Guided Math Chapter 6 Review and Reflect and FREEBIE

1. What are some ways that you can organize your classroom to support Math Workshop?

Well I do feel that I have strived to organize my math manipulatives so they are more accessible to my students. This is what it looks like so far:

In the above pictures the white drawer on the left is where students file math papers etc. I believe I am going to have students keep their math journals in a basket on top of that white drawer. I was very inconsistent with using math journals last year and Really want to improve on that. It also will tie in writing :) The math journals last year also got destroyed in their desks last year. This year I am going to try and eliminate what is in their desks. 

I have an organized meeting area for everyone to have math huddles and discuss math investigations etc. . . 

It takes place here :) If you were sitting in the "Cars" chair you would see my amazing easel. This is the one I have it just isn't mine :) I didn't have an isolated picture of it. 

I would like to come up with a more organized system for my math assessments, student math sheets, and math work-station papers. I would LOVE to read how you all organize/manage that stuff. I have yet to come up with an efficient system. 

2. How can implementing Math Workshop promote the learning goals you have for your class?

SIMPLE ~ it allows you to tailor instruction specifically for your students. All of your instruction centers on the learning goals (i.e. curriculum standards) and you are differentiating your instruction using the different mediums of Math Workshop. 

I loved reading this chapter and realizing that there is nothing set in stone. On page 200 Sammons says, "Although the teacher has allocated a longer time to spend with the group, if needed, the extra time can now be spent with the remaining two groups." Near the end of last year when I had begun to really try and implement small group instruction I had this idea that I had to meet with ALL my students for exactly the same amount of time. This chapter really opened my eyes. One of my college professors would always say "In education fair is not equal." I find that SO true each and every student is unique. I loved how Sammons gave the example of meeting with the high group first and not holding students back but pushing them further. The one thing I wonder is what are the middle and low group doing while you meet with the high group first. I'm in the middle of playing around with a "loose" schedule to implement next year. I'm thinking that those groups would be working on other components of Guided Math working with concepts already taught to them. 

I also created some FREEBIES to go along with the Math Investigations section of the book! Go check them out HERE!

I'm linking up with 

Mechele from Barrow's Hodgepodge is co-hosting this chapter along with Amanda from Reaching for the Top. 

I'm excited to go and read everyone's link ups and thoughts! I canNOT emphasize enough how important a n organized classroom environment can promote learning. 

July Currently

Another month is upon us and I am linking up with Farley at Oh' Boy Fourth Grade. Side note I LOVE the blue skirt she is wearing on the right side of her blog. OH SO SO SO super duper fancy cute I would love to wear it. Any who go check it out and compliment her awesome style :)

LISTENING~ So Mexican Train is this addicting brings out the worst the best in a family game. Everyone starts with a certain amount of dominoes and it goes clockwise and everyone tries to get rid of their dominoes using their own trains. I know poor porr explanation (I'm on meds at the moment but wanted to get in on the CURRENTLY action). Click HERE to see the one we have and get a better understanding. 

LOVING~ I just purchased a license from Just So Scrappy Graphics and it is awesome. A lovely decision if a do say so myself. :)

THINKING~ Yeah the results of the MRI from my SEVER, cried like a baby, back pain. A herniated disc in my lower spine which was causing tingling and numbness down my leg. Any who at this point no surgery needed. However, I had to have an epidural shot ~ peeps you shouldn't have to have one till you are about to have a baby . . . I'm just saying. . . 

WANTING~ If you live in south Florida you must check out Max's Grill and their Flour-less Chocolate cake with all the EXTRAS of course :) I may have a severe sweet tooth. 

NEEDING~ My readin glist is a mile high long and I am positive after reading everyone's CURRENTLY I will have a TWO mile high list. I LOVE LOVE LOVE reading. Also I live in a home with gour children and within a ten minute radius is the entire extended family on my moms side. Close family = quite time rare

READS~ I love Chris Van Dusen's books. They are excellent read alouds and my kiddos request re-reads OVER and OVER and OVER and OVER (ok get the picture) again. I am making a readers response sheet to the book so when I do I will update this post with a link to the FREEBIE :)

In college, for my classroom management class, we listened and read a LOT of Harry Wong and I really loved it. I constantly go back to The First Days of School to tweak what I'm doing and find where I can improve. I would love to listen to the Wongs in person

Tomorrow I shall be Reviewing and Reflecting on Chapter 5 of Guided Math! I'm loving this book. 

Guided Math Chapter 4 Jots and Thoughts FREEBIES Link Up

Hello fellow Mathematicians (you’ll get the reference later)! I’ve broken the book up into sections and given some thoughts on them. At the end you’ll find some questions to ponder. I would love for you to answer them, all of them, some of them, etc. Hope you enjoy. At the very end there are some math freebies!

USING GUIDED MATH WITH THE WHOLE CLASS

“While whole-class instruction may not be the most effective approach for all lessons, it can be used quite effectively for some instructional purposes.” 

Advantages of Whole-Class Instruction

• easy way to present information to all students 
• it is streamlined (less prep work for teacher)
• great for “hooking” students into a new math unit/topic/chapter
• it can help build a sense of community with your class

Challenges of Whole-Class Instruction

• the teacher student ratio is large in a whole group setting, while small-group instruction diminishes the teacher student ratio
• it is difficult to provide specific feedback to each student in a whole group setting, in a small group setting it is easier to recognize what feedback to give a student
• the author also discusses the use of students evaluating their own work through the use of rubrics and other assessment tools - I believe this allows students to take even more ownership of their learning which was discussed earlier in the book
• in this section along the lines of assessment, an idea used in science class came up: in science class you are often evaluated using paper-and-pencil AS WELL AS a lab component, the teacher observes you using your science in action . . . wouldn’t it be wonderful to incorporate a math “lab” component to your unit/topic/chapter assessments? I will definitely be incorporating this into my math assessment!

Mini Lessons

• can be used to begin a lesson or to wrap up a lesson
• “Mini lessons are primarily teacher directed and are valuable, but should be brief, yet explicit-no more than ten minutes.” I found this interesting because I always feel like when I decide that I am doing a mini lesson it never is “mini,” especially just ten minutes. I’ve read 10-15 minutes is a good length for them but always struggled meeting tat time frame. So I LOVED that she broke down the parts of a mini lesson and gave an example lesson. The following are all aspects of a mini lesson:

connection

• this is the hook, how are you going to get your students interested and involved in the lesson?

teaching point

• state what the students are going to learn today, “Today I am going to teach you. . .”
• what I found most interesting in this section was the emphasis on the teacher ”thinking aloud” we are always told do that during reading instruction, but how smart during math instruction!

active engagement

• let students have a try at the concept
• the author gave some great ideas for this that are more than paper-and-pencil such as: “turn and talk” teaching the point to a partner, tell how they would apply the concept in “real” life, use a whiteboard to solve the problem
• I always thought this time had to be long and I had to check every student
• I learned that it can be a quick informal assessment where I can inventory what students get it and which ones I need to focus on

link to ongoing work

• help student find a connection with past math learning to the present new concept being taught

sample mini lesson

• all I have to say is I am calling my students Mathematicians during any math instruction - what a great way to give them ownership of their learning in math

Tips for Effective Mini lessons

the following are ways to increase the effectiveness of the mini lesson

• limit student talk
• keep the connection brief
• state the teaching point simply and reiterate it
• demonstrate the mathematics teaching point
• use a familiar context for problem solving
• match the active engagement to the mathematics teaching point

Activating Strategies

• one idea mentioned was previewing key vocabulary that students will need for the concept
• earlier in the book teaching vocabulary was discussed - a numeracy rich environment - I LOVE the Frayer model for math (at the bottom of this post is a link to several freebies for math vocabulary)

KWL Charts

• a KWL chart is a great visual for an informal inventory of what students think they know, what they want to know, and what they learned
• I also believe if this a molding object in the classroom that is not done once and put away, but is interactive throughout the whole topic it is a great way for students to take ownership of their learning (at the bottom of this post is a link to several freebies for a math KWL chart)

Anticipation guides

• these reminded me of the reading survey/inventory teachers have their students take at the beginning of the year
• I think these would be great to have for every topic/chapter/unit - they are simple ten questions that can be answered true/false 
• they allow students to have a little commercial of what’s coming up in math
• if they don’t know an answer they are encouraged to do the best they can
• Then you can tally up students answer in an anonymous fashion and even create student driven graphs. I believe this would be a great visual to put up in the class and refer to when doing the anticipation guide at the end of the topic. What a great review session. Allow your students to redo the anticipation guide and create a new student driven graph. I am SO excited to implement this next year with my students! 

Word Splashes

•  this is where you get a big piece of paper and place vocabulary relevant to the topic and introduce the meanings - I’m not sure how I feel about this. . . 

Reading Math-Related Children’s Literature

• I LOVE literature! I invested in some Stuart J. Murphy math books and am always on the lookout for math literature. 

“Stories make ordinary situations come alive for students.”

• It is important, just like any read loud, for the teacher to think aloud noticing the math connections and making math-to-self connections and then to give this process over to your students eventually.

Setting the Stage for Math Workshop

• One important thing here is to establish routines and procedures and not rush this process (it doesn’t work when you rush the process)

Math Huddle

• this is a time for students to share the current math in their life, the teacher acts as facilitator
• I find this to appear to work better with upper grades. . . 

Practice and Review Sessions

• I love the game review concept (when I get around to it I plan on making some reusable pocket chart friendly jeopardy cards) I'll post them as a freebie)

 I created some freebies in different themes to go along with this chapter. I will be using the candy themed ones in my classroom this year!

Grab it HERE for FREE

Grab it HERE for FREE

Grab it HERE for FREE

Grab it HERE for FREE

Grab it HERE for FREE

Grab it HERE for FREE

Grab it HERE for FREE

Don't forget that I am co-hosting this chapter with Once Upon a Teaching Blog

FREEBIE, Blogger Meet Up, & Debbie Diller Summer Institute

Ok first off I have a FREEBIE for you. It is binder covers and how I manage guided reading and guided math so far in my teaching career :) You can read more about it HERE. You can go check it out HERE and download it for free. You could always eave so feedback loving :) I read every SINGLE comment on my blog and all the feedback I get at TPT. I don't think it is nerdy nearly humbling and exciting that people find what I write beneficial. 


Second . . . TODAY . . . is this day! YAY I can't wait to meet these ladies in person. I feel like I already know some of them. It is going to be a great afternoon. 





Third, I have booked my flight and I am attending Debbie Diller's Summer Institute in Houston, TX! I'm super duper excited about this. I love her books! They have helped my teaching so much. 



Well I'm off to Cocoa Beach for some exploring, antiques, and teacher blogger friends! :)
Enjoy your Sunday!

Mother's Day and Guided Reading

Good Morning! I'm a bit bummed that I am out sick and only have 14 and a half days left with my sweet students! I'm going to cry and I've already accepted it. The bright side is I will see them next year when they are off in third grade.

On Mother's Day I went into school and made sub plans. Ladies and the occasional gentleman I am on a zpack (you know the medicine that wipes out your cold) well apparently my body doesn't like to respond :( The funny thing is I'm wide awake and as I'm typing this my sub is just NOW getting my kids from the pick up spot. I'm going to go stir crazy sick in bed. I also know I have several autoimmune disease and if I don't rest now I'll be sick for the last three weeks of school. Being responsible can be a bit frustrating at times. 

About Mother's Day . . . Yes I know I am super behind the ball at posting this. Simply remember I am a first year teacher and think back on your first year of teaching. It is a lot of FIRSTS. I decided to have my students complete Deanna Jump's Happy Mother's Day Gift book. My sweets loved it and it was pretty low maintenance to facilitate. Then I started thinking I needed to do more. I went online and googled some homemade scrub recipes. I found one that I tweaked a bit. Vanilla Brown Sugar Scrub ~ it almost sounds like dessert! Some of my boys aced if they could eat it! I kept explaining it was for mom's hands and feet. Anyway, then I bought 1/2 pint Ball mason jars at Publix. I created some cute labels to print out, place on colored card stock, have students write a simple message, sign their name, and then I laminated them. Click on the picture of the jar to go to my TPT store and download the labels for FREE for next year. I printed my labels on sticker paper because the round circles the kids stuck on the lid of their jars. 

Now onto guided reading. Our school does not require guided reading or small groups. I understand why guided reading is the way to go. I completely believe in small group instruction. This year I was not diligent with guided reading. Partly because it is my first year and I'm trying to get an understanding of my curriculum. Partly because my school doesn't require it. Well I started amping it up a bit for the last couple months of school. It is awesome! My sweets love it. I needed a system to stay organized. I really am in "next-year" mode. I created binder covers for almost ALL my binders ~ candy themed of course :)

I purchased this container (19L) from Office Depot. Inside of it I keep a blue, green, red, and yellow file folder. Everything I need for each group is in there color coded file.  So if I'm meeting with my blue group I would get my leveled readers from my blue hanging file folder, I would get out any copies or charts I placed in their and I would be all set.

This is my binder cover. All my binders have this design so they match.

If the spines of my binders are not labels it drives me CRAZY!

I use numbered tab dividers in almost all my binders. I find it simpler that way.  Tab 1 is my Guided Reading Schedule. After the first couple weeks of school I create a "set in stone" schedule to use throughout the year. This allows me to get to know my students and appropriate time frames for them. Tab 2 is my Guided Reading General Info. The reading level correlations, the tips and pointers I find on blogs, some stuff from the Lesson Plan SOS' Reading Binder. Tab 3 is Blue Group. Tab 4 is Green Group. Tab 5 is Red group. Tab 6 is Yellow Group. Each group tab keeps the current lesson plans, running records, informal assessments, and notes. Tab 7 is Guided Reading Lesson Plans. There are several books I'm reading or read and they have lesson plan templates for different reading skills and I'm place them under tab 7. Tab 8 is Helpful Resources aka miscellaneous misfits.

These are my group identifiers. I printed and laminated them. This allows me to have my groups  on display and easily changeable. I only have four students per group. I was thinking of creating some more that had five kids per group and six kids per group. I've read six is really the biggest small group you should have and it can be pushing it. That said I know lots of teachers have large class sizes. 

Green Group

Red Group ~ I also have a yellow group one. I just have three groups this year because I only have 12 students! Yes I know I am SUPER SPOILED.

Well that's all I got for now. I'm thinking of putting all the guided reading stuff up in my TPT store for free. If anyone is interested let me know and I'll put it up. 

New Blog Design, The Lovely Blog Award, and a Freebie!

     I'm the girl who likes to be original. When I first started my blog I wasn't sure what type of response I would receive. Well, after some time I'm pretty thrilled to have 50+ followers! (P.S. when I reach 100 followers there will be a sweet giveaway for all of you lovely readers to enter!) I originally used a blog template that anyone else could use and when I would see another blogger with it I would think two things. First, you have great taste ha! Second, if it confuses me to see the image associated with my blog on another blog it probably confuses some readers. This put me on the hunt for custom blog designs. OH MY Alicia from Dream Like Magic is AMAZING. I explained to her exactly what I wanted and she did EXACTLY what I wanted. She did it so well. I'm in love with it! I hope you all enjoy it to.
      Now as for my sporadic posting, I have been sick and the on Spring Break. My goal is to post at least 4 times a week. Lord willing more as I get more experienced at this.
      Pamela from First Class Teacher awarded me The One Lovely Blog Award! That was super duper sweet of her. I was awarded this award awhile back and my response to it is HERE. Please go check out the other teacher blogs I awarded. They have some GREAT stuff. Also be sure to check out Pamela's adorable blog I'm a fan of it and I think you should be to ;-)
      I have also been creating some things. I would love to offer the first three commenters who follow my blog, follow my TPT store, and leave me there email address to get a free copy of the three units I've been working on. The only thing I ask is for some feedback on TPT. I truly want to do the best I can with what I make. Now for those of you who are not the first three (I can relate because I seem to enjoy being fifth or sixth. . . oh well) there is a freebie for you!

Pond Hopping Inflectional Endings -s & -es

Leaping Syllables

Nouns & Adjective: There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Shell

FREEBIE
This freebie is a reading response/writing activity for students to complete after reading There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Shell!

Have a great Easter Weekend! I'm looking forward to tomorrow as a time to ponder and celebrate the fact that He, Jesus Christ, has RISEN!

Missing My Sweets, Sub Stuff, and a Freebie

Sadly I've been out of school for one whole week sick, in and out of doctors' offices and hospitals. I truly love my job and my sweets. It is simply killing me not to be teaching them! I have been reading a ton on teaching methods, strategies, etc. and just want to go and use it all. Next week is Spring Break!! (of course all plans for day trips and the like are cancelled because I'm sick :(. 

I have been making labels like crazy for everything in my classroom. I have also really pondered the whole sub system. I am not entirely certain how emergency sub plans work. Are they super generic? Detailed? For every subject? I would love to read how you all organize and handle the whole sub situation.

I've also have been creating things for my class because I just can't wait to get back into school.

There Was An Old Lady Who. . . Cause and Effect

Flying High With Four Digit Numbers

I have a freebie from this unit: Synonym Student Book. Get it HERE.

If you download this freebie please let me know your thoughts! When I make things I want to make sure they are helpful to other hard working teachers!

By the way the first 3 people to follow my blog and follow my TPT store will get the Synonyms, Antonyms, Homophones Galore Unit for free. Don't forget to leave your email. I would love feedback on the product of course ~ want to do the best I can!

Vocabulary Creations

Oh my! Today was a GREAT day! 

First off - I danced in front of all the elementary school for our school fundraiser program. Let this be made clear I do NOT dance ~ at all period. The program our school uses is amazing. I completely understand why all my kids were so psyched about it. It was contagious and I danced. . . 

I had a blast teaching today. Starting Monday off right really does set the tone for the rest of the week. I figured out a couple ways to get through to a couple of my difficult sweets and it was SUCCESSFUL! Who knew one little skittle could be such a motivation booster. I've said it before and I will say it again "If you are EXCITED about what you are teaching your kids will be EXCITED." 

There is something I've been wanting to share with you guys. Now we all teach vocabulary and if you don't I would be a bit bemused. About a month ago when I was thinking of some ways to make learning fun I came up with this vocabulary introduction activity. My sweets keep asking when we will do it again. So far, we've been doing at the beginning of every new reading story. 

Here is how it works ~

1. Split your sweets into mixed groups (I have three groups in my classroom)

2. Assign each group a couple new vocabulary words (I assign about 2 vocabulary words to each group)

3. Tell them they will be paying charades so they must keep their assigned vocabulary words TOP SECRET (my sweets are extremely serious about this part)

4. Give each group a piece of white construction paper per a vocabulary word

5. Each group is responsible for finding the book definition, creating a definition in their own words, create a sentence with it, draw it, and think about how they will "act" it out in charades. 

6. I give my kiddos this sheet:

Vocabulary Creations FREEBIE

They fill it out as a group and then they create a "poster" for each vocabulary word they were assigned. The poster must included the book definition, a sentence, and picture "showing the vocabulary word.

7. When time is up I have each table "act out" their vocabulary word(s) and the class must guess what the word is (this is the charades part). Once the class guesses correctly they explain their poster and what they found.

This is an example of some finished posters. The words were: ranch, exhibition, dappled, and landscape business.

I would love to know some ways you teach vocabulary in your classroom!

Liebster Blog Award and a Freebie

     I am certainly feeling the love! Okay so when I read the post from Tammy at Second Helpings I was possibly jumping up and down in my car! All those "big" wonderful blogs that have been doing this for a while are AMAZING, but there are some amazing "small" blogs starting up all over the internet that are AMAZING to! I think this award is a great way to give them some recognition. I also loved exploring Tammy's blog. I love how she points out that blogging lets us reach students outside of our own classroom. It's a way of sharing the best we have come across with others. Now in my mind that is some great professional development. Every time I read a blog I almost ALWAYS come away with something I want to try in my classroom. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU Tammy! Go check her out!

NOW. . . onto the Liebster Blog Award

     In order to receive this award you need to have less than 200 followers. The purpose of the award is to highlight the up and coming blogs aka the new kids on the block.  I learned from Tammy's blog the liebe is the word for love in Germany.

     If you receive this award you link back to the blogger who awarded it to you, copy and paste the blog award onto your blog, and present the award to a blog(s) who are up and coming and deserve some notice!

I'm going to go and do some blog stalking and come back with a few of my favorite up and coming blogs! Be sure to check it out!

I present you with Johnson's Jungle

Johnson's Jungle

 Also, I will be giving a run down of Dr. Seuss' birthday with pictures. I used so many amazing wonderful resources from Lory Evans and Deanna Jump!

Lory's Page

Mrs. Jump's Class

I keep all my "themed" units in semi see-through plastic tubs from staples. I create labels to go on each one. Each label is themed to match its theme (kind of confusing) matching its theme.

To get this cute Dr. Seuss Box Label click here (it's completely free of the watermark)! Be sure to leave feedback or become a follower!

I'll be back have a restful Sunday evening! I'm also working on some freebie that will be available on my  TPT store with all my other freebies!