Category Archives: General

It’s A Party!

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I use Class Dojo as a part of my classroom behavior management system. What is Class Dojo you might ask? ClassDojo is an online program that allows you to provide immediate feedback for student behavior (positive and negative). It enables you to easily award and record points, achievements and rewards for behavior and performance in class in real-time, with just one click of your computer, smartphone, or mobile device.

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ClassDojo provides instant visual and audible notifications for your students, in addition to allowing you to keep the feedback over a period of time. It also allows you to decide what behaviors you find important and award points that way. And it’s so easy to set up. You can copy and paste your class roster from almost any document – even a PDF!

Since my laptop is continuously hooked to my projector and Promethean board, students can constantly see their progress. And even if the screen is on something else they can hear the ding or dong that comes from points being awarded!

My ClassDojo points are connected to my Jefferson’s Bucks. Having a certain amount of Jefferson’s Bucks allows them entry into “The Jefferson’s Jam!” Every week, students’ individual points turn into money. But, I also added a component that ensures the class works together. At the end of the week, the class percentage allows them to be able to multiply their points for more money. 80-89% class percentage? They can multiply their points by 2. 90-99% class percentage? They can multiply their points by 3. 100% class percentage (which has happened once). They can multiply their points by 4.

We had our second quarter Jefferson’s Jam on Friday and the kids had a blast! Students can order subs or pizza, as well as bring in other treats for the party. It has a zero cost for me – all I have to do is set the date, determine the participants, and order and pick up the food!

Check out our party video here:

We spent a great deal of time outside, and as I looked around I was shocked at the amount of litter out there! So I created an impromptu community service project. We did a trash clean up right on the spot! I made it a competition though, because who wants to pick up trash at a party? Students were put into teams and the team that collected the most trash would get a prize. Needless to say after 3 minutes, the playground yard was immaculate, and every attendee is officially $100 richer in Jefferson’s Bucks! They all did such an awesome job, I couldn’t decide!

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Until next time!

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Anchor’s Away

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One of my goals for this school year was to create anchor charts with my students as we reviewed concepts. That way, instead of putting everything on the walls ahead of time, we would add to the classroom throughout the year. My hope that it would make the charts more relevant and used more frequently.

But….alas, it’s gone by the wayside as so many other great ideas I have had.

Miss Klohn at Adventures of A Sixth Grade Teacher has created a monthly linky party that will highlight Anchor Charts. I’m hoping that this will inspire me to get back with it….

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Here is my anchor chart about Story Elements…

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And Point of View….

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Interested?? Here’s how it works….

One. Save the Anchors Away image from above and include it in your post.

Two. Be sure and link back to Miss Klohn’s blog. You can do this by linking the image to http://missklohnsclassroom.blogspot.com.

Three. Share some pictures of your favorite anchor charts that you have made this year.

Four. Come back to this post and link up your post for others to see.

You can click on the link here to connect to the first linky party.

Happy Linking!

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What’s Ahead In 2013

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It’s day 2 of 2013 and I find myself still in vacation mode. These next 5 days will fly by and if I know what’s good for me, I better get my butt in gear!

So, maybe a way to get my mind right is to start looking at what I want for next year. And it just so happens that Michelle from Making It As A Middle School Teacher has just the linky party to do it!:-)

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Here are the 13 things that I’ll be looking forward to or taking part in during 2013.

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Just to highlight a few…..

By middle school, many students are really good at calling words – but have no comprehension skills. They hate to read which makes it even harder to teach them. I’ve heard that the book I’ve Read It, But I Don’t Get It is awesome so my goal is to read it over the next few days.

Before marriage and children, I has time to read school personal and personal personal books. I was able to recommend books to my students that they would love, which increased their reading. Lately, I’ve only been reading trash, none of which would be helpful to my students…. I’m trying to work my way back and Wonder is my next goal. This year, I’ve been using excerpts from my favorite books to teach concepts to students. That has worked out well, because after we finish an excerpt, many of them want to read the book!

Since being back in the classroom (I did four years as a facilitator that was cut during our financial crisis), I’ve been addicted to technology. Because of this I’ve been thinking hard about going back to school for either a Master’s or Doctorate in Instructional Technology. I know….I know….it doesn’t make sense to have two Master’s, but I JUST DON’T WANT TO WRITE A DISSERTATION!! So, I’m going back….just not sure of the details yet.

My principal let me paint my wall green to create a green screen for videos and guess how many I’ve done? ZIP…..ZERO…..NADA The thing is, I have students that are more than capable of independently creating videos for various reasons – I just need to organize it. Hmmm, that’s something else that needs to be added to my list…..gosh darn it!

Well, enough about me, let’s talk about you….if you’re interested, here’s what you do!

To join in, download the image below. Then open it with PowerPoint or any picture editing software you normally use. Add in text boxes and save it as your own version. Not much space so you’ll have to be concise.

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Write a blog post which links back here and includes the main image above {with the chevrons} as well as your own version of your 13 things.

That’s it! Pretty simple.

Oh yeah…let’s do Farley’s Rule, too. After you link up, visit and leave a comment for the 2 people before you as well as the 1 after you.

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Happy New Year and January Currently

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Happy New Year! I cannot believe that it’s 2013 already! What a whirlwind year we’ve had. I’m linking up with Farley at Oh’ Boy 4th Grade for her monthly currently.

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There have been some lazy days in the family! DD usually has a strict schedule (it really helps children with autism), but I haven’t been sticking to it much this holiday season. She goes back to school on Thursday and I’m afraid there’s going to be heck to pay tomorrow night and Thursday morning. Pray for me!! She just woke up a few minutes ago – only to come by and pick up the iPad and climb back in bed. That and put on the bathrobe her godmother bought her for Christmas. Not. understanding the fascination – but oh well…..

DH is not feeling well, so he’s knocked out. I was sick last Thursday – Saturday (really still having a few issues), and I found. RiteAid brand of Tylenol Cole and Sinus that worked great! It has a Nighttime and Daytime formula which I love. You actually get some sleep!!

That’s right – you heard it! We don’t go back to school until January 7th!! Although it was hard going until December 21st….I am LOVING it now! That means two whole days with out the constant “Mama can I have….” questions. DD will be in school….DH will be at work….and I will be all alone….:-)

OMG, I have so much work that I need to do before school starts on Monday! Planning for my kiddos, my room is a mess, and I should begin planning for the PD I am teaching on January 18th that I kinda sorta….maybe…..actually have not much of a clue of what I should do. The class is called “Web 2.0, Apps, and You”. I only have 2 hours, and there’s so much I want to share so I need to narrow it down…

Our district is moving toward a 1:1 iPad deployment. My principal selected me to participate in the district committee responsible for planning the deployment, but I still need to submit my proposal for classroom use. Our 6th grade team is actually submitting a group proposal, but crazy me agreed to do the groundwork….crazy me…..

But, the most pressing thing is that I need to get my butt up and head to the grocery store. All GRITS (Girls Raised In The South) know that New Years Day dinner consists of chicken, collard greens, black eyes peas as staples. We only arrived home from Va. on yesterday and all I have is the chicken. Gotta get a move on! Gonna cook some Mac and cheese too! Mmmmmmm.

OLW – Blessed…..I have a wonderful family, a great job, and pretty good health. The health part I can control. No resolutions, just a plan to get back to what I know works. Healthy eating and exercise. No other words necessary.

Well, I’m off to the grocery store….wish me luck!

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12 In 12

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Miss Kindergarten is hosting the 12 in 12 linky party.

All you have to do is think back at your favorites in 2012 and add a few pictures. What a fun way to remember the year, huh!? You can use these prompts if you’d like, or just type up your 12 favorite things!

12. Favorite movie you watched:
Django Unchained – Although I don’t think it is an entirely accurate depiction of that time period, it was definitely entertaining. Definitely QT fashion with all the blood…all the blood, but I’d go see it again.

11. Favorite TV series: Scandal
Who doesn’t love Olivia Pope? I am so addicted to this show!

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10. Favorite restaurant:
Anyone who knows me knows I love I eat! I don’t just have one favorite….Outback, Olive Garden, Longhorn, Chickfila, Cookout….I better stop, I’m getting hungry right now….

9. Favorite new thing you tried:
Hmmmm, I usually would say I’m adventurous, but this year I’ve been pretty tame….so one goal for 2013 is….to be more adventurous….try something new….

8. Favorite gift you got:
The gifts from my students. Each and everyone of them are special, because I work in a very high poverty level area. If I received a gift from them, it means all the more to me because I know they had to sacrifice to give it.

7. Favorite thing you pinned:

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I am not a fan of Steve Jobs, more like indifferent, but I definitely admire all that he had done during his lifetime. And I absolutely love this quote.

6. Favorite blog post:
I had a difficult time determining this one, but I finally made a decision. This blog post describes how I felt after the first quarter and showcased some great work that my students had dne.

5. Best accomplishment:
Being selected as a Top 25 Middle School Blog! 🙂

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4. Favorite picture:

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These are my kiddos (well about half of them). They have the best personalities….In the words of Farley, I {puffy heart} love them to death!

3. Favorite memory:
I have so many, but my current favorite is this Christmas. My DD didn’t wake up until 8:30 and when she did she wasn’t all loud about it. DH and I heard her moving around and shuffle up towards the den. Her gasp of surprise and quiet exclamation of “Santa came!” warmed my heart.

2. Goal for 2013:
To get back to healthy eating and exercise.

1. One Little Word:
Favored

How to link up:
Create a blog post sharing your favorite 12 things in 2012. Go to Miss Kindergarten’s website, add the button to your post, and link it to this blog post. Then link up below, making sure to link directly to your post, not just your blog.

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You Really, Really Like Me!

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My blog has been selected to a list of recommended middle school blogs.

Teacher Certification Degrees is a career site for teachers that provides helpful information for individuals interested in becoming a teacher. Their content is researched and written by teachers and our site is recommended as a trusted resource by universities, teacher blogs, and teacher associations.

Visit their site here.

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Book In A Day

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This year, our Christmas break didn’t begin until 3:20 on Friday, December 21st. That’s right….as I imagine your slack-jawed expressions….we kept our kiddos aaaaaallllllll day on the Friday right before Christmas!

But, we came up with a wonderful idea that made that Friday a day to be proud of. Our sixth grade team decided to have do a “Book In A Day” activity. On this day, we listen to an entire book in one day, with students hearing different portions of the book in each class period. We divide the book into 30-35 listening sessions allowing time for a journal reflection at the beginning and team games using questions from the book at the end.

Dr. Ertzberger, Dean of Technology at the University of North Carolina – Wilmington, created a website that has a plethora of games using Microsoft Office. The great thing about these games is that most of them don’t require any prep. You can use questions that you’ve just written down or typed up. Here is the link here: UNCW EdGames

We decided to do The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson. If you’ve never heard of this story, here is a quote from Amazon:

“The Herdmans are the worst kids in the history of the world. They lie, steal, smoke cigars, swear, and hit little kids. So no one is prepared when this outlaw family invades church one Sunday and decides to take over the annual Christmas pageant.

None of the Herdmans has ever heard the Christmas story before. Their interpretation of the tale — the Wise Men are a bunch of dirty spies and Herod needs a good beating — has a lot of people up in arms. But it will make this year’s pageant the most unusual anyone has seen and, just possibly, the best one ever.”

This book is absolutely hilarious! Let me tell you there is a scene in the book, where one of the Herdmans brings their cat to school (which is kinda described as a demon wildcat), and he destroys the class – eats the goldfish and another student’s pet mice; as well as scratching everything and everyone in sight. Oh the imagery…….

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At the end of the day, we watched the movie that was created based on the book (which I found on youtube by the way) and the students created a Venn Diagram comparing the movie to the book. They had a great time and we had a nice quiet last day of school.

But, more importantly, it gave us another look at the wonderful miracle of Jesus’ birth from the eyes of children who had never been exposed to The Christmas Story. So as I close out this post, I must quote Gladys Herdman, “Hey! Unto you a child is born!” I hope everyone continues to enjoy their winter break. We don’t have to report to school until January 7th so I know I will!

Happy New Year!

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By George, I Think I’ve Got It!

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It’s been 10 weeks and I’ve still been struggling with my self-selected reading time. At the beginning of the year I created “book bags” for each student. I put the books bags in a bin behind each zone for the students that sit there. But I teach 107 students in four periods, and the bags were being thrown in the bin, and it was taking forever of the kids to get their bag, etc, etc, etc…..

After many different attempts to organize the “book bins” I finally solved my problem. We were provided with hundreds of Target bags last year and they had hardly been touched. Eureka! I hooked those babies on the back of a desk and voila! It is now a storage space. My sweet children will only have to reach behind them to grab their bag and begin the glorious process of self selected reading!

Problem solved….meltdown averted…sanity preserved….that is until I change my mind again…..

Till the next time!

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