Hangin' in the Office

Last week I was reminded by Connie at teachitwrite.blogspot.com, that it's not the principal, teachers, or superintendent who runs the school...it's the office ladies!  They know everything about everyone, they are the first line of defense when it comes to upset parents, and most importantly, they are the only ones who really know how to unjam the copy machine when all of the bells and whistles start flashing and ringing.  I thought it might be nice to start off the school year with a little bit of encouragement for these awesome ladies.  Here are a few beginning-of-the-year gifts that I thought might make their day.

Up here in Michigan, we grow 75% of the country's blueberries, this idea from sugarmamacooks.com could use blueberries, strawberries, or any other berries that are currently at the Farmer's market...and here's another cute berry idea from dixiedelights.blogspot.com

 

 I also like the idea of a gift using these reusable cups...something that can be used continuously throughout the year.  You could change the tag on this one from bargainshoppermom.com to read "Thanks for being tea-riffic!"

 

And this was is from jamb14.blogspot.com

Finally, here are some cute ideas to use with lotion.  I love to always have at least one bottle of lotion at my desk, and I know the office ladies do too.  This first idea is from sassysites.blogspot.com

and this second one is from skiptomylou.org, and it comes with a free printable.  I like it with the soap, but I still think that I would use lotion instead.

 

Well, there are a few ideas to send you back to school on the right side of the office ladies.  If you are lucky like me, you have amazing women in the front office and giving these little gifts is just a downright pleasure!  I haven't decided which one I'll make, but I'm leaning toward the "You are tea-riffic" tumbler.  Do you have a favorite?  Can't decide and want more options? Check out my Class-y gifts Pinterest board. Have a great weekend!!

Armpit Deep in Grading Papers

I found this Ryan Gosling meme as I was scrolling through Pinterest today, and low and behold it linked up to Stephanie's blog at Tales of Teaching in Heels.  We are definitely kindred spirits!  Anyway, it also spoke to me because, although it's only August 6th, I am ARMPIT DEEP IN GRADING PAPERS!!  Our school requires that all incoming Freshmen complete a timed writing in May of 8th grade...we then use these papers as their first entry in their High School writing portfolio, and use them to track the development of their writing skills from 8th-12th grade.  In theory it's awesome, but the grunt work is, frankly, a pain.  All 4 teachers in the English department grade all 77 essays using the same rubric, and then we compare our grading to ensure that we are all aligned in the way we look at our student's writing.  This is the pile that I am currently working on...

We gave the students a choice between the following 2 questions:

1. Many schools are considering changing their dress code policyso that students are required to wear school uniforms to school.  Should students at WMC be required to wear school uniforms? Why or why not? Defend your answer.

2. Who is the most influential person in your life? Why? Explain your answer.

We used the following 2 grading rubrics:

Which we adapted from the rubrics that are available through Greece School District in Greece, NY.

Grading and grading and grading got me thinking about grading throughout the school year, so I adapted an idea that (I think) I saw on Pinterest (I can't find the pin/link/original owner but I WILL keep looking) and I bought an accordion folder and labeled it with all of my classes...that way I can put the papers that need to be graded into the right file space and transport them back and forth from home without them getting crushed/wrinkled/ripped/misplaced in the bottom of my school bag (not that any of those things would EVER happen to papers that I'm grading.)  I also added a folder stocked with rubrics...that way they are always right there and I can grade wherever I am! 

I'm excited about this accordion file...let me know if you have something similar, or if you have another great way to transport papers back and forth!

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.