tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78006527721807082092024-03-05T03:19:57.964-08:00Mrs. Renz' Classa4kokaneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06417458330881454236noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800652772180708209.post-52968704720152897892017-06-29T16:19:00.001-07:002017-06-29T16:31:07.337-07:00I've Moved to MrsRenz.com ! Come Visit MeHey teacher friends!<br />
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Come take a peek at my gorgeous new blog, <a href="http://mrsrenz.com/">MrsRenz.com</a> . I've done a complete redesign and I absolutely love it! <br />
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Thanks to Kassie, of <a href="http://www.designsbykassie.com/" target="_blank">Designs by Kassie</a>, for the beautiful new look!a4kokaneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06417458330881454236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800652772180708209.post-81767358234232173092017-01-19T11:20:00.002-08:002023-10-04T09:18:30.689-07:00Help Students Analyze Poetry and Enjoy It! {Grades 4-5}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hi teacher friends! April's poetry month is a short hop and a skip away.<br />
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You have to teach poetry to fourth and fifth graders but you may not have the time to prepare for dissecting poems. There are 9 exemplar poems on the CCSS Poetry Exemplar List. Yikes, that's a LOT and your prep time is limited. Maybe you don't even LIKE poetry, let alone have to TEACH it. Here's some hints that I hope help.<br />
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First you will want to learn about the POET:<br />
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<li>Research everything about the poet.</li>
<li>What background can you learn about the poet?</li>
<li>Who is he or she?</li>
<li>Where is s/he from?</li>
<li>What was s/he known for?</li>
<li>What other poems has s/he written?</li>
<li>What is the audience for the poems?</li>
<li>What was his/her style?</li>
<li>During what time period was this poem written?</li>
<li>What elements of poetry does the poet emphasize? Why?</li>
<li>What may have caused the poet to write this particular poem?</li>
<li>Has s/he written other similar poems?</li>
<li>Dig deep! Take notes.</li>
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Now you need to learn about the poem:<br />
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<li>Start by first quickly reading the poem.</li>
<li>Now re-read the poem, this time read it for understanding.</li>
<li>Then read the poem again, thinking about what the poet was (really) trying to say. </li>
<li>What is the meaning of the poem?</li>
<li>What is the poem about?</li>
<li>Where does it take place?</li>
<li>Think through your teacher lens and make sense of the poem and consider what you would tell students.</li>
<li>What is the message and theme?</li>
<li>What is the poem's stanza structure? </li>
<li>Does the poet choose to use rhyming structure or not? </li>
<li>Why did the poet choose that structure?</li>
<li>What about the rhyme scheme?</li>
<li>How about the poet's use of alliteration, metaphors and similes?</li>
<li>What other types of figurative language are used? </li>
<li>What other types of literary devices are used?</li>
<li>What words are used and what do they mean?</li>
<li>How does the poet use words to help convey mood and emotion?</li>
<li>Look for vivid verbs and colorful adjectives to point out to your students.</li>
<li>What emotion does the poem cause you to feel? </li>
<li>Do you enjoy the poem? </li>
<li>What makes you like or dislike it?</li>
<li>How will you teach this to students?</li>
<li>How will you assess student understanding?</li>
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There's SO much to teaching poetry but you have to do it right or your students won't enjoy it and that's just not okay! {Quick Story!} Here's a quick story about the importance of a teacher's love of their subject matter. Did you have a teacher or professor in college that you loved? If you did, it's likely because the teacher or prof had a passion and genuine interest in their subject matter. I enjoyed my high school French class, not so much because I loved French, but our teacher made it come to life. He told us stories. He made us laugh. He made the subject matter come to life. He didn't read slides or notes. He talked to us. He knew his stuff and he just talked to us and told stories connected to what we were learning. Learning was fun in his class. I actually went on to take French for a whole year in college and got a Bachelor of Arts (instead of a Bachelor of Science) because my teacher helped me love the subject matter. I never dreamed I would do that but the inspiration from his class spurred me on. YOU can be the storyteller that helps students understand why poets write and help them understand the deeper meaning of poems. It's like a puzzle that needs solving!<br />
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Trust me on this; the more you know about the poet and the poem, the more you will be able to help students learn to read poetry and understand the (literal) words and the (figurative) word play. I know it's not easy! Some poems are hard to understand for adults. Some of the poems on the 4th and 5th grade CCSS list are tough to interpret and I wondered how someone decided which poems were appropriate and understandable by 10 and 11 year olds? Holy cow! Think what those deep poems sound like to a student! If they're tough for you to understand, you can empathize with your students as they struggle to grasp meaning. You have to understand so you can help your students. Don't short cut the steps of building your own background knowledge and understanding. Read as many poems by the same author as you can so you get the poet's style and themes. <br />
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If you're STILL stressing about teaching poetry, and maybe don't have the time to devote to it, I suggest starting with one poet and poem. Then teach your socks off!<br />
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If you don't have time with the hectic year, don't worry. I've got you covered! I love teaching poetry and did all of the hard work for you! If you're interested, I created <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Poetry-Analysis-Task-Cards-MORE-All-9-Poems-4th-5th-Grade-CCSS-Exemplars-2229689" target="_blank">9 Poetry Analysis Task Card Sets for 4th & 5th Graders</a>. I bundled the task cards to save you money. If you have teaching partners, additional licenses are a reduced price. You can use one poem task card set each week and have a 9-week unit. Or you can set up the task cards as a literature station. Or you can use the tasks cards as direction instruction lesson starters then let students work in discussion groups or with partners to fill out the response booklet. The choice is yours! BUT whatever you do . . . make learning poetry FUN!<br />
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Teaching poetry is one of my favorite ELA units of the year and it can be your students' favorite, too.<br />
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Here's a 30 second video that gives you a quick peek a the set. <br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/1nr5AHa89Os/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1nr5AHa89Os?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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The <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Poetry-Analysis-Task-Cards-MORE-All-9-Poems-4th-5th-Grade-CCSS-Exemplars-2229689" target="_blank">bundled poetry analysis set</a> includes everything you will need to teach all 9 poems. The task card sets include a short poet biography summary. I wrote task card questions and included sample response answers for each task card. There's even a cool recording booklet that I designed to save paper for students to use. It prints back to back and simply folds in half. Website links are included so you can show students the videos, biographies, online versions of the poems and more.</div>
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Take the stress out of teaching poetry and start LOVING teaching poetry! a4kokaneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06417458330881454236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800652772180708209.post-63399155484643862562016-08-23T23:23:00.002-07:002016-08-23T23:28:28.585-07:00Use Back to School Activities That Help Teach Character TraitsIt's time for back to school and that means planning fun back to school get to know you activities that students haven't done before. Plus, the first week activities you plan set the tone for your year. I want students to know that they will be working together, doing projects and activities with other students and collaborating. It's important to establish rapport and teach students how they are expected to treat each other, with dignity and respect. We also value and teach character traits. <br />
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On day one I want students to be see what their year will be like. I want them working together, talking, and getting to know each other. Yes, I teach routines and rules, too, but I want students interacting. I want to hear laughter. I want to see smiles on faces. I want new friendships to blossom. I want students to accept each other. Through play, this process begins.<br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Cootie-Catcher-Fun-Get-to-Know-You-Character-Education-Cootie-Catchers-2647873" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9NlaMSMqe-cjCg3MnXDqTt71mpb6DTz8lP4uo4ukW257cxi03nDUwgdzDDaWkGNlQZALaXYeLtLdgUkvm-bmNuMx1vkGKGtZy9Z_ij-Srt5iyqYg9QDwjSnBox9ejxJa3CSpPvp7p_KJG/s640/cootiecatcher-mrsrenzclass.png" width="640" /></a></div>
I recently designed a great set of activities that can be used for the first four days of school. They best part is they are <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Cootie-Catcher-Fun-Get-to-Know-You-Character-Education-Cootie-Catchers-2647873" target="_blank">Cootie Catchers</a>. Who doesn't love making and playing with the? Best of all, they let the teacher talk about four character traits each day so by the end of the fourth day, 16 traits have been discussed as a class. Teachers can reinforce why the traits are important to creating a positive class culture. The first Cootie Catcher gets students paired up and allows for the game playing to be non-threatening because the questions students ask each other are non-personal. Each of the next Cootie Catchers gradually ask more questions that are more and more designed for students to share more about themselves. Hopefully by the end of the week students will have new friends with things in common.<br />
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Here's some examples of the questions designed to gradually allow students to become comfortable sharing.<br />
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Cootie Catcher #1 -<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are a few of my favorite things :<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<li>What is your favorite food?<span style="text-align: center;"> </span></li>
</ul>
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Cootie Catcher #2 -<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get to Know Me!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<li>Do you celebrate holidays? If so, what’s your favorite?</li>
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Cootie Catcher #3 - More About Me!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<li>What do you like to do for fun on weekends?</li>
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Cootie Catcher #4 - Wishes, Hopes and Dream</div>
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<li>What is one thing you wish people knew about you?</li>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Cootie-Catcher-Fun-Get-to-Know-You-Character-Education-Cootie-Catchers-2647873" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX6UnpGrn6vC6k9Vnb0cSNx1n08B81NJmfnPpQI65sJqKf1Sa7bZiP593YooJ6ThEs5DG8WUQc6XxgTgfl7neraxnz2k2GWIhTxAEdLNGMpQbZF2ST6vek-HLd9Q6uEIJxG2cw_Ci-3a5q/s640/cootiecatcher1.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Cootie-Catcher-Fun-Get-to-Know-You-Character-Education-Cootie-Catchers-2647873" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-LwkCOoXGE99A-PAIWNjsvU0jUCD3gFYZn_s-rtNaGWmYg_kerTmBfznM2Gc6MI0HZuSLb7kOxMJ2S7uusK3tu5zmDD8hZqFGlN9h432VXpVjnazkjvlvkesRVYNdLvEhf-StxQNnQq7o/s640/cootiecatcher2.png" width="638" /></a></div>
This activity is designed so students can play the game with one to four partners so that over the course of the first week, students know at least four students really well.<br />
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What are your favorite back to school ice breakers and get to know you activities? Have a great school year!<br />
<br />a4kokaneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06417458330881454236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800652772180708209.post-85202554687495742472016-02-21T08:21:00.003-08:002016-02-21T08:25:31.325-08:00Birthday Cards for Your Students {FREEBIE}It takes very little to make a child feel special and remembering the child's birthday is one simple gesture that means so much! <br />
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Another thing I did to recognize each child's birthday was to use a fun Internet site that sings a song to the child. <a href="http://www.1happybirthday.com/findyourname.php?n=a" target="_blank">Birthday Song</a> To go along with the song, I made a simple animated SMART Board slide and played the song in at the same time. Students LOVE it! <br />
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Visit my TpT store to get a cute and colorful <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Birthday-Card-2403526" target="_blank">{FREE} birthday card set</a>. There are 8 cards with various wording and graphics to choose from. <br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Birthday-Card-2403526" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMoIeR4lzx69XeomqGe9Sf0Jy6wO_mb2gNwZbxVhQhYOuxYb7iwH9fMuXBAuMZk6zoTZ4tch4lUKlfudQgc6ryaHRSIWw46oAgmMZx2S2UQ8Z3mq0qdGItu4Bfz9Gp0IrgrkuXZqqqdR5O/s400/BirthdayCardFREEBIE-MrsRenzClass1.png" width="400" /></a></div>
I also created a birthday banner set that is colorful, simple to display, and lets you prepare ahead of time. Using the editable flags, you can type the child's name and birthdate using PowerPoint. Print the banners, then organize them by date and store them in a file folder. Simply string the month's birthdays onto a piece of jute or string and you're ready! I included a sign so you can also store the banner in a manila envelope. <br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Birthday-Banner-2399881?aref=ipr5l2k3" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidyzibYFdT9dVGvZTmKHI2mZeRgveDkVBk5KTbzqwY-637TivfRxFKCrBLaaPIuWSAWgqon3fAeNAWpvo6BXMQzT9EWrEzL8riT1D1maLjd7_OOn49BDTJpbAZCCnx3-LZcoaeJNSv_kFl/s400/birthdaybanner-mrsrenzclass1.png" width="400" /></a></div>
The birthday banner can be printed any size you want (directions included). <br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Birthday-Banner-2399881?aref=ipr5l2k3" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLfeSd7kjAm0ZOO59pHWoHiLsKePiLW6nfBEWAIsk9Fhm0zQszCzUoa_rnTBasRH4aYzGIC5rtqFbcq9Bi1k3R-Gex2DlV7bqOFxjsqxZD94LJPdLGMb4nfEvlQwGwUfDFHwcgz_hDmnk-/s400/birthdaybanner-mrsrenzclass.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Birthday-Banner-2399881?aref=ipr5l2k3" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3qQ78f_dOPniE3mz8e6ea_2eba91zJXtuWy7T-s2AgbfvsqVjiA33dAloBXHZi0X6IrhqJ191zafbeKJnhhKL7GtZJEzUGqUt9exht1cAgRfeJXZ7iu22xBsc1Q6rbnqjTV9df_j6Rkrq/s400/birthdaybanner-mrsrenzclass2.png" width="400" /></a></div>
How do you celebrate student birthdays? I'd love to hear from you!a4kokaneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06417458330881454236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800652772180708209.post-71767572168957135652016-02-15T20:23:00.000-08:002017-03-06T07:56:10.508-08:004 Steps to Analyzing Poetry With StudentsDo you like teaching poetry? What kinds of poems do you enjoy? If you teach fourth graders, you'll want to use poems that will connect with students, and I've found that means humor! If I can get students to read and write poetry, I'm doing a happy dance!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbyEuF_YwlAysTMPntz7shxV-ZIHgPmBgn583hko6hxKKkABEvaVPN39CryEijP8k0MTKQ6NjBu9LxaMnGP59Btg74mRXzzJxwMeINGsD9GNG5OjgQn_7wRD33j8vRr7GgGJvLuH1wUR2s/s1600/1-PoetryAnalysis-MrsRenzClass.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbyEuF_YwlAysTMPntz7shxV-ZIHgPmBgn583hko6hxKKkABEvaVPN39CryEijP8k0MTKQ6NjBu9LxaMnGP59Btg74mRXzzJxwMeINGsD9GNG5OjgQn_7wRD33j8vRr7GgGJvLuH1wUR2s/s400/1-PoetryAnalysis-MrsRenzClass.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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So how DO you begin teaching students how to analyze poems? I recommend starting by reading your favorite poems aloud. Dig out your childhood poetry books. What poems do you remember from your childhood? Can you recite any poems? What were your favorite poems? Who were your favorite authors? If you share your love of poetry, students will see that. </div>
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Bring poetry books from the library into your classroom and set up a big display area. Use post-it-notes with arrows and put them on the pages of the poems you enjoy and write things like, "Great use of alliteration!" and "The author repeats the word, 'thump' three times." etc. This simple task shows students what's in your mind when you read the poem. Talk about the message of the poem. Talk about what the poem is about. Reread the poem, listening for patterns and for the overall flow of the words. Do any words stand out? What words? Why do you think the author chose the words she or he did to convey the meaning? Read the poems more than once. With each reading, you'll discover things not seen before. These pieces of the puzzle help create the mood, feeling tone, and message of the poem. Most importantly, do this process with students so they realize you can't read a poem once and "get" the meaning on the first go-round. It takes many readings.<br />
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One of my favorite poets to read aloud with students is Shel Silverstein. Possibly my favorite poem is, "<a href="https://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poem/sick" target="_blank">Sick</a>" with reasons that . . . "Little Peggy Ann McKay cannot go to school today. She has the measles and the mumps, a rash, a gash, and purple bumps." {You have to put on your silly acting hat and use a great voice when you read this poem!} At this point all of the students are with me! {Yessss! Insert another teacher happy dance!} Next up, I read Silverstein's poem, "Sarah Cynthia Silvia Stout Would Not Take the Garbage Out." <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvNhhEtUGJY" target="_blank">Video of the Poem Read by Shel Silverstein</a>. Now students are hooked! The walls of resistance are coming down. All students can connect with these two themes of being sick and not wanting to take the garbage out. {Yay! A text to self connection.}<br />
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The fun part of analyzing poetry is figuring out what the poet was trying to say. This is where the use of figurative language comes in. It's what makes the poetry have that music-like rhythm and flow. It's the flow of the words, the rhythm of the beat, the pattern of the syllables, it's the words carefully chosen to create images in the reader's mind. THIS is the fun part of poetry. Finding all these written treasures!<br />
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I must say that my personal experience with analyzing poetry as a high school student was not easy. Flashback to my 10th grade year; one of my most challenging years because I attended school that year in England. My uncle, aunt, and cousins were kind enough to let me live with them to get the foreign exchange student experience of a lifetime but that year was far and away one of the hardest academically. One of my favorite teachers taught English literature, but I had never ever analyzed poetry and his class was a university-bound level literature class. My English classmates had lots of previous experience analyzing literature. We analyzed two of Shakespeare's poems and it took us ALL year. Yes, we spent the entire year on those two poems! I remember translating the meaning of each word in every line. I had notes scrawled in between the lines to decipher Shakespeare's meaning. We analyzed "King Richard II" and "Anthony and Cleopatra." To help us learn, my teacher took our class to see Shakespeare's birthplace at Stratford Upon Avon and we watched a Shakespearian play in the theater in London. What an experience it was.<br />
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Elementary school students today are being taught to analyze poems early on in their school career and as a result, I can tell you, today's learners will be much more prepared to tackle Shakespeare's works one day because of it. </div>
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Another key to success is you really delving into the poem and understanding it before you attempt teach it to students. Teaching children to analyze poetry isn't one of those things you can just pick up and teach; some poems really are hard for adults to understand, let alone ask students to understand. You really need to spend time thinking, reflecting, asking questions about what you've read, and really understand the poem yourself. <br />
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If you teach the Common Core curriculum, your fourth and fifth graders will read nine poems on the task exemplars list. (<a href="http://www.corestandards.org/assets/Appendix_B.pdf" target="_blank">CCSS-ELA Task Exemplars: pages 66-70</a>) I happen to LOVE poetry and spent two weeks reading these nine poems with a critical eye and decided to do the hard work that teachers don't have the time to do. I set out to create 4th and 5th grade poetry analysis task cards for each of the nine poems on the exemplars list.<br />
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Here's how I would suggest learning about poems. First, learned all about the life of the poet to get a sense of his or her background and life. Next, search the web for online links that you can use to show students the poem. Next, read all you can about the poet and his or her life. Understanding the time period the poem the poem was written and the background of the poet is essential to drawing conclusions about the poem's meaning. Then read the poem line by line, searching for words that students need to understand. Now search for underlying meaning. Look for metaphors, use of similes, alliteration, and other figurative language that is used to convey meaning and paint the visual picture. Now come up with lists of questions you can ask students about the poem. Next, list possible answers students might come up with. Determine the mood and theme. <br />
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Next up in importance to teaching students to analyze poetry is giving them time to become poets and write their own poetry. Teach students that poetry doesn't have to rhyme. Let them experience the fun of writing their own poems about what interests them.<br />
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If creating your own poetry tasks isn't your thing or if you are just flat out of time (I get it!!), I have you covered! I created a huge bundle of <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Poetry-Analysis-Poetry-Tasks-Cards-CCSS-4th-5th-Grade--2229689?aref=3hngnigs" target="_blank">Poetry Analysis Task Cards</a> that are ready to print and use! You will get analysis task cards for each of the 9 poems on the CCSS Text Exemplar list, teacher summary, poem web links, task cards and answer keys, a recording booklet you can use for all of the responses, poet biography, how to read a poem, and more! Poems included are: "The Echoing Green," "The New Colossus," "Casey at the Bat," "A Bird Came Down the Walk," "Fog," "Dust of Snow," "Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf," "They Were My People," and "Words Free As Confetti." I've done the hard work so you don't have to! Heres a small peek at the materials. <br />
<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Poetry-Analysis-Poetry-Tasks-Cards-CCSS-4th-5th-Grade--2229689?aref=3hngnigs" target="_blank">To see the full bundled set on TpT, click HERE</a>.<br />
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In my TpT store you can find lots of poetry products like poetry vocabulary posters with definitions and examples, PowerPoint slideshows, an interactive notebook set of figurative language foldables, Cootie Catchers that practice figurative language, 33 poetry vocabulary terms and more. The bundled poetry project gives 5 poetry products to give you everything you need to teach a 6-week poetry unit.<br />
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My <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Poetry-Poetry-Unit-Poetry-Project-Bundled-Set-262931" target="_blank">independent poetry project</a> teaches students about different poem forms, gives the definition, and examples so students get the hang of the poetry form. At the end of the unit, hold a "Poet Celebration" and have people review the poems students have written. I taught and refined the unit and the set on TpT is my best selling item and is a loved favorite by students, teachers, and parents. Here's a peek at some of the <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Poetry-Poetry-Unit-Poetry-Project-Bundled-Set-262931" target="_blank">poetry project</a> pages. It comes in black and white as well as color.<br />
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Teach, love poetry!</div>
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a4kokaneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06417458330881454236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800652772180708209.post-3474986597969124422016-02-01T07:46:00.004-08:002016-02-01T07:48:07.763-08:00A Polygon Family Tree & Definition Card {FREEBIE}Hi friends! Students work with 2-D shapes early on and later learn to classify them according to their attributes. <br />
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I made a fun <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Polygon-Family-2363195" target="_blank">polygon family tree chart {FREEBIE}</a> that serves as a reference and helps students learn the names of shapes and look for attributes. You can get this 6-page PDF freebie in my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Polygon-Family-2363195" target="_blank">TpT store</a>. I appreciate your positive feedback! Thank you tons!<br />
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a4kokaneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06417458330881454236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800652772180708209.post-68338397062013745172016-01-09T20:09:00.006-08:002016-01-17T12:57:55.763-08:00Help Students Love Math: Use a Math Reference Lap Book "Office"There's so much math content to be learned by students these days. I would venture to say that most math programs need more visuals for students. To help students learn the concepts, give them the visual tools they need and teach them to be independent learners. We need to give students as many tools as we can so they can look up what they don't know. I've used lots of math helper charts over the years but yesterday I created the Cadillac of all reference charts and I'm <u>so</u> excited to share it with teachers! <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Math-Helper-Lap-Book-Math-Reference-2294865" target="_blank">You can see the Math Lapbook Reference here on TpT.</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Math-Helper-Lap-Book-Math-Reference-2294865" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZ79gzcc7UigQGcwcqj1JkrLOPh25tVffLq7BAnwefYc2FWVGrpVEUoku4EmWJTiUTs3N2GY9nxfiPa8n-mhgvYhdzxTz9fjF1z3uro_2LVo6f7Rzpqvl1C74LcdwSAR80hiKFKtlqt9j/s640/MathHelperLapBook2-MrsRenzClass.png" width="640" /></a></div>
When I began created this set, I thought about all of the formats that I could use, but I tend to go for the practical. I consider how the item will be kept in a student desk or cubby. File folders are perfect! They're sleek, flat, and fit into a binder if needed. You can laminate them if you want or cover them with clear Contac paper. You can three-hole punch the lapbook if needed to secure it in a binder. <br />
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The file folder lapbooks are the perfect tool if your students leave the room for math instruction. Students can simply take their folder with them! The math lapbooks are perfect for taking home for home use with homework, too. You might consider making one for students that stays at home and one that stays at school.<br />
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This lapbook version is perfect to hold the four pages of helper charts. Just glue the charts in any order you want onto the faces of a file folder and students can look up what they need to know. Voila! Everything in one spot. <br />
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Here's a peek at the pages. Best yet, it's in my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Math-Helper-Lap-Book-Math-Reference-2294865" target="_blank">TpT store </a>for less than the price of a small latte. I like to equate the value of things in relation to lattes! ;)<br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Math-Helper-Lap-Book-Math-Reference-2294865" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwPY3MgOXHqANx_vYdxp0HDkn9dwUBHuqz3RviSjyHWrZI2cx7SJkCPMWE2suyGCPURXyhcmXSHq_7xtB8wZFvBayjDVQSCGTWC2azUaRnn3vbc0l-Jnu48xzu-agKohHnlMipKzSv98Yd/s640/MathHelperLapBook3-MrsRenzClass.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Enjoy everything math!</div>
a4kokaneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06417458330881454236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800652772180708209.post-36620643985900385102015-12-27T08:14:00.003-08:002023-10-04T05:43:58.726-07:00Helping Students LOVE Poetry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I love teaching poetry! It's my favorite time of the year and one that all students experience success... even the boys who tend to have a less than positive attitude before the unit begins. <br />
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Poetry should be fun for students and it's our job as teachers to help students love the sound of written language. We model our passion through our lessons, memories from our childhood, and our enthusiasm. I remember my dad reciting Lewis Carroll's "<a href="http://www.jabberwocky.com/carroll/walrus.html" target="_blank">The Walrus and the Carpenter</a>" word for word...the whole thing! I was amazed and it soon became a poem I could recite and fall in love with as well. My students were amazed that I, too, could recite much of the poem from memory. <br />
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<u>Here are some tips to get you started teaching poetry in your classroom!</u><br />
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Tip #1: Start by reading your own favorite poem to students. It helps them see that you enjoy poetry, and that they, too, can enjoy poetry. If you don't have a favorite, Shel Silverstein is great poet to begin with, because 4th graders love the humor and can relate to the poems. Make sure to read the poem with great intonation and emotion. It will really hook them. When you've finished reading the poem, talk about the mood, the speaker in the poem, the setting and the problem in the poem. Then you can challenge students to find the figurative language. Once you've done all of this, re-read the poem so your students can see the poem from a whole new perspective.<br />
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Tip #2: Introduce a new poem each day for the first week of poetry unit to get the kids hooked! Make sure to choose poems that are different in style and by a variety of poets so that kids can find one the speaks to them the most.<br />
Not sure which poems to read? Here is a list of some of my favorite poems:<br />
"Sick" by Shel Silverstein<br />
"Sarah Cynthia Silvia Stout" by Shel Silverstein<br />
"The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein<br />
"Paul Revere's Ride" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow<br />
"The Walrus and the Carpenter" by Lewis Carroll<br />
"Sneezles" by A.A. Milne<br />
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and don't forget to use nursery rhyme classics to listen to the rhyme scheme and rhythm!<br />
"The Owl and the Pussycat" by Edward Lear<br />
"Wynken, Blyken, and Nod" by Eugene Field<br />
"Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" by Jane Taylor<br />
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Tip #3: Introduce different forms of poems. This allows you to teach about the rules of poetry. For example: Haikus have a very specific 5, 7, 5 syllable rule that must be followed, while other poems simply use rhyming words, while others have no form at all. Challenge students to find the rule that is followed within each poem. <br />
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Tip #4: Introduce the vocabulary of poetry. This will really help students understand what they are reading and learning about. Try using an interactive notebook to engage kids even more. If you are searching for something to get you started, check out this <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Figurative-Language-Poetry-Interactive-Notebook-Posters-NO-PREP-Materials-1795587" target="_blank">interactive notebook of figurative language</a>. Students also love <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Poetry-Vocabulary-Posters-PowerPoint-33-Poetry-Terms-2243596" target="_blank">reference posters</a> that are posted on a word wall for easy reference. Last but not least, let students play a game to learn the vocabulary of poetry. Students don''t even realize how much they are learning when they see how fun <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Figurative-Language-Cootie-Catcher-Set-of-4-PPT-Slideshow-Posters-1797556" target="_blank">Cootie Catcher Vocab</a> is!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvyjeLc9OnRxPUGBI_38wcZ-Lj9I6nRtuBCXl8XXu3I09RoUfW-rytluaRdGb5iNRqOtLWolev_j_sFHGtXJ6YXn1GJWOOMJGG86-mzsCQY258kxUH0D_fa8RZrCVMqZIeglUmcp95dhfm/s1600/poetry4.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvyjeLc9OnRxPUGBI_38wcZ-Lj9I6nRtuBCXl8XXu3I09RoUfW-rytluaRdGb5iNRqOtLWolev_j_sFHGtXJ6YXn1GJWOOMJGG86-mzsCQY258kxUH0D_fa8RZrCVMqZIeglUmcp95dhfm/s400/poetry4.png" width="400" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4KUbJ-KTd6fRdYx48CIex0SM-4x1Q-i3pPRz4sg3iuuWWRufoOWzgE6nnRzQtuXLNcCrB35IcOhqrSEu6_4_fWewb0RLo9Wwa2qwuTCekSetm-IUaZF_RlUT272pKmVYXqyVNF1ZVxc3B/s1600/poetry5.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4KUbJ-KTd6fRdYx48CIex0SM-4x1Q-i3pPRz4sg3iuuWWRufoOWzgE6nnRzQtuXLNcCrB35IcOhqrSEu6_4_fWewb0RLo9Wwa2qwuTCekSetm-IUaZF_RlUT272pKmVYXqyVNF1ZVxc3B/s400/poetry5.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Tip #5: Let students try their hand at writing poetry! I know it sounds crazy, but you will be surprised. Give students the reins, and let them write about whatever interests them. I think you will be surprised at how much students take ownership of writing poems, and find their own style, even the boys! Not sure where to start? This <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Poetry-Poetry-Unit-Poetry-Project-Bundled-Set-262931" target="_blank">6 week poetry unit</a> gives you all that you need to introduce poetry writing, guidelines, templates, poetry outlines, templates, and so much more!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig2quMGm3-J0kdP5fE0rkIx7901C0Smr9zgjuKF9hjW65IzulvlYXQ2dWd3Qxbz8ox19wSPMq8j3u2Tr2CqSK5NIeceFsnNTH52FkHXbGZAFfGzjl6KZPP-DsFPPwJIjam51lp5jgH6F9K/s1600/poetry8.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig2quMGm3-J0kdP5fE0rkIx7901C0Smr9zgjuKF9hjW65IzulvlYXQ2dWd3Qxbz8ox19wSPMq8j3u2Tr2CqSK5NIeceFsnNTH52FkHXbGZAFfGzjl6KZPP-DsFPPwJIjam51lp5jgH6F9K/s400/poetry8.png" width="400" /></a></div>
Tip #6: Let students make their very own book of poems! Take all of the poems they have written, and compile them into their very own poetry book. Let students design their own book cover, or give them a template to color in. Challenge students to write an about the author page (who knew you could sneak in a little teaching about autobiographies too). At the end of the unit, have students share their poetry book with family and friends, and have them write comments in the students poetry book! The feedback will encourage them that their written thoughts have power and value. My daughter was in my 4/5 blend class and still has the poetry book she wrote. It's a real keepsake that shows her interests at the time. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRxRroZmg4Nk10dgLTIqQJhKyvWj7E27IA7nNdZ3wVhwEo-HBIM1XQDTK9qN3OgTpMk133I0n0_sVGdINV4iehYAiUgammdzq0FzhW1elfavdmmdTT_aNNry0UvCXcvsA1CVXTsg0cjvgo/s1600/poetry3.png"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRxRroZmg4Nk10dgLTIqQJhKyvWj7E27IA7nNdZ3wVhwEo-HBIM1XQDTK9qN3OgTpMk133I0n0_sVGdINV4iehYAiUgammdzq0FzhW1elfavdmmdTT_aNNry0UvCXcvsA1CVXTsg0cjvgo/s400/poetry3.png" width="400" /></a></div>
Tip #7: Once students have listened to you read poetry aloud, read poetry, and tried their hand at writing poetry, they are armed with the skills necessary to dig even deeper and begin analyzing poetry. Poetry centers work great for poetry analysis. At each center, give students task cards to complete to guide and challenge their learning. With structure and teaching the elements of poetry, students will soon enjoy the detective work needed to understand the deeper meanings of some poems. There are nine poems on the CCSS-ELA Exempla list for 4th and 5th graders, which is a great place to start your poetry analysis. Remember, part of analyzing poetry is learning about the poet and his/her life and learning about the time period. If you're not sure where to start, here is a great <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Poetry-Analysis-Poetry-Tasks-Cards-CCSS-4th-5th-Grade--2229689" target="_blank">Task Card Bundle</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Poetry-Analysis-Poetry-Tasks-Cards-CCSS-4th-5th-Grade--2229689" target="_blank"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEshsLknKAlQk8KLiPTHOV9lPRU-j_gqwXrTvmbgE5RYIctxBEseqlQVyoJmvzSNbjlyYyYYeB2rg8App0bgef74GsU0HD549Be9kuxl6bXKLZ8iKGdKtQli_09zCrKTK9k38kER3WKFTT/s1600/poetry6.png"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEshsLknKAlQk8KLiPTHOV9lPRU-j_gqwXrTvmbgE5RYIctxBEseqlQVyoJmvzSNbjlyYyYYeB2rg8App0bgef74GsU0HD549Be9kuxl6bXKLZ8iKGdKtQli_09zCrKTK9k38kER3WKFTT/s400/poetry6.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Love poetry!a4kokaneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06417458330881454236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800652772180708209.post-68175780440396998562015-11-08T23:13:00.005-08:002015-11-24T09:01:40.271-08:00"Fraction-Of" a Turkey Freebie & Something New!Hi friends! I wanted to share a fun freebie I made just in time for Thanksgiving. Students count and color the fraction of the turkey's circles. Simple and fun! Grab it in my TpT store <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Fraction-Of-Thanksgiving-Turkey-Math-FREEBIE-2190666" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<br />
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While I'm logged in to my blog, I can't resist telling you about a neat interactive math window flap math vocabulary product I uploaded just uploaded now. It's for 4th grade and includes 280 vocabulary words all organized and color coded (of course!). I included the word, the definition and space for students to draw and write an example that shows they know the word meaning. It's designed to be fast to cut and glue into student notebooks. Take a peek at one of the pages and see what you think. For more capable students, you can choose not to use the pre-printed definitions and have students write their own definitions. Personally, I want students to know the exact meaning. I'm most interested in how they can show understanding of the word by writing or drawing an example. <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Math-Vocabulary-Flap-Books-2196929" target="_blank">Click HERE to see the Flap Book in my TpT store.</a></div>
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Enjoy teaching the language of math!</div>
a4kokaneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06417458330881454236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800652772180708209.post-46667717671841445542015-10-01T18:48:00.001-07:002017-02-18T15:21:13.334-08:00Mastery Club is Now Updated and BETTER Than Ever!It's finally finished! I'm SOOOO excited to announce that the newly updated <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=4&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CC8QFjADahUKEwi7lJiRxKLIAhWVMYgKHSanAJM&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.teacherspayteachers.com%2FProduct%2FMastery-Club-Challenge-Differentiate-for-All-Learners-Fast-Finishers-300027&usg=AFQjCNHW7xCh_Gnzf_6gYd9dmxKR7xI8Eg&sig2=XdT7J8PSex0k81271RkV0w" target="_blank">Mastery Club</a> just got uploaded to TpT and I love the new look. Previous purchasers can go to their "My Purchases" area and download the new materials free. <br />
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If you've never heard of Mastery Club, you're missing out! I developed this program when I began my teaching career to challenge my 4th, 5th, and 6th graders to learn something new. I never wanted to hear, "I'm bored," so I developed Mastery Club. I also taught blended classes, which gave an even greater challenge, trying to find independent activities that allowed me to work on grade level content. If you've taught a blend, you know what I'm talking about! <br />
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Students self-direct their learning, choosing which challenges they'd like to master. When they're ready, they get the recording worksheet and take the challenge test and if they earn 100%, they become a "1-Star Member." When a student has earned 16 challenges, he or she becomes a member of the Mastery Club Hall of Fame. At the end of the year, I add the new names to the Hall of Fame wall. I've had students come back to visit and check out the Hall of Fame poster to see where they rank now! Love it!<br />
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This program is super simple to set up and it runs all year. Mastery Club is one of the best things I have created and teachers, students and parents love it! You can see <a href="http://mrsrenz.net/forstudents/masteryclub-mc.htm" target="_blank">Mastery Club on my classroom website</a>. <br />
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Here's a link to my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Mastery-Club-Challenge-Differentiate-for-All-Learners-Fast-Finishers-300027" target="_blank">TpT Mastery Club page</a> where you can see visuals and more details about this great challenge program.<br />
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Here's a few photos of the updates! Lots of new materials added to make this program even better. <br />
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Teachers who use Mastery Club are allowed to change the name to fit their needs and thousands of teachers are making a difference with their students with Mastery Club. </div>
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Here's a link to check out the <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Mastery-Club-Questions-FREE-Challenge-All-Learners-300707" target="_blank">FREE Mastery Club questions</a>! Enjoy!</div>
a4kokaneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06417458330881454236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800652772180708209.post-40358628201874738252015-09-25T23:45:00.002-07:002017-02-18T15:22:00.969-08:00Coming Soon! A Major Update to Mastery Club!I'm super excited to announce that my popular <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Mastery-Club-Challenge-Differentiate-for-All-Learners-Fast-Finishers-300027" target="_blank">Mastery Club program </a>is being updated with a fresh new look and feel that you and your students are going to love! <br />
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Mastery Club challenges ALL learners to learn something new. It's student-directed and motivating for students and families love it. It's EASY for the teacher to manage and runs in the background of your class all year. <a href="http://mrsrenzclass.blogspot.com/2015/06/challenge-your-students-with-mastery.html" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Click here to read a previous blog post about the great program</a>! <span style="text-align: center;">(But remember, the program is being updated as you read this!)</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Mastery-Club-Challenge-Differentiate-for-All-Learners-Fast-Finishers-300027" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm5Vuv_0EUXt0lWfoGd3hJqnoCEAeEB9I0rlDWKPJ7_a4i5As80YAqCarp6x2SjpouC-WQVFtEmggALM7eHrZb66ODn7UnBON9z0Kf8YGOEwU5Us7buR9UIEm0_CMejBvGEIipbEbFHEMU/s640/MasteryClubUpdate-MrsRenzClass.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Mastery-Club-Challenge-Differentiate-for-All-Learners-Fast-Finishers-300027" target="_blank">Click here to see Mastery Club on my TpT page.</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Mastery-Club-Questions-FREE-Challenge-All-Learners-300707" target="_blank">Get the Challenges FREE</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.mrsrenz.net/classroompics.htm" target="_blank">See photos of Mastery Club in my fourth grade classroom (the old version)</a></div>
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Be looking next week for the update and if you've purchased Mastery Club in the past, be sure to go to your TpT My Purchases" area and download the newly updated set!a4kokaneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06417458330881454236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800652772180708209.post-78221241829945211332015-09-12T22:26:00.003-07:002015-09-12T22:29:12.857-07:00How to Teach Character Education the Easy WayIn my 33+ years teaching middle grades and middle school math, I've learned a thing or two about how to focus on teaching and not spend time dealing with poor behaviors. Yes! It can be done! You have to devote time early in the year connecting and getting to know each and every student. Take the time to teach students how to treat each other, how to treat you, and the classroom materials. If you don't do this right, you will likely struggle all year managing poor behaviors and that is not good for students or you! If you teach them what good character looks and sounds like, your students will show mutual respect for you and each other. Sound good? It can be done. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCyQ3i-2pbnj1NiIYuO_FHl53FmHj7-chhttZF9h1FAglYLybVT1TvQLUG_88NaQr7K7TkRBJXCPGYJIxy1UWlkJLquQglKNUKSMmKZjA8JG1zv77QAUPnEBcBWaRqk3cP-aFQKs5FqsAC/s1600/Persistence+CharacterTraits-MrsRenz.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCyQ3i-2pbnj1NiIYuO_FHl53FmHj7-chhttZF9h1FAglYLybVT1TvQLUG_88NaQr7K7TkRBJXCPGYJIxy1UWlkJLquQglKNUKSMmKZjA8JG1zv77QAUPnEBcBWaRqk3cP-aFQKs5FqsAC/s400/Persistence+CharacterTraits-MrsRenz.png" width="400" /></a></div>
One thing I do is post the key vocabulary words that help me teach good character where it's in student's view. I usually focus on 18-20 traits for my wall display. Note: I post the posters alphabetically so I can do some indirect teaching of alphabetizing, too. This is a <a href="http://www.mrsrenz.net/images/classroompics/wpe28.jpg" target="_blank">really old photo that shows my first rendition of character trait posters</a>. Here is <a href="http://www.mrsrenz.net/images/classroompics/wpe2A.jpg" target="_blank">another old photo</a>. <br />
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My new set of character traits posters is 100% better! The <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Character-Education-Posters-MEGA-SET-66-Trait-Posters-11-Bulletin-Bd-Titles-2090096" target="_blank">new set of character trait posters</a> that I just posted today to TpT has 66 traits and 11 bulletin board titles. The set is in PowerPoint format so you can move the slides into the order you want and use it the way you want. It's also in PDF format for easy printing. Here's what a few of the posters look like. Do you remember that my new products are 50% off for the first 24 hours? :) <br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Character-Education-Posters-MEGA-SET-66-Trait-Posters-11-Bulletin-Bd-Titles-2090096" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKF2mRDX-xdQf2qlkKXJ2AACW8L71WmL3Mtk9D7I3L__PS1StopckCJ4PaLt8eRo7NkUZZFbFnXTPKBm6iaah-HpNPuv35T3K-MQlI2JmVY5gXMciLh-iqdOZenSz1omH1C-ERWz-eGtiD/s400/Charactr+Education+Character+Traits+Posters+byMrsRenzClass.png" width="400" /></a></div>
Some years our school chose to use a monthly character education focus. No problem, I can do that but I'm also going to focus on it daily without directly teaching! When students are showing good character, I point to the poster displayed on the wall and make simple comment about the trait. Sometimes I'd say this quietly to the child and sometimes I'd say it out loud, depending on if it was something the class was working on. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx4GGeEqbLnpg97B78iCjbNbFlAfsVLy3WxzPdx5HkY5KqaXPzu895e-AJ-zYsehJlMDi9fM23mt6F-efCb20f8zIV89a3p0fe26qMMyIz13JSLVbt0cgoEhj9GrfgyW4zjf1dl12RRGH7/s1600/CharacterTraits-Hope-MrsRenz.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx4GGeEqbLnpg97B78iCjbNbFlAfsVLy3WxzPdx5HkY5KqaXPzu895e-AJ-zYsehJlMDi9fM23mt6F-efCb20f8zIV89a3p0fe26qMMyIz13JSLVbt0cgoEhj9GrfgyW4zjf1dl12RRGH7/s400/CharacterTraits-Hope-MrsRenz.png" width="400" /></a></div>
I also run a <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Student-of-the-Week-Full-Year-Program-Youre-the-Star-116-pages-Editable-309356" target="_blank">Special Student of the Week</a> program where each child gets to the be "Star" for the week. My motivation is simple with this amazing program. You can read more about in on this blog post.<br />
#1: That way I don't have to change a job chart every week! I have the special person do EVERYTHING that needs doing all week long. It's awesome! <br />
#2: On the last school day, the special person gets interviewed by classmates. Then, classmates focus on character traits and write (at least) two compliment sentences. Students scan the wall looking for words that describe the person and give examples of how the student shows that trait. <br />
#3: Everyone likes to be recognized and noticed as important. The combination of focusing on great character and strengths of the student make it a win-win.<br />
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Another program I use and can't do without is the <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Student-of-the-Month-Wise-Owl-Award-Helps-Improve-Behavior-1925262" target="_blank">Wise Owl Student of the Month</a> program. I created this program to also focus on character traits. The Wise Owl program was my dad's idea. He's got great ideas! (See his <a href="http://www.scottishheritage.net/" target="_blank">Scottish Heritage website here</a>). In Scotland as a young boy, my dad was recognized in school as the Wise Owl Student of the Month and it made a big difference for him. He bought a beautiful wooden owl hand carved in Mexico and brought it home and it became my first owl. <a href="http://www.mrsrenz.net/classroompics.htm" target="_blank">You can see a photo of the Wise Owl on my classroom website.</a> The wise owl award I gave out focused on 12 character traits. This program changed behavior like no other I've used. Students wanted to earn this award and worked so hard to have the recognition. I'll do a more detailed blog post later on.<br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Student-of-the-Month-Wise-Owl-Award-Helps-Improve-Behavior-1925262" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIqyJoXuaCWXYQiM4AMdL9H3Butf_xnzBWxVWLoMUbLg6umMPU3Rz8Wp9kwqnNS18FI7mdnZaleE3i1yoXQeShl2vAcORuKljEQ5gIJHPgw-2QEitbcxBGe59EtOu7fE8isB475-mVKoSH/s400/Wise+Owl+Student+of+the+Month-Mrs.+Renz+Class.png" width="400" /></a></div>
What do you do that helps build good character? Leave a comment to share what works with other teachers. Thank you!a4kokaneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06417458330881454236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800652772180708209.post-88933689510800458492015-09-07T20:41:00.005-07:002017-02-18T15:22:36.239-08:00Empower Students to Take Charge of their LearningHaving students take charge of their learning is the goal of every teacher. Encouraging students is important. Everyone needs that encourager in his or her life. <br />
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Encourage students to set goals. It only takes a moment to recognize students when they achieve their goals but it's important to do. Ultimately, we want students to be intrinsically motivated. Young learners want to know that you notice them. It means the world to students when you notice the and the hard work they've put forth. It's the little things! Just whisper kind and encouraging words for the effort being put forth.<br />
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Put students in charge of tracking their progress towards their learning. Give them the tools and assist them with data tracking. Use graph paper and a few colored pencils. It's easy to see growth using two different colors graphed side by side. If you have students keep their own data notebooks, these graphs are easy and ready to use. Notice the pride when students figure out how much they've learned. If students need to re-learn a concept, just graph the new score on top of the old bar graph column (see column 3.OA.D.8 PostTest score). You can have students draw a horizontal line on the mastery level.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPoVRJC2o9j8aHHCJW5d8FSqgzVi3IWOxM4WPuC08cOtNngcvK0XFgWHdGwNGlsRROJx7e44rdTGbG8WXfDguHU09YNzPjpaEsK5SnH7v2OhNUvHsqepveaXwSoipzLoMYr7cqHhcwJXLv/s1600/DataTracker-MrsRenzClass.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPoVRJC2o9j8aHHCJW5d8FSqgzVi3IWOxM4WPuC08cOtNngcvK0XFgWHdGwNGlsRROJx7e44rdTGbG8WXfDguHU09YNzPjpaEsK5SnH7v2OhNUvHsqepveaXwSoipzLoMYr7cqHhcwJXLv/s400/DataTracker-MrsRenzClass.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Math-Data-Tracking-Flip-Book-3rd-Grade-For-Common-Core-Student-Data-Tracking-2080233" target="_blank">3rd Grade Math Data Tracker Flip Book</a> <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Student-Data-Flip-Book-I-Can-Student-Language-4-pt-scale-CCSS-M-4th-Grade-1923740" target="_blank">4th Grade Math Data Tracker Flip Book</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqigkkPBMpOnufZaz69wwKQ_JkE9u3e2-3bv1LQrZqa13GpL283tL7Iq6UddF8nY8Wo16KTedw2dveicwdBlcbTSZNVw4OdQ0wUMPQ9hxTmlfzLC9A4Lh9QVRtVqAO0q45TEWlfpNXvySV/s1600/MrsRenzDataTracker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqigkkPBMpOnufZaz69wwKQ_JkE9u3e2-3bv1LQrZqa13GpL283tL7Iq6UddF8nY8Wo16KTedw2dveicwdBlcbTSZNVw4OdQ0wUMPQ9hxTmlfzLC9A4Lh9QVRtVqAO0q45TEWlfpNXvySV/s640/MrsRenzDataTracker.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIsnHRjja0pgGOXaKalM5-6732b273RRD1TE0HXTAzE-38kuZOlOx1w3HItx5R-g8SZmwE9KRRhs7qRjssDEpQeGLzSyAYgfbjiOv97cwDt819YQvqwh_HbiIuCDZkeRnvmhmA1rEoPVe7/s640/DataTrackingGraphs-MrsRenzClass.png" width="480" /></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Math-Data-Tracking-Bundled-Set-3rd-Grade-Common-Core-4-Point-Version-2079968" target="_blank">3rd Grade Data Tracking Bundled Set</a> <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/4th-Grade-Common-Core-Math-Student-Data-Tracking-Set-4-point-scale-version-1928502" target="_blank">4th Grade Data Tracking Bundled Set</a></div>
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Learning is hard work! Celebrate success and improvement with your students. <br />
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There's nothing better than to have students lead their own conferences. It's powerful to hear students tell their family members what they're good at and what they need to get better at. More on that another time. :)a4kokaneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06417458330881454236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800652772180708209.post-33046191702794159322015-08-12T20:19:00.002-07:002017-03-10T11:40:26.433-08:00Why We Have to Teach Math Vocabulary <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBXrW4b3HLm7YnRrK4Xsxcvw3FnES9Uelai1Dep1kzdGg9AfZYVq6hFF5qT2FrBZA-1xQHNC6ANI4u-853C4XLse7HilFZw8Z9JYEGj7psiHIqMfLHLmV30S4eXK9wShgnJKd8AGssGt1W/s1600/Mathwordwall-mrsrenzclass.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBXrW4b3HLm7YnRrK4Xsxcvw3FnES9Uelai1Dep1kzdGg9AfZYVq6hFF5qT2FrBZA-1xQHNC6ANI4u-853C4XLse7HilFZw8Z9JYEGj7psiHIqMfLHLmV30S4eXK9wShgnJKd8AGssGt1W/s640/Mathwordwall-mrsrenzclass.png" width="426" /></a></div>
Do you have any idea how many words students in grades 3, 4, and 5 have to learn? You'll be mind-boggled to learn that there are over <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Math-Poster-Mega-Set-554-Posters-Binder-Covers-Gr-3-5-Financial-Literacy-2029285" target="_blank">500 words</a>! 😳<br />
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Don't take it for granted that students will remember and apply these words without direct teaching. Students need to work with and use the words in their daily language and math journals. Teach the language of math and use it in conversation whenever possible.<br />
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Having a math vocabulary word wall is an absolute must. I suggest setting it up alphabetically, like a dictionary so students can find words quickly with no time wasted.<br />
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Model using the word wall charts. </div>
When students need a word, simply turn your body toward the word wall, and bob your head as if you're trying to locate just the right poster. Then wait a few seconds and soon all students know the meaning. Students will watch how you find the posters and they will do the same. You won't have to say a word! Students will refer to the math word wall ALL the time. As a teacher, all you have to say is . . . "Wait, the answer's up there on the wall!"<br />
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Here's some links that show my OLD (embarrassing!) math word wall posters before I added color and upped my game! <a href="http://www.mrsrenz.net/images/math2a.jpg" target="_blank">Photo #1</a> <a href="http://www.mrsrenz.net/images/math1a.jpg" target="_blank">Photo #2</a> <a href="http://www.mrsrenz.net/images/math3a.jpg" target="_blank">Photo #3</a> The <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Math-Poster-Mega-Set-554-Posters-Binder-Covers-Gr-3-5-Financial-Literacy-2029285" target="_blank">new posters</a> are MUCH nicer and are designed to match with any classroom decor.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikDUJRolbUrjJoeXOOQdSZhgG-scOQ_2fHb9fqwBbqbBElEe-B8ioDL0akXU9Y4xSzuQjsYcKSmUWIv7y8bxjY4KSGi1Xs9xMK6Ae0ARRQlRn9OiJT6m_R_b6fwD97tizaGMQ68jVLJoNi/s1600/mathposters-mrsrenzclass.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikDUJRolbUrjJoeXOOQdSZhgG-scOQ_2fHb9fqwBbqbBElEe-B8ioDL0akXU9Y4xSzuQjsYcKSmUWIv7y8bxjY4KSGi1Xs9xMK6Ae0ARRQlRn9OiJT6m_R_b6fwD97tizaGMQ68jVLJoNi/s640/mathposters-mrsrenzclass.png" width="640" /></a><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Math-Poster-Mega-Set-554-Posters-Binder-Covers-Gr-3-5-Financial-Literacy-2029285" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5f4byeSz04H5VcZNXEm8oajPQA9P_GuKyt0yyG9p9OUxU_VzsR_WNJQ6LG4kQDDtwEVOSMglvhHbbCYWM2JPm6dn97bVdHKG4F4ZJIu1tjb6CdeazN1hX2ZE0chtjtevnpoxkObeffipy/s640/Math+Posters+Mega+Set+Grades+3-5+by+Mrs.+Renz+Class.png" width="640" /></a></div>
I recently finished creating a set of math words dealing with <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Financial-Literacy-Math-Wor-Wall-Poster-Set-82-PDF-posters-PPT-Slideshowd-2013888" target="_blank">financial literacy</a>. Every word was researched, then I wrote definitions in kid friendly language and added a visual. The posters are designed to be read from across the room. This set was created by taking all of the words that 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders needed to know PLUS all of the financial literacy words and added them to this MEGA set of 554 math vocabulary posters! This set is NOT tagged for Common Core, but best of all, the Common Core words ARE included in the set (and lots more).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdkOcNPDsn0amybEUuRdA82whUsib89hd9cKSn6BqXoTYtIS1tpcub_d1CuoqmcJtUhodnoPDtIkNqV39EvT03D4j0lkRYtq2p3T0f9YetGHRcU-fbW-c57NZu_kmalNdpM6_6BBzG63cl/s1600/Math+Posters+Grades+3-5+by+Mrs.+Renz+Class.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdkOcNPDsn0amybEUuRdA82whUsib89hd9cKSn6BqXoTYtIS1tpcub_d1CuoqmcJtUhodnoPDtIkNqV39EvT03D4j0lkRYtq2p3T0f9YetGHRcU-fbW-c57NZu_kmalNdpM6_6BBzG63cl/s640/Math+Posters+Grades+3-5+by+Mrs.+Renz+Class.png" width="514" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/3rd-Grade-Math-Word-Wall-Poster-Set-463-pages-of-Materials-740381" target="_blank">3rd Grade Math Word Wall Set & More</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/4th-Grade-Math-Vocabulary-and-Math-Word-Wall-Posters-522-Pages-of-Materials-669566" target="_blank">4th Grade Math Word Wall Poster Set & More</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/5th-Grade-Math-Vocabulary-498-Math-Word-Wall-Posters-More-Not-Tagged-CCSS-794998" target="_blank">5th Grade Math Word Wall Posters</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Financial-Literacy-Word-Wall-Posters-Grades-3-8-Financial-Literacy-Posters-2013888?aref=arrsxd3q" target="_blank">Financial Literacy Posters</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Math-Vocabulary-Posters-554-Definitions-Math-Posters-Grades-3-4-5-MEGA-Set-2029285" target="_blank">MEGA Set of 3rd, 4th & 5th Plus Financial Literacy Posters</a></div>
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Enjoy and teach the language of math!a4kokaneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06417458330881454236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800652772180708209.post-45522710857349183242015-08-05T23:35:00.001-07:002017-02-12T16:25:34.995-08:00Teach Financial Literacy!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyyM-LROjmKDORukfoB1abr7nontIyN0NWUPaW_C3B5mcGA1ueQylkRakMKnmpBmOv5vMb3wKduPThI0EufwqVkiyLcWLVOO-YoTNUDl2fj_s73E9U9t2MoXImsweyJQE3wqhIyo12NbX-/s1600/financialliteracy-mrsrenzclass.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyyM-LROjmKDORukfoB1abr7nontIyN0NWUPaW_C3B5mcGA1ueQylkRakMKnmpBmOv5vMb3wKduPThI0EufwqVkiyLcWLVOO-YoTNUDl2fj_s73E9U9t2MoXImsweyJQE3wqhIyo12NbX-/s640/financialliteracy-mrsrenzclass.png" width="348" /></a></div>
Students won't have to ask you when they're ever going to use this if you teach real world math skills. One of the best ways to connect learning with real life is to have students be immersed in using the skills in your class. Integrate the real world into your curriculum. <br />
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If you don't already, consider using a classroom economy. It will all year with your grades 3, 4, and 5 students and you can teach all kinds of math and real life skills. Students can earn checking and savings account privileges, and earn classroom cash for doing their job as a student. Students earn money then pay this classroom bills. They can rent their cubby, locker, desk, chair, pay a classroom library fee, and they also pay their income taxes on April 15th! Doing this, your students will really understand the pain of paying their taxes because they've lived in your classroom. <br />
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Students can also learn about supply and demand as they participate in auctions you hold throughout the year. These are important to teach lessons in spending vs. saving. These life lessons can be learned without you even saying a word. Student will get it because they've LIVED it!<br />
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In the beginning of school year, have your students learn about balancing a check ledger. Yes, 4th graders can do this! They will think it's pretty cool and if they can prove they can successfully add and subtract decimals to balance the check ledger, allow them to earn their own check book. Boy, talk about motivation! Just pass out the first real looking check book and you have your class hooked! By teaching about decimals, you're secretly checking student understanding of subtracting and place value concepts. You can accomplish two things: You check student understanding of decimal adding and subtracting and see how students persevere (or not). This lets you know who to cheer on and which students you can encourage to soar.<br />
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*Teacher Tip: Ask your local bank to see if they will donate real looking checkbooks! Many banks are committed to community service and will gladly help you put student checks into your students' hands. Our local Bank of America donated these sample checks and plastic checkbook covers to our 4th grade classroom. <br />
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Students pay fines and buy items with their checking accounts (or they can use cash) - it's their choice.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7RjKxJyGkkPvzh1NMILXJoFWOVM15b0HRnA05rJtY3oCLTiZ0l1Ddgx3O60nKsuFi0ucdmTGsIen9y_NIVKGMnGDGwvix573q1KIN0jU8s1xU6sbFQ6SCTYnqC5HLi1yHLxP3lnq9M1DC/s1600/Classroom+Economy+Using+a+Check+Ledger-MrsRenzClass.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7RjKxJyGkkPvzh1NMILXJoFWOVM15b0HRnA05rJtY3oCLTiZ0l1Ddgx3O60nKsuFi0ucdmTGsIen9y_NIVKGMnGDGwvix573q1KIN0jU8s1xU6sbFQ6SCTYnqC5HLi1yHLxP3lnq9M1DC/s640/Classroom+Economy+Using+a+Check+Ledger-MrsRenzClass.png" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4IoShLIXOo2oqrPYfHy-CGVKfJSYLkWcJw01Ue5pYeebQ-xFz2Va7I2B5P7zjosqXb3bWFpMlv1kSRpIKbUsnaFcxRxh1lOFJu1AANelQTY1Toyi1ef_YCNnrO_5XLgxHcRo3OOKE5t5u/s1600/classroomeconomy-bank-mrsrenzclass.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4IoShLIXOo2oqrPYfHy-CGVKfJSYLkWcJw01Ue5pYeebQ-xFz2Va7I2B5P7zjosqXb3bWFpMlv1kSRpIKbUsnaFcxRxh1lOFJu1AANelQTY1Toyi1ef_YCNnrO_5XLgxHcRo3OOKE5t5u/s640/classroomeconomy-bank-mrsrenzclass.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Classroom bankers must show competency with decimals because they handle all classroom transactions once they are "hired." Let any willing and eager student take the banker test at the beginning of the year, and have your top two highest scoring students earn the job of bank president and vice president. If a student doesn't pass the banker test on the first go-round, allow them to have another chance to take the test. Students will be so motivated to get a job as a classroom banker, that they will work extra to make sure they pass the test. You'll be surprised by the motivation that you get out of students of ALL abilities. Some of my students even studied on their own at home to get their job!! </div>
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I think it's motivating for students to be paid weekly. The more they interact with and handle money transactions, the better because they're doing more math! Your banker workers should earn a salary and be paid by the bank president and bank vice-president (they share the job or ask bank managers to help out). My student bankers sat at the classroom bank and used it as their desk on the day(s) they were on duty. I found this old desk that was being discarded, took it home, and painted it during the summer. Students LOVED it. They told me the slot should be made into an ATM so I stenciled the words ATM on later. </div>
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And now for the secret recipe: Release the control and you will be in more control! Let your students run everything about your classroom economy. They can do it! You will love not having to manage this program and students will be more than willing to do the work so why not let them? </div>
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When students need to know words related to financial literacy, be sure to help them learn by posting definitions and visuals on your math word wall. The language of math needs to be taught methodically, just as reading vocabulary needs to be taught. You will find that students refer to your word wall all throughout the day.<br />
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Use the words in everyday conversation where you can. Connect with the words when you see them in movies, videos, magazines, newspaper, and through current events. <br />
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Students easily can reference these posters that are also included as PowerPoint slides so you can rearrange the PPT slides and teach the words when you need them. Students need to see a visual and example to help the concepts "stick." <br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Financial-Literacy-Word-Wall-Poster-Set-82-PDF-posters-PowerPoint-Slideshow-2013888" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiBCj3hBqAkeYoZ5iPagtvfVGY7HbtqXGdnMnQnS-pxVaJKqXS9XXt8DUee1yeKrNdDKJKI62QhpPU0Fe7zjmHtLnk6lZeqq2DC6xbBIA88rykC8vl-7uqAY5xwBJF280E6URNu8Sp6He0/s320/Financial+Literacy+Poster+Set+by+Mrs.+Renz%2527+Class.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Classroom-Economy-Banking-Check-Writing-MORE-Year-Long-147-pages-294786" target="_blank">Classroom Economy Materials: Click HERE.</a> </div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Classroom-Economy-Materials-Banking-Unit-Yearlong-Program-294786?aref=bkelauak" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPp8inIWM751fsdYsBzOS2FXG3AwhzL997frReugsJg4I6v-IKHjowkMxuuwPpc0KLydMDFEj0PpgkqOJiXQ1ENx7ey61KilHn0TcU7BCpciyQpY-dwUlGh0Q3XW53VJgF86eFcvvFfqJ_/s320/Screen+Shot+2017-02-12+at+4.21.50+PM.png" width="316" /></a></div>
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Students love typing and printing these editable checks. Your bankers can easily type student names and the amount earned, then print and cut the check apart. See them on my TpT site: <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Checkbook-Checks-for-Classroom-Banking-or-Classroom-Economy-Programs-Editable-814211" target="_blank">Editable PDF checks, click HERE.</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Checks-for-Classroom-Banking-or-Classroom-Economy-Programs-Editable-814211" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoFBhyphenhyphenWEM68AgpynUy9ogjy1SR_AjWkvz1eNAgDOt12g7sPZghW_AA1Doy8Mp9NVByTWNLtaW7CDqCl1mJKi0WSiJX5ORnRVuaD2_ukVn0ZfbwshQpKHoid5ShFCqeSregEYd7QO7PAyCR/s320/Editable+Checks+for+Classroom+Economy-Mrs.+Renz+Class.png" width="320" /></a></div>
Teach math through everyday life and you won't have to hear, "When are we ever going to use this?"a4kokaneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06417458330881454236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800652772180708209.post-6081477419278552542015-06-06T20:00:00.000-07:002017-08-03T08:45:35.801-07:00Challenge Your Students with Mastery Club! It's EASY and Fun!<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://mrsrenz.com/mastery-club-links" target="_blank">Mastery Club has a New Home on the Web! </a></h4>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Fm3ZUx58Z1hsZ944kBbYaXMembG0DsyuiOlYJ-gEOkANsuFRLjg6cepucH9wfeT0TuYPqMpFjXNoDnEMmJH-XCUBqhHtcbj8fqaqI9dGHYpdyg-ru2M9U0A6ylTHfdE8Sz29ncnx56PX/s1600/MasteryClub-mrsrenzclass-1.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Fm3ZUx58Z1hsZ944kBbYaXMembG0DsyuiOlYJ-gEOkANsuFRLjg6cepucH9wfeT0TuYPqMpFjXNoDnEMmJH-XCUBqhHtcbj8fqaqI9dGHYpdyg-ru2M9U0A6ylTHfdE8Sz29ncnx56PX/s640/MasteryClub-mrsrenzclass-1.png" width="323" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://mrsrenz.com/mastery-club-links" target="_blank">Mastery Club has a New Home on the Web! </a></h4>
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The Scenario: You're in the middle of a guided reading group. You're on a roll, students are with you. Your group is focused. Suddenly you feel a tap on your shoulder and one of your sweet students says, "I'm finished. What do I do now?" Argh, just what you don't want to hear!<br />
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You want to find a fast finisher activity that students understand and can do independently without needing you and you don't have tons of time week after week to prepare all of the fast finisher activities.<br />
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If this is something you don't want to deal, make your life easier by using Mastery Club! It's easy to set up, and once you do, you can use it year after year with no additional prep! <br />
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In my fourth grade classroom, my goal was to help students become independent learners. I leaned early on in my career that giving by students choices, I get more in return; sometimes WAY more than I expected. I always want students to know what to do when they were finished. Enter the idea of Mastery Club. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigTCzp26t_pKDuoGjP__M3LanjwKbiF3MKWFW-xmsyN6P-SF64nlKgiS-uQTCg80hC3UFhLtLZQ8jyQApPelyJZGtc2TWk00qX4nyNDpkpC3cWv0y_0lUd5sNxpQMaKw9WRKKISo0Qhyphenhyphen-J/s1600/MasteryClub-MrsRenzClass.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigTCzp26t_pKDuoGjP__M3LanjwKbiF3MKWFW-xmsyN6P-SF64nlKgiS-uQTCg80hC3UFhLtLZQ8jyQApPelyJZGtc2TWk00qX4nyNDpkpC3cWv0y_0lUd5sNxpQMaKw9WRKKISo0Qhyphenhyphen-J/s320/MasteryClub-MrsRenzClass.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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You want to challenge your students to learn new things and you're tired of students saying, "I'm finished. Now what do I do?" or worse yet, "I'm bored." Oh boy! Those are NOT the words you NEVER want to hear! </div>
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Mastery Club consists of a list of challenges to learn something new. There are 86 challenge questions broken down into five main topic areas: Social Studies, Science and Health, Language Arts and Linguistics, Math, and a Miscellaneous category. Students use my website, <a href="http://www.mrsrenz.net/" target="_blank">Mrs. Renz.net</a>, to access the links to research each challenge, or they can do research on their own. Of course, books and other resources can be used for conducting research. That's how we did it in the old days! 😉 When a student is ready to take the test, s/he simply goes to the storage crate, finds the corresponding answer recording sheet, sits at a special table that you designate and takes the test. When s/he is finished, they turn it into a special Mastery Club turn in spot. That's it! You (or a parent volunteer) use the answer keys or web links to check the answers and if the student got 100%, the challenge was passed and the student officially became a "1 star" member of Mastery Club. Easy!</div>
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Excuse this (really old) photo of the Mastery Club challenge question area. </div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Mastery-Club-Challenge-Differentiate-for-All-Learners-Fast-Finishers-300027" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnJXhqx-9ZQbFdqrTLrwm6NLHmCER59hTlcUMV2Jx5xpiJrkethjdpmSAl0pdhNb07j1B_rjRzNvxr3WHO9nZsmo8nmOGJ-Kdu7KLKz1l7IB_N2YyMce5t4uzfZOAavQ4J9aPgrh27m2mE/s400/Mastery+Club+Wall+Area+MrsRenzClass.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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It's all about choice! Students love choices and you will love it even more because students learn about what interests them. You're not telling them what to do. Students choose the topics that interest them and learn about the topics in the order they choose. If you give choices to students, when you need students them to do what you ask, they won't mind because it's been a give and take and this time it's your turn. </div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Mastery-Club-Challenge-Differentiate-for-All-Learners-Fast-Finishers-300027" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSOUaLC54YOXzrMfluH_9s8ogsQJBBnHT7LCr_aGFjvy3VBG6ToIF9QNReBn3JTCKTpadQoiOiX20OjAcxO_tvbcRXlfjBwmU8BduHGyJoQ8uo61kubfftN_nHCbUrYCeGVmY9b5zhdF8y/s400/Website+Links-Mastery+Club-MrsRenzClass.png" width="283" /></a></div>
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The plastic crate (in the photo below) shows the file folders that holds the student recording worksheets and a binder that keeps the answer keys. In the set I made for TpT, there are even file folder labels to simply print and attach to the folders. Set up is easy! </div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Mastery-Club-Challenge-Differentiate-for-All-Learners-Fast-Finishers-300027" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqOecpO9eEhJeWmrDy4cRYotIQDyHSJZwGTM_wybp93LmaNij1jx3D7EQ0inFAaZMv7jaB0WcN77yDNo2M_HrrgSNi_q1161axrmimNq-VRK6k_82HrrXmlMyOY5IT2R8p3kc5ztC10Xo_/s400/MasteryClub1-MrsRenzClass.jpg" width="291" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Mastery-Club-Challenge-Differentiate-for-All-Learners-Fast-Finishers-300027" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK4VLVQVzkumk3Is1OrIy7jTExqqswF9b5mdwKnE8Iy_u_cYuGrS43UExx_NiXeCaW0D7SE5O74hYj-jT1cNtJJ7A25ll9rR7s0KPyiZ4mU0E6Ljj_qkA0_0Ioe3cM1i2JwTetPCjuSDNV/s320/recordingform-MasteryClub-MrsRenz.png" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwtvdBZzucPUtNQPbe5CLFvxB6iWDoOfdxbHWNNZohARfukBOXZu-jWyo3nOHzir0On_hwvno1Iv0qwO3-ksDq0DK2F7xd9_bXnQALtVc9bhqGgPpeAm7_gbB4ZeFXrorHOE53RZAh0M-C/s1600/MasteryClub5-MrsRenzClass.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwtvdBZzucPUtNQPbe5CLFvxB6iWDoOfdxbHWNNZohARfukBOXZu-jWyo3nOHzir0On_hwvno1Iv0qwO3-ksDq0DK2F7xd9_bXnQALtVc9bhqGgPpeAm7_gbB4ZeFXrorHOE53RZAh0M-C/s320/MasteryClub5-MrsRenzClass.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
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Once a student has earned at least one challenge, s/he becomes a "1-Star Member." Teachers simply record the challenge number earned on the grade book sheet included in the set.</div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Mastery-Club-Challenge-Differentiate-for-All-Learners-Fast-Finishers-300027" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD55omgDUXDZhAgAcShf9eGhFPM91zYWOvjonSKzp9PVZcjSzE8saMOOvt24sqHPWAFOThQKYzYWD5ZsJA3rlmZ1VavOSQP7E3B9kqMuKLSY4abA2NCQh2itPsYjCWcwoLGp0KbFa-l4kK/s400/MasteryClubGradeBookform-MrsRenzClass.png" width="333" /></a></div>
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Students keep earning and try to do as many challenges as they can before the end of the school year. You can choose a date for the challenge to end so it allows you time to get the certificates ready. If you're really lucky, you can maybe ask a parent volunteer to copy and paste the challenges onto the certificate for each student. It makes the certificates that much more special to be personalized.</div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Mastery-Club-Challenge-Differentiate-for-All-Learners-Fast-Finishers-300027" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkO9Pcn13EBUg1YyEA_vSIxHBIPfmHyet28w0zQXU7dmEnaIQPbvGYsn7S0GGhO9WFKYtN0Rnqetxheb6pwZpJf5tNS7TQ7n0sVIR02XZsLBcmnnt6RwAq4wT0pX1EP3j_LjSnu67H0d6z/s400/MasteryClubCertificateSample-MrsRenzClass.png" width="321" /></a></div>
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I can't say enough about how much my fourth, fifth, and sixth graders loved this program! Many times a student would come back to say hi and would go right to the Wall of Fame to see where their name was in relation to the new names that were added. Awesome!</div>
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Don't let students say they're bored in your classroom! What do you do for your fast finishers?</div>
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Mastery Club has a new home on the web! <a href="http://mrsrenz.com/mastery-club-links">http://mrsrenz.com/mastery-club-links</a></div>
a4kokaneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06417458330881454236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800652772180708209.post-56112480038891113362015-05-17T07:06:00.001-07:002015-05-22T21:28:18.833-07:006th Grade Memory Book: NEW!Here's a brand new <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Memory-Book-6th-Grade-Tales-of-a-Sixth-Grade-Someone-Full-Page-Format-1859213" target="_blank">6th grade memory book</a> in full page size format! It's a great way to keep students engaged and working right up until the last day. There are lots of pages for students to reflect upon their year sixth grade year and once it's finished, this book promises to be a treasured keepsake! <br />
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I use the book binder and laminate the book covers, or if we're out of laminating film, run them off on construction or other stiff paper.<br />
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The autographing time and phone and email exchanging time is so fun for students and teacher alike! Who needs a yearbook when you can use a more personal book of memories?<br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Memory-Book-6th-Grade-Tales-of-a-Sixth-Grade-Someone-Full-Page-Format-1859213" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrzen5b7McCsE-_QWQB17MN6ulw4FKzrHgRIyxctbcoZjU8FfLHp4YKnjQWlNNaoBCB4DB1gSnhHv6YD0SkOMGLxGlg_GOs98wUH6BQBevqmSy0fHh-fjWBUxJLFeWNcTBYgv8x0cc16Yy/s400/Screen+Shot+2015-05-17+at+7.02.52+AM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />a4kokaneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06417458330881454236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800652772180708209.post-8922523831518179202015-05-13T21:35:00.001-07:002015-05-13T21:38:05.520-07:00New Memory Book No Prep for 4th GradeHey teacher friends! I had a request from a super nice teacher (Rebecca) to create a full page size memory book with the cute kids graphics for her fourth grade so here it is! I just posted it to TpT and it's a screaming deal for 24 hours only (50% off). <br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Memory-Book-Tales-of-a-Fourth-Grade-Someone-Full-Page-Kids-Theme-NO-PREP-1855704" target="_blank">Click here to see the memory book preview on TpT</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Memory-Book-Tales-of-a-Fourth-Grade-Someone-Full-Page-Kids-Theme-NO-PREP-1855704" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtXvl1Nh4ld7sIlT1Opiql4FjT49VXztiwrvAfvoTiQYpcoTyfDd7fSw4nSbNsmfPC1AQuVL-pQWrYb874u3r0xXsqG3kSXbgRiV29FCvLVjH3lCPDV3F6ZrehIRfZmTHSkhAisI8TB3vI/s640/Memory+Book+-+Mrs+Renz+Class.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />a4kokaneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06417458330881454236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800652772180708209.post-85421884994675352262015-05-12T07:55:00.000-07:002015-05-12T08:01:09.773-07:00Palindrome Date Fun!I love finding math patterns and this week there's 10 dates that are palindromes! Check it out! Here is the teacher version:<br />
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This is the student version. Post this and ask students what they notice and see if they can find the patterns! :)<br />
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Teach....Love....Math!a4kokaneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06417458330881454236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800652772180708209.post-39066667719667473902015-05-06T18:13:00.002-07:002023-10-04T06:52:44.088-07:00Capture End of Year Memories with a Memory Book!The end of the school year is approaching. State testing is over. Student enthusiasm is high. Students are getting eager to be out on break (and so are teachers). Behaviors can escalate if you're not on top of things. What do you do that's meaningful work that will hold your students' attention during the last few days of school?" It' easy! It's engaging! There's one last bit of writing involved! But best of all, students make their own memory book and remain focused during this crazy exciting time of year. This great activity gives you a few minutes to begin room tidy-up and end of record management. What could be better?<br />
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I love using <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Mrs-Renz-Class/Category/End-of-Year" target="_blank">memory books</a> to capture the highlights of the year students spent in my class. I prefer to create book in a half-page format because if your school is like mine, we tended to put a freeze on copy printing and were nearly out of budgeted paper supplies for the year. For a class of 34, I could print 17 pages and have 34 individual memory book pages. I know some teachers prefer the ease of using a single page per sheet, so I created memory books just for you, too. They're in my TpT store under the category, "End of Year."<br />
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At the beginning of the year, I create a file folder for each student and file them alphabetically in a hanging file folder in a plastic crate. These folders are now ready to file memory book pages of special events that we do throughout the year. Each time we go on field trips, have guest speakers, do cool projects and events, photos are taken. I use a class list and check off each student's name to be sure I've got a photo for everyone. Then, right away, I'd add each child's photo to the template for the page destined for each memory book. Each photo is captioned to be personalized for each students. Then pages are printed, cut in half and filed into each student's folder. Newest pages go a the back so the books end up in chronological order for easy assembly at the end of the year.<br />
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This is what the <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Mrs-Renz-Class/Category/End-of-Year" target="_blank">NEW memory books look like</a>:<br />
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These are some photos of my daughter's memory book from 2000-2001. She was a 4th grader in my 4/5 Blend class. You can see how I used to use lots of photos for my students' memory books. Since then, students create their own pages and we add photos to the books as well.</div>
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<strong style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Geneva, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14.54818px;">Half Page Format</strong><br />
<span face="Verdana, Arial, Geneva, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14.54818px;">• </span><strong style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Geneva, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14.54818px;"><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Third-Grade-Memory-Book-Tales-of-a-Third-Grade-Someone-Also-in-Editable-Format-689668" style="color: #67753b; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">3rd Grade – half page – kids theme PDF & Editable MS Word Format </a></strong><br />
<span face="Verdana, Arial, Geneva, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14.54818px;">• </span><strong style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Geneva, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14.54818px;"><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Fourth-Grade-Memory-Book-Tales-of-a-Fourth-Grade-Someone-also-editable" style="color: #67753b; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">4th Grade – half page – kids theme PDF & Editable MS Word Format </a></strong><br />
<span face="Verdana, Arial, Geneva, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14.54818px;">• </span><strong style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Geneva, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14.54818px;"><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Fifth-Grade-Memory-Book-Tales-of-a-Fifth-Grade-Someone-Also-Customizable-Format" style="color: #67753b; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">5th Grade – half page – kids theme PDF & Editable MS Word Format</a> </strong><br />
<span face="Verdana, Arial, Geneva, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14.54818px;">• </span><strong style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Geneva, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14.54818px;"><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Sixth-Grade-Memory-Book-Capture-End-of-Year-Memories-Also-in-Editable-Format" style="color: #67753b; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">6th Grade – half page – stars theme PDF & Editable MS Word Format</a></strong><br />
<span face="Verdana, Arial, Geneva, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14.54818px;">• </span><strong style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Geneva, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14.54818px;"><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Owl-Themed-Memory-Book-for-Any-Grade-End-of-Year-Writing-Project-Editable-706006" style="color: #67753b; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Any Grade – half page – owl theme PDF & Editable MS Word Format </a></strong><span face="Verdana, Arial, Geneva, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14.54818px;"></span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Geneva, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14.54818px;" />
<strong style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Geneva, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14.54818px;">Full Page Format</strong><br />
<span face="Verdana, Arial, Geneva, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14.54818px;">• </span><strong style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Geneva, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14.54818px;"><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Second-Grade-Memory-Book-Great-End-of-Year-Writing-Project-85-pgs-of-materials-838347" style="color: #67753b; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">2nd Grade – full page – kids theme PDF & Editable MS Word format</a></strong><br />
<span face="Verdana, Arial, Geneva, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14.54818px;">• </span><strong style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Geneva, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14.54818px;"><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Memory-Book-Second-Grade-Owl-Theme-Full-page-Great-End-of-Year-Writing-Project-1184786" style="color: #67753b; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">2nd Grade – full page – owl theme PDF format</a></strong><br />
<span face="Verdana, Arial, Geneva, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14.54818px;">• </span><strong style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Geneva, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14.54818px;"><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Third-Grade-Memory-Book-Great-End-of-Year-Writing-Project-lots-of-choices-1188958" style="color: #67753b; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">3rd Grade – full page – owl theme PDF format</a><br />• <strong><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Fourth-Grade-Memory-Book-Great-End-of-Year-Writing-Project-1189624" style="color: #67753b; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">4th Grade – full page – owl theme PDF format</a></strong><br />• <strong><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Fifth-Grade-Memory-Book-Great-End-of-Year-Writing-Project-1230853" style="color: #67753b; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">5th Grade – full page– owl theme PDF format</a></strong><br />• <strong><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Memory-Book-with-an-Owl-Theme-Great-End-of-Year-Writing-Project-Full-page-742612" style="color: #67753b; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Any Grade – full page – owl theme PDF & Editable MS Word Format </a></strong></strong><br />
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Whatever you do the end the year on a positive note, do it well. Your students and families will remember their year with you as a great one!a4kokaneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06417458330881454236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800652772180708209.post-20420324137200826472015-04-12T23:57:00.003-07:002023-10-04T05:17:08.395-07:003 Reasons You Should Teach Roman Numerals (Grades 3-5)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSS2CokpvZoZ7GWscUnD2MnYwuXSeuT_Fp9XEYU5O7ZGtF1ObQI7mtjJ6cYJDvH520ClMgrlm00iX3qyFRT0A6AyUGmFGZAvsgyoH0XUoL_VDxcUM92TKt8fFxgs3-Cwosfo3J3XDRO1Cv/s1600/3reasonstoteachromannumerals-renz.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSS2CokpvZoZ7GWscUnD2MnYwuXSeuT_Fp9XEYU5O7ZGtF1ObQI7mtjJ6cYJDvH520ClMgrlm00iX3qyFRT0A6AyUGmFGZAvsgyoH0XUoL_VDxcUM92TKt8fFxgs3-Cwosfo3J3XDRO1Cv/s640/3reasonstoteachromannumerals-renz.png" width="438" /></a></div>
Do you teach students how to read Roman Numerals? It might not be part of your third, fourth, or fifth grade curriculum but it's an important real life skill that uses higher level thinking, is a part of history, and is kind of like solving a mystery. AND . . . learning about Roman Numerals can be a stand-alone no-prep unit that you can leave with confidence for a substitute teacher that students will have a day full of learning. Roman Numerals can be taught any time of year, too.<br />
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Roman numerals are an important part of history, and we still see Roman numerals in use today. Roman numerals are used for drama and effect, or to make things seem important such as with Kings like Edward the IV. Popes are named using this system as well, for example John Paul II. The most recognized use today is likely sporting events such as Super Bowl XX , and the XXVII Olympic Games. Films, videos and copyrights routinely use Roman numbers for tracking. We also see and use them to mark documents, often adding an air of importance to the work. They are used in medicine, too. Did you know that the cranial nerves are labeled with Roman Numerals?<br />
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Students find Roman Numerals fun to use and somewhat cryptic, almost like a breaking a secret code. And who doesn’t love a good mystery to get students engaged? Or how about trying to read the game number for the big football game? <br />
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The use of Roman numerals helps students critical thinking and mental flexibility. I use them as a fun engaging way to help teach math concepts of addition, subtraction and place value. Students never get enough practice with equalities. Try balancing them Roman style! </div>
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Roman Numerals can be confusing for students (and adults). Let's see... if the "I" is before the "V" do I add or subtract? Students need lots of practice to really get this skill, especially when they need to convert large numbers, like figuring out copyright dates of books.</div>
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Teach students how to break down large numbers into smaller ones - like using expanded notation with Roman Numerals. It's easy when you know how!</div>
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Here are a few more real life examples to inspire you and your students!</div>
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<li style="text-align: left;">Roman Numerals are used to number the cranial nerves! This will inspire those kids who have a dream of working in the field of medicine. </li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Roman numerals are used on old fashion clocks</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">They're used in the sport of football to number the Super Bowl! Those kids who love sports will be intrigued by this one. </li>
<li style="text-align: left;">They're used when someone has the same name for many generations, ex: Robert Griffin III, a football quarterback, Pope Benedict XVI, Kind Edward VII of England.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">They're on old historic buildings. The history buffs out there will love being able to decipher what the buildings say.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">They are used for film copyright dates.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">They are used to number pages in books, especially on the preliminary pages.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">They number paragraphs in complicated, and long documents. </li>
<li style="text-align: left;">They are used in teaching music and music theory.</li>
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If you teach Roman Numerals to grades 3-5, you are going to love a few new items I just finished up. I created a Roman Numerals Interactive Notebook set and a set of Roman Numeral posters, then bundled the two to save you money. This makes a great math center, too!<br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Roman-Numerals-Interactive-Notebook-Grades-3-5-1809519" target="_blank">Roman Numerals Interactive Notebook</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Roman-Numeral-Posters-1809637" target="_blank">Roman Numeral Poster Set</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Roman-Numerals-Interactive-Notebook-Poster-Set-BUNDLED-SET-1809649" target="_blank">Roman Numerals Interactive Notebook + Poster Set BUNDLE</a></div>
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Do you teach Roman Numerals? Leave a comment about what grade level you are and how you teach it!</div>
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<!--EndFragment-->a4kokaneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06417458330881454236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800652772180708209.post-40085420385405403562015-04-06T23:51:00.000-07:002017-03-06T13:51:42.516-08:00Teach the Key Words of MathWe need to help students learn the language of math. Case in point . . . when teaching "fraction-of" problems, students are surprised to learn that "of" means multiply. They actually think that's cool! (I love it!) For example, what is 1/3 of 12 means 1/3 x 12 or put the 12 items into 3 equal groups then count one group. <br />
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These math operations posters help students learn the key words for addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and equals. There are 18 pages of choices of wall posters and posters designed to fit into an interactive notebook or math journal. <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Math-Operations-Poster-Set-for-Word-Walls-and-Student-Math-Journals-1800274" target="_blank">Check them out! </a><br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Math-Operations-Poster-Set-for-Word-Walls-and-Student-Math-Journals-1800274" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAJssrrnDafaYv7t1z5iFRtV_PWDCW-K6piuEKfSDXCESDlt_0XDVqATAI36yO-31AYFbq0AFXC30hWspJYgWbvGoB652CONe0rnYh9DG2595lw7Ok3B07h-36fTyB-zl9OHLQdDiiaC6R/s640/mathposters-mrsrenzclass.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />a4kokaneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06417458330881454236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800652772180708209.post-6410858963686804712015-04-04T21:56:00.000-07:002015-04-05T13:39:38.590-07:00Figurative Language Cootie Catchers are FUN, FUN, FUN!Who doesn't love an excuse to play with a Cootie Catcher? This set is full of figurative language terms, examples and gives an excuse to play while learning about <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Figurative-Language-Cootie-Catcher-Set-of-4-PPT-Slideshow-Posters-1797556" target="_blank">figurative language</a><span id="goog_338424000"></span><span id="goog_338424001"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a>!<br />
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There's four templates that give students practice using and identifying figurative language plus there's an interactive pocket foldable to store the Cootie Catchers in your interactive notebook. Also included are 8 posters with figurative language definitions and a PPT slideshow.<br />
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Play, learn and have fun!a4kokaneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06417458330881454236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800652772180708209.post-48658340188918800082015-04-03T13:20:00.002-07:002015-04-04T05:14:38.019-07:00Teach the Figurative Language of Poetry with Interactive NotebooksTeaching poetry is fun and it just got more fun for students if you're using interactive notebooks!<br />
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Students need to learn and use the meanings of alliteration, hyperbole, idiom, metaphor, personification, onomatopoeia, and simile. This brand new set gives students the definitions and examples to glue into their interactive notebooks. Journal covers are also included in color and black and white. Also included is a PowerPoint slideshow about figurative language and 8 posters with these definitions.<br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Poetry-Interactive-Notebook-Figurative-Language-Posters-NO-PREP-Materials-1795587" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRX6GWW0DFVu1p9I5JTRDdnltxEOZs9_17GY_byJ23oLuHfA9dpXx3CX7PsmFVACizUD-mvq33ESDOP1k0kpquYRW-fOC0V-yuZ41mR1CvP7GO_IqVdMgfAIPIwSVc7CGEWssAc_QZiDBj/s1600/Mrs.+Renz+Poetry+Interactive+Figurative+Language+.png" height="476" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Poetry-Interactive-Notebook-Figurative-Language-Set-NO-PREP-Materials-1795587" target="_blank">Interactive Notebook Poetry Figurative Language Set</a></div>
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This new set <span style="color: #38761d;">IS INCLUDED</span> in my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Poetry-Project-Poetry-Unit-Poetry-Reflection-Interactive-Notebook-6-Wk-Unit-262931" target="_blank">6-week poetry unit and independent poetry project</a>.<br />
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Enjoy teaching poetry this month!a4kokaneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06417458330881454236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800652772180708209.post-1516136069688853492015-04-01T15:44:00.003-07:002023-10-04T07:00:22.098-07:00Earth Day Videos that Engage Students to ActionWater covers over 70% of our Earth's surface. Are our planet's ocean becoming garbage collectors? Did you know that most plastics never break down? So, if they never deteriorate, where do they go? I'm glad you asked! Think about an item we all know of and probably use . . . plastic bags. Did you know that they use our Earth's oil resources and have been banned in many cities? Do you know where they end up? Do you know where their "life cycle" ends? This blog post is about an issue I love to teach during April. April 22 is Earth Day. Here's a great video I like to show and after viewing it, students want to know more and they spring into action. What teacher wouldn't love that student response? Students taking charge and self-directing their own learning? Students want to know more... they demand answers. I love it! <br />
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Our fourth grade environments curriculum is the perfect way to tie in this important concept. Begin the lesson by asking students what is important about April (besides it being <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Poetry-Project-Poetry-Unit-Poetry-Reflection-Website-Access-6-Week-Unit-262931" target="_blank">poetry month</a>)? Yes, it's Earth month. Then tell them you are going to show them a "mockumentary. Make sure to teach students what it means to "mock" (see image, below) so they "get" the sarcasm in this video. Then show the YouTube video (3:59) called "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLgh9h2ePYw" target="_blank">The Majestic Plastic Bag - a Mockumentary</a>." You will be asked to show it again, so plan for that!<br />
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This movie sparks tons of questions from students. The <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLgh9h2ePYw" target="_blank">video clip </a>shows what happens to plastic bags i.e: their "life cycle" and ultimately where a plastic bag ends its "life" - it ends up in our oceans as trash. Students are glued to every word, thinking the video is funny but they soon learn that this topic is sad at the same time. This video really gets students thinking. It is a great jumping off place that will lead students to pose questions about our planet, healthy oceans, recycling, reusing, reducing waste, plastics and oil use, animal impact, consumerism, and more. This lesson is self-directed learning at its finest!<br />
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Here is a <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Video-Note-Taking-Sheet-FREEBIE-1792961" target="_blank">video note taking sheet you can download {FREE}</a> from my TpT store.<br />
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Next, your students will be asking to learn more about this "Great Pacific Garbage Patch" they just learned about during the plastic bag movie. This is another <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVESX5HCq-s" target="_blank">YouTube video from 2009 narrated by Oprah (1:20).</a> The video clip is grainy, but it's definitely worth a watch. <i>NOTE: Teachers, be sure to preview these videos before you show it to students to make sure they are appropriate for showing to your students. </i> The video clip is shocking and very sad, but addresses very real issues we all should know about for the health of our planet.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>
And here's another video <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0JW2Ikdl3s" target="_blank">"Secrets of the Deep: The Great Pacific Garbage Patch Good Morning America"</a> show (4:30) that offers even more information on this issue. It, too, is grainy but has good content.<br />
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Here's yet another video that is interesting about the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKBWNVNzaPo" target="_blank">Great Pacific Ocean Garbage Patch (3:34).</a> this one has some profanity so before showing to students, you will want to mute the sound and show the images in spots. <br />
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Here's some vocabulary you may encounter: buoyant, indefinitely, coexist, decompose, indigenous, closed system, biodegradable, plankton, currents, food chain, debris.<br />
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Ask students to come up possible questions. Some example might be:<br />
* What are plastic bags made of? <a href="http://prodigeemarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PlasticsInfographic.jpg" target="_blank">Plastics infographic</a><br />
* Why are they banned in some cities and states?<br />
* How many sea creatures have been injured by plastic bags and other plastic trash?<br />
* How much oil does it take to make a plastic bag?<br />
* <a href="http://www.down2earthmaterials.ie/decompose/" target="_blank">How long does it take for items to decompose?</a> <a href="http://goumbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Recycling-and-decomposing.jpg" target="_blank">Great visual - poster</a><br />
* <a href="http://www.epa.gov/gmpo/edresources/debris_t.html" target="_blank">How long does it take marine debris to break down?</a> <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/extracontent/2013/take3/howlong.jpg" target="_blank">Great visual - poster</a><br />
* How long do other products take to degrade in a landfill?<br />
* Is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch real? <br />
* How can we reduce the amount of trash we create? <br />
* What happens to sea creatures that get tangled in the trash?<br />
* When debris gets into our oceans, where do the currents take them?<br />
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* What can we do about this and where does this end?<br />
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For a literacy lesson, you can use this Oprah.com website link to <a href="http://www.oprah.com/world/Ocean-Pollution-Fabien-Cousteaus-Warning-to-the-World" target="_blank">do a close read on the topic</a>. Be sure to click the numbers 2, 3, and 4 at the bottom of each page to advance to the next page. Much discussion will occur.<br />
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To enhance your teacher background knowledge, watch this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qvf_zesN9Y" target="_blank">TED Talk video (4:41)</a> about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. <br />
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Here's another <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znWKqsJ0Rg4" target="_blank">video about plastics and the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (4:56)</a>.<br />
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Happy Earth Day! YOU can make a difference in the world. What ideas do YOU have for Earth Day? Please share your ideas!</div>
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