EGG-xelent DAY

EGGS... if you hear your student say, "we used eggs today!" they are right!  Not the scrambled kind, the voting kind.  Today we used our active votes to check for understanding in science.  We are learning about using a thermometer to read the temperature (cold, cool, warm, and hot).  After the lesson, students used their "egg" to make an electronic vote.  They matched the thermometer to the correct word describing the temperature.  This was a great way to check for understanding and engage the kids!  They loved to have the power in their hand!

Walking Field Trip

Today we started to study about weather.  To start off the study, we did a weather walk and observed all kind of weather words.

I asked students to find out tonight what a meteorologist does.  I can't wait to see what they find out!

Tickets Please

We have been so busy in math (you would think that we have been in school for 3 weeks, not 3 days). Yesterday we wrote about numbers that represent us. The kids were so creative, and really worked hard to think out side of the box.

Today we made a Number Museum.  Students paired up with a partner and created a representation of their number.  This was a great way to show some number recognition and  learn how to use the math manipulative.  After working, we lined up and came back in to the Museum to take a gallery walk.  Students got to look at every exhibit and vote for their favorite!

The Jitters are GONE!

Wow, what a great day we had!  I didn't take many pics because I haven't been able to see who has permission to be photographed, but I promise they are coming.  Here are a few of the kids thoughts on the first day...

Camey loved Spanish class!

Bianca loved everything I taught!

Ben loved Spanish!

Henry loved going on a Bear Hunt.  Be sure to ask about all the bears we found!

Draden loved making a class book.

Megan loved the Bear Hunt!

Emily loved creating and coloring the page for our class book Our First Day Jitters!

Mrs. Johnson loved getting to know these sweet kids and learn about their favorite things to do!

I AM!

Over the weekend, I heard a great new song I AM...

I thought it would be great to share who I AM.

I am... a teacher, who loves to see little minds grow!
I am ... a mom, of three wonderful kids.  Josh, Jordy and Addie are energetic, responsible big people that make me proud.
I am ... a wife.  I married my best friend and love to spend time with Jack.  We even do the grocery shopping together.
I am ... a grandmother (I prefer to be called Sassy) to the sweetest 1 year old.
I am ... a daughter to 2 wonderful parents.  My mom and dad have helped add to our classroom in so many ways.  My mom painted stools, buckets, and boxes.  My dad is a great bookshelf builder and even comes to read through the year!
I am ...an Aggie! Gig'em (no more needs to be said).
I am ... a runner.  Like most runners, I find it harder to start, but loves to finish the run!
I am... a volleyball mom!  We don't miss a Varsity Stafford game.
I am ... a creative person.  I love to make things cute and took up needlepoint this last year.

This is just a little glimpse of who I am.  As we get ready to start a new year, I know that I spend the largest part of the day with your son or daughter.  I want you to know, that I don't take that responsibility lightly.  I will honor their time by meeting them where they are academically, and I will strive to push them past their comfort zone.  I will build a relationship by getting to know them personally.  You can help by keeping me filled in on things that are going on at home.  Together we will make this the best year ever!

Thanks for visiting our blog, come back often to see what is happening in our room!

Our oldest and his sweet wife!

Jordy and Addie - Trouble when these two are together.

Walker with his Sassy!

Me and my boys.

Me and my extra special husband!

New and Exciting!

Hi!  I’m Ashley Johnson, a new teacher to the 1^st grade team.  I am thrilled to be joining such a great school and am looking forward to being part of the Hunter’s Creek family.  I started teaching full time 6 years ago.  I have been in First grade for all 6 years (my husband likes to say I still haven’t graduated First Grade), and can’t think of anywhere else that I would rather be.   First grade is the best place to see major changes occur.  Readers become fluent, independent and “big” thinkers.  I love teaching writing, and seeing students use traits that we observe in published authors.  This is always a joy.    I pride myself in providing a strong foundation of skills with project based extensions to show their thinking and creativity.  I love coming to school early  to prepare for the day.  My favorite part of teaching is the metal juggle of making sure that I have met each student where they are and pushed them farther!

I am a native Houstonian and a graduate of Texas A&M.  My husband and I live in the Spring Branch Attendance area and have 3 children (Josh - 29, Jourdan - 25 and Addie - 16).   Last May, we welcomed our first grandson.  Walker is a precious little guy and a big blessing.   In the Fall ,we spend lots of time cheering on the Stratford Volleyball team.    In my spare time, I love to run and be outside.  We spend summer weekends on Lake Conroe, skiing and kayaking.  I like to do anything creative, and recently took up needlepoint. 

I truly believe I have the best job in the world.  I can’t wait to learn more about culture of HCE and meet all the sweet kiddos!  It is going to be a great year!

The Fork in the ROAD!

Dr.  Suess said, “Today was good, today was fun, tomorrow is another one.”  With fond memories in my heart and more than a few tears in my eyes, I announce that I am leaving Meadow Wood to teach 1^st grade at Hunter’s Creek. 

Looking back at my blog, I realized, by coincidence, I named it exactly what I wanted to show…Johnson’s Journey.  The last 6 years have been an amazing journey filled with incredible friends, creative colleagues, and most of all lots of hard work that has shown its rewards over and over in the faces of the kids I have had the privilege to guide.  This journey for me was a secondary plan in life, but after stepping into the role of teacher, I quickly learned it was the only place I wanted to be.  So today, as I look to the fun that tomorrow will bring, I would be remiss to not think back about the “where” I have come. 

My husband and I put our kids in Meadow Wood 19 years ago, after buying a home in Nottingham Forest.  We fell in love with the special school that sat on Memorial and continued to support it even when we had a gap when a Johnson was not attending.  I held tons of positions on the PTA, served on THE CAT team as a community member, and then began to sub and eventually teach.  In the years here, I have seen 4 principals, great teachers perfect their craft, lost an amazing friend and teacher to cancer, and seen kids grow into responsible adults.  What a JOURNEY!

My mom always said, change is a part of life.  For me this is always a difficult.  I am the person that puts her furniture in one location and doesn’t change it – ever!  I thank you for the support and belief you have by entrusting your kids with me.  As my journey takes a turn, I will look back fondly on the road that MWE paved in my heart, and look forward with excitement at the road ahead!  Please continue to follow my journey at  www. johnsonsjournycontinues.blogspot.com.