Makeover Madness: TPT Seller Challenge Week 1

I am joining in for the TPT Seller Challenge.  Our challenge if we choose to accept it:

I am new to TPT and am still working on finding my niche in the TPT word so I chose to makeover a couple of my covers.  I also forgot to save two of my old covers to show you the difference...so sorry!!  These products are all on sale this week :)

On this first one, I kept the cover clipart and background, but made everything a little larger and easier to read.  I also changed the title to make its purpose a little clearer: 

You can find this product in my store {here}

I love using the following product for reading comprehension with my class.  It has really helped my students dig deeper into text and has been great for my ELL students.

You can find this product in my store {here}

So, I am in love with these new papers from The Creative Chalkboard... I had to find a way to use them ;) 

You can find this product in my store {here}

I love seeing how everyone has made over there products.  So fun!!

Teaching with Intention: Chapter 2

I am excited to link up again with Greg from The Kindergarten Smorgasbord for the Teaching with Intention book study.  The hosts from Chapter 2 are:

Melissa from Mrs. Dailey's Classroom

Latoya from Flying into First Grade

and Amanda from The Primary Gal

This chapter asked us to define our beliefs as teachers and align that with our own practices. Debbie shares her own beliefs with us and remind us that we have to start with the end in mind. I loved this quote from the beginning of the chapter:

"When teachers have a set of beliefs that guides our work, we know where we are going. There may be twists and turns along the way, but we always know where we are headed." 

We have to think specifically about what we want to see our children doing by the end of the year (or even the end of each unit or lesson) and use that to guide our lesson planning.  I also kept thinking how important that is when we are working in small groups or conferencing.  We keep our guided principles in mind as we scaffold our children in their zone of proximal development.  As Debbie points out, we are the only ones who know "where our kids have been, where they are now, and where it makes the most sense to take them next." 

When I picture my ideal classroom I see:

• A warm and positive atmosphere
• A classroom where students know how to both work together and independently
• A lot of classroom conversation.  I want my students to have a space where they can talk about themselves and their lives as well as have lively conversations about learning.  
• Students using books to help them learn
• Large and small group instruction as well as workshop time 
• Hands on learning that is purposeful and project based
• F-U-N!!!

Debbie poses some questions for us at the end of this chapter that really helped me define my own beliefs. Sometimes I find that it can be difficult to put beliefs into words and make sure your practice matches your beliefs.  I can see the end game, but how exactly do I get there? What are all of the little steps along the way?  These questions really helped me and I hope they help you.  Below are my thoughts... please add your ideas :)

Question 1:  How do you go about teaching kids something new?

• Start with their schema: what do the kids already know?
• What questions do the kids have about a given topic?  Can I guide them to asking more in-depth questions?  
• Identify key vocabulary and concepts I want my student to learn.
• Research with books, magazines, and articles
• Pair learning from a book with something active.  We can do a science project, observe something, find a real life connection, watch a video to see what we are learning about in action, take a field trip (or a virtual field trip), or do a project.  

Question 2: What principles guide you?

• All Students can learn
• All Students can succeed

Question 3: How do you know if kids are getting it?

• Besides assessment, one of the best ways to know if your students are "getting it" is to observe to see if they are asking and answering questions about a topic.  Can they do this independently without much teacher guidance or support? Are they using target vocabulary? Are they having academic conversations with each other?

Question 4: What do you do when they don't?

• I try to figure out why they don't get it.  I usually look at my teaching first.  Do I need to re-evaluate how I am teaching this topic?  Do I need to re-teach the topic or vocabulary?  Do I need to re-teach in a different way? 
• I talk about this in a past post {Here}

See you next week for Chapter 3,

Teaching with Intention: Chapter 1

I am so excited to be a part of this book study.  I L-O-V-E Debbie Miller's books and am really looking forward to sharing ideas with other teacher bloggers!

When I read this chapter, I spent a lot of time thinking about my ideal classroom.  This is always a work in progress.  I moved to my current classroom two years ago and I make my own curriculum.  This is both a blessing and a curse.  After two years, I feel like I have a strong curriculum in place and am ready to focus my attention on my ideal classroom.

My ideal classroom is bright, happy, inviting, hands on, and full of strong academic conversation.  I love being in a well organized and colorful classroom.  I also want my students to be able to use their surrounding such as word walls, anchor charts, books to help them learn.  As a teacher, I want to provide lots of hands on activities to help foster curiosity through guided exploration.  I want my students to leave kindergarten with the seeds to grow into lifelong learners.  

Students: Working both independently and collaboratively. Curiosity drives learning. Students feel comfortable to try their best, make mistakes, and learn from each other.

Teacher: The teacher is facilitating discussion, working with students one on one or in a small group, and providing lots of hands on learning opportunities.

I have most of the materials I need to run my ideal classroom such as a teaching easel, a Smart Board, books for guided reading, and a math curriculum.  I recently moved my word wall to a magnetic whiteboard so it could be interactive.  We also have access to a small outdoor space right outside my room and a kitchen.

As I read this chapter, I thought..."my ideal classroom won't make itself."  I needed a change.  So, I redecorated and moved furniture around so that the space is more open and collaborative.  I think I might even try the no desk movement...EEKK!!! I am excited but scared at the same time.

My classroom library!  This is one of my big goals for the summer. I have boxes and boxes (and boxes and boxes) of books. My students always love to help me change the books each month. Reading this chapter and thinking about my ideal classroom made me realize the importance of a classroom library that can house all of my books at the same time.

I am excited to see what chapter 2 has in store for everyone!

See you next week,

#2getherwearebetter: Home Office Space

This month I am linking up with Schroeder Shenanigans in 2nd and Lucky Little Learners for this months #2getherwearebetter Linky Party! 

This month we are coming together to talk about home office space.  When I am working, I always start at the kitchen table.  My animals (we have 4!!) are usually hanging out with me.  Our Goldendoodle Daisy and I are often playing fetch with the toy she is holding in her mouth.  

When I get tired, I end up on the couch! Our couches aren't the most stylish, but they are comfortable and recline at the push of a button. I have a 2 year old boy so there are trucks and trains everywhere!

This is our home office. One of these days I am going to go in there and hook up my computer to the monitor. Maybe between the French Open and Wimbledon...

My husband was born and raised in Lexington, KY and the picture below is from his boyhood bedroom. We didn't realize this until our cat Kevin grew to his full size, but he is pretty much a replica of this picture.  

Kevin's backstory: My students come from all over central Indiana. Five years ago, I had a student who lived on a farm in Colfax. I asked her family, "If I give you two pumpkins, will you put them out in the field and we can pretend it is a pumpkin patch?" They graciously agreed and we had a fabulous field trip. The tractor pulled us to the "pumpkin patch", we got to sit in a combine, and they bought all of the students little pumpkins to decorate. (It was an amazing field trip!!) Being on a farm, they had a lot of cats. One of which was named Fluffy. He was one of the friendliest cats I had every met and he was so sweet with the children. Well, Fluffy had kittens with another farm cat and they were born on my husbands birthday. The family picked out a cat for me and six weeks later we took Kevin home. He was 3 lbs when we took him home and had huge paws...he weighs 22 lbs now. Kevin was named after the bird in the movie Up. We already had a dog and cat at home...Snickers and Oreo. (In the movie) Kevin likes chocolate... and his name just stuck. He is usually at my feet under the kitchen table or hanging out on top of the cabinets in the kitchen. Today he was sleeping upstairs in the loft.  

Where do you work at home?

#2getherwearebetter

Liebster Award!!

I am honored to be nominated for the Liebster Award by Kindergarten Planet!  I am so excited that she thought my blog was worthy of this award.  If you are unfamiliar with this award, it is an award given to new bloggers with a growing audience to help welcome them to the wonderful world of blogging.  Blogging, and especially teacher blogging, is comprised of a fabulous and positive community of educators who are looking to connect with each other and share ideas and stories from the classroom.  

1. Why did you start blogging and how long have you been blogging?  I work with a talented team of teachers at my school.  However, we are a small school and I am the only kindergarten teacher.  From reading others blogs and attending conferences, I realized how much I would love to work with a team of kindergarten teachers so that we could share ideas and plan together.  I started my blog in January of this year so that I could begin to connect with other kindergarten teachers as well as reflect on my own teaching. 
2. What one word sums up the heart of your blog?  Coffee :)  Just kidding!  I have a two year old at home and I teach kindergarten.  That makes for a very busy day.  As of right now, I think the best word to sum up the heart of my blog is reflection.  I love reflecting on my own teaching as well as reading other blogs and seeing what everyone has been doing in their classrooms.  This helps me figure out our next steps for teaching and learning in my classroom.  
3. How many hours a week do you dedicate to your blog/TpT/social media? Good question!  Since I stared blogging, I am amazed at how many new ideas I have had for the classroom.  I try to take the time to blog/TpT/social media when I am at home, my son is sleeping, and (to be completely honest) have the energy.  This varies each week.  I am excited for summer break! 
4. Where does your blog inspiration come from?  My blog inspiration comes from my students/classroom.  This is usually what happens: I write my lesson plans, go to use them in the classroom, end up with a better idea during the middle of my lesson and change them, and then a blog idea is born.  
5. What category of blog posts do you like to read best?  I love to read about the way other teachers run their classroom and implement curriculum.  This inspires me to try new techniques or strategies in my own classroom.  
6. What is your favorite aspect of blogging?  I love connecting with others.  Teacher bloggers are some of the nicest and most encouraging people in the world.  
7. What idea from a blog would you like to try yourself?  This bubble/matter experiment from A Day in First Grade looks like so much fun!  I have to try it next year.  
8. Salty or sweet?  I have a sweet tooth!  I love chocolate, ice cream, and any kind of fruity dessert. 
9. Are you a morning person or a night owl?  I am a night owl.  My parents used to say I got my second wind around 9 PM.  I have always wished I was a morning person. I think I would get so much more done that way!
10. If you weren't a teacher, what career would you choose?  I would love to be a children's book author. 
11. What is your favorite grade to teach?  This is the end of my tenth year teaching.  If I include my experiences teaching when I was in college, I have taught everything from pre-k to 6th grade and have enjoyed each experience.  However, kindergarten is my favorite.  I love teaching kids to read and building foundational skills to be life long readers and learners.  

Here are my nominees for the Liebster Award (in no particular order):

*Tamsyn from Miss Fegan's Magnificent Munchkins
*Diane from Spreading Joy One Giggle at a Time
*Kathryn from Kathryn Loves Teaching
*Megan from Smiles in Style
*Devon from Real Life Adventures of a Very Unlikely Teacher

I would love for these bloggers to answer the following questions:

1. Why did you start blogging and how long have you been blogging?
2. What one word sums up the heart of your blog?
3. How many hours a week do you dedicate to your blog/TpT/social media?
4. Where does your blog inspiration come from?
5. What category of blog posts do you like to read best?
6. What is your favorite aspect of blogging?
7. What idea from a blog would you like to try yourself?
8. What do you like to do when you are not blogging or teaching?
9. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
10. If you weren't a teacher, what career would you choose?
11. What is your favorite grade to teach?

Here are the Liebster Award rules:

• Link back to the blog that nominated you (me!)
• Answer the 11 questions posted by the nominator 
• Nominate 5-11 blogs (with less than 200 followers) and link to them in your post
• Contact the nominees and let them know they have been nominate

Thank you again to Kindergarten Planet for nominating me!  I feel so privileged to be nominated for this award!  

Have a great weekend!

Five For Friday: May 15th

I am cheating a little here because I took this picture a week ago.  I asked my students what they thought would happen when we put popcorn kernels (inside a baggie with a wet paper towel) in the sun.  Once one of my kids said that we were going to make popcorn, we all thought we were making popcorn.  It was quite the surprise when the kernel sprouted.

We had the coolest opportunity this year for our zoo field trip.  We have a volunteer, who is a zookeeper, and she took us on a private tour of the zoo.  It was awesome!  We fed the giraffes, fed exotic birds, and were able to "go behind the scenes" to see where the warthogs and African porcupines sleep at night.  Our zoo has Koalas on loan and they were coming in that night on Southwest.  Seriously, Koalas travel on airplanes with people.  How cool is that?

We had a fun picnic lunch after we toured the zoo and found a caterpillar.  They thought he or she had escaped from the butterfly garden next to our picnic spot.  The kids were fascinated by the caterpillar.  We found a stick, scooped him up, and put him in a tree to be safe so he could make his chrysalis.

It's been a busy week in our little classroom.  We let our babies go.  It was a windy day so we had to coax our butterflies to fly free.    

Our calendar books for this month.  This has been tough, but with repeated practice I think we are getting the hang of it!

This week I finished reading The Energy Bus.  The book focuses on how being positive and sharing your positive energy can bring out the best in your life, your team (at work), your classroom, etc.  Ok, well it doesn't say the classroom specifically, but the possibilities for the classroom are endless.  I am excited to try out some of my ideas (I'll keep you posted on how it goes)!  It is a quick read and totally worth it.

Happy Friday!

Currently: May

Listening: To the Penguins of Madagascar movie.  In full disclosure, I started this post much earlier today, but it was a beautiful day so my little conductor and I played outside.  I am just now getting back to blogging.  Ah, life with a 2 year old!

Loving: My husband has been in California visiting family since Wednesday and he comes home on the red eye tonight.  We met on our first day of college in our first class and then started dating that summer.  It has been 14 years (wow, where does the time go?) and I still miss him every time he is away.  

This is an old picture but I love it :) `

Thinking: I can't believe my baby will be two on Monday.  He was born on Derby day so today holds a special day in my heart.  We are having a "Little Blue Truck" birthday party with family tomorrow.

Wanting: A vacation... it has been way too long.  

Needing: I need a new show to watch.  I recently started watching "Once Upon a Time" and binge watched it.  Now that I am all caught up, I need something new.  I love Fairy Tales and I really enjoyed seeing them reimagined in this show.  I got spoiled watching Netflix.  One time a week just isn't enough.  

Summer:

Yes: We are going to Disney World over the 4th of July and then on a 5 day Disney cruise.  I am so excited.  I can't wait to see Josh meet the characters now that he knows who they are :)

Hope: I hope for a lot of family time.  There is nothing like experiencing the world through the eyes of a child.  I can't wait to spend some good quality time playing outside with Josh, William, and our two dogs. 

Dream: I would love to go to Vegas this summer and meet up with other teacher bloggers and sellers. I started this blog as a way to meet other kindergarten teachers.  I went to the SDE Indiana Kindergarten Conference this past November and loved it.  I met some great teachers and the amazing Deedee Wills from Mrs. Wills Kindergarten.  I learned so much.  I can't wait to go to Vegas someday.