Building Each Other Up

        Some of my favorite things about working in a school, networking with other bloggers, teaching different professional development and going to workshops is the chance to meet and work with some  of the best-est teachers on Earth. This is my friend across the hall Mrs. A. She does a math wall each nine-weeks. It literally is her go to for all the important math skills they need to know and takes the place of 20 anchor charts. She doesn't have one white board in her room,  but she makes it work and her students grow by leaps and bounds and she has the data to back that up. Don't forget a cute jingle to help the repetition stick. She laminates the paper at the end of the nine weeks and puts up a fresh sheet. She saves them for the end of the year prep for testing. Yes, you guessed it, those are fraction bars glued up there. 

        Have you ever written a Student Treasures Book for your whole class? This is my writing friend's bulletin board on North Carolina's A-Z Book. Students research and write about some of the most important people, places and things that take place in North Carolina. They also illustrate a letter with those symbols and pictures inside the letter. The whole book can be purchased as a nice souvenir of their 4th grade year. 

           Here's a peek at the third grade awesome- sauce going on down the hall. This is our master bulletin board maker extraordinaire Mrs. D. Her bulletin boards are so funky-fresh and up to date. I'm serious y'all, she keeps them up to date all year. 

        Who doesn't love comparing fairy tales? 

        Whoooooo.... whooooo.... whooooo's peeping some amazing owls? I know I am. These kids and this art teacher blow me away with their artistic abilities. 

        Seriously, can I sign up for a class? 

         Have a fantastic day teacher friends!

New Changes and a Math Freebie

Holy Smokes-
     Where do I start? If you follow my blog, you probably thought my grammatical self, or lack thereof, fell off the face of the planet. I'm please to announce I have not fallen off the edge of the earth, but have had some major changes in my life. Sooooo, because you know I love lists... here you go. I'll try and go in order and maybe, just maybe, I'll get back to blogging more often.

#1 I had the pleasure of rocking out yet another fabulous trip to Washington, DC with the best teachers, students and parents.
#2 I had been at the same school for 12 years and new principals and assistant principals were very common every year or two. I decided to take a risk and turn in my resume to another wonderful school that had very little turn over in administration and teachers.
#3 We found out we were expecting another addition to our family.... Toured DC, walking an estimated 8-9 miles (according to my friends fitbit)... interviewed to a new school. Accepted the position.... Moved 13 years of teaching (hoarding) materials... and finished out another year.
#4 Moved to a new school, new kids (that didn't know me from Adam, new parents, new staff.
#5 Did I mention I was pregnant?
#6 Unpacked and moved in my new room, new grade, new curriculum... still very pregnant, with an 8 year old and 5 year old helping.
#7 Had my little sweetie pie number three.
#8 My husband had major neck surgery... with a newborn baby...
#9 Back to teaching!

      When I moved to a new school, I made the big move to fourth grade. A grade I had never previously taught. However, I had five years experience in fifth and eight years experience in third. In third grade academically gifted students are not identified or serviced yet, so I challenged myself to challenge them in all subjects. So I dabbled in some 4th grade materials. In fifth grade, I would have a few kids each year that were not working on grade level, so I had to work backwards to clear up misconceptions prior to moving forward in new material. So, I thought I would have a pretty good handle on fourth grade right? Let's just say, a new grade level is a new grade level. I was nervous about fitting in with a new team, learning a new curriculum and working with parents that didn't know my reputation from previous parents. But new surprises have been lurking around every corner. I have fallen in love with my new team and remained close friends with my old team. The parents have been wonderful and they had heard of me through the grapevine. And, my kids are amazing. I'm still overwhelmed, but so glad to have great support in every direction. I'm so in love with life and living each day to the fullest. So I finally had an opportunity to create some new math posters and now they are yours. Enjoy, click on the picture to follow the link for the download.

Sleepless nights in Southport

And my 18month old baby is sleeping.  How is this right?

So,
Did you know I LOVE integrating all subjects/arts with my classroom?
Yep,
Now you do.

Here is a great site for global projects you can do and share with other teachers across our great nation.
http://www.jenuinetech.com/calendar.htm

Steps:
1. First read about the project and make sure you are willing to commit to completing and sharing your information.
2. Register your class: FREE
3.  COmplete the AMAZING learning project with your kids.
4.  Turn in your data.
5.  Review your results and results other classes came up with your children.
6.  Ooops, don't forget to take pictures of .... fun learning.

I have registered my class for the awesome art project.  Our class will work on one large picture that will complete a mural with 14 other classes.  What a fun ART project huh?  They also have fun MATH, READING, and WRITING projects. 

Click on the link to find out more about the projects and rules.