Prezi Love

We are off to Amsterdam tonight for about a week. I'm so looking forward to leaving progress reports and anecdotal records behind! Before we go I wanted to share a Prezi that I made to introduce our Growth and Changes in Animals unit - it's all about animal habitats. Have you used Prezi before? Let me just say, it's amazing. Seriously. You should know that it's pretty much the most amazing online program. And free! I found it took me a bit to understand how to use it, but I'm pretty excited to use it for so many other topics and get more creative with the features.

Have a look by clicking the image:

I have a great integration project that I'll be putting into lesson plans soon - persuasive writing, Science, and media. Looking forward to the second quarter!

I'll be back with some photos of chilly Amsterdam.

- Amanda

A few free things and more conflict resolution

Wow - busy week! Those two surprise days off last week have made for a lot of catch-up. We have talked an awful lot in grade two about how to be an effective problem solver...
We started talking about ways to deal with conflicts using the anchor chart. We did some simple writing and a mirror activity for this to help students internalize the steps. We are also helping the little minds understand what to do when by sorting "teacher-sized" and "kid-sized" problems {much like big problems vs. small problems}. We talked about various scenarios where students should Definitely tell the teacher {when someone is hurt or doing something that could get them hurt} and where kids can deal with it on their own {like pushing in the line up}. I got this idea from A Teacher on a Mission; just adapted it for my own room. My class sorted these problems in a T-Chart for a hallway bulletin board. {I realize this is not a fantastic display, but let's all try to focus on the content... I had to very suddenly fill a lesson!}

Now when a kid comes to "tattle" or talk about a small problem, I simply have to ask if it is a teacher-sized or a kid-sized problem. It's working and working so well! Click the picture to grab the T-chart materials I put together if you're interested:

We have moved on to Bucket Fillers and I love love love it. Some of my kids are still trying to wrap their heads around how caring can be shown in intangible ways, but they are doing a great job!

In Math we've been learning about Place Value. Every day we do a simple activity using this place value mat:

Looking to use this in your room? It's on my TpT so feel free to download!

I'll leave you with a cute little shot of Daily 5 Read With Someone {I changed it from "to" to "with" because I think it speaks more to buddy reading...}. It was costume day! Have I mentioned I love the Daily Five in my room? So love it.

Almost holiday time.... :)

- Amanda

I've been boo-ed!

Thanks to Laura from TIPS: Teach, Inspire, and Prepare Students for linking me up in the latest linky party: 

Here are the rules...

1. If you've been boo-ed, copy and paste the above pic and these "rules" into your post.

2. Give a shout out to the blogger who booed you and link back to their site!

3. Share 3-5 October activities, books, products (maybe yours or someone else's) or freebies(s) that you love!

4. Share the Boo love with 5 bloggers-make sure you check this link so that you don't repeat the "Boo"

http://toristeachertips.blogspot.com/2012/10/ive-been-booed-fun-october-linky.html

5. Link up {here} so that others can find you and read about your October ideas! While you are there check out the other great blogs!

So since I live in a Muslim country, we don't "do" Halloween. I did manage, before I was told that witches and ghouls are considered "haram" {not to be talked about - forbidden or sometimes sacred}, to make one Halloween-esque activity that I can share.{ There is no worksheet or anything, though, since I was mid-create when I found out.}

Another thing I can share is an absolutely delicious recipe that I made for the Canadian Thanksgiving dinner we shared with some fellow teachers here in Kuwait. It's a Martha Stewart find called "Pumpkin Ice Box Pie" and I can't wait to make it again!

These are the ingredients {click the link above for directions to make - you will NOT be disappointed!}:

• For The Crust

  • 16 cinnamon graham crackers, broken into large pieces - I was shocked after sending Jeff out with a grocery list that he actually found these in Kuwait! I won't mention the outrageous price, but suffice it to say the old "arm and a leg" phrase sprang to mind.
  • 1 tablespoon dark-brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled

• For The Filling And Topping

  • 3 teaspoons unflavored powdered gelatin (from 2 packets)
  • 1 can (29 ounces) pure pumpkin puree
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk
  • 1 cup packed dark-brown sugar
  • 3/4 to 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground or freshly grated nutmeg, plus more for garnish
  • 3/4 teaspoon coarse salt
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar
  • Yum yum! And since we have two - yes, TWO!! - surprise days off from school, I'm thinking of making it again. {There is a fairly major conference happening where several Asian dignitaries will be attending to speak about economic development and since our school is very near the airport, all the surrounding roads will be closed for safety! Awesome.}

  And the last activity I have to share is one that I won in a giveaway from Lori Rosenberg: 

  

  Check it out in her store by clicking above. It's a really cute packet!
  Here are the five bloggers I want to BOO:

  

  and Kelli from Tales from a Traveling Teacher.

  Thanks again, Laura!

Place value and a laugh

The other day, I had one of those hand-to-forehead moments that made me shake my head, sigh, and laugh. We have been focusing a lot on writing complete sentences. To help drill this in, we've been using a "cap" (where a capital letter will be) and a "ball" (where a full stop will be). At the bottom of our Language board, you can see it looks something like this:

I thought this was a great idea and that it was going really well! But then, the homework sent in Communication Books the other night read, "Write three sentences using your spelling words. Don't forget your cap and ball!" And wouldn't you know, the next morning I had about eight students bring in a soccer ball. Wearing a baseball hat. So we went over the "ball" and "cap" analogy again... I guess I hadn't taught it as well as I had thought!

In other news, my kids are totally understanding all of my Place Value lessons, which makes me feel like a better teacher haha. I made these calendar cards awhile back to help reinforce tens and ones and give Math a place in the real world. Feel free to download from TpT, TN, or by clicking below.

Happy weekend from Kuwait!

- Amanda

Taking some time to brag

I know, I haven't written a post in so long that I shouldn't be coming back to blogging just to brag. No worries, I'll post the spelling tic-tac-toe my students are using for homework at the end :)

First up, I heart Daily Five. We are just about to dive into learning about our last station, Read to Someone, so we can start the rotation routine in the few days before our Eid holiday. One reason I super-love D5: check out our Work on Writing stamina chart...

What?! 26 minutes on day 4?! You are seeing that correctly. I don't understand it, but I'm pleased as pie. More than anything, I'm super impressed - these are ESL students! They are able to use their individual word walls to help with spelling, but I love their inventive spelling more. **I do have an updated word wall file where I've tried to put in all the first 100 Fry's words that I will post another time.

Next, "MY HERo is Mis. Amanda because he hlps me and hlps to lrn." Awesome. Love love love this student - he is so sweet and so eager. Yes, we need some help with pronouns, but who can care about that right now?!

Next up, Jeff and I booked flights to Amsterdam for the end of this month and I'm pretty excited about this {even though I was called a travel snob because "we have to go" to Europe since Jeff's passport is expiring too soon to get a visa to visit other countries - haha!}. Anyway, moving on... if you also love the idea of Spelling Tic-Tac-Toe worksheets, feel free to use my combination by downloading below (or on my TpT). There are three pages of ideas.

Happy Thanksgiving, Canada!

- Amanda

Washroom Worries Solved!

This being the beginning of the year, I'm not too fussy yet about my students using the washroom when they need. Last year, I had a strict emergency-only policy during class time, and it was a bit annoying constantly reminding my students of the most appropriate times to leave the room. So this year, I have a simple routine that looks like this:

My students use the W sign for washroom or water so as not to disrupt the class. (Basically, if it's a lesson, I turn the sign to "now now.") Since I know that sometimes kids just can't wait, we use the W turned sideways to show an E for emergency! It's working so wonderfully. Today I forgot to flip the sign to "not now" before I started the Math lesson, and when one girl put her W high in the air, I didn't break my talk to say "oops, sorry, not now..." but simply turned the sign around and she immediately put her hand down. I have three sets for around my room because I am often standing in different areas. I'm loving this! Click the picture to grab it.

Birthday wishes

Alright, so I know this video went viral weeeeeeks ago, but in honour of my wonderful husband's birthday, I'm posting here for all to enjoy:

Jeff and I met in Korea (crazy enough we grew up only 40 minutes away from one another...small world), so suffice it to say that this video has had a special place on our laptop for the past while. There are so many familiar things - Gangnam Station, where Jeff played ball hockey; short skirts; neon; things that don't make sense in the most hilarious ways - that just scream "Korea" for us. If you need a song stuck in your head, you should watch.

Moving on to the more educational... Jeff teaches middle school/high school here in Kuwait and last year, being faced with a completely new culture and students that really needed structure and lots of guidance, he started using Class Dojo. 

People love it, I'm telling you. He was actually asked to write a feature post on their blog this summer, which you can read HERE. Not only am I married to a kind, funny, and very intelligent man, but he's also a truly great teacher. He has a middle school blog - "A New Classroom" - so feel free to send all your middle school or J/I teaching buds over to read about his adventures! 

Great things!

I'm not one of those teachers that misses school on the weekends. Yes, I go home and do a lot of school-related work, but I really do enjoy having those couple days off. Since tomorrow is Thursday and the last day of our school week here, I find myself feeling a little worried. I'm worried because I actually have such a fantastic class this year that I may (may!) end up missing them just a little this weekend. Don't judge me. They are seriously fantastic.

I am loving the Daily 5. We are three days into Work on Writing, two days into building stamina, and my class has gone from four minutes to fifteen minutes of writing. In a day! Whaaaaa? My mind was literally blowing up for the whole quiet, focused fifteen minutes of actual writing I saw today. Maybe not literally, but you know what I mean. I can't believe I didn't disturb them with my mental mania.

That's right, he's already underlining words he's unsure of. Did they catch on quick, or what?

We glued our heart maps onto the front cover of our journals.

Here's one of my artists. I definitely told them that the picture is last, but I guess he was fresh out of ideas. I am certainly not about to be upset, since our stamina chart says 15 minutes! (Wait, did I mention that?!?) This kid wrote tons about zombies. He has a serious infatuation and it cracks me up.

A robot lover.

Here's our clip chart after a Social Studies lesson about smart and poor choices and how these can have a direct affect on each person in the class. These awesome little monsters come from Kathleen at Growing Kinders. They are so bright and colourful and my group got a kick out of the sad monsters. I will definitely work this lesson into beginning of the year plans for next year. Loved it! 

PS - See all those kids on Amazing? I'm not kidding about this being a pretty fantastic class.

And finally - I could hardly believe it but I won my first giveaway! Yay! Many thanks to Kristen at I Do, We Do, You Do for hosting a giveaway and for choosing me. (Electronically and randomly choosing me, that is - anyway, feeling good!)

I won a few great products that I'm pretty darn excited to use this year. More about that later. Now, to tend to my poor sick husband. Back to school busy-ness, I'm sure. (He must be really sick, though, because he agreed to have KD for dinner tonight. The man hates pasta and loves to cook, so for me to throw a box of pasta into boiling water and call it dinner, well... I'll just call myself a lucky lady and thank my stars.) 

Good night, all!

- Amanda

Talking about solving problems

This is a tough topic for some little friends. Am I right? Really, it's no surprise - they are still learning to recognize, process, and understand their own emotions. I've found (in my 1.1 years of teaching - ha!) that children really need to be taught skills to solve problems with their peers. I had a lot of hands-on last year, a lot of tattling, a lot of miscommunication, a lot of misunderstandings, and a lot of emotional outbursts among my students. I took quite a few Social Studies periods to teach about problem solving. It started to work. Phew! Saved me. So this year, I have a plan to teach these steps - before the problems start. I hope to have my students follow a four-step plan:
1. Think - Is this a big problem or a small problem?
2. Say - "I do not like that because...." or "Please stop."
3. Ignore
4. Ask - a friend or a teacher for help.
If you're interested in this model, I made titles to create an anchor chart with my group. You can grab it here:

How do you teach problem solving in your class? I'm all ears for new ideas. This week we're doing a fun little activity using our clip chart to help students understand the types of behaviours that are expected at the top of the chart, and those that may get you placed near the bottom... I'm looking forward to it! Photos and credit to come.

And a small peek at my Saturday: 

A new year means a new batch of my scratch cards must be made. I'm looking forward to giving the first one of these out!

- Amanda

Come on, TpT

Just a few photos to start:

Daily 5 mini-lessons

My first Wow! Work installment. This little guy has the neatest writing, and not only did he write the most, but he wrote the most sensibly!

Yellow pages to highlight the vowels on our Word Wall

First rotation of classroom jobs

Beginning our Math stations (this idea from Cassie at Adventures in Teaching). I have a forty minute Math lesson period everyday. About four times in our six day cycle, I have a second forty minute Math block. These double blocks are not side-by-side in my schedule, so we do a forty minute lesson and practice period, then in the next we have our BUILD rotation where I'm able to work with my small group. Thanks, Cassie!

We have three simple rules for our school, so in the first week we made the 3Bees at CBS. This idea adapted from Teri at A Cupcake for the Teacher - her Valentine bees are super cute!

And now a quick rant - 
Anyone else ever annoyed when TpT won't let you upload a file because "An item already exists with that title. Please alter it a bit. Thanks."? It is the most annoying thing! Of course there are other items with that title, because that title explains perfectly what it is, and no, mine is not the first of its kind. And then, because I've had to alter the title, when I do a broad search for items like it, mine does not show up on the home search. I tried SO MANY variations on the titles and nothing would work.... So now, I have a product called "3 Ways to Read a Book - it's the only title that fits. Please allow it." in my shop. haha It's a good thing this is a free item :)

- Amanda

Just want to share a great linky Cynthia is having over at the 2nd Grade Pad: all about freebies! Great idea, or what? Great idea.

I linked up with my last freebies: 3 Ways to Read a Book, Addition Houses (for even and odd street) and a Book Lovers anchor chart. If you're shopping for great freebies from other bloggers (when are you not?), go check it out!
- Amanda

Hurray for 100!

Thanks to Kelly for letting me know THIS important piece of news: there are just over 100 people following me now!!! Thank you to each and every one of you. I hope to be as inspirational as all of your blogs are to me. 
Now, since I didn't notice the number jump, I haven't planned any sort of giveaway. Instead, I'm just going to share some things I'll be using this year.Click the pictures to download.

3 Ways to Read a Book poster.  I am overhauling my Literacy Centers to start Daily 5, so I've started creating a few introductory lesson supplements. I'm excited to switch, but I'm still learning. 

Book Lovers anchor chart pieces

AND grab my alphabet line for FREE today :)

When I get it finished, I'll post my "Problem Solvers" anchor chart. Last year I had a lot of issues with students having hands-on so this year I'm going to try to get ahead of it while the class is still fresh.

Thank you again to everyone!

- Amanda

Feeling like a winner?

The lovely Tori from Tori's Teacher Tips has reached 400 followers (!!!) and she's having a giveaway. I'm contributing any item from my TpT for it - winner's choice, and many other great bloggers have added to the list of wonderful prizes. Click the picture below to head over and check it out: