It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

I'm linking up with It's Monday! What Are You Reading? Currently, I'm reading books to get a suitable selection for my fourth graders to read as a book club related to Civil Rights. We will be completing project work focusing on the following essential question: How can conflict create change? I thought the kids would be able to really dig deep, thinking about this question through the lens of historical fiction while they are studying the Civil Rights Movement in social studies. I've read Glory Be, which is a keeper for our book club. Now I'm reading The Lions of Little Rock, and I'm loving it!

What are you reading? Do you have any suggestions for our book club? If so, leave them below as a comment.

It's Friday

I don't know if it's just my kiddos, and I will say this week has been better, but they've had a tough time coming back after the holidays. It has taken us over a month to really get back on track. We had behavior issues constantly. Kids not doing homework. Kids not being productive in class, and some just being disrespectful. I feel like we've finally made it back to where everyone is back on track, but we have one more week then parent-teacher conferences. With that, the kids have a half day and then a day off in the middle of the week. I have a feeling we may backtrack again. I feel like it is a rare week when we don't have some type of interruption to our schedule. It makes hard to keep routines going and hard to keep the kiddos on track. But, that being said, it's Friday:)

Good Intentions

I had good intentions of keeping my blogging life going, but I got kind of burned out. With the SoL challenge, I'm hoping to reinvigorate my writing life. I've written some with my students during writing time, but not enough. I've thought about different posts to write, but haven't written them. Now is the time...to take action and "Just Do It."

Slice of Life Challenge

I wasn't planning on participating in SOL this year as an individual, but I did plan on having my fourth and fifth graders write slices for the month of March. After introducing the Slice to them today, we went onto Kidblog and everyone wrote their first post. Students only wrote short posts today, but they all made sure to revise and edit their writing before publishing. They were so incredibly excited about this challenge, that they made me change my mind. I will write with them every day, as well as here. My students' enthusiasm about this challenge is so exciting to me - excitement about writing every day?? I'll take it!

Taking Care of Problems #SOL16

I'm joining with Two Writing Teachers for the Tuesday Slice of Life.

Yesterday I took a personal day. I had scheduled to get my septic pumped. The guys came and there was bad news. My septic was draining properly. Turns out,  I have to replace the first 12 feet of the field line, called the header. I did this nine years ago. Should I really have to replace this already? I called the guy who did the work. He said text him my address and he'll let me know when he can come out. He mentioned something about today, but I haven't heard back from him. So my poor mom is put on alert. When the guy calls me, I call her, and off she runs to my house. Then we had quite a bit of rain last night. While I was watching tv and relaxing, I begin to hear a dripping noise. I discovered a leak in my roof. When it rains, it pours - I guess. Houses - blessed to be able to own one, but boy is it a pain in the neck!

Project Presentations - Slice of Life

In my fifth grade social studies class, students have been working on researching a variety of topics related to Westward Expansion. The students worked in pairs based on their topic of interest. Today, groups presented on the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the Louisiana Purchase, and the Trail of Tears. The kids did such a great job. The group that presented on the Louisiana Purchase wrote a readers theater script that the class performed today. They included information about Madison, Livingston, Jefferson and Napoleon, how the negotiations took place, how the country changed because of the acquired land, and the effects on expanding westward. The class loved performing the reader's theater. The second group presented on the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the creation of the Corps of Discovery, background information on Lewis and Clark. They informed us about the interactions with the Native Americans, the important stopping points along the way, as well as information about some of the flora and fauna they discovered, like the Lewis woodpecker. The last group that presented today taught us about the Trail of Tears. This group wrote letters from varying points of view, such as Native American children and mothers, as well as from Andrew Jackson. They did a great job including relevant information use in a persuasive form, especially when they wrote to Jackson. The class really felt for the Native Americans and their enormous loss.

As I've implemented project work in my social studies classes this year, I have discovered that with each project my students delve deeper into their chosen topic. They have become more curious, gotten better at questioning, developed their research and note-taking skills, and used more creativity in their presentations. I am looking forward to tomorrow's presentations!

The Educator Collaborative Gathering April 2

I am linking up with Margaret Simon who hosts DigiLit Sundays on her blog, Reflections on the Teche.

Yesterday, I participated in some fantastic PD and all from home in my pjs. Can you get better than that? Chris Lehman put together some wonderful superstars in his The Educator Collaborative Gathering. If you didn't know about this or weren't able to watch the webinars yesterday, they are archived and you can go watch and learn when it's convenient for you - just follow the link, The Educator Collaborative Gathering.

I began with the keynote by listening to Smokey Daniels and Sara Ahmed. I was fortunate enough to hear them speak before at a conference in New Orleans in January 2015. These two are fantastic and really explain the importance and relevance of inquiry and collaboration in the classroom, the importance of listening to your students, and really following their interests. Speaking from personal experience, I know if my students have choice and voice, then I don't have to work on buy in. It's there and their level of dedication, involvement, and investment are off the charts.

Another session I listened to was Notebook Time: Bringing Discovery and Play Back into the Writing Classroom with Rebekah O'Dell and Allison Marchetti. I really enjoyed this session. They talked about the first 5 - 7 minutes of class time being devoted to notebook time and what that looks like. They said there was lots of modeling that went on at the beginning of the year, so students understood what risk taking looked like, with a gradual release. They used free writes, poems, sentence study, data and images. The only thing I don't currently use is data. I find this really intriguing because they said one thing they hear from colleges is that students don't understand how to interpret statistics. I thought this was a great take-away and I plan to implement using data this week into my classroom. I love the idea of having students look at and interpret data. I think this will be a great spring board for both conversation and writing.

There were so many fantastic sessions yesterday. If you weren't able to participate, it's well worth your time to take a look at the archived session. I know you'll come away with something new to try in your classroom.

I Made It! #SOL16

It's the last day for the Slice of Life Month of March Challenge, and I can't believe I made it! I have written every single day and commented on posts from others every single day. I can't say I always wrote inspirational posts - or reader worthy for that matter, but I'm very proud of myself for making it to the end. I wasn't sure if I could do it, but I set my goal and worked towards it every day. I really enjoyed reading posts by so many others that I didn't know about before. I'm happy that I've found these new blogs and I will continue to read them moving on. Now I have to decide how I want to continue blogging. I know I will participate in the Tuesday Slices, and I'm excited for that. I need to figure out how I want to move forward with other posting though.

This was a great challenge, and I really appreciate those at the Two Writing Teachers blog who started this, arranged everything, organized it for all us, and carried it out!

Hooray! 31 days of posting:)

Planning, Planning and More Planning #SOL16

At our school we have an auction every two years, and this year was an auction year. All the teachers have to offer some type of package for parents to bid on for their children. One of the items I offered with two other teachers is Chopped. We opened it up to be bid on two different times, so we'll have a total of 12 kids competing in the game. I'm meeting with the other two teachers to figure out what we need to do to prepare for the game.

We have a young group, first graders, and an older group, sixth graders, that are competing. (It was only supposed to be offered to fourth and up, but that didn't happen:)) We need to decide how we're going to work the competition since we have such a large difference in ages participating. We think the best way is to split each of the six into groups of three. Then we'll have two first grade teams compete against each other and two sixth grade teams compete against each other.

We have to decide on the ingredients that need to be included in the baskets, as well as what other items/ingredients need to be available as "pantry" ingredients. We also have to decide whether we'll have the kids actually chop ingredients or if everything will already be prepped and ready to use. We have to decide how the teams are going to be judged and what they'll win. Will everyone win something or just one team from each age group.

There is quite a bit of preparation that has to take place before April 9th! I think there are so many things to think about, I hope we don't miss anything. If there's something you think we might need to consider, I'd love it if you left in as a comment.

I hope it will be fun for the kids!

Bullet Journals #SOL16

Have you heard of bullet journaling? My daughter introduced me to the idea. We scoured bullet journaling on Pinterest. We watched some videos on bullet journal - how to do it, what to include. Then, we ordered some Leuchtturm 1917 dot journals and pretty colorful pens on Amazon. And we waited. Today they arrived. Yay!

We looked at our new journals. Where to begin? It was a little overwhelming. Neither one of us wanted to write something in our brand new journal and mess it up. We went back to the bullet journal images on Pinterest, watched a couple more videos and then we finally took the plunge. We created some daily pages, a To Do List, an exercise page, and a goal page.

We're excited about this new bullet journal journey. Do you bullet journal?

Hope for Our World #SOL16

Yesterday was rainy and gloomy. We met my parents, siblings and their families at church. The minister preached about the true meaning of Easter but he also spoke about his sadness. His mother is in her last stages of life. He talked about his faith and her faith and the power in knowing that this is not the end. I was moved by his strength.

We went to lunch together afterwards at my parents' club. There were many, many families there, spending time together over a meal. You could see the love at each table. Children begging grandparents for help with the push-up desserts. Parents scooping children up for hugs. Everyone taking care of their families.

The children were having a great time. They were trotting between tables, grabbing desserts, climbing into laps, scaling chairs. There was plenty of movement amongst the children. There were smiles. There was laughter.

My father turned to my mother and said, "Seeing these children gives me hope for our world."

The New Morning Wake Up Routine #SOL16

Here I sit. The dog and kitten woke me bright and early this morning; 4:30 am seems to be their new time. The kitten stretches his arms out and paws at the dog, just a little bit mind you, and the dog trots back and forth from one end of the bed to the other. Meanwhile, the other cat is perched on top of my side. This is the way I have been woken up the last four or five mornings. I try and ignore it. I try and soothe the dog, so she'll settle back down, but to no avail. This trotting back and forth becomes a bit frantic, and then I know, there is no more sleep for me....it's time to get up. Take everyone outside. Make the coffee. Now, here I sit.

The new morning wake up routine...I don't like it!
I'm tired:)

A Day of Thanks #SOL16

I am thankful for today.

Today is my first day of spring break, and I am thankful.

Today my sister and her family are coming in town, and I am thankful.

Today I spent the day with my daughter, and I am thankful.

Today we had lunch with friends, and I am thankful.

Today I was able to sit and read quietly, and I am thankful.

Today I spent time with my brother and parents, and I am thankful.

I am thankful for today.

When a Good Book Grabs You #SOL16

You know that moment.  I have this book. It's a rather big book. I've heard it's good. I love the author, Pam Munoz Ryan. I heard her speak two years ago and fell in love with her even more. This book has been on my "to read" list for quite a while. I haven't picked it up, until yesterday.

We have a group doing book club, so we met on Wednesday during advisory time to decide on what book or books we were going to read over the next couple of weeks. The students voted on four books, so we will have four groups going. Two out of the four I have read. Our list is Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library (read and loved), Savvy (read and loved), Peak (haven't read but plan to read with my boys), Echo (haven't read but plan to read with my girls).

I have a copy of Echo in my classroom library, which I pulled when we were voting.

Yesterday, my kiddos were working on poetry and Echo was sitting on my table. No one needed me at that moment, so I opened the book - just to take a look, mind you. Well, that was that. I read the first few pages - the opener.  I WAS HOOKED! I continued through the first chapter and had to stop because it was the end of the day. BUMMER! We had to pack up and head to carpool.

I don't know that I can wait until after spring break to read this with my kiddos. Ryan really grabbed me from the very beginning. I already want to see what happens next.

I will try to wait, but really.....I think I will read it now and reread it with the girls:)

Thinking of Friends in Belgium #SOL16

My Slice today is related to my long time friend living in Brussels. She and I were roommates in boarding school for two of our three years. We went to college 20 minutes from each other and saw each other frequently, but then I moved across the country to the West Coast and she to Brussels. She married a Belgian man.  I haven't spoken to her on the phone in so many, many years, but we keep up with each other and our lives through email, Facebook and instant messaging. When I heard the news of the bombings in Brussels, of course my thoughts immediately turned to her and her family. I sent her a message and waited to hear. I did hear back from her. She and her family are fine, but she said things were very chaotic that day. Her children were at school and one school was on lockdown and no one could come or go. The other school wanted parents to come pick up their children. She finally got all her children home. This is what she posted on Facebook that morning:

There is still much uncertainty, and that erie feeling of chaos and calm at the same time is very unsettling. So many questions that you just can't answer, reassurance you can't promise your kids, awaiting the unanswered about friends/parents who were there. So what next? Where? It's a horrible feeling of helplessness, a living nightmare. I pray not only for us here in Belgium but for all of you living in other parts of the world, especially our children, because one way or another we are all affected by such atrocities. It's hard having to accept the unpredictability of such events and the increased risks we are faced with everyday but to live in fear is much worse. We CANNOT live in fear! 

My Kiddos Did Me Proud! #SOL16

You know that feeling when your kids just make you proud? Yesterday was one of those days for me. My Slice yesterday was all about the excitement of our field trip. We went to a place called American Village where there are interactive activities relating to the American Revolution. My kiddos did not disappoint.  Although we covered the topics related to this in January, they remembered everything. (Hooray!)

We began the visit on the Courthouse steps, where the "colonists" reacted to the new stamp master that arrived in town and chanted "no taxation without representation" in response to the Stamp Act. Afterwards, students visited Mount Vernon and learned how to dance appropriately for the time period. We moved from Mt. Vernon to a secret meeting in a tavern where General Gage's wife brought a secret message letting us know of the Redcoats' plan to take the armory in Concord. We debated whether we could trust her to be telling the truth since she was General Gage's wife. We then delivered the message to Paul Revere's wife, who was to get the message to her husband. Once the message was delivered, we attended the convention where Patrick Henry and others declared reasons for the colonists to declare independence. Here the students participated in a debate as Loyalists, Patriots, and Neutralists, giving reasons for and against independence. Finally, a vote to declare independence was taken. We visited the encampment, where we learned how to load a musket and march correctly. Finally, we went to Constitutional Convention, where a variety of plans, such as the Virginia and New Jersey Plans, were discussed and compromises were adopted. 

My students participated in all the activities and re-enactments that were available. They were knowledgeable and were able to add to discussion in every area we visited. They had a great time and I feel this was such a worthwhile field trip where they were able to deepen their understanding of the importance of actions taken in our history to gain independence and create a government that would protect our liberties.

The Excitement of a Field Trip #SOL16

Excitement was in the air yesterday as we talked and prepared for today. I know the kids will be crazy this morning. We're going on a field trip today. Field trips are always fun and highly anticipated! My fifth graders and I are going to visit American Village today. American Village is where the time of the colonists and the Revolutionary War are reenacted. They do an excellent job of having the kids participate. Each group is a colony and today we will be South Carolina. We'll go through a meeting where we discuss the unfair taxes that have been placed on us, and we'll vote to declare our freedom. We'll attend a secret meeting where we discuss plans of revolution and get information from spies. We'll visit Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence was written and the Constitution. We'll get to see how a musket is loaded, and we will march in formation. We'll recite the preamble of the Constitution, declaring our rights and responsibilities. Today will be a great day!

Cats' Morning Interaction #SOL16

There he perches,
a king.
Tail twitching.
Underneath him
below the chair,
bat, bat, bat.
Swish, swish.
Meow
G-R-O-W-L
swat, swat
paws peaking up
through the back of the chair.
Tail thumping.
G-R-O-W-L
The little one reaches up
testing the waters
trying to catch the tail.
The king,
disgusted,
departs for calmer territory.

Spring is Here #SOL16

Today is the first day of spring. I live in Alabama, so we've had a taste of spring already. My daffodils have come and gone. I've worn sandals to school. I put the coats and sweaters away. The new leaves are starting on the hydrangeas and the maple tree. My lawn seems to be growing green, although weeds seem to be plentiful rather than grass. The azaleas are full of buds, waiting to open. I've begun taking my afternoon walks again, now that it is staying light later. I love this time of year. Although we make resolutions in January, this is the time for me. Spring is a time for reflection and renewal. Spring is a time when I try and get my head on straight again. Spring is a time for me to set new goals. Spring is a time for new beginnings.

Student Reflections #SOL16

I had my students reflect on their writing so far this year. They have taken about seven or eight pieces through the entire writing process, some nonfiction and some fiction. They read back through their writing and were able to see how they've grown so far this year. They noticed things like being able to "show don't tell" their reader by including great description, figurative language and strong word choice. They know how to include dialogue to move their story along and bring their characters to life. They see the importance of having a strong lead to grab their reader. The recognize the mechanical errors they had in the beginning of the year as compared to more recently. This is what I heard around the room as they looked at their pieces:

"Oh my gosh! I can't believe I did that! Look Frances, I didn't even capitalize my sentence!"

"My lead is so boring Ms. Fahey. My last story was so much more interesting. I really grabbed my reader."

"Ms. Fahey, can I correct this story? I see so many run-on sentences that it doesn't even make sense."

Amazing, right? This was so rewarding. It's one thing for me to tell my students how they've grown and what they need to work on, but with this reflection, my students recognize their own growth as writers and can also see where they're still growing and their goal areas.