March 2014

Green, Green, Everywhere!

Sunday, 16 March 2014

Good Morning Sweet Friends,

I hope you are all having a fabulous Sunday morning! I certainly am! The sun is shining bright, through my window and I am blogging! Fun, fun, fun! I just wanted to pop by and tell you all about our wonderful week back from Spring Break. I spent the week off, in Mexico, which was REALLY nice! It was also nice to get back to class and spend time with the kiddies (being back in the cold and snow - NOT SO NICE, though). We had a great time reading, writing, and creating. This week's theme was, of course, St. Patrick's Day!

We got a lot done, including a read aloud, a writing activity, a craft, AND a listening activity!

I love finding new and fun ways to practice and assess comprehension, and my Draw a Leprechaun poem was just the thing!

Here are some more pics from our week!

First, we read a story on the Smartboard, about Lucky the Leprechaun. I also printed the story and placed it in a folder, for our classroom library. The kiddies love referring back to it.

Then, the students became illustrators! I gave them a black and white print version of the story and we reread it as a class. We highlighted some new words and vocabulary too.

Click on the picture below to check out this package!

After familiarizing ourselves with the story, we moved on and created our own!

I usually model writing with them, but decided to complete an anchor chart this time. Of course, there was a craft! It's always a popular activity!

Finally, on Friday, we took it a little easy. After all, we had worked hard all week! I read my Draw a Leprechaun poem and the kiddies let out their inner artists!

Click on the picture below to check out this package!

Here is a photo of last year's bulletin board! I absolutely love it!

Now if only we could start to see some green OUTSIDE too!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Until next time...

Technology in the Classroom

Wednesday, 12 March 2014

Hi Everyone!

Just a quick post to tell you how excited I am! I had the great opportunity to guest blog for the

A-M-A-Z-I-N-G Rachel Lynette from Minds in Bloom. I absolutely love her blog. She has amazing ideas and resources. I wrote a post about a FREE ipad app that is a must have in EVERY classroom!

Click on the picture above or right HERE, to read my post. It is truly an amazing tool and has helped improve my teaching practices. I love it!

Until next time...

Quick and Easy Positive Reinforcement Idea

Sunday, 9 March 2014

Hi Everyone,

I'm so excited to be linking up with some FANTABULOUS bloggers in the Bright Ideas Blog Hop!

Today, I will be sharing a quick and easy tip for positive reinforcement.

This year, I was faced with a challenge! My class is quite rambunctious, to say the least, and I have some behavior difficulties that can be tough to manage.

The behavior consultant from our school board has been a great help and shared this idea with me. It really works and it so quick and efficient.

Place a pencil holder on a bookcase or desk. Be sure to place it somewhere where the student in question will have a direct and good view of it. Place 3 or 4 pencils, popsicle sticks, or in this case, flower pens in it.

It is essential to have a discussion with the student before you begin this strategy. We sat down with our student and explained that we wanted to work on staying seated during class time. We told her that she will have four chances (i.e. four flower pens) during each period. Each time she gets up, the teacher removes one pen. At the end of the period, we check to see if there are any pens left. If so, the student receives a small prize and praise. Prizes can be as simple as a sticker, 10 minutes on the computer, read a book to the class, etc... The list goes on and on! If there are NO remaining pens, then there is no prize, but also NO negative feedback.

This works great for those students who do not respond well to consequences. There is no reprimand for emptying the pencil holder, but not praise either. This helps alleviate anxiety and stress.

What I really like about this strategy, is that it is not disruptive to the class. There is no need to call upon the student or stop the lesson each time he/she misbehaves. Simply walk by and remove a pen without talking or interrupting your lesson. It is also great because the other students are unaware of the reminder/cue. The student is not being singled out in front of his/her peers.

It is QUICK, EASY, & POSITIVE!