Sunday, November 29, 2015

Holiday Product for Payday!


It's that time again. Each month, those of us at Focused on Fifth share a product just in time for payday. This month it is also just in time for the TpT sale. On Monday and Tuesday my entire store will be on sale for 20% off. Use the code SMILE at check out and get an additional 10% off.

This month I am featuring my Holiday Numerical Expressions Task Cards. I just gave this product of little facelift. I am so happy with how it came out.

Student match the words with the corresponding numerical expression. An answer key is provided so students can self correct. There is also a record sheet to use in a center.
The cards can also be used as a memory game if you choose.
The set comes in black and white for easy printing.
Interested in purchasing this activity? You can find it here.
What's on your wish list? What have you been waiting to purchase? Can't decide, hop on over to Focused on Fifth to see what the other bloggers are highlighting this month. I am sure you will find some great must-haves.

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Bloomz

Have you heard about Bloomz!

It's a great education app that I started using this year to stay connect with the parents in my homeroom. Are you interested in finding out more? Head over to Focused on Fifth and read about all the amazing things this app has to offer to teachers.



Monday, November 16, 2015

A Cornucopia of Teacher Tips


I am so excited for this blog hop! I am always looking for new/better ideas to make my life as a teacher easier. Check out the idea that has saved me hours.

One of the common practices of my 5th grade team as well as many others in our school is to require the students to get their graded assessments signed by a parent. This is a great idea. It insures that the student is sharing their assessments with their parents/guardians. But when you teach math to 60 - 70 students plus teach ELA to your homeroom, you are giving and returning some sort of assessment every week. I not only felt like I was always collecting signed assessments but I was constantly chasing kids down that hadn't passed back their test. I was going crazy! It felt like such a time suck. It needed to stop.

My solution - labels!

Every student is given an agenda book on the first day of school. The parents are encouraged to check them each night and some teachers require them to be signed each night or weekly.
At Open House I inform the parents that although the other 5th grade teachers require tests to be signed,  I do not. I let them know that on the day I pass back an assessment a label is put in their child's agenda stating which assessment has been passed back. I let the parents know that they should be checking their child's agenda each night or at the very least weekly.

My labels look like this.

It says: Mrs. Quinn passed back my NBT.4 assessment today. Ask me how I did.

I use these Avery labels.
This is my second year using this and it has been great. I haven't had one parent complain (hope I am not jinxing it) and it has saved me so much time! This year I even had a parent donate in a huge box of labels. Talk about a gift I can use!

Now continue the hop by heading over to Liz at the Big Kids Hall.

Monday, November 9, 2015

What Are You Reading? November


Today I am sharing an oldie by goodie. My class and I are reading Frindle.
For those of you that don't know the story, Frindle is about a boy named Nick who may or may not be a trouble maker. Nick's language arts teacher inspires him to think about "Who says a pen has to be called a pen? Why not call it a frindle? And so his best plan ever begins which starts a "war" with his teacher. 

My students love this novel. It sets off a great debate each year as to whether Nick is a trouble maker or not. The students get so committed to their view that they dive into the novel to find evidence to support their point of view.

As we finish up this novel this month I am trying something new. I am going to have my students create their own "product" to market. I got the idea from Intermediate Antics.  You can get the freebie here.

What are you reading? Head over to Focus on Fifth and link up with us. We would love to hear all about it. Also, don't forget to see what the other 5th grade teachers are reading.


Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Pick 3: November Pinterest Linky!

The holiday season is almost upon us. Are you looking for some inspiration? Check out my top 3 picks for November.


In my opinion, children always enjoy being read to no matter what their age. My students not only love when I read from our classroom read aloud chapter book they also enjoy when I read them  picture books. Below is a wonderful list of Thanksgiving picture books.
click image to view original pin

 I don't think children get nearly enough time in the day to be creative. So I love it when I can incorporate art into their writing. This is a cute activity that they can bring home and share with their families.
click image to view original pin

This one is for all the science teachers.
click image to view original pin

Do you like these pins? Check out my other boards here and get inspired!


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