Taking the Plunge!

You can follow Tracy at her new blog: The Knit Wit Teacher

This year we really want to focus on becoming presenters. Michelle and I have both presented to our district and building teachers but now we would like to present to others. Last night we took that first step....

We have submitted our information at the state level and are now included on a list of other presenters. Last night we took the step and started applying for conferences held within school districts in Indiana.

This is a big step for us. Wish us luck!!!

The Not-So-Crafty Teacher and Anchor Charts

You can follow Tracy at her new blog: The Knit Wit Teacher

Sometimes when I'm looking around on Pinterest I end up feeling bad about my teaching or parenting ability because I am just not that crafty. I'm learning how to knit, I can crochet a bit, and I've recently learned how to make a wreath but after that I'm not so crafty.

When I see super cute Anchor charts on Pinterest my first thought is that "I can't make that!!! GRRRR" but I've learned that I can make something close. It took me a few years to realize there is another way besides chart paper.

I don't know about you, but I cannot write on chart paper. By the bottom of the chart my writing is sideways and my pictures just look wonky. This year I embraced change and started using regular size construction paper and then making an "Anchor Chart Wall". 

While I'm writing on construction paper I have my paper under my document camera and my kiddos are making the same chart in their notebooks. When we are done they then take their iPads and can screen shot our chart so they can use it at home for review without taking their notebooks home.

Now if you look closely, you can see that I am not an artist by any means. I teach my kids that we all are not artist but we do the best we can. Don't worry if your picture is different than mine, just do your best.

I know my papers are not spaced evenly and I'm not sure how my OCD has tolerated that this long but it just shows we all aren't perfect, regardless of how it seems on Pinterest!

How do you do Anchor Charts in your classroom?

-Tracy

January Currently

You can follow Tracy at her new blog: The Knit Wit Teacher

One resolution I have this year is to stay on top of blogging. What better way to get started than to join Oh' Boy 4th Grade for the January Currently. Hop on over to Farley's blog to check it out.

Listening: Every year my husband and I have stayed up and watched The Lord of the Rings trilogy to bring in the New Year. This year we are switching it up and watching The Hobbit. We haven't watched the 3rd movie yet but will hopefully watch it on date night.

Loving: This weekend we are taking the kids to Indianapolis and staying the night and then going to the Children's Museum the next day. The kids are super excited about staying in a hotel while I'm excited to just be out of the house and eating out.

Thinking: ISTEP is freaking me out. Having never taught in an ISTEP grade before I didn't realize the pressure that is put on teachers to cram material in before the test. My kiddos this year are really struggling with long division and I worry I won't get through everything in time before the test.

Wanting: Last winter in Southern Indiana was down right awful. I think in the month of January I went to school 7 days. It was awful. The bitter cold and snow was constant it seemed. I'm praying this year we get a pass.

Needing: The next 3 weeks I will be teaching Fact / Opinion. While looking for lessons I keep finding material for lower elementary. It's proving difficult finding lessons that are on a 4th grade level.

Yes: My goal is to blog like I want to and should. I'm having a difficult time finding a balance to get everything in. I want to become a successful blogger. I just need to find my groove. :)

Maybe: Build up my savings. My husband and I really want to build up our savings by putting 10% of each check back. It seems that our family emergencies keep depleting our savings every time we start to see a gain. It's nice that we've had the savings to pull from but I really want to focus on building it up.

I Wish: Down the road I would like to transition into becoming a presenter. I've presented at conferences within my building and within my district but I want to branch out and go beyond. My district is 1:1 with devices and I truly feel my calling is helping other teachers implement technology in the classroom without taking away from instruction.

Thank you for taking the time to read. Have a fabulous New Year!

-Tracy

Christmas Writing

You can follow Tracy at her new blog: The Knit Wit Teacher

I know, I know, I know. I had every intention of being a better blogger but that just didn't happen! Sorry friends.

I finished up my Christmas Writing mini-unit tonight. I think my kiddos are going to love this one.

I had a lot of fun making this one and I can't wait to use it next week with my class. I realized that I needed to take a step back after our Halloween writing so this week I'm focusing on several mini-lessons prior to our writing unit. 

My class is really struggling with being descriptive writers and giving the reader enough details to make a good mental picture with. This week I'm going to focus on re-teaching mental images and using adjectives along with "Show Don't Tell". 

What's going on in your classrooms? 

Science/SS Test

Test Post

Reading Labels Test

Test for Labels

Whew! It's been Crazy! Five for Friday

You can follow Tracy at her new blog: The Knit Wit Teacher

To say the last month has been busy would be an understatement! Now that I'm on fall break I have the time to catch you up on everything that has been going on in 4th grade.

When I last blogged I told you about how my room was having mold issues. I'm happy to report that I now have tile in my classroom!!!! The old smelly carpet is gone and in it's place is this beautiful tile floor.

I can't tell you the difference it has made. I'm breathing so much easier now. I haven't had to use my inhaler once since the carpet has been taken out.

Going from carpet to tile has made my room look amazing. Check out the difference!

 

I've had the tile for a few weeks now and I'm still marveling at the difference. My room smells so nice now and the tile really brightens it up. I'm simply in love. 

That being said, I have now moved everything out of my classroom and back into my classroom 4 times since school started! But it was completely worth it so I don't mind a bit. 

When I haven't been moving my room I've slowly been working on Math Vocabulary Cards. I finally finished these up today. Thank goodness for Fall Break! 

192 math vocabulary cards as of today! It took many late nights to get these babies finished but I'm happy with the final product. Hopefully my kiddos love them as much as I do. 

I've also been working on making sight words flash cards for Owyn and Gavin. Now, I know these aren't 4th grade material but they turned out so cute I had to share. 

Don't you just love those fall colors! My dear friend Jena from Sew Much Music made them. I've fallen in love with all things fall at the moment. If you'd like this clipart set grab it below.  

I had my first Mommy freak out over a book my 8 year old daughter Leah was reading this week. She was reading The Summer of Moonlight Secrets by Danette Hawworth. It was a 4.0 reading level and looked to be right up her alley.

We were discussing it one night and she started telling me she didn't understand what was going on because it kept switching. I started flipping through the book and realized she meant the POV of the person speaking kept changing between characters. No biggie. I started reading and talking with her about the book and then I came across this passage:

“ She looks up at me, causing my heart to race, but I’m not nervous. A sure current pulses through my body and I feel like I’m on another planet. I reach out and smooth her hair like I’d wanted to the other day. When my hand touches her through, I feel her beating as fast as mine. 

I kiss her. Oh, my God, I kiss her. Her lips are soft and strawberry and her arms go around my neck. It’s better than I ever imagined, and it’s over way too soon. 

The next breath I take is pure satisfaction. My eyelids feel heavy. I look at her and smile. “You’re so pretty.” I want to stroke her hair, touch her cheek. I want to kiss her again." (p.144)

Now, I have no problem reading romance books. I actually read them all the time. The wording of this passage was a bit much for my 8 year old though. I stopped her reading the book because I was unsure of what was to come.  I then questioned if that was the right choice. What do you think? It that appropriate for an 8 year old? 

After I stopped her reading of The Summer of Moonlight Secrets I had Leah start reading The Doll People by Ann M. Martin. If you don't have this series in your classroom you must add it to your collection. Such a cute read. It grabbed Leah's interest from the start and she read it in 3 days. She's now on book 2 and loving it as well. 

I just finished up my first quarter in 4th grade and I have to say it's been an eye opening experience. Stay tuned for my thoughts...

-Tracy