Raising Creative Writers in the Classroom - Sharing is Caring Teacher Blogging Collaborative

By Deann Marin (Socrates Lantern) 

Ever wonder what makes a creative writer? See what these educators are doing to inspire their students to love writing.

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                                                 Creative Writing Tips from Pixar

  By Lisa Robles of Lisa TeachR's Classroom

Want some writing tips from best storytellers around? I found this great info-graphic detailing the top 22 tips from Pixar. I took a few and discuss how to use them in a classroom.

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How to Teach Creative Writing Every Day

By Marypat Mahoney of Just Add Students

Students love creative writing activities. But all too often, we have to put those fun activities on the back burner. Here is an easy way to engage students in creative writing in every class.

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Poetry Workshop

By Deann Marin of Socrates Lantern

Usually when I tell my students that we are going to learn how to write poems, some of them say, “I can’t write a poem,” or “Yuck, Poetry!.” By the end of the workshop, which takes about 2-3 weeks, most of the kids realize that they can in fact write all sorts of poems and they even like it.

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Creating Kids Who Love to Write

By Retta London of Rainbow City Learning

By far, the best idea I have ever found to create better writers is to make sure that kids are writing every day. Good writers are people who write.

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Sharing is Caring Blogging Cooperative

An InLinkz Link-up

Try My Task Card Activity Set Free of Charge

 

If you are interested in trying one of my high energy, engaging Task Card Activity Sets for free, please CLICK HERE.

Here is a list of available sets:
Elementary Mathematics:
Algebra, Exponents and Polynomials
Making Change
Money Word Problems - Calculating Final Price, Change and Cost
Order Of Operations - BEDMAS
Calculating Simple Interest
Algebra and Polynomials
Mean, Median, Mode and RangeCalculating Elapsed Time Word Problems
Pre-Algebra Word Problems
Area and Perimeter of Polygons Word Problems
Converting between Decimals, Fractions and Percentages
Decimals - Four Basic Operations
Multiplication and Division Word Problems
Fractions

High School Mathematics:
Polynomials - Binomials and Trinomials
System of Linear Equations
Measurement of 3D Objects
Solving Quadratic Equations
Solving Trigonometry Problems

Science:
Work, Energy and Power
The Periodic Table
Space - The Study of the Universe
Biology: Cells and Body Systems
Chemistry - Atoms, Compound Naming and Chemical Reactions
Ecology and Ecosystems
Electricity - Current and Static
Motion (Kinematics)
Forces (Dynamics)
Forces and Motion

Language Arts - "Monthly Reading Passages: September-May"

By Christina L
Grades 2-4

Cover all the important days and events of the year with these fun reading passages. They are filled with fun, historical facts plus comprehension questions.

Use them as a quick warm up, in a reading center or any other time you want to include a fun lesson about a holiday, season or a special day in history.

It includes months September through May.

Each month includes 8 reading passages and 1 worksheet for recalling important facts.

Check it out here!

Thanks for looking!

Christina L

My Store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Christina-L

My Blog: http://aclassroomforallseasons.blogspot.com

5 concise and interesting science videos to begin and create discussion in your classroom – Part 1

 

How to start every class.  To begin a class I want my kids thinking science and what better way than to show a quick science (connected to the content or students lives in general) video, usually 3-4 minutes long which leads to a class discussion. These videos create a minds-on mentality, generate discussion and allow me to take control of my class from the start because once the video begins, the students understand it's time to focus. I'm going to dedicate a series of posts to these videos. I'll like to the video and write a short description of how I use it. Please check back regularly. Amazing Energy Facts to Blow Your Mind - ASAP Science

 

CHRISTMAS IN JULY SALE

I’m so excited to announce that I’m participating in the CHRISTMAS IN JULY SALE on 

July 13th and 14th

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Nastaran

I've marked four of my BUNDLES on sale for 50% OFF just for this sale !

I’ve also included a FLASH FREEBIE in my store for the duration of this sale.

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HAPPY CHRISTMAS SHOPPING!

 Sincerely,Nastaran.

What's a Growth Mindset?

What's a Growth Mindset?

By Lisa Robles

LisaTeachR's Classroom

So first, let's start with some background.  It's an idea founded by Dr. Carol Dweck from Stanford University.  A fixed mindset is the idea that things are the way they are.  You're born good at something or not.  There's no room for growth.  A growth mindset is the idea that you can develop ability through hard work and effort.  You can become good at anything, if you work hard enough.  If a student has a growth mindset, they build confidence, perseverance and ultimately success.

So I've been doing some work with my kids on changing from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset.  I thought I'd share some of the things I've done.

So in my class I started with quotes.   I found a lot on Practical Savvy.  I put up quotes like:

1. Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you did not do than by the ones you did. Mark Twain
2. It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop. Confucius
3. It’s kind of fun to do the impossible. Walt Disney
4. It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer. Albert Einstein

I gave each group of four kids one quote and had them discuss it.  Then they separated and formed new groups.  They shared their quotes, their groups thinking and what it has in common with the other quotes.

After that, I explained the difference between an fixed and a growth mindset.  I then gave them an activity where they took fixed mindset thinking and turned them into growth mindset.  You can find that activity here.  

I then put up posters showing how to change fixed mindset thinking into growth mindset.  I made them with nice frames.

Another activity is to have them research successful people who had to overcome obstacles to get where they were.  People like Walt Disney, Michael Jordan and Steve Jobs.  You can find that activity here on TeachersPayTeachers. 

As a teacher, I want to be sure I'm framing my feedback using growth mindset. A team of us at school are creating a checklist we could use to record ourselves in how effective we are at using feedback to challenge, praise and encourage. We'll be working on that for the next few months.

So that's where we are right now.  Funny, the other day, a student said," Miss, E--- has a fixed mindset!  He said he can't do it and he hasn't even tried!"  So I asked, "What would be a better way to say it?"  She said, "He could have said, I'm worried I won't do well but I'll try my best."  Something is sticking!!

TPT: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Lisateachr
Google Plus: https://plus.google.com/+LisaRoblesLisaTeachR/posts
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LisaTeachR
Bloglovin: http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/12597175
Twitter: @Lisa_teacher
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/lisarteacher

Math - "Area Foldable"

Jenny Stafford
Grades 4-8

Included is a foldable on area. Students love these type of activities because they are hands on. Students will be asked for the area formula for a triangle, square, rectangle, parallelogram, rhombus, and trapezoid. In addition, students will be given four figures and need to name the figures (isosceles triangle, parallelogram, trapezoid, and hexagon). Students will calculate the area of these four figures.

 

Total Pages: 2 (7 including step by step instructions and answer key)

Answer Key: Included 

 

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Area-1818951 

Math - "Statistics Foldable"

Jenny Stafford
Grades 5-8

Included is a foldable on statistics: mode, mean, median, range, minimum, maximum, upper quartile, and lower quartile. This is a great activity for any grade learning about statistics especially 6th and 7th grade. Students will love creating these foldables and it gives them a great tool to use to study!

Students will create a foldable then answer questions on the foldable. Students will construct a dot plot, histogram, and box plot. In addition, students will be giving the definitions and values for mode, mean, median, range, minimum, upper quartile, and lower quartile.

Lastly, I even included a blank template of the foldable so that you can decide if you want to give another problem or have students create their own!

 

Total Pages: 8 (including step by step instructions and answer key)

Answer Key: Included 

 

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Statistics-Foldable-1773182 

Math : "Simple Interest"

Jenny Stafford
Grades 6-12

Students are going to determine the cost of buying a car. Students will calculate the interest and balance of six cars. They will be given information for four banks. Students will decide what car they want to purchase and choose the bank that gives them the best deal.

Total Pages: 9

Answer Key: Included

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Simple-Interest-1384054 

Close Reading Guide: The Fourteenth Goldfish

Close Reading Guide on TeachersPayTeachers!
The Fourteenth Goldfish

by Jennifer Holm

Post by Lisa Robles

LisaTeachR's Classroom

This is a guide to a close reading of this wonderful book, The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer Holm. It was first published in 2014 and immediately made it onto blogs and even the Global Read Aloud. It's about Ellie. Her parents are divorced but cordial and her biggest concern is starting middle school. Then one day, her mother brings home a boy. He's a moody teenager...but something about him is very familiar to Ellie. He's a lot like her crazy grandpa/scientist. Could it be? Some themes to consider while reading this book: science ethics, science, divorce, friendship, aging, family, intergenerational relationships, growth mindset, and stereotypes.

Close reading will be an integral part of teaching with the Common Core. Students need to know how to be analytic when reading texts and poems. I have outlined the components of authentic literacy and what it looks like in the classroom. I formatted the guide as follows. It begins with an explanation of close reading and how to format a lesson. Then, there is a story summary, themes listed and character descriptions. I created focus questions for each and every chapter. There are explicit gradual release formatted lessons throughout. I included a close reading sheet for each of the explicit lessons. You could use the focus questions to create more close reading lessons using the blank templates or for class discussions. At the end, there is a blank sheet for planning and to use with close reading of different chapters. I hope your students enjoy it as much as my students did.

Immortality? Maybe not so far-fetched.  Watch this!

Awards for The Fourteenth Goldfish:
Amazon.com Best Books of the Year 2014, Ages 9–12; Booklist Lasting Connections 2014, Science: New York Public Library, 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing 2014, Stories for Older Readers; ALA Notable Books for Children 2015, Middle Readers; VOYA Top Shelf Fiction for Middle School Readers 2014, chosen for the 2014 Global Read Aloud

Watch this final event with Jenni Holm for the Global Read Aloud.  Sign up now if you want to participate in the fall.

Some comments my other close reading guides have received:

"This was my first year using this book and your resources helped me out greatly! Thank you!"
"Love this! My ESL students are struggling with the novel and this will help."
"Thank you for this wonderful product! Walking through a close read with my students, helped them understand the process. It was fantastic being able to reproduce the novel in a close reading graphic organizer. This product saved me a lot of time!"
"Awesome resource! I can't wait to use it. I can see that it will be useful with SEVERAL different grades. Thank you!"

Thanks for taking a look at my close reading guide on my TPT store!  This is a great book.  Read it to your kids/class today!

TPT: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Lisateachr
Google Plus: https://plus.google.com/+LisaRoblesLisaTeachR/posts
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LisaTeachR
Bloglovin: http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/12597175
Twitter: @Lisa_teacher
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/lisarteacher

Math - "Laws of Exponents Foldable"

Jenny Stafford
Grades 6-9

Included is a Laws of Exponents foldable. Students will define the laws of exponents: product rule, quotient rule, power rule, negative exponent rule, and zero exponent rule. In addition, students will fill out a table that deals with expanding and solving problems with exponents. This is a great activity that provides a fun way for students to study the laws of exponents.

 

Total Pages: 3 (7 including instructions)

Answer Key: Included

 

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Laws-of-Exponents-1583695 

Classroom Management: Behavior Reflection Logs

Hello!
It's back to school time again.  I know my brain starts the shift after 4th of July like all the retailers.  One of the first things I spend time reflecting about is classroom management.  Even after 15 years in the classroom I feel like this is one are where I can continually learn and grow as a teacher.  Yesterday I shared my Student-Friendly Behavior Learning Targets.  Today I'm sharing my Behavior Reflection Logs.

I've used these reflection logs in my classroom for nearly 15 years.  They've been tweaked a little over the years and I will continue to tweak them.  These are meant to help students reflect about their behavior choices and how they are going to change their behavior.  Every student has a bad day once in awhile.  Even my best students know that they too will have to fill one of these out.  It's about reflecting and learning to make different choices in the future.  We all make mistakes.  We just need to learn and grow from them.

There are versions for K-1 students and versions for 2nd grade through 3rd or even 4th grade students.  The younger students can draw pictures.  The older students or more capable students can write about their choices.  They are both in color and in black and white.  You can read more about them and grab them here in my TpT store.

Hope they help and lead to better choices!

Joya :)

Math Notebook - "Interactive Notebook"

Jenny Stafford
Grades 6-9

This is a whole years worth of interactive notebook material. Each page has the 7th grade Common Core standard posted. In addition, there are hands on activities and cutouts. This notebook is very engaging. You won't find anything else like it! I also have a 6th grade and 8th grade Common Core interactive notebook. I have included a link at the bottom of the description to see a sample of this notebook. In addition, I have included the links to the 6th and 8th grade notebook.

The file is a zip file containing two PDF files (one for the notebook and one for the answer key).

Table of Contents

Interactive Notebook
• All About Me
• Teacher Expectations
• Grading Rubric Template
• Setting Goals
• Table of Concepts
• Reflections Template
• 7.NS.A.1
• 7.NS.A.1 Vocabulary Foldable
• 7.NS.A.2
• 7.NS.A.3
• 7.RP.A.1
• 7.RP.A.2
• 7.RP.A.3
• 7.EE.A.1
• 7.EE.A.2
• 7.EE.B.3
• 7.EE.B.4
• 7.EE.B.4.A
• 7.EE.B.4.B
• 7.G.A.1
• 7.G.A.1 Hands on Activity
• 7.G.A.2
• 7.G.A.3
• 7.G.B.4
• 7.G.B.4 Hands on Activity
• 7.G.B.5
• 7.G.B.5 Vocabulary Foldable
• 7.G.B.6
• 7.SP.A.1
• 7.SP.A.2
• 7.SP.B.3
• 7.SP.B.4
• 7.SP.B.4 Vocabulary Foldable
• 7.SP.C.5
• 7.SP.C.6
• 7.SP.C.7
• 7.SP.C.8
• Foldable Templates
• Vocabulary Template
• Vocabulary Foldable
 
CLICK HERE to see a sample of this notebook on my blog.

CLICK HERE to see my 6th grade interactive notebook.

CLICK HERE to see my 8th grade interactive notebook.

Total Pages

124 (211 including answer keys)

Answer Key : Included

Teaching Duration : 1 Year 

 

Like this notebook? Please visit my store for other great activities

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Interactive-Notebook-1397172

Language Arts - "Story Elements Activities"

By Christina L
Grades 2-4

Use these activities to introduce Story Elements to your students.
The following worksheets are included:

• Introduction to Characters and Character Traits Worksheet

• Character Traits Challenge A-Z

• Character Traits Evidence

• Character Interview 

• Character Compare and Contrast

• Inferring Character Traits

• Introduction to Setting Worksheet

• Setting - Illustration

• Inferring Setting (Parts I and II)

• Setting and Characters

• Introduction to Plot

• Plot Events Graphic Organizer

• Creative Writing - Students choose characters and setting to begin their own story

• Creative Writing - Graphic Organizer to help write story

• Creative Writing - lined paper

Check it out here.

Thanks for looking!

Christina L

My Store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Christina-L

My Blog: http://aclassroomforallseasons.blogspot.com

Classroom Management: Behavior Learning Targets

Hello!
It's that time of year again.  It seems that as soon as the 4th of July is over school is back on the brain.  Are you thinking about classroom management?  I know I always am.  I feel like there's always ways to improve and grow as a teacher.  Even after 15 years in the classroom!  This week I'm sharing a couple of my classroom management tools that are my constants in my room year after year.

You've heard of learning targets, right?  Have you ever thought about trying behavior learning targets?  Let me tell you… they work!!!  I've used these successfully for years to help students improve their behavior choices in the classroom one behavior at a time.

The theory behind these is that you can only target one behavior at a time.  If you truly want students to experience success they can only focus on improving one behavior.

These targets are broken down into student-friendly language.  There are charts with 5 spots for feedback and 10 spots for feedback.  Give what you like to give in your classroom and what motivates that student.  Stickers, check marks, smiley faces, etc…

You can see the complete list of targets and grab them in my TpT store here.  Stay tuned for tomorrow where I will share about my behavior reflection logs.

Joya :)

Back to School Binder for Grades 4-7

By Deann Marin at The Best of Teacher Entrepreneurs 

Offering for Educators, Comprehensive Teaching Aides.
If you'd like to see what else I have to offer please visit my store

I finally finished updating this Back to School Binder for Grades 4-7 and Special Education. I love music so I’ve incorporated the theme “Getting to Know You,” from Roger’s and Hammerstein’s The King and I.  You can use the included YouTube video link to the song as well as a copy of the lyrics. This binder has everything you need to begin the school year such as name tags for the bulletin board, for the kids to wear and even to place on desks. I’ve added 6 writing prompts with a grading rubric, family trees, cards with questions to answer as ice breakers, a crossword puzzle, and more. This is a growing bundle, when I think of more things to add, I will let you know. If you think of more things for this binder that would make your life easier, just comment. I hope you like it.

What's Inside 

Complete lesson plans …………………4-6

Getting to Know You,

YouTube Link and Lyrics………………7

Large apple information and

name tags for bulletin board…………8-15

Small apple information and

name tags for student to wear………16-19

Name tags for desks…………………...20-32

Cards with questions…………………...33-36

Apple homework questions…………….37-42

Writing prompts………………………...42-49

Writing Rubric…………………………...50

Family trees……………………………….51-58

Crossword puzzle……………………….59-60

Crossword puzzle answers…………….61

Contact information…………………….62

Please visit Socrates Lantern's Tpt Store to view this binder

Please visit Socrates Lantern’s Social Media Sites