ELA CCSS

Today I had the pleasure of presenting to the 2nd & 3rd grade teachers (as well as some support staff) about the English Language Arts Common Core State Standards.   It was great to have the opportunity to present about ELA standards and give teachers some great examples of the shifts.   I know that the information can be overwhelming at first glance, but luckily, there are lots of great resources out there to help us as teachers absorb the information and figure out how we can make these shifts in our instruction.  Here are two to help you get started!

• District 64's Reading & Language Arts Page
• This site is maintained by Curriculum Specialist Meghan Keefer and has AMAZING resources on it.   Be sure to check out the links on the left hand side, especially the online resources.
• CoreStand 
• This great website for teachers to collaborate with all things common core. After creating a free account you'll have access to free resources, best practice videos, blogs, and more.   They also have a great weekly newsletter that has some great ready to use activities in it. Check out this week's newsletter and look at the great activity on page 2 (Elementary Template).
• You will notice that the activity has great kid friendly "I can" statements so students understand the standards as well. 

Doodle for Google

Did you know that Google has a yearly contest where students can draw a Google logo to be published and shared with people everywhere?  Google has just announced it's sixth Doodle for Google Contest. The theme for this year's contest is "My Best Day Ever..." The contest is open to K-12 students in the United States. The winner will receive a $30,000 scholarship and a $50,000 technology grant for his or her school. Entries must be received by March 22, 2013. The complete contest rules can be found on the Doodle 4 Google contest page.

Google has made this easy for teachers to incorporate into a lesson as well.  Click here to be taken to the lesson plan resources Google has created for teachers to integrate this into their instruction. 

Here is a pamphlet that can be printed and distributed to students as well.If you would like me to come and and co teach this lesson with you, just ask!  I'd be happy to come on in!

I will be trying to set up a bulletin board somewhere on the first floor during open house to advertise this opportunity as well to all students and make the forms accessible to students.   Let me know if you would like any more information, and I'd be happy to help!

 

App of the Week: Comic Life

What is it?
Comic Life is an awesome app on the iPad that allows users to create comics from a variety of templates, or allows you to build your own.  You can integrate photos, drawings, pictures, and text to create the perfect comic.

Key benefits of using comics in education

- A great visual Representation of Knowledge
- Presents what is essential
- Easier to remember a visual graphic containing key information
- Engaging through thinking, creating and writing.
- Perfect avenue for writing dialogue
- Incites students with low interest in writing
- Helps organization through storytelling and storyboarding
- Using visual images convey meaning to a story or topic
- Develops creative and higher level thought processes
- Develops composition techniques through visual-verbal connections
- Enriches reading, writing, and thinking
- Serves as and assessment and evaluation tool
- Sequencing promotes understanding

Who is it good for?

This really can be used at all levels and across various subject areas.   Students can collaborate on comics or work alone.  Once the comics are finished, students can print them to display. 

If you are interested in giving this a try, let me know and I'd be happy to show you or model making comics in your classroom!

Khan Academy

Today I was invited to quite a few meetings today... one of them being the BATC (Board Advanced Technology Committee) whose purpose is to keep the School Board informed of new technology trends and make recommendations of what our schools need to create meaningful learning experiences.   In doing some research, this committee discussed the Khan Academy.   Now I've heard about Khan Academy and how the videos can be very useful for students, however, I haven't really been reminding staff members on how great it is.

With a library of over 3,800 videos on everything from arithmetic to physics, finance, and history and hundreds of skills to practice, Khan Academy is on a mission to help you learn what you want, when you want, at your own pace.

Since math is a  QIT goal for Roosevelt, I thought this would a great resource to reshare... enjoy!

Lunch at Google

Today I had the amazing opportunity to tour the Google Chicago office, as we'll as have lunch. What an amazing place!!! I was amazed at all of the amazing "perks" Google has in place for their employees- as well as the creative atmosphere that Google employees have. Google really values working as a team- something I know we are trying to encourage our students do as well. I'd love to brag in person more about my experience- so please ask me about it!

App of the Week: Missing Numbers

App of the Week: Missing Numbers

What is it?

Missing Numbers focuses on problems involving addition and subtraction. Initially students solve problems through counting all the objects visible or through partitioning or segregation and counting all the objects given. Missing Numbers encourages students to use more sophisticated strategies such as counting backward and counting on.   Missing Numbers scaffolds students through the use of seen and unseen (hidden) objects, allowing students to 'check' their answer by 'peeking' at the hidden objects and the ability to move objects to allow ease of counting.

Who is it good for?
This is a great introduction to problem solving for younger students.   The four different games allow a great opportunity for differentiation.  

• How Many - How many altogether?
• Show Me - Move the objects to show partitioning in subtraction.
• Addition - There are 11 altogether.  How many are hiding in my hand?
• Subtraction - There are 4 altogether.  How many are in the box. 

There is also a Teacher Tool available for you to create your own problems or equations.

CCSS Connection:  Operations and Algebraic Thinking
For specific standards, click on the links below.

• Kindergarten
• 1st grade
• 2nd grade

If you'd like to use this with your class, please let me know!  I'd be happy to help!

New Wall

Welcome Back! It was a pretty exciting morning here in Room 310! When I came into my office this morning, I was welcomed by a massive green wall... Roosevelt's own green screen!

This green screen is a great addition to my office so that teachers can come and shoot video on the green screen then manipulate their videos and put images behind them. A few teachers are currently working on putting together a newscast that will be shared on a website. Students are researching current events, working on some common core skills of summarizing, locating key information, and paraphrasing when reporting on their news articles. I have many teachers interested and hoping more will follow! If you are interested in using the green screen with your class, please let me know and I'd be happy to help!