Student Blogging

I have been blogging with my students for 10 years now and actually started with a Kindergarten Class!  I love Edublogs for my students. It's incredible how quickly they can learn to navigate and create!.  Click HERE for a link to our Blog. One of our lessons is about writing Quality Comments when visiting blogs. I've made an anchor chart for my students to teach them about this writing process. Grab a copy HERE.

Oreos and Math

The Oreo Cookie Project is a great way to collect primary data and review mental math strategies. Students collect 2 sets of data, their first attempt and second attempt at stacking a tower of OREO cookies. I place my students in small groups where they collect the data on a chart. Grab a copy of the chart HERE.  Then as a class we combine the data and then discuss mean and mode. Back in their small groups my students calculate the average for the group first and second attempts. We chart that data for the entire class and then make graphs that compare the data of the groups. They can be pictographs, double bar graphs etc.

We also do some math about the boxes of cookies.  I buy the bulk boxes that have 3 trays, with 3 rows of 9 cookies in each.  It makes for some great problem solving.  Grab the sheet HERE.

Finally I use the structure of the OREO cookie as a tool to help students work through problem solving steps. The top and bottom hold all the good stuff (the proof) together! This Anchor Chart goes in the front of their math books.  The R.I.S.E. (read, identify, solve, explain) is to encourage students to have the "grit" to not give up when problem solving, to rise to the challenge.  For self assessment students glue a small Oreo template in their math books and check off the steps as they work through problems.  Grab your copy of the self assessment sheet HERE.

International Dot Day

September 15th is the date when Peter Reynolds published his book called The Dot. It is the story of a little girl called Vashti and her journey towards creativity.

Since 2009 more and more teachers have been using this date to celebrate International Dot Day. Classes around the world are using this day to explore the themes of bravery, creativity and self-expression as Vashti did in the story of her dots. Look here to see who has been creating Celebridots!



The Bouncing Dot Official Music Video for The Dot Song from FableVision Learning on Vimeo.as well as this video of The Making of a Dot from Renee Kurilla on Vimeo.will definitely provide even more motivation for my students to get creating.


Let's Make Our Mark On Sept. 15th! I would love to hear your comments about what your students create on International Dot Day!
We made our own marks....

Patterns and Pentominoes

There are so many solutions to the Pentominoes Puzzles.  Puzzler provides some help with solutions.

Here is an activity to try with your students!
Divide your students into teams of 2 or more.  Distribute a set of Printable Pentominoes to each group and have them work together to find a solution of fitting all the pieces together.  Teams should keep track of each step they take to get to their solution.  The team will then create written instructions to guide another team to solve the puzzle similarily.  Instructions should be as descriptive as possible using math vocabulary such as direction, colours, position, etc.  Finally teams swap instructions to solve a new puzzle.

Connections Comparing Contrasting

Call me crazy but I've got two classroom pets this year and two great books to inspire my students to think about what it means to be part of a "family" and to be thankful for what we have.  I am going to post the activities that my class does with the two books here as we go.  As we are working on developing the reading strategy of Making Connections our first whole group activity will be using a Venn Diagram to compare and contrast with a focus on making text to text connections.  Grab your copy of the Venn Diagram Foldable HERE.

The Day The Crayons Quit

The Day the Crayons Quit by Oliver Jeffers is the theme book for our school this year.  It will be our first read aloud in the classroom too!  When my students arrive tomorrow they will find their name tag placed on a desk (strategically placed ;) with a new box of crayons.  We will talk about using all the colours as creatively as possible, and letting our true colours shine brightly this year!

Everyday Counts Calendar Math

The time spent on this activity is quick, not more than 15 minutes per day.  It reinforces core mathematical concepts while students learn to explain their thinking.  The program itself is quite expensive and so I've created a file in Smart Notebook that can easily be differentiated for your students.  September calendar is ready to go with 3 of the main components, Counting Tape, Daily Depositor, and Computations & Connections.  I will be working on adding more to this file so check back for updates.  Take a look HERE. If you would like a copy of the Smart Notebook file visit my TPT page.

Back To School Greeting

Everyone loves a little treat! Here is something quick and easy to make for your kiddos on the first day back!  It's awesome how the smallest things can make our students feel welcomed.  This file contains tags for Kindergarten to Grade 6. Grab your copy HERE.

Classroom Desk Arrangements

 Educators are always looking for fresh perspectives in organizing our classrooms. Each year our numbers seem to grow and somehow we need to fit our students comfortably. Sometimes our space even changes and we end up with less room!  Visit Classroom Desk Arrangement for great visual planners for your student desks.  Select the category that matches your number of students and you will find a variety of options for arranging your desks.

My Day Book

Now Updated for the new school year 2015-2016!! Organization is not one of my better qualities! One tool that helps keep me sane is my Day Book Binder. It goes everywhere with me! Each section has it's own title page with a tab, and inside each section there are subtopics with tabs. I keep all records of meetings whether it be staff, parent, grade team, etc. in one section. All my planning notes, monthly planning calendars, guided reading, math groups, etc are housed in another section. My assessment section includes running records, CASI data, anecdotal notes, and checklists. The student info section has IEP info, home phone numbers, etc. The template section is handy for keeping blank class lists, blank assessment sheets etc. In the schedule section you will find the school board year long calendar, timetables etc. And of course there are my Day At A Glance pages. I really love the format for my day at a glance pages. They are flexible because as we know although we have a timetable things can change at the drop of a hat! Grab a copy of my day book tool kit HERE.  Take a look at my day at glance format HERE.

Numbers For Me Updated!

Math Counts by Henry Pluckrose is a perfect read aloud for the first week of school.  It is a quick read about numbers in our everyday world.   I have made an interactive resource as a follow up to the read aloud.  This can be used as a review of basic number, and measurement skills giving you a quick assessment of your students' abilities.....AND you can display them for open house!  If you have suggestions for pages that could be added leave me a comment and I'll make the changes!  Grab your copy HERE.

Quick Writes

A Quick Write is a versatile strategy that is used to develop writing fluency.  Sometimes it is used as a reflection on student learning.  For this file I am using the Quick Writes strategy to help develop writing fluency. This is practice time for your students and does not need to be assessed. I walk around after the timer has been set and provide support when needed, making anecdotal observations.  Grab a copy of my Quick Writes HERE. If you would like the smart notebook file just leave me a comment!

The Book Whisperer

The Book Whisperer is a quick and enjoyable read. It provides strategies to motivate your reluctant readers such as finding out what their reading interests could possibly be. I use this Reading Interest Survey to provide the types of books for independent reading that my students will enjoy. Periodically I will leave a book or two (related to their reading interests) with a sticky note on a student's desk and when they arrive in the morning they love to see that I've thought about them.  Another year long strategy  to keep your kiddos motivated is the 40 Book Challenge. After sharing many of my favourite books, and a review of book genres I introduce the challenge to my kiddos. They all sign a contract for the 40 Book Challenge. I wanted a more accountable approach, so rather than having my students keep a reading log we have a class "Look What I'm Reading Pocket Chart" where students keep a CARD of the book they are currently reading. Students fill in the cards when they are finished the book and then save them on a Book Ring. All the book rings are kept in the class library for students to grab and read when looking for a good book recommendation. For a copy of the pocket chart "LOOK WHAT I'M READING" title click HERE.  Grab a copy of a 40 Book Challenge Certificate HERE.

Word Study Centre Activities

The Literacy Centres should include built in activities and procedures that will make our job easier when switching up the weekly tasks to be completed. Word Sort is a great activity that you can differentiate for your students and easily switch up each week. After a spelling assessment provide word lists for your students each Monday that they will use all week at the word study centre. Pass out the lists on Monday, students cut them up and work at a blind sort to discover the spelling patterns. They place their words in a baggie that is stapled to their Literacy Centre Folders, and each day complete a different set of activities with their words. On Friday they finish by pasting their words in the correct spelling patterns into their Word Study Books. Grab your copy of word lists and Word Sort Activity cards for your Word Study Centre HERE. My word lists are geared towards students in grades 2 to 4.
Davis Elementary Website is great resource that provides comprehensive word study lists for all levels of your spellers.

Month By Month

This is a consistent built in way of improving paragraph writing, conferencing, and goal setting, with your kiddos. Students write their memories of the month at school. We use this to develop and review excellent paragraphs. As a class we develop paragraph writing criteria, and each month add new look fors in our writing. Monthly conferencing with students allows me to provide feedback related to our criteria and students set new writing goals. Grab your copy of my conferencing page HERE.

The memory book includes extra pages for adding illustrations. If you would like a copy for your specific grade level, leave me a comment! Grab your copy HERE.

Active Listening Introduction

Without giving the students any information place the Active Listening Cards face down on each desk. (We want our students to build their own understandings and connections). Next have the students pick up the card and stand with a partner somewhere in the room. Students take turns sharing the sentence and discussing what the sentences have in common. Then ask them to thank each other, switch cards, hold their new cards in the a air and look for another classmate who has his or her card in the air. Repeat the process until everyone has paired and shared several times. Finally students meet at the carpet to brainstorm  What did all the cards have in common? "What is Good Listening"?  What does it look like, sound like, feel like?  Think, Pair, Share. The video "Talking Twin Babies" is a great real life application of active listening.

PVF paired verbal fluency gives students an opportunity to process something new that they have just viewed or heard. Ask the students to find a partner and decide who will be "A" and who "B". A explains something for 30 seconds, and B who works at summarizing what A said. Switch roles from Listener to Speaker.  Encourage the same "Active Listening" strategies that are now in place (appropriate body language, facial expressions, and eye contact). Having students use a sentence starter such as "You mentioned _____; tell me more about that." should help students begin to learn how to paraphrase what has been said.

Pigs of Happiness

Here is a great book to begin your year. "The Pig of Happiness"! Have your students brainstorm ways they could be "pigs of happiness" at school. Click HERE for some incentive cards that you can hand out to students who spread happiness at school.

Comic Printables

I stumbled across this resource. I think it would be a great motivator to encourage kids to write in a graphic novel type of format. This would be a great addition to my Writing Centre after the genre of comic writing has been taught, or for early finishers.

Bounce Cards

The art of conversation can be challenging for some student (as well as for some adults)!  In a previous post I provided the resources and a description on how to introduce Active Listening to your students.  The Bounce Card provides the next steps in supporting your students with 3 ways of responding meaningfully to their peers.  Grab your copy of the Bounce Cards resource HERE.
How do you guide your students to become better active listeners?
I'd love to hear your ideas!

Literacy Centres

This type of rotation allows greater flexibility for your groupings and time management.  Grab your copy of the centre icons HERE. For a more thorough explanation of how the centres are managed click HERE.

Flag Your Thinking

Begin your year reviewing how to make connections with your students.  During a read aloud model how to flag your thinking with a sticky flag  marked with a check mark for things we already know ...that are part of our schema and the R sticky flag for something that reminds of us ourselves, a story we have read or heard, or something in the world.  Provide students with their own book marks to use while you continue the read aloud, stopping at critical places in the read aloud to have the children stop, think, use a flag on their bookmark  and then pair and share their thoughts with their elbow partners. Later your kiddos will meet with you in small group to continue learning how to used the sticky flags while reading independently, and finally during literacy centres they will use their bookmarks independently.

Grab a copy of the bookmark HERE.

 Once your kiddos have mastered the "I can connect " bookmarks you can move them to a more complex tool that allows them to code their thinking with something learned, questions they are asking themselves, and inferences they are making.  Grab a copy of the bookmark HERE.

Found Poems

Here is a great activity for children to work on determining importance in what they are reading.  Read more HERE.

Mad Libs

This is an engaging hands on activity that integrates technology and at the same time reviews the parts of speech. I use this activity at the Working With Words Centre. Take a look at the activity HERE.

If you would like a copy of the Smart Notebook file leave me a message!

Book Genres

Teaching Book Genres
This is a fun activity using Scholastic Book orders to sort books into Genre Posters.