Four on the Fourth {or seventh}

One of my favorite things about being a teacher is that every year brings new kiddos and new chances to try out ideas, designs, and strategies. It is certainly never boring! I could never have a desk job!
I am linking up with Mrs. M’s Four on the Fourth linky party. Name 4 new things you are going to implement this year.

1. Math class-I will be upping the ante on guided math. I dabbled in it last year. Two days a week we had rotations while I had small groups. I want to do it daily this year. I think I can…I think I can…I need to read the book, too!

I will be doing calendar math. After reading about Stephanie’s setup and how she incorporates so many objectives that are meaningful into her calendar time {in 5th grade, no less!} I began working on a version for my little people. I am almost ready to share it!


2. I will be using the Power Pix from Whole Brain Teaching. I love these! I downloaded them over a year ago and never really looked at the program. I will be using my CC ELA cards and Ginger’s CC math vocab cards rather than the large pix from wbt. I can’t wait to show you my board!

3. 7 Habits of Happy Kids. Our Building Leadership Team {ummm, BLT yup!} is reading Leader in Me by Stephen Covey. There is a kiddo version, too-7 Habits of Happy Kids. This book shows kids how to live life to the fullest and be happy about it! Two of our teachers visited a school in SC that has fully implemented the program, but our district will not pay for it. So we are doing our best to implement it ourselves. I know this really doesn’t work, but if I can do it in my class-it’s all good! I made this poster set for my room and purchased the children's book. I want to purchase the other smaller books, too. I have been reading it to my 2 littles this summer!
4. Last, but not least, I want to revamp my writing time. I read No More I’m Done last summer and was all set to dive in. It’s not for me. I like minilessons, but not conferencing. I think they learn more from writing with me. I love the saying “don’t write on their level”. I think they need to see how I write. See how I think. I will again go to WBT for my writing time.
and since it’s technically the 7th, here are a few more things I am diving in to:
5. brain breaks {I already use Energizers, but just sporadically}
6. I am moving the front of my classroom to what was the back…
7. I am going back to trying all 5 in our Daily 5. This year was Daily 2! They did wonderful with Read to Self and Someone {they are very social} but I dropped the ball on the other 3. I did well my first year, so if I model, model, model, we are set! I think I was too nice in the beginning of the year! =)
I’d love to know what you are trying out! Link up with Mrs. M!

9 comments:

  1. I love the start of the year where I can start with a clean slate (i.e. my classroom) and rearrange things anew! That sounds like a lot of new things to take on this year! I am just gonna try implementing the basics of WBT!

    Ginger Snaps

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  2. I am reading Guided Math too and plan on diving into Math workshop as well....scares the tar out of me!!! I also want to do WBT but haven't had the time to do the research and reading up on it I need to. I am running out of time!!!! We do 7 Habits school wide! Super nice:)

    4th Grade Frolics

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  3. I am doing your numbers 3, 5, and 6 too! Plus I'm adding more WBT to my routines. Our district won't pay for us to have Leader in Me either (FYI...Leader in Me is Stephen Covey not Sean). We saw a lighthouse school who is in their second year and I felt like we do a lot of it and just call it something else. I'm excited to see what you have to share with us on WBT and 7 Habits. I have pinterest boards for both. =)

    Emily @ Second Grade Silliness 

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  4. I have enjoyed reading your posts about wbt and plan on trying it this year. Our school follows the 7 Habits program and I love it! :)
    TeachPrayLove

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  5. Starting a new year is fun and exciting. All your plans sound good!

    Tarita
    Papers, Pencils and Books, Oh My!

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  6. LOL 7 good things to start. :) Thanks for linking up.

    M

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  7. Rachel, I am so excited to see you stepping into Whole Brain for the coming year! I can't wait to read your reflections! I am sending you the Versatile Blogger award! Please come by to pick it up!
    Nancy
    Mrs. Stoltenberg's Second Grade Class

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  8. I just found your blog. I am a new follower.

    Tricia
    Queen with Class

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  9. thanks Nancy! and welcome Tricia. I do love the beginning of the year excitement. If only I could get into my empty room!

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