The Final Weeks of the First Semester!

In the last few weeks of the first semester of the year, there is so much learning that will be taking place! Not just content learning, but an eclectic array of different types of learning.

I am so excited for the students to learn how to code! I will be learning alongside them. Next week, there is a coding activity every day of the week. We will take time out of the day to learn something new and practice. This all leads up to our Hour of Code on Friday. PARENTS: you are invited to this hour of code from 1:30- 2:30! Your child will be able to show you all that they have learned and can do.

You may say, "what does coding have to do with STAAR or any of he assigned learning objectives?"

To that I say how important it is for students to develop the problem solving and their own strategies to solve a problem. In our TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills), there are processing standards that the students are to learn. These are difficult because they can sometimes be abstract and it's hard to tell whether they have mastered it or not.  I would apply the benefit of coding to the folowing processing standards:
Math: use a problem-solving model that incorporates analyzing given information, formulating a plan or strategy, determining a solution, justifying the solution, and evaluating the problem-solving process and the reasonableness of the solution; 
L.A./Reading 

Catching Up!

I have not posted in awhile and I am so sorry!

So much has happened and is still happening in our wonderful classroom! 

Since we last left our story, we have made amazing bubble wands (everyone's worked!), learned so much about Texas history and how it came to be the great state it is today,  written personal narratives, and are now learning division! 

Important dates approaching:

November 21st- Progress reports will be going out 

November 24th- 28th- Thanksgiving break 

I will update soon, I promise this time :)

<3 Miss Pults

Newest Addition!

Last Saturday I came up to school to create something that I had been tossing around in my head for some time. 

I decided to order the supplies and go ahead with it! I geared up with wallpaper and tools!

This week debuted our classroom Wonder Wall! I could not have imagined how much the kids enjoy it and the curiosity, imagination, and ideas that it sparks! 

Take a look!

After the first week, we are already running out of room!

Some of my favorites:

This successful projects inspires me, as well, to act on the ideas I have because even if they fail, there's a chance it could be awesome!

<3 

Miss Pults

Knowledge- A Few Touches Away

Hey guys!

I have decided to make a project on donorschoose.org in order to obtain 4 tablets in my classroom.

www.donorschoose.org/kayleypults

With the major STEM initiative and the many ways technology can individualize learning for students, it would be so amazing to expand and increase student engagement! Anything helps and if you use the code SPARK, Donorschoose.org will match your donation! My mind goes crazy with all of the lessons I could implement the use of tablets! Thank you guys and I love you all!

I am so excited and thankful to have the opportunities presented to me!

<3

Miss Pults

Time Flies When You're Having Fun!

I cannot believe it has already been 5 weeks with these crazy kiddos! This week was filled with addition and subtraction of decimals and whole numbers, including a hook in the students' writing and different types, spelling with long o words, complex sentences, and learning about Texas' role in Mexico's independence. 

The students got to pretend to be an explorer from Spain or France, writing back to report their findings to the King and Queen, after coming ashore in Texas. IT WAS AWESOME! I loved all of the notes the students wrote. One student included that they apparently invented the "hashtag" by adding "#Sincerely." Gotta love it! :)

Today was the day of the Unit 2 Math Test. I knew the students were ready, but they looked defeated. I gave a pep talk that was completely true, telling all of the students that I believe they are ready for every question on the test. After those positive words, they were off! 

This week felt very long, but I still enjoy every minute with every one of my students. I feel like we are all getting used to each other and getting to the point where we have formed a bond. We know each other now, and can really start making great strides toward success!

Can't wait for next week when we start the math unit on multiplication and delve even more into writing!

<3

Miss Pults

Important!

Don't forget:

Picture day is Monday! Come with those bright smiles!

The Learning Commons at Christie Elementary 

I get so excited when I think about the Learning Commons at our school and what it is going to become. At first, I had no idea what it was going to be. No matter how much someone explained it to me, I still didn't get it. I feel like I am just beginning to grasp the concept of the Learning Commons. I had one realization that made it all clear to me: it cannot be defined. It lives in the imagination of anyone who is using it. It is what the students want it to be (within reason, of course). An exploratory arena for solving puzzles, creating ANYTHING, and, most importantly, learning. Not even that explains all of the characteristics of the Learning Commons. The more I think about it and the love of learning idea it promotes, the more excited I get!

Make sure and stay tuned for all of the adventures the Learning Commons will create!

If there's anything you would like to donate, let me know! We thank everyone so much!

In other exciting news, I just got home from my classroom. The students will have a big surprise waiting for them on Monday!

My Teacher Table is now a GIANT dry erase board! Can't wait to test it out during small group time!

<3

Miss Pults

Week 3

Week 3 in fourth grade has been so busy! We worked a lot on decimals and got into estimation! The kids are doing so awesome with it!

My favorite station this week was called Christie Café. 

It worked a lot with adding and subtracting decimals. The students had a menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They started the day with $50 and had to order a main dish, side dish, and drink for each meal. They would add up those prices, subtract it from the $50 they had to eat. Next, they had to take the remainder and start with that at lunch, doing the same thing through dinner. They loved it!
You can purchase this activity (renamed Decimal Café) on my TpT site :) 

There are a few more important things to cover for PARENTS!

1. We sent home the 4th grade AVID letter today. Make sure those are signed and returned Monday! 
2. It would be SO awesome if you wanted to buy an AVID shirt to wear! AVID is so important to promote college attendance and readiness. To order go to:

http://www.barefootathletics.com/categories/Custom-Order-Form/Avid-Plano/cof53943/

The shirts are AWESOME! I definitely got one! You have until September 21st to order!


Can't wait for another amazing week :)

<3

Miss Pults

20 Motivational Quotes to Start the Week

So, to start my week (and end my weekend) I decided to get myself motivated. I could look in the mirror and pump myself up or work out, I suppose. For tonight, I decided to look at different inspirational quotes. It's just a bonus that most of the quotes are decorated very pretty :)

1. I think this is something us teachers need to realize. Even one bad day can't detract from the willingness and inspiration you can put into someone's life. Even one student.

 2. After getting bogged down by all the beginning of the year stuff, we can't forget that every individual has a purpose and is able to fulfill it.

 3. SO perfect. Encouragement is one of the most important things to remember to implement in every day. Not even limited to students, staff members, friends, family, everyone needs encouragement!

 4. At Christie Elementary, we are encouraged to think outside the box and try new things. Without taking risks sometimes, you may not learn new things or find better ways to teach.

 5. I truly believe this is for all of my students. Part of my job is to care and I deeply do about each and everyone of my students.

 6. Harry Potter quotes are never wrong. ;) In everything we do, there is always a choice.

7. This is what totally symbolizes the direction our curriculum and teaching is heading. Push students to get out of their comfort zone in order to learn and, more importantly, discover new things.

 8. No matter what the circumstance or problem presented, always stay positive.

9. Aside from this being very pretty, it is very meaningful to me. I believe that you create your own reality and your life is up to you! So, go out and make it what you want it to be!

10. Attitude is everything. If I walk into school, so sleepy and not really feeling like being there, I always take a deep breath. After that, I look around and see all of things I have to so thankful for. My attitude will reflect my teaching, become contagious to students, and set the path for the whole day. Why make it bad?

11. Even though it is only the beginning of the year, I know times are going to get tough. I am already stressing about STAAR and lesson planning and getting behind! So much, all the time, but never giving up is the hardest and most important part.

12. BE YOUR OWN PERSON. I have to remember this every day. I am a weird and awkward person, and that is what makes me exactly the person I am supposed to be.

13. Effort. It always shows.

14. Oh how true this is! This gets me through some of the roughest days. Taking a step back, even making a list of all the things to be thankful for, just don't take them for granted or be overshadowed by a stupid problem!

15. MY FAVORITE! I love this quote so much, not only because I am a science nerd, but because it dares me to go into the unknown and challenge the ideas and every day monotony.

16. Working with kids every day really makes it nearly impossible to stop being curious. It is the best way to learn.

17. Be a go getter! Don't just be satisfied and settle for what is. Go out and do it!

18. This is similar to one above. I can't help but love encouraging uniqueness. I think it's where true happiness is found.

19. Positivity can change an entire situation. Your attitude is your choice.

20. Sweet and simple. Love what you do, love everyone around you, share and receive love. It makes life so much easier for you and anyone you come in contact with to just be nice and joyful!

That's all for the sappy quotes to start the week! Have a happy Monday!

<3

Miss Pults

Well! It has been a crazy busy start to the year! Being back in fourth grade feels like home for me. I am so excited every day I walk into the classroom and about the knowledge I can share with the eager learners. For my first post, I would like to make it short and sweet.

First week of school usually has a Back to School Night that is, let's be honest, fairly boring. This year, Discovery Education hosted and had lots of fun, hands on activities for kids and parents to experience. I had way too much fun!

During the first week of school, the students had to work together to make a free standing structure that could hold a textbook. The catch: they could only use 12 pieces of normal printer paper, 1 piece of cardstock paper, and 12 inches of tape.

I was unsure about how it would work out, if anyone could do it. 

In the end, two groups' structures could hold up to four textbooks! It was amazing and a great lesson for me, as well. 

I had such a fun week at school and can't wait for the rest of the school year!

<3

Miss Pults