tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522438810947271142024-03-19T03:47:05.417-05:00Koonce's KornerThoughts from a teacher turned stay-at-home momKoonce's Kornerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137488949932585900noreply@blogger.comBlogger141125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452243881094727114.post-89552986278975843112023-10-11T21:20:00.002-05:002023-10-11T22:51:15.658-05:00Why I Can't Give Up Homeschooling, Even on the Hard Days<div>I would like to pose a very simple question:</div><div><br /></div><div><b>What is education?</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div></div><div>This seems simple on the surface, but this is actually much, much deeper than meets the eye. </div><div><br /></div><div><i>This</i> is the question that keeps me going on even the hardest days of homeschooling. Even on the days when I swear to myself that we are making a huge mistake and I'm enrolling them in school and putting them on that big yellow bus <i>tomorrow.</i> </div><div><br /></div><div>I have a Master's Degree in elementary education, have been around kids and public schools my entire life, have three kids of my own, and, yet, being tasked with answering this question these past two and half years has turned my entire world upside down. </div><div><br /></div><div>What makes it so difficult is trying to sift through what I have been told, whether directly or indirectly, my entire life about what education <b><i>is </i></b>from <b><i>what I actually believe it is</i>.</b> </div><div><br /></div><div>Everyone has a "philosophy" of education whether you think you do or not. <i><b>What </b></i>you think a child should learn, <i><b>how</b></i> you think a child should learn it and <b><i>when</i> </b>are some of the things that drive that philosophy. <i><b>Who</b> </i>is responsible for facilitating that learning is another part. <b><i>How you know </i></b>when a child has learned something is yet another component. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you don't think you have a philosophy, it's most likely because you have just naturally adopted what the public school system tells us it should be. (And the hard truth is, that if your kid is in public school, you don't really have much of a voice in forming that philosophy.) Which is exactly what I did until the Lord stirred our hearts and we dove into the uncharted waters of homeschooling. </div><div><br /></div><div>But why does this question matter? </div><div><br /></div><div>Shouldn't we just do what the majority of the country does and send our kids to public school when they turn five? Does it really matter if we have a philosophy or not? I mean, is it really <i>that</i> big of a deal?</div><div><br /></div><div>At first, I didn't think so. But now as we are entering our third year of this homeschooling thing, I've realized that, actually:</div><div><br /></div><div>Yes! </div><div><br /></div><div>Yes, it is! </div><div><br /></div><div>Because whether we realize it or not, how we answer that question frames our entire outlook on life, on success, and in turn determines how we spend our children's time and our time as a family. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, just for fun, imagine this: </div><div><br /></div><div>All the boundaries and limits most school systems put on kids (and as a direct result, families) are magically taken away- things like the number of days kids have to be in school, the HOURS kids have to be in school, grade levels, requirements to "pass" each grade level, standardized tests, incentivized reading, math, or other subject-related programs, progress reports, dictated subjects and specific learning standards, report cards, classrooms composed of same-aged peers, reading levels, "gifted" programs, "special education" programs, extra credit, homework, spelling lists, all types of arbitrary measuring sticks that cause comparison, competition, and sometimes anxiety... take all of those things away, and what are you left with? </div><div><br /></div><div>Really, think about this. </div><div><br /></div><div>What are you left with? </div><div><br /></div><div><div>If it were completely up to you- your child's school years were just an immense blank slate stretched before you like an open field- no timelines, no pressure, no testing, no comparison ... what would you want your child to know? How would you fill your child's time?</div><div><br /></div><div>And that's where we find ourselves right back at that essential question again:</div><div><br /></div><div>What is education? </div><div><br /></div><div><b>It is the freedom we have as a homeschooling family to answer this question <u><i>for ourselves</i></u> that keeps me going on the hard days.</b></div><div><br /></div><div>What <b><i>do</i></b> we want our children to know and be able to do? </div><div><br /></div><div>When is it important for them to know what we want them know?</div><div><br /></div><div>What priorities do we have as a family? </div><div><br /></div><div>How can we structure our minutes, hours, days, and weeks to actually support and sustain those priorities? </div><div><br /></div><div>How do we want our children to feel about learning? </div></div><div><br /></div><div>I am not naive to realize that what we have come to think of as "education" these days is about much, much more than simply the acquisition of knowledge. It's a way for kids to make friends and have experiences, and yes, learn things, but it's become more about a specific culture related to the <i>schools themselves,</i> not necessarily about the actual <i>education</i> happening inside the buildings. Spirit days, school plays, cafeteria food, all the hallmark things we come to know through our experience in schools add to the connotation of "education." </div><div><br /></div><div>And I do miss all of those things. I have days where my emotions are all over the place and times of serious doubt. </div><div><br /></div><div>But what I've been shown, by God's unexpected blessing, is that there is another way for the kids to experience most all of those things. (Yes, even things like bullying and cliques- any group of children, no matter where they are isn't immune from these things) without the limits the traditional school system imposes and live a completely different kind of life. </div><div><br /></div><div>A life where on a rainy day we can stay in our pajamas, cuddle up on the couch, and read together. </div><div><br /></div><div>A life where when we are learning about fossils we can travel to a place and dig up actual fossils from the ground. </div><div><br /></div><div>A life where my child who is struggling to learn to read feels no pressure or condemnation from being "behind" because there really is no "behind" in the first place. </div><div><br /></div><div>A life that enables us to spend time with family and friends and still have time to take part in all the activities we want to be in and allows the boys time to be together and celebrate the small everyday successes in real-time. </div><div><br /></div><div>A life that takes advantage of the natural curiosity every child is born with, that natural thirst for information and answers without relying traditional methods. </div><div><br /></div><div>We get to structure our kids' school years in a way that just wouldn't be possible otherwise and we have the freedom to decide what a quality education for our children is. It's helped us step back and re-examine the choices we were making on default and really take the time to explore and think deeply about them. </div><div><br /></div><div>And if you'll allow me to be a little sinister for a minute, the reality that we never know when our last day will come is part of the equation, too. The Lord's coming surely must be near, y'all!! 🤪👀🤣 But we don't want to look back and regret time not better spent. </div><div><br /></div><div>Could homeschooling be a huge mistake? Eh, possibly. </div><div><br /></div><div>Will the kids miss out on some things? Of course! </div><div><br /></div><div>Will they one day look back and feel a little resentment that they didn't get to experience elementary or middle school (we have no idea how long we will keep this homeschooling thing going) like "normal" kids? Possibly. </div><div><br /></div><div>But as I'm sitting here typing this thinking about the absolute mess our world is, I think we will take our chances. ;) </div><div><br /></div><div>We spend our days exploring nature, being together as a family, and yes, with lots of friends, too, experiencing new places and things, reading lots and lots and lots of great books, filling our minds with truth, goodness, and beauty and as each day goes by we are finding our answer to that essential question a little more clearly and little more confidently. </div><div><br /></div><div>Our hope is that as we are living this life alongside the kids, making the most of every day we have together, that even though they might feel like they missed out on some things, they will look back on what what they got in return and think it was equally as good, if not better. </div><div><br /></div><div>I fully realize that the homeschool life is not for everyone. I am in no way trying to persuade anyone or insult anyone, but because I have been given the incredible gift to see life in a completely different way, I feel like it's my duty to tell you, that if you have ever even so much as thought about it, it's worth looking into. </div><div><br /></div><div>Even on the days when I feel like I just can't do it anymore, the thought of giving it all up is just inconceivable. We've been shown the other side and there's just no going back. We have to see where this journey takes us, following the Lord's lead as we go. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, what is education? How do you want to fill your child's days? </div><div><br /></div><div>The answer is completely up to you! </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Koonce's Kornerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137488949932585900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452243881094727114.post-54919963783870401462023-06-07T21:13:00.003-05:002023-06-07T21:13:40.866-05:00Snails! A Mini-Study! Who knew that I would fall head over heels in love with SNAILS?! <div><br /></div><div>Well, it's happened, and I only have my kids and God to blame. I mean, when you really stop and look at them closely they are beautiful and fascinating. </div><div><br /></div><div>You don't think so? </div><div><br /></div><div>Then this little mini-study is for you and your kiddos! </div><div><br /></div><div>I dare you not to think snails are pretty awesome after learning about them and studying them up close. </div><div><br /></div><div>I dare you! </div><div><br /></div><div>But seriously... we have had so much fun learning about and studying snails over the last few months so I knew I wanted to put something together to share that love. </div><div><br /></div><div>In this free file I've included: </div><div><br /></div><div>-book suggestions</div><div>-activity suggestions</div><div>-a little idiom slide for "a snail's pace"</div><div>-several snail poems we love </div><div><br /></div><div>My hope is that you will come to love and appreciate snails as much as we do and maybe even collect a few to keep as pets. Yup, we are now the proud owners of FOUR snails we are keeping as pets. HA! </div><div><br /></div><div>Simply <b>click on the picture below</b> to grab your copy! (If the link gives you any trouble let me know and I'll send it to you directly)</div><div><br /></div><div>If you have any snail-related books, activities, or whatever that you love, I would love to know! </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1m3hRL7Bkg6l2pWRiKfLlDHiqCHgH4ECehkqPhW-2Cl4/edit?usp=sharing" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="477" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhGdBBly3SWoUvvkFNwsrAqX7JhO4jzCigqXeW8J1MZHO7DRc88GV-LUE43HkPBExvTdm41n9NqKvXasJwcFZNgd34Q2xD5o_Yc88mZ0ZS79WwIxXVb9nPSyN7kUHVJbp5aNWdW9v__RwNIGrY3D3RW7fgTgMRgO4-0FQDOCJcWlTT2-K25GDgHba7FWg=w499-h640" width="499" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJPxUakDYwQy8Vce0C6cedbsPAN9iHuhZsBIDTQj9dnRXGVEr97URx4mJKzgAU11C6dALwQTT-JUfSO5prvb653cC0lmBAgcSM90y05bJQ4maVAurJ8e74c5cZwGwbtwBfx_ClVrf78zMv_6KpK38UKtBfxVM-7l-VP1SwtgHljzGWfv7HcqmBuAGtXA/s310/Blog%20Kelly%20Signature.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="158" data-original-width="310" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJPxUakDYwQy8Vce0C6cedbsPAN9iHuhZsBIDTQj9dnRXGVEr97URx4mJKzgAU11C6dALwQTT-JUfSO5prvb653cC0lmBAgcSM90y05bJQ4maVAurJ8e74c5cZwGwbtwBfx_ClVrf78zMv_6KpK38UKtBfxVM-7l-VP1SwtgHljzGWfv7HcqmBuAGtXA/s1600/Blog%20Kelly%20Signature.PNG" width="310" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div>Koonce's Kornerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137488949932585900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452243881094727114.post-88957334712484093722023-06-06T20:54:00.003-05:002023-06-06T21:33:04.963-05:00Patriotic Songs for Morning Time or Memory Work<br />It's June and around here that means we are thinking ahead to July 4th and all things America and patriotism. In my opinion, the time between Memorial Day and July 4th is the perfect time to learn some patriotic songs, read some great books, and prepare our minds for the importance of Independence Day. <div><br /></div><div>We are going to be learning and singing some patriotic songs in morning time and adding the lyrics to our memory work binders, so I just thought I would share! </div><div><br /></div><div>June is a great month to focus on patriotism because during the month we remember D-Day, celebrate Flag Day and the birthday of the Army, reflect on the importance of the Magna Carta, learn about bald eagles on National Bald Eagle Day, and celebrate Juneteenth. I'll try to come back and share some of the books or activities for those specific days, but for now, enjoy these patriotic songs! Just click the picture below and it should open the file but if it gives you any trouble let me know and I’ll send it to you directly.💙</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1FNI5AVHouQRNa92pb1DcqaUWgn1iFRou92kjNaNzx7Q/edit?usp=sharing" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="477" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibFdAJeqTVbg2kPOIJiW82MAP0pnwNHDGm62BzeZnW5UL1alR0xOmxPlLJvo0g85yfEfGIKHW5mYZKFNtXwRW_oc5s_pq_jtNEdQ1xYh7xWVPBdwIlKqjC5hSkDn7O3lioWmKyjllQii76QJym7XDyL7tStFQ36ipBEyf2eM8qyQ90-OnTzNFN_3eFzQ=w496-h640" width="496" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX_pVxY2IwiljFEJh79W4pweOtp6j9i0na3ecyRHS0YV1Zj55vK8SFR9R33ZVFa2x5T4fWEMOejGrp1U9cpFiBxkLbgsTH-zfgzb4E9jI4GSfRtLQUdcsOjSkG5-9sxz8488_3_6pVMfNo8o2o2pxnDYiWBj8_6Ltmtdi3jl4oRg5ripso1SrJPh4Vdw/s310/Blog%20Kelly%20Signature.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="158" data-original-width="310" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX_pVxY2IwiljFEJh79W4pweOtp6j9i0na3ecyRHS0YV1Zj55vK8SFR9R33ZVFa2x5T4fWEMOejGrp1U9cpFiBxkLbgsTH-zfgzb4E9jI4GSfRtLQUdcsOjSkG5-9sxz8488_3_6pVMfNo8o2o2pxnDYiWBj8_6Ltmtdi3jl4oRg5ripso1SrJPh4Vdw/s1600/Blog%20Kelly%20Signature.PNG" width="310" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Koonce's Kornerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137488949932585900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452243881094727114.post-7506634660100953582023-05-28T21:29:00.003-05:002023-05-28T21:33:01.529-05:00What's This Morning Time Thing???<div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyK_lQNpXFVjgxmbQWmeUd7KcHuGRn-DoXr3WlS8antWkOOTDYkmmlwTKtgLaADT49JwQwhf9rgLvjG9lFg1KcU6ZgqZdskYGKhIOcCQsxGRK-Zgxz1QdVVmHSgWrIFfVPG6e62_uqNNhRy5KBz751V8vZwHaN-sm34Tt9QWiY9Hf2s5NELR88LENQKw/s553/morning%20time%202.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="553" data-original-width="464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyK_lQNpXFVjgxmbQWmeUd7KcHuGRn-DoXr3WlS8antWkOOTDYkmmlwTKtgLaADT49JwQwhf9rgLvjG9lFg1KcU6ZgqZdskYGKhIOcCQsxGRK-Zgxz1QdVVmHSgWrIFfVPG6e62_uqNNhRy5KBz751V8vZwHaN-sm34Tt9QWiY9Hf2s5NELR88LENQKw/w268-h320/morning%20time%202.JPG" width="268" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Oh, morning time. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. 💜<div><div><br /></div><div>I recently shared what a<span style="color: #cc0000;"> <a href="https://kooncescorner.blogspot.com/2023/04/a-day-in-our-homeschoo.html" target="_blank">typical day in our homeschool looks like</a></span>, and when I sat down to write this post, I had planned on sharing the details of what our morning time actually looks like, but I realized that first and foremost I just wanted to talk about this idea in general just in case it's a new idea for anyone. It really is<b><i> that </i></b>important to me and has been such a game changer for not just our homeschool, but for our family culture. <br />
<br />When we first chose to homeschool, I knew nothing about this wonderful thing called "morning time." What I was noticing, however, was that meal times were important and I wanted to utilize them to their full potential. I knew I wanted to do <i>something</i>, but I just didn't know what. We had dabbled in different family devotionals together during breakfast, but I knew I wanted something more consistent and meaty. </div><div><br /></div><div>So when I did eventually discover and explore this whole "morning time" concept, everything came together and it has now become one of my favorite parts of the day.</div><div><br /></div><div>If I was still a full-time classroom teacher, I would like to think that I would use morning time on the weekends and during the summer with my own kids. Even though kids may be getting the majority of their academic or even spiritual learning from outside the home at school or church, morning time is a chance to capture their hearts, fill their minds and souls with things that are true, good, and beautiful, and focus on things that your family prioritizes. </div><div><br /></div><div>I really feel like all families could utilize the morning time concept regardless of what their school choice is and I feel very passionately about sharing this idea with anyone who will listen!</div><div><br /></div><div>Before I go any further, please know that I am by no means a morning time expert and our morning time can often turn into more of a hot mess than a beautiful Instagram-worthy sight. Despite being a novice and having oh-so-much to learn, I wanted to get this message our there anyway. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ThXP6qjL1uLmbQlJHzZH_FLOu_-ru4Meb8IDmvJ2iVmIv2PKsOCGFY3ScTyNqMXegiYNgX4w8dm3afwPyeqVWkEeWQx5TRrrji_FCzwq4HaNuoQ6Ehl54ExnpyFSzZ6DJinvZS3GjpY0ZHO6bYP-Xy1hCm8xRGldY9rY63UfWM-EO88mkl1rqA-6VQ/s592/jss_schoolrules_star%201%20blue%20dark.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="567" data-original-width="592" height="22" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ThXP6qjL1uLmbQlJHzZH_FLOu_-ru4Meb8IDmvJ2iVmIv2PKsOCGFY3ScTyNqMXegiYNgX4w8dm3afwPyeqVWkEeWQx5TRrrji_FCzwq4HaNuoQ6Ehl54ExnpyFSzZ6DJinvZS3GjpY0ZHO6bYP-Xy1hCm8xRGldY9rY63UfWM-EO88mkl1rqA-6VQ/w23-h22/jss_schoolrules_star%201%20blue%20dark.png" width="23" /></a></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>So, what is it?</b></span></h4></div><div>Moring time, very simply, is<b> a time for everyone to gather and learn together.</b> </div><div><br /></div><div>Yup, that's it. </div><div><br /></div><div>It's that simple. </div><div><br /></div><div>Morning time isn't just for homeschooling families or just for school days for us, but just a sweet time of gathering the whole family together (meaning the kids and me, although sometimes Jeff is included if he's home during the week or on the weekends) to build relationships and learn together. It's very much like the "morning meeting" or "calendar time" in a classroom if you are familiar with those. Some families actually call it "morning meeting" or "symposium" or "power hour." Regardless of the name, it serves the same purpose. </div><div><br /></div><div>You most likely are already doing something that resembles morning time or an activity that can be either incorporated into a morning time routine or would serve as an excellent starting point for one (like eating breakfast 😉). <br /><div> </div><div>If you've ever wanted to do something with your kids- like read aloud, memorize scripture, etc. but you just can't figure out when during the day to do it, morning time is a great place to start. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div>Just for some background...</div><div><br /></div><div>There are two huge names in the homeschooling world who have largely contributed to spreading and making popular the concept of morning time. <a href="https://morningtimeformoms.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Cindy Rollins</span></a> is known as the mother of morning time and now, even though all of her kids are grown, is still dedicated to the practice and encourages moms to create a <a href="https://morningtimeformoms.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">morning time routine of their own</span></a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>Pam Barnhill is most known for taking the idea of morning time and creating a "morning basket" to use during that time. This doesn't have to be a literal basket, but the idea of gathering resources together and having them on hand is very useful and definitely makes morning time run more smoothly. She shares lots-and I mean LOTS!- of practical information, resources, and even ready-to-use morning time plans (some for free) on<a href="https://pambarnhill.com/homeschool-morning-basket/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;"> her website.</span></a></div><div><br /></div><div>If you're curious about this idea and want to learn more, I HIGHLY recommend looking into all the wonderful things these ladies have to offer. Pam wrote a fantastic post describing the concept of morning time and answering lots of the basic questions. Read that post <a href="https://pambarnhill.com/homeschool-morning-basket/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">HERE</span>.</a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ThXP6qjL1uLmbQlJHzZH_FLOu_-ru4Meb8IDmvJ2iVmIv2PKsOCGFY3ScTyNqMXegiYNgX4w8dm3afwPyeqVWkEeWQx5TRrrji_FCzwq4HaNuoQ6Ehl54ExnpyFSzZ6DJinvZS3GjpY0ZHO6bYP-Xy1hCm8xRGldY9rY63UfWM-EO88mkl1rqA-6VQ/s592/jss_schoolrules_star%201%20blue%20dark.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="567" data-original-width="592" height="28" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ThXP6qjL1uLmbQlJHzZH_FLOu_-ru4Meb8IDmvJ2iVmIv2PKsOCGFY3ScTyNqMXegiYNgX4w8dm3afwPyeqVWkEeWQx5TRrrji_FCzwq4HaNuoQ6Ehl54ExnpyFSzZ6DJinvZS3GjpY0ZHO6bYP-Xy1hCm8xRGldY9rY63UfWM-EO88mkl1rqA-6VQ/w30-h28/jss_schoolrules_star%201%20blue%20dark.png" width="30" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div>Why would you want to start a morning time, especially if you aren't a homeschooling family? <br /></b></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Well, at the very minimum it brings the family together. Regardless of the ages of your kiddos, whether you have all really young kids or all teenagers, having everyone together in one place and participating in the same activities is a great way to build relationships and family culture. </div><div><br /></div><div>These days everyone is so busy. All. The. Time. We run from one thing to another, we spend a lot of time in the car, and even though the family may be all together <i>physically </i>in one place, like at a sports game or at church together, there is something so special about everyone being <i>mentally</i> together, either at the table or in the same room and focused on the same thing without any outside distractions. I feel like now more than ever it's important for families to carve out and make family time a priority. The structure morning time provides is really useful and helpful.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you're a mom of kids who are home from school during the summer, morning time is an especially great way to build in some structure to your days and start the day off on the right foot. </div><div><br /></div><div>And one important note- "morning time" does not HAVE to be only in the morning. It could be any time of day that your family can gather together. It's just the term that has stuck. </div><div><br /></div><div>I don't have any great pictures of the kids and me actively engaged in morning time because no one else is here to witness it! But here's a picture I just happened to take after one random morning time so you can get a general idea of the kids of things we do. The picture at the top of the post was another one I took on a random day. </div><div><br /></div><div>Pam Barnhill published a beautiful <a href="https://plus.pambarnhill.com/product/gather/" target="_blank">coffee-table-style book</a> that has fabulous pictures of families during their morning times, so I recommend looking into that to see the variety of styles. Keep in mind that every family does things differently, and our morning time looks different day to day. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Dl4_l8HKjNMM5wUAF-mKaoIfV7NjfmHxRmkPZyTakDcfjJ2jZVXr02rAQV1dX5pJG-qPYHpZweycKn8rSwW0TjwyRLP3ICkwsqIx1wqxzA9pui7NEbGmVgVkjrbcLc1mFQW69PSqfM1DND-QOtq0DsdfeQtFwgQtXS9wVjSv_3Org5K3D5eeIe6AWw/s650/morning%20time%201.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="585" data-original-width="650" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Dl4_l8HKjNMM5wUAF-mKaoIfV7NjfmHxRmkPZyTakDcfjJ2jZVXr02rAQV1dX5pJG-qPYHpZweycKn8rSwW0TjwyRLP3ICkwsqIx1wqxzA9pui7NEbGmVgVkjrbcLc1mFQW69PSqfM1DND-QOtq0DsdfeQtFwgQtXS9wVjSv_3Org5K3D5eeIe6AWw/w640-h576/morning%20time%201.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>I'll have to do a separate post about the resources I use during morning time because it varies so much. But you can use morning time to accomplish all kinds of goals that you may have for your family. </div><div><br /></div><div>Here are some ideas for things you could do during your morning time:</div><div><br /></div><div><b>-pray together</b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>-read aloud</b> </div><div>(I believe VERY strongly in the power of reading aloud to kids who can already read themselves, and how it's actually MORE important to keep reading to them after they can already read, but that's a whole other post! There are entire books and podcast series devoted to this topic as well! </div><div>You can find a ton of booklists on a wide variety of topics from <a href="https://readaloudrevival.com/recommends/#booklists+p:3" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Read Aloud Revival</span></a>)</div><div><br /></div><div><b>-read and appreciate poetry (of all kinds)</b></div><div>(Great post about this topic <a href="https://www.whatdowedoallday.com/how-to-memorize-poetry-with-kids/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">HERE</span></a>)</div><div><br /></div><div><b>-memorize scripture </b> </div><div>(Pam Barnhill provides a great starting point <a href="https://pambarnhill.com/memory-work-for-homeschool/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">HERE</span></a>)</div><div><br /></div><div><b>-read Bible stories </b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>-learn hymns, folk songs, or patriotic songs </b></div><div>We are about to start working on some patriotic songs in June in preparation for July 4th but we have been learning the lyrics to "A Few of My Favorite Things" from The Sound of Music this week just because it's something we want our kids to know and it's beautiful. 💙 </div><div>Other ideas <a href="https://pambarnhill.com/psalms-hymns-spiritual-songs-adding-sacred-music-morning-time/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">HERE</span></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b>-do some art appreciation or music study </b></div><div>Maybe you really want your kids to learn some basic classical composers and pieces or know some famous artists and be able to recognize pieces of art. There are really <span style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="https://simplycharlottemason.com/planning/curriculum-guide/picture-study/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">simple and easy ways to do this</span></a>.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><b>-do some nature study </b></div><div><a href="https://pambarnhill.com/?s=nature+study" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Posts about nature study</span></a></div><div><a href="https://readaloudrevival.com/recommends/#booklists+booklist_topic:science-nature-study" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Nature study booklists</span></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b>-discuss important historical events, people, or read famous speeches</b></div><div>(<a href="https://pambarnhill.com/memory-work-for-homeschool/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">That list</span></a> Pam Barnhill put together includes some ideas for this)</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>-fit in some academics</b></div><div>If you have kids who are school-aged you can also use morning time as a way to review things they have already learned or learn new things together. Grammar, math concepts (not skills) like geometric shapes, coins, graphing, etc., and science topics are things that kids of all ages can learn about and practice together. Play math games, read fun picture books about academic subjects, etc)</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiyhoDo1aMf1kGhIzQvdhbuWmWxv-VV3JeNaH-rnKI7E02VJN2O4_KG0xnQiiAn8Yw3ZgavPZNO9OT1ssJqQNI5oyKZDNuaU8F9Im8LQK2MbKL6lSZTi4s6U_1Cvj7HAnUAY75UCYY7AEWHCUpdpkT-E4lJh77aznux9iqqzEe-WR5Q3-Et-Zh31-gHg/s744/jss_schoolrules_apple%201.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="629" height="35" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiyhoDo1aMf1kGhIzQvdhbuWmWxv-VV3JeNaH-rnKI7E02VJN2O4_KG0xnQiiAn8Yw3ZgavPZNO9OT1ssJqQNI5oyKZDNuaU8F9Im8LQK2MbKL6lSZTi4s6U_1Cvj7HAnUAY75UCYY7AEWHCUpdpkT-E4lJh77aznux9iqqzEe-WR5Q3-Et-Zh31-gHg/w29-h35/jss_schoolrules_apple%201.png" width="29" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>There are so many possibilities of things to do during morning time, but the entire point is <b>just being together</b>, having shared learning experiences, and strengthening relationships.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's hard to see the real value in morning time just by reading through those ideas, but if you can imagine the beauty of everyone laughing over a silly poem, reading a beautiful picture book together, learning some crazy facts about the <a href="https://www.interflora.com.au/blog/post/the-worlds-smelliest-flowers" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">smelliest flower in the world</span></a>, and hearing your kids reciting a scripture verse you all worked to memorize, then you'll start to see just how valuable it can be. </div><div><br /></div><div>Can you see it? Can you imagine it? </div><div><br /></div><div>I can tell you that after doing morning time pretty consistently for almost a year now, I am seeing the fruit, albeit small. And it's so rewarding. My kids know the names of several poetic devices, can name some composers and artists and recognize some famous paintings, recite a few short scriptures and psalms, appreciate beautiful music, locate countries around the globe, and know that sloths only come down to eat once a week, 🤣 among lots of other random interesting facts about all kinds of things. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm most looking forward to how our morning time will shift and morph as the years go on and the kids get a little older and capable of handling more. Lots of exciting things to come!</div><div><br /></div><div>Ready to learn more?</div><div><br /></div><div>Pam Barnhill posted an awesome podcast recently and she shares some great tips on how to get started. You can listen to that podcast <span style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="https://pambarnhill.com/tips-for-starting-morning-time/" target="_blank">HERE</a>. </span></div><div><br /></div><div>It really is a wonderful thing. I promise.</div><div><br /></div><div>Hopefully I'll be back soon to share some of the nitty-gritty about our morning time and what it actually looks like, but you know how that goes!! I just happened to look at Amazon today and I noticed that the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sing-Song-Seasons-Nature-Poem/dp/1536202479" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Sing a Song of Seasons</span></a> nature poem anthology we LOVE and use almost every day just happens to be on sale right now (5/28/23) on Amazon! I can't recommend this beautiful book enough. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Until then, if you're intrigued by the idea of morning time or want to take what your family already does up a notch, I highly encourage you to look into the resources I linked all throughout this post and jump in! </div><div><br /></div><div>You won't regret it!!</div><div><br /></div><div>Here are some quick link in case you don't want to scroll back up:</div><div><a href="https://pambarnhill.com/homeschool-morning-basket/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Pam Barnhill's Morning Basket Website</span></a></div><div><a href="https://pambarnhill.com/memory-work-for-homeschool/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">100 Things for Kids to Memorize</span></a></div><div><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sing-Song-Seasons-Nature-Poem/dp/1536202479" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Sing a Song of Seasons Poetry Anthology</span></a></div><div><a href="https://readaloudrevival.com/recommends/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Read Aloud Revival Booklists </span></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR3wLeVnmDrjeRH-sUve-TBDhzJLHwSVzKJ_trychUJQ60whBMP0lUkmUOPYlE94G4M19lYxxnc4xwWL_rI-hkVhfVPw7dQovAqw_HSHR4DLHPTQJEf-y70qsNW5javdpLsLN5yvSHVz-BAJ5OSUJCvtG5583a7-Z4d4n4jUfo2kI4XOTHMmoobRqeQA/s310/Blog%20Kelly%20Signature.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="158" data-original-width="310" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR3wLeVnmDrjeRH-sUve-TBDhzJLHwSVzKJ_trychUJQ60whBMP0lUkmUOPYlE94G4M19lYxxnc4xwWL_rI-hkVhfVPw7dQovAqw_HSHR4DLHPTQJEf-y70qsNW5javdpLsLN5yvSHVz-BAJ5OSUJCvtG5583a7-Z4d4n4jUfo2kI4XOTHMmoobRqeQA/s1600/Blog%20Kelly%20Signature.PNG" width="310" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Koonce's Kornerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137488949932585900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452243881094727114.post-57005891062719464332023-04-22T22:14:00.006-05:002023-04-22T22:23:27.092-05:00A "Typical" Homeschool Day <br />
In my<a href="https://kooncescorner.blogspot.com/2023/04/can-you-homeschool-yes.html" target="_blank"> last post</a> I addressed some of the three most common homeschooling fears. The next thing that usually comes up in the conversation is, "So, what does it actually look like?" <div><br /></div><div>It's a simple question, really, but it can get sticky. There are all kinds of educational philosophies and opinions out there. Every family is different and that's the beauty of homeschooling. You can do it however you want! </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm a little hesitant to share about our days, but I always love when other moms share about theirs because it's so helpful. So maybe you can find something helpful and if nothing else it will give you a glimpse into a real homeschool if you don't know anyone who does it (just like we didn't know a soul when we first decided to homeschool!). </div><div><br /></div><div>Please remember, we are still new at this. Even though I spent my whole life in the public school world, homeschooling is completely different and every time I think we have found a groove something changes. </div><div><br /></div><div>Here's what a "typical" (although there really is no such thing around here!) day looks like right now:</div><div><br /></div><div><b>7:00am-ish - Connor's Math Lesson</b></div><div>I sit at the breakfast table to eat my breakfast and drink my coffee while I do a math lesson with Connor. We try to get most of it finished before the younger two come barreling down and make chaos, but it rarely happens. So it usually turns into me trying to keep Connor focused, keep Colton out of my coffee and math blocks and other random toys get thrown all over the place. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqWMSwIcP0_zfoEzht2NgLYIwEj6UBWbPR3GSqe0ZivZdGPybMJvjAAe_UfkbyWBTBkrI3-i8wt1aE0rkqpvFHECsZipXfMVspAAKILDrMxlZJspLa3SWib5XQmjMHMjbirnrbUaQjWfW-4APMGENH8eN_norRSSiNb8x3RqxRqlw-emesoTieafrEtw/s413/morning%20math.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="413" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqWMSwIcP0_zfoEzht2NgLYIwEj6UBWbPR3GSqe0ZivZdGPybMJvjAAe_UfkbyWBTBkrI3-i8wt1aE0rkqpvFHECsZipXfMVspAAKILDrMxlZJspLa3SWib5XQmjMHMjbirnrbUaQjWfW-4APMGENH8eN_norRSSiNb8x3RqxRqlw-emesoTieafrEtw/s320/morning%20math.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Why first thing in the morning? Connor is an early bird like me and wakes up ready to go. We do this first because he likes it, he's good at it, and he can check something off of his list first thing. </div><div><br /></div><div>Which reminds me, we use a simple checklist for the major components of our "school" day, which has been very helpful. </div><div><br /></div><div>I eat my breakfast first so I don't have to eat while they eat (you'll see why in the next section) and I can actually finish my coffee while it's still hot. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>7:30-ish or whenever Jeff leaves for work- </b><b>Morning Time</b> </div><div>Jeff leaving for work is kind of the unofficial start of our day. We clean up the table from whatever giant mess was created during the math lesson and the boys do their breakfast chores (which is just them setting the table and getting their cereal stuff out). </div><div><br /></div><div>We light a candle and I go through our <span style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="https://pambarnhill.com/homeschool-morning-basket/" target="_blank">morning basket</a> </span>while they eat. I have their attention because they have mouths full of cereal and it's harder for them to interrupt. Which, they still do, don't get me wrong, but at least I have their attention! </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZ537F4-q9O2bCfQiKF0NMusnhVDFFH2vgWjqJ8Us1ggV2CucGZBDHQnKtXaV-_ulnjL2XnwmqauBXzU5Gua4A5OiCP82OMWCZN9QZLJZau5I1Cm56k2MhnFjL7lgs50cauIekHk4LCppcsN4TvmdCKZvxChwZZZx197lEejehq4awHDFmFAD5CY1zQ/s460/morning%20basket.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="236" data-original-width="460" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZ537F4-q9O2bCfQiKF0NMusnhVDFFH2vgWjqJ8Us1ggV2CucGZBDHQnKtXaV-_ulnjL2XnwmqauBXzU5Gua4A5OiCP82OMWCZN9QZLJZau5I1Cm56k2MhnFjL7lgs50cauIekHk4LCppcsN4TvmdCKZvxChwZZZx197lEejehq4awHDFmFAD5CY1zQ/w320-h164/morning%20basket.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div>I can do a separate post about what all goes into our morning basket if anyone is interested because otherwise this post will be way too long! But to get a general idea, this is the time that I review a variety of things we have learned from all subject areas. We read poetry, I share about whatever national day it is, we read our devotional, review math and science terms, go over some of our memory work for our co-op... it's just a hodge-podge of whatever I feel like we need that day. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv05N3bN-v1So6nogE600ICKbVoGiueA3Be-80NwOttD5kHfJKSvp_StluK_0f0JxAmxLdq8nwRaFxJkaLtl0hkPlv1oxWgmoyxT1VdfchzP4-NYPxdRtLoL1JlJh4qNk51HlQ5_tP8x5wcduskiHvpWKhJ8HUnQ-m8uRX7u9mM2v1nKSbQdAKg8Qscg/s650/morning%20time%201.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="585" data-original-width="650" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv05N3bN-v1So6nogE600ICKbVoGiueA3Be-80NwOttD5kHfJKSvp_StluK_0f0JxAmxLdq8nwRaFxJkaLtl0hkPlv1oxWgmoyxT1VdfchzP4-NYPxdRtLoL1JlJh4qNk51HlQ5_tP8x5wcduskiHvpWKhJ8HUnQ-m8uRX7u9mM2v1nKSbQdAKg8Qscg/s320/morning%20time%201.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMtbTsXyfcOEyFDZ1hkrQlBcf7lRsVJ0g7_e0zCCFdWO6hQFK4WR0LzERzrayt2zaIMWxHkG5-pW4kaEFeVTmbi6MbDQxTyopJxBG8gKZfKNtOQo9bNwQXli07rXsDMoUQdrYN_g_WLT58siZ_MFZHTJRx7izNwT0cmiFBegpubh5YXPcXC_pcUapzFg/s553/morning%20time%202.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="553" data-original-width="464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMtbTsXyfcOEyFDZ1hkrQlBcf7lRsVJ0g7_e0zCCFdWO6hQFK4WR0LzERzrayt2zaIMWxHkG5-pW4kaEFeVTmbi6MbDQxTyopJxBG8gKZfKNtOQo9bNwQXli07rXsDMoUQdrYN_g_WLT58siZ_MFZHTJRx7izNwT0cmiFBegpubh5YXPcXC_pcUapzFg/s320/morning%20time%202.JPG" width="268" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>This morning time lasts as long as I have their attention and food isn't being thrown on the floor by the toddler. Which, these days is becoming shorter and shorter. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Cleanup and Free Time </b></div><div>After our morning time, we clean the table and the boys have a little bit of free play time while I get the toddler cleaned up, do whatever housework I can do quickly, and get materials ready for our table time, which comes next. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>8:30ish Table Time </b></div><div>Once I feel like we have all had an ample time to reset after morning time, we start table time. </div><div><br /></div><div>I put Colton in his playpen, one boy comes to the table with me, and the other boy goes upstairs to a room out of sight. </div><div><br /></div><div>When Connor is at the table with me, we do our phonics lessons and handwriting. This is super short, less than 20 minutes and usually only around ten if I'm being honest. We do things in short bursts around here!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4MkLFJ5IRHHbgRFuxN7EAi0oheKh7h7_QOcutdivY2B9I7238y5F1mXtMYPaLabaYdBOMLIHlK8SMlTE7rEt-34QkwHr5Gp9eU739kQBAFXt-NqivuBiC3mM82UX6mI2X_Ih-4UzCuAKpY0bmWxSuljmfBeEt01bAa0-qb2NrQePjHH3Hsci35k0VlQ/s731/Reading%20Table%20Time.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="622" data-original-width="731" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4MkLFJ5IRHHbgRFuxN7EAi0oheKh7h7_QOcutdivY2B9I7238y5F1mXtMYPaLabaYdBOMLIHlK8SMlTE7rEt-34QkwHr5Gp9eU739kQBAFXt-NqivuBiC3mM82UX6mI2X_Ih-4UzCuAKpY0bmWxSuljmfBeEt01bAa0-qb2NrQePjHH3Hsci35k0VlQ/s320/Reading%20Table%20Time.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>I use a variety of curriculum and resources for reading, writing, and math, so I won't get into all of that in this post! </div><div><br /></div><div>One of the items on Connor's checklist is to read to a brother, so at some point during the day he has to do additional reading practice, it's just not at the table with me. </div><div><br /></div><div>When he's done, he goes upstairs and Cooper comes to the table for his "work." I really don't expect Cooper to be doing table time at this age, but because Connor does table time with me he wanted his own table time, too. We do some alphabet practice, letter sounds, puzzles, coloring, basically whatever I feel like having him do. He loves it, so it's a win-win. </div><div><br /></div><div>Colton (the toddler) plays pretty well in his playpen as long as he can't see anyone else, which is why whatever boy is not at the table with me has to go upstairs. Otherwise we press on with table time amidst his screams and the sound of toys flying out of his playpen. </div><div><br /></div><div>Did I mention that homeschooling with a toddler is difficult??? </div><div><br /></div><div><b>9:15/30ish Outside Time/ Walk </b></div><div>Most mornings we go on a walk around the neighborhood or the boys have time to play outside. Sometimes I need to run errands, so if we have somewhere to go this is usually when we go (grocery store, haircuts, friend meetups). </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Couch Time (Time of day varies) </b></div><div>At some point in the morning before lunch, we have "couch time." On days when we have activities outside of the house in the morning (our co-op days) this happens in the afternoons after independent time. </div><div><br /></div><div>During couch time, we come together on the couch and I will read usually 2-3 books of my choice aloud. This is the time when I fit in picture books that cover whatever academic subject we are learning about that week and we usually have a chapter book going so depending on time, attention, and moods, we will read a chapter or two of that. </div><div><br /></div><div>The other day was Lima Bean Appreciation Day (I know, silly, but it's fun!) so this was the time when I read the three books that related to that. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedpF--ETacOkFNPCJPUhNsFLAuT1vwPg08z0URcL_Xqk4VnmE96kM6xvRcUFRetUuwbMizPKD4WrkqIl3BPy_6ONkfOIAXf5clFAP_SJkdyF6zdK0wt2gLmSTg3kf-5w53MgCxZQhsVPXKM-QZnOG7NdXv6ptelHcCDnT7j6iXp1wrKPq-iMU3zWF2w/s497/lima%20bean%20day.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="422" data-original-width="497" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedpF--ETacOkFNPCJPUhNsFLAuT1vwPg08z0URcL_Xqk4VnmE96kM6xvRcUFRetUuwbMizPKD4WrkqIl3BPy_6ONkfOIAXf5clFAP_SJkdyF6zdK0wt2gLmSTg3kf-5w53MgCxZQhsVPXKM-QZnOG7NdXv6ptelHcCDnT7j6iXp1wrKPq-iMU3zWF2w/s320/lima%20bean%20day.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>On really good days the boys will each pick a book that they want me to read aloud and I'll read those, too. Some days we can inch close to an hour on the couch. It's my favorite time of the day! </div><div><br /></div><div>For the longest time this was when Colton would be taking his morning nap. Now that he's not napping in the morning anymore, we still attempt to get one or two books read and he plays with toys quietly (usually) in the room. Or crawls all over us. Or creates chaos. In which we have to abandon couch time and try again later! </div><div><br /></div><div>Our entire homeschool runs on books and I spend lots of time looking for books to help me introduce and teach all kinds of topics from science and math to art and geography. There are wonderful books out there for almost everything. You can never have too many books!!! </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Playtime and Lunch</b> </div><div>Once we finish couch time the boys have free play time until lunch. </div><div><br /></div><div>Lunch is pretty relaxed but we usually listen to or watch something while we all eat. If we are learning about a composer, we will listen to their works. If we are learning something in science we will sometimes watch a science video online, but most of the time we will listen to whatever audiobook we have going. Right now we are listening to the Ramona series by Beverly Cleary and LOVING it! </div><div><br /></div><div><b>More playtime/ Field trips/ Errands</b> </div><div>After lunch the kids play outside or if we have more errands to run we do those. I typically try to schedule any appointments for this time of day because it's nice to get out of the house for a bit. Most of our field trips, park days, and friend meet ups happen in the afternoon so we can get our morning routine in as many days as possible. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Independent Time </b></div><div>The kids have some amount of independent time most days if we are home in the afternoons. They go to different rooms and listen to audiobooks on their <a href="https://us.yotoplay.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Yoto players</span></a> (which we love!). </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Random Stuff </b></div><div>The afternoons vary, so sometimes we do art stuff, crafty stuff, a themed read-aloud and snack time, play-doh, drawing, you get the idea. Our afternoons vary so much throughout the week, so I never really know what the afternoon will hold! </div><div><br /></div><div>A few weeks ago we were all about cacti and then we were on snails for a few days, so we had some nice little afternoons with those topics! </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifQ0fSMT8ynx1xuc1mUHrw0SOQ3C1Fvly_grE7-18AtOj4HYIV9Kuwt_gHJhmvKCiPq7uM8nbESnvpxLQQoPsOjf2yvbe3rYjkOtHcX2xYCKhFGeNCAjDmp_8Vtm13hgWlluPt9mzh0AtxjIptPdWbmwhn5JPZQ64Rzdk9zrulibs2BMjsce1yQzJx1Q/s615/art%20cactus.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="615" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifQ0fSMT8ynx1xuc1mUHrw0SOQ3C1Fvly_grE7-18AtOj4HYIV9Kuwt_gHJhmvKCiPq7uM8nbESnvpxLQQoPsOjf2yvbe3rYjkOtHcX2xYCKhFGeNCAjDmp_8Vtm13hgWlluPt9mzh0AtxjIptPdWbmwhn5JPZQ64Rzdk9zrulibs2BMjsce1yQzJx1Q/s320/art%20cactus.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB3uy-h5VjOV3Lxn1zGZnsEtnBBW90zVIneS7rEdqBKKAK67dnb3RlfWRKqTn42h76yaxfFdLqLdYvOB2feofCkzUBT5lUvbnnIr3Jbd-XaZhtzYG9IagTKuES1tyCwF1l2-pl2iObrCqCZrLOntdbcEE6hW8HdyLVfIf1Rtwd278iTuqg1N99tVsFmg/s571/snail%20table%20time.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="571" data-original-width="530" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB3uy-h5VjOV3Lxn1zGZnsEtnBBW90zVIneS7rEdqBKKAK67dnb3RlfWRKqTn42h76yaxfFdLqLdYvOB2feofCkzUBT5lUvbnnIr3Jbd-XaZhtzYG9IagTKuES1tyCwF1l2-pl2iObrCqCZrLOntdbcEE6hW8HdyLVfIf1Rtwd278iTuqg1N99tVsFmg/s320/snail%20table%20time.JPG" width="297" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>And that's it! </div><div><br /></div><div>The kids are little (almost 7, 4, and almost 2 at the time of this writing) and we have allllll the time to do more formal academic things later. We will slowly add on more to the routine as they get older, but for now, this is what works for us. </div><div><br /></div><div>We listen to our Classical Conversations memory work, listen to lots of audiobooks in the car, I use "<a href="https://nourishingmyscholar.com/100-strewing-ideas-homeschool/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">strewing</span></a>" to spark conversations about various things, we read about and explore lots of <a href="https://nationaldaycalendar.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">national days</span></a> as they come up, we go on lots of field trips, and we read lots and lots and lots and lots of books. And they are learning and retaining way more than I would have ever expected. </div><div><br /></div><div>We do school year-round right now because it's just so much easier to keep the routine when we are home. I've decided that the days that Jeff goes to work and we are home are essentially "school" days. We do so many field trips, visits with friends and family, and little trips here and there that we only follow this particular schedule 2-3 days a week. </div><div><br /></div><div>Some days we only do morning time, some days we do morning time and table time just spread out throughout the day. Some days we only do couch time, it just varies, which is another wonderful thing about homeschooling. We can ebb and flow as needed. </div><div><br /></div><div>And of course I'm not mentioning all the noise, messes, spills, sibling fights, muddy floors, attitudes, endless laundry, dishes, exasperated prayers, and all the millions of other little things that happen daily, but why think of all of that when I can make it almost seem so nice and smooth?! Ha! </div><div><br /></div><div>I've become so much more relaxed and confident over these last two years. I know that what we are doing right now is <b>enough</b> and we are aiming for a slow, nature-filled, curiosity-driven homeschool for as long as possible. It's so exciting to wake up each day and anticipate what the day will bring. It's so much fun! </div><div><br /></div><div>Well, I hope you found that helpful! </div><div><br /></div><div>It will be interesting to see how long this little routine lasts!</div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks for reading! Let me know if there is anything else you're curious about and I'll see what I can do! </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT3B2nyOTxwk3NaQn0DnGdkL1njaBUMrumkUkP5MSNrgf56rIGTnugN8f_wtHm85Rat8vHjZPpaZFBdXNyVk-wYl6hOWKB49u6XZY_3wudZPZm1YLO-spoPRuvw5SUKfGcQ0h5_A-vOBp0BPl-87WCfpEWsD5aAMTXJ1LT1L_Fi40sH7a5AEyV-hkBfA/s310/Kelly%20Signature.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="158" data-original-width="310" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT3B2nyOTxwk3NaQn0DnGdkL1njaBUMrumkUkP5MSNrgf56rIGTnugN8f_wtHm85Rat8vHjZPpaZFBdXNyVk-wYl6hOWKB49u6XZY_3wudZPZm1YLO-spoPRuvw5SUKfGcQ0h5_A-vOBp0BPl-87WCfpEWsD5aAMTXJ1LT1L_Fi40sH7a5AEyV-hkBfA/s1600/Kelly%20Signature.PNG" width="310" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Koonce's Kornerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137488949932585900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452243881094727114.post-66667419748817045082023-04-10T21:54:00.001-05:002023-04-10T21:59:24.449-05:00Can YOU Homeschool? Yes!<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJ1v8C4qgcgdKFhIWVCLAtVCg0m0Ohw43XKxLMvLHLYoqF3FTaj_bvbZn75gGVHrRbdW29UNimCVeAcwHvX99ZcyFOoItSp3WF0pdDhmvI0WxK4am5RLJgHe8HANeoq9KgfmPA6xbdb2X4lH8xDp6M7I4NwsABCwUcsrtL4pY4iZKoEP-q0yJWFmjwA/s447/homeschool%20pic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="343" data-original-width="447" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJ1v8C4qgcgdKFhIWVCLAtVCg0m0Ohw43XKxLMvLHLYoqF3FTaj_bvbZn75gGVHrRbdW29UNimCVeAcwHvX99ZcyFOoItSp3WF0pdDhmvI0WxK4am5RLJgHe8HANeoq9KgfmPA6xbdb2X4lH8xDp6M7I4NwsABCwUcsrtL4pY4iZKoEP-q0yJWFmjwA/s320/homeschool%20pic.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>I've found myself having several unexpected conversations with people lately about homeschooling. It's that time of year when the school year is winding down and we start to think about next school year. There are lots of reasons why people may think about homeschooling, but regardless, I've found myself saying the same things during these conversations, so I thought I would just write a post about it in case you or someone you know may be thinking about it (or maybe just curious!)<div><br /></div><div>The parents I have talked to are genuinely feeling the pull to keep their kids home, are very curious and deep down they really want to do it, but their fears are holding them back from actually pulling the trigger.<div><br /></div><div>And before I dig in, let me say this:<b> It was never our plan to homeschool</b>. </div><div><br /></div><div>We bought our house specifically for the elementary school we are zoned to. Because I was a public school teacher we never even considered homeschooling. But low and behold, one day I felt the call from the Lord, and it threw me for a complete loop!</div><div><br /></div><div>I was almost distraught for weeks while Jeff and I were discussing it. We literally knew NO ONE who homeschooled and knew absolutely nothing about it, other than things I had read about from <a href="https://sallyclarkson.com/" target="_blank">Sally Clarkson</a> (a woman I love dearly who has written lots of books about motherhood and who homeschooled her four children who are now all successful adults) and the stigmas we knew from the world at large. </div><div><br /></div><div>I felt like this just could <i>not</i> be the path we were supposed to take, but the voice in my head only became stronger. I was pregnant with our third baby at the time and he was due in July, not long before the kids would start school again. </div><div><br /></div><div>It was a huge decision that felt like the weight of the entire world when we were thinking about it, but when I finally made the phone call to officially pull them out for the following year, it was like a weight was lifted off of my shoulders. I can still remember the feeling because it was so... shocking. I was expecting to be hyperventilating, but instead I just felt this overwhelming sense of peace. </div><div><br /></div><div>It's funny what happens when you obey God's still, small voice. </div><div><br /></div><div>Here we are almost two years later and while I'm no expert (not even close!) and our kids are still young and miles away from graduation, I can say with confidence that the homeschool life is a sweet life, and I am so glad God called our family to this path. Homeschooling has changed my life is such a profound way and I feel like part of my responsibility while I'm on this path is to do my best to empower other families who feel the call to homeschool. </div><div><br /></div><div>With all of that said, here are the top three fears I hear about most often from my conversations with other parents and my responses to each. Hopefully, this can be helpful for you or for someone else you know who may be thinking about making the jump. </div><div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><b>1. I'm not a trained teacher. I don't think I can teach my kids. </b></h2><div><br /></div><div>I think this is probably the number one fear most people have when thinking about homeschooling and believe it or not, this was a fear I had despite having a Master's degree in education! </div><div><br /></div><div>So the very first thing I want to say right off the bat is that <i><span style="color: #2b00fe;">you are already your child's teacher.</span></i></div><div><br /></div><div>If you are a parent, you are a teacher. You have most likely taught your kids to dress themselves or use the potty. If you haven't yet, you will. Teaching them the parts of an insect is no different. You may just need a resource to help you! ;)</div><div><br /></div><div>Teaching your own child at home is as different from teaching a class of students in a school setting as apples are different from oranges. Teachers in schools have standards to teach that they didn't choose on a timeline they didn't set and have to meet requirements they often have no input in making all while managing a classroom full of all kinds of kiddos who have a wide range of needs that a single teacher just can't possibly meet as hard as they may try (and hats off to all the amazing men and women who do just that every single day!)</div><div><br /></div><div>The higher-ups are pushing educational content down to younger and younger students and it just doesn't have to be that way. Don't even get me on my soap box! </div><div><br /></div><div>As a homeschool parent, you get to choose everything. What they learn, how they learn it, when they learn it, and what you use to teach it. As long as they get the basics (reading, writing, math- and I would argue that's all the "formal" education they need for a good, long while), the world is wide! If you live in Texas, you live in one of the best state for homeschooling. No standardized testing!</div><div><br /></div><div>The glorious news is that there is an entire world of curriculum available out there that can give you as little or as much support as you want or need. And I mean WORLD! </div><div><br /></div><div>There are scripted curriculums that literally tell you exactly what to say and do. </div><div>There are online programs that will essentially teach your child with you there to guide and support. </div><div>There are books, podcasts, co-ops, one day academies, private tutors, university models... the list goes on and on.</div><div><br /></div><div>There are actually SO many resources available to homeschoolers that it can be quite overwhelming. </div><div>If you want to see what I mean, check out <a href="https://cathyduffyreviews.com/" target="_blank">this site</a> that provides an extensive list of products available for each major subject area and reviews for each of them. </div><div><br /></div><div>There is even an entire store in the Houston area called <a href="http://thehomeschoolstore.com/" target="_blank">The Homeschool Store</a> stocked with a nauseating... I mean, surprising! array of materials and extremely helpful staff who can help you sift through it all. (Although for me this store is like a black hole, so visit with caution!)</div><div><br /></div><div>But also know that children are wired for learning. They are born curious. They are learning all the time and when you give them time and space to ponder and explore, you will be shocked by what they can discover. I have so much fun every single day just watching and learning right alongside my kids. I'm actually rediscovering things I previously hated- like physics!- because I can see the beauty and wonder in it through the eyes of my children. </div><div><br /></div><div>It really is a beautiful thing. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, never fear. You will be able to find exactly what you need to teach your child. </div><div>(And there is always YouTube!)</div><div><br /></div><div>I feel like this needs to be shouted from the rooftops because it is just so important: </div><div><b>You DO NOT need to be a trained teacher to educate your child! Trust me! </b></div><div><br /></div><div>If you love your child, you can homeschool. Bottom line. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><b>2. I don't think I can be around my kid(s) all day. </b></h2><div><br /></div><div>Yes, I feel ya. </div><div><br /></div><div>This was a big deal for me when we first started. </div><div><br /></div><div>This is the one part of homeschooling that I feel like I have had the most to learn and have had to do the most growing, so I've become really passionate about it. Bear with me... this is lengthy.</div><div><br /></div><div>Before homeschooling we were in a routine of <i>not</i> being together all day and I reallyyyyyy enjoyed my coffee shop dates and solo trips to the grocery store and all the wonderful things one can do without children tagging along!</div><div><br /></div><div>But I quickly realized that the kids going to school (it was just a four day a week preschool for our oldest, a two day a week program for our middle and the baby wasn't born yet) was actually the root of a lot of the stress and strain in our relationships. But being home all day together has actually changed our relationship for the better. We are all closer and I feel like I have a much more genuine relationship with my kids than ever before. </div><div><br /></div><div>Taking away all the external distractions, the stress of having to get everyone dressed and out the door every single day, and having time to relax and really enjoy each other has made a huge difference. I feel like we are living a much more authentic and rich life than the hustle and bustle we had previously. </div><div><br /></div><div>However...</div><div><br /></div><div>It was tough there for the first several months, I'm not going to lie. </div><div><br /></div><div>My oldest and I have very similar personalities and he didn't just sit down and do what I told him to like I expected him to. Sitting at a table face to face with my own kid was vastly different than standing in front of a classroom of kiddos. Little did I know that God was using my relationship with him to teach me and grow me and that was a <i>very</i> rude awakening. </div><div><br /></div><div>I mean, I'm a teacher by profession! That's what I do! And there I was struggling with ONE student-my own child! It almost felt like a personal affront. </div><div><br /></div><div>Now I know that was the point. </div><div><br /></div><div>It took a lot, and I mean a LOT, of tears, frustration, hurtful words, apologies, PRAYER, and trial and error to figure out a dynamic that worked for us. And while it still isn't perfect, I'm learning more about how to reach for his heart, not just his immediate obedience.</div><div><br /></div><div>I feel like choosing to homeschool has sent him the message (in so many words), "I choose you. I choose to be with you. You are most important to me right now even though this is hard and even though it will take some time to figure things out. I'm not giving up on you." Working through the trials and frustrating moments has bonded our hearts together in a special kind of way. </div><div><br /></div><div>As the younger two get older and they start more formal school work, I'm actually a little excited to see what their personalities and quirks will be. I know I have so much more to learn. Yes, I will make mistakes and it won't be perfect, but that's actually one of the most beautiful parts of homeschooling in my opinion. This is real life. These are my people. I can't escape them after one school year. We are in this for the long haul.</div><div><br /></div><div>There have been and will continue to be lots of times when I feel overwhelmed, when I question our decision, or when I feel like I am failing them. There have been and will continue to be arguments, tears, anger, and harsh words said. But those moments also give birth to the beautiful moments of apology, repentance, and forgiveness. </div><div><br /></div><div>So yes, it may be hard, and yes, some days I long for those child-free days of independence, but I promise you if you stick it out, lean on the Lord and pray for guidance and wisdom, it will be worth it. </div><div><br /></div><div>And you can still have time out with friends and have a life- but that's a post for another day!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><b>3. Won't the kids be social outcasts? </b></h2><div>Ah, yes. The classic socialization question. This was at the top of my list of fears, too. </div><div><br /></div><div>But trust me when I say, this is really NOT something to worry about. </div><div><br /></div><div>As a former public school teacher, I can say with confidence that there are kids sitting in public school classrooms all over the country who are social outcasts. Just because a child is sitting in a classroom with same-aged peers all day long does not immediately ensure they will know how, or choose to appropriately interact with those peers. It's quite possible for a student to go an entire day in a public school without saying much of anything. Maybe you were that kid!</div><div><br /></div><div>I've come to learn and realize that most kids are actually MORE capable of interacting with others when homeschooled because they spend more time around adults who are (hopefully) more of a model of appropriate interaction than those same-aged peers they would have in a traditional classroom.</div><div><br /></div><div>When the kids have squabbles, whether with each other or with friends, I can be there to coach and intercede as needed while infusing our own biblical principles. Of course there is a fine line between letting kids work things out for themselves and helicoptering, but having the ability to help solve problems when necessary is a nice benefit.</div><div><br /></div><div>Homeschooled kids also have a chance to get out into the world, interact with real people in real places (think the library, grocery store, museums, parks, etc.) rather than being in that same classroom day in and day out.</div><div><br /></div><div>You won't be home all day every day. Or maybe you will be if that's your style, but we most definitely are not! I aim to have at least one or two days each week where we are home all day, but we have so many options of things to do that sometimes I have to pull back to keep those one or two days sacred.</div><div><br /></div><div>We live in the Houston/Katy area and there are numerous co-ops, playgroups, social groups, sports activities, etc. It just takes reaching out and participating. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you have multiple kids the benefits compound because they will have LOTS of opportunities throughout the day to practice those problem-solving and social skills. ;) And so will you as the parent! </div><div><br /></div><div>So, as long as you aren't keeping your kid locked in the basement, they will be fine. </div><div><br /></div><div>Really! </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I know there are a host of other fears, concerns, and hesitations, but these three seem to be the main focus of most of the parents I talk to. Hopefully that was helpful!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Q9uU6FeCoBVnwvOmYZU9U1rLp7H_g409mtTdPlEiOmycTm7d-Zr83V9OaWIlyVBIu654BXAJC49iOZFPR9dkeLzVH5xkvXSWgUG90hNypvzUDEEnXgzpWvTxMxxJ2lrvrmdJbPGNWmQSTWWicQKmMRDfUeKAiPPN3ySPbZjc4Dy5CKJ_mW-nPwkXBg/s891/jss_schoolrules_apple%20pin.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="246" data-original-width="891" height="35" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Q9uU6FeCoBVnwvOmYZU9U1rLp7H_g409mtTdPlEiOmycTm7d-Zr83V9OaWIlyVBIu654BXAJC49iOZFPR9dkeLzVH5xkvXSWgUG90hNypvzUDEEnXgzpWvTxMxxJ2lrvrmdJbPGNWmQSTWWicQKmMRDfUeKAiPPN3ySPbZjc4Dy5CKJ_mW-nPwkXBg/w128-h35/jss_schoolrules_apple%20pin.png" width="128" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Now that I've addressed those three main things I want to be sure to also say this: <b>I don't necessarily think homeschooling is for everyone. </b></div><div><br /></div><div>I am<b> not</b> saying that every family <i>should</i> homeschool. In fact, I would say that if you aren't feeling the call in any way, shape, or form, then it probably isn't the path for your family. God uses all of us and our unique personalities for His purposes. Working outside of the home and/or having your kids in a school setting of some kind may be the absolute best for everyone in your family. For me, this is the path He's called me to, and I'm just listening and obeying. </div><div><br /></div><div>There could come a time when we feel the Lord calling us to make changes. We could eventually put one or more child in public or private school. Who knows! That's the beauty. We aren't stuck with one option forever. We have choices. And so do you! ;)</div><div><br /></div><div><b>BUT</b> if you feel the call, even just a little bit, <b>listen</b>. It may be just a general sense of uneasiness when you think about school or it may be a small little whisper that's inspiring you to learn more about homeschooling. Whatever that voice may sound like, stop and listen. </div><div><br /></div><div>Just explore. </div><div><br /></div><div>Just think about it. </div><div><br /></div><div>You don't have to make any decisions immediately. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKsfA8C2oFLBsmSyArzgzVSMfiNguYFl0NbqGMamdm-5X6SjxA7lXfWdgw8_7CkRKPAmZBf7hjGQaoDNjyXMAGoirvHGVuX0zl_W0MuDcjcHFL6K9VXAr_ziOleVCw5_9-HRGpohS0tXlkfqokixYxO67Z7gYYj89RwUbj_W6_7jAGmABoc0y6JISZg/s3600/jss_schoolrules_border%20blue%20light.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="328" data-original-width="3600" height="29" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKsfA8C2oFLBsmSyArzgzVSMfiNguYFl0NbqGMamdm-5X6SjxA7lXfWdgw8_7CkRKPAmZBf7hjGQaoDNjyXMAGoirvHGVuX0zl_W0MuDcjcHFL6K9VXAr_ziOleVCw5_9-HRGpohS0tXlkfqokixYxO67Z7gYYj89RwUbj_W6_7jAGmABoc0y6JISZg/s320/jss_schoolrules_border%20blue%20light.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Now that we have been at this homeschooling thing a while, I have learned so, so much. I feel more inspired and grateful every single day, especially being able to watch the kids learn and grow both as individuals and in their sibling relationships. As unexpected as this whole journey was, I can't imagine life any other way.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's a wonderful world over here on the other side!! </div><div><br /></div><div>I have so much more I would love to share about what I've learned these last couple of years. If this was helpful or you would like to know more about something in particular, let me know! I'm thinking I'll be writing some other posts soon addressing things like: </div><div><br /></div><div>-Why homeschool? </div><div>-What a typical day or week looks like for us</div><div>-What are the biggest benefits?</div><div>-How homeschooling has changed our family for the better</div><div>-Educational models and methods, etc. </div><div><br /></div><div>But you know how it is with kiddos! Who knows when I'll have the time and energy to write another post. Hopefully I'll see you back here soon! <br />
<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB4XCTgDx0N9qYpOwp1bWIOaFuu3vZVmYoVyHK8CWodhYzN9bhrzY2n_zhNf3jx45UPVEKJJYsEbf1oiZ0ZAlV06qGC4hEWsnNpwYQmhtCQo90xlUOXwDJqH8fYZwH1P1J4Ob_HijRc8C4eq-HbPk7Fb-VlekPTjat3LTWLDlZQPmEvPFfmmcTcpzn5g/s250/Signature%201.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="250" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB4XCTgDx0N9qYpOwp1bWIOaFuu3vZVmYoVyHK8CWodhYzN9bhrzY2n_zhNf3jx45UPVEKJJYsEbf1oiZ0ZAlV06qGC4hEWsnNpwYQmhtCQo90xlUOXwDJqH8fYZwH1P1J4Ob_HijRc8C4eq-HbPk7Fb-VlekPTjat3LTWLDlZQPmEvPFfmmcTcpzn5g/s1600/Signature%201.png" width="250" /></a></div><br /></div>Koonce's Kornerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137488949932585900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452243881094727114.post-79323898294515876672023-01-06T19:04:00.000-06:002023-01-06T19:04:02.569-06:00World Braille Day<br />
<br />Happy Friday! <div><br /></div><div>I wanted to pop in and share about what we did for <a href="https://nationaltoday.com/world-braille-day/" target="_blank">World Braille Day</a> this week!</div><div><br /></div><div>(I'm also just super excited to have the dust off of this ol' blog and I'll take any excuse to post something! Obviously I haven't used this platform since becoming a homeschool mom! The last posts were from 2017, I think. I have some updating to do!)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjLFMUN3c0QmQXJGT2xQHzquauGyAC2FCV4BGA7Qd0GVs9-xPDt9rj0y7sjTCTfgKXU_yizlJy4tFbIjK6RqprFbjKpwbp7XBYSFNL41GnzYXatEi6O3_vSh_HH4VNzVwOSPcig9WKBNnqtJka-CTX0Zg2Q9YhtjzpWQEKiqBsEsJqFZeQ9tAZG356Z0A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1394" data-original-width="2256" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjLFMUN3c0QmQXJGT2xQHzquauGyAC2FCV4BGA7Qd0GVs9-xPDt9rj0y7sjTCTfgKXU_yizlJy4tFbIjK6RqprFbjKpwbp7XBYSFNL41GnzYXatEi6O3_vSh_HH4VNzVwOSPcig9WKBNnqtJka-CTX0Zg2Q9YhtjzpWQEKiqBsEsJqFZeQ9tAZG356Z0A=w640-h396" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>World Braille Day is celebrated every year on January 4 to celebrate the birthday of the man who invented Braille as we know it, Louis Braille. </div><div><br /></div><div>We read the picture book <i>Six Dots</i> by Jen Bryant and it was excellent! This fictional representation of young Louis' life was a great way to connect with him emotionally, share in his struggle, and ultimately celebrate with him as he accomplished his goal of creating an easy system for blind people to read. I loved this book and had to purchase it for our home library. I can't wait to revisit it in the years to come. There is even a pronunciation guide in the front for the several French phrases the author includes </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Six-Dots-Story-Young-Braille/dp/0449813371/ref=sr_1_1?crid=32E5F7PIA0WEQ&keywords=six+dots&qid=1673052730&sprefix=six+dot%2Caps%2C107&sr=8-1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" data-original-height="747" data-original-width="568" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjzYQ_IgWhYX1UQRxKdrwS7ex-qxlKZQNF1-4cZA9npnRy7mONIAEC-fGHjBMAUnQeZSy72kU5VrBmr77zmNtGgpee2ct4KaIrPx7zulvAW4MIo7vD_ZFls4tW3-pk6PEK6oexTLTH_EOkCaduJOvX1kkwyNly-cA5gdqJ-RNW26ZaT_m_8L9E8hnKuBw=w485-h640" width="485" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Louis is a wonderful example of determination and did not want to be pitied after an accident in his father's shop caused him to go blind by the age of five. He left his comfortable and loving home to spend years in a sterile school for the blind in Paris just to have the opportunity to read. He wasn't happy with the slim options available to him at the time so he set out to create his own. He spent many years trying to perfect his system and finally accomplished his goal at the age of just 15!</div><div><br /></div><div>I found some free Braille printables on TpT and we used them to write our names in Braille by gluing jewels on to the blank template. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Braille-Alphabet-Chart-FREE-7587249" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="350" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqjfe-5EnHG_qJRHYgRnsvguXNKUfqJvcKqB4VZ3czVQcHnO0A_ydiJeZ7UDKElsu7rFDWlRioVSGSXENZ2E9k1nPwaW3xlueU8AUQS7NaCV86t_gFhlk-gSV4QhOxMx6h-dkI_XR7wdo091mD2U5Z39T8YccvVVdkg1p1DVxsEFcvUFqZ_vmWEl1WoA" width="311" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Blank-Braille-Cell-Paper-88644" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="270" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiERZInynNPWg4Zd-J5fW5-x3AZs-66RIFrpMlBJaeXkaEioZbWWeDcp9E4U7-OrJpIVOGza2Bipe1mpk7uoaHbf3XEZG6S9GO5fvmSLtMP0SaV-KCYLpKlRJ2XVZNvSmGpDXs4oaX8Bkv2kwhpLltR3H50puD21YV08QI_JjH2ENC1KF9m5yMBCrqsXQ" width="185" /></a></div><br /><br /></div>I just can't tell you how much I love celebrating these national and world days. They bring such a deeper level of interest and wonder to our regular routine and curriculum and I get so excited to learn new things right alongside the boys! This past week we also celebrated National Bird Day, National Bean Day, and National Drinking Straw Day!</div><div><br /></div><div>January is full of fun ones! It will be an exciting month!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiYzGALAGsUq_yeoAMdGTAfy_mjDo-UAf7nQfuCf64ogmHnV9YOCnkpUnwn9ljmesmPkJNQlhGV9YrbCFwOZIFi-odHzFA5o9jJp3HGjsoGW1OEOcl9MtpZfHMYx-s1R7SluVEyKudPdBC1Ee633aO71Gduqf22GNlHeNL-9kpIpM67ydlm3AgZyEV2A/s310/Blog%20Kelly%20Signature.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="158" data-original-width="310" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiYzGALAGsUq_yeoAMdGTAfy_mjDo-UAf7nQfuCf64ogmHnV9YOCnkpUnwn9ljmesmPkJNQlhGV9YrbCFwOZIFi-odHzFA5o9jJp3HGjsoGW1OEOcl9MtpZfHMYx-s1R7SluVEyKudPdBC1Ee633aO71Gduqf22GNlHeNL-9kpIpM67ydlm3AgZyEV2A/s1600/Blog%20Kelly%20Signature.PNG" width="310" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div>Koonce's Kornerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137488949932585900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452243881094727114.post-58279904190199855952022-12-27T13:27:00.003-06:002022-12-27T13:27:48.841-06:00Is This Thing On? <div>So, I recently discovered how to get back to this ol' Blogger site of mine when I had seriously thought it no longer existed! </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm trying out a sample post to see if it really is still here! If it is, my heart will be so, so, so excited! </div><div><br /></div><div>I love this platform and blogging and I would love to get back to doing more of it. I tried making a site on another blogging platform but I just don't love it and it isn't quite as user-friendly. </div><div><br /></div><div>Hopefully this works!!! </div><div><br /></div><div>If you can read this post, would you do me a favor and post a comment just so I know it is actually published? I would GREATLY appreciate it!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>
<br />
<a href="http://s280.photobucket.com/user/klkoonce1/media/Screen%20shot%202015-06-16%20at%208.05.02%20PM_zpsj3fmrvak.png.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Blog Signature photo Screen shot 2015-06-16 at 8.05.02 PM_zpsj3fmrvak.png" border="0" src="http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk161/klkoonce1/Screen%20shot%202015-06-16%20at%208.05.02%20PM_zpsj3fmrvak.png" /></a>Koonce's Kornerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137488949932585900noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452243881094727114.post-82632409592167361552019-03-03T20:15:00.001-06:002023-01-02T20:19:10.113-06:00The Back-at-Home Battle <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face=""arial" , sans-serif">I sure do love being out and about. But recently
getting back in the door and ready for the next thing has been a battle,
especially when we come home from school. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face=""arial" , sans-serif">Here is a recent example of a time when I lost
my cool with Connor: </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face=""arial" , sans-serif">We come in the door after the drive home from
school and I’m anxiously watching the clock. Naptime is 12:45 - on the dot!-
and before that we still have to take off our shoes, change clothes (I’ve
recently become a germaphobe with all the sickness floating around), wash our
hands, eat lunch, put on the pull-up, read a story and brush our teeth. The
clock is a-tickin.’ We have discussed this thoroughly on the car ride home- me
cheerfully explaining each step and Connor reciting them back to me. I’m giving
myself some positive self-talk and vowing that I absolutely will NOT nag or get
frustrated this time. I feel good! Today will be different! He IS going to go
with the routine and he WILL be in bed on time. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face=""arial" , sans-serif">So what happens when we get in the door? The
exact opposite, of course.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face=""arial" , sans-serif">Connor runs around in circles screaming, climbs
on the couch WITH his dirty shoes on, refuses to wash his hands, won’t take off
his jacket and laughs his mischievous laugh. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face=""arial" , sans-serif">Do I respond with grace and patience? Absolutely
not! My heart starts beating faster, I’m eyeing the clock with the anger rising
and the frustration gets to me. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face=""arial" , sans-serif">I start out calm, “Connor, it’s time to take off
your shoes.” </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face=""arial" , sans-serif">He continues running and laughing. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face=""arial" , sans-serif">So I try again, “Connor, your shoes are dirty
from school. There are germs all over them. Your brother will get sick. Come
sit down and take off your shoes.” </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face=""arial" , sans-serif">He continues running away, his muddy shoes now
tracking dirt ALL over the house. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face=""arial" , sans-serif">So I try yet again, but with a sharpness to my
seemingly calm words, “Connor! Get over here and take off your shoes. Right
NOW.” </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face=""arial" , sans-serif">He comes and sits in the chair and I think, <i>Whew,
thank goodness. I was getting to my limit and I’m so glad he came! </i>But what
happens next? As soon as he starts to undo the velcro on one of his shoes, he
shoots up out of the chair and resumes the running and laughing. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face=""arial" , sans-serif">Annnnnd that’s when I lose it. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face=""arial" , sans-serif">I stomp over to him, grab him too forcefully,
plop him in the chair, take off his shoes with, again, much too much force, all
the while I’m angrily saying, “I don’t understand why you can’t just SIT in
this chair and TAKE OFF YOUR SHOES! I have HAD IT! You KNOW exactly what
to do and you CHOOSE NOT TO DO IT!” </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face=""arial" , sans-serif">I feel the anger bubbling under the surface and
I remind myself that this is exactly what I didn’t want to do. I’ve let him
down and let myself down yet again and I feel completely helpless and
inadequate. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , sans-serif">I remembered how recently I heard someone
explain that how when kids are at school they have to be structured, follow
directions, and behave a certain way for an extended period of time. Connor is
stimulated by his classmates, his teachers, his environment, and when he gets
home it’s his time to be free and safe. At least he SHOULD be able to feel safe
to express himself with no fear of shame or punishment.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span face=""arial" , sans-serif">When I stepped back and saw things from this
perspective, it changed my thinking. I realized that just like I need some time
to decompress when I get finished with a stimulating experience, he might need
the same thing. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span face=""arial" , sans-serif">So one day I tried a different approach. Instead
of spending our time in the car rehearsing the routine for when we got home, I
let him talk if he wanted or just eat his snack and we both listened to the
radio. As we got closer to home I said, “Okay, Connor, when we get home we have
to do two things. We have to take off your shoes and change clothes. Your shoes
and clothes have germs on them and we need to be clean. But after that, I’m
going to give you ten minutes to do WHATEVER you want to do (imagine my super
excited tone here, lol!) before it’s time to each lunch. Start thinking about
what you want to do!” </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , sans-serif">He got excited and started thinking through the
things he wanted to do when we got home. He finally decided that he wanted to
watch Curious George. He is currently pretty obsessed with this curious little
monkey! So, when we got home, he was more motivated to take his shoes off and
change clothes so we could get to the show. And y’all, I’m not kidding, the kid
literally jumped the ENTIRE ten minutes he watched. I remember just sitting and
watching him thinking how all of that energy was just pent up in him all of
those days I tried to force him to follow my routine. I felt so stupid. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , sans-serif">Did the lunch routine go super smoothly after
that? Not exactly. But it was better. It was a step in the right direction. He
willingly got in his chair himself without me dragging him across the room! </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , sans-serif">See! Progress! </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , sans-serif">When I let go of my own controlling expectations
and allowed him to have the time he needed to let his energy out and decompress
it was better for both of us. I had time to relax and get his lunch ready and
actually enjoyed seeing him so happy and playful. I gave myself time to
recharge my patience battery that I would need for the rest of the lunch
routine and Connor was in a better place to listen after getting his energy
out. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , sans-serif">Is this going to work everyday? Probably not.
But thinking about things from Connor’s perspective and getting out of my own
head has been a great improvement. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , sans-serif">I found this great little article on the </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://www.melissaanddoug.com/blogpost/?postId=helping-kids-decompress-after-school"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt;">Melissa
and Doug blog</span></a></span><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"> with tips (and of
course their products) to help bigger kids decompress after a full school day.
Who knew they had a blog?!</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , sans-serif">Now getting OUT of the door is a totally
different deal! I’ve got nothin’! ;)</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , sans-serif">Do you have any strategies that help you with
getting in or out of the door? I would love to hear them!! </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Koonce's Kornerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137488949932585900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452243881094727114.post-59239576451624019512019-03-02T12:51:00.002-06:002019-03-03T12:54:24.829-06:00The Hardest Job I've Ever Had<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Being a mom is the hardest job I’ve ever had. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Besides a job at a daycare in high school, I
have had only one job in my life- being a teacher. And that job wasn’t just a
job for me- it was my lifestyle. I lived and breathed it and loved it and as a
result I reached a place where I was fairly good at it and I felt a real sense
of confidence and pride. It wasn’t always easy and I definitely had my share of
failures, struggles, difficulties, and hardships, but the challenge was
exciting and I was constantly growing, learning, and improving. I loved my students,
my coworkers, my own little classroom, the smell of the cafeteria and sweaty
kids after recess. Ok, maybe not so much the smelly kids, but you get my drift!
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">When I became a full-time-mom I never imagined
that I would have to apply the same amount of work and learning to my
parenting. But the reality is- <b>being a mom is simply the hardest job I have
ever had. </b></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">What makes it so hard? Well, for me, it’s a
constant self-improvement project. My kids tend to bring out the worst parts of
me. The impatient, selfish parts that weren’t always so present when I was
working. No one is home with me offering praise for a job well done and I don’t
have a team of people down the hall to collaborate with, plan, and
problem-solve. Now that I realize how important those things are I am making an
effort to “build my tribe” as the current lingo goes, but doing that takes
extra time, energy, and effort that I don’t always have. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Half the time I don’t know what the heck I’m
doing. There are so many situations in which I just have to stop and pray
because I don’t want to yell or lose my cool. I’ve done the yelling and
time-out- and lecturing (with lots of tears- both mine and Connor's!) too many
times to count. I can tell you from experience- it doesn’t work! </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">God knew what he was doing when he paved the way
for me to stay at home. I have learned through the situations I’ve faced that God polishes me like sandpaper on wood. The end result is beautiful, but the
process is sometimes uncomfortable. Sometimes painful. Sometimes downright
heart-wrenching. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I have also learned that we all have our unique
boundaries, limits, and struggles. What is hard for me isn’t necessarily a
problem for other moms and vice versa. Accepting that my struggles are just
that- <i>mine</i>- and that no one can help me truly fix them but myself and
God has been humbling. My own experiences, opinions, and frame of reference
influences the way I parent and that isn’t always a good thing! For me to be a
better mom I have to be the best version of myself and that requires change
from the inside-out. Way easier said than done.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Thankfully, along with the challenging
situations, he has also blessed me with people who are helping me in my
journey. I have learned so much about myself and my children and just like when
I was teaching I am constantly learning, growing, changing, problem-solving and
improving. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">After some soul-searching I realized that one of
the things that helps fill me up is writing about and sharing my experiences. I
have been so thankful to receive the help I have and I want to share anything
that could potentially help just one other mom. Whether that’s sharing a lesson
I’ve learned, a challenging moment I survived without losing my cool, a funny
thing one of the kids did, or whatever- I just want to share. Writing is about
the only creative outlet I have at the moment and I want to make an effort to
do it more. I’m going to revisit this lonely ol’ blog of mine and rekindle our
relationship. Ha! </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">So here’s to all of us mommas out there who are
just doing the best we can for ourselves and our kids. My hope is that by
sharing my journey I just might be able to offer something positive to someone
else! </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s280.photobucket.com/user/klkoonce1/media/Screen%20shot%202015-06-16%20at%208.05.02%20PM_zpsj3fmrvak.png.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Blog Signature photo Screen shot 2015-06-16 at 8.05.02 PM_zpsj3fmrvak.png" border="0" src="https://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk161/klkoonce1/Screen%20shot%202015-06-16%20at%208.05.02%20PM_zpsj3fmrvak.png" /></a>Koonce's Kornerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137488949932585900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452243881094727114.post-74744859594276409402018-01-05T13:19:00.001-06:002018-07-31T13:22:26.114-05:00Always Letting Go<br />
<br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><img height="339" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/OzBTbDRXATUFwh7M2vOiKQ0Wl4IKNx-XAliPD5E_ptIBqEsSYQ6KhhYgvTerJYEnlLGdP6J7Uhg0yy3-fJV-UYkC2uq7oR_i1yPsIAGBLO84AjanbTndw9TkLW4yvRQjwS35pIrd" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0.00rad); border: none; transform: rotate(0.00rad);" width="276" /></span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-35da0c11-c7c0-bf11-da90-b9792986b8e1" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">The truth of this quote is almost crushing. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">I’m learning that being a mom is the hardest job I have had so far. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">So, Connor got a train this Christmas from Grandma and Grandpa, a cute little Lego Duplo </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">train set with a small circular track that moves around by itself after you push a little green button. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">But to Connor, this train was a monster from some unknown universe. He was deathly afraid of it</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> and when I would push the button for the train to go around the track he would scream and run </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">and cling to me for dear life. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">And since Christmas, this is how it has been. He sits in my lap cringing with fear as he waits for</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> me to push the button. I’m giving the same speech, “It’s ok, Connor, it’s just a little train. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">I promise it’s not going to hurt you. Come on, baby, push this little green button.” </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">As I push the button to start the train, there he sits, clinging to my finger, getting as close as he</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> possibly can while keeping his eyes glued to that scary monster chugging around the track. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">I am his protector. I am his security. I will keep that menace from harming him. </span></div>
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<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">As hard as this is to admit, and I realize absolutely selfish, I was actually</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> glad</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> he was scared of </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">the train. Moments like that where he clings to me for protection are few and far between and I </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">savored every second of him sitting there in my lap, his blonde hair brushing against mine, his</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> stubby little fingers grasping my hand, the smell of syrup from breakfast still lingering. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">In those moments, he was my baby boy. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Well, last night he finally overcame his fear of the train. It happened so quickly. One moment he just </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">decided to have a go at it. He walked up, pushed it with intention and ran away as the little train </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">started its journey. This time he didn’t run to my lap. He didn’t even look to me for assurance. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">He was a big brave boy- just like I had been trying to convince him he was. And underneath the surge</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> of love and pride I felt for him at that moment, sadness bubbled up. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">It’s moments like this that the paradox of motherhood rings so loud and clear. I must let go.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> Always let go. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">This is why the job is so hard. Pushing and coaching and sometimes coaxing for Connor to do </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">something, to acquire a new skill, and then once it happens, he’s suddenly different. In the blink of an </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">eye. He’s not my baby boy anymore. He’s my big boy. He’s on his way to becoming the strong, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">independent man that I hope he will be. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">And so it will be. A lifetime of tiny moments like this one that force me to let go. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">As if the time didn’t already go fast enough, these little moments remind me to soak up every</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> detail of the time I have with him now. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">And pray. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">I’m not sure how my heart will be able to handle it! </span></div>
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<br />Koonce's Kornerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137488949932585900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452243881094727114.post-18986652614085583332017-11-13T09:43:00.001-06:002017-11-14T06:47:39.371-06:00Shut Your Mouth and Act<br />
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<span style="font-family: "hellobuttons"; font-size: 12pt;">I’m finding that being a first-time mom is exactly like being a
first-year teacher. Every day I am faced with new experiences, behaviors, and
thus opportunities to ‘act’ or ‘react’ as I did my first year in the classroom.
My gut reaction is to turn to books (and other moms, of course!) to offer some
sound guidance and advice.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "hellobuttons"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I was lucky enough in my first few years of teaching to find an
incredible book called <i>Teach Like a
Champion</i> which changed my teaching and made me much more effective. Sadly,
I have yet to find a <i>Mom Like a Champion</i>
book, but there is one book I have found that offers practical advice and has
books divided by age. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "hellobuttons"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jane Nelsen wrote one of the first books I read in college on the
topic of classroom management, <i>Positive
Discipline in the Classroom.</i> Little did I know, she has a series of
parenting books as well! Thank goodness! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "hellobuttons"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Enter: <b><i><span style="color: red;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Positive-Discipline-Toddler-Laying-Foundation-Confident/dp/0804141185/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1510630815&sr=8-1&keywords=positive+discipline+the+first+three+years" target="_blank">Positive Discipline:The First Three Years</a></span></i></b><span style="color: red;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "hellobuttons"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This book is full of anecdotal stories with practical, concrete strategies
to help with the many mysteries of toddler behavior. At the heart of the book,
the message is to be “kind but firm” when teaching. And in reality- that’s what
I’m doing- <i>teaching</i> Connor how to
handle the many emotions that come with being a human being. For him, he doesn’t
have the words or the maturity to understand the swirl of emotions he feels,
which is frustrating for me but even more frustrating for him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "hellobuttons"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Although she offers many strategies throughout the book, the one
that has become my mantra is “shut your mouth and act.” It was actually Rudolf
Dreikrus that coined the term, but she references it in her examples all
throughout the book. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "hellobuttons"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This little gem of a phrase helps me every single day. I may find
myself washing dishes and Connor wanders over the that enticing little blue
light on our DVR box wanting so badly to push it. My instinct is to stand at
the sink and say, “No, Connor! Don’t touch the button!” Now, with that mantra
in my head, I leave the sink, soapy hands and all, and calmly walk across the
room, gently grab his hand, and say, “That button is not for Connor” and lead
him away to something else. (Distraction, she notes, is the single best way to
handle “misbehavior” at this age- more on that in another post</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">…</span><span style="font-family: "hellobuttons"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> maybe..
lol) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "hellobuttons"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Connor is very persistent and sometimes it may take me saying
that phrase and physically moving him away three or fifteen times. But eventually,
he realizes that boundary and he moves along to something else. Of course,
twenty minutes later he may try to go right back to that button, and thus the
routine repeats. When I do this consistently enough, he learns the boundary is
there and isn’t going to change and he doesn’t even try</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">…</span><span style="font-family: "hellobuttons"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> for a few
days, LOL! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "hellobuttons"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Anytime I find myself needing to say, “no,” this phrase is in my
head. If I’m across the room, I wait until I am right next to him to say or do
anything. Of course it doesn’t work 100% of the time, but it has been much more
effective than simply saying, “no.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "hellobuttons"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Just like in my first year of teaching, I am finding that this
whole mom thing is a constant learning process, one that comes with a roller
coaster of emotions, tears, and a few tantrums</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">…</span><span style="font-family: "hellobuttons"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> even from
me! LOL! But I am comforted by the many wonderful moms I have in my life and
for people like Jane Nelsen who have worked to give parents and teachers
insight into little people’s minds and offer simple nuggets of advice like this one. </span><span style="font-family: "segoe ui emoji" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">😊</span><span style="font-family: "hellobuttons"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Koonce's Kornerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137488949932585900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452243881094727114.post-84349457838557331452017-11-09T21:03:00.001-06:002017-11-09T21:53:33.088-06:00Adjustable Waist?! Who Knew?!<br />
Now that I've finally figured out a rhythm to this whole being a stay-at-home mom thing, I'm discovering that I actually know VERY little about... well... a LOT of things. One of the things, apparently, is how to properly dress my child.<br />
<br />
Connor has always been small, but here lately finding pants that fit him has been almost impossible. He has been able to wear shorts for most of the year thanks to our wonderful Texas weather and the lack of four seasons. Mind you, I haven't really searched all that hard. A few online searches here, a quick trip through the baby section at Marshall's there, but now that the weather has turned colder I realized yesterday that my poor child has no pants that actually fit him! Nine month pants fit him in the waist but are too short and the 12 month pants are long enough but literally fall off of his little waist. I seriously sent my child to school today in dumpy pants praying they wouldn't fall off his little body.<br />
<br />
In the car on the way to Nutcracker Market as I was complaining about my pants problem, a friend of mine changed my life forever when she said, "Why don't you just get the ones with an adjustable waist?"<br />
<br />
What?<br />
<br />
Adjustable waist??<br />
<br />
How did I not know about this?<br />
<br />
Where does one find such things?<br />
<br />
Apparently everywhere in the world and I have just failed to see them. Ever.<br />
<br />
Major mom fail.<br />
<br />
So tonight, I drove myself down to my favorite store, Once Upon a Child, and found not one- but TWO pairs of adjustable waist pants that I'm pretty sure are going to actually fit him!<br />
<br />
Hallelujah!<br />
<br />
Seeing that little piece of elastic and those cute little buttons inside those pants just made my day.<br />
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<br />
<br />
So now I can add this little tidbit of knowledge to the ever-growing list of things I didn't know about being a mom. But at least for tomorrow my child will have pants that fit.<br />
<br />
Hopefully!<br />
<br />
Ha!<br />
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<br />Koonce's Kornerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137488949932585900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452243881094727114.post-70869296603714762982017-08-24T10:35:00.000-05:002017-08-24T20:24:34.258-05:00Easy Label Upgrade!<br />
So, this week Connor started going to his little preschool. He will go twice a week for a few hours and even though he was in daycare full time when I was working in the spring, leaving him was harder than I thought it would be! It was nice to get housework done without having to keep one eye on him, but I missed my buddy.<br />
<br />
One of the things I did was put together a little first day gift for his teachers. Nothing big- just some small lotions from Bath and Body Works. I had gotten a bag of brown gift sacks from Hobby Lobby with the cute little chalkboard labels and when I went to write on them my chalk markers were nowhere to be seen! Major boo!<br />
<br />
I thought about using just plain address or shipping labels on the bags, but I had the idea to fancy them up a bit with some of my decorative scissors. These things have sat on my desk for years and I hardly ever use them, but they were just the thing to add a nice touch to the labels.<br />
<br />
All I did was cut all the way around the label with the scissors and it created a whole new look! Since I have several different pairs of scissors with different designs, I can create lots of different types of labels!<br />
<br />
So the next time to you need to stick a label on something and want a little fancier look, jazz that label up using some paper edgers! So quick and easy!<br />
<br />
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<br />Koonce's Kornerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137488949932585900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452243881094727114.post-43352732610788049612017-08-12T16:10:00.000-05:002017-08-12T16:10:03.386-05:00A New Chapter, New Blog Look!<br />
I can't believe I am writing these words, but I am starting to feel like an actual stay at home mom now! My husband and I made the decision that I would stay home about a month or so before school let out in the spring and I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about it come August. Well, now it's August, teachers are heading back to work, students start next week, and I can honestly say I don't feel a twinge of regret. CRAZY!<br />
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So, this badly neglected blog of mine is getting a makeover! Not that I have even used this thing in a while, but seeing as I will no longer be teaching full time, and I will take any excuse to buy new clip art, I decided to give it a new look.<br />
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I'm really not sure what I will have to write about, but I'm sure I will be able to conjure up something. Mom life is a pretty awesome life, and seeing as I just have my little man and lots of time on our hands thanks to his hard-working daddy, maybe I'll actually be able to come up with a post or two a week. Or not. Who knows!<br />
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As with writing about my experiences in the classroom, I really don't care who or if anyone reads what I write. It's really more for me to document my experience and if there is a chance someone might read something that helps them out in some way, that would be just awesome. Teacher life is hard, and mom life is hard. Although I am extremely blessed not to have to juggle both anymore, I feel the pressure to make sure I am the best wife and mom that I can possibly be- especially since I can't blame my laziness on being at work all day anymore! Ha! I love sharing with others, and love that I have the outlet to do so.<br />
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So, if you feel inclined, join me as I document (or possibly not!) my adventures in mom life. I of course will still have some posts related to teaching since that part of me can't be put away completely, but those will most likely be few and far between. Or maybe not! Who knows! I am honestly done trying to make plans-especially when it comes to this blog! John Lennon says it best:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnyWo2cLMVwQtLxVaGrFXbiuCRit1pmUAwhnlHlpMVMiV6jmAxI6Zg2oriNf2_MJFYy7QkQDaM6LgthyphenhyphenInOgBfujmsIey3mt_iPhuOnUt0Gpi6lWJwIaB2cbmCQaDew9EBQOM93Elr1QjJ/s1600/life+happens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="500" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnyWo2cLMVwQtLxVaGrFXbiuCRit1pmUAwhnlHlpMVMiV6jmAxI6Zg2oriNf2_MJFYy7QkQDaM6LgthyphenhyphenInOgBfujmsIey3mt_iPhuOnUt0Gpi6lWJwIaB2cbmCQaDew9EBQOM93Elr1QjJ/s320/life+happens.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I am embracing this new life of mine and loving every minute.<br />
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To all of my teacher friends- I hope you have an amazing start to the year!!! You are in my thoughts and prayers. Remember to pack some extra deodorant in your purse for after recess!! LOL!<br />
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<br />Koonce's Kornerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137488949932585900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452243881094727114.post-60822135835069936362017-03-31T20:48:00.001-05:002017-08-12T17:51:30.844-05:00The Reality of Being a Teacher and a Mom<br />
It's 8:05 on a Friday night and I could literally fall asleep right at this moment. I'm exhausted. Besides the fact that this week has been absolutely nuts- think two days of no recess, lunch break or conference, a history-making storm resulting in fearful children crouched in the duck-and-cover position for what seemed like an eternity, throw up, bloody noses, poopy toilets, the list goes on!- this feeling of exhaustion has come to be the norm.<br />
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However, my Facebook keeps reminding me of all the things I've posted in the past on this little ol' blog of mine, so I felt the urge to write. And I miss it. Not only do I miss writing, but I miss the person I was when I had the time and energy to write all of those posts. Back when life was more simple and I had fewer priorities. Not that I would trade my life now for anything in the world, but sitting here writing this is making me feel all nostalgic. <br />
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I never realized how hard it would be to be both a teacher and a mom. There's a certain guilt I've carried with me my entire teaching career about never being able to do enough, or be enough, for all of my students. There are always a million things on my mind. Right now as I sit here, I remember that I didn't finish filling out the dyslexia paperwork that's been on my desk for WEEKS, I still haven't put together a folder for a parent who asked for extra work, and even after setting a reminder on my phone, I STILL forgot to meet with a student and help them understand subtraction. With all the things that happen during the course of the day and all the needs of my students- it seems impossible to give any one child everything that they need, much less all of them! I'm sure every teacher in the world knows that nagging feeling of teacher guilt. It's tough.<br />
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Now that I have my own child, that struggle is even more real. I've been used to being able to spend as much free time as I wanted to working and thinking about my students and school. Now, all I want to do when I get home is play with Connor and when he goes to bed all I want to do is SLEEP. So that teacher guilt? It's even more magnified.<br />
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I absolutely love my job and "my kids" at school. I absolutely love my child. And I absolutely NEED some relaxation time. So what's a girl to do? I guess the only answer is learn to live with doing the best I can do with the time I have, and let the rest of it go. Not an answer I love, but it's reality for now, and it's what has to be done. I can't even IMAGINE what it would be like to have another kid - or two! <br />
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I'm learning to live life with a child of my own and balance it with the life I used to know. I'm getting better at it, and slowly but surely I know I'll find ways to better maximize my time. But for now, I'll try to hush that inner voice telling me all the things I should be doing and truly enjoy my time with this little guy. And I just <i>might</i> make a little trip up to school this weekend and finish that paperwork. Maybe.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ATZG9NGxPJytjO8nJ64EmUylFAf3UfBYPT7sErYQ3iTi4c8ZosjiVH_P59YFFS_7mHJ55dZXYWKMlNYkNGbBRzQhdfCj_5ucCOmtT7YHwNjMhzGW0UFERbwWJSX31yX_YTtBwT6uI_Rl/s1600/IMG_8620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ATZG9NGxPJytjO8nJ64EmUylFAf3UfBYPT7sErYQ3iTi4c8ZosjiVH_P59YFFS_7mHJ55dZXYWKMlNYkNGbBRzQhdfCj_5ucCOmtT7YHwNjMhzGW0UFERbwWJSX31yX_YTtBwT6uI_Rl/s320/IMG_8620.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And to all you other teacher mommas out there- hats off to you! Especially those of you with two or more kids!! I honestly don't know how you do it and you are truly my heroes. Keep fighting the good fight and know that you are amazing and an inspiration to me!<br />
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<br />Koonce's Kornerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137488949932585900noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452243881094727114.post-52619590641262548062016-09-17T13:27:00.002-05:002016-09-17T14:32:46.280-05:00Flocabulary: GIVEAWAY!!! <br />
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Engagement. It’s a word that’s constantly swimming around in
the back of my mind. How can I make this content more engaging? Are my students
engaged? If not, why? It’s a struggle to keeps kids engaged in this highly
technological world of ours. <o:p></o:p></div>
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A couple of years ago, a colleague introduced me to a little
website called <a href="https://www.flocabulary.com/" target="_blank">Flocabulary</a>. I blogged about it last year, which you can read
<a href="http://kooncescorner.blogspot.com/2015/04/i-have-blog-and-flocabulary-treasure.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>. However, I wanted to take the time to tell you all about it again, but
this time I have some very special offers for you! <o:p></o:p><br />
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I’m excited to be partnering up with <a href="https://www.flocabulary.com/" target="_blank">Flocabulary</a> and giving away free memberships! Read on to find out more about what the site has to
offer and the chance to win a <b><u>FREE
year-long subscription</u></b>! You also have the opportunity to earn a <b><u>45-day extended free trial</u></b> that
is accessible to not only you, but <b><u>everyone
at your school</u></b> just for entering! How awesome is that! <o:p></o:p><br />
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<a href="https://docs.google.com/a/bhisd.net/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdLydsssHwXf7t-zQD9We0N3Ns5GMzBChB-IGqt7e_mgu9LUw/viewform" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOpE-Gj2KdP6dhcW6QDNVwxv4s2QESKeg7Otzqc-71LWUrH7BlfrRAQLpOLvBxga8SUfGuuihpeydyBKxUfv20u5aq-ggbKNUbDrCpG_zjbT2QuxHzNExNg6T8VBzDRpFbJSKx6rC-dhdA/s640/FLOCAB+GIVEAWAY.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Before I go any further, let me assure you that I would NOT be wasting my precious time (remember I'm on maternity leave!) to write about a website unless I truly believe in it. I have been using <a href="https://www.flocabulary.com/" target="_blank">Flocabulary</a> for two years and because of it, my students LOVE learning new vocabulary words and they have been more- can you guess what I'm going to say?!- engaged! So please trust me when I say that <a href="https://www.flocabulary.com/" target="_blank">Flocabulary</a> is a quality resource and I am so proud to be partnered up with them!<br />
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Now, let’s dig in to see what this site has to offer! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>What in the world is
it? <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<a href="https://www.flocabulary.com/" target="_blank">Flocabulary</a> is an educational website that provides engaging
- there’s that word again! – hip hop style videos that help teachers teach
content in all subject areas across a range of grade levels. No matter what you teach, you are sure to find a video to
suit you and your students. The videos
are visually engaging (there it is again!) and the kiddos love them!</div>
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<o:p></o:p><br />
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In the past, I have only truly utilized the Vocabulary
section of the site on a regular basis, which I describe in detail<a href="http://kooncescorner.blogspot.com/2015/04/i-have-blog-and-flocabulary-treasure.html" target="_blank"> HERE</a>, but today I want to
highlight how useful this site is for any subject and show you what they have
to offer.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>How It’s Set Up </b><o:p></o:p><br />
Every lesson is centered around a video. The authors write lyrics that are fun but that also help teach the content. Additional resources are provided as well.<br />
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<b>Let's Explore! </b><br />
I’m going to walk you through what I would see when planning
to teach a unit on the three states of matter in science in my third grade classroom. Keep in mind that for
any subject and topic the layout and resources would be similar.<o:p></o:p><br />
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First, I have the option to select my content area. Notice the options below. 'Vocabulary' is a separate section that is further divided into grade levels. This is the area of the site that I have the most experience with and have LOVED. Also, the site offers a 'Week in Rap' video every week that captures the world's current events in a kid-friendly way. It's an excellent way to keep the kiddos in the loop on what's going on in the world! <o:p></o:p><br />
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<a href="https://www.flocabulary.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-SUIyecP3k_WcJX7biIJXxlGZvzIy9D3AIXB26QYrqnFNIg3X7RbTL2y-za0CbZp188_j5fAE5qDk41l-eP63tuH7ejwSyXQvZ-ZcqqKVLXIR-vW7AR0K5VyKRH0j_NnbmDbL5Mx9hCO1/s640/flocab+picture+1.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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After choosing my content, I then choose my grade level range:</div>
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<a href="https://www.flocabulary.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmcjzfxBbo6gECqHCobNPQmVY8-dyZYpbrGxrHOfINo4qFGQE62xV8j3mpon33TMfZVfXD68amO2LP7_6xHopgk1UlQh_hMTnd5OyCetN1pyu_ARLd82Gxz0-7hbXYiZhraeek8GRNtEA/s640/flocab+picture+2.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Then, I have tons of videos to choose from within the topic
of “Elementary Science.” I find the one that fits my needs for my upcoming
unit.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGYqjJGmlqTZVByOPehdwCMSe2gGrj9alyvgU9eDom_-BWBDViVz0KOyQWJkly_zz4dQ24_3a07rjvE061i8gIGqcQ5__REKn4VSNjNdW3a4Tf4U4NKI9MhAmxS1_1XR8UMxOTAGMuggjc/s1600/flocab+picture+3.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGYqjJGmlqTZVByOPehdwCMSe2gGrj9alyvgU9eDom_-BWBDViVz0KOyQWJkly_zz4dQ24_3a07rjvE061i8gIGqcQ5__REKn4VSNjNdW3a4Tf4U4NKI9MhAmxS1_1XR8UMxOTAGMuggjc/s640/flocab+picture+3.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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For each lesson, the video is the core, but you have several
resources to utilize besides the video itself. Regardless of the content area,
the resources available to you include the following: <o:p></o:p><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPKf4_Jr5XkG0uIaX4rNs61wNrq_2HgCCPMs9bcj5r9KC0yvXDMASHfx9MPUP3GCrHdT7sM83Lw9qFXg_kL9jShBBk9obDZgUcygBVA4YpDnh6tRL0sVp0YjK0oDJ4A0pLNi6KmHBPJrJ-/s1600/flocab+resource+list.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPKf4_Jr5XkG0uIaX4rNs61wNrq_2HgCCPMs9bcj5r9KC0yvXDMASHfx9MPUP3GCrHdT7sM83Lw9qFXg_kL9jShBBk9obDZgUcygBVA4YpDnh6tRL0sVp0YjK0oDJ4A0pLNi6KmHBPJrJ-/s640/flocab+resource+list.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Let’s take a look at some of the resources available for an
elementary science lesson on the three states of matter: <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigkzHdAVxM3dw8mGAmBa2s3JFLVl4Oe7VPY70T3F_nlNNpYxiV28OfwnSfsGualAY51QbjTK6lpcBYGA5x8_KvOtTCpi1pE6dqUwjHEfsSfxNIY3VQBv67WMnpK4RkExz8TpHQkkq1N6Mm/s1600/flocab+lyrics.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigkzHdAVxM3dw8mGAmBa2s3JFLVl4Oe7VPY70T3F_nlNNpYxiV28OfwnSfsGualAY51QbjTK6lpcBYGA5x8_KvOtTCpi1pE6dqUwjHEfsSfxNIY3VQBv67WMnpK4RkExz8TpHQkkq1N6Mm/s640/flocab+lyrics.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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As you can see from the picture, I have the opportunity to
print the<b> lyrics</b> for my students so they can follow along. I print lyrics so
that after my students watch the video a few times, we simply listen and read
along. Having the ability to watch and listen is great. <o:p></o:p></div>
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After listening and discussing the video, I have the option
of using <b>fill-in-the-blank lyrics</b> that leave out key terms. This is useful
because the kids can simply listen to the song instead of watching it and pay
attention to the vocabulary. <o:p></o:p><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFXQxcLk0sspIvQi-bTLFFr5Lg2qSgCl_M7Mk-si0hBMgVmTDwR6CGo7bGdCSeQovZhNs-g6TYMZQlq8bIljk9_CfwTn5WJ2hwulFZlCVV4-rhzRBDAvXrD8Yd9llxijM3-U_9Uh8JHzMM/s1600/flocab+fill+in+blanks.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFXQxcLk0sspIvQi-bTLFFr5Lg2qSgCl_M7Mk-si0hBMgVmTDwR6CGo7bGdCSeQovZhNs-g6TYMZQlq8bIljk9_CfwTn5WJ2hwulFZlCVV4-rhzRBDAvXrD8Yd9llxijM3-U_9Uh8JHzMM/s640/flocab+fill+in+blanks.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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After watching the video, reading through the lyrics, and
discussing what we’ve learned, the<b> Quick Review</b> is great. The open-ended
questions allow for discussion and clarification. I love the way the questions are worded and the connections made. I would have never thought to describe gas atoms as kids running around at recess! <o:p></o:p><br />
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Next we have the option to use a <b>printable activity</b>. The
activities vary depending on the grade level and topic, but regardless of what
video you are using, the printable activity will give students the opportunity
to process what they have learned and practice. Obviously, because videos are
designed to appeal to a range of grade levels, the printable activity may or
may not be exactly what you need, but having an option is fantastic! <o:p></o:p><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq0WvheN48hUhCpCykyIOV-hhJ4FUs9SOnKAnuh3iFM7VmwSxgw6r98dNbRJfxUC1tuWM_e9aur6m5cMBJDL-BYx4YpcEFIpWHML3h_pzCexz-CoI-occbOdhlP7lanUhF5wes9ocJhocr/s1600/flocab+printable+activity+1.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq0WvheN48hUhCpCykyIOV-hhJ4FUs9SOnKAnuh3iFM7VmwSxgw6r98dNbRJfxUC1tuWM_e9aur6m5cMBJDL-BYx4YpcEFIpWHML3h_pzCexz-CoI-occbOdhlP7lanUhF5wes9ocJhocr/s640/flocab+printable+activity+1.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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As an added bonus, a new feature just introduced this year
called the <b>“Lyric Lab”</b> gives students the opportunity to develop their own
rhymes or rap using the key vocabulary words and their choice of music!
As words are typed in the box, a box of rhyming words automatically pops up to
provide students options for their rap. So cool! I personally haven’t had a
chance to use this feature yet, but I look forward to
using it when I get back! It would even be a great whole-class activity to sum
up the learning! <o:p></o:p><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC708aBs5bFIhrjcKtMz99qSh2HPZJtgOJkrtJ_njS_XI37yXiq5nou6SdlMxeGBCVTnZghmnOjiD_niBEZT5voeI7yutCISzHAxkYnY3sV02hqoRJBMAXTPFYGXSbDzEouRzJ8JQIsLEh/s1600/flocab+lyric+lab+3.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC708aBs5bFIhrjcKtMz99qSh2HPZJtgOJkrtJ_njS_XI37yXiq5nou6SdlMxeGBCVTnZghmnOjiD_niBEZT5voeI7yutCISzHAxkYnY3sV02hqoRJBMAXTPFYGXSbDzEouRzJ8JQIsLEh/s640/flocab+lyric+lab+3.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEXYwaYqOwhxq5JyxWKcKm4_TULQLTZmdsmHWHRJ64LAQCYHDEqxp7NOtzmQNFyjHfB-SNXjTizsF64dQTpzXGDbGAosKafEpbShsMMSfNY7Wv6G5lmR2Bb5JN1a5CTQAoLbtDh3wZymAN/s1600/flocab+lyric+lab+4.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEXYwaYqOwhxq5JyxWKcKm4_TULQLTZmdsmHWHRJ64LAQCYHDEqxp7NOtzmQNFyjHfB-SNXjTizsF64dQTpzXGDbGAosKafEpbShsMMSfNY7Wv6G5lmR2Bb5JN1a5CTQAoLbtDh3wZymAN/s640/flocab+lyric+lab+4.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now, if you aren’t convinced to give <a href="https://www.flocabulary.com/" target="_blank">Flocabulary</a> a try after
seeing all of that, let me entice you a little bit more! Just for signing up
below, you will receive a <b>FREE 45-DAY extended trial</b> that’s not only for you,
but for your ENTIRE SCHOOL! I mean, it can’t get much better than that! Also,
you will be entered for the chance to win a <b><u>FREE ONE YEAR SUBSCRIPTION!</u></b> I will
be giving away <b>THREE OF THESE!</b> Winners will be announced on <b><u>October 18<sup>th</sup></u></b>.
Even if you don’t win, remember that you will still get that 45-day extended
free trial for your whole school! Everyone is a winner! After signing up, you will receive information
to access your free trial <u>the week of October 18</u><sup><u>t</u>h</sup>. Sign up now! You’ve
got nothing to lose!! Be sure to enter every field in the sign up box and your free trial information will be e-mailed to you. You must enter by OCTOBER 16 @ 11:59pm EST!<o:p></o:p><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://docs.google.com/a/bhisd.net/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdLydsssHwXf7t-zQD9We0N3Ns5GMzBChB-IGqt7e_mgu9LUw/viewform" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP!!!</span></b></a></div>
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For now, <a href="https://www.flocabulary.com/" target="_blank">Flocabulary</a> has several <a href="https://www.flocabulary.com/" target="_blank">free videos and resources</a>
that you can access without needing any kind of code. I encourage you to check
them out! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Believe me when I tell you that I wouldn’t waste my precious
time writing about a resource I don’t believe in. My colleagues and I have used
Flocabulary and know the impact it can have on learning. Engagement is the key,
and Flocabulary provides you with tools to ramp up that engagement! <o:p></o:p><br />
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If you use Flocabulary already, I would love to hear your thoughts!<br />
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Happy teaching!!</div>
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<a href="http://s280.photobucket.com/user/klkoonce1/media/Screen%20shot%202015-06-16%20at%208.05.02%20PM_zpsj3fmrvak.png.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Blog Signature photo Screen shot 2015-06-16 at 8.05.02 PM_zpsj3fmrvak.png" border="0" src="https://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk161/klkoonce1/Screen%20shot%202015-06-16%20at%208.05.02%20PM_zpsj3fmrvak.png" /></a>Koonce's Kornerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137488949932585900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452243881094727114.post-48767475520718590602016-08-27T11:41:00.000-05:002016-08-27T11:41:32.461-05:00I'm Back! Plus Place Value FREEBIES! Happy Back-to-School!!<br />
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Wow, have I missed this little ol' blog of mine! It's crazy that it's been so long since my last post. If anyone is still reading this, here's what's been going on in my world!<br />
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I HAD A BABY!<br />
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I know, I still can't believe it. My little guy, Connor, is 6 weeks old and has just turned our world upside down- for the better! He was born on July 12 and our hearts have been so full ever since. I mean, isn't he just the cutest little thing you have ever seen?????!!!<br />
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I'M ON MATERNITY LEAVE!<br />
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This is even more crazy to me than having a baby, LOL! I'm sitting here, in my pajamas (and yes, it's 1:30 in the afternoon- don't judge) writing this post while my long term sub is holding down the fort at school. I'm not going to lie, I'm missing school. But, holding my sweet Connor and looking into his blue little eyes is the best thing in the world. Of course I had to go to Meet the Teacher Night and meet my new kiddos and help my sub get things set up, but other than that, I've really tried to keep my mind off of the day-to-day happenings at school. The control freak in me is chained up tightly, but she's a fighter and has to be constantly talked down. LOL. Each day gets easier and I'm learning to let go... slowly.<br />
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So, I thought now that I have some time on my hands- you know, those short little naps Connor takes during the day- I could get back into blogging! Maybe. We shall see.<br />
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I'M ONLY TEACHING MATH, SCIENCE AND SOCIAL STUDIES THIS YEAR!<br />
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Again, CRAZY! I never would have thought that I would not teach reading, but I had a tough year last year and needed a change. I LOVE teaching math and I love that it is much more concrete and visual than reading. Because I am focusing more on math, I'm really digging in and trying to learn more about how to develop number sense and teach more conceptually. I'm very excited!<br />
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Right now I'm reading the book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Number-Sense-Routines-Building-Numerical/dp/1571107908/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1472149936&sr=8-1&keywords=number+sense+routines" target="_blank">Number Sense Routines</a> by Jessica F. Shumway. It's full of awesome routines that are quick and powerful and I'm excited to try these when I return to the classroom in October.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguZbZ6nQ7UZr0HuDlCyhqpwtsyOrysS6M4mYKugDbcVOpaoj7jK3qRiw-4Ofc1Lne-jtBCyreXs-J3cKU6yPKcfNr0hk72Be7CaKiXVJsfsSAZopSG0IjKB2lRaD8T2V81HoLrNOWPAXIb/s1600/number+sense.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguZbZ6nQ7UZr0HuDlCyhqpwtsyOrysS6M4mYKugDbcVOpaoj7jK3qRiw-4Ofc1Lne-jtBCyreXs-J3cKU6yPKcfNr0hk72Be7CaKiXVJsfsSAZopSG0IjKB2lRaD8T2V81HoLrNOWPAXIb/s320/number+sense.PNG" width="261" /></a></div>
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I also found this awesome <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Cursive-Math-Alphabet-1327351" target="_blank">cursive math alphabet</a> from <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Life-In-Room-406" target="_blank">Life in Room 406</a> that I love! It has great words for the letters and great visuals. I didn't have a chance to get it up in my room before the year started, but it will be up soon!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_gtS3hewEKl-OyGKQvdNlfKk_oaC3Rpe0pKpj0RsHJ3rJT_qxZ-rpYgq-jGX83_tURSKJ7b-OCfOLV207i1yoM5mewGq1oOPOTYxNv0txgHDSgIJD67bY2a5RZa6Q3bz1VqqkUm3A6WeQ/s1600/math+alphabet.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_gtS3hewEKl-OyGKQvdNlfKk_oaC3Rpe0pKpj0RsHJ3rJT_qxZ-rpYgq-jGX83_tURSKJ7b-OCfOLV207i1yoM5mewGq1oOPOTYxNv0txgHDSgIJD67bY2a5RZa6Q3bz1VqqkUm3A6WeQ/s320/math+alphabet.PNG" width="245" /></a></div>
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I obviously have been away from the blog scene for quite some time, so I don't have much new to offer. However, because place value is a concept commonly taught at the beginning of the year, I thought I would share some resources with you! Hopefully you can find something to benefit your students!<br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Place-Value-Quiz-Quiz-Trade-Card-Multi-Pack-855802" target="_blank">Place Value Quiz-Quiz-Trade</a>- These cards cover naming the value of digits, naming places digits are in, and converting from expanded to standard form. They can be used as self-checking task cards as well! Pick up yours <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Place-Value-Quiz-Quiz-Trade-Card-Multi-Pack-855802" target="_blank">HERE!</a> This will be on sale until I remember to change it! LOL! <br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Place-Value-Quiz-Quiz-Trade-Card-Multi-Pack-855802" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ggPBw2507X4DU0R0XEGthk-Wf0bRetJQi0rsI_zGOOl0pjYmIc16CPbS2Jo2wy84k0cbSNCmS26MplaMVX8ts8nWXwlyOJFjUFbnpUGtOfZwOuL24ARGfCAmdpcziBhnL2qrf2cJO6OS/s640/pv.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Place-Value-Relationships-Mini-Set-2754825" target="_blank">Place Value Relationship Pack</a>- This small resource has a recording sheet for students to use to record a number they are given and fill in the relationship statement, a lame little chant I made up :), and a set of 6 task cards. Get your FREE copy <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Place-Value-Relationships-Mini-Set-2754825" target="_blank">HERE!</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirWi30uLOFqI7RJ5rxd6bJ9D418sXnBqD2UDEY0hUEd6p7UaAqASOoo4v7O5PUkwV4R2TrLsnl-WJUleOBbGLEm8JrcHX3V7R7zXRnjNh6KEZTOjXqX-eXl7iRKg2v5Rfwu8lTq4WLtc-5/s1600/RELATIONSHIPS+PREVIEW.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirWi30uLOFqI7RJ5rxd6bJ9D418sXnBqD2UDEY0hUEd6p7UaAqASOoo4v7O5PUkwV4R2TrLsnl-WJUleOBbGLEm8JrcHX3V7R7zXRnjNh6KEZTOjXqX-eXl7iRKg2v5Rfwu8lTq4WLtc-5/s640/RELATIONSHIPS+PREVIEW.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Place-Value-Roll-Its-2754878" target="_blank">Place Value Roll-Its</a> These games use dice and playing cards. Students roll the die and follow the directions to practice a variety of skills. Two different versions of the game cover writing numbers in words, expanded form, and expanded notation, rounding to the nearest ten and hundred, comparing numbers, and decomposing numbers in different way. Get your FREE copy by clicking <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Place-Value-Roll-Its-2754878" target="_blank">HERE!</a><br />
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Hopefully I will be able to post again soon!<br />
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Happy Beginning of a New Year!!<br />
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<a href="http://s280.photobucket.com/user/klkoonce1/media/Screen%20shot%202015-06-16%20at%208.05.02%20PM_zpsj3fmrvak.png.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Blog Signature photo Screen shot 2015-06-16 at 8.05.02 PM_zpsj3fmrvak.png" border="0" src="https://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk161/klkoonce1/Screen%20shot%202015-06-16%20at%208.05.02%20PM_zpsj3fmrvak.png" /></a>Koonce's Kornerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137488949932585900noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452243881094727114.post-4518344624091290292016-02-06T09:18:00.002-06:002016-02-06T09:18:18.334-06:00Dr. Jean's Amazing Resources! I realize I have been a little MIA from the blog scene lately. School has been pretty overwhelming this year and blogging has been the last thing on my mind. However, last weekend, I attended the Early Childhood Winter Conference put on by our local county Department of Education and two great things happened. One, I presented my first professional development sessions with a teammate of mine, and I saw THE Dr. Jean in person!<br />
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If you teach elementary grades, you may not have heard of Dr. Jean Feldman. She is an amazing woman who has worked in education her entire life. She primarily works with early childhood students, pre-K and kinder, but her resources are great inspirations for all grades. I want to share just a few ideas with you.<br />
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First of all, the most important thing to her is that teachers smile. It's such a simple concept, but one that can easily be forgotten. With the stress of more rigorous standards and testing, the pressure can sometimes bring out the worst in me. Regardless of what I'm feeling, my kids deserve to see a happy, smiling adult each and every day. So even on my worst day, I have to try to leave the drama in the car and put on a happy face for my students. Of course this is much easier said than done, but important nonetheless. One little trick to add a little happiness to your classroom is to sprinkle in some cheers!<br />
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In college, my classroom management professor gave each of us our own set of cheers and I have had them ever since. These little babies are just quick little ways to say "Good job" in a variety of cute and fun ways. Check out these four below:<br />
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She offers all 50 of her cheers on TpT for FREE! Yes, FREE! Click <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Dr-Jeans-Cheer-Cards-1270706?aref=72opb9mv" target="_blank">HERE</a> to get a copy for yourself!<br />
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Dr. Jean also has a website that she uses to share tons of free resources. Check it out <a href="http://drjean.org/" target="_blank">HERE. </a><br />
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Another thing she is well known for are her songs, both silly and academic. I mentioned that she works primarily with early childhood, so most all of her stuff is for the little ones, but her songs incorporate motion and cross the midline, which is great for the brain and brain breaks. Although she has tons of academic songs for little ones on her website, I want to share one of her silly songs that I heard for the first time last weekend and loved! It's called "Tooty-Ta!"<br />
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/PXvh08Mnork/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PXvh08Mnork?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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Y'all. You have to do this video with your kids. You just have to! We did it as adults at the conference and I just about died laughing. It is silly, gets your body moving, and makes you laugh! My third graders and I have done this song at least five times this week and they still get a kick out of it! It's a great brain break, and helps my struggling readers listen, follow directions, and work on oral language. And I promise, if you are feeling stressed, this song will help you relax- at least for a little while! ;)<br />
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Dr. Jean has made it her mission to share everything she has to offer with fellow educators and I absolutely love her for it. You can purchase her materials from her TpT store but also get tons of free ideas, videos, and lessons from her website. If you teach pre-k, kinder, or first, be sure to check it out.<br />
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The second part of the conference I co-presented two sessions on increasing oral language in the classroom with a teammate of mine. Increasing oral language has been on my mind a lot in the last few years, especially since attending an amazing training called Talk, Read, Talk, Write two summers ago. We shared some simple ways to increase the amount of academic talk in the classroom.<br />
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Of course, in true first-time presenter style, we forgot to bring all of our posters and activities with examples on them. LOL. But, we managed to make it through and had some great educators collaborate and share. Despite our mistakes, I think everyone was able to walk out with at least one idea to take back to their classrooms.<br />
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I'll do another post soon (LOL, I know! Soon may be a month from now!) and share the ideas we presented about. For now, go check out Dr. Jean and print those cheers for yourself! You'll be glad you did!<br />
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Have a great weekend!<br />
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<a href="http://s280.photobucket.com/user/klkoonce1/media/Screen%20shot%202015-06-16%20at%208.05.02%20PM_zpsj3fmrvak.png.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Blog Signature photo Screen shot 2015-06-16 at 8.05.02 PM_zpsj3fmrvak.png" border="0" src="http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk161/klkoonce1/Screen%20shot%202015-06-16%20at%208.05.02%20PM_zpsj3fmrvak.png" /></a>Koonce's Kornerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137488949932585900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452243881094727114.post-66644658510827616582015-10-28T21:11:00.001-05:002015-10-28T21:33:29.101-05:00Minecraft Challenge... A True Labor of Love! Well, we finished it! The Minecraft Challenge was a success!<br />
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Was it worth it? Yes!<br />
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Was it a pain? Yes!<br />
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Would I do it again? Yes!<br />
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Would I change the some things? Oh yes! I'll elaborate later. ;)<br />
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Let me give you some background...<br />
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My kiddos this year are obsessed with Minecraft-to the point where everyday at least one of them is wearing a Minecraft shirt. They LOVE it.<br />
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So, I knew I somehow wanted to incorporate the game into our classroom, but I literally knew nothing about it. I decided last Friday that I wanted to come up with something fun to review for our math CBA. The idea to do a Minecraft Challenge was born, but I really didn't know how to make it work.<br />
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The first step was to learn about the game. I watched videos, asked the kids, and tried to develop a basic understanding. It is much more complicated than I ever imagined! I even downloaded the game on my computer and tried to play, but I couldn't even figure out how to move myself around! It was pathetic! I died several times in a row before I gave up! (Don't tell my students!)<br />
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If you don't know anything about Minecraft, here's the basics: You create your own world by "mining" for resources that are all around you, and then "crafting" those resources into things like tools, weapons, building supplies, food, etc. You can play the game in a creative mode where you have no risk of dying and you have unlimited resources, or you can play the game in survival mode, where you are at risk of dying from hunger or monsters.<br />
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Because I had a short time to figure out how I wanted the challenge to work (I wanted to do it on Monday, two days after I had the idea, lol), I went of the very limited knowledge I had.<br />
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I typed up a text giving some basic information about Minecraft and we read that during reading time. I created comprehension questions to go with it that reinforced the concepts we were focusing on in language arts.<br />
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Then, during math, the real challenge began. I decided to have the kids answer questions and if they answered correctly, they could earn "resources"- similar to the mining process in the game. They would then use the resources they earned to "craft" tools. Their goal was to craft all four of the tools I listed in their crafting guide.<br />
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I divided the class into four teams. Each team was given a file folder with their team name, their "health bar," instructions, crafting guide, and crafting grid.<br />
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I downloaded a free Minecraft font from <a href="http://www.dafont.com/minecrafter.font" target="_blank">dafont.com</a> and used screenshots from a blog I found to make the folders.<br />
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The directions were explained in the first part of the folder under the 'Objective' heading. I also got a little ambitious and decided to hang the challenge questions around the school in the hallway, so I also added a map the kids had to use to find where the questions were. Yeah.... it ended up taking us WAAYY too long to move from question to question, and we weren't able to finish in one day. So, I moved the question cards back to the classroom to finish up the second day. :)<br />
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The kids had to find a question card and work together to answer the question with their team. If they answered correctly, they earned the resources listed near the question. If they answered incorrectly, they lost one of the hearts on their health bar and did not earn the resources for that question.<br />
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As they answered the questions, they earned the resources. They had a small Ziploc bag included in their folder to store their items. </div>
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In the middle of their "mining," Herobrine snuck up and surprised the kids with a special challenge! Everyone had to get together to solve the problem and escape him! </div>
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In the picture above, all of those little pieces of paper coming out of the bag are the "resources" they earned from answering their questions. They could earn wood and cobblestone. And yes, I had to run from team to team as they answered each question to check their answers and either take a heart or award them their resources. It was a great way for me to do some last-minute reteach. Thank goodness I only had four teams! Below are all the baggies that held the resources they could earn as well as the tools they were responsible for creating. It was a lot to juggle! </div>
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Once the kids answered all of the questions, the "crafting" process began. The first objective was to create a crafting table from the wood they collected. Then, they had to craft the four tools listed in their guide. They used the guide included in their folder and the crafting grid on the back of their folder to show the correct recipe, and then they traded the resources they used for the tool they created. I loved this part just as much as the academic part because they quickly realized they didn't have all of the materials they needed to make their tools. They first had to use the wood to make sticks! They really had to rely on their guide and discuss with their teammates to make sure they had the correct materials and put them in the correct order to craft their tools. </div>
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As the kids were crafting, they called me out on a mistake I made! Apparently, the wood shown in the recipe for the crafting table and sticks is called a "wood plank." I used the picture for another type of wood that needs to be crafted into a wood plank first before it can be used to make anything else. OOPS! That's what I get for not doing enough research! LOL! Of course, I told the kids to just pretend it was the right thing! Notice in the picture below how the wood pictures are NOT the same! </div>
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As they used the resources in their crafting recipes, they earned the tools! Once they created all four tools, their mission was accomplished! The picture below shows the crafting table and the four tools they were required to craft. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2BSQMrXPW0cIffEaH_CIf3tK8ehB8BnjEDr8cOxAROZpUmfnbS_cZysGrr3sSdSTLwuUV1PAOEXpDBzh__NeohOA_bxTMrg4kw60dxUyeEjTeOxIuX7pvBPT-K8DSrP_KtHnZRzuH2J-6/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-10-28+at+7.59.04+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2BSQMrXPW0cIffEaH_CIf3tK8ehB8BnjEDr8cOxAROZpUmfnbS_cZysGrr3sSdSTLwuUV1PAOEXpDBzh__NeohOA_bxTMrg4kw60dxUyeEjTeOxIuX7pvBPT-K8DSrP_KtHnZRzuH2J-6/s640/Screen+Shot+2015-10-28+at+7.59.04+PM.png" width="572" /></a></div>
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All in all, it was a huge success. The kids absolutely LOVED it and were all smiles the entire time. It was all worth it! </div>
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It was hard to manage moving between teams to check answers, give resources, trade them for their tools, etc. It was much easier to do in the classroom instead of running up and down the hallway to the different teams. Here's what I would do differently if I could have a redo:</div>
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1. Keep the challenge in the classroom. It was super fun to get out of the room and use the hallways, but it wasn't the best idea to do it the first time we attempted this. It was too hard for me to move between teams and it wasted valuable time. </div>
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2. Have the crafting grid separate from the folder. The kids had to flip the folders back and forth to see the recipes and then place the pieces correctly. It would have been much easier to have the recipe and the grid side by side.</div>
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3. Be sure I have the correct pictures! I should have done a little bit more research to make the game a bit more accurate! </div>
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The great thing about this format is that now that the kids understand how it works, I can simply change out the question cards and we can play it to practice whatever content I want! Next week we may do this again to review for our grammar test! I can also change out the tools they are creating and the resources they earn to add some variety. The kids were begging to do it again, so I just might have to give in! </div>
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Want to try this crazy thing out for yourself?? Click the links below to get a copy of the text we read and the file to create your own challenge! Let me warn you, the wood pictures don't match! Maybe this weekend when I have some energy I will fix it! ;) </div>
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<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7uv-Yjm63iSY3UwNUtoV1B0M28/view?usp=sharing%C2%A0" target="_blank">Minecraft Text</a></div>
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<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7uv-Yjm63iScXFXN2hlMDctcDg/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Challenge Template</a></div>
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Now to survive the rest of the week! </div>
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Do you have ideas of how to incorporate Minecraft-inspired activities in the classroom?? I would love to hear them!!! </div>
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<a href="http://s280.photobucket.com/user/klkoonce1/media/Screen%20shot%202015-06-16%20at%208.05.02%20PM_zpsj3fmrvak.png.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Blog Signature photo Screen shot 2015-06-16 at 8.05.02 PM_zpsj3fmrvak.png" border="0" src="http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk161/klkoonce1/Screen%20shot%202015-06-16%20at%208.05.02%20PM_zpsj3fmrvak.png" /></a>Koonce's Kornerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137488949932585900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452243881094727114.post-77913564105017917682015-10-24T16:59:00.001-05:002015-10-24T16:59:41.754-05:00Halloween and Fall Resources- Freebies!! Happy Halloween Week!<br />
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I know it's a little last minute, but here are some Halloween-themed resources I have to share with you! Just click on the link below each picture. I hope you can find something you can use!!<br />
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Math:<br />
Roll It: Use a dice and a deck of cards. Roll the die and then follow the directions. This is a random assortment of place value skills. This was from two years ago before the TEKS were changed, so it doesn't include any of the new TEKS. It's supposed to rain ALL weekend, so this *might* be something I update or add to this weekend. ;)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMFKywyGBPBGP_ZUqOHn2fCwGg0FXOP24Xdki0WcPhPcffJA-sWycvHWvMeyyEaMKs-1Bx2EUb-DVZCDALKvzL5aAoyzZLZED8iD4Y6B0PnMAqIT09XnPZeH-tisjCCNUijs2rAUHpthi3/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-10-12+at+10.45.55+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMFKywyGBPBGP_ZUqOHn2fCwGg0FXOP24Xdki0WcPhPcffJA-sWycvHWvMeyyEaMKs-1Bx2EUb-DVZCDALKvzL5aAoyzZLZED8iD4Y6B0PnMAqIT09XnPZeH-tisjCCNUijs2rAUHpthi3/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-10-12+at+10.45.55+AM.png" width="498" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7uv-Yjm63iST0JQWFcxZGVTNmM/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Roll It Place Value</a> </span></div>
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(You'll need digit cards and dice)</div>
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Multiplication Word Problems: Just a few word problems with a Halloween theme. We haven't covered multiplication yet this year, but I used these two years ago when I taught math and the kids enjoyed them.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0YNCkW-N-vrSj-ns79aW98uS1fR-N7jZNUsAIIt3Gza00vMT17nRh-mNtWHPrTS3iyLP3mip35YCPkbQCVXDn_W0PMb8ccu-QtEa34Q8PeC_J6Yesx5kHfCYQWlO3eJoZzFMzMFqmtqhZ/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-10-12+at+10.46.26+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0YNCkW-N-vrSj-ns79aW98uS1fR-N7jZNUsAIIt3Gza00vMT17nRh-mNtWHPrTS3iyLP3mip35YCPkbQCVXDn_W0PMb8ccu-QtEa34Q8PeC_J6Yesx5kHfCYQWlO3eJoZzFMzMFqmtqhZ/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-10-12+at+10.46.26+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7uv-Yjm63iSQUcwOEgwSDZUVVE/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Spooky Multiplication Word Problems</span></a><br />
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Addition and Subtraction Brew- addition and subtraction with regrouping (computation only).<br />
This activity does NOT include any word problems, it is strictly computation.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH4OuAqPTR5iBFwXVOYMx4Pi1l3PeyLer6ex8h4UViiGlXeZl_nV2dfgN0f9ed2IfNJ1G5tD5f-8SDHMmo78zz2LrYP2zCReYeQ_WRkXaeE7IgJCeQtsmjABvcrkr1V5mfjH9KFsGpuu7S/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-10-22+at+5.37.06+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH4OuAqPTR5iBFwXVOYMx4Pi1l3PeyLer6ex8h4UViiGlXeZl_nV2dfgN0f9ed2IfNJ1G5tD5f-8SDHMmo78zz2LrYP2zCReYeQ_WRkXaeE7IgJCeQtsmjABvcrkr1V5mfjH9KFsGpuu7S/s640/Screen+Shot+2015-10-22+at+5.37.06+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bz1c5UxNjBkEVXBPMElESTlWMXc/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Addition and Subtraction Brew</span></a></div>
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Language Arts: </div>
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Pumpkin Prefixes Match-Up: Super simple and quick match-up game to review the prefixes re-, un-, pre-, dis-, and non-. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlbe-LUqhvqW7iSChV0jk-ozBcSCpVUfIinBe20kBw2qgnw_pbPg1guKpXmr7FQrmWiRHzRqMBDTHHtloKdBesxmW8j7deYlgACgs4h89TLQMdGT9UDor_NAq6pB5FgkXfS24WoG-e0rQ6/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-10-24+at+4.44.36+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlbe-LUqhvqW7iSChV0jk-ozBcSCpVUfIinBe20kBw2qgnw_pbPg1guKpXmr7FQrmWiRHzRqMBDTHHtloKdBesxmW8j7deYlgACgs4h89TLQMdGT9UDor_NAq6pB5FgkXfS24WoG-e0rQ6/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-10-24+at+4.44.36+PM.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7uv-Yjm63iSTVEtMmJ4QWhKMDg/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Pumpkin Prefixes</a></span><br />
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Do They Agree? Subject/Verb Agreement: 12 short sentences to quickly review subject verb agreement.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8EofsYaJx0fLyOFlcor-b8Yb2K2p62VhQH34OWTzOZYUAyWgcGOJ9Wd4EagHrjWP2bprgTd4ZZSzjk1GfEmc0QVrKqBXY88lZHnp21EIk5BVf3Llafuwjswy54XpNPR-B2DvE1uJMgdEA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-10-24+at+9.08.11+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8EofsYaJx0fLyOFlcor-b8Yb2K2p62VhQH34OWTzOZYUAyWgcGOJ9Wd4EagHrjWP2bprgTd4ZZSzjk1GfEmc0QVrKqBXY88lZHnp21EIk5BVf3Llafuwjswy54XpNPR-B2DvE1uJMgdEA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-10-24+at+9.08.11+AM.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7uv-Yjm63iSWXZPbjg4aHE3OUE/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Do They Agree: Halloween</a></span></div>
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Again, I hope you were able to find something you could use! </div>
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Enjoy celebrating this week with your kiddos! </div>
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<a href="http://s280.photobucket.com/user/klkoonce1/media/Screen%20shot%202015-06-16%20at%208.05.02%20PM_zpsj3fmrvak.png.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Blog Signature photo Screen shot 2015-06-16 at 8.05.02 PM_zpsj3fmrvak.png" border="0" src="http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk161/klkoonce1/Screen%20shot%202015-06-16%20at%208.05.02%20PM_zpsj3fmrvak.png" /></a>Koonce's Kornerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137488949932585900noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452243881094727114.post-18817163096446544962015-10-22T18:11:00.002-05:002015-10-22T18:11:28.540-05:00A Simple Station SolutionHappy Thursday!<br />
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I'm dropping in to show you a solution I found for my station activities that is working wonderfully.<br />
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Before I share, let me share a little bit of the struggle I have had this year with stations.<br />
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My kiddos are very easily distracted. Our desks are in groups, and we mostly work at the desks during stations. So, this presented a problem. When my kids sit at a table group of 4, one partner pair is working on one activity and the other partner pair is working on a different activity. Therefore, it created some distraction. The partner pair working on one side of the group of desks was constantly hearing the partner pair on the other side of the group and would become easily off-task.<br />
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One day I had an idea. I love my "offices" from Really Good Stuff and I have several extra. So, I decided to use them to help with station management.<br />
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Here's what I camp up with:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDt8RJC3MIPYvwefQo-iQsR8h3IMn0O-Unj7u34vz_KK3b0kvI45Dr7fdQ_I-G0AsgURHEK9ULBliZhCkMuF_UYQ0U-4gElw9cmEnqiiTSpEinRfGjWo-6rVbs2_zouDn3K19IsNpGH5l2/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-10-22+at+6.00.20+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDt8RJC3MIPYvwefQo-iQsR8h3IMn0O-Unj7u34vz_KK3b0kvI45Dr7fdQ_I-G0AsgURHEK9ULBliZhCkMuF_UYQ0U-4gElw9cmEnqiiTSpEinRfGjWo-6rVbs2_zouDn3K19IsNpGH5l2/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-10-22+at+6.00.20+PM.png" /></a></div>
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I just stapled two sheet protectors on the right and left sides and one of my extra magnetic paper pockets from Lakeshore in the middle section. I only had one of the fancy pockets, so on my other station "offices" I just used 12x12 cardstock and stapled a sheet of construction paper on top to create a pocket. Simple!<br />
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I have the title of the station on the left side, the directions for the kids on the right side, and the materials they need in the pocket in the middle. They have everything they need plus the separation from the other group to stay distraction-free!<br />
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Now, when my partner pairs are ready to work in their stations, they just unfold the "office" and they have everything they need! When we are ready to clean up, the stations just fold right up!<br />
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The sheet protectors allow for me to easily change out the title and directions.<br />
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I am loving the simplicity and the flexibility this creates. The kids love that they are in their little "zones" and don't have to constantly tune out the partner pair across from them.<br />
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Of course these station offices could easily be moved to the floor. My students just tend to work more effectively when sitting at a desk. You could also easily make this using poster board or a tri-fold board.<br />
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Do you have any creative ways that you manage station materials?? I would love to hear!<br />
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Have a great Friday!<br />
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<a href="http://s280.photobucket.com/user/klkoonce1/media/Screen%20shot%202015-06-16%20at%208.05.02%20PM_zpsj3fmrvak.png.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Blog Signature photo Screen shot 2015-06-16 at 8.05.02 PM_zpsj3fmrvak.png" border="0" src="http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk161/klkoonce1/Screen%20shot%202015-06-16%20at%208.05.02%20PM_zpsj3fmrvak.png" /></a>Koonce's Kornerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137488949932585900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452243881094727114.post-90100035233714642662015-09-07T11:07:00.000-05:002015-09-07T11:10:20.128-05:00Sunday (Monday) Pass Along! Fluency, Math, and More! <br />
I keep thinking it's Sunday. But nope, it's MONDAY thanks to a glorious three-day weekend. It comes just in time after two solid weeks of the back-to-school frenzy. I love how each year brings unique kiddos and challenges and is so different from the last. There is never a boring day!<br />
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Now that I am semi-caught up, I have some time to lounge in my jammies and read my blogs!<br />
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One of the beauties of having this little ol' blog of mine means that I can pass along awesome blog posts straight to you and you get all the goods! I'm hoping to keep this little tradition of the Sunday Pass Along going (even though today is technically Monday).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwzGhmpsVrQkeOhYDe-cNgcy1gOPi4B-NTalMN0SJul3-WMg0ygRNfbmuZbvxhuuvtbvqifBb3WmrfbGSdq3LyxG3_i8eZ6AgDMSYI4u_eNReKIkTkXJ7Y-gJLyRHeszzGNZU3dL8GUSlo/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-09-07+at+11.02.58+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwzGhmpsVrQkeOhYDe-cNgcy1gOPi4B-NTalMN0SJul3-WMg0ygRNfbmuZbvxhuuvtbvqifBb3WmrfbGSdq3LyxG3_i8eZ6AgDMSYI4u_eNReKIkTkXJ7Y-gJLyRHeszzGNZU3dL8GUSlo/s640/Screen+Shot+2015-09-07+at+11.02.58+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here are some awesome posts I found while browsing my feed that are usable for me <i>tomorrow!!</i><br />
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<a href="http://www.thethinkerbuilder.com/2015/08/show-parents-how-to-read-with-their.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Parent Brochure from The Thinker Builder</span></a></h2>
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<a href="http://www.thethinkerbuilder.com/2015/08/show-parents-how-to-read-with-their.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKVBCoQeBY30aSk0g3OiOP3oVrXk3zXThvpxF5p0vgEXj3UqV53LgTRLMghebeHxz-dt1SFN0_GmYufXlFehX7BB2179h0oZJVh2XhhWwB1Cv62NKjppjQSavXc3scpcqN8uXTqEUCjSiF/s320/brochure.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.thethinkerbuilder.com/2015/08/show-parents-how-to-read-with-their.html" target="_blank">This post</a> from Michael at <a href="http://www.thethinkerbuilder.com/2015/08/show-parents-how-to-read-with-their.html" target="_blank">The Thinker Builder</a> is fantastic. Well-written and comes complete with a free downloadable brochure for parents! I love his language and how relatable he is. You will definitely want to check this out! I will be handing these out to parents as I meet with them individually.<br />
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<a href="http://www.teachingsuperpower.com/2015/08/the-one-book-you-need-this-year.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Reading Strategies Book </span></a></h2>
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<a href="http://www.teachingsuperpower.com/2015/08/the-one-book-you-need-this-year.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg22Nc1nxXBO8Rtxa_BGcgSUnORt1_wbgZ0VmJ8Dgtow-YHZVG1xX3pE6UZvMCGyQYE2cyJO0K2PNxfGYdBKIDPnVns1ObRdxtIJIFOBEen6rxgJcEs9kFCMEll6AscnC-6JQ1OVPsi-RQN/s640/reading+strategies.jpg" width="468" /></a></div>
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This is seriously the most amazing find ever. EVER! I was eventually going to do a post on this book, but luckily <a href="http://www.teachingsuperpower.com/2015/08/the-one-book-you-need-this-year.html" target="_blank">Megan at I Teach, What's Your Superpower</a> already did! This post gives you a peek inside the book and outlines why it is just so amazing. This year I have students on levels C-M. This book is perfect for me because I have concrete strategies to use with each and every one of them. Megan does a great job of explaining everything this great book has to offer. Get your Amazon account open!<br />
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<a href="http://thefirstgradeparade.blogspot.com/2015/09/teacher-week-sanity-savers.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Intervention Folder Idea</span></a></h2>
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<a href="http://thefirstgradeparade.blogspot.com/2015/09/teacher-week-sanity-savers.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5v94dZp0JqbvwTw3O5DWwC1nfuSgzLbUp-k0jc6iWn5NJa-UyUu4w9h1WDuAeRmK_1jM_UGlJ5t1wb3PqIqxFGZZ8YVKOh-RwEWg3NXKsTkd4BElIJheUlykueZaca7l0cSBmGuAy1z_6/s640/math+intervention+.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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I love, love, love <a href="http://thefirstgradeparade.blogspot.com/2015/09/teacher-week-sanity-savers.html" target="_blank">Cara's (First Grade Parade)</a> idea for keeping track of the concepts students need to work on. It's visual, easy to manage, and you can see everything at a glance. When you click on the post, it's tip #2. As soon as I've had my second cup of coffee, I'll be heading to my room to make one for myself! Click on this post to read more of her sanity-saving tips!<br />
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<a href="http://bainbridgeclass.blogspot.com/2015/09/three-fer-thursday-partner-plays-for.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Partner Plays for Fluency</span></a></h2>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/No-Prep-Partner-Fluency-Plays-FIFTY-plays-BUNDLE-2nd-and-3rd-Grade-1987125" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKikXjywm3EKZyVOf0x1eQwRStO77DyosaaU8gHNOcwTsYPKvqeHc2TDaF_9PUaZ-Zqqq7gSeDBAkxeeOTpw0n3tqvev6b7zwTPLQN1zUiZZQz3F7So5aSF7CGUGBCHACychb6232PK12l/s640/partner+plays.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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My group this year is going to need LOTS of fluency practice. I mean, LOTS! I've been looking for fun and interesting way to practice fluency and these partner plays from <a href="http://bainbridgeclass.blogspot.com/2015/09/three-fer-thursday-partner-plays-for.html" target="_blank">Christina at Bunting, Books, and Bainbridge</a> are going to be perfect! I love my <a href="http://products.lakeshorelearning.com/search#w=partner%20scripts" target="_blank">Partner Scripts from Lakeshore</a>, but they are actually a little too challenging for my students this year. These partner scripts are perfect because they have a nice balance of text and engaging topics. Plus, she has them on sale right now!<br />
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<a href="http://mrelementarymath.blogspot.com/2015/08/buzz-worthy-ideas-3-math-routines-to.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Amazing Race Number Decomposition </span></a></h2>
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<a href="http://mrelementarymath.blogspot.com/2015/08/buzz-worthy-ideas-3-math-routines-to.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMA2Rbpm-3h5MQxVEUFmkHtL-25qIvbCqNFgX5cFBsMb2nwJrvp5tHgccy1sMqGUvA2KEpq9hfVJ6Yco9SfyxJu3bDC2u5fC44fMabk5gqP7WLtjSK9eEk4ATzWHJURK125JRQEXTCmUtl/s400/amazing+race+.jpg" width="313" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://mrelementarymath.blogspot.com/2015/08/buzz-worthy-ideas-3-math-routines-to.html" target="_blank">Greg at Mr. Elementary Math</a> offers some amazing and fun number sense routines as well as a free download for decomposing numbers. There is space for a number at the top and then circles underneath for students to record each way they can decompose the number. He offers two versions- one with more circles and one with a smaller number of circles so you can differentiate as needed. This is exactly what I need this week as we work with decomposing numbers! He also offers a bonus freebie in the post, so be sure to read the whole thing to get that goodie!<br />
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I hope you were able to find something useful and maybe even a new blogger to follow. I'm going to enjoy the rest of this lazy three-day weekend and prepare myself for another awesome week!<br />
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I'll be back tomorrow to share some place value resources with you so be sure to check back then!<br />
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Happy <strike>Sunday! </strike>Monday!<br />
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<a href="http://s280.photobucket.com/user/klkoonce1/media/Screen%20shot%202015-06-16%20at%208.05.02%20PM_zpsj3fmrvak.png.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Blog Signature photo Screen shot 2015-06-16 at 8.05.02 PM_zpsj3fmrvak.png" border="0" src="http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk161/klkoonce1/Screen%20shot%202015-06-16%20at%208.05.02%20PM_zpsj3fmrvak.png" /></a>Koonce's Kornerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137488949932585900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452243881094727114.post-48532171226228830422015-09-03T20:29:00.000-05:002015-09-04T20:02:10.504-05:00Camping Stool for the Classroom... Genius!Imagine the following scenario:<br />
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It's independent reading time. I'm walking around the classroom, clipboard in hand, ready to listen in and confer with students as they read. The classroom is peaceful, students are reading quietly, soft music plays in the background. As I try to quietly grab a chair from the back of the room to sit next to little Johnny at his desk, I somehow manage to bang <i>all four chair legs </i>against the legs of both the desk where the extra chair came from as well as his desk and then continue to hit every stray object in my path with my chair as well.<br />
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So much for the peaceful atmosphere.<br />
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I then try standing. Of course, today is the day I decided to wear my long chain necklace, so as soon as I lean in to talk with Johnny, my necklace makes direct contact with his face.<br />
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So I kneel.<br />
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Of course today is also the day I wore shoes with the cute rhinestone flower applique on them. So now, not only are my knees creaking and soaking up who knows what from the carpet, the longer I kneel, the more I feel my cute rhinestone flower loosen itself from its threads. My clipboard is awkwardly filling the small space between Johnny and I and eventually I'm so uncomfortable that I give up and have to walk away, my rhinestone flower flopping along with me.<br />
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Enter: The camping stool!<br />
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<a href="http://www.jenniferserravallo.com/" target="_blank">Jennifer Serravalo</a> shared this little tip in her book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Teaching-Reading-Small-Groups-Differentiated/dp/0325026807/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1441329714&sr=8-1&keywords=teaching+reading+in+small+groups" target="_blank"><i>Teaching Reading in Small Groups</i> </a>and I am happy to report that I am no longer a victim of ruined shoes and clanging chairs!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYYAVaBzSIEFH9E6-fV494fwPAjVel18CCN_PyB-QABxVri8ed62yDvDwviL7YoR-EIajfHG0glmgbSsi5P7rkzWI8YQx5uw5LcBQOEMh1SkhU5rU0pTAkpFv0PLCmKVhAOubw-E8aoLuq/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-09-03+at+7.59.36+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYYAVaBzSIEFH9E6-fV494fwPAjVel18CCN_PyB-QABxVri8ed62yDvDwviL7YoR-EIajfHG0glmgbSsi5P7rkzWI8YQx5uw5LcBQOEMh1SkhU5rU0pTAkpFv0PLCmKVhAOubw-E8aoLuq/s640/Screen+Shot+2015-09-03+at+7.59.36+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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This little baby lets me sit snugly up to one student or a group of students, even in small spaces, and use my lap to rest my clipboard. It's seriously genius!!! You can see the scale of it in the picture above. It folds up and is super light so I can easily carry it and my clipboard around without a problem. I am absolutely in love!<br />
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I ordered this one on Amazon. It might be one of my favorite purchases ever. Best of all, it was only $12! I'm a prime member, but still, $17 for a little peace, quiet, and functionality is worth it.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-Rambler-TM-II-Stool/dp/B00339911O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1441329352&sr=8-1&keywords=coleman+camping+stool" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7FT6i0LQ1MhiDv3kjvvpSfU4pmY8fqfGit6YYMk73eQFY5WID9nQQXR3-ivBEy64nKQlgXjEALNfsV5wdldmFlDBBoo2YijS6_tmFRDNnQ7hhR5_PDrtaSCUU56s2thyphenhyphenMi6-1X2X4i-uK/s640/Screen+Shot+2015-09-03+at+8.16.12+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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If you suffer from noisy chair syndrome like me, or enjoy wearing long necklaces, this camping stool might just be exactly what you need!!<br />
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Have a great Friday!<br />
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<a href="http://s280.photobucket.com/user/klkoonce1/media/Screen%20shot%202015-06-16%20at%208.05.02%20PM_zpsj3fmrvak.png.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Blog Signature photo Screen shot 2015-06-16 at 8.05.02 PM_zpsj3fmrvak.png" border="0" src="http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk161/klkoonce1/Screen%20shot%202015-06-16%20at%208.05.02%20PM_zpsj3fmrvak.png" /></a>Koonce's Kornerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137488949932585900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452243881094727114.post-26117616535694508352015-09-02T19:13:00.002-05:002015-09-02T19:27:52.884-05:00Teacher Fail Turned Victory... Sort Of!I just have to share this funny story from today!<br />
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In May, I was lucky enough to <a href="http://kooncescorner.blogspot.com/2015/05/the-ron-clark-experience.html" target="_blank">visit the Ron Clark Academy</a> and see the amazing <a href="http://www.elementaryshenanigans.com/" target="_blank">Hope King </a>in person. She taught a great session about games in the classroom and explained how she uses a game called Headbands. I just have to post the picture my friend and I took with her again. I was in complete teacher heaven!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZVfKEhVZv0bZDwDZf6wcC5Gc_lAC9v4z9K-eHKT_eFNV_QntSAYxyElUG05-5w-Li4-t9gdjEOwYEITEm6l4I6athJllYaMkbDqv0zQ2LE7k6s5ph13V-ATMfUI0jXgbKdwsqILEoEO3y/s1600/hope.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZVfKEhVZv0bZDwDZf6wcC5Gc_lAC9v4z9K-eHKT_eFNV_QntSAYxyElUG05-5w-Li4-t9gdjEOwYEITEm6l4I6athJllYaMkbDqv0zQ2LE7k6s5ph13V-ATMfUI0jXgbKdwsqILEoEO3y/s320/hope.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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The game is based on the popular board game, Headbandz. Hope adapted it to be used with vocabulary words and when I first heard her explain it, I had one of those, "Why didn't I ever think of that?" moments. Each small group had a large stack of index cards with vocabulary words written on them and one person would wear a headband. That person would load their headband with one vocabulary word at a time by putting the card in their band with the word facing the rest of the group. The other group members worked together to give clues so that headband wearer could guess the word they were showing. Hope set the timer for one minute and we tried to get our headband wearer to guess as many words as possible within that minute. It was a blast! I was so excited to try the "Headbands" game and but never had a chance at the end of the year last year.<br />
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Fast forward to this morning. I had the great idea to use the headband format but infuse it with <a href="http://kooncescorner.blogspot.com/search/label/cooperative%20learning" target="_blank">Quiz-Quiz-Trade,</a> one of my absolute favorite Kagan activities that we do each and every day. So I walk around and pass out one card to each student and explain how it will work. I tell them that they will put their word in their headband facing out and then they will stand up-hand up-pair up like normal, but instead of quizzing their partner with a question card, they will listen to their partner give them clues so that they can guess the word they have in their band. They won't trade cards like normal, but just leave their card in their headband and find a new partner. And I'm excited y'all. Like too excited. I've been waiting all summer to do this activity and I was pumped.<br />
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So, the kids put their one word in their headband and get with a partner. Then it hits me. Once they have guessed their word, they know what's on their card. And they know their partner's word, so they can't trade cards because the whole point is that you don't know what is on your card. I didn't give them any other words. Duh!!! The whole point of Quiz-Quiz-Trade is that it is a continuous process, where kids meet with multiple partners. So essentially, the whole essence of the Headbands idea was lost! I just had to laugh. I was so embarrassed!<br />
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After they figured out their words with their first partners, I had to quickly change my directions. The only thing I could come up with at that moment was that since they already knew their word, their new partners would have to give the definition of the word, which is just like what we do with a normal quiz-quiz-trade card anyway! However, it did turn out better than I expected. The kids still got good practice with our vocabulary words and used more language in the process because our normal cards typically provide the sentence frame or stem. It was just so stinkin' cute to see them walking around with those words on their heads, though! Check them out!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAHxOTOqJyYrhg6JflcDSZIdd2VPRTwp4ONG3eNkAR10t0nO-CWYPcmu-xEGyJ41bC__94SGrppg2gSlCNNbJXu9SNDed3pd-B5ibqL1O3UrKgmAks0asgaeNDmJqMrrl4rbOWnCmNoiwF/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-09-02+at+6.54.39+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAHxOTOqJyYrhg6JflcDSZIdd2VPRTwp4ONG3eNkAR10t0nO-CWYPcmu-xEGyJ41bC__94SGrppg2gSlCNNbJXu9SNDed3pd-B5ibqL1O3UrKgmAks0asgaeNDmJqMrrl4rbOWnCmNoiwF/s640/Screen+Shot+2015-09-02+at+6.54.39+PM.png" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFKvDvWgnQz9NrVXvD3qTs6rwP6p_3jVdekcpEU_RZzLzgYnCd6oObPg42rQJcyPFEjZM0j-i-GI8sxP1cZDTQ_O4QSOGPML45tS4Ot_fq0-t6M1CZRUrM5HMTZGWT0d0o6e3NAtRj2xcU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-09-02+at+6.54.05+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFKvDvWgnQz9NrVXvD3qTs6rwP6p_3jVdekcpEU_RZzLzgYnCd6oObPg42rQJcyPFEjZM0j-i-GI8sxP1cZDTQ_O4QSOGPML45tS4Ot_fq0-t6M1CZRUrM5HMTZGWT0d0o6e3NAtRj2xcU/s640/Screen+Shot+2015-09-02+at+6.54.05+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Reflecting back now, I could have had the kids go ahead and trade cards with their partner so at least they had a different word in their headband. Next time, though, I think I will give the kids a stack of at least five or six words so they can carry the words with them and switch their cards out after they meet with each partner. I'm sure there are more ways to make this work, but it was just so funny in the moment!<br />
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You live and learn!!!<br />
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Happy Wednesday!<br />
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<a href="http://s280.photobucket.com/user/klkoonce1/media/Screen%20shot%202015-06-16%20at%208.05.02%20PM_zpsj3fmrvak.png.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Blog Signature photo Screen shot 2015-06-16 at 8.05.02 PM_zpsj3fmrvak.png" border="0" src="http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk161/klkoonce1/Screen%20shot%202015-06-16%20at%208.05.02%20PM_zpsj3fmrvak.png" /></a>Koonce's Kornerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16137488949932585900noreply@blogger.com0