Getting Ready for the Big Move

Greetings!

The more I plan for my upcoming journey, the more excited I become. On the flip side, this is a bittersweet time in my life. I'm leaving my friends and family behind. It finally hit me on Saturday morning, and I had a cry-fest! And I mean "snot slinging crying." My BFF had me all in my feelings after reading the sweetest post from on her Facebook. Ok, enough of that...

The Facebook groups have been a God-send. I have gleaned so much information from watching posts and having a forum where I can ask questions and make friends before embarking upon this journey. If you're interested in in joining these groups to gather more information, see the bottom of this post for specifics. 

Now on to this planning. On a few of the FB groups, people posted links to a couple of checklists. I will include links to all of these below. I must be honest; it was overwhelming trying to flip back and forth between 3 different lists and the notes I've jotted down from Q & A posted on the FB. So, I decided to compile the lists into one. I'm including information from discussions on the FB posts as well as my own research. The link to my list is: https://docs.google.com/document/d/12Hf26ZprcMh9VnvlWU19PIIwmk88Qpd--Aomzh__naM. This is a working document; so, I encourage you to check back often as I will continue to update this checklist until I arrive in the UAE. 

If you have suggestions for things to be added to the checklist, please feel free to post them in the comments or shoot me an email at asadams2008@gmail.com. 

Links to the various checklists I've found: 

• https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B_qvzB4RjueHX3hoS29iNzZLZG8/edit?usp=docslist_api&filetype=msword 
• https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B_qvzB4RjueHVnI5cmczMFJvVVE/edit?usp=docslist_api&filetype=msword 
• https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TJ0EgdmDHtVafbl4XB73XfAGQs73jTEPeY7nTV1-nuY 
• https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B_qvzB4RjueHbktqaU4wdlRkajA 

Facebook Groups: 

• ADEC/Aug/2016 Here we come
• ADEC Jan16/Aug16 Hopefuls

Now comes the wait...

I recently received the following email.

Well, now the waiting game begins. From what I understand the folks who were supposed to leave in January are still waiting to leave. The UAE created a new law that went into effect in January 2016. This new law altered the way visas are processed causing HUGE delays (I'll post the link when I find it). The Jan 16 group has recently received emails stating that they will not leave their home countries until August 2016 at the earliest. Yikes!!! People who have left in previous years report that the last group of teachers leave in November each year. 

For those of us who are Aug 16 hires, we're extremely nervous about the impending delays we could face. Some folks have decided not to resign until they have tickets in hand. However, some don't have that luxury. I, like so many others, have to give notice. So, most everyone from the 2015 group recommended the following options: 

1. Don't resign until you have flight tickets and visa in hand. 

Or 

2. Work part-time or sub or both until you get your Golden ticket. 

I'm leaning toward option 2 as I don't want to leave on bad terms or burn any bridges. 

Basically, have a plan one way or the other. As I get more information, I'll update you. 

Happy days!

Ashley 

Abu Dhabi, Here We Come...

So, I've decided to take a job in the United Arab Emirates, specifically Abu Dhabi.

This was a big decision that was made in a split second. I saw posts on a group I belong to on Facebook. I saw the same post 3 different times. I must admit; it made me curious. So I started researching. I have always thought about teaching in Japan. I've always wanted an opportunity to travel the world and learn about other cultures. However, I thought I'd missed my "prime time." Seeing these posts gave me hope. I got downright excited when I realized there were places in the world that would pay for my family (husband-no kids, yet) to come with me. Then, I started realizing that I could make enough money to get completely out of debt! Who wouldn't want that?

Over Christmas break, I took the plunge and applied with the full support of my then fiance. Within a few days of completing my application, I had a phone interview. I was invited to an in-person interview (IPI) at the end of the call.

My IPI was scheduled for February 10, 2016. I went, I interviewed, and apparently, I conquered because a month later I received an offer letter.

On March 19, 2016, Kevin and I got married. Now I can officially take him with me (it is illegal to cohabitate in the UAE).

If you want more info check out TeachAway

I'll be back with more as I press forward through this journey.

Happy Days! -Ashley

My new classroom

Greeting Blogging Friends,
It seems as if this summer is blasting by! I've been working in my new classroom for about a week now. Things are coming together.

So for those that don't know, I made a grade switch this year, from Kindergarten to Sixth grade. Yes, what a jump, but I'm so excited to work with my "big babies" again.

Let's take a tour of my classroom. Here are some before pictures.

View from the front of my room. 

Another view from the front. The pile-o-stuff is the cart i used to move my things from my old classroom.

View of the right side and more cart

Front of the room and a whole view of the cart-LOL 

Close-up of the bookcase in the back of the room.

There you have it. I have almost completed the setup of my class, but in true Ashley style, I walked out today without taking pictures. I'll be sure to share more soon. 

Happy Days!
-Ashley

Bad blogger

So, I've been away for quite a while. I started this blog in a time where my life was sort of tipsy turvy. Oh well, I'm back folks. I'm preparing for a grade change, a big one. I'm moving from kindergarten to sixth grade. Wow, what a jump. Over the next few weeks, I will be sharing my transition. 

Happy days! 

-Ashley 

We've Reached a milestone

We now have 50 followers on the Facebook Fan page! As promised, here's a back-to-school activity. I love doing this with middle school students.





Happy Days! -Ashley

Behavior Management

Greetings, 
Today's topic stems from The Organized Classroom Blog Facebook Fan page. The question of the day focuses on managing student behavior. 


In my classroom, I use responsibility logs. I have a binder with a tab for each student. I assign numbers to students so I never have to replace the tabs from year to year. In each tab, students have a log.  Students have to sign the log when they make poor behavior choices. There is a consequence for each time a student signs his/her log. The log requires the student to write a brief description of what they did wrong. During class, I simply say sign the log. The student has to then figure out what poor choice he/she made. I send the sheet home at the end of the week for the parents to see and sign.

Responsibility Log






My reward system is a team building competition. Nothing wrong with a little healthy competition, right? Super teams is what I call it. Students are organized into teams where they can earn points toward prizes. Teams can earn points by working cooperatively during class and doing well on tests. This helps ensure students are ring responsible for their learning. It also fosters some interesting educational conversations amongst my students. 

Roles of Cooperative Learning[1]Poster for Super Teams[1]Cooperative Grouping Strategies






Cooperative Grouping Strategies
Poster for Super Teams
Super Teams Roles
Responsibility Log




Happy Blogging!


Happy Days! -Ashley

Give Away Coming Soon

We've reached 19 fans on our Facebook page. Let's reach 50 by the end of the week.
As a reward, I'm giving away a Back-to-School Icebreaker. So, please hit the share button on the fb page. Let's really create an online PLC!

Happy Days! -Ashley

Standards Based Grading System

Greetings All,
What are your thoughts on current grading trends where completion versus the learning. I would love the opportunity to look at examples of systems using a different type of grading system.

Personally, I allow students to retake tests. If the student is willing to learn the material, then I should be flexible enough to allow him/her to get the grade he/she truly deserves.

What are your thoughts community? I've found a book that refers to this topic. Anyone read it? Have other resources on the topic? Here's an article: Seven Reasons for Standards-Based Grading. 

Happy Days! -Ashley

Math Playground

Hello all,
Looking for a place to find math games, activities, and worksheets? Check out Math Playground! This site has "thinking blocks." I love this activity for kids who need a model for solving independent practice problems. After students complete the set, they receive a score (great for your gradebook).

Happy Days! -Ashley

Welcome

Well folks,
I've done it. This is my first blog for collaboration. I hope the ideas you find here are helpful and effective. Happy Blogging! Please feel free to visit my classroom website. I am thinking about switching to Google sites. Anyone have any thoughts on the benefits/disadvantages of Google sites vs. Wikispaces? Please feel free to share.