Thursday, September 5, 2013

September Already?

Well, today is September 5, 2013....this year is flying by already! We have been hard at work here at APS. We have completed our first week in our reading series and are half way through Chapter 1 in our Go Math series. Last week, our story was Iris and Walter and we discussed rural/urban communities. We completed a bubble map, writing, and barn as a project relating to "Rural Living".







This week is one of my favorite weeks!!! Our story is called Exploring Space with an Astronaut and the kids love it.....well I LOVE it to! There are so many fun books, video, and activities that relate to the Solar System and Astronauts. Yesterday, we created the anchor chart below and students began their writing titled, "Going to the Moon"! I can't wait to share their finished projects with you all!






Finally, we have been working to add information to our Math Journal. This is my first year to do them by Chapter and so far we are loving them. Check out some of them out below:






Thursday, August 22, 2013

Buzzin' into 2nd grade!

We have officially completed our first 3 days of school! I am exhausted and I know the students are too. I have really enjoyed getting to know more and more about my "new children" (because they are practically mine for the next 9 months)! We have been BUSY with back to school reading/activities along with all of the Beginning of the year assessments!

Small Victory....I had to make a pit stop on the way back from lunch and I asked the students to go on into the classroom. When I walked in I saw 19 grinning faces....they all had there heads down and were completely silent!!!! I was beyond proud of them! Yay for team work and good choices!

I hope to have permission forms to add some pictures of our class within the next few days! They sure are some beautiful and handsome youngsters! :)

Here is  a peak of what we have been up to....

Self Portraits

LOTS of Supply Sorting


and...Reading some great back to school favorites!

Thursday, August 1, 2013

Back,Back, Back to School!

Yes, that's right....It is that time of year again! I have finally come to terms with the fact that Summer can not last forever. However, I am blessed to have a "job" (if that is even what you call teaching) that is so rewarding and each day brings new opportunities.After getting my class list today, I will go to bed tonight with 18 new names on my heart and mind! I cannot wait to see what the upcoming year has in store!....Okay so I am being a little sappy but I will have a baby in Kindergarten this year! (cut me some slack please :))

Oh you wanted to see a picture? ...Okay since you asked....

 My son Eli and my daughter Rileigh-Kay


Over the next 9/10 months you will be showered with pictures of my other 18 children and our learning adventures! Can't wait to meet them and "love them up"!

Please Note:
I have added a new "Meet the Teacher" tab and have also updated the "Room 211 News" page.

Before I run....I will leave you with a quote that I just love.


Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Celebrating Moms

In honor of Mother's Day .....
There are so many fun and creative ideas but I wanted to share some things we are doing in our classroom to celebrate moms

First Up: (My personal favorite)

Photo Magnets:
(I mean who doesn't need a magnet?)
How cute are these! Hope all of our mom's LOVE them.

original idea: To see the original idea/post click {Here}
I am not familiar with Photoshop so I created a template so I can then simply insert the child's picture. I plan to get these printed on cardstock and laminated at Staples. Add a magnet to the back and DONE!
Peel and Stick Magnets form Walmart

Next, we are creating tile coasters. Last year, I used mod podge and added the child's photo to the tile, However, this year we are already using a photo on the magnet so the children are going to use "Sharpies" and personalize their tile. We also add little felt like circles to the bottom to keep them from roughing up any surfaces. You could also use cork.
Check out the Mother's Day tile idea {HERE)

These tiles can be purchased and maybe even donated from Lowes and/or Home Depot
Last, we will write a letter to mom or grandma. (This is great grammar/writing practice)

All of these gifts require little cost, a lot of time, but make a big smile on a moms face....and thats the idea, right?


Monday, May 6, 2013

Commas, Oceans, and Sea Turtles

Grammar Focus: Commas
Wow....how could I have forgotten have difficult commas are to learn. We took 2 weeks practicing commas. We had many lessons, made an anchor chart, and the students wrote me letters for additional practice.

I do realize the comma is out of place in the greeting....but isn't it a sweet letter?? :) This is what makes a
"Teacher Appreciation Week". They are the reason we teach and it is nice to know they enjoy our time together! :)




Afternoon Unit: Oceans & Sea Turtles
I downloaded the snorkling and writing template from todayinsecondgrade..
She has many great resources and crafts related to Oceans.
We started our unit out by activating our prior knowledge using a KWL Chart. Then we spent several days reading ebooks about Oceans and Ocean animals.After this we completed the craft you sea above. They wrote using the prompt "under the Sea I will See". Wednesday each student checked a book out of the library related to a particular ocean animal. They then planned a report and recreated their animal. 
This week we will dig deeper into our study of Sea Turtles. 

Friday, May 3, 2013

The Countdown is On!

To say we are "Counting Down" is an under statement. These kids have Spring Fever (and maybe their teacher too) to the MAX!!! So, after searching around for different ideas to keep the kiddos engaged for the remaining 20 days of school....here is what we have (Please note:many of these ideas came form various teachers and/or blogs.)

The Balloon Countdown:
#1: I explained to the student that each balloon has a reward that goes with it. I also explained that their behavior affected weather or not each days balloon would or would not be popped.
#2: The students each blew up a balloon. I wrote numbers 20-1 on them & hung them from the ceiling.
#3: Instead of putting the reward inside the balloon..I stick a small sticky note on the top so when they pop it the sticky note comes floating down. (My reasoning: things change from day to day. So, I can adjust the order of the rewards if I need to)
#4: Each day one student pops the balloon (they get to crawl up on the counter...which is super cool in their book :)
#5: The reward is given (if a student misbehaves the give up their reward)
Reward List
20. Popsicles
19. No Shoes
18. Pens for a Day
17. Sit Anywhere
16. Popcorn
15. No Homework
14. Beach Day
13. Sidewalk Chalk
12. Shades
11. Game On
10. Breakfast
9. Mystery Reader
8. Field Day
7. Shaving Cream Fun
6. IPADS
5. Kickball
4. Picnic
3. Movie Day
2. Extra P.E.
1. Free Day





Thursday, May 2, 2013

Going,Going.....



Going...is exactly what we have been up to the past few weeks.Wow, we have been a busy here at APS. Last week, our class went on our Spring Field Trip to Constitution Village on Tuesday, Faculty Meeting on Wednesday, DATA Meeting on Thursday, and Friday we had the, much awaited, Courage Carnival. We are also preparing for our upcoming EOY DIBELS.

 So just to recap ...how about a few pictures? :)