Use It or Lose It

We do a lot of assessing...I mean A LOT of assessing in my district.  Sometimes I think we do so much assessing that we don't have time to teach the stuff we are assessing on.  I'm sure most...if not all...of you can relate.  Because a lot of 2nd grade assessments are done 1:1, I am always in need of something to keep the other 23 kiddos busy.  I made this little  worksheet "activity" to be done after 20 minutes of independent reading.  This buys me a good 30 minutes of quiet time to assess skills.

This is pretty basic and EASY to differentiate.  On my grade level I started using the term, "Use or Lose" whenever I share something.  I don't want anyone to feel that my feelings are hurt if they don't need it, want it,  or if it's just not their style.  (YES! I do belong to PPA--People Pleasers Anonymous.)  Anyway..."Use or Lose" has kinda stuck with us when anyone sees something cool they want to share.    

Find 5 Words

So, I hope you can use, but feel free to lose it if you can't.

Together for Our Kids,

Denise

Great Idea!

I just got a great idea and you heard it here first!  (Unless, you've heard it somewhere else from someone I don't know, in that case you only heard it first coming from me.)  As I am sitting here melting even further into my bed, wondering why my back hurts and my legs are getting a little too warm (which could be from sitting in the same position in my bed with my laptop on my lap for the past 2-3 days), staring at my computer screen then shifting my eyes to my treadmill contemplating whether or not to use it (which I can't because stuff is on it and it would take me too long to get the stuff off--like 30 seconds--WHY AM I SO LAZY?--GREAT!  Now I feel bad about myself.) I was thinking that wouldn't it be great if.......Hang on.....

I'm back.  Sorry, I got a really exciting message (really just a comment, I was hoping someone wanted to get together, but it was just a comment about a board game--Yes!  I'm boring) from my Bunco girls.  I promise there's a good idea in this post!  Do you know what I would think would be fun??  Instead of having a "Parade of Homes" where you walk around looking in model homes, dreaming of what it would be like if you had that kind of money, children and a husband who picked up after themselves AND a gardener, and party planner, wouldn't it be great to have a "Parade of Classrooms"?  You could walk from room to room and see all the great ideas and cute displays.  You could win teacher door prizes to use in your classroom and while you were there you could collaborate with other teachers over   snacks and a coffee OR hors d'oevres and a cocktail .  I'm not kidding!  Is this a dream or a reality somewhere I don't know about?  

Another idea---Instead of Pampered Chef, 31, or Premier Jewelry--what about teaching stuff--well, writing that out loud, that might be a little too much...

Pretty sure I have ADD?  Sorry, I just wrote like I think and talk.  Who reads this stuff anyway?  :)

Together for Our Kids,

Denise

Silence for Sandy Hook Elementary

Together for Our Kids,

Denise

M.I.A...and a freebie....

Yes, I have been "Missing In Action".  Action being school work.  I'm sure every one of you wonderful teachers can relate.  What do I do the minute my vacation starts?  More teacher stuff of course!  I'm lucky that my personal kiddos are at the age where they would rather I not be around so much (which is why I like to be around even more--HA!), I can find a minute, hour, few hours late into the night to surf the web for inspirations and great ideas to make my work easier, more interesting and colorful!  My kiddos at school, however, need me the entire day....UGH!  :)

For now I've posted a little something in my TPT store AND I'm offering you a little freebie to boot!  Click on the picture to head to the goods.

Here's a little freebie.  It's a multiple representations chart that I like to use with my 2nd graders.  They not only have to show the number and write the number in expanded notation, but they also have to decide where the number belongs on the number line and justify why they put it there.  Click the pict to download a FREE copy.

Hope this is something you can use!

Together for Our Kids,

Denise

Teacher T-shirts

Teacher T-shirts, Teacher T-shirts!  Say that 10 times really fast!  Talk about a tongue twister!  Whew!

I need your help.  My grade level is looking for some grade level shirts.  We want something different and we have one man on our grade level.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!  

Even if you have some ideas for a cute saying or something for 2nd grade.  I was thinking some sort of jersey would be cute with the number being 02.  

You all are so creative so get those juices flowin' and help us be the envy of the other grade levels at our school.  :)

Thanks a Million!

Denise

Can You Relate?

Hi.  My name is Denise and I am addicted to Professional Development.

I am a complete nerd when it comes to Professional Development.  I will sign up for just about any staff development that is offered to me.  I love getting the information first hand and I love sharing it with my grade level or everyone on my campus.

I am so very lucky that my principal will feed my addiction as often as she's able.  When she called me this afternoon to ask me if I was interested in Stephen Covey's 7 Habits (she totally knew I would be), I was giddy with excitement!  Literally changed my mood!  I actually did a little dance and immediately called my good friend to see if she was just as excited as I was--She was!  WOO HOO!

I know there's lots of you out there that have done this training.  What did ya think?  Is it as effective as I've heard?

**Sad News--As I was checking the spelling of Stephen Covey's name, I read that he has just passed due to complications from a bicycle accident he had in April.  He was 79.

Two of my favorite quotes by Mr. Covey... 

"I am not a product of my circumstances.  I am a product of my decisions." 

& 

"Live, love, laugh, leave a legacy"

Together for Our Kids,

Denise

Question for Texas Bloggers

I was just curious.  I teach every subject with C-scope.  Does everyone in the state use it?  If you do use it, have you logged on to the new website?  What do ya think?

Together for Our Kids,

Denise