Boy, it has been awhile since my last post! I had every intention in the world of posting weekly...but then school started. Need I say more! In the hustle and bustle of September some things just need to slide and this little blog was one of those things. I have a couple of weeks of school under my belt and am getting into the school routine. Doesn't it feel good to breathe again??? I wanted to check in with everyone and share good news and a fabulous deal. So read on....
I am a lucky, lucky teacher! I have the sweetest of sweet children, but the beginning of the year is just hard....no way around it. Third grade is such a big transition year. I see my little ones trying to adjust to the demands of this new grade...it isn't easy for them or for me. Coming from a relaxed summer break to a busy school day of learning can be exhausting for everyone. For us, it can be a huge challenge to keep these little learners focused on what we are teaching them.
During the first week of school, I watched in frustration, as one by one, they checked me out and let their brains wander to some far off place. Who knows where they go...maybe they're in Pokemon land (I have kids absolutely obsessed with these little creatures this year), or they could have drifted off into the world of Mindcraft? All I know is that they are anywhere BUT room 43 listening to old Mrs.Young ramble on and on about how to make a bar graph.
It's crazy hard to compete with all the high voltage stimuli that fills our world these days. It is tempting to react to our frustrations by complaining or trying to find someone to blame for it, but really, who has time for that? Instead, let's figure out how to respond to this ever growing problem by seeking ways to increase student engagement.
Luckily for me (and you now too) I have some tricks in my teacher bag for combatting "stray mind syndrome." One of my favorite engagement tools and a sure fire way to get everyone's attention (yes, even the little guy who is busy sawing his pencil into a million little tiny bits inside his desk) is just one click away.
Do you know about and use the highly engaging educational website called Flocabulary? Are you teaching in one of the more than 60,000 schools that have used Flocabulary's standards-based videos, instructional activities and formative assessments? If so, you have seen the magic of this powerful tool. If not, you need to be!
Flocabulary provides teachers with hip hop style videos to support us in teaching our content in a fun and engaging way.You can find songs and videos for all subject areas and across many grade levels.
I personally embed the use of Flocabulary's many resources into my language arts, math, social studies and science teaching. It is a great hook into any lesson, but because this site offers us so much more than just a catchy song or lyric, it can also be used as the core component of your teaching. This website offers more than 750 instructional units to support instruction in math, science, social studies, ELA, vocabulary, current events and life skills. The fine folks at Flocabulary are responding to our ever increasing needs by adding new content all the time. Take the time to explore the ever growing bank of resources and here is what you will find:
Ok, here is a brand new option that is soon becoming my favorite: The Lyric Lab. With this tool, you can have your students create their own rap on the topic. Are you looking to increase the complexity of your student tasks..this one hits high on Bloom's Taxonomy. Flocabulary provides you with a word bank and the music...your kids create the lyrics. When you get to the end of each line, the program generates a list of words that rhyme with the last word you wrote....AMAZINGLY fun!!
During the first week of school, I watched in frustration, as one by one, they checked me out and let their brains wander to some far off place. Who knows where they go...maybe they're in Pokemon land (I have kids absolutely obsessed with these little creatures this year), or they could have drifted off into the world of Mindcraft? All I know is that they are anywhere BUT room 43 listening to old Mrs.Young ramble on and on about how to make a bar graph.
It's crazy hard to compete with all the high voltage stimuli that fills our world these days. It is tempting to react to our frustrations by complaining or trying to find someone to blame for it, but really, who has time for that? Instead, let's figure out how to respond to this ever growing problem by seeking ways to increase student engagement.
Luckily for me (and you now too) I have some tricks in my teacher bag for combatting "stray mind syndrome." One of my favorite engagement tools and a sure fire way to get everyone's attention (yes, even the little guy who is busy sawing his pencil into a million little tiny bits inside his desk) is just one click away.
Do you know about and use the highly engaging educational website called Flocabulary? Are you teaching in one of the more than 60,000 schools that have used Flocabulary's standards-based videos, instructional activities and formative assessments? If so, you have seen the magic of this powerful tool. If not, you need to be!
Flocabulary provides teachers with hip hop style videos to support us in teaching our content in a fun and engaging way.You can find songs and videos for all subject areas and across many grade levels.
I personally embed the use of Flocabulary's many resources into my language arts, math, social studies and science teaching. It is a great hook into any lesson, but because this site offers us so much more than just a catchy song or lyric, it can also be used as the core component of your teaching. This website offers more than 750 instructional units to support instruction in math, science, social studies, ELA, vocabulary, current events and life skills. The fine folks at Flocabulary are responding to our ever increasing needs by adding new content all the time. Take the time to explore the ever growing bank of resources and here is what you will find:
There are songs and videos on all kinds of different topics. I recently used the song and video about Main Idea. It was so fun and catchy that my kids kept wanting to sing it even when I turned it off...they told me it was "stuck in their heads"! Exactly what I hoped for!!
Besides the song and video, look at all the resources you have at your fingertips:
Quick reviews, lyric notes, fill in the blank activities, etc. etc.
I used the Printable as part of one of my reading rounds...it had to do with being good classroom friends. Perfect for what we were learning about. Students had to read the text and determine the main idea and details. They were provided with a graphic organizer to record on.
Check out ALL the printables you have easy access to. Each video comes with all of this, plus lesson plans and teacher guides!
Ok, here is a brand new option that is soon becoming my favorite: The Lyric Lab. With this tool, you can have your students create their own rap on the topic. Are you looking to increase the complexity of your student tasks..this one hits high on Bloom's Taxonomy. Flocabulary provides you with a word bank and the music...your kids create the lyrics. When you get to the end of each line, the program generates a list of words that rhyme with the last word you wrote....AMAZINGLY fun!!
Intrigued?
Well, here's the best part of all...
I am partnering up with Flocabulary and giving away free memberships! You have the chance to win a FREE year-long subscription! I get to give subscriptions to three lucky readers. Plus you have the opportunity to earn a 45-day extended free trial that is accessible to not only you, but everyone at your school just for entering! Sign up by clicking the link below. After signing up, you will receive an email that will allow you to access your free trial for the week of October 18. Also, you will be entered for the chance to win a FREE ONE YEAR SUBSCRIPTION! Winners will be announced on October 18th.
You must enter by OCTOBER 16 @ 11:59pm EST!
GOOD LUCK!!
In the meantime, check out the link below to visit the site and see all that it has to offer:
youngdor8@gmail.com
