Advice for New Teachers

Cindy from Fun in Fourth Grade! is having a linky party where we are sharing words of wisdom to help out new teachers. What piece of advice do I have that may make a new teacher's first year a little easier? Hmmmmm....
1) Sounds silly, but get a good night's sleep. The first year I taught I stayed up past midnight planning, planning, planning so that each day would be perfect. What happened? Well, life got in the way. Things do not go according to plan 100% of the time and when something happened that I hadn't prepared for it was rather difficult to deal with (since I was TIRED from all my planning).

2) Be flexible. This kind of goes with the above tip. Roll with the paunches, so to speak. If life gives you lemons, make lemonade...

3) Make friends with your colleagues but not your students. Teaching is an isolated profession. Make sure that you spend some time everyday touching base with your coworkers.

4) Make time for yourself. Go for a walk, have a manicure or read a non-teaching related book. This is REALLY important so that you don't overload or burn yourself out.

So, hop on over to this linky party and share the advice that you have for new teachers!

New Look~Same Blog

As I was perusing blogland, I noticed that a member had the same blog as me. Whoops-she has been blogging longer so I changed mine up. This time, I mixed and matched so I hope I avoid this faux pas in the future. Also, wanted to say "Welcome" to my new followers. I have to admit, however, that Leea at Set this Circus Down made my week! She very kindly featured my blog and is encouraging others to check it out. Thank you x 1 000 000!!
I have two of my besties visiting this weekend so don't know how much blogging I'll get done BUT I'll be back on Monday...or sooner (probably sooner as I love blogging).  :)

Before I sign off and get cleaning (lol), I thought I'd show a website that my kidlettes LOVED. It is part of the New York Zoos website and is called "Build Your Wild Self." Kids have an opportunity to add different body parts to a person to make a new "animal"-self. What I especially loved about this site is the description the kids are given at the end. A short paragraph about each chosen animal part is included as well as a new, made-up animal name. The image can be printed or copied and saved. I haven't yet figured out how to save as a jpeg as the site saves in a different format. As soon as I figure it out I'll update. I used this as a centre activity the last week of school and had two kids on computers at a time (that's the number of computers I have in my room). Kids then printed them and included them in their year-end scrapbook. FUN!

Baringo Giraffe horns - The Baringo giraffe is one of the largest giraffes in the world. Sometimes the horns of a baby giraffe are flexible and can be bent. It can take months for the baby horns to straighten out.

Fossa Ears - Your fossa ears are a hunter's best friend. They can help you track down your favorite snack...lemurs.

Giant tree frog arms - Your sticky fingers are actually giant tree frog toe pads. They help you cling to trees and climb vertically anywhere you want.

Siberian tiger legs - You are a very hairy tiger. Siberian tigers have thicker and longer hair than most tigers because they live in Siberia, where average temperatures get as low as -5ºF. Good thing you have a warm coat.

Monarch butterfly wings - Your monarch butterfly wings can beat five times per second. Can you flap your arms five times in one second?
This would be a fun writing prompt or jumping off point as well. The website is FREE and user-friendly.

Currently I am...Linky Party

Farley at Oh' Boy 4th Grade is hosting a think-write-share linky party. This is a great opportunity to share what we are all thinking about and doing right now. Hopefully, she will host these each month!

Whoops-STALKING got lost somewhere on my computer! Here are the three blogs I am stalking:

1) Meet the Dubiens (non teacher)

2) The Teacher's Lane

3) Love 2 Teach

Fun idea, Farley! Thanks for hosting this linky party. Please click my list (above) to go to the linky party!

HUGE Sale at Staples Starts Tomorrow

Well, in Canada-fingers crossed it's also in the US. Two pocket folders 10 cents, Hilroy coil notebooks 15 cents, Crayola pencil crayons 1.25, 4 pack lined notebooks 25 cents etc
Be still my beating heart :)

Ways I use pocket folders:
1) Math-kids make title page and glue it on cover, I include hundreds chart, math terms, success criteria and then laminate them
2) Social Studies-same as Math folders
3) Cut in half along spine, laminate, use in Writer's Workshop binder for Edit, Prewrite, Draft, Publish (different colour for each)
4)Supply teacher information-***NEW this year
5)Cut in half along spine, posted with Graphic Organizers for kids to use in Reader's Workshop, Writer's Workshop & Math Workshop

I purchase sets of pencil crayons and crayons for my group "Toolkits." I also make sure to have scissors, glue sticks, EXPO markers (I purchased magnetic whiteboards from Menards a few years ago for $5 each) and erasers in the Toolkits for kids to share. I'd like to include sticky notes, pencil sharpeners and markers this year (depending on sales).

I may not be able to sleep tonight!

Writer's Workshop Binder Insert Idea...

Last year, I started using WW binders. I used many of the ideas on Beth Newingham's site (she is AMAZING), with tweaking for my grade 2/3s. Honestly, I didn't use them the way I had envisioned. I am going to further tweak my binders as I read about all the awesome things that everyone out there is doing. So...this is my first major brainwave lol.

I've decided to make "My Writing Guide" inserts for the kids. I've done up a sample using my own pictures that I made into a collage in Picnik. I created the other two images and then used PowerPoint (thanks to a blogger who explained this is how she makes all of her signs/posters) to make the insert itself. I copied images from the Internet of characters that the kids LOVE to read about. If you'd like to see my sample, click on the image below. I'd also be happy to send you an editable copy in MS Ppt if you'd like to add your own picture collage or for use with your class.

 In the fall, I am going to send home a letter to parents that invites kids to bring in a few pictures that inspire them. I may even show them how to use Picnik...Also, the kidlettes can add stickers and colour to their own Writer's Workshop Guide. I strongly believe that kids need to make their charts, covers, etc so that they are authentic to them.We will use cardstock for durability (Michael's puts them on sale for $2.50/50 page pack) and then I will laminate them. My intention is to have the kids insert them in the front pocket of their binder. 

I will also be making a reference poster on the back which will include; Writing Success Criteria, a few GO Charts, and maybe JUICY WORDS...will most likely wait until school is back in session so the kids can tell me what they want.

Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated!

Seriously CUTE & Easy Fireflies for Classroom...

During my Independent Reading block, my kids love to grab a cushion, their book, and turn off the lights. At first, this drove me bananas-I was worried about them reading in the dark. We reached a compromise; half of the lights stay on and the other half off with soft, ambient lighting. Today, I stumbled upon (lol) an awesome why-didn't-I-think-of-that idea. Using plastic Easter eggs, make Firefly lights! I am thinking that these could also be made into bumblebees, butterflies, turtles...the possibilities are endless.
Here are the pictures and the link if you'd like to check them out. I will be making these and posting pictures of what they turned out like (very soon).

Aren't they sweet? Am thinking that maybe the kids can even make them on their own...maybe...possibly...

Organizing MONTH-BY-MONTH FREEBIE...Part 2

Voila!! All done my month at a glance templates. I am soooooooo excited to print them and try them out this year. Please follow the link if you'd like to use them.They are to serve as reminders of what tasks I want to do in each subject area. As mentioned in my prior post, my plan is to photocopy my newsletter on the back of each month. Please leave any suggestions or feedback- I {love} feedback!

March

April

May

June

ENJOY!!!