TPT Sale & New products!!

Did you know there is a TPT Sale going on December 2nd & 3rd?? If so, way to go teach! And if not, no problem, I got ya covered.

My ENTIRE store is on sale including some new products. See more below!

Last week I uploaded My Reading Level Cards. These can be handy for keeping students informed about their reading levels. This could also help them select more appropriate books and set goals for their reading level as the year progresses.

My next new item is my Winter Word Problems. These one step story problems cover a variety of problem types. The problems are featured in a task card format as well as an activity sheet format.  The activity sheets provide room for some sort of picture or representation, an equation and even room to write out their responses. No more one word answers with these guys!

I hope you have time to stop by my store and grab some of these good deals before the sale is over! Enjoy!

Be the Change

We've heard the phrase, we've said the phrase but how many of us great educators are making the time to actually "Walk the walk" when it comes to creating change?

Educators are usually great at looking towards the future. Obviously, we want to make a positive impact, hence our daily work. However, I personally feel like education isn't reaching it's full potential in the present.

So that leads to two choices. I could remain silent hoping that somehow things will all work out. And truly, sometimes they do. Or I could seize an opportunity to speak out and speak up.

Based on my work with My Voice, my student activism program for elementary students, you can probably guess I'm leaning towards the latter option.

I'm hoping that more educators join me in that mindset. There are definitely some things that need to change in education. It's time to be the change we wish to see in education. We really need to advocate for ourselves and tell our side of the story. So many others are trying to tell it for us!

This could mean contacting a legislator, going to a meeting or something else that could be out of your comfort zone. Do it anyways! It's worth it. 😊

Engaging Early Finishers

If your classroom is anything like the classrooms I have taught in your students probably learn and work at varied paces. This summer I had the opportunity to present at a system PD Day about "Engaging Early Finishers" and I want to share a few of those tips with you below. Instead of re-writing them, I am including them as slides from the presentation. Enjoy!

Set the classroom environment as a place of continuous learning

Flexible Due Dates

Extra Practice & Enrichment

Hopefully these tips will help you put some plans or routines in place to keep early finishers on task and engaged. Try them out and make them your own! 

Sub Plans - Because "stuff" happens

Welcome to October!
If you haven't had to use a personal day, sick day, etc. congratulations! Things happen so quickly and often in the moment, dedicated teachers end up coming in to work despite the need to do otherwise.

Having a set of sub plans available can help ease the stress and let you use the sick/ personal days you probably really need to. Below are some quick tips to help you get some sub materials together and have them ready to use.

1. Gather some easy use materials 

**Please do not mistake "easy use" as "busywork". **

I think back to a situation recently when I had to step in and teach math for a teacher on short notice. Although she planned thoroughly her plans were handwritten in a notebook and it wasn't easy for me to quickly understand and teach what I needed to. It was difficult to synthesize it all and keep students engaged simultaneously.

So back to the task at hand, gather materials for your subject (or all subjects if self-contained) that can be easily understood and used with your students.This may give a sub more time to review the schedule, plan, or just wrap their mind around all the things teachers do in a day. Be realistic too! If your special snowflakes get out of hand with scissors please don't leave multiple cut & paste activities for a substitute.

2. Plan it all out

Go ahead and make copies of things needed instead of assuming the sub will have time. Gather some ideal books if you suggest a read aloud, or pull out cubes for a math lesson if it will help keep them engaged. All of these little steps will help anyone stepping in to take care of your class. Substitutes have a variety of skills, comfort levels, etc. Help them out a little by gathering some materials and keeping them in a certain location. Also keep a list handy of helpful teachers & students the sub can rely on if needed.

3. Back ups for your back up

Many schools require sub plans to be kept in the office. Even if this is the case I always kept some back up materials in my classroom. This may seem redundant but things can happen including, but not limited to...
- office hectic and crazy and they forget to give sub your plans
- plans in office get misplaced
- plans in office get used and never returned/replenished
- sub forgets or doesn't know to ask

All of that to say, it may benefit you to keep some materials on hand in the classroom. I would also alert a nearby teacher to the location of my materials in case it was a last minute deal and I can't lay things out perfectly.

Hopefully these tips can help you gather somethings together quickly and feel more prepared in an emergency! Good luck & take that vitamin C!

Back to School is tough...so are you!

Greetings from an educator who is exhausted just a little over a month into the school year! I have transitioned to a new position this year and while that comes with its own adjustments, throw in the usual back to school craziness and I'm running on fumes! I've seen the meme tons of times comparing the beginning of the school year to childbirth; excruciatingly painful and yet give it enough time and you forget all the pain, ready and willing to take it all on again.

The truth of the matter is, Back to School time is tough. Yes, seeing a fresh pack of crayons excites me far more than it should but that doesn't negate the fact that things tend to get a bit crazy as the year starts. Teachers are often dealing with classroom changes as students get moved around, new curriculum programs or at least new instructional expectations...and of course these teachers have a life outside of work too.

I've said all this to say, I needed this reminder and maybe so do you. The beginning of the year often brings a unique set of challenges. Know that you've survived this season in previous years and will continue to do so in the present.

And if you happen to be a new teacher who as not survived this season before let me encourage you by saying..You too will survive this. You are tougher than the challenges you are facing. You are in your current environment for a reason. And you will succeed because you are meant to leave a positive impact on the future generation!

Here's to a great year guys!

Hello New Opportunity

I started this summer like any other; making to do lists, devouring books I wanted to read during the school year, etc. But I had an itch to look for something more.

Fast forward  to about a week ago...

I saw a job posting for a math coach position in my county. I absolutely love math and have my instructional coaching certificate. However, I was also lined up to be grade level chair again next year and had a lot of other things I was looking forward to at my current school. I applied and prayed on it. Well the day after I applied I was contacted for an interview and a day after that I was offered a job! I was so excited, but also a little torn. I have wanted to try coaching since 2016 when I got my certificate. But my team! My future kiddos! The struggle :/

Based on the title of the post I'm sure you can tell, I accepted the position. It just felt right. The timing worked out. My principal was so kind and helpful, my new principals seems awesome. I have a lot to look forward to and some new challenges to prepare for. This new position means no students of my own, a different type of daily schedule, far more interaction with adults & much more.

I am looking forward to how this will grow and develop my skills as a teacher & instructional leader. Stay tuned for the journey and please provide any and all tips!! Thanks!

Leadership is calling...

When you think of leadership in the field of education, what comes to mind? Often, initial thoughts are superintendents, principals, anchor teachers, etc. However, leaving out the everyday classroom teacher or ESP is a common oversight. Teachers and those involved in the everyday process of educating children are all leaders in some sense. They wake up everyday and head to school knowing their actions are viewed by hundreds of little eyes. They know the decisions they make daily could greatly impact students and their future. This is the beginning of leadership.

Viewing yourself as “just a classroom teacher” does a great disservice to your skills and expertise. Our career field requires constant professional development and a commitment to lifelong learning. When you see colleagues stepping into positions of leadership understand that their journey was probably very similar to yours. The next teacher leader in your hall, building or leading community could be you. I had the amazing pleasure of attending NEA’s Leadership Summit in Denver this past March. I had become more active in the association over the last year but viewed myself as “just a teacher”, not quite a leader. While there I was reminded that leadership is a continuous journey. And as we know every journey begins with a first step.

“Each of us has a leadership journey and a role to play” NEA’s President Lily Eskelsen Garcia informed us in the opening session of the summit. It is up to you to reflect on what your role will be. Will you continue to succeed and shine as a classroom leader or ESP? Perhaps you are considering growing your skills and moving in to a more formal leadership position like administration? Regardless of your goals, move confidently knowing that you have what it takes to become that leader. You know what is best for students and public education because you are present day after day.

President Garcia

Now I wouldn’t be doing my duty if I didn’t mention that the local association is always looking for up and coming leaders. There are so many opportunities to use your skills and talents locally or even work more closely with the state at TEA.  We as teachers know what education needs but we need to be a part of the conversation. Speaking up through your organization is an excellent way to find yourself as a leader.

My Voice - Update

I still can't believe the amazing opportunity I am getting to run my student activism program "My Voice". 

We just had our 3rd meeting last week and the kids are truly blowing me away. They are so committed to doing the work and becoming young activists. During our first meeting the goal was to teach students what activism is and how they could become one, even at a young age. At the next meeting we started to discuss what students are passionate about and why these topics are so important to them. At the last meeting students began to zoom in on a topic they will develop an activism project around. Topics have ranged from homelessness and stray animals to bullying, smoking and even depression. To see these 4th and 5th graders so focused and intent on making a change in their world is really inspiring. I hope I am helping them develop a passion for speaking up and making a change.

And as a side note, I am loving working with TechTown to hold our meetings. Such a fun space!

I am looking forward to what they create for their projects. I am also looking forward to them sharing their knowledge at our student showcase in May!

Teacherpreneur and Student Activism

Back in October  I participated in something called the Teacherpreneur Incubator which "offers teachers support, time and space to incubate big ideas and execute them in the best interests of their students and their profession". My big idea was a student activism program focusing on upper elementary students. 

After working on our ideas for about 8 weeks we  had a big pitch night in front of 300 or more people. Even though I didn't win I still received funding for my program! It was quite the experience.

As we roll into January I am excited to get my program "My Voice" started! I have permission from my principal to run the program in my building. I have networked with my former school and have received permission to partner with them as well. I worked with a graphic designer to finalize our logo and prepared student materials over the last week.

Student applications went out today after teachers showed student a brief informational video about the program. Student interviews will be held next week and the first meeting of the program will be at the end of the month. I can't wait to see what my students are capable of! More to come soon.