Too Cute to Be a Slave???

*** If you offend easily, please don’t read this post and reply with a nasty comment.*** Ok, let me explain that title. Let me begin by saying that one of my sisters is a professional hair braiders who regularly braids Phillise’s hair. Phillise’s hair is freshly done, so she thinks she is too cute. Apparently, [...]

Math Programs, Which One to Choose? Part 2

Well, I only have about a week before I have to make a decision regarding which Math program to adopt for our school this Fall. These are the programs I was deciding on: Singapore Math Saxon Math EnVision Math Everyday Math by the University of Chicago Encyclopedia Britanica (online assessment tool, which I will not [...]

I’ve Made A Decision on Summer Reading!

I spoke to my Principal last night about my inability to narrow my book choices down to only two, she said that I could narrow it down to three. I was so excited. So, knowing that, made it easier to made my decision on summer reading. For 4th grade, I’ve decided on: Charlotte’s Web by [...]

Dear Abby, What Do I Do? Part 2 (Or Pencil Taped to the Floor)

Dear Reader, I know that I shouldn’t have done it, but I did. Like to hear what I did, here it goes: As I tend to do, I am still harping on the question that I posted earlier regarding one of my students who is so, let’s say, challenging. As I write this, I am [...]

Dear Abby, What Do I Do?

Dear Readers, I have a serious problem. I am seriously short on patience with one of my students. He goes out of his way to annoy everyone in the classroom and ya’ know what, he’s pretty damn good at it. Prett-ay. Prett-ay good. He loves bringing someone to their breaking point. When someone breaks, he [...]

What Are You Doing on March 2?

I am trying to gather some ideas for Dr. Seuss’ birthday. I’ve been looking & am just not satisfied with what I’ve found. Do you have any ideas you can share with me? I’d greatly appreciate them. Thanks in advance.

The After Effects of San Juan Capistrano Coming Alive!

I am so tired. I love that San Juan Capistrano came alive for my students, but I am feeling the after effects. I am soooooooooooo tired. We did sooooooooo much walking. We took the Metrorail to Union station, then to the Amtrak. Then we walked to the mission. Then we walked all around the mission. [...]

Getting Better & Better!

I am STILL surprising myself. Watch out now, cuz’ I’m about to toot my own horn because I cannot believe how far I’ve come, in regard to my teaching. My lesson plans & lessons are fantastic. I would not have dreamed I would be as competent and organized as I am. To toot my own [...]

San Juan Capistrano Came Alive!

It’s Alive! I wanted to say to my students as we walked into the San Juan Capistrano mission today. My students could not contain themselves as they excitedly looked around. For those of you who’ve never been to San Juan Capistrano, I have to tell you that it’s breathtaking. So much so that it almost [...]

Great Article

I found this great article, written by a former teacher now studying for her PhD. In the article, she talks about the educational elite, or those who look down on public education. Read it for yourself. Here’s the link: http://k6educators.about.com

4th & 5th Grade Summer Reading

I need to choose two books for my students to read over the summer. I was thinking about choosing one classic (One that has endured for 20+years) and one fairly recent one (the last 5-15 years). For the 4th graders, I am deciding between: Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White Loser by Jerry Spinelli The Watsons [...]

Watching Bugs Bunny with New Eyes!

Thursday, during computer lab time, I extended our Social Studies lesson and whetted my student’s appetite to learn more about the Civil War, the Mason-Dixon Line, & Yankees. Before we went to the computer lab, I told the 5th grade students that I would show them some Bugs Bunny cartoons. “Why, Miss”, my students asked. [...]

A Lazy Sunday…

It has been such a lazy weekend. I think it’s because I know I don’t have work tomorrow. That didn’t stop me from working though. In fact, it actually made me work harder. Since I teach two grades, I am always planning. It seems like I never have enough time. So, color me happy knowing [...]

Great Assessment Article

I was just over @ Edutopia.com and found a pretty nice article. The article, about assessment, was entitled, “What You Can Do in 5 minutes, 5 Weeks, and 5 Months”. It was pretty informative. I’m going to take a few of those suggestions and run with them. If you would like to read it, here’s [...]

Lakeshore Buy 1, Get 1 50% Off!

Here’s the Lakeshore coupon to buy 1, get 1 50% off. Present this coupon at time of purchase. ©Lakeshore coupon code: 1556 Offer valid 2/26/11–2/27/11. Purchase one item at regular price and receive the second item of equal or lesser value at 50% off its regular price. Valid on in-store purchases only. Limit one coupon [...]

Mind Your Manners B.B. Wolf by Judy Sierra

Mind Your Manner B.B. Wolf (2007), written by Judy Sierra and illustrated by J. Otto Seibold is a fractured fairy tale of sorts. The title character, Big Bad Wolf (B.B. Wolf for short, is retired and now lives in Villain Villa Senior Center. He is up to his neck in bills. He’s fed up. His [...]

Simply Exhausted!

Hello Dear Readers. As my title states, I am simply exhausted. I couldn’t really understand it until I really looked at my day. I do SO much work. Teaching two grades is more than a notion. Not only do I teach six subjects to 4th grade, but I teach six subjects to 5th grade. In [...]

Flattery!

I have say that I am quite proud of myself. Why, you ask? Well, I was going through the Reading program’s accompanying workbook and came across a workbook page I thought might be a little bit sophisticated for my students. I vacillated on whether or not to give it as a workbook page for my [...]

Addendum to Journal Writing

Remember I was telling you, dear readers, about this great website About.com. Well, I was over there for awhile. While there, I came across an article on (you guessed it) Journal writing. I found a nice idea I could use- a journal writing checklist. Check it out. Here’s the link: http://k6educators.about.com/od/languageart1/qt/journalchklist.htm

Happy Anniversary/Valentine’s Day!

Happy Valentine’s Day Dear Readers! In addition to that, I have to wish a Happy Anniversary to my husband. Here’s to many more. That is, unless Hill Harper comes a’ callin’ ; D! Bye for now!

Kids are Kids are Kids!

Look at these pictures and what do you see? You see kids playing, right? Okay, now hold on to that thought as I proceed with my post and as usual, I will bring it back around. The other day I got a call from my former assistant, Ms.P. She called me because the mother of [...]

Top 8 Reasons Why Non-Teachers Can Never Really Understand Our Job Or, (Why Nobody Enters Teaching Just For The Vacations)

I love About.com. They have the greatest articles. If you haven’t subscribed, do yourself a favor and subscribe now. Here’s an article I just read that I think you, dear readers, will love. It’s the Top 8 Reasons Why Non-Teachers Can Never Really Understand Our Job. It’s a bit long, so I will just include [...]

Call of Duty? Who Would Have Thunk It?

Long ago in the north Lies the road of emergence! Yonder our ancestors live, Yonder we take our being. Yet now we come southward For cloud flowers blossom here Here the lightning flashes, Rain water here is falling! This poem details the Tewa & Anasazi’s journey from Asia to North America. It’s a poem from [...]

How to Write a Book Report/Review (Online or Otherwise)

I’m helping my students write better book reports. In the midst of my searching, I happened upon this Scholastic website with advice from Rodman Philbrick (author of The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg & others). I will have extra time in computer lab this week (since I’m test driving one of the math [...]

Books My Students Are Reading!

This is just a random post because I am so proud of my students. Some of the them were not readers before, but they are now. They are eagerly devouring my own collection of books. I only have a couple left they haven’t read. When my top readers finish the Tunnels series by Roderick Gordon, [...]

Writing Journals

I’ve used writing journals since I started teaching. When I began, my purpose was to get my special education students to begin to write (which they weren’t used to doing). It helped them get into a routine and get set to start working. It was also a way to buy myself some time so that [...]

The First One to Call the Police Wins!!!

I came up with the title last night as I was talking to my friend, Nikki about her situation at work. I know that’s an unusual title, but just wait a minute and as usual, I will bring it around. This is a pretty long story. It began with my husband was telling me the [...]

Michael’s 40% off Coupon!!!

Here’s the link for the newest Michael’s 40% off coupon. I know it’s a little late in the week, but thought I’d post it because I was trying to find one, but couldn’t find it. So, I may just post these weekly, just in case I misplace my paper and need a coupon. It’ll be [...]

Math Programs! Which One To Choose??

In our staff meeting a couple of weeks ago, we were discussing our disgust with the Scott Foresman math program our school currently uses. The books are old & not very user friendly. Thankfully my Principal wants to replace them as badly as I want them replaced. So, I volunteered to help look for replacements. [...]

Michael’s MAKE YOUR OWN SALE Coupon!

Here’s the latest Michael’s coupon. It’s good for Sunday, February 6, 2011. Enjoy! Michaels.com | Store Locator ©2011 Michaels Stores, Inc. All rights reserved.

Excited to the 4th Power or (They Got Excited Over Exponents!)

***WARNING- I am going to use the words “super” & “excited” a lot in this post. Read at your own risk!*** With my current students or any student I’ve ever worked with, I always preface my statement when I tell them to stop working by saying, “I hate to stop you from…, but…” Well, yesterday [...]

I Took My Mojo Back!

That’s right. You read it right, I TOOK my mojo back.You know how sometimes you just lose your mojo, then, just as suddenly, it comes back. Well, it wasn’t happening to me. I felt like it was running from me. It did not seem to want to come back. I’ve been so tired, uninspired, behind [...]

In Such A Blah! Mood!

I am in such a blah mood! I don’t even feel like being at work right now. I feel like sleeping on my comfortable lounger in my bedroom. I don’t know what happened to all my energy I used to have, but it’s gone. I want it back. What do I need to do to [...]

Lakeshore Coupon

Here’s the newest Lakeshore coupon. Present this coupon at time of purchase. ©Lakeshore coupon code: 3782 Offer valid 2/1/11–2/28/11. $25, $50 or $75 minimum purchase required. Teacher’s Club members only. Valid on in-store purchases only. Limit one coupon per customer. Offer excludes sales tax & shipping charges. Valid on in-stock items only. No ship-to or [...]