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Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Last Post Ever on 5B Blogger

Today marks the last time I'll be posting on my 5B Blogger that I started in a summer class in 2009.



I'm feeling sentimental about closing this chapter of my teaching career. As a part of my normal teaching requirements, to stay current with my license, I took a class.  I'd taken many classes over the years to stay "current" and "legal".  Most of the classes involved technology integration, but this particular summer class transformed my teaching and connection that I had with every student from August 2009 to my last class homeroom class in spring of 2016.  I look back at my first post, where I was trying to understand how to use the blog platform and feeling excited about it's possibilities.  I always got excited and motivated to use a new form of technology in a way that would surely enhance student engagement and communication.  Now, though, as I was browsing through my 978 posts, I am flooded with emotions and memories of not just "holy, moly, that's a lot of blogging I did" but the absolutely spectacular moments our 5B Family (that's how I always referred to my class each year) had together.  It was crystal clear what kind of day we had by looking at the titles of each of the different posts over 7 years time.  Here are just SOME of the 978 titles I posted.  Please bear with me, I couldn't choose, so the list is long.  And since, this blog is really for me and my reflection, you'll just have to deal with my stroll down memory lane (that is, if you're still even reading :o ).  Yes, I know they are tiny, but just click on them, and each image with appear larger!










I know! The list was way long, and it took up a lot of space, and it probably means very little to the outside eye.  But I look back at those titles and then the actual posts I wrote,  and it instantly takes me back to "that class" or "that day" or "that time" in a way that a photograph or a vague memory that is locked away in my brain never would be able to get released.  

Blogging and the use of my blog as a platform to organize content, communicate and structure just about every part of my school life made the past 7 years so rich and full of experiences that I can't imagine how we would have functioned without it.  Now, I realize there are a bazillion ways to stay connected students, parents and the rest of the world at this point, with every type of social media available to kids as young as 5 (maybe younger!).  And I definitely incorporated anything new, upbeat and foreseeably purposeful in my classroom over the years, but having that ONE concrete connection that always brought my 5B Family together is such a special gift that I'll always keep close to my core values about teaching (and just people).  It's about connections.  It's about being connected learners and wanting to allow kids any opportunity to feel that have something special.  The content and information comes later and naturally, but it's the feeling of "home" that I'll miss most as I leave my own classroom for now.  Hopefully, I'll get to live through it vicariously in all of the classrooms I visit through my new position as an Instructional Coach.  

I'll be looking for a new or different template and format to share my learnings, share my reflections, and share the celebrations I see in all of the classrooms from Kindergarten through 12th grade as I start my new adventure!  

But before I move forward, I thought a proper farewell to the blogspot, to the 5B Blogger and most importantly to the students and families of my 5B classes over the past years was necessary.  You've made the blog a true "home" by checking it daily, nightly, searching and watching videos, following links and sometimes just showing "proof" that you checked it!  Thank you from the bottom of my heart and soul.  I wish you all the best.  Thanks for following and the dedication you put towards making 5B Blogger a place we could connect.  


So... I'm closing up... and moving on!  





Last Post Ever on 5B Blogger

Today marks the last time I'll be posting on my 5B Blogger that I started in a summer class in 2009.



I'm feeling sentimental about closing this chapter of my teaching career. As a part of my normal teaching requirements, to stay current with my license, I took a class.  I'd taken many classes over the years to stay "current" and "legal".  Most of the classes involved technology integration, but this particular summer class transformed my teaching and connection that I had with every student from August 2009 to my last class homeroom class in spring of 2016.  I look back at my first post, where I was trying to understand how to use the blog platform and feeling excited about it's possibilities.  I always got excited and motivated to use a new form of technology in a way that would surely enhance student engagement and communication.  Now, though, as I was browsing through my 978 posts, I am flooded with emotions and memories of not just "holy, moly, that's a lot of blogging I did" but the absolutely spectacular moments our 5B Family (that's how I always referred to my class each year) had together.  It was crystal clear what kind of day we had by looking at the titles of each of the different posts over 7 years time.  Here are just SOME of the 978 titles I posted.  Please bear with me, I couldn't choose, so the list is long.  And since, this blog is really for me and my reflection, you'll just have to deal with my stroll down memory lane (that is, if you're still even reading :o ).  Yes, I know they are tiny, but just click on them, and each image with appear larger!










I know! The list was way long, and it took up a lot of space, and it probably means very little to the outside eye.  But I look back at those titles and then the actual posts I wrote,  and it instantly takes me back to "that class" or "that day" or "that time" in a way that a photograph or a vague memory that is locked away in my brain never would be able to get released.  

Blogging and the use of my blog as a platform to organize content, communicate and structure just about every part of my school life made the past 7 years so rich and full of experiences that I can't imagine how we would have functioned without it.  Now, I realize there are a bazillion ways to stay connected students, parents and the rest of the world at this point, with every type of social media available to kids as young as 5 (maybe younger!).  And I definitely incorporated anything new, upbeat and foreseeably purposeful in my classroom over the years, but having that ONE concrete connection that always brought my 5B Family together is such a special gift that I'll always keep close to my core values about teaching (and just people).  It's about connections.  It's about being connected learners and wanting to allow kids any opportunity to feel that have something special.  The content and information comes later and naturally, but it's the feeling of "home" that I'll miss most as I leave my own classroom for now.  Hopefully, I'll get to live through it vicariously in all of the classrooms I visit through my new position as an Instructional Coach.  

I'll be looking for a new or different template and format to share my learnings, share my reflections, and share the celebrations I see in all of the classrooms from Kindergarten through 12th grade as I start my new adventure!  

But before I move forward, I thought a proper farewell to the blogspot, to the 5B Blogger and most importantly to the students and families of my 5B classes over the past years was necessary.  You've made the blog a true "home" by checking it daily, nightly, searching and watching videos, following links and sometimes just showing "proof" that you checked it!  Thank you from the bottom of my heart and soul.  I wish you all the best.  Thanks for following and the dedication you put towards making 5B Blogger a place we could connect.  


So... I'm closing up... and moving on!  





Last Post Ever on 5B Blogger

Today marks the last time I'll be posting on my 5B Blogger that I started in a summer class in 2009.



I'm feeling sentimental about closing this chapter of my teaching career. As a part of my normal teaching requirements, to stay current with my license, I took a class.  I'd taken many classes over the years to stay "current" and "legal".  Most of the classes involved technology integration, but this particular summer class transformed my teaching and connection that I had with every student from August 2009 to my last class homeroom class in spring of 2016.  I look back at my first post, where I was trying to understand how to use the blog platform and feeling excited about it's possibilities.  I always got excited and motivated to use a new form of technology in a way that would surely enhance student engagement and communication.  Now, though, as I was browsing through my 978 posts, I am flooded with emotions and memories of not just "holy, moly, that's a lot of blogging I did" but the absolutely spectacular moments our 5B Family (that's how I always referred to my class each year) had together.  It was crystal clear what kind of day we had by looking at the titles of each of the different posts over 7 years time.  Here are just SOME of the 978 titles I posted.  Please bear with me, I couldn't choose, so the list is long.  And since, this blog is really for me and my reflection, you'll just have to deal with my stroll down memory lane (that is, if you're still even reading :o ).










I know! The list was way long, and it took up a lot of space, and it probably means very little to the outside eye.  But I look back at those titles and then the actual posts I wrote,  and it instantly takes me back to "that class" or "that day" or "that time" in a way that a photograph or a vague memory that is locked away in my brain never would be able to get released.  

Blogging and the use of my blog as a platform to organize content, communicate and structure just about every part of my school life made the past 7 years so rich and full of experiences that I can't imagine how we would have functioned without it.  Now, I realize there are a bazillion ways to stay connected students, parents and the rest of the world at this point, with every type of social media available to kids as young as 5 (maybe younger!).  And I definitely incorporated anything new, upbeat and foreseeably purposeful in my classroom over the years, but having that ONE concrete connection that always brought my 5B Family together is such a special gift that I'll always keep close to my core values about teaching (and just people).  It's about connections.  It's about being connected learners and wanting to allow kids any opportunity to feel that have something special.  The content and information comes later and naturally, but it's the feeling of "home" that I'll miss most as I leave my own classroom for now.  Hopefully, I'll get to live through it vicariously in all of the classrooms I visit through my new position as an Instructional Coach.  

I'll be looking for a new or different template and format to share my learnings, share my reflections, and share the celebrations I see in all of the classrooms from Kindergarten through 12th grade as I start my new adventure!  

But before I move forward, I thought a proper farewell to the blogspot, to the 5B Blogger and most importantly to the students and families of my 5B classes over the past years was necessary.  You've made the blog a true "home" by checking it daily, nightly, searching and watching videos, following links and sometimes just showing "proof" that you checked it!  Thank you from the bottom of my heart and soul.  I wish you all the best.  Thanks for following and the dedication you put towards making 5B Blogger a place we could connect.  


So... I'm closing up... and moving on!  





Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Last Blog Post..... EVER for 5B's Family..... Sniff, Sniff, Tear Drop...

Ok, here it is...  I can't believe it's the end of our time together, 5B.  When the year started, I thought there was no way we'd be able to turn 29 students into a structured, focused, routine-following, line walking, respectful group of kids that we call our family.... You continue to prove yourselves through and through...

Today was a lot of fun with the morning videos, reading from Mick Harte Was Here and then the time at the park.  The pizza party was a HUGE SUCCESS!  The money that families donated was only $2 off of what the total cost was for all 12 pizzas!  That is PERFECT! Thank THESE families for donating....
Ashton's family!
Elice's family!
Aidan L.'s family!
Landen's family!
Daelyn's family!
Vince's family!
Britain's family!
Spencer's family!
Kelsey's family!
Haley's family!
Bree's family!
Ben's family!
Sawyer's family (we got 3 free PIZZAS thanks to their coupons!)

It just goes to just that we all really do step up and want to do something special for each other!  Be sure you tell your parents that not ONE piece of pizza was left out of 144 slices today!  WOWZA! That's a WHOLE LOT of PIZZA!  Congrats at making your Fun Pass Goal! 

I need 2 sets of blog proof tonight....
2)  Think about some of the items from our classroom that you may be interested in taking home with you...
Examples:
Ebony...
Lincoln...
Video Chair....
Books....
If there are things you think you want, talk to your families and see if it's a possibility!  

As my last blog, I want to be sure you know what I'm truly feeling at the end of an amazing year, with truly special, wonderful kids like you....


As I write this, I have tears dripping from my eyes down my cheeks.  It has been such a fun, memorable year.  You all make every day so special.  I don't know how I'll be able to say goodbye.  Maybe bring some extra tissues....  

With all of my love, support and best wishes to every single one of my 5B Babies....
Landen
Elice
Kelsey
Ayden E.
Kaydence
Britain
Kairi
Daelyn
Kalob
Tara
Joey
Brian
Kyle
Aidan L.
Vince
Ben
Kelly
Alex
Spencer
Ashton
Quinzey
Sawyer
Elyse
Bree
Kody
Daniel
Haley
Camden
Chase 
and Mrs. K....

Love You and Miss You...
But Never Forget You,


Your 5B Mama


Monday, May 23, 2016

AHHHHH... Last Monday Blog...EVER...

It was AWESOME having your families come today!  The weather was perfect, the snacks were yummy and the activity to read for fun was EXACTLY what we needed for Camp Read S'More!  Also, great job to BEN for getting Mr. Anderlik nice and messy! Be sure to thank your moms and dads and grandparents and brothers and sisters, etc.!

Sorry to you baseball players tonight with the rain! Hopefully you got a game or 2 in before rain started in!  :(

Ok, this is TOO SCARY!!!  I don't think I'm ready for these days and goodbyes to come.  I held myself together VERY well in writing class today.  I purposely kept the class time upbeat and simple so I didn't get too emotional!  Like I said, once the tears start, they really don't stop very easily!
So, I'll keep tomorrow upbeat and busy, but I can't make any promises for Wednesday!  It's gonna be a mess!  Bring extra tissues and be ready for REAL hugs!  None of these wimpy-side hugs that some of you give!  Mama Sorenson will need a proper send off of her LAST 5B CLASS!  

TOMORROW!
Own Lunch and Drink - (whether it rains or not, we'll still do our own lunches - except Alex - school lunch!)
Equipment - frisbee golf discs, footballs, whiffle balls/bats, kickballs, volleyballs, soccer, etc. - (No baseballs, softballs or real bats)

IF IT RAINS...
We will have an indoor movie theater going on if it rains, so if you have some fun movies to share (like I think Elice had one we all wanted to watch last time... can't remember what is was though???) Let's cross our fingers though for good weather from 11:00 - 1:30!

Update on FUN PASSES.....  Well...   scroll down.....



















Keep scrolling....


























You're getting closer....



























Well, ok, NOW you're closer....


























Do you want to see our new Fun Pass Number?






























Was that a yes???





















Here's the number after I put 1/2 of Fun Passes from the container in the Golden Bucket!
































Congrats!  You did it, 5B!!!!  Yippee!  So proud of you!  Pizza time, it is!!

So, here's the blog proof!

Your families were OVERLY GENEROUS for donations!  So, please go on the TodaysMeet Link below.  
#1) include your name, 
#2)  how many pieces you think you'd eat (up to 4 is fine) and 
#3)  what kind you'd eat the most of 


Sunday, May 22, 2016

Last Sunday Night Blog.... EVER....

OK, 5B,
We are now to the point where I absolutely can't believe how quickly our time together has flown by us.  Do you remember this?
This is our first day selfie!  We are minus one student here - Elice didn't join us for another day or so, I think, but I can remember this day so easily.  There are so many memories made in a year together that it is difficult to prepare for the goodbye.  I know summer is VERY exciting to look forward to....
but I don't want to fly by the next 2 1/2 days without letting all of my 5B Family know how special of a year this has been.  I'm feeling pretty weird about not having a "family" of my own next year.  You guys are my FINAL 5B Family.... Sniffle, Sniffle, Tear, Tear, Sniffle, Sniffle... I need a kleenex!

OK, that's enough mushy stuff for this blog.  Don't worry, there'll be more...  :(

As for MONDAY...
Memory Books should come to school
Last day of switching classes
Cleaning out cubbies/lockers (bring plastic bags if needed)
Camp Read S'More 2:30 - 3:00 PARENTS ARE INVITED (bring note on Monday )
READ just a FEW MORE to see if 5th GRADE CAN WIN!
Last P.E.
More reading from Mick Harte Was Here


Last Sunday Night/Monday morning Blog Proof....  Come in and get ALL materials ready for classes.  THEN, come see me and tell me....

"YEP, my Hall of Fame paper is IN"
or
"NOPE, I'm going to go work on it now!"

Have a great last weekend during the school year!

Thursday, May 19, 2016

Pizza Party is IN SIGHT....



5B,
We are SO CLOSE to our goal of 80 Fun Pass Tickets!  I counted today after school, and we are at 77!!!!!  There are 4 left in the bucket, so we need to keep raising that number in the bucket so AT LEAST 3 of them get moved to the Golden Bucket!

Also, MY GOODNESS, we have generous and thoughtful families who helped out to support this class-chosen goal!  With just today's count of donating, we have plenty to cover ALL of our pizza eating plans!  Please be sure to thank your families and remind them how generous and big-hearted they are.  Cadet Pride = Delicious Results!


Reminders:
Egg Drop Materials for CONTEST Tomorrow!
Memory Book Pages- colored and written out

Blog Proof!  To prepare for tomorrow's contest of dropping eggs, watch the video link below!  Your proof will be write down the 3 things used to "fix" the egg when it dropped!

Click Here!
Nighty Night!

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

WOWZA WEDNESDAY!!

5B,
This has been a truly AMAZING week so far!  This is EXACTLY how you want to be remembered! And, I'm thinking we maybe made our GOAL!  So, Chase, be sure to count those Fun Passes in the morning!


I'll keep it short tonight!

Here's a couple pictures of my niece, her boyfriend and me!  Her name is Leah.  His name is Rhett. And... I guess you know me:)  I'll know you checked the blog if you can tell me the names of all 3 of the people in the pictures!


Remember....
Writing Homework!
Social Studies Homework!
Egg Drop Materials!

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Another Great Day!

Work on Memory Books - Check!
Last Guidance Class - Check!
KBuddies - Check! (and a few more visits with them:)
Focused Reading - Check!
Vault Completion and Ice Cream - Check!

It looks like we are just checking off our To Do List and showing our Cadet Pride all the way until the very end!  Keep that focus, control and 5B reputation!  So impressed with our days back on track! Don't forget homework!  This is a way to show you're ready for 6th grade!

Tomorrow is busy and goofy.... Be sure YOU are not busy and goofy!

Blog Proof!  Please grab a post-it note when you come in and write down 3 things YOU will do Wednesday to PROVE CADET PRIDE and SELF-CONTROL is not a concern for 5B!

Be specific to YOU.  What do YOU need to do to be successful and help the class?!

Happy Tuesday night!  Tomorrow is your LAST FULL WEDNESDAY EVER as a 5B Baby (mama, mama...)

Monday, May 16, 2016

It Was A....

Great work today, 5B!  We are getting SO CLOSE to our Pizza Party Goal!  80 is our GOAL total!  I think we were at 68 from Chase's counting today!  We earned some in the bucket today, too!  So, let's see if we can get there BEFORE summer begins!

Be sure you are staying on top of things with your Memory Book assignments.  There is homework most nights, so be sure you are taking care of what needs to be done for the next day!  Tonight's homework was to complete:
Special Notes #1  (for close friends in your writing section)
Special Notes #2  (for people you don't usually hang with in your writing section)
*If possible, some of you were going to get the pocket done...  Each writing class got to different spots, so we'll check in tomorrow!

TOMORROW!
Thinking it's your last Guidance Class with Mrs. McCabe EVER!  You'll be having a differet counselor for your 6th - 8th grade classes.

Also TOMORROW!
KBuddies!  Mrs. Galvin asked for some help with our little buddies because they TOO are working on a memory book!  How cool is that?  We'll be seeing them after lunch, before recess from 12:40 - 1:00 each day this week!  Yeah!

And ALSO TOMORROW!!
Vault Celebration!  We're excited to honor all of the hard work and learning that occurred during the Vault Program!  Lots was learned!  Let's show it off to Shannon when she comes to represent Cresco Bank & Trust tomorrow!

Blog Proof!  When you come in Tuesday morning, ask me for the link to visit and complete a quick survey about our pizza party!  I won't give you the link unless you ask me for it:)