Last Day of School!

Wow! I sure had a large class today for the last day of school! I had 11 out of my 18! Is it just me or is it always the ones that you could live without that come on the last day???? Just kidding, of course...but there does seem to be a trend! I thought I would celebrate my last day by learning how to hyperlink something into my blog! I want to give back because there are soooo many nice people who share so many things I can use! So here goes! I will share my 5th grade Math Vocabulary Study Guide/Worksheet. If you erase the answers it could be a quiz...otherwise you have a ready-made study guide with examples! Let me know if it works! (Scroll down to the bottom of the link page to get handout)Enjoy!

Button Issues :(

I am having serious button issues! I have copied and pasted the suggested HTML and replaced my info but I can't seem to make it work! I would appreciate any advice/help that you guys could give me! :) I want to make my blog more accessible and interactive. I have things I would LOVE to share... Thanks! Teri

My Summer Bucket List

Well...it's been a while since I have posted. I have been busy with many things :) My oldest son (a twin) got married last Saturday! It was truly beautiful! I wish them all the best! They are busy sunning themselves at the beach while I cling to the last bits of my sanity here :) The last days of school are always busy with chaos, field trips, field days, programs, clean-up, book turn-in....and....well...you get the idea and I am sure you are living it too! I have been thinking about what I would put on my summer bucket list. A few days ago I could not formulate a complete thought (much less a list), but today I feel overwhelmed with mental lists of what needs to happen before this fall. I have joked that the only thing I am retaining lately is WATER! LOL It started as a joke but I am coming dangerously close to living it! OK...my list: (In no particular order of importance or ability to complete!) 1. Organize my files on my computers/hard drive/flash drives/tablets 2. Organize my files at school (I have started but it seems the more I organize...the more mess I discover!) 3. Use a new app I have to create a database of my classroom library. I need a better way to keep track of my books. They keep running off each year! 4. Create new Promethean flipcharts to help transition to Common Core. 5. Take my daughter to the pool and read a few good (or maybe mindless) books for pleasure! 6. Clean my carpets in my bedrooms and library. 7. Learn how to make a button for my blog :) I want to advertise! 8. Catch up on blogs that I subscribe to. 9. Follow up on my Pinterest pins before adding more!! 10. Lose some weight!!! Let me know if you are in my boat! I could use support in ANY of these areas! Look forward to hearing from you!........ Teri

Curriculum Mapping

Well...I spent the day with my fellow grade-level teachers trying to figure out where we stand on our mission to correlate what we teach in 5th grade math with the Core Curriculum Standards. It was good to look at our grade level data and see where our strengths and "challenges" (politically correct term for weaknesses)lay. It was helpful on one hand, however, with a new group of kids next year, will they necessarily be the same? Plus, new standards and requirements....hmmmmm. I sure hope that my day was not spent in vain. I love the idea of curriculum mapping and having a well-laid plan. I did much better this year when I planned a basic guideline for pacing for each subject than I did the year before without that plan. Somehow we need to figure out a way to minimize teacher paperwork and give ourselves more time to practice our art! If we had more time to implement what we know works...the other would fall into place! Your thoughts??????

At wits end....

O.K....so we are mandated (and rightly so) to continue teaching through this crazy month of May (let me add...after having 1 total snow day this year)...and I am at my wits end! I do not have a day this week with all my students together in my classroom. Some have band concerts, sporting events, academic events, festivals, etc. I am holding us together by a very thin, almost microscopic, thread. My students are acting as if they have lost their minds! They are acting as though they have not had rules and procedures from day one! Even my normally very well-behaved students have lost their minds! As we all know, May is a very difficult month to acquire grades. I feel as though I am running a three-ring circus...Anybody feel my pain??? :) On a separate note...I am loving the blogging community! There are soooo many great people with great ideas out there willing to share their ideas, strategies, and knowledge! I want to give a special thanks to my friend, Kerri. She has offered and given me help whenever I have asked! Thanks gal! You are the best!

O.K....so it was our annual D.A.R.E. Smokies Baseball Game at the Stadium! The weather was beautiful, we had premium seats in the shade this year, and the kids had a blast! It was another good day! It was so good to see kids who never leave their homes (motel rooms/campers/sad living situations) having such a great time! Field trips are hard...no doubt! You, as a teacher, have to be "on" all the time...aware of where your kids are and what they are doing at all times. But I truly hope we never have to give them up because I believe that they are so incredibly important for so many! Long day, short blog! Happy Field-tripping!

Good day today! I had several placement meetings for next year so I had a sub in and out of my room all day. My kids actually behaved themselves and I got a good report......This might seem mundane but the class I have this year is not known for their good behavior! They are more known for their eccentric behavior! I have quite the crew! I felt the sub's forehead just in case a visit to the school nurse was in order! She felt fine to me! I was temporarily proud of my class! It was a good...but brief...feeling! My good news is that I am receiving teacher for the gifted students next year! Yay me! I am ready for a good challenge! I have more often than not had more special needs students than the other end of the spectrum (I figure it is partially due to my special education training in another life). I am truly ready to challenge them next year! Anyway....good day!