Test Motivators

This year to kick off ISTEP+ testing, my principal did a "Rock the Test" assembly for grades 3-5.  She invited a teacher's husband, Matt Call and a former Mayflower Mill student turned musician, Mike Kelsey.  They played a fun, motivating hour set.   Our kids really liked it!  We have banners in the main hall that say:  Rock the Test! 

Here are other motivator's you could do in your classroom:

• a mint:  You are 'mint' to rock this test!
• a starburst:  You're a rock star! 
• a smartie:  Show how 'smart' you are as you rock the test!
• a cookie:  You are one smart cookie!

There are a lot of other ideas online.  I have the parents of my students send in a sealed letter to wish them luck.  For the students who don't bring one, I make sure and provide on.  I got the idea from ProTeacher about 5 years ago and have done it ever since. 
Here's a link:  Letter to Parents for Motivating letter

To everyone who is starting standardized testing, otherwise known as "March Madness" in the education world:  Good luck! 

Here Comes ISTEP+

Well, the time has come.  ISTEP+ testing is here (Indiana state achievement test)
This week my students will take the open-ended portion of the ISTEP+:  English/Language Arts, Math, and Social Studies.
I get nevous every year right now.  What if I haven't yet covered what's on the test?  What if my kids don't read carefully enough and write down a wrong answer?  What if....  I could go on!  I always tell my students "We're not playing the 'what-if' game.  We could do this for hours!"  Yet, undoubtedly every year, I play the same game. 
Have I prepared my students?  I think I have...but what if....

Back to Math

So, way back in September when I started this blog, I focused on small math groups and how I would operate them.  Now is time for some reflection:

• They are only as good as you are prepared.  If you don't have a GREAT, SHORT lesson, it isn't valuable.
• Only one hour for small math groups is not enough time to do it right.  My math is one hour - we start at 9:15 and go to special at 10:15.  Due to my inclusion students who leave after special, I cannot get back to math.  I have a block the last half hour, but it is really hard to get back into the math rotations groove, so I choose to do math remediation at that time.
• To be effective, you SHOULD do a minilesson before you break into small groups.  I try, but am not successful, and I think it would have a big impact on my lessons.
• Change up your groups every now and then.  I changed at semester and it has been helpful.
• Something I need to be better at is varying the rotations that aren't with me.

What I would like to do in the future:

• Utilize my smartboard more for games/activites for students to do in their group.
• Allow more choice in the centers.  (I have two independent - fact fluency and skill review)
• Have SuccessMaker be 12 minutes instead of 15 minutes.  (This is a computer program purchased by out corporation.  You can change the time, but our corp. is mandates 15 minutes.)
• Have time built in to go over previous night's homework.

Someday is not a day of the week

I keep saying that "Someday" I will get back to this blog.  Well, someday never seemed to arrive.  Then, my principal started blogging and is really encouraging me to get back at it!  So, Mindy - this is for you!

Day 1 of Math Workshop

Well, not too bad!  All but two students say they like it better than large group!  I did notice several things:  the group that did the Daily Skill Review were not working as a group as I wanted.  Also, the fluency group worked together more than I wanted.  Several groups were done before the 20 mintues was up and didn't know what to do. 
I think tomorrow I'll go over my expectations again.  Groups that finish early can get out flash cards and practice multiplication or division.

Here it is in action:

Here I am working with a small group.  They have dry erase makers and boards.  They also brought a pencil, because I had a worksheet to work on together.

Click the link to read more!

Math Groups...Oh My!

Well, it's done.  I've created my math groups, activities, and centers.  Best laid plans...  We'll see how it goes! Thanks to my partners-in-crime Alisan Clayton and Katie DeBoy - we worked together to get this up and going!

Here's what we've done:

CREATED BOARD

Totally stole this from my colleague - Alisan Clayton.  At the top are my four stations:  "Mrs. Lawson," "SuccessMaker,"  "Fact Fluency & Games," and "Daily Skill Review."  The students are placed in four groups.  Keep your fingers crossed that these groups get along!




Click to see more of what Math Workshop looks like!

I want to do CAFE - now what?

My biggest struggle when I decided to do CAFE two years ago was where to start!  I do a great job teaching the framework of Daily 5, but  how do I start CAFE?
I spend over a week teaching and practicing Daily 5. When I felt they could go 15-20 minutes so I could conference with students - I started pulling students.

Here is what I've done this year and I've been very pleased: