Oceans of Teaching Ideas

Sleepless again!

I'm sleepless again. Mr. Sandman forgot to give me a dose tonight. Here's a glimpse of my summer fun. Not to mention all the amazing rare species only seen at 120 feet below our North Carolina's waters. Nighty night blog friends. Sweet dreams while I fix you a good dose of Interactive Reader's Notebook.... boooo ya!

~ Tara

Three Branches of Government

Happy October to YOU!!!!

Here's a brochure to help you organize your information about our three branches of government. I'm in total love with my team this year and we have decided to each take a day to teach the other classes one branch. One of our lovely teachers has a smart board and will do an interactive lesson with each class. So essentially all the kids will get to have a lesson with each 5th grade teacher and gain knowledge from their personality and learning/teaching style. They will use this brochure to collect information along the way, display and in turn use as a study guide.

I'm so excited to have 26 followers... Yay!

~ Tara

Project Based Learning

Hi fellow teachers!

I hope your school year is up and running great! Your grammatically incorrect friend is back with some ideas about Project Based Learning!!!!!

As part of being a reflective practitioner, I am constantly thinking about what went well and what can I improve? Also, I have big dreams for my classroom, grade level, school, county, state, and yes even our Nation's classrooms. I would like to see a revolution in our schools. But, not as you probably think for a certain style of teaching! I'm so tired of each new data driven strategy being crammed down our throats without consideration to our personalities or our CHILDREN! I will talk about certain strategies that I find to be my ultimate favorites, but I also think about the variety of teaching styles that we receive at a college level. Do we not sit through lectures, demonstrations, field trips, online learning, videos, group/partner, and other varieties of work? Why then are veteran teachers demanded to change on impact every strategy they find useful each time someone writes a new book? I think ultimately, teachers should decide how to teach thier class. Crazy thought I know.

I think about my personality and teaching strategies... and sometimes wonder if I am doing more harm than good using Project Based Learning. But then I recall some of my favorite science teachers in high school. I recall my now mother in law using movies to compare and contrast novels, my marine biology teacher having us create, and maintain salt water tanks. We dug up small clams from the coast and caught mud minnows, to which later the minnows devoured the clams. We recorded statistics daily and noted observations. Of course our teacher simply could have told us that the minnows would eat the clams. We also collected shells and classified them, recording differences in their shells and makeup. Now, that's 11 years ago, I'm sure there were more examples, but I won't bore you with those.

Ponder if you will the upper levels of college?

Are they not project based learning?

Are internships, thesis, and labs not project based learning PBL?

Then I think to myself.... I'm pretty cool and YES, I am preparing my kiddos to be college ready!

PBL is not for everyone... many teachers I guess are.... scared???

Don't be scared, it does take some additional planning, but the end results of real learning are unmistakable. I promise.

I think one of the biggest fears is our high stakes end of grade tests and new measures of learning for additional subjects. The new common core is also scarring the crap out of a lot of teachers. However, once you get the hang of planning, preparing and getting your kids in the mindset of student centered, real-world learning, and let go of a little control you gain organized ciaos. The learning your children will do is mind boggling. NOW, just because this is how I feel doesn't mean everyone in the world needs to change to my way. There are many teachers that get the same end result (for some a test score) using worksheets and PowerPoints all day. I'm cool with that.

My favorites about PBL:
* Real world: Connects all the subjects for elementary school, helping the kids see why we need to have a common knowledge before we specialize in our careers.
* Cooperation: Every kid has a skill and something to bring to the table (so to speak). As adults, college kids, even in high school... we work together! What makes this nation great? WE the people!!
* Creating projects as individuals and working as a team. I'm in love with the use of Edmodo to see individual thoughts at home and then how they come together as a team in class.
* Reducing meaningless worksheets that ultimately get trashed (but don't get me wrong, I love my reader's notebook)

Well more on the topic this weekend after an awesome workshop in Raleigh! Have a great one!

~ Tara

Hello BLOG world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have been traveling the east coast and enjoying my summer to the fullest. I am officially checking back in. Here are a few things to remember when you see your posts from me this year.
1. My littlest babe is now 2, so my grammar is going to be especially atrocious.
2. I'm now in fifth grade!!!! Hip- hip- horray!!!!! I'm so excited, I taught fifth grade 8 years ago and cannot wait to dive back in. With the new common core, this is a great transition year!
3. I love hands on learning (well a balanced education, it can't all be hands on) and common core has finally started to swing in that direction with student centered learning.
4. Love that common core will connect more teachers nationally....!!!!!! whoooohoooo!
5. I will be posting items for our grade sharing projects as well. We will be teaming with a second grade class!!!!! My mermaid sister at that... how magical!
6. I will be focusing mainly on reading, social studies, science, and communication skills.
hmmmmmm.... that's all for now....

~ Tara

Let me first say I LOVE MY JOB! I LOVE TEACHING KIDDOS!!!!!! I live it and breath it. In one conversation I can talk up some fun educational programs. I love my days with the kids, teaching, listening, all that sappy stuff. I love cordinating volunteers, guest speakers, finding weird things (like cuban tarantulas) to bring in to peak the kids' interest. I love long chapter books with aweful movies to make kids love reading better. I love poetry, silly poetry, rhymeee poetry, ocean poetry, scary poetry, shape poetry, poetry by boys (cause it has flair), and gut holding hilarious poetry. I lLOVE seeing the spark when a kid realizes for the first time, that we ARE learning about the WORLD around us. Past, present and future. I love seeing kids problem solve in class and for the world. I cherish those moments when they take an idea like writing persuasive letters and take the initiative to write to leaders and companies. I love getting the kids to realize for the first time.... the little, mean, and weird things are important in life, like bugs, bees, sharks, snakes, bacteria, germs and microscopic things. I savor those magical moments when children find things related to topics and discover something new under a microscope, when what they believed was... is actually _____. I'm embarassed when people read or fix my grammar, because I'm a thinker and talker and grammar is NOT my strongest area. I can admit my weakness and move on. I hope the kids learn their weakness and adjust to become stronger and continue to add to their strengths ________________ totally lost my train of thought. Okay, my train is off its' track entirely.... I'm derailed somewhere in freaking Arkansas...........
I love NICE teachers that will brainstorm, think and create inspiring things for kids. There are so many awesome teachers out there!!!!! I think teachers have an influence on their surrounding kids, even when they don't directly teach them. I think teacher assistants, office staff and everyone else reach and teach in all the areas we miss on a large scale. Every teacher has something awesome to bring to the table!
I firmly believe parents are our biggest ally and supporter. Without a supportive parent, children _________. (you can fill in your own opinion) I think great parents can take any school day and turn it into learning situation. Parents are the greatest partner a teacher can have and can reach kids on a level we cannot. I think the hardest thing a parent can do is send thier child to a public, private, charter, whatever school, because you do not know what their day was like, but have to figure it out and continue to mold your child to be the strong person you hope for them.
I support the public school system at its fullest and know every thing has kinks and flaws. I also support everyone's way of teaching and educating their child in whatever choice they make for thier kid. I very much dislike people who think their way is the only right way and are not open to change or they do everything perfect. Sorry, if you are one of those people, please don't leave a comment, because I would hate for my 4 large great danes and tortoise to take a big crap in your yard tonight! Train off track again.... sorry. I love all the opportunities that (any) school has to offer.
BUT>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> It might just be ME.......................... ( I love dots)
I can't find ONE reason to put an 8 or 9 year old through a 4 hour test twice. I get we 'need' to standardize our kids, tell them to think outside the box then test them in a box, but when I sit with someone's child for four long silent hours with silent breaks and silent lunch (because we cannot break testing security). They try hard all year and do their best then are subjected to a 58 question reading test, math, math, science, etc. I get middle and high schooly maybe ( honestly, I can't say, haven't taught it, like others who have done it all) Let's take a ten year old child, kid, crumb snatcher, whatever you want to call that sweet child of someone. They are in 5th grade. Maybe they don't pass, reading, math, math, and science. They have to painfully work thier hearts and butts off a second round to meet state standards? That's 8 days of testing a 10 year old.... YIKES. I seriously want to be a whistle blower and start making changes. However, it takes a majority to take a stand and create change. I am just one person... and not at the top of the state totem pole or poll.
Finally,
I love my job... really.
I don't think I have ever taken a 4 hour test in college or any where...
Are we getting our kids college ready, or should we focus on creative thinking, project building, and complex things...
I love science olympiad, science fair and math fair... because kids wonder, plan, think, change, write, research, discover....
I know I sound ridiculous.... Just had to say it.
I will probably feel better tomorrow. I just had to test for four hours. Kinda crummy:( We are on to bigger, better and FUNNNNNNNER *** things tomorrow.... incase any of my kids read this:) Wait... that's against policy to be friends with a kid. HA!~ Tara

Jobs for Writing Workshop

Writer's Workshop

JOBS

There are a few more jobs on the word document. I have not saved all my documents into PDF files to preserve the fonts, however, you may change the jobs as you need. I love, love, love writer's workshop and cannot wait to work more with my kids and their writing.

~ Tara

Computer Wall Makeover

I know it's not glamorous. However, it is very functional. We have two dry erase boards with a bunch of scribble all over them telling kids how to get to particular sites we have to use during intervention, reading and math blocks at school. Instead of scribble, here is a chart that identifies steps on where to go specifically. Hopefully the front board will be accommodating 21st century computer skills in the kid's/teacher's free time. I'll post the forms on my homepage so county buddies can use or country buddies can tweak! Or you can message me and I'll get them to you asap. Have a great week teacher people!

New Green Word UPCYCLE!

Here are a few old Similac and Enfamil containers UPCYCLED! This new green word defines the process of reusing an old product to make a new product. Terracycle online upcycles drink pouches, glue sticks, solo cups, make up containers, the list goes on. A small pack of scrapbook paper makes these containers literally pennies to make. Just a little time.

I use the top can for friend bucket fillers. The idea came from Christina Bainbridge. Check out her materials on Bucket fillers. She's awesome. :)

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.

Sunshine Award

So....
There is a sweet little teacher
Her name is Amanda
She is from Texas
And....
She has this awesome blog
But she follows MINE
She has the sweetest comments
And....
Makes teachers feel great about what they DO!

Thanks Amanda!

First of all, I have like....hmmm, less than 20 followers. Not a problem for me. Why? Because I wanted to blog for three reasons:
1. I wanted to comment on other teachers' great ideas.
~~2. It looked like a challenge (and I'm a dummy, like I really have the time)~~
3. My teacher friend in Florida told me it's the best professional development EVER! And she was right!
Okay FOUR
4. I like sharing.
I like sharing so much. If you come in my room for something, you normally leave with a LOT more, unless, like my team teachers, you can say ENOUGH Tara! And when an idea hits me..... LOOK out! I get jacked up worse than a college kid pulling double classes with double espressos... times 10.

Sorry******************** Hamster wheel is way off track.
Amanda was so kind to nominate me for this Sunshine Award. ME. Awww. I sometimes feel guilty for not being able to keep up with some other teachers. However, your sweet comments and emails are so encouraging and delightful to read. A huge thank you to a spectacular teacher AMANDA and her blog for nominating me. Thanks. You can check out what an awesome blog looks like by hopping over to The Teaching Thief.

The Sunshine Award rules are...
1. Thank the person who gave this award and write a post about it.
2. Answer the following questions below.
3. And pass the award to 10~12 fabulous bloggers, link their blogs and let them know you awarded them.

* Favorite Color? turquoise

* Favorite Animal? sharks

* Favorite Number? 2 because it's all about symmetry for me

* Favorite Drink? Sundrop after a LONG dive!

* Facebook or Twitter?Nope

* Your Passion? I love being in and around water! I would like to have the first elementary class in the pool

* Giving or Getting Presents? I love giving, especially when I have found the perfect gift. (ditto)

* Favorite day? Sunday

* Favorite flowers? Roses, out of the yard not a store.

Here are some fantastic blogs I love to check out:

Adventures of a 6th Grade Teacher

I Want to Teach Forever

Teaching in Flip Flops