Fun work!

Today (during nap time) I got to work on a project I have been putting off. A couple of weeks ago I bought some small bookcases on Craigslist and was going to paint the sides with chalkboard paint and make each side a center location. I have been debating on chalkboard and magnetic paint or just chalkboard...then I found chalkboard contact paper and that made my decision for me because it was super cheap!! I found a six foot roll on Amazon for $6.

So today I finished one of the bookcases. I decided to put some cute school bus fabric I had leftover from last year on top. Then I took some leftover yellow ribbon and hot glued it to the edges. It turned out a lot cuter than I thought.

Unfortunately I ran out of ribbon and am trying to decide it I want to do something different on the other bookcase do I didn't finish that one.

This year I am going to have a big chalkboard in my room (along with the whiteboard). I think I am going to get chalkboard markers for the chalkboard contact paper and the boards...no smearing! Has anybody out there used them before?? Just want to make sure there fabulous before I shell out the cash.

This chalkboard contact paper can be cut into any shape and size, which makes it awesome!! Some of my leftovers are making great labels for my book bins!

Anyway, my internet is down so I am posting from my phone. Hopefully more fun postings soon :)

-Laura

Web Quest Time

It is Web Quest time and I have just finished uploading my "Telling Time Review Web Quest" on zunal.com. Normally I wouldn't be planning a Math unit for the last nine weeks of school the summer before but I am doing it for one of my graduate classes, so I don't mind so much!

I am planning to incorporate a Web Quest into all my science units this year. Last year when we did that Fish Web Quest the kids loved it, so if in no other subject Science and Social Studies will be Web Quest time!!

The Time Web Quest is actually a review of the unit with games and a little bit of interesting info for kids to read. I don't know if you have noticed but the Math Common Core Standards for 1st Grade are SHORT! The time standard is simply: Be able to tell time to the hour and half hour. Hey, I am not complaining...just saying SHORT! Anyway, click here to visit the Telling Time Review Web Quest.

If you would like a copy to the "Telling Time Web Quest Journal" and "Telling Time Web Quest Rubric" then click here and here.

Well, I hope you actually remember this post months down the road and get a chance to utilize this Web Quest. As I develop more quests I will be sure to share :)

Common Core Standards

This past week I went to training for the common core standards that Tennessee will be implementing K-2 this school year. In addition to this, I have been taking a couple classes towards my Masters and in one class I did a powerpoint for Bloom's Taxonomy that I thought was a perfect fit.

As many of you know, the Common Core seem to be less standards but we are suppose to teach them to MASTERY! Doesn't sound so hard, right? One question was brought up about how long should you stay on a topic or how many different ways can you teach the same thing? I know there are some concepts that you can just exhaust to the point of hating, but I also know we are creative geniuses! We need to be teaching our students how to use their creativity too by using Bloom's Taxonomy in EVERY lesson while planning. It may sound overwhelming but it is really important. I know there are a lot of teachers out there who already use Bloom's, but I also know there are many who don't.

I think a good way to determine if a student has mastered one these new standards is determining what level of Bloom's they can demonstrate. If they can demonstrate all levels, they probably have a good grasp on the subject! Anyway, I am going to be working more this year to implement Bloom's in everyday planning but I wanted to share my powerpoint because I think it is important for all teachers to have a really good grasp of this topic!

Blooms Taxonomy Made Easy

View more presentations from Laura Davis.

I am a big technology person, so my favorite part of this is the links I shared for teaching at each level of Bloom's. There are so so many ways to implement technology while using higher order thinking skills. Take advantage...it might make your planning easier!

That is all for now! Hope you enjoy!