05/26/2012
05/02/2012
How Do You Wrap Up the School Year?
Testing is almost over and summer vacation will soon be here. The countdown to the end of the year has started. If you would like to invest in a neat keepsake that is nestled with artifacts that students can cherish for a liftetime, check out my End of the Year Memory Books below. Click on the pictures below to purchase. Thanks for stopping by!
04/04/2012
How Do You Teach Different Genres of Writing?
There are so many different genres of writing, what is your favorite? One of my favorite genres of writing to teach is Opinion Writing. Opinion Writing allows students to express their feelings about a particular idea or issue. The power of persuasion is an important LIFE SKILL that students need. The following unit gives students the tools they need in order to express their opinions. Here is what students are expected to know according to the
At the culmination of my Opinion Writing Unit, students are given the opportunity to apply for a job writing for a magazine. The job calls for a creative writer that will be writing reviews for books, magazines, restaurants, and places around town. This allows students to practice what they have learned during the unit and they love the idea that they are actually applying for a job!
Before that can take place, students begin learning about Opinion Writing. First, students discuss the difference between fact and opinion using these templates...
Next, I present students with posters highlighting the elements of Opinion Writing.
Here are a few...
Students are given possible writing topics,
but can choose a unique idea to write about too...
I provide scaffolding for students that need help with their organizational structure...
Students are assessed on their writing on the following rubric...
Here are just a few tidbits and ideas from my Opinion Writing Unit! Click on the picture below, or visit my store (the link is on the upper right) to learn about purchasing this unit...
03/27/2012
I usually begin my geometry unit with an introduction to polygons.
First we discuss the different types of polygons.
The students have a great time using their creativity drawing
polygons and non-polygons on this t chart!
Throughout our Geometry Unit of Study, students see over 30 different vocabulary charts posted such as the words in the picture below...
They also have a personal chart...
If students complete the "Geometry Genius" assessment correctly,
they receive the "Geometry Genius" award.
To learn more about purchasing this unit, click on the picture below!
03/14/2012
Writer's Workshop Narrative Writing Unit
How do you lay the foundation for writer's workshop in your classroom? Through trial and error, I figured out how to best lay the foundation for a writer's workshop in my classroom. First, I make sure to post the stages of writer's workshop so that students can refer to them. Since writing is not a linear process, students should have the freedom to go back to a previous stage if need be.
Here are some examples...
I also make sure that students have plenty of topics to choose from, so I brainstorm possible writing topics with the students on the following template. This will make it easier for them to decide on a writing topic, and they are less prone to saying, "I have nothing to write about!"
Before students start their 1st drafts, I model different types of engaging beginnings so that students can choose one that they feel comfortable writing about. I provide the students with 7 different engaging beginning posters. Here are a few examples...
When the students are set to edit their work, I provide them with this editing-marks poster. This reminds them of what they can revise and edit to make their writing better. The word-choice cloud encourages students to use words that are less common. I also provide them with a "UNIQUE" word list that provides synonyms for words that they tend to use.
Head to my TPT store to learn more about this unit!
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03/01/2012
Panicked Teacher's TESTING SEASON First Aid Kit
Testing season is approaching (OUCH!) and I would like to share a few ideas to get the students motivated. Since SOME students need some extra motivation and incentives, I start a countdown so that everyone knows how long they have to prepare for the upcoming test. It also gets the students talking to their parents about when the test occurs and they are less likely to schedule appointments, vacations, etc... Here is a glimpse of the countdown. I laminate this and start in the beginning of the school year, changing the number every day with a dry-erase marker. When testing gets closer, there is a specific 30 day countdown I use in the front of the classroom.
I also make sure I am using the state's released questions to prepare students for the testing format and so that they can practice testing strategies. I focus on one question for at least 15-20 minutes, so that the students can analyze the wording of the question and determine what is being asked. I post my test taking strategy posters so that students can refer to them when we are working on questions. Here are some examples...
I also give the students a check-off list that they can use to check off each strategy as they use it.
One of my favorite strategies to use with students is to have them re-create a test question similar to one that we just worked on. This shows that the students have internalized the concept. They have a blast writing their own test question and they usually give the question to a partner to complete.
Some other things I do to prepare my students for the test is through parent communicaiton. I use my parent/student agreement so that parents and students communicate about the test and discuss what they can do at home to prepare.
I encourage students to be PRESENT and PUNCTUAL each day of testing by giving them a raffle ticket if they come to school on time and are present for the entire testing period.
That makes my life, or the testing coordinators life alot easier so we do not have to do a bunch of make-ups! Aslo, I do not think students do as well on make-ups, usually rushing through to get back to class or recess. We usually do the raffle at the end of the day giving away a treat like a bag of popcorn, candy bar, or any other treat your kiddos enjoy!
The students love dedicating their testing session to a special person. After each student decides who they will dedicate their test to, they complete their dedication plaque and hang this on their divider in front of them. They also bring a small photo of that person to clip to their divider, which serves as a personal reminder of their own support system and helps them make it through the test.
Also, to notify others that testing is in session, I post this testing sign on the door.
This discourages others from interrupting our testing session. Finally, for the entire testing period, I give away the following award certificate. But, the students must have been PRESENT and PUNCTUAL every day!
So there you go! Here are some of the tips you will find in my
STANDARDIZED TESTING FIRST AID KIT!
You can click the link of the picture below to purchase at my TPT store. Good LUCK testing!
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02/24/2012
Click on the picture above to learn more about this unit!
This AWESOME kit includes:
Figurative Language Posters (7 posters)
Figurative Languge Study Cards
Idiom List (over 40 idioms/meanings of)
Similes List (40 different similes)
Hyperbole Example List
Metaphor Example List
Personification Example List
Onomatopoeia Word List
Alliteration Activity
Figurative Language Game
Figurative Language Challenge
Figurative Language Assessment/Award
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Click on the picture above to learn more about this unit!
Homophone Word List-180 Homophone Examples
Over 50 Homophone Student Activity Pages
"What is a Homophone?" Poster
2 Different Blank Student Templates
Homophones Master Student Culmination Award
02/15/2012
02/06/2012
Download PanickedTeacherWordFractions
This is a fun activity that students can complete using any vocabulary or spelling words, or just while reading a book! They get points for finding words that they can reduce, or for lower grades words that have 1/2! They can play against someone or do it for a sponge activity:) Hope you like and this makes you less panicked!
01/17/2012
01/13/2012
Equivalent Fractions
Students love seeing who can come up with the most equivalent fractions using this circle map (thinking map)! How do you teach equivalent fractions?
Download PanickedTeacher's 1_2 circle map
01/05/2012
Flat Stanely Project
The Flat Stanely project is a great way to make TEXT to WORLD connections for your students!
Download the Flat Stanely project here:
Download Panicked Teacher's Flat Stanely Project
11/19/2011
10/20/2011
10/02/2011
Math Word Problem Template
Download Panicked Teacher Problem Solving Template
Students can use this template to gain a deeper understanding of problem solving.
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