Daily 5 - Chapter 2 and Super Summer Sale!

Thanks for all the great ideas on how Daily 5 could work for Kristi and I that you shared last week. I'm beginning to wrap my mind around it a bit and realize that I will have to find what fits me (us). I'm starting to get excited about the possibilities though!

Here's the chapter two discussion questions and my responses:

1 .What goals do you have for your classroom as you work to implement the principles and foundations of the Daily 5 discussed in chapter 2? What support do you need to do this?

My main goal would be to create that sense of urgency. I'm not sure I have done a good job explaining why what we are doing is important to becoming better readers.

I think my biggest challenge will be to create book boxes for the kids. I don't have much of a classroom library and will need too consult our librarian on how I could get the books I need.

2. What stands out as the most significant aspects of this chapter?

Purpose + Choice = Motivation

I think my students would try harder and take more ownership of their learning if I can develop that sense of urgency. I also think that choice is a good thing. That word scared me a bit at first, but if you realize that really all students are required to do the Daily 5 each day and they are only choosing the order in which they do them, it is not so scary. Ha!

3. How do the foundational principles of the Daily 5 structure (trust, choice, community, sense of urgency, and stamina), align with your beliefs that support your teaching strategies and the decisions that you make about student learning?

Trust - Hmm...it was a lot easier to trust the class I just had than my first year class. I had a handful of boys that made me feel like I had to be prepared for battle every day. If I have a class like that again, I would worry about their off-task behavior...Choice - Like I said before, I think it is a good thing. In fact, in the past my students have always had what I called "CHOICES" when they finished their work.Community - It is always neat to see a class develop a community (team - my theme is sports) atmosphere.Sense of Urgency - I want to do better at this!Stamina - I think in the past my students have built stamina to silent read and with a buddy, but it was certainly not something that I did with intention and training. It just sort of happened as they realized what was expected of them. By the way, if you're following along with me on my weight loss challenge, this week is not good! We are having VBS every evening and they have a table of great food available for the workers and homemade cookies for the kids. Yesterday I had to make 8 dozen chocolate chip cookies - and I didn't eat any of them only ate 2... Friday's weigh-in could be very sad!

Looking forward to seeing what you all have to say about chapter two!

Crystal

Go to Chapter THREE

P.S. Kristi and I are having a Super Summer Sale at our TPT store June 21-25. Our entire store is 20% off and since most of our items are $2 or less, you can grab some great resources for CHEAPO! :-)

Birthday Freebie

How many of you have seen this on Pinterest?

I realize I am probably late for the party, but I am doing this for next year! I have used a birthday bulletin board the last two years and stapled "birthday bags" to it at the beginning of the year. That worked fine, but I would really like to have that bulletin board for something else!

So I have been playing around creating the toppers for my pixy-stix. By the way, where can you find the big pixy-stix? I came up with these...yours for the taking. I made a smaller version (12 per page) and a larger version (9 per page) in two different styles. Both styles of circle borders are from Graphics From the Pond.

Large version - click here.

Small version - click here.

Here's what mine look like (to go with my sports theme):

I'd love to share these too, but I got the sports kids from Scrappin' Doodles and I don't have the license to share yet. Does anyone else think that is weird? Why is it okay to sell things we make, but we need a license to give them away?

Happy Monday!

Crystal

Weigh In, Kitty Update, and Positive Behavior

OK, so I'm jealous of Crystal-all those inches lost!!!  As for me, I'm having a hard time.  Losing just a little bit but nothing like I want.  I am hoping that it will get better as soon as I can exercise to my full potential.  I had cut my achilles ankle tendon about 2 months ago and I'm just now trying to get some exercise in but can't do a whole lot yet.  I'm hoping that as soon as I can get more exercise then maybe those inches will fly off quickly (big hopes :-)).

Kitty update-he is doing much better.  He is actually starting to run around the house a little more than usual-YEAH!  I'm still his primary nurse and am feeding him his canned food from my hand still trying to get him to eat it out of a bowl or plate, but he is not having it.  LOL!  SPOILED! 

Now on to some school stuff.....I have been thinking like Crystal about incorporating some extra positive behavior into my classroom for next year.  I found this cool idea on pinterest and was wondering if anyone does something like this or what you might do in your room for the extra positive?

http://pinterest.com/pin/208221182741220925/




Hope you all have a great weekend!  Kristi

Week 2 Weigh-In Day and Time to the Half-Hour...

Well, last week you may remember that I did not have anything teaching related to add to this post, but I saved something just for today! Hee hee! You will want to read to the end!

First, my progress for the week. After what I call a "cleansing" last week (cutting out a lot of sugar and carbs), this week I focused more on eating only when I was truly hungry and stopping when I was satisfied (instead of full). For me this weightloss challenge is more a refocusing than a diet. I'm not a fad dieter and I don't try things that I know are not going to be long-term in my life. Instead when the scale creeps up, I know I need to pay attention. I believe God designed us to know when we are hungry, when we are satisfied, and even what we should eat. Sometimes I just don't listen to my body!

***Disclaimer - These are just my opinions and beliefs. I know we are all different and there is special circumstances that can cause people to struggle with their weight.

Anyway, I have to say I was sweating it a bit yesterday thinking about posting my progress...I didn't know if I was going to show any loss, but I was excited to see that I had lost inches and weight.

Pounds Lost - 1 (for a total of 5.4 - or 45% of my goal)

**6 more weeks for 6.6 more pounds - I CAN DO IT!

Inches Lost - 2.5 (for a total of 5.5 - or 68% of my goal)

**Most of those 2.5 inches were from my thighs - WOOHOO!

On another note, my son is coming back from Silver State Baptist Youth Camp in Colorado today! Yeah!!! He called me on Wednesday to tell me he accepted Christ as his personal Savior. PRAISE THE LORD! I just wanted to reach through the phone and hug him! He called again yesterday feeling pretty homesick I think...they left on Saturday AM...we are so ready for him to be home!!

On to the teaching related part...Remember those requested I have, Who has? games. Well, I've been busy working on this:

I Have...Who Has...Time to the Hour and Half-Hour

The borders are from Graphics From the Pond and the clocks are from The 3AM Teacher. The pictures are a little blurry (not sure why), but I'm super pleased with how the game turned out!

The first 3 followers to comment WITH their email address will get this game for FREE!

Have a Happy Friday!

Crystal

Will Daily 5 Work for Me (Us)?

I'm going to admit some things - just get them right out there in the open - so maybe you will be able to understand my comments during this book study...(visit Mel at Seusstastic Classroom Inspirations to join us)

1. I'm a Daily 5 skeptic...I have my doubts about how this program could work for me (us - since Kristi and I share pretty much the same teaching style and philosophies). Confession - I even got the book through interlibrary loan in case it isn't for me! Why am I doing the study then? I really do want to learn about it because I know a lot of people love it and I want to do what is best for kids!
2. I do not have "center time." I use center type activities, but in a different way. They are what I call "choices" after work is completed.
3. I believe there will always be students who refuse to apply themselves during an unsupervised activity. In other words, they won't be working hard, staring off into space, playing with an eraser, etc. And I'm a bit of a control freak not to let that bother me.
4. Don't misunderstand, my classroom management is very good. Remember I learned from the best (Kristi, the Superteacher). I do not have students coming up to me and interrupting me. I am able to say, "I need these four students to come with me," and work with them in a small group w/o interruption or I can call students back to my desk for one-on-one writing conferences or fluency testing, etc.
5. We use a basal reading program - and I like it! Not sure how that could be worked into the Daily 5. If you use a basal and are doing Daily 5, please comment!
6. I'm finding out that we are truly blessed in our school. We are a Title I school and have highly-qualified teachers available to us for group time...meaning I'm able to have reading groups everyday for 30 minutes. I divide all my kids by skill level and assign them a group teacher (me or one of the lovely Title teachers) and provide the lesson plans for them. I rotate the groups weekly or every two weeks so that I get to see all the groups as well. The Title teachers are very good about communicating how each student is doing, etc. as well. It seems from reading Chapter 1 that Daily 5 is a structure to help teachers meet with students in small groups or one-on-one when they don't have the help that we do.

Okay, on to the book study questions and then I have some for you all too!

1. On pages 4-6, the authors present two different pictures of their classrooms. In thinking about and reflecting on your own practice, how would you characterize your literacy block? Does it look more like the first or second scenario, or is it somewhere in between? How will you change it?

As stated above, I have not done centers during my literacy block and I use a basal program so my literacy block did not look like either example. Ha ha! I am guilty of giving what many call "busy work" (worksheets), but not in abundance. I do see the value in more meaningful word work and reading practice and that part of Daily 5 appeals to me.

2. The typical teacher is very busy having students do lots of different activities. How is what you are having students do now in your classroom creating quality readers and writers?

This is where I can see I need improvement. My kids do need to have more time just for reading! Right now, I begin the day reviewing the sight words and vocabulary words. Then we have a story of some kind (either me reading to them or us all popcorn reading together - then they read it to a buddy) followed by a grammar lesson. I do a separate writer's workshop at a different time.

3. What sets the Daily 5 structure apart from what you are doing in your classroom?

Time for reading is the biggest! Less "busy work" which appeals to me. I was already whittling down my worksheets at the end of this year. Don't get me wrong, I think worksheets have a place in the classroom just like everything else, I just think there could be a balance with more meaningful activities.

  

My turn...

1. How could this program be used with a basal reading program?
2. How would it look different considering I already have the reading groups w/ students all participating in groups at that time?

I'm sure I will have more questions as I go along but those are my biggies right now. Those of you already using Daily 5, please share your thoughts and ideas.

Thanks,

Crystal

Go to Chapter Two

First Grade Tips for Mrs. Sanford - Linky

Jessica over at Mrs. Sanford's Class is moving to first grade! She is a little bummed because her heart has been in Kindergarten, but we are here to help her transition into first grade!

1. Websites/Blogs

http://www.internet4classrooms.com/skills_1st.htm

http://www.earobics.com/gamegoo/gooey.html

www.schooltube.com

www.teachertube.com

www.spellingcity.com

http://www.arcademicskillbuilders.com/games/

http://www.teachingblogaddict.com/2011/04/1st-grade-blogs.html

(as for our favorite blogs, you seem to frequent the same ones that we do)

2. Books for methods of instruction

Hmm...We're getting ready to do the Daily 5 book study so we don't know about it yet. Kagan has a lot of great resources...I believe it is their 1st Grade Balanced Literacy where we got a lot of premade stategies to work with (rhyming quiz-quiz-trade, punctuation showdown, sequencing, etc.).

3. iPAD apps

No iPAD :-(

4. Products

Teachers Pay Teachers! You can find most anything there, of course.

Funky Phonics CDs (you probably used some in K, too, but the kids love the songs that go with the sounds we are learning about)

Kim Sutton Math CDs-kids love these songs and they seem to help with some of the concepts.

5. Our Advice

Enjoy it! I think firsties start the year like Kindergarteners, but they grow so much throughout the year and gain independence. It is especially enjoyable to see them become more confident and take off in their reading skills. I'm still learning myself (2012-2013 will be my third year) so that is all I've got for you! :-)

~Crystal

You will have a blast!  It is amazing to watch them transition.  It is like something just clicks with them around Christmas time or after and they are so excited because they are reading at this point.  Fun to watch!

Remember to always be consistent and fair in your classroom management.  They are a little bit older and know more of what is right and what is not right. 

Like I'm sure you already know, remember to reflect on your day (what went well, what will you change, etc.)  Also, know that there will be some good lessons and some that flop.  :-)

There will be some late nights learning the first grade curriculum, so just take it one day at a time so you don't get overwhelmed.  Most of all if you have someone to talk to (co-teacher) when you feel frustrated go to them and talk until you feel better.  

Most of all remember first graders are still very excited to learn, and even on those days that you have been up late studying the curriculum, grading etc. and you've had 30 cups of coffee to try to wake you up, (LOL!) you have to go in excited and motivated so they continue to be excited as well.  Have fun with it and enjoy!

~Kristi

AWESOME GIVEAWAY AND A SICK KITTY

Well, I just got back from the Salina River Festival and saw that my friend has posted about 45 LOL! 3 blogs since I've been gone. I always give her a hard time because she is definitely the writer between the two of us. Anyways, I thought that it was my turn now.


I too, am doing the weight loss challenge, which I do need to lose weight unlike what Crystal said. I have gained about 10 pounds since our last one. It was pretty funny because the same day that I started my diet, Crystal text me to tell me that she had started her diet. We hadn't talked about it at all beforehand, but evidently we were on the same brain waves. Anyways, I did drop 5 lbs. in the first 4 days (YEAH!)! Amazing what cutting carbs and sugar can do for you. But boy was day 3 hard for me. All I wanted to do was eat and I couldn't stop thinking about food. Love to hear how all of you are doing and what things you are doing to drop the pounds.


Besides going to Salina this weekend, we have been busy having company on the weekends and my other new career has kept me busy since school has been out. You may be wondering what my new career is, well it is like nursing only it is nursing a cat. You can check out my photos of my patient below. My lovely 16 year old cat has been very sick :-(. About 8 months ago, he had a seizure and they said that it was probably due to his age. So, he was just fine after the seizure and he went on as if nothing had really happened. Then about 3 weeks ago, he had another one. Only this time he didn't recover like the last one. When his seizure was over, he was unable to stand. He couldn't keep his balance. This was the last week of school and I was a hysterical mess. The vet kept him throughout the day and took care of him. Gradually, he began to walk more, but would lose his balance a lot in his hind legs. So, we have now been doing better from the seizure, but our next battle is arthritis in the back spine by the hips. He has had it for several years, but it is getting worse. So, I have been nursing him along as much as possible. Giving him fish oil, coconut oil, and glucosamine to help try to alleviate the arthritis. I have also tried to switch him to canned food instead of dry food because they say the wet food helps with the kidneys and arthritis. But, unlike a normal cat, he doesn't like to eat from the plate. Instead, he wants to eat out of my hand. WOW! Can you say spoiled?? Well, it takes him what seems like forever to eat from my hand. Therefore, I feel like I've become a nurse for my cat. But, I won't complain too much because he is like my kid (since I don't have kids of my own). My vet says that he isn't to the point where we need to put him down, but if he continues to get worse, we are going to have to do something about it. Makes me sad to think about it, but I definitely don't want him to be miserable. I was wondering if anyone else has had a cat with any of these issues and wondered if you found anything that helped your cat out. If so, I'd love to hear from you.


And now for an awesome giveaway Crystal found. We are anxious to hit 50 followers so we can do our first giveaway. While she was checking out Rafflecopter, she stumbled on this...an IPAD giveaway from the Giveaway Scoop! Click here to check it out! Crystal is feeling a bit of regret for not signing up for the IPAD pilot program at school. Ha ha!

Hope you are enjoying your week!