I know this will be a super boring post for those who only like to see pictures of my children, but this is where I spend a lot of time during the day. It is a part of me. I love teaching--well most days I do!
This school year was a big change for me. I was working at a new school site, a new grade level, new colleagues, you get the idea--everything was new! I had a few challenges and lots of learning experiences. I learned so much this school year, and looking back it has made me a better teacher. I know I can do hard things. One of the many bright spots for me was my principal. I have never worked for a woman who has worked as hard as she does. She is amazing. I honestly do not know where her energy comes from. On the morning of Open House, I walked into my classroom and found this rose and a little note. She has left many gifts and notes over the school year in my classroom--always so thoughtful and caring. I also know, she has my back. During some of my most difficult moments, with some of my most difficult students and parents, while in the moment I didn't always see it, but she had my back. She knew I was doing my best, and pushed me a little harder to be better. I look forward to many more years working for her.
This was a favorite activity we did as a class--we made a life sized Super Croc! We read an informational article and wrote a summary. Next year I will make sure the head doesn't look so much like a serpent.
The students read about fossils and dinosaurs. We ended the unit with a research report on a dinosaur they picked. We even made fossils out of salt dough. All the other stuff on their desks are projects we did throughout the year. They are able to take home these projects at Open House. Otherwise, they go into their sacks until the last day of school.
After reading a fictional story about a swan and butterfly, we read about butterflies and wrote a summary about what we learned. The last trimester of the year we focused on informational reports and summaries. Writing is always a challenge to teach because it takes a lot of patience. I have some students who finish their writing in one day and some who will take all week. I am working on how to solve this problem, although I do not think it will be 100% solved because everyone's writing ability is different, as is their pace.
Their earth day promise. I teach the 3 Rs and do a fun activity on Earth Day. It goes well with our Life Cycle Unit because Earth is a living thing after all.
My Math bulletin board showed their Performance Task I created. I am thinking of revamping it and making it my first ever Teachers Pay Teachers creation, but like I said I am just thinking about it. The students had fun with the process and did a great job on their posters. Do you see my 3 computers? Wish I had more.
This is a view of the front east corner of the room. On the wall was their Red Rock Opinion writing. That was another writing genre we were working on this year. They had to form an opinion with supporting reasons as to why Red Rock Canyon is the best state park! They did an awesome job. I am most proud of this bulletin board. The student's writing is collected on their two-pronged paper and then we finished it with a cover and I pull it off the wall and viola--they have their writing memories for an entire year. We do seasonal narratives, pictures and all sorts of stuff is collected and written throughout the year. It is simple and not too much effort at all. Also, on this wall are their AR goals up high. For every marking period they meet their goal they get their name on the Wall of Fame in my classroom. This also is put in their Writing Memories book to keep. I could go on, but I wouldn't want to bore you. As you can see we were very busy during May preparing for Open House.
