Sub Tub!

Now... I could've sworn I already posted this a few weeks ago, but I looked back and couldn't find the post!!!! This is a MUST share!

Before I left on maternity leave I decided my (then) Sub folder need some spicing up in case my long term sub will need a sub!!! (yes I'm nuts!)

(I do have remote access from my personal laptop at home to my classroom desktop and a Skype account running on both so I can always see and check up on my sub & students, because I'm a little cray cray and need to be in control! 

Just in case all hell breaks loose...)

So I went ahead and created a new Sub Tub!

It is currently located on top of a bookshelf right across from my teacher's desk.

Here is a close-up of the tub and goodies that are inside.

Inside the tub is my sub folder

I included a letter to the sub from me, a substitute teacher job description, multiple copies for the sub to track and leave notes for me while I'm absent, lined paper for multiple uses, 

   

A page with the school's key info that includes extension numbers, daily schedule, classroom rules, school rules, 

  

School's master schedule & early release lunch schedule

Emergency procedure 

both my synthesized version & the school's version

Class lists & Seating Chart

Disciplin Forms & weekly (updated) lesson plans

      

Finally, I added some fun sponge activities from fellow bloggers (can be found on TpT), 

and some crossword puzzles and riddles.

I also added comprehension activities from FCRR & some (quiet time) writing prompts.

    

I also have this FABULOUS Chicken Soup for the Soul classroom edition with short stories and lots of great activities & discussion. It requires no prep time and can easily be used any time.

Every story carries a moral lesson and the kids love it!!!!

I often use it when I have 10 extra min. here and there.

Other fun activities I had laying around the room and gathered for the tub are Mad Libs, 

Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader DVD game (perfect for the Smartboard), Scene It Junio DVD game, I Spy card game, a regular deck of cards, 

     

A variety of writing prompts in a jar that can be used after quiet reading time, and stickers!!!

Last, but not least... 

You can see that next to the tub is a stack of orange folders.

We know that some subs just can follow along with traditional lesson plans especially if they do not come from an education background 

(i.e. p.e coach, security guy, parents, or whoever they pull into the classroom last second)

So I wanted to put together dummy proof lessons for them.

Each orange folder contains 10 copies of either Super Science or StoryWorks magazine (Scholastic) so that each pair of students in the classroom can share.

I also included all the skill sheets (all are printables from the magazines' website archive) and can be projected via the document camera.

This way I know the kids are actually doing meaningful work while I'm out and are not wasting time. I added a post it with direction for the sub in each pocket folder to make sure they know what to do with it. There are at least 10-12 folders there now and I continue to create them throughout the year.

Best part.. Scholastic magazines are already Common Core aligned and the activities & skill sheets are perfectly matched. I especially like the Paired Texts activities.
My kids love these & don't realize how much they're learning.

Click on the picture above to check out the archive & skill sheets offered.

FABULOUS non-fiction resources!

Whew! That's it!!! 

Every year I like to add new things to keep it fun for the kids and easy enough for the sub.

As I run into new resources I add them as well.

Check out Sally's Sub Tub Party
over at Elementary Matters for lots more ideas!

I'd love to hear your thoughts & ideas. What do you keep in your SubTub?

Happy Friday!!!!!!!!!

We're on YouTube!!!

Our school now has an official YouTube video!!!

My kiddos & I are in it 3 times :) See if you can "I Spy" us. 

Hint... we are the "hands on" workshop classroom ♥

Would love to hear your thoughts :) 

Happy Thursday!

Accelerated Reader Champs!!!

My kids are AR champs!!!!!!!!

I'm so proud of them :)

They hit 1,500 points today and we are half way to our June 1st. 3,000 points goal.

This is my first year implementing Accelerated Readear in the classroom and I have to say my kids really love it. They enjoy the edge the competition gives them.

D.E.A.R. time is the MOST important time of the day in my class. Ususally by the time December comes around they beg me (yes your read right, BEG!!!) to give them more time everyday.

Quite a few of them ask me to stay in for lunch and lounge in the library to read.

A large classroom library with lots of choice and a teacher that LOVES to read and puts reading first will do that for you :)

When asked by colleagues & parents what my secret is to getting my kids to read and kindeling their love for books I answer that its far simpler than they think... I make it a priority by helping kids find books they are interested in and actually give them the time to read in class with music playing in the background. (resulting in superior state test results)

AR is actually hosting their annual event next week -

Read The Most from Coast To Coast

In the link above you can find printable posters, bookmarks, and certifications for your students to motivate them to participate, read, and take an AR test on March 1st.

My kids are excited to take part of the event and help beat last year's record.

Bookmark

 Poster

Happy Reading!

Test Prep Workshop

We all know it's crunch time & the kids feel it too.



So much stress on all of us and it takes all the fun out of learning.

As much as I try to make learning interactive with foldables, etc. it's hard to make drill time fun.

I spent the better part of the weekend trying to figure out a structure that will get the kids practicing the benchmarks in a creative way & allow for movement in the classroom.

I came up with a concept called FCAT Workshop.

(works for any state test)

I created 15 stations (one per benchmark we cover)

and printed out stories and 5 questions per benchmark.

Out principle purchased a program for us that generates stories & questions per benchmark but the concept can be applies to any text and questions you use in the classroom to review for the "test."

I pasted the stories and questions to construction paper & laminated them.

I color coded each station so the kids can have an easy time distinguishing between them and created an answer key for each station to allow self-assessment.

I placed the answer key for each station in the station that followed it.

The answer key is turned upside down until I give the signal to turn it over and check their work.

If the students got all the answers correct (per station)

they earn a sticker (sheet provided in each station).
The top three students (based on sticker count) won prizes in the form of left over Valentine's candy & were moved up in our academic & behavior chart.

I created signs for each station with the # of it so students know where to go next.

The kids rotated the room clockwise with an answer sheet, a pencil, a pen (for self assessment), and a book to read if they finished their station early. They have 10 minutes per station that includes time for self assessment & completing the task ahead of them. The time limit proved very sufficient.

It took me a day to create and organize my room for the workshop and it turned out AMAZING!!!!
The kids absolutly LOVED it!!!
It was the same old drill & practice but presented in a different structure that allowed students more freedom to move around, interact with one another, self assess, and so forth.

Here is the evidence.. lol

The calm before the storm :)




Directions on the board


Answer Sheet & Center Activity that includes story with questions

 

Stations:

Intermission :) 

Half way through the stations we took a short snack break.

The entire workshop took about 3 hours to get through (including intermission) and we were done just in time for lunch.

Tomorrow I plan on projecting each station's story & questions on the board and review them.

This was a trial run as it is the first time I did this with the kids. 

It worked out very well and I plan on getting my sub to host another workshop session when the kids return from Spring break.

I created identical stations for my teammates and the plan is that each of them will create a set for the subject they are in charge of planning (Science, and Math) and get it ready for after break.

With the data I collected for each kid, I plan on creating benchmark specific packets as homework for the next few weeks so they can continue to practice in the areas they are experiencing challenges.

Also check out this great Test Taking Tips video filmed by the fabulous
Tamara Chilver of Teaching With TLC.

Thoughts? What do you do to get the kids actively engaged this time of year?

Praying for good results!!!