A Series of Unfortunate Events was the first read aloud in my classroom when I started teaching. I can't remember how many in the series we read that year in fifth grade, just that my students and I were smitten with the books. Years later I watched my son become smitten with the series as … Continue reading The Book is Always Better…-#BLOG365 Day 128
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#Booknerd – #BLOG365 Day 127
Today I was talking with our librarian and she was so excited about the shipment of new books she was getting. I looked at her and said "we are such book nerds!" We had been discussing book options for a new historical fiction genre study. With every title I mentioned I was reminded of … Continue reading #Booknerd – #BLOG365 Day 127
The Reality of Hope – #BLOG365 Day 126
Full disclosure - this isn't a political post... I don't really watch nightly news, but lately we have been recording the nightly news on each channel trying to decide which network we like best. Tonight we sat watching Obama speak with Lester Holt on NBC. The segment was called The Reality of Hope and was a … Continue reading The Reality of Hope – #BLOG365 Day 126
There’s a duty to be done and I say aye-#BLOG365 Day 125
Not to throw out my credentials or anything, but I was a Girl Scout. By default I am always prepared. After all the Girl Scout motto is "Be Prepared." Sadly, this week I was not prepared. Sometimes it happens. My days don't quite go as I expected. The challenges I confront are not ones I'm … Continue reading There’s a duty to be done and I say aye-#BLOG365 Day 125
#whereissasha Our Exam Crazed System – #BLOG365 Day 124
No surprise I am anti-exams. Exams don't give us a clear picture of student understanding. They don't prepare students for 21st century careers. They cause anxiety for our students. They encourage low level thinking and regurgitation. They don't encourage collaboration or creativity. Last night #whereissasha blew up on social media. The teacher in me knew … Continue reading #whereissasha Our Exam Crazed System – #BLOG365 Day 124
Hygge: The Educator’s Version -#BLOG365 Day 123
Hygge has been floating around lately and was recently named the 2016 Oxford Dictionary Word of the Year. According to Oxford hygge is: Southern Living explained it in their article Here's What 'Hygge' Means- And Why You Should Try It In essence, hygge is taking pleasure in the small things: time with friends, hot chocolate, getting … Continue reading Hygge: The Educator’s Version -#BLOG365 Day 123
Museum Monday: Salesman Samples- #BLOG365 Day 122 #sschat #objectbasedlearning
One of my favorite units at the museum school was a unit called "Everything Changes." The interdisciplinary unit covered changes over time. During this unit we often had the students create object timelines: a telephone through time, children's games over time, etc. Years and objects were combined to create visual timelines of how everyday objects … Continue reading Museum Monday: Salesman Samples- #BLOG365 Day 122 #sschat #objectbasedlearning
I Thought I Lived in Florida… – #BLOG365 Day 121
So...I thought I lived in Florida. The 24 degree weather is convincing me otherwise. I do realize we are the only state not covered in snow at this moment. Listen, below 40 is cold for us Floridians. Below 70 and I am in a sweater or jacket. So when Jack Frost hits you over the … Continue reading I Thought I Lived in Florida… – #BLOG365 Day 121
A Problem Party – #BLOG365 Day 120
I have been reading The Unstoppable Writing Teacher by Colleen Cruz. In the first chapter she writes about anticipating and solving problems in the classroom. She suggests "that you celebrate once you find the problem you will attack first." Yes, it's true, problems are opportunities. Wallowing in them doesn't help us. Attacking them, studying them, … Continue reading A Problem Party – #BLOG365 Day 120
Best Intentions – #BLOG365 Day 119
Yesterday I had the best of intentions. As I sat down for dinner I told my son, "I still need to blog today. I'll do it after your voice lessons." I watched a little television. I flipped through a few catalogs that came in the mail. I washed dishes and fixed coffee for the … Continue reading Best Intentions – #BLOG365 Day 119
Jill Cross 