START THE SCHOOL YEAR OFF RIGHT

Have you seen the countdown to school on social media?  Well, it's time to think about ways to start the school year off right.  I have often been guilty of sending a questionnaire home for parents to answer questions about their little darlings.  The past few years, I gave the questionnaire to the students.  I asked them to answer it to the "best of their ability" and to be perfectly honest.

I often received true notes of what the students were fearful of, what they dreaded the most about school (often Math) and ways they could help themselves as well as me gain better control of becoming responsible classroom contributors.

So, here's the link to the free questionnaire designed for grades 3 and up.  I'm hoping it will help you gain better insight of your students.  Just click on the picture below:

Why Practice Number of the Day?

I have incorporated "Number of the Day" activities into my daily math routine.  Why?  Children do not develop number sense in a fixed period of time.  It is developed gradually.  Number sense becomes part of problem solving.  Over time, children have become capable of solving problems based on their sense of number.  They have a growing repertoire of strategies to help them solve problems.

I often have classroom activities such as daily routines that include graphic representations such as calendar math, hundreds charts and games that reinforce mathematical fluency. When I created "Number of the Day", I had the students draw 3 numbers and then decide which numbers they'd like to choose to work with.  For example, cards for 3, 6 and 2 could have been drawn for the day.  The students could then generate numbers such as 236, 263, 326, 362, 623, or 632.  This would ensure that no student was left behind.  Their comfort level with numbers increased and so did their wanted to work with larger numbers.  Below is a free sample of smaller number "Number of the Day" activities.  This was used for my newest English Language Learners and involves working with tens.  

Students work with tens using this template.  Just click on it to receive your free download. 

 

Make Your Masterpiece Challenge

Here's to week 3.  I've been working on this piece for a very long time.  Today, I finished it.

Reading Conference Binder Question Prompts 

I've worked hard at coming up with a reading conference binder that provides question prompts for reading strategies. Conference sheets include:  Retelling, Relating & Reflecting for Fiction and Non Fiction texts, Activating Prior Knowledge Prompts, Monitoring Comprehension Prompts, Sensory Images Prompts, Questioning Prompts, Determining Importance Prompts, Inferring Prompts and Synthesizing Prompts.  A binder cover sheet, an Independent Reading Observation as well as a Summary of Reading Observations Form is included.     

I use a binder and dividers (one divider per student).  Prompt sheets are placed in each student's slot.  I also provide a running record using the PM Benchmark running records toolkit.  I start the school year with this reading interest inventory.  It's a snapshot of my students' reading interests.  It also helps me choose materials students are interested in reading for my classroom library and future literature circles.

A photo of a reading interest inventory questionnaire.

I'm looking forward to using this conferencing toolkit in the fall.  

TpT Week 2 Challenge - Dare to Dream

I'm excited to be part of this challenge.  Last week, I created a new cover for my Media Literacy Unit on Deconstructing and Constructing a Commercial.  This week I've been challenged to dream for my TpT business.  Here goes:

TpT has given our family many blessings.  I struggled for many years to find a full-time permanent job.  Timing and lack of connections set me back.  I worked contracts for several years and raised my family.  When my first job opened up, it was part-time.  I continued to work part-time because I knew I wanted to be as connected to my children as possible.  They are now pursuing their post-secondary education.  Expenses have added up.  My first dream is to help pay for tuition fees and out of town expenses.

My second one is to fix up areas of my home that need a facelift.  My kitchen and bathroom are on my to do list.

Lastly, I love being good to others.  That could mean spending quality time with friends and family, treating them to dinner or gift giving.  I love to see delight in people's faces when I make them something special.  I promised myself I would learn something new this year and I have.  I can create jewelry pieces and present them as gifts.  I was thrilled to give some to my colleagues at work who have accompanied me this year.  I had a rough ride with health concerns.  Whether they stopped by to see if I was ok, give me a hug or help with my clubs and coaching, I am forever grateful for them. Here's what the pieces look like:

  

Product Makeover

I'm excited to be part of a TpT Seller Challenge.  Thanks to Third in Hollywood, Sparkling in Second, Peppy Zesty Teacherista and Teach Create Motivate for starting this.

Here my new product cover for my Media Literacy Unit on Deconstructing & Constructing a Commerical:

It looked like this previously:

The contents include:

·      Deconstructing a Commercial Graphic Organizer

·      Guiding Questions for Commercial Viewing

·      Brainstorming Chart of Commercial Requirements

·      Camera Shots & Angles

·      Sample Storyboard

·      Storyboard Template

·      Storyboard Guiding Questions & Planning Sheet

·      Storyboard Rubric

·      Techniques of Persuasion Chart

Planting "Fuzzy" Creatures

Here's a fun way to wind down our unit on soils.  Students have created their own "fuzzy" creatures.  Here's a list of items you need:

• soil
• grass seed
• knee high nylons (one per creature)
• spoons
• baggies
• measuring cups
• pans or trays
• spraying water bottle
• pipe cleaners, toothpicks or googly eyes

1.  Give each child one full cup of soil.  Add 2 heaping spoons of grass seed to each cup of soil.  Place soil and grass seed in baggies that can be zipped.

2.  Have students mix the soil and grass seed together.  Make sure the baggie is zipped tight and have students shake until thoroughly mixed.

3.  Scoop mixture into knee high nylons.  Spritz water when nylon is filled half way.  Add more mixture.

4.  Seal nylon with a pipe clear.  Decorate creature with embellishments.

5.  Place creature on tray.  Spritz with more water.

6.  Place creature in direct sunlight.  Sprintz daily.  Soon enough you'll have your own fuzzy creature. 

Summer Blog Hop

Hi everyone!  I'm super excited to be taking part in this summer blog hop.  It's my first one ever.  Thanks to Rachael Parlett from The Classroom Game Nook for starting this! 

I don't know about you but it has been a very long academic year.  I am looking forward to summer this year.  Here's a few things I'd love to share with you:

1)  I plan to create some resources for my classroom.  Last summer I began creating my own clip art.  Earlier this year, I invested in an iPad.  I have learned to create some fun images to add to my new product covers.  Here's one of my favourites:    

2) A huge patch in my garden awaits me.  Last year we had skunks living under our garden shed.  At one point, they were very comfortable coming out during the day.  We had to remove the shed because our problem became progressively worse.  My husband blamed it on my "welcome" sign on the garden gate!  Here are some of my favourite flowers in my garden:

3) I often have a short getaway.  I love NYC.  Although it won't be there this summer, I can't wait to visit again.  I may take a road trip instead.

4) I started taking Barre classes last summer and love them.  I would love to explore some other fitness classes too.  It's on my "to do" list.        

Here's my flash freebie located at my TpT store.  Just click on the image and it will take you there. Get it while you can.  It's only available until May 29th. 

Ends May 29th 

This is a fun way to end your school year.  Students can write some poems that include acrostic, diamante, haiku, cinquain or free verse.  Templates are included.  You can even end the year on a fun note with a poetry cafe.  PLUS One product from my store.  Your choice!!!

Off to the next blog.  Happy summer!