This summer has been a busy one! Not only have I received some training on our new math curriculum, I've also been learning about our new handwriting curriculum. Let's start with math.
GoMath is the latest Harcourt curriculum for education. Our training consisted of understanding the standards, tools, online resources, and RTI lessons within the textbook. The textbooks are much different than what I've seen before. Each student has a thin booklet for each chapter. The teacher guides are the same way. This will make it much easier in case any information is changed over time. Financially worth it as well. I'm looking forward to using this curriculum with students. In case I am gone for the day, there is even a video lesson for the children to watch with a sub. Another trait is that it already comes with math station games for students to use with the lesson. This is a huge plus for us at West Lane because we created all of our math stations two years ago. Needless to say, I'm very excited about this upcoming year with math!
Handwriting Without Tears is our new handwriting curriculum. Now, I don't know why someone would cry over handwriting, but since I've started teaching, I completely understand now. Many kids do not write as often as we (old folks) did growing up. The curriculum itself is composed of different ways of writing (wet, dry, write/air writing/modeling/etc.). It has fun sayings for the kids to remember how to write in cursive. Unfortunately, I will struggle the most after writing denelian (spelling?) all of my life. I have a feeling these kids will help me along the way.
This summer, I've already been in my classroom three different times to work on multiple things. For one, I went through and purged of all of my materials like posters, math materials, and personal items for holidays. We must be able to store two large supply bins for our new math materials and that doesn't include the books! I also have put up new word wall letters. My friend, Barb Breer does a fantastic job making vinyl.
I've also ordered new borders and name tags. This is going to be a fantastic year! I'm blown away that it's already my 5th year of teaching at West Lane! The years are already flying by. The other night we went to Jackson Homecomers uptown and I saw many of my past students. Half of them are now taller than me. Hah! I'm thankful that they say hello to me. That makes me feel good to know that they even remember me.
As for the new year, August 14th is coming quick and I've got summer left to use up!
