Notebook resources now available!

I have finally started to upload all of the pages I have created! You can find them in my Teacher's Notebook store! My place value pages are now available.

The first 3 people to comment will receive a FREE copy of this package! Remember to leave your email address :D

More Pinspiration!

Saw this on Pinterest Friday...

Source: flickr.com via Naye on Pinterest

...and I am totally doing it with my class on Monday! I am going to use Cheerios for the particles and a worksheet I modeled after the one in the picture. Grab a copy below!

Math/Science Notebooking: Part 2

In case you haven't noticed, I went ahead and added science to the Notebooking series. (I also use notebooks for science so I thought I would give tips for those too.)

When introducing and setting up the notebooks, I always go over and have students sign a list of guidelines.  (You can check it out below, two for science and one for math.) The students then glue them to the inside cover of the notebook.

I hope you find these useful!

Math Journal Guidelines

Safety Sense Contract

Science Journal Guidelines

Math/Science Notebooking: Part 1

Due to the number of responses I received on my math notebook post I have decided to start a mathand science notebooking series. (By the way, I was NOT prepared to receive such an amazing response to my journal example, but very excited that so many of you are interested in them!!) So, without further ado, here is part 1:


When creating math and science notebooks with your students there are 5 things (among many) I think are necessary to consider from the get-go:

At my school 4th grade is departmentalized so I keep a notebook for each of my math classes (so I have a total of three). I fill in my notebook at the same time as my students, modeling how I want students to fill it in. It is also useful in case students are absent, though I normally have another student fill in an absent student's notebook. Just in case I forget...

Color--why not??! You want the students to take ownership of their notebooks so let them personalize it by using color! (And, yes, they have the potential to go a little crazy get carried away with color.) If you are able to, print charts, graphic organizers, notes pages, etc. on color. Color is a powerful stimulus for the brain!!!! It helps them learn!!

This WILL help. Students WILL appreciate it, YOU will appreciate it. The table of contents in my notebooks include the date, entry title and page number. Each actual entry is dated, the title is written at the top and the page number written at the bottom.

Foldables and minibooks are a super way to reinforce concepts. My students' faces always light up when they see that they get to make some sort of foldable or minibook. I try to be creative and use different kinds each time. Dinah Zike has a few excellent books on foldables.

It's great to have students take notes in your journal, but to step it even more and increase interest/learning, add interactive activities. It can even be as simple as a concentration game in a pocket. My students (in the past) enjoy taking the activities home and using them with parents or siblings.

I hope you enjoyed this post!! Stay tuned for part 2 tomorrow, the Student Contract! (freebie included!) :D

Solid, Liquid, and Gas DIY

Make these models to aid in teaching the states of matter! Fun for all grades! Click on the picture for an enlarged view.

Stay tuned for my Math Notebooking series--first post tomorrow!

Frayer Model Vocabulary Cards

Here is a freebie for you (since it is my birthday today!!). My last post showed the Frayer Model vocabulary cards that I use in my classroom. I am posting a copy for you to use in your own room! Enjoy! I would love to hear how much they help your students--mine have greatly benefited from using them. My students' favorite part to fill in is "non-examples." They love to come up with answers that are sooo close to being true, but aren't--definitely helps them to assimilate the new information.

Frayer Model vocabulary template

Math Notebooks

Last school year I used math notebooks with my students. The notebooks are full of charts, examples, pictures, vocabulary, notes (of course), etc. I kept my own notebook, one for each class (in order to model). We filled them in together each time we wrote in it. I LOVE how they turned out. I actually kept them over the summer instead of sending them home with the kids (not because I loved them that much but because I wanted to make sure the notebooks actually made it to the 5th grade with the kids!) I plan on personally delivering the notebooks to my former students on the 2nd day of school. Below is what my notebook looked like; I didn't take pictures of the students' notebooks, but they look just like it (of course, with kid handwriting and drawings):

We MUST have a table of contents; helps us keep organized.

These Polygon cards are available in my TPT Store. I'll email a free copy for the first 5 people interested!!!

Vocabulary words are put in the back of the notebook, starting on the last page (and working toward the front).

The use of color in the notebooks is definitely encouraged! It helps the brain remember things! 

Frayer Model; the students actually came up with the facts/characteristics, examples and non-examples for each word so the students' work may not necessarily match mine (and that is A-okay!!!).

Classroom put back together...CHECK!

I'm 90% finished with my room! I have a few small things left to do. I am so excited to be able to work on lessons now!!! Here are my most recent photos:

Looking inside!

Star Student display on my door

 I'm so proud of my Pirate Place Value interactive bulletin board!

Student supplies

 

Partner work area

Fast Finisher activities

Manipulatives and games for the kiddos to access.

 

 Another partner work area/reading area

Please ignore the curtains that have yet to be hung :D

I didn't even think to take a picture of my small group table! It's right in front of where I was standing when I took the picture. You can see a piece of it at the bottom of the picture.

Supplies and a few more games.

This is where most of the manipulatives are stored. I also have various other activities and supplies under here. 

Another cabinet

Eeeeeevrything is labeled--that's how I roll.

Like I said.....eeeeeverything is labeled! This is my teacher closet.

Behind the black curtains (above my wall of lockers) is where I keep all of my teacher resource books.

 My clean and pretty desk :D

 

Inside my desk! MUST remain under control. Can't function otherwise.

Thanks for stopping by!