Cue the Hallelujah Chorus!

One of the most dreaded moments in an elementary classroom occurs when the clock hands inch toward recess and outside of the window there is a torrential downpour happening.  Rainy Dy Recess is torture on even the best teachers.  Students whine and complain, blame the teacher for no recess, have difficulty focusing for the rest of the day because they didn't get the wiggles out, etc.  Up until recently I joined the throngs of teachers who dreaded the rain too. But, I found something that works.

A few weeks ago I stumbled across Adventure to Fitness on Pinterest while searching for activities to complete for Black History Month.  The two are not related, but this came up in my search. It has been a LIFE SAVER!  Did you hear me??? A LIFE SAVER!!! The first time my kiddos enjoyed this I think the angels began singing the Hallelujah Chorus - at least I did.  There was complete silence the entire time!

Here's a teaser!

Mr. Marc takes kids on a 30 minute adventure to outrageous places all while incorporating physical fitness.  All of the activities can be completed in the classroom in the student's personal space.  Students run, hop, jump, dodge, squat, etc. in order to be Mr. Laze' (He's French).

So far, my students have traveled to Greece and learned about the Olympics while getting fit, experienced life in the Big Apple, and explored the Australian Outback.  Each week, a new adventure is posted for students to experience.  Teachers can also access previous adventures - there are a TON!

My students beg for this just to get our brains kickstarted in the morning.  We do 10 minutes in the morning, 10 in the middle of the day, and 10 during dismissal.

Oh, and I forgot to mention, it is absolutely, 100% FREE!!!

Disclaimer:  I was not paid for this review.  It is 100% mine completely. Adventure to Fitness does not even know that I exist.

Balloons Over Broadway...

I stumbled upon the most amazing book the weekend before Thanksgiving.  If you haven't read  Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet, you need to NOW!  I was completely inspired and created lessons to span the two days that we had until Thanksgiving.  The book was a fantastic fit into our engineering curriculum and the kids were so excited to learn more about the Macy's Thanksgiving parade.

We started the unit off watching a Youtube video about the parade.  I was amazed at how many students had never seen it.  My kiddos were so excited as they watched the balloons come down Broadway.  To hear them yell out in excitement was the perfect soundtrack to my reading lesson.  We also watched a short video of the balloons being inflated the night before parade.  As we watched, students made observations about the process of creating a balloon.  Right away, one of my peeps brought in the engineering design process.  I was so proud!

After reading, we discussed Sequence of Events and connected the story to the Design Process. 

Balloons Over Broadway

Day 2 brought us to the best part.  Students created a new balloon for next year's parade.  After spending most of the morning designing, the students then wrote persuasive letters to the Macy's Parade Studio to convince the committee to choose their balloon.



Today's Meet the Teacher

I'm linking up with the lovely ladies over at Blog Hoppin for Meet the Teacher day!  Teachers from all over the country are telling their story today.

I'm the brunette in the black and white dress.  This is a picture of my AMAZING team from last year!

Random Facts About Me:

• This is my 12th year teaching elementary school.
• I've taught grades 2-5 over the last 12 years.
• Favorite subject to teach:  Toss up between Reading/Writing/Social Studies
• I've taught in 4 different states: Alaska, Washington, Louisiana, and now South Carolina
• I've had only 2 male principals in my career.
• I'm currently teaching in a new school in my area.
• Favorite after school pick me up:  Chocolate or a Sweet Tea from McDonalds
• Morning Necessity:  COFFEE!!
• Time I wake up on a school day: 5:00 AM
• Time I arrive at school: 6:30 AM
• Time I leave school: Shooting for leaving by 5:30, but most of the time 6:00 find me still in the building
• Bedtime:  9:00 to read and lights out at 10:00.
• I have 23 students this year.  I've been blessed over my career - this is the most I've ever had.

Tools I Cannot Live Without:

• Promethean Board - However, it has not been installed in my new room and I am STRUGGLING!!
• Bright colored Dry Erase markers
• Sharpies
• Post It Notes
• Tervis Tumbler
• MUSIC
• Highlighters
• My Bell
• Students ready to learn!

First Day Facts

Yesterday was my first day in a new grade at a new school.  Overall it went great, but we do have a few kinks to work out before we get things down to a good routine.  Just thought I would share a few fun facts.

1.  Second graders are MUCH, MUCH smaller than 5th graders.
2.  Second graders LOVE to give hugs and hold their teacher's hand.
3.  Lots of second graders begin school missing their front teeth!
4.  School supplies are overwhelming to students and teachers!  I spent an hour and a half organizing them yesterday after school, but I am SO thankful to have them!
5.  Going up and down stairs 50 times a day will make me skinny by the end of the year - and not being able to eat my lunch completely will too!
6. Second grade has a hard time finishing lunch in the allotted time.
7. The things I plan for the first day always take double the time!
8. Excited to go back today!

Google Search Stories

The last few times I've gone to the movies I've been fascinated by the Google Search Stories that have played during the previews.  You know, the ones about dating, getting engaged, married, and then the baby.  Some have made me cry, others have made me laugh.  Well, I have discovered how to make them myself - and it is SO EASY!!! Here is my example.  

If you visit YouTube you will find lots of examples.  Click the "Create Your Own Story" button and you will be on your way.

How will I use this in my classroom:

1.  To introduce myself to my students and show how I spent my summer vacation.

2.  Have them create a search story about their own summer vacation.

2011-2012 Classroom

School doesn't start until Wednesday for us, but my room was ready for Meet the Teacher.  My school has a policy on our decor that has taken some getting used to, but I think I'm going to like it.  Only 10% of my decor can be store bought.  The focus is on student/teacher created displays.  So, everything you see, except for a few items, has been created over the summer.

View from the front door

Writing Board

Hall passes

Reading Nook - ignore the bins. They were there for supplies.

Writing Center

My promethean board has not been installed yet and there are a few things that I still need to do, but I am just about finished with the big things.

Doughboys and Doughnuts

I love teaching fifth grade for a variety of reasons, but I think the one I enjoy the most is the fact that I get to teach US History. Those of you that knew me in school may find this ironic because of all things that I had to study, US History was my least favorite. But, I've determined that is because I didn't have a dynamic teacher who made it interesting for me to learn. So, in my teaching career, I've vowed to become that teacher for my students.

This week we have been immersed in all things World War One. This topic is one that my students wait for all year because this is the war that saw torpedoes, tanks, and the Gaitlin Gun. Ships were sunk, trenches were dug, and the Red Baron made himself known to the entire world. Needless to say, my guys love it.

Yesterday we began discussing how the war affected different groups of people, primarily women and African Americans. To help my students understand how women were affected, I cooked. I spent a few days searching for an authentic World War One recipe. I stumbled across this one for doughnuts. The Salvation Army sent ladies to lift the morale of the troops and they became known as The Doughnut Girls because they made doughnuts for the troops. Read more about their story here. Not only did I choose this to reinforce how women responded, but to help my students remember the Doughboys (American troops).

The response was ovewhelmingly positive - even though we burned the first batch and had to wave the smoke away from the fire alarm sensors. Oops! But what was more important to me was what my students wrote afterwards. EVERY single person was able to effectively remember and communicate how women responded and who the Doughboys were. Hopefully, this will carry over to our state test!!!