Are you in the pool or on the side? - Teach Like a Pirate Chapter 2

I have to start this post with a disclaimer.  I had to read off the preview as I am still waiting for my book.  With this said I am not sure I got to read all of chapter 2.

Are you on the side of the pool?
     I really enjoy Burgess' connection to a swim coach standing by the pool.  This probably has something to do with the fact I was a competitive swimmer in the past.  I guess the question I really need to ask, is am I the teacher who just tells the kids what to do and sit back and just wait for them to do it.  Sometime this can seem like what needs to be done.  I don't know about you, but sometimes I wish it was that simple so I could get all my paper work and grading done.  However, is this really benefiting the students?  Isn't this the time when you feel like they get what you are teaching the least.  This also seems to be what causes the kids to say "she goes to fast," or "she doesn't help me."  Sometimes I feel like I have to be the coach on the outside because I'm looking for that kid that is trying to pull another kid under, those behavior friends we have?

Are you in the pool?
    Are you the teacher who is in the pool?  Are you doing one on one conferences? Are you doing small groups? Are you going to those students and showing them the small things that make them just a little bit more successful?  I believe we all start off wanting to be this teacher.  The one who is in the middle of it all.  The one who has a class of complete engagement with the students totally focused on what is going on.  How many students need us to be totally immersed in what we are doing because it may be the only time during the day that someone shows them they are cared about?  

Is it fair for us to grade a child based on the sidelines (papers only) or should we grade them based on their growth, thinking, and effort (discussion, responses). I know last year I was bad about grading from the sidelines.  I felt like I had to have that paper.  How was that fair to my ELL Learners and my students with learning disabilities?  Just because they read the question and interpreted it differently or could truly explain there thoughts in written words, doesn't mean they don't have all the material.  Maybe if I would immerse myself in my teaching, I would find a few thing to be true:
     1.  I would have more engagement
     2.  I would know who was truly struggling and who wasn't and needed to be challenged
     3.  I would have more fun, and so would my students
    4. My students would feel like their teacher cared.

Till Sunday with Chapter 3.  May your week be blessed with fun and immersion in what ever you may be doing.

Want to see what others are saying?  Link up with Marie from "The Hands-On Teacher" and see her summary of Chapter 2 that she has. Just Click on the button below.

ARGH.....Teach Like a Pirate Chapter 1

Teach Like a Pirate - Chapter 1

So as I started reading this book, one of the first things I came across in the introduction was:

"Pirates are daring, adventurous, and willing to set forth into uncharted territories with no guarantee of success."

- That describes any teacher at any building with any class.  Here comes this new crew of kids, and we are going to try to incorporate new learning and new material into their brains, with the hope of them taking this knowledge and showing their mastery in an assessment of some sort.  Can we guarantee each child's success, no!  We don't control their home life, their social life, or what they may face outside the school day.  We can only control what we teach and pray that it is enough to lead them to success.

PASSION -
Question 1 - What are you passionate about in your teaching?  - Me, I am passionate about helping those students who are struggling with reading find the one thing that makes reading a joy instead of a chore.  If I had all the money in the world, I would be volunteering at low academic achieving, low income schools and helping those students who need that extra care that is almost impossible to give during a busy school day. 
Question 2 - What ignites a fire inside you? - This past year I had a sixth grader who came to me from another country and due to language couldn't even tell me his colors or shapes.  The joy, the my "heart grew three times bigger that day" (How the Grinch stole Christmas), that I felt is what ignites me.  To see the growth, the passion, the light bulb in my students when they begin to succeed is what makes me want to continue my passion as a teacher.
Question 3 - What is your personal passion? - I'm not sure I would call it a passion, but my stitching.  Can it be considered a passion if you never seem to find the time to do it?  Is that right?  

If you want to see Mary from Guided-Math giver her summary and retell of Chapter one, head on over to her blog by clicking the link below.

  Guided - Math   

Or go here and see what others are saying.


http://thirdgradetidbits.blogspot.com/2013/06/teach-like-pirate-chapter-1-passion.html

 

I Survived!!!! - Monday Made It 2013

Well, what can I say?  It has been a long crazy year.  75+ sixth graders, 177 teaching days, 2 STAAR tests, too many Curriculum Assessments to count, 3 Field Trips, packing up a classroom, and I can say I survived the 2012-2013 school year.  Some days I wondered if I would, let me tell you , this crew kept me on my toes, and wore me out on a daily basis.  

I have to say the ending to this year was bitter sweet.  I really enjoy the school I am at, but evidently God has other plans for me right now.  Due to a new school being built in the area, I have lost my current position at my campus and have been added to the "surplus" list.  Meaning, I have a job next year with my district, but where, what grade, what subject(s), only the lord knows his plan for that right now.  I also have applied to other districts here in the DFW metroplex, actually been applying since January, and still haven't heard anything.  This is a tough situation for me, but I know come the end of the summer I will be where God wants me and needs me.

Now on to some fun things:  MONDAY MADE ITS - Well okay, things I made/used through out the year, that I will be recreating for my next class, no matter what age/grade/subject.  Kinda hard to make new things when you don't know where you will be.  Would love ideas on something that can be versatile in any classroom.

MADE IT #1

You may remember me blogging about making these bookbags last year.  2 Gallon Ziplock bags with Duck Tape on all edges.  Well let me tell you, they stood up GREAT! No torn sides, no broken bags, no "my bag ripped", or "I can't find mine."  They were wonderful.  I had 3 big bins that these were stored in based on class.  It was wonderful to be able to have the kids move their bins with them to homeroom during district or state testing and know they all had books.  Why didn't I just save them for next year you ask?  Well, they were in such good shape at the end of the year, I decided it would be a great collection method for all their journals.  So, I stacked them all up, gave them to the first block teacher for each class, and journal adding we did.  What did we fit in them, Here is the list:

Science Journal,  Science Workbook
Social Studies Journal
Math Journal
Grammar Workbook,
Writing Journal and Folder
Reading Journal and Workbook

Yep it all fit.  Here is a picture of the stack, you can see they are still in tack.

      
Made It #2 - Emergency Binder/Phone Numbers 

We all have to have our Crisis Plan out and available for subs or another teacher who might be in our classroom. Plus, we are required to be able to access all student numbers in case we need them during that "crisis."  Well here is a binder I have used for Two Years and LOVE IT!!!!

First of all, I found this binder on clearance last summer at wal-mart.  Haven't seen them again, but this happens to work perfect.

In the front I have the crisis plan details and a map of the school with my room marked along with the locations for severe weather and fire drills marked.

What is cool about this binder is it has an additional flap, and on the inside of that I have the Green/Red cards our campus uses to let administrators know for afar if we are okay or need help.

 So behind the Crisis Plan, I put each students information (I use a copy of the enrollment card) in a plastic sleeve.  Here is what I have found so beneficial.  Every time I send something home that requires a phone number (Field Trip form, etc) I put in behind the enrollment form upside down so I can see it if I flip the plastic sleeve to the left side of the binder.  I always have a most up to date phone number.  

This binder comes in handy for many things - 
              1.  Fire Alarm Rings/ Crisis Situation - One student grabs the hot pink binder and off we 
                   go.   It is definitely hard to miss on my shelf.
              2.  Great to leave out with a sub, she can have a student call a parent if needed or look up a   
                   number for the nurse as well.
              3.  Field Trips - YES!!! I take the whole binder on a field trip.  It allows me to have all my 
                    forms and numbers and it isn't just a stack of papers that get bent up and messed up.

As for cute covers, well, that is a work in progress.  Maybe someone who links up with Monday Made it can create one for me.  Who knows.










Made It #3 - Data Binder

Let me tell you, keeping up with data on 75+ students can be a hard thing to do.  I started this system last year and really like it.  

  I use a 3" ring binder (big, I know).  You will notice the red, blue, and green tabs on the right.  These designated which class each kid was in.  (They are the post it tabs and I wrote their names on them.)  My binder itself is in alphabetical order, but the tabs help me know which class each student is in.  The top page for each student has up to date data from years past, as well as spots to add data from the current year.  Behind each tab, I might add reflection pages my student write after tests, monitoring notes on each child, or writing samples that I feel need to be kept.  This binder allows me to have all my data in one spot, and all things for one student to share with them or their parents in one spot.  Here are some close ups with more details.

I am going to try to put a link here to access the actual form, but I am not sure it will work.  If not maybe someone in Blog World can help me later with it.  Okay, can't figure it out. I have it as a word document, so anyone who knows how, I would love the help.

Well, that is all for this Monday.  Tell next week, have fun.  Don't forget to link up with Tara at 4th Grade Frolics to see more Monday Made Its.

Nicole

    

What a start to school!!!!

Well, it has been a great while since I have blogged.  My life has been crazy since I went back to work on the 20th of August.  

In my personal life, My divorce became final on the 24th of August and that was a big relief to get it done and over with.   I rented a new place, going from a two bedroom town home to a 3 bedroom house with a yard.  This was much needed, since me, my two children, two dogs, and bird where in a 900 square foot town home with out a yard.  

So with all that it has been 5 weeks of new students, lesson plans, packing, moving, getting furniture, and utilities all ready to go.

With all that in mind, it has been a pretty amazing 5 weeks.  

My kids are truly loving their new rooms and the space they have.  The dogs have decided that staying outside all day isn't such a bad thing.  My wonderful family has helped me get the house completely organized, and in fact, helped me move, have everything put away, and even pictures hung all in one weekend.  I couldn't have done it without them.  Then my gracious parents bought my kids new bikes this past Monday, and let me tell you, it has been the best thing for my kiddo's.  They are loving riding their bikes each night.

Now on to some school stuff.  

I am on a team with two other wonderful teachers.  Mrs. John teaches Science (she is amazing at it), Mr. Belknap teaches Math (not sure I would have the patience), and I teach Reading, Writing, and Social Studies (World Geography to be exact).  

So that means I have 3 blocks a day, each with a time limit of 90 minutes.  Yes, you read that right 90 minutes.  I am still working on how to get all my curriculum in.  Right now, I am trying to do 45 minutes of reading everyday and rotate writing and geography.  Let me tell you this has been tough.  Now, in the past, I have gotten to geography when I can, and focused on Reading and Writing (my favorites), but this year that isn't an option.  They (the district) have decided to add a district mid-year and end of year Geography test on us 6th Graders.  YIKES, now that is 3 district reading tests, 2 district writing tests, 2 district geography test, and the 1 BIG STATE READING TEST, and this is only what I have to get covered.   Needless to say, I am a bit worried about getting it all covered.  

Oh, did I mention that we have almost (27-28) 30 students in each block.  Yes, that is almost 30 hormonal boys and girls in a small portable classroom.  Low on space, but trying to make it fun.  I am trying to implement Daily 5/Cafe and some of the Whole Brain Teaching.  I still have not become consistent with any of it.  I am having a hard time finding Daily 5 time, because by the time I finish my 20 minute lesson, there just doesn't seem much time left.  Well, maybe that is because we have had mandatory keyboarding the last 3 weeks and our schedule has been CRAZY!!!!  

Then, there is the level of my students.  Can we say all over the place?  I have 3-4 brand new to the country English Language Learners, one who is needing to learn his colors, shapes, and sight words.  We have 3-4 darlings who like to test us daily, and we have to watch out for bullying on a regular basis, and then there are the ones who are slightly below grade level, and the rest are right about average.  Oh boy, differentiation, differentiation, differentiation.  Keeps me on my toes, that is for sure.

Overall, it has been a pretty good start to the year.  Most of the kids are respectful, at least to us teachers, and they seem to be working pretty hard. Plus, with progress reports going out this past week, I think the students have realized, that they are going to have to work for their grades, and thinking beyond the obvious is part of that.

So maybe some of my blogger friends can help me with ideas to incorporate Geography, Reading, and Writing.  I would love to know of some books that I can use to teach Geography through Reading.  Any ideas?  Websites?  Etc?

Well, till next time, and I hope it will be less that 5 weeks, Good luck with your endeavors and may each day be blessed with good things and happy times.

Nicole Rutledge

Monday Made it # 8

Well, I'm linking up again with Tara at Fourth Grade Frolics and her Monday Made It Party.  Make sure you check out what others are doing and join in on the fun.  If it wasn't for this every week, I probably wouldn't be where I am at with all the things I need to do for my class, or be as organized as I will be this year.

So on to my Made Its.

Made - It - Exit Ticket Board(s)

I did mine a little different than the other ones I have seen.  I used library pockets, and did it over 3 boards.  I did this for a couple of reasons - 1) I live in portable land and with the humidity and wind or other elements when the door opens, there is no guarantee that the sticky notes will stay.  2) I have 3 classes through out the day, and if I don't have time to grab the slips from each class, I might not have enough space.  

So I see myself using index cards (over multiple days), and them sliding their index cards in to the slot as they leave.  

Made It # 2 - More Book Bags

 
I got 15 more bags done, thanks to my amazing Mother who helped me accomplish this while she was here this weekend.  Not sure what I would do without her.

So that means I have 12 green and 15 Red.    Still have 18 Green, 15 Red, and 30 Blue to go.  I had better work on a set a night if I want this finished, since I am back to school on MONDAY!!!!  YIKES!!!

Made It #3 - 

 I then started working on my writing process folders - 4 pocket folders that is.  I got this off pinterest.

If you want to know how to do this, please go here for instructions.
 
 Now for a little something different.

I need MONDAY MADE IT HELP!!!!!!

I posted this last Saturday, but realize a lot of people may not have seen it.  

Awhile back I had a Monday Made It # 3.

Then I pulled it out to show my mom this weekend the actual thing and when I went to unfold it, it was all stuck together.  Even with a hair dryer to try and allow the glue to melt, this is what I ended up with.

As you can see, the paper tore, and I couldn't even get the top two pieces apart.  It was a very sad moment.   I would love your suggestions on how to prevent this, because I would like to create it again.   I appreciate P Marksberry and their comment about a sealer.  

Well, till next week, I'm Off to finish creating and getting things done.  

Here is my current list:

13 Topic Binders (yep, didn't get anymore of those finished)
63 Book Bags
My Teacher Notebook - started but not finished
My Sub Notebook
75 Writing Folders
and classroom set up, I should stay pretty busy.  

YIKES, I had better stay BUSY!!!!  A Lot to do and not a lot of time.

Nicole Rutledge


 

HELP!!!

I need some major modge podge help.  Back in July I made a writing process line up so that my kids could mark where they were in the writing process.  It looked like this.

Last night I took it out to show my Mom, who wanted to see my projects in person, and it was all stuck together.  I had folded it to store it.  So now it looks like this:

As you can see when they got pulled apart, my pages ripped.  and I couldn't even get the top two apart.

I don't have a problem recreating this, but I would like to know how to prevent it from doing this again.  Was Modge Podge the wrong thing to use?  I will take any suggestions.  I think I'll Link Up with Tara and Monday Made It today so that someone might get a few more suggestions.

Thanks all my bloggie friends.

Nicole Rutledge

Monday Made It #7 on Tuesday

Well, if you caught my Monday Made it last week, you know that last week was kind of a blur. 

I started off in Dallas at Mary Kay Sapphire Seminar.  Oh, How much fun I had.

New Nail Colors!!!                            Dress made out of recycled             Future National Mundy
                                                                         boxes!                              Area (My Girlfriends).

I finished up in Dallas on Wednesday Morning and headed to Mardel's to get some laminating done (I had a 5 Feet Free coupon!).  After doing that, repacking, and getting my carpets cleaned, I headed over to my sisters for another Stitching Weekend.

Thursday Morning - Beth (my sister), and I headed down to Red Rock, Texas to Hideaway Hills Bed and Breakfast.  Oh my, what an amazing place.  It holds a max of 10 people in bungalows.  Has a separate great room, that they have set up for crafts.  Yes, that means 10 large tables with rolling comfortable chairs and lights already provided.  They have had quilters, scrappers, and stitchers all come.  Not to mention each meal we had was to die for and the owners just became a part of our group.  Oh how much fun. 

My project here was a stitched sampler.  This piece was started in March of 2009.  It is being completed by My mom, my sister, and myself.  Let me explain,  we each started our own piece (yes all the same design), and then are rotating it around so we each have the same completed piece, that each of us stitched on.

Here is the piece I worked on, my mom's:

The before I started my section (My Mom stitched this part):

Here is what I got done while I was there (I stitched):

Sorry, I couldn't get it to turn, but you should be able to see what I added.  The phrase so far on there is "With Silken Stitches Dost My Nee" (the last word will be needle).

We came back Sunday, and did I mention that while I drove my lovely sister cut out all 20 feet of laminated items for me.  YEA, BETH!!!  Then she asked if I had more laminating, and when I said yes, she said it is hers to cut out at night.  So I finished the last 15 feet of Laminating I had today.  Woo Hoo.

On to my school made its:  Yes I did do some of those.

I completed my Vocabulary in Context Binder to add with my other 5 I have done.

In case you didn't read last weeks post, I have printed off hard copies of lessons and reading passages for each "topic" and for the grades 2-6 from www.readworks.org.  With all the RTI and different levels I have in my 6th grade class', this allows me to have the information at my fingertips with out having to go web searching.

I also worked on creating book bags.

So, I know I could have bought actual book boxes, but when you need 90 (yes, 3 classes of 30), the next question is where to put them.  I don't have room for all those boxes.  Then I thought well I could just do canvas bags, okay on space, but that green thing called money, my budget just won't fit that.  I tried using gallon baggies last year, but they broke, and some non-fiction books just wouldn't fit.  So then with all the duck tape projects going around, I decided that maybe duck tape would fix the breaking problem(reinforce the edges and bottom).  The I started thinking about size and remembered those baggies I saw a few years back with the school bus' on them.  I couldn't find those, but Hefty had a 2.5 gallon Ziploc bag.  I decided to go with those.  12 for $4 wasn't bad, big enough for most non-fiction or picture books, and I got duck tape when it was on sales at Michael's for 2 for 7.  So I started off with one box of bags and tried it tonight.  I'm pretty happy with how they came out.  Now to find a storage idea, and see if they actually work. By the way, that is my son (Paul) who was helping me.

So after a busy week, then a busy Monday with my kids I got back from their Dad's, I decided I should like up with Tara for her Monday Made It.

I start back to school on the 20th, so not much more time and so much to do.  Another :

13 Topic Binders
78 Book Bags
My Teacher Notebook - started but not finished
My Sub Notebook
Exit Ticket Poster
and classroom set up, I should stay pretty busy.

Till next Monday,  Have fun linking up with Tara and seeing what others made.
If you want to get some of that awesome nail polish, check out my website at www.marykay.com/nrutledge

Nicole Rutledge