Happy Fri-Yay all! We are almost ready to finish out the week and I am looking forward to some serious down time. This week has been jam packed and it felt like my little loves were on a constant sugar high so this teacher is T-I-R-E-D tired! I’m a pretty big homebody and the last few weekends I have not been able to be in my favorite place…my house. This weekend, I’m really looking forward to it! Here’s a peek at what we’ve been up to with Doodle Bugs Teaching! Make sure to link back to Kacey’s site and check out all of the other blogger’s fantastic weeks.
I always teach vocabulary throughout the year, but at this point in first grade vocabulary development is at the utmost importance. I want my students to not only be able to read these words but I want them to understand their meaning, recognize synonyms and antonyms, and apply them to everyday life. So, we’ve been amping up our vocabulary instruction recently! Lots of vocabulary charades, draw a word, synonym and antonym matches, and vocabulary four square activities. I want my firsties to have fun with word play.
It may be the end of the school year and we may only have 24 days left but I am so excited that THIS GIRL finally has a real writing center! Up until this point, I had been piling all of our writing supplies onto the little table in the photograph. I’m so excited that I now have a full space to put out all of our writing supplies. This baby will be STOCKED next year with post-its, black and blue pens, different colored pens for editing, writing paper choices, and task cards that will match our Journeys Lesson of the week to use during Daily 5. Can you tell I’ve been doing a lot of planning?!
On Wednesday my school was lucky enough to be visited by The Brain Show! In the words of my kiddos it was, “the best assembly everrrr!” Our school was split into two groups so everyone could participate in the gameshow like assembly. Our students were called up to the buzzers in teams to answer questions about TV shows, movies, music, and sports. Their favorite part though was the dancing in between rounds to hit pop songs that all the kids knew!
It wouldn’t be an assembly at our school if the teachers didn’t get in on the fun too. We were called up for a special round to compete with some of the kiddos. My team didn’t win but we sure did celebrate with some stellar ballet moves to a classic Whitney Houston tune!
I shared some of these pictures on Instagram the other day but I had to talk about it here too. Part of my classroom management plan is the clip chart. I know many people have their opinions on the clip chart and I understand those who are against it. However, I use mine primarily as a way to celebrate behavior and positive choices. There are very few times throughout the week where someone moves their clip down. It’s merely a way to reinforce appropriate behavior with the whole class.
Before I veer too much off topic, when my students reach the top of the chart or “super student,” they collect a paper bird and keep it in a bag in their desk. When they have collected five birds, they get to choose a reward. Not a reward from a treasure box or any other toy but an activity that my students can participate in. This year, becoming the teacher’s assistant has been a huge hit!
When students choose to be the teacher’s assistant they get to sit at my desk, use my supplies, tell other students to move their clips up, and give directions throughout the day. These little cuties took their jobs very seriously!
One was so excited about the job that he went “clip happy” and had a bunch of his classmates move their clips to the top of the chart. He was so proud to wear their names around on the teacher’s necklace all day!
My other assistant came to school dressed and ready for the job! He came into this year as a shy little one so I was so excited that he took this opportunity so seriously. He looked like the most adorable teacher I have ever seen. It warmed my heart!
This. Is. Happening. I have been looking forward to this sequel for months and tonight is finally the night! My husband and I (yes you read that correctly) pre-ordered tickets to go see it the first night it’s in theaters. NERD ALERT!!! I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve seen the original and I’m looking forward to another aca-awesome time with the Bellas! My husband is a huge fan too, he claims it’s because of Anna Kendrick but I know the truth. He’s just an a capella boy and I’m an a capella girl and we’re going to have aca-children, it’s inevitable. No not yet but really looking forward to this movie!
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and are able to relax and escape from the craziness that is the end of the school year. I will be enjoying my time at home with this cutie. Tell me you’d be able to get up for work when this little guy is snuggled next to you?! It is a struggle! 
Thanks for stopping by!
4 Comments
Sounds like you had a fun week! I love your new writing area. My kiddos love their writing area, I think it is their favorite part of the day! Great idea to pair vocabulary practice with charades. Your kiddos are lucky to have you. Have a great weekend, enjoy Pitch Perfect!
I LOVE the Brain Show! I got to sub last year when a school was hosting it and it was a BLAST! I miss those things about working in a brick and mortar school (I am now in cyber world!!)
OMG! My students have been on a constant sugar high as well!!!!!!!!! Ummm… Pitch Perfect … I am soooooo excited to seeeeee it! Have fun tonight!!!!!!!!!!! You're writing center looooooks great!!!!!!
Do you have copies of the paper you use in your writing centers or do you just use the paper Lucy provides?