I currently teach third grade and we use Houghton Mifflin- supposedly with "fidelty". That said, we are supposed to be tiering our stations and I am really not sure what this is supposed to look like. We have been reamed by the AP because our benchmarks scores don't match our report card grades. Now I am supposed to be tiering all the stations- but then she isn't going to like the grades again, because some students will have modified assignments.
On 12/13/07, Rosie wrote: > I currently teach third grade and we use Houghton Mifflin- > supposedly with "fidelty". That said, we are supposed to > be tiering our stations and I am really not sure what this > is supposed to look like. We have been reamed by the AP > because our benchmarks scores don't match our report card > grades. Now I am supposed to be tiering all the stations- > but then she isn't going to like the grades again, because > some students will have modified assignments.
I am a third grade teacher also, we use Houghton Mifflin. If you mean by making your centers for grade level work then you need to have your AP come in your room and model the centers for you. Making the centers fit Intensive, Strategic and Bendchmark is very hard to do. I make my centers with a Benchmark leader and an intensive student in each center then disperse the other students to equal the ability of the student. We even had the state coordinator come and share this concept with us. But what I learned was to have someone to model the centers for me. I use my small group to teach intensive students 3 times a week for 15 minutes and strategic students twice a week. I hope I am not out of line but Benchmark scores will not match report cards. Good luck!
On 1/09/08, Amy wrote: > I also need some penpals: a 1st grade girl and a 4th > grade boy; thanks
Hi Amy. My son Ben is 6 and in 1st grade. We live in NY. He is interested in having a penpal if you would be interested you can respond to this thread or our email. Thanks
Our district is using Language! for 4 - 12 at tier 3. We are adopting Horizons and Early Interventions in Reading for K-3. Has anyone had experience moving students from either of these programs into Language!? Did they transition well?? Did you find that the highest level of Horizons and Early Interventions prepared your students for success in L!? Thanks!
Hi....I'm a new long term Kindergarten teacher in elementary school which has received the Reading First Grant. I have been there for about 2 months now, and am looking for ideas on some Reading First Center activities. Right now we do a lot with letter recognition, letter sounds, sight words, rhyming words....I'm just looking for some new ideas for Kindergarten if anyone has anything! =] Thanks so much =]
On 2/10/09, Taasha wrote: > We glue sight words together using letter beads. We put about 6 > or 7 of these words inside a water bottle with water inside it. > (I glue the lid on so kids don't let all the water out) The kids > can shake up the bottle and put the words in whatever order. > Mine do this for hours!!! > > On 1/18/09, shea wrote: >> >> How about a fishing game all You need is stick a magnet. >> Write fluency words, numbers, sounds etc. on a index card >> put a paper clip on it. Put the words in a bucket and have >> students fish for words. The student who has the most words >> correct in the pile wins a sticker. >> >> Letter bingo. >> >> a called guno. This is where students pick two letter >> tiles , thier given a card with a vowel letter with the two >> letter tiles the students pick they can make a word or a >> nonsense word this helps with sounding out letters. >> >> You can also get dice with letters on them get a veg can >> clean and empty have students put the letter dice in the can >> and each role they must make a word. >> >> oh here's an Idea read a book that is familiar to the >> class. have sentences prepared from the book cut up the >> words individualy to the sentence and have students work >> together to find the correct way the sentence should go. >> You can have students use the book to find the familiar >> words and then they will be able to put the sentece >> together. When you write the sencene make sure to use >> correct puctuation this help students learn which word will >> go in the beginning and end of the sentence then they can >> arrange the resto of the word. >> >> >> On 1/15/08, Kristina wrote: >>> Hi....I'm a new long term Kindergarten teacher in >>> elementary school which has received the Reading First >>> Grant. I have been there for about 2 months now, and am >>> looking for ideas on some Reading First Center activities. >>> Right now we do a lot with letter recognition, letter >>> sounds, sight words, rhyming words....I'm just looking for >>> some new ideas for Kindergarten if anyone has anything! =] >>> Thanks so much =] >>> >>> Kristina
On 1/15/08, Kristina wrote: > Hi....I'm a new long term Kindergarten teacher in > elementary school which has received the Reading First > Grant. I have been there for about 2 months now, and am > looking for ideas on some Reading First Center activities. > Right now we do a lot with letter recognition, letter > sounds, sight words, rhyming words....I'm just looking for > some new ideas for Kindergarten if anyone has anything! =] > Thanks so much =] > > Kristina
I need some new idea's for different centers that I can do in the afternoon with three year olds. With it being cold outside they are going nuts being stuck inside, and I would like to do something different with them. Thanks Jennifer
I am looking for studies of degree of student use of high school libraries. As the use of the internet increases exponentially, it seems the use of - and therefore need for - library *books* should be decreasing dramatically.
In my own experience at a serious private high school, I was delighted if my students read and disgested the course text in preparation for close examination of it the next class day; and considering the mountain of homework assigned regularly by teachers of other subjects, I did not think students had *time* to make leisurely use of a library for any subject.
I would very much like to see some discussion on this subject.
A short course in library research, focusing on a few texts and the internet, might well be in order, but the expense of a full library for high school seems unwarranted.
I just finished my fifth week student teaching in a 4th grade classroom and I'm losing my mind. I've worked with students K-2 and middle school before, and I feel like these 4th graders are the neediest kids I've ever met.
During many lessons I walk students right through many of their homework problems as examples, and always ask if anyone has questions. Once they start working independently on questions, five kids in the class always raise their hand and say to me, "I don't get it!" very whiny needy sounding. Usually I give them a couple of prompts to get them started on the problems and they do fine, and then I encourage with "You knew it all along!" but day after day they will just sit and stare at their paper instead of trying it on their own because they "don't get it." There is no motivation to finish assignments, so if they don't get it, they just don't bother.
The students also come up and interrupt me when I'm talking with other students. Today I was speaking with a student during independent work time and a boy came up to me and interrupted to tell me that when he went to the office they gave him a new icepack. I snapped at the student that his comment wasn't something he needed to interrupt me with, and then I felt terrible about being rude to him. I don't want to be a bad teacher who snaps at students. I understand that these students just want approval, but as a human being I cannot handle so many interruptions when I'm trying to work with students.
I've spoken to my cooperating teacher about this, but I think she enjoys feeling needed because she always jumps in to help students even when they don't need it. What can I do to keep myself sane when my students are so needy in class?
SusanOn 2/27/08, MMM 2nd grade teacher Florida wrote: > I'm in my second YEAR of teaching (2nd grade this year) and this > EXACT situation fits me to a T.....I have kids that CONSTANTLY > get out of their seat to interrupt me, EVEN WHEN i'm talking to > an ADULT>..and i find myself snapping...explaining how > inconsiderate and rude it ...See MoreOn 2/27/08, MMM 2nd grade teacher Florida wrote: > I'm in my second YEAR of teaching (2nd grade this year) and this > EXACT situation fits me to a T.....I have kids that CONSTANTLY > get out of their seat to interrupt me, EVEN WHEN i'm talking to > an ADULT>..and i find myself snapping...explaining how > inconsiderate and rude it is to interrupt ANYONE..let alone an > ADULT..and how they are also breaking one of our class rules and > the AGREEMENT we signed at the beginning of the year...One of > the consequences is to put their name on the board and if they > end up with 2 checks they will miss our FUn friday celebration. > I have tried so many things with this class..that Positive > reinforcement is the closest thing to working that i've > gotten...and we're already 3/4 of the way through the school > year....and i'm seriously losing my mind too. I also pass out > gold coins to reward positive behaiviors..and the students can > cash in their coins at the end of hte week in the treasure box > if they have a total of 10...otherwise htey have to be saved for > next week. (Sorry about the typos...i'm typing extremely fast > right now) > > Anyway..just wanted to let you know that after 2 years...i'm > going through the same thing...and it seems to differ from class > to class. My class last year was absolutely nothing like this. > I actually thought their behavior was bad...but when I got this > class I realized it was nowhere near this...and that honestly > last year I was being hard on myself! If anyone has suggestions, > I will GLADLY take ANY suggestions because I have been pulling > my hair out ALL YEAR. I separated all of my groups today and > made my students move their desks into straight rows..which they > will remain in until after Spring Break..until they can prove > they can follow directions..and I told them we will not be > playing fun games..just doing paper work ..so they can see how > good they had it before..(I know it may sound harsh..but the > students act so unappreciative all the time and very > disrespectful to me and each other.) We did a lot of hands-on > stuff before (that's the way I normally teach)- but they're > probably going to be in for a lot more boredom over the next > couple weeks...honestly. > > I'm a little frustrated because just when I have a system in > place, I end up getting another new student...I've gotten like 6 > new students this school year...and lost like 2..now at a total > of 21.which isn't bad compared to some states, but the > inconsistency is just ridiculous! (The coming and going isn't > helping the classroom management!) > > MMM-2nd grade teacher > > On 2/23/08, Kristy wrote: >> Gayle, >> >> Many teahcers feel the same way you do. Why? Because your >> situation happens to many teachers. I have a few >> suggestions. 1. Clearly state what you do and do not >> expect from the students. Say, "When I am the teacher...I >> expect that you raise your hand while in your seat if you >> have a qustion. 2. Write it down / make a little poster. >> 3. When a student does not follow the rule, do not answer >> their question or respond...just point to the poster. When >> the student returns to their seat and does the expected >> behavior kindly call on the student to answer their question >> or tell them you will be with them in 1 minute. 4. You must >> be consistent. I have even writen on my palm, "Raise Your >> Hand". It works, but it takes patience. >> "I don't get it?" - If it is the same five students every >> time, make it a part of your lesson plan to pull them into a >> small group right after everyone else is started to do a >> more intensive guided practice. Remember to ask questions >> about what they do not understand, sometimes they may not >> even know. You can also do talk-throughs...as a small group >> or have the student talk you through until they do not >> understand. Express that you want to help them and it is ok >> to not understand. >> Have a group reward for everone completeing an assignment. >> Look at positive behavior support articles for ideas. >> >> Kristy >> >> On 2/22/08, Gayle wrote: >>> I need help! >>> >>> I just finished my fifth week student teaching in a 4th >>> grade classroom and I'm losing my mind. I've worked with >>> students K-2 and middle school before, and I feel like >>> these 4th graders are the neediest kids I've ever met. >>> >>> During many lessons I walk students right through many of >>> their homework problems as examples, and always ask if >>> anyone has questions. Once they start working independently >>> on questions, five kids in the class always raise their >>> hand and say to me, "I don't get it!" very whiny needy >>> sounding. Usually I give them a couple of prompts to get >>> them started on the problems and they do fine, and then I >>> encourage with "You knew it all along!" but day after day >>> they will just sit and stare at their paper instead of >>> trying it on their own because they "don't get it." There >>> is no motivation to finish assignments, so if they don't >>> get it, they just don't bother. >>> >>> The students also come up and interrupt me when I'm talking >>> with other students. Today I was speaking with a student >>> during independent work time and a boy came up to me and >>> interrupted to tell me that when he went to the office they >>> gave him a new icepack. I snapped at the student that his >>> comment wasn't something he needed to interrupt me with, >>> and then I felt terrible about being rude to him. I don't >>> want to be a bad teacher who snaps at students. I >>> understand that these students just want approval, but as a >>> human being I cannot handle so many interruptions when I'm >>> trying to work with students. >>> >>> I've spoken to my cooperating teacher about this, but I >>> think she enjoys feeling needed because she always jumps in >>> to help students even when they don't need it. What can I >>> do to keep myself sane when my students are so needy in >>> class?
July/08
boy do I know what you are talking about! UGH What has helped me is this........ I have a leader of the day and a student of the week. The student who wants to interrupt me (usually during guided reading) They have to: 1. They ask the leader of the day 2. If the leader does not know, they ask the student of the week 3. If neither of them know, they can ask anyone at their learning table. 4. THEN, if none of those students could help, they hold up a red piece of construction paper to get my attention.Then I will help.
(if they come to me without permission, they have to sign their name in a spirol notebook( I do not get up from my teaching table) at the end of the guided reading time their name goes on the board.
As far as the interrupting situation, I usually joke with the rest of the class about it. Something like a think aloud, " Hmm, this morning when I awoke, I only had one shadow, but now it seems I have two... I wonder why that is... hmm." I continue to go about my business as if that student doesn't exist until they go back to their seat and raise their hands at which point I acknowledge them with a joyful response to their concern. Usually after one or two attempts at getting in my face to get the information, the rest of the kids in the class will call out the word "shadow" and they get a kick out of it while the realization that this is a behavior that even their peers don't condone makes them stop altogether.
We also have a rule in class that states that students are to be problem solvers. This means that if they have a problem with something and didn't do all they could to solve it independently, they'll have a consequence for it. I repeat a little rhyme :Ask three before you ask me. This means they need to try to figure it out with the help of three students in their immediate vicinity. If those students can't help them, then I make it a point to do it myself.
On 7/19/08, Susan wrote: > On 2/27/08, MMM 2nd grade teacher Florida wrote: >> I'm in my second YEAR of teaching (2nd grade this year) and this >> EXACT situation fits me to a T.....I have kids that CONSTANTLY >> get out of their seat to interrupt me, EVEN WHEN i'm talking to >> an ADULT>..and i find myself snapping...explaining how >> inconsiderate and rude it is to interrupt ANYONE..let alone an >> ADULT..and how they are also breaking one of our class rules and >> the AGREEMENT we signed at the beginning of the year...One of >> the consequences is to put their name on the board and if they >> end up with 2 checks they will miss our FUn friday celebration. >> I have tried so many things with this class..that Positive >> reinforcement is the closest thing to working that i've >> gotten...and we're already 3/4 of the way through the school >> year....and i'm seriously losing my mind too. I also pass out >> gold coins to reward positive behaiviors..and the students can >> cash in their coins at the end of hte week in the treasure box >> if they have a total of 10...otherwise htey have to be saved for >> next week. (Sorry about the typos...i'm typing extremely fast >> right now)
>>> On 2/22/08, Gayle wrote: >>>> I need help! >>>> >>>> I just finished my fifth week student teaching in a 4th >>>> grade classroom and I'm losing my mind. I've worked with >>>> students K-2 and middle school before, and I feel like >>>> these 4th graders are the neediest kids I've ever met. >>>> >>>> During many lessons I walk students right through many of >>>> their homework problems as examples, and always ask if >>>> anyone has questions. Once they start working independently >>>> on questions, five kids in the class always raise their >>>> hand and say to me, "I don't get it!" very whiny needy >>>> sounding. Usually I give them a couple of prompts to get >>>> them started on the problems and they do fine, and then I >>>> encourage with "You knew it all along!" but day after day >>>> they will just sit and stare at their paper instead of >>>> trying it on their own because they "don't get it." There >>>> is no motivation to finish assignments, so if they don't >>>> get it, they just don't bother.
I want to make a "Light and Learn" type board for one of my el. ed. classes, but can't find the directions to do so on the internet. Is there a better name to use for the device that is made with electrical circuits (wires, battery, small light bulb). Help!
On 3/09/08, Sharon wrote: > I want to make a "Light and Learn" type board for one of my > el. ed. classes, but can't find the directions to do so on > the internet. Is there a better name to use for the device > that is made with electrical circuits (wires, battery, > small light bulb). Help!
On 12/13/07, Rosie wrote:
> I currently teach third grade and we use Houghton Mifflin-
> supposedly with "fidelty". That said, we are supposed to
> be tiering our stations and I am really not sure what this
> is supposed to look like. We have been reamed by the AP
> because our benchmarks s...See More