Tales of a First Grade Classroom

Flip it!

2009-09-29T19:45:00.004-04:00

So I have posted my wish list online. Looking forward to getting some donations! Check me out on Digital Wish http://www.digitalwish.com/dw/digitalwish/product?id=4310.

These cameras are the perfect way to get my little guys engaged... here are some ways I'd like to use them:

- Narrated field trips with students serving as guides
- Interviewing other students, staff or community members
- Digital storytelling projects
- Capturing science as it happens
- Demonstrating experiments
- Taping presentations and reports

If all else fails, I'll just write a grant...it's amazing how much free money is out there for teachers who have a plan and a purpose :)

Inner Struggle

2009-09-15T18:37:00.002-04:00

To assess or observe?

I remember reading Debbie Millers Reading With Meaning and listening to her describe the first months of school. She speaks of a time of observation, getting to know your students. Not knowing what they are good at and what they need work on BUT really knowing them as learners. Taking time to talk and observe each and every one...without clutching your Marie Clay and DRA kit.

First Grade is so crucial for success in literacy....and the pressure of RTI is breathing down my neck...and yes, I am torn.

We are going on day 7 and I have to ask myself..."Am I doing what Debbie would do?" Would Debbie beat herself up over assessments, running records and sight word lists?? Am I spending enough time talking to them, showing them I care, inspiring them to do their best???

Sometimes I think having my assessments done by the first week of November sounds like I'm not doing my job, not getting the data soon enough...but I defend my November deadline...it's the time i need to build the firm foundation that is needed for success this year

As teachers I think we have to ask ourselves: "Am I willing to sacrifice TRULY knowing my students for formal assessments in these precious first days, or can I get most of the information I need just by having meaningful discussion with my kids?"

Discussion of the Day

2009-09-11T18:00:00.002-04:00

Student: "Miss DeBacco, I want you to come to my house"

Me: "Really? What would we do there?"

Student: "We could watch TV....but we CANNOT go in my Mom's room!"

The First Day...

2009-09-08T17:13:00.003-04:00

Forgot to send my lunch count, but everyone got a lunch

Didn't do an official Reading or Writing Workshop, but my kids read and wrote all day

We didn't practice sight words, but they pointed them out to me all day

Moral of the story: The best teaching is the stuff that isn't planned

Quote of the day:

(My main man "K" screams out as I am reading First Day Jitters)
"MAN, I JUST LOVE THIS CLASS!"

Haven't had this feeling in a while...

2009-09-07T16:49:00.002-04:00

It's that butterflies/nausea that comes with welcoming a new class...A mixture of excitement and anxiety. They don't know me, and I don't know them...it's been a while since I have had a "fresh" class. I remember last year waiting at my classroom for kids I had already met, grown to love, and knew very well.

This is different.

Not as scary as my first year, but defineatly a little bit of fear of the unknown...

Still, I'm looking forward to the crazy days that lie ahead...Seeing the weeks and months fly by, but most of all, being that person who has such a great impact on such tiny lives.

Stay tuned for the first day update :)

"To New Beginnings!"

2009-08-27T21:41:00.012-04:00

Here are the "after" shots of my new room. I'm excited to get back!

Walking in the classroom...

View from the door...

Leveled books and book bins - I'm going to hang our Poems and Songs above them with fishing line

Corner nooks, blue baskets are genre, yellow are favorite authors, green are favorite characters and series

Student tables, NO DESKS! No desk means community supplies, and NO CLUTTER!

Overhead shot of the carpet...where the magic happens!

Now all I have to do is wait...

The FACE of a Reader

2009-08-27T00:35:00.002-04:00

Looking forward to filling this "menu" with strategies that will turn my kids into Readers!

Welcome Back Picnic!

2009-08-27T00:31:00.004-04:00

Tomorrow is our welcome back to school picnic...and I made these beauties...

Best Regards to Bakerella and her awesome blog for the idea!

Three-Year-Old Thursday

2009-08-06T17:54:00.004-04:00

Three years ago, three of my cousins came to Christmas
and said "We're having a baby!"

I Couldn't Have Said It Better...

2009-08-04T22:53:00.004-04:00

I stole this from another blog, but I thought it was cool because I always make the teacher/doctor analogy...

He had just come from a faculty meeting, and it was clear from his demeanor that things had not gone well.

“What happened?” I asked.

“I listened as long as I could,” he said, “but they could not get off their blame-the-the student shtick. Finally I said that they sounded like doctors in a hospital saying, ‘Don’t send us any more sick people–we don’t know what to do with them. Send us healthy patients so we can look like good doctors."

Parker J. Palmer shares this anecdote in his book The Courage to Teach. He carries the analogy further by sharing how it helped him come to this crucial understanding about teaching:

The way we diagnose our students’ condition will determine the kind of remedy we offer.

He goes on to say that we spend little time thinking about the maladies that our teaching is meant to cure and that we allow our treatment to be shaped by the thoughtless stereotypes we have of our students. Palmer’s thoughts on this remind me of the other book I’m reading, Never Work Harder Than Your Students & Other Principles of Great Teaching by Robyn R. Jackson. The first principle in this book is to start where your students are. As I read her thoughts, I couldn’t help thinking about how important it is for us to value our students no matter where they come from. When we don’t value them for who they are, it is much like what Palmer’s friend says. We are like doctors who don’t want to work with sick patients. It is important for educators to stop seeing the students who enter our classrooms as deficient. We should be like House and his team. We should embrace the maladies of our students and work diligently to find cures. When one remedy does not work, we need to try again until a cure is found.

We need to work together to diagnose our students’ maladies and work together to cure them.

Steps Towards Organization...

2009-07-24T19:13:00.004-04:00

I feel like if I spend time making my Conferring Notebook cute I might use it more...

Scrapbooking supplies courtesy of the Target Dollar Section!

New Year, New Room

2009-07-23T23:25:00.007-04:00

Here are some "before" pics from my classroom...expect the "after" pics around the end of August

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Trying Again

2009-07-22T01:20:00.001-04:00

Ok, so I stink at blogging. But I am going to try hard this year to stay positive and share my funniest and most inspiring stories from room 120...stay tuned

God Bless...

2008-10-06T20:54:00.002-04:00

...these people who I am watching on TV who have 14 kids and have only been married 16 years. Literally, they just went to their 14th ultrasound and the Doctor said "See you next year!" and they said "Sounds good!" Seven girls, seven boys...can't even stand it!

"But I don't feel like Writing..."

2008-10-05T11:00:00.002-04:00

No not my students, ME! Monday is the 24th day of school and this is my first post since school began. So many times I have heard "but I don't feel like writing..." from students, NOW I FEEL IT TOO! My day starts at 5:45 when my alarm goes off, I roll out of bed by 6:00 and am out the door by 7:00. In my classroom by 7:15, teaching by 9:00, kids leave at 3:30 and I'm home by 5. And then .... I don't feel like writing.

Anyway, today is different. I've cleaned my house, had my coffee, and am getting mentally prepared for the bills possibly being 5-0 for the first time since 1991. I'm finally ready to write.

For the past 24 days in school I have been dealing with a private situation with a student. I cannot elaborate here but I must say, sometimes I feel as though I haven't conferred with anyone because I spend my day trying to avoid a meltdown. Needless to say, even with all that is going on in my room, I have been able to see many reading and writing lives developing and growing.

Reader's Workshop is in full swing! I may have one or two readers still confused on choosing appropriate books but other than that we are independent reading for 20 minutes and partner reading for 20 minutes. Since I looped it has been much easier to get in to the thick of it. They know what to expect, and most do exactly what they need to during that time. I'm excited about partnerships because I'm already seeing how rewarding they can be.

Writing Workshop is amazing. My 14 from last year are SOARING! Just this week I noticed many students taking ideas from are Shared Reading book and using it in their writing! THEY ARE WRITING LIKE READERS and READING LIKE WRITERS...and I haven't even taught them how to do that yet! It's crazy how following WW for 1 year can create amazing writers (proof that I wanted!). You can see some of our writing soon on www.debaccokrecisz.pbwiki.com

As far as community, I feel that my old friends and new friends are meshing well. As far as the behavior issues...i'm taking it day by day. I'm not giving up.

First Day Of Set Up

2008-08-22T07:40:00.001-04:00

Today is the first day I can get in my brand new classroom. I can't wait! I'll post pictures later :)

Guided Reading...Two words I have grown to hate

2008-08-21T00:02:00.003-04:00

Ok, don't nail me to the cross yet, just listen.

Lately I've been thinking and I've come to the conclusion that Guided Reading has become institutionalized. I've been trying to explain the Workshop Model to many colleagues and their #1 question, hands down, is " What about Guided reading, How do I fit in all my groups?" I feel that it's become less and less about the READER and more and more about "well we have to fit in guided reading". What does that mean??? Are we teaching "guided reading" or are we teaching READERS?

I guide my students through text everyday in conferences. When I look at their Conference notebooks at the end of the week I plan a few guided groups based on need (NOT ABILITY). I consider this guided reading, but some do not. Just because I'm not with 4-5 kids at a horseshoe table reading the same leveled text, im not "doing" guided reading? Who made it like this? Did we do this to ourselves? Did the Sunshine Guided Reading Kits make us feel this way? It's just madness.

Reggie Routman says it best, "guided reading is anytime a teacher guides a student through a text" It is not about 5 books all the same, going through the motions of the pre-printed lesson (that was made by people that don't know your kids), IT'S ABOUT THE KIDS!

Guided Reading is not meeting with your "low" group 4 times a week, your "middle of the road" kids 3 times a week, and your "high" kids once or twice. Guiding Readers is about knowing their strengths, building on them and guiding them to be life long readers, in ANY WAY THAT BENEFITS THEIR GROWTH!

end rant.

Teaching With Intention... PART 2

2008-08-13T21:06:00.003-04:00

I just finished the book and all I can think about is how I wish someone would have handed me this book in Undergrad or when I was hired. In my opinion this is the easiest book to follow. It clearly, but in a pleasant way that only Deb can, gives the message that without firm beliefs our teaching is meaningless. She never comes out and says it, but through her stories and comments the reader can see that the learning that CAN take place (once you get your beliefs in order) is REMARKABLE!

Her constant theme: keep it simple, is fantastic. Often I try and try to explain how easy it is to do a Reading Workshop, but the nay sayers never believe me. Debbie reassured me that I am not crazy and that I am on the right track.

Most of all I find great comfort knowing that Debbie wasn't always this good! She used to teach "from the teacher's manual" AND her students were kept busy by worksheets and literacy centers. When I look back on the days I followed the BASAL, had no beliefs, and was just collecting my paycheck, I feel sick and sad that I didn't do more for those students. When people ask me how long I've been teaching I always say, "Well I've been a teacher for 5 years, but I've been truly teaching for 2". Often people look stunned and confused, but in my heart of hearts I know that those 3 years were not teaching. I was "getting by", and so were my kids. We didn't talk about our thinking, we were too busy "doing" worksheets and "doing" guided reading (based on ability only of course). I didn't know what a reading conference was or who Debbie Miller was. But I am thankful everyday I found her and countless other mentors; Collins, Calkins, Taberski and Keene. Not to mention my mentors close to home: Theron, Tim, Aliscia, Jen & Steph

I surround myself with teachers, administrators and authors who keep me motivated to be the best I can for my students.

I leave you with a quote from Miller that keeps ringing in my head, and will be my mantra for this year and the years to come. While admitting to her past teaching practices she talks of two voices: the one that tells you to keep up with the curriculum and "get through it" and the one that tells you to listen to your heart,

"When we consciously and consistantly CHOOSE to listen to the voice that serves children best, that other voice becomes more and more distant and less and less insistant, and we began to wonder why we ever gave it the time of day"

So True Deb, so true.

Rain Gutter Bookshelves

2008-08-03T09:45:00.007-04:00

I'm really excited about these. I plan on mounting them on the backs of my existing bookshelves and at the bottoms of my bulletin boards. Only $7 for about 8 ft. of gutter at Home Depot! This is the best idea yet...Thank you Jim Trelease!

Taking the Plunge

2008-08-02T09:44:00.003-04:00

Yesterday I decided to start practicing what I preach. For 180 days of the year I teach kids to be readers and writers. However, I ....get ready people...have never finished a book in my life, let alone bought one for pleasure.

Yes, I've read countless professional books, but have I ever read for leisure? Absolutely not. I know, I know...How can I teach kids a love of reading if I myself have never loved reading? Well, that's why I'm here.

Yesterday I went to Barnes and Noble in search of my first book. I felt like a one of my First graders on the first day of Reader's Workshop. Not knowing themselves as readers yet, not knowing which book would fit them best. I needed a teacher to come help! "Can I get a conference?" I thought to myself. I usually bank left as soon as I walk in (the Children's section and Education section). Today I was making a right, and I was lost.

I walked around the fiction section thinking and browsing. "What was that book that my cousin was reading on the beach last week?" "Hmm...this one is alright." "Ok, what did she just grab, she looks my age" I was literally like Goldielocks, the character I use in my Readers Read Just Right Books Minilesson. I felt lost as I watched others around be grab exactly what they knew they wanted.

I wanted to be them. Knowing the book they wanted. Looking forward to it, like i look forward to Project Runway every Wednesday night. Knowing what they wanted before they even walked through the door. They were living the life of a reader, and that's where I wanted to be.

Then it happened. A lady in her mid forties approached the "Summer Reading" table and with a gasp grabbed a book. Now this wasn't a "oh good here it is" gasp. This was and "Oh My God I've been waiting for you" gasp. I looked at her. She looked at me. "Have you ever read Ann Patchett?" "No I haven't, is she good?" Her eyes rolled back into her head as she closed them, "Ohmygod", she said as if it were one word. She went on to tell me the background of Patchett's book Bel Canto. I could feel the emotion in her voice and could see the goosebumps on her right arm as she clutched the newest Ann Patchett novel. Our discussion was short, but powerful. She talked about Ann Patchett with me like I talk about Debbie Miller with other teachers. This was the one.

As I approached the shelf Authors by Last Name Pa-Pe I got nervous. This was THE BOOK, I felt it. As I thumbed through the books my heart sank. It wasn't there. I went to the comupter and sure enough I was in the right place and there were multiple copies in the store. I found a sales rep and she pointed me in the right direction.

"Where are you" I mumbled. Where was THE BOOK. I wasn't going to have a run in with another person like the one I had just had. "Here you go" the sales rep said.

There it was. The cover a mixture of blues swirling together. Looking like a cool swimming pool begging me to dive in. So I did. I'll let you know how it goes.

Oh Debbie..I'm IN!

2008-07-31T19:49:00.004-04:00

"In these times of scripted programs and prepackaged materials I know it may be tempting to surrender." Debbie writes. "But who among us is going to keep up the good fight? Who among us is willing to stand up for what we know is right? I'm in, and I hope you are too!"

In The Beginning...

2008-07-31T10:04:00.000-04:00

There was me. Fresh from college, little direction, full of debt. Things have changed.

Welcome to my journey, already in progress, to becoming a life long reader...A seeker of knowledge...and a guide to the young minds I am responsible for Monday through Friday 9:00-3:30...My journey to be a true learner, aware of my faults, inspired by my mentors.

Just a second grade teacher from Western, NY. Ready and willing to put up the good fight and do what's right for our kids.