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

Fall Break

Well Fall Break is here and I have been working my teacher backside off (too bad that doesn't count in calories). I have been running my kids all over the place, making appointments, parent conferences for R1 & R2, new clothes shopping (not for me for them!), laundry, organizing, laundry, projects, and did I mention laundry? We had R1 observed by a psychometrist at his school found out at his conference he has Sensory Processing Disorder in the categories of vision, auditory, touch and environment. This also leads to major anxiety. This was not shocking since I have a few of these issues myself ,but oh man, the mother in me wants to cry for him. :( So I really have been researching on ways to help relieve some of the sensory overload for him. He will begin seeing and OT soon to also help him learn coping mechanisms. So now as I swallow my pride and still think he the MOST FANTASTIC little boy I know we move on and pray. 

During this fall break I also have been working on a new "Telling Time on a Number Line" packet. I will be giving away 3 packets. I will announce the winner Monday! 

How to enter

1. Become a Member of this Site (as always FREE) and comment below (click on the right side of this page)
2. Like me on Facebook (TotallyWirthIt Classroom)

Entry way project for R1 and R2

First Days of School

Someone said "Wait! at least 6 weeks before starting centers/stations". I say "Nah!" My partner teacher and I start right away with centers NOT small groups. For the first few weeks we start with items that we know the students can be successful with and items that are review from 2nd grade (we teach 3rd). We walk around monitoring behaviors (we cover EVERYTHING, even a sneeze!) teaching how to transition when the bell goes off, what it clean looks like etc. This really helps to start right away so when we are ready to start small group we don't have questions, uncertainties, and most of all interruptions. So here are a few shots of what we did the first 2 weeks. 

Using Pattern Blocks to answer: How do we use our materials?

Using 3-D exploration to answer the question "What is my objective?"

Using Geo-boards and Rubber-bands for Self Control (rubber-bands definitely for self control)

Magnets to review what the students know from 2nd grade

Stamps are used to practice clean-up procedures

One of the first games we teach in 3rd grade is Race to 1,000

One of the first lessons in 3rd grade is making multiplication arrays

 

SUMMERTIME and the Livin's Easy!

My dad politely says to me in conversation "Ummm yeah that blog of yours needs to be updated"...so dad this is dedicated to YOU!

This summer has been more than crazy. My teaching partner (Kingsley) and I taught PD workshops all summer long to brand new, shiny still in the box teachers (oh these kind are the best!) as well as veteran teachers who really had such nice things to say and made my summer of working well worth it. My favorite evaluation of the summer is below. 

Whoo Hoo! I have a certain calling to 3rd grade teachers. Last year in Oklahoma we all went through lots of tears, blood and sweat. Our reading laws for 3rd graders kept changing and the paper work (which I despise) kept piling up. Somehow many of us connected throughout the district and I believe it makes a great bond of fabulous teachers. 

Another summer highlight I wanted to share is the meeting of the all time DEBBIE DILLER! If you have never heard of her you must live on Mars. Really! She is as fantastical in person as she is in her books. She said to my teacher partner and I "I hear you are the station gurus in this district." HOLY MOTHER OF SHARPENED PENCILS!!! One of my teaching idols giving Kingsley and I a compliment. I can't even tell you how my insides were doing cartwheels over and over. It was like the first time I saw New Kids on the Block when I was ten...yep school girl mode! 

Debbie Diller with my favorite teacher peeps. I was standing beside her and she told me how we had to pose to be silly!

 

 

I did find a week to relax, really I did. We went on a family vacation to Destin Florida. I am in love, I am thinking of ways I could convince my hubby to move us down there. R & R agree that we need to move down to the beach too. Us Okies don't see sand or water so it is paradise when we do.

My Loves

Making memories with cousins

I told you I was able to relax!

Para-sailing with my good friend and teaching buddy

Spring Break

Oh Spring Break, how do I love the...I am finally here folks day 2 of Spring Break. I have had so many plans to post updated pics but well that will have to wait until...uh tomorrow? I was on another blogger's site Survivng a Teachers Salary (teachers friends this is a great blog if you haven't checked it out). site http://www.survivingateacherssalary.com/fort-magic-construction-building-set-review-giveaway/ l found the greatest coolest thing I want for my classroom and at least two for my own kiddos. (did you see I said at least two) It is called the Fort Magic CHECK THIS OUT! http://fortmagic.com/build-101-forts

I think this could be my new obsession! 
~Mrs. Wirth :)