Welcoming a class of writers (and getting that first writing sample)

Earlier this week, as I began to prep for our first day of school this Wednesday, I couldn't help but think about how I should get that first writing sample of the year. 

I pulled out my "back to school" folder and sifted through all my ideas from years past but couldn't commit to anything. Then, I found myself asking, "how do I want to welcome my kiddos to my class this year?" It is my first year ever team teaching and I will be coming in contact with 55 students every day. While this is exciting, its also a big change from my close-knit classroom of 20 last year. I really want to make a personal connection with each and make them feel welcome on our very first day.

 

Then, the idea of a postcard hit me. I am planning to write a welcome post card to my students, telling them a little about me and our class and asking lots of questions. Then, to get that first writing sample, I will have my kiddos write a postcard back. 

The front of mine will be a kind of welcome to 5th grade image, but I'm going to ask them to decorate their own front in a way that describes them. I think it will be cute, possibly even a quick hall display, but also provide me the first piece of writing evidence in their portfolio.

I was feeling a little ambitious after creating the post cards for my class, so I made a front image for all grades 1-5. If you'd like to do this activity with your own littles, you can find this pack in my TpT store.

How do you plan to sample and assess writing at the start of the school year?

I want to write like that!

Writer's Workshop is probably my absolute favorite subject to teach. I love how my students truly "become" writers. It never ceases to amaze me when one of my boys who claimed to "hate" writing at the beginning of the year becomes totally lost and absorbed in writing a personal narrative or realistic fiction story. In my previous school, I was so, so blessed to have a huge library of mentor texts perfectly aligned to Lucy Calkins' units of study for Writer's Workshop. I cannot even begin to describe how much of an asset this was when teaching my students about the various elements of writing different genres. I'm sure many of you who are also teachers already know the importance of this.

This year, I have moved to a new school and am so excited to continue Writer's Workshop. I do not have a vast library of mentor texts at my fingertips and being in a high-poverty, Title 1 school, I feel that my students need them more than ever. They need to see high-quality examples of writing to model their own pieces after. They need to see powerful leads, details, and endings to help them write their own stories. I have put together a grant on Donor's Choose asking for mentor texts aligned to our writing units of study.  I chose books that I know will inspire my sweet kiddos and help encourage them in their own journey as writers.

Unfortunately, despite all my promoting via facebook, twitter, and email my grant is not getting the needed funding. Donating through Donor's Choose is a great opportunity for individuals and businesses because the donations are tax deductible (who doesn't love a tax write-off?!) and can be made in any amount - even just two or three dollars. Donations go to a great cause - what better way to invest a couple dollars than in our children? I'm asking all of you to help spread the word to anyone you know who might be willing or able to donate. It will help make the BEST year for our classroom.

Find our project here. 

Fun in Fifth Grade!

If you follow my life blog, then you know my husband and I recently said goodbye to Hoboken and I left my amazing school district in New Jersey. As excited as I am to be back South, it was so hard to leave such a wonderful district and an absolutely perfect job. Luckily, on my second day in Charlotte, I was offered a new job for the coming school year. I will be teaching 5th grade gifted and talented and I am beyond excited! I have just loved everything about 3rd grade but am excited to try out a new grade level (I interned in 5th grade a couple years ago and really liked it) and teach some new content. Its a little intimidating to change grade levels but I am really looking forward to the coming year and am so thankful to have found a wonderful job right away. I can't wait to meet my fifth graders in August and am excited for all the fun we'll have.

I need some fifth grade blogs to follow - throw 'em at me!

End of the Year Blues

As the end of the school year quickly approaches, I find myself with a bad case of the end of the year blues. Usually at the end of the year, I feel a little heartache that I won't see my sweet kiddos everyday and I get all teary thinking about how far they've come. I really do get so attached to every class. This year I feel an extra little bit of heartache because I love my school and district so much. They are such a wonderful fit for who I am as a teacher and this has been a truly fabulous year. With all that being said, I must also say that I will not be returning next year.

I really neglected this blog while I was teaching innercity, which is kind of silly since the whole reason I started it was to write down the crazy things that happened in my room. My district really has a phenomenal reputation throughout our state so when I was asked to come on board as an extended leave replacement teacher, I didn't hesitate for a second. My husband may have thought I was a little crazy but I took a leap of faith and accepted my current position even though I would not have a renewing contract. It could have been just a one year job, which was a little scary. I said a prayer, took a leap of faith, and then worked very hard. I was so thrilled when I was offered a permanent position to teach third grade. The position would be tenure track with a renewing contract in what I believe (although I'm a little biased) the best school district ever. I would be changing schools but would remain in the district permanently and be able to stay in 3rd grade. Yay!

Then, my husband was offered a new job. An absolutely amazing new job. That amazing new job, however, is not in New Jersey. If you read my life blog, then you know I announced last week that he accepted to position and we are moving in June. We are moving to Charlotte, which is the area where I grew up. I am so excited to be closer to my family and closest friends. However, it absolutely broke my heart to turn down the most perfect job offer. I've started applying and interviewing for positions next year and I know I will be very happy with whatever position I am in next school year but I also find myself panicking as I think about leaving my district and never seeing the sweet kids and amazing families again and not working with my amazing colleagues, principal, and supervisors any more. I really feel like I have grown so much this year and I have absolutely loved every minute at my school so I really can't imagine not working there anymore. I am really excited to see what the next year brings, though. I will be in an area where there is a great need and I am really looking forward to the next adventure - even if it is a little heartbreaking at the moment.

Teacher's Appreciation Day Sale!

I am so excited about TpT's Teacher's Appreciation Day Sale tomorrow and Wednesday! I have lots of items from my wish list that I will be moving over to my cart to purchase to get a head start on next year - and take advantage of the discounted price, of course.

I'm throwing a 10% sale in my store tomorrow and Wednesday. Be sure to stop by to check it out! Here are just a *few* of the items you'll find on sale in my store.

Chevron Daily 5 Set

Polka Dot Daily 5 Set 

Matching Polka Dot Rotation Cards for Daily 5

 

Our Behavior is a Choice complete classroom management pack

Classroom management rewards passes/coupons

Writing process posters/progress tracker

Brain Breaks for the Elementary Classroom

Birthday Bulletin Board Set

The Scholastic warehouse sale...Its like Christmas for teachers

Happy Friday!

Yesterday after school, I attended the spring Scholastic warehouse sale in our area. I had been looking forward to it for over a week and was really excited to add more books to my classroom library. The sale was held in a hotel conference center and I found many titles I'd seen and wanted when my school had its Scholastic book fair fundraiser.

I intended to take a few photos to share with you but I got so excited the moment I walked in that I just snapped this one really quickly and then got right to shopping. The majority of the titles were 50% off the cover price, with a few books being only 25% off. There was a build-a-box for $24.95 area as well. I registered online about two weeks ago to get a "fast pass," which included a coupon for either $10 off a $50 purchase or $25 off a $100 purchase. 

I found so many great books and added several biographies, nonfiction books, Newberry medal and honor books, and the Judy Moody pack I'd been eyeing all year to my library. Of course, I also purchased some fun chapter books in a variety of reading levels that I think my kiddos will love. When I averaged out the dollar amount I paid divided by the number of books, the books ended up costing about $2 each, which I think is a killer deal. I often purchase second hand books for my classroom but these babies were brand new and I can't wait to share them. This was my first Scholastic warehouse sale and if you have never been to one before, get online right now and register for the next one. You can thank me later.

Happy reading!

Currently

Happy May! I'm linking up with Oh' Boy 4th Grade for the May Currently.

What are you up to....currently?