tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60342018608664047462024-03-14T04:12:12.065-04:00Thinking of TeachingBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06526172002437932267noreply@blogger.comBlogger369125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034201860866404746.post-89695914084687571242015-06-03T11:00:00.000-04:002015-06-03T11:00:08.504-04:00Addition and Subtraction Strategies Math Huddle (Bansho) Lesson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We have been doing a WHOLE lot of adding and subtracting in my class these days! Whew. Here is a look at some of the things we have been doing. <i>(This post is very picture heavy.)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Addition and Subtraction Anchor charts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Addition and Subtraction Math Huddles</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We started with these 2 questions, the first was designed to get the students thinking about regrouping and the second was a typical addition word problem. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My math huddles are set up so that the students have a minds on (Getting Started) type question that we discuss together. Then we share the lesson problem and often discuss possible strategies together. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then I send them out to work on it...usually in pairs or groups. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I post up most of my student's own work and use that as the teaching point for discussions. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If there are any gaps then I fill in with what I want the students to learn. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I often recopy my student's examples so it is a little easier for everyone to read and on the day after the "Working on It" we revisit the learning and annotate the learning. **This can also happen right on the day of working provided that students are able to reach the solutions to the problems within the class time. **</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Once we started to feel good with the addition strategies we moved on to subtraction, and the lesson cycle repeats again. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Getting Started</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lesson Problem</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Working On It- this was added underneath the addition examples from our earlier lessons</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Finally, anchor charts of big ideas are created or shared. I actually used the annotations on each strategy as the big ideas for this math huddle and then posted these anchor charts that I found online at the <a href="http://elemmath.jordandistrict.org/3-5-plc-support/">Jordan School District. </a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And now we practice!! Even though the majority of my Grade 3 students are proficient using the traditional regrouping algorithm for 3-digit addition and subtraction I have insisted that they practice all 5 strategies we studied. It's amazing how many of them have memorized the steps but are unable to communicate their knowledge of place value by using a variety of strategies. The work continues!!</span></div>
<br />Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06526172002437932267noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034201860866404746.post-33167953084813072642015-05-29T20:03:00.000-04:002015-05-29T20:03:00.542-04:00Using a T-chart to Solve Patterns- Math Huddle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm loving Math Huddles these days...things have gotten a little too busy for Math Workshop, and I am sad about that. I hope to get back to it soon. But in the meantime, Math Stretches and Math Huddle marches on!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My class has been working on patterning- creating, extending, describing etc. Since it is a testing year in Grade 3, we are also working on using a T-chart to solve patterns since one of these questions seems to always end up on the test. Plus, it's a great strategy for the kids to have in their toolbox. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's the kids' work samples...I love the t-chart and the picture on this one.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This group extended their t-chart waaaaaaay past what was asked in the question, which was okay because it lead to a discussion of reasonable answers. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This group started by drawing flowers, and when I asked them why they had no idea...so we re-visited the question and that's when they realized the question was about a fence not flowers! Hmmm?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Happy Mathing!</span></div>
<br />Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06526172002437932267noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034201860866404746.post-3106670942360808572015-05-25T17:00:00.000-04:002015-05-25T17:00:02.739-04:00Just making it through- behaviour management<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm going back into the archive for this one...but it's a good one!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Every year in May and June it gets HOT in Ontario....soooooo hot.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The kids are hot, the teachers are hot...everything is hot.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">(Most years…this year? Who knows!!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What to do??</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> So how do I plan to make it through without losing my sanity!? </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>FREEDOM FRIDAYS!!</b>!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As a general rule I am not sure how I feel about Freedom Fridays as a behaviour incentive for the duration of the school year, but for the last few weeks of the school year it works wonders to keep everyone (me) happy! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This is what the Freedom Friday board looks like in my room. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I just used those markers that can write on the board and only come off with water. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Fancy, right?</span></div>
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<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5i7WGm7h_Xg/T8QI3XGKySI/AAAAAAAAB-I/NrwSH6jeVHE/s640/blogger-image-1664708104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5i7WGm7h_Xg/T8QI3XGKySI/AAAAAAAAB-I/NrwSH6jeVHE/s640/blogger-image-1664708104.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Then I have my students work in groups to brainstorm all the ways they could earn a letter towards getting Freedom Friday (a free period for games etc) and what they might do to lose a previously earned letter. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There are always some great conversations going on in my room during this activity! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I hear things like, "Mrs. Lyons is always reminding us to do ______ so it must be important!" </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">(That one made me giggle a little.) </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We also have a quick review on how to brainstorm- take down every idea that is given and talk about it after you have run out of ideas.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I am always impressed by how focused my students are on the task...nothing like the allure of a little free time to get students motivated! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Try it and let me know how it goes in your room. </span></div>
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Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06526172002437932267noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034201860866404746.post-26103556591778810932015-05-23T09:26:00.000-04:002015-05-23T09:26:00.170-04:00Thinking About Gardening, Plants and Bringing On Spring!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">In the Grade 3 curriculum here in Ontario we study plants and soil, and I love it. I've had so much fun study plants, planting seeds, and digging in the soil with my students.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's a couple sites if you are interested in square foot gardening at home or with your students:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://squarefootgardening.org/">Square Foot Gardening</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.canadiangardening.com/gardens/small-gardens/build-a-square-foot-garden/a/19960">Canadian Gardening</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Last year, we made a trip to the bookstore to pick up a few books to help with our learning. The first on our list was <a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/square-foot-gardening-with-kids/1591865948-item.html">Square Foot Gardening with Kids by Mel Bartholomew</a>. He also has a number of adult versions that provide a great deal of information about this type of gardening. What I liked best about this book was that it had a bunch of science explanations, diagrams and activities that could be used to integrate home and school gardening.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-itnWINBUh0o/UzltXXjJiqI/AAAAAAAAFSY/FIlVam26zTg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-03-31+at+9.27.35+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-itnWINBUh0o/UzltXXjJiqI/AAAAAAAAFSY/FIlVam26zTg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-03-31+at+9.27.35+AM.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I love using picture books to help reinforce the ideas we are learning about in Science, here are some good ones.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/and-then-its-spring/1596436247-item.html">And Then It's Spring</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This book is written in verse and the illustrations are super cute. I love that it totally matches everyone's feelings right now of waiting, waiting, waiting for all the brown and yucky to finally turn to green!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/the-tiny-seed/9780887081552-item.html?ikwid=the+tiny+seed&ikwsec=Home">The Tiny Seed</a></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1rFVr0gHEb0/UzlleF73q6I/AAAAAAAAFR0/HiEKWiysduM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-03-31+at+8.54.00+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1rFVr0gHEb0/UzlleF73q6I/AAAAAAAAFR0/HiEKWiysduM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-03-31+at+8.54.00+AM.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This book is sooooo cute! It details the journey of a seed through the seasons until it finally lands on the ground and is able to grow. In true Eric Carle fashion the illustrations are amazing and my daughter has fallen in love with this book. We've already read it three times since yesterday!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/toms-tree/9781561486632-item.html?ikwid=tom%27s+tree&ikwsec=Books">Tom's Tree</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am in love with this book! Tom plants a seed. Then he waits, and imagines, and waits and imagines....but the tree takes so long to grow that Tom grows up first!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The ending though...so sweet and touching. A must read.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/If-You-Hold-a-Seed/9780762447213-item.html?ref=item_page:richrel:rr-carousel-small:json1">If You Hold a Seed</a></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SqN5kE10LHI/UzlqGlO_8UI/AAAAAAAAFSM/35llRUWCKs4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-03-31+at+9.13.49+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SqN5kE10LHI/UzlqGlO_8UI/AAAAAAAAFSM/35llRUWCKs4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-03-31+at+9.13.49+AM.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The illustrations in this book are incredible. Beautiful! The story that goes along with it is inspiring and could be used for many activities in the classroom not just plants and science.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I highly recommend this one!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I still have a few more books on my wish list....but I didn't want to overwhelm my husband by spending so much all in one day!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/once-there-was-a-seed/0764144936-item.html">Once There Was a Seed</a></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/isabellas-garden/0763660167-item.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Isabella's Garden</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/and-the-good-brown-earth/0763638412-item.html"><span style="font-size: large;">And the Good Brown Earth</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/how-does-a-seed-grow/1416994351-item.html">How Does a Seed Grow?</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm also looking into buying some butterfly larvae that we can watch grow, build a chrysalis, and emerge as a butterfly! This spring is going to be fun.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'd love to hear about any experiences people have had growing food and gardening with kids or raising butterflies. The more tips the better!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Do you have a great plants, seeds or butterfly product I just have to see? Leave me a comment and I'll be sure to check it out. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">All photos are taken from the Chapters.Indigo website. </span></div>
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<br />Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06526172002437932267noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034201860866404746.post-11783754923675506152015-05-20T21:46:00.001-04:002015-05-20T21:46:14.214-04:00Summer Book Study<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm looking for some suggestions for this summer's book study!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I know I have been <b>very</b> MIA round here this year but I am hoping that with summer coming I can turn that around. It's been tricky going back to work with two kids, finding time to workout and get everything else I want to get done…done.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Something had to give and unfortunately it was blogging.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But the summer is just a short 5 weeks away (praise the lord!!) and I am thinking about some summer reading.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So lay it on me!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What book (or books) would you like to do for a book study?</span></div>
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Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06526172002437932267noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034201860866404746.post-31443947370806947072015-02-08T20:04:00.000-05:002015-02-08T20:04:15.561-05:00Getting Healthy- My Other Passion<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">In the past year it seems like teachers every where are getting healthy, getting fit, eating right, working out and supporting each other.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's amazing!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For those of you that follow my <a href="http://instagram.com/thinkingofteaching/">Instagram</a> (thank you!) you've already seen lost of pictures of my personal fitness and health journey and until now I haven't posted about it in detail here on my blog. But that's going to change… I want to share about journey.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Over the past few years I have been working hard to transition my whole family to clean eating by researching different products, slowly introducing new foods and new meals into our rotation, trying out freezer cooking, and educating my country-boy husband on the benefits of things like vegetables, quinoa, green smoothies! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">To be totally honest, and fair it's been a smooth and easy job.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Last summer I was nearing the end of my second maternity leave and I wanted to take advantage of the warmer weather to really up my fitness routine. I had signed up to do the Mud Hero with my husband and a friend ( a 6km run with 16 obstacles) and was determined to be prepared for it. One of my best teaching buddies, Erin from <a href="http://instagram.com/apieceoftheapple/">A Piece of the Apple</a> posted about an accountability group she was running in the summer and I jumped on board.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So here we are about 7 months later…what's come of all this fitness and healthy eating?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Well, I'm glad you asked. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(Or I asked? Either way I'm going to tell you!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">All through the summer I trained for the 6km run, I went on long walks with my dog and the baby in the stroller. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I started drinking Shakeology and tried Piyo (LOVED THEM). </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I did Three Weeks No Cheats (Thanks <a href="http://www.forblognesssake.com/">For Blogness' Sake</a>).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I loved it all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I felt strong.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I felt powerful. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I felt healthy and I felt confident.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And you may not believe me, but I never weighed myself once.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Nope.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I took measurements.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I took pictures.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But I didn't step on the scale.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Because to be completely honest I've been around the same weight off and on (off during pregnancy!) for about 5+ years.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What's changed is how I felt about myself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">How my clothes fit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My confidence level.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The amount of energy I had.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">How my body looked to me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">How I felt about how it looked.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When I eat right, workout and take care of myself I am happy with my body. No matter what number is on the scale.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now I know a lot of people live by the scale. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">They weigh themselves frequently and they may be cursing me right now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And I understand that.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">But just try it. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Put your scale away for one month. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Find a meal plan that you like.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Do a workout that you enjoy and that challenges you.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Write down nice things about yourself and your life.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Join an accountability group.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">In one month see how you feel.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm willing to bet you won't care what the scale says.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">You are all teachers (I think…) would you ever let one test score define a child in your class?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">No, you wouldn't.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">So why would you let one scale number define who you are either?</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">******</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">So where am I going from here?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Well, I am just finishing up running my very first accountability group on Facebook as a health/fitness coach. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm going to be starting the <a href="http://whole30.com/">Whole 30</a> next week. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I have plans to run Mudderella this summer (10km and 25 obstacles).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I am continuing with my love for PiYo and have added in T25 using a hybrid schedule and hope to try a new workout program in March.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It's become a part of my life.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I love it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I want it to be part of your life too.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So I am embarking on a new blogging journey and will be posting all about my passion for clean eating, health and fitness over at </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://cleaneatsmovesfeet.blogspot.ca/">Clean Eats, Moves Feet!</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I would love for you to join me over there and check out my new blog. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I'll be sharing recipes, meal plans, fitness ideas and anything else I can think of related to this journey I'm on!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">If you have any questions and want to talk to me about my journey please feel free to email me (thinkingofteach (at) gmail (dot) com or contact me via <a href="http://instagram.com/thinkingofteaching/">Instagram</a>.</span></div>
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Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06526172002437932267noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034201860866404746.post-891936018267151152015-01-24T08:45:00.001-05:002015-01-24T08:45:15.005-05:00Re-Visiting Guiding Readers- How It's Helped In my Class<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I first read Guiding Readers by <a href="http://lorijamison.com/">Lori Jamison Rog</a> a few years ago when I hosted a <a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B1132pff8HrZWlJGaWlWWDBOVVE/edit">book study</a> for it here on my blog. I saw Lori speak at <a href="http://www.readingfortheloveofit.com/index.html">Reading for the Love of It</a> in Toronto and when she was done I immediately went to the <a href="http://www.pembrokepublishers.com/">publisher's display</a> to purchase her book!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Her workshop was that amazing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">At the time I had recently switched from being an intermediate teacher to a primary teacher and didn't really know anything about guided reading. Lori's book really helped me to understand what a guided reading program </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The first big take away for me was the idea of how to structure a guided reading lesson over the course of a few days. </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QLH_p5fIwX8/VMOdKNNAxFI/AAAAAAAAGUo/PwJrsZWc2Wo/s1600/three%2Bday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QLH_p5fIwX8/VMOdKNNAxFI/AAAAAAAAGUo/PwJrsZWc2Wo/s1600/three%2Bday.jpg" height="94" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">This is a format that I try to follow for all of my guided reading lessons. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The second big take away for me was the chapters that outlined how to guide readers at each stage of their development along with lesson and activity ideas.</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Very helpful!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #383838; text-align: start;">3. Guiding Emergent Readers</span><br style="color: #383838; text-align: start;" /><span style="color: #383838; text-align: start;">4. Guiding Early Readers</span><br style="color: #383838; text-align: start;" /><span style="color: #383838; text-align: start;">5. Guiding Developing Readers</span><br style="color: #383838; text-align: start;" /><span style="color: #383838; text-align: start;">6. Guiding Fluent Readers</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #383838; text-align: start;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #383838; text-align: start;">This has come in handy, especially this year, has the reading levels in my class range from D to U! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #383838; text-align: start;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #383838; text-align: start;">Lastly, there is an entire chapter about connecting non-fiction and guiding reading which was great to see. I love teaching non-fiction and introducing the features to my students. Doing so in a small group setting is especially fun I find.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #383838; text-align: start;">Nothing better than a features of non-fiction scavenger hunt!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #383838; text-align: start;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #383838; text-align: start;">If you are looking to develop your understanding of guiding reading and working with a wide variety of reading levels I would highly recommend<a href="http://www.pembrokepublishers.com/search/default.cgi"> Guiding Readers by Lori Jamison Rog.</a> </span></span></div>
Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06526172002437932267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034201860866404746.post-68299855385079870162015-01-19T21:13:00.000-05:002015-01-19T21:13:26.838-05:00National Sweater Day<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">My class has taken on the challenge of organizing the Spirit Days at my school this year. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We are using it as a year long data management project and obviously as a way to promote school spirit and to have a little fun.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Last week when the teacher who is in charge of the Green Club at my school asked if we could add in an extra spirit day to help our the Green Club of course my answer was YES! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And what a fun, educational spirit day it's going to be.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">If you haven't yet visited the World Wildlife Fund's page- </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://schools.wwf.ca/">Schools for Living Planet</a> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">then I suggest you head over there now! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="http://schools.wwf.ca/"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rLkSeO0p48E/VL22SBJ0uyI/AAAAAAAAGUQ/4im8TZl7a2o/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-01-19%2Bat%2B8.58.15%2BPM.png" height="458" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When you click on the About chick let this is what you will find-</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; line-height: 17px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><i>WWF-Canada's Schools for a Living Planet program empowers educators and students of all ages with the tools and resources they need to lead us into a sustainable future. Schools for a Living Planet is grounded in the principles that make WWF a global success — including strong science and a focus on solutions.</i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; line-height: 17px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><i>WWF has developed free, curriculum-linked lesson plans for elementary teachers to download and integrate into their classrooms. These lesson plans connect directly to conservation priorities in Canada's forests, lakes and Arctic. Educators can take their students' learning beyond the classroom by participating in WWF events, like Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup. </i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; line-height: 17px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><i>Secondary and post-secondary students can use Schools for a Living Planet toolkits to make an impact through WWF events like National Sweater Day, Earth Hour and Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup. Students can get involved as individuals or engage their school's WWF Club / environmental club to take part. </i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; line-height: 17px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><i>Join the Schools for a Living Planet community and learn how you can inspire your classrooms and classmates to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature!</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Pretty good, right?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The event that</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">my class is going to be organizing is</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://schools.wwf.ca/GetInvolved#GeneralContentArticle73">National Sweater Day.</a></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">After I introduced it to my class we spent some time brainstorming all the reasons why this would be a good event to be involved it and went through the necessary information that we would like to share with the school. I was very happy to see how excited my class was about this.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Then they broke off into pairs and started to gather ideas for a promotional poster </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">(Notice the tie-in to media literacy! Go integrated teaching!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I am excited to see where this idea takes us as I would like to move forward with it as a collaborative inquiry project. It'll be interesting to see what my Grade 3's come up with for sure.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Some ideas I had that I'm hoping we can work in:</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">- used sweater/sweatshirt drive</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">- PSA campaign about the dangers of greenhouse gases</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">- Bumper sticker creation (visual art integration)</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">If you are planning to participate in National Sweater Day or a similar event to raise awareness about energy conservation in your school/community I'd love to hear more about it.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-top: 15px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">And, I promise I'll be back soon with an update on our progress.</span></span></div>
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Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06526172002437932267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034201860866404746.post-10510771191232490102014-12-31T17:25:00.001-05:002014-12-31T17:25:35.162-05:00New Year, New Goals<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Looking back on the year that has just passed is always an interesting activity. Quite a lot has changed in my life during 2014.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">First of all, I had a second daughter at the end of 2013 and so our entire year was filled with baby things, milestones and learning to be a family of 4.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I participated in two great book studies this year that have really helped me redefine the type of classroom I want. Leading the book study for <a href="http://thinkingofteaching.blogspot.ca/p/professional-reading-book-studies.html">100 Minutes</a> and posting about <a href="http://thinkingofteaching.blogspot.ca/2014/05/guided-math-chapter-1.html">Guided Math</a> for the <b>second</b> time have made me into a workshop teacher and centred my instruction around the needs of my students. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">One of the most amazing, and unexpected things that came out of the 100 Minutes book study was that I "met" Erin from <a href="http://instagram.com/apieceoftheapple/">A Piece of the Apple</a> and we became instant BFF's. After the book study ended Erin invited me to be a part of a FB Challenge Group for health and fitness. I've been eating clean(er) for a few years now and and working towards getting fit but a few things like getting pregnant and being on mat leave with a demanding baby seemed to be getting in the way! I lost all of the baby weight (and more) after I gave birth to my first daughter so I knew I could do it again. Erin's challenge group was just going to be an extra little push. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here we are 6 months later and the ladies in that challenge group are some of my closest friends…even though we have never met!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Getting into fitness and clean eating has changed my life, so much so that I became a Beachbody Coach in the summer. One of my resolutions for 2015 is to re-dedicate myself to my own fitness and nutrition as well as work hard to help others reach their goals too.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I am excited about this coming year. Very excited.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Here are the goals I have set for myself.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4tqY6T2RUuA/VKR3mqlT_fI/AAAAAAAAGNc/CI9RSpmrL-4/s1600/Health%2BGoals%2B2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4tqY6T2RUuA/VKR3mqlT_fI/AAAAAAAAGNc/CI9RSpmrL-4/s1600/Health%2BGoals%2B2015.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JjjKcmqVyJQ/VKR3mZTjhtI/AAAAAAAAGNU/188l0AZPxIc/s1600/Personal%2BGoals%2B2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JjjKcmqVyJQ/VKR3mZTjhtI/AAAAAAAAGNU/188l0AZPxIc/s1600/Personal%2BGoals%2B2015.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iBLqarNBfSg/VKR3mthZQ8I/AAAAAAAAGNY/JnkXZycu5o4/s1600/Professional%2BGoals%2B2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iBLqarNBfSg/VKR3mthZQ8I/AAAAAAAAGNY/JnkXZycu5o4/s1600/Professional%2BGoals%2B2015.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hoping you have a wonderful New Years!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">See you in 2015.</span><br />
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Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06526172002437932267noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034201860866404746.post-23178582842410592382014-12-14T22:00:00.001-05:002014-12-14T22:00:26.352-05:00Holiday Writing Prompts- FREEBIE<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Have you seen the <b>ridiculously</b> cute Christmas clipart that <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Krista-Wallden">Krista Wallden from Creative Clips</a> is offering for FREE in her store?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's amazing, gorgeous and so cuuuuute!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just looking at it inspired me to create this <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Holiday-Writing-Prompts-FREEBIE-1607458">quick freebie</a> for you all to enjoy.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Holiday-Writing-Prompts-FREEBIE-1607458"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bINZ4VYBtsI/VI5OJbBUVaI/AAAAAAAAGMc/JW-ev8ryDlo/s1600/Holiday%2BWriting%2BPrompts.jpg" height="400" width="325" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Holiday-Writing-Prompts-FREEBIE-1607458"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_fYlTq5whQ0/VI5OJWzcwtI/AAAAAAAAGMY/7ZNN6oCemYo/s1600/Holiday%2BWriting%2BPrompts1.jpg" height="400" width="318" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm also working on a fun new product for symmetry and the properties of 2D shapes…I'm hoping it'll be up in the next few days.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One week left till the holidays friends….we can do this!!</span></div>
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Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06526172002437932267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034201860866404746.post-15290849166232401192014-12-09T18:52:00.001-05:002014-12-09T18:52:47.041-05:00I had...<span style="font-size: large;">I had a great blog post planned….</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I had a great lesson idea…</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I had a great TPT product idea…</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have 2 kids with the flu…. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sigh.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Flu season is here.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06526172002437932267noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034201860866404746.post-11176663244556753862014-11-30T09:28:00.002-05:002014-11-30T09:28:19.796-05:00Layering my Classroom (And the Cybersale!!)<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I think my love of 100 Minutes has been well documented since I started reading it this past summer…but today I want to talk about how I think it has helped me build in my classroom routines in my language program and add layers to my teaching.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Side note: </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>This is a wordy and lengthy post…I apologize! But if you hang in there I have a whole list of must-have products from TPT sellers towards the end. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have already struggled with wanting to start EVERYTHING all at the same time and have my full program up and running. Lisa Donohue talked a lot about the importance of deepening your routines and taking students farther by adding on to previously existing structures and routines. I have found that thinking about my program in this way has really helped me to find the perfect time add a new layer to our existing literacy routines and provide my students opportunities to deepen their understanding of the concepts we are studying. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Adding layers has been an especially important part to my class' success this year has I have a VERY wide range of abilities and quite a few ELL's and students working below grade level. Building in layers of routines to help deepen my program has really helped me to differentiate and work towards meeting all my students needs. It has been especially helpful as 6 students from my class receive ESL support three out of 5 days…that's a 1/3 of my class!! Then I have 3 other students who receive Spec Ed support everyday and 1 student who goes to a math group twice a week. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>My room is a constant revolving door. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This has made scheduling guided lessons somewhat difficult but not impossible. Lisa Donohue wrote about intentional sequencing in her book 100 Minutes and it made so much sense to me…it was definitely the missing piece to the puzzle of my literacy program. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It isn't perfect yet (and probably won't be) but it has helped me to see how to schedule our literacy block and why I should be putting rotations in a certain order. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So this is how I plan for guided reading and our literacy rotations. As you can see some of the boxes have X's in them. This is when my ELL's are receiving support and are not in the class with us. As I said it isn't perfect yet. We have yet to build in Reading Response as a rotation (the goal for next week!) and I haven't yet met with groups for a Writing Conference. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sigh.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Always so much to do. </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w0cgocrQt2w/VHsWeNppdGI/AAAAAAAAGJo/oG7g5JrIEqE/s1600/guided%2Breading%2Bplanner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w0cgocrQt2w/VHsWeNppdGI/AAAAAAAAGJo/oG7g5JrIEqE/s1600/guided%2Breading%2Bplanner.jpg" height="370" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is our rotation board. Since it's new to me this year it's work in progress. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you like it you can find it <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Guided-Literacy-Group-Labels-and-Famous-Author-Class-Book-1530508">here</a> in my TPT store. </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-03WvA3uNZXk/VHsWeGd5YNI/AAAAAAAAGJk/DJX4sjzdqMk/s1600/guided%2Breading%2Bboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-03WvA3uNZXk/VHsWeGd5YNI/AAAAAAAAGJk/DJX4sjzdqMk/s1600/guided%2Breading%2Bboard.jpg" height="400" width="293" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Right now I have been using post-it notes to provide instructions to my students for each of their rotations. I am lucky this year that I have a full time educational assistant in my room to work with one of my students who needs 1:1 support. She has wonderfully taken the initiative to also work with three other students who need 1:1 support for most of their work. I often assign that group extra guided reading with her so that they are being taught in a guided group everyday…plus the time they are being pulled for ELL or Spec Ed support. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes the scheduling makes my head spin. </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Guided-Literacy-Group-Labels-and-Famous-Author-Class-Book-1530508"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9d-BGyShWPI/VHsesTd1XwI/AAAAAAAAGJ8/84z61faRr_Q/s1600/Guided%2BLiteracy%2BCover.jpg" height="320" width="260" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's a closer look at my Guided Reading Literacy Group Labels.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Guided-Literacy-Group-Labels-and-Famous-Author-Class-Book-1530508"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jE_G_QKG2x8/VHsetU2oG5I/AAAAAAAAGKE/Ks7LtmTWhrE/s1600/Guided%2BLiteracy%2Blabels.jpg" height="320" width="259" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Guided-Literacy-Group-Labels-and-Famous-Author-Class-Book-1530508"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4EynO9jlWQA/VHseul5D17I/AAAAAAAAGKM/ExycGTW3ZL0/s1600/Guided%2BLiteracy%2BBiography.jpg" height="320" width="260" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is also the first year that I have been happy with how my guided reading program is running and I must admit guided reading has been a necessity in my class. I am VERY much behind in my literacy teaching due to the fact that some many of my students have so many different needs. Guided reading has been the key to this problem as I now teach all the components of my reading program in small groups. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We save whole group time for interactive read alouds, chapter books, building on our routines and scaffolding our writing instruction. In the past I have focused most of my writing instruction on the text forms but this year it just wasn't feeling right so instead I have switched to a much freer writing approach, allowing my students to choose the majority of their own writing topics and forms. We are focusing on the writing process and how to edit and revise. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Isn't it amazing how much your writing can change from year to year?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So now on to the good stuff…! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What are some TPT products that I just can't live without?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Well, I'm glad you asked, especially since the Cybersale is on tomorrow. </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f0R6qR5lNh8/VHsmQLeG-2I/AAAAAAAAGKc/fkemKRa6mTI/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2014-11-30%2Bat%2B9.12.09%2BAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f0R6qR5lNh8/VHsmQLeG-2I/AAAAAAAAGKc/fkemKRa6mTI/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2014-11-30%2Bat%2B9.12.09%2BAM.png" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://the3amteacher.blogspot.ca/">Button from The 3AM Teacher</a></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This amazing writing prompt product from <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/A-Calendar-Year-Of-Writing-Mega-Unit-12-Writing-Prompt-Calendars-715624">Irene Hines</a> has been the cornerstone for my weekly journal writing program. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I just love it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Fluency Strip pack from <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Fluency-Strips-Set-1-Quick-and-Easy-Practice-and-Assessment-1402582">The Moffat Girls</a> has really helped my students who are ELL's and working below grade level to build on their fluency skills AND they love tracking their progress through the sets. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I can not even tell you how much I LOVE <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Weekly-Word-Wizard-Set-One-163899">The Weekly Word Wizard sets from SunnyDays</a>. Since Grade 3 is a testing year in Ontario this product provides my students with constant practice of valuable grammar and vocabulary skills. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am loving it!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The next few sets are already in my cart for tomorrow.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mZqmA1--mZ4/VHsoOC4xtuI/AAAAAAAAGK0/k6cd3Fp-XqU/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2014-11-30%2Bat%2B9.20.56%2BAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mZqmA1--mZ4/VHsoOC4xtuI/AAAAAAAAGK0/k6cd3Fp-XqU/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2014-11-30%2Bat%2B9.20.56%2BAM.png" height="320" width="249" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This next product is a MUST HAVE for anyone doing guided reading in their class. It has saved me sooooo much time when creating my guided lessons and helps to provide a consistent checking system of the skills we have already covered and need to review. Head over to <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Guided-Reading-Lesson-Plans-Levels-A-M-1291023">Angeline Stewart's store</a> to check it out. </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Guided-Reading-Lesson-Plans-Levels-A-M-1291023"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4a4xfYevRMA/VHso5ISMwJI/AAAAAAAAGLA/j4jQ-2ozxfI/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2014-11-30%2Bat%2B9.24.00%2BAM.png" height="320" width="246" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So there you have it…</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My literacy program in a nutshell. I hope you get some good deals tomorrow and I'd love to hear about any suggestions you have for literacy products from your own TPT store or others that you think might benefit my students. </span></div>
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Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06526172002437932267noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034201860866404746.post-26192693926550718922014-11-20T23:26:00.000-05:002014-11-30T09:32:38.593-05:00Literacy Workshop…Revisiting 100 Minutes<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">In the past few years a few things have </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">totally changed the way I teach. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Have changed the teacher I am.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Have changed the way I view my profession.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The first was switching from teaching Grades 7 & 8 rotary to teaching Grades 3 and 4 core.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I used to teach two classes English, History and Geography on a rotary schedule where my students switched classes every 40 minutes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I now teach one class of students <b>everything</b> and at most they only leave the room for 40 minutes a day. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And it's so much better. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I know my students better.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I integrate my content more effectively.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I like it better.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The second major shift was when I read Guided Math by Laney Sammons for an online book study with <a href="http://primaryinspired.blogspot.ca/p/guided-math-book-study.html">Brenda from Primary Inspired</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thinking about how to differentiate my teaching and teach in a guided setting really helped me to understand how I could help each of my students to achieve success. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then this past summer I read <a href="https://www.pembrokepublishers.com/book.cgi?isbn=9781551382760">100 Minutes by Lisa Donohue</a>…and wow, did that ever change my teaching. Coming from the intermediate grades I really had no idea about guided reading. How to do it, what it was, how to plan for it, etc. I read The Daily 5 that first summer in an attempt to be ready to teach Grade 4 and have a guided reading program. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">However, I can't say that it really helped me that much. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It was just too much to wrap my head around.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Too many rotations.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Too many options and choices.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A few years later I read Guiding Readers by Lori Jameson-Rog and lead a book study here on my blog and it really helped me to understand what guided reading was and how it could be used to help work with my students at their instructional reading level. But a few maternity leaves have popped up in the meantime and I just wasn't able to get a successful program up and running.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Until now!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am pretty proud of my guided reading program even though it is still in the early stages I can see where I am heading with it and I know that it is going to be very beneficial to the students in my class. Especially since this year the reading levels of my students range from D to U!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Yes, in one Grade 3 class. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The biggest takeaway from <a href="https://www.pembrokepublishers.com/book.cgi?isbn=9781551382760">100 Minutes</a> for me was the idea of "intentional sequencing". It just made so much sense and really made all the difference for me with having a literacy workshop program that was up and running the way I wanted it for me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">That doesn't mean it's all gone smoothly by any means…</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In my class there are 6 students who receive ESL support 3 days a week during my literacy block so that has made scheduling my guided reading and writing groups somewhat tricky. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I would recommend <a href="https://www.pembrokepublishers.com/book.cgi?isbn=9781551382760">100 Minutes</a> to anyone that is interested in having a workshop style program for their literacy classroom and is unsure of how they might go about organizing the time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://thinkingofteaching.blogspot.ca/2014/11/layering-my-classroom-and-cybersale.html">Click here</a> to see how 100 Minutes has helped me <b>layer my classroom</b> and my MUST HAVE products from TPT for my literacy program. </span></div>
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Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06526172002437932267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034201860866404746.post-54503329035703818482014-11-08T21:08:00.001-05:002014-11-08T21:08:55.487-05:00Remembrance Day Freebie<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I think that Remembrance Day is one of the most important topics we have the opportunity to talk to our students about. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So much of our life is possible because of the sacrifices of the past.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So much needs to be remembered so that the past will not be repeated.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Every year I dedicate a big chunk of time talking about the sacrifices made by the soldiers in our armed forces, the meaning of the poppy, reading picture books and watching videos. I want my students to understand how much they have to be thankful for because of those who dedicated their life to serving our country.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the past my students have written letters to veterans thanking them for their service and have spent time talking with members of the armed forces to learn more about their careers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">To help with the reflections I want my students to participate in I have create a few worksheets/printables that can be used in any class for a variety of settings. </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Thinking-Of-Teaching"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3DOQI6R1y9g/VF7Lb6JTUBI/AAAAAAAAGIc/vNDy6Wrwypo/s1600/Remembrance%2Bcover.jpg" height="400" width="322" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Click on the image above to go to my TPT store and grab a copy. </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Thinking-Of-Teaching"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XCiny13KX3Q/VF7Ld965YpI/AAAAAAAAGIo/N3bPH714-6Q/s1600/Remembrance%2B1.jpg" height="400" width="323" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As we read through the publications sent to us by Veteran's Affairs my students took the time to create a thought page of all the words, ideas and questions that came to mind as they read. Each time we watched a video or read a picture book over the past few days they added more ideas to their thought page.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Thinking-Of-Teaching"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rV4_R80ZTPQ/VF7LdxX3jCI/AAAAAAAAGIk/W0M_sNSAl88/s1600/Remembrance%2B2.jpg" height="400" width="322" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Thinking-Of-Teaching"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DYITWBThKv0/VF7Ld01rgCI/AAAAAAAAGIs/2lrBrh5aX4E/s1600/Remembrance%2B3.jpg" height="400" width="326" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On Monday and Tuesday (Remembrance Day here in Canada) I will have my students complete a reflection that explains why they wear a poppy and a recipe for peace. I'm hoping that they are able to grasp the complex nature of this topic and understand the importance of giving thanks to our service men and women.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Looking to the future I am hoping that once again my class will be interested in writing letters to the veterans in order to fully express their thanks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'd love for you to head over to my<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Thinking-Of-Teaching"> TPT store</a> and grab a copy if you think it would be useful in your class. </span></div>
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Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06526172002437932267noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034201860866404746.post-43949174937296147842014-10-30T14:34:00.001-04:002014-10-30T14:34:49.947-04:00Balancing Teaching and Being a Mom<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The end of October marks two full months that I have been back to work full time since having my second child one year ago. My baby girl will be one year old in a few weeks and it's hard to remember life without her.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There have been a lot of challenges in going back to work with two kids and I can honestly say it's been stressful at times.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My house is always a mess.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I don't always cook the way I want to.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My pile of marking grows daily…and I rarely make it a priority.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There are days when I am planning my lessons period to period.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Workouts have dropped from 7 days a week to maybe 4 days a week…if I am lucky.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I can't remember the last time I got my hair cut.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thank god for coffee. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But…</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I wouldn't change a thing. I know I am a better mom when I am back to work. I love teaching. I love my class. I love constantly learning about teaching.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am also a better teacher because I am a mom. I have more patience. I think more about how I would want my child to be treated. I am more fun and less focused on just the curriculum</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It'll get easier. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This I know. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But right now?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wow, finding balance is tricky. </span></div>
Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06526172002437932267noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034201860866404746.post-21845311969015396172014-10-22T22:51:00.000-04:002014-10-22T22:51:01.742-04:00Skip Counting Task Cards- A New Product!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Skip-Counting-Task-Cards-By-2s-5s-3s-10s-25s-100s-1513838"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wL4FPoQsILE/VEhkZ0ZZfsI/AAAAAAAAGHQ/yBj1qR3slFo/s1600/skip%2Bcounting%2Btitle.jpg" height="510" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This year I have Guided Math fully up and running in my class and I must say that I am loving it. In the past I tried to jump in too fast and then it all fell apart but not this year, we have been going slow. Mixing in whole class lessons, math journal work, and the three-part lesson.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Right now we are working on skip counting and data management...I like to do two strands of math at the same time. It helps the students connect patterns between the types of math.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But anyway...I offered a skip counting freebie last week as part of the Halloween Blog Hop I participated in and now I have the full product for you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Skip-Counting-Task-Cards-By-2s-5s-3s-10s-25s-100s-1513838">Skip Counting Task Cards- By 2's, 3's, 5's, 10's, 25's, 100's</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think if you liked the freebie than you are going to LOVE these skip counting task cards.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Skip-Counting-Task-Cards-By-2s-5s-3s-10s-25s-100s-1513838"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7LygKShZBN8/VEhkg4WapGI/AAAAAAAAGHc/HBPQuct9gXA/s1600/skip%2Bcount1.jpg" height="321" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This pack contains 65 task cards that can be used in a variety of ways in your math class.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I plan to use them as Must Do's during my Guided Math rotations and for assessment during Math Conferences.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Skip-Counting-Task-Cards-By-2s-5s-3s-10s-25s-100s-1513838"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-omUmysy9iaU/VEhkg9VNDHI/AAAAAAAAGHY/Xg4uTSXhXP0/s1600/skip%2Bcount2.jpg" height="317" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have included a recording sheet so your students can track the numbers they are counting with and begin to see patterns in their skip counting.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Skip-Counting-Task-Cards-By-2s-5s-3s-10s-25s-100s-1513838"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iLO1C27CGWI/VEhkg2wGh-I/AAAAAAAAGHg/sWwxRJtZYRc/s1600/skip%2Bcount3.jpg" height="315" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Communication in math is one of my favourite things to teach so I have also created 2 different reflection sheets that students can use to help explain their understanding and thinking about skip counting. </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Skip-Counting-Task-Cards-By-2s-5s-3s-10s-25s-100s-1513838"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uNBrcAOjRIE/VEhkhUJkVLI/AAAAAAAAGHk/x_VnHKFvqhY/s1600/skip%2Bcount4.jpg" height="316" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Skip-Counting-Task-Cards-By-2s-5s-3s-10s-25s-100s-1513838"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x2zuh4YGCh4/VEhkhe7ignI/AAAAAAAAGHo/lmeHOqBjoZY/s1600/skip%2Bcount5.jpg" height="313" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I hope you find these useful in your class.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If there is a number that your curriculum dictates that you teach for skip counting and it's not included in the package, please email me and we can see if we can work something out!</span></div>
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<br />Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06526172002437932267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034201860866404746.post-22454844134707297142014-10-20T16:16:00.000-04:002014-10-20T16:16:33.301-04:00Bog Hop Winner Announced!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rr-qO0z-gBA/VEVtlSQ1ZUI/AAAAAAAAGHA/6Pue1MbG-rU/s1600/Slide3-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rr-qO0z-gBA/VEVtlSQ1ZUI/AAAAAAAAGHA/6Pue1MbG-rU/s1600/Slide3-1.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06526172002437932267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034201860866404746.post-87541266565843420722014-10-16T23:19:00.001-04:002014-10-16T23:22:53.803-04:00Happy Halloween - Blog Hop!!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I love fall!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The leaves change colour. The air gets crisp.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's Thanksgiving (for us Canadians) and Halloween all in the same month.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jvnvB2_pI6s/VECJRH6QNBI/AAAAAAAAGGg/E34_fv_DbA0/s1600/Slide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jvnvB2_pI6s/VECJRH6QNBI/AAAAAAAAGGg/E34_fv_DbA0/s1600/Slide1.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've gotten together with some Canadian blogging friends to celebrate Halloween by having a blog hop and giveaway. Each blog is posting about their favourite way to celebrate Halloween in their class, sharing some freebies and we've gotten together to offer you the chance to win a TPT gift card.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">How happy of a Halloween is that?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Pretty awesome.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">To be honest, I can't say that I have a favourite way to celebrate Halloween but in the past I have done haunted house glyphs, watch a spooky movie, and done other art activities.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This year my class is reading Bunnicula leading up to Halloween and I am hoping to get some small pumpkins we can paint closer to the holiday. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Fingers crossed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As for my freebie, I'd love for you to head over to my TPT store to check out my <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Skip-Counting-By-5s-Task-Cards-FREEBIE-1482283">Skip Counting by 5's Task Card FREEBIE.</a></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Skip-Counting-By-5s-Task-Cards-FREEBIE-1482283"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nfn4-fiwOXc/VECKRmTmGpI/AAAAAAAAGGo/4peT69ywZhM/s1600/skip%2Bcounting%2Bfreebie.jpg" height="256" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Skip-Counting-By-5s-Task-Cards-FREEBIE-1482283"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MaBQecEr8iQ/VECKSwVFhxI/AAAAAAAAGGw/mhEDnbKYshQ/s1600/skip%2Bcounting%2Bfreebie1.jpg" height="256" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm planning on extending this freebie into a full product with a variety of skip counting task cards....so look for that soon in my TPT store. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Happy Halloween!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>P.S. The blog hop doesn't officially start until Oct 17th...I just wanted to share with you all a little early. So come back on the 17th to check out the other blogs and grab some great freebies. </i></span><br />
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/5ad4870b1/" id="rc-5ad4870b1" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//widget.rafflecopter.com/load.js"></script>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06526172002437932267noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034201860866404746.post-56306025650542354002014-10-11T16:18:00.001-04:002014-10-11T16:18:58.409-04:00It's a SALE! It's a SALE!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Happy Thanksgiving!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yes, that's right here in Canada we celebrate Thanksgiving in October.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7SajY0iGlvk/VDmQMPcPotI/AAAAAAAAGGU/ZspVHSuuai4/s1600/10698445_10203978115027533_8575970525012599631_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7SajY0iGlvk/VDmQMPcPotI/AAAAAAAAGGU/ZspVHSuuai4/s1600/10698445_10203978115027533_8575970525012599631_n.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Crazy Canadians.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">LOL</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Since we wanted to invite all our American and world-wide teacher friends to celebrate with us I have joined up with OVER 30 Canadian blogger/TPT sellers to throw a Thanksgiving sale.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That's right. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A sale.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Who doesn't love a sale?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you head on over to <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Thinking-Of-Teaching">my store</a> you will find everything listed for 20% off, including my newest product- <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Guided-Math-Group-Labels-and-Famous-Mathematician-Class-Book-1408553">Guided Math Group Labels and Famous Mathematician Class Book</a>, on Sunday, October 12th and Monday, October 13th.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Click on the buttons below to check out all the other Canadian sellers that will be hosting a sale as well. </span></div>
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Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06526172002437932267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034201860866404746.post-13153669903630433972014-09-22T21:00:00.002-04:002014-09-22T21:00:41.132-04:00Using a Math Huddle to Teach Workshop Skills<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">If you have been following me for awhile now and reading my posts you already know all about my love for the three-part lesson and math huddles.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Love them!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This year as we are starting up our Math Workshop I decided to try something new and use the same Math Huddle framework to teach a concept that will be the cornerstone of our Math Workshop program....Math Talk!</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R6M3biCfKE4/VCDDjvdDVtI/AAAAAAAAGFQ/8E3m2HtNheM/s1600/DSC_0578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R6M3biCfKE4/VCDDjvdDVtI/AAAAAAAAGFQ/8E3m2HtNheM/s1600/DSC_0578.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here is a picture of the finished Math Huddle board. It's such a nice clean way to organize the student work and create an interactive anchor chart.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mt091DHh9F0/VCDDjiUNEsI/AAAAAAAAGFU/XxXcrGTUM5U/s1600/DSC_0579.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mt091DHh9F0/VCDDjiUNEsI/AAAAAAAAGFU/XxXcrGTUM5U/s1600/DSC_0579.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This was my class' first experience with a Math Huddle and they did a bang up job (if I do say so myself!). We had been slowing moving through the parts of our Math Workshop and talking a lot about the expectations for each area. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As the Minds On for this Math Huddle I simply displayed the poster for the Helping Others component of our Math Workshop and had the students turn and talk about what we would be doing during this time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then I posted a simple problem that I thought the students could handle but would still need to take some time to really think about. I also wanted an open-routed problem so that my students would be able to use a variety of strategies to solve it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">BUT here is the most important part....it doesn't really matter what type of problem you use, or if you even talk about the problem, which I didn't. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The focus of this Math Huddle was actually the math talk that would be happening during the problem solving stage. </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lpaLOhUDyWM/VCDDkJrY-MI/AAAAAAAAGFc/6qCNd8CNLYs/s1600/DSC_0580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lpaLOhUDyWM/VCDDkJrY-MI/AAAAAAAAGFc/6qCNd8CNLYs/s1600/DSC_0580.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You can see here that I posted all my students' work up on the board but we never actually looked at it. Normally during a Math Huddle I would have students present their work, discuss their strategies and make anecdotal notes on the board to help other students stretch their thinking. </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t0qeQcx0D-8/VCDDkPYywaI/AAAAAAAAGFY/L5sMvrUHV4w/s1600/DSC_0581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t0qeQcx0D-8/VCDDkPYywaI/AAAAAAAAGFY/L5sMvrUHV4w/s1600/DSC_0581.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This time, however, we focused on Math Talk. I posted this anchor chart in the Key Ideas and Highlights section. We had previously completed the section that has the question- "What is good math talk?" but had not yet done the chart at the bottom.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After the students complete their first Math Huddle we discussed their feelings and what they thought of the experience. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then we created this Looks Like/ Sounds Like/ Feels Like chart together.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My favourite part...Students loving math!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sigh.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>How do you promote good math talk in your class?</b></span></div>
<br />Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06526172002437932267noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034201860866404746.post-43497621179230102052014-09-15T21:59:00.001-04:002014-09-15T21:59:10.091-04:00A Peek into My Class...The First Weeks Back From My Maternity Leave<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">No, I didn't forget about you guys and my little ol' blog over here. I just didn't quite anticipate how much more juggling there would be with 2 kids and going back to work. Add in an entire new focus on working out and getting fit (I'm talking 7 days a week) and there just isn't enough time in the day!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have some pictures of my class to share and I promise to try and be back more regularly to share....</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Fingers crossed.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-efsANqQ4f9E/VBeX5RnPGbI/AAAAAAAAGDU/8wGaqoKFCo8/s1600/DSC_0572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-efsANqQ4f9E/VBeX5RnPGbI/AAAAAAAAGDU/8wGaqoKFCo8/s1600/DSC_0572.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The start of our lesson on "Just-Right" books...notice that the t-shirts are all different sizes. </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-raIlE4xvFdw/VBeX8oic6nI/AAAAAAAAGEk/J2kDvYWB69s/s1600/DSC_0585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-raIlE4xvFdw/VBeX8oic6nI/AAAAAAAAGEk/J2kDvYWB69s/s1600/DSC_0585.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Finished posters to be posted soon!</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HMe6bnFcODI/VBeX5pCAnjI/AAAAAAAAGDc/WN-cpkelh6I/s1600/DSC_0573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HMe6bnFcODI/VBeX5pCAnjI/AAAAAAAAGDc/WN-cpkelh6I/s1600/DSC_0573.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our carpet and Morning Math Meeting area. </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9t333EEX2Z8/VBeX5jzp1JI/AAAAAAAAGDY/Tkrg_oNARkI/s1600/DSC_0574.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9t333EEX2Z8/VBeX5jzp1JI/AAAAAAAAGDY/Tkrg_oNARkI/s1600/DSC_0574.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Class library</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bCQZuYNBuFk/VBeX6Ktn60I/AAAAAAAAGDg/IpcKhF0DOW0/s1600/DSC_0575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bCQZuYNBuFk/VBeX6Ktn60I/AAAAAAAAGDg/IpcKhF0DOW0/s1600/DSC_0575.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Bulletin boards</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> (I love that I painted them black!)</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3BgmisDAHSc/VBeX6TeDBQI/AAAAAAAAGDk/VSGlN0iMWYk/s1600/DSC_0576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3BgmisDAHSc/VBeX6TeDBQI/AAAAAAAAGDk/VSGlN0iMWYk/s1600/DSC_0576.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">More carpet area</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lcZvCv4qmpE/VBeX6oNcLpI/AAAAAAAAGEE/MDDHoeIbooM/s1600/DSC_0577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lcZvCv4qmpE/VBeX6oNcLpI/AAAAAAAAGEE/MDDHoeIbooM/s1600/DSC_0577.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">View of the room from the back corner. </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KF9yZrNK5do/VBeX6ldTyOI/AAAAAAAAGD8/ICadsZ00M5E/s1600/DSC_0578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KF9yZrNK5do/VBeX6ldTyOI/AAAAAAAAGD8/ICadsZ00M5E/s1600/DSC_0578.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our first Math Huddle....success!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We focused on math talk and didn't worry too much about the actual math being done (good thing...) and it went super well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We've done a second one since that I want to post about soon. </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-suxD9QedfHQ/VBeX6xVVSjI/AAAAAAAAGD4/Ti4Mc10uAuI/s1600/DSC_0579.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-suxD9QedfHQ/VBeX6xVVSjI/AAAAAAAAGD4/Ti4Mc10uAuI/s1600/DSC_0579.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Close up of the Math Huddle board. </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Xx6mzxYYYw/VBeX7WqeIpI/AAAAAAAAGEM/iV5ZRzP_Nyw/s1600/DSC_0580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Xx6mzxYYYw/VBeX7WqeIpI/AAAAAAAAGEM/iV5ZRzP_Nyw/s1600/DSC_0580.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NWOdWx9Andg/VBeX7lyPiTI/AAAAAAAAGEI/EZT0wNZs4W0/s1600/DSC_0581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NWOdWx9Andg/VBeX7lyPiTI/AAAAAAAAGEI/EZT0wNZs4W0/s1600/DSC_0581.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Anchor created during the Math Huddle...notice where it says "kids loving math"?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Totally their input.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Love it.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1kuC1FEbhVY/VBeX8HLmGFI/AAAAAAAAGEU/CURAIFQD2-0/s1600/DSC_0582.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1kuC1FEbhVY/VBeX8HLmGFI/AAAAAAAAGEU/CURAIFQD2-0/s1600/DSC_0582.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Turn a card behaviour system used school-wide. </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kdVTbLNmX0s/VBeX8Bt7IwI/AAAAAAAAGEY/aPjjpzDf_r0/s1600/DSC_0583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kdVTbLNmX0s/VBeX8Bt7IwI/AAAAAAAAGEY/aPjjpzDf_r0/s1600/DSC_0583.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Small group meeting area...under construction as well are still getting our routines in place.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5V7lacDB-sY/VBeX8df7P3I/AAAAAAAAGEc/qm0oS_ZzMc4/s1600/DSC_0584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5V7lacDB-sY/VBeX8df7P3I/AAAAAAAAGEc/qm0oS_ZzMc4/s1600/DSC_0584.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">View of the whole room. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And that's where the magic happens folks!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have promised myself that I will set time aside for blogging...and I will do it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If I don't- can you all drop me a line and yell at me?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thanks!</span></div>
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Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06526172002437932267noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034201860866404746.post-91877370306177348762014-08-20T07:53:00.000-04:002014-08-20T07:53:10.608-04:00Soils in the Environment Learning Goal Statements and Assessment Strategies (New Product! Plus the Boost Sale)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">My newest product is in my TPT store and just in time for the BOOST Back to School Sale!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Here in Ontario we study Soils in the Environment as part of the Grade 3 curriculum. I know a lot of my American teacher/blogger friends teach about soils as well because I've seen so many great posts, pinned wonderful ideas on Pinterest and purchased your products on TPT! </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Soils-in-the-Environment-I-Can-and-Learning-Goal-Statements-1397316"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BhJHs-HNgEI/U_SE6_CccJI/AAAAAAAAF-Y/uwFRUarDFfQ/s1600/soil%2Bcover.jpg" height="320" width="258" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Soils-in-the-Environment-I-Can-and-Learning-Goal-Statements-1397316">product </a> is a great companion to your soils unit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It contains: </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">- all of the Big Ideas related to Soils and the Environment from the Ontario Science Curriculum</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Soils-in-the-Environment-I-Can-and-Learning-Goal-Statements-1397316"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PQtHZ6EuBNs/U_SE62vO6cI/AAAAAAAAF-g/FCxNxGuufaI/s1600/soil%2Bbig%2Bidea.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">- the specific expectations re-written in student-friendly language as "I can..." statements. These can be posted on a bulletin board or in your room as you teach through the unit. </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Soils-in-the-Environment-I-Can-and-Learning-Goal-Statements-1397316"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-disjcGcElPM/U_SG5PrVHaI/AAAAAAAAF_I/bNNtueMYieg/s1600/soil%2Blearning%2Bgoal%2Bbig.jpg" height="320" width="261" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">- Individual Student Learning Goal Statement Cards that can be glued into a science notebook or used with the Learning Goal Reflection sheets that are included in this pack</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Soils-in-the-Environment-I-Can-and-Learning-Goal-Statements-1397316"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OHdofj4tRmw/U_SE7hA8slI/AAAAAAAAF-k/xzQDhBD1HA0/s1600/soil%2Blearning%2Bgoal%2Bsmall.jpg" height="320" width="267" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">- three different Learning Goal Reflection pages (2 are pictured here)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">- Written Learning Goal Reflection, Glow and Grow and Postcards for Learning- lots of different ways to differentiate and help your students self-assess in Science</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Soils-in-the-Environment-I-Can-and-Learning-Goal-Statements-1397316"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zg8ABj8ampw/U_SE8BJaMHI/AAAAAAAAF-0/McWD0g-sJy0/s1600/soil%2Breflection%2B3.jpg" height="320" width="260" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you haven't already checked out my Growth and Changes in Plants Learning Goals Pack <a href="http://thinkingofteaching.blogspot.ca/2014/04/growth-and-changes-in-plants-learning.html">click here</a> to check it out!</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Growth-and-Changes-in-Plants-I-Can-and-Learning-Goal-Statements-1196612"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2XGGjMDiaJQ/U_SLwFjLY2I/AAAAAAAAF_U/IAXB98JCJf4/s1600/plant%2Bcover.jpg" height="320" width="258" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Click on the image to head straight to my TPT store.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Right now this new product, as well as everything else is on sale in my store for the BOOST Back to School Sale.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Don't forget to use the promo code BOOST to get all the deals!</span></div>
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<br />Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06526172002437932267noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034201860866404746.post-48338160429398592052014-08-14T09:40:00.003-04:002014-08-14T09:40:46.706-04:00Guided Math Posters and Planning (FREEBIES)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T122f8R9Jsk/U-o7IoFST6I/AAAAAAAAF9I/Soag7mB_NfY/s1600/Math%2BPosters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T122f8R9Jsk/U-o7IoFST6I/AAAAAAAAF9I/Soag7mB_NfY/s1600/Math%2BPosters.jpg" height="320" width="256" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black;">“Graphics by The Hazel Owl @ </span>http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Hazel-Owl<span style="color: black; font-size: 14px;">”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One of my biggest goals for this coming school year is to have a solid Guided Math/ Math Workshop program in my class. Over the course of this year I have been doing a lot of reading, pinning and planning to get ready for this... and here we are, only three weeks away from the start of school!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've posted a lot about my learning and my plans for my Math Workshop and you can find those posts starting <a href="http://thinkingofteaching.blogspot.ca/2014/01/math-workshop-planning-series-part-1.html">here</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Below you can see the posters I have created for each of the 4 rotations/ centres/ stations (whatever you want to call them) that I will have in my class. I really liked the idea of using MATH as an acronym for my Math Workshop so I played around with it and this is what I came up with.</span></div>
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**On the Teacher Time page of the freebie it will say "Small group lessons that will be done with your teacher." instead of being customized like the one above for a teaching colleague of mine.**</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Please click on any of the above images to be taken to my Teachers Pay Teachers store to grab this freebie for yourself. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am also in the process of planning out the first 20 days of my Math Workshop...and beyond. I have purchased Guided Math in Action by Dr. Nicki Newton as well as downloaded this <a href="http://mandys-tips-4-teachers.blogspot.ca/2012/09/setting-up-guided-math-freebie.html">AMAZING freebie from Mandy's Tips for Teachers</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another blog I recommend visiting is <a href="http://www.tinasteachingtreasures.com/guided-math/guided-math-how-does-fit-my-numeracy-program/">Tina's Teacher Treasures</a>. Tina has some amazing products in her TPT store as well. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've also created a Workshop at a Glance template for both my Math and Literacy Workshops. I like to see where I'm going and where I've been as I plan my lessons and move forward through the year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Click on the image below to grab your copy!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I hope you can make use of these freebies, either in your own classroom or in your planning. I am working on a weekly planning template for both my math and literacy workshop and plan to have those ready soon.</span></div>
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<br />Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06526172002437932267noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034201860866404746.post-34740397968917668812014-08-07T14:46:00.000-04:002014-08-07T14:47:59.595-04:00A Name Art Project- A Wonderful Way to Start Your Visual Art Class<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">In anticipation of the coming school year I am hoping that I get to teach my own visual art. It is an area of the curriculum that I love and really enjoy teaching. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> In the Ontario curriculum for art we concentrate on the elements of design: line, colour, value, texture, shape and form, and space. I found a great resource for explaining the elements on <a href="http://www.expandingheart.com/">this site.</a> You should definitely check it out if you are teaching art this year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This is a great project that could be used as a display for an Open House night and even double as the cover of our art portfolios.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Deep Space Sparkle had just the art activity I was looking for, <a href="http://www.deepspacesparkle.com/2009/07/line-drawing-part-iii-name-designs/">Name Designs: Line Art.</a>..go take a look at this fantastic project to do with your class.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><b><i>What an amazing site...so many ideas, techniques, supply lists. </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><b><i>Everything you could ever need to teach art!</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The last time I taught this lesson I started with a discussion on lines and patterns. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">My class and I looked at some art by Keith Haring, Van Gogh and others (multiple mediums) and discussed the moods, emotions and types of lines we saw. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It was very interesting to talk to the kids about their impressions of the famous art works. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Then we did a lesson on how to draw block letters and we practiced various size letters, shapes of letters and talked about the contours of the lines. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Once we had spent a good deal of time on the block letters we moved on to different types of patterns we could create using lines... thick lines, wavy lines, round lines, thin lines...you name it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The students created a tic-tac-toe board on their practice paper and drew 9 or so different types of patterns. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">When we had finished that we did a gallery walk to get new ideas from what our classmates had tried. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">(This was my first art class gallery walk and I LOVED it!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Now we were finally ready to start the project! I must say that the kids were focused, quiet and hard at work make their name projects. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>As a side note: my teaching partner thought this project would be way too hard for grade 4 but I disagreed and felt that if we teach high they will learn high...and I was right! </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> Here are some pictures of my students working away on a rainy Friday afternoon. Some are close to done, some are done and moved on to other line drawings but many are still in the process. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I can't wait to see what they all look like when they are done and on display!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This student's name only has three different letters and they are all very angular, no curves. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">He has added a TONNE of patterns and I can't wait to see the finished product.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This is one of the finished ones! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This student chose to use pencil crayons instead of markers for his letters. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It's going to take more work to colour everything in so that it pops! but he is pretty determined.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n_sRtsR1u5M/Tn8zI3gC5SI/AAAAAAAABHw/peX1YKj9wD8/s1600/DSC_0058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n_sRtsR1u5M/Tn8zI3gC5SI/AAAAAAAABHw/peX1YKj9wD8/s320/DSC_0058.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TkaAVvWoWkc/Tn8zM2-hJkI/AAAAAAAABH4/IYyQ8n_2ZwI/s1600/DSC_0060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TkaAVvWoWkc/Tn8zM2-hJkI/AAAAAAAABH4/IYyQ8n_2ZwI/s320/DSC_0060.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fHFpI6LuxZ8/Tn8zPEc8ATI/AAAAAAAABH8/untzOEhEE9s/s1600/DSC_0061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fHFpI6LuxZ8/Tn8zPEc8ATI/AAAAAAAABH8/untzOEhEE9s/s320/DSC_0061.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This student used a ruler A LOT. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It will be an interesting contrast to this students who worked free hand.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Click <a href="http://thinkingofteaching.blogspot.ca/2013/02/a-jumble-of-letters-and-patterns.html">here</a> to see the finished projects on display. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">(Grade 4 students)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Click <a href="http://thinkingofteaching.blogspot.ca/2013/09/first-week-done-pictures-and-more.html">here</a> to see some more examples taken from a different year. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">(Grade 3 students)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>This post was originally published in 2011. </i></span></div>
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Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06526172002437932267noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034201860866404746.post-65279540813824753902014-08-05T13:06:00.000-04:002014-08-05T13:06:38.178-04:00Ohhhh! I just had to go back and do some shopping today!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I know, I know...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I posted about some great resources yesterday but let's be honest here... this girl just can't resist a sale!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've been dying to buy an Erin Condren planner forever now but the cost of shipping to Canada pretty much doubles the price of the planner.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just a little too steep for me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But of course, the FABULOUS Tina has created something that will fit my need for a cute planner just perfectly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just go and look at this <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Daybook-Teacher-Binder-Preppy-Style-by-Tinas-Teaching-Treasures-2014-2015-1194847">amazing teacher planner</a>!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And it's on sale.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Oh my word. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And it's CUSTOMIZABLE.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That's right folks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's a must see for sure. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Aaaaand, I love this <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Calendar-Math-Rainbow-Background-1271386">calendar set</a> from Brandi Miller at Swinging for Success. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">She sent me a free copy during the Guided Math book study (thanks again!!) and I am super excited to use it in my class this year. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You can go wrong with rainbows and math!!</span></div>
Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06526172002437932267noreply@blogger.com1