Christmas Cheer

It's Winter Break Y'all!

As I ended my day with a fantastic day group of Instructional Coaches I reflected back of all the changes I have had since August. I started a new job and new position, we welcomed Baby R3 into our family as well as a new furry, kitty baby. R1 started first grade at a new school while R2 was taken back to her original nursery school. My time was up with R3 and she joined the same nursery school. I hit my new job like my hair was on fire. We had to buy a new car to accommodate all the little Wirths. We thought we might need just a little more change and currently perusing the idea of moving. (We'll keep you posted) Whew! 

As I celebrate this break I feel abundantly overwhelmed, seriously behind and majorly exhausted BUT truly, truly BLESSED for all the people and things I have in my life. Now as we all try and get some rest during this break and I try and keep the last bit of sanity by moving these Elves on the Shelves (Sheesh!) let's all reflect back on the awesome craziness we call teaching! I think teachers are some of the best people I know! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

This my friends is the letter R2 is waking up to in the morning

"Go To" Christmas/Winter Break Movie  List:

1. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

2. White Christmas

3. Elf

4. A Christmas Story
5. Home Alone

Labor Day

Happy Labor Day! 

Today our summer is "offically" over although in Oklahoma, summer is truly over in the beginning of August for educators and mid-August for the kiddos but we will play along with the rest of the nation. So how did we end our summer? We welcomed our new baby "R3" she is truly fantastical. We adopted out all our kittens to some wonderful families, playdates with little friends and grown friends and then everyone started back to school...except for me and R3! I love teaching and being an educator but right now being a mommy is fabulous!

So knowing that I love being a mommy first I can't sit around or is it I can't say "No". Either way I have been working on some new items. One item was something that went unfinished for a couple of years....PLACE VALUE. It was usable but it wasn't "sparkly". A fellow teacher in the district emailed me for it and of course I had to make it better before giving it out to use. In HONOR of LABOR DAY THIS LITTLE BABY is on SALE 20% off! Head over to my TPT store and pick it up! (note: no actual babies are for sale! LOL!)

Rotten Apple....There is always one (or maybe some!)

Starting a new job is hard. Right? Last week I really did take the step out of the classroom and into an Instructional Coach position. Why? I love working with teachers and with my craziness that bursts out I thought maybe just maybe I could add a sparkle into someones day.... May I add  I have some REALLY amazing new co-workers who are full of sparkle and talent as well. WOW!

This week I started out week 2 of the new job doing my #1 passion, teaching PD. I know you're saying YUCK right now but hey let's make those darn PD's 1. "Wirth" your time 2. Fun! My PD was OPTIONAL and on a curriculum that is getting a lot of push back from many seasonal teachers who don't want to learn it and many new teachers are scared to DEATH of it. Really it's not so bad once you break it down, take a deep breath and yes maybe have a few tantrums BUT the data... My data the past 3 years have been top notch and really something to make you go Hmmmmmm and I will say it "My kids KICKED BOOTY!!!" 

I had many compliments, excitement and teachers saying they are going to stick their toes in the water this year. YAY!!! Smiling face, high-five, cheers, etc. Then it happens dun, dun, dun...the stink eye, phone texting, duck lips "I'm not going to change my way" but I came to your PD to gripe and harass you, participant. I am just shocked how some grown-ups act in a ------------->PROFESSIONAL <------- Development class. Even if it was a couple sour teachers out of a couple hundred great ones IT STILL STINKS. I couldn't sleep because  I can't stop thinking 1. Why did you even come to my PD class? 2. Why are you NOT discussing what is best for your students NOT what is best for yourself 3. What happened to your spark? 4. I don't make the rules why are you hating on me?

Then I remember maybe just maybe that teacher may have heard one, just one thing they may try...just one small thing can start the ball rolling. I also think about all the teachers that WILL try something new or continue the awesome work they are doing and build on it, it makes me smile. I might not ever make it to Debbie Diller status but I am sure going to do my best to try! So putting all the rotten apples behind me even though I rarely forget a face....remember this the standard you are setting for your students. Remember how you treated your presenter, how would you expect your student(s) to treat you when you are teaching the lesson. So to all teachers who smiled and were positive even with something that may be a struggle at first THANK YOU! To all my "apples" I will be okay and so will you so let's all get on our happy pants and look forward to making this the best year yet for our students.

Here are a couple of my favorite Sparkly Tweets! :) 

I LOVE TEACHERS!

Absolutely we are going to sing and sparkles for EVERYONE!!! 

See even this 9 month preggo can still get up there and groove...don't ask me how I felt afterward!

Carolyn, you definitely made me smile yesterday with all of your support!!!

Whoo! Hooo!

3 Rounds for Centers!

About a week ago I was talking to two fellow teachers in our district about centers. We all 3 agreed they are the best and we all had similar ways to set them up with student's names and pictures in a pocket chart. The way we thought about management was interesting because we all had different ways of going about it; which all are correct in our ways of doing them. I don't believe any of us had done just 3 rotations (we have done 4 or more) but quickly begin brainstorming. I am never satisfied with an answer I give until I can think it through thoroughly and offer the best advice. I have blogged with other teachers, asked questions and researched. Hope you find this helpful! Remember the focus for this post was just for 3 ROTATIONS...

The BIGGEST influence I use in my classroom is Debbie Diller (did I mention I got to hang out with her one summer!?) 
*NO MORE than 2 students per center or you get a mess
* You can have 2 of the same center so you can have 4 kids (or more) doing the same center at the same time BUT not sitting together
*If you use a pocket chart START with students names or pictures on the left side. This is the first thing students see and we read left to right.

So here are the basics of what I found out from teacher friends across the U.S. who do 3 Center rounds.

So during the center round is where you can place your "Balanced Literacy" items which would be specific to your grade level. 

Here are some charts to glance at for ideas....the only advice is remember to "put PICTURES or NAMES FIRST"....Debbie Diller
                                                                    





 This one is Debbie Diller inspired
NOTICE pictures come first and then the activities. 

Very similar (just switch the pictures with the activities)

Oh Oh Oh! I can't tell you how much I love this idea. Put it on your Smartboard and make a quick swap when you need to. No pictures to swap down each day (because you can do that in advanced on the next page). Add your timer on the side so students can see the countdown. 

 Another way to rotate with clothesline pins and station cards.

Same concept as the pocket chart but on poster board. I bet those centers have Velcro backs so they can be changed each day. I Wonder....is this laminated so the names of students can be switched easily? Hmmmmm!?

 Circular charts....those middle circles could be easily twisted each morning or center round so the students in that particular color could see where they are going. Adapting to your own classroom theme could also be pretty easy.

I'm not sure I would put Math and Literacy stations on the same board/ grouping of students though. My Math/Literacy groups are usually completely different.

 This is another circular rotation chart inspired by Patricia PaVelka. She has several different circular designs according to how many centers you have in your classroom. Again the easy of switching names makes my heart happy. ;)

My Blogger Friend Teaching in Progress has made the wheel already for you for FREE. Click on the link below to grab yours.  https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Literacy-Station-Rotation-Wheel-312895

I highly recommend these books....if you are part of my district you can check them out at Wilson in the professional library for FREE!!! Just go to where the new Creation Station is located which is also where the PD library is located.

Summer Giveaway

Summer Giveaway!

It's Summer, Sizzling, and HOT! HOT! HOT! here in Oklahoma. Being 8 months preggo does not help my situation at all! As I prepare for our annual 4th of July party, the new little bundle, a new job and teaching several professional development classes. I thought I should share the wealth with some of my favorite teacher friends. (THAT'S YOU!) 

I have finished teaching 2 PD classes and I am teaching another one tomorrow. I noticed note-booking is the CRAZE and everyone is in need of more information. I have been notebooking since 2003 (before it was "cool") and each year I have found what works and what doesn't. Then a few summers ago I was blessed with the opportunity to spend a week at the Michelson Exxon Mobil Academy. Notebooking changed forever in my world. The one thing I want everyone to know is you can't mess it up, use it as a resource and make it a resource for your students! Don't let it set in the desk and take up space!

So what am I giving away!? Well fresh off the PRESS not on TPT...yet is a Beginners Guide and Blank Templates on how to get Notebooks started. (I've been working hard on this one!!) also several other Notebooking Packs. Check Below! :) Good Luck!

This pack is  NOT on TPT yet....own it first!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

6 Down and More to Go!

Aaaaah! I finally hit the start of my very short summer break on Friday. I was blessed with the opportunity to teach 6 PD's (all in one week) with a couple of my good teacher friends. Boy, was that exhausting especially now that I can compare myself to a big whale. I am okay with myself! ;) I met so many great teachers and lots and lots of great networking opportunities. I was asked after teaching my last workshop if I could put on a PD for a couple local schools in my hometown. Did I mention I am exhausted and as big as a whale? How could I say no? I love meeting new teachers and spreading the LOVE of something new and useful! (at least I hope it is) So I will be spending the week preparing and getting ready to teach another PD. You bet I am excited!!
I put a few things from the workshop on TPT...head on over and check it out! 

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Triorama-Directions-Easy-1916605

Today I also get the opportunity to celebrate 2 great dads in my life. My own dad and my husband. A girl couldn't get luckier in this department. We will be adding the 3rd Wirth in August (hence the Big as a Whale). So my hubby will definitely get to practice his daddy skills! 

My Dad....he's pretty super awesome

My hubby...FABULOUS dad our Little Wirths

It's Here...It's Black Friday

As the Black Friday is here, I am comfy in my jammies sitting with the 3 loves of my life. I have NEVER been shopping on this day and I don't think I want to start. Crowds, pushing and shoving. Eeeek! So to feel productive I have been working and revamping my Christmas Around the World Powerpoints. I can not wait to go back and begin this 3 week lesson. I am trying to decided if I should do a grand giveway...do I feel a little Grinchy or a little Who-ville like!? My heart might be swelling a few times bigger today after I get these finished and put our decorations up. 

Here are a few slide previews

 

Traditions from China

"Santa" in Germany

Traditions in Italy

What originated from England that we use in the US