I LOVE Whales! (and my first freebie!)

Summer makes me think of the ocean since we spend so much time at the beach - especially since my children are at prime beach age. I'm so blessed to live here in Honolulu, where basically it is beach weather all year long. *Yay!*

When I think of the ocean, I think of whales. I LOVE WHALES! I love going to look for the humpbacks and their calves each winter season.  This week, a pod of Orca were spotted off on the west coast. This was the first time Orca have been seen in Hawaiian waters in several years, so naturally it got everyone excited.  It made me think of my ocean/whale unit that I do with my students each year.

One of the activities in the unit is to look up the sizes of a variety of whales and chart their measurements on a graph.  Then, so the children can actually SEE how long that is, we go out and use yarn to measure how long that would be on our playground or in our courtyard.

We compare our actual life size graph to see just how big the whales are.  Then, as a bonus activity, we try to find out how many first graders long a blue whale is!  (Here's a hint: You're going to need a class of over 20 kids, unless you have some pretty tall kids in your class!)

As much as they complain about laying on the grass, the first graders really love this activity and I do to!  I'm including the graph here as my gift to you. It's nothing fancy, but I'm working on it! =)

Click here to download.

Have a wonderful weekend and God Bless!

Aloha,
-Jenn-

Throwback Thursday & Linky Party Fun!

Hi Friends!

Happy 4th of July!  I'm joining my first "Linky Party" today from Cara, the author of The First Grade Parade. Check it out, by clicking the button below.

While I'm still relatively new to blogging, here's a blog from the past (before I took my hiatus) that might help any of you looking forward to setting up your classrooms real soon! Enjoy!

Aloha!

-Jenn-

Originally Posted on August 2, 2009

I've got one more day of prep left before the troops arrive on Tuesday.  I've added some pictures of what the room looks like now.  Keep in mind I've got about 4-5 hours or so of work to put in, so  bulletin boards and library should look better afterward.  I have yet to put up my CAFE board, but I'm playing around with the idea of changing it to FACE instead.  I love the idea of a CAFE and the word itself sounds more beautiful, but I like that FACE is a word that the kids will have an easier time with since it "follows the rules".   I'd put it up on the board as "The FACE of a Reader".

Do you think I should go with CAFE or FACE?

I'll let you know my decision tomorrow!

From the front looking back.

Read aloud, sharing area.

Games on shelf, looking toward the front of the room.

Science/ Discovery Area.  Student portfolios housed below.

Continuing Education

It's a date night tonight with the hubby!  Make that a study date night.  This week I started my Master's in Education program.  I'm pretty stoked that I can take the whole program online, but at the same time it requires huge amounts of discipline on my end.  I don't know about you, but as a teacher, I find myself pretty scatter-brained and heading in many different directions at once - only to get distracted once more to start yet another activity! They should call it Teacher ADD! (Perhaps that's why I'm blogging instead of studying....)

Anyhoo, this term I'm taking two classes: (1) Introduction to Action Research and (2) Learning Styles, Learning Theories.  I'm not much for research. I would much rather have someone else do the researching and I'll bask in the results.  Lol.  But I do understand its importance and as the author of one of my texts wrote, it's important for those who are using to research to see if it's a valid experiment or test of theory.

S.T.E.M., S.T.E.A.M, or S.T.R.E.A.M.?

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.  Those are the building blocks with which our country is trying to rebuild education.  And with good reason, too. The U.S. is desperately falling behind in these areas and with the exponential growth of technology, jobs, and human advancement, our children can not afford to fall behind.

Our summer reading includes this book:

I haven't finished it yet, but it is great at understanding how our current education system is not adequately preparing our children and students for becoming contributing citizens of our country.

Find me at Bloglovin'!!

Hi readers! Just a quick post to let you know that you can find my blog on Bloglovin. It's a great place to keep track of all the blogs you're following.  Click on the link below to check it and me out! 

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Aloha!
-Jenn-

Project Based Learning

This summer, many of our faculty members are reading about and researching ways to incorporate Project Based Learning in our classrooms. Of course, just as many other teachers out there, many of the activities and projects we do in our classrooms are already similar to a project based learning approach. So it's thankfully more of a fine-tuning rather than a curriculum overhaul!

So where to begin?  Well, in my research so far this summer, I've come across some really great websites to help any and all get started with Project Based Learning.

The best website I visited was

Summer Rain = Rainbows!

What I love about rain in the summertime are the rainbows that accompany them. No matter how many I've seen in my lifetime, I count myself blessed with every one I see.

This brings me to reminisce about a water unit I did...

We started with a web of ideas and what comes to the mind of a first grader when they think of water. We got a lot of great ideas our water brainstorm!

They then took their ideas and wrote a sentence telling us about the importance of water.  They then put their sentence on a raindrop cut out and illustrated it.  We added it to our window display along with a rainy day poem for the wet month of April.

This is a great project to use during any rainy season. Even if yours is during the summer!

Aloha!

-Jenn-

I am an Addict!

So here it is the summer of 2013 and I realized I hadn't touched this blog in over a year.  I apologize to my faithful subscribers of 15.  I have to admit, my absence is most in part to an addictive entity that can be summed up in pretty much one word: Pinterest.  Boy, does that website have its hooks in me pretty bad!!

Not only have I been spending most of my free moments perusing the site for great teaching ideas, but I get so self-conscious about the massive amounts of wonderfully written, creatively decorated and nearly professionally produced OTHER first grade websites out there.  I can't really compare with mine.  (Yet!)

The competitor in me yells at me for wasting time LOOKING at those sites when I could be using my time to be working on sprucing up my own and raking in the traffic.  (Aw, but they've got such great ideas! I just have to look a little bit more at their lit centers. Oh, wait, what's this website about? And a linky party??)

The hoarder in me has posted over 1000 pins on teaching alone.  Not to mention the hundreds of others based on cooking, working out, going paleo, kids stuff, home decore, etc.  It goes on and on - literally.  I don't know how and if I can even implement all of these ideas in the school year!  (Oh, but I teach with Dr. Seuss books and this is such a cute Dr. Seuss crafting activity. Oh! And this pinner has a whole board dedicated to Dr. Seuss.  I like this one, and this one, and this one, and this one....)

The organizer in me has realized at the 500th pin on the board titled "Classroom" that perhaps I should have separated categories for each subject area to make searching easier.  That took up a huge chunk of hours as well.

The entrepreneur in me is dying every time I see a Deanna Jump pin linking to her million dollar TPT website.  Can't we all just become millionaires??  Sigh.  DJ Inkers must be making a fortune too, because - is it me or does all of those graphics on TPT look the same? Still have hope that I can create something original.

The realist in me is wondering why I'm even getting back on my blog.  I've got pins to explore, a new PBL curriculum to create for next year, 10+ books I splurged on from Amazon to nerd out to on my first summer off in YEARS!  Not to mention, my own 3 kids are still vying for my attention, my husband is studying for his promotion exam/interview, and I had surgery on my wrist about 3 weeks ago.

So there it is.  Pinterest has become my addiction (in addition to Facebook, Instagram, and Candy Crush).  Again, I apologize to all my faithful subscribers - hopefully there are still some of you left!  I am thrilled that my site has been visited over 3000 times, so there's still hope that I can pick up a few more readers along the way.  Take a look at the past years, but get ready for a new one!  I've got exciting things in store this year as our school jumps head into first into our PBL mindset.  Leave a comment if there is anything you want to see, or just to give me some inspiration to keep going!

Have a wonderful Wednesday! God Bless!

-Jenn-

100 Days of School!

Happy 100 Days!

As a teacher, you know that not ALL of the 100 days were happy ones.  But it never ceases to amaze me how special it is to know that I've spent 100 days with these kids.  Make that 750 hours.  My head is spinning already.  Just imagine how much time that is and how much of a difference you make in someone's life.  What would you want out of someone who was willing to spend 750 hours with you?  It's a crazy thought, but one I'd never really sat down to think about before.  I'd love to hear what you guys have to say!

In celebrating the 100 days of school, our students counted everything from beads,

 to crayons,

to Pokemon cards!

We counted in groups of 2s, 5s, and 10s.  It was a great event and we even strung our 100 beads into a necklace!  Now on to the next 80-something days!  Looks like we'll be having 6 more weeks of winter.  Glad we're in Hawai`i!!!

A Hui Hou!

De-segregating Fraction Circles

A funny thing happened today when we were began our unit on fractions.  Our discussion started off simple: equal parts and what are they.  They are the same size, shape, and they match.  Okay, simple.  Then I brought out the fraction circles and had the kids explore them.

The kids noticed right away that they had to match the colored pieces to make a full circle.  They were especially pleased with themselves because we had just been talking about equal parts and they discovered that each piece was equal.

Teaching off of a Whim

It amazes me how much we try to cram into a week of school, much less into an entire school year.  I spend my weekends planning for the following week, occasionally I'll get excited and do a week and a half, or on the rare occasion, two weeks!  But things come up, new ideas get found, and like a kid in a candy store, I have to try it!!!!

Today was one of those days.  I picked up a book from the local library called The Perfect Square.

This book called out to me from the new picture bookshelf primarily because we are working on geometry in math.  So as I browsed through the pages, I realized that there was so much more to this book!  Now without ruining the story for those of you who haven't read it, it's the story of a square who is perfectly happy being a perfect square.  But then it becomes no longer a perfect square, but the square still makes the best of its situation.

**LIGHT BULB MOMENT!!!** 

Missing Teacher - Found!

Aloha all, as it had been way too long since my last post.

There have been many changes since our last encounter and much needed time and space for personal, family and professional growth.  My baby girl is no longer a baby as she has reached the fully active age of 15 months, and my other daughter has turned a beautiful 3 years old today.  My son lost his fifth tooth yesterday.  And now I'm fully aware of just how quickly time flies.

First Mess-up of the Year

Might as well get it out of the way......

So in trying to streamline my luggage to and from school, I've decided that it'd be best to just bring the bare necessities to school today.  Although my intention was, as it always is, to pack the night before, it just didn't happen.  You teachers know how quickly we fall asleep after the first day of school!

So this morning as I'm amidst the hustle and bustle of balancing my demanding 18 month old, making breakfast for the two of us and my son (who decided to wake up early on his last day of summer vacation), cleaning up, and dressing, I hastily shoved my laptop and lesson plan binder into my bag.  Quickly glancing over my resource books, I came to the conclusion that since I wouldn't look at them during the day anyway, I'd just leave them at home.

When I get to school, I open up my lesson plan binder with 15 minutes left until the bell rings.  Lo and behold, the most vital piece of information for any teacher was no where to be found.  I had left my lesson plans for this week AT HOME!!

Needless to say, I was a bit of a wreck this morning, as I'd have no prep periods until 11:10 (10:00 if I included recess).  Don't know whether to blame it on the pregnancy, exhaustion after the first day, or just plain carelessness, but now that I survived the day, I can sit back and laugh.  Yes, I managed to survive!  =) 

We continued Daily 5, and the 3rd way to read a book, by retelling Splat the Cat, a book we read yesterday.  The students decorated their file jackets - which will be their "book boxes" for the year. Next week, I'll have a discussion for how to pick a Just Right Book, but for the rest of this week, I think I'll just fill their book boxes with books chosen for them.

Today I also launched our Investigations Unit 1. So the students explored some of the math manipulatives: pattern blocks, unifix cubes, and geoblocks.  I wasn't quite sure what the difference was between geoblocks and power polygons, so I'll have to look more into that.

Lots of labeling, coloring, guided discovery with markers....

The students so far have told me that first grade is fun and that they like it..... Now if only I can get them to sit still on the carpet during lesson time......  Sigh.  I always forget, these kids are just kindergartners. They need a couple more months.  By then, I'll be on maternity leave!  =)

We'll see how tomorrow goes.  Hopefully this time, I remember my lesson plans.  =)  Thanks for listening, my faithful readers! Have a great day!

-jt-

First Day of School!

The first day has come and gone.  There were moments when it seemed like time stood still.  There were moments when it seemed as if time were flying by. But all in all, I survived.

Responsive Classroom approach seemed to have gone well today.  I am guilty of having a few more "You"s in my directions and corrections rather than "I"s.  The morning meeting seemed to have run a bit long for the kids and they were quite antsy by the time we were finished.  I, personally, felt a little bit disorganized with them.  I will try to have a smoother approach tomorrow.

The students did some guided discovery of crayons and pencils (regular & colored) today.  Tomorrow, they will do some guided discovery with pens (fat & skinny markers), and that should take care of our introduction to supplies.
It was a rainy day, so the students had limited play outside.  But I needed them to be out there since I didn't feel like I could let them have free reign over the classroom during an "indoor recess" time. We just hadn't gone over how to take care of all of the materials (ie. computers, art center, loft, dress-up, etc) just yet.

We began launching Daily 5/CAFE, with our discussion of how to read a book.  I read and discussed "Good Dog, Carl" to emphasize reading the pictures, and read "The Kissing Hand" to emphasize the words - and also to make a text-to-self connection for the first day of school.

The students also wrote the first part of "The First Days of School" class book.  They will finish it tomorrow. 

Well, the students are gone, I'm wiped out.  It's time to head home to lovingly do my other job - being a mom!  =)  Have a great day!

-jt-

Will the planning pay off?

Today was the last day of prep work before the kiddos arrive tomorrow.  There are a few last minute things to take care of in the morning and with the help of my trusty assistant.  I've decided not to let the empty bulletin boards bother me.  It will be filled soon with the precious work of kindergartners-turned-first graders. I will also be adding to them as I introduce new items into our daily routine.  As of right now, my Daily 5 board is empty.  As I introduce each new piece, I will add it to my board and make it really meaningful for them.

On another note, I heard a really beautiful poem today, read by one of my colleagues at our faculty meeting:

If I had my child to raise all over again,
I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.
I'd finger-paint more, and point the finger less.
I would do less correcting and more connecting.
I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.
I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.
I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.
I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.
I'd do more hugging and less tugging.

~Diane Loomans, from "If I Had My Child To Raise Over Again"

Just a little reminder of how the little things can make the biggest difference not only in a child's life, but in our own lives as well. 

For my wonderful followers, I wish you all the best in your new school year.  May you be blessed with laughter, tears, growth, and love. If there are moments when it seems that life has turned itself upside down, turn yourself upside down with it.  Sometimes it's nice to view the world in a whole new way. 

-jt-

Professional Reading List

For those of you who are interested, I have compiled a list of books that I have read, am still reading, and would have liked to read this summer.  Most of them have to do with literacy instruction and classroom management.  For me, those are the two biggest areas of development for children at this age.  Feel free to let me know how you liked these books, or if you have any others you'd like to suggest.

(In no particular order)


The Next Step in Guided Reading, Jan Richardson
Teaching Children to Care, Ruth Sidney Charney
The First Weeks of School, Paula Denton & Roxann Kriete
Growing Readers, Kathy Collins
Reading with Meaning, Debbie Miller
Making the Most of Small Groups, Debbie Diller
The Daily 5, Gail Boushey & Joan Moser
The Cafe Book, Gail Boushey & Joan Moser

If I had more time, I would have liked to have gotten a hold of Morning Meetings.

-jt-

So Much to Do, So Little Time

Of course I'm talking about this last day of vacation, but I'm also talking about the school year. 

Bulletin boards to prep, name cards to write, labels to print.  Lots to prep, lesson plans to write.  Like most teachers, I spent my summer looking up new ideas and tweaking my plans to fit the new set of incoming first graders. Thanks to the wonderfully populous World Wide Web, I've gotten so many new ideas.  There have been no shortage of teachers willing to share their amazing creations both on PT and their own beautifully crafted websites.  My brain and computer are filled to capacity.

So this year, I'll be implementing Daily 5 again, mixing it with a little Reader's and Writer's Workshop, adding a dash of Guided Math strategies, all the while holding down the fort under a Responsive Classroom approach.  My reading list has been limited to the books I already had on hand, but have not quite solidified in my "signature" classroom. I'll list the ones I found most instrumental for my curriculum in my next post. 

Before I buckle down and set my first few weeks of school, I'm going to take a little "me" time and go get my hair done.  Haven't done it in ages.... I guess that's what happens when you have two little rugrats to chase!  Wonderful hubby will be taking them to the park for some fun while I'm gone.  =)

Then, it's back to work!  Prepping lessons, prepping classroom, prepping lunches and bags for tomorrow.  Summer's over.  Time to play! 

-jt-

Guilty as Charged!

Okay, so I haven't blogged in just about a year. Seems that the school year took off on me and I spent the entire time chasing instead of observing and reflecting. New year, new start. Perhaps this year it'll be different....

Well, I can honestly say that this year will definitely be different! The biggest happening of all is that I will be on maternity leave in October and hope (do I really?) to return when school resumes in January. My husband, son, daughter and I are eager anticipating the arrival of girl #2 in mid-October.

As I enter this last trimester during what could very well be the hottest months of the year, I have the added bonuses of planning a new school year, watching my son blossom into a kindergartner, and guide my very head-strong daughter through the beginning stages of the terrible twos - although she won't be officially two until January!

Life has thrown me a curve ball. Let's just see if I can anticipate it's movements and knock this one out of the park!

School starts in 2 more days. Let's hope I'm ready by then. =)

-jt-

D 5 in ACTION!!

Sorry I've been away, and there's so much to share! I've got more to post at the end of the day, but right now my kids are doing it! I introduced word work today so now they are more excited and not as tempted to talk to each other while reading. I have a few taht are talking quietly during their word work which shouldn't be happening, but I think as long as the Read to Self-ers are reading independently it should be all right. Yes? I wish I brought my camera today. Will post pics tomorrow!

Oh! Photobooth!

Big Day Tomorrow!

So tomorrow is the big day. I've prepared. I've studied. I've worked.

I'm not quite finished as I will make my final push tomorrow morning before the kids enter the door. Library organization will have to be done in increments and I'm okay with my library being in somewhat disarray. As long as books are in a basket and put in some sort of general order: Picture books by author's last name, non-fiction by topic, readers in various baskets, collections (ie Berenstain Bears, Clifford, etc.) together. It'll be fine.... I just remembered I never opened my 12 boxes of crayons to put in the desk group baskets. Yet another thing to be added to the morning chore list.

Daily 5 will be put on hold for a day or two as we have to get prepared for it: decorating book bags, putting books in their bags, prepping the assessment sheets, etc. I will be starting the Daily 3/4 in math at that time as well.

In news a little closer to home, my daughter also started her first day at the sitter today. She had a great day. A little crying, but a lot of playing. Mommy was nervous for her, but knew she was in good hands, so she could focus a little more on her work today meeting new parents and staying awake during staff meetings.

Tomorrow, this mother of two will gain 24 new kids (thankfully out of diapers!) and is excited to guide them along the path of learning. Yes, I will be thinking about whether or not the food I packed for my daughter will be enough, or if my husband and son are enjoying his second to the last day of summer vacation looking at a giant bug exhibit. But meeting my new kids, learning from them, hanging with my colleagues and having "adult" conversations again, is exciting and well worth the summer wait.

Wish me luck as I get my lunch packed, my clothes pressed and an early rest!