New Year's Resolutions for the Classroom

After moving from so many years of my little firsties into the world of middle school with my 5th-8th graders I honestly had no idea what I was doing or what to expect.  With an entire semester under my belt I can look back and reflect on my time so that I can improve my teaching to ensure student learning.  Here are some resolutions that I have for my classroom that I hope help my students.

1.  Laugh, laugh, and laugh some more with my students.  
        I want to include more humor in my lessons.  I'm going to strive for my kids to come into the room with a laugh and leave with a laugh.

2.  Get my students up and moving more.  
        I used a lot of movement with my firsties when I taught them and have included some movement in lessons with my older students but it is my goal to include more so they are more engaged in their learning.

3.  Communicate with my students' parents more.  
        One of the biggest challenges I've faced is going from an average of 20 students to 75.  I need to include a lot more communication with all of my parents and will strive to do a better job with that.

What are your New Year's Resolutions?

Just for you!!!

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I sent the email out to my TpT followers today!!  I can't wait to give you your presents!


I have a gift for my followers.  

This is my Christmas and New Year's Gift wrapped up in one.  

Follow my TpT store to receive a special email with the date and time that I'll be giving away products and lowering SEVERAL products to only $1.00!!!!  

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Click the picture and hit the red "Follow Me" button to receive your special email.  
You will need to follow my store by 12/29/13 to receive the special email.

Christmas Fun!

These are the treats I made for the staff at my school for their Christmas presents.  It was so much fun.  What will you do for Christmas presents?  

I'd love to hear from you!

Cyber Monday Sale!!

Click on the picture below to see what all the buzz is all about!

Handy Dandy Anchor Charts

Here are some various anchor charts I've been using with my kiddos.  I hope you find one or two that might help you out or give you some inspiration.

I researched and found different text that my students read and gathered information from about the relationship between colonists and Native Americans.  From that research they got into groups and discussed what would be benefits and conflicts.  From there they put into charts what was a benefit for both groups and a conflict for both groups.  This was a great eye opening lesson for them.

This is the chart we made back at the beginning of the year that they use every time they get into groups or present information.

I researched and found information on the three types of government shown below.  I put the students into groups and allowed them to read the research to find out the characteristics of each kind of government.  They then put those characteristics onto sticky notes and then this chart.

My school district requires teachers to give students bell ringers for each class coming through the door.  I also require a reflection.  This is what I use to make sure they understood what I just taught them.  This is the chart I had hanging up so the students could see what they needed to do in order to receive the points for each day.

Sunday Shout Out

If you have not been to this TpT store then you have to go check it out!  Her clip art is amazing and her customer service is above and beyond the call of duty.  Go take a look and pin something for her!

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Teachesthirdingeorgia

Arkansas History Projects!!

I'm nervous and excited!  Tomorrow my 7th graders will be presenting their Arkansas History projects to the students in our school.  This is the first type of project presentation like this I've ever done so I'm nervous.  I took some pictures to share with you all.

Each group was given a topic to research, create a brochure as a handout, and a board to spark someone's attention.

They had so much fun painting these!

Feeling like a GIVEAWAY!!!

I've given 4 away so 1 to go!!!!

I have several different themes for my bingo games, and I'd like to offer the first 5 people their choice for a free bingo game.  

I have 2 addition bingo games and 2 number bingo games.  

Please take a look and decide which one you'd like.  When you've made your choice you can leave a comment, email me at mamapearson76@gmail, and then I'll email it to you for FREE!  

I hope you enjoy!

click on the pictures below to see more information

Keeping Students in School

As a new middle school teacher I've tried to think of new ways to keep my students motivated to come to school.  I introduced this idea to my students this year and they love it.  Sickness has kept them from earning their first reward, but they talk about coming to school to try to get their prize.  I have a feeling that this will be a GREAT motivator in the spring when everyone would rather be outside.

If you're interested in this click the picture to find out a little more about it.  

Parent/Teacher Conferences

Well, I survived my first parent/teacher conferences as a new 5-8 social studies teacher.  I spent the entire time with parents without so much as time for the restroom.  We started at 2:45 and my last parent left at 7:45.  What a night!!
I really believe having a breakdown of student grades was the most beneficial thing I had ready for the night.  

What have you found that really helps you make parent/teacher conferences go smoothly?

"Best Lesson Ever!"

Today as I was sitting back watching my students complete their lesson on their own I heard one of my students say "This was the best lesson ever!"  I almost cried!!!!  I was so excited that I wanted to come share with all of you.  
My students are studying about the Aztecs, Mayans, and Incas.  I got on line and found some information for them to read, put them into 3 groups, gave them the information and sticky notes.  The pictures below are the finished product of what they did. 
To get them to do this easily I had previously taught them about working in a group.  We had practiced with simple ideas and topics so that when it came time for more complicated work they could do it without much interference from me.  I literally sat at the front of the room and watched.  They didn't even need me!!!  

It was the best lesson EVER!

Here's a picture of the little supply box I keep on their tables.  It has "Role Sticks" in it all time so that anytime we need a group discussion we can have one easily.

Here's the GROUP DISCUSSION ANCHOR CHART that we created back at the first of school.

My First Big Kid "I need my teacher" Hug!!!

I've struggled all year with missing the dozens of hugs I used to get from my little first grade babies.  I've really missed them!  Well, today one of my 5th graders got shoved a little and hurt her elbow.  She came up to me with a couple of tears to tell me the tale of her elbow accident and put her arms out like she needed a hug so naturally she got one.  :)  I think I needed it more than she did.

Never thought I'd be so thrilled over a hug!

A Little Fall Here and There

I've added a little fall to my middle school classroom, and my students LOVE it!  Even my 8th graders were complimenting me on the addition and wouldn't stop smelling my candle.  It was awesome.  I just wanted to share.

I love FALL!!!

 Usually I have decorated my entire classroom from top to bottom in fall decorations, but this year I've scaled back.  Now that I'v moved to middle school from 1st grade I just don't have the same drive.  I've added a few more fall touches this week, but overall my room just isn't what it has been for the last 15 years.  
  Over the summer I worked on new fall games and lessons that I just couldn't wait to use with my students.  I've got them sitting in a "maybe someday" file for now.  :)  Glass of lemonade anyone?

  Just because I can't use these 

doesn't mean that you can't! 

I have decided to give a couple of things away to my loyal blog followers.  I'm going to put some links below.  Go check these games and lessons out, and choose one you like because the first 5 people to leave a comment can choose 1 game or lesson they'd like to have and I'll email it to you for FREE!!

All 5 have been given away!
This was fun.
Check back with me later because
I have to have this kind of fun again soon.  
:)

I'd love for you to have this great money game for FREE.  Click on the picture below to check it out. If you like it then leave a comment, and I'll email it to you for FREE!!

These lessons I have used, but I won't be able to this year.  I LOVE these stories!!!

This my FAVORITE fall book EVER!!!!  This is my best seller and could be your newest love if you'd like.  Click below to check it out.

JOHNNY APPLESEED GIVEAWAY!!!

30 pages of printables, interactive journal, and lesson ideas!!!!  You also get a great game to play with your students.  I can't wait to give this away!!!!

Click on the picture for more information!  

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What Will You Do?

With the new school year beginning for most I thought I might collect some ideas from you to share with new teachers.  With this new month starting, I'd like to start a "What Will You Do?" series that gives you the opportunity to share what you are going to try to do with your students that is something NEW and therefore maybe a little scary for you.

For example, are you starting a new behavior plan, a new series, a new way of teaching?  I'd love for you to share what you're doing and how it goes.  My hopes is that through your reflection new teachers can be helped as well as some of us who are new to our position.

What will I do?  This month I am using Interactive Journals with my social studies students, and I'm hoping they use these as their study guides.  I'll see how that works when they take their first test.

My first INTERACTIVE JOURNAL

 I'm excited about my first interactive journal.  I have worked hard to create a 7 week unit that centers around animals (The Amazing Animal World-2nd module in the CC first grade model) and now I'm adding interactive journals to those lessons.  These are just a few of the pages that are available.  I included reflective pages and can't wait to hear how they work!