What I Wish My Teacher Knew About Me

I heard about the teacher that had the students complete their "What I Wish My Teacher Knew About Me..." assignments.  The responses got me wondering what my students would write if given the same assignment.  We talked about how it would be anonymous since no one had to write their names.  I wasn't too surprised by anything the students wrote since most tell me EVERYTHING!

My only surprises were

* A student was in an accident when she was younger.  She had to go to the hospital and still has dreams from it.

* There was another student that had a grandpa that died from a heart attack.  She cried and cried.  She still feels him next to her now.

* The most heartbreaking one was written by a student that was taken away from her mom.  She told of the incident that got her taken away from her mom.  It also included a part where her mom tried choking her dad.  (While she has told me parts of this, I never knew the entire story.)

It's amazing what the kids have to go through.  I was honestly amazed not to hear worse stories.  I have 3 students with parents currently (or formally) in prison.  Other students are in foster care due to horrific events.  I guess it is good that I didn't get anything that surprised me since my students feel comfortable enough to tell me anything (and believe me they do)!

This is definitely an activity that I recommend doing with students.  I think I will try it in the beginning of the year next school year.

Five for Friday - Donors Choose, Behavior, and More

This week, even though it was the first week back, actually flew by.  I spent most of my time running around like a crazy woman (although I am usually a crazy woman minus the running around)!  It was strange only teaching (all day) today.  My intern started taking over the whole day this week,  My week was divided into pulling small groups, copying, laminating, having meetings galore, completing make-up PARCC testing for the school (how could it have dragged out unto this week), working on a organizing a shared closet of resources, etc.  At least the week went by quickly.   Happy Five for Friday!  

1

Donors Choose - I got my boxes from Donors Choose.  It felt like Christmas opening everything up.  I know that I amused our school secretary with my enthusiasm.  What can I say?  At times I am just a big kid.

5 boxes contained these goodies - all money related!

                                                 

2

Fun Friday - I am not going to lie.  I totally copped out on this week's Fun Friday.  I knew that I had to do something.  I had leftover cookies that I made for our teacher institute (I bake each month for our teacher pd's).  I passed out the leftovers.  Once again, I am grateful for no allergies or food restrictions for our district.  Then we cracked open all of the new games.  They were as excited as I was to try the new things out.

A favorite activity was the new money game that they could play in groups on the Promethean board.

3

Displaying Student Work - I don't want to show a close-up picture of my students' faces.  However, in the picture above, you can faintly see my students' pictures next to a piece of their work,  I cut out their pictures around their bodies to make them pop on the board.  I highly recommend doing something similar since Danielson talks about displaying students' work.  My principal rated me very highly in that category.  It was a big plus in my observation last year.

                                              

4

New Behavior Group - I started pulling a new group of students after lunch each day to go through different behaviors.  Our focus in this group is on a different behavior topic.  For example, we have discussed and done activities for self-control, behavior scenarios, and completing good deeds.  The good deeds activity has stuck with this group the most.  I think I must hear 20 times a day or more how something they did or saw someone do was an example of a good deed.  At least,  they understand this concept.  They are going above and beyond in becoming more helpful to others in the class.  

5

Why do I do this to myself? - As I am writing this, I am listening to music blaring for a teenage birthday.  I find myself working in an office while a group rents a room.  I can't help but think, "Who in their right mind would be here for this?"  Unfortunately, I am not in my right mind.  I get to spend the remainder of my night trying to stay awake (although not difficult when the music is blaring) and dreaming of a day when my salary as a teacher is big enough not to have a part-time job.  I shouldn't complain too much.  At least this one lets me get my own work completed.  Now I should go grade papers...

Five for Friday

As usual, I am glad it is Friday!  It was a bit busy - PARCC Testing, schedule changes, and parent/teacher conferences.  Happy Five for Friday!  

1

Parent/Teacher Conferences - We always have 2 sets of conferences each year.  Of my 24 students, I only had 12 parents show up.  Most of the conferences went really well.  Their were no surprises as many of the parents that were there were ones that I had to contact in the past week. With so few parents showing up, I had a lot of free time.  This allowed me to finally organize the cabinet in my classroom.

If you have conferences coming up soon in your classroom, please check out my free packet on TPT.

                                                 

2

PARCC Math - Has anyone taken the PARCC Math test yet?  It is awful.  I felt really bad for my students.  They were trying so hard.  I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised that half of my class raised their hands to tell me that they couldn't label their answers on some problems.  I was so pleased that my drilling of labeling their answers was seared on their brains!  While the reading test was not so awful, the math test was ridiculous.  I felt so bad for the kids.

3

Behavior Groups - Now that my intern is getting ready to take over teaching the whole day, I am trying to find ways to help support him while not in the classroom.  One way is starting the day with a behavior group.  I picked 3 students that act out severely in the classroom.  We are working on monitoring behavior, dealing with feelings, and gratitude.  To help, I made a few simple pages for students to fill out when we meet.  If you are interested, click here for a free download.

                                              

4

Donors Choose - I decided to create a new project on Donors Choose that would be at least partially paid for through a grant.  I know that I have written a lot about the benefits of using Donors Choose.  My class has benefited with tons of things that I could not have afforded on my own.  My new project is down to $128 to get funded!  It's getting closer (after starting at over $450).  Click here to see my project and then create your own.

To find funding opportunities, click on your account, then the resources tab, and finally partner funding opportunities.  This page is broken down into opportunities by state.  

5

Weather - What happened to the nice weather?  Today it snowed causing tons of accidents.  Great way to end the week after the 5+ inches of snow on Monday.  This bites!  I want the 50 degrees back!

Classroom Rules Carousel

Rules definitely need to be reviewed when returning from a long break.  It's amazing how easily students forget the rules.  I usually do this as a whole class activity.  We then make a poster with the rules.  This time, I decided to try something different.

We did a carousel to review.  For those unfamiliar, a carousel activity is one in which students are divided into groups and rotate around the room from poster to poster adding something new to the topic.  For example, since we did a review of rules in school, I made posters with classroom, specials (gym, computers, etc.), hallways, lunch, groups, recess, and bathrooms.  I then modeled how to come up with rules using a carpet rules poster.  I divided the students into small groups and they had to go from poster to poster adding as many things as they could think about.  The rule was that they had to read what the other groups had already written because they could not add the same things.

I was pretty happy with how this turned out.  I have not done a carousel before.  Honestly, I thought it was kind of lame.  It was a pretty big hit.  In the future, if I do this again, I would assigned each group a different colored marker that they had to take with them so I could really see what they had added to the poster.

    

Kid President

This past week, I have focused on inspiring my students with positive messages.  I have done this by showing videos of the Kid President.  He is someone that my students can relate to.  The Kid President is very positive in his message.  My students love watching him.  My goal is that showing his videos will produce a positive set of feelings in my students.

Since watching the videos, my school has started a program called Pasta for Pennies.  We have made this our class' mission.  My students are excited to help others that are less fortunate than them. Based on what I have heard, we have collected more money that anyone else so far.

My hope is to create an internal motivation system in my students.  External motivation only works so far.

                                              

Toothpaste Kindness

As you have read, I am having a lot of behavior issues with my class.  Because of this, I complete many activities that focus on behavior with my students.  One activity that has really intrigued me was one involving toothpaste.  You put students into groups, and give them a tube of toothpaste. They think of things that they have said that are not kind and squeeze some toothpaste out.  I first saw this on Pinterest but found an excellent supplyof resources on Teachers Pay Teachers.  Click here for the resource I used.  I love this resource and am excited to try the other activities in the packet.

My students did understand the concept.  My meanest boy was the first to verbalize that the toothpaste could not be put back in the container so like mean words, they can't be taken back.  He is still mean to others.  Overall, I did not see improvement in behavior in the entire class.  I am hoping that continuing these activities will help the class.  I just want it to happen sooner rather than later.

Behavior Strategies

Over the past week, I have tried some new behavior strategies in my classroom.  The results are listed below.

1.  Mystery Walker - I saw this idea on Pinterest.  All the students names are by the door on an envelope.  Before we go out into the hallway, I pick a "Mystery Walker."  The students do not know who it is until we return to the room.  If the "Mystery Walker" behaves in the hallway, they get a sucker when we get back to the classroom.  After explaining the concept to my students, I received a complaint, "But that means we all have to behave in the hallway."  Um...yes.  The students need a constant reminder when in the hallway.  However, the behavior has improved.  They are far from perfect, but I am no longer embarrassed to walk around the building with them.

2.  Weekly Behavior Assessment - I created a form, like a weekly progress report, that students had to fill out.  This went in their weekly envelopes.  I am not sure if I like the form completely.  This is still a work in progress.  To ensure honesty, I made sure to include a spot for teacher comments.  My students were actually honest with this activity.  Once I finalize a form, I will post a free copy on Teachers Pay Teachers.  I still want to work out all of the kinks.

3.  Group Points -  I have cups in the front of the classroom with the group numbers on them.  If the groups are behaving appropriately, I drop in a cute pom pom.  If they are not behaving, I take a pom pom away.  I have done this before with other classes.  With them, I had a competition and the winner got a prize at the end of the day.  This group is very different.  I knew this wouldn't work.  I made a goal for the groups.  Every group that made the goal (10 pom poms) would receive a prize. Unfortunately, the students did not make the goal even once.  Because of this, the Group Points fizzled out by the end of the week.  I know from past experiences that this activity does work.  I will try again.  This time I will lower the goal to 5 pom poms.  If it works this week, I can gradually increase the amount groups will have to earn.

This week will be better.  At least, I hope it will!

Safe Spot

Sometimes, we all just need a time out.  Students that need a time out are able to ask to go to the Safe Spot.  A Safe Spot is a designated location in the classroom that students are able to go to and calm down.  In the Safe Spot in my classroom, I have a Calming Caddy that students can go through. Click here to see more about creating your own Calming Caddy.  Students then have to fill out a reflection form that states why they needed to go there.  I keep track of how many time students ask to go to the Safe Spot.  This way, I can meet with students that go too often - maybe they need deeper help (like from a social worker) or they just want to play.  Ideally, having a Safe Spot helps students to monitor and fix their own behaviors so problems are reduced in your classroom.

If you are interested in creating your own Safe Spot, check out the free download on Teachers Pay Teachers.

Difference Between Administrators and Teachers

Yesterday and today I had the opportunity to attend a conference on Educational Leadership. Being a teacher, I was definitely in the minority. Most participants were principals, superintendents and other administrators. After sitting, listening, and participating in the two day sessions, I see that there is a huge difference between administrators and teachers.

Administrators - Think more in theory. They come up with big picture ideas that others need to put into practice.

Teachers - Want practical ideas that can be used right now. Have to implement the big picture ideas!

The big ideas of the conference were social/emotional standards and teacher leadership. I am glad that social/emotional standards are now a priority. Without realizing it, I have been working on them in my classroom. I have been doing this to improve behavior in our class.  Click here for Illinois' Social and Emotional Standards.  Many other states have adopted them as well.  One of my favorite activities to use in the classroom to meet this goal is bucket filling.  This book is awesome to read to students.  I use it to introduce or compliment container.

                                         

As for the other part of the conference, teacher leadership...am I the only one that views this as an excuse to give teachers work that they don't want to do?  Enough about that.  I don't want to say too much.  Time to rest before my all day conference tomorrow. (What was I thinking signing up for a conference on a Saturday after sitting 2 days straight in a different conference?)

GoNoodle Brain Break Cards

I was productive today and made cards to accompany GoNoodle.  As I have stated before, I am a huge fan.  There are just so many activities on the site to choose!  I made these cards to help with choosing.  Just pull one when you are ready to complete a Brain Break and you are good to go!  Get these cards free at Teachers Pay Teachers!

                                                   

Gonoodle.com

I love Pinterest!  I admit that I am on it a lot.  I do however actually use things that I find.  One find was a new blog that I checked out because of the post.  Check out Teacher Idea Factory.

The post in particular was about Gonoodle.  This site let's you register your class and complete tons of brain break activities.  It logs the time the students complete the brain breaks including sports activities and dancing videos.  It's free to use!  I tried it yesterday with my students.  I asked my students what they thought of it. They all loved it!  Then I asked them if I should share it with the other third grade teachers.  They told me no, because they wanted it be a secret between us.  Too bad I told the other teachers anyway.  I guess the secret is out!

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Homework

It's that time of year.  The students are rambunctious!  One thing I do is possible Friday homework.  I leave it up to the students as to whether or not they get homework.  I write the word HOMEWORK on the board.  I erase letters if the students are having problems as a class.  Today, we only had HOME left.  As long as their is a letter left, I do not give homework over the weekend.  This did help keep the students on track today.  They only needed a reminder for the most part.

Timer

Today I had to substitute again.  I like the class - for the most part (although it is still difficult to be away from my class).  The last time I subbed for them, they were perfect until it was time to line up for anything.  To combat this problem, I pulled up the timer on my phone.  Each time the students had trouble, I turned the timer on.  We stood on the wall at recess for 1 minute 8 seconds.  This was a huge improvement from the last time where we wasted what felt like 15 minutes lining up.  I was very pleased at the improvement.  Too bad the rest of the behavior was an issue!  That is something I will have to deal with next week when I sub for them again.

Tougher Behavior Guidelines

Throughout the school year, I use a behavior chart for my students.  I normally have 5 colors with consequences getting worse and worse each time the color gets flipped.  After Spring Break, I normally go down to 4 colors.  Since our Spring Break is not for a few more weeks, I knew I could not hold out. Starting today, we are at 4 colors.  I told my students that since ISAT is over, I need to prepare them for 4th grade.  There are no more warnings for my students.  If their card is flipped, there is no recess.  I will still flip the positive way since I do not want my students to be discouraged if their card is flipped.  I do not flip all the time.  Normally students are crazy this time of year.  This has helped in the past.  Hopefully it helps now.

Thursday Freebie - Attention Grabbers

I am so glad ISAT is over...almost.  I still have make-up testing tomorrow.  Then I can really celebrate.

My students have been a bit bonkers being off of their regular schedule.  One of things I do to gain their attention is an Attention Grabber prompt.  I say one thing and they say their line in return.  I have trained my class to be silent and wait for directions once they have said their line.  Sometimes, I may have to say the line a couple of times.  Overall, it gets the students focused without me screaming.  One example is "Hear ye, hear ye...All hail the queen."  I love that line!  Eventually, your class may get creative and try their own lines.

If you are interested in your free Amazing Attention Grabbers sheet...check out my Teachers Pay Teachers store at http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Attention-Grabbers-1169348.

Brain Breaks

Twice a day, our class has been completing Brain Breaks using the YouTube videos that I was able to download.  I have to say that this is the highlight of my day.  My students get into the dancing with the songs.

Some great Brain Break songs are Sid Shuffle and What Does the Fox Say?  To find some great videos, search Brain Breaks and see what comes up.  I like that the videos are kid appropriate.  It becomes a nice break during the day.

An alternative to the Brain Break videos are Popsicle sticks with activities written on them. For example, one stick may say complete 15 jumping jacks while another one has the students play Simon Says.  This was my low tech version until I got the videos.  I may still throw them in every once in awhile to help change things up.

The Box

I finally reached my breaking point with one boy this year.  He constantly wants to be around me.  Every time students are working on a project, he is walking around the classroom.

Today, he got the box put around his desk.  The box is just electrical tape (I have found through trial and error that this this tape is the best) taped in a large rectangle around the student's desk.  I give the student enough space to stand up and move around a little.  The most important thing for me is that they cannot just walk up to me as they are not allowed to leave the box.

In the past I have tried this strategy and have found it to be most effective.  I really hope that it works for him too!

Valentine's Day Notes

I must admit that I totally forgot about this activity until I saw one of my coworkers working on it.

First of all you make a heart for every student out of construction paper. It needs to be large. Put each students' name in the middle of the heart. Pass around the hearts and have each student write something kind about that person.  Each person gets their heart to take home. The students love it and are surprised at some of the comments.  (Warning: Proofread each heart before passing them back. Some students will try writing mean things. )

I have done this before when I have had classes that were mean. It helps behavior for awhile. It also helps when you guilt them with a lesson first.  For that, I take a heart with no name on it and crumble it up each time someone says something mean. At the end I try to put the heart back to normal.  Students can see that you can't do that. It makea them think about what is said.

Exceptional Behavior, Part 2

Last week I wrote about adding an extra color to the color chart for exceptional behavior. I picked purple because my students know that's my favorite color.  I did plan to really introduce this to the students and get everything ready. Yesterday my students were so crazy that I quickly put this into practice.

Vy the afternoon, I only had one student that didn't drive me crazy. I quickly cut a square from purple paper. I put it in that one student's spot on the behavior chart. I gave a specific example of what she did that made me really want to give her the card. I also went into an explanation about the purpose of the card.  The rest of my students quickly changed their behavior because they wanted a card too. They even created their own nickname for it. They call it perfect purple.

At the end of the day I gave the student with the purple card a quickly made goodie bags. I wanted something a little different to give us a prize. I had leftover Valentine's Day bags from last year. I threw some fun things into the bag. I will make up more bags to have on hand.

We will see if this new system really works.  If not, at least I know that I will finally be able to reward my students that go above and beyond eaxh day!

Exceptional Behavior

I believe that I have mentioned that I use a color chart for behavior.   There are 5 colors with consequences that get progressively worse when flipped.  Lately, I feel like I flip the same kids over and over. I am definitely getting annoyed by some.

There are some kids that are very well behaved.   I want to single them out.  I want to encourage extra great behavior.   To do this, I am toying with the idea of trying an extra special card for exceptional behavior. This would be given to the student that goes above and beyond with behavior. Anyone with this card would receive a certificate and small prize. I may not use this card everyday but I want it available if I do.  This will be a test.  Who knows if it will work! I hope it does.