Switch Class

This year I will have 2 groups of students who I teach ELAR and Social Studies to. This is my "switch class". They are a great group of kids and I am excited to learn with them this year.

Students had time to write in their Reading Response Journal and then share their summary of First Day Jitters with a partner. 

I can tell it will be an AMAZING year!!!

Reading Response Journal: First Day Jitters

Students read the story, First Day Jitters and then completed a Reading Response Journal entry. Afterwards, they shared their writing with a partner.

Practice Stampede assembly. Our class was the first group of 3rd graders to arrive in the gym. They did a great job. Looking forward to our FUN RUN Kickoff stampede on September 4th!

First Day

We had a very fun and busy 1st day of school. My class is amazing and I know we will learn a lot from each other this year. We spent part of our morning organizing supplies and getting to know each other. I took a quick class picture as we read a story at the carpet. This year will be AMAZING!!!

Classroom Set-up 2015-16 School Year

One of my favorite things to do is get my classroom set up. I get great ideas from other teachers' classrooms and Pinterest. This year I will be teaching 3rd grade in the same room as last year so I already had an idea of the floor plan. Plus, I've been creating rough sketches all summer to help me organize my space and furniture. 

Here is a BEFORE picture...everything is all bundled together in the center of the room. It looks so large with the empty walls and free carpet space. That all changes as I move desks into groups and create a comment circle spot on the carpet.

I came into the classroom and spent close to 5 hours moving and organizing items. It is starting to look like it could be ready for students to learn inside of it. This year we will be departmentalized and I will be teaching ELAR (English Language Arts) and Social Studies. I need to get bulletin boards put up and re-organize my ELAR materials. I keep finding Math items that I will not need this year.

Here is a WORK IN PROGRESS picture. It is looking pretty good.

I am eager to get 2 new groups of students, but I will definitely miss my class from last year. They were AMAZING!!!

I'm so excited for Meet the Teacher Night next week...eeekkkk! 

Last Day of School

Our morning started off with our last Stampede.

Afterwards, we headed outside to watch kickball. Teachers vs. 4th grade.

We had a delicious lunch outside from the McClure Dad's, PTO, and Room Moms. THANK YOU!!!!

 Their favorite was the snow cones!

We came back inside and cleaned out our desks, signed yearbooks, and chatted together.

At the end of the day we lined the hallway for the 5th grade walk before heading outside for the flag ceremony.

And then I announced the Awesome Owl of the Year...way to go!!!

It went by waaaaay too fast! I wish we had more time together! The last day of school is always bittersweet for me. I always treat each new class as if they are my own children. I call them "my kids" and we grow as a family all year long. I've seen their ups and their downs. We have laughed and cried together. I've been with them for an entire year working on challenging academics to see them achieve great success. 

This group of students are so talented. They are funny, kind, helpful, smart, silly, compassionate, and responsible. They came into 3rd grade with no clue what the year would be like. More rigorous standards, higher expectations, and new vocabulary. They worked hard this year and have grown so much!

The best part about being a teacher is knowing that you helped a student master a skill they struggled with. Watching them move past anxiety and fear to see that they are capable of greatness. Seeing their face light up when they finally grasp a concept they struggled with. I have seen it so many times this year that it fills my heart with joy and helps keep me motivated to do more for them. 

I am so thankful for each and everyone of these kids. They have all helped me become a stinger teacher and a better parent. They have taught me just as much as I have taught them. I will miss this first class I have taught at McClure. 

"Owl always remember you!"

Stuffed Animal & Favorite Book

The class had a great time reading to their stuffed animals. It was so sweet listening to them share about their animals and books. 

Game Day

The class enjoyed spending some quality time together playing board games. I love listening to their conversations and seeing how close this group of kids has become this year. They are AMAZING!!!