Data Collection, again!

Data Collecting sends SHIVERS DOWN MY SPINE!

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Data Collecting!

 

The words that send

SHIVERS

down 

EVERY TEACHER’S

BACK!

WHY? HOW? WHEN?

Relax…take a breath…

go to your “HAPPY PLACE!”

 

Data Collecting is very important in education.

We as educators not only need to deliver
the instruction, but we do have the need
to ensure our students master and apply
the knowledge we are delivering.
 
For me, it was a
CHANGE of  MINDSET.
When I change my lifestyle, I need a WHY?
Why am I doing this? Why is it needed? 
WHY?  WHY?  WHY?
 
BECAUSE.

 

Collecting data is NOT about the numbers.

It’s NOT about “judging” my teaching. It’s
NOT about seeing 
HOW many of my students DID or DID
NOT master a concept.
 
It’s about looking for those SMALL
skills,
those giant holes,
those little tweeks that
are missing FOR THE CHILD! 
What areas are missing…so I can fill
them!
 
IT’S NOT ABOUT ME???
 
NOPE!
 
It’s about the KIDS!
 
Data is to help our kids.
 
OK.   So  HOW?
 
There are a MULTITUDE of  assessments
that you can use. 
In this day and age, I bet your district has
a LONG list of assessments
they want you to use.
USE them!
 
Don’t just give the test & move to the
next lesson.
LOOK  AT  THE  DATA!
 
You might be surprised at what you see!
 
I recently gave a math assessment to my
firsties.
We had spent 4-5 weeks (YES WEEKS) on
place value!
Tens and ones.  Tens and ones.  
OVER  AND  OVER!
 
After my “district” math assessment,
I noticed a trend…
On 5-6 of the tests  ( 25%  of my class..)
they missed 3-4 questions about 
adding ten to a number.
 
WHAT? ADDING TEN IS EASY!
 
We had gone over tens & ones,
tens & ones…   BUT…
 
I “assumed”
…remember what they say about 
ASSUME…
 
that it would be easy for them 
because they understood place value!
 
So…a week later of
SMALL  GROUP   math
  …adding tens to numbers
 
SHAZAM!
 
100%  on the place value review test!
So what if I gave the review test again?
They didn’t get it the first time!
 
It is NOT important that 
OUR numbers
 look good to others!
 
What is important is
DO THE KIDS KNOW IT?
 
Knowledge vs. numbers.
 
WOW!
A New MINDSET!
 
If you are looking for some reading/writing assessments 
to HELP your kiddos…
THIS WILL HELP!
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Winter-Activities-Bundle-k-3-2184410

How to Survive WINTER in the Classroom (with KIDS!)

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It’s Here. Ready or Not.

WINTER IS HERE!

It’s ALL about SURVIVAL.

Winter Survival.

Think JUNGLE. Think SWAMP! THINK SNOWSTORM!  EEEKKKKK!!!!

Our of bed
Yes you must get out of bed…YOU are the TEACHER!

You can do it. You are the teacher. 

Now, we here in NORCAL have rain, fog, some snow (in the Sierra mountains)…but YOU ALL have

WINTER SNOW DAYS!

And YOU get a SNOW DAY..and YOU get a SNOW DAY
And YOU get a Snow day!

NOT EVERYONE.

We get to go to school. No recess ( rain ). Short lunch.  BOUNCY KIDS!

So to help out with the teachers who are INDOORS in WINTER with a class full of students who want to be OUTDOORS…

I have put together a WINTER SURVIVAL Guide for YOU!

First and foremost, GET IT READY NOW!

DON’T WAIT! 

( You won’t have time to prep ALL of it the WINTER Day you NEED it! )

Have it ready to pull out and VOILA!  SUPER TEACHER!

Here are a few samples to help:

Baby It's COLD OUTSIDE Winter Centers
Baby It’s COLD OUTSIDE Winter Reading, writing, & word work centers

BABY It’s COLD Outside! Winter Language Arts Centers

WINTER Place Value Snowman
Do You WANT to build a SNOWMAN? Place Value FUN! Winter math craftivity for first and second grade!

Do YOU Want to Build a SNOWMAN? Place Value FUN!

Here are a few more

Winter Survival Products 

to check out!

The ELVES are Working OVERTIME!

Word Trees for Reading Fluency
Word Tree BUNDLE for Fall, WInter, & Spring. Reading Fluency for ALL!

Need some WINTER “HOW-TO?” 🙂 

Here you go!

 

Winter BUNDLE
5 Packet Winter BUNDLE!

5 Packet WINTER BUNDLE

Winter PINTEREST BOARDS 

So..Get READY, Get Set, GO!  

Get Ready for the WINTER SURVIVAL in the classroom!  HURRY! 
Get Ready for WINTER
WINTER Snowman

Breathe. Relax. and Remember…

The sun will come out…EVENTUALLY!  HAHA

 

FREEBIE to help YOU get ready for January

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Holiday-Grammar-Practice-Pages-1578132

Do You want to build a PLACE VALUE Snowman?

Do YOU want to build a SNOWMAN? A Place Value Snowman? YES!

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I know… more FROZEN! And Frozen 2

Sorry if the song will NOW be in your head…

ALL DAY!

So…let’s add some FUN!

DO YOU WANT TO BUILD A SNOWMAN???

I DO! I DO!

My firsties are working on place value.

Struggling a little with the different variations on representing numbers.

So, what is a teacher to do?

BUILD A SNOWMAN!

This packet allows kids to build a snowman

 AT THEIR LEVEL!

Snowballs are available in 

base-ten, expanded notation, math mountains, & ten sticks.

If they are working on building a number in base-ten blocks…

then only use the base-ten blocks snowball.

Want to extend?

Add a “expanded notation” snowball.

Challenge students?

Add a few more….mix them up & have them sort…use as an assessment!

WOW!  All in one!

Here it is!

Check out my PINTEREST BOARDS for MORE GOODIES!

Need MORE for Winter in the Classroom? CLICK  HERE

Have FUN! 

Wendy

Are YOU a HELPER ELF?

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It’s the 
MOST, WONDERFUL 
TIME OF THE YEAR!

 

SANTA  CLAUS  IS COMIN’ TO TOWN!

I work at a low socioeconomic,

Title 1 school.
This time of year can be very hard for some kids.
Some families DON’T celebrate Christmas.
Some families can’t afford gifts.
Some are VERY proud and won’t accept donations.
So…Santa doesn’t come to EVERY house.


via GIPHY

So today..we had  
THE TALK.

THE talk about what December, Christmas, and Santa
are REALLY  about.

GIVING & HELPING!

Today…we  became
HELPER  ELVES!

We talked about 
HOW we can HELP at HOME, 
at SCHOOL, 
and help our FRIENDS!
 
We talked about giving from the “heart”.
Our class meeting was SO enlightening!
My kids were SO engaged.
It was NOT about “ME..ME..ME”.
It was about “What can I do for OTHERS!”
 
Sniff..sniff..made tears of joy come to my eyes!
 
IT WAS AWESOME!
 
And so…
 
Santa, you can come to ROOM 3.
(I have a feeling…he will)
 
But for now..
 
WE WILL BE HELPING YOU,SANTA!
 
WE ARE HELPER ELVES!
 

 

 

 
To help YOU out…
 
I have some 
CHRISTMAS Goodies
for the classroom
in my TPT store.
 
 
Here is a FREEBIE
from my store!
 
MERRY CHRISTMAS, 
Helper ELVES!
 

 

I am a Cookie Exchange CHEATER! And YOU?

I am a COOKIE Exchange CHEATER!

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Bake Cookies? ME?

OK. I admit it. I am a Cookie Exchange CHEATER!

Have you been to a “Cookie Exchange”? 

You bring 1-2 dozen cookies.

You take home a variety of cookies…

as many cookies as you brought.

Here are some of the cookies made from years past:

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/AUIVybs91IafbDtkvVkRjnAtfnqJIhGchljvrBWewHyUgeExB8-nPHU/
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/532409987183578029/

and these

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/532409987183644068/

And so…

those of you who know me…

I don’t bake…

well, I have..

I just don’t ENJOY it!

* I made a batch of persimmon cookies last weekend.

I felt I had to before the persimmons rotted.

YUCK!

Bad BAKER!

I gave them to the chickens!

And so…  What to take to the family cookie exchange?

Make it…..don’t BAKE it!

TA DA!

Enter..

NUTTER  BUTTER  REINDEER!

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/95349717084620212/

Check out my COOKIE Pinterest board for MORE ideas!

And so…

Will it be a Pinterest SUCCESS?

or

A Pinterest FAIL?

Here we go!

Supplies.

Lay out the Nutter Butters.

Break the pretzels into antlers.

Mix powdered sugar into

ROYAL  FROSTING.

(It dries like CEMENT…it holds everything!)

I think ..Pinterest SUCCESS!

The grandkids LOVE them!

So was I a COOKIE EXCHANGE cheater?

Maybe. But you know what?

The smiles & hugs made it ALL worthwhile!

Merry Christmas!

Addition & Subtraction Task Cards

Low-Stress December Math Centers

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This will help your math centers for December!

I don’t know about you, but I have WAY TOO MANY things going on in December!

I want my classroom to run like a “well-oiled” machine…independently.

I need to ASSESS, read with kids, check those who need “help” are getting it, and TEACH!

( Makes me tired looking at this!)

MATH. It is like a GIGANTIC ROLLERCOASTER!

Somedays they are UP…they know it ALL!

and the next day, they are down, down, down,

( can’t do ANY math!)

WHAT HAPPENED?

 They need practice. DAILY practice. 

Daily math center practice with both addition and subtraction math facts.

Kids love to play games. I want them to practice math facts.

Hmmm 

  Games + Practice = SUCCESS

Here you go! My newest BFF.

Addition and Subtraction Math Task Cards to 20…Winter Edition

464 Task Cards

                                                            and

20 Math Mats for Sorting

You can PRINT individual Math Sorting Mats

        ( There are 21)

or… You can PRINT 2 to a page and save INK & PAPER!

Teachers LOVE CHOICES too!

Need MORE Practice math Centers?   I’ve got your BACK!

Place Value Sorting Cards

Place Value Ture or False Sorting

Do your kids need extra help with place value? How about a sorting activity?  Place Value True or False? 

If you are NEW to MATH Games, this blog post might help:

                           Math Games & Activities for December

Ask for help, don’t get too much on your plate, it’s ok to say “NO!”

Check out my December:

Are You a Helper Elf?

December in Room 3

How to Have a “NO STRESS” December

Enjoy, the holidays, stay safe, keep yourself healthy, and have fun!

Stop by in 2022 and say HI!

                                                                      Wendy

1stgradefireworks

 

 

Why I Need Tissues When We Put up the TREE!

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Happy Holidays, my friends!

I just spent 2 1/2 HOURS…yes, hours…
putting up our

CHRISTMAS  TREE!

 
 
Wendy….
WHY SO LONG?
Because.  
 
My Christmas tree is NOT a 
MARTHA STEWART tree.
 
It doesn’t match.
It doesn’t have a “theme”.
 
It is MY  family’s legacy.
It is a timeline of our life.
AND I CHERISH EVERY MOMENT!
 
I cried.
I giggled.
I remembered moments from years past.
 
My hubby kept coming into the living room
wondering what was taking so long.
 
Then…he would look an an ornament and say..
“Do you remember…?”
Yes!  I DO!
 
As I look through the ornament box,
my heart swells with happiness.

That, my friends, is what 

CHRISTMAS is ALL about.

 

I collect ornaments! 
I search them out EVERYWHERE we go!
I buy them for MY kids and MY grandkids!
ALWAYS…date the back! 
Doesn’t seem important now…IT WILL BE LATER!
If you can’t find ornaments…key chains work fantastic!
Scavenge the “AFTER CHRISTMAS” sales!
Christmas boutiques, & craft sales!
It’s about a memory.
I never want to FORGET!
 
IN  LIFE…there is NO “DO OVER”.
There are “second chances”…but they are
DIFFERENT!
 
Here is a little “smattering” of my 
Christmas Tree!
 
A cruise hubby & I took to the Caribbean.
The first ship I had ever been on!
 
After 10 months on fertility drugs…BABY on the way!
This was the first ornament I ever bought with a baby on it!
We didn’t know if it was a boy or girl.
Ended up being twin boys! 
32 years ago & still cry at this one!
Happy tears!
 
 
Yes…I have the first 5 years for ALL of my kids!
We are blessed with 4 kids & 5 grandchildren.
 
 
Hubby’s FAVORITE!
JAWS FAN!
 
 
 
A trip to EUROPE with my mom & sisters!
4 California girls to England, Ireland, & Scotland!
We found our ancestor’s farm!
 
My auntie ( now 90 ) made this for me
when I was 5. ( 49 yrs ago ).
 
Very precious.
At the TOP of our tree.
The last remaining ornament HANDMADE by my grandmother.
My parents house burned to the ground 30 years ago.
In the attic were ALL of my MOM’s Christmas ornaments!
GONE!  Luckily, I had one from MY grandma.
Sniff…sniff…memories!
You think those little strings of popcorn won’t last?
Hubby’s from PRESCHOOL!
1965!
(It used to be much longer…I wrap it in tissue every year!)
 
For your kids…
If they play sports…get them a sports ornament
EVERY  YEAR!
There will come a day…when they won’t play!
Remember all the fun times!
 
 

KEY  CHAINS   MAKE  CHRISTMAS  ORNAMENTS!

My little sis got remarried on the beach in HAWAII!  
The WHOLE family went!
We went snorkeling and saw the SEA TURTLES!
FUN TIMES!
 
My son’s favorite sport ( He wrote this when he was 10 ).
He is now in the US NAVY!
I wonder if ALL the practices & games helped him get ready for LIFE?
YES!
 
My first trip to the EAST COAST!
We toured from NEW YORK to NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Stayed at the BEST B&B in Plymouth BAY!
 
 
TEACHERS!!!!
Yes…those  “SILLY”  classroom ornaments 
DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
AND…GLITTER  MATTERS!
A plastic lid…some glitter…and  a picture!
Circa  1992.
 
So here is a “SMATTERING”
of 
MY LIFE!
 
It’s  PERFECT for ME!
 
 
 
 
 
 
Remember..
 
IN LIFE…there is NO “DO OVER!”
Live, LAUGH, Love!
 
 

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays

from
On the Blog...Work Smarter not Harder

Surviving December by Working SMARTER not HARDER

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I Love the MONTRA…   Work SMARTER, Not HARDER

Sometimes I find something ( or do something )

that I think…

“DUH!!!  WHY HAVEN’T I BEEN DOING THIS FOREVER???”

This is one of those things…

Here is SPELLING for the Whole YEAR  to help you WORK SMARTER, NOT HARDER!

Spelling BUNDLE

Here is SPELLING for the WHOLE YEAR!

Kinder Spelling

I Am in KINDER…see me SPELL!

KINDER SPELLING

We use MUST DO’s & MAY DO’s for centers.

MUST DO’s & May Do’s

Must do's & May Dos

Must do’s & May Dos

 Work SMARTER, Not HARDER

Have you ever used

REPOSITIONAL VINYL LETTERS??

OMG!  I LOVE THEM!

I got mine…at STAPLES

http://www.staples.com/Cosco-098135-Vinyl-Letter-C-N-1-Helvetica-Black/product_712405

BEFORE…last 23 YEARS…

I would write the numbers & Content areas

EVERY WEEK..

 Work SMARTER NOT HARDER!

NOW…I can just add the words / skills

& the kids ALWAYS know where to look!

You can erase over the letters

AND

when you remove them..

NOT sticky ucky  GLUE stuff!

I use multiple sizes for interest…

MY NAME is GIGANTIC!

(Don’t ask me how to spell…MRS. McCARTY )

Love Love Love this!

Again…as we begin a NEW YEAR…
a great time to
WORK SMARTER…NOT HARDER!

Balanced Literacy – Week 1 of 8 – READ ALOUDS

How to Fit it ALL IN?

The Guided Reading COMMAND CENTER

FREE from me to YOU!

 

Happy Holidays from 1stgradefireworks

Wendy

It’s Hard to Grow UP!

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  Sometimes, it’s just plain HARD to grow UP!
 Babies crawl before they walk, you have to walk before you run, and as
you age…your body FIGHTS BACK!
As a Grandma, I am aging. I have had 4 kids, and now they are having their
own families! (Wow…that i just sooo wierd to say…seems like yesterday I
was changing their diapers……..) ANYWAY…As I was taking care of my
newest granddaughter this week, my body fought back! Aching shoulders
(lifting 18 lbs. of baby, aching back ( you want me to crawl on
the ….ground?) “OK!”, and the funniest part, the little scratches on my chin
from her nails ( didn’t think to cut them until after scratches). But would I
change a thing? NO WAY! I think once you are a mother…you are a mother
for life. I think that’s what makes good teachers. We know our job of
nurturing children doesn’t leave at the door. We care about kids. We care
if they have food to eat, if they have friends to play with, and if they are
having a good day or not. Sure we care about the “TEST SCORES!” ( not so
much as OTHERS CARE ABOUT THE SCORES)…but we want to make kind-
hearted, productive PEOPLE.  As my granddaughter returns home with her
mommy ( who by the way was VERY happy to be home again)  I am happy
and sad. I am happy that I have a granddaughter who CAN come stay with
me. And I am sad…I will miss the little scratches on my chin where we
cuddled when I gave her a bottle. That little MATERNAL instinct never goes
away…now onto the ice pack so the sore back will go away! So here’s to
those who care…all of us!
Enjoy your week. Wendy
Don't Blink. Thank You Kenny Chesney.

NOVEMBER already? Don’t BLINK!

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I just LOVE

Kenny Chesney…

Kenny Chesney

Kenny Chesney

I think he is speaking to ME!

As I  am singing…no…  BELTING OUT.. his song

( in my car of course…windows up..no one wants to hear this voice) 🙂

“DON’T BLINK”

Don’t blink!

Just like that, you’re six years old and you take a nap and you

Wake up and you’re twenty-five and your high school sweetheart becomes your wife

Don’t blink

You just might miss your babies growing like mine did

Turning into moms and dads next thing you know your better half

Of fifty years is there in bed

And you’re praying God takes you instead

Trust me friend a hundred years goes faster than you think

So don’t blink

I can TOTALLY RELATE!

I swear..I just looked at the calendar & it was OCTOBER!

Early OCTOBER!

THEN…WHAM!

Halloween is here..NO..GONE!

and now it is NOVEMBER! 

WHERE DID OCTOBER GO??

As I turn the calendar, I realize 

I need to slow down

and appreciate ALL that I have in the HERE & NOW!

So, my friends..

BEFORE the Holidays come…55 days to be exact!

Christmas Carols EVERYWHERE!

and then BAM! Christmas Carols EVERYWHERE!

Take a few moments to 

STOP! Look around! Remember this MOMENT!

It will be gone in a BLINK!

Enjoy the..

LULL

( Before the RUSH!)

Take a minute, relish in the moment, and ENJOY!

BECAUSE…tomorrow will be here soon enough..

I wonder where I can get a 2019 CALENDAR?

(I better hurry…it will be here SOON!)

HAHAHA

Here are a few 

“helpers” to get you through the

 Nov./Dec.  rush!

DON’T  BLINK!

Let's Talk TURKEY ( TpT 1stgradefireworks)

Let’s Talk TURKEY ( TpT 1stgradefireworks)

Let’s Talk Turkey

November Fact Family Booklets from TpT 1stgradefireworks

November Fact Family Booklets from TpT 1stgradefireworks

Fact  Family

November Adding 3 numbers MATH Booklets from TpT 1stgradefireworks

November Adding 3 numbers MATH Booklets from TpT 1stgradefireworks

Adding 3 numbers

November Vocabulary BANNERS from TpT 1stgradefireworks

November Vocabulary BANNERS from TpT 1stgradefireworks

November Vocabulary Banners

The Elves are Working OVERTIME from TpT 1stgradefireworks

The Elves are Working OVERTIME from TpT 1stgradefireworks

The Elves are Working OVERTIME!

WINTER Vocabulary BANNERS from TpT 1stgradefireworks

WINTER Vocabulary BANNERS from TpT 1stgradefireworks

Winter Vocabulary Banners

So remember:

1. Don’t BLINK!

2. Enjoy each and every moment

3. Tell those you care about, what they mean to YOU!         Kind WORDS COUNT!

4. Take care of yourself. 

5. Live, Laugh, Love!

Primary Teachers are Quirky!

Close Reading

How important is READING?

Enjoy!