Q1 Learning Targets

This week on the BLOG we are going to be focusing on Learning Targets!  In other words, creating specific and measurable goals for your students! 
(AKA: I can statements.)

Check out this video overview of Learning Targets from The Lettered Classroom.   

I love that in the video she reminds us to spiral back and make sure that we revisit the learning target at the end of the lesson to check and see if the target was met or if anything is "MUDDY."   

Check out this PEAK Strategy Muddy Paws and how you can use it to check back in on learning!

Make reading the Learning Targets a JOB in your classroom!  Ask a student each day to come up front and read the learning target for the lesson you are about to begin.  Take 1 minute to discuss with your students what the learning target is focused on so they understand what they are learning & why they are learning it. 

Watch a video from iWalkthrough.com all about how to unpack a Learning Target with your students. 

I love these 2 visuals from 

The Balanced Literacy Diet!

 . 

Check out these FREEbies for posting Learning Targets in the classroom!

Remember...

See some Learning Targets in action in a real classroom! Watch the teacher unpack the target and revisit it throughout the lessons. Students even self-assess their learning on the target with an exit ticket.

Happy targeting! 

Q1 Classroom Management

Hi All!  Testing time is almost over and teaching time is at hand!  Now that you have good strong data on your students,  it is time to start grouping them for guided reading and math.  With that being said, you also have to make sure that your students are ready to become a bit more independent.  

That is when you must rely on your classroom management and the procedures you have put in place.  I am not going to lie, classroom management is one of my FAVORITE things!  I am kinda a junky on Pinterest for anything involving Classroom MGT!  

I have compiled some of my favorite tips and tricks for you to read through and make your own!
First,  let's start with this post from Cult of Pedagogy!  I LOVE this blog and it is filled with awesome resources for your classroom.  

4 simple keys to getting your management off on the right foot.  If I had to pick a favorite, I would totally go with Key 2-Teach Your Plan!  So often we know what we want them to do but our student's interpretation can be a bit different.  So, it is so important to model, model, model!

Also, check out these positive classroom management tricks from Proud to be Primary!

Don't pass this post by, lots of great freebies!

And...we all want to save our sanity right?  Teach 4 the Heart has some great ideas to add to your own management style.  

A secret student is a great idea for rewarding good behavior!  I love that the students don't know who you are watching.  

I hope you find something to add to your management toolkit.  Having a well-managed classroom makes life easier for everyone! Happy teachers & happy students!  

Q1 Week 2

Welcome to Week 2!  This week, I want us to look at the Tools 4 NC Teachers site.  I am really excited about all of the FREE resources that are available!

Each grade level is linked at the top of the page.  Once the grade level is clicked, you will be directed to a new page that is filled with resources for each of our instructional framework clusters.  

Within the resource page, you will find an introduction to the framework and a link to each cluster per grade level.  Choose a cluster and click.  That is when the fun begins!  You will find lesson ideas, instructional & assessment tasks, and additional resources like number talks.  (The assessment tasks would be perfect for collecting data for our PLC meetings.) 

Below is an example for 2nd grade.  

Knowing that your new curriculum guides were planned around these clusters makes choosing activities from this site a no-brainer!  The lessons would be perfect to add into your Patriot Block for your struggling students or just to the next grade level to extend thinking for your high flyers. 

Each cluster has a parent letter that would be a great addition to your weekly newsletter or website!   HERE is a 2nd-grade example. Each letter is editable and has visual examples for parents.  

There is also a great post about the Launch, Explore, Discuss framework and how it can support learning in your classroom.  It is a simple way to introduce new material, give students time to practice the material and follow up with a discussion.  

Check it out by clicking the image below! 

The best part is, I found this post under the additional resources under grade 2 cluster 1:) 

Jumping to something different!  TumbleMath!  You may have seen some emails going around about a FREE trial for Tumblemath!  

I am going to let you in on a little secret!  I spent the summer writing lessons for TumbleMath!  I would love for you to take advantage of this awesome resource.  Again, perfect for Patriot Time or to push out through Google Classroom & Choice Boards.  

CHALLENGE TIME!

I challenge you to find a book that I wrote a lesson for and leave it in the comments below.  The first 3 people to correctly identify a book and lesson I worked on, will win a PRIZE!
Check your email from Susie for the username and password!

Q1 Week 2

Welcome to Week 2!  This week I would like to spend some time looking at some PEAK strategies. Many of us spent time this summer with Spence Rogers focusing on Performance Excellence for ALL Kids.  

I know many of you are working to begin your assessments and many of the strategies that Spence shared can help with keeping your kids focused and engaged!  

Launch Buttons are a tool to reduce students starting to act on directions before you finish giving them. 

Music is a great LAUNCH Button but it is also great for conversations and discussion times.  During PEAK, music was played to signal when to start and when to stop discussions.  Here are a few playlists to add to your music library!

List 1

List 2

List 3

List 4

List 5

Drum Beats

Deflected Directions I LOVE this idea!!!  The idea is simple, get your students on board with helping each other follow directions. 

Here are some EXAMPLES:

*Check with an elbow buddy and make sure they are on page 86.

*Make sure everyone at your table has a pencil and a highlighter. 

Chapter 7 in your BIG PEAK book is all about Classroom Leadership.  This is a wonderful idea to add to your morning meetings.  

The book suggests adding affirmations and inspirational quotes to your walls and changing them often.  Introduce these quotes during your morning meeting on Monday and refer back to them all week. Reward students with DOJO points for modeling the quote's message.  Check out these FREE quotes from One Teacher's Adventure to get you started!

Try out these EXPERT cards!  This would be an awesome way for students to show responsibility by becoming an expert on certain things in the classroom. Then they can help others when they have questions! Page 155 in your BIG PEAK book. Click the image to read all about Expert Cards!

If you are needing some reminders about strategies from PEAK.  Check out this PEAK shopping cart.  Just like in the grocery store...explore the shelves and enjoy!

One last PEAK strategy for when you are introducing new content.  FRAYER Cards! 
 Click to download directions to get you started!

Happy Planning!

Q1 Week1: Morning Meeting

Welcome Back PVES!  I am so excited about this school year!!!! I can already see amazing things happening in your classrooms and there is such a sense of peace in the halls.  I can only guess that Morning Meeting is a part of this.  I have had the opportunity visit your classrooms in the morning and I love hearing the same language spoken from room to room and grade to grade.  I promise this will make a HUGE difference in our student's ability to understand themselves, each other, and you.  Protect this special time for your classroom community!

Below are some ideas to help support you and your students as you grow morning meeting in your classroom.  

Are you LOOKING for books or ideas for getting your morning meeting up and running?  Check out Proud to be Primary and all the awesome ideas for getting a morning meeting planned.  I especially love the part about BEEFS!

Here are some FREE Morning Meeting greetings for your classroom!  Mixing it up creates excitement and engagement for the students. 

Also, I love these simple MM planning documents.  This would be very helpful with launching MM. 

Watch some Morning Meeting in action with Edutopia!

I am going to end with THIS!!!!  Paperless Morning Meeting!!!!  You are going to LOVE this editable file!  Thank you Erin Waters!!!!! 

Be sure to DOJO some morning meeting activities out to our parents.  They LOVE seeing what we are up to at PVES:)

Q4 Week 9

Dear Teachers,

     I wanted to say THANK YOU so much for the support this school year.  I appreciated your patience as I learned the ropes of my new job as instructional coach.  This school year has been a whirlwind for me and I am already planning ways to help support you all better next school year.  

    Have a fun and relaxing summer!  You all have most definitely earned it!

     I know as teachers, our job never really ends,  even in the summer.  I have selected a few sites below for you to visit as you look for supplies and lessons ideas this summer.  Also, some sites just for you!

Passion for Savings:   Lots of FREEBIES for the classroom and for teachers!

Discounts for Teachers from The Gift Card Granny!

Are you looking for things to keep you busy this summer?  
Check out these ideas from We Are Teachers!

Are you interested in health and fitness this summer?  Here are some great ways to get started over on the Learner's Edge!

How about some HEALTHY Wrap Lunch ideas that can carry you over into the school year. Try some out this summer over at Maebells!

Because of a TEACHER!

Happy Summer!  

Stay in touch!  

Q4 Week 8

Welcome to Week 8!  Testing is just about done and we are moving into the last week or so of school!  I know it is crazy!!!!!  BUT...I wanted to give you some ideas that might just make Back to School a little easier. 

I have been searching the web for resources and ideas to help you do some pre-prep for next year. I start with 5 things to do Over the Summer to Make Next Year AMAZING from The Applicious Teacher!  I love that she has a listing of educational books to read over the break.  Be sure to check it out:)

Here is a teacher hack video!

From The Not So Wimpy Teacher, you can start prepping open house materials. I always printed all of my open house information and any posters I needed before I left for the summer.  

Check out the freebies over at Simply Kinder!  Printing decodable readers ahead of time would be a great way to get a jump start on the beginning of the year guided reading lessons. 

Watch this video on Must-Haves for the Classroom!

How about creating some Google Doc Digital Lessons Plans????? Check out this video and then spend some time this summer creating your own template in Google Slides!

How about 6 more things you need to do for next year from Lucky to Be in First? 

Grab this ULTIMATE EOY Teacher Checklist for FREE!!

From A LOVE of Teaching!

Last, I LOVE the summer learning kits she puts together!  Check them out below! Also, I think I need the spiral cutter!!!