Five for Friday (On Saturday): Field Trip, Observation, & Talent Show

Good morning everyone!

I couldn't post last night, because I was at our school talent show! It was so much fun. We have such talented children at our school! So here is what's been going on this week:

On Monday, we went to the Fish Hatchery for our field trip. The students learned about boat safety, fishing, types of fish, and alligators! Alligators were, of course, their favorite part! I really enjoyed watching my students experience new things. Many of my students have never been fishing before. 

This week I created a new product for my TPT store! I've been using a free newsletter that I got from TPT, but I wanted to make my own using Melonheadz. Why, you ask? Well, because I love Melonheadz! haha If you'd like to purchase my monthly newsletters you can go to my TPT store {HERE} or click on the image below.

For my class website, I changed the title of the newsletter to Buckner's Bulletin. How cute is that? Here's a picture of my May newsletter (I'm still updating it):

I mentioned last week that I've been working on writing letters for each of my students. I'm so excited about it. I hope my students know how much they mean to me. Here are some samples of the letters I'm writing (I took their names off for their protection):

My observation was on Friday, and I think it went very well. My students were so well behaved... it was almost creepy. haha We did another partner writing. We've been reading the novel, The Apprenticeship of Lucas Whitaker. The book is set in the 1800's about a boy who apprentices for a doctor during that time. Lucas, the main character, is left alone after his entire family dies from consumption (Tuberculosis). He gets word of a "cure" and is racing to save a friend. The students have been learning about the differences between our medical field during the 1800's and today. We've discussed vaccines, bloodletting, instruments used then, and the discovery of germs. 

The students just completed a Timeline project of what they think are the top five contributions to medicine. (Things that improved the medical field such as vaccines, machines, medicine, etc.) 

During my observation the students re-read 3 passages that we read about a week ago. The passages were "The Invention of Vaccines", "Bloodletting", and "Semmelweis' Germ Theory". I created these passages after researching the topics. All the passages were leveled. After re-reading the passages, the students asked each other HOTS questions. They then chose a writing prompt that goes with the passage. I created 3 different prompts per passage (narrative, informative, and opinion). With their partners they completed the writing using a writing checklist. We've used a lot of checklists this year. I love them, because the students know exactly what I'm looking for.

I didn't get to teach this lesson to my 3rd hour, so I'll try to take pics and show you more specifically what the lesson entailed. The kids really enjoyed it.

Last night was our school-wide Talent Show! Here are some pictures of my very talented 5th graders!

Two students created their own song.

He sang "Play it Again".

I honestly don't remember the name of this song/dance. lol

This was so adorable! 3 students created a skit to a "Shake it Up" parody. The two girls in the picture wrote the parody themselves about school/A.C. Steere. I was so impressed! I told them to give me a copy of the song typed up, so I can share it with future students. My awesome little writers!

She danced to "Hopelessly Devoted to You".

These silly boys did a little skit to "3 Blind Mice".

Check out the finale of the show!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

My heart.

Happy Sunday!

I just wanted to share my excitement about something God has put on my heart. This year I have received so many sweet and thoughtful letters and gifts from students. I want to do something to give back to my students and parents to show them a little piece of my heart. So, God has called me to write a letter to all 65+ students that I teach. I started writing the letters today, and God has definitely given me the words of encouragement to say to each child. Each student is unique and wonderful in their own way, no two letter is the same. Of course each letter ends the same way with me wishing them luck in their future endeavors and to keep in touch, but all the letters are personal and thoughtful. I truly love all of my students and would lay down my life for them. Even the most difficult students have brought me joy. I hope that I have brought them joy and taught them as much as they've taught me.

I know that I may not be every student's favorite teacher, but I hope they remember some of the life lessons that I have taught them. I also hope they know that I truly care about them and am on their side. Next year, I want to do even better at showing my students how much I care and want the very best for them.

When I am finished, I'll post some samples of the letters I have written so you can tweak them and use them in your classrooms.

:)

Five for Friday: Drawer Label FREEBIE!

Good afternoon everyone! Here's what's been going on this week!

This week I created new labels for my classroom. I think they are absolutely adorable!

I decided to make them a FREEBIE! So if you like them click the image below and download them for FREE! 

This week I also received a very sweet note from a student and some beautiful flowers from another student. I love my kiddos! They sure know how to bring a smile to my face!

This week I did something different during their silent reading time. I had the students answer a question about a character the main character(s) in their AR book. The students answered the question on a sticky note and turned it in my Exit Slip folders. I saw this effective strategy {HERE} from Upper Elementary Snapshots. Our morning routine always consists of Daily Language and Silent Reading. However, 4 days a week my higher level students are working on other activities while I work with my Intervention group. If they finish the activity, then they silently read. At least one day a week they do not have an activity and they just read silently or take an AR test. I really like this strategy because it holds them accountable. Next week I'll probably ask a question about the setting or plot. :)

This week I started a new Bible study with some of my co-workers. I absolutely adore this study! It's called Loving Well by Beth Moore. Beth Moore is hilarious! I highly recommend this Bible study if anyone is interested. It discusses how we can learn to love others the way God loves. It's brilliant! :)

Welp, that's my week! I hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

Five for Friday-Spring Break & a FREEBIE!

Good morning everyone! I hope you all are having a fantastic Friday! I'm enjoying the tail end of my Spring Break with relaxing and watching Golden Girls! I'm linking up with Doodle Bugs Teaching to share what's been going on this week! 

New FREEBIE! This week I created these adorable posters with one of my favorite quotes!

I'm currently working on this Daily Language book! Click {HERE} to read more about it!

I also created another font for $1.00 at my TPT store! I'm just loving hand drawn fonts!

My spring break has consisted of cuddling with my 3 fur babies, watching a lot of Criminal Minds on Netflix, creating products for my TPT store, and going on runs with my mom! I'm trying to work back up to 6 miles. Right now I'm at 4. Yesterday we went on a 4 mile trail run. I am definitely out of shape when it comes to running on trails. Running on the road is much different than running up and downhill in the woods! ha!

Now I just need to get motivated to finish grading all these papers!

I hope you all have a happy Friday and a great weekend! Talk to you soon!