SUMMERTIME!

Summertime, summertime, sum, sum, summertime
(we play this song on the intercom about half an hour after the kids leave.)

I got a retired teacher to come sub for me for an hour so I could go to my son's 5th grade promotion ceremony (both my boys attend the same school where I teach.)

I got so many hugs and sweet letters from both students and parents. Look at all the wonderful gifts they gave me. They were very generous with gift cards which is especially helpful since my husband is still out of work. Can you tell I have a ladybug theme in my room?

I also got an orchid, and 2 more beautiful bouquets that didn't make it into the photo!

Now I can TRY to relax. I tend to still think about school a lot over the summer. Anyone else?

Miss Snowden's Giveaway

Want to win a Target, Walmart or Staple gift card? Head over to Miss Snowden's blog to enter.

OUCH!

My life has been baseball play-offs (2 boys=2 teams) and report cards this week. 

We had some extra excitement when my 8 year-old took a baseball to the face.

 

He was a trooper and still played in the game to help his team win!

We are having crazy cold weather in northern CA. I was wearing a sweatshirt, jacket, Uggs, and 2 blankets and I STILL froze at the game tonight!!!

I can't believe tomorrow is our last day of school.

I can't seem to get my head around planning what to do tomorrow.  

We already cleaned out our desks. We saw a movie for our party today since it was rainy here. 

I have 2 1/2 hours to fill. 

Ideas?

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.