Daily 5, setting goals...

Didn't I read in the Daily 5 that children need a sense of urgency and they need to know where they are in order to develop a sense of urgency? Did I dream that one? 

Anywho...today I was telling my students that my teamie's class always has more students who earn 100 points each on AR than my class and since AR is a big thing at our school (yeah, I know...sometimes it's overkill and leads to extrinsic motivation) I wrote a sentence on the board for the children to use to write in their journals. "I would like plan to earn _______ points each week. I would like plan to earn _______ points this year." I pointed out to my students that they need to do more than "hope" or "like" or "love" something. We need to plan so we'll be successful. I said if you fail to plan, you plan to fail but I think that went right over their heads. Of course, right now we're discussing I PICK, good fit books, and practicing reading to self correctly.

I think someone at my school did Daily 5 last year because some of my students seem to be old hat at D5. I wonder....

Anyway, Day 3 is a wrap and it was a wonderful day! :)

†~Melly~†

First Day

Today was an awesome first day! Of course, I didn't accomplish everything I had planned. I never do on the first day. It's necessary to overplan in my opinion. Daily 5 began with awesome and amazing results! Hallelujah! I am looking forward to the most marvelous year ever!



†~Melly~†

Fundraising, anyone?

Hi friends!

     Be sure to check out Big Event Fundraising by clicking on the School Fundraisers link (just under the clock) in the right column on my blog. If you're interested in adding Big Event Fundraising to your blog, contact Clay Boggess and he'll set you up. Tell him Melly sent you! ;)
     I think this might be a way to raise money for Cancer Relay for Life since it's a big thing in our county. I'll pass on the info and let the powers that be decide. :)  They have lots of different fundraising ideas. Check it out when you can!



†~Melly~†

Sad...

Oh.My.Day!! This has been the craziest two weeks I've ever spent getting ready to go back to school! With all the books I received from my two friends who were retiring, I should have known better than to wait until the last minute. My mom once gave me a little sign that says, "Don't rush me! I'm waiting for the last minute!" YIKES! Sad, but it was true this summer. I'm ashamed of how little I did over the summer ... with the exception of picking, preparing, freezing and canning vegetables, blogging about The Daily 5, and reading (great relaxation for me).  

Now I have my classroom looking great, but I have about 15 little "piles"-some in crates, some in boxes, some tucked away here and there. My classroom library ROCKS.THE.HOUSE! I am so thankful for my friends who donated their books to me and to my family for helping me get them ready for use by my students. I can't wait for my children to start Daily 5 Monday. :)

So, in the process of scurrying around like a little  mouse because I procrastinated, I failed to help out my new teamie. I shared my beginning of the year powerpoint. She said she didn't know exactly how to fix it and I seriously intended to go over and help. I remembered this about 10 minutes before Open House began (at which time I flew into her room and asked (DUH!) if she got it up. I offered to change it to suit her then...it wouldn't take 5 minutes. She said, "That's okay." I don't think it is okay. I would be nervous about something taking longer than the person said it would if I didn't know much about it and I'm afraid that my "blind dash" to finish everything caused me to be a less than stellar teammate. I sent her an e-mail, apologizing, but I'm ticked with myself for not being a good team player. She's the new teacher on our team (not new to our school) and I am afraid I made her feel less welcome. :*(

On a brighter note, I have a wonderful library! I am thrilled with how organized my room now looks! Pictures to follow this weekend.


†~Melly~†