Be kind always

So many things have been going on in my classroom. All my students are awesome and we are learning and having fun in the classroom. One of the themes I wanted to focus on this year is kindness. So I chose to have a big display on my wall. I also purchase some wall stickers that give a colorful touch to the display.

Read more »

iPad Rules

We have these 6 simple rules in our classroom. Posting them that help students remember the correct use of iPads. I got mine here.
1) We hold the tablet with both hands.
2) We will use clean and dry hands.
3) We will only use the apps our teacher has told us to use.
4) We will sit down while we use the tablet.
5) We will ask for help when we need it.
6) We will share the tablet with our friends.

I found several iPad rules posters for FREE in Tpt. Click here.

Read more »

iPads in a Bilingual Classroom

This is the second year that we have been using iPads in our classroom. Thank you to out Dual Language Department and also Junior League of  Dallas, we have enough iPads for every student.

I would like share some of my experience using iPads in a Bilingual Classroom. There are some important things to consider when incorporating any technology in a classroom. 

1) Set Goals: what exactly do you want to achieve using the apps?

2) Clear Expectation: Teacher and students know what is expected from them after using an app

3) Rules and procedures: Students should have a set of rules and procedures when using technology

4) Incorporate to lesson plans: Extend the learning with apps that are related to your lesson

5) Evaluate results: After using technology, did students reach the goal? Any improvement?

So how to start? I will be showing you in detail in future posts..

Read more »

Istation

Istation is one of the tools I use to evaluate and work on small groups with my students. It is a valuable tool if you know how to use it. I found this helpful tutorial if you are a first time user. Click here.

It has many reports that you can use to group your students. Best of all also provides intervention activities that you can use with the different groups. Just select one, print it and use it. =)

Read more »

Word walls

When decorating my classroom I love bright colors and fabric. These are my word walls.

Read more »

Author's Purpose Posters

We have been learning about Author's Purpose these couple of weeks. We started with the PIE strategy.  As you can see I have one of the old blackboards in my classroom, so I decided to print the PIE strategy on color paper and it looks very good with that background.  Also we used a foldable that student glued on their journal to have as a reference. Click here to get this resource.

Read more »

Compare and Contrast

We read the story Mi Familia from Senderos this week. My students enjoy seen the pictures of Camila's family. We use this story for the skill: Compare and Contrast using a simple Venn Diagram. The kids compared their family with Camila's and they did great! Here is the Free Venn Diagram we used. 

Read more »

My classroom the Fist Day of School!

I finally have time to post some pictures of my classroom that it's still a work in progress. But here is a few pictures and ideas you may like.
As you can see I like fabric more than paper because it doesn't fade and also you can find many nice patterns. Jo-Ann is one of my favorite places to go for that.(coupons and teacher discount card in hand of course)  The buildings took a little time since my classroom is big and had to glue all those little windows to the buildings. I got the ideas from this post on Pinterest

I decorated the walls with a combination of fabric and color paper ( the one that doesn't fade) and the color circles are wall decal that I purchased from Amazon.  My classroom looks a lot more colorful with those.  I only added a neon border to the blackboards, luckily they are magnetic so I will be using those for anchor charts and activities with magnets. (I will  have to be creative).

Having inspirational quotes is something I like so they are in many places in my classroom.

The door was decorated with Super Kids Theme ( Sorry you can't see the words). Got the idea here.

I also created a Photo boot and a #Bestyearever sign for teachers, parents and students to take pictures the first day of school (very popular). I got the ideas here.

Read more »

Character feelings

Read more »

Working on a small classroom? No problem! :)

It was a challenge to have all the Dual Language component is a small space but I did it!
I learn how to save space and work with everything I had in my classroom. Like " El pilar de la escritura" that is where I place all the grammar rules, parts of speech, etc..

Read more »