Beginning of the Year Highlights

I started the year with a lot of cooperative activities such as textbook scavenger hunt, find somebody who? and students put together a puzzle of the United States as an introduction to Social Studies.  Here are the pics.  I was real impressed by how well they worked together.

Big Honor

Well fresh from Parents weekend at UConn.  My administrators show up at my door with flowers, telling me that I have the honor of being nominated Distinguished Reading Teacher of the Year.  I was speechless, but my class was not.  They kept up their normal chatter while I was getting my picture taken.  What a great way to end a Monday. 

Room set up

Finally  downloaded pictures.  Here are the pre student pics of my room.  I usually set my desk up in one big circle to promote community for the first three weeks and then I move to a cooperative group set up. This year with 24 students I decided to go with semi circles.  It looked like a college lecture hall. 

Teacher Talk Tuesday

The post by Anna over at Blog Hoppin was right on the money. Thanks.  This was day seven for me and I feel myself slowing things down like I committed to this summer. I have some new lovies and I am enjoying getting to know them.  I've had some very positive interactions with parents and I look forward to a great year. 

Reflecting back over the last seven days here are some things that were successful: Getting to know you mixer where students got familiar with each others interest, a partner classroom scavenger hunt, the gingerbread mam hunt and the I AM poem.  And lots of cool read alouds. All these great activities were obtained by stalking great blogs:)

Some challenges are they are so talkative and I have yet figured out what all the talk is about, when you ask them like magic they are unable to say a word.  Paperwork UGH!

I will be posting pictures of my room soon.  I left my camera at school.

Looking forward to a GREAT year!

Professional Development

While out for a week from summer school, I have been catching up on some professional reading.  Just like with everything else, I am multitasking.   I have been reading the Reading Workshop in 180 Days which has given me an idea about the design for my first unit of study this year. I've been reviewing The Daily Five, CAFE and an excerpt from From the Ground Up by Taberski.  All are great reads and have sparked inspiration for the new year.  I found From the Ground Up especially compelling because it encourages us to slow down and really focus on reading comprehension.  This will be the beginning of my fourth year and I feel the need to slow down and go deep and to make a determined effort to reach those who struggle the most.  My heart lies here because of my love of reading and my desire to unlock the magic for those who struggle.  What are you reading that has inspired you to go deep?

First Post

My goal this summer was to enter the world of blogs as more than just an admirer.  Looking ahead to the beginning of the school year, I'd like to improve the way I get to know my students. 

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B2dDMZCPy7NEZDYyMTRiMTItZTgwZC00NmRhLWFkNzQtOWUzOWEwNTNlYjAz&hl=en_US

Second 2 None

Who am I...
I am a third year second grade teacher.  My path to teaching was not a direct one. I found it late in life and I am so glad I did.  Every experience prepared me for this time in my life. I have been married for 20 years and my son  is a student at UCONN.  I am seeking National Board Certification this upcoming year and I am in love with literacy. Teaching is my passion and my privilege.