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Thursday

Classroom Environment

Classroom environment

Time to consider classroom environment!
Why?
Why is classroom environment so important? It's not just about making your classroom pretty.  It's about making your class a safe place.  An inviting place.  A place where kids can look up to see their learning reflected and find resources to help them succeed.
How?

Consider:
  • Arrangement.   Are your desks and tables set up for great flow and easy access for pair work, discussions and group work?
  • Materials.   Can your students access all materials easily and does it foster independence?
  • Wall space.  Is learning visible?  Are anchor charts available for students to refer to when needed?  Is it colorful and eye-catching?
  • Structures and procedures.  When structures and procedures are clear and learned, it helps the learning flow.  Spend the time in the beginning getting them set up and it will pay off.
    One way to decorate and celebrate learning is through pennants!   I love to use pennants for holidays and general learning.  Here is what I use.



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Sunday

Lunar New Year 2023 is the year of the rabbit!

Lunar New Year

2023 is the year of the rabbit!  My students are so excited about it.
The History

Let's teach our kids some history about the of the Lunar New Year.  That is always fun and so important.  This project is good for grades 3-6.
Slide decks

Do you like using slide decks?  Check these out if you want something easy to use and a project for your kids.  


What ways will you teach about the Lunar New Year in your classroom?

You can find me on these platforms (as well as my blog!)
  


Thursday

101st day of school! Time for Dalmatian day

101st day of school

Did you know the 101st day of school is coming up?
When is it?

Well.  It's different for everybody.  It depends on when your school year started.

Wait... 101?

Everybody celebrates the 100th day of school.  Why not shake things up and celebrate the 101st?  And we call it Dalmatian day!  Who doesn't love dogs?
Keep it centered

Keep all your activities centered around the number 101 and dalmatians.   Do you need some ideas?  Check out my packet of activities here!


I hope you and your students enjoy the 101st day of school.  I know we had a blast!

You can find me on these platforms (as well as my blog!)
  



Sunday

National Diabetes Month and addressing it in the classroom

National Diabetes Month

Did you know November is National Diabetes Month?
National Diabetes Month

Diabetes affects more than 30 million people in the United States so chances are many of our students are touched by diabetes in some way- 
they may even have it themselves.  
There are two types: 
Type 1 (T1D) and Type 2 (T2D).  

T1D is an autoimmune condition cause by the T cells destroying the pancreatic beta cells.  Then your pancreas stops producing insulin.  So you have to take insulin to manage your blood sugar.  
You can get it by genetics or viruses 
and it can happen at any age. 
There is no cure. 

T2D also affects your pancreas which is not producing enough insulin.  It can happen at any age but usually affects adults.  Losing weight, eating well and exercising can sometimes help with managing it but if it doesn't, a person may need meds or insulin.

Why is diabetes important to me?

In 2009, I was diagnosed with T2D.  No matter the medications and lifestyle changes, my glucose was out of control.  I finally changed doctors and my new doctor sent me to an endocrinologist.  First thing she asked was if I wasn't T1D.  After various tests, it was determined I was a type 1 diabetic and therefore needed to be on insulin therapy.  
Now that I am on insulin and using my Dexcom which lets me know my glucose numbers continually, my sugar is finally under control and I feel better.
It will always be a struggle but at least I have the tools to control it now.
Mommy Beeps by Kim Baillieul

As I said, I use a Dexcom continuous glucose monitor.  It gives real time glucose readings.  It also beeps when my sugar is getting too low.  
As a teacher in the classroom, it's important for kids to know what's going on so they don't get alarmed when I beep.  
Besides myself, our students are connected with diabetes in their community or 
maybe even within their own family or themselves.  
This book will help them understand what is going on.



I hope you enjoyed learning a little bit about diabetes and how to address it in the classroom.

What ways will you teach students about National Diabetes Month?

You can find me on these platforms (as well as my blog!)
  

How can I make your job easier this year?  Let me know in the comments.  If I use your ideas for a blog post, you will win $10 to Teachers Pay Teachers.  Even better, if I use your ideas to make a resource in my store, LisaTeachR's Classroom, I'll send you a free copy of that resource! 

Studying Plot Structure

Studying Plot Structure

Every story has some sort of a structure.  
Today we will talk about teaching two types: 
circular and cumulative story structures and how to use teach them to your students
Cumulative story structure

A cumulative story structure adds repeating plot elements or characters until it topples over!  That's why sometimes it's called a toppling story.  Some classics are The House That Jack Built and There was an old lady who swallowed a fly

Circular story structure

A circular story structure follows a circle.  It has various events but always come back to the beginning. Some examples are If you give a mouse a cookie by Laura Joffe Numeroff or Long Night Moon by Cynthia Rylant.
Using them in the classroom

To use them in the classroom, first your kids must understand them.
Read them various stories using the structure and break them down together.  
After that, have kids write their own tales!
I love having the kids do this and then they read them to the little ones and give them their books.
Need some help?

I broke it all down for you here.
Just click on the image to go to my store.
As you can see, I like to do them as a holiday activity to keep my holiday work academic!

What ways will you teach story structure
 in your classroom?

Check out these amazing bloggers for more ideas!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter
You can find me on these platforms (as well as my blog!)
  

How can I make your job easier this year?  Let me know in the comments.  If I use your ideas for a blog post, you will win $10 to Teachers Pay Teachers.  Even better, if I use your ideas to make a resource in my store, LisaTeachR's Classroom, I'll send you a free copy of that resource! 

National Kindness Day!

National Kindness Day!

Did you know November 13th is World Kindness Day!  Here are some ways to celebrate kindness.
Kindness Cards

Kids can learn about kindness and friendship through complimenting each other.  Kindness cards are the way to do it.  Find kindness cards here. I still have the one we made in high school.
Kindness to the world through SDG's

Do you know about the SDG's?  They are 17 goals to make the world a better place!  They were created by the United Nations.  There is a website to help teach the SDG's and a project in January every year. 
The SDG's and Art

Art is one way to teach understanding of the SDG's.
I used glass art as a way in.

What ways will you promote 
kindness in your classroom?

You can find me on these platforms (as well as my blog!)
  

How can I make your job easier this year?  Let me know in the comments.  If I use your ideas for a blog post, you will win $10 to Teachers Pay Teachers.  Even better, if I use your ideas to make a resource in my store, LisaTeachR's Classroom, I'll send you a free copy of that resource! 
You can find me on these platforms (as well as my blog!)
  
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