Five for Friday

Happy Friday Everyone! I'm linking up with Doodle Bugs Teaching for a Five for Friday post.

My highlight from the week was a fun new social-emotional piece I started in my classroom within the past week or two. A teacher shared this idea at a conference and as soon as I track down her name, I will give her credit. We created a place in our classroom where we can post compliments, appreciation, I'm sorry messages, and more to peers. It is our #You Matter board. We read a few aloud each day, and the students get to take their kind note home. It has fostered great discussion and improved our bonds.

We have parent teacher conferences coming up in just two weeks. The students are creating ePortfolios! We just started today, and it went so smoothly. It was powerful for the students and for me to see so many of the great work they have on their iPad all in one spot. Interested in learning how to do this with your students? Stay tuned to Tech Tuesdays (a weekly linky party on the blog for a post coming with details soon!)

Looking for a good read aloud? This is the third year I have read How to Steal a Dog with my students. Every year they have loved it! It is so suspenseful and initiates a lot of opinions. There are a few lines/words I don't read, but it is truly a book they have gone home to tell their families about and beg me to keep reading each day. We only have 1 chapter left, sad!

I'm borrowing this book from a friend for a little inspiration. It's all about pushing yourself that one extra degree and what you can do with just a little bit more! I found this quote and thought it might inspire you as you approach assessments, conferences, and all the other stress points that seem to overwhelm us this time of year!

"Some men give up their designs when they have almost reached the goal; while others, on the contrary, obtain a victory by exerting, at the last moment, more vigorous efforts than before."
(Polybius)

I love ending my Friday with a verse... and I cannot hear this one enough. I am a worrier more than I should be and God continually reminds me that I do not need to be anxious but should be prayerful and thankful in all things. Goal = Be more prayerful each day!