Hello, A G A I N, it' me the QUEEN BEE but now...

 I believe I am the WORST blogger E V E R!

    SO much has happened to me since my last blog post. I moved, again! This time I am staying right here! Where am I, you may ask...I'm in South Dakota. Promise this is it!

    I left Las Vegas in July of 2020, you can guess why...but you might be wrong. Was it because of the pandemic, maybe a little, however not really. My son went away to college, and my boyfriend moved 1,500 miles away. I was good with all of this! Then after the "shut down" my BF asked me to move to South Dakota...I had a lot of thinking to do...should I go? Will there even be jobs in the middle of a World Wide Shut Down? 

    Surprisingly Y E S...  I moved 1,500 miles to a super small town, so I could drive 100 miles a day to a bigger town to teach...4th GRADE! (If you know me then you know this is TERRIFYING) 

    Remarkably 4th grade was the B O M B! Why was I so afraid of the "big kids"? I LOVED every minute of it! Perhaps it was that I got to teach Face to Face, unlike my Las Vegas friends. Perhaps it was the small town feel and supportive parents...maybe that 50 mile one way with ZERO traffic was the key? (it took me the same amount of time to travel to this school, than it did to travel the 22 miles in Las Vegas) I learned so much, had a great group of kids and my administration was EXCELLENT! As you can guess, I am switching schools this year.

    BUT...why you ask...I decided to get closer to home and not risk hitting a deer. Oh plus I can sleep in or get up to walk, like I used to. This, as many of you know, was my first year to drive in the snow. All the locals kept telling me this was a really mild winter. (ok, as I white knuckled drove in a blowing snow covered highway for a few months) I changed schools because I finally get to be "out" of the classroom and will save $2000 in gas money on my high profile SUV with the 4 wheel drive and all the safety whistles! I am going to be the Title One Resource teacher and ESL coordinator for this school (District), the school is so small that they house PK-12 all in one building. (350 kids or so)

    So now I can help the kids that need that extra boost in Reading and Math. I can make sure those ESL kids don't fall in the crack....it's truly my "DREAM JOB"

If you are really reading this, can you do me a favor and leave me a comment...just a quick "Hi" Let me know what you think of my crazy life...read all the post before if you are new around here...my journey starts in Florida!

Much Love,

Natalie

What Do You Do Over The Summer?

     Here it is the second week of summer break, and I am teaching summer school mind you, (9 days) What am I doing? I am already PINNING on Pinterest and going through my 'drive' and printing out new centers and getting ready for next year's group! WAIT, WHAT? School JUST ended on May 24th, I'm teaching summer school until June 7th and I am ALREADY planning NEXT year?
Am I a new teacher?(Nope, this year it will be year 26.)
Am I T H A T  pathetic dedicated that I have NO life other than school? (Well, maybe)
Do I need an intervention? (Err...)
Is this NORMAL? (Well is it?)

 I do have a small trip planned this summer to get me out of the house, but really, nothing spectacular, no beach, no cruise, no NYC trip, no Europe trip....ugh...I need to stop my brain from moving!

Does this happen to you? I just can't stop it. really, it's an impulse control issue...I get on Pinterest and the next thing you know I go from looking at nails and hair and food to school decor, classroom management and storage ideas! I then start sending pins to all my teacher friends and start making my wish list on TpT too. I catch up on my blog and even reach out to my Blogging buddies from 2012 and ask for help to get back into blogging (Thanks Storie!)...

My question to you my blogging friends is HOW do you turn off the TEACH and RELAX... and really find another hobby? 

My hobby IS school! Shopping for school, planning for school, crafting for school...then school starts and I always feel excited and  bit of a let down... HELP I need your ideas!

XXOO
Natalie

Yes Friends, I'm Still Alive and Kicking!

     Have you been wondering what the Queen Bee is doing Way out West?
To be truthful I have been a busy bee! My first year in the desert I was in 1st grade.I  must admit I am not a fan of teaching 1st grade, unless I am co-teaching, like I did in 2004-2007 back in Clermont Florida, now that was a good time! This time around, yeah not so much fun, but I did work with a bunch of great people and loved my administration.Did I mention I was in a portable? I haven't been in a portable classroom since 1999. The best thing about the portable is YOU are in charge of your own 'weather'! We did have a lot of fun in that portable. We made ice cream on Nevada Day (aka Halloween) and we got to fly kites in the big field behind our portable...no one comes out to visit you much in the portable, did I mention I love my administration. In fact, they let me move up to 2nd grade the following year!! (I love 2nd Grade) I got to go to my first out of state conference too. I flew to LA for the NSTA convention...it was so much fun! (Even when I fell down, skinned my knee AND didn't spill my Skinny Vanilla Latte) The low point was when on the last day of school we found out that our Assistant Principal was leaving us to open a new school across town! We were all heart-broken!
     I taught 2nd grade and co-chaired the grade level, as well as  did district wide science curriculum professional development classes for the science department as a little side hustle, that first year in 2nd grade. I got to keep 6 of my kids from my 1st grade class, mostly because the rest of them moved to other schools, or to California. There is a lot of mobility in our schools in Southern Nevada. Again, I got to work with a good team, in fact two of the teachers who taught first grade decided to teach second grade too, so that was great! My class was sweet, just a few tornadoes, nothing a seasoned teacher couldn't handle. Still in the portable, but the school is now under construction as they are building a new building. We are so excited, waiting in anticipation as to which grade levels will be housed into the NEW building with all the latest and greatest  technology? But it won't open until the end of the school year, so why even start dreaming now...right? My second year in the desert is going great, we have a new Assistant Principal, she is just as nice as the one who left us all heart-broken at the end of the school year. Everything is going along so well... Then a  rumor went around the school that the Principal was leaving too! So I asked him if it was true and it was, BUT relax, he was asked if he wanted to go to a middle school, and he turned it down! (sigh) Things were pretty normal from then on, I got to go to another conference, this time in Philadelphia, during the Super Bowl Parade (Mad House)..everything was quiet until the end of the school year when they finished the new building and announced which grade levels will be moving into the fancy tech castle! Kindergarten, Third and Fourth...wait...NOT ME? Nope...I boxed up all my gear and moved into the OLD building....but to tell you the truth I got the BIGGEST room on campus! Yeppers!
     So here I am in my third year in the desert, my 25th year teaching! I've been teaching HALF of my life! ...Anyhow...still in 2nd, this time no co-chair, just team leader all by myself. Still same administrators! Three new teachers on our team, they are FANTASTIC by the way, and my class looks great...oh yeah! You know it was coming, 'that kid' yep, they assigned me 'that kid'! I don't know how I survived as long as I did? Really, he took a lot of patience and time away from my other 19. I got hit. His mom, told the Principal and the SPED teacher off, in fact she changed schools in December...it's all a blur. Then in December at the same time, our Principal was moved to another school, just like that! We were left with NO principal, none, from January to May we had 'subs' then they hired a new Principal. However I won't be staying at this school, it's not because I didn't get to move into the new building, it's not because I don't like the new principal, it's not because I didn't go to a conference this year...  it's because I found a school 10 miles closer to home, that has a Principal that used to be my Assistant Principal, remember that heart-breaker? Well she is going to be the Principal at my new school! So excited to be getting a new hive close to home! This is my son's senior year of High School, so every penny saved counts!
     I am planning on continuing my bog at my new school! I am planning on writing about the literacy ideas I am implementing and the math strategies I am using too! I am also going to be giving you the details of my life to keep up on me! Sorry I have been out of touch! I need to remind myself this is important too!

Moving on U P

So what did you do this summer?

School ended on June 9th for me, then for the next two weeks this was my chore:

 I sold the house in less than a week, and the closing was looming around the corner. Why did I choose to pack up my house and 22 year career in Florida? That is easy, it was a combination of a few things! I was not happy where I was, I wanted to branch out and realized that my tree had been pruned for me! I choose to move closer to my Dad too! He lives in Las Vegas, the fastest growing and one the the biggest school districts in the USA...plus they offered me a better retirement, cheaper insurance , a bonus, PLUS a nice fatty raise to boot!...so here is what happened to me this summer....

I packed up a 27 foot U-Haul, rented a car carrier and drove almost the whole width of the USA!

Ok , so me , myself  nor I, actually drove it ...my Sweet Man did, I tried and it was SCARY, Needless to say it was an adventure...

Leaving Florida was easy, heading into the the rest of the South was easy, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana came fast! Then TEXAS...oh my goodness TEXAS is S O... BI G! I now know how Moses must have felt wandering the desert! It went on and on!

When we saw this sign, I was so happy! (Not that TEXAS isn't nice, but when you are on a schedule and see the light at the end of the tunnel it is a joy!)

It didn't take us long to stop and visit with friends in the next state! (Less than a day away.)

We spent the night in Tuscon with a friend then headed to our final destination the next morning!

It felt like a homecoming! I have been visiting Las Vegas since my Dad moved here in the late 70's...I really love the weather out here too!

So far exciting things have been happening to the Queen Bee...I have not even been here a month and have made some new friends...

#2016Teachermeetup

...and have started a new job....

My summer goes on, as the kids don't arrive until August 29th... if you want to come and visit, please do...I should close on my new house in mid to late August...so how is your summer going?

What happened to my Interns?

The headline read:

"Teaching is facing a recruitment crisis. ....."

I believe it...my principal asked me not long ago "What has changed?" I couldn't put my finger on it, but after seeing that headline it became clear to me... WHERE ARE MY INTERNS?

I usually have 1 or 2 interns a year, at least for the past five years it has been like that. Last year (2014-2015) I had one Junior intern...in the beginning of the year , two days a week for eight weeks...then nothing...absolutely NOTHING.

In 2010 I had a senior intern...
2011 two senior interns...
2012, a junior intern and a senior intern...
2013, two junior interns and a senior intern...
2014 a junior intern...
2015..no one..
2016 no one!

Where are they? I love them! I love watching them "catch fire" I love watching them have that "aha" moment. The kids love helping them become a great teacher.

The article suggests ideas of how to find them again...by giving them real working hours...but that isn't teaching? We get here are 7:30 and go home around 4:30 or 5:00 depending on the needs of the next day...that is just what we do...we are perfectionists..they need to feel that excitement, that tiredness, yes I hear you..." WHAT, but you only get paid from 8:00 to 3:30?"  Seriously teachers we get paid other ways too! 

It says to treat educators with respect, and I agree. We are not, NOT babysitters...and it is about time the general public ranks our position in life a little higher!

The next point was to pay us what we would make in the private sector...again I don't disagree, but we are public servants, we knew that! How much would you pay someone who is the founder of all other careers? A million dollars? two million? At this point I will settle for $50,000 + health care and a descent vision and dental plan, plus retirement. Too bad ,  21 years in the business and I don't have this yet. 
I remember when I started teaching in 1990-something  I made $18,000 a year...I thought I was rich..then somewhere in the 2000s they raised all the teacher's pay to $35,000...new teachers, old teachers, good teachers, bad teachers...they claimed we would make more in the end but...I haven't gotten a ton of money more than the "newer" teachers...like it was when I first got hired, I made my 18,000 while a teacher with 10 years made 30,000...I wish that was the difference now too!

This article's headline is what got me thinking about what is wrong with my career this year! Why I feel so different this year...I know why  I MISS THEM...I MISS TEACHING THEM...I HOPE THEY COME BACK!!!

I found this article on Facebook as I was reading my teacher friends posts. It says a few more things in better detail, here is the article if you want to read it...It's from The Guardian

SUCCESSFUL 3

So what are the goals for my kids?

1. They need to be more independent.

It drives me crazy they sit there and look at me so helpless. This is a new to me problem. I am so use to my class being independent, finding answers for themselves, helping each other find the answers or being problem solvers in general. This year I feel like they are waiting for me to just tell them the answer then move on. I feel like we are so behind in the curriculum with ELA because they have zero critical thinking skills...last year I looped up with my second graders so it was a no brainer, they knew what I expected. These kids SHOULD know what I expect, but I feel they don't?!

2. Spend more time reading.

I love to read, my own boy LOVES to read...my kids do not like it..Well 3/18 do but those 15 just don't want to, no interest...So I am going to start the "Genius Hour" when we get back...they will have to read and be independent to solve the problems. It's PBL meets my kids.."Hello" .... Should be fun, we are going to start out with some Science Genius Hour first then branch out to Social Studies once the "TEST" is over at the end of March

3. Master those times tables.

I am offering rewards, I am bribing them with goodies...I have a new "Multiplication Station" self-paced fun...iPad apps too...and yet only the top 3 know those facts...I'll think I want to have a competition of facts and each week crown a new "winner".

4. Enjoy life!

Of course this is a must! You are a kid, enjoy it while you can, enjoy it before the responsibilities hit you hard...go outside, play, laugh...have fun everyday! Learn..learn something new to help you on your journey EVERYDAY!

SUCCESSFUL 2

That was raw....and real and scary...did I mention after I posted yesterday I did a Scope..it was AWFUL...

So here I sit and I am thinking that yesterday's blog was all about my career goals, not all about my personal goals or the goals for my kids at school.

I want to lose weight! Yes, I know EVERYBODY wants to lose weight...blah blah blah....but in the course of the past two years I have gained over 20 lbs. I lost about 10 lbs from August to December but I still feel the need to lose a good 15 lbs, and hopefully more! I am in "BMI land" considered overweight by at least 30 lbs. Here is how I hope to rectify this "situation" I am in:

1. Keep doing the 3-4 miles in the morning

2. Adding running up and down the stairs at work. I want to spend at least 30 minutes a day, at the end of the day, doing "Stadium steps"...that should be fun.

3. Continue following the "Skinny Rules" by Bob Harper...STRICT..no cheating especially with some Wine Wednesdays or Wine in general (that is going to be hard...no wine and no whine...but it is only until I lose that first 15 lbs.)

4. Start exercising on the weekends too...bike rides, late evening walks, yoga?

My birthday is coming up real soon, and my Sweet Man is planning on doing something fun...I just told him I am giving up wine/beer until I lose 15 lbs. He said I had better hurry up and lose it all in 3 weeks...I wonder if I can? I really want to quit sugar until the cruise in March. Yes my Sweet Man is spoiling me with another cruise this Spring Break!

Another goal for me in '16 is to get out of credit card debt! I am not in too deep, but last summer I went a little overboard and splurged on a few things I normally wouldn't do...so here I am cash poor...I hate it! So I am going to focus on killing one debt at a time. Then use the $ from that bill to put on another bill, then once that is paid off on to another. (So pretend I owe $500 on one card...I pay $50 a month until it is paid off...then take that $50 and add it to the $50 I am paying on another card, so then I pay $100 a month on that card until it is gone, then add that $100 to another card...you get the idea)

I am hoping that starting a real TPT store will help with paying off these bills quickly! I just need some good ideas, I have a few but am not sure exactly how to make them look...first I need to find some great clip art and good looking fonts...any ideas or perhaps you have a favorite font maker you want to brag about? Who is on your top Clip Art maker? Any fun suggestions are much appreciated!

SUCCESSFUL

Things are going to change around here!
My word for 2016 is  S U C C E S S F U L,

adjective

achieving or having achieved success.having attained wealth,

 position, honors, or the like..

resulting in or attended with success.

I looked back at how this blog started...WOW I used to be good! I just blogged on an on about whatever was happening in my life at home or school...WHAT HAPPENED TO ME?

So here is what I am going to do....

Step 1: Update the blog...it could mean moving to a WordPress??? of just a new design (Mariela I need your help)

Step 2: Find my niche! Who am I blogging to? What are my goals for this blog and for me? Do I want to become a teacherpreneur ? (YES)

Step 3: I need to create a new Queen Bee... a "Me Bee" I think I want to change the name of my blog to just "Being the Queen Bee..." and try to find a buzzing bee in high heels and a crown to fly around?

Step 4: Remember to BLOG...yes get back to actually blogging and sharing ideas and making products ....posting it all over my QB Facebook feed, and start using Twitter more, PLUS showcasing on Instagram.

Step 5: I really want to try doing a Scope once a week, or more, depending on how it goes. I am so inspired by Jessica @TheWhimsicalTeacher that I too, like Ashley Schroeder have a teacher crush on her!

Step 6: I want to be like Kristin @TeachingwithTenney...calm cool collected and organized!

Here is the real question: Can I do this?

Sheila Jane says I can! But do I believe it? Will my procrastinating ways slow me down? (If you know me, you know I am a master procrastinator--see previous Blog posts)
Will I stick with it? Will I have help along the way, making sure I don't screw it up?
Will I be  S U C C E S S F U L? To tell you the truth I am scared...of failure...of making a mistake...of not living up to my potential...scared to death!

Let me know what you think?

Oh and another thing...on my Blogger site it has a subscribe to e-mail list...anyone know how to access that from this end?

31 Days...Staying Afloat...Some of my ALL TIME favorite TpT SELLERS

Today let's talk about something that makes me extremely happy and sad at the same time..

I LOVE Teachers Pay Teachers...however my PayPal account does not! But that is another story for another day....

Here are my TOP, my FAVORITE TpT stores: (in no order, I just love a COUNTDOWN)

13.  Jamie Rector...was my 2nd grade Writing Coach, but she never knew that! Thanks Jamie for
       always being there with the "write" stuff!

12.  Young Teacher Love...Kristine Nannini saved me from assessment hell. This girl has dedicated
       her life to ELA assessment and classroom data organization! If you need help with that, go now
       quick!

11.  Amy Lemons ...I used to grab all her goodies, but then I got moved up to 3rd grade, she is a
       Second Grade guru!

10.  Head Over Heels for Teaching...Joanne Miller...are you looking for ELA stuff? she is your girl!
     Joanne is Awesome and her stuff is 3rd grade and higher...(some 2nd too)

9.  Deb Hanson...WOW and oh boy...she is G O O D...PowerPoints and reproducibles that match the
     PP's and games plus tons of "Craftivities" equals one of the masters...she is upper elementary for
     sure!

8.  Ashleigh's Education Journey...Ashleigh is heaven sent...she has writing, math , reading..she is the
     SCOOT/Task Card master and her assessments are perfect!!! She is 3rd grade and higher , but has
     some lower elementary stuff too!

7.  Bunting, Books ad Bright Ideas....Christina Bainbridge is my teacher crush..OMG this woman! I
     used to read her class webpage and steal ideas, then found her again on her blog which steered
     me  to TPT...she has it all! For all of Elementary!

6.  Mariela Santillana...I L O V E Mariela, plus I used to work with her! She is my TPT HERO! she
     does a lot of 3rd-5th grade Math and "Wonders" series stuff...she is fantastic and easy to follow
     along! I love all her creations!

5.  Sunny Days....Denise is another one who I used to stalk her class web page, then her blog and then
      again on TPT...she is a Florida Girl, like me, so I LOVE her stuff...she is mainly a 2nd grade
      supplier! Check her out, you will love her creativity!

4.  Science Penguin...Ari has the BEST stuff around! Her Weekly Science Centers have kept me in  
         the clear for YEARS!!! Thanks girl, if you haven't seen her stuff, download all the FREEBIE
          stuff first so you know what to do!

3.  Teacher's Clubhouse.....Amanda Madden is one of my all time favorites! She is mainly lower
       elementary, but I find myself adapting her stuff in my 3rd grade curriculum! She is great! I am
       not sure but I think she used to have a partner in the Clubhouse, Jessica Winston, but I don't
       know if she is still in it? I adore Amanda's blog and her creations are just what you need to keep
       you on track!

2. The Third Wheel...ah Mrs. D...you are one of my newer TpT follows. She is exactly what I need in
        3rd grade. Her stuff is CLEAR, and CUTE, plus it is easy to integrate right into what you
        wanted to do! Thank  you for showing up in my life!

1.  Blair Turner.... My MATH guru, what would I do without you??? this woman has kept me alive in       Math for the past 3 years! She is all about the Math and interactive notebooks..I love Blair, I have        a celebri-crush on this woman! (Tell her that!)

31 Days...Staying Afloat.., Teach Happy Friends

What did I do today to make it....

I joined "Teach Happy Friends" I HAD to!

On this web site I have made teacher friends, and gotten some daily dose of encouragement, plus some great tips and things to smile about.

Why do I need this you ask?....

Well,... I LOVE my career, it is my passion... I love my kiddos, they keep me young, I love my teacher BFF, she makes collaborating fun and valuable...however...I want to teach MORE. I want to teach BETTER. I want to teach WISELY. I need FRESH ideas. I need POSITIVE feedback. I need VALIDATION.

So today I joined Teach Happy Friends. At first I just "liked" and joined the group on Facebook, then I lurked in that space for a week, before I decided it was worth it to be INSPIRED on a daily basis.

It is nice to know that I am not alone on this journey. So many teachers are feeling my feelings, are just as frustrated with things like me, are trying to be happy when so many are unhappy. Together we can make it....SO if you too are dragging, lagging, "sadding", and negating...go visit Sheila J and her great idea...you won't be sorry!

31 Days...Staying Afloat...Periscope

"Periscope is a live video streaming app for iOS and Android developed by Kayvon Beykpour and Joe Bernstein. The startup behind the app was purchased by Twitter for a reported $100 million in March 2015. On March 26, 2015, Twitter officially relaunched the application on iOS under its own App Store account. Later, on May 26, 2015, Periscope was released for Android."  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Periscope/902825306425322?fref=ts#

That is what the internet has told me about Periscope.
Here is why I LOVE it!

1. You get to SEE your favorite TPT teachers and bloggers.

2. You get great advice from teachers all over the place.

3. You LAUGH out LOUD for real at the craziness that is some other teacher's reality...instead of laughing  crying about how your teaching life is cuckoo !

4. You get to comment (if you watch it live) and send hearts to them when you are rolling on the floor.

5. If you can't catch it live, you have 24 hours to catch it on a replay. You still can send hearts at the funny parts.

6. You don't need to make a scope to join, you can lurk in the shadows and watch and learn without getting "involved" if that is your thing!

7. Find your teacher twin and stalk  enjoy their company laugh at them without them knowing.

8. If you decide to make a Scope, play with the camera before you post....and comb your hair!

9. If  you hate your Scope you can delete it.


and the last reason I LOVE Periscope is because you can....


10. Watch it in your PJ's and with a glass of wine, and no one can judge!

The GOAL here is 31 Days..ONE Topic...Wish me Luck!

I haven't been very faithful to my blog. I am a bad blogger!
The new year has started and so many new things going on, both at school and at home, not sure where I will end up in the end.
I have discovered Periscope this summer and totally love it! I actually made a Scope and NO ONE watched it live, which I am so glad, because I have no idea how to turn the camera around, so I would have NEVER even seen your comments! I am really enjoying watching the Whimsical Teacher, she really cracks me up. I also joined the Facebook group Teach Happy Friends by Sheila J. These two things have helped me stay a little more focused on the real point of my job.
 I have come to realize that Facebook is the enemy of the Common Core...people just don't understand and because all change is bad, so is the Common Core. Well, mainly it's the Math portion of the CCSS that is taking the hit. Most parents and teachers don't get the point that all the CCSS is doing is breaking numbers down into small digestible bites, even if they don't need to be broken down that small. I don't break them down unless I fell they need to. 12-3 will always be 9, not broken into 12 is really 9 and 3, so therefore 3-3=0 and the answer is 9...because that is cray cray....if your are teaching it and it doesn't make sense to you, why confuse the kids? Teach it the right way, not just because the NEW series you are using says  you must teach it like that! Don't do it! Teach it the way it makes sense, stop trying to be a martyr for the CCSS....okay I'm off that soap box....

How did I end up here? Okay, I love Periscope and the Happy vibes from new teacher friends and I am not digging the negative views on our new curriculum...and to tell you the truth this year so far has been uneventful, new Math curriculum, new computer programs, that are pointing  us to what  skill needs to be taught  in order for achievement to happen... Now if only I could find the time to squeeze in a really good writing lesson? Always a challenge!

I am going to try to blog every day in October, and look I am already 4 days behind....I am suppose to pick ONE topic to blog about and write about it everyday, so my topic is...Things that are keeping me afloat this year! Tomorrow I will discuss Periscope as I know it! (If I remember to blog or have time.)

What IS the "Best" Lesson Plan Template out there? Help Please!

     I am doing some research about lesson plan templates...WHY? I don't know, it's just that over the years I have switched up my lesson plan templates so many times, that I am finally done with it!

     So today I am going on a Teachers Pay Teachers "Best Lesson Plan Template" hunt. I might include Pinterest too!

What did I just get myself into?

     Excel or Word? Weekly, daily or by subject? Standards based?

Do I need EVERYTHING in them besides standards, objectives materials and the actual lesson plus an assessment piece if needed?

So far I have found some that are so comprehensive:
     They come with things like, Objectives and Goals, Materials and Equipment, Anticipatory Set, Direct Instruction, Guided Practice, Independent Practice, Closure,Assessment and Follow-up, Homework  and just when I was feeling overwhelmed with the "basics" these lesson plan templates even include... Learning Modality Tracking ,Multiple Intelligences Tracking, Class Room Activities and  Reflection Section . I am not saying these things are bad or not useful, I'm just saying how many pieces of paper will I have to print to get it all in?
Kudos to Teacher Snacks for such hard diligent work!
 ...and then I found the rather less involved plans with just objectives, "I can" statements, warm-ups, pre-asses, essential questions, activity and then on the bottom of the template the exit. There was a simple box for CCSS, DOK and resources. Simple- yes, concise- yes, easy to print-yes...but do I like it? Hmmmmm I think I need something in the middle.

     Did I mention all the "Drop-Down"menus...those are great, but alas I still have not found exactly what will work for me.

      I know that I don't like Excel,Word is easier for me to navigate. I like expandable boxes, and I like the freedom to color code my subjects and change up the schedule when I need to. I want to be able to look at my plans and see what I am teaching in whole group and what each small group is up to. I want to be able to keep track of all the FSS (CCSS) that I am teaching and that I need to revisit. Do they make that? I might also like to have a place to check off each activity that I did really did teach.

I found a great write up on one lesson plan template and it was FREE...read this and tell me what you think....
     "After using several different lesson plan templates over the years and not being totally happy with any of them, I decided to create one that would work perfect for me this upcoming year. This is a weekly lesson plan template is color coded and easy to use. It is an editable template so you can arrange it in a way that will work for you. You can type then print your lesson plans weekly or print the template and write in your plans by hand. Best of all, it's free! Happy planning!"~Sandy Price

     I think I used Sandy's lesson plan template two years ago? It looks so familiar...it's on my list to revisit.

    I found some editable lesson plans that looked promising, but they are on PowerPoint...not so sure how I feel about that? I opened one and got very confused because I couldn't edit it..back to the scrolling....

     I wish I had an ipad!!! The amount of lesson plans that I found that can be kept on your ipad, plus if your ipad was hooked to your classroom's doc cam or smartboard you could open your plans onto that and show videos PowerPoints and other techie devices that could really make your lesson plans interactive...but alas I am in low tech world and do not own an ipad at home or at school...bummer!

Back to the search
      This sounds promising "Have you tried 50 different lesson plan templates and still aren't extremely happy with what you have?? Well, that's how I've been this year! haha :) However, I came up with this one that has actually made me feel so much better!!! It gives me a week view for each subject so I can easily file each subject's lesson plan for the week into specific binders for easy use next time. "~Nicole Swisher

     It looks good, but it is in PowerPoint, still not sure how that will work out for me, but I like the subject by the week, instead of the whole week full of small print with all subjects on it...I might have to invest the $1 on Nicole....

     Here is another PowerPoint one, but this one sounds like I could do it, because it is a visual thing...I wonder if I could just add the "visual" stuff to the Nicole plans, either way check this out.. here is Brianna Newell's write up about her visual plans:

     "I don't know about you, but plans are a whole lot easier for me when I can type them up, print them out (or send to administration), and visually see exactly what I am going to be doing next or what materials I might need. There are so many days when I know what I am going to be teaching, but can't remember exactly what it looks like. I have everything neatly sorted in drawers, but there's always that time I have forgotten to put something in there. 

      These have been my lifesaver in my classroom! What's best of all...they can be edited to your favorite color scheme and also to fit your daily schedule. Whether you have the typical elementary setup or the middle/high subject area classes, this can work for you! "~Brianna Newell

I might have to use some TPT credits and check this out???

     I have been at it now for over two hours, I just didn't talk about ALL of them. The more I look, the more I either really hate this task, or feel like I should just make my own. I would love for you to share with me some of your favorite lesson plan templates that I should really take a look at! 

H E L P!

Science Fun with Solar Cookers!

     Yes I have been lacking in my blogger duties, so sorry. After finally finishing up my Master's in Literacy Education I got caught up in the craziness that is 3rd grade!
     This year I decided to loop up with my 2nd graders from last year. What an amazing group of kids! I couldn't resist looping with them. However, the perils of 3rd grade just crept up on me. State testing woes. I have never had to deal with the pressure involved in this high-stakes nonsense! 20 years into my career I am finally face to face with the "T E S T" !
     I decided I needed to make sure these kids got the BEST of me! So here is the beginning of our year ...hands-on and fun times in Science!

     We asked ourselves how can we use what we know about radiant energy to make a solar cooker that can actually make a snack?  I divided the class into engineering teams of three or four. Then introduced them to the material that they were allowed to use;shoe boxes or cardboard boxes; aluminum foil; wax paper; colored construction paper; plastic wrap; masking tape; clear tape; string (only those materials were permitted). Each child had a role to play too, that made it more manageable! Together they had 15 minutes to create and label drawings of their solar cookers. Then they estimated how much of the materials they would need to do the job. Once I signed off on their blueprint, then they could create.

We then used our "21st century skills" and collaborated, took initiative, used our curiosity and imagination.

The class had to problem solve together and really be flexible with one another so everyone's opinions could be heard.

Making sure they used effective oral and written communication with each other was so important!

 It took us two days from blueprints to  actual cookers. We waited for a super sunny day (4 days later) and went outside to make a snack.

This group had an awesome design, but will it work?

Another good design, complete with a flap to check what is cooking!

The open oven design is what we called this invention.

This oven has a large door to cook open or closed.

Another open design.

Finally we got cooking!

We didn't have to wait long, the slowest cooker took 22 minutes, but in hind sight I would not have put the chocolate with the marshmallow and cookie, 

As you can see "Solar Cookers" were a big hit,  

Next time on "Being the Queen Bee isn't Easy" expect to see what goes on in Math....I promise it won't take three months to get that post out!

The LAST of my Reflective Teaching Posts-Becoming a Reflective Teacher -Part 6

Do you really WANT to be a good teacher, or a GREAT teacher?
     The best advice I have for you is to watch a great teacher. Watch them as they model for you the secrets of their success. Don't try to copy them, you can't. That is their style, but I know you like the way they transition from one activity to another seamlessly. Watch them , take notes and reflect on how that will look like in your classroom.
     Another strategy for you to try is "Coaching Colleagues". This is when two or three teachers get together and agree to  give each other HONEST feedback regarding their use of instructional strategies. Some call this peer coaching, Marzano quotes another researcher Robbins on page 77 which means "a confidential process through which two or more professionals work together to reflect on current practices; expand, refine, and build new skills; share ideas; teach one another; conduct classroom research; or solve problems in the workplace"  I know this sounds like it could get sticky, but you have to trust your peers, especially the ones you really look up to, the ones you want to be like when you 'grow up'.
      A great way to really see and reflect is the strategy of instructional rounds. This is not for the faint of heart. In this strategy your peer coaching team examines videos of other teachers and each other  and discusses the best practice strategies in each video. During instructional rounds you can also visit each other's classrooms to see your peers in action. After the visit, you then engage the group in a discussion, reflection and draw conclusions about your own best practices.Make sure the instructional rounds are not about evaluation, but rather focused practice on good teaching skills.

My hopes for this series were to help you focus on what you do best for yourself, your children and your school.

• Are you being the best teacher you can be? If not, it's time to get uncomfortable and s t r e t c h
• Do you have a model of effective teaching? Who is your mentor? 
• Do you have good growth goals for your kids and yourself?  What kind of goals are you setting?
• Do you engage in focus practice? What do you do better than anyone else?
• Are you receiving and giving focused feedback? Do you ever see yourself?
• Who is the last 'best' teacher you observed teaching? Time to look around you and get some ideas!

Reference:Marzano, R. (2012). Becoming a reflective teacher. Bloomington, IN: Marzano Research Laboratory.

Focused Feedback...Becoming a Reflective Teacher Part 5

    We need Feedback to focus our practice, we need REAL feedback!

    How do we get good, real feedback?

    You can video yourself, take a student survey, and use your students' achievement data.

Reflection is the key here...use a log and write down what you see in your video, ask a trusted friend to watch it too. Watching it with someone who can give you honest feedback will give you specific elements of your performance that you will need to focus on.

When you ask the kids to help expect some REAL answers. I use Exit Slips (Exit Tickets). I found a great one for math, but I tweak it to fit anything really.

Using achievement data can give you some insightful feedback too. It can show you where you need to re-teach. Ask yourself questions as you are digging through the data; What concept was most missed on the test? Am I tracking their data? If so, what are you tracking? Grades? Growth? Did my teaching help them achieve?

Receiving Focused Feedback is the key to great teaching...are you getting the right feedback? Or are you listening to what you WANT to hear? Remember anyone giving you feedback, good or bad can only make you stronger!

Reference:

Marzano, R. (2012). Becoming a reflective teacher. Bloomington, IN: Marzano Research Laboratory.

Becoming a Reflective Teacher -Part 4

It's time to get real...how will this revolutionize student achievement?
How will Reflecting on your teaching affect your student's growth? Let's explore....

If you go back and look through the element list you will find many items are linked directly to you and your students, such as "What will I do to establish and maintain effective relationships with students?" To answer this question you will have to be honest and extremely self-aware. Once you answer this question then you must set  some guidelines for yourself...I will focus on students who seem disenfranchised in my class and those with whom I don't have a good rapport yet... When a student does something well, I will compliment them...I will find out information about my students and use that knowledge in my interactions with them...(Marzano, 2012)
These type of rules will help you stay focused, which in turn will help your children stay in the game and want to achieve for you!
Does your class KNOW exactly what you want from them? Post examples (concrete and specific), this will help JUSTIFY their learning.
Are they writing and reflecting about  themselves? If not Blair Turner has some GREAT reflecting tools that will help your students reflect about their leaning through writing, which could lead to better grammar and mechanics in their daily writing.
Reflection not only helps you synthesize and analyze your teaching, but also does the same for your students learning. Can you imagine your class operating on the synthesis level all day long? Your goals will be met in no time!(So will theirs.)
The most important part of student reflection is that teachers give specific FEEDBACK...during conferring time, when you comment to them and when ever you are celebrating success.
Next time we meet, let's talk about all that FEEDBACK...be prepared!

Reference:

Marzano, R. (2012). Becoming a reflective teacher. Bloomington, IN: Marzano Research Laboratory.

Becoming a Reflective Teacher-Part 3

Why do we use REFLECTIVE teaching?
We NEED to REFLECT on our teaching so we can become better at our craft AND improve student achievement gains!!!
Let's begin by conducting a self-assessment. You need to rate yourself, if you are familiar with Robert Marzano's scales from your teacher evaluations then this is already a part of you!
 You must give yourself either a 4, 3, 2 or 1 ( I don't do 0 because if you are operating at a 0 you need to seriously think about another career choice, sorry to be so blunt but the children need teachers, not people who are not in it to win it!)
A 4 looks like this...
The teacher adapts or CREATES a new version of the strategy or behavior for UNIQUE student needs and situations.
A 3 looks like...
The teacher uses the strategy or behavior and monitors the extent to which it affects student outcomes.
A 2...
the teacher uses the strategy or behavior but does so in a somewhat mechanistic way.
A 1...
The teacher uses the strategy or behavior incorrectly or with parts missing.

Now that you know how to rate yourself, here is your test:
(Think about what, and how you do for each question...)

1. Do you typically provide clear learning goals and scales (rubrics)?
2. How do you track student progress?
3. What do you do to celebrate success?
4. How do I do to establish and maintain classroom rules and procedures?
5. What do I typically do to organize the physical layout of the classroom?

There are 41 questions that match up to the nine design questions. We just explored the Lesson Segments Involving Routine Events. If you would like to view the rest of the questions visit the Marzano Center.

After you have reflected and evaluated yourself, make yourself some GOALS!!!!

I recommend you choose three elements that you are struggling MOST with. Your goals should be attainable, but not too easy nor lofty. Your goals should be clear, such as "By the end of the year, I will raise my score on celebrating success from 1 to 3." (I hope you have that competitive edge, like I do...for me it would have read from 2 to 4.)
In order to be successful you MUST have a MODEL OF EFFECTIVE TEACHING! Find a mentor, be a mentor, READ and RESEARCH best practices, visit other classrooms and take notes. Look up videos on Teacher Tube or YouTube, read awesome teacher blogs...FIND YOUR PERSON! Accept feedback, focused feedback is the best!
I will be back soon with the next installment.

Reference:

Marzano, R. (2012). Becoming a reflective teacher.Bloomington, IN: Marzano Research Laboratory.

Becoming a Reflective Teacher Part 2

Last post we discussed your why. Why are you teaching, what is the motivation for you to continue being the best teacher ever?
 Your personal why.

 In today's post I want to discuss why should we use reflective teaching as a strategy to be a better teacher.  My question for you today is WHAT is Reflective Teaching?
What do you think it is? (Go ahead and think out loud if you must , or write it down on a Post-It note.)
To answer the what is it question, let's dive into the research behind it. Did you know that there is a relationship between your students' achievement, your skill level and using  reflective practice?
It's true, reflective practice has been around a while, in fact Buddha, Socrates, and Plato all encouraged their students to examine their lives. Moving forward in 1983 Donald Schon wrote a book called The Reflective Practitioner , where he applied the concept of reflection to various professions to show that not only do researchers generate professional knowledge, but practitioners such as doctors, TEACHERS, architects, and engineers do as well. He goes on to say that "competent practitioners usually know more than they can say"and calls this "knowing-in-action". (Marzano, 2012) I want you to be one of those teachers, you know who they are, they make teaching look so easy because they are "knowing-in-action". They have it all together, they can answer all your questions and their classroom runs like a dream. If they can do it so can you!
What do you need to do to become a Reflective Teacher? I am glad you asked, let's start small and easy:
Journaling: This is the best way to start individual reflecting. I realized that I have been doing this since I was in 8th grade. I have kept a journal since 1980-something, and it does really help you look back and learn from your mistakes!

Can you do that? Yes? Great...now try this...

Reflect with a co-worker: Are you cooperatively planning? Do you have a 'person' at school that you can share your great works as well as your blunders? Find one, you can't do this alone, find a good mentor, a good friend that will tell you the truth and will be a good listener and encourager.

It is easier to reflect with a buddy, it does get a little trickier for the next two, but if you are a go-getter a self starter, then maybe you can be the voice of change where you are.

Reflect with your team: Your grade level team can be a good source of data feedback. Do you have a PLC or an Action research study group? If not START one!

Next one, you might have to talk to your principal. any principal wanting better teachers will totally agree with you!

School-wide Reflection: Committees that focus on specific content area are all the rage this year, get involved!
Stay tuned for the next post on Becoming a Reflective Teacher when we discuss HOW to be a Reflective Teacher!

Reference:

Marzano, R. (2012). Becoming a reflective teacher. Bloomington, IN: Marzano Research Laboratory.