Here's our daily lives in Room 102:
Morning Work: MWF will complete a math spiral review, Tuesday/Thursday we take a timed test of basic addition/subtraction facts. We grade both the review and the timed tests as a class. This is also when my students work on their morning jobs (sharpening pencils, preparing math games for math, logging into the class laptops, taking lunch count and attendance).
Reader's Workshop: We open with a morning message that the students help correct. Then we have a mini lesson, the students read in their book boxes, I work with students one-on-one and then we share. We are beginning spelling this week so this fits into the second half of our Reader's Workshop block. Our spelling words are based on a certain patterns (this week is silent e) and each day we do something different: introducing the words Monday, doing activities/games Tuesday-Thursday and testing on Friday.
Math: My favorite part of the day! We do EnVision math so we begin with students working with manipulatives. Then we watch the learning video. I have my students split up into math groups. My 2 higher groups complete their math work without me. Half is done with a partner and the other half is done independently and checked with a partner. Then they go to either math computer programs or math games. These alternate everyday. While this happens, I meet with my 3rd group and we work through the math assignment together. After completing the guided practice, independent practice and problem solving, they go to computers. When I am done with them, the other 2 groups come to the carpet and I lead them through the problem solving part of the assignment. Then I look at all of their papers. I HIGHLY recommend math groups - I love it!
Recess & Lunch: This is my lunch break! Noms :)
Daily 5: This is when some of my students work with our reading specialist or ELL teacher. My students that stay with me are engaged in Daily 5 rotations. I will have to do a separate post later to explain how I lay out my rotations because I don't fully follow Daily 5. This is when I pull my small reading groups.
Writer's Workshop: This is our writing time. It's my firsties favorite part of the day! We do a typical workshop model with a mini-lesson, students working while I confer with students and sharing at the end. We have a letter specials schedule and on C days we have computer lab at this time. On those days we don't have writing, but my students work on it during their Daily 5 rotations.
Specials: As I mentioned above, we have a letter specials schedule and rotate between art, music, library and PE. This is my plan time. We have 1st grade collaboration on Tuesdays but my team is so tight, we usually meet twice a week.
Recess: More planning for me - yay!
Social Studies/Science: We alternate if we are doing science or social studies. This is the toughest part of the day because my kiddos are still wound up from recess and tired from a long day of learning! To try and resolve this, I have been reading a chapter from our class book to let them settle down before we start :)
After that, we pack & stack, gather our belongings and we're off to buses!
I can't wait to see what your schedule is like! :)
Please leave a comment with what you think of my schedule or questions you have.
Shelby
Third grade is the lowest I've ever taught, so when I read about lower grades doing work with with partners and independently while their teachers pull small groups, it always amazes me, like during your math class. Maybe one day I'll get to teach a lower grade and try it out myself, but that thought makes me nervous!
ReplyDeleteMandy
The 4th Grade Journey
Thanks for the comment! It definitely took a LOT of modeling, practice and time to get it down. That was the hardest part but now that they know the expectations - it works!
DeleteHi, I have been struggling to adjust my curriculum to fit Common Core standards. Part of the reason I am having difficulty is that we do not have any curriculum pieces and there are a lot of standards. I find that I am stuck in a station rotation rut and I am not sure how to break out! :) Do you find that you are able to cover all of your ELA Common Core standards with the time and structure that you have?
ReplyDeleteI am fortunate enough that my district purchased common core-aligned curriculum for math over the summer. The curriculum I'm teaching covers all the standards so I haven't had to worry about it. All of the computer programs and games are through that curriculum as well. However, there are a LOT of teachers pay teachers sellers that are selling common-core aligned lessons. It's not ideal to have to buy things yourself, but if you are worried about covering everything that's what I would suggest. I do like the station rotations because I think it keeps the students engaged. I also like having the students move around from station to station so they're not sitting in the same spot for an hour. I think this also helps with engagement. I hope that helps!!
DeleteThanks for the comment and good luck with the rest of your year!
Shelby
I absolutely loved reading about your day! I love your reader's workshop! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up :)
Amelia
wherethewildthingslearn
Thanks Amelia! I appreciate you taking the time to comment :)
DeleteI use Envisions math too! We started it last year. I've always wanted to do math groups, but I haven't quite figured out how to do it yet! I enjoyed reading about your day! :)
ReplyDeleteSarah
A Sunny Day in First Grade
Let me know if you have any questions about setting up math groups - I am happy to help give advice or ideas :)
DeleteShelby