Thursday, August 27, 2015

Preparing the dreaded SCHEDULE!

I don't know how you feel about putting together a schedule for students and staff...but it is my least favorite part of the job.





This year is especially challenging because I am planning for full time students in 4 different grades in 5 homerooms and there are six adults to distribute among them. I am grateful for those adults! They are dedicated to children and always ready to do what needs to be done! I want to make sure they get their lunches and breaks, and want to come back the next day.

There is a lot of information to gather before that final schedule actually is written.

1. Summarize each student's services. 





2. Classroom schedules. This part was tricky a couple of years ago. It depended on each individual teacher and when she or he had their schedule ready. NOW, our whole school is on a schedule, each grade level has the same schedule and it is ready to view quickly.



3. Next step is to write each student's schedule. This is the first year of doing this, and it is worth the time spent.


There are 2 columns for 4th grade because there is one student who attends the regular classroom full time with support while there are two others who attend small groups for reading, writing and math. It makes sense to me.

4. NOW, we are ready to plug in the adults! I first started to pencil in what adult would be where on the student schedule. This did not go smoothly because there were lunches and breaks to consider. So I started another schedule for US. Use a pencil...with a good eraser....


and be prepared to make changes on a regular basis.


The trick is covering each other's lunches and breaks..it is helpful when people want to take a break at the end of the day so they may leave sooner.

With six of us in play, we had more options then usual!

That's it for now,

More later,

Paula









Saturday, August 22, 2015

Five for Friday....the first week of school

 
We have the first week of school out of the way! It went very well and the kids seemed happy to be there, and that's always encouraging!
 
 
I wandered up and down aisles of various stores looking for anything in my new theme colors:
teal and purple!
I grabbed up some items...
 
 
Colorful little balls of chocolate!
The poster is an oldie but goodie.
 
 
Fabric background for the bulletin board...
 
The file folders are for individual student objectives
 
It is near the door so it can be handy for the teacher assistants who work with our students.

 
A couple of new posters.....the feeling blue one is my fave.
 
 
 
Interesting weather this week......thunder, lightning, rain and hail!
 
 
 
 


 
My grandchildren have a birthday coming up, so a little shopping was in order....
 
 
 
 
My sweet sister bought this bulletin board set for me 22 years ago and with the exception of one year it has gone up every August!
 
 
 
Next week brings more new experiences!
 
Kinders are coming!
 
Woooooo!
 
 
Have a great week,
 
Paula
 
 
 



Sunday, August 2, 2015

Five for Friday....Still on Vacation!

 
 
Norman, OK
It is an excellent place and set up to be kid friendly.
 
 

 
 
 
 
We had a wonderful dinner and did some gambling at the Riverwind Casino. I won a whole TEN DOLLARS. yep, I'm a big gambler!
 
 
  
 
We visited the Chisholm Trail Museum and the Seay Mansion.
 
 
My favorite part is the pioneer village! Here's the school house.
 
 
 
The "Board of Education".

 
 


Compare the living quarters in Seay mansion and where the ordinary people lived.

The Dining Area......

 
 
Sleeping Area......
 

 
 
 
 
The Mansion was built when Oklahoma was a territory. The territorial governor, A.J. Seay hoped that Kingfisher would be the territory capital, but it didn't happen. The mansion was used for other things such as a boarding house before being recognized as a historical building.
 
There is an interesting story (locally told) about the pink bedroom pictured above. It was painted different colors in the past, but always looked pink. They finally painted it pink. It is believed to have been the bedroom of the Governor's sister and...
you guessed it, pink was her color!
 
There are more pictures and history about the mansion here.


 
 
I found these books at a Half Price Book Store!
I've been wanting these for quite a while!
 
 
and that's the summary of my week, the weather in Oklahoma has been pushing 100's but not going over,
so I am thankful.
 
I have a week more in my home state and am already feeling a little sad about leaving,
 
 
Paula