Science/ELA Integrated Nonfiction Reading Passages are FINISHED!!

I'm pretty sure this has been the most exhausting and rewarding "thing" I have ever created. I have been working on writing nonfiction reading passages for every 5th grade common core science standard for who knows how long! Each passage has questions that address all of our 5th grade nonfiction reading standards....and I am finally DONE!!

I thought this would be a piece of cake, but I was so. very. wrong. It is much easier to verbally communicate these concepts than write about them...at least for me!  I have learned a ton doing this and I hope these passages can benefit you and your students! Enjoy! Click on the picture to find the passages in my TPT store.

DIY Milk Crate Storage Bench

We (my husband and I...plus a little help from my 2 yr old) finished my new storage bench! I'm so excited!

I really wanted to create some alternative seating in my classroom, and with a need to accommodate potentially 30 fifth graders, I wanted to create a bench for one of my tables. This would allow for more storage, plus it can easily seat 3 kids on one side (potentially 4)...and at the core of most of my classroom desires, I wanted to create something fun!  

First and foremost, I got the idea from http://afirstgradejourney.blogspot.com/2012/07/diy-crate-bench.html - thank you Cathlin! However, I made some changes to make it a little bit cheaper! 

Materials
* 3 milk crates from Wal-Mart
* Wood, hex bolts, washers, nuts, & zip ties from Home Depot (the dimensions are shown on the receipt if you are wanting to make this yourself)
* Padding and fabric
I used padding from a random pillow in my house and an old body pillow cover for the fabric so that I would not have to buy those materials. I spent $29 in all! 

Process
This bench was super easy to make!!! We zip tied the crates together and then drilled holes for the hex bolts in the wood. Next, we screwed the hex bolts into the wood but we did not attach them to the crates. After that, I covered the wood with the stuffing from a pillow, covered it with a sheet and then stuffed it all in the body pillow. I over stuffed it because I know it will flatten out! I then took scissors and snipped a hole in the body pillow for each bolt to come through. Finally, I screwed all of the washers and nuts on the crates. Now my kids have a fun new bench! Hooray! 

My New DIY Table Caddy!!!

Oh my goodness, I am soooooo excited about my new table caddies!!! AHHHH!!! I have been wanting to make table caddies for a while (I hate the plastic ones) but I am super cheap and didn't want to spend too much money. Well, I finally found everything I needed for 6 tables for under $25 (you could stretch that even further if you wanted to and it could be cheaper if you already own some of the materials)!! This comes out to about $4 per table (most caddies are more expensive than that)! 

So, here they are...step by step.

SUPPLIES
I went to Home Depot and purchased three 1 x 6 x 2 boards for .67 cents each. Before purchasing, I asked for them to cut them in half. That means I go 6 boards for $2.01!!! I also purchased screws and a small sanding sponge to ensure that the edges would be soft. I then went to target and purchased 18 tin cans from the dollar section. Screws, boards, sanding sponge, and cans came out to $24ish dollars.

Process

I then took the tin cans and wood glued them onto the boards (I didn't include wood glue in the supplies because it is not necessary. My husband then drilled in the screws through the base of the cans into the boards. Annnnnndddd...you're done! 

Project Based Learning

I absolutely LOVE project based learning!! For me, project based learning is a form of learning where the kids are creating an extensive integrated project in the classroom (typically lasts 2 weeks) and the process of the project is where the learning takes place. Sometimes I front load them with information and sometimes I don't.  I mostly love it because it puts the learning and responsibility in the students hands. However, I also secretly love it because it keeps me on my toes. The kids challenge me to learn more, go deeper, and let go of all my control issues! Do you use project based learning? If so, I would love to hear how you run it in your classroom!

I started project based learning 3 years ago and have now tried it with 4th grade, 2nd grade, and 5th grade. It works with all of them and the kids ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!!!! Check out a few of my units on TPT - I have them for multiple grade levels. Enjoy!          

                 

                         
                                       

How do you run math and reading?

I am a HUGE fan of Daily 5 for reading and math!!! However, in our pinched timeline at school, I run Daily 4 for reading and Choice Math (same concept as Daily 5, just a different name because my kids got confused).

In reading, each day my students complete 4 of the following:
Read to self
Read with a partner
Work on writing
Word work
Reading with technology
Guided Reading

In Math, each day my students complete the following:
Math by myself/Math with Writing
Math with a partner
Math with Technology
Guided Math

One of my highest priorities with running a student led classroom is accountability. After using this model for 4 years, I have finally perfected my Daily 4 Checklist.  I am attaching it free for the next 24 hours! Be sure to like my page for more freebies in the future!

New beginnings

Summer is half way over (for my county at least) and I am already feeling the "itch" to get back into my classroom. However, just like many other years, I will be in a new classroom and teaching a new grade. I am moving down the hall and back into 5th grade...I cannot wait!! I absolutely love 5th grade and my mind is already racing with new ideas! Here is my latest creation for order of operations. It is a bundle of games for my choice math centers (math with a partner).