Long Weekend

Whew what a weekend!! Did a lot of running around with my family. Now, I'm working on a project that I have due soon. It's all about multiplication and the importance of students learning their facts. It's always interesting to me how much we push the students to learn the facts, but we don't make sure they understand the concrete reasoning behind it. Are you guilty of that? I definitely am!! When my students came in last year, I taught the multiplication facts to them as simply having to memorize them.  I began my project thinking that it would help me pull activities together to help them memorize the facts. I realize now that I need to back up and make sure they understand the why behind it. This leads me to my ageless question...WHEN. When will I find the time to back up and make sure that students who need it will understand the concept? When will I find the time to pull them as close, if not further, to the students who already know them? I had a great first year last year, and I think that this year will be another level of learning for me. Hoping that I view each year that way! Have a great Monday tomorrow!

Which Road To Take

I've watched a few podcasts regarding the Daily 5 and I noticed that some people have cut it down to the Daily 3 especially in the older grades. I've been thinking about it and I think that I will keep it as 5. We have a short reading block, less than 2 hours, so I will modify it some. My thinking right now is that they will have to do 2 of them a day and it will be their choice of which ones, but they will have to do all 3 twice within that week. 

I'm hoping that it will look like this:

Whole group lesson

Move into choices

Return to whole group

Move into choices

Return to whole group

This will give them plenty of time to read and still have time to get their word work and righting done. I have not read CAFE yet, but I'm hoping it answers my question on when certain work gets done, because I have yet to see where grades come in. I've asked that question and have gotten the response of, "Oh it's in there." LOL but I'm a visual learner and I need to see where it's at in there. It will come I know. I've got a lot on my plate, but chewing it up, one bite at a time. 

HAPPY WEDNESDAY!!

To Group Or Not To Group

I have been doing some research on the Daily 5. My school is going to start the program this coming year, so I have read the book and reached out to a few people. I LOVE the internet for making the world smaller :) 

In my research, I have come across several articles about the re-rising (LOL is that a word) of ability grouping in the class. I have been against it because I feel that students should have peer models of what good readers sound like. For the better readers, I think that it serves a good model in peer relations and social skills to have them working with students that need extra practice. The articles have me curious if I am making the right decision or do the pros outweigh the cons. Any thoughts?? Will ability grouping work with the Daily 5? Should kids have to be filed into a room because of their reading level?

About Me

All About Me

My name is Angie and I'm a 4th grade teacher. I have spent the last 17 years working in a classroom, however, just completed my first year as a licensed teacher. I taught preschool and worked as an assistant to the teacher and loved every minute of it! A few years ago, I was diagnosed with Triple Negative breast cancer and once my treatment was done, I sat on the beach and made the decision to return to school to complete my degree and become a teacher. 2 weeks later, my school system began a program to put their assistants through school for their degrees. I jumped at the chance and here I am. One year down and many more to come. 

I have 4 beautiful children and I am a soccer jersey washing, spares and strikes watching, 5 k cheering, dance mom. On top of that, I am married to a wonderfully supportive husband and go to school in the evening to work towards my Master's. My schedule is pretty crazy, but I do love it. This blog is a journal of this journey. I welcome feedback as I try to gain a strong foot in the classroom.

I love to read and shop and my favorite place to be is on the beach.  I thought about bringing the beach into my class, but I think I just want to keep it separate for now as my own little oasis to escape to. My favorite sport is soccer and I'm a Manchester United fan and DC United fan. Second would have to be football and I'm a cheesehead through and through!!

There will be changes to my class this year as I work through a new reading program and want to try a few new things that I hope will be successful. This year is going to be full of challenges, triumphs and I'm sure failures. I just hope that I can continue to grow from them all!!

Welcome to My Blog

Welcome To My Blog

  I love to read blogs and have started following blogs that helped me through the year. I decided to try my hand at blogging. I'm a first year teacher...WAIT!! I guess I am officially a 2nd year since the school year is over. I had an amazing first year with my students and wish that I hadn't started so late to complete my education. It took a bout of breast cancer to motivate me to finish my degree. Never too late!!

  I'm hoping this blog will help me and others as I wade through teaching. I hope you join me now and then as I venture into the Daily 5 and CAFE with the rest of my coworkers for the first time. This should be an interesting summer and year :)