Daily 5

In my last practicum experience I was lucky enough to be in a school that was very forward thinking.  This gave me a ton of experiences that I may or may not have been privileged to at other schools.  On a daily basis I had the use of Ipads, Ipods, Smart Boards, and I was also given a Smart Table to do some initial classroom testing (I had a TON of fun using the smart table for collaborative learning).  As a substitute teacher I almost feel naked when I walk into a class and I don't have these technologies at my fingertips.  I was also able to work in an environment that was moving towards 21st century learning.  I had a lot of fun visiting all of the different classes that were centering their classroom activities and outcomes around a bigger theme.  Two teachers in particular were educating their class on an orphanage that they had recently visited in Africa.  As a class they created their own African art, hosted a community wide auction, and then all of the proceeds when to the organization in Africa.  They creatively integrated this into the curriculum where it was applicable and made their class globally aware.  I was amazed by the knowledge the little grade 1's had, and how proud they were of the progress the made throughout the year.

Another great tool that I took away from this practicum was the integration of Daily 5 by the entire Grade 2 team.  I am a big believer in the Daily 5 and Cafe books by the Three Sisters.  If you haven't read or used some tools from either, I suggest you take a look.  It has changed the way I teach Language Arts!

From pencilsglueandtyingshoes.blogspot.com

The Daily 5 is broken down into:

1. Work on Writing
2. Word Work
3. Read to Self
4. Read to Someone
5. Listen to Reading

And CAFE stands for:
Comprehension
Acuracy
Fluency
Expand Vocabulary

In these books they take you step by step into each section and provide great ideas and methods for integrating it into your class.

I only have one complaint about this book:
When I examined their expected daily schedule, most of the time was spent on language arts and math.  From my experience every class that I have been in has had other subjects as well..... you know... science, social studies, computers, french, music, physical education, etc.  So I didnt find the time break down of each Daily 5 activity applicable for me.  However, I found it easy to incorporate 3-4 daily items each day (even if it occurred throughout the day).


Some of my favorite things to do with Daily 5:
I loved read to someone, depending upon the day I would either use popsicle sticks to randomly choose pairings or I would group by reading level.  This also gave me time to read one on one with a few students and fit in some assessment.  I also created my own coaching bookmark to help the listener be a better coach.

I would use read to self every day after lunch (this was mostly a classroom management technique in order to calm the wiggles),  As soon as the kiddos put their lunch away they were expected to get a good fit book and read.  As a positive reward I would pick table groups that were ready and reading and give them a table point. 

Listening to reading was sometimes difficult to do but I found a few great sites:
storyline online
book flix (unfortunately for this site you need to be a member, most schools in Alberta pay for this service so I had this for free)
The Ipad and Ipod also have some great apps for stories, however, if you don't have access to these a simple tape player and head set work wonderfully too!

http://teacherweb.com/MO/MillsElementary/MrsBondsFantasticFirstGraders/apt12.aspx

Because I live in a province that can be sunny and 10 degrees Celsius in the morning and a snow storm in the afternoon, I have become an expert at indoor recesses.  I always have lots of games in the classroom, but one of the kiddos favorite things to do is watch a story.  So I let the special kid of the day go on the smart board and pick a book and the class quietly watches and enjoys their snack (this really helped a lot of my students that couldn't handle unorganized activities).

I am still no expert with Daily 5, but I am loving what I have discovered so far.  I always get really excited when I substitute teach in a classroom that is using this tool because I can get soo many new ideas for myself. 

Anywho... I have rambled on a little more than I wanted.. I am excited for tonight because it is my favorite TV night! Greys Anatomy and Vampire Diaries :)  I am hoping to work on my Red Neck Rag quilt while I catch up on my shows.

TGI almost Friday!!

*******************************RECENT ADDITION****************************
A special thank you to Kim at Finding JOY in 6th Grade! She sent me on a blog hop to Ladybug's Teacher Files where I fell in love with the variation that Kirsten made to her CAFE - CRAFT board so that it was more applicable for her Grade 4&5 Class.  This is an image from her blog post, but I suggest hopping on over and reading about her variation if you haven't done so already. 

I heart Awards!

I have been a little slow to catch up on two awards that I have been given (sorry, I am a little less productive over spring break).  But I want to thank Satya at Crayons, Glitter, & Smelly Markers and Becky at Teaching, Learning, & Loving for giving me One Lovely Blog Award.   I find both of these blogs inspirational!! I love reading these blogs and remembering why I first decided to become a teacher.  It wasn't for the money, it wasn't for the hours and long spring break (however that is a nice reward), it was for the KIDDOS! Sayta is in university and working towards her Bachelor of Education.  I love reading about all the new things she is learning and trying in her practicum.  Becky is in her 3rd year of teaching Kindergarten, and she some amazing ideas as well as a TPT store.  She also makes me want to teach Kindergarten because it looks like so much fun (I always have remind myself how exhausting those little ones are, and that Kindergarten teachers are a special form of superhero).  So I suggest checking these blogs out if you haven't already!

Now onto the award!

I took my time to research the many blogs that I am following... I really wanted to find blogs that haven't already received this award (however there are too many lovely blogs out there), and that are just starting out like myself.

So here are my picks for the award:

The Teacher's Korner

 Courtney at Teaching in Paradise (she gets to teach 3rd Grade in Hawaii, jealous yet?)

Bev at Preschooler Busy Hands

Mrs. Piper at Pushing Through 6th Grade

Working 4 the Classroom - creating a collaborative community

Ms. Horton at Please Feed the Animals...

Her blog name just makes me giggle

 Elyse at My Life With a Cherry On Top

Congrats to these blogs! I could have spent hours picking more blogs that deserve this award, but my doggy is itching to go for a walk.  So check these blogs out and send them some love. 

The Hunger Games

I have to admit I may have lived under a rock for a while...

Yes a while..

Because I did not know anything about the Hunger Games Series until I went away on spring break.  I had seen some posts about the book, but the title always made me uninterested.  Then I discovered that this book is part of the curriculum in Grade 6 in BC, my only excuse is that I haven't taught a lot of language arts at that grade (even then it isn't a good excuse).  Anywho.. I am catching up with the times and I read both the Hunger Games and Catching Fire in 4 days.  I couldn't put this book down!! Now I understand why so many teachers are having success with this book in their class.  I am now following the Hunger Game Lessons for some great lesson ideas.  I just hope that one day I will be able to use these ideas (fingers crossed). 

So I am no longer living under the rock, and today I bought the last book in the series... Mockingjay.  Some of the reviews I have read found that this book was a disappointment compared to the other two.  So I am interested if you have read this book and feel differently or similar?

I am pretty sure it will be a late night for me because I always have a hard time putting down a good book.... and sleep can be overrated sometimes. 

Lastly, I was reminded by All Free Teacher Resources that I have a FREE Easter behaviour punch card download on TPT!! I made this in February and completely forgot to mention it in my last Easter post.  So thank you Emma! This card reminds me that I need to put out an American spelling version of this card (I have the Canadian apelling of behaviour, so I will make another freebie version soon, thoo thorry). 

E is for Easter

I started to do some research today on some fun things to do in the classroom for Easter! I love Easter... mostly because I am a chocoholic. Today at the grocery store I was really tempted to buy myself one of those huge kinder surprises (you get a treat and a toy, best marketing idea evvver)...  but I refrained.. it was hard.  Instead I went onto pinterest and found some great ideas.

I thought that this was a great idea from Itsy Belle, and who doesn't have fun placing their hands in paint and making artwork?  I am tempted to try this with my nephew, he is only a year old, but at his day care he made me a hand print to take home so I think he has had enough practice.

Isn't that just stinkin cute! I am going to find a nice picture frame to put it in because I am a proud auntie.

This craft is from Little Wonders' Days and I cant wait to try this activity again.  It is called shaving cream art and it is soooo much fun to do.  I have previously used this activity in high school to illustrate polar and non polar substances.  If you want to learn more about that you should check out science matters, this blog explains how you can use this craft as an experiment. 

Lastly I found some delicious looking easter treats that I thought would be a lot of fun for the kiddos.

I love this carrot treat idea.. you could use any treat that is orange (goldfish, crackers, or candy).  I also like that you could make this healthy and control the amount of sweets each kiddo receives. I found this on Life on Old Savannah.

Lastly, these cupcakes make my mouth water! This idea was taken from Family Go and you can get the recipe there. In case you are wondering (as I was), the carrots are made out of an orange Starburst and green Twizzlers (can you say YUM).

I have to confess that I am obsessed with Georgetown Cupcakes (a reality show on TLC) and every time I watch that show I feel the sudden urge to get out my kitchen aid and make extravagant cupcakes.  So these will definitely be on my list to make.

Have a wonderful Monday!

Anchor Chart Linky Party

Ms. M's Blog is having an Anchor Chart Linky Party! I started stalking some of the blogs that joined the party and I found some great ideas.  Sara at Smiling in Second Grade has a great chart to remind her students the proper form for writing a letter (her class writes a letter to their parents every friday... I have to remember this idea for the future!).

I made an anchor chart when I was teaching Grade 2 last year to enforce quality work in the classroom.  I related work quality to cupcakes and this is what I created...

There are 4 Levels of work:
1. Baking Apprentice - this baker only makes plain cupcakes. They rush their work and could have spent more time adding icing, sprinkles.. etc.
2. Sous Baker - this baker started to add some details to their work, but did not complete their work to the best of their ability.
3. Head Baker - this baker makes their work stand out and puts pride in their work.  They are still missing some pieces, but they still have a beautiful cupcake.
4. Executive Baker - this baker takes time with their work and produces quality cupcakes.

I explain these 4 levels and we relate each baker to our own work.

After that discussion I sell the class on the idea by asking them which baker they would like a cupcake from.  I hear a lot of cheers for the executive baker!  I then keep this as an anchor chart in the room and when a student comes to me asking if their work is complete I send them to this chart.  It is a good reminder to add the extra juicy details to their story, create a picture with their writing, check for equal signs in their math... etc.

I stayed away from showing exemplars of other students work as "Executive Baker" or "Baking Apprentice" because I feel that each student has their own "baking" potential.  I didn't want to discourage or limit their individual abilities.  I found that as a class they were able to easily relate to the cupcake concept. I really noticed improvements in students that had previously rushed their work started to slow down and take pride in their work. 

If you have a great anchor that you use in your classroom I would love to hear about it!

Back Again!!!

 Hello Y'all! I am back from my vacation.... sadly.  I could have stayed in Palm Springs forrevvar! It was soo warm and pretty, I don't know how anyone gets any work done there.  But let me take you on a picture walk from my trip.

We arrived in Vegas.. far to late for the crazyness and then we left super early so I didn't take any pictures (so sorry).  My next big stop was in Palm Springs.  This is a view from the front of the condo where we stayed.

I am officially in love with palm trees and I have decided that they could join me in the mountains any day.


The next stop was Joshua Tree.  At first I was a little disappointing.. and I will tell you why..

I thought "Joshua Tree" implied one "Tree" that was a special tree.

I was a little ticked when I payed 15 dollars to see millions of these "Joshua Tree"'s that I had seen the whole drive to "Joshua Tree".

After having a little giggle about the irony, we went for a hike.

 And WOW! It was sooo stinkin beautiful I took millions and millions of photos.  I saw lots of people rock climbing,

and I did my own version. I am super adventurous.

 Then we made our way to Laguna Beach.  I had to see the ocean on this trip so this was a non negotiable item on my list. 

But the water was cold


I mean really cold.


(Duh, it is the ocean Amy!) But still, I had an idea in my head about what the temperature should be and it did not live up to my expectations. 

Then we traveled to Anaheim to watch the Ducks and Wings battle in a great hockey game.  

The PEAK of my trip was definitely Joshua Tree.  I had an awesome time hiking and snapping lots of photos.  I also got to tan while I walked (I like multitasking while on vacay).

The PIT of my trip was leaving.  I was soooo sad when I had to board my plane to go home.  I was even more upset when there was a foot of snow waiting for me.

However, I still have another week off so I plan on using it wisely!! Starting with some blog stalking.. I feel completely out of the loop. 

I hope everyone had a great week and a wonderful weekend!

Much Music Coca-Cola Covers

This is definitely a random post but I have to send some love out to one of my bestest friends Karissa.  I kind of forced her to enter this contest because she is an amazing artist, and isn't she a pretty lady :).  I met Karissa while I was attending University in the beautiful windy city of Lethbridge, Alberta.  We both worked at a shoe store and our mutual love for shoes turned into a wonderful friendship.  Now we have both graduated and gone onto our big girl jobs.  But we still find time to to go camping, watch girly movies, and fish.

So anywho, back to the competition... I would love for you to check her out and if you like what you hear please show her some love by giving her a rating (just click on the pic for a direct link).  That would mucho appreciated.

Now I am off to teach high school biology and then I have to quickly rush home to catch my flight! I can't wait to escape the winter blues.  While I am gone I am hosting a sale on my TPT and TN!!

TPT - 15% off from March 12-15th
TN - 20% off from March 9-16th

I am also thinking about ideas for a giveaway!! I am thinking maybe at 40 or 50 followers :)  I may search for something spectacular over spring break.

I hope everyone has a great spring break and I will be back in a week.  I am going to leave you with some instagram photos that I recently created (I heart instagram).

The train bridge near one of my favorite fishing holes.

One of my graduation photos under the legendary Lethbridge bridge (that's a tongue twister).

Fly fishing on the beautiful elk river.

Island Lake, I love to hike here in the summer.

p.s. I hope Fernando doesn't abandon me while I am gone..... I have never had a digital classroom pet before.