Prefix & Suffix Collections in Google Slides

Google Classroom has 100% helped me manage my time more wisely this year. Not to mention the weight of the workload I take home at night... which may or may not continue to sit untouched once I get home.

 

This week I took my Prefix and Suffix Collections and decided that I wanted to save paper and put the packet online! I created each graphic organizer in PowerPoint, then saved it as an image. I then put each background in my Slides assignment so students could not alter or move the image on the Slides. I use Google Classroom to assign this work, but there are so many other possibilities as well! And if you aren't using Google Classroom and your students have Google accounts... you need to get on that ASAP.

Students complete the first three sections, then use the link which directs them to Safe Search Images for Kids (by Google). You can save each assignment as a PDF, images, whatever you like!

Below are some examples done by my third graders. (These are the mediocre layouts that I started with... the new Prefix and Suffix Collections are MUCH more appealing to the eye! Find them HERE!)

 

 

Why I Never Left the Classroom

This is a post that I have wanted to write for a long time, but have been scared to. Scared that someone might judge me. Scared that someone might think that I am just another teacher complaining about being overworked and underpaid. Scared that my colleagues may read and look at me differently for the thoughts and feelings I have often experienced towards my profession.

However, when I posted a sweet video of my morning block as they were leaving my classroom yesterday, I felt the certainty. In the caption I wrote, "They are the reason I am not a teacher-burnout statistic." I knew that those feelings and words finally needed a place to rest, and so here they are.

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I am currently in my sixth year of teaching, and more times than I can count I have wanted to leave the profession. I can remember back to my second year, thinking that I wanted to go back to school for my masters, but wanted to get a different degree because I wanted to have options other than teaching.

There were days where the paperwork, demands, and endless meetings brought me down. One of those days was this past week. I thought of a life that would be easier if I were to leave the education field. A job where I could work 9-5 and leave the work right where it should be, at work. What a lifestyle change that could be for me. I could spend more time reading books for enjoyment. I wouldn't have to write 12 pages of lesson plans for the following week. I wouldn't feel so exhausted at the end of the day that I could maybe get myself to the gym. I wouldn't go home constantly thinking about my students and worrying about them all night.

But I didn't choose teaching. Teaching chose me. This is one thing that I have confidence in.

Teaching has always been my passion. Ever since I could boss around my 3 little brothers and sister with my overhead projector and transparencies which my parents bought for me off Ebay. (Yes, I still have it... And yes, my brothers and sister still talk to me.)

Why I will never leave the classroom, and why I am not a teacher-burnout statistic... the happiness and light in a child's eyes when returning from a break and realizing she has a safe place to be again.

The hours of preparation for a lesson that doesn't happen, because learning on-the-fly is much more fun (and rewarding... try it sometime).

When a child reads a book and is so engrossed in it, that you can't help but to read it with him to share in his meaningful discussions. (PS, said book is several grade levels above his reading level, according to a benchmark assessment...)

When a student, who was given no hope by several people in your building, scores not a Level 1 but a Level 2 on a state test because YOU believed in him.

When you look at your students' passions for learning and realize that that passion is because of you.

These are only a handful of the reasons that I choose to stay in the classroom. In MY classroom. Because no matter how many hours are spent preparing, how many tears are cried from frustration (Don't worry, joyful tears are shed too!), or how many times you are told that someone doesn't have a pencil... I have a purpose, and that purpose is to play a critical part in the lives of my students.

If you are a teacher, thank you. Thank you for not giving up on the future. Thank you for having confidence in your students. Thank you for believing in a profession that so many have lost hope for.

If you aren't a teacher, thank you for being our cheerleaders.

Must Have (FREE!!!) Resource for English Language Learners

One of the most difficult yet most rewarding moments in my classroom are the times in which I have a hand in teaching a child to speak English. At my school, we have a large population of Hispanic students, many of which enroll with no English proficiency. Over the last several years, I have had the privilege of welcoming these students into my classroom. However, there are difficulties with the language barriers we face... one of the most common being that the only language spoken in these homes are Spanish. Several weeks ago I was racking my brain trying to figure out a best way to provide support for my ELL students at home, even though their parents have no English language background. I came across this resource that has been a GAME-CHANGER in my ELL students' learning!

My most recent find (and possibility my most favorite now) is www.readconmigo.org. The best part... it is FREE! This site provides many different bilingual books that I send home with my ELL students, as well as use in the classroom for those brand new kiddos who speak little-to-no English.

When sending books home, I ask my students to read the English text aloud to their parents... while doing so, parents can read the Spanish part for their own understanding. Parents can then discuss the story with the child!

The website allows you to sign up for free, then gives you access to over 30 bilingual books which feature both English and Spanish text! Most (if not all) books are available for tablets, smartphones, Amazon Kindle, and as a PDF file. ReadConMigo also has a Kid's Corner offering flashcards, coloring pages, word searches and more! There are also apps available on the App Store.

If you give these books a chance, please let me know how they work out for you and your students! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me at eberryhill@gmail.com.

A Trip to the Tundra

At the beginning of December, I was so inspired by Hope King and Kim Bearden from RCA (Ron Clark Academy) and a scope they had done from one of their classrooms. They had completely transformed their classroom into the Arctic Tundra and it was INCREDIBLE! I knew that I couldn't go all out (and build the huge igloo they had), but I was determined to create an experience for my kiddos that I have yet to do in my teaching career.

The Friday before the mini-flip, I had a colleague deliver TOP SECRET envelopes with each student's name, as well as Don't Open Until 4:00, which would be when the kiddos were at home. I had never seen any of my students more excited than that moment they were delivered!!! It made me so excited and motivated to get to school on Sunday and work.

It took a few hours to flip my room. I purchased some drop cloths from Lowe's, which was perfect because they were HUGE and didn't break the bank. Everything else I bought from Dollar Tree or had on hand in my classroom!

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I had six stations and tasks set up throughout my room for my morning reading block to accomplish before our activity time (specials). There were only two rules that we came up with together that morning before they got started...

1. Stay on task throughout the morning.

2. If a task area is crowded, take a detour and find another.

Scope from the Arctic Tundra

I made an Arctic Tundra Journal for each of my kiddos, which had response sections for each of the six tasks (see the manila folders in the pictures above). While they were completing the tasks, I was walking around monitoring and assisting those who needed it. After a task was completed, students brought me their journal and I initialed each section after looking over their work. They all did a FABULOUS job and I still am so proud of them!

The Arctic only lasted for a day in our classroom. Like Hope and Kim said, it's an important experience that doesn't happen every week and needs to remain special. However... I am already planning my next mini-flip for mid-spring!

Have you ever flipped your classroom or created an experience for your students similar to this? Please share with me! :)

One Little Word

It is incredibly hard for me to even attempt to choose one word to focus on for this year. It's in my nature to want to take on as much as possible to become a better teacher, girlfriend, daughter, sister... person in general. As I'm sure many teachers (and driven minds) can relate, I want to choose several little words that can help me become a more well-rounded person: simple, positive, reliable, courage, peace, consistency... BUT I have thought for the last week about where I'm at and where I want to go in 2016, and have decided on my One Little Word.

ENJOY

One thing that I have found over the course of the last 365 days is that I often think too much and get inside of my own head. This causes me to be placed in a state of mind that is not healthy for myself or my relationships. The perfectionist in me is often disappointed when things aren't exactly how I imagined them. The planner in me is often displeased when things don't go the way I feel they should.

My hope and wish for 2016 is that no matter what I am doing, who I am with, or what I am trying to achieve, I will ENJOY the process and the outcome regardless of what happens. I also hope to focus on this word throughout my blog entries this coming year to help hold myself accountable and share all the joy with you!

What is your One Little Word? Was it difficult for you to pick just one?

Blog Revamp

Well, my blog looks just a little bit different! I wanted a more simplified, crisp look to go with my new DOTCOM domain. Now you can find me on any social media platform by going to theberryhill.com and checking out my SOCIAL section. I will be also adding vinyl decor and decals to my SHOP tab, so check back often for updates! ♥

 

 

What should Miss Berryhill be for Halloween?!

FUN FRIDAY! Who doesn't love a creative Halloween activity on a Friday?!

I saw this idea from The Kindergarten Smorgasboard and knew I had to share it with my 3rd graders! They could not stop laughing when I showed them that they were each going to get one of my precious little faces. :)

I told my students to make a suggestion as to what I should dress up for on Halloween this year. Look at what they came up with! (side note: This was a fun activity, not meant for grading... this is obviously not our very best writing!)

 

 

 

 

 

I do have one student who does not celebrate any holidays, so instead she got to do what she wanted with my face. :)

This was such a cute activity and can easily be adjusted to any grade level! 

Does anyone have any other must-do Halloween activities?!