Wisdom for Wednesday - Embrace the Day

Good morning!

Today I'm going to get a little personal with you. I'm going to let you in on one, okay two, of my character flaws.

1. I am a major homebody.

2. I am slightly obsessive.

Those who know me well may possibly be nodding and giggling at this point, but let me explain.

I have seen a couple of quotes on Pinterest lately that have really stuck with me. Here's one of them:

I've been considering that quote a lot this summer.

I don't like to be busy.

I like to have plenty of time at my home.

Remember, I'm a homebody?

That makes me have the tendency to "wish away" busy times of my life. 

Every Sunday, I look at my calendar for the week. If I don't have much time at home, I start to feel a sense of dread and think 'I can't wait for this week to be over.'

So why have I been thinking about this so much this summer?

I'm getting ready to start what I know is going to be an extremely busy year. My son will be a freshman in high school and my daughter will still be in middle school as an eighth grader. That means that there will be times that they will be involved in activities on different nights of the week. For example, during basketball season high school games take place on Tuesday and Friday. Middle school games are on Monday and Thursday. We go to church on Wednesday, so a week like that would mean no evenings at home. 

I know it is coming and I do not want to "wish it away." My kids are growing up way too fast! I want to enjoy each moment, day, and week. I don't want to wait for that someday when I'm not busy to live my life and enjoy it!

You may be wondering what this has to do with my other character flaw - being obsessive. It is really the flip side of it all. It is me creating my being busy because once I start something, I have to finish it! 

I mean...I will work on something for hours at a time because I want to be done. Kristi is saying AMEN right now in case you are wondering because she knows me too well.

Take for example when I decided to learn to sew while making my first quilt. It was a king-sized quilt because well, I don't do anything half-way. I worked on the quilt for days (and nights). I thought about that quilt every moment that I couldn't work on it. I dreamed about that stupid quilt! Obsessive, I tell you!

This summer I am trying really hard to find balance. To realize that the project I think is so important will still be there tomorrow if I have something come up or if I don't feel like working on it (gasp!).

I'm trying really hard to embrace the day.

I know I'm on the right track because this picture is of a plaque by my kitchen sink that I see (but don't if you know what I mean) every day. I took time to notice it this morning.

The Lord is definitely trying to prepare me for this year. I'm determined not to wait around or wish for someday.

Will I get tired and weary? Oh yes, but I must remember "...the LORD is the strength of my life..." Psalm 27:1

Thanks for stopping by for...

Don't hold those character flaws against me!

Go out and embrace the day! :-)

P.S. Our editable I Have...Who Has... games are one of the Daily Deals at Teachers Notebook today! That means 40% off an endless resource! You can create all kinds of games for your classroom with these. Math, reading, you name it! 

Favorite Pinterest Boards Linky

We have joined the favorite pinterest boards linky at What I Have Learned because who doesn't love pinterest and all the cool ideas that you can find out there!  I love that this linky is for a board because that way you can get more than one great idea from each person that links up here.  

It was really hard for me to pick just one board because I have so many favorites but I picked The Daily 5 board from:

I started using Daily 5 two years ago in my classroom and loved it!  This board has a lot of great resources to help implement Daily 5 into the classroom.  It has great ideas on how to schedule Daily 5 and many ideas and resources on each component of Daily 5.

Make sure you link up and share your favorite pinterest board. 

Have a great day!

Guided Math in Action - Chapters 3 and 4

Happy Sunday, friends!

I'm back for the next chapters in our book study.

 Remember I will be posting on Thursdays and Sundays...now if only I could remember that! Did you notice I posted too early last time??? If you missed that one (chapters 1 and 2) click here.

Chapter 3 (my thoughts)

Practice, practice, practice. This chapter on managing the math workshop reminded me a lot of how I begin the Daily 5 each year. Expectations must be clear. Lots of modeling--desirable and less desirable behaviors. Dr. Nicki suggests spending the first four weeks of school practicing routines. 

The chapter also had a lot of good thoughts and examples on organizing the workshop. I especially loved this quote from page 35, "Staying organized is going to help you keep your sanity." 

1

I don't have a teacher's toolkit, but I need one now! Ha! I spent time making sure I had all the necessary materials and manipulatives ready for my class each day. Most of them were centrally located on a shelf in my classroom, but I can see now that by organizing a toolkit I would actually save myself time.

2

My students do have toolkits. They have rulers, templates (with shapes and rulers on the side), base 10 blocks, coins, cards for card games, dice, whiteboards, markers and erasers. As I mentioned in the first post, all of these items were kept in team tubs and the students could access them at any time.

3

Establishing routines and expectations is hard work! I feel like the first couple of weeks of school that is all I do. 

I explain a lot. 

I model a lot. 

I have students explain a lot. 

I have students model a lot. 

Do you see the repetition? That is really what establishing routines and expectations is all about. We practice over and over again. 

I get to the point where I just want to teach already and feel like pulling my hair out. Anyone else?

Psst...this is when I miss my previous class the most. :-)

But I persevere, knowing that one day my class will be working like a well-oiled machine and I will stand back in awe of how independent my students have become.

Chapter 4 (my thoughts)

I really appreciated the opening to this chapter called Working with Everyone. Too often I think teachers either choose to or they are expected to work with the low kids and push the higher kids off to the side. It is just not fair! Maybe I'm more sensitive to this because I have two pretty smart kids and I don't want them to be pushed to the side. I want them to be benefit from their teacher's instruction and be challenged as well.

Dr. Nicki says, "All students need the teacher's attention at some point to push them to the next skill level (pg. 41)." She also cautions against having a teacher's assistant work with the same group all the time.

Forming groups (which should be flexible) should be based on math data that the teacher collects on each student. One example would be a pre-assessment as you move into a new unit. I'm definitely weak in the area of record keeping in math and will need to get a system in place so that I can group students and move them as needed. I'm looking forward to seeing ideas on this from those who have already started guided math.

"There is no one right way to schedule (pg. 43)."

"Create a system that you will use (pg. 45)."

Thank you, Dr. Nicki!

I love the freedom the above quotes give to teachers. Teaching is all about what works for you and your class. Sometimes I think we feel pressured to follow a certain structure or routine when it is really okay to "make it work for you."

1

Yes, but not consistently. Guided math here I come!

2

Very fluid. I normally pulled students who struggled with a particular skill or problem based on what I was observing (or grading).

3

Remember I said I was weak in this area... I keep math grades and test scores. I also keep a record of where the kids are on their facts practice. I don't keep notes on individual students (at least not on paper anyway). This is definitely a goal for me this year. I can see the value in getting to know my kids more mathematically and having records of where they are (and where they need to be).

Now I have started thinking...

How will I do this with my curriculum (SAXON)? Hmmm...

Anyone out there have suggestions for using a curriculum in a guided math structure? I'd love to hear it!

See you on Wednesday Thursday for chapter five! :-)

P.S. Look what I found on YouTube...Dr. Nicki Newton. Lots of goodies!

An InLinkz Link-up

Making an Editable File (How-to Video)

Happy Friday!

What are you up to? Are you neck deep in school stuff yet?

I tried to go work in my room the other day...turns out the cleaning crew wasn't quite finished and they were in there. Instead I opened boxes and boxes of consumables and printed a lot of goodies that I have found this summer. 

Part of me is saying, "Crystal, you don't go back until August 18th! Stop it already!" 

The other part of me is saying, "I wonder what it will look like in there with 7 less desks this year."

I know, I know. I'm completely crazy.

In my defense, I did take June off and I do like to have my room all set up so I can take the last couple weeks (before reporting back) off as well. And I really need to work in the music room this summer too (last year I just ignored the clutter and yuckiness of it, hoping it was a short-term assignment - HA!).

Enough about my obsession with passion for teaching.

As promised, a how-to make an editable file video. My daughter filmed so apologies for not having a great angle, but I think you'll still be able to benefit from me walking you through it. I did tell her to try not to get all my mess around the computer---ha!

I appreciate those of you letting me know the videos helped you out. If you have more ideas for things you'd like to see, be sure and let me know. 

Here's the links to the first three videos (if you missed them):

How I Start a Product in PowerPoint (with tips on credits pages and organizing graphics)

Quick New Product by Swapping Out Graphics

Securing a PDF 

By the way, since making that video I had a question about those of you "securing" in PowerPoint on a MAC without Adobe Pro. I'm *told* that is not secure and someone with Adobe Pro could still make changes. I don't have a MAC so I can't be certain.

If you'd like to see more, be sure to comment with your questions!

P.S. If you've download the free calendars in the videos, please leave us some good feedback! :-)

Wisdom for Wednesday-Live like you were dying

Welcome to another week of:

I recently have been reflecting a lot on my life, not sure why I've done that so much lately, maybe because I'm getting close to turning that big 40.......OUCH!  Anyways, I heard this song the other day and it really hit me.  

It is so true because God doesn't promise us tomorrow and today could be our last day here on this earth.  I started to really think about it and wondered what if today is my last day, how would I spend it and who would I spend it with and those little things that I do on a normal day didn't seem as important any more.  If I knew that today was my last day, I definitely wouldn't be spending it worrying about getting my house spotless or worrying about getting the laundry done (I know those things need to be done etc., but they aren't a priority).  I tend to make those kind of things a priority at times and I need to really look at what is important to me in life (God, family and friends) and I need to make sure those are my priorities every day because I don't know if today will be my last day.  I should be living like I am dying every day for the rest of my life.   So, how would you spend your day and who would you spend it with if it was your last one?  

James 4:13-14 Go to now, ye that say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

Have a great day! (P.S.  Sorry about 2 posts today, Crystal was meaning to post hers tomorrow but accidentally posted it today instead.....I guess she was a little excited for it-LOL!)

Guided Math in Action - Chapters 1 and 2

It's here! It's here! 

Book study time! 

Let's get right to it, shall we?

Let me start with a little background. 

Since implementing Daily 5 in my reading instruction a couple years ago, I have wanted to find a way to incorporate small group into my math block. 

The struggle I have had is time. My math block is shorter than my reading block, and it was difficult for me to envision taking the time to teach lessons in the small group format.

Instead I did what I called math rotations. I did a whole group lesson, followed by three rotations. 

1. Math page

2. Mountain Math/Mountain Language

3. Facts Practice (computer and/or game with partner)

It was helpful in that I had only a small group of kiddos needing assistance with their math practice page at any given time. I wasn't stretched as thin. Instead of 20 kids working on the page at one time, there may have been 6 or 7.

However, I knew it could be better. 

Last year was my first year in second grade, and it was plain to see that the range of math understanding and ability among my kiddos was HUGE. I had some kids struggle to master their basic addition facts, while others moved into division facts.

I knew I had to make a change for next year...and here we are.

Chapter One (my thoughts)

"You get to invite each student to a front-row seat--as a participant, not a spectator (pg. 3)"

I don't want my kiddos to be spectators. I want them engaged and in on the action. I know that too often in whole-group, I lose them no matter how hard I try...

"Guided math allows you to meet students where they are so you can take them where they need to go (pg. 9)."

"...students work on "just right" problems in their zone of proximal development...not too easy or too hard but 'just right'...just enough of a reach that students learn from each new mathematical encounter (pg. 7)."

Reflecting on this year, I know that some of my kiddos were just stretched too far. They became frustrated and in turn did not enjoy math. :-( They needed more time building conceptual understanding of numbers and concepts. On the flip side, there were also those students who could have been challenged more. This is what excites me about implementing small group instruction into my math block. 

Okay, on to the discussion questions:

1

I completely agree that we need to find ways to "reach and teach all students." I try to use a variety of teaching strategies in my room, but it was good to be reminded not to rely too heavily on the strategies that I like the best or am most comfortable with. 

REFLECTING is key. What is working? What is not working? Get out of our comfort zones and devise new and engaging ways to teach!

2

Promoting perseverance was probably a weak point for me. I tried to be their biggest cheerleader and convince them that math was fun and they were smarter than they realized. 

However, the book suggests on page 11, "Children are taught to acknowledge and work through frustrating moments while learning to become confident mathematicians." I wasn't very good at the acknowledging part. Instead I would skip right to cheering them on and ignoring somewhat (ouch! - that hurts to admit) that it was difficult for them.

Chapter Two (my thoughts)

My biggest takeaway from this chapter had to do with building a sense of community. I want my students to feel safe sharing their thoughts about math (and everything else). I like the idea of students learning to defend their thinking and challenge the thinking of others. I want to remember to use the phrases "prove it" or "show me what you know."

I'm very excited to use number talks and math energizers to get my little mathematicians thinking and talking about math. A number talk is a short talk about numbers usually focused on strategies. Students share ways to solve problems and model them. A math energizer is a short game that builds fluency and automaticity.

"Never skip the share period (pg. 25)."

I know I need to do a better job of incorporating a share. The share happens at the end of the workshop and while students discuss their thinking, I will be able to make sure they leave with some specific takeaways.

Last year was my first year having what I called "Team Tubs." I had four color teams and they each had a tub with math tools and manipulatives. I loved that the whole class didn't have to wait in line when they needed to get their math tools.

I also had one area designated for my math anchor charts and/or things that I wanted them to be able to refer back to. This year I'm planning to incorporate a math journal/notebook and want it to be a useful tool for them.

If I observed someone doing exceptional thinking, I would often have them share. However, I can see the value in allowing a time for all students to share their strategies and thinking. I will definitely be working on this and attempting to do a better job building a community that is comfortable sharing and questioning their thinking.

I'm sorry that this was such a long post! 

If you've stuck with me, please comment and let me know your thoughts on the chapters and/or how your math block is run.

How do you build a sense of community in your classroom? 

I'd love to hear from you!

An InLinkz Link-up

Securing a PDF (How-To Video)

Happy Tuesday!

I thought I'd pop in to share the next video that I made about making products for TPT or TN. If you missed the other videos, click here and here.

This one is probably the one that a lot of people don't even realize they need to see. 

When I first started making products, I naively thought saving the document as a PDF was all the security I needed. I quickly found that was not the case and went to work adding security to my products and re-uploading them to the sites (talk about a ton of work). Hopefully, this video will save you some time and help ensure you are following your graphic designers terms of use.

This is so important because I am still buying things that are not protected! And sometimes from what I would consider well known bloggers/creators. 

Don't forget to pop in on Thursday for my comments on Chapters 1 and 2 of Guided Math in Action. I'm looking forward to sharing and learning from you too!