Our librarian posted this challenge for the New Year:
I love it, although I'm not sure I'll be able to finish it all.
Week 1 (01/01-01/07):
Alexander, Who's Trying His Best to Be the Best Boy Ever by Judith Viorst.
I literally just discovered this sequel to Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day and am using it in my class on Monday (1/08) to talk about goal setting and behavior.
I shall count it as the book with a name in the title:
So on to week 2!
Week 2 (01/08-1/14):
The Ship of the Dead by Rick Riordan.
I'm currently over 100 pages into it with high hopes of finish it soon (ya know, by the 14th). Since it's the third book in the Magnus Chase series, I'll check off the trilogy box when done.
Any suggestions for the other 50 books?
I take a lot of pride in my classroom library.
I have been blessed with several funded {donors choose} projects which have added new books to my classroom. I've also scoured gift shops, spent a lot of money at Scholastic, and raided my own childhood book collection. I want my students to have a cozy, literature-rich classroom.
I did have to do some shuffling of books. I looked through my library and removed any books that might not have third grade appropriate content (boy/girl relationships, middle school issues, etc). Those books are living in my garage.
We use AR testing as part of our Reading Ranger program, so {ar bookfind} has been my best friend. It's a free website that lets you look up the book level, quiz number, and summary of over one hundred thousand different books.
I record this AR information on sticky labels that I put on the inside cover of my books.
With Reading Rangers, we also have books color coded by level. These levels are grouped together and we all use the school's assigned dots. Luckily our school provides the dots for us:
I also have my library organized by grouping similar books together. While I respect the Reading Rangers program (even though it's not perfect because nothing is), I feel it's my job to create real readers.
When I go to the library, I don't go in looking for a 4.1 level fiction book that's worth 2 points. I might go in wanting a book on animals.
So that's how my library is organized: bins with themes. Inside there are books with a wide range of levels to best meet the needs of all my readers. To help my students remember where the books go, I put sticky labels on the outside of the books that match the book tubs:
I've had conversations with other teachers who love to tell me that my organization system is wrong. It's not wrong, it's just not what they're doing.
One of the benefits of working at home means I can do a few books on commercial breaks. One of the unintended consequences of working from home is help:
I've had a productive week labeling books and these beauties are ready to get into the hands of my students:
Happy reading! Show me your class libraries!
Next year, our school district will be undergoing some major calendar changes. Overall, I think it makes sense, which is a rare move on CCSD's behalf.
The Pros
1. We will be done before Memorial Day. In recent years, we've had a three day weekend for the holiday (obviously), then had the students return for a day and a half. While we made it work, it's a tad silly. Everything will be finalized, stamped, and sealed before the holiday weekend.
2. The first semester will actually end at Winter Break. Again, a wise choice. In the past, the first semester went in through January, with the idea that students could study over the holiday break (or make up missing work). In elementary school, this isn't really a big deal. However, it was quite frustrating for middle and high school teachers (and students). First semester trickling over into January wasn't the best idea. It also meant teachers got the joys of feeling pressure to grade make up work, essays, etc. With everything wrapped up nicely before the two weeks off, it makes all involved players just a tad happier. Plus, it's a fresh start (with fresh courses for some) in the new year.
3. Thanksgiving Break. To be fair, we enjoyed a week off at Thanksgiving last year too and I'm glad they kept this in our new calendar schedule.
For 28 weeks of the year, teachers report 64 minutes early on a chosen day. We voted to keep our Wednesday morning start time at 7:22 (instead of 8:26). Other schools have this contract time after school, or split it into two periods, but each school got the flexibility to decide when this SBCT (site based collaboration time) would occur.
We used our time for professional development with Close Reads, Read by 3 materials, behavior interventions, training on students in trauma, planning for APTT (Academic Parent Teacher Team meetings), and professional book studies. (Most of these PD opportunities I assisted in planning and executing, so I was rather pleased to find that a vast majority of the time was spent in a useful manner and well received by most of the staff.)
These extra 64 minutes, 28 times a year, add up to four contracted days for teachers. Three of them are used to extend Thanksgiving Break to a full week (Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday are now off). The fourth day is either used for Election Day (let's not mess up the next election everyone) or for Easter Monday. This upcoming year we will be having Easter Monday, which means Spring Break gets an extra day off.
4. President's Day Weekend.
I don't know what scheduling gurus snuck this gem into the calendar, but I'll take it! We have school through Valentine's Day (which is a Wednesday this upcoming year), but have off Thursday and Friday. That's in addition to Monday being off for President's Day.
So basically we'll provide copious amounts of sugar in the form of red and pink frosting, then send the kiddos to their families for a five day weekend. Sounds good to me!
The Cons
1. School starts earlier. Students start Monday, August 14th. Teachers have a mandatory reporting date of the 9th, but schools open on the 1st. I plan to go back in the 3rd because with a new curriculum to learn and a room to set up, I'll need extra time. The decision to go back early is more fully explained {here}.
Temperatures are still uncomfortably warm and some schools may not have adequate air conditioning. Or the AC won't make it through the day. Or we'll have heat advisories on the black top and host indoor recess. None of these situations are exceptionally fun for students or teachers.
2. We have off Friday, October 27th for Nevada Day. But Halloween falling on a Tuesday practically guarantees a partial week of the following scenarios:
a) Students who have consumed way too much candy and are experiencing sugar crashes.
b) Students who are extremely tired from staying out too late on a school night and try to fall asleep in class.
c) Students who sneak candy into class. While this is a tad irritating, it's also potentially dangerous for students with peanut allergies.
3. We've got a short summer. Last year, we started August 29th and enjoyed a 12 week summer. School ended June 8th. We go back in the middle of August this upcoming year, leaving a 9 week summer. That's a little rough.
Additional Changes
I don't know if it's for all of CCSD or just my school site, but we've moved parent-teacher conferences from December to October. The rationale behind this move is that in October, there's still time for students to catch up during the first semester. Interventions can occur. There is some teacher squawking about this being "too early", but honestly, it's seven weeks into the school year. By seven weeks in, all initial benchmarks should be completed (for students who start on the first day) and teachers should have a pretty good grasp of what students are struggling with.
December conferences were a little trickier. By four months in, the honeymoon period is over and teachers are blessed with seeing the full range of these lively personalities. We know our students pretty well.
Parents and families struggled to get time off, meaning I was super flexible with time and stayed long past my contract time. My rationale was that if parents had the opportunity to take time off from work, they should spend it with their families during the holidays...not sitting in my classroom for a thirty minute meeting. I am also fully aware this cut into my own family time, but I have an incredibly supportive husband who made dinner each night I worked late. Granted, smaller class sizes in third grade will mean I'll have a dozen less conferences to hold. Plus, by December, for the most part, first semester grades are set. There's not a lot of magical work that can be done in two weeks to make up for the first four months of the school year.
While I'm not thrilled I have about a month of summer break left, I am excited about the upcoming school year.
What a beautiful way to start a Friday! Even more awesome? Some of my students' families donated to our classroom.
After today's math test and mapping test, we'll be making some thank you cards!
But first, we've got to dive into our new books:
#blackgirlmagic
I've got my hands full with thirty six students. Many of my students, especially my boys, are reluctant readers. They want "cool" books, which apparently, in the logic of ten year olds, I'm lacking.
So I posted a new donorschoose {project}. I'm requesting sports themed graphic novels in addition to books on monsters, Greek Mythology, mysteries, and spies. I'm hoping these "cool" books will hook my reluctant readers and help them reach their new years goals.
For the next week, you can double your impact by using the code DISNEYCREATIVITY at checkout. Donations are tax-deductible and very much appreciated!
One of the best things about being an elementary school teacher is that I get to read books and legitimately call it "work".
I gave myself the goal of reading all eight books for our battle of the books competition:
Rooftoppers
Words With Wings
Ava and Pip
The Crossover
Wild Born
Binny for Short
A Snicker of Magic
The Right Word
The competition is in April, so I've got roughly a book a month.
I checked out Ava and Pip for my next read because my students were enjoying it.
I'm also conquering Text-Dependent Questions by Fisher and Frey for graduate school, so that takes top priority (seeing how class ends November 22nd).
Also on my list of books to read:
Love and Logic (professional book)
Wonder
The Lemonade War
What else should I read?!
For me, there is no greater joy than my students falling in love with reading.
Their excitement when I show off new Scholastic book orders is contagious.
I give them the book orders, our class code for online ordering, and five minutes to look at the books. I share with them that when they place orders, I get credit towards new books to buy. I give them about three weeks to pay for their books before I take their orders. (If they are doing chores to earn books, I want to make sure they've got time to do so!)
I placed our first order on Saturday and earned some free books for the classroom.
Our books should ship within 7-10 days, so they'll have them soon.
I also make a big production out of the books when they arrive, which inspires them to want to buy more next time.
New books always bring excitement in my classroom.
How do you encourage reading?
Folks, the struggle is real.
I'm trying to prioritize reading as a way to unwind nightly. The problem is portion control. One more chapter turns into finishing the book and having very little sleep the next day.
Internet memes reveal I'm not the only one with this problem. Folks, I've got a problem...and I'm not sure I want to fix it.
I'm currently working on Al Capone Does My Homework.
I've read the other two and this one does not disappoint.
Next up is Wonder, which I've heard amazing things about!
I stumbled on these gems at Target today and it took all my will power not to buy them.
I'm anxiously waiting this gem:
And am still wanting to find hard cover (not kindle) versions of these cross overs:
Sigh. So many books, so little time! I'm also pleased to announce that I'll be doing Battle of the Books again, so I'll want to read those eight books as well.
What are you eager to read?
(PS, I can register for books for my wedding, right?!)
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.
My last few days of summer are here and honestly, I'm quite okay with it. I had an amazing summer and will return to work feeling refreshed and energized for the year ahead. I've got some great new ideas for things to try in my classroom, courtesy of my DEN tribe. I go back to my classroom on Wednesday and my bags are already packed!
I'm spending today doing various adult things (laundry, dishes, Costco) but breaking it up with fun activities (20% off my whole purchase at Joann's?! Yes please!) and girl time (Starbucks date with one of the nicest people at my work).
Tomorrow will be a day devoted to Netflix and finishing a book I started (Al Capone does my homework).
I've read the first two and created TpT guides for them, so this is my next task. The narrator is a young boy (Moose) whose father is a guard (now associate Warden) on Alcatraz Island in the 1930's. The book follows his interactions with other children, including his older autistic sister Natalie, and famous (infamous?) inmates. I use this to illustrate the importance of setting with my students.
I also finished this:
In high school, I loved Sloppy Firsts (and the four sequels that followed). As cliche as it sounds, I grew up with this character (Jessica Darling) and her adventures.
I was really excited when I found a preteen prequel (and really, really excited when it was only $5 thanks to Scholastic's book flyers). However, I was hesitant to put it in my classroom library because of the possible content.
I vividly remember loaning Sloppy Firsts to a friend, only to have it returned several days later with a scathing note from the girl's mother inside about the profanity and filth of the novel. The first book is a sixteen year old's diary where she deals with the frustrations of high school, seemingly unfair parents, and the struggles of being yourself while trying to fit in. I'd be fine if high schoolers read the novel, but not my ten year old munchkins. They're already in a hurry to grow up too fast, so they don't need to read about the sagas of high school.
However, the It List focuses on Jessica's adjustment to middle school. In this story, middle school starts in seventh grade, but our district has middle school in sixth. There's not much of an age gap between my students and the ones in this book, but I decided to read it first just to make sure it'd be fine to place in my library.
It will be. The main character deals with jealousy issues with her best friend (she got her braces off!), trying out for the cheerleading team, dealing with new friends, and trying to figure out a mysterious boy in wood shop. (Spoiler, it's Marcus.)
It was a quick read and apparently there's a sequel. It comes in at a 5.3 reading level and 7 AR points, so it's a good fit for my fifth graders.
I'm fired up for August, how about you?!
