As a first year
teacher, I live about 5 days ahead of my kiddos. Ask me what we will be
learning in December? I can definitely tell you {we have a district curriculum
map β thank goodness!}. Ask me how we are learning it? Iβll smile at you and
since weβre friends, Iβll laugh at you. We do not have a reading or writing
curriculum, and the teacher who was in my classroom before me took every file
and erased the hard drive on the classroom computer.
teacher, I live about 5 days ahead of my kiddos. Ask me what we will be
learning in December? I can definitely tell you {we have a district curriculum
map β thank goodness!}. Ask me how we are learning it? Iβll smile at you and
since weβre friends, Iβll laugh at you. We do not have a reading or writing
curriculum, and the teacher who was in my classroom before me took every file
and erased the hard drive on the classroom computer.
The first 6 weeks. I was sinking all
the time. But, after networking and finding all kinds of resources through the
blogging world, I can breathe. This weekend, I only spent 90 minutes at school
preparing! I know itβs crazy. {note β I do all my planning and grading at home,
with a diet coke, and in my pjs}
the time. But, after networking and finding all kinds of resources through the
blogging world, I can breathe. This weekend, I only spent 90 minutes at school
preparing! I know itβs crazy. {note β I do all my planning and grading at home,
with a diet coke, and in my pjs}
With this said, there is no chance that
I will ever have visual plans to share, but I thought I would give some
shout-outs to the people, companies, and blogs that save me every.single.week.
I will ever have visual plans to share, but I thought I would give some
shout-outs to the people, companies, and blogs that save me every.single.week.
Nicole Shelbyβs Interactive
Notebook is gold. Often times, I do not copy all of the pieces, but use it
as a guide for note taking. My kiddos work to title their notes, write our 5th
grade β I Canβ statement, and then, draw the individual pieces. Sometimes if
the components are too difficult to draw, I will let my kids get the scissors
and glue out. For one class, I copy the main piece/focus/image of the notes on
computer paper. This works well with my lowest class who has lost the privilege of using scissors. Donβt even ask.
Notebook is gold. Often times, I do not copy all of the pieces, but use it
as a guide for note taking. My kiddos work to title their notes, write our 5th
grade β I Canβ statement, and then, draw the individual pieces. Sometimes if
the components are too difficult to draw, I will let my kids get the scissors
and glue out. For one class, I copy the main piece/focus/image of the notes on
computer paper. This works well with my lowest class who has lost the privilege of using scissors. Donβt even ask.
Who has the best task cards in all of
the land? For me, Deb
Hanson is the answer. Why do I love Debβs task
cards? They are rigorous and appropriate for my 5th graders, and
they follow a predictable pattern. Plus, she ALWAYS includes enough cards for
all 30 of my kiddos.
the land? For me, Deb
Hanson is the answer. Why do I love Debβs task
cards? They are rigorous and appropriate for my 5th graders, and
they follow a predictable pattern. Plus, she ALWAYS includes enough cards for
all 30 of my kiddos.
When I am looking for an article that
has a specific skill focus, my first go-to is Scholasticβs StoryWorks. The past SIX years of StoryWorks are
archived here in PDFs. Each issue of StoryWorks has
a fiction article, nonfiction article, poem, drama, and a pair texted. All of
the articles have a Lexile Level attached, and are usually longer which is
perfect for building my kidβs reading stamina for testing.
has a specific skill focus, my first go-to is Scholasticβs StoryWorks. The past SIX years of StoryWorks are
archived here in PDFs. Each issue of StoryWorks has
a fiction article, nonfiction article, poem, drama, and a pair texted. All of
the articles have a Lexile Level attached, and are usually longer which is
perfect for building my kidβs reading stamina for testing.
Now, if I am looking for shorter articles,
I head to ReadWorks. This is another
free resource that provides skill-based articles at appropriate Lexile Levels
for my kiddos.
I head to ReadWorks. This is another
free resource that provides skill-based articles at appropriate Lexile Levels
for my kiddos.
If I am looking for articles that have
a specific focus AND are manageable enough to read and work with in a 50 minute
class period, I head to Jennifer
Findleyβs Week
Reading packs. They are Common Core aligned, focus on one core skill, are
high-interest to my kids, and have accompanying activities or questions.
a specific focus AND are manageable enough to read and work with in a 50 minute
class period, I head to Jennifer
Findleyβs Week
Reading packs. They are Common Core aligned, focus on one core skill, are
high-interest to my kids, and have accompanying activities or questions.
If you have followed along for a while
you know I LOVE Flocabulary. {If not,
you can read about it here.}
From introducing vocabulary or a new topic, Flocabulary is the way to go. My kids
are always engaged and the songs βstickβ with them. Plus, each video comes with
a printable script and learning activity. BEST OF ALL β itβs Common Core
aligned!
you know I LOVE Flocabulary. {If not,
you can read about it here.}
From introducing vocabulary or a new topic, Flocabulary is the way to go. My kids
are always engaged and the songs βstickβ with them. Plus, each video comes with
a printable script and learning activity. BEST OF ALL β itβs Common Core
aligned!
Starting with the 2nd
quarter, I have started saving myself hours of grading each week by using Socrative to assess students. After I create
the quiz, flashback, or exit slip, students take the quiz using an iPad; the program instantly grades the assessment, and
emails the results. I give more specifics in this
blog post. Long story short; I am in LOVE!.
quarter, I have started saving myself hours of grading each week by using Socrative to assess students. After I create
the quiz, flashback, or exit slip, students take the quiz using an iPad; the program instantly grades the assessment, and
emails the results. I give more specifics in this
blog post. Long story short; I am in LOVE!.
During Readerβs Workshop, I pull from
ALL over. I have snagged some great ELA resources during this monthβs Facebook
Frenzy. When students are not with me, they work on their Reading Response
Letter {inspired by the Book Whisper}, independent read, or use Spelling and Vocabulary City on the
iPads. I use the basic, free account and input our vocabulary words for the
week. Then, using my classroom code, students can practice using and defining
the words!
ALL over. I have snagged some great ELA resources during this monthβs Facebook
Frenzy. When students are not with me, they work on their Reading Response
Letter {inspired by the Book Whisper}, independent read, or use Spelling and Vocabulary City on the
iPads. I use the basic, free account and input our vocabulary words for the
week. Then, using my classroom code, students can practice using and defining
the words!
For their weekly homework, my kids
choose a vocabulary activity based on our word
wall words, and then, we use a StoryWorks story. Students answer
comprehension questions on the story, and then, write an extended response. To
help practice the language skills of the Common Core, I have also added in some
extra-practice printables from my Gobbling
Grammar pack.
choose a vocabulary activity based on our word
wall words, and then, we use a StoryWorks story. Students answer
comprehension questions on the story, and then, write an extended response. To
help practice the language skills of the Common Core, I have also added in some
extra-practice printables from my Gobbling
Grammar pack.
So last night when Stephanie from Teaching in Room 6 shared Rick Smith’s quote on her Facebook page.
I laughed. Itβs so, so true and just makes me giggle. I am so grateful for the
amazing resources and people out there βwho help build the plane as I fly itβ. What are your go-to plane-flying resources?
I laughed. Itβs so, so true and just makes me giggle. I am so grateful for the
amazing resources and people out there βwho help build the plane as I fly itβ. What are your go-to plane-flying resources?
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What excellent resources! Thanks for sharing these great websites, Catherine. The first year is definitely tough (even with a filing cabinet full of resources), but it's special and fun. And just think how much fun next year is going to be! π
~Jessica
Joy in the Journey
I love your resources…another one I find pretty helpful is http://www.readwritethink.org
It sounds like you are creating awesome lessons!!!!
Bridget
Literacy Without Worksheets
Thanks, Jessica! You're right. It has been an absolutely wonderful year. I cannot imagine doing anything else, and it turns out that I LOVE 5th grade – such a fun age. Plus, I have been so blessed getting to know so many awesome blogging friends. π
Awesome! Thanks, Bridget. I cannot wait to explore. π
Thanks for sharing all those great resources! For a new teacher, you're doing an awesome job!
I just got a grant for Flocabulary! I am glad to hear your kiddos love it. I can't wait to get mine! And I TOTALLY "get" that one of your classes can't use scissors. Yep, makes complete sense! ha
I need to look into Flocabulary! The graphics for your grammar packet are just right:)
Brandi
My Teacher Friend
If this posts twice I'm sorry! Just wrote one and I don't know where it went, lol!
I LOVE this list of resources. Another one I use often is watchknowlearn.org. TONS of great videos and (for those of you that need it) they are working on getting it organized by Common Core too…. You are so much more organized and "together" than I was during my first semester of teaching last year, lol You are doing a GREAT job!!
Thanks SO much for the call-out, Catherine! I'm one of your BlogLovin followers, but I missed your post originally as I was out of town for a funeral on November 10 – so was I ever ELATED this morning to hop over to your blog (so I could add you to my blog list!) to see the photo of my theme task cards! I am so glad to hear that you find my task card sets useful! Thanks again!
~Deb
Crafting Connections
Just saw this, Catherine! Thanks for linking to my product! I am glad you are finding it useful!
Jennifer
Teaching to Inspire in 5th
Reading in the wild is really great, and I also love the smell of new books.
Travelling by car always gives me an incredible sense of freedom and independence, so I always choose this convenient means of transport whenever I can. The last time I flew to Liverpool, I decided to hire a car to expand my travels even further. Hiring a car from Rental24h turned out to be a great solution, allowing me to freely explore the city and its surroundings, discovering new and exciting places. The convenience and flexibility provided by a hire car make every trip a unique and unforgettable adventure