Quick Write Rubric

A Quick Write is a short written response (2-10 minutes) to an open-ended question or prompt. This strategy is an excellent way for students to practice responding to an open-ended question that is connected to a text. 

Strategy Steps:

1. Students read a text.
2. The teacher provides an open-ended question, such as "What is the most important thing you learned about Percy in Chapter 1? How did the author show this about Percy? Write in complete sentences and provide one specific example as evidence from the text."
3. Depending on the question, give students 2 to 10 minutes to write their response

You can choose not to grade quick writes, or you can use a rubric to grade quick writes quickly. You can download the quick write rubric I use with my students below.

Students of History Resource!

I have made a new friend in the teacher blogger world and I would love for you to meet him. Luke is the author and creator of Students of History. The site is called Students of History, and it has full lesson plans for every day of the year plus tons of engaging activities for World History, US History, and Civics.

And yes, literally every lesson throughout the whole year is done for you. They're based on state standards, but (best of all) simple and easy to follow. They have links to educational videos that students will enjoy plus they're not all the same, traditional kind of lesson. There's interactive notebook pages, digital Google activities, PBL projects, and more.

You can have your entire year planned out all at your fingertips ready to go from day one of the school year. Hundreds of teachers have used these resources successfully in their classrooms, and all give the site fantastic reviews. You will not be let down with the quality of the content, and the number of engaging lessons there are for your kids.

The materials are also easily adaptable for higher or lower level classes. No matter if you teach 7th graders or 11th-grade high school students that struggle, these materials can be right for you. Teachers have used them in ELL and special ed classrooms successfully and to rave reviews.

For American History, there are over 150 lesson plans to cover exploration of the Americas and American Indian groups through to modern America, 9/11, Middle East conflict, and the most up-to-date state standards. There are almost 200 lessons available for World History. The World curriculum starts with prehistory and goes all the way to the modern world. 

Finally, there's also a Civics and American Government curriculum with almost 100 lessons on American government all based on Common Core and state standards. You won't find a more engaging Civics and government curriculum available anywhere. The lessons are hands-on, engaging, and relevant to the modern political world.


Go check him out and let him know I sent you!

One Word 2019

       

      A New Year trend on Twitter each year is the #Oneword hashtag. You choose a word that will represent your year. My #OneWord2019 is unstoppable because I'm going to be unstoppable when reaching and accomplishing my goals this year! But, what goals? I have thought about my goals since I posted my word 24 hours ago. I decided to create a goal list with an action for each goal. In the past, I've made goals, but I do not think about how I am going to get it done.

• Complete my dissertation and walk the stage in December 2019 and become Dr. Meagan England. I will do this by dedicating at least 8 hours a week to dissertation writing
• Continue to take care of me. In 2018, I lost 66 pounds, and I've almost made my fitness goals. Instead of a weight loss goal, my goal is to be physically stronger. I will do this by continuing to go to the gym, eating healthy, spending time with my family, and adding a boxing class this year. 
• Continue to grow my instructional knowledge to help support the teachers in my district. I will do this by reading at least one book a month and by visiting at least ten classrooms a week. 
• Expand my reach and help teachers across the world. I will do this by blogging at least twice a month with posts that are helpful and not superficial. 

             Please help me keep my goals going by checking in on me throughout the year. I would also like to support you throughout the year. If you are interested in a goal motivator, please comment below or reach out on Twitter or Instagram.

Technology How To Videos

Sometimes you just need a quick tutorial on how to add a folder to Google Drive or add an extension to Google Chrome. Below you'll find a link to Google Folders with short how-to videos on various topics. If there is something you would like to know how to do but I do not have a video comment below or send me a Tweet on Twitter @oodlesofteach.

• Classdojo
• Extensions
• Google Docs
• Google Drive
• Google Email 
• Google Forms
• Google Sheet
• Google Slides 
• Remind
• Twitter
• Instagram
• PowerPoint
• Excel 

30 Sweet and Simple Ways to Get Your Students' Attention

As a teacher, I know the importance of having a quick way to grab my students' attention.  Check out the list of attention grabbers below that I have used in the past with my students:

1. Teacher says "Soft kitty, warm kitty." Students say "Little ball of fur." 
2. Teacher says "Winner winner." Students say "Chicken dinner." 
3. Teacher says "Alright, stop." Students say "Collaborate and listen."
4. Teacher asks “Ready to rock?”
5. Teachers say “Hocus Pocus.” Students say “Everybody focus.”
6. Teacher says "Class, class, class." Students say "Yes, yes, yes." 
7. Teacher says “Quiet on the set.” Students say “Action!”
8. Teacher says "Ready to listen." Students say "Ready to Learn."
9. Teacher says "Macaroni and cheese." Students say "Everybody freeze."
10. Teacher says "Peanut butter." Students say "Jelly time."
11. Teacher says “Surf’s up!” Students say "Cowabunga dude."
12. Teacher says "Du na na na. ..." Students say "Batman."
13. Teacher asks “Ready to rock?” Students say “Ready to roll.”
14. Teacher says “Hands on top.” Students say “That means stop.”
15. Teacher says “Eenie Meenie.” Students say “Minie moe.”
16. Teacher says “Ready, set?” Students say “You bet!”
17. Teacher says “Chicka, chicka.” Students say “Boom, boom.”
18. Teacher says “Chugga, chugga.” Students say “Choo, choo!”
19. Teacher says "That's not spirit fingers." Students say "These are spirit fingers." (while doing spirit fingers) 
20. Teacher says “Everybody in the house.” Students say “Is as quiet as a mouse.”
21. Teacher says "Crew." Students say "Aye, aye, captain."
22. Teacher says "Shark bait." Students say "Hoo ha ha."
23. Teacher says "To infinity." Students say "And beyond."
24. Teacher says "Holy moly." Students say "Guacamole."
25. Teacher says "Hakuna." Students say "Matata."
26. Teacher says "Marco." Students say "Polo."
27. Teacher says "Who loves you? Students say "You do."
28. Teacher says "Cutie pie, honey bun." Students say "You know that I love you." 
29. Teacher says "Red Robin." Students say "Yum."
30. Teacher says "Oh me." Students say "Oh my." 

I hope you enjoyed this post and found something useful for your classroom. If you found it helpful, please share with a teacher friend!

Sentence Fluency Practices for 3rd and 4th Grade

In Tennessee, the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade assessment will include a fluency section. The section will have 20 yes or no sentences and students will have one minute to read and answer them. Click here or on the picture to download the practice fluency set for the 3rd and 4th grade. You can find the 2nd-grade fluency set and information by clicking here. 

Read aloud directions for teachers:  "Here are 20 sentences. Read each sentence and ask yourself: Is this sentence true? Mark YES or NO to answer the question for each sentence. Do not start until I say “Go.” Do as many as you can before I say “Stop.”

Thank you for stopping by! 

February 2018 Computer Desktop

It is a new month and time for a new background for your computer's desktop. I have created several designs for my readers to choose from below. Click on the picture to download your free  February desktop organizer!

Be sure to come back in March for your new desktop organizer!