My Newest CIM: RL.7.3

For those of you who read regularly, you’ll remember that I’m working on my 7^th grade line of Continuous Improvement Model mini-lesson resources. I’m making good progress and I have recently finished and posted the CCSS.ELA.RL.7.3 resource. With this, I’ve also made a bundle with RL.7.1, RL.7.2, and RL.7.3, so you can save over 15% if you are interested in all 3.

What is a CIM? The acronym “CIM” stands for “Continuous Improvement Model.” It is one name for the research-based strategy that follows the “I do,” “we do,” “you do,” teaching model. In this resource, there are 3 lessons. Lesson 1 is a teacher-modeled lesson. Lesson 2 is a collaborative lesson where the teacher leads the class. The students complete lesson 3 independently. This resource is, in and of itself, a scaffolding tool. It is designed to help students master standards in a gradual manner.

This product is a 3-5 day tool for teachers to instruct, assess, and reteach skills and concepts associated with the RL.7.3 standard: Analyze how particular elements of a story or drama interact (e.g., how setting shapes the characters or plot). It also aligns with Florida’s standard: LAFS.7.RL.1.3, because of how Florida adapted their standards. It may also align with your state’s standards if your state doesn’t use CCSS.

The only Common Core practice I’ve been able to find is general and mixed-standards. Mine is the only one I know of that does individual standard, targeted instruction and practice. It’s low-prep and easy to implement. I use literature in the public domain from reputable authors (like Kipling, Twain, and Poe – this resource uses works by Hawthorne and Maupassant), so you’re exposing your students to quality literature with targeted standards practice. It takes out all the prep and guesswork!

If you’re looking for a quick, targeted, and easy resource for this standard, come check it out!

Summer BOGO!

Part 3 of my assessment series will be posted soon, don’t worry.

Right now, though, I’m excited to announce that I am having a BOGO on one of my most popular and best-rated products!

From now through Saturday (6/6/15), if you purchase my Independent vs. Dependent Variables 6th grade Math PowerPoint lesson, you’ll get the 6th grade math PowerPoint: Identifying Patterns and Writing Algebraic Equations for FREE! Both these lessons are Common Core Aligned with the Expressions and Equations strand. Both of them are very highly rated!

Why not stock up now for next year?

You can also get an editable version of these lessons for free if you contact me for details!

Research has consistently shown that PowerPoints have a positive impact on teaching and learning in the classroom. They help keep teachers organized, focus, and on pace during a lesson. They capture students’ attention, improve focus and engagement, and help note-taking skills.  PowerPoint is also an easy way to integrate technology into your lessons, which is recognized to be an attribute of highly effective teachers.

So do yourself a favor: take advantage of this BOGO and be ready for next year!

Summer BOGO offer

Be a Convert!

As a middle school math teacher, there never seemed to be an end to the things my students could not do when they came to me. For instance: I thought that a 7^th grader would be able to efficiently subtract double and triple-digit numbers. Wrong. I thought that an 8^th grader would be able to at least make an educated guess when taking a multiple choice quiz. Wrong.

Side note story:

My first and second years teaching 7^th grade pre-Algebra followed a very strict (flexible when necessary, though) schedule where Monday and Tuesday were direct instruction, Wednesday and Thursday were student practice, and Friday was assessment (short, 10-question quiz, and then re-teaching when necessary). So I knew that not all my students would get 100’s on their quizzes, but I did expect them to at least try. Or use common sense. I swear to you, I got responses back like:

Solve: ½ + ¾

1. 4/6
2. 5/4
3. 3/8
4. 1

Student answer: “No”.

No joke. I think one time I even got the answer “blue.”

I had to find a better way. I had to give them what they needed. So I started making PowerPoint lessons. One that worked really well for them was on converting among fractions, decimals, and percents. In the 3 years I taught math, I found that my students needed, at the least, a refresher on this concept, and at the most, a full-blown lesson with direct instruction on it. My PowerPoint could serve in both capacities. I found that my PowerPoint lessons engaged my struggling students because it was visual and it was structured. It kept them focused, it kept them engaged, it taught note-taking skills, and it presented a document I could easily turn into a grade (through a notebook check or something similar). Yes, it took time on the front end to create, but it solved so many problems that it was well worth it.

Do you have students who need help with converting among fractions, decimals, and percents? Check out my PowerPoint lesson!