What A "WILD" Spirit Week

This week at school we had Spirit Week for Official Enrollment Week.  It was such a fun time with the students! On Wednesday we had Mix-Match Day so my student teacher, Ms. Thieme and myself, got into the spirit and dressed up.

On Thursday was Orange and Black Day so, of course, some of the teachers had to get into the spirit of being "Tigers".  Pictured below is: Ms. Arnold (Kinder), Ms. Martin (First) and Myself (Second).  It was so much fun and the students loved seeing their teachers faces painted.

Even though we were having fun with Spirit Week, we were also learning about our last Daily 5 for the school year.  "Listening to Read" was introduced to the students and it went so fast because the students knew exactly what was expected and how they should act when they participate in this center.  The one thing that will take a few of the students time to learn is how to start and find the story that they want to listen to on the CD player. I will be working with this group of students this week so that I can make sure that they understand how to do it before I start working with my small groups. It is going so well and I am so excited to see it all coming together.  We are still assigning Dailies to each of the students so they are not choosing their own Dailies yet but hopefully by the middle of October this will be happening.  I will keep you posted.

If you like to create using different "fonts" on your computer, you need to go over to Teaching Maddeness.  She has created some very fun free "fonts" that you can download to your computer.  I added a free new ones to my computer.  Even if you are not a teacher, these fonts are fun to have for any occasion. Click on the picture below to go to her blog and begin downloading.

Well, that is it for this week.  Hopefully next week I will have some pictures of our Daily 5 up and running with students doing some amazing work.  Have a great week with your students and children.

Until Next Time,

        Happy Blogging

Classroom Expectations, Caterpillars and two Giveaways

We have had such a GREAT two and a half weeks. My students are doing such a great job with expectations and classroom procedures. I am continuing to take it slow and it is so paying off.  The "two sisters" were so right when they talked about taking your time and making sure that the students know exactly what is expected for each activity that is in your classroom.  I am so very proud of them and proud of myself for sticking with the plan. I would also like to thank the parents for supporting the homework assignments. The students are doing such a great job of being responsible. 

I am excited to say that after school on Friday I came back to the classroom with a new milkweed plant and there are two caterpillar eggs on this plant.  Woot!! Woot!! I was very excited to find this.  SO we now have one small caterpillar and two eggs.  The eggs will hatch probably by Monday and within 14 days the caterpillar will be the size of the caterpillar below and will make its pupa and change into a Monarch Butterfly.  Exciting things are going to start happening in Room B8.  I can't wait.

I was talking a little bit about expectations and routines above and I wanted to share with you that I used "the sisters" I-Chart idea for my Math Stations and WOW!!!! what a difference from last year.  Math last year was NOT my favorite subject by far.  I felt like I did not train my students like I did for their Reading Block.  I was so pleased with the start of this year.  The students are so engaged and know exactly what is expected of them and how to act.  Here are a few pictures of the students working very hard on their math activities.

I am very proud of my students and brag about them any time I can. :)



Last but not least, Fellow Bloggers, Corinna over at Surfin' Through Second is having a 500 Follower Giveaway.  Vist her site and sign up.  There are some great gifts if you win.  Good Luck.  

Another Fellow Bloggers is Giving Away the Quietest Pencil Sharpener .

I have heard that this pencil sharpener is amazing. I would like to buy one soon but if I win one that would even be better. SO if you want a chance to enter her giveaway, go to Second Grade Math Maniac blog. 

Good Luck everyone!!!

Until Next Time,
        Happy Blogging