Crazy Pinning, Formal Observation, Teacher's Notebook, and Number of the Day

I've been pinning like crazy today! I'm looking for some pinspiration for my formal observation. I want to do a reading lesson, but I don't want to use our basal! I'm sick of it, and it's not very exciting at all.  My kids have way more fun and are engaged so much more when I teach outside the box {literally and figuratively!!}! I'm thinking about visualizing, writing about what they were visualizing, and how authors use adjectives to help their readers visualize. I don't know though... I'll probably change my mind 5 times from now 'till my pre-observation conference. If you have any great ideas for Second Grade, or book ideas, please let me know!

Last year I did a really great inference lesson, so this year I'd like to do something else. My observation this year is with my new Principal, so I'd like to impress him. Who doesn't want to impress? :-) I'm a little nervous though... even after 12 years of teaching!

Our district uses Marzano's teacher evaluations. The observations are so in depth that it's so hard to "cover" all of the things that they're looking for. I'm just going to teach the way I know best, and hopefully that's what he's looking for.

Speaking of evaluations and observations, observing veteran teachers other than simple walk throughs is a pretty new concept for our district. In the past we were able to complete a growth plan or do an action research project and they counted that for our evaluation. When we were new, we were observed two times a year, and that was that. Now, new teachers have two formal observations, and at least two informal observations and veteran teachers have at least two informal observations and one formal. I completely understand the reasoning behind it, but it's pretty stressful. Especially when you don't know when your informal is coming! How are things in your district? Same ole, same ole, or have things drastically changed in the last few years like in ours? We'd love to hear about it, and how you're adjusting.

Did you know that it's free to sign up with Teacher's Notebook now? We found out last week, and decided to take the Teacher's Notebook plunge! We're in the process of adding our products and we will be selling them for the same price as our TPT products. If you prefer to shop on Teacher's Notebook, please check out our TN shop and follow us.

On another note, I've been busy like a bee working on my Second Grade Number of the Day Packs... so far I've put four of them up on TPT. I have four more to go for second grade and then I'm going to start working on third grade. If there is a theme that you'd like for your class, please send me an email. I'd love to work on it for you!! =)









Have an awesome Saturday night!! My little girl, Makenzie is over her Nana and Granddad's house for the weekend, so my hubby and I are heading out tonight! It's been a while!!
-Jackie-

This might be the best Pinterest find yet!!

Hey Bloggy Friends!!
As I was "pinning" a few nights ago, I came across an amazing way to quickly pair students up. Karen from Flamingo Fabulous in Second Grade shared her partner wheel with the blogging community. I thought this was the absolute best thing since sliced bread, but her version was for 24 kids, and I only have 18. My very awesome husband designed a wheel for me with 18 spots. I LOVE it! I am taking Karen's word that the kids who shouldn't be paired up will never catch on to my sneaky scheme!

To print my copy out, click on the picture of the wheel, and right click on it. Copy the image and paste it to a word doc. You can then make it bigger if you'd like to. Print 2 copies of it. Make sure the button "fit picture to frame" is checked. Cut out the small wheel and fasten it to the larger wheel with a brad fastener.



Be sure to check out Karen's Awesome Blog and fabulous ideas! Thanks Karen!! =)

It's time for the BACHELOR... who is Ben going to pick this season?? I can't wait to find out!
Happy Blogging!!
-Jackie-

Last linky before school begins...

Amanda at Plumdoodles is having a Pinterest Linky Party!! She would like us to share our favorite pinboards, Pinterest inspired projects, or just share some great ideas we've gathered! I've been very "pinspired" this summer and although I haven't made too many things yet, they are absolutely in the back of my mind waiting for me to make them!!
My little girl turned 3 years old in July, right around the time I started "pinning". I was able to pin so many great Minnie Mouse/ hot pink/ zebra print things to my "Party Ideas for Mak's B-Day" board!!I was really pleased with how it all turned out and Makenzie had a wonderful time with family and friends!!


Today I went to Target and in the dollar spot I found the foam clocks inspired by this pic! I can't wait to hang these on my wall and never have to hear the question "when is lunch?" again!!!
Thanks to Christina Bainbridge, I've been inspired to do a Math Focus wall!! Here's a pic of an "Envision Math" focus wall that matches my curriculum. =)
Finally, the BEST dinner (BY FAR) that my hubbby made this summer came from my pin on pinterest!!! Check out these delicious Ham and Cheese Sliders!!! They are to DIE for!!
I LOOOOOOOOVE Pinterest!!! Click here to link up to this fabulous linky party!!!


You can also find my pinboards by clicking here!!
Happy Pinning!!!
-Jackie

Visual noise level idea

Last year I played classical music from Pandora over the speaker system in my class. I played it a volume that my students could hear, but it wasn't distracting. I would tell them that if they couldn't hear the music then they were talking a little too loudly. The music really calmed the room down, and I enjoyed what it brought to the classroom atmosphere. This year, I wanted to continue doing that, but have something else in place. I found this great idea from 2nd grade ponderings .
-Danielle

I found this great idea stalking pinterest.

I absolutely love this chart! Students should definitely know what part of the writing process they are in.
-Danielle-

Do you Pinterest? Linky Party!!

Michelle's Math in the Middle is having a pinterest linky party! Click on the link and link up!! =)