A SHOUT OUT to Duluth 12!

It's all coming to a close and I can't believe it.  This has been the most amazing journey I have taken in my education.  All 20 years of schooling I've had and this is, by far, been the most growth of all of it.  My students have gained so much from all of our hard work.  I did the readings and I wrote the papers, but the true learning was when I was at class with my fellow Duluth 12'ers.  We always had fun.  One second we were deep in thought, the next we were laughing with one another.  It was always an environment that I felt safe to make mistakes and grow.  I always left there wanting my students to feel the same way when they left my class.  I can't believe it's almost done.  Congratulations everyone!  Let's enjoy this last full weekend together!

Reflecting in Math

My students have started one of the most exciting parts of the year in math.  We have started the five minute addition tests.  The students have a sheet of paper that has 100 addition problems on them and they have five minutes to do as many as possible.  This is great practice and we do it every single day.  My favorite part is that they keep track of their scores on a little chart they have in their pencil box.  They put their score under what day we took the test and then they talk with their neighbor about if they have improved or not.  Then we take a few minutes to discuss strategies that have worked for individuals.  Eventually they will start writing what their goal is for that day on the test.  Then they will have a certain number in their head.  I love doing this because it teaches the kids how to set their own goals and to not compare to others. 

Valentine's Day / 100th Day of School Fun!

Last Friday was not only Valentine's Day, but also our 100th day of first grade!  Unfortunately, I was not able to attend school that day, due to a family death, but my-oh-my did the kiddos have a blast.  I love to incorporate things that I did in elementary school.  The memories at Jefferson Elementary are some of my fondest.  So, one thing we did to prepare for this day, was make the ever-famous Jefferson Valentine's Day mailboxes!  What a great way to let the kids be creative.  I simply give them a shoe box and art supplies and tell them to make their mailbox.  There was glitter EVERYWHERE!!  The kids loved it though!  On Friday then, the students were able to mail their valentines in the appropriate mailboxes.  We also had fun making graph with candy hearts and eating cookies with our third grade buddies!
For the 100th day of first grade we had a great time working on a book that gave us different prompts, such as what you will look like when you are 100, what you would do with 100 dollars, and a list of things you would want 100 of.  Then, with our third grade buddies, the kids created a picture that incorporated the numbers 1-0-0.  I had the students take it home that day, so I didn't see most of them, but one that was forgotten used the zeros as eyes and the 1 as a mouth and created a face.  WHAT A BLAST!!!  I can't wait to do this all again next year!

Tips for a Somewhat NEW teacher....with the special education process

HELP!

I am really struggling with how long the special education referral process takes.  I have a student who needs one-on-one help in language arts.  Teachers that worked with the student in the past have said he/she will for sure qualify for special education.  BUT, here it is FEBRUARY and the process is just beginning.  I started the interventions a month after school started, just so I could get a feel of where this student was at and what interventions would be the most appropriate.  I filed my paperwork when the timeframe was complete of the interventions.  Now, I am finding out the evaluation process will not be done until the end of March.  Here is my call for help out to all of you EXPERIENCED teachers..... HOW DO I GET THIS TO HAPPEN FASTER NEXT TIME?!  By the time this little love qualifies, second grade will be starting.  That's great and all, but now they missed all of first grade without the necessary help they needed.  Maybe this is just how it is, but I want to make sure!

From,
An Antsy First Grade Teacher

Data Collection...

When I started my masters, the idea of data collection made me cringe.  I think the main reason I did not like the idea of data collection is how much DATA the state and federal government expect from us and how skewed it can be.  I felt that data is a great way to show growth, but it doesn't show an outsider the students has a whole person.

Then I started my masters.  Although the state and federal government, only really look at data from test scores, I have now realized you can collect data in so many different forms.  It is your job as the teacher to take the data and make the necessary changes in your classroom.  Before, I was thinking the data was just for those 'outsiders'.  HOW NAIVE.  The data is for me.  The data is the assessments.  The data is the students' voices.  How eye opening that was for me.

My Conclusion of the Flipped Classroom.

1.  I will never teach the 'other' way again.
2.  It just makes sense.
3.  Everyone can flip.
4.  Not everyone's flipped classroom will look the same.
5.  First graders are CAPABLE.
6.  Parents need to be on board.
7.  Don't give up.  There will be some rough waters.
8.  Assess ----> Flex Grouping
9.  Have fun making the videos.
10. Follow your gut.

Parent Comments on the FLIP!

Last week, I had parent-teacher conferences!  I was so excited to show all of the growth of every student, I didn't even think to ASK about how the flipped classroom was.  Let's just say that it was never brought up negatively.  Instead, I had two different sets of parents asking me if they wanted me to have them write anything or tell whoever on how much they have LOVED the flipped classroom.  They even asked which 2nd grade teacher was flipping their math for next year!  :)  None of them have yet, but there sure has been some interest.