Junior Genius Guides by Ken Jennings

You may recognize the name Ken Jennings as a winner on Jeopardy.  He has also written a series of informational books for elementary students. 

The books are engaging and interactive.  Each book has suggestions for related activities and a quiz at the end.  The books are also infused with the type of humor that grade school students enjoy.  (He has school-aged children.)

Several of my students enjoyed reading his books this year.

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I don't need the slide show

 

Recently I attended a gathering for a pastor who has served his congregation for 28 years.  The hosts showed pictures and videos from his time showing his work and how much the people appreciated him.  I've been in my district 24 years, but I've decided I don't need a slideshow.

 

You see I have the real thing.  Every week this year, I have run into my former students out in the real world in their jobs and lives.  They are glad to see me...glad to tell me what they are doing.  I know that I have made a difference in my community.  They are still my kids.

 

I have really needed this constant reminder this year.  I worked with the most challenging student I have ever met.  Her life has been so difficult, I don't blame her defensive posture.  Due to changes in her foster family and her educational placement, she did not finish the year with me.

 

Fortunately, I knew before she did that she would need to move.  It gave me the chance to prepare her instead of just being one more adult that gave up on her.

 

I had told her about seeing former students all year long and telling her that I still think of them as my kids.  On her last day with us she told me that she might move schools.

 

"That's okay," I told her. "Remember that no matter what you are still my kid."  I refused to say good-bye.

Quote of the Week -- June 21, 2015

Be not afraid of going slowly, be afraid of only standing still.

Chinese Proverb

Have a good week,

 

 

Customary Measurement Review

This activity is based on a set called Odd One Out.  For each of those problems, students have to determine which of a set doesn't belong and justify the answer mathematically. 

I decided to change up this activity and make it a group review.  Instead of eliminating one of the items, I give the students a half sheet and have them write everything they know about the measurements on the page.  The page below contains two activities.

To download Customary Measurement Review, click here.

The full paid product is available in my Teachers Pay Teachers store and my Teacher's Notebook store.

Happy Friday!

Twice Upon a Time Series by Wendy Mass

I recently finished my fractured fairy tale unit with my students.  The stories my students crafted were so creative that I really enjoyed reading them.  There are several series that are based on fairy tales that have been altered somehow.  The Twice Upon a Time series by Wendy Mass is perfect for the upper elementary students.

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Our Settlement

Update: Click here for a printable graphic organizer to create a character description and background information for a writing activity.

I'm in the process of cleaning out my room to get ready for summer.  I snapped a picture of the settlement we created as a part of our social studies unit.

I usually have students research what life was like for settlers in Washington State.  I use photographs from the local university and historical society to show students what life was like then.  We research different inventions to make sure we have no anachronisms. Next I have them write a journal as though they were living here in that time.

This year, we created the settlement as a class to have a common place and events to include in our stories.  The students developed characters to write about.  We even had some claim jumpers and land grabs in our settlement. Some students were placing buildings on other people's claims.  The land office (me) had to settle disputes.

I have several writing assignments like this one in my Writing Historical Fiction product available in my TPT and TN stores.

Quote of the Week -- June 14, 2015

The way we see the problem is the problem.
Stephen Covey

Have a good week,