Nixerest, August 2014

The beginning of the year is such an exciting (and possibly a little crazy!) time for teachers.  Looking around the classrooms and hallways of Nixa would make anyone wonder, "Who needs Pinterest?!?"  Yep...this can only mean one thing, friends....it's time for the first NIXEREST of the year.  Wahoo!

Setting up expectations at the beginning of the year is one of the MOST IMPORTANT things you do!  Relyn Lawson's second graders made these posters about their behavior expectations after reading Pete the Cat and The Recess Queen.

 

Pam Clark's firsties discussed how to show they were being good listeners using their whole body as well as how to show they can be responsible mathematicians!

Consider allowing students to create their own "rule reminders" in the hallway by drawing pictures and listing expectations.  This gives students ownership!

Remembering everything you need to do in your new environment can be hard!  Layne Eckhardt helps her students by posting reminders about routines!  

 

Speaking of reminders...sometimes teachers need them, too!  Check out this adorable (and super useful!) hanging organizer for notes!  No more walking out the door without remembering something important...well, if you remembered to put it in the organizer. HA!

Once you start jumping into content, add to your skills as you teach them, just like Cami White's editor's checklist.  This is less overwhelming to students and is a great visual.  Once the skill is up, the expectation is set!

Check out how Carey Davis organized her guided math tubs.  All of the materials she needs for each station can be found in the tub, which can easily be carried to wherever it needs to go. 

You can even greet students at the door with content review.  We found the most adorable "Sound of the Day" sign in front of Josh Gasser's classroom!  SHazam! (get it?)    

Send us your favorite classroom ideas so we can add them to the next issue of Nixerest!  

Calling All Nixerest Fans!

Don't you just LOVE Nixerest?  Nixa is so full of talent...and that includes YOU! Send us pictures or videos of your favorite ideas and we will spotlight them right here on the LNW blog!

We are dedicating all of JUNE to NIXEREST!!!  

Check out Shannon Stewart's "Summary Staches"!

A summary you say?

I "gist" "mustache" you a question!

Who and what?

When, where, why, how?

Problem/Solution? 

20 Word Gist

Nixerest - Writer's Workshop Field Trips Week Three

Sharing Time

Students love when teachers, "Make writers famous," during sharing time.

When a student is finished sharing their piece of writing, the other students give them 3 stars and 1 wish, and then they get to pick a class cheer to celebrate. 

 

Save time during sharing by having 2 authors' chairs.  When the first student is done sharing, the second student is ready to start without a bunch of movement.

Another way for authors to get feedback from the class is to have a reminder to audience members about what they are listening for:  Praise (something the author did well), Ponder (something you have a question about), or Polish (something to work on).

  Anchor Charts

 

 

 Prompt Writing and Conferring

  

 

 

Third graders are preparing for the writing portion of the MAP.  They are writing to a prompt, conferring with their teacher about their prompt writing, and earning blue ribbons for a job well done.

When Do Students Illustrate?

Students Write Independently

Students can use resources such as a dictionary, thesaurus, or mentor text as they write independently.

Students Write Across the Curriculum

ELA

 

 

Science

 

 

 

Social Studies

Shared Forms

Thanks to Relyn Lawson for sharing the forms she used during Writer's Workshop visits!

Editor's Checklist

Beginning Middle End Planning Page

Anecdotal Record Pages

Nixerest - Writer's Workshop Field Trips Week Two

Mini-Lesson Anchor Charts

 

 

Teachers take pictures of anchor charts and store them in a notebook

for students to use as a resource.

 Conferring with Students

Teachers keep anecdotal records in a variety of ways 

to guide future writing instruction.  

Pick the way that works best with your management style.

Record what the student is writing - PIECE

Start with a STAR - what the student is doing well

Write down any other notes you want to remember - NOTED

Ask the student, "IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WANT TO WORK ON?"

Finish the conference with your TEACHING POINT

A = Always

M = Most of the Time

S = Some of the Time

N = Never

This could also be adapted to:

3 = Meets

2 = Partially 

1 = Not Meeting

NA = Not Assessed

Some teachers prefer to meet with students at their desks.

Others teachers confer at a table and students come to them.

Choose the way that works for you and your student.

Sharing Time

2nd graders loved sharing their writing with a microphone.

Students sit in a circle for sharing time.

Students can also use sharing time to share their writing piece with a partner.

Time Management

Use your cell phone to time conferences.  (3-5 minutes per student)

If conferences go too long, students get overwhelmed.

Keep it short, and give students one idea to work on as they continue writing.

 Display Student Writing 

 

Students display their most recent piece of writing in the hallway.

OR

 

Students keep a collection of writing in the hallway 

adding their most recent piece of writing on top.

Plastic folders house student writing projects, 

so friends can read and enjoy them.

Vocabulary

Students read like writers.

 They are always looking for interesting words in what they read, 

so they can use new and novel words in their writing.