Monday, July 20, 2015

5 Things You Need to Know When Taking Over a Class

With only five years of teaching experience I know that I still have a lot to learn about teaching. However, when it comes to taking over a class after the year has begun, that is a topic I feel I have earned the right to speak from experience.

Out of my five years teaching I have spent one of those as a building sub including teaching the first week of a kindergarten maternity leave. The year after that I took over a second grade class three weeks into the school year. The following year I took over a third grade class two weeks into the school year.

I found that the more I took over classes the easier it became, and by the end of that year in third grade I really felt that I had completely transformed that class. I guess the third time is the charm.

If you are preparing to take over a class, here are the five things you need to know:

1. Build Relationships
It is very important to build relationships with your students whether you start out with them on the first day or take over a class later in the year. The students will be more likely to get on board with any changes you are making if they know that you care and want what's best for them.

How to Do It: One way that I built relationships with students was by taking small groups into the classroom during lunch to eat with me. During these mini lunch bunches I would ask the students questions to get to know them better. Other great times to connect with students are at recess, breakfast, and dismissal. Simply taking time to get to know and follow up with students goes a long way.

2. Allow for Student Input
When taking over a class it is important to recognize that the students have been used to a certain way of doing things. That doesn't mean that you need to continue all of the same routines and procedures. However, not all of the routines and procedures may need to be changed. A great way to invest students in the classroom is to let them contribute suggestions as to what things need changed and what seems to be working fine.

How to Do It: I would hold a class meeting with the students to discuss what things are going well and what the students would like to see changed. During this meeting I also had students set expectations for me as well as expectations for each other. We called these expectations our non-negotiables.

3. Be Consistent
Once you and your students have decided on the expectations together it is important to be sure that you are following through. If you are not consistent it will be very easy for your classroom management system to fall apart.

How to Do It: While you collaborate with students on the classroom routines and procedures spend some time having students come up with the consequences for breaking procedures. You will find it easier to give out a consequence to a student that they agreed to, and the students will be more accepting of the consequence since they had some ownership in it.

4. Build Community
I know that it can be tempting to want to jump right in to the curriculum when taking over a class to either keep the momentum going or to get students back on track. However, investing time building a strong classroom community will save you many headaches down the road.

How to Do It: Classroom community can be built by designating a portion of your morning meeting time for students to greet one another, share about themselves, and role play how to effectively communicate. You can also incorporate team building games and challenges.

5. Set High Expectations

When taking over a class it is important to make it clear that things will be different from the previous teacher. Also give students clear expectations, like the non-negotiables I discussed earlier.
The students will rise to your level of expectations. If you expect them to do something they will. If you don't expect them to be able to do something they won't.

How to Do It: As you set those expectations and non-negotiables be sure to explain the why along with the what. Let students know why you have such high expectations for them. Last year I talked a lot with my students about their responsibility as leaders in the school as the second oldest grade. I was so pleased to watch them rise to the challenge throughout the year.

What do you feel is important to do at the beginning of the school or when taking over a class?


-Carly

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Monday, July 13, 2015

Wonder-ing About Which Read Aloud to Select This School Year?



It was August, two weeks into the school year. I had just found out that I was taking over the third grade class. It was a very exciting opportunity! While I was thrilled, from my interactions with this class, I knew that I had my work cut out for me.

This would not be the first time that I had taken over a class a couple weeks into the school year. In my experience I knew that in order to get this class back on track I needed to not only set firm expectations, but also build a strong sense of community.

The weekend before taking the position I set out to look for a good read-aloud to help build that classroom community. I knew that this class was very diverse and part of the diversity included a student with autism. I wanted to find a book that helped my students embrace diversity. I wanted them to begin to not only understand but appreciate the differences of their peers.

I began my search by browsing through several Pinterest suggestions. This was followed by a trip to the store for further research. As I read the back of multiple novels in the store one novel caught my attention immediately. The cover had a cartoon face of a boy with one eye. As I read the back I knew that this was the book I had been searching for.

The novel that I picked up was Wonder by RJ Palacio. It follows the story of August "Auggie" Pullman, a 10-year old living with a facial deformity. Due to his disability Auggie has been homeschooled most of his life. However, as he enters middle school his parents decide to enroll him in a private school known as Beecher Prep. The story follows Auggie's journey through this difficult transition. Each section is told from a different character's perspective, which is great for discussions about point of view.

However, my favorite part about reading this novel to my class was that it opened the door to a lot of great conversations about bullying and how to treat others with kindness. My favorite memory of reading Wonder to my kids happened on the day we finished the story. One of my students suggested that we have a class group hug. I guess I got that classroom community that I was looking for.

I would highly suggest using this story as a read-aloud in your classroom.  I used it with my third graders, but I feel that it would make a great read-aloud for older grades as well.

What are your favorite classroom read-alouds?

-Carly

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Wednesday, July 8, 2015

10 Ways to Use Shaving Cream in the Classroom

"Are we going to be using shaving cream today?"

This was a question my students asked almost daily. Shaving cream is one of the most fun teaching tools I have discovered. My students get so excited when they see me getting it out.

There are multiple uses for this relatively inexpensive magical foam. To get started all you need to do is go to your local grocery store or pharmacy and pick up a bottle of shaving cream. Make sure that you purchase a foam cream rather than gel. The foam tends to be less sticky. Below I have listed ten examples of how I have used shaving cream in my classroom.


1. Brain Breaks
Spray a small amount on students desks and let them draw or write in it.

2. Behavior Rewards
For my students on a Reflective Behavior Plan (free in my TPT store) one of the rewards that they could earn for meeting their goal was a break to play with shaving cream.

3. Calm Down
Last year I had a couple students who struggled to calm down coming back inside from recess. I would set a timer and give them a calm down break where they played with shaving cream.

4. Cleaning Desks
Shaving cream is fun method for cleaning desks. It gets students up and moving while serving a purpose.

5. Classroom Celebrations
It is fun to break out the shaving cream during celebrations or even after celebrations to clean the tables. You could even have a shaving cream fight during field day or as an end of the school year activity.

6. Spelling Practice
Have students use shaving cream rather than whiteboards to practice spelling words.

7. Quick Checks
Use shaving cream like a whiteboard for students to answer questions. Use the questions as quick checks to gauge student understanding.

8. Sight Word Practice
Have students practice writing sight words in shaving cream.

9. Vocabulary Practice
Give students a definition and have them write the vocabulary word in shaving cream.

10. During Math or Literacy Warm Up
Have students warm up before math or literacy by practicing previous concepts or key fundamentals using shaving cream. In my classroom at the start of guided reading I would have my low reading group write the letters and blends from their ABC chart in shaving cream while saying the sounds. This was a fun warm up that helped students practice their reading fundamentals.


What ways have you used shaving cream in your classroom? Let me know in the comments below.

-Carly

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Sunday, June 28, 2015

How to Involve Students in Data Tracking

"Because you know I'm all about that data, 'bout that data..."

If you are a teacher or administrator odds are that you spend a considerable amount of time during the school year collecting, analyzing, and utilizing student data. Although it can be a time consuming process, data is an effective practice that is beneficial to use to drive classroom instruction.

Data has not only become a standard component of our education system, utilizing data is also recognized as a best practice.

So then, "If student data is so important why is everyone except students involved in the process?"

While students receive feedback through report cards, standardized tests, or other graded tests and assignments, theses measures are often presented to them in isolation. The students are aware of the importance of these scores, however they are usually unsure how they all connect or how they relate to their learning or their future.

So then how do we involve students in the collection and data analysis process? How do we invest students in their learning by helping them see the connections between their data and their future goals?

The solution to this oversight is The Student Data Binder.


Using The Student Data Binder students set their own measurable goals for the year as a whole along with weekly goals. Students are also able to track math fact fluency, Accelerated Reader goals and points, Fry Words, and reading level. Blank graph sheets are also included to track additional data.



The great thing about data binders is that they allow students to see the link between their scores and what they are learning in the classroom. Students are also able to use their data to set weekly goals and goals for the future.

Data binders are not only a great motivational tool for students, they are also incredibly useful around parent-teacher conference time. Using their data binders students are able to paint an accurate picture for their parents as to where they are academically. Students are also able to communicate the goals that they have set throughout the year as well as their progress toward those goals.

As teachers there are so many classroom responsibilities that are solely on you. However, collecting and analyzing data should not be one of them. Save yourself some time at the beginning of the year by teaching your students how to collect and analyze their own data. You'll be glad you did.

What investment strategies do you use to help students track their learning and set goals throughout the year?

-Carly

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Monday, June 15, 2015

The Curiosity Jar

How do nocturnal animals hunt?

What animal is the smartest?

What would happen if worms didn't decompose dead things?

These are just a few of the questions that my third graders came up with this past year. As a teacher I love it when my students are using their curiosity and asking good questions. 

However, I found myself running into two problems:

1.) I didn't seem to have enough time to throughly answer all of the excellent questions my students were asking.

2.) I found that I needed to do some more research myself before I could give my students the complete and accurate responses that they deserved.

My time-saving solution to this problem was THE CURIOSITY JAR!


Here's how it Works:

When you are in the middle of a lesson and a student has a question that you are not able to answer right away tell the student to put their question in the curiosity jar. The student will silently walk over to the curiosity jar, record their question on a slip of paper, and drop it in the jar. Meanwhile, you are free to continue on with the lesson. 

At a designated time during the week you can go through the questions in the jar with the students once you have had time to sort through them and research answers if needed. 

I have found that the curiosity jar helped me validate the questions that my students were asking while providing me with extra time to research the students' questions and save valuable lesson time. 

All you need is a jar or bowl and small slips of paper. I used an old fish bowl and halved index cards or Post-its. My students loved writing their questions in the jar, and I loved all of the time that was saved. Try the curiosity jar out in your classroom and let me know how it goes.

-Carly

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Tuesday, June 9, 2015

How to Get Students Invested in Learning Math Facts

"Do we have to do a timed test again today?" 

You hear the grumbles and the sighs as you hand out the papers to each student. While the old school drill and kill method that we grew up with can be effective, it is not usually the most motivating or engaging practice for students.

So what can we do as teachers to encourage our students' math fact fluency?

I have the solution that will turn the grumbles and sighs into smiles and cheers. And the solution to the math fact memorization blues is...

SUPERHERO MATH FACT CLIP CHARTS!



















As teachers I'm sure we are all well aware that clip charts are used as an effective classroom management tool for students to visualize their daily behavior based on where their clip is on the chart.

I have taken that same concept and turned it into a way for students to visually track their math fact progress. When students pass a multiplication or division set they clip the clothespin with their name on it to that particular table.

After implementing the clip chart system students would ask me daily, "Are we doing clip ups today?" Clip ups are our daily ritual where I announce which students are clipping up. As I call them up to the front to move their clip, there is much rejoicing as students cheer one another on!


BONUS! You get to stand on the desk as you near the top!
The clip chart method is effective, because students can work at their own pace, and they feel a sense of accomplishment as they visually track their progress. The clip chart system also builds community as students cheer and encourage each other on to the top of the chart.

All of my math fact clip charts are available here.

Try it in your own classroom, and let me know what you think.

-Carly

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Monday, June 1, 2015

Five Websites to Make Your Summer Planning More Efficient


It's that time of year again...summer time. Time to rest, relax, and of course plan for next school year. As you begin preparations for next year here are some useful websites that will be beneficial to check out.

Florida Center for Reading Research
Florida Center for Reading Research is based out of Florida State University. This website is beneficial for planning reading instruction. The goal of FCRR is to provide information about research-based practices related to literacy instruction and assessment for students in pre-K through 12th grade. One of my favorite things about the website is that it has free center activities that teachers can download.

Portland Public Schools Writing Resources
Portland Public Schools has created step-by-step lesson plans for writing based on the Lucy Caulkins units of study and aligned to the Common Core. These units for grades K-5 will save you hours of planning time.

Georgia Standards
Georgia Standards provides links to free math resources including curriculum maps, vocabulary lists, and performance task assessments for grades K-5. Also included are math activities, strategies for teaching and learning, and essential questions.

Mastery Connect
Mastery Connect gives you access to free common assessments aligned to the Common Core standards as well as other state standards. There is also a tracker option where you can upload your class list and track student progress.

Teachers Pay Teachers
Of course this list would not be complete without Teachers Pay Teachers. As you plan this summer, be sure to check out the unique products offered by other teachers on TPT.

What are your tips for planning over the summer?

-Carly


I hope you have found this blog post helpful. To stay connected with Carly and Adam's teaching tips and classroom freebies be sure to follow us on FacebookPinterestTeachers Pay Teachers, and subscribe to our blog!