Student Christmas Gifts!

Please enjoy my exquisite photography skills with my iPhone. 

This year, I have a class full of seventeen boys. Yes, seventeen 11 and 12 year old boys. Any appreciation is more than welcome. I won't beat around the bush, it has been a challenging year. My students are so intelligent, fun, enthusiastic, but I am quite exhausted after a day of work. As my student yelled out (yes, they "word vomit" a lot) "This is why no one has twenty five children!"

 I laughed. Exactly. And people wonder why I don't have children yet. 

I always like to give my students a little holiday gift. Now, I teach in area where I know that all of my students celebrate Christmas. If this wasn't the case, I would not do a hand out of just Christmas, but rather, a holiday gift. This was very simple and my students LOVED it. They were so excited to get a Sprite and a cute handout with it for Christmas.  

Boom. Easy. Love it.  

I made this cute little hand out on Photoshop. I am too tired (literally cannot even keep my eyes open right now. Last day before Winter Break--praise the Almighty!) to upload it here, so if you want it, shoot me an email! 

Love, Mrs. C

(because my last name is so stinkin' long!) 

What are some of your favorite gifts that you have given to your students?

What are some awesome gift ideas that you have seen teachers give? 

Sticky Note Expectations // Back to School Activity

Yesterday, I explained how last week was the first week of school. (Did you see my new and improved classroom? A teacher's dream!). 

One of my favorite activities to do on one of the first days of school is what I call, "Sticky Note Expectations." In this activity, I give each student 4 sticky notes. Up on the board, I have anchor chart paper with the following titles: 

1. A Good Classmate Is…

2. A Good Student Is…

3. A Good Teacher Is… 

4. What do you want to learn or improve on this year? 

Each of them, anonymously (I give them the option to put their name on it if they want) answers each of these questions and stick it up on the board. I talk about how I will take some of their answers and try to work on something that they believe, in their opinion, of what a good teacher entails if they will read the good classmate and good student posters and work on something from there. We have a discussion about mutual respect and honesty--that I will not lie or disrespect them, if they don't do that to me. 

This is a good lesson to bring in your class rules and talk about class expectations. I love this activity and I think the students enjoy it as well. 

What are some other of your favorite activities that you like to do at the beginning of the year?

Classroom Before/After Makeover!

Well, I (we) did it. We survived the first week of school. It was stressful, exhausting, exciting, and fun. The first week of school for a teacher is always incredibly tiring. Its almost as if I have been walking around in a daze for the past few weeks (this happens every year. And every year I seem to forget! Ha. I hear this is similar to having a baby. If women remembered the pain, we wouldn't do it again!).  I have spent the past few nights at home grading pre-assessments, getting to know the students, and organizing a classroom.

A sixth grade classroom is a little bit different than the younger grades. These students are older and understand that this is a big year. I sort of treat my students like they are in junior high because half of the students in the United States that are their age are in middle school or junior high. So I make sure to crack some jokes (okay, I crack a ton of jokes, let's be honest!) and let them know that they are responsible sixth graders now! :)

It is Monday morning and I am back in my classroom ready to rock and roll on the second week of school (or still half asleep from exhaustion. My body isn't used to this!). This past summer, with the help of some AMAZING family and friends, I moved classrooms. My old classroom was, quite honestly, the worst room in the school. It had two doors that all the classes walked by consistently, the a/c didn't work half of the time, it was small, it was the oldest room in the school, it only had a little window, etc. So, this year, when my co-worker left us, I snatched her room up in a second. It is newer, bigger, has awesome windows with great natural light. Essentially, it is a A+ room (you see what I did there?!).

I wanted to show you all of the hard work that was put into this classroom. I am constantly amazed that this was completed at all (one day before back to school night…talk about procrastination!).


Before: 
*I wish I would have taken more before pictures. You should have seen this room before THIS picture. There was so much teacher crap. I had to take 18 boxes of old books and crap to DI. It took me a week just to clean out the room. Teachers are hoarders, man! Haha.

After:

I decided to stick with the "Sports" theme because so much of what we do in my class is about teamwork and work ethic, which I correlate a lot. Plus, my sixth grade boys like it, I think.

Love love love this quote. Back wall. 

My favorite corner of the room--the "Reading Dugout." I could stay there all day. See instagram. 

Home Run Writing Board with supply counter (and books below that we use.) 

I like to set up my classrooms with groups of "L's." This allows the students to face the front of the room, but still keep them in rows and groups. Perfect combination. You can see my awesome jerseys hanging up and my wonderful windows! Huzzah! 

Believe it or not, I still have to remind them how to walk in the hall. This is a fun poster that I use right by the door. 

My students' favorite wall in the classroom. It is a bunch of meme's that correlate with our class goals and rules. It makes for a fund way of reminding them of their student behavior. You may have to zoom in to see what each of them says specifically! 

Our "All Star of the Week" and Birthday board. Despite what they may say, these students love to have their picture up on their birthday and to be the All Star of the Week! 

Our team rules, class pledge and our "football class management." When students get a touchdown, they get a class party. 

My desk, files, and WINDOWS. 

Kids' cubbies, supplies, etc. 

What is your classroom theme?
Do you remember any of your teachers' classrooms? What did you like about them? 

Five Awesome Reads for 6th Graders

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #Back2SchoolReady #CollectiveBias

I teach 6th grade. You should all know this by now. I find that I am constantly reading a "6th grade book" to keep myself updated on popular books that the kids like to read. Such is the life of a teacher. I wanted to share with you some of my (and my students') favorite books. 

1. Wonder by R.J. Palacio 

Wonder is a HUGE hit with my students and it has been for the past few years.  Auggie is a boy who has a unique facial deformity. This book is about his experience in his first time in a public school and the trials he goes through. This book really sticks out to the hearts of my students. We talk about being different and being kind while reading this. 

2. Love, Ruby Lavender by Deborah Wiles 

This book is definitely more for my 6th grade girls, but it is a wonderful book about a girl named Ruby who goes to live with her grandmother on a farm. Ruby is left alone in this small town, learning to fend for herself. 

3. Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper 

Literally one of the greatest books I have ever read, even as an adult. Out of My Mind is a novel about a girl who has Cerebral Palsy. She cannot speak and the book is from her point of view. You will cry, laugh, and touch you and your students' hearts. 

4. The Giver by Lois Lowry 

Do I even need to explain this book? This book changed my life in 6th grade and I try to read it every year to my student's because it is deep, introspective and amazing. 

5.  False Prince Series Book 2: Runaway King by Jennifer Nielsen. 

This book is about a boy who is impersonating a king's lost son and four orphans are recruited to compete for the role as king. My students LOVE this book--both boys and girls. 

And I want you to know that, for this specific book, you can get it online right now just by simply buying a cereal. I am using my Kellogg's Reward Points to build my classroom library. Teachers, you can accumulate as many books as you can via this Kellogg's offer.You could also get your students on board to fill the classroom library by redeeming the offer below. I am constantly building my classroom library and this is the perfect way to do this!

Step One: 

Go to your local Walmart to purchase the following products in the Cereal Aisle. Look for the "Scholastic Free Book" logo on the front and back.

Step Two: 

Go to www.freekbookoffers.com 

(There are 3 ways you can upload your receipt, via text, via scanning into your computer or Kellogg's Family Reward app - only when you purchase ONLINE between 7/21 - 9/11. Also remember that in order to redeem codes, you must create a Kellogg's Family Rewards account first.) 

Step Three: 

Click on "See All Books". I clicked on "Tween/Teen" books and saw one of my favorites, The False Prince.

Step Four:  

Click on the book that you want. Remember that 1 Kellogg's product = 1 free, full-length Scholastic book, and each person can redeem up to 30 books. Enter the code that is found with your product. 

Step Five:  

Order your free book!!! 

All of your codes must be entered by 3/31/16. All books will be mailed to you or wherever you choose to donate free of charge. The official timeline for books to arrive is 6-8 weeks (even though most come much sooner). You can also donate any books to this site as well! 

Be sure to check out more books available via this Kellogg's offer here. I'd love to hear your favorite book offered! #Back2SchoolReady 

Consumers can also buy directly on Walmart.com and receive a free book from purchases made between 7/21/15 and 9/11/15. Look for Buy Now button atwww.walmart.com/KelloggsBackToSchoolBooks for a list of all eligible items. Ecommerce redemptions are made via receipt scanning. Full details on site above.

How Education Affects Lives.

I love teaching 6th grade.
I truly do. I love being around these hilarious, bright, and thoughtful students.

Now, some of you may be confused why I used the adjective thoughtful in the above sentence. That was not an accident. Yes, I am dealing with hormonal teenagers. I have a boy and/or a girl who cries every day. There are awful smells and annoying comments that occur on a daily basis. But, on the flip side there are also so many wonderful things happening in my classroom. I see students gain confidence in their ability to do math, I see children learning to handle conflict and learning how to be friends with one another. I enjoy lots of stories of laughter and ridiculousness.

The other day, I came in from recess and I saw one of my girl students in the classroom. I was about to lecture her about being inside, until I noticed what she was doing.

She had 24 handwritten letters and little candies that she was putting on desks. She had, on her own time and free will, written each student in the classroom a letter (and they were not short letters!) about the good qualities each student in the classroom possessed. As cliche as this sounds, I was almost brought to tears.

She came up to me and handed me a letter as well and then ran outside with a huge grin on her face. Essentially, in the letter, what she explained to me was that I had inspired her to write these letters to the other students. She said, "You do such a good job at making us feel so good about ourselves and I wanted to do that as well." You guessed it, I was teary eyed at this point.

It's moments like these that I remember why I am teaching.

Now, I am not a mother yet. But, after teaching for a few years now, I already see the exponential importance of education in a child's life. There is so much more to an education than making sure the students know how to do fraction models. Yes, that is so incredibly important. Students NEED to learn how to think and do math and grow intellectually. But education is about an entire facet of things, intellectually, emotionally, and mentally.

I have seen how having a good education makes people grow. I see how having a good education challenges people past their breaking limits. I see how having an education helps someone with his or her confidence. And for that, I am grateful. I am grateful that I was lucky to have a splendid education, and I am grateful that I am doing that to help students now. Education truly can change lives. I know this because it has changed mine.

As many of you know, I had the opportunity to live and teach in Kenya in a village a few years ago. This opportunity validated this importance of education to me. Those students would do anything for an education. And I have seen those students who continue their education, excel financially and in other realms of their lives. Education changes everything, people. This is something that I can promise you.

I have teamed up with IKEA today to talk about how you can do your part during this Christmas season to help those who need an education.

Education is the most impactful way to help children escape poverty; this change to their lives is immense. Because education has a direct impact on well-being, from better health to increased opportunities. It gives children knowledge skills and confidence they need to shape a better future for themselves. When a child begins – and stays in school, he or she not only changes the course of their own life, but that of future generations.

*For every soft toy and children's book sold between November 9, 2014 and January 3, 2015, the IKEA Foundation will donate $1.00 to children's education through UNICEF and Save the Children.
-$1.00 is split and donated to UNICEF and Save the Children.
-Since 2003, more than 11 million children have been impacted through 99 projects in 46 countries. Total amount donated $90.4 million (67 million euro).
-Last year, the IKEA Foundation raised $13.6 million (10.1 million euro) and over $1 million was raised in the US. This year, they will probably go over $100 million in total contributions since 2003.

Go to IKEA today and buy a soft toy. Do your part to help the education of these special children.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Five Reasons Why Halloween is a Teachers Least Favorite Holiday.

Don't get me wrong, there are many things I love about Halloween. I love the vintage, black decorations. I love all the kids in their adorable costumes. I love Hocus Pocus (that counts, right?). I love candy. Cause, well, I am human. 

But, I think it's safe to say that Halloween as a 6th grade teacher might be one of my least favorite days of the year. 

I know, am I a Halloween Scrooge or what? 

Okay, but for reals. 

I don't know, maybe it's the fact that the kids are all cracked out on candy seven days before AND seven days after the specific holiday. 

Or perhaps it's the fact that I have twelve year old girls in the bathrooms for 30 min before school, during lunch, and any chance they can get...primping their eyeliner that their mom put on earlier that morning and it's already coming off because they were crying because some boy called ther costume for Medusa ugly (true story last year. Such nice, gentle spirits...) 

Mostly, I just think it's hilarious. I usually just bring my camera and take pictures of students and put it on the end of year slideshow so I can remember the candy-induced, attention-driven costumes. 

Now, I know some of you teachers out there may disagree with these statements. I would just like to inform you that I sort of have a love/hate relationship with Halloween. I don't necessarily HATE it, I just have to mentally prepare for it, every year. In fact, some of my own coworkers and friends who are teachers may disagree with all of this. As a general rule though, throughout a couple of years of teaching and talking with fellow teachers, I have noticed a pattern. 

Alas, I regress....

Moving on. 

So, I give you Five Reasons Why Halloween is a Teachers Least Favorite Holiday. 

Reason #1-Please, kid, don't die. 

We spend the entire day basically just trying to make sure the kids don't die. 

'Dont hit her with that wand.' 

'Take that mask off.'

'How many pieces of candy have you eaten? Are you going to have a heart attack?' 

Pretty much the average comments that happen on this day. I spend the whole day making sure that the students don't kill themselves or each other. So lovely. 

Reason #2- My Ears Cannot Take Any More Loudness. 

Classes are loud. Include  Halloween candy, costumes and excitement and now you have 25 students who are on an equivalent of crack cocaine. 

That's all I have to say about that, really. Yikes. 

Reason #3- I Have Worn Too Many Costumes in my life. 

I have to come up with a costume EVERY.SINGLE.YEAR?! 

And hello people, I am dressing up for school everyday, for other holidays, for plays, etc. homegirl is running out of ideas! 

I like to think of myself as a creative person, but okay, this is just ridiculous. I'm broke. Teachers get paid crap. I don't have the money nor time to buy or make a costume. And let's be honest, sometimes thinking of a costume is just way too much brain power. Ain't nobody got time for that.

Reason #4-The Halloween Hangover. 

The Day After Halloween. OMG. 

Can we all just take a minute to THANK THE BIG GUY UPSTAIRS THAT HALLOWEEN IS ON A FRIDAY THIS YEAR?! 

Sometimes even worse than Halloween is the day AFTER Halloween. They expect students to come to school and focus and not stash candy in their desks? Oh okay. I usually get a combination of two things on the hangover of Halloween. 

1. Sugar rush. 

2. Then a sugar crash. 

Both=hell. 

Reason #5- But, like, can I take a nap? 

Okay, so I know I'm an introvert. But for being an introvert, I have a lot of energy. I do great with my students and actually do fairly well after school, considering. But that day of Halloween just WIPES ME OUT. Holy Hannah. Like, I don't even want to celebrate Halloween after school. Id rather lay in my bed and sleep in the dark with silence so I am not bombarded with noise and costumes and scary things. Sigh. 

So. Basically. 

I love my job.

Ha. 

(No, but really, I do.) 

Happy Halloween :) 

May you be safe and happy and not kill your children. I promise I won't.