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

Michigan Love

Thank you Michigan.  You are so beautiful, calming and friendly and you've managed to help me to enjoy some much needed relaxation.  <3 <3 <3  Even though your temperatures have been in the 90s, the calming effects of the forests, the water and just plain lazy days have calmed my nerves.  

Why do I need this relaxing trip so much?  Why have I been so "edgy" lately?  Why have I bitten off all of my fingernails?-------My 19 year old daughter, was "unable to get off work" to go with us on our family vacation this year.  Fill in the blank.....

I am in the beautiful state of Michigan! We are visiting the in-laws who have a summer cabin up here.  My days are consisting of laying on the beach at the lake, jet skiing, laying on the beach, taking the boat out, and laying on the beach.  Tomorrow we're taking out the canoe. Before we leave this gorgeous state we're going to Mackinac Island and I'll probably lay around the beach a few more times--especially because it is HOT!  I'm from Texas and I know HOT and these poor people up here aren't used to doing HOT!  

By they way.  If you're ever out near Glennie Tavern, definitely stop in for a beer, some pizza or fried fish on a Friday night.  It is De-lish!!

Together for Our Kids,

Denise 

Manic Monday and Award Appreciation

"It's just another Manic Monday...Oh oh oh....."  You know the rest.  (I'm sure I'm not the first one to do this, but I just had to.  :)

I'm linkin' it up with Manic Monday at Classroom Freebies!!!!  I'm offering the very same Summer Vacation Writing Craftivity that I offered yesterday--right here on my blog.  I hope y'all will enjoy it and be able to use it.  Click the picture below to snag a copy.

I would also like to thank Jennifer at Grade 2 Happenings for awarding me with the Lovely Blog Award.  She also has a lovely blog--get over there and check it out. 

I'm now off to check out all those freebies at Manic Monday and then I'm going to try to hold up my end of the blog award and find some other Lovely Blogs.  :)

Together for Our Kids,

Denise

Freebie--Back to School Fun!

I LOVE tying read-alouds into just about everything I can!  I really enjoy reading aloud to my class and if it covers a topic I'm trying to teach--even better because it makes my work  job a little easier.  ("If you love what you do, you'll never have to "work" a day in your life"---right)

I like to read Pictures From Our Vacation by Lynne Rae Perkins, the first week of school.  I love this story.  It reminds me of my own family vacations.  I also read this story again through out the year, because it is a great way to teach visualization AND I believe it is also a picture book recommended in the book No More, "I'm Done" by Jennifer Jacobson.

You may have seen this idea on a past post of mine.  This freebie isn't anything really big, but it is an activity my team and I like to do at the beginning of the year.  I've cutsied it up a bit.  So, here it is.  If you have any questions about it, please let me know.  If you have any suggestions on how to improve it--let me know.  

Click Here or on the picture to get this download.  :)

Together for Our Kids,

Denise

Freebie for Back to School

I whipped this little activity up to use at the beginning of the year.  I've noticed that a lot of the students aren't real sure what to expect in their new grade.  I would start out by reading First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg.  (If you haven't heard of this book, look it up because it is Super Cute.)  Just comparing the grade the students were in last year to the grade they're in this year, is sure to ease their nerves.  I've also added some writing forms if you're interested....they're sideways because I couldn't figure out how to rotate the slide....I'm learning.....

   CLICK HERE to take a peek or download.

I hope you can use these.  They are available for download on google docs, but I'm going to make the jump and open up a TPT store.  I'm going to be crossing my fingers.....

I'm sure you do this, too, but I just love looking through our textbooks on the first day of school and showing them what they will be able to do at the end of the year.  They're pretty amazed and they get really excited for what's ahead.  

Together for Our Kids,

Denise

TEKS vs. Common Core

Some of you may be wondering what TEKS are, well....Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, (or TEKS), is Texas' equivalent to the Common Core Standards.  There are only four states that have chosen not to adopt the CCS and Texas is one of them.  In case your interested, Alaska, Nebraska and Virginia are the other three.

The TEKS aren't that much different from the CCS.  I do like the wording of the CCS better than our TEKS.  I found this article from the TX Association of Business that I thought was interesting.  It is comparing TEKS to CCS in Math.  Here's the link if you're interested.  http://www.txbiz.org/wcnews/NewsArticleDisplay.aspx?articleid=46  What do you think?  Any comments or concerns?

Here is a copy of the 2nd Grade TEKS that I have made into a checklist.  You can click on the picture or HERE.

On to less political and more teacher talk.  I've copied some of your ideas and made myself a checklist that covers our 2nd Grade TEKS.  It's more for myself, but I was thinking of putting a copy of Math and ELAR in the student binders so they can also check off when we cover a standard.  Maybe even make a poster of the Math that we can check off together as a class.   I think it will also hold them more accountable for their learning.  My district has a Common Assessment every 6 weeks that goes over 2n Grade TEKS taught in Reading, Revising & Editing, and Math.  This school year they will also be adding Social Studies.  

Is This Weird....or Am I Crazy?!?

I could be really embarrassing myself right now by admitting this...but this is something I find really weird.  My husband can't understand how this is so "troubling" to me and how I let it bother me so much.  It also sort of bothers me that it doesn't bother him.  By now you're probably saying, "GET TO THE POINT!"  Ok, ok....I was at a public pool today with some friends, and there was a family that just started swimming in their clothes.  Yeah, walked down the ladder into the 4ft water at the pool fully dressed in nice clothes.  Well, the dad, mom and sister (around 13 years old) were in their street clothes...the son (around 10 years old) was in his underwear, (in his defense, they were boxer briefs, but clearly underwear).   The dad had on denim shorts and a nice polo shirt and the mom had on a super cute sequined top and white pants (wet white pants on a lady in early 40s NOT appropriate).  Now, I DO live in Texas near a touristy part of the state and it is HOT...they all had on water shoes, though.  How do you have water/swim shoes, but no suits?  No life guards said anything about the undies or the see-through pants, so am I being too judgemental?

Your honest opinion would help me out.  My husband has really made me question the type of person I am.  Am I normal or do I have a serious personality flaw?  

Yikes!

Denise

Race Over To....

...The Tattooed Teacher blog.  She is having a most FABULOUS giveaway.  You must hurry though!  It ends tonight.

Together for Our Kids,

Denise

Daily 5--Chapter 1

After reading everyone's posts, I, too have some of the same questions and concerns.  I have tried to implement Daily 5 in the past but I never could really stick with it.  I think it might have been   I'm SURE it was because either  1) I didn't REALLY read the book all the way;  2) I tried to skip all the stamina building in all areas but "Read to Self";  3) I was freaking out because I didn't have anything to grade and how in the heck was going to make sure those sweet kiddos were actually working;  or  4) I just skipped all the teaching of behaviors and just jumped right in.  My frustration with Daily 5 could have been any on of those reasons OR most likely, all of them.  You see I am a bit of a control freak.  I am aware that this is a huge flaw?  I still met with individuals and groups, but everyone else would be doing "must do's", silent reading, or AR quizzes.  As far as making sure everyone was working--well some students wouldn't even finish their "must do" or would forget to turn it in, so that was a headache in itself.

A very good friend who also teaches 2nd grade did the Daily 5 this past year--the right way.  By the time Thanksgiving rolled around she was loving it!  I was already bored and stressed out over my reading block.  So...I vow to stick with the Daily 5 unless my principal tells me I need to be doing something different.  I'm hoping that not doing so much prep and grading for my reading block is going to relax me, therefore I will enjoy my ELAR as much as my Math & Science.  Even if I only get through 2 rounds some days and 5 rounds others, that still gives me time to meet with those students that need that extra time with the teacher.  

QUESTIONS:

1.  Those of you have Daily 5 for more than one year, do you need to tweak it any year to year--depending on your class, or does it work the same every year and everyone eventually learns the behaviors?

2.  What do you do with the students who are struggling readers and writers, and out-loud thinkers?

I'm interested to read whatcha think.

Together for Our Kids,

Denise

Giveaway?...I'm in!!!

Amanda over at Teaching Maddeness has reached 100 followers in just ONE week!  She is having a phenomenal giveaway.  Her blog is WAY cute and best of all I've already gotten some great ideas!  Quick!  Click the link, check it out, and enter!

Together for Our Kids,Denise

Daily 5 Book Study! Woo Hoo!

I know!  I know!  I admitted earlier that I've never really stuck with reading or implementing the Daily 5 (or too many of the other 50+ teacher books I've purchased), but I HAVE scanned them very closely and several, several times.  Three years ago I even purchased a membership to their website.  Well, I'm one of THOSE people that sort of believes in "Signs".  My good friend is moving grade levels and she's only teaching Math & Science, SO she gave me her Daily 5 stuff before school ended. Then, a principal from another school was telling me how her campus along with another elementary are implementing the Daily 5 K-4.  Then, I saw there was a Kinder book study that already started on the Daily 5. NOW I see there is a primary book study that starts MONDAY the 18th.

OK!  I really want to be PREPARED, MOTIVATED & GUNG HO to go full throttle with Daily 5!  The more people that join in on the study...the more interesting info I get.  Win-Win!!

Here's the info Lory's Page: Daily 5 - Primary Grade Book Study

Get Reading!!

Together for Our Kids,

Denise

Student Treasures

This year was my fourth year to do Student Treasures with my class.  We actually do it as a grade level.  We don't have to, but we always choose to.  We pick a common theme, which always seems to center around "Saving the Earth".  Each student writes a page and illustrates a page to go along with their writing.  When it is finished, the teacher packs it up and mails it in.  Each student is able to purchase the hardback class book for $20.  The teacher receives one for FREE!  There is are 2 parts that are a bit time consuming on the part of the teacher.  1.  The "final" writing and illustration needs to be done on the special paper provided by the company.  It's a glossy paper, so it needs to be written on with markers.  Because I have 2nd graders, I have them write their finished product with pencil and then I go over each one with a black, thin marker.  After they finish their illustrations, I also go back with the same marker and outline some of the objects just to make them stand out a little more.  2.  In order for the correct picture and writing to be side-by-side, the student's drawing has to be on the back of another student's writing.  No matter how many times I model and say this, I still hear a lot of, "This isn't my paper!"  or "I have Sophie's!  Who has mine?".  

Anyway...it always works out in the end and the results are fabulous!  I'm the biggest procrastinator in my grade level to get this done and even though we give ourselves plenty of time to do it...We are always turning it in at the last minute.  Each year we do it again and the students love reading the books that the other classes before them have written.  

Here are some examples from this year.  The book on the left at the top of the photos was done by my son and his friend in 4th grade this year.  The book on bottom of the same photo was done by my 2nd grade class this year.  The photo on the right is just a sample page of what a student did.  

I am pretty proud of the great job my kiddos did!  Check out their website, Student Treasures.  I promise you will love the end results and be so glad you put in the time.

Together for Our Kids,

Denise

Guided Reading & Balanced Literacy...What do YOU DO??

Out of all of the subjects I teach in 2nd grade, I have to say that my strongest subject is Math and next is Science.  Maybe because they are the most interesting to me and I can get really enthusiastic about it.  The ELAR block is my least favorite and so I am always trying to work on making it more interesting to me.  I just can't ever get a "flow" going.  I stress out a bit because I know that this is the most important subject at this age.  My students always show a lot of growth and they do very well on their district assessments.  I can get my students where they need to be and get them to really love reading.  I LOVE read alouds and all the modeling of what a good reader should do.  I love talking to the students about what they're reading and why they chose that book.  I love doing all kinds of fun Reading Response activities that go along with the books we read.  BUT.....and this is a HUGE BUT...I get so bored with the direct teaching of strategies, the word work, the phonics, and the writing.  Probably bored with it because I'v never really been taught the strategies that I need to teach.  ANYWAY......because of my lack of interest, every summer I venture out and try to find some book or workshop that will get me excited about TEACHING reading.  I think that if I can get my students a little above where they should be by the end of 2nd grade, imagine where they could go if I was excited and had self-confidence that what I was teaching them was exactly what they need.  Self-confidence--that's the word I was looking for.  Not so much "BOREDOM" or "LACK OF INTEREST", but self-confidence is what I'm lacking when it comes to the Reading/LA block.

I need a routine that flows.  It needs to be a routine that I'm happy with and fits my style.  I've started the Daily 5 and the Cafe books two summers in a row, but never really finished.  This summer I am reading
Balanced Literacy Essentials by Parr and Campbell and Guiding Readers by Lori J. Rog.  I've also been chosen to preview The Primary Comprehension Toolkit by Harvey & Goudvis for grades K-2.  To top it all off I was also chosen to go to a workshop at the beginning of August for Balanced Literacy and C-scope (which is the curriculum my district & state use).

So...What do you do during your Lit block?  What does your routine look like?  Having you taken pieces of different ideas?  What have you done to "further" yourself with phonics, and teaching writing and reading strategies?

Also....Is or has anyone else used the Comprehension Toolkit and what did you think about it?  Has anyone read either or both of the books?

Lend me your feedback...please.

Together for Our Kids,
Denise

I'm Comin' Out!!!

Out to the portables that is!!!

OK...y'all were such a TREMENDOUS help with my questions about the Mac.  (Which by the way I got the 13" Macbook Pro and I LOVE IT!!!!)  I need more advice...I'm moving out of the building and into a portable classroom--you know the "shacks", the "cabins", and my favorite since half of my grade level is inside and the other out--the "Porto-Pod".  In the building I had tons of storage and counter space.  In the portable I don't really have any.  If you've been "ousted" outside, what cool tips do you have to share with me about room set-up, organization, classroom management, etc.  HELP!  I'm coming to y'all--the EXPERTS!

Thanks a Billion in advance!!

Together for Our Kids,

Denise