"O Geome-Tree" Activity UPDATED

Happy December! I can't believe ANOTHER year is nearly complete. WHERE does the time go??!

I just revisited and updated one of my math activities that I posted about a loooooooong time ago (from 2011, to be exact). My 4th graders helped me create an interactive bulletin board for Christmas. Here is the original post:

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Our bulletin board for the month of December was entitled "O Geome-Tree" (after the ever-so-popular "O Christmas Tree" song). This was a good opportunity to talk with my students about what geometry is (since, for whatever reason, my students said they had never heard the term). Geometry is something that students have had experience with all the way back to when they were learning shapes. Don't be afraid to introduce the term to them in the early grades! Anywho, here is the board!:

This was a very simple introductory activity. We actually will not get into geometry until late March (other than reviewing what was learned in past grade levels) so I kept it simple. All the students had to do was make a polygon, write a fact or two about the shape and decorate it. They then got to staple it to the board as an ornament for the tree (this was their favorite part). Here is the sample I made for them:

The activity gave me a little insight into what they already knew about polygons; it was NOT a good sign that half of them had to ask what a polygon was :/. Anyway, some students did a really great job while others decided to do a very basic job. Here are some student examples:

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Activities like this make me miss being in the classroom! :)

Anyway, I updated the file today--all activity directions and a grading rubric are included PLUS a set of task cards and recording sheets to use with your bulletin board.

This activity is PERFECT for this time of year! Enjoy the freebie!! :)

More Technology Camp + an Updated Freebie!

Remember this product? I posted about it 2 summers ago.

My "Science Sentence Starter" freebie is one of my most downloaded products. Wellllllll, since it is so popular, I decided that it deserved a facelift and an update! (And don't worry, it is still free!) Here it is:

At least the cover is much cuter, right?? ;)

I updated the fonts and even added a little bonus activity.

Whenever I teach Technology Camp, I want the kids to have fun but I also want them to learn and have a great educational experience. On the first day, we discuss how we are all scientists and talk a lot about what scientists do. We also discuss how scientists share their findings with others. To introduce how scientists can speak with others, I use one of my favorite things--QR CODES!!

I made each sentence starter a QR code. The students use an iPad to scan each code and then record the sentence (if you use the recording sheet on the left) or a missing word from the sentence (if you use the recording sheet on the right).

(This also introduces the kids to using QR codes because most of them have not had experience with them before they come to camp.) They always LOVE this activity and it is WAY more fun that just reading the sentences together, one by one. After everyone has had a chance to scan and record, we then discuss each sentence starter and when/how we can use them. I print and laminate a copy of the sentence starters and display them for the rest of the week. We use the sentence starters in our discussions about our experiments/investigations and in our class discussions. Love them. Here are two examples of how students use them in their camp science journal:

Don't you just love "a little less than medium"??! Lol. Anywho, the sentences can really help scaffold their thinking and explain just what they are trying to say. Click below to download your free copy: 

ENJOY!!

2013 Classroom Reveal!

Well, I wasn't going to reveal my classroom today AND I already posted about something else today BUUUTTTT I just realized that today is the day to reveal your room! So onto the bandwagon, I go.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, welcome to my classroom!!

View from my outside door--SO sorry about the lighting! :/

The other side of the door. Popcorn words will start to appear when the kids come. They read one word each time they walk out of the door.

Look left when you come in and see this! I made the art on the wall and found the butterflies on clearance at Michaels.

You can get the alphabet print here.

Reading area and math board.

I made the Chicka Chicka Boom Boom number posters--you can find them by clicking below.

Reading/phonics manipulatives shelf

Reading area, calendar/whole group area, classroom library, Writers of the Week table

Part of the library and math manipulatives storage

Calendar board

A little library decor. You can read about the READ sign here. ;)

My area is in the corner back there.

Ahem--ignore the mismatch desks. Priorities, people.

Love my polka dot door!

Small group table with birthday board behind it.

Writing center and Amazing Authors board! Each student will have a place to display their best work.

Excited about my fun writing bulletin board!

I have made the headers available to you in a few different formats. First up, is chalkboard style (SO hot right now!):

Or you can choose chevron:

Or you can go with plain paper:

2 small group tables (view from my area)

AR bulletin board--maximizing my space and keeping it simple.

Spelling activities

Student mailboxes

Bucket for lost manipulatives, cards, letter tiles, etc.

Went in yesterday and the letter V was missing!! I found it in the lost pieces bucket to the left....not sure how it ended up all the way over there, but at least I know the bucket works. ;)

Writers of the Week bulletin board, reading buddies in the basket, book bags, and lunch tickets in the pocket chart.

Thanks for coming to my classroom!!! :)