Good afternoon, y’all! Is anyone else feeling the pain of this week so far? It really has nothing to do with my kiddos, they are behaving/working just fine, but it seems like I can’t make it through the day without getting a headache or scratchy throat! Must be this nasty weather we got goin’ on here in the Dallas area! Can’t let it slow me down though, because I have only 6 more school days until Open House! Lots to get done.
Not sure how familiar you all are with the Texas state assessments, but we are changing to STAAR this year from TAKS, which comes with some new challenges (thank the Lord I teach 2nd!). Starting this year, students will have to complete their test within four hours. Four hours seems like a stinkin’ long time to me, but since they’ve been used to having all day, it will for sure be an adjustment. So, it was time for me to change my reading/math strategies, and make them more simple. I’m all for simple!
Last year, my class used PLORE, which you can find HERE! Some upper grade teachers suggested we narrow down our strategy steps, so here’s what I came up with:
You should be able to click on the pictures above to download. Or you can click {HERE}
I also took down the problem solving strategy that I had on my math board:
I can honestly say that I have not referred to that board once this year, so it was more than pointless anyways!
I put up these addition and subtraction key words that you can download for free at The Teacher Wife
I’m not super excited about the way this looks… I should have changed the background and whatnot, but I am way too lazy for that midyear! I do LOVE the addition and subtraction signs, so I’ll jazz the board up more for next year! The addition/subtraction with regrouping posters are from my units on TPT.
A few more pictures to show what we’ve been up to:
These two addition with regrouping activities can be found HERE
And, lots of my kiddos have conquered the 1000 challenge! Several are still working, but I’m super proud of the ones who finished, cramped hand and all!
Now I’m even more tired from just looking at what all we’ve been up to, haha!
That’s it for me! Tomorrow is Career Day, and I am dressing up as an aerobic’s instructor… yoga pants, and tennis shoes? YES, please! And, I will definitely be rockin’ a head band, no worries!
Hi, I'm Amy
Hey, y’all! My name is Amy Lemons and I am passionate about providing students with both engaging and effective standards-based Math and ELA lessons.
To be honest STAAR scares me a bit…I'm so thankful I teach 1st..but I feel bad for my own children..they're going to have to take that dang assessment! Ugghh!
P.S. Enjoy being an aerobic's instructor for a day!
Gladys teachinginhighheels.blogspot.com
It all looks great! My hubby still plays video games, if that counts! =) Jennifer First Grade Blue SKies
Too funny, the head band etc. My husband is a car guy so don't talk to me about toys 🙂 He also loves his chainsaw, good stories there. I love all the ideas, especially the signs. Thankfully, we only do the govt. testing in Gr. 3 and 6 so Grade 2 is lovely to teach ! These signs will be perfect for preparing them. Thanks, a great way to start my evening….my husband made the best pasta tonight. I LOVE husbands who cook !!!! Have to run and drive my daughter to dance….
I love your cute reading strategies posters! Simple, but effective, and that's what my kiddos need. Thank you for sharing.
Yes my husband still plays with toys. He just built a Kinect roller coaster. I love reading you blog and getting ideas.
Ohh I'm glad that I'm not the only one with a husband that still plays with toys! I do have to say, though, that it is very easy to fill his stocking at Christmas time…helloooo Legos!
What fab ideas! I can't wait to use the freebies 🙂 THANKS! 🙂 I haven't seen my hubbie all evening since his new video came from Best Buy today, oh boys…hehe 🙂
Where did you find your 2D and 3D shapes from the board you don't refer much to?
My husband still plays with nerf guns, video games and remote control cars.
Cute posters! Thanks for sharing! Boys and toys…luckily my hubs is technologically challenged!
LOVE LOVE LOVE the 1000 challange!! Might have to do that with my first graders- if I do I will share my pictures with you! what a great idea! thank you for sharing!!
Really great pics!..I love the mystery genre!! and yep my hubby still spends $$$ on toys! DJ equipment, video games and once he was into bowling for a while!! LOL they are an interesting breed!
I bought your winter friends activity today and had my 3rd graders do the art project. It turned out darn cute! Thanks for sharing it on TPT. As a matter of fact, my kiddos saw I got the idea from you and started quizzing me about plagarizing. I, of course, ensured them that i bought the rights to use it. They were cracking me up!
Stephanie… too funny!!! So glad they turned out cute!!!
I feel all of your pain… my hubs does XBox, remote control helicopters, air soft guns, ping pong, drums, etc. etc. etc.!!
19 Responses
Your class has been very busy!!! 🙂
To be honest STAAR scares me a bit…I'm so thankful I teach 1st..but I feel bad for my own children..they're going to have to take that dang assessment! Ugghh!
P.S. Enjoy being an aerobic's instructor for a day!
Gladys
teachinginhighheels.blogspot.com
It all looks great! My hubby still plays video games, if that counts! =)
Jennifer
First Grade Blue SKies
Too funny, the head band etc. My husband is a car guy so don't talk to me about toys 🙂 He also loves his chainsaw, good stories there. I love all the ideas, especially the signs. Thankfully, we only do the govt. testing in Gr. 3 and 6 so Grade 2 is lovely to teach ! These signs will be perfect for preparing them. Thanks, a great way to start my evening….my husband made the best pasta tonight. I LOVE husbands who cook !!!! Have to run and drive my daughter to dance….
I love your cute reading strategies posters! Simple, but effective, and that's what my kiddos need. Thank you for sharing.
Kayla
Primary Junction
Yes my husband still plays with toys. He just built a Kinect roller coaster. I love reading you blog and getting ideas.
Ohh I'm glad that I'm not the only one with a husband that still plays with toys! I do have to say, though, that it is very easy to fill his stocking at Christmas time…helloooo Legos!
Awesome posters!
Sara 🙂
Smiling In Second Grade
looks awesome! question about the 1000 challenge… I've read your every post, but I don't recall a 1000 challenge… can you explain?
🙂 Thanks! Lauren
Notes From Miss Dennis
You are very busy!! Thanks for the freebies!
And yes, my husband plays with toys. Like no other!
A Teeny Tiny Teacher
Oh gosh, my husband always steals my laptop so he can play XBox live and connect/play with my younger brother! Five hours later….!
A Cupcake for the Teacher
What fab ideas! I can't wait to use the freebies 🙂 THANKS! 🙂 I haven't seen my hubbie all evening since his new video came from Best Buy today, oh boys…hehe 🙂
Lisa 🙂
Made In The Shade In Second Grade
I teach third grade in Texas. This is not a fun year. STAAR stinks.
Buzzing with Ms. B
Where did you find your 2D and 3D shapes from the board you don't refer much to?
My husband still plays with nerf guns, video games and remote control cars.
Cute posters! Thanks for sharing! Boys and toys…luckily my hubs is technologically challenged!
LOVE LOVE LOVE the 1000 challange!! Might have to do that with my first graders- if I do I will share my pictures with you! what a great idea! thank you for sharing!!
Really great pics!..I love the mystery genre!! and yep my hubby still spends $$$ on toys! DJ equipment, video games and once he was into bowling for a while!! LOL they are an interesting breed!
I bought your winter friends activity today and had my 3rd graders do the art project. It turned out darn cute! Thanks for sharing it on TPT. As a matter of fact, my kiddos saw I got the idea from you and started quizzing me about plagarizing. I, of course, ensured them that i bought the rights to use it. They were cracking me up!
Stephanie… too funny!!! So glad they turned out cute!!!
I feel all of your pain… my hubs does XBox, remote control helicopters, air soft guns, ping pong, drums, etc. etc. etc.!!