Category: Becky & Greg

Five For Friday

2/20/2015

Hi everyone! Greg and I are going to share the Five For Friday post this week and give you a peek into what we've been up to!

Urban got his second set of ear tubes on President's Day. I was pleasantly surprised at how much better he did this time! The procedure was very quick, and by 9AM he was ready to eat a donut! We spent the rest of the day cuddling on the couch watching Caillou, since he had become pretty moody from the anesthesia and developed a fever. By the next morning he was back to his old self again!

Greg here. I’ve been making a big push away from content and towards skills-based instruction. Whether it be assessments or thinking activities, content has been backseat to how I’m asking students to develop ideas and thoughts. I ask students to create original arguments about the content, but always have a difficult time showing them what that looks like. The above idea came to me early one morning this week (you know, those mornings where you wake up with ideas already sprinting through your head), so I pulled it together rather quick. Please feel free to download and use it with your own students. Let me know if you think modifications would help.

Class Couple - Historical Argumentation
File Size:	474 kb
File Type:	jpg

Download File

I ask students to analyze information in a wide variety of ways, so they looked at me funny when I assigned sketchnotes this week. For those of you that haven’t heard of sketchnotes, it’s an interesting way that students visually connect pieces of content to (hopefully) demonstrate a deeper understanding. The students were a bit hesitant, but the end results turned out quite well!

I was given the opportunity to be a guest blogger for GoNoodle this week! I wrote about an opinion writing challenge we did using GoNoodle brain breaks! My first graders loved it! You can check out my post here, and you can get the freebie here!

Fellow blogger Kristin from My Carolina Classroom is celebrating her Blogiversary! Be sure to check out her blog and enter to win one of these awesome bundles packed full of fantastic products! Our Primary Sources Football Edition is part of the 3-5 Bundle!

Thanks for stopping by, and be sure to check out what everyone else was up to this week!

2 Comments

A Teacher Team Linky!

9/16/2014

4 Comments

Hi everyone! It's Becky! Greg and I were very excited to be invited to be a part of Created for Learning's "Meet The Teacher Team Linky!" Jonathan & Lisa have come up with a couple of fun questions for you to get to know us a little more!

Where Did You Meet?

Greg and I met in our education classes my first semester at Elizabethtown College. As a junior, Greg had just made the switch from pre-law to social studies education/political science concentration. So he was taking the introductory education classes at the same time that I was entering the program. We had two classes together and he sat in back of me, incessantly tapping on my chair, in both of them! One day, he asked me for my IM screenname (if anyone remembers those days!) and we began talking all the time. We were friends throughout my whole freshman year before we began dating. Etown holds a special place in our heart not just for the fantastic education program, but because it was the start of "us." We visit often and always have to get a picture with our favorite statue, "The Man!" (Jacob G. Francis, founding father of Elizabethtown College)

Who Does what?

Greg does the cooking, and I do the clean up! Oh wait, that may not be what they meant from this question! I create all of the first grade math & ELA resources, and Greg and I collaborate on the new social studies units we have been creating. He does such a great job of coming up with authentic primary source ideas for young learners, and I help create the age appropriate actives to engage the students. Greg is also amazing with a Mac and can give anything a clean and polished look. He deserves all of the credit for the visual appeal of the blog!

What Do You Enjoy Most About Your Partnership?

We are best friends, and we love to laugh and have a good time together. There is no one else I'd rather spend my time with. When Grayson was young, he somehow came up with the idea that Mommy and Daddy were "Teamers," and that is truly how we approach everything that comes our way!

Do you Have Nicknames For EAch other?

No, not really...

What Is Your Teaching Theme Song?

Becky-Who Wouldn't Want to Be Me? by Keith Urban. I just love this song! Sometimes I play it for my first graders when we exercise. It's such a great "feel good song!"

Greg-Living in the Moment by Jason Mraz
This is seriously one of the happiest songs I've heard! Much like Becky, I play it for my students every now and then (when we need a pick-me-up!).

If you could dress-up to go somewhere, what would you wear and where would you go?

Becky-I would wear nice summer dress to go to a Jack Johnson concert. We saw him at FarmAid in Hershey a few years ago, and he was as smooth as fine wine. I would love to see him again!

Greg-I just like getting dressed up - so it doesn't matter where we're going! As a social studies teacher, I would be honored to attend a state dinner at the White House (but those odds are extremely slim).

Which do you prefer, cookies, brownies, or neither?

Becky-Cookies, hands down! Good old chocolate chip cookies (no nuts) are my favorite! When the weather gets cool, Greg and I like to have some hot tea and cookies after the boys go to bed. Not the healthiest choice, but oh so good!

Greg - A cookie brownie sandwich? Why do you have to decide between these sweet treats when you could have both?

Name something you've created that you love using in your classroom?

Becky-I don't know where I'd be without my "First Grade Making Words, All Year Long!" bundle. We focus on phonics A LOT in first grade, and I love how the students can easily manipulate the letter cards to make words. But my favorite part is that the words list possibilities are right there for you! No more trying to figure out if you have all the letters to make a word. My substitutes have found this to be super helpful!

I also have a similar unit specifically for Houghton Mifflin Harcourt's first grade Journeys reading series. The phonics skills correlate with specific lessons in the series.

Thanks for stopping by! Be sure to check out some of the other teams in this fun link-up!
~Becky

4 Comments

MEET THE TEACHER BLOGGER

8/12/2014

4 Comments

Greg here! We're excited to join the Teacher Blogger linky hosted by Falling Into First! Welcome to everyone who stumbled upon our blog. We hope you enjoy!

For those of you who haven't ready our blog yet, we're bringing an interesting perspective/reflection to our classroom experiences. I teach 10th & 11th grade social studies and Becky is with 1st graders. (Read our about section to find out more about our personal lives.) She and I will be sprinkling in the more unique aspects of our teaching lives, and we also collaborating on a few projects that will be coming up in the future!

Okay, here are the answers to Stephanie's Q&A. In the words of our 4 year old, "Let's Roll!"

A few of my favorite things...

Becky,
Shopping, sleeping, spending time with family, painting pottery, boots with skinny pants, dresses with leggings (I hate being cold!)

Greg
time with my family, the beach/ocean, scuba diving, being outside, Land Rovers, quiet time, my prep period

If you weren't a teacher, what would you want to be?

Becky
I would love to be the owner of a Paint Your Own Pottery Store. I would call it "The Painted Jay!" I find pottery painting to be very relaxing, and love the atmosphere in pottery shops.

Greg
I have this yearning desire to own a bed and breakfast. I enjoy talking, baking & cooking, and making beds. It's an ideal fit.

three little words that describe you.

Becky
Driven
Focused
Creative

Greg
Creative.
Can see the big picture. Sarcastic.

Finish this sentence, “___________________, said no teacher EVER!!”

Becky & Greg
"More meetings, please,

said no teacher ever!!"

It’s your birthday and you can invite anyone {dead or alive} to the party. Who are you inviting?

Becky & Greg
Dave Matthews (and the band - of course!). When you listen to a band/musician for so long, you feel like they're a part of your family. He is family.

If someone wrote a book about your life, what
would be the title?

Don’t eat the glue or
pee on your brother!
You say the weirdest and funniest things as a
teacher and parent of two boys.

You get to pick one superpower. What is it?

Becky
My super power would be making every hour of sleep equal two hours. Just think of all that we could get done, and still feel well rested!

Greg
Teleportation is seriously an amazing concept. If I could instantly travel to any destination - the possibilities would be endless!

What’s your favorite
quote or saying?

Becky & Greg
"What I want is what I've not got
And what I need
Is all around me"

-David J. Matthews

If you HAD to sing one song on American Idol,
what would it be?

Becky
I would sing "Love Story" (Taylor Swift). I do love her, and still love to belt out this song when I'm in the car!

Greg
Any Clay Aiken song
would do! (Hint, see words describing me above.)

Are you a morning person
or a night owl?

Becky
A night owl-Monday morning is going to be a rude awakening. I do not do well at 5AM!

Greg
No doubt - a morning person. If it weren't for me, Becky would sleep in until 11AM daily.

What’s your favorite resource that you’ve created in your TPT shop?

Becky
My favorite resource that I've created would have to be my "First Grade Making Words, All Year Long!" bundle. We focus on phonics A LOT in first grade, and I love how the students can easily manipulate the letter cards to make words. But my favorite part is that the words list possibilities are right there for you! No more trying to figure out if you have all the letters to make a word. My substitutes have found this to be super helpful!

I also love my Bossy R SupER Kids Craftivity. My firsties always love making them when we learn about those bossy r's. They also look great flying around the room!

Share something we might not know about you!

Becky
I love to sew. I taught myself by watching YouTube videos, and started sewing cloth wipes when Grayson was born. I have now graduated to carseat tents and blankets! I really enjoy it...when I have the time!

Greg
I am an avid fan of indie rock music. Don't get me started! Check out Blondfire!

We had fun participating! Looking forward to learning about our fellow teacher bloggers!

4 Comments

Five For Friday

A Teacher Team Linky!

Where Did You Meet?

Who Does what?

What Do You Enjoy Most About Your Partnership?

Do you Have Nicknames For EAch other?

What Is Your Teaching Theme Song?

If you could dress-up to go somewhere, what would you wear and where would you go?

Which do you prefer, cookies, brownies, or neither?

Name something you've created that you love using in your classroom?

MEET THE TEACHER BLOGGER

A few of my favorite things...

If you weren't a teacher, what would you want to be?

three little words that describe you.

Finish this sentence, “___________________, said no teacher EVER!!”

It’s your birthday and you can invite anyone {dead or alive} to the party. Who are you inviting?

If someone wrote a book about your life, what
would be the title?

You get to pick one superpower. What is it?

What’s your favorite
quote or saying?

If you HAD to sing one song on American Idol,
what would it be?

Are you a morning person
or a night owl?

What’s your favorite resource that you’ve created in your TPT shop?

Share something we might not know about you!

Mr. & Mrs.

the library

tag, you're it!

subscribe

Five For Friday

A Teacher Team Linky!

Where Did You Meet?

Who Does what?

What Do You Enjoy Most About Your Partnership?

Do you Have Nicknames For EAch other?

What Is Your Teaching Theme Song?

If you could dress-up to go somewhere, what would you wear and where would you go?

Which do you prefer, cookies, brownies, or neither?

Name something you've created that you love using in your classroom?

MEET THE TEACHER BLOGGER

A few of my favorite things...

If you weren't a teacher, what would you want to be?

three little words that describe you.

Finish this sentence, “___________________, said no teacher EVER!!”

It’s your birthday and you can invite anyone {dead or alive} to the party. Who are you inviting?

If someone wrote a book about your life, what would be the title?

You get to pick one superpower. What is it?

What’s your favorite quote or saying?

If you HAD to sing one song on American Idol, what would it be?

Are you a morning person or a night owl?

What’s your favorite resource that you’ve created in your TPT shop?

Share something we might not know about you!

Mr. & Mrs.

the library

tag, you're it!

subscribe

If someone wrote a book about your life, what
would be the title?

What’s your favorite
quote or saying?

If you HAD to sing one song on American Idol,
what would it be?

Are you a morning person
or a night owl?