Sunday, January 15, 2012
Kaleidoscope Workshop
My earlier post did not display very well. I was updating it from my Kindle Fire. For two days I attended many workshops that have inspired me and awakened the creative side of me. Last night, while watching the Broncos vs. Patriots game, I worked on three new "Word Wall" bulletin boards and activities. Also I have decided to make some small changes our daily schedule to make room and "time" for more Writing and Math opportunities.
Last week a new "work station" was introduced. It's our Word and Letter station. It has a basket of flash cards, rubber letter stamps, letter blocks, paper and pencils. It's a way to encourage more writing and less picture making during this block of instruction time. Have no worries, the children have plenty of time for free and creative doodle and picture making.
Lastly, I heard of a great new way to set-up a behavior chart and manage classroom behavior. At present we have a chart of Blue, Green, Yellow and Red. Everyone has a wooden star with their name. Each day the child begins on "blue". We say that "our stars are in the sky". If poor behavior persists after warnings are given then a child can "drop their star".
This "new" idea has another direction for children to go for good behavior ...Off Into Space. Any child can move their star up for helping others, being kind and/or modeling respectful behavior. It is a more positive and proactive way of helping children make good choices in the classroom.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Long Time, No Blogging
Hi all. Wow how time has flown by. Transitioning into Kindergarten has kept me busy, creatively challenged, topsy turvy and yes, slightly grumpy at times! Eeek. Mrs. Nation needs a "bucket filler"!!! I haven't posted nearly as much "stuff" as I had hoped to. Over Christmas Break I plan to share some photos, Differentiated Instruction ideas as well as lessons using the Common Core.
Hope you have a blessed Christmas!
Hope you have a blessed Christmas!
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Parent Teacher Conferences
Last night was our Fall Parent Teacher Conferences. We had a great turn out in Kindergarten. I appreciate my Kindergarten Parents. Some of them like to challenge me sometimes to a "dual" on key issues and I enjoy it...to an extent. With moving towards a "Standards Based" report card has some confused and concerned.
Here is my note of encouragement. Common Core and a learning standards based reporting system is not a fad or a new gimick. It is coming! It becomes another way for school districts to insure the proper "stuff" is being taught in classes. Parents, take peace in knowing that with this "different" way of grading students, it is also grading teachers. Just like what I told a parent last night. "The teacher and their quality of instruction is key". Common Core is not just a "student" issue, it holds teachers to a standard also. If mediocre teaching is happening, then mediocre learning will be the result. School districts have to decide what type of teachers they want teaching their youth. What is the common core thread in teachers that make them excellent teachers? Parents and School Districts....Ask yourself this question. Who do you want in the classroom preparing and assisting children for thier future paths? Student's learning is important. "Report Cards" or "Progress Reports" are important too. There is a way to mesh the two together. There are many of us (educators) out there with foresight and fortitude to help solve and fine tune "Common Core" issues. All of this "stuff" will get sorted out.
It's a fact, teachers get "dumped on" all the time. If only we had "instruction and teaching" to be concerned with solely. Often we are asked to help or to do many other duties on top of our own classroom duties and lesson preparing. We get clouded to quickly with additives. That's the wonderful thing about teachers. Most of us are 100% dedicated to the "learning process" and will do whatever we can to make "school" a good experience for all.
Some of us at my school district have spent quite a bit of time learning about Common Core and developing a system of rating the child with the standards. It is an ongoing model and not perfect. Hopefully by next school year, with guidance from the District, we will have the kinks worked out. I will post a sample of this soon. Likewise, it also may be a good model to add to teacher evaulations...just athought. Feel free to contact me if you have questions or concerns.
Here is my note of encouragement. Common Core and a learning standards based reporting system is not a fad or a new gimick. It is coming! It becomes another way for school districts to insure the proper "stuff" is being taught in classes. Parents, take peace in knowing that with this "different" way of grading students, it is also grading teachers. Just like what I told a parent last night. "The teacher and their quality of instruction is key". Common Core is not just a "student" issue, it holds teachers to a standard also. If mediocre teaching is happening, then mediocre learning will be the result. School districts have to decide what type of teachers they want teaching their youth. What is the common core thread in teachers that make them excellent teachers? Parents and School Districts....Ask yourself this question. Who do you want in the classroom preparing and assisting children for thier future paths? Student's learning is important. "Report Cards" or "Progress Reports" are important too. There is a way to mesh the two together. There are many of us (educators) out there with foresight and fortitude to help solve and fine tune "Common Core" issues. All of this "stuff" will get sorted out.
It's a fact, teachers get "dumped on" all the time. If only we had "instruction and teaching" to be concerned with solely. Often we are asked to help or to do many other duties on top of our own classroom duties and lesson preparing. We get clouded to quickly with additives. That's the wonderful thing about teachers. Most of us are 100% dedicated to the "learning process" and will do whatever we can to make "school" a good experience for all.
Some of us at my school district have spent quite a bit of time learning about Common Core and developing a system of rating the child with the standards. It is an ongoing model and not perfect. Hopefully by next school year, with guidance from the District, we will have the kinks worked out. I will post a sample of this soon. Likewise, it also may be a good model to add to teacher evaulations...just athought. Feel free to contact me if you have questions or concerns.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Differentiated Instruction
Those of you who know me, know that I am a firm believer in the philosophy and methodology of Differrentiated Instruction. It's a powerful and smart tool for educators to utilize thier classrooms. It takes a lot of work and thought but is well worth the investment. Just like any teacher, this time of year I am still fine tuning my " fluid rediness" groups and working towards an individual plan "of sorts" for each child.
Below is a picture of a book I just finished reading. It was somewhat helpful.
Below is a picture of a book I just finished reading. It was somewhat helpful.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
September wrap-up!
It's hard to believe that its October already. I am so proud of our kids and the great direction the class is taking. Their brains are little sponges and I get really excited when it's clear they have learned something. September was a busy month and we're not slowing down for October.
We have had three special group projects just in the past two weeks that hopefully they will remember. We had our "Apple Week". That consisted of learning about fractions, graphing and counting, how apples grow and ,of course, making apple butter. Knowing we (America's Public Schools) are moving to a universal set of learning standards, I thought I would use this project and future projects as a spring board to test myself to see if I could "teach" to most of the Reading/language and Math standards for Kindergarten.
One of the big ideas of the new standards is placing the accountability of good instruction on the teachers rather than the "learning responsibility" of the student. Students will be asked Who? What? Why? a lot and then expected to provide proof or a solution to "problems". Good teachers show and model children how to find the answer rather than know the answer.
As for my teacher friends...I'm still working on my three lesson plans for you titled, Apple Core, Algebra Chain and It's Fall, How do you know? Stay tuned.
Parents of my students...Our classroom newsletter will be coming home soon with cute pictures of our activities.
We have had three special group projects just in the past two weeks that hopefully they will remember. We had our "Apple Week". That consisted of learning about fractions, graphing and counting, how apples grow and ,of course, making apple butter. Knowing we (America's Public Schools) are moving to a universal set of learning standards, I thought I would use this project and future projects as a spring board to test myself to see if I could "teach" to most of the Reading/language and Math standards for Kindergarten.
One of the big ideas of the new standards is placing the accountability of good instruction on the teachers rather than the "learning responsibility" of the student. Students will be asked Who? What? Why? a lot and then expected to provide proof or a solution to "problems". Good teachers show and model children how to find the answer rather than know the answer.
As for my teacher friends...I'm still working on my three lesson plans for you titled, Apple Core, Algebra Chain and It's Fall, How do you know? Stay tuned.
Parents of my students...Our classroom newsletter will be coming home soon with cute pictures of our activities.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Student's Photos
After a lot of thought I have decided not to post any pictures of my students. I know some of you check out this blog to see your child's pic with our activities or to see the things we are doing in class. It's simply unsafe and I feel it's to risky.
In lieu of this I will have a special surprise for you and your child at the end of the school year.
Stay tuned!
In lieu of this I will have a special surprise for you and your child at the end of the school year.
Stay tuned!
Apple Week
Hello all! We have just finished a great week learning about apples, Johnny Applseed, fractions and other math skills with apples. The kids enjoyed apple cider after recess one day and we made our annual batch of applebutter in the classroom. I will post a picture here of our bulletin board for my fellow teachers. As promised, I will align our apple activities with the Common Core Standards.
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