Super Hero Writing Throwback

Mary from Pitner's Potpourri...

I've got another Throwback for you.

Instead of Math, this one is all about writing.

If you use Writing notebooks or folders with your kiddos, this post is for you!

Click on the pic above or my logo below to see the freebie!

Setting Goals! Throwback

Research shows that when kids (& people in general), set goals and create action plans, they are able to perform at a higher level. I really took that to heart this year, and one of my goals in my classroom was to look for ways that I could implement that for my kiddos.

Frankly, before this year, I never really took the time to do much with goal setting (I mean, who has the TIME! We have SO MUCH to get in). But I am SO glad I did. I have got to tell you that setting goals has made a HUGE difference for my kiddos. There's just something so empowering about being aware of where you are, where you want to go, and setting a plan to help you get there.

I created a goal setting and tracking sheet to use this year, and my kiddos and I worked together to
create an anchor chart/poster that listed all of the things they could do to help them get to their goal.

I hope you'll stop by and check them out (they're freebies over there!). Just click one of the pics or my button to head over!

Throwback Nonfiction using Sticky Notes

Happy throwback week! Today I have two blasts from the past to share with you.

It was fun going back and looking over my old posts to choose one to bring back today. I wanted to go way back to 2011, but I couldn't find one that would be relevant to this time of year. So I went with two different but related posts from 2012 and 2013. I know some of you are already done with school, but we still have a solid 3 weeks left. This post comes from May of 2012 when we were working on reading  nonfiction. This was before I had heard about close reading, but as I was looking back, I realize that what we were doing was very similar to what we do for a close reading lesson. Well, parts of it anyway. :)

#1: Click here or on the picture below to go back in time to 2012 and read about how I used sticky notes while reading nonfiction and to get a little freebie:

 

#2: Then you can jump back to my post from last year. It goes into more detail about how I use sticky notes for research:

Hope you enjoy these posts! Have a great weekend everyone. :)

Throwback Some Math!

Mary from Pitner's Potpourri here....
Hope you're having some fun with the throwback posts from our authors.

Here's my blast from the past with a math theme.

Click on the pic below to download some fun games with dice for your classroom.

One of the most fun games we play uses cards to practice math fluency.

Click on the pic above to learn how to play.

And here's one more....

Combine drawing snowmen with multiplication practice and you've got a fun activity.

Click on the pic above to get the fun!

Don't forget to check back tomorrow for more Throwback Fun!

Freedom Fridays...A Throwback Idea to Survive the End of the Year

Hello all!

I am here to link up with a post from my past. 

At the end of the school year everyone is tired, it's getting hot outside and maybe, just maybe behaviour is starting to slide.

Come on over to Thinking of Teaching to check out my solution for this... FREEDOM FRIDAYS!

It's a fun and easy behaviour management system that promotes self-regulation at the end of a great school year.

Can't wait to see what you think.

Graduation Decoration Ideas Throwback Post

For sixth grade graduation each year, I have the students create a "collage" on a silhouette which I purchased from a local party store.  Unfortunately, this year the store has gone out of business and I could not find pre-made silhouettes to use.  I took a silhouette from a previous year and created templates for both a girl and boy graduate.  Each student received a quarter sheet of black bristol board, and they cut out their own silhouette. 

  Well this year (2013) I could not find the images again AND I don't have a template from previous years...so I am going to have the students trace each other using an overhead projector and make a silhouette of their own head.  It's too bad they won't have the mortar board and certificate, but I will have to make due.  If you find the silhouette cutouts~grab em!  I had them add their name across the scroll part on the bottom, and decorate the rest using photos, images from the internet and items cut out from magazines.  They added glitter, felt stickers and ribbon to make them more eye catching.

Each silhouette was then mounted on a red or blue star which I had also purchased at a party store.  (I was smart and kept these to reuse them!)  These are then displayed on the wall behind the stage for graduation.    The students always do a wonderful job, and they get to keep the silhouette as a memento of their time at our school.

UPDATE 2014: Each year I try to change up how we celebrate graduation.  This year I am going to add "mortar board" hats to the silhouettes.  I found the mortar board cut outs at Dollar Tree and could not resist.  I keep looking for the silhouette cutouts pictured above but just can't find them.  I figure that having the students cut out their own silhouette and adding the mortar board will be even better!  I'll try to post some pictures of the final products!

End of the Year Throwback

Hi! Kathy, from First Grade a la Carte, here to share...

I've gotten emails lately about my version of The Important Book for the end of the year, so it's the perfect thing to share again.

Click on the picture above to take a look. ENJOY!