I've made the leap to guided math and I’m not missing whole group math instruction even a little bit! My group this year is very polarized and whole group instruction was a depressing failure for us all. I couldn't meet the needs of my students. My struggling students were able to slide under the radar while my math rock stars either stole the show or were bored. Does this sound at all familiar? If so, guided math is for you!
I’ll be honest, I didn't read the guided math book. I understand the theory behind guided math and knew it would take some time to find the right approach for my class and teaching style. I’m enjoying the process and trust my students will reap the benefits.
At first I tried a structured rotation. Students knew when they were coming to me and exactly what they should be doing when they weren’t with me. Their options were Everyday Math games, multiplication and a higher level calendar math sheet.
On the surface it looked nice…
...but there wasn't enough accountability built in. IN FACT, on the second day ever of guided math I scheduled my first observation of the year. The lesson was great, but kids who weren't meeting with me were not all on task…one student even made a point of discussing his “mustache” (not noticing the assistant principal listening in).
I’m lucky that my assistant principal is understanding and loves teaching math. She had lots of good ideas, which I've since been able to implement with much more success.
Instead of the assigned rotations, students now have a weekly contract where I list the activities they are responsible for if they want to achieve a certain grade for their week’s work. This is good for everyone because:
*I’m planning ahead more effectively - looking at the exam before planning so I know exactly what my kiddos are expected to learn. For whatever reason Everyday Math does not always explicitly teach items that are on the test (not spiral items, new items). So now, I’m prepared to prepare my students! Following the lessons wasn't enough!
*I’m planning ahead more effectively - choosing with care which official pieces from the curriculum to use, and what activities I need to create.
*Items are ranked between must do items - things my students have to know in order to do well on the test, and extension activities. I hope that this way I meet the needs of all my learners!
*Now all students are held accountable and know what is expected of them if they want to earn a certain grade.
Here is an example of how I’m planning the week and what the contract looks like right now. It’s a work in progress. I’m thinking about adding a rubric piece to it, so students know what is expected in terms of completeness, organization, neatness, etc.
My Plans:
The Contract:
I project this fun image for students to refer to as well – just in case the contract isn't enough. They seem to need this visual to support the contract.
Are you doing guided math? What works for you? Any tips or suggestions for me and my readers?
Happy almost Halloween!
Mrs. Castro
Pin It
I hope your school year is going well! It seems like it’s so easy to forget how overwhelming the beginning of the school year can be…or maybe it’s a case of selective memory. This school year has been great so far! My kids are great blend of sassy and respectful. My teammates are amazing! And, I love 5th grade!
BUT, I won’t lie…I’m overwhelmed. There is so much to learn when switching schools/grades/program models. I have a lot to learn, and as always feel the pressure of doing my best to help my kids be as successful as possible. You know the feeling, I’m sure!
Because I’m overwhelmed I haven’t been keeping up with my blog. Finding time to post something insightful is too much for me right now. Once I figure out the grade level, curriculum and dual language hopefully insights will just pour forth. But for now I’m noticeably lacking insight.
Instead of insight I thought I would share a quick freebie. I’ve definitely noticed that my dual language students are struggling with large numbers. They lack confidence when required to say a large number out loud, especially in Spanish.
I created a quick “I have…Who has” set for them to practice saying those big numbers. There is a set in Spanish for my dual and bilingual friends. But I think it’s unlikely my students will only need practice in Spanish, so I created a set in English too!
So instead of insights I offer a freebie hopefully a few of my loyal readers can use or share with someone. Click the image below to download from my TpT shop.
Happy October!
Mrs. Castro
Pin It
I hope the beginning of the school year has been a positive experience for all of you! I have to say I’m amazed at how much more smoothly the start of the year goes with 5th graders compared to my former 2nd graders! It’s a whole new world! Thank you to all the primary teachers who work so hard to get them ready for us!
I am so happy I made the switch to 5th grade. I truly enjoy my students, and am constantly amazed at their ideas, conversations and maturity.
However, I know everyone’s brain works differently. I officially am a “big-picture” person. I have a hard time wrapping my head around details until I’ve figured out big ideas, and how things work as a whole. Consequently, I’m taking 5th grade a day at a time, putting the pieces together. I’m making decisions slowly about how we’ll do our reading logs, use our notebooks, folders, etc. I have to have a vision for everything until I’ll commit.
This is why I am absent from blogging. I don’t have a lot to contribute until I've wrapped my head around my new role as a 5th grade dual language teacher. I hope to be sharing ideas and activities soon, but right now everything is in the very beginning stages.
One of the ways I’m wrapping my head around the intermediate grades is by reading…I’ve been reading more children's/YA books to keep my book recommendations relevant and up to date. I’ve also been reading some teacher books.
I want to share one with you that is truly amazing! If you teach in the intermediate/middle school grades this book is definitely for you. Teachers of other grade levels this book is still a good read, it might just not be quite as easily applied to your classroom.
The Book Whisperer by Donalyn Miller. Did you ever watch/read Anne of Green Gables? I remember the main character always carrying on about kindred spirits. Well, I can honestly say that although Donalyn and I have never met, we are kindred spirits. Donalyn is a teacher and a true book nerd, of epic proportions! (She would probably say bibliophile…)
As a teacher Donalyn initially struggled to find a literacy instruction approach that engaged students and inspired students to become true readers. In this book she shares her experiences and methods for creating lifelong readers.
Her book left me inspired, motivated, and wishing I had had a teacher like her! Donalyn promotes more student freedom, choice and independent reading in the classroom. Under this approach her students have shown incredible growth as readers, and have proven time and time again that “no single literacy activity has a more positive effect on students’ comprehension, vocabulary knowledge, spelling, writing ability, and overall academic achievement than free voluntary reading”.
This book is very reasonably priced and is an easy read! I read it in less than 48 hours!
What now?
Now that I’ve read this book how am I going to apply Donalyn’s wisdom to my classroom? It is important that I strive to be a teacher like Donalyn so that my students aren’t left wishing they had had a teacher like her, as I am now.
Here are some of the things I plan to do…
1. READ – more books that are geared for my students reading levels. A huge part of what makes Donalyn’s approach so successful is her knowledge and passion for literature. She is very up to date on what kids are reading and can make recommendations to any of her students.
2. Students will be expected to read 40 books this school year, with genre requirements built in to help them expand their lietrary experiences.
3. Create our reading response journals…because I have about 100 composition notebooks I believe we’ll be using composition notebooks. Donalyn uses spirals, and a former colleague of mine used three-pronged folders with loose-leaf paper. Included:
- Table of contents
- Genre Notes
- Literary Terms
- Bridge (for dual language)
- Have-Read List
- Want to read list
- Lots of space for reader response to text (letters to me, and my answers)
4. Genre discussion with students – this week!
5. Continue organizing classroom library by genre using Donalyn’s model.
6. Build my classroom library – another secret to Donalyn’s success is her HUGE classroom library. In order for students to choose they have to have books to choose from…so I’ll be working on this too.
7. Decide what this will look like in a dual language classroom. I need my students to be growing as readers and writers in both Spanish and English. So I will have to set certain requirements for language.
This will be a work in progress, but I will be sure to share what works and doesn’t work.
Have a wonderful labor day!
Mrs. Castro
Pin It
