Let me Introduce to you......

There has been a new addition to our classroom this week! We are very lucky to have Jordan Kapel as our student teacher! The kids met her and they loved her! Her attitude and personality so far has shown me that this is going to be an awesome experience!

The model we will be using is the Coteaching model. This is very different from the traditional student teaching program I have worked with in the past. This model is one where we, the cooperating teacher and the student teacher, plan together and work together throughout the entire placement. There are several aspects to this new model. There is parallel teaching, where we both will be teaching the same thing but in different areas of the classroom. There is Teach and Assist where she will teach and I will walk around and assist the students. There is Unified Coteaching, which is when we have coplanned an activity and we teach it together, like a well oiled machine!! Teach and Actively Observe students is where she will teach and I will observe the students. Of course, there is Center/Station Teaching. This is self explanatory!

No more are the days where the student teacher is left alone to plan entirely by themselves or to be in the classroom for long periods of time alone.

This was created due to our teacher evaluation system as well as the increase in the TAM teaching model.

Welcome Jordan!

January Pinterest Pick 3 Party

This month has been wicked busy and it has flown by. Between having a couple 2 hour delays and an early dismissal due to the weather, professional development, DPAS meetings and being a little under the weather, January is already almost over!

I am linking up with PAWSitively Teaching for her Pick 3 Pinterest Linky Party!

I love this idea. Pinterest is a great resource to find many interesting and innovative ideas for the classroom. Here  are my three picks for the month of January!

Since I teach Math and Science for First Grade, my three picks of course are based on these subjects. My first pick is Pool Noodle Number Bonds!

I am a pool noodle addict! I have made rekenereks and base ten blocks using pool noodles! Now I have to make number bonds! These are a must!!!!!!!!

Snowman Math! How awesome! Students get to use nonstandard units to measure snowmen and winter pictures as well as roll a die to build a snowman! Love these!!!! Great activities for my firstgators!!!!

Last but not least for this month, another snowman math activity! I love this because it has the students creating as well as adding! Awesome activity!!

Click on the mustache kid to go to my pinterest site!

Click on the picture below to see what some other awesome educators chose for their most favorite 3 pins for January!!

Happy new year

Well, 2014 has come to an end! My first gators and I would like to wish everyone a wonderful new year! Here's to a productive prosperous and healthy 2015!

January Currently

I am linking up with Oh'Boy 4th Grade for the January Currently!

It is 2015 and I can not believe we are already into a new year!! 2014 flew by! Looking back i see there are alot of things I am grateful for and some things that I need to change or improve upon. Blogging is one of them. I need to complete these currentlys on time- when the month begins!

Listening- to a Lifetime movie but I do not know the title because I am really not paying close attention!

Loving- Winter Break! It has been peaceful and relaxing!! 

Thinking- That school starts on Monday and I have a lot to do to get ready! This is the first break in 20 years that I did not do a lot of work!

Wanting- My lesson plans to write themselves but I know it is not going to be!

Needing- I really do not need anything! My life is complete- I have a wonderful daughter and amazing family and friends who love me and support me! I have a job that I love! What more could I need!

Yes- I need to take better care of myself!

Maybe- I will blog more consistently! Hopefully at least once a week if not more!

I wish- That all children had a safe and secure home!

Click below to see what some other amazing educators have blogged!

Goodbye 2014

Oh my! I can not believe that I have not blogged since December 13!!! I did not blog any Christmas activities at all! So I am linking up with passion in portable land for her Goodbye 2014 Linky Party!

Boy, honestly, it seems like 2014 has flown by! As I look back on the year, there are many memories that are near and dear to me! 

2014 brought me an opportunity that only 21 teachers in the entire country experienced..... A trip to the White House for teacher appreciation!!

2014 has brought me into contact with so many amazing teachers across the country! Blogging has opened many doors for me and I appreciate and treasure all the teachers I have met this year!

I was moved to First Grade after 20 years in Kindergarten! While I miss teaching Kindergarten, I love working with my new team!

I also became an exclusive Creative Teaching Press Blogger and a Teacher Ambassador for Jossey Education!

My daughter completed Kindergarten with perfect attendance and she has been excited and happy in First Grade for the second part of 2014.

Looking back on 2014, I loved the world of blogging but I need to be more consistent. I also need to work more on my products for TPT. I have begun but would like to create more. 

I also need to spend more time with my little one and I need to take better care of myself healthwise.

1. I will try to blog more consistently, at least once a week.

2. I will spend more time with my daughter.

3. I will take care of myself- improve my diet and lose weight

4. Create and publish at least one product a month. (Hopefully more)

Well there it is, my reflections of 2014 and my resolutions for 2015. Click on the link below to see what some other awesome educators blogged!