Okay, I am FINALLY going to get around to posting some of our beginning of the year pictures. To say that these first three weeks have been anything but crazy would be a total lie. Between getting to know all my new students, learning routines and procedures, and finishing up beginning of the year testing, I feel like we've been running a marathon! Now is when the good stuff starts. Things are starting to settle down and I can't wait to see what the year has in store for us!
So, with that said, I thought I would post some of our back to school pics to give you some highlights of how our year has started out....
After the students are gone for the day I pick three people who I think did a good job, tried extra hard, or just needed a word of encouragement. I write a little note on the picture frame and set it on their desk for them to find when they come in the next morning. I let the kids keep it on there for the whole day so that their friends, classmates, or anyone that comes into our room knows they have been caught doing something good. I found the frames at Walmart and added scrapbook paper to the inside. The clear part is great for writing with dry erase markers and it is made of plastic...no glass! (Act Safely is one of our school rules after all! ;) )
One of the other things I am trying for the first time this year is the number system. Instead of labeling everything with student names, I have assigned each student with a number. That way I can keep track of class lists, book boxes, and behavior easily. I took pictures of each child holding their number and made a class master list for subs (and for myself!) These were a few of their pictures. I thought they turned out cute!!
During the first week of school we made something called, "I Can" journals. These are used across all subject areas for reading response, math journal prompts, and science observations. I printed the kids' pictures and glued them on the cover. They got to decorate the words "I Can" and we put that on the back. I explained to the class that "I can't" doesn't exist in this classroom. Everything is possible if we just try hard! The bottom photo is of one of the student's responses using text-based evidence... a HUGE new part of Common Core. You can get this as part of my text-based evidence unit on TpT by clicking here.
We also did a lot of work with the story, Enemy Pie. We used this as a starting point to discuss classroom rules, text-based evidence, story structure, and character traits. The students worked so hard that I wanted to reward them with their own enemy pie! They loved it!
We also had a "Birthday Girl" last week! Sweet little Bailey brought in cupcakes for the class. We had her special day celebration on the playground during recess.
Last but not least, we have had three amazing Star Students so far. Unfortunately, I only got one of their pictures but I wanted to give a big congratulations to Rance, Ashley, and Jestin for being the first three of our 2013-2014 school year. Keep up the good work!
More to come soon....!
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