It's all on like Donkey Kong

So officially I start on Monday as Mr West the Teacher!  This is very exciting.  The children don't come start until the week after so I have a lot of planning and organising to do.

As I am typing this I'm about to embark on my draft version of my children's reading and maths groups.  I have their assessment data here from last year and I have looked at all their portfolios, tests and samples of work.  I can't wait to be able to teach them all.  All up I have 22 children from 5-6.

I am using Sparklebox for the group names which also come along with great print-outs.

Check the link for this resource.  http://www.pinterest.com/pin/379850549792990305/

I am also going to try and arrange my classroom (digitally) for the start of the year.  I have been told a few times by educators that I will change my classroom over 10 times throughout the year.  So I will keep tally of how many times and update my layout on this blog.  You can also keep posted by liking my facebook page here: http://www.facebook.com/Mrwestrocks.   I will be using this online classroom planner and hopefully make it possible.  It is up on my pins on Pinterest  http://www.pinterest.com/pin/379850549790871215/  but also a selection of awesome classroom layouts from teachers from the USA.  Use this here or the selection of 5 different websites that let you design your classroom layout.  http://classroom.4teachers.org/



Well this post is short, sharp and sweet.  The sweet part is that you can pay old school Donkey Kong online here.  But finish your work first.

http://www.freekong.org/


Blessings,

Mr West

All praise to the nation's schools

Teaching and teachers nowadays according to David Hill (A Taranaki author).  Speaking about NCEA and the time struggles with that, "Paper Trail", IT, fees, parents and more.  A great read from a respected New Zealand author's perspective on how great NZ teachers are.

"Teachers are human and therefore imperfect. They're grossly overworked and modestly paid. The ones I've met are committed, diligent and do admirable things for your kids."   David Hill.

 Here is the article featured in The New Zealand Herald:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11167070

Here's a bit of information behind the writer who has written some exceptional children's literature. There is a list about David Hill's books and awards he has won.

Feel free to share your experiences or comments.

Blessings,


Mr West

My visit to room 6

This is just a small post about my visit to room 6 the other day.  My wife went to hospital the other day so I have been looking after her rather than making a post.

Here's a small look.

Watch this space as I will update this soon.

Blessings,

Mr West

Pin of the day

As you know, or will find out, I am an avid user of pinterest.  So I have decided to post an outstanding pin of the day every few days.  Warning I may get carried away and post 2, 3 or more outstanding pins.

 
Anyways, to start with I will post a recent pin I came across which I cannot wait to try in my classroom (remember to keep an eye out for the updates and journey).  Today's pin is this:
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/379850549792595041/

Doubles Rap Freebie

We are working on several addition strategies and I created this poster to help 

remember our doubles facts. The rap is from Saxon and I added the intro

from a Whole Brain Teaching video I saw.

This awesome doubles rap pin comes from an awesome blog called http://mrs-smithsroom.blogspot.co.nz.  

For me it simply combines some loves of mine including Rap/hip hop with literacy (rhyming) and maths.  

How fun to teach the Year 1's & 2's!  They will be awesome rappers!  I'm also sure you can use this to inspire other projects in maths, literacy or any other subjects!  Kids love Hip Hop!

So I shall leave it ay just the one pin for today.  I hope you can enjoy, use and share this pin.

Please leave a comment or feedback.

Blessings.

Mr West

Visiting my classroom and school (for 2014) tomorrow

I am very excited for tomorrow as I will be visiting my school and classroom properly!!

I have already made a list of everything I want to ask and learn about as well as a few reminders about resources, ideas and 'things' I need for next year.  Alongside my list of questions and queries I have a few pictures I want to take so I can get inspired and start thinking and organising!  However, the Christmas season is upon us so I will go nuts with planning and resourcing until then.

Amongst my excitement of visiting my school tomorrow I have come across a few blogs that offer insightful advice and tips for beginning teachers and 'first day tips'. These are great as it doesn't make me feel like I will be completely in the deep end on my first day of school. Or maybe Iot will be in the deep end just with some floaties on.

One blog in particular gives me a comprehensive list of tips.

Things to Do before School Even Starts:

• Set up the classroom. Where will students’ tables/desks go? What about other tables? The teacher’s desk? Where will students’ supplies go?• Decide what will be put up on the walls.• Have grade level standards printed and readily available.• Post a daily schedule.• Keep clocks visible for students.• Post rules, procedures, and consequences. • Build a chore chart.• Be prepared for emergency drills – fire, tornado, lockdowns, etc. • Have a grade book set up and ready to go! 

Lesson Planning:• Actively engaged students are not discipline problems. • How will papers be collected and handed in?• What is the policy for papers without names?• What will each day’s opening and closing look like?• Find out lesson plan requirements for the district. When are lesson plans due to the office? How much detail should lesson plans include? Are standards written in?• What is the late work policy?• Make all assignments clear for students and parents.• What centers are needed? What are the subjects? How will students be grouped?• Read aloud often to your students, or try http://www.storylineonline.org/ • Hold high, yet realistic expectations for all students. • Give enough WAIT TIME! • Keep learning fun!• Be flexible. Emergencies happen, and lessons change. • Plan twice as much material for the first week as what you think you’ll need! Then, plan a few more activities!

Classroom Management:• Be consistent: have routines and procedures in place. After all, children love structure.• Have a reward/discipline plan ready. • Practice students’ expectations. For example, to line up quietly, they should practice it. Model good behavior for students. • Plan for transition times. • Create a morning routine. How will you know who is present? Who is having cold or hot lunch? What will students do as others come into the room? • Determine how the class will be quieted down so you can talk.
Building Student Relationships:

• Communicate with parents/guardians/families. Use the free Communication and Contact Log. Use e-mail, send out newsletters, or make phone calls. Use the “sandwich method”: start with something positive then state the concern and end with something positive. • Give students notes or cards about something awesome you “caught” them doing.• Show students love every day!

Other Miscellaneous Tips: • Become friends with secretaries and custodians.• Be ready for a sub! Have an emergency sub folder ready with daily schedules, students who can provide guidance, some random games/assignments, etc.• Continue professional development to grow as a teacher.• Label personal classroom items. If you bought it, it’s yours. If it was at the school when you got there, it stays there. • Go to rummage sales and see what “steals” can be found. • If the school doesn’t provide a mentor, reach out and find at least one person for guidance about school norms. • Dress professionally! 

Thanks to "teacher 2 teacher"  Check out their blog here:
http://tchr2tchr.blogspot.com

I'll try to tick them off step by step, day by day as I am not a superhero, well not entirely.

So enjoy this post.  Please give me feedback about the post or the blog. Also sign up to the email list on the side and keep an eye out for an update about my visit to room 5!!!




Blessings,

Mr West

I love pinterest for teaching

I love pinterest for teaching and I haven't started teaching full time yet!

There are so many awesome resources, ideas and "pins" that I have already planned to use for my classroom.  They even include free worksheets, websites, books, games and activities.

If you aren't on pinterest I think you may be missing out and/or are crazy!



On my sidebar is a link to my pinterest or this Mr West's Pinterest.  It has links to my teaching ideas/pins and other random pins/boards I like.  Amongst my boards are the following:

• ICT
• Literacy
• Mathematics
• P.E
• Music
• Science
• and a few more

I hope to see you following me and repinning my pins!

Pinterest

Mr West

Mr West Rocks

Hi,  I'm Mr West and I have just landed my first teaching job! This is my blog.  Welcome!

I have studied at the University of Auckland, Faculty of Education and have now graduated.  I will be teaching a year 1 & 2 class as of 2014.  I'm very excited to finally get my own classroom for effective and quality teaching.  Such an exciting yet scary adventure into the education zone.  I love God, my wife, my son (due date 24th March 2014), coffee, music (this probably needs it's own blog), cats, film, friends, pinterest and food.  These things would be in my myspace top 8 friends if this were 2006.  And of course I love teaching!

I have started this blog as I would like to document my journey as a beginning teacher, share resources I've used, found, made and tried.  I hope to update this fortnightly (a workable and achievable goal, no promises though) even just to share what my class has been up to, my steps to become a registered teacher, my breakdowns/upsets and successes!



Feel free to contact me about anything.  I look forward to sharing with you.


Mr West


(Here I am on our horse my wife and I used to own).