Venus Flytrap Fact Book

The kids are eager to learn more about the Venus Flytrap.  I created an Easy Science Reader to provide students with real images!

 Click Image for Freebie Download

Math Word Wall

Here are the links from SW GA Schools: Kindergarten, First Grade, Second Grade, Third Grade, Fourth Grade, Fifth Grade.

Canivorous Plants!!

I'm excited about my new science exploration.  I received the Venus Flytrap, dried flies, and Hungry Plants book today from My Carnivore.  The kids are VERY excited about Camping with Books.  We will feature a Kid Pool for an additional center this year! Stay Tuned!!

Bug Off! Math Center

With only a few weeks remaining in second grade, my kids are working on associating number strings with multiplication.  This concentration center is themed for Camping with Books. When working out the problems, the kids are asked to use invented strategies.  I love watching the light bulbs go off and the meaningful discussions between partners.

 Click to Download Freebie

Capacity Robot and Centers

I've worked to update my Capacity Robots and Work Stations and uploaded a revision to my TPT store. The unit has been aligned to Common Core Standards.

Comprehension Connections

Comprehension Connections: Bridges to Strategic Reading was recommended by a colleague.  It is written by a teacher whom provides concrete connections for anchor lessons in reading strategies. Metacognition, schema, inferring, questioning, determining importance, visualizing, and synthesizing can be difficult for many primary students.  Tanny's book spells out interactive meaningful connections to understanding the strategies taught with easy to read lessons to align.  

Reading Resource (dot) net has pictures demonstrating activities from Tanny's book and printable sheets to use with activities.  Link here.

My Superman...

Superman doesn't wear a cape and fly through the sky.  He or she walks the halls of academic institutions, often wearing uncomfortable clothes, seen massaging temples and rubbing feet, sketching a list of ideas on paper, and discussing common goals.  My Superman comes in the form of a friend, parent, and most importantly an educator. I'm, as Babbling Abby would say, "Twelve Kinds of Excited"! My DonorsChoose project was fully funded  tonight.  This experience has been rewarding, and the generosity of teachers across this country has truly inspired me.  With the exception of one of my parents for Teacher Appreciation, all my donors are teachers!  I'm confident now more than ever that we collectively make up the fictional character, Superman.  Its' our willingness to reach out and share our creations, encourage our colleagues, support each others endeavors, and work towards a common goal of educating our youth that makes us the hero. 

Music Supporting Curriculum

Lindsey at The Teacher Wife asked what kind of music we use in our classroom.  I just love Sam Jones: Puppy Dog Blues.  Sam Jones has been teaching for more than 15 years in California and is well known for using music to supplement his curriculum.  

My county adopted Duval Reading by Houghton Mifflin.  I did back flips three years ago when I was introduced to Sam Jones by a teacher on my grade level.  He has adapted Houghton Mifflin basal selections and infused the songs with weekly high frequency and vocabulary words.  The songs are sung to familiar tunes and the kids quickly caught on!  I also found an increase in comprehension and often see a student singing to themselves while taking their selection test.  Funny!

While making our Mother's Day gifts, I filmed the students working and singing various songs.  I edited so the videos wouldn't be so long to view.  If you use Houghton Mifflin, I HIGHLY recommend you invest the $10 for any of his CDs.

Jennifer at Rowdy in First Grade asked a great question in my comments.  The songs are TOTALLY worth purchasing if you don't have Houghton Mifflin.  Please read below see a few stories featured in Sam Jones CDs. 

 1st grade songs and a video of my kids singing a few...

 2nd grade songs and my students singing a few...

Sam Jones does have 3rd grade songs available.
I haven't purchased this CD.

The Avery Bunch: Fractions

The Avery Bunch - Fractions from Mr. Avery on Vimeo.

You can visit Mr. Avery's Blog and Fraction Post here.

Digital Retelling: Response to Literature