25 days and counting

With just 25 days and counting, I think some of my students are on summer break.  I came up with a weekly checklist, to help keep them focused.  The TAI is a weekly homework assignment that lets the students be a little creative.  I use Tic-Tac-Toe (TTT) for a weekly spelling assignment, a reading (SRA) lab, and AR goals to keep them reading. 

Does anyone use checklists to keep students accountable?

Teaching Channel

Is anyone familiar with Teaching Channel ?  I watched a great 20 minute+ video on main idea...a little long but good.

Seating Arrangement

AND...how many times have you changed seating arrangements this year?  I think this last 6 weeks will find me changing every week. 

Since I use Super Teacher Tools, it's just a matter of clicking the number I want in a groups (4-5 since I use tables)

(gotta love these pictures from pintrest)

Vocabulary Building

In a effort to increase my students' vocabulary, I'm going to start using VocabAhead.  This site has cute videos for each word.  It reminds me of the vocabulary book I used a few (many) years ago that had a cartoon for each word.  This activity will be a writing must, one day a week...write the word, definition, sentence, and drawing!!  AND a high five if I hear them using it in their daily conversations.

I find my lower reading students with no reading stamina and very poor vocabulary. 

SideVibe

Any upper elementary teachers using this?? SideVibe


I need to know if it would be worth my time...ha ha, since it's so valuable!  I suppose it would make a difference if you were a 1:1 school.

Book Checkout

Thank you Stephanie at Teaching in Room 6  for the motivation, inspiration, whatever...to get checkout cards for the books from my library.  Some years are better than others for students being responsible.  Here's just another way to hold them accountable. 

If you'd like a pdf file, just add a comment below.  I made these on business cards, although I did order bigger ones from Vistaprint.

Here is what my library looks like.  This was before school started, so there are more baskets with similar books, I've taken away the pillows for sanitary reasons and the top shelf has miscellaneous items.

IPad or Laptop?

If I were to be asked this question at school....my first answer would be an IPad...but what is my reason...  Do I want one because it's fun, the games are great, and it's a new techy device?

check out this article:

Tablets or Laptops? Ask the Right Questions.