5 times for grading essays faster while providing better feedback! These tips will help ELA teachers work smarter, not harder!
Jessica shares her tips for how you can make the everyday practice of teaching - grading, planning, organizing, more efficient teacher & much less overwhelming.
If there are two things my students know, it is that I assign paragraphs often and that I grade writing with very high standards -especially in the second
5 times for grading essays faster while providing better feedback! These tips will help ELA teachers work smarter, not harder!
Is your garage a mess? Discover clever garage storage ideas that can help declutter your space here!rn
5 times for grading essays faster while providing better feedback! These tips will help ELA teachers work smarter, not harder!
I finally nailed teaching symbolism! Using candy was both engaging and efficient - a major win that students remembered all year long!
Is the task of grading student writing draining your time and energy? Check out these quick-score rubrics (for free!) to grade student writing faster!
Work smarter, not harder: A collection of ideas you can mix and match to get control of the paper load.
How do you make teacher feedback to students meaningful? You must give feedback when it matters - before students are "done" with a piece of writing...
Hey Ya'll! Do your kids love to learn by playing games? What if I told you that you could increase your students vocabulary by playing games that take 20 minutes or less? Vocabulary is something that is highly stressed in my district. It seems like each year, more and more pressure is put on us to increase students vocabulary. Today I'm here to share with you 4 easy games that you can implement into your class to increase vocabulary and make learning fun AND engaging! Kids should get excited about learning. Implementing games into our daily routine helps increase their learning when they don't even know it. All of these activities that I'm about to share can be used in a whole or small group setting. First up is Heads Down, Vocab Up! This is a game I like to have my kids play when I have a few minutes to kill before moving onto the next subject or when their little brains just need a break. It's super simple. Does your class like to play "heads down, thumbs up" or some call it "heads up, 7 up"? Mine do! Heads Down, Vocab Up! is just like that only using word cards. You can use any type of vocabulary cards you'd like. We play using sight words, compound words, contractions, academic vocabulary and more. Here is how to play: Pick 3-4 students to be it. Give each student picked a vocabulary card. Turn off the lights and the rest of the class puts their head down (NO PEEKING!) and their thumb up. The students chosen go around the room and pick someone by touching their thumb. When the teacher turns the lights on, those picked stand up and try to guess who picked them. Rather than calling out the students name, they must call out the vocabulary word that student is holding. If they get it right, they get to trade places and be it. If they get it wrong, they sit back down. Then the next round begins. You can also have your students tell the meaning of the word, use it in a sentence or give a synonym. This way it can be easily differentiated for various learners. When using academic vocabulary cards, I like have them say the word and their own meaning of the word. This is a simple review that can be done in 5 minutes or stretched out into a whole group lesson. Up next is a little game I like to call Word Speed! Word Speed is quick game that we play daily throughout the week. I do this with vocabulary and grammar skills mostly. All you need is some chart paper and makers. You could easily laminate chart paper and use dry erase markers to make it reusable. What you'll see below is bulletin paper from our workroom. Here is how you play... 1. Split your class up into 2 teams. (You can do more if you'd like) 2. Tape a piece of chart paper on opposite sides of the room for each team. You want them far enough apart where the other team can't see the others paper. 3. Write the topic you are covering at the top of the chart paper. 4. Time them for 1-2 minutes (sometimes this will be longer such as 3-4 minutes until everyone has a turn, but they think they only have one minute). 5. Each person write a vocabulary word and passes the marker to the next person. They are not allowed to talk while doing this. (The picture above, they had to write a pair of synonyms. They cannot write something that has already been written.) 6. They have 1-2 minutes to write as many words as they can. 7. When the time is up, the person holding the marker brings it to you. 8. I give each team one point for having the correct words. They race every day. On Monday-Wednesday, I do not count off for spelling. On Thursday and Friday, if a word is misspelled, I do not count it. This helps with preventing tie-breakers. 9. At the end of the week, the team with most points is the Word Speed Champ for the week! We play with a new piece of paper everyday so that they are able to use the same words. On Tuesday, I use the back of the page that they wrote on, on Monday. I kept a tally of the points on the board. I found that they loved this game so much, that they would go home and ask their families for words to use. Once the kids got into the routine of playing for various concepts, they would always ask if it was Word Speed time! Now lets talk about a class favorite that I use for multiple concepts. This little game is a BIG DEAL! It's called KABOOM! I blogged about this concept awhile back. You can read about it here. I'll do a quick recap. All you need to create KABOOM is popsicle sticks, a permanent marker, and a cup. Here's how to play: Color one tip of each popsicle stick. This end sticks out of the cup. Write a vocabulary word on each stick. You also need 5-10 KABOOM sticks. (For my academic vocabulary sets, I put 2 sets of vocabulary words that are 8 words each, and then 5 Kaboom! sticks. For sight words, I do a full set and then 10 KABOOM sticks. Place all the sticks in a cup with the colored tip sticking up. Students play rock, paper, scissors to see who goes first. The first player draws a stick and reads the word. For academic vocabulary they must read the word correctly and tell the meaning or use it in a sentence. This is good for differentiation in your groups. If the student reads the word and uses it in correctly they get to keep their stick. If they read it incorrectly or use it incorrectly, the stick must go back in the cup. If they draw a stick that says KABOOM! They have to put all of their sticks back into the cup. This is a BIG DEAL ya'll! The player with the most sticks at the end of the game wins! I like to play KABOOM with academic vocabulary at the beginning of each small group. I can easily differentiate each question I ask based on each student to fit their needs. We also play whole group using sight words, parts of speech, and for various math concepts. This is a favorite during stations as well. I keep all of my games set up in baskets and the kids can easily grab a cup when they have time. All the other games I have created are stored and labeled in ziploc bags. Last but most certainly not least is my personal favorite, Beach Ball Vocabulary! I originally started playing this game with math facts and learned that I could use it for all different subjects. You can read my math fact post here. All you need is a beach ball and a maker. Write vocabulary words all over the ball in a random order. Here is how to play: Have students form a large circle around the room while you or another student stands in the middle. GENTLY toss the beach ball to a student. Whatever word their thumb (you can pick right or left) lands on, they must tell the definition, use it in a sentence, or give an example of. Then they GENTLY toss the ball back to you and you throw it to another student. The example shown above was played with antonyms. Students had to say the antonym of the word one of their thumbs landed on. For academic vocabulary, I have all of unit 1 words written on a ball, all of unit 2 words written on a ball, etc. This way they are getting review of words we have already learned. All of the games show above can be used with multiple concepts such as academic vocabulary, synonyms/antonyms, prefixes/suffixes, compound words, contractions, parts of speech, sight words and so much more. Use them cross-curricular for math concepts or science and social studies. I hope you can incorporate at least one of these activities into your classroom! My kids love them and I hope yours do too! Have a great day!
Multiplication games every student will love in your classroom!
Project-based learning is a whole different type of learning activity. Students think outside of the box during PBL, so how do you assess them? A test at the end of the project doesn’t seem sufficient with all of the work they’ve put in researching and problem-solving for their project. This is why I use rubrics […]
When adopting workshop-style teaching and learning, you need a clear plan for how to keep students accountable without drowning in papers to grade. Many teachers ask how I manage grading the work my students complete during Math Workshop each day, and still find time to plan for workshop the following day. The three tools below help me build a clear picture of my students’ progress and needs, keep my students’ parents in the loop about what their child is working on in class, and help me maintain a light load when it comes to grading.
This post shares strategies, examples, and tips to having an effective dismissal routine in your classroom.
All summer I think about it. My empty room back at the school.... Nothing fun on the walls, all of the books have been packed away, and somehow, someway you have to put it all back. Whether you have to pack everything up, you get to leave it as is, or if it is just your very first year, no worries! I have some helpful tips to share with you that I have learned the HARD way. Tip #1- Have a plan Duh right? Seriously though, have a plan and write it down. I love that my Erin Condren LifePlanner has the dotted pages in the back so I can jot down what I want to arrange before I get there. It is also SUPER helpful to take a friend that doesn't mind moving furniture 2 or 3 or 100 times on the day you want to arrange furniture. Also have a plan in place to take that friend to lunch. Tip #2- What are your MUST HAVES on the first day? Do you need to have your cubbies labeled? Are you assigning jobs the first day? What do you need to have access to in order to set up your classroom routines and procedures? Those are what you should be focusing on. NOT the cute border in the hallway. Sorry, I said that way too loud! But honestly, I have wasted so much valuable time making something cute out in the hallway that was inviting, yes, but necessary, no. I am giving you permission to skip the cute and go for the necessary. Some of my must haves for the first day: labeled cubbies nametags on pencil boxes (these stay in our assigned seats to start so it helps us find our spot) nametags for students job chart water bottles (I label mine and they keep them all year) homework folders ready for the first day calendar space/ morning meeting space designated and set up turn in box with a designated space focus wall for objectives (I'm required to have a spot for this) IB Interactive Wall (also a requirement for me) I have highlighted any of the items that have a freebie attached or I have written another blog post on if you are interested in checking them out! If I have all of these things in place then I am ready for the first day of school. The rest will fall into place. That bulletin board in the hallway? I cover it with name activities that we do on the second day of school. It is totally blank on the first day of school when my families roll in. Once I hang up those names it and stays up ALL year long! Tip #3 Decorate with the things you need I do a lot of "decorating" in my classroom but you won't find any unnecessary objects floating around my room just because they go with my "theme". Of course all of my posters match but I would hardly call that a theme. If you NEED that to make your classroom a happy place, go for it! If you are only decorating in shabby chic because your neighbor down the hall is then just STOP! It doesn't have to be that difficult! Here are a couple examples of sets I have used over the years. I print out everything I need, laminate it, and then start hanging it up. Once I get a welcome banner and an alphabet up on the wall BAM! Instant classroom decorations. These have everything I need for a functional classroom. Calendar, job chart, alphabet, numbers, and labels for all of the stuff. Having a "theme" helps pull everything together but I don't spend my summers at Target and TJ Maxx looking for the perfect items for my thematic classroom. Want a theme? Lots of my friends have also so I have created a few different fun ones for them. These serve the same purpose though, print and go and done! Click on any of the pictures to see them in my TPT store. Thanks for stopping by today. Here is your FREE SET OF ALPHABET POSTERS to get you started on a stress free decorating session. Want to save this for later? Pin it here! P.S. Get a FREE ALPHABET ACTIVITY when you sign up for my newsletter HERE!
I finally nailed teaching symbolism! Using candy was both engaging and efficient - a major win that students remembered all year long!
What is the CPA approach in mathematics? Discover how this powerful math method can help your students achieve math mastery easily and more efficiently.
Assessing math centers can be daunting but it doesn't have to be! Read this post for tips and freebies to help you assess math center work.
One of the most time-consuming things teachers deal with is student absences! I no longer worry about this because my students completely take care of it!
8 time-saving teacher tips: from planning, to grading, to technology tools, these great ideas and strategies save much needed time in teachers' days.
The practice of using single point rubrics is slowly but surely catching on. Try one for yourself and let us see it!
My favorite grading tips for teachers! Learn how to grade like a boss! Grading papers can be so tedious if you are working inefficiently. These 7 teacher hacks will make you more productive, save you time and ultimately help you get more done! #teachertips #gradingtips #teacherhacks
I have always believed the time my students and I spend at the small group table is THE most important time of our day. If you have followed my blog for
Get helpful tips for how to manage data folders in the primary classroom. Download the free student data folders kit to get started!
This year, I decided to make some modifications to my classroom decor, and I am thrilled to share this reveal with you all.
What is the CPA approach in mathematics? Discover how this powerful math method can help your students achieve math mastery easily and more efficiently.
Khan Academy is valuable resource for differentiating in the math classroom. Tips for using Khan Academy effectively and efficiently!
Teaching factors and multiples isn't easy, but these factors and multiples worksheets and activities can help students grasp this concept.
Teach students how to add and subtract using strategies such as make 10, add 10 and use 10. These are great skills that lead to efficiency with numbers.
These Colorful Digital Gradebooks will not only help you organize your grades, but allow you to compare data in an efficient and timely way! These are meant for middle or high school teachers with multiple classes. It is set up for 5 classes of 30 or less students, but feel free to edit to make it your own! Features YOU will enter: Assignment Title Assignment Type Date of Assignment Student names Class names Scores (points & percentages) Features Provided: Color-coded cells Blocks/Classes outlined Average function built in for each class for each assignment Average function for grades compiled to compare class averages There are 3 separate Gradebook options available: 30-assignment Gradebook 3-Trimester Gradebook with 6 assignments in each 4-quarter Gradebook with 4 assignments in each Feel free to edit as you wish. Delete rows/columns not needed and personalize with your own teaching flair! Feel free to email me if you have any questions: [email protected] Check out my Student Information Google Sheets Tracker for another way to organize your teacher work! Check out my Editable Teacher Tracker Bundle for both colorful resources at 30% off!! Enjoy! Katie
What is the CPA approach in mathematics? Discover how this powerful math method can help your students achieve math mastery easily and more efficiently.
Looking for creative ways to keep your students engaged while transitioning or lining up? Check out these 21 unique class transition ideas!
Do you find yourself typing (or writing) in every student name or assignment for each grading sheet you create? I've got the perfect teacher timesaver for you! These editable grading sheets are the easiest and most efficient way to grade assignments or create class lists. Each line is for student names and it auto-fills throughout EVERY sheet! Just type and your class lists are ready to print off! There are class lists for up to 20, 25, 30, & 36 students. The titles on the sheets that say "GRADE” & “CHECKLIST" can’t be edited, but I added a blank template for each kind of list where you CAN edit the title! Each line adjusts to fit your character count (font gets smaller to fit your text). Check out the video preview for a closer look at this resource. This resource uses Adobe the latest Adobe Acrobat Reader! (Don’t use Adobe Preview). If you would like any more headings/titles added, just send me a message! [email protected]
Now that your books are perfectly organized, you’ll need to teach your students how to keep them that way. :) Plan several lessons that outline your expectations for the following:
Center rotation management is a breeze when you use a center system that works. Learn how to save time and run your centers with efficiency and ease.
Do you want to manage centers with efficiency and ease in your kindergarten classroom? Then check out this centers wheel for a practical approach to control the chaos of centers.
3rd grade teacher Deanna shares how she saves time and works more efficiently.
