What a Week!!!!

Hi All,

It's been all kinds of CRazy weathere here in Chicago, we started the week with two days of - below temps with high wind chills....brrrrr. Can I say how happy I was that school was canceled for two days. Although I was excited to see my little firsties, I didn't want anything to do with that wind chill!!!! I stayed hibernated for two days. I also gained a pound or two yikes!!! I have successfully lost 50 pounds with regular excercise, and eating right, so hopefully the weather will be betteer, so I can geet out to the gym. Anyhoo, our week went great, the first day back, I felt confused all day, and 10 students wer out, just a weird day. The next two days I was back, really back (mentally), and we got a lot accomplished. I am such a graphic organizer person, I love creating graphic organizers to accompany text. I create graphic organizers that support textual evidence and close readings. I love when my students really think deeply about text. This week we read Amazing Grace, I just love that story.  My kids made lots of connections to her.  I love the fact that she is a girl, who wanted to play the role of Peter Pan! Girl Power :) If you never read the text, its definitely a must read.

We discussed her inside and outside traits, as well as our favorite part, and we answered text dependent questions. My first graders loved the text and the activities. If your interested and doing those activities with this book go check out the graphic organizers in my store! click here
Happy Saturday!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am going to get out to the mall with my fam, and hopefully end up at the Cheesecake Factory, my fav restaurant, and they even have a slice a cheesecake made with splenda...how sweet!

A little Snow Day!!!!!

Hi Friends,

Today we have a snow day...it feels colder than 20 below here in Chicago...brrrrrrr. So, the district decided to keep the kids in, its way to cold to have them out. I am going to use this day to plan and reflect. I don't know about you all. but when January hits, I feel like I am running out of time. So much more to teach!!!!! In my class I am implementing math workshop. My students do three rotaions math with the teacher, partner math, independent math. My district uses Everyday Math, because its a spiral program the workshop really helps me work in small groups with my little darlings. I usually complete the math boxes in small group since it covers previous skills. Math with a partner is usually a math game... like top it... I use card games and dice games. I try my best not to make copies...I hate wasting paper...thats another post. I am almost a paperless teacher. Students use markers and white boards to record and tally scores. Independent math is usually the lesson page and/or a supplemental worksheet. I usually give my students lots and lots of addition practice, by the end of the year their addition experts. I find that daily addition practice, helps increase their number sense knowledge, and it shows on MCLASS!!! I currently have a small group doing double and triple addition with no re-grouping. I plan to start them with regrouping... not required...but it won't hurt. I believe in pushing them to their fullest potential. I wish you all who are back at work a wonderful bless day! I'll be in my pj's drinking coffee, and staying warm. Please checkout my math centers...Superbowl Math and Literacy Centers! click here!!!!