Mr. and Miss Early College come to visit!

It is always my mission to keep my children exposed to the possibilities their future holds! I am truly growing the future in my classroom. In this effort, I keep bringing in guests who they can hopefully see themselves in. On Thursday, we were honored to have Mr. and Ms. Early College High School of North Carolina Central University visit us.

Christian(Mr. ECHS) and Mia(Ms. ECHS) are some of the most amazing teenagers I have met. They came to speak to my professors about their platform(as King and Queen) for learning buddies, the importance of getting a great education, being kind and respectful. They read this awesomely amazing story about “Edward the Eagle”(the mascot for NCCU subsequently ECHS) and OMG I have to say it was just simply amazing.

Mia and Christian came with one of their teachers, Mr. Smith(a friend of mine). Mr. Smith then explained to my Professors that they would color an eagle and write about what they want to be when they grow up. During that time, I had holiday music on and the Internet fireplace on the promeathean board. Christian and Mia mingled BEAUTIFULLY with my babies while they worked. I mean they were basically naturals with my kids. *Psst Mia and Christian, go be education majors  , just sayin’*
Then my class showed out for them and did our class morning mantra and affirmation perfectly!! We took pictures, they left goodies with us and until next time….

   
  

Reading lights, YAY!

My kids and I have been working hard on building our fluency in reading. I really wanted to give them something to spice it up and make it FUN! So I found these cool finger lights at Target. I loved them but my kids loved them more! 

22 out of 22 Parent Teacher Conferences D-O-N-E

This year was my first year at a new school. I was determined to meet with every family in my class about quarter one report cards. Not every family sent back the form I sent home but that wasn’t going to stop me. I called, and nagged the families in my classroom until finally, today, I completed conference number 22 of 22! I am OVERJOYED! 

Animal Research...Woot Woot!

Soooooo SUPER DUPER excited about this animal research project that my kids have begun. We’re digging our heels into informational writing and it’s getting super fun.
We did a little mixture of my girl Lucy Calkins and a mixture of animal research. For the first two weeks of information writing, we learned how to “Write like a Scientist”. It was pretty awesome and cool to witness my babies in scientist mode.

So we’ve selected our top three animals, written about our prior knowledge and starting our graphic organizer!
Stay tuned…

American Education Week 2015

North Carolina Association of Educators(NCAE) Vice President Mark Jewell came to spend the entire day with us today. Here he’s in the morning meeting circle with my Professors! We really appreciate you Mr. Mark. It’s always great to have leadership that’ll get in the trenches! My professors really enjoyed you 
#proudtobeNCAE 

Veteran's Day!

Happy Veterans Day!

This day has always been very special to me.  My Uncle Kevin is a veteran and so many other precious people in my life.  For those that have served in the United States Armed Forces, THANK YOU!!  This is my fifth year in the teaching field.  Last year was the very first year that I actually taught about Veterans Day.  I decided to teach it by fusing technology and history!  OH. WHAT. FUN!!!  Here’s a picture of last years FaceTime session…

Last year I face timed with my best friend who completed a tour of service for the Coast Guard.  Fast forward to Veterans Day 2015 to our Skype session…

SSG Stephen Edgerton, a long time friend/big brother skyped with us this year.  Both years the kids L-O-V-E-D IT!!  I mean absolutely loved it! Most of the kids did not know what Skype or face time was. Their minds were exposed to the brave men and women of this world!

HAPPY VETERANS DAY!

Why Wednesday

 I have been an active member of the North Carolina Association of Educators since I first started teaching in 2011. The association began a “Why Wednesday” segment recently. I am so humbled and honored that I was chosen to be part. Take a look

I don't have students I have professors!

Okay so my classroom is based off my favorite tv show, A Different World therefore we are Mrs. Parker's Professors!  I lovingly call my students professors because they are scholars, professors are usually of the highest rank, incredibly intelligent and capable of doing anything academically, regarded as smart, they submit things to journals, they are usually connected to colleges, which is the theme(ADW), professors are accomplished, recognized, they teach, research and publicate, all of which we accomplish and more by school years end.  Also this age is the PERFECT age to start teaching, talking about and developing a love for college/Historically Black Colleges and Universities!