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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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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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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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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Book Study: Chapter 13

Today I'm linking up for Chapter 13 of the Worksheets Don't Grow Dendrites book study.  

I'm excited to try some of the ideas in this chapter.  While I'm using some of the ideas in this chapter there are some ideas I haven't tried but think will be a great addition to my classroom.   

We all know that kids learn best when they have the opportunity to work with peers to discuss and teach what they have learned.  This chapter highlights the many different ways to accomplish this.  

How I Use This Strategy

We use "Turn and Talk" practically every day in our room.  We use this strategy to teach one another something we've just learned. We also use this strategy to talk about something we've read or to discuss our opinion about something we've done or read.  We even use this strategy to make predictions while reading a book.  This strategy is so versatile.  Nothing makes me more proud of my kiddos than when I hear them talking about and teaching something we've just learned.  

  Here we are "teaching" one another the definition of some new vocabulary words.  
We also use this strategy when buddy reading.  We use "Mr. Check In" to help our buddy ask us questions about what we've read.  It keeps us accountable and allows for some great conversation between buddies!!

Each day we work at literacy and math workstations.  During this time my kiddos work with a buddy or in a small group to complete tasks. Another great way to promote learning in the classroom.   

What I Want To Try

I'd like to incorporate some more buddy reading and Check In work to our weekly routines.  I think this can be beneficial to all of my students.  I'd also like try the Jigsaw strategy as part of the plant unit we've begun this week.  

Be sure to link up or visit Falling Into First to see what others are blogging about!

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Book Study: Problem Based Learning

Today I'm linking up for Chapter 12 of the Worksheets Don't Grow Dendrites book study.  

This chapter really opened my eyes to Problem Based Learning.  My mind is racing trying to think of some great ways to incorporate it into my classroom.  I had heard of problem based learning before but hadn't given it much thought until reading this chapter.  This is an area I'd really like to include more in my classroom.  

I think my big take away from this chapter is the idea that Problem Based Learning is authentic and meaningful to the kids.  Posing a real world question that the students can relate to gets them motivated and engaged and makes this learning meaningful to their world.  No matter what grade level you teach this is the key to any successful classroom.  

How I Use This

During our math rotations I have my kiddos create their own word problems.  Right now we're working on bunny word problems to go with the spring theme.  After creating their own word problem they pick a word problem already created by a classmate to solve.  

I love this idea because it incorporates math with writing and the conventions of writing.  Before using this as a tub we did a ton of modeling to ensure the kiddos were able to write real world word problems.  

During our math workshop time each day we include a problem solving task.  From time to time I have my kiddos talk through their problem solving rather than solve it on their own.  I love this because it allows for different ways to solve math problems.  This kids also love working cooperatively to solve problems.  

What I Want To Try

I would really like to add more Problem Based Learning to my ELA block.  I love the idea of creating a news program or newspaper centered around a real world problem.  Perhaps the best part of PBL is that idea that it can incorporate all the content areas.



Be sure to link up or visit First Grader at Last to see what others are blogging about!

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Book Study: Music

Today I'm linking up for Chapter 11 of the Worksheets Don't Grow Dendrites book study. 

I loved this chapter... it could be because I LOVE music. I love music and singing in the classroom.  I must admit that many times the songs from my classroom make their way to our home as well... my husband is tired of all the songs so I've begun singing to the dogs.  They seem to love it!

 Music is such a big part of our classroom. Kids love music and singing and it can be so motivating and engaging for them each day.  Music also helps kiddos learn, remember, and apply new learning in various settings. 

Math:

In math we use songs and music throughout our day.  We love the various versions of the doubles rap and sing these songs often to review our doubles facts.  We are also using an odd/even song I created to help us figure out whether a number is even or odd.  

ELA: 

We love singing songs to help us remember sounds and vowel patterns and this year we have been using Heidi Songs to help us.  These songs are catchy!!!  

During our writing workshop we use what the kids call "concentrating" music to help us do our best work.  "Concentrating" music is just classical music that is calming and quiet.  This is great for our writing time. 

Character Education:
Our school has what we call "Sing Along" once every other week.  During this time all classes at a grade level come together to sing songs that are related to a character education word we are working on for the month.  

The kids love these songs and the songs always have a real life example of the character education word in action.  The songs also generate great conversations between kids as we discuss these important topics and come up with different ways to demonstrate these words in our school.   

Silly Songs:

Not all the songs we sing are educational in nature.  We sing a fair share of what I call silly songs.  We use these songs as brain breaks or little rewards throughout the day.  The songs are funny and keep the kids engaged while also giving their little minds a few minutes of rest!  We all need these breaks!



Be sure to check out What the Teacher Wants to see the great ideas people are blogging about!!

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Book Study: Humor

Chapter 6 is all about humor in the classroom.  The chapter begins by highlighting the benefits of humor.  Humor helps kids take risks in a safe environment thus increasing their creativity and their higher order thinking.  The part of this chapter that struck me most was the idea that when learning becomes pleasurable we never forget.  Powerful statement about kids minds and what we need to do to help them learn, remember, and apply their learning.  

When I first started reading this chapter I have to admit I agreed with everything that was written but I was wondering what strategies the author would reference that would work in a first grade classroom. As I read through the chapter I realized a ton of what I already do in my classroom involves humor and laughing.  

What I'm Already Doing: 

During transitions or when we have a few extra minutes (do we ever have a few extra minutes?) my kiddos love this dinosaur riddle book.  The riddles always get the kids talking and laughing as we learn the answer together. 

We've also been know to enjoy a poem or two from these books.  They're always good for a few laughs.  The kids love the Shel Silverstein books so much they're picking the books up to read when they have a few minutes after snack.  I look over and I'll see 5 or 6 kids sitting together reading and enjoying these poems.  My teacher heart is so happy when I see this!!

We do a ton of "cheering" throughout our day to celebrate great thinking and smart answers.  I typically give the kids a choice as to what cheer we will use.  Some of our favorites are the Roller Coaster cheer, Brrrrriliant cheer, Hulk cheer, rodeo cheer, pirate cheer as well as the ten finger woo-hoo.  The great thing about cheers is the kids enjoy them and they are truly happy to give each other this "pat on the back" in the form of a cheer.  It's a great community building experience.

We play games throughout the day during our daily 5 and math workshop rotations.   Nothing gets a good laugh out of the kids more than a good game.  One game in particular my kiddos find hilarious is our sight word game "Back to the Hive".  In the game there are several "Back to the Hive" cards that when picked up force the player to put all their cards back.  When one of the kids draws this card they think it's hilarious.  I can always tell when this happens at the station because both players are laughing about it!   It so good to see the kids enjoying the game and being good sports about having to put all their cards back!  

It's the simple things that the kids enjoy and silly songs and hats are things I use to get the kids engaged or to get a good laugh from them.  It always amazes me how something so small can be so exciting to the kids.  

What I'd Like to Try: 

I'd like to try telling more jokes and more specifically having the kids tell their own jokes or jokes that they know.  One thing we all know about kids is that they love sharing times in our rooms and this would be a great way for the kids to share throughout the day.  

I also love the idea of incorporating cartoons into lessons as well as just for fun.  Kids love cartoons.  They're often engaging and I'm sure the kids would love to see them used in school.   

Be sure to check out One Extra Degree to see all the amazing ideas others are blogging about!

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Book Study: Games

Another great chapter in this book.  I enjoyed reading all the benefits of games in the classroom.  We all know we need to be playing games in our rooms but this chapter laid out the benefits and there are a great number of them.  I love how this chapter references the motivating aspect of games as well as the idea that it decreases stress while increasing content memory.  That's what we want... kids to feel comfortable enough to learn and remember what they are learning.

Kids who play games are also asked to cooperate with a buddy or opponent as well as focus on the task at hand so as to complete the game they're playing.  The great thing about doing Daily 5 and math workshop each day is the ability to incorporate games every day!  My kiddos love playing them and I love creating them. I'm also able to differentiate the games to ensure each group is working on skills the need to improve upon.  

How We Use This Strategy:

During our daily 5 time my kiddos play a few word work games.  One of our favorites is a game called "Back to the Hive".  Kids take turns reading sight words and collecting cards.  Within each deck there are several "Back to the Hive" cards.  If a kid draws the hive card he or she needs to put all their cards back in the hive.  The kids get a kick out of this and it keeps the game going as there is no real ending to the game.  

We also play a sight word game similar to Candy Land in which kids read sight words on colored cards.  If they read the word correctly they move their game piece to that color on the game board.  This is one of our favorite ways to end our guided reading rotations.  

This hangman game is a favorite and we play it from time to time during guided reading to practice sight words or spelling words for the week.  I found this small hangman board at a dollar store a few years ago and the kids love using it!  

In math workshop one of our rotations is math tub games so each day all my kiddos play at least one math game.  Right now we've been playing a ton of St. Patrick's Day math games.   Using gold coins from the dollar store my kiddos have been motivated by and excited to play these Pot of Gold addition and subtraction games.  I love these games as they require little prep... I think sometimes games can be overwhelming as they often require a ton of prep and laminating!  I was able to create a few different versions of each addition and subtraction game and this allows me to give different students different game boards based upon their needs.  

Addition Battle is another game we play during math workshop time and occasionally during math tub time.  The kids love it... they get so competitive and engaged in the game.  We use a deck of cards.  I have each kid draw two cards to find the sum.  The player with the larger sum wins all the cards.  I've even had some kids ask me if they can add three numbers to play the game... of course you can!!! I love that something so simple can be such a big hit!

What I'd Like to Try:  

 I love that this chapter included a ton of games that could be used with vocabulary words.  Each week we introduce "amazing words" that we discuss and "act out" That's pretty much as far as we get.  Some of these vocabulary games would be a great way to continue the learning throughout the week.  

To go along with acting out our vocabulary words the vocabulary charades game would be a great addition to our word study.  I can't wait to try it.  

I also like the idea of playing a vocabulary concentration game... I'm thinking we could have one card with our vocabulary word and one card with the definition.  The vocabulary bingo game sounds great as well.  I love the idea of giving the kids a game board with the words and then calling out the definitions so the kids need to match the definition to the words on their game board.  

So many great ideas in this chapter.... Can't wait to try some!

Don't forget to visit Katie King at Queen of the First Grade Jungle to see all the amazing ideas people are blogging about!

Happy Tuesday!

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Book Study: Chapters 1 and 2

I have to say I'm three chapters in and I'm blown away!  It's great to read this book and realize that much of what I do in my classroom is developmentally appropriate and is really what's best for kids to learn.  I'm also enjoying the new ideas I've gotten so far.  I've even started using them in my room. 

I love that the book starts out with two scenarios.  It's obvious that scenario 2 is what we all want and work so hard to achieve each and every day.  I'm so excited to read this book... I'm sure we'll be learning a ton of great ideas from the book as well as all the amazing teachers that are joining in on the conversation!

Chapter 1 Brainstorming and Discussion

How I'm Already Using This:

I loved reading this chapter and realizing that I'm doing a ton of this already.  We "turn and talk" and "turn and teach" all the time.  I truly believe my kiddos are some of the best teachers in my room.  We use this strategy during writing workshop, math, our ela daily 5 rotations and guided reading lessons. Kids learn by talking it out.  

I also loved the "Think, Pair, Share" idea.  I use this in my room from time to time and I'd love to find some ways to use it.  I'm thinking our math workshop block might be perfect for this.  We've been doing a ton of talking about problem solving and using different strategies to come up with the same answer in math.  I think the "Think, Pair, Share" idea would be just great for these discussions to occur in smaller groups or with buddies.

What I Want to Try:

I love that buddies/groups are called families.  How clever and motivating to ensure all are working together and are respectful of one another, just like a family.  I love the idea of working in families to check answers and find a consensus if discrepancies occur.  I can just hear the conversations that would take place!

I also love that this chapter included some interventions for the kiddos that are having some trouble sharing or answering questions.  The sentence starters are a great way to help kids in the primary grades answer questions and participate in discussions.  We all know kiddos in K-1 need modeling, and more modeling, and sometimes even more modeling!  Ensuring all the kiddos are involved and engaged is so important!

Chapter 2 Artwork

I must admit when I need to cut something, this is where I cut from.  However, I've worked hard this year to tie every piece of artwork or craft to some kind of learning.  It's been a success.  The kids love the end product and I love all the learning that takes place.  

How I'm Already Using This:

During our vocabulary instruction each week we act out and draw out new words.  I've seen such an improvement in my kiddos vocabulary.  They're using these words in discussions and with their peers.  My teacher heart is so happy.  They're even able to use these words weeks down the road and they're making connections to new words and new topics.  Let's be honest, that's ultimately what we want so I couldn't be happier.    

In science we've been drawing and labeling various topics we've been studying throughout the year. At first I thought this would be a disaster with everyone saying they couldn't draw what they needed to draw but the kiddos love this and it truly shows me how much they have learned.  

What I Want to Try:

I love the idea of an illustrated math vocabulary journal.  Math terms can be confusing to some and drawing out the term may jog their memory when they return to that definition for help.  

I also love the poster idea for the end of a unit!  Working together to showcase all the facts or details of a unit is such a fun way to show all that the kiddos have learned.  I also want to the try designing the book cover to work on main idea.  Main idea can be tricky to teach as the kiddos often can't put into words what the book or story was mostly about.  Drawing a picture in the form on a book cover seems like just the right idea to help them understand main idea and apply it to a project! 

Sorry for the lack of pictures on this post!  Didn't really think about wanting pictures to go along with this until last night when I sat down to write the post.  Will try hard next week to snap some pictures.

I can't wait to read other posts/comments.  There are amazing teachers on these blogs and in the comment sections of the blogs and I can't wait to hear all about your ideas and successes in your own classrooms.

Head back to Kickin' It in Kindergarten for more ideas from other amazing bloggers.  

Happy Saturday morning... the sun in shining and we have two days off! 

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