Establishing Buddy Reading Expectations

Setting clear expectations beginning on the first day of school is vital.  The amount of time we practice routines in my classroom may seem crazy to some people, but it is the only way to ensure a successful school year.  One area that I spend a lot of time practicing with my students around is buddy reading.  I have learned never to expect that my students know how to do something; they need to be taught.  This doesn't just apply to primary age students, but all students.  As teachers, we sometimes expect kids to just know or remember from the pervious year and that is not always work on our favor.  Therefore, day by day, we practice one expectation and add another as mastery of the previous is shown.
Here are the buddy expectations that we have been working on.  We practiced one a day, adding to our expectations over the first few weeks of school.

I have learned over the last 12 years that it is important for buddy readers to not only be able to meet the expectations set, but to be able to communicate on the same level.  I have searched high and low for great books that buddies can build their background knowledge with, and then discuss further through a buddy read.  My search for great books is finally over!  The Fables and Real Word Series, from Hameray Publishing fits all of my buddy reading needs.

This series allows my kiddos to read and build their background knowledge with the nonfiction books.  They can read them independently during Read-to-Self or with their buddy.

Students then have common vocabulary and topic background knowledge to make connections, retell, find their favorite parts, and just book talk.  The nonfiction books are just the beginning.  Each nonfiction set has a fable that relates to the topic.  Buddies are able to read the fables together, building off their nonfiction reading.

 I love sitting and listening in on buddy reads.  It is such a wonderful opportunity to hear students talking about books.  I have noticed that by reading books sets and series together they are able to make connections through the conversations they have.  Buddies are also so excited to share interesting excerpts with each other.
Buddy Reading has become a successful time in my classroom.  I firmly believe that setting and reviewing exceptions is key, but having meaningful text is the icing on the cake.

What is a Buddy Reading MUST in your classroom?

Keeping It Real and Finding the Balance

How do all of you working parents do it?  The stress of the beginning of the school year is so much to handle, yet that is only a piece of my life now.  How do you balance taking care of your children and family as well?!?!  As we all start to transition back to school, I can't help but think about how I want to take better care of myself this year.  I want to "find" the balance between my personal and professional lives.  We all do; don't we?  I have learned over the years that balance is not always about sitting right in the middle ALL the time.  Instead, it is about the give and take.  Yes, at the beginning of the school year my professional life is going to require more of me, but that doesn't mean that I can't carve out time for yoga, hikes, and walks at the duck pond with my family.

This year, I want us to support one another.  I want to learn from each of you on how you find balance in your life.  Each month, I will feature two educators and how they find balance in their life.   These features will allow each of us to take a piece of advice from a fellow teacher.  Any educator can participate.  All you have to do is fill this form.  I will create a feature based on the information provided.  Let's support one another and have an amazing school year!  Please let me know if you have any questions (my email button is on the top right of my webpage).

Change Will Do You Good...I Hope

Change is not easy, we all know that, but it may be one of the greatest things for you.  This year, I am changing schools.  I will still be teaching first grade, but I will be setting up shop in a building unfamiliar to me.  I will be leaving my teaching family, my home-away-from-home.  This is a choice that I made, but it is still one that I am struggling with.  Don't get me wrong, I am beyond excited, yet at the same time, I am so nervous and overwhelmed.  The mere act of setting up a classroom from scratch is exhausting to think about.  Plus, getting to know a new staff and fitting in is scary.  Have you ever felt this way?  How did you overcome these fears?
I have decided to take all of my nervousness and turn it into excitement.  This year, I get to start over. I get to relate to my students' feelings of nervousness on the first day.  I get to be the "new kid" that everyone supports (at least I hope).  Most importantly, I get to challenge myself to be my BEST self.

Are you resisting change or embracing it?

Back to School Style Part 2 {giveaway}

Comfort is my number one criteria when picking out my clothes!  As teachers we are up, down, and all around when working with our students.  Plus, glue, markers, and paint are constantly coming at us.  Due to these factors, I choose stylish comfort when choosing my outfits for the week.  Yet, I believe that the easiest way to jazz up any outfit is with the perfect accessory.
My go-to accessory has always been handbags.  I would say, I have a bit of an obsession with bags.  It wasn't until I discovered LineaPelle handbags that my world changed.  Instead of buying inexpensive purses that would fall apart after 5 uses, I started saving and splurging on bags that would last a life time.

Just a few of my LP bags!

My favorite accessories though have to be my statement pieces from Paizlee.  They have the classiest necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and let's not forget their garments!  I know that when I want to dress up a simple tee I throw on a statement necklace or gorgeous pair of earrings from my favorite girls!

I am teaming up with Paizlee for this fabulous Teacher Style Giveaway.  Just head over to my Instagram account for all of the details.

What is your go-to accessory?

Back to School Style Part 1

I know that many of you are already back to school, but for those of us on the west coast we still have a bit more time.  With the first day quickly approaching it is time to put my yoga pants and jogging shorts to the side and pick out my First Day of School outfit.
As teachers, I feel that we are always looking for the following from our clothing:

• comfort - We are up, down, and all around the place.
• durability - I need to know that my pants aren't going to fall apart on me as I bend down to work with a student.
• can be easily cleaned - No one wants to make a trip to the dry cleaners to get out the paint from Friday's art project.
• stylish - We all want to look FABULOUS!

I have put together some of my favorite Back to School outfit choices to provide some inspiration.

[Linen Pants - Old Navy; Tunic - Paizlee; Long necklace - handmade]

[Pixi Pant - Old Navy; Top - Paizlee; Necklace - ?]

[Pixi Pants - Old Navy; Top - Paizlee; Long necklace - handmade] 

[Black Pants and Tank - Old Navy; Kimono - Paizlee]

[Dress and Jean Jacket - Old Navy; Necklace - Paizlee]

What do you think?  

Be sure to check back for part 2!  I have teamed up with my favorite online boutique Paizlee to bring you some more teacher style ideas and a giveaway!

Time Travel

If you could go back in time and give your first-year teacher self some advice what would it be?

In the last 10 years, I have learned a lot about my self as a teacher, the world of education, and the needs of children.  I would love to go back and give my first year teacher self some advice.

1. Everyone is doing the best they can!  Often times, I would get frustrated with parents and even coworkers thinking that they were not giving their children and students their all.  Oh how becoming a parent has quickly changed that mentality.  Everyone is doing the best they can.  Life can be really hard, but if we support each other instead of looking down on others we would ALL be better off.

2. Take a breather!  I am a workaholic there is no denying it, but it is okay to stop and smell the roses.  Too often I would commit to one more thing because I was always in fear of missing out.  Guess what...that is perfectly fine.  You don't have to be a know-it-all, what you need is enough energy to do everything with passion and to truly love what you are doing.

I bet there are a million other things that would have helped me my first year, but as long as I continue to learn and love what I am doing that is what matters right?!?

What would you tell your first year self?

Making Time

With the hustle and bustle of back to school, we very quickly forget to make our selves a priority.  We love what we do and we emerge into what we love.  Yet, too often that mentality backfires on us.  There is a reason teachers have a summer break, and instead of keeping it going we yearn for the next break.  Instead, I challenge each of you, my self included, to remember to stop and make time for your health just as you did during your vacation.
Yoga has always been my go-to for stress relief and me time.  With a busy teaching schedule, I made it my GOAL to get to a minimum of one class a week.  If I did this I would reward myself with a coffee treat at the end of the week.  I can't wait to get back into yoga, after I am cleared at my 8 week postpartum check up, but once I go back to work I have no idea if this will remain my goal.
To all you working parents, how do you do it?  What is your one thing that you do for YOU?

Back To School 2014

We are officially back to school!  It was an awesome first week with my new firsties.  They are too cute and so excited for a new year of learning.
We jumped right into discussions of using kind words, how to make new friends, and appropriate school behavior.  It is thanks to the books Chrysanthemum, Ribbit!, and Don't Squeal Unless It's a Big Deal that these concepts were practiced and taught.  We even reread Chrysanthemum by using our QR codes and listening to the story.  As we "re-listened" students took turns crumbling and smoothing out Chrysanthemum's heart to show that even if we apologize hurtful words make a mark on our heart.

You can check out my in depth post from last year for more details.

We then made a promise to not use hurtful words and signed our promise with bandaids.

Yes, our week was full of rules, routines, and community building, but I made sure to allow time for introducing GoNoodle.  It has been a hit since their first bout of Wiggle It!  

I am so grateful for the excitement and encouragement that GoNoodle brings to my students.  Are your students GoNoodling?  If not get on it!!!  You will be the happiest teacher!!

How has your first week (or month) been?

Setting Up GoNoodle Expectations

I am SOOOOO EXCITED for the first GoNoodle linky!  With one week before I am back to school, and two weeks before my kiddos arrive, my mind is racing with everything I need to get done.  One thing that I keep thinking about is how I am going to launch GoNoodle with my new class.  

I didn't start using GoNoodle until mid year with my last group, and they were already familiar with Brain Breaks, just not the amazing, fun, interactive, digital kind.  However, the excitement of Maximo, Koo Koo Kangaroo, and Airtime adventures made it easy grab my students' attention.  With their excitement in the palm of my hand there was still one more thing that had to take place...introducing GoNoodle Expectations.  These expectations allowed for quick and easy transitions, positive Dojo Points and an overall happy brain break.

I know that starting off with GoNoodle Expectations will be my first step this year.  The poster above serves as an easy checklist and reminder.  You can grab a copy of this poster by clicking on the image or here.
Students are assigned a GoNoodle spot for a couple of reasons.  This allows for quick transitions before and after brain breaks. These assigned spots also eliminate the need for students to stand way to close to each other, or side-by-side with their best buddy.
Teaching students to focus on them self gets the kiddos using each GoNoodle brain break correctly.  If students are worried about looking silly in front of their peers they are never going to experience the benefits of Wiggle It or Empire State.  By only worrying about their own actions they can reap the true benefits of GoNoodle.
The last two expectations are self explanatory, I hope anyway.
Once our expectations are in order, we will be GoNoodling up a storm.  Be sure to follow my blog for the latest on GoNoodle fun throughout the year.

What are your GoNoodle Expectations?  

Don't forget to check out all of the other great GoNoodle ideas in the first linky!

Meet the Teacher

Yup, that's me!  I'm Marcy, a thirty-something first grade teacher.  I am entering my 10th year of teaching with experience as a fifth grade teacher and ESL specialist under my belt.  I have taught in Michigan and California, but have called Oregon home now for many years.  

I am married to this amazing man...

He is amazing!  He is by far the hardest working person I have ever met, and that's coming from a work-a-holic!

This is our fur child...

His name is Raph (after the Ninja Turtle).  He is our spunky, allergy ridden child, and we love him for that.

THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS...

Coffee, my iPad, The Big Bang Theory, GRIMM, Brat Pack movies, skiing, outdoor adventures, smiles, smelly stickers, smelly markers, smelly pens, ok smelly things, but good smelling things.

 IF YOU WEREN'T A TEACHER, WHAT WOULD YOU WANT TO BE?

I would want to be a chef in a test kitchen.  I have always had this dream of working with Rachel Ray and crafting recipes with her.  

A girl can dream, right?!?!

THREE LITTLE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE YOU.

Sensitive. Competitive. Giving.  

 

FINISH THE SENTENCE, "________,  SAID NO TEACHER EVER!!"

"Sure, I'll take all the new kids...said no teacher EVER!!"
 

Q: IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY AND YOU CAN INVITE ANYONE {DEAD OR ALIVE} TO THE PARTY. WHO ARE YOU INVITING?

Tristan Prettyman - she is my favorite artist and human (the chick is real) 

and 

Mo Willems - I bet he would be the life of the party

Q: IF SOMEONE WROTE A BOOK ABOUT YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD BE THE TITLE?

 Shit Happens And Then You... 

 Q:YOU GET TO PICK ONE SUPERPOWER. WHAT IS IT?

 

 Teleportation, so that I could spend more time with friends and family that live far away. 

Q: WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE QUOTE OR SAYING?

"Be More Awesome."  - Kid President 
 

Q: IF YOU HAD TO SING ONE SONG ON AMERICAN IDOL, WHAT WOULD IT BE? 

 "Free Fallin'" - Tom Petty

 

 Q: ARE YOU A MORNING PERSON OR A NIGHT OWL?

I am totally a morning person.  I just need my coffee, but then I am ready to conquer the day.

 

Q: WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE RESOURCE THAT YOU'VE CREATED IN YOUR TPT SHOP?

I love my Roll-Read-Color  Roll-Read-Write bundle.  It is by far the most used item in my classroom.  Not only do I love it, but my students have loved it each year.  Plus, it is the simplest center to prep!  

Q: SHARE SOMETHING WE MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU! 

I am terrified of sharks.  I may love teaching my kiddos our ocean unit, but I cringe and have a hard time looking at ANY shark picture.

Be sure to head over to Falling Into First's blog to get to know other Teacher Bloggers.