"Absolutely!!"
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| J. Smith, All Rights Reserved, 2016 |
Tuesday, October 25, 2016
A Student's Art/Reading/Knowledge sketch
"Mr. Flemming, I have this drawing idea of a fist coming out of books with the title 'Knowledge is Power'. Can I bring it to you?" ~5th Grader
"Absolutely!!"
"Absolutely!!"
Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Get the Kids' Opinions
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| image from store.scholastic.com |
Solution: Get the kids' opinions on a fair way to distribute books during the time set aside for silent/relaxing reading.
May I also take time to thank some of my personal friends and family, who when they heard of my dilemma, offered to gather their own kids' used books or volunteered to pick up one or two or more!
I've maintained for some time that reading is meant to be enjoyed not tested! We have a ways to go, but in the interim, let's get them to love reading and letting the words take their imaginations to......wherever!!
"RACE" Movie Soundtrack in Class
Today I played one song from the 'RACE' movie soundtrack in class.
"Let the Games Begin"
Prior to the start, I read the lyrics poetically. As one class was settling down, the mood in the room instantly changed. I could hear quiet mumbles of affirmation and whispers of agreement and inspiration. The tone of the class period was set and you could cut the "we can do this" attitude with a knife if you wanted!
Let's gooooo!!!!! Let the games begin!! We got this!!!
"Let the Games Begin"
Prior to the start, I read the lyrics poetically. As one class was settling down, the mood in the room instantly changed. I could hear quiet mumbles of affirmation and whispers of agreement and inspiration. The tone of the class period was set and you could cut the "we can do this" attitude with a knife if you wanted!
Let's gooooo!!!!! Let the games begin!! We got this!!!
Stuffed Animals and 5th Graders
Last year, near the end of the school year I had an idea and it worked. Read about it here. It involved adding stuffed animals to the classroom library. The idea caught on even as a personal friend of mine thought of me as she toured the NJ aquarium. She purchased a hippo from the gift shop to add to the collection.
While I'm sure teachers have been doing it for ages, you must remember I'm coming from middle school grades. This year, I'm trying it earlier and with my 90+ 5th graders. We'll see how they respond. They already love the idea of pillows.
While I'm sure teachers have been doing it for ages, you must remember I'm coming from middle school grades. This year, I'm trying it earlier and with my 90+ 5th graders. We'll see how they respond. They already love the idea of pillows.
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| The larger ones are on loan from a colleague. The smaller ones were purchased in the sale/(clearance?) section of a department store. |