Week 2~Top 3 things for the week

Labor Day or more important September 1, really where did August go?!?  The second week was just as busy as the 1st week.  Our class gained a new friend, Johan.  We are so excited to have 17 friends to make our class family this year as the Wright's Rippers! Let me get on to the top 3.
#3 Go Noodle is a favorite.  We are learning to be a little quieter during those Maximo yoga poses.  These yogis are the getting the hang of it.

The class favorite is Walking up the Stairs.  They are too funny.  I might have to play this one during Open House so you can see the excitement!

#2 ActivExpresssions get a cheer from these firsties!  What is an ActivExpression?  It is a learner response system.  In short we can answer true/false, mutiple choice, number, and even text-ok we haven't gotten to that just yet but remember I have only had them for 10 days.  Give me time...

#1 has to be the fun we shared with our friends across the hall playing short a BINGO on the iPads.  

We even learned how to scan QR codes to get different BINGO boards.  Great fun and all while practicing those short a words.  Can't wait for this next week.

Week 1 was FABULOUS!

I really cannot believe a week ago I was up late waiting for the 1st day of school. Where does the time go? Where am I now? Trying to catch up the blog and putting those last minute details for this week's lessons. First thing first here is our 1st class picture!

They are a great looking bunch aren't they?!? So let's get a sneak peek into the week. Each year I start their personal journals on day 1 and we write EVERYDAY! I love reading and listening to them. We have lost teeth, lost family members, had brothers/sisters born, contests won, riding our bike without training wheels, and even attendance at the FSU games documented. GO NOLES! This one is extra special, CJ's mom got her first teaching job and CJ wrote about how each person in the house was "iksidid" for mom now how stinkin' cute is that?! We are very excited for you Mrs. Asbill and those 1st graders are lucky to have you.
We read bunches this week and wrote in our reading response journals. We used our face partners to read our writing to and it was too cute to hear them tell each other, "Thank you for sharing."

We learned about scientist tools this week and I think the exploration part can be summed up by this one picture...yes we got to wear the goggles.

I handed out the ActivExpressions and YIPPEE there was excitement that could be felt 6 doors down each hallway. We could share answers and text in number combinations. You should check out our class Instagram and Twitter feed to get the latest updates. Check out our friend texting his number sentence.

Who doesn't love a good book? Well reading Pete the Cat makes for an extra special time singing and joining in the fun because ..."It's all good."

and then before you know it it is time to leave and go home.

This is absolutely the BEST way to spend your days. These new chickens are ready each day for anything and they do so with a smile on their face. It is going to be a fabulous year so check back often and see us along for the journey. What do I have ready for them next week?

UPDATE Ron Clark Academy

AMAZING! is the word that comes to mind.  I visited the Ron Clark Academy on Friday and it was amazing!  I was overcome walking in the Media Center with the kids singing, everyone dancing, and the man Ron Clark walking around.  Let me explain I have known since I was 8 years old I wanted to be a teacher.  Over the years the passion and drive have at times consumed me and I wonder why? I think about it often and it is because it is the plan God had for me.  Everyday I can change the world one child at a time.  We met up with Chrissi Major from Promethean to start our adventure.  Junior, the technology coordinator of the Ron Clark Academy, and I started talking and he was witness to my eyes leaking and then led Deanna and I upstairs to take pictures and then convinced me to go bungee jumping.  Too bad for me time ran out.  That is where the adventure truly turned magical.
We started with observing the new 5th graders in Mr. Clark's Global Studies and Math class.  We visited other classrooms and watched the children.  There were so poised and articulate.  I had lunch with four young men and the world better watch out.  They are going to do great things.  We enjoyed lunch and had fabulous conversation.  I was impressed with Miles, Darius, Ryan, and Jibril.  After lunch, we attended some workshops with some ideas to take back into our classrooms.  At the end of the day we got slide certified!  Make sure to check out the video from my iphone.  I took it while I went down the slide.  I get up and then turn the camera to catch my friend Deanna coming out of the slide.  It was so much fun-you can hear me screaming right?  Since it was Friday we got to watch the house cheers.  These kids are talented and they had the crowd cheering and yelling for them.  The last part of the day was saved for signing books.  Of course I have all his books and have read them at least twice.  It was magical.  The energy is something I find hard to describe.  There is so much love, patience, passion, and creativity in this 100 year old brick building.  I truly am touched to have witnessed all of this.  I will try to take the energy and passion I was a part of and spread it to everyone I can reach...Thank you for letting me share such an amazing adventure.

Ron Clark Academy

Last year the Ron Clark Academy and Promethean sponsored the Thank a Teacher contest during Teacher Appreciation Week.  thank you to Renee Williams for talking to the firsties and submitting an entry.  I might not have won but I sure did feel like a SUPER teacher after the entry and the FaceBook likes.  Take a look at this video about the Ron Clark Academy.


Can you see why I would want to go and feel this excitement!  Well dreams do come true... On Friday I will get to visit the Ron Clark Academy and meet the man himself! I can hardly wait!  It is like the best birthday and Christmas present all rolled into one.  I will make sure to get photos so check back next weekend.  I hope I don't cry when I meet him but if I do just know I am there thinking of all the kids I have taught over the past 18 years, the kids I will teach, and most important my own 2 kiddos.  I have known since I was 8 years old I wanted to be a teacher and I choose to make it the BEST job I will ever have each and every day.  Thank you to all that helped me make my dreams come true...

Update

So let me catch you up on the latest...
I did not win the Ron Clark Academy/Promethean Thank a Teacher contest.  We gave it our all but fell short.  I think last count there were 582 likes between the two pages on Facebook.  Not bad for a 1st grade teacher.  Help me in congratulating Amanda Morris and Donna Porter as the winners.

We did not wing he door contest with our "Don't Let the Pigeon Stop Reading!"  As you can tell from the pictures there were some fabulous door decorations!  The Lonely Firefly and Stripes were recognized for 2nd and 3rd place for the primary classrooms while the Flat Stanley door won 1st place overall for the primary classrooms.  Way to go!

Ron Clark & Promethean-pinch me!

The Ron Clark and Promethean are running a Thank a Teacher celebration.  The nominee with the most likes on Facebook will win a 2 days all expense paid trip to the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, Georgia.  Now you know I am his BIGGEST fan!  I NEED your vote.  Here is what you do  tell everyone you know...

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150790640433599&set=a.10150790624133599.431622.93611088598&type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=396031460427107&set=a.395875047109415.92587.115849068445349&type=3

Copy and paste these directions in an email to all your friends.  Voting stops midnight Monday and they announce on Tuesday.  What are you waiting for?  Like away on Facebook and get me to Atlanta!

FETC 2011- YIPPEE Promethean ROCKS!!

Every year, around this time in Orlando one can experience FETC, Florida's Educational Technology Conference.  I love this event!  The only problem is I have a hard time sleeping for the next month because of all the things I see and want to show my students and try out.  Well this year is especially exciting because I won the NEW Promethean AV 500 interactive whiteboard!  Most know I love Promethean products and train many of the teachers here at our school and throughout the district.  We have the MOST successful user group because teachers in our district see the value of the interactivity with the software and the learning that takes place for our students.

I have to tell you the story because it is so exciting.  On Wednesday at 10:15 you had to visit the Promethean ActivClassroom bus to get a ticket.  Four tickets were drawn and you had to play Stop the Clock! My number was drawn 4th and I was so excited I almost..., let's just say I was excited!  I was jumping up and down and screaming and of course my buddies (Cassy, Audra, and Anne) were with me screaming too.  The 1st and 2nd play the game and 1 winner is left.  Then the 3rd person and I play and I won in 10 seconds.  Again more screaming and jumping around.  My principal, Mr. Butler was there joining in the excitement too!  Then it is the final round and I win in 7 seconds!  I was so excited I found it hard to settle down and breathe.  Thank you to my buddies for support and the other 3 that didn't win.  We will be one of the first classrooms in the United States to have this new board and software.  I can't wait for it to arrive so my class and I can play and learn even more with all the new capabilities. Here is a picture of Mr. Butler and I after the big win.  I think I walked around with that smile all day, wait I still have it right now!  Thank you Promethean!

Am I daydreaming?

I was once asked, "What do you feel is the most important teaching tool you use?" Without hesitation I answered "My Promethean ActivBoard." Little did I know, that one statement would change and effect education in Volusia County. Ever since then the county as well as schools have purchased the boards and implemented the interactive technology in classrooms. We hold monthly user group meetings, hold staff development, and collaborate across the county to provide resources to teachers of all grade levels. My brother in law gave me a promo CD from Daydream Education and I fell in love. I couldn't wait to show my students the interactive lessons and let them try it out first hand. Last week while studying the Earth was the perfect introduction. The Daydream Education created a lesson on Earth complete with text, animation, teaching chart, quiz, and even a printable worksheet. The kids loved the animation of the Earth lesson where we could start and stop the Earth while it rotated. We could talk about the differences of day and night and what we would see in the sky. After teaching with the teaching chart I used the ActivExpressions to quiz the kids to find out how much they learned. The software worked flawless with my ActivExpressions and the kids enjoyed the ease of seeing their progress. I was so amazed to see the various topics within the Daydream software. Some topics included math, English, music, business studies, IT and science. After looking at the CD I could easily see how the teaching charts and lessons could be used in intermediate (grades 3-5), middle school, and high school classrooms. I loved it and so did my class! To learn more please visit http://www.daydreameducation.com