ACSI Conference Take-Aways

You know you’re a teacher when you look forward to professional development even when it infringes upon your Thanksgiving break!

The week of Thanksgiving was fun-filled with food and family so much so that I am only now getting to sit down to do a recap of the ACSI conference: Nexus 2015!  It was a great conference and so I wanted to share what I took away from the break out sessions that I attended.

1.    Twitter as a Professional Too – Miss Shannon Northcott:

“Twitter as PD?  Yes, please!” That’s what I exclaimed when I saw this as a break out session option…and now I have a twitter account!

In this session, I learned more about the twittersphere and how it can help us as teachers to develop a valuable, professional learning network.

I also created my PLN (Professional Learning Network).  The five keywords that describe my professional career are: education, Christian living, PD, 2^nd grade, and of course, TpT!  Leave me comments below of what the five keywords to describe your PLN would be!

Another valuable tool our very hip high school French teacher and speaker gave us is this follow list of hashtags!

I particularly liked and have been [trying to remember to use] the "(grade/subject)chat" hashtags to connect with a new network of teachers from my grade level and in different content areas.

If you’re reading this, let me know on twitter @justlikevandyk and I’ll do a follow for follow: you follow me, and I’ll follow you!

2.   Incorporating Questions & Promoting Critical Thinking – Dr. Debra Cunningham:

This session made me want to get my kids back in the classroom ASAP to incorporate all these strategies!

a.   Webb’s Depth of Knowledge: 

Similar to Bloom’s Taxonomy, The Depth of Knowledge chart (or DOK) consists of differentiated levels of sentence starters that I formatted into this product here available in my TpT store.

I am going to introduce these sentence starters to students in reading groups to challenge their thinking.  I also hope to have students use these cards in their writing.

The cards are color-coded for the different levels of the DOK chart.  You could easily differentiate instruction to the class at once by creating multiple sets of rings and assigning students to read/answer certain colors so that their needs are met without singling students out.

b.   A Hierarchical Matrix of Question Beginnings:   
Here’s a link to get a PDF of that.  The format and content would be great for upper elementary and secondary ed.

c.   The Seven-Minute Stretch:   
I have linked the format to this activity to a GoogleDoc here, but will also briefly explain it. 

It’s a great way to engage your students and make your classroom student-centered instead teacher-led.

Cunningham used this strategy on us to make our learning of the DOK student-centered.  By participating in her seven-minute DOK stretch, we were the ones talking and dissecting and figuring out how we’d use DOK in our classrooms…so I know it works! 

PLUS! Did you check out the 7^th minute?  The three things I listed here on the blog about this session were my three takeaways I listed in minute 7 of the stretch.  SHE NAILED IT!

3.    Triple A Classroom: Alive, Aloud, and A Lot of Learning – Dr. Christie Baird

Dr. Baird was also SO INSPIRING!  Her message was all about how a student’s word gap = his/her knowledge gap…then she of course proceeded to give us ways to close that gap and they were all very doable things!

She stressed connecting speech to print and shared with us this poster she made with her students. 

Sorry the quality is so lousy; I didn’t plan to be snapping a pic right then, but I had to!

I asked her where her great photos came from and she cited enchantedlearning.com as subscription free source for non-commercial, personal use photos!

You can see she allowed students to trace and recreate parts of the poster during center activities to help them practice the words and concepts.

Other facts she shared were how students learn through repetition and imitation (which is in line with her poster above) as well as engaging in stimulating talk. 

This reminded me of Dr. Cunningham’s session on the DOK and led me to make this freebie Venn Diagram Vocabulary anchor chart to help students engage in on-topic conversations.

Dr. Baird stressed wait time and gave us the acrostics WAIT & CAR.  WAIT stands for Why Am I Talking? & CAR stands for Comment & Wait, Ask & Wait, Respond & Add More.  Don’t be a fly-by teacher!  Great advice, don't ya think?

I could go on and on!

If you work in a Christian school and have not been a part of the ACSI conference, I would encourage you to ask your administrator to look into participating next year!

When your school participates, you are given access to many more virtual sessions!  So I attended the three sessions that interested and related to me most, BUT now I can also log back onto my ConNexus account to share in even more PD!

#teachernerd

Did you attend Nexus2015?  If so, let me know where you attended and share what you learned below!  Don’t forget to tweet at me ;)

Wish List Wednesday!

This post is dedicated to my favorite product that I’ve created:  

 It’s my Accelerated Reader Flip Book!

After one year of trying out a variety of strategies to make AR effective in my classroom, I had an “Aha” moment! (Don’t you just love those moments?)

I’m sure like your students, mine were struggling with all the forms that AR supplies its users.  It was just too complicated, causing students to lose interest.

Enter my Accelerated Reader Flip Book!

This little baby is packed full of goodness.  It contains all the necessary forms, is student friendly, and is super cute (if I do say so myself)!  It prints back to back making it packed full of goodness, and of course comes with printing/copying directions!

Here’s the breakdown:

Tab 1: Username & Instructions – Hand write or use the text boxes to display each child’s username & password.  Here, students can follow the directions for taking reading and vocabulary quizzes. 
There is also space for you to note each child's AR level each quarter!

  You can see this student's level noted with a yellow bear paw.  Bear paws are how my school labels our books so that students can quickly find a good fit book!  This kiddo used the instruction tab to get started..

Tab 2: Genres – Challenge students to read from a variety of books by using this tab!  It contains genre descriptions AND my second favorite product: The Genre Wheel!  Really, it’s like you’re getting TWO products in ONE!  Students don't mind reading different types of books when it's the wheel that chose the genre!

 

Tab 3: My Goals – Students can track their goals each quarter here using the bar graphs.  Newly created is the flowerpot tracker to help those younger students more accurately track their progress.

Tab 4: Book Reviews – Our AR representative and admin team, and I think you would agree, stressed the importance of AR being a tool to challenge students in their comprehension and love for reading, and not to let it become all about “the points” and who has more.  This tab is in that vein.  Students can write recommendations for the books that they enjoyed and want to encourage their classmates to read.  We squeeze in time to share our recommendations in reading groups.

 Alternate Tab 4: Word Collector - If you'd prefer, you can substitute the book review tab for a word collector tab!
 

Tab 5: Book Log – The star of the show!!  

This page has 38 spaces for students to record their books and corresponding EN numbers.  Train students to check a book off their list when they have completed a quiz or were unable to locate the book in the AR system.

Don't remake the entire book when a student fills up his/her log!  This page is replaceable!  Easily reprint a student’s PERSONALIZED cover page backed with a new log, staple and BOOM! 

My students keep their AR flip books handy in their book bins.

So, use this flip book all year long and help your students maximize their AR experience in your classroom!

You could even win your own copy by commenting below!  I will chose a winner Sunday night!

Snag another one of my AR resources FREE on my Facebook page by becoming a fan!

Once you have your AR flip books up and running in your classroom, let me know how your students like it by hashtagging #justlikevandyk in your Instagram & Facebook posts!

Thank Miss Giraffe!

When lesson planning for phonics, I always go, “Wah wah,”  because it’s so routine.  We use our curriculum flash cards and my PowerPoint presentations, but it’s always the same thing day after day. 

So when I came across Miss Giraffe's Instagram post for sorting the sounds of

/ed/, I HAD to jump on it! 

(You can check out how she uses this sort on her blog at http://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/ )

While I supplement my phonics curriculum with fun books and activities here and there, I struggle to jazz up every lesson because of having to fit in and make time for the other portions of the curriculum.

BUT THIS?!  Well, I knew I could make this happen in our phonics lesson for our second go around with suffixes.

We started the usual way: reviewing our special sounds we have already learned and introducing the new ones to our list.  I always like to bring the drama, so here’s what I said:

“Today, the new special sounds we are adding are all spelled the same!” [gasps]  “Isn’t the English language crazy?!  These special sounds also have another name.  Do you remember what they are called? SUFFIXES!”

After reviewing where these sounds come in a word and what makes them suffixes, we got to work.  

First, we read the words chorally and took turns circling the suffixes on the board.  Next, students volunteered to use the words in their own sentences.  After about 5 students, I thought aloud saying, “I noticed that the ending sound of those words all look the same pointing to the board), but sounded differently (pointing to my ear).  Did anyone else notice that?  Let’s listen again.”

Finally, it was time to put Miss Giraffe’s product to work!  

They were so excited to use materials that they don’t normally get to use in phonics lessons like scissors and glue! [For 2nd graders, it’s the little things!]

What is nice about this activity is that it allowed me to circle the room checking in with my little friends who needed some differentiation!   

Students who were not initially hearing the difference between the 3 sounds /ed/ makes now had a new job:  lightly coloring the different sounds to better help them sort the words into the 3 columns.

Because these suffixes LOOK the same, color coding helped students SEE the sounds they are HEARING.  I casually marked their pages with the color code and they were on their way to success!

Don’t think I forgot about those early finishes though!   

While visiting Miss Giraffe’s Teachers Pay Teachers store, I also snagged some of her reading fluency & comprehension passages.  In this FREE passage, students were able to practice reading the /ed/ sounds in context while also letting me concretely monitor their comprehension skills!

Next up!  We’ll practice writing verbs using /ed/…oh and I have a fun little song for those irregular verbs…but that’s a blog post for a later date!

And that was only a single page from Miss Giraffe's $2 Grammar Bundle!  The other pages in this bundle are pictured below and build nicely together!

Thanks Miss Giraffe for the complete package! Xoxo

What are your favorite products from Miss Giraffe’s store?  Leave me a comment below, I’d love to learn how you use her stuff to bring your lessons to life!

If you haven't visited her blog yet, you should definitely check it out!  She has tons of great ideas and resources modeled there!

Quickie Halloween Craftivities

Did Halloween sneak up on you this year?  I know time is flying when students comment.  The other day as we looked at our math calendar, a boy said, "Wow, we're already in the 20's!  I feel like we just changed the calendar to October!"  So, it's not just you and me that feel like the year is going fast.

To help you save the day and fit in a couple of Halloween items this week, I'm sharing two activities that I use in my classroom (my explanations are probably longer than the amount of time it actually will take you to do these!):

The first is a writing & grammar lesson: A Pumpkin Cinquain!  Cinquains are a poetry style that lend themselves to time limitations.  The main goal when writing a cinquain is that it has five lines.  Then there are two different styles:  One style focuses on using a certain number of syllables per line:

Line 1         2 Syllables
Line 2         4 Syllables
Line 3         6 Syllables
Line 4         8 Syllables
Line 5         2 Syllables

The other requires a certain number of words per line and is the form that I use.  After spending the beginning parts of the year teaching nouns and adjectives, I like to use this writing assignment to introduce verbs, so instead of any type of word, students follow this format:

Line 1          1 Noun
Line 2          2 Adjectives
Line 3          3 Verbs
Line 4          1 Sentence
Line 5          1 Synonym

We begin by reviewing/teaching what nouns, adjectives, verbs, and synonyms are.  Then together we brainstorm a collection of each (for synonyms, we usually just pull from the nouns).  Grr! I’m so mad at myself for not snapping a picture of the poster I created to display everyone’s ideas.  After we shared all of our ideas, students worked independently to fill in their cinquain rough drafts.  Students compose their own sentences about pumpkins using other words from our brainstorm poster for ideas.  The result is this:

I encourage students to draw a picture that matches the nouns, adjectives, and nouns that they used in their poem.  Side note: My school does not allow us to celebrate Halloween or incorporate Halloween crafts, so I always love seeing how students show pumpkins in unique ways like as piece of pie on a Thanksgiving table or in a pumpkin patch.

The second craft that I use in my classroom is a Bible lesson that I L O V E because it challenges the season of vampires, bats, and jack-o-lanterns.  Instead of scariness, there is a sweet, simple message that requires very little explanation….and the prep for the craft is minimal!  Here is what you will need:

-This copy of the parable per student (to glue onto the back so that they can share the message with their friends and family.  I shrink the size when copying so that it fits on a single page)
-Single 8.5x11” sheets of black construction paper per student (for the background)
-Single 8.5x11” sheets of orange construction paper per student (for the pumpkin)
-1/3 of an 8.5x11” sheet of yellow construction paper per student (for the face)
-1 small piece of green construction paper (scraps are good for this bc it’s for a leaf)
-1 small piece of brown construction paper (scraps are good for this bc it’s for a stem)
Students need scissors, glue, and a white crayon for writing their names on their paper

Implementing the craft is pretty self-explanatory.  We busted out this craftivity in 25 minutes! I begin by reminding students that while this is a fun season with candy and decorations, we as Christians are called to represent Christ and God’s love.  Then I read the parable straight through, adding no commentary.

Now, it’s time to bring our parable to life!  Students draw a circular shape on their orange construction paper.  Remember, it doesn’t matter the size or shape because God made each of us fearfully and wonderfully in His image.  Next, I ask the class what sort of eyes the Farmer give the pumpkin? TRIANGLES! How about the nose?  SQUARE!  And a mouth?  SMILING!  Students use the yellow construction paper for these parts so that it looks like a light really is glowing from inside their pumpkins.  Lastly, they can add their stems and leaves.  No coloring or writing involved! 

In closing, I challenged them to not get so caught up in the spookiness that they forget about the light and life they have in Jesus Christ and are called to share with all they come in contact with, even on Halloween.  Students also shared what the pumpkin parable meant to them…and I tried not to cry.  

There it is: two quick Halloween activities that you can fit into your week!  If you are able to use either of these, let me know by commenting below, tagging me in your instagram/facebook photos, or using the hashtag #justlikevandyk

You Oughta Know About...Kahoot!

I know I’m not the only one using Kahoot! in the classroom, but I know it hasn’t gotten the recognition it deserves…I mean, I just doesn’t seem to be as prevalent as it SHOULD be because, guys, it’s SO EASY to use!  I’ve literally put a Kahoot! together at the end of my lunch break right before my kiddos walked in.  So what’s all my fuss about...

Kahoot! is an online tool where you can create, use, and save quizzes to check for understanding or review with your kiddos before a unit test.  If you work with a grade-level team, you and your teammates can create and share quizzes for all areas of study for the current year and for years to come!

Here’s what you do: 

Go to getkahoot.com and create an account.  Next, click create quiz to get started and name your quiz.  Then write your questions, choose the point value, time allotment, and enter your answer options. 

You can add YouTube videos, make your questions multiple choice, true/false, or fill in the blank for interest and to keep your kiddos on their toes.  

As you save and continue, add photos, a description, and share your Kahoot! in social media!  Now you’re ready to play! 

Choose how you want to launch your Kahoot!  May I suggest displaying the game PIN throughout the game in case your little sweeties exit by mistake.  I also like to choose “Randomize order of questions?” to challenge students when we [inevidentibly] play the 2^nd and 3^rd time in a row. 

Now, launch your Kahoot! and project the screen displaying your Kahoot!’s game PIN. 

Here’s what you need your kids to do:

1.     Students play along at Kahoot.it in a computer lab or on iPads

2.    Students enter the game pin that you are projecting. 

3.     Students choose a Nickname! (insert guidelines and behavior management HERE)

Student Screen upon entering kahoot.it

Once you see the total number of your students logged onto your Kahoot! begin your game!  It is very kid-friendly and simple.  Your answer options have corresponding shapes on the students’ screen that they simply click.

 

How they get points (which is what this is all about right?):

Students not only earn points for accuracy, but also points for how quickly they enter their answers, which is fun for those high-achievers and also helps with behavior management.  How?  Well, students have to keep their celebration dances to a minimum or else risk missing out on time on the next question.

Features I love:

As the time ticks away, the number of submitted answers are displayed.  So you can say, “Double check that you submitted your answer; I’m missing 3 students’ answers.” 

Then after a question’s time expires and the correct answer is displayed on the screen, you can review it with your students.  Kahoot! tallies the number of students that chose each possible answer and displays them at the end of each question.  The majority of your students will have answered correctly and then, of course, there are those outliers that chose an answer to the question that makes no sense whatsoever…use this as a teachable moment!  It’s anonymous!   

You will get the attention of the students’ that answered incorrectly and hopefully will be able to correct any misconception they had about that topic.  I like to take this time to teach my students test taking skills such as eliminating silly answers and re-reading the question if they are uncertain of what they are supposed to be looking for.

Features my students love:

1.     Getting to choose their own user names!

2.    A top 5 player scoreboard after each question...duh

Kahoot! encourages positive peer pressure to compete academically in an anonymous environment.  You will have your class asking when the end of a unit is so that they can review all they’ve learned using Kahoot! and you will be the classroom hero!

Already using Kahoot! in your classroom?  Leave a comment below! I’d love to hear from you!

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