Goals and Daily Highlights

As a follow-up to my post yesterday about homework, today I want to share with you my goal sheet.  It looks like this...

I just print this front to back for my kiddos each week.  I have a spot for their reading goals, a spot for any work that's unfinished, and an "other" spot.  I should start by saying that my kids don't bring home unfinished work every night.  This is strictly for work that's unfinished due to poor choices.  At any point if a student has been talked to multiple times about getting to work, that's when they know they're going to have to bring their work home if they don't get it done: Basically it's a choice - do it here, or do it at home.  It's a pretty good motivator for them actually because if they bring it home, their parents know they had a rough day and can talk to them about it. The "other" is for anything special that we are doing or something they would like to do - it might also be for a day when they need to write a summary from the days book club or when they have something coming up that they need to prepare for like a play, concert, etc.  

On the right, I have a spot that says "Today's Highlights".  This is a place for students to JOT down the highlights from the day that they can talk to their family about at home.  This is my attempt to combat the "What did you do at school today?" "Nothing!"  craziness that I know happens.  The parents can then say, "Well, lets go look at your daily highlights sheet!" SCORE!

This is a new goal sheet for myself and my students this year.  I know it will take a little while for them at the beginning of the year but I'm hoping by the middle of the year they can do all of their afternoon expectations in 10 minutes!

Well, tomorrow starts my first day in 3rd grade with 20 eager pirates! Wish me luck!

Clip art and fonts in goal sheet:

  

The time I gave up homework

So last year, probably 2 months into the school year, I gave up homework.  

I know what you are thinking... WHAT? You gave up homework? 

Yes, I gave up homework! And it was seriously the best thing I've ever done.  No joke. 

Kids liked it..... duh!

Parents seriously appreciated it! 

And it relieved SO much stress on me. I didn't have to make sure I had homework copied for the week.  I didn't have to worry about having time to check that the kids brought it back and time to check it to be sure it was correct.  I didn't have to motivate kids to bring it back.  I didn't have to give a consequence to those that didn't do it.  

So why did I give up homework?

Well ... #1 - The research done says it's not beneficial to elementary aged students and has no impact on their learning throughout the year.  If they are going to learn, they are going to learn and if they aren't - well - homework isn't going to help.

#2  It's impossible to give timely feedback and therefore any and all learning that could be done on it is moot.  

#3 Kids and parents are tired.  Kids go to school for 7-8 hours a day.  Parents work 8-12 (or any amount) of hours per day.  Now you add in afterschool, dance, baseball, soccer, gymnastics, dinner, bath.  I mean- where is the time?  

#4 There are so many other things kids can be doing rather than doing # 1-20 on a math worksheet, writing their spelling words in ABC order, doing their daily language review sheet, and filling out a reading log.  How about: Practicing how to be a teammate on their soccer team, learning persistence and not giving up even though you fell each time you did a cartwheel at gymnastics, going to the backyard and digging for worms, doing a science experiment.

I'm not even kidding you, this happened...

This is a child who would rather go outside and play baseball or do anything that did not have to do with reading ,writing, math, science, social studies.  One day, he decided to put together his own solar car (or something like that) and over summer intersession, this child brought a BOOK TO THE BEACH!  I am almost certain that if I required any homework throughout the year, that this child would have built a dislike of learning and for discovering the world around him, but instead, he became a scientist and a reader! And that's just one success story.  

And you know that?  This No Homework policy spread to my entire 2nd grade team.. and now to more and more teachers in my school that are taking up the same type of policy.  I truly think it's going to have a positive impact on the learners we teach in our classrooms each day.

So do I require the kids to do any at home learning? 

I require my students to read - every night if they can.  I tell them that reading isn't homework, it's lifework.  I do not assign a set number of minutes per night and I don't ask them to fill out a reading log.  Instead, they come up with a reasonable goal.  Some kids go for 20 at the beginning of the year while others who are more voracious readers, try for 30, 40, 50, an hour!  And if they don't get to read one night, well then, that's OK!

I also send home a "Learning Calendar" every month with possible activities that they might like to do.  Here's an example of one...

Again, this is not required, but if they have an afternoon free and want to do some fun learning, they can look on the calendar and choose something!

Last- if there is something one of my students is really and truly struggling with, this leaves afternoon time open for the kids so I can talk with the parents about what they can do to support their child at home to make learning at home have a positive impact on that child.

Does your school require homework?  If not, I encourage you to try this no homework policy.  Just get rid of one thing at a time! I really don't think you'll have any desire to go back once you say "Bye Bye  Homework!"

Handling Bathroom Use

Last school year, my class had bathroom issues.  I'm not talking have to go all the time (I mean they did, but they're 7!) I mean - trying to sneak their way out when someone else is already out because they want to go with them, making lots of noise, and not making other smart choices that we had talked about a gazillion bajillion times. Sigh.

So I came up with a plan that I'm not going to take out this year unless I need it, but it worked for the group I had last year, so I thought I'd share!  I had 2 clothes pins.  One labeled "boys" one labeled "girls".  I attached them to my clothes each morning.  Anytime anyone had to use the restroom, they had to come ask me (Yes, I know- I really had kids asking me to go to the bathroom 257 times a day which I normally don't do, but this group needed it).  If I had the clothes pin, I attached it to their clothes and they went happily on their way.  If not, they needed to wait. When they returned, they unhooked the pin and I reattached for the next kid.  Voila- bathroom issues solved!

Oh side note: You have to attach the pin to the TOP of their clothes, I usually attached it to the sleeve of a short sleeve shirt or the collar.  If it's anywhere else, I don't even want to think about the bathroom nastiness that will come back on that thing.

How do you handle bathroom issues? 

Tour my {unfinished} room

It's teacher work week! Wow oh wow, that intersession went FAST.  My room is not completely finished, I need to do a little more organizing, labeling, etc, but I thought I'd go ahead and share it because I'm in {L.O.V.E.}.  I moved classrooms this year.  My old room was ginormo, like really!  I was sad to move to a much smaller room but I'm quickly warming up to my new digs. 

Small group area. Justin traded tables with me so I'm basically in love with my new blue one!

In love with my word wall.  So glad Justin had these letters that he wasn't planning on using, they make the board awesome! The board to the right will have the Pirate ways on it :)

Student desks - so tough arranging them in this little room! It would have probably been easier if I put my small group table in the back of the room but then there would probably be too much traffic distraction.

Student desks. I've got about half of my stability balls I need to re-blow up. I put baskets from the dollar store inside their desk to keep the desk bomb from going off.

Meeting area: my Favorite Place <3

Meeting area / Essential Questions board/Desk-ish.  The table will leave enough room for a document camera and space for kids to work if they so choose, so it's not REALLY "my" desk - I haven't had one of those, ever! ha

Over the table is our phone guidelines.  When the phone rings, the kiddo closest will answer it.  Hooray for no more running to the phone. I put a sticky note pad and plenty of pencils so there's never a problem.  Under the message for students it lets students know what to do when someone calls that needs me.  If you want this, {click here.}  Make a copy of the doc and change it to suit your classroom.

This board will allow kids to leave the room without interrupting me but if I need to know where they are, I can look on the board.  It's right next to the door so that they remember to do it before they walk out. They have little anchor magnets with their name that they'll put in the box. I made sure to only put enough room for one person for the bathrooms!

For lunch count in the a.m. Lunch calendar will go where that magnetic notepad is.  Magnets with student numbers to be added.

This is where our HUGE computer cart needs to go (to the right of the green screen).  I'm super excited to use that green screen next year for fun shtuff. I'm also pretty stoked to have a class set of laptops - Oh the possibilities.

Our mailboxes - I need to add a few more. 

Our library.  I did a lot of work on it today.  You can see I got the chapter books done before I took this picture.  Most of the books are labeled and in baskets now, ready to be put into the hands of readers.

Supplies / math games will be stored here.  Also a place for students to work comfortably on the floor if they'd like.

Almost full classroom view :) Isn't it lovely??? <3 

Look forward to seeing pictures of everyone else's after your summer is over!

Until then, enjoy the rest of your summer! :)

Bring Your Welcome Letter from drab to FAB

How many of you get to send a welcome letter to your students before the start of the new year?  I was under the impression that this was a common practice, but maybe I am mistaken.  If this isn't something that your school does, I highly encourage you to suggest it!  It doesn't have to be letters that the school has to spend money on sending out, it could be an e-mail the teacher sends to the families.  Or if it's not a school-wide practice, maybe even ask if you could have your students addresses.  Seriously, I think it is one of the best ways to build students excitement before the year begins.  

I wrote last year about my welcome letter.  That post is {here}. 

Today, I'm going to give you a few suggestions to bring your letter from drab to FAB!  

 A drab welcome letter might look like this: (I'm going to go with a sort of "worst case" scenario with this letter here. For FABULIZING purposes - yes I just made up the word) This stuff is totally made up....

So, how do you take this letter from drab to FAB?

1. Instead of addressing the parents, address the student.  Not only will kids be excited when they hear "Johnny, you got a letter from your teacher!", it gives them the feeling of this is MY teacher, MY classroom and the anticipation and excitement begins to build for the new year. I imagine this is what my students look like when they get their letter from me.

2. Tell them a little bit about you.  What do you like to do in your free time? What about your family? Kids? Pets? Our students think we sleep at school! Let them know you are human and they'll be able to connect with you better.

3. Set up their expectations for the year.  Tell them what kind of year it will be.  What they'll learn. What they'll experience.  Your hopes for the year.  And I'm not just talking reading, writing, math, science, social studies.. I'm talking new friends, collaborating, how to use twitter, reading with classrooms around the world, skype - whatever will get them giddy about the upcoming year!

4. Tell them that you've been thinking of them or a little bit about the classroom.  Something that will excite them. Last year I told them I knew a little secret about them - that I had heard they were all geniuses and that the year was going to be EPIC.  This year, I told them a little bit about what it means to be a PIRATE (based on Learn Like a Pirate by Paul Solarz- which I HIGHLY recommend). 

You can click the picture below to purchase the book (just a sidenote: This is not an affiliate link) 

5. If you can, invite them to stop by the classroom during a set time to say "Hello", meet you, see their classroom, and get even more stoked for the year ahead.  This helps relieve some stress and anxiety the first day of school.  

Here are my letters from the past 2 years:

I hope I've given you some useful tips that you an apply to your welcome letter!  And if this is not something that your school does, please SUGGEST it! It's worth the excitement and anticipation this one little piece of paper builds for your new students.

Happy Holiday Weekend

Wishing you all a fun-filled weekend of celebrations, family, memories, and sunshine!  Be safe and enjoy yourself.  

Hashtag Goals

It's only a few days before I begin my FOURTH year teaching! I can't believe 3 have already flown by.  We begin our teacher work week on the 6th and the kids start on the 13th.  Oh.Em.Gee.

Since I only have a few days left of summer I thought I would share my goals for the year.  Someone tweeted a picture that I think perfectly sums these us....

I've always taken risks in the classroom but this year I want to go even farther.  I want to build a student led classroom that thrives on learning, collaboration, and love of school.  I want students to seek out knowledge, to be able to solve problems on their own, and to take CHARGE of their learning. I want to teach kids how to connect globally, how to use their ideas to change the world, how to make a difference, and to always Choose King.  This is a big leap, to sort of "give up" control, but thanks to Paul Solarz, Dave Burgess, Teach Like a Pirate, and Learn like a Pirate - I think I'm pretty well planned to take the risk and give it a shot.  

Cheers to the new year! 

My {Summer}

When you teach at a year round school, you don't really get too much of a summer.  We got out on June 5th and are back on July 6th, just 1 week after summer has truly begun. This is why I so look forward to that September intersession.  Getting ready for a new year is tough, but to do it in 4 weeks is even tougher. 

This past school year I found out that I would be moving from 2nd grade to 3rd grade.  That makes enjoying summer even more difficult.  Changing rooms...changing curriculum...changing mindset. However, I did find some time to enjoy myself this summer. Enjoy a "tour of my summer" through pictures :)

I moved classrooms.  I had to move from my ginormous, wonderful,painted classroom...

to a much smaller, not so welcoming, plain ole boring room... No worries, I'll make it mine :)

I spent some time with the wonderful staff I work with.  Said "see ya later" to my awesome, amazing teammate who gets rids of spiders in my classroom when I'm too scared to. And took one last "Team Pic" with this AMAZING 2nd grade team! I don't know what I'm going to do without my teaching BFF across the hall.

I said "farewell" to a friend who was moving away. Sadsville.

I dropped this fella off at his Grammy and Grampys, and took his Grammy with me to NY.

Where I enjoyed my incredible bridal shower thrown by my mom, my maids of honor/sisters, my mother-in-law to be, and my beautiful flower girls.

                                           

Went jet-skiing on the lake and even tipped Justin and I off into the warm lake water!

Saved a turtle...

Spend some time with family...

Soaked up some sun by the pool...

And started getting ready for the year ahead. Teachers start back officially on July 6th and the kids start 1 week later, on the 13th.  Now I'm in full on school year mode!

Green Screen!

Hope you've enjoyed taking a peek at my summer and I hope you enjoy the rest of yours! :)