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Monday, September 30, 2013
Classroom Freebies
Here are some freebies that I use on my walls to get my kids thinking and to help them feel loved! I got these ideas from other great teachers on Pinterest so I can't claim them as my own, but I hope you enjoy them just the same!
The NEW Goody Box
So, I'm not going to lie...the nerdy crafty person in me was excited when I made this on a rainy day last week! I've wanted a new treasure box, but I just couldn't find one I liked and I didn't really want to spend extra money. Enter in Duct Tape and a Paper box! Oh YEAH! I was excited!
First I dug through my cabinets and found some left over decorative Duct Tape I had from another project. I then simply did just as you see...I taped up the box in a pattern. Tada! Instant Goody Box!
My kids thought it was the coolest thing...I was excited to get to play with Duct Tape and to make something for free!
Try it out! It doesn't take as much tape as you might think and it make the box much sturdier!
First I dug through my cabinets and found some left over decorative Duct Tape I had from another project. I then simply did just as you see...I taped up the box in a pattern. Tada! Instant Goody Box!
My kids thought it was the coolest thing...I was excited to get to play with Duct Tape and to make something for free!
Try it out! It doesn't take as much tape as you might think and it make the box much sturdier!
My box has zebra, pink zebra, avengers, and leopard tape on it. I bought all of it at Hobby Lobby, but over the last couple of years, so not sure what they still have. Last time I looked they had even more. If you do have a Hobby Lobby nearby, you can use your 40% off coupon on it that is on their App.
Happy Taping!
Problem Solving Games
As I entered the year, I promised myself that I would find ways to make problem solving fun for my kids. Its so easy to get caught up in the every day question and answer on a worksheet format. I've done several things to keep my kids up and moving this while still problem solving.
One "game" we play is Traveling questions. This simply put means that we solve word problems in partners while rotating. To use traveling questions I place multiple copies of one question at a table group. The kids work in teams to solve the questions. I use cooperative learning groups so I change up the responsibility of each group member as we switch. The group is given about 5 minutes to read and solve individually. Then they share their answer and decide if they agree or disagree on their choice. Finally they write an answer that is agreed upon and when they are done they put their heads down so I know they are ready to switch. Once all the groups are ready we stand up and "travel" to the next question. By the time they finish they have answered five questions and have their answers recorded and we then go over the problems together and check their work. I am finding this to be most helpful in getting them excited to solve and up and moving.
One "game" we play is Traveling questions. This simply put means that we solve word problems in partners while rotating. To use traveling questions I place multiple copies of one question at a table group. The kids work in teams to solve the questions. I use cooperative learning groups so I change up the responsibility of each group member as we switch. The group is given about 5 minutes to read and solve individually. Then they share their answer and decide if they agree or disagree on their choice. Finally they write an answer that is agreed upon and when they are done they put their heads down so I know they are ready to switch. Once all the groups are ready we stand up and "travel" to the next question. By the time they finish they have answered five questions and have their answers recorded and we then go over the problems together and check their work. I am finding this to be most helpful in getting them excited to solve and up and moving.
Here are some of my students answering a question while playing Traveling Questions. This particular time they glued the questions down to large chart paper and then solved.
I've also done this using Post-It notes and then come place the Post-It note on the board under the question they are solving from the book or worksheet.
Does anyone else have a way that they practice problem solving questions? I'd love more ideas! I will add more as time goes on and I try and create others.
Class DOJO
Oh my gosh! Where have the past few weeks gone! I've had every intention of getting online to my blog, and somehow time gets the best of me. So I am going to catch up and hope to stay that way!
Where to start? Well, my year is off to a fabulous start. I love my kiddos...all 60 of them. I team teach with two other fabulous teachers in the DFW area in Texas. I am lucky and get to focus most of my time on Math for three rotations. Behavior for these three classes had me unsure of what to do outside of the norm. Its not the behavior aspect as much as the organization of tracking it.
I decided to try Class Dojo this year. For starters the characters are just so darn cute! (See them below). Secondly, its technology based which I love. And third and most importantly it allows students to track their progress and for parents to get involved. So far, its going well! My team began using it with the expectation that we would give rewards based on point accumulation every three weeks. This has proven to be too long between and we are going to a weekly check in so that students can have more immediate feedback.
If you use Data Folders and would like to the papers that we put in them click below to get them for FREE.
Where to start? Well, my year is off to a fabulous start. I love my kiddos...all 60 of them. I team teach with two other fabulous teachers in the DFW area in Texas. I am lucky and get to focus most of my time on Math for three rotations. Behavior for these three classes had me unsure of what to do outside of the norm. Its not the behavior aspect as much as the organization of tracking it.
I decided to try Class Dojo this year. For starters the characters are just so darn cute! (See them below). Secondly, its technology based which I love. And third and most importantly it allows students to track their progress and for parents to get involved. So far, its going well! My team began using it with the expectation that we would give rewards based on point accumulation every three weeks. This has proven to be too long between and we are going to a weekly check in so that students can have more immediate feedback.
If you use Data Folders and would like to the papers that we put in them click below to get them for FREE.
Click on the image to learn more about Class Dojo!
Click on the first image to get the packet. The DOJO packet includes both the weekly goal papers as well as 6 weeks version if you want it. Enjoy!
Sunday, September 8, 2013
Classroom Set Up
Here is a peek into my classroom! After ten years of a Monkey theme in the younger grades I decided to go with something new. So this year I decided to go with a Twitter bird/love bird type theme.
Our third grade teachers team teach on our campus. This means that I get to teach math all day. It is lots of fun to have 90 minutes a day to plan and to really make good solid lessons for my kiddos. However, as I decided how to organize my class, I decided that I might need to make some changes from my past procedures to make it more conducive to have students rotate. I decided to use bookcases at the end of each group.
I initially expected shelving to be very expensive. However, after going to Walmart, I found that I could get book cases for less than $20 each! So thanks to my awesome husband (who assembled them) I have book cases at the end of each group. I house all our supplies in the book case. Students keep their binder in their desk as they come in each day and a pencil box. Our pencil boxes do not hold supplies, but rather hold our different strategy cards that we use.
This collage shows my birdies I created. I chose to make them myself out of felt. Though there are some super cute options out there like the Boho Birds, I wanted something with texture. I decorated around my birds with toile and scrapbook flowers.
This is my DOJO board that I'm using. It still needs some work and some polish to it. My kids are loving the DOJO app though. If you haven't checked it out yet go to www.classdojo.com. Follow my blog to find free uploaded DOJO goal setting papers etc. (I will have them up soon!)
I initially expected shelving to be very expensive. However, after going to Walmart, I found that I could get book cases for less than $20 each! So thanks to my awesome husband (who assembled them) I have book cases at the end of each group. I house all our supplies in the book case. Students keep their binder in their desk as they come in each day and a pencil box. Our pencil boxes do not hold supplies, but rather hold our different strategy cards that we use.
These are just a few of the Pinterest projects I completed this summer for my number room. I write notes on the plastic plate by the door to remind me what to do. And then I have my who is out of the room board that I made using numbers so that no matter what class I have I can use the same board.
When students came for meet the teacher they received a treat (on the bottom right hand corner) attached to their Welcome packet.
On the top left you can see my no sew curtains I made using a little fabric and some fabric glue.
Finally on the top right you can see my data wall and part of my board. Data is very important to tracking success and I use this board by my small group area to track class and individual success. I'll revisit it as I start putting things on it.
I'm very excited about this board. I have to give props to my fellow teacher Megan. She has it up on her wall and I copied it. (Best form of flattery right?) I created my Thinking Cap Kid out of construction paper and then typed the questions and printed them. The thinking questions are great thinking stems for students to use when working in groups and in problem solving. It helps me remember to ask as well!
Saturday, September 7, 2013
Welcome!
Hello from the great state of Texas!
I'm excited to start blogging and sharing my adventures as a third grade math teacher! This year marks my 11th year of teaching. In my teaching career I have had several opportunities to teach in different grade levels. The majority of my time was spent in K-2. Its exciting to delve into the upper grades this year.
My credentials include a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, a Masters in Educational administration, and I am currently completing my dissertation for my PhD in Curriculum and Instruction. I love to learn as much as I love to teach!
Follow my blog and share the joy of teaching with me!
Tonja
I'm excited to start blogging and sharing my adventures as a third grade math teacher! This year marks my 11th year of teaching. In my teaching career I have had several opportunities to teach in different grade levels. The majority of my time was spent in K-2. Its exciting to delve into the upper grades this year.
My credentials include a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, a Masters in Educational administration, and I am currently completing my dissertation for my PhD in Curriculum and Instruction. I love to learn as much as I love to teach!
Follow my blog and share the joy of teaching with me!
Tonja
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