Each subject comes with certain hurdles to conquer in order to teach if effectively, and math is definitely not an exception. As educators, we know that knowing math facts is the most basic and crucial step to mastering other areas of math. This does not mean that facts need to have a drill and kill approach. Jan Christinson has books on math instruction that are phenomenal. I have done math review and poster method problem solving in my class and have seen great results. Math Review is the constant practice of computational skills that have been previously taught. This by far has increased mastery of facts in a meaningful way for my students. Poster Method problem solving has opened my eyes to the important skills of student led problem solving and how facilitating can encourage higher order thinking skills in students.
There are so many ways to implement math instruction in your classroom. There are so many resources out there, but if you need a starting point, I would definitely start with anything by Jan Christinson or Kim Sutton in order to strengthen number sense and mastery of facts for your students.
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Monday, June 9, 2014
Social Studies Interactive Notebook: American Government and Symbols
So it has been awhile since I have posted but I have been extremely busy working on projects. In the attempt to be productive, I have started many projects and have finally finished this one. It covers the three branches of government, important people in government, as well as American symbols. It is vitally important for students to understand our government and how it works, as well as what our Constitution means. And interactive notebooks are growing in popularity. They are not just a fad but a valuable resource for students to really connect to their learning.
This resource is 48 pages long and is fairly simple to implement. All students will have to do is cut and fold to assemble foldables once they have been copied.
This resource is 48 pages long and is fairly simple to implement. All students will have to do is cut and fold to assemble foldables once they have been copied.
Saturday, May 31, 2014
Help feed hungry kids this summer!
As school is winding down, many feel the excitement of summer. Unfortunately, many kids will not eat because since school is not in session, they cannot receive food. Help Kid President spread the message! Share the video below on your social media sites. For each post, share and like, a meal will be donated. How simple is that?!
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Getting free books for your classroom library!
Something that I have done several times is get free books for my classroom. I have changed grade levels numerous times and have always needed to adjust my classroom library. I have always gone to Half Price Books because they usually give two boxes of books to teachers. I haven't bought books since I have started teaching since finding out about this program. If you are a new teacher or a seasoned teacher, this is great way to build your library with no cost to you. If there is not a Half Price Books where you live, find any other second hand bookstores or bookstores that give away free books to teachers. This will save you so much time and money! Also, retiring teachers are a great resource too!
Sunday, May 4, 2014
Cinco de Mayo Mini Unit
Here is a mini unit for Cinco de Mayo. It has a Color by Number Message, word study activities, memory cards and tear art message. This product as well as my other products, are on TpT and Teacher's Notebook. You can click on the links below to grab a copy.
To grab a copy at Tpt, click here.
To grab a copy at Teacher's Notebook, click here.
Saturday, March 15, 2014
ELA Interactive notebook for Primary Grades: Fiction, Nonfiction and Word Study
ELA Interactive notebook for Primary Grades: Fiction,
Nonfiction and Word Study
The foldables and activities can be used with any fiction or
nonfiction book. The activities in this product are meant to be simple so that
primary students can do them and don’t spend a lot of time trying to construct
them. This way, you can spend more time on instruction than on construction.
Included in this product:
-
Fiction and nonfiction foldables
-
Graphic organizers
-
Word study activities (nouns, adjectives, verbs,
synonyms/antonyms, word endings).
To grab a copy, click here.
©2014 The Thematic Fanatic, Samantha Zavala
Saturday, March 8, 2014
Rock Star Classroom theme
As many teachers do, I try to think of classroom themes to change up my room. Each year I have taught a different grade so I used to changing classroom themes a lot. I have already decided to do a rock star theme. I'm super excited! After perusing Pinterest for hours (I have an addiction!) and searching blogs, I have gotten so many ideas.
I love how The Inspired Apple does her classroom management. So I definitely will be doing a similar classroom manage system. I'm thinking about glitter cardstock or cardboard to make a sturdy version. I will definitely laminate (I have a laminator at home)!
There are many other things that I have found for behavior folders, word walls,etc. Seriously, Pinterest and Google are the best things that have every been created! I seriously think pinning should be professional development. IF this was the case, I am well over my professional development hours.
The other thing that I really like to incorporate into my classroom is music. I am all about using music for transitions in my classroom. It saves my voice from having to repeat certain transition expectations. Plus, it is a really good way to let them get the wiggles out while doing other tasks simultaneously. So when I was thinking of songs, I quickly realized that a lot of rock 'n roll songs are not appropriate for the elementary classroom. Therefore, I dug deep and made a decision. Why not stroll back and do some classics and oldies that have the rock 'n roll/soda shop feel? This is when I got really excited. I love oldies but goodies. I have come up with some songs and their functions. There are some that I'm not sure what I should do with yet, but I am determined. This is what I have compiled for my rock 'n roll classroom playlist so far:
I love how The Inspired Apple does her classroom management. So I definitely will be doing a similar classroom manage system. I'm thinking about glitter cardstock or cardboard to make a sturdy version. I will definitely laminate (I have a laminator at home)!
There are many other things that I have found for behavior folders, word walls,etc. Seriously, Pinterest and Google are the best things that have every been created! I seriously think pinning should be professional development. IF this was the case, I am well over my professional development hours.
The other thing that I really like to incorporate into my classroom is music. I am all about using music for transitions in my classroom. It saves my voice from having to repeat certain transition expectations. Plus, it is a really good way to let them get the wiggles out while doing other tasks simultaneously. So when I was thinking of songs, I quickly realized that a lot of rock 'n roll songs are not appropriate for the elementary classroom. Therefore, I dug deep and made a decision. Why not stroll back and do some classics and oldies that have the rock 'n roll/soda shop feel? This is when I got really excited. I love oldies but goodies. I have come up with some songs and their functions. There are some that I'm not sure what I should do with yet, but I am determined. This is what I have compiled for my rock 'n roll classroom playlist so far:
1. Rockin Robin- Jackson 5
2. La Bamba- Ritchie Valens (line up song)
3.Yakety Yak- The Coasters (clean up song)
4.Lollipop- (lunch song)
5. purple people eater (fun song for Halloween)
6. rock around the clock
7. Name Game (brain break)
8. Wipeout- (switch centers song)
9. Abc
10. The Twist (brain break song)
11. The Lion Sleeps Tonight
12. Old Time Rock and Roll
13. Stand By Me- (goodbye song)
14. I'll Be There- (Good morning Song)
I hope that these ideas inspire you to shake up things in your classroom. Happy Planning!
Social Studies Interactive Notebook: Community Helpers and Communities
Social Studies Interactive Notebook: Community Helpers and
Communities
This interactive notebook unit has a variety of community
helpers and rural, suburban and urban communities. These activities were
designed to be simple yet effective, so that more time can be spent on
instruction instead of construction of the activities. Once copied, students
will mostly just have to cut and fold.
Interactive notebooks are increasing in popularity and are effective and engaging in instruction. I hope to create more interactive notebooks for social studies for the elementary level because there are not many "kid-friendly" resources at the elementary level.
Included in this unit are:
-
Simple foldables for community helpers and
communities
-
Can, Have, Are charts for community helpers and
communities
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Booklets that can be used as an end of unit assessment
or to be a mini chapter book for each community helper and community
-
Community helpers in this unit: police officers,
doctors, nurses, chefs, construction workers, veterinarians, garbage
collectors, crossing guards, teachers, farmers, postal workers and
firefighters.
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Communities: urban, suburban and rural.
-
Can be used for 1st-3rd
grades and differentiation
To grab a copy at Teacher's Notebook, click here.
To grab a copy at TpT, click here.
© 2014 The Thematic Fanatic, Samantha Zavala
Saturday, February 22, 2014
Multiple Intelligence Surveys for Differentiating Instruction
It is something that we have always heard about as educators: differentiating instruction. It's easier said than done for sure, but it is so vital to classroom instruction. Teachers spend a lot of time creating lessons that attempt to utilize different learning styles for instruction. One of the ways that I try to make sure that I am successful with differentiating instruction is by giving my students multiple intelligence surveys. If you search online, you can find TONS of examples to use with students at various ages. When students are done completing these surveys, the results make it very obvious what their strongest and weakest learning styles are. The data can then be used to help create whole group and small group instruction. These surveys are very powerful tools in the tool belt of a teacher. Chances are that your school may require these forms for RTI. If they don't, I would highly suggest using them to help with RTI services.
Sometime soon I will be creating my own versions of these multiple intelligence surveys. When they are completed, I will definitely post.
Sometime soon I will be creating my own versions of these multiple intelligence surveys. When they are completed, I will definitely post.
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Social Studies Interactive Notebook for Upper Elementary Grades: Texas Symbols, Events and People
This unit contains some of what is in my Social Studies
Interactive Notebook for Primary Grades: Texas Symbols, and much more. I have
added more items that can be used with upper elementary. I included portions of
the primary bundle for teachers to differentiate as necessary. There are many
items that can be used in your Texas History Unit. All the significant people listed in 4th grade TEKS for Texas history are included in this unit.
Included in this unit:
Texas Symbols Foldable- the most famous symbols
|
Significant People/Founders of Republic of Texas Foldables-
There are foldables for each person of significance in early Texas history,
as specified in 4th grade Social Studies TEKS (such as Anson
Jones, Susanna Dickson, Placido Benavides, etc).
|
Texas Symbol Badges- to be used individually or with
personal craftivities.
|
Flag, Bluebonnet and Alamo Books- Simple books for information
regarding these state symbols
|
Vocabulary Graphic Organizer/ cause and effect- for use
with any content vocabulary. Cause and effect maps for critical thinking
about The Runaway Scrape, The Battle of San Jacinto, The Battle of the Alamo
and the Texas Declaration of Independence
|
If you would like to grab a copy at TpT, click here.
If you would like to grab a copy at Teacher's Notebook, click here.
© 2014 The Thematic Fanatic, Samantha Zavala
Friday, February 14, 2014
Must- Have Teacher Documents: Substitute forms, Classroom Forms, Certificates and So Much More!
This bundle was made out of necessity for sure. I always want to make sure that my important information is readily available and organized. I created these forms to make sure that my subs would have all necessary information, parents can give me pertinent information, lesson planning pages to help me plan guided instruction as well as whole group instruction and to have certificates readily available to honor students.
Included in this bundle:
-
7 Substitute Teacher Forms (sub feedback,
emergency procedures , etc.)
-
5 Classroom Forms (forms for transportation,
volunteers, etc.)
-
9 Lesson Planning Pages (guided math, guided
reading, 5 E science lesson plan page and ideas, social studies, small groups
rubric and blank planner pages)
-
2 Certificates (birthday and star student)
If you would like to grab a copy from TpT, click here.
If you would like to grab a copy from Teacher's Notebook, click here.
I hope you find this bundle beneficial.
Enjoy!
© 2014 The Thematic Fanatic, Samantha Zavala
Friday, February 7, 2014
St. Patrick's Day Fun Bundle!
This bundle has a variety of activities to supplement your
classroom St. Patrick’s Day festivities. St. Patrick's Day is a definitely a fun holiday here in America, and an important religious holiday in Ireland. This bundle does give some history about St. Patrick's Day in a fun and interactive. I love word study so I made sure that there were plenty of shamrocks with suffixes for word families. I also added some math activities and other elements that could supplement lessons.
Included in the bundle:
-
Shamrock brain break trivia cards about St.
Patrick’s Day
-
Word Family/Word Study Shamrocks
-
Leprechaun creative writing template
-
Shamrock Teacher gift tags for “Lucky” student
treats.
-
St. Patrick’s Day vocabulary addition
-
Roll and cover shamrock sheets for addition,
subtraction and multiplication
To grab a copy at Teacher's Notebook, click here.
To grab a copy at TpT, click here.
Enjoy!!!
Monday, February 3, 2014
Valentine's Day Activities Bundle!
This is a mini bundle of activities
for students to do on Valentine’s Day. There are math and reading activities in
this bundle. The activities are best suited for students in first and second
grade. These are perfect activities for the hectic day that comes on any holiday.
Include in this mini bundle are:
-
6 Valentine theme hundreds chart
activities
-
Valentine word problems
-
Valentine puzzles from the teacher
-
Valentine heart writing template
-
Valentine word graphing page
-
Valentine blank card template
To grab your copy at Teacher's Notebook, click here.
To grab a copy at TpT, click here.
© The Thematic Fanatic, Samantha
Zavala
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Remind101
Remind101 is another awesome tool that I have come to love. With most of my parents constantly on the go, it is sometimes hard for them to always remember everything. The great thing about Remind101 is I can send a mass text message for reminders or any class updates. It can be done from your phone, iPad or PC. You can also schedule reminders ahead of time to be sent. This is a wonderful tool that I encourage all to use.
To take a closer look at the website, click here.
To take a closer look at the website, click here.
Class Dojo: Behavior Management Software
Class Dojo has to be one of my most favorite things that I have implemented in my teaching. It is behavior management software that is FREE!
It is so easy to use! All you do is sign up for an account. Then you create a classroom group. Type in your student's names and they will receive an avatar. You reward students with positive behavior by clicking on the desired positive behavior, in which they receive a point. You can also deduct points for negative behavior.
I would login to my teacher computer and put this on the projector during small group time. I also downloaded the app for iPad. When at the small group table, I could add or deduct points from the small group table! When students earn a positive point, it rings a bell. When they lose a point, it makes a gong sound.
I used a Class Dojo points reward system for prizes. For example, if they earned five points, they get a sticker. 10 points would be a sweet treat. 15 points was no shoes. 20 points would be writing with my crazy pens. 25 points would be chewing gum. 30 points would be lunch with a friend. 35 points would be sit in the teacher's chair. 40 points would be iPad time. Any students who received above that in a month would get bonus prizes.
I reset my Dojo every month and the prizes start all over. I wasn't sure if this would work, but my students loved going through the levels each month.
This has been a lifesaver for me and it has been easy to keep up with consistently.
Click here to get a closer look.
B.U.I.L.D Center Signs Bundle
B.U.I.L.D Math Center Signs Bundle-
Pink and Grey Theme
These signs are to be used with a
BUILD math rotation schedule. BUILD is another way to organized math anchor stations during small group time. It can be adapted to use with Guided Math or any set up that you have for math. It is easy to implement and has numerous possibilities.
Included in this bundle:
-
B.U.I.L.D Center signs
-
B.U.I.L.D Center Rules
-
B.U.I.L.D center labels
-
B.U.I.L.D Weekly Student Checklist
-
B.U.I.L.D center activity ideas.
To grab a copy at TpT, click here.
To grab a copy at Teacher's Notebook, click here.
© 2014 The Thematic Fanatic,
Samantha Zavala
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Social Studies Interactive Notebook for Primary Grades: Texas Symbols
Social Studies Interactive Notebook
for Primary Grades: Texas Symbols.
This bundle is specifically for
Texas units of study. Interactive Notebooks are great for making instruction interactive and also makes instruction meaningful. They are also a fun way to reinforce learning at all levels.
Included in this bundle:
-
Texas Symbols Foldable
-
Texas Badges for references
-
Can, Have, Are charts for the
Longhorn, Mockingbird and Monarch butterfly.
-
Booklets for Bluebonnet, Alamo and
the Texas Flag
-
Vocabulary Graphic organizer.
Click Here to grab it from Teacher's Notebook.
Enjoy!
© 2014 The Thematic Fanatic,
Samantha Zavala
Monday, January 27, 2014
First Grade Calendar Bundle!
Calendar Folders are a great way to engage students during
Calendar time. This Calendar Folder Bundle has a variety of activities to keep primary
students thinking deeper and strengthening number sense.
Included in this unit:
-
Teaching tips on how to assemble and use the
calendar folder items.
-
Blank calendar sheets
-
Number of Days in School sheets
-
Weather bar graphs
-
Classroom Birthday Tallies Chart
-
Number of the Week Sheets, Day 1-5, and possible
numbers for each week.
-
Word of the Day
Check it out in my stores!
I hope you enjoy this unit!
© 2014 The Thematic Fanatic, Samantha Zavala
Sunday, January 26, 2014
Val Pals: Valentine's Day Fun for Teachers!
This Val Pals bundle is a giving resource just for teachers! Everyone knows that students will bring their teacher and their classmates valentines. However, I have always felt that to keep spirits up, it’s fun for teachers to have fun in gift giving to one another. It is a fun way to get to know members of your grade level team or school. And who doesn’t love getting gifts?! You work hard and you deserve it! It's like Secret Santa, but for Valentine's Day. It's super easy! Teachers just fill out the information sheets with their favorite things. Then participants pick from the information sheets randomly to pick a Val Pal. Then you leave little gifts leading up to Valentine's Day when you reveal yourself. It's so much fun!
Enjoy!
Copyright 2014, The Thematic Fanatic, Samantha Zavala
Included in this bundle are:
-Information Sheets for participants (one for team and one for school wide).
-Instructions for the Leader who will be in charge of the exchange.
-Clue Sheets for participants
If interested in this product, click on one of the links below.
Teacher's Notebook
TpT
Enjoy!
Copyright 2014, The Thematic Fanatic, Samantha Zavala
Thanksgiving Bundle
I absolutely love holidays! My favorite thing about Thanksgiving is all the wonderful food. Below is a fun bundle for Thanksgiving.
Included in this unit:
- 8 making words sheets with words that are related to Thanksgiving
- 4 Frayer model vocabulary maps for Thanksgiving vocabulary
- 1 student information sheet for Disguising a Turkey
- 1 Disguise a turkey template
- 2 full version of a 3-2-1 graphic organizer, fiction and nonfiction
- 2 mini versions of a 3-2-1 graphic organizers, fiction and nonfiction
- 8 making words sheets with words that are related to Thanksgiving
- 4 Frayer model vocabulary maps for Thanksgiving vocabulary
- 1 student information sheet for Disguising a Turkey
- 1 Disguise a turkey template
- 2 full version of a 3-2-1 graphic organizer, fiction and nonfiction
- 2 mini versions of a 3-2-1 graphic organizers, fiction and nonfiction
If interested in this product, please click on one of the links below.
Teacher's Notebook
TpT
Rapunzel and The Seven Dwarfs Activities Bundle
This unit was created to be used with the story Rapunzel and the Seven Dwarfs by Willy Claflin. I absolutely love this author! My students love Maynard Moose and his slightly different take on fairytales. If you haven't read this book, I highly suggest that you do. This book is great for comparing/contrasting, which is a skill that all students need lots of practice with.
Thank you for stopping by!
The Thematic Fanatic
Samantha Zavala
Included in this unit:
- comprehension test with answer key
- graphic organizers for character traits and vocabulary development
- a fractured fairytale planning page and writing sheet
- a page for lesson extensions
Teacher's Notebook
TpT
The Thematic Fanatic
Samantha Zavala
Making Words: Monthly Activities for Grades 3-4
Making Words is a strategy for students to manipulate letters and sounds to make words. This strategy is great for all learners, especially struggling readers. It requires students to use sounds and manipulate letters to create a variety of words. This helps to strengthen spelling, phonemic awareness and even decoding.
Making Words is a great word study lesson for whole group instruction. You can also differentiate by taking it to the small group table and doing it as the word study component for your guided reading. It can also be done as a center activity. The possibilities are endless.
Included in this unit are:
- Making Words pages for each month from September to June.
- There are five pages per month.
- Making Words is usually a weekly activity, which is why I have one for each week plus an extra one for good measure.
- The words range in difficulty and by monthly themes. The words chosen can also lead into various units of
Copyright 2014 The Thematic Fanatic, Samantha Zavala
Making Words is a great word study lesson for whole group instruction. You can also differentiate by taking it to the small group table and doing it as the word study component for your guided reading. It can also be done as a center activity. The possibilities are endless.
Included in this unit are:
- Making Words pages for each month from September to June.
- There are five pages per month.
- Making Words is usually a weekly activity, which is why I have one for each week plus an extra one for good measure.
- The words range in difficulty and by monthly themes. The words chosen can also lead into various units of
study.
If interested in this product, just click on one of the links below and it will take you to one of my stores for purchase.
Teacher's Notebook:
TpT
Enjoy!
Copyright 2014 The Thematic Fanatic, Samantha Zavala
Social Studies Interactive Notebook: Primary Grades
Interactive Notebooks are great for learning. They help
students create meaningful learning experiences and can be used as reference.
This unit is an interactive social studies notebook bundle specifically for American
symbols and specifically for primary grades. The items in this bundle can be
easily done with students and then glued into an interactive notebook or
folder.
Included in this Unit:
- American symbols foldable
- American Symbol Bubble Maps
- Pictures of American Symbols for Various Craftivities
- Vocabulary Maps for students to use to learn new vocabulary in any unit
If you are interested in this product, just click on one of the links below and it will take you to one of my stores to purchase.
Teacher's Notebook
TpT
Enjoy!
© 2014 The Thematic Fanatic, Samantha Zavala
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Meet the Teacher Signs: Updated
I have updated my Meet the Teacher signs. I used some rainbow glitter digital paper (created by Kristy Bearfield). The reason why I wanted to make these signs is because Meet the Teacher Night can be super stressful. I had these signs posted around my room. It made my night so organized.
To download the signs (they are FREE!!!), just click on the link below and it will take you straight to my TpT store.
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Meet-the-Teacher-Night-signs-UPDATED-714808
To download the signs (they are FREE!!!), just click on the link below and it will take you straight to my TN store.
http://www.teachersnotebook.com/product/The+Thematic+Fanatic/meet-the-teacher-signs
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Meet-the-Teacher-Night-signs-UPDATED-714808
To download the signs (they are FREE!!!), just click on the link below and it will take you straight to my TN store.
http://www.teachersnotebook.com/product/The+Thematic+Fanatic/meet-the-teacher-signs
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