rhyming with pigs

Piggies in the Kitchen written by Michelle Meadows and illustrated by Ard Hoyt is a great children's book that is pig themed and uses rhyme. I received this book as a prize through a literature workshop I attended. The book hasn't yet been published, so the prize was a freebie because it is softcover and not yet bound. So, I took it to Monk's here, and they bound it for me for $3.99. I am using this book tomorrow to teach my kids about rhyme. I am really excited because none of them will have read it before! The text is great, and some of the sound effect words are bolded. The illustrations are lovely as well!

Happy reading!

Taylor

:)

Here is the cover of the book and a page excerpt:

charts

While reflecting on my last math lesson of estimation in measurement, and thinking forward to my next lesson, I decided to make this chart in order to remind my students of estimation and measurement. I wanted to stress the process of estimation and measuring, so I have added some images! I am hoping to hang this in the classroom, or at least during my lessons. I wish I had done this for last math lesson, but that is what reflection is important for! Now I feel more prepared for my next lesson, I think I will go over the chart in the introduction and model some estimation and measuring again. Some kids have really caught onto the method, but some have not. So if you can't read the chart all that well I have included:

We estimate by: we estimate before we measure, using our eyes only, looking at an object, making a smart guess that makes sense, thinking

We measure by: we measure after we estimate, using a tool like a pencil, straw, or train, lining up the tool at the edge or bottom of the object we want to measure, using our finger, lining up our tool tip-to-tip as we measure along the object, counting out loud.

These are all tips that I have taught the students so far, but I think I will work on reinforcing them now for this week coming up!

:)

Taylor

a sucker for stickers

Earlier today, I was searching for some stickers to go with my Pig Unit. I really am "a sucker for stickers"! I won't be using them as rewards, but since I have a pig booklet with lots of graphic organizers, I will be letting kids choose stickers as they complete pages and read to me. It is more a reminder for me as to who has completed their work and had the chance to read to me. And, I guess they are a reward for the students. I really do love stickers, and think that they can be used in the classroom, especially for primary students! A lot of people don't think that stickers are beneficial because they cause the students to think that they need to be rewarded every time work is completed. However, I will only be using them in my Language Arts unit, and since my mentor already uses them, I figure I should keep the same routine! :) Anyways, I found all of these stickers at the dollar store today for a $1.50 a pack, and each comes with 8 sheets. Very excited, but now I want more!

:)

Taylor

little miss piggy

I have not posted in some time now! I have been busy with practicum planning and teaching, but now that it is the weekend, I have some time to update. I have attached a photo of a myself and a cute little Ty Beanie Baby that my boyfriend and I found today! We were on the hunt for pig things, and found this cutie for $4.00 at London Drugs! I can't believe it was so cheap, so I just had to get it. I am going to use it in my upcoming Pig Unit: one for a "talking pig" ... kids will have to be holding the pig in order to talk (my kids are quite chatty, so this may help, or it may be a total fail and cause a distraction), and then also I will be using it to point out the parts of a pig. I think it's going to be great!

I really want to have hands-on materials/objects/items for kids to look at and touch during this unit in order for them to better understand pigs!

Taylor

:)

an important message

I'd have to say throughout my entire semester in Learning Support, this is what stuck out to me the most. It is such a great message that is a reminder to us all to be inclusive of everyone.

"Clearing a path for people with special needs clears the path for everyone."

--and remember, people first language! (name the person first, disability second ... e.g. she was a student with a visual impairment... not, she was a visually impaired student

Take care,

Taylor

:)

great organization

I just purchased this product from Monk's Office for $17.99. It is a "desk free, hanging organizer with case". As you can see in the picture, you can use it all folded up like a filing cabinet, or hang it and have access to all the pockets! And, you can take out each individual pocket. So great with all the colours, and handle, and accessibility! Love organization. I am planning to use this for my practicum! There are 6 pockets, so two can be dedicated to each unit I am teaching (for now).

Happy organizing!

-Taylor

:)

Magnets!

Hello all,

Hope you had a good day (even if it was Monday!).

Here is a picture of two great books by Angela Royston, titled Magnets and Magnetic and Nonmagnetic (Sorry, the titles are blocked by the library barcode). These are just two that are in a set of science books by Miss Royston. I've used other books by her last semester when a peer and I were designing a Science Unit themed by solids, liquids, and gases. This year for practicum, I am teaching a Science unit and the main theme is magnets.

Angela's books are wonderful because they are very age appropriate, informative, kid-friendly, and very colourful! The language used is basic, and there is a glossary at the back of each one. The pictures used are "real-life" photos (no cartoon drawings, and there are kids right in the pictures!).

I am going to use these books for my unit in helping explain some of the magnet concepts, and today I photocopied (and enlarged) a few of the pages from the books. I am hoping to have them laminated and post them in the classroom for students refer to.

:)

Taylor