The Genius Ladder

     I think I am done, I think I am ready, I think I can start thinking about lesson planning.  

     Today I put the final finishing touches on my Genius Ladder.

 It is very simple as you can see.  I have never used this strategy before, so I just drew it on my whiteboard.  My thinking is that it will be easy to change sentences and do what I need to do.  Plus it is easy to access.

Love this little pic of Einstein!  For me it fits perfectly.

extention cord icon

spicy chili pepper, too cute, couldn't mass it up

self explanatory, haha

I made some little icons on my computer and taped them onto each rung of the ladder.  

I am excited to give this a try when school starts.  

So on a different note, I had the WORST dream last night.  I have been doing so much work on refreshing myself on WBT strategies that I dreamt I began the first day of school WITHOUT teaching my students any of the class/yes or the rules.  PLUS my good friend didn't come to school so I had her class too.  THEN I remembered that I needed to teach them the rules and class/yes BUT I had ALL the smarty pants kids who had all the attitude........aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa........

and then I woke up!  Thank goodness it was all a dream..... 4 more nights to try and get some sleep, hopefully no more crazy dreams.

Until next time.....

Deanna

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

                                   




      


           

Daily 5

It all started with pinterest.  You all know pinterest right?  Pinterest is a wonderful (time sucking bandit) place on the internet where you can find all kinds of great ideas.  Well, I kept seeing all these things for daily 5.  I had no clue as to what it was, how it worked, or what it involved.  Not only that, but I had no idea how purposeful it actually was.  Well, pinterest led me to blogs.  I had heard of blogging, but did not realize that it would open an entirely new world for me as a teacher. Of course, as I kept finding more and more blogs, I kept seeing Daily 5. 

I spent the end of my school year feeling like I had let my students down because I didn't feel as though I was effective in creating and encouraging literacy.  I made a little goal for myself to become a better literacy teacher.  Well that led to seeing bloggers gearing up for a Daily 5 book study.  I really do try to listen when God is talking to me, but sometimes it takes me awhile to process.

Lory's Page: Daily 5 (You will have to visit Lory's page to get the blog hop)

Seusstastic Classroom Inspirations (I've posted the blog hop for this study at the end.)

Why Daily 5?

Let me begin by saying I am following two separate book studies focused on the Daily 5 by Gail Boushey & Joan Moser, otherwise known as "the sisters."   Due to the fact that I am still very new to blogging, I didn't realize they were separate until yesterday! (gasp)  Oh well, I figure the more information the better.  

After reading the Daily 5 I have decided this has to be for me!  I have tried to create centers that are purposeful but also kid managed, not teacher managed. I have tried to create independence in my classroom.  I have tried to give kids choices of what they can do and what order to do them in.  I have also tried to create a love for reading by giving kids books they are successful at reading, but all of mine looked completely different than what the sisters describe.

I know kids can be successful at this because the little bit I did actually showed me kids reading, over and over again and they were excited to come and read to me!  

This is why I know this will work for me:

1. My students all had a book box on their desk.  The books in it were not chosen for them, but instead they were our series phonics readers.  I encouraged (made) them read the first book to me and then let them read each book on their own, to their neighbor, or to me.  It amazed me that most children would not go to the next book until they mastered the first one.  They did not just sit at their desks and "read" all they books without reading them.  They were so excited to bring me the book they read and read it to me to show off  their skills!  SO, if they can do this with poorly chosen books, then I can only imagine what they will be able to do with good fit books.
2. They actually did very well when I would encourage (make) them read to their neighbor to practice their fluency (give me more time to do something with someone.)  The noise level was manageable.  I imagine what it will look like when I begin the year building their stamina for reading with others.
3. They loved word work!  I have stamps to write it/stamp it, (you can check that out  here: Mel D. at Seusstastic Classroom Inspirations)  I know this will work.
4. Choices!  I believe in giving kids choices.  My Nana always told me to give my kids choices.  Giving kids choices does not mean giving them free reign.  It means giving them things to choose from that I am good with what they choose.  This satisfies the control freak in me and their natural desire to choose for themselves.  Win-Win

I spent the last three weeks working summer school, the entire time I was busy envisioning my class next year, purposefully engaged in their education and becoming excited about literacy!

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

Deanna

Whole Brain Teaching

How many of you are still trying to find a behavior management program that fits?  I failed, miserably, at using a card system. I just could NOT keep up with it, or follow through with it (not to mention the drama it created when students needed to turn a card.)  I went to a WBT conference about 2 years ago and when I left I knew this was it for me!

Five simple rules!  That's it!  REALLY!!  (I have added a sixth rule for my class, but still, it is so easy.)  The kids get it, I get it, we ALL get it.  It blends quite nicely with Character Counts and it will blend even better with the Daily 5 that I plan to begin using next year.


 Whole Brain Teaching 


So many great parts to WBT that I don't know where to begin, so I think I will focus on how the rules changed my classroom.

The Rules:
Rule #1:  Follow directions quickly.
Rule #2: Raise your hand for permission to speak.
Rule #3: Raise your hand for permission to leave your seat.
Rule #4: Make smart choices.
Rule #5: Make your dear teacher happy.
Rule #6: Respect yourself, Respect others, and Respect our school.

We practice these rules daily.  Each rule has a motion to go with it.  The BEST part for me as a teacher? When a student is shouting out, I look at them and say, "Rule #2?"  The class usually chimes in and repeats it.   The student then raises their hand, and I call on them.  If a student is out of their seat, headed to me or just wandering, I look at them and say "Rule #3?"   Most times student's will start asking me their question, but I just keep repeating myself, "Rule #3?"  They get the hint, go back to their desk and raise their hand. Then I call on them as though they had been there the whole time.  For the times that I am doing this more than I should, the kids spend some practice time with me during recess.  They spend a few minutes of their recess time repeating the rule they are having a hard time remembering, while doing the motion associated with it.
The rare times that they need even more practice, I send a letter home telling the parents they need some additional practice time at home.

IT WORKS!    Tears of joy!

I know you are saying to yourself, "but Deanna, you don't know my class!"  Let me tell you, You don't know MY class!  I had an awesome group of kiddos this year, but they certainly had some unique qualities that tested me.  Let me just say, through the Grace of God and knowing about WBT, we had an amazing year!

I am a Whole Brain Teacher, and I will continue to be a Whole Brain Teacher. I could go on and on but I think if you are not familiar with it you should go and  VISIT WHOLE BRAIN TEACHING.

OH! I almost forgot the inspiration for this post was a Linky (my first one, exciting!)
I am sure I probably did it wrong but you can find the blog that started it here:

Think, Wonder, & Teach

On another note, only 3 days of summer school left, woo hoo!
Until next time.............

Deanna