My Fourth Grade Classroom

My room is FINALLY ready for business (good thing because the first day is tomorrow!!) so I thought I'd share some photos...i know you've been dying to see what I've

been up to :P

My Desk is already messy! haha

My OWN Classroom

FINALLY!! Welcome to Ms. D's classroom :D

So, this is what I have been working toward. This is what I have wanted for five years. This is what I have dreams of. This is MY classroom!!!!!

Do you share my excitement? I know, I know... it IS awesome!!! I have already made so many changes and have made many plans for this new learning space. I will fill you in as the room progresses. Stay tuned for many more photos to come. (and wish me luck)

xxOOxx

Last Day of School

This school year has been full of blessings for me. As it comes to a close I find it incredibly bittersweet. I have met and built relationships with SO many fantastic teachers. They have shown me what it is to teach with God's guidance (and patience!). I am astounded everyday at the sheer brilliance of our students and truly believe that they are capable of so much more than we give them credit for. This year I have been able to get to know the school better so that I am not COMPLETELY lost as afirst year teacher...I actually know what i'm signing up for haha! And this summer I will start setting up my own classroom!!!!

However sweet the sweet side is, there is also some bitter. Firstly, I will no longer get to take a half-day on monday and tuesdays :( and I will have to see the same students everyday! haha Seriously though, there are a couple teachers that I will miss dearly next year. Suzi and Moira, you have been such an inspiration to me. I hope that I can show as much love and patience to my students as you have modeled through your own teachings! I know your new classes in Pennsylvania and Ireland will be blessed to have you! xxx

Here's to a fantastic summer and a promising new school year!

xxOOxx

4th grade Sci-Fi

There is an astounding lack of material in this category. I am extremely depressed because I'd REALLY like to teach a Science Fiction novel next year (I'm trying to do one from every genre). Among the approximately ten books the librarian had on her list, there was the classic A Wrinkle in Time and a newer Newberry Award winner When you Reach Me.

I read When you Reach Me in 2 days and it was fantastic. It is a mystery that is inspired by A Wrinkle in Time but has no time travel until the very end of the book. It doesn't read like a Sci-fi novel, but is very intriguing and easy to read. I think it would be a good begining book for my fourth graders, but it kind of gives away spoilers to A Wrinkle in Time. This is tragic, because A Wrinkle in Time is one of my all time favorite books (and drips with sci-fi qualities).

So, my dear friends... I have a dilemma. Which book do I choose? Contemporary and easy to read or a classic that is more sci-fi??

xxOOxx

Teaching: Learning

The thing I love most about teaching is that there is ALWAYS something to learn. This week I had decided to teach the fourth graders about the parts of a computer. Problem: I know NOTHING about the parts of a computer. I figured it out thanks to this marvelous invention called the internet. It took a while but I put it all together and now the kids know exactly what a motherboard is (and so do I!!!).

xxOOxx

brainpop.com

This is a fantastic website with awesome animated short clips to explain everything from tsunamis to long division. The kids get SO interested in the videos and they learn so much too! I like it because the videos are only about 3-5 min long (so they don't take up a whole period).

Apparently, the whole site used to be free but unfortunately it isn't that way anymore :( There are still a whole lot of free resources, but I'm sad that not all the videos are accessible...

xxOOxx

BINGO

7 year old boy "D": "Ms. D, I don't want to do this anymore!"

me: "What D?"

D: "I don't want to play bingo, it's an old people game."

me: laughing

D: "It was made for senior citizens"

WHERE do they come up with this stuff??!