Binders for Organized Data!

So here's my take...


     Spring Break is here and so are 3rd quarter report cards! The skills section use to take me forever to fill out. Now, I keep a binder (Dots, Desks, & Homework) to help me collect information on behavior, organization, and homework. It is also a great tool at parent/teacher conferences.

     The binder has three sections and each one is a class job. The best part is that students collect the data for me! Yeah! 

     The first section is for behavior. I know a lot of teachers use Rick Morris' Clip Chart system and so do I. If you haven't checked out his FREE ebook you must! I have been fortunate to go to a conference to see him and he has a lot of great ideas! 

     At the end of the day students record the color they landed on in their agenda. It goes home each day for parents to see. The "Dot Manager" then records where everyone landed in the binder!

     The second section is for organization. The desk inspector checks student desks during snack time. He/She records a check for clean and an X for a mess.

     The last section is to check homework. Our VIP (Very Important Person) makes sure students have completed their work. I follow behind the VIP to check for understanding. The VIP records a check if everything is complete or writes what is missing. Work that was recorded during the week as missing must be made up at study hall on Fridays.

     I can't remember where I downloaded this adorable cute frame for my binder cover. Please tell me if you know!

    If you have a great way to organize data for report card time, please share by leaving a comment below! 

Happy Spring Break!

Pinteresting Spring Exchange!

So here's my take...


     Caitlin & Sarah over at Teacher Blogger Exchange are hosting a fun & crafty event! Participants are matched up and then you create a craft for each other! Awesome,right? But, the cool part is that...

Your inspiration comes from something you pinned!

     I love this idea! It brings back good memories of when I had a pen pal as a kid and actually corresponded through the mail! Amazing how things have changed! 

     Make sure to check it out! Applications for participating are due by April 4th! 

I can't wait!

Rockin' Resources 4 Upper Grades!!!

So here's my take...


     The blogging world keeps getting better and better! Misty from Think, Wonder, &Teach has created a Grade 3-6 FREE Resource Blog. You will find great ideas and resources for everything upper elementary!

     Not only can you find creative and engaging new ideas but you too can add to the richness this blog has to offer. Just add your link and button to a grade specific page, grab her blog button, and contact Misty if you would like to contribute as a guest blogger!

One of the best parts of her blog for me personally is the design! 

Warning: You May Become Hungry! 

Also stop by Misty's blog, Think, Wonder, &Teach. She is having a fantabulous giveaway for some great graphics from an awesome designer, Rob! 
He has an Etsy store called Hoot & Crow!  
(My fingers are crossed!)

Make sure to check it out!

Budget Battles

So here's my take...


     School budgets have taken hard hits around the country these last 4 years! My county is no different. Last week members of our education association gathered "peacefully" in front of our county supervisors meeting to request they fully support and fund the budget our superintendent has proposed. As you can see below, I was showing my support for our school system!

    If my county does not fund the school budget we will lose Kindergarten aides, sports teams, and of course another year without a raise! Class size will also increase which means reduction in force!!!

     Is this happening to your school system? Please share your story in the comments below and tell us what your schools are doing to fight back! 

If we teachers don't get out there and make our voices heard, nothing will change!!!

Making Prompt Writing Fun!

So here's my take... on writing prompts.


     Spring time is here and so is the Writing Predictor Assessment (my county's name for it). I have been researching (blog stalking) how others get students ready for this day.  I really enjoyed Lorraine's idea at Fabulous 4th Grade Froggies. She created a Writing Camp (you must check it out, plus there is a freebie!). I definitely aspire to implement this next year!

     My research turned up that many teachers are using picture prompts. I immediately found awesome pictures to use, but they didn't fully hook my students...until I found Video Writing Prompts!

     TeachHUB has a collection of relevant, interesting, and age appropriate video clips to get students excited to write!

     The best part is that they already have prompts ready to go for you, plus they differentiate them for different age groups (K-2, 3-5, 6-8 etc). 

     The graphic link above will take you to the first video prompt I did with my class. They had an absolute fun time writing and didn't want to stop once writing time was over! 

Freebie!

    My student's struggle with writing proper paragraphs and organizing a 5 paragraph essay. I used the video writing prompts to practice what we called "perfect paragraphs". 

     My student's had success with the above organizer for paragraphs, so I modified the organizer to introduce the 5 paragraph essay. When my student's got familiar with the organizers they learned to create them in their notebooks (copy paper is in short supply at my school).

Freebie!

What do you do to get your students ready for the writing assessment? I would love to hear about your great idea, please leave a comment below!

3rd, 4th, & 5th Grade Link Up!

So here's my take...


     What a great idea to give teachers a one stop place for finding upper elementary blogs! Lorraine over at Fabulous Fourth Grade Froggies is linking up all 3rd, 4th, & 5th grade blogs into one resource page! I can't wait to check out some new bloggers that I haven't had the chance to read about yet! 

Hop on over and check it out!

   

Awesome Giveaway!

So here's my take...on the awesomeness of giveaways!


     It never hurts to enter, you may just win! My friend Molly at Lessons with Laughter is celebrating hitting over 100+ followers.Congratulations!! In honor of this momentous occasion she is giving away a $25 gift certificate to Target!!! You must go check it out before March 18th!

     Molly has a lot of creative ideas to share! Just last week I pinned her Book Recommendation Tree and I had roughly 68 people repin it! She is definitely one of my favorite new bloggers! Lastly, she is also treating her followers to 20% off your purchase from her favorite graphic designer (mine too!!). Erin Bradley Designs... can I just say, luscious! 

Thank you Molly...you rock!