New Resource - Canada and Mapping Skills

Struggling to teach mapping skills? I hope my new resource will help.

The resource is a PowerPoint Presentation which can be used as a presentation, a review, anchor charts, or a bulletin board.

The resource has 145 slides which encompass:

1. Various representations of the Earth
2. The continents
3. The oceans
4. The hemispheres
5. Canada
6. Canadian provinces and territories - their locale and attractions

This resource is designed to help students master mapping skills in the following ways:

• Use and interpret various model representations of the Earth, such as maps, globes aerial photographs, and satellite images. 
• Identify and locate geographical concepts, such as continents, countries, borders, hemispheres, oceans, prime meridian, and the equator on a map or globe. 
• Locate and list the provinces and territories in Canada.
• Travel through Canada to determine landmarks which define the country’s provinces and territories.

Information Writing - New Resource!

Yahoo!

I just uploaded my new unit, Information Writing, to my TPT store.

In this unit of study, students craft informational books about topics of their choice. Their chapters will feature topic sentences, facts and supporting details, and summary sentences.

This unit of study is organized around 14 big ideas of persuasive texts. The primary goal of the unit of study is to help students become stronger writers. The development of writing skills and strategies are the emphasis.

The 14 sessions include:

1.  Launching The Unit 
2. Learning From Mentor Texts 
3. Identifying Facts 
4. Noticing Text Structure 
5. Introducing Topics
6.  Hooking Readers 
7. Adding Details 
8. Concluding Topics 
9. Adding Text Features 
10. Linking Paragraphs with Transition Words 
11. Enriching Vocabulary (Using Technical Terms) 
12. Detailing Content (Creating A Table of Contents) 
13. Revising and Editing 
14. Publishing and Creating 

Each big idea has been developed into a session, or a lesson plan, which consists of the following:

1.  Anchor Chart(s)
2.  Preparing to Write (Mini-Lesson) 
3. Independent Writing 
4. Partner Share 
5. Reflection

Enjoy this 88 page resource as students delve into and navigate informational texts!

Cyber Sale On Monday

Cyber Sale savings from TpT are coming your way.
From Monday, November 26th (12:01am ET) through Tuesday, November 27th (11:59pm ET), you can save up to 25% on all the resources on your wish list.

ALL of my products are on sale!
Just use promo code CYBER18 at checkout.
Happy shopping!

Personal Narratives

This is my newest addition to my TPT store! 

This unit of study focuses a study of personal narratives. Through a study of characters' journeys, readers will inquire about how do we, like characters, grow and change. As students delve into personal narratives, they will look at the story's characters, themes, and other literary elements in order to determine the message the author is trying to impart.

The resource is organized around 13 big ideas of narrative texts. 

1. Structure of Personal Narratives 
2. Point of View 
3. Setting 
4. Character Traits 
5. Characters - How Dialogue Informs the Reader 
6. Transitions in Time, Events, and Demeanour 
7. Story Elements 
8. Problem/Conflict 
9. Climax 
10. Solution 
11. Theme 
12. Comparing Narratives with Similar Themes 
13. Celebration. 

Each big idea, or session, has the following:

• Session Synopsis (Lesson Plan)
• Anchor Charts 
• Minds On (Lesson Introduction) 
• Purposeful Task (Individual/Group Activity) 
• Reflection

Enjoy this 89 page learning resource!

Pacing Guide With I Can Statements

Working on my latest project! I hope you will find it useful!

I created a pacing guide for my school year to help guide my instructional planning. A pacing guide is sometimes referred to as a curriculum map, or instructional calendar road map. The pacing guide outlines the specific subject area and details when content or topics will be taught. My pacing guide is general, rather than prescriptive. I provide a time frame in which I will cover a topic of study, but try not to provide specific lesson topics as the students provide the pacing of the lessons.

To help aid parent communication and student reflection, I am working on creating I Can statements based on my pacing guide. This allows students to monitor their progress. I highlight the bullet beside the statement as Green for Got It, Yellow for Almost There, and Red for Still Working On It. I leave bullets blank if I do not have enough data to accurately state their progress or our learning is still ongoing (we all get behind!). Students add pieces of evidence to their  I Can Statement sheet, such as writing samples, exit slips, assessments, etc. 

I would love to hear your feedback on my latest project!

End of Summer Sale!

Last sale of the summer! One day sale on August 21st! All of my products are up to 25% off. Use the promo code BTSBonus18.

Happy shopping!

Pencil Pouches and Narrative Task Cards

Squeal!

I have finished my Narrative Task Cards! Featured are seven sets of cards! Each set focuses on a major concept of personal narratives:

1. Setting
2. Characters
3. Dialogue
4. Word Choice
5. Middle
6. Ending
7. Theme

Each of the seven sets have 24 cards and a recording sheet. The cards are available in my TPT store.

I put each set of the Narrative Task Cards in a pencil pouch. I label the pencil pouches from 1-12, so I can interchange the cards easily. The pencil pouches are from the Dollar Store and the labels are available in my TPT store.

TPT Sale!

Sale time! To help you get ready for Back To School, all of my resources are 25% off for two days only. The sale starts August 1st and ends at midnight August 2nd.

Back To School Prepping - Freebie #4

It's Fri-YAY! Today is the fourth and last freebie offering to help you prep for Back to School!

The previous freebies, Teacher Storage Labels and Student Data Sheets, can still be downloaded!

Today, I want to offer you help with prepping your writing units.  When planning, I like to have students complete a pre-assessment or an initial writing sample so I can determine what they already know, what concepts are developing, and what needs to be addressed. I then refer to my curriculum guide to determine what needs to be taught. Through the initial writing samples and the curriculum guide, I create a pacing guide.

The pacing guide is used then to create detailed instructional sessions (lesson plans).  I think about what I want the students to be able to do, how they work towards that goal, and how will I know if they have achieved the concept.

Wow! This is quite a process. To help you think about the possibilities of what to teach, today's freebie shares session topics or lists of important things for students to notice about each mode of writing. In addition, I have supplied a list of mentor texts for each mode of writing. Mentor texts serve to show, not just tell, students how to write well. Mentor texts help learners notice things about an author’s work that is unlike anything they might have done before, and empower them to try something new.

I hope you enjoy today's freebie. To download, please click on the link, Planning Guide with Mentor Texts and Writing Concepts, or the image below. PLEASE leave a comment to let me know if the freebies have been useful!

Back To School Prepping - Freebie #3

School preparation takes a toll on a teacher's summer fun. I want to help you take back your summer.  In the last post, I showed how I organize my students' data folders and offered two freebies.

Due to requests for how I organize my materials, I have focused this post on the organization of my teaching material. Organizing my materials took a long time as I wrestled with container size, labelling, and organizing my materials within the container for quick retrieval.  

I finally settled on the Sterilite 38 L container pictured below. The container holds:

1. Binders - which are tabbed per session. Each session includes a daily overview and materials for the minilesson, individual task, and group share. Each detailed session plan is stored digitally, so I do not file a print copy.
2. Hanging File Folders - which are labelled per big curricular outcome. In each folder, I place games and other station materials related to that outcome.
3. Books - which are picture books that I use as mentor texts in sessions.

I affix a label to the outside of the container using a self-laminating photo sheet. The sheets can be purchases through Amazon, but I often find them at the local Dollar Store.

Today's freebie are the labels I affix to my containers. I have added my math labels, as well as my holiday labels. Click on the link or the image below to grab your freebie. PLEASE post your feedback regarding this freebie! Thank you!

Back to School Prepping - Freebie #1 and #2

Prepping for back to school is TIME-CONSUMING! I want to help!

During the next week, I will offer FREE things that will make back to school easier and allow more time during the summer to relax and soak up the sun.

Assessment Folder

Consider prepping your assessment data sheets prior to school opening.

I have a hanging folder for each student and then I place their data sheets in the folder using a two inch binder ring. This allows me to add data during interviews, conferences, or reports from outside agencies quickly and easily.

Each student folder has the following components:

1. Cover - which the students colour and label with their name
2. Word Work Section
   - Morrison McCall Data Sheet
   - Dolch Word Recording Sheet
3. Reading
   - Fountas and Pinnell Recording Sheet
   - Reading Snapshot - Comprehension
   - Reading Snapshot - Fluency
   - Fluency Recording Sheet
4. Writing
   - Writing Snapshot
   - Writing Checklist - Narrative
   - Writing Checklist - Informational
   - Writing Checklist - Persuasive
5. Mathematics
   - Diagnostic Testing Recording Sheet
   - Fact Fluency Data Sheet

Grab today's freebies by clicking on the link or the image - Fountas and Pinnell Recording Sheet and Morrison McCall Data Sheet.  PLEASE leave a comment about the freebies! I hope these freebies are helpful!

Personal Narrative Task Cards

Task Cards can be used in a variety of ways! Task Cards can be used as a review of ELA skills and strategies, part of literacy centres or stations, or whole group activities.

I created the Personal Narrative Task Cards will help students reflect on their writing to ensure it is rich in details, develops story structure, and provides readers with a valuable lesson or insight. The Task Cards ask the students to reflect on their narrative drafts, examine mentor texts, and incorporate peers' feedback to enrich their craft.

My students like task cards because the activity allows choice. I have outlined four ways the Task Cards can be used in the classroom:

1. Whole Group Activity - Place a task card on the document camera to facilitate discussion. Whiteboards can be used as a recording device.
2. Centres or Stations - Print and laminate the cards. Allows students to choose a card of interest.
3. Pair Work - Students work collaboratively to respond to a task card. The pairs can discuss their answers together.
4. Exit Slip - Students take a card and respond. Their response serves as an informal assessment of conceptual understandings.

My Personal Narrative Task Cards examine the following narrative elements:

• Setting and Leads - Cards 1-4
• Story Structure - Cards 5-8
• Characterization - Cards 9-12
• Theme and Endings - Cards 12 - 16

My Personal Narrative Task Cards resource also includes:

• Suggested ways to use the Task Cards in the classroom
• Tenets of narrative writing
• 16 Task Cards (which can be printed in colour or black and white)
• Student Recording Sheet

Purposeful Tasks - Keeping Students Engaged Until the End of The Year!

Recently, I hosted a Facebook Live session for the Saskatchewan School Library Association.The broadcast, entitled Engaging Students, shared apps and sites to help keep students motivated as the year is rapidly coming to a close. The broadcast can be found on the SSLA Facebook Page. The accompanying slides are also available for viewing.

BUT there is MORE!! I have compiled a summary of each feature tool or app and detailed possible classroom uses! Click on the image to download the FIVE page Purposeful Tasks!

Facebook Live and Accompanying Slides

I was honoured to host the second Saskatchewan School Library Association's Facebook Live broadcast entitled Engaging Students.

The broadcast can be found on the SSLA Facebook Page.
View the accompanying slides below:

TPT Sale!

FYI!

In appreciation of teachers, my entire site will be on sale on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Visit my store for year-end deal.

Facebook Live Featuring End-Of-The-Year Fun!

Save the date!

I am honoured to host Saskatchewan School Library Association's second Facebook Live session featuring technologies to help students reflect on and celebrate the end of the year. The fun starts on Wednesday, May 9th at 7:00 CST!

To join, visit Saskatchewan School Library Association's Facebook Page! It is free!

Math Rotation and Stations

I recently posted a picture of my math rotation and the stations, which are organized and ready to use. I received many questions and requests for examples, so I am happy to share! Specifically, this post is will focus on how I organize my mathematics block and what my third grade students do during each rotation.

I have four math "stations" in my mathematics block. The four stations spell the acronym MATH.

The groups are fluid and always changing based on the skill we are working on. An exit ticket, journal entry, or group discussion is completed as the culmination of the mathematics block to consolidate thinking. The reflections are used plan subsequent minds-on (mini-lessons) and set individual goal (which are visited during conferences). Due to the fluidity of the groups, a simple way was needed to display the grouping of the students. I purchased these magnetic labels from Amazon as a solution. As the labels feature each student's name with dry erase marker, the labels are easily moved to reflect the rotation where students are currently working.

The rotations occur during the Independent Time portion of my block.

We start the block with a Minds-On focus. During this time, we activate prior knowledge, connect previous and new learnings, revisit concepts, or introduce new learnings.

The next section of the block focuses on Purposeful Practice. This is time students explore and experience concepts through the mathematical rotations. After the independent practice, the students meet in a variety of group settings to discuss and share their learning. Conferencing occurs during this time as well.

The block culminates with a reflection of the learning. Students share their learning, revisit the teaching point to reground their learning, and consolidate their thoughts.

I hope this helps with your instructional planning and answers some of your questions. If you have further questions, do not hesitate to comment.