Some Visuals To Check Out!

I'm going to post some pics that I've meant to post before but haven't been able to! They are the anchor charts we used this past week and last. Any questions, ask :)

The 5 Ws of Persuasive Writing, idea suggested from Melissa Hughes

January Choice Board, containing various writing forms, used during our independent writing time.

My first attempt at success criteria with students, didn't go too bad and it's definitely helping us understand what we need to include!

This was taken from our first reading on Wind Turbines, examining text features.

 

The next pics are the beginnings of our lapbooks, they are really coming along!

 

This is from the Grade 5 Ancient Roman Lapbook

This is the outside of the Grade 6 Lapbook

This is the inside of the Grade 6 lapbook

 

This last one has to do with our making connections reading strategy we are working on. Each time we make connections we put them on post its and ask ourselves "SO WHAT!" to make it clear that just making a connection isn't enough. The idea of SO WHAT was given to me from our school literacy coach Jackie Sweeney. Each connection we decide if the writer gave enough of a connection to take the idea further than the literal. The goal is to get my students to make a connection along with explaining how it helped them understand the text or what the bigger idea is. We are working on it but this is what our board looked like after Day 1, I'll post what it looks like now, it's a slower process than first thought!

 

 

Okay I'm officially done for tonight!

 

Kathleen :)

All lapbook resources come from Dynamic 2 Moms website :)

Student Empathy and Anchor Charts!

I feel like it's been forever since I posted. . . .maybe that is because this week was one of the longest I've had in a while! I hurt myself at soccer on Sunday and struggled this week, not only physically but emotionally as well, unsure of how bad I had hurt myself. I went to work Monday not only because I wasn't done a unit that needed a mark by Friday for reports but because I knew my kids would cheer me up. They did, and reminded me of why I love my kids. Their empathy and caring is unparalleled. Whether it is worrying about me walking around the classroom (when I should be resting my knee), discussing how we could raise money for homeless people(after we finish a shared reading) or spontaneously deciding we must honour Martin Luther King (after a read aloud) their empathy is amazing, in a time when many claim youth have none.

Where have I been? Report cards were due yesterday and I go in to a hermit mode, thank goodness for the support of my spouse! I basically teach, do reports and sleep the whole week, but they are done! Unfortunately there has been no blog posts so hopefully I can get back on track! I had an interesting week, ending with a visit from the superintendent to our school and a visit at another school in the county, it's always so cool to see how other schools and classrooms run things!

What have we been up to this week? We have continued our work on wind turbines as we try to write persuasive letters explaining our position. We started a new shared reading this week as a front load lesson before reading an article about protests, specifically Idle No More which has been in the news a lot. I scanned the pictures from the picture book in and got a copy of the text to give as a shared reading. I actually think my students were more engaged with a smartboard size pictures and a copy of the text to highlight/write on, and follow along. It's definitely something I'm going to do more of! I saw that some of the bloggers I follow were doing an anchor linky party. I wasn't sure how to join up but took some pictures of the anchor charts we used in our room the last couple weeks, they may be good ideas for someone! On a side note, if someone could show me how to link up to a linky party that would be super cool!

I can't get my blog to upload pictures so I'll have to do a whole post of pictures later!

That's all :) Hopefully back to doing a couple posts a week :)

Lapbooks and Wind Turbines

I haven't posted in awhile and thought it was time to let people know what I've been up to this week with the kids! The last couple days of the week were busy and chaotic with a smaller class on Friday. Two major things have started in my classroom:

1. Lap Books

I started looking for something different online for my students to do, the social studies units we finished up but it was dry. Last year I did more rich tasks including an election simulation. I decided not to this year as some students would be repeating the same activity and there wasn't an actual election this year. That being said, if there is any chance of one, we'll sign up again through a great organization in Canada called Student Vote. Okay back to the main subject, we started lap books on Friday, the Grade 5s working on Ancient Romans and the 6s working on the Iroquois Confederation. The lapbook consists of small foldables all contained within a folder. The best part is the kids who were absent Friday will be led through the process by the kids who were present Friday, a cool opportunity for students in my class to be the teacher. I wish I had taken a picture of what we did so far but I will take one this week and put it up. I googled social studies lapbook and came up with a ton of resources, I can take NO credit for the idea or work we are using, just some google searches leading to some awesome websites! Best part of starting the lap books: students, after gluing in their piece were re-reading the information and admiring their work (that never happens with normal notes and handouts!)

2. Wind Turbines

I did a shared reading last week based on the reading strategy of making connections, we used a shared reading promoting wind turbines, discussing the persuasive opinions and text features of the reading. I was going to move on to something else when a visiting literacy coach suggested we look at the other side of the issue and pulled up some article suggestions.  This week we will examine the other side of wind turbines, look at the persuasive techniques used and try to make connections again, explaining our ideas fully. I am really glad I decided to go with this topic as there are wind turbines in our county, many students mentioned they had driven by them, or knew someone that lived by one. The best type of discussions are the ones students can relate to on some level and is relevant to them. I can't wait to see where the discussion leads us this week!

3 A couple resources that I mentioned and bookmarked, check them out!

Click here for a great lap book blog!

Click here to check out Student Vote!

Can't wait to see what this week brings, have a good week everybody :)

Kathleen :)

PS I may not be posting much for the next little while....it's report card season :)

Back At Work

Well two days down, I've been easing my class back in to things literacy wise, yesterday doing some review of what we've focused on and today we started back in to our shared reading, doing a probable passage activity. I was surprised by how many did not remember how to complete one, it's amazing what they forget after a few weeks! We started up our guided reading today, with a small group reading about cliques, I feel like the topic could be used for a broader discussion involving character education and how friends should treat friends.

Yesterday we started a new art piece: pastel resist snowflakes. I got the idea from two teachers I admire very much, the idea of the resist came from Runde's Room but I got the idea of incorporating not only blue but whitewash from Zack Ambridge, a teacher I met through a social networking group. Another thing I'm learning: the ideas found on Pinterest, internet or blog never look the same or turn out exactly how you expect, so just remember that, it allows for creativity and let's your students shape the activity in their own way.

We also dived into persuasive writing today, creating a list of what we think persuasive writing should include after we looked at several pieces, I have posted the anchor chart we co-created, it's still a work in progress, as we will read two more examples tomorrow and try and add some more. There was been more of a push to create anchor charts and notes with students, so they take more ownership of their learning. I really took this idea to heart and this year when I put up my bulletin boards left them all empty, ready to be covered with chart paper and our ideas!

We are off to a good start and everyone is happy to be back, let's see what the rest of the week holds :)

Here's a few shots from my room.

Goals for 2013

So I decided that I needed to come up with some goals for this new year. . . after fiddling with my blog appearance for days I have something I am happy with. . . for now. . . .

1. Writing

My writing program is a little weak. I have never been as comfortable with writing. Math I was able to figure out with lots of guidance and reading I am still being guided by colleagues and our school's literacy coach. Writing I always feel like I'm not sure where to start, I struggle to find a shared reading that shows the example of the writing form. I am using a great resource called Write Genre written by Lori Jamison Rog has been an amazing help but I need to go farther. . . . 

The only thing I'm proud of in my writing program is the choice boards I came up with. They always surround a theme: Christmas, Remembrance Day etc and usually include examples of activities that touch on all the forms of writing. They are not a choice board that fits different learning styles although the products on them do differ! I am attempting to post one in this post!

Click here to download the choice board!

2. Problem Solving

Last year my class were problem solving machines but this year since it's my first year with the kids all year I've become a little obsessed with making sure I cover everything, problem solving then doesn't happen as much. When I say problem solving I mean the chart paper, different coloured markers and the problem solving model that is encouraged. We still use the Nelson Math problems from the text for each lesson but I want to get back to that place, the kids loved it, I was able to take lots of anecdotal notes so . . . more problem solving is needed!

3. Drama

Include more! I think I am making it too difficult to integrate. . .it shouldn't be this hard! Lucky for me a lovely lady at the board office was clearing out some resources and I was able to scoop the book Drama Schemes, Themes & Dreams by Larry Swartz and Debbie Nyman has given me some great ideas to get going.

4. Sensitivity

Anyone that knows me know that I may or may not wear my heart on my sleeve 24/7. . . for better or worse, although I have got much thicker skin in my few years teaching. . . there's still farther I can go. Easier said than done!

That's all, first day back tomorrow, I'm excited to see my kids and hear about what everyone has been up to on holiday.

That's all for today, have a great day tomorrow everyone :)
Kathleen :)

The Best of 2012

I have to say the input I have gotten for my first blog post was fabulous! I honestly thought I might get about 10 people to read it! The biggest piece of feedback I got was from my own loved ones who said they loved it. . .and in the next breath said they had no idea what I was talking about. Lesson learned: yes my blog is for teachers and those interested in education  but I don't want my ideas to be so technical that a regular person couldn't read it and understand the teacher babble. Anyways I decided since school isn't back in for another 5 days that I would review my year in education, my top ten that is! My next project will be figuring out how to post something because I have a choice board I'd like to share. Here we go :)

Number 10- Student Vote

If you are reading this and work at my school you are quickly realizing that Student Vote happened LAST November (I think) but I was so happy with the results I'm going lump it in to 2012. It was a mock election that a non profit group helps with. They sent me everything I needed and my class ran it for the school, super authentic learning experience that I highly recommend to any class that is studying government, elections, Canada etc.

Number 9 -Last Year's Class

They get to be number 9 on this list for being the longest maternity leave I have covered. They were lovely and thoughtful and a moment I will never forget is my last day as I stood at the door to say goodbye and every single one of them hugged me, not that hug we give just anyone but REALLY hugged me. Halfway through the line, a student had tears in her eyes and I was done but it was the coolest thing. . . .I had no idea they would all hug me. Simply amazing and memorable.

Number 8-Funny Class Moments

About a week after the touching moment that was mentioned above, I was back at the school supplying and a student who had been in my class saw me in the hall, this was his response after seeing me "Ms. Bond it's so nice to have you back in the school bossing everyone around, it's like old times!" I love that student, not only for his priceless comment but for the fact he used every polydron I have and made a sphere out of them in one day. . . .that's NOT what they're for :) (Sidenote: a polydron are a math tool that when put together can make different prisms)

Other moments like the day a couple students this year asked how two people each on their own horse could kiss and my response, in my haze of the morning, "Why are two horses kissing?" This was followed by howls of laughter that literally went on for weeks.

There was also the time I was teaching Ancient Civilizations and came across the word Hathshepshut. . . .as you can imagine it didn't go well and was the ongoing joke that has followed me in to this year. . . .that Egyptian Queen puts my class in stitches once every few weeks.

Number 7-My Class This Year

I decided to include my class this year because we had a very successful fall, in a span of three days we won the largest chocolate bar I have ever eaten since our class did so much fundraising and then won for most class spirit for Black and Orange Day. We now have a class down the hall vowing to take us down since we win too much :) They got the trophy for red, green and white day but I know it's coming back for red, pink and white day :) They are also endearing for the fact that even though my library in the classroom is quite large. . .there is still an argument a week about who is taking what book and just when are the "new" books coming in. My students are very aware of my Scholastic Book Order addiction and use it to their advantage whenever possible :)

Number 6-Coaching

In 2012 I coach Girls Basketball, Co-coached Boys Basketball, Track and Field and helped with Badminton. Coaching is a joy I didn't think was in me, the lows are terrible. . . .losing sucks but the Highs. . .even if it is just one win are incredible and makes my heart swell :)

Number 5- District Review

I have the luxury of working at the school I attended as a child and my pride in my school sometimes does cloud my judgment (What do you mean we don't have room on the wall for the 1988 plaques???) but in January of 2012 our school took part in something called District Review, a group of principals and the superintendent walk through the school for a day after seeing a half day presentation about everything that makes our school unique, they do this at schools all over our board. They give feedback on what the school is doing well and what can be improved. Last year as a mat leave teacher I took a gamble and asked if I could be on the committee expecting a laugh from my principal and a "Sorry but No." Then she said yes and now looking back I wonder what I was thinking. . . .it was a fantastic experience and something I'm glad I took part in.

Number 4-My Blog

There isn't much to say, it's too new for that. . .it could be a huge fail. . . .or it may stick with me .. . I'm not sure yet, but it's happening so that's a good thing, I don't leap before I look very often.

Number 3- Low Points

There are always dark days as a teacher, sometimes they aren't the ones we talk about, they aren't the ones we like to remember but sometimes they are the ones that shape who we are for the next day, the next month and the rest of our career. I have had days in my class where I literally wonder what I can try to reach my students, make a connection or engage. I have had days cleaning up ridiculous messes; discovered disappointing actions; and enough unfinished work to keep students in for weeks at a time but then I have those amazing moments where a student draws a desk name tag for me covered in stickers, a parent writes a thoughtful note in a gift or a colleague wants to work together on a cool idea and I remember why I do what I do!

Number 2-Reading Specialist

In our province a teacher may take extra courses which add qualifications. I finished one of these qualifications this summer, a three part course I have taken over the last couple summers completely on reading. They cover what it is, how to teach it, how to understand the student, how to guide my practice and how to lead others. It was fantastic, it has put me on a fantastic literacy kick that was well overdue after two years of a math kick due to some amazing colleagues. I'm proud that I finished it and contemplating what to do next.

Number 1-Permanent Employment

As is the case in much of Canada right now, teaching is a difficult just to acquire, just to get on a supply list can take years. . . .after the supply list is the difficult job of acquiring that first LTO, a temporary position while someone is off having a baby, or for other reasons. Then there is the task getting another one, and beginning to gather enough experience and knowledge that someone will think of you and recommend you for a permanent position. My dream came true this summer when my principal called after an interview days earlier to say I had secured a position. Of course she didn't say it like that, she started the conversation saying I wouldn't be able to do an LTO at another school I was lined up . . . .at which point I started panicking and then she told me. She still teases me for the way she told me :) I am living my dream every day, it's not perfect and some days are bumpy but I wouldn't change a thing.

So I think that's it, this blog post was a little mushy but oh well. . . if you know me you know I'm a little mushy :) Happy 2013!!!

Kathleen :)