Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Inquiry Based Math

I spent the day in math training... and I liked it! (Those of you who know me are laughing, right?) I have this overwhelming love of literacy. But, this year, I set a personal goal to improve my teaching in the area of math. Thanks to three of my colleagues, who are the fabulous facilitators for our math group, we had the kind of day where you leave wondering, "Why can't all of our professional development days be like this?". Another colleague in my building was brave enough to allow our whole group (15 teachers) to observe a math lesson in her room. It was such a powerful experience! I had a tremendous amount of respect for this teacher before today's observation, but I left feeling amazed, inspired and grateful for the chance to see her in action.

Our math group focuses on inquiry based teaching methods. We are trying to plan lessons and use teaching strategies that help students improve their problem solving skills and develop their mathematical thinking skills. During the lessons I've been working on, my role is to challenge the students with a problem and then use inquiry based questions that encourage the children to explore, explain and discuss their thinking.

My most recent lesson was based on the book The Midnight Farm. The story is about all the animals a boy and his mother see on a farm. I challenged my students to figure out how many animals the boy and his mother saw all together in the story. My students used the data collection sheet that I made (with their clipboards) to record the numbers for each animal as I read the story.



I asked my students to represent their thinking with a picture and to "prove it" with numbers. I also asked them to write down the mathematical strategies they used to solve the problem. You can click on the pictures below to download the forms I used. The data collection sheet is specific to this book, but the other two pages are generic enough to use for any problem. 



That's it... my first math post!  Happy Wednesday!


Sunday, April 24, 2011

Mother's Day Book

Wow! I can't believe it's almost Mother's Day! Cindy from In The Teacher's Lounge is having a Mother's Day linky party.

I just posted a Mother's Day Book on Tpt.  I use the book as a keepsake for each student to give to their mom as a gift for Mother's Day.   It's quick and easy to make with my young students.  You can view additional samples from the book and get your copy by visiting my Tpt store.  Just click on the picture below...



Hope it's useful to someone out there.  Blogging is truly such a worth while experience (at least that's what I keep tellin' my husband).  I am truly grateful for all of the fabulous ideas teachers are sharing in the bloggin' world.  I'll be posting a freebie in the next few days.  Enjoy your week! 

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Short and Long Vowel Word Sorts

Do you need word sorts to use in a literacy center?  I often use word sorts as a working with words activity during Daily 5.  I also use word sorts to help individual students improve specific skills during my guided reading group time.  Research suggests that sorting is a powerful tool to help students develop and strengthen their reading skills.  I just added packets of my Short Vowel Word Family Sorts and my Long Vowel Word Family Sorts to Tpt.   Hope you will hop on over and check them out.




Enjoy your weekend!

Friday, April 22, 2011

Main Character Free Download

Happy Friday (especially since I'm at home with my family)!  My students spent a lot of time earlier this year identifying and describing the characters in stories.  We also worked on identifying and describing the main character.  My kids are really into series books right now (everything from Biscuit to Cam Jansen).  It's easy to identify the main character in most books from a series.  I made this to use as a refresher for the times when we are not working with a book from a series, but it could also be used for a book from a series.  You can click on the picture to download it for free. 


I'm working on 3 new things for Tpt too.  I'm hoping to be ready to post at least 2 of those this weekend. I should probably focus on one at a time, but that's really not my style. Off to decorate Easter eggs and tackle the laundry mountain...

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Get Ready for Summer Writing Activities

I'm bracing myself for the last month (or so) of school.  It's the time of the year when excitement about the summer months builds for everyone.  I still want to make the most of every opportunity to practice the things we worked so hard to accomplish.  I just posted a packet on Tpt called "Get Ready for Summer Writing/Drawing Activities".  Here is a glimpse of a few of the things that are included in the packet.  It's full of writing (and some drawing) activities to use with your students as we move through the last few weeks of school.



Hope you like it!

Main Idea

One of the comprehension strategies I've been working on with my students all year is "main idea". I made this recording form for them to use at the Read to Someone center this week. Click on the picture if you'd like to download it.

I'm still working on a packet of "get ready for summer" writing activities for my students to use in the last month of school. I'm hoping it will be ready to post on Tpt in the next few days.

Thanks for visiting!

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Hip, Hip Hooray! It's Funky, Fun and NEW!

Normally, I am completely annoyed by anyone who yells out, "Look at me!". But, today I just can't help yelling it out myself! 

Thanks to Kristen, at Ladybug Teaching Resources, my blog has a new and improved look!  She is so talented and easy to work with.  Please check out her designs.  Very impressive!


I just love the new look and I hope you do too!  Feel free to grab my button if you wish. 



Funky First Grade Fun


Thank you, Kristen!!!!!!

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Writing Checklist

Sometimes I feel like I must be the only teacher in the world who still has to remind certain kids to use an uppercase letter at the beginning of a sentence in April!  But, just in case I'm not... here is one of the writing checklists I use with my students throughout the year to encourage them to do their BEST work!

 


Download Writing Checklist Here
Well, I finally got the hang of this showing a sample business.  Here are a few sample  pages from the animal research report.  I posted it on Tpt.  Feel free to check it out!  If you end up being able to use it, I'd love to hear how it went.  I'm also working on some "get ready for summer" writing activities.  I'm hoping to have those posted later this week.




It's finally sunny in Michigan.  Oh happy day...


Monday, April 11, 2011

Animal Research Book

I survived the "Monday after Spring Break".  I must admit... it was not easy.  But, I did it!

My students have been working hard on their animal research projects.   We do an animal research project every year and each time I am amazed how much kids just LOVE animals!  I just added this Animal Research Book on Tpt.  The packet includes pages for an animal research report to help your students record information about whatever animal they choose to research.  Feel free to check it out!





Better do the laundry...

Sunday, April 10, 2011

7 of My Favorite Things

Persnickety Pickles is having a linky party! Check it out!

Here are 7 of my favorite (non-school related) things (in no particular order except that my family always comes first)...

1. My family (1 incredible husband, 1 amazing daughter, 1 fabulous son, and 2 fluffy dogs)

2. Amish books (Yep, I said it... I love learning about all things Amish.)

3. old homes with character

4. chocolate - only milk chocolate and not fancy chocolate

5. fall and everything that goes with it (football, leaves, pumpkins, apples)

6. tulips - I seriously love tulips!

7. Dt. Dew... just can't start the day without it. It's my "coffee".

New Button!

Well, I can't believe I accomplished laundry, 2 dog walks, baseball and soccer with the kids, a new unit on TpT, a car wash, floor mopping, a trip to the grocery store and a NEW BLOG BUTTON all in one day! I can't figure out how to remove those few characters that are randomly floating next to it... but it's there. I've been wishing for a new blog design and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will be my turn to have a spiffy new design. And... I must confess I only made the button in hopes that Tamara would email me and invite me to join Teaching Blog Addicts.

If you have a chance, could someone please try this funky button so I know if it works. Off to pack my stuff for school tomorrow - goodbye spring break!


Informational Text Packet

Yahoo!  I finally finished the packet I've been working on about informational text.   I teach my students about informational text and nonfiction text features in preparation for the animal research projects they are required to do in our district.  The packet has nothing to do with animals... the focus is on informational text and nonfiction text features.  You can find the packet on Tpt by clicking below.   Later today, I'm hoping to post my animal research project on Tpt as well... but since it's super sunny and it's the last day of spring break - it might be posted tomorrow morning.  Stay tuned!




BTW - I am for sure a teacher blog addict and I'm dying to email Tamara to get on board.  Just can't waste another minute of this sunny day on this computer trying to figure out how to make a blog button.  Ha!  Off to enjoy the sunshine...

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Winner of the Memory Book Giveaway!

And the winner is... Whitter24!  She said, "I now follow your new Tpt :)".  Send me your email address and I'll send you a copy of the Memory Book.  Here are a few sample pages from the packet.  You can purchase it on Tpt.  



A special thanks to Kristen from Ladybug Teacher Files for the tech help this morning!  She is amazing and I'm super grateful.  Happy Saturday!

Friday, April 8, 2011

Help! Showing documents/samples?

I'm hoping one of my super techy bloggin friends can help... I've spent so much time on the following 2 problems.  I use google docs... maybe there is a better way?

1.   I want to add a picture of my document and make it a link for people to download.  You'll notice in my previous posts that I can only seem to get a link to work if I highlight text. 

2.  I want to add a few pictures to my blog of samples from some things I want to post on Tpt.  How in the world are you all getting those in those cute little boxes?

Help!  Anyone?  Please...

Vocabulary Wheel

Since my students have been working hard on their animal research projects, we've been focusing a lot on informational text features.  I am working on polishing up a packet about informational text to post on TpT.  It should be ready in the next few days. 

Here is a vocabulary wheel that you can download.  It will be included in the informational text packet.
Wouldn't it be nice if I could figure out how to post a picture that you could click on instead of just the words?  Any advice?

Vocabulary Wheel

Hope you can use the vocabulary wheel!

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Memory Book Giveaway - It's not too late to enter!

 It's easy... enter before the end of the day Friday (4/8)!

It's time to start thinking about celebrating the end of the year!  I just added a Memory Book on Tpt.  You can find it at my Tpt store by clicking here.  The packet has pages that are suitable for kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade memory books to celebrate the end of the school year (or to record memories throughout the school year).  Your students will have the opportunity to write (and do a little drawing or scrapbooking... whichever you prefer) about their school year.  Head on over to check it out!

And to celebrate spring break... I am going to give a copy of the Memory Book away to one lucky winner.  Here is how to enter to win.  Each of the following will give you a chance to win.  Entries must be received by the end of the day on Friday, April 8th.

1.  follow my blog and leave a comment (or leave a comment if you already follow my blog)
2.  follow my new Tpt store and come on back and leave a comment
3.  blog about this giveaway and come on back to leave a comment and the link

Thanks for following my blog!

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Memory Book Giveaway

 Ahhh...spring break!  I promised myself that I would work on getting myself on TpT over the break.  I finally did it!  I am super grateful for the fabulous ideas my fellow bloggers have shared, so I promise to also continue to post "free" stuff on my blog on a regular basis.

It's time to start thinking about celebrating the end of the year!  I just added a Memory Book on TpT.  The packet has pages that are suitable for kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade memory books to celebrate the end of the school year (or to record memories throughout the school year).  Your students will have the opportunity to write (and do a little drawing or scrapbooking... whichever you prefer) about their school year.  Head on over to check it out!

And to celebrate spring break... I am going to give a copy of the Memory Book away to one lucky winner.  Here is how to enter to win.  Each of the following will give you one chance to win.  Entries must be received by the end of the day on Friday, April 8th.  Yep, 2 more days!

1.  follow my blog and leave a comment (or leave a comment if you already follow my blog)
2.  follow my new Tpt store and come on back and leave a comment
3.  blog about this giveaway and come on back to leave a comment and the link

Monday, April 4, 2011

Techy Linky Party

Jena at  First Grade With Miss Snowden is having a techy linky party.  Check it out and link up to share your ideas about the technology you use in your classroom.

This year, we were lucky enough to receive interactive white boards and document cameras for each classroom in our district.  I use both daily, but I must say the document camera has absolutely changed the way I teach.  Here is what it looks like...

I put it on a cart in my large group area.  The cart is on wheels in case I want to move it around a bit.  In case you are not familiar with document cameras, it projects anything that is put under the camera onto our whiteboard (or a white screen) through a projector. 

My favorite ways to use the document camera...
1.  My students use it to share their work with the class.
2.  My students use it to show their artwork.
3.  My students put books under the camera to read to the class.
4.  I put books under the camera to for read aloud while my students are eating snack.
5.  We put math manipulatives under the camera during class discussions.
6.  If I am showing a model or example to give instructions, I use the document camera so the students can see a "large" version on the screen.

Can't wait to read about how everyone else is using technology in their classrooms!  

Friday, April 1, 2011

Daily 5 Forms

Well, I meant to post this last night... but my google docs were not cooperating.  And since I'm still freaked out about that Grey's episode I figured I'd still post it.

Just came home from lacrosse practice and turned on the TV to find a very strange episode of Grey's Anatomy.  Not sure what to think of the freaky glee style out of body experiences... so I'll do some blogging instead.  Anyway... I do parts of the Daily 5 in my room.  It's about this time of the year that I need to "refocus" my students and put some things in place to hold them accountable for staying on task.  I use a student "report" form for Read to Self.  I also use a recording form for Read to Someone.  I'm hoping that you'll be able to use these even if you don't use Daily 5.  Let me know if they are helpful.

Read to Self Report


Read to Someone Recording Form

Tomorrow is my last day before Spring Break!  Yahoo!!!!