Diving In!!!

For the past couple years I have dabbled in the blogging world.  I know how to type a blog post, but would not consider myself a true blogger! I haven't been consistent, I don't know all the blog terms, I don't know how to link up with other bloggers....basically, I just know the very very basics.  One of my goals this summer has been to change that!  I have been watching videos, collaborating with other bloggers, and reading articles to learn more about the blogging world and hopefully get better at this!

Nonfiction Text Structure

So, my class has been working on nonfiction text structure for the last 2 1/2 weeks.  I started my unit off by reviewing genres--nonfiction specifically, and nonfiction text features. I then talked about how author's also use different text structures when writing.  I introduced the following text structures, and we completed the anchor chart below:

We also discussed compare/contrast, but created a page just for that one....partly because I think that one is particularly important and requires slightly more discussion/practice, and partly because I ran out of room on the first chart. :)  I got this idea from  http://www.teachingwithamountainview.com/

After introducing all the different text structures, we then spent the next two weeks looking at each individual text structure and doing some practice with them.  Now, we're back to reviewing them altogether. I also bought some wonderful task cards from Teaching with a Mountain View--love her stuff!  We took one of the text cards, which has 3 different passages all on the same topic, and questions.  Together, we read each passage and determined which text structure was used, and gave evidence to support our choices.  Then, we answered the questions included.  See below. 

The following day, I let them get in groups to do the same thing.  Initially I made a list of the groups I was going to put them in, but then as we were getting ready to start, I decided to change things up!  I wanted them to be truly engaged and for this to be a meaningful activity.  I went over the different topics they were going to choose from, and then called them out one at a time to see who wanted to do what.  It worked out perfectly where they all ended up in groups of 2-3.  Here they are working away!

We worked for about 35 minutes today, and are hoping to finish up tomorrow! 

Division Concepts- Different Ways to Represent Division Concepts

Division is not always the easiest concept for students to master.  While we have been diligently working on this at school, my students have also been practicing at home.  Here is a quick (2 min) video I made for students to reference if they can't remember the different ways to represent division.  Note- This is nothing fancy & was created just for study purposes.  Just thought I'd share it! :)

(Sorry it's sideways---not quite sure how to change that!)

Brain Break

Brain Break time is one of my kids' (and my) favorite times of the day!  We work hard in my room, but we definitely like to play hard too!  I fully believe that giving those brains a break is so important to keep them going! Finding brain breaks that are quick to access and don't require going through YouTube (because who knows what garage will pop up on the screen with that) has proved to be challenging at times.  Thankfully, one of my wonderful co-workers shared a fabulous site with me that I now use on a daily basis called gonoodle.com.  You can sign up (It's free!) and access fun brain break videos in seconds!  We especially love the Koo Koo Kangaroo videos.  There are some fun zumba videos on there too.

Our favorite Koo Koo Kangaroo video is the Dino-Stomp!  You can check out my sweet babies doing it in the video below! :)

You can check out this and other Koo Koo Kangaroo videos by going to gonoodle.com

It's Getting HOT in Here! HEAT Activities!!

So, I'll be the first to admit that science is just not my subject....I think I'm fairly decent at teaching it, but I just don't love it.  Fortunately, I think I'm pretty good at tricking my kids into thinking otherwise by acting so excited about all the "neat" things we learn about.  One of our units we do each year is heat--fun! fun! :)

If you haven't noticed already, I am ALL about flipbooks and foldables!  I LOVE them!  It allows the kiddos to take notes without the torture of....well, just taking notes.  It's amazing that you can just fold/cut paper different ways and add a few pictures and note taking becomes fun!

There are 2 main concepts we cover when discussing heat:
1. What are the different ways heat can be produced?
2. How does heat move?

Heat Production:
For heat production, we created the foldable below.  These are perfect little organizers to add to science notebooks, or just keep on hand for review.

This is the front of the foldable:
It covers friction, electricity, mixing matter (chemical change), and burning
We put the way and a picture on each. 

INSIDE:
Under each flap- on the top, we wrote the definition or description

On the bottom- we wrote 2-3 examples

BACK:
On the back we wrote & answered 3 Essential Questions: 

1. What is heat?
2. What is thermal energy? 

3. What are the 4 ways to produce heat? 

Heat Movement:
Below is the foldable that we made to cover the movement of heat.  It talks about radiation, conduction & convection.

Front- you could definitely dress it up more! :)

Inside: We included the definition/description for each on the flaps & then on the inside drew pictures that showed examples of each. 

Hope you find these useful!  For more heat resources, check out my TPT store

I also have a Heat Unit Test and a study guide you can check out as well!

Long Time...No Write

Well, since I've been out of the whole blogging game for the last 6-7 months, I figured it was time to get back on it!  To say it's been crazy busy for me that last few months is an understatement.  In August 2013 (3 months after we found out we were finally pregnant with baby #2) we sold our house, moved into a rental, and began building our new home.  It was an exciting time, but definitely exhausting.

On January 25, 2014, my husband and I welcomed our newest addition: Beckett Sophia Marie Copeland.  It's a mouthful I know, but I loved the name Sophia and wanted to honor Chris' grandmother by using the name Marie too.  Here's a picture of our sweet girl.  Feel free to swoon! :)

Beckett Sophia Marie- within the 1st week

Miss Beckett at 4 months old! 

7 weeks later, we moved into our new home (Mid march), and we're STILL unpacking and trying to get settled.  I guess it just takes a little longer to do things with a 3 year old and newborn.  Now that the school year is done, I'm hoping to make a little more headway!

Along with catching up on my house and spending time playing with my precious girls, I'm hoping to get back on the ball with blogging and adding resources to my TPT store!  :)

Beckett & Tenley

I hope everyone has a wonderful summer!

CYBER SALE MONDAY....AND TUESDAY

Hey all!  I know it has been a while since I've posted.  I have been so busy moving and preparing for our 2nd little girl to arrive in January!  I just wanted to take a moment to tell you all about the huge sale that TPT is throwing for CYBER MONDAY!  Almost everything in my store will be 20%.  Then, when you check out, enter the code "CYBER" for an additional 10% off!

Click HERE to check it out!

While you're there, be sure to check out some of my best selling and/or newer products too! :)  Happy Shopping!!  Click on the product name to view it in my store! :)

If you're looking for Nonfiction Text Passages/Assessments:
Nonfiction Text Features Assessment #1
Nonfiction Text Features Assessment #2
Nonfiction Cold Read: Dolphins
Nonfiction Cold Read: Abraham Lincoln

Language Packs:
Adverbs Mega Pack
Nouns Mega Pack
Parts of Speech Pack

Math:
Common Core Assessment Bundle
Place Value Task Cards
Rounding Task Cards
Addition & Subtraction Word Problems Task Cards
Multiplication & Division Word Problems Task Cards
Multi-Step Problem Solving Task Cards
Elapsed Time Task Cards
Line Plot & Measurement Task 

Social Studies:
Ancient Greece Mini Books Pack
Paul Revere Mega Pack
Frederick Douglass Activity Pack
Susan B. Anthony Activity Pack
Mary McLeod Bethune Activity Pack
Historical Figures Task Cards
Local & State Government Test & Study Guide
National Government Test & Study Guide
Local, State & National Government Test & Study Guide

Science
Rocks & Minerals Mega Pack
Rocks Mini Book
GA Habitats Assessment Pack
Pollution & Conservation Mini Book