Grandma Clip Art Texas Teaching Fanatic Texas Teaching Fanatic
Narrative vs. Expository
Texas requires all 4th graders to write a narrative AND an expository piece for their land cess. Now, if your schoolhouse is anything like mine, students very rarely (if ever) write whatsoever sort of expository piece earlier stepping into a 4th grade classroom. Nope, I'm not blaming the other form levels because I know that they have their own battles to fight and win, I'grand just stating reality.
So how do we tackle this? How do we get students to sympathise the difference (and similarity) of narrative vs. expository writing? What do we tell these kids? My answer is simple. Make it concrete. Make information technology relevant and meaningful. Let students a visual that shows them, rather than only telling them. I apply grandma.
Grandma, you lot say? Yep. I use an activity that I created (generally on my own) that helps kids to compare narrative and expository writing. It takes several glances at it to sympathize it completely, but my kiddos love to have "grandma" out and expect at her and talk almost writing.
Here goes: I searched for kid-friendly grandma and balloons clipart. I just googled it and found some that I liked. I saved them, and then put the grandma movie in the center of a Discussion document. I inserted a dashed line downward the middle of the page. I put the pics of the balloons on separate pages, so the students actually started with a page with only grandma so a split page with balloons. I like to talk them through the process and leaving the balloons for subsequently helps with our discussion.
I give the students nearly x minutes to color their grandma (helps with the management since they only Accept to color her), and then we get downward to concern. We and then add together Narrative and Expository labels at the top of each side of the page. We talk well-nigh how grandma represents our topic. I cull grandma because all students accept some experience with a grandma, whether their own or someone else's. You lot see, the topic can be the aforementioned for both types of writing–it'due south how the piece is written that makes the difference. We notice how she appears on both sides of the page because of this. Nosotros then label her every bit, "topic."
And then we fold our page downwardly the dashed line and talk about one side at a time (hence the lighting in the movie). We start with narrative which is most familiar to them. Narrative writing is when we tell stories from our hearts about a time we did something. We use our Writer'due south Tools to tell a story in the guild that it happens. In narrative, club matters! I refer to the story of the 3 little pigs. Information technology just wouldn't make sense or be the same story if the wolf visited the third pig's business firm first. It would modify the whole outcome of the story, thus proving that order matters! We hash out other stories and even refer to their own stories and think about how the stories only make sense in lodge.
Side by side we cutting out and gum the cluster of balloons in her hands and characterization them i through five. This represents the paragraphs that happen–yep–in order. Nosotros put our own ribbons on the balloons and attach them to her hands.
Concluding, we add our sentences to the side that remind us of our purpose for narrative writing.
When we have finished with the narrative side, nosotros flip our paper over and begin our discussion about expository writing. This type of writing is not a story. Instead, nosotros are required to explicate our behavior on something and give reasons why we believe it. In expository writing, order doesn't matter. Nosotros discuss various topics and requite reasons why nosotros believe what we believe, flip the reasons effectually, then talk well-nigh how the reasons don't have a specific order–unless you have a spectacular reason (like why you lot just can't do your homework) that you want to save for the "m finale," every bit one of my students mentioned. Only overall, the order of your reasons really doesn't thing.
We then cut out and glue the i airship onto the paper and label it with "central topic" and "WHY?" This represents the master idea of our paper and the purpose for writing. Nosotros draw just one ribbon from the balloon to grandma'due south mitt and put flags on it with our Author'southward Tools. Those tools aid u.s.a. to explain our beliefs and make our papers longer and coherent.
When finished, nosotros add our sentences to the side that remind united states of our purpose for expository writing.
It is very detailed and takes lots of time, just the students actually respond to information technology, peculiarly when y'all tell them that they volition be required to add to a concluding discussion about the similarities and differences of these two types of writing!
Hopefully this makes sense to y'all. Information technology makes sense to us. Please feel gratis to ask questions if you have them!
What do you do to assist your students with this? Get out a comment with your ideas!! 🙂
Gretchen Bernabei's 11-Infinitesimal Essay (In 9 minutes)
Before this calendar week, I challenged my students with the eleven-minute essay that Gretchen Bernabei uses with her students…only nosotros did ours in nine minutes. The text structure she uses is this: Truism–>How this is true in a book or personal life–>How this is truthful in a motility or TV prove–>How this is true in history–>What I think or wonder. Considering fourth graders don't know all that much about history (and considering our truism was well-nigh pets), I omitted the paragraph about how it's true in history.
The students were excited nearly this claiming I set forth for them. I gave them 1 minute for paragraph i, 3 minutes for paragraph 2, 3 minutes for paragraph 3, and then two minutes for the final paragraph. The truism they were expected to write about was: Pets are an important part of a family.
Considering this was their first effort, I thought information technology went extremely well. Were they perfect? No. Volition they Ever be? No. But this was an eye-opener for them (and for me, too)! When they were finished, I told them that they had just written an expository essay in ix minutes. The looks on their faces was priceless! They were then darn proud of themselves, beaming from ear to ear!
Curious virtually how they did? Click here to come across a sample of what they wrote. 😉
This has been an amazing calendar week in writing. Here'southward to hoping it continues!!
Fri Freebie: Wrist Reminders
I'yard linking upwards today with The Teaching Blog Addict for their first FREEBIE Friday of September!
Brusque mail, but I wanted to share my wrist reminders with yous. Take you ever needed your kiddos to remember something important to tell their parents? Have yous ever wanted to have a tool to attach a note to your students until they go home? Try some wrist reminders.
Nope, they aren't fancy, just they piece of work. These are helpful in those times when you need to go messages home with students, simply don't desire need to waste lots of paper. Just cut them apart, write your message, and cut information technology out. I accept these cut and in a drawer by my classroom door for like shooting fish in a barrel access. I put them in a drawer by my classroom door since I sometimes remember things final minute. Surely I'one thousand not the only ane!!
To download a copy, click hither –> Wrist Reminders.
For more FREEBIES, head over to The Teaching Blog Addict! Lots of cracking links!
2013 Classroom Reveal: Inside My 4th Grade Classroom!
I finally did information technology. I cleaned up my room and snapped some quick pics before I left. Alert: I make all of my anchor charts and rules and wall decor with my students, and so the walls are very bare. I've covered my bulletin boards, but in that location isn't anything else on the walls. You at least become the idea of what my "home away from home" looks like. 🙂
Hither goes:
This is a picture of the wall/message board/shelf behind my desk. I put pictures of my family unit at the top on the shelf, along with some keepsakes from past years. I too put up all of my class pictures on the side of the bulletin board. I take my own references and books on the shelves, and I figured you didn't care near that stuff, so I cut it out of the movie.
This is my whiteboard easel that holds the Writing Binders that my students will utilize to publish their writing, forth with posters and chart paper.
These are my classroom computers and my ELMO (document photographic camera). I accept a Promethean board in my classroom and my projector is mounted in the ceiling. You tin can meet that from the whole classroom view.
My mom made me some crawly curtains this twelvemonth! I dearest them very much!! I used to have boring light-green ones, but luckily she was willing to assist me requite my room the facelift it needed. This window is correct by the door and looks out into the hallway.
This is the sign-in area ready for Back to Schoolhouse Night and for parents to make full out on the first mean solar day of schoolhouse (for those that missed B2SN). I plant that cute petty whiteboard/chalkboard at Hobby Lobby for $five.99. I just HAD to take it!! 🙂
At the forepart of the room, underneath the Promethean lath, I have just enough room to have a small shelf to hold materials that the students will be using on a regular basis. I'm pedagogy math and writing this year, so it is a mixture of both.
These are the table cubbies that I bought at Dollar Tree for $1. Some of my students take already claimed their desks, then pardon the papers and names on them!
Hither is a closer expect at my desk/education tabular array. I don't take a "real" desk considering all I do is junk information technology upwards! 😉 Instead, I just have a small table for my computer, a bucket of supplies underneath, and a small rolling cart with drawers to complete information technology.
A view from my teacher space.
And last but not least, a look into my classroom from the door.
I'm super tired from my first week back. The students come on MONDAY! Where has the summertime gone? I'm signing off to bask my weekend. If you are already back at school, hopefully all is going smoothly. For those of you receiving students on Monday like me, good luck! And for those of you lot who first even later, I'm just a little jealous… 🙂
Done for today!!
Applied science For Teachers
At our training today, nosotros were given quite a few apps and websites that I'g going to try out this year. Hearing about so many in such a short amount of time was a little overwhelming, but I'm going to take it one step at a fourth dimension and really get comfortable and knowledgeable about ane or 2 at a time earlier moving in to the next i.
Here is a listing of some of v of my favorites:
1. Teachnology – A website full of critical thinking activities and printable pages for students.
two. Storybirds – Brusque, visual stories that you make with family and friends to read, share, and print.
three. ZooBurst – A digital storytelling tool that lets anyone easily create his or her own 3D pop-up books.
4. Pics4Learning – A website with thousands of copyright-friendly photos to use in your lessons.
5. Moglue – Interactive eBooks for iOS and Android.
Hopefully you lot can utilise some of these in your classroom, besides. I love incorporating technology whenever I can. I'm ever looking for new websites and apps that will increase student engagement and functioning.
What is your favorite new website? Delight share!!
Teacher Week 2013: five Tips & Tricks of Teaching
I'thousand linking upwardly with Weblog Hoppin' once again for the final linky party of the calendar week.
Today'due south topic is tips and tricks that teachers use to help become us through those outset few weeks of school. Some of these things last all year, of form, but others are implemented at the beginning of the year for the almost part.
one. Social Contracts: On the first day of school, I always create a social contract with each group of students. I don't like to give rules to my students. Instead, I let them set the rules, and social contracts make this go much smoother. I've establish that the students are really harder on themselves than I ever would be, and they ever come up with the same rules that I would give them, but just worded in their ain words. For more information on how to manage this action and some of the thinking backside it, click here –> Social Contracts.
2. Build the Climate: I like to have several class building and team building activities for the first few weeks. Fifty-fifty though these students accept been in school together for awhile, there are e'er new students that motility in and others that are very shy and need help getting to know the other students in the room. Kagan is a WONDERFUL resource for these activities. My favorites are inside/outside circle, 4 corners, and call back-pair-share. I try to sprinkle these throughout the mean solar day.
3. Hand Shakes: Many teachers (and the school nurse) think I am absolutely crazy for shaking my students' hands when they walk into my room every mean solar day, merely I don't care. Education in a school with 78% of students coming from a low socioeconomic background means teaching things that aren't on "the list." Shaking hands is a lifelong skill that these kids need to learn. I retrieve it besides helps build that positive climate that we are all wanting.
For more information near this and the workshop where the idea was presented, click here –> Capturing Kids' Hearts.
4. The Rubber Place: In the back of my room is a special place where students tin can ever become if they are angry, deplorable, or upset. It's nothing fancy, simply a identify for students to be away from all other students when they demand it the virtually. There are several ways to go about setting this upward in your own classroom, and y'all just have to exercise what works for you. I choose to put a bed pillow on the floor with a seat absorber and lots of stuffed animals to hug. For more data on how to manage and implement your own "Safe Place," click here –> The Safe Place.
5. Organisation: I of the BEST ways to waste matter less time and get more than bang for your cadet is by staying organized. This is where I have the near trouble. I don't take a problem starting the year organized, it's keeping it that style! I'm getting better and better at it, and this twelvemonth I WILL stay organized all twelvemonth.
Oh, and one more than thing: KEEP SMILING!! The best medicine for whatever situation is a smile. Breathe, relax, and call back: "This, likewise, shall pass!" 🙂
Do you lot have any additional thoughts? I would love to hear from you!
I wish all of you the all-time of luck beginning a new school year!
Caput over to Blog Hoppin' for additional tips and tricks!
ten Fun Things Virtually Me!
Today I'm linking upward with Blog Hoppin' for a fun linky party–10 Fun Things About Me!
1. I've just recently found my new habit: blog hopping! I recollect information technology's fun to peek in on other teachers and "steal" ideas to make my own. At that place are So MANY great blogs out in that location, and I know I haven't found them all still. That'due south what is and then fun about it. Every day I find new information and new teachers to follow.
2. I teach in Texas in a town just south of Austin. I absolutely beloved what I exercise. When I was first hired, I was really scared of 4th graders! Shhhhh, don't tell anyone! After just a few minutes effectually them, I knew that my fears were unrealistic. They are nevertheless sweetness, dear their instructor, and they don't stink too badly! 😉
3. I have a wonderful hubby and a son that but turned 2 terminal week. This "terrible two's" thing might just kill me! Where, oh where do they become so much energy? I'm young and all, only WOW! I have to take a break every at present and and so to survive. LOL I had to share a picture of my little man so that you can meet my inspiration for everything I do. 😉
4. Nosotros have one dog. A mutt named Jimi. He is an old dog, but yet demands his attention when he is feeling neglected!
5. My favorite band is The Dave Matthews Band. I've been to several of their concerts and enjoy listening to them in the car and even in my classroom. Too bad I wasn't the one who saw him stranded on his bike on the way to his show and gave him a lift! Did you read about that? He's and then awesome!
six. Purple is my favorite color….for now, anyhow. It changes from time to time. Anyone else that way? I'1000 decorating my room in blue, and I've picked up quite a few new bluish pieces that are hanging in my closet, but I still honey regal!
vii. My favorite TV shows are Suits, Mike & Molly, Ii Broke Girls, and The Large Blindside Theory. Out of those, BBT is my overall favorite!!! I could continue and on about that show, but I'll salvage that for some other time!
8. I savour DIY projects. I may have quite a few coming upwards in my virtually time to come…
ix. I'grand learning more and more well-nigh technology every day. Blogging has forced me to larn about even those little things that make a large divergence. Also seeing so many slap-up ideas from other teachers about how to use and implement technology into the classroom is encouraging me to go full force this year!
x. I am also a Free health coach to those seeking to lose weight or embark upon a healthy lifestyle. I won't keep a rant about that, but I'm here for y'all, too!
Well, that's it from me. I'm heading over to Blog Hoppin' at present to read up on others!! Ta ta for now!
Mission Organization: Supply Labels
Supply Labels Preview
Curt post today. I've been working diligently on getting everything ready for the offset of the twelvemonth. These are the supply labels that I created, thanks to The 3AM Teacher. I downloaded her border file from Teachers Pay Teachers (FREE, by the way) and created my labels with them. There are 3 sheets…for pretty much everything. Print them out and use them for yourself if you lot recall they volition be useful to you lot, too! If I missed an important one that you would like for me to customize for y'all, but leave me a comment and I can send it to you. Happy organizing!!
To download the labels click here –> School Supply Labels.
The Safe Place
The Safe Place is just that…safety. Safe from people being bothersome. Safe from people talking. Safety from damage.
I have a special identify in my classroom where students may go when they experience angry, sad, or upset. It's a comfortable space in the back of the room that is still visible to me, but non in the line of sight of any other students.
Have yous always had that kid that e'er came into your room in a bad mood? Or the one who gets upset later on recess? Or that other one that gets frustrated with everything his neighbor does or says? Aye, nosotros all feel some sort of event throughout the class of the year. Let me tell yous, my friends, the Safe Place is a swell mode for students to get away from peers or other issues that are bothering them.
Hither'southward how information technology works. As a class, we talk about the Safety Place on the very first day of schoolhouse. Nosotros talk about the rules of the Safe Identify. i. You may go at that place ONLY when y'all are angry, sad, or upset. Information technology is not a place to relax and read or play with annihilation that belongs at that place. 2. You still have to pay attending and listen. I will non directly call on a educatee who is in the prophylactic identify, but work is still expected to be completed. 3. This is Non a permanent seat, and the goal is to transition back to your desk within 10 minutes. (Of course, there are always extenuating circumstances)
Some teachers think that I'm crazy for having such a place in my room, but it has worked miracles for some kids!! And I always hear, "Oh, my kids would just ever go at that place or would abuse it." All I have to say to that is, if y'all set up the expectations early and stick to it, they won't. In 6 years I've never has a student abuse it.
This, coupled with the Social Contract, is a smashing fashion to manage an effective classroom with a positive atmosphere.
Try information technology. What take you got to lose? 😉
Back To School Forms: Make Upwards Piece of work & Corrections
I don't know about yous, but I have a hard fourth dimension keeping up with students who accept missed assignments and those that need to make corrections. In order to remedy that, I have created some forms for both the students and the teacher.
The student forms will be cut apart, hole punched, and put onto a ring to keep track of them before handing them to students. Yous could just file them abroad somewhere, but I recall the hole punch idea works better for me. Click here to download Student Copy: Make Up Work and Corrections.
Here is the Teacher re-create for keeping upwardly with students who demand to brand corrections on assignments. At our schoolhouse, we are immune to piece of work with students to assistance them make corrections to raise their class to a 70. (That'south why I put a briefing date on the student copy.) I will put the date of the Correction Conference underneath the student name in that column. Click here to download Teacher Corrections Canvass.
Final but not least, the teacher copy for keeping upward with students who have been absent-minded. I will put both of these forms with my grade book to make tracking these kiddos easier. Click here to download Teacher Make Up Work Sheet.
Hopefully these will help you organize your classroom, also! 🙂
Source: https://texasteachingfanatic.wordpress.com/tag/education/
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