Early Finish Activities

So in our class if you finish a class assignment early you have several options.  The first option is our weekly THINK TANK.  The Think Tank encompasses several challenge activities.  Students have all week to complete.  The first assignment is the "quizzle".  A quizzle is a word play that represents a common saying.  For example,

"Somewhere over the rainbow"











Another aspect is Mathological Liar which can be found for specific grade levels HERE
I present 1 case per week and the student analyze the "suspects" math to determine if their math is incorrect.  Whoever has incorrect math is the "liar" and therefore the criminal.  I like Mathological Liar because it has a mystery theme, but also because it has students analyze mathematical errors and work backwards.

The 3rd component of the Think Tank requires that students solve an Algebraic Reasoning problem.  

4th area: That's Baloney is a FABULOUS game that has 5 categories.  One for each subject: Math, Reading, Science, Social Studies, and Miscellaneous.  Student have to determine if the statement is TRUE or Baloney.  You can purchase HERE

Students also have Boggle- (Word and Equation)  Their goal is to find has many words and accurate equation in the random make up of letters and numbers.

Here are two more items I have added to the EARLY Finish opportunities.

Brain Builders (Purchase HERE) This is my FAVORITE new activity because it requires students to build 3 dimensional objects for 2 dimensional views.  Students use top view, side view and front view to construct an object.  This is rooted in STEM with engineering and problem solving.

Speaking of using critical thinking and applying 2-D plans to 3-D objects, I purchased this book over the weekend.

Origami incorporates so many different curriculum areas, but specifically math with shapes, nets, translations, flips, etc.  We already have several students utilizing this book during indoor recess!

One of my goals is to provide engaging and beneficial actives for early finishing student!

Band-Aid lesson

Have you ever heard of the band-aid lesson?  Well today 60 of my students got to experience the band-aid lesson.    I provided each student with a post-it note and asked them to write an example of an injury that could possibly occur on the playground.  They did these silently so that they did not influence their classmates.  They came up with some very interesting and scary possibilities for injuries.  We even had a snake bite!  Once the students recorded their injury I called the students up by their number not their name and had them show me their post-it (with injury).  I review then injury, sometimes responded, and then placed a band-aid on their right hand.  No matter the injury or the student, they always received a band-aid on their right hand.  I ask the students to tell me what they noticed.  Several students responded that they were injured on their foot or their shoulder, but I placed a band-aid on their hand and that would really help their injury.  One student even pointed out that I called them up by number and that I didn't use their name, which made them feel like I didn't really care about them or their injury.  Needless to say, we had a great discussion about how everyone has different needs or injuries and that using a "fraction" band-aid may not help someone who has a "decimal" injury.  The students were very insightful and I am proud of their responses.  I truly have some great young men and ladies.

First Day of School 2014-2015

Well the first day of 2014-2015 is in the books.  The Caldwell's Crew has grown to 57 students this year!  I am really looking forward to this years' adventures and getting to know all these new faces.  Our first special was MEDIA and our library has added several new centers that students can explore after checking out books.  A few of my girls created poetry in the magnetic poetry area.  Here is their work...

I'm excited to see what they come up with next!  Here's to DAY 2

2013-2014 Class Reunion

So summer is coming to an end and I am looking forward to a new year with some fantastic kiddos.  Before the 2014-2015 year gets underway I would like to share a few photos from our 13-14 class reunion at Sweet Frog.  Many students were out of town, but those who were able to join had a great time.

Pretty Smiles!

Let's be silly!

Another year gone with a fantastic group of kids.  Here's to 2014-2015

5th Grade Recognition Ceremony

It's hard to believe that the 2013-2014 year has already come to an end.  This year was special in so many ways.  I got married in November and took a week off for a honeymoon (I was a nervous wreck, but the kids survived.), I also had the opportunity to teach some of the children that I worked with a few years back when they were in 3rd grade.  I also go to know a class full of fantastic 5th grades.  Here are a few pictures from the year.....

Book Fair Game!

Camp Hanes

Lego Robotics 

Battle of the Books Competition Team

Math Task Cards

STEM Projects with Kindergarten Buddies

5th grade recognition ceremony

The Boys! 

A few buddies came to visit!