New York...New York

I have always wanted to got to a summer institute at The Teacher's College, so on a whim, I applied thinking I didn't do a great job, but I could try again next year.  Well today I got an e-mail and I am going to the Summer Reading Institute at The Teacher's College.

SO excited!  I have never been to New York.  To my New York bloggy buddies and anyone elso whose got New York info., what should a do/see while I am there.  The 4th of July is a non-class day so I am free to roam the city!  Seeing Newsies is the only must do on my list!

Happy Wednesday!

Monday Sayings...

Saturday Sayings are one of the best parts of my week.  If you haven't heard of them, you must go check out Forever in First.  I am never with it enough to get ready for Saturday, but in honor of my favorite team, my two favorite players, and the fact that it's Jackie Robinson day....I am dubbing today a "saying" day.  (42, the movie, was pretty great...btw.)

Every year, I read Teammates to my class....usually more than one time.  One of my goals for my class each year is that would know that our class is a team and stand up for each other, just like Peewee did for Jackie.  Sometimes, I tell them to ask themselves, "What would Peewee do?"  when they are responding to others.

Side Note...my lovely city of Portland has no professional baseball...it is the one and only negative comment I have about Oregon.  So all you friends out there...I am very jealous that you could be in the stands with all the 42's.  Thursday, I get to travel to Seattle to see a Mariner/Tiger game....four hour drive just to see the sport I love:-)

Happy Monday,

400 Follower Craziness

Journaling has always been something I enjoy but don't do often enough.  This blog has become a kind of online journal of my class.  Sometimes on a day to basis or a week by week basis.  I have "met" some amazing teachers and am looking forward to an Oregon Blogger Meetup.  Those teachers out there share and show the wonderful learning communities they have created.  This little online journal...has over 400 people following it!  How did that happen?  To celebrate, we need a giveaway, of course!

This giveaway is sponsored by ManMade in OR.  One of my co-teachers husband is behind this cleverness.  For their Etsy shop, click here.  To like their Facebook page, click here.  Fill out the Rafflecopter info. and you could be the new owner of a work of art.

a Rafflecopter giveaway Happy Monday and good luck!

P.S.  My crafty friend, who hosted my last giveaway has become quite known...you can find her scarves sold in The Library of Congress.  And she just did one for Jodi Picoult with her own book text.  She is SO talented...check her out.

Giveway graphics by The (talented) 3am Teacher-

Wednesday Morning

I used to do morning work....and then I read the book Whisperer.  No more morning work, come in, unpack, make a lunch choice, then read.

Sometimes, there are pleasant distractions...

and sometimes the book we are reading is so good, we just want to be left alone.  Thank you Jennifer A. Nielsen for The False Prince.

Happy Wednesday,

It's Happening

Put it on your calendar....an Oregon meetup is coming soon!

And now back to the regularly procrastinated about report cards....

Happy Tuesday,

Polygons beat Fractions!

Welcome to the world of geometry...I like this world FAR better than fractions!  Yesterday we went on a polygon hunt.  Kiddos did  a great job of looking for shapes throughout the school and then drew them into the "polygon/not a polygon" column.  Today we talked about how parts of the shape name tell us the number of sides the shape has, so we can name it. 

Then I gave each group a polygon.  Then they had to draw one, cut it out, and add it to their page.

Will they remember tomorrow.....

Happy Wednesday,





And for my Dodger friends...in honor of that amazing home opener...

Currently April

I think the fact that I have to go back to school should be the April Fool's joke!  Oh, how I despise getting up in the morning!

Listening:  I heart Jimmy Fallon and baseball....celebrating baseball, with one of my favorite movies,  while washing and folding piles upon piles of laundry. 

Loving:  Baseball is finally here!  Today was opening day, (although my Dodger's don't play til tomorrow.)  Dodger Stadium got a makeover and I need to visit LA to see it in person!  Maybe a Teeny Tiny Teacher needs to go too....

Thinking:  About a spring break redo.  I did not get through my to do list.  And this is where I camped out today...I always end up with a circle of work around me!

Wanting:  A puppy. My last dog was named Dodger.  Reeser will be the name of my new buddy.  PeeWee Reese was a player for the Brooklyn Dodgers.  He had the most to lose when they signed Jackie Robinson, and yet was the only one on the team to befriend him.  He is one of my heroes...so I think Reeser would be great name for a puppy....one that looks something like this-

 

Needing:  Relationships are the best way to support students with behavior....the dilemma comes when you have so many kids it is difficult to best cultivate those important interactions.  I have always believed this, but forgot.  Miss Night's Marbles reminded me and got my own marbles rolling!  (Side note...I have been spelling dilemma with an 'n' my whole life and apparently that is wrong!  Who knew!?)

Advice:  I started blogging because I wanted to be part of the sharing and collaborating going in the online teacher bloggy world.  Every once in a while I obsess about stats and followers, but have to remind myself why I started.  Looking back a double bonus is that blogging has become a kind of journal.  If I want to look back and see what I was doing last year, I just go to through the previous posts.  I have made some super sweet friends, who I have yet to meet face to face, and gotten lots of ideas my students have benefited from. 

Join the giant party over at Oh' Boy 4th Grade!

Happy Monday,