Math project- multiplication city!

So, we began studying multiplication and I wanted my students to have a hands on, creative project instead of simple writing repeatedly the multiplication tables.  This is what we did!  They were able to make building with rows and columns of windows, and write the multiplication sentence.I even had they make a fact family and word problems (multiplication AND division underneath!)  they loved it, and they love showing it off in our hallway.

proyecto de ciencias- el ciclo de agua

En ciencias hemos estudiado vocabulario nuevo para prepararnos para estudiar el ciclo del agua:  precipitacion, evaporacion, condensacion.  Aunque los significados son cortos, los estudiantes recuerdan esto porque es simple.  Tambien pensamos juntos en cuando hemos visto la palabra en la vida real, pensamos en una accion con nuestro cuerpo que hacemos cuando decimos la palabra y el significado.  Aqui tengo la foto de nuestra corona del ciclo del agua.  Despues que terminaron su corona, los estudiantes escribieron sobre como usa el ciclo del agua cada palabra del vocabulario en otra hoja.  Les encantaron llevar la corona todo el dia!

para precipitacion puse una nieve (se puede usar una gota de agua si quieren), y para evaporacion use el sol para que los estudiantes entiendan que es la caliente del sol que hace que el agua se evapore.

Classroom Set-up! (tablemats and material bins)

Another constant problem I had last year...what to keep on the tables!!??  Here is what I did.  I went to the dollar store and bought a desk organizer with just enough compartments to hold the necessary tools that my students use all the time (pencils, markers, crayons, erasers).  The colored numbers you see underneath the organizers are simple foam rectangles (which  I will laminate to keep them new!).  Those numbers are for the students sitting in that respective desk.  Now when you need each table or group of students to have a certain book, scissors, rulers, or homework needs to be passed out...you can call a number and that same student from each group comes up to get the materials!  Easy management!  Also, there is an "A" or "B" on each of the numbers.  When they talk or work with partners, tell them partner "A" goes first (or "B").  Makes it a quick start instead of them wondering how to begin!

Classroom Set-up! (covering up ugly walls!)

In my new classroom, I have one of those accordion walls.  It was dirty, grimey, ugly and distracting!  Go to your local dollar store, get 4-5 cheap tablecloths and cover it up!  Here is what I did with an Easter yellowish color tablecloth ( wish I did purple or blue!)  I simply used thumb tacks on the wall to hold them up!  Easy put up, easy take down, nicer looking class :-)

Classroom Set-up! (Word Walls! )

As a bilingual teacher, finding space for BOTH English and Spanish word walls was a struggle last year.  Now that I have some experience and ideas about an INTERACTIVE word wall that students will actually use....this is what I came up with.  Using envelopes (because I couldn't find pockets from the library)  I di-cut the alphabet and glued onto the envelopes.  I then laminated it all! Cut them up, cut the slits, and taped to a laminated cabinet.  This way, the students can place new words we learn into the envelopes, and take them out when they need to remember how to spell or read that word.  Here is the prep and the final!

Classroom Set-up! ( Behavior chart and Jobs chart)

I am moving up a grade, and hence moving classrooms!  I got to start from scratch this year!  No extra from 20 years ago in my cabinets, no old posters from other teachers...a clean slate for my things!!  Here is a picture of the behavior chart and jobs chart in my new room!  Both of these charts will have the students names printed on the pockets in vis-a-vis for easy erase at the end of the year (THIS IS ALL LAMINATED) 

I will cut strips of color to place in the pockets for behavior (gold=amazing day, green=good day, orange=let's improve, red=not your best day).  Students will be asked to change which color is showing based on their behaviors.

For the jobs chart, each students' name will be on the pocket again.  I made sticks with jobs on them (also with a clipart drawing on top to help them remember what to do with that job!).  Each week, we will rotate the sticks (jobs) to the right.  Helps them take responsibility and allows them input for the classroom!

The first "summer"...?

I remember just about two months ago how excited I was that my first year of teaching was wrapping up, I would finally be able to relax and focus on myself...or so I thought.  I signed up to teach a SUPER fun, camping themed summer camp at my school.  It was GREAT.  I got to work with students older than the second graders I was used to, which will help me next year in my transition to third grade!  Summer camp was completely different from the normal school year...no classroom visits, no endless paperwork, and no deadlines that I had to stick to.  I was really able to base my teaching off of the learning needs of the students in my class.  If only I could ALWAYS teach that way!  Anyways, summer camp was great.  It only lasted three weeks and then it was really, for real, actually, my summer "vacation".  I say "vacation" because honestly, I feel like I have still been worried and/or working towards next year the WHOLE time.  I did go home to Minnesota and visit my family for a week, but found myself still talking about my work (thankfully they put up with listening to it!).  After that, I had full days of training for new curriculum, updates, refreshers, support sessions, and whatever else the district could find to help up improve our teaching techniques.  Some of the trainings, I felt, were definitely needed.  They provided me with fresh, new, exciting strategies to reach and engage my kiddos...but then, there are those trainings where you leave and wonder "what did I get from that?"

Now, it is August, and school is right around the corner.  This week starts the beginning of setting up my classroom for a new, exciting learning year to come.  I find myself searching for things to set up in my room, that the kids will enjoy and that they will feel welcomed and comfortable to continue on their learning path.  I'm NOT ready to go back, but at the same time, I am ready to keep learning with new students.  To my new students- I can not wait to meet you, learn from you, grow with you, and have a blast this upcoming school year!

To all my fellow teachers- remember why you do it.  YOU will be great.