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Back to School Time!

Well, it's that time of year again when the world seems bright, there is a glimmer in every teacher's eye, and parents cannot wait to send their little ones to school! Ha!

But seriously, I am anxiously awaiting my first year at a new school. I have been in and out of my new building several times over the last few weeks and I still have TONS to get done. I know I am not the only one feeling excited, so I thought I would blog some plans I have used in the past to foster teambuilding and classroom mangement during the first week of school:

Whole Group Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters RESPONSIBILITY

Mr. Peabody’s Apples CONSEQUENCES

Whole Group Miss Rumphius SETTING GOALS

Whole Group Thank You, Mr. Faulkner BULLYING Watch streamline video

Whole Group Brave Irene GRAPHIC ORGANIZER Watch streamline of Brave Irene

  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------WELCOME BAGS FOR STUDENTS

 

Book: Reading classic novels helps build your vocabulary and makes you smart beyond your years!

Medal: You are all winners in my book! Let’s work together as a team this year!

Silly Straw: There’s always a time and a place to be silly---we will have a lot of fun this year!

Sunglasses: “Your future is so bright, you’ve gotta wear shades!”

Lifesavers: I am your support in and out of the classroom and so are the other adults in the building and your classmates. Never feel weird to ask for help!

Hugs:    If your feelings were hurt, you had a bad day, not feeling so well…remember there is always a hug waiting for you!

Whistle: You have worked so hard to get to the end of elementary school—don’t “blow it” now! Keep your behavior and attitude in check and this will be your best year yet!

                                                            Love,

Mrs. Penna J

 

ECOSYSTEMS

It's been that long since my last BLOG POST?!? Wow!

I have been super busy these days, but I promise a LOT has been going on in my 5th grade class~

Not much to show, picture-wise, but I played on something I saw on Pinterest to motivate my kids to do their very best on Tuesday's READING MAP Test! However, unlike the wonderful early-childhood teachers who used fabulous colored paper and cool fonts--I a m OUT of ink and the only supplies I have at home are good-old-fashioned index cards and a Blue Sharpie! Eh! it's works!!!

 



Our 100th Day of School etc....

100th Day of School treat for each kid in my class!

Thank you Pinterest!!!!

HAPPY

100th Day of School!

Mrs. Penna thinks you are worth....

 

My tri-fold board for our school's 1st Multicultural Festival!
I lived there in the summer of 1999..time flies!

My whiteboard BEFORE

My Whiteboard AFTER

COLD WAR ERA Social Studies Bulletin Board

BOOK TALK GROUPS--Lexiled groups and reading along questions

ELA Common Core: workstation

I have been busy all night (yes, my Saturday night) on the computer creating this ELA workstation for my students.  What did I use? Why, the Crosswalk Coach for the CCSS of course!  I am hoping this will clear up a few questions and problems my students come across on their MAP test and Compass Odyssey lessons. Also, in our ImagineIt units, we are supposed to be constantly exposing the researching-thing all year!

I plan to create matching games with the definitions and examples as well as have students work in their Literary groups to practice PASS-like questions. It's nothing SUPER-FANCY, but it's crunch time for me---PASS Writing is in MARCH!!!!!


(If anyone is interested, please leave a comment below with your EMAIL address!)

Class Dojo REWARD IDEAS

So, many people were excited about my post on the Dojo, but they still had questions.

This is how I use it throughout the day:

1. I log into Class Dojo every morning.
2. Whenever a child comes in, they are able to see my morning message as well as their running weekly total. I believe this gives them a chance to either fix their behavior that day, or keep on keepin' on!
3. During class, I simply MINIMIZE the screen and/or Create a New Tab on the internet if something in my presentation uses it.

Studyisland.com

 

The Study Island Common Core Benchmarking Program gives teachers a snapshot of student proficiencies in relation to the Common Core State Standards. At any time, teachers can assess student progress and pinpoint areas in which students are excelling or need extra practice.

 

Study Island Prices by Location

 

I love this site! It was worth the money out of my own pocket! I can use it for small group instruction, morning work, and independent reading stations!

CCSS Math Practice Standards

After our Everyday math Coach visited, she left us with the CCSS practice standards. I created these labbels that I have placed next to my SMARTboard. I have been placing asterisks next to the standards we use for each EDM lesson.