Harbor City International School
6th Grade Read 180
My beautiful classroom at the brand new Ordean East Middle School. I was on the fourth floor and had a gorgeous view out of the windows, had eight computers for my kids to use, and had a Smartboard that I used for almost everything.
On the first day of school the kids and I came up with some classroom rules.
We were busy every day so we used our white board to keep us organized! The kids were organized into three groups that rotated between 1) small group where we did some intense reading instruction, 2) computer group where the kids worked a Read 180 software program, and 3) quiet reading group where the kids got some time to just sit down, relax and read books of their own choosing. The kids also had weekly jobs to keep our room in tip top shape!
Every week we had two or three goals to meet. The reward for reaching the goals was Friday Free Time or a piece of candy. We also had quarter goals and year long goals. The reward for those was good grades and improved reading ability.
Every month I chose a Student of the Month based on several factors including academics, being a team player, being a good friend, and being a good classmate.
Every day we learn a new vocabulary word and add it to the word wall under the proper part of speech.
I got used to hearing, "Can I put the word up today?!"
I got used to hearing, "Can I put the word up today?!"
The kids also made brochures for the school's Duluth Project. They chose a local landmark, researched it and then made a brochure. The project culminated in an all-day field trip touring our beautiful city!
Here we are walking up to Glensheen Mansion on Duluth Day.
Along with the vocabulary word of the day, we also had a wall with Frequently Misspelled Words. By the end of the year our room was covered with words!
My students find the Question of the Week drawing on Fridays to be one of the highlights of their week.
(The answer is 12. January 2, February 2, etc. etc.)
(The answer is 12. January 2, February 2, etc. etc.)
My sister had a tour in Afghanistan that coincided with the school year so my students wrote her team members postcards for the Duluth Project. Both the soldiers and the students loved being in touch and
learning about what the other was doing over the year.
learning about what the other was doing over the year.
St. Louis County Jail Volunteer Appreciation Dinner
Me with the fabulous ladies that worked in the programs department of St. Louis County Jail.
Some of the program employees with our wonderful volunteers that donated
their time to helping the inmates improve their lives.
their time to helping the inmates improve their lives.
Eating watermelon and cherry cheesecake with the volunteers. What a great evening!
Litchfield Alternative School
Top: Sandra, one of our first graduates, and her proud mother.
Middle: Group reading was more fun than it should have been!
Bottom: On a field trip!
Middle: Group reading was more fun than it should have been!
Bottom: On a field trip!
Top: Sometimes we were crowded, but that never stopped us from getting our work done!
Bottom: The kids decided to have a family holiday party in the evening.
They planned the food, invitations, and decorations. It was a great time!
Bottom: The kids decided to have a family holiday party in the evening.
They planned the food, invitations, and decorations. It was a great time!
Worcester College, Oxford
This is the quad at Worcester College in Oxford. The picture on the top is the cloisters and on the upper floor is the library. The picture in the middle is the "old" building, it was built in the 11th century by monks. The picture on the bottom is the "new" building, where my room was, built in the 18th century.
Hospice Tree of Memories
The fifth grade in International Falls made a Hospice Tree of Memories for the community as part of the Adopt-A-Project/Adopt-A-Class program. Here the fifth graders are holding a ceremony presenting the Hospice Tree of Memories.