A {Last} Peek at My Week {9-28-14}

Happy Sunday everyone!  Welcome to another Peek at My Week.  I hope you will share your plans for the upcoming week.

The beginning of the year has been crazy and I am just now been feeling like I am starting to catch up.  Do you know that feeling?  This is what my life has felt like lately...

Source

But I guess that's what weekends were made for...

So you may have noticed that I labeled this post my {last} Peek at My Week.  Yes, it is true, this will be the final edition of this linky party.  There are lots of other great things I'd like to do with this blog and I just feel it's time for a change.  I thank all of you who have linked up in the past.  I have learned so much from you.  On the bright side, Positive Thinking Thursday will continue!  I hope to see your link ups there!

Now on with my plans for this week...

I'm excited to announce that our Chromebooks have arrived and we are now a 1:1 classroom!  They were delivered on Friday and the kids couldn't wait to use them.  They are even touchscreen!

This is perfect timing because I am beginning my guided reading groups this week.  One of the activities the students will be required to do is to visit the Wonderopolis website.

Because our tech has been limited up until the arrival of the Chromebooks, we have only been able to explore this website one time a week which we called Wonder Wednesdays.

In Science, we are also beginning a new unit on the Human Body Systems.  This is one of my favorite units to teach and the kids love it too.  One of their favorite activities is showing how the stomach turns food into a soupy mix by putting a saltine cracker into a sandwich baggie with a couple teaspoons of water and then massaging the bag until the cracker is mush.  It looks pretty gross but it gets the point across.

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Have a great week!

A Peek at My Week {9-21-14}

Welcome to A Peek at My Week!  Thanks for visiting.  I hope you will link up and share your plans for this upcoming week.

Here we go with week 4....

In writing, we have been using this resource that I found online from Portland Public Schools.  (Have you seen it??? Simply amazing!)  We have been exploring ways writers get their ideas, the habits of good writers, and doing lots of quick writes. This week, students will choose one of their quick writes and turn it into a published piece of writing for their Treasure Chest.  (This is what we call their portfolio.)  I am so thrilled with my students enthusiasm for writing!

We also have our next round of MAP testing, this time for math.  Last week was reading and let me just tell you....I have work to do.  There was a 50 point range in my scores (about five grade levels).  Can you say.... 'differentiation?'

We have also been chugging along improving our vocabulary by learning five new Greek or Latin word parts each week using my product, Word Parts We Know. The students were excited to see some of these word parts show up on their MAP test....I am excited to see that they are recognizing new words and figuring out their meanings in their independent reading.

Finally, this week we will also write our first letters to our pen pals in Ohio in Mary from Fit to Be Fourth's class.  On Friday, we spied on their school using Google Earth.  :)  We are excited to begin this new relationship with other fourth graders!

Oh...and one more thing.  Rosie the Puggle turns 5 on Thursday!  :)

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I hope you have an amazing week!

A Peek at My Week {9-14-14}

Thank you for stopping by A Peek at My Week.  I hope you are having a great weekend!

We are beginning our third week of school and things are going well!  My group is a little chatty this year, but we are working on that.  They are eager, sweet learners and I know we will do great things this year!

On Tuesday, we will take our reading MAP test.  I have been working to gather lots of data on my students (reading conferences, reading reflections, Star Reader, etc.) so the MAP test will add one more data point for me to use.

In math, we have been reviewing  place value and thanks to the amazing third grade teachers, most of my students "get it."  Last year, we began using Expressions math which really stresses the conceptual understanding of what students are learning.  This week, we will begin reviewing adding larger numbers.  Did you know there are FOUR different methods to add larger numbers?  I'm used to the "carry the one" method so this should be fun!

I'm excited to begin our first novel study in reading class, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing.  We will be using this awesome product from Lightbulb Minds.  (LOVE their products!)

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Wishing you an amazing week!

A Peek at My Week {8-31-14}

Thanks for stopping by this week's edition of A Peek at My Week, my weekly linky party where we can all share our plans for the upcoming week.

So here we go...

Tuesday is the first day of school!  Back in June, this day seemed so far away.  I am super excited for this year!  We will spend much of this week building community,  learning routines and expectations, and of course, reading a lot.

The first read aloud I am going to share is a book I read over the summer that I absolutely loved, The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z by Kate Messner.  I usually begin with The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, but I am saving that one for the Global Read Aloud in October.

The beginning of the year is a great time for goal setting.  However, in years past, students have set these really ambitious goals then they get filed away and forgotten about.  This year, I am going to have my students write out their goals on this form and we are going to slide the paper into the front cover of their 8-pocket plastic folder.  This way, the goals will be front and center all the time, for both students and parents. :)  You can grab this form for FREE by clicking on the picture..

Font:  KG Fonts

Graphics:  Creative Clips

To begin our writing year, students will write "Five Things I Want My Teacher to Know About Me."  This will help me get to know them personally and as writers.  We will also set up our Writer's Notebooks using my Writer's Notebook Divider Pages and my Writer's Notebook Reference Pages.

In math, we will be working on getting those math facts fluent again and practicing some helpful mental math strategies.  I am excited to teach math again this year.  (I never thought I would hear myself say that... :).

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I hope you enjoy this long weekend and have an amazing week!  Don't forget to stop back for Positive Thinking Thursday.

A Peek at My Week {8-24-14}

I'm not sure how it happened, but here it is Sunday already and time for another edition of A Peek at My Week.  Thanks for stopping by and I hope you will link up and share your plans for the upcoming week!

It's time to go back to work.

* Sigh *

Seriously, while I am not looking forward to giving up the carefree days of summer, where life is slower and can be savored, I am very excited for the upcoming school year.

All teachers report back on Tuesday and will spend this week in meetings and getting our rooms ready.  I am not stressing about having my room ready.  I've done a little bit here and there and that is a good thing because while I was running last week, I sprained my knee and am needing to stay off of it as much as possible.  (Yeah, right...)  This, again, proves that I am allergic to exercise.  I think this shirt was made for me...

Source

Thursday night is Back to School night.  Students can come to school with their parents and drop off their supplies.  I've been teaching fourth grade for seven years now and have had many siblings of students who are in my class this year so I already know many of the families.  I have a great class of 23 students this year!

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Don't forget to stop back on Thursday for Positive Thinking Thursday!

Wishing you an amazing week!

A Peek at My Week {8-17-14}

Welcome to Sunday and another edition of A Peek at My Week, my weekly linky party where we can all share our plans for the upcoming week.

This is my last week of summer vacation.  * sigh *  I know so many of you are back already so you know what that "last week" feels like.

I am having this internal struggle over this week....Do I spend it trying to cram in as many projects as I can to get ready for school, or do I spend it relaxing and doing almost nothing because I know it will be awhile before I get free time again?

What would you do?

Yesterday, I wrote about celebrating all of the things I didn't get done this summer over at my writing blog, Sweet Writing Life.  I don't know about you, but if I look back at my list of goals to be accomplished this summer, the list would still be long.  However, instead of stressing about this, I am going to celebrate all of the things that I DID accomplish this summer -- relaxation, making memories with my family, and connecting with other educators online and via Twitter.  (You can take a peek at that post here if you would like.)

So, as I look toward this final week, I ask myself -- how much can I really accomplish this week?  Is it worth it to stress myself out over trying to cross tasks off my to-do list?

Probably not...

So my plan is going to be to take it very easy this week, to not let the feeling of what is to come overwhelm me and stress me out.

It might not be easy, but it will be worth it!

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I hope you find some time for relaxation this week!

A Peek at My Week {8-10-14}

Welcome to A Peek at My Week, my weekly linky party where you can share your plans for the upcoming week.  Thanks for stopping by!

From what I'm reading, it sounds like a lot of you are heading back to work this week.  If that is the case, I wish you a great week and the best year ever!

Today, we are having a shrimp boil at my aunt's house on the lake.  This is so much fun (and so yummy!) but it is also bittersweet, because we always do this at summer's end.  

*Sigh*

Last week, I attended EdCamp Lake Country with these wonderful gals.

That's Heather from Books del Sur

Ana from Mrs. Bentin's Blackboard 

and our school librarian, Ginny, who doesn't have a blog.....yet.

This week I was supposed to attend EdCamp Oshkosh, but family duties call and I won't make it. :(

Also this week, I plan to...

Sit and read on my patio

Watch the sunrise

Take lots of walks and enjoy the view

Life is good, friends!

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Have a great week!

A Peek at My Week {8-03-14}

I hope this Sunday finds you well and ready for the first whole week of August!  I'm glad you are here.  It's time for us to all share what we've got planned for the week with A Peek at My Week.

I know many of you are getting ready to go back to school.  If you are one of those people, I wish you your best year ever!  I go back on August 26th, with students starting September 2nd.

On Monday, I am teaching a class about writing for my district.  I am very excited, but also a lot nervous. Last week I wrote about posting class information using LiveBinder and it generated a lot of questions and comments.  If you'd like to take a look at the LiveBinder I created, you can find it here.  It was pretty easy to put together and I like that it can be a resource that I can keep adding to.  Let me know what you think if you take a look.

On Tuesday, I am so excited to be attending EdCamp Lake Country.  This will be my second EdCamp and I am taking along a few teachers from school and our principal.  If you've never been to an EdCamp, you really MUST find one in your area. (You can find a directory of EdCamps here.)  They are amazing PD opportunities!

Also, this Monday and Tuesday, I will be doing a lot of shopping at the Teachers Pay Teachers Back to School SALE!  Many stores (including mine) are going to be up to 28% off with the code BTS14.  My cart is loaded and ready for check out.  I'm really glad I finished my Writer's Notebook Reference product in time for the sale.

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Have a wonderful week!

A Peek at My Week {7/27/14}

Hi everyone!  Welcome to this week's A Peek at My Week, my weekly linky party where we can all share a glimpse into our upcoming week.

Before I begin, I want to thank everyone who has left a comment on my post from Friday to help me find an alternative to the dreaded reading log.  If you haven't had a chance to comment and would like to, you can visit my post here.  I love all of the ideas shared so far and am curious what other ideas are out there.

OK...on with this week's events.

Our exchange student, Cecile, returns to France on Tuesday.  {Big frown face}  It has been a wonderful three weeks that we have spent with her and we will miss her when she goes.

Since this week also begins the month of August, that means it is time for the Wisconsin State Fair!  Going to the fair is an annual tradition for our family.  Who can resist fried cheese curds and cream puffs galore? Not me!

Also this week, I will be working on putting together the details for a writing class I am teaching for my district on August 4th.  I'm going to try something new -- putting all the handouts on Livebinder.  This will not only save paper (you're welcome, Dan! :), but also ensure that the documents are available when anyone is looking for them.  Do you have any experience with using Livebinder?  I'd love your tips!

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One last thing....Beginning Monday, there is an AWESOME giveaway going on over at Mrs. Spangler in the Middle to celebrate her blogiversary.  Stop by and enter to win...often!

Thanks for stopping by & have a great week!

A Peek at My Week {7-20-14}

Hello friends! Thanks for stopping by A Peek at My Week, the place where we can all link up and share our plans for the upcoming week.  I hope you are having a wonderful summer!

This week, we are still on the move showing our exchange student, Cecile, the wonders of American life.  So far, we have visited the Milwaukee Art Museum, Festa Italiana, Bastille Days and Gurnee Mills (for shopping!).  This week, we will visit the Wisconsin Dells, Chicago, and Six Flags Great America.  I know that when Cecile goes home on July 29th, we will all need a nap!

In between all this sight seeing, I am trying to get some reading done. Back in June, I had all these great plans for all the books I wanted to read this summer.  Needless to say, time is not being my friend and even though I'm finding ways to sneak in reading (as Donalyn Miller points out in Reading in the Wild), there just don't seem to be enough minutes in the day to do what I want to do.

However, I am working my way through one book that I just love that I wanted to share with you. (I have nothing to gain here -- just sharing a good book. :)  Have you heard of Classroom Habitudes by Angela Maiers? I am learning so many great ways to build 21st century habits and attitudes with my students for next year. This is a great character ed book and includes awesome activities to help students become self-directed learners.

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Thanks again for stopping by!  Have a wonderful week!!

A Peek at My Week {7-13-14}

It's Sunday which means it's time for this week's edition of A Peek at My Week, my weekly linky party where we can all share our plans for the upcoming week.  Even though it's summer, us teachers still have a lot going on, don't we?  I hope you'll join in!

Our exchange student from France, Cecile, arrived last Tuesday night.  She is just wonderful and I am so glad she is here! Last week, we took her to the Bastille Days celebration in Milwaukee to show her how Americans celebrate French independence. (She thought that was pretty cool.) This week, we will be going to the Milwaukee Art Museum and Festa Italiana, along with doing some shopping.

Cecile made quick friends!

This week will be week #2 of Teachers Write 2014.  This daily writing camp for teachers is a great way to explore new ideas in writing and to work on (or begin) your own writing.  I have learned so many great things already! If you'd like to check out what's going on or join in, you can click here. Remember, teachers who write make the best teachers of writing.  :)

Also this week, my baby is turning 15.

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Whatever it is you are doing this week, I wish you a great one!  Thanks for stopping by!

A Peek at My Week {7-07-14}

It's Sunday which means it's time for another edition of A Peek at My Week, my weekly linky party where we all share what we've got going on this week.  I love that this linky party is bringing together new friends and old ones.  There are so many new bloggers out there -- I encourage you to link up to help us find you!

Here we go...

This morning, my son Ryan will leave for his very first job.  He is going to be a camp counselor at a Boy Scout camp.  This means that he will live there and only come home one day a week -- eeekk!  When I told him to get a job for summer, I didn't mean that he had to move out.  Oh, a mother's heart....

On Monday, Teachers Write begins!  If you are wondering what this is and want to participate, you can visit this website or this one.  Last year, I was only an observer of this online writing camp, but this year I am looking forward to doing some writing.

On Tuesday, our exchange student from France arrives.  Cecile will be staying with us for three weeks.  My daughter Kara is very excited and is looking forward to showing Cecile American teenage life (whatever that means).

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Cecile's first experience of American life will be to attend the DCI Drum Corp show at the local high school on Thursday night.  I've never been to a drum corp show, but I am looking forward to it!

Source

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Thanks for stopping by and have a great week!