Sunday, December 26, 2010

A Little R and R

I love winter and all the outdoor activities that it brings!  I am not only enjoying cross-country skiing, but also the time I have to read books!  My Kindle is so darn convenient, that it's scary.  If I want to read a book, I just click a button on my Kindle and "voila," it's there!
I am also looking forward to a full week of much needed vacation.
Wishing you and yours a very joyous Christmas and Happy New Year!

Friday, December 17, 2010

'Tis the Season

Yes, it is the season for family and fellowship! It's a time to once again to be thankful for all of our blessings. We can show our appreciation by giving back to others.
Just recently, our class received a thank you card from a family. We sent birthday cards to a little boy who is terminally ill. We wanted to brighten his day by sending him well wishes. When I opened the card, I was almost in tears. You see, he is having a rough time right now. The Lord is awesome and can do AMAZING things. I say a prayer today for this special little boy who has touched so many lives!
I have also come to the conclusion that "Learning is Messy" all the time. I am seeing so much progress, but I need to be comfortable with the fact that it is not going to be a clear-cut path. There are so many tools and paths that students need on the road of learning. Some are ahead, some are right on track, while others are trailing behind. Even though some are trailing behind, there has been much progress on their journey. Nonetheless, that isn't enough. We are under pressure, by state mandates, to meet a certain level of proficiency. I guess that is my main frustration...Never mind that a student made monumental progress from last year. According to the state, it still is not enough. Booo hoo!!! However, I will continue to move forward as a teacher and incorporate strategies that build up my class community and make it a fun and safe place to learn. Learning ALWAYS rocks!

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Thankful

As Thanksgiving nears us, we always seem to reflect on our thankfulness. I believe it is rather important to do this daily!!! I was very sobered after I watched a short seven minute video about two men who were buying a water buffalo for a family in China. The 86 year old recipient was speechless, for she never received such a gift, even from a family member. Yes, we take many things for granted.
I am truly thankful for my family. The Lord has blessed my husband and I with five children and two grandchildren. Kids make life so busy and entertaining! He continues to bless us daily by growing our marriage even closer together than ever before. We are nearing our 25th anniversary and love each other deeply. I am thankful for my wonderful teaching job. There is no greater blessing than to mold children for the future. Most importantly, I am thankful for my salvation!!!! I believe it's important to be a shining example of God's love.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

IPICK CHANT

I found this great IPICK chant online and look forward to using it with my students!

Friday, September 24, 2010

Beginnings

I love the phrase "Learning is Messy."  For it really is.  A teacher needs to be comfortable with the process of teaching that is not clear cut.  Students need a spiral of learning concepts.  A concept is introduced and returned to throughout the year.  That's why I love The Daily 5 and Cafe Menu.  Reading management and goal setting are wonderful ways to scaffold student learning and create independent readers and writers.  We have been recording our reading stamina and have made it up to 25 minutes.  We are able to write independently for about 15-20 minutes so far.  There are still a few students who have difficulty reading and writing the entire time.  I believe the key to reading enjoyment is to find books that they REALLY enjoy reading.  I also have a few kids who try to take Diary of a Wimpy Kids books, even though the books are too hard for them to read.  My goal by the end of the year is to have a class full of students who sincerely LOVE to read!!!!!!

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Personal Learning Network by September

This is the Personal Learning Network I would like to have in place by September.  Even though I have a Professional Learning Network already, I can see there are some improvements that I could make.  My PLN contains a lot of interaction with many technologists and teachers from around the world on Twitter.  I use it mostly for sharing and learning about new resources for teaching.  I do follow a lot of technologists, so I am learning about new technologies and applications for technology daily!  I also follow many educators that post blogs.  They are easily accessed by using Google Reader.  All new blog entries are in one place for me to read!  David Warlick gave us some great bloggers to follow too.  I would like to follow these bloggers:  Will Richardson, Ian Jukes, Steven Downs, and Jenny Levine.  Along with that, I would like to focus more on writing, reading, and responding to blogs.  I have used my blog as a place for my teaching reflections right now, and up to this point, kept it private...I was the only one who could access it.  So, I will be opening my professional blog for all to see and respond to.  This is a BIG step for me.  For personal reasons, I have kept it private.  I also plan to use Delicious, a social bookmarking site, in a different way this fall.  So far, it's been used as a place to bookmark sites.  However, Mr. Warlick showed us how to use it as a way to access current material posted online.  I plan to use Delicious in this efficient way.   
I have seen the advantages of blogging with my students, for I've had a class blog for three years.  The students get very excited when they realize they have an audience for their blog entries.  We had a teacher from New Zealand blog to some of the students.  This even prompted the students to inquire about New Zealand and share information about where we live.  The second grade students also communicate back and forth with each other via our class blog.
I would have to say that my Personal Learning Network in September will be a continued interaction with all my fellow collaborators via Twitter.  It will also focus on reading and responding to more blog subscriptions.  Time always seems to be a factor for finding time to collaborate with others.  I am able to receive my tweets and e-mails on my phone, so that helps.  However, my Blackberry Smartphone doesn't always allow me to access the links that are shared from Twitter.  Therefore, I am going to allow more time for writing, reading and responding to blogs at home.  I am excited to make these changes to enrich my Professional Learning Network!

Thanks to David Warlick for the awesome workshop on PLN's!
Wisconsin Education Innovations
http://davidwarlick.com/wordpress/

Definition of a Personal Learning Network

A Personal Learning Network is a collection of people who have similar interests and share their enthusiasm with others.  It's a place to find resources to help you become the best professional that you can be.  Since education and technology are changing at a rapid rate, a network of professionals collaborate and keep up-to-date on the latest research-based methods.  Nings, wiki's, blogs, Twitter, Facebook, and Delicious are just a few ways the learners connect with others around the world.  The Professional Learning Network allows a supportive framework for similar areas of interest. 
As David Warlick stated, everyone's Professional Learning Network looks different.  According to Warlick, "It's a network of people and information sources that help us to do our job...a continuation of ideas."  He also said that it is important to start a blog, and from there, many can reflect upon your thoughts.  Some bloggers that do just that are Will Richardson, Jenny Levine, Steven Downs, and Ian Jukes.
After all, the 21st century teacher must be a master learner.  We now have new boundaries for learning...they are each other.  The sky is the limit with the ever-changing technological world!


Thanks to David Warlick for the awesome workshop on PLN's!
Wisconsin Education Innovations
http://davidwarlick.com/wordpress/


Monday, July 26, 2010

Why Blog?

A blog is a wonderful tool to use for journaling your thoughts and ideas. You can also use it as a questioning tool that the students can use to respond to. As a classroom teacher, I also use it to communicate with parents and other teachers. Our second grade class has corresponded with a teacher from New Zealand, and we have learned about where she lives and shared with her too!

Friday, July 23, 2010

Home at Last!

Our family had a wonderful vacation that literally scanned many states along the way to California. We were able to view the breathtaking mountains of Colorado, the beautiful plateaus and formations of Arizona, the astounding arches in Moab, Utah, the Grand Canyon, and the beautiful Pacific Ocean. We found Sand Dollars, shells, and rocks along the coast too. I enjoyed walks and runs right along the ocean shore. We saw dolphins, seals, and porpoises. The seals were sunning themselves via an inlet on the shore. We also had the chance to go wakeboarding and skiing on Lake Elsinore. It was a blast! However, after 18 days away from home, it feels REALLY good to be back. I am ready to get back in the swing of my regular workout routine and prepare for the two college classes that I will be teaching. God is good all the time.
We have so many things to be thankful for. I had a super time with my family:)


Sunday, June 27, 2010

Rest and Relaxation

Yes, summer is a time for rest and relaxation, but we seem to be VERY busy. It is almost like a "catch up" time for us. We are building a HUGE deck around our pool, getting ready for our trip to Cally, followed by a graduate class I'm taking, two graduate classes I'm teaching, and not to mention a graduation party. Wheww! It should be a lot of fun. A super adventure. I don't want it to go by too fast though. I want to take in every single second. I also look forward to reading some more books on my Kindle. I finished one excellent book by Karen Kingsbury, and already have a few more downloaded. I am also bound and determined to stipple and finish the Log Cabin Quilt. These are all intertwined with a daily run. My runs are sooo peaceful. The path I take always has deer wandering around. Today I saw a doe and a fawn crossing the trail. I love it!!
Tomorrow will be a planning day for the classes I'm teaching. I am also looking forward to going to Eclipse with some friends soon.
I hope all the students are continuing to read this summer! We worked so hard on our reading this year. I even gave each student two books to keep. This, along with a visit to the public library, will hopefully keep the kids stocked with rich reading material for the summer. Raz-Kids was offered...but none of the students have attempted to log in this summer...This is very unfortunate. READ ON!!!!

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Running...What I Love to DO:)

Now that summer is here, I have a lot of time to just go out on the trails and run.  I love it so much, because I can just do it without focusing my thoughts.  I grab my mp3 and just go.  For the most part, it's a great stress-reliever and ultimate high.  I feel great for the remainder of the day.  If I don't run, I am sooo crabby.  Go figure.
Anywhooo, I have been averaging between 6-8 miles a day.  That sure beats the measly 4-5 during the school year.  Which is not done on a regular basis anyway. 
However, the one thing that I really haven't gotten into is racing.  When I run, I truly do it to relax.  I rarely time myself or push myself to beat a certain time.  Some may find that odd, but that's just me. 
I do find that I ponder and think about a lot when I run though.  I often talk to the Lord as I run through the beautiful trails.  I see deer, all kinds of birds, beavers, turtles, fish, and even badgers.  I think I got the closest to a deer the other day.  It was right on the side of the trail as I ran past it.  My husband said that it probably had a fawn nearby.
There even are times when I am overcome with emotions.  I am so thankful for all my blessings and nature is so grand and overwhelming.  Music also tends to play a hand in that.
Every second of every day is magical...especially when running.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Summer Vacation is Finally Here!

Wow, what a fast school year!  I can't bellieve it is summer already.  We had a very successful year in second grade.  I am hoping that all the students read a lot of books this summer.  I would like them to continue their progress.  They improved by leaps and bounds.  I know they will need the support of their parents to do this.

I also encouraged the kids to go to Raz-Kids, our web site, and blog.  I would love to hear what they are doing this summer.

What kind of vacations do you go on in the summer? 

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Spring Break!

Yay!  I think both my students and I are both in need of a much needed break.  On Monday, they were already thinking about their vacation.  Friday was a teacher in-service day, so Thursday was their last day of school.  Where did the year go?
I always think I won't get as attached to the students as I do the previous year students, but those feelings always seem to surface around now.
These kids are so precious, and I feel VERY privileged to be entrusted to teach them!!!  What an important responsibility!!!!!!
It is also the time of the year where I feel exhausted and have given all I can give, without a whole lot of acknowledgement for my effort.    Yes, I believe a week with my family will put things back into perspective...There is much more to teaching that meets they eye.  I can't believe all the time and real hard effort it takes!  It is an all encompassing career....not a 9-5 job, but a 24/7 career. 
Papers need to be written for my three credit class, a technology grant needs to be worked on, and report cards will be handed out shortly after our break. WOW is all I can say.
I remember telling a colleague that was tied up in some of the political agenda that went on early in my teaching career, and telling her that all I have to do is go in my classroom and all of those worries disappear.  It seems to be getting much too complex to do that anymore...
Well for now, I will sign off and spend some quality time with my wonderful and supportive family...Thank goodness my husband is a principal and once a teacher. :)  He understands.

Monday, March 15, 2010

Can you believe it??...The Fluffy Series!!!

I am so excited!  I have a struggling reader who has latched on to the Fluffy series.  He is reading all the time.  He also has quite a few of these books in his book box, and he won't let go of them.  Because of his excitement, other kids are also wanting to read the Fluffy books.  It's an early reader series...Fluffy is a hamster in all the books.  Hurray!  I love it when students get so excited about reading.  I actually requested the books from other public libraries because many were not available locally.  Yes, the books are checked out in my name, but it is certainly worth the risk. 
Not to mention, that I just had a student return two public library books and one of my own books with smushed banana all over the bottom of the front covers.  He forgot about the banana in the bottom of his backpack.  Ooops.  That certainly will not stop me from trying to provide exciting reading material for the kids to read.  Second grade is such a pivital age in which a huge impression in reading can be made. 
Tomorrow, Kim Groshek, an aspiring author, will visit two classes.  She has creatively written and illustrated her Bug's Adventure series.  She will be speaking about how she started to write and illustrate books, along with how she was able to publish them.
READING ROCKS!!!

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Focus on Reading!

I wholeheartedly believe that reading is the key.  Finding books that interest kids is a wonderful challenge that exudes excitement.  For I have seen what "Good Picks" do to readers.  When they find a genre that interests them, they become voracious and excited readers.  Reading no longer becomes a chore for them.  They begin to read above and beyond the required reading per night.
I am also thoroughly enjoying  Keith Schoch's blog.  He blogs about teaching through picture books.  In his latest entry, he speaks about incorporating nonfiction books that peak student interest.  For instance, Does It Really Take 7 Years to Digest Swallowed Gum?  or, The Nobel Book of Answers.  These books peak the interst of students by incorporating fun and interesting ideas that anyone would love to know the answers to. 
Two tremendous presenters that I saw recently are Dr. Rick Du Vall and Tim Rasinski.  With their presentations, there is so much to process and blog about...Everything they shared is research-based.  They are astounding and motivational!
I hope to blog about some of their ideas and research-based methods soon.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Why Read?

Why I Like to Read on PhotoPeach


It's Monday Again??

I don't know where the last week went.  It flew by...well, a day of it did go to a super workshop on Word Walls by Dr. Rick Du Vall.  It was the third workshop that a group of us attended that was tied into a Reading Grant.  Workshop one was Reading Best Practices, An Overview.  Number two was Assessment and RtI by Lexie Domaradzki.  Who would have known that assessment could be so much fun??  It really was.  We had so much fun marking up the Summary of Impact Reports.  There were also quite a few "a-ha" moments that we will be sharing with the staff.  Who would have known?  We're on the right track with our screening, but need to also implement a quick diagnostic assessment, such as the phonics inventory, to pinpoint how to intervene with each individual child when they are low in fluency.  You see, fluency is just an indicator of an underlying problem.  Most of the time, it is with phonology, the ablility to hear the sounds.  I am also looking forward to the fourth workshop on Friday, done by the same presenter as Word Walls, Dr. Rick Du Vall.  It will be on Literacy Centers and Comprehension.
For me, another highlight will be when I get to attend a workshop by The Sisters in April.  I can't wait!  I have implemented the Daily 5 and CAFE for about a year now  I thoroughly enjoy getting ideas and guidance from their web site.  There is a fee, but I highly recommend it if you are using The Daily 5 and CAFE in your classroom.   
The Daily 5 rotations are going very well in the classroom.  I have started to let the students also use the computers for Word Work.  Some choose to write out the words using Mimio Notebook, while others choose to go to Spelling City to practice and play games using their weekly spelling words.  The interactive board is probably the biggest hit for practicing words for the Word Work rotation.  I must admit, the kids are pretty tech savvy when it come to operating the Mimio!
This week also brings on the science fair!  Mrs. N's class presented today, mine will present tomorrow, and Mrs. S's will present on Thursday.   It's always interesting to watch the presentations.  A lot of work is put into the process of the experiment and presentation.  I am always amazed at how knowledgeable the second grade students are.  They seem like little experts, or should I say, scientists.

Monday, February 8, 2010

Day 101

Happy Monday!  It has been a wonderful day today.  I am so proud of my students.  They are such hard workers and really put forth 100% effort. 
After lunch, I usually read a literature selection to the students, and it is so refreshing to have all hands go up,so they can read the book after I am done reading it aloud.
Literature Bags started to go home a few weeks ago.  Each bag has a collection of books that will hopefully expose children to many genres and continue to wet their reading appetites.
All in all, it comes down to how much a child is being supported and reading at home.  Frequent library visits and reading support at home make all the difference in the world.  It also helps tremendously if your home is filled with print-rich material.
Creating a home that discusses and exposes children to a rich vocabulary is also pertinent.  Visits to the museum, zoo, and cultural events, along with exposure to historical landmarks, prepare students with the much needed background knowledge to support their reading experiences.
This is an ongoing process that is a continuum throughout their educational career.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Is There Enough Time?

Lately, there just doesn't seem to be enough time to take care of everything that needs to be done.  This is where organization and priorities come into play.  I must admit, I am very poor at prioritizing events.  As a person who is quite middle brained, I am distracted often. lol  Thank goodness I have a lovely husband who loves to organize. 
Anyway, I have learned to appreciate myself for being middle-brained.  For, I believe this allows me to be the best teacher I can be.  It really helps bring out the creative side in me.  I would like to go back to the title, "Learning is Messy."  I can appreciate this.  It doesn't literally mean "messy," but quite the intricate process...like a humongous jigsaw puzzle.  I just had to use the word humongous, for we have recently learned about Word Choice and using colorful words.  We created trash can thesaurus's where garbage can words (poor word choice) were put into the trash can and is posted as a constant reminder of what words to avoid.  Then we  brainstormed more colorful words to use in place of the trash can words.
I was able to import an outline of a trash can and use it interactively with our Mimio.  The kids just loved it.
The next project I need to complete is to finish posting the kids' KidPix Snowmen and their descriptive paragraphs that were taped using the Flip Camera.  Then we are going to try to guess which snowman picture belongs with the description.  It should be a lot of fun!!  I will be using the Voicethread platform to import the videos.  Wish me luck!  I am using Glogster to post all the pictures....I failed to mention that the kids actually saved their Kidpix Snowmen to the district drive!!!!!!  Hurray.  I am so impressed with their ability to try new things.  Way to go my awesome students.

Monday, February 1, 2010

Monday, Monday...

It really feels awesome to get back into the swing of things as a teacher.  My student teacher's last day was about a week ago.  I love interacting and learning alongside the students.  They are so inquisitive and exciting.  I love a fellow blogger's blog title:  Learning is Messy.  That just really says it all.  Teaching is not an exact science at all.  It takes a lot of tweaking each and every day.  I love to watch the students' eyes light up when they learn something new...especially when they get exciting about reading.  I truly believe that READING IS THE KEY!  Many, many read-alouds are required to peak the kids' interests. 

Time to become voracious readers is the other component, along with exposure and access to all sorts of books.

Unfortunately, much time is needed for reading in the classroom, for it isn't always done at home.  We assume that is the case, but many times it isn't.

Until next time....

Sunday, January 31, 2010

YOU can make a difference

You can make a difference and help reverse the initial feelings in the posted YouTube video.

Welcome to The Process!  This is a blog where I will reflect on my thoughts in education.  I have been very excited and motivated by my PLN.  This includes colleagues from Twitter, Facebook, and a handful of Nings.  A learning network is a wonderful place to share and support fellow educators.  You can look forward to many entries in the near future.  I love to teach...and as the blog title relays, teaching and educating is truly a process.