Mentor Sentences

Okay, so strolling through on fb, and  I see this video about "Mentor Sentences". In my mind, I'm thinking this must be something like a "sentence stems" to help students with writing and speaking in complete sentences. But Nooooo!! This is so much more!! I like this idea of using a mentor sentence daily. I'm going to reflect to see how I can implement this concept into my classroom. What do you guys think?If you use please share your implementation strageties??  Math Saavy Teacher

MClass Dibels TRC practice

Well... here is one of my latest projects that I am working on in my classroom. We use Dibels (mClass) as a reading assessment for my state. Who loves Dibeling??? Lol!! This task is trying, yet the reports can really tell several things about the students in reading concepts and application. What I have noticed in my third graders that written comprehension (TRC) or their ability to answer "text dependent questions" is a weak skill. I spend a lot of time, teaching my sweeties how to find textual evidence using Runner's Strategy and write their answers in complete sentences (turning the question into a statement and answer the question using the connector words like "because".  I also check out this resource, MClass Reading 3D TRC Written Comprehension using Reading A-Z. by Courtney Eller. This resource is absolutely wonderful!!! It knocks out two things with one stone, fluency practice and written comprehension. Anyone looking for a prepackage resource to help in this area, I encourage you to check this product out.  FYI- the fluency passages are found on www.readinga-z.com .  Math Saavy Teacher

MClass Reading 3D TRC Written Comprehension using Reading A-Z

www.readinga-z.com

I'm Back!!

Hello!! I've been gone for a while but I'm back!! (YAY!) Since the start of this blog, I have change roles in my job, gone back to school, and had two major life events. (whew!) Yet, I'm excited to say that I am currently a 3rd grade homeroom teacher now of 3 years. I've had a major surgery, and have 6 weeks of recovery time, so why not revive my blog and exchange the latest greatest in strategies for the classroom. Im looking forward to talking all things education!!
Math Saavy Teacher

Reading stamina

I have been incorporating reading stamina breaks,  based on the daily 5.  My third graders are up to 3 mins,  which is way better than 11 secs *their first score!

Daily 5 Math

So i've been researching on Daily 5 math and like what I see so far. But I want to hear from teachers who have implemented the program or plan to this upcoming school year. I would love to hear any advice!

Talk with you soon!

Great Mental Math strategies

http://hrsbstaff.ednet.ns.ca/pcooke/Math/mental_math_strategies.htm

Geometry Task Cards-3rd Grade

This resource is another gem found on Teachers pay Teachers.

Geometry Task Cards (3.G.1) (click on the title for the link to the resource)

I used this as a review for 3rd graders in a whole group fashion. I also loved the language of the questions. Great test prep activity.

Materials: task cards, recording sheets,  and quadrilateral anchor chart

Prior to the activity,  students watched a quadrilateral video from YouTube:  "Know Your Quadrilaterals"

With this task card activity, it was conducted whole group, but I split students into two smaller cooperative groups,  to be of assistance.

Being that homeroom teachers wanted me to reinforce this skill,  I found an anchor chart (dont know remember exactly where I got this :( for student review and copied to the back of recording sheet.

I gave students the task cards. (1 per student) and gave them 2 minutes to solve each card. Afterward, students would rotate the card until they have answered all cards in group and stop when they have recieved their original problem back.

I went over  the answers aloud, as this was a reteaching lesson. But you could definitely collect the recording sheets and use it formatively.

Tpt link - http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Geometry-Task-Cards-FREE-440709

Enjoy!!