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Monday, July 28, 2014

Hi-Ho Hi-Ho, It's Off to K They Go


This summer, our school was selected to pilot a program to ease the transition for students who speak English as a second language. For the past three weeks, we have had the privilege of teaching that transitional summer camp for those who will be entering Kindergarten this fall (also know as "next Wednesday!")

We were so excited for this opportunity!  During this camp, we were able to complete activities where students learned basic English vocabulary related to school routines and procedures.  Each day, we created a "color" craft to practice using scissors, glue, pencils, markers, etc....  This also gave our campers many social situations to use basic English vocabulary in conversation with one another.  We enjoyed watching these campers blossom and know they will be successful this fall (a.k.a. "next Wednesday!")

 
 
We just loved working with Ginger and Laurie!
 
 
Tomorrow, we are off to the Alabama Blogger Meet Up!!
 

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

50 is Nifty!!!


 
Much to our surprise, we already have 50 followers on TPT and 50 likes on Facebook!!!! To celebrate, we decided to give away one of our three back to school units for FREE!!! We are giving away Chicka Chika Boom Boom! It's 111 pages of  coco"nutty" fun!  You can find it in our TPT store by clicking the picture.
 
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Chicka-Chicka-Boom-Boom-Centers-FREEBIE-1327245
 
 
As you prepare for the next school year, check out these two colorful units!

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Kittys-Colorful-Centers-Pete-the-Cat-1328401
 
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Back-to-School-with-Brown-Bear-1328334
 
Enjoy what is left of your summer!  We are counting down the days!


Thursday, July 10, 2014

You Say PoTAYto, I Say PoTAHto


As of now, we are POTATO crazy!!! For the past couple of years, we have used potato heads as incentives and motivators in our classrooms.  Now, we have a REAL use for them!!!!

This summer, we attended the National Whole Brain Teaching Conference in Pineville, Louisiana. It was an experience we won't soon forget!  Three other teachers were crazy enough to go with us, and we had an absolute BLAST!!!!  We have be dabbling in Whole Brain concepts, but have never jumped in with both feet.

At the conference, we were lit on fire for the Whole Brain Teaching class style!! We were affirmed in the concepts we were already using, and challenged to put into practice many new strategies!  One of the new ideas we are bringing home with us is the "Super Improvers Wall." It replaces the clip chart and instead, focuses on improvements students make in academics, character, and behavior.  You can check all of the amazing WBT strategies out here: http://www.wholebrainteaching.com/

Here is a group shot with the man himself- Chris Biffle!

We were challenged by our WBT instructor to create a fun Super Improvers theme for our own classroom.  Well, we repurposed our use of the potatoes and have designed a "Potato Peeps" theme! 

 
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Super-Improvers-Wall-and-Class-Rules-Freebie-Potato-Head-Theme-1317408

All this tater talk has made us hungry... Off to grab some French Fried Taters!!!!!