Saturday, 30 March 2013
Happy Easter
I am enjoying some family time over the Easter break. Time to recharge and enjoy watching my girls excitement after Easter bunny has been. I hope everyone has a lovely Easter break.
Wednesday, 20 March 2013
Birthday Chart
Finally finished my birthday chart for my classroom. Had lots of other things on the agenda that took priority, but found the beginnings of my chart on the bottom of my pile on my desk and was determined to complete it today.
I love, love, loved the reaction from my grade 5's. They loved coming back from music and seeing the end results up on the wall. It was also great to hear the comparison and conversations that where happening from their observations. Great links to data conclusions based on reading the graph that was presented to them. Perfect learning opportunity leading into my whole class lesson on graphing results this afternoon during Science.
The idea came from a resource by Peacocks and Penguins on Teacherspayteachers website and it was free to download. Check it out and check out my items for sale while you are there under mrsmundaysmemoir.
I love, love, loved the reaction from my grade 5's. They loved coming back from music and seeing the end results up on the wall. It was also great to hear the comparison and conversations that where happening from their observations. Great links to data conclusions based on reading the graph that was presented to them. Perfect learning opportunity leading into my whole class lesson on graphing results this afternoon during Science.
The idea came from a resource by Peacocks and Penguins on Teacherspayteachers website and it was free to download. Check it out and check out my items for sale while you are there under mrsmundaysmemoir.
Thursday, 7 March 2013
Buddies program
It's been a while since my last blog. Been busy teaching and writing reports. I just wanted to blog about the Grade 5 buddy program as we will be catching up with our prep buddies tomorrow. The Grade 5's are extremely engaged with the buddy program and can't wait to see their buddies.
The first time we met, the buddy combinations were formed and then a Venn diagram was completed. The grade 5's wrote down things that were different about their buddy and themselves and then interests they have in common. They drew some pictures of each other and enjoyed each others company.
Throughout the week the Grade 5's used the information from the Venn diagrams to write a book for their buddy. It follows the pattern of I like ... My buddy likes... We both like.... This task is great as it has a purpose and my students need to learn to write for a particular audience.
Tomorrow when we meet, the students will be working together to type up the book on the laptops. This is another learning experience where the grade 5's get to lead the learning by teaching computer skills to the Preps. Clip art will be added and also space for students to draw pictures if they want. Once published the grade 5's will read the book to the Preps with the intention of the Preps learning some common sight words and also getting to a stage where the Preps will read the book to the grade 5's.
I'm really happy with the numerous learning intentions this process will offer and look forward to seeing the engagement of students and the final outcomes. Stay posted in the next couple of days and I will share some photos.
The first time we met, the buddy combinations were formed and then a Venn diagram was completed. The grade 5's wrote down things that were different about their buddy and themselves and then interests they have in common. They drew some pictures of each other and enjoyed each others company.
Throughout the week the Grade 5's used the information from the Venn diagrams to write a book for their buddy. It follows the pattern of I like ... My buddy likes... We both like.... This task is great as it has a purpose and my students need to learn to write for a particular audience.
Tomorrow when we meet, the students will be working together to type up the book on the laptops. This is another learning experience where the grade 5's get to lead the learning by teaching computer skills to the Preps. Clip art will be added and also space for students to draw pictures if they want. Once published the grade 5's will read the book to the Preps with the intention of the Preps learning some common sight words and also getting to a stage where the Preps will read the book to the grade 5's.
I'm really happy with the numerous learning intentions this process will offer and look forward to seeing the engagement of students and the final outcomes. Stay posted in the next couple of days and I will share some photos.
Wednesday, 20 February 2013
Quotes for inspiration!
I use a lot of quotes in my classroom to inspire and direct students in their learning. I have a wall which displays quotes that students can refer to.
Next week we will be attending PCYC which is aimed at building resilience and team work amongst other qualities in students.
Before we go I ask students to choose out a quote and write it down to direct and focus students on certain independent goals.
At the end of each session I ask students to reflect on their quote and give examples of how they achieved it or what they could do next time to achieve it.
I frequently refer to the quotes on the wall to help guide my students. An example of this is when I hear a student say 'I can't do this' and I will reply with one of the quotes on my wall which says 'don't tell me what I can't do, let me show you what I can do!'
Quotes play an important part in my classroom practice.
Next week we will be attending PCYC which is aimed at building resilience and team work amongst other qualities in students.
Before we go I ask students to choose out a quote and write it down to direct and focus students on certain independent goals.
At the end of each session I ask students to reflect on their quote and give examples of how they achieved it or what they could do next time to achieve it.
I frequently refer to the quotes on the wall to help guide my students. An example of this is when I hear a student say 'I can't do this' and I will reply with one of the quotes on my wall which says 'don't tell me what I can't do, let me show you what I can do!'
Quotes play an important part in my classroom practice.
Friday, 15 February 2013
Writer's Notebook focus
Second week of school and my class have already completed their first week of swimming lessons. Wow!! Busy, busy.
My class routines are coming together. Literacy routines are quickly being learnt and I am loving the engagement of students with their Writer's Notebook.
For those of you who don't know much about Writer's Notebook it is an amazing writing program which is directed through student interest which really increases engagement in students.
We are currently looking at writing snapshots which is a great quick way to assess how students go at writing in present tense and from first person.
It's a process to change the students who want to do a first draft and then expect to do their final presentation. I try to refer to professional writer's and talk about how many drafts they complete. Most students can see how much their writing improves from first draft to final draft and that converts them. But there always seems to be one or two who don't want to change what they have written and will get disheartened with constructive feedback.
Would love to hear from other teachers as to what they have done when challenged with the same situation. What are your ideas?
My class routines are coming together. Literacy routines are quickly being learnt and I am loving the engagement of students with their Writer's Notebook.
For those of you who don't know much about Writer's Notebook it is an amazing writing program which is directed through student interest which really increases engagement in students.
We are currently looking at writing snapshots which is a great quick way to assess how students go at writing in present tense and from first person.
It's a process to change the students who want to do a first draft and then expect to do their final presentation. I try to refer to professional writer's and talk about how many drafts they complete. Most students can see how much their writing improves from first draft to final draft and that converts them. But there always seems to be one or two who don't want to change what they have written and will get disheartened with constructive feedback.
Would love to hear from other teachers as to what they have done when challenged with the same situation. What are your ideas?
Thursday, 7 February 2013
Behaviour chart
First few days into school and things are running smoothly. I am loving the balance of personalities in my class and the uniqueness that each student brings to the table.
Over the last few days I've been busily trying to get around and finish those little jobs that need doing. Today I finally finished off the behaviour chart in my room.
My behaviour chart has three levels- 1,2 and 3. If students make the wrong choices they move up this chart by finding their picture and sticking their picture on the level applicable. The thing I like about this is it is making students remove themselves from the situation they were in to choose out their picture and place it on the display. This gives students time to think and make a better choice.
I have used this process over the last few years but I wanted to add a more positive behaviour spin on it. Therefore I have added another element to the display which says "star performer". If I find a student working hard and making good choices then their picture can be placed on this to reinforce good behaviour.
To make my display I use Velcro dots on the display and the back of the photos to make the photos of students stick to the display.
Over the last few days I've been busily trying to get around and finish those little jobs that need doing. Today I finally finished off the behaviour chart in my room.
My behaviour chart has three levels- 1,2 and 3. If students make the wrong choices they move up this chart by finding their picture and sticking their picture on the level applicable. The thing I like about this is it is making students remove themselves from the situation they were in to choose out their picture and place it on the display. This gives students time to think and make a better choice.
I have used this process over the last few years but I wanted to add a more positive behaviour spin on it. Therefore I have added another element to the display which says "star performer". If I find a student working hard and making good choices then their picture can be placed on this to reinforce good behaviour.
To make my display I use Velcro dots on the display and the back of the photos to make the photos of students stick to the display.
Tuesday, 5 February 2013
Star Goal Setting
Today was my first day with my wonderful students and the day seemed to fly by so quickly. The students seemed excited to be back to school and full of energy. I had an amazing first day and I am very excited at the prospect of what the year will bring.
One of the activities I did which I put onto Teachers Pay Teachers website is a yearly goal setting using the five points of a star. On each point students set a goal to improve something from the areas of literacy, numeracy, science, physical and social. When this is completed they cut the star out and each star is placed on display for students to refer to throughout the year.
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