Well the year has gone by very quickly. I am getting things more organized and I have made a push to get more results from my teaching. I have been reading alot about the book Mosaic of Thought by Eline Keener and purchased it along with Four Blocks Guide to Guided Reading. Keener's book has been a real eye opener to me. I never really thought about how I read effects my students and teaching them WHAT I as good reader do to help them was very interesting to me.
Keener talks about a lot about making my students THINKERS and not just readers. I have not finished the book yet but I bought another, Reading with Meaning which I read in one day while car was being fixed. It is basically a companion to Keener's book since the person who wrote this book is a colleague of hers. I felt this was also a more indepth look at how I can use Keeners strategies better in my class since it looks at the author's teaching through a year. I HIGHLY recommend both books if you teach reading or a content area that does reading (which is pretty much everything).
I came about these books because my team members and I have not really been collaborating as much as we did last year. I am not sure if it is due to new team member added or what but the feel this year is very different. I saw how three of my team was collaborating together and not sharing what they were doing in their class so I basically said to myself what can I do to make my teaching better? I am the type that gets ideas from others and expands from their ideas. With that basically not there anymore I was really feeling left out and I was struggling with how to do things this year to make myself a better teacher. So instead of just whining about it (which I am good at LOL) I picked up the books above. I am really glad I did. I can't wait to try these new ways of doing the same things I am already doing but in a better way.
Right away I started focusing in on predicting before we read to activate schema. I used various strategies from Four Blocks like Prove It, Anticipation Guides, RIVET, and Think Alouds. In the about 3 weeks before the break I could really see some improvement with the students. They were more engaged with a PURPOSE for reading that is more natural than to just answer questions at the end of a story. I will continue working with schema and start introduce questioning before/during/after reading next. I am really excited and hope that this really helps my students to be better thinkers AND readers.
~talk to ya later!
Saturday, November 26, 2005
Long time no talk!
Well lots been happening in my life. Right now just posting to show you my what movie I am!
| The Movie Of Your Life Is A Cult Classic |
 Quirky, offbeat, and even a little campy - your life appeals to a select few. But if someone's obsessed with you, look out! Your fans are downright freaky. Your best movie matches: Office Space, Showgirls, The Big Lebowski |
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Back to School!
I start this week by meeting with my team and going over things for the new year. We had a great salad lunch and everyone brought something. YUUUUMMMM! Of course with all the good cooks on my team is was great.
So far I have arranged all the tables, and pretty much organized my files and papers that I didn't get to at the end of the year. I am quite proud of myself.
My new goals for this year are to be more organized (grade papers quicker, have a caldendar and WRITE in it) and to be more positive with the parents and students. I am going to try and speak in person to every parent once a month for a progress report. I think I can handle this. It is going to be hard tho because I HATE talking on the phone. Before I usually just communicated by email or notes in agenda. I want to make it more personal so hope this works.
My new kit is out and I am working on another one called I Love Rock and Roll. It is inspired by the Beatles and 70's retro. My girl scout kit will be posted at SBB tonight or tomorrow and I will be taking it off my website at the end of August.
Talk to ya later~
So far I have arranged all the tables, and pretty much organized my files and papers that I didn't get to at the end of the year. I am quite proud of myself.
My new goals for this year are to be more organized (grade papers quicker, have a caldendar and WRITE in it) and to be more positive with the parents and students. I am going to try and speak in person to every parent once a month for a progress report. I think I can handle this. It is going to be hard tho because I HATE talking on the phone. Before I usually just communicated by email or notes in agenda. I want to make it more personal so hope this works.
My new kit is out and I am working on another one called I Love Rock and Roll. It is inspired by the Beatles and 70's retro. My girl scout kit will be posted at SBB tonight or tomorrow and I will be taking it off my website at the end of August.
Talk to ya later~
Saturday, July 30, 2005
Talk with friend
Well I got a call from my friend Donna yesterday. Must say that I felt guilty not calling her since I have free long distance through cell phone.
It was so fun talking with her again about what it is going on with her life. I met her at my first teaching job which was a very difficult assignment and made me doubt wanting to be a teacher a lot. I had her to talk with and I would just go hang out in her room during the times I had free times from the kiddos. Boy that kept me sane in a very toxic enviroment.
I just finally decided that I couldn't deal with these people anymore and plus by then my brother Shawn had been diagnosed with colon cancer so I made a strong push to get out of Houston and back to San Antonio which meant leaving one of the best friends I have ever had.
It is very difficult for me to meet people and make friends. I am not a trusting person and I am very .... ummm.... blunt? assertive at times? Some people don't like that I tell it like it is and I don't like to play games with people.
Well I really miss having someone to talk to and just vent with. Sigh. I also hate HATE talking on the phone so I feel guilty every time I think I should call her and don't. I really must make more of an effort to call her more often.
She also mentioned a possible trip together during the summer which I thought was a SUPER idea. Since I am not married nor have anyone to travel with this would allow me to go somewhere without my Dad who I go everywhere with (we went to England, New Jersey, and just got back from Alaska).
See Ya~
It was so fun talking with her again about what it is going on with her life. I met her at my first teaching job which was a very difficult assignment and made me doubt wanting to be a teacher a lot. I had her to talk with and I would just go hang out in her room during the times I had free times from the kiddos. Boy that kept me sane in a very toxic enviroment.
I just finally decided that I couldn't deal with these people anymore and plus by then my brother Shawn had been diagnosed with colon cancer so I made a strong push to get out of Houston and back to San Antonio which meant leaving one of the best friends I have ever had.
It is very difficult for me to meet people and make friends. I am not a trusting person and I am very .... ummm.... blunt? assertive at times? Some people don't like that I tell it like it is and I don't like to play games with people.
Well I really miss having someone to talk to and just vent with. Sigh. I also hate HATE talking on the phone so I feel guilty every time I think I should call her and don't. I really must make more of an effort to call her more often.
She also mentioned a possible trip together during the summer which I thought was a SUPER idea. Since I am not married nor have anyone to travel with this would allow me to go somewhere without my Dad who I go everywhere with (we went to England, New Jersey, and just got back from Alaska).
See Ya~
Thursday, July 21, 2005
Last one What Surviror am I?
Too funny since I didn't like him!
| Your Surivor Palau Twin is Coby |
 Dramatic, mouthy, and crafty. You expect people to underestimate you - but they don't! |
What Ice Cream Flavor?
This is too fun! Here I am:
| You Are Strawberry Ice Cream |
 You often find yourself on the outside looking in. Insightful and pensive, you really understand how the world works. You are most compatible with chocolate chip ice cream. |
Summer Theme Song
Here is my summer theme song!
 Your Summer Anthem is Switch by Will Smith Back at it, this cat is the wit and the charm Taking you higher, like a syringe hittin' ya arm Bringin' the fire, making your Benz ring the alarm This summer, you bring the party (and attitude) with you wherever you go. |
Back from Alaska!
Well after for loooong days I have returned from Alaska. Boy it was stunning! Of course I will be adding pics of the glaciers, and animals I saw while there. Yes we saw animals! We almost gave up hope that we wouldn't see a moose but when we went up to see Flat Top Mountain on the way back we saw a moose on the side of the road. Let me tell you it was scary having to drive up the mountain to see Flat Top because you were on the edge of the road and could see the long way down. But it was worth it to see the quiet, still park that you can go to if you want to hike up the mountain. Where we were at we could see the trail as it zig zagged up the mountain and it looked extremely steep. Not something that we wanted to do LOL. So we looked around took pics and left.
Another animal we saw was king salmon in Ship Creek. I have read about how salmon swim up stream to spawn but boy when you see it, it is just awe inspiring! These fish are about the length of a dog and just sit by the dam to jump up when they are able to. There seemed to be thousands of them just swimming there (of course I exaggerated but it WAS a lot). On the other side of the dam when they get to the top you could see them just sitting there resting.
We used to live in AK so we had a friend Bill, show us around what has changed since we had left. I still remembered alot of the area with some changes. It still is a breath taking place.
See Ya!
Another animal we saw was king salmon in Ship Creek. I have read about how salmon swim up stream to spawn but boy when you see it, it is just awe inspiring! These fish are about the length of a dog and just sit by the dam to jump up when they are able to. There seemed to be thousands of them just swimming there (of course I exaggerated but it WAS a lot). On the other side of the dam when they get to the top you could see them just sitting there resting.
We used to live in AK so we had a friend Bill, show us around what has changed since we had left. I still remembered alot of the area with some changes. It still is a breath taking place.
See Ya!
Saturday, July 09, 2005
Site Update!
Whew! Spent a while fixing the site to have some links and info about me! Some comments about what I am reading:
Dreams Made Flesh: Love the Jewels Trilogy and this was an OUTSTANDING followup. In particular loved the story on Lucian and the wrap up to Janelle's story. Sigh, I can only hope she does some more!
Maximum Ride: Well I have never read anything by this author before but he is real big on thrillers or mysteries and not on children's/teen books. I didn't know this when I had bought it and I LOVE the cover which I kept picking up in the bookstores. The story had a few holes in it but over all a good book. I wouldn't have bought it in hardback though, should have waited! Also checked out Amazon comments and many said a repeat of previous book he had written. Not sure if I should check it out.
Beyond the Pale: A lot of vampire romances lately. This one was more of an action thriller than romance which is fine but found in the romance section of bookstore. Loved the unique twist on Vampires will have to see if future books are good. I liked the book. It wasn't outstanding but I liked it.
The others I am still reading! I read a LOT of books and this is where most of my money goes no joke! Now that I have a new car no money for books! I probably could read 5 books a week if I found interesting books to read. However I am very finicky and I have bought books I haven't even cracked open *GASP*! Well now's the time to bust the books out!
Talk to ya later~
Dreams Made Flesh: Love the Jewels Trilogy and this was an OUTSTANDING followup. In particular loved the story on Lucian and the wrap up to Janelle's story. Sigh, I can only hope she does some more!
Maximum Ride: Well I have never read anything by this author before but he is real big on thrillers or mysteries and not on children's/teen books. I didn't know this when I had bought it and I LOVE the cover which I kept picking up in the bookstores. The story had a few holes in it but over all a good book. I wouldn't have bought it in hardback though, should have waited! Also checked out Amazon comments and many said a repeat of previous book he had written. Not sure if I should check it out.
Beyond the Pale: A lot of vampire romances lately. This one was more of an action thriller than romance which is fine but found in the romance section of bookstore. Loved the unique twist on Vampires will have to see if future books are good. I liked the book. It wasn't outstanding but I liked it.
The others I am still reading! I read a LOT of books and this is where most of my money goes no joke! Now that I have a new car no money for books! I probably could read 5 books a week if I found interesting books to read. However I am very finicky and I have bought books I haven't even cracked open *GASP*! Well now's the time to bust the books out!
Talk to ya later~
My exercise plan.
I started exercising again and hope to follow this plan. I use Walk Away the Pounds by Leslie Sansone and after 1 month I will add The Firm back into my routing (started this about 1 year ago and then stopped since I wasn't losing any weight).
Credits:
Ashly Olson for Retro Paper
Stickie from Laura Bavin's Noteboard Kit
Everything else from P4DS Literacy Kit
Quote from 2Peas in a Bucket Pea Soup
My inspiration for starting the WLC.
This one I have really been meaning to do for a while. With the deaths of my Mom and brother I was really determined to get healthy and be more fit as well as eat right. I started the South Beach Diet and lost 20 pounds. I stopped eating so healthy for about 2 months and I have started to focus again on my eating habits. I gained 5 pounds then lost 2 more!
See Ya!
Oops! Forgot credits:
Lindsay Riches Earthy Kit (love this kit!)
Quote from Deb's Mini Me kit
Curves and stamp made by me!
This is the HOPEfully final copy of my kit! Now I just need to figure out how to zip and upload it.
I have gotten a lot of good compliments about this kit. It is my second kit and I think I have improved alot since the Blue Bonnet kit. I noticed that the colors are very similar too! I am having difficulty figuring out how to zip this small enough to post to SBB! My most plain paper with texture is too big to post there. I may have to just yousendit to the EKG subscribers and Scrapbook Anon group. If anyone knows how to help please post a message!
Talk to ya later!
Monday, July 04, 2005
Girl Scout Kit Elements
These were very easy to make. I think that is due to they were the first kind of elements I learned how to make which made it easier each time.
G.S. Kit Patches
These patches took a long time because I hand did the stitches one at a time with a brush. Very time consuming but I love how it turned out! Again I had a G.S logo on the white patch I took off.
G.S. Kit Patterned Papers
These are my patterned papers. The stripe one I had to change. Where the tan was I had a column of the logo.
G.S. Kit Plain Papers
This is my new kit I am making. There was an issue with copyright that I hope I have solved by not having my logo paper and the logo on the tag. There seems to be alot of people who are interested so I am very excited!
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
New Round for EKG!
The Element Kit Gang will be beginning again on July 1st. I have decided to do a Girl Scout Kit since I have a few pictures that I need to scrap of me in Girl Scouts/brownies.
Friday, June 24, 2005
SPURS WON FINALS!!!!
Okay it has been a while since I have posted but I am back!
The Spurs won the FINALS!!!! WOOOHHOOOO!! For those who know me I am not a big sports fan but with SA being a big town to support their team hey, how could I NOT watch the last few games. Let me tell you it was a nail bitter too for game 7!
As side note as I was going to eat lunch after helping Paula with getting the Reading & LA closet cleaned we bumped into RASHEED WALLACE!!! Wow my first celeb and I didn't even know who he was. He was coming out of Panda Express and getting into a taxi as we were getting out of our cars. I whispered to Paula "Hey isn't that a b-ball player?" And me being a non sports person didn't know who or what team he played for but it was obvious he was a b-ball player. Anyway Paula said she thought so too but wasn't sure. Well when we went into Panda Express everyone was talking about who it was. Boy he doesn't look the same in real life. He wasn't that tall and was real skinny LOL.
I wanted to watch the Today show this morning but D*&(&* I missed it. Dad told me about how arrogant Tom Cruise was and how he got into an arguement with Matt Lauer. My infatuation with TC was out a long time ago but this further makes me disgusted with him. As a teacher I see kids everyday who are ADD/ADHD who NEED meds and their parents refuse to give it to them andwho suffers? The kids big time. I understand where they are coming from but you see such a HUGE difference in these kids. Before meds they can't focus or stay on task and get bad grades or are behaviour problems. After they are able to sit and concentrate and do work and behaviour usually improves too (although it may not). I am NOT for drugging them so bad they don't know which way is up or am I saying ALL kids who have ADD/ADHD should be medicated since sometimes there are alternative options. But saying that it doesn't work or is wrong to give kids is (gasp!) stupid! (As a teacher we are told not to say this and I even had a parent tell me that it was a curse word)
Okay off my soapbox. Talk to ya later!
The Spurs won the FINALS!!!! WOOOHHOOOO!! For those who know me I am not a big sports fan but with SA being a big town to support their team hey, how could I NOT watch the last few games. Let me tell you it was a nail bitter too for game 7!
As side note as I was going to eat lunch after helping Paula with getting the Reading & LA closet cleaned we bumped into RASHEED WALLACE!!! Wow my first celeb and I didn't even know who he was. He was coming out of Panda Express and getting into a taxi as we were getting out of our cars. I whispered to Paula "Hey isn't that a b-ball player?" And me being a non sports person didn't know who or what team he played for but it was obvious he was a b-ball player. Anyway Paula said she thought so too but wasn't sure. Well when we went into Panda Express everyone was talking about who it was. Boy he doesn't look the same in real life. He wasn't that tall and was real skinny LOL.
I wanted to watch the Today show this morning but D*&(&* I missed it. Dad told me about how arrogant Tom Cruise was and how he got into an arguement with Matt Lauer. My infatuation with TC was out a long time ago but this further makes me disgusted with him. As a teacher I see kids everyday who are ADD/ADHD who NEED meds and their parents refuse to give it to them andwho suffers? The kids big time. I understand where they are coming from but you see such a HUGE difference in these kids. Before meds they can't focus or stay on task and get bad grades or are behaviour problems. After they are able to sit and concentrate and do work and behaviour usually improves too (although it may not). I am NOT for drugging them so bad they don't know which way is up or am I saying ALL kids who have ADD/ADHD should be medicated since sometimes there are alternative options. But saying that it doesn't work or is wrong to give kids is (gasp!) stupid! (As a teacher we are told not to say this and I even had a parent tell me that it was a curse word)
Okay off my soapbox. Talk to ya later!
Friday, June 10, 2005
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