A New Year Calls For...

New Science Journals!

Please forgive my manners, as I have yet to post about the effectiveness of science journals in my classroom! I don't know how I've been blogging so long and have left out one of the most integral parts of my classroom instruction! My students' science journals are the blood, sweat, and tears of all of their hard work in science class!

At the beginning of the school year, each kiddo brings in two green one subject spiral notebooks for my class. I store one journal for second semester (in those big heavy duty plastic tubs) and the other one is used as their first semester science journal!  I find that by the end of December, most of my ducklings' school supplies (including their journals) look rather...disgusting. Some are even falling apart! Having them make two journals eliminates the need for any of my kids to have to tape together a falling apart notebook. I also love the idea that it's a "new year" so they get a fresh start with a new notebook! If they haven't been the most dutiful at keeping their journal in-line, they get a new chance in January! The journals are stored in the back of my room in tubs and my kids grab their journal at the beginning of each hour. I use the journal in all sorts of ways:

• Labs (sometimes we cut and paste their lab sheets right in there)
• Making observations/inferences about class demonstrations
• Note-taking
• Storing graphic organizers
• Illustrating concepts
• Self-evaluations
• And many more!

We begin each science journal with a table of contents. I just typed out a table and numbered it #1 through #60 and left blanks for the titles.  We glue it right into the inside front cover of the journal, and on the first page. (Most of what we put in our journal I type out ahead of time, and then shrink on the copier. I then cut the papers out so they will fit in their notebooks using the blade in the faculty lounge. It sounds like a lot of extra work-but trust me-it's not. It's way easier to have kids just glue and go rather than wait for them to get out scissors, chat with their buddy as they grab said scissors, etc.)

We also glue our science buddies sheets in there. This is an adaptation of the famous Clock Buddies activity and I absolutely LOVE it for quick partnering up and for group activities! I also have my kiddos glue science safety rules and symbols in their journals as well.

Here are some more pages of notes, self-assessments, etc. from some of my kiddos' lovely science journals...

Now comes the question every teacher is wondering....

DO YOU GRADE THEIR SCIENCE JOURNALS?

The answer? Yes. Here is how I handle that beast (so I'm not toting home 100 journals every weekend).

It is the responsibility of my kids to keep their journal in order. They have to make sure their table of contents is correct, and that they have all of the necessary information in their journal (even if they are absent). They can always double check their journal with my science journal, which is updated daily by two very reliable students in my fifth hour class, and when they are absent, I always staple any necessary papers to their absent forms. This puts the responsibility on my kids to keep their journal looking sharp.

Sometimes, I grade one specific entry in their journals (like labs) and I'll walk around and grade while my ducklings work on something else. Other times, just to check if they are keeping up with their journals, I'll give them a "Journal Test." The journal tests are easy if a kid has been keeping up with their journal, and usually consist of questions such as:

• Open your journal to entry number five. What did you put for question number six?
• What number entry was "Forming a Hypothesis?"
• Draw a picture of the graphic organizer we drew on our "Rock Cycle" entry.

The journal tests are a great way for my kids to see how they are doing, and a great participation grade in my grade book!

Here's to a great 2012! 

What do you do in your classroom at the start of a new year?

A Little Bit Easier

Needless to say, it has been a VERY long week. I started off Monday being sicker than a dog (and still am battling away at this nasty ear infection/sinus infection), had to stay late on Tuesday due to the Fall play, and just now am getting home due to parent teacher conferences (more on that tomorrow). 

I. Am. Exhausted.

However, I thought today I would fill you all in on how my new classroom management tool is working out. Remember when I posted this awesome idea that I found on First Grade Glitter and Giggle's blog?

Well, I adapted this idea into my own "Chart of sorts." Here is a breakdown of the final product:

Basically, when the kids come in I place check marks next to the items that apply to the activity for the day and place an "x" next to the items that do not apply to the day's agenda. That way, as my ducklings come in they can immediately see if they need their textbook or science journal, and see if they are watching "Mythbusters" and/or doing a lab that day. Then, as we complete activities, I place checks and "x's" as they apply to the given activity. For example, today in my sixth hour they worked on an activity in their science journal, so I placed a check next to the "keep in journal/folder" picture and an "x" by the "turn it in"picture. Since the activity was a group note taking exercise, I also checked the "talk to friends-noise okay" picture as well as the "talk to Evans" picture. I checked both of the pictures "work around the room" and "stay at seat/lab table." The kids get instant feedback as to what my expectations are, and can glance up to the whiteboard if they need a little reminder as well. 

It has been AWESOME!

I can't even begin to describe how much easier it has made my day! I no longer am asked the same repetitive questions every hour like, "Are we watching Mythbusters today?" or "Do we need our science journals?" Plus, the kids help by informing each other when I erase/change the checks and "x's." Sometimes I hear my reliable students whisper, "_________(insert name of student here), you need to get your textbook. See how Miss Evans has checked by that picture?" Also, I have started including the page numbers from the textbook that we use that day as well as the journal entry numbers next to my check marks. Today I noticed that several of my kiddos had already labeled their journal and had their textbooks ALREADY OPENED TO THE RIGHT PAGE when I began class! Yahoo!

It's the little things that truly make life a little bit easier, even on a parent teacher conference day.

Sidenote: like my new name plate outside my door? My parents got a real kick out of it. :)

The BIG Classroom Reveal!

To view my current blog and download my Scientists of the Month, visit www.elementaryendeavors.weebly.com

Well...here it is! The BIG classroom reveal!

This is my classroom door. I got the idea from, of course, Pinterest!

This is to the right of my classroom door. I have folders for our school Talent Show and Drama Club so kiddos can pick up information.

This is to the left of my door. I have a whiteboard where I can write any supplies that kids need for that day (markers, scissors, etc.) as well as a "Textbook" sheet where I can check if they need their book or not.

This is looking at the back of my classroom door. I love having the file cabinet, two door cabinet, and bookshelf right there to create a little "nook."

This is my student bookshelf, which my kiddos can access anything, anytime.

On the top I have my turn in trays, my science journal binder, and my science starters (warmups) binder.

I also have my "absent" folders and tissues for those runny little noses.

On the second shelf I have glue...

Our science starters warmup sheets...

And scissors!

On the bottom shelves I have buckets for my "all finished" work. (Mensa puzzles, science investigations, and magazines and books).

I plan on putting some band-aids in that cute little magnetic purple container.

I am in LOVE with this little framed sign. :) It says, "This classroom runs on love, laughter, and lots of coffee."

Can't beat these cute bins from the dollar store!

In the front of my classroom, I have my favorite bulletin board of all time...

Where I feature a "Scientist of the Month..." (I already printed out the scientists for the entire year so they are ready to go.)

A section for Twitter related posts and pictures...

A section for witty "Science Stuff" I find online...

Gotta love a good Einstein quote!

I heart this t-shirt design!

And last, a section for science events around the St. Louis area! 

 

I have my hall passes hanging on the side of the file cabinet by the door.

I made them using Picassa and laminated them (they are cardboard).

On top of the file cabinet I have my sign in sheet, classroom job whiteboard, and my classroom pencils.

This whiteboard will allow me to change my classroom jobs quickly!

I LOVE my pencil jars and my cute framed sign! :)

On my two door cabinet I will place all school related bulletins and papers (lunch calendars, etc). I put the colorful paper to give you an idea of where the papers will go.

On my side bulletin boards (which is really a chalkboard covered with fabric), I have my word wall...

My "current unit" posters in the middle...

And my "Woot" Wall!

My back bookshelf is pretty much the same as last year. I have my clipboards, pitchers, caddies, and other random science objects (that aren't too valuable) stored there.

I also keep more goodies on top of my cabinets. 

I am obsessed with my "Brainstorm" board...and the empty containers beneath it will soon contain my students' science journals.

I printed new labels for my cabinets and drawers. They really help out substitute teachers and my kids!

I love this new label on my paper towel dispenser!

I also covered my open storage areas under my counter with black fabric this year. It completely changes the look of the room-and it's so nice not to see those ugly storage containers lurking beneath my counter tops!

Here is a view from the back left corner of the classroom...

My only class rule this year is proudly displayed front and center!

These are the cute bulletin boards between my windows. I have my Star Wars poster and Albert Einstein poster proudly displayed on two boards...

And my Mythbusters poster and Einstein quote on the other two!

This is "my bookshelf," for my binders, pictures, and random items.

I also keep my "Snaps" awards raffle tickets up here.

Aww...who is that cute dog? :)

On my AC unit, I keep my file of graded work, my three hole punch...

My computer...

And my plastic drawers where I keep my copies for the entire week. The star container on top is for student prizes.

I also hung up my science aprons on the wall.

My lateral filing cabinet is my new favorite piece of furniture in the room. I'm keeping some student files in there, as well as my purse and other personal items.

Notice the cute "sub tub" container and plastic drawers (perfect for storing goodies) to the left of the cabinet.

My desk is covered with a bright polka dot fabric, which I completely adore.

I also covet this quote, which I just HAD to frame on my desk.

Here are some little gems from my bulletin board by my desk...

My front lab table is pretty boring, but since I utilize it all the time I like to keep it nice and tidy.

Here are my new "hand signals" that we will use this year behind our door.

I stored my emergency folder on the side of the bookshelf for easy access...

As well as my "Where We Are" board that I can hang outside the door when we aren't in our classroom.

Here are some wider shots of the front of the room...

And the back...

I like my cute owl stickers on my pens and pencils to let my kids know that they belong to me. :) We'll see if they work...

Well, there it is! The new room! What do you think?