Multiplication Tables
Posted on April 3, 2009
How are you at remembering your multiplication tables? Do you recall memorizing them when you were in school? Flash cards, minute tests, timers, etc. I can remember being in 2nd grade and being a nervous wreck because I heard the 3rd graders talking about the 9 times tables. I was so nervous that I would not able to memorize all of them that I began to practice over the summer between 2nd and 3rd grade! Right now, our 3rd grade at ISJ are masters of the times tables. I have a competition going with them - if everyone in the class can recite a table in less than 30 seconds, then I will owe them an ice cream from Bev’s Ice Cream Parlor- the 2’s, 5’s and 10’s are not part of the competition. I go into the classroom periodically during the week and challenge a few students at a time. Right now it looks like I am going to be buying lots of ice cream for the 3rd grade - they are awesome and will challenge anyone to the times table wheel! Anyone brave enough to come in and take them on?
» Filed Under Uncategorized | 1 Comment
Weekend Fun
Posted on March 30, 2009
This past weekend I had the wonderful opportunity to hang out with 2 of my nieces and 1 nephew (I have 8 nieces and 2 nephews total.) Rosie, Danny and Ellie live in Flemington, NJ and we had a sleepover, went to Barnes and Nobles and attended the NCAA Women’s tournament in Trenton. I love going to the book store with them because they keep me up to date on new literature for kids and give me recommendations about books that will be good for our school library. Mrs. Remmers does a super job of that also, but having my 3rd grade nephew tell me about a book and why kids in my school will like it is an easy sell for me. I am so easy when it comes to buying books for kids - I can never say no because I just love to see a child reading and being excited about what they are reading. I wonder if any of the students at ISJ have a recommendation for me and for our school library? - I would love to go back to Barnes and Nobles and buy a few more books!
» Filed Under Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
Half Way Through Lent
Posted on March 20, 2009
Can you believe there are only a little more than 3 weeks to go until Easter Sunday? Even though I said before that Lent is not one of my favorite seasons in the church calendar, I have to say that the first half has gone bye pretty quickly. How about for you?
The Terra Nova tests are over for this year and have been sent to the scoring department. We will receive the results sometime in May. I am anxious to see how our students performed because this will indicate what our strengths and weaknesses are as a school. When the faculty reviews the results, we use the data to form a school- wide improvement plan. We will identify 2 or 3 weak skills and then plan strategies to improve them on all grade levels.
In my opinion, standardized testing is one piece of the puzzle. I view this type of testing as a piece of your child’s academic portfolio, along with classwork, homework, tests, projects, and class participation. Thank you for all you do to support your children and for the sacrifices you make to send them to our school.
» Filed Under Uncategorized | 1 Comment
A Lucky Friday the 13th!
Posted on March 13, 2009
We just received word that we have been awarded a $1500.00 grant from the Foundation for Student Achievement through the Diocese of Trenton. The title of our grant is Let’s Go to the Movies. This project will allow us to integrate learning with making movies - maybe ISJ will be hosting its own Oscar Night sometime soon?!?! We were selected from among 35 grant applications. Let the movie making begin!
» Filed Under Uncategorized | 1 Comment
Technology
Posted on March 10, 2009
Two weekends ago I had the wonderful opportunity to attend a techonology conference in Virginia Beach, VA. It was not great weather to go to the beach, but the conference was so good that the beach was not even tempting! I would never say that I know alot about technology, but it is an interest of mine and I do like to see how it can improve teaching and learning in the classroom. Right now at Incarnation-St. James School we are focused on providing the best technology possible. Our goal is to totally integrate technology into all of our curriculum areas. Presently, we are using Photostory to make movies of the Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit in 7th grade Religion class, importing music into PowerPoint presentations in 8th grade music class, using the Smart Board in 3rd grade Religion class, developing graphic organizers using the Inspiration program in 6th grade, and much, much more. Our aim is to have a Smart Board and projector in each classroom. This interactive tool can make learning so much fun. We are hoping to highlight it at the next PTA meeting. Right now ISJ has 2 Smart Boards that are in use throughout the school. Another one of our technology goals is to acquire enough laptops for a mobile computer lab. These goals are a must because we want to provide our students with sound teaching and tools to succeed now and throughout their lives.
What do you think? If you have any comments, click on the “leave a comment” button below and tell me your thoughts.
» Filed Under Uncategorized | 1 Comment
Snow Day
Posted on March 2, 2009
I am sitting here in my office as the snow continues to come down. It does look very pretty, but it also means I need to get back out there and shovel again! Somehow, in the shoveling, the prettiness goes away! The school is so quiet right now you could hear a pin drop - except that the phone continues to ring. This is a wonderful opportunity for me to catch up on work and write in my blog. I have a pretty ambitious list of tasks to accomplish and hopefully I will get through most of them. I was thinking that we were finished with the threat of snow storms so this caught me off guard. Enjoy the snow and keep safe.
» Filed Under Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
Beginning of Lent
Posted on February 25, 2009
Happy Lent! That is hard for me to say because, I have to admit, Lent is not my favorite time of the year. I have to get a new attitude. I have to get beyond the negative feelings I have about fasting, sacrifice, and giving up, and really get into the spirit of the season. How am I going to do this? My strategy is to offer up my sacrifices and little inconveniences for people who do not have all that I have. I am thinking especially of all the people who have lost jobs, homes, and retirement plans. I am also going to remember all those who are sick, especially those suffering from cancer. My sacrifices will be nothing compared to what these people go through every day and they will inspire me to use my sacrifices as a way to grow closer to God. These people will also help me to see God and the good in all people and in all events - sometimes that is such a hard thing to do! I will let you know how I am doing during these next 40 days - maybe you can share some of your Lenten ideas with me?
» Filed Under Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
February
Posted on February 18, 2009
Can anyone believe it is already the middle of February? Where has this school year gone? I have been wanting to post to my blog all year and now I think I am ready to do this on a regular basis. The past 5 weeks I have had a wonderful time teaching the 7th and 8th grade language arts as well as the 7th grade religion and social studies. I cannot tell you how life -giving this experience has been for me. I loved working with the students,(7th and 8th graders are my favorite!), preparing lessons, thinking of new ways to complete assignments and integrating technology into my teaching. Teaching is what I have always wanted to do and I miss it - this 5 week gift was a shot in the arm to me and I consider it a blessing to have worked with our 7th and 8th graders!
I am thinking as I am writing - it would have been fun to incorporate blogging into my teaching - hmmm? maybe next time?
» Filed Under Uncategorized | 10 Comments
New Way To Communicate
Posted on July 29, 2008
Dear Parents and Friends of ISJ,
This year I am going to try to post on my blog page once a week. It is my hope that you will read my postings and comment back. Enjoy the rest of your summer and I hope to begin my blogging in September.
» Filed Under Uncategorized | 2 Comments