Mrs. Warner's 4th Grade Classroom
  • Home
    • Homework
  • Photo Gallery
    • Class Snapshots 2014 -2015 >
      • Cinnamon Roll Synonyms Photos
      • Fall Party >
        • Winter Party Photos
        • Valentine's Day Photos
      • Math Game Photos
      • Learning Map Scale
      • Building Electric Circuits
      • Shades of Meaning
      • 3D Shapes ~ Learning about Pyramids & Prisms
      • Native American Projects
      • Indiana's B-day Photos
      • Volcano Day >
        • IHS Field Trip
      • Benjamin Harrison Field Trip
      • Twizzler Math
      • Famous Hoosier: Wax Museum Photos
      • Watermelon Day
      • Claymation Creation Photos
    • Class Snapshots 2013 -2014 >
      • Cinnamon Roll Synonyms Photos
      • Math Game Photos
      • Fall Party >
        • Valentine's Day Photos
      • Indiana's B-day Photos
      • 3D Shapes ~ Learning about Pyramids & Prisms
      • Watermelon Day
      • Marshmallow Day
      • Famous Hoosier: Wax Museum Photos
      • Claymation Creation Photos
    • Class Snapshots 2012 -2013 >
      • Cinnamon Roll Synonyms Photos
      • Latitude or Longitude Photos
      • Veggie Adding Details Photos
      • Clauses & Phrases Lesson
      • Class Parties >
        • Fall Party
        • Valentine's Day Photos
        • Winter Party Photos
      • Indiana's B-day Photos
      • Twizzler Math
      • Rain Forest Project Photos
      • Idiom Parade Photos
      • Civil War Guest Speaker
      • Ruth Lilly Photos
      • Watermelon Day
      • Famous Hoosier: Wax Museum Photos
      • Marshmallow Day
    • 2012 Photos >
      • Claymation Photos
      • Idiom Parade Photos
      • Jump Rope for Heart Photos
      • History Photos >
        • Harriet Tubman & Levi Coffin Speeches
        • Indiana's B-day Photos
        • Wax Museum Photos
      • Literacy Station Photos
      • Math Photos >
        • Geometry Class Photos
        • Marshmallow Day
        • Twizzler Math
        • Watermelon Day
        • Marshmallow Day
      • Science Photos >
        • Praying Mantis Projects
        • Science Fair Photos
      • Trash to Treasure Photos
      • Freedom Friday Photos >
        • Freedom Friday Photos
        • Claymation Studio Photos
        • Roller Coaster Physics Photos
        • Game Master Photos
        • Top Chef Photos
      • Class Parties >
        • Winter Party Photos
        • PJ Day - Polar Express
        • Valentine's Day Photos
      • Class Snapshots >
        • End of Day
        • Recess Photos
  • Classroom Info
    • Assignment Notebook
    • Behavior Plan >
      • Procedures
      • Mini-Economy
      • Encouragement, Motivation & Inspiration
    • Transition Music >
      • Brain Breaks
      • Music for Writing
      • Homework Music
    • Classroom Schedule
    • Grading
    • Scholastic Online Ordering
    • Supply List
    • Classroom Donations
    • Student Binders
    • 4th Grade State Standards
  • Reading
    • Book Report ~ Reading Challenge
    • Reading Wonders >
      • Unit 1.1 The Princess & The Pizza >
        • Unit 1.2 Experts, Inc.
        • Unit 1.3 Earthquakes
        • Unit 1.4 A Crash Course
        • Unit 1.5 Kids in Business
      • Unit 2.1 The Secret Message >
        • Unit 2.2 Ranita, The Frog Princess
        • Unit 2.3 The Buffalo Are Back
        • Unit 2.4 Spiders
        • Unit 2.5 Poetry
      • Unit 3.1 Cricket in Time Square >
        • Unit 3.2 Alguinaldo
        • Unit 3.3 Delivering Justice
        • Unit 3.4 Abe's Honest Words
        • Unit 3.5 A New Kind of Corn
      • Unit 4.1 See How They Run >
        • Unit 4.2 LaRue for Mayor
        • Unit 4.3 The Moon Over Stars
        • Unit 4.4 Why Does the Moon Change Shape?
        • Unit 4.5 Poetry
      • Unit 5.1 Mama, I'll Give You the World >
        • Unit 5.2 Apples to Oregon
        • Unit 5.3 How Ben Franklin Stole the Lightning
        • Unit 5.4 A Drop of Water
        • Unit 5.5 Time for Kids ~ Spanish Beginnings
      • Unit 6.1 The Game of Silence >
        • Unit 6.2 The Valley of the Moon
        • Unit 6.3 Energy Island
        • Unit 6.4 The Big Picture of Economics
        • Unit 6.5 Poetry
    • Reading Unit Review Pages Scott Foresman >
      • Spelling Lists & Websites >
        • Spelling Lists & Websites
        • Spelling Cursive
      • Reading Bookmark Homework
      • Unit 1.1 Winn Dixie >
        • Unit 1.2 Lewis & Clark & Me
        • Unit 1.3 Grandfather's Journey
        • Unit 1.4 The Horned Toad Prince
        • Unit 1.5 Yosemite
      • Unit 2.1 What Jo Did >
        • Unit 2.2 Coyote School News
        • Unit 2.3 Grace & the Time Machine
        • Unit 2.4 Marven of the Great North Woods
        • Unit 2.5 So You Want To Be President
      • Unit 3.1 Stranger >
        • Unit 3.2 Adelina's Whales
        • Unit 3.3 How Night Came
        • Unit 3.4 Eye of the Storm
        • Unit 3.5 Great Kapok Tree
      • Unit 4.1 Houdini Box >
        • Unit 4.2 Encantado
        • Unit 4.3 King in the Kitchen
        • Unit 4.4 Seeker of Knowledge
        • Unit 4.5 Encyclopedia Brown
      • Unit 5.1 Sailing Home >
        • Unit 5.2 Lost City
        • Unit 5.3 Amelia & Eleanor
        • Unit 5.4 Antarctic Journal
        • Unit 5.5 Moonwalk
      • Unit 6.1 My Brother Martin >
        • Unit 6.2 Jim Thorpe's Bright Path
        • Unit 6.3 How Tia Lola Came to Stay
        • Unit 6.4 To Fly
        • Unit 6.5 Far Side of the Moon
    • Reading Skills >
      • Reading Comprehension >
        • Author's Text Structure
        • Cause & Effect
        • Fact & Opinion
        • I'm Wondering
        • Inferencing
        • Making Generalizations
        • Main Idea
        • Point of View
        • Summarize
        • Synthesis
        • Theme
      • Learning Sight Words
      • Vocabulary >
        • Analogies
        • Antonyms
        • Homophones
        • Multiple Meaning Words
        • Synonyms
      • Non-Fiction Text Features >
        • Text Feature Resources
        • Parts of a Book
      • Reading Videos
      • Reference Materials >
        • Almanacs for Kids
        • Reference Materials
      • Thinking Like a Good Reader
    • Reading Websites
    • Spelling Lists & Websites >
      • Spelling Cursive
    • Books Online
    • Challenge Reading >
      • Frindle
      • Flipped
      • Family Under the Bridge
      • Tiger Rising
      • Tales of Famous Heroes
    • Reading Levels >
      • Raz-Kids
    • DIBELS >
      • Fluency Practice
    • Graphic Organizers
    • Literacy Work Stations >
      • Literacy Stations for Teachers
      • Literacy Station Activities
    • Working With Words Syllables >
      • Prefixes, Suffixes, & Roots
  • Language
    • Language Websites
    • Grammar >
      • Language Review
      • Types of Sentences
      • Subject & Predicate Practice
      • Nouns
      • Verbs
      • Pronouns
      • Adjectives
      • Adverbs
      • Prepositions
      • Conjunctions
      • Apostrophes
      • Comma Rules
    • Grammar Rock Videos
    • Language Review
    • Language Videos
    • 6+1 Writing >
      • 6 Traits Resources >
        • Ideas
        • Organization
        • Voice
        • Sentence Fluency
        • Word Choice >
          • Mini Lesson
        • Conventions
      • Prompt Writing
      • Persuasive Writing
      • 6 Traits Trade Books
      • Music for Writing
    • Figurative Language >
      • Alliteration
      • Hyperbole
      • Idioms
      • Wise Saying >
        • Adages
        • Proverbs
      • Similes
      • Metaphors
      • Onomatopoeia
      • Personification
    • Mad Libs Grammar
    • Claymation
    • Comic Creator
    • Graphic Organizers
    • Poetry
    • Dialogue - Quotation Marks
    • Foreign Languages
  • Math
    • Math Websites >
      • Math Sites
    • Everyday Math Unit Review >
      • Unit 1 Geometry Review
      • Unit 2 Place Value & Data Review
      • Unit 3 Multiplication & Division Review
      • Unit 4 Decimal Review
      • Unit 5 Big Number Review
      • Unit 6 Division & Measuring Angles
      • Unit 7 Fraction & Probability
      • Unit 8 Area & Perimeter
      • Unit 9 Fractions, Decimals & Percents
      • Unit 10 Reflections & Symmetry
      • Unit 11 3-D Shapes, Weight, Volume & Capacity
      • Unit 12 Rates
    • Everyday Math Family Letters
    • Math Homework
    • Everyday Math Study Guides
    • Math Facts >
      • Multiplication Review
      • Multiplication Stories
      • Multiplication Table
      • Multiplication Videos
      • Schoolhouse Rock Math Videos
    • Algebra ~ Hands-on Equations
    • Challenge Math
    • Math Story Problems
    • Marshmallow Math
    • Number Chart
  • Indiana History
    • History Websites
    • Indiana Fast Facts >
      • Land Forms
      • Indiana Cities
      • Indiana Colleges
      • Indiana Counties
      • Indiana's Global Address
      • Indiana Railroads
      • Indiana Regions
      • Indiana Resources
      • Indiana Rivers
      • Indiana Roads
      • Indiana Symbols
      • Indiana Wildlife
    • Indiana History Study Guides & Homework >
      • Unit 1: Indiana's Land & People
      • Unit 2: Early Indiana
      • Unit 3: Creating a State
      • Unit 4: Indiana Grows
      • Unit 5: Indiana in Modern Times
      • Unit 6: Indiana Today
    • Indiana's Native American Tribes
    • Major Wars >
      • Revolutionary War
      • Civil War >
        • Civil War Guest Speaker
      • World War I
      • World War II
    • Native American Shelter
    • History of Thanksgiving
    • Pioneer Living >
      • Transportation
    • Underground Railroad >
      • Uncle Tom's Cabin
    • Visit Indiana >
      • Indiana State Fair
      • Indiana Whiz Kids Quiz #1
      • Indiana Whiz Kids Quiz #2
      • Indiana Whiz Kids Quiz #3
      • Indiana Whiz Kids Quiz #4
      • Indiana Whiz Kids Quiz #5
    • Famous Hoosier Project >
      • Wax Museum Photos
      • Wax Museum 2011
    • History Videos
    • Google Maps
    • The Presidents
  • Science
    • Science Homework
    • Science Websites
    • Science Fusion >
      • Unit 1 Scientific Methods
      • Unit 2 Heat & Electricity >
        • Heat & Electricity Experiments
      • Unit 3 ~ Changes to Earth's Surface >
        • Weathering & Erosion Labs
        • Rock Unit Review
      • Unit 4 Adaptations & Survival
      • Unit 5 Forces & Transportation
    • Science Rap & Poem
    • Science Videos
    • Brain Boosters
    • Inventions & Inventors
    • Chameleons
    • Mexican Jumping Beans
    • Praying Mantis
    • Sea-Monkeys
  • More
    • Quick Access Websites
    • Technology Project Links
    • Teacher Info. >
      • Teacher Info.
      • Mrs. Warner's Favorite Things
      • Lettering & Graphics
    • DonorsChoose
    • Special Learners
    • Website Parent Letter
    • ISTEP >
      • Acuity
    • Enrichment >
      • Vocabulary Enrichment
      • Mrs. Warner's Indiana Whiz Kids Website
    • Celebrating the Seasons >
      • Christmas Music & Activities
      • Thanksgiving Music & Activities
      • Fall Music & Activities
      • Spring Songs & Activities
      • Fun Activities for Kids
  • Blog
    • Blog
    • Kids' Blog

Summer 2015

6/30/2015

9 Comments

 
Picture
The Summer of 2015 has been cooler and wetter than normal here in Indiana.  I spent the first few weeks of summer relaxing, reading, and visiting with friends.  I also spent several days trying to get my house and yard back in shape.
I also took the mega-bus for the 1st time up to visit my daughter in Chicago.  I helped with her Pre-K classroom on the last 2 days of the school year as she closed up her classroom for her first year of teaching.
I've also spent time creating and finding new products to help enrich my classroom and others who follow my blog/website.  I have finally finished the 6th grade version of the Weekly Language Review.

Picture
Click on link above to see more on my TpT store.

Sample page 

Picture
9 Comments

Indiana's Teachers Preparing for New ISTEP ~ UGH!    Slaying the Testing Monster....

1/31/2015

1 Comment

 
Picture
     Preparing students for the yearly statewide assessment is always stressful and not enjoyable for anyone involved, but great teachers always try to make the best of it.  We try to encourage students through games, prizes, pep rallies, etc...but it is definitely not an enjoyable time of the school year.  Proving to the state that our students are learning, even though we haven't finished all of the instruction for the year is how we do education these days. (Testing starts in March ~ with over 2 months of instruction time left in the year.) 

     I'm trying to model/demonstrate the new TEI (technology enhanced items) with my students during lab time even though our computers are old.  I put a smile on my face and keep trying to motivate and empower my students to feel at ease with all this testing. 
  
      Here are some links to help my parents and fellow teachers that follow my blog:

Picture
Click on link above to practice Indiana CCRA released items. ~ TEI - Technology Enhanced Items

Blendspace ~ Collection of Resources ~ Created by Mrs. Gilkison

Picture
     Testing causes anxiety for students, teachers, and parents.  We all want our students to do well and excel on these standardized tests...but at what cost?  We test students in all content areas along with DIBELS (timed fluency, accuracy, and retell one minute assessments) and DAZE (timed comprehension cloze reading assessments).  Now we will be administering a more rigorous and extensive state-wide test in the state of Indiana. 
     I try to help encourage my students to feel confident and relaxed during all of this testing by practicing released items, so they have a since of what it will be like.

  
Picture

Cause for Concern ~ How can we help our students?

Picture
Click on photo to read article.

Click on the picture to the left to read about the rigor and instructional time needed to take this year's ISTEP for the students in the state of Indiana. 
*over 10 hours for regular students
Students with special learning plans are given extended time, so....
~Journal Review, Jan. 29, 2015
  Crawfordsville, IN


1 Comment

Busy Summer ~ Creating New Materials ~ Reading Wonders

6/27/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
This summer started out with some needed R & R and some summer time fun...but I've also been very busy finishing the supplemental materials for our new reading series ~ Reading Wonders.  We survived the first year which was very challenging for our students and teachers, but the amazing and wonderful news is: OUR STANDARDIZED STATE TEST SCORES WERE AMAZING ACROSS THE ENTIRE TOWNSHIP.

We had concerned parents when reading test grades at the beginning of the year plummeted for classroom assessments, but we worked collaboratively with our grade level teams and found ways to support all learners.  We also decided to create ways for parents to become more involved.  Not all of our families have Internet access, so I created weekly reading bookmarks.

Students needed guided practice with the daily assignments, so I created the trifolds that were similar to what we used with our old series.  I also found that I wanted a weekly overview of all the tested vocabulary as well as enrichment vocabulary that my students would encounter in the text.  So I created those pages as well. 

I'm excited to share those with my fellow teachers who will be using this series next year.  All of these items are available at a very low price in my TeachersPayTeachers Store.  You can buy 10 homework bookmarks, 5 comprehension trifolds, 5 sets of vocabulary cards, and 5 weeks of vocabulary overviews for only $5.00.  You may also want to buy the entire semester or year as a bundle and save money.  The entire year is only $24 for all 6 units. 

Our parents loved the weekly homework bookmarks to help support and guide their child at home each week.  The comprehension trifolds were an awesome way to help build skills and have another way to record a quality assessment grade.  Hopefully you will find these useful in your classroom.

Picture
Second, Third, Fourth - TeachersPayTeachers.com

Click on slideshow above to view available resources.

0 Comments

Super Squirrel ~ Writing Prompt

3/30/2014

5 Comments

 
Picture
     I found this picture on Facebook about a month ago, and thought it would make a great writing prompt.  I began a Google search of additional images of super squirrels and found many more. I then began creating a slideshow of images, and a short story line began to develop.  I also found several cute squirrel videos in my Facebook news feed.  I began another Google search for YouTube videos of squirrels.  Putting all the elements together was a lot of fun.  I was sure I had created a lesson that would really inspired my kids to write for days and days. 
     I showed my "Super Squirrel" slideshow during ISTEP TESTING WEEK.  My students laughed and giggled and asked to see it again and again. 
     Finally, I asked students to plan their super squirrel writing.  The room was "a buzz" with excitement.  I encouraged them to share their ideas with a partner or small group...and ask for suggestions from their peers, if they were stuck on any part of their story.  The writing began the next day, and students wrote amazing stories.


Super Squirrel Slideshow

Click on page above to advance slideshow.

YouTube Video Links to use with slideshow.

5 Comments

Signs of Spring ~ Can't Wait to Say Goodbye to Winter 2014

3/16/2014

0 Comments

 

This has been the longest and most challenging winter for most of us in recent history. Learning has been interrupted by the crazy weather, and students have a bad case of cabin fever. I think the teachers do too.  It's only 5 more days till Spring Break.  Looking in my backyard this weekend, it was so nice to see the first signs of spring.

Picture
Picture
0 Comments

Snow Day ~ Vacation Continues

1/6/2014

2 Comments

 
Picture
Nearly record breaking snow and cold temperatures delayed school reopening in Indiana. We had 11.3 inches of snow in one day (the day before school was supposed to resume after winter break.)  Now the temperatures are -12 below...but feels like -40 degrees. 

I'm taking advantage of these extra days off from school/work to get organized.  My closets and cabinets are finally cleaned out and organized here at home.  Also cleaned out my "teacher bag". Wow, teachers have way too many papers to organize!  Feels good to have time to get my head above water... or snow (ha, ha). 

After shoveling the driveway and cleaning more than normal, I need that extra snow day to rest. I'm sure my students are taking advantage of these extra days to practice their multiplication facts.  Ha...Ha.  Well, one can only dream!  Wishing warmth and happiness to my students and families.  Missing all of you and hoping you are well.  Be ready to learn all about fractions when you return.

2 Comments

Vacation Fun ~ Family Traditions

1/6/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
During our Christmas Break, my family enjoys visiting the Indianapolis Zoo.  The Christmas lights are so beautiful. I was blessed this year to be given a Christmas gift of free admission, parking, and rides for my entire family from one of my students.  What a special and thoughtful gift! 

My family was finally all home at the same time, so we were able to go out to eat at one of our family favorite restaurants (Red Lobster) and then head downtown to see the Christmas lights and animals at the zoo. 

Picture
0 Comments

Celebrating Indiana History ~ Indiana's B-day

1/6/2014

3 Comments

 
Picture
Indiana became the 19th state to join the United States on December 11, 1816.  We celebrate this each December by decorating a chocolate chip cookie cake ~ shaped like the state of Indiana.
 
I give my students a copy of the state map to locate the major rivers and cities.  Students are busy using markers to highlight and name the rivers, cities, and bordering states....while they wait their turn to decorate a portion of the cookie cakes.

I usually buy the store brand roll of chocolate chip cookie dough and the cheapest cookie trays along with tubes of blue and yellow frosting.  I have two classes of students for Indiana history ~ about 55 students.  So I make 6 Indiana shaped cookie cakes the night before. 

I roll out the cookie dough right onto the disposable cookie trays using a little bit of flour as I roll.  I then free-hand the shape of the state before baking.  I usually check half-way through the baking process to reshape (using a spoon) the indentations of our state.  This can also be done right as the cookie is removed from the oven...while it's still hot. 

I'm sure this could be recreated for most states.  It makes for a memorable experience and something fun to do before Christmas. 

Picture
Assembly line of Indiana cookie cakes. The 2 on the right just came out of the oven.
Picture
Close up before cooking.
Picture
More decorating of our Indiana cookie cake.
Picture
Decorating to show White River.
Picture
Finished Indiana State Cookie Cake ~ Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Gary, South Bend, Evansville, Vincennes, along with Wabash, Kankakee, White, Ohio Rivers and Lake Michigan.

More photos available in my photo gallery.

indiana_map_labeling.pdf
File Size: 273 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

3 Comments

New Reading Series ~ Survived the 1st Semester

1/4/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
It has been an entire semester, and I haven't added any new blog posts.  My focus has been on transitioning to a new reading series for my fourth graders.  It has been rough to say the least.  Just like most reading series...teachers need to add their own scaffolding and creativity to make it work.  I've begun creating a new resource page for each week on my website.  Hopefully this will help me keep all the resources (I am finding and creating) organized in one place. I would like to create a homework and vocabulary resource for each week, but I'm probably not going to have all of them done until the summer. 

I would love to hear from my fellow teachers on how you've survived the Reading Wonders Series.  The rigor of text complexity and the assessments have been challenging.  It's been frustrating trying to develop an action plan that will support all of our learners as we transition to a much more rigorous curriculum.  We also have the added challenge of not having the technology to support this type of reading series.  Hopefully we will have the technology issues updated soon and create all of the supplemental materials needed to complete this new series.

0 Comments

What do teachers do over the summer?

6/20/2013

2 Comments

 
Picture
Besides the obvious recharging and relaxing those first few weeks of summer break, teachers spend time planning for the next school year. I've been working on new items to share with my colleagues and use in my classroom.  I'm always trying to find ways to improve my teaching and reach more students.  One of my biggest frustration has been students not mastering the same language skills year after year.  After teaching second grade for 16 years and moving to fourth grade, I noticed that students struggled to retain skills taught in previous years and even skills taught earlier in the semester.

     Most reading/language arts series introduce a new grammar/language skills every 2 weeks with little or no spiral review until the next school year.  I was determined to find or create a product that had a built in spiral review of language/grammar skills. This year was my first year to try out a "Weekly Language Review" with my students. I had my first “Ah Hah!” moment when 2 of my students said…. “Subjects and Predicts are easy!”. 

     Learning a new skill and successfully transferring that knowledge to long term memory requires a great deal of repetition.  This product provides many opportunities for review.  I used this product daily in my classroom as morning work.  I projected the page on the dry erase board and went over the answers with my class – Monday – Thursday.  We used the language skill pages from our reading series as well. This took about 30 minutes of our language arts block.  The rest of our language arts block was devoted to 6 Traits mini-lessons and writing time.  This Weekly Language Review also included many opportunities for students to improve their vocabulary by looking up words in the dictionary or thesaurus.  I wrote a grant for electronic dictionaries, so my students would want to look up all the new words they encounter in text and/or to improve their word choice by using the thesaurus button on the same device.

    I watched my students gain confidence with their writing and language arts skills week after week.  I was also excited to see them become resourceful (looking up words without being prompted) and retaining grammar skills taught from the beginning to end of the school year.

     I shared these results with my colleagues.  Now I've created a 2nd & 3rd grade version of the Weekly Language Review as well.  I've linked both versions below.  Next, I'll be working on a 5th grade version. 

Weekly Language Review

Picture
Picture
Click on above page.
Picture
Click on above page.
Picture
Click on above page.
Picture
Click on above page.
Picture
Available on TpT.
Picture
Available on TpT.
Picture
Available on TpT
Picture
Available on TpT.
2 Comments
<<Previous
    Picture

    Joanne Warner

    4th Grade Teacher
    Arlington Elementary
    Indianapolis, Indiana

    Email Joanne Warner

    Archives

    June 2015
    January 2015
    June 2014
    March 2014
    January 2014
    June 2013
    January 2013
    November 2012
    August 2012
    May 2012

    Categories

    All
    End Of Year
    Kids' Blogging
    Miscellaneous
    Reading
    Social Studies
    Writing

    RSS Feed

    Picture
    Second, Third, Fourth - TeachersPayTeachers.com

             

Powered by
✕