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Showing posts with label 3rd grade. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 3rd grade. Show all posts
Friday, August 17, 2012
Classroom Reveal!
This year, I have been going in to my classroom little by little, and it has seemed to be less stressful! Today, I got to a point where the room is pretty much done. I am still waiting for my class list. That will be more things to complete, but for now, here is what I have.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Welcome to Success!
What do you do in your classroom to help all students feel successful?
For many years, I used to have a banner in my room that read WELCOME TO SUCCESS! (a la Harry K. Wong) I really do believe that all of my students have something to offer our class. I want them to feel comfortable with themselves, and I want them to feel like they are contributing and growing in our class.
It has been a couple of years since I hung that banner. I may have to do it again this year. I wqant them to know that I believe that they are special and talented. I try to show them this in my language, by offering a variety of choice activities, and by pointing out my strengths and weaknesses. They need to know that very few of us are full of only strengths. We all have areas that are more difficult for us. When we work in groups, we try to "play to our strengths." We do it as adults, so I think they should learn to do it some as children, too. That doesn't mean we avoid trying to strengthen our weaknesses...
What things do you do to help students feel talented and successful?
Thursday, July 5, 2012
A Day in My Shoes
I am linking up with Ana from Ingles360 as part of TBA's International Blog Hopping Day to share a day in my shoes....
I am going with a Friday (on last year's schedule)
6:00: Alarm goes off for the first time....:) At some point I get up and shower. I am lucky because my WONDERFUL husband is a morning guy, and he takes care of getting our 4 sons up, fed, and off to school. (How about that?)
7:00: I grab some kind of breakfast (usually cereal or oatmeal) and if I need, fix a cup of Keurig.
7:15: I'm off to school and arrive by 7:25.
7:25: Final prep/get ready for kids
8:25: Kids arrive in my room. We do our morning activities to prep for the day. (lunch count, collect homework, announements, get laptops...)
8:40: We begin our LITERACY BLOCK with a Daily 5 option. Kids have a 20 minute block to read, blog, write, or work with words. I conference with students or meet with small groups.
9:00: Students share either reading or writing with the class.
9:10: CAFE Skill lesson: I typically introduce the skill and use a picture book or other short text to illustrate/practice skill.
9:30: Partner Read/Practice: Practice the CAFE skill with a partner using materials at their reading level.
9:45: Class practices oral reading of this week's poem, quote, or song. By Friday, our expression, fluency, rhythm and timing are pretty good. :)
9:50: Students conclude the LITERACY BLOCK with a Daily 5 option. They again have a 20 minute block that they can use as above except they are not to do whatever they did in the first block. We record our choices into our D5 Binder so that we can monitor how time was spent. I continue to meet with students.
10:10: We begin our MATH WORKSHOP with our 1st rotation/activity. Typically, students are divided into 2 or 3 groups working on materials at their level.
10:25: We continue with out 2nd rotation of MATH WORKSHOP.
10:45: ART Because of our building's overcrowding, my class has to have art in the classroom. This doesn't really bother them, but it makes my prep less than it could be. No matter, it is a nice break.
11:25: Art is done, so we do our 3rd rotation of MATH WORKSHOP.
11:50: We go to lunch. Because it is Friday, I often go with friends to Subway (our only real out of school option)
12:40: Students return and I read aloud to them. :)
12:55: This is our targeted instruction time. Students go to one of the third grade rooms to work on interventions, maintenance, or extension. I have the extension students. Last year, we learned Greek/Roman mythology, made book trailers, read Shakespeare, did readers' theatres, discussed and learned about the Holocaust and WWII, and studied and thought about the issues of slavery and civil rights.
1:25: Students return to the room and we have social studies.
2:00: We fill in our assignment notebook and get our bags packed to take home for the night. I post the assignment notebook page to our website.
2:05: Science
2:35: Writing Workshop: This is where I present a mini-lesson on writing. Hopefully, we have time for kids to practice, too.
2:55: Students grab their backpacks and hustle downstairs to PE. They are dismissed from PE. I am done teaching for the day.
3:15 School day is done. I typically work with teammates, have meetings, and do school work until 4:30 or 5.
5:00 I get somewhere to pick up one or more boys from activities.
5:20 I am home to put dinner together. (although since it is Friday, we often eat out.) :)
6:30 Football game? Basketball game? If so, we go. Otherwise, I get settled in on the couch or in my bedroom for a relaxing night of DVR'd shows, 48Hours Mystery, or Dateline.
10:00 It is Friday, so I am off to bed early. I'm tired!
What does your day look like? Link up and let us know!
I am going with a Friday (on last year's schedule)
6:00: Alarm goes off for the first time....:) At some point I get up and shower. I am lucky because my WONDERFUL husband is a morning guy, and he takes care of getting our 4 sons up, fed, and off to school. (How about that?)
7:00: I grab some kind of breakfast (usually cereal or oatmeal) and if I need, fix a cup of Keurig.
7:15: I'm off to school and arrive by 7:25.
7:25: Final prep/get ready for kids
8:25: Kids arrive in my room. We do our morning activities to prep for the day. (lunch count, collect homework, announements, get laptops...)
8:40: We begin our LITERACY BLOCK with a Daily 5 option. Kids have a 20 minute block to read, blog, write, or work with words. I conference with students or meet with small groups.
9:00: Students share either reading or writing with the class.
9:10: CAFE Skill lesson: I typically introduce the skill and use a picture book or other short text to illustrate/practice skill.
9:30: Partner Read/Practice: Practice the CAFE skill with a partner using materials at their reading level.
9:45: Class practices oral reading of this week's poem, quote, or song. By Friday, our expression, fluency, rhythm and timing are pretty good. :)
9:50: Students conclude the LITERACY BLOCK with a Daily 5 option. They again have a 20 minute block that they can use as above except they are not to do whatever they did in the first block. We record our choices into our D5 Binder so that we can monitor how time was spent. I continue to meet with students.
10:10: We begin our MATH WORKSHOP with our 1st rotation/activity. Typically, students are divided into 2 or 3 groups working on materials at their level.
10:25: We continue with out 2nd rotation of MATH WORKSHOP.
10:45: ART Because of our building's overcrowding, my class has to have art in the classroom. This doesn't really bother them, but it makes my prep less than it could be. No matter, it is a nice break.
11:25: Art is done, so we do our 3rd rotation of MATH WORKSHOP.
11:50: We go to lunch. Because it is Friday, I often go with friends to Subway (our only real out of school option)
12:40: Students return and I read aloud to them. :)
12:55: This is our targeted instruction time. Students go to one of the third grade rooms to work on interventions, maintenance, or extension. I have the extension students. Last year, we learned Greek/Roman mythology, made book trailers, read Shakespeare, did readers' theatres, discussed and learned about the Holocaust and WWII, and studied and thought about the issues of slavery and civil rights.
1:25: Students return to the room and we have social studies.
2:00: We fill in our assignment notebook and get our bags packed to take home for the night. I post the assignment notebook page to our website.
2:05: Science
2:35: Writing Workshop: This is where I present a mini-lesson on writing. Hopefully, we have time for kids to practice, too.
2:55: Students grab their backpacks and hustle downstairs to PE. They are dismissed from PE. I am done teaching for the day.
3:15 School day is done. I typically work with teammates, have meetings, and do school work until 4:30 or 5.
5:00 I get somewhere to pick up one or more boys from activities.
5:20 I am home to put dinner together. (although since it is Friday, we often eat out.) :)
6:30 Football game? Basketball game? If so, we go. Otherwise, I get settled in on the couch or in my bedroom for a relaxing night of DVR'd shows, 48Hours Mystery, or Dateline.
10:00 It is Friday, so I am off to bed early. I'm tired!
What does your day look like? Link up and let us know!
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Hospitals and Monday Made-It (on Wednesday)
I had so much fun doing Tara's Monday Made-It a couple of weeks ago, and I had really been looking forward to this week's. I worked on my project over the weekend, and was all set to post on Monday morning.
Well....the best laid plans...My youngest son had to go to the hospital on Monday morning for a blood test. I took him, and planned to come home and write my post. But, when I returned, my 15 year old son, who had been sick all weekend, was looking worse than he had when he woke up. Because we were supposed to leave on vacation at the end of the week, I decided I had better get him in to the doctor so we weren't dealing with that on vacation. Well, he only got worse and worse as we went to the doctor's office, the doctor did a couple of tests and determined that he needed more tests and observation. After getting him admitted to the hospital, and a 1 am CAT scan, we found out that he had a RUPTURED appendix! (We can't do anything easy at our house :)) So, 6 am on Tuesday morning, he underwent surgery. He is now in the hospital til at least Friday to monitor. We are so blessed that this didn't happen on our trip to Florida. It means that we won't be able to take our vacation to Nashville at the end of the week, but he is recovering nicely, and we are thankful of that!
So...that is the reason for my Wednesday Monday Made-It! Please excuse me this week.
I can't remember where I got this idea, so I apologize, but also thank you for it! Please feel free to let me know if you think it was you! I can't wait to make this happen!
This poster is all done except for lamination. It will be a great way for us to show what we have learned each day or week. I think right now I will have students be accountable for one post-it per week, but we'll see...
Here's how it works. The poster itself has 30 numbered squares where students will place a post-it note which shares what they have learned during the week.
Isn't it genius? I love it! I made the title to coordinate with all of my other classroom paperwork for next year. Then I used the cute little bear paw prints (My school is the Bears.) and put numbers onto each one. We use numbers for our behavior management, so students will place a sticky note with something new they learned over their pawprint.
This will be a great tool for me to use to monitor their learning, and it will be good for them to take ownership of their learning. As we clear sticky notes, we are going to have a location in our Daily 5 Binders where we can store them. We will then be able to share them with parents during our springtime student-led conferences!
What do you think? I hope you are as excited about it as I am! (Even if I am a couple of days late. :))
Friday, March 16, 2012
Math Workshop--First Unit SUCCESS!
Today, my students took a test in math. As I posted earlier, this is the first unit they have been tested on since I implemented our math workshop. When they finished the test, they were asked to write to me about workshop--whether they liked it, if they thought they learned better...
The results were OVERWHELMINGLY for math workshop. They loved working in small groups, getting more individual time from me, the games and the variation of math activities. I was glad that they liked it so far. I am going to work on putting together my next unit using a similar format.
I like the way it is working out, too. It takes a lot of front-end preparation, but it has gone pretty smoothly. This is a great group of kids to try anything with.
Typically, I have a small group working with me while other groups play games, practice skills independently, or work collaboratively to figure out a new concept. At most times of the class, there are about 3-4 different things going on. Students complete about 3 different activities during the time. I don't have the activity times or the time with me set up equally. Some groups get 20 minutes to do an activity while another group may only get 10. It depends on the activity and the abilities in the group.
Tomorrow morning I am going to score their math tests to see if the assessment results are as positive as the kids' attitudes about workshop. I will let you know.
The results were OVERWHELMINGLY for math workshop. They loved working in small groups, getting more individual time from me, the games and the variation of math activities. I was glad that they liked it so far. I am going to work on putting together my next unit using a similar format.
I like the way it is working out, too. It takes a lot of front-end preparation, but it has gone pretty smoothly. This is a great group of kids to try anything with.
Typically, I have a small group working with me while other groups play games, practice skills independently, or work collaboratively to figure out a new concept. At most times of the class, there are about 3-4 different things going on. Students complete about 3 different activities during the time. I don't have the activity times or the time with me set up equally. Some groups get 20 minutes to do an activity while another group may only get 10. It depends on the activity and the abilities in the group.
Tomorrow morning I am going to score their math tests to see if the assessment results are as positive as the kids' attitudes about workshop. I will let you know.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Finally last week....
Last week was our state testing week. What a long week for kids! Most of mine did well with the change in schedule and routine, but some of my kids who struggle with focus had a tough time.
I am not a fan of testing, so I try to keep them excited by offering some fun activities. First of all, a favorite is for their parents to write to them on sticky notes--one note for each day. When the kids come in the room, they have a snack on their desk along with a note from a loved one. Many get so excited that they keep them on their desks well after testing. They can't have them on their desktop during testing, so they hang them down on their desk where they can still see it and then place them back on their desks when the testing is done.
I am not a fan of testing, so I try to keep them excited by offering some fun activities. First of all, a favorite is for their parents to write to them on sticky notes--one note for each day. When the kids come in the room, they have a snack on their desk along with a note from a loved one. Many get so excited that they keep them on their desks well after testing. They can't have them on their desktop during testing, so they hang them down on their desk where they can still see it and then place them back on their desks when the testing is done.
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Many of them think that their moms and dads are coming into the room when they are gone. It is so cute. I love seeing the creative ways parents make the notes. It is really touching how much of an impact it has on the kids.
On Tuesday of testing, we celebrated Michelangelo's birthday by painting our own "Sistine Chapels." Kids had fun laying on their backs. I posted about this activity here. Here are our finished creations.
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| Aren't the colors beautiful?
Wednesday was our World Read Aloud Day celebration. We celebrated all afternoon with a visit from our Director of Elementary Education reading Once Upon a Cool Motorcycle Dude to the whole 3rd grade, extra read aloud from me, read aloud with a partner and a Skype event with Navjot Kaur. She read to us from her book A Lion's Mane. It was a nice afternoon. One of the kids said to me, "I've never met an author before. Now I have!" This Skype was set up for me by LitWorld who organizes World Read Aloud Day.
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Certainly, we are glad to be done with our testing, but these special events made it all a little more fun!
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
A St. Patrick's Day Freebie
I created this attached SMART Notebook document to use in the weeks after testing and before we break for spring break. I don't want to start a new unit, so we will keep busy with some review and extension ideas. This does a little bit of both.
I like to use algebra as an extension for my kids who have mastered the skill. That way they are still working on the same things as the other kids, just in a different way.
This document requires SMART Notebook to open. I hope you like it. Leave me a comment if you download. Thanks. Luck of the Irish to you!
I like to use algebra as an extension for my kids who have mastered the skill. That way they are still working on the same things as the other kids, just in a different way.
This document requires SMART Notebook to open. I hope you like it. Leave me a comment if you download. Thanks. Luck of the Irish to you!
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Digital Choices--Producers over Consumers
As my students and I have become more comfortable with our increased access to technology this year, I am looking to offer them more opportunities to "show what they know" with digital products. The concern I have with the implementation of the computers into the classroom is that I don't want to become complacent and end up producing digital consumers rather than digital producers.
I have worked hard this year to present information to my students in many formats so that they can have examples of ways that they can share their information with me.
Last week was a great step towards success! Each week, my students are given a basic writing assignment to complete before they begin their independent writing in Daily 5. These take a variety of formats, and I often try to give them options. Last week, they were given the topic of "What would you do with an extra day?" They had a number of things to consider, but then they could create a product of their choice: poem, story, list, digital product....
They did a nice job really thinking about this possibility. However, what pleased me more, is that I had a number of Powerpoints created for this assignment, some Vokis created, and nearly everyone who decided to do a story, poem, or list, typed it up. Finally, the best part, they all, no matter what the project, submitted these assignments to me digitally through Classconnect! These are 8 and 9 year olds! I am so proud of what they can do!
I will continue to work to make our assignments and projects capable of being digital so that kids can use some of the great creative sites out there. It is empowering for them to have choice in their assignments, and it is wonderful for me to be able to receive assignments easily through Classconnect!
I have worked hard this year to present information to my students in many formats so that they can have examples of ways that they can share their information with me.
Last week was a great step towards success! Each week, my students are given a basic writing assignment to complete before they begin their independent writing in Daily 5. These take a variety of formats, and I often try to give them options. Last week, they were given the topic of "What would you do with an extra day?" They had a number of things to consider, but then they could create a product of their choice: poem, story, list, digital product....
They did a nice job really thinking about this possibility. However, what pleased me more, is that I had a number of Powerpoints created for this assignment, some Vokis created, and nearly everyone who decided to do a story, poem, or list, typed it up. Finally, the best part, they all, no matter what the project, submitted these assignments to me digitally through Classconnect! These are 8 and 9 year olds! I am so proud of what they can do!
I will continue to work to make our assignments and projects capable of being digital so that kids can use some of the great creative sites out there. It is empowering for them to have choice in their assignments, and it is wonderful for me to be able to receive assignments easily through Classconnect!
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Happy Birthday, Michelangelo, and a break from state testing
Michelangelo's birthday is on March 6th. We tried this activity last year as a way to lighten the week of state testing. It turned into a memorable afternoon, and one that I am looking forward to replicating this year!
In the fall, we had read From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg. (always a favorite!) When we read the book, we did learn a little bit about Michelangelo, so this activity didn't take too much set up.
In the afternoon, we told the kids of Michelangelo's upcoming birthday. We figured out how old he would be, and then reviewed things that we had learned about him in the fall. Next, students got out their watercolor paints, we taped white paper to the underside of their desks, and they got down on the floor and painted on their backs just as Michelangelo had done when he painted the Sistine Chapel.
They laughed for the first few minutes as they got used to this new perspective and the realization of what they were doing. However, it didn't take them long to settle in and get serious about what they were creating. We had great fun on this afternoon, and the art they created turned out to be pretty darn good!
It will be a fun break again this year. I'll post about our new creations!
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Leap Day Fun and a freebie
As I have mentioned before, we are having an EXTRA day of fun in our classroom to recognize Leap Day.
I have been putting together the finishing touches on our day, so I thought I would share. If you would like the PDF file which includes the words for alphabetizing, the algebra problems (two pages--one is easier, one more challenging), and a matching game for words with the prefix ex-, you can access it below.
Also, I found this website with lots of good information for kids. http://leapyearday.com/content/kids-page
Have a Happy Leap Day! You don't get too many extra days--so ENJOY!
I have been putting together the finishing touches on our day, so I thought I would share. If you would like the PDF file which includes the words for alphabetizing, the algebra problems (two pages--one is easier, one more challenging), and a matching game for words with the prefix ex-, you can access it below.
Also, I found this website with lots of good information for kids. http://leapyearday.com/content/kids-page
Have a Happy Leap Day! You don't get too many extra days--so ENJOY!
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
An Extra Day! Leap Year Activities
February 29th is a special day. An extra day. What would you do with an extra day? Well, we are going to make it a fun day filled with leaping, laughing, and X's.
We are going to treat it as an extra day, and we will forego our regular curriculum on this day just to have a fun day of Xtra activities. I have celebrated like this before with my students, but it has been a while, as our last February 29th fell on the weekend.
We are going to treat it as an extra day, and we will forego our regular curriculum on this day just to have a fun day of Xtra activities. I have celebrated like this before with my students, but it has been a while, as our last February 29th fell on the weekend.
I am posting an outline of my current plans for the day...if you have any other great ideas, I'd be glad to hear them!
Plans for Wednesday, February 29th:
Our EXTRA day…
8:30-8:40 Opening Activities
8:40-9:00 Daily 5 Block (No restrictions)
9:00-9:15
Extra Sharing: Everyone
shares! Students are partnered up and
each person must share a book or a writing with their partner.
9:15-9:45 X
activity stations:
1)
Alphabetizing words that begin with X
2)
Learning about the prefix eX
3)
Turning an X
into a picture and then creating a story about it.
9:45-10:05 Daily 5 Block (No Restrictions)
10:05-10:45 (Computer) Math Practice on IXL(20 min) and Sumdog (20 min)
10:45-11:15 IMC
11:15-11:35 Math Leap frog
in the commons practicing X facts.
11:35-11:50 Solve for X (algebra
practice)
11:50-12:40
LUNCH/RECESS
12:40-12:55 Read Aloud
12:55-1:25 Targeted Instruction
1:25-1:50 Extra time for partner reading
1:50-2:20 Extra time on the computers…(TBD)
2:20-2:50 Xylophones,
Xrays, and the number of leap days there have been…
2:50-2:55 Ready for Home
2:55-3:15 PE
Saturday, February 18, 2012
What I am is...
My students LOVE this video by Will.i.am and Sesame Street. We play it at least once a week, often as we are transitioning from activity to another. They even do some of his motions...
It has a great message besides a catchy tune. I love it, too!
It has a great message besides a catchy tune. I love it, too!
Friday, February 3, 2012
Fraction glyphs
Fractions are hard for some kids to get their head around. This activity is a quick assessment of basic fraction knowledge, and it engages students with something that most of them love...BASKETBALL.
The glyph is a quick review of numerators/denominators/value/equivalence. Students follow the directions on the master page and then make their basketball hoop and ball match the description. Click on the basketball to download the whole activity. Each child will need one hoop page, one paper basketball, the key page, and a die.
The glyph is a quick review of numerators/denominators/value/equivalence. Students follow the directions on the master page and then make their basketball hoop and ball match the description. Click on the basketball to download the whole activity. Each child will need one hoop page, one paper basketball, the key page, and a die.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Have you ever used a RAFT?
RAFT is a student choice project which allows students to show their knowledge of a subject in a variety of ways.
The above RAFT is one I created for a unit we are doing on Jane Addams. Students have 6 project options that they can do which shows their knowledge of Jane Addams.
RAFT stands for Role, Audience, Format, and Topic. Students read across the row to determine which project will be best for them. For example, a student may choose to be a social worker who is writing a letter to his parents explaining to them why he is so glad that he chose to be a social worker. In the letter, he would list the jobs that a social worker at the beginning of the 20th century would have done. This would be done in a way that keeps the voice of a child to a parent and follows the format of a letter.
The formats labeled DIGITAL are broad on purpose. I have tried to expose my students to many different online tools as well as other publishing tools, and the digital term means they can use any of them...Photostory, Prezi, Glogster, Powerpoint, SMART Notebook... All children will be encouraged to type their project. Time is given in class for the work to be done because it is an assessment, and I want the child's ideas.
Have you ever used a RAFT? In what subject did you use it? The students appreciate the choice options, and I like the differentiated options that can reach learners at all levels show their understanding in a way that best suits them.
You can access a copy of the above RAFT plus the rubric I use to score it by clicking on the image above.
The above RAFT is one I created for a unit we are doing on Jane Addams. Students have 6 project options that they can do which shows their knowledge of Jane Addams.
RAFT stands for Role, Audience, Format, and Topic. Students read across the row to determine which project will be best for them. For example, a student may choose to be a social worker who is writing a letter to his parents explaining to them why he is so glad that he chose to be a social worker. In the letter, he would list the jobs that a social worker at the beginning of the 20th century would have done. This would be done in a way that keeps the voice of a child to a parent and follows the format of a letter.
The formats labeled DIGITAL are broad on purpose. I have tried to expose my students to many different online tools as well as other publishing tools, and the digital term means they can use any of them...Photostory, Prezi, Glogster, Powerpoint, SMART Notebook... All children will be encouraged to type their project. Time is given in class for the work to be done because it is an assessment, and I want the child's ideas.
Have you ever used a RAFT? In what subject did you use it? The students appreciate the choice options, and I like the differentiated options that can reach learners at all levels show their understanding in a way that best suits them.
You can access a copy of the above RAFT plus the rubric I use to score it by clicking on the image above.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
People Numbers
As part of our study of place value, I do a kinesthetic activity all year which seems to help everyone "get it" a little better.
I have digits written on construction paper and laminated: One number per piece of construction paper. I also have a piece with a comma that says thousand, a comma that says million, and a decimal point that says and.
I pass out the digits, commas, and decimal point randomly to students. Then I make up a number and tell the class. As I say the number, students with corresponding digits go to the front of the room to make the number. They line up and form the number for us by holding the card in front of their chest so we can see it. I usually let them collaborate some, but I really want them to do some independent thinking. It helps me to see who is still struggling with the concept. Once they think they are set, I have another student who didn't have a digit, read us the number. This is good practice for them as well. 
Sometimes, when they have the number made, I will say "Let's reduce this number by 20,000." (or something like that) Then students have to figure out who is affected by this change and who would come take their place. It is a pretty good activity that we use all year long!
Sunday, January 1, 2012
10 Websites for my students in 2012
Happy New Year! This list is a compilation of websites that my students use regularly and a list of sites that I plan to introduce them to using more often. Hopefully, I will feel some more accountability by listing them here. Let me know if you have tried any of these sites or have any others to recommend! (I like getting comments!)
1. KIDBLOG: My students currently use Kidblog. It is their "reading journal" for our class. The results I have seen have been wonderful! Some of my students who would not write before now write without my loving persuasion. The kids are currently given the assignment of one entry per week. I am able to score that entry from any computer and post the child's grade in Kidblog so that only they and I can see it. Soon, their assignment will be an entry and a comment on another classmate's blog per week. Many of them already comment on each other's blogs. It is so nice to see them ask questions about books and to add books to their reading lists through these blogs. Students have access to their blogs from home, and many post extra entries as well as comments from there. This is something that has strengthened our reading community, our writing and our reading. I would recommend student blogging to anyone! Love it and what it has done for our classroom.
3. CLASSCONNECT: We use Classconnect every day in my classroom. It is a classroom management system where I can post documents, websites, videos...for my students to access in the classroom or at home. Students can upload documents for submission to me, check our classroom calendar, or make comments on our homepage. This site requires the teacher to set up a class and then to have students login with a code to set up their accounts. (I just set up each of my students accounts for them. It saved me a ton of time.) This site is doing some upgrading in the next couple of weeks, and we have been told changes are coming, but I am sure that it will still be a great place for my students and I to connect!
4. WORDLE: This site is an old-time favorite of mine. Students input a set of words and a word cloud is generated. I use it for character analysis, spelling word practice, theme development, and much more. We also like Tagxedo, but this one seems more user-friendly for us.
5. GLOGSTER: My students have had some practice with this site, but not for creating something as a product. I am hoping that some of my students will use this online poster generator as an option for some of their projects this semester. It is a fun site, but can be a little finnicky sometimes. Also, it requires a login/password account.
6. WALLWISHER: Wallwisher is so easy to use! You go in and create a virtual bulletin board for your class, and then it gives you a URL to share. Once you have shared your URL, students can post sticky notes onto the wall about a subject you have chosen. I use this to practice skills during reading workshop (Everyone make a prediction about this book, tell me the genre of this text...) and to have students have a place for questions or comments during a content lesson. My kids like it a lot, and students comment or ask questions who would not typically be contributing to class discussion. :)
7. SUMDOG: My kids love Sumdog. It is a math practice site where they are able to practice skills playing a variety of games against other users in the world. As a teacher, I can set the parameters of each child's skill set thus allowing for differentiation. I can also set class challenges. The site gives the students feedback on what skills they have mastered. Teachers can pay for a reporting service, too, but I am able to get enough data from my and my students' accounts that I have not paid for reports.
8. STORYBIRD: This is an easy-to-use online publishing site. Students create books using beautiful artwork provided by the site. Students choose and align pics as they wish and then add text to make a story. They can build a library of stories in their account, and these stories are accessible from home. A class account and individual names had to be setup, but it was worth the small amount of time it took!
9. VOKI: Kids love to create Vokis, animations that repeat what you record or type in. I have had students create Vokis to share information, quotes, or just to liven up a presentation. Once the Voki is created, it can be embedded into a blog or website or you can link up to its URL.
10. VISUWORDS: This is an online graphical dictionary which provides great visuals of a word, its meaning, related words...Very simple to use, and really helps kids to understand the word rather than just memorizing its meaning.
1. KIDBLOG: My students currently use Kidblog. It is their "reading journal" for our class. The results I have seen have been wonderful! Some of my students who would not write before now write without my loving persuasion. The kids are currently given the assignment of one entry per week. I am able to score that entry from any computer and post the child's grade in Kidblog so that only they and I can see it. Soon, their assignment will be an entry and a comment on another classmate's blog per week. Many of them already comment on each other's blogs. It is so nice to see them ask questions about books and to add books to their reading lists through these blogs. Students have access to their blogs from home, and many post extra entries as well as comments from there. This is something that has strengthened our reading community, our writing and our reading. I would recommend student blogging to anyone! Love it and what it has done for our classroom.
2. BRAINEOS: Students create flashcards or use already-created decks to study facts or information. Students can practice these terms as flashcards or play games on the website using the same information. There are a number of these type of sites, and this is the one I have played with the most. I am beginning with me creating decks that my students can access, and then going to encourage them to create their own decks.3. CLASSCONNECT: We use Classconnect every day in my classroom. It is a classroom management system where I can post documents, websites, videos...for my students to access in the classroom or at home. Students can upload documents for submission to me, check our classroom calendar, or make comments on our homepage. This site requires the teacher to set up a class and then to have students login with a code to set up their accounts. (I just set up each of my students accounts for them. It saved me a ton of time.) This site is doing some upgrading in the next couple of weeks, and we have been told changes are coming, but I am sure that it will still be a great place for my students and I to connect!
4. WORDLE: This site is an old-time favorite of mine. Students input a set of words and a word cloud is generated. I use it for character analysis, spelling word practice, theme development, and much more. We also like Tagxedo, but this one seems more user-friendly for us.
5. GLOGSTER: My students have had some practice with this site, but not for creating something as a product. I am hoping that some of my students will use this online poster generator as an option for some of their projects this semester. It is a fun site, but can be a little finnicky sometimes. Also, it requires a login/password account.
6. WALLWISHER: Wallwisher is so easy to use! You go in and create a virtual bulletin board for your class, and then it gives you a URL to share. Once you have shared your URL, students can post sticky notes onto the wall about a subject you have chosen. I use this to practice skills during reading workshop (Everyone make a prediction about this book, tell me the genre of this text...) and to have students have a place for questions or comments during a content lesson. My kids like it a lot, and students comment or ask questions who would not typically be contributing to class discussion. :)
7. SUMDOG: My kids love Sumdog. It is a math practice site where they are able to practice skills playing a variety of games against other users in the world. As a teacher, I can set the parameters of each child's skill set thus allowing for differentiation. I can also set class challenges. The site gives the students feedback on what skills they have mastered. Teachers can pay for a reporting service, too, but I am able to get enough data from my and my students' accounts that I have not paid for reports.
8. STORYBIRD: This is an easy-to-use online publishing site. Students create books using beautiful artwork provided by the site. Students choose and align pics as they wish and then add text to make a story. They can build a library of stories in their account, and these stories are accessible from home. A class account and individual names had to be setup, but it was worth the small amount of time it took!
9. VOKI: Kids love to create Vokis, animations that repeat what you record or type in. I have had students create Vokis to share information, quotes, or just to liven up a presentation. Once the Voki is created, it can be embedded into a blog or website or you can link up to its URL.
10. VISUWORDS: This is an online graphical dictionary which provides great visuals of a word, its meaning, related words...Very simple to use, and really helps kids to understand the word rather than just memorizing its meaning.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Yearn to Learn's Blog Mixer Linky
Yearn to Learn is having a Blog Mixer Linky. I am going to join in the fun.
1. A New Kid on the Blog: The Sweet Life of Third Grade is just getting started.
2. Blogger in the Same Grade Level: I always enjoy reading The Thoughts of a Third Grade Teacher.
3. Blogger from a different grade level: Shepherd's Shining Stars is a great technology reference blog. She is making things happen!
4. Cutest Blog Button: This is a new blog, but she has been busy! Lots of posts. Cute site.
1. A New Kid on the Blog: The Sweet Life of Third Grade is just getting started.
2. Blogger in the Same Grade Level: I always enjoy reading The Thoughts of a Third Grade Teacher.
3. Blogger from a different grade level: Shepherd's Shining Stars is a great technology reference blog. She is making things happen!
4. Cutest Blog Button: This is a new blog, but she has been busy! Lots of posts. Cute site.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
A freebie for the end of my first week
I am having fun reading and learning about other's teaching through blogging. Today ends my first week as a blogger, and so I decided to share something to celebrate.
I provide SMARTBoard training for others in my district and area, and I have developed many lessons. I really love it, and I work hard to make my SMART docs user friendly and child-centered. If you click on the link below, it will take you to a SMARTBoard math review game for 3rd grade. It certainly could be used at other grades, and the content could be changed as wanted by the user. To open the document, you will need to have SMART Notebook 10 on your computer.
I hope you like it! If you do, share my blog with others!
SMARTBoard math review game
I provide SMARTBoard training for others in my district and area, and I have developed many lessons. I really love it, and I work hard to make my SMART docs user friendly and child-centered. If you click on the link below, it will take you to a SMARTBoard math review game for 3rd grade. It certainly could be used at other grades, and the content could be changed as wanted by the user. To open the document, you will need to have SMART Notebook 10 on your computer.
I hope you like it! If you do, share my blog with others!
Monday, June 20, 2011
3rd grade Words Their Way
So I have been learning more about Words their Way by Bear, Invernizzi, Templeton and Johnston. Has anyone out their tried this idea in their classroom?
Last year, I went to a complete word work approach in my classroom. Much less emphasis on memorizing spelling words. The kids did pretty well, and the feedback from parents was good. I used our district supplied list of 120 words that they feel all 3rd graders should be able to spell.
This year, I am going to assess my students at the beginning of the year, and use that to determine the list of words they will use for word work and for any type of assessment. Does anyone have any tips for me? Years ago, I used individualized lists, so that part is not too frightening to me. I am just wondering what successes or concerns people have had after using this book as their guide.
I am very interested in feedback from people about this. Let me know what you think...
Last year, I went to a complete word work approach in my classroom. Much less emphasis on memorizing spelling words. The kids did pretty well, and the feedback from parents was good. I used our district supplied list of 120 words that they feel all 3rd graders should be able to spell.
This year, I am going to assess my students at the beginning of the year, and use that to determine the list of words they will use for word work and for any type of assessment. Does anyone have any tips for me? Years ago, I used individualized lists, so that part is not too frightening to me. I am just wondering what successes or concerns people have had after using this book as their guide.
I am very interested in feedback from people about this. Let me know what you think...
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Common Core Standards
So, I am trying to learn more about the Common Core Standards and what they will mean to me and my classroom. However, I think that it is important for parents to know about the changes, too! For that reason, I have attached the following PDF to my website. It is from the National PTA, and it gives parents a general explanation of what should be expected from a 3rd grader following the Common Core Standards.
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