tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1843989609667984792024-03-14T10:23:01.356-07:00Mrs. Kietzman's ClassroomMrs. Kietzmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15761019327010465207noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184398960966798479.post-59799400641798200132014-12-15T20:20:00.002-08:002014-12-15T20:20:10.438-08:00What Fun It Is!<div style="text-align: left;">
I wanted to get another post in before our break--when I'll be out of the country-- so here we go!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0x0ArZzEOXM/VI-qW5hccsI/AAAAAAAAAyU/7Pq4hn2gnQs/s1600/photo%2B3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0x0ArZzEOXM/VI-qW5hccsI/AAAAAAAAAyU/7Pq4hn2gnQs/s1600/photo%2B3.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a><strong><u></u></strong></div>
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<strong><u>Work Tasks</u></strong></div>
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Many of the students in the classroom are working on one to one correspondence so this is a task I created to help them work on that while also working on fine motor skills by clipping the clothes pin onto the circle. </div>
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If you'd like your own copy, you can download my file <a href="https://onedrive.live.com/view.aspx?resid=B275314216758958!1727&app=WordPdf" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mJu104nfMdo/VI-qXZks7OI/AAAAAAAAAyY/2l_pknd8JIU/s1600/photo%2B4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mJu104nfMdo/VI-qXZks7OI/AAAAAAAAAyY/2l_pknd8JIU/s1600/photo%2B4.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a> Another skill we're working on is sequencing color patterns. I made this task out of part of an egg carton and halves of notecards! What I like the most about this task is that it can be individualized for each student. If the student is not able to sequence yet, they can color match the chips, but putting the chips on top of the color instead of into the carton.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7qnA_W8i1GE/VI-qYFvuhtI/AAAAAAAAAyk/Q53NRVJ0BSg/s1600/photo%2B5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7qnA_W8i1GE/VI-qYFvuhtI/AAAAAAAAAyk/Q53NRVJ0BSg/s1600/photo%2B5.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a> </div>
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<strong><u>Classroom Organization</u></strong></div>
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Something important for our students, especially those who are non-verbal are picture schedules. This helps give a clear idea of what to expect for the day and helps eliminate any distress from unexpected changes in the normal daily routine. </div>
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I created this daily schedule that I refer to throughout the day and move over the picture as that activity is completed.</div>
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Timers are also helpful in assisting in making transitions easier for students. We have some timers that give visual cues, changing from green to yellow to red, and others that require audio cues-- usually a verbal reminder.</div>
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<strong><u>Winter Wonder-crafts!</u></strong></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XxQtSdvx3x0/VI-wC2k-r_I/AAAAAAAAAzM/47KwjztbrcE/s1600/photo%2B2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XxQtSdvx3x0/VI-wC2k-r_I/AAAAAAAAAzM/47KwjztbrcE/s1600/photo%2B2.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a>Of course, one of my favorite things is getting to do crafts with the students. We have done more than what I have to post-- but here are some of our highlights!</div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aBFYhuGom9E/VI-wAtm9xZI/AAAAAAAAAy4/KAOwRuktVT8/s1600/photo%2B1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aBFYhuGom9E/VI-wAtm9xZI/AAAAAAAAAy4/KAOwRuktVT8/s1600/photo%2B1.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><br />
We have been doing some watercolors in class! <br />
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I found this <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Christmas-lights-pattern-work-sheet-1-444020" target="_blank">free download</a> from teachers pay teachers with the light bulb patterns. I printed it out on cardstock and used a white crayon to write different messages like "May your days be bright" or "Happy holidays to all" or "It's time to deck the halls." They turned out really nice and it was a very simple craft if you're looking for one!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_1DKd1GiS3U/VI-wB4oeFjI/AAAAAAAAAzA/_vl8c_M2cSg/s1600/photo%2B3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_1DKd1GiS3U/VI-wB4oeFjI/AAAAAAAAAzA/_vl8c_M2cSg/s1600/photo%2B3.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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I was very excited to try out this next craft with my brother Tommy. It was a great practice at measuring the ribbon with a ruler, cutting with scissors and then stuffing the ribbon into the clear ornament. In some of the ornaments, we put colored pom poms into them to fill extra space.</div>
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I think they turned out great as well and would certainly recommend trying it out!</div>
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Mrs. Kietzmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15761019327010465207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184398960966798479.post-10492103397601483322014-11-24T16:27:00.000-08:002014-11-25T18:49:13.598-08:00Fall Festivities!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-trsBbQXUIpA/VHPI4HQt2tI/AAAAAAAAAvU/NQXZZLUfB-Q/s1600/photo%2B5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-trsBbQXUIpA/VHPI4HQt2tI/AAAAAAAAAvU/NQXZZLUfB-Q/s1600/photo%2B5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-trsBbQXUIpA/VHPI4HQt2tI/AAAAAAAAAvU/NQXZZLUfB-Q/s1600/photo%2B5.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a>Hello! I, of course, have been very busy creating new things for the classroom and doing more arts and crafts in the classroom.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lC6vwGVVif0/VHPI3t83TLI/AAAAAAAAAvM/tN3x5X7GCY8/s1600/photo%2B4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lC6vwGVVif0/VHPI3t83TLI/AAAAAAAAAvM/tN3x5X7GCY8/s1600/photo%2B4.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><strong><u>Arts and Crafts</u></strong> </div>
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I often get to play art teacher at work and enjoy coming up with projects for the class to make. This one with the fall trees was really great for helping them continuing to practice their fine motor skills-- particularly ripping. They had to rip all of the pieces for the trees and with assistance glued it down to make a fall tree picture!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M5_Jy3XThAo/VHPKzflMrUI/AAAAAAAAAv4/HBoAjKd8l-8/s1600/photo%2B2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M5_Jy3XThAo/VHPKzflMrUI/AAAAAAAAAv4/HBoAjKd8l-8/s1600/photo%2B2.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a>I also had the class make scarecrows back in October. They practiced using scissors to cut the fringe for the "straw" coming out of their scarecrow and then with or without assistance they practiced using crayons. I had them draw circles and green lines for their pumpkins. They also practiced cutting out circles! It was a great cutting/gluing project.<br />
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<strong><u>Cooking</u></strong></div>
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Something really fun we've started to do in class is cooking!.. or a kind of cooking. So far we've made trail mix-- students practiced pouring ingredients into a bowl and stirring and scooping into bags. We've also made smores-- students practiced assembling the smores in the proper order.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QDBczryjc9A/VHPKvSVBATI/AAAAAAAAAvg/IWCsusY34KA/s1600/photo%2B1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QDBczryjc9A/VHPKvSVBATI/AAAAAAAAAvg/IWCsusY34KA/s1600/photo%2B1.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a>Back in October, for our "cooking" we decorated cupcakes! I found a pinterest idea for mummy cupcakes. I just baked chocolate cupcakes and bought icing and M&Ms and ta-da! Mummy cupcakes! They helped me guide it in strips over the cupcake and then set the "eyes" on top. It was neat seeing some of the students very particular on making sure the M was face down. It was a delicious Halloween :)<br />
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<strong><u>Until Next Time</u></strong></div>
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I've been asked to post about some of the different communication strategies I use in the classroom so I'm getting some pictures and information ready to post about that. Look for that next week. Happy Thanksgiving!
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So help with my pursuit of this dream, I have started working at the Sherwood Center which is a non-profit school that teaches students with autism. I started back in June and I am loving it! I teach in a classroom of six students ranging from ages 6-11 with a variety of abilities.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-htjFZiuIPuM/U-rLuYj6h0I/AAAAAAAAArY/yOgcD7AW8eA/s1600/blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-htjFZiuIPuM/U-rLuYj6h0I/AAAAAAAAArY/yOgcD7AW8eA/s1600/blog.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>As usual I've been making lots of things for the classroom, many of them are more fine motor skills and basic academics. I've been working on creating a lot more file folder activities for academic practice skills. Pinterest has definitely been my friend as of late!<br />
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<strong><u>Linking chain</u></strong></div>
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For this task I cut off strips of felt and used color coordinated buttons sewn on to creating this linking chain. This is a great fine motor skill for students to practice linking and buttoning.</div>
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<strong><u>Safety Pin Colors</u></strong></div>
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I've used safety pins on reading group activities before, but I am loving them for creating dual purpose tasks. This works on fine motor skills and academics. Students here are practicing matching the color word to the color while also squeezing the clothespin.</div>
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I will do better about keeping up with updates now that things have settled down. If you're interested in learning more about the school I teach at now, visit the <a href="http://www.sherwoodcenter.org/" target="_blank">Sherwood Center website.</a></div>
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Mrs. Kietzmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15761019327010465207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184398960966798479.post-80034758162579353342014-01-27T19:23:00.001-08:002014-01-27T19:24:48.427-08:00Lots of Learning!<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><u> Anchor Charts</u></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CT8TG4B0LwQ/UuccYPe_V-I/AAAAAAAAAoE/3sMCcVdXaKw/s1600/websiteed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CT8TG4B0LwQ/UuccYPe_V-I/AAAAAAAAAoE/3sMCcVdXaKw/s1600/websiteed.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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I never underestimate a good anchor chart. I often see students look to it to double check themselves and </div>
even after I've taken one down they still look in the direction of where it was hanging as if they can see the invisible words still there.<br />
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Lately, we've been working on on -ed and -ing suffixes and it gets pretty confusing because there are a lot of special cases, but I think this really helped clear some things up. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lw5743hOp_Y/Uuccadp3XGI/AAAAAAAAAo0/15S6vaV5pWY/s1600/websitetextstructure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lw5743hOp_Y/Uuccadp3XGI/AAAAAAAAAo0/15S6vaV5pWY/s1600/websitetextstructure.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a>The biggest thing I've been trying to do lately is have <b>interactive anchor charts</b>. I think this makes the class pay even more attention to what the message is because they are interacting with the chart and building to it as the week progresses.<br />
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For this biography chart, all the students were reading different <br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z9gb49C7W_w/UuccYEbFnSI/AAAAAAAAAoI/T3qNheYMTjo/s1600/websitebio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z9gb49C7W_w/UuccYEbFnSI/AAAAAAAAAoI/T3qNheYMTjo/s1600/websitebio.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a>biographies and looking for commonalities that were in all or most of the biographies that they'd read. This was a great way to help prepare the class for our biography research project that we're working on now!<br />
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Text structure was a real struggle until I started this anchor chart. I'd gone through my classroom library, chosen books that fit into different categories, copied the cover and then had the class work in small groups to read or reread the books and categorize them. The pair or group would have to then defend their answer to the class by giving examples from the book that fit into the category. It was great practice and the class loved doing it!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EQJ_IDKDMSM/UuccZyeDMtI/AAAAAAAAAoo/8XHa9WNEZno/s1600/websitesubtractionsong.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EQJ_IDKDMSM/UuccZyeDMtI/AAAAAAAAAoo/8XHa9WNEZno/s1600/websitesubtractionsong.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a>I plan on having at least one interactive anchor chart going on in my room at all times! It's so great to see them enjoying building up their learning :)<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Im3kf9ShYXo/UuccYkX1icI/AAAAAAAAAoU/-0IvRvTPMpk/s1600/websitemath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Im3kf9ShYXo/UuccYkX1icI/AAAAAAAAAoU/-0IvRvTPMpk/s1600/websitemath.jpg" height="200" width="149" /></a><br />
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<u><b>Subtraction with Regrouping</b></u></div>
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This is always so tough for 2nd graders, but this anchor chart was on pinterest and it shows a neat strategy that I really used this year that helped the class a lot. We used highlighters while working on our subtraction problems and after we'd highlight the larger number in the ones, then we'd say which rule it followed "More on TOP no need to STOP," "More on the FLOOR go next DOOR and get 10 MORE" or "Numbers the SAME zero is your GAME." </div>
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I highly recommend this strategy. I plan to use it for next year for sure!</div>
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<b><u>Martin Luther King Day</u></b></div>
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I added to what I'd done in the past for MLK day (see previous post-- in tags). I still had the students watch Dr. King's speech and write a summary of his speech and create their own dreams, but this time I put them all together in a class book. The class has really enjoyed being able to read their classmates dreams of how they want to help make the world a better place.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zqdvNBzdqV0/UuccZ3cATsI/AAAAAAAAAok/5UN29OT_jd0/s1600/websitemlkdream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zqdvNBzdqV0/UuccZ3cATsI/AAAAAAAAAok/5UN29OT_jd0/s1600/websitemlkdream.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HVKEKf081v4/UuccZEzuPwI/AAAAAAAAAoY/cJGtDhmEwAU/s1600/websitemlkcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HVKEKf081v4/UuccZEzuPwI/AAAAAAAAAoY/cJGtDhmEwAU/s1600/websitemlkcover.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a>We started by brainstorming a list of people who still need help today and then talked about how to could help those people-- what did they need help with. As always, there are some very caring and creative students in class :)</div>
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I also used symbaloo to create a bunch of video and text resources about Dr. King that I then posted on the class Edmodo so they could watch any of the videos again or look through pictures or read his biography. Here is a link to that if you're interested in checking it out: <a href="http://www.symbaloo.com/mix/martinlutherking5" target="_blank">MLK Symbaloo</a>.</div>
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<b><u>Reflection</u></b></div>
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I'll try to post again soon! I'm really enjoying my new school, but I continue to come of with more and more ideas for next year and how I want to keep growing so I'm not great at keeping up with this. I know this summer though that I'll be posting a lot! I've already started planning some projects so be looking for that!</div>
Mrs. Kietzmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15761019327010465207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184398960966798479.post-53785658365406768612013-12-09T19:33:00.001-08:002013-12-09T19:33:30.828-08:00Math Strategies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-geV4p-F3MDA/Upv-WaBBQCI/AAAAAAAAAmw/CGuPjyx5FJc/s1600/math1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-geV4p-F3MDA/Upv-WaBBQCI/AAAAAAAAAmw/CGuPjyx5FJc/s320/math1.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<b><u>Math</u></b></div>
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We've been working on lots of different strategies with the new Math Envisions program.<br />
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In topic 7, we worked on mental math strategies for addition and subtraction. I taught the class to circle the ones place (because ones starts with an O) and underline the tens place. This way, students make sure that they are adding the right numbers together when they can use mental math.<br />
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This strategy was also helpful in comparing numbers using <,>, and = symbols to help make sure that they are looking at the right number at the right time.<br />
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Another strategy that one of my co-workers showed me was using dots. For the greater than (>) symbol, you start by putting the two dots next to the bigger number and one dot by the smaller dot. Then you connect the dots.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4FAhMqAVcLU/UqaKOfTKWLI/AAAAAAAAAnY/zPMoex9OqE4/s1600/math.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4FAhMqAVcLU/UqaKOfTKWLI/AAAAAAAAAnY/zPMoex9OqE4/s320/math.jpg" width="239" /></a>This is a great strategy for students struggling knowing which way to point their arrows (if the alligator trick isn't working!).<br />
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Also in the Envisions program they teach how to subtract on a hundreds chart using addition. So when subtracting 74-58, you're supposed to start with 58 and then count over the ones until you're above the ones place of the first number and then count down the tens.<br />
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It was a difficult concept for students to get at first, but I think it is helpful in the long-term because it helps students see the relationship between addition and subtraction.<br />
<br />Mrs. Kietzmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15761019327010465207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184398960966798479.post-31578791689622491742013-12-01T19:21:00.000-08:002013-12-01T19:21:36.351-08:00Fable LapbooksNow I've posted about lapbooking before, but as a reminder, lapbooking is all about creating a product that is interactive and that students can learn from.<br />
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This was a project we did in class about fables. We were studying what a moral is and then how to apply it to a fable. We read aloud several fables beforehand and even read some stories that weren't really fables, but still had a moral. This was also a great chance to practice retelling.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WuMfHAyYnAE/Upv73Ql6GgI/AAAAAAAAAmM/jThs2REXOPg/s1600/fables1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WuMfHAyYnAE/Upv73Ql6GgI/AAAAAAAAAmM/jThs2REXOPg/s200/fables1.jpg" width="200" /></a>I chose several short fables from the book <u>Fables</u> by Arnold Lobel. I copied the pages and then had students highlight key details from the story and then write what they thought the message was after rereading their key details. (This was important later for the lapbook retelling portion)<br />
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Here is our finished product!<br />
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These were hung up in the hallway where any students could walk by, read the summary and then pull out the card to read what the moral is. It was kind of a fun game for the students to check themselves.<br />
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I love making lapbooks and the students had a great time as well! I can't wait to make more later this year :)<br />
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Mrs. Kietzmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15761019327010465207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184398960966798479.post-79958792345041860412013-11-10T17:31:00.000-08:002013-11-10T17:31:30.956-08:00Too much to tell: Strictly Photo Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Mrs. Kietzmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15761019327010465207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184398960966798479.post-5303772730536401372013-10-03T16:43:00.000-07:002013-10-03T16:43:50.344-07:00Technology plus InquiryWow! I've been so busy that I haven't gotten to updating this for a month! A lot of exciting things have been happening in the classroom-- we've had birthdays, the walk-a-thon, a field trip, writing projects, centers, and most importantly, FUN and LEARNING!<br />
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<strong><u>Technology</u></strong></div>
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I've had the chance to use much more technology this year, including a lot of wonderful FREE sites like <a href="https://www.edmodo.com/?language=en&auto_selected_lang=true&logout=true" target="_blank">Edmodo</a> which is like an educational facebook.<br />
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For math I've also started using <a href="http://www.tenmarks.com/index.html" target="_blank">Ten Marks</a> and <a href="http://www.sumdog.com/" target="_blank">Sumdog</a> which are great tools for challenging advanced students and giving extra practice.<br />
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For reading I'm using the <a href="https://www.wglead21.com/g_login.html" target="_blank">Lead21</a> curriculum site (which has virtual books and vocabulary building <a href="http://www.starfall.com/" target="_blank">Star fall</a> (which focuses more on phonics) and <a href="http://earobics.com/gamegoo/gooey.html" target="_blank">Game Goo</a> which is a bit of everything.<br />
activities), <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ipsUlSuiBbc/Uk3-5UybnYI/AAAAAAAAAjo/Rua35oMy_7w/s1600/gamegoo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="144" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ipsUlSuiBbc/Uk3-5UybnYI/AAAAAAAAAjo/Rua35oMy_7w/s200/gamegoo.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
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There are many more sites I'd love to have students on, but sometimes those s<br />
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I've been really happy using <a href="http://www.symbaloo.com/" target="_blank">Symbaloo.</a> Instead of going to a favorites tab, it shows images and then takes you to whatever you click. I use it for my home page on my computer, but you can also use it to organize resources for units. Like this <a href="http://www.symbaloo.com/mix/animallifecycles1" target="_blank">Life Cycles Symbaloo</a> I created has resources used in class and additional ones for students to learn from more. I uploaded it to my edmodo account for them to keep on learning even after we're done. I love it!<br />
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<strong><u>Inquiry</u></strong></div>
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I'm new to inquiry lessons, but I think I'm getting the hang of it. Our first question, we all chose the same question which was "What do my different roles say about me?" Here are some examples of our finished product!<br />
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This time our focus is science in the community so we had a brainstorming session together and had the class pair up by interests and each pair is doing their own project (probably a poster this time). We'll see how it goes since the inquiry questions range from black holes to car motors to weather! Hopefully I can keep up with it all; I know the students will keep up the good work!Mrs. Kietzmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15761019327010465207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184398960966798479.post-78428070193982268072013-09-04T18:29:00.000-07:002013-09-04T18:30:07.470-07:00Classroom Adjustments and ExtrasAs it always goes, once the school year starts we teachers realize that we want to tweak our plans for our classroom.<br />
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<b><u>Level Library</u></b></div>
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I have made it my goal to expand my leveled library so that I can provide books for students that are at their level each week in their "book bag" at their desk. I introduced that book boxes to the kids today and they were so excited about them!<br />
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I pick out two books at their level from my library and let them choose two other books that they are interested in. I can't get them to put it down! So that a wonderful thing!<br />
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I have also written each student's name on their bag in the color of their reading group-- to help me when I'm choosing books at their level. Super excited that I could have "book bags" again!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RgpVQpViaAw/UifbEFIWtfI/AAAAAAAAAig/zpNJNUwfIRU/s1600/bookbox.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RgpVQpViaAw/UifbEFIWtfI/AAAAAAAAAig/zpNJNUwfIRU/s320/bookbox.JPG" width="239" /></a>I got lots of books from Savers yesterday (Buy 4 get 1 free) so I am sure that in not time I will have much fuller baskets in my library! I also appreciated that families that donated books to my classroom. The students and I are very grateful!<br />
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<b><u>Literacy Centers</u></b></div>
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After trying to use the smartboard to project the stations, I decided that it was too confusing for students. I want them to be able to move quickly without interrupting the guided reading time to ask where they are going. This is why I've started using the group baskets!</div>
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It says their rotations and has their book from guided reading time so that if they finish early, they could be rereading those books.</div>
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I have a basket for all four of my groups. Each day someone is designated to carry the basket to the rotations and be the leader-- pointing other students to their next spot if they forget.</div>
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The entire class is really enjoying word work activities and <a href="http://earobics.com/gamegoo/gooey.html" target="_blank">game goo</a>!</div>
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<b><u>Author's Purpose</u></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KHSeqf47otA/Uifc_PTZkjI/AAAAAAAAAi4/NqxJ_njAOuE/s1600/piebulletinboard.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KHSeqf47otA/Uifc_PTZkjI/AAAAAAAAAi4/NqxJ_njAOuE/s320/piebulletinboard.JPG" width="320" /></a>I've done some work with the P.I.E. (Persuade, Inform, Entertain) idea before, but now I've expanded it into an interactive bulletin board! While students have done their silent reading, they decide which "piece of the PIE" the book their reading is.</div>
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I'm planning on getting some more persuasive texts from the library this week so students can see the difference. I think they've really taken off with it and it'll be a piece of cake in no time :)</div>
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<b><u>Classroom Community</u></b></div>
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Our class is truly coming together and will continue to build on our relationships using the morning meeting model. </div>
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This was an activity we did our first week of school-- an all about me pennant. I've hung them all together to show that we are a community. The students haven't seen what I've done with them yet, but I think they'll be excited :)</div>
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Mrs. Kietzmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15761019327010465207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184398960966798479.post-63372384144460843592013-08-22T20:15:00.000-07:002013-08-22T20:15:40.826-07:00First full week of schoolWe are wrapping up our first full week of school. We've spent a lot of time on placement tests and getting things organized and routines in place, but I'm also happy to share some of the fun things we've gotten to do!<br />
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<strong><u>Reading Centers</u></strong></div>
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We've practiced the Daily 5 rotations which are: Silent reading, Reading to someone (partner reading), Listening to reading, Writing (which is actually done in our writer's workshop after centers) and word work.<br />
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The students have gotten very good at moving through the centers and had a lot of fun today working on the different word work stations. The word work stations put a focus on phonics, sight words, and sentence construction AND they're always very hands-on so they are always a crowd pleaser. I'm hoping to create more this year too!<br />
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<strong><u>Math</u></strong></div>
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We started math with a math about me project to display for meet the teacher night. This was my first time doing this project, but I was very pleased with how they turned out.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BE2iWsJU8R8/UhbPTeXSZQI/AAAAAAAAAhs/blEde12uY8g/s1600/blogmathaboutme.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BE2iWsJU8R8/UhbPTeXSZQI/AAAAAAAAAhs/blEde12uY8g/s320/blogmathaboutme.JPG" width="320" /></a>We also started the new Math Envision curriculum. I've been very pleased with it so far and the students love the workmats that come with each lesson, interactive videos, and center activities.<br />
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<strong><u>Science</u></strong></div>
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We studied nutrition and the food pyramid as well as building well-balanced meals. We put this into our science journals-- we also saw a very good explanation of the new food pyramid, but it was through United Streaming so I can't share that link.<br />
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Very soon we will kick off our research unit on insects!<br />
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<strong><u>Social Studies</u></strong></div>
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We just started looking at communities and will start looking at urban, suburban, and rural communities and then we will move into leaders.<br />
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<strong><u>Behavior</u></strong></div>
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As shown in the previous post, I am using a clip up system for individual monitoring. I like that it's more positively focused and it gives students the chance to turn their days around (not "stuck"on red). I don't have a picture of the exact same calendar I've been using as a recording sheet, but here is an example one.</div>
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Many students got the chance to "cash in" their 5 good days today (green or better). Some of the things they can earn are: a hat day, no shoes, positive note home, prize box, bring in a stuffed animal, show and tell and if they save up for 10 days they can do lunch with me-- I usually go outside if the weather is nice :) They seemed very excited about "cashing in" today!</div>
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I hope this has been an insightful update! Mrs. Kietzmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15761019327010465207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184398960966798479.post-81252844004744138042013-08-14T06:37:00.000-07:002013-08-14T06:37:05.465-07:00Back to School NightI had a wonderful time meeting all of my new students and parents last night at Back to School night. If any of them are checking out my blog for the first time, I'd like you to know that my blog primarily shows projects we're done in the classroom, but also will have teaching resources sometimes. I use it as a professional and reflection tool. I do not post pictures of students on my website. I may start an album on my school website which is <a href="http://www.bluevalleyk12.org/education/staff/staff.php?sectionid=5875&" target="_blank">here</a> when I get any pictures of students.<br />
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<strong><u>Homework</u></strong></div>
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For the first day's homework, all of the 2nd grade team set out these bags with the details about <br />
what they need to bring for the first day of school (waterbottle, snack) and the bag is for the students to bring three things that tell about themselves that will fit in the bag. I hope students are thinking hard on that today!<br />
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<strong><u>Wish List</u></strong></div>
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I also set out a wish list with several items that parents could bring for the classroom if they are able to. I will set this out again on Meet the Teacher Night (on Tuesday) along with some fall conference and guest reader sign up pages.<br />
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By request I will post some finished product pictures of my classroom with some things I set out for Back to School night for any teachers looking for ideas for next year.<br />
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I'm off to school now to go organize all my the classroom supplies! I'm very excited for our first day of school tomorrow! My next post will be about some changes I'll be doing to my Daily 5 program to cut down on some of the paperwork. Go green!</div>
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Mrs. Kietzmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15761019327010465207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184398960966798479.post-72286045400145605882013-06-24T13:18:00.000-07:002013-06-24T13:22:06.301-07:00Organization Machine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tsdkYe79wkI/UcihqJtExLI/AAAAAAAAAd8/rEcuyKPQ3OM/s1600/library1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tsdkYe79wkI/UcihqJtExLI/AAAAAAAAAd8/rEcuyKPQ3OM/s320/library1.JPG" width="320" /></a>So I've had a lot of people ask me what I've been up to so I thought I'd update everyone! First off, I kept my word and organized 1/3 of my classroom library-- I didn't use the cardboard boxes because they were not sturdy enough so I spent $5 and look at the cuteness!<br />
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I organized it through Level O (3rd grade) and I am hoping to add to it so I can switch out books through the year for variety for the kids.<br />
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Also, I have had the chance to work on my new classroom! It is not done of course, but it's really coming along. I still want to work on getting a focus wall, inquiry section and a word wall. I also need to figure something out for my calendar because my current one won't work. I'll figure something out-- ideas are welcome!<br />
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I think I'm just going to show pictures of the room-- no words necessary!<br />
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The fever has also spread to my office closet at home! I have been an organizing machine! And the pictures to prove it!<br />
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I hope your summer has been equally productive and awesome! The only bad news I have to report is that I was going to make crate chairs for the classroom but it's going to be a bit too expensive for this year.. we'll see! I did (as you can see from the pictures) spring for cloth for the bulletin boards!</div>
Mrs. Kietzmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15761019327010465207noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184398960966798479.post-59385931405071589022013-05-23T10:14:00.001-07:002013-05-23T10:14:48.250-07:00Last week of school!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B2VnZmx-Fzw/UZ1TgiamFRI/AAAAAAAAAdE/mbpdvrhHhsU/s1600/photo-125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B2VnZmx-Fzw/UZ1TgiamFRI/AAAAAAAAAdE/mbpdvrhHhsU/s320/photo-125.JPG" width="239" /></a>This week was the last week of school and is my last week at Welborn in KCK. I am sad to leave many things, but very excited for a new opportunity. I'm also happy to say there are only 2 days (well, 1 now!) days of school left before summer break!<br />
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<b><u>Balloons</u></b></div>
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I did this last year and did it again this year. I originally started with about 15 balloons counting down school. In each balloon is a slip of paper with an activity that the class gets to do the next day if we have a good day. Today's balloon was to have a "slumber party" in the classroom. I have students bring blankets and pillows and we spend the entire day on the floor for our last day festivities. The students really loved it last year and I'm sure they will again this year! (The last balloon has my age in it because for some reason this class is incredibly interested in how old I am!)</div>
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<b><u>Sunglasses Project</u></b></div>
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I'd seen the sunglasses with lines on TpT (<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Sunglasses-Writing-Template-657761" target="_blank">It does cost money, but this is the link!</a>) so I broke down and spent the $2.50 for the template, bought some big poster paper and let the kids' imaginations run wild! </div>
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In the glasses they had to write 2 paragraphs about what they are doing or would like to do this summer. Then they were to draw themselves doing something they mentioned in their paragraphs.</div>
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These are only a couple of them, but they are turned out really great and I think the families are going to be excited to see these too!</div>
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<b><u>Keepsake books</u></b></div>
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Many of my students didn't get yearbooks so each year I do keepsake books where they write about their friends and their favorites. I posted the link for it on my post last year if you're interested!</div>
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Mrs. Kietzmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15761019327010465207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184398960966798479.post-6947605160321334462013-05-16T20:35:00.000-07:002013-05-16T20:40:38.407-07:00Wrap UpBefore I showcase my end of the year activities-- I'm saving all of those for my next post-- I wanted to show some of the wrap up things I've done this year to help the students review and help me reflect for next year.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KXHb0yP_abo/UZWgvzzR7jI/AAAAAAAAAcA/6s04XwjzS4I/s1600/photo-120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KXHb0yP_abo/UZWgvzzR7jI/AAAAAAAAAcA/6s04XwjzS4I/s320/photo-120.JPG" width="320" /></a>With that in mind, I would also like to share that next school year I will be teaching 2nd grade at Harmony Elementary in the Blue Valley District! I'm very excited for the opportunity and can't wait to get started!<br />
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<b><u>Anchor Charts for Review</u></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2-jWD8Scijk/UZWhhM-ZKVI/AAAAAAAAAcI/id-nWFv_YYY/s1600/photo-121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2-jWD8Scijk/UZWhhM-ZKVI/AAAAAAAAAcI/id-nWFv_YYY/s320/photo-121.JPG" width="320" /></a>I wanted to find a fun way to practice measuring and text features while meeting standards. For math, I posted different strips around the room and they met the Core Standard where they have to use different items to measure the same thing and then compare.<br />
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For text features, they had to find that text feature in the book (<u>Life in a Garden</u>) and explain its usefulness.<br />
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<u><b>Testing Update</b></u></div>
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We just finished our Math MAP testing 1 1/2 weeks ago and 80% of the class met their improvement goal! That was the highest in the school and 35% higher than the district goal! So proud of the class-- they've worked so hard!</div>
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I'm wrapping up the Fountas and Pinnel testing now and it looks as though almost every student has improved by several letters! </div>
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<b><u>Student Reflections</u></b></div>
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I wanted to try out this foldable this year to have the students reflect on their year and to help me see what stands out to them this year and to see what things they feel they need to keep working on or what they want to learn more about.</div>
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Most students expressed that they wanted to learn more about science and multiplication and the other answers for what they learned and are working on gave me a chance to really see how much they've grown and learned this year--very proud!</div>
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<b><u>Estimation Review</u></b></div>
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We had a chance to review estimation this week using Fruit Loops! </div>
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A link to the worksheet we used is right <a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0ZAF0-L4s2pZjEwMzFmYzEtMWU4My00MjQ5LTkyNGYtMDljNDNmYTcwOTI3/edit?pli=1" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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The end product ended up pretty cute-- they look like this when it's said and done:</div>
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The kids really had fun and got a chance to review!</div>
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Those are my classroom wrap ups! I will have end of the year activities in the next post--I can't believe next week is our last week already!</div>
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Mrs. Kietzmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15761019327010465207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184398960966798479.post-2463667030557474562013-04-19T12:38:00.000-07:002013-05-16T20:39:22.190-07:00Reading and Writing Progress and Goals<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-by2sMcJ3ZtQ/UXGTo1rP7JI/AAAAAAAAAbA/AR2YUJMd4yY/s1600/photo-115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-by2sMcJ3ZtQ/UXGTo1rP7JI/AAAAAAAAAbA/AR2YUJMd4yY/s200/photo-115.JPG" width="149" /></a>USD 500 is closed today so I'm making the most of it! I'm caught up on all my grading and making some plans for the rest of this year and the next!<br />
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I'm going to share some of the great things I got to hear and see in my professional development meeting!<br />
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<b><u>Reading</u></b></div>
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Sometimes students struggle choosing books. They will either choose something too easy or too hard. In addition to the Goldilocks rule (Too hard, too easy, just right), I think I'd like to use the IPICK method next year.</div>
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Courtesy of Ms. Peterson, 1st grade, we got to see a video of an IPICK rap for the kids to remember all of the pieces to choosing a good book. Enjoy!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tbzaMickP8o/UXGTpoVM9_I/AAAAAAAAAbM/or8QlYjweYA/s1600/photo-116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tbzaMickP8o/UXGTpoVM9_I/AAAAAAAAAbM/or8QlYjweYA/s200/photo-116.JPG" width="149" /></a>Another teacher also showed up the 5 finger method for choosing a book. It means that when a student looks through the first page of the book, if there are 5 words they don't know then the book is too hard.</div>
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She also had her students help make anchor charts for her classroom. (3rd grade, Ms. Labar)</div>
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I think that's a great idea if I teach upper grades again someday!</div>
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<b>Word work: </b>I still have some students that are struggling with vowel sounds and patterns so I created a new word work station for those students to practice matching and recognizing similar vowel sounds. There are four words with the same vowel sound and they have to match them together. There are also words on the back for an added challenge. I think they'll really like getting to manipulate these puzzle pieces. :)</div>
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<b><u>Writing</u></b></div>
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The teacher leaders provided us with a format to help students work on opinion writing which is a part of the core standards. I haven't had a chance to scan the original, but if you contact me I can get that scanned and email it to you.</div>
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I had the students write an opinion paragraph about a book in their leveled book bag (each student has 4 books at their F&P level that are swapped out each week).</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k9chqD6aO80/UXGTmmpK3xI/AAAAAAAAAa0/xxUD9AkNofU/s1600/photo-113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k9chqD6aO80/UXGTmmpK3xI/AAAAAAAAAa0/xxUD9AkNofU/s200/photo-113.JPG" width="200" /></a>We are really working on the structure of sentences and paragraphs so for this first attempt at opinion writing, several papers were selected to be published in the hall. There were very proud! We will certainly be using this format again.<br />
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<b><u>MAP testing</u></b></div>
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I am so proud of our class! We have only done the reading MAP test so far, but with three students still left to test, we have managed to exceed the district improvement goal (stating 55% of the class must reach growth goal). So far we are at 76% and as I am beginning to wrap up Fountas and Pinnel testing, I am confident my class will meet or exceed the district goal to have 70% of students at level M by the end of the year.</div>
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<b><u>Classroom Library</u></b></div>
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While I do already have my books in my library sorted by genre, I want to have at least part of my library sorted by F&P level. So I have started to collect cereal boxes for my containers! I will need to paint or cover the boxes and label them. This is my summer goal and I've posted it on my blog so I can be held accountable! Look for a finished product to be posted over the summer.</div>
<br />Mrs. Kietzmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15761019327010465207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184398960966798479.post-26455578008963154852013-04-09T15:57:00.001-07:002013-04-09T15:57:45.264-07:00Writing<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FsSmO9hSOPw/UWSZkpH_heI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/0fbVmemh6xs/s1600/photo-107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FsSmO9hSOPw/UWSZkpH_heI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/0fbVmemh6xs/s320/photo-107.JPG" width="320" /></a>So I've been looking for a way for students to understand the structure of a paragraph and thanks to our teacher leader I think I've found a way for them to be successful understanding AND writing their paragraphs.<br />
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<b><u>Train writing</u></b></div>
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This foldable helped us create our paragraphs for Women's History month. The green is for go which is why the TS (topic sentence) is the engine. Yellow is for slowing down to tell more which is why it has R.F. (reasons or facts) and the paragraph has TS at the end to show that we need to restate our original statement using new words.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_aHKt28LP_c/UWSZl3Ha1KI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/RnXlj7qwviQ/s1600/photo-108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_aHKt28LP_c/UWSZl3Ha1KI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/RnXlj7qwviQ/s320/photo-108.JPG" width="320" /></a>This is one student's completed train which she was able to successfully turn into a paragraph. She was so proud of her work and so was I! The entire class did very well with this organization tool. I plan to use it more in the future.</div>
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<b><u>Anchor Charts</u></b></div>
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We had a Professional Day to meet with other 2nd grade teachers in the district to discuss techniques used with interactive read aloud. This was a very handy anchor chart that another teacher brought that she adds to every time they read a fable. Fables are in the core standards and they are very tricky to students. I think this will be a great tool to use for them to understand a story as well as compare it to other fables.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gf-JaijqJN0/UWScaMKT1aI/AAAAAAAAAaM/hVn60pDEGyo/s1600/photo-109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gf-JaijqJN0/UWScaMKT1aI/AAAAAAAAAaM/hVn60pDEGyo/s320/photo-109.JPG" width="239" /></a><br />
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<b><u>Research display</u></b></div>
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My mom saw my blog and wanted to show off some of her great work in her junior high classroom too! She works with the highest group of MTSS and provides enrichment activities (on top of teaching science and coaching!). For Kansas Day, she assigned a several counties for groups to research and display on this flower. She had set things the students needed to find out and displayed the projects for Kansas Day proudly. I think it turned out to be a great way to display a research project about Kansas!</div>
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Those are my updates! Lots of writing happening right now. Soon we will be MAP testing and I'll be wrapping up my F&P assessments. The running records are showing a lot of growth from the students so I can't wait to show their families how much they've improved :)<br />
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<br />Mrs. Kietzmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15761019327010465207noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184398960966798479.post-15453703628003974662013-03-21T19:11:00.000-07:002013-05-16T20:39:56.422-07:00Spring Break is not a break!<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dym7j1uY5Bj1INY7x-8198m5P5TL4M-L3B-j0Q3IndvxoLLlHbUt5OY0ivnL8wtrgXg4Xh2bhVT-Ly3Mx6VQw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>So Spring Break is looking more like a snow break, but I'm still managing to do a lot to prepare for the last quarter of the school year. It was really too pretty to ignore for the first day. I posted a video of it snowing at my parent's house. The break had a very calming start, but now I'm in high gear!<br />
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<b><u>Reading</u></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H9B39_hSfJM/UUu5X7r3m-I/AAAAAAAAAYc/u77YjYxk82I/s1600/photo-103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H9B39_hSfJM/UUu5X7r3m-I/AAAAAAAAAYc/u77YjYxk82I/s200/photo-103.JPG" width="149" /></a>I'm still doing the Daily 5 in my classroom for reading groups, but I'm noticing that some of my students are struggling repeating their Word Work station so I'm planning on having a sign in sheet where they write in what day they did the activity on. I've also limited the options to only 5 choices because I think I may have had too many choices as of late which is why they may be getting confused.</div>
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I've also been checking out pinterest a lot for more options for my word work station. I'm already picking out some Spring themed word work for the first week of April. I'll try to get better about posting that once I get it in April. It's hard to keep up with when I'm teaching!</div>
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I'm also still using the BUILD math model mentioned in a previous post and this is another creation for those centers. To help students work on fact families, they use the numbers on the peace signs. It's crazy how much more students enjoy practicing fact families when the numbers are on glittery neon peace signs! :)</div>
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Also, kind of with math is my new whole class behavior system. They met their cocoa compliments goal and now they are working to get 10 numbers in a row on our 100s chart. At the end of the day, if the class agrees that we had a good day then I'll have one student pull numbers to decide what number we get to color in today. I think they'll love it!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0C5Is4mvxr0/UUu6qkzAiuI/AAAAAAAAAYs/tu-taUw4PrU/s1600/003+Resize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0C5Is4mvxr0/UUu6qkzAiuI/AAAAAAAAAYs/tu-taUw4PrU/s1600/003+Resize.jpg" /></a>This idea is from pinterest from <a href="http://stories114.blogspot.com/2012/05/good-times.html" target="_blank">this blog</a>. This time I think we'll work a classroom party-- they really enjoyed that the last time we had one. </div>
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<b><u>Classroom Management</u></b></div>
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I already have behavior contracts set in place for several of my students, but I know with the end of the year in sight that I may need to change it up a bit for my students.</div>
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For most of the class I'm going to use <a href="http://www.freeprintablebehaviorcharts.com/caught_you_coupons.htm#" target="_blank">Caught You Coupons</a> when they follow directions for the first time. I'll give them the chance to "cash" those in for computer time at the beginning/end of the day or prize box.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VkcVruc-dv0/UUu8VQizCqI/AAAAAAAAAZU/E-veRjq7PGo/s1600/photo-105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VkcVruc-dv0/UUu8VQizCqI/AAAAAAAAAZU/E-veRjq7PGo/s320/photo-105.JPG" width="240" /></a>I think it's important to have a prize that everyone can get (not just target behavior students) because it's important that the students see that good behavior is rewarded.</div>
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For my students who have more behavioral needs, I found a site that had so many behavior charts I was up to my neck in them! Sorry I couldn't help being cheese-tastic! :)</div>
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They have behavior sheets for all ages of students ranging from ages 3 and up. They have some for parents at home too!</div>
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I did already have some behavior sheets, but they weren't a great fit for the skills the students were working on. I love the sheets I found because they have single target behavior or multiple behavior pages. You should certainly check it out if you want to mix it up. Get the link <a href="http://www.freeprintablebehaviorcharts.com/singlebehaviorcharts.htm" target="_blank">here</a> and look around! They have contracts, homework charts and tons more!</div>
Mrs. Kietzmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15761019327010465207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184398960966798479.post-76377648901089520912013-02-16T11:49:00.001-08:002013-02-16T11:53:36.394-08:00New Happenings!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As promised, here is my new smart board!!! I am in love with it and so are the students!<br />
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I adjusted my classroom so all my seats are turned so they can have a view of the markerboard up front and can turn their heads the other way to see the smart board.<br />
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I'm really happy that I set it up this way because then everybody has a chance to sit in the front.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0d43ScfOBvg/UR_d4PUSgnI/AAAAAAAAAW8/ggYlw8-Jm7M/s1600/photo-97.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0d43ScfOBvg/UR_d4PUSgnI/AAAAAAAAAW8/ggYlw8-Jm7M/s320/photo-97.JPG" width="320" /></a>I've already done several lessons on it and am looking forward to using it for centers especially once the ipad the school gave me is up and ready for me to give to the students as well!<br />
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<u><b>New Management</b></u></div>
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As expected, eventually old classroom management systems can lose effectiveness which is why I've started this: Cocoa compliments. Every time I catch the students complimenting each other, a teacher or our class gets complimented, they get a marshmallow. Once they get it filled up to reach the word cocoa, our class will have a cocoa celebration! They are very excited and so am I (I love hot chocolate!)<br />
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<u><b>Recess Contracts</b></u></div>
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Also, unfortunately, it seems as though this is when we really start getting into bullying-- especially at recess. Therefore we had to agree on a recess contract as a class. Everyone had to write down these rules and sign it.<br />
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These are behaviors that are expected at recess, if they are not able to follow them then they will have to sit out for part of their recess. So far, I've only had to have someone sit out once and I was happy that they knew they made a mistake and that they needed to sit out for a bit. Hopefully this will last until May,<br />
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I would love to hear anyone's suggestions for addressing bullying at recess. So far that's the only trouble area that our class is having and I think it's the hardest place to manage!<br />
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<u><b>President's Day</b></u></div>
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We have done a lot of work doing shared reading and highlighting the main idea in papers written about popular presidents. The students have been very interested and are working to write a paper of their own using just the main idea. <br />
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It also has worked out as a good cross-curricular move because I have a group studying Franklin D. Roosevelt and we discussed the Great Depression. In the read aloud I've started, <u>Bud, Not Buddy</u>, it takes place during the Great Depression so that group was able to help tell the rest of the class about that time as we wrote in our reading notebooks.<br />
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Have a wonderful President's Day!<br />
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Mrs. Kietzmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15761019327010465207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184398960966798479.post-91940224473863137132013-02-13T15:59:00.001-08:002013-02-13T15:59:40.009-08:00MLK Day<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ffq7Ejj9apo/URwoQhcQ12I/AAAAAAAAAWQ/8KiOg7uvSWY/s1600/photo-94.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ffq7Ejj9apo/URwoQhcQ12I/AAAAAAAAAWQ/8KiOg7uvSWY/s320/photo-94.JPG" width="239" /></a>Soooooo overdue! This is just a recap on some of the activities we did in my classroom for Martin Luther King Day. We did a lot of writing that went along with some free TpT resources, mainly booklets.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lgJqbYkP2Bo/URwnshcEesI/AAAAAAAAAWI/7wLxCVNt3LY/s1600/photo-93.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lgJqbYkP2Bo/URwnshcEesI/AAAAAAAAAWI/7wLxCVNt3LY/s320/photo-93.JPG" width="239" /></a><br />
Some videos that I'd recommend to show classes are a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6Au81aHuSg" target="_blank">Student-made video</a> and a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDsUYTgkDSU" target="_blank">Animated "I have a dream"</a>. Both were very informative and got the kids talking. From there we started by first outlining living conditions then and what MLK wanted to change. After we wrote about that, we did a class brainstorm on people today who need help and then we tried to dream BIG to think of how we would want to help them. <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--AS1mIqqK5g/URwoR6Zv8bI/AAAAAAAAAWY/L2FcBf9ASek/s1600/photo-95.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--AS1mIqqK5g/URwoR6Zv8bI/AAAAAAAAAWY/L2FcBf9ASek/s320/photo-95.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He was thinking about preventing animal abuse.</td></tr>
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Most of this post will just be pictures of their work. Some were incredibly creative and others definitely pulled at your heart strings.<br />
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I won't share some of the more serious ones to protect their privacy, but there was definitely some mature thinking. We talked about the death penalty, health care, animal abuse and social security to name a few things! I have no doubt that my students will go on to really make a difference if their hearts are so big already!<br />
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Will have more posts soon--including pictures of my new smartboard!! :)Mrs. Kietzmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15761019327010465207noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184398960966798479.post-38249154206903976862013-01-05T17:19:00.000-08:002013-01-05T17:19:48.497-08:00Homemade classroom goodies!While I spent most of my Christmas break with my family visiting from Ireland, I have been able to in the past two days to really crank out some homemade new learning activities for my reading centers and my upgraded math centers.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cZ29xXk2QWE/UOjIIgPRYxI/AAAAAAAAAT4/a8-tPT9PDp8/s1600/photo-89.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cZ29xXk2QWE/UOjIIgPRYxI/AAAAAAAAAT4/a8-tPT9PDp8/s320/photo-89.JPG" width="320" /></a>Firstly, I would strongly recommend that you look at this <a href="http://www.kidscount1234.com/literacy.html" target="_blank">link</a>. This is where I got the ideas to make all of these centers and where I will be going to get more ideas. It also includes a sample worksheet that you can use with each center! I will probably just have students record work on notebook paper to save on paper (it is scarce!).<br />
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<b><u>Word Family Cans</u></b></div>
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I used snack size cans for the container, milk/orange juice lids and notecards to create a great review center for students doing word work.</div>
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Students will record their created REAL words to turn in for accountability.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZbddzXac-SA/UOjJc3_RHAI/AAAAAAAAAUU/Cu2vQyNz3pc/s1600/photo-85.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZbddzXac-SA/UOjJc3_RHAI/AAAAAAAAAUU/Cu2vQyNz3pc/s320/photo-85.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><u>Paint Stick Sentences</u></b></div>
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I used paint sticks from Home Depot, clothespins and notecards (although when I can, I will probably find some flash cards to use instead). </div>
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Students will take a notecard with a clothespin to plug into the sentences on the paint sticks to create a sentence that makes sense. They will then write down their new sentence.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rFatiSOlPCM/UOjKvO-B5NI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/dljGTE_QrLU/s1600/photo-90.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rFatiSOlPCM/UOjKvO-B5NI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/dljGTE_QrLU/s320/photo-90.JPG" width="239" /></a>I think this will be very helpful for my ESL students because I'm trying to use visuals to help them understand a patten in sentence structure.</div>
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<b><u>Dolch Word Cards</u></b></div>
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I cut apart paint cards from Home Depot to write the Dolch words from each list to sort into groups. Now I may use these as a practice flash card center or what I really like to do is make a telephone center.</div>
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For the telephone center, you have two telephones linked to each other. One student calls the other, the student will say one of the Dolch words to the other, then they must write the word correctly. The student will hold up the word they wrote, the caller will check it; if the word is correct then they hang up and switch roles.</div>
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Now I just need two phones.....</div>
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I am doing something brand new in Math. I've been really happy with using the Daily 5 for reading. The students love it and I've seen tremendous improvement in almost every student. I was looking for a way to bring that kind of excitement and results to math when I found <a href="http://adventures-inteaching.blogspot.com/2012/05/youve-been-waiting-now-here-it-is-more.html" target="_blank">BUILD</a>.</div>
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They are math centers set up a lot like the Daily 5 with a lot of independence. It stands for:</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;">B</span>uddy Games</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;">U</span>sing Manipulatives</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">I</span></span>ndependent Working/Reading</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;">L</span>earning about Numbers</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;">D</span>oing Math</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SFrj-TT1RBk/UOjKTP2z2GI/AAAAAAAAAUg/QNb3NI20roA/s1600/photo-84.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SFrj-TT1RBk/UOjKTP2z2GI/AAAAAAAAAUg/QNb3NI20roA/s320/photo-84.JPG" width="320" /></a>I'm going to start with whole group math and then pull small groups for reteaching and reinforcement while the rest of the class is doing their BUILD centers. I am so excited and I think the students will be too!</div>
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<b><u>Clothespin Facts</u></b></div>
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To help build (ha ha) up their knowledge about fact families, students will choose a number on a notecard and then must find facts in the container that equal that number. Students will write down their answers on an accountability sheet for every BUILD station (just notebook paper for me!).</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-trOYw4t3Yjk/UOjKXLUoVkI/AAAAAAAAAUo/9huab48uSbE/s1600/photo-87.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-trOYw4t3Yjk/UOjKXLUoVkI/AAAAAAAAAUo/9huab48uSbE/s320/photo-87.JPG" width="320" /></a>The first one I've made is just addition facts for numbers 8-18 that have switched factors. I tried to focus on double, double plus 1, and plus ten facts when choosing the facts. I think for my next one I'll have just subtraction and then maybe mix them once the students get really good at this.</div>
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<b><u>Math BANG!</u></b></div>
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This is a fun game that just requires popsicle sticks with math concepts and skills written on them (mainly for review) and some sticks with the word BANG! written on them.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-86EliwJc7f0/UOjKeq5IfBI/AAAAAAAAAU4/t-jCikEfCok/s1600/photo-88.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-86EliwJc7f0/UOjKeq5IfBI/AAAAAAAAAU4/t-jCikEfCok/s320/photo-88.JPG" width="320" /></a>To play this game, a group of students would take turns drawing sticks from the container. If the student can answer the stick correctly, then they get to keep the stick. They keep playing until someone draws a stick that says BANG! which means that round is over and whoever has the most sticks won that round. The sticks go back in and the game restarts. </div>
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I think my students will love this :)</div>
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I looking forward to kicking off the new year will all of these new goodies! I will continue to be posting more homemade things that I make so you can see what we're up to in class and you might want to make your own!<br />
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Mrs. Kietzmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15761019327010465207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184398960966798479.post-4707587440379095532012-12-06T18:48:00.001-08:002012-12-06T18:48:31.830-08:00Smart Board Interactive Websites!Okay so this is going to be a really short post, but I was very excited to share some news. All of the teachers at my school are getting smart boards! I am busy looking into great resources to use in my classroom with my smart board. I just wanted to share some of what I found and if you have any suggestions for more ideas feel free to post. BTW all of the sites are FREE!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SZLxMjbvAJI/UMFV2XXU8UI/AAAAAAAAASE/p3qNJ11MCmc/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SZLxMjbvAJI/UMFV2XXU8UI/AAAAAAAAASE/p3qNJ11MCmc/s1600/images.jpeg" /></a>I am very excited to use this as a classroom management system. <a href="http://www.classdojo.com/" target="_blank">Class Dojo</a> is this awesome site that lets you create little icons for each of your students and during class you can give points to students to reward them for being helpful, participating, doing well with partners, etc. You can also take away points for negative behaviors. I LOVE that parents can also log on at any time to see how their child is doing. I'm planning on using it to reward students once they reach a certain amount of points.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oXsuKKbXL0U/UMFWpvovWgI/AAAAAAAAASM/XUJY4UFwO3A/s1600/proper3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oXsuKKbXL0U/UMFWpvovWgI/AAAAAAAAASM/XUJY4UFwO3A/s320/proper3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I'm also looking at working on nouns, verbs, and adjectives soon and I found this game that I thought would be great to play as a class. It's called <a href="http://www.goldridge08.com/1games/grammer/noundunk.swf" target="_blank">Noun Dunk</a>. I think they kids would be excited about getting up to play the game. It's fun to check out if you have the time!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YLov-qUflSU/UMFX5YVAkRI/AAAAAAAAASU/Oo-U27xNv-Y/s1600/1792_engineeringelectricity_1247149126.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YLov-qUflSU/UMFX5YVAkRI/AAAAAAAAASU/Oo-U27xNv-Y/s1600/1792_engineeringelectricity_1247149126.png" /></a></div>
The last one that I think I'll have to try out is mainly for science. I've used it before hooked up through my Document Camera (through the computer), but being able to create the static electricity and do the different experiments by actually touching the balloons together on the screen would be a ton of fun! The main website has tons of science interactive demonstrations where the students need to move items to create reactions. The site is called <a href="http://www.engineeringinteract.org/interact.htm" target="_blank">Engineering Interact</a> and I recommend it!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-38Z2OoseazI/UMFYgak6a1I/AAAAAAAAASc/70vo3iTlcTI/s1600/287597126175590390_HtWXj9me_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-38Z2OoseazI/UMFYgak6a1I/AAAAAAAAASc/70vo3iTlcTI/s1600/287597126175590390_HtWXj9me_c.jpg" /></a></div>
One more goodie that I want to share has to do with place value. It's like Pacman, but with place value! Looks like a super fun game that we could play together and then I could have them practice on their own on laptops! It's called <a href="http://flash.hoodamath.com/games/placevalueeaters.swf" target="_blank">Place Value Eaters</a>!<br />
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I hope you enjoyed all of the goodies! I am very excited for a smart board and excited to let the kids use their hands with this technology for learning!Mrs. Kietzmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15761019327010465207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184398960966798479.post-72089319966062824982012-11-07T16:33:00.000-08:002012-11-07T16:33:00.778-08:00Thankful Updates!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kysUbKBL6c4/UJr4vqh2H2I/AAAAAAAAARY/DaEYp2SObfg/s1600/photo-82.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kysUbKBL6c4/UJr4vqh2H2I/AAAAAAAAARY/DaEYp2SObfg/s320/photo-82.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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Thankfully I'm finally finding some time to blog! I even had time to decorate my door! I'm feeling so grateful for the teachers who have helped me; at Welborn and other schools! </div>
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Like the door decorations were things that a retired teacher from Onaga gave my mom to give to me! I've also had a chance to work together with teachers to collaborate ideas for teaching and behavior.</div>
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<b><u>Word Work</u></b></div>
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I created this "game" for a new word work station to practice compound words that "anyone" :) could make! I just wrote on both sides of popsicle sticks (writing to one side or the other depending if it was to be the first or last part of the compound word) and students will have the chance to pull sticks to make words and will write their created words onto a notecard to turn in (for that accountable piece).</div>
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<b><u>Math Anchor Charts</u></b></div>
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I am working very hard to continue to use anchor charts this year and I've seen a real difference in the class. Even if I take down or move the chart, the students will still look there like they can read the words somehow!</div>
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I already had my money identification anchor charts posted (though I may need to review/ refresh those soon!), I made some recently for word problems and strategies for solving. We also reviewed even/odd numbers this week so I made a mini anchor chart for that!</div>
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My plan is to try to develop more anchor charts for reading. We already use songs for learning digraphs, vowel sounds and compound words, but perhaps I should post the songs or some rules. Any thoughts or suggestions?</div>
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<b><u>Behavior</u></b></div>
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I am very happy to announce that our school has taken on a school-wide behavior initiative called "Welborn Bucks." I was able to be a part of the committee that got the program started and so far I've had a lot of success with it-- I've even used it as a replacement for some of the other strategies I've been using (it was time to adjust anyway!). The school has a system set up that if students earn 100 Welborn Bucks they can buy a "dress down pass." I also love that any teacher can give the dollars to any student in the school.</div>
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They can earn Welborn Bucks for following the guidelines: I am peaceful. I am a learner.</div>
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So I am giving bucks out during class and giving them for successful formative and summative tests/quizzes. The students love their bucks-- and I'm loving them too! I can't copy them fast enough!</div>
Mrs. Kietzmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15761019327010465207noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184398960966798479.post-36473064026511067682012-10-16T17:24:00.001-07:002012-10-16T17:26:47.425-07:00Gateway Game<br />
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Wow I've gotten busy! Here is a new classroom management strategy that I'm using my classroom to have students monitoring themselves and others' behavior.<br />
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<b><u>The Gateway Game</u></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uPa5gEGUehs/UH341Hz-nUI/AAAAAAAAAPc/xo4XFneB-5Y/s1600/photo-77.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uPa5gEGUehs/UH341Hz-nUI/AAAAAAAAAPc/xo4XFneB-5Y/s320/photo-77.JPG" width="320" /></a>Our school made a big push last year to address gateway behavior. Gateway behavior is those behaviors that aren't huge displays of disrespect, but minor things like eye rolling, sighing, or tapping their feet and they can lead to bigger gateway behaviors like cussing, talking back, or shoving others. These are the kind of behaviors that lead to trouble.</div>
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I like to explain it to the kids with an analogy. A puppy!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k4d_OngzChg/UH34zggWIyI/AAAAAAAAAPU/ICIsz3Nhndc/s1600/photo-76.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k4d_OngzChg/UH34zggWIyI/AAAAAAAAAPU/ICIsz3Nhndc/s320/photo-76.JPG" width="320" /></a>We start by talking about what a puppy is like, particularly how puppies try to get out of fences. Then I ask if the puppy is safe when they get out and of course the class says no because there are cars and other animals or the puppy could get lost. That's when I tell the class that my job is to make sure the fence is strong.</div>
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Then we talk about how the fence can get holes in it when people start doing little behaviors that aren't very safe. This is where I use the marker to draw holes in my fence and the students share out gateway behaviors that would cause that hole. I have this on the front board and have reminded the students that I will add to the holes if I see any new behaviors that are causing holes and letting my puppy out!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N8NdHLiTKzk/UH32nQor-eI/AAAAAAAAAO4/7i50GkQd5aY/s1600/photo-73.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N8NdHLiTKzk/UH32nQor-eI/AAAAAAAAAO4/7i50GkQd5aY/s320/photo-73.JPG" width="320" /></a>The scoreboard in my room is changed every week with me vs. the class. If they do gateway behavior, I get a point. If they do responsible, caring, helpful, or respectful things, they get a point. At the end of the day we see who has the most tally marks. The yellow page below is our overall score for the month. At the end of the month is the class beats me, we'll have a big celebration. Then, the competition will restart for next month!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wFf3LTDIbNM/UH34U-u2OuI/AAAAAAAAAPI/v4fDPnR3HGA/s1600/photo-75.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wFf3LTDIbNM/UH34U-u2OuI/AAAAAAAAAPI/v4fDPnR3HGA/s200/photo-75.JPG" width="149" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NcqJ14eOmjY/UH34J4a2cfI/AAAAAAAAAPA/qLEwWQ9pzLo/s1600/photo-74.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NcqJ14eOmjY/UH34J4a2cfI/AAAAAAAAAPA/qLEwWQ9pzLo/s200/photo-74.JPG" width="149" /></a></div>
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Sometimes I know that kids may do little behaviors like tapping their feet without really thinking about it. I like to give students a fair chance so I have two reminders that I say to students if I notice them doing a minor gateway behavior. They are "are you okay?" and "Don't let my puppy out!"<br />
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The cutest thing ever is when the students catch each other doing gateway and they whisper "you're going to let her puppy out!" :)</div>
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I just started this last week, but it's been very successful so far! Feel free to leave any comments or questions!</div>
Mrs. Kietzmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15761019327010465207noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184398960966798479.post-22230545541920494462012-09-24T17:48:00.001-07:002012-09-24T17:51:08.231-07:00Double Trouble Mysteries!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MXGjXzGvsho/UGD52Kce3cI/AAAAAAAAAN0/SeJOruOM7PA/s1600/photo-71.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MXGjXzGvsho/UGD52Kce3cI/AAAAAAAAAN0/SeJOruOM7PA/s320/photo-71.JPG" width="320" /></a>I'm overdue for an update so I thought I'd catch everyone up on what we've been up to and where we're going!<br />
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<b><u>Math</u></b></div>
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We've just finished up working on our doubles facts and working with money (although we will certainly continue reviewing and practicing those skills). We had a magic doubling pot and have practiced using graph paper to work on our doubling facts.</div>
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We're now moving into geometry! We're working on shapes and symmetry-- hopefully the next post will have some of those pictures :)</div>
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Continue to work on those skills at home and we'll continue at school!</div>
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We are preparing for the end of the first quarter and our summative test for math is coming up on October 8th and grade cards come out on October 10th!</div>
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<b><u>Reading and Writing</u></b></div>
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In addition to practicing writing complete sentences (with a naming and telling part and with end punctuation), we just started looking at mystery writing last week and now we are working on creating our own mysteries in our Daily 5 reading groups.</div>
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We've been reading <u>The Mystery of the Missing Moon</u> and we completed this graphic organizer to organize the story.</div>
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For the rest of this week we will be working on creating a mystery in our leveled reading groups (with my guidance). I'm hoping to have the groups read their mystery to the rest of the class by Friday-- we will go to Monday if need be!</div>
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This was our first week doing full-out reading groups! Today was our first day and it went great! I'm very excited and hopeful to get math groups started shortly as well.</div>
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We are preparing for our main summative test for reading on October 3rd.</div>
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<b><u>Science</u></b></div>
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I wish I had more pictures of us doing science, but I don't right now-- I will be sure to get some up for our next post as well as some social studies pictures!</div>
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In reading, we've been learning about the phases of the moon. In our National Geographic curriculum, we've been studying rocks, minerals and soil and are preparing for a rocks test on October 2nd and a soil test on October 5th.<br />
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<b><u>Extracurricular</u></b></div>
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I was a part of the Welborn kickball team. I can't say that we won any games, but I was able to rediscover my skills :)</div>
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Until next time!</div>
Mrs. Kietzmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15761019327010465207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184398960966798479.post-76956731062518354312012-09-04T17:20:00.000-07:002012-09-04T17:20:28.875-07:00Classroom Management and RoutinesIn addition to using the safe pocket system (mentioned in an earlier post), I'm using positive reinforcement systems in my classroom that emphasize good character traits and following directions.<br />
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<b><u>Class Rules</u></b></div>
We only have one real rule in our classroom and that is that it's never okay to be hurtful or disruptive (from the BIST philosophy). Then, we came up with ideas about what it would look like to be hurtful or disruptive and we added several examples of what following the rules looks like in class. Those definitions are for being non-disruptive: Use inside voices, no extra noise, and listen when others talk. Our definitions for not being hurtful are to keep your body to yourself and use kind words.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g5h-HLWq5fA/UEaYvNCN7kI/AAAAAAAAANI/8GfGOecxDXs/s1600/photo-64.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g5h-HLWq5fA/UEaYvNCN7kI/AAAAAAAAANI/8GfGOecxDXs/s320/photo-64.JPG" width="320" /></a>I also had all of the students sign the poster in a kind of "ceremony" where they add to agree to try their best to follow our rules.<br />
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We also have coming to attention rules as you can see in the picture! We also use clapping and a bell for variety sake :)<br />
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<b><u>The Peace Table</u></b></div>
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I haven't had the chance to fully explain how this works to our 2nd grade class yet, but I am hoping to this week. I used this a lot in 4th grade last year and I think that it teaches some valuable problem-solving skills for kids.</div>
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If two students are having a problem, one of them will invite the other to the peace table (or if I see that there is a problem, I will suggest they go to the peace table). At the peace table, there is a form that the two fill out. They hold the bear when they have something to say and then pass the bear to the other person when they are finished talking.</div>
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After the two fill out the sheet, they have to come to peace with one another before they're ready to rejoin our class. Once they feel ready, they will turn in the page to me and let me know that they've made peace. (Teachers: Email me if you'd like a copy of the sheet. I'll have to scan it!)</div>
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<b><u>Class Rewards</u></b></div>
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I like to have a lot of raffles in my class that give students a chance to be rewarded for doing the right thing and for being kind and caring. That is why I have the lunch bunch raffle (using the safe pocket system mentioned in a prior post). If their kangaroo ends up in their own pocket at the end of the day, that means they've made safe choices and they will get a raffle ticket into the pot. Every Friday I draw 5 names.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dZWwnZ8lq38/UEaYwjlMOlI/AAAAAAAAANQ/JgCt6wklGGw/s1600/photo-65.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dZWwnZ8lq38/UEaYwjlMOlI/AAAAAAAAANQ/JgCt6wklGGw/s320/photo-65.JPG" width="320" /></a>During math time I do something similar, but instead I do it daily (the afternoon time is very tiring for kiddos). I give tickets for following directions and at the end of the day I do a candy raffle for one piece of candy (like a sucker).</div>
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Our big <b>class</b> reward is not a raffle, but uses beads. Every table group has a cup on their desk and during each instructional time, they can earn beads for coming to attention, participation and effort. If the class earns 40 beads at the end of the day, we get a tally mark. Five marks and we get a reward! Last time we had no shoe day in class, but the class voted and this time we will be getting ice cream! Two marks down; three to go!</div>
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Another big reward for students is having jobs. I just got them started this past week, but I think they're a hit! I try to rotate them so if someone didn't get a job last week, they'll get one next week. I've had some requests for a pet monitor.... but I think I'll pass for now. I've had bad luck with pets!</div>
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Important dates:</div>
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<li>Thursday, Sept. 6- Math MAP testing</li>
<li>Friday, Sept. 7-Spelling test, Reading logs due</li>
<li>Wednesday, Sept. 12- Family Advocacy in the afternoon</li>
<li>Thursday, September 13- No school for students, family advocacy day all day (check your child's backpack for the sign up sheet!)</li>
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Mrs. Kietzmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15761019327010465207noreply@blogger.com0