Time to Learn and Grow

I'm back!!!  I went through a time where I thought I would just delete this blog.  I have enough trouble keeping my personal blog going.  I even deleted this blog for awhile, but thank goodness blogger lets you retrieve recently deleted blogs.  I really feel called to continue this blog.  Hopefully, I will do better than I have done in the past.  I feel that blogging is a way for me to learn, grow, and share with others.  I also deep down really enjoy blown when I have time. :)

I thought what better way to start back blogging but by spending some time learning and growing with some fellow bloggers.  I tell my coworkers that when I stop wanting to learn then it is time for me to get out of the education field.  I think this is where so many teachers fail; teaching is a profession where you have to want to learn and grow or you will fall behind.

This is why I am so excited about this collaborative blogger book study that I found that is starting soon!  I am really jealous that the bloggers that started this study just got back from a trip to the Ron Clark Academy.  I REALLY want to go there one day!

I have heard great things about Marcia L. Tate, but I have never taken the time to read one of her books.  I can't wait to see what I learn from this book and to start applying it to my first grade jungle room. :)

If you want to join along, buy the book and let's get started!  (I just ordered mine on Amazon!) You don't have to be a blogger.  You can participate by joining in the conversation by adding comments to the blog posts.

Here is the plan for the linky parties:

Linky parties will take place on these different blogs each time. 

Here is the order so you can plan accordingly 

Kickin it in Kindergarten- Chapters 1 &2 (February 28th)

Mrs. Wills Kindergarten- Chapter 3 (March 7th)

Queen of the First Grade Jungle Chapter 4 (March 10th)

Fabulous in First  Chapter 5 (March 14th)

One Extra Degree Chapter 6 (March 17th)

Mrs. Jump’s Class Chapter 7 (March 28th)

The First Grade Parade  Chapter 8 (March 31st)

In April, you will be visiting these girls for the remainder of the study:

Mrs. Ehle’s Kindergarten Chapter 9 &10 (April 4th)

What The Teacher Wants Chapter 11 (April 7th)

First Grader At Last Chapter 12 (April 11th)

Erica’s Ed Ventures  Chapter 13 (April 14th)

KinderGals Chapter 14 &15 (April 18th)

A Rocky Top Teacher Chapter 16 (April 21st)

Mrs. Wills Kindergarten Chapter 17 (April 25th)

Little Warriors Chapter 18 (April 28th)

Falling Into First Chapter 19 (May 2nd)

Kickin’ it in Kindergarten Chapter 20 (May 5th)

I hope you will join me in this adventure to learn and grow!

Elizabeth L.

July Currently

I am linking up with Farley over at "Oh' Boy 4th Grade" for her July Currently.

I know I am a day late, but better than never. :)

Listening - I was working out so I have So You Think You Can Dance on.  I finished working out so now it's just playing.  I like to have something to watch while I workout at home.  Our dog is also barking outside at who knows what.  There is probably some creature out in the field.

Loving - I am loving having the summer off to spend with my little girl.  I also use the summer to catch up and get ahead on a lot of things.  This summer I have been working on VBS, 10 year class reunion, cheerleading, and a music camp.  I could not do it all during the school year if I did not take time during the summer.

Thinking - I plan on driving to our river house tomorrow, but I have so much to do here before being gone for 4 days.  Ahhh! It truly is never ending.

Wanting - I would love to have my school keys back.  They take them up at the end of the school year, and they won't give them back until they are done waxing our floors.  Well school starts in less than a month and we still don't have them.  I am getting a little stressed!

Needing - I think we could all agree that we would love to have more time in general. :)

4th Plans - We always spend the 4th at our river house.  I plan on taking it easy, reading a book, and enjoying fireworks by the water front. 

What are your 4th of July plans?  I hope you have a great 4th!

Elizabeth

Funny First Grade Sayings

I'm back!  I took a little break from blogging, but I have been following everyone.  I am ready to start back and just in time to get my room back in order for the new school year.  Our school starts in about a month!

I wanted to start back blogging by writing something that I want to remember.  That is what my crazy but fun first graders said this past year.  I loved the class, and they definitely will be one that I will never forget.  I didn't get them all written down, but I tried to get some.  I hope you get some laughs as you read these sayings. :)

Scenario 1
Teacher: "Why are you at your backpack?"
Student: "I thought I came to school with diapers in my backpack." Serious as he could be
Teacher: Puzzled and I am sure giving him a crazy face "Why would you have diapers?  Do you need them?"
Student: "No, but my mom might with my baby brother."

What can you say? He genuinely was concerned.
I am just glad my backpack area doesn't look like this!

Source: http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/originals/d8/43/ba/d843ba149a18579a5f95fd38df9b0283.jpg

Scenario 2 - Small Group Reading - Reading a chapter book
Teacher: "Does anyone know why the police called the mother a cuckoo?"
Student: "No, but she must be from Bolivar.  My parents say that all the cuckoos live in Bolivar."

Scenario 3 - Writing "Monkey Notes" (Conduct Notes) before Going Home for the Day

Teacher: "Why have you been acting up today?"
Student: "You know what caused my misbehavior?  It's this scar under my eye.  It has caused me to act this way."

Needless to say, he still got his monkey note.

Source: http://hdwallpapersbase.com/cartoon-monkey-wallpapers/

Scenario 4 - Teaching off the Promethean Board (Smart Board)

Student: "Mrs. Elizabeth, why is that written so sloppy?" Pointing to the Promethean Board in which I had typed something.

Teacher: "What are you talking about?" Confused as can be, because everything was typed

Student: "This.  It's sloppy." Getting up and pointing to words that were italicized "You wouldn't let me turn my work in like that."

All I could do was laugh and try to explain

Scenario 5 - Bringing students back from the bathroom

Student: "Do I have a booger in my nose?" Holding his head back so I could check

Teacher: "Really, you just asked me that? Why don't you go back to the bathroom and see?"

Source: http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/65/a1/a1/65a1a1ea6093bbfb985af8b2ba9118bc.jpg

Scenario 6 - Small Group Reading

Teacher: "When would you need to use a dictionary?"

Student: "I won't ever need a dictionary.  I have Siri.  She will be my dictionary."

Scenario 7 - Science Time Talking about Living and Nonliving Things

Teacher: "Is a hamburger living or nonliving?"

Student: "It is living in my mouth when I eat it." All serious.

Source: http://www.gospelgifs.com/art_pages_03/hamburger-001.htm

Scenario 8 - Math Lesson about Perimeter

Teacher: "Why should we learn about perimeter?"

Student: "When I get older and I have kids that are in first grade, I will need to help and teach them about perimeter."

Scenario 9 - Whole Group Reading Lesson

Teacher: "What is a crack?"
Student: "It's dark brown and sometimes itches."

Wrong crack!

Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/thedailyenglishshow/7175035520/

Scenario 10 - Small Group Reading Lesson about Worms
Student in another group: "Worms! I can do the worm."
Teacher: "Do it!" I was talking to another person.
Student: "Really!" Jumps up to do the worm.
Teacher: "NO!!! I wasn't talking to you." 

Source: http://clipbug.blogspot.com/2010_06_01_archive.html

These are just some of the crazy things that were said in my classroom this year. 

 I truly love teaching and never day is boring!

Elizabeth

Meet the Teacher Monday & Read Across America Linky

I am linking up again with Trina at The Ordinary to Extraordinary Classroom for her "Meet the Teacher Monday" linky party. 

Meet the Teacher Monday: Dr. Seuss Edition 

1.  What is your favorite Dr. Seuss book?  Why?

My favorite Dr. Seuss book is Oh, the Places You'll Go!.  It gives everyone hope for the future.  I love thinking that you can do anything or go anywhere.  It is all for you to decide what to do with your life.

2. Do you have a favorite quote by Dr. Seuss?

I love Dr. Seuss quotes.  It is hard to pick just one, but I guess my favorite is:

"A person's a person, no matter how small."

3.  There are many life lessons to be learned from the works of Dr. Seuss.  What's your favorite life lesson to teach your students?

Mine goes along with Question/Answer number 1.  I love Oh, The Places You'll Go!.  I like how it motivates students to do their best, because the future is in their hands.

4.  Please share something special you plan to do with your class this week in honor of Dr. Seuss.

I have many plans for this week (if we ever go back due to the weather).  I hope to make Oobleck with my students.  I am able to incorporate so much with this - measurement, science, reading.

Read Across America Week Linky

I am also linking up with "Primary Chalkboard" for her Read Across America Linky party. 

 

Favorite Children's Author and Books

Max Lucado

 

I love all the life lessons that Max Lucado teaches in his books.  Kids love his stories, and I am able to teach a lesson out of every one of them.  I use his books a lot when I am having problems with behavior in class especially treating others the same, picking on others, etc.

Dr. Seuss

Dr. Seuss is great for 1st graders!  I love that they also teach lessons.

Some of my other favorite authors are Laura Numeroff, Beverly Cleary, and Patricia Polacco!

I hope you have an awesome week!

Elizabeth

March Currently

I am linking up with Farley over at "Oh' Boy 4th Grade" for her March Currently.

Listening - I am listening to the Saturday Lifetime movie.  This has become a tradition the past few weeks at my house.  My husband actually enjoys watching them, too.  (Shhh, don't tell him I told you.)

Loving - I love how much I have gotten done today.  I planned my meals for the entire month, went grocery shopping for the entire month, went to the Flea Market, visited with my parents, ran almost 2 miles, visited my friends in their new home, and sat down with the hubby to discuss house plans.  (We are meeting with the contractor tomorrow....oh my!)

Thinking - I still have so much to do.  We are celebrating Read Across America Day on Monday, and I have cheer clinic and tryouts this coming up week.  I am no where near ready!

Wanting - I wish I could just snap my fingers and everything would be done.  Then, I would have more time for family and friends.

Needing - More time!  Do you see a trend here?  Haha

????? - What do you think the question is?

I hope you have a marvelous month!

Elizabeth