Happy day, friends!
Today was our first day back, and it was
glorious. Last night I was so terribly nervous that I laid down at 10 PM and
did not fall asleep until 3 AM – egad! Regardless, today was absolutely
fantastic. We started with an hour delay, so I kept my homeroom for our 3
hour instructional chuck. This was the perfect amount of time to practice
procedures, tie up loose ends, reflect on the fall, and goal set for the new
semester!
glorious. Last night I was so terribly nervous that I laid down at 10 PM and
did not fall asleep until 3 AM – egad! Regardless, today was absolutely
fantastic. We started with an hour delay, so I kept my homeroom for our 3
hour instructional chuck. This was the perfect amount of time to practice
procedures, tie up loose ends, reflect on the fall, and goal set for the new
semester!
We started the day with “Find Someone Who”
Winter Break Style. This freebie
by Fourth
and Ten was something my kiddos loved! 5th graders are so
social. This was the perfect opportunity to channel their desire to talk. 🙂
Winter Break Style. This freebie
by Fourth
and Ten was something my kiddos loved! 5th graders are so
social. This was the perfect opportunity to channel their desire to talk. 🙂
We also spent 20 minutes or so
reflecting on our reading. As a class, we discussed how we’ve grown as readers, our favorite books, things that have surprised us about
reading, and general observations. It was really neat to see how the kids’ perception of a ‘reader’ has evolved. The entire conversation was so encouraging. After the whole-class discussion, students completed an individual form that shared how many
books they’ve read, told about their favorite book, and shared their reading
game-plan! 🙂 If you would like to try this
in your classroom, you may download the reflection
form from Drop Box by clicking here!
reflecting on our reading. As a class, we discussed how we’ve grown as readers, our favorite books, things that have surprised us about
reading, and general observations. It was really neat to see how the kids’ perception of a ‘reader’ has evolved. The entire conversation was so encouraging. After the whole-class discussion, students completed an individual form that shared how many
books they’ve read, told about their favorite book, and shared their reading
game-plan! 🙂 If you would like to try this
in your classroom, you may download the reflection
form from Drop Box by clicking here!
It amazes me how much I have changed as
a teacher in the past few months. My mind is always moving at a ridiculous pace
and I constantly have a list of things I want to tweak. I also know that one of
the hardest parts of teaching for me has been giving up some control in the
classroom and moving out of my students’ way. Therefore, inspired by Sara at
The Colorful Apple, I asked for input from my students. I asked (1) what do we need to do more of in our classroom? (2) what should our classroom be everyday? (3) what I {Ms. W} need to do
to help students succeed? and (4)what students need to do to help themselves succeed?
a teacher in the past few months. My mind is always moving at a ridiculous pace
and I constantly have a list of things I want to tweak. I also know that one of
the hardest parts of teaching for me has been giving up some control in the
classroom and moving out of my students’ way. Therefore, inspired by Sara at
The Colorful Apple, I asked for input from my students. I asked (1) what do we need to do more of in our classroom? (2) what should our classroom be everyday? (3) what I {Ms. W} need to do
to help students succeed? and (4)what students need to do to help themselves succeed?
Again, my kids were awesome – so
thoughtful and reflective. They gave me ‘real’ input, and checked silly at the door. I wrote
the 4 questions on chart paper and hung them around the room. Then, I gave each
student 4 post-it notes and some think time. Finally, when the timer buzzed,
students traveled around the room responding to each question and reading what
their peers thought.
thoughtful and reflective. They gave me ‘real’ input, and checked silly at the door. I wrote
the 4 questions on chart paper and hung them around the room. Then, I gave each
student 4 post-it notes and some think time. Finally, when the timer buzzed,
students traveled around the room responding to each question and reading what
their peers thought.
After everyone used their post-its
we had a whole-class discussion about their input and what ‘works’ for them and
their learning. I absolutely love that 5th graders are beginning to
assume responsibility for their own learning. This was such a special time for
us as a class, and a great reminder that I need to ask for their input more
often. Also, they LOVE sticking post-its on chart paper…I must figure out how to do this for ‘academic things’ as well. 🙂
we had a whole-class discussion about their input and what ‘works’ for them and
their learning. I absolutely love that 5th graders are beginning to
assume responsibility for their own learning. This was such a special time for
us as a class, and a great reminder that I need to ask for their input more
often. Also, they LOVE sticking post-its on chart paper…I must figure out how to do this for ‘academic things’ as well. 🙂
Today really was one of the best days I’ve
had in a while. It was full of smiling, laughing, reflecting, and goal setting.
I was reminded of how much I love ‘my kids’ and how independent they are becoming.
had in a while. It was full of smiling, laughing, reflecting, and goal setting.
I was reminded of how much I love ‘my kids’ and how independent they are becoming.
To finish out, I wanted to share my
take-aways from today:
take-aways from today:
- What should our classroom be every day? Our classroom should be comfortable, safe,
exciting, and a place to read. - What should we do more of this spring?
We should do more literacy centers and more journal writing. - What can I {Ms. W} do to help my
students be successful? Ms. W can re-teach us, work in small groups, and make
more literacy centers. - What can we {students in the 5th
grade} do to be more successful? We can read more, listen harder, have an open
mind, and work with our friends.
Doesn’t that say it all?? Oh, happy day!
Love this idea and thinking of ways I can adapt it for my day back tomorrow with my first graders. Thanks! Hope your Spring semester is amazing!
Hi Kelly! Thank so much for stopping by. If you would like anything 'tweaked' for your firsties, email me at [email protected] and I would be happy to help. 🙂
Wow, you really had a great day. Hope you sleep better tonight!
It was wonderful, but I'm definitely ready for bed! 🙂
Catherine, thanks so much for the great reflection freebie! I am a reading specialist, and I love finding ways to get my kids focused on how much growth they're making 🙂 This will be perfect and easy for me to adapt for multiple levels, too!
Jenny
Luckeyfrog's Lilypad
Hi Jenny! I am so glad you'll be able to use this. 🙂 Goal setting and reflection are a HUGE part of our school's culture. It's so fun to see the kids' faces when they realize how far they have come!
-Catherine
Thanks for the great freebie! I love how your students were taking ownership of their own learning. That is fantastic. Goal setting is so important. Also, who doesn't love post-its?! 🙂
Amy
Eclectic Educating
"My mind is always moving at a ridiculous pace and I constantly have a list of things I want to tweak." I swear I have developed some form of ADD because of this- being in the classroom has enabled me to multitask like no other, even if my focuses is not always where it should be! It's definitely a love-hate relationship but something I hope I never lose 🙂
Hope you're having another great day!
XO, Kelly Anne
Glad you had a productive first day back! Yesterday was my first day (I was sick Monday and didn't go) and we had a 2-hr delay, so this morning I joked with my hubby that I wasn't sure I knew how to work a full day!
It's so enouraging when students actually dig deep and try to think of ways to improve the classroom/themselves. Shows that they actually care about their learning, which seems rare once they reach 5th grade. I have to keep reminding myself you're a first year teacher because you really seem to have it all together!
Don't Let the Teacher Stay Up Late
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I love that you did this! I have tried this at the beginning of the year when trying to create our classroom culture and it always seems hard for my kids to think deeply about it. Doing half way through the year seems like it would be much easier for students to reflect since they have a better idea of what your class looks like. Thanks for sharing!
A Tall Drink of Water
Your classroom reflection and goal setting approach is inspiring. The engagement with students and their input truly fosters a positive and collaborative learning environment. Excited to implement similar strategies in my classroom.
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