Global Glitter December Linky

Can I get an Amen for Christmas break?! 

We finished on Thursday and I know I don't have to tell you how much I was loving that lie-in yesterday morning!!!!

I just don't know where this year has gone- time seems to be slipping through my fingers at the moment! I can't believe the next time I link up with Global Glitter Tribe it will be 2016!!! WOW!

And on that note I bring you the December Global Glitter Tribe Linky- yes I know it feels like you've only just read the November one but trust me, that was a whole month ago! 

As you know, along with Myranda from Keep Calm and Teach 5th Grade, I am one of the founders of the Global Glitter Tribe and I couldn't be prouder than I am right now of all of our amazing Glitterati and fellow Blog Editors- please take a moment to visit the 'Meet Us' section of our blog and check out just who is involved in this awesome adventure with us! 

I have to say, I am loving Myranda's graphic for this month's link, is has a festive feel and I have 

loved taking part…

Staple Recipe

Growing up I didn't get to eat much chicken as my mother was scared of birds so refused to cook them. When I did get to have it, it was usually in some preprepared form such as a Kiev so as an adult I have made a whole roast chicken one of my go-to kitchen favourites. I stuff the cavity with a whole lemon (stab it a couple of times first and pop it in the microwave for 20 seconds) and several sprigs of fresh thyme. I then cover the chicken in a mix of olive oil and lard to ensure a crispy skin, crack plenty of sea salt and fresh black pepper over the top and break off thyme leaves and sprinkle them on too. I place the chicken on a trivet of potatoes, onions, parsnips and garlic to stop it from sticking and ensure it cooks all of the way through- the onion and garlic along with the thyme and lemon really flavour the juices and add to the perfect gravy! 

To find out what I do with the left over chicken then read my 

blog post over at Confessions of a Try-hard. 

Holiday Read Aloud Favourites

I know there are lots of classics out there such as 'The Polar Express' but my favourite read aloud at this time of year comes with a slightly sad undertone yet heart warming message- 

You can get your very own copy of 'The Snowchild' by Debi Gliori by clicking on the picture below 

Amazon's synopsis reads…

Poor left-out Katie doesn't know how to play. She has lots of good ideas - but she's always out of step with the other children's games. Then, one winter's morning, Katie wakes up and decides to build a snowman… Debi Gliori's charming story of Katie's Snowchild and the friendship it brings will warm the heart of every young reader.

Integrated Technology 

We are lucky enough to have a set of 25 iPads between 3 classes at my school. As they are often in demand, it is sometimes hard to get 1:1 but it is usually possible to get 1:2. One of my favourite apps to use in this situation or even in 1:1 or small group situations is 'Tag Cloud'- it is a free, user-friendly 'Wordal' type app and it is great for collecting descriptive language and thought showers on. 

Children can alter how the text is presented too- in the example above, each group had a different animal, they had to each type in a descriptive word and then agree on the layout. Based on the word choices and layout, the rest of the class then had to guess which animal the Tag Cloud was for- great lesson on making appropriate choices. My children are 6 and 7 and it is so easy for them to use- I'm sure there are a million and 1 ways to use this app and I feel like I'm only just scratching the surface. 

New Find

Prosecco crisps (or chips to my US friends) are Ah.May.Zing!!!! There are lots of different versions out there but I am loving the Marks and Spencer version the best- they even have cute little gold stars on them! Perfect festive indulgence!

Engaging Books

Egg Drop? The Pea and the Princess? Traction Man? Toys in Space? Biscuit Bear?

No…? Where have you been and what have you been reading to your children? 

All of these Mini Grey books are fabulous and next term I get to explore Biscuit Bear with my children again- it will be the 3rd time I've taught using it and every time I get more and more excited!

 Mini Grey's books are jam-packed with amazing teaching points and fantastic images. If you haven't used one with your class yet then I suggest you get yourself to the nearest bookshop and buy one- they are perfectly suitable for children from 5- 9 and I bet you could still keep the attention of 11 year olds with some of these beautifully written books. 

Snow Day Plans

We don't generally get snow days here where I live but in the days until Christmas Eve, when I am home-alone and relaxing, I love to snuggle up on the sofa with a steaming hot cup of tea in a festive mug and watch the Christmas 24 channel all day! It is fair to say that the likelihood of me still being in my Christmas themed PJs is also high! I get to unwind and feel festive all at the same time- how about you?

Don't forget that you too can link-up by following the link below to the Global Glitter Tribe and simply downloading the graphic- we would love to have you!

December Linky 

Festive Freebies and Dollar Steals!

As I am sure you are well aware by now, I am part of the Global Glitter Tribe and we are currently hosting a 12 Days of Giving link-up. 

I know that at this point in the term both myself and my class are worn out! We are ready for the break to arrive and, seeing as it is the season and all, at Global Glitter Tribe we figured what better way to support each other than to share some amazing and FREE products which may just help you survive the next couple of weeks!

There are freebies galore, link-ups to read and a give-away to enter!

Click here to visit and snag some goodies yourself!

This got me thinking- what lovely festive freebies do I have in my store?

Well….

This 'Winter Warmer: Addition and Subtraction Word Problem' task card set is a MUST! 

Not allowed to use Christmas themed products? Have children who don't celebrate Christmas? 

Don't worry- this product is totally winter themed and includes items such as snowflakes, hot chocolate, scarves and snowmen in it's word problems rather than Santa, trees and gifts!

My Easter version of this forever freebie snagged over 300 downloads in its first day! 

Of course I couldn't blog without mentioning my part in the 'Holidays Around the World' collaborative product from the Global Glitter Tribe- 

It is a forever freebie and features products to support the teaching of Christmas in the UK and New Mexico, Hanukah and New Years! 

This is my contribution- 

Snag your free copy by visiting my TpT page. 

Although these aren't freebies, they are $1 steals and rather fantastic (even if I do say so myself!)

So….got a seasonal freebie? Why not head to the Global Glitter Tribe now and link up your product or blog post?! 

Global Glitter Tribe: October Linky

Did you hear?

I'm one of the admins on the amazing Global Glitter Tribe blog! 

What does that mean?

We are a group of 13 teachers from across the globe who are dedicated to making connections and strengthening our student's understanding of being global citizens. 

Every month a different member of the Glitterarti will produce a jam-packed post full of ideas for teaching global awareness- be it how we celebrate festivals from other cultures or how we address the issue of Fair Trade, you will find a host of ideas just waiting for you to read! 

Now… along with a monthly blog post there will also be a monthly link-up for everyone to take part in! It's simple- save that months linky template, add your answers, pop it into your blog post and link back to the Global Glitter Tribe blog! Easy-peasy! 

Look- even I managed it! 

Totally inspirational 

Are you trying to develop thinking skills amongst your children? Do you want them to be aware of which thinking skills are needed for a particular situation? Are you seeking to develop self-aware and independent learners? 

I LOVE, like more than chocolate love, using De Bono's Thinking Hats in my classroom. The 'Hats' each have a specific thinking skill attached to them and by using them you can focus a child to apply the type of thinking needed for a specific task.

 To find out more about Thinking Hats and how I use them with my 6 and 7 year olds, read this post. 

Responsiveness

I appreciate that sometimes 'Hands Up' is needed but in my classroom I try to foster a more relaxed and collaborative approach to questioning where children are given time to formulate answers, not always be right or original in their thinking and develop other's ideas. 

The PPPB approach works every time! 

http://cheneyagilitytoolkit.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/pose-pause-pounce-bounce.html 

Thanks go to Teacher Toolkit for bringing this notion to my attention and I will just provide a brief overview of it for you here-

Pose- a thought provoking question relevant to the topic at hand

Pause- provide thinking time (as much as you can!) and, if you feel it is necessary, partner talking time

Pounce- NO HANDS UP!!! 'Pounce' on a child for an answer

Bounce- continue 'pouncing' on children with the aim of them elaborating on the child before them's thinking

I never confirm a child's thinking- I always ask the next child 'Do you agree?'- it is so hard not to give away your opinion through facial gestures but it does work wonderfully as a method to develop collaboration and speaking and listening.

Igniting Passionate Readers

Reading is HUGE in our school! Not just the teaching of it but fostering a love for it too!

During the first half term of every school year our class becomes 'Camp Learn-a-lot'- the children bring in sleeping bags and torches and we have a 'campfire' in class. 

After children have learnt how to choose a good fit book the next step is getting them to enjoy reading them. 

Over the 2 weeks of 'Camp Learn-a-lot' the children snuggle in their sleeping bags around the 'campfire' or in pop-up tents and use their torches to read their books. 

The novelty aspect of this really captures the children's interest and even if they are simply looking at the pictures I don't care- they are enjoying a book!  

Bridging the Gap

If you read my 'BUILDing our confidence' post a few months ago then you will know that I have given my Numeracy lessons a bit of a shake-up. 

By taking on more of a 'guided' approach 2 days a week, my children have had the opportunity to have  up to an hour and 20 minutes of 'teacher face time' on top of the quality teaching they receive the other 3 days a week. 

LEGO men are available from Glitter Meets Glue

During the session we have a 10 minute introduction, two 20 minute rotations and a 5 minute plenary. 

Children will take part in 2 of the following centres a day- 

B- Buddy Games

U- Using Hands

I- Independent Learning

L- Linking Learning

D- Diving in Deeper

It has worked wonders for our Using & Applying skills and Problem Solving skills. BUILD allows me to really focus in on what each small group needs and provide activities which will address their needs whilst pushing them further yet with the support of an adult. The Buddy Games centre has truly inspired a love of Numeracy within my children AND provided lots of opportunities to practise those crucial basic skills.

With the new emphasis on 'Mastery' in the New National Curriculum- I can see how using BUILD will develop my more able children's 'Stage Security' too! 

Enjoying Your Time

I know this seems bizarre considering I live in the drizzly north of England BUT I have loved getting home from work, making a steaming hot cuppa and sitting in my garden. Up until our recent house move, I've not had a garden to sit in so this is something of a novelty for me! Plus, unless it is my playground duty, I very rarely venture outside during the day at this time of year so the opportunity to get some fresh air and reflect on the day is priceless! 

I'm sure as the weather turns then this will stop and I'll be curling up with my cuppa on the sofa but for now- this is bliss! 

Fancy linking up? 

Hop over to Global Glitter Tribe now and get your blog on! 

Global Classroom Link-up

Hey you lovely people! 

If you've already joined Global Glitter Tribe then a massive 'HELLO' and if you haven't then what are you waiting for???? 

Click here to find out more about us and how to join. 

So… today is the day!!! 

Sign-ups for Global Classroom Link-up are now open.

This link-up is for those of us wanting to make a link with classrooms in other countries in a virtual 'pen-pal' type of way. If you would like to get to know a class in another country or culture through the power of the internet then this link-up is for you. All you need is the ability to Skype, Google Hangout or another such web based program and the commitment to virtually hang-out with your partner's class once per month. 

Sign-ups will be open until 12pm GMT/ 7am EST Friday.

 Once you have signed up and provided all of the relevant information then I will email you next Monday (3rd August '15) to let you know who you are paired with and provide you with their contact details. Don't wait for your partner to contact you- be proactive and take the first step. I will let you know if your partner has any holidays or prior arrangements for the coming week which might mean they can't get back to you but if your partner has not provided any information and you still haven't heard back from them by the following Monday (10th August '15) then please contact me before Wednesday 12th and I will try and provide you with another partner. I'm sorry but in reality this may not be possible at this time based on sign- up numbers but don't worry- I will open this link-up again  before the Christmas holidays so that new group members or those of you with failed links can have a chance to take part again. Once I've matched you up you're good to go! 

Click here to complete the form 

It will close on Friday 31st July

Spend a bit of time getting to know your new friend, how things work in their school, what topics or themes they may be covering or any specific needs you both have.  

You need to arrange a time and date which suits you both but as we know all too well, school life be crazy so it might be best to set up a back-up date and time too! Have patience with your new friend when it comes to this but also be polite- if you can let your partner know of a change in circumstances before hand then please make sure you do.

I would suggest planning your link-ups together so that they have a purpose and focus. 

Remember you will need to introduce the concept to your class and check that all children have permission to take part in such an activity. Aly over at Just a Primary Girl 'Scoped about permission forms the other day- here's the link to her store. 

That's it!!! Fly my pretties, fly!!! 

Fingers crossed this is a productive and inspiring process for us all.

If you do encounter any problems then feel free to contact me but my role here is simply to play match- maker so don't hate on me!!! Thanks! 

Global Glitter Tribe!

Hello friends!!! I am so sorry I have been missing for almost 2 weeks but I'm sure when you read this post then you will understand why!!!!

As well as it having been the run-down to the end of school, over the past couple of weeks I have been OBSESSED with Periscope and I knoooooow I am not alone in this new found time- sucker obsession!!! 

If you are also 'Scope obsessed then you will know all about Ashley Schroeder and Angie Olson's call to FIND YOUR TRIBE and I hope you have been out into the online teacher world and totally found yours!!! 

I've joined First Grade Tribe and My Second Grade TpT Tribe over on Facebook because, being a UK teacher, my teaching expectations and objectives kind of straddle both of these grades but I feel like I'm not only a small fish in the TpT world but I'm kinda a lone fish in both of these tribes. Don't get me wrong, I adore all of the wonderful friends and links I've made through these tribes but I kind of feel I need to make links with other lone fish out there in the global world of teaching. 

So, if, like me, you don't quite fit into a tribe already out there then I have a brand spanking new tribe which might just be perfect for you!!!

Myself and my blogging bestie Myranda over at Keep Calm and Teach 5th Grade met up in London last week and 'Scoped about the launch of our new tribe, you may have caught the rather windswept 'Scope about this! 

Global Glitter Tribe is now live on Facebook (click here) and is just waiting for you to join!

The best thing about our tribe is that you can join wherever you are based in the world and whatever grade/ year you teach. 

Global Glitter Tribe aims to cultivate relationships with teachers from other countries and cultures to develop an understanding of the diversity of education across the globe. 

So if like us you would love to make some global links which could help you to bring a sense of global citizenship into your classroom or simply catch a glimpse of what education and teaching is like in other countries then head over to Global Glitter Tribe on Facebook and join us!

If you have ever wanted international pen-pals for your class without the cost/ hassle/ stress of writing letters the make sure to sign up for our Global Classroom Link-ups here tomorrow (Monday 27th) then you will be paired with another Global Glitter teacher based on time zones and (as far as possible) year groups. All you need to take part is the ability to Skype/ Google Hangout or other suitable web based program and the commitment to link your class up live with your partner's class once per month. 

Global Glitter Tribe would love to have you so don't be afraid to check us out!