Wednesday, March 21, 2012

A Day Like Any Other...

 You know, today was a good day.  Nothing special happened.  My quarters didn't do poorly on our STAAR prep activities. (They didn't exactly do well, either.)  But it was a drama-less day and that's saying something...

Yesterday, we reviewed "CUPS" for the editing part of writing.  Today, we reviewed "ARMS"--add, remove, move, or substitute-- for the revising portion of writing.  Here is our anchor chart:

 
Not very "decorative", I know...but I'm way past cute at this point.  I only have  2 more school days to remind my students of all of the things they have learned (but, in some cases, forgot).  All of a sudden, I feel like I haven't done enough to prepare them!! I hate the "testing feeling".

Oh...yeah...our state assessment for writing is next Tuesday, which is technically 3 school days away,  bbuuuutttttt...

I lose one day of review because my ESL quarters from both classes, (26 of them, to be exact) have to take the TELPAS Online Reading tomorrow for four hours.  Geez, Texas...test much???????

...I need to stop the rant before I get started...

As  I've blogged before, I am using some new game ideas to help my quarters review for STAAR writing.  One of the games I taught them is called "Kaboom!"  It is a game created by MiMi at 5th Grade Rocks, 5th Grade Rules .  I downloaded it for free from her TPT store.  I actually downloaded "Kaboom--Oceanography".  I don't teach Science but I thought the game was fantabulous!  So, I changed the questions and changed it to "Kaboom--Writing".  With MiMi's encouragement, I have downloaded my writing version of her "Kaboom" on to my Free Printables page if you are interested!

On Friday, we are going to have "The Writing Games".  I've called them that, in honor of The Hunger Games. Don't worry, they aren't writing to the death.  But I will incorporate things, such as "May the odds be ever in your favor!"  I have not read the book to my quarters, but plan to at the end of the year.  However, I have no doubt that many of them will see the movie this weekend.  I love the book and I wish I had time to read it to them before the movie,  but alas...  I hope to have more info and pics this weekend.

In the spirit of the games, I will stray from Potter...

“Scores only matter if they’re very good, no one pays much attention to the bad or mediocre ones.”
-Portia, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins


Well, that's not entirely true...


 Glitter Words
[Glitterfy.com - *Glitter Words*]

6 comments:

  1. I'm a new follower and newbie blogger! Found you through Peace, Love and number 2 pencils!

    Great ideas- can't wait to read all your posts!


    ✰Amber
    Sparkles , Smiles, and Student Teaching

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  2. Hi Tammy:

    I love the editing acronym--that sounds like one that both my students and I can remember!

    I am sorry to be so late in thanking you for celebrating my blog. I appreciate your kindness in honoring my site with the Lovely Blog. Thank you for the recognition and for your kindness.

    http://joyin6th.blogspot.com/2012/03/last-of-late-homework-has-been.html

    Kim
    Finding JOY in 6th Grade

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    1. Your welcome, Kim! Your blog is one of my favorites!

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  3. Tammy,

    I love you ideas and quotes. I may steal some of your quotes. :). Isn't that what teachers do best. :). There is a light at the end of the tunnel! You are making a difference.

    Happy Friday

    Rachelle

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    1. Thanks, Rachelle!! :) I have tons of quotes...if you need some, you know where I am! LOL!!

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