tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55614758951135425552024-03-12T17:36:12.254-07:00Mrs. Luna's Trials in 1st GradeBeing a teacher is full of many ideas on how to reach the starving minds of your students...this blog is my journey, my many trials and errors in the classroom.Mrs. Lunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16416633299528814958noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5561475895113542555.post-70370448016554075772011-08-10T12:27:00.000-07:002011-08-10T13:49:05.277-07:00Back to School Activity: "What's your name?"<img alt="Fun in First" src="http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i366/dreamlikemagic/button-72.png" /> <a href="http://s1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff492/mrspereasclass/?action=view&current=button3.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="200" src="http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff492/mrspereasclass/button3.jpg" width="198" /></a><br />
I can't believe back to school is right around the corner. I'm not sure if I'm ready yet (can't I just spend a couple more days in my pajamas?) But ready or not, here it is. I thought I would share one of my favorite back to school activities. <a href="http://fun-in-first.blogspot.com/2011/07/whats-your-favorite-back-to-school.html">Click here for more back to school activities...</a><br />
<br />
I think it's ESSENTIAL to read<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0061119741/ref=sib_dp_pt#reader-link"><img alt="Chrysanthemum Big Book" border="0" height="300" id="prodImage" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51fR%2B7ndPyL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" width="300" /></a>In case you haven't read this book, it's about a little mouse with a really big name, Chrysanthemum. It teaches children that everyone's name is special to them and it's not nice to make fun of anyone's name. I often catch myself reminding the students with one word if I do catch someone making fun of anyone's name by just saying, "Chrysanthemum." Very important book for 1st graders! <a href="http://mrspereasclass.blogspot.com/2011/07/kissing-hand-linky-party.html?spref=bl">Other good books for the 1st day of school.</a><br />
<br />
Then I pass out a half piece of colored construction paper with their name already written on it (see my post on handwriting for further explanation on how I teach children to write). Their homework that night is to ask their parents how they got their names and to decorate the piece of paper. <br />
<br />
When the students return to school, they share their decorated name and how they got their names. It really helps me get to know the students. After everyone is done sharing, I tape their decorated names over a clothes pin I hot glue on the cabinets. These pins I use to display their classwork or their writing. I keep their names up there all year long, I love looking at their special names and the unique way they decorate them. :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://teachinginheels.blogspot.com/"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="247" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iNrs2g1fk_U/TkFt8XqisdI/AAAAAAAABYM/OPd7HgNmrnI/s1600/Teacher+Tuesday.jpg" width="180" /></a>Check out <a href="http://teachinginheels.blogspot.com/2011/08/teacher-tuesday.html">Teaching In Heel's Linky Party</a></div>Mrs. Lunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16416633299528814958noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5561475895113542555.post-25228183555789581062011-08-10T12:06:00.000-07:002011-08-10T12:06:48.281-07:00Word WallI got the idea to write about how I use my word wall after reading about <a href="http://msk1ell.blogspot.com/2011/05/word-wall-linky-party.html">Ms. M's Word Wall</a>. It's so interesting to hear how different schools/teachers do things.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://msk1ell.blogspot.com/2011/05/word-wall-linky-party.html"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9VbqyTu55rU/TeLQRw3RJ8I/AAAAAAAAAmE/ct_WtwpxvYw/s200/Screen+shot+2011-05-29+at+6.00.26+PM.png" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is what my Word Wall looks like...</div><br />
<img alt="" aria-busy="false" aria-describedby="fbPhotoTheaterCaption" class="spotlight" height="240" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/38644_513371379480_199900698_30512979_4426021_n.jpg" width="320" />Here is a picture of my Word Wall. I got the idea from a substitute who took over a class from a teacher who was on maternity leave. Her classroom was very small and she turned a small space into her Word Wall. When her time was done, she gave me this ABC train. <br />
<br />
<strong>Pros: </strong>This is set up on a dry wall, so I simply staple (shhhh, don't tell) the words to the wall as we add them each week. You can't see it from the picture, but my Writing Station is actually located under my Word Wall. Sometimes during writing time, I let my children sit at this table so they can add one of their new words to their writing. <br />
<br />
If I see them looking back at the Word Wall, I make a huge deal of it.<br />
"Did I just see you looking at the Word Wall? That is so smart! You are using your resources to help make your writing better!" :)<br />
<br />
My co-worker did this every week last year, I think I'm going to <em>borrow </em>her awesome idea. She CLAPS out all her word wall words. <br />
<br />
"A (clap) is for... a, and, as<br />
B (clap) is for... be, because, been"<br />
etc....<br />
<br />
<strong>Cons</strong>: I have to step on a chair to reach the top of the alphabet and also sometimes the space can get limited towards the middle to end of the school year. Also, my Word Wall is located at the back of the room, this is a good thing and bad thing because my students have to turn around to see it BUT it helps them start to memorize how to spell their high frequency words.<br />
<br />
This year, I typed out all the high frequency words in colorful paper. I did write the words on a sentence strip (cut it to fit), but I think this will make it look more professional and will be easier to read.Mrs. Lunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16416633299528814958noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5561475895113542555.post-69852890964771084322011-08-08T19:03:00.000-07:002011-08-08T19:03:47.951-07:00Top Ten Reasons Linky PartyWooohooo, <a href="http://tunstalltimes.blogspot.com/2011/08/top-ten-reasons-you-know-it-is-back-to.html">Mrs. Tunstall's having a linky party!</a> Link up, what are your top ten reasons you know it's back to school time?<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">10. Blood pressure starts to go up again :)</span><br />
<span style="color: orange;">9. Like Mrs. Bainbridge said, the nightmares about things going terribly wrong my 1st few days occur</span><br />
<span style="color: yellow;">8. Difficulty sleeping, too many ideas running through my head</span><br />
<span style="color: lime;">7. I begin stocking up on easy 5 min or less lunches</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;">6. The school's laminating machine AND the copy machine run out </span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">5. My school e-mail springs back to life</span><br />
<span style="color: purple;">4. Lakeshore, ReallyGoodStuff, TeacherDirect, OrientalTrading, Scholastics boxes litter my classroom</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">3. The crayons are new!</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">2. You're tempted to peak in your co-workers rooms to see their new bulletin board/classroom theme</span><br />
<span style="color: orange;">1. There's a fight over the limited supply of travel coffee mugs, between me and my hubby ;)</span>Mrs. Lunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16416633299528814958noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5561475895113542555.post-80372174575495848782011-08-08T09:51:00.000-07:002011-08-10T11:42:52.401-07:00Nervous/Excited About New School Year Linky Party<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It's a brand new school year and to celebrate, let's have a <b>linky party<i></i></b>!</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.teachingblogaddict.com/2011/05/ultimate-linky-party.html"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Now apart of TBA's Ultimate Linky Party!</span></a><br />
<br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1. Post a link to this blog on your page mentioning this linky party</span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">2. What's one thing that you're <strong>nervous about</strong> for the upcoming school year?</span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">3. What's one thing that you're <strong>excited about</strong>?</span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">4. If you're linking up, post a link to your blog in the comment section</span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">5. Click a link of someone else's blog (in the comment section) and comment</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
<span style="color: purple;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: purple;"><b>I'm </b><b>nervous</b> about a lot with this new school year fast approaching. One of the biggest things is that one of my co-workers requested me to be their child's teacher! I'm nervous that I won't live up to her expectations! Any tips? Please comment! :)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
<span style="color: purple;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: purple;"><b>I'm </b><b>excited</b> about doing the Daily 5 instead of Literacy Stations. I tried it this summer during summer school and I think it worked wonderfully! I can't wait to see how much growth my class shows in reading this year!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
<span style="color: purple;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Thanks for linking up!</span>Mrs. Lunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16416633299528814958noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5561475895113542555.post-21791620767890950542011-08-02T20:06:00.000-07:002011-08-02T20:06:01.847-07:00Currently, I am...linky partyLinking up with <a href="http://ohboy3rdgrade.blogspot.com/2011/08/currently-i-am.html">Oh Boy 4th Grade</a> for their "Currently, I am" linky party!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>listening </strong>Adele, can't get enough of her CD</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>loving- </strong>"The Help"</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>thinking-</strong> about getting ready for the new school year</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>wanting- </strong>to make my very own linky party</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>needing- </strong>some new followers! :)</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>& </strong></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>stalking- </strong></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong<br />
<br />
Mrs. Bainbridge<br />
Teaching Blog Addict<br />
Funky in First Grade<br />
<br />
Mrs. Lunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16416633299528814958noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5561475895113542555.post-1947293026869973932011-07-31T19:40:00.000-07:002011-07-31T19:40:27.111-07:00Snack TimeIn response to <a href="http://bainbridgeclass.blogspot.com/2011/07/tasty-linky-party.html">Mrs. Bainbridge's Tasty Linky Party</a> here is my classroom procedures during snack time.<br />
<br />
Each month on the back of my behavior plan I used a simple grid in Microsoft Word that I turned into a calendar (I added clip art with my classroom theme). It had the date and a name in each box. If I had lots of snacks in reserve, I would have a "Teacher" day and I would pass out leftovers with the iconic 1st grade motto, "You get what you get, and you don't throw a fit."<br />
<br />
In the morning of each child's snack day, they simply took the snack from their backpack and placed it on the counter for when we had snack time. This way, I could check the snack and make sure that it didn't contain any peanuts (we have a peanut allergy in the classroom). We would have snack right after P.E. in the last hour of the day. While the children were eating, I would continue my lesson or they would eat and work. <br />
<br />
<u>Requirements</u><br />
Easy to pass out, no mess<br />
Contains no peanuts<br />
No drinks required (Capri-suns or juice boxes OK if desired)<br />
Health snacks preferred<br />
<br />
<u>Pros</u><br />
Parents only had to worry about bringing snack once a month<br />
We did not miss any instruction time<br />
We had a variety of snacks every day<br />
The extras were saved for a day we didn't have snack brought in<br />
Birthdays could be celebrated during snack time (birthday child's snack day & birthday were the same, in case they wanted to bring in something special<br />
<br />
<u>Cons</u><br />
Sometimes parents would forget (especially towards the end of the year or during baseball season)<br />
If many students forgot in one week, we would be out of reserves<br />
Checking for allergies<br />
<br />
<u>What I would do to improve it</u><br />
Send a snack schedule more than just once a month, bi-weekly<br />
Provide a list of acceptable snack, perhaps even budget friendly snacks<br />
<br />
At the end of the year, I surveyed the parents and most of them said that they just needed a little more reminding but they did really love the fact that they only had to worry about snack once a month.Mrs. Lunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16416633299528814958noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5561475895113542555.post-67883720029063184472011-07-30T00:06:00.000-07:002011-07-30T00:19:25.328-07:00Class Pet Peeves Linky Blog HopGuess who's hosting a Blog Hop! <a href="http://thebubblyblondeteacher.blogspot.com/">Check Out The Bubbly Blonde Teacher!</a><br />
<br />
I love my job and it was very difficult thinking about the different things that annoy me. It comes with a little training in the beginning of each year.<br />
<br />
1. Hearing my name a million times a day. "Mrs. Luna, Mrs. Luna, Mrs. Luna." Sometimes I say, "Stop Mrs. Lunaing me!"<br />
2. TAPPING! There is nothing more annoying than feeling a little tap tap on your leg, shoulder, arm, back, tummy. (It's usually accompanies "Mrs. Lunaing me") <br />
3. Being coughed on or sneezed on. Gross!<br />
<br />
<script basic_linky_include.aspx?id="99944"" src="<a href=" www.linkytools.com="">
http://www.linkytools.com/basic_linky_include.aspx?id=99944</a>" type="text/javascript" >
</script><br />
<script basic_linky_include.aspx?id="99944"" src="<a href=" www.linkytools.com="">
http://www.linkytools.com/basic_linky_include.aspx?id=99944</a>" type="text/javascript" >
</script><script basic_linky_include.aspx?id="99944"" src="<a href=" www.linkytools.com="">
http://www.linkytools.com/basic_linky_include.aspx?id=99944</a>" type="text/javascript" >
</script><br />
<script basic_linky_include.aspx?id="99944"" src="<a href=" www.linkytools.com="">
http://www.linkytools.com/basic_linky_include.aspx?id=99944</a>" type="text/javascript" >
</script>Mrs. Lunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16416633299528814958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5561475895113542555.post-86099088682557524702011-07-29T16:27:00.000-07:002011-07-29T16:27:42.711-07:00Fill in the Blank Friday<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong> </strong></span><tbody>
<tr><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong> </strong></span><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;"><strong>Join Playground Duty for Fill in the Blank Friday!</strong></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 20px;">1. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 20px;"> My favorite color is...</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 20px;"><u>lime green (sometimes it's hot pink though)</u></span></strong></span><br />
<div style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong></strong></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong> </strong></span><br />
<div style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">2. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">My travel destination of choice is...<u>to another country for a new adventure! :)</u></span></strong></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong> </strong></span><br />
<div style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong></strong></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong> </strong></span><br />
<div style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">3. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">My favorite food is...<u>anything my husband cooks! :)</u></span></strong></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong> </strong></span><br />
<div style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong></strong></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong> </strong></span><br />
<div style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">4. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">My happy place is...<u>my childhood summer camp, every summer from 3rd grade till 12th.</u></span></strong></span></span></div><br />
<div style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><br />
<div style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>5. My favorite saying is...<u>"If you sprinkle while you tinkle, be sweet and wipe the seat!" Works with husbands too haha!</u></strong></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong> </strong></span><br />
<div style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>6. My dirty little secret is...<u>I lock my door and turn off my classroom light so I can get some work done without any interruptions from co-workers, sorry ya'll!</u></strong></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong> </strong></span><br />
<div style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>7. Something friends might say about me is that I...<u>am funny and outgoing.</u></strong></span></span></span></span></div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><u></u></strong></span></span></span> </div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://thesilverlininginteaching.blogspot.com/2011/07/fill-in-blank-friday.html#comment-form">Thanks Silver Lining Teaching!</a></span></span></span></div>Mrs. Lunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16416633299528814958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5561475895113542555.post-18389020561080573722011-07-29T16:10:00.000-07:002011-07-29T16:10:16.140-07:00My New (School) Year's ResolutionMy resolutions are...<br />
<br />
1. Get to school earlier in the morning<br />
2. Recruit parent involvement & help more than before<br />
3. Create a calm, positive learning environment for all studentsMrs. Lunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16416633299528814958noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5561475895113542555.post-8668099767759670382011-07-29T15:49:00.000-07:002011-07-29T15:49:27.348-07:00Our handwriting song!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BmfuUPobjAs/TTHAM6uyj0I/AAAAAAAAALY/e8XTEKEBI6o/s1600/handwriting+pic.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BmfuUPobjAs/TTHAM6uyj0I/AAAAAAAAALY/e8XTEKEBI6o/s320/handwriting+pic.gif" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This idea isn't mine, but a fabulous idea I adapted from one of my co-workers. It worked so well last year.<br />
<br />
At first, I talk to the children about their "1st grade lines" or their "big kid lines" (because big kids write in the lines). I tell them that there's a head line (I put my hands on my head), mid line (hands on my hips), and a base line (hands on down). I tell them that SOME letters "hang their bottoms down"<br />
<br />
I have all the children stand up and we simply sing the ABC song (looking at the lower case letters)except we sing a little song when we get to the ones that dip below the line ...<br />
"a (hands on hips)<br />
b(hands on head)<br />
c(hips)<br />
d (head)<br />
e (hips)<br />
f (head)<br />
g...ggggggggg??? (hands out like we're confused) Hang your bottoms down down, hang your bottoms down, some letters stand real tall (hands on head) some sit on the line (hands on hips) and some hang their bottoms down down (shake ourselves down).<br />
h (head)<br />
i(hips)<br />
j...jjjjjjjjjj???? (hands out like we're confused) Hang your bottoms down down, hang your bottoms down, some letters stand real tall (hands on head) some sit on the line (hands on hips) and some hang their bottoms down down (shake ourselves down)."<br />
<br />
and we do that all the way to Z. The kids are exhausted and all smiles by the time we're done with the alphabet, but it teaches them the be mindful of where each letter is and how it's formed.<br />
<br />
If you have questions, post below. I hope it was clear enough! :)Mrs. Lunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16416633299528814958noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5561475895113542555.post-19027362997038648292011-07-28T21:07:00.000-07:002011-07-28T21:08:35.642-07:00Dance & Learn Phonics!Every classroom is different and every child is different. We learned this in college when we discovered that there are visual, kinesthetic, auditory, and verbal learners (tell me if I left any out). In my classroom, I like to do a lot of motions or songs to help ALL my children learn. I know that some will get it when I'm telling them, others will get it when they tell me or explain it to another child, and some will get it when they see it....but what about the kinesthetic learners!? <br />
<br />
Vocabulary, math, phonics...wherever I can, I try to incorporate hand motions or a dance or a song w/ motions.<br />
<br />
I've had children in my class who had attention problems and even one special little guy with a hearing problem. This helped me reach them and even out the playing field.<br />
<br />
Here's a program I'm purchasing right now. Take a look at the adorable videos and you'll see how ALL the children are engaged and up and moving (we all know that the little ones need to move constantly).<br />
<br />
<a href="http://heidisongs.com/Sounds_Fun_Phonics/SoundsFunPhonics.html">Heidi Songs</a><br />
<br />
Post a comment and let me know what you think. What do you do in your classroom for your diverse learners?Mrs. Lunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16416633299528814958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5561475895113542555.post-80728892739234173552011-07-28T20:00:00.000-07:002011-07-28T20:00:16.798-07:00Linking Party!Check out this awesome giveaway!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://primaryconnections-beth.blogspot.com/2011/07/do-you-feel-lucky.html?showComment=1311908024096#c4837160680789552310">Link up!</a>Mrs. Lunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16416633299528814958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5561475895113542555.post-72826459683055773732011-07-27T12:30:00.000-07:002011-07-27T12:30:17.104-07:00Expectations & Managing great classroom behavior<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://teacherweb.com/AR/SouthsideElementary/MrsTinaDunn/schoolsay.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://teacherweb.com/AR/SouthsideElementary/MrsTinaDunn/schoolsay.gif" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If there's one thing that I'm good at, it's developing my behavior expectations immediately and maintaining my expectations throughout the year. I never thought my scary professor in college, the one who dressed to the tee every time we had class but when you came up and asked a question...you realized that there was a thousand little toilets on his tie, would make such a huge impact on me.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I am a very young-looking (I've been asked if I was a 5th grader before) new teacher. Parents would mistakenly think that I wouldn't be able to control my classroom, but little do they know I'm the one the older teachers send their children to.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Here's my tricks:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">1. <strong>Never yell</strong>- if you yell, the student realizes that they can get a reaction out of you and they know you're no longer in control. Besides, you would not want your child's teacher yelling at your baby.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">2. <strong>Be firm</strong>- I don't threaten. I give one warning and if the child continues to misbehave I follow through with a logical consequence. All the while, I'm staying calm.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">3. <strong>Give the children a voice</strong>- ask questions to understand the child's reasoning of doing a particular behavior. My supervising teacher in my student teaching would say, "I....I...." to encourage the students to focus on THEIR behavior (I always thought she sounded like the seagulls in Finding Nemo).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">4. <strong>Be fair</strong>- Set the expectation for the entire class. There's always that one child in class that never gets in trouble, but they need to be held to the same standards as everyone else. A rule is a rule, an expectation is what I expect.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">5. <strong>Consult- </strong>Every year and every child is different. I still find myself shocked when a student displays a behavior I've never encountered before. Asking other teachers who may have had this experience before is a great way to get an outsiders perspective. When talking to the parents, I often inquire about the child's well-being or if this is a behavior seen at home.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">6. <strong>Be loving-</strong> My students have consequences because I love them. I'm sad that they're making bad choices, but even the most difficult student to love probably needs it the most. I try to find something wonderful in each student. If I don't respect them, they won't respect me.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>Here's what happened recently:</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I had a student who was having an off day. He didn't want to work and it seemed like he was a little frustrated when I did my non-verbal reminders (tap tap on a desk her, pointing to the assignment there). After station time, I called the class over to on the carpet for a story. I noticed that he hadn't picked up his station. He looked like a bomb about to explode when I called his name and pointed to his area.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">"Do you need help picking up these things?" he nods and I send a classmate over to help him clean up.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The classmate returns with one of the materials, a white board, stepped on with a big dent in it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">"Oh no," I say, examining the board, "This is such a shame, now other people won't be able to use this!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The first student looks up sheepishly.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">"Do you know what happened to this board?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">"No," he lies and fidgets.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">"I hope you'd be honest and tell me the truth."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">"Ok, I did it." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I tell the child to go move his clip and we agree to discuss it later, my students were almost finished gathering on the carpet for me by this point.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Four little words, "Go move your clip" is place holder for a classroom interruption. My students know that each time they move their clip, there's a consequence and a loss of privilege. More importantly, they know if they argue or throw a tantrum it'll be another clip move. The discussion later, is a better time to respectfully discuss the situation further.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">When the students are back working in a group, I call the student to stand with me outside in the hallway. (Isn't it amazing how your students can tune you out at the important stuff, but perk right up when someone is"getting in trouble"?)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">"You told me that you stepped on the white board and broke it, why did you make that choice?" I calmly ask, getting on his level</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">"I don't know" as he shrugs and looks away</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">"Were you upset?" offering him an emotion he might have been feeling, knowing that he might not be able to understand how to verbalize this yet</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">"Yes, you just told us to clean up and I wasn't ready to be done."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">"I understand that you must have been upset that you weren't finished, why do you think I asked you to clean up?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">"It was time to move on," he offers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">"You're right, and we have so little time here at school, that it's important that we move on quickly. You'll have an opportunity to go to that station another day. Why do you think it's wrong to break something that isn't yours, even when you're upset?" I ask, hoping to prompt a little self-reflection.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">"Because it's not my things and it's not nice."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">"You know that when we make a poor choice, we have to move our clips so that we can learn from our mistakes and become big kids who make good choices. I know that you don't want to break my things, just like you wouldn't want me to break your things. It's not fair and it's not right, even if you're upset."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">"Yes ma'am."</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I try to give my students a voice and a choice. I offer them a consequence but also a chance to redeem themselves, so they feel like they're in control of their own behavior. They know that I'm sad when they slip up, but happy when they prove that they're capable of behaving as expected.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Here's some other tips:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.teachervision.fen.com/classroom-management/teaching-methods/6400.html">Classroom Management-Teaching Methods</a></span><br />
<a href="http://www.teachtech.ilstu.edu/additional/tips/disBehav.php">Tips for Managing Behavior</a><br />
<a href="http://www.freeprintablebehaviorcharts.com/teacher's_page.htm">Free Printable Behavior Charts</a>Mrs. Lunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16416633299528814958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5561475895113542555.post-38956172337638359602011-07-26T22:13:00.000-07:002011-07-26T22:13:16.252-07:00Linking up?<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Here's my blog dilemma.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I have a blog to share and bounce ideas off of the brilliant and diverse minds of teachers, HOWEVER, I need to attract teachers to follow my blog in order to engage their minds. How can I build a community of teacher bloggers and avid commentors?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Comment if you're out there! </span>Mrs. Lunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16416633299528814958noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5561475895113542555.post-78762072780913138092011-07-26T20:34:00.000-07:002011-07-26T20:34:53.139-07:00Too many ideas!<span style="color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I<span style="color: black;">Hello! My name is Mrs. Luna and I am a 1st grade teacher entering into my 3rd year of teaching this fall. Getting my teaching stride, my head feels like a frog hopping from idea to idea. I think that's one of my favorite things about teaching, my mind is constantly being challenged with new situations. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I hope that you will find my blog helpful in telling you ideas that didn't work, could have worked, and the ones that worked successfully!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Happy reading!</span>Mrs. Lunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16416633299528814958noreply@blogger.com0