Five For Friday!

I can't believe it's Friday already!  I look forward to Fridays, just so I can update you by linking up with Doodle Bugs Teaching for Five for Friday!

This week, I had a lot of exciting things going on, so I am going to switch it up a little bit by doing my Five for Friday in a "Top 5" style.

Here we go... my Top 5 for the week!

5. NWEA Testing

Each fall and spring, our students take the NWEA test in Reading and Math.  Our school's authorizer wants to see 125% growth from the fall test to the spring test.  I  have lots of feelings about standardized testing (as I'm sure many of you do, too), so I won't get into that in this post.  But, for two days, my classroom was transformed into a mobile computer lab "perfect" for testing.  Poor kiddos.

4. Fall Weather

Fall in Minnesota can go two ways:  We can either have an extended summer with relatively hot weather through September/ October, or we can fast forward to winter by way of a giant snowstorm, completely missing the comfortable fall weather.

This year, early September was miserably HOT, but now it has cooled down into the perfect fall weather.  The mornings and evenings are cool, and the daytime is warm and sunny.  After testing yesterday, I took my students outside for a little extra recess.  The weather has been beautiful, and I'm loving it!

3. Buddy Reading- Coaching

This week during Buddy Reading, we discussed "Coaching" our buddy if they get to a word they do not know.

When a buddy gets to a word they do not know, students need to do three things:

- Silently count to three in their head.

- Ask their buddy, "Do you need time, or help?"

- If their buddy says "time", they just have to wait.  If they say "help", they need to help their buddy chose a strategy that will help them figure the word out.

We talked about how coaching is not TELLING your buddy the word.  It is HELPING them decode it.  We also talked about how if our buddy says "time", we wait, but it would be a good idea to think of a strategy, in case our buddy changes their mind and does want help.

It was SO fun to watch!  Success!

These buddies hard at work Coaching.  Highlight of the week (#3.5), it was picture day, and the girl on the right INSISTED she wear that hot pink headband with the lovely fake hair... At least she smiled big for her picture!

2. LOVING My Team

Yep... I said it.  I love my team!  Last night, we went out for dinner and had a great time chatting (and NOT about school, are you as surprised as I am?!).

Me, Ms. Eichhorn, and Ms. Tarah-  3rd Grade ROCKS!  :)

1. Mr. Wolf's Birthday!

Today is Mr. Wolf's birthday!  We are going out to dinner tonight to celebrate.  Love this guy!  :)

What did you do in your classroom this week?

Until next time,

-Miss Woodward