Get PIE'd!

Oh.My.Word.

This was beyond an AMAZING day! I don’t know who enjoyed it more- the kids or me!

The idea of using a form of a real PIE to teach author’s purpose had been in the back of my head since Hope King shared her Periscope back in December. After attending Get Your Teach On I knew it had to become a reality.

We did make a slight change to using Pie Face, and instead had students create a Pie of their own that they would enjoy at the end.

So here’s the not so skinny on our Get PIE’d Day!

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Chef Scalo was more than happy to greet the fellow chefs that would help her bake her author’s purpose PIE’s!

The students were thrilled to have their own aprons and chef hats.

They were too much!

Once we were dressed and had our instructions the students dove in. They had 6 passages they had to read together (in groups of 4). Each student had their own Author’s Purpose checklist (freebie from Read Like A RockStar) that they used to help determine if it was Persuade, Inform, or Entertain. The groups had to have 100% agreement and had to highlight text evidence to prove their choice.

If they had 100% agreement they took that passage and put it into the PIE tin they chose and brought the PIE to me.

Head Chef Scalo would then ask each group why they chose the author’s purpose they did. Not only did the purpose have to be correct, but they had to be able to support their answer choice.  If all of these things happened, they were allowed to add an ingredient to their PIE.

For each of the 6 passages they got one of these ingredients:

1. Graham Cracker Crust

2. Chocolate Pudding

3. Cool Whip

4. Crushed Oreos

5. Mini M&Ms

6. Sprinkles

To make it more authentic we had 50’s music playing in the background (I don’t know why, but it seemed fitting, lol)

They were active. They were having discussions. They had...dare I say it....FUN while learning!

At the end of the day I was exhausted (I only teach reading this year, so I had this experience twice in one day)....but I was smiling and happy, just like my kids! 

teach.create.love life.

~Jenny~

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Main Idea Review and Pack

Last year, for my observation, I decided to create the materials I would use.  I was on a roll….Then Preston came down with the stomach bug that, inevitably, I then caught. Well, a year later, I finally was able to finish this labor of love.

We recently used it as a way to review for our upcoming district test.

First, the students worked in pairs with the main idea bags.

They looked at each of the items in the bag and came up with a 1 word main idea. Then they had to create complete detail sentences for the items in the bag.  We presented these bags as a group so the rest of the class could agree or disagree.

Then they were onto a scoot for main idea circles. I printed and laminated these circles on card stock so I can reuse them for years to come. 

Students went around in pairs and looked at the details in the circle maps and then came up with a main idea for the entire circle. This was a quick and easy activity, but reinforced the skill. 

Next, they worked with their shoulder partner to read one of these nonfiction texts. Their jobs:

1. read the text together

2. determine the main idea and highlight in one color

3. find at least 3 supporting detail sentences and highlight in another color

Each text also has a set of comprehension and vocabulary questions that go with it.
They would be perfect for small group instruction,
but we didn't utilize it on this day because we were focused on main idea. 

They then took the information they highlighted and placed it onto the main idea table. 

That about sums up our day of reviewing main idea. The kids stayed actively engaged while working together and finding text evidence....every teacher's dream, right?!

Here is a peak at what else is in this main idea pack

anchor charts, graphic organizers, nonfiction texts with comprehension/vocabulary questions, 2 activities to practice finding the main idea

You can find it here in my shop, and I will have it on sale for the next 24 hours :) Also, you can enter to win the pack if you visit my Facebook and Instagram page.

Happy Good Friday! I hope everyone enjoys their Easter weekend!

teach.create.love life.

~Jenny~

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Get Your Teach On!

WOW!

One word.

Not a fancy word.

But a strong enough word.

WOW!

A word, that pretty much sums up my feelings on the Get Your Teach On Conference.

Monday, March 7 I had the pleasure of skipping school attending the conference presented by THE Hope King (and Deanna Jump- she’s amazing too, but I didn’t attend her session)!

My teaching partner in crime, Rachel, and me!

My mind is still trying to digest everything that Hope had to share with us. I find that since going to the conference, I am constantly reflecting on this year and how I can make changes for next. How can I implement what she shared into my teaching world? How could I engage my students in this lesson?

I’ve already had the chance to implement some ideas since the conference and it was exhausting AMAZING for both my students and me (I’ll share more on that another day).

I would like to share some takeaways I had from the conference….

(Just incase you’re on the fence as to whether you should attend the 2! Day conference in Texas this summer… which, by the way, you will be even luckier and get to see THE Amy Lemons present as well!)

 

The world's.worst.photo of me EVER! But it's with THE Amy Lemons ;)

ENGAGE

This quote was displayed at the beginning of the conference:

“Provide an uncommon experience for your students and they will reward you with an uncommon effort and attitude.” –David Burgess, Teach Like a Pirate.

My memories from school were the ones that engaged. Projects, hands-on, songs… They stuck. They helped. They made me want to do my best.

Today’s kids need engagement more than ever. They live in a world of technology AND testing. We need to work harder to keep their attention, engage them, and make them want to do their best.

Does this mean that every day is a trip to Disney World in your classroom? No.

>>Choose your most difficult standards and make them the most engaging.

>>Find the balance: fun, energy, and excitement = rigor, content, respect

>>Get off your seat and move your feet! Give them a reason to never forget.

Build Relationships

NEVER underestimate the power of relationships. This is just as important as the engagement!

You spend 6-8 hours a day with these kids. For an entire YEAR. That’s longer than they spend with their parents (and longer than you spend with your own kids). You want them to like you (as much as you want to deny it).

If you want them to trust you, If you want them to step outside the box, If you want them to give it their all….You have to build the relationship. Yes, even with the most difficult one ;)

Maybe it is YOU

Reflect on you….more than likely if your kids are having an issue, than it’s you.

This is still a hard one for me to swallow. I believe it, but it’s also hard to admit. Connect it to your own personal life/relationships- it’s always hard to realize and admit your part/wrong doing and how it effects the other person.

But think about it- You’re tired/sick? How do your kids act that day? You woke up on the wrong side of the bed? How do your kids act that day?

Teachers are human. We are allowed to have bad/off days, but realize and understand the effect it has on your students.

So….

>>FIRE IT UP! Be the ENERGY! Smile, Passion, Enthusiasm

>>Be unpredictable. Schedule is good, but so is spontaneity! Keep your kids on their toes and always wondering, “What is she/he going to do next?”

>>Go for it! Don’t miss the moment!

 

THE Hope King engaging us!

Kudos to you if you made it all the way to the end! That was definitely one of my longest ramblings blog posts.

There is sooooo much more I could share, but then I would be giving away too much for the people waiting to go.

And if you can’t make the journey to TX to watch them in person, then become a Hope King (Elementary Shenanigans) follower. She is wonderful with sharing sneak peeks on Instagram and letting us into her world at RCA on Periscope.

And when your efforts to try to be different and engage are met by negative people- Don’t let them steal your joy! Be the teacher you would want to have or your children to have.

teach.create.love life.

~Jenny~

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Teacher Tip Tuesday

Happy Tuesday, My Friends!!

I had the MOST AMAZING Monday (yes, I know how crazy that sounds).....but seriously! My nerdy teacher dreams came true and I got to 'meet' THE Hope King and Amy Lemons! Hope King did an AMAZING job at her Get Your Teach On conference. Do yourself a favor and go see her in Texas this summer. You will not be disappointed. I will blog more about that later this week, but onto the Teacher Tip.

Do your kids have to use the computers in your classroom at the same time? 

We have a prescribed computer program that our students have to use, 3 at a time. And those 3 students canNOT keep their eyes on their own computer. Drives.Me.Crazy.

::solution::

Foam poster board purchased at Dollar Tree.

Quick. Easy. Cheap.

For $2 my sanity is saved and my students focus on their own computer.  

And now for a freebie...just because I like you ;)

Close Reading Symbols bookmarks for your students to use as they are reading text (click on picture for link). Perfect for close reading and finding text evidence. Please leave some love and feedback if you download....and feel free to become a follower of my store...or blog...or both ;)

teach.create.love life

~Jenny~

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Teacher Tip Tuesday

Sorry I missed last week’s Tuesday Tip (I’m sure my 3 faithful followers were disappointed ;) but I was neck deep in my observation paperwork. 

Good times, my friends. Good times.

So, I have a good one for you this week!

Do you have tons of anchor charts and have no room to display them or store them?!

Your answer?..... Magnetic Curtain Rods!

Something so simple has changed my classroom in a major way. I used to use the free standing chart holder/hanger things (yes, that is the technical term), but they take up a lot of room and it was always in the way. Being able to put my anchor charts up on my board (out of the way) and in direct eyesight of my students....WIN!

I found these at Wal-Mart in the the curtains/rods section (I know, that was a tricky one). The length of the rod can be changes and the magnet is very strong so you don't have to worry about your charts falling off. They are inexpensive, especially compared to the chart hanger/holder thing, and run around $10. 

And if you don't like the idea of having all of your anchor charts out at once, then I would highly recommend Teaching With A Mountain View's storage idea. 

Mary @ Teaching With A Mountain View

I.LOVE.THIS. When I have to tidy my room for the summer I will definitely be implementing this!

create.teach.love life

~Jenny~

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