April 6, 2013

Pass the Torch Linky






Get Ready for Bloggy Olympics!!!


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Join The 3AM Teacher, the Reading Olympians, and over 80 SUPREME education bloggers as we take you through a tour of the Reading Olympians Root Study Program!!
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Krista and Julie graciously let me try out the 4th grade Reading Olympics Program in my classroom.

Each set is named after a god or goddess in Greek mythology, which in itself is an awesome idea! Our first set is NIKE--she's the goddess of victory!

Day 1: I introduced the goddess NIKE and read a blurb about her. The kids were already hooked (they even asked if I could start reading them Greek mythology--so cute :) I went over the prefixes and suffixes that were covered in the NIKE set (there are 10 total.)

In the file, there are cards with each prefix and suffix outlined in a color. The NIKE set is orange!  

In my school, there is a paper shortage and I need to limit my copies. To solve that problem, I used index cards! ( I have so many in my classroom and this is the perfect way to use them up!)



Beforehand, I wrote each prefix and suffix  (from the set) on index cards and outlined each card in orange. 

I displayed all the cards onto the SmartBoard and the students got to work--oulining their cards in orange and writing the prefixes and suffixes (and their meanings) on the fronts of the cards. 

The set also comes with a rap for each prefix and suffix to help the students remember what they mean. We cut out the rap cards.

On the back of the index card, we glued the rap card for a quick and easy reference!



 

 To store all the cards, I sealed an envelope and cut it in half to make a pocket. We glued the pocket onto the back of our Word Study Notebooks!



Day 2: In each set, there's a Student Journal, which contains a super cute cover, graphic organizers for each prefix and suffix, a vocabulary page, and a checklist (outlining all the elements of the set that need to be accomplished before the students take the assessment.)

Since I was introducing this, we worked on the first prefix together. I walked them through each box in the organizer (which is similar to the Frayer Model--it's adapted to help the students collect more than one word using the prefix or suffix.) I sent my students off to work in groups to fill out the second prefix. They brainstormed different words together and completed their second organizer. 

  At the end of word study, we shared out some of the words they came up with as a group and the meanings of the words. (The set comes with large cards that can be printed and placed on the word wall. I wrote them out on large index cards and taped them to a large chart paper and printed only the name of the set and the list of prefixes and suffixes. I taped them to the middle and around them are the cards. I used chart paper because it's easier to move around the room and the students can see the collection of words all in one place.

My students can't wait to find new words that show each prefix and suffix, as well as learn about Greek gods and goddesses in the process! 

  

Discover the program IN ACTION in more K-6th grade classrooms as you Pass the Torch!! Get ideas, discover the progression of the program, and enter the Raffle for a chance to win ONE of the three prizes listed below!!

First Place Winner : Gold Medal

  Prizes: Complete Reading Olympians Program

            $50.00 Amazon Gift Card
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Second Place Winner: Silver Medal

   Prizes: $25.00 Amazon Gift Card

              40% off Discount Code for a 1-Day shopping spree at The 3AM Teacher's Etsy store!

Third Place Winner: Bronze Medal

    Prizes: 30% off Discount Code for a 1-Day shopping spree at The 3AM Teacher's Etsy store!



Pass the Torch!!!
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Mrs. Croft's Classroom

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Grade 1 & 2






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Grade 5 & 6


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9 comments:

  1. Thanks for posting your experience! I can understand the paper shortage and I like your idea of using the index cards. Color printing can be so expensive and a high-lighter or marker is such a cheap solution! Your newest follower....Kate
    http://katesclassroomcafe.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Kate!

      Off to check out your blog :)

      --jen

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  2. I liked your index card idea so much that I started the Poseidon Unit with them. I found some inexpensive card rings for them to keep them together, because they keep all their materials for this class in a ziplock bag.

    Thanks for the great idea!
    Carla
    Surviving Sixth Grade

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yay Carla! I'm so happy you tried it :)

      --jen

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  3. Index cards!! Brilliant! I'm totally going to do that with the Poseidon set! I love the idea of outlining them in the color.

    Tina
    Crofts' Classroom

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Tina! I'm so happy you're going to try it out :)

      --jen

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  4. I just found your blog through this linky!! I currently teach 5/6 grade history,but may teach 6th all subjects next year. YIKES! :)

    I'm your newest follower!

    Shannon
    http://www.irunreadteach.wordpress.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Jen! I love the name of your blog :) I'm your newest follower!

    ✿Sue✿
    Science for Kids Blog

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks for the easy implementation ideas!! :)

    ReplyDelete