Currently in this Mild July (so far...dun, dun, duuuuun)

I am so happy to see some of my other bloggin' buddies posted their Currently in July link up today, so now I won't be the only one tardy for the party!  If you would like to join in on the fun, click to Farley's blog to learn the details!

I saved my currently picture as a powerpoint slide show and then saved it as a pdf, which has worked in the past.  However, this time it just didn't work!  Does anyone have any hints or tips for me on this?

Ok, despite my tech flub, I'm still participating.  So, please imagine with me that I have inserted the cute graphic page that our buddy Farley created. ; ) (thanks!)

Listening:  To the sweet sound of the a/c
I'm so thankful that althought the temperatures are mild here in Oklahoma that our air conditioning is working.  I love a/c.  I get grumpy when I get hot and let me tell you, it's just not pretty with the sweat and attitude flinging in the air.  So around this time of year, I always say a THANK YOU to whoever invented modern air conditioning.

Loving:  My Last Real Month of Summer
I feel like this is really my last month of real summer.  I know my non-teaching friends think I have the whole summer to frolic and play, but in reality I spent the first month of my summer in professional development.  Some of it was good and some was eh.  Next week, I will be a camp counselor at ol' Camp Egan where I cannot even get a wifi signal, I will be able to totally relax and just hang with the kids.  It will be nice, sigh.  So I will be praying that a/c is working at Camp Egan~don't even imply camping with a/c is cheating~and the temperature in Oklahoma is mild!

Wanting:  A Garden
I have a hankering to plant my own garden at home.  We have a garden at school, but I am really motivated to plant my home garden where the produce aisle will always be open.  I'm going to try some friend planting this year, so my tomatoes will be chemical free!  I pinned a lot of fun garden stuff on my pinterest, so hopefully I'll actually do some of it!

Needing:  To Learn How to Make Cute TPT Products
I need to learn how to apply all those cute graphics and make my own TPT products!  I also just need to make some to give away~I must give back, I've downloaded so many freebies this year!

Tips:  Enjoy Your Children!
I officially have a high school kiddo in the house!  I can't believe she will off to college in 4 short years!  Enjoy those babies, ladies!

Today:
I went to observe my new building and to see my teammates' classes do transitions from morning arrival.  I found so many cool things, that I simply must share with you!

This is a school wide rainbow project that all the 3 year old classrooms are working on to decorate the front of our school.  The pre-k (four year old) rooms are currently under construction and I will be moving in soon!  This chandelier is just so beautiful and is just made from everyday object that parents/families donated to the school.

 

In my previous post, I talked about the identity panels that are present in Reggio inspired schools.  Here's an explanation (see below) along with another example for me to ponder.

 I also promised in my last post to show some examples of traditions in a Reggio class room.  This first example is a family chandilier to celebrate families.  The teacher had each child decorate a wire with beads and objects at home with their families.  Then she added them to to the home decor piece to make this beautiful art piece that each child had a hand in making.  Isn't it gorgeous?

 The next tradition is the birthday tradition chandelier.  The teacher in this room, hand made all these glorious globes for each child.  At the top of each globe is the child's name and birthday.  On the student's birthday, he/she picks a buddy to help them plan their birthday globe.  As you can see, they are all so precious!  Then when the children are done, the teacher lights a battery operated candle inside the globe.  How special is that?  I personally have always hated the mini birthday parties in my classroom, some students celebrate and others don't bring anything.  Then all day, you hear the chorus of "cupcakes, cupcakes" as you try to teach a math/literacy lesson.  When I taught 3rd grade last year, I learned to make the celebration something small and meaningful.  We did a class book, but this year will be different.  I don't know how, but it will be different, meaningful and definitely respectly to each child!

 Last pic from today, I swear!  I just had to share my teacher friends, little friends at work in the art center.  Aren't they precious?  Have a Happy 4th of July and if you like what you saw, please follow my page on bloglovin! ~Christina

 

Hello Reggio! (Also Back to School Picture Book Linky Party)

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I'm so excited to be moving to a Reggio inspired school in August!  For those of you unfamiliar with Reggio Emilia approach, it's based on approaching young children in a developmentally appropriate way through natural materials.  My principal gave me a hand out of Reggio-Emilia values.  In the hand-out, I learned that Reggio values the child as a protagonist, a collaborator and a communicator.  Reggio requires that the teacher is a partner, guide, nurturer, researcher and that the environment is a third teacher.  Most importantly, Reggio requires that parents are partners. 
I found a great source that goes into more detail at:Reggio Kids. 

My co-teachers are more versed in the Reggio approach, so I look forward to collaborating and learning more as time goes on.  However, my first year I was told that I need to have an Identity Panel and a planned Birthday Tradition.  I learned that an Identity Panel contains a child's picture along with their self portrait.  I love this idea and can't wait to implement this! (Reggio Identity Panel)

A birthday tradition is something a child creates in the classroom to celebrate the day of their birth.  I toured many classrooms and each room varied in their tradition.  Some classes had letters that students decorated with a friend, some classes created globes and so many more.  I will update with pictures soon!  I think my class will have a caterpillar portion to decorate.  I can just picture this little caterpillar inching along our classroom and with each month another little friend will add to it.  I did notice that teachers didn't add to the birthday tradition (or I didn't see it), but I will have my own caterpillar link too!

Click Here to Join!

I've been reading all the teacher bloggers ideas on DeAnne's Picture Book Linky at First Grade and Fabulous and I thought I'd join in on the fun! 

This year I'm planning to jump right into letter recognition with one of my favorite letter books Chicka Chicka Boom Boom!

 

I also have a ton of ideas pinned on Pinterest to go along with this favorite!

 

Another great one that I use EVERY year, no matter what grade I teach is The Crayon Box That Talked.This is just such a beautiful book about acceptance and appreciation for every gift each student or "crayon" brings to the classroom.



I found a great writing paper exercise that would work with each student on The Bubbly Blonde Teacher's blog.  She has this as a freebie on her TPT site. 

Can you believe that the google reader on blogger is retiring?  Well, it was pretty surprising to me too.  If you follow google reader it's the newsfeed that pops up when you sign into blogger.  I like to keep up with all my favorite bloggies out there.  If you're like me, follow me on over to bloglovin.com.  I have a link just to the right over there.

Well, I'm told my brand new spanking classroom will be open in early August, so I cannot wait to start implementing all the Reggio ideas and reading those back to school books.  I know from the linky party that I will be adding some to my collection this year!

~Christina

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