Happy Birthday!!

Remember in elementary school when we could bring in cupcakes, or Rice Krispie treats, or gift bags for each of our friends on our birthdays?  Just a few years ago, when baby girl was in 3rd grade (ok, that's more than a few years ago) I stayed up until 1 in the morning making turkey-decorated cupcakes for her Thanksgiving birthday.  Of course, that was before Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and Blogging, so I don't have a cute picture to share...but they were adorable...brown frosting, candy corn feathers, a fruit roll up waddle...it was great!

Anyway, once our students get to the high school classroom, birthdays become less important in the course of the day.  Sure, they may have parties with friends, get a new car from their parents, or finally buy that lotto ticket they always wanted, but we rarely celebrate high school birthdays in the classroom.  In honor of our teenage students, I thought I would put together a little birthday gift to make their day a little more special.

The one thing that I still need help with is whether or not to give them out directly on each student's birthday or hand them out on the first of the month for all students with birthdays in that month.  My biggest concern is for those students with birthdays at the end of May when the only thing left is exams...thoughts? I'd love to hear how you would use this certificate.

Oh, and as an added bonus...the little Happy Birthday poem can be sung to the tune of Happy Birthday...and now it will be stuck in your head ALL. DAY. You're welcome.

America's High Five

 

I'm linking up with Fifth in the Middle to join with other Michigan bloggers on this sunny, relaxing Sunday.  While I'm at it, I thought I'd share the top 5 things that I love about The Great Lakes State.

1. The coastline.  We have almost as much coastline as Florida.  I live approximately 1.2 miles from the beach, and we often just walk there...on Holiday weekends it's so crowded that people actually park in front of our house to get to the beach...so obviously, it's easier to walk than drive.  We have an amazing boardwalk, a very cool pier, and one of the oldest lighthouses in America...ok, that's not actually true...I have no idea if it's one of the oldest, but it's pretty darn cool!

Home Sweet Home

 2. Four seasons.  Ok, I actually only like 2 of the seasons...Summer and Fall.  But I spent 4 years living in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and I can now totally appreciate that it's not 95 degrees for 12 months in a row.

Baby Girl and her BFF Lena P. on a rare day when it was warm enough for shorts but cold enough that the snow didn't melt...40 degrees?

 3. Labor Day.  Unlike many other states who go back to school in August.  We "Mitten" folks (notice the shape of our state...and therefore the "high five" reference) don't go back until after Labor Day...but we also don't usually get out until the 1st week of June.

4. Snow Days.  When we lived in Fort Lauderdale, a snow day was the day when the school would bring in a snow machine and pile snow (actually shaved ice) on the hill behind the school and let students slide down on sleds...they also handed out snow cones and had a snowflake design contest with construction paper, glitter, and glue.  Up here in Michigan, a snow day is when it snows so dang much that it's unsafe to be out on the roads, and we all get to sleep in and watch soap operas all day.

Yours Truly on Snow Day 2008 in Fort Lauderdale...notice the Palm Trees in the back ground.

And Finally,

5.  Small Town Living.  Fort Lauderdale was crazy...and big...and fast...and trafficky (I'm an English teacher so it's OK if I use that "word").  Here in Michigan (at least here on the coastline) it's slow and relaxed.  Your neighbors know all your business, but they still invite you over for a cookout every weekend despite the fact that they've heard all of your personal conversations over the fence.  And if this sounds interesting, well here's a shameless plug for my blog all about small-town life.

Looking forward to connecting with other Michigan bloggers!

Mrs. V.

August Currently

I just can't believe it's August already...but I suppose that's the way it feels every 1st of the month...time just flies, sheesh!  Anyway, I'm looking forward to all that August has to offer, and here's a little of where I am...currently.

1. I'm listening to Jeremy Riddle on the Hillsong Live Spotify station.  I love Spotify because for just $7.99 a month I can listen to anything and everything whenever I want.  I can even download playlists to listen to offline.  This is also great because I play music in my classroom ALL. THE. TIME.  I have a variety of timed playlists that I use for various activities...a 15 minute partner activity playlist, a 40 minute classical timed-writing playlist, a 20 minute creative writing playlist...I love it.  I also love JEREMY RIDDLE.  He's an amazing worship leader and singer.  If you like praise and worship music, check him out! In fact, here's one of my faves:

2. My parents and brother live in Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.  My brother has been hanging out with us all summer, but now my mom is here too!  Muy bien! Estoy Feliz! and lots of other great Spanish feelings.  Here's a little map in case you're not quite sure where the Dominican is...

3. Unlike most other states, the Great Lakes State passed a law a few years back that schools cannot begin until after Labor Day...so while all of you fantastic teachers are getting your classrooms organized for August 12...I'm just sitting around chillin with my kiddos...aren't they cute??

4./5. So Chris Hottie is having his college roommates over to celebrate Coast Guard Festival this Saturday, and when everything is said and done, that is 20 people in our house for burgers, dogs and fireworks.  Excited to have them but I A.) Need to buy new cushions for my patio furniture, which are stinking expensive!!! and B.) Need to do some major cleaning - I'm talking nooks, crannies, and baseboards.  HELP!!

Back to School:
1. I like to keep those mini Bath and Body Works lotions all over the place - one in my desk, one in my school bag, one in my purse - and right now I'm running low because my cheer girls (and my daughter) know exactly where they are and use them regularly.


2. I'm an English teacher.  I like red pens.  I just placed a new order.  Can't wait!!

3. I try to send 2 notes a week in the mail to students.  Sometimes it's a student that did something awesome at school, sometimes it's a student that I know is struggling, and sometimes it's just random.  The thing is, students LOVE getting stuff in the mail, and I always love to be on the other end just brightening their day...needless to say, I'm out of notecards and need to stock up.

Well friends, that's currently my August.  Looking forward to hearing about yours!

Mrs. V.

P.S. And thanks to Farley for the hook-up :)

Building Vocabulary

So...I love vocab.  I know there is a lot of criticism out there for the way that vocab is currently taught, and many teachers have eliminated structured vocabulary lessons altogether, but I personally think it's incredibly beneficial for students to continually be increasing their word-knowledge.  I also think that a broad vocabulary helps with standardized tests, not to mention a better understanding of what the students are currently reading.  Here is my basic Freshman vocab work for a typical week:

Monday:
Hand out vocabulary word list with 10 words.  Students work with a partner, and each partner group finds the definition for 1 of the word.  They must also come up with either a drawing or a sentence that accurately demonstrates the meaning of the word.  Once each group is finished, they share their definition and example with the class.  This takes about 15 minutes.

Tuesday:
Students have been asked to correctly use 3 of their vocab words in their Monday personal-response journal.  They are also given a homework assignment to practice their vocab words for 10 minutes using Quizlet.  This takes no classroom time.

Wednesday:
Vocab review day.  I alternate weekly between the following review games, and each one really takes no more than 15 minutes:
1. Vocabulary skits - Students in groups of 2-3 create a 30 second skit demonstrating the vocab word.  All students in the group must have a role in the skit, and they must actually use the vocab word aloud.
2. Vocabulary "Win-Lose-or-Draw" - students in groups of 2-3 take turns drawing a picture on the board that corresponds with one of the vocab words while the other students attempt to guess the answer.  The group that gets the answer right has to then explain why and how the picture corresponds to the word in order to receive a point.
3. Vocabulary stories - Students get into groups of 2 or 3 (again) and have to come up with a short (10-15 sentence) story using all of the vocab words. When they are finished, they trade stories with another group for reading.  Students peer edit the use of each other's vocab words.  1 or 2 of the stories are read in front of the class if there is time.

Thursday:
Quiz Day!! All of my vocab quizzes are context quizzes - no multiple choice or matching here.  Students are given 10 sentences (usually based on their reading for the week) and they are asked to match each vocab word to the sentence that best correlates.  The first time they encounter this type of quiz it usually throws them for a loop ("What do you mean we don't have to just memorize the definition?!") But they get the hang of it pretty quickly.

Well, this is how I do vocabulary...how about you? Any other thoughts or ideas?  I'd love to hear them!

Mrs. V.

Pink Slipped!

No! I did not get laid-off, thank goodness...but I did get creative.  I'm sure many of you have seen the following "pink slip" on Pinterest...

It was originally featured in an article by the infamous Harry and Rosemary Wong in a 2006 article on Teachers.net. While I don't agree with everything in the article (don't give your students homework until week 3 - ummm, that's not happening), I do love the way that proponents of the pink slip mention that it gives students a bit more responsibility and accountability for their work...and this is what I need...accountability!

I'm sure many of us have the same dilemma...

Me: Turn in your work to the back
Student #1: I don't have a printer at home, can I turn it in tomorrow
Me: Sure, just remind me

Three weeks later...
Student #1: Why did I get a zero on that assingment
Me: It was never turned in
Student #1: But remember, I didn't have a printer
Me: Hmmm...*Glazed over look as I diligently try to decipher the 150,000 conversations I've had with my students in the past 3 weeks*
Student #1: I'm sure I turned it in late
Me: Hmmmm...I'll look for it...which turns into days of frustration for me, my student, and their parent. 

I'm hoping that my personal version of the pink slip will change that this year...student didn't turn in homework on time? No problem, I know exactly when and why.  Parents can't image that their child wouldn't turn in work? Guess what...here's their signature! And to top it all off, the late grading scale is right on it, and the students has to actually fill it in themselves; I love this because there is then no mistaking how many percentage points were taken off and why...I love classroom clarity!

Below is my personal version: It obviously is not pink...because I don't actually know how to use my computer well enough to make the background a different color (seriously...all these cute downloadables from teachers make me a bit jealous...I'll eventually get there).  Fortunately I have bright pink printer paper that will make these babies bright enough not to get lost, and if I'm honest, I'm hoping it gives a bit of the "walk of shame" when my students have to fess up to a late assignment in front of everyone.  Feel free to use this in your own classroom...I'd make a downloadable version...but of course, I don't know how...cut and paste, maybe? Anyway, enjoy!

And of course, so as not to plagiarize...here is the link to the Wongs' article.
Happy Pink Slipping!

Mrs. V.

10 Things...

 

Thank you Miss Kindergarten for the "10 things I've learned from teaching" link-up.  While most teachers are posting about what they've learned in the elementary classroom, here are 10 things I've learned from teaching high school...

1.  Boys cannot keep a writing utensil on their person for more than 24 hours (probably less, however, that's how often I see them.  In order to rectify the situation I have learned that...

2. Most girls carry around a very organized binder with a pink or purple pencil case filled with pens, pencils, highlighters, a mini pencil sharpener, and heart shaped paperclips...I never provide pens for the boys, instead I direct them to the nearest girl.

 3. Blow-pops make great prizes.  Students will do just about anything to be able to have a Blow-pop in class...vocab charades contest? No problem! Highest quiz grade? Yup!  They are a cheap and easy investment with a high return.

4. Students like to talk about themselves.  Give them in-depth writing prompts and pretty soon you'll find out exactly how they feel about their mom, best friend, fried ice cream, whatever.  Don't be afraid to challenge them.  "What are you struggling with?" has been a great writing prompt that students have answered openly and honestly and helped me get to know them more.

5. Whatever "it" is, don't let them get away with it the first time.  The minute they realize that you let them get away with one extra tardy, you will never see them on time again. 

6. Stay away from the inevitable teacher-gossip and teacher-complaining in the staff room.  It will just make you cranky and bitter.

7. Attend as many of your students' out-of-school activities as you can.  Basketball games, plays, band concerts, whatever...your students, and more importantly, their parents will be incredibly grateful, and it will help you build rapport.

Watching a Warrior baseball game...check out Little Buddy right in the middle of the action.

8. Remember that students have hormones, family problems, self-consciousness, acne, and body odor...sometimes when they are acting like a pain...it's about much more than your class.

9. Be flexible.  Nothing ever goes exactly the way that you plan...remember that your students don't know that.  They will always be under the assumption that what you teach during your class period is exactly what you planned to teach during your class period.

10. Take a break.  Always being "on" is hard.  Every once in a while it's perfectly fine to let your students silent read for an extra 15 minutes, or show a movie (here are a few of my faves for the classroom), or throw out a prompt and have them work at their seats on a short story.  Give yourself some grace...spending your days with 16-year-olds certainly entitles you to some!

How do we take a break in AP Lit? A British tea party day of course!!

Here are my 10 things...what about you?

Mrs. V.

Movie Mayhem

I know there is quite a bit of controversy out there about movies in the classroom...some schools have even banned movies altogether (what do you do the day before Spring Break?? Kidding...Sort of.) Our school hasn't totally banned movies, but we do have to fill out paperwork ahead of time regarding each movie we are going to show, and it has to go through an approval process with the curriculum committee before being shown...this includes YouTube videos (which really ticked of the Social Studies department) and any other video-based clips (this is what happens when the French teacher shows French movies that show naked breasts and lesbian love scenes...yes. that happened.)

So anyway, here is the list of movies that I am putting together for the curriculum committee...

Romeo and Juliet, 9th grade: I've taught R & J for 7 years now, and although in the past I used clips from both the Franco Zefferelli and Baz Luhrman versions, I've found that students much prefer the one by Zefferelli.  First of all, Romeo looks like Zac Efron, and frankly, that kind of makes all the difference.  I do use a clip from the balcony scene of the Luhrman version...but mostly because I like to see Claire Danes in her wings.

The Odyssey, 9th grade: I use just a few clips from this one, including Scylla and Charybdis eating the men, and Odysseus killing all of Penelope's suitors almost single-handedly.  I always skip Odysseus on the islands of Circe and Calypso, because frankly, as much as I appreciate Vanessa Williams, no 15 year old boy needs to see that much of her body while sitting in my classroom...awkward (*said in high pitched, sing-song voice)

Madagascar, 9th grade: This one is my favorite.  I usually end freshmen year with a study of Lord of the Flies, and we usually finish it right before exams.  I have the students watch it and make a list of all of the similarities between the movie and the book...once you watch it again, you will be amazed at how many similarities there are (a dead parachutist, a "fun" side of the island, a fire that burns out of control, Alex the Lion returning to his basic primal state.)  I always award a prize to the person that has the most, legitimate similarities.

Dead Poet's Society, 12th grade Brit Lit: I love this movie!  I don't show it every year, but when I have the time, I make sure to get it in during our study of Romantic Poetry.  Even if I don't have enough time for the whole movie, I make sure to show the clip where John Keating bashes the traditional textbook study of poetry and tells his students to just listen to the beauty of the words...powerful.  I also like to pair this with a reading of Emily Dickinson's "Much Madness"...basically a "go against the grain" type of lesson.

Macbeth, 12th grade Brit Lit/AP Lit: I use Roman Polanski's version.  It was Rated R in 1972, but every time I tell my students that it's a bit graphic they start laughing, a prop-like ax stuck in the back of Fleance does nothing for them in this day and age of horror and bloodfest movies.  Either way, I usually skip the naked-witches scene (because really, who wants to watch 100, naked, 80-year old hags (Shakespeare's word, not mine) dance around a cauldron...umm...not me.) But in truth, every student really needs to watch Shakespeare acted out in order to actually understand the play...it alleviates the "I have no idea what's going on" comments, and often, I show each act of the play in movie form as we go along, instead of reading the whole thing and then watching the movie.

Pride and Prejudice, AP Lit: Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy...'nuff said. Sigh.

Oh, there are a few more movies and YouTube clips out there, Les Miserables for one, my AP students read it over the summer, and now that Hugh Jackman is in it, I'm sure we will try to watch it at some point this year, but in general, the 6 movies above are ones that I continually show year after year...now if only I could get the curriculum committee to approve The Notebook...that would pretty much make my day!

What movies are you using in your classroom? Any other suggestions? Let me know!

Blessings!

Mrs. V.

A Liebster Award!

 

A Liebster! How exciting! My very first blogging award.  A big thanks to Stephanie at Tales of Teaching in Heels for the nomination! 

So, you're probably thinking...A Liebster? What the H is a Liebster?? Well, it's an award for bloggers with less than 200 followers (and I have 1, so this is great!) I just started blogging a few weeks ago, and I'm so excited to share my passion for teaching and family with others...now, if I could just get some followers, right?

Anyway, here are the 11 questions that Steph asked me to answer:

1. How long have you been teaching?

I'm just about to begin my 7th year, time flies!

2. What's your favorite teaching/coaching moment?

I have so many favorites, but last summer I received an email from a former student that said, "Mrs. V, thanks to you I can no longer read a book without thinking about it more deeply! I just wanted to enjoy this beach read, and all of a sudden I'm looking for symbolism and analyzing the author's perspective." It pretty much made my day!

3. What's your favorite blogging site? (it doesn't have to be related to teaching)

I'm new to the blogging community, not only writing, but also reading...and I love them all.  One of my favorite non-teaching blogs is victoriaelizabethbarnes.com

4. Which store is your favorite place to buy things for your classroom?

I don't have an educational supply store near me, so I buy most things online or at The Bookman, a great little hometown bookstore.

5. What advice do you wish you got as a new teacher?

Be flexible!! You can lesson plan all you want, but lesson plans never factor in the reality of a classroom full of 16 year olds.  Be willing to adapt on the fly.

6. What three things are always in your teaching bag?

Red pens (yes, I know about the studies against red pens...I still love them), Grading rubrics (I use a specific set of rubrics for EVERY single paper...I carry them around so I can grade papers anywhere), Athletic tape (My cheer girls always need it, and I seem to continuously collect 1/2 used rolls)

7. What teacher inspired you as a student?

Hands down, Sharon Rocker, my AP Lit teacher.  I teach Pride and Prejudice to my seniors every year in honor of her.

8. What do you love most/worst about teaching?

I love those AHA! moments when a student all-of-a-sudden "gets" it.  And I love when students tell me that they love such-and-such a novel...especially when they've been non-readers all of their lives.

9. What's your favorite piece of technology to use in the classroom? How do you use it?

I use Moodle All. The. Time.  I use it as a discussion forum for my students, and I also use the chat room feature.  I place half of my students in an inner circle for book discussion, and I place the second half in an outer circle with computers (we have a mobile laptop cart) logged on to the chat room.  The outer circle is required to comment on the inner circle's conversation but they are not allowed to speak out loud - only through the chat.  Half way through class the two groups switch.  They love it, and it's a great way to have the entire class participate in a discussion.

10. How do you plan to incorporate the new Common Core Standards this next year?

The CCS are pretty similar to the former Michigan state standards, so I don't have too much changing to do.  I have added some more non-fiction selections to my book lists, but overall the change isn't too drastic.

11. What do you love to do when you aren't teaching?

I love hanging with my kiddos.  I love cheer.  I love the beach (we live less than a mile away). I love to read.  I'm sort of writing a novel, but it's about 3 years and 150 pages in and I just can't get motivated to finish.  Ugh.

Here are 11 random things about me:

1. I am 1/2 Dominican, so I speak Spanish pretty well and can do the merenge and salsa.

2. My daughter and my brother will both be freshmen in high school this year.

3.  My all-time favorite book is To Kill a Mockingbird.

4. I call my husband Chris Hottie...and so do most of my students.

5. I am a huge baseball fan. 

6. This year I will both teach and coach my daughter...should be interesting.

7. I have a strawberry, blueberry, and mango smoothie for breakfast almost every day.

8. I'm obsessed with Tide with Febreeze laundry detergent...I love the smell!

9. I love John Mayer, Maroon 5, Jack Johnson, and Hillsong Live...random.

10. I used to be a yoga instructor, but now I just take classes whenever I can.

11. I am the 1993 Michigan state gymnastics champion in the Floor Exercise...woohoo!

Now, 11 questions for my nominees:

1. How long have you been teaching

2. What subjects/grades do you teach, and which is your favorite

3. How do you feel about the Oxford comma?

4. What advice would you give to a first-time teacher?

5. What three things are always in your teaching bag?

6. What is one classroom activity that is always a hit with your students?

7. What is one of your favorite blogs out there?

8. Who is your role model?

9. What is your favorite piece of technology to use in the classroom? How do you use it?

10. What is the best piece of teaching advice you've ever received?

11. What do you love to do when you aren't teaching?

And the nominees are... 

killenklassnotes

iteach.icoach.iblog

Tales of a High School Nothing

Big Time Literacy

Thanks again Steph! And best of luck to the newest Liebsters!

This is the worst day ever...

...said Little Buddy as he left his 3rd grade classroom this year.

Me: Really? The worst day?

Him: Yes!

Me: It's the first day of summer, I'm taking you out for ice cream.

Him: I don't want to leave Mrs. Terborg

And there you have it.  The teacher of the year award definitely goes to Little Buddy's 3rd grade teacher who turned the first day of summer into the worst day ever just by being so dang awesome...and she was!  I too shed a tear (or 50) when it was time to say goodbye, she pushed my little man so hard and with so much love, that by the time June 8th came around, I hardly recognized my reading, dividing, confident "little" boy.  And he could barely contain his "little boy" tears.  The consolation was that Mrs. T is so awesome that she set up a mid-summer pool party for her graduating class!  I mean, who does that?  Certainly not me, I send my seniors off with a heartfelt hug and lots of writing knowledge, but a pool party?  And let me tell you...every one of Little Buddy's classmates was there to get one more hug from Mrs. T.

Not only was she a great teacher for Little Bud, but she was also a great role model for me.  We may teach very different ages, but in the end, seniors act just like preschoolers, so there's really not all that much difference.  She has 20 years of teaching experience to my 7, and I'm always up for learning something new, so here are a few things that I learned from the awesome Mrs. T.

1. Communication.
I don't know about you, but my least favorite part of teaching is the parents. Ugh. I like kids...which is why I went into education...self-explanatory.  But Mrs. T was so good about making me feel like we were partners in Little Bud's progress.  She sent home a progress report EVERY FRIDAY!! With personalized notes and everything...who has time for that!!?? Apparently her.  Anyway, she also asked for weekly feedback, and when I would write a note back on the progress report, she would send an email by noon on Monday thanking me for feedback, or answering a question that I asked.  She was so great at letting us know what was going on...not only with the class as a whole, but with each child personally.  It was invaluable!

2. Sillibrations.
Every time one of the kids in class would accomplish a new goal, she would celebrate (or sillibrate as she called it) as a class.  Whether it was that they finished a book, accomplished a math objective, or scored well on a test, each child would give the others a sillibration.  Seriously, I'm so busy grousing over who didn't study for the weekly vocab quiz that I forget to celebrate those who scored a 100%.  Celebrating the "little" accomplishments might challenge the kids to push harder to reach a larger goal.

3. Learning styles:
Mrs. T was so good about teaching through all of the learning styles.  Little Bud had hand motions for memorizing the passage ways of the Native Americans through the Great Lakes, a super-cool rap with matching dance moves for all of his multiplication tables, and he also learned how to take notes - dang! Some of my seniors still can't take notes to save their lives.  She was a great reminder to add some pizzazz (I almost wrote pizza there) and shake things up.

4. Reading!
Little Bud can read (which is good since he's going into 4th grade).  Later this week I'll post on some of the creative and exciting ways she encouraged a love of reading in a normally book-hostile child...

Mrs. T was an awesome teacher. I hope that I have students that on the last day of school say it is "the worst day ever," because they don't get to see me after graduation (except they're seniors and they're going to college, so probs not...) either way, I look forward to incorporating her elementary ideas into my secondary classroom.  Anyone else have a favorite teacher? What did they do that made them memorable and special?

Here are some pics from the pool party: