What would you do with this spinner?

 

SOOOO....many ideas floating through my head!

 

Found in Oriental Trading carnival catalog 2013.

Okay...so, I bought this along with one of my teaching partners from last year.  
Here are the ideas I have so far:

 

lining up...spin for who gets to line up

active learning ... Each team sends up a representative to spin to see which problem 

they will work on first.  Once they complete that answer, they can check with

the teacher or other answer holder.  If it is correct, spin and do the next

problem. If not, team tries again.

points....I give points for doing the right thing.  I imagine having a "secret" behavior

for the week or day and spinning to see how many points it is worth.  Normally,

students earn one point at a time.

review game...the same as the active learning but maybe the students complete

the review problem individually. Then discuss as teams how they

came to their answers.  Great resource, I just downloaded and printed,

are discussion cards that each team can use to help deepen conversations.
multiplication practice... center idea...spin for two numbers then multiply.
coordinate practice...center idea...spin two numbers find the plot. 
 

There were two more ideas...they are now lost somewhere in the grey matter

contained within my cranium. 

 

Now I want to pick your brains...

HOW WOULD YOU USE THIS IN

YOUR CLASSROOM?

 

Kim



Student Led Conferences

Student-Led Conferences

 

     I LOVE student-led conferences! 

    To watch the students with their parents is telling.  To listen to how the students speak to and with their parents also gives great insights.  Outside of all the knowledge gained by just sitting back, watching and listening, my FAVORITE part, bar none, is to see and hear the pride in the kids' voices as they discuss goals and what we do day in and out.

 

 

     I have had the privilege of trying various ways to conduct student-led conferences.  Last year, while teaching fourth grade, we had students design power points that led them through the conference.  Goals are the focus. The basic pattern is given to the students through a graphic organizer three weeks prior to conferences.  Designers choose font, background and pictures to make it their own.  Sharing their power point and portfolio makes up the conference.  I found that it may be best to have students pull out their evidence from portfolio.  It is very tempting to show EVERYTHING in the portfolio otherwise. (LONG...conferences when families start rummaging through the portfolio.)  The end of the power point discusses what their future plans are and how their parents can help them achieve them. I like the way this student-led conference flows with strong introduction and conclusion.
    This year in fifth grade, I had the students decide on three to four items they wanted to show their parents.  They could go to the music room, gym, counselor, computer lab, etc.  I required only one special, two academic areas.  They needed to sign in  and teach their parents how to sign in on the Mimio board (picture below).  Goal sheet on their desk needed to be shared and explained (picture above).  Goal setting will be another post for the future.  Lastly, parents had to complete an evaluation which students completed for themselves during class.  Then we discussed the results.  I joined this part of the discussion to add what I see within the classroom.  My students are rather proficient at how they are doing in the classroom.  They were not too far off of where I would have rated them.  Once in a while, they would be harder on themselves.  I liked the aspect of  the students teaching parents the Mimio and describing how they develop their goals.  The movement to specials was a great addition. 
   

 

    Next step, is to take the summer to figure out how I can meld the best aspects of each as I return to fourth grade.  Keeping the power point is top on my list.  Not only does it serve as a guide; it teaches how to use power point. I may like to challenge my higher students to use Prezi.  (May be a larger bit than I can handle!)  I want to incorporate choosing a special to visit as well without lengthening the night for the families.  The metamorphosis of goal setting within our daily work will continue to be the focus. 

Do you have student-led conferences? 

What do you do? 

Favorite parts? Stories? 

 

Kim

Liebster #2

I have to say...it is fun to find others who are in the beginning of blogging along with you.  However, I sure took my time!  But I am finalizing my commitment for the Liebster award.  These are the 11 blogs that I recommend for others to check out.  They are all current at the time of composing this
post.  I believe non of them have been nominated for this award as well.  At least, I did not see the award graphic.  ENJOY!!


http://desiclassroomcafe.blogspot.com/
   Great ideas and I love that she finds time to laugh in her room.

http://www.hootsnhollers.blogspot.com/
    It looks as if this is a new blog with very cute owls.

http://www.historyquesters.com/feed/
   Wow, this is a superb resource!  She has many terrific ideas to keep students engaged in Social Studies. 

http://fantastic5thgrade.blogspot.com/
   This sight is "fantastic." 

http://theideagal.blogspot.com/
   I liked the active learning portrayed here.

http://blog.techwithjen.com/
   Super tech information

http://the-lightbulb-lab.blogspot.com/
     Very bright and colorful blog that has great primary ideas.

http://techsentfrommyipad.blogspot.com/
    This teacher thinks outside the box. (QR codes and iPad toons to engage the students.)

http://crunchywithketchup.blogspot.com/
    Really like the graphics offered for sale and ideas this 5th grade teacher uses.  The graphics are different than most which is what makes me attractive to me.  Good for older students. 

http://sparkingthemind.blogspot.com/ 
    Like the Monday Morning cartoon! Caught my eye as a person, I want to follow.

http://teachesthirdingeorgia.blogspot.com/
   The mosaics offered by this teacher would be a welcome addition to my extra activities file.