Book Study: Active Learning

This post continues the series of Learn like a Pirate Book Study. 

This chapter really got me thinking about how my lessons could be better.  I am so pumped up for revamping my PBLs this year. We are one of Nashville’s premier STEM/PBL schools, so we already have some pretty neat lessons, but the Social Studies standards seem to sometimes fall to the wayside.

My partner teacher and I have already begun to create units, but when I read this chapter I just knew I needed to incorporate some more active learning. In our school we have kits that drive the exploration in STEM. 

Some great things I got out of this was that you have to be willing to make learning fun and exciting so that your kids are excited. I don’t know too many teachers that will dress up for their kiddos anymore. We should totally do that more! Get kids interested. I mean why does Ms. Frizzle intrigue our students today? She’s willing to go the distance to give the kids hands on, problem solving work!

My kids last year worked hard on our virtual field trip as we followed John Smith or as we explored the Jamestown Colonies. They remembered it for the test too! I didn’t do a single worksheet on it! The students remembered Sequoyah from the first nine weeks after we had used the Tennessee Traveling Trunks from the State Museum. (If you aren’t in Nashville, but are in TN, then go to your local State Park to inquire about them!) The traveling trunks include hands on activities and manipulatives to engage little learners. We use kidblog and journals for grades and to show off learning. 

My kids really understood taxation without representation when the principal came up and told them they’d have to pay to go to specials and recess! The concept CLICKED instantly!

The year before, students did historical reports, but they dressed up as their person. They were recorded in front of their peers. People asked them all day who they were dressed like. The students loved the attention. They loved retelling their stories. What the best part, they remembered the people they became!

I had just learned about Thinglink from a workshop earlier this summer, and I am really excited about learning to use that this year. Students can really take a photo and create points to click on that will enhance their project.

One thing I want to implement this year is Passion Project or Genius Hour. Last year, only the kids who went to Encore got to do this, but I really wanted my other kids to yearn to get to do it. Then I heard what breaks your heart… “Only the smart kids get to do cool stuff like that!” It broke me. Why not allow all students time to explore a topic they find interesting. Maybe every nine weeks the kids could present their projects so that others can see what they’ve been working on!

My mind is reeling with ideas. Now, the question for me is how can I get all of this for my two classes, RTII, Guided Reading, and whatever else I need to do with my 2 hours of time with the kids? I’m ready to accept this challenge. 

What about you?!

What do you think is an obstacle? 

What do you want to try?

Since this chapter discussed ways to enhance Social Studies learning, I thought that this product might be interesting to some. I completed my Early Native Americans Center Stations. Until July 12th you can get it, along with some of my other social studies products, for 20% off! 

An InLinkz Link-up

The End is Near!

They really gave me the mic at camp read!!

Here we are! The school year is coming to a close. I know that everyone out there is feeling like me. I can’t get enough sleep. There are so many events happening at school that it’s been a crazy month of May.

Testing is finally over! (Except for running records) We’ve had visitors from all over, guest speakers, TCAP block party, field day, Camp Read, and soon to be graduation.

On top of it, to keep things interesting, I’ve been doing the Countdown to Summer! We started at 10 and are on our way down. I tried to make the school’s activities fit into the plan so that I didn’t have to do EXTRA work. J

Day 10- ABC Day one

Day 9- ABC Day 2

Kids got to play a Minute to Win it Game: Stackable cups, then we played Kaboom! Students had to complete a sheet of synonyms for the word eat, and put them in order. Finally they had to complete an ABC Book for Social Studies found here.  Students ate ABC animal crackers and juice.

Day 8- Camping Day

This was so much fun! I brought in my fire pit, and made a tissue paper fire. On the projector, I had a campfire that crackled, we listened to nature sounds on Youtube. We practiced our map and geography skills. Then we had a campfire read aloud, and they had independent reading around the campsite. Then we ate s’more snacks. (The day before in science lab, they created solar ovens and made s’mores with the scientist. Connection!)

Day 7- Theater Day

We discussed the difference between theater and the movie theater. Then we read a book on getepic.com called Jeremy and the Enchanted Theater. Then we practiced for our Reader’s Theater. They enjoyed practicing their parts. They didn’t really enjoy sitting through the delivery, but to help get us through that there was juice and theater candy. J

Keep up with my IG and FB to see what the rest of the week will bring! Also, while you are checking back, make sure that you enter to win a fabulous end of year gift!

Classroom Friendly Supplies is supplying this prize! Haven’t you wanted to try out the quietest classroom pencil sharpener? There are so many people who have given great praises about this pencil sharpener, and what better way to end your school year by being ready for the next one?

Make sure you check out Classroom Friendly Supplies’ Facebook page and tell them that Exploring is Elementary sent you!  If you don't win it, you can always purchase it from www. classroomfriendlysupplies.com.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Just a few of my favorite things..

When the dog bites, when the bee stings

When I'm feeling sad

I simply remember my favorite things

And then I don't feel so bad

I remember singing this at the Maxwell House Hotel in the school chorus my sixth grade year. It was such a memorable moment that our music teacher had made for us. Every time I hear the song I think about Miss Parks. J

Today I am linking up with the Teaching Trio to talk about some of my favorite teachable moments! After testing is a great time, because we can all just chill and enjoy the spring. (If only we were truly done with the testing!!)

 

If you are teaching about the Revolutionary War, you have to check these two sites:

American Revolution Lesson

Revolutionary War Webquest

The War lesson was priceless. Students came and had no clue what was about to happen. Our principal played it so cool. She told them they’d have to pay for recess (25¢) and specials ($5) every day, because we were going broke! They were in an uproar. Some made a connection automatically to the Intolerable Acts, but some were so shocked they started asking if they could call home to get money!! We had a discussion on how it made them feel, then they came up with a list with their group on why it was fair or not fair, then they wrote letters by themselves on why they agreed or disagreed with the principal! One student came up with the Compromise of 2015, where some of the money was taken from fundraiser events that were led by 4^th graders. We let them stew with this notion until recess that afternoon. It was so hilarious. :)  hehehehe!

On a less happy note, is the Nepal Earthquake. Our kids were so emotional talking about the earthquake. Many of them remember the flood we had here in Nashville (they were about 4 or 5 at the time).  They were posed with a question, “What can we, as 4^th graders, do to help the Nepalese?” They are going to start making PSA posters to put around the school to encourage collections for the Nepalese. It was a touching and humbling moment when the kids got revved up about helping others! 

What are some of your favorite teaching moments from the last week? I can't wait to hear them! 

Snow Day!

Ah! I love snow days, especially when there is no snow! Here in Nashville, it's just really cold. It feels like 0 degrees outside. There were a lot of happy people this morning.

My New Year's Resolution is starting out really well at school. I can still see my desk. The kids can see their assignments, they have their own mailbox to see things that need to go home. They are loving their new homework and classwork. Happiness all the way around!

Now, I just have to start prepping them for TCAP- the dreaded end of the year test. We had a meeting to figure out what we need to tweak to get the kids ready. One thing I'm going to start doing my question of the day again. Question of the Day (QOTD) is where I take random questions from old TCAP tests or other sources and post them on chart paper outside of my room. I let anyone answer the questions on small sheets of paper. They drop them into the bucket. At the end of the day, I tally up the correct answers. Students who get the right answer will win a small prize. Prizes in the past were: pencils, erasers, bookmarks, candy (their favorite), and other small trinkets from the grab bag section at Target. :)

What do you do to help prepare your kids?

While you are here check out this Social Studies Center pack that will help you redesign the way you teach Social Studies!

Until next time, keep it elementary,
Cindy