Keeping It Simple in SE Asia

Hi there! I'm quickly settling in to my new role as teacher in SE Asia. I am teaching English, Math, and Science to grades K-6! I love having a range of students because each grade is unique and I am learning to differentiate for the needs of each class.

The first day was a bit overwhelming because there was a huuuuuuuge language barrier. I quickly realized that I would need to be teacher + actress times 1,000.

:)

One major theme from my time in a foreign school, so far, has been the idea of simplicity. 

Keep it simple.

Funding and resources are short, so materials are hard to come by. Most of what I have is an expo marker and blank paper--and I am making it work! I posted on {Instagram} recently about the lack of curriculum/plan for me, so I have a ton of freedom in the activities I choose. I teach only in English, so vocabulary is the focus. By planning lessons that are engaging and active, my students are learning. HOORAY!!

This week, I taught about the parts of the body (Kinder), the Solar System (Grades 4-6), and the days of the week (Grades 1-3).

My science kiddos learned the order of the planets and we focused on the words "rotate" and "revolve." We began with a KWL chart, did a little solar system shuffle (LOVED IT), and ended with some acting as we rotated and revolved. To demonstrate their understanding of the vocab words "rotate" and "revolve," my kids made these foldables:

Let me just say, I love foldables! Foldables know no language barrier. 

In math class, I wrote the days of the week on pieces of paper and we did a days of the week shuffle (just like the solar system shuffle, as mentioned above). I passed out days/planets to students in the class and motioned for them to come to the front of the room. They arranged themselves in order and I asked the rest of the class, "days of the week in order? Yes or no?!" They would should "yes!" Then, the students in the audience closed their eyes and I had the card holders shuffle around. When the audience opened their eyes, I asked again, "days of the week in order? Yes or no?!" "Nooooo!!!" We would them put them back in order. The students stayed engaged and loved getting to shuffle around!

In kinder, we did a TON of singing and dancing to this song:

There is a {learn it} version, as well, that is great for beginners.

We also played pictionary! I simply drew a picture on the board and then my students would say the part of the body and point to their forehead, teeth, shoulders, etc. Definitely a game I will be playing again! It was great English practice for them and I think they got a kick out of my stick figure people.

:)

Goodbye 2013. Hello 2014!

2013, you have been gooood to me. 

The Lord's goodness and faithfulness has been quite evident in this year!

Below is a little collection of the most memorable teacher/grad school student moments from the year.

I traveled to Denver for the NCTM Annual conference and to San Antonio for the CAMT conference! 

My professor and I presented on early number in mathematics and had the opportunity to share tried-and-true strategies plus some new activities that promote number sense in the elementary classroom.

 My little suitcase below is FULL of materials and manipulatives. 

You can be sure I carried that baby on the airplane so it didn't get lost! Priorities, people.

Some classmates and I flew to Italy to do some work in the elementary schools. 

Definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience! 

The picture on the left was taken on the little street market that was outside of our hotel each day, and the other is the Leaning Tower of Pisa (which we conquered!).

Over the course of the year, I spent much of my time at the office and frequently jammed the copier or  threw confetti parties for the floor. Oops!

After all of that, by God's sweet grace, I graduated from grad school!

That about wraps up my last blog post for 2013, I am so looking forward to 2014!

I am hopeful that the best is yet to come!

Happy (almost) New Year, teacher friends!!

Graduation, Asia, Job?!

My, oh my. It has been awful quiet around here for the past few months! My intention was not to disappear completely (oops!), but I did take a step back as I was finishing up graduate school. I wanted to not only finish, but finish well. The entire season was by God's grace and for His glory!

Graduating was very, very bittersweet. I earned both my undergrad and Master's at Baylor, and I am so thankful for my time here and the people who have invested in me, challenged me, and loved me well! We celebrated at a local BBQ joint and I am just so grateful. (P.S. Fiesta Bowl, anyone?! #sicem)

Since then, I've been enjoying some much needed time with my family! My sister returned from a semester abroad and my mom celebrated a birthday! I so enjoyed celebrating her. We saw the Trans-Siberian Orchestra...who turned out to not really be very orchestra-like. However, I did learn how to whip my hair back and forth like an 80's rock star, and I've been enjoying some holiday treats!

Now that I'm done with full time grad school, life as I've known it is changing. I have this funny little spring semester and God was really sweet and provided me an opportunity to teach abroad. So, I'm moving to Southeast Asia* for a couple of months and I'll be teaching English and doing some curriculum work for a group of elementary schools! After Thailand, I will be back in Texas to job search for the 2014-2015 school year. YES!! I am pumped. Beyond excited, actually.

:)

As for Little Miss Primary and the blogosphere, I'm back and oh so excited! A big thank you to those of you who have hung in there and supported me. I am grateful for you! 

This post is more for my own purpose, simply because I want to be sure and document some of the big changes that are happening in my world. Just typing these words makes me so so excited for 2014. It's going to be a big year, teacher friends! 

*Does anyone have helpful teacher hints for teaching English in a foreign country? Maybe something learned from experience? I'd love to hear! Please, please!! Leave a comment below or share your thoughts on {Instagram}. 

Thanks, again, for sticking with me. Please leave any helpful tips below!

Happy Sunday and enjoy your break!

Winner, winner!

Congratulations, Cherie!!

A signed copy of Measuring Penny will be personalized for you and your class from Loreen Leedy!

font

Check your inbox--an email is waiting! 

:)

Thank you so much to all those who entered the giveaway! 

Have a blessed Wednesday!!

Birthday Bash with a Giveaway!

As I mentioned a few days ago, October is my bloggy birthday month...

and in my family, birthdays are CELEBRATED!

A bloggy birthday is no different, I say. 

I have a really special treat for you (that I wish I could win myself!). 

Details below.

font//font//font//clipart

In {this} post, I shared some children's literature that I just love to use in my mathematics classes. I think that literature is a really powerful way to engage kiddos and share new ideas! 

One of the books that I shared, Measuring Penny, is written by Loreen Leedy. Loreen is the author of so many really great books covering a whole host of topics--addition, subtraction, measurement, energy, symmetry, money, nutrition, the solar system, etc. 

I have these in my collection and use them often:

  

  

You can find out more about Loreen Leedy by checking out her {website} or her {blog}!

I love Loreen's books because they are written in such a way that students are invited in to the mathematics (and/or science, language arts...) that is happening, rather than just being a listener!

So, when thinking about how to celebrate a you all and a year of bloggerness, I wanted to give away a copy of Measuring Penny to a teacher friend...

but it gets better. 

I thought to myself, "how cool would it be if Loreen Leedy could sign the book?"

I got brave and contacted Loreen, and guess what?!

She is just the sweetest and has offered to sign your copy of the book and personalize it for your class!!!

The winner will get a free copy of Measuring Penny, 

signed "To Mrs./Ms./Mr. _____'s class..." by Loreen Leedy!

EEEEEEEPS! I'm so excited!!!

Can I please win?!

Read more about the book on {Amazon} or {Scholastic}. 

All you have to do is enter below by providing your name, an email address, and the title of your favorite children's book. 

That's all! Easy peasy.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Entry will be open until Sunday at midnight.

The winner will be announced early next week!

THANK YOU all for helping me celebrate my first bloggy birthday! 

Math Monday!

Have a few spare minutes? Try this for Math Monday!

Math Monday is a brand new link up hosted by Deirdre from A Burst of First!

It's for all things math related and I love it--makes my little math heart happy!!!

Find other ideas using the #mathmonday on {Instagram}.

I like to call this one: The Digit Card Flip. 

Nooo, I'm just kidding. I don't think it really has a name!

:)

Anyways, I want to share with you a simple yet powerful activity for promoting number sense in the elementary classroom! It's one of those activities that you keep in your back pocket, just in case.

You know what I mean?

In the past, my kids kept a big of digit cards (and alphabet cards) in their cubbies, so pulling their cards  out for a few minutes was really easy. We were able to take advantage of those few minutes between specials/subjects/lunch/etc. 

First, distribute a bag of digit cards to all of your kiddos. Free printable {here}.

Order the numbers from least to greatest with the numbers facing up--like on a number line.

Then, call out a random digit, one by one, and the students will flip over that card.

In the example above, the first set of flips may have been 2, 5, 7, 4.

In the second set, the numbers 9, 1, 6, 8, 0 were called.

It seems much too easy at first, 

but what about when all of the cards are turned upside down?!

Your kiddos will have to realllllly think through position and ordering.

Honestly, I was challenged!

The only materials required are digit cards (1-9, 1-10, 1-20, etc.) and your voice.

OR

If you really want to shake it up, use a random number CD!

I love this CD from Ron Brown of Intellitunes (Kelley at Teacher Idea Factory's dad!) and Kim Sutton.

Using the random number CD is great for two main reasons:

1. When someone else is calling out the numbers, you (the classroom teacher) are free to walk around and informally assess your student's ability and understanding. 

Assessment drives instruction, so this is a huge plus.

2. They hear your voice all day, so it's fun for kiddos to hear someone else! Right?!

I love love love Kim Sutton. I had the opportunity to hear her present on open number lines at CAMT this summer, and she is HILARIOUS! The idea for this activity came from her book:

Click the picture to check it out on her website.

So, what do you think? Will you be able to use this?

Do you have any clever name ideas? 

(I can't remember if Kim calls it something specific!)

I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Also, be sure to check back later in the week because this month is (was) my bloggy birthday!!!

I have something special up my sleeve...

:)

Unifix Cubes and the NAVY.

Hi sweet gals (and gentlemen? are you there?!).

Today I am posting over at TBR to share a few of my favorite ways to use unifix cubes!

Here is a little sneak peek:

Check the full post out {here}.

On an unrelated note, my heart is pretty heavy today with the Naval Yard happenings. 

The event is such a terrible reminder that our world is full of hurt and brokenness.

font//font//clipart

I am so grateful for the men and women serving our country and 

thankful that my hope is in a God who is bigger.