Common Core Blues... not so fast, I've found the answer...

Well, setting routines and procedures has been really good so far this year. My babies are really learning what to do. So, this week I want to start literacy stations. After 2 days of pulling my hair out, planning with my team mate and printing like a fiend, I have stations for the next 5 days. Great, but are they Common Core aligned? Hmmmm. Well, let's just say that since these are "practice" stations, it's okay. Is that alright with you?

So, as I was looking on Pinterest for math and literacy assessments aligned with CC, I came across this Kindergarten Common Core book. It is a great resource for K teachers. Since we are implementing The Daily Five, I need more resources to put into Word Work and I need to be certain that I am hitting all of the strands and standards. Our math program doesn't really align with CC either, so I probably need to supplement with other things and this download will really help with that. I suggest that all K teachers check this out!!!


This Kindergarten Common Core Workbook is a must have!
Bloggers, you have just a few hours to take advantage of the free download!!!

I cannot wait to use it...
Keep it Sassy Peeps!

La, la, la, la, la, la, laaa, laaa, ah, la la la oh oh oh ....

It has been a stressful week. The kids have done well, but I have found myself buried under paperwork and deadlines. I have my Self Assessment done for my NC Teacher Evaluation, but I still need to finish my PDP, have my mentor do an observation, have my principal do a preconference and evaluation and post conference, I have data meetings to see who is eligible for Tier II services, develop a PEP for my little girl who was retained, take (he DOES still need me) care of my teenager... whew... and I STILL have to plan and teach!

Sooooo, I decided to leave right after the buses (which was still 4:40 because that purple bus CANNOT get here on time) and treat myself to a night on the town!

I headed to N. Raleigh for some karaoke with a girlfriend... not a great idea... so we left after dinner and headed back to the Cary. More karaoke with a laid back feel. I got so comfortable that I even sang a song. It felt so good to get up there and let go. If I had not been pre correcting, redirecting and encouraging 18 kinders all day today, I would have sung another song! But my voice is tired!!!!

Here is The Fugees singing my karaoke solo debut song.... A Roberta Flack classic...
Killing Me Softly...

Good night, folks!

~ The Sassy Teacher

Almost Show Time...

Well, it is less than 48 hours away. My first day starting kindergarten with my 18 lovelies. My assistant, Cathy, is awesome. I am so glad that she is with me. We worked together as TA's for 10 great years!

My classroom is ready. Tables, chairs, document camera, Mimeo bar, carpet, magnets, crayons, pencils, reading chairs, pillows, book boxes, blocks, Legos, tubs and tubs of books... it is all there and waiting. But am I ready?

I have waited for this my whole life, but I am so nervous. This transition to Common Core is really boiling my brains. What assessments should I do for math on day 16 according to CMAPP? Online profile cards? Can I start Letterland on Tuesday, our first day? Will we be able to start Daily 5 in second quarter? I could go on and on...

I am really excited though. I think that my babies are really sweet. A little low, but sweet.  I do have a lot of work cut out for me this year. When I taught last year from January to June, I worked at an affluent school with very bright students. They were almost all reading at the end of year benchmark in January. It was really easy, and a great introductory experience, but my heart is with the ones that struggle. I was elated to come back to my peeps and get down to the nitty gritty. But, this is gonna be the REAL deal. Pray for me folks.