Teaching Tweens

Summer...don't go yet...

2012-07-19T18:17:00.000-06:00

This week hubs and I headed to Nebraska to visit my parents. I felt that I should be doing some major planning and getting ready for school, yet I had a hard time making myself do anything...

I've decided that I'm going to use my Polk-a-Dots again this year for my classroom theme. I'm going to do this for two reasons--one, I love them and two, I don't want to spend money on a new theme this year. I have a lot on my plate with getting ready for my new staff, new school, new students, etc that I don't think it would be a wise use of time to go hang out in the school supply store in search of a new theme...I do however think that I will incorporate some owls into the Polk-a-Dots. I believe I downloaded some free clip art from someone in the past year.

So, I agreed to present at a conference in October on Teaching Tweens. It's the LCMS Rocky Mountain District Church Workers Conference. Nothing fancy, but I'm excited about it. Probably more excited because my BFF from college, Mrs. Cooper is going to be here from MI presenting too!

When I agreed, I thought that I would work hard all summer to read books, find research, etc...let me tell you how many books I've read this summer. Three. They were purely for enjoyment. So now as August nears, I think, gosh--I better get started on this!

I'm heading to Indiana next week to visit Miss Trah, so I'm thinking that while she's working on her classroom stuff, I can work on this presentation. But which direction to take it? I anticipate the most of the audience will be middle school teachers. A few might be middle school parents (spouses of teachers). Some might be Pastors or DCE's (Youth Pastors) that teach middle schoolers once a week. I think I want to talk specifically about brain development, something that is intriguing to me that I've read a lot about lately. But other than that, I'm not sure.

Thoughts? If you went to a sectional titled "Teaching Tweens"(or read a blog about it...) what would you hope it would include?

Classroom Themes...

2012-07-11T07:39:00.000-06:00

I'm sure you've thought about your classroom theme for the upcoming year--I know I have. I'm stuck...I can't decide if I should just recycle something I've used before, or go different? The last two years I haven't really had theme related decorations, but rather used the chocolate dot borders and then used the school theme as my classroom theme. I really like my dot borders, but I've seen some other great things out there!

I remember as a first year teacher I totally got sucked into decorating. I loved it! Don't get me wrong, I still do, but I realize now that while it's the fun part of getting ready, I should put my efforts in things related more to what I will be teaching.

So, what's your theme for the 2012-2013 school year?

It's Coming...

2012-07-07T09:44:00.002-06:00

When I looked at the date this morning I realized that Target is probably clearing their shelves for their back to school section! Eeeek! Summer seems to get shorter and shorter.

I've started creating a list of things I MUST get from the back to school aisles. I'm hoping for lots of one cent deals. :)

Since I changed schools, I have had A LOT of unpacking to do at the new school. I originally thought that the carpets were getting cleaned on July 7...I was wrong, it was July 2. So I spent an entire Sunday, July 1, at the new school unpacking boxes and getting as much off of the floor of my classroom as I could. Below two quick photos I snapped on Instagram (sarahndenver) of some of the progress I made. My old classroom had two closets and an entire wall of built in shelves. My new classroom--no closets and just a few small book shelves--not built in. EEK! I think I've got it all figured out though.

Rainbow Construction Paper


Holy buckets I have a lot of books!

Daily Cafe, Common Core, and Flipped Classroom....

2012-07-02T21:22:00.000-06:00

Last year when I started this blog, I began to see these three things more and more. I must admit, I don't know much about any of them. I told myself that this summer I was going to learn about them and see if they could be implemented...

Well today, being the first Monday of July so the "first" day of the month in my book, I started Google-ing. I Googled common core first. I read the webpage that appeared. It was kind of boring and dry, so I decided I'd come back to that later.

I moved on to "flipped classroom". Well the webpage I clicked. Now that webpage was exciting to view. before I knew it, I was really interested. I started asking myself how such a thing would look in my classroom.

Below I've provided the html code for the basic explanation of what the Flipped Classroom is. I have a friend who has used the Kahn Academy in her classroom. For myself I think I would want to start with one subject and figure out how to implement it the best I could. I, obviously, have a lot more research to do, but I'm intrigued.

Do you flip?

Created by Knewton and Column Five Media

NOTE: I do recognize that this model may have some downfalls, but I still want to learn more about it.

Oh right, I have a blog...

2012-07-01T21:13:00.000-06:00

Wow, it has been a long time since I've blogged! I have a list of excuses... The real reason was simply that I really needed to be focusing things going on at my school. As you may recall the school that I've loved and worked at for the past 8 years closed after over 100 years! This was one of the toughest things I've ever done, and being the principal made it a bit harder. Many of my middle school students struggled greatly with this as many of them had been at Emmaus for 5 or more years. I decided that it was my job to simply love on them and remind them about the great things that we'd done and that they were loved. Along with that came loads of meetings and paper work to be done to ensure that the closure was smooth. This process was emotionally draining! I'm pretty sure that throughout the months of April and May I came home, went ate dinner and went straight to bed. School finally got out the Friday before Memorial Day. What a tear jerker!

I'm in the pink jacket. We closed our year at chapel, went out to the parking lot, said a final prayer together, and then let our balloons go. Someone took a video, but all you hear is terrible wailing. It was rough. I left school that afternoon only to return that evening for the Middle School Lock-In. We were up ALL NIGHT! The next morning I went home and did not feel well. I had a terrible pain in my right rib cage area. I knew from previous "attacks" that it was probably my gallbladder. I laid around all day in terrible pain and finally went to the urgent care, hoping for a magic pill to fix the pain. The "magic pill" sounded a lot like "Go directly to the ER, do not go home first." So that's where dear husband took me. Sunday I had my gallbladder out. Talk about a downer! I had plans to go to a Memorial Day BBQ and then I was going to run the Bolder Boulder on Monday. Because of the surgery I started the summer out behind. I had to move all my meetings for final closing stuff back, our trip to Ohio couldn't be changed and that was fine, but I just finally finished up at Emmaus this week...during my "3 week vacation" period. Today I was up at my new school unpacking stuff from Emmaus and trying to get it taken care of so that they could clean the carpets tomorrow and Tuesday. As I left I thought, "Hey, remember your blog...you should get back to that!" So here I am. Hope you all have enjoyed your first weeks of summer!

2012-04-12T13:34:00.000-06:00

Source

12. This Sloth

This sloth kind of feels like you should update your blog more frequently.

Saw this on Facebook today...thought it was appropriate. Sorry I'll be back to blog soon!

Another VistaPrint Deal

2012-03-24T16:02:00.002-06:00

This was a groupon today...

http://www.groupon.com/deals/vistaprint-denver-1?c=all&p=4

$17 for $70 worth of stuff....

Spring Break Hiatus

2012-03-21T08:28:00.000-06:00

I've been a slacker blogger. I'm on spring break this week. I joined a boot camp that is kicking my butt every morning and in the afternoons I'm painting my living room and dining room. I paused this morning when I got an email about this living social deal...

https://www.livingsocial.com/deals/288658?ref=conf-jp&rpi=52885768

$10 for $50 at VISTA PRINT

Click on it, get it! I know a lot of use Vista Print for our classrooms. I saw it yesterday, but it was sold out, so as soon as I saw it this morning I logged on and bought it!

National Lutheran Schools Week--Teacher's Skit...

2012-03-12T10:55:00.000-06:00

Here's what I did last week.......

And the winners are....

2012-03-06T08:14:00.000-07:00

Ms. D--You've won the Thirty-One Thermal Tota!

AubreyLaine--you've won the Barnes and Noble Gift card

Sorry about my late posting--I've haven't felt well and it's Lutheran Schools Week which means something every night after school! Last night was Spelling Bee! I'm excited to report of the 4 students I sent, my 6th grader won 1st place in the 5th & 6th Grade division!!!

Hunger Games--Final Projects

2012-03-02T10:01:00.000-07:00

My students were given the task to create a diorama that depicted a scene from the Hunger Games. In addition to the diorama, they were to turn in a paragraph or more explaining the themes present in the scene. We talked for THREE days about theme and the themes present, and I was less than impressed with their paragraphs. However their diorama's were pretty good. I gave them two and a half weeks to accomplish this, and I think most still waited until the weekend before they were due...And I think they wrote their paragraphs that morning in the hall...

So here are some photos of their dioramas....

Peeta & Katniss at the 1st Interview--I know they didn't interview together, but this was what was turned in to me..

Katniss & Rue (Rue is on the left under the "net") Katniss has just put flowers around Rue and sang to her.

Katniss and Peeta in the cave. This one was done by a boy for sure--check out the bloody bandages on them!

This one is hard to see, but it's Katniss running from the fire.

I had two students who chose not to do a diorama, and one student who apparently could transfer from her head to the diorama...

Update!

2012-02-29T21:44:00.002-07:00

I have to share...my 8th grade boy who ran up to tell me he bought the Hunger Games series...he finished Catching Fire in ONE WEEK! He asked if he could make it his book report book (book reports are due next Thursday) because was only on chapter 5 of his book report book, and "that book isn't nearly as good as this series is! I'm already on chapter 2 of Mockingjay." Well, how could I say no?! The boy is reading it and LOVING it! My heart is happy!

100 Followers Giveaway 1.2

2012-02-29T07:59:00.000-07:00

The second giveaway is a $25 Barnes and Noble gift card. To enter that the giveaway for the Barnes and Noble Gift card, simply leave a comment telling me what book you would love to add to your school or personal library.

The Nitty-Gritty

Entries will be accepted through 8 PM (MST) on Monday, March 5, 2012. Winners will be chosen using Random.org on Monday, March 5, 2012.

*Participants may enter this giveaway one time. Multiple entries will be deleted.

Please make sure that I have a way to contact you via email when you comment, either via blogger, or by leaving your email address in the comment.

100 Followers Giveaway 1.1

2012-02-29T07:58:00.000-07:00

I'm super excited! Today I saw that I have hit 100 followers, which means it's time to give something away on the bloggy!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I have two items to give away today. The first is a Thirty-One thermal tote from April. If you're not familiar with Thirty-One, you've got to check it out! This thermal tote is the best lunch box ever. I have had about 5 lunch boxes in my 8 years of teaching. One of the things I hate about most lunch boxes is they don't hold much. On any given day I pack breakfast/snack, lunch, and an after school snack. The last lunch box I had was rather ugly, but it held what I wanted it to hold. My Thirty-One thermal tote holds everything I need it to AND it's CUTE! ALL of the to-go containers I use to store leftovers fit in my Thirty-One tote, even my larger Tupperware one!

(Though my name is Sarah, this is not my tote, but it is the pattern I have...{source})

Today April is letting me give away one Thermal Tote to a lucky Teaching Tweens reader. Are you excited? Here's how you can be entered to win it:

1. Become a follower of Teaching Tweens and go check out April's website {http://www.mythirtyone.com/apriltravis/}, come back and leave a comment about what design you would choose if you won. {Click here to go directly to the Thermal Tote catalog page}

{Check out these two new designs April emailed me recently...I LOVE the "awesome blossom"!}

Additional Entries: (Leave a separate comment for each one you complete)

1. Blog about this giveaway on your blog and provide a the URL for the post (not to your blog)
2. Like the "Teaching-Tweens" Facebook page {There's a box on the left side of the blog}
3. Follow April on Facebook {www.facebook.com/apriltravis31}

In addition to giving away a Thermal Tote, April is giving Teaching Tweens readers 20% off or FREE SHIPPING off of your first order. To place an order, contact April and tell her Mrs. Glover from Teaching Tweens sent you.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Nitty-Gritty

Entries will be accepted through 8 PM (MST) on Monday, March 5, 2012. Winners will be chosen using Random.org on Monday, March 5, 2012.

*Participants may have up to four entries, double entries will be deleted.

*I was not paid to endorse Thirty-One, I just really like my thermal tote. :)
Please make sure that I have a way to contact you via email when you comment, either via blogger, or by leaving your email address in the comment.

Good Luck!

YAY!

2012-02-28T07:07:00.002-07:00

It's take a bit, but I figured out how to get my signature back...that's all. :)

Happy Tuesday!

My Yesterday...here's hoping for a better today.

2012-02-28T06:00:00.002-07:00

I've posted before about how get to wear many hats at my school. I really love my job! I love teaching! Yesterday I learned that I am NOT a primary teacher...

My kindergarten teacher has twin boys-kindergartners. Today they were both sick, so she stayed home with them. My regular primary sub had already been snagged by another Lutheran school in Denver. I don't have a very deep sub list (something I need to work on for next year...) so I called my upper grade sub. He teaches band at a public school in the mornings, but can usually be at my school by 11/11:30 AM. Since my assistant was out today, I had to take what I could get...here's how my day went:

6:30 AM

Arrive at school, talk to pre-k teacher, see if she can cover in K from 8-9 AM

8-9 AM

Teach my students (5-6 grade)

9-10 AM

My students go to Pastor's class, go down, get the kindergartners from pre-k & teach them. Can't find the handwriting papers, so decide to do math instead. Have SIX kindergartners tell me "we don't do math now, we do it after recess."

10-10:30 AM

Send kindergartners to recess with 1-2 grade (a regular occurrence), teach 7-8 grade grammar

10:30 AM

Kindergartners come in from recess, take 7- 8 to kindergarten room, have them finish homework, figure out an improvised handwriting lesson to do with kindergartners.

10:45-11:15 AM

Send 7-8 and 5-6 to recess with 7-8 teacher, teach bible to kindergartners.

11:15-11:30 AM

Have 5-6 bring down their homework to have study hall in kindergarten room while I finish up the morning details of kindergarten

11:30 AM

Do a happy dance when sub arrives!

I could never teach the little ones. I was reminded of this when I asked one child, "Jacob, what's going on? Why aren't you participating?" His response? "Because I miss my mommy." I didn't even know what to say to that...

And zipping their coats!

I'll take my awkward, sometimes attitudinal middles schoolers any day.

God bless those primary teachers!

Middle School Brains

2012-02-27T20:55:00.000-07:00

I'm currently serving on the Rocky Mountain Districts Professional Church Workers Conference Planning committee (wow, that's a mouthful!). As we look to find sectional leaders, I've been thinking more and more about how I want to present up there (it's in Breckenridge). I've recently been reading about the middle schooler's brain...whoa! I can't get enough!

That's it, just wanted to share.

1 follower away from a GIVEAWAY!

I almost forgot!

2012-02-22T07:00:00.000-07:00

Yesterday when I came to school a 8th grade boy ran up to me. This is unusual for many reasons--
1. This boy doesn't move fast...ever.
2. The 8th graders, ESPECIALLY the boys don't have much use for me and rarely talk with me outside of the classroom. (Don't get me wrong, in my classroom they are respectful and participate, just outside of the classroom, meh, they could care less.)
3. He was excited about something that clearly related to me directly.

He had gone to Wal-Mart over the weekend. Guess what he bought?!?! (hint: It wasn't a gift for me..) He was so excited because his mom bought him The Hunger Games trilogy!!!! The best part?! He was already on chapter 2 of Catching Fire!!!! I did a happy dance on the inside. Last year I couldn't this boy to read much for CLASS let alone for ENJOYMENT! His step-grandma is the 3rd & 4th grade teacher at my school, she heard him telling me about his books. Later she told me she was impressed. I told her I loved his mom for buying them for him for no reason other than he wanted to read them. His older brother is reading The Hunger Games because of this 8th grader. I love it. It makes my heart happy!!

Still sick...

2012-02-21T17:24:00.000-07:00

...my computer that is. I'm at school late for a meeting today, so I thought I would pop in the blog world and say hi!

I've started reading How to Have a New Teenager by Friday by Dr. Kevin Leman. It's written for those who parent teenagers. While I do not have a teenager that sleeps under my roof, there are days in which I feel like I have 13 teenagers, so I thought, why not? My grandma had recently read How to Have a New Husband by Friday and had good things to say about it... I'll let you know when I finish it what my thoughts are.

I also just got another Ron Clark book in the mail!! I'm excited! I ordered The End of Molasses Classes. I <3 Ron Clark!

Our academic fair is coming up soon (March 9.) I just read one of my students reports about September 11. I'm blown away! She's done a great job so far! I can't wait to take pictures of them and their projects. I'll share them here.

I can't wait for my blog give-away! I only need 4 more followers! Do you want a hint? Okay, here it is...one of the items rhymes with swift guard... :)

virus

2012-02-17T09:21:00.001-07:00

My lack of posting is the result of having a computer virus. I was almost done with a packet I was going to share & then DOOM!

Hopefully the hot computer repairman who lives with me will have it repaired this weekend.

Oh! I have a great giveaway planned for reaching 100 followers. Only 7 more are needed! Its actually TWO giveaways! I can't wait!!

So much!

2012-02-07T15:15:00.000-07:00

*Side Note: I still need to ask the techy hubs to fix my signature.*

Do you ever sit down with a project in mind and get totally side tracked? This week I don't have lunch duty, so I'm eating lunch in my room. I pulled up a blog to read while I ate my macaroni & cheese. I clicked a link which lead me to facebook which lead me to two other blogs! I was totally into the blogs and then I realized I was done eating lunch and that the pile of papers to grade was still there...

I've got some big things taking up space in my mind right now...
- Lutheran Schools Week: It's the first week of March & included in it is the Academic Fair. My kidd-os have a great start on their projects, but unfortunately if I want them done correctly and well I have to babysit them more than I want to.
- I look around my room and think about packing it up in May/June. I keep thinking I should pack a box a week/month until then. But I don't want to, so instead I just think about what a daunting task it will be.
- RMD Conference: I decided to serve on the planning committee. I'm excited about it. And I got asked to lead a sectional at the conference. I'm going to do something for middle school teachers, most likely related to their brains and how they think/act, etc. I've been reading some great articles and books. This is definitely my summer project. (after moving, of course)
- Spring Break: I CANNOT WAIT! Until then though I will be happy with the knowledge that President's Day Weekend brings us a 4 day weekend! Woot!

Currently...

2012-02-06T11:29:00.002-07:00

I'm on lunch break...it's quiet in my room. I have about 100 things I should do, but instead I decided to link up with Farley while I ate my lunch. Now I must go do my 100 things. Enjoy. Oh, and link up too!

Snow Day

2012-02-02T21:11:00.001-07:00

Yay!

:)

Tagged...

2012-02-01T11:29:00.001-07:00

Kim at Finding JOY in 6th Grade tagged me in a fun activity to find out more about our blogger friends. Here's how it works...

Here are the rules:
1. You must post the rules.
2. Post 12 fun facts about yourself on the blog post.
3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post, and then create 12 new questions for the people you tagged.
4. Tag 12 people and link them on your post.
5. Let them know you've tagged them!

12 Fun Facts
1. I rarely stay up past 9.
2. I want to go to all 50 states before I turn 40. So far I've been to 21 of them.
3. I work in the wedding industry during the summer as a Day of Coordinator.
4. My husband and I got a dog last year, I became a crazy dog lady! I can't imagine what it will be like when we have kids. I would let him sleep in the bed with us if the hubs would agree...
5. I drive 50 miles a day, round trip. During my long drives I listen to books on CD. Currently I'm listening to Eat, Pray, Love.
6. I finally got to leave the country in 2009 when I went with a friend's Spanish class to Spain.
7. I love to travel. I would go somewhere every weekend if plane tickets were free (and I didn't have papers to grade)
8. Last year I participated in my first race, a 10k. I loved it and hope to do it again this year.
9. I love movies/TV shows/books with sappy, romance, happy endings. I could totally live in my own La-La land of happy endings if given the opportunity.
10. I like to listen to country music & talk radio.
11. I wear a size 12 shoe, making finding cute, comfy teacher shoes difficult.
12. Pinterest and Facebook are maybe like drugs for me... :-S

Here Are My Questions for Those Who Have Been Tagged Next
1. What is your favorite Starbucks beverage (in case I'm in your neighborhood and I'm bringing you a treat!)?
I have two, depending on the weather. If it's spring/summer: Venti Passion Tea Lemonade sweetened with half classic and half raspberry. During the winter: Grande Caramel Macchiato with extra caramel drizzle.
2. Book, Nook, Kindle, iPad, book on CD, other? What is your favorite way to enjoy a new book? T
he old fashioned way, hardcover preferred. (Though I'm hoping to soon be the owner of some sort of tablet)
3. If you weren't a teacher, what career would be your second choice?
I would be a hairstylist. I wouldn't want to cut hair, just style it for parties and weddings and such.
4. What is the first subject you plan for when you start your lesson plans for the upcoming day? Spelling & History.
5. If you have traveled, what is your favorite country to visit? If you haven't had the opportunity (or if you have!) what country would you most like to visit?
I've traveled some, but I really want to go back to Europe and check out England, Germany, France, and Italy.
6. Have you been a principal? Would you ever want to be?
I always thought I would investigate being principal when I was older. When I was 28 an opportunity presented itself at my school and I began as a half-time principal/teacher. I figured once I left my school I would go back to being a teacher. It turns out though that maybe the principal thing is working for me, as another school has offered me a job for 2012-2013 to be a half-time principal/teacher...
7. What dessert would you choose in a fancy restaurant?
Probably some sort of cheesecake.
8. What's the most adventurous/daring/exciting thing you have ever done (that you can blog about!)? I'm a chicken...does taking 15 middle schoolers to outdoor ed for three days count?
9. If you slept in "late" one morning, what time would it be?
7:30-8 AM
10. Do you still read magazines? What's your favorite?
I do. My guilty pleasure is reading Cosmo, People, and US Weekly. Usually while on the treadmill.
11. Do you prefer sunrises or sunsets?
Sunsets, because I'd rather be sleeping in the morning. Though I have seen some amazing sunrises while heading to work.
12. What brings you JOY?
Coming home to a loving husband and an excited doggie. Teaching. Helping others

On to the questions:
1. What's your favorite book to read over and over?
2. What time do you get up to go to school?
3. What's your favorite teaching gadget/supply you use daily?
4. What's your best teacher memory?
5. What do you like on your Tombstone (or any kind of pizza)?
6. Where do you spend more time--blogging or pinning? :)
7. What do you like to do on the weekends?
8. If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?
9. Favorite season?
10. If you could invite anyone to your classroom to speak to your class, who would you invite?
11. Favorite website?
12. Favorite time of day.

Wow--writing those 12 questions took longer than I thought it would...

Okay, on to tagging people.

1. Amy @ Juice Boxes & Crayolas
2. Lindsey @ My Life as a Fifth Grade Teacher
3. Mrs. Scott @ Not Just For Elementary
4. Middle School Survival Guide
5. Kate @ To the Square Inch
6. Jena @ Caught in the Middle
7. Tales of a Fifth Grade Teacher
8. Liam @ A Twist of Liam
9. Miss P @ Diary of a Fifth Grade Teacher
10. Melissa @ Life's a Teach

(Okay, I know, I'm a slacker. I've been working on this post for 3 days, and now that I've got it ready to go, I can only come up with 10 people...if only my students were at recess longer, I could find TWO MORE!...)

Alrighty, I'm clicking "publish post" and moving on! Thanks for inviting me to play Kim! It was fun!

Ooops...

2012-02-01T08:20:00.000-07:00

It seems I accidentally deleted my signature when I deleted some drafts in my "edit posts" section. I'll have to figure out how to correct that...