Displaying Hopes and Dreams

I am a huge fan of Responsive Classroom and one of the elements of RC is encouraging students to write down/express their hopes and dreams. This year, I am displaying them in the hall to encourage students to share them with others. The students are super excited!

 http://www.responsiveclassroom.org/article/our-hopes-and-dreams-school

Responsive Classroom has some great resources for helping students to establish goals for the school year or each quarter.

http://www.responsiveclassroom.org/blog/books-hopes-and-dreams-2012


How are your displaying your students hopes and dreams? Email pictures and I'll put them up to share with other teachers!
missjmlynn@yahoo.com

Homophones

My students struggled with homophones, so it was time to spice things up! Here are some fun homophones activities we did together!

First, you need a list of homophones. Here is a great PDF!

Apps for iPads and iPhones

• Same Sound
• Homphone (free version and paid version)
• Slam Dunk Grammar there, they're, and their

 

 

Online Games

• Rags to Riches
• Challenge Board
• A few more options! 

Foldable

Students created the envelope fold and then wrote a sentence and left a blank. Then gave two word choices (homophones). The inside flap had the answer. See the example and pics below!

Example: The bear's ___________ are bigger than my salad plate!

paws or pause

This one I found on Pinterest! Click on the picture below!

Source: 9gag.com via Jenna on Pinterest

Crazy about foldables

I love foldables. I use them for get-to-know you activities, language arts, substitutes cheat sheets, anything really! Here are a couple of foldables I have used with my students over the past two weeks:

Want foldable resources? Visit Dina! http://www.dinah.com/

Student-Led Conference Form

In 5th grade, I conduct student-led conferences. Students are present, along with their parent(s). Before the conference I write celebrations and concerns (both academic and behavior). We go over them during the conference and then create goals together for second quarter. I have noticed, over the past few years, student-led conferences does the following:

1. Minimalizes he-said, she-said issues between parents, students, and teachers
2. Allows for an open conversation between parents and students (sometimes this does not happen at home )
3. Encourages students to take ownership of their education
4. Presents a unified front between parents and teachers

Click here to get the free form!

PS - After the conference, I copy the form we filled out together and send it home in their weekly folder. Parents appreciate the documentation and I encourage them to refer back to the goals throughout the quarter.

Academic Choice

What is academic choice and why am I a huge proponent? Let's explore!

We need to assist students in becoming decision makers. In this day and age, we are constantly faced with decisions big and small. From what to eat for breakfast to which major to choose in college. Students need to make decisions that will benefit their education and their life long term. Students also need to take ownership of their work.

Academic Choice is a great way for students to develop these lifelong skills. Currently, students in my language arts class are choosing their word study activities based on their particular learning styles. They are also choosing to complete projects based on Think Dot sheets. They even choose their reading activities (for silent reading and independent reading). Students are gaining independence and are learning to choose methods which meet their learning needs.

To learn more about academic choice click on the links below.

http://www.responsiveclassroom.org/sites/default/files/ac_intro.pdf 

Read an education article on the success and benefits of academic choice:   

http://www.originsonline.org/newsletters/fall-2011-rc/academic-choice-action

http://www.educationworld.com/a_issues/schools/schools017.shtml 

http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/responsiveclassroom/responsiveclassroom001.shtml

Here is a current Think Dot sheet I am using in my classroom as an enrichment activity:

 

Click here to download!