Teach Love

Yay For Sharp Pencils!

2012-02-02T15:03:00.001-07:00

Guess who ordered a new pencil sharpener?! Thanks Farley for the suggestion. It's a great little sharpener!

I Love My Planner

2012-01-29T09:54:00.001-07:00

Only $4.00 from Marshall's. Love the quotes and artwork. Love the size and organization. Can't wait to fill it with thoughts, ideas, and good times.

Conference Time!

2012-01-22T13:41:00.001-07:00

I'm here in LA at the IB Americas Conference for three days. Here in the PYP Make It Happen session we are learning all about the PYP. Shoot me a comment if you have any questions you want to ask our fab facilitators.

Currently...

2012-01-10T20:35:00.003-07:00

I love the idea of having an annual OLW. I tried out a few...breathe, relax, blah, blah.
I finally landed on grace. Goodwill. Elegance. Mercy. I love all of these things.
Bingo! Grace it is.

Now on to planning my graceful writing lesson for my next observation. Tah!

Find more OLW fun here...

Target & Dollar Store Finds

2012-01-08T13:21:00.001-07:00

Looky at my treasures this weekend!

Target - Gotta have the protein! $5!

Dollar Store - Will use these to make Valentine Mail Boxes.

Target - Freshen up my desk with some new note pads.

Target - For my secret pal.

Dollar Store - Cute stickers and smelly monster markers at the Dollar Store.

Target - The 100th Day Crowns. 25 a pack! Got some for the whole grade.

My Go-To Book(s)

2012-01-07T13:07:00.001-07:00

Stephanie at Teaching in Room 6 is hosting her first link party. What is that one resource that you couldn't live without? The one book that is above all others?

I looked at the other blogger picks and found that my go-to's are the same as all of yours. They are just great resources to have on hand. Growing Readers, Reading with Meaning, and all the great Lucy Calkins books.

So then I decided that I should choose two that we have been studying at my school this year. They are perfect for shaping the discussions in your class into something they can really grow and learn from. The five math talk moves in Classroom Discussions can really be used in all subjects and areas of learning.

My 11 in '11

2012-01-02T21:53:00.000-07:00

11. Favorite movie you watched:

A Midnight in Paris

Woody + art + Paris = LoVe!!!

10. Favorite TV series:

Zooey makes me laugh ^_^

9. Favorite restaurant:

Jax Fish House - Boulder

This place saved my sanity when I really needed some real seafood in the mountains.
928 Pearl Street Boulder, CO 80302

8. Favorite new thing you tried:

Skiing

Hey! Look at that Polynesian go down the mountain!

7. Favorite gift you got:

My 1st pair of snow boots

6. Favorite thing you pinned:

They are so freakin' cute!

5. Favorite blog post:

How to Make a Classroom Fire

Campfire Stories

4. Best accomplishment:

Moving to a new state and finding a J.O.B.!!!

3. Favorite picture:

A sweet moment between my two angels...ahhh. Love them!!!

2. Favorite memory:

Camping with my family in Rocky Mountain Park

1. Goal for 2012:

To take it slow and enjoy each moment to the fullest!

It's going to be a great year girls!

Caps for Sale

2012-01-02T21:13:00.000-07:00

Our class will be enjoying this 1940's story book when we all get back from a long winter's break. Hopefully you'll find some fun activities for your kiddos. Enjoy!

Here is my contribution to share...

Google Doc Share ^_^

Hubbard's Cupboard really has a great week's worth of lessons and activties.


Click on the button to download pre-k/k printables for the book	from Homeschool Creations


Lesson Pathways has a list of activities and printables to use for free.

Homeschool Share has a really cute download that teaches coins and graphs.

Scholastic Printables has a free download to make your own visor and act out the story.

I Want That...NOW! An Economics Unit

2011-12-22T00:47:00.004-07:00

Hi there! I'm jumping right in to some good resource hunting for our next IB Unit, I Want That...NOW!

Disciplinary Theme -

How We Organize Ourselves

Line of Inquiry-
Families participate in a

market economy as producers and consumers.

Let's start with a book list to pull ideas from -

Nothing by Jon Agee

This book also leads to discussions on signs, advertisements, and figuring out how consumers convince each other that they "need" something.


Otis makes a killing when his customers find that they really need to keep buying a bunch of nothing.

To Market, To Market by Janet Stevens

There is a Reading A-Z book with this rhyme

This classic nursery rhyme is an enjoyable read aloud that introduces the concept of a market. Super Cool Note - Janet Stevens went to art school here in Colorado. The market in the book is right here in Boulder, CO.

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

Shel's site is pretty awesome to share with the class

You know this one...wants and needs in a tear-jerking lesson.

Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina

Reading A-Z has lessons and activities for this book
Activities from Hubbard's Cupboard

Goods and services

Now onto some online resources -

EconEdLink - Goods and Services

Lessons and interactive student games

EconEdLink - We are Consumers and Producers

Lessons and interactive student games

EconEdLink - Delivering the Goods

Lessons and interactive student games

EconKids by Rutgers School of Arts and Science

Ideas for using children's literature to introduce economic concepts

Scholastic - Fun Family Finances

Easy ways to for you to pitch in and help your family spend less

US Mint Kids Site
Planet Orange

Set up a FREE account to this cool interactive site to financial world

BrainPOP Jr. Needs and Wants
Producers and Consumers Song

And finally, printables-

So tired -_- z.z.z....coming soon.....

Currently

2011-12-20T00:23:00.001-07:00

Hello My Name is Heather is Heather Bailey's design blog. Her patterns make me so happy!

Link to the party, assorted gangsta comments, and more fun here...

Jan Brett Author Study Linky Party

2011-12-01T19:41:00.001-07:00

Wow, is it December already? Yikes! I have so much to do...

Here are some resources that I am using for these last weeks of 2011.

The Mitten

Strategy - Prediction, Sequence of Events

Skills - Animal names

Resources:
Jan Brett Site - Info, Masks, Put the animals in the mitten printable, coloring pages, video of JB drawing a bear
Barnes and Noble Online Storytime
Hubbard's Cupboard
Enchanted Learning (membership needed)
Teaching Heart
Economics Lesson using The Mitten (scarcity)
Teaching in High Heels
Reading A-Z The Mitten (membership needed)

The Three Snow Bears

Strategy - Compare and Contrast, Sequence of Events
Skills - Vocabulary, -er and -est

Resources:
Jan Brett Site - Info, coloring mural, coloring pages,
video of JB drawing a baby polar bear, video of JB drawing a Siberian husky
Home School Share
Reading A-Z Goldilocks and the Three Bears (membership needed)
Reading A-Z Goldilocks and the Other Three Bears (membership needed)

Gingerbread Friends

Strategy - Cause and Effect, Questioning, Character Analysis
Skills - (Math Measurement), contractions, rhyme,

Resources:
Jan Brett Site - Info, board game, interactive gingerbread house, coloring mural, video of JB baking gingerbread babies, video of JB drawing gingerbread friends, coloring pages
Teacher Vision guide
PreKinders
Teaching Heart

Okay, now it's your turn to share your favorite Jan Brett resource and book activities.

Dolch Word Set 1 for RtI and Small Group Instruction

2011-11-06T22:48:00.002-07:00

Hooray! I just finished making a Dolch Word Set of activities to use with my support group of kids who need extra practice with sight words. We have a district list and are also using DRA2 Word Analysis lists, but I like the progression of the Dolch Words.

I have created a 15 page document that has some fun activities that you may want to try. Have a look-see...

Click here to get the Google Doc.

Currently...

2011-11-06T15:43:00.001-07:00

Currently Linky Party at

A Year of Reading - great book reviews!

Have a fun week everyone!

Halloween Online Resources

2011-10-30T17:49:00.000-06:00

Here are some last minute online resources to use tomorrow:

We Give Books

Primary Games

Funschool

and info about Dia de los Muertos

Lesson Plan Binder

2011-10-18T16:25:00.001-06:00

Here are some pics of my newly organized lesson plan binder. Cut-to-fit dividers made from scrapbook card stock. I have a few templates used from Blog Land and I can't quite remember where I found them from at the moment. Will follow up later...

DOK Chart to plan for questioning

My fancy dividers made from scrapbook cardstock

Standards Based Data Collector

Curriculum Map

Daily Schedule

Greenroom Binder from Target

Notes, Lists, and Daily Documentation

Week-At-A-Glance Quick Planner

Behavior Clip Chart Recorder from ???

Favorite Mentor Text

2011-10-17T21:34:00.003-06:00

Funky First Grade Fun is hosting a Linky Party about our most favorite mentor texts. Mentor texts are the books that I gravitate towards every year in hopes that the class absorbs their words, ideas, feelings, and style and outputs their own little versions.

Here is one of my favorites...

I love Cherries and Cherry Pits by Vera B. Williams! First off, I totally love her colorful illustrations. Second, this is how I want my kids to become engaged and emersed in story telling. The main character Bidemmi starts off with a topic and that topic grows with characters and great details. Each of her mini stories has structure and meaning. Love it!

And here is one of the BEST places to find great writing ideas...

North Nevada Writing Project

Click on their badge to find a compilation of Primary Mentor Text lessons. They also have more lessons published in this book ($20):

Head over to the LiNkY PaRtY to see what other books are amah-zing for writing inspiration.

Campfire Stories

2011-10-12T16:13:00.001-06:00

~~I can't remember where I saw this...Teacher Wife perhaps?~~
Yes, Teacher Wife just posted on this HM Unit in 2nd Grade, which BTW was my favorite unit when I taught 2nd grade. (*sigh* I miss having HM...). See her post here.

Just thought I'd document my attempt. The pics are all out of order! Blogging from my phone has its disadvantages I guess...

My daughter just came up with a great idea, project a forest background and find a crackling fire sound file to play. Genius!

Happy Wednesday everyone! My favorite sitcom night everrr. I so heart Modern Family and Happy Endings!!!

P.S. Here are some other ideas I have found...

Click on the picture for the source.

My Favorite Teaching Books

2011-10-09T19:18:00.001-06:00

I kind of just wanted to use this new widget...
But, I do really love these books! Some I am just now getting into, and others I have loved for a long time. Enjoy!

Holly Bloggy Christmas

2011-10-07T18:27:00.001-06:00

You guys...I am so excited about

Hosted by Ms. Preppy and Kindergarten Korner. I just signed up and have a bunch of ideas for my lucky buddy. Also, I added my Pinterest link so my buddy knows what styles I like.

Yay! What a great way to get ready for the holiday season.

Work Everywhere

2011-10-01T14:28:00.001-06:00

Waiting for my car to be washed at the dealership...
Efficient or just plain sad?

September Classroom Tour

2011-09-29T19:49:00.000-06:00

I think that I can manage a monthly tour of what is going on in my classroom. Here is what we have been working on in the first 30 days of first grade...

Student writing tools. Sideways like my smiley (-:


Word Wall and Vowel Glue Bottles from Teacher Wife. Thank you!!!


My guided group area.


Calendar/Math Wall

Behavior Chart

Sink/Daily 5 Area

Reading Chart Sample

Writing Boxes

Our Class Agreement that we chant every morning

Job Chart and Class List

Preparing for October! Fall Fun Patterns ^_^

Close-up of the Word Wall

My Top Ten Blogs: I Heart Your Blog Awards

2011-09-27T23:30:00.000-06:00

Hey there! After coming through a haze of parent conferences and math assessment training, I am finally able to post. Today, I would love to thank Fifth Grade Fun for naming Teach Love on her Top Ten list. What a great feeling! To be honest, after hosting this blog for years and only having 43 followers, I have been feeling like this project was a lost cause. I do love to share, but is this really worth the time? I think what I really am trying to accomplish with this blog is to share my ideas and finds regardless of how popular I am. Looking through my posts over the years is a great refelction activity for me. Kind of like a living portfolio...

Anyhoo...thank you kvk and everyone else who stop by every once and a while to have a peek.

And now on to my current top ten blogs. These are in no particular order. I went through my pins and my blog list to see who I have been inspired by the most these last few months. Thank you girls for your hard work and dedication to bringing our community of educators closer together! Bravo!

Dolphin Tale for the Classroom

2011-09-18T23:43:00.003-06:00

I was so excited to see the trailer for the upcoming movie Dolphin Tale. Superb actors AND director AND story... This movie is going to be fantastic!

Two years ago, I shared this book with my class...

A special Scholastic Book Fair find.

We were so excited to be a part of the Scholastic.com LIVE webcast of Winter at his home in Clearwater, FL. The site still has a link to the webcast. It is a heartwarming story that your kids will fall in love with.

The students then had a blast playing at Winter's home site at Turtle Pond Publications (also home to Owen, Mzee, Knut, Miza, Leo, Junior Buddy, Lola, and Tiva). The sing-a-long is the best. So funny...

Let's introduce our kids to empathy and courage through this fantastic tale! Go Team Winter! ^_^

Rainy Day Recess - Adventure to Fitness

2011-09-07T18:37:00.000-06:00

I was introduced to this FREE program last year. When the weather is unkind, flip on your projector and log on to Adventure to Fitness. It is a 30 minute video that takes your whole class on an adventure. Mr. Marc is the guide who has to fight Mr. Laze and his unhealthy habits. The kids are so excited when it's Adventure Time. I hope that you find this as helpful as I have.

Go to Teacher Login and create a new account to find all the great episodes.

Side note-
Make sure your speakers work well, the sound is a little low. And this is not recommended for classes on the second floor...lots of running and jumping. ^_^

Home Screen

Available episodes...my kids loved the Super Volcano.

There are printable lesson plans and student activities with each episode for three age levels.

Spotlight on Meal Makeovers Moms' Kitchen

2011-09-03T18:49:00.002-06:00

Okay, I am still getting working on my mommy/teacher balancing act. I am worried that I am not making my home life as magical as my classroom life. I try to entertain my daughter as much as possible...crafting, playing, singing, etc. I found a fun site to spruce up my dinners and make them more fun and healthy.

Check out the fun foodie ideas here:

Smories

2011-09-03T11:00:00.000-06:00

Another literacy fun site. Smories is a collection of stories told by children from the UK. They are responsible for the Walphabet site that I posted about earlier. The stories are cute and so are the readers! ^_^ I am planning on watching this with my daughter. I'm not sure about showing it to my class yet, as the accents may confuse them (8 ESL students). Check it out and let me know how you would use this fun resource.

Walphabet

2011-09-02T14:00:00.000-06:00

This alphabet site is so much fun! Read about how to form each letter and join that letter on a little adventure. Go to the site and sign up for updates on when the lower case stories are added.

Walphabet

Currently...

2011-09-01T21:16:00.000-06:00

Kathryn at Kindergarten...Kindergarten...

(formally crisscrossapplesauce.tyepad.com...oops)

made this awesome download book for teaching how readers should take care of their precious books.

She also has other great classroom ideas like these...

Thanks Kathryn! ^_^

Hosted by

Fizzy's Lunch Lab

2011-08-29T21:55:00.000-06:00

I love this site! Have you seen it? It is not aired, at least I haven't seen it in the last 3 years I have been viewing it with my class. The kids love it! Great characters, songs, and messages. My daughter yells at me at the grocery store because I didn't shop the "U" and she also checks for sodium content on everything because she doesn't want to get dehydrated. I tell you, this is a great site for your lunch bunch. Check it out and let me know how you will use it.

Episodes include:

From the PBS Teachers Link -

Fizzy's Lunch Lab is a vibrant, fun and kid-friendly Web-only series featuring original characters and funny stories that entertain and educate families about the importance of good nutrition, a balanced diet, and physical activity. Join Professor Fizzy and his friends in the super-charged Lunch Lab Test Kitchen, as they prepare healthy snacks, investigate the difference between good and bad food, and learn what happens once the food you eat goes into your body.

Each week, The Lunch Lab website will release a new animated short video as well as a corresponding recipe for kids and parents to enjoy. Monthly food/nutrition themes will help guide our message, and the animated videos will reinforce concepts pertaining to the featured theme. This will make it easy for both parents and teachers to incorporate lessons in the home and classroom.

Mindful Choices

2011-08-26T16:00:00.001-06:00

In our the IB program, we encourage kids and adults to be really mindful about their choices. With a blog, I find myself constantly reflecting on my actions. It really is a great, yet simple way to keep balance in your life. Click the image to download.

Thank you Lettering Delights for the very cute frames.

Choose Act Reflect Poster

New Teacher Advice

2011-08-23T21:03:00.003-06:00

1. Stay positive! When there are things out of your control, let it be and move on to something you can put positive energy into...like blogging. JJ

2. Take it ( ( ( s l o w ) ) ). Don't get caught in a whirlwind that you can't handle. If the kids aren't getting something, turn around, go back, and work on it till it's right. Build that good foundation.

3. Organize with the ending in mind. For example, if there is a project you are particularly proud of, keep a student sample and start a portfolio. File things that you have been given by theme or month so everything is easier to retrieve next year. Be thoughtful about the materials and files you collect or you will become the crazy file lady!!! ^_^

My first year was tremendous! I learned so much about myself teaching my first class. It must be done to grow. Keep your head up and enjoy the wild ride!

Oh! I forgot...have someone throw you a Teacher Shower! One of my student teachers had one and it was so fun. Make a list of supplies you will need and pass it along to the host to organize. I wish I had one...

Thank you Anna at

for starting the conversation!

Meet the Teacher

2011-08-22T20:59:00.004-06:00

Here goes nothin'... (of course I have planning to do, but this is more fun. I am NOT eating my frog first...)

Tell us a little something about you...

My name is Nicole and I'm here to say,
I love Fruity Pebbles in a major waaaaayyy...^_^

(Couldn't help myself)

My family and I just moved to Boulder, CO from Jacksonville, FL.

How long have you been teaching?

This will be my 1, 2, 3,...6th year! Yipee!

I have taught 1st for 5 years and 2nd for 1 year.

I was a Production Designer for a printer, a travel agency, and an advertising agency.

My BA is in Art History with a minor in Asin Studies.

Go figure...

I LoVe TeAcHiNg!!!

You might not know...

That I love Project Runway, Wes Anderson, Woody Allen, Ella Fitzgerald, The Killers, The Strokes, and Sweet Coconut Thai Chai (Celestial Seasonings).

My dog's name is Lady Calderbank. (In an English accent...)

My hubby is English and I am Hawaiian-Chinese-Filipino.

What are you looking most forward to this school year?

Everything is so new to me here. I am looking forward to finding out what my new school community is like and getting to know my families and making new friends.

What do you need to improve?

Focusing on each lesson's goal and taking things slow.

I need to make sure every kid gets "it" before they leave my room.

What teaching supplies can you *not* live without?

Thank you Abby at

for hosting...

Classroom Before and After

2011-08-16T21:17:00.006-06:00

School has begun. Must. Post.

Let me first say, I really love my new school. We started out the year like most of you, with a general faculty meeting. What was really cool and special about this meeting was that we finished the day by visiting our school neighborhoods with our new school shirts (Year of the Dragon) in a big yellow bus! Imagine being a kid hearing whistles, kazoos, maracas, and teachers cheering for you to get back to school! It was so fun. The kids were so happy to see us. What a wonderful way to become a part of my new community and school family.

And now for your viewing pleasure. Classroom pics:

The before, before...

The whole school was renovated, so while we were on the bus singing and hollering, the school looked like this.

When I first walked in...6 days before the first day of school:

Every rug in the hallway stacked very nicely.

Every old clock in the building stacked very nicely.

Yes...that is what you see...

It took 2 days to get it like this...

And three more days to get it like this...

These were taken after the first day of school.

Love the new ceiling mounted projector! Yay!

Wide shelving to make sure books aren't shoved and stuffed back into their boxes. Fan because there's no air in the room. Yikes!

Kind of messy afternoon dump-on-the-table picture.

Word Wall, Behavior Chart, and Brownie Points Pan. Throughout out the first trimester the students will be creating the alphabet chart, classroom agreement charts, anchor charts, and other references around the room. This explains my blank walls.

Calendar Math

Right now I'm working on my classroom CHAMPs plan. I know my little guys well enough to put in place some more structure. Moving to a new state has it's challenges, but I am so excited to have the Florida knowledge and PD to mix and choose with the Colorado style. I think blogging helps us as a nation to see what's is required of other states and how we can find common ways to reach our kids.

Thanks everyone again for sharing your love of learning and teaching!

This has been added to Thoughts of a Third Grade Teacher's

RSA School Animation - Changing Education Paradigms

2011-08-14T16:28:00.003-06:00

If you haven't seen this one yet, you should have a look. I find myself really cheering on positive reforms and am constantly reflecting on how I am able to move my kids forward in today's economy. Let's get the school year started!

IB PYP Learner Profile Activity

2011-08-11T23:24:00.001-06:00

If you are teaching at an IB Primary Year Program school let me know. I would love some more ideas for 1st grade. Here is a Learner Profile activity that helps students reflect and also informs the teacher.

If you are not at an IB school, you can still use this piece to inform you deeper about the students learning preferences.

Images and fonts from Lettering Delights.

(Click image to download)

Focus! My Top Three Things for 2011-12

2011-08-10T23:18:00.001-06:00

1. Daily 5 - This is the first year teaching within this format. Thankfully, there are so many of you out there teaching and sharing their experiences. This is so helpful for a newbie like me. I promise to return the favor as the year goes on...

2. IB PYP - International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program. My new school just became officially accredited and I can't let them down! Such an amazing program. Lookie...

3. ELL - I really need to work on my ELL component to be able to reach all of the students in my class. This one may take a while, but is well worth the effort...

Thanks Mrs. Morris at Simply 2nd Resources for such a great beginning of the year prompt:

Mo Willems - Cat the Cat

2011-08-06T09:00:00.005-06:00

I love some Mo Willems! Pigeon! Elephant and Piggie! And now we love Cat the Cat. First graders will love the super easy readers because they are hilarious. Seriously hilarious. And the students will be inspired to make their own. Watch the promo to get more ideas. The kids will love watching this as well.

Click the button to see his great site with videos, goodies, and more!

Dollar Deals - Dollar Tree

2011-08-05T09:00:00.002-06:00

Holy $80 at Dollar Tree...

First let me explain...I have just relocated to Boulder, Co from Jacksonville, FL. My hubby found a new job here that he LoVeS. I have been searching all summer for a job and just recently was hired into a first grade classroom at an awesome school. More news on the school later. In transition, I was only able to bring the bare minimum of my classroom and teaching materials. I am excited to start over again, especially with all of the new inspiration I am digging up from the blog/Pinterest/FB teaching realm.

Here are some goodies I scored from the local DT:

My giant IKEA bag. So great for shopping trips like this.

Aren't these shoe boxes cute? Going to use them for math centers.

Word Wall pointers made from fly swatters.

Back to School treat bags

20 green bins for Individual Book Boxes. Plan to paint them.

Woodland theme paper, number reference stickers, alphabet reference stickers, sunflower doilies, and other paper shapes.

5 cookie sheets for a behavior chart idea I have and these really cute crayon color books.

Portable Center bags. I plan on painting these as well.

Magnetic boxes and sink stuff ^_^

Stickers, charts, and presents for birthday graphing.

Prezi - The Amazing Presentation Tool

2011-08-04T00:32:00.001-06:00

Introduction on Prezi

This is a free presentation tool. It took a while to make, but I am really happy with the results.

This Prezi really helps focus the tool for eductaional purposes. Very cool.

How to create a great prezi on Prezi

Currently...using Glogster

2011-08-03T12:05:00.010-06:00

This Glogster is interactive. Click on each image to see links.

listening to the Givers. Makes me so hap-happy. *\ 0_0 /*

loving my family. ^_^

thinking about cake. So delicious. *_*

wanting a Kate Spade clutch. $325...((s i g h))

needing to exercise. Gotta get off my blogging booty.

stalking Geninne's (non-teaching) Art Blog. I love her beautiful birds! And also these lovely blogs...

Thank you

for hosting the party!

Smithsonian - Take a Look Back

2011-08-01T23:17:00.003-06:00

I've really been overly ambitious with classroom planning and I think blogging and Pinterest are the culprits! Don't get me wrong...I do love it very much, but I needed a break. I am designing a technology unit for first graders. Within the unit the students will be asked to sequence photos depicting a category in technology in a simple timeline. For example, for communication I have an image of a Pony Express rider, a US Postal Truck from the early 1900's, and a picture of e-mail on a computer. So, as I am looking up archived historical photos, I found these off of the Smithsonian catalog:

They are haunting, simple, and strange. I marvel at how far we have come in the fight for equal and quality education for all in this nation. I am excited about what is yet to come and am ready to help support, grow, and challenge the young people who will be shaping the future along side of us.

All About Handwriting

2011-07-31T18:14:00.001-06:00

Seriously Primary is hosting a little linky party all about handwriting. This is perfect because I was just thinking about my beginning of the year skills block lessons. Handwriting is a key skill that will really help the kiddos succeed in communicating their ideas. Read more to see what I found on all things handwriting...

From Handwriting Without Tears:

As a nation, we place great emphasis on the importance of reading and writing. Yet, when it comes to literacy, handwriting often is left out of the conversation. Researchers have highlighted the relationship between handwriting and composition skills. They are supporting what elementary educators see on a daily basis: good handwriting habits foster student success. Children need explicit instruction to achieve legible and fluent handwriting.

We are so right! Handwriting is important. We have all witnessed the struggles of students to express themselves because they have problems forming their letters. It does the whole class a great service if handwriting was really focused on and celebrated during the beginning of the school year.

I have put together a list of topics in which you can plan handwriting lessons around. They can fit right into whatever content you are teaching at the time. Get it here.

Check out these resources to see if they fit what you need:

Handwriting Without Tears

The Amazing Handwriting Worksheet Maker

TLS Books Handwriting Worksheets

Handwriting for Kids

Zaner-Bloser Handwriting Resources

SEN Teacher - Handwriting 1

SEN Teacher - Handwriting 2

SEN Teacher - Handwriting 3

And here is an article about why writing makes us smarter:

Huffington Post

Thanks to

for hosting this great linky party!

Dollar Tree Loves Teachers Love Dollar Tree

2011-07-31T10:00:00.007-06:00

We all shop the storefront, but the website shop offers some good bulk deals. I scoured the site to find deals that I thought were worth mentioning and didn't cost over $50. For the bigger bulk items, you can pair up with another class to purchase supplies if needed.

Spotlight On - The Teacher's Lane

2011-07-30T09:30:00.015-06:00

Kim at The Teacher's Lane is hosting a lovely Pinterest Party where all can link their boards and repin to their heart's content.

So many wonderful and inspiring finds to explore on Pinterest. It is really handy when you are in a boring ol' waiting room. Pop on the iPhone and there ya go!

Can't wait to see everyone's boards. It's nice to have some fresh ideas when setting forth into a classroom waiting to be organized and bedazzled!

Click the pic for the deets.

Find the Time To Feed Your Face

2011-07-28T18:00:00.004-06:00

Growing Kinders started a Linky Party to get us all geared up for the school year. How the hey are we going to feed our tired poor souls (and family) after a long day in the classroom?

I find my cooking time one of the most relaxing times of the day. Why? Well, I throw on my Pandora (Ella usually) and I start chopping and cooking away. It's very therapeutic. The problem is that I don't have much time (30 minutes) and I hate cleaning. I try the slow cooker every once in a while, but that gets old quick.

I have complied a weeks worth of quick meals that I thought you might enjoy. It kind of was just thrown together...like how I cook. Hope you find it inspiring!

Click the pic to get the Google Doc.

Thanks again to :

for hosting!

Behavior Interventions and Management

2011-07-26T20:48:00.003-06:00

This is my first "Linky Party" and I must say that I have learned so much from others! Very cute ideas.
This is my Behavior Chart from last year. I had to modify my chart from the year before because the levels were carried out through K-2 in my new school.

Previously I started all my kids on S and the either proved to go up to S+ or better yet E. Of course bad choices mean going down to S- and U. This worked very well for me.

Click here to the see post about my CHAMPs Board from 2009.

I also write a CHAMP out for every activity and transition. This takes a while, but is well worth the trouble.

For specific behavior issues, you should get this book:

The Teacher's Encyclopedia Behavior Management: 100 Problems/500 Plans

From the Safe & Civil Schools Program

Check out more amazing ideas at

Edufy - Dynamic Science Based Learning Activites

2011-07-26T11:38:00.005-06:00

I started an account and found a few good activities. I know each district has its own way to share lessons and activities, but this site may help in a pinch when you are low on materials or ideas.

About Edufy

MISSION

To provide all teachers with the tools that make it possible to build an individualized learning experience for students to promote STEM education. We will make great teaching in STEM easier by providing specialized activities that are easy to find and are maintained by a community of experts and peers.

History Jams

2011-07-25T21:57:00.003-06:00

Is anyone else excited about this Violent Femmes/Napoleon remix???

Maybe Lady Gaga/French Revolution or Pixies/Nefertiti?

I love History for Music Lovers station on YouTube. Check it out.

Glogster

2011-07-25T12:01:00.004-06:00

Lots of teachers are using Glogster to introduce material on one interactive page as well as a home page for their wikis. I started making this scrapbook page layout for my family. I also made a wiki home page which you can see here.

Text

Share what you think about yourself, love, friends,school, or about the world. Write whatever is on your mind! Choose your favorite text design for your poem, joke, quote, or love letter.

Images

Don’t forget to add images! Pick from your own photos or pics you find on the Internet. Your favorite celebrities, friends,cartoons, or art – add them to your Glog to make it unique!

Music

Words and pictures aren’t enough? Pump it up with someaudio! Show off the music you’re into: Pop, rock, hip-hop,indie, punk or techno. Upload your favorite mp3’s or browse Glogs to find new music.

Video

Like to make your own movies? Have a favorite music video?Upload it to your Glog. It’s easy: you can link videos from your fav websites or make your own with a webcam and our Grab tool!

Create your own Glog.

Simply put, a Glog is a kind of poster —fully designed by you! A Glog is a unique creation made up of text, images, music, and video. It can be colorful, edgy, emo, or rock—it’s up to you to make your Glog stand out. Glogs are a perfect way to express who YOU are!

PHeT - Interactive Simulations

2011-07-25T10:05:00.003-06:00

Click to Run

This is a simulation of Gravity and Orbits of the Sun, Earth, Moon and Satellite. Move the sun, earth, moon and space station to see how it affects their gravitational forces and orbital paths. Visualize the sizes and distances between different heavenly bodies, and turn off gravity to see what would happen without it!

Main Topics

Gravitational Force
Astronomy
Circular Motion

Sample Learning Goals

Describe the relationship between the Sun, Earth, Moon and space station, including orbits and positions
Describe the size and distance between the Sun, Earth, Moon and space station
Explain how gravity controls the motion of our solar system
Identify the variables that affect the strength of gravity
Predict how motion would change if gravity was stronger or weaker

By Emily Moore

http://phet.colorado.edu/

I Love School!

2011-07-21T18:59:00.001-06:00

Butterfly Vocabulary Keynote Presentation

2011-03-23T21:16:00.005-06:00

HM Grade 1 - Theme 8.1 Butterfly Vocabulary

View more presentations from ncalderbank.

When asked to present a technology based demonstration lesson for visiting K-1 teachers, I came up with this little ditty.

The hyperlinks are underlined and will take you to online Houghton Mifflin Eduplace readers.

Unfortunately, Slide Share doesn't support animation and inserted media files because I embedded great time lapse films found on YouTube.

Come Join Our 1st Grade Wiki

2010-08-22T11:59:00.002-06:00

So, after emailing attachments a hundred times already this year. We decided to start a DCPS 1st grade teacher wiki to share the love.

Join us here!

Back to School Meet and Greet Tents

2010-08-19T05:13:00.004-06:00

BTS Tents -

Social Studies Big Ideas

2010-08-19T05:04:00.004-06:00

SS -

Science Big Ideas

2010-08-19T05:03:00.003-06:00

Science -

Character Traits for 2010-11

2010-08-19T04:58:00.002-06:00

Character -

My Bulletin Board Sketches

2010-08-07T16:00:00.005-06:00

So this is the first year that I will be responsible for a real class bulletin board. I searched and scoured the internet and came up with these ideas. Hopefully when they come to fruition, I will be able to post successful replicas of the intended...hopefully. ^_^

Teaching the Main Idea in Reading

2010-07-25T16:28:00.006-06:00

Here are some finds that will help me to plan lessons around finding the main idea in reading fiction and nonfiction selections during the year. I have an idea to post a "What's the Big Idea" chart that will serve as a book log and record our ideas we have read together. I'll post that to show you how its coming along...

TeacherVision - Main Idea:Chrysanthemum Lesson

Kids Activities from Woo! Jr. - A Network of Websites for Kids, Teachers & Parents

2010-07-21T07:17:00.003-06:00

Kids Activities from Woo! Jr. - A Network of Websites for Kids, Teachers & Parents

How fun is this site? Very. Found a bunch of activities to do with my kids at home and in the classroom. Today we have printed out a cute book log to fill with all of our library finds and make some stick craft projects.

New School

2010-07-14T16:18:00.004-06:00

Happy Summer! Just writing to inform that I am at a new school. Alimacani Elementary! I will be teaching 1st grade again and am very excited about it all. Also, like all of us human beings, am feeling a little bit nervous. No one knows me...yet. Here is a shot of my new room in which I hope to transform soon. Any tips on transferring to a new school? Stories? Words of advice?

^_^ Nicole

Netvibes

2010-07-12T21:56:00.003-06:00

Well, I don't know exactly how to use this site, but I am getting pretty excited about it anyway. Netvibes is an all inclusive search plus widget dashboard. If you notice to your right, I am a little bit of a widget lover...just a bit. This site give a great tour and has a wizard to get you started. For instance, above you see my "First Grade Finds" dashboard. I typed "first grade" in the search field and in a couple seconds the site found me tweets, images, discussion, you name it. And then you have options to share and play.

This is fun and hopefully worth my time!

Google App Inventor in Action

2010-07-12T12:11:00.002-06:00

Oh boy...I am super duper excited about this one guys! An online simple app creator! How amny times have I thought, geeze I could make an app for that and it would really help me in my classroom. Simple ideas such as conference check-up lists, guided reading scheduling, data storage, and not to mention all the fun education apps that can be made for parents to store in their mobile devices for support at home...my mind is whirling people. The possibilities are endless. Just have to try it out and test on the devices I have available.

I'll let you know how it goes...

Wallwisher

2010-06-30T12:32:00.004-06:00

Wallwisher is a fun collaborative site that just asks for small thoughts and media clips based on a single topic. We are currently using this to post ideas about web 2.0 classroom tools as well as a board for our summer professional development reading.

In class ideas, as well as assigning as homework:

word hunts
author studies
opinions/evaluations
fact finds
science predictions
word stories for a single number sentence

I started one here about summer traditions and fun ideas. Feel free to add on and share.

Summer Fun by TeachLove

My Houghton Mifflin Resources

2010-04-25T17:20:00.004-06:00

Why haven't I shared this with you earlier???

Click here to head towards a huge list and great ideas from the Poway Unified School District in California.
Linda Foote
Instructional Technology Specialist
Poway Unified School District
©2006

Click here to get to many cool printables and resources from Santa-Maria Bonita School District, also in California. (Second Grade Link here)
Santa Maria-Bonita School District
Souza Center
708 South Miller Street
Santa Maria, CA 93454
805.928.1783

Reading Lions Center has a few useful downloads and helpful links.

HM TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES
Or you could just join this great wiki and continue the love of learning and sharing using the same product all around the country.

What is a bobsled?

2010-04-06T14:49:00.006-06:00

Bobsled? What's a bobsled?

I can just hear my students questions now. And that is exactly why I searched and found these videos to help teach "Slippery Siblings", a non-fiction article from Jack and Jill written by Sandra Weber.

D.E.A.R. & Ramona

2010-03-31T19:41:00.004-06:00

One of my most favorite childhood reading experiences was reading Ramona and relating all of Ms. Cleary's wonderful words to my young life. Even my Pink Pearl eraser brought me great joy after reading about Ramona's excitement over her brand new Pink Pearl.

So today, I browsed my e-mail and saw that D.E.A.R. 2010 was tied to my favorite books and wait for it...a new feature film!!! Smiles! Happy Dance! Check it out...read it to your class and get those Pink Pearls ready! ^_^

Drop Everything And Read on April 12th!

Readers Celebration

2010-03-08T12:14:00.003-07:00

Every year our lovely librarian Mrs. Palmer plans a wonderful reading celebration to cheer on the little readers of Lake Lucina Elementary towards their reading goal. This year we all dressed up as our most favorite book characters.

The best dressed (student voted) character in each classroom would receive this lovely handmade ribbon.

Reading Pep Rally for K-2 classes.

I was Camilla Cream from David Shannon's A Bad Case of Stripes.
Mrs. Allen dressed as Franklin.

Kendrick's home made wolf costume.

Stephanie's hand made Cat in the Hat costume.

Voki for Fast Facts

2010-03-08T06:14:00.003-07:00

We used Voki in the classroom to create fast facts about our topics. Students recorded facts via phone and then were able to choose the character and background for their Voki. We posted the videos onto our class web page.

Big Bushy Mustache by Gary Soto

2010-01-11T15:48:00.009-07:00

The character Ricky lost his class mustache and tried a few times to make a replacement one. My challenge to the class was who could make the best mustache out of the supplies we had on hand. These are some of the results...

Chinatown by William Low

2009-11-25T14:40:00.007-07:00

In our next reading theme, Around Town: Neighborhood and Community, we are discussing books and stories that embody a child's sense of community. We are starting with the story Chinatown by author and artist William Low. Desperate to find references to what Chinatown is, I scoured the web for some good stuff to share and found Mr. Low's web site. Here you will find links to his art process and beautiful copies of his art. I'll just bring in some dumplings, teach a few tai chi moves,and share some tea. Score!

Free BrainPOP movies for Flu Season

2009-10-07T15:59:00.003-06:00

Flu season is coming and BrainPOP wants to help spread the word and educate student about the H1N1 virus and how to prevent yourself from getting sick. Love it! Get the free Swine Flu movie here and the hand washing movie here.

Hanging Branch Bulletin Board

2009-10-01T14:00:00.001-06:00

Yes, I dragged a bunch of dry branches into my classroom. After a good firm shake outside, I proceeded to glue little yellow tissue flowers randomly around the ends. I am considering changing or adding other colors of flowers as the year grows. From its twigs hangs our consonant cluster stars from our Back to School skills block review. It all came out pretty cool and is always a welcoming way to enter into room 12.

I will post how this "tree" display will change throughout the year.

^_^

Watching the President's Back to School Speech

2009-09-25T20:15:00.005-06:00

I sat in my classroom for lunch to watch and absorb the message live without my class. About a week later, we scheduled a video stream viewing for second grade and discussed the theme (and coincidentally the character trait of the month) of responsibility. The students were very supportive of what they saw as their duty to our community. Let's hope their flame remains strong into adulthood...^_^

Classroom.09

2009-08-29T11:37:00.010-06:00

Here you see my Math and Science windows, Every Day Counts board, Word Wall, meeting carpet, media cart (new addition this year that we love, love, love!), my desk, and student tables. I have 5 areas of 3-4 students. Only 3 students at a time will have "training desks" to get them ready to have their own organized desks during the 3rd quarter.

Class Library - I glued clothes pins to the tops of the shelves to hide my teacher stuff and to display class made reading charts. The big boxes are for backpack storage.

Guided Reading- The empty shelf is for text books yet to be distributed. The black papers on the walls are clipped onto clothes pins and are future homes to great student writing to be shown off. I had to use 3m hooks to hang my pocket chart on the window.

Writers Shelf - Here you see files for portfolios and the training desks. The shelf right next to it is the paper and supplies shelf as well as the weekly shared reading poetry chart. That little drawer unit houses all of the letter stamps and picture stamps. Thank you Mrs. Allen! She let be borrow the unit.

Meeting Area - Shelves surrounding the carpet house all of our math tools.

Teaching Station - Name chart has jobs clothes pinned to it.

Vocabulary, Word Study, Writing Rubric Wall, and CHAMPs board - Words and definitions and spelling words are put up on these pocket charts. Writing samples and notes go on the three colored pocket charts.

Red- Below standard
Blue- Almost there
Green- Awesome writing examples

CHAMPs board written and practiced as a class. We play Sad or Glad. Students act out a Sad or Glad behavior for the activities we CHAMP.

Back to School: All About Me Tri-fold

2009-07-30T08:24:00.006-06:00

So here I am getting ready for the whole Back-to-School jam! Made this handy tri-fold for the students to complete the first week of school. I figured I could use the pieces afterward in these wonderful ways...

Center - students match photos of each student to their brochure on a bulletin board.
Open House - made into a Class Book, the tri-folds and photos together can be a welcoming product to show parents.
Take-Home Book - students can take turns bring the book home to read with family about their new classmates

More fun goodies to come! ^_^

All About Me Booklet -

Planning Skills Block with Professor Garfied

2009-07-20T20:26:00.008-06:00

Looking over my new learning schedule, I had a sudden urge to explore all of my bookmarked internet finds and came across Professor Garfield.

Hey!?!

What is the Professor Garfield Foundation?

The Professor Garfield Foundation learning portal is a fun interactive online environment where children can safely explore, learn and creatively express themselves. The Foundation (PGF) was formed in 2003 as a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization to provide children, parents, and teachers an opportunity to enhance and support classroom learning in new and innovative ways.

And so, I decided to investigate the sight to see if there was anything of use to me and found that it totally could fit into my first week of skills block reviews. And hopefully make things a bit more fun! ^_^ We love fun!

I thought that we could complete each level as a class, perhaps in teams. Then I would have all 40 words already on cards for groups to sort by vowel sounds.

The Match of Mystery has sound matches for short vowels, long vowels, vowel digraphs, VCe pattern, and vowel diphthongs & digraphs.

On Orson's Farm, there are more emergent phonemic awareness activities. (Matching pictures for their sounds and such...).

There are many fun and relevant activities here to explore. Hope you find something useful to you. ^_^ No lasagna, unfortunately.

Flip Mino Camcorder

2009-07-17T19:06:00.002-06:00

"I wish to have this in my life..."

Flip Mino Camcorder with Personalized Design - Available only at www.theflip.com. Check out this unique Flip Mino design. The Flip Mino camcorder combines remarkable video quality in a pocket-sized package. Now personalizable - create your

View >>

New Class Site

2009-07-10T07:50:00.004-06:00

Duval County teachers are assigned new websites this year connected to our OnCourse accounts, housing everything. Grade books,lesson plans, attendance, calendars, etc....

Here is a glimpse of what I have been working on. I am finding that setting up a new site is a great way to review my new grade level. As a parent, I like to see all the stuff my kid will be learning, so I take this into account when I am posting.

My pages are:
- Home
- ABC's of Second Grade
- Supply and Wish List
- Calendar (linked to county and school events)
- Weekly Schedule
- Reading
- Word Wall
- Writing
- Math
- Science
- Social Studies
- Health
- Character Education
- Homework
- Celebrate!
- Link to Duval County Schools' web site
- Link to Lake Lucina Elementary's web site

In between, we are still finding time for mini-golf, pool, and sleepovers during this super hot summer. Hope you are too! ^_^

Summer Bags

2009-06-16T14:57:00.007-06:00

As a farewell gift to all of my students, I gave them a Summer Bag. The idea of the bag is to have enough stuff to keep you entertained throughout the summer and to keep your brain sharp. I bought totes from Target ($1) and filled them with activities from our Houghton Mifflin materials (center games, reading activities, workbooks, a class yearbook, and a DVD of all of the year's activities.

Next year, I hope to add an address book and stationery for students to write to each other over the break.

This has just been added to

Ms. Winston's Website

2009-06-14T18:37:00.006-06:00

Just looking around at other second grade sites and found some great ideas over at Ms. Winston's Website.

What I really loved was her trifold downloads that go with books I have readily in my library. Mahalo Ms. Winston and keep up the good work in you cutie-pie site!

End of the Year Event Planning

2009-05-25T20:03:00.007-06:00

1st Grade - EOY Celebration Flier - Get more Business Documents

So, this is my third attempt at an End of the Year Celebration. I have learned to:

1. Keep it simple.
2. Keep it fun.
3. It's going to be messy and crazy anyway you cut it, which is perfectly okay. :-)

Really! I have fun and hope that the kids take this time to have a blast with their buddies before summer break. I will be making a slide show with all of the year's activities on it. Each student will receive a CD with a copy of all the photos. I also whip up a "yearbook" with each of their faces. They get a kick out of signing these...watch out for mustache drawing though... Something that I am doing new this year is making copies of our center games, reader's theaters, reading activities, and summer reading log and loading it all up into a one-stop, fun-filled, Summer Pack. They are super excited about this kit that can be taken anywhere! I will take pics and post them ASAP. :-) Happy event planning!

Skills Block Innovations

2009-05-20T11:27:00.004-06:00

Skills Block Innovations -

I made this for our last Literacy Lead Training day. Everyone brought fun goodies to share. Of course, I forget my camera to show you the cool ideas other fab teachers had. Figures. I chose to share Skills Block using all of our new Houghton Mifflin resources. Hope this helps light your Skills Block fire. ^_^

Flying (and Reading) With Kids

2009-05-15T19:11:00.003-06:00

Visit AIRSPACE

Yes, I have joined ANOTHER Ning (so addictive...I really don't keep up with all of them as I should though, to be honest). But this Ning is associated with the Read With Kids Challenge hosted by Reading Is Fundamental and US Airways. They want to log 5 million reading minutes by June 30th. I have been logging in my kids and my class minutes in hopes of winning some of their goodies as well as raise literacy awareness. Really!

So about the Ning...
I just posted this little ditty about flying with kids and thought that I would also share here what I have learned over my 12 years of parenting...

The best advice I have for flying with children is make your self as comfy as possible and enjoy yourself.

1. bring little gifts for the kids as a mid-flight surprise (a book, magazine, small toy, awesome pen...)
2. pack fresh snacks (fruits and such)
3. bring your favorite teabags (stewards can supply the hot water for you)
4. bring wet wipes and lotion ( rehydrate your skin during a flight can make you feel so much better)
5. don't forget the neck pillow!
6. don't forget the eye masks for night flights
7. bring extra outfits for each kid
8. give them their own carry-on backpack to be in charge of

I love traveling with my kids and they really love to fly. Our next trip is to Denver. Hello Rockies!

Dollar Tree Find: EDC Game

2009-05-14T20:48:00.007-06:00

Ol' reliable Dollar Tree... What would teachers do without your reasonably priced goods *_*. Save alot more money that's for sure.

I found this money matching game there and thought it would be perfect as an added daily component to our Every Day Counts morning math meetings. Two children flip over a new piggy coin each day to see if they found a match. We name the money on the coins and record our findings. I just laminated the poster and cut little slits for the paper clips with scissors. Easy-peasy. The kids love it!

Cinco de Mayo + Folktales = Cactus Soup

2009-05-06T19:53:00.005-06:00

Just so happened that I found this wonderful book at the library just in time for Cinco de Mayo. What is really great is that we are also on our Focus on Folktales unit and this fit in *oh so nicely*. We found the trickster element and important life lesson hidden inside of this tale that is a Mexican Revolution version of Stone Soup, but with a bit more flavor! Ariba! ^_^

Go to Eric A. Kimmel's webpage to find the Teacher Guide to this and other fab tales.

I'm Honored! ^_^

2009-05-04T19:13:00.005-06:00

Thanks Kathy Hart for including me in this week's InTech Newsletter.

Just thought that I would show you a recent photo of the sweet potato that I blogged about last month. It grew...and grew...and grew! I think I will start a few of these puppies at home. They're kinda sweet...get it (giggles) ^_^.

Anyhoo...thanks again to all of the cool colleagues who support me. We do have a great little community here in Duval. It is steadily growing everyday and I hope help more teachers realize that the wonderful world of technology is within reach. Mahalo!

Reflection and Hopeful Predictions

2009-04-30T21:15:00.005-06:00

I thought it would be fitting to add a picture from August. Looking here at my 3rd year in the classroom, I can say that I am really proud of what I have accomplished and am excited about what I will be doing next year. There, I said it. Really! I am looping up to 2nd grade with my class and am super happy about it. Love the kids and can't wait to see what they can do next. I hope on restraining myself a bit more (spontaneity), focus on a solid whole plan, and not try every new thing I learn as I am learning it. Is this a new level? Like Super Mario Bros.? ^_^ I can do it! And so can you...*_* Good night.

Dressage at Jacksonville Equestrian Center

2009-04-11T19:05:00.004-06:00

So I learned about dressage this weekend with my daughter and husband. The event was free and interesting. Horses are amazing animals!

Dressage in Detail

Dressage is a French term meaning "training".

Dressage requires the horse and rider to combine the strength and ability of gymnastics with the elegance and beauty of ballet. It may look effortless, but truly it is the result from years of training. To guide a horse through a series of complex maneuvers by slight movements of the rider's hands, legs, and weight require extreme coordination of the riders muscle's. This can be achieved only with proper exercise.

Gather Time

2009-03-30T11:25:00.003-06:00

Maya Made made this adorable Gather Bucket and I just had to share it. I was thinking about all the kids we know who really just love to collect and love sticks, stones, shells, leaves, and other nature goodies. I am a gathering addict. There is always a pocket full of wonders after every nature walk (forest, mountain, beach) that we go to. Maybe that is why I find piles of weird things in my kid's rooms, like shark egg casings. Nature is so weird/awesome.

Movie Alert: Where the Wild Things Are

2009-03-29T18:00:00.002-06:00

I am a fan of Spike Jonze...but what do you think, as an educator, of the rendition and interpretation that he made of our beloved Maurice Sendak classic from this trailer?

I think the movie looks relevant and sweet. Hopefully the kids will enjoy this as well. I hope to make a fieldtrip of it ^_^. Maybe even wear handmade wild-thing masks...ohhh the possibilities during Halloween!

Things Are Growing In Room 17

2009-03-27T18:00:00.002-06:00

Mrs. Rogers from the First Presbyterian Church comes every month to explore the wonderful world of science with each first grade class! It is a blessing to have their support and the students are very excited to work with them. Last month, the class started bean seedlings and this beauty, a large lovely sweet potato. The class have been observing it's growth and are amazed at what a little water can do.

These little guys are our brine shrimp (a.k.a. Sea Monkeys!). I was super excited about growing shrimp. I always wanted Sea Monkeys as a kid, but never really got them, so here we "grow". (giggle^_^). We were able to micro-zoom on them using our ELMO and are going to set-up the microscope camera after spring break. Cool beans!

Big Shot-Out to DK Publishing!

2009-03-26T19:10:00.008-06:00

Mahalo to Mindy up at DK Publishing for reading and responding to my last blog post about Dr. Frankenstein's Human Body Book: The Monstrous Truth About How Your Body Works. Check out their collection of fun and engaging books. ^_^

DK Publishing - Website
DK Publishing - Twitter

I want this book. DK Publishing Rocks!

2009-03-25T18:50:00.005-06:00

This book is too cool. I wish to have it in my home library. Mwahahaha. (evil laugh) *_*

Flickr Favorites: School Visuals Make Me Happy

2009-03-20T07:00:00.001-06:00

Response to Literature - 1st Grade Series: Episode 1

2009-03-18T18:46:00.003-06:00

Alaynah
My Connection to My Friends by Taro Gomi

Kendrick
My Connection Between Skunks Do More Than Stink by D.M. Souza and Quit It Bug

Stephanie
My Connection to Bark George by Jules Feiffer

Kids Against Clip Art

2009-03-17T19:56:00.003-06:00

Choir, originally uploaded by maureencrosbie.

Uploaded by maureencrosbie on 12 Feb 09, 7.38AM PDT.
Check her in Flickr...
"Aren't you sick of the overuse of Clip Art? I work in schools and have always thought that children's illustration would make a better visual contribution to posters, newsletters and council and governmental publications. Help me convert. Add your contributions. And feel free to use these for yourself copyright free . Look up "Kids against Clip Art"."

Jack Prelutsky's Poetry Site

2009-03-16T19:27:00.002-06:00

Have you been to this wonderful place yet? Have I told you before that I {really heart} poetry?!

Much Needed Workout...We Can Do It!

2009-03-13T16:44:00.002-06:00

Save Duval Schools!

2009-03-13T15:35:00.003-06:00

This new site will arm you with all the info you need to fight the cuts. Explicitly designed site perfect to visually stimulate the masses. Hopefully just the kick in the pants they need to move this county forward.