First Day of School

Tomorrow, August 15th is our first day of the new school year.  I am so excited and "pumped" about the students coming.  The classroom has had a make-over and is ready for them.  On this first day we have a few "usual procedures" to manage in the morning.  At 10:45 the students will begin a Math Scavenger Hunt inside the school and outside (playground).  Each item to be found or solved is directly related to a Common Core Learning Standard.  I plan to use this as a Pre-Test of sorts to help guide my instruction. In March or April we will have the same scavenger hunt as a post-test to help determine growth. 


In the afternoon we will be working on a few writing activities and sharing our illustrations from the summer. 


Year long hint for success...be prepared to write, write and write some more.  3rd Grade is a hallmark year.  It's very important to strive for excellence and have stamina in all we do.


See you soon!

A Shift in Direction

It seems my trend of updating my blog is a yearly event.  Once school begins each year and life takes hold of my brains cells, not much time or energy is left to blogging.  I created this blog to be a place where people could readily find educational news and popular concepts.  


I'm changing my direction to chronicle my new position at our school.   In the past two years I have been our District's Reading Specialist and Interventionist.  Due to budget concerns and a possible consolidation with another school district next year, our School Board shifted me back into the classroom.  The 3rd Grade classroom.


At first I was overwhelmed with thoughts and feelings about the change.  It took me about three days to get my mind wrapped around it and then I was off to planning and getting inspired.  The classroom I moved into was once occupied by a wonderful, top-notch teacher. The expectation is already high for me from the start.


So, with that being said, I plan to use this blog for more than just educational news and trends.  It's for my students and their families to get information about our class, assignments, projects and important information. 

Reading to be be inspired and to self- educate about new changes.

Last summer I read a few books about different reading strategies and books on leadership.  This summer brings a professional need to educate myself about the new teacher evaluation system and brain research. 

Charlotte Danielson has written multiple books about best practices of exemplary teaching.  In our state of Illinois, evaluations are widely based on her research and models.  We have known for a few years that these changes in our evaluation system were going to take place.  I remember a few years ago a Superintendent and myself attempted to discuss this with fellow educators. They dismissed this as not important.  I sure hope they are taking notice now! Their jobs depend on it!

Below is one of Danielson's books I downloaded to my Kindle.  I hope to start reading it soon.


In addition to Danielson I've also been inspired to revisit the research of Robert Marzano and his team.  His website has been recently revised, www.marzanoresearch.com/site.  On his website anyone can sign up for the newsletter and weekly emails.  I personally enjoy reading and learning more about research that can help my students and colleagues. Stay tuned for more on this.

Lastly, our 3rd Grade teacher has been motivated to use "The Daily Five" in her classroom this year.  I'm looking forward to using it within other classrooms also.  I found my copies on www.amazon.com. Paperback and Kindle version...I got both! ha

It's been nearly a year!

I can't believe it has been nearly a year since I updated my blog. Life threw me several curve balls in the past 11 months and my priorities shifted a bit. Last May I was hired to be a Reading Teacher and Instructional Coach in a new district.  Instead of a classroom I have an office.  Wow, what a switch! We had two major health scares and now a new baby on the way! So, it's been a busy time. Hopefully I can get back to posting helpful and inspirational tips to all of you.

The  teacher blog world has exploded and become so wonderful.  I feel like a dinosaur in this realm. I will meet it's challenges and be bringing you more cool stuff.

Laugh of the Day Activity- Common Core

In our 6^th Grade Reading Class we will share in a minute or two of laughter with a “ Laugh of the Day”.  Every child will have the opportunity to read or share their weekly jokes to the class.  The same child is responsible for being the “Comdedian” all week.  We will have a rotating schedule to help keep us on track.  5 jokes should be submitted by the student 1 week before their spot in the rotation and approved by the teacher.  Jokes must be pure, age appropriate and non -discriminatory towards individuals.

We will keep these jokes and publish them at the end of the year.  Joke books and websites will be available for students as resources.

6^th grade Common Core Standards: RI.6.5 & 7, W.6.4,8,10

Team Teaching improves learning?

Does Team Teaching really improve learning?  You bet it does.  Not only is Team Teaching a proven teaching strategy it also helps teachers to learn to work together for a common purpose.  It goes without saying that a team can be hard to be apart of if there is a kink in the process.  Excellent collegue leadership and in-tuned Administration are a plus. 

While reading Leaders of Learning by Richard DuFour I found the 4 P's of success in people working together for student and school achievement.

" Success doesn't just happen.  It's the result of 4 P's, Planning, Preparation, Performance and Perseverence."

 Food for thought.

5 Princples of RtI

When planning and preparing for your year of RtI requirements there are five ideas to keep in mind.

• "All children can learn!"  Even if it's the simplest concept no matter what age they are.
• "Quality assessment informs instructional practices."  Purposeful assessment(s) should be the compass of your instruction. 
• "Quality teaching makes a difference. " It's a no-brainer that children need to have teachers and leaders who are knowledgeable about pedagogy and how to best teach/reach students.  For a few years I have said that a "warm body and a teaching certificate doesn't qualify them to teach children in our classrooms".  I have been a witness to teachers who got their jobs for who they are in a community rather than their abilities.  Sometimes the teacher employment process can be an unfair one... grr, I digress!  Please see some of my other posts for further opinionations on "quality teachers".  :)
• "Positive relationships within the classroom maximize learning."
• "Educators must work as a team." 

These principles are from a book I read this summer.

RTI SUCCESS, Proven Tools and Strategies for Schools and Classrooms. Written by Patricia Whitten, Kelli Esteves and Alice Woodrow, ISBN: 13-978-1-57542-320-3.

Summer Reading for Education

Most teachers I know try to read for enjoyment in the summer as an escape from our busy and stressful school year.  Then there are a few of us-geeks who enjoy reading about our profession and building our knowledge base.  So for those of you geeks who are looking for a book about how to improve schools I would "lightly" suggest the book Leverage Leadership: Building Exceptional Schools. I have been reading it on my kindle. The target audience for this book is Administration, Superintendents, Principals and some lead teachers.  It discusses the steps and attitudes people in leadership should have in order to lead effectively.  The book uses real life experiences of Superintendents whose schools are not meeting the state requirements, meaning AYP.   It walks you  through some great concepts, ideas to try and helpful research to consider.  It can get a bit boring and dry in some areas.  I am about 50% through it and finding myself skimming and scanning through some parts of the book.  Have a great summer!

Driven Schools

One of the many keys to a successful school is having teachers who are providing quality instruction.  In our profession a teacher who teaches strictly from a "manual" will not provide students with the tools to be successful.  An administration that allows teachers to remain in their comfort zones of teacher manuals and workbook pages and myriad of worksheets is also setting children and teachers up for failure.  Children do not learn from filling out worksheets!  It's boring and has little value to the learning process!!!  That old practice is not applicable in our fast moving, high-tech and otherwise progressive society.  I've heard teachers and even school board members start complaining about modern education with this sentence..."When I was in school....."  Guess what?  There is a reason our society and country have not been able to keep up with the world of academic progress.  It's a challenge to find solid teachers who are able to connect with children in a way that will help them to achieve in school and in life. 

Another adage: "There's more than one way to crack a nut".  Teachers who only teach or provide information in one way are providing a disadvantage rather than a successful opportunity for children to grow.  So...get cracking and be an awesome teacher.

Over to the right side of this blog I have added some links to help you validate or find researched based lessons and activities.

Moving in day.

Today I officially moved into my new school and into my new path in education.  This afternoon when I pulled into the parking lot, car loaded with all my teacher stuff and my son,  I saw our school's marquee.  Below is a picture of it.  What a wonderful way to start a new school year!  Thank you God for answered prayers!

The Book Whisperer by Donalyn Miller

This week I am reading The Book Whisperer.  It is helpful and insightful book for any teacher or parent to have in their "tool-box". It has inspired me for the up-coming school year.  It is a reminder of the need to promote passionate reading and to instill in our youth the fun and failures of reading.  I found my copy at  amazon.com. I highly suggest it.

Donalyn Miller has a blog. http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1970104.Donalyn_Miller/blog

Rebecca Goes Retro

I am soooo excited about my latest venture.  I am setting up an online store to sell vintage and otherwise known as Retro clothing and other items.  It will be on www.etsy.com soon.  Check back later to shop my store.  :)

Hello Hornets!

I am pleased to announce I have found my "dream" job of being a Reading Teacher, Co-Teacher and Title Teacher.  I met the staff today and they are awesome.  You can tell that they are thoughtful, dedicated and like-minded people who are in teaching for all the right reasons.  They are funny and have a sense of humor!  They care about kids and will do "whatever" it takes to help children be successful.  They work very well together and collaborate as a "Team".  I'm ready to work for a school that works with the "team-mentality".

 The School Board is also a wonderful bunch of community members who share the same goals about "doing what's best for kids".  They have a great sense of humor and high standards for quality and effective teaching.  I appreciate that!  I am so blessed!

Research Based Best Practices

I've had a few friends ask me how to know if their teaching methods are "Researched Based".  I found this article that maybe helpful.  Good for you if you are one of the educators who wish to provide the very best for your children.  With the changing tides in education and more required of teachers, it can be overwhelming to get it all organized and implement the quality education you strive for.  I will continue to look for more resources.

Research/ Evidence Based Practices

Teacher Team Work- Cute Story I found to inspire you.

The Story of the Geese, a lesson for all of us flapping and honking through life to make a difference.Lesson 1: The flapping of each bird’s wings creates uplift for the geese that follow. By flying in a V formation, the entire flock has a 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew alone.

If we share in a common direction and sense of community, our going may be quicker and easier because we are traveling on one another’s thrust.

Lesson 2: Should a goose fall out of the V formation, he will suddenly feel the resistance and the drag of flying alone. If you keep watching, you will see him get back into the V formation, to take full advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front.
If we have as much sense as the goose, we will keep in formation with those who share our vision, who are headed where we want to go. We will be willing to accept their help, and give our own help to others.

Lesson 3: When the lead goose gets tired, he rotates back into the formation and a new, fresh goose flies in the lead position.
As with the geese, we are interdependent upon one another.
It is helpful to take turns at the hard tasks and share the burdens of leadership.

Lesson 4: The geese aren’t honking without cause. They honk, honk, honk up to the lead goose to congratulate him for flying fast and strong.
We need to make certain that all of our honking is encouraging and never something else.

Lesson 5: If a goose gets ill or injured during flight and descends to the earth, another goose will follow. He will remain with the fallen bird until it is well again.
If we have as much heart as a goose, we will stand by each other in difficult times as well as when we are strong.
As educators, we will fly down and help our children soar to the learning sky.
To be an educator is to carry the energy of the journey of life and to find ways to help children learn to their potential.
Remember, you can do this.
You can do anything.

http://www.ganderpublishing.com/About-Gander-Publishing.html

Helpful RtI Websites

Fellow Teachers,  I have come across some websites that can be helpful and informative for you and your staff when working towards fine tuning your RtI aproaches. 

http://www.rti4success.org/

http://www.florida-rti.org/

Marshmallow Math

In March and April we used marshmallows to help learn about angles, vertices and sides.  We also use the marshmallows along with toothpicks and fruit loop cereal to discover and practice the 100's, 10"s and 1's column.  It was a lot of fun.

Angles, shapes and vertices

100's, 10's, 1's place value and writing

numbers in expanded form

Autism Awareness is in April

As some of you know I have a special place in my heart for Autism.  April is a month that the wonders and curiosity of Autsim is talked about more in the media.   Here a link to learn more or to donate for research.  http://www.autism-society.org/about-us/national-autism-awareness-month/

Butterflies and Chickens! Which came first, the egg?

This is the time of year when our classroom has an influx of wildlife.  Every year we watch the butterfly cycle from caterpillar to adult butterfly.  We've already read many stories about this so the children will be excited to see it come to life inside our butterfly cage.  I ordered the caterpillars online and they should be at school soon.

Chicks, chicks and more chicks.  We will also start our Egg to Chicken experiment.  A local mom and grandma donate eggs and the incubator for our kiddos to start the 21 day journey. 

These two activities are a great way to discuss our Earth and Conservation.  I love this time of year.

Butterflies were ordered from www.insectlore.com .

Who Took the Cookie From the Cookie Jar?

Alas we have come to the time of year when I bring out the popular story "Who Took The Cookie From The Cookie Jar". Spring is around the corner and animals are coming out of hibernation.  The story has many. This cute story has so many opportunities for Math and Science teachable moments as well as all the Language Arts aspects as well.


We will use the poem to discuss sentence conventions and structure.  The rhythmic pattern of the poem is perfect for emergent readers.  We know that memorization is a building block to fluent readers some day.  

I have a large cookie model I made from canvas. We will use this for our vocabulary words and math activities this week.  Educational researchers tell us that children's brains best remember and learn when we give them a visual way to compartmentalize the information.  Simply by displaying and interacting with manipulatives on the cookie will help them to make the needed connections of the concepts we teach.

Monday: I will start the lesson by placing pictures of all the characters from the story in front of the children; a raccoon, snake, beaver, frog and ants. Next I will show them the front cover of the book and read the title. Then each child will get to make a prediction using tally marks (math integration) of the animal they think took the cookies.  We will "picture walk" the story and then read the story.  This lesson will be  a spring board for the week's lessons of sequencing and comprehension as well as sight word and rhyme word reading.  I'm looking forward to it.  At the end of the week we will make some cookies...healthy..gluten free, whole wheat..of course! :) .