What are some ideas or lessons you do with students for Earth Day or Arbor Day?
What are some of your favorite dramatic play experiences that you set up for your students?
We had a late Reading Month celebration due to snow and ice storms followed by spring break. Last night we met with families and shared all kinds of fun reading and math alternatives to common board games. Here is the Google file with a few of the FILE FOLDER games we shared! Feel free to share them, print them etc!
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1vw2EFbC-XW6n4pbOkDU5WyU0Uvu4SCWC?usp=sharing
How did you celebrate reading month with families this year?
One thing that I hear teachers say is that they do not teach to the test. I feel that if the test is assessing the standards, and you are teaching the standards then you should teach to the test. I use the released test to show the students how questions are worded and how to look for patterns in the format. I liken the test as playing a game. The more a person knows the rules of a game, the better they will do. Likewise, the more a student understand the testing structure, the better they will do.
How do you review for state testing on math? For geometry, I print a blank bingo board for each student. Around the board, I write 24 vocabulary terms to put on their boards randomly. To play, I either say a definition or draw a picture of the term. When the students get really good, I invite student callers to the game.
What special things do you do to get ready for state testing? Our younger grades adopt a class. They will make cards for each day of testing and include a small treat like a mint taped to the card.
Celebrating Reading Month with Families! Check out all of the FREE literacy activities at: https://www.ginapepin.com/blank-10-1-1
Did you know that there are FREE early literacy interactive apps available to caregivers, teachers, and families at www.ginapepin.com?
FREE SEL Resources for quick check-in/s and support: https://www.ginapepin.com/_files/ugd/5fe563_dde7da71d3674f06a3764b08ee207c3e.pdf
200 FREE Voices to use with your students, families or friends! Make literacy learning joyful and engaging!
https://www.ginapepin.com/blank-10-1
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How do you teach your students how to differentiate between main idea and summaries? I am a fourth grade teacher. We are struggling with the differences other than summaries are longer. The kids are struggling with writing their own main ideas in fiction.
I am working a university on revising/creating a M. Ed. program that is going to be offered for elementary classroom teachers who are interested in becoming master reading teachers. It would be more so for teachers that want to learn more about differentiation, assessments, RTI, MTSS - difficulties vs disabilities, rather than becoming a reading specialist. What areas, topics, competencies would you suggestion be considered?
In lieu of Night of the Notables, which has historically focused too much on white men and has raised concerns about cultural appropriation, we hosted a TEDx Event to give students the opportunity to take on the role of changemakers—a major focus of our civil rights unit. This event allowed them to share their own ideas, passions, and leadership, amplifying diverse voices and meaningful, authentic storytelling.
It was truly inspiring to see these young voices confidently express their unique perspectives and innovations with the world. Rather than looking only to the past, this event empowered students to shape the future. Do other schools also host TEDx Talks? I'd love to see them!
This year our school is using the theme - board games for reading month. We all design and create board games on our classroom doors. We make them interactive so that students and families can enjoy them!
My door is based on the game Mad Gab - and I used the sentences from UFLI to create this fun activity!
March is reading month! This year our reading month theme is - board games! What theme is your school using for reading month? And do you have a family night - if so, what type of evening do you plan with your families?
With some of my second graders, we have been comparing numbers (two and three digit). I created these cards that I printed and laminated to help them. One of the trickiest things about comparing numbers is having students realize that whatever number comes first, that's what you're saying is greater than or less than the next number. We can't just find the largest number.
