What Will You Do Differently?

Well the year is almost over and after reflecting on this past year, there are definitely some things I would like to do differently next year.

I just started preparing my student's supply list for next year.  I really want each student to have their own supplies stored in our math classroom.  I am going to ask each student to create their own math toolbox.  Each toolbox will hold thin markers, colored pencils, highlighters, glue sticks, ruler, pencils, sharpener, eraser, and a sharpie.

These toolboxes will be stored in our classroom and available for daily use.  Students will grab their box on the way into class and use their tools during interactive notes, graphing, modeling, stations, and any other time we need them.  I am going to ask each student to purchase one of these supply boxes.  Each student will be given their own personalized labels to attach to the sides and top so they can easily spot their toolbox as they walk into class.

I have not changed my bulletin board paper or borders for at least five years.  I know its terrible, but the fade-less paper never fades!  It still looked good all these years, but now there are just too many holes and its time for a new color.  My room will be painted over the summer--needs it bad.  Then I will choose the color.  I also want to replace my borders (they did fade).  I love the way some people have been layering their borders.  I am going to try this!  

Click on picture if you would like to visit the fantastic blog the picture came from.

I love Pinterest!!!!!!  So many amazing creative ideas!  If only I could use them all!!

I want to implement at least three ideas next year.  I think I can handle three.

Here are some I would love to create.  

Click on the pictures if you would like to visit the fantastic blog this idea and picture came from.

Love this idea from the host of this linky party.

No need to buy new student erasers--so clever!

I love the traffic light exit card

Great Birthday Chart

Exit Cards

I would love to be this organized!

What will you do differently next year?  

Click on the link below to link up and share.

Relief Effort for Moore Oklahoma 

My heart goes out to all of the community members of Moore Oklahoma. As a fellow teacher I would like to help with the relief effort.  I have donated some of my products for the special relief bundle being provided by Teachers Notebook.  100% of the money raised from this bundle will go to the relief efforts to aide the victims.  Please consider donating an item or purchasing this bundle. 

Stay strong Oklahoma!

Currently May

Hi Everyone!

I just joined the Currently Linky Party from the blog Oh Boy 4th Grade.

Listening:  The quiet!  

Loving:  My new classroom layout.  I moved my desk from the back of my room to the front, pushed my student's tables together to form groups of 6 and created some extra space.  My students love it too!

Thinking:  About shopping at Kohl's tonight online.  I have only one day left to use my 30% off coupon.  My son needs new sneakers and I could use some new flips.

Wanting:  I want the construction upstairs in my house to be completed.  Drywall and Spackle completed today!!  Next painting, floors, molding, carpet, doors, etc.    Soon!

Needing:  I need a day off badly!  The past few weeks have been crazy busy! 

Bucket List:  1. This summer I plan on spending time at the lake with my kids, my sister and her kids, and my brother.  I love the lake!!  One of my favorite sounds are the loons at night--wish I was listening to them now.  2.  I plan on spending a lot of time at the beach this summer building sand castles and collecting shells.  3.  A long time ago I played golf with my husband a lot, but since children almost impossible.  I want to fit in at least 3 rounds with hubby this summer.  :)

If you want to join the party, click on the link below.

Have a fantastic May everyone!!!!

Scientific Calculators

     This has been a year for the record books!  Common Core, new state assessments, APPR, Professional Binders, Hurricane Sandy, and Scientific Calculators.  I teach 6th grade and for the first time in New York 6th graders will be allowed to use a scientific calculator on the state assessments.  They are only allowed to use them for Book Two and Three.  Until now, my students used just a plain old four function calculator sometimes during class and never on tests or state assessments.  My reaction to this news--not good! I didn't know how I was going to find the time to teach my students how to use this new calculator.
     My school district ordered the same scientific calculators the 7th and 8th graders use, the Texas Instruments TI 30X.  They were delivered to my room mid December and honestly they sat in the box for a few weeks.  When I finally unpacked them and gave them to my students, they were so excited!  I explained to my students, that I was not really sure how to use this specific calculator so we would all learn together.  They loved the fact that I didn't know how to use this calculator and decided they would teach me!
     The very next day students came into class ready to teach me.  They were ready to show me all they learned from the internet, brothers, sisters, and friends.  So one at a time they began to show me all the fabulous things this new calculator could do.  They had so much information it was overwhelming.  We decided to devote a short amount of class time on Tuesdays to learn how to use the calculator slowly.  We named this special time TI Tip Tuesday.

     On TI Tip Tuesday the students are in charge.  Students who have a tip explain to the class how the function works, demonstrate what buttons to press, and then we all practice.  They have so many fantastic tips.  I created a special Ti Tip Tuesday recording worksheet so we can write down the tips for reference.  My students keep their reference sheets in the back of their binder. I also display a large picture of the calculator during this time on the Activboard.  Students use this to point out which buttons to press.  

We all look forward to this special time each week.  I plan on continuing TI Tip Tuesday next year too.

    Scientific Calculators = Motivated Students

If you are using the same calculator and would like a copy of the worksheet click the link below to download.  File is editable so you could change the picture of the calculator to the one you are using.  Also included in the file is a TI Tip Thursday worksheet just in case we choose that day next year.

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Scientific-Calculators-TI-Tip-Tuesday

Test Prep Time!!!

     Well its that time of year again for many of us--test prep time!!!  My students will be taking their math state exam in 3 weeks.  Are they ready? Yes!  However, we will still review and practice (just to make sure).  I want my students to be excited about the prep, so I am planning many different types of activities to keep them engaged.  I plan on using all of my task cards for partnering activities, scoot, differentiated practice,  and other activities that will reinforce concepts.

     I just joined the Test Prep Linky Party over at Teachingisagift.  Other bloggers have joined too!  Everyone is linking test prep items they use in their classrooms all in one place.  I linked my Surface Area Assessment Prep product and one of my favorites--my Percent Task Cards.  If your looking for material or a creative way to prep for your test--check it out!!

Test Prep Linky Party! 

April Currently!

I just joined the Currently Linky Party from the blog Oh Boy 4th Grade.

Listening:  To one of my favorite groups the Foo Fighters.  Saw them in concert last year and they were incredible.

Loving:  I was so excited this morning when I opened my email and discovered I won the 6-8 bundle from Confessions of a Teaching Junkie's Giveaway.  I won some really great products and a TPT gift certificate too.  What a fantastic way to start the month!!

Thinking:  I go back to school tomorrow and can't believe the State Assessments are right around the corner.  I have to still teach functions to my 6th grade class and then move right into test prep. I plan on using my task cards, partnering activities, Scoot, some of my new items from the giveaway,  power points and other activities to keep the students engaged and interested.  

I am really wanting some sunshine and warmer weather.  It has been a really long winter and very grey--depressing!  I hope the weather warms up fast so I can get my capris and flip flops out!  My toes are ready!

Needing:  It has been I while since I had a night out with the girls.  I am going to plan one soon so we can catch up and laugh!

Advice:   I truly believe positive thoughts and attitudes will bring positive results. Let your students know how smart and wonderful they are everyday.  If they know you believe in them they will always do well.

Happy Spring Everyone!!

Christine

Click to join the party!

Coordinate Plane Fun!!

     One of my favorite activities to use with my students is Looking for the Top Quark.  I take my students to the computer lab and give them the web address to Jefferson Lab.  Located at this address is a fantastic resource for your class,  The game is called Looking for the Top Quark.  It is a really fun way for students to practice plotting points in all four quadrants on a coordinate plane!  Basically it is like playing battleship except with Quarks.  What is a Quark?  They are these really cute little guys that the students hide on their coordinate plane.

  

Plotting in all Four Quadrants!

                    Quarks

     I always have my students choose the medium size grid and create a competition to create excitement.  The students play against the computer and try to discover where the computer has hidden its Quarks.  The first student to beat the computer will get the title Top Quark and a homework coupon.  All other students who beat the computer will also receive the homework coupon too.  It is not that easy to beat the computer.  I usually only have about 5 winners out of a class of 23.  While students are working, I walk around and announce who has found a quark or how many they have found.  This creates even more excitement.  The students get so excited when they find the Quarks.  They need to find all 6 of the computers before the computer finds their 6.  This activity is so great because the students have to create an ordered pair each move and then plot all of the computers moves.  By the end of one period every student in my class can plot in all 4 quadrants with ease.  They don't even realize they are learning.  They beg me to play again that's how much they love this activity.

This is how the game looks at the start.

Looking For The Top Quark

You will be playing your game on a grid that ranges from -4 to 4 on the x-axis (the horizontal axis) and from -4 to 4 on the y-axis (the vertical axis). Coordinates are made by combining x and y values in a specific order - the x value is always listed first and the y value is always listed second. The coordinate (-3, 2) locates a point at the intersection of -3 on the x-axis and 2 on the y-axis, as shown on the diagram below:

                       

Where would you like to place your quarks?

Place my Up Quark at (, )  Place my Down Quark at (, )  Place my Charm Quark at (, )  Place my Strange Quark at (, )  Place my Top Quark at (, )  Place my Bottom Quark at (, )

What is your first name?  

http://education.jlab.org/topquarkgame/

Click on the link above to play.

How do you practice plotting points in the quadrants?