My Entrance Video

"Education will give you options." My husband says that often. It's now his motto. That wasn't always the case. You see, he didn't come from an educationally supportive family. His parents weren't there pushing him, encouraging him to do more, or to even try his best. They were merely trying to survive in the world in which they lived. He lost his ambition somewhere along the way in his childhood. College? No, that definitely out of the question. Graduating high school was almost out of reach. Until, one day. He was in high school, going through the motions, accepting the fact that his cards had been dealt, and he had a losing hand. In one of this classes, a Junior Achievement volunteer came in and taught his class about the business world, about financial literacy, and about life. The volunteer told the class that, "Education will give you options." It struck a deep chord in my husband. It woke him up. It gave him the inspiration he needed to control his own life, and write his own song. 

We've all had my husband as a student. The potential is there, the support is lacking. What can we do to inspire that child to greatness? How can we encourage him to write his own song? As educators, it's our life's mission.

Blogger Blue Cereal Education has challenged #OklaEd to choose their Entrance Video for the coming school year. I have always been a Celine Dion fan, so naturally my mind went to her songs, and one in particular: "Unfinished Songs".  It's true, we are all unfinished songs whether we are 4, 15, 36, or 67 years old.  

My husband's song is far from finished, but he has had successful verses along the way. He graduated high school, graduated college, works for Junior Achievement, and serves the people in our city on the City Council.  Most importantly, he's a loving husband and amazing father. He wants to give back, to inspire others to greatness, and encourage others to write their own song. He certainly does all of those things for this teacher. He's my number one fan. We are still writing our song. 

Watch the making of "Unfinished Songs" here.

LYRICS

So you’re thinking it’s ending
But it’s only just begun
Your whole life is there right
Right in front of you
Life’s a story that is all twists and turns
All that matters is the lessons we learn

’Cause we’re all unfinished songs
Waiting for the best part to come along, hey, hey
And we’re all pictures half drawn
We can be anything we want, hey, hey

Now is your time
It’s your life
No one’s living it but you
In your hands is your chance to live the life you choose
Life’s like music
There’s so much still unsung
Make it magic
There’s so much still to come

’Cause we’re all unfinished songs
Waiting for the best part to come along, hey, hey
And we’re all pictures half drawn
We can be anything we want, hey, hey

You can write the song
And write the story
Live all of this life in all its glory
Take the time to make the time to make each moment count
It’s your life
It’s your call
Grab the chance
Have it all

’Cause we’re all unfinished songs
Waiting for the best part to come along, hey, hey
And we’re all pictures half drawn
We can be anything we want, hey, hey

’Cause we’re all unfinished songs
Waiting for the best part to come along, hey, hey

You can write the song
And write the story

-- 

(Diane Warren)

Great Expectations Exceeded my Expectations!

     I've spent the last 4 days at Great Expectations Summer Academy in Bixby with my best friend and fellow educator, Mandi Cloud.   

     We originally signed up for different classes. Because the classes didn't make, we were put into Games+Learning=Fun, taught by Trish Waller, a 6th grade math teacher in Coweta, and Comprehension Campout, taught by Amanda Wilson, an education professor at ORU and former 3rd and 1st grade teacher.

    Normally, having my schedule changed stresses me out, and honestly, it did. ANY change stresses me out. However, this change was definitely the best thing that happened. 

    Those of you that have attended GE, know how the classes work: review of the Eight Expectations for Living, Basic Tenants, 17 Practices, Life Principals, Magic Triad, brain breaks, and the "feel good" activities to build a positive classroom and school environment. Although we reviewed those things,  I gained so many useful tools for my classroom to add spark to my teaching and make my lessons meaningful.

     Games+Fun=Learning: Most lessons were geared around math but of course, adaptable to any subject. I learned how to teach and review skills by using games such as "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?", "Jeopardy!", "Tic Tac Toe", BINGO, and several other games. The best part is, we were given time in class to make the boards and games. I'm ready to use them when I return to school! The focus of the class was academic instruction with some GE thrown in.

Tic Tac Toe
Divide into teams. Choose a number. The questions can be about any skill you are teaching. If answered correctly, flip the index card to either X or O. Next team's turn.

Jeopardy!
Divide into teams. Make a buzzer (any different sound maker) for each team. Play Jeopardy! Ask questions over any topic you are studying in class. 

Who Wants to be a Millionaire?

  I was in the hot seat. The audience is the class. I had my 3 life lines. I was phoning a friend as my lifeline. Questions are over anything you are teaching in class. The "spotlight" is the previous player in the hot seat. Each student gets one question. Prizes were mini 1000 Grand candy bars. 

     Comprehension Campout: We spent two days learning all things about how to effectively teach reading! Our lessons were geared towards reading comprehension at any level. It's been several years since I've had any classes on reading instruction. I learned so many effective, hands-on strategies that I look forward to implementing!

We mapped our brains.

"I wonder what that word means?" 

As students are reading, they jot down any word they 
don't know on a post it and stick it to this board. 
At a later time, we discuss the words.

Retell a story by answering:
Someone, Wanted, But, So, Then

Think Clouds
Visual clues to use while reading to interact with text.

Nonfiction Walk
Students walk through their nonfiction book 
by answering questions along the path. 

 

Reading Strategies for Success, a visual reminder of techniques to use while reading.

Interactive Notebooks

    




 
I've heard about Interactive Notebooks, but honestly didn't have a clue what they were. I created one and will now have my students create one for reading. I bought a class set today! It's a great way to keep everything you need in one place as a resource. Glue, tape, fold, resources and flip charts right in the book. Create and use your table of contents to stay organized. Glue an envelope on the inside to hold flashcards and tangible items. 

Make an ongoing Table of Contents.
Add to the list as you add information in the book.

Add stamps, stickers, and colors to act as a "peg"
to illicit memories of learned information.

Glue resources directly in the book.

Fold up pages that are too large to fit.
Glue on the paper in the book.

Glue and tape object on the inside pages.

    


   

Even though I was on information overload, I thoroughly enjoyed being with like minds, sharing ideas of what works and what doesn't, and learning how to make my lessons meaningful to my students, not just something they learn for THE TEST!  I haven't attended a Great Expectations Summer Academy in several years. I won't make that mistake again. It was 4 days well spent! I'm excited to start teaching what I've learned! 

I've included several game descriptions. Please feel free to share and use! I'll be adding more!

  

Staying Connected

I can't believe the first day of school will be here soon. We will have a great school year! 

In order to stay up-to-date with what is going on this year, we have a variety of social media accounts for our class that are sure to fit the needs of every family! We will also use them to share our learning with other teachers and students around the state!

Our Class Website is where I will post our weekly newsletter, reading logs, spelling words, and other academic and school information. You will find behavior and academic information on Class Dojo. I'll send information home.

Our class Facebook page will be the place for parents and family to get a glimpse of our day and stay up to date on events and reminders. This page will be private. Only family members of our current students and Sand Springs Schools staff will be added to this page. Pictures posted here may identify students by name for individual recognition, such as Student of the Week. 

Our class Twitter @BJacksonsClass  will be our way to show the world (in 140 characters) what we are learning! This page is public. Your child's name will never be used in conjunction with their picture on this page! 

Our Class Blog will be another way for us to share our learning with others! The Student of the Week will be in charge of posting on the blog (with Mrs. Jackson's help of course!) This page is public. Your child's name will never be used in conjunction with their picture on this page!

Before you will be added to our Facebook page or have your child's pictures posted, you must read, sign, and return the Social Media Contract! Please let me know if you need another copy.

A Little About Me

I'm a Sandite! I graduated from CPHS in 1997. I attended TCC and earned my Elementary Education degree from Langston University at OSU Tulsa, graduating with Cum Laude honors. I'm in my 13th year of teaching. I'm happy to say that I've spent all 13 years here at Limestone. I taught 2nd grade for 7 years and 3rd grade for 5. I love my job and this is a fantastic school. I've had wonderful teachers, family, and friends that have made me who I am today. I am Vice President for the Sand Springs Education Association.  I am an #oklaed advocate. I will continue to fight for our students, parents, and teachers to improve public education. Using our voice makes a difference. I encourage you to use yours. 

I married my best friend, Brian in 2008. We had a small family wedding in Eureka Springs. It was perfect! 

We have a smart and beautiful little girl, Bella. She was born on Easter 2011. She's our most precious blessing. She'll start PreK at LTA this year! I'm excited to have her begin her school career at my school. 

Brian works for Junior Achievement which teaches students financial literacy and responsibility. You may have heard of BizTown where students go and "run the city" for a day. The program is based on volunteers and donations so if you'd like to help, let me know. Brian also serves on the Sand Springs City Council and Salvation Advisory Board. 

We live in Sand Springs and are constantly reminded what a wonderful city we have. There's no other place I'd want to live! We also attend CrossPoint Church. 

Life is wonderful and I have never been happier. 

Follow our class webpage here: https://sites.google.com/a/sandites.org/mrsjacksonsclass/

Brand New Year

I'm looking forward to being your child's teacher this year. I know that when we work together, amazing things can happen.

Stay tuned for what amazing and creative blogs our class will write!