Pick 3: July Pinterest Linky

It's that time again! I am thrilled to be joining PAWSitively Teaching  and and Inspired Owl's Corner for their Pick 3 Linky.

It feel amazing to FINALLY be on summer vacation. It is day 4 for me. It was a LONG winter to say the least. I am ready to jump into summer mode and start doing all those things us teachers put on our "I'll do that in the summer" list.

Every year my parents host a 4th of July party and every year my mom comments on the cute 4th of July t-shirts I get for my children. She always says that she wishes they made them in adult sizes. Well, this year my children and I will be making her one of these. 

click photo to go to original pin

As well as adding some "fireworks" to the back like this.

click photo to go to original pin

We might just have to make these for the entire family - depending how motived we get.

The kids and I made these last 4th of July. It was a fun kids cocktail to make for Independence Day.

click photo to go to original pin

We took this idea and changed it a bit. Instead of bowling we created a ring toss game. Forming the rest of the glow sticks into rings, we placed the bottles on the stairs of our deck. The bottles on the higher steps were worth more points than the lower ones. The kids had a blast.

click photo to go to original pin

If you like these ideas, you can follow my "Summer Fun" board here.

Be sure to check out the other Pinterest ideas below.

An InLinkz Link-up

Readicide: Avoiding the Tsunami (week 3)

It's week 3 of our blog hop book study! If this is your first visit and you want to start at the beginning, my chapter 1 post is  here.

In chapter 3, Avoiding the Tsunami,  Gallagher discusses how teacher guides (ie. the step-by-step approach) for novels like To Kill A Mocking Bird are one of the leading causes of Readicide.

 As I read this chapter I immediately thought about Brandi from The Research Based Classroom.  She wrote about how her oldest daughter hated To Kill A Mockingbird. The reason she detested the novel was due to all the stopping and analyzing of the text she was being forced to take part in. It was ruining the flow of the book for her. You can read more about Brandi's daughter's experience with Readicide here.

"Students who never experience reading flow are students who will never become readers." Readicide (p.65)

My big take away from this chapter is that we need to stop breaking up novels into little piece and asking the students to analyze every single page. Getting "lost" in a book is an amazing feeling. Unfortunately students are not given the time to experience reading flow in school. 

"...philosopher Kenneth Burke, who says the reason young people should read books is that it provides them with "imaginative rehearsals" for the real world. When children read books, Burke argues, they are not just reading stories. They are being given an opportunity to understand the complex world we live in (1968)" Readicide (p. 66)

When you think back to when you read To Kill A Mockingbird, what stood out to you? What was your "take away"? I know for me I couldn't believe that such racism could exist in the world. I think back and think I must have been living in "LaLa land". Can you imagine how timely this novel is today? Have race relations improved at all? What amazing conversations this novel would produce in an ELA class if given the chance. 

Instead we are requiring students to take notes, highlight examples of figurative language, complete comprehension questions and write reflective essays. We break the book up into so many tiny pieces they are unable to identify with it anymore.

My goal for next year is to read more novels with my class. We read only three novels together this past year (and one read aloud). With those novels I am guilty of requiring my students to use sticky notes to summarize chapters, notebooks to keep track and analyze characters and worksheets to make text to self connections. Now these are all things I need to teach my students (it's part of the curriculum) but I can do it in a way that doesn't break the flow of these novels. That in itself should create more time to read!

Now hop on over to Learning to be Awesome and see what Erin has to say about chapter 3.

Then be sure to return next week when we discuss chapter 4 Finding the "Sweet Spot" of Instruction.

Readicide: Endangered Minds (week 2)

It's week 2 of our book study blog hop. If you missed week 1 you can check it out here.

I am absolutely loving Readicide by Kelly Gallagher!  In our data driven teaching world, it always amazes me when we ignore the data and continue doing things the same way. As if all of a sudden we are going to finally get the results we want. Chapter 2 is packed with research that  again and again shows one thing "students get better at reading/comprehension by READING." So why are children reading so little at school?

I don't even know were to start. There is so much I want to say about this chapter. 

            KEY POINTS: 

Students Need Authentic Reading

There is a Dearth of Interesting Reading Materials in Our Schools

Many Schools Have Removed Novels and Other Longer Works to Provide More Test Prep

Students Are Not Doing Enough Reading in School

Students Need Authentic Reading

Gallagher suggests that students should be exposed to a mixture of reading experiences. Students should experience longer challenging novels, works of nonfiction, as well as lighter recreational reading. 

In my school we are strongly encourage to use our anthology series each week that focuses on nonfiction text and excerpts from novels. Very few of the stories are of high interest to my fifth graders. I do have a few class sets of novels but it is hard to fit them in to the ELA block with all our other "requirements".

There is a Dearth of Interesting Reading Materials in Our Schools

I have been teaching fifth grade for ten years. My classroom library has grown tremendously over that time but it is still lacking. I have a lot to improve on. Our media center is in a small room and most of my students have read the majority of books on the shelves. In my own children's school, there will not be a media center/library next year. They need that room for a classroom. Media/library class will consist of a few books on a cart, wheeled into the classroom. I don't worry about my children because they  both have a bookshelf in each of their bedrooms that are packed and we go to our public library at least once a week. My concern is for those students whose only access to books happens at school. We are failing them.

Many Schools Have Removed Novels and Other Longer Works to Provide More Test Prep

Our novels haven't been removed but they are definitely collecting dust as we are encouraged to do way more test prep each year.

Students Are Not Doing Enough Reading in School

I can remember when D.E.A.R. (Drop Everything And Read) time was the "big thing" in school. Time to enjoy reading what you liked to read. Reading for the sake of reading.

This is again something that has been pushed aside to make way for more test prep.

Gallagher's connection between Olympic swimmers and reading was perfect. "An Olympic swimmer swims hundreds of thousands of laps before being judged in a medal race." "We put (students) in the "race" (in this case, high stakes reading testing) and ask them to perform well. However, there is a big problem: these students have not been the "pool" very much."

I also love how this chapter takes you step by step through ways to begin to solve this problem.

My two favorites:

Establish a book flood zone
 Don't expect students to go to the library, bring the books to the students.

This is something I started doing last year for my students. If a student gets "hooked" on a book series and I only have the first two novels, I will go to my library and check the next ones out for them. If I have two students that want to read the same book and I only have one copy, I go to the library and check out another copy.

Recognize and fight against summer reading loss.

My current 5th graders will leave on summer vacation at the end of the week with a novel in hand. I usually order 20+ copies of a novel to give it out each year. Then every year I have one or two students who look disappointed and I find out they have already read the book. This year I took a different approach. I spread out a box of 30+ books and gave each student a slip of paper. Everyone wrote down there top three choices. This way, each student not only goes home with a book they have never read, but one that they are interested in.

I am still processing all the information in chapter 2. I have a lot to think about and many changes I want to make next year. Now I just need to figure out how to do it.

What are you doing to prevent Readicide?

Hop on over to Erin's blog and check out what she thinks of chapter 2.

Check back next week when we discuss chapter 3 "Avoiding the Tsunami".

Readicide Blog Hop: The Elephant in the Room

I am very excited to be involved in the summer book study and blog hop for Readicide. For the next five weeks, those of us from Focused on Fifth will read and reflect on Kelly Gallagher's book Readicide.

First off, chapter 1, The Elephant in the Room

This first chapter really spoke to me. I have been teaching for over 20 years and I am saddened by the continued emphasis on high-stakes testing. This year I opted my own children out of our state testing. It was my way of protesting the shift from "teaching to learn" to "teaching to take/pass a test".

I love  author Anna Quindlen's quote "constant testing will no more address the problems with our education system than constantly putting an overweight person on the scale will cure obesity".

More testing is not going to cure what is wrong with education, more/better teaching will!

I am beyond thrilled that Massachusetts Teacher's Association just finished a week long mission to get the word out about the negative impact high-stakes testing has on students and teachers.

It is frustrating when your school's administration focuses on test scores. When you are strongly encouraged to use the system wide anthology to "teach" reading.  An anthology that gives the students a piece of a novel, most of the time leaving them hanging at the end. Very often not enough of the story is shared to leave the students able to identify the theme or to analyze the characters. It is frustrating to know that something is not working but to have your hands tied as to how to fix it.

Even though my district insists that we use the system wide anthology, I manage to incorporate several novels into my teaching each year. This year my students and I were involved in Global Read Aloud. We read The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer Holm and then created a virtual book club by blogging with another classroom in the US. It was a great way to get the students invested in a novel. You can check out my blog posts about GRA here and here.

What's your favorite read aloud?

Now hop on over to Erin's blog Learning to be Awesome and read her thoughts on this first chapter. 

What Works! Teacher Appreciation Linky and Giveaway!

Teaching is one of the most difficult jobs. No matter how many years you have been teaching, you are always facing new and challenging obstacles. This linky is our way of showing our appreciation to all of you. The teachers participating in this linky are sharing "secrets" from their classrooms. These are ideas/activities that work for us. We are hoping you will find them helpful in your classroom too.

Pen Pals

     Last year I had a student transfer into my homeroom from another state. His previous teacher sent him a letter a few weeks later. In the letter she asked him if our class would be interested in becoming pen pals with his "old" class. How could I refuse? 

     Well, his teacher and I had such a great time (as did the students) that we decided to continue this  year with our new classes. 

My students are beside themselves on the days that the letters arrive. They can barely contain themselves. All my students, even my reluctant writers can't wait to write back to their pen pal. 

This has been such I wonderful experience. I wish I had started this years ago. 

Just Add Dice

Anytime you can incorporate dice into a lesson, students sit up and take notice.

Pictured above is my fraction comparing game. The students use dice to create two fraction. Then they compare them.

Another way I use dice is for review. The students pair up and roll the dice. The number rolled corresponds to the question on the review sheet that they need to answer. Using dice takes "quizzing your partner" to a whole new level. 

Now for your chance to win! Below you will find not one but TWO rafflecopter giveaways. Both prize bundles are worth over $475.  The more entries you have on the rafflecopter the more chances you have to win. So enter now!

Just take a look at everything you could win...One lucky reader will win this entire prize package!!!

Prize Bundle #1 Includes

Mountain Math/Language Resource of your Choice (up to $99.95)

$100 Gift Card to Teachers Pay Teachers

$50 Amazon Gift Card

Smart Class Website Designed by Flapjack Educational Resources

Pencil Sharpener by Classroom Friendly Supplies

Year-Long Writing Prompts by Mrs. D's Corner

Mentor Sentences Unit by Jivey

Dealing with Math Homework by Teacher's Clubhouse

Your Choice of Melonheadz Graphics (up to $7.00)

Growing Bundle Purposeful Problem Solving by Pawsitively Teaching

Pop Art Coloring Page for Seasons and Holidays by Art by Jenny K

Game Pack from Flap Jack Educational Resources

PLUS....$140 Gift Box of Fabulous Teacher Supplies sent to you from Amazon

We aren't finished yet....take a look at everything a second lucky winner will win!!!

Prize Bundle #2 Includes

Mountain Math/Language Resource of your Choice (up to $99.95)

$100 Gift Card to Teachers Pay Teachers

$50 Amazon Gift Card

Smart Class Website Designed by Flapjack Educational Resources

Pencil Sharpener by Classroom Friendly Supplies

Year-Long Writing Prompts by Mrs. D's Corner

Mentor Sentences Unit by Jivey

Dealing with Math Homework by Teacher's Clubhouse

Your Choice of Melonheadz Graphics (up to $7.00)

Growing Bundle Purposeful Problem Solving by Pawsitively Teaching

Pop Art InteractiveColoring Page for Seasons and Holidays by Art by Jenny K

Mega Task Card Bundle from Flap Jack Educational Resources

PLUS....$140 Gift Box of Fabulous Teacher Supplies sent to you from Amazon

Be sure to enter both rafflecopters for a better chance at winning one of these amazing prize bundles!

Enter to Win Prize Bundle #1 Here

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Enter to Win Prize Bundle #2 Here

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You won't want to miss out on all the other great secrets being shared by successful teachers!  Be sure to check out all the other great posts below.

An InLinkz Link-up

Stop, Swap and Roll: A Product Swap

I am so excited to be joining Melissa from Jungle Learners for her Stop, Swap and Roll product swap.

I had the pleasure of teaming up with Kathleen at A+ Kids Bloggin. Kathleen is a retired Special Education teacher who loves to use materials beyond paper and pencil. Kathleen believes that when kids are handed manipulatives their enthusiasm, engagement and attention increase. Kids become active participants and that is always what teachers want to happen in their classrooms. 

 I was thrilled to choose one of Kathleen's many wonderful products. It was not any easy decision. I finally decided on her Homophones and Trivia product. 

This product has many components. After teaching the three sets of homophones included in this product I used the trivia cards as an informal assessment.  I projected the trivia cards using my document camera and had the students write down their answer choice on a piece of paper. This was a great way to gauge how well the students understood the homophones.

My students loved the trivia cards. Several mentioned how they were doing "double learning", first with reviewing homophones and second with the trivia facts.

Next we played the Homophone and Trivia Game together as a whole class. I wanted to model the game so the students would know what to do when they later used the game in small groups.

When the students play this in small groups they use the cards to cover their spots. With the entire class I had the students use bingo chips.  The students loved being able to choose the words for their game board.

The students also enjoyed playing Sort the Homophones. This was a great center activity.

We finished our homophone unit by using the included printables for homework.

I loved how many different activities where included in this product. Kathleen includes anchor charts for the three sets of homophones. These were great to hang in my classroom for a quick reference for students. There are also answer keys included so students can correct their own work when playing Sort the Homophones and Homophones and Trivia.  Kathleen definitely knows how to get students excited about learning. Her Homophones and Trivia packet is a fun way to teach homophones.

Kathleen is sharing a copy of her homophones and trivia activity with one lucky winner. Be sure to enter below for your chance to win. 
In honor of the product swap Kathleen has placed her entire store on sale and is offering this featured resource, Homophones and Trivia at the very special price of only $2.  So if you just have to have it now, head on over to her store and pick it up.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Be sure to head over to Molly and Amy's blog Two Nutty Teachers to see my Fraction Game Bundle in action. Then enter for a chance to win your own copy of my Fraction Bundle.  My TpT store will also be on sale during the swap. Everything is on sale for 20% off, even my bundles.

Don't forget to check out all the other blogs participating in the Stop, Swap and Roll. There are lots of great products to be won.

Keeping It Fun!

My students have just completed their first round of testing. We have lots more to cover before the math testing begins next month. I need to continue to move through the curriculum but at the same time these guys need a break.

We are just about finished with our fraction unit. We have added, subtracted, and multiplied fractions. All that is left is division. As a way to help the students understand that a fraction is also a division problem I used Fun Flaps from Scholastic. This particular book covers fraction and decimal concepts.

These Fun Flaps were created to reinforce changing improper fractions to mixed/whole numbers. I used them to help the students connect that a fraction is a division problem.

After all the testing, the students appreciated a more laid back math class. I enjoyed being able to continue with the curriculum while the students had fun learning.