I'm so hAPPy!

School's out for summer but at Claxton we never stop learning! This week several teachers participated in a super fun iPad training with our Instructional Technology Facilitator, Mrs. Eggett, and our Media Center Coordinator, Mrs. Allbach. 

We explored incredible apps that can be used in the classroom and had time to plan with our grade level team how we will integrate our newfound apps next year! Just when I thought I'd seen it all, Mrs. Eggett and Mrs. Allbach blew my mind with something new. I felt like an excited little kid again...especially when we played with an app called ColAR Mix that brings coloring pages to life! (See mind blowing pic below.)

One of the best parts about being a teacher is that I'm also a student, constantly learning how to improve my classroom instruction with the latest and greatest tech. Claxton has such awesome support system in place for technology in the classroom and it makes me so hAPPy ;) 

My self-portrait, drawn using an app called 53 Paper.

At first this may appear to be JUST a coloring page...but with the ColAR mix app it comes to life! Yep, my inner child is screaming with excitement, y'all! 

And how about some virtual (yet practically real) exploration of the NASA rover Curiosity? I can do that, too! 

Because with my iPad the world is literally at my finger tips and I can't wait to share these engaging activities with my new class of 2nd graders! 

Thanks for stopping by! 

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"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."

Usually I'm good with words but when thinking about what to write for my end-of-year wrap up, I was speechless. I can't do this year justice with my words but hopefully this video can help...

Warning: if you're emotional (like me) you may want a tissue box close by ;)

I never knew it was possible to love a group of children so much and I will truly never forget them. As Dr.Seuss said, "Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." This year was beyond amazing and so much more than I could ever ask for as a first year teacher. I'm grateful for the endless support I received from parents, co-workers, and administrators. Being part of the Claxton family is such an honor! I look forward to many years to come.

Until next time, have a wonderful, relaxing summer!

Happy Earth Day!

iPad Poetry

Today Mrs. Allbach taught an awesome lesson about Diamonte Poetry. A Diamonte poem is an unrhymed seven-line poem with the beginning and end being the shortest and the middle being the longest. This forms the diamond shape, hence the name Diamonte. Our themes were Earth and Trees. We went into the common area of the second floor and used the newly painted mural as our inspiration. Then, students wrote and published their poems on an iPad app called Word Mover! They did a fantastic job! Thank you Mrs. Allbach for an awesome lesson! Stay tuned for more Earth Day activities later in the week! 

More on Diamonte poems: ( http://www.poetry4kids.com/blog/lessons/how-to-write-a-diamante-poem/) 

Claxton's International Carnival

Hi families,

Don't forget to join us for the International Carnival next Saturday! Our class will have a booth all about Nepal! We will have a Nepali game for kids to play and we will be selling crafts to raise more money for the student we are sponsoring in Nepal! Please email me if you are interested in volunteering that day. We need as many volunteers as possible! Thank you for all that you do. :) 

Guest Reader: UNC Asheville Basketball Player

Last week we had a very special guest reader in our classroom! Corey Littlejohn, a basketball player for the UNC Asheville bulldogs, stopped by to read one of the kids' favorite books: Dragons Love Tacos. The kids also had a chance to talk to him about what college is like and why reading is important. Thanks so much Corey for coming! And thank you Madison Davis, Director of Men's Basketball Operations, for the awesome UNCA backpacks! :) 

Spring is finally here!

We are so excited that spring is finally here! What a long winter it has been. Bring on the sunshine! Yesterday we ate lunch outside and did Read Aloud outside--where we finally finished Beezus and Ramona. Our next Read Aloud chapter book will be Matilda, one of my childhood favorites! I hope everyone is enjoying this fabulous weather! 

P.s.- I am hoping to collect a few picnic blankets for our classroom so that we can sit on the grass (and avoid ants) in addition to the picnic benches. Please let me know if you have an old or gently used (or new) blanket that you'd like to donate for our outdoor learning time :)