Effective Teacher Day 1

More Teachers will appreciate

Back for round 2 of some comedy from Room #157. If I didn't have the best class in the world some of these would make me cry. 

You have 99 pencils and none are sharpened. But you want to sharpen them all?! 

I'm so glad your homework folder is safe at home. I certainly wouldn't want some random person to stuff homework in it. I'm glad you left it at home. Thanks. 

Yeah, that sealed enveloped addressed to your mom. Sure you can open that in class and start reading it...A LOUD. 

I haven't seen the outside of my house in the daylight all week. 

Centers time AKA Chinese fire drill. 

Carpet time AKA Rugby shrum.

#dutyfreeLunchcopyingplanningmeetingrestroomconference time rocks!

Sure feel free to use up the entire box of tissues in one day. No problem. *Notice that as soon as the last tissue is used NO ONE "sneezes" again. 

I'm sure you gained a lot of insight from that book that took you .23 seconds to read. Do you mind taking maybe a few minutes to re read it rather than run back to the book center?

Why do you have to josslte and tussle over EVERYTHING? 

Why did I bring this work home? Am I really going to do any of it? 

 I could build a new island with the amount of pencil shavings and eraser shavings you all produce in a week. You don't have to erase everything, that's why it's called scratch paper. 

Observation day (say this with a smile and tightly clenched teeth) SityourselfdownandyoubetternotaskanysillyquestionsorI'mgoingtoputyouindetentionuntilyourgrandkidscanvote!

Resolved the chart storage issue

I was able to get a good file system over the weekend. Thanks to this box and some spiffy folders I'm able to store a ton of charts and posters. This week I was able to reach in and grab some needed charts right on the spot. In the process I found a lot of charts I need to put up around the class. If anyone wants to come help me one day I'll stay at work late to finish. 

Getting it done central

Ground zero for high quality instruction. I also have a satellite desk aka the Whit-mobile for teaching on he go. 

What's your work area look like? 

Check out www.jwhit.com

This has to be my favorite. I just roll it to where I'm working. Doesnt' feel like I'm standing all day. I guess because I'm having fun at what I do. 

Just realized how messy my little desk looks. The crazy thing is I rarely sit at it. What's up with that? 

What a great week!

This week has been great. I really, truly have been blessed with a fantastic group of kiddos. They don't do a lot of things right, but wow are they open to correction and redirection. 

Now, if I could get the guy I shave with everyday to really understand this literacy block I'd be golden! There's just a lot of moving parts to this new Common Core and just when I think I have an idea of how one part works I find I was looking at it wrong. I will say that my teammies are on it so I'm learning the fine art of begging for help. In all seriousness I'm gaining better understanding and it's starting to make sense. I need to dig through more teacher blogs to find ideas and resources. 

Next post I'm going to talk about the things I quit doing and some things I started. This is one. I'm going to have a Super Learner of the Week. My kids are so fabulous that it's only right to celebrate them. So this Friday I'm going to roll out a new award with my classroom jobs. This is going to be my 1st SL of the Week. I have some VERY helpful kids and if I could I'd give this out to 4 or 5 of them. This little guy is the best because he's been overly helpful with new kids coming to the class. I know he understands the class procedures and he shows them to others like an all star. He's mindful of his work and always puts in the time to make sure he's doing everything right. He doesn't do everything right, but he's making an effort and will correct himself when directed. He's really the epitome of a Super Learner to me.  And besides he's a snazzy dresser for 7!  Nevermind, he was moved from my room today with no explaination. SMH

 

 

The new classroom theme is...

Super Learners! 

 

Look up in the sky it's a kid! No it's a child. No it's a SUPER LEARNER! We excitedly want to and seek to learn new information to help strengthen our future choices. 

 

This came out WAY cooler than I thought it would. The kids that have seen my room have all flipped out about this side of the room. 

Last minute homework poster that turned out perfect. We'll use this to keep track of our homework. Or course no one will want to be the Joker and not turn in his/her work. 

Not Superhero related, but I like this birthday chart. I'm going to clip each childs name and date under the respective month of their birth. Got my class list late Friday so I didn't have time to do this. But I'll do it this week for sure. 

Wanted some more Brown superheroes. I wasn't as pleased with the final product. My character was too tall and I had to cut her feet off. Certainly will revisit this one, SOON. 

Now, I'm very pleased with the end result of this bboard. I can't wait to put some of my star and developing work up on it. The kids are going to flip out for sure. 

This lamp in my book center is SO busy. It's over the top for sure. Everyone who's seen it agrees, it's so bright it doesn't matter that there isn't a light bulb in it. *I put a bulb in it already. 

I'm very pleased with how this came out. Supes flying with a book in his hand is BOSS. No one saw that coming. 

This was the least creative board I've ever done. Kind of make my room set up like a mullett. Conservative in the front and a party in the back. Honestly I put all my mental energy into the classroom that I forgot about this board. I do have some things planned as soon as the students get some quality work turned in. 

I'm really proud of my minimalist posters. Kind of wish I could have done more. Not 100% sure I won't roll out some more later on this school year. Since I'm going to change my word wall location (think UP, REALLY high up) I will have some room to show case more student work later. 

Not the best pic of these fantastic curtains. They certainly tie the theme in and keep the room looking creative. Very well done and they block just enough light. 

My Hulk poster is good. It's not as overwhelming as I planned. Trust me if this theme helps draw my students in I've already planned to go 3D for everything next year. 

This didn't "look" like I intended. I had this image in my head and this isn't it. I'm going to have to hone my Cricut skills cause I could do better. Anyway, this is a game to help keep my class abiding by the procedure of looking forward when in line. When we line up I'll call "passwordP and give them a task. Give me a word with  4 letters that thats with an A or A 3 letter word that begins with T. I'll pull a name at random and if that student has an answer they'll get a point/treat/kudos of some kind. 

Composition books sliced in half, covered with newspaper comics and given a child's name. Going to use these as name tags when the students come to class Monday. Under common core they're supposed to write a lot so guess what they'll be doing with their composition books? 

I really, really like this one. It was a last minute project and the wind was at my back. Another shout out to my 2 girls. I had to use up the space and it certainly was a good use. Kind of wish I had put this on the other storage closet closer to the front of the class. 

My only staple. The only thing I've kept my entire teaching career. 4 simple rules. This year I'm focusing on procedures. I'm drilling and practicing procedures so that later I can shift gears and really pour the coals on the fire. I can't wait! 

 

I'm so geared up for this school year. I feel like I have a plan and I feel the plan can work. I know my mental game is on point and I'm ready to push this class of children well past where they think they can go. 3...2....1... here we go!

 

 

 

Classroom procedures and updated class supply list

Here's my classroom procedures for this school year. I'm planning to do a snazzy video and prezi for the 1st week of school.  I also plan to post them on my classroom blog and send a copy home with my Welcome letter by the end of the week. *Can't believe the Summer's almost over. 

I also updated my supply list. I think it looks good. 

 

Entering the classroom:   Whenever entering the classroom, please remain standing at the door silently. Form a line as 2 or more students arrive. Each student should stand with one tile square between them and the student in front and the student behind. The line should be on the “second square” away from the wall. No student need lean on the wall or touch another student while in line. Enter the classroom once the teacher acknowledges you and invites you into the room. It is the student’s responsibility to greet the teacher upon arrival. “Good morning, Mr. Whitaker” is a proper and acceptable greeting. Greetings should be spoken and not shouted. 

Getting to work immediately:  In order to be able to maximize the learning day students are expected to have their learning tools at the start of class, this includes three sharpened pencils and any homework folders out of their book bags once they’ve arrived in class. Book bags, coats, sweaters, jackets and hat all have their place on the coat hook. These items are not welcome on chairs, tables or desks. A prepared students gets everything they need from their book bag and places that bag on a hook upon arrival to class.

When you are tardy:  Follow the arrival procedures. Student must have a tardy slip and will place the slip in the teachers basket on his desk. Student will promptly follow the “Getting to work immediately” procedure.

Preparing for dismissal: In order to have an orderly dismissal process, students will be called by tables/groups to get their book bags, coats, any hand outs that need to go home, homework folders.  After retrieving their items the students will return to their seat silently to be called for dismissal.

End of /school dismissal:  The Teacher will acknowledge the end of the class and dismiss students. The office calls and lets the class know what students are able to leave, but the teacher allows the students to leave. The Teacher will inform the class that Car Riders, Walkers, After School and Bus riders are ready for departure. Students will quietly stand and push in their chairs. Each respective group will form a line at the class door. The teacher will dismiss each group accordingly. 

Preparing for lunch  : Our class will line up for lunch by tables. Wait quietly at your table. When your table is called take everything with you. There will be no returning to the classroom after we leave for lunch.  Once in line follow the Hallway movement procedure.

Walking in the hall during class time:  Students are expected to line up with one floor tile between themselves and their peer in front and behind them. They are also expected to line up on the row of colored tiles also known as the “2^nd square”. While moving through the halls the line must remain Single, Straight and Silent. The students must always follow behind the line leader or the teacher. The line leader must stop at every intersection of the halls. The line will move slightly to the left to pass by water fountains unless otherwise instructed. When the line comes to another class, the line will stop behind that line unless otherwise instructed. The line must always wait at the classroom door and not proceed into the room without directions from the teacher.

Responding to a fire drill:  When a fire or fire drill has been indicated, the students will cease what they’re doing and give their full attention to the teacher. The Teacher will call tables to line up at the door. The line leader will assume their position. The hallway line procedure is now in effect. The Teacher will take a brief survey of the classroom and give the line leader the all clear to walk out the door. The line will stop at the 1^st intersection in the hall and once the teacher gives permission the line will precede out the emergency door. The line will follow behind any line before them and stop when that line stops after reaching a safe distance from the building. The teacher will take a head count and use the Red/Green/Yellow cards to indicate that all are present, all aren’t present, I’ve lost a student. The class will remain facing in the direction away from the building until the “All Clear” has been given. At this point the line leader will move the back of the line, the line will turn around and follow the leader back into the building.

Responding to a severe weather alert:  When a severe weather alert the students will cease what they’re doing and give their full attention to the teacher. The Teacher will call tables to line up at the door. The line leader will assume their position. The hallway line procedure is now in effect. The Teacher will take a brief survey of the classroom and give the line leader the all clear to walk out the door. The Teacher will indicate where the class is to face the wall, sit down on their bottoms, and assume the severe weather safe seating. The teacher will give the class the “all clear” sign. The students will stand up and turn to return to the classroom. The Hallway procedure is in effect now.

Responding to a code red/lockdown:  During a school wide lockdown or Code Red, the teacher will follow his procedures. The students will remain at their seats, with their heads down until told otherwise. All talking and noise will cease. 

Indicating whether you understand:  Students are expected to give their attention to the teacher or other classmates. The classroom sign for understanding is the “thumbs up”. Students will give a thumbs up to indicate that they understand what’s been shared or asked of them. If they don’t understand

Listening to/responding to questions:  The proper response is to start/end all responses with “sir” or “maam”. All other forms of responses or questions not in this format will not be responded to. 

Participating in class discussions: The correct way to participate in classroom discussion is to give full eye contact with the speaker.

Coming to attention:  Whenever the teacher needs the entire classes attention he will raise his hand signaling “Give me 5” Eyes on teacher, Hands on table tops or desk tops, Mouths closed, standing or seated quietly, ready for further instructions.

When you need paper/pencil:  Supplies will be available in each table’s

 

When you are absent: If a student is absent it is their responsibility to check their own “While I was out folder” for assignments from the previous day. They will have until Friday to turn in any missing work.

Working cooperatively:  Working as a team is essential to success in this class. Every student is expected to work with others in a productive manner. Everyone in this class is valuable and everyone will be shown respect and value, especially in groups. Groups may work at tables, on carpet squares, beanbag chairs or at the computer center. Successful groups a) respect at all times b) share  c) treat others as they’d like to be treated d) respect all classroom materials.

Changing groups:  When the timer goes off each student will rotate to the next center that is designated on their Centers Chart.  

Knowing the schedule for the day/class:  The daily schedule will be posted on the front board every morning. Along side this schedule is the morning’s “Sharpen your skills” assignment. This will be collected after the morning announcements.

Finding directions for each assignment:  All assignments will be posted next to the schedule for that day.

Passing in papers: Papers will be collected by the Table Hero. She/he will then place the completed work in the “to be graded” folder.    

Moving about the room and Getting materials without disrupting others:  It is the teacher’s expectation that students move around the class freely without being a or being distracted. Whenever moving around the class find the quickest route to your destination that will limit bothering others.

Heading of papers:  Place your full name (first and last name) on the right hand side of the paper along with the date.

When you finish early: It is the teacher’s expectation that students may finish class assignments before the entire class finishes. In the event the student should check over their work to ensure that they’ve completed and done what was asked of them. They then may place their completed work in the table caddy and read a book silently.

Returning to task after interruption: Interruptions will happen throughout the day, when these happen each student is still responsible for their work and should make it their point to quickly return to the work they were doing before the interruption happened.

When asking a question: Questions are expected in class. It is requested that the teacher be allowed to give instructions before questions about the assignment are asked. Successful students should first look at the class schedule/board to get answers before they ask their peers.

When a school-wide announcement is made:  During announcements all students will give their full attention, remain in their seats and remain quiet.

When visitors are in the classroom: Visitors come to our class to see the wonderful things that our class is doing. Therefore when visitors come to class the students should continue to do their work, work in groups, read silently, working in centers. Noise levels should remain “inside voice” level. As long as the teacher and the visitor are talking the students should treat this time as if the teacher is out of the room.

If the teacher is out of the classroom:  If the teacher has to leave the class for any reason, he will leave the class in the hands of the Classroom Hero. (Students will be allowed to remain in the groups/centers or activities while the teacher is out.)  He/she will monitor the class for those who are doing what was expected of them. The Classroom Hero will take names on the front board. Students seen doing what was expected of them will receive an extra point for good behavior.

Saying “Thank you”: The expectation is that everyone is respectful to everyone in Perkerson Elementary School. A way to show respect for everyone is to say “Thank you” whenever necessary. A successful student looks for times to say “Thank you” even to other students and peers. 

   Download Second Grade Supply List 2012

 

HELP!

To many this is a Starbucks cup with pencils in it. To my students is the Cornucopia in the Hunger Games. Everyday it's a battle for pencils. You'd honestly think there was a competition to see who could use up the most pencils in a day. 

 

My Pencil policy is this:

I sharpen about 20 or so pencils in the AM. The kids are welcome to trade out one of their not sharps for one of mine. If they don't have a pencil at all (often) they can take from another cup of sharp short pencils I freely give away. Multiple times during the day I sharpen the pencils in the cup so there are sharps for the dulls the kids have. The trades happen through out the day as the kids need a pencil.

Why do it like that, Whitaker? 

• This keeps the kids from making a game out of killing my pencil sharpener. 
• The personal sharpeners are a disaster! Pencil shavings are all over and they make the floor horrid! 
• The kids don't have to fidget with the sharpener. 
• The sharpener becomes a noise distraction as well as a movement issue. Sadly my students can't take the freedom of 1 person sharpening 1-2 pencils and sitting down. I'd have so many kids "needing" the sharpest pencil all day it would be craziness. 

 

I thought this would quell the foolishness that I saw when I came into this class. But really it hasn't. Just new foolishness has arisen. 

• I have the black market personal sharpeners. Shavings everywhere!
• Kids stealing my pencils. I give them for free just don't take 8!
• Kids not even trying to bring a pencil to school. "Whitaker will take care of that for me"
• Kids bringing 10 pencils and swapping all 10 out first thing in the morning, thus depleting my stash for the other students. 

I know this seems so simple, but what do you all do to maintain Pencil sanity in the class? 

Crossfit and my classroom do mix

You all know that I seriously heart Crossfit. Not interested in debating the merits of your dance class or your video series. If you like it and are seeing results, keep at it.  I've seen so many fantastic results when people are passionate and intense about their task. Whatever kind of pretzel you're contorting your body into, please enjoy. 

There are a few reasons I've tied my wagon to Crossfit as the means to drag my carcass off the couch. I've found that my reasons can be lined up with my teaching experience as well. 

 Nothing is ever the same.  Yeah, there are crossfit benchmarks that roll by every couple of weeks or so, but the scheduled WOD are always different. If your gym is doing good programing you'll se your favorites mixed in with your not so fav and that unknown keeps your growing.

This couldn't reflect the classroom any better. There are children who come to you daily and you expect them to return everyday. But they don't! Their evil doppelganger comes in and takes up shop in your room and all you can do it adapt and respond. Got to deal with the Child of the Day that showed up in your room just like the WOD. 

No matter how tough it is...you're getting better. There are the tough skills that you just don't seem to get, but over all you're getting better. Currently I'm expecting the Crossfit genie to bring me a muscle up. I've been waiting for his cousin Teaching genie to make this job easier everyday as well. But what I've noticed is I'm getting closer to my muscle up and I'm getting better at teaching. The more I use resources like Beyond the Whiteboard and ClassDojo the more I see that I'm getting strong and eventually I'll get that muscle up and I'll probably be a good teacher, too. 

Teamies are the best! I work with some of the best people. I'm very happy with my school. I feel the school has my back just as much as they want th best for the kids. That translated into my gym. There are some great people there. Most of our interaction is spent between near death experiences with barbells and burpees, we've really grown. 

Everything looks crazy until you give it a shot.

One thing about CF I've learned over the years is that it's not for most people. Once you start rattling off the latest WOD description and how excited you are, your co workers/friends/family immediately start calling Dial a Shrink. The same applies to teaching. May people don't see WHY we do it. Most of the time we talk about just how tough it is to get through to Johnny or Sally.  Many times we don't KNOW why we do it, either. We do know that we find fulfillment in this career. We just know that we're supposed to and somewhere in this hay stack is big, shiny needle. And we're going to find it. Kind of like 50 #135 power clean for time. "Why?!"

"Well because that's what was on the board today." 

 Planning leads to success. The more I plan and prepare for class the better lessons get. I feel that "break through" happening with my students. The worse prepared I am the more it shows in my students.  The more I plan and schedule crossfit into my life the more it fits into my life. Especially eating. When I plan my meals to compliment my workout I see great results. When I eat when and whatever I tend to derail my results. When I plan to hit the gym right after work, but before I pick up my girls I just works. That keeps me on track and on pace. 

Every second counts. Imagine a workout that goes on for 12 minutes. You're beat down. You won't want to pick up that weight one more time. You look over to your neighbor and they're feeling the same way, you can tell. You notice him looking over at the clock and he makes a mad dash to the weight and hoists it up. You do the same. You two are in an all out sprint. That weight it flying. TIME! You collapse to the floor in a total exhaustion. Afterwards you find out that you and your neighbor were within a few reps of each out, but you pulled it out. You didn't let the last few seconds fade away. You ended strong.  

Everyday in school is like that. When the 2 pm time comes around I can either lean off the the throttle or keep plugging away. Do I let off cause I've been working with these students for 6 hours already or do I keep pushing on? Whenever I push on and make the kids practice fact familes or spell something hard until the bell rings I have a much better day the next day. The kids will come back having thought about the book we read or have some new insight. Every second counts. 

Crossfit and Teaching need each other. The stress teaching causes me can only releaved through hard vigorus exercise. Throwing the weight equal to my entire class over my head makes it very easy to sit that class down and breath a sigh of relief. The exertion that CF causes on me really helps me to mellow out through the day. I'd be bouncing off the walls by 11:13 am if I didn't blow off a lot of extra steam during my 430 forrays to CFSC. 

PS. CF convinced me to leave Team Adidas! 

Wouldn't trade my INOV8s for the world! 

 Alright got to get hustling. Group warm up starts in 20 minutes. Here's a little video of a a 47.5 inch box jump. 

Class BBoard is up

I'm quite proud of my classes work. We can always stand to focus and use time better, but there's hope.

Pulled a large map up on line and traced it onto some large butcher paper. 

After tracing it I cut it out and placed it on the board. 

Put up our Needs/Wants post cards. I need to take some close ups of these. They were a hoot. 

We labeled all the continents and used yard to pin point where various Needs and Wants come from. 

We made a nice banner "What we know about Needs and Wants" and called it a day. Pretty good class! 

and another week is here

This week is going to be fun. I have some spectacular (so says I) lessons planned. I'm stoked, and rested. My sabbath day of rest was fantastic. So the kiddos better get ready cause I'm going to be bringing it this week. 

Not sure how many people really unplug on the weekends, but I've been making it my habit to relax on Saturday. Actually from Friday night to Saturday night. I feel guilty cause I'm so well rested. My mind is focused and I feel great. I can't honestly laze around relax EVERY Saturday, but I am committed to do so one Saturday a month for sure. 

I have a LONG list of stuff to teach my students this week, but it doesn't matter. I can do it and I will. Going to bring the kids a wagon load of patience and strong teaching.  I sure hope them little darlings are well rested cause I'm going to bring it this week. 3,2,1...GO!

Ready for a good Crossfit WOD this evening as well. Restarted our 5 week eating challenge, cause I just didn't eat well at all. Got to take care of my body since I won't be getting a new one anytime soon.