We are sharing our planning responsibilities as a grade level this year and I get to take the charge on the social studies (government, civics, geography, and economics) plans.
This is how I feel:
My undergraduate focus wasn't education, it was pre-law. However, you can't major in pre-law, so it was Political Science with a minor in Global Studies and certificates in Civic Education as well as Philosophy, Politics, and Law. However, I didn't end up in law school and thank goodness for that!
I do hold a master's degree (and thirty additional credits) in education, so I have a pretty good idea what to do in the classroom. (Seven years' worth of experience helps too!)
I'm excited to get to synthesize my extensive background knowledge into a cohesive, scaffolded introduction to the social sciences.
We are starting with {What is Geography?} and the {5 themes of geography} before we move into different types of maps, including this {sort}. From there, we'll dive into regions utilizing Mystery Skype and the map.
You know, the map:
After that we'll move into Native American Indian Research Projects and have them write a fiction story based on their research. They'll create diaries as a member of a Native American Indian tribe. This will tentatively be happening as our culminating writing project in November, thus integrating social studies and writing.
From there, we'll review colonial history before moving into branches of government. I plan to embed economics into each region (in addition to land forms to pre-teach the FOSS kit they'll be doing in humanities).
I hope to have all of this fun wrapped up around winter break, but know I have a much larger window if needed. I know GATE is focusing on multiple perspectives in history this year with a focus on the colonial period, so that's exciting to have that built in extension for my students.
As I finalize products and plans, they'll be available on TpT! Stay tuned :)
I had to change my classroom calendar.
It's October. Monday starts week 8 of school. I don't know where the days have gone!
Oh wait, yes I do. Devoted to learning. Devoted to place value, powers of ten, rounding, and comparing decimals. Devoted to reading the Lightning Thief. Devoted to their Native American Indian research projects and writing extension projects. Devoted to maintaining a positive classroom culture and celebrating successes.
It's been a busy start to the year!
While B is out having a boys night, I'm enjoying a lazy evening with the DRV, playing with the kittens, crafting, and a tiny bit of grading. I'm such a list maker, so let's make some October goals!
Professionally:
-Implementing another game day for my students to allow them to play with decimals and multiplication, allowing me time to reteach in a smaller group setting.
-Continue to have students be excited about The Lightning Thief. They are so invested in the story and keep trying to sneak the sequel, The Sea of Monsters off the shelf. Sneaky wanna-be half-bloods!
-Continue to build positive relationships with my coworkers, admin, and parents.
My assistant principal popped in today to share that a third grade teacher was struggling with math games and that she recommended he come see me. She wanted to make sure that her suggestion was okay, and obviously it's fine! I'm excited that she sees me as a go-to person on making the classroom environment fun while still standards-based.
I've had some really positive conversations with parents lately and I hope it continues. I had one mom come in after school to learn about the math organizer we're using in math. We had a 20 minute conversation and afterward, both mom and daughter felt better. I sent them home with math games (because that's a way that the student will actually want to practice) and she had her retest today. Guess what? She got a B. Progress!
-Stay ahead of my grading and math planning!
-Add a few more products on TpT. I have a few students that are finishing up novels that I've read, but haven't made chronological order sorts for. When they skip the sort, they tend to get around 80% on their AR tests...which doesn't count for badges. However, when they do the sort, they earn 100%. For me, it's worth a few extra hours to help them be successful.
-Continue to network for Jamberry. I just got my business cards and am excited to pass out pretty samples to friends and family. I love having pretty nails :)
Personally:
-Finish the wreath I started for our front door. Right now it's a styrafoam circle wrapped in burlap. I want to add some embellishments, but I'm not quite sure what. Our door is navy, so perhaps something white or maroon.
-Continue to organize books to take into my classroom...and get a handle on the guest bedroom.
-Finish Christmas shopping. I've got my brother's girlfriend totally done and my mom mostly done...so baby steps!
-Be better at blogging!
-Finish The House of Hades.
What are your October goals?
