Quick pre-Vegas post

I am finishing up my packing and last minute stuff before heading out to the airport, so this is a quick post.

I've been using Instagram for over 2 years, but didn't really consider using it as an extension of the blog. Adding one more social media platform seemed like a chore, but I love how there is so much more interaction on IG. I'm terrible at commenting on blog posts, and I know many who are similar. Since I'm off to Vegas for the TpT Conference I figured what better time to get started. So, if you are an IG user and would like to follow me, here's the linky http://instagram.com/uppergradesareawesome and I hope to meet some of you tomorrow!

A couple of years ago I created some Math Common Core data trackers that have all the standards for grades K-8 and are great for students to color in as they master each standard. I wasn't planning on making ones for ELA, but I continue to get requests, so I went ahead and made some. All versions are the same style and color scheme, here's 5th grade.

The ELA versions look so much better than the Math ones, I may just have to go back and revise those a bit! If you were one of those interested, they are now available! Just note, these took up two pages because there are so many more standards in ELA...so that's two posters and two blackline masters for students to color in.

Kindergarten
First Grade
Second Grade
Third Grade
Fourth Grade
Fifth Grade
Sixth Grade
Seventh Grade 
Eighth Grade

Fortune Cookie Question Cards for Non-fiction {and a GIVEAWAY}

Several years ago I took a professional development course on (not taught by) Debbie Diller's Literacy Work Stations for Grades 3-6. The class was excellent because it was "make and take" and by the end of the class we all had several work station  materials ready to use in the classroom. Our homework during the course was to make and present our own workstation to the rest of the class. At the time Michael's had started selling take-out boxes in their gift wrapping section and I was inspired! I made three boxes each containing fortune cookie cards that had questions to use after reading at the non-fiction work station. I've had these in my room for several years, but I didn't photograph them because they weren't very pretty and had become faded from sitting in the window for years. I finally made a brand new set, fixed it up, and updated the questions.

These cards are great because they add interest to students and they come in their own cute storage boxes! 

And these are not just for literacy work stations! They can be used with small groups and whole class! 

I just added the file to TpT, it includes 16 science fortune cookie questions, 16 history fortune cookie questions, and 16 biography questions. There is a label for each of the three genres as well. The file has a black and white version for printing on tan card stock, or a colored version to use on white card stock. 

The take-out boxes can be found at many craft supply stores (Michael's, Joann Fabrics, Hobby Lobby, etc.) These I purchased from Hobby Lobby for about $5.00. I *think* there were 8 included. I've even seen these at Dollar Tree! The pictured ones aren't laminated, but my original ones were. Just unhook the metal handles, unfold, and run through the laminating machine! 

So, I've been wanting to do a giveaway for sometime, but I'm nervous. I've never had one before and I don't want to do it wrong! Please gently let me know if I am committing a giveaway crime, I don't intend to! 

The prizes:

1st Place - I'll mail you the completed Fortune Cookie Question Cards for Non-fiction that is shown above! No need to print and cut, I've already done that for you! And, to sweeten the deal, I'll throw in a $10.00 TpT gift certificate! (Must be a US resident)

Runner Up - Two lucky people will receive a free PDF of the Fortune Cookie Question Cards for Non-fiction! Plus one free item of choice from my TpT store!

How to enter (up to 3 entries possible!): 

* Fill out the simple 3 question form below. 

(Your email address will only be used in the event that you win.)

* Like Upper Grades are Awesome on Facebook and leave a comment finishing the phrase "Upper grades are awesome because...".

* Follow the blog and comment on this post with the following: name, email address, and finish the phrase "Upper grades are awesome because...".

All entries must be received by Sunday, March 17, 2013 11:59 PST/PDT.

Winner will be chosen using a random generator. 

I will announce the winners on Monday, March 18. 

Fall Break!

I absolutely LOVE being on a modified year-round schedule. Having two week breaks at the end of each quarter is a much needed time to rest, relax, reflect, and recharge for teachers and students. This past quarter has been the most stressful of my career and this break is is necessary! I haven't been feeling too well and I know that the stress is a big part of the problem. Going to see the doctor next week, but I've started juicing again and I'm going to give some B-12 supplements a try. So far I've spent some time with family and did some of this...

...and starting reading this...

Tomorrow I have a district training for Common Core ELA. Of course I'm a little bummed that I'm taking this over break (it was over break or during school nights) but I'm also excited to get more guidance on the transition to the new standards. 

Also, I have quite a few things that I want to blog about from first quarter, so hopefully the next week or two I can share some of the great things that my 5th graders have been up to!

Math freak out!

I know that I should be spending my short six-week summer break relaxing, but I am in school mode. Not only am I moving down from 6th to 5th grade next year, but I will be teaching math, something I haven't taught in years! I love math and I am so excited to be teaching it again, but my mind needs to have, at the least, an outline of what I will be teaching and in what order. The Common Core State Standards are a good thing, but our state and my district are in a transition period, meaning we need to still teach the old standards but start to incorporate CCSS. A friend, who also teaches 5th in my district, reassured me that I should not freak out. Plus I know my new team will be nothing but supportive. So, I still plan on getting prepared for next year, but I will re-direct my focus to things that won't cause anxiety, like the following...

I love guiding students to be responsible and accountable for their own learning. I made these Math and ELA posters to post in my classroom (available for purchase at my TpT store).

To accompany these posters I thought it would be great for students to have something to keep in their binder to track the concepts that they have mastered, so I devised the Wheel of Math Common Core Standards. 

This fun wheel of standards includes all 26 Common Core math standards for 5th grade. Display the colorful copy in your classroom and provide each student a copy of the blackline master to keep in their math notebook. When students have mastered a concept have them color in the appropriate piece of the wheel. This will help encourage kids to be accountable for their own learning and keep them motivated to master every concept! Best of all, these are FREE!