Week 2

Our leaning is in full swing! We are learning more procedures and routines and are becoming quicker at accomplishing tasks. Using the scoreboard has been a great way to practice and review my expectations and have some fun too. We aren't playing for anything yet, but they have already beat me a few times. We worked so hard today and we had almost 90 points combined! 

If they earn a point they celebrate with an oh yeah! If I earn a point they give a quick groan. It's a great way to keep them all engaged. 

We are starting to work on read to self. We are working to be able to read independently for 20 minutes. Next week we are going to get to use reading buddies, whisper phones, and cozy pillows. 

One week in...

What a great first week we had! I am so proud of their hard work and know we will learn so much together! Our big focus was learning our Whole Brain Teaching techniques. If you saw the flyer in their Friday Folder, you saw seven parts that we implement at DRE in our classrooms. Here Sam and Cara and working on Teach, Ok!  When I say teach, they say Ok and turn to each other and start taking about what I asked them to discuss. Usually there are gestures that match what they are saying. We are all becoming experts! 

                                           

We also began our math time with some exploration of our math tools. Students used pattern blocks and geoboards (pictured below), unifix cubes, dominoes, and geoblocks. We are starting to understand how to use these as tools and not toys. Math is my favorite subject to teach and I can't wait for tomorrow and a new game called Compare. 

                                                               

                                                               

Much of our week was spent getting to know one another and learning the procedures for our classroom. Some things we will get to this week: procedures for writing and getting our writing folders, finding surprises in our book box, starting read to self, handwriting, math games, and continued number sense review. Stay tuned! 

First day excitement!

We had a great first day! The kids were so excited to come into the classroom and get started. They enjoyed their day and were very flexible when it started raining during their recess. We read Chrysanthemum and talked about our names. We read First Day Jitters and charted how we felt on the first morning. The most people were happy! We learned our five classroom rules and worked on Class, Yes! While we will spend many more days working on routines, I am excited to get started with new learning and get to know their personalities. Here is our first class picture!! 

Here we go!

It's the night before Meet the Teacher and I am so excited to meet my new school family! Each year I work to build relationships with my students that will not only last throughout the year, but into future years as well. I know our journey together will be one of fun, excitement, wonder, and of course lot of learning. So heres to the start of our journey! Let's Map our Future!