Thank God, I Finally Got to Make Something!

As most of you know, I just recently changed, cities and schools this year.  I love my new school!  I am a thrid grade Reading and ELA teacher.  The school system that I work for had a ready made Reading/ELA curriculum.  I have never not had to write lesson plans and spend hours searching and creating lesson/activities.  That part is so wonderful and has been a God send since we just moved to South GA and bought a house that is still being unpacked.

However, I miss being creative!  I miss working hard on my plans/activities and that hard work paying off because it really helped the kids.  I don't like sometimes feeling like I could produce something that could better reach my students.  I get jealous hearing my teammates talking about looking for things to teach Science and Social Studies with.

So, you shouldn't be surprised that I jumped at the chance to create some poetry for my students!  We took a practice Milestones test and the very first story in the test was actually a poem.  The hands shot up!  What's a stanza?  What does mood mean?  Why didn't they use periods?  UH!!!!  The curriculum we use doesn't really teach poems.

As soon as could, I began writing a poem.  We had just read a book about Susan B. Anthony, who is a Historical Figure that they study in SS.  It had been so long since I had been able to do this, the words just flowed.  Then came the questions and the next day I started teaching the lesson.  The students were so excited to see a poem and learn about rhyme, beat, and rhythm.

I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to create something.  I am already looking for more areas that they need more practice with so I can create some more items.

*Just a funny note.  I didn't want the students to know it was me who wrote the poem, so I wrote VLB as the poet's name.  I'll be darned if they didn't figure it out as soon as they saw the initials. SMH!

Check out my new Poetry Packet on Susan B. Anthony here on TPT!  It is free for 24 hours!
Link

3rd Grade Here I Come!

We have some big changes going on this summer in the Bennett household.  We have decided to move back to South Ga where all of our family is.  We have been toughing it out for 8 years without the help of family, 3 hours away.  A big shout out to God, for making this move happen as perfectly as it did.  We are not finished moving, but it is amazing how everything has just fell into place.  It was obviously meant to be.

        With that being said, I am changing schools and moving to 3^rd grade Reading/ELA.  To say I’m a little nervous is an understatement.  I was so comfortable in 2^nd grade and I had an amazing team.  I am also a big Math nerd!  This will be my first time not teaching Math. L

        As you can imagine, I will be spending my summer packing and unpacking a classroom and house, getting my family settled in a new city, and trying to learn new curriculum.  I have already begun searching and following 3^rd grade blogs and I am awaiting training on the new curriculum that my new school system is receiving for Reading.  It is going to be a loaded summer for me!

        Please leave me any ideas, suggestions, blogs, resources you may have for 3^rd grade.  I am trying to be as prepared as possible for my first day as a 3^rd grade teacher!

Talk to you soon,

Tori

Still Haven't Figured it Out!

So, I haven't quite figured out how to stay on top of everything at school and keep up with everything outside of school.  We have started the new TKES observations this year at my school, and thankfully, I have done well.  The only downside is, at what expense.  I stay after school until at least 5:00 everyday and sometimes later.  I am there a lot of weekends too.  I feel like I have to always sacrifice my family time to get everything I am expected to do done.  
My oldest son, who is 6 now, is always playing a sport, my youngest son, who is now 2, is into everything and throws tantrums just like a "Terrible Two" would, and then throw in exercise, church, husband switching shifts all the time, etc.  I know there are some teachers out there who have this down pat, so any advice would be appreciated.
On a different note, I feel like I have figured out most of what is expected of me with the new TKES system of observation.  Sure I wish I could magically make more time so I could have more time to execute strategies, interventions, and differentiation better, but I am only human and at least I know what I need to be doing (most of the time:) ).  
I like how we are getting away from less whole group instruction and more toward small group.  Of course, it is harder to manage and next year, I may wish for more whole group if I have a different type of class.  But right now, with such a diverse ability group of students, it is just what I need to do.  I have really enjoyed getting more familiar and creative with my curriculum this year.  Since it is my third year in second grade and I am more comfortable, I have started to have more fun with it!  I believe it has rubbed off on my students too!
So, to sum up things, I'm having a great year.  I feel like I have become a better teacher, but I am still having a hard time being a good teacher while maintaing the wife and mom role.  So, still waiting for that magical advice from someone who has mastered it. ;)
I will leave you with this awesome poster that a fellow teacher showed me.

It's about time!

Yes, I know.  It has been a while, and after the year I had last year, you would think it couldn't have gotten worse.  Well, to make this part short and sweet, I have an awesome class!  The mix is so good and they are all so sweet and loving.  A little lazy, but definitely have good hearts.  All the other stuff going on like TKES, SLO's, lots of curriculum changes, lesson plan formats, book studys, etc. has me beyond overwhelmed.

I have been trying to keep my head afloat and be a great teacher at the same time.  I am beginning to feel like I am attempting to swim rather than doggy paddling.

The main focus of most of our changes seems to be differentiation, so I am totally on board with that.  We are starting the Guided Reading program this year in our county and it is starting to come together nicely.  I finally have it all organized, I've gotten students used to being responsible without me standing over them, and I've called my reading groups to the back table to run through a lesson.  I am excited to see how smooth this will be running by the end of next month.

I am also very excited about my dry erase board back table.  I ordered dry erase laminate from Amazon, and my amazing hubby put it on my back table for me.  The students love it and I love it!  They always tell me how much fun it is to come to the back table.  Some of them get UPSET when I don't call them during Differentiated Math group time.  Of course, this was a Pinterest idea that I saw so I can't take full credit.  And if my principal or asst. principal is reading this, it peels right up with no residue. LOL

I know said that I am totally on board with differentiation.  The problem is, all the things they are expecting us to do with it, mixed with all the other "stuff" (for lack of a nicer word), has me working ALL the time.  I have two little boys and big boy at home, as so many teachers do and I am torn everyday as to when to put it down.  I mean, I can't have the administrators walk in the next day and I not have it all together.  And I don't want my boys feeling like I don't spend enough time with them.  So, I am trying to figure all of that out.  I have been differentiating with my lessons, small groups, and pulling students when needed.  So, I guess it could be worse it I was having to completely figure it all out.

As I trudge through all the changes and differentiation going on this year, I will try to be better about posting.  I would like suggestions on differentiating SS, Science, and especially Language Arts.  I have to teach language arts skills, like collective nouns, reflexive pronouns, and have students write at the same time and I have a WIDE range of ability levels when it comes to writing in my room.  If you have any for me, please feel free to leave a comment.

I also have my place value organizers that I have been using for Math.  You can download the sampler from TPT here.  Or get the full product here.

And That's a Wrap!

Today was the official last day of school for teachers (the students' last day was Tues).  I am ready for the break, but the sad thing is, I can't turn it off!  I have been on my computer looking up Georgia Regions, Rivers, and the Creek and Cherokee Indians.  Why?  I just always want to do it better, I guess.  So, I am always looking for ways to make it better for the kids.
We have a lot of changes coming for the upcoming school year.  The "control freak" in me wants to deal with those now, so I can start preparing.  Every year, I keep thinking it will be a normal year, then BAM, some kind of wrench gets thrown in there.  One day, the higher ups will finally get it, right?  They will remember what it was like to be in a class with 25 2nd graders with no help, and they will send in reinforcements.  Hey a girl can dream!  *Sigh* 
Here's to wishful thinking.  For those still teaching those last few days, good luck winding it down.  I hope everyone has a restful summer!  
Tori

What a Year!

I haven't felt much like writing about this school year.  I have had an extremely challenging group of students.  Almost every thing I have planned for, I have had to go to Plan B or C.  Any type of Centers or independent work lasting more than a few minutes (no more than 5) wasn't possible.
As I said, I haven't felt like writing about it and I really still don't.  I have poured my heart and soul into this group of students who could seem to care less about anything and everything.  Of course, there was a handful that I wish I could have made things so much different for them.  They were exposed to so much and missed out on so many opportunities because the majority of the class couldn't handle it.  I pray that they can have an amazing year next year and that hopefully, through all the drama, they were still able to take some things away from their year with me.  And that goes for the others too, even though it was a tough year, maybe they will end up with a teacher that can reach them better than I could next year, and hopefully they can leave me with a little something.
I am just ready to get this year behind me, knowing that I did the best I can do.  As my IS says, " All you can do is the best you can do, and the best you can do is enough."  9 more days to continue to try and reach them and make a difference.  Wish me luck!

Is it already half way over?

I cannot believe how fast this school year is going.  I have an awesome class and have been working non-stop to keep them busy and engaged.  And then when I leave school I am full on mommy.  My youngest, Carter, is walking now (not quite full on yet), but is everywhere he doesn't need to be.  My oldest, Payton, played football and now soccer.  Needless to say this mommy is TIRED and hasn't had much "me" time lately.  
One thing I have had time to do is to create a sticky note rubric for my students' writing assignments.  I love it because I can stick it on their writing in the classroom and I also let them use it while they are writing to grade themselves.  I haven't had much time to be creative this year, I sure hope things slow down soon. I hope your school year has been going great so far! 

You can download and get a closer look at the rubric here.