FRIDAY FREEBIE!!!

This is the end to my third week of school, first week that has been a 5 day week.  Whew!  I am beat!  I am looking forward to the days in October/November when routines are in place and they know them well.  I think that freebies are fun, so this year, every Friday, I am going to post a freebie.  They will only be free that day, except for this one, which will always be free.  :)  YEAH!!  If this is something that you like, I'd love to hear the feedback!  I hope your routines are getting into the grove and you are ready to make it a fantastic year!!!


I love Kevin Henkes and his books, so I spend all September opening the year with him, Lilly, Chester, and all the great characters.  There are great lessons to be learned in these stories and the kids LOVE them too!

I hope you enjoy this opportunity to get your kiddos reading his books!  Click HERE for your Freebie!!

WISDOM WEDNESDAY - Student Behavior

Every so often, you get that one student.  That student who makes you go home at night and ask yourself, "What am I going to do with them?"  Here are some things that I have done, or tried to do with those students:

1)  Keep an even voice - never let the student see you're upset.  You want to model for them the behavior you expect from them.  If you flip out when you're upset, what is that saying to them?

2)  Give choices - it isn't always going to be black and white.  Give the student options.  This helps them feel a little freedom.

3) Cut daunting tasks down - take a moment to write, cut...etc. a little for them.  "I'll do this, if you do this..."  Or say, "I'm asking everyone to do this, how about you do this much?"

4)  When you give a direction expect it to be followed.  If they see you waver and not make them do it, they will always seek the out.  You are the boss in the room and unless you've altered the direction for them (or even when you've altered it),  expect completion.

5)  Give wait time.  I always say, I'm going to count down from 10, then you need to make your choice or do....  I count with my hands not my mouth.  The less verbal the better.

It isn't easy.  Some days teaching is CHALLENGING!  Seek advice, help, support.  Good luck with your year!

God Bless,

Rachel Johnson
Thrilled in Third

TUESDAY TRIUMPH - ORGANIZATION in the Classroom

I ended today feeling very overwhelmed with what we do.  There isn't enough time, There isn't enough support...it is all so exhausting sometimes.  Then I sat down to check off my end of the day list....almost never ending.  On it I see that I am to write a Tuesday Triumph blog...this is my new thing.  A blog every day that is specific.  What do I have to be triumphant over today???

I look around my room...I think about my students and so many things come to mind.  That must be triumphant in itself, right?  Here is what I am going to celebrate today:  Organization.  Each year my organization get better.  This is what will get me through what I fear is going to be a challenging year!

I hope it inspires you in some way!

God Bless,

Rachel Johnson
Thrilled in Third

Monday Madness - Top Ten Questions/Thoughts for Intervention

Our first week is under our belt!  Whew!  I feel like I can take a sigh of relief!  I am excited for this new year and the challenges I will be facing!  I have some low kiddos and I am eager to get them to grade level!  I have been thinking about how I am going to set up my guided reading and math to best support the learners in my classroom.  Here are the top 10 things that I think are important when doing intervention:

1.  What is the problem you are facing??

        a. fluency?
        b. comprehension?
        c. phonics?
        d.  phonemic awareness?
        e. vocabulary?
        f.  math facts?
        g. number sense?
        h. specific math concepts?

2. How will you assess the problem?

        a. pre-/post-test?
        b. a specific assessment?

3.  What intervention are you going to give?
         a. Is it specific?
         b.  Is it measurable?

4.  Who will implement the intervention?

Will it be you, another teacher, a para, a parent??  If it is someone other than you, make sure they are well trained on all the procedures.

5.  When will the intervention take place?

A good intervention happens every day for about 10-15 min. (or more depending on time and need).  Be creative...Before school, after school, lunch, recess...when can you grab them for those quick minutes?

6.  How will you track the intervention?

Will you have a graph?  Will you have weekly check ins?  How will you know whether or not the student is making gains or not?

7.  At the end of SIX weeks re-evaluate - Are there any improvements?

Keep at it for SIX weeks!  Consistency is the key.  They may take a few weeks to warm up and understand what it is you want them to do. Be consistent with the intervention and the time you give to the intervention.

8.  Do you need to continue the same intervention or try another?

If you are seeing no growth or improvement....move on.  Find a different intervention that targets the deficit in another way.

9.  Where do you find your resources?  Below are some great sites to visit for GREAT intervention ideas:

- The Savvy Teachers Guide - http://www.jimwrightonline.com/pdfdocs/brouge/rdngManual.PDF
- RTI Toolkit - http://www.fehb.org/CSE/CCSEConference2012/wright_CCSE_Pre_Conference_Tchr_First_Responder_14_Mar_2012.pdf
- Math Interventions - http://www.centeroninstruction.org/mathematics-instruction-for-students-with-learning-disabilities-or-difficulty-learning-mathematics-a-guide-for-teachers
- Intervention Central - http://www.interventioncentral.org/

10.  When do you contact Special Education ?

After you have done 3- six week interventions, then it is time to contact special education teachers and have them take a look at your data, give feedback, suggestions, or bring your data to the child study team in your school.




I hope that gave you some new things to think about and consider as you look at the kiddos coming in and what you will need to do to help them find new levels of success!

Make it a Great Day!!

Rachel Johnson

Thrilled in Third