Back at it...

Time seems to be flying. I can't believe its February already. I finished The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane read aloud with my class. The kids loved it. They had so many great comments about Edward and his journey. I was really pleased with the outcome. This week we will be discussing creative project ideas from the book. Last week I began teaching the 6+1 writing traits and was amazed at the kids enthusiasm as they completed the word choice activities.  I am hoping to teach voice this week as well as organization. I am focusing on the Harlem Renaissance and specifically poetry. This will fit into my Black History Month unit well.
In the next few weeks I will begin my math research project focusing on making meaning of multiplication.
On the home front, everyone is focused on school. Grace finished up volleyball, ( her first time playing a school sponsored sport) and recently got a part in the school play "Porridge-gate," she plays Teddy (the baby bear). I am so excited to see her perform. Teresa auditioned for Glee club and made it, so they are preparing to perform a song tomorrow for Valentines day. Lizzy continues to sing with Revolution and we are exploring running start for next year. The subject of driving lessons seems to surface more and more often, but we are stalling as long as we can. Zach is interning and will student teach next quarter in 4th grade. Tommy and I are anticipating the summer when we can relax, go camping and have some family time.

Boredom remedy discovered!

As the whining intensifies, I have discovered the remedy for snow day boredom! CHORES! Who would of guessed that the mere mention of laundry, dishes, mopping, or any variation of physical activity involved in tidying up would cause the kids to scurry into the corners of their rooms. I have also discovered mentioning homework or even reading will cause an equally "violent" reaction!
I must give props to Teresa who unloaded the dishwasher, swept the kitchen, and started a load of laundry. Somehow, I think that the prospect of watching GLEE the movie later today was the catalyst for her motivation. It's still early and I have yet to see Lizzy doing anything productive- but then again she is still recovering from her bout with stomach flu yesterday. Grace is managing to keep herself busy with making multicolored paper boxes, which actually are pretty cool. The ice is melting and falling off the power lines near my house. My poor butterfly bush has collapsed into a pile in the back yard. The birdies are now using its bowed branches as a shelter. I'm not sure if it will recover once the ice and snow melt off of it. Hoping for a little warmth so I can venture out to assess the damage!

Snow GRRRRR

So, I think snow for a day is exciting and fun. However, snow that accumulate and turns to a sheet of ice making it impossible to even step out the front door is just too much in my opinion. When we originally heard we would have snow, the kids were celebrating and laughing. They were so thrilled that school would be cancelled. There is not so much laughing going on now. They are officially bored with it, and its only been a couple of days. God forbid if we lived in Wisconsin, though I'm sure they are much better equipped to deal with all of this. They have also come to the realization that all these snow days will have to be made up. Most likely that means a longer school year. Boredom has now developed into annoyance.
I have used the time cooped up in the house fairly well. I did manage to spend about seven hours reading, watching YouTube videos on roots and radicals and simplifying expressions with radicals. I found this great site called YAY Math, with this amazing high school teacher explaining everything step by step. The plus is he is interesting, funny, and engaging. A great resource for Algebra and beyond.
Check out, YAY Math.
The icy rain has begun. Its pelting the side of the house. From my office window, I see the firs swaying in the wind. Another day of math begins.

Snow

Snow has arrived, which means school closures. More time for me to work on all this homework I have. I am preparing for the WTPA and gathering evidence for my e-portfolio. I did get several lesson plans completed and began researching my professional development goal. My West E test is scheduled for the 25th and I am hoping the study book I have been reading over helps me to do a bit better this time around.
I am looking forward to this week at school,lots of interesting and fun activities planned. My fifth graders are working on a peace quilt which combines a peace logo and quilt block squares made from colored construction paper pieces. I am hoping to have the entire quilt ready for display by the 20th.
Last week I began a read aloud using "The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane." This is part of a larger reading/writing unit. I absolutely love this book. I discovered this book years ago and read it to my own daughters, who loved it. Last year I read it to a group of about 20 K-3rd graders in an after school program. I was amazed at their ideas and responses to the reading and the characters. As I read it now to the fifth graders I will be incorporating vocabulary, writing, shared reading, and a creative project. I am really excited to see the end result of the unit.

Getting started

One of the requirements of my Masters program was to take a technology class. I was amazed at all the wonderful things I can create, one of which was the ability to construct a presentation using Powerpoint. The other was learning how to sign on to blog. I have used blogger to get ideas to help me to be a better teacher as I come close to graduating, and hopefully getting a job by September. 

I am currently interning in a fifth grade classroom, that I absolutely love.  I am excited to begin my journey being a "teacher," though I think being a mom of four probably qualifies me in more ways than I can count. School has been a long journey, nearly two years of Saturday classes and more, but I see a light at the end of the tunnel. On one hand June can not come quickly enough, but then again I still have so many projects to complete before then that I tend to fret a little at the prospect of June arriving.