Peek At My Week

I am linking up with Mrs. Willis for her Peek at my Week linky. :) I haven't done one of these in a while! {so.... thanks for checking my week out!} 

We had all of last week off for Fall Break {which was glorious...} and we are back at it tomorrow. Usually our Fall Break coincides with the week the Fair is in town... but not this year. I know my kiddos brains will be on their favorite rides and fair foods and not so much on our content - I will need some super teacher powers to keep them active and engaged this week. {Not to mention my two kiddos will be in the Fair kick-off parade and participating in their usual after school activities....This week will have to be managed one day at time y'all.} 

**Leave me a comment**

What is your favorite fair food? 

{I am supposed to be doing the whole 30 since I started cross fit a few weeks ago - 

but I THINK this week will call for a CHEAT!}

Here are my visual plans for the week and the links to all my materials will be at the end of the post. 

I hope you all have an amazing week! :) 

Charlotte's Web 

October Literacy Centers

Harvest No Prep Math and Literacy

Today is my 6 year TPT anniversary.... to celebrate - my entire store is 20% off! :)
and they all fall down 

Head over to Mrs. Willis' blog to see all the other bloggers that linked up to share their week! :)

Gingerbread, Gingerbread…..and a Product Swap!

A few of us are getting together to swap some of our favorite products... and we wanted to share them with you! Our swaps are going live!
Check out the links at the bottom of my post to see the other fabulous bloggers who paired up! :)

I am reviewing  Can't Catch Me - A Gingerbread Thematic Unit from the Applicious Teacher. If you check out the teaser post (last Saturday) you can see the preview pages from tpt (also on her blog)

There are 12 center activities in all in this unit. I was really impressed with her resource page which had links to all of her favorite gingerbread books, videos, and music that can be used with this unit! There were a few gingerbread books that I've never read before - so those were ordered! :) {Like I need an excuse to order more books….. pssssshhhhh…..}

So - here are a few of the activities that we worked on …. in my classroom and at my house with my own child….

First - The uber cute cookie math hunt - for my ell's I circled the number words and the addition or subtraction words to help them locate the important information within the word problem {This can also help your lower readers when it comes to math word problems - so they focus on the mathematical components and not get stuck on the reading.}

Next up - Sweet Treats!

I did this with my younger kids so we did the primary version 

{Ms. Leigh included two versions for instant differentiation….}

In this version they picked a few pieces of candy and added them up… I had them count out the change and 'pay' for their candy. In the more advanced version - they {my addition...can roll dice} to decide how many pieces or scoops they will get… then add it….AND figure out the change due! 

WOW! That component blew my mind - my kids SO need practice with counting back change and this will be a fun way for my older ones to practice that skill. 

{I can't tell you how bothered I get when a cashier won't count back my change….pet-peeve}

 Here are pictures of the synonym center. 

'Synonym Cookies'

You will notice in many of my posts - My kids will practice with these a lot before I give them the recording sheets. I do this for a few reasons…. 

1. Practice, Practice, Practice….especially with ell students

2. I want this to be a 'risk-free' activity for them and not worry about right or wrong. 

{I am in a situation where I don't assign grades…so this is different then many of you in regular classrooms….}

3. I have [MAX] 8 kids in a 45 minute segment - so my kids get a lot of small group and one - on - one time. It is easy for me to see very quickly who 'gets it' and who doesn't. 

 Here is the 'Gingerbread Words' ELA activity.

This was a great review for my 3rd and 5th grade ell's. My 2nd graders LOVED the graphics and backgrounds. 

[Heck - so did I!]

I was pretty blown away by the amount of material you receive for the minimal price… 50 cents a center? DEAL!

I will be using this for the next two weeks of school - The CCSS are already linked to the activities for me - my planning is easy!

Now… I just have to worry about Christmas shopping…. THE HORROR!

One of my favorites - that I didn't' get to showcase here …

Gingerbread Man Sweat Treats printables - they can be used with SO MANY gingerbread stories! 

Check out her homophone freebie…

Follow her store…

and her blog...

WIDA & CCSS lesson planning resources

So - after planning for hours this weekend, and reading Señorita Reina's comment - 

I am not alone! WooHoo! 

I know - it sounds crazy ... but many times I think I am the only one experiencing trouble or that has an issue...chances are ... many others have the same issue..

So - I did some blog stalking research today -

Here is what I've found....

First up - WIDA blog

This blog - by Tammy King - has been up and running for two years. She highlights trainings, ACCESS for ELL's, ed tech, and data analysis with EL's in mind. She has also written a book on implementing effective instruction for EL's into the classroom.

This blog has been added to my bookmarks - I've enjoyed what I have read so far  :) 

#2

Another great ESOL blog - 

I may have blog stalked Laurah for a while..... :) 

She has a giveaway running now {hint, hint} and has some WIDA/CCSS aligned units in her tpt store. I was really sad to learn that someone stole their MacBooks and even more heart-broken that her Donor's Choose project to replace them expired in April! Boohoo!

#3

ColorínColorado.org

This page has a wealth of information - in ABC order! 

It is also a bilingual site!

#4

They also have a blog dedicated to Common Core and ELL's :) 

The blog *might* be my favorite thing....ever....

The first post that comes up is the back to school writing prompt - with CCSS and expectations for each level of ELL student! 

#5

The National Writing Project

This site addresses issues with Common Core and EL focusing on writing.

There are links to journal articles and books for further PD {uh....Christmas Break?}

night peeps - time for more cold meds and bed....

yay for bts germs. 

Ready, Set, Teach!

Wow.... 

I've spent a few HOURS on my plans this evening. 

Correlating the Georgia Common Core for each grade with WIDA standards - gets a little overwhelming at times. 

BUT - I get to teach about the Civil War! {I am more excited than I should be... but you are also dealing with the girl who had a crush on Abraham Lincoln in the 4th grade} 

I still remember my first research report - The Battle of Bull Run :) 

I also get to work on basic alphabet identification, parts of speech, and writing! 

Here are my plans - 

I made the template myself - I searched for a while to find one I liked, and never was able to... So... I made my own. {typical OCD} :) 

Since I can't link a jpg with hyperlinks [or if there is a way... I don't know it]

- here are links to my materials...

Back to School Glyph - Glyph Girls {freebie}

Would You Rather - Rachel Lynette

I Know My Alphabet - Kristen Smith

Informal Phonics Inventory (google - curry schools and scribd will pop up)

Back To School Journals

It will be a busy week - but I am excited to get back into it. 

Are you all on break still? Why do you go back? 

There's High Tech... and Then There's Me...

Here is an example of a Low-Tech thing I implement in my classroom... Nothing quite like a notebook and a pen for me - call me old school! :) 

I put all examples onto one page, but this method can be used a million ways... 

I'm not saying this is the best way - but I am saying - this is MY way...

My Gradebook/Planbook:

After half an hour of searching online to see what the ‘real’ name of it is…. I use a Legal Notebook… I love these!

WHY?

1.If you are used to numbering the children – like I do – this is a great way to write down anecdotal notes… just write a sentence or two next to the child’s number that you are observing!

2.This keeps your observations and grades private! I always have a volunteer, parapro, student teacher… someone in my room!

3.In the age of accountability – this is a great way to note items to refer to later!

4.There is a handy little space at the top – write your CCSS or your state standard, and flip back anytime you work on that to see how the child progresses!  

Below is a snap of the same notebook being used for planning. 

I need everything in writing and mapped out. :/

This shows my group rotations and group names. We were the 'Wranglers'

last year - so I came up with  new names for my groups. :) 

Check back in a few days - I am working on a post about positive behavior rewards and positive praise - with a FREEBIE! :) 

Praise to the Fudge!

OMG. I am SO HAPPY to be finished with this book companion.... 

FUDGE-A-MANIA

I can't adequately express how excited I am to be finished! I was in high school when this book was published, so I never read it in grade school.... I missed a whole bunch of fudge! :) 

My second graders will be reading this when we get back to school so I wanted to be prepared for the first nine weeks! WHEW. I have comprehension questions for the kids, for the teachers.... a writing prompt, a graphing activity, journal ideas....

OH!

And a flip book of the story elements!

I have spent most of this week on FUDGE....

and I am so happy to be finished! 

Head over to TeachersPayTeachers to check it out!

Want one for free? 

Leave me some love and I will have my DD pick a lucky number when we get home...

Don't forget to leave your email! 

To celebrate... we are heading to IKEA today! 

I can barely contain my excitement.... 

Another To-Do Bites the Dust...

What a beautiful day - the sun is out - it's in the 50's {finally... I think my toes were about to freeze off}

AND

I finished my Mammals non-fiction unit... whew! I'm giving one away - enter below!

Now that - was a labor of love. I had all the passages done for my kiddos to use the last two weeks, and the comprehension questions... but going back in to make it cute and presentable - OY VAY! The title page, contents, credits, and directions pages take me forever... FOREVER! 

BUT

I am pretty happy with the way it turned out. My kids enjoyed it too! 

I made one addition to this unit - a large flip book in addition to a flip book for each animal. I realized while we were working on it that the kids were going to have 5 separate flip books. Which is cool - but - we are learning about mammals - so I did one large one that included all the animals we learned about. 

I like it so much - I'm going back in to add this to my landforms unit. :) 

We were also talking about the regions of Georgia, so I thought it would be a good idea to include a few maps - incorporate some geography... the kids could then color the maps where these animals are found! The passages tell about where in the world they are found, so that could be a reading comprehension activity - but if you wanted to personalize it, the U. S. Map would be great! 

Yay for crossing something off my to-do list. :) 

(And I watched 11 episodes of Scandal as I worked on it - so I caught up on my favorite show too - Win -Win and Amen for DVR!)

Have a great weekend!

Oh - Holy Moley - I'm almost at 200 followers - WHAT? 

Giveaway soon! 

Giveaway Ends Tuesday!


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visual plans 3.4.13

This week I am really focusing on the CCGPSRI {Common Core Georgia Performance Standards Reading Informational}

I am doing a lot of non-fiction units with my kiddos, all grade levels. I am using a unit that I have created, I am currently creating, and ones that I have purchased to accomplish this. I am also using reading a to z and raz-kids for my non-fiction literature component. We are focusing on finding details and information in text and creating graphic organizers to help with study skills. 

My 4th and 2nd grades are doing a lot of hands - on this week - which will be great - those two grade levels are my lowest ELL's. I also have Google Earth queued up - so we can look at different landforms. I am also taking my Kinders on a field trip to Washington D.C. {VIRTUAL ONE!}

We are going to visit the monuments! And I am so excited! 

We will also be writing on Friday. WHOOOHOOO! {no - not really} oy vay!

So - here are my plans - {BASIC, BASIC, BASIC}

I linked up with Mrs. Wills Kindergarten for her visual plans linky! Wow - these ladies are awesome!

more planning...

I actually got to sit down with my frameworks and Common Core Standards...

Planning for k-5 gets a little hectic at times... :) 

I went through and made a graphic for each grade level. 

I included the 'thematic text' that lasts for 4.5 or 9 weeks.

I pulled out the writing focus and grammar focus.

I will add some fun activities and (duh) technology!

BUT I also need to work speaking and language domains in to meet WIDA standards. 

So

my plan....

(please keep in mind that I have 45 minutes a day with each grade level, and I'm concentrating on the CCGPS frameworks ---- while also aligning my activities to the WIDA frameworks to meet the needs of English Language Learners..) whew....

Kinders are working on Lincoln and Washington with the theme of heroes. 

(I'm using Katie Knight's amazing American Heroes unit and American Symbols units)

You can read about her amazing blog posts here : Teacher to the Core - American Symbols

They are also working on verbs and opposites.

All of the grade levels are working on an producing an opinion piece of writing.

I plan on using google earth to show my kids the monuments in D.C.

They are going to LOVE the smart art in her packets! :) 

I'm kinda excited.... yep.... I'm kinda a dork.... :)

Here is a picture of my first grade plans... remember... these are still rough... 

now ...  to get it from the paper ...  into action. 

I have a feeling another non-fiction unit will be coming out of this prep work ;)

stay tuned! 

What are your favorite mammals? 

Reptiles? 

Amphibians? 

Night all.

and

SMILE

because tomorrow is 

FRIDAY! 

planning...and shopping...and planning

SO - it's Sunday and I'm getting all my things together for this week. I don't have a planning period during my workday, so I've been eating lunch in my room and scouring the frameworks during any extra free time I have. 

This week - 

4th grade is reading Shiloh - I'll be working on vocabulary and summarizing with my ELL's to help them understand the story. I've read through the story and come up with some comprehension questions and graphic organizers to use this week. I plan on reading a good bit of it aloud with this group, their listening comprehension is fairly high. 

3rd grade is reading Mr. Popper's Penguins

We will do a vocabulary flip book to help them to learn those words. The general ed teacher is concentrating on homophones this week. :) so much fun! I plan on doing some flashcards and having the children draw the picture on the back, and circle the different spellings between the two. Later in the week we will practice using them in context.

(I need to go on a google image search...)

2nd grade is working on landforms and hard and soft g.

Last week we started vocabulary cards...

I have three children that are learning BASIC English, so I keep my Korean dictionary at my side at all times. In this picture they are working on the different landforms that are found in the water (hence blue flash cards...) They wrote the name on the front, translated it underneath, and wrote the definition on the back. We are in the process of adding pictures (a mixture of drawings and clip art). 

Here is a picture of my set

I'm such a dork that we color-coded them... pink for landforms that rise ABOVE the land. 

Yellow for landforms that go below or are lower than the land.

Green for flat land (prairie...grass... you get where I was going?)

And then of course the blue for landforms in the water. 

This week we will continue this, but I also plan to do a 'shades' of landforms activity to have the children arrange them from highest to lowest. 

To help me out this week I purchased this landforms unit from Amanda Nickerson of oneextradegree

and I found a SUPER cute freebie from a tpt newbie, Elizabeth Myrick,  on hard and soft g. 

And lastly - for my Kinders - 

we will continue working on day and night {CCGPS unit}. 

Raz-Kids has lots of opposite books that we will listen to and then we can play opposites charades... :) Gotta those little ones moving!

I am so happy that is coming along - I'll admit - I had a LITTLE bit of anxiety about this, but being able to see the frameworks paired with the teachers plans, is helping to alleviate some of my worries. As I scan through I try and think about my kids and where the strengths and weaknesses are, then plan to focus on comprehension, vocabulary, or the grammar skill. It usually ends up being a little bit of everything...

CCGPS and planning...

So - I have a huge stack of CCGPS frameworks, templates, maps, outlines, yada, yada, yada, sitting next to me on the couch. I have been planning for my K-5 classes since Friday. I'm not doing so good. I'm struggling to find where I can best help my ELL kiddos within these frameworks. I plan on pre-teaching the vocabulary, and doing mini-lessons on the comprehension skills and strategies. I also need to really work in more opinion writing pieces. We have a hard time writing narrative pieces, so I'm a little uneasy about the opinion and persuasive pieces of writing that are found so frequently in the Common Core Standards. 

Anyway - this is what I have - 

The Kinder Framework focuses on day and night and superheroes for the next 9 weeks.

The need to produce an opinion piece of writing and learn the structure of a non-fiction piece of writing, while also focusing on verbs, opposites, sorting, and sequencing. OY VAY!

SO.. My Plan Is...

I have a KWL and brace map prepared for Monday when I will also introduce different vocabulary words using picture cards. I also plan on using these vocabulary cards in a day and night sorting activity.

 (graphics - mycutegraphics and aisne's clip art)

I am going to use the book Getting Dressed from reading a to z - working in the sequencing and routines, but having the students extend to book to bring in the before and after of the book and day and night. For language we will use sentences from the book and pre-made sentence cards to continue working on our vocabulary. 

I need to remember to find my sequencing cards for practice! Some of our discussions will center around what happens during the day and the night, and we will START learning about opinions and formulating opinions using some of our vocabulary cards. 

In the next 8 weeks - I'm going to focus on opposites using many of the level aa and a reading a to z books. The level aa's focus on one topic, where the level a's will compare and contrast the opposites. We will label our non-fiction pictures and review text structure using these a to z books. 

45 minutes....5 days....

I got this! :) 

Happy Monday Y'all!