RockSTAAR

STAAR

AKA the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness test.

It has arrived.

The countdown for STAAR tests

In just a few short weeks, my class will take STAAR exams for writing, reading & math to assess their mastery of fourth grade skills. My kiddos will need to write narrative & expository essays, read various passages & answer questions to assess comprehension, & solve intense 2-step math problems.

Their brains are really put to the test at this point in the year...as is mine! Amidst the test-prepping/test-taking, I know we are all struggling to make class as fun & stress-free as it was before "crunch time" arrived.

Test time

Every second in the classroom is precious. Snack time has turned into silent math review, morning do-nows involve problem solving, etc. We are in go-go-go mode!

Snack time/place value spiral review

 My kids are champs, but I know spring break is coming at the most perfect & necessary time. We are all getting burnt out. March 8-11 will be a fantastic time to recharge batteries, spend quality time with family & friends, & just rest the soul in general.

Until then, I'll be pushing strong, as will the kids. We're on the path to become RockSTAARS :)

Recent events:

A 4th grade field trip to the Sid Richardson Museum lead to a fun painting activity

Daniel Silverman, Account Coordinator of Schaefer, was guest speaker 

We learned how to simplify fractions

Students gave me a lot of "flowers" during recess

My kids ran the Cowtown 5K

As did the rest of my school

I was able to attend the Vicente Fox Presidential Series featuring the honorable José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, Prime Minister of Spain (2004-2011) thanks to the generous Sid Richardson Foundation & Teach For America

Where'd January go?

This is my one and only post for January.

I am literally halfway through my first year of teaching. 156 days down, 156 days to go until June 7th. I'm still alive. & maybe finally impacting my classroom?

My class testing data from January

Via district assessments, I am able to track how my classroom is doing compared to the rest of FWISD. The last math test showed that my class had a 75% passing rate, with a 70% average - a 46% growth from the last assessment. The district test average was 67%.

Although I'm striving for 100% passing, the data from this round of assessments was a big confidence booster I REALLY needed. I've been hard at work, much like all the teachers at my school, & it's nice to see such a big growth.

I foresee a major overhaul in my literacy structure for the month of February. I've gotta get those kids reading better. Until my next post, here are some random pictures from life:

Santa came to deliver presents to my students

My TCU professor Dr. Jacque Lambiase donated a bunch of
wonderful material to my classroom

Last day of school before winter break turned into a lot of fun
read alouds since only nine students came! 

My student helped motivate me

Oh, and I can't forget to mention the Febreze can a student
 brought to class to cover up the "fart" smells

The 18-hour field trip

This past Friday, all 4th & 5th graders at my school took a field trip to Austin, Texas, where we all visited the Capitol & the Bullock Texas State History Museum, along with dining at Cracker Barrel, a dining hall at UT-Austin, & the Golden Corral.

It's safe to say that our day was jam-packed.

The Capitol

Though we did so many neat things within the heart of Texas, my favorite part of the trip had nothing to do with any of the scheduled events. My favorite part of the trip was a conversation I had with a student in my class.
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Background: This student & I bash heads a lot. I am still trying to figure out how to motivate this child to work hard. This student is BRILLIANT, but an attention-seeker to the max. Inappropriate comments, words, actions...you name it - this kid has probably done it.
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I decided to have a seat next to this student while traveling from one destination to the next, & tried to strike up a conversation. We talked about sneakers, Jordans to be exact, & this child suddenly opened up to me.

He talked about his family. He talked about the problems his sibling are/have faced. He informed me about the local Fort Worth gangs. He asked me questions about college. He questioned me about my family.

I was shocked to learn about the hardships he has faced, things he has seen in his life, & knowledge I wish I could swipe away from his brain. No wonder he acts the way he acts, I thought. I spoke when asked a question, but I mostly just listened. I think he appreciated that.

During that bus ride, a relationship began to form. Today, the first day back from the field trip, lacked the usual disruptions from this child. He seemed to be, dare I say, motivated.

Realizing that being a great teacher means forming true relationships with students is daunting...but equally rewarding. I'm becoming more and more emotionally invested in these 9 & 10-year olds. They are unique, goofy, troublemakers, learners, talkers...I could go on & on - but mostly, they are wonderful :)

Holiday

A few days off of work was exactly what I needed. I slept, slept, slept during my Thanksgiving break, taking in some sunshine & quality time with the family.

The first half of the year is almost over - I can't even believe it. In four short weeks, winter break* will be here! Off to plan for 20 more meaningful days...back to the grind!
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*In need of a holiday gift? A fellow 2012 DFW CM's mother is creating Teach For America holiday bracelets - $10 of each sale goes directly for TFA! Here's what the bracelet looks like:

"One Day"

Somos como una familia.

My friend & TCU journalist Jordan Rubio recently captured a snapshot of my classroom through interviews & video, titled "TCU alumna impacts local students through Teach For America program."

My 4th graders will be future movers & shakers.

These are my babies. They are my family.

Feedback

I love feedback. Constructive criticism, helpful tips for improvement, etc...I can never get enough. Recently, my MTLD (Manager, Teacher Leadership Development, sorta like my Teach For America mentor) observed my teaching. I got this wonderful email from her after the visit:

What I love about this email is that it contains concrete action steps I should take in order to improve. Fabulous.

Teach for America, Fort Worth ISD & my alternative certification program (The New Teacher's Project) aren't the only channels in which I can get feedback. Turns out my students are good for that, too.

This one almost made me cry. Tears of joy, of course!

"I hope to graduate from college in class of 2025. I think this because you are my best teacher I ever had in my life.  

 I said this because I believe that you can make a change. We can go to 5th grade and you can be here in 4th grade so you can show them all the things you showed us so they can believe that they can, which they are because you are the best 4th grade teacher I ever had. You are like a different version of "Mr. Ortega." That is how you are to me.

The best thing is you are a second mother to me. Thank you teacher!" 

Lovin' those frogs.

These notes of positivity are what keep me going.

Other happenings these past few weeks:

My class made it to the end of the 6 weeks dance party.

After-school tutoring has begun.

My class took a field trip to the FTW library & learned about Native Americans. 

TCU journalism major Jordan Rubio came to my class as a guest speaker
to tell students about reporting.

Running club is in season! Did I mention I'm assistant coach? Pictured above
is the actual coach, Mr. Nava. 

Two of my students celebrating running club post-survival.  

Sucky October

October sucks.

I love my kids, my fellow teachers, & my school, but I am tired. I'm tired of not yielding fabulous test results, not being the greatest teacher to walk the planet, not having perfectly perfect lesson plans created each day, etc. I mean, are my expectations completely unreasonable??

Yes, yes they are...at least, they are for me, a first-year teacher with no background in education.

Fort Worth ISD math assessment grades - class average was a 53% :(

I've come to the realization that teaching is a combination of 1)experience, 2) fabulous organizational skills, & 3) great internalization/knowledge of the content being taught. I'll get there.

Focusing on my strengths in the classroom has helped keep me more positive. I've been adorning my classroom with TCU decor, investing my students in their future by talking about college & "dream" job goals. I'm bonding with my students; I care deeply for them, & I *think* they are beginning to connect with me.

Thank goodness October is almost over.

Fantastic 5 - method used for math word problems

some classroom rules...

TCU investment

Trying to reach that high level of blooms!

Name tags for desks

Goals-oriented behavior management tracker

class goals poster

goals are placed on every test :)