You don't have an extra G to drop on Clickers? Try PLICKERS!



Hello Teacher Buddies!

 

I had the amazing opportunity to attend our state's Social Studies conference and I'm overflowing with ideas to share.  I wish I had a full week to just write, blog, share and create new things that coordinate all the different things I learned. A few new tricks are always awesome, but I can't discount the benefits of hearing amazing teachers and professors affirm what I'm already doing in the classroom.

 

So here is one great class tool you can put in your teacher toolbox. :)

 

Have you always wanted a set of clickers but never had the extra G to drop on a set? Well you have stumbled across the right blog, here is a small town girl tutorial on how to get started on your Paper Clickers.  Yep, plickers! (I love saying that!)

 

Plickers... Say it loud and say it proud.... PLICKERS!!!

Plick it up!  Have you Plicked today? Plicking is so much plicking fun! LOL

 

If your students have never used the plicker system before give them a few minutes to say the name.  It just sounds fun; so it has to be right? Absolutely!

 

Well if you thought the world was mac happy and you are a droid lover, here is an app for everyone.

So first, log-in to the webpage and sign up for free. Next, navigate the screen a little and become familiar with the interface. We go through almost a new program per year and I'll say this interface is super easy to navigate.

 

Print a set of cards.  I would recommend the smaller set for third grade to adults.  The larger, full page set I would use for Kinder kids to second grade.  They do not recommend laminating them, but hey, I live in the world where I want them to last a full year so yes, I laminated them.  They still work great. They also recommend printing them on white paper.  Here you can see, yet again I have broken that rule and yep, you guessed it... they work great.

 

 

On the above card you will see a number in the corner.  That number can be assigned to an individual kid if you would like to register their individual data.  Of course you can keep the numbers and students random. 

 

The arrows are pointing to the choices; A, B, C, D.  These are somewhat small, but that encourages kids to stay honest as they hold up the card for you to scan.  (aka they are less likely to cheat) You can also use the A, B,for true or false.  The kids will turn the card facing you with their answer choice in the upwards direction.

 

You will then use your device to scan the room.  To my surprise it was very quick (even on the first sweep) and easy.  It will show you instantly which cards/ students are correct, and which are wrong. It took only a few tries to get students to keep their fingers off the corners, etc.  They work very much like QR codes. Because I laminated my cards, I turn off one set of lights so there isn't much of a glare.

 

Additionally, you can make one or two sets of cards and share with other teachers.  In our grade level we have two laminated sets and share.

 

If you have the plicker website displayed on your projector or smart board, you can refresh to show your students live data.  How awesome is that?

 

 Now, what are some ways you can use them in the class?  

 

Obviously, pre-assessments

Quick formative assessments at the end of class or mini lesson

Review a unit, be sure to quickly move across the skills they mastered while covering the difficult questions more in-depth

Review homework quickly

Student interest survey

 

I have used these with my fifth graders and they absolutely loved getting instant data.  We challenged our group to strive for higher percentages with each question.  We would challenge our class to get the 50/50 answers out of the way.  I'm excited to see how other teachers use this tool.

 

Okay, I have brainstormed a small list but I can't wait to read more about these bad boys this summer to get even more ideas.

 

 Have a great weekend!

Why I Gave Up Having a Class Library

I'm not a hard core, you can't read in my class kinda gal.  But I have given up purchasing and maintaining a classroom library. Not without having many reasons. So if you are a new teacher or a veteran teacher considering giving up an elaborate classroom library, here are few of my personal  reasons for giving up a classroom library.

Here's a cute picture of my adorable little girls. So you'll understand that reading is extremely important to me and for students to have access to. 

#1 Our fifth grade classes are departmentalized.  That means,  I teach Social Studies and Non-Fiction reading through Social Studies activities.  We do partner work, word work, simulations, and a multitude of activities that involve reading.  We don't have a lot of room in our schedule for students to do a bunch of free reading.  Do they free read, ABSOLUTELY!  The early bird kiddos get anywhere between 10-30 minutes first thing in the morning.  When we have crazy schedules because of assemblies, 1/2 days, etc. it provides the perfect time to curl up with a great book or do an off the wall read aloud.

 #2  Our Librarian is so fan-flippin-tastic I can't compete.  She stays up to date and lures kids to their reading death!  I can't compete with that. Kids can locate so many similar books when they find an author or series they absolutely LOVE! I can't maintain up to date books and magazines while keeping classics in stock.

#3   Students need to stretch their legs.  It's a nice little walk to the library.  Think about it. Some kids try to get out of class to go to the bathroom.  I'd much rather them ask to leave to go get a book.

#4  Back to our Librarian, did I mention she is the bomb-diggity? When I let her know what our next big Social Studies topic is, she gladly pulls every book I could possibly use.  I keep all the ones I want to use for mini-lessons or read aloud and display the rest on the board.  When students finish early, they can select books they are interested in reading surrounding out general topic.  This is also an opportunity for me to display books I have purchased in the past for student use.

#5  I have surrendered my book sets to other homeroom classes.  Thanks to The Book Whisperer and Readacide. I believe if I go back to teaching reading, it will be totally renovated by all the new Daily 5 and reading workshop ideas that are out there.

#6  They walk away.  That's right.  I'm not accusing students of keeping books or taking them home and never returning them.  Nope, the books literally get up off my shelf and walk away.  Never to return again. I've always assumed they were in the wrong grade level and hitched a ride to 6th grade,  they wanted to go back to fourth grade, or meandered into math class where they could relax and party on the shelf.  Whatever the reason, the books felt my room was too uncomfortable for their liking.

Actually, one time a parent returned 15 books at the end of the school year,  Her daughter had been collecting them in her bedroom all year.

#7  I could never find a correct system for shelving them that worked for checking books out. By author, by genre, by Title.... Even with all the Pinterest ideas out there. Therefore the books felt they could walk away because they weren't being properly cataloged. So you see, they walked away because I couldn't make them feel organized and at home.

#8  Our reading teacher is a Book Whisperer!  I mean it! Our most reluctant readers are readers!  This reason should actually go right along side reason #2.  Kids will bring their free reading books into all their classes and try to steal away to their mystery story, comic adventure, or far away island. Let's just say, if student enthusiasm was part of our standard 6 these two ladies would have mastered their goals.  These kids are reading because they enjoy reading. How many kids walk away saying that?

#9  I love that the kids go to the library.
      I love that the kids know how to use the library.
      I love that the kids love the librarian.
      I love that the kids want to check out multiple books.
      I love that kids want to read, read, and read!!!!!

#10  Students are responsible for the books they check out.  That's right.  They are locked in to the students' name and school account.  You betcha hot dollar they will return them. 

#11  I still love and incorporate book projects.  Recently we broke off into Revolutionary War Projects.  Lots of reading and lots of Librarian LOVE!

#12  No worries for me, laminate a hall pass and let them read!

 

Now that you have endured my grammatically challenged thoughts.

Free Library Passes!!!! 

 

 

 

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Hall-Passes-Teal-Glitter-Chevron-1415839

~ Tara

Patricia Polacco Reads Thunder Cake

One of my favorite authors reads her book Thunder Cake.  It's everything I imagined with her reading her own book.  One of my favorite books of hers is Pink and Say about the American Civil War.  I'll warn you it's a tear jerker.






~ Tara

Monday Made it with Tara

Happy Monday,


The final countdown.  4 days for the kids... 9 days for me!!!!!  I have so much organizing to do!!!!

I haven't been able to quite locate a topical thinking chart I can use in my reader's notebook.  So, here's a freebie.  I hope you like!

I'm linking up with Tara at

 

For a Monday Made it LINKY!

My oh my, these linkys are so much fun!! 

To save paper I print two to one sheet of paper so they can glue them in their reader's notebook.

~ Tara

Frustrations = Free stuff for YOU!!!

Happy Friday to YOU!!!!!

I'm easily frustrated with people that choose to be NOT NICE!  I really don't know how people decide to be mean and unhappy all the time?????? 

I want to change them and make them see how fun it is to be NICE and look on the bright side... etc, etc, etc. (I'm pretty sure you only use one etc) HA.

So in an attempt to turn this topsy-turvy world into a better place...Here is a free character sketch!  Made by me :)

At UNCW a student presented a really cool character analysis from a novel with a stickman note taking.... needless to say.  Over eleven years, I have tweaked it to be my own baby.  I have added and taken away so many times.  I think this is the poster I currently have up.  It is my goal as a novel evidence task they would draw their own character and add the elements they want and use this as a guide.

Success.... My students have absolutely loved this and their artwork is so unique.  They add so many different descriptions, details, and illustrations/symbols from the story.  I love this activity and I hope you do too!  You can download it on TPT @  http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Character-Sketch-Notetaking-Final-Book-Evidence-711280

Please leave a positive rating if you love it!!!!  I really appreciate it!! Or if you have suggestions on how to make it better just comment below and I can reload the document or email it to you. 


Have a great weekend. 

I would love to hear how you use any character sketches in reading/writing/ social studies...

Cheers~ Tara

Novel Vs. Movie Freebie

Now that we are moving towards common core, there has been less and less time for extra activities unless they strongly support the curriculum. 

Therefore, I wanted to create a book vs. movie chart where students could write explicitly about the differences.  I could take this as an overall informal assessment on understanding the major differences between the two.  Because... let's face it.... we all love the book more!!!

I hope you enjoy.  Happy Tuesday night!

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Novel-vs-Movie-Chart


~ Tara

Reader's Notebook Phase I

Good Evening Reader's... again,

I'm going to attempt to share with you how I have grown as a teacher using reader's notebooks.  The idea originally stemmed from an amazing teacher showing me how to use writer's workshop effectively in class (thanks a million AMY).  Since then, I have poured over that knowledge into a reader's notebook (marble composition) for many reasons.

Personal reasons to use a marbled notebook:
1. Very inexpensive if purchased on sale in August.
2.  Pages are not tempting to tear out, like other notebooks.
3.  Assembly is not required, similar to three hole punch binders.
4.  Durable
5. Smaller framed.
6. Cute covers now, if you don't want to decorate.
7. Easy to integrate reading and writing.

First, I'm going to show you where I started with my third graders last year.  Here are some pictures of the covers they designed.  They chose to use pictures or illustrations that showed their character.

 

Um... don't ask me why I can't rotate the second? 

 

My first goal using Reader's Notebook was to completely use a composition notebook.  I have used a composition notebook every year and NEVER, EVER filled it up.  Not even half way.  So...

 

 So, we began our homework from the back in a traditional style.  If you are looking to save paper, here is a perfect way.  No more copying reading homework logs.  It also allows flexibility if you have different students completing different styles of homework. 

For example, if you have a child reading nonfiction and poetry.  They may have different style to fill out for their reading. 

Students traditionally had homework Monday through Thursday, however, they love finishing the last grid.  For the older classes, you can expand your summaries or response by a couple lines if you want to do away with the Friday grid. 

On the far left they wrote the day of week abbreviation, month abbreviation and day and left room for a stamp.  On the far right they put the pages read ##-## and parent signature.  In the middle they recorded the title of the book (correctly capatilized and underlined) and a summary or chosen reflection for our menu. 

Happy teaching!

~ Tara

Helpful Mini Touch Lights... Instead of I have an idea... Assistance when you have time....

Good Evening Everyone,

Here's my Monday brainy idea.  Use these glow lights for students to notify you when they need help with group work.  They don't waste time raising their hands for help.  They simply try to work it out, when they need to move on they click the light.  As I make my rotations I can see a group that needs help and can assist them.  Meanwhile they have continued to work and they haven't lost instructional time.  Not sure if this is totally new... but I felt like it was pretty grand.  What do you think?  Do you have a 'keep working idea' for kids who love to ask for help?  I would love to hear your ideas!


~ Tara

Sleepless nights in Southport

And my 18month old baby is sleeping.  How is this right?

So,
Did you know I LOVE integrating all subjects/arts with my classroom?
Yep,
Now you do.

Here is a great site for global projects you can do and share with other teachers across our great nation.
http://www.jenuinetech.com/calendar.htm

Steps:
1. First read about the project and make sure you are willing to commit to completing and sharing your information.
2. Register your class: FREE
3.  COmplete the AMAZING learning project with your kids.
4.  Turn in your data.
5.  Review your results and results other classes came up with your children.
6.  Ooops, don't forget to take pictures of .... fun learning.

I have registered my class for the awesome art project.  Our class will work on one large picture that will complete a mural with 14 other classes.  What a fun ART project huh?  They also have fun MATH, READING, and WRITING projects. 

Click on the link to find out more about the projects and rules.

Finding Nemo

       Yesterday, my friend and I used several video clips from Nemo to help students think about the moral or lesson to a story.  This can be difficult with third graders, so we used a movie they were very familiar with, Nemo.  We use the following clips and had the students decide an overall moral they could apply to themselves.  It was quite impressive to see how their thinking changed from very concrete to more in depth later on.  Then as a class we decided which would be a good overall moral to the whole movie.  This works well in order to, YES, prep them for EOG testing.  The questions might ask students the moral of paragraph # or the moral to the whole story.  Click on the links to go directly to the video.  I hope you enjoy.

Nemo touches the boat against his fathers orders and is caught by a scuba diver.

Most of the kiddos could guess the obvious moral; You should obey your parents.  However a few others guessed be careful who you hang out with or don't listen to your friends if they are trying to get you to do something you don't want to do.

Marlin is upset because he has lost the mask and hope of getting his son back. 

One of the kids actually said the moral was to keep swimming.  Hmmmm.  A little more work still ahead of us.  Some of the other guesses:

Friends can cheer you up.

Friends can give you inspiration.

Friends can let you down.

There are so many clips to also use:

Bruce the shark: morals, don't judge people by how they look, stay focused on your goal, or you don't have to listen to your friends if you don't agree with them.

Crush lets squirt fly out of the EAC:  Crushes reaction is to chill and see what little man can do.

Morals: Some kids can rise to the occasion, relax

There are so many more...

Well party people, I have an 18month old who is not sleeping through the night.  So, I bid thee adieu. ~ Tara

Library Project Pass to Help Kids Stay focused

Our librarian is sooooo fantastic.  She is going to allow small groups to work on computers or in small groups on projects during the last half of the day.  The problem is... when you send a third grader in... more times than not, they come back with nothing.  Here is a focus sheet to help them focus on why they are going, record information, and return within time limits.  Enjoy~ Tara

Click on this link to go to my webpage for the PDF.  Sorry, I really dislike google docs.  I'm not so talented at learning technology on my own.  Decorating cakes either for that matter.

I hope to be back in the blog world after Science Olympiad. Chow~

Are You Ready for Some Football?!?!

Traditionally this time of year we get all worked up over a door decorating contest.  Teachers in older grades don't have the extra assistant to help with the decorations to make it all glitz and glam.  We have tried to put forth effort.  Some grades have disputed that lower grades exhibit the work of the teachers and assistants for most of the work.  And it has been a big deal!  I stand on the fence.  I'm a recovering people pleaser and care toooooo much what people think.  I can see where both parties stand.  I teach third grade and have participated in the door contest each year and once as a fifth grade teacher.  Seven years ago I coordinated our door with the theme, "have a very merry estuary."  Trying to tie in the curriculum on human and environment interactions.  The kids all collected shells and decorated them.  We had a Christmas tree of shells, posters of pollution, fish, animals, nets, turtles, marsh grass.  All encompassing a Christmas theme.  I felt slighted when no one seemed to pay attention.  Nor did we win the contest.  Then to turn around and have to rip it all down for January.  I also don't want to be anti-anything because I don't have the 'extra' help.  It also looks poorly when a grade level or levels don't participate in a school wide initiative, no matter what it is.  We all need to support each other.  It does take more instructional time to have the kids work on 'pretty' activities to go outside our door.  With all that being said.

I am sad we are not doing the contest.  Yes, I griped and said, "I don't have time, don't have help, and we have to prepare kids for the EOGs."  But we have always found a way.  SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO......


ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL????
I wanted to decorate my door but didn't want to have to rip it down in January..... Thinking wheels went turning.  My idea..... Football doors and a cute poem to help kids to remember their reading, math and learning strategies. 

In third grade we use the runners strategies for reading passages.  For the most part, we see a lot of success when kids apply these strategies.  I am not a sports fan in ANY way.  However, I love people who LOVE one team and root for them.  I don't have a team so to speak of, but I love, love, love the ocean.  So I guess I'm team Ariel.  Hehehe

My Aunts in West Virginia root for three different teams.  My Aunt Angel and her family are die hard Steelers fans.  They have some pretty silly pictures to show for at games too.  My YOUNGER Aunt Sarah is not a football fan but roots for the Ohio Bobcats to defy her husband who loves Marshall.  So, I needed something my kids could relate to, I chose STEELERS.  And they have an old song, "black and yellow" that the kids love.

Yes, Auntie Ang even has a Steeler's Christmas tree! 
You  are thinking... I am some random chick.  Maybe you can't think as fast as me.  No, I am random.

I made a door in which I hope to elaborate different strategies to help us become successful.  I highlighted the door in steelers colors.  I also want to have some playoff energizers where they chant things to help them become successful with football exercises.

The idea is we can take different real jobs each day and quickly brainstorm things they might do to help them be successful.  For example: A doctor wouldn't just start with medicine before checking weight, symptoms, small tests, xrays.  A landscaper wouldn't start planting flowers before outlining where they want to border and plan.  A construction company wouldn't begin building the house without plans, laying the foundation, etc.  I hope the kids see the connection with being successful in life and anything they do. 

I sincerely hope this has inspired you to find a small something your kids like to motivate them in class.  I would love to hear some other sports ideas since, again, I am not a sports follower.  :)

Ps:  And, I am even more excited because my girlfriend teachers are going to do football doors too.  Amy is going to do the New York Giants, but what can I say... she's a Yankees fan too.  My friendy across the hall, Jen, is going to do our NC team, Panthers.  I'll post new pictures when we get them up. 
Pps:  The Comic on the door says, Only you can prevent forest sharks with a great white flying through the forest... lol.  Along with many others.
~Tara

Free for All FRIDAY! Hooked on Books!

I can't wait to start my hooked on books bulletin board.  The kids will have a fish with their name tag and a thick thumb tack underneath to hang a ring clip.  As students check out books weekly they will complete these bookmarks to enter for drawings.  As students get more and more recommendations, they can also earn extra points for recommending books to read.  This should create a nice display for the year.  Near the end of the year, students will see just how many books they have been reading.  I also have other reading incentives to post soon. 


Another Tara ORIGINAL!  I'm only saying that because I think it's totally funny how many teachers think many of the things they came up with were their OWN original IDEA.  There are some fantastic ideas out there and some are really unique.  I'm just saying that when I see a million ideas with this or that and another teacher gets mad because it was their IDEA!  HA!  SO with all that said, maybe this is original, maybe not, I can't directly think of a source that I have ever seen like this.....BUT, I will not be so bold to say no one has ever made anything like this either.  Either way I hope you enjoy.


I'm totally complimented when people like, tweak, or borrow ideas I've used in the classroom.  I can't say honestly any idea is totally mine, because actually, someone or something has inspired me to tweak it for ME!

So for all you tweakers out there.  Feel free to make this into something that works for you.
Happy Hurricane Irene to you all staying dry.  ~Tara

PPS!!!!  I hate technology!  Google Docs can kiss my big toe!  If you want this please leave me a message and I will email the document to you.  I really am trying to figure out all this new techno stuff, I will get there someday.

Reading Passports

I attempted to use these last year, however, the idea came around the same time as end of grade testing.  I plan on using these right off the bat.  These are some stories off the top of my head that seem to be hits for social studies integration with reading.

Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes
Turtle Bay
Nate the Great and the San Fransisco Detective
The Table Where Rich People Sit
Almost to Freedom
Where the Red Fern Grows
A River Ran Wild
Expedition Down Under

Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes

Here is a reading check out test and reading response brochure for a study on Sadako.  Kids love this story and they also enjoy wearing kimonos and having a Japanese celebration at the end. 

Eric Drachman

I found these wonderful books with audio cd for my oldest daughter who is now four.  Not only do I absolutely love the books the voices and music during the story are so captivating!  I had to share them with my third graders.  I was absolutely right, they loved them.  Each one has a main character that at some point feels they cannot accompish something, and towards the end of the story, they conquer great things.  I used them right before we had to take EOGs as a confidence booster.  I hope in the future to have a compare and contrast sheet for a listening center during reading time.  They are definately worth the purchase.

You can also view the books and hear a sample on thier webpage.  http://www.kidwick.com/