What Worked and What Didn't in E205

I'm linking up with Teaching in Room 6 to share what worked in my classroom this year and what didn't.  Stephanie started with her own reflection on the school year with her students.  She received so many comments, she made it a link up.

What Worked

 

What worked in my room this year was the time I spent developing more concrete math lessons with my students.  The curriculum we have expects my students to think far before they are ready.  I have shared several of my lessons on this blog, like the trapezoid art above, and plan to share more over the summer.

 

I have a read aloud time with my students every day where I share books and authors and we discuss what we are reading.  If you want to know more about why I read aloud, I have a post here.

 

 

What Didn't Work

 

What didn't work for me this year was the number of changes our district tried to implement at once.  I felt like too much of my teaching/planning time was sucked up by "urgent meetings" and "important emails".  There was a lot of misinformation communicated about what we were expected to do with our new evaluation system, Common Core, and Smarter Balanced Assessments.

 

I felt like I was reacting to these meetings and emails instead of planning ahead and getting prepared.  Now that I have lived through these for a year, I will organize my goals better.  (I'll let you know how that works.)

 

I would love to hear what worked for you this year (and what didn't.)  Either make a comment or write a post for the link up.  By sharing our successes and failures we can help each other.

 



 

A Good Luck/Bad Luck Poem

Next Friday is the Thirteenth of June.  I have been writing list poems with my students about superstitions each time it is Friday the Thirteenth.  We research superstitions and write about them.  I try to include a twist at the end and teach them to do the same.

Here is a free poetry printable called Unless: A Good Luck/Bad Luck Poem.

In case you missed it, here is the first post I did about writing on Friday the Thirteenth with a free poetry printable.

As frequent readers know, I love teaching poetry and hope you enjoy these poems with your students.

Update October 2015: I recently packaged all my superstition activities as a freebie in my Teachers Pay Teachers and my Teachers Notebook stores.

Poke the Box by Seth Godin

This is not a book to read to your students.  I found it inspiring.  I am fortunate to work in a school and district where I am encouraged to innovate and try new things.  I know I would have left the profession if I wasn't allowed to do this.

Seth Godin encourages everyone to "Poke the Box" -- start something, see what happens, repeat.  The idea is not to wait around asking for permission to try something out...just begin.

Currently June with Oh Boy 4th Grade

It's time for my favorite blog party.  I'm joining Oh Boy 4th Grade's Currently.

 

Currently the windows are open and I'm listening to the birds outside.  I'm so glad it warmed up again.  I'm loving this lazy Sunday afternoon.  It's been a little hectic and I know it will get that way again all too quickly.

 

Currently, I'm thinking about my stepdaughter's graduation from high school in two weeks.  I'm hoping my husband heals from his wrist surgery and back injury soon.  He is miserable and I want him to enjoy his daughter's successes.

 

I know I need to get ready for school.  We have 2 1/2 more weeks.

 

I'm already planning my summer.  I have a list of books that are up for awards this year that elementary schools in our district read.  The students participate in a Battle of the Books where they answer questions about them.  I usually read the list also, because it's a good way to get to know books for my age group.

 

I will be helping another summer theater workshop for teens.

 

I also have much curriculum to write as I will likely have a grade level change.

 

Happy June 1st.

 

 

Quote of the Week -- June 1, 2014

“Admission of ignorance is often the first step in our education.” Stephen Covey

 

Camp Skits -- Drama Resources for Summer Camps and Classrooms

I can't believe it's June 1 tomorrow.  I am wrapping up Drama Club on Monday and getting resources ready for the activities I'm teaching this summer.

I have been using camp skits with Drama Club this spring.  I love these short humorous plays for practicing all the skills we have been learning.

Here are my favorite websites for resources:

The Ultimate Camp Resource

Camping Dude.com -- Searchable database with 175 skits

Scoutorama.com

Function Table Freebie

I have been working on a series called Coded Messages where students use function tables to see patterns in number and then use the completed table to find a secret message.  Today's freebie is the page I have included in each book in the series that explains how function tables work.

This post explains how I got started with the series on Math Spies and you can try a free sample.

Click here for the free download: How Function Tables Work.

In addition I am giving away one copy of Coded Messages: Beginning Function Tables this weekend from my Teachers Notebook Store. Enter May 30-June 2, 2014.