My school has begun using a site called Vmath which offers different math lessons and games for students at all levels. Each students has a log on name and password and they can access this site at home in order to practice skills and play games. I have heard rave reviews, so I planned a demonstration session for my students' parents so the Title I math teacher could show them how to log on and how to navigate the site.
Several weeks ago, the school sent home information about the site and log on information for each student which was followed by information from me and an invitation to the demonstration today. I have 42 students, so I was hoping for a good showing from parents today.
Sadly, only three families showed up, but I was very pleased to have Danny Boy and both of his parents as well as his brother. They don't have internet at home, but his parents came anyway because his mom wanted to know how to access the site so she can bring her children to the library to play the math games. This particular student definitely has room for growth, so I was really happy to have his family participating. He had a blast playing the different games and he did well figuring out the answers!
Sometimes I feel a bit deflated when I plan something that I think will be well attended and then I end up with only a few families, yet if an activity like this can help even one student---it's totally worth it.
I need to think of some other ways to get kids excited about Vmath, so I think I will use my laptop to project the site on the whiteboard so we can play the game as a class. If the kids use their fingers to show the numerical answers or write the answers on whiteboard, it will be a fun whole class activity. I know once they see it, they will want to play more at home which will hopefully entice their parents to give it a go!
Time to snuggle up in bed with some books on culturally responsive teaching and my highlighter!!
Highlights--Love it!
I feel bad for not posting all week. I kept experiencing things and thinking, Ah, I need to post about that, but I have just been too busy! So here are a few highlights...
Today at the end of the day my tiniest little friend Dianita was trying to stuff her fluffy pink jacket into her tiny pink Dora backpack like she does everyday. She always needs help and calls me over, but today another little girl was helping her. She called me over to tell me that Sabrina was filling her bucket. Love it!
Many of my students participate in extended day Letters class. That means some AM Kinders stay late and some PM Kinders come early and they all eat lunch together in the cafeteria. While they are there, I have my daily prep time so often I walk through the cafeteria on my way to the teacher work room or the office. My students make me feel like a rockstar every time I pass by. They call my name and wave like crazy and I love it.
On Wednesday we had a staff meeting that focused on cooperative learning. We were told to incorporate three cooperative learning activities into our day on Thursday. During my writing time, I had the kids "stand up, hand up, pair up" which is a strategy to get the to partner up. Basically they stand up and put their hand up in the air and then high five someone who becomes their partner. The kiddos got with a partner and talked about what they want to be when they grow up. Then, I had them share out what their partner had told them to reinforce good listening. After that, I asked them to write a sentence telling what they want to be. One of my cute little guys wrote,
"I wont to be a paleein tolojist."WOW. Love it.
I went to observe another Kinder teacher yesterday to get some ideas and I loved the behavior management system she uses. I went out right away and got the supplies to make it and it worked like a charm today. My students really have been way to talkative and I guess I have been too much a softie and have not laid down the law enough. So, I introduced this system where each kiddo gets three sticks that they need to "guard" during the week. They can keep their sticks by being good listeners, not talking when I am talking, and basically following the school rules. (stuff they should be doing, but that has been lacking lately!) therefore resulting in my principal checking in with me a lot. If kids keep their three sticks, they earn a choice time on Friday afternoon and also a sticker to put on the sticker chart next to the stick pocket chart, so they can count and keep track of how many times they kept all three sticks. I told the kids that sometimes we might have a popcorn party or a short video instead of choice time and they were really excited to have the chance to earn those fun things. We also talked about what kinds of behaviors result in having to move one of their sticks and lose it from their pocket. A few kiddos had that happen, but overall I was really impressed with how much better they listened on the whole today. I hope it continues to work that well, but if it goes anything like today....it's another LOVE IT!
I am driving to Seattle tomorrow to visit a friend from high school. I haven't seen her since my wedding about 3.5 years ago. Her fiancee is currently deployed in Qatar, so we are in the same boat missing our men! I can't wait to see her and catch up. It will be nice to take a break from homework, although I will have to buckle down and work hard on Sunday after my run.
Today at the end of the day my tiniest little friend Dianita was trying to stuff her fluffy pink jacket into her tiny pink Dora backpack like she does everyday. She always needs help and calls me over, but today another little girl was helping her. She called me over to tell me that Sabrina was filling her bucket. Love it!
Many of my students participate in extended day Letters class. That means some AM Kinders stay late and some PM Kinders come early and they all eat lunch together in the cafeteria. While they are there, I have my daily prep time so often I walk through the cafeteria on my way to the teacher work room or the office. My students make me feel like a rockstar every time I pass by. They call my name and wave like crazy and I love it.
On Wednesday we had a staff meeting that focused on cooperative learning. We were told to incorporate three cooperative learning activities into our day on Thursday. During my writing time, I had the kids "stand up, hand up, pair up" which is a strategy to get the to partner up. Basically they stand up and put their hand up in the air and then high five someone who becomes their partner. The kiddos got with a partner and talked about what they want to be when they grow up. Then, I had them share out what their partner had told them to reinforce good listening. After that, I asked them to write a sentence telling what they want to be. One of my cute little guys wrote,
"I wont to be a paleein tolojist."WOW. Love it.
I went to observe another Kinder teacher yesterday to get some ideas and I loved the behavior management system she uses. I went out right away and got the supplies to make it and it worked like a charm today. My students really have been way to talkative and I guess I have been too much a softie and have not laid down the law enough. So, I introduced this system where each kiddo gets three sticks that they need to "guard" during the week. They can keep their sticks by being good listeners, not talking when I am talking, and basically following the school rules. (stuff they should be doing, but that has been lacking lately!) therefore resulting in my principal checking in with me a lot. If kids keep their three sticks, they earn a choice time on Friday afternoon and also a sticker to put on the sticker chart next to the stick pocket chart, so they can count and keep track of how many times they kept all three sticks. I told the kids that sometimes we might have a popcorn party or a short video instead of choice time and they were really excited to have the chance to earn those fun things. We also talked about what kinds of behaviors result in having to move one of their sticks and lose it from their pocket. A few kiddos had that happen, but overall I was really impressed with how much better they listened on the whole today. I hope it continues to work that well, but if it goes anything like today....it's another LOVE IT!
I am driving to Seattle tomorrow to visit a friend from high school. I haven't seen her since my wedding about 3.5 years ago. Her fiancee is currently deployed in Qatar, so we are in the same boat missing our men! I can't wait to see her and catch up. It will be nice to take a break from homework, although I will have to buckle down and work hard on Sunday after my run.
and now he can....
Last week we got our DIBELS results and our Kinder students kicked some serious butt. I have been sending books home with kids who were already reading, but there are some kiddos who recently made some great gains so I decided to begin sending books with a few more kiddos.
On Friday I called them into the hallway where the bookshelf is and I told them the news. We talked about how they can read their little book to their mom, dad, pets, stuffed animals etc. and when they feel really good about reading it, they can bring it back and read it to me.
One of my little friends said, but I can't read books....
I showed him the pages and he sounded out some words tentatively.
This afternoon, I had a few of those kiddos sit in my chair and read their little books to the class. This little guy was very proud to get up in front of the class and he read his whole Bob Book like a pro.
When he was finished, I said to him, "Didn't you tell me on Friday you couldn't read books?
He replied, "And now I can!"
And now he can....
On Friday I called them into the hallway where the bookshelf is and I told them the news. We talked about how they can read their little book to their mom, dad, pets, stuffed animals etc. and when they feel really good about reading it, they can bring it back and read it to me.
One of my little friends said, but I can't read books....
I showed him the pages and he sounded out some words tentatively.
This afternoon, I had a few of those kiddos sit in my chair and read their little books to the class. This little guy was very proud to get up in front of the class and he read his whole Bob Book like a pro.
When he was finished, I said to him, "Didn't you tell me on Friday you couldn't read books?
He replied, "And now I can!"
And now he can....
Check this out
What a cool story. This second grade teacher, Allyson Townsend, began creating her own music videos with sign language in order to help her friend and students who don't hear experience music.
Allyson also works hard to incorporate music into her classroom with her students that are deaf.
Allyson also works hard to incorporate music into her classroom with her students that are deaf.
My Bucket is Full
Melt
My
Heart
My bucket definitely overflowed with that one....
Big Kids Still Need Naps Sometimes
I had such a nice morning with my AM class. We did some word building, they worked in pairs to think of math stories and show them with manipulatives, and we did a really cute snowman glyph (during which they were good listeners). If I had known the morning would go THAT well, I probably wouldn't have called in a sub. My teacher friend came in to observe again (per my request for her to check in) and she said everything looked great!
But, last night I had such a hard time falling asleep and I in very few z's. I woke up feeling sick and just overwhelmed with the thought of having class tonight, work tomorrow, class tomorrow night, and class Saturday in addition to all of the homework I have. I decided to call in a half day sub so I could go home, take a nap, and get started on my homework.
Napping in the middle of the day is nice.
I needed it.
I really don't like being absent. I feel like I am letting the kids down by not being there. But, at the same time I know that I need to take care of myself and feeling burnt out is not going to help. Hopefully tonight will bring a better snooze!
But, last night I had such a hard time falling asleep and I in very few z's. I woke up feeling sick and just overwhelmed with the thought of having class tonight, work tomorrow, class tomorrow night, and class Saturday in addition to all of the homework I have. I decided to call in a half day sub so I could go home, take a nap, and get started on my homework.
Napping in the middle of the day is nice.
I needed it.
I really don't like being absent. I feel like I am letting the kids down by not being there. But, at the same time I know that I need to take care of myself and feeling burnt out is not going to help. Hopefully tonight will bring a better snooze!
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