Off on a Holiday to Japan!

Attention Readers: I'm taking a 3-week blog break!

It's looking like that the blog is going to go on a 3 week hiatus due to several factors.  The first being that this week I'm off to a holiday in Japan!  We'll be spending about 3 weeks in Tokyo and Sapporo!  I'm hoping to walk around and see all that I can see in Tokyo and we're off (mainly) to go snowboarding in Sapporo!  (We went to New Zealand for snowboarding about 6 months ago, so let's hope I can get back up on that board and improve my skills.)

Another reason why I need to take a blogging break is that my MacBook Air (2013 model) shut down randomly and won't turn back on!  I've called Apple and tried to get a new charger to see if it would come back to life, but it's looking like the only solution is to go to the Genius Bar at the Apple Store.  Downside: I live 6 hours away from the closest Apple Store and I have limited time to try and get it looked at before we leave for Japan.  *FINGERS CROSSED* it's a quick fix that will take less than an hour altogether!  If not, cross those fingers again and hope they can hold onto my MacBook until I get back like 2 weeks later.  (Has anyone else had this problem with their 2013 MacBook Air?  I've heard logic boards needing to be replaced for a lot of these.)  Thank goodness I extended my Apple Care plan and I'm covered for the next 2 years!

I'm hoping to update once a week with pictures from Japan, so stay tuned for that!

Titanic Reading Unit

Do you study or discuss Titanic in your classroom?  Do you work on informational text or books written to inform the readers?  Looking for tons of activities already planned out for you? Looking to incorporate Reading & Social Studies?

Well, I'm happy to this Titanic Reading Unit with you!  I've spent the past two weeks slowly creating this reading unit and compiling all the activities I've done in the past (plus some new ones) into a packet.

I have done this unit for the past 3 years when I taught 3rd grade.  In Florida we had to prepare our 3rd graders for FCAT (standardized testing), at the time, and when we were done we still had just over 2 months left of school.  Our team always enjoyed doing this unit after that to let the students truly enjoy something.

We allowed more time than normal for research and projects.  Our students always enjoyed this unit in the past!  We even got to incorporate a field trip to the Titanic Artifact Exhibition that does a tremendous job with the students! (I've been on this field trip 3 times and I swear I learn something new each time!)

Packet Includes:

• Common Core alignment for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grades
• Handouts and Games for Reading Skills: Cause & Effect, Compare & Contrast, Main Idea & Supporting Details, Figurative Language, Vocabulary Development, Sequence of Events, and more!
• Titanic Diorama Project - Handout and examples
• Passenger Profiles - research real passengers
• Reading Unit Test
• Close Reading handouts
• Answer Keys for everything
• Writing essays
• Book suggestions
• Extra activities
• Pacing Guide & more!

Please keep in mind this packet is aligned with the book The Titanic: Lost... and Found by Judy Donnelly, book is NOT included.  I bought my personal copy through Nook and share it on our projector using my iPad.

What did the students enjoy?

The students truly enjoyed their Diorama Projects and LOVED sharing them with the class! In the packet I mention this was intended as an "At Home" project, but we decided to bring in the supplies we wanted and were able to work on the projects whenever they finish their work early.  I gave time to work on just the project as well.  Most of my students did it in class and at home.  It's amazing to see what they come up with.

The students also enjoyed videos I would show of the real Titanic that researchers have taken over the years.  We also found interesting facts that the students thought were unbelievable.  AND, of course, our field trip!  They felt like they were actually on the Titanic.  They were given passenger ticket cards at the beginning of the tour, then had to find out if their passenger survived or not in the disaster.

What did I enjoy as a teacher?

I love, love, love this unit because it is quite rewarding to see the students excitedly engaged to learn more about this event in history!  I liked that I could incorporate Reading & Social Studies and allow time to expand their thinking.  It amazed me to see my 8-9 year olds handle this topic so well, a lot more understanding and mature than you would think.  I also enjoyed the variety of activities we created.

Check out this Titanic Reading Unit at TPT!

Make sure you click "Preview" to get an overview of the packet.

TPT Showcase: Valentine's Day

Welcome to Fishing for More TPT Products! A series on this blog to showcase some inspiring Teachers Pay Teachers products. I will talk about some items that have caught my attention. Plus, for those who would like to share you can add your related links below. The idea is to share and inspire!

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This week's showcase: Valentine's Day

By: Cara Carroll

Product Details: (K-2nd Grade, $5.00) This 50 page mini unit is full of literacy & math activities to implement into your classroom after reading the story, "Love, Splat", by Rob Scotton.

My Thoughts: I enjoy mini units centered around a book.  It's like you can bring a book to life!

By:  Deedee Wills

Product Details: (K-1st grade, $5.00) Help your students work independently with this February themed writing work station or writing center. Valentine's Day, American Symbols, American Presidents, and Dental Health themes are included.

My Thoughts: I love this writing packet because it includes different writing sheets but also related vocabulary cards!  Very helpful for your students when they're writing.

By: Babbling Abby 

Product Details: (K-2nd Grade, $6.00) The Sweetheart Snatcher is an engaging activity to use around Valentines Day in February. This pack includes multiple curriculum connections that could be used in correspondence with this activity, but allows you to do as little or as much as you want with your particular class. Feel free to use the optional lesson plan included, or adapt it to suit the needs of your students. It will also add to any candy heart activities you do to celebrate the season - i.e. graphing, sorting, etc.

My Thoughts: Love a variety of activities to make a Valentine's Day theme throughout the whole day!  You've got literacy, math, and more! (Plus, looks just adorable.)

By: Amy Lemons 

Product Details: (1st-3rd Grade, $5.25) Need some cute, but meaningful activities for Valentine's Day? This pack has printables that can be used for grading as well as cute craftivities!

My Thoughts: Again, love what Amy Lemons creates!  This packet has TONS of English Language Arts activities.  Plus, graphing, crafts, and a history of Valentine's Day.  I love informing students the background of holidays.

By:  Outta the Lines Teaching

Product Details: (1st-3rd Grade, FREE) FREE FOR LIMITED TIME ONLY!!! STARTING SEPT 2. This is a great pack for centers for leading into valentines day!

My Thoughts: Like that this is currently a freebie, helping those teachers on a budget.  There are 8 activities, ranging from even/odd numbers, addition, strategy game, measuring, word problems, and more!

 Add your link below!

Do you have a Valentine's Product or Post you'd like to share?

An InLinkz Link-up

Five for Friday!

Five for Friday is a weekly teacher linky party where you post five random things from today or this past week and on your blog. Check out the linky party at Doodle Bugs Teaching.

Australia Day

It was my first Australia Day on Monday!  Some of my friends were having a BBQ, heading out to the beach, and such, but unfortunately I was too far away to join in.  However, I enjoyed seeing their fun on Facebook and Instagram!  Just wished I was closer to join them!

Triple J's Hottest 100

One of the big events Aussies do here on Australia Day is tune in to Triple J's Hottest 100!  The listeners got to join in by voting for their favorite tracks from the previous year, then you spend Australia Day listening to the countdown.  I, at least, got to join in on that fun by listening all day.

Titanic Reading Unit

Most of my time over the weekend and this past week was working on a Titanic unit for TPT.  I had done this unit with my previous classes after our statewide testing as a fun unit.  We got to go on a fun field trip to the Titanic Exhibition nearby that the students really enjoyed!  Stayed tuned for a blog post all about the product coming soon!

The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones Movie

Last Five for Friday I mentioned this book series.  (I finished book 4 and I was going to take a break from the series to read Gone Girl, but I'm tempted to continue on to Book 5.)  I decided to rewatch the movie to the first book in the series.  I will say the book is better, but I thought the casting was done quite well.  (Even though some people in the fandom disagree, but there were some big names as good choices!)  I just wish it had done better so that they would continue on because I would have really enjoyed seeing the rest of the books as movies.  

Offered a Part-Time Teaching Job

Finally, my most exciting news!  I have been spending the last few months working as a relief teacher (substitute) here in Australia.  We all know getting your first position isn't the easiest and that it's more helpful know someone in the profession to get your name out there.  I had to relive that all over again, but without any references within the WA Education Department.  Luckily, relief teaching got my name out there and the nearby school offered me a position to work Fridays in Pre-Primary (Kindergarten) with a possibility of future position(s).  Fingers crossed all goes well because I've been anxious to get back into the classroom more regularly! 

Place Valut SCOOT! (Product Review)

Place Value SCOOT! by live.love.teach.

The past few years in 3rd grade we would always start with place value.  Seems like a simple skill but the majority of students struggle with it initially.  They understand place value and estimating up to 3 place values, but go any further than that they often found it confusing.

I reassured the students that this is normal and it will get easier wit regular practice.  We spend a chapter introducing new skills and reviewing previously taught skills in this unit.  I also make sure to do a daily number activity where we dissect a 6-digit number.  Plus, we utilized this TPT product by live.love.teach.

What is SCOOT?

This was my first SCOOT game and took me a trial run to implement this into our class.  The students get an answer recording sheet and are presented with their first card.  The students are to answer the question using the number on the card and the numbered box on their recording sheet. After the allowed time you give the students a command (SCOOT!) to pass the card to the next person and answer their new card.  You continue this until all cards are answered.

How I Used Scoot:

I play this exact game about 2-3 times with the class with several days in between each day.  The first run of the game I gave 2-3 minutes for each card.  I had just under 20 students, but it took about 45 minutes to play the round.  I only used as many cards as students that were present that day.

It did take a bit of time, but I had students panicking with the limited time.  I would continue our lessons and several days later I would play the game again, but this time only allowing 1-2 minutes.  If I had time to play a third round I gave either 30 seconds to 1 minute.  A bit more challenge with less time to answer each time.  (We make sure to understand it's okay to skip and move on if time is up.)

How it worked for my class:

Although a bit frustrating at first, once the students understood the goal of the game they really enjoyed playing it!  We ended up playing SCOOT! with other skills throughout the year and the students were really excited to play!

I rate this product 4 out of 4 starfish!
Mainly because the students could improve their skills in a way they enjoyed!