We’re wrapping up our spider unit and marching right on into monsters next week. This unit is a fun little break from the heavy nonfiction reading we’ve been doing in September and October, but it’s still packed with learning. Here’s a snapshot of some of my favorite parts: The premise is a lot like my…
It’s no secret that I love writing workshop. It’s always been my favorite subject to teach (although I adore reading workshop too). There’s just something about watching my students turn into published authors that gives me goosebumps. I love to see where their imaginations take them as their stories unfold. I start each year with…
We’re working our way through my solar system unit as we march toward the end of the year. I save it for last each year because it keeps the students so engaged. I always learn something new too. It’s totally a win-win in those last crazy days {assessment overload, anyone?}. With just one week left…
The end of the year is such an exciting time. I’m so proud of my students and the growth they’ve made. I’ve come to love them each for the unique things they bring to our classroom… and I‘m so ready for sleeping in and sunny days at the beach! The end of the year reminds…
Last week I featured an app that was all about the freebies, so this week I feel less guilty about sharing a paid app {plus it’s one of my favorites!}. Book Creator is my favorite book-creating app because it’s perfect for publishing your students’ stories. There are a lot of writing apps out there, but…
My students write autobiographies in writing workshop each March as part of a larger unit of study in reading workshop of biographies and historical fiction. I look forward to this project every year and love the home/school connection as students talk with their families about their memories and baby story. Our autobiography unit is slightly…
It’s time for my next app of the week! This one has a lite {free} version and a paid full version. It’s… Math Ninja! While there are ninjas involved, they only fight robots in order to protect a treasure from an evil tomato. The ninja shoots pellets at the robots to keep them from reaching…
You know that ugly word I was avoiding earlier this month? You know, those things that take over our curriculum each spring? The very big state t-e-s-t-s. Yuck! Well, we‘re less than a month out from the applied skills section which means writing, writing, writing is on our minds. I really don’t like to “teach…
I haven’t blogged in a week, but I promise you it wasn’t because I was off playing. I’ve been working hard on my spider unit, designing blogs, and keeping up with our classroom too. My husband and I managed to slip off to the pumpkin patch this weekend for a bit so it hasn’t been…