Division FREEBIE!

Calling all 4th grade teachers!!

***Division Freebie***

I don't know about you, but grading papers is my LEAST favorite part of teaching lol.  Somehow, I remember LOVING these self-checking worksheets when I was a kid.  So I'm trying my hand at'em

Enjoy!

Summyr

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Narrative writing

Background: I teach 4th grade in South Florida.  Here in my state, the kids take a writing assessment in 4th, 8th, and 10th grades.  In fourth grade the focus is on essay writing and on narrative writing.  We've been teaching expository writing since the beginning of school and now's the time to switch gears to narrative.

I've introduced problem-based narrative stories with a number of books.  Some of my faves are: 

Owen by Kevin Henkes

Kitten's First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes

The Cow Who Wouldn't Come Down by Paul Johnson

Dog Breath by Dav Pilkey

Mrs. Toggle's Zipper by Robin Pulver

The Most Perfect Spot by Diane Goode

You Can't Move a Hippo by Michael Catchpool

More on how I do this later...

So now, I need to teach this little sponges how to write these types of narrative stories.  

While I teach the HOW, I use these worksheets I created.  I call them "description of" worksheets.  It's to help kids move from TELLING to SHOWING in their writing.  

I wanted to share this first one with you all.  Leave me feedback with your email, and I will send you another little goodie.

TIA!

Summyr

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Freebie!! Coordinates (single and quads)

We had fun with coordinate planes today...

Made this little diddy.  The kiddos loved it (well most of them).  The squirrels attention-challenged students had a hard time finishing.  But I just graded what they had ;)  Get your freebie now!

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Earth Day Freebie (and almost at 100 followers!)

Happy Sunday All!

Since Earth Day is today, I decided to give away this Primary Writing Activity :)  Spread the word!  (and help me add a few more followers so I can reach 100 ;)

Find this in my TPT or TN shops :)

Thanks!  And Enjoy!

Summyr

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Freebie for 4th grade math teachers

So state testing is next week (FCAT in my neck of the woods) and my school is having a pep-rally on Friday. For this fun-filled event, each grade is to come up with a game (testing related) for the kids.

We use Go Math and decided to make one of my "Match Ups" games for the event. "Match Ups" are card games used to play games like concentration or Go Fish. We divided the work between the three of us. There are three Big Ideas and we each made 20 math questions and answers for the skills. On Friday, each student will get a question card and an answer card to a different question. They are to solve their question and search for the person with their answer. The person with their answer will have the question card that matches their answer card. (picture this as kids are running around a soccer field lol).

Well, I wanted to share this game with all my bloggy friends ;).

It was a collaborative effort, therefore I'm not sure how much was actually copied from the textbook. With that in mind, I'm not going to post it on my blog but rather, would send it to anyone who would like a copy.

If you think you'd like a free copy of the game, comment and leave your email address. I'll send you the three documents. Also, feel free to spread the word on your blogs to your friends.

Enjoy!
Summyr

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Classroom Clock Freebie

Took a picture of my classroom clock today (notice the time hehe).

It came in handy when we were practicing time.  

Just print the numbers, cut, glue to colored card-stock, laminate, and tape...

Thought I'd share it with my bloggy friends :)

Download the triangles and time increments for yourself!

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Cause and Effect with The Lorax

What a great end to the week!  Well, the teaching part was great... The field trip part, not so much O.o (read on about THAT).

Super cute Cause/Effect Books.  Check it out. (Excuse the cursive - we are still practicing)

Cause and Effect Book - Freebie

We also made Lorax mustaches lol (found those on Pinterest).

I drew this and made a template.  Grab this freebie.

Now, about the field trip...

I made arrangements to see the 3-D version of The Lorax.  When we arrived there (on time, mind you - 30 min before show time), the three staff members (yes, I said 3) were just popping the first kernels of popcorn and placing the nozzles on the soda fountain.  Are you kidding me?!?  With 128 kids there, really?!?  We gave notice - it's not like it was "Surprise, we're here!"

Then, we sent the kids into the theatre to sit and wait.  "I thought we were going to see a 3-D movie?" one child asked.

My blood pressure got a bit higher.

"My paperwork says you are going to see the 2-D movie," the "manager" replied.

Quickly, I whipped out my cell phone and dialed the corporate office.  But oh they are closed.  Colorado is 2 hours behind us. *Ugh*

Now it's creeping up to 10:00, an hour after our arrival (and 30 minutes after our anticipated start time).  Parents are racing back and forth with soda and popcorn to give to our kiddos.  The three __(insert colorful plural noun)__ behind the counter are scrambling to finish the snacks.

Meanwhile, I call corporate UH-gain and finally get a live person - actually the girl who helped me from day one.  I tell her the dilemma and she tells me that her records show that we are signed up for a 2-D movie.

"If I wanted to see a 2-D movie, I would've taken my kids to the theatre five minutes from our school.  We drove 30 minutes to get here.  I don't care what your computer screen says, I know what I asked for - a 3-D movie."

"Well you can see the 3-D movie but it costs extra," was her "textbook" response.

"This is what's going to happen: I asked for a 3-D movie, we are getting a 3-D movie and we are NOT going to pay extra."

"Is there a manager nearby?"

Problem solved.

So the drama fizzled and we started the movie (45 minutes late).  After all that, The Lorax was a GREAT movie.  The kids loved it and it was such a lovely rendition of the book and then some.

Oh, and did I mention that the Science Test was postponed yet ANOTHER day.  Good thing they are called lesson "plans".  Kids took it Friday :)

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Classroom Job Application for Students

Alright.. So I've tried a new tactic for classroom jobs this year... In the past, I've changed my jobs each week, rotating in ABC order *big yawn*.  Well, I have so many things I delegate (oh the perks of being an upper grades teacher) that I wanted some more efficiency in the quality of work the kids did.  I mean, it IS their classroom too...

I came up with this job application.  Each nine weeks I send out a new application.  The better I know the kids, the less "random" my job selection becomes.  Unfortunately, I had to fire one child the other day.  I gave three chances but...  I mean, the Mail Manager is a VERY important job.  So when kids weren't getting their homework, I had to put on my best Donald Trump.  Fortunately for me, I wasn't such the bad guy after all.  The student switched jobs with the Line Leader.  *Phew!*  All's happy :)  Now if I could only get him to stop where I want him *hehe*.

I like the way this application is working out.  It gives kids a chance to really cultivate their task.  Even if you changed the jobs each month, it's a good outcome for everyone.

Before we switch jobs, we have an "office party".  I bring donuts, juice, etc. and I present a few "Exceptional Employee" awards :)

Here's the first page.  Download the WORD version and edit to your liking.

Let me know if you try it out.  

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Figurative Language Foldable

Today couldn't have gone better... wait... I take that back... impromptu soccer tournament on a "non" PE day = Science test delayed.  Out of my hands.  I could say, "No." but you know what, what's an extra homework assignment, right?  They'd choose more homework over missing the tournament any day of the week.

While this backs me up a day, The Lorax Unit was still full speed.

Check out their finished products for the Figurative Language Foldable (courtesy of Mor):

The kids LOVED it.  (plus they learned somethin' too :)  We started off by filling out this chart while we read the story.  It made it easier to create the end product AND we found ALL (or all I could find) of the examples not just one of each.

Download a free copy of this chart 

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Sketch-a-Story

Happy Monday!

So not only is it pre-Spring Break week, it's also Spirit week (thus the kids in pajamas).  This is the perfect week to do this Lorax Unit.

I started by having the students do a "Sketch-a-Story" about pollution (one a presenter used in a training in August).  I showed this on my Smart Board and uncovered each statement as they sketched.

Imagine a big lake.

Next to the lake is a huge factory.

Give your factory a name.

On the lake is a fishing boat with a fisherman.

Give your boat a name.

Suddenly, the factory begins to leak toxic waste into the lake.

The fisherman catches a fish.

The fisherman sells the fish to a nearby restaurant.

Give the restaurant a name.

Inside the restaurant is a couple, eating.

They eat the fish the fisherman caught.

When they leave the restaurant, they get sick.

Some of their sketches were really funny.

Afterwards students retold the story to their partner and we briefly discussed the cause and effect relationships.

Tomorrow we dive into the Figurative Language on The Lorax.  Thanks Mor for the Seuss Hat Foldable!   The kids LOVED making it today.  

Next we will find the examples in the story.  I'll use this chart to help students locate examples.  

Download this Freebie!

Then they shall choose the example they want to write into their Foldable.  

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I Have, Who Has with The Lorax

Greetings!

This (pre-spring break) week I am starting a short (but in depth) unit using Dr. Seuss' The Lorax as inspiration.  On Thursday, my students will be seeing the movie in 3-D.  I can't wait to get everything in gear!

Thus far, I've got a Language Arts activity.  My students LOVE, LOVE the "I Have, Who Has" games.  So I made one using vocabulary in the book.  Here is a sneak peak:

You can purchase the entire activity at my Teacher's Notebook shop.

Here is a freebie!  Enjoy!

More posts to come!

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