Ideas the Inspire for Teachers

I just found a website with many ideas for teachers. Ideas to Inspire Great ideas for using an ipad in the classroom as well as other presentations. You can also add your great ideas. Check it out.

Twitter for Teachers

I wrote a short summary about using Twitter. I'm published! Check it out!
http://www.schoolbox.com/ Go to A Learning Experience, latest article. Leave a comment and you might be the winner of a $20.00 gift card to School Box.

Spencer's Scratch Pad: Fifteen Paperless Math Strategies

Spencer's Scratch Pad: Fifteen Paperless Math Strategies: "BEFORE #1 - Critical Thinking Description : Students answer critical thinking questions such as, 'Are numbers neutral?' or 'When are decima..."

I found this blog post through Twitter. Great Ideas for Math. Check it out.

First Day of Summer Vacation

Ok, I have a long list of things to do to get ready for next year. I'm working on organizing all lessons for Reading and Writing Workshop. I'm putting together new lessons for Math Workshop. (Teaching AC Math next year). Looking into a Word Study program...our information has not been sent to us yet...and, we are changing our program next year. Also working on my new class website. We are changing providers at our school. So, if you find something that you think could help me, please send it along. I will be adding exciting things that I find!

End of the School Year!

Wow, this seems to have arrived faster this year. I have been busy the last two months being a nurse....my husband had shoulder surgery and my daughter had knee surgery. I'm looking forward to just being a teacher again....soon. It is always sad to close out another year. I always fall in love with my "children". It is sad to see them go that last day. I'm also looking forward to my new opportunities for next year. I'm planning on researching this summer for new and exciting lessons. I will be blogging about what I find. Happy End of the 2010-2011 School Year.

World Read Aloud Day: March 9, 2011

I just found this on the LitWorld website. I plan to participate. My third graders love to read aloud. I do feel that this has helped to encourage reading. We practice The Daily Five during reader's workshop four days a week. Friday is a little different.(I got this idea from my teaching partner, Mishelle) Each student brings a flashlight, sometimes a stuffed animal, for reader's workshop. Students grab their books, choose a reading partner, find that special reading place, and on go the flashlights. I turn off the overhead lights and everyone takes turns reading aloud to their partner. As I walk around the room I hear wonderful reading voices. They convey excitement, sadness, drama, and more. My students can't wait to read aloud. At the end of our oral reading time we have a 'lasar show'. This is when my students shine the flashlights on the ceiling and around the room. The overhead lights go on... flashlights go off...until next Friday.

New Idea for Writer's Notebooks!

I just saw this video from Archivers Web Page. Click on the link below to watch it. What a great idea to spice up classroom writer's notebooks. Idea 1: Students collect items from weekend adventures..(movie tickets, words from magazines, brochures, ribbon from a special item, etc.) bring to school on Monday and then attach to writer's notebooks and write. Idea 2: Have students fill up a brown paper bag give to them at registration, bring to first day of school, glue in writer's notebooks and begin to write. Idea 3: Students also bring a picture from a special event, glue in and write. Send me your ideas!