Improving Word Choice in Writing

This is an activity I created to help my students focus on improving Word Choice in their writing.  I tried to look for words that students use often in their writing like good, little, fun, and so on.  This activity focuses on  helping students find dazzling words to replace them.  Click here to download this sample activity.  Be sure to check out the full version as well which also includes verbs and adverbs.  

Happy Writing!!

Area and Perimeter Math Stations

I think I may have actually got my math stations up and running.  I bought the Math Stations for Middle Grades book by Laura Candler and her ideas for rotations were so simple yet so helpful! Thank you Laura Candler!  I decided to have three stations: Teacher, file folders, and math tubs.  Each station lasts 15 minutes with an extra five minute added on for housekeeping and switching stations.  Each student has a folder to store their station checklist and any papers acquired from the stations.  (This sheet can be found in Laura's book.)  My students and I compiled a chart of Math Station Expectations.  For a first time around, they did such a wonderful job!  I really believe they like the stations too.  I'm wondering though if I may have put too many options at the math tub station.  Tomorrow when I have the students rotate through, I am really going to stress the importance of trying all the activities at the tub station.  I may need to eliminate one of my tubs.  Right now I have three there: Pentominoes with area and perimeter, pattern blocks with symmetry, and tangrams with composing and decomposing shapes. Here is a link to my pentomino freebie if you missed it yesterday.  
Do you use stations? If so, leave a comment and tell me about your experience with them.  I love comments!

Manic Monday: Free Subtraction Situation Christmas Style

First of all, I just want to say how excited I am!  The Teacher in Me has been awarded the Liebster Award not once but twice! Thank you Fabulous Fifth Grade Fun and  Cruz'n In First!! I will definitely post more about that tomorrow!!

I am in the midst of teaching my students subtraction situations.  I decided that I am ready to switch into Christmas mode so I made a subtraction situation freebie complete with example story problems that match each type of situation for subtraction.  I then made a mix of problems so students can work through subtracting.  This is probably more for older students because they have three digits and involve regrouping.

Book box deal and FREEBIE

I've always wanted to organize my classroom library but I just didn't really have the time.  This past summer I  looked into the Daily Five and CAFE books by Gail Boushey and Joan Moser.  I was very determined to get my books organized so that my students could have an easier time selecting books.  I took a trip to the Dollar Tree and found the nicest baskets!  They are perfect for my chapter books.  I also found a box perfect for my picture books that I have organized by themes.  I usually only put out theme sets of books according to either what I am teaching or the season.  Some of my books though haven't seen day light in forever though.  These containers were so helpful and best of all only $1.00!  I created a freebie set of book box labels for my personal use but I also included several blank ones as well.  They're not anything real fancy but I like them.

Click on the picture to access the FREEBIE!!

Classroom Freebies Manic Monday

I am very excited to be posting as part of Classroom Freebies Manic Monday.  My favorite classroom freebie is my While You Were Out Document.  I hope you all like it too!

School Started Today! and.... a FREEBIE!

School started today for the teachers.  The kids will be there Thursday.  I was able to get so much done today.  I never get a lot done on the first day because I usually spend too much time talking.  Somehow I was able to do both today!  I didn't realize just how much I missed seeing my friends at work.  Today was a nice day back.  My friend Brooke has a beautiful sea life mural on a wall in her classroom.  She was in need of some locker tags so I decided to make her some. Here they are if you would like them too!