One of the best ways to really “get” good teaching, is to see it in action. You can listen, learn, or read about what it’s supposed to look like all you want, but it doesn’t really click until you actually experience it — teaching that has a bang and makes a difference. As I’ve shared in the […]
Earlier this summer, I had the idea of doing a shoot with smoke bombs! And, although the concept has been a bit overdone, it became something that I really wanted to try. So a few weeks ago I contacted a videographer friend of mine, Cole Stoughton , and the planning began! We found our amazing mod
Too many books tell you not to worry or not to be anxious, but they don’t tell you how. In this episode, we talk about how to fight against worry, fear, and anxiety.
As I am sure you recall I have a pet hate for Balloon arches. Well, how about this? A beach ball arch. It looks simple, affordable, and totally doable and it is perfect for Summer Pool Parties!&nbs…
Minilessons are actually really easy to plan, and fun to teach. What? You don’t believe me? Let me show you, right now, how to do it.
Seriously, how adorable is this?
Earlier this summer, I had the idea of doing a shoot with smoke bombs! And, although the concept has been a bit overdone, it became something that I really wanted to try. So a few weeks ago I contacted a videographer friend of mine, Cole Stoughton , and the planning began! We found our amazing mod
Welcome to Workshop Wednesday!! 🙂 Today is my LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!!! Oh my heavens, I can’t believe it. I can smell the sweet fragrance of summer just around the corner!! 🙂 Before I get into the meat of this post, I wanted to let you know that Workshop Wednesday will be changing JUST FOR […]
A list of stunning bucket list destinations in France, including cute towns, wine havens, fairytale villages and French natural beauty.
\"God loves you.\" It's a foundational tenet of the Christian faith; it's a promise, a comfort, call to salvation, and a phrase we've heard time and time again. But what does it mean, really? How many of us a truly aware of the gravity of this statement? What are we supposed to do with this fact, and how do we conduct ourselves as worthy recipients of that love? In All I Want to Do Is Care for You, author Curtis Lucy explores these questions and more. Standing firmly upon biblical evidence, this book breaks down the true meaning, purpose, and promise of God's love for each of us-from the tiny manifestations of it that we might miss, to the life-changing sacrifice Jesus bore to save us all from sin. Featuring a guided prayer and a point for discussion, reflection, and action with each and every chapter, this eye-opening dive into the wonders of God's love for us will equip readers to acknowledge the miracles each day represents and live their lives the way God intended: full of love for others, for ourselves, and most importantly, for Him. Curtis Lucy grew up in Florida. He and his wife Gail are living in Virginia. He has two children and their spouses and grandchildren. A graduate of Auburn University (War Eagle). He worked for several years in manufacturing before answering God's call to enter the ministry. In 2003, started his walk with the Lord in ministry serving as a pastor. Hobbies are writing, swimming, gardening, and going to the beach. The inspiration to write was the Lord. His confirmation to write is his wife, Gail, and his grandson, Chris.
Earlier this summer, I had the idea of doing a shoot with smoke bombs! And, although the concept has been a bit overdone, it became something that I really wanted to try. So a few weeks ago I contacted a videographer friend of mine, Cole Stoughton , and the planning began! We found our amazing mod
Hi friends! I wanted to share my readers use thinkmarks poster today. This is something my students really enjoy doing during guided reading or even independent reading. This allows them to jot down their idea, but not interrupt me. We have a different focus each month and last month was making predictions, and this month is making connections. We also cover visualizing, and inferencing as well. We cover a ton of things each month, but these are our focus! I just love teaching them. I love read alouds and would do it all day if I could. I wanted to see if I could show them think marks. So I whipped up this chart with them. They were REALLY excited to get some sticky notes - (note to self - I need more little ones, but am too much of a hoarder to share my own) I left out the ones that are blank because we haven't learned those skills yet. So as we learn, I will add more to it. I sent each child to independent reading and read to self that day with one sticky note. All they had to do was use one. I didn't want them using a whole pack because then it is work on writing instead of reading! They were so excited. I had one girl read her same book twice with nothing. I asked why she was reading her book again, and she said " I only have one sticky note, I want to make it a good one". Gosh I love first graders. Here's the thing. In order to use the think mark, you had to be able to explain WHY you chose it. If you chose LOL that is great, but what was so funny about it? If you chose prediction - you had to say what you predicted and if you were correct initially or if you had to revise your thinking. The best part was that there were kids with "C" written on their sticky, and even better * and ?. I let them know if they had those they had to explain. During snack, I had them all take out their book, and we went around to share our think marks. One kiddo said "C" because she didn't know that Penguin babies were with their dads and are 4 feet tall. (I was beaming with pride for her) she said it from her memory - then opened the book to the page to share with everyone. One little boy had a Henry and Mudge book and had an (!) - he said that it was exciting because Henry and Mudge were cracking the code of the lost cookies! HOW CUTE! Kids were using the vocabulary "I made a connection, I predicted, I thought so and so was funny BECAUSE". It was truly amazing to hear their thinking and even my lowest readers were able to put something down - even if it was a favorite part! I will eventually not have every kid share during snack, but not until I know that they have it down for what they are supposed to be doing and explaining. I will have the kids partner up and share so it is over fairly quickly. They want to talk about their books, but need guidance on what they can share!! I decided that once we learn all of our think marks, I will blow this up and put it on my wall. I will also print a smaller one for them to keep in their readers notebook, along with a bookmark with the other side being their reading strategies bookmark. I made this Story Map from this pin . I don't know who it belongs to, but I had a vision of this thing and this was it! Each time we read a story together, we complete this together. I have printed them their own and put it in a sheet protector. They will read their own books and days we don't use sticky notes, I will have them fill out the map and share with a buddy. I want them to be accountable, but like I said I don't want it to be read to self/writing - I also sent this home with parents with a dry erase marker and and sheet protector and said to have them do this after they read to or listen to their child read. This is my focus wall. This is the size of a regular bulletin board - Each day we focus for just five minutes on a couple of these things that we have covered in the month! I use panel wall clips so that the holes are only put in once and I never pull them out - allowing me to use this board for years to come. The kids love going over this board because they know all the answers!!! I only made the make a prediction sheet. The tattooed teacher made the reading strategies posters and the charts and graphs poster pack was free from here. I created these reading strategies along with bookmarks to use during guided reading and for them to use during read to self or independent reading. Click on any picture to snag these babies for only a buck a rooney! An example of one of the posters and the bookmark types. I am also going to use the circles during guided reading. As they use a strategy, they will grab it from their pile and explain what they used. I will put them on popsicle sticks. :) They go with my reading comprehension posters that you can find here for just a dollar! Aly
Update: This experience has now ended in London. It was only available during the summer of 2015. It's kinda been in London before, years ago at the Tate - This Amazing Experience Is Coming To London - Travel, Travel Inspiration - England, Europe, London, United Kingdom - Travel, Food and Home Inspiration Blog with door-to-door Travel Planner! - Travel Advice, Travel Inspiration, Home Inspiration, Food Inspiration, Recipes, Photography
