Show Me Sunday

Denise at YearnToLearn  is starting a new feature on her blog entitled, "Show Me Sunday."  Today is the day to share a favorite quote.

I know this sounds a bit nerdy, but I am a big Star Trek NG fan, and so I just couldn't resist this quote from Data.

"If you prick me, do I not . . . leak?"

Data, Star Trek Next Generation

I know, not very 'teacher-y', but, I just love it!  What is one of your favorite quotes?

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The Teaching Channel

We all love watching teachers in their classrooms demonstrating a technique.  The Teaching Channel highlights videos on a variety of topics from assessment to classroom management.   As stated on the website:

"At Teaching Channel we believe what makes teachers inspiring is how they became experts -- the hours and years they've dedicated to improving their craft to benefit their students.  Our mission is to capture their technique on video so that all teachers -- new or seasoned -- have a place to find inspiration."

I have especially loved Ms. Noonan's videos.  She is just amazing!  The Teaching Channel is also on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.  Click here to check it out.

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A Winner!

Barbara over at Grade ONEderful was having a give away when she reached 50 followers.  Her blog is full of freebies and fabulous ideas for the classroom.  I joined the give away and I actually won!  Oh boy!  I'm looking forward to those spongy Halloween stickers.  Thank you Barbara at Grade ONEderful!

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The WilderWoman Pin

Back in the 90's and early 00's, teachers wore pins a lot.  I have boxes of interesting and different pins.   Wearing a pin was a way to add a touch whimsey to a school outfit.  The children loved seeing them and sometimes made connections to the pins.  As times and fashions change, pin wearing went out of "teacher vogue" and so all of my pins sit in boxes unused for the most part.   BUT, last Saturday I was strolling around at the Portland Sidewalk Art Festival and found this!

How could I resist?  It's just fabulous!  I couldn't wait to wear it on the first day of school.  Here's a pin that might find its way onto my clothing at least once a week.  The pin came from  WilderWoman Country Store.  Love it!  

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Where It All Goes Down Wednesday

Today is Where It All Goes Down Wednesday over at Blog Hoppin' and that means classroom tours!  What fun!  I'm still ironing out some of the details, and we haven't yet started school, but here are my pics.  I'll be posting more once we are underway in the school year.

Here's the front door with all of my "busy little bees."

Here's the Calendar area.  I change this area a little each month, adding new features and taking away some.  Each pencil on the board has a student's name (smudged out now) to indicate the Helper of the Day.  The cupcake poster on the right is for birthdays.  Rules have not yet been determined by the class.

This is the door to the bathroom, on which we have our Tooth Tally.  The children love to write their name on the graph after losing a tooth.  Above is the writing bug.  After a book is published I add a segment to the bug.  The writing bug eventually stretches over a couple of walls!

This is the sink area.  After the children decide what our class rules will be they will each cut out a star and hang it on the rainbow there.  We will also discuss good manners, and hang pictures under that sign.

Here's the front of the room.  It's prepped for our Open House evening.  You can see some of our classroom library on the floor there.  This area also changes throughout the year.

Here's a closer view of some of the classroom library.

Here is the computer area.  We actually still use the old "dinosaur" computer near the wall!  I have some terrific review games that only run on that computer.  

I don't yet have a picture of our Word Wall.  It's completely empty right now.  We'll start adding one student name each day (one per day for 20 days), and then we will add five words to the wall each week after they've been practiced for the week.  More on Word Wall procedures will follow in a different post.

Hop over to Blog Hoppin' to see more class tours!




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Teacher Talk Tuesday

It's Teacher Talk Tuesday over at Blog Hoppin'.  This is a day dedicated to offering helpful advice to new teachers.  Being a new teacher can be so very overwhelming.  I've read many of the posts, and thought I'd add a small one to the mix.

The best advice I can give to a new teacher is to work first on classroom management.   This always seems to be the toughest area.  "Tools for Teaching" by Fred Jones is a great resource.

Fred Jones observed "natural" teachers in their classrooms to determine what made their teaching style seem so effortless.  How did these exceptional teachers create relaxed learning environments, with students eager, responsible and ready to learn?  He looked closely at verbal and non-verbal communication between students and teacher.  He found, among other things, that body language speaks volumes!  At the Fred Jones site you can download an exerpt of his book.  It's most definitely worth a look.

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Meet the Teacher Monday

Blog Hoppin' started a new blog and is hosting a Teacher Week.  Today is Meet the Teacher Monday.  How cool is that!

A little something about me....

(Can I skip this question?  This truly is the hardest question in Meet the Teacher because I am a shy person!  Garrison Keillor, where are those Powdered Milk Biscuits when a shy person really needs one?)  

Phew!  OK, now that I got that little tantrum out of the way, here goes. 

I'm a first grade teacher in the lovely, Vacationland state of Maine.  I have three children, all successful young adults and I love them dearly.  I recently completed a Master's Degree in Education at the University of New England and loved, loved, loved getting back into academia!  

How long have I been teaching...

I taught for 5 years before I became a stay-at-home mom with my three children.  I've now been back in the field for 16 years, with 12 of them in first grade.  Time flies!

What you may not know...

I have an old Betsy Ross Spinet piano that I just love playing (although poorly).  I like to tell my boys and girls that even though I don't play well, I keep on trying, and I know I'm getting better (Honestly? That's wishful thinking on my part).  

What I'm looking forward to this year...

• I'm quite excited to begin a new year with new little first graders! Six and seven year olds are both fascinating and engaging little people.  
• I received an LCD projector in a mini grant from the PTC group at my school. I'm eager to try it out and to incorporate it into my classroom practices. I'd love any tips and/or websites with ideas!  
• I'm going to borrow a class slogan from the Efficacy Institute in Boston, and Peres Elementary in California, "Work hard! Get smart!" Can't wait to build on that theme.

What I would like to improve...

• I would like to be more organized in every way.
• I'd like to maximize reading conference time.

What teaching supplies I cannot live without...

• caffeine (any form!)
• sticky notes
• flip chart markers
• "Comprehension," the newest publication by Pat Cunningham, James Cunningham and Dorothy Hall.

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