It is the first week of Essentials! Whether this is your very first year using Classical Conversations, or you’ve been through all three tours before, you’re in for an incredible journey! This upcoming year, my daughter will begin Tour 2 through the program. I’ve been through Essentials with my
Discover the must-have teacher essentials for a successful classroom, from organization tools to resources, discover the teacher school supplies you need in your kit.
In Class... EEL Board Work--True/False questions and Undiagram an interrogative sentence New Part of Speech--Conjunctions Chart H 5 types of conjunctions--will learn them throughout year correlative (co-relative=2 words always go together) relative pronouns--also on pronoun chart (F) these begin who/which clauses subordinating conjunctions www.asia.wub for main ones coordinating conjunctions FANBOYS Did a cheer to help remember Also sang these, along with the definition of conjunction to "Father Abraham" Foundations, Cycle 2, weeks 21-22 compound subjects and verbs are diagramed with a "rocket ship" Looked at Chart A and how much we have covered so far this year. It is a lot in just six weeks! New Sentence Structure--Compound 2 independent clauses (house diagram) combined using a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) Must have a comma before the FANBOYS Diagrammed with the FANBOYS on a "chair" in between the clauses New Sentence Pattern--S-Vt-Do Direct Objects are nouns/pronouns and must follow verb; answer who/what Transitive verbs transfer action from subject of sentence to the direct object Diagrammed like the pattern is shown on chart A When studying chart A, it is a good idea to have your child mark the diagram lines as well as the abbreviations. (Thanks Jennifer B.!) Conjunction Junction! Math Played Battleship with partners www.nationalnumberknockout.com IEW Read our papers within our table groups Silly Sentences at tables Dressed-up boring sentences with at least 3 given dress-ups or decorations New Structure--Summarizing a Reference (Unit 4) "Some-a-rize" Key words for outline come from interesting, important, or relevant facts NOT from each sentence! 5 to 7 facts (lines) in Key Word Outline Still only 3 words per line Topic Sentence is Roman Numeral "I" in KWO Clincher Sentence just write clincher on KWO (no need for key words) when writing sentence in paragraph, remember rule: "The clincher sentence MUST repeat or reflect 2-3 key words from the topic sentence." At Home... EEL page 108-109 (110-111) in EEL page 109/111 is a test/proof for the first six weeks This is great to do sometime over break to see where your student is and see where there might be areas you need to work on. Remember, mastery is not expected for 1st or 2nd year students! Study Chart H (conjunctions) Also study chart G (compound sentence structure)--we ran out of time for this, but it is important! Continue practicing all charts learned so far (A through F) Work on the vocabulary words and definitions at the beginning of each lesson covered so far. Analytical Task Sheet Try to complete 1 practice sentence each day Sentences 1 and 2 are the only true basic ones this week You can change the words in the sentence to create new ones (if you feel confident), or you can use the history practice sentences I sent out by email a couple of weeks ago or ones on CC Connected. Remember the section in Lesson 3 that gives all of the details for the ATS, and remember the steps are laid out for you on each sentence's page. Optional--Editing exercises and Spelling List in EEL Don't feel that you always have to simply write the charts to practice. Get creative! Math Practice Number Knockout at home Practice and work on speed and accuracy of math facts IEW Lesson 9 from the US History Based Writing book Follow this lesson as closely as you can/would like to. I don't teach from this book (other than reading the source text) on purpose. I leave all of the great teaching helps and ideas in the USHBW lessons for you to use at home! There are some great ideas in there! The text on "The First Thanksgiving" is to help you teach the topic-clincher rule. It is a great resource! You are only doing one paragraph. The idea is to take the 2 paragraphs and summarize them into one. Don't forget about vocabulary words! There are flashcards for these in the back of the student US history book Optional--Bring a completed paper to turn in and share on Tuesday This should be a marked copy with a signed checklist if you want feedback. Should also have a clean (and even illustrated) copy for the published student book Optional--If you are continuing to do school throughout break and would like more writing to do, don't forget about the blackline masters download in the front of the USHBW book. There is another source text that goes along with the one in lesson 9 that would work great for additional practice. Reminders... Be sure to read your lessons for the week after break--Week 7 in EEL Guide and Lesson 10 in USHBW book. Our next Pudewa night is not until the end of October, but make plans to join us on October 26! My Prayer for you this week... "By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches. A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might, for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory." Proverbs 24:3-6 May you remember not only the premise and philosophy behind Classical Education, but may you also be encouraged by each other ("wise guidance" and "abundance of counselors"). I love how we are all in this together, encouraging each other, learning from each other, and supporting each other! Have a great break!
Teaching students how to annotate text can be an intimidating task. Likewise, for our students, annotating text can be equally as daunting, especially if they don’t have a process of their own that works or steps to follow. However, teaching text annotation can be a simple and straightforward task if you follow these five steps.
The first year of teaching can be a challenge! These 15 Teaching Tips for New Teachers are proven strategies to help new teachers survie their first year!
sped curriculum, sped scope and sequence, special education scope, special education curriculum map,
Need help with CC Essentials? Learn how to set up your student notebook as well as what to do at home every day as you work on your Essentials work at home!
Do you hate to teach poetry? Do you want your students to learn and enjoy poetry? Try these simple ways to learn how to teach poetry...
Hi friends! How many days do you have left of summer? I refuse to count, haha! 🙂 I don’t start back until the 18th, but I start training pretty soon […]
Step by step guide to setting up a classroom for a first year teacher. Practical tips on organizing and time management to create a warm & welcoming class.
Points, lines, segments, planes, rays and more; This activity is perfect for those beginning weeks of Geometry when there is so much vocabulary to learn. Sixteen foundational vocabulary words are in these unique fun foldable notes. Students will love creating their own product. Teachers there are th...
It can be overwhelming to complete Essentials at home. Here are 10 tips I have for finding success in working through the grammar and writing at home.
Exactly what you need to know to prepare for Essentials from an Essentials Tutor and Challenge Mom. Prepare for Essentials with these four skills areas.
This shopping guide shares 25 classroom essentials that every first year teacher needs to be confident and prepared to begin the school year.
This character-building lesson is a play-doh activity that teaches patience to kids. Kids learn through fun. When teaching character to kids, I like to use a variety of learning experiences. This lesson on patience focuses on music (building into auditory learning) as well as hands-on experience (accommodating tactile learners). Want more lessons on patience? Check...Read More
The Core Knowledge Sequence is a detailed outline of specific content and skills to be taught in language arts, history, science, the fine arts, and more.
Exactly what you need to know to prepare for Essentials from an Essentials Tutor and Challenge Mom. Prepare for Essentials with these four skills areas.
Explore Fibonacci day with these STEAM activities - Learning about Fibonacci - Storybooks & art projects plus a fun video for kids to learn and enjoy.
Using Animated Shorts to Teach Perspective If you are looking for some high interest activities to enhance your lessons, try using animated shorts to teach reading skills. This post contains the anima
Student teaching advice written by mentor teachers.
One of the things I’ve learned a lot about through trial and error is what things I need to bring with me on the job. Ideally, everythi...
Introducing our stylish and functional cotton canvas tote bag, perfect for all the amazing Pre-K teachers out there! Featuring a trendy black and white checkered design and bold text that proudly says "PRE-K Teacher," this bag is a must-have for any dedicated educator. Designed with both fashion and practicality in mind, this Preschool Teacher Tote Bag is ideal for carrying all your daily essentials, from lesson plans and notebooks to snacks and personal items. Made from durable cotton canvas, it’s built to withstand the demands of a busy school day. This Pre-K Teacher Bag makes an excellent PreK teacher gift, whether for the start of the school year, teacher appreciation week, or as a thoughtful surprise for any occasion. It's also a fantastic back to school accessory for new teachers who are just starting their journey in education. Show your appreciation for the hard-working teachers in your life with this chic and versatile school teaching bag. It’s not just a tote bag; it’s a statement of dedication and love for teaching young minds. Perfect for both practical use and as a stylish accessory, this canvas tote bag is a delightful addition to any teacher’s collection. 💕Proudly printed on 100% Cotton Canvas Tote Bags - 15" x16" bag with 20" handles - Design is printed on one side - Heavy fabric (12 oz/yd² (406.9 g/m²)) - Sewn in Label 💕Shipping This is a made to order item Our turn around time is 1-3 business days. If you need any item by a certain date, please message us and we’ll see what we can do! 💕Refunds and Exchanges Policy: As each tote bag is custom-made to your specifications, we do not offer refunds or exchanges. However, if you encounter any issues with your order, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. 💕Color Disclaimer: Please be aware that actual product colors may differ slightly from what you see in the listing photos. This is because every monitor displays colors differently, and individual perceptions of color can vary. While we strive to accurately depict our products, we cannot guarantee that the colors you see on your screen will perfectly match the final product. 💕Thank you for stopping by and exploring our collection of cute, comfy graphic shirts, sweatshirts, and gifts! We appreciate your visit and hope you found something that brought a smile to your face. Don't forget to browse our other listings for even more delightful and cozy fashion choices. Your support of our small family-run business means the world to us, and we look forward to being a part of your style journey. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or special requests – we're here to make your shopping experience the best it can be. Happy shopping! 💕 https://sugarchip.etsy.com
Filler Activities for ELA (blog post) What can you do with five extra minutes in secondary ELA? Here are a few ideas to engage students until the bell.
If you know me, you know I am in loooove with Daily 5! Ever since incorporating it into my classroom last year, I have loved seeing the variety of skills and strategies my students are working on each and every day. I also love that the segments are short, so we all stay motivated and the energy for learning stays high. I have been wanting to redo how I teach math for a while. As a student, I truly adore mathematics, but as a teacher, I was getting bored. Our district was looking into several programs to adopt and I was piloting Everyday Mathematics. It was definitely a change from our old textbook, but I liked how it mixed things up and spiraled around to keep kids fresh on many math concepts. The district ended up choosing Math Expressions (Please share your experience if you use this!) and this decision allowed me to stop teaching Everyday Mathematics "with fidelity" and monkey around with starting Guided Math/Math Rotations/Small Group Math/Math Centers/etc. for the remainder of this year. I.am.in.love! I know there are many ways of doing this, so I am just sharing what I have been trying and what works so far with my schedule. Some of my greatest inspirations are Elizabeth from Fun in 4B and Dana from 3rd Grade Gridiron. I also have TONS of wonderful links with pictures on my Math Pinterest board-- there are so many inspirational teachers out there :) :) First up, the 3-4 rotations that I use: Teacher Time- spent with me on the rug in a small group, ability-based for the unit, learning a new concept. Lesson Work- practicing the new skill from Teacher Time (usually book work or a worksheet) independently at their table spot. Math Centers- this has been using some of my Word Work Centers as well as my Winter Math Centers. Fact Practice- this is the "I'm Done" center for those students who finish Lesson Work early. I also have Fact Practice as a choice for Math Centers. Some days students don't get to this at all, but I'm ok with that since Xtra Math is a part of our Star Homework each night. Because of time constraints, I could only divide up my class into three groups, so that really limited my use of the cute M-A-T-H or B-U-I-L-D centers that are out there. I just couldn't imagine trying to have super-short Teacher Times or trying to spread one lesson across two days :( With three groups, I am able to meet with kids for 15-20ish minutes and that seems to be just right :) I also tried to keep things aligned with how I do Daily 5 in my class. Because that is so successful, I knew it would be easy for my kids (and, to be honest, on me!) if we started it off the same and ran our math time the same, using some of the same activities as well as the same lingo (like Teacher Time). I began by making an anchor chart of the four rotations as a class: To make the smaller signs, I adjusted my print settings to print 2 signs on one sheet. We then practiced the bottom two rotations over the course of a few days. Because I started this mid-year, it was very easy to build stamina. I started by dividing the kids into two groups and they practiced either Fact Practice or Math Centers. We then reflected on what worked/what needed improving and tried again. I slowly added Teacher Time and then Lesson Work, so that by the end of the second week, we were in full swing. To help things along, since the content does change much more often than in D5, I made small signs to hang on my side white board that listed either the learning target or question as well as the assignments and center choices for kids' reference: This has been a lifesaver because now students have a quick reference point to not only know what we'll be studying in Teacher Time, but they can manage their own Center and Fact Practice time, therefore not interrupting me during Teacher Time (win!). You KNOW I have bookmarks with these rotations, right?! :) I need to go to Bookmarks Anonymous ;) Each student has one and it makes it easy for me to say "Picture 2" and they all know where to go. To learn how to make your own bookmarks from PDF pages, click HERE. To be honest, now that we have been doing this for a while, we don't need these anymore, but I love them just the same and, when our geometry unit is over soon I am going to me remixing the groups, so these will come in handy again soon :) As with everything, the devil is in the details, so prepping is the key. I spent a looooooong time making sure the kids had activities and trying to account for "dead time"-- thus, the Fact Practice option. I also wanted to make materials accessible and easy to get to, so there wouldn't be any excuse for not getting started right away. I am currently storing all of the centers and flash cards in my lovely, colorful cart I purchased from Joann's (50% off and free shipping coupon-- woo hoo!) I will be back soon for more details on how I have been doing Math Centers-- we are using a Bingo Board similar to Word Work and it has worked out well so far. Do you use Math Rotations or something like it? How's it going? PS- I don't have these chevron signs on TpT yet, but is it something you all would be interested in? Let me know and I can get all of the colors together for use in your own classroom-- it's the same chevron as all of my other products HERE. *UPDATE 2/18/13: These are now available for purchase in my TpT Store HERE. All 7 chevron colors are included for every slide as well as a plain background option. Be sure to download the Preview to see an example :) Thanks for such great feedback- I hope you enjoy using these in your class :) :)
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I've been a virtual teacher for the last 3 years. During the school year, I teach 3rd grade for students in a virtual school in my home state of Florida. On weekends and during the summer, I teach ESL children in China with VIPKID. Virtual teaching definitely has it's perks! No commute, no "classroom" with ALL the things, some flexibility, to name a few. (Don't get me wrong- my teaching job during the year is just as much work as when I taught in brick and mortar school, just in a very different way.) Here are 8 essentials I feel you need when teaching virtually in any setting: 1. Headphones & Microphone This is essential for virtual teaching! I use MPOW Headphones that have a built in microphone. When I teach with VIPKID I always use my headphones because they help cancel out extraneous noise that my happen since my own two kids are home during that time. During the year, I use these about half the time I'm teaching and my webcam with the built in mic the other half. I feel when I wear my headphones I am a little more focused on the lesson and teaching. Plus, I am doing a lot of typing for whatever reason during a lesson, I like that these cancel that typing noise that is definitely there. When I am typing and just using my webcam mic you can always hear that "click, click, click" which I think is distracting for students. 2. Webcam I teach most of the day from 8:30-2:30 with my 3rd graders, so a good webcam is essential! This is also super important with VIPKID as well. I love this inexpensive Logi webcam because it has a build in microphone that works really well and my laptop does not have a reliable mic. If I am using my headphones I do usually use my built in webcam in my laptop, but I will have this hooked up as a second camera to show books, model actual writing, etc. during lessons. 3. Portable Dry Erase Board I actually have about 2 or 3 handheld dry erase boards that I use every single day! Sometimes you just need to show something on camera and you want to be able to write it down- and not use a mouse on the computer screen. I use mine to work out math problems, write important words, draw something we are discussing, display rewards, and the list just goes on. It's a serious must have! I have one that is 11x14 and one that a bit smaller and is magnetic. The magnetic one is more useful for VIPKID to display rewards I use. Here is a similar version to the one I currently own. 4. Laptop stand I use this adjustable stand every single day. There are a few benefits to using a laptop stand that I've figured out this year. First, it keeps your laptop able to ventilate and stay cool when you use it all day. Second, it props up your camera to keep it at a more flattering angle when you are on camera. Lastly, it makes typing so much better since your hands are more ergonomically correct. This stand I use is sturdy and doesn't wobble at all. It's also super easy to move if you feel like teaching in a different place, plus it's completely assembled when you get it! 5. Good Lighting It goes without saying that if you are going to be on camera, you need some good lighting! I don't use anything professional. I actually use a desk lamp that I got from Costco that has a fan built in it too. What I like about this lamp is that it allows you to choose the kind of light you want (warm, bright, natural), so you can pick what is best for you and the time of day. Just make sure you put the lamp IN FRONT of your face, so that the light shines on your face. A lamp next to you or behind you on the desk isn't going to help for video. Some people also get small selfie lights that they can hook to their computers. Also, lipstick goes a looonnnggg way in making you look alive on video! I don't worry so much about make-up with my everyday classes. But, when teaching my VIPKID classes I always put on a bright pink lipstick that I would NEVER wear in real life. But, on camera, it looks fantastic! 6. Fun student rewards In my 3rd grade class, I use digital rewards as well as rewards that I mail my students. I regularly use Class Dojo to reward my students for participation and hard work. I also find small things that I can send in the mail like stickers, erasers, sticky hands, slime, etc. I get some of these things from Oriental Trading. I love the sticker scenes especially, like in the photo below. Other stuff I find in Target dollar spot and random places. I also make simple reward cards using my Bitmoji to send along with the little treat. My students love getting these in the mail! 7. Mouse Pad with wrist support (plus a wireless mouse) So, when I first started virtual teaching all day, I actually started getting pain in arm from using the mouse so much. After googling my symptoms I diagnosed myself with "mouse elbow". (Google it- it's real!) I realized I needed some more wrist support with a mouse pad that had that gel wrist support pad attached and the laptop stand for my keyboard. Made a huge difference and now I am pain free! 8. A 2nd computer monitor Last, but not least, if you can swing it, a second monitor is a huge help in virtual teaching! It allows you to easily multitask while teaching. So, you can have the virtual classroom/camera on one computer and use the other monitor to pull up videos, websites, etc. that you need during class. I have an Acer monitor that is great. Check out my "classroom" set up from my first home office below! *All product links are Amazon affiliate links and I may earn a small commission if you use my link when purchasing products.
Are you looking to use scaffolding in teaching? Are you looking for ways to help your students retain information and gain a deeper...
ALL ABOUT FALL Fall is almost here! Those long hot days in August at the beginning of the school year are just about the hardest days of the entire year for me. I am just so tired. But as soon as the mornings are cool and the days start to get shorter, I get a huge burst of energy. Fall
Tackle that awkward getting-to-know-you moment with these 6 fun ESL icebreaker activities. Whether you work with ESL beginners or more advanced students, children or adults, these icebreakers are sure to make the start of your year great!
Looking for grammar lesson plans on how to teach sentence structure? Teach simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences.
Mrs. Elliott’s Guide for Surviving (and even thriving) in IEW Things you should know before you start: 1. IEW is a skills-based, no...
The K-20 Blog explores what’s going on in the world of education, edtech, and school learning management systems, with lots of practical tips to boot!
As teachers begin planning for back to school, I see an abundance of creative classrooms filling my Instagram and Pinterest feeds. I love seeing how other
If you're giving Spanish interactive notebooks a try for the first time in your Spanish classes, you may be wondering what supplies you will need to be off to a successful start. Here's my detailed photo list of 7 things (plus a bonus FREE download) that you need to get started on your interactive notebook journey! **Totally confused about Spanish interactive notebooks and what they are?? START HERE with this blog post!** 1. THE Notebook! Well, it seems quite obvious that for an interactive notebook you need a notebook, but does the kind matter? In my opinion, YES! Definitely go for composition notebooks like the ones pictured below. Spiral bound notebooks just don't work as well and can easily lose pages throughout the year. Composition notebooks are tightly bound and can endure all of the use you'll be giving your notebook. 2. Scissors! You'll need a classroom set (or have students bring their own) to cut out your notebook inserts. 3. Glue Sticks! I prefer glue sticks a MILLION times over bottled glue to attach notebook inserts. There is a less likely chance of a goopy mess in the notebooks. While some have mentioned glue sticks not sticking as long, I've personally never had this problem and they seem to do the trick just fine. 4. Colored Pencils and Highlighters! While I don't spend an excessive amount of time in class adding color to notebooks, I do encourage students to do so when caught up on their class assignments or have extra time. I explain the use of color like this: "Wouldn't it be boring to look at a black and white textbook? Well, if your notebook is supposed to act as a 'textbook' in this class then it should be visually appealing as well". We all have students from time to time who just don't like "to color"...that's ok, BUT I do include "Appearance" on my rubric which I use to assess the notebooks (see below), so I encourage students to use color (whether with colored pencils or highlighting) in an effective way to make their notebooks more interesting and visually appealing. 5. Table of Contents! This 4 page document is stapled together and the the final sheet glued to the inside front cover of the notebooks. As we go throughout the year, students add the topic to the corresponding page number on their table of contents. This keeps everything nice and organized. Students can easily find and access topics just by a quick scan of the table of contents. 6. Rubric! This goes on the inside back cover of the notebook. I assess notebooks with the rubric once per grading period (for me that's once every 9 weeks). My rubric includes categories in Preparation, Use of Time, Organization, Appearance, and Completeness. My Rubric and Table of Contents are both available HERE in my TpT store. The rubric is even in editable format so that you can customize it for your classes. 7. Envelope! While I encourage students to attach inserts to their notebooks before adding in information, sometimes it just may not happen in class. They made need to finish something that they've already cut out but haven't attached at home. An envelope (either a letter sized OR a small manilla envelope) attached to the last page can store inserts and templates that haven't yet been glued. *Bonus* 8. Cover! A teacher recently emailed to ask if I would create a standard cover for all of her students to attach to the front of their notebooks. You'll find 3 different cover options and I've also included a few interactive notebook templates in the download which may be useful additions to your own INBs. Just pop in your email address below to get the download. Enjoy! :) Any other must-haves for INBs? Feel free to let me know in the comments!
When it comes to having great classroom management, one of the most important aspects is CLASSROOM PROCEDURES. Classroom procedures can make your teaching so much…
Are you tired of repeating what students will need for what seems like the millionth time? These Visual Reminder Cards will solve that! This is the ultimate tool to help your students stay on task and remember what supplies they need. Say goodbye to frustration and confusion! These cards are here to streamline your classroom routines. Whether it's markers, notebooks, or any other materials, these cards provide a visual cue that eliminates the need for constant reminders. Want to make them last for years to come? Just laminate to make them durable and easy to clean! This will make them ideal for daily use in your classroom. What's Included: A sign that says, "You Will Need" Crayons Markers (Various Colors) Scissors Pencil Glue Bottle Notebooks (Various Colors) Whiteboard Laptop Glue Stick Lined Paper Expo Marker (Various Colors) Book (Various Colors) Chromebook (2 Versions) Clipboard Folder (Various Colors) Binder (Various Colors) iPad Paint (2 versions) Highlighter Calculator Colored Pencils Protractor Sharpener Stapler Composition Book Computer Mouse Whiteboard Eraser Tape Ruler Headphones (2 versions) Colored Pencils Markers Geometry Compass Pencil Case and Pencil Box (Multiple Options) 3 Colors of Backpacks Check and Cross icons Markers Lunchbox 2 Black Sharpies Multiple colors of pens Next, If, Then signs Steps 1-10 labels
