Re-launch of Chalk & Slate!

It’s been an exciting summer of continuing education, book study, planning, relaxing and traveling. I have tried to fit it all in and I can’t believe that the five weeks are coming to an end.

I promised a while back that I would “re-launch” this blog with a renewed focus on the PYP. There are so many teacher bloggers out there that offer so much wonderful insight and creative products that can be used in the classroom. There is, however, a much smaller group of bloggers that address the IB and even fewer that focus on the PYP. I would like to share my journey with all of you as I learn more about conceptual teaching and guiding students through inquiry. The topics that we will discuss and the tips you will get can be applied universally to your teaching regardless of whether you teach in an IB school or a Title 1 School.  I hope you’ll find value in what you read here and hope that you contribute to the discussions. I am learning so much and continue to learn from other teachers. I am so grateful for bloggers and all the amazing collaborative spirit that they bring to the table.

I spent the last weekend of the school year at an IB training course in Zurich. It was an amazing and enlightening experience. I felt full of great ideas and left with a clearer understanding of what the PYP is all about. While I understood the 5 essential elements before going to the training, I came away with a clearer picture for myself.

I have created a PYP Synopsis that I will be using to pre-plan all six of my units this year. I’m posting it here for you if you would like to use it as well. For those of you not familiar with the elements I will be addressing them for the next 5 weeks on my IB Thursday posts. 

In celebration of this re-launching occasion I am posting a little freebie. It's my Daily Schedule Labels. Just print, laminate and attach a magnet to the back or use it on a bulletin board or a pocket chart. 

Most Fascinating Blog...ME?? woo hoo

I have been so busy with two weeks of Spring Break, a new puppy and a trip to Spain. I have been itching to blog and I have found my inspiration!!


I have been nominated for the Most Fascinating Blog of 2012 award!!!  I am so excited and honored just to be nominated.

 It has always been my hope to make this blog about teaching and not about products to sell. I want this to be an open forum for discussion and collaboration.


This nomination has given me renewed commitment to this blog.  So Thank you very much to Matthew Pelletier for the nomination.

So here is the bit...If you read my blog and think it's worth a vote please click on the button below and vote for me.




Thanks so much!

Free is Good!

I haven’t been the best blogger recently but I can say that I’ve been a pretty good teacher. I feel like a juggler all the time and I can’t keep all the balls in the air at once. So while I’ve been working hard at school, I haven’t been working very hard at blogging. I am setting a goal for myself to do better at both (Doesn’t help that I have two other blogs and contribute to a third).

It is Sunday night at 9:40 and I just finished making a quick read to self-summary worksheet. I like to have my kids use different methods for talking about the books that they read during our center time. Sometimes it’s a verbal activity and sometimes it’s written. This week it’s written.

I decided just to put this on google docs for now because I can’t be bothered to put it in my TPT store tonight. If you think you can use it…great!

Click here

Have a great week ya'll and happy teaching and learning!

Miss Pam

Just a quick post and a new maths game

I spent a little time the past two days creating a new multiplication game for my third graders. I have had so much success using games to differentiate that I am always looking to make new ones.  I find that as soon as I add one I need to start making something new because my amazing kids can't get enough. It also allows me to target each child's individual needs. I can create practice games for those kids that have special needs that the other don't require help with. 

You can purchase the product here...

I hope you all have a lovely Easter and enjoy your time with friends and family!

Read my quick post on Global Teacher Connect

I recently joined a group of teacher bloggers from around the world on a great new blog.  I will be posting to the site from time to time and tonight is my first blog post.

You should really check out Global Teachers Connect and take a look at the amazing teachers from around the world that will contribute to this fantastic forum and help us all feel a little more closely connected.

Click below to get to Global Teacher Connect 

Click below to see my post.

Wet Weather Days @ Global Teacher Connect

 Miss Pam