Make Your Parents Cry

Did you get to enjoy your holiday weekend or were you working on report cards like me {in between 2 play-off baseball games and finding my hot water heater leaking and spending $1000 to replace it!?}

Did I mention my husband is still out of work...yeah..the universe still hates me.

The good news is that I have 2 and a half days left!!!!

As much as I have really enjoyed my class this year I am ready for some ME time. 

I included this sweet letter last year with my report cards and I thought I would share it with you. I did not write it but I did make it pretty with a cute font and ladybugs (the theme in my room.)

I had parents tell me it made them cry. Yep... they love me.

Eoy Parent Letter

"Classity, Class!"

Have you heard of Whole Brain Teaching? When I first started using it the name was Power Teaching. Other teachers and parents get a big kick out of my call-response style.

I asked someone to quickly video me today to give you an idea.
Forgive the quality, it was very spur of the moment.

This is called Class-Yes. I say, "Class, Class" and they respond "YES, YES!" copying whatever cadence, volume, etc I use. I make sure to mix it up to keep them on their toes.

 When they are frozen and looking at me they get a smiley. If not, they get a frowney. If the smileys are winning at the end of the day the class gets a reward. At the beginning of the year we danced to Dr. Jean's Tooty Ta. Now they enjoy playing Heads Up 7-Up.

 

Another Whole Brain Teaching technique is Teach-OK. Basically a turn and talk with hand-motions and call backs.

Here are our rules (again with hand-motions to get that TPI in!) In the beginning of the year we review them multiple times a day. We recite them in different voices to keep it interesting (robot, opera, slow-motion, etc.)

If you are interested in learning more you can go to the Whole Brain Teaching website or search youtube and teachertube for more video examples.

I hope you enjoyed a glimpse into my teaching style.

Graduation Art

I was going to have my class draw a self-portrait this week to compare to the one they made the first week of school. When I saw this cute graduation idea at peaceloveandkindergarten I just had to adapt it for my class. I made real tassels out of yarn which my kids just went crazy for!

 Tomorrow students will write about what they are proud of themselves for in first grade. It could be learning to read, mastering their math facts, or perhaps a social goal?
I am interested to see what they come up with. I am hoping for some real reflection. 
They will glue it to the front of their gown.

Graduation Writing

I have one giveaway prize unclaimed. 

Jamay, you have 24 more hours to contact me and then I will need to pick a new winner so I can get these prizes in the mail!

Set #1 Jamay said...

I love your blog! I checked out this website and love the bags!! What a great idea for a fundraiser. Thanks!!

5 1/2 days left!! 

WInners!!!

Congrats to the 5 winners of my Mixed Bag giveaway!
Email me your name and mailing address.

Set #1 Jamay said...

I love your blog! I checked out this website and love the bags!! What a great idea for a fundraiser. Thanks!!

Set #2 Katie said...

I am following your awesome blog! Set #2 is my favorite but they are all so cute. I am also trying to carry these bags to stores and the libraries. http://onceuponateachingblog.blogspot.com/   

Set # 3 Beth said...

I follow your blog and love all of your hard work you share with teachers.

Set # 4 Mrs. Pollard said...

Your blog is on my sidebar... so I don't miss anything you post! :) www.teacheristatales.blogspot.com  

Set # 5 absees123s said...

I will be showing my PTSO about their site..LOVE their "Peace, Love" tote bag sets! Thanks so much to everyone for playing!  A HUGE thanks to Mixed Bag Designs for sponsoring this giveaway! 

Last chance to enter my GIVEAWAY!

Today is the last day to enter my bag GIVEAWAY! 5 terrific prizes up for grabs! 

I have my sons' baseball games to watch today so you have until 9 PM Pacific Time! 

Here is the link to my earlier post to enter!

Good Luck!