Coaster Persuasion Mania!

Now that CST (our annual testing) is over, we have been able to really focus on technology and presentation skills. My kiddos have been busy creating inventions, products, etc., that they have to "sell" to the potential buyers (classmates). They are also responsible for preparing PowerPoint presentations. Both of these activities allow them to work on persuasion tactics when they are presenting and in further developing their oral and writing skills. I have seen a tremendous improvement and they are also a lot more confident when presenting in front of a group. My kiddos have also become better judges of what is effective and not-effective when trying to persuade an audience. They are quite equipped at identifying "quality" work and WHY it is quality work. I hope all this work will be helpful as they head on out to middle school.

I have included a slide show of their coasters as well as tow PPT's of my students.

Splash! from Bridge Street School

Silver skies from Bridge Street School

Common Core Newbie

The Common Core is slowly but surely coming down the pipe-line in our district. You can also hear and read about everywhere. It is truly the new word in academia. It is being rolled out in specific grades this year in my district and district wide by next year. To tell you the truth, I am very excited about what I am already hearing: the emphasis on nonfiction, developing higher order thinking, integrating of multiple disciplines, etc. Many of these I already do, try to do, and strive to do. I like the commonality it is bringing across the states. 5th grade was not selected as a role out grade this year (bummer), I therefore brought it upon myself to do my own research and reading about the topic. I have bought books, read many blogs, many sites, etc. I love what I am learning. In the process I have found sites of awesome teachers out there that have districts that already rolled them out and have great resources to share.

One amazing blogger is Jen over at Hello Literacy. She knows her stuff.  She has this presentation on SlideShare that has a lot of information on the what is and what is not the Common Core. She presented to her teachers as well as to teachers at a different school. You can see the presentation below as well as download a copy for yourself at SlideShare.

Fifty Shades of the Common Core: ELA from Jennifer Jones

She also has many free products on the topic, as well as some you can purchase from her TpT store.

Critical Thinking Sentence Frames Classroom Posters (FREEBIE)

   Revised Bloom's Taxonomy Classroom Posters

I just purchased these =)

What other sites do you use that have Common Core resources and information?