Classroom Happenings

It's been a long time since I've written an actual post.  Teaching in a new school district and a new grade has been very overwhelming.  I love my new school and class, but it is like starting over as a first year teacher.  Here are some picture updates from my class.
 

 

I am so lucky to have a class set of laptops in my classroom.  I love using the laptops as a center for my reading and math rotations.  I recently discovered LiveBinders and have been obsessed with it since.  Its a great way to put all of your technology resources and websites for your students in one place. 

 

They’re basically virtual three ring binders where you can organize all of your websites, documents, movies, and images into tabs and subtabs and then share your “stuff” on the web. Click on the binders below to see some of my examples:

 

Fourth Grade Resources

 

Word Problems

 

 

Technology Tutorials

 

 

Kid Friendly Search Sites

 

 

Here are some other ways to use LiveBinder in your classroom:

• Class Resources– Use LiveBinder to share your resources.
• Create a Presentation– Use LiveBinders to present your information.  Don’t make handouts, share the link to your binder and embed it in your blog.
• Have your students collaborate on a Binder as a final product of a unit
• Use a LiveBinder to demonstrate the writing process – create a tab for each draft/activity

 

But the best place to find ideas on how to use LiveBinders is to browse the featured binders on their website.

 



Word Problem Freebie

Common Core Word Problems FREEBIE

Math word problems are used to gauge students' ability to interpret relevant information and to assess students' ability to use their analytical and mathematics skills to solve problems. They are often used to relate mathematics to real life situations. 

This document has five word problems that are perfect for 2nd to 4th grade students. The activity would work great as a center or reinforcement activity for early finishers.  Answer keys are provided.  If you are interesting in purchasing my full product, with 30 word problems, please visit my TpT store.

Native American Shelters

 

Native American Shelters (Aligned to Common Core)

This 36 page resource will help your students explore diverse Native American cultures.  While focusing on Native American shelters, the different areas and tribes are introduced.  Your students will learn about the Northwest Coast, Southwest, California-Intermountain, Great Plains, and Eastern Woodlands.  Click on the picture above to view this activity in my Teacher's Notebook store.

 

I am linking up with Fifth in the Middle for her Native American Linky.  Check out her social studies links by topic!

 

Common Core Word Problems

Common Core Word Problems- 2nd to 4th Grade

Math word problems are used to gauge students' ability to interpret relevant information and to assess students' ability to use their analytical and mathematical skills to solve problems.  They are a great way to relate mathematics to real life situations.

This document has 30 word problems that are perfect for 2nd to 4th grade students.  The activity would work great as a center or as a reinforcement for early finishers.  Answer keys are provided.

Click here to purchase this product from my TpT store for $4.00.  

Five for Friday

I am linking up with Five for Friday from Doodle Bugs.  If you haven't linked up before, make sure to join in.  Five for Friday is a weekly teacher link party where you post five random things from your week.   
 

{1} Organization

Anyone who knows me knows that I love organization and LABELS!   This pic of our subject folders and journals.  Love the color coding too :)

 

{2} An Apple for the Teacher

One of my sweet fourth graders brought me an apple during the first week of school.  Made my day!

 

{3} Self Portraits

The first week of school  my students created self portraits using oil pastels.  It was a great get-to-know-you activity and really turned out great!

 

 

{4} New Math Products

I am excited about two new Carson-Dellosa products I purchased.

 

Common Core Math 4 Today: Daily Skill Practice- This 96-page comprehensive supplement contains standards-aligned reproducible activities designed to focus on critical math skills and concepts that meet the Common Core State Standards.  This was an e-book, so it was a quick, easy download.

 

Common Core Thinking Mats- Build critical thinking skills and reinforce essential math skills with these thinking mats.  Each set includes 15 write-on/wipe-away mats with 15 sets of 24 coordinating game cards. With activities that can easily be customized to specific learning needs, the Thinking Mats are perfect learning tools for centers, learning stations, and group or individualized instruction.

{5} Friday Night Football

My oldest niece cheered at her first high school football game tonight.  It brought back a lot of fun memories from my cheering days and was a ton of fun.  Here are some highlights...

 

Currently September {a little late}

I can't believe it's already September.  The first couple weeks of school always fly by and are jam packed!  I'm still trying to get into the swing of things and get to know my 22 new fourth graders.  Starting at a new county, school, and grade definitely have been keeping me busy.  I am LOVING finally having air conditioning in my classroom.  Makes a big difference!

 

I know I'm a little late, but I am linking up with Oh' Boy 4th Grade for Currently September.  Be sure to check out this fun linky!

 

 

Lunch Sign Up Freebie

This flipchart uses student numbers 1-22 to sign in for attendance and complete lunch count.  Hopefully this freebie can make your mornings a little easier.

 

Click here to download this FREEBIE.

Back to School Sale

I am so excited about TpT's Back to School Sale!  All those items on your wishlist are 28% off  August 18th-19th.  My ENTIRE STORE will be 28% off.  Make sure to stop by my TpT store for this great sale!

Teacher Week {2013}

It's day 3 of Teacher Week and today is all about organizing our classrooms!  We go back to school on August 26th, so I still have a ways to go on my classroom.  I actually look forward to decorating my class every year and love making it bright and comfy. 

 llll 

Does your classroom library need a little organization?  Then this is perfect for you.  I have included 54 labels for book bins for an elementary classroom library. Different genres, authors, and series are included. Look at preview to see all labels.

Genres: holidays, mystery, solar system, poetry, science, weather, holidays, biography, trains, dinosaur, history, and many more!

Authors: Judy Blume, Louis Sachar, Roald Dahl, Beverly Cleary, Andrew Clements, Jerry Spinelli, and many more!

Series: I Survived, American Girls, Wayside School, Stink, Geronimo Stilton, Boxcar Children, Babysitter's Club, Magic Tree House, and many more!

You can purchase this item for $3.00 from my TpT store. 

Made It Monday

I am linking up a day early with 4th Grade Frolics for my favorite weekly linky! After this week is it turning into a monthly linky for the school year.  I have two Made it Monday items that I created this week.  The first one is a freebie :)

Before Reading Activity Menu 

This four page freebie is a great addition to reading centers or Daily 5 activities. There are three different before reading menus with 9 activities on each card.  Click here for this freebie. 

 

Common Core: Text Dependent Question Prompts

The Common Core standards focus on students’ ability to read closely to determine what a text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it.

Rather than asking students questions about their prior knowledge or experience, the standards expect students to respond to questions that can only be answered by referring explicitly back to the text in front of them. This resource contains 16 text dependent questions. It can be used as a center or for small groups.

 

Click here to purchase this item from my TpT store for $3.00.

 

Back to School

I have been slowly getting my new classroom in order.  It's hard to get started when you have a blank slate, but also leaves room for a lot of imagination.  So far I've done a couple of bulletin boards and a lot of organizing.  Here's what I have so far...

 



 

Math Freebie and Currently August

Adding and Subtracting Money using a Menu

This activity is one of my best sellers and also a student FAVORITE!  I created a menu that I glued on to construction paper and laminated. I used them every year. The document is 9 pages and includes the menu and worksheets for adding and subtracting money. Students pretend they are a waiter or waitress and take orders from each other in order to add and subtract money.

 

 

Click here for this freebie.  Check out Classroom Freebies for other great FREE resources!

 

 

August Already??

Wow, how is it already August?  I am a few days late with linking up with Currently, but I've been super busy.  As I mentioned before, I am switching counties and starting at a new school teaching 4th grade.  I am very excited about the change, but anxious as well.  I also just moved this week.  So regardless to say, I've been extremely busy. 

 

Don't forget to link up with Farley's Currently for August.