Why Flexible Seating Is Not the Most Important Student Choice in My Classroom

Our educational culture is leaning more and more towards student choice in everything. Students can pick their seat, activities, games, and technology on a daily basis....but what about the choices that effect them internally?

As teachers, we know that teaching the whole student involves much more than reading, writing, math, science, and social students. We have the opportunity to guide them in making positive choices that will effect their character and mold them into productive citizens.

When I counsel with my students, I remind them the choices they make have consequences. They have a huge responsibility, because their attitude and action choices not only effect themselves but others.

I wanted to display these choices in my classroom just like I post flexible seating choices...because the chair they pick is not nearly as important as choosing kindness, sincerity, and honesty...even when it gets hard.

These character traits are essential to the culture I want to establish in my classroom so I've taken a rather "blah" wall and dressed it up with a colorful display of the most important choices my students can make on a daily basis.

With so many choices available to my students, these bright posters catch their attention when we are discussing issues in class that may require hard choices when dealing with others or completing classroom activities that are challenging.

If you are interested in adding this display in your classroom, you can click the link below to be directed to the full set:

The Power of Your Choice

Marshmallow Multiplication

After we completed our Pirate's Plunder STEM activity, I had tons of marshmallows left over. So I started brainstorming on how I could use them...of course as teachers, nothing goes to waste!

I pull one small group every day. I have them grouped by ability and I usually pull my lower group to the back table first every week. We do this at the beginning of every lesson while the other kiddos are working on dailies and early finisher activities. I usually spend 20 minutes of my lesson with the small group while the others are doing math stations/early finishers.

We began multiplication this week, so I took some cupcake liners and combined them with the mini-marshmallows and instantly I had kiddos ready to make equal groups of 2. This turned out to be a perfect small group activity and took less than 20 minutes!

I demonstrated the first couple to get the kiddos started. We put one marshmallow in each of the cupcake liners. Then, they drew a dot to represent the marshmallow inside the circle for the model on their recording sheet. They reasoned that the total marshmallows were 2 -- which is the product of 2 x 1. We completed a few more together and then they took off! They eagerly completed the activity with ease. The kiddos loved using the marshmallows and even some of my struggling students were able to pick up on the pattern of counting by 2's.

If you want the Marshmallow Multiplication Sheet to use for your small group time, grab it for free here:

Marshmallow Multiplication

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