Featured as a Budding Blogger!

In the midst of all the Back-to-School craziness, I am excited to be featured on Amanda's blog, Teaching Maddeness.  If you are not already following her posts, do so!  Amanda has wonderful ideas and freebies.  Click the image below to check out the feature.

Happy Weekend!

Five For Friday

I am loving being back in the classroom.  My new group of firsties are a total joy, and we are working hard!  I am linking up with DoodleBugs, for today's Five For Friday.

1. Pumpkin!!!!  I love this time of year!  

Need I say more?!?!

2. I finally got a lamintator and I love it!  

The laminator at school has been broken off and on for awhile, so I knew it was time!

3. Frixion pens and highlighters!

My sister got me the amazing Frixion markers while she was in Japan; best sister, right?!  I recently found the highlighters and pens and feel like I have a complete set up now.  Pilot is a genius with their erasable tools!

4. Grey nailpolish!  I don't know what it is, but I am in love with these colors right now.

5. Matt Glover- Writing Genius!

I can't get enough of these two books, by Matt Glover.  I am beginning my Writers' Workshop launch and cannot wait to implement some of his teaching.  

Happy Friday!

Be More Awesome!

Between crying and laughing, this video is the greatest!!!  I will always strive to "Be More Awesome!"

Helping Hands

Last year, I did the whole classroom job chart with the sticks and something like 22 jobs.  It worked for a few weeks, but then it just became a hassle.  I had 34 students, which didn't allow for every student to have a job each week, and I consistently forgot to switch the sticks on Friday afternoon.  It  became tricky remembering who had had which job as well.  I knew I needed a new system.  Don't get me wrong, this system works for some people, and I am super organized, but it just didn't cut it.
During one of my pinning parties, I came across the perfect solution, Helping Hands.

The pin came from Ashleigh's Education Journey.  (It was so nice to find a pin that went to its original source.)  Instead of having a job board or chart, the "helping hands" complete all the jobs for the day.  Each day, you flip the hands for your next helpers.  This seems like the perfect alternative to last year's job chart.

My student teacher had each student stamp their hand print for the project.  Once they dried, I got to use my new laminator to seal them up.

They are hung and ready for use!

What kind of job chart do you use?

Management X3

Establishing routines is one thing, but sticking to them and a system that works is crucial.  For myself and my kiddos it comes down to the following three:
1. Whole Group Behavior Management

For whole group management, I use Deirdre Eldredge's behavior charts.  Her pack contains such a fabulous variety of charts.  Right now, my students are working toward a glow stick dance party.  In years past, I would let the students choose their reward once they had hit their goal, but with her charts it is fun to know what we are working toward.  The class can earn a lightbulb if they receive a compliment from another staff member, if everyone follows directions the first time they are given, or if I catch everyone working their hardest.  They get so excited when they earn a bulb.  I can't wait for their first celebration! 

2. Individual Behavior System

I use a vertical clip chart for individual student behaviors.  Each day, my students come in and move their clips to "Ready to Learn."  This single act allows me to know who is absent.  Students then move their clips up and down depending on their behavior.  If a student is on "Outstanding" at the end of the day, they receive a good phone call home, or an outstanding note to take home.  Very seldom does a student make it to contact home for the negative reason, but if so a call is made and a school punishment is discussed between myself and the parent(s).  

*You can find this chart in my TPT store.  I used Autumn Zaminski's adorable chevron paper to create it.*

3. Individual Behavior Tracking

I use Class Dojo to track and collect data on my students' behaviors.  This incredible app/site is free and insanely easy to use.  I love that I can share the data with my kids' parents, as well as have it for necessary meetings.  The kiddos also love that they can create their own avatar.

These systems work together and separately, but ultimately they are what holds our class together.  What type of management system(s) do you use?

Setting Expectations

This week has been chock-full of expectations.  I honestly believe that if you work hard on expectations at the beginning of the year, you will have a "smooth" learning year.  I say "smooth" in quotations because every so often you get a move-in that sets the class into tizzy mode.  Either way, teach-tos are in full force in my classroom.
Today was behavior this and rules that.  We read 3 of the David books which set the tone for our Peacemaker lesson.

 It was amazing how a couple of my boys instantly connected to these books. I wasn't sure if I should be happy that they found an interest read or sad that they related to David.  Either way, we had a great discussion about peacemakers and peace breakers.

The students used the anchor chart to create their own page for our first class book!  We used Rachael Mitchell's Peacemaker pack for our book.  I loved how they took responsibility for their learning by using the anchor chart and/or my model, and I certainly can't wait to bind our first book.

Our day continued with a visit from administration to discuss our school handbook.  It was so cute listening to their comments at the end of the discussion, as they kept referring to the David stories.
The afternoon was filled with more rule discussions as we reviewed our PBIS expectations and created our Stickin' To The Rules books, from Michelle Hudgeons.

I am beyond impressed with this group's ability to support their own learning.  Once we move into the independent part of our activities students disperse to the place in the room that suits their work needs best.  I am so proud of them, and we are only 4 days into our year together!

What activities have you done to teach expectations and rules?

Let's Do This

Two days in with my new kiddos and I am having an INCREDIBLE time!  I miss my former students tremendously, but my new group is a total HOOT.  I think it also helps that I am starting this year with 27 students, as compared to last year's 34.
We may have only completed 2 days of first grade, but we are working hard!  I am so proud of their eagerness to learn and their insightful comments.  Today, we worked on the importance of using kind words.  We read Chrysanthemum and completed a great craftivity.  While reading Chrysanthemum we discussed and modeled what negative comments can do to our hearts.  This activity was inspired by the amazing Cara Carroll.  Before we started the story, we created a heart to show how beautiful Chrysanthemum's heart was.  Then, each time we read something negative said to Chrysanthemum, we crumbled up the heart.  We then tried smoothing the heart back out as nice comments were made, but in the end her heart did not look the same.  My students and I even made a pack to not use harsh words because we would never want to hurt anyone's heart (we signed the agreement with bandaids).

After the heart activity we learned white board expectations through name pracitce.  Each student wrote their name and indicated the number of letters in their name.  This was my clue for the number of petals they needed for their name flower.

Each student created their own flower to display the beauty of their name.  I can't wait to show you our name garden!

One thing I learned, during my first year teaching first grade, is that choice time in a necessity in the afternoon.  The new firsties are exhausted and just need time to let their brains chill.  Today, during choice, one of my kids painted a very clear picture of his learning needs...

would you say TAG?  This same student proceeded to use unifix cubes to build tops that he could spin around.  I know who will need enrichment this year!

I would love to hear how your first few days are going!

Currently-September

Hello September!  I can't believe that a new school year is upon us.  The beginning of the year jitters have definitely started.  As a distraction to the jitters, I am linking up with Farley, from Oh' Boy 4th Grade, to celebrate my currently.

What are you Currently...?

I made it through preservice week

I have officially made it through preservice week and am ready for my first week with my new firsties.  Before, I let you in on my first week plans, my giveaway winners are in.....
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Congratulations ladies!  Please check your emails for the details.

Back to reality!  My first week is planned and ready to ROCK!

I am so excited to teach my students expectations for their year in first grade through the following read alouds and craftivities:

What do you have planned for the first week?  For those of you that have been back with your kiddos already, how have the first few weeks been?