Highlights of My Spring Break Freebie

Just a quick post to hop in on some freebie sharing! I created a fun activity to use after winter break, so I swapped out some clipart so that you can use it for spring break! Click on the image to get it!

CUTE Signs for Any Classroom

Hello fellow fifth grade friends!

I have a FREEBIE to share with you! This is an 18-page packet of  signs and decor to use in any classroom:

 Here are some samples:

 

  

Aren't they cute?!? Click here to download them for FREE: Classroom Signs

If you download them, let me know what you think!

Stock Market Class Activity

Stock Market Project

We've been studying the 1920s and as we transition into the 1930s, we've stopped in at the Stock Market Crash of 1929. I find the stock market one of the trickiest things to teach - the kiddos can't grasp the concept of banks running out of money. They don't understand that when you deposit money in the bank, it doesn't just sit there in a box. So we read articles, watched videos, and played a classroom interactive stock market simulation called "Buy, Sell, or Trade" 

Here's a sample of what the display and student report could look like:

 Here's a blank template for the students to fill out:

Click here to grab a FREE copy of the packet: Stock Market Class Simulation

It may seem a little daunting and over-the-heads of many students, but it's worth it for the few students who really grasp it and are challenged by the concept - I have kids BEGGING to do it again for another five days next week! 

Continent Table Group Labels

I've been insanely jealous of all the bloggers writing about their productive snow days - we got a nice coating of snow, but had to watch the beautiful flakes fall from inside our classrooms. I had to lower my blinds to stop the incessant yelling of "SNOW!" every few minutes :)

Today began a new marking period - and for the students that means a fresh start! We talked a lot today about setting goals for a new quarter and making an action plan for being the best student and friend that we can be. 

I also changed my seating as the kids were whining and complaining asking for them :) I thought I'd share my group labels for someone to up their system/classroom now or to store away for next fall.

We change desks a lot in my class (about every 3 weeks) for a number of reasons:

1. It allows the students to work with a variety of classmates

2. Table groups can only sit together for so long before conflict arises,

3. I like to mix it up for our Team Challenge Competition.

Team Challenge Competition: Each week the students earn tally points for their "team" (table group) for answering questions correctly, being the first group cleaned up, waiting quietly, etc. Teams can also lose points for calling out, being off-task, arguing, disrespectful behavior, etc. On Friday the team with the most points wins either a prize from the treasure box (trinkets the kids go nuts for), a No Homework coupon, or a Lunch with Mrs. Lawler coupon. 

*I find the Team Challenge Competition is one of the best motivators for quality work and proper behavior - they are motivated by not only the incentive, but also the positive peer pressure from their group.*

I printed out the signs, backed them on construction paper, and laminated them. I then put stuck them on cute little picture frame holders I found in the Target $1 Spot.

You can download the signs for FREE from my TpT store: Continent Table Group Labels

Be Mine Pennant Banner

Here's the link.

Diane
Fifth in the Middle

Sad Opposite Night No One!

No, I have not lost my mind. No, a three year old did not type the title. No that is not a top-secret coded language. It's clear and purposeful - and perfectly timed because...Tomorrow (January 25th) is the official Opposite Day! 

So "Sad Opposite Night No One!" really means...

Happy Opposite Day Everyone!

I was so tired of my students teasing one another and then saying, "it's opposite day!" So in October I looked up the official Opposite Day and found out that it is celebrated each year in January. Once I told my kids this, they couldn't wait to celebrate! I've been trying to think how I could make it a fun (and educational) day, and I've decided to focus on Antonyms, or words that mean the opposite.

To celebrate, I've compiled a fun resource packet that I'm going to use and because tomorrow is also my birthday (no, not an opposite joke!) I've decided to make it available for FREE on Teachers Pay Teachers :)

Click here to download the 12-page packet: Opposite Day Activities.

Check out some sample pictures:

Note: These resources are not all my original ones - some are from free sites that I've compiled into my packet. 

Here's a fun book about Opposite Day you could read to your kiddos:

I found this is my research and thought it was cute...and thought-provoking :)

Are you doing anything for Opposite Day tomorrow? If so, please comment on your ideas/activities.

Also, if you download my packet, please rate it and leave a comment!

Successful Parent-Teacher Meetings

When I meet with a parent about a student, I like to have notes of what we discussed - for accountability, documentation, and to jog my memory when my brain feels like it's juggling 709,438 things :)

To help, I've created this quick and easy-to-use handout for taking notes during meetings with parents. It provides space for the date, the student name, recording who called the meeting (the parent or the teacher), the concerns presented, and a plan of action. It also allows the teacher to record the general atmosphere of the meeting and whether or not follow-up is needed.

(Click the picture to download template for FREE)

I have a separate form that I use when holding official parent-teacher conferences. This, on the other hand, is what I use for other meetings throughout the year, whether they be called because of behavior, academics, or another reason.

Here are some of my tips for holding parent meetings:

1. If you are calling the meeting, ask for a convenient time to meet and give them a heads-up about why you'd like to hold the meeting. You don't want them coming in and feeling blind-sided

2. Always start with a positive! Reassure them that you are their partner and want to see their son/daughter excel and achieve. 

I like to follow the OREO rule (which just makes my mouth water to think about!)

3. Show examples! If you are meeting with a student who really struggles in reading, show them a recent miscue analysis, a reading comprehension test, and a sample from their reading binder. If they're failing math, don't just tell them about their child's poor test grades - show them! Parents need to see that you're concerned because this is a pattern.

4. Be an active listener: You want to let the parents voice their concerns without interrupting or feeling defensive. Show the parent that you were listening by repeating back to them their concerns during the meeting and then pause...deep breath....reflect...respond.

Rule of thumb: Respond, Don't React.

5. Make an action plan: you and the parent need to work together to craft some strategies for improvement. We can talk about a problem all day long, but if we don't brainstorm any ideas for fixing the problem, we aren't accomplishing anything.

6. Follow-up: Send an e-mail or make a phone call a couple days after the meeting to re-cap and/or let them know that you're working on things discussed. If you were going to talk to another teacher about the student's behavior in his class, then send a quick note saying that you've done so.

Here's an example from a meeting I conducted:

I printed it out and put it in Nathalie's file for reference and documentation. This is not the first meeting I've had with her parents and tutor, so I was able to refer back to previous meetings and see what had been discussed and decided then. Next time we meet, I'll be able to reference this one.

Click here to download your FREE copy of the Teacher-Parent Meeting Note sheet.

Any tips you would like to share for hosting a successful parent-teacher meeting?