Giveaway

Okay, so I have over 100 followers and this is my 100th post, if that doesn't spell giveaway I don't know what does.

But first, I must tell you something that happened as the kids lined up for the bus yesterday. A few teachers were outside talking about their own children who are in college. They were saying, "no way would I ever let my child become a teacher!" Wow, ouch. I was so surprised. I think teaching is both great and honorable. Why wouldn't I want my kids to want to do the same?

Every Friday I meet my husband for a drink before we get the kids. Sometimes it's the only hour we get to talk. I value that time with him so much. We share a ton on Fridays. So I told him about what I heard and how sad it mad me feel. He said, "I know, but for every one of them, there are hundreds of people like you who love and value what you do." He's right and you all are proof of that. Don't get caught in the mire, be so proud of what we do!

On to the giveaway...


I have learned so much from all of you that I'd like to help you learn more from others too. I will give a $10 gift certificate to TPT.

1. Comment that you are already a follower
2. Follow me and then tell me you are a new follower
3. If you feel like telling others about my blog, blog about it and add another comment.

That's it! This giveaway will close on Friday, April 6 at 8pm EST! 


May the odds be ever in your favor!

Sight Word Spelling

I've learned my lesson about assuming. I think others assume regularly that everyone knows or does something, so she (he) shares it nervously as though other teacher bloggers (blogger teachers?) are going to say, "Duh!" Only to find out that everyone says, "wow! awesome."

Here goes one of those...I'm a poet.

I have my kids work on the first 100 Sitton Spelling words every day. The words help them with so much. I typed them all up and put them on index cards, laminated them, and put them on a ring. They start with 20 and gradually get 100 on their ring. I have them review them during read to self time.

Now that they are all well versed in these first 100  as sight words, we work on them as spelling words. Every week they get this sheet...Sight Word Work. I can't remember how to let you preview the sheet in the posting. I'll have to check out Ladybug's Teacher Files for a tutorial. Anyway you can read the directions, but they really seem to internalize the spelling when they have to work with the words so much. They often come up to me during Write to Self to tell me they used the words from the Sight Word center.


PS Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about a giveaway. I'll announce it this weekend.

101 Followers!

Huh? How did that happen? I wasn't even looking. Okay, I was, but here's the thing...come closer, I don't want anyone to hear. I never commit to anything. Ever.


I am so not kidding. It's a miracle my kids and husband are still with me. People have always penciled in my address. My resume is four pages long. I've had more than 14 cars and I've only had my driver's license for 27 years. That's 1 every 2 years people.

So the fact that I still write in this blog almost every single day is a flipping miracle. The funny thing is that my one little word this year is COMMIT. I guess I'm doin' it! Go me.

I am a testament to someone who has found her calling, her raison d'etre if you will. I love my job, this blog, you people, my husband, my children, my house, my life. I am plain old happy.

I used to think that was B. O. R. I. N. G. But, now I think it takes fortitude and strength and love to stick with something and get better at it. Thanks for helping me see that.

What? I know you're looking for it. Don't peek. I have to think of something cool to do for a giveaway. I just wanted to give thanks first.

Thanks.

Robert Munsch

I love to find books that are truly great. My favorite kinds with kids are funny without being obvious. Not the kind that are like, "hey, didja get it? This is funny BECAUSE..." I like kids to have to be smart enough to get it. I ALSO love when kids learn about all the books one author has written. I like when they say, "oh that's a book by..."

One of my favorite authors that satisfies both truly great books AND has written lots is Robert Munsch. Kids like his name and his stories help me teach great writing and story telling.

I start with a book like Mortimer.

This book is awesome because it tells the story of Mortimer who sings at the top of his lungs in bed every time anyone goes downstairs. It is great for generating lots of good journal stories about their night time antics.

In Murmel, Murmel, Murmel, a five year old girl named Robin finds a baby in a hole. The funny part is that while she tries to see if anyone wants a baby, she never questions why the baby was in the hole or if it is anyone's baby. It's very Kindergarten or First Grade thinking. They never question it either.

Finally...

In this book, a "dark" wanders around eating shadows and growing bigger until a little girl traps him and ships him off with the trash guy. It's great for empowering kids to put away their fears.

Mostly I just use these books as talking points and looking at writing from a writer's perspective.

Sick

I am so sick. I had a sore throat all day. I could barely swallow without my eyes watering. 


I left sub plans. I'm good at sub plans. I leave no stone unturned. There is nothing left to interpretation and I like it that way. We have a lot of good subs in my districts considering we pay very little. So, I'm not nervous to be out and I am so glad to be prepared.


Also, I just noticed that I only need 4 (four, quattro, quatre, tessera, vier) more followers to make 100. I don't know how to drum up more business. I know I probably need to create more stuff, but I'm just not that person. Maybe after a few more years in the First Grade, but not now for sure.

Don't get me wrong, I think I am really good, I mean REALLY good at what I do. I think I'm creative in how I teach, but I don't create new things much. I use what I know and what I find in unique ways. I guess I have to practice sharing that with you.


But, seriously, feel free to help me get a few more peeps for my self esteem if nothing else. :-)

Lesson Plan Format

I have the Erin Condren Teacher planner. I know people adore it. I can see why. I use it though because I spent $50 on it and feel the need to amortize the cost. I will admit that I do love that it says Mrs. Moran's Planner, but there it ends. I think I just might be more of a computer person. So I'm working on a plan to get my lesson plans online.

I am right now toying with the idea of using Google Calendar. We use gmail at my school, so it is pretty logical and I'm thinking I can attach documents to the calendar item which could be very useful.

What do you think? What do you use?

New kid neediness

Here's how I spent my day.

"Good morning new kid!"
"Good morning Mrs. Moran."
"New kid, are you going to do your morning work?"
"New kid, why are you sitting right next to me?"
"New kid, are you going to do your math?"
"New kid, hugging is nice, but let's get some work done."
"New kid, please come join morning meeting. We don't sit behind the bookshelf during this time."
"Excuse me! Um, new kid? why are you on number 1, we just finished the spelling test."
"New kid, I have an idea, why don't you play with another friend? I have to watch the kids during recess."
"New kid, you really can't sit under my table during read to self time."

Well, you get the picture. I think. I mean, do you? Because this is a quarter of how I spent my day with new kid. I am tired. If he could have climbed in me and lived, I think he would have considered it.

I am so happy to have just gotten a fabulous new haircut and to have a dear hubs who thought it would be a great idea for me to head to Boston to see my best friend. I leave in the morning. We have tickets to Hunger Games at 4pm! Yee ha! I can not wait.

Today I saw the light. It was 85 degrees. In Maine, March is NOT 85 degrees. We were giddy. I cleared out my whole room (every single wall) and set up this fabulous POET TREE bulletin board I found on Holly's awesome blog Crisscross Applesauce.

This is not my pic, it's Holly's. We aren't finished yet and I'm letting my kids create the whole thing, so it won't be as pretty. :) They were so excited about it.

Then I moved my calendar area to a better spot and I had the kids recreate the set up. They were so funny. They told the new kids that they would show them how it worked since they were so used to Morning Meeting. I really feel like they learned a lot by doing it themselves. They have such ownership of the classroom. This is definitely my favorite thing I have done this year, foster a real community of learners.

Finally. PEOPLE. I just realized I have only 7 more followers to make 100. Someone told me never to ask for more followers. Whatever. I want you. I want you all. Tell your friends. Tell your colleagues. I'll make it more fun. I'll do anything. Totally not kidding. There might even be a giveaway in your future.

Happy to be a GUEST

Hi Everyone,

My name is Barb from Grade ONEderful. I was thrilled when Kimberley graciously asked me to do a guest post. My very first one! She was hoping I'd tell you a little bit about my experience designing her blog ~ which I'm happy to do.

From the minute I started blogging (last summer) I knew I was hooked on the design aspect, but I didn't really think about actually designing for others until around Christmas. When the opportunity to design Kimberley's blog came up, I jumped at it. But boy! Was I scared. Scared and excited, actually. For a week and a half I was a jumbling bag of nerves because I didn't want to disappoint Kimberley. Fortunately for me, she was very easy to work with!  I spent every waking moment (literally) thinking about it and spent many late evenings working on it. It was exhausting but exhilarating.

I've been learning html and all sorts of blogger tricks and tips (thank you, Kristen from Lady Bug's Teacher Files) for a while now. Then I bought Photoshop Elements 10 and have had to learn how to use that! But, like most teachers, I love learning new things, so I'll happily keep at it.

My biggest concern right now is finding the time to do everything I love to do (I have a LOT of hobbies). Finding the perfect balance is difficult, but I know I'll get there.

Long story short ~ I set up Ruby Slippers and hope to have the privilege of designing blogs for other people. (Please forgive my shameless self-promotion, ha ha!)

Enough rambling! I have a little freebie for you, and because I know how much Kimberley loves books, I have another book recommendation.

Here's an Easter place value activity. Click on the picture if you'd like it.

My newest book purchase is Each Breath a Smile. 

Julie, from Write Up My Life, featured this book on Perfect Picture Book Friday.

I immediately purchased it from Amazon and it arrived just the other day. It's a beautiful text designed to help children (or anyone really) use "their own breath as a way to slow down, calm down and appreciate the beauty in the world" (Julie).

My plan is to start reading this book to my students after lunch as a way to peacefully begin our afternoons. The teacher across the hall begins each afternoon on a quiet note also and even sets the lighting very low and turns on her salt lamp. 

I have one in my bedroom, but I'm going to bring it to school after spring break. I don't know about your classroom, but mine tends to get crazy after lunch, so I think this simple routine will really help.

Have a wonderful evening and thanks again, Kimberley!

Barbara

Lessons Learned

I've had a very tough couple of days. I totally wanted to post yesterday, but couldn't bring myself to. As most of you know, this is my first year teaching First Grade. I've mostly worked in non-profit and I spent three years teaching 8th grade at a private school in Texas (very different). So even though I pride myself on exuding confidence and letting nothing bother me, I was rocked hard this week.

I really cannot write about it here for confidential reasons, but suffice it to say I worry about some of the children in my class a whole lot. I also feel like I need some more training around mandated reporting among many other things. I read all these blogs and feel like everyone is so flawless at what they do. I think I teach really well and that my kids are such a community. I feel so great about how confident my kids are at sharing with me, but I need to learn how document everything and plan better.

In short, I wish I was perfect, but I'm so far from it. So far. I read stories from Kristin at A Teeny Tiny Teacher and wish I could be nicer, better, more skilled. I know it takes time, but I want it now.

PS I'm excited to announce that my favorite blog designer will be guest blogging tomorrow. I hope she'll share her experience with designing my blog, but I told her she could write about anything. Actually I hope I'm right that she'll be blogging tomorrow and not next Wednesday. If I'm wrong, you'll have to listen to me again. :)

Blogging love

This post is about how much I love my job. How teaching First Grade feeds my soul and how just telling people I am a First Grade teacher makes me so proud. It does. It challenges me and I work hard to meet that challenge. When I read teacher blogs I feel energized, fired up, if you will. I want to be better because of all of you. That's huge. That's what I looked for in a husband (I got that too).

One of the people who inspires me is DeAnne at First Grade and Fabulous. She is hoping to have 500 followers so she can do a big giveaway. Share the love. Go follow her. You won't regret it.

A magical day

I was NOT planning on doing anything for St. Patrick's day. I'm sorry, I just didn't see why it mattered. But yesterday I decided to read a book about a Leprechaun that I found at our "very old" library collection. I can't even find it on Amazon. It was l-o-n-g, but the kids were entranced. I mean riveted. They quietly came up to me afterwards and asked if leprechauns were real. I love them so much, I just couldn't let them down. I let them plan and build traps that afternoon. Totally spontaneously.

Then I went to Michaels and got green glitter and gold coins and gold foiled Reeses peanut butter cups. Nothing big and splashy. I went in this morning and dumped out every toy I had all over the floor. I turned all their behavior cards to red. I poured glitter all over their traps, I poured it in the toilet. I made it look like glitter footprints all over the room. I dumped plastic gold coins with clovers all through the room and left a pile of Reeses on the tables.

To say it was a success would be the understatement of the year. It was bigger than Christmas. My eyes teared up as I witnessed actual magic happening before my very eyes. This is teaching. These are the moments people remember for all their lives. They couldn't get enough. They told me their mothers were lying when they told them leprechauns didn't exist. I said, "I'm not calling your mothers liars, but why would I do this to my room? I love organization." They told anyone who would listen throughout the day. It truly was miraculous and I loved every minute.

K-2 Linky Party

Breaking the no two posts in one day rule to add this linky party because we can all use more blogs to check out. Check it out. Click on the image below to read all about it.

Report Cards and other mundane items

I just finished my report cards. I've been completely ignoring them. Really. Didn't even really prep for them. Other teachers in my school have been talking and agonizing about them for a month. Really. But not me, I'm just sitting around acting like I don't have to do them. So last night I looked at the email my Principal sent out about upcoming due dates and it said right there...March 12 for report cards. Um, yesterday was March 12. And, uh, I hadn't started them!

So I piled every thing on top of my coffee table, turned on The Bachelor and spent three hours getting them finished. I feel very proud that they are finished.

On to the other mundane things.

I started this blog so that I could reflect on my teaching and how I feel about teaching and about my students. When I read other blogs I get great ideas for things to do in my classroom, but people don't get that from mine. They just have to read about how I think. I hope that's enough because I am not really the kind of person who can make a lot of things up. I pull things together instead. I'm super proud of how my kids are doing this year.

Finally, my two new boys are doing pretty well. I have no experience with new children as I just started my first year in first grade, but it seems they have about two days of bad behavior and feeling out the boundaries. Then they figure out that the other kids actually follow the Code of Cooperation and they settle in as much as someone who doesn't really belong yet can.

New Boys and Dinosaurs

I had a new boy start last Wednesday. He's settling in okay. It is hard. I worked super hard to create a classroom culture that really feels like community. The kids in my room are very invested in our Code of Cooperation. This new boy didn't get that. He broke nearly every rule on day one, two, three, well you get the picture. I didn't have to reprimand him much though because I have 16 associates who managed things for me politely but firmly. This really reinforced my strong belief in spending time to create a classroom culture in the beginning of the year. The payoff is manifold.

This is a good thing because, guess what? I have a new boy coming on Monday. Yup, it's true. At least I'll have an even 18 again. I like even numbers. It works well with buddy reading and math games.

I'm working on a dinosaur unit right now. My kids are really enjoying it. I decided to stretch it out to two weeks so that I didn't have to rush through. We chose dinosaurs and now we are developing research questions. I emailed parents and asked them to check out this site Kids Dinos/. I also watched fossil movies on Brain Pop Jr.. I don't know if you know this site, but we get to use it through my district. You can watch cool movies and then the kids can log on during our computer special on Monday and take a quiz about what they watched. The results come right to my email. Pretty cool. Since we have to run our own computer lab time, it makes for a productive time.

I also just bought a Dinosaur Unit from Tara West at Little Minds at Work. It is a little easy for some of my kids, but will be great for my lower ones who need some more practice.

Off Their Rockers

I was so tired all day. My kids were off their rockers. Literally, I had no less than five children fall out of their chairs before 8:50am. I reminded kids about our S.O.P.s over seven times before 9:15am.  I flipped four kids cards to yellow before 9:30am. You get the picture.

At 10am, during snack, I looked at my email and noticed that Jennifer over at Herding Kats in Kindergarten was writing a post about exactly the same insanity issue in her classroom. It brought me comfort. Before 11am, I tripped over shoes, slipped on a marker, and fell on top of a chair.

It's been a tough day.

Tomorrow I have an early release day. The next day is a no student day. This should make it easier. Usually I think the kids are easier than the grown ups, but not right now.

Currently March

The Best Endings

This morning I was invited to post on The Best Endings! I was so excited. Then I had to pick a book. Ugh, I love books so much. How can I pick one, but I pride myself on being able to meet a challenge. So I chose The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton and then I linked a bunch of books to it so that you could see where I was coming from. Click on the book title to check out what I wrote.

One Lovely Blog

Thank you so much to Barbara at Grade Onederful and Chrissy at First Grade Found Me for honoring me with the fabulous One Lovely Blog Award.

The rules:
1. Link back to the blogger who gave it to you.
2. Pass the award on to 15 other lovely bloggers.
3. Follow the person who sent it to you :)


I'm going to shake up the award a bit and only follow a third of the rules. I'd like to pass this award on to five amazing Kindergarten Teachers who inspire me all the time.
Can Do Kinders
Kinder Gals
Mrs. Albanese's Class
Mrs. Wills Kindergarten
Herding Kats in Kindergarten

Snow Day

We had a snow day today! We've only had one so far, so I was psyched. I mean, I'd rather have Spring, but...I'll take a snow day too. I am one of those people who never stop moving. I decided to slow down today. I was home with my 4 year old daughter and my 6 year old son. We are still in our pjs. It was awesome.

I am having a Dr Suess day tomorrow at school. I have my Green Eggs and Ham shirt and my purple Cat in the Hat hat all laid out. We are eating Green Eggs and Ham in the Cafe as school starts where our principal will read the book while dressed up as the Cat. Then, we are watching Horton Hears a Who. Next, the kids go to each classroom for different activities.

My job is to make Oobleck with the kids. So I practiced with my own kids today. We had so much fun. It's just one part water to 1.5 parts corn starch. I've made other kinds, but this one is clean and totally fun. My kids were amazed by the fact that it is clearly both a liquid and a solid. I still haven't decided if I'm going to put the stuff in small baggies before or if I'm going to make it as they walk in. We are going to finish the morning with a big cake to celebrate the big guy's birthday.