The Long Way Round

Well, I haven't blogged in far too long-and I've always hated that as a blog reader.

People would be blogging fairly consistently, and then stop, for weeks, or months-sometimes years.

I never intended to be one of those bloggers, but this year, I am.

It's a few different things that have turned me into a non-blogger this year.

My class, for one. I love them, but do they ever keep me busy and on my toes! (More so than previous classes!). I usually don't have the energy for much once I'm done with them! Plus, they usually keep me so busy that I forget to take pictures.

Curriculum, for another. A lot of the things I am doing this year, I have talked about and blogged about before, and I don't want to beat a dead horse.

Some changes too-we have a new administrative team (who are pretty cool so far!), but that has lead to some change in our school (and some discomfort) with more changes coming. Plus, my team isn't gelling this year (which could be me, or a combination of things), so that brings me down a little.

For a long time, my life was all about teaching. I did have a good home/work balance (I'm too much of an introvert to really not have a good balance), but now I've found myself pulling away from having a lot to do with teaching during my 'off' hours.

Which means that I've been creating things for my classroom less, and doing a lot more reading and crafting. And it means that I've been doing less blogging-as this is teaching related.

Plus, in general, I've noticed a general decline in the amount of posts in almost all the blogs that I follow. (Not to say that I'm one to follow the crowd...but the era of education blogs may have run its course).

While I've found blogging to be a good outlet, plus a good reflection tool for me, I don't want to leave you hanging.

And I don't want to completely close this blog down (plus, I use it to help me find things I've done in the past!), as some things can still be useful to old teachers and new.

So I'm apologizing in advance, and say that posts will probably be very sporadic. If I feel I have something interesting to say and share, I will.

But that might not be for awhile.

If you want to know what is happening more currently, you can hit me up over at Instagram (just click on the little insta flag to find me).

I've changed my name from smilesandsunshineteacher (in honor of this blog), to teachreadcrochet, to better reflect what is happening in my life right now.

 Perhaps I'll see you around? If not, I hope you've found something helpful-I know I was immensely helped by blogs, which inspired this one.

Smiles and Sunshine,
Kaitlyn

Five for Friday

Happy Friday!

I've survived Parent Teacher Conferences (except for one last one after school next week), and am excited for an upcoming midweek day off! :)




Not only do we have Wednesday off, but I'm out Monday for a workshop (all about fourth grade-I'm super excited!), so I've been prepping for a sub.

It's my first full day out (I've only been out for 2 hours at an in school meeting), so I'm hoping they behave...


Last Five for Friday, I mentioned that I was getting a new cell phone.

Welllll, it turned into a bit of a saga.

I got the reconditioned phone, and was liking it. Except...I only had about two bars in my apartment, and NO service in the area where I teach (which is about 30 minutes away from where I live).

I had some issues with this, as what if I needed to be contacted at school (other than the school number, my only line of communication is my cell phone) because something major happened, and then I only got the message on the way home (which I can't pick up because we're now a 'hands free' and I don't have bluetooth in the car)?

I didn't necessarily need cell service in the building, but I would have liked it in the parking lot!

So, I bought a new phone that was on a different network (my old phone was on the global network, and the new one was on the CDMA network, and the newest one is on the global network), and I now have almost full service in my apartment, good service in the parking lot at school, and even a bar inside school! :)

The only thing I don't like-my new phone is HUGE compared to my old phone. I wish I could mix and match the two smart phones I bought to make a perfect one!

Old 'dumb' phone on left; old 'new' not working phone in middle; my cell phone now on the right

Needless to say, the old new phone is on the way back to the company for a return. Hopefully, that goes smoothly (when I phone to ask about-since it has a lithium-ion battery which is a hazardous material, it was not so smooth).


Since it's a new month, I have a new garland for my door!

The turkey was a little tricky, and was feathered and defeathered  a few times, but he finally was able to stay feathered. :)

We've also been working at double-digit multiplication, and I'm so proud at how well they've been working at it! We learned the 'short cut' way (the way that everyone learned before the standards changed) yesterday, and while they were a little resistant to the weird way, they were happy by the end of it. :)

Task Cards are from the Primary Gal

I started by teaching them the area model, then partial products before 'short cut'ing it. Hopefully, we'll be ready to move onto division by next week!

I had recently entered a contest from Responsive Classroom and was one of the winners! I got to pick my choice of book, and it arrived yesterday!

Scored a free book through a Responsive Classroom contest and it came today! 🙂 Can't wait to delve in!! 🤓📖 #responsiveclassroom #ilovetoread #professionaldevelopment #iteach4th #teachersfollowteachers #teachersofinstagram

A photo posted by Smiles & Sunshine (@smilesandsunshineteacher) on Nov 5, 2015 at 2:55pm PST

Since I already have most of their books (in original editions), I decided to go for one of their newer ones. It looks really interesting, and I can't wait to get started!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Smiles and Sunshine,
Kaitlyn

What's Happening

Well, hello teaching peeps!

(As I write the title, I'm hearing Tacky the Penguin in my head! :P )

I've still not doing a great job at taking pictures of what's going on in my classroom-these kids are keeping me busy!

I'm also modeling a lot of my instruction off of what I did last year (when I kind of rewrote the language arts program), with some minor changes here and there-so check out 2014 posts if you're interested!

I've feeling much more comfortable with our math program-and we are definitely moving quicker (I think) than we did last year (our first year with the program), or the previous year (a pilot year), and I love that I have the quick checks and exit slips to help me out! I'm also in love with doing centers-but want to refine the management of it a little bit.

I also have a Methods student this semester (the step right before student teaching at a local college), and she is fabulous! She's done some pretty cool lessons, and it's great having an extra set of hands a few days week. I'm going to miss her when she's gone!

We have a whole new administration (superintendent and principal as well as a new behavior specialist), and while change is often frightening, I think this was a much needed change, and I'm a lot happier coming into work! I feel so much more comfortable going to my admin about things, and our new behavior specialist is actually being helpful with behavior! (a change from our previous specialist, who wasn't all that helpful or proactive).

My first mini observation (we moved to mini observations of about 10-15 minutes-we need 4 a year) has come and gone, and it went very well. My admin and I had a great conversation about it, and the reasons I do some of the things I do-it was great to have such a conversation with someone who respects your professional judgement!

We've been learning lots in 4th grade, and trying out different seating combos (and will continue to try new ones until we have a perfect 'fit'), and time seems to be rushing by! Parent-teacher conferences are in 2 weeks, and I can't believe how close it is! Soon it will be Christmas!

I hope you are enjoying your kiddos like I'm enjoying mine!

Smiles and Sunshine,
Kaitlyn

Five for Friday

Happy Friday!

We'll still keeping super busy-our days always are flying by!



Last night, I got a delivery.

After a few hours of following directions, I now have a beautiful

buffet! (Which I'm using to store yarn, because what else would I use it for? :P )

It's a really nice navy color, and ties in nicely with the other furniture pieces in my apartment.



I have a Methods student this year (the step right before student teaching), and she has been doing some banging math lessons!

She's been doing her lessons on making a table, and she came up with a really cool game (or found it-but I never would of thought of it!)

She came up with Data War!

The kids use a deck of cards to play war normally, but then they create a tally table for each 'battle', win, lose or tie. My kids were super engaged (and loud, but I told her that it was okay, because it was 'productive' talk :), and I think they loved it!


Since I had a little extra time this weekend, I made some yummy apple crisp!

Made me some apple crisp! Yum! And my house smells wonderful now! 🍎 #applecrisp #fall #yummy #iteachtoo

A photo posted by Smiles & Sunshine (@smilesandsunshineteacher) on Oct 11, 2015 at 5:05pm PDT

I use the recipe for allrecipes.com-it's about half gone!

I also got 'Boo'ed!

I was Booed! (And let's not mention the fact that I already broke into the Cheez Doodles) 👻 #teachersofinstagram #teachersfollowteachers #iteachfourth #boo

A photo posted by Smiles & Sunshine (@smilesandsunshineteacher) on Oct 9, 2015 at 9:59am PDT

Since I had to Boo two people in response, they got something a little extra...

Boo! 👻 #amigurumi #crochet #crochetersofinstagram #craftyteacher #iteachtoo

A photo posted by Smiles & Sunshine (@smilesandsunshineteacher) on Oct 12, 2015 at 9:52am PDT

Last, but certainly not least...

I finally bought a smart phone! (Right now, I have what the kids call a 'dumb' phone! :)

I do a prepaid plan (because really, I only use it to talk to my parents and get those ever important 'No School' phone calls :), and my 'year' is up soon.

Since I have to re-up my year, I figured it was a good time to switch phones-my other one is 5 years old!

It should (hopefully) be here soon-I did get a reconditioned one to save about half. Here's hoping I like it!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Smiles and Sunshine,
Kaitlyn

Math Strategies-A Quick Round Up

This month's Together We Are Better is all about Math-which fits in perfectly with the mini-math series I'm doing!

Check out Lucky Little Learners and  Schroeder Shenanigans in 2nd for more!

So if you want to read about my new and improved Math block, you can check out here, here and here. There is one more post left-how I organize it all!

For now, I leave you with some highlights of things I do!

First and foremost, we are a BIG task card classroom.

 I love using task cards because it's easy to differentiate (not only with the problems when I make them myself, but by how many each kid needs to complete.), we can use it as a scoot game, a write the room, independent work or a journal entry.

I make some of my task cards-to tailor it to our math program, but I also buy plenty as well.

We also try to have some fun notebook entries-using our notebooks as a resource!

I've also started doing Math Journal entries this year as part of our rotations-we'll see how it goes!

And, I try to make use manipulatives and games to help us learn our concepts.

If you're looking for a great decimal game, Ideas By Jivey has a GREAT one (I blogged about how we play it here) that is FREE!

We have some tricky concepts to learn in 4th grade, so I try to make it as fun and interesting as possible. Hopefully I succeed in some way-and they remember it for 5th grade!

Smiles and Sunshine,
Kaitlyn

Currently

Happy October!

Smiles and Sunshine,
Kaitlyn

Sanity Savers

Happy Thursday (or pre-FriYay! ;)

I'm back for another edition of Blog Hoppin's Teacher Week.

Today we are talking all about sanity savers.


My biggest sanity saver is this...

There used to be Reese's Peanut Butter Cups in there (TRULY the sanity saver! :D ), but I'm peanut free this year, so I had to have some substitutes :)

It's not quite the same, but it'll do in a pinch.

Another sanity saver is that I take my lunch to the teacher's lounge. Now, I know that a lot of people recommend that you stay OUT of the teacher lounge-and away from any negative talk.

However, our staff is pretty awesome, and there is rarely any negative talk {and if there is-a lot of times, we all on the same page and it becomes a bit of a vent session-which can also be 'healthy'}.

In fact, a lot of time, we aren't talking about school or kids at all. :) We range from TV shows (some of us are reality fans :), to books, magazines, current events, etc. It's great to get some adult conversation and get out of my room for a little!

When I get home, and I've had a difficult day, I will either play a video game (on my computer-like Dynomite, where I get to smash eggs-its very therapeutic!), or I work on something like this

It's the start of a scrapghan-using up extra skeins!

Keeping my hands busy helps me relax, and sometimes I'm to 'het up' to read or relax :)

How do you help save your sanity?

Smiles and Sunshine,
Kaitlyn

5 Fun Facts

Whew! I manage to survive the first two days of school (as well as 3 days of meetings!)-although I slept a great deal this weekend!

I'm excited for Blog Hoppin's Teacher week, so today we're talking about me! :)

#1

I am a voracious reader-I hit 1,000 books on my Kindle this month! (And I've reread 98% of those multiple times!)

That time I reached 1,000 books on my kindle. 😄😍😎📚#reading #iheartreading #amazonkindle #teachersofinstagram #iteachtoo

A photo posted by Smiles & Sunshine (@smilesandsunshineteacher) on Aug 18, 2015 at 11:14am PDT

#2

I also dabble in lots of different crafts-it helps me relax! I've been known to make my own jewelry, scrapbook, make cards, paint and crochet!

#3 I JUST got an iPad this year-and I still don't have a smart phone (my kids call it a 'dumb' phone)-although my flip phone has been acting up, so I may be getting a smart phone soon!  (I have a prepaid plan, since I don't use it all that much. I'll need to re-up my 'year' soon, so I figure that's a good time to switch phones! :)

Yay!! One small step for me, one giant leap for my classroom!😃

A photo posted by Smiles & Sunshine (@smilesandsunshineteacher) on Jan 19, 2015 at 2:10pm PST

#4 I'm still considered a 'beginning educator' by my state - after 8 years!

 There is a reasonable explanation :)

First, it took me a few years to find a 'full-time, permanent (public school) position'.

 I did a lot of other things in education, like subbing, long-term/continuing subbing, para position, K teacher at a preschool-but the state doesn't 'count' those as professional experience.

Next, the state changed the law a few years after I got out of college-from requiring 3 years of 'experience' to FIVE years of experience before becoming an experienced educator.

So, I'm going into my 9th year of teaching, and 15 years of working with kids-and I'm 'beginning'. (Which means I can't take a student teacher).

BUT! After my next re-certification (at the end of this school year), I'll have those 5 years in public school as a full-time, permanent position, and should get an experienced educator certificate. :)

#5

I heart me some sci-fi! From TV shows (like Star Trek (Voyager is my fav!), Warehouse 13 and Doctor Who) to romance novels (I go from shifter, to paranormal (with magic, physics, and more), to futuristic), I love the possibilities and the differences of it-since my life is pretty mundane! I can get lost in the worlds that others have created :)

I hope you enjoyed those 5 fun facts about me!

Smiles and Sunshine,
Kaitlyn

Five for Friday ~ Classroom Sneak Peek

Happy Friday!



My classroom is mostly done-I went in last week to set it up. The last I was in, my shelves weren't fixed yet, so I set it up as much as I could.

I thought I would show you some areas that are done (basically everything, except for half of my shelves) as a sneak peek!
This is one part of my shelves that are fine! I organized a little more, and was able to clear a spot for a display!

I've featured some of my favorite books, and will switch them out during the year. I'll also be displaying the Mentor Sentence book of the week here, as well as any crochet critters, or cute things I find.

My library!

I've moved some of the books from the long shelves over to this part of the library, to free up a little more space for their book bins-they don't fit quite as well one the shelves. :)



My small group area! I hope one day to get two (or three) trapezoid tables, so I can better reach all the kids, but we work it with the rectangle table.

My writing table/grade display/mathematical practice posters (although I tried to word them for every practice!)

Underneath the grade display, I hope to put examples of what each looks like for different things, so students have an example, as well as something to strive for and compare their work to.

Lastly, I got rid of my clip chart (more on that through the year!), and on my filing cabinet, I made a reading graffiti wall!

I put up two quotes two get them started (one from Wonder and one from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone).

Yes, I called it Harry Potter 1. I wasn't about to write our Sorcerer's Stone lying on the floor at an awkward angle!

We start next week! I'm excited to meet my class! (Not as excited to wake up to an alarm again! :)

Smiles and Sunshine,
Kaitlyn