Five For Friday: BEST Back to School FREEBIES!

Ok, I'm a little late, but here we go!

This week I’ve been back to school and it has been great! I’m in a new grade and new room again.  It was another tough move, but it’s done and I have a great class this year!  The hardest part of a two-year move is finding things to do that you did do the year before, especially when you have looping students.  I have 5 looping students who came with me from first to second grade!  I let that be my challenge in a quest to find new and interesting products that I could use this first week with FREE as the goal!  So here we go!

The #1 product I used this year was the First Day of School Stations by Melissa Shutler-Evidence of Learning. 

Here is my actual review of the product (sorry about the weird white on these!): 

This product is AMAZING! I used it today for our first day of school exploration! The kids were engaged, on task, and really learned about our room. Plus, it freed me up to observe what they were interested in and to see how they interacted with others! Afterwards we did a review where I talked more about each area, but not as much as I usually talk! I really think this saved my first day of school voice! AND I was able to get a good view of what my kids like through the survey. I had them lay it out and I recorded their names on an additional copy for my records! They took it home to share tonight! There was so much that very few finished everything, but that's ok! THEY LEARNED! Thank you so much!! (I used it in 2nd Grade and it was great!)  Click HERE for the link to the product! 

The #2 product that I used this year was from Simply Skilled in Second called The Scoop on Second Flip Flap Book!  

This is how we started our morning because we have kids come in from 8:05 all the way until the bell at 8:30.  They come with lots of supplies and need to organize themselves, so we can be anywhere from being done to unpacking until about 9:00.  I had the kids color it that morning-that’s it!  We worked on filling it in later in the day and into the next day.  The nice thing about this product is that it provides an opportunity to write, so it gave me a quick assessment on their writing, handwriting, and grammar abilities on the second day of school (that’s when we completed the writing page.)

The #3 product that I used this year was Back to SchoolClassroom Procedures from Kindergarten Boom Boom.  Here is my actual review:  This is a REALLY great product! I have used this over the past two days to go over basic information with my students. I did three with them and then allowed them to color the pictures. I feel like they know things better than when I would just say them. Tonight they are taking it home for homework to read to their parents. I am also keeping my copy on a clipboard so that when they ask me something that is on the sheet, I'm going to send them to it to read! The only thing we didn't do is cut it out because I used both pages. I used it in second grade! Highly, highly recommend this one!

The #4 product that I used this year was Kagan Desk Labels from Teacher By the Beach.   

I follow Mrs. Russell’s Room on Facebook and she shared the Orange Blog Hop.  I followed the hop and came across these great table labels.  I decided to try them out and they have been wonderful this week, simply to have kids follow directions and use their desk numbers in activities we did.  I printed them off, laminated them, and taped them to each desk according to their color!  There are 6 color choices that match my room perfectly!  Thanks Teacher By the Beach! You can find them here.  

The #5 product that I used this year is the Table Leader Tracking sheet.   I made it!  I saved it for last!  After all, it works for me but I don’t know if it would work for others yet.  Here it is!  

I just love this form!  I thought of it the 3^rd morning of school-in the shower-where I swear my best ideas come from!  I needed something for my table leaders to record on.  After tweaking it before printing THAT MORNING, I was able to find something that works well and covers the whole rotation of my tables that I learned about from free product #4!  The table leaders LOVE using this tool and now the rest of my kids can’t wait to be the table leader!  It is saving me a TON of time too!  So download away, edit what you like, and have some fun using it! 

So that’s my 5 for Friday (a little late on Saturday, but I got it done!)

What’s your favorite freebie to use for Back to School?

Rewardin' All the Way

This year I've decided to use Reward Tags in my classroom!  I am super excited to try this out.  I am not one for giving treasure box rewards and having a "store" in my room.  I am more about meaningful praise based on being responsible.  I am a huge believer in The Responsive Classroom and the idea that students should learn to do the right thing, even when no one is looking.  My school does use the 8 Keys of Excellence and they fit in nicely to the general principles found in TRC.  Here's a little breakdown of how my Reward Tags are coming along.

I purchase this roll of dog tag chain at Michael's for $9.99 (I did use my teacher discount so it was less! Next time I will use a coupon too!)  I cut it into 18 inch pieces using my husband's metal crimpers.  Super easy!

Next, I added these chain connectors.  I got 12 for $1.98.  I purchased them at Lowes.  I couldn't find them at Michael's, so I did a quick search of the net. Lowes carries them in their fan section and they were a great price for the least amount of work!

I went ahead and cut them into the 18" sections and added the connectors.  I will tell you I came across a lot of connectors that wouldn't connect. I don't know if it was because my fingers gave out or they just didn't work. But I bought 5 packages so I had plenty.  I had enough chain for 21 students, so I will have a few extra for those who come into the class as the year progresses. 

Now, I have a great suggestion for purchasing Reward Tags-These adorable tags from The Almost Their Height Teacher!

I just LOVE them!  I have purchased all of her Reward Tags for use this year and I'm totally excited to use them!  I might try my hand (and have as you will see in a minute!) but not too much, as she has almost everything I would need!  

So, with that, I'm calling it a night!  Back to School Night which is, for me, tomorrow night so I need some rest! When is yours and how do you use Reward Tags!  

Perspectives on the Best Standards Ever Written!

         

 As I wrote about yesterday, I was lucky enough to attend a Key Note presentation by Dr. Jim Cunningham that was held in my district.  If you missed my first post, it is found here.  During this presentation, Dr. Cunningham shared why the Common Core Writing Standards are the BEST writing standards ever written!  He enlightened the audience to some hidden gems right in the standards themselves.  Then, he went on to talk about some very different perspectives than those that most teachers have about writing and the Writing Process-that’s what we will focus on-perspectives!  Here we go!

DON'T Grade All their Writing

Students are reluctant to write because of a lot of reasons, many of which come back to the fact that they are worried about how and what will be grades, even in the very early grades.  My first graders would always ask things like, “How long should it be?” “Is it for a grade?”  The first question I wouldn’t address except with, “What do you think is acceptable to me,” but the second one I would always answer with “Yes!”   How else would I determine how they were doing!  Boy, was I wrong!  We should let kids write and SHARE-lots of sharing should go on!  By sharing, students begin to write.  By writing more, they become less reluctant!  By answering NO to grades, they become less reluctant!  By grading less, we actually practice the Standards, especially in grades K and 1.  Language Standard 1 actually speaks to this very thing!  See, perspective!  By practicing the standards, we can actually open up kids’ hearts to this whole process and eliminate reluctance!  Amazing! (Hang on, because he talked about assessing!)

Write more and in more ways!  

          He talked a lot about Quick Writes, including ideas such as writing DURING learning.  One of the best ways to address rigor in a lesson is to conduct a Quick Write that gets them writing in a different way!  A great question to respond to that adds rigor is “What was the hardest part for you?”  Again, perspective!  How to look at writing in different ways!

            Next, Dr. Cunningham pointed out that the Writing Process is NOT a skill!  We make it a skill, us big people!  We blow it!  Why?  He quickly pointed out that the Writing Process is for TEACHERS not students!  We use it to focus on skills to teach, to guide our instruction.  Yet, we want kids to do it.  It’s like we get it totally backwards and his perspective opens thoughts and ideas about a whole new world of understanding!  And publishing!  According to the latest research, it is over rated!  Students learn NOTHING from publishing!  WHAT!  He has a good point!  Think about how kids REALLY feel about publishing!  Just go there for a second!  Perspective!  What should we focus on?  Dr. Cunningham quickly points towards 1.  Planning, 2.  Revising, and 3.  Editing! 

 Let's Start With Planning!

      “If we are to teach them opinion, informational, and narrative writing, then we better teach prompts.”  Thank you Dr. Cunningham!  Can I say I almost stood up and cheered!  “We aren’t doing kids favors with free writing.”  WHOOT!  I know this breaks the mold of most primary teachers, but I’ve believed this for years!  I’ve tried free writing and it was a mess.  Most kids didn’t have a clue of what to do!  Dr. Cunningham points directly to the fact that if kids are going to grow into writers for the real world, then they better be able to write to a prompt.  Think about almost everything you write right now-prompt writing, isn’t it!  Even this piece!  What is my goal-to communicate information!  What is my prompt-changed perspectives about writing!  Changed perspectives are key!  The nice thing is, Dr. Cunningham points to mentor texts as being a key element in teaching kids to write!  Think about all the fun you can have with prompts based on ideas from mentor texts!  So, kids need to have a prompt, create a plan (used to keep their writing focused) and write, write, and write some more!

Here's Another Perspective to Think About!

Have students write, share, and store FIRST DRAFTS!  Huh??!!  That was my perspective.  What about that whole great Writing Process deal he was going to be speaking about?  Perspective right!  Well, he explained that since kids are already reluctantly writing, they’re even more reluctant when it gets to revising!  My experience speaks to this totally!  They will edit, but when asked to do more-no way!  And he says research points to this!   There is no benefit to kids revising because they DON’T WANT TOO!  That is so TRUE!  However, there are ways to fix this!  Get ready for some real perspective!!  Don’t do any revising UNTIL you have written at least 3 of a type of writing!  For instance, on your third narrative you can begin to revise.  Kids by then will have learned to write without the fear of something else “coming”.  He also points to providing guidelines for revisions-and guess where they come from?  The Standards also provide the guidelines for revision! I LOVE this guy’s perspective!  Use the Standards to find your guidelines and then have kids go through ONE guideline to improve.  Slowly work through them, with EVERYONE revising-either by adding to the piece or creating a more in depth piece (such as the opening).  Genius!!!  Follow the same plan for editing because, guess what, they are in the STANDARDS! 

One more thing that he really opened a new perspective to was grading-and it was eye opening.  He stressed using Formative Assessments a lot.  It is a relatively simple idea-pick ONE skill and check how students are progressing and changing.  Use that information to guide your instruction with either small groups or whole groups!  This can be used in looking at the type of writing they are doing, focus skills such as organization, steps in revising (one), and editing skills (one).  And, here’s one more real perspective changer-when we do assess kids formally, it should be a FIRST DRAFT document!  Dr. Cunningham stressed that this draft was what the student could really do, really write!  That is where we should be looking, investigating our student successes and strengths!  This is where we should find new perspectives! 

Wow, that’s a lot of new perspectives to share on the best standards ever written!  I am excited to try a lot of these in my class this year, to brighten my students’ views on writing, and to add rigor!  Thank you Dr. Cunningham for sharing such great insights into our current writing trends and The Best Standards EVER! 

Want to read more about my thoughts on writing!  Check out my other posts, including:

Modeling, Planning Style

Giving Up the Writing Program: Here's What I'm Doing      
Instead



Pin for Later!

The Best Standards Ever Written-Part 1

           Today I was lucky enough to attend a Key Note Session for my district’s conference.  I was aware that it was about writing and that James Cunningham was the speaker, but that was all that I was aware of.  Dr. James Cunningham is a professor at the University of North Carolina and this man knew his stuff!  The focus was what current research says and what works with the Common Core State Standards-and, in his words, “The Best Standards Ever Written” for writing instruction.  I’d have to say, after hearing him, he is right!  So, let’s dive right in!

            He quickly pointed to the “Bad News”.  The “Bad News” was to point out the reasons why writing doesn’t work in most classrooms.  Rigor demands that we focus on it, but we don’t-research says so, scores point to it being so!  Why is this?  First, and foremost, it mainly points to being the most unimportant in people’s eyes, not just teachers.  Research (I’m going to say this A LOT!) points to the fact that we, the adults, don’t take it serious.  Why?  It is “undervalued by those who remember when it wasn’t important.”  That’s us folks!  Right there, in our classrooms.  Our memories of writing keep us from making it important!  Parent’s memories of writing keep them from seeing it as important!  Yet, the demands in our jobs, and in our students’ future jobs, all point to it being a key element in success!  One of the surprising things Mr. Cunningham shared was that when the Great Recession hit, secretaries decreased while laptop use increase!  More low paying jobs were eliminated, those that didn’t involve writing, while jobs involving writing increased.  Plus, more and more college classes are involving both formal writing and writing online responses.  Writing truly is KEY to our future!  Yet, our assigned writing times in our classrooms lag behind both reading and math!  Not good!  But, there is some good news!

            The “GOOD news “ is something that may be VERY surprising to many of us.  I know it was to me!  Writing is EASIER to teach than either math or reading!  Not only that, but it doesn’t depend on a student’s home background like it does in reading!  That means that it is an equal opportunity in my book!  I can totally see this as fact in my experiences in teaching.  This year one of my struggling students was one of my BEST writers!  It was amazing to me, but this research backs it up!  Plus, as we have always known, it improves reading.  BUT, it also improves content area learning!  Think about all the applications in the content area that writing is applied too!  We just don’t always see that the writing is a KEY element! 

            What makes these the BEST Standards Ever Written?  Dr. Cunningham pointed to three key standards-Writing Standard 4, 10, and 5-and in that order!  Check this out!  Standard 4 is the WHOLE GOAL of writing in life!  Stop looking for goals, because it is RIGHT THERE!  Wow!  That was kinda eye opening!  It has been glaring at us all along, right there!  This man has it going on!  Next, Standard 10 points to a key to get kids writing-ROUTINE!  Writing has to become ROUTINE!  And it is, again, RIGHT THERE!  How about 5??  It is the Writing Process!  But wait-not like we use it, not like we want the kids to use it-but to STRENGTHEN writing in a different way! 

            This is it for right now!  Digest that, because some of his ideas and thoughts and research are kinda MIND BLOWING, yet they are things that we know, have developed an understanding for, but are used differently!  So, stay tuned-more to come tomorrow about these great new ideas coming from the most current research!