Summer PD

Today was the first of many professional development days I have planned for myself this summer.  I went to "Designing Literacy-Rich Classrooms That Support the Common Core" with Dr. Kimberly Tyson.  It was my first video conference style PD.  She gave us her definition of Literacy-Rich Learning Classroom:  "A literacy-rich classroom is one where students are surrounded by a print-rich environment and have multiple opportunities to engage with authentic texts for a variety of purposes throughout the day.  From the atmosphere and decor of the room to interactions with peers and teachers, every element of a literacy-rich classroom is designed to motivate students to explore the elements of literacy."

I took some notes and want to put my thoughts down to help myself better myself and to improve on myself and my teaching.

Top 10 Characteristics of a Literacy-Rich Environment;

#1 my classroom needs an area to read and write that is comfy for 4-6 students that provides browsing, reading, writing. 

I have both a reading area and a writing area in my classroom but my writing area is only set up for two students to work at.  But I feel I can improve on this by providing writing materials in all centers throughout the room.  Same as reading materials.

#2 Using Anchor charts:  I have uses some anchor charts in my classroom but Tyson gave 3 questions to ask myself about them....1. "Was it developed with students?" 2.
Was it posted to be accessible to students?" 3. Is it a record of student thinking?"

If I keep these three questions in mind will help get better use out of my anchor charts.  Also the question of how to store these charts for students to have access to was brought up and one idea I liked was taking a picture of your anchor charts, print them off on 8 x 10 paper and place in a clear shelve and then place them in 3 ring binders (for ex have a math anchor chart book, etc etc)

#3 Content posters can visual clutter if not referenced too. 

I don't use many of these. So many I need to look at this more.

#4 Displaying student work  should be representational of students showing progress not just the perfect ones.

I display all student work. My organizational charts have moved to being used on the Promethean board freeing up clutter and space and not distracting students.  Trying to remember simple is better on bulletin boards.  She mentioned explaining work in the hall way for parents and others to understand what they see and why the students are doing the work that was asked of them.  I do this.  I connect what we read to the activity for others to know why we did it and also using the standards we are covering as well.

There were several great ideas I loved to do in our school hallways. (Promoting Literacy in the hallways) 1.  Placing clips on the lockers to display that students work.!!!!!!Love this idea.  2. Posting student work or projects in the library for all others to see.  3. Having a voc bulletin board that is interactive with the students. And 4. A Graffiti Wall.  There are 3 white boards that the principal or other person posses questions for the students to respond to.  This changes about every week. I really love this idea.

#5 Student Engagement allows time for students to talk, verbalize information.  If they know the information they can talk about information.

#6 Word Walls ...can be alphabetical, using kid's names, words with pictures.  Making it easliy readable, students can help make.

The ideas I like on this I might try or older grades can do is color codes words like blue for all nouns, red for all verbs etc etc of color code by subjects.  I also liked  having a student generated word wall with a word vine and this would go great with my garden theme in my classroom.  Students add words to the word vine they learn.  I need to remember to use Spanish and English on the same word card.

#7 Labeling the classroom....create with students and connect speaking, listening, writing etc.  

We should label items throughout the school to spread learning beyond the rooms.

#8 Apps. online tools that support student learning.....using digital media  she gave a few sights to try out and also mentioned twitter.  Using Twitter to connect or follow others in education as well as meeting once a month to join groups to talk about things.

#9 Classroom Libraries....40-50% should be fiction books, 40-60% should be nonfiction, and 5-10% should be reference books. 

I would like to add menus, maps, and magazines to the class library.

#10 Independent Reading builds fluency, increases voc, and builds background knowledge.

New Beginnings

I haven't had to chance to blog much from the last school year (12-13).  This past year had many changes and challenges.  The first change was a new principal.  When I first heard my old principal was retiring I was really scared and worried about the up coming year.  My thoughts went from "OGM" to "Will I do ok?" "Will they be early childhood friendly?" "Will I work well with them?"  My new principal was coming from high school down to elementary and that alone scared me.  Most people don't view early childhood as the foundation for a child's educational start and success. As the year went on I found out she did very much feel early childhood especially pre-k was the foundation to a child's success.  Through out the year I was challenged by her and by my students.  I had a very active group of students.  It was frustrating at times to deal with over 14 boys and 5 girls.  Yes, I said 14 boys.  I had to challenge myself to find ways to connect to them, to keep them engaged, to keep my sanity, and to keep my students safe.  I felt my new principal placed a lot of responsibilities on me from being in charge of our PBIS team to taking on my roles in my school.  This has got me thinking about my future in education.  I feel I am a great leader for both students and my peers.  This got me thinking "Can I take on the role of principal myself?" I feel I a leaning towards that one day but as of now I just can't pull myself out of the classroom but I am wanting to go back to school and finish( but basically have to start over) my masters degree.

Summer has just started and changes are happening already at my school.  Many of my friends and peers are moving on to better themselves.  We had two great teachers retire.  One from 35 years of service and the other 15 years.  I will be coming on my 13th year in teaching this fall and I hope to be as great as these two ladies and to be in teaching as long as 35 years.  We have many TFA teachers have finished up their 2 year contracts and are moving back to their home states to start another career or to continue teaching.  So as you can see we will be having spaces needing to be filled and others will be moved around for the better of our school.

Healthier more Active Students!!!

 Some of the many new items my class received this school year (12-13) free from Indian Health Services grant for healthier more active students.

 It even came with curriculum for grades pre-k to 6th.