SHE'S Alive!

It has been way to long...  I'm sure you know how it is - The first 9 weeks of school is crazy, to say the least.  I am currently on fall break for 2 weeks and my "to do" list is a mile long!  Ahhh... the life of a teacher and mother.  Check out "Miss Cheese!"

I can't believe I am just now posting about the Extraordinary Educators Conference in Chicago this past summer.  I walked away with so many ideas that I have implemented in my classroom.  Cara Carroll presented about the math activities that she implements in her classroom.  One of my favorites is her Math Mission.  This is for students who finish their math tubs or activities early.  It is purposeful practice!  Check it out here!  She also implements Math Mouth in her classroom as a way to teach academic vocabulary!  TOTALLY LOVE IT!

 

Cara Carroll, Abby Mullins, and Kim Adsit!   

       My teaching partner 
Samantha and I downtown Chicago!

 This is my husband, Nick, and middle school teachers from his building.  Don't we look so excited and DRY???  Yea... That changed pretty quickly as we RAN back to our hotel in the pouring rain.  GOOD TIMES!

Another fabulous part of the conference was meeting Abby Mullins, from The Inspired Apple.   Her presentation was all about making your activities POP for students and how to effectively collaborate with teaching partners to create lessons that will WOW your students.  Here is one strategy that I use weekly! 

So... Let's say you walked into Barnes and Noble and found the CUTEST read aloud!  In your head you are thinking... "Now what?"  Here is a way to plan your strategy lessons.  Be sure to have your Post-its ready!

As you read through the text mark the following with your Post-its:

Red - Literacy Ideas

Yellow - Higher Order Thinking Questions

Purple - Art, Social Studies, and Science Connections

Green - Hands on Learning Opportunities (acting out)

Blue - Numeracy Connections

Orange - Vocabulary

Getting ready for common planning time with your teaching team?  Have everyone bring a read aloud to share!  Read the text, jot notes on the Post-its, and pass it on to another teacher.  By the end of the session, your team will have mini lessons to last ALL WEEK!

I have also begun taping the standards that the text meets in the back of the book!  Well... when I remember to!  HA!