Cooperative Learning with Task Cards #2

I will begin by saying.....I'm severely behind and my blog is suffering!  The sickness bug has hit me hard, two weeks tomorrow hard to be exact.  Fortunately it hasn't been the flu, but it has been enough to say I'm sick of being sick!  Sorry, I just realized I played the excuse card that my students try to use on a daily basis.

Now that I have pleaded my case, I have what I promised to share with you.  Another cooperative learning strategy that can be used with the ever so popular task cards.  This is by far one of my favorites.  There are so many ways that this strategy can be used and task cards is just one of them.

To sum up the strategy, each student begins with a card.  With hands up, students find a partner, quiz each other with the card in their hand, check answers, then switch cards.  The process continues until time is up.  You will find complete directions to the strategy below.

Here are other ways that I have used this strategy with my students.

Impromtu Review

Cutting Practice Test to Pieces

Valentine's Theme Cooperative Learning Strategies

If you are looking for task cards aligned to Common Core Math, you can find my 32 sets HERE in my TpT store. 

Do you have a favorite way to use task cards?

Impromptu Review

Today I was in need of a quick filler activity.  We are ending a unit in Social Studies and had a little bit of extra time.  Today was one of those days, a typical Monday I should say, that I didn't have something extra hanging around.  So, I decided on a quick impromptu review with the whole class game Ask-n-Switch.

I gave each student an index card, and they wrote a question of their choice that related to our topic.  They were told to treat this as if they were writing a question that would be found on the test.  On the back of the index card they then wrote the answer to their question.

Before we started Ask-n-Switch, they traded cards with a partner to check that the question was relevant,could be understood, and that the answer was correct.  After the quick check, students stood to signal they were ready to go.

The index cards that contained their own questions and answers became our set of review cards.  The preparation took approximately 3-4 minutes.  In order to come up with a question, they had to reflect on their learning which required them to think deeper.  ALSO, we have a set of review cards that we can use again tomorrow!

Looking for an App?

I would like to introduce you to...

Do you ever find yourself overwhelmed with the task of finding an app?  There are thousands and thousands of education related apps with more added every single day.  I love a good app, but I have a hard time finding what I need.  Honestly, I end up finding a lot more than what I set out for and not always related to my initial search. 

I recently, today as a matter of fact, launched Student Apps for Education for a couple of reasons.  First, I want to share with you apps that I come across.  I love my iPad and searching for new apps.  So, why not share my findings?!?!  Second, I want to provide YOU with a go to source for finding grade appropriate apps (PK-8).  The apps will be categorized by grade level.

As I mentioned Student Apps for Education is just getting started, but I guarantee it will be a continued wealth of resources!   

Hope to see you there!!

A Flash Pin It To Win It!!

As most of you know, Teachers Pay Teachers is having an out of this world sale today and tomorrow where you will find products on sale for up to 28% off.  Pretty amazing!  First, I wanted to thank all of those who contribute to TpT whether it be selling or buying.  It's great to see so many teachers around the world collaborating!  Second, I wanted to give back to you, my readers!  To do this I am having a "Flash" Pin It To Win it.  The guidelines are very simple.

Here is what you need to do:

1.  Pin this post to a board of your choice and copy the link in Rafflecopter below.

2.  Go to my TpT freebies HERE, and pin at least one free item of your choice to a board relevant to you and copy the link in Rafflecopter.  Please add FREE to the description so that other Pinners will know it's free :-)

3.  Enter as many times as you want.  (That's optional of course!)

That is it!  Pin it...times two!  This "Flash" Pin It To Win it will end tomorrow November 27th at 12:00 PM CST.  At that time, three winners will be selected.  Each winner will receive a $25 shopping spree in my Teachers Pay Teachers Store.  On top of the $25, if you use it tomorrow you will technically be getting more than $25 because everything in my store is already 20% off AND I will even take the extra 10% from your total to compensate for TpT's discount.

On your mark, get set, PIN!!! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you to all those who participated and Pinned!!!  

The lucky winners are:

Debbie R.

Lori P.

Mailee L.

A Winter Freebies Frenzy!

It is hard to believe that we are amongst the holiday season.  It always seems to creep up!  Tomorrow we are back to school after Thanksgiving break and students tend to be a bit restless.  Don't tell the kids, but their teacher has counted the number of school days until winter break.  Shhhh......we only have 19 school days!!

Below you will find a coordinated collection of winter freebies.  I hope that you find them useful, especially during the last few days before break! 

This Math Centers Mini Collection contains two different games both aligned to Common Core.  Each game comes with a recording sheet, directions for play and playing cards. As an upper grades teacher, I have never been a true center user.  So, this is something I would use for early finishers or as an anchor activity after a short lesson.

Match It is similar to memory but with a twist.  Students are up and moving around with this activity.  Each student is given a card and they move around the room checking their classmate's cards to find their match.  Students love this.  While the activity was made with Match It in mind, it can be used as a traditional memory game also.

One of my favorite games, I have...Who has...!!!  This game is not a new one, but I have updated it and added an additional eight cards.

The next three freebies are items that serve different purposes.  Exit slips for a quick check on student's learning.  A winter themed Think Tac Toe that is perfect for early finishers, and Find a Buddy Who that gets your students up, walking around, and talking with a purpose.

Laura Candler from Corkboard Connections is hosting a Holiday Learning Link-Up.  You will find many freebies and holiday learning ideas.  It's the season of giving! 

A Sale and DIY ideas

Hoping you had a fantastic Thanksgiving.  Also hoping you survived the Black Friday event, that is if you were brave enough to take the challenge!  Right now as we all know, sales are everywhere.  I didn't want to be left out of the frenzy, so beginning today through Monday everything in my store is 25% off by using the code SALE.  Even if you aren't interested in purchasing anything, I have a lot of freebies and have recently  added five new ones!

Teacher Store 365

In addition to the 3 day sale, I wanted to share a few DIY crafty ideas.  Even though things are really busy this time of year preparing for the holidays, I do find that I have a bit of extra time to add some craftiness to the mix.  I am one of over 20 contributors for Classroom DIY and there are so many fun and creative ideas for the classroom that can be adapted to the holidays.

When being crafty, I like to create from items that I already have.  Things such as empty cereal boxes, scrap paper, or drink mix containers.  Craftiness is unlimited with used items that you would otherwise throw away or hopefully recycle :)!  Here are a few of my crafty creations that you will find at Classroom DIY.  To find out how they are made, click the image to be taken to the step-by-step directions and materials needed.

DIY Magazine Holders

 

DIY Mini Clipboard

DIY Upcycled Bookmark

DIY Caddy

Happy Veteran's Day with a Pringle Can

First and foremost, I want to thank all the service men and women who have and are continuing to serve our country!

My 90 sixth grade students and I recently had the opportunity to complete a project that I am so excited to share.  A mother of a student of mine is in the National Guard.  She came to me with an idea and asked if I would be willing to help.  The moment she told me what it was, I was in.  I knew my students would love the idea as much as I did!

Over a six week period my students collected over 90 Pringle cans.  At this point you are probably wondering what in the world we would need 90 Pringle cans for and what it has to do with this post.

With the 90+ Pringle cans that we collected, my students decorated them. 

Then, a dedicated mother collected our cans and with help from others filled these cans with cookies to be shipped overseas to the men and women who are serving our country.

I feel that my students learned many things during this project.  Not only did they pull through and collect the cans, they poured their hearts into it and felt as if they were contributing to something extremely important.  They were proud of their work and anxious for the cans full of cookies to reach their destination! 

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!

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!

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:  National Geographic Young Explorers via Pinterest

Original source:  First 100 Days via Pinterest 

 Original source:  Factors Venn Diagram via Pinterest

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

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:

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.

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!

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

Original source:  World's Greatest Math and Science Rap via Pinterest