Hi all.It's a bleak Saturday morning in Trinidad and I am battling a nasty cold that I only contracted on the second week of school...yah me! On the brighter side of things,I am waiting for my sister to finish making some delicious pancakes.Can't wait to sink my teeth into them.For those of you who are wondering....no I am not one to lose my appetite when I am ill.lol!

So...How was week two??? Two words...tiring but fulfilling. I introduced foldables for note taking in the different subject areas with my girls and they loved it.I got a great idea from  http://ispeakmath.org/2012/09/18/foldables-place-value-exponents-and-scientific-notation/ on a foldable for teaching the concept of place value.

I decided to created my version of this mini place value chart and the students commented on how easier it was for them to recognize the value of each digits with it.I will definitely be continuing with this method of note taking along with other graphic representations and charts.I haven't been able to post any pictures of my class activities because my camera has been missing in action (long story) but as soon as I get it back I will gladly share what my class have been up to. Until the next time,take cake of yourselves. 

Classroom theme.

Last school year, was the first time I choose a classroom theme for decor and planning class activities.I based my theme the last time around British author Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Charlie and the Chocolate factory book.This year I went with an owl theme and pinterest was a never ending source of inspiration for me.I have been intrigued for years by this unique bird as a child. I still remember the first time I saw an all white barnyard owl. I was so excited to see it and would look out m window every night hoping to catch a glimpse of the beautiful white owl.It  has been ages since I have seen an owl around my parts.Maybe I'm just not looking hard enough. Anyways I'm glad I have the opportunity to portray this lovely animal for my classroom theme this school year.I am also thrilled that I will be given a new classroom to work my magic on.Here are some of my sources of inspiration.

Taken from: http://www.myclassroomideas.com/giant-owl-classroom-door-decoration-idea/

Taken from:Pinterest 

Taken from:http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/originals/a1/20/12/a120128c393f3a9ad218006da6b21419.jpg

st

http://pinterest.com/pin/195906652513872271/

Taken from: http://krazyaboutkinder.blogspot.com

 Taken from: http://krazyaboutkinder.blogspot.com

Taken from:http://www.schoolgirlstyle.com

Taken from:http://firstgradeowls.blogspot.com/2012/07/owl-standing-behavior-chart.html?m=1

http://aspottedpony.com/fun-for-kids/whooos-been-good-fun-kids-reward-system/4904/

I promise I will take pictures and share how my classroom looks when I'm finished.Until the next time take care.

My Tobago trip

Special goodnight to all.A few weeks ago I visited the lovely sister isle Tobago for a little fun and relaxation.I thought it would be fun to share some highlights from my trip.Let me first give a brief history of this lovely island,for those of you who are not familiar with it.Tobago is the smaller of the twin Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. It is located in the southern Caribbean, north-west of Trinidad and south-east of Grenada. Many tourist flock to this island annually to enjoy it's genuine beauty.I had a wonderful time doing an island tour with my friends. There are many gorgeous beaches and interesting historical sites to visit.If you would like to read more about the history of this beautiful place,you can check these links here.

http://www.caribbean-beat.com/issue-113/tobago%E2%80%99s-hidden-history and http://www.mytobago.info/history.php.

View from the Guest House I stayed at in the capital Scarborough.

                                                     The beautiful fishing village,Castara.

Historical Site:Fort James in Plymouth

  

Castara

                              Looking at the T&T Spirit docking in the harbour in Scarborough

Store Bay 

Driving through the Main Ridge Forest Reserve

Art Journals

As you know I am in planning mode for school even though I'm on vacation.(really can't help it).I saw the idea of art journal and I fell in love with it instantly.My girls are in love with art and craft.I am thinking about introducing this style of journaling to them for the new school year. There are so many online tutorials and blogs and I am particularly keen to the idea mixed art journals.Still in the process of figuring out how I am going to introduce this to them  and fit it in my scheme of work for this year. There are several YouTube channels which art journal work and tutorials have been quite inspiring.I have posted some links below which you can view for yourselves.

http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2CBDGHIVkdHQOwfIZ_Bmng

http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCjnlp_6bz8l5tdDot22UCA

http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLcCpPlstxRVN-Bi7cll8MA

http://www.youtube.com/user/ZanyBengals?feature=watch

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqBmFNaJZDI

This site also has some great tips on art journaling for children.

http://imaginationsoup.net/2012/03/easy-art-journaling-for-kids/

Teaching the same class for three years....Right or Wrong???

School's out and amidst all the vacationing,I still need to plan for the next two school years.My girls from my previous standard three class will be joining me  for another two years for Standard four and five.To some ( i.e.fellow colleagues both in and outside our school environment) the move was not a wise one since they believe that a students should have to opportunity to experience different teachers with different teaching styles.Others took the 'if it ain't broken,don't fix it" view.My view on the decision taken by my administrator is that continuity, in this case would benefit these girls greatly.Their parents are in full support of this move and I am willing to work with them despite the critics.Here's to a great two year experience God's willing.

First Post.

Testing,testing 1,2,3......Hello blogging world.This is my second attempt at blogging and I am determined to make this try a lot more successful than the last.My passion,education, would be the main theme of my blog, although now and then I may steer away and have a little fun from time to time.You will get a peek of how a day with my girls and myself in the classroom is like.I promise you that a journey with us won't be a bore since we are a fun-loving bunch.Hope you are encouraged to follow our daily journey of learning.Later!