Think Central Math Review

I just wanted to share how I set up Think Central review in my classroom.  We are fortunate to have IXL in addition to Think Central, though last year I mainly focused on IXL...  I did some comparing/contrasting (no Venn Diagram for me this time) the past 2 years and I noticed my scores were higher when I used Think Central than when I didn't.  I know there are many other factors between the 2 years, and I know it's not all about the test (in an ideal world), but Think Central ties into our math book and walks the kids through the steps of the lesson, while IXL gives them a ton of extra practice equations.  
So what did I do to set it up?  
I took the student scores breakdown (from the Curriculum Associates test they took in mid December), and changed it to a breakdown of their proficiency for each standard.  I know that we haven't covered the entire text so some of the standards I'm not really looking at yet.  But those standards that the kiddos should have scored proficient on?  They really have no excuse.  

I highlight all the 100% proficiencies on the main graph breakdown and then turn to the main Think Central database of benchmark skills.  

Each child gets one of these papers - just a grid of skills from 1-109 (all the 4th grade skills) and I highlight the corresponding skills they need to work on.

When we go to the computer lab the students don't have a choice as to what to work on.  I give them their grid paper and they have to work on those specific benchmark skills that I've highlighted.  They take the quiz and if they pass they get a sticker from me to place on their grid paper.  If they don't, they have to go through all the steps of the lesson again - modeling, doing the math, and the independent practice before they can try the quiz again.  
This week we headed to the lab and the kids were so excited to work on Think Central.  I only highlighted up to 7 skills to work on, so it wasn't overwhelming, and most students were able to finish them in the allowed time.  It took a while to get everyone logged in for the first time since there are a billion steps to log in (just kidding), but then they didn't want to stop.  

Now on Friday I am sending home a letter to the parents with the log in information at the bottom of the form.  The kids will also get 3-5 skills to work on at home over the next week.  I don't know if they will actually do the material at home since at home participation can be a tad iffy, but if they don't those skills will be added to their main sheets for the next time we head to the computer lab or when it's their turn to work on the computers in the classroom.  
The kiddos that didn't have that many skills to work on, well most of them still kept taking quizzes to get those star stickers (anything for a sticker you know...), but the other kids were able to choose to work on their own IXL skills or AR tests.  It was a very productive time in the lab.   
What type of program do you have to review skills before the BIG test?  

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Marzano's Thought Clouds

A while back I won a giveaway from Tonya's Treats for Teachers - and I was able to choose a product from her store.  I chose her Thinking Clouds by Marzano.  I laminated them right away, but since then they have just been sitting in a basket that I randomly choose bubbles out of when we discuss the stories.  It was hard for me to remember what the different colors meant.  It wasn't until Tuesday that I figured out a place to sort them and hang them up (since every inch of my walls are covered).  
I just wanted to share my classroom pictures.
 I placed them in plastic red cups on the edge of my whiteboard.  Right now they just have a pushpin stuck inside to hold the cup to the wall.  I think I need to change them to strong pushpins since I've already knocked one cup from the wall - but overall, if I'm the only one touching them they should be fine.

I used plain white labels and wrote the type of skill the prompts are, and then color coded the cups.  

I think they will be much more efficient for me to use this way (just like Tonya had them) rather than all together.  Hope you have a great day!

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Twitter and a Super Hero Freebie

I signed up for Twitter and I don't know what I'm doing.  I'm just putting it out there for fair warning.  Do you have any tips or tricks to share?  If you want to follow me, please go for it.  Maybe then I won't feel so alone over there. :)
I added the widget to the side bar under the Pinterest and Facebook badge.  The name ilovemyclassroom was too long for a username, so I'm classroomlove instead.  Feeling kind of overwhelmed at the moment.  Am I just supposed to view it as Facebook meets Pinterest and had an offspring?    
Anyhow - other news... I wanted to make up Super Hero Math Awards that match up with my other products.  Here is a freebie for you.  Colored copies for when I have ink to spare, and black and white for when I don't.  They will almost always have black and white in my classroom... but I'm viewing it as that my kiddos can color it in themselves.  

I hope you have a fabulous day!

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Vistaprint Revisited

The other day I mentioned Vistaprint and then heard through the grapevine about Diane's Vistaprint linky.  I just wanted to share the things I have created over the past couple of years.  I mainly do their freebies and just pay shipping.  I'm cheap.
I send out postcards in August with my class website information on the back.  It helps my students know where to look for FAQ about my class, my supply list, and what to expect.
Library Check Out cards - these are business card size.
This is on a small car magnet and I stick it on my whiteboard with the specific things we are learning underneath.
Just basic address labels - I have similar ones that go on my books.
Plain stickers since I love my apples - same thing - it's address labels.
Blank invitations that I used as thank you notes.
More business cards that I turned into encouragement notes.  
Homework Pass - It's a business card.
Special Birthday Homework Passes
Another small car door magnet - I stick this up during tests.
I stick this on the outside of my metal door to hopefully keep visitors from opening the door during tests (it causes so many distractions).
More thank you notes for my parent volunteers - these were invitations.
More thank you notes - these were either postcards or invitations.
More encouragement notes - this time with a little note from me already printed on them.
I've also made stamps and personalized pens from Vistaprint.  They are a great company to work with.
Hope these give you some ideas!
This linky is making me want to go shopping... going to go log on and see what deals I can get. :)

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Super Hero Addition and Multiplication

When I was little I didn't enjoy math at all.  I was a reader through and through... a book a day keeps the doctor away... (I wish)

  For the first couple of years of teaching I had to fake it until I made it... meaning I had to fake enjoying math - I didn't want to pass on my dislike for the subject to my kiddos.  Then something changed and math became fun - I think it's the challenge every year of trying to make it interesting and easy to understand for the new batch of kids.  

I will still choose a book to read anyday compared to sitting down with a Sudoku book though.

Because every child should feel like they can accomplish anything they set their minds to... I introduce Super Hero Math!  

Yes, I made up addition sheets.  Yes, I remember that I teach 4th grade.  No, you probably haven't met my class... but sometimes after working with multiplication every day the entire school year, my kids forget their basic addition facts.

Of course I wanted to make up multiplication ones as well.

Both board sets are set up with the same idea.  10 sheets that include grids to fill in their math facts.  Some of the grids are empty, some have numbers filled in to work on patterns and placement, and some have the main grid numbers mixed up.  I'm printing them off and laminating them to put into my math center rotations.  The blank ones I'm printing off a set for assessment purposes.  

I also made up matching flash cards.  I like things to match.  :)

If you are interested in any of them, just click the links above to go check them out.  The previews for them all contain a freebie!  

Now - I don't know if you have noticed, but I have a habit of giving away everything I create on Facebook.  I upload something to TPT and I want to show it off (and help someone else out).  I think it's my need to please and a self confidence booster.  That if someone responds and wants something I made that means I did something right.  The end of this little story is actually a question.  Have you "liked" me on Facebook?    

Happy Sunday! 

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My Desk (Linky)

Tori from Tori's Teacher Tips is having a linky party all about sharing what our desks look like.  Please don't think less of me after seeing my pictures...Overview of my desk - as of 3:05pm on Friday afternoon.  It's not as bad as I thought it was going to be as it was test day. :)
Now onto the things that I use all the time:
My gigantic apple (it's a cookie jar) makes me smile.  I found it for $5 at a thrift store this past summer and I keep snacks inside for those moments that I have forgotten my lunch or am going to pass out because I'm so hungry.These homework cards aren't usually on my desk - just on Fridays since we play Homeworkopoly with them.  My push on light that I use to keep the children away when I'm working with individuals.  Since I'm usually working with one on ones during silent reading time when I have the lights off, the light is more easily to be seen.  I like that it's a visual reminder that I'm busy at the moment.  I use my pull out drawers all the time.  I like that it's all organized and has stayed this way for 5 whole months.  The baskets at the top are for library cards and encouragement cards.  Books that kids have checked out from me go in one, the books that they have returned go in the other (just to keep track of what they are borrowing), and the other one has little cards that I write notes with.  Gotta love Vistaprint!
Go link up and let me see your desk!
Have a great Saturday. :)

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Big Kid Snowmen and Snow Globes

Sometimes I really miss my primary days.  This week was a throwback to those days that I could focus on snowmen and snow globes (and have things be cute).  Our writing assignment this week was "If I lived in a snow globe..."  I told my students that they needed to imagine they were trapped in a snow globe of their choice.  It was their little world - where would they want to be?  We are working on details and are halfway through 4th grade, so I made it multi-paragraphs.  The first paragraph they needed to describe where they were, the second paragraph was why they wanted to be there.  Most kids chose Disneyland...I don't blame them - I would want to be trapped there too!So here is how I made the cute little sheet of paper from Ginger Snaps into a multi-paragraph essay.  I printed off the little half sheets but knew there was no way that 2 paragraphs should ever be able to fit on it.  That became their little cover with their name.  They had to take a piece of binder paper, fold it in half and then put it under the half sheet before they could cut out the trapezoid shape.  Some kids didn't listen and decided to write their final drafts before cutting...then they had to rewrite it yet again when it didn't fit.  Each paragraph had it's own page, the paragraphs were stapled onto the cute half sheet, then glued onto the black paper.  They then just had to cut out a circle and draw their snow globe.  This took all week to complete.     As they finished, they were able to start our art project for today.  That alone was motivation for some of them.  They traced bowls and plates for their circles, cut them out and made a typical snowman.  Then I gave them some extra task cards that I had printed off from Proteacher and we made it into an editing game.  Not all the snowmen are complete yet (since some of the Snow Globes aren't complete), but it's great review!The kiddos had to tape the card to their bottom circle so it flipped up, and they had to write the answer under the flip.  I love it when things become interactive.  :)
I'm linking up with Amanda at Teaching Maddeness' Friday Flashback!

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