Welcome to {Reflect and Refresh}, a TWO part linky party where teacher bloggers share their reflections on the 2014-2015 school year & ways they are planning to refresh their teaching in 2015-2016! I am so excited about this link-up!! There has been a lot of collaborating, chatting, and google hanging to get ready for this! I hope you enjoy reading these posts and EVEN link up if you want!! 🙂
We are reflecting on three areas and then talking about our summer project! (I had to pick one?!)
Here are my {REFLECTIONS}:
Communication:
This year I had a classroom Instagram! I most definitely consider this in the area of parent communication because I am able to show parents the fun and engaging things their child is doing in my classroom! I can even send out a reminder for things as a picture on our account! The parents really loved this. If you are considering having one for next year, come back soon for how I set mine up and a free parent permission form!
Classroom Management:
Thanks to the amazing The Tattooed Teacher I introduced a V.I.P. table this year!! It was PERFECT for the second half of the year! My VIPs got special privileges, their own table, fun gifts, and their own special supplies! I love love this management idea and can't wait to do it again next year! I don't think I will start the year with it though, it is something I can pull out of my bag of tricks! 🙂
Content:
I created a product to use with my students this year to work on their comprehension skills. I instantly fell in love! My students loved cutting and glueing and having and interactive way to comprehend the story of the week. In third grade, we do a lot of grades. Every week we read a story, talk about it, discuss a skill, and then they have a grade that goes along with it. The grade is pretty boring and I was tired of that! While I still give them the grade my Comprehension Flapbooks provided us a way to get excited about that part of our day again! You can check them out here!
Summer Project:
I have so many! I want to work out everyday! yessss finally! We are decorating our home more, cleaning out our guest room, cleaning and organizing the garage (helloooo container store Elfa shelves!), and tons more! But at the top of my list is revamping and creating products & BLOGGING! I am so so excited for the plans I have for this little blog this summer! I want to get better at blogging AHEAD of time on the ideas that I have. & like I said before: collaboration has been happening for MANY many exciting things!! ++++ VEGAS this summer!! yay!!! I received my essentials in the mail this week and I just can not contain my excitement!! 🙂
I hope you enjoyed reading some of my many reflections of this past school year! I would love to read about yours! Grab this image and link up below!! 🙂
I LOVE that VIP table! Must do that next year! Your Vegas swag is so cute, I can't wait!!! 🙂
Destiny
Terrific Teaching and Learning
I am in love with how you've done your classroom instagram account! I take SO many picture of my friends throughout the year, but never get to share them with parents. I think I'm going to give that a shot next school year 🙂 And your VIP table… genius!
Thanks for linking up and for helping to organize 🙂
I agree! I love the idea of a class IG. I think with 5th grade next year, they would LOVE this. Thank you for sharing!
Oh my goodness I LOVE your classroom IG!!! Such a great way for parents to see exactly what is happening in the classroom. Especially for those families who ask "How was schooL? What did you learn?" with their kiddo responding "I don't know, or I can't remember". I think it definitely helps open the door for communication at home.
Thank you for sharing!!
Kimberlee
It's Kinder Time
I love your classroom IG idea too! It takes forever to get pictures uploaded to our learning management system. I had so many good pictures I didn't get to share! Where did you have your Vegas goodies made? I am working on that now. 🙂
Marie
Once Upon a Classroom: A Teacher's Tales
I love your classroom ig idea! I just might have to try it! Parents would just love to see what their kids are doing in class.
Stacy
Made with Love
OMGee I NEED a VIP table and a class Instagram! You totally inspired me! Oh and I totally need to go check out your comprehension flapbooks. I LOVE flapbooks!
P.S. Your notebook and business cards look A-MAY-Zing friend! I love your new blog design.
Stephanie
The Learning Chambers
Hi Ashley,
I take a ton of pictures during the day that I wish I could share with my parents. Quick question… do you log out of your personal account on the daily basis? Wondering how to do that without having to use my blog IG.
Tania
My Second Sense
I'm totally doing the VIP table next year! So fun!
I'm totally doing the VIP table next year! So fun!