Pinterest Boards to Demonstrate Reading Comprehension

Students had a blast creating personal laptops with Pinterest pages on their screens.  Their Pinterest pages had a reading comprehension flair. 

After reading the book The Memory String, by Eve Bunting, I modeled for students how to fill out the Pinterest themed graphic organizer to summarize the book.  On the top left side, I created an illustration for the book, the title, author, and a summary.  On the top right side,  I included 3 of the main character's names and pictures.  At the bottom of the page, I "pinned" an illustration of the setting, beginning, middle, and end.  Each illustration opens up and underneath is a description.  (Just like when you click on a photo that has been pinned, you see a description that will send you to a link to learn more.)

Interested in making personal laptops with reading comprehension Pinterest screens?  Download the craftivity here.  It comes with 5 different versions of the Pinterest page graphic organizer covering summarizing, main idea and details, making connections, and questioning along with a blank version.

Download the Back to School - All About Me version here!

Free Apple Field Trip

I took my little techies to the Apple Store at Eastview Mall.  They offer a free field trip for students.  We learned how to use Garage Band on the iPads to compose music.  You can also select to have your class create photo albums in iPhoto, edit videos in iMovie, or make Keynote presentations.

Students each received a free t-shirt, a CD with their music composition, and a certificate!

Afterwards, we swung by the food court for Subway and Friendly's.  What a treat!

Respect for our Environment

Today I'm linking up with Maria at Be the Difference to share a way that I teach respect in my classroom.


On Earth Day we talked about not only respect for each other, but also respect for our environment.

I used the book, Just a Dream, by Chris Van Allsburg.  It is about a little boy, Walter, who litters and thinks recycling is a waste of time.  When his friend gets a tree for her birthday he thinks it is a ridiculous gift.  Walter thinks the future will be full of wonderful technology and exciting inventions.  He wishes to visit the future and one night his wish comes true - in his dreams.  Unfortunately, Walter doesn't see the world exactly like he'd imagined it.  When he wakes up, and returns to the present, he is changed.

This is a great book to talk about how a character evolves throughout the story.  Walter develops respect for his environment and his friend who planted the tree.

I typed up a few  short response questions that I used with my students after discussing the book during our Socratic Circle.   Enjoy!

Teachers Pay Teachers Appreciation

Wow!  I am overwhelmed with anticipation to see how my first sale pans out at my Teachers Pay Teachers store!  I just started uploading resources and materials this past weekend.  I've got about 10 items, including 3 freebies. 

I landed a spot in the weekly newsletter.  My Cardboard Math Arcade freebie is one of the 10 free downloads for this week.  I'm ecstatic!

When I turned in my National Board portfolio, the first thing on my mind was, "What now?"  Sign up for your own Teachers pay Teachers store now!  It may have only been a week, but it is well worth it.  Before you upload your items it forces you to really think about their value in the classroom and then tweak them so that they can be even better!

....and with all the morning's excitement, where are the dogs?  Sleeping!

Math Fact Family Lunch

My students hosted a Math Fact Lunch for their families!  We served drinks, pizza, and cookies.

Students shared Power Point presentations with their families.  They discussed the importance of practicing math facts both at home and school and shared fun ways to practice.

Everyone who attended got a folder full of math fact games, activities, and hand-outs.  Along with a goody bag filled with playing cards and dice.

On a final note, stop by my Teachers pay Teachers store for the Teacher Appreciation Week 3-Day Sale!

Stop by and see some of my new products, like Leap Frog Multiplication Memory!

Donors Choose

Wahoo!  3 of my projects were funded on Donors Choose and the packages from Lakeshore Learning arrived today!

If you haven't joined Donors Choose I highly suggest you do.  I've had 34 projects funded over the last 4 years and have received thousands of dollars in free materials and resources for my classroom!

You just post a few paragraphs stating what materials you would like and how you will use them.  If your project is funded you take 6 photographs of your students using the materials, have 5 students create thank you letters for each donor, and post a thank you letter yourself.  Trust me, it is well worth it!

View some of my projects:  http://www.donorschoose.org/jasewicz

Cardboard Math Arcade

I was totally inspired by Caine's Arcade and couldn't wait to show my fourth graders his video.  Watch it for yourself:  http://cainesarcade.com/

At first, my intention was to show students Caine's video and then discuss it during our Socratic Circle.  However, during our discussion students expressed interest in creating their own classroom arcade.  With 2 weeks of state testing knocking at the door I was reluctant to start a project of this undertaking.  However, I went with it and jumped in head first.

We gave our arcade a math twist.  Students planned out math related arcade games, brought in cardboard boxes and other supplies, and hosted the arcade for a fellow 4th grade class.  What a great way to review previously taught concepts for our state assessment.

Students rewarded their peers with tickets for playing their games.  Every 10 tickets could be redeemed for a prize at a student manned prize booth.  I picked up Easter candy on sale at Dollar Tree for $0.25 a bag.  Score!  Students were caught skipping and squealing during the arcade.  What a fun way to prepare for the wretched state tests!

Interested in creating your own Cardboard Math Arcade?  Check out my FREE activity pack at Teachers Pay Teachers.  Enjoy!