Project Based Learning

In my gifted/talented class, we have begun using project based learning. Let me back up a bit...we have mostly been doing units that had some project element to it....but I have been researching Project-Based Learning and decided that this was what my kiddos needed to be doing...at least a part of the day.

So....this week is the first lesson that have been delivered....yes...I know it has only been two days in this week yet....but because I serve a 6th grade class on Monday and 2nd through 6th grade on Tuesday that means I have actually delivered the beginning of both of the lessons that will be taught for my two Project-Based Learning units. My 4th through 6th grade are doing a unit on Heroes (classical & contemporary) and my 2nd and 3rd grade are doing a unit on how we communicate (this is a writing/art unit that requires them learn about vivid language(adjectives, similes, and metaphors). I must say today was an absolute blast. While I worked with the little ones....my older ones read a Greek myth and discussed the character traits of the characters that made them heroes. But that isn't all....I was worried this would be a little boring for them....they were so engaged....I was totally amazed!

So....I figure the rest of the week has to be good. I have only 2nd grade tomorrow....but there are 12 of them...so we will see how that goes. Then I have 3rd grade on Thursday. This one should be a piece of cake. Then Friday I will have 4th and 5th. This should prove to be another day filled with some awesome discussion about Greek myths.

I have to say....I am always amazed when my lessons go over so well....gifted/talented students can be some tough cookies sometimes.

What kind of day/week have you had? I would really like to know!

Dee

What we have been doing the past week.....

Due to our 2 days of fall break on Monday and Tuesday last week, I just finished up with a weeks worth of lessons on the Elements of Art - Lines. We really had so much fun with this lesson.Now...some of you may know that I serve Gifted/Talented students at 3 different schools in my district. I have a total of 58 students that I serve on a weekly basis. Each day I pull a group of students out of the regular education classroom to my classroom to receive services for 6 hours per week.

Here is the anchor chart that I created with the help of the students. Now mine isn't as pretty as a lot of the anchor charts that I see all over Pinterest and blog land....but at least it did the trick for the students.

Once we had the lesson and discussed the different types of lines, the students were instructed to make a name tag and decorate it with lines .... and color of course....everyone knows that Mrs. Bibb....love color!! Take a look.........at them while they were working.   OK...that didn't work. I can't seem to figure out how to keep my "masking" of students' faces on when I paste into my blog...will have to do more research on this. If you know how to do this....please leave me a comment and tell me how!

OK....here are some of the student name tags after they finished. All of these students are at one school....but there are several age groups represented here.



Here are a few close ups.

After doing this lesson with my students this past week, I find out at lunch time today that one of my other principals wanted me to go to a professional development tomorrow (October 17) that is being put on by the MS Arts Council....want to guess what part of the professional development is going to be about......you guessed it....Elements of Art. Well it also will be talking about using core curriculum with integrating art in to lesson plans. This should definitely be an interesting day tomorrow.

I will let you know how the PD goes after I get back.....maybe Thursday (not going to promise I will blog tomorrow night!)

OK...I am really tired...so I'm off to beddy bye now!!!

Dee

Blogging Buddies Giveaways

Hello out there! It has almost been a week since I've blogged. This has been one busy week. I did take some time this morning to go around and visit some of my teacher blogger friends and found several giveaways that I wanted to share with you!

The first giveaway up is from Liliris from Fourth Grade Garden. Be sure to jump over quickly...this ends in soon.

Then we have up next.....Tara at Fourth Grade Frolics. This one ends in 3 days....but don't wait there are some fantastic prizes!

Then we have Rikki over at The Hive. This one ends in 4 days....but I sure wouldn't wait about entering this one either. Fabulous prizes!

And last....but definitely not least...go on over and check out the giveaway that Tessa over at Tales from Outside the Classroom is hosting! This one has 6 days left....but don't wait...something will happen and you will forget! At least that is what would happen to me!

All of these ladies have pulled together quite an array of wonderful prizes....be sure to go by and leave them some comment love and enter their giveaways.

I have my Autumn Math Center packet ready as well as the Multiplication Word Problems packet....I just need to get pictures and post them here.

I hope everyone has a wonderful week ahead!!

Dee

Currently.....I did it!!

Oh Boy!!! I ma actually hooking up with Farley over at Oh' Boy 4th Grade with her monthly Currently! I have been wanting to do this the past couple months and now....here it is!

Wow!! Looks like I'm going to fall right in at number 285...that's right folks....there have been 284 before me hook up with Farley! Come on over and join us....the more the merrier!!

 

We are in the midst of fall break here in our district....which by the way....I don't think we have ever had before. Oh...it is only two days....but I will take them....wouldn't you??

I am working on getting some assignments done so I will be ahead for my graduate classes (yes....I'm still in school....it looks like I am the epitome of a "lifelong learner".) I should have this degree....if everything works out...by spring 2014. I know that is a ways off...but hey...it is just two classes per semester....I still take my summers off.

OK...off to work on some items for my TpT store.....I'm working on a writing unit and a math unit. Hope to have them finished soon!

Dee

Monday Made It - Monthly Edition

OK...I know that Monday has passed....however, I was determined to go ahead and get my Monday Made Its posted and linked over to Tara at 4th Grade Frolics. I just love hopping around looking at all the goodies everyone has made for their classrooms.....don't you?

So snap some photos of your "Made Its" and link up with Tara at 4th Grade Frolics. OK...so on to what I've made in the past month. I have to be honest here....I really think I made more things...but I didn't take my photos as I finished them and probably forget some...but oh well....here are the ones I remember. BTW....please forgive the crummy photos...My lights in my classroom are on the blink AGAIN!!!

The first item up for show is my Reading Olympics board...this is where some of  my students projects will be posted. I do have some that were too large for the board and they are also hanging around my room. I got the idea of this project from Stephanie at Teaching in Room 6. I changed up some of the activities that she had for the levels that she had provided and then created activities for the remaining Silver and Gold levels. My students just began doing this in September...so the board has a way to go before it is full. But, here it is......

 

The next item up for show is my calendar. I am so proud of this little critter....ok..it isn't really a critter...nor is it little. But, I am loving it and so are my kiddos!! You see for many years, I have only used a little perpetual calendar....no room for birthdays or anything. So we are just way too excited about this calendar! I purchased the labels from Bridget at Little Lovely Leaders. You can find the calendar set in her TpT store HERE.

 

 I got a wild hair this past month and decided my tables looked crappy and I wasn't going to put up with it anymore. I know you have all seen the "How to make chalkboard paint" floating around Pinterest. Well...there were so many of them....I don't really know who to give credit for this...so I am going to just say....I got the idea from Pinterest!

 

Now my tables don't look crappy any more!! I am so doing the happy dance....as are my kiddos...they are loving being able to write on the tables....and not getting in trouble for it!

This next item...I believe I got the idea from someone who in the past did a Monday Made It....I just can't remember who it was and I can't find my piece of paper that I wrote it on....Oh the horrors of getting old!! Anyway....I digress. You all know all the "READ" letters that are cutified (ok...I know this probably isn't a word...but it is now) up going all around Pinterest and blogs everywhere....well this is sort of that except the person I copied used Glitter foam.....and now so have I. I have 10 inch glitter foam letters that spell "READ" I am so pumped!!! Just take a look!!

YES....they are on top of one of my chalkboard tables at the present...because my short self can't reach where I want them. I will be getting the ladder from the custodian next week.

My last item....I basically only printed and laminated....but I still consider that making it....I had to cut them out and everything.....Right? I got these from Rachel Lynette....and they were FREE!! Now who doesn't like FREE?? You can get them in her TpT store HERE. 

 

Thank you for stopping by and checking out my Monday Made It - monthly edition. Come on over to Tara's blog at 4th Grade Frolics and link up with your Monday Made It.

Dee

MAGC Conference & a Fall Giveaway!

On September 26-28 of this past week, I attended the Mississippi Association of Gifted Children (MAGC) conference that was held this year at the Mississippi State University (MSU) Riley Center in downtown Meridian, MS . First of all, this facility is so beautiful. Everything was so nice and comfortable. All of the staff were friendly and so helpful.I truly had a terrific time while in Meridian.

In Mississippi, it is mandated by state law that services will be provided to students in grades 2 - 6 that are identified as intellectually gifted. The education provided by the gifted/talented program must be in addition to and different from what the child receives in the regular classroom. With the institution of Common Core State Standards (CCSS) in our district, I was a little afraid that what I do in the gifted classroom might seem to be unnecessary. However, after talking with many teachers of the gifted, Carol Paola the Executive Director of MAGC, and Chauncey Spears, Director of Advanced Learning and Gifted Program at the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) the past few days, I realize that what we do will always be more and different from what the children get in the regular classroom. While the CCSS will boost the level of education for them on a regular basis, I will still be needed. That is really a HUGE relief for me.

OK...I said there was a giveaway, too! There is.....over at Tanya Rae Designs. She has corralled several of us and we are all giving away some of our products that can be found on Teachers Pay Teachers (TpT). Jump on over to Tanya Rae's blog and check out all of the great items that you could win....then be sure to register for the giveaway!

I hope everyone has a fabulous rest of the weekend!!

 Dee

Fall is in the Air - Happy Fall Ya'll Linky Party

I just felt the need to post about how much I am loving this cooler fall air. The leaves haven't started to turn yet. But, I sure can't wait to see all of those red, yellow, and gold leaves floating around. I don't even mind seeing them piling up in yard. To me, it just means time is getting nearer for hot chocolate, sweaters, and a warm, glowing fire in my fireplace.

Cynthia over at 2nd Grade Pad has a Happy Fall Ya'll Linky Party going on and I thought since I was in a FALL kind of mood....that I would link up with her! Come on over and check out all the fall items!

 

Because I have caught the fall "bug"....I made a small 20-card set of Autumn Writing Task Cards for you to use in your classroom writing center...or any other way you can imagine to use them. My students love to do creative writing and I can get some of the best stories when I turn them loose with a creative prompt. I bet you can, too!

Just click on the picture...it will take you to my store!

I have been purchasing items through Teachers Pay Teachers for quite some time. I only recently...actually very recently...this school year to be exact..set up a seller account.

From now through September 30....you can purchase the Autumn Creative Writing Task cards for $1.00 from my TpT store. Hop on over there and grab you a set. Just laminate and go! I am sure your kiddos will love using them...just like mine do!

Now...as a little added bonus....I have made a cute little writing paper that coordinates with my autumn task cards....It is yours for FREE...now who doesn't like free?

I hope that you and your kiddos enjoy this!

Thanks so much for stopping by....I hope you have a fabulous week!

 Dee