Super Improvers Wall

This year is going to be my year!  I am excited to be undertaking a new personal goal, that of becoming certified in Whole Brain Teaching.  Part of this journey includes using the Super Improvers Wall.  The premise behind using this wall is to motivate students into setting and breaking their own educational and/or behavioral goals.

Finally, after many days of deliberating and tormenting myself, I decided on the theme, "Super Improvers, Going for Gold!"  

With the Olympics going on right now and into the first week of school it just seemed to fit.  So many of these Olympians have overcome many struggles to get to the Olympics that I just couldn’t pass up this opportunity to tie it to the wall.

Super Improvers Wall

I plan to leave the names off the cards until the second week of school.  I want them to be curious as to what it may be.  I can picture their faces when they find out they will have their own chance to go for Gold.

I am picturing students meeting goals and going further than they had ever imagined they could.  I love that this is not a behavior chart or based solely on how they did on their test.  This wall is strictly for kids to see how setting their own personal goals can increase their love of learning and love of school.  I love it when kids are self motivated and this is one way to get them to be.  What is the final reward you ask?  They get to take home the card after they get 10 stars on it and make it to the next level!  They are only motivated to improve for improvements sake not motivated by something they get.

I think the best part of the SIW is how easy it will be to manage.  I love simple and easy because then I can do it.  No going backward,  only onward and upward for my kids this year!! 

If you would like more information on the Super Improvers Wall or anything else WBT  please visit the website.  There are many FREE materials and videos to help you get moving too!

Now, if I could just find the new rules posters I made................

does the wall help with memory or misplacing things??  

Until next time..............................

Deanna

Lost Tooth Tote

"My tooth is wiggly!"
One of my favorite things about teaching first grade is lost teeth.  I love how cute the kids are with those holes in their mouths.  I love it when they smile and I especially love it when I come to greet them at our line in the morning and they show me either a wiggly tooth or an empty space where their tooth once was.

Lost Tooth Tote

       

Class Chart

In our class when someone loses a tooth, they get to take home the Lost Tooth Tote and put their name (on a little tooth die cut) in our lost tooth chart.

I have been doing this Tooth Tote for the last three years.  The kids absolutely love it!  (Even the boys!)  Originally, I changed the books and sent the same bag home for any child who had a second lost tooth.  Needless to say, I lost track of what books were in there for the first tooth and who had already read them.  (I don't think the kids really cared as long as they got to take the tote home.)  After two lost teeth, they just get to put their name in the chart.  This year I decided to make a second bag so I could make sure the kids had different books to read, not to mention there have been times that I had a waiting list for the tote.  Haha, kids just like to make things tricky!  Thank goodness they would remind me who's turn it was.  

                                                                                                                                                                                       

Inside tote #1 there are 3 books, a journal and a little pillow for their tooth to go inside of.

Inside tote #2 there are 3 books and journal.        

For the journal I used pages from Home and Back with Sight Word Packs.  There is a letter to the parents suggesting words they can look for in each of the books while they read them with their child.  There is also a  blank page for the kids to write what they think the Tooth Fairy does with the teeth.  On the outside of the journal is an index card listing all the items for the tote and letting them know to return all items the next day.  

                                                                                        

There are many different ideas for take home bags and I am hoping to get to at least one more this year.

This has been one of the most successful things in my class.  The kids love it and so do the parents. 

On a separate note.........

I am excited to be getting a package in the mail soon.  I won my first blog giveaway from:

She was giving away some really cool dice that I have been wanting for quite some time (and some other great math tools), so needless to say I am EXCITED!!!  Christmas in July!
I hope all of you are enjoying your summer and making the most of your time off.  Relax and get those mid-afternoon naps in while you can, haha!
Until next time.....
Deanna  

Hats for Kenton

My brain is still on summer vacation but this was something I just couldn't leave alone. I am a follower of Deb at

Oh My Little Classity Class

Her little guy is quite ill and another blogger, Jenny, from 

Luckeyfrog's Lilypad

has begun to organize a hat drive for Kenton.  Please hop over to one of their blogs to read up on all the details.  While you're there you can sign up to send a hat to Kenton and maybe a little something for his little sister and maybe even a letter to the parents.  I can bet that at this time any love they receive will be welcomed.  

Hats for Kenton

until next time.....

Deanna

V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N

      


       V- vistas 
       A- awesome 
       C- calm 
       A-adventure 
       T- tranquil 
       I- intermission 
       O- outdoors 
       N- nature





I love vacations.  I am so blessed that my husband and I both have jobs that give the opportunity to take vacations.  This year's destination was the Kern river.  To say that it was beautiful is an understatement.  We actually took our little boat down the river!  Not bad for us, (to say we are unadventurous is an understatement.)  If you look close, you can see the deer we saw on the little island behind our campsite. 
We made some new friends and who knows, maybe we'll go back next year.




The downfall is, I spent the week (partially) thinking about Daily 5 and how I am going to implement it in my classroom next year.

Daily 5 Chapter 3

What's the difference?: Key materials, concepts, and routines for launching the Daily 5

Establishing a Gathering Place- I already have my spot that I use daily for calendar, stories etc.




___     Good-Fit Books-  I plan to use the lessons that are laid out for me in the book.  I also plan to create
                                        the I chart with my class as the sisters encourage so my kids will have buy in.


___      Setting up Book Boxes- I am excited to do this, although my brain hasn't stopped wondering how,
                                                  where, etc. I am going to get them all.  I will be blog stalking for ideas!


___     Anchor Charts- I have seen so many great artistic anchor charts all over blogland.  I will be keeping
                                    a little cheat sheet nearby to make sure I get them right.


___     Practice- This is where I anticipate the most work on my part.  I have the tendency to think kids 
                          have it after the first time or two.  It is good to see over and over, in blogs and in my 
                          reading, reminding me that they need to build their stamina, (but hey, so do I!)


___     Signals and check-in- I already have my signals in place, WBT class/yes works great to get the 
                                             attention of my students and I plan to use it for this.  Check-in is a good
                                              way to help the kids think about their actions and focus their attention to what
                                             they need to do to be successful.


___     Modeling- I absolutely love the idea of using my challenging kids to do the modeling.  They begin by
                            by thinking they can goof but when we also ask them to model the correct way they are
                            now accountable for acting appropriately.  LOVE IT!

Loving the anticipation of using Daily 5 in my class.

until next time.......................

Deanna