Common Core Checklists

As promised, I have created Common Core Checklists for English Language Arts and Mathematics for grades K-6.

I have created individualized checklists for each of the sections of the ELA and Math Common Core.  I used these this past school year in my classroom. I won't lie, it took me a while to get in the habit of having them out as I grade and assess. Within time, I got the hang of it and had GREAT data for each of my students. The checklists allowed me to show my principal, parents, and myself which students were mastering the standards and which ones needed more assistance/reteaching.  I found the checklists especially helpful when trying to get students tested. I had the data right in front of me to show the testing team what his/her strengths and weaknesses were...it really helped me stay focused on what the problem(s) were.

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As the year winds down, this is a great time to download, print, and organize this product. I printed one for each student, and put them in a binder. Each student had a tab, so I could focus just on that individual student. You could also organize your binder by Common Core section. For example, label each paper with student name from the section of writing. This would show how your class is doing in that particular section of Common Core. I just personally liked organizing them by student rather than by standard section. I could just put all my focus on that student's complete performance of the Common Core Standards.

English Language Arts Common Core Checklists (K-6)
Kindergarten Common Core Checklist
1st Grade Common Core Checklist
2nd Grade Common Core Checklist 
3rd Grade Common Core Checklist
4th Grade Common Core Checklist
5th Grade Common Core Checklist
6th Grade Common Core Checklist


Mathematics Common Core Checklists (K-6)
Kindergarten Common Core Checklist
1st Grade Common Core Checklist
2nd Grade Common Core Checklist
3rd Grade Common Core Checklist
4th Grade Common Core Checklist
5th Grade Common Core Checklist
6th Grade Common Core Checklist

Summer Success

Learning all year-round is very important for all students. If your school does not have something already in place for this (book club, activities, calendar, etc), I have created a calendar for grades 2 & 3 to complete over the summer break.  In the past when I have created the calendar, I have given an activity for each weekday, journal writing, and even just reading each day of the week.  My calendars vary considering the needs of the class that year.

Now, the returning the calendar part...

This has always been an issue, and I haven't figured out the best way to implement this, unless it is required by the school. Although, you can always give out rewards. As students bring the calendar back with parent signatures on each day of the completed task, I give students some sort of treat. I have given out snacks, drinks, pick from the Treasure Box, etc. I like to reward those students for going above and beyond.

If your school does a "Meet the Teacher" on the last day of school, this is a perfect time to hand this out for your upcoming class. What a great way to already challenge them and get them thinking before you even have time to teach them anything.  Also, students are going to be more likely to turn it in as they want to make a good impression with you to start the year off.  I was amazed with the results!  With this, you are able to give even better rewards like "No Homework Passes" and things that will benefit them during that school year in your class. But I know this is not an option for many schools.

I created a reusable calendar and checklist you can use with your current students or the ones for the upcoming year. I created a calendar (with no dates) so you are able to customize and use it from year to year! This product includes both a second grade version and a third grade version.

The Calendar Version: Includes activities 7-days a week. Monday-Friday are activities for reading, math, and writing. Saturday-Sunday are social activities in which students are creating, building relationships, or enjoying nature. A parent signature is required each day an activity is completed.

The Checklist Version: Includes activities 7-days a week. There is no specific order students have to complete the activities in, but they are both academic and social activities. A weekly parent signature is only required once the student has completed everything on the checklist.

I created both students, because as we know..you know your students better than anyone! Both versions are available in one product in my TPT store.

Sale. Sale. Sale.

On May 6th AND 7th, Teachers Pay Teachers will be throwing a site-wide sale. Along with their sale, please enjoy an EXTRA 15% sale from my store as well. What a better way to load up for the end of of the school year or even look into next year's organization!?!

Just a FEW of the products that will be on sale for the 2-day sale.

 

Teaching Literary Genres

I think teaching literary genres can be really fun, but difficult at times. Thank goodness for Pinterest, bloggers, and the other resources on the internet to give me amazing resources to teach the topic. Check out this website for great PDF versions of a few genre posters.

I start of teaching each genre in isolation, as each grade learns a few new genres as each year progresses. You can find amazing videos and teaching chart examples to teaching the units. As for my anchor charts, I like to make 1 chart per genre. I know what you're thinking: "Where do you put them all?!" When I am done teaching all of the genres, I do a review week where students have to start figuring out the differences and identifying them in a larger context. At the beginning of that week, I'll make one anchor chart to keep up for the remainder of the year that has all of the genres and just a short definition/characteristics so students can use it to reference later on.

This past year when I taught 3rd grade, I had students begin the "Traveling Through the Book Genres" packet where they are to read many different books to identify that book on the correct genre page. I had students fill out that particular genre page throughout the week we studied that genre. During our review week, they tied up any lose ends and compared/contrasted two of the genres we studied. My students did a really good job!

 

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Good luck teaching this unit and have fun! There are some amazing books out there! Look for a post soon for some read alouds for each of these genres!

Vocabulary Practice...FREEBIE Included

One skill set I find difficult to teach is vocabulary. I just fill like it is one of those "drill & kill" skills that are not much fun to teach and you unfortunately do not have as much time as you'd like to spend on it everyday. What is even worse is the fact that it is really important!

As I have tried many different types of vocabulary lessons, activities, technology, etc. I still need students to practice. Have I mentioned those awful worksheets the reading series always come with...gag! What a waste of time for students to complete and for me to look over.

I have created a matrix I use with my students weekly. They complete this matrix during their literacy station time. It is amazing for a spiral review, focusing on dictionary skills:

• ABC order
• Guide Words
• Parts of Speech (abbreviations as well: v, n, adj)
• antonym/synonym
• Using it in students own language
• Finding the correct definition
• Being able to visualize the word (illustrating

My students complete this task before they come to my small group rotation. Our books will cover those same words, and it is great when students have this background knowledge they have found on their own before meeting with me. As always, you learn more when you figure out the answers yourself rather than someone telling you. 

My students seemed to be more alert about the new vocabulary, and they also seem confident in their vocabulary and even dictionary skills. This is a task they knew they needed to complete and sat their independently with their dictionary...too cute! Check out the FREEBIE below to use it in your classroom as well. Good luck!

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Classroom Rewards

One thing I make sure to always push hard in the beginning of the year is my reward system. This year, I tried Class Dojo which I absolutely loved and so did my students. Each week if they still had an "A" for citizenship I would give them some sort of treat. Some weeks I would give candy, pencils, treasure box picks, or one of my favorites (because it costs me absolutely nothing!) is my classroom coupons.

I am always trying to think of new coupons and whipping them up on the computer quickly or writing them on a post-it note (Yes, sadly I have done this before) isn't always the best method. I finally sat down and made some really fun and modern classroom coupons.

Click here for the full set of 17 coupons + 1 set of blank cards. For more products, please visit my TPT Store. 

And for my favorite followers, please enjoy a {FREEBIE} for the No Homework Passes!

Writing as Homework!?

Tired of searching and searching for the perfect prompt to use in literacy stations, small groups, writing time, and an every day practice? I felt the same way, as I have my students complete a prompt once a week for homework. This is how is works:

• Assigned on Monday Night---due Wednesday Morning
• Yellow 3-tab folder
• 2 dividers inside
• Resource Tab
• Rubric
• Word Wall Chart
• References for writing (transitions, adjectives, phrasing)
• Guidelines (Title paper, date, # of paragraphs, etc)
• Projects Tab
• Blank lined writing paper
• As the year went on my expectations grew higher (multiple paragraphs, on topic, word choices)
• I use a rubric and put a letter grade, but the grade never goes into the grading book, as I know parents are supporting at home. 
• I never discourage parent support with these unless I can tell the parent wrote the entire assignment. I know parents are giving great support at home with writing organization and paragraph use. I encourage it so they are able to do the independent work with me in class. 

 

Being new to third grade this past year, I had my checklist set at the beginning of the year. By October, I needed to raise the bar and set higher standards, so don't mind the correction on there! hehe!

I tried this first with my 2nd graders during the second semester. They did really well, but I tried with a notebook, and they didn't hold up very well by the end of the year. When I looped up with my class, I continued to the Monday Night Writing Prompt homework, but I used a yellow folder instead. I am so glad I did the folders because papers do not fall out and they can stand the wear-tear of going to and from school. 

I go back and use the rubric I provided them with to grade their work. I never actually put it in the gradebook as I know many students are getting too much help and others aren't getting enough help at home. I always write comments, so they know I am reading their work and taking it seriously. 

I get easily frustrating trying to find prompts to use. I worry I am giving them too many narratives and that I am not keeping track of the types of prompts I have given them. I finally created prompt task card file where it helps me coordinate which types of writing I have given them. This has helped a lot and my students always love guessing which type of writing I am giving them for homework! There are 150 prompt tasks cards total (50 Narratives, 50 Opinions, 50 Informative/Explanatory Texts, & a few blank cards to create your own). 

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I really believe in this method and will continue giving writing homework this week. I only give homework I believe students can benefit from. My parents commented by the end of the year and even the following year as I looped up with many of the students on how much better their writing has gotten. I saw a lot more confidence in my class when they were given independent writing activities as well. Now, I know what you're thinking...I did give other homework as well. My students didn't luck out as their only piece throughout the week. My breakdown was as follows:

Monday: Writing prompt & differentiated math fact practice (based on their skill level: add, sub, or multiplication)

Tuesday: Reading passage (to prepare for standardized tests) & math skill sheet (based on current skill) & reminder to bring Writing folder back tomorrow!

Wednesday: Re-read weekly story and answer a response to literature question; Study for spelling test

Thursday: Problem Solving worksheet & study for vocabulary, daily math review tests

Friday: Bring back signed Citizenship Folder (log) for Monday morning

I don't have parents complain as I try to differentiate where it is needed throughout the week, so parents know their child is getting what they need!