Poetry in Motion @yanntiersen @sharonmdraper @resvt #Poetry #Art #Mindfulness

We have begun to bring our poetry unit to an end so that we can dive into realistic fiction!  I did this by reading aloud the first two chapters of Out of My Mind, by Sharon Draper.  In this book, we are introduced to a character by the name of Melody.  She shares that, "Words have always swirled around me like snowflakes--each one delicate and different, each one melting untouched in my hands..." Because at the age of ten and three quarters, although passionate about language, she has never spoken a word!

She shares that like words, music, is something she connects to and finds so powerful.  When she hears different kinds of music, she sees and tastes and smells different things.

Inspired by Melody, we took time to be mindful of the music we listened to.  We took time to draw what we heard, smelled, saw and tasted as Yann Tiersen's music played.  Sometimes we closed our eyes and just let our art flow from our bodies.

When the music stopped, we walked around and described each other's art using deliciously descriptive words.  Then we used the inspiration from our art, and the words before us, to write poems!


Link to video: https://animoto.com/play/qc4KBSBIkD0puKQ3wQ21tQ


(We listened to about the first 12 minutes of Yann Tiersen's music as we drew.)

Fabulously Fun Friday! @resvt #Community @Kdarling7112 @vtkteach

There's nothing more fabulous than a Friday filled with fun!  We started our day with a student lead greeting, then kindergarteners came to our room searching for their lost gingerbread men!  We ended our day by eating popsicles that Otis shared as I read aloud Out of My Mind!  What a wonderful day!!!


Link to slideshow: https://sharalike.com/s/qP3B

Listen to part of our super fun greeting!

Our Field Trip To The Audubon @resvt #Audubon #BirdsOfVermontMuseum

We had a wonderful field trip this week!  We went to the Audubon, and the Birds of Vermont Museum, to learn about how animals are structured impacts their ability to survive!  It was an inspiring day of learning!  Thanks to our awesome chaperone who helped make the day even more special!


Link to Slideshow: https://sharalike.com/s/qP3b

The Importance Of Having A Growth Mindset In Math @resvt #MathMind #GrowthMindset

Please watch this video!  It can help you feel better about yourself and your child as mathematicians. This video can also help you understand why our focus in math today is less about memorizing algorithms and more about understanding, seeing patterns and finding multiple ways to approach a given problem.
This is a great video to watch and discuss with your child!  We saw the video together today! We learned how our brains work and that anything is possible when we set our minds to it!



After we discussed the video, we tackled math problems in creative ways, seeing connections and using patterns to help us.  Then we danced to "Try Everything", because this song reminds us of all we learned!  Mistakes help us learn and grow our brains!  We can do anything--it just takes practice and perseverance!  

Autumn Rhythm @resvt #JacksonPollock #Poetry #Art

Inspired by Jackson Pollock's "Autumn Rhythm", we went outside to experience fall and express our shared moment through art and through words.  As each student painted, we shared what we noticed about the artist, the art, and the world around us.  We used this experience to inspire our writing.
As students spoke and created, I did my best to write down their words and capture their "Autumn Rhythm" through photos and film.
You can see some of their words resting beside their captivating mural.


Link to video: https://animoto.com/play/HNwdEFMbjDkwOSgx8FwJTA

We can't wait to share all of our incredible poems and hard work with you at Open House!  See you Wednesday night, September 27th, from 6:00-7:00!

Becoming Poets! @resvt #Poetry #CreatingPassionateWriters

I always start the year with poetry because there is something very freeing about this genre.  Poetry also allows kids to play with writer's crafts, such as alliteration and similes, without the all the rules that come with other genres.  This freedom helps them take ownership of these crafts so they can later utilize them in future work.  It has been so incredible to watch these scholars growing as writers and becoming more and more passionate about their craft!



Link to video: https://animoto.com/play/mgdgwHCVt59uT7Md4SH94A

Our Hopes And Dreams @resvt #HopesAndDreams #Community

Students thought about their hopes and dreams for the year.

Scholars chose the hopes and dreams they wanted to focus on and share with each other.

Students made designs and shared ideas on how to best present our hopes and dreams to the world.

Then we started making our hopes and dreams become a beautiful reality!

This year we will work hard and support each other so that all of our hopes and dreams can become an exciting reality!

We Like To Move Our Bodies! @resvt @BenWhiteEdu @jratey #Spark

Whether it's starting the day by getting our bodies moving...
(Sometimes even our middle school friends join in the fun!)  

having a dance party with our amazing principal at the end of snack...


or getting outside to take in the sun's rays, we like to get our bodies moving and our brains ready for new learning!

Link to slideshow: https://sharalike.com/s/qNB8

Why Use Social Media In Education? @resvt @MichaelBerryEDU @bethredford @teachvt

Mr. Berry asked Aimee Randall from Jericho Elementary, Mrs. Redford, and me to talk about why we use social media as educators.  It's a fun, insightful video--check it out!

Link to Mr. Berry's post about the video: https://michaelberryedu.wordpress.com/2017/09/13/thank-you-bethredford-kblefrancois-and-teachvt-for-sharing-your-why-of-social-media-vted/

Learning To Trust One Another @resvt #BuildingCommunity

Trust is a powerful thing...

Link to video: https://animoto.com/play/UuwnZdhmO3M3bGCDVKev3A

Today we got friendship bracelets to symbolize the trust we feel toward one another and the support we promise to give each other!

There Is Nothing Better... #Music @resvt

Then getting serenaded when you eat your snack!

Words To Live By @kwamealexander #ThePlaybook @amyjccuddy #PowerPose @resvt

We started the year reading from Kwame Alexander's The Playbook: 52 Rules to Aim, Shoot, and Score in This Game Called Life.  We took time to mark the parts that spoke to us, discuss each message he shares, and write down the words and rules that we want to live by.

We made connections between Kwame's rules and Amy Cuddy's "Power Poses".  Students felt so inspired and powerful, they began writing their own rules to live by and ways of being.  We then took the words we felt were most important to remember, and surround ourselves with them.

We are ready for anything!  It's going to be a great year!  

Link to Slideshow: https://sharalike.com/s/qNqC

Playing With Alliteration... #Poetry @resvt #write

As we free our minds and take in the world around us!


Link to slideshow: https://sharalike.com/s/qM3M
(The slideshow slows down as the song comes to an end.  It will speed back up and continue to play when we come inside to share our amazing work!  It's worth the wait to see these proud authors!)

Building Our Classroom Community! @resvt #Community

Link to slideshow: https://animoto.com/play/ku1ut0rALp2t0yNW8acELw

Every Teacher's Dream Come True! @resvt #PassionateWriters #poetry

When I got out books of poetry to read with my students, they started singing because it filled them with so much joy!!!  (I am so in love with them!) I cannot wait to read the poems that flow from these passionate writers!!!

Diving Into Math! @resvt #math

In math, we have begun collecting and organizing data and sharing our thinking!  Today we also got to show off our multiplication skills in our math books!!!

Discovering Our Classroom Library... @resvt #read

And writing down ALL of the books WE CAN'T WAIT TO READ!!!

Getting Ready To Learn! @HemmettHealth @resvt @jratey #Spark #MovementBreaks

Last year, I was talking about the importance of movement with Erik Hemmett from Hemmett Health. He generously offered to help me in any way that he could!  Hemmett Health donated sitting balls so that every student could have the option of using a ball to help them sit up straight, move, focus and learn, all while building core strength.  They also donated stretchy bands for us to use during movement breaks.  Lastly, he asked Alli Bologna, their athletic trainer, to design exercise routines for my students that would get their heart rates up while also working on balance, two things that help kids get ready to learn.  

This year we continue to utilize all of the tools they have given us!  Thanks Erik and Hemmett Health! 

We Are... @resvt #CreatingAClassroomCummunity #Reflection

We started the year by talking about who we are as individuals and who we are as a group.  Here are the words that truly get to the heart of who we are!



Link to slideshow to make it fullscreen: https://sharalike.com/s/qMKF

Fake It 'Til You Become It! @amyjccuddy @resvt #Confidence

Today we learned about how our body language not only has an impact on how others feel about us, but on how we feel about ourselves.  We are working on being more mindful about how we sit and stand.  This year, we will also do power poses when we are feeling nervous, before tests, and whenever we need to lift ourselves up!

I encourage you to watch and share Amy Cuddy's TED Talk!


Students trying out power poses:

Pure Joy: Movement Breaks @jratey @resvt #MovementBreak #Spark

Why move? Movement brings us joy, gets our blood flowing, and makes us more ready and able to learn!  We take movement breaks everyday, throughout the day.  Here's a small sample of some of the movement and fun we've had this week!

(Even snack time turned into a bit of a party!)

My Teaching Philosophy @resvt #TeachingPhilosophy

In these three magical days, I have quickly come to realize how lucky I am to be your children's teacher! Thank you for sharing them with me!
I want to take a moment to introduce to you who I am as an educator.  TEACHING CHILDREN IS MY PASSION!!!  I studied drama and elementary education at Saint Michael's College, and received my masters in Creative Arts in Learning from Lesley University.  It is my goal that your children will love learning and love coming to school each day! Below is a video that helps to explain my teaching philosophy.


Link to video: https://animoto.com/play/BR6bmdB3Swur1eP8LbeHFQ