End of the Year Story Review

The end of the school year is in sight. This week my class took some time to review some of the stories we read this year. Each student picked a title of a story we read this year from a bag. There were also some "FREE CHOICE" slips! Students then reread the story. After they created a Wordle about the story. Then they typed the setting, characters, and a summary. Finally, the students drew a picture of a scene in the story that they visualized. When all students completed the project we took a gallery walk to check out everyone's creations.

An example:

Another example:

State Stamp Project

In the fourth grade we spend a lot of time learning about the 50 states. My class was working on a poster project for the states in the midwest. When students were finished with their posters they were able to design a stamp for their state. The only requirements were: the stamp contains their state name, stamp value, and pictures drawn on the stamp related in some way to their assigned state. Below are a few examples of what they came up with!

Nonfiction Fact of the Day!

At the beginning of the year I was trying to figure out how to get my students interested in nonfiction. Then I read about having a fact of the day. I decided to dedicate a small space of my classroom to the fact of the day.

Most of my facts are from the National Geographic Weird but True books. I also find facts on the internet if it is a holiday or I can relate the facts directly to what we are learning in class.

The students are excited to see what the fact is each morning. The fact usually sparks some interesting conversations during snack.

Wow Work! How I keep my students motivated!

Wow Stamps are one way I keep students motivated in my classroom all year long.

Students earn Wow Stamps in several ways: completing 3 pieces of Wow Work, answering a Wow question during a whole group lesson or simply doing something Wow worthy!

Each student has a Wow chart when students fill their chart they get to pick a prize from the prize box.

Kiddos that earn a Wow Stamp get one of these awesome stamps on their paper.

 Every student has their own folder with individualized Wow Work. This work usually consist of concepts they need to review or for my higher students I give them enrichment work. Each student is appropriately challenged.

I also have a set of leveled TOPs cards that students can also do for Wow Work. 

Wow work is also one way I have solved the "I'm done!!!" problem. When students finish their work they first complete any unfinished work then they can do Wow Work or read. Students love Wow Work because they are working towards a prize and it involves some choice. 

My First Post!

Hello and welcome to my blog! I am starting this blog to share some of the resources that I have created, helpful classroom tips, funny stories from the classroom (it always amazes me the things my students come up with!) and to share my love for teaching! Thanks for stopping by! Check back soon for my classroom tour and products!