Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Lakeview rocks!

It's my home away from home!  I can't believe we're already into the second week of school.  The first week of school went unbelievably fast.  But, what a blessing I have been given!  The staff and students at Lakeview are absolutely...AMAZING. 
F.Y.I. Look at the picture below..check out the steps!! What an awesome way to greet the students on their first day! 



Here's what we were up to....
procedures...routines...procedures...routines
Being a resource teacher, a lot of my students are visual, tactile learners.  Supplies are key for these kiddos to learn! One of the routines we practiced was picking up the supplies we need. 


The next routine we worked on was meeting the expectations that I have for the students.  The expectations are: Follow directions, use words, use inside, and be kind.  We discussed what each expectation should sound like and look like.  When the students are in my classroom they sit in table teams.  As a table team, we work together to meet the expectations.  When a table team sounds like and looks like what was discussed from the expectations, the table receives a stick.  Once all the sticks are in the container, each member at the table earned a ticket.

As a resource teacher, I co-teach with general educators in their classroom, yet pull-out students to work with special instruction in my room.  Being a first year teacher, I want to try as many management techniques as possible, yet I want to keep my management style consistent with my students' homeroom teacher. The earning of tickets connects to their homeroom teacher's homeroom management.  On Fridays, we count the number of tickets earned.  Each student then records the number of tickers he/she earned for the week.  Their homeroom teacher then gives them the number of tickets they earned.  This shared management keeps us all on the same page.  The day is then more structured and consistent for all students and teachers.   



 I am way past my bedtime.  Another day is yet to come!





Saturday, August 3, 2013

It's here!


Hello, August and hello, 2013-2014 school year!


I can remember dreaming of this moment when I was little, taking over every part possible of my parent's house trying to feel like a teacher as much as possible.  Everyone always says, "dreams do come true," and indeed, they were right.  In June, I accepted my first teaching position at Lakeview Elementary within Lincoln Public Schools.  I will be the resource teacher for the 5th grade team.  From being a Doane College Tiger to a Lakeview Seagull, I am truly blessed with the experience that is ahead of me.  
The anticipation of my very first, official school year, has been built up since registering as a student at Doane College.  And, now that it's finally here, I must admit, it's been emotionally awesome.  Through the district, I've been attending curriculum orientation.  This orientation has been more than helpful.  During orientation, I continually thought about how awesome this district is, by providing the opportunity to hear from expert teachers about the best ways to expose yourself to a curriculum for the first time.  I can't say thanks enough!

Next week is our first week together as building.  The staff at Lakeview is truly amazing, supportive, and welcoming!  I will be looking forward to meeting the rest of the staff and being together as one, child-centered building.

For now, it's planning...planning...planning.