New Year, New Goals for the Kiddos!

As I reflected over student achievement during the holidays...I realized I needed to do something different because they were just not taking enough ownership for their work...more importantly...the quality of their work.

Many teachers are proficient at allowing students to track data, set goals, etc....and sadly, I just haven't taken the time to do so. This struggle is REAL.

I resolved to make sure my kiddos were invested in their learning this semester. Even if that meant giving up a little teaching time.

I devised a booklet that requires students to draw and color a "selfie" of themselves. Then, I sat down with students one by one to have them write goals for each subject along with completing a checklist for achieving the goals. I put students to work on a project to provide time for me to conference with each kiddo. I spent about 5-7 minutes with each student discussing their grades, areas needed to improve and how they can achieve their goals.

I decided to display them in class by hanging a string across my windows. I have 3 classes and luckily...3 windows...Clearly, it was meant to be! Hanging them in class is a reminder to them and also makes them accessible for graphing our tests.

Surprisingly, they were not only receptive, but excited. Yes! They have been improving the quality of their work, taking more time for assignments, and paying attention. If you have considered doing this, but was afraid of the time constraints...trust me...it is proving to be worth it!

This booklet is available for you to download for FREE from my TPT store. I hope that it helps your kiddos take more ownership in their education and improve their performance.

Grab the booklet HERE!

Happy New Year!

Candy Corn Catapults

Temperatures in Louisiana have actually dropped below 90 degrees thanks to the remnants of Hurricane Patricia. Feeling a cool breeze gets me in the mood for some fall fun :)

My students have been introduced to several STEM projects this year so I thought integrating a STEM project and a Halloween craftivity would be lots of fun. I had students create candy corn catapults using craft sticks, rubber bands, candy corn and a plastic spoons. Got all my supplies at the Dollar Tree. Such a cheap activity. I gave student about 10-12 minutes to create the catapult...most were finished in about 5-7 minutes. Then, I provided students with meter sticks so they could measure the distance that their candy corns flew. The entire activity was recorded on several candy corn recording sheets which they cut out colored and put together for a fun candy corn craftivity. Students had a BLAST! You can snag the craftivity and STEM activity here: 

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Candy-Corn-Craftivity-and-STEM-project-2167039

Here are some pictures of our candy corn adventure:

 

 

 

Here is an example of the craftivity finished product:

 



I learned several things from completing this exciting activity and thought you might like some direction if you choose to complete the mission :)

1.  Have an example for students to view. If you have some kiddos that are quick to finish...have them walk around and help others in construction of the catapults. If your kiddos need a lot of direction. You may want to walk them through the construction. I teach 3 sections and the first section flew through on their own while the other 2 sections needed lots of assistance.

2.  You MUST complete the catapult testing outside...I REPEAT...for your sanity...complete the catapult testing outside :)

3.  Allow for two days to complete:  one for the STEM activity and one for the decorating and craftivity.

Have fun!  :)

Love from the Bayou,

Piggy's House of Cards STEM Activity

I've begun integrating STEM into my classroom this year. This is kind of a stretch for me, because honestly, I don't think that way :) I think STEM activities are fabulous, but I am challenged by them too, ha ha.

For my kiddos, I created a STEM activity using the scenario of the "The Three Pigs". I printed a version for each student and we read aloud. Then, I announced the project. Students were thrilled to say the least. I even found a hand held fan from dollar tree to test the houses' ability to withstand the wind. ;) 

At first, students were challenged by the limited supplies, but as they began planning and deliberating, my kiddos came up with fantastic designs. I was amazed at the creativity from my students. They went above and beyond the project requirements...some even decorating! 

Here are some examples:

 

 

If you are interested in this activity, I have it listed as a FREE product on TPT. Here's the link:

 

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Piggys-House-of-Cards-STEM-activity-2026107

 

 

I hope your kiddos enjoy it as much as mine!

 

Love from the Bayou!

A Prayer for the New School Year

As I was scrambling this evening to put the finishing touches on my classroom before the "big day" tomorrow, I thought prayer might help calm the first day jitters. :) I began thinking that while all these preparations are necessary, so many other things are so much more important...

And so the prayer begins...

God, thank you for the opportunity to be a part of these children's lives. You've entrusted their care to me. I don't always feel adequate for the job, but I can't imagine doing anything else more important with MY life. 

As the school year progresses, I will be overwhelmed with curriculum, emails, phone calls, behavior challenges, an enormous list of acronyms (many of which I still don't know the meanings), trainings, paperwork, paperwork, and more paperwork.

Remind me of my most important job--to be like Christ. I may not legally be able to say His name, but I can show His character in everything I do. I pray students will look at my response, speech, and actions and see You. Let my teaching and interaction with students overflow with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Yes, Lord, definitely self-control.

I pray that in everything I do, Your love shines through. Let them not see me, but You. Amen.

2015-2016 TPT Back to School Link Up

Hi Gumbo Friends,

Tomorrow starts Teachers Pay Teachers' 2015-2016 Back to School site-wide sale. Please stop by and fill your shopping carts to prepare for the sale. I have sooo much in my cart already :) 

Check out with the code:  BTS15  

You will get 20% off plus another 10% at checkout using the code.

Every item in my store is 20% off.

I've linked up with other primary teachers to showcase a couple of our Back to School products. I'm contributing the following:

                                                           Back to School Flip-It Book

 

 

This tabbed booklet comes with customized cover pages for 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades. The booklet contains qualities of a good friend, my favorites, best summer day, goals for the year, my selfie, and a back to school word search... It even fits inside a notebook so it could be used as great practice to teacher students how to complete interactive notebooks. 

 

Students an complete the pages individually while you are going first day tasks. :) Then, when you are ready, students can share and compile into booklet form.

 

While you are in my store, check out one of my best sellers, Multiplication Fluency Pack.

 

 

 

 

 

The pack contains daily practice (each week is one set of facts i.e. 2's facts). Students complete worksheet and then graph their daily progress. As the week progresses, they can see their improvement. It really motivates students to graph their daily growth!

 

The pack has a week designated for each fact group up to 12's with a week of mixed facts as well.

 

 

 

 

 



An InLinkz Link-up

Room Decor #1

I used to dread classroom jobs...it just seemed like such a hassle! Being departmentalized, I would have to have name tags for all jobs, switch them all out every week. Whew! It was exhausting.

Then, (lightbulb moment), I created a system for keeping up with my jobs that made it easier with being departmentalized. I used their class numbers by each job and rotate them weekly. I don't have to keep a chart of who does what, when...none of that!

I just rotate the numbers by the job and once the group of numbers by the job start over, I move the sets and rotate the sets down. Easy!

I actually have 3 classes this year that I will teach 4th grade Science and Social Studies so this will be super helpful!

Check out my poster equipped with hooks and numbers :)

Black Friday in July Clipart Sale

Happy Friday, y'all! I've joined up with the Teacher Clipartists for a $3 BLACK FRIDAY in JULY SALE today, July 24th!

I'm really excited about this sale because, like so many of you, I love clipart! AND, even thought I create a lot of my own clipart, I'm addicted to other's clipart too, so I buy a lot of clipart.

 

I'm contributing the following:

 

All of the clipart is priced at $3.00! You can click on this link below to take you directly to TPT with all the Black Friday clipart available:  https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Browse/Search:%23blackfridayclipart  or just type #blackfridayclipart in the search on TPT.

Happy Shopping!