Digital Learning

Currently at a digital learning conference.  Learning lots of new tidbits about technology, groups, collaboration and google.  So many possibilities with education in a digital world.  

Wonder

Last year, I spent most of the school year participating in Teacher Research.  I was able to collaborate with other teachers in my building to share research.  We explored many questions together, and looked closely at what was happening inside our classroom walls.  I decided to focus my research last year on the idea of perspective.  I tried to bring the idea of perspectives into many different content areas, and focused on creating an empathetic atmosphere in the classroom.  Throughout my research I discovered many books to use that would allow us to see from a different perspective.  I recently found a book that would have been perfect to tie into all this research:  Wonder by: RJ Palacio.... don't worry... I can still use it next year.  :)  This book weaves in different perspectives throughout the story and reminds us to be "kinder than necessary."

I encourage you all to give this a try.  I couldn't put it down!  

As of Lately:

I'm still alive!  Where have I been you might be wondering?  Well.... I've been finishing up summer school, moving myself back to Kansas City, sitting on the floor in my new classroom wondering how this new space should look, ordering new books, laying in the sun, sleeping in a little bit too long, reading new books, rereading old books, dreaming up new bulletin boards, hanging new bulletin boards, riding roller coasters in Branson.. woof, crafting with the bestie, and eating a little too much terrible food.  Basically, I'm enjoying some me time for now.  I promise I will come back though!

Summer Reading... Happened so Fast!

Throughout the school year, I constantly find myself pushing things off until the summer.  "I'll clean _______ this summer.... I'll read _______ this summer... I'll become better at _________ this summer... I'll try ___________ this summer..."  It's a continuous process sadly, and what's even more sad is that I rarely accomplish one third of what is on that list.  And every summer, I make a stack of books I'd like to read.  Usually, I accomplish about... you guessed it... a third of said list...   But alas, here is my Summer 2012 fifth grade book list:

I'm currently reading The Potato Chip Puzzles By: Eric Berlin

Belly Up By: Stuart Gibbs

The One and Only Ivan By: Katherine Applegate

Out of My Mind By:  Sharon Draper

Theodore Boone: The Abduction  By:  John Grisham

Lunch-Bok Dream By: Tony Abbott

Now.... any others I need to add??

Ha!

The joys of cleaning out a classroom.  :)  

M&M's for all!

I know, I know... It's been awhile.  But... there is an explanation for my lack of posts.  You just have to wait for me to finish it first.  Hopefully just a couple days!  

Today was the last day we will have formal science in the classroom.  Our to-do list of things we need to finish up by the end of the year is way too long for the amount of days left.  But, where there is a will... there is a way, right?  Maybe.  Anyway, we did a fun experiment today that I did awhile ago in a district science boot camp.  And... it involved candy.  What could be better for this time of year?!  (God bless all teachers during this homestretch!)

In fifth grade, we talk a lot about water and the water cycle.  Especially, how molecules move in hot, room temperature, and cold water.  And how those temperatures relate to the three states of matter.  So, what better way to show this than to put M&M's in water and see what happens! 

FYI:  In order to do this, it's best to have really hot water, and really cold water, so you can see more of a change.  

My students set up the experiment a multiple of different ways.  It's nice that at this time of the year I can sit back and watch them take things into their own hands.  When I hear a child turn to another and say, "wait... that won't be a fair test!"  It makes my heart melt.....

Gathering supplies!

So scientific!  

 It was funny watching the changes happen to the water, especially in the hot water.  And if you wait long enough, look what happens!  The 'M' floats to the top!  Literally.. this resulted in a full blown scream/screech from a fifth grader....  It's the little things in life.  

And who gets all the left over M&M's???  You guessed it.  Happy Wednesday!  

All good things come to an end!

There are twenty-two days of school left.  22!  It seems like just yesterday I was meeting the ten-year-olds for the first time.  And now the mostly eleven-year-olds are leaving me and heading on to the big ole' middle school.  My babies are growing up!

I'm a sucker for end of the year ceremonies, and the next few weeks will be filled creating time capsules filled with letters to our older selves, pictures, elementary school memories and things that are important to us now.  We will write letters to old inspiring teachers, talk about the best books of fifth grade and create advice for my future class in Kansas City.  (Whatever grade they may be!)  I found an end of the year ceremony idea on Choice Literacy from Franki Sibberson that celebrates the literacy we have loved in Room 209.  Starting last Friday, each child received a day.  (The last day is reserved for me, obviously!)  On the child's day, they choose one book we have read together throughout the year to re-read.  It could be a passage from a chapter book, or a picture book we used throughout the year.  Here is what has been chosen so far:

25:  Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick: (second to last chapter)  I won't ruin it for you, but during this chapter, I couldn't read it aloud without crying... I mean, I was a blubbering mess as they stared up at me.  Maybe this was their attempt to see me cry again... harr harr! However the fifth grader who chose it so kindly offered to read it for me to the class to spare me the embarrassment.  Sweet, huh?

24:  Crow Call by Lois Lowry: One of our favorite memoir mentor texts.  This is one of those books I get more out of each time I read it.  The language is beautiful and the fifth graders especially like to see my giraffe interpretation Lois' dad does in the story.  

23:  Things That are Most in the World by Judi Barrett:  We created a similar book for our first grade buddies at the beginning of the year, and we still laugh out loud at some of the superlatives in this book.  

So what does tomorrow have in store?  Who knows, and that's what is so fun.  It has been awesome to rediscover the memories attached to some of the books that haven't been noticed or looked at since September.  And we all get excited as the child searches our library for their special choice. 

 It has been a great year of reading in Room 209, that's for sure.