The big word in my room as of late is "evidence."  I literally say it every other sentence. "What evidence is there that the theme is friendship?" "Why do you think this evidence proves your point?" "Where is the evidence in the passage?" "How does this evidence match your answer?" So I thought I would give the students a chance to show me how they apply the concepts we are learning through something I called a "Close Reading Catchall."  Basically, this is a piece of paper, divided into four parts, where they get to show me what they have learned about the reading strategies we are learning in class. We have been focusing our efforts in fiction on character development and theme, so I made those two ideas the focus of this Catchall.   The students divided up a piece of paper into four sections.  Each section was to have evidence of the reading strategies and skills that we were learning.  Here is what the students ...
So now that Math Workshop is organized and ready to go (read my first post on organization here ), you are probably wondering just what the kids are doing at each station.  I know that for me, figuring out exactly what I wanted each student to do each day, and keeping it worthwhile and relevant, was a big hurdle to overcome.  When I sat down and thought about my goals with this workshop model, I knew immediately that I wanted my students to 1) have time to work on calendar each day, 2) get a directed lesson on the standards to be covered, and 3) have some sort of problem solving activity where the focus was on problem solving strategies. After much thought, and playing around with schedules, I came up with a three rotation mix that is working well for me now.  Here is what is happening in each station during my workshop time: Calendar/Skill/Choice -- This station is basically the "independent work time" station.  The students begin the 20 minute block with their Calend...
I have been doing a form of Math Workshop (we call them rotations in my room) for a few years now.  It has worked just fine, but I felt that I wasn't really holding my students as accountable as I could.  I also wanted to work in a bit more small group time for myself and my aide, so I changed my "two rotation" system to a "three rotation" one.  Math instruction takes place in my room from 10:35 to 11:40am (with an added 20 minutes after lunch.)  I have a full hour and a half.  I know I am very lucky to have this time, so I use it.  :)  Here is what my Math time looks like: 10:40 - 11:00am    Rotation 1 11:00 - 11:20am    Rotation 2 11:20 - 11:40am    Rotation 3 Lunch 12:20 - 12:40am    Calendar Review/HW Review There are three stations that the students are rotating through each day: Mrs. Moorman (that is the teacher station) Problem Solving Calendar/Skill/Choice I have broken my students into four groups.  Each group goes to each station daily....
This week back was filled with so many new happenings, that I thought I would tell you a little bit about each of them, instead of lots of little blog posts about each of them.  Most of the week was spent getting back into the swing of things, relearning routines, and beginning some new ones.  So, what were we up to this week? Each January I like to start things off fresh and my room environment is no exception.  So I spent one afternoon and rearranged the furniture so that we have a better flow in the room.  Also, I was just tired of standing up at the ELMO in the front of the room.  I need to sit down some of the time!  :)  So now I have a little space to work, can still move around the room, and it all feels "new".  Do you ever just up and move your room around? I started organizing my students for Math Workshop.  I have added in a rotation, am working in my fabulous aide just a bit more, and allowing for more problem solving time.  (I will write an extended blog ...
Today I settled back into the routine of my classroom, and I have to say, other than me taking a total spill while at my ELMO (I tripped over the cord and fell on my back....ouch!!! Keep those cords wrapped up away from legs!  I am fine now though...) we didn't miss a step. One of the big ideas in the district is "close reading" using the Common Core.   For the past few months, I have been trying to wrap my brain around this idea and gather strategies for doing it.  It really isn't something that is too different from what we have been doing in the past, but the new name scares me ;)  So I have been trying to turn to mentor texts to help me out. Notice and Note: Strategies for Close Reading is my go to right now, so I decided to start my students off with the first introduction lesson of Contrasts and Contradictions.  Using "Thank You, Ma'am" by Langston Hughes as my reading text, I basically followed the lesson in the book.  Since there were exa...
Today is officially my last day of winter break (because the weekend doesn't really count, does it?? I mean, we would have it off anyway....but I digress)  I can't tell you how much I have enjoyed my time off, but I am also really excited to get back into my classroom.  I really do love what I do, so while I am sad to be leaving my little ones, I am happy to get back to my big ones. I thought I would cap off this last day of vacation with a Five for Friday review from Doodlebugs .  I have been doing a whole heck of a lot of planning, trying to get ready for next week.  Looking through Notice and Note to prepare my first Signpost lesson.  I actually also bought a lesson plan book!  Yay me!  My daughter and I like to go on "Girls' Dates" where it is just her and I spending the day together.  This time, we went to Disneyland and California Adventure.  On a side note, did you know they have a nursing/pumping station at both parks??  It is such a nice pl...
January is always a time of renewal for me.  I begin the year with high hopes, lots of great ideas, and a smile on my face.  Come December, though, all of those hopes and ideas usually take a back seat to reality.  So over winter break, now knowing my students and what the dynamics of the class are, I always tend to make changes and tweak what I do in my room.  This winter break, Math Workshop was my "fixer". I have done a form of Workshop in my room for a few years now.  {you can read about what I have done in the past here .}  It has worked just fine....but that is it.  It is just "fine."  I want something great that will not only benefit the kids but make use of my aide (that I now have during math time!)   I also want to hold the kids a bit more accountable to their work.  So here is what I have done.  Keep in mind, I haven't actually implemented this yet.  (I don't go back until Jan 13)  This is my PLAN.  As workshop gets going and off the ground in...