The last week

We had Monday off for parent teacher conferences, which left only four days to attempt to manage students' behavior choices.  The excitement over the holidays was adorable...and loud.

We had a spirit week, which always adds to silliness in the classroom.  I reward students who participate with bonus class dojo points and let them do a fashion show. I also take a group selfie and post it to our class blog (but won't post here due to students' privacy).  That always gets them super excited.

Our spirit days:

Tuesday: Wear white or snowflakes.  I completely forgot...so good thing a coworker snagged some foam snowflakes at the dollar spot and I got crafty.

My students said I was channeling Queen Elsa, so I went with it.

Wednesday brought dress like a present day.  It was really, really difficult not to joke about this being inappropriate (cue Justin Timberlake).  I wore a green dress accented with a red belt and a red bow in my hair.  Halfway through the day, I discovered there were lots of bite marks in my belt...not sure which pet is to blame.  

Thursday was Santa hat or winter hat day.  I let my students wear hats inside, which was a special treat.  I had a tough choice to make that day:

Friday was pajama day, which is always a favorite.  I rocked Batman pajama pants with a Cardinals hoodie, much to the delight of my students.  They are very vocal about their passion for their football teams...none of which are my team.

Friday started with this treat on their desks: 

There are fruit snacks attached (I couldn't find holiday pencils) and the pass is good for one night of no math homework (much to the delight of my students).

The last week was also devoted to a Reading Rangers challenge (my favorite of the year).  The school was split into two teams (red and green) with a different leader (principal or assistant principal).  Whichever team read and passed more AR quizzes got to throw marshmellows at the losing team's leader.  I created a large paper book for my door and whenever my students passed a quiz, they wrote their name on the sheet.  For the first time in three years, the assistant principal's team won (my team) and I got to pick three students to throw marshmellows at our principal.  It was such a glorious bonding moment.  I'm blessed to have such amazing admin that aren't afraid to make fools of themselves in the name of student achievement. 

Some of the kinder classes decorated gingerbread houses and wrote letters to Santa.  Another fifth grade classroom displayed a fake fire on the smartboard during reading time and played holiday tunes (stealing that idea for next year).  Others did a book swap, classroom secret santas, and a hot chocolate party.

What fun traditions does your school have for the last week of school?

 

Day 13

Woo hoo, I'm 2/2 since starting the Blogtember Challenge!

Granted...I started half-way through, but that's okay. 

Day 13's blog challenge: "Create a collage or inspiration/mood board for this season in your life."

Well, I'm a little overwhelmed by school work, so instead I'm going to focus on what's consuming a lot of my attention:

The wedding.

It's not that I'm becoming "that bride".  We're touring a venue today and I want to have a decision in terms of venue and colors established by the end of the week.  I've been thinking about it for a couple days and since I keep inadvertently pinning the same things on pinterest, I'm taking that to be a sign. 

We are looking at a November, 2016 wedding...so still a long time away.

We aren't hiring a wedding planner because quite frankly, I feel I've been training for this my whole life.  Between years of student council, being an RA in college and President of the Honors College Council, then being a teacher and planning field trips, I think I've got this event planning thing down pat.

Plus, I like to do it.  I like to craft.  I like to play around with patterns, textures, and see what goes well together.  If I felt it was a stable enough career, I'd consider party planning and crafting as a full time job.  

I've got a time-line for the wedding.  This month we are paying wedding deposits to confirm our date and venue.  Once the paperwork is signed, I'll feel comfortable publicly announcing that to friends and family.  The bridal party and immediate family already know what we're hoping for.  Next month will bring the creation of a wedding website (maybe) and taking engagement pictures in either the fall or early spring.   Dress shopping will be over winter break.  Save the dates will go out at the end of spring and formal invitations in about a year.

I've got friends that are more than willing to help craft things and share their thoughts, which is great.  I've also got some interesting input from colleagues who are definitely more acquaintances then friends...they want to weigh in too.  I'm hoping it's from a loving and maternal place, not them thinking I can't handle this and that they have to intervene.  

  

I showed B some ideas for table decor and bless his heart, he said I could do whatever as long as I wasn't overwhelmed.  I told him that I've got some great, crafty bridesmaids and some great, logistics oriented bridesmaids, so I think it will be okay.  Besides, I get antsy during the summer, so a dozen or so table toppers will be a nice task to keep me busy.

We are narrowed down to two gorgeous venues.  In true teacher form, I made an anchor chart.

Yes, I hauled home a meter stick, sharpies, and anchor chart paper.  I went line by line to discuss the categories with B (and my mom on the phone) to see which venue had more strengths.  I'll be going over this chart with my future MIL and our officiant later today.  I know it's ultimately mine and B's decision, but I guess I just want validation from our closest loved ones that we're making the right decision.  It's a big decision, I'm only getting married once, so we want to do this right. 

And yes, true to form, I had a helper.  Chloe was very crucial in the prevention of straight lines on the chart.  

I'm overwhelmed by choices, so after looking at the venue today and making a decision, I'm taking a few days to think about colors.  In B's perfect world, he'd have a Denver Broncos themed wedding.  However, it's also my day!

I think the struggle I'm having is I don't want it to resemble anyone else's wedding.  Now that seems silly considering I'm pulling ideas from pinterest and bridal magazines, but we've had a lot of close friends get married in the past few years and I don't want to feel like we're stealing their colors.

Our friends, Laura and Ryan, did a red, black, and white classic color combo.  Two other weddings had grays with tones of purple.   Another was silver and burgundy.  One about a year ago was navy and deep green.  Yet another will be neutrals with shades of pale pink (outdoor spring wedding).  All these weddings were gorgeous, but I don't want to make our wedding like theirs.  (Yes, I'm probably overthinking things...that's what I do.)

I love fall shades, but I don't want deep red.  My undergraduate university, Arizona State, is maroon and gold.  As deep as my Sun Devil pride is...I don't want it to look like I'm having an ASU themed wedding.  Plus I think a deep shade of red will be too harsh on many of my bridesmaids.  

I plan to tell my bridesmaids what color to pick from David's Bridal and let them choose.  My only stipulation is that the gowns are floor length.  I know from experience I do not enjoy halter dresses, so I'd rather not put my best friends through a similar frustration of wearing something they don't feel comfortable in. 

While it may not seem like it, I am doing my best to keep my bridezilla moments and wedding mayhem to a minimum.  I think once the colors, venue, and date are decided, things will cool off and I can focus on the rest of my life.  I'm okay with having days where wedding planning is all I do, but I'm not okay with this wonderful wedding weekend taking over my whole life.  

It's one day.  One day with a year's worth of prep work, but it's still just one day.  

What collage would depict your life? Join the conversation, see the upcoming topics, and link up {here}.  If you're popping over from Brave Love or one of the linked blogs, hello and welcome!

Come on in!

A few days ago, I posted some {classroom pictures}, but I thought I'd add a few more.

Tomorrow marks day one, year seven of teaching fifth grade.  I'm sure I'm in for a restless night, but I've got thirty five ten year olds awaiting me, so I'll put on my game face and make the day amazing.

We were given these updated print outs for our Reading Ranger program.  Instead of just laminating them, I took the extra step to add some polka dot borders:

I think it makes it much cuter!  As an unintended bonus, they remind me of Minnie Mouse and a little Disney never heart anyone.

I also took the print outs of the Reading Ranger level expectations and put them in page protectors.  I bundled the page protectors with a book ring and hung them on a jumbo sized push pin.  They're still accessible to students, easily moveable, and take up much less wall space.  A win for all!

While we're near those signs, here's my reading corner:

Yes, that is an ASU t-shirt pillow you spy!  The yellow text books are the social studies ones that will go inside their desks.  One entire bookshelf is dedicated to Harry Potter, the Series of Unfortunate Events, and various books by Rick Riordan...and I'm not ashamed of it!

Here's an updated shot of our classroom command center:

I moved my diffuser and electronic sharpener to near my desk so they can be closely monitored!  

Our mystery bucket:

I draw a stick and specifically watch that student in line.  This year, instead of adding student/teacher points (because I'm {skipping that} this year), that student (if successful) will earn points in class dojo.  

This is what my students walk into:

There is a large welcome banner and blank desks (minus their water bottles, which are a first day treat.  They say I hope you're thirsty for knowledge.)  There is nothing inside their desks.  We will build our desks together.

Here's the ever-growing stack of agendas I'll pass out:

Along with our 8 math practices:

Here's some of the copies I'll need the first week.  Emphasis is on some.  

I can't wait until my classroom is filled with my students. I've been a bit lonely in there all by myself!

My Classroom

It's been a long few days and I'm not quite done, but without further ado, here is my classroom for the 2015-2016 school year!

My wreath:

I'd originally planned to hang it over my door, but I didn't like how it sat with the window.  I worried that if my door was slammed the wreath would break.  You can read more about the process of the crayon wreath {here}.

I made it stick out from the wall with strategically placed push pins:

My chair:

Not that I sit in it often, but this chair was a great investment.  I found it at Goodwill, store tags still attached, for ten dollars. 

My classroom command center:

It includes files that I need, our calendar, our Scholastic book code, our specials schedule, the treasure box, and my dropbox (where they turn in all papers to me).  Underneath the wobbly computer desk is a laundry bin that holds anchor charts and a pile of dictionaries.  I have bins under my dropbox and treasure box which hold math manipulatives and extra table supplies.  I wanted to make a space that was helpful to both myself and my students.  After all, it's not just my classroom.  It's our learning room.

I added a few more things to the wall beside my desk:

I just wanted to make my happy place a little more exciting.  The Eagles and stuffed eagle pendant are from my trip to DENSI 2015.  The painted V is signed by all my students from last year.  The YALE pendant is from my bestie.   The certificate is from Harry Reid as a thank you for my service (Teach for America). 

Our schedule board:

I purchased the border at Joann's and laminated it for durability.  The cards were a {free download} from TpT.

My banner:

It's from the dollar section at Joann's and is hung on my certificate.  I did have to add the twine myself, but thought this was adorable. 

My bulletin board:

I want to add washi tape as the trim for the tent, but it's mostly done!

Bulletin board letters:

This font is Swagger and downloaded from dafont.com.  I printed on scrapbook paper and hand cut them.  When I was done, several people offered me their cricuts. (Thanks gals, but before would have been better!)

Australia Cards

I love reading Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day with my students.  

Like Alexander, students have complex emotions and some times want to move to Australia.  These cards are a subtle indication to their neighbors to provide kindness and space.

Reading Ranger Goals Board:

I made the goals banner from a good find at the dollar spot at Target!

I also have my Harry Potter CAFE signs:

This {freebie} combines lots of my favorite things: Harry Potter, pink, and zebra print!

Here is one of their first day treats:

It's hot, so I wanted water.  It's healthy and I know there are no allergies! 

Tomorrow I'll be finishing my classroom, then doing my nails for the first day.

 

Classroom Crafts Recap

I'll be the first to admit that sometimes I spend too much time on Buzzfeed.

However, today I stumbled upon {an article} about 35 DIY classroom crafts and was hooked! 

Here are my recap thoughts:

1) Who is Where Board

Most of the ideas would take up too much space in my classroom.  It's not that I have a small room, but it's that fifth graders are much larger than first graders.  Higher numbers also mean that I'd need double of various things.

This "who is where" board for example:

Love it, however, it's not going to reasonably fit 34 magnets on it with student names.  My students struggle with remembering their numbers.  In case of an emergency, I'm not going to quickly remember who #18 is, so I'd want to put their names on the magnets...which means larger magnets and more space.  Realistically, I'd need two and then students would not put their numbers back on the right boards and then waste time finding their number...sigh.  So many different ways for this to fail with my fifth graders. 

It's cute...just not practical. 


2: Ziplock bag pockets

This I can get behind!  It'd be great for students to store flash cards or little reminders that go home to parents.  They could choose the duct tape and if it rips, there wasn't a large time or financial commitment to the task. 


3: Detergent Caps

I struggle with students and their pencils.  I'd love for each student to have a pencil box, but am unwilling to buy 34 of the same sized ones.  Plus pencil boxes tend to accumulate pencil shavings and secret notes, so I don't love them.  These however, could be a solution!

(If you'd like to contribute detergent lids to my craft project, I'd appreciate it!)


4: Crystal Lite Containers

They've been recovered and magnets have been added.  I like the idea of storing my markers horizontally to help them last.  I don't like the idea of permanent markers being stored so close to my white board because I see me using the wrong one. 


5: Old Tee Shirts

Oh yeah, did this my first year!  I've got ASU ones in my classroom.


6: Frosting Containers

The blog mentions using them to hold small items.  I'd use them to hold bulletin board borders!


7: Metacognition Paint Chips

 I use colored {responding cups} instead! 

8:  Pom Pom Erasers

Yeah...these look good for about thirty seconds.  I just have students use a sock instead.  


What craft projects do you have in your classroom?

Math explorations

I am a huge advocate of the use of manipulatives and hands-on exploration.  Right before spring break we dived into volume.

Our first day was focused on exploring cubic volume with cubes.  It was such a great opportunity to watch them struggle through the challenge sheets and learn from one another with no pressure of assessment.  

Their task:

They had a great time exploring with cubes.  I also frequently allow them to work on the floor and move around.  They're ten and need to wiggle sometimes.  I might as well embrace this and provide these opportunities in the classroom.
 

They had a specific task sheet (for accountability).  I gave them ten minutes to explore, then they shared with a partner (Kagan hand up, stand up, pair up, and share).
 

One group was super excited that their blocks were ASU colored!

After a day of exploration, we dived into strategies, formulas, and problem solving.  We spent a few days on regular shapes before diving into the irregular ones.  I posed the problem as a challenge and let them struggle as a team.  Most groups figured out that they could find the volumes separately, then add them together.  

They had so much fun exploring volume.  Instead of just giving them the formula, I felt it was more important for them to have hands-on practice exploring exactly what volume means.

Who says math can't be fun?