4th Grade: Integrating Social Studies and Reading

If you are an upper elementary teacher, particularly fourth or fifth grade, then you are aware of the massive amounts of content that teachers are required to teach and students are required to master in the area of social studies. I have had parents say to me here in Georgia, "This social studies curriculum is beyond ridiculous!"  My response has always been, "I agree with you that it is a lot of material for a fourth grader to learn, but please understand that I don't decide the standards to be taught, I simply teach them."  With that said, I teach them to the best of my ability, and yes, it can be quite the challenge to get all of the material covered before standardized testing time.

After spending many challenging years trying to get all of the fourth grade social studies content covered,  the best solution seemed to be to try and  integrate the two subjects, such as work on reading skills while covering some of the social studies topics. It all seemed fine and dandy, but  the next problem would be trying to find social studies reading material to cover the content I needed it to cover.

Because I wanted very specific content, and I wanted it written in a certain way, I decided the best thing to do was just write the material myself.  Keeping in mind that my husband is a high school U.S. history teacher, I was able to converse with him about important details or facts that I should include,  in addition to referring to the Georgia curriculum standards. After working all summer, the finished product makes it very easy to integrate socials studies into reading.  I ended up writing 25 close reading passages that begin with Native Americans and end with Westward Expansion.  Many of the major historical events that fall between those two time periods are included in the close readings.  In addition to the close readings, there are teacher questions, as well as activities for each passage to be used in an interactive social studies notebook.  I am proud to share the finished product with you, and offer both notebooks to you for sale in my Teachers Pay Teachers store.  Here is a sneak peek, and then click on the links to get more specific details.

Please note that the grade level in which specific social studies content is taught varies from state to state. These notebooks happen to follow the Georgia fourth grade social studies content, so if you teach 4th grade in Georgia, this would be perfect for you.  If you are not sure if these notebooks follow the content for your state, please look closely at the detailed descriptions and then decide.

Interactive Social Studies Notebook/Journal #1

Interactive Social Studies Notebook/Journal #2

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Place Value and Number Sense Lessons Link Up

Most teachers start off the year with number sense, which means working on the common core standards that fall into the category of "Number and Operations in Base Ten". Below you will find some fun and interactive lessons that will help you meet that standard in your classroom.

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Got Black Lines on TpT?

Black Lines Printing on Files

If you are seller on Teachers Pay Teachers then you are all too familiar with the black line question. If you are a buyer who is opening a file that has black lines, is blurry, or some pages just don't seem to print when others do, TpT offers suggestions on how to hopefully fix the problem.  

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If You Give a Teacher a Compliment.....

Here is my take on teacher morale and what it can do for a teacher, the kids, and the school.

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How to Add Your Own Text to an 'Editable' PowerPoint File

Add Text to a Powerpoint Slide

If you purchase a Powerpoint  file from Teachers Pay Teachers that says it is 'editable', this most often means you can add text to it. In very rare cases you might be able to change the graphics out, but most graphics are embedded into the file in order to protect the images for copyright reasons.  If the file is saved as a PowerPoint file, here are some steps to follow if you don't know how to add text boxes to the file.  Hope it helps.

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Printable Bubble Sheets

Let's face it.... I think testing is here to stay.  Along with the testing comes the infamous bubble sheet.  I have a love hate relationship with those little bubbles.  I love to use them for a quick quiz or a short assignment, but I hate to use them for standardized testing because even my fourth graders get messed up on their bubbling.  They may be bubbling in number ten when they are actually on number eight.  They've skipped two and then they are totally screwed up until the monitor/teacher catches it. Monitoring tests is a whole other topic.... is that like the worst job in the world!!  I mean, who likes to walk three miles in their classroom in complete silence while trying to focus on circles a fourth the size of a dime.  ... UGH!

You will NOT believe this part.  For our very important state testing this past year, we were told that if we were walking around during the test (you know, the one they want to eventually base our salary on), and we saw a kid get screwed up on their bubbling, we could not say anything to them.  Now, if they realized they got messed up and asked for help, we could then help them, but if we noticed they had gotten off and they didn't realize it themselves, we could not say one  damn stinking word to them.  We had to watch them bubble incorrectly all the way 'til the end.  Thank goodness all of mine caught themselves, but in the lower grades, I'm sure some didn't.  That was about the craziest rule change I had heard in a while.

Regardless, bubbling is a thing of today.  I have made some printable bubble sheets if you would like to go check them out. I included lots of different kinds, even some for beginners learning to bubble and a ticket out the door bubble sheet. 

Printable Bubble Sheets

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And here is another thought from me on bubbling.  :-)

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God in the Classroom

After church today, I was inspired to make this poster.  It's also something I have told myself each year before I start the year, and the service made me think about it.  I know it doesn't pertain to everyone. :-)  I then had some requests for a copy after it was posted on my Facebook page, so I thought I would make it available.

God in the Classroom Poster

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Positive Reinforcement in the Classroom

positive- affirmation, approval, indicating acceptance, having a good effect, marked by optimism

reinforcement- the act of reinforcing, making stronger, to stimulate or encourage

I don't know about you, but I love positive reinforcement.  I think it is a natural desire to want positive affirmation for our actions.  Even in my teaching job, I love it when someone tells me I did a good job or gives me an award.  In the teaching world, it may be something simple like a note left on your desk from your principal or being given a special jeans pass for doing something over and beyond. Wouldn't you be crushed if your principal walked out of our room only leaving you with a negative comment.  Just imagine!  I don't want people to focus on what I have done wrong, and I don't think when it comes to a student's behavior the focus should just be on the negatives. Now, I am not completely saying that kids don't need to have inappropriate behaviors pointed out to them, because I feel they do.  But, once you have given a child an understanding of what appropriate behaviors are, I think it vital to catch them in the act and point it out to them, offering them the positive reinforcement for that behavior.  Tell them right when  you see them do something good.  Make it a point to be positive, and with some teachers this is not an automatic, so they may need to make a conscience effort to do this. One suggestion is to set up a behavior management system in your classroom that is based on positive reinforcement.  I have done this for years, and I have found it to be very effective.  Most kids naturally want to please, and I have even found over my twenty years of teaching that 'bad' kids want to do well too.  Sometimes those kids are the ones that hear negative after negative after negative.  It is up to us, the teacher, to stop that for them.  Tell them how well they did.  You never know, you might be able to offer the positive affirmation that the child has never before received.  Try it. :-)

As a reminder to think positively, I made this FREE positive thinking Poster.

Positive Thinking Poster for Teachers

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For your classroom, you will love this positive reinforcement "Pocket Bucks" money system.  Check it out in my Teachers Pay Teachers Shop for all of the details.  It has everything needed for a colorful positive reinforcement bulletin board.  This can be used for whole class, or you can use an individual pocket for one child if needed.

Pocket Bucks for Positive Reinforcement 

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Another fun idea that the kids will love are my Arm Charm Brag Bracelets.  Check those out too.

Brag Bracelets

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If Only We Were Just Teachers

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Something that Annoys this Teacher

Things that Annoy the Teacher

Do you have anything that absolutely annoys you?  Things that don't seem to bother other people, yet they get on your ever-lasting nerve.  To some people, this might be called a pet peeve. The dictionary says that a pet peeve is a minor annoyance, but I am afraid that mine is more than minor. What do you call it if it reaches 'major' annoyance?  Good question, ah?  I'm probably getting into some kind of psychological diagnosis when it gets to that point.  HA!

 

My annoyance is  going to seem ridiculous to some, but here goes.......

No, it's not the potato chips and Pop-tarts themselves.  It's the packaging!  I can not stand to hear the rattling of the package.  For example, if someone is sitting beside me and they keep sticking their hand inside the package to get some chips out.  I hate the sound every time their hand reaches in the bag.... over and over again.... so annoying!  If you are sitting by me and you eat a Pop-tart (or anything else in a package), please, please remove it from the package and put it on a paper towel.  The crinkling sound just drives me nuts. I know, it's crazy! ................okay, it's not like I can't ever be in the same room with someone who has to eat from the bag, but hear me now....I'm cringing on the inside... 

My kids and husband have pretty much gotten used to me saying, "That gets on my nerves!"  When I am teaching and it's snack time, my students know the routine from day one....no packages!! Either use a Zip lock bag (not nearly as much noise) or put it on a paper towel.  If they didn't know what a pet peeve was before they arrived in my class, they go home from the start with a new vocabulary word.  Plus, they get a good laugh out of it. We always laugh about it. :-)

 

I am not alone when it comes to stuff like this. Some favorite annoyances shared on the Internet are:

• People who block the aisles in Wal-mart, talking
• Pens clicking
• Whining
• smacking food
• People who take up two parking spaces
• People who drive under the speed limit
• So many more!!

 It's packages for me, but it's other things for other people.  With me, I probably have some kind of sensitivity to high-pitched sounds or something like that. Either that or I'm just a complete wack-O! What about you, do you have anything that annoys you?

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FREE Birthday Pencil Toppers

I don't do a whole lot for my kids' birthdays, typically just a pencil and a birthday card....maybe a piece of candy.  I have found in the past that they just want to be recognized on their birthday, and something simple can be all it takes to bring a smile to their face.  I made these birthday pencil toppers that you may like.  Just print them off, laminate, and tape to a pencil.  Get them all ready at the beginning of the year and then all you have to do is grab one from the can on their birthday. I cut around mine using pinking shears. I have also included a style that could work for a button instead of a pencil topper. It says, "It's my birthday."  After you laminate those, just hot glue a metal  button backing that you can get in the jewelry section of Wal-Mart or a craft store like Hobby Lobby.  Enjoy!

As always, I love comments, so say hello sometimes when you stop by. :-)

Free Happy Birthday Pencil Toppers

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The can above is a soup can that I spray painted. 
The pencils came from the Dollar Spot at Target.

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Don't forget click and read my blog post 

Self-care tips for teachers' mental health

Reading Larger Numbers Activity

In math, most teachers start the new year with some kind of number sense activity... place value, reading numbers, comparing numbers, etc.  One thing I have found with some of my fourth graders is that they have a hard time reading larger numbers.  They can break the number down into expanded form. They can tell you the value of the digits.  But, when it comes to reading really large numbers, it can be a challenge.  One thing I have done in the past is refer to the commas as 'last names', meaning that when you hit a comma, you need to add a word.  It goes something like this:

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When you are working on this activity, you might enjoy this I Have Who Has activity. 

I Have Who Has ~Reading Larger Numbers

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Teacher Tips to Start the New Year

Teacher Tips For Back to School

Throw out the old-  It has taken almost twenty years to realize it, but if I haven’t used it in two years, it’s probably best to just throw it out.  Don’t start the year again with posters  that have torn edges, the three paper plates that you just think you will find some use for… you know what I mean.

Get yourself organized- after you throw out the old, organize the new.  Get crates, labels, buckets, whatever it takes to give everything its own place.  You  will feel so much better about your classroom.  I’m always more productive in an organized space.

Spice up your classroom -  Something new for the classroom is like sporting a new outfit.  New clothes make you feel good.  So, get a new bookshelf, design a new bulletin board, just do something.  The same ‘ole same ‘ole is just a  boring.
 
Be prepared- It’s a wonderful thing to start the year with a few weeks already planned.  It can be a stressful thing to start the year not knowing what you are doing on day 2 of school.  I would not recommend it.  Spend the time now to get your thoughts in order and know how to get your year off to a great start.

Don’t reinvent the wheel – There are a lot of teachers, former teachers, etc. that are making great lesson plans and activities.  The act of teaching is hard enough, and there is rarely any time left in the day to search all over the internet for plans.  Use sites like Teachers Pay Teachers and teacher blogs like mine and many others in order to streamline where you get your lessons.

Prioritize-  If there is one thing I have had to learn  over the years, it’s that everything does not have to get done today.  The hard part is that there is always something that has to be done. The list of things to do in education just never ends.  Designate  an area of your desk where you stack or make note of things that have to get done and when they need to be turned in or completed.  Put them in order based on when they are due.  It will take some pressure off of you if you realize you just have one thing due tomorrow and not ten.
 
Get out of the classroom – It doesn’t matter how long you stay at school, there will always be a list of things to do.  There will always be a nameplate on a desk that has to be replaced or papers that need to be graded. Yes, there are times when it really is necessary to stay until 6 o’clock between those four cement walls, but on a day to day basis, go home, get out, free yourself.  It's better for you and the students.  The truth is, it may have been so many years since you've done it that don't realize how refreshing it can be.  It took me lots of years to realize it, and I stress that to people.  You can be a great teacher and leave at a decent time.


Work, don’t chat – As much as teachers like to talk, sometimes things just need to get done.  Yes, we need to vent, discuss the happenings of the day, etc., but some teachers spend their entire planning time (which may only be one day a week for some), talking and complaining.  Take that time to actually get things done.  My point is, be productive and don’t waste what little time you do have to get things done at school.  Look closely.  Those teachers that you look at and wonder how they get to leave at 4:00 each day…. Well, they typically don’t waste time during the day.


Don’t be the Debbie Downer-  negativity typically breeds negativity.  People understand when others need to vent a bit.  After all, teaching is hard.  Parents can get under our skin.  Teachers don't always do things our way. We all have things we need to share and get off our shoulders.  But, don’t make a habit of it.  Pick and choose the important topics that are worthy of griping about.  Also, live by the rule if you  don’t have something nice to say about someone, just keep it to yourself.  It really isn’t nice to talk about others, no matter how much we want to, and trust me, I have wanted to.


Close your door and teach-  There are new approaches to education introduced every year.  There are new methods for teaching reading, math,  and everything else.  It’s enough to make you want to pull your hair out.  If you look closely, most of the time the method is the same , but the name has changed.  You aren’t really needing to change your way of teaching at all.  So, just close your door and keep on keeping on.  Teach the way that works best for you and your kids.  And if something does change, I always have the attitude that if  I can justify why I do what I do then all is good.  After all, I have taught for twenty years and have two degrees.  That does leave me to be able to make some professional call on how I should run my classroom. I like to try new approaches when I come across them, but I like to pick what will work for me and my students.  Not every new approach works for every teacher and for every group of kids, and like I said, the only thing new about most ‘new’ methods of teaching is the name.  Sad but true.

I hope you have a terrific school year.

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DIY Inexpensive Partner Pocket Chart

When I say inexpensive, I 'm talking like $2.00.  I think that is pretty cheap!!

This little DIY pocket chart will work great for a partner center.  Maybe students are working on spelling, and one student calls out a word to another for that child to spell it.  Then they take turns being the caller or speller.  I can think of lots of different ways to use this little partner pocket chart.  Be creative.

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Supplies:  Stapler, Scissors, Cheap Sentence strip pocket chart from Target dollar spot, heavy duty cardboard pocket folder, patterned duct tape. 

 

1.First,  you will  cut off the top piece of vinyl fabric above the top plastic strip.  It is the part that has the two brads for hanging. Leave a little bit of fabric above the strip.  Save this for a later step.

2.Next, cut the pocket chart in the middle of the strips, so that you will now  have 2 sentence strip charts with 4 each one.

3.Now, face the two pieces of vinyl to each other with the plastic strips facing each other.  Make sure the plastic strips are open to the top.  You will staple across the top.

4.Flip the vinyl back over, and the staples should be on the underside with the plastic strips now on both outer sides. 

5.Take the file folder and keep it closed.  Drape the stapled vinyl over the folded part of the folder. The folder will open on the bottom.  You will have 4 strips on each side of the folder. Basically, you have a small pocket chart on each side.

6.Now, staple the vinyl  to the top of the folder.

7.Then staple down 4 sides.  You will hold the folder slightly open and staple the vinyl on the sides to attach it to the folder.  Do this on both sides.

8.Now, pick a colored tape.  I used  a lighter weight tape, but I would probably now recommend  a patterned  duct tape.  You will use this to cover all staples.

9.Last, take the strip that you originally and you will use it to staple to the inside of the folder in order to help the folder stay open at an A-frame.  I cut mine to the inside of the brads, and then trimmed off a little more.  The size you choose will determine how much the folder will open up. 

Once completed, you should have 4 strips on each side.  It's perfect for a partner center, but it can always be used individually, too. 

 

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