Fabulous Sisters!

Today I'm here with some fabulous teachers!  They're like sisters to me.  We are working on setting up blogs and preparing for the upcoming years.  Gina and Oveta are going to do their first podcast!  I'm showing them how to do Garageband and Audacity at the same time.  Unfortunately their both PCs and I'm a Mac!  I've got to convert them!

Back to School Welcome Bags

When I first began teaching, Right before school began, when we're all getting ready for that first day,  on a break I went into a veteran colleague’s classroom and saw wrapped packages for each of her students on their desk!  I couldn’t believe it, thinking how did she afford that?!  She then told me how she’d get basic supplies from our supply room and wrap the supplies we normally just set on desks up in a package and that students loved them.  Initially I did the same, but one year I had this fabulous Room Parent who found things for cheap or free and she found me 30 purple, my favorite color, apple bags from the grocery store.  Then I started asking grocery stories if they’d give them to me and they did.  Well, then I started going to Starbuck’s, hey it’s Seattle, and whenever I’d buy something that “could” require a bag I asked for those little shopping bags.  Now I save those and use them!  Like most teachers I then look for sales for colorful composition books, pencils, sharpeners etc. to bring those “diamonds” to the bags.  Today I came across a list I got at a technology workshop that would allow for a more meaningful bag.  I’m including both lists.  I hope others can use them.

Blogging with Gina

Had a blast today working with my good friend Gina.  Setting up her professional and class blogs!  What a beautiful day it is today in Seattle!

Cool Collaboration!

This week I got together with some awesome teaching friends!  We shared ideas and did curriculum planning for next school year.  And it's still summer.  I believe we've got some Diamond plans and lessons that students will surely enjoy.

It's About Time!

Unfortunately it's been awhile since I've posted anything. And I'm looking at my background which shows snow but it is amazingly beautiful here in the summer.

The school year ended great. My students made great growth. Now it's onto next year's challenge! I'll be teaching 4th/5th grade, a split for the first time in my career. I sure hope I'm up to the challenge!

I'm going to start doing better about blogging and sharing my ideas and tips on integrating technology. I've spent some of my "free" time this summer looking for better ways to use it with students.

Diamond Accomplishments

Winding down for the year, testing over, now is the time to give students a few "jewel" lessons. What cool things can they learn about science? What do they want to learn about before they "graduate to middle school"? While this year has had its challenges, there have been so many "diamond" moments. I look forward to hearing about the shiny diamonds this group, under pressure, will become.

Testing Diamonds

In our school district students do not only take state tests, but also are required to take the MSP,"Measurement of Student Progress" for Reading and Math. A week ago we finished the State's tests and today I told them that we would be taking the MSP for the third time this year. One of the Diamonds said, "What?! Another test?!!!". Then other students chimed in about how they are tired of taking tests. In my head I was thinking, "There are a lot of people out there who think you guys ARE tested too much. So I'm going to help them get through more tests by doing the best creative lessons I can during our last 28 days. :)