Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Show and Tell Tuesday




I'm joining Barb from Ruby Slippers for her linky Show and Tell Tuesday. Check out Barb's blog, she has a great show and tell about social media blueprints.

I am excited and nervous about my new teaching assignment. When I taught kindergarten, I always did my own thing. If I wanted to teach about Johnny Appleseed and apples, I taught about Johnny Appleseed and apples. Then the last two years in kindergarten the district adopted Treasures reading and with that came a pacing guide. It wasn't too bad in kindergarten. When I started teaching first grade that pacing guide was my arch enemy. I hated that thing, I had to keep barreling through the books to stay with the pacing guide whether the kids master the skill or not. My principal said I didn't have to use Treasures, but the pacing guide was still mandating what skills were taught and when. 

Now I've moved to a new district and grade. I know I keep saying this, but just in case someone missed it, I moved to 3rd grade and I will only be teaching social studies and science. I went up to talk to the principal and while I was there she gave me the curriculum for my subjects. 

In Oklahoma,third grade social studies is all Oklahoma History. She gave me this book to use.
She told me I can use it or not use or add to it as I would like.

For science, I received these two books.

All of the science lessons use children's books to introduce the lesson! How cool is that! I get to choose the lessons I want to teach...NO PACING GUIDE! What? I can't believe it!

Here's what is crazy, for the past six years I have hated that pacing guide telling me what to teach and when. Now that I have freedom to teach what I want, I am nervous, anxious, even a little scared. What? Yeah, I know it doesn't make sense, I got what I wanted and now I'm scared???  I need to start making some long term plans, but I kind of freeze up every time I think about it. I'm sure part of it is because I am moving to a new school with a new principal in a grade I have never taught before. 

My goal for the rest of the week is to get some kind of plan for science. I can use the Oklahoma book if I need to, but I am thinking about starting the year with the state symbols and then do the history.  I know in the long run, I'll love the freedom, I just have to get over my "First Year Jitters!" :D



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12 comments:

  1. Good luck! Somehow I missed that you are teaching ss and science. Sounds like so much fun! Especially the science. Hope you have a productive day.
    Alyce

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  2. I have used those Picture-perfect science books, and they are awesome! You can modify lessons as you see fit, you don't need to do EVERYTHING that's in there :) It sounds like you will have a lovely school year!

    Ventaneando: A Window Into First Grade Bilingüe

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    1. Thanks for the tip , Adriana! I think they look like a terrific resource.

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  3. Those picture perfect science books look amazing - can't wait for you to share some ideas that you use from them!
    Growing Little Learners

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    1. I will definitely share my successes and maybe even my flops! ;P I think these lessons will keep the kids will be very engaged

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  4. That is fabulous that you get to teach science with picture books as your lead in - that is like a dream come true. I may have to check those books out : )

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    1. I agree, I'm excited to have some freedom! ;P The books also have charts, forms, etc... already made for you, but knowing me, I'll want to add to it.
      Kelly

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  5. Congratulations on your new position! How exciting that you get to be so creative in your teaching!
    Chrissy
    First Grade Found Me

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    1. Thanks Chrissy, I think I will really like it after I get over my jitters and get to know the rest of the staff.
      Kelly

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  6. I missed that you were only teaching SS and Science! You'll be fine. I get nervous like that every year and I've been teaching a LOOOONG time. Once you get in the swing of things you'll wonder what you were ever nervous about. Do you have to plan the whole year ahead of time? Maybe it would help to rough out the year but then only do the finder details for the first term.
    Have fun!
    And thank you for linking up, Kelly!!

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  7. How exciting to be starting a new position with so much freedom! We have a pacing guide we have to follow too. I added those books to my Amazon wishlist - I could squeeze in science and still cover literacy standards - awesome!

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