KTOY: Wamego

The time has finally come for the district visits to begin!

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First let me back track to how this all came about. After being selected as the USD 383 Elementary Teacher of the year I was invited to the Region 1 banquet. There I found out I was a semi-finalist for that region. I then went to the state leadership conference. It was here that I was put on a team with some amazing educators from districts "near" mine. Being on this team allows me to visit their districts as well as show off mine. The following is that story ( I may have channeled Law & Order there ) :)

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Back in February as I was getting ready for the LATF15 I was also preparing on going to my first district visit. My two team members, Michael and Cathy, were being gracious hosts and taking us around their district. The visit started off by touring their amazing schools. It's always eye-opening to visit another school building, let alone another district. I was able to see how their school district organized its grades. I also took particular note to their school wide programs and how they worked from building to building often working similarly to each other. I think this is such a great way to bring a school together as one, not to mention, show how an entire district is on the same page.

I am also big on signs and keeping kids informed. I may have snapped way more pictures of signs than I'll ever be able to use. Here are just a few :)

We were able to stop by the high school. While there we checked out a program that allowed "typical" students to buddy or mentor with students with special needs. It always makes my heart smile to hear students talking about why they want to do programs like that and how they keep coming back. Some of these programs even spark interest in students to pursue careers where they are working with persons who have special needs. While there we heard about another mentoring program that matches students up with veterans and helps get veterans out to D.C. to see the memorial. While listening to them we got to feast on an amazing lunch. (I'm not much of a rare-meat kind of person but let me tell you I devoured this meal). It was all made by the students there....Maybe I should look into cooking lessons. These kids definitely shamed me.

We finished our visit by touring the Paramour Coffee shop where we got a behind the scenes look at creating a signature roast. We then toured the Columbian Theater. I have always heard of it but to be inside and see the history up close left me in awe. We finished by visiting the Oz Museum. If you ever get a chance to go I would highly recommend it. I know that I will be going back.

Overall I think Michael and Cathy did an amazing job showcasing their district. We got to see some well organized buildings with school-wide programs that were effective and engaging. We got to view some of the highlights of the city of Wamego. More importantly, we got to bond as a group. They definitely set the tone.

Casey and I had some high expectations to match......our visit was next!

Kid Bloggin' Wednesday: A Good Day

Science Investigation

This is the plant.

• We planted them.
• They are Brassica.
• Their leaves look like hearts.
• They got dirt in the cup.
• They have pointy leaves.
• When they grow big we can see their roots.
• They have names on them so we know which cup we have.

This is our math wall.

• We like our wall.
• There are different stations.
• There are nine different stations.
• There are 8 different groups.
• They have different shapes on them.
•  They have names on top of them so we know which center to go to.
• They have different colors.

This is our desk dividers.

• We use desk dividers for our tests.
• We use desk dividers so people don't cheat on tests.
• Our desk dividers are different colors.
• Our desk dividers open and close.
• We can use them for our tests.
• They are also red.

Magic School Bus Video

This is our Magic School Bus Videos.

• We watch the Magic School Bus on lunch bunch.
• We like to watch the Magic School Bus.
• They are math videos and science videos.
• They learn.
• They are fun to watch.

Science Tubs

This is our science tubs.

• We do science with the stuff.
• We planted Brassica and we looked at them in tubs to write in our science journals.
• We made plants.
• We work with them.
• They are different colors.

Little Apple Tech Fun

Below you'll find additions made by the educators who joined my session on blogging during the Little Apple Tech Fest. It was a blast giving them a chance to practice as my class does!

#LATF15 pens are the best.

• They can be used as a pen or an iPad stylus.
• The pens come in trendy colors!

This skeleton displays all 206 bones of the adult human body!
The longest bone in the human body is the femur.

We are wannabe bloggers!

Technology Takeover!

• Engaging students through technology
• Promoting higher level thinking through the vessel of creativity

 Double the Fun

• Lots of people have devices.
• All of our devices are working today!

Listening Lamp

• We visited the science room!
• Symbolism: You need to listen to get bright ideas! 

A good blog is like a good cup of coffee

• black coffee is the "idea"
• the coffee is the colorful and interesting delivery of the idea
• cream and sugar adds interest and flavor to the blog

The bones of technology

• Shaking the skeletons out of our closet.
• We are adding meat to the technology.

Teaching Teachers

It's fast approaching, and I'm not talking about the supposed snow we are getting.The snow seems to be unavoidable and while many teachers welcome the snow I am the complete opposite.

It's on its way!

I think I've had my fill of snow this school year. Not to mention I don't want anything getting in the way of tomorrow. Tomorrow is the second annual Little Apple Tech Fest! While others are enjoying being off on President's Day, our students included, the teachers of USD 383 will be at the high school getting some professional development and getting hands-on experience with new ideas, implementation, and tech innovations.

Be sure to check out what's being offered here.

You'll notice that this year I am not just an attendee but I am also presenting!

My session at LATF.

I've spent the weekend thinking about what teachers may want to know about classroom blogging. I think I am as ready as I'm going to be. I'm nervous out of my mind and I may have checked the attendee list a couple times hoping I'll see some familiar faces. While I am defintely passionate about using classroom blogs with students and my own class has made huge gains in this area, when it boils down it's still presenting to other educators. I'll always get those butterfflies. I'll always get the racing heart. I'm just finally accepting that's okay.

 Here's hoping everyone walks away with an interest in blogging, the resources to create their own blog, and some fun blogs to follow for resources and inspiration!

P.S. 
Teachers: Do you get nervous presenting? How do you get around it?

Kid Bloggin' Wednesday (with some help)

*Pictures were taken by me this week. We needed to get focused back on the writing and avoid the arguing that ensued during our last attempt.

This is our 100 day's hats.

• Our class made it.
• They have different patterns.
• We get to make them.
• They are cool.
• They look like king and queen crowns.
• They are big.
• Miss Isbell made the hats.
• They are black and grey.

 Art Auction

• We made art.
• It's for our parents to bid.
• We did one center.
• We could choose our center.
• We painted.
• We used paper rolls to make sculptures.
• We used cloth to make a picture.
• We used shaving cream and food coloring to make art work.
• We made stuff out of paper. 

•  If we need help then we can look at the numbers.
• If you write then you don't know what to write count.
• The numbers go to 20.
• The numbers have the words to write.
• The numbers are colorful
• You could count it.

• This is our purple bag books.
• We read our purple bag books every night.
• We take our purple bag books home every day.
• We read our purple bag books every day.

Kid Bloggin' Wednesday

These are liquid properties.

• Our favorite is the viscous.
• Some are colored some are not.
• The viscous goes slow.
• We loved them a lot because they are fun.
• In the foamy there's bubbles on the top.
• The transparent, you can see through it.
• Some are bubbly.
• One is foamy.
• Some are bubbly and foamy at the same time.

*Only one team finished the activity today due to a lack of team work. We will try again on Friday to get posts from the other groups.

Winter Break = A Break, Right?

IT'S WINTER BREAK!

Can you tell I'm a little excited? Winter Break is all about resting, family, Netflix and naps! Teachers aren't the only ones who crave the break. My kiddos were super antsy before we let out and I am sure that this break did most of them some good. I know it's done loads for my sanity, which benefits us all doesn't it?

If you are a teacher you've probably heard this before, "Why do you need so many breaks? You have so much time off!" You also realize the huge misconception here. There is no real time off. There are constantly things to get ready, new ideas to try, and changes to make. Be honest, we're all addicted to Pinterest and teacher blogs, right?  Also, I don't know about your school district but ours requires that we put in a full day's work during the break. Of course, I could put in a whole week and still have more that could be done. Today I decided to start chipping away at those 8 hours.....Let's just say I didn't get very far.

As I sat at my desk I started making a to-do list. Looking around my classroom the list continued to grow. From changing the calendar to switching the seats, my work is definitely piling up. Now did I tackle that list? Did I chop it in half? Did I cross even one thing off? No! I packed up my bag and brought some work home. This is my break and if I have to work, why not do as much as I can from my couch.....while watching Netflix :)

So here I sit.....on my couch....watching movies......with a couch full of work. I know I have to go back and tackle my list. It'll be there tomorrow. I'll be there too :)

Here's to sweats, Netflix, and squeezing every last minute of relaxation out of this break!

P.S.

Teachers: What does your Break to-do list include?

Parents: What do you enjoy most about breaks?