A Teacher's Summer Bucket List

My previous blog post was devoted to kids and what they want to do over the summer months.  

BUT.........

What about us?  What about teachers?  What about adults?  We DESERVE to make fun plans for ourselves too!!

Can I get an Amen?!?!

Every school year is taxing for educators, administration and support staff.....

Your summer break should be spent doing things that make you feel rested and recharged! 

All too often summer break seems to quickly slip through our fingers, and we arrive at the beginning of August and wonder how the new school year arrived so quickly?!?  

Summer is an elusive little season, isn't it? 

In order to take full advantage of your time off, I urge you to make a Summer Bucket list for yourself! 

Bucket lists are a great ways to ensure that relaxation, fun and meaningful moments happen. By the end of the summer I want to look back on the the two months and have something to show for it---and I want that for you too!  

Click here, or the image below to download this free resource!  Included in the download are multiple bucket list bingo boards.  There are two pre-filled bucket boards with lots of fun options!  You don't even have to think of your own fun--just print and start enjoying life.  Ha!  

There are also two boards that are mostly filled, but with a few blank spaces.  The mostly filled option is great if you have a few of your own ideas you want to insert! Last, there is  a completely blank board for those of you who have a brain swimming with fun ideas!

I truly hope you find this Summer Bucket List for Teachers helpful and that you have an opportunity to take these next few months to take time for yourself.

Summer is the perfect season to slow down, take a deep breath and breath fresh perspective into your life.  Remember that self care doesn't mean me first, it just means me too!  If you are looking or more ways to relax and take care of yourself click here or the image below!

 

Winter Break Bucket List (for teachers!)

How ready are you for winter break?  Teaching is such a taxing and exhausting (yet rewarding) occupation.  When teachers FINALLY arrive at a long break....They. Are. Ready! 

All too often winter break seems to quickly slip through our fingers, and we arrive at the beginning of January and wonder how the new year arrived so quickly.  

Breaks are elusive little things, aren't they? 

In order to take full advantage of your time off, I urge you to make a Winter Break Bucket list for yourself!  Bucket lists are a great ways to ensure that relaxation, fun and meaningful moments happen. 

By the end of break I want to look back on the the two weeks and have something to show for it---and I want that for you too!  

Click the image below to download this free resource!  Included in the download are multiple bucket list bingo boards.  There are two pre-filled bucket boards with lots of fun options!  You don't even have to think of your own fun--just print and start enjoying life.  Ha!  

I truly hope you find this Winter Bucket List for teachers helpful and that you have an opportunity in these next few weeks to take time for yourself.  Winter break is the perfect time to slow down, take a deep breath and breathe fresh perspective into your life.  

It is SO IMPORTANT that you fill your cup, so that you are ready to tackle the rest of the school year.  Remember that self care doesn't mean me first, it just means me too! 

The Starfish Story--A Teacher's True Purpose

 Many teachers across the nation are preparing to head back to school in the upcoming weeks, while some have already began their year.  

Once the school year begins, teachers quickly get bogged down with never ending to-do lists, supplies to buy, curriculum to learn, and professional development to attend to.  The list keeps going......  

This overflowing educational plate is all the more reason teachers spend time reflecting on "why" we chose this profession.  

Each year I elect to read (and keep posted in my classroom) a poem adapted from Loren Eiseley's work titled "The Starfish Story."  It is a perfect message for teachers to recall why we do what we do.  

We are here to invest in youth. 

 Invest in our future. 

Often I present professional development to first and second year teachers, and I like to give them this poem as they leave training.  Attached to the poem, I glue a small plastic starfish to serve as a reminder  of our true purpose in education.  

I know all teachers reach point in the school year when teaching seems too hard and they feel as if they are barely keeping their head above water.  My hope is that they will look at that little starfish, and take a moment to refocus and realize the impact they are making. 

If you would like to share "The Starfish Story" with your colleagues, click the first image above or click here to download the poem for free.  

If you are wanting to hand out little starfish--I purchased a 30 pack of of starfish from Amazon for under 10 dollars.  You can find the plastic starfish by clicking here.  

Summer Family Fun Schedule

I don't know if it is the teacher in me, or what....BUT....I like to give my family a bit of structure in the summer.  

I think almost every parent would agree that everything runs a bit smoother when there is a routine in place.  Right?

When my son was two ( now he is almost five...sniff, sniff) I would plan weekly themes centered around a specific letter.  We would do games, crafts, read stories and make snacks. 

When he was three, I did bi-weekly themes around larger topics.  For example we read books about dinosaurs, created dinosaur crafts, watched dinosaur shows and even traveled to a local dinosaur themed park.  

This summer I've planned a Summer Family Fun Schedule!  Take a look at what our weekly summer schedule looks like:

Make it Monday

Monday will be the days to craft or do a science project.  My son is really into drawing with sidewalk chalk, so I have found a really great chalk ice project for us to make!  

Take a Trip Tuesday

On Tuesday it is time for us to get in the car and explore some great local spots.  We have plans to visit libraries, museums and the zoo!

Water Fun Wednesday

Wednesdays will be all about getting wet.  Our area has some great pools and splash pads!  If we don't feel like leaving the house we can run in the sprinkler or have a water gun fight!

Thankful Thursday

Thursday might be my favorite day, because it will give us a chance to intentionally do something kind for someone else. Of course we should be kind  and seek to serve others everyday....but we can do a little something extra for this day.  Simple things like baking treats for neighbors or picking up trash at a local park are great ideas!

Foodie & Flicks Friday

For the last day of the week we will pick out a great family movie and make snacks! This gives us a chance to practice our cooking skills while unwinding from the busy week. 

Are you interested in something like this for your family? Get it for free by clicking here, or the image above. 

The free download includes a blank summer schedule and ideas that would fit for each day.  This isn't an exhaustive list by any means...but something to get you started. 

Start thinking those summery thoughts......

My brain is already buzzing about what fun things I want to do this summer!  

Now, If I am thinking all of these summery things.... I know my students are thinking about it too! 

A great project to get your kids' sunny thoughts down on paper is to have them create a summer bucket list! 

I love this project as an end of the year capstone.  I double love it because it is easily adaptable to multiple ages and grade levels.  Click the image below to download it for FREE!!  

For beginning writers, use the buckets with sentence stems.  New writers simply have to fill in their thoughts! If you have a writer that really struggles, use an adult or fellow student to act as a scribe. 

For older students, or students who love to be creative--try a bucket with a summer story starter.  You will be amazed at some of the creative stories students can come up with. 

 Other buckets are just blank templates. These are designed with advanced writers in mind, as experienced writers do an excellent job of generating ideas, organizing their thoughts and getting it down on paper.

This activity is definitely one that you can use year after year!

Happy writing!

The Starfish Story: A Teacher's True Purpose

Many teachers across the nation are preparing to head back to school in the upcoming weeks, while some have already began their year.  Once the school year begins, teachers quickly get bogged down with never ending to-do lists, supplies to buy, curriculum to learn, and professional development to attend to.  The list keeps going......  

This overflowing educational plate is all the more reason teachers spend time reflecting on "why" we chose this profession.  Each year I elect to read (and keep posted in my classroom) a poem adapted from Loren Eiseley's work titled "The Starfish Story."  It is a perfect message for teachers to recall why we do what we do.  We are here to invest in youth.  Invest in our future. 

Often I present professional development to first and second year teachers, and I like to give them this poem as they leave training.  Attached to the poem, I glue a small plastic starfish to serve as a reminder  of our true purpose in education.  I know all teachers reach point in the school year when teaching seems too hard and they feel as if they are barely keeping their head above water.  My hope is that they will look at that little starfish, and take a moment to refocus and realize the impact they are making. 

If you would like to share "The Starfish Story" with your colleagues, click the first image above or click here to download the poem for free.  If you are wanting to hand out little starfish--I purchased a 30 pack of of starfish from Amazon for under 10 dollars.  You can find the plastic starfish by clicking here.  

Summer Bucket List: Teacher Edition

My previous blog post was devoted to kids and what they want to do over the summer months.  

BUT.........

What about us?  What about teachers?  What about adults?  We DESERVE to make fun plans for ourselves too!!

Can I get an Amen?!?!

Every school year is taxing for educators, administration and support staff..... but the 2020-21 school year had an exhaustion level like none before.  Thus, your summer break should be spent doing things that make you feel rested and recharged! 

All too often summer break seems to quickly slip through our fingers, and we arrive at the beginning of August and wonder how the new school year arrived so quickly.  Summer is an elusive little season, isn't it? 

In order to take full advantage of your time off, I urge you to make a Summer Bucket list for yourself!  Bucket lists are a great ways to ensure that relaxation, fun and meaningful moments happen. By the end of the summer I want to look back on the the two months and have something to show for it---and I want that for you too!  

Click here, or the image below to download this free resource!  Included in the download are multiple bucket list bingo boards.  There are two pre-filled bucket boards with lots of fun options!  You don't even have to think of your own fun--just print and start enjoying life.  Ha!  

There are also two boards that are mostly filled, but with a few blank spaces.  The mostly filled option is great if you have a few of your own ideas you want to insert! Last, there is  a completely blank board for those of you who have a brain swimming with fun ideas!

I truly hope you find this Summer Bucket List for teachers helpful and that you have an opportunity in these next few weeks and months to take time for yourself.  Summer is the perfect season to slow down, take a deep breath and breathe fresh perspective into your life.  It is SO IMPORTANT that you fill your cup, so that you are ready to tackle the next school year.  Remember that self care doesn't mean me first, it just means me too! If you are looking for more ways to relax, unwind and take care of yourself click here or the image below. 

Summer Bucket List Flipbook **Freebie**

My brain is already buzzing about what fun things I want to do this summer!  

Now, If I am thinking all of these summery things.... I know my students are thinking about it too! 

A great project to get your kids sunny thoughts down on paper is to have them create a summer bucket list!  I love this project as an end of the year capstone.  I double love it because it is easily adaptable to multiple ages and grade levels.  Click the image below to download it for FREE!!  

Included in this freebie are:

• Fill in the blank sentence stems--which are perfect for beginning writers.
• Summer story starters--perfect for kids that have more experience with writing and love to be creative
• Blank templates--great for advanced writers that do an excellent job of coming up with an idea, organizing their thoughts and getting it down on paper.
• Instructions on how to assemble the Summer Bucket List Flipbook

This activity is definitely one that you can use year after year!

Happy writing!

Fall Craftivity & Creative Writing (Freebie)

Fall is my favorite season. 

I love the weather. The smells.  The colors. The FOOD!  The activities you get to do with your family.  I just love it all. :) 

There is just soooooooo much to be thankful for during this season of the year, which I love to highlight with my students when they do the Fall Favorite Things Craftivity. 

Not sure what a craftivity is?  Well.....it is a craft and activity combined into one...a craftivity!

For this craftivity, students take a leaf and divide it into multiple sections.  In each section they write something they are thankful for, or something they enjoy about fall. Then they draw a picture to represent each word.  See below for an example. :) 

If you want to extend this craftivity for more learning, you can have students write a paragraph describing their leaf and reasons why they chose the word they did.  The template below would be a great guide to help students organize their thoughts. 

If you are interested in completing this craftivity with your students, click here to download it for free!

Happy fall!

Starfish Story--You are making a difference!

Many teachers across the nation are preparing to head back to school in the upcoming weeks, while some have already began their year.  Depending on where you teach (state, county, school district) your first days, weeks and months may be 100% virtual, 100% in person or a blend of both.  

In a typical start to school, it is easy to get bogged down with never ending to-do lists, supplies to buy, curriculum to learn, and professional development to attend to.  However this year --we have So. Much. More added to our "back to school year plate." 

Therefore, it is of upmost importance that we spend some time reflecting on "why" we chose this profession.  Each year I elect to read (and keep posted in my classroom) a poem adapted from Loren Eiseley's work titled "The Starfish Story."  It is a perfect message for teachers to recall why we do what we do.  We are here to invest in youth.  Invest in our future. 

Often I present professional development to first and second year teachers, and I like to give them this poem as they leave training.  Attached to the poem, I glue a small plastic starfish to serve as a reminder  of our true purpose in education.  I know first year teachers will reach point in the school year when teaching seems too hard and they feel as if they are barely keeping their head above water.  My hope is that they will look at that little starfish,  and take a moment to refocus and realize the impact they are making. 

If you would like to share "The Starfish Story" with your colleagues, click the first image above or click below to download the poem for free.  If you are wanting to hand out little starfish--I purchased a 30 pack of of starfish from Amazon for under 10 dollars.  You can find the plastic starfish by clicking here.  

Stopping Sound by Sound reading: Part 2

Welcome back!

We are going to explore the first intervention that should be included to stop sound by sound reading.  If you aren't sure how to identify who a sound by sound reader is, and what goes on inside their brain, make sure to check out Part 1 of Stopping Sound by Sound Reading.

The first component (of the three) that should be included is phonemic awareness.

Phonemic awareness is the ability to hear, identify and manipulate the individual phonemes of spoken words.  Phonemic awareness is often confused with phonological awareness.  In fact many people use these two terms interchangeably, yet they are not the same.  Lets take a moment and distinguish between the two, and really get our understanding solid.

Phonological awareness is the broad skill that encompasses identifying and manipulating all parts of oral language).  Think of phonological awareness as an umbrella which has skills like rhyming, identifying final, medial and initial sounds, syllabication, etc. all housed underneath.  Phonemic awareness is one of those sub skills under  the phonological awareness umbrella.

Phonemic awareness requires students to be able to manipulate the smallest units of speech. Kilpatrick (2015) says that phonemic awareness is an essential part of the process of storing words in one's sight vocabulary.  A reader's sight vocabulary is any group of words that an individual can decode quickly and effortlessly (high frequency or not).  Phonemic awareness is what allows us to anchor the sounds in a word to the sequence of letters that represent those sounds (Kilpatrick 2015).

We want our students to be quick and accurate decoders, so we MUST explicitly instruct in the area of phonemic awareness!!!

So....how do you do that?

The answer: sound chaining!

Sound chaining is where students receive explicit instruction and practice with phoneme manipulation.  Students will substitute, delete, and add sounds orally.  Students will use colored tiles, blocks, chips, paper squares, etc to represent sounds in words. It is important to note that students ARE NOT looking at any text--this is all done in the world of sound.

Follow the steps below in the graphic to complete the sound chaining exercise with students.  You can also download the steps and a sample word list by clicking here.


I would recommend starting with two sound words and progress to 3, 4 and 5 sound words when your students are ready.  Also, start with changing the beginning sound and progress to final and medial.    Keep in mind DO NOT add letters---as this is a phonemic awareness task and we are just working in the world of sound.

If you are looking for some word lists to complete this sound chaining exercise, check out these free resources:

Word list from On Track Reading
Word list from Really Great Reading
Word list from Hanging Around Primary (TPT Freebie)
Word list from Fun with Phonological Awareness

Also make sure you vist my TPT store to download the steps and sample word list by clicking here.  It's free!

Diagnostic Decoding Survey

As teachers we are inundated with screeners, formatives, diagnostics, summatives, data, data and more data.  Am I right?!?! 

Now, I might be in the minority, but I LOVE assessments and data! :) Well......let me clarify my thinking.....I LOVE assessments that are quick and enlightening, and I LOVE data that informs my instruction.  So I guess I don't have a fondness for all assessments and data....just the ones that are useful. 

One assessment that I have found particularly helpful is the Diagnostic Decoding Survey (DDS) from Really Great Reading. The DDS is a free resource to help teachers diagnose word level reading difficulties for students in grades 2-12.  The entire assessment takes less than 10 minutes and pinpoints specific decoding weaknesses.  The DDS is basically a MUCH quicker version of the Quick Phonics Screener (QPS).  You can download the free resource by clicking here.

The DDS has two surveys--the beginning decoding survey and the advanced decoding survey.  Students start with the beginning decoding survey and then, depending on their performance, can move on to the advanced survey or stop.

The beginning decoding survey assesses how well students are reading words they should have mastered by the end of first grade.  This includes:

• high frequency words
• single syllable words with short vowels
• digraphs
• two sound blends.  

The advanced decoding survey assesses decoding skills students should have mastered at the end of third grade. This includes:

• single syllable words with short vowels 
• advanced phonics patterns (trigraphs, three sound blends, etc)
• single syllable words with advanced vowel patterns (ai, oi, au, etc.)
• Multi-syllable words (real and nonsense)

At my building we use the DDS as a diagnostic following the AimsWeb Plus screener.  Any student who completes an oral reading fluency (ORF) assessment with less than 95% accuracy is given the DDS to determine specific word reading deficits.  Results are then used to group students and instruction is provided. 

My building loves how easy, quick and informative the DDS is!  I hope you all will find some use in it too! 

Mastering Short Vowels

Do you have some students that just can't get short vowel sounds mastered despite multiple instructional methods, and countless exposures? 

I sure have had those students....but several years back I began teaching ALL students a quick and simple action to go along with short vowels and their sounds.  The addition of movement to the sound and visual was a GAME CHANGER!  I honestly can say I no longer have students who struggle to master short vowels.

I don't know why I didn't think of adding movement sooner?!?  I mean....research proves that movement can be an effective cognitive strategy to bolster learning, improve memory and increase learner motivation. 

In fact...did you know that the part of the brain that processes movement is the same part of the brain that processes learning (I'm looking at you cerebellum)?  Fascinating, right?!? 

BUT...you don't just have to take my word for it...check out Teaching with the Brain in Mind by Eric Jensen.  This book is an ASCD best seller and loaded with ideas for how to improve student achievement by applying brain research to your teaching. 

I haven't read the whole book, just excerpts...but it is on my list to read this summer!

So.....are you ready for the QUICK and SIMPLE actions?  Pictured below is a card I use to teach the actions.  It is a great visual anchor, and you can download it for free by clicking below (or you can click on the picture).  Action descriptions are listed below.

Short A

visual anchor-apple

action- pull your hand toward you mouth and pretend you are biting into an invisible apple while saying the short a sound

Short E

visual anchor--desk edge

action--run your hand along the edge of a desk while saying the short e sound

Short I

visual anchor--itching a wrist

action: scratch the inside of your wrist while saying the short i sound

Short O

visual anchor--octopus

action: Have your fingers pointing toward the floor and wiggle them.  Pretend your hand is an octopus.  Say the short o sound while doing the action.

Short U

visual anchor--hand pointing up

action: use your index finger and point toward the ceiling while saying the short o sound

You can download (for free) the directions on how to do the actions by clicking the download option below.

Once students have practiced the short vowels and their actions--it makes correcting errors so much easier.  When a student is reading for you and mispronounces a short vowel all you have to do is cue them with the action--and BAM--error correction!

Happy accurate reading!

Quick Draw (A GREAT game to review vocabulary!)

Where do the weekends go? I swear I blink and the weekend is gone.

Anyway....I wanted to share an extremely easy, no prep and engaging game you can play with your students.  I call it quick draw!

So--the title isn't the greatest---but trust me the kids will LOVE the game! 

Basically quick draw is a game to review or introduce vocabulary terms, words on a word wall or even spelling words.  

Quick draw requires virtually no prep and the materials needed are in almost every classroom.  

Doesn't this sound like a great game--huh?  No prep.  No materials. AND fun??

Anyway.....

Here's how you play:

1. Determine the list of words you want to introduce or review
2. Provide each student with a marker board
3. Provide each student with a dry erase marker 
4. Shout (okay maybe not shout...but say) the word aloud to students
5. Give students 30 seconds to illustrate the word
6. Say, "3.....2.....1....show me!" and every student MUST hold up their illustration (if they are still drawing I give them a warning, and tell them they get paper pencil next time)
7. Select a couple of students to explain their drawing to the class

It really is a great game!!  I played it with my whole class when I taught fourth grade, but I also play it with my small groups for intervention time. Pictured below is Quick Draw in action......

If you want to download the "cute directions" on how to play this game....you can download it for free from my google drive, by clicking below :).

Hope you all are having or had a great day! :)

Flashback Friday.....The BEST game!

So this is my last official day of summer.

That picture pretty much sums up how I feel.

So.....since school is quickly rapidly approaching I thought I would have a #FlashbackFriday to a great team builder game to use a the beginning of the year.

It is called The Best Game....because that is exactly what it is.....THE BEST GAME!

You can download the game for FREE at my TPT store by clicking here.....

You can read ALL about it on the old blog post, by clicking here.....

Now, if you don't believe that it truly is THE BEST GAME......look at the smiles on these kiddo's faces...

Or if you want further proof.....check out these reviews.

I'm not lying people. 

You, and your class, should try it this year!

Oh....and happy start to the school year!

DIY Chalkboard Sign--Freehand!

Apparently I was feeling crafty this week because I learned to "french braid" my hair. I would post pictures.....but my husband informed me that I needed A LOT more practice.  Thanks babe. :(

 Although I am not too proud of my hair.....I am proud of my VERY FIRST chalkboard sign!  I did this baby freehand, without using printables. I know....I am crazy, right?

A friend of ours was going to throw out this chalkboard....but (luckily) we snatched it up before it made it to the trash.

I am not going to lie---it hung on our wall blank for about two months.  I was actually scared to make a sign---because I wanted it to be PERFECT.  Uhhhh hello........chalk is able to erase.  What  dummy I am.

Anyway...once I got up the courage to attempt a chalk design, I did my research first.  Also known as: Pinterest.  That is the modern day encyclopedia, right?

Check out my Chalk Talk board---that is where I pinned a lot of ideas, tips and tricks.


I started the process by finding a quote I wanted to use.  This sign is in my kitchen, so I knew this quote would be perfect.


Next I planned out how I was going write my text using paper and pencil.  This is where Pinterest became my best friend.  There are tons of pins on font ideas, lettering, shading, best font combos,etc. Once I had down my design I practiced, practiced, practiced.

Next I measured the size of my chalk canvas .  I had 26 inches to work with, which I divided into seven rows for my seven rows of text.

It is difficult to see....but that is why I used the blue painter's tape.  On the painter's tape, I measured and drew seven sections, that way I would know if I was making some text too large...which would make me run out of room at the end.

When I had my spacing down, I knew (eek!) I was ready to start.  I taped all of my practice drawings around the outside of the chalkboard.....easy to see and remind me what I was going to do.

Then.....I just went for it!

Here are my tips on creating a successful chalkboard sign:

• Mix fonts (bold with skinny, scripts with serif, tall with short, thick with skinny, etc.)  Having contrasting fonts makes your eyes happy!
• Embellish--this means add doodles---like arrows, banners, symbols, dividers, etc.   Again--this adds visual appeal. 
• Research--hit up pinterest or google and get ideas.  There are a TON out there!
• Plan ahead--this might not be the best for everyone, but it saved me time.  Grab a piece of paper and plan your fonts, your doodles, spacing, etc.
• Practice--again not for everyone--but saved me time because I knew what I was doing once I started with my chalk.  
• Have fun--be artistic and creative!  If you make a mistake---erase it, or turn it into something great!

If you want to become a professional ....check out this book:  The Complete Book of Chalk Lettering .  A friend of mine read it, and apparently it is amazing!  

  

Did you know you can also sign up for online classes?  Another friend of mine (I guess I have a lot of friends that chalk art) took a class from Hand Lettered Design. 

Check out their website.....they have free downloads, tips and tricks!