Patterns

We have been working on patterns this week in math.  

We read I See Patterns and sang The Pattern Song.   

We are creating a Pattern Anchor Chart.

I provided lots of manipulatives to make patterns.   

  

They made patterns!

Book Parts

I know it's been a while!  Been bust teaching and living life.
We do Writer's workshop with the kiddos.  I have been trying to get across exactly what they need to add to their books!  I decided to have them add pieces to a book.

                                                            We started with a blank book.

We did the cover first. we discussed what our cover needed.  First we added a title.

Then we decided we needed a picture.  

Last thing for the cover was an author!  

Our cover was completed, now we moved on the inside.  We decided each page needed a picture and words and the words and picture needed to match. 

I hope the idea sinks in.  I have noticed more "words" in their books this week!  Only time will tell!  I plan to revisit this idea later stressing that stories have a beginning, middle and end.

3M Loves Teachers

So excited about this site!  Not only does it have great info to share about Science activities, I won an Kindle Fire HD from them.  How you ask?  It was easy, I told people about the great site and then logged my activity.  Everyone who logs activity is entered into a drawing for that month!  I have received my Kindle and have downloaded some apps to use with my students!  Check it out you might be the next winner!

With the push for more Science and Inquiry lessons, I've searching for ideas.  I came across this website.  It has lot of activities for teachers and parents.  There are lessons, hands on activities and video clips. The lessons are listed by grade level and can easily be adapted for your needs. I can't wait to try  the Fun with Adhesives!   Be sure to check it out, I'm sure you'll find several things you can use!
http://www.scienceofeverydaylife.com?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pamela.byrd

Lakeshore Giveaway

Teaching with Love and Laughter is hosting a great giveaway! It's for an awesome Lakeshore Arts and Crafts Supply Center.  This is perfect for any classroom!  Head over to Teaching with Love and Laughter to enter!
http://teachingwithloveandlaughter.blogspot.com/2013/09/lakeshore-review-and-giveaway.html?showComment=1379330282658#c5983260365045883318

Good luck!

Math Station: Spin a Shape

I'm starting to think about my math stations for September.  One station is going to be shapes. I was thinking of some basic ideas for shape identification and matching.  I came across a shape spin game but it had more shapes than my program assesses.  I decided to make my own with just circle, triangle, square and rectangle.

The students will use the spinner to spin a shape, tell the name of the shape, and then cover up the shape with a bingo chip. Students try to cover up all of the shapes on their game board. This game is for practicing 2D shapes.

You can view my game at: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Spin-a-Shape-846584

Word Walls

What are word walls?
A word wall is an organized collection of words prominently displayed in a classroom. This display is used as an interactive tool for teaching reading and spelling to children. There are many different types of word walls including names, high frequency words and word families.

Why do I need a word wall?
Word walls have many benefits. They teach children to recognize and spell high frequency words, see patterns and relationship in words build phonemic awareness skills.  They also provide a reference point for children to use during writing.  

Word walls can be used:

• To promote independence on the part of young students as they work with words in writing and reading.
• To develop a growing core of words that become part of a reading and writing vocabulary.
• To provide reference for children during their reading and writing.

How do I use it?

1. Word wall should be placed where all students can see it.
2. Be selective about words that go on word wall.  Mine starts as a Name Wall. Frequently used words should be added gradually. 
3. Use the word wall daily to practice words incorporating a variety of activities such as: chanting, snapping, cheering, clapping, tracing and word guessing games.

Types of Word Walls

• ABC Wall
• Words-We-Know-Wall
• Chunking Wall
• Name Wall
• Math Wall
• Science Wall

I just made these new word wall headers for my classroom.    

They are available at TpT store.

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Purple-Word-Wall-Headers-with-Picture-842312

My Stem Experience

As I mentioned the other day, summer school is coming to an end.  I thought I share some of our experiences this summer.  The picture above show a bulletin board with the STEM process:

1.  Ask
2. Imagine
3. Build
4. Evaluate
5. Share

Our first task was to build a table out of newspaper and cardboard, that could hold a book.  This was our first attempt!  Needless to say, it couldn't hold a book.

Day 1 table

We knew some revisions were needed!

Revision chart

Day 2 table

As you can see our second table came out  much better!

Below are some picture of other tasks.

At first some of the students were very hesitant, but after the first day they were all very eager to build!  They all contributed ideas and helped with the building.  

I caution you, its hard to sit back and not interject your ideas and opinions, especially when you know their ideas are not going to work.  That's all part of their learning process!  They need to problem solve how to fix it and make it work!  

They were so proud of their creations and couldn't wait to take them home.

Please check out some of the design briefs in my previous post and try them with your class!

Design Briefs and Stem Resources

I'm wrapping up Summer School.  Only 3 days left.  This has been a great experience!  Summer School was totally Stem based.  We had a great time designing and building things.  I enjoyed it so much, more importantly my students enjoyed it and were totally engaged!  I can't wait to try some Design Briefs in my class this year! 

I was searching the web and came across this website elementaryengineers.  It has lists of design briefs and what VA SOL's they correlate with.  They are separated by grade level, grades K to 4.

If you're interested in some Design Briefs check it out at:
http://elementaryengineers.wikispaces.com/Design+Briefs+or+Ideas 


I also found this resource.  This is a newsletter that highlights activities for PreK thru 5th grade:
http://www.orange.k12.nc.us/ce/About/docs/EiE_Newsletter.pdf


PBSKids also has some resources.  They can be found at: http://www.pbs.org/teachers/stem/engineering/


Here's an article from NEA listing Stem Resources: 
http://www.nea.org/tools/lessons/stem-resources.html

I'm sure there are many more resources out there, These are just a few to get you started!

Discovery Education

I always knew Discovery Education was great for all kinds of videos to show students.  I recently discovered they have a whole lot more to offer.

I'm teaching summer school and wanted some extra things to go with a lesson about magnets.  I found a cute video that explained magnets to my rising 1st graders. My students really enjoyed watching The Blue Dragon: Magic Metal?

While searching I also can across a neat song! They loved Music Makes It Memorable: "Magnets". This song uses swing dancing to teach the concept of magnets. Partners attract by pulling together and repel by pushing away.  We made up our own dance, basically just attracting and repelling! 

I also found some Smart Notebook activities.  We used one where the students could sort what a magnet will or will not attract.

I'm so excited to find these activities and can't wait to find other activities to use this year!  Take some time to explore, it's more than just videos!

Bubbling with Excitement

Since I moved classroom at the end of the year and I can't get my classroom to unpack my bazillion boxes until Aug. 19, I figured I better get started on a few things.

I can across this cute idea on Pinterest.  I was in Walgreens today and came across these bubbles for $0.50 for a 3 pack!  The link from Pinterest is no longer active, so I made my own.

Class Donations

We all know Dollar Tree is a teacher's best friend.  But when shopping at the Dollar Tree supplying a classroom can still be expensive!  The program I teach in went from unlimited ordering to $300.00 a classroom (tax and shipping comes out of that)!

With expenses being so high it's time to BEG!  There are several ways to go about this.  You can always try grants.  I have had 3 Donors Choose projects funded.  This is good for bigger items or items from a teacher supply store. Last year I got 3 personal CD players for my listening center.  The kids love these!  You can start the process at www.donorschoose.org.  I have also received Pets in the classroom grants the past 4 years and intend to apply again this year.  There are several options on their website.  The first year is a larger amount to get you started and get your pet all set up. Following years you can apply for sustaining grants to replenish supplies and replace pets if needed. Applications are available at  http://www.petsintheclassroom.org/.  These are just a few there are many more including some offered by local community organizations.

Another option for small items, like construction paper, class treats, glue sticks, etc is to ask parents.  I have done this several ways. One simple way is to send home a wish list.   I have also had a Giving Tree where I wrote the requested items on leaves.  The parents take a leaf and return the item. I have a wish list on the class webpage and also one at Classrooms by Walmart.  This is a new program where you can create lists for parents to view and purchase items.  You can find this at https://classrooms.walmart.com, This year I plan to ask parents to lend a "Helping Hand".  I will have  hands with the requested items for them to take at Open House and Back to School Night.  I created a pack for sale at TpT store with hands and Thank you note to thank parents for donating.  You can view this at http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Classroom-Donation-and-Thank-you-Pack-792737.

However you choose to supply your classroom, I hope you get lots of goodies!

Dollar Tree - July 13

I stopped at the Dollar Tree again today.  I found some magnetic buttons, now I need to think of a Pete the Cat activity to use them with! The kids love Pete the Cat!

Back to School Tips

I know you don't want to think about it, but...
Face reality summer is flying by way too quick, before you know it you'll be heading to school to set up your classroom!  Whether you're a veteran teacher, a new teacher or changing grade levels the beginning of school can be very stressful.  Here are a few tips and resources for organizing and managing your classroom.

#1 What do you want the class to look like?

• My class is The Byrd's Nest!
• I wanted my classroom to be colorful and cheerful, where there is a lot of interaction and a warm feeling.  Once you have a vision you can decide what you want it to look like.

#2 Make a Plan.

• What will you do before school starts? Will you call, send a post card or letter to introduce yourself? Does your school have an Open House?  What do parents need to know before school?

#3 First Impressions are lasting, so plan how you will greet students and their parents.

• Be yourself.
• Make the day fun!
• Get to know your students.
• Allow them time to get to know each other.

#4 Decide what your behavior expectations are.

• Read alouds are fun - David Goes to School by David Shannon is good for establishing routines.
• Let students be a part of rule setting.
• The Rules Rap by Dr. Jean is a great song for establishing rules.  http://www.drjean.org/html/monthly_act/act_2005/08_Aug/rulesRap.pdf
• Post rules for students to see.  Visual ones for young children.

#5 Practice expectations.

• Practice walking in the hall, playground expectations, moving from center to center, cleaning up or changing activities.
• Practice makes perfect and if you don't get this under control during first few weeks of school, it will be a long year!

#6 Be consistent with behavior expectations and consequences.

             

I have used several behavior plans. 

•  Currently I using Class Dojo, it's a website were students can earn points, both negative and positive. It's free to use, you can check it out here: http://www.classdojo.com/
• I have also used a Stoplight pocket chart, with stick for each student. 
• Whatever you use, be consistent!

#7 Take a tour

• Take a tour of the classroom and school.  Visit the office, cafeteria, playground, bathrooms, etc.

#8 Some favorite websites

• www.starfall.com
• http://www.crawfordthecat.com/
• http://drjean.org/
• http://www.literactive.com/Home/roadtoreading.asp
• http://www.abcya.com/
• http://adventuretofitness.com/

More Inquiry Resources

Great blog post about using science notebooks with Inquiry lessons. Also includes step by step directions for Inquiry lessons!

NCAEE - It's Elementary!: Inquiring Minds Want to Know
ncaee.blogspot.com
http://www.ncaee.blogspot.com/2013/07/scienceinquiry.html


This has some printables to use.  I didn't explore this one too much.
http://smarterscience.youthscience.ca/

Measuring with Jack and The Beanstalk

Thought I share something I used in class this year.  After reading Jack and the Beanstalk we were working on measurement.  I found a letter on Pinterest and adapted for my use.  I made a recording sheet to go with it and several templates of the Giant's footprint.  Student then found things that were longer, shorter and the same length as the Giant's footprint.  Were their measurement exact? No, of course not!  Did they get the idea of measurement? Yes, they did!  With more practice their measuring will be more precise!  Here's a link to my measurement pack TpT 
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Giants-Footprint-Measuring-Pack-735847

Just found this post about bean counters on Dr. Jean's site.  This would be a great non-standard measurement tool for this activity!  

Read more about bean counters at:  http://drjean.org/html/monthly_act/act_2011/03_Mar_css/pg05.html

Dollar Tree Trip June 28

I stopped by the Dollar Tree today.  I got a few things, not too many today.

The mini expandable fly swatters are good for any kind of SWAT game and because they are mini and expandable they will be easier to store in the classroom!

I'm planning to laminate and attach the hands to a dowel.  They can then be used as word or letter frames.  I'm going to use my personal laminator because the lamination is thicker and will hold up better!

I'll be checking be checking back at the Dollar Tree often for more finds! 

More About Ten Frames

What exactly are ten frames? 
Ten-frames are rectangles divided into a grid with two rows of five with dots filling in some or all of the ten spaces. 

Why use ten frames?
Research shows that children  have an innate ability to subitize, to instantaneously recognize the number of objects in a small group. Ten-frames are designed to 
help the mind organize numbers into chunks of five and ten to match our base ten-number system. For example, the most “efficient” way of seeing 7 with a ten-frame card is one column of 5 dots and another of 2 dots equivalent to thinking of 7 as 5 + 2. Another very important potential benefit of using ten-frames is that they promote composing and decomposing of numbers.  This is important in developing base ten addition and subtraction strategies.

What should children be doing?
Make sure to have students explain their mathematical thinking, this is important for them and other students listening to them.  It's also a good assessment for the teacher.

How to use ten frames?

• Who Has More (War): students each pick a card from their own stack.  The one with more gets both cards.  Can also be played as Who Has Less.
• Plus One: students pick a card and tell what number is 1 more than number picked.
• Matching: Match ten frames to number cards.
• Line Up: Pass out cards, have students put themselves in numerical order.

These are just a few ways to use ten frames to get you started!  So print up some cards to have ready for September!

Free ten frames at be found at http://www.k-5mathteachingresources.com/support-files/large10frames1-10.pdf

Ten Frames

I used ten frames for the first time this year.  My students did a great job with them!  I was very impressed with fast they grabbed the concept.  We did several activities with ten frames.  We counted objects and made the ten frame to match counted objects.  Students also matched number cards to ten frames.  I made several ten frames to go with different themes.

I have dinosaur, plant, bear, snowman and butterfly ten frames at my Tpt store.

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Pamela-Byrd

Visit my TPT store

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Pamela-Byrd

Playdough Use

I had stopped using playdoh in the classroom some time ago, but after reading a recent post I can't wait to start using it again!  Head over to http://www.primarypossibilities.blogspot.com/2013/06/play-doh-fun.html and check all the great ideas for using playdoh in the classroom.  While there don't forget to enter for a chance to win their playdoh packs!

Have fun with play-doh in your class!

Entering the Blogging World

I've being reading and following several blogs for sometime now.  I have finally decided it's time to venture into the blog world myself. I'm not sure where this will lead, I'm just kind of winging it right now.

A little bit about me.  I am the mother of 2 grown children, ages 26 and 20.  I have been a teacher for over 25 years.  The past 13 years have been in First Step.  First Step in a Pre-kindergarten program in Virginia.  Every year I have a class of eighteen 4 and 5 year olds.

I'm always on the look-out for new ideas for the classroom and like to share these ideas with my colleagues. I hope the ideas I share here will help someone with their class.