Groovy Educator

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I am linking up with  Doodle Bugs Teaching  and the 3 AM Teacher for the Five for Friday.   1.  We had our AR coke and popcorn party yesterday!  My school is big into Accelerated Reader (AR).  Basically the children read books, take a short online quiz, and earn points.  Most books are worth half a point.  The first grade goal for each student is to earn 30 points to get on the Wall of Fame (in the main hallway).  The classes have goals to earn different parties.   Our class earned 225 points so far so we got the Coke and Popcorn party. It still amazes me to see eighteen kids hyped up on caffeine.  They were as sweet as can be but my oh my! 2.  In my quest to get healthy, I weighed in again this week and have hit the 25 pound mark.  It doesn't seem like much since I have a long way to go.  BUT when I think about how my daughter weighs about that amount, I realize it is something to be proud of. 3.  W...

I had an idea that I want to try out in my classroom first and then see if my grade level or multiple classes might like to participate... It is the Book Talk and Walk ! This year I am really trying to focus on getting healthy and help find a way to fight childhood obesity .  We have a track at our school that I want to walk on so badly but after school I am either in a meeting, frantically grading papers (have to get home to my baby) or I'm simply exhausted. After I dropped my kids off at art one day, the Book Talk and Walk popped in my head.  After my class completes reader's workshop, we can go out the the track and walk a lap with a book and a buddy (a lap usually takes about five minutes).  The kids can take turns discussing their book (at the half way point they switch).  The conversation can focus on whatever reading focus it is for the week or it could be a book review.  The possibilities are endless. We could even take a lap after science and...

This is just a random post... I've finally decided on a theme for my room after thirteen years of teaching!  In the past I was a cow fanatic and had some cow decor (not enough to "cow up" the room).  After many years loving cows, I starting adding owls.  Last year my board read "Who's in the Mood for Learning?" Who - Owl and Mood - Cow.  As you can see I couldn't let the cow bit go... mycutegrapics.com Well I've decided to slowly revamp my room and do it all in stars !  I even plan to put some glow in the dark stars on the ceiling.  If it wasn't for the fire marshall, I would have sight words on the ceiling too.  I've always wanted to secure a bunch of high frequency words to the ceiling and make a game of turning out the lights and shining a flashlight on the words.  When my daughter gets older I might do this in her room! I am so excited!  I will post pictures as the transformation occurs. Next year I want to make goodie bags ...

I am linking up with  Doodle Bugs Teaching  for the Five for Friday.   1.  This is my first Five for Friday and I think it is the first time I am joining a linky party.  What fun! 2.  It's been a wacky week here in Florida.  We had Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras) and Valentine's Day in the same week!  The kids were wonderful though.  I am so proud of my little angels.  They worked hard even with all the exciting activities. 3.  Today we did a fun activity on George Washington since Monday is President's Day (and we have no school-teacher work day).  I split my kids into three groups.  One team member was the scribe.  The kids decided who was the scribe with minimal guidance.  Those who wanted the job did one round of rock, paper, scissors and the scribe was chosen.   Each group had to write down at least three things that they knew about George Washington (before we went over any information).  Aft...

Today I read Hooway for Wodney Wat  by Helen Lester to my first grade class.  It is about a rat who has a hard time pronouncing the /r/ sound.  I love reading this story because there are so many topics to discuss. Character development: Wodney evolves from a shy rat into a leader by the end of the story.  The other rats who bullied and teased Wodney come to appreciate him.  More importantly, Wodney has found his own voice. Bullying: Various forms of bullying are represented in the story.  Did the other rats realize that by teasing Wodney, they were bullying him?  Camilla Capybara is another character in the story that represents the traditional bully.  In the end was she bullied?   Hero/Villan: Wodney was deemed a hero at the end.  Did that make Camilla a villan?  What are the traits of a hero?  What are the traits of a villan?  Speech Impediments: Wodney could not pronounce the /r/ sound. ...

I just created twelve Valentine inspired writing activities for my Teachers Pay Teachers store!  There is a 10% discount on this product and a few others from Feb. 4th - Feb. 8th.  You can get all 12 pages for only $4.50! Here is a sample of one of the activities. I would love feedback as I am always aiming to improve!

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