Plant Lab Book

My students have been learning about plant life cycles. Last week we did a KWL (know, want to know, learned) chart on the board with post its. It went great! #1- They love using post it notes. #2- Any movement is good in my classroom, I have a few wiggle worms! However, I was surprised at some of the things they wanted to know. I was planning on planting seeds with them this week, anyways, but their curiosity spurred my plans in a different direction. Three of the things that intrigued me were: will plants grow if there is only a flashlight and no sun, will plants still grow if you give them root beer instead of water, and my favorite, will plants explode if they don't have sunlight? All great questions!!

So, rather than just growing plants next week, we will be experimenting, using those three questions as our variables. Some of the students will plant their seeds and stick it in a cabinet (testing the exploding theory-no sunlight), some will put it under our sink with a flashlight, some will plant them regularly, and others will give it root beer instead of water. So in order for us to track our findings, I created a cute little plant observation booklet. You can see thumbnails of what it looks like here. If you are a blog reader and want this file, I will email it to you for free until the end of April. Just shoot me an email (brandicriminger[at]yahoo[dot]com) and let me know you want it! After that, you can get it at my teachers pay teacher store for $1.99.

Something New- Whole Brain

I have lots of pictures that I have taken of various activities in our classroom, I'm hoping to post those with descriptions soon. The delay has been the process by which it takes to get the pictures. I take them with my (non-smart) phone, message them to my husband, steal his phone and his computer (a difficult task, if you know my husband), transfer them to his computer and upload them. But, I received an amazing camera for Christmas, so this process is about to become a million times (or at least a hundred times) easier!

Nevertheless, I wanted to write a blog post about a book I've been reading. Now, I just got it a couple days ago, so I'm not too far in, but so far it has been amazing! I first learned (kind of, really more like discussed) of Whole Brain Teaching from another teacher. She is amazing, and that more than anything else, is what inspired me to actually read the book. Don't get me wrong, I love reading. I just enjoy reading fiction more than non-fiction; it has to be pretty intriguing for me to desire to read nonfiction. She is currently working on becoming Whole Brain Teaching Certified. Part of that process involves her creating a blog, with videos of her teaching. You can find her amazingness here: That'll Teach 'Em. You should check it out.

The basic premise is scientific. If you are using multiple parts of the brain at the same time (much of this involves making sure students are actively involved in learning and I'm not just talking to them-at least that is what I've gleaned so far). if their brain is occupied in several areas, they don't have the ability to think of creative things to do to be distractions, because they are completely and wholly engaged in learning~doesn't that sound like the dream?! What I like most of all (so far) is tat in addition to telling you what to do, it offers "scripts" on how to introduce it to the students. Not that I used the exact script, but it gave me an idea about what is important to tell them verses what is "for me to know".

So, I've only begun, but day one of implementing the 5 rules I saw a significant change in my "naughties". Beforehand, we had discussed the school rules: be respectful, responsible and ready to learn. We had talked about what each of those meant at the beginning of the year. By mid-year and after reading the "rules" section of Whole Brain Teaching, I realized my kiddos need precise rules as well as a couple broad ones. The precise ones are, "raise your hand to speak and get out of your seat" and "follow directions quickly". The others are, "make smart choices" and, "make your dear teacher happy". I love that it calls me dear :) These 'blanket statements' can cover anything from hurtful words to not sitting correctly on the rug.

I had multiple students who would get up and wonder around the classroom. Some in "the name of getting a pencil" whether they needed one or not and others just in avoidance of work. While I could tell them to sit down before, they were getting sneaky smart. They often were seated and working until another classmate needed assistance and I went to help them. The rules about raising your hand have always been in place, but having a poster to point to that specifically states the rule and a rule number to refer to worked wonders today in my classroom. Granted, it is only the first day, but I was so pleased to see them working and not getting up for useless things or to avoid work. I hope the "magic" continues.

I'm excited to continue to learn new ways to engage multiple parts of the brain and see how it works in a real-life classroom setting. The research behind it is astounding, I can only hope it proves true for my kiddos and helps me become a better teacher.

Some things I'm learning

It seems I'm learning everyday! New ways to engage specific students, new ways to get their attention when they are off in daydream land, new ways to teach in an exciting and fun way. This is a list of some of the things I've been learning the past couple months, some about teaching, some about Oklahoma/my kiddos.

1. Children in Oklahoma say, "I have to use it" when they need to go to the bathroom. The first two weeks every time they told me that I asked, "use what?". Don't worry, I've got it down by now.
2. They are not used to cold (even coldish) weather. While I may be comfortable in capris and sandals on a 55 degree day, they are bringing their winter coats. I have to remember to let them take their jackets even if it is not cold outside.
3. My room will never look the same at the end of the day as it does at the beginning. Learning is messy! I'm trying to incorporate a couple of minutes for clean up at the end of each day.
4. Randomly my children all burst out laughing at me. I get a confused look and one of my goodies will tell me I'm still talking funny. A 7 year old informed me that he was going to ask the speech therapist if she had time for me in her day because I say strange things like "goodness gracious" and my words sometimes sound funny. I guess I say math funny, but if I say mathematics, it's ok. Who would have thought my students would analyse my accent so much?
5. Past tenses of verbs are a very hard concept. The often say, "we goed to music", so trying to teach them that went is the correct word is really difficult. I think we will need more time on this than I originally thought.
6. When in doubt, ask. My staff is AMAZING and will help with anything and everything! I am so blessed to be a part of this school!
7. Team teaching makes life easier. We plan together, help find worksheets, take turns creating materials and bounce ideas off of each other, and take turns disciplining when our students just aren't getting it. I would be be lost without my wonderful second grade team!
8. My kids often surprise me with what they know, both good and bad. Sometimes I hug them for knowing something far beyond the realm of second grade. Other times I try really hard not to let my jaw hang slack while I reel at the fact that they have seen particular movies. Honestly, when we talked about Abraham Lincoln, one of my students thought he killed vampires.
9. I'm adjusting to the weather. I got used to the air being on all summer because it was so stinking hot outside. I love that we could go camping in October in the mountains (so beautiful!) and sleep in a tent without freezing. I love that it is half way through November and I have worn my spring jacket exactly twice (and once it was raining, so more of a barrier than anything else). I am getting used to the constant wind.
10. I have 22 children and love them all!

10 hours and 2 months later

Yes, I know, I've been a bad blogger! I've been away for awhile because I've been oh so busy! I wrapped up my aide position at the end of May and was offered a full time teaching position in Oklahoma City- a 10 hour car trip.

So in one month we packed up our apartment, I finished my job and had 2 weeks to wrap things up before the move. Luckily, my husband was done with school and able to do most of the packing~such a blessing!

So, not quite 2 months later and my classroom is set up, I have ad my first week and 2 days with my kiddos, we have bought a house, found a church and are settling into southern life. Whew! Yes, I will have pictures. I took some with my phone, but they weren't super great. I need to remember to take some AA batteries to school for my camera.

I have been keeping up with my reading, thanks to my Kindle. But have not been posting them on here like I thought I was going to, shame, I know. I've been trying to alternate between fiction and nonfiction, because that is what I will be asking my students to do and I figure if they ask me, I need to be a good example.

My school is great. The staff is wonderfully helpful, my principal is super supportive and we have a whole room full of leveled books for guided reading-yea! In future posts, I will probably try to break down my day and talk about different things we are doing for different subjects, but for now I will tell you our technology is good. I have 4 Nooks in my classroom, 2 computers a SMART board and the computer lab the students have access to is really nice (not old relics of computers, like some schools have). I am truly blessed :D

End of the Year, Moving on

It is the end of the school year. I finished my last day with the kids today and we have one more day of institutes tomorrow. I have been very blessed to work with amazing teachers this year who have loved me, supported me and encouraged me as life was turning this way and that way. I am very blessed to have had the oppertunities to aide the teachers I did this year and to be a regular substitute for second grade. I believe it was largely because of this position that I recieved a teaching job for the fall.

I am overjoyed, scared and excited all rolled into one. Mostly because the teaching job is in Oklahoma. A state I had never seen until a few weeks ago (after I accepted the job). Yes, my husband and I are moving ten hours away to start life in a new city, new state knowing noone- it's scary. But such a wonderful blessing as well! I am going to love teaching my second graders!

Yes, I will miss the kiddos at school, yes, I will miss my Kumon kiddos, yes I will miss friends and family. We will meet new friends and find a wonderful church family, I am sure. I'm so excited about this adventure!

Building Words

So this whole process began when I realized I was throwing away lots of bottle caps. Milk caps, water bottles, you name it and I got to thinking how much that adds up in the landfill. Now, I 'm not one of those people that has a bottled water every day (rarely, as I refill my washable bottle), but occasionally, I would go to the gas station and get a juice or water and have to throw away the lid, while I recycled the bottle. Milk caps, on the other hand, we threw away lots of! We go through about a gallon and a half a week (yes, just me and my husband-he loves his milk), so that really adds up! I started collecting them, not really sure what I would do with them, and this is what I came up with!

Ok, on to the project :) I've been looking for creative ways to build my first grade Adventure Group's phonics sense. My group is 7 students who need help with letter sounds (when more than one letter is combined, like oi as in oil) as well as sight word practice. I have a half hour for my group. We spend te first 10-15 minutes doing Michael Haggerty, focusing on the areas mentioned above. For the rest of the time we do activities that reinforce those concepts, or focus on sight word practice.

So I used my bottle caps to create a word building game to help with these concepts! Now I'm sure there are cute tile squares out there that accomplish the same goals, but this was convenient for me and cheap and it recycled those caps!

You will have to excuse the upside-down pictures. They are correct when I open the file, but blogger flips them when they upload. I tried everything to fix them, but haven't been able to figure it out. I think you will get the idea, regardless of the flipped photos. I used 32 caps in all, most I wrote on both sides. Something to note when you start collecting, the clear lids don't work well for writing on both sides, as you can see through them. The dark blue ones are hard to see (I discarded the black ones). Here is a picture of them all:

I did use the pink ones (milk) do do the vowel blends, but you wouldn't have to color code them. I did the entire alphabet (using fromt and backs, vowel blends, some common beginning sound blends etc. and a couple extra of common letters). Here is a picture of some of the consonant blends (with the exception of the le, not sure how he got in this picture!). This picture shows what the clear caps look like if you write on both sides.

 Ideally, this is what the students will do wit the caps (sorry about it being sideways). I think I will introduce them by building sight words (I have a list) and then expand later on to them building their own (which is the ultimate goal). The trick will be having them spelled correctly. We will probably do this in partners for awhile, so the partners can help monitor the spelling (I can't be everywhere at once!) This will also allow me to work with another group more closely. I love the ability to split up my little group so that I can have more personalized time with the students!

Feburary Books and a Great Program

My list of books for February includes more than 2. Which means if I keep this pace up, I will have more than the 20 I originally wanted to read this year. Since I bought myself a Kindle Fire with birthday and Christmas money, I've been doing much of my reading on it. Which I love! For those of you wondering, I got the Fire because of the ability to download apps. I don't have an I Pad, I Pod or I Phone, so I can't take advantage of apps on any other device. However, if you have another device with apps, you might as well just get the regular Kindle. Many of the books I will be posting in the next few months will be ebooks. Some of them may have paper copies, others not. I will try to link to each of them so you can check them out.

Here We Come Aggies Inheretance Book 3 by Chautona Havig. 
I want to start this review by saying I didn't read the first two books. This one was free and the others were not. Courtesy of Goodreads.com, here is the summary: "In the hubbub of wedding preparations, Christmas celebrations, and a house full of lively children, Aggie is feeling overwhelmed and unappreciated. Add to that two puppies who are growing faster than she can replace chewed shoes and fix dug fences, it seems like things just can’t get any worse. Then, as she should be enjoying the most exciting time of her life, she’s faced with her worst nightmare." I loved this book. The characters were relateable, I laughed and cried with them, 5 stars. The plot took a very interesting turn, that I wasn't expecting at all, 5 stars. No gore, no inappropriate content (although it is written for an adult audience). Discusses great relationships and the hardships life throws our way in a very real sense. 

The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer: This is the review I wrote on goodreads.com: "I read this on my way to work (or rather the Kindle read it as I drove to work) this morning. Quick read, I think it took 20-30 minutes tops. Tozer obviously has a good sense of Biblical teaching and is able to bring it down to a level where it is applicable immediately. Yes, there are many things he challenges us to do that don't happen overnight, but the power of this book makes you want to get started in any way you can immediately. He discusses being humble in our work, something I feel most of the modern American Christians could use a reminding about- I know it was helpful for me. He lays it out in a very logical and Biblical way that it seems easy (even if it does take time and patience and a lot of prayer)." It is nonfiction, so I won't rate the characters etc.

7 An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess by Jenn Hatmaker. This book is extreme! Jen takes 7 months and reflects on different areas in her life that she has excess of. The first month she eats only 7 foods, for an entire month! Each month she tackles something new: purging 7 things each day from the house, eliminating media, spending money at only 7 places a month etc. Her end goal is to focus on what God desires for us, rather than the American materialism trap that we so often fall into. She has a council that do variations of each month with her and this book describes her adventure, failures and victories in this journey. Since it is non-fiction, it doesn't go with my typical rating system. It is a good book and will inspire you if you are looking to simplify your life.

Leaving Carolina: Here is goodreads.com's summary: "Piper Wick left her hometown of Pickwick, North Carolina, twelve years ago, shook the dust off her feet, ditched her drawl and her family name, and made a new life for herself as a high-powered public relations consultant in LA. She’s even “engaged to be engaged” to the picture-perfect U.S. Congressman Grant Spangler .Now all of Piper’s hard-won happiness is threatened by a reclusive uncle’s bout of conscience. In the wake of a health scare, Uncle Obadiah Pickwick has decided to change his will, leaving money to make amends for four generations’ worth of family misdeeds. But that will reveal all the Pickwicks’ secrets, including Piper’s. Though Piper arrives in Pickwick primed for battle, she is unprepared for Uncle Obe’s rugged, blue-eyed gardener. So just who is Axel Smith? Why does he think making amends is more than just making restitution? And why, oh why, can’t she stay on task? With the Lord’s help, Piper is about to discover that although good PR might smooth things over, only the truth will set her free." This is a rather lengthy summary, and does a pretty food job highlighting everything. While church and truth are involved, I wouldn't consider it Christian fiction. She struggles with truth, but not really with Truth. While intended for adults, there is nothing in it that would keep me from letting a teenager read it. Character development I would give a 2.5. While the main character is doubting herself and many things around her, the emotion isn't there, just mediocre. Plot is predictable 2.5. No gore, nothing inappropriate. I won't be reading the others in the series, as I found it lacking description and character development. 

And [insert drumroll]. . . . .I found a great program that gives you free books (both paper copies and ebooks)! Yep, this girl likes free! And better yet, it's a Christian publishing company! You do things (surveys, book reviews etc) to earn points and then "buy" books with your points: and it's free to sign up. I'm so in! I've downloaded a couple free ebooks to my Kindle and will be excited about reading and reviewing them. You can sign up for your rewards by going to the following link:
www.tyndalerewards.com/signup/?pc=4759-fmp6-73ez-a8edwww.tyndalerewards.com/signup/?pc=4759-fmp6-73ez-a8ed. 

Old, New and a Book

Ok, I have a bit of everything to discuss today, so bear with me!

The Old-I realized last week that my student at Kumon with autism has been with me a whole year! We learn through the summer, so it has legitimately been a year. Thinking back to the first month, I am amazed at how much he has grown. Our worst day today would have been a miracle if it had happened that first month. Initially it was difficult to get him to: sit down, biting or pinching me and to stop singing/carrying on conversations with himself (just to name a few). He still doesn't answer my questions (good afternoon, how are you), but he will read for me, do work, stay seated (most days) and he has learned to ask questions when he doesn't understand- BIG YEA! He is no longer my most difficult student. Yes, there are still days when he is hesitant to learn and I need to break out the singing directions (this was much less embarrassing in our little room, now that we are in a room with everyone else, I try not to resort to hurting their ears), he still has days when he talks or sings to himself (but it is much quieter and he can work while he does it), and will still throw my glasses across the room (I just wear my contacts). But amidst it all, we are learning and the behaviors have increased exponentially.

The New- One of my students (new to me this year) moved away. I was starting to see real progress in his attention span, ability to focus, and learning his letters (sounds for most are still developing). He was one of those sweeties that has such a heart for others and loves to give hugs. He will be missed, but I'm sure his new teacher will find much joy in teaching him.

A Book-I finished one more! To review: one of my goals is to read 20 books this year. I have a list, but have been having difficulty finding books on that list available at my library or through the libraries in the inter-library-loan program. The ones that are in the program are taking forever to ship (seriously, one said it was shipping for 2.5 weeks)! I would still like to read all of those, but for now am deviating from the list, in order to keep reading. I figured that in order to meet my goal, I should attempt to read 2 books a month, and if I only get one read for 2 months, I will still meet my goal. See last post for January.  I have read one for February and have a review for you.

The Returning by Ann Tatlock is an adult fiction novel. It tells the heartwarming story of a man who struggles to put his life back together after 5 years in prison. While in prison, he found Jesus, but only his 18 year old son who has Downs Syndrome understands his relationship with the LORD. He returns to a wife whom he struggles to love, his 18 year old son, his 16 year old daughter and his 6 year old daughter (whom was an infant when he left). This book deals with many adult topics including, struggling with faith, voodoo, drinking, divorce, drugs, and adult relationships.Although there are some intense topics, they are dealt with in as realistic and gentle as they can be without dumbing them down. I'll give this one a 2 out of 5 for wholesome matters. I refrained from giving it a 1, because it stayed away from details which could have made it far less wholesome. The character development was superb! I laughed, cried and was completely wrapped up in the emotions of the characters: 5 points. The plot twisted and turned and left you guessing: 5. No gore, despite the amount of intense topics covered: 5. Overall, a fantastic book for adults to read (maybe upper teens, I suppose it would depend on the person).

16/20 completed. 0/20 on the list so far (give me some slack, I'm reading 2 on the list right now, they just aren't finished enough, so they don't go in the count til I finish them). That about sums it up: old, new and a book!

Ok, I realize it's been months since I wrote, so here's the low-down. I'm still working at Kumon, still teaching the tiny ones, the cute ones, the ones that get so excited about learning, yet forget to cover their mouth when they cough (I've been less sick this year, I think I'm building up an immunity). I'm no longer working with the high schoolers with special needs. In August I was offered a job as an aide for K-4th grade in a small school
(one teacher per grade), this also came with some teaching when teachers were out. As I'm much more geared toward the little ones, I took this and love it! I'm planning and teaching guided reading, administering RtI interventions, doing informal interventions and helping out in classes in general. The staff is full of wonderful teachers, the school is full of technology and I was welcomed with kindness, it is great!

Ok, on to what I really wanted to write about: Reading.

If you've been reading this blog for very long, you know I love it and that I don't spend enough time doing it and that that makes me sad. So one of my goals for 2013 is to read 20 books in the year. I figured if I aim for 2 a month and miss a couple, I will still hit my mark.

Since I have a 45 minute drive to work each day (and consequently from it), I have started listening to audio books. They are wonderful and I can inter-library loan ones our humble library doesn't own. At first I was really disappointed. Our library's selection is decent- sized but I kept checking out books that looked wholesome from the cover and the synopsis on the back, but were far from it. I took 3 books back before I decided to stick to Christian books, children's books, ones that had been recommended by someone I trust or by Christian bloggers (I follow quite a few). So I started a book list. If you are interested, it can be found on my pintrest page here. What do I love to read? Wholesome fiction. So I decided to branch out, read some non fiction, some classics as well as fiction. 

Well, almost one month in here is my progress: I haven't read any of the books on the list. Now, before you lecture me about broken resolutions, let me tell you this: I have finished 3 books. 

Blessed by Cynthia Leitich Smith- Shortly after developing my list I realized there weren't any fantasy books on it. I thought, "Oh, well, I'll do that next year" then I was given this book as a gift. It's a vampire book. My first thought was, yikes! Now, I didn't read Twilight, but I watched the movie and wasn't thrilled. But I decided since this was gifted to me and I didn't have any fantasy, that I would give it a shot. Wholesome factor (on a scale of 1-5, with 5 being family friendly), I'd give it a 2. There was minimal swearing and no inappropriate moments. However, this is a vampire book, so there were bites, deaths and vengeance. My first thought was that the author wasn't very descriptive and that her writing was subliminal because of it. On second thought, I'm not sure that I would want some of the things in the book described in great detail, as it would have been much more gory. Gore rating sits at a 3. In the end, the plot was there and the characters somewhat developed. Plot development and character development rate in at 2. The main character was obviously the most developed character, yet I didn't connect with her as I do in most books. There was something missing and I think it might have to do with the lack of adjectives and adverbs. If you love vampire books (I'm not sure how many have been written), you may enjoy this. I enjoyed it, but was well aware of the elements it lacked.

Weasel by Cynthia DeFelice- This book takes place in 1839 in a pioneer setting. I love books on the pioneer life. I'm not sure why, but there is something about them that makes me feel blessed by what I have. Although this is a children's novel, you should be aware that it displays the hardships of pioneer life in a very real way. There is death, but the dead are honored in such a way that dulls the vividness of the situation. Wholesome: 3.5; there may have been a swear word or two, I don't remember entirely. I'd say ages 10 and up could read it, although I would encourage parents to read and discuss it with the children, as there are some dark moments. The reading level is 5th grade, so it was intended to be for 11-12 year olds and up. Plot: 5 Excellent plot. It was sequential with some twists and turns that are unexpected, definitely not boring. Character development: 5. It gets a 5 if it makes me cry; because I only cry when I am really in tune with the characters. Gore rating: 3, due to some of the raw nature of portions of the book and the descriptions (although very well written). This gal got an A+ on descriptions. Now I'm one of those people who is bored by a half of a page describing the house, yet want something to "build the movie" in my mind. She gave the perfect amount of description without overdoing it. 

 Being Nikki by Meg Cabot- As I was looking this up, I just realized this is book 2, this will change what I was going to write a little. This book is borderline sci-fi, as Em's brain gets transplanted into supermodel Nikki's body. Wholesome rating: 2. There was some swearing, underage drinking and partying, talk of drugs and anorexia. At a reading level of fifth grade, third month (October), I'm not sure I would let my fifth grader read it, too much crazy stuff. Gore level: 5, there is nothing gory about this book. The plot is ok, it could have thrown a few more surprises at me; I'll give it a 3, as it was about average. Character development was one of the areas I was going to criticize, but seeing as I didn't read the first novel, maybe some of it happened there. This book standing alone: I would have liked to get to know the "real Nikki" better and had more insight into Christopher. Character development (this book standing alone): 3. One thing that did annoy me throughout this book was that the author. . . . I don't know how to describe it, so I'll just give an example (not from the book, but something like what the author did). 'She threw the towel into the room out of frustration, finished brushing her teeth and called her mother while soaking her feet in the tub. When she was finished, she went to the other room to retrieve the towel, as she had thrown it there earlier.' Maybe it is just me, but if you already told me about her throwing the towel, you don't need to reiterate the point, I got it. She did this about once per chapter, and by the end it became annoying to me. This may not bother you, but it did me. Since I talked about the level of description in both of the other reviews, I will here as well. It was fine, not too much, not too little, but not outstanding either. 

On the list to start, as I picked them up at the library today (books on my actual list!): 7 An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess by Jen Hatmaker (isn't the title interesting?!), Leaving Carolina by Tamara Leigh (fiction). I also picked up an audiobook (that wasn't on the list), as my audiobooks I placed on hold aren't in yet. But it is in the car, so I don't know the title, right off the top of my head. 

 So, I am happy with my accomplishments so far, and hope next month I will have at least two more reviews! 

Hello, blogland! I'm back.

I had hinted that big changes were coming at Kumon. Come to think of it, I probably should have take pictures; but I didn't, oh well!
Before the changes I had my own little room with a kidney table, a shelf behind me. I had four students per class, 7 classes per night (each class being a half hour). My kids came in, did their worksheets (typically 5 pages of reading and writing or math) with my assistance. Afterwards they did flashcards to check their learning. The flashcards consisted of letter sounds (lowest levels) and blends for the higher levels, numbers for math. Then the lower levels had a matching game with uppercase and lower case letters. There were charts with the sounds and pictures for me to us more has a practice with the students and hone in on the letters/sounds that are difficult.  There were tracing packets for students who needed additional help learning to write numbers and letters.

After the changes. The room is set up like a large, classic classroom. Rather than desks everyone has tables (two students to a table) with chairs. Everyone faces one direction. My students (the littlest ones) are in the back, where everything can distract them. There are about 50 people in the room at any given time. The older kids not only do their work, but move to a different area of the room for grading and then back to their tables for correction. There is lots of room for distraction! Even though I only have 2 students and 6 classes, I find they are way more distracted with the changed environment. Procedures have changed as well. They have taken these changes much better than I thought they would! We introduced some with the changing of the room (2 weeks ago), some yesterday and we still have a couple more to get to. I feel this gradual process is working well, the students don't seem too overwhelmed. Some still ask why but others are like, is this a part of Kumon changing? I've also been impressed at the way their noise levels have dropped considerably. With the exception of a few students, most understand that we have to be quiet in the big room because lots of people are learning! For the most part, these changes are going well and the students are adjusting.

There is one student who is having a really difficult time. He has autism, so routines and procedures being consistent is huge for him. He does not do well with substitutes; it has gotten to the point where we let his parents know when I will be gone and they pick up his work. The past couple of week he has been very loud (expected), not listened well (expected) and overall squirmy (expected). What I did not expect was him refusing to take a seat and running all over the center. It doesn't happen everyday, but has become much more of a regular thing, where it was not in the past. He will slip out of his seat, run to the nearest table and hide beneath it. You can imagine how distracting this is for other students (especially the ones at the table he is crouching under). Many of the staff have also been taken aback by some of the things he is now doing. Before we were in a closed off classroom, now we are on display every time something goes array. This being said, yesterday he was wonderful! Came right to his seat, did his work and only "fell" out of his chair once! I'm hoping that is a sign he is settling in and that we will go back to being that great kid who has his quirks. Either way, I will continue to be patient with him and we will work this out. But here's hoping to better behavior!

End of the Year Changes

Yes, I am officially done with school for the year. It was restful for about a day before I launched myself into another project, but more on that later. One of the students I worked with this year graduated. It was neat to see how she got "senioritus" the last couple of weeks, just the same as all the other seniors. I guess I just expected her to keep working despite the school year coming to a close~silly me :) I was unable to attend her graduation or party, since my sister also graduated on the same day almost 2 hours away. That was a bit sad, as I spent the entire school year mornings with her. Her mother hugged me (at her last IEP meeting) and cried and I held it together (strange, I know); but the tears did come as I put her on the bus for the last time.

My other student will be back next year and I will see her at summer school in July, so it wasn't as emotional, which was good. If I don't get a teaching job, I will probably be back working with her again, so I may see her after summer as well.

What I have been working on has been insane! It will be over in a couple of days, but it is phenomenal how much preparation goes into it! A student in the same department as I (I only worked with her directly in PE and group activities) was diagnosed with an additional disability which is terminal. So me and a couple other staff members have been organizing a benefit for her. We've been collecting donations for the auction for the past month and are putting the final touches on the auction baskets and preparing the food in the next couple of days. I feel like there is always something else to be done for it. Currently I am working on a poster with the names of all the business owners (cut from my cricut) who donated items. It is overwhelmingly humbling how many businesses have given items and gift certificates! Although gluing all the names on the poster board is taking awhile :) Tomorrow we go pick up food donations and start cooking! My head hurts just thinking about it all.

For those who are local, here is the information for the benefit:
Hedi Benefit
Knights of Columbus, Bloomington, IL
3pm-11pm
Food, live bands, silent auction, live auction, raffle, Mary Kay, Scentsy, Norwex and 31 Purse consultants-come join the fun!
$10 cover charge includes meal and auction number

Whew! There are changes coming at Kumon as well, more on that later :)

Update on the Language Barrier

First let me say she has come a long way. Her father told us she spoke very little English and didn't understand much more. She is progressing rapidly. It is truly amazing how the human mind works and how quickly children absorb information and can learn new things! I don't think I would be able to make such progress in such a short amount of time!

A side note, the two others in her class speak only English (no translators). Funny, as most of my students are bilingual and some are trilingual-it will be quite the advantage when they are grown!

My second class with her I discovered she knew the words yes and no. Oh the possibilities that opened up! I gained much insight into what she was able to understand. I also learned to phrase things in multiple ways. If I say it one way and it gets a blank stare, I say it a different way. I am by nature flexible and will do anything to help a child learn, so this isn't as difficult for me as it might be for some people. Sometimes just changing a few words does the trick and sometimes it takes 4-5 tries to get her to understand, but it is well worth it. Encouragement has been phenomenal with her. High fives, thumbs up and smiles are universal. And she loves them all :)

Today I was so proud of her!! She was able to trace her name without my help (we have been doing this hand over hand for a month with no independence gained until tonight). It looked very much like a three year old wrote it, but she is three, so this is putting her right at age level!!!

She was also able to match the entire uppercase alphabet by herself. We have a magnetic board with uppercase and lowercase letters and the students match them (uppercase to uppercase and lowercase to lowercase). This has been an ongoing process. It began with hand over hand modeling. Then it moved onto her being able to match (very slowly), one at a time, as long as I was right next to her. She would take one letter, hold it next to the a, see if it matched and move on down the alphabet. This was a long and grueling process, but it was progress. Tonight I was able to sit at my regular seat and she was able to match the whole alphabet independently by looking at the letter and finding it (not going through the entire alphabet). She got lots of smiles and high fives.

Another thing I began working with her on today was comprehension. The curriculum is worksheet based and begins by random words being read and pictures next to them. They have progressed now to the point where the pictures are more obscure. Like the words on one page today were fast, and it showed a rabbit with "speed marks", past and it showed the rabbit going past a turtle and last and it showed 4 white ducks and a yellow one, the yellow being last in the line. We talked about the pictures and I can tell she understands some. It will take a bit for her vocabulary to expand and her knowledge of the words, how the apply to the pictures and also how to apply them to different situations. She is a very quick learner, and I know this will progress as well.

Such a sweet demeanor she possesses and such a will to learn. She gets excited for each baby step, it never ceases to make me smile. There is something to be said about the student when she is in my last class of the night after a 12 hour day and I am thrilled to teach her (I have 8 hours at my first job then I go to Kumon). She brings such a joy to the classroom, I am truly blessed to be her teacher.

On a completely different note, I am proud of another student tonight. I began teaching him when I started at Kumon, over a year ago. He could not write his name and he could pay attention for about 15 seconds before getting distracted (which makes for a long 30 minute class). He is graduating from my class to the next classroom on Monday. Today was my last night with him. It is amazing the student he now is. He is one of my model students and will be missed greatly. He is the last of the students I started with to move up. The excitement in his eyes is definitely contagious :)

Don't Hate Me

"Don't hate me, but I need to talk to you when you get here." that was the text from my director at Kumon. I go in and he tells me I am getting 2 of the 4 new students who are all suppose to be quite a challenge. I question him further and he tells me one of the students will be starting at square 1. Ok, I thought, I can do this.

After introducing myself I asked her if she wanted to take her coat off. No response. I figured she was really shy, sometimes it takes the new ones a bit to warm up to me. Her face didn't read fear and she wasn't about to cry, so we proceeded.

From what I gathered in our 20 minute class session I'm not sure she speaks or understands much English. Mmm. . . literally square 1. We did lots of hand over hand work (including how to hold a pencil and tracing the letters in her name), peer modeling (thank goodness the boys in that class are awesome and more than happy to help out). She did repeat the words after me, although it took peer modeling to get there.

How do I teach a child that doesn't understand me?

Upon talking to a close teacher friend she noted, it really isn't much different from your students with special needs (my other job). They can't talk to me either. But I can tell by body language and facial expressions what they are feeling. I think the difficult part with this student is her face is a blank slate: no confusion, understanding or frustration, just blank.

I'm going to see if we know what language she speaks (several are common in the country she hails from). I'm sure I will butcher trying to learn some simple words, but I can try. Also I'm going to see if one of the other students in the class can talk to her in her native language, as he comes from the same country. The tricky part with that is for him not to revert entirely back to that language, but use it as an avenue to tell her basic things she does not understand and to continue on with his learning without this holding him back. . . so many ideas to ponder. . . so many things to consider before executing any one plan.

I wish I had more time with them, an hour a week isn't very much (2 half hour classes). I certainly hope she is getting immersed in the English language somewhere else besides just one hour a week; I fear that isn't enough and she will struggle to learn quickly. But then again, she is young and more easily able to learn complex things like languages. Perhaps I am turning scenarios over in my head and making this a much bigger deal than it is.

Sonic for the win!

I posted awhile ago about Sonic's Limeades for Learning Program. I hope you found a minute each day to vote to help fund things for public school classrooms to help the students learn in creative and innovative ways. I know I voted! Here is one of the projects that Sonic funded (although they were able to fund many of them!!) I like this one because it appeals to me both as a teacher and as a scrapbooker :)

It Is Time to "Cut It Out Now"

Mrs. Deon

"Home is where one starts from." --T.S. Eliot. 7 hours a day; 5 days a week. We spend so many hours in our classroom becoming a family and a team. Help us make our classroom the most welcoming, bright, and organized classroom around!

I teach at a rural elementary school in Southwestern Louisiana. Our location is within 15 miles of a major U.S. Army Base; therefore many of my students are military children. There is no doubt that the classroom make-up is diverse in cultures. Some students have never seen a large city; others have lived overseas! Our school is classified as a Title I school, with the majority of students receiving free/reduced lunch. Many families live in poverty. My students are eager to voice opinions and take active roles in their education. We operate as a team and family. They believe in themselves and they need you to believe in them, too!

From enhancing classroom bulletin boards to creating personalized student journals, this product will improve our classroom for years! We look forward to using this machine in our Language Arts lessons. We like to do many hands-on lessons and projects related to our novel studies and this will take our projects up a notch, for sure! In addition to enhancing our lessons, this product will help make our classroom more appealing and organized. Our teacher will be able to make labels and nametags galore!

This Cricut machine will allow us to add dimension and creativity to our everyday learning. When one reflects upon what made his/her educational career exciting and memorable, it is the special touches teachers were able to add into the curriculum, not the tests and textbooks. Please help make our school year more memorable and imaginative, turning our classroom into a "home away from home."*

Isn't that wonderful?!!! I just wanted to take a minute to share, so thanks for hearing me out :)
You can find all of the projects Sonic funded on www.limeadesforlearning.com

*copied from limeadesforlearning.com

Oh So Much!

I have learned oh so much since taking this new job! I am a paraprofessional at a local high school and work in the rooms with students who have profound cognitive and physical disabilities.

In the morning I have a student who is only a few years younger than I! It is her senior year, but you can continue in the special education program until age 21. While working with her the past month I have learned to push a wheelchair, maneuvering it in and out of doors (both those that stay open and those that don't), learned how to read facial expressions, what areas of physical therapy I can help out with, how to put on a swimsuit without taking off all of the clothing, how to record a switch and how to create "swichable" power-points and learning activities.

In the afternoon I am with a student who is able to walk, but suffers from massive mood swings, among other things. Every day we go out in the community, as one of her goals is assimilation. I have learned to hold my to5nge when others don't understand, to calm her agitations before they become tantrums, to read her facial and body features (she is also nonverbal), and to direct her while giving her the opportunity to make decisions on her own. We also use the switch for her to communicate with others, but I don't often have to use it when it is just her and I (because I am picking up on her various ways of communicating with me).

I wasn't sure I would enjoy this job, but I do. Both of my girls are delightful and challenging. No two days are the same. Even though we are working on the same goals each day, I try to mix it up with different activities and trying to make it fun for them. I really enjoy working with the girls and am looking forward to my continual journey of growth and learning :)

Limeades for Learning

The fast food restaurant SONIC is helping teachers make their dream projects come true! Teachers submit what they need for their classrooms, everyone votes once a day and the ones with the most votes are given funding for their projects~how cool is that! Link a project, vote for teachers and give them the chance to enrich students' lives!!!

Here is the link!

News

I've been reading like crazy lately, but more on that later.

I got a job today! An aide position at a high school in a special education classroom! Full time w/ benefits! Details on things later. Teacher in service this afternoon and tomorrow, school starts Thursday, so everything is happening pretty quickly!

Waiting and Praying

I thought for sure that this was the year I would get a teaching job and have my own classroom in a bigger sense than at Kumon. I've been praying all year and even more fervently all summer. I had 11 interviews for 8 jobs and used an entire box (100 sheets) of resume paper mailing out resumes, letters of recommendation, transcripts etc. I have met many great principals who, as lovingly as they could, told me they have chosen a different candidate. I know for one position I was up against 150 others who also desire to have their own classroom. I think the minimum was 12 for one job. The odds are not favorable. I love children and I love God and I know He has plans for my life. He has given me these talents to use, now I'm just waiting and praying that He allows me to use them in a bigger setting. I long to show children a joy for learning, to show them love and see them succeed.

Attention, all teachers and parents!

It is no secret that starting school in the fall costs money. There are clothes to buy, shoes, pens, pencils, folders, paper and all of the other things that are on the back to school lists. Today I found a great deal and want to share it with you. I went to Office Max.

Office Max is great if you are a teacher because they offer a rewards program that rocks! You register for a Max Perks card and swipe it when you shop (not a credit card, it just keeps a tally of purchases). Working at Kumon counts as a teacher (I think even aides could get benefits because they just require a pay stub for proof). For every $75 you spend (in 3 months time) they will give you a gift certificate for $10. But they also have an ink cartridge recycling program (which is how I get most of my rewards). For every empty ink cartridge you bring in, they give you $3 in gift certificates :) Now you do have to wait until the end of the quarter (3 months) to print the certificate and it does have an expiration, but I'll take a few stipulations if they want to give me free money! Ok, now on to my savings! I got everything below for FREE! Ok, so some of the discount was from Max Perks, so if you don't have any perks built up, you will pay some for this, but I combined coupons and store deals and even without the Perks, it is a great deal, let me show you!

1. I printed these coupons (note, coupons expire 7/30):
which made the Office Max filler paper $.20 each (originally $1.79)
and the SCHOOLIO notebooks $.20 each (originally $.99)
2. The filler paper is currently on the Buy one get one free sale, so 3 of them were free!
So without Perks, the 6 packages of filler paper and 6 notebooks would be $1.80
3. Since I had 3.00 in Perks (just recycled one ink cartridge), I picked up the dry erase board as well for $.99 and the total came out exactly to $3.00 (after tax)-so it was free :)
Disclaimer- I did not take the time to figure out the tax and make it perfect, I knew I was about $1 short, and chose the white board accordingly-it just happened to be spot-on :)

So, do you have an Office Max nearby? Cash in on these great savings!!!

Educational Literature

I recently was given a recommendation to read a book on education. I was mildly surprised that I had not heard of it earlier. I know there are many books written on education, and I do not claim to be familiar with all of them, but I have read many and am familiar with titles of others that exist, even though I have not yet read them. Motivated by my curiosity, I went to the local library's website to see if they had it-negative. Since our library has the amazing resource of being able to borrow books from other libraries, I looked at Bloomington library (which is larger than Normal's) and Illinois State University's (which is larger still, and primarily a teaching school)-negative. The closest place that had a copy of the book was an hour away! So I put in for the hold.

Since then I have received the book, The Schools We Need & Why we Don't Have Them by E.D. Hirsch Jr. and have been reading it. When I ordered the book I was aware it held ideas about education that are not taught in public universities, yet I am still surprised that ISU did not have a single copy of it in six floors, with one exclusively designated for education majors. Our professors taught us to challenge what they say and analyses it, yet this book that contrasts the beliefs is nowhere to be found in the library... interesting.

Now that I have begun reading it I am highly interested in what it has to say. The author backs his opinions by multiple research experiments and observations of children and the education system over time. Hirsch Jr rallies for a core curriculum, something I had not heard of in my four years as a student of elementary education. For those who are unaware of what a core curriculum is, it is a curriculum that is consistent and specific. For example: All fourth graders will be able to identify all 50 states within the United States of America, their capitols as well as major landforms including mountains, rivers that span half of a state or more, etc. A core curriculum is very specific so that all the fourth grade students in the school would be entering fifth grade with the same knowledge. By having a core curriculum, this does away with the information gaps between grade levels (and schools if a core curriculum was administered nation-wide).

I am able to see the value having a core curriculum would hold for a school, district and honestly it would be valuable to be implemented nation-wide. Although a nation-wide mandate would be met with much adversary by many teachers, administrators, parents and citizens. It is completely understandable why. As a teacher who has her diploma and state certificate, I was not educated about this until I took it upon myself to do so. How many other teachers have not seen the studies on this? How many administrators are aware of this. What happens when new information is found in science? Who is going to take the time to construct such rigid guidelines for teachers? There are so many questions to be answered before this can fully be put into place.

I'm sure I will post other thoughts spurred from this book, but I want to first leave you with some questions. I am answering them in the way I believe is true, but I challenge you to think about them for yourself.

I believe there are private schools that have realized this value within the United States and are striving for this. Will it ever happen in the United States of America's public education system? I can't answer that. Do I feel it would be beneficial? Yes. Will it take away teachers' creative license within their classroom? Some, but I feel that a creative teacher is still able to teach within the designated curriculum in creative and unique ways. Will it benefit the students as learners? Yes. Will it allow them to learn more within a given school year? I believe so.