Behavior Management

    I am embarrassed to say that I am ALL OVER THE BOARD when it comes to creating a behavior management system and sticking to it.  I think so much of the reason is because the kiddos are always so different.  Some years  I feel like you can just look sternly at them and everything goes back to normal.  Then there are the years, I pull my hair out because NOTHING seems to work.

    This past year, we used a daily binder that went home everyday with the children.  We created a one-page sheet that went into a plastic sleeve in the front of the binder.  It had the daily homework listed, spelling words, newsletter calendar and a grid to color in behavior.  If they come home on white (paper color) then it was a great day, then you had green, yellow, red...
    It worked for me because I could easily say, "John, please put your binder on my desk."  Then when I returned to the desk I would color in the binder and leave a note for the parent.  Unfortunately I would forgot what I called the binder for (four hours later) and had to ask the child.... Not something I am proud of.
    I have used the red light system with clips before, but rarely remembered to mark their binders in the afternoon at dismissal time.  I have had everyone color their own binders at the end of the day with the red light system, but we had an integrity issue that year and I never did that again.

I have read several post about how to run a class store.  I really want to reward those who do the right thing everyday.  I am collecting pennies this summer and plan on paying for good behavior.  

This is similar to what I plan on doing:

Develop a list of classroom rules and expectations.  As children exhibit desired classroom behaviors, they will be rewarded with coins.  I will set certain amounts for each most task.  Likewise, if they do not display desired behaviors, they will be fined certain amounts and lose their coins.  This summer I plan on collecting small items, but also plan on using freebies that they will be able to purchase.

I would love for you to stop by my TPT store!

Check out more behavior post at this great linky party!

Organization of Math Workshop

I love teaching math!   I am linking up with a super-fun ORGANIZATION linky party to get ready for next year!!

We have been trained with BBY and use What's My Place? What's My Value? every morning.  The children have such a sense of numbers and can do amazing things after just a few weeks of WMP?WMV?
I have found that using a rotation system works best in my classroom.  I will teach whole group math and then the class will break up into groups to practice what we were working on.

Computers - IXL or a Livebinders folder full of math games.
Independent - Math workbook or handout page.
Math Games - Math Box with a game from "last - weeks" skill.
Teacher Table - Reenforce math skill to those who need it - EIP.

Our school pays for IXL.  It is a great computer games based on all second grade math standards.  I love it!  We also have an icon on the computer full of second grade math games.  If you have not heard of livebinders, google the skill you are looking for and add the word livebinders to the end of it.  You will get a FOLDER full of sites to go to.  You may need to open a free account to view, I am not sure.

Independent work is when they will put pencil to paper and practice the skill.  I have made lots of math packets and have them available in my Teachers Pay Teachers store.  Here are a few of my best sellers.

For Math boxes, I put about 5-6 things in each box.  I teach them how to play each game before it goes into the box.  If they forget, they may quietly ask a friend, if not they have plenty of other options in the box to choose from.  I randomly pass out the boxes and do not currently have a system for who has had which box...

This picture is from Education Journey.  Her shelf looks just like mine, but I do not have another picture...

The teacher table is most important to me.  This is my one-on-one time with most of my students.  This is when we are working on mastering the standards.  I have a box of manipulatives and wipe-boards that are used daily at the table.

Anything that will make teaching easier for me and learning easier for the kiddos!!!

I have several changes I want to make next year.  I really want to organize all of my read aloud  math books and the items needed to help teach that skill.  I have so many good ideas, but if they are not at my fingertips WHEN I need them, they get skipped over.  

I have seen so many cute ideas on pinterest.

I want to organize my flashcards and small game pieces with soap boxes from the dollar store.

I have lots of pins on my classroom board!!

I want to keep supplies neater for math and the classroom.

I loved this idea - found at First Grade Kate!

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you enjoy the linky party!!!  Be sure to check out the other fabulous bloggers for even more really fantastic ideas! Go to Laura's blog, Where the Magic Happens, to check out everyone's posts!

Best Seller

When I worked on this unit for my classroom, I never dreamed it would be my best seller.  I went through all the activities we had used over the past few years, and picked out my favorite! Fortunately others have liked them as well.

  Check out my Measurement unit in my store!

Handouts included:Measurement Definitions Foldable

How Can I Decide Which Tool to Use? MD.1

Measure the Items From Point to Point. MD.1

and Make a Line Plot With Data MD.9Measure the Items in INCHES From Point to Point. MD.1 and Make a Line Plot With Data MD.9

Estimate Inchworm/Measure Inchworm in Inches MD.1; MD.2; MD.3

Measure the Items in CENTIMETERS From Point to Point.  MD.1 and Make a Line Plot With Data MD.9

Estimate Inchworm/Measure Inchworm In Centimeters MD.1; MD.2; MD.3

Estimate How Long It Is. MD.3

Measurement Word Problems MD.5

How much longer is it? MD.4

Three Measurement Assessments

End of the Year Awards

I love giving out awards to the kiddos.  I love watching the anticipation in their eyes as I call out the awards for all of their friends!  I made a new set this year that everyone enjoyed!  Check it out in my store!

Nate the Great Novel Study

Nate the Great is always a favorite with second graders!

This unit is aligned to 2nd grade Common Core standards, but can be used in many grades.

All of these activities have been used in my classroom. 
First and Second graders LOVE Nate and his detective skills! 
This unit includes:
• Compare and Contrast – Venn
• Activate Schema - Writing
• Character Traits
• Vocabulary - ABC order pages
• Grammar Practice Pages
• Cause and Effect
• Comprehension Questions
• Story Map – B,M,E
• Main Idea and Details
• Story Map including Main Idea and Details
• Text to Self
• Rewrite the Letter to Nate's Mom

Bubba the Cowboy Prince and Cinderella

Bubba the Cowboy Prince is perfect for comparing two versions of Cinderella. The students love the funny way they talk. This unit is aligned to 2nd grade Common Core standards, but can be used in many grades. 

Grade level Equivalent: 2.8 Lexile Measure®: 620 

All of these activities have been used in my classroom. 
This unit includes:
• Compare and Contrast – Venn
• Character Traits
• Vocabulary - ABC order pages
• Grammar Practice
• Cause and Effect
• Story Map – B,M,E
• Main Idea and Details
• Story Map including Main Idea and Details
• Text to Self
• Summarize the book

Adding to my Page

I am so excited to add new features to my Store.  Glitter Meets Glue made this AWESOME GIF for me and I am so excited to use it!

Addition and Subtraction to 1000

We are wrapping up time this week in Math, while getting ready to jump back into strategies.  My kiddos really have sketch and number line down.  I have put together 8 different types of problems for them to practice to 1000.

I made two pages for each type of problem.  I will use the elmo/promethean to do the first several problems and then finish the page while I walk around and check their work.  The next day, I will continue with problem on the board that they will put in their math journal.  On the third day or fourth, I will use the second sheet as an assessment.  I hope this goes smoothly this year.

Here is a sample from the unit I put together.

Economics Unit

I have enjoyed the Economic Unit this week.  It is really hard teaching them about allocation.  I hope some of what we have done this week "sticks."

Several people have had a problem opening the powerpoint that I listed on the lesson plans.  I found it for free on the web, so I feel it is ok to share.

I think it will automatically download if you click below or you can try a google-search:  GA_Resources and Choices.ppt  I think you will find it.

I am sorry for the inconvenience.  :)

Telling Time With Judy and Ladybugs

Telling time may seem like a lost art with smart phones in everyone's pocket.  I always tell my kiddo;s their boss may ask them to pick up their paycheck at 4:00 PM and if they show up at 5:00 PM because they could not tell time, it would be a tragedy.

One of my favorite books to read aloud is the Grouchy Ladybug.

They take out their small Judy clocks and follow along with me as I read.  It is a great review of the hour hand.  They love the interaction and it is a great activator!

I am linking up with Math Mentor Text

Click picture to read about more Math Mentor Text!!

Must Read Monday: Stone Soup

     One of my favorite books is Stone Soup.  The students just love it, so I was super excited when I found out it was on the Common Core 2nd Grade Reading List.

Check out this freebie to use with the book!  It is a grammar practice sheet I like to use with all units.  

     I have enjoyed making common core aligned packets for the books we have read this year.  I have included many standards that my kiddos need the most - Main Idea, Cause and Effect and Grammar practice.  I hope you enjoy the freebie!  If you do, check out my Teachers Pay Teachers Store for the whole unit.

We are Celebrating Read Across America Day - Monday, March 3

We are kicking off this week with Read Across America Day, A.K.A. Dr. Seuss Day, on Monday!  We will make the precious craft about Thing 1 and Thing 2.  We will read a lot of Dr. Seuss books and possible watch a video or two!  I have several reading skills planned for each book, so it should be a full day!

This week we will kick off Afternoon on the Amazon.  I love this Magic Tree House book.  I love teaching about the Amazon Rain Forest.  The children really get into it.  I added a research project to the plans this
year and I hope they really do well at it.  We have researched dinosaurs, spiders, bats and presidents, so research should not be new to them.

Check out my Afternoon on the Amazon unit at Teachers Pay Teachers.

We will also begin working with time this week in math.  I have a student teacher this semester and she loves math, so this may be hers this week.  She is preparing for her two weeks of teaching the weeks right before Spring Break!


In Social Studies, we are starting our Economics unit.  It is hard teaching them about allocation and opportunity cost, so I made a unit a few weeks ago when we were visiting in the mountains.  I really hope they enjoy it!  I hope it will be easier to teach this year.
Here is my Economics Unit.


This is another FIVE-DAY-Work week......  I hope I can make it!  :)

Teachers Pay Teachers

I am thrilled to announce that I opened a Teachers Pay Teachers store and I am in love!  I am having the best time creating units.  It was so cool to have my students working on the Revolutionary War on Wednesday Unit, Measurement Unit and Jackie Robinson Unit all at the same time.  It was neat knowing that all of their work from last week was one of my own creations!

Check out the Revolutionary War on Wednesday unit by clicking here.

My best seller is the Measurement unit aligned to Common Core!

My other favorite right now is Jackie Robinson.  I like to study Jackie Robinson during February for Black History Month!  It always ties in so nicely.

Please check out my store and if you would please leave feedback on the freebies.

Activities for Reading Standards

I have found another AMAZING resource -
FREE second grade Common Core activities for Reading Literature. 
She has all of the reading standards listed with a FREE activity under it from Teachers Pay Teachers!  She also list the Tennessee site!  Check it out!

Here is the link for third grade!  (Miss you Miss. Howard!)

Folktales

Our Basal series has Anasi the Talking Melon and there are so many cute things out there.  I also wanted to add something about Real and Fantasy so I made this freebie!!  Let me know if you download!!

Fables for Common Core

During the first quarter we will cover fables.  I was looking for a cute graphic organizer, but could not find anything with common core standards.

Here are two graphic organizers for
The Tortoise and the Hare  and The Lion and the Mouse.

Please leave me a comment if you download!!!

Daily 5 Chapter 2

1 .What goals do you have for your classroom as you work to implement the principles and foundations of the Daily 5 discussed in chapter 2? What support do you need to do this?
My first goal is to start with the rules of Read to Self on Day 1.  I was able to do it this past year and it made a world of difference.  That is the way the classroom ran and they immediately learned how to do it!  I quickly learned that I had to alter my Daily 5 because this group could NOT read with a partner.  Rather than chunk the program, I got rid of Partner Reading and used computers (Lexia or SuccessMaker) as a rotation.  This actually worked out great and I need to figure out how to incorporate it back into the rotation this year if I do computers again.
My second goal is to sit back that first week and read along with them.  As the weeks go on, I will have my own group at the teacher's table, but in the beginning I want them to see me reading as well.  I will sit at my back table as if I was with a group, but I feel like modeling will be more effective.  I also plan to model writing more this year.


 2. What stands out as the most significant aspects of this chapter?
Building stamina is the key ingredient. Once they learn how to sit and read alone, sit and read with a partner or how to do word work for the duration of the small group reading session, it is amazing watching the children work independently. In second grade they crave independence and this is tool they need to prove their independence. 


 3. How do the foundational principles of the Daily 5 structure (trust, choice, community, sense of urgency, and stamina), align with your beliefs that support your teaching strategies and the decisions that you make about student learning?
I am a firm believer in the Daily 5.  Children crave (positive) discipline with boundaries.  This is the perfect way to let them be independent, yet intentional about their learning at the same time.

 Look at this adorable stamina chart- Hop on over to Teaching with Style and snag it up for FREE!










Next week we'll hop over to Mrs. Freshwater's Class and Thinking Outloud for chapter three.  Start thinking about your framing questions:

1. What "rings true for you" in this chapter?
2. How are your students progressing with picking appropriate books?
3. What (if anything) could help improve the processes from this chapter in your classroom?

Maddeness

I have found a new blog that I want to share with you!  I am thinking about converting to her Genre Themes to teach reading!  Check it out!
Here is her other blog!

Gearing Up for Daily 5

I was rereading the book and started thinking about the posters in my room - they need to be remade!  I will make anchor charts with the children and leave up for the first few months, but I want to replace them with something cute.  


Do NOT recreate anything yet... while I was searching for something else on TeachersPayTeachers, I quickly learned that most of the Daily 5 stuff was FREE!!!  Music to this teacher's ears - FREE!!!


I learned that TPT sent an email to all sellers today from The 2 Sisters (from the Daily 5)  that they have issued a cease and desist order for selling anything for the Daily 5 or The CAFE. 


That means that all products dealing with the Daily 5 are now FREE!


So, login to TPT, search "Daily 5" and then click FREE on the left hand side to find the posters, forms and material you need!

BOOK STUDY: In Pictures and In Words

Teaching the Qualities of Good Writing Through Illustration Study
by Katie Wood Ray
I am so excited about the latest book study!  I really  learn a lot last year with Debbie Diller's Math Stations Book and I am looking forward to this summer's read as well!!  Here is a break down of the study with questions:



Chapters 1-6 Why illustrative studies?
June 22th by  www.mrswillskindergarten.com 




How might you explain to students that illustrating is composing?
•How might your attitude towards writing affect your students’ willingness to write?
•How might you help students build stamina in their writing.
•What language might you use with your students talk about reading like a writer, bother as a writer of words and pictures?
•Name several books (not previously mentioned in this text) you would gather for your classroom’s units of study on illustration.



Chapter 7-Ideas and Content
June 29th by me at www.mrswillskindergarten.com

• Which books in your collection are good examples of this illustrative technique?
• Do you see any other writing connections not described?
• What other illustrative techniques can you add?
• Do you have student examples?

Chapter 8-Precision and Detail
July 6 by Kathleen at www.growingkinders.blogspotcom



Chapter 9-Wholeness of Text
July 13th by Cheryl at www.primarygraffi.blogspot.com



Chapter 10-Tone
July 20th by Deanna at www.mrsjumpsclass.blogspot.com



Chapter11-Layout and Design
July 27rd by Kim by www.kindergals.blogspot.com