Bitmoji Bingo

Looking for a fun way to connect with students during this Distance Learning time? Maybe Bitmoji Bingo is for you!

I have been seeing the idea of sending Bitmojis to your students to take on an adventure similar to Flat Stanley. So, my partner and I decided to change it up a little bit and create a Bitmoji Bingo for students to complete. They will try and take a picture/selfie with our Bitmoji and get 3 in a row or a Blackout!

They can print out our Bitmoji or save it to their iPad/phone and take a picture with us that way. 

 I created a short explanation video for student and parents along with a PDF of directions and a JPEG file of our Bitmoji and Bingo sheet to print. Click here for a editable copy.

To share the fun with one another, I created a Padlet link for them to share their selfies with us!

I can't wait to "hang" out with our students this week!

My thoughts on Transformation- A present day activity

I've heard Jillian Michaels say "Transformation isn't a future event, it is a present activity." in her workout video to me several times while we've been quarantined at home. This quote has stuck with me and challenged me each day. 

The phrase PRESENT ACTIVITY has been pressed on my heart. What can I do TODAY to transform myself? It doesn't matter if I'm at home during quarantine or going about life as normal, I believe that transformation should always be occurring. Transformation isn't just physical. It can also be spiritual, professional, personal, emotional, mental, etc. The degree of transformation will fluctuate depending on what you are working on. But, I believe it is also a mindset. You must want the transformation to take place, but the great thing is it doesn't happen in one day or disappear in a slip up of one day. Transformation happens as you take the step now, in the PRESENT time! 

I know I've had to transform the way I'm teaching, reaching my students, connecting with my family, finding time for me, etc during these days at home. I'm learning to let go of control and refocus my priorities to what really matters. Let's look at all the new and uncertain times/things we're asked to do as a way to transform ourselves and become even stronger!

So, I challenge you during this time of social distancing ask yourself these questions: What area of my life do I want to transform? How can I improve? What can I do each day to make myself and those around me better?

5 Ways to Encourage Your Kids' Hearts

 

I want to start by saying I am not a licensed counselor, but I am a teacher and a mom, and these are a few ways I am helping my own children stay calm, create some normalcy for them, and enjoy some family time.

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23

Here are 5 Ways to Encourage Your Kids' hearts (and your own) during times of uncertainty:

1. Establish a routine/schedule that works for you!!

There is no one schedule that is best. Kids and adults alike thrive on a routine and schedule. It helps make things more predictable and safe for them. 

Here is the schedule our family has been following! It is ok if you veer from the schedule or modify it throughout the day. 

Click here to make a copy and make it your own.

2. Gratitude and Goals-

(Built within our family schedule are the other 4 ways to encourage you and your family.)

During our breakfast time, I read a devotional to the boys. Then, we share something we are grateful for and a goal we have for the day. We are creating a journal that we can look back on with our gratitude and goals. 

"Start each day with a grateful heart." This sets a positive tone for our entire day and guides us in prayer.

Click here to grab this simple page to get started with gratitude and goals! I print two or four to a page. 

3. Workout/Get Active

I'm talking to the adults here too! While I work out, my boys do their independent reading time. If you prefer to do this before your kids are up, that works to! Just make sure you get moving! Endorphins are good for the brain. This is a time that is for me. I often listen to praise music or a podcast as I work out. I'm used to working out at home, but if you’re not Peloton is offering a 90 day free trial to their workouts. In addition to your workout, make sure your kids are moving too! Get outside with your kids.  

4. Family Devotional and Quiet Time

Getting into God's word is so important, especially when fear and anxiety are high. We have been using Bear Creek Kids reading plan and family devotionals to dig into God's word. Spending time reading the Bible, talking, praising God, and memorizing scripture has a positive effect on our family. It is also important for me to have quiet time with God. My heart needs to be in the right place and set on the right things to be able to be the best mom I can be for them. 

5. Think, Create, and Share

It is also important for our kids to be able to think, create, and talk each day. I'm a teacher and still overwhelmed with all the different resources you can find on Social Media. Do your best to get your kids reading and talking, writing about their reading or video they watch, and creating something they are passionate about. Bake with them, get the art supplies and cardboard out, build with Legos, play games, spend time together reading. Let them imagine! Have fun!

Family Bingo has a few more ideas

Grab a copy here, feel free to edit for your family

And last but not least, give yourself grace and your children lots of hugs! There is no one answer or right way to do things. We will get through these uncertain times and uncharted territories. Keep your mind and heart focused on God! He doesn't change, and His love and faithfulness never end! Let me know how I can pray for you!

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” Isaiah 26:3

Morning Book Club with Students

I was looking for a way to connect with more of students and to continue to grow my students love of reading. I decided to try a morning book club, and it was the best idea ever! I was hoping I would have at least 5-10 students and over 20 showed up the first time! It has continued to grow.

This has easily become my favorite day of the week. Students and I look forward to it all week.

I'm sharing the steps I took to get my book club up and running in case you're interested in starting one too!

1. Introduce the idea-

I started with a poll (using menitmeter) to see if students were even introduced. I didn't share a lot of information at first, I used this poll as a way to get them interested and want to know more.

2. Pump up the idea-

After the poll, I talked up book club and how awesome it was going to be. :) I shared that we would meet before school, discuss the book, play some games, and just have a bunch of fun together!

3. Pick a book-

I wanted our first book to be a short read, so we could get through it fairly quickly. I didn't want book club with one book to drag on forever. I chose a book that was available on Scholastic. That way parents would be able to easily purchase the book for a reasonable price. Also, think about a book that would be appealing to most of your students.

3. Share information with parents-

I sent an introduction letter and permission slip to parents both with a physical copy and emailed them a copy. I also shared about our upcoming Book Club via my weekly video newsletter. I wanted to make sure I got the information out via many channels.  Click here to view my letter and make a copy if you want to tweak it.

4. Buy books-

I ordered the books on Scholastic for the students that placed that way. I also let students know they could check the book out at the library or buy on Amazon. If money was an issue, I worked with students to help them get the book.

5. Student Bookmarks and dates-

I created bookmarks for each student that was going to be in Book Club. The bookmark included our meeting dates and chapters to read for each meeting.

Click here to grab a copy to edit:

6. Email parents-

Then, I emailed just the parents with students in Book Club sharing the dates and times for our meetings.

7. Meet UP-

Finally, we met for our first meeting. We circled up and discussed the book. I went way BETTER than I could have imagined. Students were so engaged with the book and each other. I was so proud of their questions, discussion, and engagement. We ended each meeting with a game, usually Kahoot!

8. CELEBRATE-

After our first book club, the students asked if we could celebrate. Parents contributed, and we were able to have the best time. We even created a life motto, like one we learned from the book!

We are ready for book #2!! 

Let me know if you have any questions. 

First Chapter Friday

First Chapter Friday is a big deal in my classroom! It happens every Friday, and students come in looking forward to seeing what book we will be reading. 

First Chapter Friday is exactly what it sounds like. You read the first chapter of a book aloud to your students. But, what makes it fun is the hype and excitement for the book and who gets to read the rest of it. 

Click here if you want to grab a copy of my display slide.

I have six easy steps to help your students want First Chapter Friday every week.

1. Decide on a book and talk it up before Friday without giving the title away.

2. Share the title. Then share information about author and talk about other books he/she has written.

3. Read the blurb and let students share thoughts and questions.

4. Read the FIRST chapter (and sometimes the 2nd and 3rd, and maybe 4th)! I love when they talk me into reading another chapter.

5. Let students share thoughts about the book via Padlet (QR code on my slide) and read each other's ideas.

6. Place an "I WANNA READ" sheet for students to sign their name if they are interested in reading it. 

And that's it, but my students absolutely LOVE First Chapter Friday!

Click here to grab a copy of my list. I put the list in our classroom library, and we pass the book to the next person. I love when they all try to be the first one to get the book from the school library. :) 

This is a great time to highlight new books, authors, different genres, series, etc. I also let students submit titles of books to me for recommendations for our First Chapter Friday reads. First Chapter Friday has brought even more excitement to our classroom for my readers! 

What do you do to grow the love of reading in your classroom?

Digital Conferring Notes

Conferring is a very important component of Reading and Writing Workshop. 

Conferring provides individualized instruction for each student. I gain valuable knowledge about students' reading and writing through each conference and gives students confidence as well. 

It is important to take notes while conferring. I am always tweaking the way I take and manage conferring notes. I have used many different ways like sticky notes, notebooks, OneNote. I recently created a Google Form for me to quickly fill out when I meet with the child. Click here to see my Reading Conference Form. 

My favorite thing about my digital form I love the most is that I can filter my Google Sheets by homeroom, student name, skill, reading level, etc.  This helps me see what area a majority of my students are struggling with and where growth is happening. Then, I can easily create a small group or mini lesson on what is needed for my students. I also have a record of conferences for the whole year in one place for student data.

Here is a copy of my writing form as well. You can add any questions you want to make the form personal to you and your class. How to you organize your conferring notes?

Student Book Challenge

I knew I want to come back from Christmas Break and hit the ground running with building stamina and creating excitement about reading new books! So, the Student Reading Challenge was born. 

We looked back at our goals for reading, accessed how we were doing, and reviewed good reading strategies. I challenged my students to the 20 book challenge to begin with. This will not be 20 individual books, per say, because I didn't want students to read just 20 picture books. I wanted to encourage a variety. Together, we created a point system:

Picture books= 1 point

Graphic Novels= 5 points

Chapter Books= 10 points

The only requirement I gave them is that they had to read at least one chapter book. 

Click here to grab a copy of the document students are recording their books on. 

After students earn 20 points they share the document with me, and we talk about the books they read. They earn a certificate and get to sign the 20 point sign in our classroom library. I love recognizing hard work with a positive note from me that can go home!

Click here to grab a copy of the certificate that students can earn. 

From there, students start working on the next challenge: 40 points, 60 points, etc! Let me know if you have any questions. 

Can they get to 100 "books" before the end of the year? That's the real challenge!