: D

So this happened...

 

I have my contract for next year!!  For the FIRST TIME, I will be in the same place in the same grade (more than likely the same grade). That contract has already been signed and sent back in-I'm not taking any chances!

I also had an informal observation today (we need to have 3 informal and 1 formal....and totally was not prepared for him to come in today!)

When my principal came in, I was reading this to the kids:

One of my favorites! I picked this book because I had read it to them before, and I thought it was perfect for the skill I wanted them to work on....

Writing a good Reader Response!

I've noticed lately that their reader responses where really kind of sucky (I think....because.... done!), so I wanted to model how to do a good one, and strategies that they could use to help them.

After I finished reading, I modeled the process of doing a reader response (with some help from them!)

The question we had to answer was: Do you think SkippyJon Jones is imaginative?

I first modeled how to write part of the question as my first part of my answer (I think SkippyJon Jones is very imaginative...).

Then I modeled (and asked) the kids some details on how to support the answer. We looked back in the book, did some inferencing, used the book to help us with our spelling. We even talked a little about using quotation marks when we used the author's words in the response!

When we finished our response, it was time for them to practice. Yesterday, I sat down with a stack of picture books and came up some questions for each book.

I typed them up and cut them into little strips. Then I put the little strips into individual envelopes and matched then with their book.

All set up and ready to go after recess!

Each book had at least 2 responses (with the exception of It's Mine!), and some had 3 or 4.

I spread these out on the floor, with the different questions above each book. I only made 5 of each question, so once the envelope is empty, they can't use that question (or book) anymore.

They take the questions and glue it into the organizer I made up:

There are also two boxes and paragraphs on the back-for a total of 4.

I sent them on their way after explaining the directions (and then my principal left), and went to work with one of my LD friends-I read the story to him so he could focus on the details. We then worked out his response (with some prompting!).

I like having the 4 spaces for questions- I can differentiate the amount of questions each friend gets (Lightbulb moment in the middle of the practice time!!).

As students finish their responses, I check them over, and we talk about what they wrote, if they could add anything-like details, concluding sentence, checking spelling, etc.

They go onto the next book or question (I told them that they could use 2 questions for 1 book-or choose 4 different books).

They really loved it and I saw a nice improvement in their responses...we'll see if it lasts!

Books I used:

Swimmy; A Color of His Own; A Chair For My Mother

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs; Spinky Sulks; It's Mine!

Strega Nona; Brave Irene; Doctor De Soto

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile; Officer Buckle and Gloria; Shrek!

The Hello, Goodbye Window

Onto the : D part of the lesson....I was standing in the copy room making copies for Monday when the principal came and told me what a GREAT lesson it was!

He said it was close to perfection-the kids were engaged and we were obviously working on a  skill that they needed. I had been a little worried because it wasn't 'fidelity to the program'-although they will use what they learned while doing the program.

(I should mention that I came up with this idea yesterday afternoon-about 1/2 hour before school ended. I came up with all the questions (after reading each book, of course! :) and made everything last night. I didn't mention this to my principal...let him bask in my brilliance love the lesson unaware ;)

Since this has been such an awesome week, I'm giving you the questions and the response sheet for free! (and since you read such a long post!)

Today's Outfit:

Sweater & Jeans: JCP
Shoes: Payless

I wanted to wear this sweater once more before the weather turned too warm...well, it was a good thing I did because it snowed today! (less than an inch-but it's all rainy, sleety and icy). Our principal actually told us to go home as soon as possible because it's yucky out (that's when he told me about my lesson).

Have an awesome weekend! I'll be working on report cards. : /

Smiles and Sunshine,
Kaitlyn

:)

Hi Bloggy Buds!

After the week I had (I kind of crashed and burned on Friday), I took the weekend and did absolutely nothing except watch TV, read and sleep.

I went into work feeling much better, and more than ready to tackle what I finally left on my desk on Friday (turns out, it wasn't as much as I thought).

Then, I got my evaluation.








People, I ROCKED it!! :D It was all proficient (with some pluses!) and distinguished, which was way beyond what I thought I would get.

All I have to do is my reflection (which will be done after I stop playing stalking researching teaching) ;), and set up a post observation conference.

I was feeling so good, that I decided to go shopping and see if I couldn't pick up a few cute things (our staff party is on Friday, and I want to look 'festive' (stylish and festive :) I got some cute things, but I spent a little more than I had wanted to spend, but I think that I got some things that will last me a while and be versatile. (I forgot to take pictures, but I'll show you soon.)

Friday's Outfit

Sweater: JCPenny
Tank: Old Navy
Pants: Kohls
Shoes: Burlington Coat Factory

We did a walking field trip to decorate our local Historical Society's tree, so I wanted something comfortable and nice (plus, I was super tired and dealing with allergies, so I needed something no fuss :)




Today's Outfit:

Sweater, Shirt: JCPenny
Tank: Target
Pants: Kohls
Shoes: Endless/Amazon



Have a great Tuesday! (Only 9 days till break!)


Smiles and Sunshine,
Kaitlyn

Chickens

Have you ever felt like you were running around like a chicken with its head cut out? Or you hit the ground running, and there simply hasn't been enough time to catch up? Well, guess how my week has been since I got back.

I walked into my room Wednesday morning, and an astonishing site met my eyes. Furniture was moved around, my desk area (and some of my kids desks) were not cleaned up, and there was NO FEEDBACK!

Needless, to say, about 5 minutes after I got into my room, I happened to run into my princpal. He told me that he had some concerns about my sub, and without me even really knowing what went on ('cause hello, no feedback!), I agreed (just based on the state of my room.).

Come to find out, it was worst than I thought. Even more fun, the sub came to the school to give me feedback on my class (which in my opinion, was a little inappropriate, and after the sub was done, also unprofessional), and then questioned some of my teaching practices and student learning ability.

Needless to say, this sub (hopefully, my principal says the sub won't be) will not be back in the building. I'm actually glad to have a principal back my up on this, because when I've told other principals I've been uncomfortable with a sub, nothing has really happened.

I was a tad upset that my plans were not followed (especially since I had a formal observation today...more on that in a little bit!), since they were extremely detailed (10 pages!), and according to my principal, some of the best sub plans that he has seen!! :) (Something good had to come out of this right!).

So I spent yesterday reteaching some things, and organizing, but I still don't feel that I had gotten enough done (we had a staff meeting which took up a lot of time, and I needed to leave by 4:30).

Today I had a PLC meeting first thing, my observation and then a Report Card Committee meeting right after school.

So my plans are nowhere near done for next week, grading is piling up again, and I'll be spending some time after school tomorrow fixing that. TGIF!

Now, after my rant expression of feelings, onto my observation! (Thank you to all that had me in your thoughts!)

I think it went well. He watched my do whole group literacy, and then the start of a Guided Reading group. I was expecting him there for 45 minutes to an hour, but he only stayed for about 30. I'm taking it as a good sign! The kids were well-behaved (they usually are! :), and most of them were right on point. Hopefully the feedback will be as good as I want it. :)

Yesterday's Outfit

Sweater, Top & Pants: JCPenny
Tank: Target
Shoes: Endless/Amazon

The sweater came off within 5 minutes of being at school...my room is hot! Although it went back on during recess duty, and on the way home :)


Today's Outfit

Sweater: Kohls
Tank: Old Navy
Pants: JCPenny
Shoes: DSW

Now, I've worn these shoes lots of times, but for some reason, everyone noticed them today and complimented me on them. Go figure!

I still feel like a chicken, but the weekend will be here soon, so hopefully I can recalibrate so I don't feel like I'm running with no end in sight. Happy (almost) Friday!

Smiles and Sunshine,
Kaitlyn

Trio

Friends,

The conference I went to was AWESOME! (well, except for one session that was almost exactly like another workshop I'd already gone to and I was expecting something a little different.) I've come away with lots of cool ideas, book recommendations, tips and tricks to try.

Seriously, if you have the opportunity to see Annemarie Johnson or Lee Anne Coester in a workshop/conference, do it! They are both wonderful presenters who gave lots of practical tips and tricks to use in the classroom.

Trio of Outfits

Shirt: Old Navy
Tank & Shoes: Target
Jeans: JCPenny

This was Sunday's outfit on my way to my parents (they lived 20 minutes away from the conference site, as opposed to the close to 2 hours I live).

Shirt: Old Navy
Tank: Target
Jeans: JCPenny
Shoes: Endless

This was Monday's outfit...the first day of the conference.

Shirt, Tank & Shoes: Target
Jeans: JCPenny

Ignore the darker spots...it was raining when I unloaded the car!
And I promise that this shirt is darker (think royal blue) than the shirt above (more of a teal/blue-green color), they just didn't photograph well. :)

In other news, I finished my formal observation lesson plans, emailed them to my mentor and got her okay. I'll turn them in first thing when I go in tomorrow (this was a complete surprise, he came to me Friday afternoon and said we needed to talk (and then I was like "Uh-oh. What did I do" (Well, not really, it was stronger language than that :), but he just wanted to set up a Formal for this week)

I have a lot packed into them, and I'm hoping it goes well. I'll let you know :) (We use Danielson's model for evaluation, and I'm hoping to get more Proficients than Basics (say a 70/30 split)).

Smiles and Sunshine,
Kaitlyn

Our Halloween Fun

Happy Halloween!

I hope all of my east-coasters and fellow New Englanders stayed safe during Sandy.

We were back in school today, and first thing...my principal walks in to an informal observation/evaluation. Fortunately, we had finished most of our off-topic talk before he walked in. :)

I was doing a Math lesson on using a protractor to measure angles. I did a whole group intro (for like, 2 minutes) and then split them into their groups. I took my lowest group to teach first, because they take the longest (15-20 minutes vs 10-15 for the other groups). He stayed through most of the first group, and then he left to walk-through other classes (he walks through almost every day).

I did have some friends off-task at one center, but while my small group friends were working (they were drawing me an angle), I told them that it didn't sound like math talk to me, and they refocused.

I later saw him in the office, and we talked a little (not about the observation). He asked me if I knew if he had come in, because I hadn't really acknowledged him, and he was wondering if I was panicked, nervous, unsure. I told him that I did know, but I was so used to people walking in and out of my room, that I just kept teaching on. He told me good, and then "Well done."

I really can't remember the last time a principal told me well done. So, I think it went pretty well. :) And even if it didn't, he's the type of principal to offer suggestions on how to fix the things that didn't (something my previous principals haven't been really strong at).

In the afternoon, we had our Halloween Parade to the center of town, and then we had our party. Our party was fairly quiet and subdued. I showed the The Legend of Spookly the Square Pumpkin on the SMART Board, and The Berenstain Bears and the Spooky Pumpkin (YouTube videos).

After that I read Substitute Creature and The Night Before Halloween. Then they went home to get me candy  (I told them in order to come in tomorrow, I needed two pieces of candy as a toll ;) (Some thought I was serious--this is a young class).

Outfit (Nobody told me that we could dress up...next year!) (Correction: I went as SuperTeacher in her regular person disguise ;)

Sweater & Tank: Target
Shirt: Kohls
Pants: JC Penny
Shoes: DSW





Smiles and Sunshine,
Kaitlyn