Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Preparing for Post Halloween Jitters

It's the day after Halloween and your students walk in the room sleepy from being out too late, pockets full of candy, and wanting to talk about everything they did the night before.  Sound familiar?  I have determined that being proactive with this scenario works best for me.

So, here is what I do.  I make sure that the day after Halloween I carve five minutes out of my daily routine.  I want to allow time for ALL my students to share about their exciting evening.  Yes, I said five minutes and I also said all.  It's really simple.  I give them the activity below, Find a Buddy Who-The Day After Halloween.  They get to mingle, talk with classmates, and burn off some of that post Halloween excitement.  Five minutes first thing in the morning, and we are ready to go.



The freebie ~ Find a Buddy Who-The Day After Halloween can be found in three different locations.  Simply click the button of your choice below.  You will find everything you need, and there isn't much.  A printable and directions.  Hopefully, you will find this activity as useful as I do!









Wednesday, October 24, 2012

5th Grade Common Core

It's Wednesday, and I'm so very thankful for the hump day.  Today you will find a brand new product and it's also the highlight of my hump day sale.  I have been laboring over the 5th Grade Common Core English Language Arts Assessment Pack for a few weeks now.  My laboring is over and it is ready to go!  Yay!!

Below you will find a summary of what is included in the assessment pack.  If you are familiar with the 4th Grade Common Core English Language Arts Assessment Pack, it follows the same format.

Today only, the assessment pack is 20% off in my TpT store!









Monday, October 22, 2012

Pinterest Weekly Round-Up 6

Last week's favorite pins! 







Original source:  Water Cycle simulation via Pinterest


Original Source:  Social Studies Central via Pinterest





Original source:  First 100 Days via Pinterest 


 Original source:  Factors Venn Diagram via Pinterest

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Grand Opening!



I am very excited about my latest project.  It has taken me quite some time to put together, but I'm pretty excited with the results.  So, I'm happy to officially introduce to you my very own Teacher Store 365!! 

You will find all of my free and paid items here. There is no minimum purchase required!  Stock up on freebies and browse if you would like. 

Teacher Store 365's Grand Opening is today, October 21. Upon checkout, enter coupon code GRAND20 to receive 20% off your entire order.  

Coupon code for 20% off

Friday, October 19, 2012

A Freebie for Friday

Today's freebie highlights the upcoming election.  There are those students whether they are in lower elementary, high school, or in between that want to voice their opinion on who should be President.  This activity, Find A Buddy Who, simply builds awareness around the election.  The best part of this activity, personal opinions are not needed or encouraged at all.


Download the freebie from one of the following:


Wednesday, October 17, 2012

I have...Who has... Hump Day Sale

It's Wednesday, and boy am I ever glad!  I don't know about you but this week has gone quickly, but it's been a long one.  I'm not sure that make sense, but that is how I'm feeling?

This week's Hump Day Sale is....... my collection of I have...Who has games.  I currently have over 25 priced games and six free.  Today only, they are 20% off in my TpT store.  You can find them HERE.





You can get them 20% off at Teacher Store 365, by entering coupon code IHAVE20 at checkout.  You can find the games by clicking Teacher Store 365 below.


Tuesday, October 16, 2012

A Great Geography App

Have you ever looked for apps related to Geography?  I haven't came across many that I really like until I found the free app, TapQuiz Maps.  TapQuiz Maps is exactly that, quizzing of maps.  Students have the choice of a continent and region to be quizzed on.  Once they choose the continent and region the app randomly gives them countries to locate.  Score and time is kept and hints are available if needed.



 

Today in class, I only had one iPad.  The iPad rotated between teams.  Within teams we used the strategy concept of Write 'n' Pass.  Students weren't writing, rather using the screen to locate countries in Latin America. It's amazing how much an app and iPad can keep students engaged!


Monday, October 15, 2012

Pinterest Weekly Round-Up 5

Last week's favorite pins! 


I need to explain the first one as it hard to understand by simply looking at the picture.  I am all about teambuilding and this is exactly what this one is.  Partners each have a paper plate and piece of uncooked spaghetti.  Find out more by following the pin :).



Original source:  Pasta Master via Pinterest


Original Source:  Evidence Based Terms via Pinterest



Original source:  The Writing Process via Pinterest



 

Friday, October 12, 2012

Friday Freebie

Halloween is nearing, yes I said it Halloween.  I do like Halloween for my daughter as she is so excited about dressing up and getting candy.  But.....the teacher in me dreads Halloween every....single.... year.  If you want to keep your students q-u-i-e-t, I have...who has... might just help.  I haven't come across a class yet that doesn't like this game, especially when a competition is involved!

To download today's freebie and find out how to make it competitive, visit Teacher Store 365 or TpT by clicking the buttons below.





Thursday, October 11, 2012

Match It ~ A Cooperative Learning Strategy

Have you ever had your students play memory? Match It is a version of memory but rather than students playing by themselves or with a partner, Match It is played with the entire class.  There are card sets available to purchase, but I often have my students make their own.  I give each student an index card, and with their partner they make a question card and an answer card to match.  When all partners have a pair, I collect them, mix them up, and then randomly pass them back out to students. 

I have also given students a specific question or word if I am wanting them to review specific points.  Below you will find directions for this strategy and ways that I have used this strategy in various content areas.  To get a better look, click the picture to enlarge.
 

What other ways can you think to use Match It?

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Hump Day Sale-Math Centers-CCSS aligned

It's that day! Hump day AND sale day on Cooperative Learning 365. Today I'm featuring my Math Centers Level 1 and Level 2.  Finding Math Centers for upper grades are often times hard to find.  These Math Centers contain everything that you need and are easy as 1-2-3 to set up,  Little to no assembly is required to put the activities into play!

A printable poster for each activity is provided and contains the skill, Common Core State Standard being addressed, materials list, and directions for play.  Not all center activities require a recording sheet, but are provided if necessary.  The range of Common Core State Standards addressed allow for differentiation within your classroom.

There are two versions of the Math Centers, an owl version and also a Halloween version.  Below you will find specific details about each center.

Today only, these centers are 20% off in my TpT store.  Click the images below to be taken directly to the specific version and/or level.  






 



 









Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Yes, there is an App for that

There is one thing that I try to steer away from in the classroom, and that is asking students to raise their hand so I can pick on one student to answer a question.  This is one of the top reasons I like my students working in cooperative teams.  There are times when choosing just one student at a time to talk and/or answer a question is appropriate, but I like being able to randomly pick a student.  It not only prevents me from picking on the same student over and over again, it requires all students to be listening.  When students know that their name will be randomly picked they tend to pay a bit more attention. :)


Of course, there is an Apple app for that!  It is called Stick Pick.  I bought the app for my iPhone, but I can also use it on my iPad, I just enlarge it.  Stick Pick randomly picks student names.  Once the app has chosen a name you can decide whether you want to place the stick back into the can to be drawn again or mark as used so the student will not be called on again until all names have been picked. 

Another feature of the app is that it contains over 140 question stems.  The question stems are based on Bloom's Taxonomy.  The app allows for you to differentiate the question stems for each student based on their needs and ability levels. 

This app even allows for tracking formative assessment.  With an easy touch of the screen you can rate your students' responses, retrieve a summary of each student's results, and even send an e-mail containing the results.

I have to say I am thoroughly impressed with Stick Pick, and it was definitely worth the $2.99 I paid for it.

Monday, October 8, 2012

Pinterest Weekly Round-Up 4

Here are a few of my favorite pins from last week!



Original source:  Main Idea Bag via Pinterest


Original Source:  Test Taking Folder via Pinterest



Original source:  Bean Plant in CD case via Pinterest


Original source:  50 States Unit Study via Pinterest 

 

Original source:  Add an Image to a QR code via Pinterest


Do you have a favorite Pin from last week?  Leave your link in the comments to share!

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Currently October

Is it already the seventh day of October? How can that be?? I am linking up with Farley at Oh' Boy 4th Grade for Currently October.  It has been awhile since I linked up to this fun idea, so here I am.  I do have to say her Currently is quite popular.  It has been up and running for four days and I'm entry 249.  WHAT?!?!  How exciting that so many people come together to participate.

So here is me!