Inference Line

Can you Infer what we are reading?

One fun way I always start out my literature units is by having an Inference Line. I have the kids discuss, brainstorm and then make a guess of what they think we are reading next.  I really make it BIG deal and get them hyped up. Days before I put this up I talk about our TOP SECRET NEW ADVENTURE. One the book is revealed it always gets a huge cheer and woots, wheeee's and rounds of applause. I LOVE reading and I hope to instill this love into my "babies". So far, so good this year. Pat on the back ;) 

The Magic of October

I don't know exactly what it is about October, maybe it is our state fair comes to town (YUM GIANT CORN DOG) , the heat is being extinguished, there is Pumpkin Spice EVERYTHING and all of a sudden (*WAH-LA*)  MAGIC the kids "get it." I can't put my finger what "IT" is but "IT" is there.The procedures are set in place, we have practiced, done and succeeded at centers, and the first progress report has gone out. In Oklahoma students begin getting A-F's so it can be a shocker at first when parents see the first "C" or even Dun-Dun-Dun "F". I love explaining how much parents need to be involved and ask questions. I remind them that I have been sending home items/projects for the family to do as a family.  I always see such a big improvement in kids AND parents after that first progress report. I really love having parents involved and more so involved in their children's lives. I was so lucky to have a mom & dad that pushed me, asked questions and was my support system. They really are the best and I am one lucky gal!

My Mommy & Daddy ROCK!!!

Back 2 School Night

Back to School Night was a SUCCESS! Yay for great parents and great kiddos!

We made "ourselves" for our desks and used character traits that fit our personality.

How cute do these kids look?

On each desk was the first 2 weeks of graded papers, district and school parent handbooks and an Invitation to the 3rd grade "Drive-In Movie-Wizard of Oz

I love how they look :)

Sign In...Who has 2 thumbs and ran out of time to make a fancier Wish List...This Teacher Right Here!

Good News...all of my stickies were gone plus more! Did I mention I got a great group of parents and students this year!?

The start of the year has been a hectic one BUT...my twenty six "babies" are finally getting situated and learning how much their teacher likes loves is obsessed with organization and having a procedure for EVERYTHING! I mean it folks there is ORDER to be had when you have twenty six! Aaaah! Well I have gotten around to taking more pictures of my classroom so excuse the excess of pictures but I need to get them TOTALLY organized on the blog! 


~Mrs. Wirth :) 

I had to show this off first because it has only been 15 days and this is what my wall looks like from student art that they have given me. These kiddos are the SWEETEST!!!

This is a system I have been using for a few years.I started with a Pirate Theme but changed it to Oz for this year's theme. Really this is the only way I can remember who I sent to the bathroom or with a another teacher. I might have short term memory loss!? ;) BTW I did straighten these little guys out after seeing this picture!

I love the signs I have above from my TPT store. The kiddos love them too! I do NOT like that ICKY cord that runs across my ceiling and down to my Smarboard...I hear my district will be all wireless by 2014!

My verb vine has been my favorite decoration for years. I just change the leaves each year with the incoming students and it stays up all year as a reminder.

My graveyard! So after seeing our first glue stick that "died" after the THIRD...yes 3rd day of school, I decided I needed a graveyard for a visual reminder. I have never seen such sad faces the next day. The kiddos really showed remorse and have talked about it ever since this went up. 18 days later, NOT a glue stick or MARKER has died since. I plan to add to the "grave" each time their is an incident but I am not really sure there will be another mishap or at least with this group of kids.

Aha...the Queen! My saying is "Clean like the Queen of England is coming to visit" She is usually on a popsicle stick and goes around checking centers/stations. Her happy or mad face pops up depending on what condition the center was left in. I NEVER say a word. The kids watch for the Queen's expression and take care of business.

Oz...Where are we Sign I made for Kingsley and myself

My cluttered little area of fun stuff. Behavior clips from my TPT store, the NOISE management system my "teammy" got for me, little signs for management, fun rainbow lamp & chair I inherited.

Ok so I love my Exit Ticket System. Mustaches and Oz!!! What could be better? I plan to have it in my TPT store soon!

Here it is in use. I love how honest the kids are and how they show they need more learning time/opportunities to feel better about what was taught. (Aka-the post-it's in blue)

I use this to show what round we are on for Center/Stations it comes in really handy for those kiddos who were out of the room (with other teachers/bathroom etc) and come back in, in the middle of small group/stations. They come in, find where to go and my small group is not interrupted!

Math Stations and the Math Stations Maps on where to go each round

Our reading centers maps, this tells each group where to go for each round

Center Groups and Rotation Maps

We're off to See the Wizard Pt. 2

Love that my teammate lets me get all "Glittered Up!

Between the craziness of having the beginning of the chaos start my teammate "Kingsley" and I have our hallway display 88.72% done (I just wanted to be fancy and throw in some numbers there). Really, we are just about done and I AM LOVING IT! YAY!

Part 1 of 3 parts of the hallway

Okay seriously...I am stoked how my cyclone came out...my 4 year old will not be too excited when he sees I borrowed some of his toys

Dorothy sees the cyclone coming for her and Toto

We landed in Munchkin Land and so did Glenda the Good Witch (aka Me!)

Oh I Love my door sign...it fits me!

Kingsley's sign looks great and sparkly...she uses a little less "Gaudiness" in her daily life ;)

There is my FAB teammate Kingsley being the Wicked Witch. (hee hee)

Poppies!

Emerald City!

Our Kiddos made these! 48 of these can really fill a hallway!

Oh my the Wizard is ready to take off...there's No Place Like Home!

"There's NO Place Like My Bed"

I can not believe how unbelievably tired I am after the first day of schools. T-I-R-E-D. I know I am always this exhausted until October but how I do forget about this beginning of the year exhaustion. 
Today went pretty smoothly my class is a bit chatty and needs some grooming but I think they will be GREAT in a few weeks. 
A few things I LOVE about the first day of school is: 

(1) my ruby red slippers paid for with my TPT money
(2) My absolutely, positively adorable tin-man my daddy made me. (I am in LOVE with this little guy)
(3) The adorable hallway my teammate and I made (pictures to come soon) 
(4) My BRAND SPANKING new cordless glue gun from my mommy (cordless folks...no extension cords!!!)
(5) Last and the best...my family who has helped me get ready for year. Even my 4 yr. old son got in on the action! 


I am one Blessed Gal!

Ode to Tang

Ode to Tang

No, No Not that Tang

 

I know you all know who Mr. Greg Tang is, think for a second, think...think. Oh that Math guy that we all have his books in our classrooms.

Yes, that Greg Tang (or as my 1 yr. old says "Dang Tang"). Today I had the pleasure of attending one of his workshops. Holy cow did I learn and learn and learn! Let me tell you if you don't already know, I HATE MATH, I STINK AT IT & IF YOU ASK ME TO DO A MATH PROBLEM I SHUT DOWN. See I was a product of touch math, you know the little dots on the numbers. I never seem to get over counting those precious little dots. Greg calls me a "counter". I have gotten better in my "old" age but I am by far NOT a math brain. So as a teacher and a lifelong learner I immerse myself into anything math so I can better myself for my students and my very own bambinos.While sitting through the workshop today I could see the light and it wasn't just from the Smartboard. Tens, Hundreds, Regrouping, Multiplication and "break a parts".  I am now a new WOMAN; ok well not a new woman but I am a tad bit better and I have a good feeling as I continue to teach these concepts I will get better while creating deeper thinkers. (clapping hands) I am really excited and I highly recommend checking out his websites which has his books animated and Games Galore.http://gregtangmath.com/

Things to know about a Tang Workshop

1.  He is hysterical

2. He is tricky but gets you thinking

3. He will teach you something new! Guarantee it!

Did I mention I got to eat lunch with Greg? I am big time now!!!

This is what this picture really looked like if you could see what we are thinking! Yes, I do heart anyone who can teach me math!

Happy Thinking,

Mrs. Wirth  :)