tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54976394526702043982024-03-14T07:09:57.615-04:00Wild about fifth gradeA place for fifth grade teachers to share ideas about reading, writing, and math workshops. Melissa O'Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06341206961178308887noreply@blogger.comBlogger107125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5497639452670204398.post-71317308048743896182023-03-13T08:12:00.001-04:002023-07-20T11:17:58.707-04:00How to Use Math Exit Slips to Determine Intervention Needs, Before it's too Late!<p> </p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kpcm6QbnuCA/YCA6izg1tlI/AAAAAAAAja0/Xg1-_WJ9o80UWUdeOsVtgxgNuZXzyiObgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/exit%2Bslips%2B2.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="use exit slips to assess your students understanding" border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kpcm6QbnuCA/YCA6izg1tlI/AAAAAAAAja0/Xg1-_WJ9o80UWUdeOsVtgxgNuZXzyiObgCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/exit%2Bslips%2B2.png" title="exit tickets in upper elementary and middle school classrooms" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h3><span style="font-family: verdana;">Hello all you math workshop lovers! </span></h3><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">I absolutely love math workshop too. I've read so many workshop 'how to' teacher books and I'm constantly reflecting on ways to improve workshop instruction. There are lots of benefits to the workshop style of teaching, but one drawback can be finding quality formative assessment. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Assessment seems to be an issue that comes up a lot with my colleagues. Teachers need to know what their students understand and what they need to practice. Sometimes this is hard to assess in a workshop environment when students are working collaboratively and independently. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">So today I'm here to talk with you about one of the ways you can successfully</span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"> formatively assess your students during workshop.</span></span><br /><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Gzfx62oGiI/XXWT5fMccPI/AAAAAAAAKf4/Hn9sPDwBIKMDkbVyO6nZbr-RC1mscxiJgCLcBGAs/s1600/A%252B%2Bmath%2Btest.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Gzfx62oGiI/XXWT5fMccPI/AAAAAAAAKf4/Hn9sPDwBIKMDkbVyO6nZbr-RC1mscxiJgCLcBGAs/s640/A%252B%2Bmath%2Btest.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">In true math workshop format, students are learning and discussing new skills during a short teacher led mini-lesson. Students then move into the workshop portion of the class to practice (either previous skills or the new skill they were taught that day) and the teacher works with small groups of students. Since students are authentically practicing skills (often without teacher support), they are hopefully growing and learning from their mistakes, but how do we know for sure? </span><br /><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">You can collect notebooks to assess student progress, and work with small strategy and intervention groups as well as confer with individuals to assess progress. But sometimes you need a quick way to spot check who has a skill and who doesn't yet. </span><br /><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rquOOfnV0Wo/XXWUcoNotgI/AAAAAAAAKgA/1dGZI--3LBUvSSlc6CEJzyNUlZ1g1HkbACEwYBhgL/s1600/discussion.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rquOOfnV0Wo/XXWUcoNotgI/AAAAAAAAKgA/1dGZI--3LBUvSSlc6CEJzyNUlZ1g1HkbACEwYBhgL/s640/discussion.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><h3><span style="font-family: verdana;">Enter The Exit Slip </span></h3><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">This little guy saved my life, literally. No more making up silly assignments just to get grades. (Gulp, confession time) And no more wondering who had a skill and who didn't. This guy truly assessed my student's understanding each day (bonus) and could be entered into my grade book as a grade (double bonus). Exit slips became a routine at the end of math workshop time daily in my classroom. </span><br /><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">I loved exit slips so much that I ended up creating one for almost every school day. They can be easily printed and placed in a binder to grab from all year long! </span><br /><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><b>Keep reading for some surprise math exit slip freebies at the end of this post! </b></span><br /><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Math-Exit-Ticket-Slips-5th-Grade-BUNDLE-1367154?aref=ekkwvpka" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1152" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PhGGYX_X524/XXWPleWeF_I/AAAAAAAAKfU/z_lz_Xm0wWYEhCp7AsIz5RMCyCHeeggpgCLcBGAs/s640/Slide2.PNG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><b>Click <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Melissa-Obryan-Wild-About-Fifth/Category/Math-Exit-Slips-154771" target="_blank">HERE</a> to see ALL the 3rd through 6th grade math exit slips in my TPT store.</b></span><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">As mentioned earlier, math exit slips are designed to bring closure to your math lessons. These slips have fewer than four tasks to complete and should take students approximately 5 minutes to finish. </span><br /><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: verdana;">You can collect the slips and your formative assessment needs are met. In just minutes you can quickly form piles of students who have a concept mastered, who are almost there, and who need intervention. You can use this data to plan your instruction for the next day. You'll instantly know who can move on or not, and who you'll need to check in with for extra practice. </span></span></div><div><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Exit slips will ensure 'No student gets left behind' in your classroom!!!</span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zymDKwf3Z3A/UTaXM4swPlI/AAAAAAAAAs8/gfc5pdRUbVg/s1600/exit+slip+3.jpg"><br /></a></span><br /><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Math-Exit-Ticket-Slips-4th-Grade-BUNDLE-1397689" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1152" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kxNnMNOl1zs/XXWQxjm_ghI/AAAAAAAAKfg/Ot919b3Feg8nUX9d3GBrsTnRlyDmSl8gACEwYBhgL/s640/Slide2.PNG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><h3><span style="font-family: verdana;">How did I create these exit slips? </span></h3><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">I created them based on each unit I taught. I'm a firm believer in backward design. Before I began a new unit, whether it was informational writing, character development, or order of operations, I started with the common core standards and created the summative (final) assessment (if one wasn't already provided by my district). (See my math assessment packs <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Melissa-Obryan-Wild-About-Fifth/Category/Math-Assessment-Packs-68916" target="_blank">HERE</a>) </span><br /><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Then, I worked backward. I started by breaking the assessment into three or four chunks. I created formative assessments to give along the way to inform my instruction and guide my intervention needs. </span><br /><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Next, I broke each formative assessment into chunks which became lessons. Lastly, I create an exit ticket assessment for each lesson. Yes, I said EACH lesson. Exit slips are short and sweet. These are only a half page and usually consist of 2 to 4 questions. You can print them, copy them, and instantly have your daily lessons organized and ready to go.</span></span><br /><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sk3-VJ2It6Y/UTaXeNbIAMI/AAAAAAAAAtM/M2TMPGM6Bbc/s1600/exit+slip+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sk3-VJ2It6Y/UTaXeNbIAMI/AAAAAAAAAtM/M2TMPGM6Bbc/s320/exit+slip+2.jpg" width="398" /></a></div><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><h3><span style="font-family: verdana;">Why use exit slips? </span></h3><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Not only are they quick and easy to grade, but most importantly they are quick and easy to gather student data. They only take about 5 minutes for students to complete, and they tell you instantly who is ready to move on and who needs more practice. True formative assessment! Plus, double whammy, grades for the grade book. </span><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />Don't wait for the big test to figure out who doesn't get it! With frequent math exit slips you can quickly assess your students and know immediately who has it and who doesn't. </span></span></div><div><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><h3><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Math exit slips are a MUST in every best practice classroom!</span></span></h3><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: verdana;">If you'd like to try out using exit tickets in your classroom - here's a <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Decimal-Exit-Ticket-Slips-5th-Grade-FREE-596898" target="_blank">Decimals FREEBIE </a> and <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Place-Value-Exit-Ticket-Slips-FREE-1374520" target="_blank">Place Value FREEBIE</a> from my <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Decimals-Assessment-Pack-Common-Core-Aligned-544092">Decimal Numbers Assessment Pack</a> and <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Place-Value-Through-Billions-Assessment-Pack-509353" target="_blank">Place Value Assessment Pack</a>. I hope you find them useful.<br /></span><br /> </span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Decimal-Exit-Ticket-Slips-5th-Grade-FREE-596898?aref=298a3jq6" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dnQsuosuESA/XXWST3T0vDI/AAAAAAAAKfo/mRgkfpM_2h8xCQ7s4FpMZd4Cu8VMjSFSgCLcBGAs/s320/Slide1.PNG" width="320" /></a> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Place-Value-Exit-Ticket-Slips-FREE-1374520?aref=298a3jq6" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S1uN8VU7MR8/XXWSYSL18zI/AAAAAAAAKfs/YhGHm33Ys7IS-fnSZlakFfvMaslGQpFTwCLcBGAs/s320/Slide1.PNG" width="320" /></a></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />I would love to hear how you are already using exit slips in your classroom!!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Continue on to the other March Mathness Activities by clicking the button below.</span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.ateacherswonderland.com/march-mathness/?fbclid=IwAR1yI7q3Nm8aRibeG-kG5ZeK3Xbbxo_kparW83rfz7hDj6YNpTrMICmIHZs" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ_yb4OO5xFQnZj5PkmmcWWfbfEgVUlSRRzz0lpkwkS_SW3na3p8AwuQyutOp3ZYc-nbZ0rDcSVf-2_iMpmc4974nkzljhdAo4ni7t3tnx6WXHaoMrqp3vHZuFxcXCSFJf1gf1aA_ssRDurrth_of2RaAtfTFFfG1gWkyEvcR6rI8c32jTjFgY7Qfg_Q/s320/Team%20Other%20Math.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div>Melissa O'Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06341206961178308887noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5497639452670204398.post-76527567976882208782022-10-10T08:02:00.000-04:002023-07-20T11:17:42.072-04:00Never Dread Conferring Again with These Four Secrets! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0RLLfp85Qw8/YCArCt6erBI/AAAAAAAAjZg/mDwygubQLesN-VBIf60irosKfnzqRL41QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/conferring%2B2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="How to confer with students in your reading class" border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0RLLfp85Qw8/YCArCt6erBI/AAAAAAAAjZg/mDwygubQLesN-VBIf60irosKfnzqRL41QCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/conferring%2B2.png" title="Never dread conferring again" /></a></div></h3><h3>Do you sometimes dread conferring during reading workshop?</h3><span style="font-family: verdana;">You've been on your feet all day, your students finally settle in for that precious, quiet 30 minutes of independent reading time, and all you want to do is fall down in your desk chair and put up your aching feet? </span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">The last thing you want to do is plan for 3-5 individual student reading conferences. I mean you've already planned for 6 subjects during your 15 minute lunch, right?!?</span><br />
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<h4><span style="font-family: verdana;">
I've been there.....</span></h4><span style="font-family: verdana;">
.....and it was pure survival mode, but then several years ago I signed up for a reading workshop lab classroom experience in our district, and I was suddenly accountable for making conferring work - because other teachers would be learning from me, yikes! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">So the first thing I did was figure out what would work best for me, what would be easy for me to implement without adding on a lot of additional work and how could I make this enjoyable for myself and readers. It took a few years (the lab classroom experience has since ended - teaching other teachers is hard, friends!) but I've found a formula that works and I'm excited to share these four secrets with you!</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/A-Free-Guide-to-Conferring-with-Readers-during-Reading-Workshop-3071266" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m21GTc1gCY8/WM2VIbXIClI/AAAAAAAAHAs/utZ5P0EkoeMpmlzrG5HMQePHRHaEbprlACLcB/s640/Sq%2BCover.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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I've compiled a free guide to conferring just for you and if you click <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/A-Free-Guide-to-Conferring-with-Readers-during-Reading-Workshop-3071266" target="_blank">HERE</a> to read it now, you'll save yourself the years of dread, exhaustion and feelings of failure that I experienced. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">And once conferring becomes easy for you and your students, you'll sit down in that desk chair, put up those feet and eat your 15 minute lunch with a smile on your face. </span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rTHH1lcbPM0/WNAG3jtBIzI/AAAAAAAAHCM/OZdvQoUe8cor8too7HGSpWpDkiRNmSk_QCLcB/s1600/feet%2Bup.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="636" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rTHH1lcbPM0/WNAG3jtBIzI/AAAAAAAAHCM/OZdvQoUe8cor8too7HGSpWpDkiRNmSk_QCLcB/s640/feet%2Bup.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">All you need to do is download the <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/A-Free-Guide-to-Conferring-with-Readers-during-Reading-Workshop-3071266" target="_blank">Four Secrets to Successful Conferring</a> guide and read it over when you have a chance. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">You'll learn how to easily figure out <i><b>Who </b></i>to confer with, <b><i>What</i></b> to say during your conferences, <i><b>How</b></i> to keep track of it all, and <i><b>Where</b></i> to go next.<br />
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With just a little practice of these four secrets, your dread of conferring will slowly turn to confidence and soon you'll be the one teaching other teachers in your district how to manage conferring easily and successfully. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Head on over to my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/A-Free-Guide-to-Conferring-with-Readers-during-Reading-Workshop-3071266" target="_blank">TPT store </a>to download the FREE guide now and take back your lunch time!</span><br /></div>Melissa O'Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06341206961178308887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5497639452670204398.post-58267195837216686612022-10-10T08:01:00.000-04:002023-07-20T11:18:12.363-04:00Diverse Books ALL Teachers Need in Their Classrooms<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G8hKJz7pKik/YCBAPfDS3gI/AAAAAAAAjbU/gczzWO_rwycoy7XQvr8IIgc-ebvh7rYBgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/diverse%2Bbooks%2B2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="diverse books for all classroom libraries" border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G8hKJz7pKik/YCBAPfDS3gI/AAAAAAAAjbU/gczzWO_rwycoy7XQvr8IIgc-ebvh7rYBgCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/diverse%2Bbooks%2B2.png" title="diverse books for upper elementary and middle school classrooms" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<h2><span style="font-family: verdana;">Are you struggling with how to talk with your students about racism, acceptance and equality? </span></h2><span style="font-family: verdana;">
We have to spark these conversations, for ourselves and our students. One of the best ways to teach life lessons is through characters in books who've 'been there, done that.' </span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">As teachers it's our responsibility to show our students how to have empathy and kindness. We can do this with diverse read alouds and a culturally responsive classroom library.<br />
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I've spent some time researching the best books for upper elementary/middle school students that will spark educational conversations about acceptance and how we can do better. I've linked the titles below so you can check them out as well.<br />
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I plan to use some for classroom read alouds and the rest to increase the diversity of our classroom library. Summer is the perfect time to visit book sales, garage sales, thrift shops and watch for Scholastic dollar deals. (<a href="https://amzn.to/2MMFyEY" target="_blank">Front Desk </a>was only $1.00 just a few weeks ago)<br />
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Improving the diversity of our classroom libraries is a task we can control. Putting books in our students' hands that show them a world they've never known, or characters who are going through the same experiences - can change lives. I've seen it happen and it's the best feeling in the world!<br />
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It's important for our students to see themselves in the books they read!</span></h2>
<span style="font-family: verdana;">Click the links below for more information.<br /></span>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b_FyOcoR_WE/XvNl0SRtbgI/AAAAAAAAX1Q/_q3SeRqX4LQKld7KP6ceFkZT2OaikKxWQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/diverse%2Bbooks.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="diverse texts for all students" border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1152" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b_FyOcoR_WE/XvNl0SRtbgI/AAAAAAAAX1Q/_q3SeRqX4LQKld7KP6ceFkZT2OaikKxWQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/diverse%2Bbooks.png" title="diverse books matter in schools" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://amzn.to/2YE16qL" target="_blank">Front Desk by Kelly Yang</a><br />
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<a href="https://amzn.to/3iiKFIm" target="_blank">Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan</a><br />
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<a href="https://amzn.to/2ZcZsvi" target="_blank">Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes</a><br />
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<a href="https://amzn.to/2BJZ3IQ" target="_blank">Somewhere Among by Annie Donwerth Chikamatsu</a><br />
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<a href="https://amzn.to/3dCq668" target="_blank">American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang</a><br />
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<a href="https://amzn.to/2VoQWIp" target="_blank">Gabby Garcia's Ultimate Playbook by Iva Marie Palmer</a><br />
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<a href="https://amzn.to/385Dpuy" target="_blank">Blended by Sharon Draper</a><br />
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<a href="https://amzn.to/2YBhPLg" target="_blank">The Season of Styx Malone by Kekla Magoon</a><br />
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<a href="https://amzn.to/2ZgV7Hn" target="_blank">Dear Martin by Nic Stone</a><br />
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<a href="https://amzn.to/3dDRIrv" target="_blank">The Great Wall of Lucy Wu by Wendy Wan-Long Shang</a><br />
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<a href="https://amzn.to/2YBhVm6" target="_blank">Crossover by Kwame Alexander</a><br />
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<a href="https://amzn.to/2YCtYj6" target="_blank">The First Rule of Punk by Celia C. Perez</a><br />
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Do your students LOVE graphic novels? Click <a href="https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/BQvOzxW" target="_blank"><b>HERE </b></a>for a list of our favorites!<br />
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*This post contains affiliate links that earn me a small profit which I use to buy books for my students. Thank you for your support.</span><br /></div>Melissa O'Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06341206961178308887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5497639452670204398.post-37370482802962255882022-10-10T08:00:00.001-04:002023-07-20T11:17:11.499-04:00Planning a Halloween Party this week?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-thHCpzMWa14/X_Mt6psMIMI/AAAAAAAAiS4/V2j4_g502pU4MsFd9sVi0rVfqWKbKnv6ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/halloween%2Bparty.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Plan an easy classroom elementary halloween party" border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-thHCpzMWa14/X_Mt6psMIMI/AAAAAAAAiS4/V2j4_g502pU4MsFd9sVi0rVfqWKbKnv6ACLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/halloween%2Bparty.png" title="elementary halloween party games and ideas" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Who has time to plan a Halloween party, right? </span></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I mean seriously people, I'm trying to teach and mold young minds here. Ain't nobody got time for parties. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Isn't it sad that the pace of our curriculum to keep up with the new standards makes us feel this way?? </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">If you're feeling like I am, read this post because it will help you plan your party quickly and easily so you can keep on keeping on with all that important learning stuff.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">You'll need four parent volunteers, one for each station, and donations of all the items listed on the family letter below. You may need more than one student to volunteer to bring in some of the items so you'll have enough for your whole class.<br />
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The party will consist of 4 twenty minute stations. You'll need to set a timer, play some spooky Halloween music and then let the partying begin!</span><br />
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Food Station #1</span></h2><span style="font-family: verdana;">
A week ahead of time, start off by calling student names and having them volunteer to bring in an item, if they are able. You can create the list on an anchor chart and they circle their choice on the family note below. This takes 10 minutes tops. Once completed, you'll send the notes home and whew - your food station #1 is done. Check that one off the list.<br />
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You can grab this EDITABLE Halloween family note for FREE at my TPT store <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Halloween-Party-Letter-Editable-FREE-2843594" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<br /></span>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Halloween-Party-Letter-Editable-FREE-2843594" target="_blank"><img alt="Send home this family letter to get donations for your Halloween Party" border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B12EQ8JECT4/WAwaxEX1v0I/AAAAAAAAEf4/ETS4Cqzusko48Qlbt7w2S6Jj5xWaLuS3QCLcB/s640/FREE%2Bhalloween%2Bparty%2Bletter.png" title="Halloween Family Letter freebie" width="494" /></a></div>
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Halloween Bingo Station #2</span></h2><span style="font-family: verdana;">
Next, go on TPT and download a <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Browse/Price-Range/Free/Search:halloween+bingo." target="_blank">FREE Halloween Bingo game</a>. There are tons to choose from - 172 to be exact. Probably even more by the time you search!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Browse/Price-Range/Free/Search:halloween+bingo." style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="halloween bingo game" border="0" height="488" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cMwEnBUPlxY/WAwLTtQpAYI/AAAAAAAAEe8/WkigKJz5SMI2XNMOnWayhWv1F2-iVMY5QCLcB/w640-h488/halloween%2Bbingo.PNG" title="free halloween bingo on TPT" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana;">Print the bingo game and station #2 is complete! Find your bingo chips, or other similar items to be used for marking, or students can even just X out the spots as they are called. We use pretzels - which you could have students bring in instead of crackers.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wcwcTISNxUc/WAwfkDgf70I/AAAAAAAAEgI/xHRjiU_q5YsTVdD5XN_jmLBX_9m40A_eACLcB/s1600/bingo.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="use pretzels as bingo markers" border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wcwcTISNxUc/WAwfkDgf70I/AAAAAAAAEgI/xHRjiU_q5YsTVdD5XN_jmLBX_9m40A_eACLcB/w494-h640/bingo.png" title="Find a FREE Halloween Bingo game on TPT" width="494" /></a><br />
<br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Have a parent volunteer help run the bingo game. Can't get much easier than that. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Dig out an old plastic pumpkin and pour in a bag of the donated candy you collected from students - prizes are ready!!</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XNGAO9X_Q0o/WAwPID86TtI/AAAAAAAAEfI/EoDIAIPxbJ87fdi6AZD_AZIYaymoNbLlgCLcB/s1600/hween%2Bparty.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="ask family members to send in bags of candy for game prizes" border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XNGAO9X_Q0o/WAwPID86TtI/AAAAAAAAEfI/EoDIAIPxbJ87fdi6AZD_AZIYaymoNbLlgCLcB/s640/hween%2Bparty.jpg" title="Get donated candy for Halloween Party prizes" width="480" /></a></div>
<br /><h2><span style="font-family: verdana;">Mummy Wrap Station #3</span></h2><span style="font-family: verdana;">
For station #3, your students will play the mummy wrap game. Why do kids think it's so fun to be wrapped from head to toe in toilet paper? It's gross, but they love it! And it's clean toilet paper of course. :) </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Use the donated toilet paper that you asked for on the family letter above. In this station the kids will wrap a partner in toilet paper until the timer goes off. I usually give them one minute. Whoever is the best looking mummy wins a prize (again donated candy in a plastic pumpkin - you can't go wrong with candy on Halloween) </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Or, if you're one of those super healthy people, you can ask for a student volunteer to bring in Halloween pencils for prizes. They can be found pretty much everywhere. If students are careful, they can reuse the toilet paper and play a few times before they move on to the next station.<br /></span>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rFEGwI6fVLM/WAwZ08w0HjI/AAAAAAAAEfw/KPhxJ6RsdMobLW87dWgHeY09_esW-6rPACLcB/s1600/mummy%2Bwrap.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Kids love the mummy wrap game" border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rFEGwI6fVLM/WAwZ08w0HjI/AAAAAAAAEfw/KPhxJ6RsdMobLW87dWgHeY09_esW-6rPACLcB/s640/mummy%2Bwrap.png" title="Use rolls of toilet paper to play mummy wrap" width="436" /></a></div>
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Skeleton Craft Station #4</span></h2><span style="font-family: verdana;">
Lastly, for station #4, you just need black construction paper, glue and the Q-tips you had volunteers donate in the family letter above. Students will make this fun skeleton. Check out this blog post explaining how to make them <a href="http://www.brassyapple.com/2011/10/mom-it-monday-3-q-tip-skeletons.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XLVFh3apGuQ/WAwgowExK-I/AAAAAAAAEgQ/PqLMGoDYmsERjBTIgFfkIeoZpKafJ3HmQCLcB/s1600/skelly.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Spooky Skeletons are the perfect Halloween craft" border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XLVFh3apGuQ/WAwgowExK-I/AAAAAAAAEgQ/PqLMGoDYmsERjBTIgFfkIeoZpKafJ3HmQCLcB/s640/skelly.png" title="Use Q-tips and glue to make spooky skeletons at your party" width="600" /></a></div>
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And that's it! You're done! You can use these same stations year after year. Kids love them and you can spend your precious time teaching instead of planning parties!!! </span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rdOLlRjd4bc/WA0F4re4gmI/AAAAAAAAEhE/NrovJsALvvAzYGkxDRQ8a8IFRoWJWZQgwCLcB/s1600/Facebook%2Bimage%2Bfor%2Bhalloween%2Bparty.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="spend time teaching and let this blog post do the planning" border="0" height="336" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rdOLlRjd4bc/WA0F4re4gmI/AAAAAAAAEhE/NrovJsALvvAzYGkxDRQ8a8IFRoWJWZQgwCLcB/w640-h336/Facebook%2Bimage%2Bfor%2Bhalloween%2Bparty.png" title="plan the easiest halloween party ever" width="640" /></a></div>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Melissa O'Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06341206961178308887noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5497639452670204398.post-54141414778167047102022-10-10T08:00:00.000-04:002023-07-20T11:17:19.150-04:00Halloween Multiplication Math Game For Elementary and Middle Grade Learners<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jcV9OScJjJY/X_DRNKBE3cI/AAAAAAAAiM8/6Uf1cNC1GJEcJngrlSpUNv7BRZGnjHwgACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/halloween%2Bmath%2Bgame.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Halloween math game free fifth grade" border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jcV9OScJjJY/X_DRNKBE3cI/AAAAAAAAiM8/6Uf1cNC1GJEcJngrlSpUNv7BRZGnjHwgACLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/halloween%2Bmath%2Bgame.png" title="5th grade halloween multiplication math game" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<h1 style="text-align: left;">Happy October teacher friends! </h1>
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First of all, I have to start off by sharing this meme. Halloween ain't messing around this year!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mj7zo3qbZsw/X3t8ueW2Q8I/AAAAAAAAYaM/4HYcsqSSW4M_x9e86w-6tUE7bBs-BEnOQCLcBGAsYHQ/s295/halloween.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Halloween 2020 Math Game for the classroom" border="0" data-original-height="171" data-original-width="295" height="371" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mj7zo3qbZsw/X3t8ueW2Q8I/AAAAAAAAYaM/4HYcsqSSW4M_x9e86w-6tUE7bBs-BEnOQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h371/halloween.jpg" title="Halloween Multiplication Math Game" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Now that we have that off our chests - I'd like to share a Halloween treat with you all</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I've updated my <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Spooky-Multiplication-Roll-353523">Spooky Multiplication Roll Math Center Game </a>and it's FREE for all my teacher friends. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This game is perfect to spiral, reinforce, or review multi-digit multiplication. After I teach the game and students play it a few times for practice, I leave it out throughout the month of October for early finishers to play as well. It's always a spooky hit. What kid doesn't love ghosts and dice? </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Bonus! It now includes a digital version that you can assign online.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Halloween-Math-Game-Multiplication-Roll-353523" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="5th grade halloween math game" border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1152" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1tSI6nbJHbU/X_DRx1tymcI/AAAAAAAAiNE/o8o_-TKJxPk27tpGoxSFXbb2LhaBWuWWwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h640/square%2Bcover%2Bupdate%2Bspooky%2Broll.png" title="Halloween party game for fifth graders multiplication" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<script src="http://static.inlinkz.com/cs2.js?v=007" type="text/javascript"></script> <!--end InLinkz script-->Melissa O'Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06341206961178308887noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5497639452670204398.post-65405503089381541352022-10-10T07:57:00.000-04:002023-07-20T11:18:44.844-04:00Building a Classroom Community through Read Alouds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZD6vjfjXY0c/X_Mo5nyBpTI/AAAAAAAAiSs/A8r5-gzG_SYh9KHA9v1OYtYzpYHEVOonQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/class%2Bcommunity.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Build a classroom community through read alouds" border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZD6vjfjXY0c/X_Mo5nyBpTI/AAAAAAAAiSs/A8r5-gzG_SYh9KHA9v1OYtYzpYHEVOonQCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/class%2Bcommunity.png" title="choose read aloud books that build community" /></a></div><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">Classroom culture is imperative to successful classroom management.</span></span></h3><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">I spend the first few months of school building a classroom culture of respect and it pays off in the end. When students feel respected by their teachers and peers, they choose to make better behavior choices. </span></div><div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">Even Robert Marzano agrees - "<span style="background-color: white;">Teacher-student relationships provide an essential foundation for effective classroom management—and classroom management is a key to high student achievement." </span></span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif" style="background-color: white;">According to the Teaching Tolerance website, "</span><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #303030;">teachers must provide safe spaces where students are seen, valued, cared for and respected. And </span><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif" style="background-color: white;">behavior management systems must support safe, inclusive communities by enforcing high standards for respectful interaction; incorporating student-generated discipline policies; teaching conflict resolution; and actively addressing </span><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-shadow: none; vertical-align: baseline;">all</em><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"> instances of bias, bullying, exclusion or disrespect."</span><br />
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One strategy that I've found helpful when building our classroom culture is carefully targeted read aloud books.</span><br />
<br /><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">Here are my favorites for building our classroom community. We refer back to them all year long!</span></span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"><br /></span><h2><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">Read Aloud #1</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">The first book I read every year is </span><a href="http://amzn.to/2dpc3n3" target="_blank">Thank You Mr. Falker, by Patricia Polacco</a><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">.</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thank-You-Falker-Patricia-Polacco/dp/0399257624/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&qid=1474720466&sr=8-1&keywords=thank+you+mr.+falker+by+patricia+polacco&linkCode=li3&tag=wilabofif-20&linkId=5d9bc8225b0da15ee457af509c364298" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"><img alt="Thank You Mr. Falker Classroom Community Read Aloud" border="0" height="400" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0399257624&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=wilabofif-20" title="Thank You Mr. Falker" width="312" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">This story is about Patricia as a child, her struggles with reading and bullying, and how a special teacher noticed and changed her life. I start with this book because I tell my students. "I want to be this teacher for you. I promise to do everything I can to help you grow and change - if you'll let me." </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">I want my students to know that I'm going to work really hard this year for them and in response, it makes them want to work hard for me (and for themselves which is even more important).</span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">This book also offers a great opportunity to start an open dialogue about how the students in your class are going to deal with each other's differences and bullying. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">When the students feel like they're in charge of the classroom culture and making the decisions about important issues, they follow through with their promises.</span></span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"><br /></span><h2><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">Read Aloud #2</span></h2>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">Secondly, every classroom community needs to read and share <a href="http://amzn.to/2cYXQyT" target="_blank">The Juice Box Bully: Empowering Kids to Stand Up To Others by Maria Dismondy and Bob Sornson</a>.</span><br /></span>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Juice-Box-Bully-Empowering-Others/dp/1933916729/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&qid=1474720997&sr=8-1&keywords=the+juice+box+bully&linkCode=li3&tag=wilabofif-20&linkId=34ec13a3b8400d8edf1e91a483466fe8" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"><img alt="Juice Box Bully Classroom Community Read Aloud" border="0" height="400" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1933916729&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=wilabofif-20" title="Juice Box Bully" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">Now that you've established how you are going to treat your students this year, it's time for a discussion about how they're going to treat each other. Building a classroom culture of respect among your students is critical and will reduce those daily tattling/recess complaints. </span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">This book is about a new kid who enters a class where they've already made a promise to treat each other with respect. The new student starts to treat a few kids disrespectfully and the classmates stand up and model how to solve the situation positively. So often kids just watch bullying from afar and are too afraid to do anything about it. The Juice Box Bully challenges students to stop being bystanders and to stand up for their classmates together.</span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">"This books is what will make us a family," I tell my students. We make our own classroom promise after reading this book, and pledge to follow it all year long.</span><br /></span>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-stX72LDNNBI/V-Z4muZgnnI/AAAAAAAAEcI/Ua8LtbI3c6wwMjzerCfn13TGFyehF9AYgCLcB/s1600/juice%2Bbox%2Bbully%2Bpromise.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"><img alt="The Juice Box Bully Student Pledge" border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-stX72LDNNBI/V-Z4muZgnnI/AAAAAAAAEcI/Ua8LtbI3c6wwMjzerCfn13TGFyehF9AYgCLcB/s640/juice%2Bbox%2Bbully%2Bpromise.PNG" title="Juice Box Bully Promise" width="553" /></span></a></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"><br /></span><h2><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">Read Aloud #3</span></h2>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">The third book I share with my students is <a href="http://amzn.to/2dsa9Vi" target="_blank">The Energy Bus for Kids by Jon Gordon</a>. We've talked about the teacher-student relationship, and the student to student relationships, now it's time to address the relationship with themselves. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">How are the students going to make this a great year for them? A positive attitude is so important in life. The Energy Bus gives kids steps for making each day a positive one. When kids are getting down on themselves for mistakes, I refer to the steps in this book all year long. It helps them remember that they have the power to turn their day around.</span><br /></span>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Energy-Bus-Kids-Overcoming-Challenges/dp/1118287355/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&qid=1474741421&sr=8-1&keywords=the+energy+bus+for+kids&linkCode=li3&tag=wilabofif-20&linkId=74a1fc5477a675fd33863e7090c4ffa7" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"><img alt="The Energy Bus for Kids Classroom Community Read Aloud" border="0" height="400" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1118287355&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=wilabofif-20" title="The Energy Bus for Kids" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=wilabofif-20&l=li3&o=1&a=1118287355" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" />
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<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">Last but not least, I shared this book for the first time this year -</span><a href="http://amzn.to/2dpLBJN" target="_blank"> Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena</a><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0399257748&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=wilabofif-20" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Last Stop on Market Street Classroom Community Read Aloud" border="0" height="400" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0399257748&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=wilabofif-20" title="Last Stop on Market Street" width="326" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">It won the Newbery Medal and the message it sends to readers - to accept others for their differences, to be grateful for what you have, and to serve others - is so powerful. We talk about how we are going to approach every day as an opportunity to do all three of these things in our classroom.</span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=wilabofif-20&l=li3&o=1&a=0399257748" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">You can build a positive, respectful, teacher-student-self classroom culture in one week by sharing, discussing and implementing the ideas from these read alouds. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">If you have other great read alouds that build classroom community, share them in the comments below. I'd love to add to my collection!!</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QKN2ybRy7BE/V-bP08s03oI/AAAAAAAAEck/JVC3TMgLFbw835U6cf5_cCBCIvPI_bQcACLcB/s1600/Pinterest%2BImage%2Bfor%2Bclassroom%2Bcommunity%2Bread%2Balouds.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Build a Positive Classroom Culture with Read Alouds Blog Post" border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QKN2ybRy7BE/V-bP08s03oI/AAAAAAAAEck/JVC3TMgLFbw835U6cf5_cCBCIvPI_bQcACLcB/s640/Pinterest%2BImage%2Bfor%2Bclassroom%2Bcommunity%2Bread%2Balouds.png" title="Build a Positive Classroom Culture with Read Alouds" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"><br /></span></div><div><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana;">If you're looking for more great titles to share with your students during the first weeks of a new school year, read this post <a href="https://wildaboutfifthgrade.blogspot.com/2017/08/25-first-day-read-alouds-all-successful.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</span></div><div><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"><br /></span></div><div><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">Affiliate Links are used in this post.</span><br />
</div>Melissa O'Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06341206961178308887noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5497639452670204398.post-70044134435743792452022-10-10T07:56:00.001-04:002023-07-20T11:18:56.667-04:005th Grade Classroom Reveal and First Read Alouds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8nuDmTh4XDk/X_DKxQNsZcI/AAAAAAAAiMk/z8jnpwKdpfwIpClOVhvDy0quQZh0NqoYgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5th%2Bgrade%2Bclassroom%2Breveal.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="5th grade classroom reveal" border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8nuDmTh4XDk/X_DKxQNsZcI/AAAAAAAAiMk/z8jnpwKdpfwIpClOVhvDy0quQZh0NqoYgCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/5th%2Bgrade%2Bclassroom%2Breveal.png" title="Fifth grade classroom decor and set up" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm beyond excited to share my 5th grade classroom with you! I've minimized the zebra print (yes gasp!) this year and I've added other black and white patterns as well as lime green to accent. The results make me truly happy. I can spend 8 hours a day in this space for sure now, probably even more. We all know, a teacher's work is never done! </div>
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#1 Front of Room -</h1>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eghvHc9nkYE/VAHacXiKvZI/AAAAAAAAC1g/kZ8vLcHogE0/s1600/Slide3.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eghvHc9nkYE/VAHacXiKvZI/AAAAAAAAC1g/kZ8vLcHogE0/s640/Slide3.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is our daily meeting space. It also contains our white board and easel for recording lesson notes and our Smart Board. The <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001ZSWIQ0/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B001ZSWIQ0&linkCode=as2&tag=wilabofif-20&linkId=ZPAEES2Q2F3OX6RG">Learning Carpets CPR467 - Solid Green Rectangle</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=wilabofif-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B001ZSWIQ0" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> carpet I purchased for a great deal from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001ZSQWVW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1">Amazon</a> and shipping was FREE since I'm a Prime member. Woo hoo! The black pillows and green ottoman bean bags are from <a href="http://www.biglots.com/">Big Lots</a>. Great deals on all.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fJ8PdaImvwU/VAHaUGiLHyI/AAAAAAAAC00/AjG-leUW4Fc/s1600/Slide17.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fJ8PdaImvwU/VAHaUGiLHyI/AAAAAAAAC00/AjG-leUW4Fc/s640/Slide17.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is the other side of the Smart Board. We are required to post our daily learning targets. This area also holds part of our library and our read around the room, mystery walker, and classroom job charts. All of these sets will be available in my <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Melissa-Obryan">TPT</a> store soon! </div>
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The learning targets area is pretty self-explanatory. This is where each morning I write (in "I can kid friendly language") what the students will learn in each of three subjects I teach. We talk about the day's learning targets during our morning meeting and we discuss how they'll know if they achieve each target. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sMDU4baN9MU/VAHddwcq_3I/AAAAAAAAC3g/ZEzJAwigpzw/s1600/Slide11.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sMDU4baN9MU/VAHddwcq_3I/AAAAAAAAC3g/ZEzJAwigpzw/s640/Slide11.PNG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Mystery Walker motivates students to move quietly in the hallway. I have <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009XTX24/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0009XTX24&linkCode=as2&tag=wilabofif-20&linkId=RDLFJSGWW6GCKHSI">Natural Jumbo Wood Craft Sticks </a> in the first drawer of the green 3 drawer unit you can see above. One drawer has the Mystery Walker sticks. They are marked with student names and an MW so they don't get mixed up with the other sticks. I pull two sticks each time we leave the room and those are the Mystery Walkers. I secretly watch those two students as we walk to and from a location and if they were following our hallway expectations, they earn a prize when we return to the classroom. I change the small prizes up - in the past I've used jolly ranchers, starbursts, pencil top erasers, grippers, pencils, bookmarks, classroom money, etc. If the Mystery Walkers do not follow hallway expectations, when we return to the classroom I simply put that stick back into the drawer. I do not announce who it was, that way any student who may have talked will wonder if it was them. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g5AhsYqu6ng/VAHaSSNKeZI/AAAAAAAAC0w/fm7MiVuoEaY/s1600/Slide16.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g5AhsYqu6ng/VAHaSSNKeZI/AAAAAAAAC0w/fm7MiVuoEaY/s640/Slide16.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Read-Around-the-Room-Editable-Flexible-Seating-Display-2004501" target="_blank">Read Around the Room</a> chart shows which students can read in our special classroom spaces for the day. This year we have the four green bean bag ottomans, a large black pillow, a stool, a table area, the carpet, and a rocking chair. Again I have <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009XTX24/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0009XTX24&linkCode=as2&tag=wilabofif-20&linkId=RDLFJSGWW6GCKHSI">Natural Jumbo Wood Craft Sticks </a> marked with student names and an RR so they don't get mixed up with the Mystery Walker sticks. These sticks are kept in the second drawer. I pull sticks each morning for these special spaces. The next morning I take out the sticks and put them into a rubber banded group until all students have made it onto the chart once. Then all the sticks return to the drawer and the process repeats! </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--TTb8RVDzro/VAHdh59lRTI/AAAAAAAAC4A/ync3un3PnTk/s1600/Slide18.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--TTb8RVDzro/VAHdh59lRTI/AAAAAAAAC4A/ync3un3PnTk/s640/Slide18.PNG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Lastly, in the third drawer of the green drawer unit are <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009XTX24/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0009XTX24&linkCode=as2&tag=wilabofif-20&linkId=RDLFJSGWW6GCKHSI">Natural Jumbo Wood Craft Sticks </a> marked with student names and a J. These sticks are placed into the jobs pockets to show which students have which classroom jobs. Students apply for jobs in our classroom. I have an application (remind me to post that in a later post) that students must complete and I chose the best applicants for each job. Jobs change monthly. I've found students do much better with their classroom jobs when they have ownership over the jobs they choose. All students who want a job are able to secure a few jobs each year. Also, switching them monthly allows students time to get really good at the job and then to be able to train the new employee. </div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you follow me on <a href="http://instagram.com/mobryanwildaboutfifth">Instagram</a> you've seen a few sneak peeks of our classroom library. It's my favorite space in the room. I've combined it this year with our meeting space and my small group space. Last year these were three separate spaces, but when you have a small classroom, you do what you can to maximize room to move.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zXDEF1Dp1og/VAHaQ4ZQd5I/AAAAAAAAC0o/MLZ6JtwRaYA/s1600/Slide14.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zXDEF1Dp1og/VAHaQ4ZQd5I/AAAAAAAAC0o/MLZ6JtwRaYA/s640/Slide14.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here's a few close ups of how I organize our books (by genre on the first three shelves, by author on the fourth shelf and buddy books are in the last shelf. On top in the green baskets are "Mrs. O'Bryan's Favorites" these are the books I read for my 40 Book Challenge and recommend to the class. The second green basket is "Books We Recommend." These are the books students recommend to the class on their blogs and during status of the class. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5PwX3mK1t7s/VAHdfqrptsI/AAAAAAAAC3s/77w0PUcFg4A/s1600/Slide13.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5PwX3mK1t7s/VAHdfqrptsI/AAAAAAAAC3s/77w0PUcFg4A/s640/Slide13.PNG" width="480" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RkI73JwJN88/VAHaM32BAPI/AAAAAAAAC0U/cYicTi8Qhz4/s1600/Slide12.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RkI73JwJN88/VAHaM32BAPI/AAAAAAAAC0U/cYicTi8Qhz4/s640/Slide12.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Classroom-Library-Labels-Black-White-Chevron-840565">classroom library labels</a> can be found in my TPT store. Here's also a sneak peek of the first books we will read aloud. Our chapter book for September is the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/037587187X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=037587187X&linkCode=as2&tag=wilabofif-20&linkId=ZTGAFNICD4SIZBKL">The Fabled Fifth Graders of Aesop Elementary School</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=wilabofif-20&l=as2&o=1&a=037587187X" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" />. In October we will join in the <a href="http://www.globalreadaloud.com/">Global Read Aloud</a> with <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0142426520/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0142426520&linkCode=as2&tag=wilabofif-20&linkId=X2QECB63OAHLOOK5">One for the Murphys</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=wilabofif-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0142426520" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" />.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UdWQN1z-fK0/VAHakriNc-I/AAAAAAAAC2A/5CJ1k7zLmbA/s1600/Slide7.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UdWQN1z-fK0/VAHakriNc-I/AAAAAAAAC2A/5CJ1k7zLmbA/s640/Slide7.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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During the first week, these are the picture books I will read aloud to set the tone for our classroom community - </div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0978507517/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0978507517&linkCode=as2&tag=wilabofif-20&linkId=XS56MBP27LTONHEC">Have You Filled a Bucket Today? A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=wilabofif-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0978507517" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312581408/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0312581408&linkCode=as2&tag=wilabofif-20&linkId=C5Q6FMG4UCIQTH37">Do Unto Otters: A Book About Manners</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=wilabofif-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0312581408" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1933916729/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1933916729&linkCode=as2&tag=wilabofif-20&linkId=545HH2ENRM7QVLUV">The Juice Box Bully: Empowering Kids to Stand Up For Others</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=wilabofif-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1933916729" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1118287355/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1118287355&linkCode=as2&tag=wilabofif-20&linkId=JBEASCQE2L3TSZL3">The Energy Bus for Kids: A Story about Staying Positive and Overcoming Challenges</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=wilabofif-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1118287355" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X_z2fSVPiRE/VAHamypambI/AAAAAAAAC2Q/JpDuUYJC7jw/s1600/Slide9.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X_z2fSVPiRE/VAHamypambI/AAAAAAAAC2Q/JpDuUYJC7jw/s640/Slide9.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4nDAHycOMvQ/VAHalDX2IRI/AAAAAAAAC2E/GF8eMiOeYIo/s1600/Slide8.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4nDAHycOMvQ/VAHalDX2IRI/AAAAAAAAC2E/GF8eMiOeYIo/s640/Slide8.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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#3 Student Desks -</h1>
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I have 32 fifth graders this year and currently I have the desks arranged into three groups. One group of 12, one group of 10 and one group of 8. I arrange the desks this way to conserve space. Also, I place students into partnerships and seat them directly across from their reading partner and next to their math partner. This way students can turn and talk easily when instructed. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r9rwM-92XuM/VAHaf45UPxI/AAAAAAAAC1w/cKC8e-YQ-po/s1600/Slide5.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r9rwM-92XuM/VAHaf45UPxI/AAAAAAAAC1w/cKC8e-YQ-po/s640/Slide5.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hvDkoiMBJs0/VAHahd9UzOI/AAAAAAAAC14/HaQa5hakYPw/s1600/Slide6.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hvDkoiMBJs0/VAHahd9UzOI/AAAAAAAAC14/HaQa5hakYPw/s640/Slide6.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vrCCRGH-HlE/VAHdkZxAPpI/AAAAAAAAC4Q/Px7Lfdu79-g/s1600/Slide4.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vrCCRGH-HlE/VAHdkZxAPpI/AAAAAAAAC4Q/Px7Lfdu79-g/s640/Slide4.PNG" width="480" /></a></div>
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You can also see our <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Common-Core-Critical-Verbs-Vocabulary-Word-Wall-Cards-1138833">Critical Verbs of the Common Core </a>word wall in this shot. I've posted these already to help me remember to use this language of instruction constantly and so I can point out and refer to the words when they are used and found in our daily work and discussions. Each card contains a verb from the Common Core and the example/definition. </div>
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Here's a close up. They are so stinkin' cute I'm beside myself! :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>
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<h1 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">#4 Back and Sides of Room -</h1>
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In the back of the room I've created a space that shares many things - our nonfiction library, listening center, student computer, math manipulatives and student supplies. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XQq1vGPrLLk/VAHZ2hZxziI/AAAAAAAAC0A/TPZut2B9QBY/s1600/Slide1.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XQq1vGPrLLk/VAHZ2hZxziI/AAAAAAAAC0A/TPZut2B9QBY/s640/Slide1.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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You can get the <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Classroom-Supply-Labels-Black-White-Chevron-840986">black & white chevron supply labels</a> in my TPT store also. The classroom meme rules on the cupboard door are from the fabulous <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Teacher-Memes-Posters-Editable-Back-to-School-Class-Rules-1330648">Tracee Orman</a>. And the self-assessment posters on the file cabinet are from the amazing <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Levels-of-Understanding-Assess-Yourself-Rubrics-and-Posters-Zebra-Math-Theme-283113">Kristine Nannini</a>. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N2G3sXp2_z8/VAHaXYyPk2I/AAAAAAAAC1I/OEUTMm1F4lU/s1600/Slide19.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N2G3sXp2_z8/VAHaXYyPk2I/AAAAAAAAC1I/OEUTMm1F4lU/s640/Slide19.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">On these bulletin boards we will add the <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Melissa-Obryan-Wild-About-Fifth/Category/ELA-Word-Wall-Sets-68917" target="_blank">Common Core ELA</a> & <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Melissa-Obryan-Wild-About-Fifth/Category/Math-Word-Wall-Sets-68918" target="_blank">Math </a>vocabulary cards we master during each unit. I love seeing these boards grow throughout the year! </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aChbr2mUrLM/VAHdjXuIs_I/AAAAAAAAC4I/6wfLrEeQ8Jk/s1600/Slide20.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aChbr2mUrLM/VAHdjXuIs_I/AAAAAAAAC4I/6wfLrEeQ8Jk/s640/Slide20.PNG" width="480" /></a></div>
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This is just a quick view of the one window in the room (I get so jealous of all of you who have walls of classroom windows - but hey you can't have it all, right!?!). The zebra drawers are where I keep copies for the four classes I teach - two sections of math, one section of reading and writing. I also store task cards and centers in these drawers too. Don't mind the boxes in the corner that still needing unpacking. I'm just realizing that I never got to those. LOL</div>
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#5 My Desk Area - </h1>
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Lastly, here is a photo of my desk area. Posted on the bulletin board is our monthly calendar, September birthday reminders that I found on <a href="http://www.fifthgradefreebies.blogspot.com/2014/08/birthday-bulletin-board-tags.html">Fifth Grade Freebies</a>, and our daily schedule. Don't you just love the black and white curtains covering my shelf where I store text books and around my desk?? Hopefully I'll post a Monday Made It soon to describe how I used only a hot glue gun, yes I said only a hot glue gun, to make all of the curtains in my classroom. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d4Bzw1I4LMk/VAHdgx0bERI/AAAAAAAAC30/FpuWfY9VhbI/s1600/Slide15.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d4Bzw1I4LMk/VAHdgx0bERI/AAAAAAAAC30/FpuWfY9VhbI/s640/Slide15.PNG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ho_-_mrLgs4/VAHaY8YZ2SI/AAAAAAAAC1Q/5Nb4cJRWGjM/s1600/Slide2.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ho_-_mrLgs4/VAHaY8YZ2SI/AAAAAAAAC1Q/5Nb4cJRWGjM/s640/Slide2.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here's a closer shot of our calendar. I got the idea to display a desk calendar from my team mate Stephanie Rye of <a href="http://www.foreverinfifthgrade.blogspot.com/">Forever in Fifth Grade.</a> I stayed up way too late Thursday night making the month header, all because Nikki from <a href="http://www.melonheadzillustrating.blogspot.com/">Melonheadz Illustrating</a> posted these adorable monthly kidlettes and I just had to find a way to use them. Darn her! LOL. Anyway, you can find these monthly headers in my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Calendar-Set-Bright-Chevron-Decor-1625546">bright chevron calendar set</a> on TPT.<br />
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Well that's it! I hope you enjoyed the tour! I know I learn so much from touring all of my colleagues rooms throughout the year and I love looking at all of your classroom reveals too. Back to school is truly my favorite and the most inspiring time of the year!!<br />
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Enjoy!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ywYs2fKONsI/UiIK14BeKzI/AAAAAAAABuE/JwqOZdrOKgw/s1600/Signature.png" style="clear: left; display: inline; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y6XDZIaQNqg/VAHdfcrC8DI/AAAAAAAAC3o/Vb53IjpGlF8/s1600/Slide10.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y6XDZIaQNqg/VAHdfcrC8DI/AAAAAAAAC3o/Vb53IjpGlF8/s640/Slide10.PNG" width="480" /></a></div><div>
<br /><br /></div><div>h the view from our hallway. This is our classroom window display. It's not my favorite display I've ever created, but I was tired and running out of ideas. So I plugged all of my students names into <a href="http://www.wordle.net/">Wordle </a>to create the poster in the middle and found these <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Quotes-that-Lift-and-Inspire-Subway-Art-1363210">FREE</a> black and white inspirational quotes on TPT and voila. The hanging puffs were $1.50 at the Dollar Store! </div>
Melissa O'Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06341206961178308887noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5497639452670204398.post-31566152303290492982022-10-10T07:56:00.000-04:002022-10-10T08:47:10.589-04:00A Simple Way to Get All Your Students Writing Complete Paragraphs<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FzZXizyDhVs/YCA3JOw43PI/AAAAAAAAjaY/enqc2LlplmUBA1XRxUZ58ITCB1T11g8tACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/paragraph%2Bwriting.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="teach your students to write a complete paragraph" border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FzZXizyDhVs/YCA3JOw43PI/AAAAAAAAjaY/enqc2LlplmUBA1XRxUZ58ITCB1T11g8tACLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/paragraph%2Bwriting.png" title="paragraph writing 101 for upper elementary and middle school students" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h3><span style="font-family: verdana;">What is a paragraph?</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: verdana;">Raise your hand if your students struggle with writing proper paragraphs? </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Me!! Me!!</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VP1Ooj467Xw/WsI3KHTPFMI/AAAAAAAAIE0/AiuLSDnFR20Az3JfdWXBDqGPR06AfHidwCLcBGAs/s1600/hands%2Bup.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VP1Ooj467Xw/WsI3KHTPFMI/AAAAAAAAIE0/AiuLSDnFR20Az3JfdWXBDqGPR06AfHidwCLcBGAs/s320/hands%2Bup.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: verdana;">If your students are like mine, they write entire essays all in one paragraph or they don't understand the components of a paragraph so they break up their writing wherever they want.</span></div>
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Sound familiar?</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif">I'm constantly telling my students, "break up your writing into paragraphs," but it just doesn't happen. Why not?? Because I finally realized my students don't even know what a proper paragraph is. Ahhhhhh!!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana;">Once this realization hit me, I decided that next week our writing workshop focus will be all about writing complete paragraphs - understanding the components of a paragraph, and remembering to indent new paragraphs. We've got to check off proper paragraphing skills before middle school. Right??</span></div>
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<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif">To hit this skill I created <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Paragraph-Writing-Freebie-367072" target="_blank">Paragraph Writing 101</a>. This lesson can also be found in my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Opinion-Writing-Unit-3738214" target="_blank">Opinion Writing 101 Unit </a>- but I pulled it out to work on next week, and to give to you as a free sample from my new Writing 101 Series. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Paragraph-Writing-Freebie-367072" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1152" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-InA3Dv1DxUU/WsJyqxYefRI/AAAAAAAAIFE/RxsPh53BfacDDK6pef15GqaNH0qSv1avwCLcBGAs/s640/Slide1.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Paragraph-Writing-Freebie-367072" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1152" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lu1iXC37mPo/WsKMsFnciuI/AAAAAAAAIFQ/IP87LqS5V78QC4MbohnQeBGP0G8bj-ohgCLcBGAs/s640/Slide2.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">This FREE Paragraph Writing Lesson Sample from my Writing 101 Series will help you teach your students HOW to write a proper paragraph. Let me do the lesson planning to make your life EASIER! </span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" /><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Paragraph-Writing-Freebie-367072" target="_blank">Paragraph Writing 101</a> will teach your students the T.E.E.E.C. paragraph formula to ensure your writers never forget a topic sentence, example sentences <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">and a closing sentence again!!</span></span><br />
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<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Included in this Paragraph Writing FREE lesson is the following:</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">â–º A Lesson Plan</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">â–º A Word Wall Card</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">â–º A Learning Target Slide</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">â–º Two Practice Slides</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">â–º Two Student Book Practice Pages</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; font-style: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />After teaching this lesson, your students will have a better understanding of how to write a proper paragraph! No more one paragraph essays!!!</span><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><b></b><br />
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<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif">I hope you find this resource as helpful as I do.</span><br />
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</span><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Enjoy and happy paragraphing!!!!</span></span><br />Melissa O'Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06341206961178308887noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5497639452670204398.post-56167895590173024362022-10-10T07:55:00.001-04:002022-10-10T08:47:13.037-04:00Get to Know Your Readers With Reading Response Letters - and Do Away with Pesky Reading Logs Forever<div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: both; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ye7W3wdo42M/YCA4cohNkmI/AAAAAAAAjag/PIydMl6TN3UnOPvJMS-CFEhO4JfkX8PvgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/reading%2Bresponse%2Bletters.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="reading response letters in the upper elementary and middle school classroom" border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ye7W3wdo42M/YCA4cohNkmI/AAAAAAAAjag/PIydMl6TN3UnOPvJMS-CFEhO4JfkX8PvgCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/reading%2Bresponse%2Bletters.png" title="how to use reading response letters with your students" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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Who Needs to Use Reading Response Letters in the Classroom? </span></h2><span style="font-family: verdana;">
You do! They are the perfect supplement to your daily conferring during Reading Workshop time! </span><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Reading-Response-Letter-Procedures-and-Expectations-353484?aref=hrzk92hg" target="_blank">Reading Response Letters</a> guarantee you hear from each reader, each week! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">They also replace those pesky reading logs (you know the ones that everyone lies on anyway - sorry/not sorry).<br />
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Reading Response Letters:</span></h3>
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<li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Allow your students time to reflect on their reading and to think deeply about the text </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Give you the opportunity to respond and guide/push your reader's thinking about text</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Offer authentic situations to write/talk about text with an adult and peers</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Are a safe place to ask questions about text, practice and write about reading comprehension strategies, and give and offer book recommendations</span></li>
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<h3><span style="font-family: verdana;">
So What are You Waiting For?</span></h3>
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Grab my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Reading-Response-Letter-Procedures-and-Expectations-353484?aref=hrzk92hg" target="_blank">freebie</a> to see if you can make <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Reading-Response-Letter-Procedures-and-Expectations-353484?aref=hrzk92hg" target="_blank">Reading Response Letters</a> work in your classroom this year! This freebie outlines the procedures and expectations needed for success.</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Reading-Response-Letter-Procedures-and-Expectations-353484?aref=hrzk92hg" target="_blank"><img alt="Reading Response Letters are the best way to see what your students are reading." border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f0f6dPNKV6k/W2Mibnti6bI/AAAAAAAAJd0/GHrhv6zRKCQQvVsWFppmZ3wQJ0bPfMiIwCLcBGAs/s640/Slide4.PNG" title="Use Reading Response Letters to talk to your readers each week" width="480" /></a></div>
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Learn from My Mistakes</span></h3><span style="font-family: verdana;">
I've experimented with <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Reading-Response-Letter-Procedures-and-Expectations-353484?aref=hrzk92hg" target="_blank">Reading Response Letters</a> ever since Fountas and Pinnell published their first <a href="https://amzn.to/2O7ch3f" target="_blank">Guided Reading</a> book. It took me several years to fine tune a set of <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Reading-Response-Letter-Procedures-and-Expectations-353484?aref=hrzk92hg" target="_blank">Reading Response Letter </a>procedures/expectations.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Guiding-Readers-Writers-Grades-Comprehension/dp/0325003106/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&qid=1533224509&sr=8-4&keywords=fountas+and+pinnell+guided+reading&dpID=41VAy60xAjL&preST=_SX218_BO1,204,203,200_QL40_&dpSrc=srch&linkCode=li3&tag=wilabofif-20&linkId=e48c2064df09af0a76aaf0e076a6f29a&language=en_US" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="Reading Response Letters in the Classroom" border="0" height="320" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0325003106&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=wilabofif-20&language=en_US" title="Guiding Readers and Writers by Fountas and Pinnell" width="242" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">** Affiliate Link **</td></tr>
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<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=wilabofif-20&language=en_US&l=li3&o=1&a=0325003106" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" />
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Stick With it and You Won't Regret the Outcome</span></h3>
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I must admit, I wanted to give up and give in many times. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Grading and responding to <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Reading-Response-Letter-Procedures-and-Expectations-353484?aref=hrzk92hg" target="_blank">Reading Response Letters</a> can get very overwhelming without an organized system. But don't fear, I'm sharing my tips and tricks with you so you you don't have to reinvent the wheel. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Click <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Reading-Response-Letter-Procedures-and-Expectations-353484?aref=hrzk92hg" target="_blank">HERE</a> to learn more about <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Reading-Response-Letter-Procedures-and-Expectations-353484?aref=hrzk92hg" target="_blank">Reading Response Letters</a> today!</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Reading-Response-Letter-Procedures-and-Expectations-353484?aref=hrzk92hg" target="_blank"><img alt="Use this sample to model reading response letters for your students." border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_pVSoUmWxJU/W2MiY-05MQI/AAAAAAAAJd4/N41UhsnXePIepOGVrlrZI-RHZ_jmTAvcwCEwYBhgL/s640/Slide9.PNG" title="Sample Reading Response Letter" width="480" /></a></div><div>
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</div>Melissa O'Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06341206961178308887noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5497639452670204398.post-40843921153164216302022-10-10T07:55:00.000-04:002022-10-10T08:47:14.853-04:00Find Read Aloud Books That Your Students Will Love<h1 style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IxvBqwLVwfA/X_C7DXmePZI/AAAAAAAAiLo/p6flCt5v_vsQufZEOIhMs4bzRjSc4VpnwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/read%2Baloud%2Bbooks.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Read Aloud Books for 4th, 5th, 6th grade students" border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IxvBqwLVwfA/X_C7DXmePZI/AAAAAAAAiLo/p6flCt5v_vsQufZEOIhMs4bzRjSc4VpnwCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/read%2Baloud%2Bbooks.png" title="Find Classroom Read Alouds that your students will love" /></a></div><br /></h1><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Fifth grade teacher friends, are you looking for the best 5th grade read aloud books </span></h3><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">If you're like me you probably enjoy switching up your read alouds once in awhile and trying something new. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">But finding that something new can be a lot of work. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">When I'm looking for my next read aloud I ask my coworkers for ideas, scour my favorite celebriteacher blogs, stalk the </span><a href="https://nerdybookclub.wordpress.com/" style="font-family: verdana;">Nerdy Book Club</a><span style="font-family: verdana;"> blog, and take recommendations from my fellow literacy fanatics on </span><a href="https://instagram.com/mobryanwildaboutfifth/" style="font-family: verdana;">Instagram</a><span style="font-family: verdana;">. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">All of these steps take </span><i style="font-family: verdana;">time</i><span style="font-family: verdana;"> and I'm spending this </span><i style="font-family: verdana;">time</i><span style="font-family: verdana;"> over and over again throughout the year. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Why is finding the perfect read aloud always so hard?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">
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Cue lightbulb -</span></h2>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u8CNpNi7E0Y/VbuBVDX77YI/AAAAAAAADmE/7vaXKxKDJzo/s1600/lightbulb.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u8CNpNi7E0Y/VbuBVDX77YI/AAAAAAAADmE/7vaXKxKDJzo/s320/lightbulb.png" width="173" /></a></div>
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and then it hit me.........</span></h2><span style="font-family: verdana;">
I realized that instead of repeating this process continuously, I needed to put all of these AMAZING recommendations into a list that I could refer to whenever needed. AND even better, that I could share with all my fifth grade teacher friends like you!!!<br />
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So, here it is friends!! <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Favorite-Fifth-Grade-Read-Aloud-Texts-1997455">The BEST fifth grade read alouds</a> - chosen by those who know best. You!!!</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1bYBI8gwfKM/WlpRNPX5SxI/AAAAAAAAH7U/GKwHG7P_0g0Bth1GTmQfPu0YjRC4w_JogCLcBGAs/s1600/Sq%2BCover.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1152" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1bYBI8gwfKM/WlpRNPX5SxI/AAAAAAAAH7U/GKwHG7P_0g0Bth1GTmQfPu0YjRC4w_JogCLcBGAs/s640/Sq%2BCover.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Favorite-Fifth-Grade-Read-Aloud-Texts-1997455"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zGapaextA3g/VbuB783nN6I/AAAAAAAADmM/wvQgQNVx-aw/s640/Slide2.PNG" width="480" /></a></div>
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All of these recommendations were gathered through your responses on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/WildAboutFifthGrade">Wild About Fifth Grade</a> and our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/fifthgradefreebies">Fifth Grade Freebies</a> Facebook pages. I threw in some of my own personal favorites as well. <br />
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To make your life even easier, because who has time to search for things?!?, here are links to the read alouds mentioned in the FREEBIE if you're interested.<br />
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Historical Fiction:</span></h2>
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1416905863/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1416905863&linkCode=as2&tag=wilabofif-20&linkId=5T6AQ6JLMG56T5MG"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1416905863&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=wilabofif-20" width="134" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=wilabofif-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1416905863" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/044022800X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=044022800X&linkCode=as2&tag=wilabofif-20&linkId=HIOMBOMXZDR7UOLS"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=044022800X&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=wilabofif-20" width="134" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=wilabofif-20&l=as2&o=1&a=044022800X" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0399252517/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0399252517&linkCode=as2&tag=wilabofif-20&linkId=2HONJ5JNX3AZA6ZR"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0399252517&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=wilabofif-20" width="132" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=wilabofif-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0399252517" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0547577095/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0547577095&linkCode=as2&tag=wilabofif-20&linkId=EAB3UACYMD2FAPEM"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0547577095&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=wilabofif-20" width="135" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=wilabofif-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0547577095" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0547577117/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0547577117&linkCode=as2&tag=wilabofif-20&linkId=DWWKXX2ZO5UZEXQH"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0547577117&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=wilabofif-20" width="134" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=wilabofif-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0547577117" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0439874025/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0439874025&linkCode=as2&tag=wilabofif-20&linkId=6NSXUVVWRLYMC2KO"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0439874025&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=wilabofif-20" width="138" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=wilabofif-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0439874025" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0553494104/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0553494104&linkCode=as2&tag=wilabofif-20&linkId=H24GQWMBHF37XQHO"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0553494104&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=wilabofif-20" width="122" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=wilabofif-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0553494104" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060935472/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0060935472&linkCode=as2&tag=wilabofif-20&linkId=O2LT3PTVFEOC2PKN"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0060935472&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=wilabofif-20" width="132" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=wilabofif-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0060935472" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0375858296/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0375858296&linkCode=as2&tag=wilabofif-20&linkId=2BEWA63PC7M5PQ55"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0375858296&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=wilabofif-20" width="136" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=wilabofif-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0375858296" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0440412676/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0440412676&linkCode=as2&tag=wilabofif-20&linkId=BGZA7MDOTGBGZZWM"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0440412676&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=wilabofif-20" width="136" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=wilabofif-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0440412676" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /><br /><br />
<h2><span style="font-family: verdana;">
Realistic Fiction: </span></h2>
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0375869026/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0375869026&linkCode=as2&tag=wilabofif-20&linkId=3BDTYSKBJKYAMCLA"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0375869026&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=wilabofif-20" width="132" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=wilabofif-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0375869026" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1416936475/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1416936475&linkCode=as2&tag=wilabofif-20&linkId=CYSEUEHLITQXYWMW"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1416936475&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=wilabofif-20" width="134" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=wilabofif-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1416936475" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0439286069/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0439286069&linkCode=as2&tag=wilabofif-20&linkId=5CVSOOQDT4TOSSU6"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0439286069&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=wilabofif-20" width="138" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=wilabofif-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0439286069" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1416971718/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1416971718&linkCode=as2&tag=wilabofif-20&linkId=V2HD72FJ43O54CRD"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1416971718&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=wilabofif-20" width="134" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=wilabofif-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1416971718" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009LUN2UU/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B009LUN2UU&linkCode=as2&tag=wilabofif-20&linkId=UCMAAHAOH6Z3J4S2"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B009LUN2UU&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=wilabofif-20" width="137" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=wilabofif-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B009LUN2UU" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0032Y1KCI/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0032Y1KCI&linkCode=as2&tag=wilabofif-20&linkId=2GD2MHEZHJLH6XYD"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B0032Y1KCI&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=wilabofif-20" width="134" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=wilabofif-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0032Y1KCI" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0316809063/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0316809063&linkCode=as2&tag=wilabofif-20&linkId=SWBNMV2UTPOEA365"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0316809063&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=wilabofif-20" width="135" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=wilabofif-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0316809063" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0142426520/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0142426520&linkCode=as2&tag=wilabofif-20&linkId=42BBR3PY5OCRH47H"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0142426520&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=wilabofif-20" width="131" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=wilabofif-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0142426520" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0399162593/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0399162593&linkCode=as2&tag=wilabofif-20&linkId=37H23FGCSFMABUWB"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0399162593&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=wilabofif-20" width="132" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=wilabofif-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0399162593" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312643004/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0312643004&linkCode=as2&tag=wilabofif-20&linkId=ZG343FAA3YBHLJEB"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0312643004&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=wilabofif-20" width="133" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=wilabofif-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0312643004" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> <br /><br />
<h2><span style="font-family: verdana;">
Mystery:</span></h2>
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0439903459/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0439903459&linkCode=as2&tag=wilabofif-20&linkId=Q3DHTVG5EV3U6LNE"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0439903459&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=wilabofif-20" width="137" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=wilabofif-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0439903459" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0439813786/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0439813786&linkCode=as2&tag=wilabofif-20&linkId=7XMLSIQCBS3YJQ4Y"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0439813786&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=wilabofif-20" width="140" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=wilabofif-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0439813786" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007CUELYC/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B007CUELYC&linkCode=as2&tag=wilabofif-20&linkId=KHKFOYCV26MBHBHQ"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B007CUELYC&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=wilabofif-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=wilabofif-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B007CUELYC" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1416949755/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1416949755&linkCode=as2&tag=wilabofif-20&linkId=JNRV7TGZS5WZI5VW"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1416949755&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=wilabofif-20" width="136" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=wilabofif-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1416949755" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/014240120X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=014240120X&linkCode=as2&tag=wilabofif-20&linkId=RLVGGPB2BDT7RIMV"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=014240120X&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=wilabofif-20" width="141" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=wilabofif-20&l=as2&o=1&a=014240120X" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0545027896/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0545027896&linkCode=as2&tag=wilabofif-20&linkId=H3T66EFQ3IWQCQHV"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0545027896&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=wilabofif-20" width="140" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=wilabofif-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0545027896" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0062110500/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0062110500&linkCode=as2&tag=wilabofif-20&linkId=CA4YUO3BBKM5Q7JT"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0062110500&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=wilabofif-20" width="132" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=wilabofif-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0062110500" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0375850864/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0375850864&linkCode=as2&tag=wilabofif-20&linkId=CDWBZIJNU2JL6CH3"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0375850864&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=wilabofif-20" width="134" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=wilabofif-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0375850864" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0152057803/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0152057803&linkCode=as2&tag=wilabofif-20&linkId=774PBAQC7MAD4UUP"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0152057803&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=wilabofif-20" width="131" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=wilabofif-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0152057803" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> <img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=wilabofif-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0440414806" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> <br />
<br />
<h2><span style="font-family: verdana;">
Fantasy/Science Fiction:</span></h2>
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0689824750/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0689824750&linkCode=as2&tag=wilabofif-20&linkId=GNWMJ5TNVOATC24H"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0689824750&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=wilabofif-20" width="134" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=wilabofif-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0689824750" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312369816/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0312369816&linkCode=as2&tag=wilabofif-20&linkId=XEHYEXHK7EBPYMAU"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0312369816&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=wilabofif-20" width="136" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=wilabofif-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0312369816" style="border: none; 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<h2><span style="font-family: verdana;">
Enjoy!</span></h2><span style="font-family: verdana;">
Happy Reading!!</span><br />
<br /></div>Melissa O'Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06341206961178308887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5497639452670204398.post-61914950666397258322022-10-10T07:54:00.001-04:002023-07-20T11:19:20.203-04:0025 First Day Read Alouds All Successful Teachers Should Know About <div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Eclt0z-dECA/YCAxVwn_6UI/AAAAAAAAjZ4/WYtTidO8NScO8WVhtxSNEzXZUeI90OZbACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/first%2Bday.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="first day of school read alouds" border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Eclt0z-dECA/YCAxVwn_6UI/AAAAAAAAjZ4/WYtTidO8NScO8WVhtxSNEzXZUeI90OZbACLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/first%2Bday.png" title="books to read to your students on the first day of school" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It's the first day of school and your brand new students are excited and nervous. </span></h3><span style="font-family: verdana;">
They were probably up all night worrying about - Will I like this new classroom? Will I learn a lot? Is the new teacher nice? Will I make any friends? Or maybe even - Will everybody accept me and be nice to me? Will I enjoy coming here each day? Will I feel important and motivated to learn? <br />
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</span><h2><span style="font-family: verdana;">
Just imagine.....</span></h2><span style="font-family: verdana;">
Maybe Sarah was bullied last year and is hoping this year will be different. </span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Maybe Eli hated reading and hopes his new teacher will let him choose his own books. </span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Or maybe Trenton is a transfer student and looks different from the others. <br />
<br />
Whatever the worry is, it's your job (and mine) on the first day of school to ease that anxiety and to show your brand new students that this is going to be the #BestYearEver. <br />
<br />
But knowing exactly how to do that is tough.</span><br />
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<h2><span style="font-family: verdana;">
That's where picture books come in. </span></h2><span style="font-family: verdana;">
Yes, even big kids still love and need to hear the crucial messages that picture books deliver. <br />
<br />
Where can you find these books that share messages of love, respect, diversity, perseverance, growth mindset and more? Those perfect books that will show your brand new students that this year will be different? This year will be better!</span><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cnpehhnpTIY/WZZNG56dnwI/AAAAAAAAHzY/tjN_flJUmGg3nHiRVjg_Og-rqRHqq7pmACLcBGAs/s1600/unnamed%2B%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="thank you mr. falker" border="0" data-original-height="861" data-original-width="1023" height="336" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cnpehhnpTIY/WZZNG56dnwI/AAAAAAAAHzY/tjN_flJUmGg3nHiRVjg_Og-rqRHqq7pmACLcBGAs/s400/unnamed%2B%25281%2529.jpg" title="favorite books to read on the first day of school" width="400" /></a></div>
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<h2><span style="font-family: verdana;">
Right here that's where! </span></h2><span style="font-family: verdana;">
How did I find these amazing picture books that NEED to be read on the first day of school?<br />
<br />
I asked over 500 veteran teachers on my Instagram account for their recommendations and I'm going to share their responses with you. Right now!<br />
<br />
(Click <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mobryanwildaboutfifth/" target="_blank">HERE</a> if you're not already following me on IG.)<br />
<br />
Actually, I'm going to do more than just share their responses, I'm linking up the covers of 25 books they recommended (in order of popularity, first to last) so that all you have to do is click on the ones that look perfect for your classroom. Each link will take you directly to Amazon. (This post contains affiliate links.)<br />
<br />
I know how busy you are planning for that perfect first day, I want to make finding your read alouds as simple as possible. <br />
<br />
And now I'm off to add several of these gems to my cart as well. Oh Amazon, you get me every time!<br />
<br />
Here's to the #BestYearEver!</span><br />
<br />
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Thanks for reading. If you have a favorite first day read aloud that didn't make this list please share it in the comments below. </span></div>
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This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission (that I spend on buying more books for my students) if you make a purchase using these links.</span></div></div></div>Melissa O'Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06341206961178308887noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5497639452670204398.post-10950622218413445522022-10-10T07:54:00.000-04:002023-07-20T11:19:28.833-04:00How to Decorate your Classroom with Cute AND Functional Decor that Your Students Will Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QELq0zHei78/YCA0VzzKmiI/AAAAAAAAjaE/bjPcXGm9DTkQBO0jH0iXDPMKyD7uRzHxgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/functional%2Bdecor.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="decorate your classroom fifth grade" border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QELq0zHei78/YCA0VzzKmiI/AAAAAAAAjaE/bjPcXGm9DTkQBO0jH0iXDPMKyD7uRzHxgCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/functional%2Bdecor.png" title="5th grade classroom reveal decorations" /></a></div><br /></div><h2 style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; text-align: left;">Too Much Décor is Distracting</span></h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Are your walls and shelves plastered with cute items that look great but hardly get looked at? It's a proven fact that over decorating can clutter up your classroom and overstimulate your students.</span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">
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Sometimes, your best intentions to make your classroom Pinterest worthy, can actually backfire and end up distracting your students from learning.<br />
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Research shows that too many posters and decorations hanging in classrooms can compete with a student's attention and ability to focus.<br />
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See what I mean!<br /></span>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qKOKx0nlAQw/WfXSZc0-wHI/AAAAAAAAH18/kaiLyMg74dwcdy4q_WUvMinUQ-J7_BmIACLcBGAs/s1600/messy%2Bclassroom.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1194" data-original-width="1592" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qKOKx0nlAQw/WfXSZc0-wHI/AAAAAAAAH18/kaiLyMg74dwcdy4q_WUvMinUQ-J7_BmIACLcBGAs/s640/messy%2Bclassroom.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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What Should Stay and What Can Go?</span></h2>
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Honest reflection time. While your décor may have been cute in September, is it working now or is it all over the place? You spend so much time and money decorating your classroom, deciding what should stay and what should go can be heart wrenching. I get it! </span></div>
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Here's a simple question I ask myself.</span></div>
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Is it simply cute (for décor purposes only) or does it have a purpose?</span></h2>
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If you have a smaller sized classroom like I do, clutter can build up quickly. Asking this question will help determine what is worthy of display (useful, functional items) and what we can let go (the cute stuff that doesn't serve an educational purpose).</span></div>
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For example, I have a small window area where I used to display fun teacher quotes, apple figurines and other trinkets and gifts given to me by students. The area became quite cluttered over the years and it wasn't helpful to the students at all, so it became wasted space.<br />
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This year, I made the decision to display something functional - our hallway behavior incentive poster and sticks. The poster matches our classroom color scheme, it's cute, but it also serves a purpose.<br />
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The students and I now use this area every single day. It's right next to where we line up so it's convenient on our way out the door for me to grab a few mystery sticks to watch and reward for acceptable hallway choices.<br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Classroom-Posters-in-Bright-Colors-Black-White-or-Shiplap-3346434" target="_blank"><img alt="Mystery Walker Hallway Management Poster" border="0" data-original-height="1225" data-original-width="1177" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HPIJ3uoTPIE/WfXhq6atK3I/AAAAAAAAH3I/Y8cIkvK-wQgN6x1f8sdQHdtHqUXpvGrdwCLcBGAs/s640/mystery%2Bwalker.jpg" title="Mystery Walker Poster" width="614" /></a></div>
<br /><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">If you like any of the posters referred to in this blog post, they are a part of my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Classroom-Posters-in-Bright-Colors-Black-White-or-Shiplap-3346434" target="_blank">Classroom Poster </a>resource and are available in three different styles. Click on each image to be directed to its location in my store. All of your classroom poster needs can be met with this functional set of 65 posters with a purpose.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div>
<span style="font-family: verdana;">Another functional décor item can be your classroom supplies. In the same window area as above, but on the bottom shelf, I simply display our sharp and dull pencil cans. Again, cute and they fit in with our color scheme, but useful to both the students and myself.<br />
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Here they are below before I gave them a quick makeover.</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Classroom-Posters-in-Bright-Colors-Black-White-or-Shiplap-3346434" target="_blank"><img alt="Classroom Posters for Dull and Sharp Pencil Cans" border="0" data-original-height="923" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AfYf9tH2VyA/WfXhr1SVJzI/AAAAAAAAH3M/y0J9hVTddVYsfSXaKjyWURx9HlLotLw9ACLcBGAs/s640/pencil%2Bcans.jpg" title="Dull and Sharp Pencil Can Labels" width="498" /></a></div>
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The outside of this window space is also prime real estate for functional décor. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Instead of hanging random posters without a purpose, I created these <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Motivational-Classroom-Posters-4765656" target="_blank">motivational posters</a> to bring focus to our school wide growth mindset initiative. Again, two birds with one stone baby!</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Motivational-Classroom-Posters-4765656" target="_blank"><img alt="Growth Mindset Posters for Classroom Display Editable" border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f2YtjHwH_Do/WfXhp-vTY3I/AAAAAAAAH2w/t3sGc2wqVJcoLmmczUyJdSaqhnsPIn2IgCLcBGAs/s640/hallway%2Bmotivational%2Bposter%2Bdisplay.jpg" title="Motivational Classroom Posters" width="640" /></a></div>
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Classroom Rules</span></h2>
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When students break a rule in our classroom, I simply walk over to them and quietly say, "You've earned a warning for breaking rule #2," record it on my clipboard, and then continue on with the lesson. I need these rules displayed prominently in the classroom where the students and I can refer to them daily. These are the backbone of my classroom management plan. For us, these posters are functional!</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Classroom-Posters-in-Bright-Colors-Black-White-or-Shiplap-3346434" target="_blank"><img alt="Whole Brain Teaching classroom rules posters" border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1062" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zmJEQQ48Vgw/WfXhofdyJxI/AAAAAAAAH2o/gKo_SIiM3VIvgcx6nxpXgj1tgR2Hp10UgCLcBGAs/s640/classroom%2Brules%2Bposters.jpg" title="classroom rules posters" width="530" /></a></div>
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Daily Schedule</span></h2><span style="font-family: verdana;">
The second item we refer to every day is our <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Schedule-Cards-Editable-3280234" target="_blank">classroom schedule</a>. Using up prime wall area to house our daily subjects isn't wasted space. I go through the schedule each morning and students refer to it periodically and enjoy knowing what to expect throughout the day! Again - functional!<br /></span>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Schedule-Cards-Editable-3280234" target="_blank"><img alt="Classroom Daily Schedule Cards Editable" border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a3mB7QV0WKk/WfXho6tDQeI/AAAAAAAAH2s/8VI6xaOXpUg27ncNNCdL0F63iqf5el7ZwCLcBGAs/s640/daily%2Bschedule%2Bcards.jpg" title="Daily Schedule Cards" width="640" /></a></div>
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Academic Vocabulary</span></h2>
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Additionally, we focus heavily on ELA and Math academic vocabulary in our district so posting these domain specific terms as we learn them is space well used. Students refer to these constantly as they write and reflect about their learning. </span></div>
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When I previously hung up posters I purchased from local teacher stores on this bulletin board, no one ever read them at all! :( </span></div>
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These word wall cards are so important in our classroom that I created them for ELA and Math, grades 3rd through 6th in eight different styles (polka dot, bright colors, chevron, black & white, patriotic, shiplap, cactus, and plain! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Click <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Melissa-Obryan-Wild-About-Fifth/Category/ELA-Word-Wall-Sets-68917" target="_blank">HERE</a> to to view the ELA sets and <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Melissa-Obryan-Wild-About-Fifth/Category/Math-Word-Wall-Sets-68918" target="_blank">HERE</a> to view the math sets. </span></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Melissa-Obryan-Wild-About-Fifth/Category/ELA-Word-Wall-Sets-68917" target="_blank"><img alt="Academic Vocabulary word wall cards" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uoTF1NxlMU0/WfXhpW0fLuI/AAAAAAAAH20/PoNdCEZK2L80-vJM81XjTff1Joe_kSeLACLcBGAs/s640/ela%2Bvocab.jpg" title="Writing word wall cards" width="640" /></a></div>
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Book Challenge</span></h2><span style="font-family: verdana;">
Your classroom door is another place where you can hang functional décor to avoid over cluttering your walls and bulletin boards. <br />
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We love to talk about the books we're reading in our classroom and I challenge my students every year to read more books than they read the previous year. I also participate in the challenge so it makes complete sense to hang my book challenge sign and color copies of the book covers I've read for everyone to see.<br />
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I can't tell you how many hallway conversations about books have been sparked by this simple and functional doorway display!<br />
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Download a free book challenge poster <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Book-Challenge-Editable-Poster-901784" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SllaRzu1Bss/WfYd_7vT2OI/AAAAAAAAH4A/GZuDCZKQWhcwYQWTUd4OkT5AydagY265ACLcBGAs/s1600/book%2Bchallenge%2Bposter.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Teacher Book Challenge Display Poster" border="0" data-original-height="1046" data-original-width="1205" height="554" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SllaRzu1Bss/WfYd_7vT2OI/AAAAAAAAH4A/GZuDCZKQWhcwYQWTUd4OkT5AydagY265ACLcBGAs/s640/book%2Bchallenge%2Bposter.jpg" title="Book Challenge Poster" width="640" /></a></div>
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Classroom Management</span></h2><span style="font-family: verdana;">
Further, classroom management needs can be met with functional décor. Here's an example of how I motivate teams to follow directions quickly and quietly. When each team reaches 20 points we take an extra recess. I'm using up board space for this décor, but they're not just cute posters, they have a purpose that we utilize every day!</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Classroom-Posters-in-Bright-Colors-Black-White-or-Shiplap-3346434" target="_blank"><img alt="Classroom Management Team Point Posters" border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ULPSszm0NCs/WfXhsvscSBI/AAAAAAAAH3g/mQHAlWqKszYDDFfwI2McS4c1uALvvcMsACLcBGAs/s640/team%2Bpoints%2Bposters.jpg" title="Team Point posters" width="640" /></a></div>
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This display below is also integral to our classroom management plan. It helps us manage our flexible seating options and classroom jobs and again is utilized daily.<br />
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Both of these displays are FREE in my TPT store:<br />
<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Read-Around-the-Room-Editable-Flexible-Seating-Display-2004501" target="_blank">Read Around the Room Flexible Seating Set</a><br />
<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Classroom-Jobs-Free-Bulletin-Board-Set-2010236" target="_blank">Classroom Jobs Chart</a></span><br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Classroom-Jobs-Free-Bulletin-Board-Set-2010236" target="_blank"><img alt="classroom jobs chart FREE" border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KUMNDPL0fTo/WfYgLn4SszI/AAAAAAAAH4M/ZnSg_5QL3x0GQ7-oTPsFGQqYL44ssB4MwCLcBGAs/s640/read%2Baround%2Broom%2Bjobs.jpg" title="Read around the room flexible seating set FREE" width="640" /></a></div>
<h2><span style="font-family: verdana;">Anchor Charts </span></h2><span style="font-family: verdana;">
When it comes to bulletin boards, anchor charts are way more powerful than pre-made posters. Simply cover your boards with a plain color fabric, a few cute borders that match your color scheme, a subject banner and that's it. </span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Don't over do it with a million décor pieces. Just hang your anchor charts. Students need to see these anyway and it keeps them easily accessible for review.<br /></span>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QLLFYJStbg4/WfXhqYBXL8I/AAAAAAAAH3A/0ScJGFHtz0M5oRBmcrXErwrqXh6ytxViQCLcBGAs/s1600/math%2Bbulletin%2Bboard.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Multiplication Strategies Anchor Chart" border="0" data-original-height="927" data-original-width="927" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QLLFYJStbg4/WfXhqYBXL8I/AAAAAAAAH3A/0ScJGFHtz0M5oRBmcrXErwrqXh6ytxViQCLcBGAs/s640/math%2Bbulletin%2Bboard.jpg" title="Bridges Math Multiplication Strategies" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--KIsnqJe-N4/WfXhsYZZfLI/AAAAAAAAH3Y/z-E-Oz3K1qcHuksEwvz55YgzPLHUQvf5ACLcBGAs/s1600/reading%2Bbulletin%2Bboard%2Bjuice%2Bbox%2Bbully.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Building Classroom Community Anchor Chart" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--KIsnqJe-N4/WfXhsYZZfLI/AAAAAAAAH3Y/z-E-Oz3K1qcHuksEwvz55YgzPLHUQvf5ACLcBGAs/s640/reading%2Bbulletin%2Bboard%2Bjuice%2Bbox%2Bbully.jpg" title="Juice Box Bully Classroom Promises" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5xYkOckNXUE/WfXhrVZNnII/AAAAAAAAH3Q/isIFz_O3U2IAsI1mPfN2FGmPztTSxSAAQCLcBGAs/s1600/partners%2Banchor%2Bchart%2Bexpectations.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Partner Talk Accountability Anchor Chart" border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5xYkOckNXUE/WfXhrVZNnII/AAAAAAAAH3Q/isIFz_O3U2IAsI1mPfN2FGmPztTSxSAAQCLcBGAs/s640/partners%2Banchor%2Bchart%2Bexpectations.jpg" title="Turn and Talk Expectations" width="640" /></a></div>
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<h2><span style="font-family: verdana;">
Books</span></h2><span style="font-family: verdana;">
You'll also notice that on top of the bookshelves in our classroom, instead of showcasing knick-knacks or other cute items that can lead to clutter, we just display books that students recommend. (And a simple lamp for some mood lighting is functional as well).<br />
<br />
You can also think of your classroom library as part of your classroom décor. Display your books in a way that is functional for your students. Label baskets for easy browsing by author, series, topic, etc. Arrange some books spine out so students are also able to use a library Dewey Decimal System successfully.</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Classroom-Library-Labels-Editable-840565" target="_blank"><img alt="book bin library basket labels" border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6khJ_RgCufM/WfXhnWKDL7I/AAAAAAAAH2Q/bBbd6R4BKkcdvxkNBJSR-bE3CYCIeQXoQCLcBGAs/s640/book%2Bbin%2Blabel.jpg" title="library labels for book bins" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Classroom-Library-Labels-Editable-840565" target="_blank"><img alt="Classroom book bin library labels" border="0" data-original-height="1093" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iya8o4v7tvs/WfYdn1FCGhI/AAAAAAAAH38/zaydJ6-xvAYs_yZewrv72re4fpYI-WWyQCLcBGAs/s640/book%2Bbin%2Blabels.jpg" title="basket labels for library bins" width="420" /></a></div>
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For information on the book labels I use read this blog post <a href="http://wildaboutfifthgrade.blogspot.com/2016/01/show-and-tell-tuesday-library-labels.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Classroom-Library-Labels-Editable-840565" target="_blank"><img alt="library labels for classroom book baskets" border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xnL33NmgnU4/WfXhnT3GiKI/AAAAAAAAH2Y/AqCcx8ItIFMyius9nhbtVVMmWkjLyOFvwCLcBGAs/s640/book%2Bbin%2Blabels%2Bcloseup.jpg" title="how to adhere library labels to book baskets" width="640" /></a></div>
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<h2><span style="font-family: verdana;">
Labels</span></h2><span style="font-family: verdana;">
Labeling important areas of the classroom is also a good use of décor. My students always mix up the garbage and recycling bins. I created these cute, color schemed, labels to serve as functional décor and they're much better about getting empty milk cartons in the right place now.<br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Classroom-Posters-in-Bright-Colors-Black-White-or-Shiplap-3346434" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1037" data-original-width="1224" height="542" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-84-Crk55Eco/WfXhsSgObCI/AAAAAAAAH3c/CBthND4nA-0fgu08geyb3hCojHbTnlzzQCLcBGAs/s640/recycle%2Bgarbage%2Bposters.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<h2><span style="font-family: verdana;">
Knick-Knacks</span></h2><span style="font-family: verdana;">
If you can't resist the Target Dollar Spot and you just have to purchase some cute knick-knack type items for your classroom (I'm guilty as well), just remember -simple and functional.<br />
<br />
I picked up these book ends for our classroom library and these word plaques to display on my desk. The minute our library or my desk becomes over cluttered though, they will be the first things to go. Pretty shouldn't be the priority.</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dWZFA86hzU0/WfXhqf8WT3I/AAAAAAAAH24/riKAuvt9RFA_37CCi8Y5cbUG3fu7jpZUgCLcBGAs/s1600/inspire%2Blearn.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dWZFA86hzU0/WfXhqf8WT3I/AAAAAAAAH24/riKAuvt9RFA_37CCi8Y5cbUG3fu7jpZUgCLcBGAs/s640/inspire%2Blearn.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This saying is our classroom motto so I display it on our back counter as a reminder but again, if something needs to go - this would be an obvious item.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3T6HoYpe1V0/WfXhsxHiL6I/AAAAAAAAH3k/NzU-quXSEHU1yaR2UCWKqrLeE3GQXKlMgCLcBGAs/s1600/work%2Bhard%2Bbe%2Bkind%2Bplaque.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3T6HoYpe1V0/WfXhsxHiL6I/AAAAAAAAH3k/NzU-quXSEHU1yaR2UCWKqrLeE3GQXKlMgCLcBGAs/s640/work%2Bhard%2Bbe%2Bkind%2Bplaque.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<h2><span style="font-family: verdana;">
Decluttering Feels Good</span></h2>
</div><span style="font-family: verdana;">
Give it a try! Even if you just eliminate a few items a week that are taking up space but serve little purpose, your classroom will be clutter free in no time!<br />
<br />
Plus, in a clutter free classroom where everything has a purpose, students are able to focus better and aren't over stimulated.</span></div><div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Happy organizing!</span></h3></div>Melissa O'Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06341206961178308887noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5497639452670204398.post-90545449676094770122020-07-02T09:00:00.005-04:002022-07-22T19:14:23.352-04:00Books You Need To Share on Columbus, Independence, 9/11, Memorial and Veterans Days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>
<h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7ZoanwcXS-A/YCBBbQsKnvI/AAAAAAAAjbc/1kWQzOvi53o-uhFHYG5yl4hvtGWmyV-sgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/books%2Babout%2Bamerica.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="books to celebrate independence day, veterans day, 911, memorial day" border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7ZoanwcXS-A/YCBBbQsKnvI/AAAAAAAAjbc/1kWQzOvi53o-uhFHYG5yl4hvtGWmyV-sgCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/books%2Babout%2Bamerica.png" title="books about america for classroom libraries" /></a></div></h2><h2>Books to Share with your Students on Columbus Day, Independence Day, 9/11,
Memorial Day and Veterans Day</h2><span style="font-family: verdana;">
Our country doesn't have the kindest past. Celebrating America can be hard
because of the way our founders treated those who were different from themselves
and the ways we've continued to allow racism and fear to dominate our story.<br />
<br />
We need to teach our students about this past so they know the truth, but we
also need to celebrate the present beautiful diversity of a country filled with
different cultures and traditions.<br />
<br />
If you're like me, you sometimes wait until the last minute to find a holiday
themed read aloud to share with your students, and then realize you don't have
time to locate or order that perfect book. I've been there.<br />
<br />
To solve this problem for our future selves, I've put together a list of my
favorite books to read aloud on all of the American themed holidays -
Independence Day, Columbus Day, 9/11, Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Check out
the list below and pin it for future reference.</span><br />
<br />
<h2>
Columbus Day
</h2>
<div>
<img alt="Picture book to share with your students on Columbus Day" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51tIamWwM2L._SX407_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" title="Encounter by Jane Yolen" />
</div>
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<div>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://amzn.to/2VsEEyR" target="_blank">Encounter by Jane Yolen</a>
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
</span></div>
<div><span style="font-family: verdana;">
Our students need to know the true story of how America was discovered by the
Europeans and how those explorers treated the native people who lived here
first. I love sharing this book on Columbus Day with my students so they
understand the truth about our country's founders.
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
This is a story of how a young Taino boy tried to warn his people against
welcoming the European strangers onto their land. This encounter led to the
destruction of the Taino people and their culture by the colonizers.</span><br />
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</div>
<div>
<h2>
Independence Day or During the Study of American History
</h2>
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<br />
</div>
<div>
<img alt="Book to share with your students on Independence Day" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51gUxYOZuaL._SY422_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" title="What does it mean to be American? by Rano DiOrio & Elad Yoran" />
</div>
<div>
<br />
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://amzn.to/31qRWjc" target="_blank">What Does it Mean to Be American? By Rano DiOrio & Elad Yoran</a>
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
</span></div>
<div><span style="font-family: verdana;">
I enjoy sharing this important book with my students because it doesn't just
focus on one perspective of being American. It enforces the idea that
everyone in America deserves to be treated equally and with fairness and
kindness. <br />
<br />
This book celebrates that Americans have the freedom to choose "who they
love, what they believe, what they do and where they live."
</span></div>
<div>
<br />
<br />
<img alt="Book to share with your students about American Flag and diversity" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/5109USL+m7L._SY498_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" title="Blue Sky White Stars by Sarvinder Naberhaus" /><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://amzn.to/2Zd9dtC" target="_blank">Blue Sky White Stars by Sarvinder Naberhaus</a><br />
<br />
A must in every classroom, this book is simply beautiful. My students
love the gorgeous illustrations and it brings tears to our eyes every time I
share it.<br />
<br />
Blue Sky White Stars is an inspiring and patriotic tribute to the beauty of
the American flag, a symbol of America’s history, landscape, and people.<br />
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
</span><div>
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</div>
<div>
<img alt="book to share with your students about african american history" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51lggZ60CCL._SY477_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" title="The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander" />
</div>
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<br />
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<div>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3dMSS48" target="_blank">The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander</a>
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
I'm a super-fan of anything written by Kwame Alexander, and so are my
students. This story educates about the history of black life in
America.<br />
<br />
It highlights the unspeakable trauma of slavery, the faith and fire of
the civil rights movement, and the grit, passion, and perseverance of
some of our country's greatest heroes.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<img alt="book to share with your students on american history or women's history month" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/514UaQaMxHL._SX350_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" title="50 fearless women who made american history by jenifer bazzit" /><br />
<a href="https://amzn.to/2Abw7ZP" target="_blank"><br /></a>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://amzn.to/2Abw7ZP" target="_blank">50 Fearless Women Who Made American History by Jenifer Bazzit</a><br />
<br />
Short engaging biographies are a great way to teach about America's
past. Women have always been at the forefront of American history.
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
</span></div>
<div><span style="font-family: verdana;">
This look into American history for kids is bursting with engaging
biographies that explore the lives of these inspiring women from
different backgrounds and a wide array of fields.
</span></div>
<div>
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</div>
<div>
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</div>
<div>
<img alt="book to share with your students about the story of african americans" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51DEMwbAo6L._SY495_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" title="heart and soul by kadir nelson" />
</div>
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<div>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3dI6jly" target="_blank">Heart and Soul by Kadir Nelson</a>
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
</span></div>
<div><span style="font-family: verdana;">
Kadir Nelson is becoming a favorite author/illustrator of mine. This is
the story of the men, women, and children who toiled in the hot sun
picking cotton for their masters; it's about the America ripped in two
by Jim Crow laws; it's about the brothers and sisters of all colors who
rallied against those who would dare bar a child from an
education.
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
</span></div>
<div><span style="font-family: verdana;">
This is a beautifully illustrated history of America's story of
discrimination and broken promises, determination, and triumphs.
</span></div>
<div>
<br />
</div>
<h2>
To Remember September 11th
</h2>
<div>
<img alt="book to share with your students on september 11th, 9/11" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51nQu+dHaTL._SX398_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" title="the man in the red bandanna by honor crowther fagan" />
</div>
<div>
<br />
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://amzn.to/31oa4du" target="_blank">The Man in The Red Bandana by Honor Crowther Fagan</a>
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
</span></div>
<div><span style="font-family: verdana;">
I'm always searching for books about 9/11 to educate my students
about what happened but also to teach them about the heroism of America
on that terrible day. This one does both.<br />
<br />
It's an engaging but heartbreaking story of a hero who saved many lives
but didn't survive himself. It really makes you think about how terrible
the attacks were and how many lives were lost.
</span></div>
<div>
<br />
</div>
<div>
<h2>
Memorial and Veterans Day
</h2>
<div>
<img alt="book to share with your students on veterans or memorial day" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51FuTDtR7XL._SY445_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" title="the poppy lady by barbara elizabeth walsh" />
</div>
<div>
<br />
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://amzn.to/2ND7Sqo" target="_blank">The Poppy Lady by Barbara Elizabeth Walsh</a>
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;">This biography tells the story of Moina Belle Michael who
established the Poppy as a universal symbol of tribute and support
for veterans and their families during World War I and
II. </span>
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: verdana; font-size: 14px;">Known as the Poppy Lady, Michael dedicated her life to servicemen
and women, buying and placing fresh flowers in rooms where they
would gather before heading overseas.</span>
</div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div>
<img alt="book to share with your students on memorial or veterans day" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51-A3LQ3VXL._SX407_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" title="America's white table by mike benny" />
</div>
<div>
<br />
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://amzn.to/2Ny385w" target="_blank">America's White Table by Mike Benny</a>
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #181818;"><span style="background-color: white;">I love sharing this book near Veteran's or M</span></span>emorial Day with my students. It offers an insightful look into what
veterans and their families go through. The story tells of the
beautiful white table tradition that honors all those who serve our
country.
</span></div>
<div>
<br />
</div>
<div>
<br />
</div>
<div>
<img alt="book to share with your students on memorial or veterans day" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61ykYgfJvIL._SY487_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" title="rolling thunder by kate messner" />
</div>
<div>
<br />
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://amzn.to/2CHrp6O" target="_blank">Rolling Thunder by Kate Messner</a>
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
</span></div>
<div><span style="font-family: verdana;">
Another one by a favorite author of mine. This stunning, rhyming
story by Messner is a beautiful tribute to America's veterans.
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
</span></div>
<div><span style="font-family: verdana;">
This is a story of the Rolling Thunder Ride for Freedom in Washington
DC that pays tribute to the men and women of the U.S. Armed
Forces. It honors the bravery and sacrifice of our American
heroes - the ones who have returned home, and the ones who
haven't.
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
</span></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Thanks for reading about my favorite American stories to share with my
students.</span></h3>
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">What are your favorites that I can add to my list? Let me know
in the comments below!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">*This post contains affiliate links that earn me a small profit
which I use to buy books for my students. Thank you for your
support.</span></span></div></div></div></div></div>Melissa O'Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06341206961178308887noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5497639452670204398.post-40257428564765280392020-05-18T13:15:00.004-04:002022-07-22T19:15:03.394-04:004 Ways to End the Year Strong and Celebrate Learning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HKG9mJMIDK4/XsLB1phbAvI/AAAAAAAAXwQ/U2UPktne0HM119oduEkUXyz5fq8OFmE8wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/celebrate%2Blearning.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="end of the year ideas to celebrate learning" border="0" data-original-height="679" data-original-width="1408" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HKG9mJMIDK4/XsLB1phbAvI/AAAAAAAAXwQ/U2UPktne0HM119oduEkUXyz5fq8OFmE8wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/celebrate%2Blearning.png" title="4 ways to end the year strong and celebrate classroom learning" /></a></div>
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I don't know about you, but during my first few years of teaching, by the end of the school year I was dead tired and didn't have the energy to give my students time to reflect on and celebrate how much they'd learned. I was teaching right up to the end of the year, throwing in a few fun last week activities, and then packing up and running towards my bed to sleep off my exhaustion!<br />
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But after I got better at time management and I wasn't as tired as previous years, at the end of the year I started taking the time to have some discussions with my students about what they'd learned during the year. Those discussions were so enlightening for both myself and my kiddos, that now I'm hooked. </span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Fast forward a few years, and I have a routine for how we celebrate and reflect on our growth and progress each year.</span><br />
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First Way to Celebrate: Student Publishing</span></h3>
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The first way we celebrate our learning is by publishing our best piece of writing from the year. A few months before school ends, I give my students time to look through the texts they've authored throughout the year. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">We do everything in Google Classroom so it's easy for them to look back at each piece. I ask them to select the piece that makes them the proudest. I explain that they will celebrate themselves as a writer by publishing this piece as a memento of 5th grade.<br />
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The website I use for publishing is called <a href="https://studentreasures.com/" target="_blank">Student Treasures</a>. This company offers many different ways students can publish, and some are even FREE. I encourage you to check out their website. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Our 5th graders don't bring home many memories like those littles do in lower elementary, so a professionally published piece of writing is the perfect memento to sit out on that open house table in a few years.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UlSXcEwh01o/Xrqxzlrf5rI/AAAAAAAAXts/gcAxgKT9vusKsfA-Fh87_QzKDmwRZNTaACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/student%2Btreasures.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Celebrate your writers by publishing books through Student Treasures" border="0" data-original-height="703" data-original-width="1373" height="324" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UlSXcEwh01o/Xrqxzlrf5rI/AAAAAAAAXts/gcAxgKT9vusKsfA-Fh87_QzKDmwRZNTaACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/student%2Btreasures.JPG" title="Stuent Treasures student publishing company" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /><h3><span style="font-family: verdana;">Second Way to Celebrate: Classroom Reading Celebration</span></h3><span style="font-family: verdana;">
Secondly, we also celebrate all of the reading we've accomplished throughout the year! We keep track of how many books we read for our classroom book challenge. Students keep track in their reading binders and I keep track on my classroom door.<br />
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Here are the sheets my students use to track their progress. Click on the link or the picture for more information - <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Book-Challenge-FREE-Recording-Sheets-1326311" target="_blank">Book Challenge Recording Sheets.</a></span><br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Book-Challenge-FREE-Recording-Sheets-1326311" target="_blank"><img alt="40 book challenge recording sheets for students to keep track of the books they've read" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Q28V-fzV-M/Xrqx8a6_KPI/AAAAAAAAXtw/fHrjiRZkWaAETv8HiHRxm6iYu2AHqKJygCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Slide1.PNG" title="Book Challenge Recording Sheets" width="480" /></a> </div>
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Here is a photo of how I keep track of the books I read aloud to the students and that I read to myself on my own time. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">If you're interested in the editable poster for your door click <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Book-Challenge-Editable-Poster-901784?aref=y2fr1fh1" target="_blank">HERE </a> or the picture below to grab it for FREE. </span></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Book-Challenge-Editable-Poster-901784" target="_blank"><img alt="40 book challenge display" border="0" data-original-height="766" data-original-width="464" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oPTDeiryqlA/XrqzwZGOwdI/AAAAAAAAXuA/bAacnwMSTQcnnhrpkjj7dEqD-sdPzq3AQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/book%2Bchallenge%2Bdoor.JPG" title="Teacher displays book covers on door to track book challenge progress" width="386" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Book-Challenge-Editable-Poster-901784" target="_blank"><img alt="teacher 40 book challenge poster display" border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ibXFoQfuwqo/Xr1O1nCGH4I/AAAAAAAAXvI/PIfDEEEaMsISKx_eMZIzOlFXDNfHrgj4gCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Slide1.PNG" title="free book challenge poster" width="400" /></a></div>
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How do we celebrate the books we've read? A few weeks before the end of the year, I give students time to count up their total of finished books. We compare their total to their beginning of the year goal. Then we celebrate, usually with ice cream and a showing of a movie that goes along with one of our favorite books. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Even if a student didn't reach their goal, we still celebrate all of the reading they did accomplish. Lastly, I give them time to talk about goals for next year so they can start reading over the summer!<br />
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This is a great time to talk about how to get a library card, show students how to log in and use the local library's website and encourage families to take their kids to the library over the summer.<br />
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</span><h3><span style="font-family: verdana;">
Reflection Journal Prompts</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: verdana;">Another way we reflect on our learning is with these <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Reading-Exit-Ticket-Slips-End-of-Year-Reflection-Distance-Learning-5538413" target="_blank">end of the year reflection journal prompts.</a> We take a few minutes at the end of each class period to think about what we've learned as readers and writers. We talk about the strategies that have helped us most this year, the growth we've made and our favorite and least favorite books and texts we've written. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">It's so nice to take this time to rehash all that's happened throughout the year and it really helps my students and I to realize how much we've learned.<br />
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Reflection prompts are a quick question that your students can respond to in their journal or electronically and share with a partner or the class. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">If you want some that are already created for you, click these links or the picture below - <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Reading-Exit-Ticket-Slips-End-of-Year-Reflection-Distance-Learning-5538413" target="_blank">End of Year Reflection Reading Response Prompts</a> or <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Writing-Exit-Ticket-Slips-End-of-Year-Reflection-Distance-Learning-5565070" target="_blank">End of Year Reflection Writing Response Prompts.</a></span><br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Reading-Exit-Ticket-Slips-End-of-Year-Reflection-Distance-Learning-5538413" target="_blank"><img alt="end of the year reading reflection journal response prompts" border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1152" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T05nE6BIGxE/Xrq1-tAzg_I/AAAAAAAAXuU/7G0kQ8CD2yETAlONZdWqwC4dkSc_af-5QCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Slide1.PNG" title="end of year reading exit tickets" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Reading-Exit-Ticket-Slips-End-of-Year-Reflection-Distance-Learning-5538413" target="_blank"><img alt="reading exit tickets for end of the year" border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1152" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CeMnlzAaEAQ/Xrq1-iPvHLI/AAAAAAAAXuQ/FhyIMGUgdp00uwwgFtWTmWb5nGM-3AEGACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Slide2.PNG" title="Reading exit slips for reading response journals" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Writing-Exit-Ticket-Slips-End-of-Year-Reflection-Distance-Learning-5565070" target="_blank"><img alt="end of year reflection writing response prompts" border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1152" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wZmk1DMrgf8/Xrq2smM_waI/AAAAAAAAXuk/kZAgpXLgg8ABq8zF_oeWJMYme4osuIbnwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Slide1.PNG" title="end of the year reading journal exit tickets" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Writing-Exit-Ticket-Slips-End-of-Year-Reflection-Distance-Learning-5565070" target="_blank"><img alt="google classroom reading exit tickets" border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1152" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-llzYM5jmvcE/Xrq2soRavXI/AAAAAAAAXug/aXVbMb6qZCEWjE0mmZi0Ujm-r01oO5A7wCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Slide3.PNG" title="distance learning reading response prompts" width="400" /></a></div>
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<h3><span style="font-family: verdana;">School Wide Celebration</span></h3><span style="font-family: verdana;">
Lastly, a final way to celebrate learning with students and even families, is to host a school wide learning celebration family night.<br />
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Our celebration focuses on writing. We invite families into the building and we celebrate our students' writing growth by passing out the <a href="https://studentreasures.com/" target="_blank">Student Treasures</a> published books. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">During the celebration, we give students time to share the books with their families and friends. Students also show their families their Google Drive where all of the writing pieces from the year are located. They show off those pieces as well. Then we encourage students to write a new piece with their family. It's usually poetry about their memories from this school year. I put these finished poems into a classroom memory book for the students to keep.<br />
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Click the link or the images below to access the print or digital versions of the <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/End-of-Year-Memories-Poem-Freebie-Distance-Learning-5591030" target="_blank">End of the Year Memories Poem Freebie</a> that I created for my students.</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/End-of-Year-Memories-Poem-Freebie-Distance-Learning-5591030" target="_blank"><img alt="end of the year poem Haiku" border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q1dRZZ1IKTg/XsA9-zpP0oI/AAAAAAAAXvY/wCoYBQS38FoWOtVFUvn4Jt8oJA2yc7OowCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Slide1.PNG" title="Haiku school year memories template" width="308" /></a> <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/End-of-Year-Memories-Poem-Freebie-Distance-Learning-5591030" target="_blank"><img alt="end of the year distance learning poem" border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xwOWY27Iy9I/XsA9-rBQTjI/AAAAAAAAXvU/m813v1OVEw4aSClBy7ZGTvyL10uixspBgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Slide2.PNG" title="Limerick school year memories template free" width="308" /></a></div>
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We also give out cookies and juice. Students and families are split up into groups and they travel the building together to each station - published books, computer labs, poetry. This is also a great time to highlight your huge pile of lost and found materials for families to look through and take home.<br />
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I hope these ideas inspire you to begin celebrating all you've accomplished with your students this year too. Let me know how it goes in the comments below!</span><br />
<br /></div>Melissa O'Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06341206961178308887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5497639452670204398.post-23666697061968408372020-04-30T13:15:00.004-04:002021-02-13T14:09:34.652-05:00Using Math Exit Slips in Google Classroom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sPQZjfoTK88/YCA-rg3w5PI/AAAAAAAAjbI/bvL_feWfKg0mVN1VCjpELt3sV1Nk7m0PACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/math%2Bexit%2Bslips%2Bgoogle.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="digital math exit slips in google classroom" border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sPQZjfoTK88/YCA-rg3w5PI/AAAAAAAAjbI/bvL_feWfKg0mVN1VCjpELt3sV1Nk7m0PACLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/math%2Bexit%2Bslips%2Bgoogle.png" title="digital google form math exit slips" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">If you are teaching math online or even if you have students working on electronic devices in the classroom, digital exit slips are a powerful way you can assess your students quickly and easily.</span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Similarly to paper exit tickets, digital exit slips are short formative assessments designed to show you which students have a concept and which students need more practice. </span></span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">The great thing about digital exit slips is that they reduce paper use and they are self-checking. Win-Win!</span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">I'm working on transferring ALL of my paper exit slip resources that I use daily, into digital Google Forms. Here are a few examples from my long division and measurement sets.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xWAlPT39BJM/XqoM3MQMi2I/AAAAAAAAXr8/yHzlEZGJ5ws307q2mC5GHLSOqvyTA6WzACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/google%2Bforms%2Bsnip.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="889" data-original-width="657" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xWAlPT39BJM/XqoM3MQMi2I/AAAAAAAAXr8/yHzlEZGJ5ws307q2mC5GHLSOqvyTA6WzACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/google%2Bforms%2Bsnip.JPG" width="236" /></a> <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Long-Division-Digital-Exit-Tickets-Distance-Learning-5411386" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="741" data-original-width="793" height="299" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I-kZKS6Uvps/XqoOYDlXKII/AAAAAAAAXsI/6__xvu8mgzY4BDwI6C1hbaJG4FVJ8_tYQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/google%2Bforms%2Bsnip%2B2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Google Forms is a free survey tool that’s part of G Suite—Google’s complete office suite. For more information on how to use Google Forms check out this <a href="https://www.howtogeek.com/434570/the-beginners-guide-to-google-forms/">blog post.</a> </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Google Forms allows you to create online quizzes for your students and collect data on their responses. It's an effective method of assessment, but making the exit ticket assessments can become time consuming. Which is why I've done the work for you!</span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">These exit tickets are perfect for distance learning in Google Classroom. Click the pictures below for more information on using these exit slip resources with your students.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Long-Division-Digital-Exit-Tickets-Distance-Learning-5411386?aref=hlxm5w4n" target="_blank"><img alt="math exit tickets for google classroom" border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1152" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sgPRQzazhn4/XqoOkcfpKUI/AAAAAAAAXsM/IP7HDpno7wIf87P7zRwx79gp4JSckfZ5wCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Slide1.PNG" title="digital exit slips long division" width="400" /></a> </div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Long-Division-Digital-Exit-Tickets-Distance-Learning-5411386" target="_blank"><img alt="distance learning math exit tickets" border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1152" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-80l1E_0YLb4/XqsGg8-rvXI/AAAAAAAAXso/iAnz81o-h_M5DnEhiHKR58_6n7cl_cijgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Slide2.PNG" title="division exit ticket google forms" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Long-Division-Digital-Exit-Tickets-Distance-Learning-5411386" target="_blank"><img alt="Google Classroom math exit slips" border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1152" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--DC7_T-c73M/XqsGhBGjoSI/AAAAAAAAXss/V0NNCQQ164o7dh5KAcXzo2mV9aDP5KdxwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Slide3.PNG" title="distance learning exit slips long division" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Long-Division-Digital-Exit-Tickets-Distance-Learning-5411386" target="_blank"><img alt="math long division formative assessments distance learning" border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1152" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3s8HSrriV2Y/XqsGhEP2LkI/AAAAAAAAXsk/zr46h_34_fYDJWzN-OWegZjY9jL3naAUACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Slide4.PNG" title="Google Drive division assessments fifth grade" width="400" /></a></div>
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Exit tickets are designed to bring closure to your lessons. Each slip has only one to four tasks to complete and should take students approximately 5 minutes to finish.</span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Since these exit tickets are self-grading, you'll know immediately who has a concept mastered, who is almost there, and who needs intervention.</span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Exit slips ensure 'no student gets left behind.'</span></span><br /></div>Melissa O'Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06341206961178308887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5497639452670204398.post-24258003994351495882020-03-23T11:49:00.003-04:002021-02-13T14:11:40.279-05:00Free Guide to Using Google Classroom for Online Distance Learning<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oQgIwRxXVcU/YCApbZUKN6I/AAAAAAAAjZU/mUCdlXquFT8dVlgJJYvmAh3dscVUwKq_gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/google.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="free guide to using google classroom" border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oQgIwRxXVcU/YCApbZUKN6I/AAAAAAAAjZU/mUCdlXquFT8dVlgJJYvmAh3dscVUwKq_gCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/google.png" title="how to use google classroom with your students" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><h3 style="text-align: left;">Are you new to using Google Classroom or online distance learning? </h3><div>If so, this guidebook is for you.</div><div><br /></div></span>
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<span style="font-family: verdana;">I've been using Google Classroom for the past few years and I have all kinds of notes, tips and advice I'd love to share to help you out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana;">I've compiled this FREE how-to guide and it's posted in my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Melissa-Obryan-Wild-About-Fifth" target="_blank">TPT store</a> - it's called <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Google-Classroom-Free-Guide-for-Online-Learning-2984579" target="_blank">Google Classroom FREE Guide for Online Learning</a>. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">I hope you check it out! </span></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Google-Classroom-Free-Guide-for-Online-Learning-2984579" target="_blank"><img alt="Using Google Classroom for Online Distance Learning" border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1152" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7RIIUP1bnxA/XnjYD5QFoGI/AAAAAAAAXmE/xLBr9M6z-7Ml9J60r_o_JX2pA2zn7jzvgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Sq%2BCover.png" title="FREE Guide to Using Google Classroom" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana;">This guide contains information on:</span></div>
<ul><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">What is Google Classroom?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Why use Google Classroom?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: verdana;">How to get started</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: verdana;">How to create assignments</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: verdana;">How to share assignments</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Other tips & advice</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: verdana;">How to organize your Google drive</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span>
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Download this free guide by clicking on the link below and get started right away with using Google Classroom with your students! </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Google-Classroom-Free-Guide-for-Online-Learning-2984579"><span style="font-family: verdana;">https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Google-Classroom-Free-Guide-for-Online-Learning-2984579</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana;">And if you have additional tips that I missed, please share them in the comments below so I can add them to the guide. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Or, if you'd just love to share how Google Classroom has revolutionized your classroom - I'd love to hear about that too!</span><br /></div>
<br />Melissa O'Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06341206961178308887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5497639452670204398.post-30258101500573244412019-09-08T20:12:00.009-04:002021-02-13T14:12:03.515-05:00How Using Math Exit Slips Saved My Life<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kpcm6QbnuCA/YCA6izg1tlI/AAAAAAAAja0/Xg1-_WJ9o80UWUdeOsVtgxgNuZXzyiObgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/exit%2Bslips%2B2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="use exit slips to assess your students understanding" border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kpcm6QbnuCA/YCA6izg1tlI/AAAAAAAAja0/Xg1-_WJ9o80UWUdeOsVtgxgNuZXzyiObgCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/exit%2Bslips%2B2.png" title="exit tickets in upper elementary and middle school classrooms" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<h3><span style="font-family: verdana;">I Am A Math Workshop Addict! </span></h3>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Any other math workshop teachers out there? </span></span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">I absolutely love math workshop - it is my passion. I am constantly reading teacher books and thinking about ways to improve my reading, writing, and math workshops. While there are lots of benefits to the workshop style of teaching, there are also a few drawbacks. </span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Assessment seems to be an issue that comes up a lot with my colleagues. Us upper elementary teachers need grades, (unless we are lucky and have standardized report cards) and grades are often hard to come by in a true math workshop. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">So today I'm here to talk with you about one of the ways I </span><strike>grade</strike><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"> formatively assess my students during workshop.</span></span><br />
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<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Gzfx62oGiI/XXWT5fMccPI/AAAAAAAAKf4/Hn9sPDwBIKMDkbVyO6nZbr-RC1mscxiJgCLcBGAs/s1600/A%252B%2Bmath%2Btest.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Gzfx62oGiI/XXWT5fMccPI/AAAAAAAAKf4/Hn9sPDwBIKMDkbVyO6nZbr-RC1mscxiJgCLcBGAs/s640/A%252B%2Bmath%2Btest.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">In true math workshop style, students are learning and discussing new skills during a short mini-lesson (not exactly a place to earn a grade). Students then move into the workshop portion of the session to practice (either previous skills or the new skill they were taught that day). Since students are authentically practicing skills, this time should be a place for students to grow and learn from their mistakes, not to be assessed for a grade. </span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">There are some days when I collect notebooks to assess student progress, and I am always working with small strategy and intervention groups as well as conferring with individuals to assess progress. But again, it's hard to give grades during those times because everyone is doing something different. </span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Our math workshop ends each day when students come back together to share/discuss what they learned/practiced and again this should be a comfortable, stress free place for students to talk about what went well and what didn't. So, while authentic teaching, learning, and assessing is happening - grading is not.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rquOOfnV0Wo/XXWUcoNotgI/AAAAAAAAKgA/1dGZI--3LBUvSSlc6CEJzyNUlZ1g1HkbACEwYBhgL/s1600/discussion.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rquOOfnV0Wo/XXWUcoNotgI/AAAAAAAAKgA/1dGZI--3LBUvSSlc6CEJzyNUlZ1g1HkbACEwYBhgL/s640/discussion.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">And, since I am still expected to enter grades into a grade book, I panic when the end of the marking period nears and my grade book is as empty as a bird's nest in December. Anyone else been there? Yikes!</span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span></span><h3><span style="font-family: verdana;">Enter The Exit Slip </span></h3>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">This little guy has saved my life, literally. No more making up silly assignments just to get grades. (Gulp, confession time) This guy truly assesses my student's understanding each day (bonus) and can be entered into my grade book as a grade (double bonus). Rush of relief! I hand out an exit slip at the end of math workshop time daily. </span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">I love exit slips so much that I've created one for almost every school day. I place them in a binder that I can easily grab from all year long! </span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Keep reading for some surprise math exit slip freebies at the end of this post! </span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Math-Exit-Ticket-Slips-5th-Grade-BUNDLE-1367154?aref=ekkwvpka" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1152" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PhGGYX_X524/XXWPleWeF_I/AAAAAAAAKfU/z_lz_Xm0wWYEhCp7AsIz5RMCyCHeeggpgCLcBGAs/s640/Slide2.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><b>Click <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Melissa-Obryan-Wild-About-Fifth/Category/Math-Exit-Slips-154771" target="_blank">HERE</a> to see ALL the 3rd through 6th grade math exit slips in my TPT store.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Math Exit slips are designed to bring closure to your math lessons. I use slips that have fewer than four tasks to complete and should take students approximately 5 minutes to finish. </span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I collect the sheets and my formative assessment needs are met. In just minutes I can quickly form piles of students who have a concept mastered, who are almost there, and who need intervention. Now I can plan my instruction for the next day. I know if I can move on or not, and who I'll need to check in with for extra practice. </span></span></div><div><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Exit slips ensure 'No student gets left behind' in my classroom!!!</span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zymDKwf3Z3A/UTaXM4swPlI/AAAAAAAAAs8/gfc5pdRUbVg/s1600/exit+slip+3.jpg"><br /></a></span><br />
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<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Math-Exit-Ticket-Slips-4th-Grade-BUNDLE-1397689" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1152" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kxNnMNOl1zs/XXWQxjm_ghI/AAAAAAAAKfg/Ot919b3Feg8nUX9d3GBrsTnRlyDmSl8gACEwYBhgL/s640/Slide2.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana;">Where do I get the exit slips? </span></h3>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">I've created them based on each unit I teach. I'm a firm believer in backward design. Before I begin a new unit, whether it is informational writing, character development, or order of operations, I start with the common core standards and create the summative (final) assessment (if one isn't already provided by my district). (See my math assessment packs <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Melissa-Obryan-Wild-About-Fifth/Category/Math-Assessment-Packs-68916" target="_blank">HERE</a>) </span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Then, I work backward. I start by breaking the assessment into three or four chunks and create formative assessments (quizzes) to give along the way to inform my instruction of those skills and help provide intervention when needed, instead of when it's too late. </span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">I break each formative assessment (quiz) into chunks which become lessons. Lastly, I create an exit slip assessment for each lesson. Yes, I said EACH lesson. Exit slips are short and sweet. Mine are only a half page and usually consist of 2 to 4 questions. It takes me about an hour to create all of the exit slips for the unit. Then I print them, copy them, and I have my daily lessons organized and ready to go.</span></span><br />
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<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sk3-VJ2It6Y/UTaXeNbIAMI/AAAAAAAAAtM/M2TMPGM6Bbc/s1600/exit+slip+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sk3-VJ2It6Y/UTaXeNbIAMI/AAAAAAAAAtM/M2TMPGM6Bbc/s320/exit+slip+2.jpg" width="398" /></a></div>
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><h3><span style="font-family: verdana;">Why use exit slips? </span></h3>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Not only are they quick and easy to create, but they are also quick and easy to grade. They only take about 5 minutes for students to complete, and most importantly they tell you instantly who is ready to move on and who needs more practice. True formative assessment! Plus, double whammy, grades for the grade book. But what about homework? I think exit slips are a better assessment than homework, because, well, homework is often done with the help of someone else.</span><br />
</span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />Don't wait for the big test to figure out who doesn't get it! With frequent math exit slips you can quickly assess your students and know immediately who has it and who doesn't. </span></span></div><div><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Math exit slips are a MUST in every best practice classroom!</span></span></h3><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: verdana;">All you math workshop junkies with empty grade books, if you'd like to try out using exit slips in your classroom - here's a <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Decimal-Exit-Ticket-Slips-5th-Grade-FREE-596898" target="_blank">Decimals FREEBIE </a> and <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Place-Value-Exit-Ticket-Slips-FREE-1374520" target="_blank">Place Value FREEBIE</a> from my <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Decimals-Assessment-Pack-Common-Core-Aligned-544092">Decimal Numbers Assessment Pack</a> and <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Place-Value-Through-Billions-Assessment-Pack-509353" target="_blank">Place Value Assessment Pack</a>. I hope you find them useful.<br /></span><br /> </span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Decimal-Exit-Ticket-Slips-5th-Grade-FREE-596898?aref=298a3jq6" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dnQsuosuESA/XXWST3T0vDI/AAAAAAAAKfo/mRgkfpM_2h8xCQ7s4FpMZd4Cu8VMjSFSgCLcBGAs/s320/Slide1.PNG" width="320" /></a> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Place-Value-Exit-Ticket-Slips-FREE-1374520?aref=298a3jq6" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S1uN8VU7MR8/XXWSYSL18zI/AAAAAAAAKfs/YhGHm33Ys7IS-fnSZlakFfvMaslGQpFTwCLcBGAs/s320/Slide1.PNG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />I would love to hear how you are already using exit slips in your classroom!!</span><br /></div>
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-Sk3-VJ2It6Y%2FUTaXeNbIAMI%2FAAAAAAAAAtM%2FM2TMPGM6Bbc%2Fs320%2Fexit%2Bslip%2B2.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sk3-VJ2It6Y/UTaXeNbIAMI/AAAAAAAAAtM/M2TMPGM6Bbc/s320/exit+slip+2.jpg" -->Melissa O'Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06341206961178308887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5497639452670204398.post-51093157930867666762018-09-30T12:47:00.004-04:002022-07-22T19:17:24.942-04:00The Secret to Testing Success - Teach Critical Test Prep Vocabulary All Year Long!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vBTq3gLbyFI/YCA5aum_nsI/AAAAAAAAjao/oaX52gTMqGUQoUZpynlveccby5pa8AAHgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/test%2Bprep.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="teach your students testing vocabulary critical verbs" border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vBTq3gLbyFI/YCA5aum_nsI/AAAAAAAAjao/oaX52gTMqGUQoUZpynlveccby5pa8AAHgCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/test%2Bprep.png" title="test prep academic vocabulary for upper elementary and middle school students" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #141823;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">FREE SAMPLE ALERT</span></span></h3><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I have something amazingly exciting for you to try out to ensure your students will have success on the state test this school year!</span></span></div><div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Common-Core-Critical-Verbs-Instruction-Pack-FREEBIE-1529138" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1152" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a6wiSf9OIxE/W7D2IRnZQEI/AAAAAAAAKJw/uoHMr_KogBMZeDAJulZyE_VCUR96H5k1gCLcBGAs/s640/Slide2.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 21.4667px;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 21.4667px;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">I've been working hard on creating a test-prep instruction pack to go along with my best selling <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Common-Core-Critical-Verbs-Vocabulary-Word-Wall-Cards-1138833">Common Core Critical Verbs vocabulary word wall set.</a> </span></span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 21.4667px;">This instruction pack is really helping me to intentionally introduce each vocabulary word to my students plus it's giving my students time to analyze, discuss, and master each individual word. And </span><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #141823;">I'm sooo happy with their progress. </span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #141823;">After all, students can't do well on the state test, if they don't know what the state test is asking them to do, right?!?</span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #141823;">This test-prep vocabulary instruction pack contains 12 weeks worth of critical verb test prep practice. </span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #141823;">I'm so excited for you to try this resource out, so I'm posting a </span><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Common-Core-Critical-Verbs-Instruction-Pack-FREEBIE-1529138">FREE SAMPLE </a><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #141823;">of Week 1 for everyone to have! </span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #141823;">I would love your feedback on the resource if you choose to download!! </span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #141823;">The free sample includes four critical verbs commonly found in the directions of state tests. Students will study the words all week and then take a quiz over the words on Friday. See below for pictures of the graphic organizers and quiz included.</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Common-Core-Critical-Verbs-Instruction-Pack-FREEBIE-1529138"><img alt="test prep vocabulary resources" border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_zva_OK22ig/VFTf2bHb4AI/AAAAAAAAC78/MzEgDyvIDDI/w480-h640/Slide2.PNG" title="critical verb test prep vocabulary" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Common-Core-Critical-Verbs-Instruction-Pack-FREEBIE-1529138"><img alt="critical verbs instruction pack" border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AKIlyhARtkk/VFTf5kmjpVI/AAAAAAAAC8E/ELQgAPW0uKg/w480-h640/Slide6.PNG" title="academic vocabulary instruction pack" width="480" /></a></div>
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 21.4667px;"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 21.4667px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">If you love the free sample, you can download the full 12-week resource<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Critical-Verbs-of-the-Common-Core-Instruction-Pack-1530992?aref=g87cvnv2" target="_blank"> HERE</a>. </span> </span><br />
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<br /></div>Melissa O'Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06341206961178308887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5497639452670204398.post-72543619261025580642018-02-09T15:50:00.003-05:002021-02-13T14:12:38.167-05:004 Ways to Conquer Cooped Up Craziness!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7aYXHB1z8e0/YCA11wX2NAI/AAAAAAAAjaQ/DrnkEkSLoX4IvvGnE97gwirCms89_dWTACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/cooped%2Bup.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="how to keep your students sane during inside recess" border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7aYXHB1z8e0/YCA11wX2NAI/AAAAAAAAjaQ/DrnkEkSLoX4IvvGnE97gwirCms89_dWTACLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/cooped%2Bup.png" title="keep your students well behaved during inside recess" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Anyone else's students a little rambunctious lately? </span></h3><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-2567117596055793285" itemprop="description articleBody" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #545454; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0.5px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; width: 740px; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In Michigan, our kiddos have been cooped up way too long without fresh air and Vitamin D and it's causing an unhealthy case of "stir crazy!"</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-2567117596055793285" itemprop="description articleBody" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #545454; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0.5px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; width: 740px; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-2567117596055793285" itemprop="description articleBody" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #545454; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0.5px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; width: 740px; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">So I'm here to share with you my top four tips for conquering the cooped up craziness in your classroom!!<br /></span>
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1. Stick to Your Guns</span></h3>
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When the craziness sets in each year, I always start to pull my hair out in frustration, but then I remember that the crazy can be conquered with routine consistency (review and practice those classroom rules over and over) and 'sticking to my guns' per say. Otherwise, I'll end up looking like the meme below.......Ahhhhhhhhhh</span></div>
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2. Give Me Five</span></h3>
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Instead of trying to pull out all the bells and whistles or doing a little song and dance to keep em' entertained, I simply become more structured. In our school we use "Give Me 5" as our attention grabber. When I need my student's attention (after a quick turn and talk to a partner, or voices are just getting a little too loud) I put one hand in the air and say Give me 5, and then I quietly count backward until 1. I show the counting backward on my fingers and other students join in as well. When I get to 1, any students who are still talking receive a warning - every single time.</span></div>
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3. Be strong!</span></h3>
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If a student earns a warning, give it to him/her regardless of how you feel. Students crave fairness and it will only take a time or two before the craziness begins to subside. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Click <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Behavior-Management-Spreadsheets-Freebie-1327970" style="color: #bdbf5d; max-width: calc(800px); outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;">HERE</a> for a FREE editable template (created by my teammate <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Stephanie-Rye" style="color: #bdbf5d; max-width: calc(800px); outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;">Stephanie Rye</a> of <a href="http://www.foreverinfifthgrade.blogspot.com/" style="color: #bdbf5d; max-width: calc(800px); outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;">Forever in Fifth Grade</a>) to help you set up a warning consequence system with your students and to help you keep track of those warnings.</span></div>
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4. Prior Proper Planning</span></h3>
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Unstructured time is also a nightmare during these long winter months when the kids don't get near enough exercise. I make sure to plan for every. single. minute. of. the. day! </span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-2567117596055793285" itemprop="description articleBody" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #545454; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0.5px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; width: 740px; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-2567117596055793285" itemprop="description articleBody" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #545454; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0.5px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; width: 740px; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">To fight the frenzy, I return to the uber organized and over prepared teacher I was in September!! Sometimes, at this point in the year, we have all started to slack a bit in our routines and expectations and that can fuel the fire. When our day is properly planned, our classroom runs like a well oiled machine (most of the time LOL).<br />
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Further, transition times are where all heck begins to break loose when we haven't had recess for a week. I make sure that every transition follows the SAME routine. </span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-2567117596055793285" itemprop="description articleBody" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #545454; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0.5px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; width: 740px; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-2567117596055793285" itemprop="description articleBody" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #545454; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0.5px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; width: 740px; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Before we make the transition, I always say "When I say Go - (and then I give the directions, for example) - quietly bring your reading folder, notebook, pencil and book to your spot on the carpet. I'll meet you there in 2 minutes. You may GO." Or, "When I say Go, you need to put your math paper inside your math folder and line up for library. You may Go." This way students are listening because they're waiting for me to say GO, they also don't move while I'm giving directions (which drives me insane).</span><br />
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If several students are not transitioning properly, I choose some students to act out a review of what it SHOULD NOT and SHOULD look like when coming to the carpet, or lining up. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Then, I give out warnings to students who continue to not follow procedures. I remind myself to 'stick to my guns,' be fair, be consistent and I will conquer the crazy!!! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Good luck and fingers crossed for some warmer temperatures to get these kids outside running around!</span></div>
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<br />Melissa O'Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06341206961178308887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5497639452670204398.post-68652489846833609052017-05-07T16:00:00.003-04:002021-02-13T14:12:52.683-05:00How to End Your Year in Social Studies with an Engaging Project Your Students Will Love<h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cs6M8aCIG3Q/YCAvGiAProI/AAAAAAAAjZs/rDrRdc_o9CguOaG4MO5QjE6aOafpaXsFQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/revolutionary%2Bwar.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Keep your students engaged during social studies" border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cs6M8aCIG3Q/YCAvGiAProI/AAAAAAAAjZs/rDrRdc_o9CguOaG4MO5QjE6aOafpaXsFQCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/revolutionary%2Bwar.png" title="Revolutionary War Mock Trials keep students engaged" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></h3><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">
Are you struggling with keeping your students engaged during social studies class? </span></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Are they flipping water bottles, spinning fidgets, hiding slime and anything else to avoid having to do actual school work?</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">My fifths can barely sit still right now. But I can't give up on teaching and learning yet. We still have a lot to cover - the entire American Revolution to be precise. I can't let those slime loving dabbers off the hook yet! </span></div>
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So how do I tackle this problem? By sneaking in learning, while making them feel like they're having fun!</span></div>
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This is where <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Road-to-the-Revolution-Mock-Trials-Project-Based-Learning-Unit-Grades-4-8-2742262" target="_blank">mock trials</a> come in! If you've never tried mock trials in your classroom you are missing out!</span></div>
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To read more about how I implement mock trials in our classroom check out this blog post <a href="http://wildaboutfifthgrade.blogspot.com/2016/09/revolutionary-war-mock-trial-project.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</span></div>
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Mock trials are my absolute favorite project every single year! They are the perfect way to bring alive any event in history AND bring the judicial branch to life in your very own classroom.</span></div>
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We started our mock trials projects last week with auditions, and now our attorneys can't keep their hands off every book/source that has anything to do with the topic of their case (either the Boston Tea Party or the Boston Massacre). Literally they are working their little behinds off (yes working hard in May!!!) and their sense of purpose and drive blows me away every year!</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Road-to-the-Revolution-Mock-Trials-Project-Based-Learning-Unit-Grades-4-8-2742262" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1152" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-udaGRr59Qak/WZeGeAQ5FQI/AAAAAAAAHzo/kRl8bv6SmzM4A0odPOi4gx281e_IVShWwCLcBGAs/s400/Slide1.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Meanwhile, I'm wandering around aimlessly without much to do while they're strategizing with their witnesses, writing their opening and closing statements, practicing their lines of questioning and learning more about these events than I ever thought possible! </span></div>
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I can't imagine doing social studies any other way. My kiddos are so engaged I haven't seen a water bottle flip in almost a week!</span></div>Melissa O'Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06341206961178308887noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5497639452670204398.post-37496618386837081592017-02-11T10:00:00.005-05:002022-07-22T19:17:46.012-04:003 Tips for Running Successful Student Led Book Clubs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pzPzO0Zos4c/X_C5nCRgm2I/AAAAAAAAiLc/ZIxv3cIbMSc9kGkZ4k-xKIIww9sYoOtLQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Book%2BClubs%2BTips%2B2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="3 tips for running successful books clubs" border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pzPzO0Zos4c/X_C5nCRgm2I/AAAAAAAAiLc/ZIxv3cIbMSc9kGkZ4k-xKIIww9sYoOtLQCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/Book%2BClubs%2BTips%2B2.png" title="book clubs in upper elementary or middle school classroom" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Have you always wanted to run book clubs in your classroom, but you're just not sure how to set them up, keep your readers accountable, or get your students reading, writing and talking deeply about books?</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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Are you thinking book clubs are impossible because you don't have sets of books for your students to read?</span></div>
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And how in the world will you get your curriculum standards taught if you're doing book clubs?</span></div>
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Or maybe you're not even sure what book clubs should look and sound like? </span></div>
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Before you write off book clubs forever, envision your classroom readers excited about choosing books, encouraging each other to finish books, envision them helping each other to build comprehension, keeping each other accountable for writing thoughtful journal responses full of deep thinking. Envision a community of readers who want to read, not just for you but for their peers and eventually, for themselves! </span></div>
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It won't happen over night. But it will happen if you believe!</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dFqmhxJdVAw/WJ5yC3ODKLI/AAAAAAAAG-o/V4dTf5UYqcw37q0Sd3g85ifHCbcCG6jZwCLcB/s1600/book%2Bclub.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="book clubs in the classroom" border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dFqmhxJdVAw/WJ5yC3ODKLI/AAAAAAAAG-o/V4dTf5UYqcw37q0Sd3g85ifHCbcCG6jZwCLcB/s640/book%2Bclub.jpg" title="student-led book clubs" width="640" /></a></div>
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Tip # 1 - Envision Piles of Book Club Books Everywhere</span></h2>
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Let's start by squashing the thought that books clubs are impossible because you don't have access to sets of books. Log on to <a href="http://scholastic.com/">scholastic.com</a> right now, register yourself if you don't already have an account and sign up to receive a set of classroom book order flyers. When they arrive send them home, make a big deal about how Scholastic books are up to 40% off publisher prices and you can't find a better deal anywhere. </span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">If that doesn't work, remind (beg) your student's parents that every book they buy earns bonus points for your classroom. These bonus points will buy you your book club sets!! You won't have to spend a penny.<br /></span>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c7SMk-m_pe8/WJ5IkM11YJI/AAAAAAAAG9c/ZccRVfNQbB063jXJJ3qDBbRXxOu_E3qDwCLcB/s1600/scholastic.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="92" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c7SMk-m_pe8/WJ5IkM11YJI/AAAAAAAAG9c/ZccRVfNQbB063jXJJ3qDBbRXxOu_E3qDwCLcB/s640/scholastic.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Or, if you're like me and you can't wait on those bonus points (you can spend them on more book club sets later) scroll down the flyer and find the $1 books! Every month Scholastic offers different dollar books that are quality literature! This month's choices are: 2nd grade - Stone Fox and The Puppy Place: Mocha, 3rd grade - Black Lagoon #15, 4th grade - Shiloh, 5th grade - Tuck Everlasting and 6th grade -Pictures of Hollis Woods. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">You could buy 5 copies of each of these books and have your first set of book club books in a week - differentiated for all your reading levels - and for only $30! <br />
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Did I mention tax write off????</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TxJnHEQ7Rvo/WJ5HOuxTmVI/AAAAAAAAG9Q/3hjoED1mheQaWo2VvH7K5VipOwfOzlCXQCLcB/s1600/tuck.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="338" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TxJnHEQ7Rvo/WJ5HOuxTmVI/AAAAAAAAG9Q/3hjoED1mheQaWo2VvH7K5VipOwfOzlCXQCLcB/s640/tuck.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here's the current set of book club books we're using to analyze character development.</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fu-eR_PjFIg/WJ50KBzK83I/AAAAAAAAG-4/6HrmWxcUN7YHRIcmhF7O--vX4DdRecRBQCLcB/s1600/books.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="use scholastic to purchase sets of book club books with bonus points" border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fu-eR_PjFIg/WJ50KBzK83I/AAAAAAAAG-4/6HrmWxcUN7YHRIcmhF7O--vX4DdRecRBQCLcB/s640/books.jpg" title="sets of book club books" width="480" /></a></div>
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Tip #2 - Envision Your Students Practicing ALL the Standards</span></h2><span style="font-family: verdana;">
Book club books purchased ✅<br />
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Now, how in the world will you cover your district's curriculum expectations while also doing book clubs? There just isn't enough time!! Or is there?</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BSyd0prOZ-c/WJ5Kcst-u9I/AAAAAAAAG9o/OhB-2DEyPLMCdZwf-ithM_XQrDoETwF3wCLcB/s1600/johnny.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BSyd0prOZ-c/WJ5Kcst-u9I/AAAAAAAAG9o/OhB-2DEyPLMCdZwf-ithM_XQrDoETwF3wCLcB/s640/johnny.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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But seriously, the great thing about teaching the standards is that they can be applied through ANY book! <br />
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And book clubs offer the perfect way for your students to authentically practice the standards you need to teach.<br />
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All you have to do is make a list of skills your standards cover. Teach each standard as a mini-lesson that the students will apply during reading. They will write about the skill in their response journal and talk about the skill with their club. Sound like a lot of work? I've got you covered! If you're short on time and you're looking for a list of skills that are already compiled, with lesson plans and resources attached, then you need <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Book-Club-Complete-Guide-for-the-Upper-Elementary-Middle-School-Teacher-642876" target="_blank">The Complete Guide to Book Clubs for Upper Elementary and Middle School Students.</a></span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y30GXM7FZ9s/XxXa80k21yI/AAAAAAAAX54/BOs2skzoWaE2qM-NxfFujhnKSkLYx7r2wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Slide1.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="How to organize and structure book clubs in your classroom" border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1152" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y30GXM7FZ9s/XxXa80k21yI/AAAAAAAAX54/BOs2skzoWaE2qM-NxfFujhnKSkLYx7r2wCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Slide1.PNG" title="The complete guide to book clubs in the upper elementary and middle school classroom" width="640" /></a></div>
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The Complete Guide to Book Clubs in the Upper Elementary & Middle School Classroom is a 38 page Common Core aligned resource designed to lead your classroom successfully through book clubs from start to finish. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">This resource will work with ALL novels. Get your students self-selecting books, creating a weekly schedule, reading daily and writing responses, working within a book club of students to construct meaning (based on the common core standards), rating, summarizing, and recommending quality literature. <br />
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<h2><span style="font-family: verdana;">
Tip #3 - Envision Thoughtful Discussions and Journal Responses</span></h2><span style="font-family: verdana;">
Books bought ✅<br />
Lesson plans done ✅<br />
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What next? <br />
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How do your students magically start writing and responding to their reading with thoughtful discussions and journal prompts? Well it's not magic. But it is peer pressure. The good kind.</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1xPhNRzj5IE/WJ51CnSIB6I/AAAAAAAAG_A/gafmsFJYZwUn-MiYIL-7i8pwFjo0oaIEACLcB/s1600/book%2Bclub%2B3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="writing journal response prompts for book clubs" border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1xPhNRzj5IE/WJ51CnSIB6I/AAAAAAAAG_A/gafmsFJYZwUn-MiYIL-7i8pwFjo0oaIEACLcB/s640/book%2Bclub%2B3.jpg" title="book club journal response prompts" width="480" /></a></div>
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When your readers stop performing for you and have choice over the books they read, scheduling their assignments, choosing their response prompts, and leading their meetings; they start caring about being a contributing member of a group. And that caring rubs off and builds real readers who truly enjoy sharing books and their thinking with others.<br />
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One way we model what thoughtful book clubs should look and sound like is through fish bowl meetings. I randomly select a group of the day and they hold their meeting in front of the class while the rest of us observe. I love sitting back and watching my readers shine during a fish bowl meeting and my other readers get so much out of seeing a book club at its best. We talk about what went really well and what needs more practice and then the remaining clubs head off to have their own meetings and to apply what they just learned from the fish bowl meeting.</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Book-Club-Complete-Guide-for-the-Upper-Elementary-Middle-School-Teacher-642876" target="_blank"><img alt="use fish bowl recording sheets to observe your book club meetings" border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NIKFSImLLvM/WJ51cx1-cYI/AAAAAAAAG_E/oFo1UQBAHwor9j1J_kZeXXgno76RG1QrACLcB/s640/fish%2Bbowl.jpg" title="fish bowl recording sheets for book clubs" width="480" /></a></div>
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You can grab this fish bowl recording sheet and MORE in <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Book-Club-Complete-Guide-for-the-Upper-Elementary-Middle-School-Teacher-642876" target="_blank">The Complete Guide to Book Clubs for Upper Elementary and Middle School Students</a>.<br />
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I hope the 3 tips I've shared with you have alleviated your worries and have left you thinking, "Why didn't I start book clubs sooner?"</span></div>
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Why do I care so much? Because book clubs are my happy place. Seriously. The choice, autonomy, self-direction, motivation and authenticity of student-led book clubs make my teacher heart smile.</span></div>
<br /></div>Melissa O'Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06341206961178308887noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5497639452670204398.post-16533731881969807142017-01-28T12:29:00.003-05:002021-02-13T14:13:12.450-05:00How Google Classroom Revolutionized our Writing Workshop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VdrkxO_FFXo/YCAo3Al1aEI/AAAAAAAAjZM/xnj96NNyNAo4ZZRjNRG3-bIyYW739ZNBwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/google.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Writing Workshop with Google Classroom" border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VdrkxO_FFXo/YCAo3Al1aEI/AAAAAAAAjZM/xnj96NNyNAo4ZZRjNRG3-bIyYW739ZNBwCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/google.png" title="Use Google Classroom during Writing Class" /></a></div><br />
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Are you ready to jump your writing workshop into the 21st century? </span></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">If you're new to using Google Classroom, or you've just always wondered what it is, and what all the hype is about, than this post is for you.</span></div>
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We started using Google Classroom this year and while I'm in no way an expert yet, I have all kinds of notes, tips and advice I'd love to share with newbies like you!</span></div>
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So, I've compiled a guide full of all this goodness and I'm posting it for <b>FREE</b> in my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Melissa-Obryan-Wild-About-Fifth" target="_blank">TPT store</a> - it's called <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Free-Guide-to-Writing-Workshop-with-Google-Classroom-2984579" target="_blank">Free Guide to Writing Workshop with Google Classroom</a>. I hope you check it out! </span></div>
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The guide contains information on:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: verdana;">What is Google Classroom?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Why use Google Classroom?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: verdana;">How to get started</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: verdana;">How to create assignments</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: verdana;">How to share assignments</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Other tips & advice</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: verdana;">How to organize your Google drive</span></li>
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Download it right now and get started tomorrow with using Google Classroom in your writing workshop! </span></div>
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And if you have additional tips that I missed, please share them in the comments below so I can add them to the guide. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Or, if you'd just love to share how Google Classroom has revolutionized your classroom - I'd love to hear about that too! </span></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Free-Guide-to-Writing-Workshop-with-Google-Classroom-2984579" target="_blank"><img alt="Never use a jump drive again!" border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GBlpHUgn3V4/WIaJNzvVX0I/AAAAAAAAG3A/ucY9S5YbZYYUAF8YFTiGArky__apmuifgCLcB/s640/Slide1.PNG" title="Writing Workshop with Google Classroom" width="494" /></a></div>
<br />Melissa O'Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06341206961178308887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5497639452670204398.post-23980320153763388742017-01-01T17:00:00.006-05:002022-07-22T19:18:47.536-04:00A Free and Simple Classroom Reward - a Gift for Both Students and Teacher<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7bLduDKkNpU/YCAnbMiC8qI/AAAAAAAAjY8/kvJVGlt2dpIE3pRS-sKKNRcXltmhvfNRQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/candy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="free classroom rewards for your students" border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7bLduDKkNpU/YCAnbMiC8qI/AAAAAAAAjY8/kvJVGlt2dpIE3pRS-sKKNRcXltmhvfNRQCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/candy.png" title="stop buying candy for your students" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Are you looking for a simple and free way to reward your students? </span></h3><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Maybe they've met a behavior challenge, or reached a classroom goal - whatever the reason for celebration - I've got the perfect incentive that both you and your students will LOVE!<br /></span>
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Rewarding your students with gifts is expensive. </span></h3><span style="font-family: verdana;">
Buying gifts for your kiddos adds up, even if it's just adorable items from the Target dollar spot. Nine months of purchasing school supplies and toys for a treasure bin costs more money than we want to admit. </span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PTqtgGjLWvY/WGgMvw3gcbI/AAAAAAAAE9k/bjUBNdSBdMIHbehAxsC6eo0sChOJkUvmgCLcB/s1600/meme.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PTqtgGjLWvY/WGgMvw3gcbI/AAAAAAAAE9k/bjUBNdSBdMIHbehAxsC6eo0sChOJkUvmgCLcB/s640/meme.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Rewarding your students with candy is unhealthy.</span></h2>
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I used to have a candy jar in my classroom where I would keep jolly ranchers and starbursts. It was expensive to buy those large bags of candy, but the kids loved it. I would use the candy to reward my students for all kinds of good behaviors. It seemed to be the easiest form of reward but in retrospect, I was just reinforcing the idea that rewarding with food is positive - which can lead to unhealthy lifestyles.</span></div>
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So how should I reward my students?</span></h2>
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If you're fed up with spending money on toys and candy, go ahead and STOP NOW! Do what I've learned works best! Reward your kids with experiences! <br />
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There are many different experiences you can give your students - extra time with technology, gym or recess time, the chance to sit by a friend or in a special classroom spot, the opportunity to have a classroom job or be a classroom leader, permission to bring in a special item from home, and so much more! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">But my favorite experience of them all - is to reward my class with a classroom read-in!<br /></span>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2m7lKnpMJ6Q/WGf-Fb_QPPI/AAAAAAAAE9Q/zwkEIjRvVJ8WjTIBv5Rv0L87YuZFKfrlgCLcB/s1600/read%2Bin.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A free and simple classroom reward for teachers." border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2m7lKnpMJ6Q/WGf-Fb_QPPI/AAAAAAAAE9Q/zwkEIjRvVJ8WjTIBv5Rv0L87YuZFKfrlgCLcB/s640/read%2Bin.jpg" title="Classroom read-in reward for students." width="480" /></a></div>
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Everything we do in our classroom revolves around building a love for reading. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">So why not focus our classroom rewards on facilitating that love as well! <br />
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A read-in is FREE and SIMPLE for you and it can also be so much fun for the kids. This is a gift for both teacher and students!<br /></span>
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What Makes A Successful Read-In?</span></h2>
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<li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Allow your students to bring in a blanket and pillow from home, maybe even a stuffed animal too. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: verdana;">On the special day, push all the desks out of the way so your kids can spread out and get comfy. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Let your students bring in their favorite snack (no candy though). </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Go to YouTube and play a crackling fireplace in the background. (We even found a video on YouTube this year that played instrumental Christmas music along with the crackling fire. It was amazing!)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Read with your kids!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Take pictures to spread the love.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Wait for them to start begging for another Read-In! </span></li>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dKGkxwtJuHM/WGf-DgTuy3I/AAAAAAAAE9E/uGzKwqKIQ6YPj4Ba70Ae2b_OwN1vKw5GACLcB/s1600/read%2Bin%2B3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Crackling fireplace with Christmas music to use during a classroom read-in." border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dKGkxwtJuHM/WGf-DgTuy3I/AAAAAAAAE9E/uGzKwqKIQ6YPj4Ba70Ae2b_OwN1vKw5GACLcB/s640/read%2Bin%2B3.jpg" title="Youtube crackling fireplace with Christmas music." width="480" /></a></td></tr>
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Here's the crackling fireplace with Christmas music that we found! </span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ctt9yJkroSQ/WGf-DWkuACI/AAAAAAAAE9A/1pFGA3fW2t4hBFrLKVTnPObOSsNOJdsEwCLcB/s1600/read%2Bin%2B2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Facilitate a love of reading with a classroom read-in." border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ctt9yJkroSQ/WGf-DWkuACI/AAAAAAAAE9A/1pFGA3fW2t4hBFrLKVTnPObOSsNOJdsEwCLcB/s640/read%2Bin%2B2.jpg" title="Teacher reads with her students during a classroom read-in reward." width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I always read with my students during a Read-In. It's so nice to get comfy and forget the stress of teaching for a short while! </div></span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2aBV27BFUA4/WGf-DGS41_I/AAAAAAAAE88/3xYOMJ9MEggrtHkeCmQ-lqGdqa8zUITIwCLcB/s1600/read%2Bin%2B4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A student reads intently during a classroom read-in." border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2aBV27BFUA4/WGf-DGS41_I/AAAAAAAAE88/3xYOMJ9MEggrtHkeCmQ-lqGdqa8zUITIwCLcB/s320/read%2Bin%2B4.jpg" title="Everyone loves to read during a classroom read-in." width="240" /></a> <a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KKxWNbO5OX8/WGf-FBp5nvI/AAAAAAAAE9M/r8UgzHJl_0wNfQy6YzPhEDHqYSA0W7KjgCLcB/s1600/read%2Bin%2B6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Who doesn't love to read during a read-in?" border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KKxWNbO5OX8/WGf-FBp5nvI/AAAAAAAAE9M/r8UgzHJl_0wNfQy6YzPhEDHqYSA0W7KjgCLcB/s320/read%2Bin%2B6.jpg" title="Reading is so much fun during a classroom read-in!" width="240" /></a></div>
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I hope you try out a read-in in your classroom this year. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">It could be your next answer to rewarding your students for reaching that classroom goal or milestone! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"> If you have any additional tips for making a classroom read-in successful, leave them in the comments below!! </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ks5OZC0-uT0/WGgTZtLJ8EI/AAAAAAAAE94/BHb0aAB1xy4Gct3tY1i6FUr-xriWE6DIgCLcB/s1600/Pinterest%2BImage%2Bfor%2Bread%2Bin.png"><img alt="How to host a successful read-in." border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ks5OZC0-uT0/WGgTZtLJ8EI/AAAAAAAAE94/BHb0aAB1xy4Gct3tY1i6FUr-xriWE6DIgCLcB/s640/Pinterest%2BImage%2Bfor%2Bread%2Bin.png" title="A Free and Simple way to reward your class - with a classroom read-in." width="426" /></a></div>
<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Melissa O'Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06341206961178308887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5497639452670204398.post-75692702872712548512016-11-25T13:24:00.004-05:002021-02-13T14:13:38.121-05:00The Secret to Conferring During Reading Workshop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B4CW_XnBSyo/X_M0iFLqMJI/AAAAAAAAiTk/JylawJS6mPkOwp2XCehG0BS81BPH6zzKgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/conferring.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="how to confer with readers" border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B4CW_XnBSyo/X_M0iFLqMJI/AAAAAAAAiTk/JylawJS6mPkOwp2XCehG0BS81BPH6zzKgCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/conferring.png" title="conferring during reading workshop" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Does conferring during reading workshop scare you? </span></h3><span style="font-family: verdana;">Have you ever felt like you're not sure what to say or teach or check for when you pull up next to a reader? </span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">I used to have those moments all the time, and I would catch myself avoiding conferring - because it didn't feel meaningful. I would pull a small group instead since I had a lesson plan for teaching that. Or, I would even, "gasp," sit down at my computer, check my email and rest my tired feet for a few minutes (and pray that my principal wouldn't walk in at that exact moment). </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Know the feeling? </span></div><div>
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<img alt="Image result for principal walks in on teacher sitting at desk meme" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/31/24/d6/3124d6f561cd6b728e11369d41b6c056.jpg" /><br />
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Every. Single. Time. Right?<br />
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I do allow myself the necessary time to catch up on conferring paperwork on Fridays during reading workshop (I highly recommend this<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Data-Tracking-Workshop-Organizer-EDITABLE-Reading-Teacher-Binder-Zebra-Theme-779771" target="_blank"> workshop binder set</a> to keep all your conferring notes organized). </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">But during the rest of the week, I'm now able to confer with 3-5 readers every day because I've discovered the key to meaningful conferring and it is actually so easy!!!<br /></span>
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What's the Secret?</span></h2><span style="font-family: verdana;">
Why am I no longer scared? How do I magically know what to talk about and teach during conferences? </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Here it is: One, single, solitary, focused, specific learning target is the secret. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">That is all!</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aCnv2qzvRSQ/WDhq5pvx6GI/AAAAAAAAEzc/ctMenQxqWW0gSyM0-rOxjfYrLJu1Co6UQCLcB/s1600/learning%2Btargets.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="learning targets" border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aCnv2qzvRSQ/WDhq5pvx6GI/AAAAAAAAEzc/ctMenQxqWW0gSyM0-rOxjfYrLJu1Co6UQCLcB/w640-h640/learning%2Btargets.jpg" title="conferring learning target" width="640" /></a></div>
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Before I discovered the secret, staying focused on one skill during reading workshop was tough. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">It's so easy to veer off, get distracted, tell a story, seize a teachable moment, etc. etc. Before I knew it, no one remembered the point of the lesson or knew what specific skill to practice during independent reading, and I wasn't sure what to talk about (besides my favorite books) during conferences.<br />
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Should I talk about book choice? Reading logs? Engagement? Stamina? The new J.K. Rowling movie? I've walked away from MANY reading conferences thinking, "I'm not sure if I taught that reader anything, but we had a great conversations about books."<br />
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But now that I force myself to stay focused on ONE learning target during our mini-lesson, shared reading time, independent reading and reading conferences, it makes our reading workshop so powerful and my life so much easier!!<br />
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How do I do it?</span></h2><span style="font-family: verdana;">
First, I post our daily learning target on the board (see photo above.) I also make a <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Reading-Exit-Slips-BUNDLE-Grades-3-6-955240" target="_blank">journal response prompt </a>with the same learning target for each day. I display this<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Reading-Exit-Slips-BUNDLE-Grades-3-6-955240" target="_blank"> journal response prompt</a> on the document camera at the start of our mini-lesson at the carpet and refer back to it several times. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">The journal response prompts that I use are <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Reading-Exit-Ticket-Slips-BUNDLE-Grades-3-6-Distance-Learning-955240" target="_blank">HERE</a>. I seriously can't live without these things. They make my lesson planning so much easier!<br /></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Melissa-Obryan-Wild-About-Fifth/Category/ELA-Exit-Slips-81975" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="324" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u82G-thpt94/WDh6WLx57HI/AAAAAAAAE0Q/v5dO3pWJIH4O2RBZYVxYzrmTUFLjabfWwCLcB/s640/journal%2Bprompt%2B5.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Melissa-Obryan-Wild-About-Fifth/Category/ELA-Exit-Slips-81975" target="_blank">Check out my TPT store HERE for journal response prompt sets in Reading, Writing and Math. </a></td></tr>
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After the mini-lesson, we head back to our seats and practice responding to this prompt together with a shared reading text.</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Melissa-Obryan-Wild-About-Fifth/Category/ELA-Exit-Slips-81975" target="_blank"><img alt="reading response prompts" border="0" height="456" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_L8inFw1Me4/WDh1rBueHNI/AAAAAAAAEzw/77C7GGCk_OEeXzKQ2DgwX5zk58-GR6B1ACLcB/w640-h456/journal%2Bprompt%2B3.jpg" title="reading journal exit tickets" width="640" /></a></div>
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Finally, students respond to the prompt independently during independent reading time.</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QV5Mj3A3gow/WDh10ZOgM2I/AAAAAAAAEz0/KQMU8cyFtmYgkAmzazlONeY-ZDgGgFBgACLcB/s1600/journal%2Bprompt%2B2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="reading response prompts" border="0" height="618" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QV5Mj3A3gow/WDh10ZOgM2I/AAAAAAAAEz0/KQMU8cyFtmYgkAmzazlONeY-ZDgGgFBgACLcB/w640-h618/journal%2Bprompt%2B2.jpg" title="reading journal exit slips" width="640" /></a></div>
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And Best of All......</span></h2><span style="font-family: verdana;">
My reading conferences focus on the prompt and students share their responses to the learning target at the conclusion of workshop time. <b>Everything is focused on one, single target. </b> Now that I've discovered this simple secret, I always know what to say when I pull up next to a reader to confer.<br />
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A typical conference sounds something like this:<br />
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<b>Me - </b>I'm noticing (something good about the reader that relates to the learning target - compliment). Tell me more about that.<br />
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<b>S - </b>responds<br />
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<b>Me - </b>Now let's look at how you're doing with today's learning target. Tell me about your journal response.<br />
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<b>S -</b> shows me response and explains thinking process<br />
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<b>Me-</b> I take notes and compliment, reinforce or intervene/teach as needed. I record notes on an Avery label to adhere later to the student's page in my<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Data-Tracking-Workshop-Organizer-EDITABLE-Reading-Teacher-Binder-Zebra-Theme-779771" target="_blank"> workshop binder</a>. Lastly, I give the student a sticky note bookmark with a goal to work on relating to the learning target and I ask the student to talk to me about how they will achieve the goal.<br />
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<b>S - </b>responds<br />
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<b>Me - </b>I thank the reader for their work, remind them that I will check in on them and their progress toward their goal in a few days. I schedule them a time in my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Data-Tracking-Workshop-Organizer-EDITABLE-Reading-Teacher-Binder-Zebra-Theme-779771" target="_blank">workshop binder</a> calendar and I move on to the next student on the schedule.</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zfjSbbBBjmc/WDh4G5cqu0I/AAAAAAAAE0E/gt5WxusJy84IBsWfqfH8iaWhMu2SrzEuACLcB/s1600/conferring%2Bbinder.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="organize your reading workshop notes" border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zfjSbbBBjmc/WDh4G5cqu0I/AAAAAAAAE0E/gt5WxusJy84IBsWfqfH8iaWhMu2SrzEuACLcB/w582-h640/conferring%2Bbinder.jpg" title="reading workshop conferring notes" width="582" /></a></div>
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And that's it, this secret has transformed our reading workshop and allowed me powerful teaching time with each reader in my classroom. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">It's taken hours off of the planning process and it has simply made my life easier. Which is every teacher's deepest darkest wish, right? </span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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The following life saving resources were used in this blog post:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Reading-Exit-Ticket-Slips-BUNDLE-Grades-3-6-Distance-Learning-955240" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="reading exit slips" border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1152" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e2CmgSXV-EY/X_M2b7d6ajI/AAAAAAAAiTw/rFrEH_Y5RUscAxsW9eIjbmstdhOpNYGtwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h640/Slide1.PNG" title="reading exit tickets" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Reading-Workshop-Binder-Editable-779771?aref=9qqzu7qy" target="_blank"><img alt="reading workshop binder organizer" border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1152" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5uJHCOh4Ago/WseewMByUmI/AAAAAAAAIF8/lC7F5Vo5OSkRF7eXWLtPcPmofGyas0lKACLcBGAs/w640-h640/Slide1.PNG" title="organize your reading workshop lesson plans and data" width="640" /></a></div></div>Melissa O'Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06341206961178308887noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5497639452670204398.post-1788490613236730382016-09-10T14:40:00.009-04:002021-04-13T15:42:58.769-04:00Revolutionary War Mock Trial Project Based Learning Activity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GSaGOpxC84w/YCBDjvSpshI/AAAAAAAAjbo/fXrvUNaw4UAeN2RtJZEZAOlZqs8aaru3ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/bring%2Bhistory%2Balive.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="bring history alive with engaging social studies project based learning mock trials" border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GSaGOpxC84w/YCBDjvSpshI/AAAAAAAAjbo/fXrvUNaw4UAeN2RtJZEZAOlZqs8aaru3ACLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/bring%2Bhistory%2Balive.png" title="road to the revolution mock trials" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">
Are you looking for a must-do project for your social studies students this year? </span></h2><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">If you teach the Revolutionary War time period, or anything to do with government and the judicial system - than you NEED this now!!!</span></div><div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Road-to-the-Revolution-Mock-Trials-Project-Based-Learning-Unit-Grades-4-8-2742262" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bring your history classroom alive" border="0" height="640" nopin="nopin" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W4qwRQarn0U/V9Csouvcm2I/AAAAAAAAEYw/lZIprkLCRcAi-LmxFQML1UPW2wwZstauwCLcB/s640/Sq%2BCover.png" title="Road to the Revolution" width="640" /></a></div>
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Bringing history alive is so important and so much fun! In our classroom, we bring our studies to life by learning first hand how to be a lawyer and how to participate in our country's justice system. <br />
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I cannot take credit for this idea, it was passed on to me through my mentor teacher and even though she's now retired, I keep it going strong because it's just so amazing to see my students living out a real-life job that they could become in the future. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
Now I want to pass the torch to you because this memorable project is the perfect way to bring excitement and authenticity to your history classroom. Plus, mock trials are an ideal way to hit those Speaking and Listening standards in the Common Core. <br />
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Implementing mock trials though, or any project based learning curriculum can be TONS of work when you have to create everything yourself, as I have over the past 10 years. So to make your life easier, I've compiled EVERYTHING right <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Road-to-the-Revolution-Mock-Trials-Project-Based-Learning-Unit-Grades-4-8-2742262">HERE</a> that you will ever need to ensure successful classroom mock trials!<br /></span>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2R9hQUBxjOY/V9RRRt0_d-I/AAAAAAAAEbM/vyIjHLwUK-AQp3ln12rUmTQf_xDKC79rgCLcB/s1600/Slide2.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bring your social studies classroom alive" border="0" height="640" nopin="nopin" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2R9hQUBxjOY/V9RRRt0_d-I/AAAAAAAAEbM/vyIjHLwUK-AQp3ln12rUmTQf_xDKC79rgCLcB/s640/Slide2.PNG" title="Revolution Mock Trials" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iKSexjg64Cc/V9RRNSqBBnI/AAAAAAAAEbI/vqCSj0BKHwc91gwOtfTgyxzt6P1mR__XACEw/s1600/Slide3.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bring your history classroom alive with Mock Trials" border="0" height="640" nopin="nopin" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iKSexjg64Cc/V9RRNSqBBnI/AAAAAAAAEbI/vqCSj0BKHwc91gwOtfTgyxzt6P1mR__XACEw/s640/Slide3.PNG" title="Mock Trials" width="640" /></a></div>
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So how does it work? I'll run you through some of the important basics of putting on classroom mock trials. MUCH more in depth information, photos, and resources can be found right <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Road-to-the-Revolution-Mock-Trials-Project-Based-Learning-Unit-Grades-4-8-2742262">HERE</a>.<br />
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Here we go!</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EBsQghlQ828/VZNDkDHYBVI/AAAAAAAADiE/Z1LGgJdrmhc/s1600/%25231.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nopin="nopin" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EBsQghlQ828/VZNDkDHYBVI/AAAAAAAADiE/Z1LGgJdrmhc/s400/%25231.png" width="323" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Week 1 - Mock Trial Introductions and Auditions</span></b></h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The first thing I do is talk with my students about the Judicial Branch of government and its purpose. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I show them a couple (previewed) Judge Judy (or similar) clips from YouTube and we talk about why we need a judicial system and how jury duty works in our country. </span></div>
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Next, I connect this discussion to two events we've learned about in social studies - The Boston Tea Party and the Boston Massacre (you could use any historical events that you wish). </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I explain to the students that we are going to bring the judicial system to life in our classroom by learning how to defend or prosecute a real case. Most of week one is full of discussion, creating anchor charts that detail each mock trial position, and hosting auditions. </span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9kZ9Skec97E/V9Qxh-NlcGI/AAAAAAAAEZo/unXzmbpA268XtRwE6YlKB2MD_p78g_UgwCLcB/s1600/Slide16.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Road to the Revolution Mock Trials positions anchor chart example" border="0" height="640" nopin="nopin" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9kZ9Skec97E/V9Qxh-NlcGI/AAAAAAAAEZo/unXzmbpA268XtRwE6YlKB2MD_p78g_UgwCLcB/s640/Slide16.PNG" title="Road to the Revolution Mock Trials positions" width="480" /></a></div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zqq_mzPteAY/V9Q-nrwuVZI/AAAAAAAAEZ4/UOp1RgoUbfI0giwOLch2jy5lAPIP6f0oACLcB/s1600/tryouts.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Road to the Revolution Mock Trials audition script for attorneys and witnesses" border="0" height="640" nopin="nopin" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zqq_mzPteAY/V9Q-nrwuVZI/AAAAAAAAEZ4/UOp1RgoUbfI0giwOLch2jy5lAPIP6f0oACLcB/s640/tryouts.jpg" title="Road to the Revolution Mock Trials audition script" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: small;">One of my sweet students hard at work on a script to prepare for try-outs! </span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HPBQeSeaB_Q/VZNDxVPpoJI/AAAAAAAADiM/t3t6j7Dd8Ps/s1600/%25232.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nopin="nopin" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HPBQeSeaB_Q/VZNDxVPpoJI/AAAAAAAADiM/t3t6j7Dd8Ps/s400/%25232.png" width="314" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Week 2 - Researching the Facts</span></b></h2><span style="font-family: verdana;">
After listening to tryouts, I determine who will become the attorneys, witnesses and jurors and then pass out attorney case files. During week two, attorneys begin the research phase. They need to learn as much as they can about their particular case so they can prep the witnesses and create a winning strategy.<br />
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I check out lots of books on the <i>Boston Tea Party</i> and the <i>Boston Massacre</i> from our school and local libraries so students can begin this phase and build their case. My students work on this during daily independent reading and computer lab times so very little actual curriculum time is used.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eVPCqnWNWOo/V9Q-sYSYVAI/AAAAAAAAEZ8/ibA5Hc9vnv0nLqfzMW6vQrRGtJg8_T3uwCLcB/s1600/research.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Researching facts for Road to the Revolution Mock Trials" border="0" height="640" nopin="nopin" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eVPCqnWNWOo/V9Q-sYSYVAI/AAAAAAAAEZ8/ibA5Hc9vnv0nLqfzMW6vQrRGtJg8_T3uwCLcB/s640/research.jpg" title="Road to the Revolution Mock Trials research" width="560" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: small;">Using her text book and a library book to research the facts of the Boston Tea Party. </span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IcfBHElrvpE/VZNDykwXH9I/AAAAAAAADiU/TVDfyfL25Jc/s1600/%25233.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nopin="nopin" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IcfBHElrvpE/VZNDykwXH9I/AAAAAAAADiU/TVDfyfL25Jc/s400/%25233.png" width="321" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Week 3 - Lines of Questioning</span></b></h2><span style="font-family: verdana;">
Attorneys begin to build their cases. They brainstorm strategies for defending or prosecuting the facts. They also use the research they've gathered to write out their script for the trial. Plus, they draft their opening and closing statements.<br />
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If you're wondering how in the world do they accomplish ALL of this in one week - everything is explained clearly <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Road-to-the-Revolution-Mock-Trials-Project-Based-Learning-Unit-Grades-4-8-2742262">HERE</a> with pictures and every resource needed to make your life so much easier!!! You can implement this project without any experience with legal system jargon - I promise!!! I've done all the work for you. :)</span><br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XtOgD8kga5Y/V9Q_92JBEII/AAAAAAAAEaE/zyIVHQMAMY4uUr3ch8t4w5yvcqKhKg5tACLcB/s1600/unnamed.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Road to the Revolution Mock Trials rehearsal number one" border="0" height="640" nopin="nopin" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XtOgD8kga5Y/V9Q_92JBEII/AAAAAAAAEaE/zyIVHQMAMY4uUr3ch8t4w5yvcqKhKg5tACLcB/s640/unnamed.jpg" title="Road to the Revolution Mock Trials classroom set up" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: small;">The judge's table and witness stand in preparation for rehearsal #1. </span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RFKOT4wHlas/V9REbbqu5KI/AAAAAAAAEaQ/MZ0tCKgJCEIQW3kV8b0Ix7rgp3jBr1CbgCLcB/s1600/blog%2Bpost%2B%2Bnumber%2B5.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nopin="nopin" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RFKOT4wHlas/V9REbbqu5KI/AAAAAAAAEaQ/MZ0tCKgJCEIQW3kV8b0Ix7rgp3jBr1CbgCLcB/s320/blog%2Bpost%2B%2Bnumber%2B5.png" width="247" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Week 4 - Practice Makes Perfect</span></b></h2><span style="font-family: verdana;">
Now that the students have had a chance to practice what they've accomplished, week 4 is all about revising lines of questioning, beginning to formulate cross-examination questions/answers, finalizing opening statements, beginning closing statements and a second rehearsal.</span><br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y9kKKdGEDyU/V9RH7AmzEtI/AAAAAAAAEaY/1Ho9wwYBscI3SD21ZcjNaSMEjGGL1yABQCLcB/s1600/practice%2B2.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Road to the Revolution Mock Trials attorneys rehearsing for trial" border="0" height="566" nopin="nopin" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y9kKKdGEDyU/V9RH7AmzEtI/AAAAAAAAEaY/1Ho9wwYBscI3SD21ZcjNaSMEjGGL1yABQCLcB/s640/practice%2B2.png" title="Road to the Revolution Mock Trials attorneys" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">A<span style="font-size: small;">ttorneys and witnesses working on their lines of questioning. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gCYBFSZGLuc/V9RIGj9zHMI/AAAAAAAAEac/R62lGJwyHVgbES_E0Dc7t0Ez1s0wkrSLwCLcB/s1600/practice.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Road to the Revolution Mock Trials line of questioning rehearsal" border="0" height="640" nopin="nopin" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gCYBFSZGLuc/V9RIGj9zHMI/AAAAAAAAEac/R62lGJwyHVgbES_E0Dc7t0Ez1s0wkrSLwCLcB/s640/practice.png" title="Road to the Revolution Mock Trials line of questioning" width="570" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cross-examination rehearsal!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DwXINzZQScI/V9RIU_yTGpI/AAAAAAAAEag/O3C_hRpIl44VQelSbK70ZC4pH8vh6BeggCLcB/s1600/swear%2Bin.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Road to the Revolution Mock Trials bailiff swearing in witness during rehearsal" border="0" height="596" nopin="nopin" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DwXINzZQScI/V9RIU_yTGpI/AAAAAAAAEag/O3C_hRpIl44VQelSbK70ZC4pH8vh6BeggCLcB/s640/swear%2Bin.png" title="Road to the Revolution Mock Trials bailiff swearing in witness" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: small;">The bailiff practicing swearing in a witness.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Week 5 - The Judge and the Jury</span></b></h2><span style="font-family: verdana;">
With two rehearsals down, most of the fifth week will be about preparing for the "real" judge and jury and a dress rehearsal. I play the judge during all rehearsals but I invite someone in to serve as the official judge on trial day. Don't worry, everything the judge will need and say is included <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Road-to-the-Revolution-Mock-Trials-Project-Based-Learning-Unit-Grades-4-8-2742262">HERE</a> so your visitor can be anyone. I do try to secure a graduation gown and gavel for the judge - but those are optional items.<br />
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The jury are the remaining students in your classroom after you've selected the 22 speaking parts (the number of speaking parts can be altered to fit your classroom needs). For dress rehearsal I do ask my students to dress up in their nicest dress clothes so they look like real attorneys and court professionals. They look so cute and serious in their dress clothes.</span><br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XoJ0tECARkE/V9RJ5z9fUyI/AAAAAAAAEas/e8WUxvUYCJ8NrLzHcUsAqzUiw85g1DZIwCLcB/s1600/unnamed%2B%25283%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Road to the Revolution Mock Trials jury set up for rehearsal" border="0" height="640" nopin="nopin" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XoJ0tECARkE/V9RJ5z9fUyI/AAAAAAAAEas/e8WUxvUYCJ8NrLzHcUsAqzUiw85g1DZIwCLcB/s640/unnamed%2B%25283%2529.jpg" title="Road to the Revolution Mock Trials jury set up" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: small;">The jury may seem like a small part to students but mine learn quickly that it's<br />actually the most powerful position!! </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0QSH-uXiYyE/V9RKBxT4fJI/AAAAAAAAEaw/SHb1FgKyJNwUFuTP226ozNxwEiIVPcnpwCLcB/s1600/unnamed%2B%25288%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bring your history classroom alive with American Revolution Mock Trials" border="0" height="640" nopin="nopin" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0QSH-uXiYyE/V9RKBxT4fJI/AAAAAAAAEaw/SHb1FgKyJNwUFuTP226ozNxwEiIVPcnpwCLcB/s640/unnamed%2B%25288%2529.jpg" title="Road to the Revolution Mock Trials dress rehearsal" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dress rehearsal to get out the nerves!!! Look at those adorable suits and ties.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Week 6 - Court is in Session</span></b></h2><span style="font-family: verdana;">
It's the last week (you can complete this project in less or more weeks - depending on how much class time you want to use). I use very little class time, the students do most of their preparation during independent reading, writing and computer lab time and at home.<br />
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During this crucial week students finalize all parts of their case and I remind them how amazing they are! I usually schedule the trials on a Friday so parents/visitors can take time off work and attend. Each trial takes between 45-60 min. <br />
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On the big day, I just sit back, relax and watch my students our legal system alive. Parents are shocked when they find out how little I've done during this project and how much their students are able to accomplish on their own! Mock trial presentation day is my favorite school day every single year!</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ypoyaYLRbgs/V9RSolgz_FI/AAAAAAAAEbU/vnTFDT8iGUg0DvwWjVmfYSrhQuHXxDsNgCLcB/s1600/unnamed%2B%25287%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Road to the Revolution Mock Trials court docket" border="0" height="640" nopin="nopin" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ypoyaYLRbgs/V9RSolgz_FI/AAAAAAAAEbU/vnTFDT8iGUg0DvwWjVmfYSrhQuHXxDsNgCLcB/s640/unnamed%2B%25287%2529.jpg" title="Road to the Revolution Mock Trials court docket" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/262756959489085649/" target="_blank"><img alt="Boston Tea Party and Boston Massacre Classroom Mock Trials" border="0" data-pin-description="Bring history alive with Road to the Revolution mock trials. Put the Boston Tea Party and Boston Massacre on trial." height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-82wby26MXoU/V9S6SwTgRdI/AAAAAAAAEbs/JCyWgsBHYdke4RQRIofdNBi8yBaq5ymhACLcB/s640/pin%2Bimage%2B2.png" title="Bring History Alive with Road to the Revolution Classroom Mock Trials" width="340" /></a></div>
</div>Melissa O'Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06341206961178308887noreply@blogger.com9