Mystery Blog Hop

Get your smart phones out and start scanning! Go on a hunt for informative posts and freebies.

I love this linky that Christi started! So, in honor of QR codes I am including some websites to help with its implementation in the classroom. 

Live Binder -  almost your one-stop shop for QR resources. There are about a dozen resources here!

Duke Center for Instructional Technology - video and more examples

QR Treasure Hunt - generate your own treasure hunt with this step-by-step guide

Link up and share!

P.S. Don't worry if you don't have the app to read QR codes. Simply click on the QR codes to view.

What Happened To My Blog?

Today was the first day of a 2 week Math training that I am attending to learn about the Common Core standards. So, I am exhausted - not used to getting up before 9am :)

I am too excited about my news and had to get on and quickly post about it.

The blog make-over is done!!!!!

A million thanks to Christi for designing my blog!! She has many more ideas and can customize your design. Check her out.

Award

Thank you, Ms. Julie, for awarding me the One Lovely Blog Award. Ms. Julie is the author of Southern Teacher WBT.

Once you receive the award, you have to pass it on to others! Here are the 3 rules to follow:
1. Follow the person who gave you the award.
2. Link back to the person who gave you the award.
3. Pass the award on to 15 new bloggers.

Now it is my turn to pass on this recognition. Don't forgot to visit these blogs and explore their posts!

Mrs. Bartel's School Family

Teaching, Dreaming, Learning

Third Grade Adventures

Learning With Laughter

2 Blogs, A Giveaway and Taglines

I must thank Michelle at Making It As A Middle School Teacher. It was at her blog that I was introduced to these new AMAZING blogs.

A few weeks ago We Read, We Blog, We Teach was created specifically for teacher book studies. What a fantastic idea!!!! Nothing better than at-home professional development where you get to discuss and share ideas with teachers all over the world! These creative educators also share freebies that they create. The first book study begins today. Well, actually it is 2 books: The Daily 5 and The Cafe by The Sisters. Click on the picture to join. I know you won't be disappointed.

The second blog that I am grateful to follow is Technology Tailgate. This is the place to learn about integrating technology. They have already posted about Glogster, Dropbox, Voice Thread, and so much more.

While you are reading and learning about technology, make sure to enter their giveaway for a $25 Starbucks gift card. 

**Confession time: I am a Starbucks addict and want to win! So why am I sharing this giveaway, allowing others the chance to take this away from me? Because I could not keep this blog to myself. I have a Master's in Educational Technology and have a firm belief that the implementation of technology in the classroom is crucial.

Now on to taglines. I am in the process of updating my blog to match our school's theme. This year's theme is "One Band, One School, One Sound." It's all about being on the same team, playing different instruments {different teaching styles}, with the common goal of producing one sound {raising student achievement}. My new blog title will be "One Class, One Sound." I want my class to have a sense of unity in that we are all in this together - I've been singing that song from High School Musical all day. We will celebrate successes and offer help when we are not successful. I would like my tagline to reflect this philosophy. So far, I have come up with "Where We Learn In The Key Of Unity." As you can see I am trying to tie music with unity.

I would LOVE to hear other suggestions! 

Top 10 Linky Party

Heather at Teaching My 3 is hosting a Linky Party to list your top 10. It could be your 10 favorite school supplies. Or, your 10 favorite tech tools. I have chosen to list my top 10 websites. It was difficult narrowing it down to 10, but I did.

My Top 10 All-Time Favorite Websites

1.  Pinterest - Great place to find creative teaching ideas

2.  Twitter - Collaborate and connect with educators 

{don't forget to join daily chats - Cybrary Man has created a calendar}  

3.  North Carolina Common Core Support Tools - We are getting our feet wet this upcoming school year and this website unpacks the standards -- YES!!!

4.  Facebook - Addicted!!!

5.  On The Road To Success - My blog. Keep checking because it is about to get a make-over...

SO EXCITED!!!

6.  Khan Academy - Videos correlated to Common Core -- SCORE!!

{Beware: videos are streamed with You Tube and may not play if your school blocks website}

7.  Show Me - Another website that has videos on any subject.

{You Tube blocked school friendly}

8.  You Convert It - Video converter

9.  Grant Wrangler - Find grants for library, STEM, technology, and much more  

10.  Classroom Freebies - They do all the looking and all I have to do is scan their site :)

I hope you find these websites useful. Click on any website title to gain access. 

Thanks for visiting and make sure to link up.

Guided Math Chapter 5

Teachers spend more time planning for whole group instruction than for small group instruction. Yes, I fit into that statement. The ideas presented in this chapter will help me plan effectively.

In the past, I gave a pretest at the beginning of the year and created groups using results. The same students would stay in that group for almost half a year. Then, I would move some students around because personality clashes occurred. That was me being lazy -- "Ugh, do I really have to make another test and use more copies?" 

I'm glad this component has been addressed. I don't always have to give pretests to create groups. Observations of student work, simple math conversations, and performance tasks are options I now have to form small groups.

So, how do I plan for small groups?

• Identify the big idea of the unit of study
• Decide what the criteria of success will be in mastering the standards
• Form groups based on formal and informal assessments
• Select teaching points
• Prepare differentiated lessons
• Gather and organize materials

Ok, ready to go....now what?

• Introduce lesson - this must be brief. Teachers can demonstrate how to use manipulatives, discuss vocabulary, connect concept to their own lives, or reflect on concepts already learned
• Present task
• Encourage use of multiple strategies - WOW! This was an eye-opener! Word problems appear at the end f a worksheet and students just plug in whatever procedure was used for the rest of the page. No real problem solving has occurred with this word problem. I need to release control and allow the students to choose their own strategy. 
• Scaffold learning
• Mathematical discourse - reflect on what they are doing and communicate it to others. 
• Feedback

I hope you are enjoying this book as much as I am! 

Love to hear your thoughts.

Time To Party

Hello and welcome to my blog! My name is Patti and I am from Louisiana. I currently teach 4th grade Math, Science, and Social Studies.

During the school year, I use my blog as a communication tool for parents. They can see what their children are learning and stay current on school events. I also post videos/games for the students to use. Starting this summer, I have made the decision to not let it sit unused. I have been using the blog to link up with other bloggers and gain valuable information. 

I would love to have more blogger friends so make sure to follow my blog.

I've recently created a Facebook page so "Like" that as well to be automatically alerted to new posts.

My speciality is technology. For a freebie, I have made all my board games free. They were $3.00. I use these games during centers on the Promethean board. Check out my Teachers Pay Teachers store to download these fun games! If you like those check back because I will be posting more soon. They will be available to download for free until midnight tonight. Get them quick!

Thanks for stopping by!