Warm Fuzzy Taco Party!

Classroom management can be tough! A great tool that I use in my classroom is a "warm fuzzy jar." This lovely little creation is a great incentive for good behavior. It's easy, too! My jar is actually a clear plastic container. Next to it I have a bag of 75 little fuzzies. You can find these at the craft store. Certain behaviors will be rewarded with a fuzzy in the jar. Bucket filling is a similar concept. Some behaviors that get fuzzies are lining up quickly and quietly, smooth transitioning between subjects, and good behavior in Mass. Before Christmas we finally filled up our jar!!! Recently we had our celebration. Through generous class donations we were able to have ice cream, soda, tacos, and enchiladas! WOW! I brought the ice cream and enchiladas but Don Pepe, owned by the Gomez's, made us tons of tacos, and Mrs Paniagua brought in soda and cups! We also watched a fairy tale because it is our genre of the month. Here are some pictures:

 

2nd Grade Movie Stars!

Here is a little movie the kids in 2nd grade and I did. This is students from both second grades and was completed easily using the imovie trailers that come free in the program. Enjoy!

The Bonus Store is OPEN!

You know you had a great teacher when years later you use one of their ideas. I had just one of those great teachers, Mrs Lee, middle school language arts, and I remember her vividly ! She did this great thing called a "bonus box" and would hand out "bonus bucks" for high grades. She sold office supplies and we LOVED it!!! I now have my own "bonus store" and hand out "bonus bucks." You may have seen them in your child's binder. I have expanded how you can receive them. To get the green you must:

1. Get a perfect score on a test, or just miss one

2. Go to mass on Sunday 

3. Do your classroom job all week

4. End the day on blue

5. Stay on green all week

6. Answer an especially challenging question in class

7. Do something kind or generous for a friend

Today was their first day shopping and they loved it! Many decided to save their money for the larger prizes! 

Welcome Families!

Welcome families....the year is off to a fantastic start! I wanted to let all of you know what we will be working on for the next couple of weeks, and some things we will go over the whole year.

First I want to introduce to you to our year long reading unit: Genre Studies for 2nd Grade! Every month the students will learn about a new book genre and have accompanying writing assignments and reading experiences. The first month of August we simply discuss what the genre of fiction entails, and the "ingredients" that all fiction will have. This week we will start historical fiction, and read books from this genre.....watch for updates!
In centers we will be working on letter, word, and sentence skills.

In the boggle center students learn how to spell words....creatively!

In the "word builder" center students again are challenged with spelling words, this time using unifix cubes. In a couple weeks these will change into word tiles that link to create sentences. An added extra in this center is for students that may want to add math. Each letter from every word made/written gets 1 point, i.e. dart = 4 points. This really gets them motivated to seek out larger words...I see some real doozies!

The "ABC Sort" center challenges students to draw 5-8 word cards and alphabetize them. Soon the minimum will be 10 words! 

At the listening center we will be listening to stories that follow our genre unit. The story will be listened to and read several times as students fill out a story map that ID's fictional aspects in the story, i.e. characters, problem, solution, setting. 

And finally, we always have a library, or "read to self" center. Students always have 3 books in their book box and are encouraged to check books out for home. Students are allowed to have 1 book out at a time, there is no time limit on returning it, but they cannot take another one until it is returned.

I will keep you updated on our classroom happenings so make sure to subscribe:)

Mustache Party!!

Well we are well into the school year and having a great time!!! To have some fun on recess I passed around adhesive mustaches and let the goofiness ensue!

Even Miss Kruger put one on!!

Genre Units

Our class has been studying a new book genre every month. We read books, write stories, look at reading strategies, and study vocabulary based on the genre of the month. This month is fables, folktales, fairytales, and myths/legends. While all these seem oddly similar they most certainly have their differences! This unit has been particularly interesting for the students because these are the stories we are all so familiar with. Fairytales has been a frontrunner for favorite and we will be creating a very cool final project.
To wind up this unit the students will be creating "fractured fairytales!" We have read several stories and compared them with the fractured version.

We read "The Three Little Pigs" and then read "The True Story of the Three Little Pigs."  We create a venn diagram and talked about how they were similar and how they were different. The kids couldn't believe the poor wolf was framed!!! Perspective has been an ongoing theme this month, and these stories are a great way to also teach why listening to both sides of a story is important!

Now the students will choose a character from a popular story and re-write the story from their perspective! I have already seen some fantastic ideas. Once we have traveled through the writing process the students will create books generated by an awesome website: ReadWriteThink.com
http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/stapleless/index.html
The above link will take you to a staple-less book generator. The kids type the words, choose where the picture will be drawn, and voila! Instant book publication!
I hope to take these stories and have my kids read them to some willing classes within the school....pictures and video to follow!

We Are the Light of the World!

Recently we participated in a door display contest for Catholic Schools Week. Here is what we created:

While we didn't win, we had a great time creating this fun photo display. Each child took a picture to look as if they were floating away......very cute!