Notice & Wonder

We all know that critical thinking is the "new thing". Early this year a teacher at my school (thanks, Jeanne) introduced us to a quick and easy strategy to encourage and have kids practice using critical thinking. Ask the two questions: What do you notice? and What do you wonder?  

You know as well as I do, that when we ask kids, "Do you have any questions?" and "What do you think?", the responses are few and far between. By asking, "What do you notice?", the kids are motivated to get involved and tell you what they see. As the discussion continues, 'see' moves into a deeper 'notice'. By posing "What do you wonder?", the kids naturally make connections between what they have noticed and their prior knowledge and extend upon it. By using these two simple questions, you'll have kids thinking critically, and they won't even know it!

And the great thing about "Notice & Wonder", is that it can work for ANY subject. You can use it for Math problems, Science experiments, or while using primary resources or even reading a text in Social Studies. Since I'm a reading teacher, I have lots of ideas on how to use it in Reading :)

Anyways, as I was perusing Pinterest, I came across some great photos pinned by Suzy Brooks. She mentioned using them for a journal prompt. As I started thinking about how I could use them in my classroom, I suddenly thought of "Notice & Wonder". These photos will be great for giving students the chance to think critically, ask questions, dig deeper, and make connections. I can see them working for a journal prompt or a discussion.

    Photos retrieved from http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/originals/b2/54/1f/b2541f2d3ca9cdc548802a33a3122407.jpg,  http://www.moillusions.com/elevator-optical-illusion-in-london.html/elevator4-1/, http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/originals/01/bb /3d/01bb3d0cca1adc337e9b726567aaef84.jpg   respectively

Writing Prompt: Giving Instructions

Here's a real-life scenario writing prompt for giving instructions.

With a lot of winter weather recently, you've been hired to write an article explaining what to do in case someone becomes stranded in a snowstorm. Use the 'order & sequence' text structure to give detailed instructions/directions about what to do and how to survive should someone become stranded in a snowstorm.  

Pinterest for Historical Figures

On the docket today was to read a biography about Jane Addams and practice the skills we've been learning so far in our ELA unit. You know, summarizing, author's view point.... As I planned the lesson, I just couldn't, in good conscience, have them read, take notes and then write yet another summary. I feel that that's all we have been doing lately. Deciding to not do a basic summary was easy; figuring out what to do instead was not. What task can they do that's "real world", tests their comprehension, and encourages connections and higher level thinking? Then it came to me....

To demonstrate their comprehension of Jane Addams, her life, and accomplishments and to give them a chance to synthesize and use this knowledge, I had them create a Pinterest page they think Jane would have if she was alive today. Based on the information they learned, they needed to decide what books, movies, hobbies, organizations, etc. Jane would like and be interested in. They really enjoyed the activity and it made them REALLY think! They drew pictures, symbols, and wrote description, just like a real Pinterest page. I found the above "Pinterest like" template made by Best Teacher Resources on TPT for only a dollar! Her blog can be found here, and a link to this template here. For an extension, students could be asked to justify why they chose the items they did. This would give them the opportunity to cite the text.

Common Core Standards: Reading Informational Text Anchor 1, 2, and 3

Creative Connections Writing Prompt

Here's another quick and easy writing prompt. This prompt requires students to make a personal connection with a quote about friendship. And besides, who doesn't love Cookie Monster??

 Explain what Cookie Monster means, and tell whether or not you agree with him, and why.

Persuasive Writing Prompt

Are you looking for a quick and easy persuasive writing prompt? 

Ask and ye shall receive...

You have just discovered this ice cave. 

* If you want to play in the cave, write a persuasive paragraph explaining why your parents should allow you to play in the cave. 

* If you do not want to play in the cave, write a persuasive essay explaining why you don't think children should be allowed to play in the cave.

Photo retrieved from http://iwastesomuchtime.com/on/?i=68637

ELA Common Core Resources

I don't know about the rest of you, but I have been overwhelmed by the transition to Common Core ELA standards. I do see and understand the need for exposing students to more complex texts and giving them the chance to really dig into and interact with what they are reading. I'm just struggling with how to handle the transition, especially for my 5th graders who have not had previous exposure to the standards and are just being "thrown in". Not only am I not totally sure how to "unpack" and teach the new standards, but it's difficult to know how to build in the prerequisite skills and experiences they are missing while moving them forward.

What follows is nothing that I have created-- I claim no ownership to the websites, blogs, or activities-- I have merely made a collection of resources that I have found useful. 

STUDENT RESOURCES (**FREE** STUFF TO USE WITH YOUR STUDENTS!!)

•  Newsela- This site is A-MAZING, and I'm not exaggerating. It not only provides nonfiction/informational texts in the form of current event news articles BUT it provides the article on multiple Lexile levels! It does the differentiation for you! AND.... many of the articles come with a quiz or discussion questions, which also are differentiated based on the level of the article selected. Told you-- amazing, right??
• The Learning Network- This site is linked to the New York Times, and provides teaching and learning materials. Includes NYT articles as well as lesson plans and activity ideas.
• FCRR's Student Center Activities- Use this link to access TONS of graphic organizers that are matched to specific CC standards, objectives, and lesson ideas. Activities are organized by grade level, CC Standard, and then lesson/activity title. Because this website and resources are from Florida, they align with Florida's CC Standards, but each is categorized by CC standard, so everyone can use them and easily tie them to their state's specific standards.  

WEBSITES/BLOGS

• "Five Close Reading Strategies to Support the Common Core" blog entry at iTeach.iCoach.iBlog.'s blog. This blog gives some great strategies to teach and use with (intermediate elementary and above) students to help them learn how to access complex texts. The strategies can be first taught, and then used independently by students. They are simple, yet quite brilliant. 

• Hello Literacy's Blog & Website- If you have never checked out this blog or resources by Jen Jones, take 10 minutes and do it now! It's that good. She has great ideas, information, and activities to share, and she shares them in a clear and enjoyable way. If it has to do with literacy and the Common Core, she'll have something about it :)

• School Improvement Network's Common Core blog- I just found this blog, but it looks chalked full of resources. It advertises itself as, "A resource guide to Common Core Standards tools". 
• Create-Abilities: Top Notch Common Core Activities- Although this blog is what many would consider "a regular teacher's blog", the majority of the posts and resources are about Common Core. I especially found the (several) posts about Close reading helpful.

BOOKS

• Pathways to the Common Core: Accelerating Achievement by Lucy Calkins, Mary Ehrenworth, and Christopher Lehman

        There is a brief introductory and a summary of a section on how to help all students access complex texts at The Teacher Studio blog.  

• Notice & Note: Strategies for Close Reading by Kyleen Beers and Robert E. Probst

         I am actually reading this book right now, and I am happy with my purchase. I purchased the book after reading a review at Teaching in Room 6's blog. She also includes some activity ideas and the way she implemented it in her classroom.