Swimming into Summer Giveaway

This is one of the bet giveaways of the summer!  It's not just a giveaway where only one or two people get something-- every single person will receive the items!!!!!  We wanted a fun and different way to thank our followers.  So here it is!

You can receive ALL of this!

To receive the Swimming into Summer items, all you need to do is follow ALL of our blogs and come back and fill out our form.  That's it!  You can enter now through Sunday, June 9th.  We'll start sending them out on Monday, June 10th.  You can go to each blog, by clicking on each button below.

Remember, all you need to do to get all of these is just follow each blog and enter using this form.  Even if you're already out of school, you can use these next year! :)
Hurry up though! The giveaway will only run through Sunday, June  9th. So sign up now and we will begin sending out the products next Monday!

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Reading Without Limits Book Study--Week 1

Hi, everyone!  Thanks for stopping by to participate in this GREAT book study!  Today's post is going to start with an introduction and some housekeeping.  First, I want to let you know that I have ADDED a new title to the blog and we are now officially Charts 'N' Chit Chat.  We have a new address on the web:  http://www.chartsnchitchat.com and a new website on Pinterest:  http://www.pinterest.com/chartsnchitchat.

Here is the schedule we are going to be following.  You will see that today that we are just getting started and we are going to become familiar with some outside resources that may assist us with the book study.  But first, here is our schedule:

                                    Feel Free to Pin This!


If you haven't purchased the book you can find it at Amazon!  Just click on the link below and you can go straight to the book to purchase it.

Just click here to purchase!

OUR FIRST QUESTION

WHAT WILL I GAIN FROM TAKING PART IN THIS BOOK STUDY?

First of all, you will gain some resources (those are call freebies in a blogger's world!!!), lots of knowledge, a large base of 'internet friends' that have the same struggles as you, and tools for your reading toolbox!!!

QUESTIONS TO PONDER:

Here are some questions to think about and to respond to in the comments section later on:

1.  What are the limits your students face when learning to read.  How did these limits get placed on them?  What do you plan to do about these limits?

2.  Who is Maddie Witter and why did she write this book?

3.  Go to this WONDERFUL BLOG and explore.  Tell us about it!

4.  Did you know that there is a website for the book with resources?  Tell us about it!

5.  Did you know that there is a Facebook page just about the book?  Go like it! What is being said on the FB page?

6.  In the preface of the book, we learn the purpose of the book.  What is the purpose of the book?

7.  What do you think of the terms 'mild, medium, and spicy'?  How are they used?

8.  In the preface, we learn what we need to do to help struggling readers.  Choose one to discuss.  How do you or how do you plan to make this happen in your classroom?

9.  What is the Reading Without Limits mission and how can it apply to you, your children, or your students?  Why is it important?

10.  In the introduction we learn about the components of a strong reading program.  What are they?  Which one are you struggling with?  Do you have a plan to improve it?  Can we help you come up with a plan to improve it?

11.  Take a look at the Reading Checklist for Part I.  Can you check those items off?  Do you have plan ready that will make you and your students stronger?

12.  Why was this book chosen for this summer's book study?

Here is a button for you to use on your blog if you would like to incorporate your thoughts into a post:

Thanks for dropping by...don't forget to pick a question or 2 and discuss them in the comment section!  I can't wait until next week when we really get to delve into the book even more! Also, for next week, read Chapters 1 and 2 and look for some great freebies!!!  Also, thanks to 3AM Teacher for the use of the cool orange shell background.

Classroom Library Check Out

I hear the angels in the background.  I am wanting to belt out the chorus of Handel's Hallelujah.....I am.....complete.

Every year I loose close to 30-50 books because my students find some way to sneak them out and never return them.  I beg for their return, but don't make too big of a deal for them because my hope is that they are still being read when they go home.

But now.....NOW, I have found a solution!  BookSource's Classroom Organizer.

Using an app on your phone, you scan ISBN numbers to put books into your classroom library.  You input your students names.  Then, they can use the computer to type in the ISBN number or key words of the book's title and check them out.  There is also a way to return the books.

Problem Solved:  I know how to attach lost books with a face!!!

You have GOT to go look at this.  I have used my own kids as Guinea pigs and it works!!!  I could just dance a jig!!!

The Transparent Teacher--Win It!

                      Click here to view the book on Amazon!


I received a wonderful book from the one of the largest publishers in the United     States, Jossey-Bass, to review. The book is  called The Transparent Teacher       by Dr. Trent Kaufman and Emily Graham.  The book is all about taking charge of     instruction in your own classroom and having others collect data about how you      teach.  It encourages the 'lone wolf teacher' to be brave and bring other teachers   into the classroom instead of relying  on administrators' advice. In this type of       scenario, the administrator is no longer making decisions about tenure                     independently or assigning grade level placement for the next year depending on    just those one or two snapshots of the classroom during random visitation or that   wonderful 'dog and pony show' that we have all put together before to impress our bosses. Once the data is collected, your team meets to discus  the teaching         methods and strategies used to teach the lesson that was observed. The book is set up to teach you how to direct your own observations and then choose the professional development that is best for you, rather than depend on the one size fits all approach to professional development that most school systems offer.





I found one of the quotes by one of the authors, Dr. Kaufman, interesting. He said,  "When professional learning opportunities exist outside of the teacher's own           classroom, the teacher encounters the challenge of transferring learning from a        training session to the classroom."  I hadn't really thought about that being a         challenge...but  it is...how often have we all been in training that we never used      because we were overwhelmed in the   classroom.  I think these 2 authors have a   great idea.  If this is something you would like to learn more about, just enter to     win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Next Year's Plans and This Summer's Book Study

If you look up at the top, you will notice that I have a slightly different banner, courtesy of my friend Tessa <her info is down at the bottom if you need her to tweak something for you>.  No, I'm not going through an identity crisis....I'm just switching things up and in just a few weeks you will be able to find me at a new .com address.  I'd tell you what it is now, but can't remember.  For Real!  Maybe I am having an identity crisis!!!  By the way, if you are getting a pop up that requests you to sign in and put in a passcode, just cancel it and keep on reading.  You are in no danger of being hacked.  Something is up with the html code as we change things around on here.  Never fear....Tessa is on the job!

I've already started a new Pinterest account, so if you want to start following me there, I will be grateful.  My address there is http://pinterest.com/chartsnchitchat and you can see all of the same things I had pinned under Best Practices 4 Teaching with some new organization.  I'll be working on that allllllll summer long!  If you have some specific boards that you would like to see, leave me a comment or 2 and I'll see what I can do!

I saw this cute little linky part hosted by

and decided to add in my thoughts.  So here is what I said....

And don't forget....I have a book study coming up, so you need to order your book now if you want to participate.  More details will be coming this week.  I also have LOTS of guest posters lined up for the summer to keep good info coming your way, so be sure to share all of this with your teacher friends. Here is the info.  Right now the book is on sale and they are saying that it may take an extra couple of days for delivery, so order it as soon as possible!  Just click on the pic of the book below and you can go to Amazon to purchase it!  Get ready for good incite, great ideas, and maybe a freebie or 2 here and there!


  If you click below, the link will take you straight to Amazon where you can purchase the book and be ready to rock and roll when the book study begins.  

Just click and go!

Bye for now!

Out of School !!!

Finito!

Chow!

Alveeterzane !

<phonetically spelled--I teach 2nd grade after all!!>

Areevadirtcheap!!

Adios!

School is OUT!!!!

And me, well....I am a teacher that is just getting stuck with a lot of professional development days through the summer.

But, never mind that.  It is time to celebrate!

Click here to go to shop at Teacher's Notebook!

Click here to go shop at Teachers Pay Teachers!

Enjoy your browsing time....but most importantly, enjoy your summer!

Elements of a Writing Conference

An effective writing conference can reinforce a mini-lesson or previous teaching point and always moves the student forward as a writer by teaching him/her the current piece of writing.


Research

Make sure you thoroughly look over the student's writing before making comments. Check previous conference records to see what other comments, corrections, etc. have been made.  Ask the student "What are we working on today?  What are you trying to do as a writer?  

Compliment/Give Support

Make sure you find something to complement the writer on.  You want to follow a 'know and grow' mentality.  Tell the student what he or she 'knows' <is doing well> and the student will rise to the occasion!  

Decide and Teach/Reteach

Choose one area that you would like to reinforce.  Use language like "Let me teach you something else that good writer's do..." or "I saw this in a book one time.  The author _________.  Let's see if you can do something like this."  Another way to introduce a teaching point is to say, "Today I'd like to show you how to ________ your writing."

Guided Practice

Guide the student and give support.  Do not abandon your writer!  Help the writer find a place in the writing to incorporate the new skill.  At this point, it is OK to leave the writer and let him or her work independently.

Link

Give a reminder to the student that he/she is to try this during all writer's workshops.


**This was based on the Writer's Workshop Framework that was developed at the national Reading and Writing Institute at the Teacher's College of Columbia University


Below is my Know or Grow Writer's Conference From that helps me make sure that I cover all of the parts of a good writing conference.  Feel free to click on the pic and download it for FREE!!

I also wanted to let all of my readers know that starting in June, I will be doing a book study on the book Reading Without Limits by Maddie Witter.  It is an EXCEPTIONAL book with lots of great info that can be easily implemented into the classroom!  If you click below, the link will take you straight to Amazon where you can purchase the book and be ready to rock and roll when the book study begins.

Have a great Friday!

Anchor Charts vs. Public Records

             Do you know the difference between an anchor chart and a public record?  Bring together a room full of teachers and I am sure no two will give the same answer.  So, when my clever team mate posed the question to me I gave her my always witty southern remark of “Well duh of course I do”.  The truth is there is no set definition for what an anchor chart and public record actually is.  Educational resources vary upon criteria’s of each and it seems examples never seem to look the same.  As one gets into researching both it becomes a swirl of confusion and so overwhelming most give up the effort.  In simple but direct terms my definition for both is an anchor chart is teacher created and a public record is student created.   I decided to tackle both this year head on after a 4 day training of Best Practices in Math provided by our school system.  In order to give myself a starting point I came up with key factors each should have. 

            Anchor Charts:

·       Teacher Created

·       Students can add to one

·       Must highlight key points only

·       DON’T make is busy try to be clutter free

·       Make them student  friendly

·       Remember they are used as tools so display in an easily accessible way

Anchor charts are a great teaching tool for students and are part of the learning process.  However, they can sometimes become more of a distraction if they are busy, contain too much fluff, and cannot be used easily.  To avoid making it busy I use dark colors to address key ideas and light colors as an accent piece, this helps students differentiate between each.   Lose the fluff!  Anchor charts should only highlight key teaching points, especially in lower grades.  Provide pictures or drawings if the vocabulary is a struggle for students so that they can make connections between the word and picture.  Last, make sure the anchor charts are easily accessible.  Once an anchor chart is completed I hang it on my front board and it will stay there for the remainder of the nine week period.  At the end of nine week period I take pictures of each chart and place them in a Math Anchor Charts binder.   Inside the binder each topic is broken into dividers (i.e. Addition, Subtraction, Numbers, Money, and Clocks).  Just because you have moved onto a new topic does not mean that the old chart is not needed. 

Public Records:

·       Student Created

·       Displays students mastery of a skill

·       Try to make connections with several skills

·       Remember to teach them “how” to make one

·       Praise, Praise, Praise, and Praise their effort no matter how big or small!

Public records have become a regular for my classroom during assessments. Instead of students simply taking a test a public record gives them the opportunity to actually show mastery of the skill (And honestly they are very excited to make their own poster).  With my students public records I focused mainly on Best Practices strategies by using the four square mats/posters.  In each of the four boxes a student or students had to complete a different skill using one given problem.  The student below was given the number sentence 23 – 9 and was told to create a word problem, write the number sentence, show it in a picture, and show how to regroup.  Although she was given one problem I managed to asses her on several different skills.  Another example is using it with one given number by showing it in longs/cubes, expanded form, place value house, and odd/even.  After using them quite a bit students would expect them and ask to do them more then I required!  Ownership is by far the best attribute for a 2^nd grader to have!  Now, I by no means think that my definition, examples, or opinions are how anchor charts and public records must be done.  However a teacher wants to do them is fine as long as it is used a successful tool.  

Jennifer Brown

Jennifer Brown is my partner in crime....the 'other' part of my brain and my 2nd grade teammate.  She is currently working on her Master's degree at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.  

Mother's Day Fun and a Play

 Have you ever read this story?  A small RTI group performed it for my class today.  They did a great job and looked darling in their masks from Masketeers!

It was the best production of the year!!  The crowd went wild with excitement at the end!

We also used tissue paper <see the pile on the left> to make some quick Mother's Day gift's and flowers.  But then, we learned that our flowers could be re-styled and turned into hair accessories!  Even the boys got into it by using 'chenille stems' to create antennae and adding tissue paper to the ends.  Hillarious!!  What a day.  

Don't forget that tonight is the last night for the Teachers Appreciation Sale at Teachers Pay Teachers!

Just click here to head to my store!

Teacher Appreciation Sale May 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th

Well...It is that time of year again....Feel free to go visit my store and shop til your fingers can't poke those keys anymore!!!  Think ahead....grab that curriculum map out and see what you need to make next year better, and shop SMART!!!

You can go through the linky below that has links to the stores of Teacher's Pay Teacher's top sellers!  The links will take you right to their stores, too!  Enjoy your time browsing!!!