1st Grade Common Core-Close Reading-Gradual Release...........

This week in 1st Grade Reading we are working on describing story elements-R.L.1.3. I'm using the book, Mean Jean The Recess Queen.  I'm focusing on Katie Sue and her character traits for the I do and the We Do.  The students will do Jean for their You Do.  This is difficult because I am getting a lot of "nice" and "kind" even after I have taught the character traits on the anchor chart.  So for Jean's traits I am expecting to get a lot of mean, rude, bully when I really want violent, spiteful and conceited.

We talked about each word and how it is different from nice, kind, mean and rude.

The previous lesson covered finding evidence in the book to help support our decisions about a character's traits.  

Today we practiced using Character Traits other than nice or mean.  Students talked with each other to decide on a trait or two or even, for some, three.  Only  three students out of 35 put evidence from the book to support their decisions on their post it and kind was the trait with the most stickies.  More practice needed!  

Here are my concerns:

There is a three day weekend in between the We Do, and the You Do. -Gradual Release

With only one book how can I expect students to work independently to pull evidence directly from the book?  Make 35 student copies?-Close Reading

Am I expecting too much? Should I accept nice, kind, mean, rude?-this is my 1st year in 1st grade-I came from 4th grade

Sometimes I feel like the We Do is just a repeat of the I Do-I teach, we talk, we practice.  I model and do think alouds.  We need two days of I Do, We Do as a combo.

JUST THINKING OUT LOUD!

Finally Finished 2nd Regency Style Dress

This sweet little dress has been on my dress form for over two years with the bodice hanging loose, no buttonholes, buttons or hem.  I decided to spend a couple of hours on it this weekend to finish it off.  It doesn't fit me just right in the, ahem, bosom.  I mistakenly cut the pattern a cup size too small.  That's why it was neglected for so long.

I found a short length of navy grosgrain ribbon to tie around the empire waist.

The ribbon is tied on a bit crooked, not to mention too short, but that is easily remedied since it's not stitched on.

Three large navy buttons close the dress in the back.

Because it doesn't fit me, I'm going to sell it on eBay.  Hopefully, it will sell to a Jane Austen fan. This is a pic of the dress before I sewed the blind hem.  I am 5'4, and the length is perfect for me.  There is about 4 inches that could be let down in the length if necessary.

I hope this cutie finds a good home!

Pretty Pretty Pyrex

I went thrift store shopping and could not resist these pretty Pyrex casserole dishes.  

They are yellow and orange with daisy lids.  As far as I'm concerned, they are perfect for three seasons.  Spring, Summer, and even Fall suppers will be suitable for these pretty little dishes.  

I paid more for them than I usually like to spend, but I could sell them for double what I paid.

They stack away nicely. 

The same weekend, I also purchased a beautiful white Pyrex mixing bowl and 1 cup Pyrex measuring cup.  These are the first pieces of Pyrex I've ever bought or owned.  

I know people love the blue, pink, and turquoise pieces, and so do I,but these are great too.  They are just so jolly! 

I think they will get plenty of use in the Cary house.

Pyrex is not an easy thrift store find.  I will buy any piece I ever find, and if it is not my taste, I'll sell it for a profit online.  So if you see any Pyrex at thrift stores or yard sales, snatch it up!  You won't regret it.  Just look at the sales on Etsy or eBay.

As Good As It Gets

The gate is as good as it gets.  I worked on it from Wednesday to Saturday, and then waited through numerous summer showers to get it painted.  I like it, but I loved our old gate. It was a home for moss, ivy, and loads of colorful lizards.  

Like this little guy.

 All the beautiful ivy and moss.

 Whatever small but mighty beast formed that gossamer web.

 But as much as we loved the old gate it just didn't function.  We tried repairing it many times.  In the in we were resorting to zip ties and plastic nuts fabricated for old coffee containers to keep it together.  So, it had to be replaced to keep our sweet Maggie Mae safe!  

It was a lot of work, and I'm glade it's over. 

Digging 2 feet holes through a multitude of roots.

 Getting the post set.

 Hinging the gates was a two person job, and I needed to go to confession after all the flowered language I used in the process.

The finishing touches....Hardware!

 "Now it just needs paint," say the little supervisor in the window.

  DONE!!! 

Blisters Abound

I spent my day building a gate.  It's a double gate and I only completed one side. 

Looks easy right?

It took forever-mainly because of the comer kit I purchased. 

 Never buy this!

 It came with the cheapest screws!  Every single one stripped out.  I tried using the drill and hand driving, and I pre-drilled every hole.  Still, the screws stripped!  Hand driving worked better but also caused blisters upon blisters which busted and leaked before I had even finished the first corner.  So, I think I will rest tomorrow and build the second gate Friday or maybe even never!  

Second gate lumber... aka fire wood!

Because of my insatiable need to be constructive and creative, I keep making the same stupid mistake over and over!  What's the lesson I should learn but never do; PAY SOMEONE ELSE TO DO IT!  Geesh