Making Math Meaningful

 It is already almost time to return to the classroom and I can't wait to start decorating! Setting up my first bulletin board of the year is always my favorite part. This year I've decided to incorporate math and goal setting into one meaningful display.

I've always found that students either really love math or totally despise it. This year my goal is to reach every student and show them that math is a tool to help us accomplish anything we want. I've made a slideshow to help do this. In this slideshow I show students that we are using math all day long without even realizing it. This is also true for any job that they could possibly dream of.  I have made a slide that talks about each career and how it uses math to be successful. 

Once we finish the slideshow, students grab a reflection sheet. On this sheet, they will use writing to explain what they want to be when they grow up. Then, they will use our discussion to help write a few sentences about how math is used in their future career. There is also a space where you can glue a picture of each student, or you can have your students draw a picture of themselves in their future career!

Click here to get these pages

Once everyone is done, I'm going to make a display that looks like the one you see below. This will be great for Open House night, and it will hopefully encourage other students around the building to see how meaningful math is. 

If you would like to join me, I've put this activity in my TeachersPayTeachers store. This product includes the slideshow, student reflection pages, and bulletin board kit. Click here to get it! 

Back to School for Science Classrooms

 Back to school season usually stirs up feelings of grief for the end of summer vacation. However, this year I am PUMPED for it all to begin. I can't really put a finger on the reasoning... maybe its the hope that things will be somewhat back to normal after all of the Covid restrictions? I'm also expecting my second son to be born at the beginning of September, so that could definitely contribute to this feeling as well. Who knows!

This year I was lucky enough to grab a science/social studies teaching position. I've taught science for quite a few years, but I've never gotten to really focus on it as heavily and I will this year. For the first week, there are a few important pieces I want to incorporate in order to set myself up for a successful year. Every teacher knows how important routines and expectations are, so I like to teach those while also throwing in a little fun. Here are some ways that I plan to incorporate fun into the back to school season. 

Getting to Know You Activity

Most teachers already have their favorite "Get to Know You" activities that they use at the beginning of each year. This year I wanted to change it up and do something that my students haven't seen before. I also wanted it to relate to science since I will be teaching them mostly science for the year. 

Enter the "What Type of Scientist Are You?" quiz! Students will read through 40 statements and circle each one that applies to them. Then, at the end their answers will point them to the type of scientist they most relate to. 

Click here to get yours!

Not only is this a great way to get students learning about each other, but its an awesome way to get the kids excited about the different topics they will be learning this year. You could even highlight each type of scientist as helpers during your units. Students really feel a sense of ownership over their learning when they are highlighted as an expert. 😉

Another thing I love about this activity, is that it makes a colorful and easy display that will last year round! 

Click here if you'd like to use this resource this year!

Setting Up a Science Journal

I've used a science journal in my classroom for many years. However, at the end of every year I find myself feeling disappointed in my student's journals. Do I blame them? Not in the least bit. I blame myself for not being clear and consistent with what I expect from the journals. This is usually because science time always gets cut short to make time for other things, hence rushing and not creating a quality science journal. 

Some things I plan on reinforcing EVERYDAY this year in the journals include:

• Keeping a table of contents
• Numbering each page
• Label each page
• Flipping to the next blank page for each new journal entry
• Use guided tables and charts to help with organization
• Check science journals weekly

It didn't take me long to figure out that third graders don't naturally know how to organize, so modeling my expectations will be key. 

Another important piece to the science journal is using it for keeping notes/definitions AND as a place for students to reflect on what they've learned, observed, or wonder. Too often I feel that my journals become a place that is just for looking back at vocabulary or content learned. I also want this to be a place that shows the process of learning and exploring through journal entries and free-writes. 

To help students take ownership over their journals, and look at it with pride, I plan to get them started  from the very first week. This can easily be done by picking a favorite STEM team building activity. I'll link a few of my favorites below. Then, allow students to journal about their experience after completing the STEM activity using their science journal. This is a great place to reflect on how they did as scientists with the challenges they were given, what they learned, and what they wonder. It's also a wonderful time to start modeling journal expectations and getting in the routine of properly labeling and organizing the journal. 

Organizing the Classroom

Another easy way to get those classroom routines down is to have students practice getting their own supplies while doing your beginning of the year STEM activities. Throughout each activity, stop and reflect on how each group is doing with getting materials, handling materials, and putting materials away. Set goals as a classroom for how you can improve on the routines the next day. 

Teaching routines in the classroom shouldn't be about sitting and listening. It is so important that the kids gets to practice each routine repeatedly. It will be important for students to know the routines when you start doing more in depth science experiments. For instance, our animal unit requires A LOT of materials to set up terrariums for THREE different animals. That is not a time when you will want to deal with students not knowing the routine... *insert horror music*

Also make sure that all of the materials in the classroom are organized and labeled. Students cannot be expected to be independent in the science classroom, if you have not prepared the space for them. Kids love organization in the classroom (although it might not seem like it most days 😂), because it makes the room predictable and easy for them to understand.

Science is often the highlight of a lot of student's day. They get to do hands-on activities, explore, and wonder! Start the year off right by teaching structure and giving the students an opportunity to own their learning.

Happy Teaching! :)

- Sweet Southern Teaching

New Year's Dollar Deals Resources

 We have finally finished the year 2020! My family spent these past two weeks at home in quarantine, as my son was exposed to a positive case at school. Spending Christmas in quarantine put a cherry on top of our 2020 year, but we are so thankful to all be healthy and well. 

To help get 2021 off to a positive start, I am joining a group of incredible TpT author's for a dollar deals sale that only lasts two days! Just head to TpT and search for #ByeBye2020.

Being prepared is one of the main ways that I keep myself sane in the midst of chaos. I always make sure to have all of my resources prepared before I set foot in the building after a long break. These dollar deals are the perfect way to save yourself HOURS of time, so you can soak up the last few days of your well-deserved break. 

Here is a quick preview of the two resources of mine that you can grab during this sale: 

#1: Winter Math Packet for Third Grade

This year my students have done 75% of their work on the computer. Although I do believe computer skills are important, it is also essential for students to practice writing and use manipulatives at this young age. This is why I try to give students practice packets for review work. 

Surprisingly, many of my students let out a squeal of excitement when I show them a fresh math packet. They LOVE coloring in the little pictures, which is great for their fine motor skills. They also love the different activities and riddles. 

Click on the links below to see a preview of this resource.  

Click here to view this resource! 👈

#2: Create Your Own Word Problems with Division

Word problems are often a bump in the road in a math classroom. Students not only have to apply math concepts, but they also have to comprehend what they are reading. 

To help my students master both of these skills, I made mad-lib style forms that allow students to create their own silly math word problems. 

Click the link below to check out my division version of the Create Your Own Word Problems. I also have a bundle available if you decide that you want more. :)

Click here to view this resource! 👈

I hope everyone has a safe and amazing start to the New Year! May 2021 be infinitely more amazing than 2020. 💕

Teaching Students How to Set Resolutions

 The New Year is right around the corner! With a year like 2020, it seems like we should only have one resolution: survive. When things get difficult though, setting goals and can help us look toward a brighter future. 

It took me a few years of New Years resolutions activities with my students to realize that they need to be taught how to make quality goals. Most students would write things like, "be nice" or "get good grades". But I wanted my students to dig deeper than that. 

So, that next year I decided to read them a few books that had strong central themes. As we read these books, we discussed how we see those themes in our own lives. Providing students with vocabulary words to describe the different experiences and emotions they have everyday is the first step in writing a quality goal. 

I've created a resource that can help you guide your students this new year, and it is tried and true. Here are the steps I follow for my unit:

#1: Choose 2-3 themes that you want to focus on and grab some books

Read books is an easy way for students to apply new vocabulary and observe how character's learn and grow from life's lessons. 

#2: Discuss theme vocabulary and practice using it 

Students need multiple opportunities to practice new vocabulary words and use them in various contexts. Interactive notebooks are one of my favorite ways to do this. 

#3: Apply themes from literature to student lives and set new years resolutions

After discussing each theme, give students the opportunity to share and discuss where these themes appear in their own lives. Ask students to think about how they would like to improve on these specific areas of their life. 

 

Teaching theme is such an amazing way to give students the vocabulary they need to set meaningful New Years resolutions in such a chaotic world. Not to mention, it ties into state standards at the same time! 

Here's to a bright and hopeful future in 2021. 💗

Multiplication Practice that Kids Actually Enjoy

 I've been teaching third grade for seven years now. Each year that I introduce multiplication, there is a magic feeling in the air. All of my eight-year-old babies straighten up and glow with confidence. They are ecstatic at the thought of doing "big-kid" math. They are chomping at the bit to learn their facts, and learn them well. 

Fast forward to December. The newness of multiplication has warn off. What was once thrilling fact practice, is now a burden. Instead of cheers when I say the words "multiplication facts", there are groans. Keeping the students excited about multiplication can be a difficult task when Christmas is in the air. 

To help with the winter blues, I've compiled my top 4 favorite multiplication activities that students will actually enjoy when the standard fact practice starts to get boring. Best of all, they are little to no-prep for the teacher! 

1. Multiplication Scavenger Hunt

One of the best ways to keep students engaged is to get them UP and OUT. When they are required to move, the buy-in is SO great! 

My multiplication scavenger hunt has students buzzing around the room, or their home if you're remote learning. Each factor is an item they must count before they can solve a multiplication problem. 

This activity keeps students engaged, moving, and learning! 

🌟 Click here to check out my Multiplication Scavenger Hunt Resources 🌟

2. Skip-Counting Jump Rope

Sometimes when students feel run-down and bored, all they need is a little fresh air. One of the easiest no-prep activities you can do is to skip-count while exercising. 

Doing this activity is easy: (1) Pick a movement. Some of my student favorites include jump rope, jumping jacks, squats, and side-stretches. (2) Repeat the movement by skip-counting until you reach 100 (or close to it). If we are working on our 8's facts that week, then we will skip count by 8's until we reach 96. 

3. Write Your Own Word Problems

Word problems not only require students to know their multiplication facts, but they also require comprehension. One of my favorite ways to get students excited about practice word problems is to help them create their own! 

My Create Your Own Word Problem resource is a great starting point for doing this. It shows students where to insert names, items, and descriptions, while helping them create a quality word problem for them to practice with. Similar to mad libs, it is very easy to use, and best of all... NO PREP! 

🌟 Click here to check out my Create Your Own Word Problems Resources 🌟

4. Multiplication War

If you have competitive students in your room, you can bet that they will LOVE multiplication war. All you need is a deck of playing cards. 

Students play by separating the deck of cards into two piles, one for each of them. Both students will pull two cards from their own pile. Then, they will multiply their two cards together. Whichever student has the highest factor, gets to keep all 4 cards. Play continues this way until one student has all of the cards. 

Beware: This game is addicting! 

If your sweet little muffins are growing bored of their multiplication facts, use any of these no-prep strategies to spark their interest again and keep them growing! 

A Social Distancing Recess

    Yesterday I had a meeting with our school principal about our plans for re-opening. I knew that school would look different next year, but hearing that recess had to include social distancing sent me into a small panic. How do I keep this sacred time for students fun, while also keeping them all at least 6 feet away from each other? 

    I immediately set to work and compiled all of my favorite childhood games that work for social distancing. Here are a few of my favorites. 

Hopscotch

Grab a bucket of chalk and create your own hopscotch paths! I've seen so many fun ideas that include more than just your basic box. You can get creative and add in dance moves, walking paths, and exercise moves. If you're really feeling ambitious, you can also make it educational. I like to put math facts, sight words, spelling words, and even vocabulary words in the boxes. 

Exercise Dice

Do your students desperately need to get their wiggles out? These exercise dice are fantastic. Just simply roll and complete the movement on the dice. I love giving students a blank copy of the paper dice to create their own movements or ideas. 

Act it Out (Charades)

This game is always a favorite among my students. Divide your class into a few (socially distanced) teams, cut up some word cards, and let them compete! This game is also a super easy way to practice vocabulary words in a pinch. Again, I love to give students a blank sheet to create their own Act it Out words. 

Want More Ideas?

I've created a resource to make your recess time easy and fun during social distancing. It includes 18 different activities in an easy to use resource. Click on the pictures below or click here to take a peek and get yours! 

How To Master the Teacher Work Life Balance

Teaching is one of those professions known for long hours, late nights, and high stress. Despite getting a summer "vacation", we all know that professional development and summer school tend to take that time away from us. 

Teaching is not for the faint of heart. We teachers care about our students and our classroom SO much! So much, that we give up our time with family, friends, and ourselves. It is so easy to get wrapped up in all of the tasks we need to complete every day. 

But, what if I told you that it's possible to teach and still keep up a social life? What if I told you it's possible to teach and still spend time with your family? What if I told you that it's possible to teach and still take care of yourself? 

So many teachers ask me as I leave school on time, "How are you able to be so on top of it, yet leave at 4 PM every day?!" Here are a few non-negotiable actions that I take to keep a balanced teacher work life balance. 

Leave at 4 PM

By the time 4 PM rolls around, I am SPENT from teaching and managing the classroom all day. Any work that I produce after this time is not my best, and I'm often so tired that I'm rushing and making multiple mistakes. Even when I do stay late to finish things up, I often get caught up in talking to other teachers after car-rider duty. This takes up most of the time I had to work, making me stay even later. 

You may be thinking to yourself, "How in the world am I supposed to get anything done?" Well. Insert your early-morning wake-up call! 

I get to school between 1-2 hours early in the morning. I drop my son off at day-care, and get set to work in the quiet school building. These hours are precious, and there is often no one in the school yet. This allows me to focus and really get things done. Sometimes I do have to stay an extra 10-15 minutes if I need to call a parent or deal with something urgent. However, I've done this for 8 years, and it is a game changer. I promise you. 

Are there mornings where I would rather sleep in? Yep. But I have to remind myself that those extra few hours in the morning when all is quiet, will reward me with relaxation later in the day. 

Plan Ahead... WAY Ahead!

As teachers, we are expected to have our plans posted ahead of time in order to collaborate with student support services and admin when it's observation season. However, if you have all of your plans and ideas laid out by the quarter, then planning time is a BREEZE! 

I have a Type A personality, so when my admin taught me this tip, it was super easy for me to implement. For others, it may take some time. 

At the start of each quarter, my team and I sit down and plan out our standards, assessments, and activities for the entire quarter. It is exhausting and takes a few days, but when you're finished it feels AMAZING! 

When I started mapping out each quarter of the school year, my planning time was much more purposeful AND it was quick and to the point. You won't be staying after school for hours on end trying to prepare tests for the next day, because you took the time to plan ahead. 

When you plan WAY ahead, you have peace of mind and the ability to focus on all of the other things that running a classroom entails. 

Chit-Chat Time

I absolutely LOVE my teammates. They make me laugh so hard, and venting about my day with them always brings relief. However, teacher chit-chat can eat away so much of your planning and work time that it costs you time away from home. I see it happen to so many teachers every day. 

It is so important to bond with your teammates and regularly communicate, so please don't think I'm telling you to hide in your classroom all day. What I'm saying is, schedule time to interact with your teammates, and leave the rest at the door. 

I eat lunch with my third grade team almost every day. I don't grade papers or answer emails. I talk, laugh, and vent with them. I look forward to it and I LOVE it! I always feel refreshed afterwards and ready to take on the rest of the day. 

Then, at planning time, I work. I don't chat about personal issues, gossip, or vent. I work. That is my protected work time during the day. I use this time to collaborate, create, and get things done! Which often does involve planning with my teammates, but I don't waste that precious time socializing. 

I've watched so many teachers talk or gossip for an ENTIRE planning period. Then, I hear about how they had to stay late after school. Some teachers love this schedule and it works for them. However, I like my afternoons to be about my family, friends, and ME! 

I absolutely love teaching and getting to be with such amazing and inspiring people. If you want to stay in this career field and avoid teacher burn-out, then it is so important that you make time for other things in your life. Remember that you are not just a teacher, but you are also a friend, a daughter or brother, a wife or husband, a mom or dad. Setting boundaries and organizing your work day to benefit YOU can change your life and keep you feeling refreshed and energized for your students AND your family.