One thing I have realized is that even though you teach it, it doesn’t mean they’ve learned it! Like most new learning, it takes an abundant amount of practice before the student “owns” the concept. That is why I am so happy to be using Daily Common Core & More for my morning work. It has shown me which skills they have mastered and which ones… well let’s say “haven’t stuck” yet. I had some…
The Common Core Standards were designed to establish a baseline of what all students in the United States should be able to do by the end of each grade. They do not tell teachers how to teach, nor is it a curriculum. Curriculum is still determined at the local level. Schools can still provide differentiated instruction and advanced materials. The ultimate goal is to have clear, consistent goals that prepare our students to compete in a…
Start the year off with these fall themed homework passes! A little treat for my blog readers and followers to pass on to your students. Click on the pic to go to the download page.
Do you wish you had an easy way to review the skills that you have taught? Are you frustrated when your students “forgot” what you taught them a few weeks ago? Have you been wondering how to incorporate the Common Core Standards into your classroom? Are you worried that it is “one more thing” you have to cram into your already busy schedule? Well, I’ve been in your shoes and it has motivated me to create…
Good readers think about the text and often make connections with the characters. I like to have a way to track my students’ thinking. One way I do this is with this Making Connections form. You can provide this form for your student to use while they are reading, or after reading. It can be used with guided reading groups, strategy groups, or individuals. As a blog reader, you can download a copy to use in…
When working with elementary students, I try to mix in some activities that get them up and about, especially in the afternoon. One of their favorite activities is a Trivia Hunt. They are simple to do and the kids learn a lot in the process! Beforehand, I post about a dozen index-sized cards containing information on a topic throughout our hallway. Here is an example of 4 trivia cards about Rockhopper penguins. Since this hunt includes…
I love to have my students write down their thoughts on Post-it notes when they are reading independently. I gain so much insight into their thinking, their misconceptions, and level of comprehending the text. However, I didn’t have a plan for organizing their notes in a way that would be accessible to me for assessment purposes. Having the notes stuffed inside their book didn’t provide me with a bigger picture of what strategies they were using,…
