Unspeakable Sadness

Yesterday, I thought about posting an entry about our school board and the guy they just hired and then fired after 4 days but paid 9,000+ for a month of work. I thought about posting an entry about how tired I am after planning lessons aligned with the Common Core Standards but still matching the district pacing guide while consulting the Art and Science of Teaching so I can become an innovating teacher...

Today,  none of that matters.

 

Children are supposed to be safe at school. Everyday I am responsible for 18 precious lives. I assure their parents that I will take care of them - that they will be safe and they will see them again at 3:20. I feel their heads when they complain of illness. I prescribe wet paper towels for itchy bug bites and invisible boo-boos. I hold garbage cans underneath their mouths when the stomach bug hits. I apply Band-Aids to cuts and scratches.. old or new.

Today, I am forced to think about - to make a plan- how to hide 18 precious children in their sanctuary- our classroom.
 I can't turn off the news. I can't look away. I can't stop thinking about the anguish for this community.

My prayers go out Sandy Hook Elementary.

 

A Day in The Life...

I stumbled across a blog that chronicled a day in the life of people through photos. I thought I'd try it.. it was hard to remember to take photos-- and I picked a not so typical day- it was our Native American Pow Wow. The students cycled through centers in 4 classrooms and then sang 2 songs before our Thanksgiving Feast. It was a fun and busy day!

Free digital slideshow customized with Smilebox

The At Family

We had a big debate about letting the brat into our AT family house. There was fierce argument on both sides. In the end we let the brat in the house. We all deserve another chance.

Blogging has really taken a back seat. I really love to blog. It helps to process the lessons I teach- but I just don't have many spare minutes in my life these days. Shamefully, I am currently blogging from my phone during an in service about our new evaluation system. I hope to get back to blogging soon!

Technology.... Old School

I just taught 18 kindys how to use this... It BLEW THEIR MINDS. I had 15 students watching and eagerly waiting for their turns when the lucky 3 got to try it out first.

B.U.I.L.D. Math Centers!

Harcourt Storytown Weekly Planner with Common Core Standards

 I have had many questions about a post I wrote a little over a year ago looking for Harcourt Storytown and Common Core alignment. I never found anything so my team created this. I hope it helps you in planning.

Harcourt Weekly Planner with Common Core Standards

Kindergarten Common Core

 

I am working with a math and reading curriculum that are aligned to my old State Standards. I am expected to use them while supplementing the Kindergarten Common Core Standards. I have been working on lesson plans and scheduling for the last 5 weeks- trying to figure out where to place the Common Core Standards that are not covered. I was pretty sure that I was going to miss some until I found this workbook while crawling Pinterest. This workbook covers each standard and includes activities and posters. I am pretty excited to see a resource with all of the Common Core in one place. So far I have been piecing standards together with activities I find along the way. -- Check it out and if you have a blog---- hurry! You can win a free download by blogging about the workbook.

B.U.I.L.D. Math Centers

I found the idea for B.U.I.L.D. Math Centers after a friend pinned it on Pinterest. I checked out Adventures in Teaching and adapted her idea. I LOVE it! It keeps me really organized and helps me gather center supplies QUCIKLY! I have three groups with 6 kids in each group. Each group completes one center a day. This is what we did this week in B.U.I.L.D Math Centers.( I tossed the Common Core Standard into each bucket as well)

B is for Buddy Games 

U- Using Objects (anyone else not supposed to call them math manipulatives - weird)

I is for Independent Work 

L is for Literacy and Math

D is for Doing Math

These math centers would not be possible without these generous bloggers that share their awesome ideas for FREE! Check them out!

http://teachertakers.blogspot.com/

www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com

http://kindergartencrayons.blogspot.com/

If I am using something you made and I didn't mention you please comment and let me know!! I pin and save LATE into the night!

Hurricane Isaac

Today was a hurricane day.. for lots of counties.. except mine. It was a tough call- the weather was supposed to be getting better- but it didn't. Thankfully my brand new kindys were very brave through the wind and thunder and lightning. We kept trucking along! They learned how to write in their journals and we did the first two workbook pages in our practice books. The weather got a lot worse after lunch and we were put on a tornado watch. Then... the power went off. THANKFULLY my emergency lights came on! Next door was not as lucky. So I read a little of this book. I used the flashlight app on my phone to see the words (thanks to my husband for downloading it for me!). The power came back on about 40 minutes later and we continued with the day. All in a days work!

You can see the rain bouncing in the puddles.

Mulch is floating

Three cheers for emergency lights!

Welcome to Room 108!

All About Mrs. Lewis

I am excited to start the 2012-2013 school year! Last year my blog took a back seat to my pregnancy and maternity leave. I missed writing here and keeping parents updated on our classroom activities. I can't wait to meet my 2012-2013 class! Here is a little more about me!

I am Luanne Lewis. I graduated from Florida Southern College in 1999. I started my career by teaching special education for 5 years before I moved to kindergarten. This is my 9th year in K! In 2005 I married my husband Andy. He is a high school history teacher. In 2007 we welcomed Amelia into the world and November 29th 2011 we welcomed Lydia into the world! Amelia is starting kindergarten this year. I cannot believe how fast time passes! This summer I was blessed to celebrated my Grandmothers 90th birthday with her in New York.

I have been very busy the last two weeks attending trainings and getting the classroom set up. I am not quite ready to share photos yet! Today is my last day of summer vacation and I have promised Amelia "something fun"! So I have to go and find out what she has in mind.

Supply List Typo

Supply List Typo!!

If you are a new parent in my classroom--- sorry for the typo on the supply list. Mats are not needed as we do not take naps. Sorry for the confusion. I can't wait to meet you on Thursday at orientation. 

Mrs. Lewis gets ready for kindergarten

Before.... Come back to check out the after!

Sunday Funny

 

This web site just cracks me up! I am embarrassed to say, I don't even know who half of the men are! I have been working at home on school stuff all day. Reading this web site is a great way to gear up for another week!