to blow up the balloons. I don't think I have ever laughed so hard in my life. Crystal doesn't know how to blow a balloon up. Bless her heart, she tries but it doesn't work! LOL!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was sitting there blowing up balloon after balloon and realized that she couldn't do it. She was trying with all her might and blowing, making noises and turning red. :-) Needless to say, by the time I had all of my 10 balloons blown up, she had her one balloon halfway blown up. I had to blow the other 9 up for her.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We had a fun time blowing up balloons and we did have a good laugh about it at Crystal's expense (Thanks Crystal). </span></div>
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<br />Teaching Little Miracleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15694650140067870645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4873401656090798277.post-63874915935245701132020-01-16T11:28:00.000-08:002020-01-16T11:28:01.799-08:00Makes you smile!!<div class="separator" id="ssnoshadow" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">After 23 years of teaching, there is always several changes that you see that happen in the teaching field. There is one thing that always stays the same and it is how you care about the children and how they touch your heart. I have a student this year that every day she leaves me a note on my desk. Those little notes touch my heart daily. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I tell all the students how much I love to come to school to see their smiles. I wanted to share just a few notes that I received from her this last week. She told me later that she wanted me to have those smiles she drew on the weekend so when I'm missing the students I can look at the smiles and it would make me think of them and their smiles. Even as so many things change in education, the one thing that never changes is how much we love these kids!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hope you have a great week!</span></div>
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<br />Teaching Little Miracleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15694650140067870645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4873401656090798277.post-89476737505761256712020-01-06T14:58:00.000-08:002020-01-06T14:58:29.139-08:00A little late, but a fun Christmas idea!<div class="separator" id="ssnoshadow" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I know that Christmas is over, but I wanted to share what I used in the classroom before Christmas this year. My co-teacher saw an idea of using the Grinch to motivate the students before Christmas to be extra kind to one another. We started by reminding the students how the Grinch's heart was small and we wanted to work really hard to make it big before Christmas. We talked about things we could do to help make its heart grow bigger. The kids talked about being kind to other kids, teachers, and adults. They also talked about how following rules and keeping the classroom clean would make his heart grow. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Each day when they came into the room I would have the heart from the day before on the wall and a new heart to show if it had grown or if it had not grown. They were so excited to look at it every day. During the day, I would also make comments of how some of their actions were making his heart grow bigger. Today was our first day back from Christmas break and I put up the heart he started out with, the heart that was in the middle of the time we started and his final heart. They were thrilled and talked all day about how much they made the Grinch's heart grow. It was a simple thing to do, but they sure loved it! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hope all of you enjoyed your break or you are still enjoying it if you haven't gone back yet!</span></div>
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<br />Teaching Little Miracleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15694650140067870645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4873401656090798277.post-8946862628661660032019-12-23T06:28:00.000-08:002019-12-23T06:28:42.504-08:00Dyslexia Workshop Highlights<div class="separator" id="ssnoshadow" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Good morning! I want to say "Happy Christmas Break" but I actually saw a post by a teacher who was headed to school today! Yikes! So I'll just say, I hope you are on Christmas Break or it is in your very near future. ;-)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I don't have a lot of plans for Christmas break. Our family is local so we will get together with them to celebrate. We have Christmas Eve services at church tomorrow. Today my only goal is to get some writing done. I'm over half way done with my <a href="http://www.authorcrystalratcliff.com/" target="_blank">second Bible study</a>...really would like to have it available in the spring. Prayers appreciated!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Okay, on to what this post is all about. I know I already shared <a href="http://teachinglittlemiracles.blogspot.com/2019/12/let-them-write.html" target="_blank">Kid Writing</a> that I heard about through this workshop, but I wanted to share my other biggest takeaways as well. It was just too much information for one post--especially since I'm a bit long-winded. ;-)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The workshop was called </span><u style="font-size: x-large;">Dyslexia: Help Children Who Struggle to Successfully Read, Write, and Spell</u><span style="font-size: large;">, by Mark Weakland. I was drawn specifically to this one because it was advertised as providing helpful strategies for students with dyslexia and not just the science behind it (important, but I've already learned a lot about that). Mark Weakland did not disappoint--and neither does his website! Check him out at </span><a href="https://www.markweaklandliteracy.com/" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">Mark Weakland Literacy</a><span style="font-size: large;">. It was a workshop geared to Tier I instruction (so applicable to all, not just reading specialists).</span></div>
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<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Oral Phonological/Phonemic Awareness is so important. We started using Kilpatrick's one minute activities a few years ago. This year I administered the PAST at the beginning of the year and again in December to the students that I work with and I've seen a lot of improvement! These activities are found in <a href="https://amzn.to/2QlE9n5" target="_blank">Equipped for Reading Success</a> (affiliate link) by David Kilpatrick:</span></li>
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<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The program that we use for phonics and phonemic awareness continues to impress me. <a href="https://www.pathwaystoreading.com/" target="_blank">Pathways to Reading</a> has been around for a long time, but the strategies that it uses (<i>Segment and Write</i> and <i>Old Word/New Word</i>) are some of the strategies Mr. Weakland suggested (just by another name). He did give me some ideas for Intermediate teachers to do some Word Ladder activities with morphemes (instead of sounds) which was pretty cool.</span></li>
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<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Handwriting is important for students with dyslexia, from proper print formation to</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span><u style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">teaching cursive</u><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">. I was excited to see our new handwriting curriculum, <a href="https://www.lwtears.com/" target="_blank">Handwriting Without Tears</a>, as one of the suggested resources. Whoop! Whoop! </span></li>
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<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Three things to prevent and correct reading difficulties: aggressively teach phonological awareness to an advanced level (this is the Oral PA activities and Heggerty as well), directly, explicitly, and systematically teach phonic and spelling patterns to a point of mastery K-5, and provide many opportunities for children to read extended text (adapted from Kilpatrick's</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="https://amzn.to/2Qc8aFP" style="text-decoration-line: underline;" target="_blank">Assessing, Preventing, and Overcoming Reading Difficulties</a> affiliate link</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">).</span></li>
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<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Read, read, read! Despite overwhelming research and evidence that children should be allowed time for independent reading while at school (Allington suggests 90 minutes spread throughout the day!!! Right...but can you at least get in 20 or 30?), the average student is only given 7 minutes a day to read independently at school.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span><span id="x_🙁" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: large; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">🙁 </span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #674ea7; font-family: inherit; font-size: large; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Please, please, please make sure you are teaching students how to become independent readers and give them time do so. It can be done--even in K! Yes, you may have to get creative with one or two kiddos, but don't let that stop you from providing that time. Here's a <a href="http://teachinglittlemiracles.blogspot.com/2013/09/im-engaged-to-my-book.html" target="_blank">blog post</a> I wrote that links to a great lesson about three types of readers: pretender, dutiful, and engaged. </span></li>
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<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Write, write, write! Reading, writing and spelling are all connected. Make time for independent writing as well. No sentence starters, no sentence frames. <a href="http://teachinglittlemiracles.blogspot.com/2019/12/let-them-write.html" target="_blank">Let them write</a>! </span></li>
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<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Spelling is for Reading. Mr. Weakland feels very strongly about teaching spelling to help struggling readers. Abandon the test if you want, but don't abandon the daily spelling instruction. His points: daily instruction, effective sequence, teach to mastery (differentiate lists as needed), and teach spelling strategies.</span></li>
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<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Fluency. Repeated readings. Decodable text. Partner reading. Use poetry. Remember that for a student with dyslexia our goal is not necessarily to make them a fast reader, but an accurate reader.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">And finally, I love this quote from the resource book he gave us...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>"Knowing how important reading and writing are, the question then becomes "How can we program more reading and writing opportunities into our teaching day, especially opportunities that are authentic and engaging?"</i></span></div>
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<br />Teaching Little Miracleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15694650140067870645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4873401656090798277.post-60632888793846604922019-12-21T08:40:00.003-08:002019-12-21T08:40:53.233-08:00Let Them Write!<div class="separator" id="ssnoshadow" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Hey there! It's official...Christmas break is here! It is hard to believe this year is half over already, but I was definitely in need of some time to rest, reflect, and get recharged for the next semester. Anybody else? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you've followed along with this blog for any length of time, you know that I went from teaching 1st grade to 2nd grade and then more recently into the Title I position at my school. As soon as I accepted the position, I decided to pursue my Masters Degree as a Reading Specialist (finished in August and passed the license exam--whoop! whoop!). I've also taken many opportunities to attend workshops about reading difficulties, especially dyslexia. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I recently had the opportunity to attend a workshop, <u>Dyslexia: Help Children Who Struggle to Successfully Read, Write, and Spell</u>, by Mark Weakland. I was drawn specifically to this one because it was advertised as providing helpful strategies for students with dyslexia and not just the science behind it (important, but I've already learned a lot about that). Mark Weakland did not disappoint--and neither does his website! Check him out at <a href="https://www.markweaklandliteracy.com/" target="_blank">Mark Weakland Literacy</a>. It was a workshop geared to Tier I instruction (so applicable to all, not just reading specialists).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, one of the things that he shared was <u>Kid Writing</u>. WOW! I really wish I had this resource when I was setting up writing workshop in my first grade classroom years ago...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A little background for you... My first year teaching, I followed the "writing" in my basal series. As you can imagine, I did not see a lot of growth in my students' writing and I knew there had to be a better way. I spent that summer researching and found a wonderful FREE resource by <a href="http://jessicameacham.com/writing/" target="_blank">Jessica Meacham</a>. She has done a wonderful job of organizing the resources and is still sharing them for free! Her mini-lessons are fantastic for getting your writing workshop up and going in the primary grades. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Let's get one thing out of the way. I'm talking about "free writing" where students get to choose what they write about. Copying sentences is not writing. Sentence starters and frames are not a bad thing to use occasionally or to provide scaffolding, but when I talk about teaching writing that is not what I mean. I'm talking about where we give students the opportunity to develop their own thoughts and ideas while using the sound symbol relationships we are teaching them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Let them write. Writing builds reading skills. Reading builds writing skills. Let them write. And read...a lot. :-)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just look what can happen in Kindergarten when teaching kids in a writing workshop structure (this is from <u>Kid Writing</u>):</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some things I'm loving in the <u>Kid Writing</u> book that I wish I had known about when I was teaching writing workshop:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">1. The magic line.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">2. Teacher publishing for reading and rereading (and the way they explain it to kids).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">3. Suggestions for putting high-frequency words in the room to help with spelling (and guess what? reading!). I haven't come across it in the book yet, but Mr. Weakland mentioned a "family tree" where the words that kids commonly want to use (i.e. mother, father, grandpa, grandmother, sister, etc.) are posted for reference. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">4. Assessments for identifying writing developmental phases.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you're interested in the <u>Kid Writing</u> book, it is an affordable resource book. <a href="https://www.hameraypublishing.com/products/kid-writing-in-the-21st-century-a-systematic-approach-to-phonics-spelling-and-writing-workshop" target="_blank">Check it out here</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hope you enjoy your Christmas break! And yes, in case you are wondering, I'm blogging a bit more lately. :-)</span></div>
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<br />Teaching Little Miracleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15694650140067870645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4873401656090798277.post-56760404492683487022019-12-16T15:26:00.000-08:002019-12-16T15:26:11.418-08:00Work Smarter, NOT Harder<div class="separator" id="ssnoshadow" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Hey there, teacher friends! We are approaching the end of the semester, a time when many are a bit frazzled and exhausted! It made me think it was the perfect time to put together a post I've been thinking about for awhile. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We can all agree that teachers work hard. It seems that you can never get ahead. Something always comes up that demands your attention. I can remember my first couple years of teaching and how late I worked each night. My husband, a very patient man, had to encourage me to "get it together" so I could spend more time at home with my family. And he was right. Teaching can consume you to the point that you neglect your own needs and the needs of your family. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've now been teaching for ten years, and I continue to look for ideas to help me stay organized and on top of things. Some questions I consider...What do I spend the most time on? Is there anything I do over and over again (day after day, week after week, year after year)? Is there a way to simplify that or prepare for it better? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's a few of my favorite tips:</span></div>
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<u style="font-size: x-large;">Daily Checklist</u></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When I was in the classroom (I'm now the Title I Reading Specialist), I used a daily checklist to keep me on track. <span style="text-align: justify;">I had my list of things I needed to do every day slipped inside a page protector. As I accomplish things on the list, I cross it off and when the week is done I can use it all over again. The best thing is that it kept me focused and allowed me to leave on time (without a bunch of things cluttering up the back of my mind). </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: justify;">My checklist looks a little different now. It is monthly, but still serves the same purpose!</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">One of my old daily checklists.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><u>New Student Prep</u></span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: justify;">Here's another thing I learned early in my teaching career. Getting ready for a new student can be tough--or it can be simple. After the first year of scrambling to gather all the materials, label them, and be ready for a new student the night before, I stumbled on the "new student bag" idea. Every year after that, I made two new student bags while I prepped at the beginning of the year. It made getting a new student so much easier. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This year, I'm prepared for new students to my intervention room as well. Folders with assessment forms are ready and waiting for when a new student is referred to me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Choose bulletin board ideas that can stay up all year, such as one where student work is swapped out frequently or where you are adding character traits all year. Your students will benefit from more time spent on preparing lessons than they will cute bulletin boards or decorations that you are swapping out. Now if decorating is your "jam" then go for it, but don't feel pressured to make your room "pinterest-worthy." </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Special Helper (instead of job chart)</u></span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And while we're at it, tie this into your assigned line! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Skip the job chart. Choose one student to be your special helper of the week. They get to do ALL the jobs that week. No more swapping out names with a job chart that takes up space or remembering who has which jobs. It's always the special helper. If they're absent, the next person in line fills in for the day. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br />Can we talk assigned lines for a minute? Yes, please use an assigned line. It simplifies your life and everyone else's in the building who might be responsible for lining up your students. NOW THIS IS IMPORTANT--ROTATE YOUR LINE! Sorry I had to yell, but no kid wants to be at the back of the line all year. Or last to lunch every day. It's really very simple to rotate the line each week. The student at the front, goes to the back. You have a new line leader (special helper) and the order has not really changed so there is no need to learn a new assigned line.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">PT conference prep was a snap once I started using data binders. Put everything in there that you will want to share with parents. Teach your kids how to add things to the binder, track their own data (which can be pretty motivational), and you won't be scrambling to get ready for conferences. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This year, I wrote personalized letters to the parents of all my kids at conference time and again last week to update them on their child's progress. This was very time consuming, so I will definitely be looking to simplify for next year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My lesson planning system in my classroom took several years to master, but in the end it was the best thing that I did to save myself time. Seriously.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy_WBcXaeDZUy2wP_y0s4eBsSIFyyO3Wrz0-yLX-gkIE13MLBKBh9RD1zvJLVOXy-P_YgcqS1HmZZoweell77LMmdLDiV_-_Hzcx0vxPIzNzaBeH4chNKq1O5jSOgJDAcgmaOjFXAWlFk/s1600/Slide1.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy_WBcXaeDZUy2wP_y0s4eBsSIFyyO3Wrz0-yLX-gkIE13MLBKBh9RD1zvJLVOXy-P_YgcqS1HmZZoweell77LMmdLDiV_-_Hzcx0vxPIzNzaBeH4chNKq1O5jSOgJDAcgmaOjFXAWlFk/s400/Slide1.PNG" width="308" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I created an overview for the year with an estimated date to teach each unit. <br />I made one of these for every subject.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifO6mN7YdCzSw6h5zrUVnMh6UC8eFvGZhbIBspWqkvnkhvP7bd_uAiD3QSOIMX7zzykAS2CeMiQuwwKBstbbeeTGOHYlcbCDcT4iwScUY_XeigJ02v7Zk6ejH7Hdoyx8IBMSynd1oY9xU/s1600/Slide3.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifO6mN7YdCzSw6h5zrUVnMh6UC8eFvGZhbIBspWqkvnkhvP7bd_uAiD3QSOIMX7zzykAS2CeMiQuwwKBstbbeeTGOHYlcbCDcT4iwScUY_XeigJ02v7Zk6ejH7Hdoyx8IBMSynd1oY9xU/s400/Slide3.PNG" width="308" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Then I created a page(s) like this for each unit. I would list all available resources that I had in my files (i.e. task cards, games, online videos, etc.) so that I could pull out what I needed <br />based on the needs of my class that given year. This was even simpler when following a curriculum (i.e. Unit 1, Week 3). I would add key pieces of information to those (i.e. vocabulary, sight words, decodables, leveled readers, etc.). I would also add a section of copies and materials needed to make prep work easier. I used these pages year after year (obviously making some changes as needed), but for the most part my planning was done at the beginning of the year!<br /></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you want to give it a try, I set up a template for you. Feel free to <a href="https://1drv.ms/p/s!AjKDhynd-uP-l2I-snvKox1Uw7mk" target="_blank">download it</a> and adapt it to fit your needs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Well, that's all I can think of for now. Maybe it will give you a few ideas to try. What about you? Do you have any tips for us to work smarter, not harder? If so, leave them in the comments below!</span><br />
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<br />Teaching Little Miracleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15694650140067870645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4873401656090798277.post-45741569108652390462019-09-27T18:25:00.000-07:002019-09-27T18:33:54.489-07:00Small Group Warm-Up Activities!<div class="separator" id="ssnoshadow" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Hey there! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What are you up to on a Friday night? Here I am blogging...but hey, the house is quiet and I've had something that I've been wanting to share for awhile. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My daughter is actually home from college, but she wanted to go to the football game. My husband is at a men's recharge (preaching services). I cannot wait to spend some time with Harley tomorrow so I figured now was a good time to hop on and show you what has me so excited.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ever since learning more about the process of learning to read, I've been trying to find quick and easy ways to get a lot of practice into my intervention time with students. I'm pretty excited about two new things I'm using this year and want to share them with you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">First, SuperSpeed 100 for sight words. This is a FREE activity from <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Whole-Brain-Teaching-Official-Store" target="_blank">Whole Brain Teaching</a>. They also have SuperSpeed 1000. I am using this (along with their FREE Biffytoons for my youngest readers) to practice sight words and it literally takes only about 3 minutes of my intervention time and the kids are loving it. The best part is that I've already seen my 1st graders improving on their AimsWeb Plus Word Reading Progress Monitoring. Whoop! Whoop!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Second, is what I'm calling <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Phonics-Warm-Up-Activities-4898924" target="_blank">Phonics Warm-Up Activities</a>. I created these to use with my students as they progress through our explicit phonics and phonemic awareness lessons. My initial thought was to have students warm-up using the boards by reading the line of words with our targeted sound, but now I see that the possibilities are endless! Here's a peek at some of my students using the boards:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The boards can be used in small groups, as a center activity, or when students have extra time in the classroom. They can be used as a warm-up activity, roll-and-read, decoding practice, fluency practice, or as an orthographic mapping activity. My latest idea is to play "Bingo" by giving students sound hints to find specific words. I'm going to try this out next week. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Like the SuperSpeed games, these activities are simple to prep (print and go) and don't take a lot of my intervention time to get lots of practice in. The boards start with short vowels and progress through more difficult skills. You can check them out in our <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Phonics-Warm-Up-Activities-4898924" target="_blank">TPT store</a> for a full list of skills covered if you're interested. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Enjoy your weekend! I know I'm going to enjoy seeing Harley...miss my kiddos so much (thankfully they still text and/or call quite a bit ;-))!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVSF0eLjXIzByHOKnDQcRLDYcqsnLJS68NPrW6BtHru5ii7KmGFDUS91vZg_9wbHFH1N9n5_6oLEJ7HCPkRSpOTaU-z76-m70hRew2NL1walwfosZ-A86wagKkTtx36O20TF1P0xRU83-s/s1600/Crystal.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="nopin" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVSF0eLjXIzByHOKnDQcRLDYcqsnLJS68NPrW6BtHru5ii7KmGFDUS91vZg_9wbHFH1N9n5_6oLEJ7HCPkRSpOTaU-z76-m70hRew2NL1walwfosZ-A86wagKkTtx36O20TF1P0xRU83-s/s1600/Crystal.png" /></a></div>
<br />Teaching Little Miracleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15694650140067870645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4873401656090798277.post-28862304818720817312019-09-02T13:00:00.000-07:002019-09-02T13:00:56.185-07:00Check Out My Offices...or Classrooms!<div class="separator" id="ssnoshadow" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I call them offices. I guess they could be considered tiny classrooms. Either way, here is a peek at my work spaces for this year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Before we get into that, here is my first day of school picture. A selfie--which I'm not great at--because my husband had already left for work. This is the first year I have no kids in my picture! I had just left them in Oklahoma for college on Sunday.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU94NOvMlBt4dtO7bHN56bdxvOJ3YWPax1RamrilkU9TcP8rJm7p47VVbD9Lt4rZLCLULn88S7glFu-ytzD0efuz-Od-JYPDO3bcRdMM_BKfvXfUsQ4CvYHQ6zopKvMPHe0ZOlgHgpG2w/s1600/IMG_1514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1544" data-original-width="1160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU94NOvMlBt4dtO7bHN56bdxvOJ3YWPax1RamrilkU9TcP8rJm7p47VVbD9Lt4rZLCLULn88S7glFu-ytzD0efuz-Od-JYPDO3bcRdMM_BKfvXfUsQ4CvYHQ6zopKvMPHe0ZOlgHgpG2w/s320/IMG_1514.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I wanted to take it in front of my new "inspirational" arrangement--turns out I would need those phrases!</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU94NOvMlBt4dtO7bHN56bdxvOJ3YWPax1RamrilkU9TcP8rJm7p47VVbD9Lt4rZLCLULn88S7glFu-ytzD0efuz-Od-JYPDO3bcRdMM_BKfvXfUsQ4CvYHQ6zopKvMPHe0ZOlgHgpG2w/s1600/IMG_1514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJSG0sAp3FECSDVArUPU_ym3jUeZe5cPmD9e7AOxhXBDJW0XjoDI-5Yln8xgLAFvE01oW4lKq8HbJGu_KMQ8_aBADA0Q7olBqSL_2Ghx4DXAmygajDbSl3j7Zv2yTUV4Mjq_nQz6r3IBk/s1600/58855482450__547343BC-D0C2-433C-8C8D-9D7107F64E85.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJSG0sAp3FECSDVArUPU_ym3jUeZe5cPmD9e7AOxhXBDJW0XjoDI-5Yln8xgLAFvE01oW4lKq8HbJGu_KMQ8_aBADA0Q7olBqSL_2Ghx4DXAmygajDbSl3j7Zv2yTUV4Mjq_nQz6r3IBk/s320/58855482450__547343BC-D0C2-433C-8C8D-9D7107F64E85.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This one too.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My first day was actually miserable. It had nothing to do with school though. Without unnecessary details, let's just say we had money stolen and feared our identities and accounts were compromised. It made for a busy week of closing accounts, opening new ones, etc. All is well now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These pics are of my K-2 office/classroom: </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcUrWHVMCM1Pp2kmPsup0_xSeLuj90oXfc-HQEJRsUcCyC8KnZ5tm5wKqotrTjvmbS6wBDQsWesgmzeacDyfYvM7P-jNkvxPEf3ecWLmA4ko-5L9vMlqfqw9SYhRHzEqtKBZ4vFnVdHtY/s1600/IMG_1531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcUrWHVMCM1Pp2kmPsup0_xSeLuj90oXfc-HQEJRsUcCyC8KnZ5tm5wKqotrTjvmbS6wBDQsWesgmzeacDyfYvM7P-jNkvxPEf3ecWLmA4ko-5L9vMlqfqw9SYhRHzEqtKBZ4vFnVdHtY/s320/IMG_1531.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">My daughter made the wall files for me out of pine 1x3's and 1x2's for the depth. I always get questions, so thought I'd try to help you out even though I'm probably not explaining it well. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU-6k2eZhhyphenhyphenjXOgVwF3_0WA37v1iUXHDAzQrAMRt31u2AemN-RJ3E8DgI35pf9Abwh1MLpythHmyTbwDvibuTxL0tztwmfhU6FZcDtWFXJuwK0rsHrqViS_wWtTia4DOdQHcelDtZDqKA/s1600/IMG_1532.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU-6k2eZhhyphenhyphenjXOgVwF3_0WA37v1iUXHDAzQrAMRt31u2AemN-RJ3E8DgI35pf9Abwh1MLpythHmyTbwDvibuTxL0tztwmfhU6FZcDtWFXJuwK0rsHrqViS_wWtTia4DOdQHcelDtZDqKA/s320/IMG_1532.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I love my brain poster. :-)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFsNeJ6stl2MIDbftBWYMQ86RZnYME9BWV60h7IfKGID1qax5TrJAdxqL3XyiGZr1VCx1Q2X6e6CuKAWjNT2qrm3PHkD4aV46NfJsg5zlOWo_SuCgnaihktbgegrYhH2Hjx9bo9h0dmNg/s1600/IMG_1533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFsNeJ6stl2MIDbftBWYMQ86RZnYME9BWV60h7IfKGID1qax5TrJAdxqL3XyiGZr1VCx1Q2X6e6CuKAWjNT2qrm3PHkD4aV46NfJsg5zlOWo_SuCgnaihktbgegrYhH2Hjx9bo9h0dmNg/s320/IMG_1533.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Segment and Write boards from Pathways to Reading. </span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLWlHDeeUDaanEUBd5zwXdyVk_AJ7nsviE_-ifub7akYTL05y1N13V9x1ZmDSHFAhX1I3XyKwCLHiODhojgoyMEVuTXQ1ekeewNcAAvuPOii3WKyMHXr9GiuQiOBPvDj3hu7fMY8__wzQ/s1600/IMG_1534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLWlHDeeUDaanEUBd5zwXdyVk_AJ7nsviE_-ifub7akYTL05y1N13V9x1ZmDSHFAhX1I3XyKwCLHiODhojgoyMEVuTXQ1ekeewNcAAvuPOii3WKyMHXr9GiuQiOBPvDj3hu7fMY8__wzQ/s320/IMG_1534.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVsk_Cajjy4YkL5JF2NtIF2qOTjTVgLESzfsO8m7ZvXJnlHQdkkZiHbi5f_bYBgmiw4uYfTadjjClloFAf0aDO2X8_Kwfa0qsQvt0HoBqIobBgVwsylaPqgjXS_knB-c-gdRxKIokW2Dk/s1600/IMG_1535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVsk_Cajjy4YkL5JF2NtIF2qOTjTVgLESzfsO8m7ZvXJnlHQdkkZiHbi5f_bYBgmiw4uYfTadjjClloFAf0aDO2X8_Kwfa0qsQvt0HoBqIobBgVwsylaPqgjXS_knB-c-gdRxKIokW2Dk/s320/IMG_1535.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">It took me all week to get this counter cleaned off! :-)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7he6ELkB2NpsPMLl0Z2QtHdThTGEBVXFRuFT-5uKVbJMpgTMbr5Wc5JDDsajVT7_Wm7dL8SCvABwHOwSv7k5K_DrYuvqDSuj-ynm_1D0ftfmL8x-7R7op9M91u25Vx2dix1EYyTjGh6I/s1600/IMG_1536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7he6ELkB2NpsPMLl0Z2QtHdThTGEBVXFRuFT-5uKVbJMpgTMbr5Wc5JDDsajVT7_Wm7dL8SCvABwHOwSv7k5K_DrYuvqDSuj-ynm_1D0ftfmL8x-7R7op9M91u25Vx2dix1EYyTjGh6I/s320/IMG_1536.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">New cart...no idea yet what I will use it for. Thoughts?</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVtlc2CLOkA6rHfpr7DE-ibraVOjzySUuXnchjZ5qpA05fDC-z4VdVQ6UoWH0k4A5YzYZw9phDb44hITo55wpATMvWGmcPQ9hM5dEIjqh8Azq0PqAYP8L_sJGu4T-H970Gnals2jDy_i8/s1600/IMG_1537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVtlc2CLOkA6rHfpr7DE-ibraVOjzySUuXnchjZ5qpA05fDC-z4VdVQ6UoWH0k4A5YzYZw9phDb44hITo55wpATMvWGmcPQ9hM5dEIjqh8Azq0PqAYP8L_sJGu4T-H970Gnals2jDy_i8/s320/IMG_1537.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Two main rules of time with Mrs. Ratcliff. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These next few pictures are of things I helped put together in the teachers' lounge and/or office. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU757Qk196Nd_M3B71EjMqs1XENvRFpBvaBCp4JD0V1W-c5DNDenb8pb3W3SQnIMdkhlJfsfHs6miFdroOCcdEo6_ez-p0Gs1xbqxp2iivzxnZ-I0ZPlaioetzamdsAFTPIUKRIMO6c3M/s1600/IMG_1538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="959" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU757Qk196Nd_M3B71EjMqs1XENvRFpBvaBCp4JD0V1W-c5DNDenb8pb3W3SQnIMdkhlJfsfHs6miFdroOCcdEo6_ez-p0Gs1xbqxp2iivzxnZ-I0ZPlaioetzamdsAFTPIUKRIMO6c3M/s320/IMG_1538.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A couple of other teachers and I formed a P.O.P. (Power of Prayer) group a couple of years ago. We are a small district, so we divide the entire staff and board members into a weekly prayer list and cycle through it 3 times a year. We also display a verse of the week. At each building we have a weekly prayer meeting open to any staff that wants to join us. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwl7tCzxE6XuQMBAR09RZUQZ2_W6aWlk4oyC8jj8qkLvQC0_R4cKDn-M0NZ7dww7U_h5JDCuukW10KXhx1DSA8K5fo9r_quUCAzruwnKbqI2SIJ0u6B5XJZMYkx6wjjXTLDMWrc8rC00Q/s1600/IMG_1539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwl7tCzxE6XuQMBAR09RZUQZ2_W6aWlk4oyC8jj8qkLvQC0_R4cKDn-M0NZ7dww7U_h5JDCuukW10KXhx1DSA8K5fo9r_quUCAzruwnKbqI2SIJ0u6B5XJZMYkx6wjjXTLDMWrc8rC00Q/s320/IMG_1539.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Finding time to meet as a staff is a challenge, so we have this calendar in the lounge to try and keep everyone updated on what is going on. </span> </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqW2PmmgQ6-ECarvrdDgehPcqZ_sLyyDE-sHc5g1llSbCDG-FRDWtVLx2A3RDvWhDOPGJC7HeJWZUkqpviOIQW4Oc5rOGiVQbmegq1jFo9YVLQTQwL_l2ZfC6U-2ikzLiUmwG2s4SsmO0/s320/IMG_1542.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I put together one of these in both buildings for staff to recognize staff. These are from <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Staff-Morale-Boosters-EDITABLE-2118522" target="_blank">Staff Morale Boosters</a> pack on TPT. The pack included some other fun things as well. Looking forward to spreading some "cheer" this year!</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqW2PmmgQ6-ECarvrdDgehPcqZ_sLyyDE-sHc5g1llSbCDG-FRDWtVLx2A3RDvWhDOPGJC7HeJWZUkqpviOIQW4Oc5rOGiVQbmegq1jFo9YVLQTQwL_l2ZfC6U-2ikzLiUmwG2s4SsmO0/s1600/IMG_1542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqW2PmmgQ6-ECarvrdDgehPcqZ_sLyyDE-sHc5g1llSbCDG-FRDWtVLx2A3RDvWhDOPGJC7HeJWZUkqpviOIQW4Oc5rOGiVQbmegq1jFo9YVLQTQwL_l2ZfC6U-2ikzLiUmwG2s4SsmO0/s1600/IMG_1542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Everyday at 1:30, I drive 20 minutes to the 3-12 building. This is my office/classroom where I work with 3rd-5th graders. I haven't made it as homey (other than the futon), but maybe some day. </span> </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Excuse the mess on the table. Getting ready to plan/prep for MTSS groups.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Brain poster again! I'm planning to add the words: What's Happening in your Brain while you are Reading...</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have to admit, my first full week was extra long. I'm thankful it was also revival week at my church even though it made for late nights. The services helped keep my focus on the eternal after going through that first awful day, especially this sermon: <a href="https://www.templebaptisteldorado.com/media/are-you-fixated-on-the-right-thing/" target="_blank">Are you fixated on the right thing?</a> I highly recommend it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm rested up and ready to get back to it tomorrow! We're hoping to finish up testing this week, so I can start working with kids next week. Woohoo!</span></div>
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<br />Teaching Little Miracleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15694650140067870645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4873401656090798277.post-52040951981161145772019-08-25T16:01:00.001-07:002019-08-25T16:01:40.435-07:00New Year, New Grade!!!<div class="separator" id="ssnoshadow" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Hi, well I know it has been quite awhile since I have done a blog post. Let's be honest, life has just been busy like we all know. I'm glad to be making a blog post again after a long time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When I first started my teaching career, I started in Special Education and taught it for four years. Then I went to first grade for a year and looped up to second grade. I taught second grade for a couple years and then went back down to first grade and have been in first for the past 15 years. The opportunity came up this year for me to move back to second grade and I'm excited to say that I am now teaching second grade. I have always loved first grade, but really enjoyed second grade as well when I taught it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The downside was that I had to move. Although, there is a good thing about moving...it makes you or should I say me clean out and throw out what I don't use anymore!! So, I made the move and changed rooms. Since I would be in a new room, I decided to use some of the <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Mint-Owls-Theme-Classroom-Decor-Pack-2012629" target="_blank">mint owl theme</a> that we have on <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Mint-Owls-Theme-Classroom-Decor-Pack-2012629" target="_blank">TPT</a>. I actually started school 1 1/2 weeks ago with kids. I am loving 2nd grade! Below are some pictures of what my room looks like now. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSJN_Y8zJeqjUUlzSixiTgliO-7fCpVdFhswoEVEcESMy88XB3QVNuoonfBiuzjcQBmoCzpMsxyFOI_zNPBnU-q_2wGk0WEabo9CklvuLALw4eUomCIPZIsMkMwdksRPxX5LK-D71iygE/s1600/owl2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSJN_Y8zJeqjUUlzSixiTgliO-7fCpVdFhswoEVEcESMy88XB3QVNuoonfBiuzjcQBmoCzpMsxyFOI_zNPBnU-q_2wGk0WEabo9CklvuLALw4eUomCIPZIsMkMwdksRPxX5LK-D71iygE/s400/owl2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Our reading area</div>
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An extra work area. On the back board will be where I will show off their good work.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaf9u5PMpweRS2TfA1FuPUEyzZfWZmK4KwSnhdImZt3vvUOxyrVBDer0s1hzBM97jeUuCep7eZGc7fDnO5hCcNCzNJRk-YlUO-G6ZwcGknLTFN1BensNMgG_3vgc_22bxLFN5vg-Y5wXc/s1600/owl5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaf9u5PMpweRS2TfA1FuPUEyzZfWZmK4KwSnhdImZt3vvUOxyrVBDer0s1hzBM97jeUuCep7eZGc7fDnO5hCcNCzNJRk-YlUO-G6ZwcGknLTFN1BensNMgG_3vgc_22bxLFN5vg-Y5wXc/s400/owl5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Word Wall</div>
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Calendar-I had to put a post it note on Friday because I tell the kids that day is my Sad Day because I don't get to see them on the weekends. So we call it my Sad Day instead of Friday.</div>
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Material area and where we do our lunch count and milk count.</div>
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Another sitting area</div>
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My small group area</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjppH0fJHxoV19CGvIfFbRhyphenhyphenOVZNqzM3M_a8LfTrnZRxffaAPV8KIBT9bMjVeN9FKZmINfEOsJ2kqnYr6Av1jx1_MEOpRrvfapF8KYy07xfprJIWO7e4_UC_5qOyEqqDrNFsFKXXTHBpg/s1600/owl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjppH0fJHxoV19CGvIfFbRhyphenhyphenOVZNqzM3M_a8LfTrnZRxffaAPV8KIBT9bMjVeN9FKZmINfEOsJ2kqnYr6Av1jx1_MEOpRrvfapF8KYy07xfprJIWO7e4_UC_5qOyEqqDrNFsFKXXTHBpg/s400/owl.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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My dollar tree find-this room that I moved into doesn't have as much storage area as my other room. I found these baskets at dollar tree and got chalkboard labels to label each one of them. It definitely helped with more storage area. </div>
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Hope all of you are having a great year so far if you have started back!</div>
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Teaching Little Miracleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15694650140067870645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4873401656090798277.post-55707632908687758842019-08-05T13:03:00.000-07:002019-08-05T13:03:06.855-07:00Curious About Our Top Five Selling Products???<div class="separator" id="ssnoshadow" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I have confession to make. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I pretty much only shop on Teachers Pay Teachers during a sale (which the BIG one happens to start tomorrow). </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I know. I know.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You're thinking, "You're a TPT seller!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yes, I am. We are. Kristi and both are pretty similar in this area. In all honesty, both of our districts provide great curriculum and we only buy (or make) things that supplement it. Hence the reason we have so many "I have...who has...?" games in our store. We aren't looking to rewrite curriculum or make millions on TPT. We have just made some things over the years that we like and thought other teachers might like too. :-)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Neither of us spend a lot of money on our classrooms either. Some might call us cheap...or wise...or both? I've purchased only 1 thing all summer, and that was mostly because one of my teacher friends needed someone to split the pack with her and I knew I needed another one for all my "I Have...Who Has...?" games. Ha!</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I love these things... I now have 3 of them! :-)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, since the back-to-school sale is upon us, I thought I'd share the five top selling products from our store. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Drum roll, please. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">#5 - </span><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Diphthong-oi-and-oy-Game-Pack-220520" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">Diphthong oi and oy Game Pack</a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">#4 - </span><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/-r-Controlled-Vowels-er-Sound-Game-Pack-218755" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">-r Controlled /er/ Sound Game Pack</a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">#3 - </span><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Vowel-Digraphs-aw-and-au-Game-Pack-217001" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">Vowel Digraphs /aw/ and /au/ Game Pack</a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">#2 - </span><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Diphthong-ou-and-ow-Game-Pack-220511" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">Diphthong OU and OW Game Pack</a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">#1 - </span><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/I-Have-Who-Has-Time-to-Hour-and-Half-Hour-258428" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">I Have Who Has - Time to Hour and Half Hour</a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In my role as a reading specialist, I use the vowel diphthong and digraph games A LOT. Those more difficult vowel patterns take lots of repetitions for my kiddos. Even if we've moved on to another skill, these games are a quick and easy review for my readers. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the classroom, Kristi and I both love to immerse our kiddos in the "sound of the week" from our curriculum. I mean if we are working on the /oi/, /oy/ sound, we will play songs during transition times with that sound. Students will read decodable stories with that sound. Word work activities will be centered around that sound. The Connect 4 games from our packs with that sound make a great partner activity either during word work or as an option when work is complete. We use the "I Have...Who Has...?" in small groups or as a whole class when there was a few minutes to fill. The last year I was in the second grade classroom, I would put the "I Have... Who Has...?" game out as a morning tub activity as they trickled in after breakfast. I loved seeing my kiddos practice that sound by choice! :-)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you're shopping the sale, have fun! Watch out for those sellers that raise their prices during the sale--ugh! That happened to me last year, and of course, I decided I did not need that product after all...because I'm cheap, you know. ;-)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">P.S. I report back 2 weeks from today!!!</span></div>
<br />Teaching Little Miracleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15694650140067870645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4873401656090798277.post-68903062063071215312019-07-28T16:00:00.000-07:002019-07-28T16:00:07.428-07:00Summer Break and Looking Ahead!<div class="separator" id="ssnoshadow" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Hello there! I hope you are having a wonderful summer break and not working too hard yet to get your room ready. ;-)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I thought I'd pop in and catch you up on my summer break and upcoming life changes. I know we've been pretty quiet here, but I'm hopeful that will change <i>a little</i> this year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">1. I finished my Master's Degree as a PreK-12 Reading Specialist and passed the Praxis exam! Whoop! Whoop! I am so thankful to be DONE. This will be my first year in my position as the Title I teacher that I don't also have homework on the brain.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">2. I took up kayaking with a teacher friend. We ventured out almost weekly this summer, and I'm so thankful she invited me to try something new. I tend to want to be home all day, every day in the summer to recover from the busy year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">3. I started volunteering once a week at <a href="http://www.hope4kansas.com/" target="_blank">The Pregnancy and Family Resource Center</a>. It was a little outside my comfort zone in the beginning, but I felt called to get involved beyond saying, "I'm pro-life." It has been a blessing to get to know new people who have a love for the Lord and a desire to help people.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">4. Vacation to Chicago! I never would have picked the destination (I'm a small town girl), but my son is interning there this summer. We had a good time doing all the "touristy" things...Navy Pier, Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower), Lake Michigan, Buckingham Fountain, Cloud Gate ("The Bean"), Lincoln Park Zoo, and of course, pizza. I personally felt that Auerilo's was the best, with Giordano's taking a close second. ;-) </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My favorite part of the trip, though, was getting to meet all the people at </span><a href="https://stbt.org/" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">Sauk Trail Baptist Temple</a><span style="font-size: large;"> in Richton Park! Such a sweet spirit! It was a little overwhelming to meet this wonderful congregation who had taken in my son, took excellent care of him, and invested in him and his future in ministry. If you want to read more about that, you can click over to </span><a href="http://www.authorcrystalratcliff.com/when-your-kid-becomes-a-preacher/" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">my author blog</a><span style="font-size: large;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">5. Writing. I've been working on my 2nd Bible study this summer. The progress has been slower than I would like because of finishing up my Master's, but I'm hoping to move a little more quickly now. Click here for my first study, <a href="https://amzn.to/313KxTD" target="_blank">There's a Fly in my Tea</a>!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">6. Trim Healthy Mama. I've been eating the Trim Healthy Mama (THM) way since October 2017. I lost 18 pounds by March 2018 and have maintained that. It has become a big part of me, so I had to share. I love the food freedom that I've found (remember I ate pizza <i>twice </i>on vacation--Ha!). </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The plan just makes sense to me. It doesn't cut out whole food groups (i.e. carbs). It is not a quick fix. It does take some effort and smart food choices. Going back to that pizza...if I had wanted to stay on plan, I would have just scraped the toppings off and ate that with my salad. When I do choose to eat off plan (which is rarely because I feel so much better eating this way), I just get back on plan with my next meal or snack. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">7. Now...looking ahead. I report back to work on August 19th. I will have three days of inservice before taking Thursday (the first day of school) and Friday off to take my youngest to college. Both my kids will be away at college this year. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This year will be quite different for us. No kids at home. No more homework (YAY!). I am still coaching volleyball--chose to give up basketball to free us up to visit Chaz and Harley. I'm excited for a slower pace! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I hope to share some ideas and information from the Reading Specialist point of view this coming year. </span></div>
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Teaching Little Miracleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15694650140067870645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4873401656090798277.post-92080577466116844142019-05-09T04:09:00.000-07:002019-05-09T04:09:20.905-07:00What's Your ONE Thing???<div class="SCXW176208549 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="TextRun SCXW176208549 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Well, hello ther</span><span class="TextRun SCXW176208549 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">e, strangers!</span></span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW176208549 BCX0" paraeid="{9161175a-a0b5-41df-b8bd-16e0e72c1376}{166}" paraid="1955093044" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="TextRun SCXW176208549 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">I know it has been a long time. I know. But something happens to me when I have free time. I write. I write about my two passions—the Lord (working on my 2</span><span class="TextRun SCXW176208549 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176208549 BCX0" data-fontsize="11" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: super;">nd</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176208549 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> Bible study) and teaching.</span><span class="EOP SCXW176208549 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW176208549 BCX0" paraeid="{9161175a-a0b5-41df-b8bd-16e0e72c1376}{174}" paraid="1308515300" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="TextRun SCXW176208549 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Why do I have free time? </span><span class="EOP SCXW176208549 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="EOP SCXW176208549 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW176208549" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW176208549 BCX0" paraeid="{9161175a-a0b5-41df-b8bd-16e0e72c1376}{178}" paraid="102214469" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="TextRun SCXW176208549 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Two reasons.</span><span class="EOP SCXW176208549 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></div>
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<ol class="NumberListStyle1 SCXW176208549 BCX0" role="list" start="1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; cursor: text; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">
<li aria-setsize="-1" class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW176208549" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-font="Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" data-leveltext="%1." data-listid="1" role="listitem" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; display: block; margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="Paragraph SCXW176208549 BCX0" paraeid="{9161175a-a0b5-41df-b8bd-16e0e72c1376}{182}" paraid="120655860" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="TextRun SCXW176208549 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">I do not coach a spring sport. </span><span class="EOP SCXW176208549 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true,"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></div>
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<div class="SCXW176208549 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">
<div class="ListContainerWrapper SCXW176208549 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<ol class="NumberListStyle1 SCXW176208549 BCX0" role="list" start="2" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; cursor: text; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">
<li aria-setsize="-1" class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW176208549" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-font="Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" data-leveltext="%1." data-listid="1" role="listitem" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; display: block; margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="Paragraph SCXW176208549 BCX0" paraeid="{9161175a-a0b5-41df-b8bd-16e0e72c1376}{189}" paraid="1731549092" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="TextRun SCXW176208549 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">I have a few weeks off from my master’s classes (which I will finish this summer—If you could see me, you’d know I’m doing the happy dance about that!!!!)</span><span class="EOP SCXW176208549 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true,"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></div>
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<li aria-setsize="-1" class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW176208549" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-font="Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" data-leveltext="%1." data-listid="1" role="listitem" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; display: block; margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="Paragraph SCXW176208549 BCX0" paraeid="{9161175a-a0b5-41df-b8bd-16e0e72c1376}{189}" paraid="1731549092" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="EOP SCXW176208549 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true,"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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</ol>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW176208549" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW176208549 BCX0" paraeid="{9161175a-a0b5-41df-b8bd-16e0e72c1376}{196}" paraid="750080443" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW176208549 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So...my passion for teaching has prompted me to hop back on here and write a little something for the blog.</span></span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW176208549 BCX0" paraeid="{9161175a-a0b5-41df-b8bd-16e0e72c1376}{196}" paraid="750080443" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="TextRun SCXW176208549 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="EOP SCXW176208549 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW176208549 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW176208549 BCX0" paraeid="{9161175a-a0b5-41df-b8bd-16e0e72c1376}{200}" paraid="533434096" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="TextRun SCXW176208549 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Every year that I have been teaching, I choose one thing that I want to work on over the summer. One thing that I want to improve in my teaching. </span><span class="EOP SCXW176208549 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="EOP SCXW176208549 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW176208549 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW176208549 BCX0" paraeid="{9161175a-a0b5-41df-b8bd-16e0e72c1376}{204}" paraid="1251168585" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="TextRun SCXW176208549 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Why?</span><span class="EOP SCXW176208549 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="EOP SCXW176208549 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW176208549 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW176208549 BCX0" paraeid="{9161175a-a0b5-41df-b8bd-16e0e72c1376}{208}" paraid="1895196643" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="TextRun SCXW176208549 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">I’m the type of person that always wants to improve, to continue to learn and grow, to be the best that I can be. By choosing just one thing, it makes it a manageable goal that doesn’t eat away at my summer vacation and it also makes it easy to focus on implementing in the new school year. I know in the past, I’ve blogged about “too many great ideas syndrome.” You know...when you see so many wonderful things and you try to implement them all and you don’t end up executing any of them well.</span><span class="EOP SCXW176208549 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW176208549 BCX0" paraeid="{9161175a-a0b5-41df-b8bd-16e0e72c1376}{208}" paraid="1895196643" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="EOP SCXW176208549 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW176208549 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW176208549 BCX0" paraeid="{9161175a-a0b5-41df-b8bd-16e0e72c1376}{212}" paraid="1522052581" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="TextRun SCXW176208549 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">My “one thing” has been writing...enter Writing Workshop which completely transformed my writing instruction and gave my littles the confidence to be authors!</span><span class="EOP SCXW176208549 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW176208549 BCX0" paraeid="{9161175a-a0b5-41df-b8bd-16e0e72c1376}{212}" paraid="1522052581" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="EOP SCXW176208549 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW176208549 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW176208549 BCX0" paraeid="{9161175a-a0b5-41df-b8bd-16e0e72c1376}{216}" paraid="526516555" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="TextRun SCXW176208549 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">My “one thing” has been small group instruction...enter Daily 5 which allowed me to structure my literacy block in a way to meet the needs of all learners, engage my students who were not in my group in authentic reading and writing tasks, and prompted me to make time for one-on-one conferencing.</span><span class="EOP SCXW176208549 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="EOP SCXW176208549 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW176208549 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW176208549 BCX0" paraeid="{9161175a-a0b5-41df-b8bd-16e0e72c1376}{220}" paraid="59555473" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="TextRun SCXW176208549 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">My “one thing” has been small group math...enter math rotations which involved a whole group mini-lesson followed by small groups with targeted instruction and meaningful activities to review, practice, and extend math.</span><span class="EOP SCXW176208549 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="EOP SCXW176208549 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW176208549 BCX0" paraeid="{9161175a-a0b5-41df-b8bd-16e0e72c1376}{224}" paraid="794750026" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="TextRun SCXW176208549 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">My “one thing” has been Whole Brain Teaching...that </span><span class="TextRun SCXW176208549 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="AdvancedProofingIssue SCXW176208549 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">actually took</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176208549 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> two summers! First, I added attention getters and teaching strategies. Then, I added the Super Improver wall.</span><span class="EOP SCXW176208549 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW176208549 BCX0" paraeid="{9161175a-a0b5-41df-b8bd-16e0e72c1376}{232}" paraid="895811747" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="TextRun SCXW176208549 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">I could go on...but those are some big things that I researched and studied to implement in my classroom</span><span class="TextRun SCXW176208549 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">. Self-directed professional development really is the best kind!</span><span class="EOP SCXW176208549 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW176208549 BCX0" paraeid="{9161175a-a0b5-41df-b8bd-16e0e72c1376}{236}" paraid="2087706294" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="TextRun SCXW176208549 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">This year in my role as the reading specialist, my “one thing” is to create a stream-lined process for gathering information and diagnostic testing of students who are referred to me, progress monitoring, and communicating that information to teachers and parents. I’ve got a few ideas...I just need to do some research, see how things are done in other schools, and form a plan that works for me.</span><span class="EOP SCXW176208549 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="TextRun SCXW176208549 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">What’s your “one thing”?</span><span class="EOP SCXW176208549 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></div>
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<br />Teaching Little Miracleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15694650140067870645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4873401656090798277.post-14880012195017261242018-09-27T04:03:00.000-07:002018-09-27T04:03:46.875-07:00Check Out My New Room!<div class="separator" id="ssnoshadow" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Hello there! I know it has been awhile. You might remember I am in the middle of getting my reading specialist degree, and between that, teaching, and coaching volleyball, I have very little free time right now. I'm lucky if I can keep my tradition of a Sunday afternoon nap! ;-)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, I had to make a video of the literacy spaces for a class I am in, and I knew you all would like to see it. I just moved into this space this year. I'm super excited about the windows!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The good news for me...volleyball season is winding down a bit. This Saturday will be the 6th tournament in a row, and then I actually have a Saturday at home next week! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What will I ever do with myself? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Probably laundry, clean the house, or homework... :-)</span></div>
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<br />Teaching Little Miracleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15694650140067870645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4873401656090798277.post-55155244455596217202018-07-16T08:24:00.001-07:002018-07-16T08:24:46.328-07:00It's Okay to Take a Break!<div class="separator" id="ssnoshadow" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Hey there, teacher friends! This post is probably long overdue. Kristi and I have both taken a planned break from blogging and we meant to post even this some time ago. We didn't...partly because we feel a little bad for taking a break. Even as I type that, I know it sounds crazy, but it is true. Let me see if I can explain...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We started this blog because we had been so inspired by other teacher-bloggers. It combined two of my passions--writing and teaching. Kristi was willing to join me on this crazy journey, and we have both enjoyed the connections we've made and sharing our classrooms with you the last several years.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A couple of years ago, some of my favorite bloggers were blogging less and less. They would explain life changes had made blogging less of a priority. Some were putting out surveys about how much their posts were being read or did their readers prefer Instagram or Twitter over reading a blog post, etc. I didn't understand it at the time. I was still reading blog posts and loving it! Two years later and now I understand...it's about seasons of life. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We are all in different seasons of life. This last year I took on a new position at work, coached two sports, started working toward my Masters Degree as a Reading Specialist, added an online presence as an author, stayed committed to my church involvement, and let's not forget the most important role of wife and mother. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In all honesty, this last year was TOUGH and I'm gearing up for another one just like it so that I can finish my degree program. I thought about taking a break from the program...just for a year while my daughter finishes her senior year...but I know it would make going back that much more difficult. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For awhile, I felt a sense of guilt for not blogging here at Teaching Little Miracles more frequently. Kristi and I have had a "schedule" of how we divided up our posts, and I was not keeping up my end of the deal. I felt like I was letting YOU (our readers) and Kristi down. Kristi understood, and now that I'm sharing my heart, I'm sure you all will understand too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">All that to say...I now realize it's okay to take a break! Kristi and I both decided we needed a real break this summer. No pressure of blogging. No guilt for not doing it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We'll see you back here in August (without all the pressure and guilt of a self-imposed "schedule" of blogging)! I hope you are having a wonderful summer!</span></div>
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<br />Teaching Little Miracleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15694650140067870645noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4873401656090798277.post-26656760910702483902018-06-06T15:30:00.000-07:002018-06-06T15:30:07.446-07:00Wisdom for Wednesday-Kneeling<div class="separator" id="ssnoshadow" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Welcome to this week's:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I love this quote and I actually have it hanging up in my office as a reminder to me. I know that there are many times for all of us that our days get so busy and things can really get overwhelming. Then on top of these busy days comes the trials that we may have to face and all of it can just become too overwhelming. I find myself in that situation at times and see this quote hanging up and realize that I need to take more time to pray. I know how important prayer is and try to make it a routine in my life, but I will admit that there are times when I feel busy and overwhelmed that my prayer life starts to lack. Those times of busyness and trials are times that I need to make sure that I take even more time for my prayer life because God is the one that will help me through it all!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Have a great day!</span></div>
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<br />Teaching Little Miracleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15694650140067870645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4873401656090798277.post-69630048271226560732018-05-25T08:52:00.000-07:002018-05-25T08:52:01.497-07:00Catching Up with Pictures<div class="" id="ssnoshadow" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Good morning! Yep, you guessed it. I am officially on summer break. :-)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I know I have been MIA on the blog lately so I wanted to catch up and pictures are the best, so...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My kiddos have kept me extra busy for the last month or so. I'm very proud of them and their accomplishments, but I can honestly say I'm most proud of their humble attitude in the midst of it all.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Harley's drawing was featured in the Kansas Congressional Art Competition and on display at Mark Arts in Wichita, Kansas. This was titled "Cosmo" which was her horse's name. We still miss him! </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Chaz (in the middle) graduated along with two of his cousins. He was valedictorian of his class and kept us busy with a Governor's Award ceremony, filming for Top of the Class award, graduation parties, and finally, the graduation. If you're curious about where he is headed and how this mom is feeling about that, <a href="http://www.authorcrystalratcliff.com/the-end-or-the-beginning/" target="_blank">check out this blog post on my author site</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I had the privilege of speaking at a "Mothers and Others Luncheon" on May 5th for a church in Dexter, Kansas. Many of the ladies had gone through my Bible study, <a href="https://amzn.to/2xeAnFA" target="_blank">There's a Fly in My Tea</a>! It was fun to meet the ladies and the picture above was my table of supporters who went with me. Pictured L to R: my niece, Harley, my mom, my mother-in-law, my sister, and me.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Dexter ladies had such a sweet spirit. These flies were a fun gift they gave me! :-)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Harley turned 17! She will be a senior next year!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These signs were made by a kiddo in what I would say was my most challenging reading group this year. They kept me on my toes, but we had a good time. And as you can see, we became best friends forever. ;-) I had these kiddos as 2nd graders so it was fun to have them again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've been doing a Proverbs challenge on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/crystallratcliff/" target="_blank">author Facebook page</a>. Feel free to join us!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After 22 years of marriage and remodeling two different homes, my husband is finally getting the garage of his dreams. Yes, I took the picture through the window. I didn't want the workers to think I was a weirdo snapping pictures of them!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Exciting school news! We are getting a preschool next year! Hip Hip Hooray! I cannot even begin to explain how needed this is in our rural community. However, to make room for the Pre-K, we are doing a lot of rearranging. This will be my new space. I'm excited for the window, but not the necessarily the work to set it up. I literally moved my stuff in, shut the door, and left it. Ugh! Once it is painted and I get some storage shelves, I'll start trying to settle in.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When people ask me what I'm doing this summer...homework? At least for the next four weeks. My summer Masters classes already started and they are fast paced. Maybe ask me again at the first of July??? ;-)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's wishing you a wonderful summer filled with rest and relaxation!</span></div>
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<br />Teaching Little Miracleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15694650140067870645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4873401656090798277.post-88990461883991921772018-05-20T05:54:00.001-07:002018-05-20T05:54:56.137-07:002 Days and End of Year Book<div class="separator" id="ssnoshadow" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Wow, when I look back this year has really gone fast. We are down to 2 days left. It doesn't seem possible that school is almost out. We did our awards with our kids last week and it was exciting to announce names and have them come get their certificates for various things. They were so proud and they were smiling ear to ear!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What all do you do on the last couple of days
of school? I have always wondered what others do the last couple of days.</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hope you have a great week!</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Teaching Little Miracleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15694650140067870645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4873401656090798277.post-17659072189239348242018-05-13T20:13:00.001-07:002018-05-13T20:13:11.331-07:00Happy Mother's Day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hope all of you had a great day!</span></div>
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<br />Teaching Little Miracleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15694650140067870645noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4873401656090798277.post-42750871153841202282018-05-06T16:36:00.002-07:002018-05-06T16:37:00.611-07:00Classroom Dojo and Monster Theme<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #666666; line-height: 18.48px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Right before Spring Break, I decided to incorporate <a href="https://www.classdojo.com/index-monsters/" style="color: #e5379c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Classroom Dojo</a>.</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.classdojo.com/index-monsters/" style="color: #e5379c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="73" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZcAmg-sbaAjfbrej_dkAkV4010zjLk6iASC0LpObNFEUnscINwTxCUAAmucir4awmQeZ0hraXDXyE95uP476jdx3PXVG6_85M4mqMP1NKfFGAUz1mLYU8vpGeKkwOUhjSYr094Cy1X5Y/s1600/monsters.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you aren't familiar with it, it is a great classroom management tool that is free and it encourages good behaviors. I have been using it along with my behavior clip chart. The kids earn points for following the rules (that simple). Then they can lose points for not following the rules. The cool part about it is that when you give a point to a student the computer makes a ding that they know is for something good. When a point is taken away it makes a different ding and they know that someone needs to make a better choice (that little ding was amazing.....it was so quick and every kid made sure they were doing the right thing when they heard it). The kids are so excited about it and are always excited to see how many points they earn each day. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">At the end of the day, I pull up a graph that Classroom Dojo shows that shows the percentage of how they did in class. It breaks it down by each rule. We talked about what rules got a lot of positive points and what rules lost the most points. Many students tell me daily that they are going to try to be the top point earner the next day. :-)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you haven't seen <a href="https://www.classdojo.com/index-monsters/" style="color: #e5379c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Classroom Dojo</a>, make sure you check it out. It is very easy to use and has very clear directions as well. </span></div>
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<a href="https://www.classdojo.com/index-monsters/" style="color: #e5379c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgueXPKIgygNDS5PX1TGenmMxgx1h2Tr5SmDsHitRNTFHwEssacBfvqUZFSeQcjsdmJaEPGf20w9suFnBRj0CuqdAiJAr5Yr_VeiMNa2Guc0qZFCbtZM85UTwxJKDpxVaAPoUGq2qAvD4c/s1600/classroom.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="307" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">My
co-teacher has also used it this year and loves it as well. We have talked about using it more next year
and starting to use it at the beginning of the year. Since we have decided to do that, we decided
that we are going to have a monster theme.
I am so excited because I plan to use the<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Monsters-Theme-Classroom-Decor-Pack-1979990" target="_blank"> Monster Theme Pack </a>that
Crystal made. It is so cute and I am
excited to decorate my classroom in it next year! </span><span style="color: #666666;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br />Teaching Little Miracleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15694650140067870645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4873401656090798277.post-83213490267662407042018-05-03T17:38:00.000-07:002018-05-03T17:38:19.274-07:00Wisdom for Thursday!<div class="separator" id="ssnoshadow" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Welcome to this week's:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Well, it is that time of the year when I feel like I am so busy and can't keep up. So, today is Wisdom for Thursday since I missed it yesterday. I believe this quote says it all. Whether you are facing a tough, good, easy, hard season in your life this quote applies to everyone. It also applies to this time of the year for a lot of us who are tired and very busy.</span></div>
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<br />Teaching Little Miracleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15694650140067870645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4873401656090798277.post-26675662883221207082018-04-29T15:20:00.001-07:002018-04-29T15:20:29.232-07:002D and 3D Shapes<div class="separator" id="ssnoshadow" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">In Math, we worked on 2D and 3D shapes. This little <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/bhbindependence-Math-Helper-with-workmats-1866401" target="_blank">Math Helper on TPT</a> came in handy to help remember the shapes. </span></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/bhbindependence-Math-Helper-with-workmats-1866401" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="270" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuXMDxBbwKtbexWfK2m-cCQePPVfmJr98XqjtMGBZ0Q3nwK_kxtJh0JsbMHKEohlZPO9bBEvM03jj4Y_nO2UX3cNFOuKGL0dcb_UASW3PndWOoHp8TPa5MIV3Kwow6v_pPIYINkNPp9XA/s400/shapes+t.jpg" width="307" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After working all week on the shapes, we ended with building the shapes. The kids had a blast doing this and worked really hard on it. Each student got some toothpicks and mini marshmallows along with a card that had a shape on it. I found these cards that showed how to build the shapes on <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/FREE-Marshmallow-Shapes-Shape-Building-648087" target="_blank">TPT</a>. They got to build their shape and when they made the shape, they got a new shape to try. The last shape that they made they got to keep and take home.</span></div>
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<br />Teaching Little Miracleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15694650140067870645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4873401656090798277.post-52949815870369004922018-04-22T14:28:00.002-07:002018-04-22T14:28:51.159-07:00Skittle Graphing<div class="separator" id="ssnoshadow" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">This week, we had a lot of fun working on graphs in math. The favorite activity was of course the skittle graphing. I found this graphing page on <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Fun-With-Skittle-Graphing-356619" target="_blank">TPT</a>. We got skittles and graphed them by color and then talked about our graph. The kids enjoyed the skittles when they completed their graphs. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We also took a big piece of paper and broke up into groups. Each group created their own bar graph. They had fun making their own graph. (Sorry, I forgot to get pictures of it).</span></div>
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<br />Teaching Little Miracleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15694650140067870645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4873401656090798277.post-26912163599666597122018-04-18T18:10:00.000-07:002018-04-18T18:10:45.609-07:00Wisdom for Wednesday-Asking Why???<div class="separator" id="ssnoshadow" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Welcome to this week's:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Have you been there? Asking God that question of Why? I know I have and feel like I have been there a lot recently. For me, when things haven't worked out the way that I wanted them too, I have felt disappointed and unfortunately at times have become upset with and have even questioned God about the situation. I will ponder at times why he didn't change a situation because I know he is capable of doing that for anyone. Sometimes, I just feel like if only God could let me know why certain situations have happened, then I could be satisfied and possibly move on. But, in reality maybe God only tells us what we need to know. Or it may be that he only tells us what he knows we can handle. Possibly it's that he only allows us to know so much because he knows all of it could hurt us even more in the future. Therefore, I need to stop asking him why and begin to ask him what I can learn from these situations and know that he will get me through them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Have a great week!</span></div>
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<br />Teaching Little Miracleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15694650140067870645noreply@blogger.com0