New Pinterest-Inspired Project

   Have I said before that I love Pinterest?  I love being able to find new recipes, teaching ideas, videos for my class -- all while sitting with my feet propped up.  Sometimes I even cook or make something that I have pinned.  Earlier this year, I saw a classroom that had groups of desks gathered around a shelf.  I liked the idea, but I have tables and didn't see how it would work. Enter my own personal fix-it man.  Sam brainstormed and drew diagrams on my board and this is what he came up with. He made 3 of them, each just the right size to hold 6 reading baskets, so the kids can easily get their baskets for Read-to-Self during Daily 5. It frees up the shelves that previously held all the class baskets, and makes it easier for them to find their own basket.  It also makes it easy for me to see if everyone put their basket back. Besides that, the space separates the kids, so that should help prevent talking and copying.

The baskets came from Dollar Tree, and the 6 in the middle are 3 or 4 years old. I sure have gotten my money's worth -- I just put a new label on every year and they are still good as new. 

Vacation from Teaching -- Not Yet

School has been out for over a month, and we are on vacation at the beautiful Isle of Palms/ Charleston area  As my husband and I walked down the beach, I am sorry to say that the topic of conversation was the school schedule and teaching reading.  The book I brought to read is "Whole-brain Teaching for Challenging Kids." I was back at the school 3 or 4 times last month.  Why is it that I can't seem to take off my teacher hat, even in July?