A Quick Late-Night Post

I worked a bit at school today and as I was roaming around the room....trying to put off the inevitable...I had an idea. This is probably something that everyone in the free world is already doing....but...here goes:

We are required to display and refer to our objectives for each lesson. I decided to use a pocket chart with my "I can" statement at the tops and then write my objectives on sentence strips for each subject. I did that last year and went through a "butt ton" of sentence strips that were sloppily scrawled out and eventually thrown away because they didn't fit again or I couldn't stand their sloppiness. Well....today I had an epiphany! Like I said, everyone in the free world is probably doing this already....but why not laminate the sentence strips, write the daily objectives on each one with an Expo (a separate color per subject), and reuse the same ones????? You are free to let me know how far behind in the game I am :) Let me know what you think...either way :)

By the way...I changed the Ï Can..."statement to "We can...."It is important to me to let the kids know we are all in this together!!

Chapter 4 - Thought Catchers

Heaven knows we need to catch and organize our thoughts! Maia describes "thought catchers" as basically a simple note-taking system where you divide a paper into 4 squares (like a 4-square writing model). You reserve each of these squares for a different person/topic/to-do. She describes situations where you may hurriedly launch e-mails to someone and forget half of what you wanted to tell them and have to spend even more time re-emailing them....dividing your thoughts and time. Makes sense to me! I have done that wayyyy more than once! She suggests that you keep one of these note-taking papers with you and jot notes to yourself down during the day, give yourself time to process those thoughts, and organize them into 1 e-mail or meeting. Thus saving many trips back and forth or many e-mails. She also suggests that this type of note-taking can be very helpful in PD or faculty meetings. Sort of a way to follow up on ideas that many times get lost in a paperwork mess or trashed. "Thought Catchers" can also be helpful for jotting down future ideas or ideas to adjust for the next time you teach that lesson.  Again, there are many ways to capture these thoughts...

1. Paper notes...like I described before. This would be a simple sheet of paper divided into 4 sections. You could make a template on MS Word (Maia has several examples on her accompanying CD).
2. Electronic Notes...Programs such as Outlook or Tasks....which sync easily to Smartphones/Computers.
3. Web-Based...programs on your computer such as Sticky Notes.

A few general tips for making "Thought Catchers" work for you:

• Thought Catchers should NOT be time sensitive.  Time sensitive things should go straight to your Comprehensive Calendar or your Up-coming To-Do List.
• They need a trigger.  This means that you should make it so that when you re-read the thought catcher you are immediately reminded of the task.
• Thought catchers should occur before an e-mail.  Gather all your thoughts together and give yourself time to review before sending that e-mail. (Rather than having to ammend the original one or sending a totally new one).
• Take advantage of any extra minutes in your day. (I personally don't know who has these...) I try to make the most of my time, but I do realize there are ways I could streamline things I do.  This book is really helping me identify those!....Thanks, Maia!

Maia ends this chapter by saying "Thought catchers can free up brain space"! An who doesn't need that?????  I look forward to getting into the next chapter with you guys!

More Classroom Pics....

I went to school today to get some things done (mostly to get those things out of my living room floor and off my dresser!). While I was there I decided to take a few photos of the current mess I am in! I am working on de-cluttering and organizing and anyone who has had this idea knows you end up with a bigger mess before you complete this task! Certain areas are looking better while others....not so much yet! So....those are my excuses....and I am sticking to them! LOL

This is the state of my library area...the box to the right is full of books to add....but where??? I did get the new rug down! 

I still need to make new labels for my turn-in subject boxes....but its looking better!

I thought I better show some of my hippie spirit! (It's actually allllll over the room!)

The boxes below are full of Reader's Theater scripts and props.

 

 

This new sign actually looks better in person than this pic....I worked hard on it! LOL I looked everywhere for an arrow and finally found an arrow bookmark at Books-a-Million....Mod Podged "we are here" on it and covered it with sparkly silver/glittery fingernail polish....the arrow is a clip that can be moved :)

This is a gift from a student :) They know me oh-so-well! I stuck him down in a cinnamon apple candle :) He is sitting on my DVD player :)

O.K....enough for now! Comments/suggestions welcome!

 

3-6 Free Resources Linky :)

O.k.....gonna try my hand at this linky...not sure I know what I am doing....but gonna try!

Pics of my class, huh? Let's see what I can find :)

 My New Front-of-the-Room Teaching Chair :)

Still looking for ideas for these :) Had them 2 yrs now and still haven't had success with them :(

Side view when you first walk in the room. Desks and chairs piled in the middle of the room.

One of my 2 student computers (covered by my peace fabric) and my temp storage of my beanbags!

(I am 4 away from having enough for each student!!!!)

I basically have a combo theme of peace and the National Park....I know....weird!

My room is nowhere near ready and i'm still forming thoughts on what to do!

Suggestions/comments are MORE than welcome!

Come on over to 3-6 Free Resources to share and join us!

Chapter 3 - The Upcoming To-Do List

O.k.....First I must apologize for the time lapse between chapter 2 and 3. I got all giddy after the award nominations and lost my mind! :) I hope that I am back on track! O.k....here I go!

• What is it? It is a long-term sorted list of your to-dos that will lead to weekly or daily lists. It is a combination of deadlines and would-like-to-dos.  This list is for work that needs to happen at some point but not have a specific date to be completed by. I equate this to a yearly overview of your lessons or themes for the year (or a pacing guide of sorts). When you sit down with a large 12 month calendar and pencil in chapters to be covered or topics to be covered. I did this for the first time last year and it made a huge difference! I am embarrassed that it has taken me this long to begin doing that! Maia suggests that you pencil in things like PD or vacations in the dates when you want to BEGIN preparing for them. For example, if you know you are leading a PD in December...you might pencil the begin to prepare date in mid-October. I am going to attach an (MS Word  Excel) 12 month calendar HERE....in hopes that you can download it and begin setting your year in motion! The rest of the chapter gives examples of people's calendars who have set them up in various ways. Being teachers...we are pretty familiar with long-term planning. Hopefully the calendar link will work to give you something to begin with :) I have a calendar I like better than the one in this link...it is in my own computer files...but I cant figure out how to attach it! If you know how...fill me in :) Thanks, once again, for listening to my ramblings!

Awards! Yay me! (so proud!)

Wow! I am sooooo honored....I can't even speak (type) properly! I was awarded 3 awards in one day! I am fairly new (just about 3 months) to blogging and I am in LOVE with it! To have someone think I deserve an award makes me all teary! I was jumping and hollering and telling everyone who would listen (and many who wouldn't...LOL). O.k....now its my turn to pass it along! Bear with me while I figure this out!

My First Award is the "Versatile Blogger" from Shernika at Threadgill's Teaching Toolbox ! I can't thank Shernika enough! She is soooo sweet and has an awesome blog! Be sure to check it out!

OK....Here go the random facts:

• I have 9 tattoos....I am addicted :) (My students have no idea :))
• I went into labor on the 4th of July....22 years ago :)
• Everyone in my family has a tiny base clef tattoo (except my 12 yr old daughter, of course) We are a very musical family :)
• 3 of my 4 awesome children have college degrees!! (and 1 is a teacher!!)
• I make a veggie lasagna that is to die for!! :)
• We buried our pet hamster, Stewie, with pieces of dark chocolate (they were his fav....long story...but that didn't kill him)
• My fav candy is Hot Tamales....not the fire ones...just the regular ones :)

Shernika also nominated me for the "One Lovely Blog" Award :)  Like I said....the girl is TOO MUCH! (And this was even before my swanky new look!!!) I hope she still likes me with the new one :)

Hilary over at Fifth Grade Fancy also nominated me for these award!s Let me just say about this woman....she has been here for me from the start! She is the sweetest thing! She comments on my pitiful posts and is always willing to give me her feedback on my ideas! She is a goddess among women! Check out her beautiful blog!!!

O.K.....my turn to nominate...

Here are some of my favs:

5th Grade Dugout

 

 Mrs. Allen's 5th Grade Teaching Files 

 

5th Grade Chalk Talk

 

 5th Grade Fun...A "Shore" Thing 

 

5th Grade Flock 

 

 5th Grade Rocks, 5th Grade Rules

 

3-6 Free Resources

 

 Love to Teach :) 

 

A Teacher's Treasure

 

Teaching with TLC 

Enjoy these blogs....they are AWESOME!

Now....your part: :)

The Versatile Blogger Award:

1) Thank the blogger who nominated you.

2) Include a link to their site.

3) Include the award image on your post.

4) Give 7 random facts about yourself.

5) Nominate 15 other bloggers for the award.

6) When nominating, include a link to their site.

7) Let other bloggers know they've been nominated.

 

One Lovely Blog Award:
1) Link back to the person who gave you the award.
2) Follow the person who gave you the award.
3) Pass the award on to 15 new bloggers! 

 

Chapter 2 - The Together Teacher

Hello all...sorry it has taken me a day or two to get back on track! Chapter 2 basically tells us that we need to consolidate our multiple calendars and have one comprehensive calendar (which is defined by Maia as a calendar that lays out all of your time commitments and deadlines in one easy-to-read calendar).  Your comprehensive calendar can be electronic (such as ICal), web-based (like Google calendar), or a paper one (of which I have zillions)! She says it is important to take advantage of programs that allow you to have recurring events so you don't have to put in dates over and over. I have found that alerts or reminders can be very beneficial...if you are as scatterbrained as I am! This chapter walks you through 3 different people's choices of calendars. Maia suggests the following criteria for whatever type you chose:

• Easy and efficient to use
• Portable enough to be with you at all times
• Readily available wherever you are (such as accessible from work or home)
• Visually pleasing to you

Maia suggests that when you determine your favorite type that will work best for you...you should gather all calendars, notes, reminders, etc. and set aside some time to consolidate all of it.  She suggests putting in the "hard deadlines" or things that cannot be adjusted or changed in first. Then move on to the "soft deadlines" which are more like "to-do's" without specific times. She also says you should add time for "not working" or personal time (which is an area that I am sorely lacking!)  Most of this chapter is examples and tips for helping you decide which type (web-based, electronic, or paper) is right for you. I think I have hit the high points. Questions? Comments? I look forward to the next chapter :)