8 hours (subtract days I was absent)
Every day for 1o mins we have a teacher read aloud. I have read many different genres to the students. They really have enjoyed the Calendar Club series. I am currently reading "Ramona Quimby, Age 8."
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Grade Level
Dec. 1 and 2- 2 hours
This week we are meeting with our curriculum coach about Steven Layne an author that we heard present at the beginning of the year. She is discussing with us some of his strategies. We also are going to discuss what we are going to do next week for Christmas Around the World and then the rest of the curriculum. Mrs. Webb is back this week and I am looking forward to having grade level like we use to.
This week we are meeting with our curriculum coach about Steven Layne an author that we heard present at the beginning of the year. She is discussing with us some of his strategies. We also are going to discuss what we are going to do next week for Christmas Around the World and then the rest of the curriculum. Mrs. Webb is back this week and I am looking forward to having grade level like we use to.
AR Conferences
Every Monday from Sept. 13 to now- 12 Mondays
30 mins each Monday
total of 6 hours
Every Monday I sit down with each student and discuss their AR goals with them and talk to them about what they need to do in order to either keep making their goals or what they need to do to make it if they have not already. I mark their points and percentage on a sheet in their AR folders. It helps them understand what they are working for when we do this together.
30 mins each Monday
total of 6 hours
Every Monday I sit down with each student and discuss their AR goals with them and talk to them about what they need to do in order to either keep making their goals or what they need to do to make it if they have not already. I mark their points and percentage on a sheet in their AR folders. It helps them understand what they are working for when we do this together.
Handbooks
Aug. 24- 1 hour
I spent about an hour at the beginning of the year reading and looking over the student handbook and the teacher professional handbook.
I spent about an hour at the beginning of the year reading and looking over the student handbook and the teacher professional handbook.
Constructive Student Behavior
Aug. 25- 2 hours
At the beginning of every year teachers and librarians must establish rules to promote the behaviors they want the students to have. I spend the majority of the first part of the day to do this with my students so they know immediately what is expected of them. This is a very crucial and important way to begin the school year.
At the beginning of every year teachers and librarians must establish rules to promote the behaviors they want the students to have. I spend the majority of the first part of the day to do this with my students so they know immediately what is expected of them. This is a very crucial and important way to begin the school year.
AR Celebration
Oct. 26- 30 mins
All of my students made their AR goals for first quarter. To reward them, Mary always has a celebration for them. She buys them snack and drinks and they get to play games and puzzles. While they were snacking and playing, I called them over to pick out their bookmark that they get to have. I also shelved books while they played.
All of my students made their AR goals for first quarter. To reward them, Mary always has a celebration for them. She buys them snack and drinks and they get to play games and puzzles. While they were snacking and playing, I called them over to pick out their bookmark that they get to have. I also shelved books while they played.
Activ Expressions/Votes
Oct. 27-45 mins
Nov. 10- 30 mins
total 1 hour and 15 mins
On the 27 I went to Mrs. McLaughlin's third grade classroom to show her students how to use the Activ Expressions because they are new for the school this year and they had never used them before. I showed them how they could type a word by having them practice spelling their high frequency words. I also showed them how to type a number by having them answer math problems. There are lots of things they can do with them. They really seemed to enjoy them.
On the 10, Ms. Kirk our new fifth grade teacher was using the Activ Votes for the very first time and she needed help setting them up with the laptop and then how to copy students answers onto the flipchart. She had difficulty at first trying to get the website and the activ inspire to work together.
Nov. 10- 30 mins
total 1 hour and 15 mins
On the 27 I went to Mrs. McLaughlin's third grade classroom to show her students how to use the Activ Expressions because they are new for the school this year and they had never used them before. I showed them how they could type a word by having them practice spelling their high frequency words. I also showed them how to type a number by having them answer math problems. There are lots of things they can do with them. They really seemed to enjoy them.
On the 10, Ms. Kirk our new fifth grade teacher was using the Activ Votes for the very first time and she needed help setting them up with the laptop and then how to copy students answers onto the flipchart. She had difficulty at first trying to get the website and the activ inspire to work together.
Christmas Around the World
Nov. 22- 30 mins-rubric planning
Nov. 22-30 mins- grading passport applications
Nov. 23- 1 hr- passports
Nov. 23- 1 hr- planning
Nov. 29-30 mins-suitcases
Nov. 29-Dec. 3- 1 hr a day
total 8 hours and 30 mins
On the 22 I sat down with my students to come up with a rubric for their Christmas Around the World projects. I showed them examples of other rubrics and they put it into their own words so it would be kid friendly and they would understand it. I also checked and graded their passport applications that they filled out for homework.
On the 23 we went to the computer lab to take pictures in Photo Booth for their passports. Then back in the classroom, students glued their pictures into their passports and then filled out the their personal information using the passport application. In the afternoon, I planned for what I was going to do with the students when they came to visit Mexico. I had to find a pinata and a poinsettia. I also had to find the information I wanted to share with the students that I felt was going to be the most important info for them to compare Mexico's Christmas and the US.
On the 29 students decorated their suitcases with Christmas symbols. Students will keep a map and their passports in their suitcases.
Every day this week from 12:15 to 1:15 students are "traveling" to the different countries to learn about the Christmas traditions. In Mexico we are talking about their traditions focusing on the pinata and poinsettia. Students are making a paper poinsettia, listening to "Feliz Navidad" and listening to "The Legend of the Poinsettia."
Nov. 22-30 mins- grading passport applications
Nov. 23- 1 hr- passports
Nov. 23- 1 hr- planning
Nov. 29-30 mins-suitcases
Nov. 29-Dec. 3- 1 hr a day
total 8 hours and 30 mins
On the 22 I sat down with my students to come up with a rubric for their Christmas Around the World projects. I showed them examples of other rubrics and they put it into their own words so it would be kid friendly and they would understand it. I also checked and graded their passport applications that they filled out for homework.
On the 23 we went to the computer lab to take pictures in Photo Booth for their passports. Then back in the classroom, students glued their pictures into their passports and then filled out the their personal information using the passport application. In the afternoon, I planned for what I was going to do with the students when they came to visit Mexico. I had to find a pinata and a poinsettia. I also had to find the information I wanted to share with the students that I felt was going to be the most important info for them to compare Mexico's Christmas and the US.
On the 29 students decorated their suitcases with Christmas symbols. Students will keep a map and their passports in their suitcases.
Every day this week from 12:15 to 1:15 students are "traveling" to the different countries to learn about the Christmas traditions. In Mexico we are talking about their traditions focusing on the pinata and poinsettia. Students are making a paper poinsettia, listening to "Feliz Navidad" and listening to "The Legend of the Poinsettia."
Book Rep Meeting
Nov. 30- 1:30-2:30-1 hour
Mary had a book rep. from Delaney come to the school to show us some books that are needed in the library. Mary wanted books on soccer for some fourth grade boys that are struggling readers and have no interest in reading. We looked at a lot of different types of graphic novels because a lot of students are interested in them more than anything else. We looked at graphic novels for nonfiction books, super heroes, war books, tall tales, and cartoons. We looked at a lot of nonfiction books because students at Mt. Ulla really enjoy nonfiction.
I thought it was interesting how the process worked. Mary said that she would show me some weeding and then she would make a final decision the books that she was going to order.
Mary had a book rep. from Delaney come to the school to show us some books that are needed in the library. Mary wanted books on soccer for some fourth grade boys that are struggling readers and have no interest in reading. We looked at a lot of different types of graphic novels because a lot of students are interested in them more than anything else. We looked at graphic novels for nonfiction books, super heroes, war books, tall tales, and cartoons. We looked at a lot of nonfiction books because students at Mt. Ulla really enjoy nonfiction.
I thought it was interesting how the process worked. Mary said that she would show me some weeding and then she would make a final decision the books that she was going to order.
County wide SIPT meeting
Nov. 29- 3:00-5:15- 2 hours and 15 mins
Rowan counties Title I coordinator Alesia Burnette set up a meeting for SIPT teams to meet and listen to a SIPT "guru." She was a teacher and a principal and now she does presentations at schools and is a consultant for struggling schools.
She discussed a lot with us what SIPT (SIT) teams should be doing, who should be on them, that they should have the best interests of the students at all times, and that every decision or discussion should be because it directly effects students.
She discussed with us what cooperative learning should look like, and if we have ISS then there should be a teacher or counselor working with those students. She should us a "map" of all the pathways that make up people (physical, emotional, psychological, etc). If one pathway is not "working" then none of them will.
One of the most important things that I think she discussed with us that there should be assigned members (chairperson, time keeper, agenda writer) and an agenda every time with the topic, the person, the time and the action that is needed. This is something that our SIPT team does not do well at all and I really think that we need to start implementing it.
I thought the meeting was very eye opening and important. It was beneficial for me to go to this meeting.
Rowan counties Title I coordinator Alesia Burnette set up a meeting for SIPT teams to meet and listen to a SIPT "guru." She was a teacher and a principal and now she does presentations at schools and is a consultant for struggling schools.
She discussed a lot with us what SIPT (SIT) teams should be doing, who should be on them, that they should have the best interests of the students at all times, and that every decision or discussion should be because it directly effects students.
She discussed with us what cooperative learning should look like, and if we have ISS then there should be a teacher or counselor working with those students. She should us a "map" of all the pathways that make up people (physical, emotional, psychological, etc). If one pathway is not "working" then none of them will.
One of the most important things that I think she discussed with us that there should be assigned members (chairperson, time keeper, agenda writer) and an agenda every time with the topic, the person, the time and the action that is needed. This is something that our SIPT team does not do well at all and I really think that we need to start implementing it.
I thought the meeting was very eye opening and important. It was beneficial for me to go to this meeting.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Samaritan's Purse
Nov. 9- 1:00-1:30
Nov. 12-1:00-1:30
Nov. 12- 3:15-4:00
Nov. 18- 10:15-10:40
total of 2 hours and 10 mins
Every year second grade work with Mrs. Sloop to collect, sort, and pack shoe boxes for Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child. On Nov. 9 my class went to the library to sort items that have been brought in by the school. Each child was given a bag to empty and sort into appropriate piles on the tables (girls, boys, toiletries, toys, etc). Then on Nov. 12 we went back to pack the boxes. Students got to choose if they wanted to do a boy or girl box. There was a list of items on the board that they each had to make sure went into the boxes.
That afternoon, I went back to the library to help Mary clean up the rest of the items that were on the tables. I packed a shoe box with some of the remainders.
On Nov. 18 my class went back to the library to take a class photo with the boxes and helped carry the boxes out to Mrs. Sloop's car.
This is such a great project for the students to participate in and they really enjoy making another girl or boy happy for the holidays!
Nov. 12-1:00-1:30
Nov. 12- 3:15-4:00
Nov. 18- 10:15-10:40
total of 2 hours and 10 mins
Every year second grade work with Mrs. Sloop to collect, sort, and pack shoe boxes for Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child. On Nov. 9 my class went to the library to sort items that have been brought in by the school. Each child was given a bag to empty and sort into appropriate piles on the tables (girls, boys, toiletries, toys, etc). Then on Nov. 12 we went back to pack the boxes. Students got to choose if they wanted to do a boy or girl box. There was a list of items on the board that they each had to make sure went into the boxes.
That afternoon, I went back to the library to help Mary clean up the rest of the items that were on the tables. I packed a shoe box with some of the remainders.
On Nov. 18 my class went back to the library to take a class photo with the boxes and helped carry the boxes out to Mrs. Sloop's car.
This is such a great project for the students to participate in and they really enjoy making another girl or boy happy for the holidays!
Reader's Theater
Oct. 18-21 and Oct. 25- 1 hour a day- 5 hours
About once a quarter I have my students participate in a reader's theater to experience a different kind of genre. For these five days, students began by reading for meaning and word understanding. Then they were allowed to choose which part they wanted to read and practice. Then after several days of practicing, they then could add movements into their play. On the final day, they preform in front of the class and I grade them using a rubric that looks for expression, eye contact, good tone and volume, etc. Students really enjoy this particular genre. I was very impressed with how some of my students did because they are normally quite quite and shy and they really came out of their shell for this.
About once a quarter I have my students participate in a reader's theater to experience a different kind of genre. For these five days, students began by reading for meaning and word understanding. Then they were allowed to choose which part they wanted to read and practice. Then after several days of practicing, they then could add movements into their play. On the final day, they preform in front of the class and I grade them using a rubric that looks for expression, eye contact, good tone and volume, etc. Students really enjoy this particular genre. I was very impressed with how some of my students did because they are normally quite quite and shy and they really came out of their shell for this.
Ordering Books
Nov. 10- 3:00-5:00-2 hours
This afternoon Mary showed me how to order books. I can't remember the name of the company she was using. She said she usually uses Follett but she wanted to go back to this one company. She had a whole folder full of recommendations from students and teachers that she wanted to order. We had Alexandria pulled up also to double check that she didn't already have it in the library. It really does not take long for the money to add up. I thought it was fun to search through and add new books to the list. I can't wait to be able to order new books for my own library.
This afternoon Mary showed me how to order books. I can't remember the name of the company she was using. She said she usually uses Follett but she wanted to go back to this one company. She had a whole folder full of recommendations from students and teachers that she wanted to order. We had Alexandria pulled up also to double check that she didn't already have it in the library. It really does not take long for the money to add up. I thought it was fun to search through and add new books to the list. I can't wait to be able to order new books for my own library.
Trunk or Treat
Oct. 28- 6:00-7:30-1 hour and 30 mins
This year was the first year that Mt. Ulla had a Trunk or Treat. PTA and Relay for life set up different booths to earn money. I worked at the bake sale table selling all of the delicious cupcakes and cookies that our third grade students made. I also walked around with the PTA president to look at all of the different trunks that were decorated to choose a winnder of the trunk decorating contest. I also purchased some of the yummy food to donate to the Relay for Life.
It was a very fun night!
This year was the first year that Mt. Ulla had a Trunk or Treat. PTA and Relay for life set up different booths to earn money. I worked at the bake sale table selling all of the delicious cupcakes and cookies that our third grade students made. I also walked around with the PTA president to look at all of the different trunks that were decorated to choose a winnder of the trunk decorating contest. I also purchased some of the yummy food to donate to the Relay for Life.
It was a very fun night!
Activ Board training
Oct. 28- 12:30-3:00- 2 hours and 30 minutes
On our early release day I was put in charge of training the K-2 assistants and enhancement teachers how to use the ActivBoard. Many of them knew very little of the basics like even turning it on. I began by showing them how to make sure that it can be turned on by showing them where all the cords plug in, to make sure they turn the projector on and that the board light is on. I had each one of them practice how to calibrate the board. Then they got to come up and draw something on the board. I pulled up several flipcharts that have been created and let them practice dragging objects, turning the page, drawing, erasing, etc.
Then I showed them how to use the Activ Votes and the Activ Expressions. Some of the teachers then came over to see me show them how to use those because the Expressions are new for us to use and many of them had not had a chance to use them before.
Many of them said that they really felt like the staff development was very helpful for them because they were unsure how to use the boards.
On our early release day I was put in charge of training the K-2 assistants and enhancement teachers how to use the ActivBoard. Many of them knew very little of the basics like even turning it on. I began by showing them how to make sure that it can be turned on by showing them where all the cords plug in, to make sure they turn the projector on and that the board light is on. I had each one of them practice how to calibrate the board. Then they got to come up and draw something on the board. I pulled up several flipcharts that have been created and let them practice dragging objects, turning the page, drawing, erasing, etc.
Then I showed them how to use the Activ Votes and the Activ Expressions. Some of the teachers then came over to see me show them how to use those because the Expressions are new for us to use and many of them had not had a chance to use them before.
Many of them said that they really felt like the staff development was very helpful for them because they were unsure how to use the boards.
What are you looking for?
Oct. 13- 1 hr
Oct. 18- 1 hr
One thing that Mary and I discussed was that some of my students would really benefit with knowing how to use the catalog. One of my students in particular always attempts to use the computer but then doesn't know what to do once he found a book on the computer. On Oct. 13 I stayed after school to work on a document to keep at the catalog computers that would give students directions of how to search for a book they are interested in and then where to find it in the library after they have found it in their search. I used the print screen to show several of the examples of what the page would look like if they typed in certain things and where to find the call number and whether it is checked in or out.
On Oct. 18, I brought my class into the library to show them how to search for books they are interested in. I showed them how to do a keyword search, author search, series search, or title search. I then showed them how to look for the call number and then where they would go in the library based on what it says.
Since I have shown them how to use the catalog system, they all want to use the computer to look for a book.
Oct. 18- 1 hr
One thing that Mary and I discussed was that some of my students would really benefit with knowing how to use the catalog. One of my students in particular always attempts to use the computer but then doesn't know what to do once he found a book on the computer. On Oct. 13 I stayed after school to work on a document to keep at the catalog computers that would give students directions of how to search for a book they are interested in and then where to find it in the library after they have found it in their search. I used the print screen to show several of the examples of what the page would look like if they typed in certain things and where to find the call number and whether it is checked in or out.
On Oct. 18, I brought my class into the library to show them how to search for books they are interested in. I showed them how to do a keyword search, author search, series search, or title search. I then showed them how to look for the call number and then where they would go in the library based on what it says.
Since I have shown them how to use the catalog system, they all want to use the computer to look for a book.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Stories by the Millstream
Sept. 13-16- 1 hour each day- total 4 hours
Sept. 17-11:00-2:00-3 hours
Every year second grade students get to attend Stories by the Millstream, a field trip at Sloan Park. This field trip correlates with the NCSCOS because in second grade we have to cover the many different genres. Before the field trip that Friday, each day during guided reading time we discussed storytellers and read several different stories written by famous story tellers like Nikki Giovanni. The students learn that story telling is a type of genre.
At Sloan Park students get to listen to three different storytellers during this field trip. This year I thought our first two storytellers were excellent. They are both local storytellers. They were Sonja and Mother M. They changed their tone of voice when telling their stories and really got the students excited. Two of the most memorable stories that the students liked were about Anasi the spider and a little girl being chased by a wolf.
The third storyteller was a man that traveled but was orginally from the Appalachian mountains. I cannot remember his name. Most of the time, the storyteller that is on stage (which he was) tells several different stories. This time he only told one. I do not think the students enjoyed him quite as much. It could have had a lot to do with the fact that we were sitting out in the very hot sun. I thought he story was funny but I do not think the students understood it.
Overall it is a great field trip that the students get to experience. Some students have never been to the public library where most of the local storytellers can be heard, so this gives them an opportunity for them to see what it is all about.
Sept. 17-11:00-2:00-3 hours
Every year second grade students get to attend Stories by the Millstream, a field trip at Sloan Park. This field trip correlates with the NCSCOS because in second grade we have to cover the many different genres. Before the field trip that Friday, each day during guided reading time we discussed storytellers and read several different stories written by famous story tellers like Nikki Giovanni. The students learn that story telling is a type of genre.
At Sloan Park students get to listen to three different storytellers during this field trip. This year I thought our first two storytellers were excellent. They are both local storytellers. They were Sonja and Mother M. They changed their tone of voice when telling their stories and really got the students excited. Two of the most memorable stories that the students liked were about Anasi the spider and a little girl being chased by a wolf.
The third storyteller was a man that traveled but was orginally from the Appalachian mountains. I cannot remember his name. Most of the time, the storyteller that is on stage (which he was) tells several different stories. This time he only told one. I do not think the students enjoyed him quite as much. It could have had a lot to do with the fact that we were sitting out in the very hot sun. I thought he story was funny but I do not think the students understood it.
Overall it is a great field trip that the students get to experience. Some students have never been to the public library where most of the local storytellers can be heard, so this gives them an opportunity for them to see what it is all about.
Exporting Pictures
Sept. 7
15 mins
Today Annie, Carol, and I met with Wendi our tech facilitator briefly to learn how to export a picture that our students have drawn in Kidpix to the desktop and then into iPhoto to be used in their Natural Resource Wanted Posters. It was a very simple process that did not take very long to learn at all.
15 mins
Today Annie, Carol, and I met with Wendi our tech facilitator briefly to learn how to export a picture that our students have drawn in Kidpix to the desktop and then into iPhoto to be used in their Natural Resource Wanted Posters. It was a very simple process that did not take very long to learn at all.
Grade Level Meetings
Sept. 1, 9, 15, 22, 23, 29, 30
Oct. 6, 7, 13, 20, 21, 27, 28
Nov. 3, 4, 18, 23
1 hour each day
total of 1 hours
Every week second grade meets on Wednesdays and Thursdays to discuss lessons, projects, events, technology, field trips, etc. We meet for an hour each day from 11-12. Our assistants cover lunch and recess for us while we meet. Most weeks either our curriculum coach, principal, assistant principal, media coordinator and tech facilitator join us for part of our meeting to discuss things that are going on. On the days that we go on field trips or have no school we try to make up our grade level times on a different day. We use our pacing guides and NCSCOS to help us when planning.
Oct. 6, 7, 13, 20, 21, 27, 28
Nov. 3, 4, 18, 23
1 hour each day
total of 1 hours
Every week second grade meets on Wednesdays and Thursdays to discuss lessons, projects, events, technology, field trips, etc. We meet for an hour each day from 11-12. Our assistants cover lunch and recess for us while we meet. Most weeks either our curriculum coach, principal, assistant principal, media coordinator and tech facilitator join us for part of our meeting to discuss things that are going on. On the days that we go on field trips or have no school we try to make up our grade level times on a different day. We use our pacing guides and NCSCOS to help us when planning.
Staff Meetings
Nov. 8
Nov. 15
Nov. 22
3:00-4:00
3 hours total
At normal staff meetings we discuss things that are going on in the school. PTA things that have been happening, data for test scores, holidays. We discuss items that have been discussed during SIPT meetings and go over new technology. On Nov. 15 we learned about Edu 2.0 a new tool for teachers to use to make lesson plans, blog with teachers and students, chat, etc. It can be used a forum or a wiki. I think it is a great tool that will give teachers and educators another way to collaborate with each other.
Nov. 15
Nov. 22
3:00-4:00
3 hours total
At normal staff meetings we discuss things that are going on in the school. PTA things that have been happening, data for test scores, holidays. We discuss items that have been discussed during SIPT meetings and go over new technology. On Nov. 15 we learned about Edu 2.0 a new tool for teachers to use to make lesson plans, blog with teachers and students, chat, etc. It can be used a forum or a wiki. I think it is a great tool that will give teachers and educators another way to collaborate with each other.
SIPT meeting
Nov.1- 3:00-4:15- 1 hour and 15 mins
This was the last meeting that SIPT met to finalize the school improvement plan. Mrs. Thomas read back over what we had come up with so far. Then we added more to the plans for literacy and math. There are several different questions that are asked in the school improvement plan that seem very obvious but we have to fill them out anyway. It feels good to be finished with the plan and will be able to begin implementing it in the school soon.
This was the last meeting that SIPT met to finalize the school improvement plan. Mrs. Thomas read back over what we had come up with so far. Then we added more to the plans for literacy and math. There are several different questions that are asked in the school improvement plan that seem very obvious but we have to fill them out anyway. It feels good to be finished with the plan and will be able to begin implementing it in the school soon.
Aims Web
Sept. 15, 20, and 21- 3:00-4:00- total of 3 hours
On these three afternoons the staff met to be trained on a new program called Aims Web that is used in RTI (response to intervention) schools. Mt. Ulla is not a RTI school yet but will be in a few years. This program is used to target the areas that students are struggling with the greatest. There are many different levels of the assessments that are given to the students to determine where they are. If a student struggles with a concept for instance, phonics, then the teacher is given an intervention to use with that student. There are literacy and math assessments that are included with this program.
On these three afternoons the staff met to be trained on a new program called Aims Web that is used in RTI (response to intervention) schools. Mt. Ulla is not a RTI school yet but will be in a few years. This program is used to target the areas that students are struggling with the greatest. There are many different levels of the assessments that are given to the students to determine where they are. If a student struggles with a concept for instance, phonics, then the teacher is given an intervention to use with that student. There are literacy and math assessments that are included with this program.
Full Day in the Library
Nov. 18- 7:20-4:20- 9 hours
When I first got to the library today, I counted all the shoe boxes that were around the library the second grade had packed for Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child. We had 58 boxes which is awesome! Mary had a meeting to go to today so I was pretty much on my own, especially when Mrs. Sheets (assistant) was helping in other classes and doing the medicine.
I helped with circulation from 7:45 to 8:50. At 8:50 I went to Mrs. McLaughlin's 3rd grade classroom to help with their Solar System projects. I helped two boys with their slide show on the moon by adding pictures, showing them how to change the background, and how to add transitions for each slide. I also helped two girls in the computer lab type up labels for their solar system poster. I helped the third graders until 10:00 then I went back to the library because the doors were closed because Mrs. Sheets had left to go help in the 4th grade classroom she goes to everyday.
Back in the library I shelved some more books, helped the lingering students with checkout, and read an AR test to an at-risk third grader.
When Mrs. Sheets read a Thanksgiving story to a group of kindergartners I read two non-fiction books about turkeys to a little girl that is a Jehovah's witness. She was very interested in learning about turkeys and was able to point out some differences between the wild turkeys and the farm raised turkeys.
I wanted to see how to run overdue notices so Kaye got out the Alexandria manual notebook. We figured out how to get the overdue list, but we only wanted students with over dues not teachers and it was giving us both. We tried several things, but could not quite figure it out so I called Alexandria tech support to have them help figure it out. Turns out I needed to change some of the Boolean operators in order to get the students and not faculty. I printed these out then delivered them after Kaye went through them and made sure that they were all right to give out.
I continued to work on sorting the magazines boxes and finished all of the Teacher's Helpers. I had to create new labels for some of the boxes and added new boxes for the 2009 and 2010 years.
Once Mary came back from her meeting, I met with her for about 30 minutes to discuss what I have done for my hours so far and what other things I could do to earn some hours. I also asked her if it was possible if I could do some weeding for her before my hours were over. She said yes and was going to set up a day for her "book lady" could come in to help. This will be on Tuesday.
The last thing that I did for the day was export the libraries lost books in Destiny into a Numbers document and then deleted them from Alexandria. When the circulation system got switched to Alexandria this summer, all of the materials got transferred from Destiny, including lost books. The problem was that they were not being shown as lost in Alexandria as they were in Destiny so they always showed up in searches. That is why they needed to be deleted. Mary said it was a great help because the directions she had, were not as clear as they should have been and she would of ended up having to call tech support.
The last three days I spent in the library were great! I did not want to go back to the classroom after experiencing the library full time. I am very anxious and excited about being in my own library in the future.
When I first got to the library today, I counted all the shoe boxes that were around the library the second grade had packed for Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child. We had 58 boxes which is awesome! Mary had a meeting to go to today so I was pretty much on my own, especially when Mrs. Sheets (assistant) was helping in other classes and doing the medicine.
I helped with circulation from 7:45 to 8:50. At 8:50 I went to Mrs. McLaughlin's 3rd grade classroom to help with their Solar System projects. I helped two boys with their slide show on the moon by adding pictures, showing them how to change the background, and how to add transitions for each slide. I also helped two girls in the computer lab type up labels for their solar system poster. I helped the third graders until 10:00 then I went back to the library because the doors were closed because Mrs. Sheets had left to go help in the 4th grade classroom she goes to everyday.
Back in the library I shelved some more books, helped the lingering students with checkout, and read an AR test to an at-risk third grader.
When Mrs. Sheets read a Thanksgiving story to a group of kindergartners I read two non-fiction books about turkeys to a little girl that is a Jehovah's witness. She was very interested in learning about turkeys and was able to point out some differences between the wild turkeys and the farm raised turkeys.
I wanted to see how to run overdue notices so Kaye got out the Alexandria manual notebook. We figured out how to get the overdue list, but we only wanted students with over dues not teachers and it was giving us both. We tried several things, but could not quite figure it out so I called Alexandria tech support to have them help figure it out. Turns out I needed to change some of the Boolean operators in order to get the students and not faculty. I printed these out then delivered them after Kaye went through them and made sure that they were all right to give out.
I continued to work on sorting the magazines boxes and finished all of the Teacher's Helpers. I had to create new labels for some of the boxes and added new boxes for the 2009 and 2010 years.
Once Mary came back from her meeting, I met with her for about 30 minutes to discuss what I have done for my hours so far and what other things I could do to earn some hours. I also asked her if it was possible if I could do some weeding for her before my hours were over. She said yes and was going to set up a day for her "book lady" could come in to help. This will be on Tuesday.
The last thing that I did for the day was export the libraries lost books in Destiny into a Numbers document and then deleted them from Alexandria. When the circulation system got switched to Alexandria this summer, all of the materials got transferred from Destiny, including lost books. The problem was that they were not being shown as lost in Alexandria as they were in Destiny so they always showed up in searches. That is why they needed to be deleted. Mary said it was a great help because the directions she had, were not as clear as they should have been and she would of ended up having to call tech support.
The last three days I spent in the library were great! I did not want to go back to the classroom after experiencing the library full time. I am very anxious and excited about being in my own library in the future.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Day in the Life of a Librarian
Nov. 17- 8:15-5:00- 8 hours and 45 mins
Another fun full day in the library! I helped with circulation a lot again today. I took down the library bulletin board information on different genres in the hallway to get it ready for our IMPACT project bulletin board.
I catalogued the two new copies of "The Diary of a Wimpy Kid, The Ugly Truth" which were immediately taken off of the shelf and checked out by students. Several students also wanted the book put on hold.
Mary gave me a list of topics that our AIG teacher wanted for her class. She wanted tall tales about John Henry, Jack tales, and Appalachian (Christmas) traditions. It took me a little while to find all of the books that I thought would be acceptable for her. I knew she would not have wanted simple versions of the stories so I looked for more mature book versions for the class. I pulled about 20 books for her that I thought she could use. I then checked them out in her name and brought them down to her classroom. I told her that there were several other books about other tall tales like Paul Bunyan and Pecos Bill. She was happy with the collection I pulled but asked for the FireFox reference books and another book I was not originally sure of ("Appalachian Scrapbook"). She was very happy with it!
I helped Ms. Murph's third grade class with their Solar System project for about 45 mins. I helped two boys cover their display box with black paper and helped several others with their summaries.
One teacher came to the library looking for me to help her find a Pages document that her high school teacher helper did not save on her computer. I looked in several places I thought I could find it on her laptop. I asked her if the girl had chose no when it asked whether she wanted to save and Susan said yes that she purposely did not save. I told her that there was no way to retrieve the info if that was the case because she had actually said no and that is just what the computer thought.
Mary also showed me how she catalogs her magazines. They keep a binder with the different magazine titles listed with a monthly check off. Then she stamps the front and back of the magazine with a Mt. Ulla stamp. The magazines also get a label in the top left corner with the month and year written on them. I then took the magazines to the back room where I began organizing the magazine boxes of the "Teacher's Helper" magazine. All of the boxes are labeled with the title of the magazine, the year of the magazine, and the grade levels for the magazine. Surprisingly there were A LOT of magazines that were not in the correct boxes. You would think that teachers could put them back into the correct boxes since they are labeled so plainly.
That afternoon, Danielle, Annie (my second grade colleagues), Mary and I all met for our second IMPACT project- Christmas Around the World. We discussed the template that students were going to use for their research and the box that they were going to create for their final product. We also made our rotation schedule and made sure we all knew what we were doing for our country.
It was another great day and I learned a lot.
Library Fun
Nov 16- 7:20-2:45- 7 hours and 25 mins
Today I took a sick day so that I could work in the library all day and get some real hands on experience. I began by shelving books because Kaye our librarian assistant was absent on Monday so there were a lot of books to be put away. I did this from 7:20 to 9:30. In between I helped with circulation and helped students find some books. During this time I also called Kannapolis Parks and Rec. to find out some information on a program called "Artic Express" to see if it would be a good opportunity for some of our grade levels to go on for a field trip. The field trip is $3 and would be appropriate for ages 5-13. We have decided that Kinder and 2nd grade are going to go because it integrates with their Christmas around the world projects.
At 9:30 I went to Mrs. Burns 3rd grade to assist with their Solar System project. Students had to come up with 5 questions they wanted to know about their topic. They had to write the question then use resources to find the answers to their questions. I helped several pairs of students with their questions and then again when they were looking for their answers. I stayed in her classroom until 10:45.
At 10:45 I shelved some more books and helped the few students that came in and out for checkout. At 11:25 a class came in and I helped with circulation until 11:40. Then I continued shelving and helped with checkout until 12:15.
Mary showed me how to cover book jackets. When I was at Appalachian for my work study, I actually worked in the library in the materials processing section and knew how to cover books, but I needed a refresher. I actually taught Mary a trick with using a plastic ruler in the book jacket cover to make a nice crease with out bending the book jacket. I did a stack of about 15 books and was able to place them on the book shelves for students to check out. It was amazing at how fast the new books disappeared from the shelves! I told several of the girls that the books were new and they said that they would be extra careful with them. Covering the books actually took quite a bit of time with stopping in between to help students find books and helping with circulation.
Before I left today I made two signs for our Beverly Cleary display. Second and third grade students get to go see the Ramona Quimby play so we placed her books on a table to promote her works. I also ran several errands for Mary by delivering letters to families that were helping with low income families for Christmas. I finished the day off by helping the last few students before the end of the day. I actually was able to leave work early that day at 2:45 for an appointment.
It was a great day and I learned a lot!
Monday, November 22, 2010
Natural Resource Impact Project
Sept. 9- 45 mins-Library
Sept. 13- 30 mins -classroom
Oct. 4-Oct. 8- 1:00-1:30 each day- 2 hrs and 30 mins-Library/classroom/computer lab
Oct. 11-Oct. 12- 1:00-1:30 each day- 1 hour/ classroom and computer lab
Oct. 14- 9:00-2:00- 5 hours-Landfill
Oct. 15- 1 hour-at home
On Sept. 9 I took my class to the library to learn about the Super 3 research process. The students were given an the opportunity to apply the three steps in an example of planning for a birthday party. The students did very well with understanding the plan, do and review when it was applied to the birthday party. This is also the day that the natural resource project was explained to them.
September 13 Bretta Baker came to our classrooms to share with the students about recycling. She is the coordinator that we are in contact with for our Landfill field trip in Oct. She showed them several different items that can be recycled. She answered questions that the students had.
Beginning on Oct. 4- students began doing their research in the library. Students were placed into one of five groups based on their ability levels. We have five natural resources that Mrs. Sloop has written research books for" gold, water, wood, aluminum, and petroleum. Each book was leveled for the different abilities. Oct. 4- 6 students researched their natural resource and took notes on what they have found.
On Oct. 7 we went into the computer lab where students drew a picture of their natural resource on Kidpix. We then exported the picture from Kidpix to the desktop and then we dropped it into iPhoto. Students then drug the picture they drew and a real picture of their resource into the wanted poster.
On Oct. 8, 11, and 12 students began working on the Wanted Poster for their natural resource. They took the information the collected in the library and typed it into the correct places on the poster template. Students printed two copies, one in black and white and one in color.
In correlation with our Recycling/Natural Resources project second grade went on a field trip to the Landfill and one of the local recycling centers to give students a real world connection to the project. At the landfill one of the managers came aboard the bus and told the kids about all the different materials that can be brought to the landfill and what should not be brought to the landfill. They got to see all the garbage piled high and trucks working on flattening and covering it. They also got to see the leche pond where all the runoff water is filtered and cleaned. After the landfill we went to the recycling center where each student got to recycle one to two items into the appropriate bins. It was a great experience for the children to have because many families at Mt. Ulla are very near to the landfill and recycling center and do not go there. Hopefully once the students have been, they can encourage their parents to begin going.
Once all of the wanted posters were complete, I sat down with my rubrics and graded each one based on the criteria that my students and I created. This took me about an hour to grade each poster and their research notes.
Sept. 13- 30 mins -classroom
Oct. 4-Oct. 8- 1:00-1:30 each day- 2 hrs and 30 mins-Library/classroom/computer lab
Oct. 11-Oct. 12- 1:00-1:30 each day- 1 hour/ classroom and computer lab
Oct. 14- 9:00-2:00- 5 hours-Landfill
Oct. 15- 1 hour-at home
On Sept. 9 I took my class to the library to learn about the Super 3 research process. The students were given an the opportunity to apply the three steps in an example of planning for a birthday party. The students did very well with understanding the plan, do and review when it was applied to the birthday party. This is also the day that the natural resource project was explained to them.
September 13 Bretta Baker came to our classrooms to share with the students about recycling. She is the coordinator that we are in contact with for our Landfill field trip in Oct. She showed them several different items that can be recycled. She answered questions that the students had.
Beginning on Oct. 4- students began doing their research in the library. Students were placed into one of five groups based on their ability levels. We have five natural resources that Mrs. Sloop has written research books for" gold, water, wood, aluminum, and petroleum. Each book was leveled for the different abilities. Oct. 4- 6 students researched their natural resource and took notes on what they have found.
On Oct. 7 we went into the computer lab where students drew a picture of their natural resource on Kidpix. We then exported the picture from Kidpix to the desktop and then we dropped it into iPhoto. Students then drug the picture they drew and a real picture of their resource into the wanted poster.
On Oct. 8, 11, and 12 students began working on the Wanted Poster for their natural resource. They took the information the collected in the library and typed it into the correct places on the poster template. Students printed two copies, one in black and white and one in color.
In correlation with our Recycling/Natural Resources project second grade went on a field trip to the Landfill and one of the local recycling centers to give students a real world connection to the project. At the landfill one of the managers came aboard the bus and told the kids about all the different materials that can be brought to the landfill and what should not be brought to the landfill. They got to see all the garbage piled high and trucks working on flattening and covering it. They also got to see the leche pond where all the runoff water is filtered and cleaned. After the landfill we went to the recycling center where each student got to recycle one to two items into the appropriate bins. It was a great experience for the children to have because many families at Mt. Ulla are very near to the landfill and recycling center and do not go there. Hopefully once the students have been, they can encourage their parents to begin going.
Once all of the wanted posters were complete, I sat down with my rubrics and graded each one based on the criteria that my students and I created. This took me about an hour to grade each poster and their research notes.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
SIPT
Oct. 25- 1 hour and 15 mins
The SIPT team met to work on writing the school improvement plan. It needs to be rewritten every three years and this is the year. We discussed how our main goal in our plan should do with literacy and math.
One of the goals for math is to have an all day data day where strategies will be discussed. This is one of the things that the school has already implemented in order to look at our areas of weakness. We take a look at the data that we have from all of our assessments and decide what to do from there.
For literacy we have decided that students will give students the opportunity to give book reviews on books that they have read and enjoyed. I have created the template for this with Mary our librarian.
Another literacy goal that we have is to pair at risk students with a mentor that can talk to them about their reading and read books with them. We also discussed pairing older students with younger students to be reading buddies with.
We almost completed the new school improvement plan.
The SIPT team met to work on writing the school improvement plan. It needs to be rewritten every three years and this is the year. We discussed how our main goal in our plan should do with literacy and math.
One of the goals for math is to have an all day data day where strategies will be discussed. This is one of the things that the school has already implemented in order to look at our areas of weakness. We take a look at the data that we have from all of our assessments and decide what to do from there.
For literacy we have decided that students will give students the opportunity to give book reviews on books that they have read and enjoyed. I have created the template for this with Mary our librarian.
Another literacy goal that we have is to pair at risk students with a mentor that can talk to them about their reading and read books with them. We also discussed pairing older students with younger students to be reading buddies with.
We almost completed the new school improvement plan.
Lester Laminack-Author Visit
Oct. 5 & 6- 2 hours
Lester Laminack the author of Saturdays and Teacakes came for a visit at Mt. Ulla on Oct. 6. He visit a Rowan county school about every year to meet with a grade level to give writing strategies to teachers and students. On Oct. 5 I met with our librarian and curriculum coach to set up for his visit. I helped Kristen (curriculum coach) hang welcome signs for him. I helped moved tables and chairs in the library for seating for the visiting teachers and the students.
After his visit, he left a list of authors and books that are his favorites. I searched for these books in our catalog. The authors he likes are Jacqueline Woodson, Patricia Maclachlan, and Cynthia Rylant. I collected several of the books written by all these authors and placed them around the library.
Lester Laminack the author of Saturdays and Teacakes came for a visit at Mt. Ulla on Oct. 6. He visit a Rowan county school about every year to meet with a grade level to give writing strategies to teachers and students. On Oct. 5 I met with our librarian and curriculum coach to set up for his visit. I helped Kristen (curriculum coach) hang welcome signs for him. I helped moved tables and chairs in the library for seating for the visiting teachers and the students.
After his visit, he left a list of authors and books that are his favorites. I searched for these books in our catalog. The authors he likes are Jacqueline Woodson, Patricia Maclachlan, and Cynthia Rylant. I collected several of the books written by all these authors and placed them around the library.
Data Day
Nov. 10: 8:30-3:15- 6 hours and 45 mins
Second grade, third grade, the curriculum coach, title I teacher, ESOL teacher, media coordinator, principal, assistant principal, and a math consultant met today for a total data day. We looked at Children's progress scores of our students from the previous year and the beginning of this year for math and reading. We put cards with student information and how they scored up on a chart to be able to compare all the students in second and then all the students in third to see where we needed to make changes and who needed more help in certain areas. We also discussed the ways that we use our data in our classrooms to help us decide on reading and math groups and also how we use the data to determine what we should be teaching. We shared ideas with each other on ways to keep the data that would be easy and work for us.
We also looked at the data that Mrs. Thomas our principal has been keeping on classroom walk throughs since the beginning of the year to see where teachers need to improve in their classrooms. These things included cooperative learning, less worksheets, more handson, student understanding of why they are doing the things they are doing. She has to use a check off list that has been provided by the county to keep up with what teachers have been doing in their rooms.
We also had time to meet with our grade level and plan our reading groups and do some lesson plans for the following week.
After school that day, we had a short staff meeting to discuss doing our best and working hard with the kids.
Second grade, third grade, the curriculum coach, title I teacher, ESOL teacher, media coordinator, principal, assistant principal, and a math consultant met today for a total data day. We looked at Children's progress scores of our students from the previous year and the beginning of this year for math and reading. We put cards with student information and how they scored up on a chart to be able to compare all the students in second and then all the students in third to see where we needed to make changes and who needed more help in certain areas. We also discussed the ways that we use our data in our classrooms to help us decide on reading and math groups and also how we use the data to determine what we should be teaching. We shared ideas with each other on ways to keep the data that would be easy and work for us.
We also looked at the data that Mrs. Thomas our principal has been keeping on classroom walk throughs since the beginning of the year to see where teachers need to improve in their classrooms. These things included cooperative learning, less worksheets, more handson, student understanding of why they are doing the things they are doing. She has to use a check off list that has been provided by the county to keep up with what teachers have been doing in their rooms.
We also had time to meet with our grade level and plan our reading groups and do some lesson plans for the following week.
After school that day, we had a short staff meeting to discuss doing our best and working hard with the kids.
October 20
1 hour and 15 mins.
I met with Mary today to create a book review template that students will be able to fill out and read over the intercom during the morning and afternoon announcements.
Before we began, Mary was talking with other people so I shelved books for 15 mins.
The SIPT team is where we came up with the idea for the template. We are in school improvement this year and we wanted a strategy that would help promote reading throughout the school. That is where the student book reviews will come into play. Any student from kindergarten to fifth grade will be able to participate in the book reviews so we wanted to make the template friendly enough that anyone could use it. Of course the kindergartners will still need help but later in the year they may be able to do it by themselves.
We included a place for the student to put their name, their grade and classroom. They have a place for the book title and author, write a few sentence summary about the book, recommend another book like it and then an ending of where to find the book.
SIPT teams plan is to have several students share books every other week to get students interested.
After we finished deciding what would go in the template I went back to my classroom and typed it up. I am excited to see how the book reviews will turn out!
I met with Mary today to create a book review template that students will be able to fill out and read over the intercom during the morning and afternoon announcements.
Before we began, Mary was talking with other people so I shelved books for 15 mins.
The SIPT team is where we came up with the idea for the template. We are in school improvement this year and we wanted a strategy that would help promote reading throughout the school. That is where the student book reviews will come into play. Any student from kindergarten to fifth grade will be able to participate in the book reviews so we wanted to make the template friendly enough that anyone could use it. Of course the kindergartners will still need help but later in the year they may be able to do it by themselves.
We included a place for the student to put their name, their grade and classroom. They have a place for the book title and author, write a few sentence summary about the book, recommend another book like it and then an ending of where to find the book.
SIPT teams plan is to have several students share books every other week to get students interested.
After we finished deciding what would go in the template I went back to my classroom and typed it up. I am excited to see how the book reviews will turn out!
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Planning for Internship
October 1st- 1 hour
During our teacher work day, I met with Mary Sloop our media coordinator to plan out the things that I can do during the semester that will earn hours for the internship. We read through all of the options on the syllabus and wrote down things that would count for those items. We came up with things from an author visit to creating a bulletin board to interest readers.
During our teacher work day, I met with Mary Sloop our media coordinator to plan out the things that I can do during the semester that will earn hours for the internship. We read through all of the options on the syllabus and wrote down things that would count for those items. We came up with things from an author visit to creating a bulletin board to interest readers.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Staff Development
September 30- 12:15 to 3:00- 2 hours 45 minutes
The school had staff development focused on math on our early release day. After the students left for the day, we had a quick lunch then sat down together to look at test scores. We looked at 2nd grade's 4th quarter math assessment scores, 3-5 grades math EOG scores. The purpose was to look for similarities from grade to grade of how students perform to see where major weaknesses and strengths are among the grade levels. We looked at the test scores, then we made plus and delta charts to show the weak and strong areas.
After we looked at the data, we met across grade levels to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the students each year in math. We (second grade) met with third grade first for them to share with us of what they felt their new students could and could not do from year to year. Some of the things that they said that we need to work on 10 more and 10 less, subtraction with regrouping, and just working at a steady pace. They felt that the students could add with regrouping very well. We actually discussed other things other than math with each other.
Then we met with the first grade so we could share with them what we felt like their rising second graders could do well and needed improvement on. We shared several things with them that we felt were positives like their hundreds board patterns and then those that needed work like their concept of place value.
Lastly, our curriculum coach talked to us about some of the resources that we have available to use in our classrooms to help us with our math instruction. She went over our math essentials and standards book that has games, problems of the day, and assessments to use with our students.
I found the day useful and enlightening about the needs of our students and school when it comes to math.
The school had staff development focused on math on our early release day. After the students left for the day, we had a quick lunch then sat down together to look at test scores. We looked at 2nd grade's 4th quarter math assessment scores, 3-5 grades math EOG scores. The purpose was to look for similarities from grade to grade of how students perform to see where major weaknesses and strengths are among the grade levels. We looked at the test scores, then we made plus and delta charts to show the weak and strong areas.
After we looked at the data, we met across grade levels to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the students each year in math. We (second grade) met with third grade first for them to share with us of what they felt their new students could and could not do from year to year. Some of the things that they said that we need to work on 10 more and 10 less, subtraction with regrouping, and just working at a steady pace. They felt that the students could add with regrouping very well. We actually discussed other things other than math with each other.
Then we met with the first grade so we could share with them what we felt like their rising second graders could do well and needed improvement on. We shared several things with them that we felt were positives like their hundreds board patterns and then those that needed work like their concept of place value.
Lastly, our curriculum coach talked to us about some of the resources that we have available to use in our classrooms to help us with our math instruction. She went over our math essentials and standards book that has games, problems of the day, and assessments to use with our students.
I found the day useful and enlightening about the needs of our students and school when it comes to math.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Data Staff Meeting
October 11- 3:00 to 4:10- 1 hr and 10 mins.
On our Monday staff meeting our county's title I director came to the school to discuss last year's EOG scores. We looked at what it takes to make AYP (which we didn't). Mrs. Burnette changed the percent target goal from last year and figured in the new target goals for this school to show us how much more the students would have to do on the EOGs to make AYP this year. She showed us that we should work towards getting safe harbor in order to make AYP for this school year. It was a really big eye opener to see what it will take for our students and school to do for improvement.
On our Monday staff meeting our county's title I director came to the school to discuss last year's EOG scores. We looked at what it takes to make AYP (which we didn't). Mrs. Burnette changed the percent target goal from last year and figured in the new target goals for this school to show us how much more the students would have to do on the EOGs to make AYP this year. She showed us that we should work towards getting safe harbor in order to make AYP for this school year. It was a really big eye opener to see what it will take for our students and school to do for improvement.
Processing
October 5- 2 hours and 30 minutes
I stayed after school on the 5 to learn how to process new books into the circulation system. The school began using a new program called Alexandria so it took a little bit of time for the library assistant and librarian to teach me how to use it because they are not quite comfortable with it yet. After they showed me all the steps, I started on my stacks of new books to process. I had to find the best MARC record for the books, stick a barcode on the cover, write the call number in the back of the book, type in the price of the book and the replacement cost. I processed around 50 books. Mrs. Sloop was very happy that I was able to get so many of the books processed. She said that her and Mrs. Sheets never get to process the books because of all the other things that they have to do during the day. I enjoyed processing the books and learned a lot from the process.
I stayed after school on the 5 to learn how to process new books into the circulation system. The school began using a new program called Alexandria so it took a little bit of time for the library assistant and librarian to teach me how to use it because they are not quite comfortable with it yet. After they showed me all the steps, I started on my stacks of new books to process. I had to find the best MARC record for the books, stick a barcode on the cover, write the call number in the back of the book, type in the price of the book and the replacement cost. I processed around 50 books. Mrs. Sloop was very happy that I was able to get so many of the books processed. She said that her and Mrs. Sheets never get to process the books because of all the other things that they have to do during the day. I enjoyed processing the books and learned a lot from the process.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Collaboration
Friday, October 1- 2 hours
On our teacher workday the second grade teachers (Annie, Danielle, and I) and the media coordinator (Mary) all met to discuss this year's IMPACT projects for a curriculum map for our technology facilitator.
For 1st quarter the students will complete a wanted poster on natural resources.
For 2nd quarter students will complete a Christmas Around the World project.
For 3rd quarter students will complete a project on the past and the present.
For 4th quarter students will complete a project on animal life cycles.
On our teacher workday the second grade teachers (Annie, Danielle, and I) and the media coordinator (Mary) all met to discuss this year's IMPACT projects for a curriculum map for our technology facilitator.
For 1st quarter the students will complete a wanted poster on natural resources.
For 2nd quarter students will complete a Christmas Around the World project.
For 3rd quarter students will complete a project on the past and the present.
For 4th quarter students will complete a project on animal life cycles.
We also discussed the basics of what we would do for each one of the projects.
Natural Resources- research and computer based. Final product-wanted poster
Christmas Around the World- 4 countries, with passports, suitcases, and traveling. Research based. Final product- riddle box
Past and Present- we threw out several different ideas but think our final product will be a timeline and a bookmark.
Animal Life Cycles- research and computer based. Zoo trip. Final product- life cycle key note (slide show).
Another topic of discussion was our Samaritan's Purse- Shoebox project that 2nd grade hosts for the school beginning in Oct until Nov.
S.I.P.T
September 27- 1 hour
For this school year I have been voted in to be a member of our School Improvement and Planning Team (S.I.P.T). We met on Monday to discuss several items brought up by the principal, Mrs. Thomas. The team discussed what the staff would do during the early release days we have during the year. We have planned that K-2 teachers and assistants will participate in ActivBoard training and sessions. 3-5 teachers will have math training.
The team also discussed how to spend the money that PTA is going to match. We are going to use the money to buy technology. Several of our options include completing our mobile lab, buying document cameras and projectors for teachers that lack them, digital cameras for teachers, ipods, and voters. We also discussed that PTA is working on getting the library a grant that could earn $10,000 worth of books! That would be awesome for the library and school!
We also discussed our schools Title I money and how we can spend it this year. We are required to use 10% of it on staff development. We are hiring a K and 1st grade reading tutor. We discussed other possible ways to use the money.
I think that being on S.I.P.T. will be an interesting experience and I will learn a lot about the school .
For this school year I have been voted in to be a member of our School Improvement and Planning Team (S.I.P.T). We met on Monday to discuss several items brought up by the principal, Mrs. Thomas. The team discussed what the staff would do during the early release days we have during the year. We have planned that K-2 teachers and assistants will participate in ActivBoard training and sessions. 3-5 teachers will have math training.
The team also discussed how to spend the money that PTA is going to match. We are going to use the money to buy technology. Several of our options include completing our mobile lab, buying document cameras and projectors for teachers that lack them, digital cameras for teachers, ipods, and voters. We also discussed that PTA is working on getting the library a grant that could earn $10,000 worth of books! That would be awesome for the library and school!
We also discussed our schools Title I money and how we can spend it this year. We are required to use 10% of it on staff development. We are hiring a K and 1st grade reading tutor. We discussed other possible ways to use the money.
I think that being on S.I.P.T. will be an interesting experience and I will learn a lot about the school .
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Book Fair Night
September 23- 3:00-6:00 (3 hours)
Every time that Mt. Ulla has a book fair, it stays open late one night for parents to come in with their children to shop. I stayed to help with sales. Mrs. Sloop showed me the steps of checkout. She did other things around the library, while I manned the check out table. There were about ten families that came that night. I learned how to add all the books up that the families were purchasing, added the tax, and even used a credit card machine. Mrs. Sloop said most schools use the machine for all transactions, but she prefers to still use her notebook to keep up with the purchases. It was a great way for me to experience how the book fair runs. It was also nice to see students I have taught in years past. It stayed fairly busy the whole time. There was about one to two families shopping at the same time. As it got closer to 6:00 however it got really busy! The janitor had to make several announcements that the school was closing in order to get the families to pay and leave.
I thought this was an enjoyable experience and helped me learn a lot!
Every time that Mt. Ulla has a book fair, it stays open late one night for parents to come in with their children to shop. I stayed to help with sales. Mrs. Sloop showed me the steps of checkout. She did other things around the library, while I manned the check out table. There were about ten families that came that night. I learned how to add all the books up that the families were purchasing, added the tax, and even used a credit card machine. Mrs. Sloop said most schools use the machine for all transactions, but she prefers to still use her notebook to keep up with the purchases. It was a great way for me to experience how the book fair runs. It was also nice to see students I have taught in years past. It stayed fairly busy the whole time. There was about one to two families shopping at the same time. As it got closer to 6:00 however it got really busy! The janitor had to make several announcements that the school was closing in order to get the families to pay and leave.
I thought this was an enjoyable experience and helped me learn a lot!
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Books, books, books
September 21-1 hour
September 22-30 minutes
September 23-30 minutes
This past week Mt. Ulla has had a book fair. Our library runs on a completely flexible schedule so teachers and students can come to the library as they need. To benefit the teachers and students, the library remains open for circulation during the week of the book fair. Mrs. Sloop said that there are a lot of schools that close down circulation during that time because of how busy and chaotic it can be. She does not believe in that. She wants all teachers and students to feel welcome at all times. She said that it might be possible because we have a smaller school of under 340 students but she still feels strongly about it even if there were more. With all that said, there are books everywhere in the library! Mrs. Sloop and Mrs. Sheets stay so busy with circulation and book fair that they have difficulty finding the time to shelve all the books. The books still remain available to the students, they just are not where they belong.
I have been trying to go in during my student's enhancement times to help shelve the books. On September 21 I went into the library while my students were on the play ground from 11:30 to 12:00 and again when they had Guidance from 2:00 to 2:30. September 22 my students got to go to the book fair to shop. While they shopped, I helped shelve and helped some students find books for checkout. On the 23 I went into the library when my students were in Art class from 8:30 to 9:00. While I was shelving, I tried to come up with a system that made the process more efficient instead of walking back and forth from one side of the library to the other. For the nonfiction books, I made several stacks based on the books call numbers. I now have a fairly good idea of which part of the shelf that the books are located, so I separated them based on which side of the shelf they belonged and their Dewey decimal number. I had a similar system for the fiction books by placing them in stacks in alphabetical order and where they belonged on the shelves.
I have enjoyed shelving books because it is helping me learn the Dewey decimal system and I love organizing things. I have enjoyed learning how the library is set up.
Within these times, I have also helped students check in their books, check out books, and help find books using the online catalog then finding them on the shelves. One child was looking for a book on parrot fish. It said that it was in, but because all the books have been here, there, and everywhere, we were having difficulties. We eventually found it on one of the book carts waiting to be shelved. Another child wanted a book on China. There were several books on the Chinese New Year and she was satisfied with those.
September 22-30 minutes
September 23-30 minutes
This past week Mt. Ulla has had a book fair. Our library runs on a completely flexible schedule so teachers and students can come to the library as they need. To benefit the teachers and students, the library remains open for circulation during the week of the book fair. Mrs. Sloop said that there are a lot of schools that close down circulation during that time because of how busy and chaotic it can be. She does not believe in that. She wants all teachers and students to feel welcome at all times. She said that it might be possible because we have a smaller school of under 340 students but she still feels strongly about it even if there were more. With all that said, there are books everywhere in the library! Mrs. Sloop and Mrs. Sheets stay so busy with circulation and book fair that they have difficulty finding the time to shelve all the books. The books still remain available to the students, they just are not where they belong.
I have been trying to go in during my student's enhancement times to help shelve the books. On September 21 I went into the library while my students were on the play ground from 11:30 to 12:00 and again when they had Guidance from 2:00 to 2:30. September 22 my students got to go to the book fair to shop. While they shopped, I helped shelve and helped some students find books for checkout. On the 23 I went into the library when my students were in Art class from 8:30 to 9:00. While I was shelving, I tried to come up with a system that made the process more efficient instead of walking back and forth from one side of the library to the other. For the nonfiction books, I made several stacks based on the books call numbers. I now have a fairly good idea of which part of the shelf that the books are located, so I separated them based on which side of the shelf they belonged and their Dewey decimal number. I had a similar system for the fiction books by placing them in stacks in alphabetical order and where they belonged on the shelves.
I have enjoyed shelving books because it is helping me learn the Dewey decimal system and I love organizing things. I have enjoyed learning how the library is set up.
Within these times, I have also helped students check in their books, check out books, and help find books using the online catalog then finding them on the shelves. One child was looking for a book on parrot fish. It said that it was in, but because all the books have been here, there, and everywhere, we were having difficulties. We eventually found it on one of the book carts waiting to be shelved. Another child wanted a book on China. There were several books on the Chinese New Year and she was satisfied with those.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Book Fair
September 15- 4:15-5:15 (1 hour)
Mt. Ulla's bookfair is this coming week in our media center. On Wednesday Mrs. Sloop and Mrs. Sheets (media coordinator and assistant) were setting the bookfair up. Classes always have the opportunity to preview the bookfair before they purchase items, so it always needs to be set up early. I helped set up one table that had Cookbooks, Adult Bestsellers, and Reference books on them. I aslo set up the Award Winning Books display and the NC State Awards table display. I had to look up the NC State Award winning books to decide where the books should go because we have a K-2 side and a 3-5 side in the bookfair. I was allowed to browse through all the items that we have in the bookfair before any of the other teachers, which was a big bonus!
Mt. Ulla's bookfair is this coming week in our media center. On Wednesday Mrs. Sloop and Mrs. Sheets (media coordinator and assistant) were setting the bookfair up. Classes always have the opportunity to preview the bookfair before they purchase items, so it always needs to be set up early. I helped set up one table that had Cookbooks, Adult Bestsellers, and Reference books on them. I aslo set up the Award Winning Books display and the NC State Awards table display. I had to look up the NC State Award winning books to decide where the books should go because we have a K-2 side and a 3-5 side in the bookfair. I was allowed to browse through all the items that we have in the bookfair before any of the other teachers, which was a big bonus!
PTA Meeting/Open House
September 14- 6:30pm-8:00pm (1 hour and 15 minutes)
PTA held their Open House meeting at 6:30 until 7:15. They discussed upcoming school and PTA events for first quarter. They also discussed the PTA fundraiser and the media grant that will match how much the school makes for new books for the library. After the meeting, parents and students were allowed to visit the classrooms to see what has been going on in school up to that point and talk to the teachers about their children. My students were to complete a scavenger hunt to show their parents around the room. Three of my four parents that came to visit my classroom had specific questions about their children and specific things happening in the classroom like AR, grades, and class work. It was nice being able to meet with some of my student's parents.
PTA held their Open House meeting at 6:30 until 7:15. They discussed upcoming school and PTA events for first quarter. They also discussed the PTA fundraiser and the media grant that will match how much the school makes for new books for the library. After the meeting, parents and students were allowed to visit the classrooms to see what has been going on in school up to that point and talk to the teachers about their children. My students were to complete a scavenger hunt to show their parents around the room. Three of my four parents that came to visit my classroom had specific questions about their children and specific things happening in the classroom like AR, grades, and class work. It was nice being able to meet with some of my student's parents.
AR Meeting
September 14- 45 minutes
Mrs. Sloop the media coordinator needed to meet with our new interim teacher, Mrs. Miller, and our new third grade teacher, Mrs. Burns, about Accelerated Reader. I joined in the meeting to listen and to give feedback as I could because as a second grade teacher, I have used AR with my students for the last four years. We discussed the purpose of the program (reading comprehension), how students should be reading in order to make their goals, how goals and points should be set for each individual student, what to do for struggling readers, and how to share the information with the parents. We helped Mrs. Miller understand what she should do with particular students and how to get them to make their goals and points.
Mrs. Sloop the media coordinator needed to meet with our new interim teacher, Mrs. Miller, and our new third grade teacher, Mrs. Burns, about Accelerated Reader. I joined in the meeting to listen and to give feedback as I could because as a second grade teacher, I have used AR with my students for the last four years. We discussed the purpose of the program (reading comprehension), how students should be reading in order to make their goals, how goals and points should be set for each individual student, what to do for struggling readers, and how to share the information with the parents. We helped Mrs. Miller understand what she should do with particular students and how to get them to make their goals and points.
IMPACT Meetings
September 1 and 9- 2 hours total
For these two days the second grade (Mrs. Heglar, Ms. Bates, Mrs. Miller and myself), the media coordinator (Mrs. Sloop), the tech facilitator (Mrs. Hargett), and the curriculum coach (Mrs. Gray) all met to discuss our first quarter IMPACT project. We have decided to have our students learn about natural resources and recycling. Students will learn basic information about natural resources and recycling, research a certain natural resource (water, wood, petroleum, gold, and aluminum), and create a "Wanted" poster on their natural resource to share the information that they learned. The school has placed a trailer in the front of the school to collect aluminum cans for money donations to Samaritans Purse ( the media and second grade project for second quarter). We will be visiting the landfill and local recycling center to show students the importance of recycling. We are also premoting that students bring in recyclable items. Students will then reuse items for a recycled instrument and other items.
For these two days the second grade (Mrs. Heglar, Ms. Bates, Mrs. Miller and myself), the media coordinator (Mrs. Sloop), the tech facilitator (Mrs. Hargett), and the curriculum coach (Mrs. Gray) all met to discuss our first quarter IMPACT project. We have decided to have our students learn about natural resources and recycling. Students will learn basic information about natural resources and recycling, research a certain natural resource (water, wood, petroleum, gold, and aluminum), and create a "Wanted" poster on their natural resource to share the information that they learned. The school has placed a trailer in the front of the school to collect aluminum cans for money donations to Samaritans Purse ( the media and second grade project for second quarter). We will be visiting the landfill and local recycling center to show students the importance of recycling. We are also premoting that students bring in recyclable items. Students will then reuse items for a recycled instrument and other items.
Faculty Meeting
September 13- 1 hour and 15 minutes
At this staff meeting we discussed the previous year's EOG test scores. We looked at how our 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders performed in math and reading. We also compared last year's scores with the pre-test scores to see how much they increased since the beginning of the year. We compared last year's scores with the previous year's scores to see how the students did from year to year. The staff discussed what all teachers in the school need to do in order for the students to do well on their EOGs this year and how the school can meet AYP (we have not met it in two years).
This year we have began having an activity block where some of the staff are pulling low performing students and remediating them on the parts of curriculum that they struggle with.
At this staff meeting we discussed the previous year's EOG test scores. We looked at how our 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders performed in math and reading. We also compared last year's scores with the pre-test scores to see how much they increased since the beginning of the year. We compared last year's scores with the previous year's scores to see how the students did from year to year. The staff discussed what all teachers in the school need to do in order for the students to do well on their EOGs this year and how the school can meet AYP (we have not met it in two years).
This year we have began having an activity block where some of the staff are pulling low performing students and remediating them on the parts of curriculum that they struggle with.
Faculty Meeting
August 30- 1 hour
This was our first faculty meeting where we discussed Steven Layne, a teacher and an author that specializes in reading promotion in the schools. We discussed that all teachers and staff in the school should have a "book pick." This should be a book that we would like for students to read. These books should be displayed in a way that they will catch the students' attention and will then want to read the book after us. We also discussed other strategies that Steven Layne came up with, like the recommendation shelf, the someday book lists, and the read around "game" that allows students to view several books in a small amount of time. This was a very informative meeting where we all became more interested in promoting books and reading.
This was our first faculty meeting where we discussed Steven Layne, a teacher and an author that specializes in reading promotion in the schools. We discussed that all teachers and staff in the school should have a "book pick." This should be a book that we would like for students to read. These books should be displayed in a way that they will catch the students' attention and will then want to read the book after us. We also discussed other strategies that Steven Layne came up with, like the recommendation shelf, the someday book lists, and the read around "game" that allows students to view several books in a small amount of time. This was a very informative meeting where we all became more interested in promoting books and reading.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Grade Level Meetings
August 26, September 2, September 8 and September 16 grade level meetings 10:50-12:00 for a total of 4 hours and 40 minutes.
In all four grade level meetings we have discussed lessons that we would like to teach in our classrooms. This is a time for our curriculum coach, tech facilatator and media coordinator to meet with us and help us with things that we want to do in our classrooms. For these meetings we discuss our curriculum and our pacing guides. We have decided on our first IMPACT project that we are going to complete with our students (natural resources and recycling). We have discussed how to utilize our Title I teacher and our reading tutor in our classrooms. Our curriculum coach has agreed to come in and do assessments with our students. We have discussed field trips that we plan on taking this year with our students. We have discussed technology that we plan on using with our students this quarter (Key Skills, Pages, Comic Life, Photo Booth, AR, and AM).
In all four grade level meetings we have discussed lessons that we would like to teach in our classrooms. This is a time for our curriculum coach, tech facilatator and media coordinator to meet with us and help us with things that we want to do in our classrooms. For these meetings we discuss our curriculum and our pacing guides. We have decided on our first IMPACT project that we are going to complete with our students (natural resources and recycling). We have discussed how to utilize our Title I teacher and our reading tutor in our classrooms. Our curriculum coach has agreed to come in and do assessments with our students. We have discussed field trips that we plan on taking this year with our students. We have discussed technology that we plan on using with our students this quarter (Key Skills, Pages, Comic Life, Photo Booth, AR, and AM).
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)