Word Walls in the Upper Grades

Word walls are essential in the lower grades as students begin to recognize and learn how to spell words. This year I realized the positive impact of having word walls in the upper grades. During the first part of the year I would all too often get blank stares as my students fought to remember a term that we previously learned. I decided to see how effective having a word wall was. The results are seen daily in my student's overall understanding of historical events. I love it! For example, my students are connecting and analyzing how discrimination has changed and evolved through the years. They reference terms such as Black Codes, Chinese Exclusion Act,etc... all the time. 

We have a Prefix/Suffix word wall in a separate area of the classroom. This allows them to references prefixes/suffixes that we learned throughout the year. We also have a general misspelled words word wall. There are so many common misspelled words that occur. 

I am already making plans on how I want to implement my word walls next year. 

Common Misspelled words

Reconstruction- WWI words

Prefix Word Wall

WWII Words

Incorporating Technology in the Classroom

The word "Technology" scares many in the teaching profession. It shouldn't do this because technology is so much fun! My students are more engaged when they are able to complete an online task or activity. I try to incorporate online activities in some aspect during my lesson for the students to use their tablets. Today we used Quizlet.com to independently study for a test they are having tomorrow on the Industrial Revolution. I modeled ways that they could study and what studying involves before allowing them to explore. They loved it! Even my students who are not really interested in studying found enjoyment in the online studying format. 

https://quizlet.com/117421922/flashcards

DonorChoose

I submitted through the DonorChoose website a request for a whiteboard easel for the classroom. I was worried that it may not get funded. I was in for a shocker! It quickly was funded and has now become an important addition to our classroom:) The kids love it!

Teaching Reconstruction with Legos!!

Reconstruction is a very complex period in US history. Most Americans are clueless when it comes to this time period! How to relate this time to 5th graders is even more complicated! Introducing the concept of Reconstruction with Legos was a fun way to help them understand the concept of what it means to reconstruct. 


Students were asked to come up with a structure with their group using Legos. They loved it! They were so engaged with the activity!  The following lesson students will be asked to reconstruct their structure from memory! The purpose is to show them that when you try to reconstruct it is not likely that a structure will every be the same again. 

Teaching

Has the 3rd week of school already come to a close? I am amazed how quickly time fly when  you are doing something that brings you enjoyment. Yes, I get stressed. Yes, there are times I don't know what to do right. But in those moments I know that I am learning. I might be learning what not to do in a situation or how something doesn't work. As an educator I am learning to better myself. To become the best teacher I can be. I gave a quiz today on Parts of Speech and as I started to grade them I reflected and realized that the quiz was just way too complicated for the students. Therefore, I made the decision to revise the entire quiz and give the opportunity to try again. It wasn't their fault that I made a quiz that was above the level I presented to them in class. Never be afraid to admit that I should have done a lesson, quiz, or discussion differently. We are here to educate and nurture students. Admitting that you made a mistake and correcting yourself is the best model one can be. 

Summer Reading Camp

 

I learned that teaching summer school is a totally unique experience. I taught 3rd graders who needed a little extra help with reading and writing. Through the assistance of Read to Succeed students were provided with a great opportunity to get more individualized attention. 

The students really excelled with their attention to detail in reading and writing. They built their reading stamina daily. We used the "Read to Self" strategy of the Daily 5 series. I incorporated the new SC ELA standards.

There is emphasis on inquiry based learning throughout the standards. One part of the daily reading camp was devoted to inquiry based research. The students covered two 4th grade standards integrating Social Studies and Science with ELA. The first was the Civil War. The students spent the first half of Summer Reading Camp learning more information about the Civil War. Incorporating the inquiry based learning students were encouraged through modeling on how to research a topic in more depth. The students really enjoyed the R.A.N chart.

 

 

 

Upcountry History Museum Field Trip: The Ripple Effect

My 5th graders had the opportuntiy to visit the Upcountry History Museum for  a fun-filled educational experience today. In particular, the students were able to learn about the Reedy River. The Field Trip included hands on activities, Read Aloud, partner work, and  the opportunity to explore.The staff was amazing and very helpful with the students. I highly recommend taking students to the museum.http://www.upcountryhistory.org/education/
My students were very excited and really enjoyed the trip.