Summer's Just a Stone's Throw Away

I am linking up with Doodle Bugs Teaching for their weekly Linky Party. We have made it to Friday! I can almost see summer in my future . . .

With April flying by and summer on the horizon (we get out of school May 22nd), we have been working our tails off during guided reading. Most of my groups are becoming *rock star* readers, thinkers, and questioners. It is so exciting to see (I really owe it to their consistent hard work)!

I just love seeing their faces light up when they *finally* get something that they have been working so hard on. It's magic, I tell ya!

I have been using my literature and nonfiction packets with some of my guided reading groups. When we first started using them, the children were challenged and didn't quite have the stamina for them. However, we pushed through (with lots of support, scaffolding, and encouragement).

Recently, I have been amazed how they are able to close read and pull things from the text to support their answers (all with minimal support). They independently conduct literature circles like a pro. I have been able to release the responsibility. They have proven their accountability and as a teacher, it has allowed me to work more closely with the kiddos that still need me by their side.

I have added Poppleton Everday - Small Group Literature Packet to my TPT shop. The preview includes the entire packet so you may see exactly what you're purchasing.

I also bundled all of my Scholastic True or False Nonfiction packets for a savings of 20%. The preview includes all of the packets so that you may see exactly what you're purchasing.



A few co-workers and I went to see Glennon Doyle Melton, author of Carry On, Warrior and the Momastery blog, on Wednesday evening in downtown Kansas City. I have written about her on my blog before and find her to be inspiring, genuine, and passionate.

She mentioned some incredible things that I have been thinking about since Wednesday evening.

One of those things was about BALANCE. She said to create balance we must have tension. To have a balanced life one must experience tension and have tension and know how to handle tension.

She also talked about how no one is living their life AT us. I love this thought! Check out what she says about this here.

She also spoke about mommy guilt. Check out watch she says about that here.

Okay, one more . . .

She spoke about the importance of being tested and having to struggle . . . the importance of letting our kids struggle . . . how it makes them stronger, more resilient. I would have liked to bottle this portion of her presentation to keep in my pocket.

I would listen to it when I needed advice about how to help Maeve & Gibson.

I would also play it during parent/teacher conferences.

 

All in all, she is just really cool and real and inspiring.

I also won a raffle to a great restaurant in Kansas City! That was a huge plus. Mr. T and I get to have a date night soon. Thank you Rainy Day Books!


We have less than 2 weeks until Easter. I love all things sugary and sweet and have craved Peeps, Cadbury Eggs, and Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs in the past.

However . . .

I gave up all kinds of sugar (real and fake) as well as processed foods for Lent. I have a serious sweet tooth so quitting sugar and processed foods have been a challenge. I didn't do this as a weight loss thing. I chose to do this because I want to be healthy . . . really healthy. Not "low-fat this" and "sugar-free that" healthy. 

Since Lent began, I have eaten more fat than I ever have in my entire life. My diet has basically consisted of organic chicken, fish, and beef as well as a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. I have enjoyed Alpen No Sugar Added Museli with full fat plain yogurt, coconut oil, legumes, coconut milk, Ezekial bread, rice bran oil, and RAW Protein in vanilla.

I've followed a few wonderful blogs and read a few books to get recipe ideas and how I should deal with cravings. This Easter, instead of eating sweet after sweet of processed candy, I am looking forward to making these two delectable treats and indulging in a small piece.


Chocolate Covered Coconut Bars from Food Sweet


One Bowl Vegan Chocolate Cake from Minimalist Baker

In the future, I do plan to continue this healthy lifestyle. However, I will allow myself small indulgences on special occasions.


I attempted to create a few gallery walls in our house. I also attempted to take a few pictures of them (photography skills need some work).

What do you think? Obviously, I need to find prints and pictures for the frames.

Maeve and Gibson also wanted to be part of the photo shoot.


Here's the latest from Maeve and Gibson. Where did these big kids come from?

Happy Friday!

Just Loving My Snow Day

I L*O*V*E snow days! What teacher doesn't? The anticipation is like Christmas Eve . . . waiting for the snow day to be announced. Will they cancel? Are they really going to make us go? So many parents will be upset if we go/don't go . . . Should I have another glass of wine . . . I better refresh the webpage and check Facebook just to be sure. Ah, the important questions. 

On snow days we get to stay in our PJs, hang out with our kids and husbands, play in the snow, catch up a *little bit*, enjoy our coffee, read a good book, enjoy the latest show on DVR . . . the list goes on and on. 

Snow days are an unexpected and brief respite from reality. They allow us teachers a chance to rest and recharge so we are ready to take on our classes with 100%.

As I am writing this post, I can't help but reflect on the month of January. It FLEW by. Our school continues to grow and we had a lot of new kiddos join us after Winter Break. Even though we have large classes, each member of my grade level teaching team strives to fit everyone's needs.

I will admit . . . It is quite a challenge for me having 6 or 7 reading groups to fit in during our Daily Five literacy block. Each reading group needs my full attention and I have to ensure that *authentic* learning is taking place in each component. I mean, the little sweeties are still in first grade.

Even though we practice and practice our Daily Five expectations, there are still some kiddos who need a hug or an arm squeeze to let them know their teacher notices them . . . and even though I LOVE  each and every one of them, it does take my attention away from my reading group - I know you understand. :)

In order to increase independence, I created a few literature packets to supplement texts that we would be working on in reading groups. This way, if an "emergency" does arise (I use the term emergency loosely, because . . . well . . . ya know . . . some of us are still learning that a little hang nail is not a true emergency), I can help the student and be back to my reading group without them even noticing. 

So far, there three different literature packets to go along with the following books:

Little Bear, by Else Holmelund Minarik, 

Amber Brown is Not a Crayon, by Paula Danziger,

and Weird Stories from the Lonesome Cafe, by Judy Cox.

After the success of these in my classroom, I plan on creating many more literature packets. Time is really not on my side with these because they take a long time to create but I am steadily working and working. 

My goal with these packets is to aid in building close reading skills, develop questioning techniques, foster discussions, and promote higher level thinking.  Each packet consists of 10 days of literacy activities. These may be used as is or may be supplemented with your own material. My firsties loved these packets! They were challenged and engaged throughout the 10 days. 

Click on the picture to take you to my TPT store. Each packet is $2.50. The Little Bear packet is $3.00 because Literature Circle task cards and instructions are included.

Below, you will see some example pages from the packets. These pictures will give you more of an idea of what is included. 

Little Bear

 

 

Amber Brown is Not a Crayon

 

Weird Stories from the Lonesome Cafe

So . . . Mr. Superintendent . . . will we have Snow Day #2 tomorrow? Will you give me the opportunity to create some more literacy fun? Let the anticipation begin. The teachers are counting on you!