Spelling Ideas Part 1

Most of you are probably days/weeks away from the school year finishing-SO EXCITED for you! Not because teaching isn't great, but come on-the renewal from the summer is so necessary. 

Schools over here go into July, but lucky for me I had a pre-arranged vacation to the States (Illinois to see family and Florida to a beach condo!) from late May to mid June before the school asked me to finish out the school year. Fortunately one of the weeks falls over a half term holiday here (1 week)...but still it's strange to get my cover plans together. CAN'T WAIT! 

So, in the thick of the BIG Year 6 play production rehearsals, honing in on my Year 5's English levels before they take their secondary exams in the fall, and trying to get back to the gym-it's a BUSY time once again!

I'm really excited to get through it all and enjoy next year a lot more (due to the organization and work I've put in this year). New jobs are exhausting, but rewarding right?

Among other things, currently I'm trying to make some gains in spelling for my poor, poor spellers (about half of my Year 5 class). I've been reading this book,

and picked up a few valuable tips.

*Ask children why spelling is important. Many will say 'to pass a spelling test' or 'get a good grade' (yikes! Discussion quick!).

*When children have an audience for their writing, they have a reason for learning about spelling and for doing the best they can.

*It's helpful to look for patterns that emerge in the type of errors students make so you know what to focus your teaching on for individual needs.

*Spelling tests: competent spellers use many strategies to try unfamiliar words and to learn words. The emphasis needs to be on children's learning these strategies rather than getting a list of words to be learned by rote. 

Anyway, these are just a few wonderful reminders from the first 2 chapters. I'm excited about the possible changes I can propose to the staff next year as English Coordinator. 

Although spelling is a small component of English/Literacy, when there are big gaps or poor instruction...it can become a BIG component that affects other areas-don't you think?

Can't wait to tell you about a resource I hope to use with second grade and up next year to support spelling and improve vocabulary!!  (Hint: Personal Dictionaries with a twist!)

I will leave you will this because I just LOVED it!!! Click on the picture!

Have a good one!
  

Parts of Speech Posters {FREE}

Hello!! 

What a week back! Sometimes I wonder if I'm cut out for private school life...this week the parts for the play went out...then the emails from parents about parts not being big enough for their child...can't please everyone I guess!

What is like at your school? Do you find issues of "too much homework!" "not enough homework!" "not academic enough!" "too much emphasis on academics!" "class size is too small!" "class size is too big!"

Ugg.

I would NEVER want to be a principal. 

Anyway, before I go into school on a Saturday to make copies and get ready for our 5 day (!!!) residential trip next week...(I can't believe I'm going in on a Saturday-who does that?!)--I have a freebie for you: Parts of Speech posters (click on the images to download)

I needed to make this for my classroom this week because it is apparent that some of my students are missing these concepts.

Sorry for my ranting-there are other areas of my life that are FANTASTIC! Sometimes I just want to retire already (and volunteer at schools instead).

Have a great weekend!!
Kxx  

Cape Town and a question about blogging backgrounds

Well it's been awhile, and if I'm honest, I'm having a hard getting back into the productive part of 'life'. I just got back from South Africa, visiting my husband's family (beautiful scenery, a bit a turmoil with in-laws that I could do without, but that's life)...anyway there wasn't really any internet connection there and so it was a well-needed break from blogging, reading blogs, pinterest, facebook, working etc.

But now I'm back, getting ready for work on Monday and I feel...empty. I'm looking at everyone's blogs, not really feeling like I have much to say. I haven't been able to make any of my journal resources that I love to share because my current job takes up every second I've got. I would so love to teach part time!

Anyway, I've got to finish my spring cleaning and snap out this lazy mood! Here are some pictures from Cape Town and Pretoria-I hope you enjoy it!

Also, I would like to change the background of my blog-any suggestions to where you got yours?

Kelli xx

almost there. exhausted teachers?

I am.so.exhausted.

Conferences over.

Open morning over.

Spring concert over.

Field trip last week over.

I am dead on my feet. Has anyone else felt like that recently?

Tomorrow is our last day of term, then 3 1/2 weeks off. Hooray!

My husband and I will be going to South Africa to visit his family....so I hope to blog more frequently when we get back.

Happy spring everyone.

    

Word Problems for JOURNALS!

Hello!! So loving this song-click and listen to 30 seconds of it!

How was your week? Mine was GREAT! My heart feels like this right now:

I am feeling more settled than ever, into this city, being a wife, building friendships, my place in our church (how best to serve), and now a JOB!

It has been confirmed officially that I will finish out the school year and continue on in September!! I got to tell my students on Friday and their reaction was the sweetest thing ever and a priceless moment. 

This job has really touched me more than any other year, perhaps because it's a job that has stretched me so out of my comfort zone! God always has a plan and handing control over to him is always the best way.

In other news, here is my latest journal resource: word problems for 1st and 2nd Grade!! I worked a little bit about once a week for ages, and I hope it will save you time and paper. The word problems cover measurement, money, addition, subtraction etc. 

 Moving along, have you been to Mrs. Terhune's blog? She has got so many organizational ideas and anchor charts-I'm really loving her pictures!

 I'm a bit all over the place, but the next thing on my mind is our field trip tomorrow to Hampton Court Palace! With our studies on the Tudors and Stuarts, I know we'll learn even more about Henry VIII. Wish me luck (field trips always stress me out)!

Tell me about your week!!
Kelli xx 

Spelling ideas please?!

Hello!! I'm looking for some spelling ideas for my school. I *think* I may be able to change the current spelling program (they get spelling words based on a spelling rule, they have to write the words in sentences, spelling test on Friday, they forget the words by Monday...you know what I mean), so I'm super excited to change this!!

Some of the books I'm looking to order:

  

Any thoughts? Have you read any of these? I'm especially interested in ideas for my older students (age 9-11).

Thank you!!!

100th post!!!!!

Wow! I can't believe I've posted 100 times! (well my last post was actually the 100th, but it was a test post because I was having problems)....anyway! Thanks to those of you that stop by-I don't post as often as other bloggers do, but thankfully you continue to come by and see what I've got to say!

So, before I fall into bed, here are 5 things that are on my mind these days:

1)  My husband and I went on a date Saturday night to see this. It wasn't The Notebook, but I still really liked it. It made me feel so girly and romantic. I grabbed my sweetie a little closer to me the rest of the night. Must do more dates!

 
 2) My job has been extended to the end of the year (July) and *should* be mine in September!! I've got so  much freedom at this school...my mind is thinking about a million things I'd love to do!

 
3) Cape Town, South Africa!!
My husband and I are going to spend time with his family there in a couple weeks (over Easter holiday)...can't wait for some sunshine!!!!

  

4) Help me come up with a title for my friend's blog! She is a British uppergrade teacher with some great resources (video, notebooks, etc)...I've introduced her to the blogging world-help us out with a name!!!

5) I am so grateful for this man. He treats me so well and is so helpful, supportive and loving. So happy.


Have a good one!
Kellixx