Movement and Discourse

Ball Toss Boogie

Read Find Your Marigold by Jennifer Gonzales

In groups of 5-6, we are going to recall what we remember about the text. Each person will share when they catch the ball until we have mentioned everything we remember about the article.

What did the responses have in common between the groups? Is there something missing that we need to address before we move on?

Alternative Activity

Cafe Conversations

We will start this activity by covering the tables with paper. I will also add coin manipulatives to assist with younger learners.

Round 1: Think, Talk, Write

While reading the book Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday  by Judith Viorst we will "write" notes on the paper as talk about how much money Alexander has lost.

Round 2: Think, Talk, Draw

After switching groups and viewing the notes on the paper, groups will now "draw" or calculate how much money Alexander lost on the paper. 

Round 3: Think, Talk, Summarize

With a new group, look over the notes and calculations on the paper. Each group will come up with a final summary of the money lost by Alexander. #NotRichNow

YouTube Reading

Chair Share

Split into chair pairs (2 per group).

Using the How many triangles do you see? handout, try to find as many triangles as you can.

One person in each pair will now switch chairs with someone from another group. Work with your new partner to try to find additional triangles.

We will continue to switch and pair until it seems that most have found all of the triangles.

Show your confidence in the answer with either thumbs up (I know it), thumbs sideways (I might know it), or thumbs down (I don't know it). Your group will discuss, share, and together come up with the best answer.

Slides link

Dance It- Chance It

Using the slides, we are going to explore some 5th Grade Math STAAR questions.

Slides link

Fan Favorite

From a list of 4 vocabulary words, visuals, assessment items, skills, or text excerpts, students make decisions about their Fan Favorites from designated prompts.

Follow The Leader

Learning Loops

We will form 2 loops (one inner loop facing out and one inner loop facing in). We will review 1st grade terms from our ELAR Guaranteed Vocabulary JES list.

The teacher will listen in for misconceptions to inform future activities/reviews.

Musical Mix-Freeze Group

While the music plays, dance and move about the room. When the music stops, grab the nearest partner (or 2) and collaborate on the posted question. 

I am using Would You Rather Math for this activities questions.

Slides link

If you want a copy use this link.

Notable Quotable

Each student will start with a yellow index card for this activity. Independently, each student will provide their best answer on the yellow card.

Following the activity below, two students will combine their answers for a new best answer on a green index card. Two pairs will then work together to find a team best answer on a blue index card. Finally, two teams will work together to combine their answers for a new best answer on a purple index card.

Published Presentation

Get your own copy here.

Pair SQUARE Share

We will start in pairs to collaborate on the main idea of a passage from education .com

When the timer sounds, two pairs will join to form a square. The SQUARE can now discuss their collaborations. Each group now has an opportunity to revise their original responses.

When the timer sounds, the SQUARE will now share their discussion with the entire group.

Positive Pings

First, each group will attempt to bounce as many ping pong balls into their cup during the one minute time period. Each group will assign a team member to count each ping pong ball that lands in the cup. 

Based on scores, each group is assigned a task to complete. We will be using different multiplication models.

Slides link

Stand, Stick or Stray

This would be perfect for extension questions that challenge your learners.

Using this slides deck, we will start by choosing a stance. Each group will have an opportunity to huddle and defend their stance. Once all groups have spoken, each participant will have an opportunity to stick or stray.

Slides link

Texas Two-Step

For this activity, I utilized this document with models for fractions, decimals, and percents.

You can get your own copy of FDP here.

Think and Throw

Using a question from Open Middle, we will each find our best answer, write it on the paper, then create a snowball out of the paper. It is now time for Think and Throw.

Link to printable snowball

Thinking Partners

We will use the elementary version (below) to analyze Two Silvery Smiles from 2019 Grade 4 Reading STAAR.

Questions 1&6: Infer

Questions 2&5: Justity

Question 3: Analyze

Question 4: Summarize

Vote with Your Feet

Today's question is:

Which fictional character would you want to have as a study partner?

Harry Potter

Hermione Granger

Professor Albus Dumbledore

Professor Severus Snape

Each group will develop a list of reasons for their vote.