What I'm Pinning!!

I have been finding a lot of inspiration on pinterest lately... I have also wasted a lot of time on pinterest as well (but who's keeping track??).

Here are some of the things that I have loved:

Making a classroom wordle for your door or bulletin board.  If you haven't used wordle before I suggest you check it out... very cute and easy to use. 

I thought this was an awesome example of PBS (positive behaviour system). When a student finds themselves in trouble they can pick a random act of kindness job.  May not work for every situation, but I thought it was a really cute idea that would promote a positive classroom community. 

Story Sticks!!  Do you ever have a student that spends the whole class "thinking" of an idea and never puts a thought down on paper.  Well I do!! And instead of finding myself frustrated I will use this idea instead.
Yellow = character, Red = conflict, Green = setting, Blue = "Special". The student chooses one of each and then they make up a story based on what they got.

This idea made me giggle... but I think in an elementary setting this could be very effective.  Each day you choose from the jar a mystery person and that person will not know until the end of the day.  If they behaved in line, listened and followed directions, they would receive a surprise and their name on the wall of fame.  If that person did not behave the mystery person would not be told and their name would go back into the jar.  I thought it was another great positive way to approach classroom management. 

Now some of my non teaching pins..

Grapefruit and Mint Mojito......

Happy Monday!!

Newspaper Board

I have been thinking a lot about certain things that I have to have in my classroom.  Specifically the bulletin board.  I love to showcase students work in a fun and dynamic way!  So here is an idea that I have seen and used and I am going to try and implement it on my own.

It is called the Newspaper Board and it is a way to encourage students to write outside of classroom time.  Each week they are responsible for one newspaper article.  When they bring in there writing it gets posted on the board.  Throughout the week these articles are presented to the class and the students get a chance to "take the stage".

Every month I will change the theme of the newspaper board, for example:
- short stories
- interviews
- picture walks
- poetry
- fun facts/research items

This will keep the students interested, and challenge them in a different way regularly.  Then at the end of the month I can collect their writing and add it to their portfolio.  I can then use the portfolio as a talking piece to showcase their writing development throughout the year. 

I am still investigating some fun science/math bulletin board ideas.... I will keep you posted!!!

ps... the funky frame is provided by The 3AM Teacher... I heart her graphics!

My SuMmEr so far!

 I just returned from a beautiful vacation in Palm Springs.  I had to escape for some much needed vitamin D, pool time, and palm trees.  This time I spent my vacation with my mom and we had a blast. 

I managed to finish 4 books....
The Mockingjay... I found this book slow at first but then turned into a great read.  I am not sure if I agree with the ending.  It felt a little rushed in the last few chapters... but maybe that is because I was sad that I didn't have another Hunger Games book to read.

I then started the Lucky One.  This was a great romance novel by Nicholas Sparks.  It was a great transition from Mockingjay and now I am super excited to see the movie.

The Blessings of Animals was a book that I bought in Palm Springs. I sadly read the only books I brought and wouldn't last the rest of the vacation without a good read.  This book was fantastic.  It is about an animal lover that is going through a messy divorce.  The author did a great job illustrating the animals personality throughout the book.

The Rescue was my last book... I am still working on this one, but I am already hooked!

 While I was on vacation I had to keep tabs on the temperature back home.... as you can see Cochrane was very cold and rainy the whole time (I am soo happy I missed it!)

I have become addicted to taking pictures with my phone and using photo editors to adjust the quality.... here are some of the plant photos I took.

Besides applying for jobs, going to interviews, and working I have been making time to work out and enjoy the little summer I have left..

Today I went for a hike in the beautiful rocky mountains... I am already sore... so I am a little worried about how I will feel in the morning.  I think a long bubble bath is in order for tonight.