The 7 Habits of Happy Children

Where the Sidewalk Ends

Thank you to our awesome principal for making our new downstairs area unique.  She made this awesome "Where the Sidewalk Ends" Poster and Poem for our hallway.  We love it!

Doubles Facts Poster

Downloadable Poster for Helping Students Memorize Doubles Facts Poster

San Diego Quick Assessment

Here is a powerpoint version of the San Diego Quick Assessment.  You can use this to easily assess a student's approximate reading level by having them read the words off the powerpoint in each of the separate lists.  

Administering the Test

1. Have the student read aloud each word from the powerpoint slideshow at least two years below their grade. If the student misses any words, go to easier lists until they make no errors. This is their base reading level.

2. Have the student read each subsequent card in sequence. Record incorrect responses. Be sure to have the student read every word so you can determine her decoding strategies.

3. Continue the assessment until the student misses at least three words on one of the lists.

Scoring the Test
Use the assessment results to identify the student's independent (no more than one error on a list), instructional (two errors on a list), and frustration (three or more errors) levels. Provide independent reading materials for each child accordingly.

Click HERE to download from Google Docs

Things We've Learned This Week

Class/Yes response procedure

(clap) (clap) TEACH

student/teacher scoreboard

multiples (skip counting) of 3 "Three is a Magic Number"

Classroom Rules and gestures 

Lunchroom Procedure

Restroom Procedure

School Rules (Be Resourceful, Be Responsible, Be Respectful)

How to Keep Our Classroom Looking like "Buffey" and not "Bad Bart"

The ASL (sign language) version of the "Pledge of Allegiance"

The communicative property of addition.  

Basic Math Facts (Rocket Math Level A: 2+1 1+2 3+1 1+3)

Library Procedures

First Week of School

Here are some pics from the first week of school.  I especially love the one where we're all sitting around the smart board watching storyline online.  If you don't already know about Storyline, check it out!  It is awesome!! http://www.storylineonline.net

OH Claaasss??? OH Yeeesss!!!!

We've been learning some important rules and procedures this week in 2nd grade.  One of our favorites is called "class / yes" and it's part of a teaching strategy called Whole Brain Teaching.  When the teacher calls "class", the class responds (no matter what they're doing) with "yes" in the same fashion as the teacher calls "class". For example, if the teacher calls "classity class", the class would answer "yessity yes!"  It is a great way to get everyone's attention!  We've also learned "hands and eyes".  This means get still and get focused quick.  In addition, we've been memorizing our class (2nd grade) rules.  (1) Follow directions quickly. (2) Respect property, yourself and others.  (3) Be kind.  Be honest.  (4) Listen when your teacher is talking.  (5) Keep your teacher happy....(my fave).  Each of these rules has a "gesture" to go with it to make our learning "stick".  A lot of us learn well when we can use cues.  Muscle memory also helps us to learn faster!  It's day two and I'm pretty sure all 2nd graders know their rules by heart. It's awesome!  

The "Poofball" Craze

Day One: Survived!  Today was exhausting.  Life in the basement is going to take some getting used to.  It is very, very quiet.  It's like we're not even on the same planet as the rest of the school.  We don't hear traffic going down Hwy 21, we don't hear the office door opening/closing, we don't hear the bathroom stalls slamming....peace.  :-)  Here are some pictures of the classroom.  I am might be finished with it.  

Here are the "poofballs" that started the "poofball craze" at S.E.S.  Aren't they cute?

Our new Smartboard that looks like a spaceship.  LOVE

Math manipulatives and Class Rules

Computer center and vocabulary wall.

One of my favorite "suessisms"

Small Group Table

Hallway Bulletin Board

Enjoy!!

"Three is a Magic Number" painting by Michelle Head and Tess Head

A.R. Reading Levels

Mrs. DeLee, Mrs. Pounders and I are working on resorting all the classroom library books for 2nd grade.  They got quite mixed-up when we moved classrooms and relocated downstairs.  Now all the books are having to be resorted.  It's a huge job!  Be patient with us as we work to get them back in their correct places.  During the meantime, you can be studying the following chart so you are familiar with the different levels of books we have available.  This is the same chart and level system Mrs. Thornton uses in the school library.

AR Reading Levels

Class Rules Poster Printable

Class Rules

New AR Book Tub Labels

I just finished making book tub labels to replace our old ones in 2nd grade.  These are the same levels that Mrs. Thornton uses to code her books in the library.  They are free for the printing if anyone can use them.

Accelerated Reader Book Tub Labels 2.0-2.9
Accelerated Reader Book Tub Labels 4.0-4.9
Accelerated Reader Book Tub Labels 3.0-3.9
Accelerated Reader Book Tub Labels 0.9-1.9

This is the header I plan to use on top of my Mountain Math bulletin board.

Mountain Math Header

Just finished working on the clip chart printables for the new behavior management system we'll be using this year.  I'm not taking credit for the idea at all but I though I'd share the printables I made to go with it.  Enjoy!

Clip Chart Printables

The Journey Begins!

Well, despite all my worrying and anticipation, tomorrow begins a new school year.  There won't be any children but there will be plenty of work.  I have a million things yet to do before the children arrive next Monday.  I have been starting school for many years but I swear each year feels like the first.  To all my buddy teachers, I'll see you tomorrow morning bright and early.  

Some Photos from CVA Fall Sports Picture Day