Letters on a Sunday Morning

What I'm thinking on this Sunday morning...

Dear Mrs. Jones,

I treasure our time together. Both now and the past. Thanks for teaching me what you are learning. I have your hula hoop in my van that I was supposed to give to you, but I was so involved in our conversation, that I forgot. It'll be waiting until our next lunch together...

Love always,

Mrs. Bartel

Dear Lesson Plan Book,

I will be waving a magic wand over you later this morning. I would appreciate it if you would fill yourself in... 

Fondly,

A Teacher Who Wants to be Prepared

Dear Magic Wand,

When you have completed the lesson plans, please do the vacuuming.

Thanks,

I've been busy with other stuff

Dear Donor's Choose,

Thank you so much for existing! The Hokki stools arrived this week. The kids are loving the wiggle ability and I love that they are red. Be on the look out for the "Thank You Package" soon, and another project...

Sincerely,

A Very Grateful Teacher

Dear Big Time Literacy,

I love this linky! I love what I learn from you on all your blog posts. Thanks for reaching out to teachers in your district and all over the world. I wish you the very best school year ever!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Bartel

Time to link up or hop over to Big Time Literacy to read more letters.

Five for Friday

I woke up today with a goal.

That goal is: document five parts of my day and link up with Doodle Bugs Teaching.

Here goes:

1. A cold chai tea latte for my drive to work. Not as delicious as the drink yesterday. but a good morning tradition.

2. A beautiful flower from a fabulous firstie.

3. A painting party in first grade.

4. A 7th grade pool party. For my son. I am certainly glad I teach first grade and not middle school. They wore me out!

5. A couch. No picture. but I am certain that teachers the world over are enjoying some R&R this evening. Just. Like. Me.

What five things do you want to remember from today?

Hop on over to Doodle Bugs Teaching and read more Five for Fridays.

Summer PD Plans

Aren't you tired of hearing about my summer PD?

It's all I write about...

Recapping:

1. In June I attended a 2-day PBL training with Aaron from BIE (Buck Institute of Education). It was good, but I may need a refresher before school starts--that was a LONG time ago.

2. All the first grade teachers from my district (11 of us, maybe?) gathered and planned, mapped out and did some stuff with math for a day. (Also a long time ago.)

3. A college course to get credits for relicensure. I took a course called "The Dehumanization of Students in Education" from a somewhat local university. I enjoyed the class, and I am glad to report that my teaching buddies and school do not have a problem with this.

4. Book studies. I started with none, and ending up with 3. # One is finished (Teaching with Intention). I was following with Mr. Greg, but I just couldn't stop reading. # Two starts in August -- Reading Strategies, it looked great all over Instagram. And then this morning I opened it for the first time and I'm a little nervous! 300 strategies, oh my. Hopefully Literacy Loving Gals can help me with this. # Three is "The Book Whisperer." I started it, then put it down to concentrate on Teaching with Intention. I'll get back to it in a week or so.

4. Bloggy Buddies/Teaching Fanatics Meet ups. There have been several, and several more are scheduled. The meetings, whether small or big, really fill up my heart with ideas, encouragement and love. All of which are important for me for a great beginning (and the whole) school year. 

What do you do to recharge your teaching juices? Share them if you can, because I'm always looking for more ideas! :)

Wonder what Michelle and our buddies have cooking this summer...

Friday!

Love a week with so much family time.

Let me recap with 5 happenings and link with Doodle Bugs Teaching and Big Time Literacy.

1. My family hiked for 2ish hours. Some was difficult and I wheezed (because I am an out-of-shape old lady), but the view was AMAZING!!!

2. We also toured a band instrument factory. Yes, we saw artisans creating clarinets from blocks of wood, and trumpets from a sheet of brass. Now I will never complain about the price of a trumpet or trombone, it takes many steps and people to make an instrument. I can't find the exact link to an online tour, but this is close. We read ahead that cameras were forbidden on the tour, so I left mine in the van. But, lo and behold, we get started and the tour guide says, "take lots of pictures!" Wish I had my camera. It was very cool.

3. Good food and drinks.

4. Bowling.

5. A chocolate factory tour...

And a bonus photo... I'm not in Las Vegas learning from SDE about being a better teacher. But I did have a great time with Patty. She is just the sweetest and such an encouragement to me (both online and in person). 

Now, be sure to check out more Five for Fridays (at Doodle Bugs Teaching) and some favorite lessons ( at Big Time Literacy).

Intentional Teaching

I love reading to learn. Almost more than reading for pleasure.

Summer brings countless opportunities to read to learn (aka, teacher PD on the side). I could have read The Daily Five (Second Edition), or Next Steps in Guided Reading or Guided Math and joined in the online book studies. I have read them all before (but the first edition of The Daily Five) and a refresher could have been nice, however, I was in the mood for something new. And there is ALWAYS something new, right?

I stumbled upon three books that looked like a great fit for me. And I am so happy that I have completed one of them. Yay me!!! 

Debbie Miller is quite the straight talker in Teaching with Intention. She said what I should be doing. Gave examples of how she has done it. And then read my mind--"This is HARD, how am I going to do this? Maybe I'll just go back to the old way..." And responded by giving me the scaffolds/supports so that I then thought, "Maybe I can do this."

As I prepare for the coming year, I am convicted that I MUST do a better job of knowing the road ahead. It is not good enough to look at the teacher's manual and be ready to go. I must know the path, know the students and make smarter plans.

So glad that Miller told real stories and gave sound advise (like how to create a page for conferring) because that is what I need.

And about the time. Use it wisely. Got to give time to the students to read and let them share in the responsibility of learning. 

Ok. Time to get cracking on the "mapping the route"...

See ya over at Michelle's place, she is talking about the book Daring Greatly, and I'm not sure what the rest are talking about. Let's go find out!!!

What I'm Loving

I seem to be making a lot of lists this summer.

Lists of fun stuff. Memories. Things to do. People to see.

Here's a list of what I love today... Without pictures, because I just don't have time today. 

1. Cool weather.

2. Bike rides.

3. Music factory tour.

4. Books.

5. Friends who share and share and share. Thanks Mrs. Jones!

I'm linking this tiny, but lovely, list to Michelle @ Big Time Literacy and her party.

Fun Summer Plans

Summer. The time teachers relax, and be present with their families. Sometimes that includes scheduled plans, other times are spontaneous.

My plans:

A. Read ALL of the professional books that I don't have time to read between August and May. (Yah, probably not all of them, but at least a dent.)

B. Visit family. Good food, miniature golf, and card games.

C. Bike rides, long and short.

D. MLB game in Cincinnati.

E. Meet up with as many teachers in real life as possible.

What is making your summer spectacular?

Thanks, Michelle! Hop over and live vicariously through what others are doing...

Remember When...

The prompt is "Remember When."

Guess I can take that wherever I want...

Remember when we used an atlas to travel? I was a 4-Star navigator. Now I navigate with Google Maps. And I'm still a 4-Star navigator.

Remember when I went for a week with the church youth group? No phones, so no communication with the parentals, and we were all ok with it. Not so much now.

Remember when it was hot 20 years ago, but I got married outside anyway? I do.

Remember when it was a scandal that we went to the mall on a Sunday to do some shopping? We were relieved that we didn't see anyone we knew. Now we shop 24/7 at home or at a store.

Remember when we talked on the phone and said "Only 10 hours until bedtime." Now they go to bed on their own and that decade has slipped by in a blink.

Remember when I was obsessed with Major League Baseball? Oh well, I still am.

What are you remembering today?

See ya over at Michelle's place.

Saturday Skinny

What's the skinny? What's the gossip?

Truth...I have no idea.

Usually I am the last to know things. Unless it's happening to my husband or BFF/TBFF. 

Today I will be joining the world of Jacqueline (brown girl dreaming) between fits of laundry and cleaning. I would much rather stay on the chair and read, but, you know...

My mom's family will be getting together (I'm too far away to be there) to have a birthday party for my cousin. She's the only one who gets a birthday party. Well, maybe it's not really a birthday party but rather a family gathering that just happens to be on her birthday. But it happens every year. And I know she's getting a cake, my mom is taking one. Happy Birthday Erin!!

And tomorrow my older son comes back to us. He has been spreading his wings at a youth church convention: learning stuff, meeting people, making plans for his future. 

Not much to tell, right? You probably have better gossip than me...I'm heading over to Michelle's place and see what the skinny really is...

Social Media and Me

How DID we do it years ago without the internet and connections that we have now?

I remember.

My first teaching job started in 1994. (Some of my favorite teachers were not born yet, or were in primary school! GASP!) In order to get ideas (and we were always looking for some) I had to subscribe to magazines (The Mailbox), or go a teacher store (can't even remember the name). The store was small, but a good start. There really wasn't collaboration for me then. I did in my room, they did in their rooms, and we got along.

Now, in 2015, I have blog friends, Instagram friends, and friends IRL. I'm not a hashtagger, but I can link. 

I started reading blogs in 2010. They led me to places and ideas I never dreamed about. One dream was to enter a giveaway. But you had to have a blog. So in 2012 I started a blog. And won that first giveaway I ever entered.

It's been fun to go back and read early posts. My how I've changed as a writer. Originally my blog was about sharing what was going on in my room. Now it is for that and a place for me to reflect. The friends I have made are so caring and sharing. They give ideas and creations, and just want the best for me (and probably everyone). I call my blog friends by their given names and my husband knows who I am talking about and maybe even what state they are in. Family trips may be planned around who I can visit (Toledo, Cincinnati, Shipshewana) or who I hope to visit (Chicago, Kansas City, Oklahoma City). 

My blog is a source of encouragement and the best form of collaboration and I cannot imagine leaving it for very long.

Instagram started for me in 2013, and I use it for both school and family photo sharing. I thought about having a private account, but that was just too much work for me.

I've used Remind in the past, but not every family signed up, so it felt wrong to send out some information when not everyone was going to get it. 

My school has a FB page and I can post there, but what if I had a separate class page? That is more that I have to research this summer.

MIchelle @ Big Time Literacy has me intrigued about using Twitter more. (I have an account, but rarely get on, I just don't "get" it.) 

So, in review...

1. Social media is great. For collaboration and inspiration. 

2. There is always more that could be done, shared, created. Use what works for you. When you feel brave, try something new.

Thanks to Michelle for an inspiring month of blogging. Head over her way and see how she and other friends use social media (or write with a different prompt--no rules, except to WRITE).

Summer Time

I'm on Summer Time.

Summer Time means that I can write a post or not and it's no big deal. It means that if I am a week late to the party, oh well, I can show up anyway.

Summer Time means I get to sleep late, watch tv, and this summer I added reading for pleasure.

Summer Time means I get to share my thoughts on Teaching with Intention and not be worried that I have missed the link up. 

Summer Time means that I will share about chapters 4, 5, and 6 and be ok with it. 

Reflection #1: I have to do a better job of "thinking out loud." I do not like "canned" thinking from basals, they don't sound like me. But I HAVE to think out loud. That is the only way some of the kids will learn to do what I am trying to teach them. It is an effective teaching strategy.  I love that Debbie Miller has given me guidance and support and encouragement to make "thinking out loud" an authentic method of teaching.

Reflection #2: Every time I teach a concept (like use chunks to read unknown words, or reread to clarify), I want to use engaging content (like an awesome science or social studies unit). Luckily for me Debbie Miller spent a whole chapter on how she plans (more extensive in the beginning) and it looks like I could do it.

Reflection #3: Each time I teach a lesson, I need to know "what's the focus, and why is it important?" Knowing where I'm going will make it easier to create a map to get there.

Now that I know where I'm going, time for me to set the path...

*****************************************************************************

So my friend, Michelle @ Big Time Literacy, is hosting a blogging challenge this July. I completed it last July, and it was a great time of writing and reading and making new friends. Let's see what this challenge brings.

3-2-1 Teaching Bio with the Weekend Warriors

Didn't Mom say--sharing is good.

Well, something like that.

Sharing about ourselves makes us seem more real. Alive. The same and unique.

As I share about myself, I learn about me and you get to learn about me as well.. Win, Win.

The Lovely Weekend Warriors are hosting. Read about me, then hop over and read about even more teachers. Maybe you'll make a new friend, or be inspired by someone (pretty sure I'll make a friend).

And here are the prompts:

I could put the answers on a cute slide like the cool teachers, but I don't have time for that! I could put in photos, no time for that either! Time is of the essence, I'm on vacation and cannot let a minute slip by. I need to cut up strawberries and a watermelon, read a book (the Husband's Secret) and catch up on blog reading (I haven't read blogs since last Monday--TOO LONG).

The Teacher Me:

1. I adore organized, coordinated, and simple classrooms. My goal is to not have clutter (that is a continuous battle), have a room that is kid-friendly and appealing to grown ups as well, and have every space be functional.

2. After college, I taught in a special ed room for 9 years. Then I had babies, and they were so cute and adorable that I quit my job and stayed home with them for 6 years. To get back into teaching (which I promised my husband I would not do) I subbed, then took a job in January in a special ed classroom. The next year I jumped into general education by teaching a 2nd/3rd combo class. (Yikes, I learned a lot!) And now, having completed 3 years in first grade, I feel like I am home. I love the way our room feels. I love the growth in students (social and academic). Firsties are magnificent!

3. Pens, pretty pens, erasable pens and sturdy pens. I love them all. Each type of pen has a purpose and reason for taking space in my pen cup. Once a teacher was in my room, he needed a pen, reached and got one from My Cup and used it. Mrs. Jones saw this happen and held her breath, wondering what might happen. Would I flip out and accost the teacher? Would I hold my breath? What would I do? The teacher is still alive, but does not use my pens. (And, I hide my pens when I know I am having a sub!!)

The Regular Me:

1. My hobby is teaching. I am not a scrapbooker, exercise junkie, or great housekeeper. I love teaching, researching teaching and planning teaching. It wears me out and fills me up at the same time. I wonder if I will find a hobby some day that is not teaching...

2. The people who live with me and my teaching obsession include my husband (for 20 years, how can that be? We are so young...), a high school son who is discovering his gifts and which activities fill his soul, and a middle school son who cares deeply about many issues and makes us laugh daily. It's a happy home.

An item on my bucket list:

Not much time is spent thinking about bucket lists, but this just came to me... I would love to meet my bloggy friends, see their schools, spend time with them. This means I will be traveling to Hawaii, and Maine, and all states in between. I even have some friends in Australia...

Now you can start your blog hop... Just start HERE and you will be fine. 

Happy weekend my fabulous friends!!!

Summer Teacher PD

I love clean, organized spaces. I value them.

In those spaces I can breathe.

Just as summer was starting, I noticed that Mr. Greg was guiding a book study on Teaching with Intention by Debbie Miller. Liked the title, liked the author, and Mr. Greg approves, so time for me to get on board this train!

Some is easy to read, some makes me think.

Today I am over joyed! Because chapter 3 is all about The Environment of the classroom. I love that she suggests getting rid of the "stuff" that has been there since before you. (That is what I've been doing for three years, and I think I'm almost done.)

When we clean out the physical clutter, this can also help us clean out mental clutter. I can definitely feel that in my classroom. Packing up this year was so easy. Part of that was because my two bestie were in a meeting and could not interrupt me (and I could not take breaks interrupting them), and part of that was because I just have so much less stuff.

I do want to have an inviting space that will encourage my students and their families to breathe and learn, but I do not have to have it "Pinterest Ready" by the first day.

The classroom is an organic space. It can move and grow as those of us in it move and grow. 

My goal for next year--let the room show evidence of student growth and learning. 

The evidence of my growth and learning can be in a very cute binder, with dividers and labels.

This chapter is being hosted by Surfin' Through Second, The Learning Chambers, and Savvy, Savvy, Simple Teaching. I wonder what their thoughts are... Heading that way now...

Monday Made It

Several summers ago I was BIG into the Monday Made It scene. Not so much last summer.

But, here I am, ready to share some stuff I made. 

I made dinner! This is quite something, because I'd rather eat than cook. But, I roasted a chicken in the crockpot all day (while I was at yet another school meeting), and transformed it when I got home into chicken salad. The result--it was good. Not, "OH SOOO GOOD", but "thanks for making dinner, I was hungry and this filled me up."

Now I have my own set of alphabet jewels. My plan is to have them on my file cabinet for the kids to use, but maybe I will just keep them and give them away as presents (like to my friends). Decisions, decisions...

Yesterday I found a very helpful vlog on how to create multiple inboxes in an email account. I was loving her colors and labels. So I just had to do it! Follow this link to Laugh Eat Learn and you, too, could have a happy email inbox.

I showed it at my meeting today and found my two people who have already done this. I think they should be my friends.

Now that you have peeked into my kitchen and my "made its," jump on over to Tara's place @ 4th Grade Frolics and get more ideas of how you can spend your many hours in the next 8 weeks. Time for me to head that way to see what will be on my list for next Monday.

And... What are you creating, crafting, making? I want MORE ideas!!!