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.

Growth

Spring time is just around the corner, 30 days away (but who is counting), and I cannot wait for the growth outside....but I am already seeing the growth indoors.  The biggest joy of teaching first grade, to me, is the amount of growth every student has.  Thinking about the beginning of the year, makes me dizzy.  The tears that were shed, daily or even hourly, the handwriting, the lack of any type of fluency what so ever...and to look at all of my students today.  I cannot believe it at times.  To think we still have three and a half months to grow even more, amazes me.  Not only is my hard work paying off, but their trust and dedication is as well!  I am so proud of each and everyone of my kiddos.  I can't wait to see how much more they grow before June 6th.