Wonder Wednesday Begins in Pictues

Here I go again thinking in pictures, I learn best through pictures. On blogs, I search for pictures to help me understand how to transfer a new idea to my classroom. Yesterday, we officially started Wonder Wednesday.  Officially means: every Wednesday I will teach a mini lesson from a wonder and students will be working in their new wonder notebook.  So the visual tour begins....

Anchor Chart: focus skills: parts of a wonder (pink sticky note),  background knowledge (BK), answering 3 focus questions and choosing 2-3 new vocabulary words. When we came back together, I had the students write their new learning on the chart.  They love to record on the chart paper.

time to read the wonder and search for answers and vocabulary using context clues (wonder notebook on clipboard)

Our first class comment including many students new learning. Notice the connections to our read aloud Capture the Flag.

instant feedback-priceless!

 

Poetry Friday: State Testing & Idioms

In my school district, we start our state testing next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.  I have blogged and voiced my concerns about the state tests.  I was thinking about state testing and for some reason idioms came to mind.  My apologies for not a typical poem but thought it might be fun to share.


I throw my hat into the wind as testing starts next week.
I had a major chip on my shoulder however I know this test is a drop in the bucket when I reflect on my students' learning this year.
My hope would be that my parent community realizes a picture paints a thousand words and their child's picture has been a work of art since September and will continue to be painted through the end of May. 
I hope my students hit the hay early and don't get up on the wrong side of the bed the morning of the tests.
I predict  my students will  break a leg and go the extra mile on their 2 and 4 pt. responses. They need to go for broke as well and use their loaf. 
By the way I will enjoy testing when pigs fly! 


Best of luck to all students who are taking states tests next week and congratulations to all the teachers who have gone above and beyond in preparing their classes!!


Check out Poetry Friday @ The Opposite of Indifference. Thanks for hosting Tabatha.