Vlog 4 // We Aren’t Quite There Yet... Routines, Poetry, Shared Writing, Struggles, + More

[@alb8539]

I love that your vlogs are real. You don't sugarcoat them like a lot of other KZbinrs. You make me feel like what is going on in my own classroom is normal. TY!

[@MrsCallsCampers]

Thanks! It’s hard to show the realistic side because it isn’t perfect, also I’m not perfect and patient all the time, so I like showing the moments where things are kind of crazy. I don’t want anyone to think my classroom is some magical place away from students who disrupt, hit each other, complain, etc 😂 nope. Just working with what I have and making the best of it for them 😂

[@robinethridge3325]

I teach high school and it is a tough year. Most of my students are Juniors and everyone agrees that they are a very immature class. It is a struggle and I can totally relate to having six kids that create problems within the community that we try to build within our classrooms. I keep telling myself that it will get better.

[@djthereplay]

There you go Robin.

[@carolynhaines8048]

The writing superstar song has been a game-changer for my resource classroom. My kids (and I) love it.

[@karaneedham1158]

Just stumbled on this video and not a teacher but have two kiddos. Literally got chills and started to tear up during your read out time. You are doing an amazing job and I wish my kindergartner could have you as his teacher next year. It is teachers like you that make it easier sending your kids to school as a special needs Mama.

[@attitudebabe1363]

Thank you so much for bringing us into your classroom family. I’ve been teaching for 8 years and still learn new things from these vlogs. Keep being you!!!!🎉😊

[@morganpinckard8480]

I love seeing longer teaching clips that include your management on the carpet!! Going to 1st grade from 3rd grade is going to be a big change but I’m so excited! I love seeing the little things you do differently than I would typically do in the same situation with my 3rd graders 😂 appreciate you being so real!! ❤️❤️

[@michelledunn3372]

Thanks for being so honest about your struggle with behaviors. I am having a similar year. It is hard to stay positive and feel like I am actually teaching when I am redirecting behavior all day with the same 5-6 kids. I actually feel better after watching this. 💛

[@allyshakeels8388]

Needed this video today Mayleen! You are a great inspiration and your honesty is needed and appreciated. I have those handful of kids as well that either all go crazy at the same time or play off of each other, or just take turns. IT'S HARD!!! Thank you for sharing and I hope you have a great rest of the school year!

[@amandahayes8586]

Love your videos! I started taking notes while watching to help me remember things I want to try with my first graders. I feel like I should get to count this as PD hours. 😆 Thank you for keeping it real!

[@chattychanny5048]

You are amazing! The amount of inspiration you have given me is too much to count. I love how you mirrored your camera! Genius!

[@shellycowles6037]

Thank you for keeping it real!! I’ve been teaching for 25 years and really appreciated your video. Your title says it all!!! 😊

[@bethc4619]

Love your videos. Ignore those mean comments. You are an amazing teacher. I am also going slow and steady this year. I teach PreK and the pressure to get my students ready for kindergarten can often be overwhelming. We just finished week four and some things are still hard. I had to laugh because I am constantly saying “where are your eyes/use your eye glue” and many other phrases I heard you saying in this video. Ahhhhh teacher life. 😁❤️

[@MrsCallsCampers]

Hahaha I love that 😂 I stole eye glue from Katie Garner 😂

[@autumndoss7210]

I’m student teaching in first grade this Fall and I’m about to start fully taking over. I’m super nervous but watching your videos makes me more excited than nervous and I just hope I can be a great teacher like you!

[@MrsCallsCampers]

nervous is good!!!! good luck! just remember, we were all there. you are not expected to be perfect! :)

[@j.williamson2653]

Came across your channel randomly and I am hooked! I love your energy and spirit and your passion for teaching. Showing your lesson plans in the beginning was very helpful and made it easy to follow along and see how you structure your lessons. Thank you for sharing your gift with the world! Looking forward to seeing all of your videos ❤

[@Chrissi15]

🎉 Love an in-depth vlog like this! Thank you for always keeping it real. I’m in week 3 of the school year in the UK and we’re not there yet and that’s okay. 😊

[@MrsCallsCampers]

🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻

[@xangymoua7965]

Thank you for being real. I am visual and seeing you in action really help. Keep it up.

[@MrsCallsCampers]

thank you for watching :)

[@fine_apple8739]

Hi! I’m a Pre K teacher and I love your line leader job. Such a great new way to do that job!

[@virginiajohnston9463]

You are the BEST! and I've said it before... but you help me so much love teaching again. I watch one of your videos every Sunday and it gets me excited about the week and the Sunday scaries aren't so scary sooo there aren't enough "Thank Yous" to thank you!!!! Thank you so much!

[@MrsCallsCampers]

and here I am to say, THANK YOU! :) :) this is so nice

[@nicholeyoch4805]

At 9:16 of this video, this sounded like my class this week! I have had to pause parts of my lessons trying to get kids focused and I like how you handled it sternly but calmly

[@kateborja984]

Omg! I’m always happy to watch your vlogs… I would always go on KZbin to see if you’ve uploaded any videos🫣 Thank you for always keeping it real and how you take it one step at a time. Keep doing what you do for teachers like me❤️❤️ Take care and hope to see more of your teaching!!!

[@crystalriches]

So, I sound like a broken record, but I just LOVE how real you are in your vlogs. It shows the reality of teaching. I bet those 6 kids will know what you expect of them and make strong choices.

[@MrsCallsCampers]

It actually is sooooo much better now 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 it’s crazy to see. I have to give them more credit haha!

[@katyr7513]

Beautiful syllable lesson!!! 🥰

[@julieculley1203]

Thank you for this video. I am learning so much. I use the writing superstar poster and song everyday. I bought the secret stories. I can hardly wait till they come to my door! Next month I will be buying the I can cards. 😊

[@Cwazy4heaven]

I just want you to know how much I appreciate you recording all of this beginning of the year training. I have wanted to see someone do this for my whole 16 years of teaching. It is so helpful and reaffirming. I’m not glad to see that you have hard days, but it does help me realize that I’m not alone. So thank you. I know it takes a lot of extra work, but it is so appreciated! I do have a question about the number formation poems you use. I really like the versions that I hear you say in your videos, but I’m having a hard time finding it online anywhere. If you could point me in the direction of the resource you use, I would greatly appreciate it! Thank you so much for all you do!

[@lifewithmrsleet3708]

Love everything that you share as always! I’m amazed that you can film all that you do it’s such a great resource for teachers! Would love to hear how you get all of the planning and prep done for the week. Like when do you do it and what’s your process?

[@MrsCallsCampers]

I start planning a little on Tuesday and finish on Wednesday then Thursday I have a parent volunteer come make copies (first time ever asking for this, and it keeps me planned ahead because I have someone depending on me!) so she will come in and copy and laminate or cut if I need! This past week, I was able to stay like 45 minutes on Friday and get everything set up for the next week (centers, anchor chart, organize copies, etc) so that’s where I’m at right now. Before this year I would just try to do what I could each day…but since committing to planning ahead by Wednesday every week I have to say things are better for me haha

[@lifewithmrsleet3708]

@@MrsCallsCampers love this strategy! I need to utilize parent volunteers more!! Such a great idea. Also thanks for responding and sharing, I appreciate it 🥰

[@deidraroberts9628]

I've been really struggling with my job and this video helped a lot. Thank you!

[@ShayParrish-cr2kj]

Have you done a video for the anchor charts you make during read alouds? I’d imagine you print the pictures on your classroom printer also? I just love the technique. 🙂

[@lizaelizabeth148]

Love this🎉 I’m a senior in hs been watching since the beginning ❤

[@bobbigravatt8555]

Love this blog! Hang in there you are doing awesome!

[@marisolmartin1329]

You’re an amazing teacher. Have a great week.

[@lindabojko9771]

Even though you feel you are struggling, I think you are doing an awesome time teaching your first graders ♥️ I love you singing the sentence song!! So cool

[@kaitEBee]

I really appreciate that you're sharing the struggles because it's really helping me! I've got a group of kids that make every small thing a mess. I've been stealing your chants and they've been a real help.

[@BR-ur2pg]

Watched this with my senior in HS who wants to become a teacher ☺️. I’m glad I came across your channel

[@kkmomma09]

I can't imagine anyone putting a mean comment on yr videos. I think they are wonderful and always enjoy watching them.

[@kaitEBee]

What creative way to introduce your library expectations. 🥰

[@cniki1]

I've just discovered you today and have been binge watching your vlogs! Teacher in Toronto 🇨🇦 preparing for our September start. You have some amazing ideas! Thank you so much! *Where did you get your book bins from?

[@elleo2521]

And iiiiiiiiiii will always love youuuuuu, Mayleen! 🥰😂 I’m a 1st grade bilingual teacher and I just love you and your videos! You inspire me so much! 💜

[@bethdarnell38]

Thank you for sharing these vlogs. I enjoy them and learn from them. 💕

[@eassmileyface17]

Hi Mayleen! You are such an inspiration to me and how I teach in my own first grade classroom! I LOVE watching your videos and seeing your love and excitement for what you do. I would LOVE to start using more read alouds/shared reading to teach reading and phonics skills. Do you have anymore advice for read aloud, shared reading and vocabulary lessons? I know you use resources from Primary Scout but it’s so expensive to get all of it! Any recommendations? There’s so many things out there and I don’t know where to start.

[@MrsCallsCampers]

This is a big question haha! But no you don’t need her kit. I like her kit because of the retell pictures and it has the writing pieces all built in. You could take ANY read aloud, pre read it for vocab (which I do this anyway), and use that. You could do the anchor chart without pictures, and just do a shared writing of beginning middle end. You could just have a basic graphic organizer template you use for every single book to make a story map, if you wanted, or for whatever you wanted to do. For shared reading, I would really suggest getting the poem kit I linked though because that will save you hours and hours and it’s not too pricey!!!

[@eassmileyface17]

@@MrsCallsCampers thank you so much!

[@teresaweddell8003]

Thank you so much for this vlog, I love seeing the beginning, you are such an amazing teacher. I always learn something from watching you, and I’ve been teaching for 22 years!...do you have a pdf of your writing super stars poster?

[@MrsCallsCampers]

that's so nice of you! I have a traceable anchor chart you can print in my free resources! bit.ly/MCClinks

[@SKuhn]

I feel like I’m failing at being a teacher so hard right now. Dang you’re amazing. And your writing together your vowels everything.

[@MrsCallsCampers]

I PROMISE YOU I'm not that amazing!!! shared writing is my favorite though! Just take it easy. We are all doing the best we can!

[@thecreativecatechist]

I am a first grade teacher in California, I really enjoy watching your videos. My students are in love with secret stories, rime time, etc. They really enjoy watching and listening to you and your students sing their classroom chants. In the future vlogs I would love to see you teach a Social Studies/Science lesson. Wish you a wonderful week. 😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@rangelchronicles296]

I’m learning so much from you! I hope you’re still having Cookie Butter Mondays ❤

[@stephaniebarkman5488]

Please share a video of your procedures🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻 I’m sorry there are unkind people out there! It’s very easy to be unkind without a face🥲

[@sarahp444]

PLEASE do a video on director/helper and behavior management!

[@jengiolando4159]

Hang in there. U got this!😊

[@marwamegahed349]

You are amaaaaazing

[@Jessica-nc4yb]

I wish my children's teachers would take me on my help offer with things at home or me going to skool to help them thanks to all of u teacher vlogs I have learned all the work you guys put in from classroom set up to weekly and daily work

[@nenoswifey08]

I love this video. You are doing an amazing job. I love the number chant and looking for something to help my kindergartners to write their numbers in a fun way they can remember. Do you mind sharing where you got the slide?

[@maryrichey7432]

Thank you for sharing! I love watching your videos, I have learned so much from you and it is good to see that we all struggle with the same things! (Hugs)

[@mariacortez7050]

I love this slow pace training! Do u have the words you say for number formation?

[@markiarenee7188]

Happy Sunday! Thank you so much for sharing this awesome Vlog! You have helped me so much! Can you please share the First Grade Rocks resource? Please and thank you! ❤️💕

[@MrsCallsCampers]

poems are linked! :)

[@morganbailey3357]

What do you do the poetry right now? We have 2 phonics period in kinder and I am struggling doing the 2nd one

[@keepingitreal1560]

Do you have classroom rules? The Whole Brain Teaching rules are amazing if and only if they are practiced and the teacher is committed to doing it correctly. My classroom was a total zoo at the beginning of the year, and now they are all under control and ready to learn. I've been doing this for about 14 years and I've been teaching for 26 years. Your videos are fun to watch and you have amazing energy.

[@Crystal_w]

Can you do a centers explanation? I watched one of your older videos about how you run them but would love if you could go into depth. Its my first year and I am having some trouble

[@jengiolando4159]

Yes

[@berenicemartinez9238]

Love ur videos

[@rebekahduncan8403]

I Love your videos! I'm seeing programs and strategies I use with my Firsties, and lots of things I want to use too. Where did you get your slides with the numbers and stars to start writing?

[@jmeblare7473]

Are your students at their desks while you are doing whole group teaching?

[@djthereplay]

+Mrs. Call's Campers Keep working with them Mayleen. You will get there eventually. Some students need encouragement and motivation and yes recharging sometimes when they get overwhelmed and are trying to cope. You are one beautiful looking resourceful teacher. I enjoy you. - Dwight

[@emilyclark8772]

I love your poster/anchor charts! I’m slowly remaking a lot of mine this year and love using yours for inspiration. Just wondering how many I should display at a time and where so I don’t overwhelm. So far I only put up 3 that I’ve used. But should I take them down once we’ve mastered them? Or just keep adding to it…

[@MrsCallsCampers]

That’s totally up to you :) good for you for not trying to overwhelm them! One thing you could do is remove the big ones after a while and just keep them somewhere in mini form…just a thought haha

[@Ash06TSU]

Where is the voice level light from?

[@allisontollman]

Loving your videos as always, I’ve learned so much from you! I’m adding the number formations to my weekly PowerPoint I purchased from you. Did you just google the numbers with the stars?

[@MrsCallsCampers]

I just typed the numbers in PPT and added a star image as an animation to pop up when I changed the slide :)

[@allisontollman]

@@MrsCallsCampers Awesome, thanks!

[@Crystal_w]

Where did you get your chart paper pad stand?

[@paigeelizabeth791]

Hey Mayleen! This vlog is awesome! Thank you for being so transparent. I constantly feel inspired by you and your teaching. I hope you know the negative comments come from people who are unsatisfied with thenselves. It has nothing to do with you. You are amazing and your students are forever lucky to have and had you as their teacher. If you'd like to check it out, I started using Kylie Barragan's Creative Comprehension kits for reading with my 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders as a whole group. I love her kits, and I think you would too! (I do not know Kylie, I just happened to find her kits on tpt) They have taken my whole group comprehension to another level.

[@MrsCallsCampers]

Thank you Paige! Oh I love hearing what works for others! What’s in the kit that helps with comprehension? Is it just questions??

[@paigeelizabeth791]

@@MrsCallsCampers oh my gosh! There’s so much in them! They include 4 lesson plans (including questions to ask while reading), retell craft, SUPER CUTE anchor charts (not important but always nice), practice worksheets, foldables, directed drawings, writing responses to the directed drawings, story boards, vocabulary cards, and vocabulary sentence practice. Depending on the kit, there are different lessons after the retell lesson. I own all of her kits and depending on the book the three other lessons will be any of the following: text to text connections, text to self connections, character feelings in the beginning, middle, and end, character change from the beginning to the end, and cause and effect. So far, she has a back to school bundle, Jory John Bundle, Creepy Bundle, and October bundle. You can also buy the kits individually if you only want to do certain books. Maybe I’m not explaining it the best, but it’s nice to have different comprehension skills incorporated into different books but also have the skills return for other books. If I could attach pics of everything, I would! It’s so nice that I can choose making a crafty foldable or using her differentiated worksheets depending on how the day is going or how much prep I have.

[@MrsCallsCampers]

@@paigeelizabeth791 sounds like a lot of nice stuff! I love how many great options we have out there!!

[@MrsCallsCampers]

@@paigeelizabeth791 just looked into her resources..seems like she took a lot of inspiration from Alicia at Primary Scouts...she is adding the exact book resources Primary Scouts has

[@PNWlover]

Love your videos!

[@cookingcurriculum5831]

Hi!! What are some common resources you use for centers? I’m trying to keep my word work center consistent

[@MrsCallsCampers]

miss giraffe's phonics bundle is my fav

[@cookingcurriculum5831]

Thank you Mayleen!!

[@arilove7383]

Hey ms call campers how are you like your classroom

[@Galaxy475]

How do you choose poems?

[@MrsCallsCampers]

I have a tpt product from The Chi Town Teacher!

[@animecookies8784]

I think something I'm wondering for your class, do you ever have students having small problems and turning them into big problems? For example, a kid has someone else's pencil and now they are arguing. Or a kid saying something not so nice to another. I did practice with them on how to handle small problems, but I feel like sometimes it is a struggle.

[@MrsCallsCampers]

all the time :)

[@jengiolando4159]

How’d they know th??? I’m amazed!

[@MrsCallsCampers]

the secret stories :)

[@lonelygirlaswirl]

How do you handle it when you say "Are you ready to practice ______" and then a kid says "no"? I've always been curious about that :)

[@MrsCallsCampers]

Exactly what you saw 😂 I give a look and ask again. Or sometimes I straight up talk to them about their attitude towards learning 😂

[@amandal4468]

Which link is the sight word cards link? Love your videos!

[@MrsCallsCampers]

◆Eyewords (sight word cards) (code CALL): bit.ly/MCCswcards I forgot to add it there it is :)

[@jamarconway4459]

Is they really learning from all that singing you're doing I had a friend who taught kindergarten and her kids didn't know nothing and all she did was sing all day long I've taught everything from toddlers through the 10th grade and you got to know reinforcement you do a lot of singing that's cute and all but where's the learning coming in at

[@MrsCallsCampers]

Singing helps concepts stick…it’s part of the learning…The rest of the learning comes from everything else we do…we’re learning all day long…

[@jamarconway4459]

I surely do hope so

[@jamarconway4459]

And for the record can you please explain something to me I have been a reading specialist a kindergarten teacher a first grade teacher second grade teacher third grade teacher whatever and I have tied phonics for years but can you please tell me something what is a secret story

[@heyteacher3089]

How can you have taught toddlers and not used singing? This must be a troll

[@jamarconway4459]

Because I have taught the skills and the key term is repetition