Summer school is coming to an end (boo-hoo)

We have so much fun in summer school that it is hard to say what we liked best.  So I will mention the top 5.

1.  Departmentalizing and grouping of students--not only did we (teachers) like this but when we ask the kids what their favorite activity this summer was they said GROUPS!  Amazing.  Glad to hear that because this was trial and error for next year.  I think we are set now.

2.  Walking field trip to Mugs Up Rootbeer--the kids brought in loose change and used it as part of their math lesson (identifying coins for the younger kiddos and counting coins in the upper grades).  The students used the menu to decide what they would order for lunch and then had to count out their money to pay for it, adding tax and tip of course :)  We walked to Mugs Up, spread out our table clothes on the ground, and had a picnic.  It was a blast.

3.  Studying about the rainforest and creating a painted mural.  Just got them laminated so each student has a 4 foot long poster that they can hang in their room.

4.  Studying about the ocean.  Learn something new everyday :)

5.  Working with the best staff and students in the whole world.  Such a great team!!!

Looking forward to vacation at Branson, Michigan City, and Chicago.  Lots of work during the summer, but always time to play.

Never too early to start planning...for next school year :)

It's taken me a year, but I finally found the book bin labels that I think suit my needs the best.  Thank you to Super Teacher Tactics.  The easy part was printing and laminating.  Now to start sorting all of my books.  So far I have brought home most of my books to work on during summer break, but the more I look around my room at summer school the more I realize I have books in every corner, on every shelf, and in every drawer and bin!  It's going to be a job, but well worth it when I get done.

Departmentalizing this summer has been super!  I love switching kids and working on two major subject areas.  After working for hours on our schedule for next year (and realizing that we need to add 2 hours to the school day to get every subject in with time for recess, lunch, and specials) it is finally done and I am happy about our grouping.  Hope my partner is :)  We have also really liked linking all of our groups and core subjects to one common theme.  Next on the agenda is finalizing a calendar with themes for the year that tie in common core.

I have also made my wish list on Amazon...$400.00--not as bad as I thought it would be.

I am off to plan a layout for next year...custodians want a map to put furniture back after the floor is done.  Don't they know it takes me months to create that?!?!?!

Summer School's a Blast!

Well, the first three days of summer school have passed.  Now 17 more to go.  We tried our departmentalization and grouping of kids and it has been great!  We divided our 15 kiddos into 3 groups (using a certified para for group 3) and each are teaching a different subject.  I thought I was going to really struggle giving up Math and Science, but I think I have done pretty good.  Reading, Writing, and Social Studies will fall on my shoulders.  Sure beats planning for 5 subjects and differentiating each one.  Now I only focus on 3 subjects, which are easily intertwined, and my groups are more evenly distributed.

Grouping of Kiddos
This is where you have to be flexible.  We service students ranging from K-5th grade.  Even if they are in a certain grade doesn't mean they are performing at that grade level.  It's hard to ask them to do something when they haven't mastered the skills needed to do it.  (And asking high fliers to "wait" for others to finish tasks easily completed by them even when completing differentiated work covering the same skill)  We have had to move students around and regroup them during the first three days, but they have been troupers and I think we have finalized our groups.  Group 1 is mainly K-2, Group 2 is mainly 2-4, and Group 3 is mainly 3-5.  Each group has no more than 6 kiddos in it.  Very manageable.  Beats K-2 with 8 kiddos and 3-5 with 7 kiddos and a whole range of abilities.  For students struggling with behavioral challenges I think this is a fantastic way to meet their individual needs.

Scheduling and Rotating
At first I thought it was going to hard to have them rotating from one classroom to the next, but I think the definite break in each subject and movement has helped them.  They see a beginning and end to each subject and movement breaks are just what they need.  I have only heard positive comments from them about moving classrooms.  Summer school schedule is a little easier to manage because lunch is more flexible and we don't have to accommodate specials classes.  Hopefully we can make the regular school year just as smooth.

Just on a side note...I got this fantastic idea from a very dear friend from another district who uses this in her alternative setting. :)