Reflect and Refresh Linky {Part 1: Looking Back}

Welcome to Reflect and Refresh, a two part linky party where teacher bloggers share their reflections on the 2014-2015 school year and ways they are planning to refresh their teaching in 2015-2016.  

I'm very excited to link up with my two sweet friends Stephanie (Mrs. D's Corner) and Destiny (Terrific Teaching and Learning) to share my reflections as I look back over the school year.  This year was a great year for me!  I LOVED my class and I was super sad to see them leave for third grade.  I know that next year will be just as good and I wanted to share some things that I'm planning to work on over the summer to help make sure that next year is just as successful.



Communication:  This last school year, I really used edmodo as a tool to keep my students informed.  I added math content that they accessed for homework and I posted group work for our book clubs.  

This summer I'm attending several webinar trainings and I'm excited to start using the edmodo parent app to communicate with my parents next year.  My goal is to post the weekly newsletters and homework.  That way if they ever loose them, they are all right there for them to download.  I also love it because they will be able to see and keep track of their child's progress all in the app.  I can't wait to share more in a future post as I learn more.

Organization:  I have two different classes that I see each day, so I'm always having trouble with the classroom table supplies and organizing them.



I have these book boxes that the students keep all of their personal supplies (notebooks, pencils, spirals, scissors, colors) but my storage for the classroom table supplies needs work.

Maybe something like this...



Or maybe something like this from Little Minds at Work...


What do you guys have that you love?  I would love to hear some suggestions!

Content:  I definitely want to work on using guided math more in small groups.  I feel like I struggle with this a lot of the time because of my big classes and just the organization of it all!

As part of my planning for next year, I plan on reading this book.



And....I'll also be reading stalking this sweet lady's blog!


If you don't know Donna and her wonderful math blog, you need to run and go follow it now!  I LOVE all of her posts and they are super helpful!

My Big Summer Project:  One of the goals for next year on my campus is to implement Words Their Way in our classroom routines.  I've used Words Their Way before but I want to go beyond just using it for spelling.  My goal this summer is to create some authentic word work stations that will help my students really internalize the different letter sound patterns.  I haven't had a magnetic station in my room in awhile but my project this summer is to create one on the back of one of my book cases using galvanized metal sheets.  I can't wait!  I know it will really help my students.



This last year, I also worked on reading response units for my students and this summer my goal is to finish some more units.  They loved these last year and I can't wait to add more.


I would LOVE to hear about your reflections and see what your plans for next year are.  Make sure you head over and link up for yourself.


5 comments

  1. Loved your post Stephanie! My previous district used Edmodo to communicate district-wide and it was great! There are times when I wish I taught an older grade just so I could use it with my students haha. Guided math is on my list too, I'm reading the book Guided Math Conferences, you should check it out too! :)

    Destiny
    Terrific Teaching and Learning

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    1. Thanks Destiny for the book suggestion! I'll definitely check it out!

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  2. I LOVE how you store student work in those bins. Where did you purchase them from? Are they cardboard or plastic? I'm looking to purchase some too but don't want to spend a fortune!

    As far as table supplies go, I purchased a cup set from Lakeshore for $20. It comes with a carrying case and 8 different colored plastic cups. I have my students store their pencil, glue, eraser, and little things like that. It made it super easy because all I had to say was "Go grab your cup!" and they knew exactly what I was talking about. Can't wait to see what you come up with!

    Thanks for linking up!

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    1. I had so much fun linking up! Thanks for hosting! I love the cup idea! That's so awesome! I'll have to check it out.

      The bins belong to my school, so I'm not sure where they purchased them from. They are plastic but really hard plastic. I've seen the same ones at our local teacher store, but they are expensive ($2 to $3 a piece). I wish I was more helpful because they are a total live saver! I'm so glad that I have them.

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  3. I loved reading your post! Edmoto sounds like it has so much potential! I made a magnetic bulletin board a few years ago - painted it - the kids loved it! I LOVE your new blog design!

    Peggy @ Primary Flourish

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