Daily 5

Hi Friends,
I have been busy working on daily 5 in my class. I have attempted to implement daily 5 two years in a a row, and I normally return to stations. Although I love the Sisters concept, it just never works for me However, this year I have found a way to make it work for me and my kids. Yes!!!!!!! So I wanted to share just in case anyone else has struggled with implementing the Daily 5. I only do three rotations a day, however in between each rotation is either out word study block, read aloud, or shared reading block. I teach the lessons students do the assignment, and then we go back to Daily 5 rotations. Each time I send them back they seem more focused, and when they start getting off task its usually just about time to bring them back. So, I love it, and it is working like a charm with 32 First Graders!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OMG!!!! My poor little blog has been neglected!

Hi All,

Although I been blog hoppin and stealing... I mean getting ideas, lol from others my poor little blog has been totally neglected, and honestly I don't have any reason for it besides teaching 32 first graders...yikes... I said it... I have 32 lovely first graders this year. Its a big class, and I was informed yesterday that another class will be opening...yay! However, I been teaching, dibeling, progress monitoring my little tushi off. Oh, by the way I am down 40 pounds, working out 6 days a week (berfore school) I can't workout after school, usually I am to pooped to pop. I have been eating clean, no white stuff (rice, potatoes, bread, pasta) lean meats (turkey,  and chicken).  I have tons more energy and am trying to lose 20 more by New Years Eve! wish me luck.

We have been studying apples, Johnny Appleseed, Pumpkins by the way I brought in a pumpkin yesterday, have you ever planned a 1 day lesson that really should have been a weeks lesson...Yes, that happen to me I planned pumkin adjectives... all students got to touch and pick up the pumpkin, I planned a pumpkin disection each student worked with a partner to pick seeds out, before that we guess what we thought was inside...yeah even talked about and formalated an hypothesis, we even tasted pumpkin chocolate chip cookies....yes we did all of that and more we even wrote about pumpkins... by the end of the day my students were needless to say CRAZY!!!!!!, but its my fault...don't know what I was doing planning a Pumpkin Day....

finally the last day of school

Hi All,

I finally made it to the last day of school, I have been super busy with EOY testing, end of the yr activities, and grades that I have totally neglected my blog, but I am here to say I am back and ready to relax, and of course plan how to make next yr even  better for my firsties! BUT first things first rest, reading, and blog hopping! So glad to finally to be on break, I didn't think I was gonna make it!!! My kids checked out on me, and I was out of tricks by the end. I also spent plenty more time on instagram than my blog, I find it so quick and easy to update people about classroom happenings. If your not following me please do so on instagram...firstgradejournal.
Hope you all are getting plenty of rest and relaxtation!!!!!!!!
-Kim

Summarizing with my firsties

Hi Yall,

This week my first graders focused on summarizing the text. I used the strategy Sombody. Wanted. But. So to help my firsties summarize the text. We read The True Story of The Three Little Pigs, and summarized the text on a postcard to share with our families. The postcards turned out super cute. I made several graphic organizers that we used out the week to help us compose a summary. I forgot to take pics of the postcards, but have included a postcard freebie for you click here. My first graders were excited to share the text with a family member. I also have those graphic organizers in my TPT store click here  to get yours. All sales will support summer reading books for my students. I work in a very low-income area, and I am raising funds to purchase books for my class to take home for the summer.

May Currently

Hi Yall,

Once again I am linking uo with my girl Farley at  Oh Boy 4th grade http://ohboy3rdgrade.blogspot.com/
for this month currently.

Instagram Linky

Hi Yall,

Well I took the leap, and join teacher talk tuesday with Rachelle over at What a Teacher Wants I am so glad I did it, it's another awesome way to share. Please join the fun!!! and follow me at first grade journal.

Thanks

Five for Friday!!!

I don't know about you, but I am pooped. We have been sooooo busy in first grade. This five for friday seems fun, I have been reading so many interesting post. So, I thought I would try, so I am linking uo with doodle bug teaching http://doodlebugsteaching.blogspot.com/

1, I worked out everyday this week except today, my body was aching!!! I been at the gym at 5am, and I am really proud of myself. losing weight is not easy. I also have been eating very healthy, and I feel good :)

A picture of my dinner shrimp and veggies...yummy and a pic of the eliptical....359 cals burned...yay...

2. I am also obsessed with the breakfast smoothie Cara at  The First Grade Parade  shared...It is soooo good been drinking it everyday. She is not only a very talented teacher, she has great ideas all around....luv her! ,

3. Earth Day was a blast ]..my kiddoes really enjoyed creating their earth day projects via Miss Kindergarten http://www.miss-kindergarten.com/ 

4, I had a very teachable moment this week... This week during daily 5 I observed everyone engaged.. everyone on task, it was also unusually quiet..I grabbed a quick pic...we all know that wasn't going to last all day! lol

 This was read to someone...they are so stinkin cute! so proud of them

5.  I went to my first vegan restaurant...I had chicken (soy) and butternut squash soop. I really enjoyed the soup... the chicken was pretty, but I didn't care for it. 

It is time for bed...Have a great weekend :) Its going to be near 70 here in Chicago, so I am planning to be outdoors!

Blog Neglect

My poor little blog has been neglected, big time. I went back to school last Q, and it was sooooo overwhelming.  I had so many paers and assignments for the class in addition to my 1st grade duties, and being a wife and mom.I have decided to not return this Q. I ammmmmm back, and will begin posting and stalking all these fab blogs.
-Kim

Ruby Bridges

Hello Friends,

I have been neglecting my little blog, I have been so busy with MOY assessments, and I have return to grad school to obtain a Literacy degree. I love teaching literacy, so my coursres ave been very interesting. I also learned a new guided reading approach or format if you will that simplflies the oringinal structure. I'll be sharing this later this week. I have been implementing it, and I have been able to consistently meet with two groups a day. I can't wait to share it with you all!!!!!!!!

Thinking of sharing this week Ill be teaching about the life of Ruby Bridges, I will share my graphic organizers and lesson summary with you all .

 please click here for the freebies download them. There not perfect, feel free to change them up. I will also be creating a cute Ruby Bridges craftivity, I'll scan it at school and uploaded it for you all. I don't have tomorrow off, Chicago Public Schools is making strike days up :(, but for you all that have it off Enjoy Your Day!, don't plan too much.....

Bad afternoons/everyday math

Hi All,
Each day my first grade class starts out wonderful!!! Everyone (many) are attentive. I am able to meet with groups, my balanced literacy approach is text book perfect.... Then the afternoon comes....I don't know if their just tired or is it everyday math! I have been following everyday math to a t, and I realized that my students have no time to master concepts. This spiraling curriculum is  a bit much. Everyday it's something new... Although math boxes review previously taught concepts it's about four or five concepts that my high students can tackle, but it's way too much for my low students. I am going to re-vamp my math practice in the afternoon... Can anyone share how they implement math. Is anyone else students having tough afternoons??? Thank God for 3 day wknds
-Kim

January Currently

Once again I am linking up with Farley at Oh Boy Fourth Grade for this month's currently.

Getting Back in Teacher Mode!!!!

I have been fortunate to be off for 3 weeks, I enjoyed my family, the holidays, and just relaxing all day. I made a promise not to do any school work, and I kept it!!!!! surprisingly. However it is time for me to create my statiions for next week and all my winter theme lessons. I love teaching first grade, because of all the fantastic read alouds, and cute projects that the kids get really excited about. I miss my students now (3 weeks is perfect). Well wishing all my fellow teachers and blog buddies a Happy New Year!!!!!!!
Blessings,
Kim