Friday was Valentines Day. All the kids were excited about the parties and goodies that were scheduled for the afternoon. So they were predictably talkative and wiggly. Not my favorite teaching environment. What to do?
Thursday at the reading meeting my teacher daughter gave me a candy bouquet one of her students gave her. I decided to let my students choose a candy to eat as they worked on writing. Side note-that made for a quiet room.
There were also leftover cookies at the reading meeting. I took them but wasn't sure which group would get cookies. As the day went on I decided that the kindergartners were the best choice. They have lunch right before I get them, so it wouldn't spoil their appetites and it was before party time.
I had the kindergartners sit on the carpet and offered them cookies. I was going to read The Doorbell Rang but couldn't find it. So I read The Gingerbread Boy. It's about a cookie and gets eaten at the end. Winning plan. They loved the cookies and got the main point of the story-cookies are made to be eaten!
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Sunday, February 15, 2015
Weekly review
The past week was busy as always. I'll just write about one part.
Thursday I took part in standard setting for a test that will measure beginning teachers' knowledge of the fundamentals of reading instruction. There were 18 educators in the group ranging from college of education professors to one first year teacher. We took a sample of the test and spent time deciding how difficult the items might be for preservice teachers.
Of course I had opinions and expressed them when given the opportunity. I have a problem with testing when one test decides the fate of someone. I feel the students should be able to pass the test if they have passed their courses. College professors should let students know if they are not good candidates before they have spent time and money in a field that doesn't fit their abilities.
I feel that all teachers should be really smart and capable of multitasking, kid-watching, reflective, curriculum experts. There is no way they can start teaching with all of those skills in place. No test can discover what kind of teacher a person will be.
In my own experience, I left the state because I didn't want to take the national teachers' exam. It was expensive and I was insulted that my degree from an accredited state school of education was not enough to fulfill the requirements for a teaching certificate. When I think back and remember the time (1972) and what was going on in the schools in this state, I think I know why this test was a requirement. I may look into that one day.
I'm glad I got to be part of the standard setting even if I don't really like exams.
Thursday I took part in standard setting for a test that will measure beginning teachers' knowledge of the fundamentals of reading instruction. There were 18 educators in the group ranging from college of education professors to one first year teacher. We took a sample of the test and spent time deciding how difficult the items might be for preservice teachers.
Of course I had opinions and expressed them when given the opportunity. I have a problem with testing when one test decides the fate of someone. I feel the students should be able to pass the test if they have passed their courses. College professors should let students know if they are not good candidates before they have spent time and money in a field that doesn't fit their abilities.
I feel that all teachers should be really smart and capable of multitasking, kid-watching, reflective, curriculum experts. There is no way they can start teaching with all of those skills in place. No test can discover what kind of teacher a person will be.
In my own experience, I left the state because I didn't want to take the national teachers' exam. It was expensive and I was insulted that my degree from an accredited state school of education was not enough to fulfill the requirements for a teaching certificate. When I think back and remember the time (1972) and what was going on in the schools in this state, I think I know why this test was a requirement. I may look into that one day.
I'm glad I got to be part of the standard setting even if I don't really like exams.
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Thinking about change
I am thinking about changing the title of this blog to something more specific to teaching and learning. It will still be about things I read and things I want to share but maybe also be about lessons that worked.
Like today I had a very successful lesson with the kindergartners. We have been reading/singing a book with lots of transportation words like car, bus, van, airplane. You get the idea.
Anyway I made a book for the kids to take home but they had to match the pictures to the correct page. The pictures had one or two words naming the objects. The book had the same words in alphabetical order.
The kids matched the words on the pictures to the same words in the book. And they did great. The first group was really catching on, saying things like, "Here is car." Some kids that I haven't seen really participate were understanding that the words matched.
Wish I had a photo of the finished book.
Like today I had a very successful lesson with the kindergartners. We have been reading/singing a book with lots of transportation words like car, bus, van, airplane. You get the idea.
Anyway I made a book for the kids to take home but they had to match the pictures to the correct page. The pictures had one or two words naming the objects. The book had the same words in alphabetical order.
The kids matched the words on the pictures to the same words in the book. And they did great. The first group was really catching on, saying things like, "Here is car." Some kids that I haven't seen really participate were understanding that the words matched.
Wish I had a photo of the finished book.
Monday, January 26, 2015
Book Trading
Found a new-to-me used book store. I love trading paperback books for new ones. The only problem I have had with book trading is sometimes I trade new books and pick out books that I have already read. I guess I need an app so that doesn't happen.
Saturday we went to The Bookshelf in Ridgeland. I had a bag of books to trade but they only wanted 3 of them. I found 2 books set in Cleveland, Ohio, that I wanted to read. In the book trade I only paid 65 cents for 2 new books. The good thing is I get to read new books and slowly get rid of the book clutter.
As I read these new books I am trying to remember Cleveland from our visits to see E & B. It's always fun to read about somewhere you have been. The funny thing about the book I'm reading is the time period. Set before cell phones the detective has to stop and use pay phones when he wants to call someone. The copyright is 1998. Things have really changed.
Saturday we went to The Bookshelf in Ridgeland. I had a bag of books to trade but they only wanted 3 of them. I found 2 books set in Cleveland, Ohio, that I wanted to read. In the book trade I only paid 65 cents for 2 new books. The good thing is I get to read new books and slowly get rid of the book clutter.
As I read these new books I am trying to remember Cleveland from our visits to see E & B. It's always fun to read about somewhere you have been. The funny thing about the book I'm reading is the time period. Set before cell phones the detective has to stop and use pay phones when he wants to call someone. The copyright is 1998. Things have really changed.
Cleveland Roller Derby
Sunday, January 4, 2015
2015 Quilt Possibilities
Today I picked up my king size Ramblin Rose meets Jamestown quilt from the quilter. She did a beautiful job, even trimmed it so it is ready for binding. Yesterday I basted the blue and yellow quilt. This is my last unfinished quilt. So the end is in sight.
Well, that brings me to my title for this post. 2015 quilt possibilities. I have several yet-to-be started quilt ideas with fabric picked out and set aside. I thought a list might help me focus after I finish the two big quilts.
Here's the list:
blue/lime layer cake lap quilt
pink/green/white twin kit
flannel quilt kit
oriental fabric-no design ideas yet
yee haw baby quilt kit
perfect points quilt pattern/kit
black/white plus quilt
mini 9 patch kids
framed minky squares baby quilt
That's all I can remember right now. Of course, first I must finish two big quilts. Stay. Focused.
Well, that brings me to my title for this post. 2015 quilt possibilities. I have several yet-to-be started quilt ideas with fabric picked out and set aside. I thought a list might help me focus after I finish the two big quilts.
Here's the list:
blue/lime layer cake lap quilt
pink/green/white twin kit
flannel quilt kit
oriental fabric-no design ideas yet
yee haw baby quilt kit
perfect points quilt pattern/kit
black/white plus quilt
mini 9 patch kids
framed minky squares baby quilt
That's all I can remember right now. Of course, first I must finish two big quilts. Stay. Focused.
Ramblin Rose meets Jamestown
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
New Year's Eve
busy day running errands, hair cut, working on quilt.
I seem to go through reading spells. I finished one British cozy and really only want to read more of this series but the library doesn't have any available. There are other books I'm sort of reading but nothing too exciting.
In the back of my mind I keep thinking about possibilities next year. If I am offered a new teaching position, what will I do with all my stuff? I may have park my car outside for a while.
Going to get little boy, so E and B can have a new's years night out. We will be asleep before midnight, so happy new year!
I seem to go through reading spells. I finished one British cozy and really only want to read more of this series but the library doesn't have any available. There are other books I'm sort of reading but nothing too exciting.
In the back of my mind I keep thinking about possibilities next year. If I am offered a new teaching position, what will I do with all my stuff? I may have park my car outside for a while.
Going to get little boy, so E and B can have a new's years night out. We will be asleep before midnight, so happy new year!
Saturday, December 27, 2014
Current favorite mysteries
Recently bought some paperbacks by a new to me writer, Ann Purser. The first one was Murder on Monday. The main character is a funny, feisty cleaner in a small village in England. The author lives in a small village and loves to read mysteries, too. After I finished the first book I recommended it to Mr. M. We are trying to find the rest of the series at the library but only a few are available in our local branch.
Looked for a photo of the book cover. No luck.
Had a good Christmas with everyone here for supper. Now the tree is packed away. Maybe I will get some sewing done next week.
New beginnings in a few days.
Looked for a photo of the book cover. No luck.
Had a good Christmas with everyone here for supper. Now the tree is packed away. Maybe I will get some sewing done next week.
New beginnings in a few days.
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