Teambuilders and Icebreakers

Have you ever been to the site www.choiceliteracy.com? If not, check it out. It is a paid site, but they have free stuff too. One of the freebies is their newletter called The Big Fresh. They often put out some interesting things related to literacy. Look for an article in the archives called My Son, Clark Kent. It really makes you think about leveled text (and it may make you a bit sad).

This week The Big Fresh has a teambuilder site http://www.teampedia.net/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page Maybe you will be able to get some ideas from this. I did and I bookmarked it so I can return and look again.

This week I have watched some interesting versions of guided reading. Which made me wonder, did they watch me when I modeled or were they visiting with one another? I am asking myself, how can I explain it so they get it? So, once again I will go into collaboration this coming week, armed with yet another way to present small group instruction. Time is running out for this year. Where has it gone and are these teachers ready to be let loose? That is the question only time will tell.

Long Time No See; Katie and I Miss You!

My critters and I have cozied in this week,
and though I'm loath to reschedule schools
I was supposed to visit this week, my car and I
desperately needed the break in routine. Besides,
there's always going to be a little girl in me...
a girl who prefers instant gratification...that day off RIGHT NOW...I'll worry about the rest of it tomorrow.

So...I'm reminiscing about snow days past... when I've done my best painting, crafting, cooking, (sledding and snowball fights with the kids), and movie watching. I've spent the last two days working on my grandbaby's bedroom, and I have to say it might be one of my best efforts. We've converted the crib to a toddler bed, and the room itself to a shabby chic pink and white princess palace...oh, dreams can come true.

I do miss all of you...and reading you here...and posting my own ramblings...but we all need time. The demanding grind can certainly derail me and keep me from what I love...playing with baby (now big girl) Hailey, lunch at the local tea room, walks with the dogs, great books and movies, redecorating projects, visits with friends and family. I plan on getting caught up on pleasure this week...I'm wishing the same for all of you!

Performance Standard Help

Is it just my computer or has it been over a month since anyone has posted! Well I worked on something that I thought may help others. During our meeting in December, LJ talked to us about putting the MAP stems from the big 3 standards on anchor charts for classrooms to use with their reading response journals. Ok so maybe you've already done something like this, but I found that it hooked my third grade teachers. I went through and pulled out all of the elementary (sorry you other "older" teachers) level stems and put on a word document for 1.6, 3.5 and 2.4 standards. This was for my school who has smart boards and projectors. Now they can use this as an anchor chart and don't have the excuse of no time to make it! If everyone has already done this then I'm just a "late bloomer" and getting around to it, but maybe it will help someone. As I'm getting to the end of this I'm realizing that I don't see a place to add an attachment...so maybe you'll have to email me for it. I'll continue to see how I can maybe drop it in on the blog somewhere.
Hope everyone is staying warm and being safe on the road!