Two-Voice Poetry

What is two-voice poetry?  Well, it's poetry that written from two different points of view.  It's read aloud by two different people, each representing one of the points of view.  I ran across this idea recently when I was cleaning out my student teaching files.  Sad, right?

I want to incorporate more poetry into my writing station this year.  Then I found this baby.  As they say on The Big Bang Theory, "Bazinga!"

This is a customizable PowerPoint that can be used at a poetry station or to help the whole class write a two-voice poem. It includes:

• Instructions
• Suggested Topics
• Examples

You can pick up a free copy of this activity at my TpT store.

Do you use literacy stations?  How about a poetry station?  I'd love to hear your examples!

DIY: Teacher's Toolbox

I admit, I put off doing this because it looked like it would take a lot of time and effort to make.  Then, I saw Layla's post at Fancy Free in Fourth.

This is a woman after my own heart.  Hello, polka dots!

First step, buy the toolbox from Lowe's for about $20.

Next, print out the cute labels.  Thank you, Layla for the freebie!

Attach the labels to cute scrapbook paper to make them stand out.  I think I've settled on this color scheme, but I have to wait until the tool box arrives.

I'm going to laminate mine so I don't have to do this for a good long while!

Have you given in to the siren song of the Teacher's Toolbox?  I'd love to know how yours turned out!

DIY: Book Boxes as Organizers for Teacher Materials

I was inspired by Jodi at Clutter-Free Classroom to get my teacher materials in order.  She did a really helpful post on how to make cheap, quick, and yet incredibly cute labels that go on cardboard book boxes.

Aren't they great?

First, I ordered book boxes from Really Good Stuff.  I've heard that some people get these for cheaper from Ikea, but I'm not that lucky.

Next, I used scrapbook scissors to cut decorative paper to size.  I used decorative scissors because they are more forgiving with someone with me.  Why?  Because I can't cut a straight line to save my life!

I then stapled the two papers on to the box. 

In case you couldn't guess, there HAS to be polka dots!

Then I used a stencil set to trace the gift tags and letters, cut out the tags, and attached them with a dot of hot glue.  This took awhile.

I chose to use stencils because the placement of the letters was too hard to do on the computer to fit the shape of the tags.  Plus, I love to scrapbook, and this was a good excuse.

Are there any DIY projects that you've tackled lately?

Things I Wish I Knew When I Was New to Teaching

Stephanie at Teaching in Room 6 is having a link-up for teachers to share their advice to new teachers.  She has some of the most wonderful advice in this post!

 Now, I am no veteran teacher (I'm only going into my fourth year), but I do remember how tough it can be.  So I feel like I still have some valuable information from that perspective.

1. Use fabric for your bulletin boards and leave it up at the end of the year.  I've heard that some people use twin bed sheets, but you need to iron it before putting it up.  I bought 4 yards of fabric, tacked it up to make sure it was even, and then stapled it down.  It still looks fabulous a year later.
2. Surround yourself with positive people, even if they are in another grade level.  Sit near them at staff meetings, lunch, and pep rallies.  Don't be afraid to politely excuse yourself if conversations become negative and you're not required to be there.
3. Make 5 extra copies of class worksheets.  Someone will always lose one, and five is enough to cover that.
4. Recycle those extra copies once you're done with them.  They usually end up as clutter if you don't.  Keep one copy for next year if you don't have a digital copy.  On that note...
5. Try to make everything digital.  Then you won't have to worry about making extra copies because you can just print one out when you need one.      
6. Force yourself to take a break.  You need at least one or two days a week on which you do nothing related to school after you leave school.  On those days, you need to leave at a reasonable time, too.  This might seem counter-productive, but your body and mind need a break to work at full capacity.  When you're tired and stressed, it will take you twice as long to get things done.

Now it's your turn to help pass on the good advice.  What do you wish you knew your first year?

Virginia Blogger Get-Together

Calling all Virginia bloggers!

Head over to Mrs. Stamp's Kindergarten to let Karen know you'd like to join us. 

Andrea from One Teacher's Take and I will be going.  Hope to see you there!

School To-Do List Linky Party

Lorraine at Fabulous 4th Grade Froggies is hosting a linky party for all of us to share the loooong to-do lists we have for the beginning of the school year.

First, let me say that my list is much longer than most of the others that I've seen on the linky.  That probably means I'm stressing too much and my type A side needs to chill.  So there's benefit number one:  a perspective on how I can let some things go and just breath.

In that spirit, here is the must-do part of my to-do list.

To Do:

__ Work on/adapt Daily 5 PowerPoint

__ Correct/reprint first newsletter
__ Get cds/tapes for listening center
__ Update jobs bulletin board. 
__ Fill in lunch count/study hall/caught being good forms with new student names and reprint
__ Get behavior management system ready
__ Go over/set up bulletin board themes & posters
__ Write student names on Popsicle sticks
__ Write student names on birthday months
__ Make copies of “Room Parent Information” for meet the teacher night and back to school night
__ Class copies of math division/multiplication fact tests
__ Put math/SS textbooks, manila folders (incomplete folder), socks/markers, pencils, whiteboards on desks.
__ Put science/reading/grammar/reference books & book boxes on group shelves.  Fluency phones go in book boxes.
__ Back to school/welcome poster for door
__ Update School Center website/homework calendar
__ Write homework on agenda on the board.
__ Make copies of reading log.
__ Print several copies of “Buddy Reading Planning Sheet”. 
__ Plan/Print “First Week’s/Month’s Lesson Plans”
__ Set up “Miss Welsh’s Hot Reads” book display rack. 
__ Reserve dvds/materials from lesson plans
__ Set up plants in window.
__ Make several copies of “Buddy Book Sign Out Sheet” and place in basket at reading center.
__ Copy/laminate/tape to desk: “Test-Taking Checklist”
__ Put welcome gift (pencils) on desks
___ write in important dates in monthly lesson plans
___ make name tags for students
___ write morning message first day of school
___ hook up all computers
___ revise substitute folder (include new schedule, class roster, allergies of students, emergency plans)
___ confirm specials times with teachers
___ order reading/math/social studies books/workbooks for new students
___ review/revise the morning meeting PowerPoint
___ Go through student files to see special needs/behavior issues
___ stuff home folders with forms for the first day of school

Wow!  Still REALLY long, huh?   Do you do anything like this?  Is your "list" much shorter?  I'd love to know how much more I can probably cut out!

Teaching Figurative Language Through Poetry

One of my favorite writing units comes at the beginning of the year for me.  How lucky am I?  Actually, I make it that way so I'm kind of creating my own luck ;)

I love poetry, music, and figurative language.  When you put all those together, what do you get?  MUSIC!

I created an activity that involves looking at song lyrics to find figurative language.  It focuses on hyperbole, similes, metaphors, and personifications.  You can check it out by clicking here.

Do you explicitly teach figurative language using poetry or music?  I'd love to know how.