Displaying Student Work

By far one of the best ways I have found to display work!  I laminated black construction paper as the backdrop and used paper clips to fasten their work.  Adding the stars with students' names added a little 'punch'.  Got this idea on pinterest somewhere.  

Folktale Anchor Chart

As we read our various folktales, we charted them to compare them.  Later we wrote a compare and contrast paragraph.  Because this chart is laminated, dry erase markers can be used and the chart can be used over and over.  Love it!

ARMS and CUPS

When we revise, we use a blue pen, and a red pen to edit. Students refer to the anchor chart "ARMS" and "CUPS" to remind them.  There are many versions of the anchor chart on Pinterest.  Check them out!

Mystery Word

By far one of the most popular practice center is the "Mystery Word" center.  Students use letters to create 3, 4, 5 etc. words by filling in the worksheet.  Then students must use ALL of the letters to form the mystery word.  Words are always related to our content area and/or specific vocabulary.  For example, some words were: American Revolution, revolutionary, Folktale, character, Native American,  
perseverance etc.  This idea comes from Yvonne Dixon of "Sassy in Second" blog.  Be sure to check it out!

STAR students

Each week students write academic goals that

are measurable or observable.  At first students

are given several goals to choose from.  Next, as a
class we brainstorm some possible goals. 
When students understood the concept of 
'academic' goals and that they need to be 
observable and measurable, they 

write their independent goals.  All goals were
written in their journals.  

Some goals that students have set are:

* Use a capital letter at the beginning of every
 sentence

* Use punctuation at the end of every sentence

* Read with a pencil

* Complete all of my homework

* Practice my reading every day for 15 minutes

* Increase my words per minute to ______

* Raise my hand and answer in complete sentences

* And many more depending on their particular needs

At the end of the week, students reflect on

their goals and write a short paragraph on

whether they have reached their goal.  In 
their writing they must explain how  they

reached their goal, or  why they did not

achieve their goal and what changes they

must make to achieve it.  Students then
discuss their successes.

If they have made their goal, they receive a gold star 

(sticker) on their achievement award.  The goal is

to acquire as many gold stars as possible.  
The students felt so good when they achieved their
goal and really looked forward to setting
a new one each week!!!

Become a.....

Student

Taking

Academic

Responsibility

Energy and Windmills

Students create windmills and make predictions on how many
 marbles can be lifted according to the number of
windmill blades.

Before students began they wrote their hypothesis and drew out a scientific diagram.
Then student's started with one blade and recorded how many marbles could be lifted. (0)  Next, the added a second blade and repeated the experiment.  In the end students were able to lift 10 or more marbles with six blades.

"How To" Poems

Lots of fun creating these "How To" Poems.  After our unit of study on the American Revolution, instead of doing biographies, student's each selected a famous American of the American Revolution and went to town on learning about that person.  They took notes on what they would, or  would not do, if they were that person.  As you can see if you want to become, Deborah Sampson, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, etc,...just read the poems and they will tell you how to act and what not to do.  Great wrap up to a motivated unit!