Standards Training: Logic/Research

At the Standards Training, we also learned more about combining activities across curricular areas in order to maximize the students' learning time. This was a cute activity that taught vocabulary, logic, and research. In today's educational world, it also allows the children to make an art project.

Standards Training: Story Map

Recently I attended a Standards meeting at Lexington Middle School with some teachers at my school. Dee Arnold and I attended the language arts session. We learned several neat ways to make reading fun for kids. One way was using these story maps. The class was divided into four groups. Each group was given a category: characters, setting, problem, and solution. We came up with the drawings and then at the end combined our drawings into one big story map. The book we used was Charlie the Caterpillar, a great book!!

East Chester Fall "Motivation" Gathering

This year I am on the Motivation Committee at school. The committee is made up of me, Nancy Burns, Kim Poston, Mary Allison Katras, Jennifer Smith, and Gail Dyer. The Cox family wanted us to use their cabin for our get-together, and we're so glad that we did. It was beautiful....We served Chik-Fil-A chicken tenders, baked potatoes, salad, and desserts (made by the committee). We played games - I made a "Name That Tune" game with 100 old tunes from TV, but Mrs. Parker only let me do 50. We played several other games, but the best fun was spending time together. The Cox family left us a sweet note thanking us for taking care of their children and grandchildren. It was so nice of them to thank us in such a special way.

Wildlife Assembly

Earlier this school year my first grade class was thrilled to attend an assembly about different kinds of animals. This group loves animals, so this assembly was just perfect for them. We were able to see a pot-bellied pig, an armadillo, a pheasant, and two Norwegian rats (ewww!!) At the end of the assembly the kids were so excited when our principal Mrs. Parker gave the pot-bellied pig a big kiss!

New Standards Inservice

Well, today was the New Standards Inservice training that we have been preparing for. All the K-2 teachers in our county gathered at East Chester along with several of the "special" teachers... We had worked very hard preparing a day that hopefully was fun as well as informative. We included the following in our day:

1. Icebreaker Game - we used the doorprizes for this game - I think we ended up with about 20 or 25.

2. Music Video - "It's Not on the Test"

3. More or Less Activity - teachers had to decide which strategies we need to use more and which ones we should use less

4. Tennessee Diploma Project Video

5. Language Arts Powerpoint Presentations

6. Flip It Activity - group stands on a shower curtain and flips it over with everyone still standing on it.

7. Science Explanations

8. Tower 1 Activity

9. Tower 2 Activity

10. Video - "Change is Good - You Go First"

11. Video - "The Top 10 Things You Didn't Learn About Teaching in College"

12. Math Activities

13. Video - "212 Degrees"

We had also prepared notebooks for each participant which contain all the new standards and strategies for teaching them. I'm SOOOO glad it's over!

Community Helpers Reports

Last year when these children were in kindergarten, we received new standards to go by. One of the standards stated that the children should be able to research a topic and give a report on it. I'll post those report pictures later, but the standards continue with all grade levels, so this year, we've already done one research report. The children chose a job that they would like to have or a job that one of their parents does. They were able to invite someone to come and help them with their reports or use "visual aids" to help them. We heard about coaches, vets, activities organizers, scientists, principals, state troopers, teachers, doctors, carpenters, policemen, and soldiers. During our study of community helpers, we also talked about fire safety, so we enjoyed a visit from the fire department. I really appreciated all the parents who came and helped us learn about jobs (Mr. Charles, Mr. John, Mr. Troy, Mr. Kevin, Mrs. Becky, Dr. Brian, and Mr. Tim.) Other parents helped their children make powerpoint presentations, video shows, and posters. We also got to see lots of neat visuals - Eli showed us how vets give pets shots; Tyler showed us the different tools that carpenters use and what they use them for, John Nic helped do a scientific experiment for us to see and he also showed us the safety equipment that scientists use. Everyone did an outstanding job, and I was very proud of my students once again.

Christmas Centers in First Grade

Today we enjoyed nine fun Christmas centers in my class. I have a wonderful group of 19 children and parents that are so helpful and supportive. Today's centers were:

1. Eating - We enjoyed sausage & biscuits, fruit, cheese, and juice!

2. Making candy cane reindeer with Mrs. Marla.

3. Making a Christmas Countdown chain with Mrs. Brigit and Mrs. Suzanne.

4. Making a Christmas tree ornament and coloring a Christmas tree countdown with Mrs. Becky and Mr. Tony.

5. Making a snowflake pattern candy necklace with Mr. Charles and Mrs. Laurie.

6. Opening all our gifts with Mrs. Kelly and Mrs. Amanda.

7. Sticker art with Mrs. Sandy.

8. Making cards for the nursing home with Mrs. Carol and Mrs. Lena.

9. Making candy canes out of bells with Mr. Bobby.

I've been with this class for an entire year and now half of another year. These children and their parents will also be very special. I truly appreciate each and every one of them. Merry Christmas!