Groovy Educator

This is what I plan to do in my First Grade classroom on the 100th day of school. Read a book about the 100th day then have the children go on a hunt for 100 words around the room.  I asked the children to bring in 100 objects that can be glued down (e.g. Cheerios, goldfish, paper scraps...)  We will make an addition problem with these objects.  60+40=100.  The students will glue them down in groups of ten on a paper to make a model of the problem.   I hope to do the fruit loop necklaces where we put 100 on the necklace (in groups of 10 of course).   Draw and write about when the children are 100 years old. Make 100th day hats to wear. When they are at special area, I will hide 100 Hershey Kisses in the classroom for a Hershey Kiss hunt.  It is kind of like an Easter Egg hunt except each kiss is numbered and when they find one they have to put it on the 100 chart. We might do 100 stamps books. We will write our numbers 1-100.   I am co...

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 ...

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 would love for others to have access and follow your blog.  If you have a favorite blog that you refer to often OR if you would like me to add your blog to my page where others can view it, please drop me an e-mail at alowery1978@gmail.com .  In the subject line mention Groovy Educator Blog Link so I know it is not spam. My vision for Groovy Educator is for it to be a valuable resource for new and veteran teachers.  There are so many amazing blogs out there, I would love to help organize and share them with you.  If you have any suggestions, please let me know. ESE Blogs Early Elementary First Grade Blogs

Lesson Plans are always evolving.  As the year progresses in first grade the time it takes to complete assignments change as well as the amount of time the children can focus on independently.  Group work becomes more productive as well. I've tried many different formats for my plans from hand written to having them completely typed.  They have also varied in length from five pages (one for each day) to two pages for the whole week.  Each year I tweak them, always trying to be more efficient and find the best use of time during the day.  I like my plans to be highly functional where I can refer to them quickly, complete them quickly, but where they also contain all the necessary information. For me I like a typed format where I hand write part of the plans.  Sometimes I like to work on them when I am away from the computer and this affords me the opportunity but it also saves me from writing the same thing repeatedly. Here are the plans that I am usin...

Tomorrow is GO time!  Summer vacation is over.  The next week will be full of meetings, planning, and decorating.  On Friday I get to meet my new class family for the year.  It's an exciting time.  The next few days will be a flurry of activity. At my school, we have a wonderful PTA.  They really spoil the teachers.  It is the first time I have worked in a school where the parents are so involved.  Tomorrow the PTA puts on a welcome back breakfast.  It will be a time when everyone comes together and celebrates the new school year.  We share about our summers and wrap our minds around all the things we have to do. After the PTA breakfast, we will have out first meeting then we work in our rooms.  I'm glad that I came in before school started.  All my furniture is placed and most of my boards are up.  When I get into my room tomorrow, the first thing I am going to do is make a list of what needs to be done.  I will ...

Daily 5  the2sisters - Boushey and Moser are the 2 sisters that created the Daily 5. If you have not read this book I highly recommend it.  You can purchase it on Amazon ( click here ).  During the reading block, the Daily 5 system simplifies centers by getting back to the basics:  read to self (independently), read with a buddy, listen to reading, writing, and word work. The "I Love First Grade" Blogger has some useful resources on her Teachers Pay Teachers website.  Click here to check out her resources. I absolutely love this idea on the "first grade Fanatics" blog.  They incorporate new technology into the listening center by using iPod shuffles.  Check out their page! I was so inspired by their post that I went to DonorsChoose.org to request funding in order to implement this idea in my classroom next year.  Please read over my project request at http://www.donorschoose.org/MrsLowery . On Mrs.Shannon's First Grade Class ' web...

The majority of these sites are geared towards the primary grades (K-2).  I have used many of these websites in my classroom. Over the course of my career I have taught Kindergarten, First Grade, Second Grade, and ESL classes (aka ESOL, ELL). Please feel free to recommend websites in the comments section.  I will update this list regularly and I am always open to new ideas and suggestions. Just click on the link to view the website in a new window.    PBS Kids Common Core Standards (added Sept.2012)   Free Reading (added Sept.2012)   ReadWriteThink (Courtesy of Lindsey) ABCya.com GameAquarium Primary Games  Seussville AAA Math Cool Math  Math Playground Starfall  Sight Words with Samson  Internet4Classrooms  Mother Goose Caboose  Spelling City  Speakaboos  Storyline Online Tumble Books Book Adventure  National Geographic Kids Discovery Science Ele...

When I began this blog it was my thirteenth year of teaching and my first year as a mom .  Talk about a perspective shift!  As an educator, I constantly reflect on what went well and what can be improved.  I am always interested in new ideas. Currently, I am not teaching due to my fibromyalgia.  Long story... When I started this blog the goal was to simplify and get super organized yet remain creative.  Now the goal is to share any inspiration, insights, and knowledge that may be helpful to fellow teachers and families. Periodically I add items to my Teachers Pay Teachers store.  Please take a moment to check it out. More recently I have started another blog to go along with my eBay store (Lowery's Loft).   Thank You for Visiting!   A little more about me:  I have taught on both the eastern and western sides of the United States.   In 2006, I was honored as Teacher of the Year for my school.  I...