End of a short week! | Mentoring in the Middle

End of a short week!


       This was a short week, and even shorter for me because I was out an additional day.  But what a full three days it was!  Lots going on in the classroom and with the kids.  I think it's time for some warmer weather so the kids can run around outside again.  We've had a cold and wet winter with little snow, and I think everyone's over it already.  I love winter.  But only with snow!  This inch of snow that turns into rain stuff doesn't do it for me (as if I have ANY say in it at all!)


     So, instead of whining about all the boy drama (hard to believe, since in sixth grade, it's usually girl drama at this time of year) I was challenged by on Friday, I've decided to do something fun and link up with Reagan, from Tunstall's Teaching Tidbits.

  PRODUCT:
     My favorite product from this year is something I created in the Fall while my kids and I were learning about Character Traits.  I realized they needed more vocabulary for what traits should look like, and so with the help of a great product I purchased on TpT by Tar Heel State  we were off and running.  The kids still come back to the vocabulary they learned, and they had fun created the puzzle person for a book they read.

AREA:
      I wish I had pictures!  I have two huge tubs of pillows and stuffed animals that my students have access to.  They love to curl up on the floor with a pillow and a good book.  And it's surprising how many of them cuddle up with a stuffed animal too!  It's pretty sweet to see!  There's no question that my bookcases (and all  the nooks and crannies around them) are my students' and my favorite spots in the room.

SIGNAL:
     My go-to signal is "Let me have your attention in 5-4-3-2-1."  I use that when my kids are all talking in groups or there's a lot of commotion in the room.  They know that they need to have to 5)get to their seat or just stop where they are, 4) have nothing in their hands, 3) bodies facing me, 2) no talking, 1) eyes on me.  We practice it a couple of times at the beginning of the year and we're good to go from then on.

SANITY:
      My students arrive around 8:10 and my first break is at 12:50!  I know!   It makes the afternoon really short and the morning flies by!  I need my little coffee maker for a quick sort-of pick me up, although I'm drinking decaf at this point.  That and a piece of chocolate after lunch and I'm good to go for the day!                            

       So that's it for me.  Hope you have a great Sunday and a good start to next week!
Marion

10 comments

  1. I found your blog through the linky party...I am your newest follower!
    Bethany
    FabandFunin4th

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    1. Great to meet you Bethany! Thanks for following me. I'll have to head over to your blog and do the same.

      Marion

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  2. Wow you don't get a break until 12:50, how do you manage? Love that you have pillows in your classroom, they sure make for a comfy place to read!

    Love to Learn

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    1. Snacks are a very important part of my day. With sixth graders, I just tell them to pack something healthy and eat it whenever they get hungry as long as it doesn't interfere with their learning. And I do the same. I've mastered talking and munching on Cheerios quite well!

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  3. Hi Marion!
    This is Jessica from Joy in the Journey

    I wanted to let you know that you have WON a free copy of my Hunger Games packet to use with your students! Please send me an email at jjlawler64@gmail.com and I'll send you the packet!

    ~Jessica
    Joy in the Journey

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    1. Thanks so much, Jessica! I can't wait to use it with my students!

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  4. Marion, your 54321 idea is so clever! I must try it!
    I think you might like to be able to leave a direct link to your blog when you leave a comment for someone. Kristen, from ladybugteacherfiles has a great tutorial on it.
    Take care!:)
    Darlene
    meatballsinthemiddle

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    1. The 54321 really does work. I practice it two or three times (the kids don't usually all get it the first time, so I tell them that we'll practice it later. Then I have them go back to work. I move to another place in the room and do it again. They're usually all on board the second time. As they realize that I might want their attention from anywhere in the room, they get that they might be in seats, out of them, on the floor, etc.

      And thanks for the tip to look at Kristen's tutorial. I've been trying this every which way and I know it can't be that complicated! Makes me feel like an old lady (which I am compared to many of these young 'uns in the blog world!)
      Marion

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  5. I just found your blog, thanks to My Journey to 5th Grade! I am your newest follower :)

    Rae
    Mindful Rambles

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    1. Hi Rae,
      Welcome and thanks for following me! It's amazing how many good blogs there are out there and how many great ideas you can read about and then try in your own classroom.
      Marion

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