Poetry on the Pavement

Recently, we brought our poetry to life along the sidewalks in front of our school. Our "walk of art" became a place for folks to roam and read. 

Students wrote both original works and poems selected from their favorite authors. Throughout the day, other classrooms, teachers, students and community members were able to walk and read the pavement. 

This was such a hit, I highly recommend trying this out with your own students. 

Poetry in Room 209

We're studying poetry. I LOVE using Jack Prelutsky's book, Pizza, Pigs and Poetry while teaching this genre of literature. It is the perfect How To book for 5th graders. Jack's anecdotal stories are not only hilarious, but his writing tips are real and kid friendly. 

Here is Reed's rhyme poem.

The Musician's Hitch

The Musician’s first exhibition,

Had quite a beautiful rendition,

His music was rich,

He was quite on pitch,

And he got lot’s of applause at intermission,

Next came the encore addition,

With good musicians it was tradition,

His back itched,

and suddenly it twitched,

and the musician suddenly slipped!

He was sent out of commission,

and the crowd went into inquisition,

The musician’s back was stitched,

And he was into a hitch,

In dreadful imposition,

The musician had malnutrition,

Gone went his musical mission,

but though in a ditch,

back bent like a witch,

He was not going into demolition,

He started on a new composition,

And he entered a musical competition,

And suddenly he had switched,

his life had enriched,

Gone was his awful suspicion.

Teacher Tip

Welcome to Friday! 

I have purchased self-inking stamps before, but fell in love with Vista Print. They have great sales and a lot of BOGO deals. You can design a stamp to say anything you want. This is one of my favorites. 

Put the stamp next to where students turn in their homework and they are to stamp it before turning it in. Or, pass it around the class room during correcting time and have students circle the grade. 

A great time saver! Totally worth the few $$ spent. 

Testing Trumping Instruction???

Jeff and I have spent a great deal of time talking about where we find ourselves in education as of late.

Often, I'm brought back to 20 plus years ago when I first stepped into my classroom. I was so eager and filled with complete joy to begin my life as a career educator. It was finally my time to use all the methods of engagement that I only got to "try" out on students during practicums and student teaching. Now, I would have my own class full of 24 students to teach, inspire and love.

Thinking back to those early days, I remember getting curriculum in my hand and artistically crafting lessons that would engage my students in the learning process. I'd toil over my educational manuals and my stacks of books by companies/publishers like Frank Schafer, Good Apple, Mailbox, Instructor, Project Learning Tree, Foss Kits, etc. I'd read voraciously through new chapter books to find that perfect Read Aloud for my 4th grade class. Spending hours at the local bookstores digging through picture books to teach mini-lessons across the curriculum would literally fill my bucket. My sister and I would pick out yards of fabric to display interactive bulletin boards and encouraging posters and displays of student work. There was never enough time to plan anticipatory set (the hook of the lesson - Madeline Hunter theory) to grab my students attention at the onset of a lesson. Knowing how all kids learn differently, I'd look for songs, drama, games, art and yes, FUN ways students could demonstrate learning. The process was an art. The process was creative. The process was fulfilling.

Sadly, school has changed. It's can be a challenge to continue that strong motivation while teaching in the "high stakes" environment. I cringe at some of the current words/jargon in education. Rigor, data, NAEP scores, teacher effectiveness, academic standards, performance assessments, benchmarks, probes and process evaluations - all make my head spin.

No teacher ever walks into school in September saying, "I think I'll leave a few kids behind this year," or "I'd really like to work on having a non-rigorous curriculum." Educators are NOT slackers. We think, we are reflective and we genuinely have a LOVE children. We believe in igniting fires for learning. We want students to want to pick up a book, just due to interest. We believe all children have a capacity to learn and that all children can achieve.

The constant backlash of educators is a direct hit not only at me as a career educator, but also at my students. I challenge any politician to walk into a 5th grade classroom and answer the questions and do the work of a 21st Century 5th grader. Could they compare and contrast the diversity and interdependence among the spheres of the Earth - could they even name them? Could they sit and write a coherent 5 paragraph persuasive essay influencing their community to have a safe haven for children to go - without being enticed with corporate money or sponsor kickbacks? Could they solve the double pan balance problems and explain their thinking and reasoning in writing, clearly defining each mental step of the mathematical process? Could they cite evidence as to what the greatest impacts were of Sherman's March to the Sea and how it still has an impact on the South in 2014? Or how about researching using the Google Research Tool on Google Docs using the Cornell note taking process, then turning your evidence into a first person narrative using the 6 + 1 Traits of Writing?

I refuse to give in to the new paradigm. Children are children. They are more than a test score. Not all progress can be measured. We are messing with the human factor. Growth ebbs and flows. I want my students to know I recognize ALL their learning not just that which is quantifiable.

Stepping down from my soapbox!
Lynn

Blabber Mouth Pics

In moving ahead in our Civil War research I have some photos to share. I'm always so impressed with the creative efforts of my fifth graders. This is such a great way to incorporate so many skills. We researched, took notes, then wrote up our Blabber Mouths in 1st person narrative format. Now our Civil War folks have come back to life to tell their story from their side of the battlefield. 

Cornell Notes

Note taking with 5th graders can be a cumbersome task. The use of Google Docs has literally transformed the writing in my classroom in so many ways, one of my favorites being the ability to take notes directly in Google Docs while using the research tool. 

Cornell Note Taking is an excellent method of collecting information. It is streamlined, allows for students to remain organized and provides prompts of specific details for the students to take notes on. This is a two column note taking system. The summary portion at the bottom is great for having students summarize the main ideas from their notes. 

We're currently working on a Civil War Biography project. I'll share the steps throughout the next few days so you can follow our progress. Today we began with researching various Civil War people using the following website from PBS. Each student followed the link on our website and needed to read the short blurbs regarding each character. This afternoon after reading all the information students will choose one person who they will investigate further. 

I've already shared the Note Taking guide with the class using Google Docs. We reviewed the topic areas for specific note taking and tomorrow we will use Chrome Books to research our selected character. 

Civil War Short Biographies


Civil War Biography Note Taking Guide

Teach Like a Pirate!

Need something to rekindle your passion and motivation in the classroom? Need some reminders as to why you chose education as your life's work?  Need some inspiration to get through the rest of the school year? Read Teach Like a Pirate by, Dave Burgess.

I had the opportunity to be part of a Skype audience at a recent Edcamp where Dave Burgess was the guest of honor.  Dave's message is not filled with rhetoric or theory or educational fluff. His words breathe life into our lessons as he reminds us how we are THE catalyst for lighting the creative torch. We have the power to make our students WANT to come to school. The enthusiasm Dave shares will aid you in creating that classroom where kids are wanting to break down the door to get a piece of what you have to offer. Teach Like a Pirate is not a book of new ideas, but rather a reminder and affirmation of how important student engagement is in the learning process. 

In our high stakes world of teaching, with so much on our plate we need something like this to remind us who we are here for - the students. Don't walk away from the text feeling like you have to be "outrageous," "wacky," or put on a "horse and pony show" everyday. Use the ideas to meet your style of teaching and engagement. Use the book as a means of reigniting your passion as a teacher.  Read the book to be inspired!

 

White Boards/Write Boards

Need a spot to write while working in a small guided group? Need a spot to share notes with students when working side by side? There is no need to purchase the paint that turns any surface into a white board or even a fancy easel. Use your table top with dry erase markers. Have a container of wet - wipes or even a bottle of nice smelling hand sanitizer available for clean up. The dry erase marker comes off with a few simple wipes by those special children who love to help out in the classroom. 

Use the table top as your interactive white board surface while working in small guided groups. 

...and we're off to our first adventures in blogging.

Two Teach has officially launched.

We (Jeff and Lynn) have talked about this for a long time. We are Two Teachers - with 40 years experience between us. Fifth grade is our passion and the place where we feel the most at home. Our goal is to not only share our ideas, but also our enthusiasm and love for teaching.

To us, the "trenches" is where it is really at. In the trenches you get your hands dirty, the teaching can be messy and the learning exponential and FUN!

As this evolves, check in often for updates, tips, tricks and stories from the classroom. 

Welcome to Two Teach!

Jeff and Lynn