Two Hoots and A Holler

Hoot #1

Last week, we had the pleasure to have some 2nd graders come to our class. They have been working on Reader's Theater and wanted to share with us. It was a delight to watch some our former students. They did a wonderful job!

Hoot #2

This hoot is really nothing to celebrate, but I wanted to share. I lost my first Jitterbug a couple of weeks ago. He was not a student that was currently in my room. He actually would have turned 20 on November 12th (the same day as my birthday). When we would see each other, we would always smile and give each other big hugs. He would tell me his plans, and I would let him know that I was here if he needed anything.

When this happened, anyone (not a teacher) would think "it's been 15 years since he was in your class, no big deal." One may even ask themselves, "Did I do enough?" As teachers, we know that simply couldn't be farther from the truth. We love them long after they leave. It cuts deep, real deep. You feel that you need to do something, anything, but do not know where to start. You just pray and hope that they know everyday when they leave your room that they are loved. Our students that leave and return throughout the years are no different. Those that are reading this understand that. Through our daily struggles of meeting standards, deadlines, and  paperwork...we are enough. We meet these kids where THEY are. We love them for who THEY are. We pray for who THEY will be. We provide them with a safe place, away from their everyday lives. We meet their social needs. We let them know that they are loved. God bless our students!

Teachers we are enough!

This Week's Holler...

This weeks holler goes out to Jennifer Blanchard at the Practical Primary Teacher.  We have been struggling with writing this year with our classes.  When we came across this blog, we were so excited to read how she helps her students write in her classroom.  As teachers, we learn from each other, and we learned a lot from her blog!  Go check her out! 

Two Hoots and A Holler

Hoot #1

At the beginning of the year we were so nervous to begin our new phonics program, SIPPS.  We were uncertain of how to do it, and if it was going to work with our kids.  We have been doing it since November, and let us just tell you...the amount of growth we have seen in our students is AMAZING!!  Of course we had to get creative and figure out a way to make the lessons interesting and exciting for the students.  So we put our own spin on our SIPPS lessons!  We knew we wanted to put our lessons into Power Point presentations, but we still needed something more.  Jodi has students sit in scoop rockers, exercise balls, tables, or where ever they are comfortable.  The students teach the lessons and lead the class in reading the stories.  They love being the "teacher"!  Jamie has a reading party with her SIPPS group, and she has those kids up and moving as they are reading and learning.  Every SIPPS lesson is a dance party in Ms. Jamie's room!  The students see her in the hallway or cafeteria and start showing off their dance moves!  In both classes the students are up teaching the lessons to their classmates.  The students LOVE when it is time for SIPPS, and they actually cheer when they are lining up to go!  

Hoot #2 

This week has been all about Dr. Seuss! We have had so much fun! I wanted to share with you one of the activities that we did. We read:
 

After  reading the book, the students were asked, "What makes you...you?? The students answered the question with the prompt, "I am I because..". When they finished writing they were asked to create themselves using precut pieces.  This craft was inspired by First Grade Fresh; after seeing her pictures of this on Pinterest, we knew we had to do it!  They turned out SUPER cute!  They now line the front hall of our school for everyone to see!

The day ended with a visit from a special cat!!

This Week's Holler...

This week's holler goes out to Hope King at Elementary Shenanigans.  Since our visit to the Ron Clark Academy, we are in LOVE with Hope King!  She uses a lot of different games in her classroom, with a special "learning" twist to them to help her students stay engaged and motivated.  If you have never seen her classroom, then go check out her video of her room.  You will be AMAZED!!!!  Check out her blog and TPT store for some AWESOME ideas and resources!  

 

Two Hoots and A Holler: Growing Gators

Hoot #1

We have been in school for 6 weeks now.  This year seems to be going by super fast!  We have seen so much growth from our kiddos in the past 6 weeks.  Thanks to ESGI, we have data to show that our class is growing and learning!  I know we have said it before, but if you do not have ESGI...What are you waiting for?!?!  It is the best thing that we have ever discovered, and we will never teach another year without it!  It gives you SO MUCH data to use to show parents, administrators, support staff, etc. to show how each individual child is progressing.  We did a letter screener in August.  With ESGI, it took us no time at all to get this done!  We want our students to know all letter names by Halloween, so we have been working really hard to meet our goal.  We reassess our students every other week with ESGI. We started off in August with our uppercase percentage at 63% and our lowercase percentage at 52%.  

Just look at the growth they showed and look at the awesome pie charts from ESGI!! We grew at least 20% in upper and lowercase areas in less than a month!  I am so proud of these kiddos!

Hoot #2

We have a new phonics program we are using this year in kindergarten.  We will begin using SIPPS this year.  We have been nervous to start a new program because we didn't know much about it.  Last week we were lucky enough to attend a training geared towards our grade level.  This training was very informative and helpful.  After sitting in this training, the nervousness has passed some, and the excitement is starting to set in!  This program has shown phenomenal growth in student's reading abilities.  Students must know at least 20 lowercase letters before beginning, so we have been working really hard to learn as many letters as we can.  
How many of you have used SIPPS in kindergarten?  Have any tips for us before we begin?  We would LOVE to hear from other teachers who have used this program.  Leave your comments below!!   

 

This Week's Holler...

This week's holler goes out to Karen Jones at Mrs. Jones's Kindergarten.  We are in LOVE with her new curriculum creations for kinders called "Little Thinkers".  It is a social studies curriculum designed just for kindergarten!  It is in her TPT store, and now that we have discovered her...a lot of her items are now on our TPT Wish List!  Go read and check out her blog to read more about all of the awesome ideas this lady has!