Holidays

Teacher Christmas Party:

We had a great time celebrating the holidays together at Cantina Laredo this year! We always do an ornament exchange. It got a little crazy this year when some coworkers had an ornament of Mr. C framed. It was hilarious!

The fifth grade team!

I love my A.C. Steere family!

Student Christmas Party:

The students used sharpies to create this gator keep-sake!

Selfie!

Crazy Kiddos!

Santa came to visit!

Bowling with Teachers:

Some students won a raffle to bowl with teachers! We had so much fun!

Exciting things coming to Steere:

The student council and some teacher volunteers helped create a video to teach students our school rules. The teachers got to demonstrate the way NOT to act in the hallway, restrooms, and cafeteria. The student council demonstrated the correct way to behave. Be on the lookout for our fabulous video! I'll be posting it!

Task Force:

As most of you know, I am on the ELA task force that helps create the guidebooks for the Wonders series. Next year things will be changing as far as curriculum goes. Grades k-2 will continue using Wonders. Grades 3-5 will be using Caddo Guidebooks (Which use novels) and LearnZillion to teach. My principal asked me to be on the committee that will work on those guidebooks. As a teacher, I have learned to embrace change and be as flexible as possible. We have to roll with the punches.

Here is a picture taken for the ELA Task Force:

Nicole and me

http://caddoschoolsela.wix.com/caddoschoolsela

I hope everyone is enjoying their holiday break! When we come back to school we will be starting some new things at Steere. We will begin a school-wide tutoring program and a new schedule to accommodate RTI better. I'm looking forward to it!

My Christmas Break:

Hanging with my niece!

While visiting Treg's family, we had a family picture taken!

Treg and me

Swinging with my nephew!

Visiting Treg's uncle!

Our dorky Christmas card photos!

See you in the New Year!

Five for Friday (on Saturday)

I'm joining up with Doodle Bugs Teaching for Five for Friday (on Saturday) to share with you what's been going on this week!

Monday was my anniversary! 1 year ago, I married my best friend. He's the love of my life! 

We did a little celebration at home! We watched our wedding video and ate our wedding cake topper! It was actually really delicious! We also watched The Ninja Turtles and ate pizza! lol

Treg came to visit me at work with flowers and ate lunch with me. He's a sweetheart. 

This week was Teacher Appreciation Week. I have never felt so blessed in my entire life! I have amazing students and parents. 

Super sweet letter from a father of a student.

An amazing coworker and parent gave me this fabulous gift.

This week we used the Kagan structure, Corners,  to complete a paired writing. 

First, we read two passages together. I explained that each passage will have 3 different writing prompts to go with it.

The students chose which passage they wanted to write about by using the Kagan structure, Corners.

Once they chose a passage they got back to pack with the person closest to them.

With their new partner, they found a spot in the room and re-read the passage. As they were reading, they asked each other HOTS questions.

After finish the passage, the students chose a writing prompt and completed the writing together. They were able to choose from an opinion, informative, or narrative writing. I gave them a checklist of things I was looking for in all of the writings. At the end of the lesson, one of the partners completed an Exit Slip rating how they worked together with their partner.

Here's how Corners works:

Students move to different corners of the room, depending on their point of view. This activity may help them see that not everyone shares the same point of view, and it may stretch their own way of thinking.

1) The teacher announces "corners." Then she announces the choices for each corner of the room.

2) Students are then given a small amount of silent think time to make a choice. They will write the name of their corner on a piece of paper but should not discuss it with anyone else.

3) Teacher tells students to go to their chosen corners. Once they are in their corner, they must find a partner to talk with--someone not on their regular team. (I did this by having them get back-to-back).

4) Pairs will then discuss the reason(s) for their choice. Teacher will then select a few students form each corner to share what his or her partner shared.

 I received a brand new Elmo Document Camera last Friday! I am so excited! We have an amazing non-profit corporation, The Heritage Foundation, that identifies technological needs in our school and raises money to purchase the technology requested by teachers and faculty.

I absolutely love avatars! You all know that Nikki at Melonheadz Illustrating created my own personal Melonhead. I have now ordered my very own character from Shawnna at Lovelytocu Graphic Illustrating. I am so excited to have my own personal avatar to add to the top of my blog! I can't wait to share it with you! Check her out below!

Have a great weekend y'all!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Good afternoon my lovely followers!

I hope you're having a wonderful day! Today we celebrated Valentine's day at A.C. Steere. Let me tell you, I definitely feel the love! My students are so wonderful. All of them have put a smile on my face today. I received some fantastic gifts and chocolates, but the best presents are always the ones that money can't buy. I received the sweetest notes from one of my students today, and it brought tears to my eyes. I teach not only to educate children, but to make a difference. Sometimes the impact educators have on children isn't always noticeable in huge ways, but it's the little things that remind us that our presence does make a difference!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Prayers for Brister

A really sweet coworker and kindergarden teacher is in need of prayer. Her 17 month old son, Brister, was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He has undergone surgery today. I am new to this school, but am overwhelmed with emotion! We have an amazing family that prays for each other in times of need. I am so thankful to be a part of such a sweet community.

First Day of School

Today was the first day with my students. I had a blast getting to know them. I am so excited for what this year holds for us. My students are excited, diverse, and so much fun! I love getting to joke around with them. Through all the fun we managed to get a lot of housekeeping done today as well. We put together our binders, went over important papers, touched on our rules and procedures, and even had time for a quick team builder!

As the students entered my room, they began working on a "Fakebook" page. The kids loved this! I found it on TpT for FREE!
Here's what it looks like:

Today we also had a Ring the Bell Ceremony at A.C. Steere. Our school has a bell tower on loan from a U.S. Navy ship. School board personel from our parish and other important people in the school district came for the ceremony. You can view all the pictures from The Shreveport Times {HERE}. 

Here are a couple images from my first day at Steere! (Photos form The Shreveport Times)

Teaching some procedures

Putting together our binders

Have a great night!