Wednesday, September 18, 2013

3rd Grade Angels

Alongside the regular reading series, I am doing a novel study with my 3rd grade reading group.

We are starting out with Third Grade Angels by Jerry Spinelli.




I had never read the book before, but a teacher in my building recommended it.  I have to say- it's a great way to start the school year.  It's entertaining and a quick and easy read which makes it great to capture students attention and get them ready for the year!

If you have followed my blog for long, you will know that I am a big fan of centers.  Here's how I'm using centers in 3rd grade reading:


Spelling practice:  Students spell the words with letter tiles.  I give them a camera to take a pic of their completed words so I can make sure they are doing the work and not messing around while I'm working with another group.

Computers:  I gave my students a vocab list and they had to create a powerpoint of the words and definitions.  It was their first experience with powerpoint, and they loved it!!  This will certainly be a common center I use!

Leveled readers:  These came with the reading series and it's a SUPER easy way to differentiate.     At this center, I pull kids to read with me, so I can monitor fluency and accuracy. 

Non-fiction text comparisons:  Non-fiction is a big part of the CCSS, and kids love it.  Here, they had to compare 2 non-fiction texts about Indiana.  You can get the Venn Diagram paper I made HERE




Novel:  Here the students had to practice their dictionary skills to find meanings of some words in the novel.  You can get the paper I made for them HERE





 Technology:  I have 2 iPods and 2 iPads in my classroom.  Here the students are getting to know the "Teach Me 3rd Grade" App. 


That's all I have for today.  Tomorrow we are wrapping up our Unit 1 Test and starting Frindle as our new novel.  I'm loving my new job!  :)  Stay tuned... next time:  3 digit subtraction scavenger hunt!


Monday, September 16, 2013

New.

Ugh!  It's been too long since I've blogged.  But, I must tell you... I have excuses... and GOOD ones!  ha :)  Here they are:

1.  My baby is growing up too fast, so I took some blogging time off to enjoy her.  She's a whopping 8 months old now, and I just don't know where the time goes.  I know everyone says that, but for real.  FOR REAL?!?!?!

2.  I moved classrooms.  I packed everything up.  Moved it all to my new room, which I love!  The actual chore of packing up, moving, and unpacking made me seriously evaluate what I use and don't use in my classroom.  That was eye opening!  I had shelves of materials I never touched.  It was nice to purge and organize.  :)

3.  After moving said classroom, I ended up getting a new job.  AT A NEW SCHOOL!  I can't tell you how many emotions I felt after being offered and accepting my new job.  It's at the school my kids go to and the school I went to as a child.  I love my old school.  I miss my old school.  I miss the staff.  I miss the students.  I miss it all.  BUT nothing... NOTHING compares to being "home." I get to be with my son.  I am physically closer to this school... which means less travel time and more time spent being productive.  I love the new staff.  I love my new students.  I love my new school!!!

So- there you have it- my excuses for being MIA from the blog lately.

Now, I must tell you- the new job means a new direction for my blog.  I used to teach Kinder.  Now, I teach 3rd grade reading, 2nd grade reading, K-6 math remediation, and PreSchool.

Go ahead, reread it and I'll tell you- yes, you read it right.  I have about 4 hats, and I love them all!  It keeps me busy, but when you are busy, time flies!  So- stay tuned... there should be something for everyone on the blog!  math?  reading?  preschool?  It'll be a hodge podge!  So, come along as I start my new journey.

Cheers to a great year! :)