Thinking about my signals

I'm currently reading The Smartest Kids in the World by Amanda Ripley (thanks Brian Dassler) and it has me thinking about the signals I give students.

The signal that I hope I give off is that I value thinking.  Some people have dogged the new standards but I feel like their intentions are valuable. I appreciate that my students are thinking at deeper levels.  One way I try to instill thinking is by modeling my own.  I try to do it in a natural way, struggling and all!  I want my students to see that I have to push myself just like they do.

This year I have come to rely on our journals in ALL subject areas.  What I love about journals is that students can track their progress in regards to their thinking.  It also gives them a reference point to refer to whenever they are struggling.  The materials I create for my students have language stems to help them organize and expand upon their thinking.

During the course of this year, I have created interactive journal material that I haven't shared....UNTIL NOW!

Here is a freebie/preview for you to check out:

InformationalLiteratureJournalPreview

I shared this standard that focuses on the main purpose of a text because I have found that my students need extra support!  In an informational book an author can explain, answer and describe to share their main purpose and sometimes that can be tricky to understand.  I also included a recording sheet that I explain more in the full product on TPT.

If you are interested in the full product, which has a journal activity for every Informational and Literature standard, check it out here:

TPT: 2nd Grade Interactive Journal for Informational and Literature Standards

If you aren't utilizing interactive journals, then I challenge you to try them. When planning activities for your students, think "What signals are the students getting from me?"

Toaster Tuesday

So I got a new toaster today and I'm excited :)  My dog seems to tear up any appliances that have any trace of a smell...so I've been without one.  The sad part about getting a new toaster is that I'm not eating carbs!!  All things that go in the toaster are full of carbs...darn.  I'll have to wait to use it :/

My boyfriend and I decided that we would like to go into the new year with a healthier lifestyle.  We have a list of lose rules that we are following.  And my sweet guy designed a supplement plan for me!  So we are eating healthy (well, Atkins diet), taking supplements and working out {almost} daily.  I feel so much better.  I have energy after school but more importantly energy during school.  Having this newfound energy makes me happier and therefore more patient.  It's good for me and my kiddos!  I've worked out before but all of this put together has just made it a whole new experience for me.

 

Well enough about me!



My class has moved into our place value unit.  I was personally wanting a few games that could vary on time for students to play in partnerships or with a group. And to be honest I wanted the materials to be easy for me to make...just in case they aren't used.  The games I have made all use the same set of feathers.

 Place Value Games, Number and Operations Base Ten

 

I also created a pack of 12 graphic organizers to correlate with the first grade Common Core Literature Standards.  You can find them at my Teachers Pay Teachers store.

 

Thursday night was our Science Fair night!  It was a blast.  I participated by holding the critter table down.  I brought my Water Dragon and I was loaned a Leopard Gecko, Hermit Crabs and a turtle.  I even let the kids (and parents too) hold superworms.  Below are the pictures of our 1st grade boards.  My class made the board the second from the right.  Our project was called Greasy, Greasy Chips.  Did you know that out of Mr. B's, Lays and Ruffles that Ruffles holds the most grease?  The night was a great celebration of science and it was a great turn out!