Saving Time with Task Cards Linky Party

Hi All!

We just finished semester one progress reports in my district last week.  As I was handing the envelopes to my students I had two thoughts in my head...

In a calm zen tone... "It's only midpoint of the year...  plenty of time to get it all done."

and in the frazzled-teacher-pulling-out her hair-screeching tone...

"WE ONLY HAVE 4 1/2 MONTHS TO GET IT ALL DONE!!!"

If you're a teacher, you've probably felt the same way.


With all of the core standards, assessments, and interruptions I'm having to rethink my teaching.  I love teaching integrated units, diving deep into the topic, spending days making sure we've covered all of the angles.  But there simply isn't time to do that with all of the Common Core standards.  Because of this, I've turned my attention to task cards.

I don't think task cards are appropriate for everything, but for practicing grammar, conventions, math skills, and more...  they are time savers.

What are task cards?
Task cards are sets of cards that focus on one skill, such as progressive verb tense, that students use to review or practice their learning.  On each card, there is a question, or task, for students to complete.  My task card sets often have an option for students to sort or solve.  In sort, students sort their cards based on certain criteria.  Sorting and grouping is an important skill, so this give students another chance to practice.

  

What do you do with task cards?
Task cards are very versatile.  That is one of the reasons I love them.

1.  You can use task cards with one student who needs extra practice.  Students can work independently or with adult help.

2.  Task cards are perfect for stations or centers and small group work.

3.  Task cards can also be used as a whole class game called Scoot.  Scoot is played like musical chairs.  Task cards are placed at student desks and students move from desk to desk performing the task and writing down their answers.  Using task cards this way is totally engaging to students.  It is fast paced and very active.

Some important things to think about when using task cards in your classroom.

1.  Make sure you have pre-taught the skill being practiced on the task cards.  By the time students use the task cards, they should have already been introduced to the topic and be able to work on the tasks independently.

2.  Make sure there are clear directions for the cards.  How will your students be using them?  Will they self-check them or turn their answers in?

3.  How will you assess your students' learning?  You could use the task card answer sheet or you could assess using another form of assessment.

Whether you are new to task cards, a task card addict, or somewhere in between you have to agree, task cards can be the perfect way to support your teaching and your students' learning of many common core standards!

Thanks for visiting!   As a free gift to you, please head to my TpT store and download this task card FREEBIE!

Relative Adverb Task Cards - 4th Grade

Other Literacy Loves Company task card sets:

Do you have a blog post about task cards?   Maybe great ideas on how to organize or store them?  Have you created task cards that help your students master the ELA or math skills?  Link up below and share your ideas!  

An InLinkz Link-up

GROUP SCOOTING to Learn Text Types and Reader's Purpose

Hi All,
When I started this blog I thought that I would post twice a week, but I am finding that in order to keep balance I am becoming a Sunday morning blogger.  I get up early, make my coffee, boot up my lap top and then snuggle on the couch with my dog, Riley.  Its quiet and it feels, while I am writing, like I am talking to a group of friends about my week.

Forgive the couch...  this was taken while we were at the coast... hotel couch.  :)

I had originally planned to share with you the GREAT volcano activity that my students worked on in class this week for our Earth Changes unit, but I forgot to take a pic of the final display and you REALLY need to see all the art pieces displayed side-by-side to really appreciate it.  So, I'll save that for next week.  Here is a sneak peak:

Instead I am going to share with you the start to our Non-Ficton Unit.  I wanted to start the unit by introducing the class to the types of non-fiction that surrounds them everyday.  I also wanted them to understand why a reader might choose a specific type of non-fiction.   I always try to incorporate "activity" into my activities.  I'm not much of a worksheet person.  I'd rather have students up and around, talking to each other, handling real literature and materials.  So I came up with a group scoot for this introductory lesson.  (see the bottom of this post for a link to this activity in my TpT store.  Its FREE)

The prep is pretty easy, except for gathering the travel brochures.  About a month ago I went online and signed up for travel brochures and information from several states.  There are many free resources and many states will send you the brochures, pamphlets, and maps in the mail.  So far I've only had to put up with a bit of e-mail from tourism companies, so it has been worth it to me.

I gathered up about three or four samples of 12 different types of non-fiction, put them in bags and bins (Next year I might try something a bit more visually appealing, but the brown grocery bags served their purpose) and placed them around the room with the station signs.

The stations signs are taped to "corn dog sticks" and poked into the bottom of a Dixie Cup.  

When students came in from recess, we gathered on the carpet.  They were very curious about what was in the bags...  anything mysterious is a great attention getter.  We had a short discussion and created an anchor chart of what they already knew about types of non-fiction.  I explained the activity, assigned students a starting station, and handed out the scoot sheets.

Then it was time to MOVE!  I love when the kids are fully engaged... there is something peaceful about the noise in the room when you know that it is on-task conversations.  Students moved from station to station discussing what they found, what the type was and why someone would read it.  I roamed to groups, answering questions, giving hints, etc.

When groups had scooted all 12 stations, we met back on the floor and added more ideas to our anchor chart.  We talked about reader's purpose and how there is non-fiction writing all around us.

This was a quick one-day introduction to the full non-fiction unit.  The next day we moved on to the first part of my Topic vs. Author's Purpose lesson.  Unfortunately, state testing has reared its ugly head and that is as far as I have gotten with the unit.  :(

{State testing is like an unwelcome house guest.  It comes in, creates havoc on your routine, and leaves you to pick up the pieces. Just Sayin'}

If you would like to see more of the Non-Fiction Text Types and Reader's Purpose, click this link to be taken to my TpT store.  The product is free.  

Thank you for visiting!  I hope you'll come back next week to see our Volcano Clay diagrams.  I can't wait to share them with you.  

Literacy Stations: A Love/Hate Relationship

Hi All! 

 I don't know about you, but I have a LOVE/HATE relationship with literacy stations. 

(Disclosure...  Not all of my stations are "Literacy" stations.  Some of my stations are math and content stations.  I call them "Literacy Stations" because that is what I find easiest...  I guess just 'stations' would be even easier... oh well!) 

Cool old picture! Stations... stations...  there is a connection here somewhere.  

I love the small group interactions, the ability to have small groups of students practice skills learned in class,  the time to work with individuals or small groups while the rest of the class is working independently (fingers crossed), and the chance to let my students develop their independence and problem solving skills.

I hate the initial time consuming organization and planning.  I especially hate the first couple of days when I am running around like a chicken with my head cut off trying to make sure everyone understands what they are suppose to be doing. It seems that, even though I have very clear directions on each station folder and have given, what I think, are very clear instructions, some students still struggle with figuring it all out.  I find myself parroting, "Did you read the directions?" a million times.

Its like looking in a mirror!

Luckily, the dependence and insecurity, for most students, only lasts the first several days of literacy stations.  Soon the kiddos get the hang of it.  Students who have been at that station step in and explain if needed, and when I walk around and check in on each group I usually get the thumbs-up and a "We've got this, Mrs. D." and that make me feel so proud of them!

I've been doing literacy stations for years now.  You'd think I would have it all under control, but I am just not that kind of person.  I started Literacy stations when I was teaching 5th grade and came across this book:

For those of you who are new to literacy station or are just curious, I'll share with you how I run literacy stations in my class.  I usually don't start literacy stations until mid-year.  I don't believe my 4th graders are ready for it until then, and I have a lot of group teaching I need to do to prepare them for what they will be practicing.

I start by figuring out how many groups I'll need.  I have 33 students this year, so I have 11 stations with 3 kiddos in each station.

Forgive the EAR...  It is for a speaking lesson...  Speak to the ear!  

I make each student a name magnet with colorful card stock and labels.  I don't laminate them... they don't get moved much.  Instead, when I am switching literacy stations, I rotate the magnet with the name of the station.  This save me a bunch of shuffling!

For each station I have a folder with a clear pocket on the front.  I insert the station objectives/goals and instructions into the clear pocket so that students can easily see and read what the expectations are and I put all of the materials inside.   I originally started with just ordinary file folders stapled at the side, but recently just purchased folder pockets that I will be using instead.  These will help keep each station's materials all in one place!

In the morning, when students come into the room, they take their attendance using Class Dojo, check in homework, sharpen pencils, etc.  and then they get their station folders and get to work.
Here are some of the stations that I have going this round:

Homophone Practice

Figurative Language Sort

Adjective Order Activity

Science Film - Volcanoes

Great use for old technology.  I have some wonderful Eyewitness VCR tapes and I had an old tv/vcr combo gathering dust in my attic.  The kiddos think it is "vintage".  

Raz-Kids Reading

The Private Eye - Science Investigation

Proof It!  Editing Game

Buddy Post Card Writing - Practicing Letter Form

Content Reading - Using Think Marks to code the text

Reading Comprehension

IXL Math

After about 25 minutes at stations, students are given time to fill out their Literacy Station Reflections.  I "randomly" collect 10 a day to look over and at the end of the rotation of all 11 stations I collect them.  

Click HERE to download this FREE Literacy Station Reflection Form  

When planning for the next rotation, I keep several of the same stations, but add in new ones.  My next round I plan on trading the Figurative Language sort for another activity I found on TpT, changing out the grammar stations for different ones, and adding in some practice activities for the upcoming state testing (ugh!).

Now that my class and I are almost finished with the first rotation of Literacy Stations my HATE toward them is waning and I am hoping that on this next round I will fall in LOVE again.  Students will be more familiar with the routine and several of the stations and I will be able to spend less time getting everyone going and more time meeting with individual kiddos.

How do you feel about stations in your classroom?  Do you use them?  If so, I'd love to get some ideas from you about what kind of things you are doing or some great resource ideas!  If you have a wonderful TpT product that would work well for 3rd - 5th graders, feel free to add it to your comment below!

Thanks for visiting!

Off Kilter... Trying to Regain My Balance

Hi All!  Well, it has been a crazy week!  Here in the beautiful Pacific Northwest we had snow days last Friday and then again on Monday.  On the Thursday before, we were gently prodded to get out of our rooms by 3:00 so that the building could be locked up and everyone could get home safely.

Needless to say, that set me up for a very unorganized week!  I'm one of those people that when others look at my work and how I handle my class they think I am a very organized person...  but inside my own mind and my own expectations, I'm a royal mess!  I need time to plan out and process,  so when my schedule is messed with I find myself off kilter.

Luckily, this year I have one of those classes that are mostly able to go with the flow.  Maybe, to them, I didn't seem as crazy as I felt inside my own head.  Luckily, I had some tricks up my sleeve to get me through the week.

1.  My biggest concern was my science unit.  We are learning about Earth Changes and I needed something to help me teach erosion and weathering.  Ta Da...  bring on TpT and The Science Penguin!  I came across a couple of products at her store that saved my bacon!

2.  I had just introduced literature circles to my class the week before and the students were excited to crack open the brand new novels we received through generous parent donations on Donorschoose.org.  I had to offer support and problem solve with some literature circle groups, but overall, my students have been diligently reading and discussing their new books in preparation for their meetings next week.

Literature Circles - Click to go to my TpT store for more information!

3.  For writing students were finishing up their creative writing stories about Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery from my Roll of the Dice Historical Figures product.  Students are working on a variety of final products such as comic strips, poems, newspaper articles, and picture books.  Each of the pieces has a "literary theme" associated with it, so I am excited to have the authors share their work this week.

Roll of the Dice Creative Writing - Click to go to my TpT store for more information!

4.  I've started stations in my class first thing in the mornings.  When my students come in to class they spend the first 10 minutes checking in home-work, sharpening their pencils, and other AM business.  Then they settle in to their literacy station.  I have 11 literacy stations with 3 students in each station.  I have a variety of activities for students to work on.   Two of the activities I have going are products in my TpT store.  The first is my Figurative Language Scoot and Sort and the other is from my Adjective Order Mini-unit.

5.  To add to the chaos, Friday was Valentine's Day!!!!  Luckily I had my Valentine's Day Card FREEBIE on hand to give to the kids along with a Hershey's Hug.  :)  The kids were more excited for the included homework pass than the candy!

All in all, it was a fast paced, whirlwind of a week!  I'm so glad that I have a three day weekend (Thank you Mr. Presidents!) to catch up, BREATH, and plan for the following week!  Luckily, I had TpT to help keep me afloat!

Do you have any great products or ideas that you pull out when you are feeling overwhelmed?  If so, I'd love to hear about it in the comments below!  If you are the first to comment, click "no comments"  to open a comment box!

Thank you for visiting!