That All Too Familiar Feeling!

That title is in reference to my certification test on Thursday. I know what you're thinking, "Didn't she take her certification test already?" Yes I took test 1 of 2 in early April.  Now it's time for me to take the second half which is the Spanish part.

I know Spanish, or at least I think I did. Studying for this is starting to prove that I know very little or I'm just being way to hard on myself. Anyway, the test is this Thursday and I'm a nervous wreck.  Test anxiety and I don't go well together. In fact, we despise each other. Okay enough test talk for one night, I'm on here to put the test in the back of my mind.

This past week we learned about the double oo sounds. Like in 'book' and 'fool'. Or as one child said, "booger" and "poop". I do not in any circumstance condone this type of language in my classroom, but hey they get the sound concept, right?  Anyway, I took the chef hat idea from Cara, which was not an easy thing to do like she said, and gave it to the children as we created our First Grade Cookbook of short double oo words.  Take a look.

Below you will see a picture of our long and short oo anchor chart. The kids loved the ghost. :)

We also did some Skittles graphing..and who doesn't love Skittles?? I stole this lesson off of Pinterest, which then lead me to Melissa's TPT store AKA Awesome in First! It really is a great lesson and so colorful. I LOVE colors!

Some of us were a tad shy!

So that was last week in a nut shell!

This week we are learning the digraph au/aw. I also found some really cute lessons on Pinterest. Thank you Pinterest Gods out there for making this crazy teacher's life so much easier. HA! You know you're thinking the same thing!  

Oh I had my formal observation today. I think it went really well. My principal burst out laughing  smiled at the things I said about au/aw, because don't you know us Jersey folk speak funny..with our aww's! I totally don't have a Jersey accent unless I'm speaking very fast and those aw/au show up in conversation ;). Okay peeps. I'm going to do some reading en español...impressive eh? JK! Then I'm going to call it a night. I am one tired teacher!

BTW, were anyone else's students off their rockers today. I'm doing my best to keep them as calm as possible, but the Texas heat doesn't help!!!

¡Buenas noches mi queridos!

Subjects and Predicates Anyone?

So this is going to be another quick post because I never did get to that grading...grr!! I also need to study for Spanish (I have my second certification test next Thurs.)

So this week my class started learning about subjects and predicates...I showed them the cute Mr. Morton video from School House Rock, they loved it but then I went into more depth with it. Some of them get it, some of them are looking at me like what crazy lady...I have summer vacation on the brain...yea you know that look! Anyway, I created a quick little lesson that I'm going to have partners work on tomorrow after I model of course!

I'm going to have one child write the subject and the other will be writing the predicate. They can take turns if they want!


So here it is and if it can be of any use to you go ahead.

Okay, I'm all planned for tomorrow...skittles graphing..double oo "froot looping" you know regular first grade stuff. :) Night ya'll!!!! I totally just wrote ya'll umm..I've been living in TX for too long!! JK!! :)

Quickest Post Ever!

Tomorrow I start my science unit on animals.  I made this KWL chart as a freebie. I used really cute fonts but Google Docs is being difficult and won't copy my pdf correctly..grr..Well here it is and if you want my cute copy just let me know. :)

I need to grade papers and go to bed, I'm still not feel very well...may be even running a fever...:(

Click the distorted image...(lol) to get it. :)

Oh yes, each day I'm having one Kindergarten student visit me and I can't tell if they're scared or just can't wait to come to my class but they are fighting for a turn..LOL sooooo cute!!

Okay night!!!

Sick on Sunday

I haven't been blogging as much as I would like because life has been busy. I know that's not a great excuse but it's true.  Well, I woke up this morning to a not so wonderful surprise--a sore throat! There's very few things in this world I hate but a sore throat is definitely one of them. Having a sore throat and teaching through it is just awful, don't you teachers out there agree?

Okay enough complaining because this is going to be a quick post since I'm not feeling to well.  I had the kids write their high frequency words on my windows and they had a blast! I turned it into a Daily 5 word work station for the kiddos. Those window markers are wonderful! It's hard to see but here are a couple of pictures.

                                     Cute right? :)

We also leard the oi, oy diphthongs and I snapped a picture of the poster that was somewhat inspired by The First Grade Parade.

This past Wednesday was my birthday and the wonderful parents at my school through me a surprise birthday party.  Seriously, how wonderful are they?  I didn't get any pictures of the event but I did get a beautiful vase, Pinterest inspired of course! One of my little girls love it, but who can blame her? Take a look

That same day we got a Mimio Teach. It's not a NowBoard, but I love it anyway!! The kids are super excited as well! Now I can do all those Smart Board activities like everyone else. :)

Finally, one of my first graders won a poster contest for our Diocese and he got second place. It was really an honor for him an his family.

Cute right? I am one proud teacher!!

Well, it's about time I start getting ready for tomorrow. Have a wonderful rest of your Sunday!

A Fun Linky Party

If anyone knows me at all they would say that April is my most favorite month ever!!! So I've decided to Link up with Jodi over at Fun In First to discuss my favorite things in April!

1.
My birthday! I know I'm going to be 29 on the 18th, but I seriously LOVE my birthday.  It's the one day a year where people appreciate you and you get to celebrate the day you were born, so why not be happy about it!!! :)

2. 
My new blog design that Erin over at Creating and Designing did for me!

3. 
I'm going to be a guest teacher blogger on ClassDojo, once I get all my information filled out and put together!! That is just so cool!!!

4. 
I'm totally obsessed with this Somebody that I used to Know (not the remix version) song. I think many people can relate to it or at least I can..ha!

5. How could I not post my niños! I start getting all choked up when I start to think that I only have 29 more days with them.  They really are a great class and love to learn!  So yes, I'm really loving them now. :*)

One more thing, I also love prince charming but he doesn't need to be on my April list because he's on my every month list ;).

Well that's all for now folks. We were super duper busy today and I didn't have time to take pictures but maybe tomorrow I'll be back with pics!

Go link up!!

Pictures! Finally!

Happy Sunday folks! I feel like it's been forever and a day since I actually posted something that's been going on in my classroom.

The last two weeks, which was actually more like a weeks worth of school because we were on Easter break, the children were learning about the Amazon Rain Forest.  I don't think they had any idea what they were getting into but I think they left with a plethora of knowledge and some awesome vocabulary to boot.

They learned about the levels of the rain forest, how much rain they get in a year (around 300 days of rain), and some animals that inhabit the area.  I wish I could have done an entire months worth of rain forest material but unfortunately my curriculum is forcing me to move on with our regular material.

Here are some picture of my room as I promised.  I didn't get to hang up all the parrots because I ran out of tape!! But for your viewing pleasure here you go....Also before I forget, I purchased this unit from Teacher Bits and Bots which was totally worth it.

Long view...I seriously don't have anymore room!!

Trees..the kids loved it!

The kiddos duck so the snack won't bite them..ohh firsties!

More trees

Levels of the rain forest charts..(these took forever to make)

I know it's not the best rain forest in the world but my kiddos loved it and are begging me to keep it up. So I'll keep it around for another few weeks (or until I'm sick of walking into "vines")

This week we are going to be learning vowel dipthongs oi, oy, prepositions and prepositional phrases, sequencing, and lots of other fun stuff.

I went to Wal-Mart today and purchased a few things, first up on the list were these bad boys

They're window markers and they look so neat when you write with them. I think I'm going to use them for sight words and have the kids write down their words on sheet of paper that I can create.  I think the kids are going to flip for them...I took a picture of it on my bathroom mirror because the blinds in my apartment are so difficult to deal with. They have a billion strings and don't come up or down the way I want them to..so mirror it was!

See how pretty!

When I introduce oi and oy I plan on doing the lesson that Cara over at The First Grade Parade did.  I used an old Bath and Body Works bag because I thought it was cute and really didn't feel like going out and buying a new bag, ha!  She cut a hole in her pig's tummy and I decided to cut a hole right where his mouth is.  The kids are going to feed him apples. You can download the words off of her site!! Check it out...

I just love it!!!

Last picture of the night is my preposition pigs.  It's basically the Angry Birds pig and I wrote prepositions on them.  I'm going to hide them around the classroom and then explain the children what prepositions are.  I found the idea on Pinterest. I can't link back to the owner of this idea because everytime I would click on the file it would say the website was corrupt :(. But if anyone knows who this belongs to, drop me a line.

I printed these on light green paper.

I think I covered everything for tomorrow and the next few days. I'll do my best to blog tomorrow but can't make any promises because my school has a tuition banquet tomorrow.

Have a nice evening!

I Love ClassDojo

First let me start off by showing you what Classdojo looks like from my class screen:

Seriously, how cute are those monsters? My kids LOVE them!

What I love most about ClassDojo is that I have noticed a change in my class. I mentioned in a previous post that my students were going through some spring fever. Well this changed all of that.  They want to listen and participate. They want to read nicely and help others.  They love hearing the catchy sound when they get a point.

I also love that you can configure the settings to whatever behavior management you use. For example, I have "Quiet during Daily 5" for positive behavior or "Not following directions" for negative behavior.  It's awesome!

Other things I like is that you can create other classes for it as well and you can change the Avatars. I have that as an option when a child reaches 10 points, they can change their monster, if they choose.

Before I forget, one of my students said, "Ms. Campos, they're in alphabetical order.." (first name at least). That makes me so happy as a teacher because they are learning as well!

Another thing that's great about  ClassDojo  is their customer service.  I couldn't access it from my Android, so I contacted them and within a few hours Kalen solved my problem and was very courteous. A great product with great customer service, what more can you ask for?

If you haven't heard of it or you are hesitant give it a go. It's best if you do have a projector or smartboard but it's not necessary.

Try it...you'll love it!

I Passed!!!!

I just received my official score and I passed my bilingual certification test!!! Now I just take the language one and I'll be all set to go!

Thanks to everyone who wished me good luck!!!

:)

I won!

I won another giveaway! Marissa from Wild About First Grade was hosting a great one!
The prize included $15 to Starbucks and $25 to Barnes and Noble.

Yea, this really cheered me up and perhaps it's a sign of good luck for this test today?

Time for me to start getting ready...have a good day folks!

A Little Study Break...Okay, Okay a Long One

So since I've been out the blogging world for the past 2-3 weeks, I've been missing out on all the fun. :( Well I've been tagged by three blog friends so I will answer their questions. I hope this doesn't mean I have to tag 30 people?! Just kidding, I won't do that. I'll see who I can come up with...Here goes
First up was Erin over at http://creatingandteaching.blogspot.com hit me up first.
1. Meals or snacks? I'm def. a snacker!!! Fruit is my favorite, especially strawberries..yum...
2. Soda or water? Oh gosh, I love soda! Pepsi! I seriously need to stop though!!
3. Mountains or beaches? I'm a beach bum!
4. Cats or dogs? Oh man, well in honor of Tigger, I go with cat
5. Chocolate or Vanilla? Vanilla
6. Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts? DD they have donuts come on!
7. Movie theater or renting? Theater
8. Pool or ocean? Ocean
9. Car or SUV? Car
10. Early bird or Night Owl? Early bird!!

Next up is http://buggyaboutlearninginkindergarten.blogspot.com/ (I'm sorry that I don't know her name, I couldn't find it anywhere)
1. What grade do you teach?First grade-the best grade
2. What classroom item could you not live without? The reading table my dad made me, seriously, it's gorgeous!
3. What is your favorite thing about teaching?Every single moment of it!
4. What advice do you have for someone who is trying to become a teacher or going through the hiring process?Breath, relax, be yourself, practice interview questions, breath!
5. If you one day woke up and decided you didn't want to be a teacher anymore, what career-field would you want to take on?I think about this and honestly, I'd be a bum because I just love teaching, ha ha!
6. What do you like to do when you are not teaching?Blog and blog stalk!
7. What is your favorite TV show? how i met you mother (that's the way they write it) My boyfriend and I love it!
8. What is your favorite restaurant? What do you eat there? Texas Roadhouse..mm I love their rolls and their steaks with mashed potatoes and gravy!!!9. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go? Australia in a heartbeat! 10. What is your favorite blog? Why? Hands down it's Abby! She's amazing!


Finally, it's a new bloggy friend, Nina over at http://lovelylittlelearners.blogspot.com/


1. What is your favorite hobby?
Dancing
2. Why did you start blogging?
To get teaching ideas but it's been way more special than that.
3. What is your favorite store to shop at?
Forever 21
4. What state do you live in?
Tejas!
5. What is your favorite subject to teach?
Reading ELA
6. What is your biggest pet peeve?
People who slurp when they're eating soup..ughhhh
7. What is your favorite song?
Can you believe I don't have one, sorry!
8. What is the funniest thing that has happened to you or that a student has said, (that you remember) since you have been teaching?
"Ms. Campos, when you were little, a really long time ago, did they have desks?" I laughed so hard!
9. What is something you find yourself always saying in the classroom or to your students?
"No" lol!
10. What country would you love to visit?
Peru because both my parents are from there and I haven't been since I was in the first grade! :(




Okay mi turno..(my turn) this bilingual test is getting to me I tell ya... These are going to be the most random questions ever.


1. Soup or Salad?
2. Designer Purse or Designer Shoes?
3. Favorite Music Genre?
4.Pepsi or Coke..or Neither (explain)?
5.What is the name of the board that you post the most pins on Pinterest?
6.Righty or Lefty?
7. Favorite Season?
8. The glass is always...? (half full or half empty)
9. When is your birthday? Don't worry about putting the year!
10. Do you have siblings, if so how many?


Here are my tagees...
1. http://littlemissteacher2012.blogspot.com/
2.http://teacherbitsandbobs.blogspot.com
3.http://strivetosparkle.blogspot.com/
4.http://jrosace.blogspot.com/
5.http://learningwithmrslangham.blogspot.com
6.http://dragonfliesinfirst.blogspot.com
7.http://applesandabcs.blogspot.com
8.http://cheerstoschool.blogspot.com
9.http://misskristinaskindergarten.blogspot.com
10.http://twirlybirdteaching.blogspot.com

Rules: Answer the questions on your blog. Come up with your own questions and tag 10 other bloggers. Have fun!!

Do You Like?

I don't just like my new blog design, I LOVE IT! Erin over at Creating and Designing really did an amazing job with it.  She asked me a few simple questions and really hit the nail on the head.  It's so me, the colors, the pictures, the font (oh smiley monster, how do I love thee?). Everything is just perfect and I simply can't thank her enough! If you're thinking about getting rid of your blog design, I would seriously consider her and she's very affordable. Trust me, check her out, what are you waiting for? :)

I think if I do any more studying my brain is going to explode. However, I know how I am and after this I will fix myself some breakfast and start studying again.  The test is this coming Monday.  I need prayers, wishes, fingers and toes crossed, you name it, I need it!  Ha! But seriously, why am I so nervous?! I don't think I was this nervous when I was getting my NJ certification or my general Texas certification.  I think I have a lot more at stake here so I'm flipping out!

Luckily, we had half day on Wednesday and we're off until Tuesday! It's like getting a two week spring break but not one right after the other. We had two weeks of teaching and we were off again!! :).  More time off=more study time!

We started doing our rain forest unit and boy are my kids in love.  I made trees and vines going across a part of the room.  The children are enjoying taking pride in their work when creating their animals.  I promise once it's all finished I will post pictures!

I guess it's about that time to get food in my stomach and study hard!  I can't wait for this to be over so I can go back to being a normal human being.  Neurotic Judy is not a good look for me!

One more thing before I go. I have created a Facebook page for my blog. Please like it when you get the chance! Here's the link Teaching Little Apples. I'm trying to figure out how to add it to my sidebar, but I'm not having any luck!

Have a Happy Easter Bloggy Friends!!!

I'm Slowly Going Crazy!

I think studying for this certification test has turned me into a paranoid, neurotic, and insane person! I've finally finished my first round of studying and I'm going to go over the material that I'm still hasn't sunk in.  Don't get me wrong, the foundations of bilingual are amazing, it's just all these dates, acronyms, laws, stages, etc. are driving me to go mad!!!!! I've been really on edge lately and I know I need to just calm down. I've studied most of this material when I participated in the ENL program at Notre Dame almost two years ago (cobwebs anyone?) But as I'm reading I begin to remember, then slowly forget :|. This almost 20 30, year old brain isn't as sharp as is used to be. :( Well I take the test next Monday, so we shall see.

Okay that's enough test talk for one post. We did the ow/ou sounds this past week and the kids really enjoyed it. I'm sorry that I don't have any pictures to post but like I said test frenzy has taken over my life.  I'll hopefully be back to my usual self after I get the results. Anyway, since we have two short weeks of school coming up due to Easter, I will be doing a unit on the Amazon Rainforest! I want to go all out and turn my classroom into one. I think the kids are going to love it and if all goes well, I'll be sure to post pictures.  The kids will be helping with the construction of it of course.

Are anyone else's kids starting to get spring fever? I know mine are and as much as I try to make things fun, kids will be kids and do silly things! So as I was blog stalking one evening, I saw that one teacher posted something about classdojo.com. I checked it out and fell in love.  If you haven't done so already go check it out now.  It's better if you have a projector or smart board because then the children get a better visual representation of it. You can pick a monster or other cute avatars for your students and choose your own positive/negative behaviors that are catered to whichever class you teach.  The kids love the sounds it makes when they get points or get points taken away.  So we'll see how it goes and I need to work on rewards for earning a certain number of points. Ahh! So much to do, so little time!

Okay, I need to go to the library and pick up some books on the rainforest and do some other things, then study!!

<3