Opinion Essay Unit

For a class that I took recently with a coworker and friend of mine, we had to come up with a way to incorporate more technology (specifically iPads) into our classroom.  We then had to come up with a final project that uses the iPads.

Of course we decided to go crazy and revamp a unit I had already done and change it into the 7E lesson plan model.  We are a STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathmatics) School and our lessons are mainly inquiry-based (that is our goal at this time).  I love inquiry-based learning and have become a big fan of the 7E lesson plan model.  If you are not familiar with it, you can view the framework for a 7E lesson HERE.

So, with that said, my friend and I put together our project.  I thought I would share it with you-all too! :)

This is a 5th grade Unit for an Opinion Essay, aligned to Common Core Standards.  Start with the first link (which is the unit plan) and then you can find all of the handouts and teacher and student examples below.  Thanks for reading! :)

Unit Plan & Printables:

Unit Plan Overview (7E Model Framework)

Two Sides of a Topic Handout

How I Used Edmodo to Discuss Arguable Claims

Out of This World Handout (Opinion Essay Ideas)

Note-Taking Paper

Opinion Essay Graphic Organizer

Good Beginnings Handout

Editing Checklist

Debate Evaluation Link

Opinion Essay Rubric

(The link I got this from originally is broken now-sorry I can't give you the direct link!)

VoiceThread Rubric

Project Examples 
to Share With Your Students:

Screenshot of Chocolate Notes (Teacher Example)

Chocolate Opinion Essay-Rough Draft (Teacher Example)

Chocolate Opinion Essay-Edited Draft (Teacher Example)

Chocolate Opinion Essay-Final Copy (Teacher Example)

Chocolate Opinion VoiceThread (Teacher Example)


Screenshot of Gators Notes (Student Example)

Gators Opinion VoiceThread (Student Example)


OSU Opinion VoiceThread (Student Example)

It's Been a LONG time!!

Hey Everyone!!

I AM BACK!!   This year has proven to be a lot more work than I anticipated.  This is my 7th year of teaching and I thought I knew what to expect, however, it has been a lot more work than I thought (as always!)

But it has been a really good year so far- and I am blessed to be in a good school with wonderful co-workers!   Thanks for your patience and not abandoning my blog!   Check back soon for some freebies!!

Thanks and have a wonderful rest of your day!
:) Ashley

Math Facts Fluency Program {Online Free 1 Year Trial}

Hey everyone! :)

Sorry I've been a little MIA lately.  I finally was able to get into my classroom on Monday!  It is a new school and a new classroom to me...so you know what that means-lots and LOTS of organizing and de-cluttering! (although that is one of my favorite parts about setting up my classroom is the organizing!)

Anywho, I wanted to share with you an opportunity that was shared with me via email.  A company, Explore Learning, sent me an email about an opportunity for teachers to use their Internet-based Math Facts program  for ONE YEAR for FREE!  They have a grant available now for teachers (you must apply before September 30th of this year).  On their website, it says that the cost of the program for one year is $1,625.  So getting this program for one year free is a pretty good deal!

What is the program?
From everything I've read, the program is a game-based Math Facts Fluency program, called Reflex: Math Fact Fluency, that helps students to be able to practice and recall basic math facts in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

It also has an awesome-looking feature for teachers with a break-down of each student's data from each time they've been on the website!

And the other cool thing is that it individualizes instruction for each student automatically based upon a "pre-test" taken by the student at the beginning of each session.

My Thoughts
First of all, I want to say that I have never actually used this site.  All information provided above is meant to be a quick snapshot of what the program offers.  If you are in the least bit interested in what this program has to offer, PLEASE check it out for yourself!  I simply wanted to let you-all know of a FREE opportunity that exists.

I am not a math teacher, however, when I did teach Math last year, I had the stinkin hardest time with my students in 4th grade not knowing their basic math facts.  As any of you know who teach upper grade elementary students, this is a HUGE problem when you are trying to build upon the basic math skills!   If I was teaching math today, I would definitely try this program out!  It looks like it would be fun for students, give me some good data on them (knowing where they need the most help in regards to their basic math facts) and it seems like it would be great practice!   Which is what they need.  I mean, it's FREE, people! What have you got to lose? :)

I also saw on the grant page that if you fulfill the grant requirements, they will let you renew your subscription for one year for $99.  Pretty sweet!  Just make sure before you sign up that there is no fine print about requirements that you have to meet that you won't be able to meet.

If you missed the links above for the grant page and the main website, check out the links below:

Explore Learning Teacher's Grant

Reflex: Math Fact Fluency Overview


What about you?  Have you tried this program in your classroom?


+ -  x  /, 

Absent Students

What do you do when a student is absent from your class?  There are lots of different ways of dealing with this.  Last year, whenever I had a hand out, I would place one on the absent student's desk, and at the end of the day, I would paperclip all of the work together.

That wasn't organized enough for me, so I created a word document that I saved on my computer and would type out any day a student was missing.  This is what it looked like:

Absentee Make-Up Work Form

(I've uploaded both of the forms onto Google Drive as "Word" forms so that you can save and edit them for your personal use :)

It may sound like a ton of work, but once I had the template created, it was really very simple just to plug in the info for that student.  And if you had two students missing on the same day, I just changed the name at the top of the page and printed another copy.  This way, I had a copy saved in my computer of what the student had to do in case there were any problems with the parents having concerns about what was due.  I also put a line on the bottom of the paper for a parent signature.  The student was responsible for returning this paper with their work so that I knew the parents at least knew what their student's responsibilities were from the days they missed.

After I printed this page out, I would paperclip it to the papers and I would collect any materials that they needed to complete their assignments.

Even though this was an ok system, it wasn't great.  Sometimes papers would get lost or crumpled in their backpacks, or I would accidentally forget to give them one of the things they needed to complete their assignments.

So this year, inspired by the Paper Drop System by Laura Candler, I decided to make a directions/checklist sheet that I will glue on the front of a 9x13 envelope.

Absent Folder Cover

(For some reason it wouldn't accept the clip art... so you can download your own clipart for the top of the page.  Also the font I used for the title is called "A Truer Blue" from Kevin and Amanda Fonts.  The other font I used was Century Gothic.)

Then, after gluing this on the envelope, I will laminate the entire envelope to make it more sturdy.  All of their paper, materials and the sheet above will be put into the envelope.  The checklist will show all of the materials needed so that they won't forget any if they are gathering the materials, and so that I won't forget any if I have to gather the materials.  Because the envelope will be laminated, I will use a wet-erase marker to check the supplies on the folder.

I plan on making several so that I will have enough if I have several students out at one time.

How do you handle absent students in your classroom?  Your thoughts & ideas are always appreciated!! :)

Classroom Jobs

Classroom Jobs are a great way to give your students more responsibility, help them to take ownership in the classroom, and to free you up from easy tasks that take up too much time.  I am totally a fan of classroom jobs!

Last year was the first year I was a classroom teacher- I had never had students in my classroom all day or even for a long enough time period to make classroom jobs worthwhile.  When I was able to use them, however, they rocked!  It was wonderful to have students help me do the jobs that take up so much of our precious time!

So here's what I did: 
I thought of all of the jobs I wanted students to take care of in my classroom.  Then I got some Library Pockets from the local teacher store and created a little chart area under my SMARTboard.  I labeled each Pocket with a specific job title.  Then, I wrote all of my student's names on index cards.  I let them keep their job for one week, then I would rotate all of the cards down the list one spot each, and I had an extra pocket for the extra students who didn't have jobs.  I would pull a card from the front of the extra pocket to put in the very first spot on the list after I'd moved all the cards down one spot.

Looking back on this system, it was ok...it worked fine... but it wasn't GREAT.  So I researched what other teachers did.  I really liked the idea I found on one blog where the teacher had a job for EVERY student.  This way no one feels left out AND it gives them a sense of purpose when everyone is doing a classroom job.

Another thing that didn't work GREAT for me was having to switch out the jobs every week.  You would think that it takes seconds (which it doesn't take long), however, at the end of the week sometimes I would forget or just think I would do it Monday morning.... it kind of became a thorn in my side... and it was annoying.  Several teachers blogs I've read use a Classroom Job Application.  Students apply for the job they want (and add 2 back up choices) and tell WHY they want that job.  Then the teacher decides which student would be best for that job.  The students keep this job for a whole MONTH.  No switching of cards every week- just once a month.  Then the next month they apply again for another job.  I really like this idea because it gives them more choice in the matter and I feel like they would take it more seriously if they actually had a say in what job they got.  If you are doing this type of system with your class, I would suggest having jobs for EVERYONE- just because it would be a whole month before a student could get a job if they didn't have one.

This year I will be teaching 5th Grade Language Arts... so I will see 3 classes of 5th grade instead of just having one class all day.  I still plan to have classroom jobs, but I think I am going to just split the jobs up between the classes.  That means not all students will have jobs.  I am also going to use the Classroom Job application system, and only change out the jobs once a month.  I wish I could have jobs for everyone- but sometimes it just doesn't work out that way.  (I mean, I could probably create jobs for everyone, but I don't want to keep track of 90 jobs!! ;)

Also, instead of just writing names on index cards, this year I am going to use my classroom numbers- I picked up an awesome set from Clutter Free Classroom's Flash Freebie one day... and they rock!! If you have the money, I would definitely suggest getting them!  If not, check out the links below for some other great FREE classroom numbers!

I couldn't find any Classroom Job Applications that I liked for my older students, so I ended up creating one... you can download it for FREE below! :)

FREE Classroom Job Application

Below are some awesome links to FREE Classroom Job Applications and Job Posters & Cards for your classroom:

Cute & Customizable Classroom Jobs AND Classroom Job Application  (from A Year of Many Firsts)

Owl Themed Classroom Jobs (from Middle Grades Maven)

Hollywood Themed Classroom Jobs  (from First Grade Parade)

Red & Light Blue Background Classroom Job Labels

Plain Background Classroom Jobs (from What the Teacher Wants)


FREE Classroom Numbers for your Library Pockets (simply print and then glue on an index card & laminate)

Brightly Colored Class Number Circles

Yellow Stars w/ Red Background Class Number Circles

Zebra & Lime Green Class Number Circles

Dr. Seuss-like Red and Teal Blue Class Number Circles



Do you have any tips or suggestions for classroom jobs?  What works in your classroom?

Rawr,

Advice for New Teachers

Today's post is inspired by Stephanie over at Teaching in Room 6 (one of my most favorite blogs!).  Today she shared a really encouraging post about when she was a first year teacher.  I think that every teacher remembers their first year of teaching.  Lots of difficulties and stress and things you aren't prepared for.  (Hopefully that isn't discouraging to you- I just want to let you know that it is normal to feel that way and that others feel that way too! :)

So, I am linking up with her blog today to share a few pieces of advice from things that I've learned in my 6 years of teaching.  Hopefully it will help you :)  And after you're done reading my post, click on the picture below to check out the post on Stephanie's page to find lots more good advice for new teachers!

1.  Whatever you go through in your first year of teaching, know that you are NOT ALONE. 

Believe me when I say that new teachers all over the world are dealing with some of the same feelings and issues you are dealing with.  It's ok!  It's normal!

2.  Find another teacher that you can talk to on a personal level.   

I was blessed to have 4 good friends who were also teachers and we all taught our first year at the same time!  We would get together once a month just to hang out.  We would talk about everything going on at school and help each other out with ideas and things that worked for us.  But I think the best thing about having 4 friends who were first year teachers was that I realized that they were dealing with the same things I was going through.  It made me feel less stressed and more normal... and helped me to realize that even though I wasn't a great teacher, that I wasn't a failure either.

3.  Read the book, The First Days of School by Harry and Rosemarry Wong & take their advice to heart.  Follow what they say to do in the book!  

My college professors told us to read that book... and I didn't listen.  I actually just recently read it- MAN!  I totally wish I would have read this BEFORE I first started teaching.  It's funny, because I actually do most of the things that they suggest in the book- only I learned that I needed to do that stuff the hard way.  There are SO MANY great ideas.  It is definitely worth a read.  

4.  Classroom Management is KEY.  

If you can't keep your students in order, you will not get much teaching done.  Spend your first week mostly going over your classroom and school procedures and routines.  (If you are not sure what procedures and routines you should have in your classroom, The First Days of School has a GREAT list on page 193 to get you started.  You may not need all of these procedures, but I think it is a great list for ANY teacher.)  Don't worry too much about curriculum the first week.  And after the first week, continue having your students practice your procedures and routines for at least the first month of school.  If they can learn your procedures and routines, then your class will flow more smoothly the rest of the year!

5.  Make sure to ask for help.

I know this is a repeat of advice from Stephanie's blog, however, it is SO important.  Before the school year starts (I'd even say before your teacher's meetings start), make a list of questions to ask your mentor teacher, principal or the office ladies about the school's expectations, procedures, etc.  This way you will not be going through your day and a question comes up and you have no idea what to do.  (For example: field trips- how far in advance do your lunch ladies need a lunch count in order to order food for sack lunches for your field trip?  If you don't know the answer to this in advance, this might cause a problem for you being able to get sack lunches for your field trip or if you can get them, it could cause frustration between you and the lunch ladies for not getting the order to them soon enough.)  Now don't let this stress you out- there is no way you can ask EVERY question before you will need the answer.  However, if you have a good list of questions to start off with, then it will reduce the number of times situations like the one above will occur. 

Also, don't be afraid to ask. (I know some of you look at that statement and laugh, because you are not afraid to ask anything to anyone! :) But for some of you, you might be afraid to ask because you don't want to seem like a bad teacher or you don't want to bother someone with your questions.  Please know that you ARE NOT a bother!  And no one has it all together!  I'm sure I asked the office ladies 5 questions a day (at least) for the first semester I taught during my first year of teaching.  They always were polite and answered all of my questions!  HERE is a list of questions that I've come up with to ask when you are new to a school district to get you started.

Hope this is helpful!  If you have taught and would like to share some advice for new teachers, you can link up with Stephanie's blog by clicking the link above, or you may leave a comment below!   Thanks so much for reading!

Marking my spot, 

Brain Bucks

One of the blogs I follow, Corkbord Connections, written by the WONDERFUL Laura Candler has a really cool post on "Brain Bucks," which are tickets that are handed out to students for a variety of reasons (such as creative thinking, etc).  I LOVE this idea!  

Check out the post on Brain Bucks HERE.  Grab the FREE copy of her Brain Bucks template HERE.

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend! :) Ashley