#WelcomeBackMrWhitaker

A day in the life

So I have this huge crate with papers to sort and arrange. The Teacher of the Week, Jason said "carry this stuff home and tackle this pile." The Dad of the Year, Jason said, "my foot. This work has been here and will be here whenever I decide to tackle it. I'm going to spend time with my family this weekend" Dad of the Year wins again. 

Went in and bought my students the audio book "Nate the Great". Don't think that qualifies for teacher of the week, but certainly Teach of the Friday. The kids loved the reader and his inflections. 

Saw this on Pinterest (aka Teacher crack dealer). My kids love that I tell them to tell The Tattle Toolbox, but now it's got personality. My unique kiddo now goes to the corner and has full out right conversations with the toolbox. Not sure if I should be happy he's found someone to listen to him or worried. 

Didn't have any Starbucks today so that's either a good thing or a very bad thing. Hahahaha

Just realized that Dr. Seuss's birthday is next week. Can't wait! I really like Seuss books! 

 

How does the week get away from you so quickly?

I don't think I'm the only one to ask this question late on a Monday. It only takes few ingredients to really throw your week into a potential tailspin.

• No internet at work (what did we do before the 'net?)
• Can't print (Guess we'll just have to go old school on ya)
• Not able to save work on the student's thin clients nor save to a thumb drive (This was tough, but we're going to find a way to get over this hump, too)

Can't let these small things get in my way. Gonna do some printing at home, get some good sleep and just give the kids the best that I got. 

Crossfit South Cobb beat me up today. I can't say it any other way. Guess I'll get back in there tomorrow and offer my laziness for a stronger, fitter me. I REALLy want to meet other crossfit elementary school teachers. How do you balance your life, school and crossfit? Seems like it can get away from you very, very quickly. Also how do you keep your nutrition strong? 

Class vs. Shaving cream (Round 1)

I get tired of watching my students go through ream upon ream of paper just wasting it. So I got this idea from another blog to use shaving cream as an assignment. It's not cheaper per say, but it's sure a lot more fun. 

*Mind you I did notice that this student has the "+" symbol in the wrong place and an "=" sign where it's not needed. My hands were covered in shave cream and I was good to get one picture. 

We were working on inverse operations to see/prove that subtraction can help us better understand addition. The kids loved it. Since I did a lot to prep the lesson this really hit home. They did this for about 20 minutes, cleaned up and and journaled what they found. Only one had cream all the way up to his elbows. None got any on the floor. Most surprisingly none got any on their classmates. 

It cost me $1.16 for a can of cream. Not bad. Tomorrow we may pull out the shave cream again and work with forms of energy. Might save this for the next time I'm being observed to either a) hit a home room or b) crash and burn in a blaze of glory. 

*Points to remember if you use this method

• Tell the class they're icing cakes. That will keep them from rubbing the shaving cream so much that it evaporates.
• I'd think that whipped cream would work, but it's sticky, the kids will try to eat it, and it might attarach bugs. 
• They don't need a big space. The size and shape of a legal sheet of paper is fine. 
• One can of shave cream goes a LONG way. Thought I was going to need like two, but ended up using 3/4 of one. That's with me re-upping many kids work areas. 
• Take your time wrapping up. As you're talking and going back over the steps, the shaving cream dries. This makes it very easy to clean up. 
• Have baby wipes on hand unless you want to send them to the rest room to wash their hands. 
• Don't sweat cleaning the table/desks until after school. Shave cream is soap and doesn't hurt anything. It just leaves a film on the desk, but it washes off quickly. 

The bet that my class could get 150 class Dojo points has been less than spectacular. As of today they've earned 80, but also have lost 79. That's not good. Going to do something special for those who are on track with 5 or more points tomorrow. Maybe they'll get extra center time or get to go as a small group to the media center. Can't focus to much and to long on those who won't do right. I have some Prince and Princess students who want to learn and are making the most of each day. Can't let a few ogre's ruin it. 

Off to Crossfit South Cobb. 

I'm ready! Are you ready?

Yesterday the kiddos were ready to learn. Sure hope they're ready for another great day. Got some good stuff planned for them. I'm ready. I sure hope they come in ready as well. 

I moved the small bookcase from along side the big one. This opened my room like "Wow". Not sure why I didn't see this before, but it helped a lot. Today I'm introducing 4 new centers. I'm also to the point that every kid could have their own center. I'm thinking of doing a video of the centers so the kids can see HOW to utilize them. That would be fun and they'll get to post something cool on schooltube. My plans for next week are 75% done. 

Now my room isn't as dark. The curtains worked to well. Hot glue and some binder clips make for great curtain pulls. I feel like my room is done now. All that needs to happen now is keep the learning, flowing. 

Administration stopped by yesterday to compliment on the class and my work with these children. It's not me, trust. These kids just want to learn. Though their desire to learn is buried under a lot of distractions, they do want to learn. 

 

Didn't get into Crossfit SCobb this week, but I did workout at Basement Crossfit. Though the trainer at Basement is a slacker I got a good WOD in. 

A lot going on today

Here...we..go! Another day is off and running. I'm supposed to have a visitor today to watch me teach my reading lesson. I have 2 meetings during my planning time and I have to finish the language arts assessment. Supposed to tutorial this afternoon and hit my favorite Crossfit gym as well. Let's just say this afternoon my students are going to get a healthy dose of centers. 

Thinking of doing an AR scramble. See how many AR tests we can take in an hour. My kids do read a lot of books and getting time to do the AR tests seem to be the real issue. Maybe we can do that this afternoon. 

Not sure what I'll teach for Black History Month. I enjoy looking back at the past. I'd like to tie in some form of looking forward as well. My students are gems and one day they'll be discovered. It's just a matter of time. Some how I want to get them looking at themselves in that way and acting that way. They are Americans and this is their history and future. 

There's a big push in my school to make sure kids are wearing their school uniforms. I used to not be a fan of them, but I've been won over. besides if there is one area to focus on getting kids to comply with a simple rule like that is the easiest. I wonder if other schools have dress codes/uniforms? Anyone? 

Ok, off to set up for the day. Make your day awesome!

The heart of a teacher

When I get really beat down and don't feel like anyone understands what in the world I'm going through, I recite this to myself. "I have the heart of a teacher and I'm making a difference for many generations to come".  

Today I recited that little bit more than a few times. It was tough, but I had to keep reminding myself that I'm getting through to these kiddos. I chose to suspend Fun Friday this week. It wouldn't have been beneficial to only have a celebration for just a few kids. This week the goal was 11 ClassDojo points. Some of my kids not only weren't on track to hit 11, but they weren't on track to get 3 points this week. I let Monday spoil me since everyone was on their game. I reminded them yesterday during our end of the day reflection time that they needed to make sure they pushed to get as many points as possible Wednesday. To many misunderstood me and came in to get as few points as possible today. I don't think enough of them believed that I would cancel it. So they had to see that getting the core content was far more important to me than anything else.

I also threw my hard cases a curve. I called everyone of their parents this afternoon. Many was on the phone with me when the offender walked in the door from the school bus. I wouldn't have minded seeing their faces. 

This week has been good, even with today being a tough one. I'm ready to start tomorrow anew. Back to the grind. 

Great Crossfit workout today. I feel like I was run over from the heavy front squats Monday, but that's why we do it. 

So how do you like 2nd grade?

I get this question a lot. When people see my new class it's just nature, I guess if they know what my old class was like for them to ask. Let's see here are some observations.

The new class is a lot of fun. They have some issues, because they're human. But by in far I think we have more fun. Not sure the "workshop" theme would've went over so well in 4th. Might have tried a castle or race car theme. Oddly enough both genders like the workshop. 

My old class knew a lot more than these ones did, just by default because they were almost 2-3 years older. I can't be quick to assume that a second grader does know something. They may honestly not have heard it before. 

Every group of kids cry. Some because they are angry. Some because they are sad or feel like they are being picked on. 

The pressure to do well on the "TEST" is gone, but it's just been replaced with a ton of other little gnats. I have got to get a grip on my lesson plans. I had a good, ok, fair developing system in 4th grade. Now I have to really pull my weight and I just don't feel as if I've got enough space in my life to figure it all out.

Second graders like to be seen by their teacher. It never ceases to amaze me how the one that really makes you have to go pray for a better attitude will be the first one to run up and hug you in the lunch room. (I always check to make sure my wallet is still safe) Fourth graders do that as well, but not to the degree as the little ones. 

Little kids conversations are TOTALLY different from their upper grade counterparts. I don't remotely miss overhearing some of the things my old class talked about. My new class literally talk about horses and football. Can't beat a good ole horse and football chit chat. 

Everything seemed to be funny to my 4th grade class. They were always trying to make a joke out of something. I've been warmly surprised that my new class is able to move past somethings and not make it a LOLROTFMIT (Laughing out loud rolling on the floor missing instruction time) issue. Even today I gave them permission to laugh and be silly because they were so laid back I wanted make sure it was my class and not some alien impostors. Aliens have great senses of humor. 

That crazy bucket idea coupled with a 3 day goal to focus on a particular rule and follow it to the letter have been working like a champ. I'm really surprised how well these kiddos adapt to my ideas and make them their own. The edges are still rough, but not as bad as I thought. 

This week was supposed to be my week. I have a lot of planning time and I figured I could get ahead. That doesn't look like it's going to happen so I will need to figure out another way to get ahead on my plans. Not discouraged or set back by it. I will get a grip on this and next year will be all the better because I've developed better habits. It's all about habits. 

My secret angel is working on Whitaker's Workshop 2.0. I can't believe all that she didn't set up the first time. Maybe I can come into the school over the weekend. 

Speaking of habits. I've been MIA from Crossfit SouthCobb this week. But I did get a good workout at home today and have another one planned tomorrow. Eating great on day 10. Did have some fries, but I'll burn them off trying to heard cats, I mean get 2nd graders to line up. 

2nd grade the first recap

I'll talk about the ins and outs of 2nd grade a little later. In the mean time let's talk about The Whitaker Workshop

As I rolled into 2nd grade with a classroom theme. The theme is " Building the next Generation". So the decor is all about construction, building and workshop.  

This sign greets all who come to my room. The kids love it! I wish I had made it a little larger so the sayings around the letters could stand out more. Next time. 

This is a shot into my classroom. I have this mini-hallway before you get into the class. It's a great surface area to create "get ready to learn" space. Sometimes my kids use it as a run way to sprint through. We'll be stopping that Monday morning. 

This is a reverse shot of the same mini hall. 

This is what it looked like when I left Friday. We review the rules twice a day. I found out quickly that my room is to big for this small sign. So I finagled and wrote them out on two large sticky notes and posted them around the room. *Shout out to my secret decoration angel. She's the truth and very passionate about classroom decor. She takes your idea and RUNS with it. And she's not for hire. 

 

This is where I'll post some of the spectacular work my kids produce. 

I took a picture of each of my students with a hard hat and an apron on. I printed and cut the pic out posting each on a different gear. I continually remind them that they each work together to help us all reach out goal of 3 rd grade and a life time of learning. 

How my room looked before we started really digging into the theme. 

Our new class moto over the coat rack. Used an old tool box to set up the theme. It will also be my "treasure" box. I'm looking to fill it with things the students like. As they're caught being kind or doing good work I'll let them dig in the tool box for a reward. Thinking of some good rewards that they'll like and won't cause me to pull my hair out cause they've had candy and are now bouncing off the ceilings. 

 

How my word wall and tech area looked before. 

New Word wall area. Words will be going up this week. My plan is to make the words look like bricks to work with the building theme. 

A math station. I have clothes pins attached to the wall so I can swap in or out a center board or another math theme. 

This was again a shot of my class in the beginning. 

This is a shot of the room how it greeted the students on Wednesday. We made table caddies with the table number on them. When I pass out crayons or scissors they go into the caddy and they return to the caddy. The Table Captains are responsible for getting them back to me. 

I'm working on replacing that very unique and quite dingy rug. It doesn't work with the decor, but for now it's what I have. 

Every morning the kids come and get their apron for their specific jobs. This pic doesn't show the job titles on the apron. I did that a little later. I had the kids complete a job app based upon the job they wanted. It was very fun. 

The class jobs are:

• Apprentice (FKA Teacher's helper)
• Tool Manager (FKA Paper Passer)
• Runner (FKA Errand person)
• Foreman (FKA Clean up person)
• Architect (FKA Line Leader)
• Engineer (FKA Line Monitor)

I was going to make hall passes, but I found that the kids LOVE to wear an apron around.  So, I started just giving them an apron to go to the restroom or what not. 

 

The classroom rules are simple: 1. We raise our hands to speak 2. We speak when we should. 3. We respect others. 4. We follow all instructions. My plan is during a day or two day period as I see kids doing the right thing or doing great work I'll drop some kind of warm fuzzy in the bucket. Since I use ClassDojo I could easily tie this into filling the bucket daily. Of course as the kids get better at that one rule I'll just move to the next or the next behavior I'd like to see more of. 

So far I really think the feed back has been positive. I didn't get a pic of my mobile desk and some other things. I'll make sure to add them this week. The kids like it and that's the best part. Now on to the content and making sure each of them is best prepared for 3rd grade. 

My return to Crossfit South Cobb has been met with rewards. I feel MUCH better when stressed and I'm sleeping better. I feel strong. Albeit not as strong as I have, but I know that's coming. 

Day 7 sans sugar and coffee. I'm through the wilderness already. I feel great. I'm still gonna enjoy an iced coffee every now and then, but it will have to be sugar free and I'm pretty sure I won't want that everyday. 



 

So the theme for 2nd semester is...

Extreme Classroom Makeover has concluded and the theme is...

I went with a workshop and contruction look for the room. I believe it really came alive. There are some store bought decorations, but must of it was hand made by a good friend who was FIRED up to help me do a total class turn around. I wanted to finish more of it, but it wasn't realalistic to stress it today. We had a vision of a ladder for a KWL Chart as well as some major overhaul in my book area. It just wasn't going to happen today, but if it had WOW! I have at least until the weekend to really make it pop. Besides, by then I will know if I need to have a truck load to sawdust added to make it seem more real.

Whitaker's Workshop:

Building a student who embraces risk and gives heart felt effort. Creating life long learners who will one day shape the world. 

Pretty sure every year I'm going to do a theme for the year. So next year I'll keep this one and just add more to it. I'm sure I'll find lots I want to add and take away. I have some neat friends and I think if I don't do the Workshop next year, I'll still have a serious theme. The end result has to be the kids learning. 

Today starts Crossfit SouthCobb's 5 week challenge. I feel so much better than I did last time so I'm expecting to bring it this time around. Didn't fair well on my lean muscle gain and fat loss last time, but my strength numbers did go up some. So this time I'm aiming to slim, trim and throw them weights.

Day 4 sans coffee/sugar. Feel good, but I could use a giant iced coffee for sure. 

The Entertainment Train has been derailed

Attention all passengers! This is your Conductor. I want to let you know that this train has jumped the tracks. Be not afraid. You're in no immediate danger. However, you will need to exit the train in an orderly fashion. You will be directed to the nearest manual rail car for you to operate to get to your new destination. I repeat the Entertainment Train has jumped the tracks!

These kids are going to learn something this year! I don't care if they write nasty notes about how ugly my shoes are. They are going to learn. They are going to be engaged in their learning. They're going to be able to show it in some meaningful way and most importantly they're going to get out of my room and go to 5th grade as a blessing. I refuse to hang my head when I see the 5th grade teachers because I know I sent them some do nothings. 

We have 12 days before Christmas, I feel a song coming on but I'll spare you. We have 12 days and we have a ton of good, solid reasons to not have quality instruction. My students deserve better than me making excuses. They need me to press in and help them as much as I can and even more.

Not sure if I'll do Wordless Wednesday tomorrow, but I think we'll do No Repeat Wednesday or Listen the 1st time I give directions Wednesday.