Building Teamwork and Community

Hey There! I've officially been back at school with the kids for 8 days now and we've just begun our first five day week....let's hope I'm still standing by Friday! 

While I'm still awake and functioning I figured I should update this little ole blog.  

At the beginning of the year, I love to focus on character education, effective communication, and building teamwork amongst my students.  

One of my all time favorite books to start off the year is Leo Lionni's Swimmy.  After I share this read aloud we talking about how Swimmy and his friends had to cooperate together to work as a team to defeat the big nasty tuna.  

Following our discussion I challenged my students to work as one large team.  The first challenge was the 'Ocean Waves' challenge.  Using one hula hoop, borrowed from our P.E. teacher, I demonstrated to my students how they each needed to climb in and out of the hula hoop until it has gone around the entire circle of 27 third graders.  The major challenge...NO ONE could let go of each others' hands.  

We had a lot of fun and a lot of giggles!

Next challenge was with our table groupings.  For this I again borrowed a hula hoop for each group, 5 in all.  Since I do a lot of table/group work, I wanted to start the year off right with my students practicing effective communication with one another.  

For this challenge each group had to lift their hula hoop off of the ground using only two fingers on each hand.  Except we had to use the tops of our fingers, that way we couldn't curl them underneath and around the hula hoop.  

Once the hula hoop was up, the teams had to spin the hula hoop around, so that the small piece of wash tape on it made it all the way around the circle.  

Fun, simple, effective. SCORE! 

When the teams returned back to their desks I asked them each to write their name on a little red fish, so that we could build our own team, just like the characters in Swimmy.

When it was all done, we added our thoughts about teams, I was so impressed with their thoughts.  Can you you see the giant fish we build out of our little fish?   I have plans on displaying this chart for a while. 

Our final touch was adding Swimmy onto our Cooperation Theme poster.  You can read more about these posters HERE. 

Wishing you all of the best in your own classrooms!!! 

XOXO

Five for Friday...errr...I mean Sunday!

This was a short work week jam-packed with a lot of action! I'm linking up with Doodle Bugs Teaching, a little late, but still fun! 

This week started with my first ever Origami Owl party! A friend of mine has started selling their adorable little creations! If you haven't heard of them, you should check them out! 

They are customizable lockets filled with sweet little charms! I can't wait for my Lanyard locket to come in to wear with my teacher ID!!! I'll go from drab to fab ;) I mean, just look at that little teeny tiny pencil!!!! How could I NOT order that!?

My first day jitters completely melted away when two of my new third graders brought me bouquets of flowers on the first day of school! I just adore this Lithuanian custom! 

Can you tell we are loving the first day of school!? I never get tired by third graders' enthusiasm! I think we've got some fast friends in the making looking at that silly picture above! 

Day 2 of third grade was all about teamwork! Check back later to read about how I introduced the importance of working as a team with my class. PS- We had WAY too much fun and MAY have had to close our door because we couldn't stop our giggles! 

Finally, our school's Reading Specialist, a former teammate of mine, came to my classroom for a read aloud.  The theme were things that scared us...I am just cracking up over this response from one of my students! 

Having a sword fight with a clown sure does sound scary to me!!! 

I hope you're all enjoying your three day weekend!!! 

XOXO

And We're Off!

 Well, the first day of school for 2014-2015 is in the books! We laughed, we cried a little, and most importantly we did not puke! Hooray! 

I'm absolutely exhausted and suffering from a major headache, but I wanted to stop and post some images from today's events. 

For the past few years my team has had a themed hallway to kick off the school year.  Each of our bulletin boards outside of our classroom coordinate along with our hallway sign.  This year it's SUPERHEROES! 

One of my teammates ordered these fabulous shirts for us all to wear on the first day of school! Talk about being comfy and cool on such a warm day! 

I made these signs to hang at the beginning of our hallway listing all of our third grade teachers. 

I adore Little Red's clip art!!!

Check out some of my silly superheroes! Learning is their superpower! We had fun making random grouping and doing a superhero photo shoot with our new friends! 

I loved using this canvas I made from last year again! I like to print these photos and give them to parents during conferences. :) So cute! 

Am I ready to do this all again tomorrow? Let's hope so! Two more days to go until the weekend! 

School Days, School Days, Dear Old Golden Rule Days

It's official...summer is over. Wah! It always goes so fast! The bright side is that a new school year is starting with many exciting changes and possibilities! 

My district will have two Institute Days this week and then the kiddies will arrive on Wednesday- yikes! I've been hard at work trying to pretty up my room for the new year. I'm going to have a BIG class again, 27 is my maximum capacity according to my contract. I'm also going to have a large ELL  group this year. So my classroom goals were to create a print rich environment and maximize my student space.

I've still got some work to do, but here is a little sneak peek on my digs this year!

Rainbows and clouds are all over my room this year. They are making me SO happy!!!

I always feel like this corner of the room is dark and unused. I'm happy it's feeling brighter right now with the help of posters and my giant student mailboxes.  

Side note...any ideas on how to pretty up that chair without spending money?? Or a lot of time?? 

I'm thinking leftover fabric and ribbon?

The view from my teacher table over looks student desks and my classroom library. That makeover took longer than expected, but I'm loving the results!!! 

Teacher table and ELA Focus Wall

Guided Math is something new for me this year! Along with my district's new CCSS math series, I can't WAIT! I seriously love third grade math... #teachernerd

My school is also implementing PBIS this year and all of the third grade teachers will be housing Clip Charts as our unified system. 

Glittery lollipops are still hanging around! Three years running with my Sweet Shoppe theme!

This picture is majorly blurry...BUT my reading bags & the cloud paper are just a happy place right now! Instead of chopping up this giant bulletin board this year I decided to leave it blank to make room for tons of anchor charts! 

Over head I have the 6 Traits of Writing and classroom expectations from Molly Maloy. Love her!

The bunting I made for my windows last year makes me smile...as do the rows of labeled bins! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh

This closet has had a MAJOR transformation. It was my messy zone. Like...throw it in the closet and shut the door quick before something falls down messy. 

Now it holds recess games, prizes for our Sweet Shoppe Trade In, colored paper and copies and oh so much more! 

And my last final shot of some glitter popsicles and clouds on my classroom door! Eek! 

I'm resting up this weekend and am hoping you are too!!!!

Back to School Read Alouds

Hello All! In case you didn't know I love books. I mean LOVE books. They're one of my favorite treats.  A new hardcover picture books is right up there with cake batter ice-cream and ooey-gooey mac and cheese. Seriously. That's love folks.

I've decided to compile some of my favorites both new and old for the elementary classroom.

1. My Teacher is a Monster! No, I am Not. by Peter Brown

Bobby describes his teacher as a monster who growls and stomps around until one day he spends time with her outside of school and realizes that she is not what he thought she was. The simplicity of the story and illustrations make this an easy to read and enjoyable book for all!

2. How Not to Start Third Grade by Cathy Hapka

This book reminds me of Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing...Will is dreading the start of his third grade year, it means he'll be sharing his school with his VERY naughty little brother. This books is sure to get a lot of giggles!!!

3. Pete the Cat Rocking in My School Shoes by Eric Litwin

Just try to sing this song and not get it stuck in your head. Go ahead, I dare you! Younger primary grades adore Pete and jamming out as he goes to school.

4. Miss Nelson is Missing! by James Marshall

James Marshall is always a fan favorite, and this oldie is certainly not moldy.  Miss Nelson is Missing still delights my students no matter how many times they've heard it.

5. Scaredy Squirrel by Melanie Witt

I've read this every day on the first day of school for the past three years. I love to connect Scaredy Squirrel jumping into the 'Unknown' to all of the unknowns that come along with a new school year. 

6. First Day Jitters by Julie Danneburg

This classic is a favorite read aloud for a lot of teachers on the first day of school, it's great for dealing with nervousness. 

7. The Teacher from the Black Lagoon by Mike Thaler 

Another forever favorite! I love how there is a picture book and chapter book series to go along too!

8. David Goes to School by David Shannon

Who doesn't love David???

9. Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst

This book creates for an excellent opportunity on how your students can help themselves when they are having a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.

10. Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes

Another great books dealing with nervousness and uncertainty.  I also love reading Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes to talk about the power of our words towards others.

11. Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus by Barbara Park

Students love, love, love to hear about sassy Junie B. and her first day of kindergarten.

12. The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn

A Fabulous heartwarming story about love and growing up. 

13. The Night Before First Grade Natasha Wing

This sweet rhyming poem is a great read for 1st grade teachers.  There's also a kindergarten version of the same book- so cute!!

14. My Mouth is a Volcano! by Julia Cook

Julia Cook's books are always a great addition to any classroom.  This title is great for curing a bad case of the blurts!

15. Too Much Glue by Jason Lefebvre 

Hysterical read aloud for art teachers and primary level classrooms. 

16. How Do Dinosaurs Go to School by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague

Sweet read aloud for your littles as they get ready for school!

17. Ramona the Pest by Beverly Cleary

My third graders loved hearing about Ramona and her adventures in kindergarten this past year. 

18. The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi

A touching story about the importance of being yourself. 

19. If You Take a Mouse to School by Laura Numeroff 

Adorable and fun!

20. Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun by Mario Dismondy

I love the theme of this story about having the courage to be who you are no matter what!

21. Bad Apple: A Tale of Friendship by Edward Hemingway

This sweet story about two unlikely friends makes for an adorable read aloud for any elementary classroom.

22. Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume

Even though it always hurts my throat, I can't resist reading Fudge's dialogue in a silly voices that gets my students rolling on the floor. 

23. Swimmy by Leo Lionni

Another great classic story that's excellent for talking about team work and cooperation in the classroom.

24. Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein

Another fun story to help cure the blurts!

25. Muggie Maggie by Beverly Cleary

A fantastic book that shoes even the most stubborn student can learn a lesson.  This books is especially fantastic for those grades who are learning cursive writing.

I hope you were able to spot some new read alouds on this list.  What are some of your favorite back to school must haves? I'm always looking to add to my collection! 

XOXO

Why'd I Buy It?!?

I'm linking up with Elementary AMC today to show you some of my new classroom purchases.  It's a place for all of us teachers to Ooooo and Ahhhh over one another's new sparkling things without judgement! Love it! Some people just don't understand how exciting it is that Post-It has released a new colored sticky note...or how thrilled I am that my favorite Crayola Skinny Markers now come in bold colors. Seriously. I'm counting on you all to jump up and down with me, okay? Okay!

First up is my new Ikea rug. I have a carpeted classroom, so fortunately I've not felt the need to purchase a rug.  It was an expense that could be spared.  However, on a trip to Ikea I spotted this cutie...and with the Ikea family discount it was $15...seriously. Ikea was daring me NOT to buy this rug. 

Since I've been giving my library a rainbow makeover I decided to purchase this rainbow set of paper lanterns! I can't wait to see how it all turns out! 

Of course I had to buy a new book to start out the school year, this How Not to Start Third Grade title looked adorable!!! 

I don't shop at Meijer often, but I fell in love with this astrobright lined paper, bold skinny markers, and this Scotch masking tape! How cute is that!?

Do you follow me on Instagram? I usually post all of my shopping finds there along with all sorts of things I just can't get enough of!  Search for ShortandSassyTeacher and I'd be happy to return the favor and follow you too!

XOXO

Curriclum Night: Meet the Parents

 

A few weeks ago my school hosted Curriculum Night, I was able to meet many of the parents, discuss the third grade curriculum, and the procedures of my classroom.  I was overwhelmed by the amount of parents that came to support their child's education. We even needed to grab extra chairs to seat everyone! How awesome is that!?!?

 

 

 

Here is a peek at what was on my student's desks when the parents arrived....the yellow tri-fold is from my district's Writing Committee, informing parents about our district curriculum of the '6 Traits'.  Peeking out of the top of the pile is a pink and green packet of the third grade "I Can" CCSS statements, giving parents an idea of what we will be accomplishing this year.  To the left is a student iPad, used for a special project.  Finally, on top is my fabulous flip book, made with First Grade Fairytales template!!! Her post is amazing, check it out HERE. 

 

 

Isn't that flip book beautiful!? I love how bright and eye catching it is AND I loved how it can be used as a quick resource for parents, opposed to the large booklet I created last year.  It took a few minutes for the ol' noggin to figure out how to assemble this bad boy...but I promise it's easy.  On the Contact Information page I also included a QR Code, which linked to my classroom website.  I asked parents to scan the code and follow along while I talked about the ins and outs of our room.

 

 

BUT the super fun part of the iPads that evening was the video sharing between my third graders and their parents. This idea came from one of my teammates, she such a smarty I'm so glad I get to work with her!  Our students created short 30 second videos during the school day welcoming their parents to our classroom.  During Curriculum Night, parents were able to view the videos and then create their own video for their third grader! Isn't that adorable!?

 

My students were SO excited to view their videos the next morning as they came back into the classroom!

 

That evening I also displayed my tiny Wishing Tree, full of donation wishes for our classroom.  Parents pluck a wish off the tree and grant it, I've already gotten some baby wipes and paper plates donated to the class! Awesome!

 

 

The tree came from Michael's clearance section last year and the mini tree skirt was found in a clearance bin at Hallmark last January. :)

 

 

Isn't it sweet? It reminds me of a sparkly version of the Charlie Brown's Christmas tree!

 

 

Lastly, I just wanted to share my First Day of School pics with my kids! I was a wee bit proud of that sign made from a canvas, leftover chalkboard contact paper, ribbon and paint.

 

 

 

I hope all of your parent nights went as well as mine!!!!