Get ready to get your zearn on!

Let's take a minute to talk about how easy it is to teach math and differentiate it in the classroom. Programs we use in the classroom are easy to follow, have less lessons than there are school days and have all levels of differentiation. There is extra practice for your lower students, challenging problems for your gifted students, and lots of vocabulary definitions for your ELL students, all readily available at your fingertips. Lessons are taught in 60 minutes (which is about how much instructional time you have for math) and students only have to be taught them once because they all catch on the first time around. 

Anyone have this experience in your classroom? 

Now, don't get me wrong, math is not always difficult to teach. I love math. Loved it as a kid and love teaching it, it's just hard when you have so much to teach and so little time to teach it. My grade level and I recently had a data meeting, discussing and planing out our next module that we have to squeeze in when we come back from Spring Break. Not only do we have another module (16 lessons long) but we still have to finish the module we are currently on (another 20+ lessons). Not only do we have to do that, we have to start reviewing and preparing for our state test that we do the 2nd week of May. 

Since we are on the topic of math, let's see how many lessons I have to teach in the amount of time I have. We come back March 29th, we start testing May 9th. Not including any days off, sub days, or random flukes in our schedule, that leaves us with 28 days to teach approximately 35 lessons and review. Hmmm that math doesn't sound right to me. What's a teacher to do? 

Recently, one of my amazing teammates was informed about a math program that specifically aligns with the curriculum that we use for math (Engage NY). The program is called Zearn. I immediately logged on and starting playing with it. My kids have used it twice now, and when I told them today that they had to get off, most of the kids responded with the "oooohhhh no!" They are into this program, that means I am too! 

This program aligns with whatever module you want them to start on. We are currently doing fractions in math, so I have them working on the fraction module. As we get closer to testing, I'll probably put them back into module 1, since we taught it so long ago. This program allows the students to be working independently and reviewing old topics, while I teach my small groups math lesson. I know that both groups of students are benefiting, my small group from instruction and the kids on the Chromebook are constantly reviewing material from our curriculum. 

This program allows me to check reports on how students are progressing. Each student should use the program about 30-45 minutes to get through the standards that are included. I have some students do an entire lesson in one sitting, while others are able to finish one and start another. This allows me to "differentiate" and continue giving the students practice. For my lower performing students, it's extra practice, while my higher students are getting constant review. 

If you haven't tried this program yet, you should definitely check it out. Go to zearn.org and try it out. As far as I know, it's currently available for 1st-4th grade, should be K-5 soon. It's completely free and requires very little materials for you and your students. 

Other programs I have used for math include Tenmarks.com; frontrow.com; and Moby Max. All good programs, each just have their own pros and cons. 

Anyone else use Zearn in the classroom? 

Google: Homework

    

Google Classroom: Homework 

  My oh my, I am in my third year of teaching in the classroom and I have learned so much throughout this experience. Little did I know, one of the biggest things I have changed and had to figure out was my classroom organization. They don't teach or inform a new teacher or potential teacher of the craziness of paperwork. Get to school in the morning, check your mailbox and you have papers. Go to a meeting after school, you have papers. Send home Thursday envelopes and back come papers. Kids turn in tests and assignments, you get even more papers. How in the world did I never pay attention to all the papers when I was in school to become a teacher? Also, why do teacher prep programs not have a class on classroom organization?! I would loved to have paid thousands of dollars for a 3 credit class on how to organize all this paperwork that I will receive throughout the year. Binders vs. filing cabinets. Collecting student work. Collecting parent notes. All of the papers! 

     One of the biggest things I am trying to incorporate more into my classroom, to reduce all these papers.....GOOGLE! Google forms, google docs, google classroom- anything google related! In the last month, I have had a substitute for two Fridays. It has been so amazing to utilize google while I am absent. My students can be independent for the most part. I assign them their assignments through Google Classroom- they know exactly what to do and how to turn in assignments. I am able to open, comment, grade and return their work- all from my fingertips on my phone. 

     

This past Friday, I had my kids take the last page of their homework assignment (review of place value) and enter their answers into a google form assignment I gave them through google classroom. 

I was able to view how many kids turned in the assignment, which kids didn't turn it in, and thanks to Super Quiz, I was able to quickly view who got which answers correct/incorrect. Opened the assignment via classroom, checked their percentages correct and returned their assignment with a score out of 10 (10 questions). I was able to do all of this without having a single homework assignment in my possession. 

     

Student Voice using Google Forms

    

     So insane to think that the school year is halfway over. As the days go by, I realize that I needed to change up how I taught my math. I was doing whole group instruction regularly, and realized that I was not addressing all my student's needs. I created "math workshops" for our classroom. We tried it out Monday and successfully did it for the last 4 days of school. 

     This morning, I decided that I needed to make sure that what I was doing, was benefiting my students. If I was going to completely change how they were learning the math concepts, I wanted to make sure it was working. Teaching a group of 4th graders, I want them to realize they have a voice and an opinion. It was an opportunity to use my favorite Google Forms! I created a form that allowed my students to tell me if they liked math workshops, what their favorite rotation was and least favorite rotation. I also asked them if they had any questions, comments or concerns. 

     As the students finished their surveys, we reviewed the results and overall, I am very happy with the outcome. Prepping and worrying about how it would all work was totally worth it, as I had all 23 happy with doing math workshops. Some students said they like how organized it is, they learn "faster" and are able to do many different math things. 

     Here's to another week of math workshops and hopefully, things getting easier to plan out with it. Even with PLC, short Wednesday and short Friday afternoon, I was able to get it done everyday! 

Spelling in the Classroom

     Ever find yourself wondering why you spend hours in the copy room making math and spelling homework packets, when they never get turned back in? This school year, our school transitioned from Success For All to Reading Wonders for grades 3-5.
     I was so excited and motivated to start using spelling in the classroom, I couldn't wait to make copies of their spelling packets, send them home and find spelling scores increasing! Well, by semester 2, I was OVER it! I would spend so much time, making copies and having students staple them together just to have them not get turned in, completed halfheartedly, and student's making no progress on their post test (especially my poor spellers). I decided, no MORE! If the students were not going to put the effort in, neither was I.
     I decided to take the activities that the students were (or weren't) doing at home and create activities for them to do during small groups. For the last 2 weeks of instruction, students have been doing spelling EVERYDAY! At least I know when they are doing it in the classroom, they are actually trying.
     After many hours of work, I created my spelling activity task cards. Each week, I print out the week's activities on card stock. I have color coded them so that students do not get confused as to what activity they still need to do. I also have labeled each record sheet, set of instructions and cards to make it easier on myself when organizing and on them when doing the activities.

Here, I have two students working on spelling during small groups. They have their record sheet, activity card and instructions in front of them. 

Due to the fact that there are 5 activities, and some of my groups have more than 5 students, I am able to pair some students up if needed. In this group, these two students are working on alphabetizing their spelling words- together! 

I have Unit 3 available for sale in my TPT store, but I realize that some classrooms might be finishing Unit 3 or done with it completely. I will continue creating and uploading as we go in my classroom. Be on the lookout for the next unit's products. 

How do you do spelling in your classroom? My next goal is to work on our vocabulary practice, because as we all may know, worksheets are not the answer- and my kids need vocabulary practice. 

Have a great weekend! 

To Buy or Not to Buy

Hi friends. As I begin this journey in the field of business and blogging- I have been pondering a thought. I currently create all my TPT products on my computer that is loaned out from my school. I have access to it in the classroom and at home, so it's my teacher work/entrepreneurial work computer. I love my iPhone and have always wanted to own a Mac, but the thought scares me. I am so familiar with my HP that thinking about learning a new program is intense. I am wondering the thoughts of my fellow teacherpreneurs and bloggers. Should I continue using my school computer for my business, or invest in a computer used solely for the purpose of my business. 

I figure a logical way to figure this out is with a list of pros and cons, right? 

Keeping my HP- Pros: familiar with the program, have all my products on the computer already, belongs to the school if anything happens to it (I won't have to fix it)

Cons- It belongs to the school and is not mine, I am starting to fill it with products used outside the classroom for my business

Investing in a mac- Pros: new computer (fun), can sync with my iPhone, love apple products, my own computer to create/hold my products. 

Cons: $$, have to pay to fix it if it breaks, unfamiliar with pages 

Could I install ppt if I wanted to on the Mac or would that defeat the purpose of buying a Mac?

I am using the computer solely for business purposes, but am so new to this I wouldn't want to make the wrong choice. 

Ugh, it's so hard to decide. What are your thoughts? 

Classroom Reveal...Better Late than Never

     Happy New Year! As the 2nd half of our school year begins, so does my teacherpreneur dreams! In addition to my business goals, I have some blogging goals as well. In order for me to accomplish them, I have to start somewhere. What better place to start, than sharing my classroom with my readers! 
     When I did my student teaching back in Washington, I worked in a 5th grade classroom. I was always inspired by another 5th grade teacher at the school. Her classroom was always comforting, welcoming and homey. Never did she turn on a light in the classroom, her room was filled with string lights and lamps. She had pillows and chairs for students to use, it seemed like a place for students to feel welcome and comfortable. I always hoped that one day, my classroom would be the same. 
     Fast forward like 5 years later, and I feel like I have started to accomplish that classroom environment of my own! It's my 3rd year teaching and I have students that were in my class last year come to visit. They are so jealous that they never got what my students have now. They ask me, "do you ever turn your lights on?" "Do you use your yoga balls?" "How come they get pillows and chairs?" 
     Students aren't the only ones commenting, many teachers have stopped by throughout the year saying that they wish they were in my class. When they walk by, they feel comforted and relaxed. My reading coach commented that my classroom was like a "Bath and Body Works" :). 
     Walk in in the morning, you will hear classical music playing via my iPad through the TV. You will smell the warming scents of the holidays (I can't let them go yet) through my Scentsy. On the rare occasions that I do turn the lights on, my current students question "what's wrong and why are the lights on?" 
     Here's a few pictures of my classroom, don't mind the mess :) I hope you enjoy! 

View from the classroom door. I have 3 groups of 8 students. 

Part of our classroom library and the morning check in. Students use Popsicle sticks to check hot lunch or lunch from home. 

Reading focus wall, vocabulary words, and word wall. 

Science wall, homework turn in folders and my small groups area. 

My hidden desk :) As well as our math area- not used as much as I would like, but I still have time to perfect that. 

Computer area, schedule and our classroom iPad.

Front of the classroom, with my white board/chalk board. This is the desk I use throughout the day. 

View of the classroom from my teacher desk. Note our stability balls, we received 7 of them through a Donors choose grant and my kids love using them. 

Let's Do This Thing

Hi! Welcome to my blog!

My name is Stephanie and I am a 4th grade teacher on the Big Island of Hawaii. This is my 3rd year in the classroom, 3rd year in 4th grade. 

I hope this is the first of many blog posts to come. I am trying to get a blog going to increase my exposure to the teaching world. I have recently started devoting more time to my TPT store- adding items as I have created them for my own use. I love creating and allowing other teachers to benefit from my work. I am all about simplicity and what will help myself and others sail smoothly through the school day- and year! 

If you're interested, check out my store for any products that might work in your classroom. At our school, we use Reading Wonders and Engage NY. Most of my products are designed around those two programs so far. 

Learning with Aloha

If you wouldn't mind sharing my store and information with others, I would love it and be very appreciative. I also hope to learn more about this blogging world and help spread the name of other bloggers & teacherpreneurs that I have been following. 

P.S. If you haven't seen it already, check out iteachtvnetwork.com. It has been a great resource and motivating factor for myself to start this journey. 

My goal through this blog is to spread the word of my products, show what I have been doing in my classroom and share ideas that have been working. Maybe a little reflection/venting here and there :) 

You can also follow me on instagram. 

Here's to 2016- setting goals, making accomplishments, building a business and creating a following.