Back in Action!

Snowpocalypse.  Do you think that held my class back???  Not at ALL!  Tuesday morning, my children came in the classroom ready to learn and take on any task given to them.  We had a GREAT week back together!  In fact, it may have been one of the best weeks at school of the whole year so far!  We accomplished a lot and learned even more!  

One of our favorite parts of the week were the math groups we did through the week.  Through these math groups, students were learning on their own and teaching their classmates.  It was an incredible thing to watch!  They were challenged to be their very best (by doing even 4th grade skills) and to take their learning to the next level.  Here are some examples of what they worked on (successfully)!

And That's a Wrap! (for 2nd nine weeks)

Seriously?!  Half of the school year is over??  When did this happen?  How does this always happen so quickly?  I've been telling my students that now the ball is in their court, and it's time to MAKE THINGS HAPPEN.  At this point, they KNOW how smart they are.  They KNOW what they are capable of.  They KNOW hard work pays off.  They just know. 

In order to celebrate 2nd nine weeks, we had our academic pep rally (where Reveur was named house champs... as a reminder). :)  These pep rallies are so much fun!  I may have a little more fun than the children sometimes... especially at game time.  I am one of the most competitive people you'll ever met.  When I do something, I'm going to DO it all out!  There's no time to play around.  It's serious.  So, when it was game time, nothing could hold Reveur down!  I love playing games and interacting with my children in this way.  It's so much fun!  I always look forward to these! 

Just so you know I take these things seriously... You can see I took ownership of coaching Buckethead.  Naturally, we owned it!

Edible Rocks

We've been learning about the different classifications of rocks in science.  In order to make this come to life, we created rocks out of food!  We made Igneous, Sedimentary, and Metamorphic Rocks!  If you're interested in learning more, ask your child to study with YOU!  They will teach you songs, chants, raps, and hand motions to go with our rocks unit!  As I always tell my students, "When you say it AND do it, you remember it!"  So, I dare you... ask them to study with you!  I guarantee you'll learn a thing or two from them!

Math Matters

Math.  It's either a word that you love or one that you hate.  Thankfully I have always grown math and been pretty good at it.  I understand very well, that many people cringe at the word "math".  In fact, at the beginning of the year, many of my students said they hated math and it was their least favorite subject.  Crisis.  How could this be?  I love math!  Something had to change.  As the year started, math was rocky.  No one wanted to participate.  Crisis.  However, as the year has progressed, they have found that they are actually incredible at math.  We have so much fun!  That first hour of the day is now one of the most fun, exciting, and eye opening hours of the day.  They are doing math, that sometimes I don't even plan for the day.  They ask for a challenge, and if they are ASKING for a challenge, you know you have a special group of children.  So... they ask, they receive, they conquer.  Don't believe me?  Take a look for yourself.

Just a couple extras...

Indoor recess and our infamous lunch talks.

I've never found so much joy than listening to my students talk to me and each other at lunch.  These are when the BEST conversations happen... and the funniest! :)

Big Shots!

Yesterday, I was able to go back to my high school for a pageant.  While I was spectating, there were so many great talent acts.  Some of these freshman students were voted best singer in the district, best dancer in the district, etc.  Then, it hit me.  I have students sitting in my classroom who also have talents like these.  They will grow up to be like those students one day.  They will shine, they will win awards.  They will do GREAT things.  I can't wait to see who these wide-eyed, vivacious children grow up to be.

Do you know how talented your child is?  They can KILL it academically, play sports, have deep conversations, be friends, give advice, receive advice, challenge themselves, challenge others, make a difference... the list goes on and on.  This week, I had the opportunity to see several of my students participate in extracurricular activities!  It was the best time! 

Celebrate!

My students are so incredible.  Literally, they're incredible!  We have been doing MAP testing the past couple of weeks, and not only have these students rose to the occasion, they've KNOCKED IT OUT OF THE PARK!  I've never seen a group of students work so hard to be the best they can be in EVERY area!  I am truly blessed to teach these sweet souls!  In order to celebrate their accomplishments, we had  "Dress for Success" Day!  We dressed our Sunday best in order to show that we mean business!  Their achievement was recognized, and when they were asked why they were dressed up, they were able to brag on themselves.  You know, sometimes it's okay to do that... we must teach our children to celebrate their success and believe that they are great!  I also made stickers for them that said, "Ask me how I did on MAP!"  They wore these loud and proud!  I was in awe at how excited something so small could impact a group of children.  It pushes me, if nothing else.  As a teacher, I am creating memories.  My BEST school memories come from third grade.  I hope these children grow up to remember the times we celebrated their success, and I hope they remember to continually celebrate their success.  It's a hard lesson to learn in motivating ourselves, but it's one of the most important lessons we must learn.  Our drive is what creates our passion, and our passion creates who we will be one day, and who we will be one day has the potential to change the world... so, CELEBRATE!