Idea Transcript
About Me MRS. YOUEL LOUISA, VIRGINIA, UNITED STATES
I am an elementary Library Media Specialist in Louisa County, Virginia. I've also taught 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and middle school. This is my second year in the library, after spending 16 years in the classroom. I'm also mom to a high school boy and 5th grade girl! view my complete profile
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Finally! Something to Cross Off My To-Do List!
I hate having to go backwards to go forwards, but I guess that's what happens when you have to finish your projects before starting new ones, right? So, unfinished projects: Elf Economics unit (which honestly can be adapted to regular Economics unit...watch next year we teach it in the spring - Easter Bunny as producer???), Famous Americans, and Math (Unit 4 Investigations) Graph Unit. I polished them up, PDF'ed them, zipped up and (tried) to create pictures. Unfortunately I can't do those wonderful unit pictures in Powerpoint I see a lot of teachers doing that shows you a little of everything for the unit. No, I fight the old fashioned way and do the "save as" a jpg file. Of course, I found out Word does not like that. So much for my shortcut! The pictures I did come up with, TpT said were too large, so unfortunately it's a dorky picture for the unit. Teacher's Notebook came out a lot better. :) So, without further ado....I've talked about the Elf Economics enough, so click on the picture for TpT or {here} for Teacher's Notebook.
Check Out These Freebies!
Learning Links Pinterest Pages Class Portaportal Second Grade Learning Pages
Followers
Grab my button
Next up is the Famous American unit! I always have fun with this one. This year, I decided to throw in a bit of review for my students (especially after they had no idea who Pocahontas was for our Native American unit!) from Kindergarten and first standards. We covered Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Helen Keller, Susan B. Anthony, Jackie Robinson, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Reviews included George Washington Carver, Eleanor Roosevelt, Pocahontas, Powhatan, Benjamin Franklin, Betsy Ross, Independence Day, President's Day, and Martin Luther King, Jr. day. Whew!
Follow Me On Instagram!
See my earlier posts on Famous Americans to see all of the activities it includes (paper bag books, I Have/Who Has, Crayon Box that Talks, Famous American project, etc.). Click on the pic for TpT and {here} for Teacher's Notebook.
Search This Blog Search Dewey of the Month 56 pages
Labels
$3.00 Last, but not least, it's my Math Graphing Unit, roughly based off of Investigations Unit 4 (I use a lot of the same ideas, but had to create an easier version for my students. They do better when things are broken down further. Yes, I know.). Click on the pic for TpT and {here} for Teacher's Notebook.
10 days of freebies 100 followers
Favorite Blogs: The Bubbly Blonde
Read Across America Week
school
St. Patrick's Day Freebie!
Blog Hoppin'
Sub Plans Made Easy with a FREEBIE and a SCHOLASTIC GIVEAWAY!!!
Fern Smith's Classroom Ideas!
St. Patrick's Day Printables - Addition Color Your Answers
Forever in First
If Not You, Then Who?
Second Grade Math Maniac
back to
awards
Classroom Freebies
blog hop
Whew! Okay, think I can start planning on January now? :) I know I'll appreciate making sure everything is together next year or when we review at the end of the year! 0 comments
Labels: economics, elf economics, Famous Americans, graph, Math, Math Investigations
Presidents' Day is Tomorrow!!!!!!
Buzzing with Ms. B
Celebrating Dr. Seuss: Read Across America!
Today in Second Grade Teammates
Frog Spot
Love Check Screen Wallpaper
Nyla's Crafty Teaching
How to Have a Quick Word Wall Display
Swamp Frog First Graders
Technology Tools to Enhance the Learning in Your Classroom
Elementary Matters
What Can We Do About the Violence?
Step into 2nd Grade with Mrs. Lemons
Money, Money, Money
Mindful Rambles
What’s the Function: Tangible
Surfin' Through Second Valentine Treats
Traditions, laughter and happily ever after
5 valentine ideas to try in your classroom today
The Techie Teacher
Abraham Lincoln Augmented Reality App by AR Flashcards
School Is a Happy Place
Last Minute Foxy Valentine Bag Freebie
Live, Laugh, I LOVE Kindergarten Valentine's Day FREEBIES
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Winter Break: Tales of an Addict
Yes, that's me. School was open 2 days this week and guess who was there! However, my room desperately needed a good organization/cleaning! I wish I would've taken a picture of my desk it hasn't looked this organized since I unpacked in the summer! (actually, even then, it didn't - it was piled with stuff for other places!). So, I managed to get my little area clean as well as straighten up around my room. Teacher workdays are next Thursday and Friday, but school will be open Wednesday. (Hiding head). I'll be there, then, too!
comparing numbers
Currently
Hah hah - as I type this, I'm actually with a friend at HER school since my husband and kiddos are off to Amazement Square to meet up with cousins who are visiting from New Jersey. (If you don't know about Amazement Square in Lynchburg, VA, it is AMAZING! If you ever visit anywhere near there and have kids, it's a must-go!).
end of year
However, with 60 lb bag (okay, that might be an exaggeration) I have 4 math units, history unit, and basic lessons to plan (including a focus on nonfiction this semester!). So, I am cherishing this day without interruption. Oh, that and high speed internet and access to my school network folder. :)
Americans
Of course, today we FINALLY get some winter weather! I know some places have been hit hard. However, it's missed our part of central VA until today. I mean, my 6 year old told me on Thursday that we might as well go back to school on Monday because there is NO SNOW and it's WINTER BREAK! (yes, she's that dramatic - the same girl who said yesterday to a friend that she didn't know why "Tuesday Morning" was open since it was Friday!).
Fractions
fall
freebie
Famous
Freebies
Anyway, back to my addiction. My husband calls it "dedicated," but I sense an eye-roll when he says it. Either way, I AM getting some things done and thought I'd share! I'm also hoping to clean up my seasonal items and throw a sale for the New Year - just on holiday things, so you can stock up on different times of the year! That, and I'm approaching my anniversary of both blogs and teacher stores, so I'm starting to come full circle on some of my items. So, what have I accomplished so far? Glad you asked! My kids are a little less than skilled on calendar. I don't know why. We do it every day. Seriously. So, I made a packet of monthly skill sheets that frankly, I probably will use no matter what month (heck - I don't mind doing July in January!). Each month is slightly different with the skill levels. Be sure to check it out at my stores! Click on the picture for TpT and {here} for Teacher's Notebook.
geography
History
Whooo's in Second? TPT Sale & Gift Card Give-Away!
Fifth in the Middle
How to Create Bitmoji Brag Tags
Primary Graffiti
activities
A Mouse and A Cookie {Cause & Effect Freebie}
Life
Ladybug's Teacher Files
Cycles linky party Literacy Centers
2018 Winter Olympic Websites for Students
Third Grade Thinkers Valentine's Day
Fabulous in First
February Favorites
Teach With Laughter Valentine`s Day Subtraction
*Reading Toward the Stars!* Show Your Love with Kwik Stix!
library
Next up is a winter mix of writing and math activities. We haven't touched on fractions yet this year, but I put a fraction game in there anyway and thought it might not hurt for my students to revisit this part of their brain! Kind of a "sneak preview" of the next unit or so. Other math concepts include patterns, money, and addition. Writing activities include comparative adjectives, mitten writing prompts, seasonal paper, and a cinquain pattern. It's all snowmen, penguins, and polar bears - perfect for the winter months! For TpT click on the picture, for Teacher's Notebook {here}.
Math Centers Math
Math
Investigations
meerkats money money activities
2 Brainy Apples
FREE Simulation | 7 Ways to Step Away From the Lecture Podium & Revitalize Your Social Studies Classroom: Simulations
Doodle Bugs Teaching {first grade rocks!}
Past and Present
Sticker Stash
Conversations in Literacy
place value
6 Days of Reading, Learning and Fun
plants polar unit
MelonHeadz
Something new!!!!
prefix
Life In Special Education
preschool lessons
Accepting Feedback: Social Skills
Read Across America
TheHappyTeacher
Word Work Magnets
Reading
The Teachers' Cauldron
Goldilocks and Bears
Saddle up for Second Grade
Establishing Procedures in Guided Math
3rd Grade Thoughts
Rounding
STAR Cards for Positive Classroom Behavior
sale
I Teach. What's your super power?
February 2018 Desktop
Mrs. O Knows
Taking the Mystery Out of Mystery Skype
Chickadee Jubilee
It's All About Choice
Third Grade Doodles
Guided Reading or Strategy Groups? - What to Know!
The Lemonade Stand
St. Patrick's
Fact and Opinion Activities for the Primary Classroom
Coffee, Kids and Compulsive Lists
Graduate Teacher Tips Series: 3. Classroom Setup
Beyond The Gradebook
Why I can no longer support Scholastic
Day
Well, back to work! I'm trying to polish up some of my units as well, including Economics (including my "Elf Economics"), Famous Americans, and Graphing Unit/Investigations Unit 4. 0 comments
suffix summer in the library
Labels: adjectives, calendar math, Math Centers, poetry, winter, Writing
teacher sales
teacher store
Pirate Girl
sales
Teaching Tidbits and More With Jamie
Thanksgiving The Electric Company time
#faithwalking
New Year New Classroom Solutions
Reading and Writing Redhead $75 TPT Gift Card Giveaway!
Totally Terrific in Texas Happy New Year!
Teaching With Style! Arts Integration, Part One
Teaching My Calling Canva
Primarily AU-some Trauma Informed Interventions
Freebielicious
Lip Balm Gift Tag
Crisscross Applesauce In First Grade
Teacher - You REALLY DO know what you're doing!
Owl-ways Be Inspired Centers With a Checklist!
T hursday, December 20, 2012
A little elf gave me....
.....a freebie! I needed one more center for my math rotation tomorrow and what better than a glyph! I love glyphs. My only disappointment is a (slap forehead) duh! moment - it would have been cute to display outside, but then again, I took down Santa letters for the Grinch....and those Grinches turned out so cute, I am going to be bummed to take them down in January! (Yes, I'm a bad girl and won't be sending them home just yet!). Well, tomorrow is a 1pm dismissal and then 2 weeks of Winter Break! I can't wait! My "to do" list is getting longer and more school related (heck, I even asked the custodians which days/times they'd be in!!!), but I like the idea of setting my own schedule. Somehow, it keeps me more motivated! :) So, back to the glyph. I had found a super cute website called mycutegraphics.com, which has many free clipart selections, including seasonal. What I REALLY loved as well was that many of the graphics are in black/white. Knowing that anything I need in color is my nickel to print at home, I really appreciate that! So, tonight I created a Christmas Glyph, featuring the elves. We've done so much with elves this month, from earning "sparkle points" to our economics unit, that I felt they needed to be included somewhere in our holiday centers! So, here it is. Click on the picture to take you to Teacher's Notebook to download! At some point, I'd like to have a collection of seasonal glyphs in one pack (add that as #143 on my list?). Until then, enjoy! Even if you're already out (jealous!) or seeing this a little too late, save it for next year! :)
Primary Punch
Movie Rental Gift Tag
Love to Teach :)
Happy Holidays with Oriental Trading
Stimulating Science Simulations
Life or Debt: Holiday Shopping Update
tattling to the teacher Make Them Move
Oh' Boy 4th Grade
Boosting Morale... ONE squad at a time
Don't Let the Teacher Stay Up Late Labor Day to Thanksgiving
Simply Learning Centers
0 comments
Labels: Christmas, elf, glyphs
Roll a Main Idea Game
Ginger Snaps
Quick Reference Proficiency Chart {Guided Reading}
Falling Into First
Thanksgiving Writing FREEBIE
First Grade Garden
Bouncy Bands for the Classroom
The 3am Teacher I Need Your Help
Shifting Teacher K-2 #IMMOOC Lead by Example
Monday, December 17, 2012
HO HO Holiday Centers!
Okay, so I think I've finally finished "updating" my December holiday centers. I feel like I'm a little late to the party about it, looking 'round the web, but thought I'd share what I just spent the last 3 hours doing. :) In my last post, I shared with you some of the crafts I do in my classroom. I added that, plus some of my math centers I created last year, in a packet.
Erica's Ed-Ventures First Grade Fall Ideas
Who's Who and Who's New Teaching The Author's Point Using Video Games (Plus a Giveaway)
Queen of the First Grade Jungle Picture Book Love
Hello Mrs Sykes Resources for Teachers
Free Learning Centers from NFPA for Teachers for Fire Safety Month
2nd Grade Stuff Tools for Guided Reading
Pitner's Potpourri
Help a Friend Out! Editable Word Work Menu
*Teaching Maddeness*
Missing Addends Made Easy
Hello Literacy
Using Painted Jenga Blocks for A Fun Vocabulary Game
Soaring Through Second Grade
The Roll-a-Reindeer is one of my favorites - aren't they cute? Microsoft clipart. :) I'm also going to offer the centers individually as well. Check out the candy cane fact family as a FREEBIE! :)
Learning with a Happy Heart
The other center I don't think I've shared with you. It's my tribute to the "12 Days of Christmas." It's a great way for my students to review ordinal numbers, as well as problem solving. There's also a sheet for them to generate their own problems for their classmates to solve! My students have been creating word problems for a while now with their number of the day. I'm hoping this will be an easy transition for them!
Ozobots in the Classroom | Connecting Coding to Curriculum
New School Year, New Focus
Practice Makes Perfect Number Sense Learning Trajectory
Mrs. C's Classroom
Teachers Pay Teachers Sale on August 1 & 2
Teaching in Progress
If You Give A Teacher A Work Day...
Just A Primary Girl
Managing Volunteers in the Classroom
Rowdy in First Grade Join me Thursday!
Hippo Hooray for Second Grade!
Formative Assessment: the What, the Why, and the How
First Grade Teacher Lady
Innovation is Essential for ESL Students
I found the clipart on scrappinggoodies.com and knew I had to do something with it! Click on the pictures or links to the side to take you to my store to check them out! :)
0 comments
Labels: christmas crafts, holiday centers
T.G.I.F.
My THREE Favorite Classroom Management Tips
Swinging Through Second Grade Where have I been?
Chalk One Up for the Teacher Language of the Disclipline- Depth and Complexity for Primary
Swimming Into Second Monday Motivation: Classroom Library
Mrs. T's First Grade Class Jackson Pollock
2nd Grade Shenanigans
We Heart Teachers! GIVEAWAY
Saturday, December 15, 2012
It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!
We have stayed pretty busy this week! Students have been working on their sparkle points to receive treats from the elves! We also wrote letters to Santa, explored the Grinch's story and thought about ways to make him smile, and rescued Santa from being stuck in a chimney! We also created stockings to encourage students that 'tis the time to be complimentary of their classmates! Thank you to Susan at TGIF (Thank God Its First Grade) for sharing this great freebie! :) Santa's Stuck came from Valerie at All Students Can Shine and the Grinch was modified from Dixie at Second Grade Fun's activity! Most of these I found on Pinterest or from my blog roll from those offering freebies (and who doesn't want a freebie this time of year??). You can check out my December Holidays board for more ideas I just couldn't fit in! :)
All Things Apple in 2nd
Having a little FAITH!!!!
Hanging Out In First!! What I Wish Teachers Knew about my ADHD Child
Literacy and Laughter - Celebrating Kindergarten children and the books they love Thing One and Thing Two Hair Headbands
Sunny Days in Second Grade
Win a Year of Scholastic Printables!
I Love My Classroom I Graduated from GLAD!
the teacher wife
Robot Valentine Sacks & The Perfect Valentine for BOYS!
Right Down the Middle Best of 2016
Heather's Heart
Gobble Up Some Freebies- Making 10 Fun
The Teacher's Chatterbox
A Love For Reading
Dragonflies in First
5 Effective Classroom Management Strategies
Around the Kampfire Apple Up Your Fall Bulletin Boards!
Teacher Idea Factory I'VE MOVED --- FIND ME HERE
Second Grade Sugar and Spice Data Driven Math: Bringing Intention To Math Instruction
Create-Abilities
Behavior Contracts and Interventions
Luckeyfrog's Lilypad Quick Tips for Back to School
Fun in First Grade
How Teachers Feel After the First Day of School
Second Grade Silliness R is for Rekenrek
Learning is Something to Treasure Back to School giveaway!!!
Across the Hall in 2nd 5 Ways I Use Punch Cards in My Classroom
Fourth Grade Lemonade
Beginning of the Year Book Study for Upper Elementary: Cinderella Fairy Tales
Whole Brain Teaching Book Club CHANGES to CERTIFICATION
We also continued our study on graphs and created a survey, where we asked our classmates questions and had them vote on choices. We took the data and created bar graphs and pictographs. On Friday, we created questions about our graph and this coming Monday, we'll be able to have a "Graph Party" and go around the room, exploring the graphs and answering the student-created questions! I hope to have this unit with its activities uploaded soon for you to explore! We had a pirate treasure hunt with verb tenses using the Pirate Tweets. Students had a great time finding special envelopes and writing answers on their treasure maps! There were also some "Argh!" cards scattered in, where students had to perform verbs, such as dances, sing pirate songs, and bunny hop to the teacher! If you purchased this activity, I am going to update it to include the ARGH cards, since that was a late night inspiration with the extra copies of the cards I had! Click on the picture to download (or if you've already purchased, then to update!).
Extra Special Teaching
Building Character: Encouraging Problem Solving
Hokie Teach
Change and opportunity
Teach Love
Geometry - Shapes in DC
Bookish Ways in Math and Science Connecting Math and Art to Teach Multiplication
Teaching Blog Addict Celebrate The Last Day of School and Happy Teacher Appreciation Week
Beach Sand
We'll finish our Elf Economics unit this week with a test on Wednesday. The goods and services the students created were great! Students enjoyed bartering (trading) not only their projects, but also goods that they had on special cards. Did you know one of the bracelets was worth a chocolate cake AND a sheep? :) One more week to go! Excitement has been building in the classroom, but we still have a lot to pack in this week! Our school is having "Snowman Day." We have an AWESOME resource team that puts on a seasonal day each year (each grade level gets 2 hours). Last year was Gingerbread Day. On Friday, we'll have a 1pm dismissal. I saved that day of craziness to make crafts and just have fun! Here are some of the crafts we'll be creating this year (I am not a crafty person, so I tend to do the "easier" ones!). "Stained Glass" ornaments (using up all those old transparencies...I guess overhead projectors are antiques now?)
Joy Cowley Giveaway
The Inspired Apple
Technical Difficulties!
Chalk Talk: A Kindergarten Blog
I'm Back With a New Blog
Stapler's Strategies Third Grade...
Tales from Second
Resep Membuat Awug Khas Kuningan
Funky First Grade Fun
Candy Cane Reindeer
Leadership Lessons
One Extra Degree
Repurposing Decor for Vocabulary Instruction
My (Not So) Elementary Life
Martin Luther King Jr. Thematic Unit
Positively Learning
I Moved!
Following Optimism in 2nd Grade
Dipped Pretzel Rods
Place Value is "Snow" Much Fun!
Sweet Life of Second Grade Currently 2016 !!
Tunstall's Teaching Tidbits
Math Journals For First Grade
Crayonbox Learning
I have two parent volunteers coming in to help (whew!) so we'll probably rotate through stations. Also that day, we'll have some seasonal centers that include both literacy and math. I'll post more on that next week once I get them together.
First Grade Kate
I've already started a New Year's Resolution (hah!). I just told the custodian who cleans my room I'm coming in over Christmas break, dumping everything on my desk on the floor and going through it! I'm jealous of all those teachers who keep a clean desk. The only reason I *might* have a space is for my laptop! Don't believe me? I took a picture just to put it somewhere to remind me! My little corner space is a bit cramped! These will be the "before" picture (see how I tried to get organized with the basket?)
Review: Mentoring Minds Common Core Aligned Resources Classroom Tour
The Second Grade Superkids
Designating Space for Reading with Children at Home
The Meek Moose
Fear of the Algorithm ~ The Meek Moose Dishes on New Math Part II
An Adventure in Literacy
Parent Reading Buddies
The Teacher's Chair Character Traits of GREAT Students
ª Owl in a Vowel Tree ª Giveaway Party!
Whimsy Workshop New Blog Address!
2nd Grade Rocks!
We are Super Heroes!
Two Fulbright Hugs ~ Teacher Time Savers Back to School Sale
Miss L's Whole Brain Teaching Moving On!
Inspired in Second into this... LP
Sailing Through First Classroom Photos
the tattooed teacher Wishlist Wednesday: Word Sort Activities!
Miss V's Busy Bees
Do You IXL? {A Series of Posts - Post 4 - The Final Post}
Tales from Outside the Classroom Affordable Student Gifts for the End of the Year
The Very Busy First Graders
A New Classroom, A New Grade...I'm Moving to Kindergarten!
For His Glory Teaching
Ashley's {NEW BLOG} Launch & Giveaway!
The Quirky Apple
Final Countdown!!! Summer Countdown Activities and Display
educationjourney
Transform Your Social Studies and Science Instruction
My husband says it's the space of a busy, creative teacher. Do I have him trained or what? :P 0 comments
Labels: christmas crafts, december holidays, pirates, resolutions, verb tenses
Ms. Fultz's Corner
Teacher Appreciation Giveaway Hop
Math Coach's Corner Earth Day Freebie
Our Hearts and Prayers Go Out to Sandy Hook....Please Join Us In This Day of Silence
Science for Kids for store
Classroom In Paradise Five for Friday!
First Place in 2nd Grade
Projects Versus Project Based Learning
SWERSTY'S SWAP SHOP
From Rocket Scientist to Reading Ninja
Teaching in High Heels Teachers ARE Heroes!
Teachin’ First
Currently...missing snow days!
Covered in Glitter and Glue
0 comments
MLK Freebies
The Price of Teaching Secret Santa Reveal!
Creekside Teacher Tales Plickers- Have You Heard Of It?
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Math Investigations Visual Vocabulary Cards
The First Grade Sweet Life
At long last - they are FINALLY finished! When I first started doing these cards, it was summer (well, the first set). I had time. Doing this next set - whew! (I'm going to start the next set over Christmas break!).
5th Grade Rocks, 5TH Grade Rules
Sorry if some of you have been waiting on them and have moved on to unit 4. We just started the unit because my kiddos move a little slower this year. I was hoping to have them done last week (since I was due for an observation - as my principal put it in a meeting last Monday, it had been a "long, long time since" he'd been in my room! Not sure if that's a compliment to my teaching or not! LOL).
Jeremiah 17:7- Trusting AND Hoping in the LORD
Happy Halloween--Task Card Halloween Haven and FREEBIE
Best Practices 4 Teaching Literacy
max mara s/s 2015 milan
First Grade's a Hoot A New Approach to Scheduling
First Grade Fresh
A Different Kind of School Year
Teise's Tidbits
You Know You're a Teacher When...
So, voila! Here they are!!!! Also, I finished my Investigations class! WOO HOO! :) It's been hard balancing everything and having that looming over my head! It was nice to get other perspectives of the series. I know in my district there are some haters that have turned into lovers, and those of us who are still a little wary of it (especially since it doesn't quite cover all our standards, and no one in my district seems to want to order the $99 supplement package that makes it Common Core compatible!). Anyway, here they are, in all their glory (well, 2 pages out of 16!). You can click on the image to check it out in TPT or click {here} for Teacher's Notebook.
Ms. Cox's Inspired Teaching 2nd Grade Rocks!
Owl Always Love 2nd Grade! SALE!!
"Dots" of Fun! Clip Art
Dollar Deals with Dots of Fun
Tailor-made Teaching Summer Blog Hop
Whole Brain Teaching With Style Super Improver Wall Update
EnRiching Kinders ME AND ABE
Speech Room News
So long, Farewell.... I'm moving!
Mrs. Cobb's Kinder Sprouts
GA Bloggers Meet-Up!!
Smiling in Second Grade
Bright Ideas Blog Hop!
2nd Grade Pig Pen
Snow, Valentine's Day, and a FREEBIE!
Teach~Play~Smile
An Amazing Sharpener!
Mrs. Watts' Fantastic First Grade Teach From The Heart
We are doing verb tenses this week and I found some adorable freebies I'll share with you later, including a "Phineas and Verb" or you can check out my Pinterest page on it. That inspires me to offer my lil' idea to you as a freebie as well! Click {here} for Google Docs and my verb tense snowmen! :) 3 comments
Labels: Math Investigations, snowman, verb tenses
WE LOVE REFLEX!!!!
Marvelous Multiagers! December Currently
Lesson Plan SOS Exciting News!
Table Talk with C and C Friday Fall Freebie Blog Hop!
Happy Teaching First Owl About Data
All Things Algebra
Special Weekend Mathematical Co-Sale!
Ms. Preppy
I'm definitely in my zone...
Whole Brain Teaching in the Ladybug Club First Day of School= Amazed by WBT!
Elf Economics and Sparkle Points
Friday, December 7, 2012
Does your district do a pacing guide? Ours does, and it's usually determined by a representation of teachers who either meet during the school year, or during the summer. It's a recommended guideline of when/length you teach one of the standards. We do have a lot of students who move within our county, so it makes sense. I just don't understand why it seems to change every year. Or the fact that we teach NO Science this nine weeks, and no History NEXT nine weeks!. Hmmm. Anyway, we normally do our Economics unit in late winter or spring. Not so this year. It's a crazy time of year. I mean, a "is it a full moon tonight because the kids are acting crazy!" time of year!!!! (And that was the week AFTER Thanksgiving!). Yes, I know they're excited about the Christmas season - which was what inspired me.
Charts N Chit Chat: Best Practices 4 Teaching
Have you ever thought that an elf is actually a producer? An elf uses capital, natural, and "human" resources (kinda - do we think Santa as "human"?). An elf would definitely deal with scarcity, and buying gifts is DEFINITELY making an economic choice! Throw barter and money in there, and it's a unit!
Sweet Seconds
Thus was born "Elf Economics." I've taken my unit and completely revamped it so that my students are now elves-in-training. Seriously. We filled out an application and everything! Which then led to an elf visiting our room and leaving us some directions on how to earn "sparkle points" based on student work habits and behavior. If they earn a sparkle point for the day, the elf leaves them (or the teacher to pass out) a treat each morning for the previous day's behavior. They earned their first treat this morning - special marshmallows that tasted like candy canes! It was a big hit with the kids.
Behavior Folder Printables
Summer is Almost Over - Back to School and Blogging!
Teacher 2 Teacher
Helping Educators in Need
2nd Grade Pad
Is this Goodbye?
Ms. Beattie
Techy Tuesday: Rafflecopter
2nd grade ponderings Use It or Lose It
Teacher Blogger Exchange
Holly Bloggy Link Up!
Teacher Blogging Basics
How to Make a Blog Button
2nd Grade Sleuths
Writing Strategy Songs and the Common Core
KidsReadingActivities. com New Home
Wild About Second Grade
Teacher Appreciation Sale!!
Made In The Shade In 2nd Grade Weekly Cheat Sheet
Moss-Nuckols Elementary School January 13, 2012
SecondissoSweet OMG!!
Serenade to Second Grade Fall Tree Art
First Grade Factory
Teacher Talk Tuesday
Live, Love, Laugh in 2nd Grade Rulin' the Roost! Miss Stec's Kindergarten Kollections
Unfortunately, the elf leaves the scent of vanilla cookies behind, so even though he's invisible, we know he's there. He also leaves glitter EVERYWHERE. Red and green, of course, but after two days, we're still finding it in folders, books, etc. My kids told me they knew the elf wasn't me because I wouldn't mess up the room like that! :) He also left a friend behind to keep an eye on the kids.
Adventures of a Student Teacher A Teeny Tiny Teacher A Teachable Teacher All Students Can Shine My Life as a Third Grade Teacher Second Grade Freebies Powered by Blogger. More Next Blog»
Create Blog Sign In
So, we've been working our way through the Elf Training Center, which they were nice enough to leave on my wiki page. It's a work in progress.
At some point, I'll have it all together and be able to say "voila - here it is!" (And of course, they'll move economics to some other part of the year - but I guess the Easter Bunny can teach economics as well, right????). Until then, if you'd like to use it, feel free to visit the {ETC} on my wiki page. It seems to change a little each day as the elves update it. I'll try to put the rest on my teacher store as it is completed, or leave you a link for Google Drive! I hope to have more pics up soon! Until then, enjoy your weekend. We are also counting down to "Snowman Day" which our school has on December 20th - it'll be here before we know it! :) 0 comments
Labels: behavior, Christmas, elf economics, History, social studies
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Triangle Fact Cards and Technology: Learning Math Facts With a Twist While I would love to say I created this concept, I have not (but I can't remember where it came from!). However, this year, they are really emphasizing students learn their math facts and have them "fluent" (as I tell my students, it's like sight words - you look at it and just KNOW). Hmmm...you're probably saying. Our school does that already - why does her school seem so far behind? Well (sigh), it all stems from the fact that my district has whole-heartedly embraced Investigations. Don't get me wrong - the program has its merits, but according to the program, "fluency" is where students are fluent with strategies to get to the right answer. Yes, I do agree that students should be presented with a variety of ways to solve a problem. I still get flashbacks of long division and third grade! I never liked the "my way or the highway" way of thinking. Only, it doesn't help the students learn their facts so that their able to recall them quickly. Yes, repetition and playing games does, but there's something to be said for good ol' fashioned practice! My poor son is struggling with middle school math because although he has the strategies, he does not have the fluency! We often have a multiplication chart sitting next to us during homework! So, after introducing my students to related facts, we began using triangle fact cards.
I wanted to make this fun for my kiddos. They really do struggle with math. So, I searched my clipart and gave them choices. We now have versions with Xmen, Star Wars, zoo animals, penguins, community helpers (firemen, police, etc.), Transformers, fairy tale, etc. It was a little time consuming, but the end results was great! It motivated the kids to start practicing their facts at home and I also put an Alice in Wonderland themed one in our BUILD Centers. You can find these in my teacher stores, if you're interested! I also have a blank template as well (no characters). I also found an app on the iPod called "Motion Math: Hungry Fish." Now, I was gifted an iPod Touch via Donors Choose this year, and recently, received a grant from our PTA for 3 more (I'm just awaiting the Otterbox cases before they fall into my students' hands!). Players combine bubbles to add the number that's on the fish (for example, 1 and 2 make 3 to feed the "3" fish). I also have Math Ninja and a few others. I have just downloaded the free versions, to see what I think would work best with my kids! Obviously the paid versions have more levels, but I want to see what my kids think first! Do you have any apps or programs you use in the classroom that help with math fluency? Our school also just started Pearson's "Success Maker". Any suggestions are more than welcome! I've also started adding apps that really help my kids on my Pinterest page as well! Thanks for any suggestions! :) 2 comments
Writing
Blog Archive 2017 (3) 2016 (16) 2015 (27) 2014 (44) 2013 (65) t 2012 (132) t December (9) Finally! Something to Cross Off My ToDo List! Winter Break: Tales of an Addict A little elf gave me.... HO HO Holiday Centers! It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas! Our Hearts and Prayers Go Out to Sandy Hook....Ple... Math Investigations Visual Vocabulary Cards Elf Economics and Sparkle Points Triangle Fact Cards and Technology: Learning Math... November (15) October (7) September (6) August (6) July (7) June (5) May (12) April (16) March (17) February (26) January (6)
Blogging, Teaching and Second Grade... Oh My!
Christmas 'Imagine' creative writing prompts
Word Study
Labels: fact fluency, Math
Newer Posts
Home
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)
Total Pageviews 555,259
Older Posts
Blog design by Leelou Blogs