project.chameleon

dedicated december

2011-12-01T22:49:00.001-06:00

Yikes, November was busy! I slipped under the radar for a bit, but with good reason! After much hemming and hawing (what the heck is a hem and haw, anyway?), I have finally plunged back into the world of the living. And by living, I mean actually working towards a healthy life. It's been too long since my ever-growing derrière made its way to the gym, but I'm back and it feels great! Back in

new test, no fear

2011-11-09T09:31:00.000-06:00

This year I keep hearing the same things over again: Standards have changed! The new STAAR test is more rigorous! Writing must happen across the curriculum! There's no time for the fluff writing that used to happen! FEAR! BLAME! GUILT! WORRY! Uh, okay... so my 4th grade students have the unique experience of being the first to take this new, highly rigorous writing assessment at the end of the

it's time for a math revolution

2011-11-05T21:22:00.002-05:00

I've had enough. I've watched too many kids count on their fingers, draw out circles and dots, skip count on paper, and just flat out guess when nothing else works. In 4th grade, we learn long division and double digit multiplication. At least, we try. But it's pretty difficult to remember all the steps to something like long division when you spend more than one minute just trying to figure

slice of life tuesday: and we're off!

2011-11-01T15:58:00.005-05:00

This morning I rushed up the stairs to my classroom, eager to begin the day. It didn't matter that I was a few minutes later than I planned or that I was dangerously close to losing the juggling match with my latte, cellphone, and room key. It didn't matter that the lumpy, oversized bag slung over my shoulder was banging against my hip with each bound towards my room. I had to get to class.

love, and a bit with a dog

2011-10-28T15:14:00.000-05:00

This is a post about NaNoWriMo and creativity. This is a post about NaNoWriMo and creativity I began writing about an hour ago. This is a post about NaNoWriMo and creativity I began writing about an hour ago before restarting because I had toppled hopelessly off topic. This is a post about NaNoWriMo and creativity I began writing about an hour ago before restarting because I had toppled

nanowrimo: ready to write

2011-10-25T20:36:00.000-05:00

NaNoWriMo is right around the corner, and I find my creative wheels spinning as I rev up for this year's challenge. Last year, I brought my class into the mix by spending November teaching about story development as we worked together to finish our own novels. The energy in the room was contagious -- kids from all over the campus wanted to know more about what we were doing. So this year I've

revolution by the seat of my pants: today, we learned.

2011-10-20T18:50:00.001-05:00

Last night I watched some TED videos. I needed inspiration. I needed to slide back into my teaching sweet spot. I wanted to see something truly innovative. I found this video: Watching the video, I was captured by the wonder and intrinsic motivation that seemed to sweep the children away into a new style of learning. But Mitra was working with children that had barely ever

slice of life tuesday: it's about the kids

2011-09-13T20:24:00.002-05:00