I Scream, You Scream, We all Scream for ICE CREAM!

I am a lucky girl! For my birthday my Sweet Bees found me some really cute BEE items!

But that is not what this post is about, it is really about AR (Accelerated Reader). I just wanted to show off that cute bee on my shelf! Oh and since I am showing off....

 

Yes, that IS the Chik-fil-a cow riding a BEE! Each month our school hosts a spirit night at the local CFA, we have won it EVERY month so far this year! Each month our class gets to keep the cow as a reminder we have SPIRIT!

......and now back to A.R!

     The children at our school are encouraged to READ, and part of that encouragement we have bought into the A.R program. The kids read and take a 5 to 10 comprehension question test based on the book. they receive points for answering correctly. Our school has a point reward system too. They give out "dog tags" for 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 35, 50, 75 and 100 points. The children wear these tags around on a chain as a badge of pride. To many, it is fun, but for some they just don't get the "dog tags" or they just don't like the idea of more tests. For this issue, my AWESOME TN (teacher neighbor) and I decided to give AR parties to reward kids for their points too. But alas another problem,  not many kids were attending these parties, (Dance parties, doughnut parties...) getting points wasn't a great motivator so...my TN found yet another GREAT idea on TpT...and here it is....

We both figured out that it really isn't fun to be left out, so instead EVERYONE can come to the AR party, but you come with different levels of fun! You have to earn your way to more fun. So you still get your point "dog tag" AND for 2 points you can come to the ICE CREAM party with a spoon, 5 points you get a bowl, 10 points ONE scoop of ice cream, 15 points = TWO scoops....you get the idea, the more points the more ice cream toppings, and FUN!
     This little change to the system has changed the reading in our room, during the Daily 5 more kids are choosing read to self....

I even had to invent a job, the hostess/host of AR, here they take your number and call your name when a computer is available for you to take your test!

 Reading is at an all time high right now, and my Sweet Bees are achieving their Reading Goals! As of yesterday every child in my class is coming to the next AR party with at least ONE scoop of ice cream! Can't wait to have the party...

Variety with Verbs.

Trying to find hands-on materials for teaching  Reading, English Language Arts is so much easier today than it was ten years ago. I found this wonderful FREEBIE while perusing Teachers pay Teachers looking for activities for Verbs.

 I had the kids first highlight the verbs, this way they could make sure there was one in each sentence. They had the choice to make four sentences, they could invent their own, by mixing up the order on the cut out sheet, or  try to figure out the exact ones from the cut out sheet. (I didn't realize that there was a 'right' way until one of my kids pointed it out to me.)

 My kids really enjoyed manipulating these sentences,so much so that some of them didn't want to  glue them down so they could rearrange them once again at home.

 I showed them the sentences that I came up with, a few had the same ones.

 I am the luckiest teacher, here you can see my fabulous parent volunteer, helping out, making sure kids have the right tools and are on task!

 

Here you can see some different sentences!

 I really enjoy finding little treasures on TpT! I am glad I am working in a time when teachers are encouraged and are willing to share their passion of teaching with others, THANK YOU fellow teacher friends! You all make me look so good in the classroom!

How do you do Specials?

In my school there are MANY extra "Enrichment" classes. Our children participate in Music (Glee style) Instruments, this is where they learn to read music, Art, yes a real ART teacher is included, Science, it is so nice to have extra reinforcement, Spanish, it is fun to have a  Spanish speaking teacher on board, Computer class where they learn how to operate Office and other programs, we also have Media, aka Library and PE (everyone's favorite)!

In Science they practice using the Scientific Method, here they had to compare popcorn before and after it is popped.

In Art they use different mediums, such as clay.

It has been a long time since I blogged, so sorry about that. I have been super busy with my Master's Degree, only five more classes left until I receive my M of Ed.  I promise I will post soon, as for now this is just a quick peek into the fun "Specials" we have at our school!