Wordless Wednesday

Today I'm linking up with Miss DeCarbo for Wordless Wednesday.  

Here's my picture for the week!

We use these work mats each day to solve word problems.  I put a word problem on the Promethean Board and the kiddos solve it on their work mats.  The page protectors save paper and they're easier to erase than lamination!  Love using the socks as erasers... so much cheaper than white board erasers!

What are your must have math tools?

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Book Study: Visuals

Today I'm linking up for Chapter 18 of the Worksheets Don't Grow Dendrites book study.  

Visuals are a large part of any successful classroom.  Kids need visuals to learn.  Not only should we use these visuals when teaching a lesson, displaying visuals in the classroom gives kids access to that learning long after the lesson is over.   

Visuals are a large part of my classroom and this chapter gave me even more ideas for my classroom.  

How I Use This Strategy

While I don't do a ton of lecturing, we do read nonfiction text and discuss them.  While reading these texts we use graphic organizers displayed on the Promethean board to help us record our learning and make connections to other topics already introduced.  

Our classroom word wall is a large part of our classroom and gives my kiddos access to the words we've been working with all year.  I am lucky enough to have a large wall that is magnetic so my kiddos have full access to these words.  Many times during our day I'll see a kid taking the words off the wall to work with before replacing them.  

During our daily problem solving times we display our word problems on the Promethean board for all to see.  Then I have a kiddo come up to show how they solved the problem as well as explain how they solved the word problem.  So lucky to have these great tools in my room. 

During our math and ela small group times we also use various posters to help us recall information previously learned.  I love it when I see my kiddos using these posters to help them when working independently.   

I also use the Promethean board to display key terms as well as what each term means.  We've been working with adjectives and these slides on the board have helped my kiddos explain what adjectives are as well as come up with their own examples of adjectives.  

 What I Want To Try

I love that Marcia Tate referenced the idea of using different parts of the room when teaching to keep the attention of your kiddos as well as be close to the kiddos that may need you near them to really focus.  Never really gave much thought to it but changing up where instruction is delivered could be helpful to some learners.  
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How are you using this strategy in your classroom?

Be sure to link up or visit Little Warriors n to see what others are blogging about!

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Peek at my Week

I'm linking up with Mrs. Wills Kindergarten for a Peek at My Week! 

Click on my plans for more details and hyperlinks.

This week we're working on the ou and ow patterns found in the words out and cow.  We'll once again be using  clothespins and Cheez-Its to build our spelling words. The kids love using the Cheez-Its to build their spelling words but I'm thinking about purchasing a Scrabble game to have access to the letter tiles as well.  This way I can change up the tiles they use from week to week... anything to keep is fresh!  

These clipcards are working out really well.  After the kids build their words with the clothespins they record a sentence using the spelling word on a recording sheet.  I have two versions of the recording sheet... one where the kids write sentences and another where they write sentences and draw a picture. 

I have to say I was a bit surprised when a few of my kiddos didn't want to use the drawing page... I thought they'd all gravitate towards that page.  I created a slightly different version for our sight word station and the kiddos love it as well.  I think the key to these word work stations is to provide many options for the kiddos.  Having these options available each week keeps the prep and explanation low yet is motivating to the kiddos because they can pick their tasks.  

In math this week we'll be adding tens to two-digit numbers.  I've created a set of math tub games that we'll be using during our small group times to begin practicing this skill.  We'll also be introducing different strategies to give the kiddos different ways to do these problems... I love to see what strategies the kiddos are successful with.  

During math this week we'll be doing some subtracting problem solving from this construction themed pack of printables.  My kiddos have been rocking problem solving the last few weeks!!  So happy!

Have a great week!

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Book Study: Chapter 17

Today I'm linking up for Chapter 17 of the Worksheets Don't Grow Dendrites book study.  

Visualizing and imagery is something I don't do a ton of in my classroom. I understand the value of imagery but it's the same problem... so much to cover in a short amount of time.  

After reading this chapter there are some great ideas I'd like to try that can work even with a limited amount of time. 

How I Use This Strategy

We do use imagery when we are reading and this helps my little ones understand what they've read.  We primarily draw what we see in our heads after reading but I also enjoy reading the words without showing the pictures to see what the kiddos "see" in their minds.   


 What I Want To Try

I liked the idea of having kids visualize math word problems.  This is such a great idea to help them solve math word problems.  I just read an article about the problem of relying solely on "key words" in math word problems.  Visualizing what is happening in the word problem puts less emphasis on "key words" and more stress on what is actually happening to help the kids solve the problem.  

I also love the idea of using visual images to match the definition of words... such a great vocabulary strategy for those visual learners.  

I can even see using this strategy when studying an event in history or during a science unit.  In our current plant unit I'd love to have the kids visualize the sprouting of a seed as well as visualize how a plant changes and grows.  I think having them visualize how to plant a seed could also help them when writing a How-To during our writing workshop block.    

How are you using this strategy in your classroom?

Be sure to link up or visit Mrs. Wills Kindergarten to see what others are blogging about!

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Five for Friday

Today I'm linking up with Doodle Bugs Teaching for Five for Friday!

Winter is practically back here in northeast.  Not kidding... it was cold here this week.  Like cold enough to flurry and turn the heat on.  

Here are some highlights from our week!

ONE: Plants

We continued our plant unit this week.  The kids are loving learning about plants.  This week we learned about flowering and nonflowering plants.  The kids did a great job reading and writing about both types of plants.  

We even took a mini "field trip" outside to find a flowering and nonflowering plant.  The kids loved seeing these plants in the real world.

TWO: Earth Day

Just a few highlights from some of our Earth Day festivities.  We had a great discussion about ways to help our Earth.  We sorted cards based on whether or not they would help the Earth.  This seemed to help the kids write about one way they could help the Earth. 

We also watched an Annie and Moby video on BrainPop Jr. about recycling as well as the recycling video on Flocabulary.  If you haven't tried Flocabulary yet do yourself a favor and sign up for the free trial.  So many great songs that the kids love.  

THREE: Adding and Subtracting Tens 

Adding and subtracting tens is my favorite math unit to teach.  It's the culmination of every math unit we've done this year and the kiddos are so confident in math and ready to begin regrouping!  This week we used a game and a hundreds charts as well as several strategies to add and subtract tens.  I love to see what strategies the kids gravitate towards.  

FOUR: Graphic Organizers

I love using graphic organizers during guided reading times.  They're so versatile and so easy to prep and can be used with every book we read during guided reading.  My kiddos rocked these main idea organizers this week!

 FIVE: Hockey Playoffs

We have a few hockey fans in our class and more specifically New York Rangers fans, myself included. Big game tonight to close out the first series...we put up some NY Rangers banners in our classroom to celebrate the playoffs!  GO RANGERS!  

Have a great weekend.  Don't forget to visit Doodle Bugs Teaching!

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Wordless Wednesday: Earth Day

Today I'm linking up with Miss DeCarbo for Wordless Wednesday.  

Here's my picture for the week!

We had a great discussion today about ways to protect or help the Earth?  

How did you celebrate Earth Day?

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Book Study: Technology

Today I'm linking up for Chapter 16 of the Worksheets Don't Grow Dendrites book study.  

Oh Technology... so many things to talk about.  I was so happy the Marcia Tate referenced the fact that technology is one of the twenty strategies we should be using.  I feel like sometimes people want us to use technology just because we have it and it's there.  

I truly feel technology is great but needs to be balanced with the other resources we have in our classrooms.  A colleague and I were just talking the other day about screen time and the fact that many of our kiddos get a ton of screen time at home as well as at school.  

I guess I don't want to add to their screen time unless I believe the use of technology is the BEST strategy for the learning.  Sometimes having the kiddos work with a buddy or two to talk through a task can be just as effective as something they could do using technology.  

Ok... off my soap box.   I do love using technology in my classroom and in fact we use it everyday.  

How I Use This Strategy

During our morning meeting each day we complete a calendar page where we review ELA and math skills.  While the kids work on their work mats we also record our learning on the Promethean board.  Also during morning meeting we work on a weekly message as well as sight word sentences.  

During math we begin each workshop session with a word problem.  We read and discuss the word problem and then the kiddos solve it on their work mats.  I love putting the word problem on the Promethean board because the board is so large and its easy for all the kiddos to see.  They also love using the board to share their answers.  

During our math "mini-lesson" we use Promethean board flipcharts I've created to introduce and review concepts in math.  I love using this board because there are a ton of great graphics and options that can be used to engage the kiddos and help with the math lesson.     

We even use our board to listen to and participate in Flocabulary videos.  Today we played an even/odd game on the board... the kiddos loved it!

 What I Want To Try

I'd like to try using PowerPoint and Word to have my kiddos publish or create pieces of writing that they're working on.  I also think using PowerPoint to present a topic they have learned about could be another way to use technology in the classroom.   

How are you using this strategy in your classroom?

Be sure to link up or visit A Rocky Top Teacher to see what others are blogging about!

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Visual Plans: Earth Day

This week we'll be celebrating Earth Day with some activities throughout the week.  We'll also be reading a Henry and Mudge book as part of our reading series.  Throughout the week we'll be doing several activities centered around this story. 

In science we'll continue our plant unit... I'm hoping the weather is good this week so we can take a "field trip" around our school grounds to find different kinds of plants we'll be reading about!


Click on my plans for more details and hyperlinks.

This week we're working on the oo pattern found in moon.  We'll once again use clothespins and Cheez-Its to build our spelling words.  We're also using oo clipcards during our guided reading rotations to practice our spelling words in small groups. 

In math this week we're working on adding and subtracting tens.  I'm excited about this unit.  There are a few great strategies to help the kiddos add and subtract tens.  We'll be using these center activities during our small group rotations to practice adding and subtracting tens.  Once we have that down we're moving on to some regrouping... but not unit next week!  We want a solid foundation before we tackle that skill!!

Our math tubs this week are games we played during our small group math rotations last week.  My kiddos will be working on ordering numbers as well as comparing numbers.  

For Earth Day we'll be reading this Earth Day themed math book to review place value and learn about ways to protect the Earth.  We'll also be writing about different ways we can protect the Earth.  To help us with our writing we'll  complete this sort to help us come up with ideas for our writing.  

Have a great week!

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Book Study: Chapter 14 and 15

Today I'm linking up for Chapters 14 and 15 of the Worksheets Don't Grow Dendrites book study.  

Both of these chapters have some truly great ideas that I can't wait to try in my classroom!

"When learning is physical, it is more motivating, engaging, and likely to be extended." (Jensen, 2008).  Enough said... the more meaningful movement we can add to our classroom the more our students learn.  

How I Use This Strategy

Each week we body spell our spelling words.  The kids love to do this as it gets them up and moving.  I love it because its a quick and engaging way to review spelling words.  Such a great activity if you have a few extra minutes.  
Each week we have several vocabulary words that we work with.  To help us remember the meaning of each word we work together to "act out" the words to help us better understand and use the vocabulary.  We also "act out" our story re-tellings.  This makes our reading more meaningful and the kids love it.    


 What I Want To Try

I'd love to incorporate "acting out" math word problems.  What a great way to make the problem solving more meaningful.  I'd also like to include more readers theater into our routines as well as more demonstrations in our science curriculum.  

I love the ideas highlighted in this chapter.  Storytelling is natural for kids and it helps them make connections to their learning as well as bring different concepts together.  

How I Use This Strategy

We use a a ton of literature to teach and review math and ela concepts.  Kids love to hear stories and when we can insert content learning into these stories it is so powerful, especially in the primary grades because young kids love stories.  We also do a ton of retelling, especially with our learning buddies.  The kids love telling stories to their partners.  

What I Want to Try

I'm always looking for new books to incorporate into our lessons.  I'd also like to create more stories to match our concepts.  I think with a bit of modeling my kiddos could even create their own stories to reteach concepts we've already  learned.  

Be sure to link up or visit Kinder Gals to see what others are blogging about!

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Five for Friday: Back from Spring Break

Today I'm linking up with Doodle Bugs Teaching for Five for Friday!

We did it... we survived our first week back from Spring Break.  

This week was one of those weeks where everything just worked and we got a ton done.  We didn't have any interruptions and the kiddos came back rested and ready to learn.  We're at the point in the year where I wish we could stay.  The kiddos know the routines and expectations and we are running on all cylinders.  Such a great feeling!!

ONE: Plants

We began our plant unit this week.  The kiddos were so excited to start learning about plants.  We did an experiment to learn about what a seed needs to grow and the kiddos were so excited about it.  Now we play the waiting game to see which bag of seeds will grow!  

On Thursday my kiddos worked with their learning partners to read about what seeds need.  Then they wrote and illustrated three facts they learned from the reading!  The kids did an awesome job reading and talking about what they read with their learning partners.  

TWO: Problem Solving

I am blown away by the problem solving my kiddos are able to do this year.  We reorganized our math curriculum this year and the sequence of our units has contributed to a better understanding of addition and subtraction as well as problem solving.  

We do problem solving EVERY SINGLE DAY!  Each day our math workshop begins with a word problem on the board.  We read and discuss it together and then my firsties solve it using our work mat.  

Then at the end of our workshop we use a problem solving printable.  This practice each day has allowed my students many opportunities to work with word problems and I truly believe this is why they are able to solve word problems on their own! Right now we're working on these construction subtraction word problems.

THREE: Creating Word Problems

This week we took out these rabbits I found at the Target dollar spot.  My kiddos used them to create their own word problems.  They loved this math work station this week.  

FOUR: Interactive Journals

I am loving using journal pages each week to work on ELA skills.  My district is using the Reading Street series which means we have a ton of skills to cover as well as a ton of materials to pick from.  That being said I wanted a quick way to teach and apply the weekly skills we need to cover. 

These journal pages are a great way to teach these skills during our Daily 5 rotations.  In between our rotations we take 5-10 minutes to work on these journal pages throughout the week.  It's been a great way to hold the kids accountable without taking up so much time during our rotations.  

FIVE: Place Value

This week we've been working on comparing and ordering numbers.  My kiddos have done an awesome job.  For each new concept we played a game on the first day to introduce the concept.  They were able to work with a buddy or two to talk through these new concepts.  It was so great to hear the math talk!  

Have a great weekend.  Don't forget to visit Doodle Bugs Teaching!

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