Preschool Days 2

Another wonderful day of preschool in the Wolfe house!  My little guy enjoyed getting to paint with q-tips.

Here are somethings we did.

We practiced shapes by trying to trace the shape word.  Then we used q-tips and painted dots around the shape.  

He really enjoyed doing this.  He took his time and was trying to get in the circles on the paper. 

Check out these wonderful shape worksheets HERE.

He does a great job with knowing what a triangle and a circle are.  He can easily identify them to me.



Next we worked on a shape that I knew he was having trouble with.  We talked about what shape it was and how all the sides are the same size.  Then we found some things in our kitchen that were squares.  Last, I had him trace the word square and then paint it. (I was amazed at his tracing this time.  He took his time and really tried to stay right on the dotted lines.  We are making progress. :))

Next we worked on the letter A.  He wants to call it O so we can't going over and over that it is an A.  On this paper he had to find all the A's and color them.  He was able to do this!  His coloring is a little crazy but that will come in time. 

                                       

Check out these wonderful Spot and Dot! worksheets HERE.

After finding all the A's he had another coloring page that had an uppercase A and a lowecase a on it. Plus it had an ant.  He has been working on that throughout the day.

Check out these wonderful coloring sheets HERE.

Next we worked on ABC Mouse for a little while and then  he wanted to take a break. 

                                       

He worked really hard today and I am super proud of him.

Here is a short video I made of what all we did.   

                               

Have a Wolfelicious day!

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Weathered Wood Hype

I love the weathered wood trend that is going on now!!  Whether you call it weathered wood or shiplap, I know you know what I am talking about!

I just love it!!

I decided that I wanted to make a new alphabet line for my class with the weathered wood look but also the chalkboard look. (I love those two things together).  

So here is my latest project!  I hope you like it!!  I have made it in D'Nealian and Cursive.

                                  

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Have a Wolfelicious day!

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Number Puzzles 1-18

My son needs more practice with numbers and counting.  When he uses hands-on activities he understands the concepts better.  

Who doesn't love puzzles?  

I decided to make Number Puzzles 1-18 for my son to practice his numbers.

I made 4 different sets of matching numbers so 4 students during a center could work on these.  I used different colored apples to match each set.

Again, these are great for students working on numbers or students who need a refresher of numbers.  

I included numbers 1-18 for students to practice counting dominos.

All you have to do is click the link to go to my TPT store.

They are super easy to make.  Print.  Cut out!  Laminate.  Cut out again!  Separate by apple color.  Put each set in it's own baggie.  Put in a Word Work center.  

I know you (the teacher) are probably really busy this time of year so this would be a great project for a volunteer to help you put together.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Have a Wolfelicious day!

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ABC Puzzles

Today I made my first product in a long while.  Wahoo!!!

I knew my son needed more practice with letters so I made ABC Puzzles to have him match uppercase letters with lowercase letters. This activity would be great for students learning letters.

I made 4 different sets of matching letters so 4 students during a center could work on these.  I used different colored apples to match each set.

Again, these are great for students working on letters or students who need a refresher of letters.  

All you have to do is click the link to go to my TPT store.

ABC Puzzles

They are super easy to make.  Print.  Cut out!  Laminate.  Cut out again!  Separate by apple color.  Put each set in it's own baggie.  Put in a Word Work center.  

I know you (the teacher) are probably really busy this time of year so this would be a great project for a volunteer to help you put together.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Have a Wolfelicious day!

Check out my TPT Store

     

                       
     

I love using Seesaw! Do you want an extra free month of Seesaw Plus on me! Just scan my QR code and it shall be yours!  #Seesaw

Preschool Days

Preschool Days

My oldest son began school this week so my youngest son and I began preschool.  I am treasuring this time with my little one.  Such special moments I get with him and I get to teach him.  

We began our day of preschool by sorting colors using Fruit Loops.

I found this sorting page at icanteachmychild.com.  Click below for the webpage.

Cereal Mat

After we sorted by color we counted each group.  We laid the cereal out in a row and then he counted.  We also started talking about which color has more and less.  That concept is a little bit too difficult but he will get it if we keep working on it.

My son really seemed to enjoy sorting and counting the cereal.  He also enjoyed eating the cereal.  

Next we matched shapes.  He was able to do this pretty easily so then I asked him what each shape was.  He would make the shape with his fingers and then shrug his shoulders.  I know he knew some of the shapes so I figured it was time to take a break.  After the break he could tell me some of the shapes.

Click the link to find this activity.  Shape Match

Next we moved onto cutting.  I drew some lines on a page and told him to try to cut on the line.  He did pretty well at the straight and at the big zig zag lines.  The curvy line was more tricky for him.  He does know how to hold scissors correctly. 

After cutting we took another break.  Then I downloaded the free trial of ABC Mouse.com.  I had used this with my other son and he seemed to enjoy it so I thought I would try this with my youngest.  He liked the different games and especially liked the coloring part. 

The last thing we worked on was sorting letter C and A.  I am starting with teaching him letters that are in his name first.  We will need lots more work on letters but he is still young so we have time.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Have a Wolfelicious day!

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I'm a Catch!

I'm a Catch!

Why should a school district hire me?  It is a perfect question.  What do I have that would STAND OUT and make someone want ME?  Yes, me!  April Wolfe?!

Ever since I was a little girl I always dreamed of being a teacher.  I have never wanted to be anything else.  I remember setting out my stuffed animals in a row and trying to teach them. 

 I must say I don't know if they learned anything, but I enjoyed trying my best to teach them. 

In High School I was able to get practice and experience teaching.  My parents ran the local YMCA and they would have people not be able to come into work so I would get to go in and help.  I was able to teach gymnastic classes to swim classes to senior classes.  It was great experience for me working with children and also adults.  I helped out in the daycare too.

I was a cheerleader growing up so cheerleading helped me be a leader as well as adding to my resume in teaching.  My mom and I started an All Star Cheerleading Squad and I got to teach them how to cheer.  In college I cheered too and was part of the Universal Cheerleading Association.  My summers were full of working with younger cheerleaders and teaching them how to be better at cheerleading.

I graduated from Bowling Green State University with a degree in Early Childhood Education.  I was finally able to get my own classroom and get to do what I had always dreamed of.  I was SO excited!  I got to teach second grade in the school that I grew up going to.  I taught second grade there (in Ohio) for two years.

  

2 years of Second Grade Experience

Then I moved to Florida.  I got a job as a kindergarten teacher.  While I was teaching kindergarten that year I also earned my Master's degree in Reading from Nova Southeastern University.  I knew that at that time that I needed to get my Master's in case I ever went back to Ohio because they were going to start requiring it.

  

 I stayed at that school and taught kindergarten for a year and then I found another school that was just opening and closer to where I lived.  It made sense to switch schools. 

1 decade of experience in All Day Everyday Kindergarten. 

I taught kindergarten there for another 9 years.  Also while teaching kindergarten I ended up working on getting certified as a National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT).  I earned my National Board status in 2008.

National Board Certified Teacher

   Then I decided I wanted to teach first grade. I taught first grade for two years and then moved over the summer back to Ohio due to my husband's job.

2 years First Grade Experience

-----------------------------------------------------------

14 total years of teaching experience

So there you have my background.  The experience that I have had.   Now I want to share somethings I do in my classroom and my classroom atmosphere.

 I LOVE my students.  They become part of my family.  I build great rapport with my students and my classroom parents.  I feel I communicate with my classroom parents very well.  I feel communication on both parts is essential to having a great year.  I get my parents notified on everything that has to do with our classroom.  This past year I found an excellent app that allowed my communication with parents to expand.  I loved using the app Seesaw to do this.  

Seesaw is a digital portfolio app.  My students would take pictures of completed work and share with their parents.  The parents could like and comment on their work.  The students loved getting a little note from their parent on their work and being able to comment on other classmates work.  We could reflect on the students work with the app.  I could send notes, newsletters, and videos within the app.  The parents would receive a notification allowing them to check the app.  Another way I communicate with parents is by sending home a weekly newsletter.  This way parents have another glimpse into our classroom.  I always tell my parents to call, email, come in if they have a question or a concern.

Communication

I used a lot of the Whole Brain Teaching (WBT) techniques in my classroom.  I love teaching vocabulary using the Teach! Okay! method.  I love the students being able to be silly, talking to one another, and moving.  It helps them learn the material.  I used the WBT rules and scoreboard too.

Another way I run my class or help my class run is by using Daily 5.  One of my favorite times of the day is guided reading time.  I love being able to teach my students how to be independent.  I love pulling small groups and feeling like I make a difference in their learning.  I also like incorporating guided math groups. 

                                 

Guided Reading and Math

I have used different things for discipline.  I have used the clip chart that has colors up and down.  I have also used Classdojo.  I love how Classdojo shows the parents exactly why their child is earning or losing points.  I like being as specific  as possible so the parents understand.  I do think it is important for students to hear praise.  I try to praise my students a lot!!

One of my passions is incorporating technology to my teaching.  The last two years I have piloted 1:1 iPads in my classroom.  The students love them and so do I.

Technology

I use the iPads as a way to enhance their learning.  In today's world technology is so important so I think it is important to include it in my teaching. 

Here is a video I made about what we did for the week of April 11th. 

                                

Here is another project my students did on researching a famous person (as seen above) but then they took everything they learned and used an app to create a project.

                                

Part of teaching kids to use technology is also teaching the students to code.  I have used great apps/websites to help the kiddos learn how to code.

       

One year I had my class make a movie.  It was a great experience for the class and myself.  We entered the movie in a movie awards. We ran away with a first place trophy in a comedy.

                                 

This past year at the end of the year my class made a music video.  It was a fun time with the class.

                

I really focused on teaching writing last year.  My kiddos were so motivated to write their stories.  Here is one of my kiddos stories that she wrote and then made a video of it.

                                 

Here is another video newsletter.  I loved being able to give parents a better picture of inside our classroom.

                              

I think students having accountability is very important in their learning.  Here is a video one of my students made showing me what she worked on during center/Daily 5.

                               

  

I love teaching!! It is my passion.  I love being a leader and a mentor.  I have had numerous student teachers over the years as well as first year teachers that I mentored.

Leader/Mentor

I love setting up my classroom at the beginning of every year.  I love researching for new ideas on blogs and Pinterest.

My whole blog post today is dedicated to showing how and why I'M A CATCH for teaching.  I am a hardworking, creative, and an experienced teacher!  I work hard to do everything possible so my students can succeed.  I like making a difference in the child's life.

                                                     

Thanks so much for stopping by to see why I'm a catch!

Have a Wolfelicious day!

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I love using Seesaw! Do you want an extra free month of Seesaw Plus on me! Just scan my QR code and it shall be yours!  #Seesaw

Too Old, Too Expensive at 37

Too Old, Too Expensive at 37!

I have had a BIG summer!  

My family and I moved across country back to where my husband and I are from.  Or at least the same state that we are from, but a different part of the state than when we grew up.  My husband was away for most of last year working in Alabama and then being transferred to good ole state of Ohio.  

He had been wanting to be back in Ohio since we moved to Florida 12 years ago.  He wanted to be closer to his family.  I wouldn't leave my job in the middle of the year (I couldn't do that to my students) to move with him to Alabama so he went by himself and tried it out first.  We also didn't want to move our own family until we found a great school because my son was in an accelerated first grade class.  It was great that he did it by himself first because he realized that Alabama just wasn't where he wanted to be. 

Then an opportunity came open in Ohio and he jumped at the chance to be back in Ohio.  We had discussed and discussed what to do.  We decided in order for us to all be a family we needed to be together, not states away from each other.  So, when my school year ended at my amazing school that I had been at for 11 years, I packed up my classroom.  Well, technicially I packed and packed and packed up my classroom.  (Who knew how much a person could accumulate throughout a teaching career.)  I was excited for a new adventure but also scared for a new adventure. 

 Also, emotional leaving everything I had known the last 12 years of my life.  Sad about leaving my friends and my school family.  Sad about knowing where everything is and going to somewhere where I had to learn everything.  

BUT....

it was going to be worth it because we all could be together.  We thought I would have no problem finding a teaching position.  We found a house in an amazing district.  One of the top districts in the state.  I knew it would be a great education for my little smarty.  So summer came and we packed up and moved. 

The moving company we hired was HORRIBLE.  Do not EVER hire Interstate Relocation Systems.  They are complete liars and scam artists.  They estimated how much we had by half of what we had.  We ended up having to get another truck and they charged us double the amount they originally quoted.  They packed our things too.  Although it was more like they just threw everything into a box as quick as they could.  They switched the date our truck load was to arrive after asking us numerous times when we wanted it delivered.  So we had to hurry and drive up from Florida to Ohio very quickly than we originally were going to.  We made it to our new house and the next day the big truck arrived.  The crew on the truck was great however NOT ALL OF OUR STUFF WAS ON THE TRUCK!  Yep, that is right.  We didn't get everything.  We were missing pieces from every single room.  We were then told after we paid that all of our stuff wasn't on the truck and that it would be here tomorrow.  That was another lie.  When they didn't show up the next day we started calling the company to see where our stuff was.  They kept giving excuses.  Finally 3 weeks later we got the rest of our stuff.  After unpacking, we learned just how they packed our precious possessions by throwing them into the boxes.  Things got broken, bent, cracked, and were missing. 

 This company is the worst ever!  This made the trip moving horrible.  However, we finally got our things and would move on.  We were never happier after getting all of our items.  When you feel so powerless and then get your stuff, it is an amazing feeling.  Interstate Relocation Systems is HORRIBLE!!  Please do not use them!! Don't believe their lies.

I began unpacking and checking all the websites I could find about teaching positions.  I looked numerous times a day and if I thought I could teach it, I would apply.  I actually started looking back in March when we figured out we would be moving but now since I was back in Ohio, with an Ohio address, I thought I may have more luck.  

I began thinking that I must have filled out something wrong on the paperwork.  I wasn't getting one phone call for an interview.  I had heard a rumor that tons of people apply to these jobs.  I began thinking, what could I do to stand out because my resume wasn't standing out for some reason.  (Still not for sure why? 14 years experience, Masters in Reading, National Board Certified, great references).  What else could I do?

Finally at the beginning of August (remember I starting applying in March) I started getting phone calls for interviews.  I had a total of 5 interviews.  

1) Intervention Specialist: I walked into the interview and right out of it because I wasn't qualified to teach in that position.  The position I thought it was, it wasn't.  

2) 3rd grade: They wanted me to teach a lesson to a group of people.  Yes that was a first interview.  Then after researching and coming up with what I thought was a great lesson, they gave me homework.  An introduction letter that I would give if I got the job.

3) A kindergarten: 40 minutes away at a neighboring district.

4) 3rd grade: Right in the town I live in.

5) Kindergarten and/or 3rd grade: 15-20 minutes away.

It has been 12 years since I have had to interview.  I was SO extremely nervous for each one knowing my career depended on it.  I walked away from each one knowing I gave it my all and thought they all went really well.  I was able to answer all the questions they had for me and felt good about my answers.  Some of the interviews were 50 minutes long!  I really thought, why would someone talk to me that long if they weren't interested AND because all the schools are getting ready to begin the year and they don't have time to by just talking.

Then the disappointment, frustration, feeling defeating, and feeling worthless came!

1) No Offer but I knew that because I wasn't qualified for this position.

2) They called and said they went with someone else.  I was appreciative because they actually let me know with a phone call and I didn't have to wonder.

3) Still haven't heard from this school.  I am sure they filled the position but I wasn't notified.  I felt this interview went SO well.  I know tons about kindergarten and technology.

4) I received a letter saying they thought I did a great job on my interview and they loved that I had experience and my knowledge, however they went with someone that was more qualified for their school.

(Huh,  someone has more qualifications than me?  That is awesome, however I know that to be false.  The person they hired had been an intern with no other experience.  So they liked my experience but then why didn't they hire me???  A new person over someone with experience?  Do you see why I didn't get it?!

5) I received a phone call after going to a second interview with the assistant superintendent that I didn't get the kindergarten position.  That is what the principal decided to have me and another person go to the super to decide.  I guess that is how it works here.  You meet with the principal and then they send their top two choices to the superintendent.  I had thought my interview with the principal went so well.  Again I felt better with interviewing and felt like I really knew the answers to the questions and really gave him a glimpse of how I taught.  I felt the same way when I interviewed with the assistant superintendent.  I thought it went well and I brought a lot to the position.  With my knowledge of the grade level, my experience within that grade, and my knowledge of incorporating technology, I thought I rocked that interview.

Then I got the call.  I didn't get it.  Again?!!  I know I am a good teacher (although after getting turned down and not getting interviews you start questioning yourself) and I can't find a job.  No one wants me.  I don't understand.  I asked him why I didn't get it and he said again they felt like the other person was a better fit.  Talking more to the principal I found out the person who got the position had subbed there.  The principal then offered me a long term subbing job.  I thought it was interesting that I couldn't get my own classroom but I was okay to be a sub in a classroom.  After considering it knowing it would help get me in the door we realized that after paying for daycare I would still owe daycare $80 more than what I was making.  It wasn't financially feasible. 

I have been a teacher for 14 years of my life.  My dream job!  I've had my own classroom since I graduated school.  I have always had a teacher's salary and then to go down to a sub pay is hurtful!

So...

why is it that I can't seem to find a job?

School is starting Monday here and I still have nothing.  Some other schools around have already begun.  I have been so upset by this.  I see everyone working on their own classrooms and this is my first year not having my own.  I am beyond frustrated.  I went to college and got my degree to be a teacher!  I have been a teacher for 14 years!!  I have a Master's in Reading and I am National Board Certified and I am typing this blog post as the teachers all around me are on a work day.  I don't understand?  Did I do something wrong?  Why can't I find a job?

I had heard a rumor that Ohio doesn't hire teachers over 5 years experience.  Oh look!!  That is me!!  So far that rumor is completely true!

All the teacher's that got the jobs over me were first year teachers.  They get paid a lot lower than what I should be getting paid.

new vs. experience

I understand we were all new at one time.  But I also understand what having experience in this profession does.  Why is experience a bad thing?

Our education system rather pay a lower salary than pay someone with experience.  This is just wrong!!  I'm 37 years old and I'm too old to get a teaching job in Ohio?  I have 14 years experience and that is too much experience?  This is so sad!  It makes me want to move back to Florida who is begging for teachers but I can't.  My family is here.  

I guess all that is left for me to do is keep trying.  I do plan to keep trying to get a job but in the mean time I need to figure out what else I can do so we can afford to live since money is so much more important than our children's education.  Shouldn't our children come first? 

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Have a Wolfelicious day!

Check out my TPT Store

     

                       
     

I love using Seesaw! Do you want an extra free month of Seesaw Plus on me! Just scan my QR code and it shall be yours!  ‪#‎Seesaw‬