Mentor Text Linky

I am linking up with Staci and Amanda for their mentor text linky today. I am very excited about their linky parties because I feel excited and confident I can do a linky correctly since I do not do them often.

Well as for my mentor text during the beginning of the year iwasalays pulling out my trusty First Day Jitters book. It is one that I know the kids always loves well as I do to watch their faces when the surprising ending occurs.

However last year I was feeling I needed something else and that is when I stumbled upon Juice Box Bully. I am not sure where I first read about it but the book sparked my interest because in our school, being slow income area, we find that we have a lot of bullying among our older kids. We are constantly having assemblies and special clubs started for the kids to have an outlet away from bullying.

It is about a teacher who during  the first few days of school has anew kid enter the class and that student comes in fired up and ready to bully and show how tough he can be. The other kids in the class explain how they signed a contract to stand up for one another and not bully each other. They provide a sample of the contract in the book. My class and I wrote a very similar pledge/contract during our first few days and posted it as a reminder during those times it's difficult to get along or stand up to others.

So here goes the linky part. I hope I do this right!


Link up with Staci and Amanda and share what mentor text you use in the first few days of school!

Blog Lovin'

I am linking up with this fun linky party to find new blogs to read and admire as well as find fellow third grade bloggers (since now I will be moving to third)

Be sure to check out Tori's step by step instructions and follow some new blogs as well as gain some new followers. Please check out my blog at Bloglovin' !!!

Technology Question and a Move

Well I know that I have been M.I.A for a long time but this year really took it out of me and before I knew it the year was over. Well not exactly since kids last day is tomorrow and ours is Thursday....counting down the hours can you tell? 

My big news to end this crazy year is that I am moving grades. I am going from fourth to third. It is not that I care and I am excited for the challenge but I am nervous since there will be three third grade classes next year and the other two teachers are not set in stone yet. I am one who loves preparing and mapping it out over the summer (to an extent...trust me I won't miss our vacation time) and to not know and feeling on my own is a bit overwhelming. Any suggestions or advice from experienced third grade teachers I would appreciate it. Thankfully my girlfriend, Nicole, is also a third grade teacher at another school in the district so I know she will look out for me. 

Anyways my big goal this summer is to get creative and make QR math center activities as well as some poke cards for independent math practice. Thanks to Elizabeth in Fun in Room 4B and many others for their original work and my many purchases on TpT but this year I would love to show my creative side as well. Plus I am hoping that if I join back in on Tara's Monday Made It it will keep me more on track. However here is my big dilemma....I am unsure what program is best to create such things as a layout for cards that I can input the QR code on. Any suggestions? I know I sound childish or inexperienced but I would love to learn more. Any help or any advice would be greatly appreciated. 

More to come of pictures from this year and the fun activities we did as well as more posts.

-Lindsay

Using QR codes in Math Centers

I have been exploring ways to use QR codes throughout the day in different areas with my students. I find them so intriguing. I had previously used QR codes to conduct a scavenger hunt about American Revolution. I recently found on TpT through Flapjack Resources a variety of different skills that allow for self- monitoring with QR codes. Here are some pictures of their work. I am trying to do more blogging so here it goes.

April Currently

Linking up with Fab Farley's currently for April Currently

This is my second currently. It was still a little hard for me to understand how to do and post it but I had fun trying and look forward to updating more. Oh I do want to add that I am looking for advice as the easiest way to upload to the blog from your iPad. Are you just using Safari or is there an app? Thanks!

QR code scavenger hunt and Dr. Seuss Reading

This week we ended all our hard work with a special reading to my cousins kindergarten class in Colorado via Skype. We read aloud to them Green Eggs and Ham. Each one of my students took a turn reading a page and then showed them the pictures. We loved being great reading models for our younger friends.

We then did a scavenger hunt using QR codes to review our study of American Revolution. They worked in groups with our iPads( we borrowed from the kindergarten rooms) and searched for 19 different questions placed throughout the school. They scanned the code to get a question pop up. Their job the first day was just to find all questions and write down the questions. Since we ran out of time we will answer those questions next time. The students were so motivated,so excited and very well behaved. I was so proud of them.

I found all of this through the website Class tools



Oh and a huge shout out to Erin for updating my blog with this beautiful design...I've become so motivated to keep up with my blogging. More soon!

Must Carry On

I have never been so hesitant to enter into school than I had today. However at the same time I could not wait to see my 19 little ones and just hug them all, tell them how much I care about them, and assure them that I would do everything in my power to protect them and keep them safe. Yet at the same moment being a teacher and protecting my 19 children at school I am a mother and I was extremely hesitant to send my child to school because in reality I know that you can't stop crazy and ultimately I know her teacher feels the same as I but we can't stop people who are willing to do such devastating things.

How were you all dealing with this situation? I have fourth graders so I feel like they understand a bit more than the younger kids however at the same time I wish they did not grasp the horrible concept. I also fear that there will be more questions as the week progresses and they interact with their peers. What were you saying in your classes?

Sending all my love and best with every teacher, parent, and caregiver out there. I know that everyone of us would do anything possible to keep our innocent children safe!