NA NA NA

NA NA NA is something you hear kids say, but rarely do you see it written.  I honestly don't think I've ever had a first grader write it before, before this week, that is....

When originally planned, my bridge class was supposed to be made up of high first graders who could handle such a challenging learning environment.  Theories are always nice!  Actually I ended up having quite a few first graders who are socially and emotionally immature.  Take for instance my Na Na Na student.  This boy is incredibly smart!  Though only a first grader, he is already reading at least at the 3rd grade level (probably higher since the last time I tested him.)   BUT, he is emotionally a four-year old.  When he gets upset, he not only cries, but often HOWLS.  The last time he howled, the teacher to the right of me came over to check on us, while another teacher 2 doors down the other way texted me to make sure we were ok- it was that loud!

Recently a new girl joined our class.  I didn't realize that he had a problem with her specifically, until we found this lovely note laying on her desktop when she returned from the restroom.  She wasn't gone long, but he took the opportunity to write this note and put it on her desk before she returned.  I didn't catch him in the act, but I knew exactly who wrote it without even having to ask.  I do consider myself something of a handwriting guru, much to his dismay!

I asked him why he wrote it, and with tears in his eyes he only said, "It was an accident".  I tried so hard not to laugh (while hoping he wouldn't start howling).  He "accidentally" wrote this note and sneaked it on her desktop while I wasn't looking.  What was the purpose!  She is indeed a little girl! So na, na, na, na, na, na, na!  Hmmm....maybe he has a crush on her!

The girl took it well, since he didn't actually write anything bad.  But he will have to face some consequences for his actions.  Another fun day in the crazy bridge class!  Na na na!

MEASUREMENT

This week my second graders started a unit on measurement.  I would have loved to teach it to my first graders at the same time, which would have been really easy, but they aren't scheduled for measurement until April.  Therefore I couldn't drop their regularly scheduled instruction for 2 weeks because they need that material (parts of a set and addition to 18) for the next CBA (aka Benchmark assessment).  Sigh, the life of a bridge class....

Although Measurement is a fun unit to teach, the planning has been crazy!  My district is very specific with their Curriculum and what you are to teach.  We usually use the Envision curriculum for Math, but this time my district wanted us to use the Investigations program instead and only use 2 lessons of Envision.  That wasn't a problem as Investigations is more hands-on and offers more chances for higher level thinking, though it does require a great deal more prep work.  The real problem was that my district required 17 days of instruction and a gave a list of exactly what lessons we were to teach between the two programs, while only giving us 13 days to accomplish this. Hmmm!!!  So, as good teachers do, we adjusted!  I combined some lessons, traded some lessons from the Investigations for some found on Teachers Pay Teachers.  Amy Lemons and Jennifer Hollingsworth have created some great measurement units perfect for inch, foot, and yard, as well as centimeters/meters. (Jennifer will be posting hers soon!)

                                                                         

                                         District, Envision, and Investigations

                                          Amy Lemons Measurement Unit


                                              decisions, decisions....

                   

My second graders have really enjoyed measurement so far.  We started with non-standard measurement the usual ways: cubes and paper clips.  They measured various items, including my tape dispenser.  It was all fun and games until they decided to tape their papers to the floor to keep them secure while they measured and wrote down their answers.  Good idea in theory, but harder to clean up!  But it was nice to see them take charge of their own learning.

My students have also enjoyed the lesson on measuring jumps.  They went into the hallway and had to make 3 jumps- jump like a frog, like a rabbit, and like themselves.  We used adding machine tape to measure the 3 jumps.  Next week we will measure the strips with cubes and compare them.  Should be fun!

TRASH POLICE UPDATE

(see earlier post on Trash Police)

The trash buckets on the student desks have worked out great this week.  Nothing unusual was thrown away,  not even during the 100 Day and Valentine's Day Celebrations!  Until Friday, that is.....

Friday afternoon we took some time to clean out desks.  They really needed it!  I asked some responsible students to empty the student trash buckets into the trash cans behind my desk, while I tried to keep an eye on them from the other side of the room where I was dealing with some student issues.  I checked behind my desk later and saw nothing unusual in the class trash cans.

After school, I actually sat down at my desk (there is never time to sit down at my desk during the day!).  I happened to look down at my personal trash can located under my desk and found a big surprise!

Someone had thrown away both of the empty first grade student trash buckets into MY trashcan!

Hmm!!!  I didn't see that coming!  Must be more vigilant!

100 DAY FUN

Today was the 100th Day of School!  I wore my 100 Days sweatshirt and the class enjoyed seeing that!  Everyone got a 100 Day sticker too!  We had a crazy, fun day!

I always over plan for 100 Day, as there are so many exciting things to be done.  Here are some of the things I usually do for 100 Day.  I don't get to do everything every year, but I keep a list in my 100 Day folder so I can pick and choose from year to year based on the time we have.

*  Count by ones, twos, fives, tens, and twenty-fives to 100.

*  Read a book about the 100th day of school.

*  Every student brings in 100 things to share. (I always give at least a week's notice for this.)

*  100 Day movements: walk 100 steps, do 100 jumping jacks, etc...

* 100 Day writing projects (What would you do with $100... always very interesting answers!)

*  100 sticker animal.  The students draw an animal on a large piece of paper and then cover the lines using exactly 100 stickers.  My students ALWAYS love this one!  (Teacher's note- try to buy the stickers in sheets of 100.  That saves a great deal of time instead of cutting apart sticker sheets to make sets of 100!  The small circle smiles work great for this!)

*  100 Day Cereal Necklaces  (see below)

and so on......


We do so many different activities for the 100th Day of school, but my favorite project is the 100 Day Cereal Necklace.  It can be very time consuming though...

100 DAY CEREAL NECKLACES

Materials:

blank hundred charts

pencils

2 large boxes of "Froot Loop" style cereal

yarn or string

napkins or paper plates

1.  The students fill in the 100 chart (in pencil in case mistakes are made.)
2.  Cover each space with a piece of cereal.  (generic Froot Loops work well!)
3.  Once all 100 spaces are filled, students put them onto the string.
4.  Teacher ties the necklaces when complete.


To save time, you can use a 100 chart already filled in.  If you run out of time, having sandwich baggies around are helpful for those who are not finished to take it home.

I received a lot of smiles and hugs today for this project!  It's great to see students so excited about learning!

TRASH POLICE

Few things really take me by surprise in the classroom.  But the trash cans have just thrown me for a loop!  Over the last few weeks, we have found all sorts of important things in the classroom trash cans.  First it was a backpack.  I assumed it was because one child was mad at another and decided to play a mean trick on her.  But then someone else's jacket was put in the trash, a purse, a school box, a textbook, etc...  All random personal items thrown into the trash can at various times of the day.  I couldn't figure out WHO would do such a thing!  Each thing being thrown away came from a different student.  The only thing they had in common is that the owner was typically disorganized, so it is highly likely that their things were on the floor at some point.  Maybe I have a neat freak in the room who thinks that everything on the floor is trash!  I don't know!  I narrowed it down to the 3 new students I received in January (my classroom is a revolving door!).  Of those, I believe I have narrowed it down to one student, but without catching him in the act, he would never admit to such a thing, even if I could get him to talk!

So, now we have no trash cans for the students in my room.  I put a small plastic bucket on each group of desks, and when it gets full, I allow one trustworthy student to check the bucket, and then pour the contents into the regular trash cans now hidden behind my desk.  I can officially add "Trash Police" to my many titles.

STAFF PICTURE

Today was Picture Day!  The staff was asked to arrive 10 minutes early so we could take a group photo.  The morning was going smoothly, and I fully expected to arrive in time after taking my daughter to her bus.  I checked the radio traffic report and discovered that my usual highway route was experiencing 30 minute delays due to "unexpected roadwork".  No problem, as my alternate route was smooth sailing!  Until I reached the train tracks, that is.  As many times as I have taken the alternate route, I have never had to stop for a train there.  But the train only had 15 cars, so I figured it wouldn't take long at all.  The train must have known that I needed to be at work early, because it STOPPED on the tracks.  Stopped!!  When it finally got moving again, it only went far enough to clear the road, but NOT enough to raise the crossing gates.  By the time I finally got away from there, it was time for the pictures to be over, but I still had hope that they would be running late with so many people to get in the picture.  Usually I arrive to work just on time and there are at least 6-7 parking spots left.  Today there were NONE!  All those usually late people, arrived early to take all the spots! So I had to park down the street.  Needless to say, I didn't make the picture.  But I did have a really good reason!

DATA & CHANGES

Today was a Staff Development Day. After a month straight of testing and data,  I admit that I really wasn't looking forward to analyzing more data. But I took away something very valuable. I am blessed to work at a school where the staff comes together as a whole, working together, to help our students succeed. Teachers of all grades, not just the ones that are state-tested, are claiming ownership of all students and data. It was a neat realization.  My school is awesome!

                                                (We are all-STAARS!)



Yesterday marked the beginning of a wonderful change for me and my class.  I have been struggling for quite some time with teaching Math to two grades in the time it takes for one.  Needless to say, the students were not achieving the level of success that they should have been.  Now I will have an aide in my room for 45 minutes during Math. I am so excited!  This means that my second graders will be able to have more of their district required instruction without the class having to give up our regular Science time to do it!  (I think I just heard my favorite 5th grade Science teacher breathe a huge sigh of relief to hear that!)  It also means that my first graders will have better supervision and assistance during their Math centers while I am teaching 2nd grade their core instruction. Let's just say that I have a few very immature first graders that have not been able to handle the amount of self-direction and small-group learning that a bridge class requires.  Having another pair of hands (and eyes) will be wonderful!!

I also learned this week that my school is purchasing the istation individualized reading computer program that I have been wishing for. All of my students will benefit from this awesome program!  I can't wait to see how high their Reading scores soar!

Now I'm off to plan for Science lessons and activities.  Yay!  Perfect timing as our Science Fair is coming soon!