~Junior Architects~

     I really love this unit.  It encompasses so much math that we have building upon throughout the first part of the year.  The original lesson can be found on the Illuminations site through NCTM.
     We have spent the week learning about the metric system through our study of multiplying by 10s etc.  So today we moved into the standard measurement of inches and feet.  The students in this project are to design a clubhouse to certain specifications.  The original lesson has them create a 3-D model of their clubhouse, but we will not be hitting those concepts until later- so possibly we will do that part during that time.
     Each child received a sheet of graph paper with the instructions to create a design to scale of a clubhouse that is not more than 48 feet in perimeter or 150 square feet.  We created a class chart of what common symbols we might find in our designs and spent a great deal discussing and measuring objects around the room so we understood scale relationship.  For their project one square on the paper (1/2 in graph) was equal to 1 foot. This proved to be the biggest challenge as they often found they did not have enough room to walk around all the furnishings they threw inside.
    I did get some fantastic designs, like Gryfindor common room, a pet spa, some sort of Boy's Only house, all in all some really great ideas and designs!

Tomorrow we will be doing some problem solving regarding how much paint we will need to paint our clubhouse and where is the best place to buy this paint.  

See, you can bridge creativity and learning!!! 

Second round of Socratic Seminar

After our successful and passionate discussion about the branches of government (who knew?!), we tried out another seminar.  The reason why these can be so powerful is that there is no right or wrong answer! What it does do is to let the children have some time to think and reflect about what they are saying- and sometimes even get a little change of heart.  That's just what happened in this seminar.
    For this seminar we posted four provocation statements around the room.  I left them up for the week prior so the children had some time to think about them and reflect on which spoke to them.
They were:
Everyone's opinion counts.
The government is not responsible for everyone.
It's okay for some people to be very rich-they must have worked very hard.
The ones who make the rules are the most important people.

Funnily enough there were 30 children who felt that the most true statement was "Everyone's opinion counts." and only two that felt "The government is not responsible for everyone."  So instead of starting with why you chose such and such.  I simply started with one that was not chosen and asked them why no one chose that- is it not also true?  That was it folks- the rest was a 30 minutes (no kidding) discussion as to what is true and why they felt that way.  I had a few change their minds at the end and we did some reflecting later about how what we believe influences the way we view the role of government.  Ahhh-mazing!!!!

A Socratic Seminar x 2

     You know those moments when you think later- "dang why didn't I grab my camera?!" Yep- it was one of those days.  We have been studying the branches of government so we had a little Socratic seminar to discuss our opinions on the branches of government.  What I love about the Socratic method is that there is no right answer- the children all get really involved and take on their own learning.
     After watching and discussing our videos shared in the last post- I broke them into groups to research each branch of government and highlight five important facts of each branch.  We then gathered in a giant circle and I threw out the question, "Which branch of government is the most important?"  Wow, that sparked some serious discussion!!! It was awesome and I can guarantee that they all gained a deeper learning into what they branches of government were about and the true meaning of checks and balances.  
    If you haven't tried this method yet, I highly suggest it. It gets children talking and justifying their thinking with reason and evidence.  We have used it in the content area as well as in literature discussion groups.  You can find more information about it on Read Write Think.

Building Knowledge of Democracy

The first step to understanding our government was to help them understand the power of checks and balances.  I showed them a prezi (one of my favorite presentation tools) that took them through the branches.  You can view it here.

Then flocabulary as a great little rap that definitely got them going- to this day some of the sing the parts to help them remember the different aspects of each branch.

Overall they are getting more and more invested in learning about their government.  Maybe, hopefully I am helping create a generation of informed voters who really understand how our system works. 

How We Organize Ourselves

We've begun yet another unit of inquiry for our IB studies.  This is another social studies based unit- we are exploring through investigating government systems.  We launched the unit by having the kids think about what it means to be a global citizen verses a citizen of the United States. Our ultimate goal is for the kids to realize that we are not the only type of government that is in the world- many countries  are ran in different ways good or bad.  Despite our differences in government, our country also has to work others on global matters.
Now how do we make this accessible and relevant to children who are 9 & 10 years old?

Now, as you can see they don't have a lot of background knowledge- especially when it comes to a global citizen.  So we have a lot of work to do!! 

December Currently

November Currently

So let's break it down.

Listening: We are doing our Tune Up Tuesday today. This is where I find a song that generally fits with the year's theme of being proud of who you are. So today it is Katy Perry's Roar. They are going to be excited!

Loving: Chris Van Allsburg- who doesn't? He is an amazing author that has helped my guide my class in questioning and thinking through the text.  Such a great mentor author.

Thinking: I can... I can not really think too much more about them or my head my actually spin around. Have you seen the Exorcist? That's pretty much my take on it right now.  Ugh!

Wanting: I really need to rearrange my room. I currently have about 10 bookshelves housing well over 2000 books, which is great and all...but with 32 children there is little room left for us. And, we need to spread out!!

Needing: I need a day to actually work in my room and prep and plan and do all the stuff that is expected of teachers.  The last thing I want to do is it to take it all home- I'd like to see my family a little bit.

A Yummy Pin:  This soup is amazing. It was 1 degree when I woke up today!! 1 degree!!!!

Leaders in Time of Conflict

So keeping with our Unit of Inquiry we really needed to begin looking at leaders so we can examine how they responded in time of conflict and ways they expressed themselves.  I wanted the students to examine both sides of the Civil Rights Movement and make comparisons on what each contributed to the movement, good or bad.  So I composed a list of supporters and opponents and had the children choose one from each side. They were then to research a bit about each person, telling me what they did and how the two were connected . The students organized their thinking in a Venn Diagram.

This was a big eye-opener for some of my children because they just could not fathom how someone would think in such a "backward" way. 

Studying Conflict Through Biographies

      In our district we use the Linda Dorn model for literacy instruction. One component of that is to apply our CCSS for literacy into a study of genre.  Our current genre study is Biographies. So within this we not only tie in our IB Unit of Inquiry, but we also tie in our standards of focus for the unit.  With this unit our Power GLE or CCSS is RI.3, "Explain events, procedures, concepts, or ideas in a historical text, scientific or technical text, including what happened and why, based on specific information in the text."  The students are also expected to conduct a short research project.  Whew! What a lot to put into a 6 week study!!

    We launched with our study of conflict.  This was used a gateway to open discussion up to how we express ourselves in times of conflict. Sounds easy enough, but to tie in our genre and GLEs is challenging. So our first goal was to build some background knowledge of our content tie in, for the first part it was Civil Rights Movement.  We read several biographies from Martin Luther King Jr, to Rosa Parks, and Ruby Bridges.  Within these we studied specific features of the genre biographies.

After modeling, I sent the students out to find examples of these characteristics within biographies around the room, they flagged the examples they found.  I feel it is not only important for them to be able to identify these characteristics, but to also explain how these help us gain understanding of the text.  This part was done as a response in their reading journal.  

An Inquiry Into Conflict

     Our next unit of inquiry is into the central theme of How We Express Ourselves. We are really trying to get the children to see how conflict brings out different forms of expression from peaceful protests, songs, poems, riots etc.  So the first day  I chose some kids at random and gave lots of special privileges and candy, or whatever I could find to start to create some conflict within our room.  Honestly, at the beginning no one was getting upset!! I was glad my children got along so well, but it was throwing off our social experiment. I had to up the ante and start handing on the big guns, like pencils, stars- I even had some teachers come in and give out prizes.  Then we had some conflict (directed toward me)!
     I never really shared what was happening- I just asked the kids to go home and reflect upon their feelings today and how they were expressing themselves in time of conflict.  They came in on Tuesday with some great ideas!!  ** I did let parents know on Facebook what had gone down so there were no concerns about why someone was intentionally left out**
Here is a picture of our chart the kids made- we first discussed their feelings- then they added what they new about conflicts within our world, school, or community.

It was a great discussion, and I found a lot of gaps in their understanding of war, and different types of conflict occuring now.  

First Day Plans

I've spent the past few days coming up with my plans for the first day, as well as the remaining week.  This year our district approved for the first day, Monday, to be a full day.  Normally on Mondays we are out at 1:55 for staff development.  So I had to do some revising of my plans to take in the extra time we had.  Here is my jing captured plans!

Made It Monday!!

I'm linking up with 4th Grade Frolics to share my awesome chair for Made it Mondays. I found this rocker at a garage sale for $15, and the stools from a friend for $20.  I thought, score!  I've been wanting a rocker for my room for a while.  My mom had offered to sew me a cushion, but I thought I would try my hand at painting it and see where that went.

Link up Here 4th Grade Frolics 

So here is what I started with, a couple of red stools, and a dark finish walnut,  I think, rocker.  Nothing bad about them...but they needed a little pick me up!

Then I added some detail to the stools- pulling colors from my room.  I got the acrylic paint from Wal-mart for about $.97 a bottle. 

Next up was the rocker.  Now this was an undertaking, just for time sake!  First I primed it with some white primer by Krylon.  Then I used banner red from Krylon and sprayed it with about three coats. The whole chair took about 1 1/2 cans of the red paint, but so worth the extra coverage.  

Next up was the design and details.  It was actually harder for me to decide what to do than to actually do.  I learned to go nice and slow. Patience is key here people! I used chalkboard paint on the top so I can write in different messages, or names of guests.  And without further ado...

I've actually added a bit more detail to the upper spindles, and a little glitter paint.  I am super excited to take it and place it in my classroom tomorrow when I go in to work!! 

Our Class is Growing!!

So I have begun to check my class roster daily. I started with 30 and am now up to 32.  32!! Holy cow my largest class ever!  I know these kids are going to be awesome so I am not too concerned, the assessments will be a challenge, but after a multi-age room last year, I'm pretty sure I can handle it.  It's all about organization and time management!  Today I played around on Tagxedo and created a print that I am going to put up in my room.  I love that you can put your words into shapes.  I chose the heart shape- normally I don't like hearts, no explanation as to why, just don't, but as a teacher we need at times to be reminded that these children who enter our rooms are someones whole world!! I think about my little guy who went off to first grade today and hope his teacher will know just how special he is, how sensitive he is, and how smart he is.  I know that each parent trusts me to not only teach their child, but to make sure they feel safe, loved, and respected at all times.  I like to put up reminders around my room of each child, whether it be a drawing, a picture of them, or some little token they have given me to help me remember they are still children, they are still trying to find their way. It is those little reminders that help me when I may get short of patience as we all do!
So here are my little cherubs for this year- we better be feeling a whole lot of love in the room- with 32 we are going to be quite cozy!!

It's all beginning to come together now!!

So I have spent the past two days completely immersed in my room and getting it all ready.  Looking at the pictures now it doesn't look like I did anything... I swear I did!!! Be warned this is a looonnnggg post and kinda picture heavy!! I wish I was 100% done so I could post all the cutesy pics I see my fellow teacher bloggers do- but alas I was not that patient- let's be real!

The room I inherited also came with a million and one books- SCORE!  I also brought along a few hundred of my own- so now came the daunting task of merging two libraries and re-organizing them so that I can find what I need and the kids can access the books they need efficiently.

I didn't take many before pictures- because honestly I unpacked all my boxes in June when I moved over from my other building.  I unpacked, but then I just said heck with it I'll finish in August.  Well...I was starting to get anxiety about how it was all going to come together and when I'd get in there and on and on!!! Grrr ::insert hair pulling:: So I enlisted the help of my visiting cousin and my oldest man and we went to town.

 Poor Jenna had no clue what I was going to make her do- she had the lucky job of using the cricut and some contact paper to post our IB attitudes. These must be posted in the classroom all year.  I will spend most of launch and then, on-going throughout the year teaching, modeling and reinforcing these attitudes and behaviors.
The contact paper was $2.50 at Lowes and worked awesome!! I set the cricut to level 2 and just cut away. It was a little tedious removing the scrap paper from the sticky cutting board- but way worth the money it saved!!

And, my oldest son, Jack helping me put away some books. He loves to help me in my room!! He is already asking when we can go back. Love that kid!!

Ah- I love Alice in Wonderland!! I love this print and I love that the first thing you see when you walk in my room is no longer a huge, daunting wall of books.  

My cousin and I grunted, and shoved, and pushed and worked our tail off moving these bookcases in a more cozy nook formation.  I like that it gives it a more smaller feel.  I still have ways to go in terms of arranging the book boxes to all match by topic or genre depending on F or NF. But, it was a great start!! Those poms are much happier now too! 

My desk/table is to the right in the picture above. Perfectly positioned to see in the library and the table behind when I'm working one-on-one with another student. With 30 children this year- I have to be on my game! 

 View from the back. .  I put all of my chapter books up here- as you can see from the previous pictures there was no way I could fit them all on the shelves in the back.I am starting on my library labels tonight   I had got a set of TPT, but after looking at it more it was too babyish for 4th graders so off I go to recreate the wheel so to speak.  I was able to clean out a few boxes of books to give to another new teacher.  They weren't quite appropriate level wise for my 4th graders- but I think they will be perfect in her room.. and I have more shelf space!!

 See!!?? Cool huh?  They may not be perfectly straight, but I love it and Jenna worked so hard on putting them up there! She was very adamant that confidence go above the door- so the kids would always see that one word before they left.  Perfect.

 My writing station.  I saw the idea on Pinterest from Mrs. Tustall's room (who by the way has a ridiculously cute and decorated room, she must spend a fortune). Sorry kids Mrs. E is that not rich- remember I have three children of my own- yikes!! Someday...I will have a super cozy classroom like that one... someday.
I will have paper and scrap paper, and all their writing materials, if they need more, they can come on back and borrow what they need.  I don't want my writers up running to their lockers or rummaging in their drawers looking for supplies- I want them to write.  No one likes to get going on a good idea and then BAM your pencil breaks and you spend 5 min. looking for a new one only to lose your idea.  No way!! Well- problem solved.

 Each table has a tub as pictured above. I had done in the past that each kid had a drawer and they kept all their stuff in it, but I am hoping this will speed things up and keep them more organized since it is a their table and each drawer is assigned specific material. ::Fingers crossed::

 The Alice in Wonderland card bunting from Etsy. I may have to print off some more- I'd like it to be a bit longer.

And...I glued some upside down- oops!

Another item that must be posted in our rooms at all times is our IB Learner Attributes. I decided to find literary characters that portrayed each of these attributes. I got stumped on Communicator- so I went with Nelson Mandela- if he isn't a great example of a communicator then who is??!!

My lovely math cart. This houses our math materials, obviously.  The rolling cart next to it is where I keep our math games once they've been introduced. If they have independent time in math they can grab a game- some even like to play them at recess!  The colored pencil holders are my favorite!! I first saw them in my son's Montessori room and new I had to have them- so I searched and found them at Allison's Montessori! Score.

Well that's it for now!! I will be posting more pics later of my library as it progresses and becomes a thing of beauty, as well as what I have in store for Back to School night.

A little decorating!!

Now is the time that I am starting to get thinking about my classroom.  I have seen so many cute themes and ideas out there- that I thought hey why not. New building, new classroom, why not try something new. I wanted to go all Alice in Wonderland but then I thought maybe a room that shows off my favorite books would be cool too.  Then it comes in to color scheme?? Ah it is not so easy to pull a room together.
Here is what I am starting with... I found some cool things on Etsy for the Alice in Wonderland theme.

I got these for above the window

and this cool print

and then there was this jem I snagged up

and finally these to hang either above the library or some other cozy nook  I ordered sapphire, dandelion, and scarlet.

So after all this I am guessing that my color scheme will be red, yellows, and blues.  We'll see how it goes- the walls are a deeper blue and the bulletin boards are an orange color.  

Another awesome score were these at Lowes- free and that is my favorite type of decor.  Paint samples can be quite useful.  I will use these as locker tags and also on their plastic storage units for their supplies.  It's not a great picture I was just so excited to get them I snapped in a hurry.   You'll see them in the future once I get them in their proper place.  

As for the hugest undertaking I have purchased these library labels online. I don't really know why I did, I could have made them and after looking at them I will have to make more anyway- but I am so overwhelmed by the books that I accrued.  No joke I went from probably 400 books to pry almost 2000.  That is A LOT of books.  It takes up a whole wall in my room- I will be taking a couple days to sort through them and see if I can do some arranging to create a more inviting reading area. I will be sure to post some pictures as I do.  

A Little Summer Reading

Now people may think that during the summer us teachers just relax by the pool, sleep late, and just enjoy the dog days of summer.  Let me tell you, for most, that is not the case!  Like many teachers I spend a great deal of summer break trying to get ahead of my professional reading that I haven't gotten to during the school year.  This summer is no exception.

I just finished my first professional book of summer about problem-based inquiry.  It was a fantastic read that helped me to better understand the theory behind the method.  I left knowing more about how to begin the implementation of it in my classroom.  Moving to an International Baccelaurete school where the focus is on units of inquiry into who we are I can see this being one of the best read books of the summer. 

In April I  was lucky enough to get to go to the NSTA National Conference in San Antonio. I attended several sessions about bringing inquiry into the science classroom. What I liked about Problem-Based Learning is that it is a methodology that can be brought into any subject area.  The book discusses how to start your kids off with some teacher directed inquiry and as the year and maturity of kids progresses to more toward student-centered inquiry.  If you haven't read it and are wanting to know more about trying out Problem-Based Learning then I would highly recommend this book, great examples and easy to read.  He has another great book called Why Are School Buses Always Yellow, again about the inquiry cycle.  

Next up for independent study:  Science Formative Assessment by Page Keeley 

Next up for group book club: Notebook Connections: Strategies for Reader's Notebook by Aimee Bruckner

Day 10- Special Snack!!!

Takis, Mt.Dew, Jolly Ranchers, cookies etc.  Who knew breakfast could be so delicious!! Really though the morning bell hadn't even rung and they were busting into their snacks.  Who can blame them- I was tempted to steal a few Takis myself!  We continued our comic work as well as beginning our Poetry Anthology as we study the format of poetry as writing.

Summer Time Has Begun!!!!

Okay so the last few days were so crazy at school I can hardly remember what happened! Oh, well I do remember the kids playing dodgeball in the newly renovated gym and hitting the sprinkler head and causing the largest explosion of water ever!!! Firetrucks, TV crews, the works.  What a way to spend my last day at Edison.
Now that summer is finally in sight and my children and I sat down and created our Bucket List for this summer.  I think it is a good start.  I tried to color code it so I could quickly see my indoor and outdoor activities.  We will pry make short work of that list.  The weather here is gorgeous, 72 and sunny!!

I haven't figured out how to save word files as PDF so the fonts remain  the same.  So, Jing is the next best thing I can think of, great way to capture screen shots.

Eggs Away!!!!

Oh how I love a good old egg drop!!!  The kids had to engineer their own crate to survive falling from a two-story window.  I saw some amazing designs- like this...

It was so cool to hear the children talking about how they tried their first design at home and then after it failed had to go back and redesign it and test again! Do I hear engineers???!!! I just get so giddy about science and how they have applied the principals we've learned all year at home in their own investigations!!