Greatest Idea EVER!

While thinking of a way to engage my kiddos in reading I had brain "fireworks".  What could be more fun than scratch-offs....you read that right SCRATCH OFFS.  So I ran with the idea and created scratch off question cards.  First I found a passage that would work with our skill of the week.  Then I found questions with answer choices (STAAR formatted for Texas teachers).  I wrote next to the correct answer something fun like YAY!, Way to Go!, Whoop! (Yes Aggies:), You Rock!, and Super!  I also wrote next to all the incorrect answers things such as No, Nope, Uh Uh, Try Again.  I copied this onto colored cardstock and lugged it all home to work on making my scratch offs.

Let me start off that being the first time I tried this, I'm sure there is an easier way.  Or at least maybe after some practice, I could have refined the task.  I had intended to make one card for every one of my 55 students.  That did not happen due to time and actually wanting to spend some time with my twins on their 12th birthday.  I did get about 30 made and decided that this might work even better as a partner activity so that there could be some discussion. 

I covered the hand-written statements in the SCRATCH-Off technique.  To use it check the link below. It was a pain-staking task because I was trying to cover each individual answer choice and maybe it would have been better to just cover each section.  Anyhow, see my first stab at it.  I promise I got better the more I did.  They looked a little more professional:)

Scratch off directions

So how did it go?

It was a roaring success.  The kids were 100% engaged, discussing their answers before scratching anything off.  They were very careful in their answers because they really didn't want to scratch off the wrong thing.  It made this teacher smile:)  I did add a little twist to it.  When they completed all the questions they then cut out the questions into cards.  We hole punched one side and tied a string to it.  They then took the other end of the string and taped it to the actual passage where they found their text evidence. Ahhhhhhhh! (In my best choral voice)....The comprehension angels descended on our group of rowdy 4th graders.  They were proving their answers, having fun, and making those connections.  One kid even told me that he got it.  He said that this is how they should be thinking and working through every question.  All I could do was step back, smile, and claim today to be the "BEST DAY EVER!"

New Year

A new year is quickly approaching.  I feel like I always have these grand ideas but never get around to sharing them.  Maybe this year, since I have finally built up a database of lessons and ideas I can get around to sharing these ideas and printables.  I even plan on maybe posting some of my stuff on TpT.  As I get ready to prepare for the kids I started off first with our Meet the Teacher kits.  Once I get these together I will post everything I include and how I conduct the first "Meet and Greet".  Stay tuned!

Paperless Student Information Sheet

The motto "Welcome to the 21st Century Classroom" has been rolling around in my head lately.  I use technology (at least what our school has available) a lot and love to integrate whenever possible.  For meet the teacher this year I am putting up a QR code for those parents with smart phones to load my contact information.  I also started thinking (thanks to pinterest inspiration) about having parent fill out an online form rather than paper.  I could set up stations....so to work I went.  If you have google docs you can do this too:)

1. Open Google Docs

2. Click on Compose and choose FORMS

3. Start typing in your questions : Student name, parents name, phone number, email, .....you get the idea.  

4. Once you are done copy the url it gives you.

5. Open up another browser (just in case;) and go to tinyurl.com

6. There it will help you create an easier URL for parents (ideas?....mascot, school name...teacher name...subject, etc.)

7. I would do a test entry yourself to make sure it is working out ok.

8. Have parent night and they can either fill out online form there or even at home if they have internet access.  

9. When all done you can go to form summary and there you have all your information.

THERE YOU HAVE IT!  A paperless, modern solution to parent forms:)....at least from the teacher;)

MAGNETS: Science Lesson

This clip was a hit when it was used as the anticipatory set for the unit on Magnetism.  Kids always get engaged when you speak in their language....and Wall E is definitely their language of humor.

Motivation: GO GET IT!

Every year I get to be creative by making a motivational video for my students.  I use a simple formula.  I find a motivational clip, add some titles, take video of every kid in the grade level, choose some motivational music the kids are familiar with and viola.....movie masterpiece.  I have done it every year and am surprised that my material is never lacking....yet every year is different.  This year the beginning of my movie was a clip from "Pursuit of Happiness".  It really worked well because it encourages to "Go Get It", with IT being your dreams.  Perfect beginning to encourage them to GO GET the TEST.  (since we are rated by standardized testing in our state).  They loved it....and I truly believe they did their very best.

What we are all about

I have been a teacher now for over 7 years. I have worked with 7th graders and 4th graders with every subject and many times integrating subjects. I have always used movie clips to catch attention or introduce a topic of interest. In the age of multimedia, movies are a valuable tool to reach our kids. Today's kids are bombarded with media all the time; whether it be the internet or t.v., media works....so why not use it in your lessons to get their attention as well and make those connections that can lead to learning. Here I will go through units from my curriculum with movie clips that could be helpful. If anyone has any they would like to share, please feel free. Teachers are very good at sharing and helping each other out and hopefully this blog will meet that need and serve as an open forum for teachers to communicate about what works. Welcome to Teacher Clips! I hope that you find some valuable resources to use with your lessons.