Sunday, June 30, 2013

It's Currently July

Well not quite, but almost!!  So far it's been a fun relaxing summer, learning more about blogging and planning for the coming school year.

July means spending time at our summer cottage and spending time with family and friends.

Once again I'm linking up with Farley for her July Currently.



Listening- I'm listening to the birds chirping and the sounds of the lake lapping softly on the shore.

Loving -I'm loving this cooler weather.  Especially since Phoenix is experiencing a heat wave.\\

Thinking-I'm thinking about how to entertain my nieces, as well as my aunt who is coming into town today.  Excited about all the things we can do!

Wanting- I want to go swimming, and luckily I'll be doing that later on today.

Needing- I really need to do some school work and planning for the school year.

Tips, tricks and hints-  It's all about balance.  Especially when things get crazy,.  Spend time enjoying yourself, turn off the t.v. and spend time with family and friends, exercise.  It will make things a lot easier when you return to your work.

Happy Sunday!!  Hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend!

So come on out and join the fun and tell us what you're doing currently.
 

 

Friday, June 28, 2013

July goals

It's hard to believe it's almost July!  I'm linking up with I Heart Recess for her July goals.  It feels like I was just finishing school and getting ready for June and my goals for that month.  Well technically it's still June, but it's be July on Monday.  July means lake time, and spending time with family and friends up in Minnesota.  We have a family cabin that we go to every summer.  It's been in our family for four generations and there is a lot of history there.  It's a great place to rest, relax, have fun and reconnect with family and friends.  Getting out of the hot weather of Phoenix is a big plus as well!!



Anyway, on to my goals.  I did pretty well in June.  I had a lot of fun with friends, tried to keep a consistent exercise routine and worked on eating healthier.   Here are my goals for July!


For personal and health goals I really want and need to continue getting on a regular exercise routine-yoga, running, hiking and dancing.  I also really need to continue eating more fruits and vegetables. 

My family goals are to spend more time with family and friends this summer.  I'll have a lot of time to spend with my parents, my nieces, aunts, uncles and cousins.  I'm so looking forward to it!

For school goals I'll be planning for the school year, working on lesson plans, activities and management for the coming year.

My blogging/TPT and working outside of the box are all one and the same.  This summer I'd like to work on blogging on a more regular basis.  I've also signed for Teaching Blog Traffic School 
which has been a big help!  If you're interested in starting a teaching blog, or any kind of blog you will get a lot of helpful information on marketing yourself through the blog.  Please click on the link if your interested in finding out more about it and or signing up.

I also really want to work on creating products that can be used for working with students, especially students that have learning disabilities.

What are your goals?  Come link up and enjoy the fun!!

 
I {Heart} Recess

Bloglovin'

Have you heard the news?  On Monday Google Reader is going away. Come join up with other teacher bloggers at Tori's Teacher Tips. for a blog hop.  Look at the bloglovin' tutorial, join bloglovin and follower your favorite bloggers and hopefully find some new bloggers.
 
Come on over and join the fun!  Show some bloggers some lovin'!

Follow me on Bloglovin'!  You can click below or on my button to follow me.

Resource Room Rules 

Happy Friday!!  Hope you enjoy your weekend!!

Monday, June 24, 2013

Scheduling students

As an elementary resource teacher one of the first things I need to do is to create a workable daily schedule for my students.    Creating a schedule depends on what kind of model you work with at your school.  I generally do mostly pull-out with some inclusion. 
 
Creating a workable classroom schedule can be tricky, like putting together a puzzle.  I look at the students I'm working with and their needs (areas that I service them in).  I try and group by grade and ability level as well, while keeping in mind any behavior issues I might have and avoid scheduling some students at the same time (if possible).  Then I look at their classroom schedule and work with their teachers to find the best times to schedule them, so that they'll miss out on as little grade level instruction as possible. 

My schedule is a constant work in progress, as new students come and go during the school year (either transfer ins, or students that are test into special ed. during the school year). 

How do you handle scheduling resource or special education students at your school?

Happy Monday everyone!! ; )

Sunday, June 23, 2013

New Teacher Tips

Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend!!  Today I'm linking up with  Sharing Kindergarten for the new teacher tips linky.  I teach elementary resource so my tips are coming from a special education perspective.
  • Classroom setting- I like to have at least one horseshoe table where I can do my whole group teaching, and generally fits most of my students.  I also like to have individual desks and nooks where my students can do their work independently.  I also have two computers which I have set up as centers.
  • Develop routines with the students- Explain to them what they need to do when they come in the classroom.  Also, what they're going to do when they leave the room.  This is especially important when I have back to back groups and students are coming in and leaving right around the same time.  I wish I had some pictures of the classroom to show you.
  • Go over the rules and expectations with the students-  I go over my expectations and guidelines in the classroom.  I also go over my classroom management system.  In the past I've always used sticker charts (fill up your chart and you can earn a prize from the treasure box)  I discovered Class Dojo last year and plan to use that as my primary management system this year.  If you haven't discovered it I highly recommend it!!
  • Get to know the students your working with- It's really important to get to know your students, and develop a rapport with them.  It will help a lot when teaching them and prevent a lot of behavior problems.  Go through their ieps and find out their goals and the areas of need so that you know how to plan.  The first few weeks of school I give a lot of assessments, and plan a lot of getting to know you activities so I can figure out strengths and weaknesses, as well as interests.  
  • Learn about classroom management-  Two of the best books I've read about classroom management and discipline is the First Days of School by Harry and Rosemary Wong and Fred Jones Positive Discipline.  The First Days of School is a really good book to read for new teachers.  There are a lot of good tips in there about setting up a classroom, creating and communicating expectations and routines and starting off your school year on a positive note.  I'd recommend it any first year teacher.
                                             

The other book that I'd recommend is Fred Jones Positive Discipline. This book has a lot of good tips about working with students.  He talks about the importance of body language and acting like you mean it, as well as proximity when dealing with students that are misbehaving and the importance of not engaging with a student who is talking back.  

                                     


Come on out and join everyone and learn from everyone and check out their new tips for teachers!


Friday, June 21, 2013

Blogging fun

I hope everyone has been enjoying their summer vacation.  I've
really enjoyed relaxing, reconnecting with friends and learning more about blogging.  I signed up with Charity Preston's
Teaching Blog Traffic School.  I have been learning SO much about blogging, branding, promoting yourself and gaining more followers.  I am so excited about all that I've been learning and excited about putting my knowledge into action.   I've also had the opportunity to connect with a lot of wonderful Arizona bloggers.  We had a wonderful time at the Brush Bar last Friday.  We met up, and painted this cute little tree.  I had so much fun and it was nice meeting and reconnecting everyone in person!!

I've been spending a lot of time learning and brainstorming what I'd like to write about, as my own style and voice for my blog.

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer and Happy Friday.  TGIF!!


Saturday, June 8, 2013

June Goals

I'm really enjoying vacation and
having some time to myself and relax.  I've been busy of course.  I signed

up for Teaching Blog Traffic School since one of my goals this summer is to work on my blog, being consistent with writing and growing my blog.    I also took a much needed break from the heat and headed up to Flagstaff with a short get away with a friend.  So nice to get away, spend time with a friend and do some hiking in the cooler air (another summer goal-exercise consistently).

Anyway, I'm linking up with
I {Heart} Recess
for her June monthly goals.


I love having time to reflect, catch up on life, and get ready for the coming year.  So far I'm off to a good start!   What are your plans for the summer!!


Sunday, June 2, 2013

A new month a new currently!

Well I have been on vacation for a week and it's been wonderful!!  It's been a busy week trying to get organized with my plans for summer and trying to catch up on things that have been left undone during the year.  I have a lot of goals and plans for the summer and I want to take full advantage of my time off for the summer.  Anyway, it's time to join up with another installment of Farley's
Currently.
Listening- I've been trying to escape the heat by hanging out indoors. blogging and watching the news.  I've been listening to news information about the riots in Turkey, since both of my cousins are living over there and right in the center of all the action.

Loving-SO excited that summer vacation is finally here.  

Thinking-So many goals, so little time.  Trying to make plans to use my time the most effectively.  I really want to work on growing my blog and finally signed up for Teaching Blog Traffic School thanks to the special deal on it.  I also have a story I've been working on for a long time that I'd like to focus on.  I also want to work on eating better (more fruits and vegetables) and getting on a regular exercise routine so that I can get fit.  Last, but not least have fun and relax!!

Wanting-I love dancing, but especially swing dancing and it's been sorely neglected this year.  I really want to get back into a routine of going swing dancing and seeing my friends a lot more!!

Needing-I really want to focus on eating healthier, more natural, organic foods this summer-eating more fruits and vegetables.  I also want to work on getting a regular exercise routine and getting fit.  Summer is the perfect time to start!

3 vacay essentials- I love being near the water whether it's the ocean, a lake, a river, or a pool.  I also love reading and having a cold drink-iced tea, a beer, a margarita!

Come link up with Farley for this month's currently, and find out what everyone else is doing currently!



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