ALL DIGITAL !!!

Well, we are through the first two weeks of school and I have survived our school going to 100% digital curriculum.  The system purchased a laptop for each student 4^th grade and up and a net-book for all 3^rd graders.  It has definitely been a learning experience for all of us…….teachers and students! I teach at a Title One school so most of my students do not have internet at home. My teammates and I have had to teach an all new vocabulary such as:  “file”  “save”  “save as”  “upload”  “download”  “desktop” hahahahaha.  They have really made great strides though and I’m excited about the future.

We are using Pearson Success for all the subjects and Edmodo as the platform for each class.  The kids are really getting the feel for uploading assignments through Edmodo and submitting them for grading.

I have an extensive Library on Edmodo if anyone is using this and would like to join the 4th Grade Teachers group the number is mb8psk  If you join this you will have access to the library.

As I learn and grow on the ALL DIGITAL HIGHWAY Ill share the ride with all of you, and I’m sure you will share with me.

Not everything is digital!

The Reading Nook is a success!

 A little help from my friend....

My Classroom for 2012-2013

Well, I finished fixing up the classroom for this year.  I took several ideas I found on blogs and Pinterest.  I’m sure you may recognize some of them.  I am really looking forward to this year and using the interactive math and reading journals with the foldables! 

The Reading Nook came out really nice!  Thanks to my hubby!  I was able to set up my room for 25 students (4 groupings) and 6 rotation centers.  I love for my kids to be able to leave their desk and rotate around the room. 

Here are the pictures! J

Classroom library ....all leveled out for reading levels

Group supplies so everyone can work

My door, but it isn't quite finished yet

A list of 8 things to do if students finish early to earn treats

this is where the students will keep their binders with their interactive math and reading journals with foldables

My weekly objectives. The glass can be wiped off and used over and over.

The reading nook. I worked all summer on the pillows, covers and quilt

Tired words center.  

This is the Vocabulary/Grammar center. It is on the backside of the classroom library shelves

Mayree…

Reading Journal

Fact and Opinion foldable for “Letters Home” from Reading Street 4^th grade.

Reading Journal

I’ve been working on reading journals today. Many of my students have trouble identifying the Main Idea of a story.

So here are a few journal ideas to help solidify locating the “Main Idea”

This flip book shows the students the steps they need to do, to identify the main idea. 

 This “Pocket Full of Main Ideas” Uses the story “The Great Kapok Tree”.  Students write 2 facts and 2 opinions about the story.  Remember the opinions should be the author’s opinion.

The final pocket contains the main idea in the student’s own words formed by reading the facts and opinions.

Classroom Décor

I decided to make a “Reading Nook” for my students in my classroom.  I have an old unused classroom heater under my window in the room.  The past few years I’ve used it as a really nice size shelf….but now, I want a Reading Nook.  

So….here it is sitting in my garage ready to be assembled!

The heater is about 18 inches deep and 3 foot tall.

The tall pieces of wood that I painted green and covered the tops with striped denim (to avoid splinters on the portion the kids will lean against) will be screwed into the sides of the heater.  The students will sit on the heater and lean their back against the wood.

The bench I painted and recovered is an old piano bench I found. My husband cut off about 5 inches from the legs.  Students (2 small ones) can sit on here and lean against the front of the heater and read.  Students will also use the bench to access the top of the heater. The top of the heater will hold 2 students.  Each student will lean against one of the boards. I embroidered the pillows I made.  The students will use them while in the Reading Nook

  

Teacher Interview: 1^st day of school

Make up index cards with only the answers to the questions on them.  Pass out the index cards to students.  Play “Who Has? I Have.”  Ask the class…..”Who thinks they have the card with the answer to this question: What is my favorite color?”  As each student answers, open up the conversation and discuss this part of your life.

When a student gives you the correct answer, take their card, but ask them a similar question and let them share with the class.

These are the questions I’ve decided to use.  Be sure you have a question for every student.

Gracie

1.    Name of my horse…..Gracie

2.   Name of my daughter’s horse….Lady

3.   My youngest daughter’s name….Katie

4.   What I live on….farm

5.   My house cat’s name….Lily

6.   Another profession I have…..Artist

7.   One of my favorite hobbies….quilting

8.   My favorite subject in school…..Reading

9.   My least favorite subject in school…Math

10.  The subject I think is easiest to teach…..Math

11.   The hardest subject I think it is to teach….Grammar

12.  My favorite author….Lois Lowry

13.  My favorite chapter book…The Giver

14.  My favorite picture book…The other side of the fence

15.  My favorite color….green

16.  My daughter’s and Mrs. Hereford’s favorite color…..Purple

17.  How many children have I raised? …7

18.  How many total animals do I have?   11

19.  How long have I taught 4^th grade? …..5 years

20.  What irritates me the most from students?........ Not trying

21.  Do we have homework on the weekends?  ……No.

22.  How much homework do we have?..... Depends on how you do in class

23.  What is the most important award in my classroom? …..Citizenship!

24.  What is my favorite food?.....  chocolate

Math Journal

I Love this journal page!  The clip art is PERFECT!!!

   

Mayree…