June 2021

Hello everyone! Thank you for popping in to the blog this week as I link up with Hot Lunch Tray for the second week of her Summer Blog Challenge!

This post is week 2 of 8 in the #8WeeksofSummer Blog Challenge for educators.

Collaboration.

Teamwork. Creating teaching lessons and materials. Being on the same page. These skill are so important to our professional and personal success. Last year required us to work together in my district. We met weekly with our third grade team leader, Mrs. Formisano. She reviewed what material we should all cover that week. Next year (when life is hopefully back to normal), we will continue to meet once a month to ensure all third grade teachers are on track.

For twenty years, I worked in person with two other colleagues. Last year, I only worked with one colleague as there were only two in-person third grade classrooms. Last year was a difficult and tedious year for many reasons. Next year I will work with two other teachers again: Mrs. Sheehan (back from maternity leave) and Mrs. Billings who is joining us from 2nd grade. I am looking forward to working collaboratively with these two ladies and sharing ideas.

One web site I fell in love with last year was Pear Deck! It allowed me to work interactively with my students during online learning and after. When the Resource Room teacher would visit, I would do breakout rooms and start a Pear Deck. It gave us an opportunity to give on the spot feedback to students!

If you want to read more about Pear Deck, head here to get started , logging students in or Draggable™ Activities.

If you have any questions about anything in this post, please let me know in the comments!

Happy Summer Days are here!

Hello there! I am so close to summer vacation that I can almost taste it! My vacation officially starts on Friday, June 25th, while my students' last day is Monday, the 21st. I am ready to start writing in my blog again so I can link up with Hot Lunch Tray This post is week 1 of 8 in the #8WeeksofSummer Blog Challenge for educators.

Background Information

We started school in a hybrid model way back in September. I had 2 cohorts: Cohort A had 10 students, and Cohort B had 6. Having cohorts enabled me to get to know and help each student individually. Students went home at 1:00 p.m. every day to eat lunch so there were no special classes: those were held virtually during at-home days. On Wednesdays, we all stayed home and had a virtual class altogether.

The students and I all adjusted to our new schedules. We started each day with Morning Work and Morning Meeting. The kids had recess and could enjoy playing together. I loved getting to spend time with each student because we made strong connections.

March Arrives: In School Learning Mandated!

Two weeks before April vacation, we all went back to school 5 days a week all day. This first week was a HUGE adjustment. The kids were all tired and hungry. Plus, they wanted to go to the bathroom all the time ~ just like at home! It was tricky.

Luckily, I had attended a Responsive Classroom

training years ago and implemented Quiet Time. Quiet Time occurs right after lunch recess. I put on quiet music. The kids can finish work if they have any. If not, they can read, draw, color or use their Geoboards. Amazingly, Quiet Time became a welcome relief! Many kids brought an extra snack to have so that they wouldn't be hungry for the remainder of the school day.

Next week is the last full week of school. I think my relationship with this group of students is strong. We all worked and adjusted together. I am concerned about academic gaps. We will be doing A LOT OF REVIEW in all areas next week. Plus, I still need to teach about magnets and the second part of the American Revolution. The bottom line is that we are all a team, and we will get the work done!