As this post goes live, I know that many of you are still heading towards the "end of the school year" finish line. Me? Well, I am still in my pjs, sipping on coffee, and feeling very happy that this Sunday will not be spent grading papers and writing lessons plans. This year was AWESOME but really, really exhausting so I am so excited that summer vacation is here. But, my rest and relaxation is going to be squeezed in between other things because I am neck deep in my graduate school portfolio, reading and studying our new writing program, and prepping for a tech session that I am presenting at this summer-just to name a few things. Kind of goes to prove that educators are never "done". But, we knew that, right? I wanted to recap just a couple of things that occurred in Ms. Young's Learning Cottage over the last few days of school. I LOVE this cute little Ikea chalkboard. We have used it a lot this year. The students had their pictures taken beside the chalkboard at the beginning ...
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Student Teacher Gift
Last summer, I was told that I would be hosting a student teacher for the 2013-2014 school year. Her placement would be for the entire year, and she would be starting on the first day of school. A zillion questions went throughout my head immediately. Would I have enough to share with her? Would I, a beginner teacher myself, be able to provide her with the tools she needs to succeed in this field? What would she think of me when she experienced the good, the bad, and the crazy parts of a school day/year? Today, my kiddos and I said goodbye to our student teacher, and I found myself thinking back on these first thoughts. Did I share enough? I sure hope so. Sharing is so important so share, share, SHARE!! Teachers-provide as many collaboration opportunities as possible with your student teachers. Share your knowledge. Share your KIDS. Share the work load. They need the resources, the insight, and the experience. Share the good...yes! But, share the crazy and the ...
Wordless Wednesday-Unique End of the Year Countdown Ideas
I have five days left. FIVE. Like *smack me because 1) The kiddos are going cray cray and 2) I am NOT ready to say goodbye just yet. I know we say this with every group, but this year has been special. Since there is just no way that my little brain can throw together a real post at the moment, I thought I would jump in on Wordless Wednesday with Miss DeCarbo from Sugar and Spice. I try my best to find "unique" activities for our end of the school year balloon countdown. Thanks to IG, I saw this idea over at Owl Ready to Teach and knew it would be perfect. The kiddos turned off all the lights, found a fun spot to read, and used their glow sticks. The best part? They read for 45 minutes before friends started to get off task. I told them it was time to move on, and they groaned. Do you have a unique end of school year activity? ...
