Drama by Raina Tegemeier

Frequent readers know I run an after school drama club at my elementary school.  My stepdaughter just finished her senior year and was in play production.  Drama by Raina Telgemeier resonated with each of us.  There is always more drama off stage than on.

The characters in this graphic novel explore friendships and crushes -- gay and straight.  What I appreciated the most was the main character was not a cliché.  She doesn't want to be the star because she knows her talent is set design and she shares that gift with others.

    

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Student Created Fraction Strips Part 1: whole, halves, thirds, and fourths

Note: the picture above is the set I made with the students this past year.  In the photos below, I used different construction paper.  When I create fraction strips with students, I keep the colors consistent for each fraction each year.

Although I have a printable set of color-coded fraction/decimal strips that is a best selling item in my store, I find that having students create their own set by cutting, measuring, and folding, assists my students in understanding fractions.  I also know that they need meaningful reasons to measure with a ruler.

I keep the printable version for my math stations and have students keep a copy in their notebooks.

I start by cutting a set of 3 X 12 inch strips for each student.  (Some teachers want a laminator at home.  I want my own paper cutter.)

 

I reserve one strip to represent the whole.  We measure its length -- 12 inches.

 



Next we fold and cut the color we are using to represent half.  I have them measure the half -- 6 inches.  I ask what is 2X6?  Notice that I have cut one and left the other uncut.  I find that some students need fraction bars that they can manipulate.

Next we fold, cut, and measure the color representing thirds.  Each piece should be 4 inches.  What is 3X4?

Then we fold, cut, and measure fourths.  What is 4X3?

I do take time to have them write the words and numbers on each part.  As we use these to solve problems, it helps to have both. 

Next week I will continue with sixths, eighths, and twelfths.

Quote of the Week -- August 3, 2014

“By choosing to be a teacher, you have entered an emotionally dangerous profession.”

~ Unknown

Have a great week,

Currently August with Farley

 

Somewhere today I read that August is the Sunday of summer.  Yes, it is.  I am getting ready to go back and see my colleagues and the students.  I am not ready for the "professional development" and the new administrative policies.  I don't even know what they all are yet, I just know I am not ready for them.

Today is August 1 which means it's time for my favorite teacher blog party: Currently with Oh' Boy 4th Grade.  I love the rule of three where I visit the two blogs ahead of me and the one after me.  I always visit more than that and there are certain teachers I look for to see what they are up to.

Here's what I'm doing right now:
Currently I'm listening to quiet.  I've been getting a lot of blogging done this afternoon and it's so nice.
I'm loving that a few clouds are moving in to cool things down just a bit.
I'm thinking about what to make for dinner, but hoping we just go out.
I need to vacuum.  (No explanation necessary.)
Teachers go back for training August 19.  I am looking forward to seeing the other teachers, because I work with amazing people.  I'm hoping something has planned more for us to do than read along with Powerpoint and sharing "policies that are best for kids" that really just squeeze the joy out of my job.
My students come back September 3.  I can't wait to meet my new group.  I have so much I want to share with them this year.

Happy back to school.  If you stop by, leave a comment and I will be sure to visit you back.

The Case of the Stolen Strawberries

Just as the strawberries on this plant are ripe enough to eat, someone or something takes them away.  Here are the suspects:

Mr. Slug

Mr. and Mrs. Potato Bug

Ms. Squirrel

All three suspects have motive and opportunity.  They invade the garden and spoil the produce.  They have all been seen in the vicinity of the strawberry container gardens.  Who do you think is taking away the strawberries and why?

Click here for a free printable police report template to write your report.

You can purchase all ten forms I use for creative writing assignments and bulletin boards here in my Teachers Pay Teachers store and here in my Teachers Notebook store.  I have included at least two suggestions for each form that are not here on my blog.

Blast Off Back to School Sale on TPT

 
Next Monday and Tuesday is the big Teachers Pay Teachers sale.  I am putting my entire store on sale for 20% off.

Check here to see my best-selling products.

Here are my latest releases:

For the Birds: Mini-Research Project, Word Sort, and Bird Riddles

 

Should Fireworks be Legal? A Persuasive Writing Unit

 

Area and Perimeter on the Farm

Area and Perimeter at the Zoo

Starry River of the Sky by Grace Lin

I love reading books by Grace Lin.  Both her realistic fiction and her retelling of Taiwanese folktales are beautifully written and beautifully illustrated.

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon was the first book I read aloud to my fourth graders last year.  All of them were mesmerized by the tale.  Her newer book, Starry River of the Sky reads the same way. The main character has a quest, and the plot is interwoven with other magical stories.

Rendi notices the moon is missing from his small village, but no one else seems to know.  A mysterious story teller comes to stay and eventually Rendi is inspired to tell his own story which may give more answers than he knows.

Here is a graphic organizer for students to create their own story.



  

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