CCSS...Core Knowledge...and more

As I prepare for next year in 3rd grade, I am surrounded, dreaming, and consumed with common core standards, core knowledge, and planning. So I decided that I was going to go through each subject and try to figure out everything and work myself out of the closet that is my world right now. I started with math. It seemed like it was the easiest subject to start with and um...yeah, not so much. Trying to figure out which end is up is a struggle. I took all the documents that I have been collecting and sorted through them, combined them and hopefully figured out what I am doing. I made a chart that determines the differences between common core and Core Knowledge. Took a couple of different scope and sequences and combined them into a sort of planning guide. I then took the CCSS and made checklists, cheat sheets, skill sheets and galore. I honestly not sure if it is going to help me at all, but I am hoping that once I sit down and start hard core planning, this helps. My plan is to somehow make a section in my data binder for each student and also document when I am teaching the various standards. What I am realizing is that there is a lot more work and accountability that goes along with CCSS and there is a lot of teaching on my plate with Core Knowledge. I am hoping that it makes sense soon.

Here are the documents that I made combining a lot of information that I found online.

CCSS and CCSS II

Themed Days - Banana Day

In an effort to keep my kiddos from completely losing their minds...I have decided to do themed days until the end of the year. This has been one of the most interesting classes I have had in a long time. It is May and they still cannot hold it together all day. This class is fabulous in the morning, but after lunch they are completely different. Anyway...today was the first day of the themes.

I got some of the ideas from themeday.com

Banana Day!
We started by doing some DEAR time so I could finish getting everything set up. Students then had "center" rotations in the computer lab playing games and learning facts about bananas. After about 45 min, we then went back to our room and made one of my favorite banana treats (sliced bananas, sugar, and milk). We have been writing recipes and how-to reviews and this fit in perfectly. Students then were all wound up so I took them outside and they wrote stories that went with "The Day My Teacher Went Bananas". They were really cute. After lunch, we made up directions and recipe for their favorite banana sundaes. As a review students did a color sheet in the shape of a banana using fractions. All in all, it was a good day.

Tomorrow: Rainbow day.

Next Year Mode

I have entered next year mode. Until this last week, I have been hiding behind anything and everything. Total denial that I didn't have a job yet, but now that I have a job...I am going at it. I have already started making stuff and doing my summer rounds looking for good deals.

I have decided on a fish theme. I keep finding really cute stuff for "ocean" but kinda want to stay with just fish. I have my mom (who lives in Minnesota) on a hunt for cute fish fabric.I am tying in bright colors and animated fish! Eventually I will get some actual fish for my new room, but need to make sure I have space.

I have made a couple of things thus far. My father in law cut out some wood benches for me to use with my new crates. I will use those for storage and for my guided reading seats.

I have been using these book boxes in my classroom for the past two years, and I found a couple more in the various colors.

I got some paintsticks from Home Depot and Lowes today which I am going to sandpaper and paint this week in a blue/green color to use as name plates.

Slowly I have been gathering up different materials for fish...I will be looking for more fish things, so if you find anything...let me know. I am so excited.

I have been also joining third grade blogs and getting ideas. In all my years of teaching, I can't believe that third grade is the only year that I have not ever taught...SO EXCITED!!!!

18 days left of school...can not wait. The last three years have been HELL!

It's been a year

I am just now noticing that I haven't been on here since October. A lot has been happening and I have been in shut down mode. My AP has been trying to get me out of the building. He has been lying and spreading rumors about me which were obviously not true. It's been really hard staying motivated for my students and really focus on my job, while worrying about money and everything else. The hard part is that I love this school. I love the kids, the teachers, but when you have a toxic work environment and the principal is breathing down your back looking for that one wrong thing...it is so hard. Since January, I have been hitting the pavement looking for a new job. My husband and I counted last night and I realized that since I first started looking, I have gone on 35 different interviews. Well, yesterday, I found out that I got the job that I wanted and the pay that my husband wanted! I am so excited. I am finally feeling like I can start planning for next year and get ready...it's been a long year! 26 days left!!!!

Crazy week

All I can say is wow! It has been a week and it's only Wednesday. My teammate's dad passed away and the sub we have next door is a trip. I have been helping so much with that class, that I realized today that my own class has been suffering. I noticed that I was really negative today and that I just wanted the room to go away. When I am stressed, I like to clean and I was really wanting to clean and get rid of stuff. This, I realized is not the answer. I also realized that I need to close my door and not worry about what is going on next door because, although I feel bad for my teammate, I cannot worry about her kids. Anyway, so tonight, I need to regroup and refocus my energies. I need to get caught up and get stuff done. I need to get my head out of my b____t and do what I need to do. Did I also mention that my para has been done the past two days and I am also getting a new student tomorrow. ok, so that is my vent and I am moving on. I am actually falling in love with my students. It has been a hard first 9 weeks, but I look at each of them and love them.

I'm back

I can't believe it's been about a month since my last post. Things have been crazy around here...still. Conferences are next week so I have been busy getting portfolios ready to go. We have started having meetings like crazy through lunch, planning, mornings...anytime so that has take a lot of time. My kiddos are doing great. We have worked up to about 20 min of reading. I just finished assessments so now it's getting the routine down. I am starting visualization this week in reading.

Having a Hard time...sort of

We are about to start the third week of school and I am completely stressed out. Usually the amount of stuff on my calendar right now, doesn't happen until about Feb. We have a new principal this year who is bound and determined to get our school out of the red. If you don't know what that is...our district/state categorizes schools into the red (failing), yellow (getting better), green (good), and blue (fabulous). We have only been open for 2 years and started in the red so the saying "we can only go up from here" really does mean us. We have made great gains in our test scores, but that is not the only thing we are. We are an arts school. The district has yet to made a statement in out favor and is bound and determined to watch us fail. Anyway...we have a new principal who wants to have each foot in both sides. The art side to keep that going, and the district side to prove that we know what we are doing. Due to that...we have assessments every two weeks, running records every two weeks, data teams every week, learning communities every other week, monthly sped meetings, intervention meetings once a month, justifications needed for subs, field trips, and to be able to go to the bathroom. UGH!!! I have a new team mate this year which has been FABULOUS! She and I are like long lost sisters. We help each other, cover for each other...etc. It is amazing what can be done when you have a partner that supports you rather than digs the whole and pushes you in. (long story). In the last three weeks it has been amazing, but the new requirements that we have from this new P is stressing me out and putting my normally undercontrol OCD at a flipping out pace. Binders, dividers, sorting, centers, DRA, running records, etc are in my head at all times. I have meetings every day of the week, duty once a week, a para who is helpful but driving me crazy, and children who are fabulous but the most talkative group I have ever had! When is it going to slow down?

As I am writing this, my husband is peaking over my shoulder telling me to stop complaining. This is the happiest that I have been in a while! It is so true. I am loving this school year. I love knowing what is expected of me and when instead of being a mind reader and failing miserably.

So to add to all this stress...My hubby and I decided to get a dog...CRAZY!!!!!
The puppies were born Friday and we will get our little addition the first week in November. I am excited and hopeful that things settle down by then.

I also wanted to say a special thanks for all the blogs I follow for helping me with ideas and motivating me!