Sea Life Photograph Collection

I am writing a quick post to let you know about my new resource that I just posted.  A collection of 25 high quality aquarium and sea life photographs.  They are available as jpg (although I can convert them if you wish).

If you are giving students a project on sea life, ecology, or teaching a unit and need photographs, this can be a great resource.  You no longer need to worry about copyright, or finding just the right images.

And....just for my blog readers, I'm giving away 2 pictures for free, so you can see the quality.  Those are available in high quality at this link and this link.

Hope you enjoy!

This is What It Looks Like When I Do Interactive Notebooks

I recently got an email from a teacher who used interactive notebooks, but wanted to get better at using them, and had some questions for me. I thought I would post some of the highlights from our discussion here, in case others are wondering the same thing.

How do you do vocabulary in them?
How do you organize a unit? 

I focus on vocabulary in INB's in two ways.  First, at the start of each unit my students make a cover page.  In traditional INB fashion, this cover page has a left and right hand page (input and output).

On the student output side, I have them divide the page into four.  In the center of the four squares I have them write the title of the unit.  Then in each of the four boxes I give them a key vocabulary word for the unit.

Then I have them use the textbook, look online, or based on their own knowledge, draw a picture that goes with each vocabulary term, and write a caption.  This gets them connecting to what they already know, and previewing the topics.

On the teacher input side I give them a sheet that has the learning objectives of that unit, and the key vocabulary for the unit.

This gives the students a reference point, as well a view of where they are going during this unit.

Then at the end of the unit I have them write a reflection that has to include main points they have learned in the unit, and a reflection on their work.  In their reflection, they have to use a certain number of the key vocabulary terms.  They also have to revisit their work and discuss, what pages did they do the best on?  What could they have improved upon?  Etc.

I find that these two experiences really help them to focus on the main concepts of the unit, and tie together what they are learning.

Image from http://mrsloving.weebly.com/interactive-notebook-information.html

Here is a sample of the objectives that I might use....

A Useful Gift For You: Exit Tickets and Much More

I was lucky to be part of a cooperative effort spearheaded by Brain Waves Instruction, Literary Sherri, and Getting Nerdy with Mel and Gerdy. Each page gives a chance to 'meet' a secondary seller, and a printable, ready to teach freebie.  My page includes 4 immediately usable exit tickets.  These are part of a larger e-book with TONS of resources, across subject areas (see below for details).

They have compiled 3 FREE Meet and Teach e-books profiling SECONDARY teacher-authors and sharing print-and-teach resources from 25 TpT stores in each e-book.  The e-books center around ELA, Math & Science, and Humanities (Social Studies, Art, Foreign Language, and more ELA).  In them you'll find a 'meet' page completed by each seller that includes responses to 5 prompts.  You'll get to learn a bit about each seller like their favorite book or things that make them happy.  Then, each seller provided you with a 1-page resource that you can use in your classroom.  These e-books are filled with awesome teachers, little insights into each sellers' life, and resources that are easy to implement in your classroom.  They're pretty amazing.  Of course, you don't have to take my word for it, you can find them here:

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Meet-and-Teach-eBook-ELA-Grades-6-12-Free-1468027

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Meet-and-Teach-eBook-Math-Science-Grades-6-12-Free-1466695

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Meet-and-Teach-eBook-Humanities-Grades-6-12-Free-1466589


Download each free e-book and you'll get a chance to meet and teach resources from these teacher-authors: 

An InLinkz Link-up

>

Learning Reflection Sheet Exclusive Free Gift

In secondary education I feel that we don’t spend enough time building relationships, and 

nurturing our students’ curiosity because we are bound by curriculum and pacing.   This sheet is something that I often use at the end of the class period in my own classroom.  We are only two weeks into school and I  and have already found that students are looking for my response each day, and are thinking about what to write during class (reflecting upon what they learned, or jotting down questions). 

This tool has become a great tool for formative assessment, and especially for 

differentiation. It is open-ended enough that the lower level students can simply 

state what they learned, or ask a question about the lesson, where higher level 

students can ask more in-depth questions, and I have an easy way built in to 

respond to them. 

I think it is critically important for students to reflect on their own learning, and, if needed, I can give a more specific prompt for the day. However, sometimes it is better open-ended.  On Friday I had one student write "I learned today that I need to come to this class ready to work, not fool around" .....If he learned that, I'm happy as well :)

Sick and Tired of Making Seating Charts? Seating Chart Freebie

I created seating charts for my classes, as the year begins, and thought they might be useful for you as well.  As such, I am offering this seating chart freebie.

It is offered in PowerPoint, so the template is editable to type in names, or move the location of seats and

This is a sample of a larger product available at my Teachers Pay Teachers Store.

Worried About the First day of Class? Scavenger Hunt Exclusive Freebie

I have been getting my classroom ready for the upcoming school year, and part of that process for me is making up signs to mark areas with in the classroom that I want to be clear to students.  We get a lot of student schedule changes and transitions, and student attendance is not always great.  For those reasons, and because students have several classes to keep track of, I try to make procedures clear for them early in the year, and post reminders.

This is an exclusive freebie to my blog readers.  It is a set of signs and a classroom scavenger hunt that I use in my classroom. The files are in PowerPoint format, so that they are completely editable and customizable to your classroom needs as well.

Immediately Useful Formative Assessment Freebie: Gift to You

Free Exit Tickets for Formative Assessment

As we approach the new school year, many of us think about what goals we want to set for the upcoming school year, or what we want to change in our classroom.   For many of us, we want to get a handle on what our students really understand.  We need to use assessment more thoughtfully It is too easy to get 'stuck' in the routine of teaching a lesson, assigning homework, but not taking the time to get feedback from students, on their understanding, or have students think about their own learning.  Here is a free and easy way to assess your student's understanding.

When and how to use them

One practice that I really believe in, and try to use consistently is formative assessment.  These may often be seen in the form of 'exit tickets,' but can also be integrated into the lesson as part of a transition, or closure to a topic.  It is really important to have students reflect on their own learning, and to get a 'pulse' of the class frequently, and long before a unit test. By then it is really too late.

In many cases administrators are looking for closure and student reflection when they observe your class.  Exit tickets or formative assessment are a great way to do that.

Download your freebie

Below is a four pack freebie of four exit tickets that I frequently use in my classroom.  They are downloadable as a pdf file, and print four to a page.  They are set to print four to a page.   Here is 
the link
. Enjoy!

These can be used to assess and determine if re-teaching is necessary for a small group, or for the larger group.  They can also be a critical time for students to reflect on their own learning, and to think about what they understand or don't understand.

Related resources

These are a sample of a larger pack of 50 (!) Exit tickets. The four in the sampler are general use (any subject) and could be widely used.

The complete pack of 50 Exit Tickets include these, and other general exit tickets, but also have an emphasis on science, so they include many general prompts (40 of the 50), but some prompts that are specific to science classes.

Another free resource!! 

For a free guide to quick and easy assessment, as well as a set of free introductory science task cards/bell ringers, click here.

I hope this really helps you and your students know what they understand. 

How Can You Get Free Resources for Your Classroom?!

I just found out about a new free resource that I'm very excited about, for personal reasons as well as professional.  I can't wait to share it with you.

If you live in NY State, as a taxpayer, apparently you are entitled to a New York (City) Public Library card.  You ask....but I don't live near NYC, so what good does that do for me?!

Well, as we all know, libraries also have many electronic resources, and this gives you full access to all their electronic resources.    Here is a link to their New York Public Library Guide, showing an up to date guide to the NYPL.  This is a fantastic resource! 

In order to get a NYC library card, you have to fill out a form online.  The library card gets mailed to you.  Then you take a scan of your driver's license (or other forms of ID), and, email or fax it, along with the library card.  This validates your library card.  It is free and good for 3 years. 

     
Even if you don't live in NY, maybe there is something similar in your area.  It's worth checking out!

Some of the resources included are shown below, tumblebooks, digital images, ebooks, audiobooks, etc.

Freebie: Powerful But Simple Congratulations Banner

I think it is very important to congratulate and recognize your students achievements. Everyone likes to feel successful, and that positive praise goes a long way way toward continued success (much more than the negatives).

Here in NY State, students have to complete a certain number of labs with passing grades in order to sit for the state final exams in science (required for graduation).  In other words, that lab qualification is their first step toward what they need to graduate.

Also, students usually can't go to summer school unless they have completed their labs.  They can retake for course credit, and sit for the exam in the summer, but usually can't complete labs.

Whatever your pedagogical thoughts about required labs, and, coherency with the course, etc., getting 'lab qualified' is a big deal.

I always make a display or do a pizza, or do some kind of recognition.  This year, since I didn't have my own classroom, I did a display in the hallway.  I made a big banner (included as a freebie), got foam stars from Dollar Tree, and let kids write on their stars and hang them up when they had met the lab requirement.

It was a big deal because it was in the hallway.  Some students would stay after school to make up labs and then ask me right away for their star, or ask to wait and be recognized in class.

I'm sure there are many things that you could congratulate your students on.   If you don't want the banner to be HUGE, you can print two pages per page and make it a bit more manageable.

Get Results With This Free Review Strategy

Here is a review activity that I have done with my classes. I find many students want a study guide, but don't know how to use it.  In many cases it gets left on the table at the end of class, or best case read through once or twice, which doesn't really give many benefits. Students needs to active learners, but here is one strategy to get them to be active learners. Hope it helps you in your end of the year review.

Looking For Free Clip Art? Here's An Outstanding Free Clip Art Site

Hi all!

If you are like me you are always looking for new clip art to add to either class activities, or products for teacherspayteachers.

In many cases there are great artists on teachers pay teachers, but there are also some cases where I don't want to spend the money, or just want something small.

My favorite new soure for clipart is www.openclipart.org  (Note: As of March 2019 Open Clip Art has been down and it is unclear if it's coming back).  This site has been working to replace it, and it is also a great resource ClipSafari

There are tons of designs, and some are pretty technical (appropriate for science for example).

Here are the terms of use, and some examples, and they are pretty permissive!   

https://www.clipsafari.com/terms 

The Complete Guide to Introducing a New Topic

When I start a new unit, I like to have some consistency, and I like activate prior knowledge, as well as let students know what is coming up and what the objectives will be.  I have done this for the past two years by setting up a new title page in their notebooks. This title page has two sides (for the two pages of their notebook).

On one side is the objectives listed.  I usually type these and give them a copy to attach.  I like to give them a spot next to each to rate how well they know it, and to make notes as we go through the unit.  I use a certain format for these, and I call them "Keeping Track of Learning."  

On the other side I have the students divide the page into four.  In the center they write the title of the unit (which I give them).  Then in each box they must draw a picture, with a caption, that is related to that topic.  Depending upon the topic of the unit, sometimes I think that they may have some prior knowledge, and I leave it open-ended, except that I usually point them toward the chapter or section in the book where they can find additional pictures and inspiration.  If I think it is a topic for which they won't have much prior knowledge, then I give them a list of maybe 4-8 main idea terms to choose from, and direct them to some resources. 

I like this system because it gets them thinking about what they already know, and previewing the chapter (or other resources), without specifically being directed to do so.  I provides a platform for them to discuss what they already know or what they think the upcoming topics will be about. 

I usually take about 15-20 minutes in class, and I think its time well spent.  Students get a chance to get their heads into what we are learning, and connect to it, and I get a chance to informally assess what they already know.

Here is an example photo:

I have also seen a teacher do a similar activity by creating a word cloud (such as from wordle) to include common vocabulary from the upcoming topic, and use that as a focus point or COVER image for the unit.  

Making Student's Thinking Visible

Sometimes when students are learning a lot of new information, it is difficult for them to organize it, or keep the parts together that go together. They know the terms, and have some of the links, but don't quite have it all straightened out in their heads. 

Also, as a teacher, it can be difficult to sort out where they have misconceptions. Here is one tool that I used to do just that. Concept maps. 

I gave the students a list of 20 terms (with definitions) related to weathering and erosion. I told them they need to use 15. I showed some examples of concept maps on the board and the linking terms.   I had them write the words they chose on post-it notes.  I had them organize the terms on the large paper, then add linking words to explain how they were connected, and then add at least 5 pictures (I had many pictures available for them to choose from).  

For my higher students, this was really an opportunity for them to tie together their knowledge, and organize it.  They felt like they benefited, and caught many of their own misconceptions as they were trying to connect the terms.  

For the lower students, I was able to see their errors or confusion when they laid out the terms, and help correct those, or talk through with them how the concepts could connect, and which didn't make sense.

I think it was a beneficial exercise to wrap up a unit, and they love seeing them on display in the hallway.

If you are looking for complete vocabulary lists, and concept lists for Earth Science, a good place to look is in this product, or your district curriculum.

Free Gift for You With Surprising Results

I don't know about you, but I am SOOOO sick of winter, and a little stir crazy.  And my students are too.  If you are tired of hammering on routines and expectations, this might be one way to break up the monotony.

They can help monitor themselves and each other.  I have had really good, honest, team-building responses by using this teamwork checklist

Earth Science of the Olympics Freebie

Another Freebie!! 
Similar to last week, but that one was a big success, so hopefully some people will enjoy this.
Last week I posted a "Science of Football and Olympics" in honor of the Superbowl.  It was focused on biology and life science topics.  
Here is one for this week focused on the Olympics, but focused more on Earth Science topics.  I hope you enjoy!  This is a great way to work in Common Core, relevancy, and grab students' interest
Science of the Olympics Hope you are having fun watching the Olympics.
And I promise some posts of more substance coming soon....some things are in the works here! 

Science of the Olympics and Football Freebie

I am trying to link up more frequently with Charity Preston's "Manic Monday" which is a huge resource of K-12 free resources.

I want to share with you some of the small things that I'm doing in my classroom.

This week we had a lot of state testing, and I needed something to "fill" at a time when kids were finishing, but some kids were absent.

I created this "Science of the Olympics and Football." Kids loved it!  Mine is focused on life science, but it could easily be modified for a different class.

The activity could also be given for homework or extra credit, and is very timely right now.

It is based on this resource from NBC.

Also, it is a great common core connection.  The videos have transcripts, if you want students to be able to read the transcript.  Text does not have to be only written text in a book.  This is another great tool to build in relevancy, and text analysis skills.

Get This Valuable Exit Ticket 4-Pack Free

Two sources of freebies for you!   1)  Here is a freebie of a few exit tickets. I am working on a product with a much greater selection of exit tickets, but in the meantime here is a freebie, with four exit tickets.  They are set to print four to a page.  Here is the link.  Enjoy!  

Facebook Free-For-All  Lots of Freebies for All Grade Levels.  Only through tomorrow. 

Printable Free Testing Sign For Your Classroom

I know that many of you may have testing coming up (we have midterms and state tests coming up).

It can be handy to have a nice-looking sign to put on the door.  I made two versions, ready to print.  One for "do not enter" and the other for "quiet please"

Both can be downloaded here: