Summer School

Summer has been wonderful. Sure it has rained here, but I still have had my sun and pool time as much as possible. I am enjoying my back patio as I type this!

I have been working in the summer program and it has been nice to teach without all the common core rules. It reminds me of my younger teacher days when we could choose read alouds and were trusted to do what was right for the kids. Sure - having accountability is good - BUT there are a lot of good teaching practices that no longer exist in the classroom. SO SAD! 

Reading aloud is crucial and a lot of teachers in NY are no longer allowed to even do that ! Lucky for me, I have been able to do it a lot in summer school!!

Here are a few cute pictures from my summer school lessons:

I love these books: 

After a read aloud, the kidos did some writing with a prompt: 

 Here is a cute example from one of the kidos: 

 

Here is the second read aloud from last week: 

 

I just love how this kidos added a disco ball! 

 

More read alouds from summer school:

    

Here is a sample of a kidos response. 

So cute ! 

 

 I also teach math. This coming week we are working on the word "greater." Both of my groups - the K kids and the first graders need the practice. Here are two pictures from the chart I made last week:

 

I also have to work on solving word problems with the kids. Each kido was given a word problem on a 1/2 sheet of paper. The kids a great job with addition, so I moved onto subtraction. We read it aloud and then circled the important parts - the numbers and the word "left." We also talked about the label for the number sentence. It floors me that you have to use the word equation with first grades! Here is my example: 

There has been a lot going on in summer school and I am loving it!

Happy Reading!

Target Dollar Spot

I have been seeing some awesome posts about Target finds, so I had to go check out my local Target....  I actually went to TWO Targets last week. SHHH!

First here is why my husband won't go to Target with me:

He sent me this picture from Facebook and I could not stop laughing! I said,       "Yep, this is why I am in Target for two hours sometimes."  It's one of my happy places. Below are some of the things I bought for school!

 

Perfect for me since I teach reading!

 I know I can find a use for these ! 

 

I can't wait to hang this somewhere! 

I found four of these cute books! 

 

I actually used the name take the first day of summer school!

I am sure I can think of a bulletin board theme for the speech bubbles. 

 

I opened a few of these to use in a reading group week.  

I can't wait to play this game with the kids in the fall!  

Happy Reading ! Happy Target Shopping, too! 

Goodbye 2014

I have been enjoying my winter break!
I ate too much; I shopped; I spent time with family.
I cannot believe tomorrow is Jan. 1st !!!!

One word resolutions

 

This is my resolution for both work and home. 

I am starting a new job, taking a class, tutoring three kidos, and trying to get back on track with working out and eating better than I have the past few weeks. With all that in mind I want to simplify. 

I tend to have a  go big or go home attitude on everything. It leads to stress and well... things like me being sick the whole month of December. With that in mind, I want to simplify things. 

I spent the afternoon working on some things for school.  I made this cute poster: 

 

I am going to have the kidos write how they used reading during winter break - besides reading a book. 

I hope everyone has a nice New Year's Eve. I'll be at home with a cozy blanket! 

Happy Reading !

Merry Christmas!

I had a busy week before break. I also have been sick, so I did not really feel like blogging in my free time. I felt like napping. LOL! 

I have been enjoying my family on my break. My poor husband was sick and missed family dinner. I went to mass with my mom which was so nice. There was a children's choir this year. Loved it! 

Before break started I did a few fun things with the kidos. Here are a few pictures. 

 

Parent gift - fingers turned into snowmen

 

Holiday cards

 

 

I just love the way this kido draws.  

The most exciting thing that happened since my last post was an early Christmas present. 

I went on an interview for a reading teacher position. After three days of waiting I was called for a second interview. I GOT THE JOB! 

I have my own room and will be teaching 4th and 5th grade reading. I am very excited and nervous. I have not done lesson plans in a year, so I have some serious planning to do! Next week, I will be busy, but I am so excited for this new adventure. 

I hope everyone is enjoying their family time and had a blessed holiday!

Happy Reading!

A Holiday Craft

I have been sick the past few days.. and here  I was thinking since I missed my November illness I would make it to holiday break without one. I should know better!

I did manage to do one project at school. Here are a few pics:

I love how each kido decorated their tree. 

I am taking the night off from tutoring and spending time under my blanket with tea! It feels like Christmas is so close especially with the snow outside. 

I hope everyone has a great weekend! 

Happy Reading!