Chickadee Jubilee

My Teacher Always Says....

2013-06-18T16:55:00.001-07:00

If your students quoted you, what would you hear them say. Tammy has a fun party of teacher phrases going on. Here are some of mine-ignore the strange oval-non circular shape....not sure what is happening there.

1. Yep....straight from Uncle Jesse's mouth into my classroom. I say it all.the.time. instead of "okay".

2. Keeping our bodies to ourselves seemed tricky this year....don't know how many times we discussed this!

3. My most likely response to tattling, or spilled water during art, or a missing pencil, etc. I picked them up from my cousin...my kids think they are nonsense. Well, so is whatever issue they are tattling about. (To be clear...this is not my response to issues that need more of a response.)

4. Have your kids ever said, "______made me sad/angry/etc?" This question is my response-
Others can only make you sad, angry, frustrated if you let them....

5. Did you know I LOVE reading!? My kids know this about me and everyday at the end of reading we say, "If you can read, you can do anything." Only we say it like the movie Dodgeball, "If you can dodge a car...you can dodge a ball."

6. This one if for either small group or whole group discussions. After listening to another's answer, we challenge ourselves to think about our friends' thinking. Do we agree/disagree/have something to add/still confused/less confused.

What are you repeated phrases....for more or a place to link up go see Tammy!

Happy Tuesday,

Just in Case and a Meet Up

2013-06-17T17:09:00.001-07:00

First Monday of summer vacation....fantabulous! This post has nothing to do with school....but it is summer so that is perfectly fine!
Jennifer over at First Grade Blue Skies is having a party celebrating cases. I do not have a cool phone case nor do I have an ipad; but I do have a nook....that I love and its case is one of my favorites. It is from an Etsy shop full of adorable finds!

This morning I got to meet bloggy friends in real life. It was so much fun and on my way out, I ran into my 4th grade teacher, Mr. Prilliman (who we lovingly called Mr. Prillimonster!) He was my first male teacher and he was awesome!

Nicole from Teaching With Style Tanja from Journey of a Substitute Teacher, Michelle from Third Grade Al Dente , Laura from Teacher Laura, me, Sarah from Sarah's First Grade Snippets, and Nicole from Teaching's a Hoot joined us.

Happy Monday,

Sorry...ignore this post

2013-06-17T13:44:00.000-07:00

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June Currently....1/2 a Month Late

2013-06-10T17:18:00.003-07:00

I am SO close to last day! But here is this month's Currently that was not what I should have been working on.

Listening: REPEATEDLY to the Newsies Musical soundtrack. It is amazing...and I hate to say it, but I like it better than the original version....sorry Christian

Loving: The Tony Awards are always so entertaining! AND I will be in New York in less than a month to see some of these shows LIVE!

Thinking: My class was incredibly difficult this year....emotionally disturbed is a diagnosis I am just not sure how prepared I was/am to deal with. That being said, I am so sad to see them go and so glad I am teaching a straight 3rd next year, so I get a mulligan with half of them.

The referral, minor alert, and daily check-in paper file (this is only Sep-Dec)

Wanting: Mary Poppins to snap her fingers and have my report cards and comments magically done!

Needing: To get my "to read" stack ready....three more days and I begin the book-a-day challenge.

Vacaying: Noook-I read so fast that I could fill a suitcase just with books, so my Nook really cuts down on the packing issues. That is all I got....traveling is not something I do enough to have favs!

And a bonus pic of my soon to be new housemate-

You know the drill....go check out more June happenings with Farley.
Happy Monday,

Storiarts

2013-06-09T13:34:00.000-07:00

In need of help....my creative and talented friend prints text onto scarves, pillows, and the like.

(Jodi Piccoult even had her make one with her own text on it!) They are so fun and unique....but I can not figure out what text should be on my scarf. Any thoughts from readers....the older the text the easier/more likely it can be reprinted, but it that weren't an issue what words would you want around your neck?

Happy Sunday,

8th Annual Chickadee Awards

2013-06-07T18:29:00.000-07:00

Today was our Chickadee Awards Banquet. This is the 8th year I have done these awards. Getting ready for the day is so stressful for me, but the actual ceremony is pretty smooth....and ran by kids! We make invitations out of nice scrapbook materials and put them in envelopes...with separate response cards...just like a real formal event. Today, out of 36 students....32 had at least one adult represented! Yay parents! I should have taken a picture....I think there were at least 90 people in our room!!!!
First we make a list of awards. I type the list, leave a blank, and put a class list at the bottom. Then I copy one for each student and they put a friend's name next to each award. Then I tally them all up and assign each award to a student.

For Chickadee Award Day, I print certificates with each students name and the award.

Then they get a secret envelope with what award they will be receiving...this goes home and they are to prepare an acceptance speech for the big day.

So...when the day gets closer, we arrange committees. (Kids to all the hosting/talking/etc during ceremony...have a I mentioned I avoid talking in large groups whenever possible!!!)
Greeters-Make programs, meet people at door and hand out programs

Introducers-Welcomes everyone to the class and remind to turn off cell phones

Announcers-Pull award certificates out of envelope and announce who is receiving each award

Volunteer Team-Announces and passes out our volunteer gifts

Slideshow Team-Announces slideshow and where to look
Lighting team-Lights on/off, moves projector to proper place, and pulls down screen
Decorating Team-does all the design/decorating for the day (completely kid done:-)

Dismissal Team-lets everyone know we are done...and this year explained the Photo Booth

Dress Rehearsal.....they are SO fabulously dressed....I had a suit, ties, button up shirts, dresses! SO fancy!

The speeches are so great...some kids walk up, say thank you, and sit back down. While others prepare and fabulous speech thanking friends or parents. One student today, quoted Walt Whitman and another recited part of "The Shot Heard Round the World." (Mostly because it is about Giants winning pennant...and I am a huge DODGER fan!) Sometimes I cry more over some of their words than the stinking slideshow!

For more end of the year ideas...check out the linky over at Seusstastic!

And now...three.more.days!

Happy Friday

Parent Gifts and End of Year Photo Booth

2013-06-05T15:43:00.001-07:00

End of the Year Parent Volunteer Gifts....done!

I ordered reusable shopping bags online, a while ago. Then I used a stencil and fabric paint for the monogram. Then let some students finger paint designs onto fabric. We all signed the bags with a fabric pen. And attached a label, thanks to Journey of a Substitute Teacher for her help with the clever saying!

Then we worked on our Photo Booth Props....

The top says, "This Year Was" and then each student wrote a word/words that finished the sentence.

5.more.days.

Summer Bucket List

2013-05-26T17:13:00.000-07:00

Linky parties are so fun; especially when you get to learn a little about everyone else. I have been enjoying finding out what everyone else is planning for their summer.

My first two are tied for excitement level....
1. New York--mainly for a reading institue but also a bit of touring. So far I know when I am going....now working on the where I am staying:-)

SO excited for this!

2. Puppy--My new puppy will be ready to move to my house on June 12th, my last day of school! SO fluffy! Meet Reese Rickey. Reese after my favorite Dodger, Peewee Reese and Rickey the owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers who signed Jackie Robinson.

3. Books...of course--I have a giant stack, but this is going to be re-read summer. I never read books that I have previously read. There are so many new ones that keep getting added to the stack. So my book-a-day challenge is going to be centered around rereading. (With the exception of a few that I have been waiting in the hold list for forever!)

4. Blogger Meet-Up--A bunch of us Oregon bloggers are meeting up after school gets out! You don't have to an Oregon blogger....just come visit our great state on the 17th:-)

We had a 4 day weekend, so tomorrow I get to go here (because I worked really hard on my end of year slideshow the past three days). Seattle plays Cleveland, my dad's favorite team.

Happy Sunday,

Optimum Organization

2013-05-22T15:49:00.002-07:00

Fun in 4b and Ladybug Teacher Files are having an organization party.

I am pretty organized....just not good about putting things away immediately. Last summer I created some things that have been really helpful in keeping things put away and easily found. The "famous" teacher toolbox" and then just prettifying and labeling sterlite drawers.

Here is how I organize running records...my favorite reading assessment even though my district loves the ridiculous 1 minute assessments that tell me nothing about a student reader.

I always forget to label the binder....however it is ginormous, so the size is kind of its own label!

Inside the sections are divided by the end of year goal for each grade (kindy, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd).

Behind each grade level tab is the books for those levels, and a page protector with numerous copies of pages needed to administer reading assessment.

And yesterday's post about student mailboxes, may be helpful also....
Happy Wednesday,

Mailboxes

2013-05-21T18:35:00.001-07:00

Possibly you don't have room for a giant mailbox center or funding...I have a solution for both. All you need is a crate and hanging files. I used to only use one crate, but with 36 chickadees the pack up line was never ending. So one crate is for boys and one crate is for girls. This also helps when papers go home, that are gender specific...soccer/volleyball/flag football/etc.

Papers that need to go home are in the tray next to the crates and then each student has their name on a hanging file. The filing team grabs and paper and puts in the matching folder.

Works like a charm!

Happy Tuesday,

Opinion/Persuasive Essays

2013-05-20T15:24:00.001-07:00

Opinion writing is underway. We have read lots of mentor texts are are trying out some writing of our own. We started by looking at how the kinds of writing are different.

I found a great anchor chart about beginning Opinion pieces over at The Go To Teacher. She has a great conclusion chart also, but we aren't quite there yet.

From Dear Mrs. LaRue

From Earrings

From I Wanna New Room

From Click, Clack Moo

From an article we found in National Geographic for Kids

Ways we can start sentences. After we practiced writing, students read their piece aloud and I put checks next to the starters they used.

Today we read, My Brother Dan's Delicious. It is told from the younger brother's point of view. He has been left alone and is convinced their could be a monster in the house. So he then clearly lists and explains why his brother Dan would be better to eat and far more delicious. We read and made a chart as we went along. Students kept track on their own paper also.

Students used words or pictures to record why Dan was a better eating choice.

Then we wrote our own main idea and two or three reasons to back it up.
Long hair better than short hair

XBox better than Wii

Roblox better than Minecraft

Playing outside instead of watching TV

Playing with dolls is better than math

PE is better than music

Happy Monday,
15 more days.....

Flashback Five Linky Party 1st Timer

2013-05-17T16:25:00.000-07:00

No school today...for the kiddos anyway, so you get for Flashback Five Thursday. Every Friday so many of you link up, that I wanted to join the fun! You can too.

Saturday is my last day of volleyball and is an all day tournament. So last night the team came over to my house and we watched volleyball videos, made posters, and painted our nails to match our shirts. Then got a team photo. They crack me up!

Wednesday, I was out for a Right Brain Training and left a "How Well Do You Know Your Teacher" Quiz. Miss Trayers started this inspiration and the responses had me laughing out loud!

This one is from my Giants fan. We are frenemies....as I am a Dodger fan. I had to go look up
Mike Krukow....apparently he is a broadcaster for the Giants.

This one is spot on. Sun-days....like snowdays, only for 80 sunny days, since we never get them during the school year. I tell my class how we all have to work to keep our class clean. I didn't spend years at school to pick up after them:-)...although being a maid, I would probably make more money.

Half my class mentioned Josh Groban! Also, apparently I love Uncle Jesse, cuz I say capesh all the time.

Every one of them mentioned We are in the middle of studying Portland, Oregon. At the end of the month we are going on a field trip downtown. During class we have been making maps and adding interesting locations. Soon groups will be choosing locations and highlighting the most effective route for seeing them. On field trip day, they use the map as their tour guide.

And we have been making posters of all the intersting things you can do and see in Downtown Portland.
Portland has a famous statue, named Portlandia. It is the 2nd largest freestanding copper statue in the world...Statue of Liberty being the largest. One of my students wrote a comic for us about statues in Portland.

Happy Friday,

Who wants to join another linky party? Click the pic for more info.

I Heart Kidblog

2013-05-14T16:59:00.003-07:00

Many of you already do kidblog. I have been using it for a while, and just thought I would share. My class uses it fairly regularly, but stay within the topic of reading/books. It is really easy to set up and each student has their own blog to change and post on.

So here is one written today...

And the conversation that follows....

I don't worry about punctuation, spelling, etc. I may comment about it but really just encourage sharing and talking about books.

Happy Tuesday,

Last-Minute-Laurie

2013-05-09T17:18:00.004-07:00

You know that game where you have to use an adjective that starts with the first letter of your name to introduce yourself. Usually I use laughing...but this week last minute would be much better. I always have plans in my head for what I want to do, but when executed don't always create the results I wanted. So...we were going to draw a picture of the best part of our moms. Then paint it. Then write a poem. This all sounded great, but I was not loving the product.

Thank goodness for all the ideas you all share. Did you see the CUTE project over at Soaring Through Second? Sandy rescued my Mother's Day! You MUST go check it out and give her brilliance credit!

Here is what she did-

I didn't have an i-pad app for typing and my awesome roommate came in to take the pictures, so I needed the mom part to be done before she got to school. I grabbed some black paper and a bucket of sidewalk chalk and had students write.

I love them! (The "strike a pose" one cracks me up!)

Happy Thursday,

PS...you can still join the "Fiction Teacher Appreciation" Linky Party

Currently

2013-05-06T15:34:00.004-07:00

Another month flown right by! Go check out what everyone is up this month over at Oh Boy Fourth Grade. The party is the place to be!

Listening: Best flutist ever! Wish I could be just like him!

Loving: We had been doing Social Studies/Science/Art at the end of the day and writing just before lunch. So I switched the two subjects and it has been SO much more calm.

Thinking: 24.DAYS. Yes I am counting! But the to do list is atrocious!

Wanting: Portland used to have an AAA team, then soccer, and the team who shall not be named, kicked them out. So my dad and I have to drive to Seattle or Tacoma to see baseball. It is about a 3 hour drive each way. Only been gone for like three years...I am not bitter or anything:-)

9 inning funeral....home plate dug up.

Needing: Reese gets to move to my house in just about a month! Lots to do to get ready....
otherwise she will be slipping under the fence to find other friends to play with.

Summer Bucket List:
Going to New York! Really need to start planning that trip...so many things to do...find a place to stay....figure out the Subway....

Ummm read of course....an addiction that is good for you!

Remember Farley's rule of three!
Also, if you don't have blog plans....I am having a linky party celebrating teachers.

Happy Monday,

Famous Teacher Appreciation

2013-05-05T17:22:00.000-07:00

This morning I was thinking about all the teachers the media has created and then came upon a list of 100 cool teachers from children's literature. I heart reading and I heart teaching. What better way to celebrate than with a linky party?!

book: (this was very hard to pick!)
Christy Huddleston....teacher to tough kids in Smoky Mountains.

movie:
Mr. Hundert...teacher to hooligans at a prep school.

tv show:
Mr. Kotter....teacher to a remedial class in inner city New York. (This show used to have all day marathons on Nickolodeon....I got hooked.)

Give a shout to your favorite book/movie/tvshow teachers. Use the image on your blog post and remember Farley's rule of 3.

Happy Sunday,

Random Random Read All About It

2013-05-05T08:00:00.000-07:00

Someday I am going to get caught up reading all my missed blog posts. But for now I have three random fun facts-

1.) I am really excited about the new instagram parties!

I now have an instagram button to match my other ones because Barb is an amazing friend and blog designer. First go to her teaching blog. It is adorable....the tree is my favorite! Then go check out her design blog...you'll find a bunch of tutorials, blinky freebies, and clipart.

2.) And I forgot to announce the winner of the my giveaway--Deniece of This Little Piggy Reads, check your e-mail.

3.) It is teacher appreciation week and I really want to thank all you teacher-bloggers who make time to share your classroom and your teaching with me! Thanks for commenting on the happenings of my little piece of Oregon. I love the cohort of teachers all across the world! I hope everyone of you feels appreciated this week!

And a video from one of my favorite teachers--

Happy Sunday,

Plugged In

2013-05-04T19:21:00.003-07:00

This week I participate in screen free week. No computer, TV, etc for a week. Well the school day part of the week. Look what happened-

First we invited our school to go screen free with us-

and made sure we stayed screen free in our classroom-
Math on Whiteboards-

The weather was so nice we did our weekly problem solving outside...no idea why my camera thought to do a black and white photo- Each group did one portion of the problem solving steps, then shared about it.

And vocabulary...no powerpoint slideshow. We acted them out. Here are fetch, construction, assembled, and downtown-

Only 25 more days....yes I am counting!
Happy Saturday,

Everyone Else Is Doing It

2013-04-28T14:02:00.002-07:00

In case you haven't heard...instagram is exploding with teachers. I already had an instagram...and used it randomly. Anyway...now it is attached to the bloggy world and I am going to need Barb to add an instagram icon to match my pinterest and e-mail ones.

So link up on Tuesday...and if you want to follow me on instagram....click the picture below.

Thought I would share my current favorite instagram image--I am getting a puppy! Right after school gets out (perfect timing) Her name is Reese...if you have seen 42 or have any knowledge of Dodger/baseball history, you will fully understand where her name came from. Precious!

This week begins screen free week...so I will not be living in the land of electronic screens. How many books will I get through not watching so much tv? I may cheat a tiny tiny bit...not sure if I have the self-control to wait a whole week for a new New Girl episode!

Don't forget to link up with What the Teacher Wants and do a bit less screen time.
See you all in a week!
Happy Sunday,

Book Character Museum

2013-04-23T17:06:00.000-07:00

A few years ago, my class created a Book Character Museum. I thought I would bring it back with my Reading Round-Up class. (Reading Round-up is our 30 minute intervention time. We divide the whole 2/3 grade into ability groups to provide interventions or extensions. I have the extension group during this time.)

First we picked a book or a book character, if we already had one we loved. Then we read up on that character. Either getting to know a new one or getting reaquainted with one we already met. We had to make a list of what we would need to be to imitate that character and then work on what we would say. We talked about Wax Museums and how life like the wax sculptures are.

We made invitations and invited all the other classrooms...so they could sign up and come in shifts, of course. Our room was VERY full. Some of our character statues overflowed into the hallway. We sat next to our book and a play button (bottle cap with a sharpie drawn arrow "play" sign.) Visitors would come to a statue, press play, and listen to facts about each of the characters.

there are people EVERYWHERE!!!

This week we put it all together-
Judy Moody and a Mike Lupica character

A Warriors cat and Bad Kitty

A student from Wayside School, Fred and George Weasley

More Mike Lupica (that jersey was originally a t-shirt!)

Beezus and Ramona

Someone on Emily Rodda's, Deltora Quest and Song Lee...one of Horrible Harry's friends

Auggie from Wonder. If you have not read this book...do it!

I have no knowledge of this character...but the book looks pretty funny!

Plastic, from Toys Go Out...one of my FAVORITE read alouds. (Plastic is a round rubber ball:-)

A Fairy from the wonderful world of Daisy Meadows and a Puppy from Puppy Magic

McKenna, a newer American Girl book series. She is gymnast and this girl was SO excited to wear her gymnastic outfit to school!

So much fun and a great way to celebrate and share books.
Happy Tuesday,

New York...New York

2013-04-17T22:28:00.003-07:00

I have always wanted to got to a summer institute at The Teacher's College, so on a whim, I applied thinking I didn't do a great job, but I could try again next year. Well today I got an e-mail and I am going to the Summer Reading Institute at The Teacher's College.

SO excited! I have never been to New York. To my New York bloggy buddies and anyone elso whose got New York info., what should a do/see while I am there. The 4th of July is a non-class day so I am free to roam the city! Seeing Newsies is the only must do on my list!

Happy Wednesday!

Monday Sayings...

2013-04-15T12:00:00.000-07:00

Saturday Sayings are one of the best parts of my week. If you haven't heard of them, you must go check out Forever in First. I am never with it enough to get ready for Saturday, but in honor of my favorite team, my two favorite players, and the fact that it's Jackie Robinson day....I am dubbing today a "saying" day. (42, the movie, was pretty great...btw.)

Every year, I read Teammates to my class....usually more than one time. One of my goals for my class each year is that would know that our class is a team and stand up for each other, just like Peewee did for Jackie. Sometimes, I tell them to ask themselves, "What would Peewee do?" when they are responding to others.

Side Note...my lovely city of Portland has no professional baseball...it is the one and only negative comment I have about Oregon. So all you friends out there...I am very jealous that you could be in the stands with all the 42's. Thursday, I get to travel to Seattle to see a Mariner/Tiger game....four hour drive just to see the sport I love:-)

Happy Monday,

400 Follower Craziness

2013-04-14T17:48:00.003-07:00

Journaling has always been something I enjoy but don't do often enough. This blog has become a kind of online journal of my class. Sometimes on a day to basis or a week by week basis. I have "met" some amazing teachers and am looking forward to an Oregon Blogger Meetup. Those teachers out there share and show the wonderful learning communities they have created. This little online journal...has over 400 people following it! How did that happen? To celebrate, we need a giveaway, of course!

This giveaway is sponsored by ManMade in OR. One of my co-teachers husband is behind this cleverness. For their Etsy shop, click here. To like their Facebook page, click here. Fill out the Rafflecopter info. and you could be the new owner of a work of art.

a Rafflecopter giveaway Happy Monday and good luck!

P.S. My crafty friend, who hosted my last giveaway has become quite known...you can find her scarves sold in The Library of Congress. And she just did one for Jodi Picoult with her own book text. She is SO talented...check her out.

Giveway graphics by The (talented) 3am Teacher-

Wednesday Morning

2013-04-10T15:03:00.000-07:00

I used to do morning work....and then I read the book Whisperer. No more morning work, come in, unpack, make a lunch choice, then read.

Sometimes, there are pleasant distractions...

and sometimes the book we are reading is so good, we just want to be left alone. Thank you Jennifer A. Nielsen for The False Prince.

Happy Wednesday,

It's Happening

2013-04-09T21:47:00.002-07:00

Put it on your calendar....an Oregon meetup is coming soon!

And now back to the regularly procrastinated about report cards....

Happy Tuesday,