It's All in the Timing

Hello all!

    Did you like reading all of my posts that I posted every month??? No??? Haha! To say that this year has been crazy is a complete understatement! We have gone through so much in these months...especially since my last post in September (the day before my birthday 😜). It has been difficult adjusting to our new COVID classroom/campus. We have had to change the way we do so many things. For me, this has been a major shift in the way that I deliver instruction. If you know me, you know that I am very hands-on, interactive, collaborative, and transformative. To add another level to this year, my students were expecting all of these things because they are joining me again. This is my one and only 3rd grade group! I got to see how much they grew and changed. I also got to work with them in a different subject area than what I previously did. It has been an adventure. Not only were we just trying to survive and exist with all of our restrictions, but we were also trying out best to do it in a fun way. I was trying my best not to burst at the seam with limitations on classroom transformation and they knew it! Whenever we talk about our best days, we always end up discussing something crazy that happened in 3rd grade. It's ok though. If this year has taught us anything, it is that we can persevere and we can take the things we have around us and make them into something magical. Here's to a great summer! I headed to Jamaica in a few weeks and I....CAN'T...WAIT!!! Click the link below to view our 5th Grade Promotional Video. Enjoy!

A Moment in Time

First Day...Virtual?

Boy, has it been a loooooong time since my last post and let me just say that things have definitely changed! Welcome to a new year of school! This is the first year we are starting off virtually. We had a great first day getting students integrated into the new learning management system, Canvas. Though we are having a rocky start with COVID-19 things going around, together we can make this a great year! I think it's important for use to remember that we can still do great things...even remaining in our bubble. From me, you can expect me to be stepping ALL the way out of the box to try to maintain some normalcy of excitement and learning in the classroom. I can't wait to see just what we get into next! Until next time...

Retropost...The Glow Up!

What a year this has been! I am so excited to be back in 5th grade again. This year, I am back in the position I first started teaching in which is ELAR/SS. While I do miss my self-contained class, I am thoroughly enjoying getting to know these awesome students at my campus. 5th grade has my heart! 😍😍 

It also appears that SOMEONE has been neglecting updating on all things Teaching with Soul...don't tell her I told you 😄. So here I am with a retro post because I just can't help but think about my 3rd grade kiddos from last year and all of the fun things we were doing around this time. Unfortunately, this group hasn't gotten there yet, but I feel like we are on our way to the crazy things that take place in my imagination. Enjoy the look back and look forward to some awesome posts coming soon! Here is to having a GREAT YEAR!!


------------------------------------------ This day was so epic and so much fun! This was my first time implementing this transformation. Of course, the students had no idea what they would be walking into that morning...complete darkness was the last thing on their minds. Half the job of classroom transformations is the set up. With the right set up, and rigorous content, everything will flow the way it should. For this transformation, I combined Glow Day with a review for our district's 1st math unit assessment on Place Value and Problem Solving with Addition and Subtraction of Whole Numbers. 

This was up on our screen as students entered the room. 

I had several stations located around the classroom that included activities for students to complete with a partner. For this particular transformation, I timed students at each station so that they could rotate and get to all of the areas. I knew that there would be certain areas students wanted to stick around in longer 😁.

That's me! 😊

I love how these vest are GLOW ready!

For all of the stations, students had a booklet made. Inside the booklet, there were review questions aligned to our STAAR  examination. Students followed along in their booklets as they answered questions, discussed, and played the game that was set up at that station. 

Below, you can see photos of each station set up. Of course, this was before the students came in! I think next time, I am going to go for more darkness with darker panels. This year, I used black table clothes. I have so many windows in my classroom that I had to place them strategically. Tweak it every year!

Glow Pong

Glow Flippin'

Glow Jenga

Glow Bowl

Glow Cotton Bowl

                   

Glow Toss

Glow Spoons

At each station, students had directions for the station and matching task cards to the questions in their booklets. They worked together to solve the problems, discuss and make corrections if needed. This was an amazing thing to see in motion as students talked though some of their confusion. 

If I do have a Glow Day this year, I wonder what fun learning we can get into!! As always, until next time!

Let the good times roll!

Whew! This has been quite a school year! I did not imagine I would have so much fun getting to know new coworkers and new students. 3rd grade has been a great adventure and we are going into our last stretch of the school year. I am so upset that I have not updated here as often as I would like. Since I have not done that, I have decided to feature some retro information to update you on all of the amazing things we have done this school year. I am so proud of how far my Superhero Panthers have come and I am so excited about where they will go in the future!

Let me give you a recent retro post now as I sit here wishing I was back home for one more day...check out the feet...do you know where I want to be??? 👀💖😀

My favorite accessories worn Mardi Gras day purchased from a cart at a parade...home is where my💖 is.

Mama Stricklini’s Pizzeria (March 2019)
This past week...before this amazing Spring Break :)...we closed out our unit on fractions. I must admit that I had tons of fun exploring all of these different concepts with students. It is different seeing it from the 3rd graders perspective. Coming from 5th grade, I definitely understand the importance of setting a solid foundation for fractions because...chile!...it gets intense!. Anyway, I am so proud of my Panthers and how they pushed through identifying fractions of a whole and set, composing and decomposing fractions, partitioning fractions (👀), equivalent fractions (thankful for number lines and pictorial models 😄) and comparing fractions. We have done so much! They have out performed themselves. I thought it would be a great idea during our reteach day, to review these concepts in Mama Stricklini's Pizzeria (established March 2019...haha). Intro the logo please!!

The students entered the room and saw this setup.

Each table was a different station that was used to review a fraction concept. The aluminum take out plates have STAAR questions aligned to the concept of that station. As students answered questions, they wrote them down on an answer sheet that traveled with them on a clipboard.


*I used this a mini transformation, so no background changing, but students were immersed in Italy with music that played for the duration.

Students were dressed in chef hats and aprons to add to the ambiance...

I had my apron on too!


There was one teacher led table. The content for the teacher led table was chosen because it was one of our weaker areas I noticed after analyzing our previous day's unit assessment. I had so much fun working with each student in small groups addressing the misconceptions of partitioning fractions of a set. The conversations we had were insightful! Here is a breakdown of each group.

Teacher Group (Rotation 1)

We used Gummi Pizza Candy to practice partitioning whole pizzas among friends (i.e. 2 pizzas, 5 friends...what fraction would each person get...etc.)

*It was a plus that they were already divided in fifths!

You can see the answer sheet here with
question numbers for each space. 

After we practiced with the Gummi Pizza, students used stickers of whole pizzas and we created word problems that needed them to share those pizzas with different amounts of friends. We were also forced to analyze the "Cathy and her 4 friends" questions. Students learned to not leave out the main person in these situations. Or, as I would say...Poor Cathy gets no pizza!

Oh yeah...they got to eat the Gummi Pizza while answering questions!

Rotation 2 & 3 (Make a Pizza)

Students at this table took their planning sheet and used it to create a pizza box pizza. The box had to include equivalent fractions and decomposing of fractions according to the slices of pizza they decorated.

 

Students were able to spend two rotations working on this project.

Rotation 4 (Design a Pizza)

Students at this table created pizzas using stickers. For each fraction they created according to a pizza slice, made a comparison. (For example, 1/2 pepperoni > 1/8 sausage, etc.)

Rotation 5 (Fill it Up!)

Students at this table played a game of who can create a whole pizza the fastest. They used a spinner to find out what pieces they could use. Students had to bring in knowledge of equivalent fractions to know if they could finish before their group member. 

Rotation 6 (Break It Down)

Students at this table roll die to create a fraction. They then decomposed that fraction using unit fractions. Students competed to see who could create the sum of unit fractions the fastest. 

This is me..searching a picture of this table that I obviously do not have...ugh!

Give Me Pizza!

Finally, after all of that hard work and talk about pizza, I gave students an opportunity to make their own pizzas. I threw them in my toaster oven that I dragged out of my pantry and students ate those little pizzas up like they had never had pizza before. Maybe it's because they made it with their own hands...? I don't know, but it was an amazing way to end an amazing day filled with learning and fun! Stay tuned for another retro post coming soon!

 

 

Retropost: New Beginnings in Sight...

     This post has been a long time coming. As I work in my new classroom, I reflect on the past and how awesome my experience was at Liberty Grove. I have truly enjoyed and I will always remember every family that I have been in contact with. There are some people you meet that will forever be a part of your heart. That is what I feel for my Liberty Grove family. I am always but an email or DM away...so see you later my Liberty Grove family..

     My reflective state of mind also gives me a chance to prepare for what is to come. I am so excited to be joining this new team in a new position. Who ever would have thought I would leave 5th grade for 3rd grade! I can't believe it myself, but I believe this move is for a purpose. I can't wait to meet all of those little faces that will be working with me on this new journey. If you are reading this and you are one of my past Gators...or Gators who I never had the chance to have in my classroom...please know that I STILL LOVE YOU and I am ALWAYS here if you need me. If you are reading this and you are one of my current or future Panthers...LET'S GET READY TO ROCK AND ROLL my little Superhero! This is going to be a new beginning for all of us and this is going to be an awesome year! 

Life Cycles, Structures, and Functions...Oh My!

What a week we have had! New rotations, new behaviors, big disappointments. There is always a new day though. I have learned and always lived by the fact that when we mess up, we can do things differently tomorrow. We must learn from our mistakes. I try to instill that same spirit into these amazing students that I see everyday. Yes, our routine has been completely changed, but that is no excuse to change and resort to negative behaviors. I hope that after this break this weekend, students will come back ready to grind even harder. Today was especially tough. It is my hope that students have learned from this event. Whenever the consequence is administered, I hope students accept it and adjust so that we can move on with our leaning...especially since I only get to see them for 1 hr and 30 now. Things have certainly changed... Check below for updates!



Quick game of "Predator vs. Prey." The "predator" got upset when when the prey started using their structures and functions to survive.

 

This group broke out of our STAAR Review Escape Room...Congrats!

A couple of our superheroes received awards from the district this week. Congratulations girls! You deserve this recognition for all of your hard work and effort!

Joe Garcia New Image Award Recipient

             


             
               Goldie Locke Excel Award Recipient











Students worked on animal hybrids this week. Each hybrid was labeled with inherited traits and learned behaviors.

Stay tuned for our research on animals, their environmental effects and their structures and functions.









Lots of things going on this week. Can't wait to see what happens next!

It's Been So Long!!!

     Hello, hello! It has been far too long since my last post. I have found that the beginning of the school year gets more and more hectic as each school year comes around. We have thoroughly been enjoying ourselves learning new things and building confidence in areas that some may believe they are weaker in. This is an amazing group of students I am working with this year!  I am reminded of that every time we do a group project and I hear such rich discussion about their thinking. Of course, sometimes our discussion tends to stray :)...but they know how to reel it back in to the task at hand. Let's remember, they are 5th graders after all. I think sometimes people lose sight of the fact that these are kids that we are preparing for the future. We should be teaching them what it means to be successful. Positivism all around! If this group work is any indication, we are on the right path to a successful student! Until next time...

Talking through translating expressions!

Discussing Testable vs. Non-Testable Questions 

Taking ownership of AVID Expectations...student created posters! 

Point of view scenes...students wrote about what took place from different perspectives and points of view.

I just LOVE it when they work together!!!