iPads!!!

When we started the school year, we received the AMAZING news that our school would be a pilot school for iPads!! Not only were teachers getting iPads, but so were the students. Upper grades got iPads for each student and lower grades got one for every two students. Awesome!!! I have to admit that I was excited, yet a little nervous about implementing all of the great ideas because I was only there a few months before I left on maternity leave. I wasn't sure how I was going to teach the kids all of the things I wanted to on the iPads (added to our normal curriculum) before I left, but guess what??? Most of the kids could teach me things by the time I returned!!!

Anyone use iPads in the classroom? 

One of the first things we tried were QR codes, fun and easy!! These QR codes get the kids up and moving around the classroom, completing tasks that they may normally do in their seats. Students complete the task, then use the iPad to check their answer by scanning the QR code. I wish I had more pictures of my students actually using the QR codes. They love it!! Did you know you can create QR codes for anything? Simple answers like below, websites, videos, pictures, etc. 

We also used the program Educreations to create electronic book report slide shows. Loved it !!! I'll try to get some examples up here (need to find some without student pictures!)

The best news is that is summer I have been invited to attend an iPad teaching conference in Chicago! I can't wait for all that the conference will have to offer!! I have a feeling that ill be overwhelmed and not even know where to start when I get back. But you know what? I love that feeling!! It gets me so pumped for teaching!!! I need to add that excitement back to my career again. 

Hands On Equations

Algebra in 2nd grade! My students love it!!! Have you ever worked with this program? (Hands On Equations)

Normally the program isn't started in our school until 3rd grade, but our teaching ouch has adapted some of the lessons so they can be started in 2nd. This year we did 4 lessons. After the first lesson, the kids seemed so confused that I wasn't sure this class was ready for the challenge. However, patience paid off and by days 3 and 4, they were ROCKING Hands On Equations!!!

I'm Back! (Again!?)

Okay, I keep saying that I'm going to keep up with this, but now SUMMER IS HERE, so I have no excuse right!?!?!

Since the last time I blogged, I've had a lot going on....like a new baby! Lilly was born in December and just turned 6 months old.

So I guess you could say that I've been busy. I was away from teaching December through March. I had a little bit of a hard time returning, which I'm sure is understandable, and I feel like I just went back to basically finish up the school year and complete the end of year testing. With that said, I'm VERY excited for a totally new school year, to start over, start fresh, and be there the entire year! :)

I'm only one week into summer, but I do have plans to accomplish a lot! Some plans I have this summer:

• Trying to keep on this blog!
• Find new and fresh teaching ideas for my new school year (Common Core!?)
• Attending an iPad conference in Chicago!
• Preparing for using our new reading series Reading Wonders in my classroom, which means I am creating a lot of new materials for Teachers Pay Teachers. Anyone else using Reading Wonders?
• Spending as much quality time as possibly with my beautiful baby girl!!
• Finishing up some other TPT materials that I have ideas for. I keep adding to my ideas in my TPT journal, they are never ending! :)
• Finding time for the pool! :)
• Gaining some new followers of my blog and Facebook site (Stuckey in Second). The more followers, the more ideas I get for my own classroom and I can add to my excitement for the new year!

I have already completed my resource packet for the first week of Reading Wonders! Reading Wonders, Grade 2, Unit 1, Week 1

 

 

I also finally completed all 6 units of my Treasures Resources (my previous reading series!) When I decided to create the packets, I started with Unit 3 (what I was teaching at the time!), but they were such a big hit and people were requesting all of the units, so after finishing Units 3-6, I then went back and completed Units 1 and 2.

 

Click here for all of the Treasures Resources in my TPT Store:Treasures Resources!

 

 

I have so many more ideas, so stay tuned!!!


Allison Stuckey

New Thanksgiving Centers!!!

I've been working on adding some Thanksgiving math centers and literacy centers. I think they turned out really cute, if I must say so myself. :) My 2nd graders started working with the math games today and loved them. I can't wait to introduce all the rest. Only a few more weeks until Thanksgiving!

Check them out below. Please let me know what you think!

Don't forget to follow my TPT store!

 

 

 

Teachers Pay Teachers

My TpT Store is open!!! I've only added a few things, but I have a goal to add more. (And add more to my blog too!) Enjoy!

Phonics Word Cards

This ESL Phonics site gives great phonics flashcards. I have adjusted some of them into a different size because the ones that they had didn't work for me. (Too big.) I plan to use mine in workstation activities for word sorting and reading words with certain phonics rules.



Long a Cards
Short a Cards
Long o Cards
Short o Cards
Long i Cards
Short i Cards
Long e Cards
Short e Cards
Long u Cards
Short u Cards

Whole Group Compare & Contrast

Before actually starting compare and contrast activities in any kind of independent workstations, I teach compare and contrast in a whole group setting. Together, we make some of the following anchor charts.

The first big one that we make is comparing fiction and non-fiction. It kind of hits two standards at once.

 

After this initial compare and contrast introduction during our fiction and non-fiction lessons, we read books that we can compare and contrast different characters and animals. Also, we compare and contrast books that have a lot of similarities, yet many differences. Once you start looking for books to compare and contrast, the possibilities are endless. One of my favorite types of books to do are some of the classic folk tale type books---i.e. Three Billy Goats Gruff, The Three Little Pigs, The Three Bears--because there are MANY versions of each. Later this year, we will do a Cinderella unit and compare and contrast the versions from different cultures.

Here are some examples that we created together.

Remember, once we create these anchor charts together, students are then able to create some with a partner. One activity that we did was to compare themselves with their partners. Also, they could compare themselves to a character in a book that you read. Everyone's diagrams will be unique. Eventually, I use some of the short passages from the Compare and Contrast book that I mentioned using in the Compare and Contrast Workstations to use as an assessment to determine whether students are understanding the concept of comparing and contrasting or not.

Eventually, the Compare and Contrast Workstations are added to the literacy workstations in my classroom and students are able to work on this skill on their own. I will keep this activity throughout the school year to continue to challenge students.