Monday, July 1, 2013

Details of Their Lives

The little details of their lives are so important.  Does anyone else struggle keeping track of them all or even struggle making time to hear about them?  Sometimes it seems like recess duty is my best chance to get filled in, and that's just not acceptable.  In an effort to improve upon this problem, I created a little something for my room.  I've no idea if it will work, but I'm ready to give it a shot.



First I found an inexpensive thrift store frame.  Then I taped free paint chips to a poster board.  


I used Mod Podge to add a title to the frame's glass.  I also wrote student names on the glass above each paint chip with a Vis a Vis, although a dry erase marker would have sufficed as well.

(I doubt Beverly has bugs in her house, but I do! Ugh.)

I'm going to invite my kids to use it as a tool to let me know what they want me to ask them about.  Their little post-it notes will be my clue that I've got some inquiring to do.  Once I've asked a student about their post-it and removed it from the frame, they can add a new one.  Of course, this doesn't mean that I'll only talk to kids about their lives if they've written something down.  That would be silly, but I do hope it makes me aware of more and more details of their lives.



Thanks Tara for another Monday Made-It!




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50 comments:

  1. Great idea, cute craft and the students will be engaging in authentic writing!! Sounds like a winner to me!
    Lori
    Conversations in Literacy

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    1. Lori, glad you like it all around. I hope it is a winner.

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  2. Great idea, Tammy! A board like that could have many uses, and it is super cute!

    Crystal
    Teaching Little Miracles

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    1. Crystal, you're right. It could be used for all sorts of purposes, huh?

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  3. Such a thoughtful and creative idea like ALWAYS! I love it! =)

    Ms. Smith
    Adventures of Ms. Smith

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  4. This is a great idea I think the kids will love it. . . PINNING!!!

    ✰ Stacy

    Simpson Superstars

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    1. Stacy, I'm sure hoping the kids love it. Thanks for the pin.

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  5. What a great idea! I know my second graders always have so much to share. I love to hear what they have to say!

    Sara :)
    Smiling In Second Grade

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    1. Sara, they definitely have lots to share, huh? I hope this helps me hear more of those stories.

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  6. That is a really sweet and thoughtful idea!! I never thought about something like that :) I'm excited to see how it works out for you because that seems like an idea I'd like to try next year.

    Amanda
    Reaching for the TOP!

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    1. Amanda, I'm excited to see how it works too! I sure hope it works well.

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  7. You always have such cute ideas! Love it. I'm pinning it too.
    Petersons-Pad

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    1. Sheree, thank you for your sweet comment and the pin too of course.

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  8. Replies
    1. Barb, I'm glad you think so. Thanks for pinning!

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  9. Such a cute idea! And I love the paint chips!!

    Molly
    Lessons with Laughter

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    1. Molly, the paint chips work great and they're free!

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  10. Replies
    1. Emily, I've started putting things in frames this past year. I guess I liked the finished look. :)

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  11. So clever! Keep us posted on how it is working with your students.

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    1. Mary, I'll definitely do that. I think a post update will be in the works once school starts.

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  12. I just discovered your post through a pin on Pinterest and I love this idea! I might have to try this one myself! Thanks! :o)

    Tara
    TeachingwithTWitte

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    1. Tara, I'm honored that you'd be inspired to possibly try this out. I hope it works well for you.

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  13. What a great idea, Tammy!! Love it!!!
    Connie Anderson
    www.welcometofirstgraderoom5.blogspot.com

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  14. Tammy, that is such a thoughtful idea! This might also be a good icebreaker for Open House before the school year starts. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. It sure could be used at the beginning of the year to break some ice. Thanks for commenting.

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  15. Such a great idea to get to know our kids on a deeper level!

    Brandi
    Success in Second Grade

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    1. Brandi, I'm sure hoping that's exactly what it does!

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  16. What a great idea! Love your blog!

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    1. Leigh, thank you so much. I'm glad that you like what you see here. :)

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  17. Replies
    1. Amanda, you're very welcome. I appreciate your comment!

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  18. This is the best Monday Made It so far! I'm so making one

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    Replies
    1. Miss Nelson, cool! You have to show me a picture when you're done!

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  19. I love this Tammy. It's so important to me to remember to spend time letting children feel free to tell me their stories without feeling rushed. I also think it would work great as a way to keep kids circle time stories more focused. They could post what they will be sharing and you could tell them that they need to stick to their topic!

    Kimberley
    First in Maine

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    1. Kimberley, I don't like that feeling rushed feeling, but I have to admit that I know it well.

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  20. This is AWESOME!!!! I love this! Being the writing teacher I get to hear lots of stories and read about them, but you're right, sometimes there's just not enough time. Storytelling is so important in that writing process. I'm starting to think about how I could add this in. :)
    Thanks for your inspiration!
    Maria

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    1. Maria, I'm so glad you were inspired. You're so very right about storytelling. There's such a need for it, especially in regards to writing!

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  21. Hi Tammy, Really cute idea. How do you like the book Share and Compare? I just looked it up on Amazon and it looks good. I am thinking of buying it. Would love your thoughts! Melissa

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    1. Melissa, I like it a lot. I think you'd like it too!

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  22. A really great idea! I would think the kids could use it to spark conversation between each other too! :)

    NotJustChild'sPlay

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    1. Miss Trayers, thank you. That's a great twist. I like it a lot.

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  23. What a great idea! I think my kids would enjoy seeing the "news" that's happening in their classmates lives too

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    1. Jennifer, thank you. I think the kids would enjoy each other's news.

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  24. Hi Sweet Tammy
    I used your idea on my MMI. I hope you don't mind. I linked back to your site. Here is the link http://www.missnelsonsgotthecamera.blogspot.com/2013/08/room-reveal.html

    Excited to get it a try!

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    1. Miss Nelson, I don't mind one bit. It's exciting to see how you were inspired by my little sign! Thank you for sharing.

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  25. I teach PK and this would be a great way to remember all those funny comments and moments that happen everyday. Thank you!

    mixsnabb

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    1. I'm glad you have found a way to make this work for you as well!

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