VOICES Writing Menu

So, I don't often blog twice a day {usually not even twice a month - though I am trying to be better at that}, but I am SOOOOOO excited about how my new writing bulletin board turned out.  I am extremely OCD when it comes to my bulletin boards and when I stumbled across Kristen's VOICES headers and coordinating lined paper on her blog, I jumped all over it.  Using some of the 6+1 Traits of Writing strategies that I found over on proteacher, I came up with this!!  Now I will be taking the time to sit down and create all of my writing lessons for the upcoming year based on this new bulletin board ~ hoping I can find lots of ideas on your blogs!!

Updated Behaviour Chart

For a few years now I have been doing a colour-coded {I am Canadian!!} behaviour chart.  I found that throughout the year, as it was used, I was FOREVER re-stapling it to the wall.  This year, I am planning on using the CRAFT and VOICES bulletin boards, thanks to Kristen at Ladybug Teaching Files{LOVE the colours and circles}, so I was thinking of sticking with the circle theme when designing my classroom this year.  I am planning on following the behaviour chart steps from Littlest Learners.  I love the idea of changing the colours of the clothes pins and adding stickers to them - so simple!! 

So here is my new chart so far.  I am going to attach all of the circles together with a thick black ribbion to hang from the wall to keep it very secure and therefore, no re-stapling.  I am really liking the way that it will take up a lot less wall space as well.  Oh, and I should explain that the red circle "SIR" stands for Student Incident Report...what the school sends home to the parents if the child clips to red - our school's behaviour policy.

Behaviour Clip Chart 2012-2013

A Rainy Day = A Trip to School

It has been either exceptionally hot here or pouring rain....ugh!  But one thing about being cooped up inside....productivity!  Since my builder husband was unable to work today {due to the weather}, I took advantage of him being home to watch the kiddies and drove off to school for some library organization, photocopying, and laminating. 

Before I began, I took the opportunity of an empty classroom to snap some pics.  It's amazing how easily you forget what your classroom and bulletin boards look like ~ but I guess that's what can happen when you have taught there for as long as I have ;)

This is the front black board wall - usually I cover 4 out of the 5 black boards since I usually use my LCD projector and document camer for any whole group lessons.

Emergency Exit wall....I LOVE having an outside door on my classroom ~ great breezes!

Back Wall ~ first half

Back Wall ~ second half (and classroom library)

Entry wall....usually do my CAFE (this year CRAFT) board here.

Oodles of laminating that I brought home to cut!!  CRAFT & VOICES bulletin boards (thanks to Ladybug!!), some things from Clutter Free, and a socials bulletin board that I created.

Time to start cutting!!

  Well, at least all of the cutting will keep me busy during the rainy day they are predicting for tomorrow .....that and I found my bread maker!!  I already have a loaf of banana bread on the go and plenty of zucchini bread to follow! 

New {School} Year ~ New Ideas

Every summer, like all teachers, I sit and reflect upon the previous school year.  I then proceed with making a list of things to work on.  This year I have quite a list, but most of it is just making some old things seem new again - new socials projects, new Bible notebooks, but the same curriculum. 

However, I do have a few brand new things that I am going to implement this year. Yesterday, Mrs. M had a linky party.  She asked us to list 4 new things that we are going to implement into our classrooms this year.  While I drank my morning coffee this morning, I browsed her blog and the other blogs and was hit with much inspiration.  I am thinking that my list of new things may soon become much longer after seeing these wonderful ideas!  Thank you for sharing everyone! 

But for now, I am going to concentrate on my own list...hopefully I can get it done early so that I can try out a few new ideas I have found reading other wonderful blogs along the way. 

1. 6+1 Traits.  I began implementing this last year, however I want to take it all the way this year.  Writing is something I find my students struggle with from year to year and I want them to love it.  I want to brighten up my bulletin board for this and make it something I can use from year to year. 

2. Math:  This year our entire school is switching to Bob Jones University Math Curriculum.  I am VERY excited about this. The program is very teacher friendly (much unlike the last 2 we have tried) and it has wonderful expectations for the students and strives to have them not only understand math concepts but to love math.

3. Spelling:  I don't have it yet, but I am implementing a new spelling program this year too....a little more "old school" ~ the way spelling was when I was younger. I am still planning on using Spelling City for my tests and review games, but most of our lessons and activities will be done in class. 

4.  Admin Team:  This year I will be on the Admin Team of my school.  We are running without a principal this coming year and 3 staff members have stepped up to cover that role.  My duties will include being in charge of the schools curriculum review and implementation and supervision of staff professional development.  I am very excited about this and have full confidence in the Admin Team and the rest of the staff to have a very successful year.

2012-2013 Daily Plans

Thanks to Ladybug's Teacher Files, I have managed to come up with my daily plans for this year.  I absolutely love changing it up each year to keep things fresh and she managed to give me great inspiration.  Here they are:  Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday.  Hope they continue on in the inspiration department!