Question of the Week

I am struggling to implement guided reading this year with my fifth and sixth graders.  I would love to hear from upper elementary teachers about guided reading groups in their classroom. 

What do you do in your guided reading groups in upper elementary?
What materials are you using?
How often do you meet with each group?

Quote of the Week -- January 29, 2012

"You teach best what you most need to learn."
Richard David Bach

Teaching Respect

Dr. Michele Borba has been a guest speaker in our district several times.  She speaks to parents and educators about building character in children.  Here is a link to her 35 Activities Your Students Can Do To Learn Respect. 

I know some of these ideas would work as whole group lessons.  Sometimes I am looking for non-punitive ways to teach respect to an individual who needs a reminder.  I recommend #2-5, 7 & 8.

Teacher 2 Teacher Linky Party

I am participating in Teacher 2 Teacher's Groundhog Day/Superbowl Linky Party.  If you are looking for activities on either topic, head on over.

Blogs I Enjoy Following

About a year and a half ago, someone introduced me to Tribes by Seth Godin.  I have since subscribed to Seth's Blog via email.  What he has to say isn't strictly for educators, but I find it inspiring just the same.

Ten Days Until Groundhog Day

Update:  Please check this post for updated Groundhog Predictions information. 

In ten days, my fifth and sixth graders will begin tracking the weather and determining whether or not a groundhog's predictions is accurate.  I have done this activity each year for seven or eight years.  This year, I wanted to include other classrooms in other places.

We would love to have your class join us at http://groundhogpredictions.blogspot.com/. 

If you have activities you do for Groundhog Day, please join my Groundhog Predictions Linky Party.  Anyone can post a free activity or blog post.

Question of the Week

I teach fifth and sixth graders.  I feel strongly that reading novels aloud to this age group is a valuable use of my time.  I feel pressure from administration to eliminate that practice.  I am curious.  Is this a widespread opinion?  Do you feel pressure to eliminate reading novels aloud?  Do you read them anyway?

Quote of the Week -- January 22, 2012

"Once children learn how to learn, nothing is going to narrow their mind. The essence of teaching is to make learning contagious, to have one idea spark another." -- Marva Collins

Self-Control

We have had snow days here in the Pacific Northwest.  I have spent my time working on curriculum projects and doing a little blog-hopping.


I wanted to share this great post from Angela Watson about teaching students self-control.  I completely agree with her statement, "You cannot learn unless you can discipline yourself to sit still, pay attention, read, converse respectfully, concentrate, THINK."

Groundhog Predictions Linky Party

Giveaway at Ashleigh's Educational Journey

There's a giveaway at Ashleigh's Educational Journey.  She is giving away a $25 Amazon Gift Card.  Please stop by and check it out.

Blogs I Enjoy Following

I am not a naturally organized person.  My New Year's Resolution is to simplify.  A blog I have been following for some time is Clutter-Free Classroom.  I am finding some inspiring ideas to meet my goal this year.

INNOVATIVE CONNECTIONS: Get to Know This TpT Teacher-Author...

INNOVATIVE CONNECTIONS: Get to Know This TpT Teacher-Author...

I am the featured teacher this week at Innovative Connections. Thanks Ann Marie for featuring me.

Question of the Week

Last week, I wanted to know what websites are your favorites to use with students.  This week I am wondering what websites you find the best as teacher resources. 

What websites to you use for planning?

Quote of the Week -- January 15, 2012

"Creativity, when not used, turns to depression."
Henri Reiman

20 Days Until Groundhog Day

Update:  Please check this post for updated Groundhog Predictions information. 

My class is excited about having other classes join us this year at GroundhogPredictions.blogspot.com. It's not too late to join us.

Free curriculum download at Mary Bauer's Teachers Pay Teachers Store.

Blogs I Enjoy Following

This year I have been teaching a fifth/sixth split class.  That age span has its challenges.  I enjoy reading Jen Runde's blog Runde's Room.  She also teaches a fifth/sixth split and she has great ideas for math journals every Sunday.

Question of the Week

This month I will receive a computer cart with 12 laptop computers to use in my classroom.  I received some technology training in November, but I would love to have more ideas about how to use the technology in my class. 

What is your favorite website to use with third through sixth graders?

Quote of the Week -- January 8, 2012

"Learning has greater value when we share what we learn."

Simon Sinek

Free eBook from Sub Hub

If you teach or substitute teach K-5, below is a link to a Free eBook of Must-Own books as recommended by fans of Sub Hub.

http://subhubonline.blogspot.com/2011/12/must-own-books-free-ebook.html

My Birthday Sale -- 20% Off

It's my birthday this week,  and to celebrate I am throwing a sale January 3-5, 2012.

Everything is 20% off Tuesday through Thursday this week in my Teachers Pay Teachers store.

Mrs. Bauer's Class -- Rebooted

          Before I left for winter break, I took the time to prepare specific lesson plans for the first day back.  I know that in some ways this will be like the first day of school: I will need to teach or reteach routines.  Unlike the first day of school, some of us have become entrenched in bad habits.  This is my chance to reset my classroom in some ways.  I have figured out some things that are not working and I am excited to try some new ideas.

          For example, I am changing what they do for morning work.  First, I had students write in their journals first thing.  Then, I tried math problem-solving.  This time I will have the students practice editing sentences.  I find that rotating the activities I do for entry tasks keeps those tasks from getting stale.

          What changes do you want to make in your classroom in 2012?

Quote of the Week -- January 1, 2012

"Live out of your imagination, not your history."
Stephen Covey


Happy New Year! May 2012 give you opportunities to live out of your imagination.