"Student Teachers"

-------Ever start a post and never click publish? Here's something from a couple weeks ago-------

In math we have spent the past two or three weeks working on area and perimeter and then area of an irregular figure. This was very difficult for my kids. 

I had them take a quiz on Wednesday and after grading them I felt so mixed and confused. The scores were all over the place. I decided to give some that did every well the chance to become the teacher. I paired them up with a friend that needed a little more help. They became the "student teacher." 

While they helped the other friend I worked one on one with a low baby on something else. I was listening to my "student teachers" and hearing the vocabulary they used and the math strategies they were reminding their partner of and it made my teacher heart so happy. 

But then I heard one of them reteaching the entire unit in Spanish to a student. This "student teacher" wanted to teach him in a way that he could get. This made me so happy. I stopped what I was doing and for the longest time just listened. 

After a very rough week I was reminded that this is why I do what I do. 

Currently

Linking up with Farley

It's already February! I can't believe it! This is going to be a short post. I'm exhausted!

Who else needs a personal grocery shopper? I will give you my list and the money, I just need someone to go, bring the groceries in and put them away. Any takers? 

Also getting gifted endorsed at the same time as teaching during a very difficult school year is draining me! 

Happy Friday!

100th Day of School

Today I challenged my students to read 100 books AND take the AR tests. They thought I was crazy. After about 30 minutes I posted that we had taken 33 tests. They were so excited. I have never seen them so excited to meet a goal. (They didn't even realize they were reading and building their vocabulary). 

They did it! They read 115 books today and took 115 AR tests!

It was awesome sending the parents this message on Class Dojo!

Currently January 2016

Linking up with Farley for this currently post!

How adorable is this currently post? I'm loving this silver and gold we have going on.  :)

Listening: I got back into About a Boy since I was home sick last week. I love this show. It's hilarious and I now find myself talking in a British accent, thanks to Toni Collette. 

Loving: UMM.... what teacher doesn't love pens? I thought nothing could top my Flair pens, but goodness gracious! These bad boys are my absolute favorite. I haven't mustered up the courage to take them to work yet, I don't want them lost or stolen! 

Thinking: I have always thought there was too much testing, but tonight while grading writing assessments from December I wanted to cry. 

Wanting: ....is it spring break yet? 

Needing: Doc said I was on the verge of laryngitis.... 

One little word: listen. I'm focusing on just listening to my kids talk. Even if it's about some weird story about why they must take home their leftover celery for their pet guinea pig. 

Happy almost Tuesday friends!

New Year's Resolutions

On our first day back we created three resolutions for the rest of the school year. I allowed the students to pick out their index card color. After they wrote their three resolutions I collected and taped it to their desk. I wanted this to be a constant reminder for them. 

This is mine. I'll be honest doing reading groups every day is going to be a huge challenge for me. But I'm going to try!

"Do not make Ms. Vaughn mad." HA! 

Mastering Math Facts is a huge goal for my class!

Love this!

How awesome is this kid!

Happy New Year to you and your class!

Center Activity

Something I created during my first year of teaching was my Place Value Word Work center activity. I use it in my Grammar and Math center rotations. Sometimes I have my kids just use a dry erase marker and a plastic sleeve with the recording sheet. But other times I have them use a piece of notebook paper (to save on copies), so that I can get a quick grade. :)

This activity has them practice their spelling, place value skills, and their addition skills. I love pulling it out at random times throughout the year to have the kids review these beginning of year skills. 

Similes, oh Similes

Teaching grammar is one of my favorite things. It really allows your kids to be creative and make their writing a whole lot better. My kids rocked the lesson on similes and they are loving using them in their writing. Almost a little too much sometimes. :)

We did these super cute Simile Rainbows a few weeks ago. Take a look HERE for a FREEBIE on TpT. I cannot take total credit for this idea, I have no idea who to give the credit to actually. I have had it for a couple years in my files and now that I have googled it I see that it's not an original.

But take a look at the awesome similes my kids created! Proud teacher over here!