Bouncy Bands Review

A few years ago I did a post called "Busy Feet" about active students and a device that my vice-principal came up with to keep the feet busy and the brain attentive.  While this device was helpful, it was noisy and it didn't keep the student engaged for very long. 

Last summer I was contacted by Scott Ertl at Bouncy Bands about reviewing his product.  It's different from the "busy feet" device because it allows the student to not only bounce their feet, but they can also push and pull the stretchy band. The resistance allows for the student to really work their legs and feet and control the energy. 

The original Bouncy Band
I have been using the first set since the beginning of the year. It's made with pvc pipe and the inner tube of a bike tire. The tube is tied tightly to the chair legs and the pvc pipe prevents the tube from slipping. After two days, my active student had loosened the knots and they had to be retied. I pulled them really tight and haven't had a problem since.

New and improved version:
Scott also sent me the new and improved version of Bouncy Bands which uses a heavy rubber rope that has loops on both ends to prevent coming untied. I am very pleased with the results of this product!

The loops on the rubber rope just slide right on the desk legs. If it's too long, just tie a knot in the rope to tighten it up! 

Great for test day!
An elementary principal has ordered Bouncy Bands for all of her 3rd-5th grade students to help them stay focused and attentive during testing! It started with one class where every student had a set, but they were so popular the principal decided to try them for everybody!

FAQ's Are Bouncy Bands only for students with ADHD?

No. While students with ADHD are extremely appreciative of being able  to move without getting in trouble, many other students who are not  diagnosed with ADHD benefit tremendously from Bouncy Bands as well.  Others who enjoy Bouncy Bands include students with: Test anxiety Learning disabilities Social anxiety Asperger's Syndrome  A need for movement instead of staying sedentary for hours Kinesthetic learning as a primary learning style

For more information please visit BouncyBands.com

Looking for a good read aloud?

My class is participating in the Global Read Aloud 2012. This is a month-long, worldwide project created by a teacher named Pernille Ripp. The purpose of this project is for classes to read the same book and then share their thoughts, ideas, and projects via blogging, Skype, Edmodo, Voicethread and other web 2.0 tools.  My class is part of a K-2 group. We are using blogging, Edmodo, and Skype to discuss and share our thoughts about the book.  We will start reading the book on October 1st and follow a set schedule so everyone will be literally "on the same page". We have selected The One and Only Ivan for our read aloud, but there is another group doing Charlotte's Web. Before we start our reading the students will make predictions. On Friday, I showed the book cover and the students wrote in their journals what they thought the book will be about. They will post their prediction on their blogs on Monday.  As the week progresses, I will create an assignment on Edmodo that they will respond to. I can also create quizzes and polls on Edmodo so I can monitor their comprehension and engagement in the book. We will also Skype with other classrooms and discuss the book.

It's not too late to join in. Check out the Global Read Aloud Wiki and find a class to connect with!

Freckle Juice and Shaving Cream

Well, we survived our last days of school and had some fun in the meantime! My students were really helpful in getting things packed up, cleaned, and organized. A few highlights of the week included reading "Freckle Juice"  and using shaving cream to clean our desks:

The shaving cream was really fun. The students loved the texture and smell. They said it made our room smell like a dad!

Fun Activities for the Last Days of School

The last 3 days of school are upon us! I cannot wait to spend these days making memories and finishing strong with my students. Here are a few things I plan to do with my students. How will you be spending your last week?

1. Freckle Juice

All of the 2nd grade teachers read Freckle Juice to their classes and then serve them "Freckle Juice". I always make a big deal about it and say that Mr. Morgan and I stayed up all night making the Freckle Juice exactly like the recipe in the book. I take the first swig and then distract the kids by having them look in another direction. While they are not looking I quickly add freckles to my face with a blue marker. When they turn back around, they see my freckles and want to drink the juice too!  Of course, my students are so smart, they usually figure out that we are drinking Hawaiian punch and want to have freckles added to their face with the blue marker. It's so cute to see all of them leave school with blue freckles!

2:  Whiteboard Drawing Competitions:

Miss over a A Faithful Attempt has a great idea for White Board Drawing Competitions. Give the students a word like "zombie", "vampire", "clown", "monkey", etc and then give them a few minutes to create. You could pick a winner or two for each round or have the students vote. I have a feeling my kids will like this one.

3:  Shaving Cream!

 Denise over at Sunny Days in Second let her kids use shaving cream on their desks. I used to do this when I taught pre-k, but I know that my 2nd graders will LOVE this activity. My plan is to remove all of the name tags and stickers from their desks and let them "clean" with shaving cream!

3: Write a Final Blog Post

My students are writing their final blog post: This is a time for them to reflect on their past year, tell about what they are doing this summer, and to look ahead to the next grade. Some of mine have expressed interest in having a certain teacher for next year so I have sent the link to that teacher for comments.

4: Skype!

Revisit a class that you Skyped with earlier in the year and ask what they will be doing for summer vacation. 

5: Hands-On Fun

Allow students to explore manipulatives before they get packed away. Mine love exploring with magnets, balance scales, linking chains, linking cubes, and geometric shapes.

6: Board Games

Games: Set up stations around room with different games and have students rotate through: Candy Land, Twister, Don't Break the Ice, Connect 4, etc..

Finish Strong, Make Memories, and Have Fun!

Books for the Last Week of School

I am excited about my new collection of books for the last week of school. What will you be reading to your kids?

Gilbert is worried that he won't get an end of year award, but is surprised at the end when he receives the "Good Friend" award.

Companion to the "First Day Jitters". The students worry that Mrs. Hartwell will miss them over the summer.

Companion to "First Day Hooray!" captures the excitement of the last day of school.

A play on "The Night Before Christmas" as a family prepares for summer vacation.

I love this book - it reminds me to be grateful for what we have.

Makes me cry but I read it anyway.

It's Friday! Do you feel like this? I know I do!

Feeling Honored

Tonight I was presented as Sycamore Elementary School Teacher of the Year at the Crowley ISD board meeting. What a humbling experience to be part of such a wonderful group of educators!

With my wonderful principal who has encouraged and supported me for 7 years!

     My personal beliefs about teaching have developed over the years as I have experienced growth and change within Crowley ISD and among the students. Our students come from many different situations that require sensitivity and skill, along with patience and understanding. Setting goals and sticking to them gives me the framework I need to provide an optimal learning environment and meet the needs of all my students. This year, my first goal was to implement The Daily 5 (Boushey and Moser) as the basis for teaching literacy. This program fosters independent learning and motivates students to work and achieve growth and success. My role is to guide the students and allow them to choose how they learn. As role model and mentor, I also provide daily, one-on-one feedback that encourages the students to challenge themselves. As a result, my students are reading and comprehending on or beyond a second grade level. My second goal was to implement blogging as part of our writing program. As part of this, I encourage peer review by having students read each other’s blog posts and then make constructive comments and ask questions. My students learn to find their voice, to understand the important connection between writer and audience, and to hone their editing skills.  My third goal was to teach global awareness and flatten the classroom walls so that my students can see what lies beyond their neighborhood. Using technology seamlessly and effortlessly allows me to teach in new ways that appeals to today’s digital natives

     My teaching philosophy can be easily observed in my classroom. Students work independently and are engaged. Students get one-on-one time with me, and they are encouraged to explore and take their learning to the next level. Although our required, formal testing measures knowledge of content, I assess my students informally on a daily basis. Working one-on-one and in small groups allows me to observe the students and make adjustments as necessary. Student collaboration and group work provides opportunities for students to learn from each other as well.  An observer would also see that I have set high standards for my students in both academics and behavior. They would also see that I have a personal connection with each of my students and have built rapport by learning what interests and motivates them and how they learn best.  My past experience as an insurance customer service agent taught me valuable communication skills that I have used to build relationships with parents. Weekly communication via email or phone with parents builds trust and understanding. Parent communication involves positive feedback and is not just reserved for when problems arise.

     As a mentor and role model, I must also set high standards for myself.  I have learned that I cannot rely just on district training to provide me with skills I need. I have built a (PLN) Professional Learning Network of teachers throughout the world to whom I can go to with any questions or advice I need whenever I need it. For example, almost every Friday evening I participate in a Twitter Chat (#D5chat) with teachers from the U.S., Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and the UK. Each week we focus on one aspect of The Daily 5. We provide links to resources, troubleshoot, and share what works best. It provides group collaboration at its finest.  I am also part of the Global ClassroomProject and Hello Little World Skypers. We communicate daily via Skype instant messaging and video conferencing. I recently Skyped with a teacher in northern Chicago because I needed advice on how best to present our Cinco de Mayo project to many classrooms throughout the world.  When I needed help, I went to an expert. 

     I am my students’ expert and I must strive every day to learn and be better for them. I am enough of a realist to understand that I can’t reach every student, but I am more of an optimist to get up every morning and try.

My students are like the lotus blossom.

They rise up from the mud of the swamp.

They grow up through its murky water

They penetrate the air and

Aspire towards the light of the sun.

They bloom into great beauty despite their dark environment.

My students are like the lotus blossom. ~ Preston Morgan  2012

Preparing for our Cinco de Mayo Project!

  We have been working very hard preparing for our Cinco de May project. We researched the history, food, music, clothing, and traditions and then Mr. Verrone and Mrs. Morgan created a script. We also made "morroccas" out of paper tubes and beans to use when we sing Cielito Lindo. The students are very excited to wear the costumes and eat all of the wonderfu food the parents will be preparing. The big day is Friday May 4th when we will present on UStreaming to classrooms around the world!

A good friend and an idea from Pinterest

My friend, Brenda Glass, has been coming to our class once every 6 weeks to do an art project with my students. I love this because I don't really have the time (or energy) to plan elaborate art projects. She usually reads a book and then we do an art project. Some of the ideas have come from Pinterest. This site is the perfect place for teachers to share ideas and to get ideas for new exciting projects for their classroom!

She read Do You Have a Hat? and we made these cute face pictures and added a hat

She read Owl Moon and we made torn paper owls

At Christmas we made these cute reindeer and added the students' pictures

Our latest project came straight from an idea off Pinterest that seems to have gone viral in the past few months: Georgia O'Keeffe-inspired watercolor flowers. I first saw the idea on Pinterest and emailed Brenda the link. She took the idea and ran with it. She prepared a really nice powerpoint with artwork and quotes by Georgia O'Keeffe and then showed the photos of the step-by-step instructions found on The Art of Education. My favorite quote that she kept using throughout the lesson is: “To create one's  own world takes courage.”  She used the words to encourage the students to think big and go off the page with their flowers. Many of my more timid students found their "voice" with this project. I never dreamed that they would turn out so beautiful!

First, we did a pencil outline and then traced it with permanent black marker.

We used real flowers to study the details and inspire us.

Next, we traced the permanent marker lines with colored washable markers.

Finally, we filled in the whole thing with watercolors. 

The students loved doing this project and were so inspired and creative!

Thank you Brenda and Pinterest! I couldn't have (wouldn't have) done it with out you!

Catch the STAAR!

What a fun afternoon we had cheering on and encouraging the 3rd and 4th graders to do a great job on the STAAR test.  Mrs. Morgan's Superstars made posters and as the 3rd and 4th graders marched around the halls, we clapped and chanted encouraging words!

Guest Blogger - Tenille Shade Meets The Sisters

Tenille Shade is a 4th grade teacher with Denton ISD. 

Louise Morgan is such an amazing parent and teacher. I first got to know her after teaching her oldest daughter, Rebekah, years ago when I was still young and green.  We later worked together at Sycamore Elementary, and I was always in awe of her positive energy and creative spirit. Her marriage is an inspiration, and I consider it an honor to be a guest blogger on her website, The Frugal Teacher. Thanks for letting me share Wezie!

The Sisters – Rockstars for Teachers!

Several years ago, I had the privilege of seeing Gail Boushey and Joan Moser present a workshop in Fort Worth, Texas. I had read The Daily Five: Fostering Literacy Independence in the Elementary Grades during the previous spring, and I was pumped about implementing the workshop model in my 4^th grade classroom. At the time, I had struggled to find a manageable way to differentiate reading instruction for every child, and I was hungry to find a system that would allow me to keep kids engaged in literacy task while I worked with individual students and small groups.

During the spring of 2008, I attempted to launch the first “daily”.  I was absolutely blown away by the power of Read to Self. Kids were no longer shopping for books, blowing their noses, or asking to the go the bathroom during sustained silent reading. Instead, they were truly engaged in reading books of their choice. Since Read to Self had worked out so well, I decided it would be best to save the rest of the “dailies” for later. The 10 steps to independence had changed my teaching life, and I certainly didn’t want to mess up a good thing.

Fast forward to the present. Last week, Denton ISD, generously sponsored a trip to San Antonio to see The Sisters present live. A group of 13 teachers carpooled south, hoping for a whiz-bang learning experience. The sisters did not disappoint! As we walked into the hotel conference center, the room buzzed with excitement. The Sisters were welcoming and engaging from the moment the session began, and their wit and humor captured and sustained our attention throughout the day.

As the workshop unfolded, astonishment and awe washed over me each time The Sisters referenced a new, insightful piece of educational research designed to keep educators moving forward. I actually pulled up my old notes from four years ago to compare, and not one piece of research they shared was the same. These ladies are voracious readers and learners, which inspires me to continue on a path of rigorous professional development.

On day one of the workshop, they provided explicit instruction about creating a culture of trust and respect. They spoke of the intangible qualities present in a classroom where these core values are honored. I greatly appreciated how they walked us though the evolution of literacy, looking at a historical overview spanning from the 1970’s to the present. Their willingness to reflect on their previous practices speaks volumes about their commitment to student learning.

As an intermediate teacher who is departmentalized, I was encouraged to hear that they are now recommending two rounds of the dailies for the upper grades. I was challenged to find a way to integrate reading and writing workshop which honors student choice. The Sisters reminded me of the importance of keeping our lessons “mini”, and they cited brain research related to a child’s ability to maintain focus for the length of their age. If my students are 10 years old, then I have ten minutes to talk and instruct. Anything I say or do after this time allotment is lost because their brains transition into the lower cortex, which is responsible for blinking and breathing.

The Sisters presentation style had also evolved over the years. The design of their PowerPoint presentation caught my attention, and I could tell they had studied John Medina’s book, Brain Rules. They purposefully used noise and movement throughout the workshop to keep all participants brains functioning at their highest level.

One of my favorite quotes came from a local literacy coach who said, “It doesn’t matter what journey you are on. Just make sure you are on a journey!” These words continue to resonate with my heart, and I believe our students deserve teachers who are perpetual learners themselves. The Sisters set an example of excellence for all educators, and if you every have a chance to see them in person, I highly recommend signing up! 

Tenille with Gail Boushey and Joan Moser at the San Antonio conference.

For more information on upcoming events visit www.thedailycafe.com

A Day of Reflection and Thought...again

I was recently named Teacher of the Year by my peers and as I was filling out all of the paperwork for Teacher of the District, I started looking back over my blog posts from the last year. I came upon this one that I had done back in the summer when I finally made the commitment to use the Daily 5 in its' entirety.  It's kind of interesting to see what a difference a year can make. All of the frustations I had before using Daily 5 are gone.  My students are all really good readers, and more importantly, they love to read and write! 


A Day of Reflection and Thought July 14, 2011
I spent some time on the computer today exploring Google+ and downloading TweetDeck. I also started re-reading The Daily 5. I read this book 2 summers ago while I was in new teacher training. After the training, I was excited and determined to implement The Daily 5  in my classroom. Well, that didn't happen. In fact, for the last 2 years I am embarrassed to say that my classroom has been more like the one described in the first few pages of the book:


We spent too much time managing their behavior, planning activities, and putting out fires instead of teaching.  We didn't have time to plan for excellent instruction that would meet our children's needs, nor did we have enough time for small groups or individual conferences.  We knew there had to be a better way. (Boushey & Moser p. 5)

How had I let my classroom become exactly what I knew it should not?  I'm not really sure. I was able to implement the "Read to Self" component quite easily, but my inexperience combined with some unexpected situations became too overwhelming. I found myself becoming discouraged and started doing what I had observed in other classrooms and just "winging it". Student behavior, paperwork, and new curriculum all played a part in my inability to have full control of my teaching and my classroom.

As I get ready to start my 3rd year, I am no longer able to play the "1st/2nd year teacher card"  but I feel much more prepared than ever. My PLN (Personal Learning Network) has helped and encouraged me tremendously.  At the end of the 2010-11 school year I had no idea that by visiting a few blogs and setting up a Twitter account would open up a whole world of information that was there for the taking. I did not plan on spending my summer fully engaged with other teachers from around the world...but I'm glad I did!


Anyway, enough about me being a bad teacher...I am rejuvenated and ready to take on the world!

My Goals:

• Implement all 5 components of the Daily 5

• Integrate student blogging into "Work on Writing"

• Skype with other classrooms around the world

There! 3 goals. I never set goals before.  My only goal was to make it to the last day of school!

I think 2011-12 is going to be the best one yet!

So! After reading this, I realize how publicly setting goals can be a very good motivator to do what you say you are going to do! 

• I did implement all components of the Daily 5 and wonder how I taught reading and writing before.

• I did integrate student blogging into the "work on writing" components and have been amazed at how much better my students are at writing than in past years. They are more motivated to write better now that they know they have an audience that includes their parents, the prinicipals, counselor, other teachers, and students and teachers from other classrooms around the world!

• I did join a global Skype community and have brought other classrooms and educators from around the world to our classroom. One very exciting day we even Skyped with a former astronaut and in a few weeks we will be Skyping with Neil deGrasse Tyson (we are hoping to get that Pluto question answered:-)

And yes, 2011-12 has been the best one yet!

Now I must get back to my paperwork.

Collaboration with a Bilingual Class

I am currently collaborating with Gabriel Verrone, a bilingual teacher, to create a presentation for our Cinco de Mayo Skype in the Classroom Project.

Working with 40 students who are researching, practicing scripts, and creating products has been challenging but fun. We have been meeting every Tuesday in the library to work and learn together.

Our project will include history, clothing, crafts, music, and food. The information will be presented in both English and Spanish. We have had such a great response to our project, that we are considering doing a live stream or group Skype sessions. A teacher in Chicago, David Karnoscak, recently used UStream to share student presentations on Native American Tribes. 

The nice thing about Ustream is that it can reach many classrooms at one time and feedback can be entered on a "check-in and chat" roll.  We haven't quite decided which route we will go for our presentation yet, but I will keep you posted on our progress. May 5th is just around the corner!

Do you have any suggestions on how to best present this awesome project?

Part of the 5-Star Blogger Challenge on Charity Preston's The Organized Classroom Blog





A Visit From Mr. Morgan

We had a special visit! Mrs. Morgan’s husband came and read to us. A long time ago he wrote a story called “Two Socks” about a drawer full of socks who learned how to get along even though they were all different. Mr. Morgan is a high school teacher and took time to come and visit our 2nd grade class. He also makes really awesome comments on our blog posts. Thanks Mr. Morgan!

Busy feet!

It seems like every year I have a student (usually a boy) who can't sit still or needs to be fidgeting with something in order to pay attention. It took me a long time to realize that when a student is twiddling with something in their desk, doodling, tearing up an eraser, or turned upside down in their chair, they are not just playing or trying to ignore me. In most cases, they are actually listening better than if I had made them sit quietly with their hands on their desk! Of course, all of this activity can be distracting and disruptive to the rest of the class, so the vice-principal at my school came up with an ingenious solution that requires a bungee cord with hooks on each end and a PVC pipe. Slip the pipe over the bungee cord and hook it to the desk leg.  The student has a place to keep his feet busy while keeping his bottom in the chair. I started using this with a student this year and it has really helped him stay focused and on task. Every once in a while I have to ask him to not be so noisy with it, but most of the time it is barely noticeable.

The feet stay busy while the student is engaged and on task!