Little Update!

Good morning everyone!

I just wanted to give you a little update about some things we've been doing in class!

During our WIN time (RTI time) we've been discussing using evidence to answer questions. This week, we showed movie clips from Akeelah and the Bee. Students had to answer questions using evidence from the movie. :) They really liked this activity!

In class, we have been discussing Black History Month. On Friday we started a new writing assignment. Students read the story "Rosa" from our textbook and filled out a Cause and Effect graphic organizer. Then, they created an outline of their writing assignment. This lesson is taken from our Wonders Module 4 that I helped create! 

We will begin our new novel study next week! We will be reading The Apprenticeship of Lucas Whitaker. This is my favorite novel that we read! I can't wait to start it!

Here is the book study that I created! Check out my TPT store for more info!

There is also a research project that goes along with this novel. I haven't decided if we're going to do this one this year. Our Number the Stars novel study took longer than I expected.

Personal Update:

I have started selling Plexus! Plexus has improved my sleep, weight loss, energy, skin, and overall health! If you'd like more information, please message me!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

I hope you all have been doing swell!

Here are some updates to what's been going on with my classroom and my life!

I am so proud of myself for facing my fears and presenting by myself at the ECET2 Conference!

I presented on blogging and social media for teachers! 

Mardi Gras at school:

Amy and I were comparing our hair color! lol

Kim (our principal), myself, Toni, and Val!

Celebrating Mardi Gras with my hubby:

Me being silly with some friends!

Our friends Hollie and Jim

Fun things we've been doing in the classroom:

Using our Kagan pyramids for group reading! I often talk about using Circle Talk, which is another similar strategy for group reading. This is a great one too! You can purchase these pyramids at our local teacher store or online at kaganonline.com! 

I decided to try something knew with my classroom! I have really liked this seating arrangement! 

We have now started something called WIN time, which is really RTI time for everyone. WIN stands for "What I need". This is a picture of one of my groups working on using main idea, details, and evidence. The students worked in groups to write an informative or narrative piece about a painting. I told the students the artist and the title of the painting. They had to use their imaginations to figure out what the artist was trying to say and use details/evidence from the painting in their writing. The students then presented their writing with the class. The other students had the opportunity to suggest different interpretations using evidence. The students really enjoyed this!

My students have been presenting their WWII and Holocaust projects. I will be doing a post specifically for that and how it ties into our novel, Number the Stars! 

Next week, we will be comparing the Holocaust to African American History in America. My students will be answering some higher order thinking questions and completing journal writings in relation to Black History Month videos! I'm very excited about this, because I love history. I sneak it into our literature and writings all the time! :D

Valentine's Day:

My hubby surprised me at work on Friday with these beautiful flowers!

So, I painted him this elephant picture! :)

We celebrated Valentine's weekend by going to our friends' wedding today! It was so much fun and so beautiful!

We also celebrated by going to dinner, shopping, and a movie! We ate sushi, per our favorite, bought an essential oil vaporizer at Earthbound, and watched Dead Pool. We ran into one of my students at Earthbound and we took a selfie! I'll have to get her to text it to me, so that I can share it with you all! She's so sweet! 

Well I hope you all have a very special Valentine's weekend! Spend time with all your loved ones: your family, friends, children, pets, and partner! 

Until next time!