Planning: Creating a Curriculum Calendar/Map

So, this was my big project this summer to help me get my footing just a little bit into what first grade is really going to entail this school year.  I worked with some of my colleagues from my previous school to piece together what reading, writing and phonics instruction would look like in a first grade classroom when focusing on the school year as a whole.  We took into consideration CCSS, Benchmark Reading, Benchmark Writing and Lucy Calkins materials in order to comprehensively meet all of the rigorous learning expectations.  I then took what we had done together with literacy and added in math, science, social studies, assessments and even what positive behavior qualities I also wanted to be sure to focus on throughout the year with my students.  Linked is the (DRAFT) end product of that work.  Very helpful for me to know I can fit this all into a year!

Again, I have linked my "finished" product as well as a blank template if other would like to try this themselves.

2013-2014 Curriculum Map/Calendar

Curriculum Map/Calendar Template

Welcome Postcards!

So, every year I try to send something to the students specifically to welcome them to the new school year.  This is in addition to the introductory letter that I send to parents.  The letter to parents highlights my experience, who I am and any important beginning of the year dates/events.  The student letters are more of just a friendly hello.  This year I found these cute postcards at The Children's Bookshop in Lynnwood, WA that I am going to send out.  Again, I am not getting too specific in the message, just introducing myself and keeping the message about our new year together positive!

 

Classroom Update

Remind101 Texting for Teachers

So a teacher friend posted about Remind101 and we have been having a good discussion on the "Teacher Talk Washington" Facebook page about the merits of using this mode of communication with students and/or parents.  It is an interesting idea and could be a really effective for reminding about events, assignments, etc.

Here is how Remind101 is described, "a safe way for teachers to text message students and stay in touch with parents".  They also say that in some classrooms student participation has increased 50% by utilizing texting.

It is something that I am thinking could be helpful in communicating with parents in my classroom and I may try this school year.  If I do I will report back on how well it worked for me!  If you already use Remind101 please let me know what you think of it.  I am so curious!!!

If interested there is more information here: https://www.remind101.com/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=news_feed&utm_campaign=homepage-20130801

Reading/Writing Connections Book Study

I feel extraordinarily fortunate that the teachers and administration from my previous elementary school teaching assignment have been so open and inviting when it comes to including me in the professional growth opportunities that they are exploring.  This summer they were kind enough to invite me to participate in a book study for primary teachers around the book "Reading and Writing Connections in the K-2 Classroom" written by Leah Mermelstein.  I am loving the book, but more than that I am getting so much from the expertise and insights of these wonderful teachers!!!

Today we met to discuss chapters 6 and 7 from the book, which cover the elements of balanced literacy as well as effective ways to plan and calendar for the year keeping in mind what you want student to know and have accomplished by the end of the school year.  First, I should say I have always considered myself relatively well versed in balanced literacy, my National Board certification is in Literacy: Early/Middle Childhood Reading and Language Arts for crying out loud, but this book drew out many wonderful and new (for me) examples and considerations.  Mermelstein really deepened my understanding on the subject and I was really pleased feeling as though I had some new knowledge to help me guide my students learning next year.  In this way, (and without giving out too many details-- you will have to read the book!) I really believe that a teacher at any level of experience and expertise can gain something from this read.  I was truly blown away though by the insights that my colleagues brought to the table as we began to discuss and delve into the application portion of the book study time and plan for instruction this upcoming school year.  Today we worked on planning and evaluating the first 30 days of our literacy instruction and discussed how we set-up the systems and expectations for reading, writing and word work lessons in the classroom so that students and teacher are able to successfully learn and utilize their time.  I contributed very little during this discussion (those who know me, know this is a rare occurrence-- I am a talker!), but instead sat back and took in some of the discussion about what has worked and not worked for these veteran 1st grade teachers in the past.  So much good insight that I can use as I start teaching in first this year!

I am really looking forward to next Tuesday.  The group will begin looking at the Benchmark Literacy (that is the curriculum our district uses) and will begin to go through the process Mermelstein suggests for planning the year into a curriculum calendar.  I am sure I will learn so much more!

Here are a few pics from our work today:

Getting REALLY Close!

A busy week!  Rebecca and Karen, two of my new first grade teaching colleagues came up with the fun idea of doing our teaching supplies shopping together.  We took a day to travel around to local garage sales and some of our favorite supplies stores.  I learned of a great one in Lynnwood, WA called "Children's Bookshop". http://www.childrens-bookshop.com/  Karen also knew of some great catalogs and websites.  I did some browsing of http://www.reallygoodstuff.com/ and could spends hundreds of dollars there if left to my own devices.  I also got a great deal on a bookcase for the classroom at one of the garage sales-- $10!!!

So, the classroom set-up is almost done!  So, so close!  As many of you know I have been putting in an hour or two on my free days all summer to get things ready.  All the big projects are done as of today and now it is just this week of getting some of the classroom details finished up.  My lovely husband came in this weekend to help me with mounting the last of my shelving and getting the final furniture in place.  My first classroom volunteer in my new room!!!

Here are some photos of Matt hard at work and a couple classroom photos.  Can't wait to dig into the curriculum after this week and share some of the cool stuff we will be learning in first grade this year!