Summer Preparations ... part 1

I have been busy this summer with little preparations for my classroom both WBT and otherwise. I am going to outline in this post what I have done so far this summer.

Before I even left school in May, I copied the SuperSpeed Math. One set (blank and with answers) for each student. I then purchased enough 3 prong folders for each student. The copies were placed in page protectors (with my mom's help). I went into to this wanting all the same color (one that most students wouldn't buy themselves)... and I have come up short... so I am still searching every Wal*Mart for more of this style and color! Below is a picture of five of the folders. I have 22 completed so far.

SuperSpeed Math Folders

Attending WBT conferences has been the most important thing I have done for my classroom this summer. I tried and TRIED to get a huge group of people to go with me but I finally decided I would go no matter what.

I attend the Reading and Math Conference in Jackson, MO by myself. I meet two new friends at this conference, Susan Floyd and Staci Glass. They are Co-Directors of Whole Brain Teaching Missouri and will be hosting six Saturday WBT workshops throughout this school year. Jackson is just a SHORT (LOL) five hour drive from my town, but I will still be making the drive to help these wonderful ladies with the workshops! 

I will be traveling from just east of Kansas City to right about where the hwy 55 symbol is located.

At this conference, I became more aware of the importance of the scoreboard and how to tie it into ALL aspects of the day.  We practiced over and over to become more natural with including the scoreboard and various forms of Mirror.

Reading and Math handout with copies of the WBT Lesson template

In between conferences, I decided to print off the Power Pix at my local Office Depot. This was a significant cost because I had them printed in color on cardstock. Each Pix was also printed twice. The first printing was on a full sheet (for when I introduce the topic) and the second was a half sheet for placement on my Power Pix wall. I didn't use Power Pix last year except towards the end. I really look forward to using these powerful tools.

I am also working to transfer the third grade math power pix to the common core standards. That involves relabeling the pix and MAKING new ones. Thanks to scrapbunny ( http://scrapbunnywbt.blogspot.com/2012_06_01_archive.html ) getting this started and for creating a Power Pix template!

My second conference for the summer took me to Union, MO. This time I had the pleasure of bringing along two co-workers. Our librarian and before/after school care director came along. Also at the conference were 12 co-workers from another building in the district. EVERY fourth grade teacher from that building attended!

At this conference I was able to join Coach B in the ADVANCED WBT sessions! So exciting. Once again I was able to practice the Five Step Lesson Plan, Class Yes, Score Board, and Mirrors (I even learned a new version of mirrors... check out my other blog on the subject http://pawsitivelywbt.blogspot.com/2012/07/the-four-mirrors.html) At this conference, Coach B introduced me as an intern! I was so excited! (Imagine my excited hands gesture here!)

Scoreboard page in Classroom management handout on the right. WBT lesson plan format on the left.

From the left: ME (Deanna Schuler), Jeff Battle, Chris Biffle, and Chris Rekstad.

I had barely settled in at home before I realized that I needed cardstock for my Super Improver Wall. I went to Michael's and bought LOTS of cardstock.

I have been trying to decide on the colors. I think I have decided... what do you think? My second color HAD to be green, because of my experience with the SIW this year. (I will include this story on my other blog soon). Of course the STAR level has to be yellow! :)

My SIW level colors.

This is all I have right now...the power pix is going to take a lot of time. I will post again next week as I continue the countdown to the classroom! Stay PAWSitive!