Fourth Grade Common Core Workbook

Now I know many people across the country have already adopted the Common Core but our county is rolling it out for 2nd - 5th next year.  That being said, I'm going to be needing A LOT of Common Core help this summer, lol.  I found this workbook through fellow blogger Holly over at Fourth Grade Flippers and even though I am not in fourth grade this year who knows what the future will bring!  I've checked out the sample pages from the Fourth Grade Common Core Workbook and it looks like GREAT resources, especially for small group.  I can't wait until they come out with their Fifth Grade Workbook!  They are giving away free digital copies until April 21st, so check it out!

Their product description:

"This Fourth Grade Common Core Workbook is the largest collection of resources for teaching the Common Core State Standards. This workbook includes over 850 pages of Worksheets, Activity Centers, and Posters that teach all the Fourth Grade English Language Arts Common Core Standards and all the Fourth Grade Mathematics Common Core Standards!"

Tried It Tuesday - Acrostic Poems with a Twist

Today I'm linking up with Holly from Fourth Grade Flippers for Tried It Tuesday!  I promise the posts about testing will end soon but it's going on for two weeks and I'm just trying to incorporate as many "fun" (or at least different) things to do with it as possible.  I snagged this idea from Heather at Working 4 the Classroom.  This was one of my infamous 1 A.M. finds that I HAD to try the next day so forgive the not so overly creative but I really liked how they turned out.  What did we make you might be asking???

Acrostic Poems for testing strategies using our names!!!  Since it is National Poetry Month and we did have the big test coming up, this was the perfect culmination :o)  I really like how Heather's turned out and maybe next year I will be more prepared to decorate ours a little more fancy like, but I couldn't have asked for more from my kiddos.  They had so much fun trying to come up with different strategies that fit for the letters of their name.

First we brainstormed different testing strategies by doing an AllWrite Round Robin with our table groups.  The strategies didn't have to begin with their name, it just had to be something that would help them on the test.  The first student wrote down what their strategy was and then the next student clockwise wrote down their strategy and this continued until the time was up.  Everyone put their idea in the center so it was visible and no one would repeat.  At the end of the time every group had about 15-20 different strategies.

Then they began to brainstorm for their name by rewriting those ideas their group came up with into sentences.  Once they were done I showed them my example and gave them construction paper, markers, and a few simple rules: your name had to be fun and colorful - get creative! and it had to take up the whole page.  This is what they came up with!

 

We hung them up outside in our hallway so they could see them every morning before testing and so the third graders who share our hallway with us would get some good ideas they might not have thought of.  I hope you enjoyed the idea and don't forget to head over to Holly's blog for other great ideas from some amazing bloggers!

Skittles Game

I can't begin to tell you how incredibly exhausted I am from today.  There is just something about the stress of FCAT that exhausts me mentally.  I came home and instantly fell asleep.  The only reason I am up now is because I feel bad neglecting my poor husband and I'm hungry, lol.  Although, I am beyond proud of my homeroom kiddos and what they accomplished today!  Now I don't know exactly how they did but they were working those reading strategies!  I saw them go back and prove their answers, underlining, the whole nine yards.  That's all a girl could ask for!

 

So while y'all have me for a few lucid moments I thought I'd link up with Latoya from Flying Into First Grade for her Let's Get Acquainted Linky.

 

 

The topic this week is the Skittles Game.  Here is the code:

 

Red- Favorite Ice Cream Flavor

Orange- Favorite Memory from College

Yellow- Favorite Sports Team

Green- Favorite Fast Food Place

Purple- Wild Card (Tell anything about yourself)

 

Red - Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough!  I love Dairy Queen's Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Blizzard.  Mmm... maybe I could ask the hubby to go grab me one ;o)

 

Orange -  I can't pin point just one memory at the moment (that's asking a lot in this tired state, lol) but some of my most favorite memories were game nights with our friends.  Every week we would have game night at my apartment and it would just get ridiculously loud and crazy and hysterical.  I met some of my best friends through mutual friends just inviting them along.  We still have an insane amount of inside jokes from those nights and even though we are all at different places and states in our lives we still make it happen whenever we can or skype in those that can't make it.

 

Yellow - Easy.  Texas Longhorns!!!  I was born and raised in Austin, Texas, so it was never going to be anything else :o)

Green - Fast food is tricky...  Does that consist of a drive through???  Because if so I would have to say McDonald's.  There is just something different about their coke and their fries are to die for!  If it doesn't have to have a drive through, then Huey Magoo's.  If you go, I highly recommend the Magoo sauce!

Purple - Wild card... Well one thing about me that my husband finds hysterical is that I LOVE when they say the title of the movie IN the movie.  We went to see 42 this weekend (amazing by the way) and Jackie Robinson turns his jersey over and it says "42" and I start frantically tapping my husband's arm and he starts giggling because he knows what I'm about to say.  Even though is wasn't SAID aloud it was just as good, if not better!  This also works for books :o)

Okay, I'm off to get my pup some food, eat some dinner then head back to bed.  Head on over to link up and read about some other great bloggers while you're at it!

The Testing Fairy is Here - Pin It and You Win It!

On April's Monthly Market I talked about the Testing Fairy and how she visits our class every year for our state standardized test.  The kids just love her!  Well she is visiting our class tomorrow and I can't wait to see the kid's reaction!

In honor of testing starting on Monday and teachers everywhere who have been working ridiculously hard all year long and MIGHT be stressing out a little... I am giving away my Testing Fairy packet for free to all who Pin It from now until Friday (April 12th, 2013) at midnight.  All you have to do is Pin It from this post or my TPT store and leave the web address of your pin and email address in the comment box and I will send it to you!  Here is just a sneak peek:

I would also love some feedback on what you think!  Good luck to everyone on their state tests!  REMEMBER: This is NOT what it is all about, no matter what anyone tells you.  You are all amazing teachers and your kids are lucky to have you!

***  UPDATE: The deadline for this freebie has expired but if you would like a copy of it, head on over to my TPT store and grab yourself a copy! ***

Five for Friday and Friday Flashback

Today I'm linking up with Amanda from Teaching Maddeness for Friday Flashback and Doodle Bugs for Five for Friday!  Let's see...  What has happened this week?

1. I got my next two Donor's Choose project materials in the mail!  Just in time too!  My second project was test prep material from Lakeshore.  I forgot to take a picture but here is our list of goodies!

Vocabulary, Math, and Science Game Show Quizzes

These are great and the kids love them!  The questions aren't written how "THE TEST" is written but it is a nice review of the skills they need to know.  We had a few hiccups in figuring out which team gets to answer, others getting to many turns, people raising their hands too quickly without reading...  WHEW!  I think we finally figured out a way to get it all done fairly: dice.  We rolled the dice to see which team went first and then we went clockwise from there.  If someone missed the question then we rolled the dice to see which team got to snag the answer, then it went back to clockwise.  That seemed the best/easiest/fairest way to go.

Math Problem Solving Card Bank

 Science File Folder Game 

 Nonfiction Reading Comprehension and Research and Respond Comprehension Center

 
These are great for early finishers, TIMER Tubs, literacy centers and Fun Friday!

2. We are starting our new read aloud in my homeroom called The Serpent's Ring by H.B. Bolton.  Now this is exciting for me for multiple reasons.  First, in May the author will be visiting our fourth and fifth graders and that will be my first ever author's visit!  Being a book-a-holic this is BIG thing for me :o)   Secondly, H.B. Bolton is a mom at our school!  I do not have her kiddos yet but I do teach her nephew, who knew?!

3.  Just found out our fifth grade party theme is Medieval!  I am such a history nerd that I am ridiculously excited about this!  I've already got a Pinterest board going for it, haha.  If you have any game ideas or decoration ideas please let me know!

4.  Possibly found our dream home!!!  So I grew up in Texas and when I think of "home" I think of siding and brick and we found it!!!  It's on a beautiful street and it is just perfect inside and out.  We would have to do some serious wall paper removal and painting but that's okay, it just makes it more "ours."  Problem = our neighborhood is one street (I'm not an overly big fan of that) and the surrounding neighborhoods are not.  As in nonexistent.  Random homes all about, some beautiful mansions, some run down shacks.  It's a little random but we're going again today to take a look around some more.  Now, just like I judge restaurants by their bread, I judge neighborhoods by saying, "Could we go trick or treating here with our kids?"  So I ask you, is it better to live in your dream home in the not so perfect neighborhood/community or to live in a home you like in a community you love (that's assuming we can find that as well).  This adult decision thing is really hard and overrated, let me tell you!

5.  I know I mentioned it once already this week but it needs repeating... MY NEW BLOG DESIGN!!!  Earlier this week Megan from A Bird in Hand uploaded my new design to the blog and I just love it!  It's the perfect twist of blue jean twang and teaching and I couldn't have asked for anything more.  Check her out if you're shopping for a new design, she's amazing on all fronts!

Also on the blog front I've started my very first linky party: Monthly Market.  All you have to do is share your ideas on the themes of the month.  This month is poetry, testing, and weather.  Go ahead and link up if you've got some great ideas you want to share.  I'm loving it!  I've already made a  new friend (Kelly over at Koonce's Korner is such a sweetie and has some amazing ideas, you should check her out) and I've had a blogging celebrity moment.  I've been following Amanda from Teaching Maddeness for the last couple years and you can find many of her products or ideas implemented in my classroom.  Now it might be silly but when she linked up I thought, "Oh my gosh, she knows my name now!" Hahahaha does anyone else ever feel like that?  Anyway, it just made me feel very special that ALL the women linked up to share their ideas, because who doesn't love it when you see someone else linked up to your party?


Needless to say this has been a VERY good week!  I hope you all had a great week as well and an even better weekend!

New Blog Design!!!

Notice anything different???  Megan from A Bird in Hand designed my blog and I LOVE, ADORE, HEART, and so much more it!  She did an amazing job and was so incredible to work with and is as patient as the day is long.  She has such a great eye for this and sends you multiple designs to fit your liking.  It was definitely a fun experience.  If you're looking for something new, she's your girl!

 

Today I'm also linking up with Jessica from Literacy Spark for her first ever linky: Anticipating the Month Ahead.  This must be the month for first time linky parties!   It's pretty simple (and I like simple), you write one thing you are looking forward to, one thing you are dreading, and one thing you hope to accomplish for the month of April.

 

One thing I am looking forward to: I am looking forward to starting our last literature circles group and final project AND delving into some serious social studies y'all!  I am such a history nerd and always try to incorporate it into reading but this is the time when we don't have to worry about "THE TEST" any more and can really get fun and creative.  Isn't that sad, I have to wait till April to do big social studies units :o(

One thing I am dreading:  The state test :o(  I know when it gets here it really is not all that bad but everyone is so tense and the kids get so nervous.  Hopefully the FCAT Fairy will make them a little more excited about coming back to school to test for two weeks, lol.

One thing I hope to accomplish:  I have a nice long list of products I wanted to spruce up or create and would love to be able to finish those so the kids can use them during the end of the day after the FCAT.

See, pretty simple!  I always enjoy a good linky party :o)  You should head on over to these two wonderful ladies' blogs and check them out!  Definitely worth your time!  Don't forget to link up to my April Monthly Market Linky Party as well and see what other people are doing this month in their classroom!

Have a happy Thursday y'all!

Monthly Market - My first linky party!!!

Alright y'all, please be patient with me as this is all new territory for me but I am hosting my very first linky party!  Monthly Market came to me at one in the morning while I was debating lesson plans and what not.  After talking to a few different blogging buddies about what they do for certain times of the year I thought, "Oh man, this is good stuff!  I need to write this down."  But it would have been too much writing and trying to remember who said what and where to find it so I thought, "Well, a linky would solve all those problems for me and a whole lot of other people!"  Just like at a Flea Market (LOVE!) or the Farmer's Market where you go to look for hidden gems and get good ideas or trade for other products, you will do the same here!

Every month I will post 2-3 theme units for the month and I would love for y'all to link up your ideas for what activities you do for those units.  It doesn't matter what grade or subject or even if you haven't done it yet but found it on Pinterest and plan on doing it, we want to know!  If you only have an idea for one of the units, that's fine too!  I'm pretty easy going here :o)

April's Monthly Market is all about poetry, testing, and weather!

Poetry:
One of my favs!  Two years ago was probably the most fun poetry project my kids had ever done.  Sadly, it wasn't a possibility at my new school with so little computers at school and home but this year we have a laptop cart so things are looking up!  After learning about six different types of poems and writing examples I assigned my students a Poetry Anthology Project through Glogster.  If you've never heard of Glogster, it is like an interactive poster you create on the computer.  Any who, the kids picked one topic and had to choose three different poems to write about that topic.  Once the writing was complete then they got to create their Glogster and design it with pictures, backgrounds, videos, animations, etc.  My favorite one was a girl who did middle school and her three poems were based on the cliques: jock, nerd, and outcast.  It was amazing!  I wish I still had them but you'll have to take my word for it.  Here is a copy of the directions I gave them if you want to give it a shot!

Testing:
My class has the FCAT Fairy and the FCAT Fairy sends a package to the teacher the day before with instructions and a poem for the students.  I usually leave it outside the door and they find it when we get back from specials.  I always pick them up a minute or so late that day and say, "I'm SO sorry I'm late. I was in a meeting the whole time?!"  This way they don't get overly suspicious, lol.  We all read aloud the letter inside and the kids get really pumped to know the FCAT Fairy will be visiting them everyday.  She leaves us magic dust to sprinkle on their heads when they walk in the door (5th grade boys still love this!), a fairy hat for me to wear, a magic wand and directions of how we can earn her treat every night.  At the end of the day they have to leave a note for her on their desk that tells her something they did well on that day's test that they are proud of, it's usually some sort of testing strategy.  Now in fifth grade our testing lasts two weeks so we do whatever we can to get through it y'all!  The kids love her!

Here are some sample cards of what we put with their candy.  I also ask parents to write them a note for the first morning and I put it on their desk.  They are always so thrilled with this surprise!  The I write them a note every morning after that to encourage them.  Again, this is a long two weeks so whatever works!

Usually after the test we do One Hour Mysteries.  It is really interesting to watch the kids in detective mode and using their logic and reasoning skills to solve the crime.  Definitely a book worth buying!

I know, usually only the intermediate grades have to deal with testing but I know that our primary grades are a huge support system to us that week!  We get a buddy class and they pamper my kids with support posters and candy and homemade cards and my kids feel like kings and queens.  They also do an FCAT Parade the day before!  It's so stinkin' cute!!!!  They make their posters and signs and musical instruments and all form a big line.  The front office puts parade music over the intercom and the intermediate kids stand outside our classroom while K-2 march along and sing.


Now I do not have anything for weather as I have never taught science :o( but that's okay!  I do still have my science drawer in my file cabinet though (because you never know what's going to happen) and I would love to get some good ideas or TPT things to fill it!

I do however have a Writing Prompt Calendar for the month of April and I will send it free to the first five people to link up!  Click on the image below to get your copy!

Thank you so much for reading ALL THAT.  I know it was a lot and y'all are troopers.  Link up below and tell us all what great ideas you have in your file cabinet!  Please be sure to grab the button above and link back here so others can link up as well.  Don't forget to comment on the person before you and after you as well!  Everyone enjoys some bloggy lovin ;o)