4 on the 5th...

 

Can I just say I LOVE the idea of this linky party that that Ms. M is throwing?  I'm all about keeping things manageable as far trying new things in my classroom.  

My second year of teaching I had so many new things on my list that I wanted to try, got them ready over the summer, and then once the year started, most of them went by the wayside as I couldn't keep up with them all.  Now, I just pick one major thing that I'd like to try and then a handful of smaller things projects, so it's much more manageable and I stick to them.  One year it was my reader's response journals, one year it was my clip chart, and well last year it was learning a new curriculum a week before school started. :)

1. The Daily Five

I've owned the book for years and was a fool and tried to implement parts of it last year in parts without reading it.  Stupid me.  Anyways, I've been LOVING all the book studies going around the blog world this summer.  I'm really excited to implement what will be a Daily Three in my fourth grade classroom. 

2. Whole Brain Teaching

I love, love, love what I've read so far, and while I haven't had much time to read as much as I would like to, but I definitely plan  on implementing the rules, love that they are recited each day, and a lot of the whole group management techniques next year. Again keeping it manageable!

3. A Brand New Curriculum

Enough said.  New grade level, new curriculum.  Thank goodness for blogging friends and Teachers Pay Teachers, I don't have reinvent every wheel. :)

4. Lesson Plan/Cleaning Schedules

I feel that the year that I was most successful in staying on top of  my lesson planning was my second year of teaching.  During my planning times, either before, during, or after school, I planned a rough sketch of plans for a different subject each day.

Monday-Reading

Tuesday- Language/Writing

Wednesday- Math

Thursday- Social Studies or Science, depending on which one I was teaching at the time.

Friday- Finalized the rough sketches and got copies ready for the week, or at least through Monday if I had plans right after school.  

While I do love, love, love scoring the web for new ideas to use with my class, but at the same time, I hate being glued to my computer every weekend.  I really want to be able to get more done at school this year.  I honestly believe if I stick to a schedule, I will. :)

Same thing at home.  I hate spending all weekend cleaning, and not enjoying the weekend.  My hubs and I have both agreed we NEED a simple cleaning schedule to follow during the week and we need to hold each other accountable to following it for more than just a week.  Especially since we are doubling our living space moving to our new house.

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I want to thank all of you who were so sweet enough enough to award me so, so, so many awards lately.  I'm so honored that you liked my blog enough to even consider me.  :) For all my bloggy friends that I've neglected the past few days, life has been crazy sauce! Once my daddy's retirement party is over this weekend, I'll have a lot more time to spare. :)

I spent a lot of time today cleaning up and making one of my FAVORITE back to school/character education activities much more visually appealing and teacher friendly today, and I can't wait to share it with you.  For now, here's a little sneak peek. :)

 If you just can't wait to see what this tasty bowl is all about, you can find out exactly what it is {here}

Don't forget, you can find me on Facebook too! :)