Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Really?

Really?  That has become our new catch phrase in my class this year.  I suppose it is inevitable since I use that word often all of the time.  I just have to shake my head and laugh about it when I hear a student say it.  At this point in the year, I honestly do not even have a chance to get the word in my brain before one of my students have already uttered it in some sarcastic tone.  I am so glad that they "get" me and my humor - that was a concern when I moved from 7th grade to 6th grade this year (actually not by me, but by a fellow 6th grade teacher).  I did not let it bother me very much, she is a newer teacher and I HAVE taught 2nd and 5th grades prior to middle school.

Anyway, I am going to share one funny from my class right before spring break before I post some more interactive notebook pictures.  I hope you are ready for it...it IS epic and was a proud moment for the sarcastic teacher that I am.

Let me set the stage...I had a female student who was leaving about 1/2 hour early.  We were dismissing at noon that day (and it was my birthday).  Names have been changed to protect the innocent. 

John (boy student):  Sally, please take me with you.
Sally (girl student):  Sorry John, I didn't bring my leash today.
Me:  Laughing out Loud in the back of the room (with the rest of the class) and issuing a proud fist pump or two.

Ok, so now on to more interactive notebooks.  Have I mentioned how much I love these things?  They really have helped keep me focused and centered this year.  I really wish someone would write a book about them to be used in a language arts classroom.

This is a foldable we created on Knots in My Yo-yo String by Jerry Spinelli.  It is from a Dinah Zike book called Notebooking Central Notebook Foldables Strategies for Comprehending and Interacting with Informational Text.

This is just a practice paragraph where each student wrote their own, but the neat thing is the sticky note at the bottom.  I figured out how to print on a couple different sizes of sticky notes.  Each student was given a sticky note to use to check their paragraphs.  Love these!!

This is a window foldable that was created using another Dinah Zike book, Notebook Foldables for Spirals, Binders, & Composition Books.  This was on changing singular nouns to plurals.

This is just a summarization page from out notebooks.  We worked on different summarization strategies for students to use.

Another summarization strategy glued into our notebooks taken from our SIOP training.

And here is another foldable from Dinah Zike for students to use for summarizing.  In addition, I found a story pyramid summary that students can use in their summarization efforts.

 Hope this post has not completely bored you to death.  Stay tuned for more pictures...and details on an AWESOME find that I well...found...to help make students notebooks just a little more organized.  Did I mention how much I LOVE being organized???

16 comments:

  1. Thanks for all these great ideas! I teach 6th grade Language Arts in Virginia. While I have used interactive notebooks before, I haven't done it with 6th grade LA. I'm going to use the story pyramid idea tomorrow!

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  2. Oh my gosh! I have wanted to use interactive notebooking for a couple years now (I teach 8th ELA), but all the examples I have found are geared towards the other core areas, and my attempts floundered.

    Your blog is a goldmine! THANK YOU for pioneering the way for me! lol I might even have to come back and review some of your notes/lesson formats-what a great way to work with these topics. I will definitely be back again to your site. :)

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  3. What an AWESOME blog! I teach reading, and these are perfect!! I'm writing ideas as fast as possible, inspired by your blog! Can you share with me how you print on sticky notes?

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    1. Cayci,

      If you provide me with your email address or email me @ rseldomridge@caldwellschools.com, I will email you the template for printing on the sticky notes. I have two: one for 2 inch X 2 inch square and one for the 1 1/2 inch X 1 inch rectangle. You print out a template with the lines in word, then you type within the template what you want on each sticky note. On your blank template, place the sticky notes to the sticky side is at the top of the way the printer feeds and print. Make sure you've place the paper in your printer the either face up or face down according to the way your printer prints. It really is easy!

      I think there is a tutorial video or better directions on pinterest.

      Randy

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  4. Hi Randy! Love the blog and all the great ideas you have for interactive notebooks. I am also interested in the sticky note template; could you please email it to me?

    cassady606@roadrunner.com

    Thanks!

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  5. Love your blog! I teach 5/6 and I too am very sarcastic! My kids totally get it, most of the time. My coined sayings are 1. Seriously! ?!? 2. Really!?!? And the kids fav 3. Cry me a river, then build a bridge and get over it. It sounds harsh, but I only use it when they are whining about something not for serious matters.

    Love your ideas!

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    1. Randi,

      I love how the kiddos get it and start to use the same words. I've had many parents tell me now much they have "learned" at home due to the way we banter back and forth in my classroom. I wouldn't have it any other way!

      I am so excited that I am looping up to 7th grade with my kiddos next year.

      Thanks,

      Randy

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  6. OMG! I am so excited about trying your ideas. I will begin teaching 7 &8 LA this coming year. I think the interactive notebook is exactly what I need to do! I would love ANY advice and templates..... My email is clairecoff@hotmail.com. Thanks soooo much!

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  7. I can't wait to try this! Thank you for sharing!
    Darlene
    meatballsinthemiddle

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  8. I love your sticky note idea! Will you please send me the template. I would be so grateful. I was thinking of doing this the other day but had no idea how.
    SuzyQT73@gmail.com

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    1. SuzyQT73,

      I just emailed the templates to you. Let me know if you don't get the email or have any questions.

      Randy

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  9. Hi Randy. I teach 7th and 8th ELA and really want to start this interactive notebook model you have shared. Any personal set up advice would be greatly appreciated. I would also love a copy of the directions sent to me about printing the sticky notes. Thanks. I really admire your organization. My email is nkirk@slheights.org

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  10. I too would love the sticky note template! Missmcdonald12@gmail.com

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  11. Thank you so much for sharing your great ideas. I am teaching 6th, 7th, and 8th remedial reading this year. I also would love the templates. Here is my email address: weverett6@cox.net.

    Thanks again,
    Jamie

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  12. Thank you so much for sharing your great ideas. I am teaching 6th, 7th, and 8th remedial reading this year. I also would love the templates. Here is my email address: weverett6@cox.net.

    Thanks again,
    Jamie

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  13. I have been put in 6th grade ELAR after teaching science for 15 years because, our English department left 2 weeks before school. I love you ideas. Please post more, I need to know more about shared reading.... any help or ideas there??? darlenecox62@gmail.com thanks!!!!

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