ELPA Update

Everyone DID show up last week and we were able to finish up our ELPA (English Language Proficiency Assessment) testing last Friday. Last year it took me 9 days, so it was exciting to finish up in only 7 with some help from my building ELD coordinator.

Tuesday we sat outside in the sunshine and ate ice cream to celebrate! We won't get our results until after school gets out in June, but I am proud of how hard my students worked and of how many of them did their very best--regardless of how their score turns out!

Wednesday we moved on to our Food unit:  I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly!

Our Caterpillars Are Here!

New Students

You know, it's nice when they tell you that you have a new student coming BEFORE the kids show up for class. I mean, really, you knew yesterday. How hard is it to send me an email?

Also, I NEED to know how they're going home BEFORE the bell rings!

Today is one of those days where I wish I was organized enough to put together new student bags at the beginning of the year. I definitely thought of it!

Now to go discover every little nook and cranny where I write my kiddos' names...

The Joys of Bilingual Education

URG! I hate it when you have a great plan and lots of activities that all go with a particular book, and then you can't find that book in Spanish ANYWHERE! No library, no bookstore, no coworker, and Amazon is asking $44 plus shipping if you want it this week! ACK! #guessI'mtranslatingtonight

Projects to Start With...

So much to think about and consider before we get rolling in just a few weeks! Here are some routines I want to think through and revamp for next year. Interestingly, they all have to do with folders! Stay tuned to see what I come up with...

1. Homework folders
2. Communication folders (should 1 & 2 be the same?)
3. Sub folder
4. Writing folders
5. Science/Soc St/Song $& chant folders
6. Math folders

Now, last year, a good chunk of these folders spent a good chunk of the year empty, in a basket, collecting dust on my top shelf. And the kids' papers were a mess... At the same time, I have to remember, they're only five!

A Box a Day Keeps the Clutter Away!

Clutter Free Classroom's Flash Freebie today was labels for daily planning magazine files or book boxes where you put your read alouds, copies, materials, etc. for each day of the week. I've tried this method on-and-off the last two years, but it's hard to find room for this in a shared classroom, and to keep up with things--especially if you have materials you didn't end up using. I do really like the idea, though! Maybe if it's cute and in a new space (new classroom for the fifth year in a row!), it will be easier to keep up with. I like the quick and visual way of long-term (well, for the week) planning, instead of writing out: "I'll need this book for Monday and these copies for Tuesday and died pasta shells for Friday," or something like that.

I do know that having everything together like this makes it so easy for a sub to follow, or for my assistant to show my sub the plan. I did do this faithfully one week at a time (one tub per week) when I was out for an extended period last year for my surgery.

Cheap cardboard magazine files
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50022354/

Clutter Free Classroom Post
http://www.clutterfreeclassroom.blogspot.com/2012/07/organize-daily-copies-materials-teacher.html