I Need My Monster

As I mentioned before, I use to be very active on a previous blog titled Dandelions and Dragonflies. All of my files are still active through links on the blog and on my old TpT page. However, something changed in the Google settings recently and the links are now not working and require permissions again. I didn't think much of it, just an email here or there requesting permission to view, and I really didn't think many people used my stuff any more (it may be a little out dated - esthetically). Well I was wrong! I get asked for share permissions emails now about ten times a day. My I Need A Monster packet is top of the request list right now, so I thought I'd share it with y'all. 

Here is my original post:

This week during ITBS testing I wanted to give the students a little something fun to do, as a break. So I made this fun activity to go along with the book I Need My Monster. As I have mentioned before I LOVE THIS BOOK! It is so cute. This lesson just proved that even big, bad 5th graders love this book. It also was a great book to use with Halloween just around the corner.

I mentioned that I had used this book with opinion/persuasive writing before (because the monsters are trying to persuade the little boy to allow them to be their monster). After reading the book we discussed all the different text elements we heard/saw in the book.

After discussing it, I gave each student a copy of the glyph WS, they had to answer questions as to what they would want their own monster to look like. The next day we began assembling our glyphy monsters...they came out SO cute!

 

 

The final step was that they had to write a descriptive paragraph as to what they would want their monster to look like (not what the glyph looks like, but based on their choices from the WS). 

Click here for the I Need My Monster Glyph Packet

I am also sharing my Element Bookmarks (they have cute monsters on them as well).

As I was linking the book to Amazon I found out there are other books in the series! 

Aren't these also adorable?!? Click on the picture to find them on Amazon.

 

Here is a link to a cute TpT Bundle I found for all three books by Stories by Storie - Monster Bundle

I hope you enjoy, maybe one day I'll get around to updating some of my old products.

Building Student Relationships

Last year we ended the school year with only half the students attending in person every other day. This marked over a year since students were in our building all day every day. On August 31st all students returned to the building for a full seven period day. Just like many other schools around the world it's been a struggle for students (and teachers). These struggles range from being on schedules, breaking bad habits and routines, and just showing up.

During in-service week our leadership team talked about how we could ensure positive connections and build relationships with the students. Building off something that the staff had done previously, a multi layer plan emerged. 

It started with a simple four question survey that all students took during our advisory time. One of the questions asked them if they had a connection with any adult in the building, 26% of the students that took the survey said they did not. This data was shared with the staff, but not the names at this point. During our last staff meeting our graduation coach and counselors filled our cafeteria with student profile print offs. Every staff member (including teachers, IA's, custodial, administration and office staff) was given stickers with their own names on them. For about ten minutes the staff walked around the cafeteria and identified at least 10 students that they felt they had a positive relationship with, and place their name sticker on that profile sheet.

Moving forward our graduation coach will compile the data and cross reference it with the student survey results. Throughout the year our counseling team will meet with students to discuss attendance, behavior, and their graduation path. During these discussions they will continue to make sure that each student has a connection with a caring adult. The graduation coach will also let the staff know which students feel they don't have a connection with an adult in the building. Using the information staff will reach out to these students and continue to build stronger relationships with their previously identified students.  

After second semester the staff will complete the profile/sticker activity again comparing data from the beginning of the year. Our goal is to make sure every student in our building has a connection with a caring adult. 

How does your school make sure every student is connected?

How do you build positive student relationships? 

Let us know!

Amy's Office Makeover

There are few things I love more than a room makeover! So, when my principal called last spring to let me know that I would be moving from a classroom to an office, I immediately got excited. I love making spaces comfortable and inviting, but as a teacher, it's definitely on a budget! Most of what you see here has been repurposed, or let’s be honest, bought at Target, Amazon, or Hobby Lobby. First, I chose a color scheme based on some existing pieces from a former office of mine. While I really wanted to chunk everything and buy new, I also didn't want to spend a fortune. (You’re welcome, hubby!) Ultimately, I went with black and white, with touches of gold and greenery. I couldn't be happier about how it turned out! 

   

I began by laying down the rug from my old room, and added from there. The rug is a favorite of mine, and is an old Target purchase. It’s not in stock anymore, but here are a few similar options from Bed Bath and Beyond, Amazon and Lowe's. Next, I added a small cubby shelf for storage, a bookshelf to store professional books, and a desk. I put some new photos in some old Hobby Lobby frames and mounted them with command strips. I found the perfect black and white curtains for the window at Target that really dressed up the space. I hung up some cute wall art from Hobby Lobby above my cubby shelves, and added gold lamp from Walmart.

I don’t know about you, but I LOVE greenery. At least, I love the look of the fake variety that I can’t possibly forget to water! I bought two sets of small plants from Amazon, and thought this was the perfect excuse to purchase a small fiddle leaf fig from QVC. I placed them around my office in some groupings with other items to add a little color. I tend to group things in threes as decorate. The “Rule of 3” works like this: Find 3 items and put them together into a grouping. Put the tallest item in the middle, and shorter ones staggered in front. Basically, just keep arranging until it looks visually appealing.

I’m so pleased with how inviting this small space turned out! I can’t wait to host teachers and parents in my new office as the school year continues!

~Amy

Meet Jessica

Hi, I am Jessica. I am entering my 20th year in the field of education. During those 20 years I have taught 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade in Georgia, Florida, California, and Oregon. I was an instructional coach at the middle school level for six years, and am currently entering my second year as an assistant principal at a high school in rural southern Oregon.

I am a Georgia peach born and raised (and a GA Bulldog fan despite my Yankee born Ohio State family). In 2013 my small family moved to Oregon to be closer to my husband's parents. I went from working for one of the largest school districts in Georgia (where I met Amy) to small rural districts in southern Oregon. 

My husband and I have one daughter, two dogs, one cat, and eight chickens. Our daughter keeps us busy with volleyball, basketball, and soccer. When we have free time we love camping and just spending time outdoors, Oregon has so many beautiful places to visit! I enjoy reading, crafting, anything with a monogram, and finding great deals in all of my spare time 😂.

I can't wait to share our ideas and adventures with you all!

Meet Amy

Hi I'm Amy. This is my 17th year in education. Over the years, I have held quite a few jobs. I've taught 2nd grade, 5th grade, and reading intervention. I spent 4 of those years as instructional coach at the elementary level, and an additional 3 as an instructional coach at the district level. I've also had the opportunity to lead literacy across a district for 3 years. I am currently beginning my first year as part instructional coach and part administrator in a small district in northeast Georgia.

I am a Georgia peach, but was raised by Yankees so I had to learn my love of monograms and sweet tea from my friends. I've lived in Georgia all my life, and began my teaching career in the same district I grew up in. In 2009, my husband and I moved farther outside Atlanta with the anticipation of starting a family. A few years later, I went from teaching in one of the largest districts in Georgia (where I met Jessica) to the much smaller district we live in. 

My husband and I have one son, one daughter, and two dogs. If I'm not at school, I can most likely be found at the soccer field or gymnastics gym...or let's be honest, running to Target. When I have free time (ha!), I love to read, spend time with family at the lake, and shop.

I can't wait to share this little space with you, and take you along on our adventures!

Our Story

Welcome to Peaches of Our Heart. We’re excited that you’re here, and can’t wait for you to follow along with us in our adventures. We’re two Georgia peaches sharing our personal and educational experiences from different perspectives and opposite sides of the United States. So how did two people who live across the country from each other decide to blog together? Here’s our story...

In 2005, Amy and Jessica were happily teaching at different schools within the same district. Fast forward five years, and Jessica volunteered to move schools within the district just after school began. It just so happened that this move landed Jessica at the same school, but on a different grade level from Amy. Just one year later, our paths crossed and we ended up in 5th grade for the first time together. It didn't take us long to figure out that we had a lot in common!

At the end of the 2012-2013 school year our paths took opposite turns. Amy was given the opportunity to become an instructional coach for the same school, Jessica and her family were heading to Oregon to move closer to family. To say it was a difficult good-bye was an understatement. In one short year we had grown close and grew as educators and friends. Even though we went in different directions, it wasn't the end!

Six months ago Jessica kept thinking that there was something more that she wanted to do. Identifying and defining "the what" was where she was struggling. She did know that it was something she couldn't do on her own. Jessica recalled her instant connection with Amy and immediately reached out. Little did she know that Amy had been having the same feelings. After a google meet and "seeing" each other for the first time in seven years, plans and ideas quickly began to flow.

It was our connection from all those years ago that led us down this path, our love for all things teaching and education, a good read (personal or professional), and a great deal. So this blog will be a little bit of everything - family, kids, teaching, instructional coaching, and life in general.

Our ultimate goal is to share these pieces (or peaches 😁) of our heart with you!

   

Coming Soon!