Where Am I Taking My Students? How Will I Get Them There?

Oh my!  We learned so much today about planning our lessons and how useful it is to think about the larger, lasting instructional concepts as Enduring Understanding or the lasting understanding that exceeds the curriculum content.  I realize that Enduring Understanding is the ultimate goal of my instructional planning which my students will develop through meaningful engagement based on the carefully planned Essential Questions I will formulate.  These questions help my students dig deeper and make connections between content and concepts they are learning. I must focus on designing questions that spark inquiry that invokes a deeper connection for students between concepts and connections they are learning on a daily basis. 

I learned that there are four types of learning targets which are based on what I ask my students to do: Knowledge (K), Reasoning (R), Skill (S) and Product (P). These were adapted from Stiggins et al. Classroom Assessment for Student Learning.   I recognized that based on what I ask my students to do I must ask, "What is the goal of instruction?"  Once I have answered that question, I select a learning target or targets that will align with my instructional goal.

Instructional Goal                       Types of Learning Targets                            Key Verbs
Recall basic information            Knowledge (K)                                             Name, identify, describe
and facts

Think and develop an                 Reasoning/Understanding,  (R)                     Explain, compare and
understanding                                                                                                  contrast, predict
                                                                                                                     
Apply knowledge and                Skill (S)                                                         Use, solve, calculate
reasoning

Synthesize to create                    Product (P)                                                     Create, write, present
original work

So much to learn and so little time to learn it.  I am thankful that there are only four critical areas
in second grade math.  I have a lot more to learn especially when it comes to Quad D Moments.
Well I will save my study on that for another day. 

Talking Points training your student to talk in Cooperative Learning Groups

Are you having difficulty training young learners to speak appropriately to each other during cooperative learning?  Do you have a source of questions to train them to use during whole group or small group discussions?  Have you looked at the Teacher Evaluation Rubric in your state to see what you will be scored upon? 

Classroom just about ready!

Oh wow things are coming together and my classroom is almost ready to welcome my new students.
Here are a few photos of what I have done so far.  Here are my daily folders...I am a frog collector in case you have not guessed that already. My school started my collection, when I became National Board Certified in 2002! They wanted to give me gifts and asked if I collected anything. My response was, "Yes I collect dust!" I had seen some ceramic frogs and loved them.  Someone gave them the information and I  have been hooked ever since.

Flipped signs (Daily Folder) are a gift from Ladybug's Files...thanks so much for that free download.  Here is my favorite frog of all times!  The Yellow Frog!



This is Ladybug Files' flipped numbers.  I laminated them cut them out and went to our district media center and ran them through the sticker machine.  Just peeled and stuck them on. Her flipped signs are so cute!

I saw this on Pinterest!  Car Riders, Bus Riders, and After Care signs I have clipped on the mini
pins and will write each students' name on a pin.  Great way to keep up with the changes in parental plans that happen throughout the day.  At a glance we know where they are going.

My math center with manipulative items.  Love pastels and I created my own flipped signs because my baskets were small.  So happy I am organized this year!

Finally my classroom "Supply Cake" another treasure from Pinterest.  I will change the ribbon on the top layer after I pick up something tomorrow.  I wasn't quite prepared, but it is still a cutie. I can't wait for my students to see it. 

Finally, my last Pinterest treasure was the dry erase board with lined scrapbook paper (looks like a sheet of notebook paper) inside a picture frame along with a little frog bow on the top right.  I forgot to take a pic of that today.  Well just sharing my classroom so far.  Almost done! Our students arrive on August 20th and we start on August 14th with in services for four days prior to the arrival of students. I hope everyone has a great year!  I am busy making lessons and creating items that implement CCSS.  I am very excited to start this new school year.

Finally Found Pastels and Polka Dots

Today was my lucky day!  Tax Free day in our state, items on clearance, and an extra 20% off. I am not even a coupon lady.  I have been searching high and low for something like the trays below in plastic and I found them in tin. 

I recently found an item on TPT called Bucket Filler Compliment Starter and love the idea.
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Bucket-Filling-Compliment-Starters-Polka-Dot-Edition
I was able to find the polka dot ice bucket below with the scoop and the napkin holder that will hold the little notes students will write on with a monthly starter for each month which scaffolds from
easier to complex.  This will be a great way to get writing in and teach my students how to compliment their fellow classmate at the same time.  I am going to put Flipped Signs on the bucket which I am going to refer to as Filling our Bucket with Friendship Scoops.  Fits perfectly with the
little silver scoop that dangles on the side.  The napkin holder with hold the squares of notes that
students will use to write their friendship scoop and fill our Bucket.  I know this will help my students share positive thoughts on each classmate. Back to school to finish up the classroom Monday and Tuesday because time is running out so quickly.  Have a great rest of the weekend,.

One full week left! YIKES

Oh my where has all my summer gone?  We have one full week left and then we're off to a new school year.  I actually start back on August 7th with Master Teacher duties.  Therefore, although
the perimeter of my room is done....there is a center that is still very much undone.  I hope I get
it all done in 2 more days.  I am doing like Common Core...LOL...I am digging DEEP!  The hoarder of papers is actually going to throw all the old stuff.  The new assessments differ a lot from what will
be expected from CCSS.  Now to build up all those files of new items in new formats.  I have been
putting up all my flipped signs and Ladybug's numbers to 40 which I love because of the bright colors.  I definitely have a basket full of surprises for my new kiddies!  The 8 students I had last year in first (now in 2nd) will think they are in the wrong room.  Teaching two grades in the same amount of time most teachers have for one grade level is a challenge, but very rewarding.  I hope everyone has a great year!