#AprilBlogaDay

Whew - It's been a while sweet blog. I'm in a bit of a bloggy funk and can't quite find the direction I want to go with my sharing.  I'm a bit of an over-sharer in my personal life, so it's a bit surprising that I can't figure out my why for sharing here. At home, my husband is reading the book, Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress Free Productivity. While he's been reading, we've chatted about different things in the book and one of the topics is mind-mapping. 

Humph. 

I use mind-mapping all of the time in my classroom, but it never occurred to me to apply this logic to my own life outside of school (What? Life outside of school!? Just kidding...) 

The other night, I began to mind-map my summer plans and my blog ideas. Before long, I had a laundry list of things I wanted to share in all aspects of my life. 

So - I'm back! 

Our morning procedure is a bit rushed due to specials beginning at 8:15 and kids arriving at 7:50ish. We have a small window of time to unpack, write down daily assignments, and get prepared for the day. As the year is winding down, I noticed the kids are quite savvy with their morning procedure and had quite a bit of free time in the morning. While, of course, I encouraged morning reading.... that was not always the popular activity in the morning. I get it... they wanted to chat, catch up with friends in the 15 hours or so that they hadn't been together.

Enter... #AprilBlogaDay!

Using the online journal, Seesaw my students wrote one blog entry per day in the month of April. I asked for student suggestions on topics (or hashtags) and I created an anchor chart to display. It was one brilliant student idea to make Fridays a "catch up" day. 

As a class, we created a few ground rules. These ground rules really set the pace for our blogging experience. Since Fridays were "Catch up & Comment" days, we even had great discussions on leaving positive, specific feedback to our peers. It was amazing to see how students were helping one another edit and proofread their post. Plus... they are really good at finding the perfect emoji for every.single.occasion. 

While I gave my students the opportunity to submit ideas for the blog, I, of course, had to add in a few of my own. After a morning of blogging about #chicken (I heard about all kinds of chicken.. baked, fried, grandma's, KFC, using it for fish food....) I asked the students to blog about reading. A student piped up, "this was your idea wasn't it, Mrs. Robertson?" :)

Something I really enjoyed about my student's blog posts was what they chose to share. I learned so much more about my students through their blog posts. Some blogged about school, family, siblings, weekend activities. While they were blogging, I was able to "talk" to each one of my students because I could comment and ask them questions after they published. 

Today, I created a Padlet for kids to submit ideas for our "#EndofSchoolBlogaDay". I'm excited to see what they come up with!

Check out my blog post on the pros and cons of using Seesaw in the classroom. 

Thinking Like Scientists

 If you've followed my blog for a few years, you may remember my post "Power of the Pod" where I shared an idea about naming your tables or pods after material you wish for students to remember. Read more on that blog here.  

To kick off the year, I decided to create new table names for each of my groups. This year, we're starting our year with units of measurement. In 5th grade, we hit the metric system in science and math and this is an area where my kids struggle. They can remember the various tools we use in science (balance scales, thermometers, meter sticks, etc.), but struggle to remember the unit they are measured with. I'm hoping the repetition of the terms will help students remember the units. 

If you wish to download a copy of the posters to hang in your classroom, click here! You can access the docs via Google Drive. If you do use these posters in your classroom, I would love to see photographs! Please email me a picture and I'll post them on my blog as well. 

Since You've Been Gone

This year, I'm switching up my system for absent students. In previous years, I've had a file folder waiting for students when they return with worksheets and notes from the school day. This process really didn't work for my class, students, or organization system. In an attempt to help students become more self-motivated and responsible, I introduce to you....

Kelly Clarkson. 

First, I can't help but grin like a goober when I look at this hanging file. Who wouldn't want to look at Kelly Clarkson rocking out when searching for their absent work?

Want a copy? Click here to download the file from Google Drive!

Here's my game plan: 

• Hanging files will be labeled with the five days of the week. My Postal Clerk will add an extra copy in the absent file for students who are absent (even if we have perfect attendance, I will have an one extra copy just in case!) Say two or three students are absent? Then, my Postal Clerk will add that many copies to the basket. 
• When the child returns to school from being out, they will ask me what they missed and I will hop on my desk and start singing, "SINCE YOU'VE BEEN GOONNNEEEEE" Just kidding. 
• When the child returns to school from being out, I will remind them to check with Kelly (hehe) and get their work from the day they missed. 

What tricks do you have to manage absent work with multiple classes? Share with me!

Updated Post - The Job Market is Officially Open!

To date, the most popular post on my blog is from July 2012 where I shared with you fine folks about my classroom job system. You can read about it right ---> here. Over the past few years, I've received so many emails from teachers all over the world (seriously!!) asking to share my job application document. Nothing is more exciting than swapping emails with a teacher around the globe at 7:00 AM!

This year, I've updated my job application and you can access it through Google Docs ---> here. (click the blue link!) You'll only notice a few changes, but I've tweaked a few of the jobs to fit the needs of my classroom and I've added a "You're Hired" portion at the bottom. I needed something for my students to reference if they forgot/needed reminders on their job responsibilities. Once we have our "job training", I'll have my students stick their responsibilities slip in their binders for safe keeping. 

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In Room 52, the following jobs have been posted for hire:

Accountant: The accountant’s daily responsibility is to adjust the attendance cards to a horizontal setting at the end of the day.

Librarian: The Librarian checks the room for stray books, straightens the fiction and nonfiction shelves, and checks to make sure all books are in ABC order.

Computer Technician: The computer tech is responsible for turning on the laptops and logging them into the eMINTS network. At the conclusion of the day, the tech turns off the laptops. In addition, the Computer Tech is responsible for helping their peers with tech issues. The Computer Tech will help their peers troubleshoot and solve tech problems before consulting the teacher.

Assignment Sorter: Puts all collected assignments in student number order, paper clips together, and places them on Ms. Furnell’s desk. The assignment sorter marks off who brought their homework from a list and hands it into the teacher.

Postal Clerk: Delivers graded work and other items to student mailboxes daily.

Custodian: The Custodian is responsible for checking the floors and tabletops (desks and shared work areas) at the conclusion of the day for trash. The custodian uses the lint roller on the floor to get all scraps.

Recycling Chief: The Recycling Chief takes the blue recycling bin to the larger bins daily.

Board Cleaner: The Board Cleaner is in charge of wiping down the white board at the end of the day. Remember to check with Ms. Furnell on what to erase and what to keep!

Scheduler: The scheduler changes the calendar at the end of each day to reflect tomorrow’s events and date.

Caboose: The Caboose stands in the back of our short, straight, and silent line. Once leaving the room, the Caboose turns off the light and changes the sign to reflect where the class is located in the Upper Elementary.

Pencil Sharpener:  The Sharpener makes sure there are enough sharpened pencil in the “sharp” bucket. Reminds peers to return any borrowed pencils and replaces dull pencils.

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The first page of the document is a simple overview of the jobs available, the second page is the actual application, and the final pages are the detailed responsibilities of each job. Again, these are based on what works in my classroom but it may be helpful for you with planning!

Happy Wednesday!

GoNoodle!

A few weeks ago, I was lurking on Twitter and a few teachers were tweeting about using GoNoodle with their students. Of course, I had to figure out what the hype was all about. 

I signed up for a (cough FREE cough) account and before I knew it, I was training for the 100-meter dash at the Olympic trials! 

Watch the video below for a tutorial on how to get started with GoNoodle.

Right now, we are using GoNoodle first thing in the morning and transitioning in after recess. I let the students pick our morning activity. On Friday, we were throwing the javelin! The "Airtime" and "Maximo" features have been great transitioning back from recess. They are calming exercises to bring the focus back to the classroom. 

The verdict with my funky fresh kids (yes that's our nickname): we dig it!

Screenshot of our Champion

https://www.gonoodle.com/

Have you used GoNoodle in your classroom? When do you find it is most effective?

Happy Sunday!

Preventing a Brain Meltdown

It's safe to say that I thrive on having a "game plan". Scratch that, it's the way of life that I prefer. I like to know what's happening, when it's happening, how early I need to be there, and what to pack. Every family vacation I've been on has come packaged with a daily itinerary. Now, it's perfectly acceptable to veer from the plan, but as long as we've got one - I'm a happy camper. 

Which brings me to my classroom... I started my career in 2nd grade. Throughout my undergraduate courses, it was stressed that little ones NEED routines and procedures. We must post them and practice these if we want order and structure. As a naive college student I thought to myself, "I will have the calmest classroom EVER. Everyone will listen to every word I say." Umm.. not exactly. Anyway, in my year as as second grade teacher we had procedures and routines that we followed and that worked for us. It worked and the kids knew what to do (most of the time). 

Fast forward to my first year in 5th grade, a.k.a. last year. I thought that since my students were older and wiser, they wouldn't need a fancy poster telling them what to do every morning. I was sure that if we went over sometime a few times, it would be set in stone. They would remember it always and forever. Then, I could sit back and relax... I wouldn't need to remind them of anything. Umm... not exactly. What I found was that, yes they were much older and wiser - but in order for me to maintain my sanity we were going to need some clear cut routines. Last year, the end of the day was a constant battle of "do this!", "do that NOW!" I would get so stressed out in the last few minutes of school that my brain would literally fall out of my head (okay, figuratively).

Since I'm one that adores structure and a solid plan, I knew that things had to be different this year. To me, that's one of the best parts about teaching - constantly changing to adapt to your classroom and personal needs. It's a beautiful thing. 

This year, we're starting off 2nd grade style - with anchor charts and written procedures. I have a sneaky feeling that this type of management at the beginning of the year is more of a personal preference. I'm not saying that YOU MUST have anchor charts to be successful by any means. I'm saying that I MUST have some kind of structure or my brain might implode before Labor Day. 

I've figured out the three "troublesome" times in my classroom. They are the following: morning procedure, transition time, and afternoon procedure. 

Let's look at our mornings:

Instead of saying, "Write your assignments!" "Turn in that homework, Bobby!" I can refer to our procedure that has been practiced and memorized. 

Moving onto transition time:

Side bar, the 5th grade in my building participates in a modified departmentalized set up. My students travel to another teacher for Math each day for 50 minutes. During that time, I teach an additional section of Science. 

Before my students ask, "Can I use the restroom on the way to Mrs. Ford's room?" I will say, "Oh little one, refer to the transition routine poster." 

Lastly, the end of the day:
Does anyone else experience pure chaos at this time?
Just me? Thought so.
Not anymore, folks. Well, at least I hope so.

Now, let's cross our fingers that my 2nd grade approach will hit home with these new 5th graders.  We wouldn't want any brains imploding, would we?

The Job Market is Officially Open!

2015 Update! Access the Job Application HERE via Google Docs. 

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My first year of teaching, I utilized classroom jobs and I loved them! My problem was, on Monday morning I would often forget to switch the jobs around and I didn't have a systematic approach to recording who had what job. It was a hot mess. Last year, I stuck to one job and one job only: a Captain. This job was great but at the end of the day I was a broken record constantly reminding students to do this and that. 

This year, I'm changing things around! I've been piddling around with a classroom job application for a month or so but thanks to Mrs. Poland at Think, Wonder, Teach and her post about classroom jobs.. I got a jump of motivation! 

Before school ended, I got a little crafty and made an "iHelp" job board/phone. At the time, I was wondering what jobs would fit into that phone. Now I've got all the pieces to make this job system work!

 Classroom Job Descriptions

2012-2013 

Captain: Each student will serve as the class captain for one week at a time. The captain’s duties are as follows:
·      Lead the class line down the hallway.
·      Send messages, lunch count, and notes to the office every morning.
·      Close the day with our afternoon meetings

 Student Ambassador (two): Ambassadors will be in charge of introducing new students to the Upper Elementary.         *This job lasts the entire school year.


Accountant: The accountant will tally up pod points at the end of the week and announce the “cushion winner!”

Librarian: The Librarian checks the room for stray books, straightens the fiction and nonfiction shelves, and checks to make sure all books are in ABC order.

Computer Technician: The computer tech is responsible for turning on the computers and logging them into the eMINTS network. At the conclusion of the day, the tech turns off the computers and hangs the mouse over the monitor.

Assignment Sorter: Puts all collected assignments in student number order, paper clips together, and places them on Ms. Furnell’s desk. The assignment sorter marks off who brought their homework from a list and places no name papers on the “No Name” board.


Postal Clerk: Delivers graded work and other items to student mailboxes daily.

Custodian: The Custodian is responsible for checking the floors and tabletops (desks and shared work areas) at the conclusion of the day for trash. The Custodian takes the recycling to the recycling bin when necessary.


Board Cleaner: The Board Cleaner is in charge of wiping down the white board at the end of the day. Remember to check with Ms. Furnell on what to erase and what to keep!


Scheduler: The scheduler changes the calendar at the end of each day to reflect tomorrow’s events and
date.

Pencil Sharpener:  The Sharpener makes sure there are enough sharpened pencil in the “sharp” bucket. Reminds peers to return any borrowed pencils and replaces dull pencils. 

Now, here is the fun part! Students will have to apply for their job. Instead of me panicking every Monday morning about who had what job, I'm taking a step back. Students will keep their job for an entire quarter. At the conclusion of the quarter, I'll hand out applications and let students apply for new or different jobs. 

If you would like to have a copy of my job application in a word document, email me [jordon.furnell@gmail.com]. I would be more than happy to send it you way so you can edit and modify the jobs to meet your classroom's needs. 

Now, I should probably get out of my pajamas and get ready for book club!