Catch Up!

Since I missed the first week of school, other than the first hour, I considered the second week to be the first.  We started working on our First Day of School Booklets from Fun in First. 

For math, we explored different ways to represent a number.  For example – 20 can be shown by 2 base ten rods, 20 smiley faces, $20, 20 tally marks, etc.  Students picked their own number and showed at least 5 ways to represent it in their math journals.

At the end of the day students took home a little baggie of ‘Gold fish’ with an ‘I’m officially a first/second grader’ tag.  I got this off of Pinterest and bought the Goldfish baggies to put them in.

Good Bye to my Mom

I have not been on my blog in a few weeks now.

My mother passed away on the night of September 1^st; the night before school started; so things have been a bit out-of-sorts.  I have been busy playing catch-up with my class as well as other things in my life, so my blog took a backseat.  I will try to get back on track and fill you in on all the fun things we have been doing in class.

I did manage to go into school the morning of September 2^nd.  I think I was in a state of shock – my mother’s death just wasn’t registering with me yet.  (It still isn’t really.)  I was able to greet my students outside.  (Somewhere around 9, they found a supply for me.)  At the bell I led my students inside.  I followed Sarah Meador’s 5 Steps for the First Day of School.  This introduces the basics of Whole Brain Teaching.  The students responded perfectly (well nearly...). 

After learning the students names, I asked who had visited the class website.  Oh, let’s backtrack...  About a week before school started, I mailed out letters introducing myself, supplies needed, the class website, permission forms for photos, etc.  I got the website set up ahead of time.  I highly recommend Weebly for an easy class website.  I have used it for 4 years now – absolutely free!  From Amy Lemons and Around the Kampfire blogspots, I got the idea for the fantastic book, “Where Were You?”, by Melanie Watt.  Our board’s library didn’t have it so I ordered it from Chapters Indigo.  I got the book trailer from Around the Kampfire and put it on my site.  It is so cute and makes you really want to read the book.

Next, I read the book to the students.  They loved, Loved, LOVED it!!!

I asked the students, “So...where were you???”  They came up with great responses, from being on a Disney Cruise, to driving from a cousin’s, to getting Tim Horton’s before school.  At this point, I had a supply teacher in my room as well as my EA.  As the students told me where they had been, I had them go to one of the adults to jot it down on a post-it and put it on our chart.  This ran nicely into my prep time.  At this point, I filled the supply in on some plans I had for the week and then I left to be with my dad and daughters.

The countdown is on!

8 more days until the school year starts!  

My principal just emailed the results of our EQAO testing from the spring.  [For my friends outside of Ontario, EQAO is our provincial testing.  We do it in grades 3, 6, 9, and 10.]  I am VERY pleased with the results.  HUGE increase from the previous year!  (We were near the bottom.)  I taught grade 3 the last two years.  I would like to thank Chris Biffle at Whole Brain Teaching.  I think, no, I know, that implementing WBT in my classroom, greatly changed the learning outcome.  I can’t share the numbers yet; not until they are publicly announced on Sept. 17 (my birthday).

P.S.  As you know/can see, I am new to blogging.  I keep learning a little bit each day about how to use Google Blogger.  It is really cool how I can see what areas of the world people of visiting my site from (and wondering how they ever got on my site!?).  I have received 3 views from Poland!  How exciting!  Many visits from Canada and the States.  Because I am new and would like to get known, I would GREATLY appreciate it if you would follow me.  :)  It won't even cost you anything.  :P  Have a super day!

Classroom Prep

I’ve been up since 4:15ish today.  Too much in my head.  So what have I been doing at this early hour?  Cleaned off my desk (sort of), blog hopping, and creating these beautiful flower poms to hang from the ceiling in my classroom (at least until the fire inspector comes around…).  I saw these on many teacher blogs and Pinterest.

The other day I got all my book boxes and baskets washed out and ready for another year.  I have had those book boxes for quite a while now.  Yes, they are giant fabric softener containers which I cut the tops off.  Then I use coloured duct tape around the top to make it cuter, match my color scheme, and to cover up the sharp edges.  Recycle + Reuse - Environmentally friendly!  The only problem is I cannot find these large containers anymore and I really need a few more.  If anyone knows where I can get them, let me know.  I’m going to the States next week, maybe I will find some there.

First Link Up!

I am new to blogging, so be patient...
On many of my favourite blogs, I have seen the link up with Blog Hoppin' for Teacher Week.  I am not quite sure how to do the linking, but I am experimenting. 

          Who Am I?

My name is Bonnie and I have been teaching for 12 years, everything from Jk - grade 8, including Integrated Literacy, and SERT.  Teaching is my passion.  I could do it 24/7! 

I started out teaching intermediate at a Montessori School.  What a great experience!  For the past 10 years I have been fortunate to teach with a Catholic School Board.  Being able to talk about God and bring his teachings into my classroom is very important to me.

I have two wonderful daughters.  They are growing up fast.  One is already entering her third year of college.  She will be moving into her own place at the end of next week.  This is a big and exciting step for her.  My other daughter is going into Grade 12.  Two graduations next spring!

Rockefeller Christmas Tree 2013

I have a lovely, super affectionate calico cat (which has quite a life story).  She is curled up in my arm right now, purring away.  J

We live in the country, which I LOVE!  Lots of space, forest, peace.  When the lights go out, it is completely dark (no street lights).  The stars are amazing!