What a week!

We had an awesome Open House turn out!

I'll post more pix later, but here is a cute Math About Me in español :)

You can find this fun activity below :)

Success With Stamina

We celebrated Read Across America Last week.

One of the fun activities we always do is a Read-A-thon.

Students take pledges and raise money for pages read.

Let me tell you, my kiddos have been reading,

a

lot!

For the Read-A-thon, my kiddos sustained their reading for 30 minutes.  And let this proud teacher tell you, they read the entire time :)

We have been building our stamina in reading.  You can read more HERE about it.  My kiddos do a great job for 20 minutes, then someone gets restless or the potty breaks begin, but today they were focussed!

We have examined the traits of a super reader and those of a blah reader.  

And these kiddos know, you're never going to be a super reader if you don't read.

Doesn't this pic make you want to cuddle up with your favorite book?

And this sweet girl brought her own bag of books to enjoy, (loved her bag :)

I didn't take many other pictures of our the activities, Open House is next week, 'nuff said :)

Adios amigos!

To Reading Log Or Not To Reading Log?

So...I've been teaching 19 years now.
(Ah hem, wow, wait I have to catch my breath, I say it but I just don't believe it). 

Anyways, I've had reading logs for 18 of those years.  Mostly because it was on our report card and it would let me know who was reading.

Since my return to First Grade though, I've stayed away from them.

I really didn't like the way my kiddos would read a lot of books just to fill out the log, so I stopped rewarding them a long time ago, (hence my hesitation with AR, but that's a different story).

I really didn't like how I would see several simple titles or chapter books to fill up the reading log.  I mean, come on, it really took you 20 minutes to read 3 chapter books?  And punishing kids for forgetting to fill out the reading log?  The terror in my kiddos eyes!  Isn't it funny how it's always our best students who get so worried about not being our perfect lil' students?

So in order to keep my frustration level low, (always a priority ;)
I decided I would still require 20 minutes of reading, but only a parent signature be necessary.

Do I wonder if some of my kids are really reading 20 minutes each night?  Sure.

Do I wonder if students are using any comprehension strategies?  Sure.

Do I wonder if parents are just signing and not reading with their child?  Sure.

But I've accepted the fact that I can't control any of it.
I always tell my parents and students that teachers can ALWAYS tell who reads at home and who doesn't.  So it's up to them if they want to be an eh, so-so reader or a ta-ta-chan....Super Reader.
 And to become a Super Reader you have to read, read, read!

So what to do? What to do?
Tune in for more info and freebies :)

Lovin' My New Bag

So in case I haven't mentioned it,

I love, LOVE all things organization!

And in case I didn't mention this before, I absolutely love purses and cute bags!

So imagine how happy I was to order these two from 31 bags.

I was worried the floral print might be too bold for me, but I love it!  Makes me feel so happy every time I see it.  It's actually a collapsible file holder that fits perfectly inside my bag.

The bag has 5 outside pockets and my name.  Now I'm not a big look at me type person, but gotta say, love the bright red on my new polka dot bag.

Next on my list: tackle my To File drawer.  

With this cute bag and file holder, I have no excuse to empty out my file drawer.  I can just take that stack home, organize in front of the TV, bring back and return to its proper place.

 I really shouldn't have a to file drawer, I had to take a pile out just to open the drawer.  But my chaos is sorta organized.  It's a journey I enjoy, more excuses to buy more organize anythings ;)

Dr. Seuss Math

We'll celebrate Read Across America next week, can't wait!  I love Dr. Seuss :)

I thought some of you can use this freebie.  

I used it in Kinder to reinforce sums of 5,6,7,8.

Just clicky pic above, let me know if it works for ya.

I plan to work on more for first grade :)

First Currently

Yay! My first Currently Linky with Farley!

I always love to read these snapshots to see what everyone in bloggyland is up to, so here we go!

I got an emergency alert at 3:26 a.m. about a Tornado Warning, in Southern Cali!

Really?!  I just told my kiddos we're so lucky to live here because we don't have to worry about tornados :/  Well, I certainly couldn't get back to sleep until 6 a.m.  Luckily, all was fine, whew!

I love seeing everyones new blog designs and I think I'm ready for a change.

I usually change it up myself, but I barely have time to blog, let alone design.

Can you guess my last line? Pretty easy and very true... it's been a tough week.

Wanna join the fun or catch up on some bloggers? Clicky below.

To AR Or Not To AR?

Hola amigos!

Cannot believe February is almost over,

the trimester ended,

and parent conferences will be next week!

Just wanted to share what we've been up to.

Our President wall came out so cute!

Is it me or does my picture look fuzzy :-/

We have been busy reading, reading, reading.
We have been rereading for fluency and working on our comprehension skills.

This is our AR wall.

I'll admit, I was extremely hesitant about AR.  

I still don't like how some require students to read only books within their ZPD level.   Kids should be able to read and discuss any book any time.  I know students can read whatever they want, but if we push AR and only allow them to test within their level, will they really choose other books?  

 I was happily surprised when one of my girls told me she was going to take a test on a book at a 3rd grade level.  Her ZPD was 2 levels below that, and yet she got every question right!

I think I actually yelped!  I high-fived her, patted her back and walked away with the biggest smile on my face :)

      

I walked into an upper grade class and she had a super idea for posting AR points, so I tweaked it for our classroom.

For each level you earn a college degree and get to color in these super cute super heroes.

10 points- Bachelor's Degree (Captain America)

20 points- Master's Degree (Elastigirl)

30 points- Doctorate Degree (Iron Man)

So we now have a Doctor in the house!

He's so cute, he's putting Dr. last name on all his papers ;)