The Art of Reading... and Teaching.

Our class has been working on a paper clip chain since the beginning of the school year. The top of the chain is attached to the highest part of our bulletin board. A paper clip is added each time the whole class is demonstrating responsibility, respect, and safety.  Just before winter break, the chain was halfway down the wall. This called for a celebration. Students voted between watching and episode of House Hunters (oddly one of their favorite shows), extra tech time, or me joining them in P.E.. By a landslide, I joined them in P.E. class that Friday.  Since then, we've been working really hard to have our paperclip chain reach the floor. Today that goal was accomplished! We played so well in gym and made sure everyone was included and walking back to class we received not one, but two compliments on how respectful we were in the hallway. This was a well deserved paper clip!  The amount of joy and pride in the room when that final paper clip was added surely made thi

On my morning drive to a professional development I thought about all the tasks that needed to be completed in just one short day. I parked my car and rushed in the conference room doors only to (quite literally) bump into one of the greatest professors I had for undergrad.  We'll call her Professor Mary for the purposes of this post.  Prof. Mary started each class with a smile and the sweetest laugh and that is exactly how she started today's PD. As we moved through the day, it felt as though I was right back in junior year at UIC. We were able to catch up on the past few years and share some fond memories. One favorite memory of Prof. Mary's class was each day, about half way through, she would pass around a bag of candy for all the students to share. This kind gesture was the greatest pick-me-up college kids could have! And guess what - it was the greatest pick-me-up educators sitting a PD all day could have, too!  While Prof. Mary and I said see ya later alli

I'm trying to view stressful days as an opportunity to stop and be grateful. Here are 10 things I'm grateful for: My classroom and those that I share it with My fiance People who say "hello" or greet me with a warm smile as I walk past The feeling of the hot sun on my skin Cheese (of all varieties) Those with a green thumb. Fuzzy blankets Honesty  To do lists The little things in life

For those following my Biscuits and Gravy journey...  The recipe I posted was overall a good choice. It was easy to follow and required very little skill or effort.  I tried the recipe out on Monday morning. I was off of work and John didn't have to go in until late-morning so I decided to get up and make breakfast for us. This was an especially nice treat because our work and gymnastics schedules do not align; we're lucky to have dinner together once a week let alone breakfast!  This was his first time having Biscuits and Gravy so I was happy to share this meal with him. Some suggestions for those looking to try at home: you cannot cut corned on the breakfast sausage. Unfortunately, I learned this the hard way. You really do have to buy the Jimmy Dean brand. Because there are so few ingredients in the recipe, all the flavor comes from the sausage. I tried using an Aldi brand and it fell short.  Share a slice tomorrow.... Ms. Walinski

Just wanted to take a moment to share a recipe for one of my absolute favorite meals - biscuits and gravy! This breakfast always reminds me of a warm Sunday morning when my step-dad would surprise us with this breakfast treat. I have not tried this recipe yet, but I plan to this weekend! Biscuits and Gravy Recipe

I'm excited (and nervous) to be writing my first blog post. Many questions are running through my head... Who will read this? What am I going to write about? Are there any tips and tricks to blogging? If there are, I'll be sure to share them with you! I note that this is an adventure because there is so much to learn. Over the remainder of the school year, my 5th graders and I will be mastering the art of reading, teaching... and blogging! This will be a whole new world for all of us. Starting in September, our class took on  Donalyn Miller's 40 Book Challenge . Blogging will give us a space to share our love, growth, and maybe even a few short-comings of reading. Stay tuned for book reviews, tips and tricks! Best, Ms. Walinski