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Storyworks Debates

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Scholastic Storyworks is a paid subscription service that mails out monthly magazines and provides access to a valuable backlog of digital material. Although the content is full of gems, I'd like to highlight the Debate readings a jumpstart and reinforcement of opinion writing that students can engage with all year long. I use the readings to create a Google Slides show that students can complete independently. They are tasked with reading (or hearing me read) the text, filling in a graphic organizer, writing a script (opinion writing piece), and recording a Flipgrid video to share with the class. This is a wonderful conversation starter and students love the ability to participate in the online debates.  Tips from personal experience: -Do a few of these together before assigning a independent work. -Preview the text and use your best judgement when controversial topics arise. -If this is your first time using Flipgrid, start with having students create non-academic videos first so...
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The 40 Book Challenge

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  The 40 Book Challenge is a project that I have adapted from Chicago based teacher Ben Kovacs. This simple tool generates a ton of buzz around independent reading across my grade level and has students swapping reading material faster than you can imagine. Students are assigned a personal reading record via Google Forms and challenged to read 40 selections in over 10 genres. Book reviews are simple and can be completed in under 5 minutes. The point is not to bog them down with so much writing that they get distracted from the reading. Results prove that this project is an effective hit! Tips from personal experience: -Log the first book as a class. Use your first novel or read aloud. This is the only book they can use from a whole-class shared reading experience, however, so they read more independently.  -Have a yard sign made that says, "I completed the 40 Book Challenge in _______'s class" and send it home with students for a week after they've finished the assign...
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Learning Target Tracker

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Creating observable goals for students to reach is essential to the learning process. My team and I use a specific format for learners to be able to track their progress throughout the course of a unit. These digital target trackers allow us to monitor their progress and see if their self-evaluations are in line with ours. After assessing their abilities, learners can use the wealth of materials provided in our online resources to get the extensions, additional practice, or review needed. Tips from personal experience: -Start slow. Model what the various levels look like using concrete examples. -Be sure to develop the resources students will need after they determine next steps.  -Don't feel like you have to have trackers for every subject matter. Chose one area and then build out over time.   Click here for a copy of the target tracker!
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Week in Rap

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  Although Flocabulary's platform is behind a paywall, a subscription is well worth the cost for their Week in Rap alone. New videos are posted weekly that keep students up to date with current events in an engaging and memorable way. There are two viewing option posted every Friday, a clip intended for 3-5th grades and one more suitable for 6-12th.  Tips from personal experience: -Preview the videos before watching with your class. Sensitive topics frequent even the 3-5th grade level. -Encourage your students to bring in current events throughout the week and see if they are featured in Friday's clip. -Ask your admin or PTA for funds to purchase an individual or grade level license.  Click here for a link to Flocabulary!
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Family Survey

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The start of the school year is brimming with opportunity in so many different areas. Building a solid bridge between home and school can be difficult to establish due to the busy lives that many parents and guardians lead. The Family Survey my team and I have sent the past few years is a wonderful way to solicit parent input on their timeline. Feel free to click below to make a personal copy and alter it to your liking. Tips from personal experience: -Send to both sets of parents if they are divorced. -Use the information at goal setting conference. -See if parent perception matches the information provided from the previous year's teacher. Any discrepancies may communicate a lot. -Use this data, rather than the emails listed in your school's database, to compile your email list as it is often more current. Click here for a copy of the survey!
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Augmented Reality (AR)

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Have you ever wanted to spark curiosity via thoughtful and simple tech integration? Augmented Reality might be for you! Bring digital artifacts into your classroom via a cell phone or tablet to deepen understanding and generate thoughtful conversations. Tips from experience: -Starting with a non-academic subject might be a fun way to get used to this tool before tying to essential standards. -Not everyone needs a device! Using AR in small groups, where turn taking can take place is a wonderful first step. -Let your students drive the discussion and explore as freely as possible. Remember, they are tech natives and will be able to problem solve with ease! Click below to learn more!
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  I am a fourth grade teacher based in Southern California. Although my main focus is to share and explore resources that can be applied to the fourth grade curriculum, I have experience teaching first and fifth grade as well. My hope is that all of the material explored here can be altered to fit the needs of kids at all grade levels. I am by no means an expert in any one particular area but am always happy to add new items to my toolbox and share my thoughts along the way. Thanks for joining me! A.
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