2. Focus on typing. We are lucky enough to have a computer lab at my school. When we go in, sometimes the students practice typing, sometimes they don't. Next year, they will start every.single.time with our typing program. Why you ask? Because Common Core is on the horizon and those Common Core assessments (ie: the BIG TEST) will be taken on the computer. If the students get hung up on the typing part, they won't be focused on the actual information they know. I don't want the typing to hinder them. So we will practice.
3. Slow Down. I feel like I was always rushing. I just want my kids to "be done" so we can move on to the next thing. At times, I feel like I did sacrifice some more in-depth learning because of the constant go. So next year, we will be doing a bit more "yellow light" in my room.
4. Spiral Language Arts. I do it in math and LOVE LOVE LOVE the results. Now it is time to work on Language Arts. My teaching partners have come up with some good things to do as morning work (that I will share with you sometime this summer) and I want to add in a homework component....ala the Spiral Math homework. I think it will keep me more focused and *hopefully* have the same result as the math. So that is my homework this summer....Spiral Language Arts Homework and Quizzes ;)
OK...that is enough planning for my brain today. What do you plan to do as this year draws to a close in preparation for next year?
What typing program do you use?
ReplyDeleteBethany
fabandfunin4th.blogspot.com
My school has a site license for Mavis Beacon. The kids enjoy it and it really does seem to teach them how to type. We just have to do it more!
DeleteLove your goal of typing. That's a great and necessary idea. I think I'll join you in that goal. :)
ReplyDeleteBrandee @ Creating Lifelong Learners
Thank you for reminding me about typing/keyboarding!
ReplyDeleteLove the typing idea!
ReplyDeleteMisty
Think, Wonder, & Teach
My school is ordering a keyboarding program to use next year as well. Scary to think how much rides on them being able to type well, especially as I watch my 5th graders take 10 minutes to type one sentence out now!
ReplyDeleteI was just looking through your TPT store today for a language arts spiral review (I don't teach the math in my grade level) so I'm excited to see what you will put out! :-)
I am excited too! I have been wanting to do something like this for a while but FINALLY think I have it all worked out in my brain ;)
DeleteAny chance of a 4th grade version of the language arts review? Your spiral math is fantastic, and I plan to start it right away in August. I'm also going to use paragraph of the week that was so SUPER for my 4th graders this year. What growth in writing I saw!
DeleteJan T.
Our math consultant told us that our whole district does poorly on fractions on testing and I said maybe it is because we teach it near the end of the year and rush through it to prep for the test!! Fractions is such a huge part of math and hard for many kids yet I feel like I rush through it every year! Excited to see what you come up with for Spiral Language!
ReplyDeleteLooking From Third to Fourth
There are just SO many fraction concepts to go through too! Ours happens during second quarter and because of the calendar issues this year, the main chunk fell during our winter program....so practicing "Twas the Night Before Christmas" came first, and math suffered. Now, I will be prepared for next year to combat that!
DeleteI can relate to the pacing of lessons goal. It was actually one of my goals, too. I like the idea of your typing goal, too. I think that it is very important that our students learn how to type correctly so that they'll be able to focus on the content rather than the typing. One more thing...I need to slow down, too. I feel so rushed all the time!
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
Fun in Room 4B
So excited to see that you're going to work on a Lang. Arts Spiral Review!
ReplyDeleteWith CCSS, 5th grade is the focus year for Fractions. I struggled last year to get all of the fraction stuff in, I really had to pace myself this year and was able to get it in. It's a tough concept for some 5th graders. I love your plans for next year, best wishes on accomplishing them all!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you teaching typing. The kids can click and manipulate things just fine, but typing takes a while. I am going to look up Mavis Beacon, and see if my building is interested in using it.
ReplyDeleteEmilyK
I enjoyed reading your goals Steph! I'm so with you on the slowing down...there's so much pressure to move quickly through everything in a day but this is such wise advice. I look forward to seeing your LA spiral!! Happy almost summer :) :)
ReplyDeleteYay Yay Yay!!! I am so excited about the spiral language arts review!!! I love the idea of the math one, but I teach ELA, so I have seriously been looking forward to a language arts one! Good luck with your last week of school, this is my students last week as well. Happy summer!
ReplyDeleteI like Type to Learn 4 even better than Mavis Beacon (have used both). Currently our school is using a free online program called typingweb.com. Our fifth and sixth graders liked it, so we will be using it with third and fourth as well. It is pretty comprehensive and flexible for being free!
ReplyDeleteWow - your testing will be on the computer NEXT YEAR?? Here in New York, we've heard that's coming but I really wonder at the logistics of that. We have such issues with computer availability now - and even just logging on - that I wonder what kind of mess we're getting into. Also - fractions was the focus of our Local Achievement Test this as part of our new teacher evaluations. So...they got hammered home pretty. I actually like that if the students didn't pass the test, they HAD to review and take it again. My kids were a lot stronger with fractions for sure. :-)
ReplyDeleteCorrina
From Mrs. Allen's Teaching Files