#SPRINGTEACHERBLOGGERMEETUP2015

This Spring Teacher Blogger Meet Up better be an annual thing, because I can’t think of a better way to spend a weekend!!


Last year, fifty-four teacher bloggers gathered in French Lick, Indiana for a relaxing weekend away.  This year there were over one hundred teachers from all over who came to be a part of this INSPIRATIONAL event. 

Everything about this weekend was exactly what I needed to be rejuvenated for the rest of the school year.  I LOVE teaching and I love surrounding myself with other teachers who LOVE teaching as much as I do; teachers who are passionate, enthusiastic, and dedicated to what they do.  AND, I was able to spend it with two of my favorite coworkers. Brittany @ [Nifty in First Grade] and the event planner herself, Holly @ [Mrs. Ehle's Kindergarten Connections].

On Friday night we decided to explore the West Baden Springs Hotel.  …I love me some history, and it doesn’t take much to understand why this hotel was once called the “eighth wonder of the world.” …and we are pretty adorable as well, if I do say so myself.

Saturday.  The Main Event.  …a teacher tool swap, technology tips and tricks, round table discussions, and a pajama party!!

The teacher tool swap was broken into grade levels.  I loved the opportunity to spend some time with my “middle school” girls.  There were so many brilliant tools.  I think there is a good chance that I will be investing in a stapleless stapler very soon.  yes, that is a real thing.  My favorite part of the day was the round table discussions.  I grabbed so many great, simple ideas for increasing student engagement, getting myself more organized, and making the most out of the iPads in my classroom. 


oh, and we got to take home some really fabulous #teacherswag!!  [Keep reading to win your own Spring Teacher Blogger Swag Bag!]

As if that wasn’t enough, [Teachers Pay Teachers] and [GoNoodle] sponsored a pajama party so that we could be INSPIRED all evening.  …everyone who brought a business card, walked away with someone else’s card; someone to encourage and uplift in the coming months.

“A key to growing as a teacher is to keep company mainly with teachers who uplift you, whose presence inspires you and whose dedication drives you.” –Robert John Meehan

I feel so blessed to have been a part of such an amazing weekend!

Spring Teacher Blogger Swag Bag

a Rafflecopter giveaway

An InLinkz Link-up

GENIUS MOMENTS

Fact. …when people open their mouths to speak, they send more oxygen to the brain AND oxygen is essential to healthy brain development.  Our students NEED to brainstorm and discuss ideas! Talking in the classroom is a good thing!!

To be more specific, teachers should be intentionally challenging students by asking a variety of questions that enable students to use their reasoning, critical-thinking, and creative-thinking skills.  An EXCELLENT way to do this is by using Bloom’s Taxonomy of multi-level questioning. If you are a teacher, you probably know all about Bloom’s taxonomy.  …or at least you remember hearing those words once or twice when you were in college.

I spend a lot of my day asking a variety of questions to further understanding, but do I truly ask questions that require a higher level of thinking?  …not always.  I mean, if I am in the middle of giving instruction, I can’t necessarily know if I am actually hitting ALL SIX types of questioning!!

…so what are GENIUS MOMENTS?

In my classroom, I refer to the unexpected “extra moments” that I find within my schedule as GENIUS MOMENTS! You know what I mean, the three extra minutes you have before the bell rings, or the four extra minutes you have because your students finished their center rotations early. If you are like me, you don’t want to waste one, single minute of classroom instructional time! I turn those extra, unplanned moments into GENIUS MOMENTS!

[Mrs. Ehle’s Kindergarten Connections] and I are working together to bring you a variety of tools, all based on best practices, that can help you make the most of those GENIUS MOMENTS!  The Genius Moments: Brain Building Question Cards are one of those super-simple, yet very impactful tools!  Check out the Middle School Edition [here] and find Mrs. Ehle’s Primary Edition [here]. 

…and be sure to check back for more tools that you can use to turn your unexpected extra moments into GENIUS MOMENTS!

SURVIVING THE CHAOS

It is official!!  I have exactly four and a half days left in my school year!!  We all know that describing the end of a school year as "hectic" is sometimes putting it lightly.

Here is my tip for...

Take time for YOU!

Let's be real, this is next to impossible during the last weeks of school. In fact, when I left school last Friday, it felt COMPLETELY impossible.  My [Massive To Do List] was overflowing, and my only goal for my three days of freedom was to check as many things as possible off that list.  ...instead I did nothing.  I couldn't resist.  The weather was beautiful, the sun was shining, and I am a sucker for a hammock and a good book.

It was so worth it.  Yes, Monday night was a little frantic, but after taking time to rest, relax, and enjoy the weekend, I didn't mind sitting down and being productive.  ...it also made me much more willing to put up with the lack of listening skills that always plagues my 6th graders this late in the year. : ] Take time for YOU; you won't regret it!! 

[Thanks for joining our Surviving the Chaos Blog Hop!!  The prize bundle is no longer available, but I hope you continue to read our tried, tested, and true survival tips.]

I would love to hear your suggestions for surviving the end of the school year!  You can leave your tip in the comments below.

An InLinkz Link-up

HOP TO A MORE ORGANIZED CLASSROOM

With summer approaching, the list of things I want to do this summer to become slightly more organized is growing quite quickly. …and I have a feeling this Spring Clean-Up Blog Hop is going to inspire me to add a few more things to that list.


Creating a Spectacular Substitute Binder lived on that list of things to do to become more organized for years.  It had always been something I wanted to do; after all, I think we can all relate to this…


…but I just never got around to it.  Whenever I was sick, I would find myself frantically typing up the basics, emailing them in, and hoping for the best.

This fall, I went for it.  I made the Spectacular Substitute Binder that has allowed those miserable mornings of panic to be slightly more manageable.  Check it out!!

SCHEDULES


PROCEDURES

CLASS LISTS


BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT

LESSON PLANS 

…my lesson plan section is a little lacking.  This summer I am planning to fill it with emergency plans and activities that can be used at any moment.  While I still have to type up a quick plan when I am unexpectedly sick, knowing this binder is sitting ready on my desk puts my heart at ease!  …and having this sheet in the inside cover of the binder often encourages my substitute to actually leave behind some feedback about the day.

Ready to make your own?!  Get your Editable Spectacular Substitute Binder [here].

Be sure to enter the Rafflecopter for your chance to win a HUGE Teachers Pay Teacher gift certificate!!

. a Rafflecopter giveaway
Hop to Learning in Progress for another Spring Clean-Up Tip!

TASK CARD TRAUMA

I love task cards, I really do.  …but sometimes I am just not sure how to make them work in the classroom.  Yes, they are engaging, but how do I ensure they are a true reflection of a student’s understanding? 

I am on a mission.  My goal is to share how I most often use task cards, but also come up with some new ways to use them in the classroom.

                             

METHOD #1:  Independent Work.  Depending on my purpose, this seems to work best if I am looking for a true assessment of understanding.  Rather than providing a set of task cards for each student, I scatter one set around the classroom.  Students each receive a Task Card Recording Sheet and their goal is to complete each task card by the end of class.  Obviously, setting expectations for the classroom environment is important.  Each card must be returned to where they found it before they can begin searching for a card they have not yet done.

METHOD #2: Partner Work.  At least in my classroom, working with a partner seems to work best when each task card can be a “station” in the classroom.  Partners find a task card and are given four minutes to work together to solve before rotating to a new station.  …I often time the stations so that the last ten minutes of class can be spent finishing any cards that were more challenging.

METHOD #2: Team Work.  I have tables in my classroom, so students are used to sitting in groups and working as a group.  If I plan to have students work as a team to complete the task cards, I often have a set of cards for each group.  (color-coding = brilliant.)  It is important to me that each student actively contributes to their team.  I often require students to complete the task card independently before discussing their answers.  In order to move onto the next task, all team member must agree on their solution. 

When I set out on this mission, I found a few great resources that get me thinking.  (oh, the possibilities…) Check out these resources for even more suggestions for using task cards in the classroom.

What is a Task Card?

Task Card Corner

Interested in trying task cards??  (…or do you just need a new, fabulous set to spice up your collection?)  Be sure to check out my newest Teachers Pay Teachers product.  Adding and Subtracting Decimals: Task Cards.  Get them [here]!  I just used these with all of my middle school students when we returned from Spring Break.  It was a great way to turn our “math brains” back on and review this important skill.

HOW DO YOU USE TASK CARDS IN YOUR CLASSROOM??  I would love to hear from you!

BLOG HOPPIN' AFTER AN AWESOME MEET-UP

At the end of March, fifty-four teachers and bloggers attended the Spring Teacher Blogger Meet-Up at the French Lick Resort & Casino that was organized by the fabulous, Holly Ehle.  It was AMAZING!  I had such a fantastic time being surrounded by educators from all over the country who are passionate about teaching.  They were truly an inspiration.  When's the next meet-up?!

To share a bit about our experience, and to give YOU the chance to win some of the awesome give-aways we received that weekend, we are having a BLOG HOP!! Be sure to hop all the way to the end in order to find your chance to enter the MASSIVE PRIZE GIVE-AWAY!!  Check it out, you can win ALL of these great prizes...  

  

While at the meet-up, we had the opportunity to participate in a "Teacher Tool Swap."  Everyone brought a a little something that they cannot live without in their classroom.  After a fun, little game that tested my knowledge of left and right, I had a fancy new pair of scissors, post-its, AND these fabulous pens!!  Thanks, Amanda Pauley!! ...my spring break grading was much more enjoyable with these fun, colorful pens by PaperMate.


As if the Vera Bradly bag, Erin Condren gift card, and Scentos weren't enough, I also won a $50.00 gift card to Schoolgirl Style!!  Melanie provided all of the decorations for the Blogger Meet-Up.  They were PERFECT and I can't wait to order some fun decorations for my classroom!  I mean, look!!

   

...I even learned a few things at this Spring Teacher Blogger Meet-Up!  During the Tips & Tricks session, Jenny taught everyone about the pros of using Windows Live Writer for posting to your blog.  How did I not already know about this??  If you have Windows, you have Windows Live Writer.  I love how simple it makes inserting pictures and making them the perfect size!!  

Sitting next to Amanda Pauley was definitely a wise decision.  Just one peak at the desktop of her computer changed my life!! Check out my post on desktop makeovers to learn more...

Yeah, free is fantastic, and the Tips & Tricks were great, but the best part of the weekend was the contagious enthusiasm of the teachers and bloggers that had traveled on their own time and at their own expense to be a part of the weekend.  I LOVE teaching; being around other teachers who LOVE what they do was exactly what I needed to rejuvenate me for the rest of this school year!!  



Don't forget to keep hopping!  Check out Amanda @ The Primary Gal and you will be one step closer to the ultimate prize give-away!!

LIEBSTER AWARD

…since I have been blogging for all of a month, I was pretty excited to find out that Lisa at Mrs. Tilmon Says… nominated me for the Liebster Award!!

The Liebster Award is given to up and coming bloggers who have less than two hundred followers as a way of welcoming them to the blogosphere. …I have all of five followers, so I would say that I meet that criteria. 

Lisa’s Questions & My Answers.

1. What grade do you teach? What grades have you taught? How long have you been teaching?  I have been teaching for five years and I LOVE it!  I currently teach in a small private school where I am the only 6th grade homeroom teacher.  Throughout the week I teach middle school math, literature, writing, and art. 

2. What book do you read to your class each year without fail?  I like to switch it up.  I am currently reading Wonder, by R.J. Palaico, to my 8th grade art class.  I discovered this book over the summer and decided it was one of those books that everyone needs to read.  …so if you haven’t read it, start reading!

3. If you weren't a teacher, what would you be doing?  …sleeping…  I seriously think I could be a professional sleeper. OR, possibly a children’s librarian.  I worked in the children’s department of the local library when I was in college.  Best. Summer. Job. Ever.

4. What's one thing you're just dying to buy for your classroom?  I can only pick one thing??  I would gladly take a personal Starbucks barista.

5. What's your non-teaching guilty pleasure?  I may or may not have a slight addiction to all things reality television.

6. Favorite book that is not teaching related?  This is the most difficult question ever.  I really just love reading.  My New Year’s “Resolution” was to read fifty-two books this year.  #nerdalert.  I was on a roll during the Polar Vortex where every other day was a snow day.  I think I have recently fallen a little behind.  …I just read the Divergent trilogy and loved it!

7. What's one thing on your bucket list?  ZipLining!!  …preferably somewhere awesome and tropical!

8. Favorite restaurant?  I have a thing for local restaurants.  El Azteca has the best black bean soup and excellent margaritas.  yummm.

9. Who would play you in a movie about your life?  I can’t know.  PASS.

10. What's one thing you could eat everyday?  I’m pretty sure I could eat a PB & J everyday and be okay with it.

11. What inspired you to begin blogging?  I started blogging as a way to network with other middle school teachers.  When you are the only 6th grade teacher in the building, there is a definite lack of collaboration and idea sharing.  Although I am new to blogging, I already love the community of teacher bloggers and the inspiration they provide.

11 Random Facts about ME.

• I LOVE hockey.  Go Blackhawks!! 
• I have never broken a bone.
• I have traveled to France, Switzerland, Italy, Mexico, and Canada, yet I don’t have a single stamp in my passport.  lame.
• I hate shoes.  If I could live in flip-flops, I would.  ...my shoes are regularly off in my classroom.  shhh!
• It’s official.  I am slightly addicted to Dr. Pepper.
• My favorite season is summer.  …and not just because teachers get summer’s off.  Sunshine and a good book make all things better!
• I may or may not have seen every episode of Hannah Montana.  I might also own the movie and all of the CDs.  Don’t judge. 
• I am terrified of goats.
• My classroom is extremely organized and it makes me INSANE when students plop things on my desk.  Excuse me, what are you thinking??
• …my bedroom is extremely unorganized. 
• I am off to Costa Rica in exactly 105 days for a mission trip with my fabulous High School Youth Group.  I can’t wait.  “…and what does the Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8

Now that you know a little more about me, I would love for my nominees to answer the same questions that Lisa asked me and share eleven random facts about themselves. 

       

Here are the rules. 
1. Link back to my blog as the one who nominated you.
2. Nominate five blogs with fewer than two hundred followers.
3. Answer the questions posted.
4. Share eleven random facts about yourself.
5. Contact your nominees to let them know they have been nominated. : ]