ReadWorks

ReadWorks has come a long way in a few years.  This year, with my new position in middle school, and with the focus being on increasing student vocabulary acquisition, I decided to take another look at what they had to offer.  I am so impressed with the streamlined approach to selecting articles, assigning them, and reviewing the data.

Above you will see a picture from my teacher dashboard.  I assigned the article, A Drop's Journey.  I can easily see the Lexile number, genre, and how many students have submitted the assignment.  I can also see that I have allowed this article to be read aloud to the students.  I can also quickly click on "Class Results" and view the data from my class.

Did I mention that this resource is entirely FREE?????  Check it out, you won't be disappointed.

Thinking Blocks

After a hiatus from the math world, I have rejoined it in the 6th grade.  It is a big jump from 4th, but some resources have remained tried and true.  One of my absolute favorites is Thinking Blocks.  These are very similar to "Singapore Math Models" and "Tape Diagrams"...I honestly think everyone just gives them a different name so as not to "steal" information. 

This particular website is presented by:

I love that students read word problems and then manipulate the blocks.  The program checks each step of the equation as the student completes a section.  This particular style lends itself well to visual and kinesthetic learners.  Also, it helps students to see the problem in a concrete manner before moving on to using traditional algorithms and abstract thinking.  Give it a try!  The kids love it!

A Big Move

I have been absent from the blogging world...but I will hopefully be making a comeback very soon with some new/updated posts.  The reason for my absence is that I made a BIG CHANGE.  After years of teaching elementary school, I moved to the middle school to teach 6th grade math and science.  This wasn't the career move I was anticipating, but I know I am where I am supposed to be.  My hope is to continue to blog from the perspective of a middle school teacher, and that I will eventually be able to use this new perspective to move on in the area of technology.  

Now a favor...if you have any awesome resources/websites/people I should follow for my new role, please drop me a comment below!  

I am excited and my soul is rejuvenated.  Change can be wonderful.