I have been nominated for a Liebstar Award! Thank you to:
Andrea @
for nominating me!
“There are some Leibster Rules nominees must follow, so here they are:
1. You must post 11 random things about yourself.
2. Answer the questions that the nominator set for you.
3. Create 11 questions for the people you nominate.
4. Choose 11 other blogs with fewer than 200 followers to nominate and link them in your post.
5. You cannot “tag back” the other blog, but leave a comment on this post with the URL of your Liebster post so I can learn more about you & see who you nominate.”
Here are my 11 Random Things,,,
1. I am a new Grandma ( 3 yr old step-Granddaughter, 8 month old granddaughter, and 1 week-old granddaughter 🙂
2. I married my JUNIOR high school sweetheart. (Started dating…well, seeing each other…my dad wouldn’t let me date until 16… at 14, Married at 19. Our 31st anniversary this year!)
3. Got a new car this year…38 miles to the gallon! YES!
4, I have 4 grown children ( twin boys, another boy, and a girl!)
5. I have taught first grade for 22 years…17 at the same school.
6. I am now teaching children from former students,,,wow I feel old!
7. I LOVE chocolate!
8. I lost 35 pounds ( so far…20 to go) this year. Goal is 50 lbs, off by my 50th birthday, this May. Fingers crossed…
9. Both of my sisters are teachers, One in grade 1, other in reading intervention.
10. I LOVE the beach!
11. I went double-parasailing with my husband ( up 800ft!) this summer.
11 Questions from GROOVY TEACHER:1. What made you decide to become a teacher?
1. My younger sister was a new teacher & she was having SOO much fun! I had three young boys at home & my husband & I decided I either had to go to work ( I was a stay-at-home-mom ( fun… but no $) OR go to school…I didn’t want to go to work! So I went to night school.. for 3 1/2 years …accellerated at some points…and got my credential.
2. What is your favorite subject to teach and why?
2. What is your favorite subject to teach and why?
READING!! I LOVE the guided reading table…my favorite part f the day is when I get to sit down & listen to kids read! They get SOOO excited! We always finish reading with a “high five”!:)
3. Are you required to use pacing guides? If so, do you find them effective?
3. Are you required to use pacing guides? If so, do you find them effective?
YES :(…not effective for LEARNING…only for TESTING…A long time ago (dinosaur time) when I first started teaching, we taught thematically. WHAT a DIFFERENCE! You could go deep into a theme…memories..
4. How do you think teachers should be evaluated?
4. How do you think teachers should be evaluated?
4. I teach in a low performing, low socioeconomic, high-turnover first grade class. I have 18 EL students (of 30)…
I spend A LOT of my time teaching PARENTS how to be a parent. LOTS of issues…My evaluation should be based on where my students come from when thy enter my classroom & where they are when they leave. Have they made progress? Have I helped them get ready for the next grade level OR have I helped them find a placement that WILL help them? NO ONE SLIPS THROUGH THE CRACKS!
5. Do you use the DRA to assess reading? If not, how do you assess it?
5. Do you use the DRA to assess reading? If not, how do you assess it?
No DRA…anymore..we did DRA for years..and then…”boxed” curriculum! The “F” word became FIDELITY to core…we were exclusive to the core! Not so good…I use running records, benchmark assessments (curriculum designed), and “CORE” to level my students…I also am a certificated Reading Specialist..so I have a little reading knowledge.:)
6. What is the most important routine in you classroom?
6. What is the most important routine in you classroom?
1,2,3,……EYES ON ME
7. What is your favorite thing to do in your free time?
7. What is your favorite thing to do in your free time?
7.Travel with my husband ( of 30 years…my junior high & high-school sweetheart) & spend time with our 4 grown kids & 3 granddaughters!
8. Do you use literacy stations in your classroom? If so, which one do you find the most effective?
8. Do you use literacy stations in your classroom? If so, which one do you find the most effective?
8. Not this year…I have 6 “special needs” ( only 3 designated so far…still in the PROCESS, with the other 3)
students . Class can’t handle too much movement or freedom. I do have 10-15 minutes of FREE CHOICE centers ( that I choose) for those who finish work (need to reward those who are on track..)
9. List three of your favorite children’s websites
9. List three of your favorite children’s websites
9. TPT, Zulily, Etsy ( I shop for granddaughters there).
10. If you could teach any grade level what would it be and why?
10. If you could teach any grade level what would it be and why?
10. ONLY FIRSTIES! I have been here 22 years & never leaving! I need my daily hugs!
11. Are you required to eat lunch with your kids? If not, who watches them? What is the lunch procedure?
11. Are you required to eat lunch with your kids? If not, who watches them? What is the lunch procedure?
11.NO….not going to. Teachers ( and parents), need a break to talk ADULT talk and RECHARGE!
My students eat in the cafeteria ( we have 5 lunch periods at my school) & then go to a 10-15 min. recess for bathroom & drinks. 2 paid yard duty assistants “Guard” watch over the playground. We get 35 minutes for lunch.
Well, that’s about it!
Now it’s my turn to find others!
Thanks, Andrea!
Happy Goundhog Day to all!
